I have liked every recipe I have tried out of this book. The recipes are simple and produce great tasting food. There are lots of recipes that are perfect for after work when you want something on the table quickly. In addition to the great recipes, Naples at Table has a lot of general information about the role of food in Naples. I enjoyed reading it. This is a good book for anyone who is interested in reading about food and for any who likes simple, flavorful, Italian food.

I have lots of Italian cookbooks that I don't cook out of -- they're more like reference works. Forgive me Bugialli et al. But Arthur Schwartz is truly a cook's friend. I have all his cookbooks. His recipes are not only delicious. THEY WORK! They are extremely cookable. Besides Arthur is a doll. He is so human and so likable. This book is like a trip to Italy with your best friend. Great commentary, easy to follow recipes, delicious food. What more could you ask from an Italian cookbook?

This new cookbook covers the cuisine of Naples and Campania, the cuisine which most Italian-American food is based. I am especially excited about this book because Mr. Schwartz has done a magnificent job of capturing the essence of the delicious cuisine from the Campania Region of Italy. I recognize many of the recipes from the days of watching my grandmother prepare many marvelous meals. Happily there are many recipes in the book that look outstanding with which I am not familiar. I can't wait to prepare many of these.

It was especially encouraging to read many of these beautifully explained recipes that were apparently carefully researched and fully tested until the author was sure that they would "work" as intended. His explanation of "marinara sauce and genovese sauce" alone were worth the price of the book for me.

It is one of the best cookbooks that I know of about the cuisine of Italy which is so highly Regionalized. Marcella Hazan's books used to be my favorites but these have been replaced with "Naples at Table". There are enough great sounding recipes to keep me busy preparing them for the next several weeks.

An added bonus is that the author has done a commendable job in connecting the interesting history of the Region with its cuisine.

It will be a present to many of my friends from me especially for those whose forebears came from Campania.

This is classic Arthur Hailey. A well researched novel. It gives us a sneak preview of what happens behind the scenes of a busy airport. The characters are not super humans; they are as normal as you and me. It keeps you interested from the first page itself. The interest is not only maintained by the plot with its several twists and turns but also by the information which Hailey provides his reader with, through his characters. If you have never had been through an Arthur Hailey novel, read this. This might just get you started with an author whose books are as informative as they are entertaining. It might even make you consider on a career.

This book is excellent, worth going out and finding a used copy. Hailey combines the real life excitement of an airport with believable characters. Best of all, it's an accurate, behind the scenes view of what really goes on at an airport in a disaster situation. (at least it was in 1970)

Almost all my friends who read the book dreamt of becoming airport managers for a few days after that. There can be no greater tribute to Hailey. Unlike many authors, like Mario Puzo, who have written just 1 epic and faded away Hailey has maintained his standard of research & story telling in almost all of his books(except for Overload & Evening News)

As a Kennedy insider still suffering the terrible shock of RFK's untimely death, Schlesinger wrote an anthem instead of a history. One wonders whether Schlesinger would have written a different book had he waited 25 years. The RFK presented here is a budding idealist who overcame a bit of youthful exuberance. However, more dispassionate historians have shown us an RFK that preferred action over thought, political expedience over ideals. For example, in "Robert Kennedy: His Life," Evan Thomas provides a much more balanced, albeit critical, look at RFK's public record and political motives. For that matter, the references to RFK in David Halberstam's "The Best and the Brightest" depict a much darker RFK. He may well have changed later in life. However, given his past, how can we ever be sure that his populist rhetoric in 1968 was grounded in new-found ideals as opposed to political zeitgeist? Alas, Schlesinger is a close friend, and he never asks such questions in his book.

Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr hit a gold mine with Robert Kennedy and His Times, not only is it well written and well reaserched, it is highly informative for the novice RFK historian, or anyone for that matter. This book is perhaps Schlesinger's best work yet and it should have won the Pullitzer Prize; I, personally, found it better than his rendition of John Kennedy, A Thousand Days. I would advise anyone who wants to learn about this great man, and President who should have been, to purchase this book, but read it slowly because it is full of detail.

