Blake Books

I think this book was a very nice description of a man's life. There's always something happening, and that contributes to the fact that this book is never boring. That's why I like this book. Roald Dahl is right when he says that it's not an autobiography. I don't know what makes it different, but there is something, that's for sure.
The way he describes his family is very nice. You can almost sense the love between all of them. That's another positive thing about the book.
I also learned allot about how life was like in ` the old days `. Among many other things, I was quite surprised by the way the kids were treated at school.
I liked this book very much, and I would recommend it to others. Both kids and grown- ups.

I like this story very much. When I started, I thought it was very boring because he started with history about his Father and his Grandfather. That was a boring chapter. But when he was telling about the sweetshop and the mouse it was very funny.
Not every chapter was nice, some of them were very boring and with difficult words. There are almost 2 pages of description about his schooluniform, that was very long and complicated and very very boring because I didn't understand what he was talking about. But that's funny too because Roald hates the uniform: "`I'll look like a complete idiot,' I said. My mother went out of the room and left me to it. With immense reluctance, I began to dress myself." (Page 136)
But I had the Dutch version at home and all the chapters I didn't understand I could read in Dutch, so that's a lot easier.
This book is absolutely not far fetched, it's very realistic, it's just in the past and there are things like hitting with a cane to punish that we don't know.
But it's nice to read how different school was from now. Because you don't have an idea. When you read the book sometimes you really think: Wow!!! Like having prep, you may not talk, you have to work and when you say something they hit you! When we have to work we can talk! That's really different.
He was a little boy who was never at home and he wrote a lot with his mother.
"When I recovered and went home, I was given this vast collection of my letters, all so neatly bound with green tape, more than six hundred of them together, dating from 1925 to 1945, each one in its original envelope with the old stamps still on them. I am awfully lucky to have something like this to refer to in my old age." (Page 82)
The idea that you are reading an autobiography of the author himself is very strange. I never did that before, but it is very nice.

Boy
Tales of Childhood
The book Boy is a biography that tells the childhood of Roald Dahl. He tells stories about his life in boarding school, his punishments, and his funniest moments as a kid. The book talks a lot about he's problems growing up and his experiences in boarding school. One of my favorite stories is about how everyone in the boarding school would get free Cadbury chocolates. The reason why everyone got chocolates was because the company wanted feedback on the chocolates so every kid would be very careful and try each chocolate and write whether they liked it or not. When Roald Dahl was younger he wanted to make the perfect filling for chocolates he had all these ideas about what a chocolate factory looked like. I liked this story because I think it is really cool to be able to test chocolates and I also like this because the story Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was based on the chocolates from boarding school. Roald Dahl wrote this book really well and I recommend it.

Boy
Roald Dahl
In writer Roald Dahl's memoir called Boy, he described his many school adventures during his childhood. I chose this book to review because I have always been interested in Dahl's work. I also chose it because I had heard that it was excellent and I had read a segment of it in class. Roald Dahl was an interesting boy who attended several different schools and had odd and upsetting experiences which taught him about life.
When Dahl was seven, his mom sent him to Llandaff Cathedral School. He and his friends would walk to school together every day always stopping at the candy shop which was run by an awful woman. To repay her for her unkindness, Dahl came up with the idea to put a mouse in the jar of gobstoppers. "`Why don't we', I said, `slip it into one of Mrs Pratchett`s jars of sweets (pg.36)?'" The cruel candy woman headed for the school and told the headmaster what Dahl and his friends had done, and the headmaster beat them all brutally with his cane. Dahl was very upset and knew he should never have been treated this way. His mom decided that Dahl would go to an English boarding school after the end of this distressing year.
Dahl was only nine when he attended his first day at St. Peter's Boarding School. Every boy wore the same outfit and carried a tuck box filled with all sorts of treats. Each Sunday, the students were required to write a letter home, and to make sure nothing horrid was said about the school, the headmaster would supervise the letter writing. During Dahl's first term, he was extremely homesick. He desperately wanted to leave school so he decided to fake an appendicitis attack. The doctor quickly realized Dahl wasn't ill but told him, "`I'll say you had a very severe infection of the stomach which I am curing with pills (pg.98).'" Dahl was extremely grateful that the doctor understood his pain and was willing to help him stay home from school for a few days. After that, Dahl managed to fight through his homesickness and continue at St. Peter's for three more years of peculiar adventures.
At age thirteen, Dahl attended a prestigious school called Repton. He had to wear odd clothing and travel by train to get to this school. For two of his years at Repton, Dahl was a Fag which meant that he was a servant for the studyholders. All they had to do was shout the word "Fag!", and "...every Fag in the place would have to drop what he was doing and run flat out to the source of the noise (pg.157)." One of the most humiliating experiences he had as a Fag was when he was forced to sit on a toilet seat to keep it warm for a studyholder all winter long. Dahl knew he would never want to be degraded like this again. His experiences at Repton, much like those at his other schools, were strange and disturbing.
Roald Dahl survived these three schools and learned many lessons from each of them. He realized that life was full of unusual and sometimes upsetting experiences. He learned to despise physical punishment, and he recognized that help could be found in very unlikely places. He came to the understanding that everyone should be treated like equals and be respected by others. Dahl was happy to leave school forever after his many weird and unhappy school adventures.

