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Form-4 Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Form-4
Rants
Published in Paperback by Main Street Books (1997-04-14)
Author: Dennis Miller
List price: $13.95
New price: $2.00
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $13.95

Average review score:

The Art Of Shouting Your Mind
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-09-24
Dennis Miller's rants combine hilarity and brutal honesty and with his gift of insight, his intellect, and his candor, Miller toes the line between coolness and utter jerkdom as he yells his views on topics that range from politics to popular culture. Miller is surprisingly patriotic, deeply cynical, individualistic, and often mildly insulting. I found his trademark obscure cultural references charming at first but they do grow old after a while. (Not that Miller cares.) The thing that won me over here is that unlike so many other motormouths in the entertainment business, Dennis Miller truly has something thoughtful to say and the points he makes are generally worth thinking over.

A thinking man's comedian.
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-10-28
Dennis Miller is one of the best in the business of cutting humor today.I don't know if he writes all his own material;but I am inclined to think he does.He claims to be neither a Democrat nor a Republican and it really doesn't matter.I think he has decided the whole bunch of them are fair game.He comes up with one great line after another and he has an ability to put his thoughts forward that take you by surprise and leave you gasping for air from laughing.Youl'll say to yourself;Yeah,he's hit the nail right on the head,but I never thought of it that way.
On Liberals..."They are running around like an organically fed,free-range chicken with its head cut off.No wonder they fight so hard for the spotted owl- they're right behind them on the endangered species list."
Recently, Miller has been showing up on FOX with Hannity and Colmes and he had the pair of them doubled up with laughter .
This book was first published in 1996.Miller's rants in this book are already 10 years old.However;the more things change,the more they stay the same.

"Now I don't want to get off on a rant here,but"..

I wish that he would put a lid on his use of the F-word. It's not that this is too harsh for my sensitivities, having spent my teen years in the local Pool Rooms,and later 5 years in college with engineers and 7 years in the Army. So,with all that,vulgarity is'nt anything new to me.However; when you are a good humorist with good material and timing,you don't need vulgarity to get attention.In fact,I think it detracts from his talent. It may be alright for a Drill Instructor, but the great humorists like Mark Twain,Myron Cohen,Red Buttons,Red Skelton,Bill Cosby and such,did not lower themselves to its use.I particularly feel this way with female performers. What I'm really trying to say is that it detracts rather than enhanches the persona of a good entertainer. Miller is too good to have to resort to foul language and his humor would be better off without it.I feel the same about George Carlin.

"Of course,that's just my opinion.I could be wrong."













Some of Dennis Millers best rants
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2005-04-13
This book was very hilarious, filled to the brim with some of Dennis' best rants from his acclaimed HBO show Dennis Miller Live, leaving you nostalgic for those wild and crazy 1990s. If you remember and miss Dennis from his times as the news anchor on SNL or from his hit HBO show Dennis Miller Live and want to relive some of his witty remarks and prodigious monologues, I highly recommend you purchase this book.

Rant On, Dennis!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-03-26
This collection of rants from Dennis Miller is generally excellent and topical social commentary. Written long before 9/11 and his coming of age as a more conservative voice, this is a fairly libertarian, rational, and practical look at life in the United States. There are a few areas that I disagree with him on, but I am not recommending that anyone think a certain way, just that people hear different concepts with an open mind and make their own decisions. In this book you can see the seeds of Miller's conservatism, although it is clear that he has been awakened and revitalized by the events of 9/11 and is thus more conservative now than when this book was written.

Overall, this is a neat summary of Miller's world view as it existed in 1996. His gift of satire is preeminent in the world today, and while probably everyone will find something in this book to provoke or annoy them, at least it insists on the reader thinking for themselves. I would have given this book five stars except for the fairly frequent profanity. I know this is adapted from some of his HBO material, but the book could be used for a much younger audience to excellent effect if not for the language. Excellent job overall: highly recommended for people of any political leaning.

Searching for the soul of Dennis Miller
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2003-08-17
Since I've been alternately lambasting and lauding Dennis Miller on my new website, "An Open Letter to Dennis Miller", and since I've written a few poems about him, it's only fair I backtrack and learn more about the guy I used to admire, but hadn't fully appreciated.