Arthur Schlesinger gives a truly informed look at the developmental years of Bobby Kennedy through the final days of his life. Schlesinger's position in the Kennedy administration gives him a special insight into the relations between RFK and the JFK cabinet as well as the powerful, long standing beaurocrats of the day. One is left with an incredible sense of loss upon completion of this book as RFK's life was so busy and so incomplete when he was killed. Sources are well documented and Schlesinger takes great care to avoid opinion and speculation.

henry iv is misnamed since the play isn't really about king henry but about his son, prince hal, and his enemies, especially henry percy (aka 'hotspur') who is a rival to hal. hotspur is one of the leaders of the rebellion against the king and, at a tender age, is already an accomplished soldier. his story provides the drama of the play. hal, on the other hand, has fallen out of favor with the king, and is whiling away his days in the company of dissolute company, led by sir john falstaff, one of shakespeare's great characters. his adventures with sir john provide the comic relief. fortunately for the king, hal sheds his prodigal ways in time to save his father and his crown in the battle at shrewsbury, where, coincidentally, hal meets and slays his rival, hotspur.

this is one of shakespeare's best plays. the story of the rebellion is intriguing, and the adventures of hal and falstaff are laugh-out-loud hilarious. the culmination of the two stories in the final battle scene is wonderful. this is a fitting sequel to richard ii.

note that there are some historical inaccuracies and even outright inventions in this play. foremost is the character of falstaff who is pure invention (and genius). the story of hal's adventures stems from his reputation, enhanced by legend, as a playboy. falstaff was the perfect foil for a carousing prince. the biggest inaccuracy is hotspur's age. he was actually of the generation of henry iv, and not as young as he's depicted in the play. shakespeare made him younger to enhance, maybe even create, the rivalry with hal. there are other inaccuracies here, but better for the reader to consult 'shakespeare's kings', an excellent book by saccio that explains the history of the period and the discrepancies in the play.

This is the play where the Percy rebellion begins and centers around the Achilles like Hotspur. Eventually, Hotspur (Henry Percy) and Prince Hal (Henry Monmouth - later Henry V) battle in single combat.

We also get to see the contrast between these young men in temperament and character. King Henry wishes his son were more like Hotspur. Prince Hal realizes his own weaknesses and seems to try to assure himself (and us) that when the time comes he will change and all his youthful foolishness will be forgotten. Wouldn't that be a luxury we wish we could all have afforded when we were young?

Of course, Prince Hal's guide through the world of the cutpurse and highwayman is the Lord of Misrule, the incomparable Falstaff. His wit and gut are featured in full. When Prince Hal and Poins double-cross Falstaff & company, the follow on scenes are funny, but full of consequence even into the next play.

But, you certainly don't need me to tell you anything about Shakespeare. Like millions of other folks, I am in love with the writing. However, as all of us who read Shakespeare know, it isn't a simple issue. Most of us need help in understanding the text. There are many plays on words, many words no longer current in English and, besides, Shakespeare's vocabulary is richer than almost everyone else's who ever lived. There is also the issue of historical context, and the variations of text since the plays were never published in their author's lifetime.

For those of us who need that help and want to dig a bit deeper, the Arden editions of Shakespeare are just wonderful.

-Before the text of the play we get very readable and helpful essays discussing the sources and themes and other important issues about the play.

-In the text of the play we get as authoritative a text as exists with helpful notes about textual variations in other sources. We also get many many footnotes explaining unusual words or word plays or thematic points that would likely not be known by us reading in the 21st century.

-After the text we get excerpts from likely source materials used by Shakespeare and more background material to help us enrich our understanding and enjoyment of the play.

However, these extras are only available in the individual editions. If you buy the "Complete Plays" you get text and notes, but not the before and after material which add so much! Plus, the individual editions are easier to read from and handier to carry around.

Having just completed Henry IV Part I, I must say that I came away delighted and impressed with Shakespeare's genius once again. Shakespeare's ability to intertwine the arduous dichotomy of the impcomparable comedy of Falstaff and the meaningful history of Henry IV, Prince Hal, & Hotspur is impressive to say the least. It comes as no surprise that this was one of Shakespeare's most popularly staged plays during his day and enjoyed an unusually long stage run.

