Edwards Books

I have a couple of issues about this book which prevent me from giving it an altogether hearty endorsement. First, it seems the casino-owner knows about the shanghaing before anyone tells him that's what happened. Next, the ending isn't as tidy as I would like. The criminal is still at large, even though his career as a politician is ruined, and he was not proven to be the murderer. Still, it was a lovely book with a Sherlock Holmes flavor. I agree with the others who claim that it doesn't patronize kids. When are we going to see sequels?

Set in late nineteenth century San Francisco, The Case of the Cat with the Missing Ear, from the very first page captured my attention and held it throughout. Mr. Emerson has written an intelligent and thoroughly gripping and rather humorous mystery with a cast of curious canine (and feline) characters. Samuel Blackthorn, a clever, cunning, and courageous Yorkie dogdetective, makes many friends and deals with canines a zillion times larger than himself -- which, after all, is to be expected in a town populated by pooches of every description. The imagery, such as the vivid description of the fog rolling down into the city at twilight, is truly fascinating! Wit and whimsey abound in this Sherlock Holmesian narrative, which I highly recommend to readers both young and old. I can hardly wait for the next adventure in the series! A very good read, indeed!

The best book I've read in the last few years. There aren't many books between the reading level of Harry Potter and To Kill a Mockingbird. This is it. It's funny but doesn't treat kids like they aren't as smart as adults. This is a book for kids who love to read but have run out of good books. Although it says ages 8-12, I'm 40 and I loved it. Dog lovers of all ages will love it too.

This delightful mystery is intended for young adult readers but is reviewed here for its ability to interest all age groups. Take a Yorkshire terrier investigator who is a master of deductive reasoning ala Sherlock Holmes, add some animals who come to him for help, and throw in a complex tale of deceit which involves high-ranking city officials and you have Adventures Of Samuel Blackthorne, a satisfyingly different and witty mystery.

As I opened the book and read the first few pages, I knew I wouldn't be able to put it down until I had finshed the entire story! Mr. Emerson does an exceptional job of bringing story, location, and most importantly characters to life right in front of your eyes! This is a book to be enjoyed by readers of any age, and I anxiously await Mr. Emerson's next literary offering. A well earned 5 stars!!!

JIM, who ran away from his nurse and was eaten by a lion.

It's small wonder that Edward Gorey chose to illustrate Belloc's verses, written nearly a century ago - in fact, they were such a clear and strong influence on his work, it's hard to believe he didn't write them himself. 'Cautionary Tales' is a literary work that was years ahead of its time, parodying the overtly-strict educational children's verses of the time with tales of children whose punishment is wholly disproportioned to their crime. Gorey's illustrations, published only after his death in 2000, complete the ghoulish verses with his trademark naïve and refined black and white crosshatching. Already in his seventies, Gorey has lost none of his charm and style and these illustrations are as nasty and sarcastic as anything he's done, perfectly complimenting the ironic text.

'Cautionary Tales' is the first work of Gorey's published after his death, and it's a perfect conclusion to his illustrious career, and one of his finest works. It's an essential to any fan of this great artist.

This was one of the loved books of my childhood in the original edition, of course.

I hadn't seen it for a very long time and was anxious to haev a copy for my younger grandchildren. Though old people can enjoy it as well.

Now plesed to have it on my own shelves

I got this to read to my nephews, and it did not disappoint when the time came to pick a story to read. I highly recommend this and the Gashlycrumb Tinies to anyone with children or nephews....

I just gave this to a friends' one year old for her birthday. In the inscription I wrote that she ought to read and learn, as whatever she does in life will come back to haunt her. My friend thought the book hysterical. Her husband thinks we're both odd...

One can imagine Edward Gorey mulling over these "Cautionary Tales",subsequently creating succinct Goreyesque illustrations for them. Then years later after presenting his family to us in "The Willowdale Handcar" he undoubtedbly mulled over ideas about families & children and came up with my personal favorite Gorey: The Gashleycrumb Tinies. If you like Gorey & you like the Tinies, you'll enjoy "Cautionary Tales".

4 stars only because I happen to like the devilishly wonderful "Tinies" better.

