David Books

This is a book about a prinsess who wants a pig for her 8th birthday. Her parents try to convince her that pigs are horrible animals.Finally she gets her wish.Read this book to find out what happens next. I recimind this book for ages 8 and up. If you like this you will like other Dick King Smith books.

I have a five-year-old who is a voracious reader. It's hard to find chapter books that have content appropriate to her age but are still substantial enough to draw her in...and that she can't polish off in one sitting! Lady Lollipop has a wonderfully playful, fairy-tale feeling that fits the bill perfectly. I loved hearing my daughter burst into laughter as she read the book.

I like this book because,it's one of the books you want to read over and over again. It's a fun book your whole famly will love.I love this book so much because of the author,Dick King-Smith, he is a great writer. I love the book,I love Guinea Pigs,and Dick King-Smith cares a lot abot pigs and thats why I love the book Lady Lollipop.

The princess gets a pig for her birthday but the queen doesn't like it. The queen thinks it's dirty. This book is about figuring out ways for the queen to like the pig. I think this is a very, very funny book, because there are three pictures of poo-poo.

I am 9 years old and I found this very easy to read.

I really liked the story Lady Lollipop. The story is about a spoiled princess. Her mother and father gave her whatever she wanted. On her eighth birthday she wanted a pig. Her mother and father did not like pigs; they thought pigs were disgusting animals. Finally, they agreed to give her a pig for her eighth birthday, because she was spoiled and they gave her anything she wanted.

The owner of the pig she chose was an orphan boy. The pig was the only thing he had, and the princess felt pity for him. So, she asked if he wanted to come live with her in the palace and take care of the pig. The boy gladly agreed to go live with the pricess in the palace.

The boy taught the pig to do many things, and he wondered if he could teach the princess to think more about other people. One day the princess did begin to think more about other people.

My favorite part of the story was when the princess picked her pig. It was cool that the boy, who was very nice, told her all about the pig.

I am seven and a half years old, and I read this story myself. The story was just right for me. I read alot and would generally suggest a good reader of seven years or older could read it (a few words were difficult, but I could still understand the story). This would also be good story for a parent to read aloud.

I said this review out loud to my dad, who typed it in for me.

Thanks!

Ruth Rendell does her usual wonderful job of engaging you in this mystery from the very beginning. The book is about a man who comes into a large sum of money and decides to give it away to those in need. Several different story lines are woven together skillfully. The book is a real page turner, but the ending was disappointing. I won't give it away.

Like most books by Ruth Rendall, this is a masterly study of the minds deviating from what we would call the normal.

It keeps the reader excitedly hoping for a happy ending --that never comes. Or maybe it does, after all. This goes beyond a common crime novel. Absolutely recommendable.

I went to my library to check out "A Sight for Sore Eyes" as I was trying to describe it to a friend and wanted to re-read it for some details. Discovered "The Lake of Darkness" on the Ruth Rendell shelf.

What a great book! I could hardly put it down. I loved the ending where the bad guy forgets one very important detail and can't do anything about it. We assume that he will be caught, but don't know for sure.

What I like about this book was that the characters seem to be normal, but they are anything but. It makes one wonder what ones neighbors might really be doing.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a great story.

Ruth Rendell is a fabulous British author who has churned out mystery after mystery filled with dark, demented twists. This is another tautly plotted, well crafted mystery with characters that, though seemingly normal, are just a tad off the beaten path.

This book features Martin Urban, a staid and somewhat stuffy young man who would have felt at home in Victorian England. Martin wins a very large sum of money in a football pool with a little help from Tim Sage, an old friend of his. Altruistic and given to some rather god-like pronouncements, Martin wishes to give the money away to the deserving poor, in order to enable them to buy a home. Poor Martin, there are none so blind, as those who will not see.

Beset by subliminal homo-erotic thoughts regarding Tim Sage, he meets a mysterious young woman named Francesca, who is as demure and submissive as a Victorian maiden and captures his heart. Unfortunately, she is bound to another. All, however, is not as Martin thinks that it is.

Enter Finn, the twisted son of Lena, former cleaning lady to Martin's mother. When Finn's path crosses that of Martin's, during one of Martin's fumbling attempts to give some of his winnings away, a very clever dialogue ensues between these two with some unexpected, deadly results.