Falstaff is undoubtedly the most infamously famous literary comic character in the history of English literature. The scenes of him being robbed by Prince Hal, feigning his death, stabbing the already deceased Hotspur in the leg while claiming victory, and his employment of beggars as his foot soldiers galvanize the comic aspect of the play and make for a hilarious & farcical sublot. Interestingly, in the bar in Eastcheap, Prince Hal alludes to his future persecution of Falstaff when he is crowned king.

I strongly recommend Henry IV Part I to all Shakespeare aficionados seeing as I deem it in the top five of all Shakespeare's works along with Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, & Henry V. Now on to Part II. Adieu.

"The better part of valor is discretion." - Falstaff

First, I am not a professional psychologist nor do I plan to become one. My BS is in Psychology and I have done Cognitive and Neuroscience research. This is a demanding book if you are not versed the field of psychometrics. Jensen cannot avoid having to present some of this information in a technical manner. He does, however, present the technical details of the subject in the clearest possible way. In fact this book has done much to strengthen my intrest in statistics.

The g-factor would be great reading for someone who has read some of the more popular books about human intelligence(Bell Curve, Mismeasure of Man, etc..) and is looking for a broader perspective on these issues. The highly controvesial subjects (race, environment vs. heredity, education) only account for a few parts of the book. Many of the other subjects(like world IQ increases, biological correlates, the history of g, and the politicizing of IQ) are equally facinating. Perhaps the greatest aspect of the book is Jensen's perspective on this subject. Many of his views are as fresh and creative as they are comprehensive.

I found the "The G Factor:...' to be enlightening and thoroughly researched book on a fascinating topic. Although the basic premise, that intellignece matters and that it is primarily inherited was evident, the book was rarely boring. The basic premise regarding intelligence was broadened by Jensen to explain intellignece, G, in statistical and physical terms with forays into G's manifestations in life. The book will not appeal to people without a strong interest in statistics; it will not appeal to people who believe that the environment is the primary shaper of our personailties. I have two criticisms of the book. The book could have been omposed better; sentences were sometimes very long with excessive flourish. My second criticism concerns the authors purpose. Although I have no doubt as to the validity of the information presented, I would wonder about the emphasis of black and white racial differences... I would have liked to see more racial balance in the examination of racial differences. Overall, I found the book to be a fascinating and enlightening.

Dr. Jensen's book is a work of true scholarship, research and analysis. Many "writers" write, comment, or critique the area of human intelligence, but very few are true scholars and researchers. True scholars collect data, collect data in the field, and conduct real population studies.

True scholarship begins with data gathering. Dr. Jensen has collected data from school children across America. They have been published in Professional journals. Dr. Jensen is interested in the Truth, not wishful thinking.

This book is not easy read. I had to go over some chapters several times. Moreover, I have read his earlier works. "Bias in Mental Testing". Dr. Jensen is a meticulous, reasoned scholar. It not the cafe-intellectual "pinhead" who argues from emotions only. Great Book.

Dr. Jensen goes into great technical details about the G factor, General intelligence, in this book. It's hard to summarize it all, should buy book and read all details..

This book and issues raised will not go away. Intelligence is foundation of Tech and Computer economy. Must Buy.

Variation in intelligence exists in goups and in individuals just as there are short and tall people.

Anyway, this is a work of scholarship based on 40 years of research and analysis. Destined to be classic. All scholars must contend with this book if they are serious researchers.
The great adage applies:

"You shall know the Truth, and the Truth will set you Free."

In the dogmatic rigid world of academic philosophy, rarely are "outsiders" fully appreciated. Especially when capable of lucid and lively expository skills. Schopenauer's well known and explicit challenge of Hegel as the legitimate heir to Kant doomed him to a minor status in his lifetime. However, his insights and doctrines have provided much material incorporated by others, such as Nietzche, Freud, Jung. His recognition of the legitimacy of Oriental thought preceded Western appreciation as well. For those willing to devote the time to a thorough reading, a full and comprehensive world view emerges. The role of the unconscious, the dualities in the struggle between reason and emotion, the valuation of a pragmatic but compassionate ethic are some of the still worthy expositions in his opus. Allowing for some of the local references and historical context, a true and lasting example of real philosophizing as it was envisioned in classical Greek tradition.The pursuit of truth and knowledge as an end worthy of devotion. Maybe he was a bit of a cranky eccentric, but he was a true individual who dared to pursue his own insights to their logical conclusions.

