I rank this book up there with the Gormenghast series and the Lord of the Rings. A fantasy masterpiece, it is the precursor for everything that came after. Yes, the archaic medieval language is tough to get into at first, but after ten or twenty pages it becomes natural to the mind and presents no problem. One sees that the language is part of the beauty. Overall, this book is like one of those medieval detailed tapestries, with kings, adventurers, knights and noble women trotting through forests toward distant castles. This is medieval romance at its finest, and because it dates from 1898, it is happily free of the Tolkien imitativeness that has so infected a large portion of modern fantasy. Forget Terry Brooks, read The Well At the World's End.

Don't let the dismal fact that this book is twenty-zillionth on the bestseller list discourageth you.... it is well worth orderething.

I first came to this book through the published endorsement (hence, not personal) of the great C.S. Lewis, who made his first reading of the Well in November of 1914. He read it many times thereafter.

In my ONE reading of the two volumes, I can attest to the fact that this is a beautiful story, a rich fantasy, a vibrant fairy-tale with no fairies. Among other things... a love story. Strictly speaking, as regards genre, it is a "romance". The chivalric, bardic story of Ralph of Upmeads, the least likely of the King's four sons, who devotes his life to the quest of the Well at The World's End... a fabled well which promises to reward its discoverer with perpetual youth.

If you are in love with Tolkien's The Lord of The Rings (and who isn't) you should definitely consider having an affair with The Well At The World's End. Let me defuse the daunting issue of Morris's use of archaic language. Be ye warned, in every sentence you will constantly encounter words such as forsooth, hitherward, quoth, whither, rideth, erstwhile, deem, draweth, betwixt, and I wot not else. At first I thought this would be really intolerable. But I quickly adapted to it, and even found it kind of "not vile".

Remember... Volume 2 is essential. It's NOT a sequel, it's a conclusion. Get both volumes, and escape the world of car horns and remote control for a bit.

I applaud this new re-issue of what is definitely a fantasy classic. Previously, one had to search a hundred used-book stores to find it. Now it's a click away.

And as regards it's place on the bestseller list? I am reminded of the wise words of the great Henrik Ibsen, who once suggested that "the solid majority is always wrong."

You've got to wonder why people fall all over themselves in slavish imitation of Lovecraft and his "mythos" and yet nobody seems to have planned any literary adventures in William Morris' world of Upmeads. I've been interested in fantasy literature and its history for a while, and a week ago I finally sat down and read this book. I was expecting it to be better than Lord of the Rings, and it was. I've always preferred Lewis' Narnia to Tolkien's Middle-Earth, and Morris gives me another alternative (albeit the alternative that actually spawned both Narnia AND Middle Earth). Ralph and Ursula make one of the most affectionate, lovable couples to be found in fantasy literature, the physical descriptions of landscapes and clothing and people are all the more gorgeous for their archaic nature, and you even get as an occasional bonus William Morris inserting his pre-Fabian socialist ideas into people's mouths. If people are going to write imitative fantasy novels, they should start with THIS, and not Tolkien or Lovecraft.

I enjoyed this book so much that I decided to become president of his fan club. The letters I enjoyed the most were those trying to get a pet gorilla on Carnival Cruise Lines and trying to get free soda refills for the entire family at Wendy's. This book provides hours of fun for everyone.

I enjoyed the "Letters from a Nut" series of books. But this book is even better. The author not only writes with his strange requests/questions, but he continues to reply over and over. It's almost unbelieveable how some of his letters are responded to. He puts a lot of thought into his letters, making them outright hilarious. Letter's from a Nut is good, but Wilber Winkle is great!

One of the better books of this genre and suprisingly intelligent and witty. Winkle tackles targets that legitmately annoy him (and us, his readers) and doesn't give up until he gets a satisfactory resolution to his complaints. For some authors in this genre, simply getting an answer to a stupid letter is the punchline. Not so for Winkle, who demands real answers to his complaints. It's his targets' own unwillingness to co-operate that makes them look foolish (and reveals their real attitude toward consumers) and this provides much of the humor for the book.

This is less a "prank" letter book than it is a manual on the art of effective consumer complaining, but this doesn't detract at all from its laugh-out-loud humor. Winkle is an odd and wonderful mixture of consumer crusader and merry prankster.