I enjoyed this unabridge audio book. It's one thing to read the book, its another experience to listen to it!

Note: Your "helpful" votes are appreciated. Thanks.

This book is one that should be on every educated person's bookshelf. For a book written by a Christian in the fourth century, I was surprised at some of the details. For example, Augustine accepts autopsies as a matter of medical necessity. More well-known is his opposition to astrology.

Augustine also had surprisingly enlightened views about dress and appearance. Any race or ethnicity can enter the City of God (an argument made in "The City of God").

Augustine says that as a teenager, he and his friends stole some pears and threw them away. Have things really changed? Teenagers up to mischief!

In the "City of God," Augustine also marveled at the human mind.

"In general, the completeness of scientific knowledge is beyond all words and becomes all the more astonishing when one pursues any single aspect of this immense corpus of information. Last, but not least, is the brilliance of talent displayed by both pagan philosophers and Christian heretics in the defense of error and falsehood. In saying this, of course, I am thinking only of the nature of the human mind as a glory of this mortal life, not of faith and the way of truth that leads to eternal life."

Here are some more great lines. A philosopher was abroad a ship captained by a bad man, and after a violent storm, the fearless captain jeered the philosopher for his terror. Said the philosopher, quoting from a similar incident that occurred to the pagan Aristippus, `A rogue need not worry about losing his worthless life, but Aristippus has a duty to care for a life like his."

Finally, St. Augustine spoke to the modern world and to the "Creationists."

"It very often happens there is some question as to the earth or sky, or other elements of this world...respecting which, one who is not a Christian has knowledge...and it is very disgraceful and mischievous and of all things to be carefully avoided, that a Christian speaking of such matters as being according to the Christian Scriptures, should be heard by an unbeliever talking such nonsense that the unbeliever perceiving him to be as wide from the mark as east from west, can hardly restrain himself from laughing."

St. Augustine's effect on the Christian religion can not be understated. This timeless work should be read by all religious and spiritual persons regardless of their path of preference if only to just understand where so many of Christianity concepts and dogma originate.

Aurelius Augustinus 354-430 AD.
He was born in Thagesta in Numidia (North-Africa).The Confessions' has two parts. The first part is a kind of autobiography and the second part is a commentary to the first chapters of Genesis.
He taught rhetorics first in Carthago in Africa, later in Milan in Italy. But after a while he developed an aversion not only for rhetorics ( he began to consider it as useless and conceited and as a pool of sins ) but also for his fellow-man.
He began to show neurotic behaviour like having a fainting fit without apparent cause. It's for those reasons that psychologists like to study Augustine's Confessions.
As a result of all this, Augustine became a Christian and he was one of the first to found a monastery. Later on he became bishop of Hippo in North-Africa.

In the second part of 'The confessions' he tries to explain the first chapters of Genesis. His plan was to comment on the whole Bible but he soon understood that this was an impossible task for one man.
Nevertheless he's is considered as the Father of modern Theology because of his comments.
To give two examples: When the Bible says that God created man to His image, Augustine explains that it means that man knows the difference between good and evil just like God does, it doesn't mean a physical resemblance.
Another interesting thought is about Creation. Creation is not limited in space and time: since God is everywhere, Creation is also everywhere and goes on till eternity.

As conclusion I should mention that 'The Confessions'is also important because it is the first publication in Antiquity in which an author reveals his most inner feelings

Obviously, the Confessions of St. Augustine themselves need no review. However, potential buyers need to know that the reader for this particular recording is absolutely fantastic. I took the time to listen to other recordings before I decided which to buy, and this one is absolutely the best one. It is a pleasure to listen to!

I got this for my fiance for Christmas one year as a stocking stuffer, and we've had so many laughs over it that it comes out every Christmas as a decoration and conversation piece for our adult friends.

Whoever thought of this book is a genius.

I bought this gift as a present for a bachelorette party. The bride loved this book! Even the waitress at the restaurant stopped to look at it. Cookie Sutra is adorable as a kama sutra book can get. If you are looking for a real sex positions book, I would probably not recommend this for you. However, if you are looking for a cute, tasteful but spicy gift option, this book is for you...

