MR

The pictures and captions are hilarious and so true. I could not stop laughing as I flipped through the pages. I was actually laughing so hard at some of the pictures that I felt silly because I was sitting in a room all by myself laughing harder than I had in a long time.

This book really is not a "How to Find Mr. Right" or anything like that, it is just a cute little book that pokes fun at men. Maybe it's just the men I have known, but the book seems to be pretty true.

I thought the book was Extremely Funny, and I Recommend it, especially for any single girls!

The first one was funny, but this is hilarious. Most of the pictures here are very unique, like a moment frozen in time (believe me, most pictures aren't) and every one of them is cool in their own way. Most of the text is also very interesting (Unlike the "The blue day book" were most of the comments were too simple and too superficial) You definately have to get this book. It's worth both your time and money.

I received this book as a gift. I LOVED it, the pictures and the one liners were funny, true and really made me think. I had to purchase this book for my sister. We all are looking for "that one" what this man said was "I am the one" be true to yourelf. then you will find truth, love and Mr Right. Thanks!

This is a fascinating book. I think those interested in artists' lives and Asian-American studies should especially read it. Still, what stood out to me the most is the lack of love in this book. George never mentions getting married or wanting to get married. He never mentions going out on dates. He never mentions going to his high school prom. He never says he was too busy for a love life. He mentions that other Star Trek actors and other relatives are married, but he never says anything about himself. Surely a famous actor would get lots of invitations for romance. Thus, this book begs the question of Mr. Takei's sexual orientation.
And by the way, he makes William Shatner seem like a jerk. Shatner fans may be horrified.

I just finished George's book this morning. I found the beginning of the book to be interesting and it grew even more interesting when I reached his Star Trek days. All in all, it's a very interesting book. You should def. read it if you are a ST fan.

Also, if you want more details about Shatner you should check out this book. I've read Walter's, Nichelle's, James, and Leonard's book. Leonard didn't really mention anything bad about Shatner. James summed it up with one line of 'I don't really like that man.' Nichelle waited until the very end to talk about Shatner, but even then she didn't really go deep with details. Walter skimmed the water a bit with details, but he didn't really go into the dirt either. George told about a few Shatner stories, but he didn't really diss either. If Shatner was that a much of a pain, I toast each ST member for not throwing all the dirt in the book in order to sell it. Good job guys!

This book is worth reading whether or not you're a Sulu fan. I found the chapters on Takei's early years in the WWII Japanese interment camps even more interesting than the Star Trek years. Though the fact of interment, itself, is grim, Takei lets us view life in the camps through the eyes of a child. Innocence and curiosity shine through. His memories are surprisingly upbeat, in spite of the horrors of displacement and prejudice. He recalls childhood friends he met in the camps (two of whom are named Ford and Chevy Nakayama--how wonderfully symbolic of their Japanese and American ancestry!) There are rich descriptions of Takei's own Japanese-American heritage throughout the book, as well. I enjoyed "meeting" his family through this book: his mother, who was determined to keep family life warm and friendly despite their barbed-wire environment; his father, who gave such a meaningful description of American ideals, notwithstanding society's frequent failure to live up to its ideals. George Takei's life is an embodiment of the true human spirit. My only regret is that the book wasn't longer. What was in the unabridged edition, I wonder?

I always remember as a kid watching the Disney version of A Christmas Carol and feeling so sorry for the crippled Tiny Tim. That is why Mr. Timothy is such a strange book to those who know the children's story so well. Gone is little Tim with the crutch, the hopeful smile and eyes and the heart breaking cliches. Mr. Timothy is a pseudo-sequel, bringing the cast of characters into the real world of dark and grimy Victorian England. No more kingly ghosts or warm memories, as the existence of the Cratchits and their benefactor Mr. Scrooge has taken a decided turn for the worse. No where is this more evident than in the personage of Tim, whose unshakeable childhood optimism has given way to depression and melancholy.

The little boy we knew so well is now reduced to living in a bordello, where he teaches the headmistress how to read. On his off hours, he scours the Thames river with a retired sea captain for dead bodies, who often hold some bauble of questionable value. He does his best to ignore his scattered family and the man who helps him pay the bills, Uncle Scrooge, who is a distant but ardent supporter. Tim feels ashamed of his position as a leech, and rarely meets with "Uncle N". The young Londoner is also haunted by visions of his deceased father, whose spiritfollows him still. It is a dark life, but Tim struggles on. His existence is radically altered when he discovers the body of a young girl with a disturbing brand on her skin, a brand which brings back long forgotten memories. Tim then comes in contact with a mysterious Italian immigrant girl, whose horror stories are only hidden by her bad English and her traumatized nature.