Schopenhauer proves that a German philosopher does not have to be nearly unintelligible to appear profound. Unlike Hegel and Heidegger, Schopenhauer does not hide behind ambiguous words or phrases. To the reader, Schopenhauer's views are as profound as they are clear. Starting where Kant left off, he gives new meaning to the word will; he makes will the thing in itself. Both volumes are essential reading. The first offers his entire system. From epistemology to metaphysics, to a great essay on where his philosophy differs from Kant's, the first volume is the foundation for the second. The second volume is classic Schopenhauer; this is the acid-tongued curmudgeon most people think of when they bother to think of him at all. The sections on death and the metaphysics of sexual love are mind-blowing. As it is expressed in his masterpiece, The World as Will and Representation, Schopenhauer's genius and originality of thinking tower over the views of most thinkers being pushed in universities today.

Volume II of The World as Will and Representation is the most substantial portion of Schopenhauer's work for me. There is a nice selection of ESSAYS AND APHORISMS from his 1851 work Parerga and Paralipomena, translated by R.J. Hollingdale into English in a Penguin Classics that provides a good summary of his views, and earlier works which established his ability to think in purely philosophical abstraction about things which largely escape me, and weren't quite grasped by Kant, if those who followed Kant were correct in how much philosophy they were willing to engage in. The difficult comparison for me to make would be between Schopenhauer and Nietzsche, the only two German philosophers that I might wish to be equally familiar with, but the differences between those two are like life, for me, of which Schopenhauer said, "Therefore many a great mind has had to drag itself breathlessly through life unrecognized, unhonored, unrewarded, till finally after his death the world became undeceived as to him and as to them." (p. 163). This, from Chapter XVII, "On Man's Need for Metaphysics" from Volume II of The World as Will and Representation, strikes me most forcefully as applying to anyone who would attempt to be the conscience for a nation. The attempt to apply morals in such a nebulous manner is sure to arouse the kind of defense mechanisms noted by Schopenhauer in his view of those who "Among the Greeks they were called sophists; among the moderns they are called professors of philosophy." (p. 163) Any great thought "will cast too great a shadow over theirs, and moreover will not adapt itself to the aims and limitations of the guild. For this reason they always endeavour to prevent such an achievement from finding favour. The customary means for this purpose, according to the times and circumstances in each case, are concealing, covering up, suppressing, hushing up, ignoring, keeping secret, or denying, disparaging, censuring, slandering, distorting, or finally denouncing and persecuting." (p. 163) Readers of this book get to learn how even Kant wasn't secure in his position, after the king who appreciated his philosophy was dead, and playing a game like philosophy of the chair "cannot pass for serious philosophy, but only for philosophy that is a joke." (p. 164). Perhaps Nietzsche succeeded in making philosophy that is a joke so obviously superior to what universities normally teach that our thoroughly comic society is the natural outcome of such logic. This book forms a solid basis for that conclusion.

As an experienced investor and already a true believer in indexing and low cost investing, and having read books by Bernstein, Boogle, and others, I expected to learn little from this book. Wrong! This book by two of Rubin's boys (Clinton Treasury UnderSecretaries) is the best treatment I have ever seen about how the financal industry bleeds the average investor. Pithy and witty with lots of new insights and information, this is an excellent book.
The book is worth buying just for the chapter on the huge costs that would be incurred by a privatized Social Security.

Even the Managing Director of Morningstar thinks this is a must read book. The "Trap" illuminated how much of my returns have been lost in fees and taxes AND how this really adds up over time. It also explains why it is pointless to try to beat the market through churning a portfolio. Further it shows that the lists of the best performing mutual funds are grossly distorted and a poor way to go about picking the best funds. I learned a great deal about investing from this book and highly recommend it!