So I bought a couple of books, borrowed others from the library, and listened to "The Off-White Album". I'll limit this review to "The Rants", which I have both on audiocassette and hardcover. Dennis, please, please, find that person you once were! In the first rant, "Liberalism", he recognizes that liberalism is probably dead as a political party, but needs to stay alive as a spiritual force. In other rants, I find genuine chunks of wisdom mixed in with snide or too-clever comments. Sometimes I giggle or smile, and sometimes I'm out-loud guffawing. And the F-word and other obscenities aren't as frequent as I expected (though certainly frequent enough!).

I find the Dennis Miller of old clever, cocky, a little annoying, sometimes embarrassing, and overall enjoyable. I find the Dennis Miller of early 2003 hateful, intellectually lazy, pandering, sucking up to the hilt--and only occasionally funny. Will the real Dennis Miller please come back?

Form-4
Couplehood
Published in Hardcover by Bantam (1994-08-01)
Author: Paul Reiser
List price: $19.95
New price: $0.01
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $19.95

Average review score:

Better Than Therapy
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-22
Thanks Paul Reiser! Your book has helped to achieve what four therapists and a mound of self-help books couldn't. Laughter truly is the best medicine and Paul is excellent at getting us to laugh about the nitty-gritty ins and outs of the marital relationship. (All puns intended.) Do not under estimate this little paper back.

This book is fun as well as healing. The truth hurts and marriage can be difficult, but when we have a good laugh about it, that's what makes for a great book, and a good marriage. This book has been around for a long time and so has Paul, but I just read it and would give it to any 22 year old who is thinking about marriage or living with a girl friend. I would also give it to an older couple so they can get a few laughs out of all that time spent in "marital bliss". Thanks to Paul you can feel once again like you belong to a special "in" club of people who enjoy marriage and know what it's all about. Thanks Paul!

Enjoy the dance
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-08
I purchased my first copy of Couplehood in 1994, when the hardcover was released. My husband and I read it together. It is a light-hearted series of observations on living with another person--one you love dearly, yet can sometime drive you crazy. It always returns to the fact that you are in love, and that by allow you sense of humor to place things in perspective, marriage can be a wonderful state of being. His advice can be summed up as comparing marriage to an ongoing dance--sometimes your toes get stepped on. Although Reiser reflects on his heterosexual relationship, I believe the issues address can apply to any couple. Since my first read, this book has been a standard part of every wedding gift I've given. I'm sorry it is no longer available in hardcover.

Hey hey
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2006-03-15
I picked this book up off the floor in the woman's restroom of a Greyhound station in Lightville, Ohio. And while I've personally never found Paul Reiser to be funny -- I did find this courageous story to be laughable. What struck me most in this outlandish sci-fi story is that he claims that Helen Hunt is "talented." That is simply NOT true, Paul. Oh sure, you may have had your 7 years of inspired lunacy on Mad About You -- a program I will not soon forget -- but it was John Pankow who carried the show. I like John Pankow cause I saw him in a Long John Silver's in Chambourg, Illinois and he was gracious enough to sign an autograph and pose for a picture. I believe he had the clamwich and fries. I gave him my cell to maybe get together and get a drink some time, but he never called. Hey, I understand though. Being famous has a lot of demands!

Embarrass yourself laughing out loud in public!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-12
I read this on a public bus in San Francisco, and try as I might, could not contain my laughter. I would try so hard to be quiet, with tears rolling down my face, and then finally have to burst out with a crazy guffaw. People literally were coming up to me begging to read a page because they needed a good laugh. I ended up passing the book around the bus and hearing little snorts of laughter follow it until it got back to me. What a fun ride! (*****)

[...]

hilarious
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2005-08-24
This book was absolutely hilarious. Just about anyone would enjoy this, whether or not they are in a serious relationship. I don't think it's meant to give any deep advice or insight on relationships. It's just a great read for a whole lot of laughs. I often am reminded about some of his anecdotes and takes on normal daily activities as I go throughout my day. I also read Babyhood, thinking I'd love it since that's the stage of life I'm in right now, and it was okay, but Couplehood was better by a long shot.

