literature

I first read this book in Chinese when I was 11. Although I didn't fully understand the political side of the novel, it left me crying over the story for weeks. I have reread it many times since, and it has never failed to move me. The authur explores human nature in all ways possible and touches your heart with an intensity. Arthur, a young Christian in the 19th Century when Italy was under Austrian rule, is the hero of this book. The 19 year old boy's protected world is broken when he learns that his tutor - Father of church - is actually his birth father. At the same time that he finds he has been betrayed by the only person he trusts he is mistaken by the only girl he loves. Not wanting to face his father and explain to Gemma, the shy and gentle Arthur leaves for South Africa, making everyone believe he has taken his own life. In a new environment he is thrown into the harsh realities of life, his body and soul hardend by human cruelty. 15 years later he returns to Italy where The Gadfly is born as a respected potential revolitionary. Having been through so much pain and body injuries, Gemma didn't recognise her beloved Arthur but sees him as a commorade in the dangerous revolutionary life. The Gadfly's role as a rebellious fighter places him and his father - now a cardinal - on opposite sides of the political stage. All emotions are explored when the father has to choose between his long lost son and his Lord on the cross. The baldness of the Authur takes you through a man's life where he is transformed from a naive believer of God to a sly fighter who hates God for having his father's love. The ending is so moving it will make you look at life in a whole different perspective. This is the best book I have ever read and I recommand it to everyone who loves reading, no matter when type of books they like.

I was genuinely surprised to learn upon my coming to this country that very few people have ever heard (much less read) anything by Ethel Lilian Voynich. In my opinion, as to the writer's excellence she can be placed on the same level of skill as Shakespeare-the Immortal -- she is that terrific in making us see her characters and live their lives. The book talks about struggles of a young and impressionable English boy raised in Italy during its freedom movement. It becomes known to him that his only friend and confessor, an Italian priest, is really his father, and the youth is so affected by this life-long lie that he runs away to South America, where the real nightmare begins. Taught nothing about the harshnesss of life, he experiences every terrible human quality and still survives for the strugge of Italy now becomes his life. He returns home fifteen years later, unrecognizable as the wounds can make a person, and becomes the most talented and famous pamphletist against Austrian leadership and, of course, the church. By this time, his father is a cardinal; although they are on the opposite sides of the struggle now and a terrible lie stands between them, he never gave up hope and search for his son. We are faced with love so strong it almost turns to hate, and the terrible decision that a priest must make when his son is captured and about to be executed: will he forsake God and help his son? The book introduces us to every emotion that this man, called the Gadfly for his sharp tongue, experiences. It is so good, it makes you weep for the hero so determinate and so week and strong at the same time.

The novel of "The Gadfly" in Chinese and the movie bearing the same name, are two brilliant works of "The Gadfly" I first encountered, and loved so much, while I was in my teens, although my young age was somewhat restricted me from comprehending the conspiracies and struggles inside the hero. After so many years I finally had a chance to read the original novel by Ms. Voynich. I was trilled. Many details were recalled and many emotional moments were re-experienced, only this time it was with more intensity and inspiration, and maybe more tears.

An epic of revolutions, religions, and moralities, this novel digs deeply about human beings and their loves, the love for their country, the love for God, the love between father and son, and the love between lovers... If its arousing power of revolt appealed me the most many years ago, now stronger the resonance in my heart is the hero's soul, his dilemmas and his complexities. From Arthur, a devotee to God, to the Gadfly, an unswerving atheist, the renouncement was triggered by the betrayal of his confessor (Father Cardi) and the deceit of his "Padre", his actual birth father, the Cardinal Montanelli, intensified through all the unimaginable sufferings (emotionally and physically) he endured, and firmed along the path of his pursuing for true believes. To me the fact that Gadfly lived his most valuable years, and finally died, as an atheist is more intriguing in how the belief being rooted than the belief itself. In reading this book, it gave me great satisfaction in meditating over character the Gadfly, the more so because he was a human being, and a very sentimental one. With Ms. Voynich's feminine touch, the relationships, love relationships, were portrayed with immense depth and delicacy. The connection between Montanelli and the Gadfly truly stimulates me with the thoughts on God and his son, Jesus Christ. The love between Gadfly and Gemma, full of pain and pathos it was, is the purest and the most beautiful love I could ever imagine.