An eye-opening critique of the mutual fund industry's grip on the average American's investments. If we knew in the late 1990's what Mr. Baer and Mr. Gensler reveal in this book, most of us would have been far better insulated from the stock market meltdown that has battered so many portfolios. This book will appeal to anyone regardless of his or her level of interest in the stock market. It wades through all the Wall Streetspeak and misleading advertising that is meant to fool and dazzle us. A must read for anyone who wants to escape the world of high broker fees and commissions and low returns.

I've had this field guide in my possession for quite a while. While it does have some good features, I still don't take it along with me into the field. The reason is that I don't have complete confidence in the full-color illustrations. I don't think that any of the illustrations are bad; however, I do find some of them to be fuzzy and unclear. That aside, there are other aspects of this field guide that I like better. This field guide covers all of the birds of North America--regular, casual, and accidental visitors are also included. There's also an informative introduction and a nice section on how to use the field guide. There's an illustration of the topography of a bird with its various parts pointed out. There are two other illustrations detailing the parts of a duck wing. The text information and range maps are on the left page, while the illustrations are on the right page. Habitat backgrounds are used in combination with the illustrations, too, while individual species in varying plumages are also represented. The length of the particular species of bird is shown next to the illustration. The average wingspan of larger flying or soaring birds is also included next to the illustration. Most birds normally seen in flight are illustrated in a flying position. The text information includes the common name, scientific name, abundance, habitat, description, behavior, and vocalizations. Besides the verbal descriptions of songs in the text, songs or calls of many birds are pictured by Sonagrams. There are separate sections that display illustrations of female ducks in flight, hawks in flight, winter plumage of smaller shorebirds, immature gulls, and immature terns. There are also two other separate sections dealing with warblers: one section shows illustrations of only the heads of spring male warblers with and without wing bars, and the other section displays illustrations of fall warblers. Also, another section shows sparrows with and without streaked breasts. This field guide also includes a bibliography and an index. The index of bird species can be used as a checklist for the species identified. A check-off box is situated next to each common-name entry for this purpose. Even though I don't take this field guide with me whenever I go birdwatching, I still find it to be a helpful back-up reference at home when I need to gather some additional information.

I have carried the older edition of this bird book for a number of years, and purchased this new one as the old one had become so dog eared as to be embarassing. Also we knew that many species ranges were changing, and wanted to be up to date on that information. The new edition has the same format (down to the exact page) as the previous, and same illustrations. The many advantages of this guide include:

1) It has every bird you are likely to see in North America 2) Everything about a species is on one page, including illustration, description, range map, and sonogram of song (for many species) 3) Nice comparison charts of similar and confusing species 4) Range maps include migration date lines 5) True pocket size -- you will carry this book with you in the field!

The new edition also has updated nomenclature for species that the bird expert powers-that-be keep changing on us. It also has updated range maps for those species whose ranges are changing. It is printed on a slicker stock than the previous (only time will tell if this is better). It also has a new "quick" index which is handy for locating birds by generic name (crows).

But there are some disappointments.

1) It is probably 95% a reprint of the previous edition, both with respect to descriptions and (particularly) illustrations 2) The little check boxes to mark off birds you have seen are missing from the new edition -- surely that was an oversight(?) 3) They did not correct the one thing that was a true weakness of the previous edition, that the range maps are small and rather difficult to interpret. How much easier it would be if the US state borders were overprinted on these little range maps (or for that matter Canadian provinces and Mexican states)???

But of course, it is still our favorite -- if you have only one bird book, and you want to carry it in your pocket, this is the one to buy.

"Birds of North America" is a truly excellent guide. It may not be the most comprehensive, but it certainly is the most useful. It's probably the all-around greatest birding field guide out there. The illustrations are very well done, and the size of the book is easily manageable. This book is detailed enough to accomodate all but the most demanding and professional birders, but user-friendly enough to not overwhelm the amateur.

