MAD

I dunno, maybe I should say "ruined my life". But it was worth it. I read this paperback, consisting of reprints of the earliest (mid-1950's) Mad Magazine articles, during my formative years. It is responsible for putting a lot of subversive, politically incorrect ideas into my head about the way the world worked -- you know, like how men pursue women with curves, and women pursue men with money; basically all that good stuff that mature people pretend isn't true. And, by the way, I'm not suggesting that we can't or shouldn't struggle to rise above our lowest animal inclinations; I'm merely insisting that we can't rise above those inclinations until we admit they exist. The world is such a serious place that only the clown is allowed to speak freely. And these clowns set my head spinning. I'm not alone in saying this: A surprising number of people will tell you that early Mad was a seminal influence. Oh, and one special detail, aside from everything else: The artwork of Bill Elder is simply brilliant. I can stare at a Bill Elder panel for hours, always finding yet another gag within a gag within a gag.

Buy this book! Give it to your kids!

I had this paperback as a kid and loved it and still do. It makes me miss the days when Mad would advertise 100s of paperbacks by the letter pages.

The stuff looks best in black and white. The humor still rings true today even though the subject parodied may not be.

Part of the fun is that you can look for days at the art and still find new things hidden within.

I never thought I would see reprints of the original MAD paperback collections, but now, thanks to ibooks, I'm a happy man. This particular book reprints the first paperback, which itself was reprinted material from the early issues of the MAD comic book (yep, it used to be a comic, and much more comic-oriented). It includes classic work by Kurtzman, Davis, Elder, Wood, et al., that holds up surprisingly well today and is much funnier than MAD will ever be again. Enjoy the parodies of Dragnet, Archie, The Lone Ranger, and Superman vs. Captain Marvel, as well as goofs on the Comics Code, the HUAC hearings, and much more. Sure, some of the humor may be dated... sure, some of it may be over people's heads... but that's part of the appeal of classic MAD: the historical and cultural aspects of the humor. The average joe won't pick this book up and instantly understand everything within, but with a little studying, plus reading the excellent introductions to this edition, you'll get a good idea of the prevailing attitudes of the time, as well as the changing face of humor in the media. It looks like ibooks intends to reprint a significant number of the MAD paperbacks, which can only be a good thing in today's humor market.

Once in a while a reader finds a favorite author whom he/she rushes to the store to buy the newest book solely based on the author. This has happened to me with Al Blanchard. All of his books and short stories are so wonderfully crafted that I know for sure I will enjoy and relish his tales. In his latest, Blanchard has created a mystery based on murders at a public school. The wonderful descriptions of the characters, the way sub-plots are interwoven throughout the story, and the ability in all of us to relate to our school days makes this book a must-read.

In his second Steve Asher mystery, The Mad Season, Blanchard sharpens his craft while losing none of the charm of the first. The story is more of a whodunit than Murder at Walden Pond, but Blanchard still centers the story with his reluctant, appealing sleuth Asher. Blanchard also has a gold mine of a setting: a public school. Is there any place in the world as people intensive as a public school? They are places of shifting loyalties, lifelong friends, career long grudges... and there is a shaky hierarchy of superintendents and principals trying to impose order on a world that is intrinsically messy. Blanchard not only takes you back to school but lets you delight in the chaos.

I thought this book was quite interestig. I would like you to e-mail me at bloodgusher666@hotmail.com if you like to read too.

This book is beautifully written. The symbolism in this book is deeper than i have ever read before. It is a very sombre novel with so much to get out. If you can read french then definitely pick this up in french because you will find all of the symbolism in this book to be at a much deeper level. this book was meant for french and unfortunately it does tend to lose some of its meaning and qaulity but it is still just as great of a story. i definitely reccomend this book. it is a great achievment of a great author. The novel seems even more interesting and intriguing when you know that she wrote it in only 13 days. it's a must!!! KH, 16

You have to hold this book sideways to read it so there you already look a bit Mad to begin with.

In the 1950s America was a very conservative place so when Mad hit the newsstands of anytown USA it was like the cultural equivelant of an A-bomb going off. Mad parodied anything that moved and was freshest and most vital in the beginning of its run.

The parodies remain a fresh today as they did then with hundreds of small sight gags that will take more than one rereading to find.

Funny stuff from the early days of Mad. The crisp b&w art in this 50th anniversary edition looks great. Handy paperback size. Be sure to check out the 1st volume of this series, "The Mad Reader".

R.E. Klein has done it again - after his fantasy-sci-fi novel, "The History of the World Beyond the Wave," this reader was thrilled to be treated to the marvelous variety of stories in this new collection. Klein treats us to an intelligent mix of stories ranging from horror to sci-fi, detective to mystery, written with much thought and a touch of humor.

The title story dazzles with excitment as a poor student boarder tries to keep from opening a mysterious closet which may hold some fantastic mystery. Other stories deal with a mortuary apprentice who learns his craft all too well, a town taken over by the elements, and creatures from another world. A wonderful story about an eccentirc detective who investigates a crime that hasn't yet been committed, is told by his Korean sidekick. This is just a sample of the variety and fun in Klein's stories, which twist and turn in ways that the reader will find fascinating and rewarding.

I highly recommend this book for the lover of good, thoughtful reading, who enjoys immersion into a great story, over and over again!