Fans of Ms. Rendell will not be disappointed by this book. It is filled with the slightly off-beat characters for which she is known, some of whom harbor dark twisted thoughts, while others are entirely socio-pathic. Well-written is spare, clear prose and filled with enough twists and turns to satisfy the most discerning of readers, this is another gem in Ms. Rendell's treasure trove of mysteries.

For those interested, this book is available as part of a two book package, ISBN # 0 09 187009 7, which combines the present novel with "The Veiled One" at a bargain price.

This is not a long novel, but it is compelling and hard to put down. There are no major flaws in the novel: it is well balanced, it has good characters, it has a a good plot, and it has mystery. It is what one expects from the author. She delivers a near perfect tale. The book came out in 1980.

There are no extraneous diversions or literary trips made. All the writing is directed around the plot of what happens to an accountant after he wins an English football pool, and a prize of over £100,000.

Highly recommend: 5 stars.

Toby is the coolest boy because he knows everything and he always saves the girls. I want to go with him on a big advenure so he can save me too. I learned how to draw Toby too because he teaches me that in the back of the book.

Hello. This book is fabulous. I have two boys and I am also a homeschool instructor. I created a lesson plan based on the Toby Digz books and now it has been thrown into our weekly studies.
The publisher of this series seems to have discovered what boys today are looking for because every child in my class adores these characters. (The girls love it too, especially due to the fact that Lauren Lane, Toby's friend is a smart homeschooled girl. Keep these coming, and tell the publisher we need activity books based on the stories.
Ava Warnick

Hooray! My kids love this little boy with the James Bond gadgets. I am pleased with this series. The kids can't get enough. If you are a parent looking for that new book, one that will excite your child and make them WANT to read, then this is your series! We love Toby Digz.

It's about time. My children are smart kids. I have always had a difficult time finding chapter books they would actually engage in, but this new series hit the mark, Toby Digz is a great character and I was so impressed with the format of the book.
The author has gone out of his way to obviously keep the kids interested. When you reach the last pages, there are all sorts of unique charts and games. This man know his audience well! Good job Tommy Nelson! Keep them coming.

I love the Toby Digz books! This book was so fun it made me want to learn more about Egypt. Thanks for writing these books and please write more!!

This is a great introduction to panoramic photography! It covers pretty much every way to capture panoramic images from beginning to end. It mostly covers film flat back cameras. It has lots of photos from the cameras and of the cameras. It gives great information on each type of camera and examples of the best. This book is what really led me to get a flat back 6x17 film camera system. Although, if you're looking for information on digital stitching, this really isn't the book for you. It briefly goes over that, but is film camera dominated. I highly recommend this book to anyone who's interested in shooting in panoramic format.

I bought a 2nd hand Xpan (1st gen) a year ago but never really know what to do with it. It was left on the shelf when I bought a digital SLR.

After going through this book, I'm back to film and I never leave home without my Xpan.

This is a great book for anyone considering panoramic photography or for those who are new to the format.

This is an excellent book for those interested in making photographic panoramas. It is a little outdated, but still covers the basics of making panoramas with a digital camera. The author is british, so a little of the terminology seems a bit strange to Americans (in a delightful sort of way). It is chock full of beautiful panoramas and the author's explanations of how he made them are very valuable. Good technique is timeless and this book is crammed with useful techniques as well as a very good photograhic philosophy. Being a photographer myself, I very much appreciate Mr. Frost sharing his valuable experience, opinions and outstanding panoramas with us! Lee frost discusses, and evaluates (objectively), all the panoramic cameras I am aware of, and some that I was not. I highly recommend this book for those interested in this subject and for those who simply want to look at and appreciate his beautiful photographs.

When I first began to browse this book I thought that there was nothing new here, especially for a photographer with some experience. It was almost a retelling of other "how to" photographic books, covering basics such as filling the frame, foreground interest and the rule of thirds.

However, on reading through it in more detail, it did cover issues specifically related to panoramic images, such as exposure, filters (especially polarisers), and metering. There were a number of helpful tips, such as using blue-tac to secure filters and center ND filters.