Like any other self help book this too was interesting and most helpful. Unlike other self help books at times this book is very funny too. Writers suggest to have healthy fears such as having sex with gorillas etc. and that all other different fears are not
more but just illusions.
The bottom line - if you strive for knowledge or if you have negative thoughts swimming safely in the ocean of your mind. Have this book, then read it, then apply things you've learned from it in daily life. RESULTS = almost PERFECT

I have battled depression on and off for much of my life, and I have to say that this is the best self-help book I have ever read. It is absolutely wonderful. It makes you want to memorize every quote and every precious, uplifting word of wisdom. Some people might say that the things in this book are common sense, but if that's the case, when I look around I see that common sense isn't so common! This book really is a must have for anyone who wants to improve their disposition and feel better emotionally.

McWilliams explains and delivers comprehensive and understandable principles of positive-focus. This is absolutely the greatest self-help book for positive thinking that I've read yet. He addresses issues from relationship to life-threatening illness. He doesn't just blab on about the issues, he details and outlines specific strategies for dealing with crisis in a positive, effective manner. I recommend it to everyone, illness or not...this is very empowering.

America is a land of overworked,overstressed people who believethat the more they do,the more successful they will become.But the truth is just the opposite,according to the author of The Art of Effortless Living.Ingrid Bacci shows readers how to stop being compulsive performers and start leading lives of creativity,fulfillment and health.This book, written by someone who overcame crippling illness,attained radiant health,and is sharing her hard-won knowledge with others,is full of simple, do-able and pleasurable techniques for finding an easier,more meaningful and more successful lifestyle. The writing style is among the clearest that I have ever read,and the anecdotes are wonderfully descriptive.

My life had the usual struggles at work and with relationships from family to the clerk at the Motor Vehicle Department. Those struggles began to change as I read Effortless Living. I began to look at my relationship to the issues that I struggled with. I found that what I was doing that wasn't working was being generated by who I was being. If I was being fearful then I my words or behavior were skewed by the fear that was partnering my experience. Ingrid's book isn't a "how to change" book - rather it's an invitation to become present to what is happening. The awareness that has grown in me during my reading of Effortless Living has transformed my ability to wake up to my repetitive behaviors, see who I'm being and allow transformation to enter my life. The most positive outcome has been letting go of a successful career in New York and moving to Maui to begin a new life that is in line with who I (and my family have grown to be). Like all great teachers, Dr. Bacci doesn't tell us how to be - she leads us to the threshold of our own mind.

There are only a handful of books in my whole life that have made a significant difference-- causing a major shift - a growth spurt. A kind of book that as I read it and even after Im finished I must keep it with me at all times. THE ART OF EFFORTLESS LIVING is that kind of book.

It addressses Fear and identifies how we allow it to paralyze us in so many aspects of our life - work, relationships, health, etc. Dr. Bacci explains the significance of making friends with our Fear rather than having it be our enemy. Thus using Fear to our benefit - to live our lives effortlessly and to its fullest.

Dr. Bacci provides various exericises and techniques that actually result in the releasing of one's fears, thus living a life filled with energy and passion -- not anxiety.

Dr. Bacci's personal experience is incredibly inspiring in itself. As I reader - I feel fortunate she choose to share it. This book has made a major contribution to my life and to those who I have shared it with.

In an attempt to read, my 5 year old would come to me a hundred times a day with some book or the other and ask,'what does this say, mommy?' As it is, I was already looking around for a good reading material her age and thankfully came across Bob Books Kids. Believe me, if you are trying to teach your child to be an independent reader, then this is just the thing for you. Bob books comes in a small box with such fun to do things like activity books and finger puppets besides palm size reading books. With just a few, small one-line sentences in each story, my daughter could finish one book in no time and was jumping up and down. To finish one book is a big achievement for any child her age and the fact that she was motivated to read more, made me like Bob books even more.Your child can even color the pictures given in these books. I would mention however that your child should have some knowledge of phonics,before he/she attempts these books.You don't want to frustrate the child. I would therefore suggest workbooks by American Education publishing on Phonics and reading. To further hold their attention, try mispronouncing easy words given in the books like Barb, Mop etc. and let them correct you. I would instantly get my daughter's attention back. Finally if you can ignore some uncommon words used in these books, you would be fine. Happy Teaching reading!

These are simply the finest first reading books on the market today! Each page has a sentence such as, 'Peg had a big cap,' along with a simple illustration. At the end of each book is a list of unique words contained in the book (usually about 20-40) listed by the vowel sound. The set of 12 books also comes with a teacher/parent guide that give the story behind the Bob Books, hints for teaching your child to read, and questions you can ask the child about each book to help with comprehension and enjoyment.

