If you're among the elder set, this giant [9½" x 13" 256-page book [counting the index] is sure to evoke expressions like "I remember that" or "I had that comic" - whether you're from the U.K., Europe, or North America.

First appearing in 1984, the book takes a nostalgic look at comics from the early and latter day British strips and comic books, right through to Continental European publications, and North American issues, including those in circulation at the time of publication. The text is grouped under headings like Sunday Funnies, Christmas In Funnyland, Superheroes At War, Canada: Superheroes and The Gold Rush; The Superheroes Take Over; The Marvel Age Of Comics; Sport In The Comics; TV Comics; Science Fiction Comics, etc. etc.

It's a massive compilation chock-a-block full of full colour reproductions of titles like Crackajack Funnies [# 1 - 1938], Jingle Jangle Comics [# 1 - 1942], Pawnee Bill [# 1 - 1951]; Bat Man [# 1 - 1940], The Black Terror [First Issue - 1942], Blue Bolt [# 1 - 1940], The Doll Man [# 1 - 1941], Black Cat Comics [# 1 - 1946], The Crimson Comet [# 4 - 1948], Speed Savage Comics [Canadian - # 1 - 1946], De Wrekers [Dutch - 1967], Young Allies [Summer 1941], The Silver Surfer [# 1 - 1968], Tales From The Crypt [# 1 - 1950].Sweet Sixteen [# 7 - 1947].

Indeed, the only major comic heroes overlooked were The Phantom and Mandrake The Magician. I wrote to author Gifford in the late 1980s asking about the omissions, and in his reply indicated the fault lay with the publishers who were looking to trim the size of the volume. Mr. Gifford admitted to being "embarrassed" when he met Lee Falk [creator of both] at a show in Italy and got him to autograph a copy.

Even so, this a delight both for old-timers who wish to invoke fond memories and for the younger set who may be interested in the history of the comic book world.

This book is great if you're more into B-movies or more obscure horror/sci-fi. I got this book mainly because I wanted more pictures of the horror greats to add to my collection (Lionel Atwill, Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone, Lon Chaney, etc.). I was disappointed in this respect. However, there is a picture of Lon Chaney trying on a set of teeth in this book that made my purchase worth it. However, if you're not obsessed with Chaney, you might want to avoid.

When I read this book for the first time, I was amazed. it is the most detailed book on classic horror I have ever read.

Denis Gifford's study of Charlie Chaplin as a Movie Maker takes as its starting point Chaplin's words in 1972 when he was awarded an Honorary Oscar: "Words seems so futile, so feeble." Gifford sees this as a summation of Chaplin's creed as a maker of some of the classic silent films of all-time. Gifford provides Chaplin's biographical background as author, actor, musician and producer, while taking a look at Chaplin's films. There is also a catalogue of Chaplin's work not only in movies but also in the recording studio as well as a listing of all his films, books, music and records. "Chaplin" contains over 100 illustrations, several in color, and includes old advertisements, vintage posters and comic strip drawings of the Little Tramp from the author's personal collection. Gifford is obvious a fan, but still manages to bring a critical eye to his subject.

A CD-Rom jammed with articles from EXECUTIVE EXCELLENCE. I actually got my copy as a bonus for subscribing a couple of years ago. Many of the articles are interesting, but they are all quite short, almost MTV-ish. This seems to be the preferred style for this publication. If you are a fan of Warren Bennis, or one of the writers who regularly contribute to that publication, this is a good way to pick up some new material from your favored writer. The articles are on a variety of topics, which means that there will probably be something for everyone with an interest in this subject, but by the same token, there will be a lot that won't interest you. The CD includes a search engine that is workable. I benefitted from the magazine and the CD, but they didn't set my world on fire.