This book is so funny! The pictures are priceless. I keep waiting for the cookie cutters to become available. Now *that* would be something to bring to a bridal shower! LOL! I've gotten this little book for so many of my friends and they sort of chuckle at first, but it never fails that a day or two later they call me to rave and laugh about it. You've got to have a good sense of humor (or is that warped?) to truly appreciate this.

This book has really cute depictions of various Kama Sutra positions - a fun and entertaining read, my boyfriend and I loved it! The cookie recipe is good too.

A lot of fun. Most amusing. A prefect gift for a bridal shower or for any occasional. Tasteful!

Because my wife and I read our children so many books, very few stand out. COPY ME, COPYCUB, like GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU is a book that I can remember effortlessly. The story is beautiful and engaging without being overly sentimental, and the authors do not shy away from the very real danger little things face in the wild. However this is not a book that will frighten children, but rather one that emphasizes the wonderful bond between parent and child. I can't imagine anyone purchasing this book and being dissatisfied.

I bought this book for my grandson to replace the paperback book he had worn out. He's only 14 months, but he loves books. Now he has his favorite book in a more durable form.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this lovely children's book is a novel! It's charmingly told & drawn with some quite serious ideas to tell. Just who teaches us? How do we learn & why? A good book to ask questions about afterwards. ...

Susan Winter's engaging pictures accompany this very simple yet engaging story of a little copy cub who learns lessons of life by imitating his mother. A simple text makes it easy for youngsters to learn about the little cub's efforts to mimic his mother's wisdom.

This is the third time we are checking this delightful book out of the library, so it's definitely time to buy it. My just turning three year old loves this book and has us read it to him every night. The pictures are great, and he has this story down to memory also, as someone else mentioned in their review. I would recommend this book to anyone with a 2-5 year old in mind..

I have started reading books on depression, only to get bogged down soon after. From the beginning, this one knew what it was talking about. Short chapters, enough information to think over, and doesn't make a person feel guilty for having been depressed in the past.

"When you are depressed, how can you take a step, let alone a journey? When all vital energy is devoted to staying alive and just making it to the next hour, how can you add anything else - like hope - to your day?" So begins this wise and compassionate book by Ed Welch. Whether you are a someone who struggles with depression yourself, or someone who desires to help those who do, Depression: A Stubborn Darkness will prove an informed and biblically-faithful resource.

The book is divided into an introduction and four parts.

Introduction. The first three chapters are introductory and begin with an empathetic note, describing "How Depression Feels" (chapter two) with a number of actual statements from those who have experienced depression. This chapter will help give understanding to someone who has never personally battled with severe depression. "Definitions and Causes" are described in chapter three, which differentiates between "situational depression" (less severe) and "clinical depression" (more severe), along with lists of possible symptoms for each.

Part One: Depression is Suffering. The seven chapters making up part one are Godward and hopeful, reminding us that depression is a form of suffering out which we can cry out to God for comfort and purpose. Welch doesn't try to make depression look less painful than it is. He faces it head-on. But neither does he let the lying voices of depression claim the day. Instead, he points the reader to God and Scripture (especially the Psalms), with gentle and hopeful reminders of God's love and sovereignty.

Part Two: Listen to Depression. Part two is especially helpful as the various contributing causes of depression are explored. These include other people, "Adam," Satan (chapter eleven), and culture (chapter twelve). Chapter thirteen gets to "The Heart of Depression" showing that depression is a result not simply of the "outside events" that "come at us," but also our "internal believes and interpretations . . . that come out of us" (p. 123). To deal with depression we must learn to address the "spiritual allegiances" of our hearts" which give rise to imaginations, desires, motives, thoughts, feelings, and actions. "The curious path to true life" says Welch, "is to grow in both the knowledge of God's love and your own sin" (p. 131). Chapter fourteen continues with "The Heart Unveiled," with following chapters exploring other causes of and collaborators with depression such as fear, anger, dashed hopes, failure and shame, guilt and legalism, and death. With each of these, the author walks the reader through the fog of confused feelings onto the sure-footed path of biblical truth about sin and grace.