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Secrets of a Former Fat Girl: How to Lose Two, Four (or More!) Dress Sizes--And Find Yourself Along the Way
Published in Hardcover by Hudson Street Press (2007-04-19)
Author: Lisa Delaney
List price: $21.95
New price: $5.71
Used price: $4.96

Average review score:

A bit of a generic diet book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-24
After reading so many wonderful reviews for this book, I got my hands on a copy. The material is pretty basic - if you've ever read another behavioral sort of diet book before, you'll know what's coming. I also couldn't get into the writer's style of writing. Much of the book details her own personal stories from over the year - how her family would push food on her, her awkward struggles in dating, learning she had the strength to exercise. I just couldn't get into her personality and didn't feel a real connection with her experiences.

All in all, it was nothing new for me and I found myself skimming for the more interesting parts after a while. A while ago, I read The Skinny: How to Fit into Your Little Black Dress Forever, which I found very helpful. In fact, after reading it and The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person, I lost about 15 lbs and I was looking for a book to read as a refresher over the holiday season. But I would recommend those two over this one - The Beck Diet Solution goes into more detail than this book about how to develop "thin people" behaviors and thoughts, and The Skinny gives useful little strategies for navigating mealtimes (one of the authors is a full-time food critic who eats out constantly and maintains her weight).

That's my biggest complaint with Secrets of a Former Fat Girl that The Skinny addresses: What if you don't want to spend your life eating rabbit food and saying no to social functions? What if you don't want to be a size 2, but a size 6 or 8 who enjoys cooking and eating fancy foods? These are questions that The Skinny: How to Fit into Your Little Black Dress Forever addresses quite well.

Interesting Reading
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-25
This is an interesting read, but if you're using it to solve all your weight issues, it won't work. That should be obvious, though -- if someone had figured out the key to weight loss, would America still be frighteningly obese?! Still, she has some really good points and suggestions for how to handle certain weaknesses and situations that could really work for some people. Because everyone is different, though, they won't work for one and all.

*Fantastic* book!! - huge inspiration!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-16
I had never really considered myself "fat", even though I knew I was outside of the healthy weight range for my height. The reason I bought this book was I was tired of how my clothes were fitting, and I was hoping it was give me more than just a crash diet I could try for a few weeks and then go back to my old habits.
I almost cried while I was reading this book, because I never knew that there were other people in the world who had similar experiences to mine; things like sneaking food while other people are out of the room. The author shares very personal experiences, and I felt like she could have been sharing things from my own life. The changes that she made in her own life are such a huge inspiration, and knowing how much she was able to change herself gave me the kick-start I needed.
Honestly, I will never buy another diet book again. I have already started following her advice, and I've lost 9 pounds already, and I know that finally, this time, they're staying off for good.

To sum it up: this book changed my life. I never thought I'd say that about a book, but it's incredible, I recommend it to anyone who is uncomfortable in their own body.

Not exactly what I was looking for
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-30
This book was an ok read, but I didn't find a lot of the tips useful as I'm already working on my weight loss. I didn't like how she talked so badly about herself and it sort of made me feel bad too just reading it. There are some interesting bits in there, but for the most part I didn't find it all that inspirational. Might be good for some, but not everyone.

The Best Motivational Book for Losing Weight
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-09
This book was the absolutely best book I have ever read to motivate a person who wants to lose weight. I have been yo-yo dieting for about 40 years now and so you can imagine how many books I have read and own on the subject of losing weight. Lisa Delaney hits the nail on the head over and over again about getting to the absolute inner core of why we punish ourselves continuously in order to get to the "perfect weight". I carry her book around with me so I can open it during trying times to remind myself of all the reasons why I don't want to binge. Needless to say, I have highlighted huge sections of this book, so if something doesn't work one minute something else is right there to support me. As I was reading it I kept saying to myself, "This is so amazing--she knows exactly what I need to hear!" I recommend buying this book, not just borrowing it. You only really need this book alone, because we all know we don't need a diet plan--we all know how to diet! We need to know how to deal with the times we aren't eating and really want to. If you need motivation, you need this book and it will help you for your whole life to keep on the happy and healthy path to a normal weight.