This set of books really hooked my daughter on reading. We gave these to her when she started Kindergarten and she would read them on the way to school. The nice thing about having 12, is that when she mastered one of them, her 'reward' was to get the next! These books provided her first good experience with reading.

The Bob books are the most appealing early reading books for kids currently on the market today. As a first grade teacher, and mother of a grown child, I have used these books for 15 years. They are perfect for young readers. The children love them. Their small size, gentle story lines, simple line drawings are all drawing cards for young readers. Children are small, and they love little things. They are not little adults; they need stories that are amusing, gentle, and age appropriate. Great literature is for later! At the early stages, the reading should be accessible to developing skills. That is why I always have the Bob books available for my kids. I want them to love reading. And Bob does just that!

Hepatitis c is the main reason for a liver transplant...thats what i was told when i was diagnosed in july 2000, i was sent home with a box of needles, tylenol and another appointment for a liver biopsy. I sat in my car unable to digest the horrible news about my liver, i cried for 30 minutes i have never been so afraid, ever! I decided not to do anything until i knew all of the treatments available, after diligent searching, i found a book that i know saved my life, "Triumph over Hepatitis C", Lloyd Wright lit the path for the rest of us, his simple approach to getting well was very enlightening to me, i feel as though everyone has a purpose in life, Lloyd Wright knows excatly what we "heppers" are going threw, and what we need to survive, it was so obvious to me the minute i started reading the book, they way Lloyd Wright conveyed the message to the readers, we knew it was for real, he is the most informed human being on the planet when it comes to hepatitis c, i know because my hepatitis c is almost in remission! I am so thankful for this book, Lloyd, and especially God, for leading me to this book, it has changed my life! it gave me hope, my one wish is to someday meet Mr. Wright just to give him a hug for saving my life, i have purchased several of the books and passed them on to others, it is such a light hearted book to read once i started reading i could not put it down, and still have not, i constantly refer back to it, it picks me up! continuely... The author of this book takes the reader on a path threw his life dealing with this horrific virus, what he did for the virus, blood tests, personal dilemas and then, he so openly shares what would take years for most of us to find out concerning the cleaning and rejuvinating of the liver, i am pleased to say that i will not be needing a liver transplant, it is a gift for anyone that is fortunate enough to have this book placed in the palm of their hands, i mean that with all my heart, and that is what Lloyd Wright did when he wrote this book, he had to it was his mission in life, to follow his heart! I wish i could give this book 10 stars....thank you Mr. Wright~ sincerely, Katie Glenn

I reviewed Mr. Wright's book, Triumph Over Hepatitis C prior to publication and conferred with him on the published edition. I have read the entire volume. Mr. Wright was a patient of mine begining in 1996 and I worked with him in developing the remedy in Triumph Over Hepatitis C. I reviewed many of his blood tests prior to treating him as well as reviewing blood tests as he used the herbs and supplements prescribed and a continues dscline of his liver enzymes took place as he continued on the program. Futher he had sustained sever liver damage to near cirrhosis and had complications from cancer and lengthy chemotherapy and radiation therapy. He had been a patient at UCLA and diagnosed with hepatitis c in Dec.1994. In accordance with his biopsy results his liver enzymes readings were AST (SGOT) panel at 210 (1-41normal) and ALT (SGPT) panel at 245 (0-45normal). He was bedridden, and he could not tolerate interferon treatment. He was in the last stages of the disease, and there was no hope for him. Then with a good nutritional program along with a concentrated effort to take everything in the remedy he describes in his book, he started to feel better right away, and a year later he was healthy and virus free---they couldn't find any virus in him. He has been hepatitis c free for nearly 3 years and has liver enzyme readings of AST(SGOT) panel at 23 and ALT (SGPT) panel at 12. Mr Wright's account of the events he encountered from contraction of hepatitis c to his complete recovery and the remedy that saved his life is a must read for anyone with hepatitis c, cancer, HIV and AIDS. This is a true patient to patient testimonial which can save hepatitis c patients a lot of disappointment, trouble and money. It also is a good story that gives real hope for the patient with dire diagnosis. It would not surprise me if this book is made into a movie in record time. DR. John Finnegan,N.D.