"Then am I a happy fly, if I live or if I die", the short verse written at the end of the letter for which the Gadfly wrote to Gemma, just before his execution, is very simple, but profoundly encapsulates the Gadfly's life, one that was so short, and yet so fulfilling, and one that's likely to leave you reflecting on yours, too.

I picked this book up on sale, and Jesus came home with it. The book will change not only the way you look at God & Jesus, but how you look at you.

There is an aura in this book that tells you when to put it down and think. You can feel His presence as Rev Lucado opens your eyes so you can open your soul to the word.

This is one of the few books I have read that had the ability to make me laugh, cry, and pray all at the same time. It is definitely a MUST read for anyone unsure of their faith or their fate.

The "Study" guides at the end of the book are like postage stamps on your heart and soul, guiding you ever closer to home and Him.

After a diligent search, I selected this book as the syllabus for the Adult Bible Study I moderate at the Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church in Maplewood, New Jersey. As a former college professor and scientific researcher, the "footnotes," collected at the end of the book, that direct the enthusiastic reader to further references, swayed my judgment. The penetrating questions and more sources in the book's Study Guide, matched with each of the ten Sessions, challenge even the most percipient reader to contemplate the verse of the Beatitudes according to Saint Matthew just covered.

The book is very accessible and a compelling read. Reverend Lucado employs a narrative style and strong figurative language to create unforgettable images - metaphors, similes and puns punctuate his anecdotes that all can relate to. Without proselytizing, the minister imaginatively explicates the paradoxes and jarring hyperboles that comprise the Beatitudes. He invites the reader of The Applause of Heaven to a preview of the eternal blessing of unbounded joy promised to the believer in the Kingdom of God. Whether, as a drunk, one uses the lamppost for support or to find ones way, this book guides one on the path to meet with Jesus on the Mount. As recommended for the performing artist's arduous journey to Carnegie Hall, practice, practice and more practice of each "be attitude," the text assures us, will land the Christian in heaven to be greeted with God's thunderous applause.

As one rebuilds ones heart using the Beatitudes as the blueprint for living, ones contemporary values are disabused by John Elliot's admonition that "he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Read Reverend Lucado's deconstruction that to be meek, for instance, involves not only practising humility and eschewing vanity but also exercising patience, tolerance, contentedness and control over ones anger. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Shalom!

I have read this book at least 5 times. Without a doubt this book has the happiest ending a story could ever have!

"Boricuas" is a tremendous gift both to the Puerto Rican community and to those who want to learn more about Puerto Rican culture. Editor Roberto Santiago has assembled a collection of writings which illuminate the joys, sorrows, and complexities of the Puerto Rican experience.

This anthology has many strengths. It contains a full range of genres--poetry, speeches, short fiction, essays, drama, and more. There is even a transcription of one of Freddie Prinze's classic comedy routines. There is also a good mix of male and female authors: Julia de Burgos, Piri Thomas, Aurora Levins Morales, Jesus Colon, and many, many more.

The book does have some flaws. The author biographies at the end of the book are far too short and insubstantial--many of them are only 2 or 3 lines long. More bibliographic data on each author would have made the book a more powerful resource for teachers and students. And the book could have used a firmer editorial hand in parts. The excerpt from Miguel Pinero's play "Short Eyes," for example, contains no editorial indication that this is in fact an excerpt; readers might be misled to believe that this is a short one-act play in its entirety.

Another drawback to the anthology is the relative lack of writers from the 19th century and earlier. With the exception of Jose de Diego, these pioneers of Puerto Rican literature are entirely absent. If you want to read the important poetry and prose of Manuel A. Alonso, Jose Gautier Benitez, Pachin Marin, and others, you will have to look elsewhere.

These criticisms aside, "Boricuas" is an excellent collection. The stories, poems, and other selections are full of all the richness of the Puerto Rican experience. Some of the best selections include Migene Gonzalez-Wippler's autobiographical piece about her experience of the Santeria religion, Abraham Rodriguez' multilayered short story "The Boy Without a Flag," and editor Santiago's excellent introductory essay.

This wonderful book makes an excellent class text for high school or college courses; in fact, I used it when I taught the "Literature of the Americas" course offered by the University of Pittsburgh. But this is also a book for outside the classroom; it is a collection to be read, enjoyed, and shared with loved ones. "Boricuas" is a triumph for both Roberto Santiago and for the many authors whose voices are celebrated between the book's covers.