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A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of Four (Dover Thrift Editions)
Published in Paperback by Dover Publications (2003-09-17)
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
List price: $3.50
New price: $0.99
Used price: $0.25
Collectible price: $10.00

Average review score:

Somewhat Anticlimactic Sherlock Holmes Mystery.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-13
This was my first introduction to Sherlock Holmes. I have wanted to start reading this series for some time and, finally, I was able to get around to it. As this was the first book in the series, I started with it.

Arthur Conan Doyle certainly created an enduring set of characters in the genius of crime-solving Sherlock Holmes and his assistant, Dr. James Watson. In this novel, they meet through a mutual friend as two people both looking for roommates. Not but a few days after, Holmes reveals to Watson that he is a private detective and the two embark together on their first (of what will be many) cases.

Quite frankly, I don't think this novel lived up to the accolades that Doyle has garnered for his Sherlock Holmes series. While the novel was certainly not predictable, it was quite dragging and not very cohesive. After Holmes declares that he knows who committed the murder, we enter into a VERY long backstory of how the killer came to know the victims (they indirectly killed the woman he intended to marry and, subseuquently, he has spent many years planning their deaths). The last few chapters, where Holmes puts together how he deduced the identity of the killer are so implausible as to be almost pedestrian.

I have subsequently read several of the later Holmes stories and I must say that they are generally better than this novel was. I would urge the Homes novice to start with the "Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes." The stories are quicker and generally more exciting.

A study in scarlet
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-30
A study in scarlet is the first Sherlock Holmes adventure with Dr. Watson, the classic crime-solving partnership. I read it in Spanish (my first language) when I was around 9 years old and I love it at that time.
I just finish reading it, 21 years later and in english, and I still think is a great book.....short enough to read it in a week, probably less, nevertheless, complex enough to catch your attention.
I haven't finish The Sign of 4 yet, but so far it seems to be as good as a Study in Scarlet!

Super Reader
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-02
A lovely origin story. Dr. Watson, returned from a war and in need of lodgings is led to Baker Street. In this fine location resides one Sherlock Holmes.

They are soon on the trail of a mystery that involves a corpse, and a word scrawled in blood on a wool. Then there are dodgy mormons and a bit of wild west action.

Dr Watson, I'd like you to meet Mr Sherlock Holmes!
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-18
As Agatha Christie's "The Mysterious Affair at Styles" introduced a grateful reading public to Hercule Poirot, perhaps the second best known fictional detective of all time, Conan Doyle's "A Study in Scarlet" marked the debut appearance of the acknowledged master of detection, the one and only Sherlock Holmes!

John Watson, a medical doctor recently retired from the British military to recover his health and recuperate from wounds received in Afghanistan, is looking to stretch his limited budget by finding another gentleman with whom he can share accommodation. When a mutual friend introduced him to Sherlock Holmes, one might slyly suggest that the game was afoot and the rest, as they also say, became history. Already characteristically melancholy and moody, a jaded Holmes, who labeled himself the world's only consulting detective, is invited by Scotland Yard's Lestrade and Gregson to assist in the investigation of a baffling pair of murders.

With "A Study in Scarlet", Doyle is clearly new to the craft of writing mysteries and the great detective's debut outing suffers from characteristic first novel and new character jitters. The style itself is markedly different from everything that follows in the Holmes canon with the story being told from a third-party perspective. The background to the mystery is revealed through the mechanism of a flashback to the western USA at the time of the Mormon migration to Utah. Feedback from the reading public must have been immediate and - we'll have to hand it to Doyle - he must have been a quick learner. Watson was thereafter appointed official narrator and diarist to the master and Doyle never looked back.

I leave it to others smarter than I to judge whether or not Doyle's historical characterization of the Mormons is justified or accurate! Suffice it to say, that the mystery is entertaining but the details are, quite frankly, entirely unimportant beside the overwhelming fact that this was the first time the world heard the name "Sherlock Holmes". It took Doyle only a few pages for example to treat us to an aphorism that we would come to hear over and over again, "It is a capital mistake to theorize before you have all the evidence."