It becomes clear to Tim early on that something monstrous is afoot. There is a dark force on the prowl of old Londontown, and it will come after Tim and his friends with a vengeance. Tim has quite the colorful cast of characters aiding him in his quest to keep safe the young Italian orphan, among them the street urchin turned professional aide de camp, Colin the Melodious. The two make an awkward team as they dodge vicious murders, fallen women, and corrupt Scotland Yard officials. With the financial help of his eccentric uncle and his police contacts, Tim begins to stumble on a nefarious conspiracy of power, hidden behind the walls of society. The revelation is horrific, as are the lengths the shadowy figures are willing to go to shade themselves from the light of public spectacle.

With a story like that, I was surprised I did not enjoy the book more. Louis Bayard is an excellent writer, I thoroughly enjoyed his antique dialogue and his imaginative take on the world constructed by Dickens. However, I found the story itself sorely lacking. In short, it was simply worn and done before numerous times. I don't think you can even count how many times the "dark conspiracy in Victorian London", has been done, so there is no real surprise to the ending or even the plot. Also, I found Tim's mental lapses and visions of his father to be somewhat distracting and superfluous. It is readable, and the writing can be very soothing and humorous, but I simply felt a lack of hurry to finish it. Noble effort by Mr. Bayard.

This is a sequel to A Christmas Carol, starring a grown up Tiny Tim Cratchit. It's a fine book, but it's not the book that Dickens would have written, had he chosen to do so. For one thing, this book has some curse words in it that Dickens wouldn't have been allowed to use even if he wanted to. But the vulgarities here are appropritate to the characters, so I have no objections to them. Louis Bayard does a fine job of evoking the London of 1860, and I think a lot of people will enjoy this book. But some people may be disappointed that Ebenezer Scrooge has a relatively small part in this book.

Being a big fan of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, I was eager to pick this book up and see where Bayard was going to take Tiny Tim as an emerging adult.

I didn't expect what this story had to offer, but as Bayard was loyal to Dickens, he shows us another dark facet of England. The collection and sale (in effect) of very young girls to the upper crust of society. And Mr. Timothy Cratchit as its unlikely hero.

The language of the book remained true throughout - and the combination of characters fit all the roles I would have expected in a Dickens tale. And while the story itself sometimes stuttered with strange asides tossed in to create time for other things to happen or to show which character was on which side - it wasn't the story itself I found myself taken by.

I particularly enjoyed the italicized letters that Tim wrote to his deceased father. The language and ideas of a life overlooked, of the love one might feel for one's parent not realized until it was too late. Of Tim as an adult trying to realize who he is going to be and not having his father to help him through this hardest of times. And realizing how much irritation and anger and impatience he spent on his father when alive as he is haunted by his father's ghost out of the corner of his eye. All of this as Bayard takes Tim on a journey to seek his own family, his own home.

Tim's letters to his father were the icing on the cake that made me truly enjoy this book and this one line in particular cemented Tim's missed feelings - "You had spent months, apparently, determining this configuration -- poring over maps, consulting with omnibus drivers, timing every leg of every day's journey. Had I been older, I would have realised: here is a man who wants to come home."

I've always been a big Peter Sellers fan. His work in DR. STRANGELOVE is beyond comic: it's still one of the great comedy performances of all time. And his work in the PINK PANTHER films still scares away every comic actor from ever reviving that successful series.
But I've also always had a deep curiosity as I've watched his career. How could someone so brilliant in LOLITA and DR. STRANGELOVE end up in something like WHERE DOES IT HURT? or SOFT BEDS, HARD BATTLES? Why was there a ten-year gap in the Pink Panther films?
Why the heck does he disappear halfway through CASINO ROYALE?

Ed Sikov's bio provides a lot of answers while painting Sellers as a mad, bratty genius.
I'd read the English edition of the Roger Lewis book, THE LIFE & DEATH OF PETER SELLERS (a difficult read if you're a Yank) and a lot of the same info is found here as well, so all the details appear to jibe.
Peter Sellers had what we'd now call "issues."