I know pretty much about my own culture, Puerto Rico. But, this book was a page turner and I learned even more than what I already know. I learned the history of many of my favorite celebraties and Puerto Rican "freedom fighters." I admire many Puerto Rican actors--like Freddie Prinze, our very own "Looking Good!" character from Chico and the Man. Geraldo Rivera's courageous journey to uncover the disatrous truth of Willowbrook's mental health home for retarded children located in Staten Island. There are so many different stories, plays, speeches from Pedro Albizu Campos, Roberto Santiago, Jose De Diego, Piri Thomas, etc. I can go on and on. You have to get this book for yourself and for your children. Our offsprings are the only people who will carry our culture forward to many generations ahead. This book must be a part of their lives growing up so that they know what our forefathers and mothers have been through and what is happening in today's society in Puerto Rican's lives. This book should be a part of every Puerto Rican's library and other Hispanics alike. The beauty about this book is that it makes us realize that there are more authors and writers to read about and their books that have gone undiscovered. This weekend I will run to the library and start looking for books written by Puerto Rican and Hispanic authors. It is a refreshing feeling. I rate this book a 10 without reservations. My very best to Roberto Santiago. May God bless you

Art, Poetry, Short Stories, Drawings. Stories of Religion, from Catholic, to Santeria. From growing up in hungry in the streets of Spanish Harlem, to growing up in the rural areas of La Isla. From being a street hood, to being a Chico and The Man Tv Star. Boricuas, is destined to be a classic. In this collection you get only the best, from the best Puerto Rican writers and poets. Piri Thomas, Esmeralda Santiago, Judith Cofer, Nicholasa Mohr, just to name a few of these talented writters. What I love the most about this book is that it will introduce many Puerto Ricans as well as the rest of the world to the many talented Boricua authors there are. This book will fill you with pride and joy, if you are ever thinking of that perfect gift for that young adult Boricua in your life, this is it.

The Freddy the Pig adventures are almost unique in children's literature. Few series, whether for children or adults are so full of the sense of community, and the character's place in that community than the Freddy books are. I've just reread six of them (two aloud) with my children. I'm amazed to find that you can read this series, end to end, in much the same way that you would read Trollope's Barchester novels, or Anthony Powell's Dance---as life caught in microcosm, studied, and loved and laughed at, and to hell with the fact that these are animals. I step off the subway each day and enter an office that is remarkably like Freddy's world, except we have few adventures. These are great books and I hope the publisher will find a ready audience for them.

Many rears ago the local library was too far to walk to so a book buss would bring them to our school. I milled offer the shelves and found a series of intriguing stories. It was the Freddy the pig series. I enjoyed many hours reading about Freddy's adventures with his pal Jinx. Then for years he just disappeared from view. No one ever heard of him. I combed the used bookstores and still no one heard of him. Then one day he returned. Today I am rediscovering Freddy. Not only are there new adventures but the originals ar being republished.
This is the best book to start with; it explains how Freddy became a detective, which he uses, in subsequent adventures. After reading a book on Sherlock Holmes he decides he can be a pretty good detective and recruits friends in the process.
The stories are intriguing in them selves. However underlying the story are several real life concepts for one to work out as what's the matter with going to jail if you get fed and do not have to work? What do you do when the judge has already made up his mind befor the trial? I especially like the way he browbeats the pore little rabbit during his interrogation. One forgets how intimidating it could be.
Well you will enjou this story as freddy must fingure out what happened to a childs toy train and what diabolical plot it is used in.

You are going to love finding out who killed the crow, who stole the model train, and how Freddy rids the barn of those venal rats. And then there's the difficulty of striking a balance between the justice of incarceration, and compassion for the incarcerated. Whether assembling clues, shadowing the suspicious, or selecting a judge, Freddy is the right pig for the job. And you'll hardly recognize our old friend in his disguises.

