United Kingdom Guide Association Books

A Connoisseur's Guide is a quirky and engaging tour of all the editions of Churchill's key texts. Before a debate over my use of "quirky" in an endearing manner, let it be known to all that Langworth is the major American dealer in books by and about Churchill and as such has a unique view of Churchill as filtered through his work. Others regularly handle Churchill material (including the author of this piece, who, in the spirit of full disclosure, it should be noted is praised in the acknowledgments and cited authoritatively in the text), but none take into stock and send back out Into the world a fraction of the books, pamphlets and magazines that pass through Langworth's hands. Indeed, in his introduction he claims "one purpose" he had in compiling the Guide was to forestall the question most frequently put to him by novice buyers: "What exactly am I holding in my hands?" With this Guide in hand, the answer might still require one more call to Langworth; but once the aspirant grasps the bibliographic language with which he narrates this textual tale, home-schooling should quickly replace classroom instruction. The Guide is put together with admirable clarity, even simplicity. For each text, from The Story of the Malakand Field Force in 1898 to the posthumous ephemeral publications, Langworth first provides an eminently readable redaction, along with some solid background of each book's place in the canon. In these preambles Langworth's voice resonates eloquently, providing a sense that we are being guided by a generous, avuncular Diogenes with knowledge of all things Churchillian. Following his introductory remarks, Langworth deploys excerpts from both contemporary and modern commentators; his use of supporting and dissenting opinions offers a novel approach to understanding how a text was greeted upon publication and how it continues to be perceived. Throughout Langworth relies on the bibliographical research of the late Frederick Woods, who devoted decades to tracing Churchill's works, and whose bibliography, to date, has not been superseded. Langworth states that his goal is to amplify, not expand upon, Woods's early work, and in this, I think he is too humble: he clarifies innumerable pockets of obfuscation transmitted by Woods (one need only read his lucid discussion of The Malakand Field Force to see how far we've come). He also, however, occasionally nudges up against the hubristic: definitionally, Woods is the text with which Langworth is bantering, and insomuch as the preponderance of readers will not be familiar with Woods, his frequent taglines "see Woods" and "Woods incorrectly" seem a bit bullying. Maybe I'm being too pedantic, but the paragraphs devoted to the physical components of the books are similar enough in both format and language to Woods to have generated a feeling that Langworth, now and again, set up his predecessor only to knock him down. Most readers, I suspect, will breeze through the technical patches on book production, press-runs and binding variants and will be rewarded with the concluding categories with which the description of each edition ends. The first of these is labeled "Comments" and in it Langworth incorporates the substantial anecdotal knowledge he has gathered in his decades of handling Churchill books. In these passages he demonstrates the extent to which he has attained true "connoisseurship," that state of grace to which all collectors of objects aspire, and he communicates his wisdom with the ease bred of confidence. For example, in describing the Times Book Club issue of Lord Randolph Churchill he notes: "nicely if not elaborately bound (it lacks the gilt coat of arms) it is an adequate if not dramatic looking set of books." And about the first edition of India:: "softbound copies on the market today outnumber hardbound copies at least twenty to one...." These are, to my mind, truths that could only be proffered succinctly and elegantly after years of study and reflection. In a late interview, the American novelist Bernard Malamud suggested that "clear writing is clear thinking," and in those pithy observations, in which Langworth shares his clear thinking in clean writing, the Guide earns a place on the list of essential reference works devoted to Churchill as author. The Guide is sturdily produced; the photographs are attractive. I wish a number of the more compelling, early books had been shot in color, though some appear on the color dust jacket. To those of us who esteem Churchill's accomplishments, this work offers one more reason to stand in reverence: the titles and text roll across seven decades with clarity and logic. The Guide both elevates and entertains-and you can't ask for much more for your money, can you?

I'm a member of The Churchill Center, of which Mr Langworth is a director, and for years, I've been an occasional customer of his Churchillbooks business. I've emailed or written him a few times over the years, and so I like to think that -- through my pesky and amateurish questions -- I bear a little tiny bit of the responsibility for the publication of this excellent book. Because now that I have this, I won't have to bother Mr Langworth in person any more. I'm sure he rests more easily knowing this.

The 'Connoisseur's Guide' is, without exaggeration, the Book of the Century about the books written by The Man of the (Twentieth) Century. From Sir Winston's rarest and most obscure titles to Book-of-the-Month-Club volumes owned by millions, Mr Langworth has catalogued, evaluated, and given us his excellent personal insights and opinions about them. For each title, including posthumous collections, the Guide gives us a bit of history, excerpts from contemporaneous reviews, and a listing of every known imprint and variant, including translations into other languages.

I'm not, either by temperament or financial status, a collector of fine volumes. I just love to read Sir Winston. And I have found this Guide to be every bit as useful to me as I believe it must be for the most high-end of Churchillo-bibliophiles. Mr Langworth is to be commended for the remarkable amount of work that went into compiling this comprehensive Guide. It is a volume that belongs on the shelf of any student of Churchilliana.