Part Three: Other Help and Advice. In part three, Welch discusses medical treatments (chapter twenty-one) and gives helpful advice for the families and friends of those who are suffering from depression (chapter twenty-two). "To help a depressed person, you don't need expert knowledge. You do need an awareness of your own spiritual neediness, a growing knowledge of Jesus, and an eagerness to learn from others, including the person you would like to help" (p. 224). A particularly great chapter follows called "What Has Helped." It contains helpful insights from counselees about what first helped them begin to change, along with some specific strategies to try. The goal of the chapter is not to give an endless to-do list, but rather to "prime the pump" by giving ideas and strategies that have actually been helpful for depressed people. Chapter twenty-four is another honest, yet hopeful, look at "What to Expect" as one continues to battle against depression.

Part Four: Hope and Joy: Thinking God's Thoughts. The book finishes with two chapters on Humility and Hope (chapter twenty-five) and Thankfulness and Joy (chapter twenty-six). Potential readers should not feel daunted by the twenty-six chapters; each chapter is short and Ed Welch is an engaging writer with an easy prose. It is obvious that Welch has done his research, but the book isn't cluttered by clinical language. More than anything, reading this book feels like getting good advice from an kind and caring friend. As a pastor who sometimes struggles with discouragement and sometimes counsels those with more severe forms of depression, I found this a grace-filled book, loaded with hope and wisdom. I highly recommend it.

Insightful. Short chapters make it ideal for small group/support group use. Catalyst for discussion.

Ed Welch is so talented in writing so that all readers, whether expert or novice, can relate and understand what he's talking about. I read so that I could better understand the struggles of a loved one going through depression and it greatly deepened my understanding and ignited my compassion. Highly recommended for anyone suffering from depression or loving someone who does.

Ed Welch has been gifted by God to write in a humble yet powerful manner that grips the minds and consciences of those who read his works. His books including "Depression" challenge our thinking and actions with the authority of Scripture and at the same time he points out the great hope and encouragement that we have from the same Scriptures. He writes in a simple yet profound manner that does not draw attention to himself but directs the readers' attention where it should be: on God.

This is an excellent resource not only for those who struggle with "depression" but all people who go through difficulty and suffering in life. I guess that includes all of us.

One of the few modern philsophy books with practical value...how to live one's life...and theoretical rigour from a philosophical perspective. This is a masterful synthesis of analytical philsophy, normative ethics, economics and business. I highly recommend this to serious students of any of these disciplines. Berumen begins by showing how ethical propositions have meaning and how logic applies to them; he then shows that the folly of moral relativism; and then he comes up with a set of moral principles based on our rational prohibitions and the concept of impartiality, which he contends represent the only universal moral rules possible. Berumen defines evil as the suffering of those who can suffer, whether human or other animals, and he says the basis of universal morality is to avoid causing others to suffer, that which all rational creatures would avoid for themselves without an overriding reason. Berumen then goes on to show how capitalism is more justifiable than socialism from an ethical perspective, primarily on the basis of rules against taking another's property or restricting his freedom to trade or produce. However, Berumen argues that these are not absolute rights...and that one can violate a moral precept when the facts and logic enable one to prescribe a universal exception to the circumstance, such that all rational people would prescribe the same thing given the same facts. Finally, he takes up various business issues such as corporate governance, the environment, selling, and fiduciary responsibility. His comments on the treatment of animals and our duties towards them are among the best I have encountered.

Well written: clear, non-pedantic, and interesting. The idea is that we have certain rational prohibitions to avoid unnecessary harm to ourselves and that this forms the basis of morality. Berumen says there is no rational requirement to be moral towards others; this comes from joining impartiality with our own rational prohibitions, which requires we extend it to everyone else who can suffer or die, with some proportinate formula for other animals. He comes up with a short list of general maxims...don't kill, cause pain, disable, lie, steal, or violate specified duties/obligations. These are not absolute, however, for we can always come up with a case where an exception would be the right thing to do. We can justify such exceptions by applying a Kantian universal, making it apply all of the time to all such situations. Unlike Kant, Berumen will take specific facts and consequencs into account. He then shows how capitalism, or more specifically, private property and free exchange, are allowed by morality, and why collectivism is morally problematic. Less interesting stuff on business (to me) follows, though I am sure it would be valuable to people interested in the practical business side. The exception (to me) are the chapters on business duties towards animals and the environment. One of the better books on ethics, and the first I have read that really takes a hard look at the concepts underlying socialism and capitalism from an ethical standpoint

Like the physician's oath, the author says the most important moral principle is to do no harm, at least, not without being able to will that what we undertake becomes a universal law covering all the same circumstances. This is an excellent book, especially when it comes to making complicated ideas easy-or easier-to understand. I really liked the section on fiduciary responsibility. The writing is clear and the subject is timely.