This is one of the most challenging, thought provoking, mind bending, and soul calling books I have ever read. Campbell is so entertaining in his ability to simplify complex religious and social structures that it is not important to already know about the Far East, the Near East, or your local Baptist church, he brings it all into focus on a common human level. I found this book disturbing in it's ability to draw me into the wonder of being human and how utterly connected we all are. It's the kind of book that you can open to any page, read only a few lines, and be pulled into a thought that will chase you the whole day. Campbell is pithy, humorous, practical, fact filled, and inspiring. If you enjoy thinking about God, the nature of being human, or politics, BUY THIS BOOK!!!! You won't be sorry.

This is a great introduction to, or summation of, Campbell's works. Most of his works are extreemly deep and can be difficult to reach but well worth the effort. If you really want to probe the deapths of Campbell's work but are intimidated by his other books, this will give you a great overview and fire your desire to dig deeper.

I have read all of Campbell's books. The amount and breadth of the information and thier implications is staggering. The most amazing thing about this book is that I would have chosen almost exactly the same summative material for this type of book as did Osborn. My background is steeped in science--Osborn's in poetry. Yet we found the same "song of the universe" within Campbell's works.

Why? Because the song is transparent to the transendent and there for the everyone.

I was first introduced to this book after I had knee surgery and was forced to lay on my butt and keep relatively inactive. I have to admit, I was feeling a little sorry for myself thinking and feeling that somehow I was being cheated by the universe in some way. So my friend comes over with this book and starts reading me sections out of it...

He reads outloud, "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are..."

Immediately my consciousness elevated. I said, "What did you just say?"

He repeated, "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are..."

"Oh, my...that's an amazing thought...oh, I really like that..."

And even though he continued to read on, my mind and my heart stayed with that one nugget of pure gold. I let this idea permeate my whole being. It was just what I needed to hear. My surgery was not about punishment, it was about using it in a way that would/could serve me in greater ways than I was able to forsee at the time.

My friend left and I immediately hobbled over to the computer and ordered this book. In about three days (interesting symbology itself) it arrived and I began to not just read this book but devour it with all of my heart, mind, and soul. I really feel that the essence behind the words contributed greatly to my healing...not just with my knee, but in other areas that I might have previously let go unaddressed.

I give copies of this book to people for their birthdays and I always inscribe this message, "....because the privilege of a lifetime is being exactly who and what you are!"

Let this and the other wondrous truths that can be discovered in this beautiful book sink into your mind, your heart, and soul.Remind yourself that it is a privilege of a lifetime to be who you are and then attempt to realize with real eyes that this is the truth of everyone and everything despite what the appearances may look like! Facts change but the Truth lives on forever...

I first read this book when it was published in 1982 and never forgot it. I love the characters of Laura and Oliver. Characters who actually grow and change throughout the book. And the backdrop of Colonial India was superbly done. I really felt as though I was there and going through all that Laura did during the siege. I heartily agree with the person who said we should all urge the publishers to reprint this novel and with the person who said it would make a wonderful mini-series. If it's done properly!

I am never disappointed when I re-read this book every year. When I sit down to read it I know I will enjoy it each time. It seems to be a fairly authentic historical novel yet I am thoroughly involved with the characters who make this period in history come alive. If you like this book, try "Tradewind" by M.M.Kaye. I also read it over and over.

I cannot heap enough praise on Valerie Fitzgerald's superb historical novel "Zemindar." I have always had an interest in India, especially during the period of the British Raj. I picked up a copy of this book at a used bookstore by chance, little knowing that it was to become one of my favorite novels. It is a beautifully written, impeccably researched, totally addictive read.

Set in India during the Raj, the author follows the lives of a newly married British couple on honeymoon to India, their young cousin, an Englishwoman who is companion to the bride, and the groom's half-brother, a European hereditary ruler - a zemindar - to his own fabulous kingdom, Hassanganj. This epic saga of love, war, tragedy and ultimate triumph is drawn from the author's personal experience. Ms. Fitzgerald's grandmother lived through the Indian Sepoy Mutiny, which is vividly recreated here. And the author, herself, spent her adolescence in Lucknow where her father was stationed during WWII. Her summers were spent on a zemindari estate similar to Oliver Erskine's extraordinary holdings. This personal perspective adds tremendously to the book's historical accuracy and provides the reader with an unusual, caring and honest perspective of the country, the native population and their British rulers.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that Ms. Fitzgerald not only provides a detailed and colorful portrait of India but she has created an exceptional cast of characters, both Indian and British, realistic and strong enough to inhabit the times in which they lived. Notable among them are Oliver Erskine - a combination of Edward Rochester (from Jane Eyre) and Rhett Butler (improbable but most effective and believable) - and Laura Hewitt. The novel is worth the read just to become acquainted with these two.