This novel is a cornerstone in the annals of crime fiction, an extremely important piece of the history of English literature and a darned good read! Enjoy it!

Paul Weiss

Another Mormon reader chimes in . . .
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-31

I recently picked up THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, which has been sitting on my shelf for over a year and I'm glad I did. The first book in the compendium of his early works is A STUDY IN SCARLET, to which I restrict my comments.

The story is broken into two parts. The first chronicles the murder and pursuit by Holmes, the second provides the background and motive for the murder and ultimately the resolution of the case.

A STUDY IN SCARLET is the first of many Sherlock Holmes novels and is a good place to start if you, like me, are aware of Holmes' preeminent status as the literary world's best detective, but have not yet taken the opportunity to read his adventures.

The first book introduces Holmes and Watson and chronicles how they came to be companions. It also gives an insight into the pains Holmes has taken to develop his sleuthing skills. This introduction is intriguing and will pull you along until the crime is discovered, at which point you'll be hooked.

The development of the rest of the first part is equally intriguing as the mystery becomes clearer and clearer to Holmes, though no more clear to the reader. One is truly impressed by all that is "elementary"* to Mr. Holmes, but imperceptible to we mere mortals.

The second part of the book takes place primarily in Utah at the time the valley was settled by the Mormons. Brigham Young and the burgeoning Mormon society are menacing and effectively occupy the role of the antagonist for the second part.

For those unfamiliar with the Latter-Day Saints, please note that this account is purely a work a historical fiction and is wholly inaccurate in its depiction of Brigham Young, Salt Lake City, and Mormons at large. For that, I deduct a star for the hazard it may present to those unaware of the true character of the Mormon faith. Personally, I found the second part more distasteful than will the average reader because I am a proud Latter-day Saint.

Still, with these flaws, the book is a wonderful introduction to a literary character with whom all should be familiar. I recommend the book.


* I must say that I was disappointed to find Holmes' catch-phrase "it's elementary my dear Watson" missing from this volume (though I don't deduct any stars for its absence). Surely, it appears in later works. I was waiting for it, but, alas, it didn't appear.

Form-4
Better Homes and Gardens New Junior Cookbook
Published in Spiral-bound by Better Homes and Gardens (1997-08-15)
Author:
List price: $15.95
New price: $16.99
Used price: $2.92

Average review score:

Very late delivery
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2009-01-04
I ordered this item on Dec 4th as a Christmas gift with 2 day shipping though Amazon Prime. It arrived on December 31st. What a waste.

Kids Love It
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-29
The kids see me cooking all the time and they wanted their own cookbook . So we bought them one as a together present so inspire their love of cooking and to teach them cooperation.

good merchandise
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-23
The book was received in a timeley manner. It was in good shape as described. Would do business with seller again when need arises.

Very pleased
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-15
This book is amazing as is all of the Better Homes and Garden cook books. The pictures alone draw you in. There is nutrition facts and fun easy, kid friendly recipes. Small amount of recipes, but I feel perfect. Should make kids want to cook.

the perfect cookbook for pre-teens,teens,and beginner cooks of all ages!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-23
my 12 year old daughter picked this out and i couldn't be more pleasantly surprised.we have other "kiddie" cookbooks but this is far and away the best.the beginning of the book is wonderful tips and basic food safety (like not buying dirty eggs).the book is divided into breakfast,lunch,snacks,dinner,and dessert.my daughter has cooked many recipes out of the cookbook entirely by herself because the directions are very clear and concise.and the recipes taste great too!all the ingredients are easy to find in any grocery store and they're quick cooking.i really think this is a must have for any preteen or teenage girl.couldn't love it more!!!

Form-4
DragonArt
Published in Paperback by Impact (2005-09-25)
Author: Jessica "Neon Dragon" Peffer
List price: $19.99
New price: $9.23
Used price: $8.15
Collectible price: $20.00

Average review score:

Wonderful book!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-31
I was extrememly pleased with this book. I love to draw, but i'm not that great. It does an excellent job explaining things to you and helping you understand why to draw things the way they show you. I think I was pretty successful at drawing some of the images in the book. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn how to draw such amazing creatures.