This was the first Roald Dahl book I read. My now-husband gave me Boy for my 22nd birthday because it was one of his favorite books as a child. I loved it and read it and Going Solo as quickly as I could. I recommend it to anyone of any age and will definitely read it to my children. Dahl had an eventful childhood which he narrates with the compassionate and mischievous tone of his other books. Boy is perfect for parents and children alike because Dahl remembers how life feels from the child's point of view whilst, a parent himself, appreciating the difficulties of parenthood and adulthood. Few books better help children and their parents to see eye-to-eye. Also admirable are the strength and acceptance that allows him to overcome childhood hardships without a trace of bitterness or melodrama. More than anything, it is a beautiful, interesting and down-right amusing look at a world not so far away in distance or time.

This book is titled as being for "dog trainers" but is actually geared toward people who are instructing others in dog training. Some good articles, especially one by Jodi Binstead on Bach's ideas on how breeders should raise puppies. Also some good articles on shelter dogs by Sue Sternburg, but her books are more up to date and thorough. If you have a business you may find this book of use, otherwise your money is probably better spent elsewhere -- though there is that excellent acticle on puppies to consider.

I am really enjoying this book. It's chock full of good information for Dog Trainers!!

I'm not an APDT member but I have seen a few of the articles posted
elsewhere. This is a collection of their 'keepers' in print form.
Mycelle Blake is the editor of the book.

I found the book interesting but kept having the one reoccuring
thought - were the authors checked before the article was put in the
book if their thoughts had changed in any way from their original
article? I know that permission to print them in this format had to
have been obtained so contact with each had to occur. Not every
article needed something along these lines. The other thought that
comes to mind is when would you draw the line to say 'check to see if
they still feel this way?' Some of the articles go back to 2000 but
there are one or two as current as 2006.

For example, is Trish King still using abandonment training in
dealing with dog-dog aggression? p. 127 "Dog-Dog Aggression and
Abandonment Training, July/August 2002. After using it for a while
has she changed her thoughts on using it or its effectiveness in
dealing with dog-dog training?

Or another example, is Joan Guertin still usin a "levels" class
system? 'The "Levels" System: Adavance-at-Your-Own-Pace Classes" by
Terry Ryan and Joan Guertin, September/October 2003.

One article really popped out at me - "Recognizing Multiple, Related
Diagnoses for Treatment Success" by Karen Overall September/October
2003. The article went into discussion about thunderstorm phobia,
noise phobia and separation anxiety.

There were several other articles I found interesting, these are just
examples of what came to my mind.

I found this collection of articles by experts to be extremely valuable. It covers the scientific aspects of animal learning and discusses the many approaches to training and running businesses related to pet training. Worth its weight in gold.

Editor Mychelle Blake has done an excellent job of assembling a variety of articles that contain information that is valuable to dog trainers at all levels of experience. The book is nicely organized, divided into sections by topic. Each topic boasts a variety of articles, some more philosophical, some more "hands on." For example, the section titled "Dog Behavior, Training and Modification" contains both a thoughtful article by Dr. Ian Dunbar on the eight criteria for effectively using punishment, along with "Assessing the Alpha Roll" by Terry Ryan; it also contains an article by Emily Keegans that offers concrete suggestions for environmental enrichment.

It is a testament to the wide scope of experience of the authors (as well as the good judgment of the editor) that articles are included that might be outside the average trainer's educational sphere. For example, an article by Dan McNally discusses protection trained dogs, while Jim Barry suggests positive methods for training hunting/retrievers. I found both of these articles fascinating. There is much "how to" to be found in the section on class tips and curriculum, and an entire section devoted to working with shelter dogs. The section on the business aspects of dog training is something that every trainer should read.

All things considered, this book is a great educational value and one that should be on the shelf of all current and aspiring trainers.
- Nicole Wilde, author So You Want to be a Dog Trainer (2nd edition) and Help for Your Fearful Dog: A Step-by-Step Guide to Helping Your Dog Conquer His Fears

Although I agree with all reviewers on here thus far, I must give this book a five. The reviews that give it a four have something in their minds to compare this book to, I do not. To me, this line of thinking is what I have been waiting for ever since I started having questions about my religion back in my first year of seminary in 9th grade. Nobody answers my questions like Blake, although I still have many that are left unanswered.
I have read his second book as well and as a prequel or standing alone, vol. one gets merits either way. Not only does this book put on paper what I have been formulating for the past 12 years, but I finally have a book that deseret book sells to give to my mom who raised me under the principles Ostler argues against.