Along with "The Siege of Krishnapur," "Zemindar" is one of the best period works of historical fiction. It won the Georgette Heyer Historical Novel Prize in 1981, selected from scores of manuscripts that included M. M. Kaye's "The Far Pavillions." Not to be missed!
JANA

First of all, this is the kind of work that is necessary today - a book that encourages people to live with courage and with love. I loved that the main character took some significant risks, listened to his inner knowing and blessed his and other lives as a result. Somehow I don't get the relationship between Spence and Annetta. It's not that I don't think it could happen, but the author didn't develop that relationship enough. Also, I assume this is a self-published work based on the number of printing errors. Overall I think it's a decent book. It's certainly better than most Mormon fiction I've read, but that's not saying a lot.

This is seriously one of the best books that I've read. After reading it all I wanted to do was take all of my dates cross-country skiing into the mountains. It was written in a way that I could just dive into it. The philosophies on life that he suggests are a lot of what I want to live by. I gave it out to a couple of people for christmas presents, and they have come back to buy more and give them to there friends. I highly, highly reccomend this book.

The book was wonderful from start to finish . ..The love was real and heart touching and made you feel a part of the plot.. . If you liked this book, or want to read one that goes straight to your heart, read Stolen Moments by Barbara Jeanne Fisher. . .It is a beautiful story of unrequited love. . .for certain the love story of the nineties. I intended to give the book a quick read, but I got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning, I was fully caught up in the heart-wrenching account of Julie Hunter's battle with lupus and her growing love for Don Lipton. This love, in the face of Julie's impending death, makes for a story that covers the range of human emotions. The touches of humor are great, too, they add some nice contrast and lighten things a bit when emotions are running high. I've never read a book more deserving of being published. It has rare depth. Julie's story will remind your readers that life and love are precious and not to be taken for granted. It has had an impact on me, and for that I'm grateful. Stolen Moments is written with so much sensitivity that it made me want to cry. It is a spellbinder. What terrific writing. Barbara does have an exceptional gift!

This book is an absolute must for anyone even mildly interested in conspiracy theory. You could read a stack of library books and still not get what you'd get out of this. Each "theory" (JFK, RFK, Area 51, Odessa Files, UFO's, etc.) is a legitimate theory which has been proposed elsewhere. The magic here is that the author has prepared, in comic book format, a synopsis of each theory. In ten minutes, you can get a very complete overview of any conspiracy theory out there. If you want more, there's a conveniant bibliography at the end, which I myself have consulted numerous times. I cannot begin to tell you how useful this book is, nor how quickly you can get a clear understanding of what's being said today on almost any conspiracy subject. The comic format is entertaining and very readable.....which is understandable, since the author has also been a top comic book writer for over twenty years now, I think, having authored Batman and some of the other better titles out there. Once again: easy to read, and a fantastic overview of various subjects which you can then find more information on in the bibliography. I STRONGLY recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in conspiracy theory.

This is by far the best book in Paradox Press' Big Book series. Doug Moench, known to comics fans for numerous works including Batman, deftly utilizes his expertise with the medium to give this graphic novel the perfect tone it needs: a combination of offbeat, tongue-in-cheek black humor, and a creeping sense of building dread. The artists (some of the best in comics) are well-suited to the particular vignettes they illustrate in the BBOC, and the constant shift in artistic styles helps reinforce the book's aforementioned mood. Comics fans, conspiracy fans, alien abductees, and political manipulators take note: The Big Book of Conspiracies is among the best ever done on the subject.

..or at least predicted that something similar to it would happen. Why? Because what better way for the government to control its people than to have them come running to said government in order to protect them from "hidden menaces" whether they be communists or islamic terrorists? Also, what better way to keep the military-indutstrial complex running than a need to battle these "threats to national security"?

This is a brilliant book, especially in the way it changes its tone; it's dead serious when talking about RFK, JFK, MLK, Malcom X, and Odessa; takes a more humorous tone when discussing NASA, Hemp, and the Masons, and is downright silly when getting into the theory that aliens are our forerunners.