There were some omissions, such as stitching backs and pinhole panoramas, but all in all it covered the equipment side very well. The section on digital stitching was adequate but did not cover the issue of lens nodal points and specialized panoramic tripod adapters. There are now photographers creating giant digital mosaics that are at the 1gig file size level using stitching software such as PTAssembler and hardware such as the Panosaurus Panoramic Tripod Head. Imagine turning a Canon 10D into a 100megapixel camera!

In the end I awarded this book four stars only because I could not award 3.5. I admit though that this is an excellent starting point for someone new to panoramic photography, and all in one handy book.

I happen to be a Certified Financial Planner licensee, and one component of my business is educating employees of corporations across the country on a variety of personal finance subjects. During, or at the conclusion of workshops, I am often asked by employees to recommend a good book that will assist them with taking control, or learning more about personal finance. Until now I never felt there was one particular book that actually approached and explained the subjects in a way most people can relate and would motivate them to learn more. Most other personal finance books, though they may be comprehensive, are dry and aren't written in a style people who are not in the profession can relate to. This is not the case with Let's Talk Money! Its nice to have a book that I can strongly recommend. Kudos to the authors!

As a practicing Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Chairman of the Financial Planning Association of MA, I am asked quite often to recommend a book that touches on one's finances without being too technical or boring. "Let's Talk Money" does the job better than any other book I have come across. (And believe me, I've read and reviewed more than you can imagine). This book touches on a variety of topics that effect 99% of the public. Sure there may be books with catchier titles like..."How I made a million dollars in 3 weeks" but if you are looking for real practical advice that's actually fun to read, this book can't be beat.

What a wonderful book! The structure is such that you can read it straight through or just reference a particular area of interest. It is so easy to read, too. Not something usually attributed to a Financial book!

I would recommend this book to novices and savvy financial people alike. For the novice, it is a wonderful guide to getting started. Many people feel overwhelmed when veiwing their personal financial lives, asking "where do I start"? This book will get you started in a very straighforward manner and then give you great tips for how to proceed.

At the same time, Let's Talk Money is very helpful for people who are more fiancially savvy. It serves as a reminder of things they should do, may give them some new ideas, and serve as a reference guide going forward.

Either way, this is a must read! I enjoyed it immensely!

I am not someone who wants to spend hours on end figuring out how to make my money work for me. Being a single mom, I need the facts and easy steps to get me through how to make my family stable. Chapters 1 - 4 made things simple and easy for me to figure out where I was and what action I needed to take next.

As a financial planner, I often browse the bookstore section on financial planning to see what is offered. This section has exploded, as financial planning seems to have become the hot topic in this age of growing retirement funds and stock options. How does the buyer in need of help choose the right book from so many? The answer is Let's Talk Money: Your Complete Personal Finance Guide by Dee Lee and David Caruso. This book is different.

Most books on financial planning talk about what the consumer should do, with a lot of theories about how to manage money. The consumer still does not know where to start or what to do next. This book goes beyond theory and provides a road map, with checklists and easy to use forms. The organization of the book allows the buyer to use any section independently to solve a financial problem or to use the whole book to put a game plan in place. It is this versatility that makes it a great resource for the financially confused.

This is also a book written by practicing financial planners, and it shows. The authors used their experience with clients to answer the most commonly asked questions and to provide clear and easy to follow solutions. All in all, this is a book for anyone trying to make sense of the many financial decisions that we all face today.

This is a serious, reflective work on a modern woman's journey to find equality within traditional [read Orthodox] Judaism. The author lives in Israel, where the secular and religious world are much more polarized than in her native USA. Each chapter focuses on one issue - Halakhah, Mikveh, Torah, God - and her efforts to integrate an egalitarian practice in her daily life. A thoughtful work for readers who are serious about women's roles in traditional Judaism.

This fabolous book is an private view into the world of an orthodox feminist that should be required reading for all women and men especially Jewish girls in Jewish day schools who have questions about feminism and how to still be observantly Jewish but don't know who to turn to. I can't wait until my daughter is old enough to read this book. Robin Davina Meyerson, author of A Son Returns; True Stories of Serendipity and Divine Intervention

A huge Yasher Koach to Haviva Ner David on her fantastic exploration of post-denominational feminist Judiaism. This is a wonderful book for anyone struggling with their own place within the traditional Jewish community. I am so glad to have read this book.

