I read "motogrrl"s review, and share the sentiments. Born in 1947, I read "Gordo" with gusto for as long as it was in print. Arriola's aesthetic style is still unparalleled. Do I remember strips entirely without dialogue? I think so! What I really would like to enjoy and review is the ENTIRE collection of all syndicated "Gordo" strips---so what if it amounts to 20 volumes? What does it take to get all of "Gordo" published? A plea? A complaint? This is a plaintive plea! Please!! WE WILL BUY IT!

Like so many others here, I remember Gordo fondly from a very young age. The bright colors on Sunday appealed to me. So did the combinations of adult themes and animal themes. Gus Arriola was the first person in my life to bring home to me that life is life, animal or human.

The cartoonist has a great sense of humor and a unique drawing style. The book is essentially the story of the life of Gus Arriola, which is an interesting one, interspersed with many, many samples of his cartoons, both daily and Sunday. So this book has to be taken as a biography rather than as a compendium of the cartoonist's work.

This story of the life of Gus and Mary Frances Arriola is a nice one, full of laughter and good friends and fulfilling work. It is also very, very good to relive some of the cartoon moments that are also provided. No, this book is not the complete works of Gordo, and I would like to see that happen someday soon. But in its own right, it's a great book.

If you like cartoons and have an interest in cartoonists, you should have fun with this one.

As a kid, I looked forward to every Sunday paper's new and amazing /Gordo/ color strip. Gus Arriola's sense of style, his humor, his clean and accurate technique... those were great strips. I was heartbroken when he decided to retire.

But here we are with a brand new collection of strips, including some of my favorite stories, along with a biography of the cartoonist and a truly fascinating look at the evolution of Gordo, from /campesino/ to tour guide, from stereotype to the cultural envoy who gently and gracefully gave many of us north of the border our first exposure to Mexican customs and traditions. And there's no lack of attention to all the other characters that populated Gordo's world -- Tehuana Mama, the Poet, Juan Pablo Jones, Panchito, the Widow Gonzales, Mary Frances... and the wonderful animals (Poosy Gato was always my favorite).

I would only have been happier if there'd been more color strips -- in fact, more strips, period. I'd adore to see a complete collection through all the years of /Gordo/, though it'd probably take up multiple volumes. Still, until and unless that ever comes along, /Accidental Ambassador Gordo/ is a fine sop to my nostalgia. /Gordo/ truly belongs among the great comic strips of all time; this is a dandy introduction for those unfamiliar with it.

And don't miss the "Beans weeth Cheese" recipe! ;)

This book is useful in that it lists all of Nostradamus's prophecies and that's what I wanted. A cross-index by what Nostradamus actually SAID as opposed to what the interpreter THOUGHT would have been nice (i.e. how many prophecies referred to "the great one" (Jackie Gleason?)). However, I perceive no rhyme or reason as to how it is determined that this prophecy relates to WW II, that one relates to the 18th century, another one relates to the future, at that one over there relates to something in Nostradamus's own time. The words "clearly" and "obvious" are used with far too little justification. Single terms ("great one," "eagle", etc.) are identified as different parties in different prophecies. No pattern of literal or symbolic is evident. No hint as to why one prophecy talks about individuals while another one discusses nations. Quite honestly, the space that was used in printing the original French phrases (which were pretty much useless to me, anyway) could have been put to better discussion of the interpretations. If you're interested in Nostradamus in a casual way, like I am, this is a place to start, I guess, but it's certainly not of much use for any serious study.

Actually, for the text itself, I give it four stars, while I only give the commentary two.

First, Nostradamus-- I'll admit that I'm more or less uninterested in the prophecy side of the verses. I was interested in reading them for their historical value. As such, it's a great read. Through the verses, you get a look at the period's preoccupations-- who is named pope, the future of France, alchemy, and the desire to distinguish prophecy from astrology. Nostradamus has had an enduring impact on writing since he put his prophecies on paper, and you can trace that legacy here from the original verses.

The commentary-- Henry C. Robert's interpretation taught me more about World War II than anything else-- he seemed determined to prove that a disproportionate number of the verses referred to the second World War. Probably unsurprising, given that he first wrote his interpretations in 1947. However, he stretched so hard to fit the words to his ideas, that it unfortunately made me suspect his translation. I also could have done with more of an effort for establishing on what basis he was assigning some of the meanings (explanation of period symbolism, the alchemical references, etc.).

If I get a chance to buy another translation version and compare, I probably will.

I thought I was buying a biographical if not auto- biographical text on Nostradamus. It turns out that this is a compilation of quotations by Nostradamus with interpretation and translation into English.

If you're thinking about using this book to take Goldberg's Antitrust class at Columbia Law School - fuggetaboudit! The class is mostly economics not law, is extremely boring, and involves lots of reading. C.D.A. '99

Goldschmid's class at Columbia law school was fantastic! During the three years I attended law school no one was more helpful and caring than Professor Goldschmid. I suggest the book- but really, this review is for his class.

This book can be very informative if you know what you're looking for in it. I would reccomend it to students who are geology majors if it is not already required.

This is not biography in a traditional sense. In fact if you expect to follow thru Malraux life, you will be disappointed. Highly philosophical, and complex, the author is focusing so much on deconstructing Malraux's work and life, rather than telling us who Malraux is. Not recommended as a biographical work.