But the serious stuff will definitely make you think and maybe even keep you up nights a la Jim Garrison in "JFK". It's that good. The books it references on conspiracies are highly recommended further reading.

I can't believe that this book is out of print -- or that copies now cost upwards of $50! Could it be...a conspiracy?

I first read this book when I was 10, and it freaked me out. It was one of the major reasons I began reading science fiction. This book can be reread endlessly without losing an ounce of wonder, for Barlowe's representations of alien anatomy are truly inspired. I constantly recommend this to my friends, and they are never disappointed, even the ones who can't stand sci-fi. Unfortunately, his paintings are much more interesting than some of the books they're taken from.

The premise of this book is: The authors have taken various characters from various science fiction works and have visualy recreated them and write about some of their culture from what is in the books. This is one of the best Science Fiction art books I've ever read!!! and if you've read some of the books that these aliens are recreated from it's even better!!!! Colorful pictures, explanations, and even a couple of pages showing the comparative sizes of each of the aliens!!!!

A book on great alien races from science fiction. Classic fiction to boot. Most of us know about the Overlords from 'Childhood's End', the Puppeteers from 'Ringworld', the Guild Steersman from 'Dune' and even the Old Ones from 'At the Mountains of Madness'. But do you remember the Thrint from 'World of Ptavvs', the Cinruss from 'Hospital Station', or the Cygnan from 'The Jupiter Theft'?
A great source of information on alien races with full color pictures, lots of data on history, culture and habitat BUT also a great source for finding classic stories you never heard of!
Do you know the Pnume, Salaman, Triped or Merseian? Well, get this book and found out who they are!

I can't imagine a better guide to Shakespeare than this. It's like a "for dummies" book, but better. The author covers just about everything, but she never bores you. In fact, I could hardly put this book down.

After a very lively introduction (about Shakespeare's life and the Globe theater), the author lists the plays in the order in which they were written. She divides them into four groups: the romantic comedies, the historical plays, the tragedies, and the romances. Then she tackles each of the four groups, writing about some of the plays. She tells you why the play is famous, she covers key characters (like Falstaff), and she explains the controversies that surround some of them. (For example, the charge of anti-Semitism about Merchant of Venice.) She makes a point of not covering every play --- if she covered them all, the reader would eventually lose interest.

Instead of getting bored, you are starved for more. The book is packed with trivia and intelligent observations. The author isn't shy about the sex and violence in the plays, either, which keeps things interesting. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an overview of Shakespeare's work. If you don't know about his plays, you probably want to, but you need a guide that was written specifically for you. This is the book.

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This book's preface instructs, "Don't feel compelled to read this book from cover to cover" since it's meant for reading at a relaxed pace. Guess what? I DID read it from cover to cover!!

Why did I do this? Here are my reasons:

(1) THE AUTHOR'S WRITING STYLE. The author writes in a relaxed and leisurely but enthusiastic way making a somewhat difficult subject easy and enjoyable to read. She writes for the intelligent, common reader who's tired of technical, academic (and patronizing!!) jargon.

(2) THE BOOK'S ORGANIZATION. The book progresses logically with general comments on the works of William Shakespeare (1564-1616) to discussing the man himself to looking at the Elizabethan stage and then lastly discussing the plays. There is also a discussion of the Shakespearean sonnets. Finally, there is a fascinating end-discussion on the spin-offs that have resulted from Shakespeare's works (for example, music and films).

(3) DISCUSSION OF PLAYS. Not only are the popular ones discussed but the more obscure plays are also given attention. The plays discussed are as follows: eight romantic comedies, eight histories, one "problem" play, seven tragedies, and one tragicomic romance. All discussions are EASY to follow. And don't worry. There are NO boring plot summaries of the plays to read.

For many of the plays, there is a "What to Look For In" section. These informative sections highlight what is particularly significant in a play. As well, a major Shakespearean character of a particular play may be highlighted and given more detailed attention. For example, there are good, solid discussions of Shylock and Falstaff.

(4) ILLUSTRATIONS AND PHOTOGRAPHS. These are peppered throughout the book. I especially liked the black-and-white photo of Patrick Stewart ("Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the starship Enterprise") dressed up as Shylock.