Great for beginner to intermediate artists!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-11
Ok, so i got this from barnes and nobles a few months a ago and so far it has been really great to use. It offers great tips for beginners and its layed out in an easy to understand kind of format which i really enjoyed. though i really like the colors and pictures in the book, the step by step how to's weren't all that great as they are really detailed and might not be great for someone who is new to drawing really intricate and detailed pictures. but all in all its a great book and well worth the 20$ i paid for it and it would make a great gift for someone really into dragons,mythical creatures, and drawing! :)

not bad a'tall
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-10
Was swayed to buy this book by the reviews... Amazon offers several! Well done ~ does a fairly good job of explaining the basics, and the step-by-step was helpful to me. Not geared for the very young, though... would suggest from the 10-12yr. range & up.

Great Book!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-11-03
This book really teaches you how to draw dragons! It starts off with a simple dragon to draw and then it shows you how to draw kinds of arms, legs, wings, and dragons! There's 3 sections, Fantastic Dragons, Unique Details, and even Other Fantasy Creatures! You can draw great dragons, gargoyles, pegasus, chimeras, kirins (chinese unicorns) phoenixes, griffins, basilisks, wyverns, and sea serpents! This is great for dragon fans and includes lots of details! You should really buy it!

(P.S. If you flip the pages and look on the bottom right corner you can see a dragon flying!)

A Great Addition to my "Drawing Books" Collection
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-05
Jessica's book is the only other dragon drawing book I would recommend other than my own:

Drawing Dragons: Learn How to Create Fantastic Fire-Breathing Dragons

Although I do find her artwork very cartoony, some of it is undeniably striking and she obviously is a very talented artist. The instructions are easy to follow and she has a fun and homourous tone to the way she writes. I have purchased pretty much every dragon drawing book out there to see how it compares to mine and this is the only purchase I am actually happy with.

If you like this book, you should definitely check out her newest one on Fantasy Characters as well.

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All the Trouble in the World: The Lighter Side of Overpopulation, Famine, Ecological Disaster, Ethnic Hatred, Plague, and Poverty
Published in Paperback by Atlantic Monthly Press (1995-08-12)
Author: P. J. O'Rourke
List price: $15.00
New price: $1.88
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $15.00

Average review score:

As always...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-24
PJ delivers as always, this is very funny at times (for a re-born republican that is... lol)

Funny as hell
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-04
Some disclosure - I'm a huge PJ O'Rourke Fan. Even so, this book, along with "Eat the Rich" is a classic.

Everytime you hear how messed up the US is, or how bad things are, or any other Chicken Little squawking pick this up. I've read it at least three times and it still cracks me up. It's a great perspective and makes you feel lucky if you live in the US. His books give me some of my best one-liners.

Funny...but not convincing.
Helpful Votes: 18 out of 30 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-08
Before I go on: Yes, I'm a liberal--I had to read this book in a English Comp II class taught by a libertarian professor.

O'Rourke's analysis, while scathingly funny, falls short of the mark due to sheer lack of evidence. His essay skewering environmentalism, for instance, provides NO scientific evidence for his claims (which was also a criticism levied by my professor). The pollution essay provides merely circumstancial evidence, and O'Rourke even admits he gave up trying to write about plague in Hatiti, and goes to talk about his visit to the black market and a voodoo shrine (which, I will admit, is terribly interesting).

Look, I think O'Rourke is hysterical. His one-liners are great, and yeah, he makes a few points. But the guy doesn't offer solid evidence, and the way he treats EVERY SINGLE liberal as a communist sympathizer is annoying.

Of course, if you do lean to the libertarian/fringe Republican side of the political spectrum then this review won't matter. For the rest of us, I give you fair warning.

It is fair to note that the book was last published in 1994, so it is rather out of date, if you are interested in purchasing it.

Humor and logic... two great tastes that taste great together.
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2005-11-25
Even those who disagree with P.J. O'Rourke's conclusions will usually tell you that his manner of expressing those conclusions is highly entertaining. O'Rourke's dry wit and bizarely appropriate analogies are absolutely hysterical. I listened to this book at the gym and had several of those "weird guy laughing at nothing" moments that can make you an outcast in a hurry.