I read this book as part of a series on Jewish women pioneers in the rabbinate for my Jewish Renewal women's havurah. We liked the book, and respected Ner-David's commitment and fighting spirit in her pursuit of Orthodox ordination. She writes beautifully and perceptively about spirituality, her stormy adolescence, and her gradual evolution into a female Orthodox rabbinical student.

But as mostly non-Orthodox Jewish feminists, we were sometimes baffled by her persistence in trying to gain acceptance from an Orthodox community that seemed to mostly want her gone and was frequently very cruel to her.

I kept thinking --- "why doesn't she just get ordained as a Conservative rabbi? why throw herself against a brick wall?" Also, the parts of the book where she did technical analyses of the Orthodox laws of family purity, the mikveh, male rabbinical control of Orthodox women's lives, etc. were tedious and baffling for non-Orthodox feminists --- I kept thinking "this stuff is really offensively medieval --- why do you put up with it in the 21st century?"

But --- that's just my bias. The Orthodox feminists (see the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance at www.jofa.org) have built a strong and viable women's movement of their own, and as an Orthodox feminist, Ner-David commands my respect for her willingness to stay and fight on her own turf, and we share a passionate commitment to Jewish prayer and spirituality.

This is a book I could never before have read with an open mind.

Fifteen years ago, I'd have dismissed Ner-David as an apologist for Orthodoxy, trying to cram modern sensibilities into a hopelessly outdated mold. Ten years ago, during my own tumultuous "return," I'd have sneered at her willingness to entertain thoughts of mixed seating, uncovered hair and egalitarian prayer.

It's only now, I think, that I'm ready to hear the honest questions Ner-David and others like her are asking and to understand that the Judaism we share is resilient enough to answer to -- and thrive from -- challenge and diversity.

Ner-David's narrative, interwoven with threads dealing with her own physical frailty, tells a story not of a senseless rebellion against Orthodoxy but of a young woman's awakening to a deeper, more genuine love of her tradition.

I wish Ms Ner-David a Yasher Kocheich -- may she never stop asking.

This is an absolutely wonderful tool for discerning your spiritual gifts in Christ and a very clear presentation as how to use them!!

As a personal and professional coach, I often use this workbook, in addition to the original Discover Who You Are, when working with people who are making major life transitions, especially career change. I find the material thorough but not overwhelming for people with varying levels of education. Also, the workbook format allows my clients to scribble all they want and keep a record of their thoughts without writing in the margins of the text book (some people dislike writing in their books). The workbook can be pulled out weeks, months or years later to refresh memory and track progress - a real jewel.

The LifeKeys program is designed to help people discover their path in life. Whether you are just starting out, in a job you don't really like, newly retired, or just curious about the possibilities, LifeKeys is a great resource for finding out more about yourself and your mission in life.

The authors provide a series of simple tests on interests, spiritual gifts, personality type, values and passions to help the reader discern what God is calling them to. Each activity is simple, although they can be time consuming if done properly.

Many people use this series in a church class: The one I led at our congregation of about 500 members attracted over 30 people to participate. There is a hunger out there for the kind of guidance LifeKeys provides. It is certainly a great program to use in a church context, and the workbook version makes it easy.

LifeKeys certainly is pitched to the Christian community. However, an individual reading the entire text would find it just as easy and rewarding to do on their own.

Develop your own personal mission statement, and use LifeKeys as a guide!

With a resemblance to What Color is Your Parachute, but with a Christ-based perspective, Discover Who You Are takes a multi-pronged approach to discerning how you can be a better steward of the gifts, talents and passions the God has given you. The book, which is part of the Lifekeys series, is designed to help you discover your calling. The book is practical, easy to read and full of exercises and self-assessment tools. Discover Who You Are is useful by itself, but it also makes a good resource for a church small group study. A workbook and a leadership resource are also available.
Discover Who You Are's multi-pronged approach begins with assessing your life gifts - what comes naturally to you. These are classified into six areas such as artistic, investigative and social. Next the authors look at spiritual gifts, helping the reader through a series of questions to identify which of 20 God-given gifts they might have, such as mercy, teaching and evangelism. This is followed by a chapter on Meyers-Briggs personality types, with acronyms such as INFJ and ESTP. An exercise on identifying one's values is next, followed by a discussion of finding one's passions. The remainder of the book focuses on service, with applying your self discovery to volunteer opportunities and career choices. These applications include specific sections dealing with different life stages, including first career, midlife transitions and retirement planning.
Some readers may find the book tells them what they already know about themselves and others may still be left with questions when trying to figure out specifically what they were meant to do with their lives. But most will find the journey through this book to be a useful way to sharpen their insights into themselves and better understand how God made them. The book may indeed help one live more purposefully for Him and find deeper meaning in life. jsteenhagen at ActiveStewardship