Years ago I had in interest in Theology that started when I was a child visiting my grandfather. He was a step-grandson and protégé of B.H. Roberts and had many of his books in his library. I read many of those books and had discussions with my grandfather on many of the subjects referenced by Roberts, including his views on the character of God. After my mission, I went to school, got an engineering degree, went to work, got an MBA and focused on my career and did not delve much more into theology other than my normal scripture study, and some discussions with friends and co-workers. In recent years I have had a renewed interest in the subject, and I noticed that there were not many books on theology from an LDS perspective.

I stumbled onto this book after seeing some favorable reviews on the internet. This book met all of my expectations on explaining the LDS view of the attributes of God, and even exceeded them by going into a very good summary of mainstream Christian views of God. Since I am somewhat of a beginner on theology, Blake's summaries of how the great theologians viewed the characteristics of God were invaluable to me. He covered many of the discussions that have been debated over the centuries very clearly and contrasted them to LDS views.

I had always thought myself as somewhat of a deep thinker, but I discovered in this book that I hadn't even scratched the surface. It has been a great pleasure to read and learn so much. I was fascinated by the problems that are created by the traditional concepts of God. I now have a greater understanding on why so many theologians are Calvinist; it seems to be the logical conclusion to the fundamental assumptions about God. It was also nice to see how the LDS concept of God avoided these problems.

I highly recommend this book for LDS who want to learn more about the attributes of God from an LDS and non-LDS perspective. It should also be useful for non-LDS interested in the Mormon concept of God.

Almost since its inception, the LDS concept of God has been maligned, misrepresented and misapplied by critics and members alike (though admittedly more of the former). Starting with the theistic conceptions of the Pratt brothers (inventive and inspiring though most of it is), the critique of materialism by T.W.P. Taylder riddled with 17th century dogmatism, and the famous debate between B.H. Roberts and the Rev. Van der Donkt, LDS theism has had a rough and tumble ride. Even in the mid to late 20th century, the LDS concept of God has often been either ignored or rejected out of hand without so much as a (serious) consideration (with very few exceptions). Blake's latest work (and the next two volumes in the series) presents LDS theism in a coherent light, giving it an intellectual respectability that cannot (or should not) be ignored.

David Paulsen, respected philosopher of religion at BYU, stated this of Blake's work: "Besides providing a worthy model of bilingualism [between the secular and the spiritual] which LDS scholars would do well to emulate, this book is ground-breaking in another respect: is by far the most penetrating and comprehensive study of the LDS understanding of the nature of God yet undertaken" (p. xv). With this I must concur. Even the work of Sterling McMurrin pales in comparison with this work, both in scope and lucidity.

Blake approaches the issue of theism from a broad perspective, providing basic information on classical theism, process theism and LDS distinctives. He discusses the classical views of God, their theoretical/philosophical foundations and ably critiques them, presenting arguments against the absolutist conception that have been given almost since its inception to the present. The primary topic of this volume in the series (as the title states) is the attributes of God, most particularly the "omni's" (omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, omnitemporal, and the relevant sub-attributes, aseity, impassibility, simplicity and pure actuality).

Following his presentation and critique of classical theism, Blake next approaches these topics from an LDS perspective. He provides the reader with distinctive LDS contributions to these issues, presenting a new foundation upon which one can build an understanding God and His relation to the world. Though some of the concepts will be familiar to those who have read Hartshorne and Whitehead, among others, the inclusion of distinctive LDS concepts place Blake's theistic conceptions in a slightly different category than those presented in process thought (including the emphatic anthropomorphism of LDS theism, as opposed to the "primitive" deity of process neo-classicism).

The final, and admittedly most important, part of Blake's book is the last two chapters on Christology. After explaining the initial development and concepts of various Christology's (particularly the "dual nature" theory), Blake presents what has to be the most lucid, explicit description of LDS Christology, in light of the previous chapters, ever given. Though previous LDS authors imply many of the concepts Blake gives explicitly (B.H. Roberts immediately comes to mind), none approach the topic as thoroughly as Blake has in this work. Blake's professed Christology presents a profound, coherent, integrated view that has wonderful ramifications (even for the mechanism of the atonement, though I do not believe Blake has yet seen the possible connection).

It is my belief that this work will be the seminal reference for an LDS concept of God for years to come. Blake has set the foundations that generations of LDS philosophers/theists may build on (and hopefully advance from). Though admittedly not an explication of *the* LDS concept of God (if such exists), Blake's analysis provides one viable (and powerful) path that the practicing LDS can walk down with faith and reason synergistically integrated.

I can't imaging granting 5 stars to any book on theology: there can be no devotional value in a critical dissection of divinity, and no intellectual sport in purely semantic speculation.

Yet Blake Ostler's heavy book Exploring Mormon Thought: The Attributes of God is a positive contribution to Christian intellectuals and students of comparative religion. The author presents a thorough and evenhanded survey of Christian intellectual conceptions of the nature of God and the relevance of all the Hellenistic absolutes (omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, timelessness, and impassivity). And with a relatively light touch, he positions Mormon conceptions of Deity and Christology within the spectrum of Christian thought.

As a faithful Mormon intellectual, I can confirm that Ostler's portrayal of Mormonism is authentic.