I found this to be a well-written bio and look forward to seeing Sellers's films again with a new perspective.
Quoting this book: "He (Sellers) remains to this day the master of playing men who have no idea how ridiculous they are."
He was genius and he was a lunatic. And we'll always have his films to entertain us.

(Like another reviewer on here, I'll also check out Sikov's book on Billy Wilder).

Peter Sellers was a genius and I love to watch his movies. I was wary about reading a biography of him, however, simply because he was such an impossible human being. But this book treats his life as the stuff of black comedy, and it works. We're not expected to love or sympathize with him, which is liberating. We just watch him rip through the world like a supernatural phenomena, making jokes, marriages, movies, divorces, heart attacks and headlines. Yet, by the time the book was over, I found myself weirdly fond of Sellers and sorry that he was gone.

Sikov is wonderful with the details of show business. He's especially good on The Goon Show. If the book has a voice of wisdom, it's the great, irrepressible Spike Milligan. The accounts of the movies are terrific, not just the obvious ones like the Pink Panther films or LOLITA, but forgotten gems like I'M ALL RIGHT, JACK. Sikov's descriptions were good enough to send me back to the video store more than once. And his social history is terrific, too, a great, cracked history of the world of Sixties jet setters.

This is a very, very funny book and easily the best actor biography since NOTES OF A COWARDLY LION by John Lahr. I can't recommend it too highly.

I had a great time reading of Sellers's life and his madness. It is a wonderfully absorbing story, well-presented. Years ago, I read Micheal Sellers's memoir of his father. This book paints a similar portrait with deeper insights and captivating prose. A great companion to Sikov's book on Billy Wilder. Ultimately, the story is deeply tragic. How could a man who was so troubled, who brought so much unhappiness to those closest to him, make so many millions laugh?

No More Mr. Nice Guy is basically a story of a man being rejected because he's labeled a "nice guy." Mitchell Stone, the nice guy, was just informed by Nikki Coleman . . . the lady of his dreams . . . she will only consider him as a friend. This news comes after Mitchell spends three months and big bucks on a "sexless friendship." So, he decided to make a change and called a meeting of the most notorious "dogs" (players) he knew ... looking for a tutor, as he contemplate on making some changes.

There are some other things going on in the story other than Mitch's transformation process. Such as: Nikki's law suit for sexual harassment, which was a bit interesting and she has trouble finding the right lawyer. There is also the business with Nikki's absentee father, Gene Coleman and her trying to come to terms with him . . . now this is definitely a plus in the story. However, the main plot was predictable and very irritating for me, but that's a personal issue. As Mitch learns his set of "dog rules" and begins to play the "game," guess whose eye he catches. He's living up to his new lifestyle, Nikki has a change of heart but . . . Mitch now has a secret he's trying to hide.

The book was not an easy read for me. I struggled to finish it. Nikki tells Mitch that a lot of girls would love to have a nice guy, but she just wasn't one of them. She prefers her lover Jomo whom she shares with him "loving" others. She knows this and accepts this. This book rings so true. I see it around me; women and even girls wanting "a thug" or "bad boy" who doesn't respect them lesser known are faithful to them . . . I guess that's why there's so many "baby daddies." When Mitch's secret comes to light, it irked me that Nikki had the nerves to be upset . . . after all, she wanted a player. Me, I'll rather have a "nice guy." But Robinson did a great job in weaving in all the different aspects of the story. So, the only complaint with the writing was the predictability of the main story. I would recommend No More Mr. Nice guy to someone who enjoys "street fiction" and drama.

Felicia
R.E.A.L. Reviewers

Mitchell Stone has had it with always being the good guy. So he decides to become a "player', he thinks that is what women want. The story is funny and cute as you follow Mitchell from the "The Nice Guy" to " The Dog" - covering his bald spot with shoe polish and hanging around the town's most wanted dogs, whom he asks for instructions. All this to gain the heart of Nikki, the woman he really wants. And Nikki who has always been fond of Mitchell but never thinks of him seriously because after all he is " Nice Guy", starts to wonder when she sees him stepping out with other ladies. She finally takes notice. The story was funny, A nice slow romance read. It leaves you wonder about all those " Nice Guys", maybe they aren't so hum drum if given the chance..

02.. our first review didn't post.

No More Mr. Nice Guy was the first book that I had read by C. Kelly Robinson, but it will not be my last. How many times has a man or woman let the dismal dating scene turn them from good to bad? How many times have you seen a good guy finish last? Well, my answer to both questions is numerous times; but never have I seen it taken to the level that Mitchell Stone's character embarked upon.