With well over eight hundred pages, MLA's "Literary Research Guide" is a complete and comprehensive guide for researchers who study literature. This new fifth edition boasts over 1,000 entries, which inform readers about countless books and other pieces of written media. Also sporting new chapters on cultural studies, "Literary Research Guide" leaves out little on every item discussed. An absolute must for community library reference collections focusing on literary studies, and highly recommended for college libraries as well.

Harner's most recent edition is the "bible" for those studying literature and/or related disciplines. An absolute must-have for graduate students in literature, women's studies, ethnic studies, and other textually-based disciplines.

This book will serve as your "forever" resource on everything England. If you have never been there it will help you to develop a plan, and it will help you find things that are off the track. It is a resource that seasoned travellers will find excellent as well. I have the newest edition and one of the originals, they are both fantastic. If you have room for only one big England book, this should be it, and if you have room for many you will still value this one the most!

What a wonderful book. It is set up like an encyclopedia, in alphabetical order, with entries about places in Britain that are of architectural, cultural, and historical interest. The entries are fascinating and the pictures are beautiful. I can open it on any random page and be enthralled. I could spend hours engrossed by it!

The only downside of this book is that it is a constant reminder that no matter how many times you have visited Britain, there are still hundreds of places and things in Britain you still need to see!

Though there was a misstep in mailing (the suite # was left off the address when originally mailed* & I paid additional postage), I was very pleased when I received this book. [*Don't know if this was my error or the shipper's error........]

"This book puts discovery-and colour- back into travel!" A highly visual and easy to read guidebook that makes the pre-exploration of Britain alot of fun. It is broken down into well-noted areas of Britain (i.e. The Heart of England, Wales, Northern Scotland). Filled with many colourful pictures and illustrations, miniature maps, quick tips and more, it is backed by the authority and experience of The Automobile Association; a widely engaged service respected by many British motorists. I've put it to the test on my many travels throughout Britain and have yet to be disappointed. Additionally, this guidebook is small enough to easily take along with you on your adventures!

This was the last book I received from a variety of tour books I ordered. I think if had been the first it would have influenced me sufficiently to change the rest.
It is a tour book providing suggested itineries for short driving tours around Britain. The book is exceptionally well laid out with clear maps, colourful photos and short vingettes of the sights and towns the tours pass through. It may seem shallow, but the layout and ease of reading are the reasons why I rate the book so well.
The information contained in each vingette is brief, perhaps too brief but I bought the book to get an idea where to go not to learn everything about particular places. Of course there are places not mentioned in the book which I will be going to anyway and I think the suggested driving times are more directed towards British drivers not North Americans or Australians who suffer from a tyranny of distance. The book gives no hint or suggestions for accomodations or restaurants, which is a bit of a pity, especially since each itinary takes two or three days.
This book should not be your only guide if you are visiting Britain, it is not deep enough and lacks accomodation and eating information, but as far as touring the countryside it does exactly what I bought it for, suggesting short driving itineries.
The layout is VERY 'DK Publishing' and I would have preferred to have had all my tour books in this format rather than the usual Frommer's. Although having said that I am used to Frommer's and like Frommer's depth and occasional bit of quirkiness.

Excellent guide to seeing Britain from behind the wheel.
This review is for the 6th edition, 2004 printing.

Excellent guide to seeing Britain with a sports car or a classic Bentley. You will enjoy some great driving tours and routes through this historical region of the United Kingdom.

Frommers has recently come out with more "Best-Loved Driving Tours" series ... guides that are not very inexpensive, but are very well researched and quite comprehensive. One will have plenty of driving tours and routes to chose from, whether you like arts and museums, scenic roads and breathtaking views, urban towns and shopping, or just want to experience a regione's culture and life.

Unlike the other Frommer guides that are fatter and heavier, this little book gives you not too many specifics on lodging or eating. It is geared strictly for the person behind the wheel and her or his passengers.

I have had a great experience using this guide and will recommend it to anyone who can afford it. Also, you might want to check to see if your library carries it and check it out for the duration of your visit abroad.

When I backpacked 4 months through Europe I had a copy of the Lonely Planet for Europe (a thick and heavy book) because it covered more cities and esoteric towns, a ripped chapters of all the international youth hostals Europe of the countries I visited, and as primary guide for nominal cities and capitals I used Frommers (ripped the book and kept only chapters of countries planning to visit - so I can keep the weight down).

This is a very clear set of maps, well organized and easy to read. Likely tourist destination sites are clearly marked and driveability of the roads well color-coded. This latter is important as 'A' routes vary widely in width, not necessarily indicated by the number of digits after the 'A'. Exit/entrance points of limited-access roads are also clearly indicated. The only drawback to it is the weight and size which, although not excessive, is a consideration.