My only gripe is that in the one topic about which I can claim expertise (the temporal implications of Relativity) Ostler butchers his facts. But as Abraham said, between physicists and theologians there is a great gulf fixed . . .

Exploring Mormon Thought: The Attributes Of God by Blake T. Ostler is the first volume of a planned series of intense, deeply reasoned and profoundly written works on the issue of Mormon thought. Providing the reader with an in-depth examination of the Christian and Mormon viewpoints of God that is very highly recommended reading for both Mormon and non-Mormon students of Christian oriented theology, Exploring Mormon Thought is an astute, detailed, philosophical, intrinsically fascinating, thoughtful and thought-provoking treatise.

I was generally satisfied with my purchase. The book came well within the promised time-frame so I did not have to wait longer than I expected. I had expected the book to be in slightly better condition than it was, but was otherwise happy with my purchase.

This is a very well researched book on the sects and creeds of the world's religions with very little focus of the Cental Figures of those Faiths, ecpecially the Sacred texts, if any, of those Faiths. History of the World's Religions (12th Edition)

Another good text from a top notch class I decided to keep for reference. The class did use supplemental materials but this is a good overall source for info on the historic origins and development of world religions.

I have used earlier editions of this book, then named Man's Religions, since 1989 as the basis for lectures on World Religion for a community college class. I definately want to get a copy of this 10th edition! I hope in the future to be able to have this textbook for my class because then I will not need to supplement with handouts - everything I need will be right there in the book.

A truly excellent, penetrating, work. David Noss provides an opportunity for the reader to personally shake hands with each major religion: each is introduced with unobtrusive eloquence and exactitude; each is treated with the utmost respect; and so is the reader accorded this same, unpretentious, sacred reverence. One might gain the impression that a very sane and learned scholar in each religion covered is laying out for you the fundamentals and origins of his beliefs and faith, in a non-proselytizing way, for you to see. Excellent!

It's the best! If you are an Ian Gillan fan, you will love this book.

Ian Gillan has been not only one of rock's all-time greatest vocalists, also a lyricist of great talent and a true rock and roll personality for the ages. As a member of Deep Purple's key Mark II lineup, and through his various solo projects, he's been everywhere, done everything. An honest autobiography covering his life and times would make for a wild roller coaster of a read. And so it is.

So many musicians seem to know how to play their instruments, but don't know how to string a few words together on paper. Gillan's book, by contrast, is well enough written, positively brimming with his personality and great sense of humor, and stuffed with hilarious stories. It is a joy to read.

Gillan's story begins with his family, his cronies in the neighborhood, and early stabs at becoming rich and famous, initially not terribly successful in either direction. Following his major career breaks, getting into Purple and the success of the Jesus Christ Superstar recordings, he covers it all: his bumpy (to say the least) relationship with the legendary Ritchie Blackmore, life on the road, various incidents of band misbehavior, quitting the band, the various business failures which left him broke once more, and then rise back to the top of the hard rock music business (and lifestyle). He goes into management issues, the various bands and musicians, tour management, the girls on the road, you name it. Even some stories on some of the bands they toured with - like the wild days of the tour supporting the Faces - are included, every one of them hilarious. I would have liked to read a bit more on some particular issues, but as an overview, he seems to strive to cover all stages of his long career fairly evenly. At close to 300 pages, including a discography, he gives us a lot. Throughout the book the voice is unmistakably Gillan, jokester, drinking buddy, musician, emotional and touchy sparring partner. If you want to know about life on the road, all over the world, with one of the most successful touring bands of the last 25 years, this is the book to read. It is outstanding.

Maybe because he has always written the lyrics in the various projects in which he participated, GIllan wrote a sensitive and simple history, educately not losing much time describing the others members of Purple, but focusing mainly on the music industry, the ideas behind the records, his ideas about rock'n'roll. It's very, very good reading.

As a fan of Ian Gillans work in both Deep purple, and then as a solo act with the "Gillan Band", I really enjoyed this book.
Ian comes across as a very down to earth character, and gives much insight into his lyrics, and his feelings about performing and life on the road.He dosn't take himself too seriously, and I laughed more than a few times! Sheds some light on his turbulent relationship with Purple Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore.

Quite an amazing autobiography in his own words. Claimed to be one of the greatest singers in the history of hard-rock, Ian Gillan talks about the remarkable story behind the early years of "Deep Purple".

From the birth of hard rock and the lead role in the famous "Jesus Christ Superstar", to the recent stories with "Black Sabbath" and re-born "Deep Purple". Highly recommended for anyone interested in this kind of music.

It should be noted that Bernard O'Donnell was the original researcher into D'onston Stephenson,NOT Melvin Harris. Mr.Harris often gets the credit for O'Donnell's work........