This book had me intriqued. It was a page turner. It offered a lot of insight on relationships, similar to the movie Love Jones. But with or without the insight...this book is a must read. You will be entertained from beginning to end. Mitchell decides that if you can't beat them, join them after he finds himself trapped in the friendship zone. He spent weeks being a perfect gentleman, while wining and dining Nikki (the love of his life). Once he puts his cards and heart on the table, she dismisses him like a simple school boy. He decided not to take his dismissal meekly. He fast forwards their date and tells Nikki (page 5) "So how do we split this bill? I can pay for the appetizers, but you'll need to handle your own entree, drinks and half the bottle of Chablis." I would pay mad money to see the look on Nikki's face (Hint, Hint...maybe this is movie material).

Mitchell sent out a memo inviting some brothers AKA The Dog Pound to a night of networking at O'Dells Chicken & Waffle Shack. Even those that detest a potential Amway meeting would attend for free food. The results of the meeting produced Tony and his consultant Trey. They were going to train him on how to be a dog. Tony lists six Dog Rules along with a disclaimer. The story picks up speed as Mitchell implements the rules. As he implements the rules, an unexpected chain of events throws his carefully crafted plan awry.

There are a host of clever characters that you will meet throughout this story. The story is also told by both Mitchell and Nikki, which adds flavor and energy to the story. C. Kelly Robinson is a master story teller that can hold his own with the best. You will be on the edge of your seat in suspense pending the outcome of The Dog Rules and MItchell's relationship with Nikki. Will he master the game or will the game master him? The author supplies a reading group guide at the end of the book.

Kudos to C. Kelly Robinson for a great novel. Thanks for extending the personal invitation to read this book. It is nice to know that you read the reviews on Amazon.

Lady Sophia Rowley is back from her home in London for the funeral of her third elderly husband. Hers was a marriage of convenience and arrangements. It was agreed that if she gave her husband his much wanted heirs she would be set up with nothing to worry about in London. With the unexpected death of Rowley, Sophia has returned from her frivolous existence among the Ton to resume her position of mother to her 2 sons. It is at the reading of the will when she learns that her husband has named the local vicar, Charles Heywood, guardian of the boys. And it is during his first visit when Sophia learns that Charles is NOT the usual dull, pios, and elderly gentleman- but handsome, young, and very caring man who serves as vicar. He is unlike any other man she has met- someone that is not after her sexually but seems to enjoy her as a person, for who she really is. It is from this visit that instead of the wicked and scandalous woman he has heard gossip about, Charles sees for himself Sophia's beauty, intelligence, and sincere feelings for her children. Charles finds himself falling in love with Sophia at first sight. But how would she be interested in someone with as dull a life and as little to offer as Charles has compared to what she is use to.

The story is a sweet one but it was dull in parts and didn't keep my attention. I found myself thumbing through pages. It wasn't a keeper for me. I recommend you read it for yourself.

Lady Sophia Rowley, Sir Isaac Reblow's jaded and sophisticated mistress from "The Reluctant Guardian" is the heroine in this tale of redemption and love, "Seducing Mr. Heywood." Though you might be forgiven in thinking that this romance novel about a young woman who has been more sinned against than sinning, and who finds her way back from the brink of self destruction, should actually have been entitled "The Reforming of Lady Sophia."

Thrice married, and now thrice widowed Lady Sophia Rowley has returned to Rowley Hall, in a high temper. Her ex-lover, Sir Isaac Reblow, whom she had hoped to marry upon her aged husband's death has married another, and she (Lady Sophia) is now the laughingstock of London. Unable to face the gossipmongers there, Lady Sophia has returned to Yorkshire for the duration of her period of mourning, but she is not happy at all. She finds the country side boring, her neighbours boorish, and she is not looking forward to reacquainting herself with the two young sons, John and William, she abandoned in favour of a good time in London. Furthermore, she has to contend with the village vicar, Mr. Charles Heywood, whom her husband had named as guardian of John and William. No, all in all Lady Sophia is not in a good humour at all.