This enjoyable book is a fine and sublime tribute to eternal values and ideals. It is a captivating reading composed of thrilling magical tales with many unexpected twists and humorous turns. It also explores many angles of subtle insight into the human soul and intellect. R. E. Klein gently leads the reader to rediscover goodness, courage, hope and many other human virtues, desires and qualities. While enjoying the breathtaking account of an incredible episode, in an undercurrent, the reader encounters the noblest human principles and motivations under the fresh view of the author's microscope. Each of the tales tells a different but equally exciting story and exhibits a different but equally enjoyable writing style. R. E. Klein's fascinating imagination and enthralling storytelling provides unique nourishment to the reader's intellect. The book has a refined, graceful and distinctive style that comes through each story and appeals to the human soul starving for beauty, truth and goodness in the current ugly and brutal world. The book is both entertaining and edifying. It is a well-balanced composition of horror and hope, excitement and enlightening, dark powers and deep thinking, imagination and insight, gentleness and guile. It is an elegant and outstanding product of R. E. Klein's ingenuity. Are there any more tales from this remarkable author?

This book is truly amazing. Roper brings life and relevancy to a few of the well known stories of the Old Testament, making real the power of God, the distinction of His calling, and the simplicity of being available to join the work of the Lord. The insight is invaluable, the truths shared are life changing, and the words written are well grounded in intellect and reason. Roper brings together the history and culture of the Old Testament, illustrates the parallels between the Baal religion and our own society, and powerfully demonstrates the evil and corruption of society. At the same time, Roper provides a realistic solution to immorality and injustice without being trite or idealistic. The wisdom contained in this book will change your life and reshape your faith!

Roper is an amazingly insightful author. He brings the old story of the old testament to life and makes it relevant to us. It is truely a life changing book. I have read it several times over the past three years.

Our 5 year old loved to help creatate stories on our summer vacation. By the end of the trip he understood what types of a words adjectives and verbs were! My husband and I were impressed at how much of a fun family activity this was. For families that loved the movie SHREK as much as we did you will enjoy the way that the story is told in the same fashion as the movie, scene by scene. This will be the first thing that I pack on our next trip!

This mad lib is the best they are sooooo funny.....

Mad Coyote Joe is back with another tasty little offering and he delivers in a big way. Snack Attack, quick recipes to conquer your cravings is just that. Quick and often down and dirty, these sumptious little recipes are instant hits and rich in flavor. MC Joe also includes fun snacks for kids to prepare providing a family opp to first create a fun filled mess in the kitchen and then dine on the treats while cleaning up. Uncle Jack's Great Guacamole is the cadillac of guacamole dip, Western Praline Biscuits are so easy and tasty that you will creat an excuse to make these, and Munchy Mud Balls are just too much fun for man or beast.

Snack Attack: Quick Recipes to Conquer Your Cravings is packed with easy-to-make, ready-to-eat treats sure to satisfy the munchies and using common ingredients readily found in any family kitchen pantry. From Chile con Queso Dip (15 minutes); Sensational Sonoran Fruit Salad (20 minutes); and Toasted Grapefruit (10 minutes); to Fried Cherries (30 minutes); Marvelous Macaroons (30 minutes); and Quick Cream Pie (20 minutes), Snack Attack is a highly recommended cookbook collection of "kid friendly" treats that would also be perfect for adult "hungries" as well.

Bernadette Mciernan strives to transcend the disease process itself in a quest to give her father a more meaningful existence.

This book is an outstanding book on care giving. It is a must read for all caregivers. It is a very emotional book with funny vignettes. It helps take the edge off some of the more negative feelings caregivers express. It also has a wealth of information for caregivers to get help. It shows you how you can reverse the process of Alzheimer's Disease by treating the patient with lots on tender loving care. A well-written and most enjoyable book to read.

I was a student of Riggs Courier at UCI in 1970. Joe Hart and Riggs had quite a following with their charismatic personalities. I almost fell for it.

The copy of the book I obtained from Amazon.com had notes in it cross-referencing the fictitious names with the real names in the classes so I knew who was being discussed. What a find! I knew there was something fishy going on, but I had NO idea what a cult was developing. ...Facinating reading for those of you who were there.

SKD

This book was chilling, and I give it a full two thumbs up for being so clear, thought out, well-researched and well-presented. It gave a play-by-play account of how a cult is created, and how people in need of healing are sucked into it...and trade their lives away for membership in it. It is also a beautiful example of how compelling such cult life is, and shows some of the clear benefits - despite the horrors - of being in such a world: the community, protection, camaraderie, agreement with a firm point of view. These are things we all want and strive for in our own ways - but god, how much these people had to sacrifice to achieve it. They sacrificed themselves and their self-respect...and also built their world on a house of cards.

Mild criticism: I think author could have gone deeper with the book had she further explored the parallel relationship between the cult dynamics and the dynamics of its members' abusive families of origin (as does Alice Miller in For Your Own Good). I think all therapy - and all adult relationships - entails the risk of such a non-healing re-creation, essentially just acting out, but what's most frightening is when therapists, like those in this book, not only participate in it...but NURTURE IT for their own benefits.

Other criticism: the book was too long-winded. I could have happily read a condensed version of this book and gotten just as much out of it. 400+ pages was just too much, yet due to the book's ever-changing nature, it was a tough one to skim.