I was recently diagnosed with Hepatitis C and had been feeling afraid & overwhelmed. My wife found Lloyd Wright's book which I read cover to cover without setting it down. I immediately felt so much better! The book is a little rough, but very funny, engaging, and full of specific, understandable, useful information. All of the alternative treatments are clearly explained and are well supported by historical reference and descriptions of how they work in the human body. His explanations of what to stay away from and why are equally detailed and enlightening. Try to get the run of the mill doctor in this country to explain ANYTHING as clearly as Mr. Wright has. I feel hopeful and almost "normal" again. Thank You

John Berger's to The Wedding traces a poetic and delicate path, elliptically circling round an initially undefinable story; the reader has to stick with it to find the many ways of seeing its intricate web. The writing seems quite detached and even sometimes cold, but certain brief and passing phrases cut so close to the bone that they have brought me and many friends of mine close to tears. (The book is somewhat reminiscent of the The English Patient in its detachment, although the lyrical style of To The Wedding is quite different, much more compact and spare) The other thing that's interesting about the book is that at first it seems like a scene set in a time past, but as you get a clue of the real "story", it's ultimately quite surprising in its modernity and specificity in addressing issues of our time (i don't want to give anything away plotwise!). The juxtaposition of this specificity of purpose and the timelessness of the symbolism and the fact that it deals with universally recognisable human emotions of nostalgia, sorrow and loss are what give the book its strength. No doubt the fact that it is based on actual events and characters in the author's family lends it its special poignancy

I love this book and recommend it to all of my friends, no matter what their tastes are. "To the Wedding" is intimate and yet epic in spirit. what Mr. Berger does with voice is daring and remarkably effective: a blind man tells us what he sees, and characters are revealed in both in first and third-person. Like Ondaatje's Hana, Ninon and will remain with you for a long, long time.

This is one of those jewels that, by itself, make learning to read the most important thing we learned, and having a heart the most profound gift we were ever given. The story is a story of love. Of how love survives on love alone, and we are its humble witnesses. Berger weaves the longings and fears of people, like you and I, wrestling with living, meeting and knowing, carving some faith out of this world. I purposely abstain from telling the story in concrete terms. I leave it to you to discover it and paint their lives with your own colors. This is about a story of faith, faith on love and its simplicity and depth. Faith on another whose faith is offered to us. Berger's narration is a lesson to every writer who ever long to disappear behind his or her words. A gift to every reader hungering for the beauty and warmth of true language. In times, like ours, when self-reflection is invaded by the jargon of self-help, and everyone seems to sound like everyone else--pain a! nd experience stripped from their detail--John Berger gives us people with souls and doubts and joys of their own. If this book doesn't make you better, it sure will make you kinder.

In Aegypt, John Crowley creates not one, but two solid, fleshly worlds: a late seventies small town, complex enough to hold both the foolishness of failed coke dealer, scholar and desperate monogamist Pierce Moffett, and the ordinary heroic strength of newly single mother and artist Rosie Rasmussen; and the world of John Dee, court magician to Queen Elizabeth. Crowley's virtousic realism renders Dee's conversations with the angels and alchemical searching as sturdy and believable as Rose and Pierce's grocery shopping, angst, and romantic turnarounds. Both worlds can be balanced in the same book because both worlds are there to tell the same story. What is that story? What did the angels tell to John Dee? Who can catch a falling star? For all its realism, this is a book about occult knowledge. This book is an initiation. John Crowley is attempting a direct transmission of gnosis through literature. Does he succeed?

I read Aegypt with great anticipation after having been delighted by Crowley's book "Little,Big".I found Pierce Moffatt's explorations into history and collisions with the present almost as absorbing. "Love and Sleep", the second in the series(?) didn't satisfy as completely although I'd be willing to give it another chance. Has John Crowley dropped out of sight? It would be a shame because his writing has this radiant quality to it.Also, it seems such a long time that I left Rosie Rasmussen and her little girl. Please, how does it end???