And when she finally meets Heywood, she finds to her surprise that he is rather young and extremely good looking. Feeling rather bored, Lady Sophia sets out to seduce him into having a discreet affair with her. But to her surprise, anger and mortification, she finds that while Heywood is very susceptible to her charms, he refuses to fall in with her desires. And yet, something about the morally upright and deeply smitten young man (as well as the easy affection and acceptance of both her sons) inspires in Lady Sophia the wish to change from being the hard and brittle London socialite into something else -- to become the young lady she should have been before her father had started selling her off in marriage to rich dissolute older men. But can the once notorious Lady Sophia, whose affairs were a byword of polite Society, change? And then Lady Sophia's despicable father, the Earl of Dunhaven, arrives at Rowley Hall, with a plan to marry her off to his latest protege. Will the earl succeed in his evil plan? And will the introduction of a gentleman from Lady Sophia's milieu spell the end of all of Heywood's hopes where the lady is concerned?

The plot is a rather sophisticated one in the sense that it deals with a heroine who has led a far from exemplary life. Rich, beautiful and somewhat rakish, Lady Sophia had (hitherto her husband's death) led a rather jaded and carefree existence -- having affairs with whomsoever she pleased, going from one social gathering to another with little thought of her ailing husband or the sons she left behind. The death of her almost too-saintly-for-words husband, her reconciliation with her sons, and her friendship with Charles Heywood, allows for Lady Sophia to see that there is another path open to her -- one would allows her to some self-respect and feelings of self-worth, as well as the promise of a deep and abiding love. However, as with all good stories, the path to redemption is not so easy. Lady Sophia has to contend with her uncertain temper, her father's evil machinations and the fact that her relationship with Heywood may actually harm his reputation and prospects. This plot is not a very original one, and is one that has been used over and over again. What I liked most about it was that it was the heroine who was a bit of a rake, and the hero who stuck to his guns about propriety. Far too often, in plots such as this one, the hero would have given in to the heroine's lures before the denouncement is reached and everything ends as it should. For the hero to remain firm and strong no matter the temptations Lady Sophia threw at him, was a refreshing change. And one that I welcomed.

The novel unfolded smoothly, if a bit slowly. But this allowed for the change in Lady Sophia's character to be believable and credible. As I noted before there is really nothing terribly new or different about this particular story. The difference lies in the manner in which Jo Manning tells her tale, and the clever way in which she manages to make one care about the characters and the manner in which the novel developed. A very engaging and elegant read.

Lady Sophia Rowley is not your typical Regency herione; she is older, widowed, and hardly virginal. She returns to the country after her husband's death to see to his estate and her step-sons. Against all her expectations, the country is not dull and boring. Her first encounters with the local parson are hardly promising, but he finds her fascinating. It is also time for her to get to know her step-sons, and provide them with the happy family life she did not have. A good introduction to the Regency period for those who don't normally read Regency romances... unlike some of the genre, this is hardly insipid, but rather a lively romp. I look forward to seeing more heriones along the lines of Lady Sophia Rowley.

This is my sixth Bellow novel. For first timers, I would highly recommend Henderson the Rain King over this work because Henderson is an easier, funnier, and more exuberant read--a great parody of the Hemmingway novel. That said, Mr. Sammler's Planet is classic Bellow. The protagonist, Mr. Sammler, is heroically flawed (as all of Bellow's protagonists are) and is caught at a point in his late life where numerous themes challenge his moral center: misogyny, pessimism, death, the human condition, the social contract, filial duty, the achievements of science, and modern western philosphy among other themes--and in any great Bellow work, there are so many themes!

The narrative is simple: a close third person point of view brings us inside Mr. Sammler's head as he interprets and analyzes the events in his life: his dying nephew, a pick pocket who assualts him, greedy relatives, a missing manuscript, and his Holocaust experience. There are long philosophic digressions, sometimes humorous, sometimes didactic, that can frustrate, confuse, and enlighten the reader, all within the space of a single paragraph. This density of thought is one of the supreme challenges of Bellow, but as an ardent fan (who only "gets" a mere fraction of what he's talking about), the payoff is exponentially greater than the effort I put in. The only narrative flaw I find is in the dialogue between Sammler and Dr. Lal. It's structured in a Platonic form--reminiscent of the final chapter in Joyce's Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man--and the section seems forced and stilted compared to the rest of the novel.

Bellow's prose is as strong as ever. We return to New York City in the late 1960s, much filthier and more violent than the setting of Seize the Day. His descriptions of people and places are vibrant, and his comic timing masterful.