This book is a life-changing and life-enhancing source of how to use your God-given gifts...a lesson in God's love for us.

God believes each of us is special and this book shows the reader how to uncover (or re-discover) the gifts God has given that make each of us unique. And useful to God!

It is a blessing and a gift!

Lord Chesterfield's writings are by far the best guidelines for an up-and-coming, savvy gentleman to learn the ways of the society. Stanhope's many gems of advice are learned painfully by most through experience, or sometimes not at all. This book is truly a classic and one I will insist my future sons read before making their way in the world.

Lord Chesterfield is the 18th-century English father I never had. In these letters to his son, he gives stern but fair lessons in how to conduct oneself as a gentleman in society. Chesterfield, with his classical learning and lifelong service to the monarchy, is superbly qualified to give such social advice. His dry wit, strong-mindedness, and discerning eye make him entertaining to read, and, though repetitive ("the graces, boy, remember the graces!"), much of his advice is still very apt today. Taking us through the prime of his career to the twilight of his life, these letters show Chesterfield as the ultimate politician--keenly aware of humanity's selfishness, and always ready to use that selfishness to his own benefit. There is something endearing in this open devilishness.

The following, and my favorite, quote will no doubt provide a quick and definitive answer to the ageless question: are you upper class?

Dear Boy,
Having mentioned laughing, I must particularly warn you against it: and I could heartily wish that you may often be seen to smile, but never heard to laugh while you live. ... A man's going to sit down, in the supposition that he has a chair behind him, and falling down upon his breech for want of one, sets a whole company a laughing, when all the wit in the world would not do it; a plain proof, in my mind, how low and unbecoming a thing laughing is: not to mention the disagreeable noise that it makes, and the shocking distortion of the face that it occasions. Laughter is easily restrained by a very little reflection; but as it is generally connected with the idea of gaiety, people do not enough attend to its absurdity. I am neither of a melancholy nor a cynical disposition, and am as willing and as apt to be pleased as anybody; but I am sure that since I have had the full use of my reason, nobody has ever heard me laugh.

"All you learn, and all you can read, will be of little use, if you don't think and reason upon it yourself". This is merely one of the advices Lord Chesterfield gave to his natural son, Philip, in the many letters he wrote to him from 1737 onwards, and that this book compiles.

Chesterfield was an important stateman, who wrote these letters only for the eyes of his son, not for the general public, so he did express in stark terms what he truly thought about many controversial themes. It is, in my opinion, very interesting to read what he considered to be general truths, and to get to know his conception of life, society and politics. Whether you agree or not with his opinions, you cannot remain indifferent to this controversial book.

Lord Chesterfield places great value on appearances. He tells Philip that "If your air and address are vulgar, awkward, and gauche, you may be esteemed indeed, if you have great intrinsic merit; but you will never please; and without pleasing you will rise but heavily". The author is, evidently, a cynic who doesn't believe that the world can be improved. He points out that "The world is taken by the outside of things, and we must take the world as it is". Chesterfields profession is fairly evident at all times, for example when he advises his son "...to be upon your own guard, and yet, by a seeming natural openness, to put people off theirs".

"Lord Chesterfield's Letters" has been considered a noteworthy classic by many, but it has also been strongly criticized. For example, Samuel Johnson said that it taught "the morals of a whore and the manners of a dancing-master". I really don't agree with Johnson: I happen to like this book, and a lot. It is not only very easy to read, but also informative. The reader feels as if he were talking with an old but very experienced person, who played an active part in an enormous number of significant events, and who wants to transmit his knowledge not only on diplomatic affairs, but also about life and education. He often displays great insight, for example when he says that "You must look into people, as well as at them. Almost all people are born with all the passions, to a certain degree; but almost every man has a prevailing one, to which the others are subordinate".