But besides being funny, O'Rourke applies sound fundamentals of economics and history to a very logical dissection of the world around us. Being written in 1993, some of this book's examples are dated, but the logic used to analyze them is just as instructive today as it was then, and most of today's issues possess close parrallels in O'Rourke's 90s examples.

The book reads lightly, but O'Rourke traveled to Somalia, Haiti, the Amazon, Vietnam and other hot spots in writing this book - he did serious work and has a serious philosophy underlying his humor.

Give this one a read and see the world the way the politicians would rather we didn't.

Laugh and Learn
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-29
P.J. O'Rourke is the thinking man's John Stewart. Where Stewart is merely snarky and cutesy, O'Rourke has some actual working knowledge of the world, of history, and of human nature. In this book, he adroitly and hilariously skewers all of the "Henny Penny" sky-is-falling enviro-nazis who's holier-than-thou worship of nature is about to snuff out the human race. If you wonder why ideas like the Kyoto Protocol are so insane and ill-advised, read this book. If you've ever wondered about terrorist groups such as E.L.F., read this book. If you've ever had an unexplainable urge to snicker and hoot with derision whenever some earnest WASPy wannabe rasta mon tie-dyed tree-hugger begins to blather on about alar, read this book. In the midst of all of his cynicism and sarcasm, P.J. actually sheds a lot of light on some of the motivations, emotionalism, and deceptions of the far leftist enviro-whacko movement...how it is based in inaccuracy and ideological lunacy. He presents solid, well-researched facts in a way that is not dry, but delightfully pointed. This book is the archenemy of Al Gore's sci-fi thriller, EARTH IN THE BALANCE, and it blows the ex-Veep's book all to hell, and will leave the reader in tears of laughter. Check it out!

Form-4
Ask a Mexican
Published in Hardcover by Scribner (2007-05-01)
Author: Gustavo Arellano
List price: $20.00
New price: $9.49
Used price: $6.44
Collectible price: $20.00

Average review score:

Everything you wanted to know but...
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-28
Seriously, everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask! This book is hilarious! It makes a great gift as well. My husband still references it a year later!

Ask A Mexican
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-17
I found this book by accident and ended up reading it in a couple of days. I loved it so much I'm passing it on to others to read. This author is hilarious and I wish he'd write another edition.

Someone has put into words what Mexican Americans all know
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-14
I love how Arellanos backs his slams to the bigot with humor and facts. When the facts are in danger of becoming a dry read, he slaps on the humor that we all must have in light of the racism that still resides in the OC. His writing makes me hungry for more laughs accompanied by a bowl of Posole and tequila!

THIS IS SO FUNNY!!!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-04
Oh my God , This dude is so funny.
I LOVE THIS BOOK

Mike,
Whittier, CA.

The Mexican as myth debunker and provider of historical context
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-23
Gustavo Arellano's "Ask a Mexican" is a brilliant book. What's obvious when reading a book's length worth of his answers is how well-researched they are. It's a nice balance of referenced scholarship, combined with the observations of a street-savvy guy. First-time readers beware though: Arellano's work is culled from columns that appear in alternative weeklies, and it's got the language to prove it. It can be jarring and off-putting at times. However, most times it works, because the questions match in tone.

Arellano's main role here is as myth debunker and as one who tries to put Mexican immigration in a historical context for his readers. I've selected this passage from p. 40 as emblematic of his approach. A reader writes "Why don't Mexicans want to assimilate and accept our way of life?" The Mexican answers (in part) that "(i)n the case of reverence for one's roots, it boils down thusly: gabachos long-removed from Ellis Island can love their ancestors without shame because they're the descendants of immigrants, and immigrants made this nation great; Mexicans can't because they _are_ immigrants, and immigrants are turning America into the Third World."

Like that opinion or not, you have to give Arellano credit for superbly crafted sentences like that. The book is rife with them. It makes for a great read.