Ultimately, Mr. Sammler's climatic quest, like all of Bellow's protagonists, lies not in some external feat of physical valor but in a confrontation with the progtagonist's soul. Faced with the death of his nephew, Sammler must come to terms with his life as holocaust survivor, elitist intellectual, misogynist, and man.

Saul Bellow is not for everyone... But if you are introspective, self critical, and enjoy philosophic and comic writing, than this would be an ideal 2nd or 3rd Bellow novel.

This review is to refute some of the negative customer reviews. Anyone who is reading only for plot is reading on a very superficial level. I had never read Bellow and didnt know what to expect. After a few pages, I wasnt sure I wanted to continue, but I'm glad I did. I felt this book was, among other things, like opening a time capsule from the late 1960s. I did not at all feel the author was preaching his own views or that the characters were not developed. The author delves deep into the mind of a well-educated man who is a Holocaust survivor, living in New York when the city was decidedly at a low point and confronted with hippie-era social and political attitudes. I don't know if this story is autobiographical, but it is not plotless, dull or stupid. I urge potential readers to ignore those comments.

This was my introduction to Saul Bellow and I probably shouldn't have started with this one, because all the others probably pale in comparsion to this. They have to. Anyone this good would have to be some inhuman writing machine. Wow.

Sammler is a human being like the rest of us tackling questions that we all have given passing thought to at least once in our lives. He may come to a firm conclusion about them, but he gives it his best shot, even as he deals with his family, including his dying nephew.

The best part about this novel are the stream of consciousness narratives that show us the ebb and flow of Sammler's thoughts, where most of his thinking takes place. Here are the best scenes in the novel, and Bellow does it with ease, showing that he is influenced by Joyce but not mastered by him, taking his techinques and refining them to the next level.

Anyone interested in reading about the sixties should try this book, or just anyone who has ever stood and watched something happen and wonder why they didn't do anything, and wonder why. So does Artur Sammler.

This movie is very interesting.Of course the culture or tradition of Japan is exaggerated and described as very stereotypical (it is all the more fun to us), but it more clearly tell the Japanese many faults we have to change.That is we Japanese have to be independent, or had better have a fun in playing.And not only the Japanese but also the American will learn the good aside of the way of opposide country, accepting or uniting.Whether you are Japanese or American, this movie median between us will case good effect to you.You'll laugh and learn because there are extreme different cultures.

For one thing, this movie pivoted on the theme of baseball is a world better than the Madonna/Davis starring "A league of their own" or the more recent travesties like "A field of dreams". For another, the schism between American and Japanese ideologies/way of life is just so truly captured that it is difficult to believe this movie is not the de-facto recommendation for people interested in Japan. Guess it missed out on the major league scene because, well, quite literally it is not about US major leagues?

A US baseball star (Selleck) is traded to a Japanese baseball team and finds himself at intellectual loggerheads with the extant coach of the team. This, plus a slight romantic sub-plot as he falls in love with the coach's daughter.

Barring some minor cheesy moments -- e.g., when the coach takes Selleck to a golf driving range and makes him hit the balls with a baseball bat, only to hear "I want to hit balls" instead of "I want to hit baseballs"...hmm -- the accuracy of Japanese life is truly stunning. Including, eating ramen with vociferous slurps, digging chopsticks vertically in rice bowls being a no-no, the language used to communicate between the American/Japanese, even a scene with a real on-sen. A refreshing break after stereotype galore seen in movies of that time, including the entertaining "Black Rain" or the absolutely goofball "Rising Sun".

To cut to the chase, this is an under-rated gem of a movie, very well shot, some messages about life and profession as seen from two very different perspectives that are likely to resonate with either side. Selleck takes the cake with his acting, baring his tush (literally, I may add) to portray a grouchy American, snubbing people relentlessly and throwing tantrums in public, then letting us inside this character to understand his views. Takakura Ken, needless to say, is fascinating as usual.

A must watch if you are interested in Japan, or baseball, or a good light-hearted cross cultural take on life and sport.

at first i was skeptical about tom sellick coming out of the role of magnum "from magnum pi" but once i started watching mr baseball, wow the way it brings japanese and american culture togather has not been seen since the karate kid 2. one of the most heartwarming scenes is when he goes to his girlfriends fathers house and his girlfriends father is his manager that he did not get along with.they have a discussion about baseball and life that will stick with you for the remander of your days. this is the most epic film in the history of modern cinima.with his performance in mr baseball tom selleck has catapulted his name into the list of greatest actors. now when you think pacino, brando, bogart you have to also put sellick in that list if not at the top. to say mr baseball changed my life would be an understatment. mr baseball changed the world.