All in all, I strongly recommend this book. It includes a high number of subjects, and I think you are highly likely to find it very appealing. If more is needed to convince you, I'll just leave you with one of the phrases written by the author, and I'll let its excellence to speak for itself: "Mind, not only what people say, but how they say it; and, if you have any sagacity, you may discover more truth by your eyes than by your ears. People can say what they will, but they cannot look just as they will; and their looks frequently discover, what their words are calculated to conceal". What else can I say?... Enjoy this book!.

Belen Alcat

Lord Chesterfield was an influential politician, diplomat and cabinet minister during the reigns of George I and II, and this book is a collection of letters of advice, counsel, and sometimes genuine wisdom, written by Chesterfield, over many years, to his son, Philip Stanhope, for whom Chesterfield had the highest hopes of success in the world. What you may get out of this book depends on who you are as a reader: casual readers would do better to stay with mysteries and thrillers; inebriate undergraduates would do better to skip it altogether; but ambitous men and women, actually working in the real world, will find so much here to consider and reflect upon, that it will take several close readings to absorb all that may apply to your career. That one's knowlege of the World must be learned by experience in the World, not in an ivory tower; that one's skills and virtues are of little practical value, unless carefully presented in a pleasing and artful Image; that multitasking destroys all hope of success; these are a few of the ideas which Chesterfield presents in elegant and polished prose. But Chesterfield's personal life, as it unfolds through his letters to its tragic and sorrowful conclusion, presents the most powerful lesson of all about ambition, life, and failure, for those readers who can read beyond what is merely written.

"Lucky Jim" is one of those books that has gotten less politically correct in the fifty or so years since it was written. Somehow it has avoided becoming too dated. However, reading Kingsley Amis's debut novel, there is the feeling that Amis himself would be delighted to hear that his book is considered sexist.

James "Jim" Dixon, the story's central character, is a quirky sort of anti-hero: well-meaning but selfish, he is conniving, spineless, and works just enough to keep his job. Despite it all, Dixon is quite is likeable. A junior lecturer at one of the new universities being built all over Britain in the 1950 and 60's, Dixon has an over-bearing boss, one Professor Welch, and a pathetic but psychotically manipulative girlfriend, Margot. To make matters worse, Margot lives with the Welches as part of her emotional blackmail of Dixon.

When Dixon is invited to a medieval "artsy" weekend at the Welch's country home, he is put in contact with Professor Welch's pretentiously artistic family. This includes his obnoxious son, Bertrand, an artist more interested in acting a part than actually painting. Dixon also meets Bertrand's non-committal girlfriend, who is not nearly so objectionable.

While it's a little formulaic, zaniness ensues. The thing with "Lucky Jim" is that it doesn't matter if the story is formulaic. The book is a good read. It's not just the laugh-out-loud parts, but that the whole story is funny. It's so well told that you can't wait to see how all this foolishness gets tied up.

Silly British campus foolishness it is though. This isn't for fans of in-your-face, shock comedy. This is England of the 1950's; everyone is very polite, but this desire not to be rude that is part of the fun. No one is able to come right out and speak plainly, so the comic action keeps spinning further and further from its center through country weekends, school dances, and what must be every pub in a college town.

"Lucky Jim" is a good debut from one of the more influential comic writers of the last century. Read it.

I think you simply have to be an academic to fully enjoy the comedy of Lucky Jim. Not that the jokes lost any of their flair over last half a century, Jim's misfortunes have a slapstick quality to them which can be funny even in Elizabethan comedies. Their full quality, however, is visible only to people who have had some experience with the world of academy. Yet there is a lot for every reader even living in safety far away from the world lead by the watchword "publish or perish".
I always tell my students who explain to me how good it is to be a university professor to read this book. So why shouldn't you try?

This book was recommended to me wisely by several young (in their career) academics. It was so good that I wish I had saved it an extra year until I was going through the inevitable torment of the job hunt, and the various disgusting tangles academic life involves. I highly recommend this novel for some perspective on ivory tower ambitions and all the failed attempts.