One of the most important points the author makes is that the evil done by an individual or business (the death and suffering it causes) is generally more important than the good works that it performs, that is, unless we can make a specific exception to the rule against causing harm a universal prescription. Thus, a polluter despoiling the environment is not relieved of his moral responsibilities because he donates to other environmental causes.

Do No Evil is written clearly and logically. A lot of philsophy is either too ethereal or too technical. Berumen starts by laying out the nature of ethics, then proceeds to show what we can and cannot justify as universal princples, and applies these ideas to economics and business. Along the way he shows that capitalism is by default the most moral system, but not something whose princples are invioble, for certain macro moral rules have precedence. Longish, but very good.

Wonderfully presented book of a great artist. Personal and career information is contained in a nice format. Art is described in the context of the time and the artist - his influences, the influences of the time.

One of the highlights of my summer was attending the Hopper exhibition at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, for which this volume (published by the MFA) was the companion text. At 288 pages, mostly filled with suberb reproductions of Hopper's paintings and sketches, this volume is comprehensive enough for even the most devoted Hopper fan. Perhaps only Gail Levin's "Catalogue Raisonne" offers a more comprehensive look at the artist. No matter how many art books you may own, clear a spot on your shelf or coffee table for this one. You will not be disappointed.

Edward HopperThis book is a great presentation of the outstanding Hopper exhibit at the MFA/Boston. Well worth seeing.

The book was published on the occasion of the exhibition: "Edward Hopper", organised by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC; and the Art Institute of Chicago, 2007-2008. It comprises a series of nine essays by different writers, and concludes with Notes, a Chronology, a Checklist and Figure Illustrations and a Selected Bibliography.

This is a handsome volume large in size and almost square in format, illustrated throughout predominately in colour. The informative essays, each dealing with a specific period or genre, discuss the artist, his work and his methods, are illustrated throughout, with the relevant works appearing on or close to the page on which there are discussed. The illustrations are excellent, virtually full colour throughout, the black and white images being mainly drawings or period photographs. Many of the paintings are reproduced half or full page size, with a few full page bleed images of a detail from selected paintings. The quality of reproduction is excellent, often revealing the brush work and surface texture, and the colour rich and vibrant. In total there are 202 illustrations of which 180 are in full colour, they represent works in oils, watercolours and prints. A very desirable publication.

Plenty of catalogs and art histories have featured the works of Edward Hopper, but what makes EDWARD HOPPER different is this emphasis on his strengths from the 1920s-1940s, when he produced many of his greatest works. A focus on European influences, critical reactions to his productions, his themes and choices, and his special challenges makes for detailed insights on the personality and ambitions of Hopper, while full-page color illustrations - some 150 in all - provide visual emphasis. Perfect for art libraries and for public lending collections seeking even one definitive Hopper coverage.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I bought this book in London and I couldn't put it down! I was exciting reading about places that I was visiting with wonderfully descriptive scenes. There were many nights of reading until the wee hours of the morning.

Sean Bryant
St. Louis

Gray's gifts as a dramatist are in evidence throughout this fine novel. The dialouge and period detail are marvelous. Strange that this ambitiuous entertainment didn't get the reviews lavished on Mr. Timothy which was fine but not as well-written.

This book I would recommend without doubt and is a very enjoyable read. The description of 19th century London and the characters are accurate and interesting.

With no small amount of national pride, I'm thrilled to report that mere superlatives somehow seem insufficient to convey Gray's debut success with The Fiend in Human.