I enjoyed this book at first - the bawdy humor, the smart-assed joking around of the story teller, the blatently embellished tales...and then it became old, and then tedious, and then boring. Humor is such a personal thing...I am sure this book is entertaining for many; however, it was no longer enjoyable to me after about 2/3. That is a disappointment after investing time in it!

This book performs the admirable feat of allowing the reader to stand in the shoes of one of Shakespeare's actors (and in the case of the novel's main character--one of those players who who performed the female roles--to wear his petticoats). A tapastry of known facts and the speculations of critics and readers over the centuries since Shakespeare lived emmerse us in those ribald and interesting times when English and England were being funnelled through the mind and works of that great playwright. I get the feeling that somewhere in that forest of fact and fancy an understanding of Shakespeare and his times were to be had. I only wish the author's other novels, including Mrs. Shakespeare, were still in print. Even Amazon.com doesn't seem to list that novel about the bard's wife among the in print or out of print offerings.

How does one describe this book?

Permit me, madam, to attempt.

First of all, the main reason (in my opinion) to read "The Late Mr. Shakespeare" is, simply, the narrative (discounting the chapter containing Shakespeare's will, which was not nearly as fluid and I more or less skipped over). Robert Nye's prose is uncouth, unique, and undoubtedly true - I savored every word, and I yearn for more.

Another redeeming factor of this book was the disjointedness of it all - one could lose track of the book for months, pick it up again, and begin another chapter afresh - and it would hardly make any of the difference. The chapters are almost entirely unrelated (other than with the general aging of shakespeare and progression of his life) - and all were both intriguing and delicious. I enjoyed the discussion of Shakespeare's works and the possible innuendos to other works, friends, and people - in addition to some possible spots of his inspiration and speculations on his greatest pieces. It doesn't matter to me how much is true and how much is mishmash - the fact of the matter is that it was interesting. But then, I've always had an obsession with editorials and the like, so I suppose this book was straight up my alley.

And let us not forget the entirely estranged bits of the book that tie the entire image of Shakespeare together - the insults he shouted while engaging in tennis, for example.

In summary, this is likely not meant to be a sit-down-and-read sort of book, but a stop-and-think-for-a-few-moments-and-move-on read. And it's both a unique and likable sort of method.

Finally, the ending was satisfying. I have experienced such a delicacy in ages.

When I first picked up the book, I saw Shaq as the #1 NBA player of all time, and I said "are you kidding me?" Well, Elliott Kalb isn't kidding, and he makes a great case for O'Neal that I hadn't thought of. Time and time again in this book, you'll read arguments which you haven't though of. Rodman as one of the top 50 players? Walt Frazier behind George Gervin? Chamberlain ahead of Russell? MICHAEL JORDAN AS #3!!?? My friends, co-workers, and I can't stop arguing about these choices. But one thing is for certain: if you read the arguments, you'll be better prepared to defend or attack your position. The research is as in-depth as you'll ever see on a sports book. Like Kalb's ratings or not, you'll be talking about the contents of this book throughout the NBA season.

I have read this book and love reading the reviews of it almost as much as the book itself! Many basketball fans consider themselves an authority on the subject, but Mr. Kalb clearly is a true one! Nobody will agree with his choices as is very obvious from the reviews. However, anyone with the guts to name the top players so vehemently and with so much ammunition is a must read for even the most moderate basketball fan. I have seen Elliott Kalb on a few of his televison appearances and all I can say is THIS MAN KNOWS BASKETBALL!! I am sure you will not agree with his rankings 100% and might even get pretty mad at him...... but read the book and see for yourself!

Man, it was refreshing to see Shaq get his props. But more than that, listen to the man--this book has got some great arguments and brings up games and playoff series that bring you back to what you were feeling when those games were being played. Did anyone see the All Star Game? Kalb had the star of stars pegged! If the Lakers win it this year; it's because of the big guy. He is the difference in the entire league. But, back to the book. This guy is obviously a Celtics fan. He puts Cousy ahead of West??? DeBusschere isn't even in the top 50? Bird ahead of Magic? But you know--I'd love to debate him on those and other issues. He's like some guy you meet in a bar, and want to talk sports with all night. Buy the book, and see for yourself. This is a must-read.