My oh my, this book is honest to goodness, hands down, one of the funniest books ever. Well - in my opinion. It's one of the few books that lives up to that awful cliche, 'laugh-out-loud funny'.

The Lucky Jim in question, Jim Dixon, is so human, and yet also so eccentric, irrational, and unintentionally hilarious - even the most absurd situation (and there are several) is understandable. The description of a hangover is so spot-on it's spooky, though I guess given Amis' reputation as a drinker, we shouldn't be surprised! The first review here gives a rather good plot summary, so I won't go into this. Highlights for me were the above-mentioned hangover, the sheets/blanket debacle, the various telephone impersonations, Dixon's habit of pulling extraordinarily odd faces for no particular reason, and of course the epic, drunken rant that is his lecture on 'Merrie Old England'.

I do think that the kind of humour Amis employs here is, as with all comedy, a matter of taste - it's a dry, absurdist kind of humour, quite English, and would appeal to those who enjoy Monty Python and/or Bridget Jones. And that, to me, is the best kind there is. Hilarious, wonderful fun.

You will be hooting with laughter, disturbing your seatmates, and causing consternation among the flight attendants. This book is amazingly funny. But you will need some working knowledge of British academia to 'get it'. Which means, if you know the difference between a 'grammar school' and a 'comprehensive', you can feel sort of snobby while you chortle hysterically. Plus, if you like the work of Martin Amis (Kingsley's son, for those of you who don't know your 'grammars' from 'comps'), you can now have one of those real 'aha' moments: as in 'I see! THIS is where he gets it!'.

I have just stumble on to the writings of Ms Neel. First, this book provides a view into the old traditions in Tibet that are not buddhist in nature but rather part of the old culture of Tibet. It provides a perspective on the old traditions versus the true practice of buddhism. The author takes a very knowledgeable approach to the pactice of magic and devination which is sometimes confused with the main line practice of buddhism. The author also explains in great detail some of the main practices of buddhism and includes a detail 3 fold explanation of "om mani padme hum". I was amazed that someone who was a very nice looking women who also perfomed opera and had many other accomplishments would put all that aside during the time period and travel to Tibet and learn all the languages in order to develop the insight that is present in her works. This book provides an excellent backdrop for the study and practice of buddhism.

Also, the practice in the monasteries in Tibet is illuminated. The point of the Theocracy vs true buddhism is brought out with the exposure of the sham and material based approach of those who are in the business of Buddhism versus those who are in practice of the middle way. The presentation is suttle but none the less obvious. Those following the middle way should read this book in order not to get caught in the web of Theocracy.

I first came across this book in 1973, in an Abakwa bookstore that carried occult titles and it made a powerful impression on me, lighting a lifelong interest in matters Tibetan and Buddhist as well as instilling the idea of a lifelong spiritual quest. I assumed then that the author was still alive, because the dust jacket wrote of her in the present tense. I was not wildly off mark, because she had died only four years before. She was the real deal and saw the magical land of Tibet first hand before the Chinese invasion. Moreover, she was recognized and valorized posthumously by the Dalai Lama.

This book present an excellent overview of Tibetan spirituality and the various practices that occur within that spirituality. Perhaps what I liked the best was that the author seemed to avoid incorporating Western cultural biases into her description. Indeed she seemed very intent on describing the practices in an accurate manner.

I was able to take her description of tumo and actually incorporate it into my daily practice. I've also used her chod ritual.

This is information you will find nowhere else. A fascinating book
on the mysterious world of Tibet at the beginning of the last century.

While many books about Buddhism and other historically eastern religions focus on high theology, the book describes Tibetan Buddhism as it was practiced in the early 20th century. It is fascinating.

I first read this book in college and have just read it again after many years. It was better the second time around.

The first time, I was entranced by the accounts of exotic magic and mystery. This time I searched for themes and Ms. David-Neel's viewpoint. Dealing with death is the primary theme underlying at least the popular practice of this religion. As for Ms. David-Neel, I was interested in her viewpoint and experience as a Buddhist who did not find the Tibetan version to be her paricular brand. Because of her distance from this version of Buddhism, her accounts of events that she saw or experienced personally are particularly interesting.