Initially, Aegypt is an all-out barrage of images and information, in the midst of which it is difficult to assimilate the major themes that are developing. However, as you continue your journey along with Pierce Moffett, this mass of somewhat obscure imagery and information slowly begins to unravel. The miracle of Crowley's prose is that he guides the reader through a series of small revelations along with the main character that culminate in one entire running synchronistic metaphor. His brilliant excerpts from other sources, ie. his own fictional writer Fellowes Kraft, serve as slivers of allegory relating to Pierce and some of the other characters in the book's main story. Crowley patiently weaves a web of coincidences, of synchronicity, that serves as a sturdy metaphoric foundation to support all of the synapse-igniting ideas presented to the reader to be delineated and digested. This novel is so cleverly plotted, that I cannot help but wonder if it is somehow based on the ancient geometric principles that are discussed and reffered to throughout the book. This is not even to speak of the potential Jungian archetypes presented by the characters surrounding Pierce. Rosie as anima, Spofford animus, Pierce the ego, Fellowes Kraft the Shadow? Even these archetypes do not do the interconnectedness of the characters justice. In the Prologue in Heaven, when the skryer is looking into the stone, he sees an angel who holds another stone, in which there is a child with yet another stone, and within that stone the immense void, the eternal truth. Just as this ancient knowledge of Aegypt that Pierce is uncovering comes through himself, Kraft, Bruno, and so on. One more running metaphor to drive it all home is the reoccuring imagery of bouncing balls with stripes and stars, croquet balls colliding, and finally the dozens of hot air balloons filling the sky, again synchronicity. Crowley sets his sights high, and does not disappoint.

P.S. Pierce (Inverarity) Moffett, Rosie MUCHO. See The Crying of Lot 49. The horn from 49 and the ring symbol in Aegypt. Many similarities.

Love action thriller, folks? Then please read this one, and you won't regret! There is only one thing that I'd like to remind Mr. Clarkson: Don't let Devlin to mix up in a mass battleground with automatic weaponry, because it sucks! If Mr. Clarkson's 2nd and 3rd books could be like this first and the best one, allowing Devlin to use his wits and martial art technique to do the jobs, instead of using sub-machine gun or grenades, it would be more fun. Once the hero could only solve the problem by automatic weapon and made the shoot-to-kill wipeout become the only choice, it would kill the whole thing

Three books I've read by John Clarkson are the best action thrillers you can find in English. I read about one action/thriller/suspense book a week but haven't read anything better than this. Fast-paced, realistic, great characters, good story - they have it all.

All three of his books are the best action novels out there. Period. My heart never beat like it did reading any other novel. I don't know how clarkson does it, I guess some writers excel in certain areas and Mr. Clarkson has a gift for writing action. In this review, what I say about this book applies to all of his books. So I won't single out any one, they're all,,,, great ! His books are pure heat. I know it's a cliche to say ' I couldn't put it down ' but there's no other way to describe how you feel when you read them. I'd tell myself, ok, just one more chapter and then I'll go to bed. Well, 3 or 4 chapters later, I have to force myself to stop. It's such a rush ! Ok, onto serious analysis. The plot is strong, the tension builds with a major climax at the end, the characters are deep and real, especially Jack Devlin, you care about the charecters, the pace is as good as it can get - Damn Fast !, man, all three of his books are superbly written. Read all three, you'll be hooked ! when's the next one ? I neeeeeeed it.... michael

Before I read this book, I knew nothing about Byzantium. So I was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information, and realized after I started that I had made a mistake; I didn't realize when I bought this book that it was the third volume of a three-volume set. Doubtless, it would have been less overwhelming to start at the beginning, especially for someone like me, with no previous knowledge of the subject. Still, I learned a great deal from this book; not only was it informative, but it wasn't nearly as dry and impenatrable as I'd been afraid it might be. In fact, the style is downright readable; Norwich actually has a rather pleasant, if dry, sense of humor.

I definitely plan on getting the first two volumes of this series, and continuing my education on the history of Byzantium.

This, the final volume of a 3 book series, brings to end a rivetting and excellent histoty of the Byzantium Empire. I cannot add anything to the other reviews and comments on this series other than to say if your enjoy reading about history you should love these accounts of this Empire and its times. I found my first volume in a 2nd hand shop without knowing anything about its author or the subject matter. It was a great read and I could not wait to buy the following two volumes. I only wish I had read these books before I visited Istanbul in 1990. I loved them, they are excellent histories, the author does a great job in bringing the characters and times to live. Read the series and lose yourself in the history. Great books!

The final volume of Norwich's Byzantine history is a literary trimph, despite the disintegrating nature of the civilization being written about. In this volume Norwich begins in the aftermath of the battle of Manzikert in 1071 and finishes with the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453. Norwich uses his elegant prose style to present this tragic story in a highly moving way.

All three volumes read like a eulogy at the funeral of beloved relative. In this period of dehumanizing social sciences Norwich brings the people of the past alive, and treats them with respect and dignity even when their behavior does not necessarily inspire kind treatment. The role and majesty of Byzantium has been overlooked in the West for centuries; in doing his best to rectify that Norwich has created one of the masterpieces of historical writing.