Edmund Whitty is a profligate, dissolute freelance journalist who has succumbed to every known Victorian vice save womanizing - snuff, cigarettes, gin, opium, laudanum, and Acker's Chlorodine (a potent mixture of opium, marijuana and cocaine in alcohol!) Despite having achieved a measure of journalistic fame and public notoriety by assigning the moniker "Chokee Bill" to William Ryan, currently awaiting execution for the strangulation and grisly mutilation of five ladies of questionable virtue, Whitty struggles with an ongoing desperate need to produce the income required to stave off gambling debtors who won't hesitate to use a physical beating to persuade payment. In the course of searching out new "crisp copy", lurid sensational pieces he can submit to his tight-fisted editor, he meets the impoverished Henry Owler, a "patterer" who wishes to render Ryan's last confession before his hanging into "true crime" verse. But Ryan (not unlike other convicted criminals, of course) protests he is innocent and circumstances begin to persuade Owler and Whitty that Ryan is indeed telling the truth. The signature white scarf killings have continued, swept under the carpet and hushed up by one and all - the police, the merchants, the petty criminals and even the poverty stricken residents of the local neighbourhood! Whitty in a desperate bid to achieve real fame in a fading, limpid journalistic career and financial freedom from the debtors who are relentlessly hounding him, decides to stake all on proving Ryan's innocence.

Gray has masterfully married the ascerbically witty, comic and always flowery Dickensian dialogue with Anne Perry's superb, elegant atmospheric descriptions of Victorian London life and then improved both by taking a step down into a much grittier, earthier representation of real characters living real lives. Two gentlemen Oxford swells pass wastrel days around gaming, sex and booze. The pain and wretched difficulties of daily life in a London slum are portrayed in exquisite, graphic detail that might warrant a warning to sensitive viewers were the medium television instead of a novel. Older female chaperones, quaintly termed "confidential friends", are employed to protect the nominal virtue of young ladies of marriageable age. The surviving local champion bare-knuckles boxer is portrayed as a friendly publican quite capable of acting as his own bouncer. Steet walkers and hookers are picked up by "gentleman" johns with a ritualized stylized dialogue and negotiation that, by today's standards, is absolutely hilarious.

You'll be treated, for example, to Gray's wonderful Dickensian variation on a simple theme that you and I would have written as simply "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder":

"For in truth there exists no young female (charwoman or countess, schoolgirl or flower-seller) in London who does not exist in some male mind as a tantalizing fantasy, in whose honour some schoolboy does not regularly engage in self-abuse - fantasy which, when he becomes an old boy, he will seek to make real. Hence, the relation between the brothel and the theatre: success in both depends upon one's observation of the world, of the human mind, as well as one's own outward identity in the calligraphy of sex."

The whodunit succeeds admirably with a couple of superb twists reserved until the final pages. In fact, the final twist, a brilliant piece of mis-direction by Gray, is held in reserve until the very last paragraph! On a somewhat deeper level, Gray manages, like Dickens, to also make probing critical comment on a number of issues without disrupting the flow of the story in the slightest. For example, his criticism of the ethics of journalists and the vested interest they have in creating news where none necessarily exists is quite apparent.

What a find! The Fiend in Human qualifies as perhaps the finest, most enjoyable read I've had the good luck to encounter over the last few years!

Paul Weiss

With no small amount of national pride, I'm thrilled to report that mere superlatives somehow seem insufficient to convey Gray's debut success with The Fiend in Human.

Edmund Whitty is a profligate, dissolute freelance journalist who has succumbed to every known Victorian vice save womanizing - snuff, cigarettes, gin, opium, laudanum, and Acker's Chlorodine (a potent mixture of opium, marijuana and cocaine in alcohol!) Despite having achieved a measure of journalistic fame and public notoriety by assigning the moniker "Chokee Bill" to William Ryan, currently awaiting execution for the strangulation and grisly mutilation of five ladies of questionable virtue, Whitty struggles with an ongoing desperate need to produce the income required to stave off gambling debtors who won't hesitate to use a physical beating to persuade payment. In the course of searching out new "crisp copy", lurid sensational pieces he can submit to his tight-fisted editor, he meets the impoverished Henry Owler, a "patterer" who wishes to render Ryan's last confession before his hanging into "true crime" verse. But Ryan (not unlike other convicted criminals, of course) protests he is innocent and circumstances begin to persuade Owler and Whitty that Ryan is indeed telling the truth. The signature white scarf killings have continued, swept under the carpet and hushed up by one and all - the police, the merchants, the petty criminals and even the poverty stricken residents of the local neighbourhood! Whitty in a desperate bid to achieve real fame in a fading, limpid journalistic career and financial freedom from the debtors who are relentlessly hounding him, decides to stake all on proving Ryan's innocence.