As I read the other two reviews of the book, I can't help but add that although Melvin Harris also came upon this character ( with the invaluable aid of Andy Aliffe...), Harris was NOT the one to display the MOTIVE for these murders with the Vesica Pisces diagram (much like the Zodiac Killer with his (57 degree) radian diagram like the author,Ivor Edwards has. Edwards did an enormous amount of legwork on this great book...real legwork,actually getting out there and well....I don't want to ruin it for you ! I highly recommend this book by a world class criminologist, Ivor Edwards

I would rate this book up there with "the greats" on the Ripperology reference shelf. Mr. Edwards did an excellent job of organizing his thoughts along with the case facts, making this a very easy and pleasant read. It definitely changed my perspective on how I view certain pieces of evidence in the Ripper murders, (which I won't mention so as to not spoil this book). This is a must read for any person with a greater than normal interest in the case. While I personally don't agree with all of Mr. Edwards theories regarding the "rituals", I do feel that a strong case has been built to show that D'Onston was most likely the infamous Jack the Ripper.

This Ripper subject is a very unstable, divided, undecided subject,that of recent has become the ridicule of many a serious arguement.But what is cool about this whole thing is the Hitchcock Fans,and the Sherlock Fans get left behind.And may i say there are many books out there that will cater for those who have no real interest in who the Killer of Whitechapel in 1888 really was.But Ivor in his book shows that he clearly is a man on the right track,and i`m not sure that its anything to do with imagination. It`s about the evidence that is there. (You reading the right book mate?)

Mr Edwards clearly states his reasons for having Donston as a serious suspect and these reasons past the tests of what is known of the Ripper.
Unfortunately for the sheep and the diaryists the Ripper story was not solved years ago in between the script pages of a Hitchcock or any other directors movie. Or in the pages of a Sherlock Holmes story. this was an actual event that left serious researchers like Mr Edwards with the spirit to find the answers to this whole puzzle.

And you know what ? I think Ivor Edwards has done a fantastic job. The book is written well. The illustrations are great and anyone who passes this book by, MUST be related to P Cornwell.

Roslyn Donston is a very likely suspect in the Ripper story, and if you want an accurate detailed log on the documents and findings from that period i suggest you put your hands in your pockets for those nuggets and get this excellent publication.

"A keen Ripperologist`s must have book" Tee.
A keen Ripperologist. London

The theory about occult ritual is much better then the masonic ritual theory.I will recommend this book for those who seek occult rituals.The book shows us step by step how the murders ware planned by using a map.And it all will finally come up with a occult symbol where all the victims had been killed in.The suspect in this book is Robert Donston,one who study black magic.If you want to know moore about Donston i recommend The True Face Of Jack The Ripper by Melvin Harris.

Ah, yes, words. the right brains answer to the analytical subconsious forming the 4th quandrant connection in the Jungian alchemey. But the real question is does Neurontin form a limit cycle by shunting inhibition, (by blocking GABA) or neuronal burst oscillation with L-type calcium channel gates. For word people, does Alien abduction have anything to do with the boogey man will get you? Or is it related to Nocturanal Assault Syndrome.

This book was on School Library Journal's Best Books of 1998 List. It was originally reviewed in SLJ's December 1998 issue.

Delightfully fascinating and complete, this book is important for anyone who owns a brain and is interested in its workings -- that is, anyone who wants to understand themselves, or others, better.

The rich variety of the Star Trek milieu provides Sekuler and Blake with a deeper-than-usual backdrop against which to illuminate both the differences and the similarities which make us all human.

From sex to aggression, the authors deftly explore the drives, behaviors and processes which constitute our experience of living in the world.

Prior familiarity with Star Trek is not needed. Anyone drawn to the book by that name alone will be very pleasantly surprised by how much more they find here. Conversely, strangers to that fictional universe will gain a fresh appreciation of it as literature which explores the nature of the human condition.

For starters, this is NOT a scholarly book. It's brain candy -- delightful but still brain candy. (From reading the reviews on this page, you'd think it was written by some cutting edge neurologist whose goal in life is to figure out why Neurontin actually WORKS.) Still, it gets 4 Stars from me for having two whole pages devoted to the DS9 episode "Babel" -- in which the entire cast is striken with aphasia. Major Kudos to the authors for differentiating between Brocca's and Wernicke's Aphasias. Subtract kudos for not mentioning the STNG episode "Darmok" where the characters communicate in metaphor. Kudos Regained for their simple explanation of schizophrenia -- it will surprise a lot of readers and is essentially if simplisticly correct. I read Star Trek on the Brain in one sitting. It made me laugh and it made me think. It didn't make any connections I hadn't already made myself. I'd reccommend this book to anybody with a working knowledge of Star Trek who'd like a little "dessert" with their critical studies.

A wonderful diversion that also gives good science. The chapter on sex could teach Bill and Monica new tricks. I loved learning why we are the way we are through references to my favorite Star Trek characters -- now I know how Jordie can see with no eyes and why B'Elana has a chip on her shoulder -- but even those who never watched Star Trek will get it.

We got some good laughs with this at first, but then the book just really dragged on. We were glad that it was over. We're all into humor and fun books - (Gooseberry Park by Cynthia Rylant, Roald Dahl books, etc. - and so many others). But this one just didn't really engage us as much as we had hoped. The other thing that really got to us when reading this is that the chapters are VERY long ... This can be annoying for children to read or when parents want to read this to their children. You do want a chapter to end eventually, not to go on and on. There are about 4 chapters in the entire book.