(5) SIDEBARS. These also occur throughout the book. They highlight interesting bits of information that the author wants to bring to the reader's attention. One of my favorite sidebars is an open letter a critic of the 1600s wrote to Shakespeare entitled "As I Don't Like It." He commented on why he didn't like the play "As You Like It" (one of the Bard's best plays).

(6) INTERVIEWS. These are scattered throughout the book. The author interviews people (such as actors) who have a passion for Shakespeare. Notable interviews are with Kenneth Branagh and Ted Lange (of "Love Boat" fame).

(7) TRIVIA. And lots of it!! This Shakespearean trivia occurs throughout the book. For example, what does Shakespeare's epitaph say? Or, what Shakespearean character was Orson Welles' life ambition to play?

Finally, the big question: who is this book written for? Answer: for both novices and Shakespearean scholars--in short, everybody who is interested in the Bard.

I must confess that I thought I knew a lot about Shakespeare and his works. Was I wrong!! This book opened my eyes to how much I did not know.

In conclusion, if you cannot make up your mind whether to be a reader of Shakespeare or not to be a reader of his, then that is the question this thoroughly painless guide helps you to answer in the affirmative!!

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I mean it. It really is.

Norrie Epstein, who also brings you _The Friendly Dickens_, has produced an absolutely unbelievable wealth of information involving Shakespeare's life, work, and times, all in an extremely readable, interesting, and -funny- way. If you ever thought Shakespeare was unapproachable, you thought wrong. _The Friendly Shakespeare_ takes everything your high school English teacher said about Shakespeare's elegant and classy prose and throws it out the window, showing Shakespeare's work for what it really was: sex and violence - extremely graphic sex and violence, filled with the ultimate bawdy talk and most injuring insults ever to be seen in English. It takes the sentimentality out of Shakespeare, making it as unclean as it always was, explaining out-of-date references and slang that would otherwise mean nothing to the modern ear but made a great deal of sense for the Elizabethans.

Epstein explores almost every possible aspect of the Shakespearean world: examining each play and its virtues and downfalls, delving into the twisted world of Elizabethan culture, discovering Shakespeare's life (and the mystery as to whether Shakespeare was who we think he was, or a pseudonym for any number of other writers, or if Shakespeare stole credit), interviewing actors and directors, the zany adaptations and unusual performances by unlikely actors, and reviewing the many film versions available on video. Nearly every page has a marginal tidbit with a quote or statistic or other little-known fact about Shakespeare's world or productions of his plays. Just from flipping randomly through the book, you could learn more about Shakespeare than you thought you ever wanted to know.

Being a student, I can say that _The Friendly Shakespeare_ is the finest reference for students - whether or not they have an interest in Shakespeare. Everything is presented in a fresh, exciting manner, and for those "experienced" students who have a passion for Shakespeare, it isn't "dumbed down." This isn't _The Idiot's Guide to Shakespeare_. It provides both the basics to get those non-enthusiasts going, and some extremely thought-proviking information for the veterans. Never once is Epstein's text dry or boring or overly wordy, like people expect most Shakespeare studies to be. Nor is it childish or pathetically simple.

What I love most about this book is how it really breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that most teachers have set up, making students HATE Shakespeare - they oversanitize it, making it pretty and beautiful, they oversentimentalize it, making it weak. Shakespeare's plays would not have lasted so long if they were just attractive poems about love. Certainly not. _The Friendly Shakespeare_ takes us back to the true Shakespeare, the Shakespeare that the original audiences must have seen - the gritty, dirty, audience-pleasing text, from the sexuality of _Othello_ to the extraneous gore of _Titus Andronicus_, to the often hushed-up fact that the sonnets were written to another man and not a woman.

Yet Epstein never makes it just about the sex and the violence - she does not deny Shakespeare was a genius of words, as he truly was. She just makes us more -aware- of his genius, for no true genius was ever all fluff and flowers. She tells us -why- he was brilliant, not merely saying he was because popular opinion states it. And after reading this book, you'll understand why, too. And you'll think Epstein is a genius as well for bringing us such a fantastic reference.

I recommend _The Friendly Shakespeare_ to everyone - students, adults, actors, directors, teachers, the veterans, the novices - it will inspire, it will enamour, it will delight, it will shock, and most importantly . . . it will make you love Mr William Shakespeare the way he -should- be loved.