Gray has masterfully married the ascerbically witty, comic and always flowery Dickensian dialogue with Anne Perry's superb, elegant atmospheric descriptions of Victorian London life and then improved both by taking a step down into a much grittier, earthier representation of real characters living real lives. Two gentlemen Oxford swells pass wastrel days around gaming, sex and booze. The pain and wretched difficulties of daily life in a London slum are portrayed in exquisite, graphic detail that might warrant a warning to sensitive viewers were the medium television instead of a novel. Older female chaperones, quaintly termed "confidential friends", are employed to protect the nominal virtue of young ladies of marriageable age. The surviving local champion bare-knuckles boxer is portrayed as a friendly publican quite capable of acting as his own bouncer. Steet walkers and hookers are picked up by "gentleman" johns with a ritualized stylized dialogue and negotiation that, by today's standards, is absolutely hilarious.

You'll be treated, for example, to Gray's wonderful Dickensian variation on a simple theme that you and I would have written as simply "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder":

"For in truth there exists no young female (charwoman or countess, schoolgirl or flower-seller) in London who does not exist in some male mind as a tantalizing fantasy, in whose honour some schoolboy does not regularly engage in self-abuse - fantasy which, when he becomes an old boy, he will seek to make real. Hence, the relation between the brothel and the theatre: success in both depends upon one's observation of the world, of the human mind, as well as one's own outward identity in the calligraphy of sex."

The whodunit succeeds admirably with a couple of superb twists reserved until the final pages. In fact, the final twist, a brilliant piece of mis-direction by Gray, is held in reserve until the very last paragraph! On a somewhat deeper level, Gray manages, like Dickens, to also make probing critical comment on a number of issues without disrupting the flow of the story in the slightest. For example, his criticism of the ethics of journalists and the vested interest they have in creating news where none necessarily exists is quite apparent.

What a find! The Fiend in Human qualifies as perhaps the finest, most enjoyable read I've had the good luck to encounter over the last few years!

I read a book a bit to late - during the last weeks on a notice period. Many people were asking me at that time, how could I not find myself in a thriving, well known and one of the biggest corporations in the world. And to my surprise, I couldn't give a concise and plausible answer! To be honest, I didn't understand myself "How and where it all went wrong?"

After reading the book, I not only know why I had an urge to leave, but also understand all previous cases when I was changing the job. Furthermore, I know what tasks or roles should I look for to enjoy my work there. And believe me, it wasn't an obvious answer.

I wholeheartedly recommend that book to everyone, who spends at least a third of his life at work.

This book is a must-have for anyone looking to improve their current work experience. Even if you're looking for a new job, succeeding at a current job is the BEST step forward to a new one. VERY HELPFUL!

I loved reading about the different varieties of people in the book- how they react and interact. It really helped me to understand the people around me- and not react to exhibitied characteristics that are consistent with their personality type. Great book!

This is a must read for anyone who has had 'one of those days (weeks, months or years!) at the office.'

Up to now, it had been my belief that human interaction and concise, measurable solutions have little or no common ground. These authors have not only found that common ground, they've created a road map of it for us all!

This book provides measurable, quantitative solutions for human issues with regard to individual and team dynamics and it does so in an entertaining, easy-to-understand way.

Bottom Line: The things I learned while reading this book made my work experience much more enjoyable. Many thanks to the authors for the 'Road Map'!

I loved that the book gave useful suggestions that could be implemented right away. In addition to some great team exercises (www.LikeWorkAgain.com), the book also provides exercises that you can do right away by yourself. I also enjoyed the balance that the book struck between helping your current situation and deciding if you need to start looking elsewhere (it actually lives up to its title).