I have loved this book since I was a kid. I suppose it was strange for a second-grader to go about saying 'nevermore', but this book started a fascination with ravens for me. I still want my own Mortimer! I was in London recently and the book is available (the paperback doesn't have the Arabel & Mortimer in a red wagon cover) or alternatively it's available from amazon.co.uk

When I was in fourth grade, my teacher gave me a copy of this book for Christmas. I read it over and over, and my copy is well-worn and loved. No matter what your age (and I'm now 27) it is a funny and witty book. When I was 10, I didn't get the whole Raven "Nevermore" thing, but that makes it all the funnier!

I am 19 years old, and first came across this book at a thrift store. The cover depicted a small girl with a pan on her head holding the handle of a red wagon in which was perched a raven wearing a dishtowel. I was immediately intrigued. The story of Arabel and Mortimer is one that I have read over and over and over, and I still laugh aloud each time I read it. This book is absolutely marvellous, and I was constantly telling friends to read it. Unfortunately, I lost my copy, and lo and behold! It's out of print...but this is a book I'll be buying again as soon as possible. It is hilarious, weird, crazy, and just great. It should be read by everyone.

When you are feeling bored with life and cannot think of anything else to do, ask your nearest and dearest friends and relations to recommend their favorite books from when they were young. You're bound to be amazed by the insight you receive when you find out that your dreamy peculiar friend loved "The Giving Tree" while your uptight straight-as-a-rod neighbor was a fan of "Mertle the Turtle". I was once asking a friend of mine what book he best preferred when he mentioned "Arabel's Raven" by Joan Aiken. I'd heard of Ms. Aiken before, of course. The author of that magnificent "Wolves of Willoughby Chase", Aiken was the gothic queen of her day. But a quick glance at the cover of "Arabel's Raven" shows she had a lighter sillier side as well. Illustrated by an illustrator best known, perhaps, for his Roald Dahl books, Quentin Blake adds his distinctive style to this book about a girl and her perpetually voracious and curious raven.

Mr. Jones, we are told right off the bat, was a respectable taxi driver. And had he not been sideswiped by two maniacs on a motorcycle, he might never have noticed them hit a small black object that was attempting to cross the road. On further inspection, Mr. Jones sees an unconscious and remarkably huge raven knocked out cold on the street. Being a charitable soul, he brings the bird home to recuperate. But what Mr. Jones doesn't count on is the raven's remarkable appetite once it wakes up and sees where it is. Before you know it, it's pushing objects under the linoleum, eating the stairs (it has a real penchant for a good staircase), and knocking various objects to the ground. Mr. Jones is stunned. Mrs. Jones is aghast. Arabel Jones, their daughter, is in love. She swiftly names the bird Mortimer and adopts him on the spot. Their adventures together in this book involve everything from catching jewel thieves to breaking into hospitals to rescuing fainting babysitters. And you find as you read that the affection Mr. and Mrs. Jones come to have for Mortimer is the same affection you feel for him. It makes for truly amusing and touching reading.

There are lots of great books for kids that involve inviting a crazy n'er-do-well into one's home with disastrous results. "The Cat In the Hat", "Pippi Longstocking", etc. But these n'er-do-wells tend to be crazy because they're crazy people. Mortimer, on the other hand, acts like a wild animal in a domestic environment. Everything he does, aside from his eating habits, is understandable. I can perfectly imagine a pet who decides to be pulled everywhere in a red wagon or insists on sleeping in a bread bin. Mortimer's ability to eat anything and everything (at one point he devours an entire staircase leading from a subway train to its upstairs entrance) is just the kind of outrageous silliness to make the book exciting and full of what-will-Mortimer-do-next feelings. And then there's also the fact that Mortimer, while being very much a raven with a raven mind-set and emotions, really does care deeply for Arabel. When she becomes sick he goes to great lengths to reach her inside a closed up hospital. And Quentin Blake's illustrations are hilarious. I was particularly fond of the ones that showed Mortimer walking. One foot stuck straight out in front of him and a cheeky smile on his face.

The book is also full of jokes that parents will get while their children fail to understand. As a raven, Mortimer's continual cries of "Nevermore" are always well placed in the narrative. There are also truly Roald Dahl-like descriptive moments that are just as impressive in terms of their creativity as they are for their ridiculousness. For example, in one section, Mortimer has become entranced with the idea of machines you can put coins into. So off Arabel and her babysitter go to a newly renovated tube station with tons of machines. Says the book of them, "Another has apples, pears, or bananas. Another had sandwiches or meat pies.... Another would take a photograph of you looking as if you had seen a ghost. Another would massage the soles of your feet. Another would say a cheering poem and hold your hand while it did so... Another would blow your nose for you on a clean tissue, if you stuck the nose into a slot and, as well as that, give you a Vitamin C tablet and two mentholated throat lozenges, all for fivepence". This is a book that is unafraid to make jokes and references that fly high high above the intended audience's head. Parents everywhere should be grateful.