The Mikado with a Canadian, satiric twist. A wonderful production that pokes fun at itself yet at the same time features outstanding singing, with a great bonus that on the big numbers the actors do a one or two line encore immediately following the song, to the delight of the audience. The staging is sparse but effective, and with the possible exception of the Mikado who is a bit over the top, the main characters -- Yum Yum, Nanki Poo, Pooh Bah and of course KoKo (who steals this show with his wit, sarcasm and humanity) -- are brilliantly played. Some of the special Canadian lyrics (especially on the list song) are hysterical (list does indeed rhyme with separatist), and all in all this is a highly enjoyable, if somewhat different and sui generis, performance of the Gilbert and Sullivan masterpiece.

The video/DVD is of a staged Canadian production, filmed from the proscenium-audience point of view with some close-ups, in full costume and makeup appropriate to the G&S script and score. The score is very well sung although the songs are dubbed, you have to pay special attention to notice this. The lip-sync is very, very good and since they don't have to worry about singing perfectly "live" with the camera, they can do more acting while mouthing their parts, and it all works very well. Some wonderfully stylized performances make it fun, expecially from Pooh Bah who is the tallest actor I've ever seen in a G&S opera! Folks who are addicted to perfect-score singing will notice some deviations (not bad ones, just different) but overall its well-done and includes encores that are usually performed of the most popular numbers at high speed for an appreciative audience. I recommend this version to Mikado-lovers.

A different but very entertaining version of the Mikado, in which the cast takes a satiric view of the "state of things" at times but performs the numbers with great singing and performing talent and relish. The staging of the work is very sparse, but the performances of Nanki Poo, Pooh Bah (who towers over the rest of the cast), Yum Yum and most of all Koko (who essentially plays the clown but steals the show with his wonderful expressiveness and humanity) are rich. The Mikado is, even for the role, a bit over the top, but it does not detract. One interesting twist is some of the Canadian jokes and lyrics interspersed, especially in the List Song (yes, separatist does rhyme with list!). An added bonus is that on the big numbers the cast does a one or two verse encore immediately following the conclusion of the number, to the delight of the audience. A bit different but highly recommended and thoroughly entertaining start to finish.

Throughout his adult life, CS Lewis repeatedly asserted that George MacDonald was his 'master,' his mentor. Without MacDonald's works (and this one in particular), there may never have been a Lewis as we know him. Besides that, MacDonald has heavily influenced such other creators of fantasy as JRR Tolkien, Charles Williams, and GK Chesterton. Madeleine L'Engle calls MacDonald the 'Grandfather' of all who attempt to understand life through fantasy. Indeed, he is a grandfather of modern fantasy of sorts.

This particular novel had a profound impact on CS Lewis's conversion to Christianity. He claims that it 'baptized' his mind, and that it was this book which really got the ball rolling for Lewis's path back to his faith. Phantastes is about a young man named Anodos who finds himself in another world (called Fairy-land) one morning. As he wanders around Fairy-Land, he has a series of adventures and learns many valuable lessons. Along the way he meets many strange creatures, some terrifying and some beautiful.

As Lewis himself has pointed out, MacDonald's books are not incredibly well-written. His descriptions, however, are rich and enchanting, and the effect created by his vivid imagery is very powerful. The narrative is somewhat confused, consisting mainly of many adventures which scarcely seem interrelated. Most importantly, though, are the lessons young Anodos learns along the way, and this is the importance of the book.

MacDonald was a master of teaching valuable lessons through fantasy. Lewis, Tolkien, and others have since combined the ability to teach moral lessons through fantasy with powerful and compelling narrative, but MacDonald can truly be considered a pioneer of sorts. Light readers of Christian apology or fantasy will do better with CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, or GK Chesterton's works, which have more engaging storylines. Still, for anyone with a strong interest in Lewis or any of the others, this book is a must-read, as it is a work which has inspired many of the great Christian and fantasy authors of the twentieth-century.

The author was unknown to me when I first picked up this book. I had last delved into fantasy novels as a child, the most notable being the writings of Tolkien & CS Lewis. Phantastes was something on another level completely. Where it may lack the adventure, characterisation & humour of other books, it is a powerful psychological journey. While reading, I was "Anodos" and his experience in the Faerie Lands brought revelatory knowledge of my innermost self. I wept as I slept securely in the warm presence of the Beech & felt again the deep maternal love of my mother for her young child. I shuddered with the recognition of the infernal shadow that sped toward me in the Ogre's cottage knowing that the picture matched my own experience also, and I left that house running, carrying with me an overwhelming sense of despair. I also found that as the character Anodos found redemption and finally his release, that I too, have known this longing all my life. George MacDonald, the author was a man who travelled a hard road, constantly seeing those dear to him dying of the prevalent illnesses of the Victorian era. He lost his mother at a young age and the memory of her is felt through most of his work as are many of the influential & formative experiences of his life. He is a man motivated to use his perceptive writing to influnce people to be greater men & women and I thank him for it.

