Albahari's work is and will be a complex simplicity, a work wich will always make you think about the words: the power of words. Most of his work has not been translated yet. I hope that somebody will start doing it. If not, I will not be surprised, if Albahari will start to write in English - in that way the Ballkan will have the first Joseph Conrad! His stories are awesome, you will have a feeling that you are reading through a microscope, you will reveal thinks that you see but that you never percieved them before, you will start to be possesed by inner ideas how life is such a complex world (especially in Ballkan (sic!)), and with all it's tragic ingredients how terrible can it be when nationalism, hate and historical revenege starts to rise and to controll you ... If the Second WW was over the memories still remain.Albahari writes about it. He writes through his father or mother. But, what shall Albahari do now when the civil war in Yugoslavia destroyed the whole new generations! He still writes about his father and mother: the history will be rewinded again! There will be nothing new! The time in Ballkan doesen't exist, and if it does , then it exist differently. Serbs & Croats, Serbs & Muslims, Muslims& Croats, Serbs & Albanians ...they will slaughter each other and there will be nothing new under the Sun ... except the family saga of one Jewish family.

the mystery of the word, the tricks of the mind, the lunacy of the everyday is the stuff of Europe's master short short story writer. this is the first translation of david albahari's work into English. he has published 10 collections of short stories and novellas to date and is considered one of the prime writers from the former Yugoslavia. He currently lives in Calgary, Canada, where he came from Belgrade to be Markin-Flanagan distinguished writer in residence in 1995. Of Jewish background, albahari is concerned with the depth and shallowness of human identity and the role that chance plays in survival. with a dark sense of humour and a light sense of tragedy he captures the pain of 20th century existence

And let me say that it helped me a lot. My writing got better, and, more importantly, my reading comprehension got better. The "try this" exercises bring out the AWESOMENESS in you... as do the end of the chapter exercises. Not buying this book would be a mistake.

rosenwasser's insight into the difference between criticism and analysis is of partiular interest to me. ''writing analytically'' explores the discipline that is the journalist's, the intellegence gathering professional's and the academic's with a lively, engaging style that resembles more the work of such popular non-fiction writer/academics as stephen jay gould and loren teshenti.

I bought this book ... before my son was born because it was sooo engaging even for me at 29 years.

The flaps and pull-tabs are engineered uniquely. They are all different. This is a bright, captivating book for my son and for me, too. It is simple reading and I really appreciate that the tabs have the "answer" word on them. Some of the tabs do multiple tasks and the whole exsperience is worthwhile to repeat over and over again without boredom.

I gave it to him at 12 months because he saw that goofy cat on the front cover and I wanted to see what he'd do with the book.

Was he ready for a pull-the-tab book? NO! He ripped the tounge clean out the second or third time we played with it. Then he ripped the nose and the eyes and eventually the entire face was gone! And many of the tabs inside no longer work and many of the flaps have been ripped off.

However, my son still grabs this book first at 19 months old when we go to bed or have a little reading time or when we are going for a drive. The four out of 13-or-so flaps that do work are now used properly by my son and the pages that have been ripped and no longer look like anything are still enjoyable to him for some reason. It is STILL his Favorite Book.

Infact I'm here right now buying another one to surprise him for Christmas. While I've been on this page with the book cover visible to him on the screen he has been squealing and clapping and saying "More! Thankyou!" Interpretation: "Give me more"

I highly recommend this for you little one. Just start out with [an inexpensive] pull-the-tab book first so that you won't have to replace this Good one...

Agatha Christie A to Z is a pretty thorough and comprehensive guide to the works and life of the world's greatest and most enduring mystery writer ever. Everything is here from Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple to the most obscure characters. This is a must for Christie fans and for all mystery lovers.

Many books have been written concerning the life and writing of Agatha Christie, but, so far, this book must take the prize for being the most comprehensive, well-informed and accurate guide to the work of this remarkable author. This is not a critical appraisal of Christie's works, but rather the sort of book you need at hand when reading a Christie title. Dawn B. Sova has compiled an outstanding array of knowledge on Agatha Christie's books, with all sorts of information which should further any devoted reader's enjoyment of Mrs Christie's work. An excellent achievement.

Aldous Huxley had planned to write an autobiography. Sadly, he didn't feel up to the task after his papers were destroyed by fire in 1961. Fortunately, David King Dunaway has attempted to fill this gap by creating an oral history of Aldous Huxley. He spent years tracking down and interviewing Aldous Huxley's friends and family. The result is some 900 pages of transcripts now archived at the Huntington Library and this 224-page book.

Overall, I found this book to be delightful reading. The recorded memories are very personal, yet also very informative and full of insights into Huxley's personality, his spiritual journey and his work. Although the interviews focus a little too much on Huxley's personal relationships, they are far less gossipy than one would expect -- the contributors clearly loved and admired this remarkable man. When Huxley's weaknesses and flaws are discussed, it is always with compassion. These recorded memories have a sincere and authentic ring to them that just isn't there in Laura Huxley's memoir, THIS TIMELESS MOMENT (although that book is also interesting and enjoyable). In this book, one learns that Huxley psychologically blocked all memories of his mother who died when he was fourteen, that he lost his eyesight at age sixteen and that, at age 22 he married a unique 17 year-old girl whose love, attention and altruism shaped his life and work for the next 35 years. When recollecting Huxley after the death of his first wife, Maria, and his second marriage to Laura Archera, some of the interviews take on a dramatic change in tone. Several of Huxley's close friends hinted at their distrust and dislike of Laura Huxley. One acquaintance admittedly withdrew from Huxley as a result of the antipathy. Laura Huxley's memories become somewhat defensive. It is interesting to contrast her account here with that contained in her own memoir.

The final chapter is devoted to interviews of some two dozen Huxley scholars throughout the world. Highly recommended reading.

An outstanding book, sophisticated and intellectual but absolutely charming. Definitely a solid approach to inspiring children. Kudos to Carolyn Spencer!

Mencken provides a look at our impossible language with great flair, erudition, and with a liberal dollop of humor. Here is a spendid book that you can read systematically cover-to-cover or pick up and read in bits and pieces. It covers the development of our language both topically and historically.

This volume is absolutely indispensible for both the amateur logophile and the scholar of the English language. I recommend it very highly! It is incredible fun to read!

An exploration of the dark sides. Very disquieting images. Addictive stuff.

These very emotion pact and often humorous poems are translated into very accessible english. I am using this book with my English literacy student who is a native speaker of Urdu. She is pleased with the translations. Note the "original" script used opposite the English translations is in Hindi, not Urdu.