Flaws? Not many. Unless you count the fact that in spite of the fact that this is a book that takes place in Britain, the odd word here and there has been Americanized. I kept becoming confused when characters would eat "chips", because I was certain that in Britain chips are actually fries. Yet the pictures show actual potato chips being consumed. It makes for an odd reading.

So if you've a child who loves their Roald Dahl but wants to try something a little different, "Arabel's Raven" is an obvious next step. It's lighthearted and witty, with just enough mischief and good spirits to keep them interested and involved. A fabulous story for young `uns.

An exploration of manners, mannerisms and the unstated. I found this book both fascinating and chilly, yet compeltely compelling. The author exposes his characters and intent slowly with considerable skill. When we finally see the true Cope and the true motives of those around him, it's deeply unsettling. What seems slight and breezy at first carries real weight and sobriety by the end. The treatment of homosexuality is a revelation. It is at once normative and completely shallow. The book as a historical document is an affirmation, but its characters ultimately leave you cold and disquieted.

A young man about 24 or 25 with beautiful blond hair and good teeth enrolls in a University in the Midwest to get an advanced degree in English while teaching students. A woman in her 40's, along with her niece and two other young women, a secretary and a boarder, cannot leave the young man alone. The older woman Medora Phillips would like to see him wed her niece, as would the niece. But the other two young women want him as well, along with an older man in his 50's. Of course the blond, Bertram Cope, already has a boy friend, who, when Cope writes him that he has somehow gotten himself engaged to Niece Amy, responds in what is my favorite line from the entire novel: "This thing can't go on, and you know it as well as I do. Nip it. Nip it now." Does this scenario sound familiar?

In Andrew Solomon's "Afterward" he opines that Bertram Cope is an "anti-hero" in that he is quite ordinary, not remarkably intelligent, and weak, both physically and emotionally. I disagree. Bertram is the Gay Everyman, at least until the most recent times when the love that dare not speak its name is on the ballot in many states in an attempt to get to the altar. Practically every gay man knows the frustration of finding out, sometimes too late, that by being friendly and polite to single women-- something our mothers taught us to do-- we have either sent mixed signals or they believe what they want to-- we have convinced them that we want to wed them.

Henry Blake Fuller self-published this novel is 1919. It was decades ahead of its time and is certainly interesting from a historical point of view. On the other hand, it remains relevant and is well worth reading. Mr. Fuller writes well and with great subtlety.

If you are a fan of Wharton and Forster, then you will apprciate this wonderful novel. The misadventures represented in "Bertram Cope's Year" are truly inspired, especially as this volume was written in 1919. This is a comedy of manners. The author has taken great pains to expose his character's never-to-be-discussed nature. Clues are plentiful. However, the ladies keep falling in love and in line. Even his benefactress is smitten. A refined bit of drollery. An early gay classic.

I can't imagine why anyone would find this charming novel's depiction of of gay men to be "chilly." If there's a "chill" to be felt in this subtle comedy of manners it would stem from its depiction of women who persist in imagining that men with no sexual or romantic interest in them still "want" them in some way. Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose, as Arianna Huffington has so spectacularly demonstrated. In any event Fuller's book testifies to the fact that we all still have an enormous lot to learn about gay life before Stonewall. It wasn't always lived in "the closet" -- as "Betram Cope's Year" shows with style, taste and enormous wit.

Fuller's neglected, glistening novel poses the question, "Who of any of us is worth the bother other people make of us?" This novel's characters--all of them--are hungry for companionship, for mirrors to reflect back images of themselves, for romanatic alternatives to prosaic lives. They might have wandered out of a T.S. Eliot poem, but instead they are the flesh and blood of 20th century Evanston/Churchton, Illinois, moving spectral-like through their lives, essentially impenetrable to each other. It is a gay novel--and one of the best I've encountered--but it offers an extremely perceptive account of the straight world, too, as that world intersects--or blindly collides with--with the gay. To Fuller's credit, both worlds are fully developed here.

Fuller's wit is amazingly sharp; his writing is concise and unornamented, yet there are also beautiful moments--lyrical descriptions of the changing seasons, the Indiana dunes, and the Churchton landscape. In his afterword to the novel, Andrew Solomon rightly calls the book "a gentle tragedy," but I emerged from it recognizing that life for all of these characters does go on, repetitively and unfulfillingly at times, wildly romantic and full of possibilities at others. Although Bertram Cope's circle of friends ages throughout the pages of this book, the characters are even fresher and sharper at the end of the novel than they were at the beginning. A wise, intelligent book, full of insights and memorable characters.

William Blake is probably my favorite poet. The Songs of Innocence and Experierence are lauded in every school but it is the lesser known writings that are what made him a Master of the Letter. The proverbs of Heaven and Hell for instance won't come up in conversation or at the University, but they will reside within your heart when the brisk winds of fortune and misfortune hit hard in each day, anew.