Form-4
Free to Be...You and Me (The 35th Anniversary Edition, Hardcover)
Published in Hardcover by Running Press Kids (2008-10-13)
Author: Marlo Thomas and Friends
List price: $19.95
New price: $7.56
Used price: $9.73
Collectible price: $44.00

Average review score:

free to be you and me 40th ed
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2009-01-07
reminded me of the fun I had singing and dancing as a child when it was first introduced.....LOVED IT!!!!

A great reissue. . .
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-26
If you grew up with Free to Be You and Me, the cover of the reissue will throw you for a loop. Gone is the pretty pink cover with it's patchwork cover and in it's place is a more fanciful and less pink cover.

This book contains all the stories and poems from the book and DVD, and even includes a CD of some of the songs. Marlo Thomas adds an introduction, encouraging kids to make good use of this book.

This sturdy reissue is a great way to introduce kids to the concepts of emotions and break down gender stereotypes that still persist. It's a great companion to Free to Be You and Me DVD. Kids will love this book and the wonderful poems and stories it contains.

STILL Free to be You and Me
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-25
Did my kids (who were the perfect age for Free to Be You and Me when it first appeared) ever love it as much as I did? I don't remember - but I do remember that I, and all my Consciousness Raising Group buddies, on the cusp of women's lib, thought it was funny and fabulous. And I still do. I bought three, for my five and seven-year old graddaughters, six- and eight-year old great nieces, and almost six-year old twin girl granddaughter whose reception of it I witnessed last night. They were underwhelmed. "No pictures!" one exclaimed, as I started to read. When I began to sing, the entire Christmas Eve crew - the two kids and eight other adults - put their fingers in their ears and started la-la-la-ing. But, I have four more girls to go and I have high hopes. I think it's beautifully done and I'm looking forward to reading it to those who can't read and don't mind the fact that the pictures are small, and listening to it read by the older kids. When looking at it on-line, I did find it very hard to figure out if there was a CD included. Did I miss something, or is it not mentioned in the description? Although I was disappointed to find that there are only four songs, it's still on my list of favorites, and I will work at making it appreciated and loved by this generation - including BOYS. Thank you Marlo Thomas!

Free to be .... a great book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-08
I got this book to read to my granddaughters and they love it! I think it is so positive in teaching them that it is alright to be who they are and that they don't have to fit into a mold. Ms Thomas did a wonderful job on this book 35 years ago and it still works for children today.

Excellent book for "Tweens"
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-12-07
I ordered this book for my 10 year old grandaughter after seeing Marlow Thomas on the Today show discussing it. It is absolutely wonderful. It discusses many things that seem to be problems in that age group...e.g. brothers and sisters, mean kids, divorce, and so on. All in a very understandable format.

I'm giving this to my grandaughther for Christmas and I know she will love it.

Form-4
The Calvin and Hobbes Lazy Sunday Book: A Collection of Sunday Calvin and Hobbes Cartoons
Published in School & Library Binding by Topeka Bindery (1999-10)
Author: Bill Watterson
List price: $23.35
Used price: $9.25

Average review score:

My son loves it.
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-29
Delivery tooks about 2wk.
Book was good. My son loves it. He reads every night.

I love Calvin and Hobbes
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-19
I'm a huge Calvin and Hobbes fan so I cannot really give a very objective view.... but I really liked the book and is EXACTLY what I want to read on a Lazy Sunday!

FUN READ
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-27
This is great anytime---you can pick up and read any or all quickly and have fun!!

Calvin the imaginative
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-27
This collection takes place mostly in summer/fall and the theme is around lazy days and Sundays as well. My favourite panel in this collection is when Susie and Calvin are playing house and begins: S: "Darlinggg, I'm home! And I brought a surprise!" C: "Let's hope it's a divorce!" I still go off into spurts of laughter at that one... **LOL** Enjoy (in full page and full colour) the adventures of Spaceman Spiff to a max here. There is also a lot of "pouncing" which I thought would have been more appropriate in Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat but....nevertheless 5 stars for a great strip that never gets tired!

THE BEST SUNDAY COMIC COLLECTION FROM WATTERSON
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-18
This collection is the best from Watterson. 5 stars. Calvin and Hobbes are great in this one.


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