How do I go about writing a review of this book? It's sort of an arrogant undertaking, really. It suggests, somehow, that my opinion of this book is of some consequence, and that in turn puts me in a critical position above MacDonald - vying to be one of Kierkegaard's 'panel of authorities' that every generation sets up to judge the pervious generations, who can no longer speak for themselves.

So instead of climbing on my pedestal and judging where I am not fit to judge, I will try instead to tell you about what it IS - not how it rates in some abstract book rating.

MacDonald was one of the only true prophetic minds of the modern era. He had a closeness to the spiritual world that I do not believe can be now matched. All that is not really my opinion, because it is a blinding truth - as any who read his many books would be forced to admit. When the sun shines, only a fool denies it. Reading MacDonald is like looking at that sun.

I don't think that the recommendations of his many famous admirers (C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, Lewis Carrol among them) really are relevant - MacDonald's work can easily speak for itself. When Bach's raving about Vivaldi resurrected that composer's works, it soon became apparent that they could exist in their own right - outside of the shadow of their monolithic admirer. The same is true for MacDonald.

It's not really a question of whether or not this is a good book, so much as it is whether or not you are in the right place to read it. If you're going to try to read this book, you would be wise to approach it with patience, an open mind, and a respect both for religious experience and spiritual truth. You'd be better served by this book if you are more a lover of Shakespeare and Spenser than Freud and Einstein, and have more concern for the eternal things than those of modern science (this is being said by someone in the cognitive sciences, mind you). If you expect to be able to warp MacDonald's message and vision to your own ends, you will be sorely disappointed, as it will not work (without outright lying) - and will lead to frustration. If you are looking for pat moralisms, as is often found in modern 'religious' rhetoric, which are suitable only to nourish the most impoverished, or if you're the seeking poorly-reasoned mysticism of the modern Lord of the Rings fanboys, you're looking in the wrong book. If you're looking for a light-hearted fairy tale, suitable for children at bedtime - you're in the wrong book (Although MacDonald has several others that would fit this need), as this one involves many complex and frightening passages.

Therein lie some of the reasons for MacDonald's limited popularity - he is not 'accessible' in the current sense. He cannot be remade by every generation into a patsy to mouth modern ideology. Modern sensibilities would label him a 'dinosaur' - a cro-magnon crazy old man with a wild white beard - a re-incarnation of those old testament prophets that modern church-people studiously skip over in their Bible studies. Consider - his own church tried to starve him to death. He talked to God - and the message he brings back is both shockingly beautiful, and so bright as to be uncomfortable. It was the consuming fire of inexhorable love in the book of Hebrews that most embodied God to MacDonald, and that consuming fire has found its way into his books' pages. In his higher works of fantasy (like this book) and his sermons, MacDonald will stomp on your pet political ideologies, he will make you ashamed of your selfish religious dogmas, and he will take from you the ill-begotten authority that pervades the modern religious 'intelligentsia'. Either you will learn to deal with these things, or you'll find another book to read, most likely.

If you are looking for an honest fairy tale, full of truth, depth, and spiritual insight - a myth in the best sense - you'll find few books more to your liking. The entire story is submerged in a world of intense personal introspection, in which the things of the spiritual world are brought forth into the physical one. MacDonald believed that all pieces of the 'physical' world around us are forms that we can give meaning to - 'crystal vases to hold our emotions'. This book is one of his prime exercizes in this powerful form of Truth-telling. (Lillith being the other most notable)

Lewis was right - it will baptize your imagination. I can understand Lewis' reasons for featuring MacDonald so prominently in his works, since there is no other author I have ever read whom I would be so glad to have meet me in the afterlife.