"The eagle never lost so much time as when he submitted to lean of the crow."

His beauty spreads out like spilt ink and while he is known as a poet he also wrote about politics and metaphyics. The book "The Complete Works of William Blake" is great to have around but weighs about as much as a eight normal length books, so along with any of his other collections, a portable book is good to keep, unless you can memorize "The Augeries of Innocence" completely.

Though I firmly support the general consensus that Shakespeare is our greatest poet--the more one reads, the more this becomes apparent--I am equally firm in stating that there has been no greater visionary poet than Blake, not even Milton.

William Blake lived and wrote almost entirely ignored during his time, regarded, if at all, as an eccentric painter. This speaks not to the quality of his works; it speaks to how ahead of his time he was. Nobody knew what to make of him, and I must confess that even now it is difficult to cement his place.

One can say for certain, however, that he is one of the greatest poets; aside from the Bard, Keats (whom I adore), and Milton, he has no companions in this uppermost echelon. Reading Blake is sometimes overwhelming. The power of his vision and the vivacity of his language sometimes overpower the faculties, and makes one nearly break down into tears. His poetry is beautiful; it is complex; it is at times incomparably deep and more powerful in force of language than perhaps any other, even Shakespeare's.

Many restrict their reading of Blake to his accessible and delightful lyrics SONGS OF INNOCENCE AND OF EXPERIENCE (which must be read side-by-side to fully appreciate what he is doing!), but to do so is to bind oneself in a nutshell. Read THE MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN AND HELL, as an introduction into his vast vision. Go on to read THE BOOK OF URIZEN, MILTON, JERUSALEM, etc., but take it slowly. Blake is one of the most difficult poets; he is infinitely complex. He creates his own, metamorphosing mythology, which parallels Biblical mythology and that of Milton, and expounds it throughout his poems. To fully appreciate them, one must not only read, but also study his works. I highly recommend doing so--William Blake is infinitely rewarding.

A note: The Penguin edition reviewed here is good, but, if possible, try to acquire an illustrated copy of Blake's work. Blake wrote most of his great poems in the style of illuminated manuscripts (he is actually the precursor of the graphic novel genre), and his illustrations are profound and beautiful. It seems to be increasingly difficult to acquire his illustrations in book form, so if you cannot, at least view them at blakearchive.org. They are magnificent!

I don't know upon what planet this poet was born, but it certainly wasn't earth. Blake is the ultimate Gnostic, the ascendent correspondent, the bringer of truth from regions we have no knowledge of. The core of his philosophy can be summed up in his assertion in "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell:" Thus men forgot that All deities reside in the human breast...Isaiah answer'd. I saw no God, nor heard any, in a finite organical perception; but my senses discover'd the infinite in every thing, and as I was then perswaded, & remain confirm'd; that the voice of honest indignation is the voice of God."

Blake is the poet of true revolution, true Romanticism and true spirit. This is the definitive volume of his life-work, without, it is true, the illustrations that augmented his genius. Yet there is no real necessity for etchings here, as the genius of his poetry will etch its own image in your mind if you are receptive to his universal symbolism. Blake was the first truly modern poet, prefiguring Mallarme, D.H. Lawrence, Baudelaire, in particular. He was also a great mythologyzer, the precursor of Campbell, Frazier, and even Alan Watts in many respects. The Penguin Edition is not illustrated, it's true, but there is so much to be mined here that one can easily lose oneself in the labyrinth of Blake's excavations.

Recommended without reservations. A truly paradigm shifting poet and artist. Seek out his illustrative, divinely inspired watercolors, as well. A true visionary, if there ever was one!!
BEK

It is the shorter poetry of Blake, that of the 'Songs of Innocence' and 'The Songs of Experience' that lives for me, and I suspect for most others. Though Northrop Frye the master literary critic saw in Blake's longer poems a key to reading the whole universe of Literature, I strongly suspect those long- lined abstraction filled 'visions'are outside the interest and staying power of most readers.
Blake was one of the great aphoristic poets, and along with the mystical visionary lines, there came lines like lightning sudden flashes of the mind which strike us strongly and remain with us.
Here is one of the most well- known Blakean lyrics
:
And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

Blake was the lunatic lover one of the great madmen of poetry who according to his wife gave her little time as he most of the time was 'in Paradise'.
Each reader will going through the Collected Poems stop and select what they find congenial for themselves.
In the Collected Poems of Blake there is very much to stop for, including many of the most memorable lyrics and lines Poetry in English has given the world.

" Little Lamb who made thee, Dost thou know who made thee?"

"Tiger, Tiger, burning bright in the forest of the night/ What immortal hand or eye/ Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?/

blake's poems are not black ink on these newsprint pages...blake's poems are engraved plates wild and colorful...

but it's fantastic anyway blake is not The Lamb and not The Tyger

tirzah los orc urizen enitharmon vala rahab urthona, all divided and united in the cruelties of holiness...jerusalem the four zoas the book of urizen the song of los...echoing our cries.