I see that the other reviewers have pretty much said all there needs to be said about this book and I doubt I will say anything new here. All I want to emphasize it that this is truly THE book to get for a quick, easy, complete understanding of Alfred Hitchcock's movies. I have read other,longer, deeper books on his films which were very good, yet this one is nice when you are new to Hitchcock or just do not have the time to devote to much reading. These authors have a good sense of humor as well, and it always is fun to read a book where you can get a few laughs. They have some good trivia in the book, spotlights on certain Hitchcock actors,a few pages of pictures showing some poster art and movie stills, and they tell you where to find Hitch in the movies where he had cameo appearances. Hitchcock's movies are among my favorites, and this book is among my favorites about them. Get it and read it, you won't be disappointed.

After having read this book from stem to stern I would recommend it to new Hitchcock fans and more experienced fans alike. For the new fan it offers a clear synopsis of each film as well as offering many interesting points to look for. For the more experienced it makes for a convenient "turn to" source so as to better avoid the mountains of heavy, sometimes overly self satisfied observations that many resources tend to become, thereby saving wading through chapter upon chapter in order to reach simple facts.

I must respect the authors for their understanding that an enjoyment of film does not require a degree. I always commend a person for having the ability to transfer complicated observations in the simplest of English without the use of parables and without patronizing tones. Paul Condon and Jim Sangster have managed just that and not without the occasional bit of side splitting humour. Even if you are not watching the films in question it is more than a worthy read. That said, it may help to be familiar with some English terms such as "send up" as the average American does not know what it means to send something up so may be left wondering.

However, with the authors sardonic senses of humour being clear I would have liked to have seen further elaboration of the "goofs" section. There are so many Hitchcock bloopers worthy of a mention. I am certain it was a deliberate omission (perhaps for the next book) but nonetheless I was left wishing that they had made note of the obvious ones if only to give the new viewer that added bit of fun and sport.

Despite taking umbrage at the use of the phrase "just a smathering of dull brunettes" ahum, I would gladly purchase any other offerings from either or both authors and very much look forward to a second volume of "Complete Hitchcock," contradiction that it may be. Hopefully with an eye to the slip ups and perhaps more production details (locations, circumstances, first hand anecdotes, etc.) If that isn't a hint to get writing I don't know what is : )

In short I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would not only recommend it but have already bought several other copies for friends and family. Enjoy.

As a novice Hitchcock fan, I find this book extremely informative. It gives a good summary of all of Hitchcock's movies as well as a good analysis of the films. It also includes where Hitchcock can be spotted in the movies and little tidbits on the actors and actresses who were casted in his movies as well as behind the scenes information. I would recommend this book for those who are starting to discover Hitchcock.

Here is a concise and readable presentation for the nature and value of liturgy and drama in worship. No peeling the layers of the artichoke for James Hitchcock! The medium is the message and the poverty of modern "make it up as you go" services is considered in a restrained but clearly critical mannner. A subject that is so very seldom addressed here in the West.

Jim Barfoot's first book of poems is finally with us, and its imagery and fantastically profound closures make up for anything slightly over-the-top in it--the author in fact uses humor to good effect here, playing with language and metaphysical tropes. I can see it re-released from a major press one day to the acclaim it certainly deserves; one hopes that Barfoot continues to write poetry and publish it!

The Nudes Of God is a collection of powerful, evocative free-verse poetry by James Barfoot, and much of which deals with mature themes and subject matter. Each of the one-page poems deftly conjures up an impressive and memorable visual, rhythmic, and sensory image in this one-of-a-kind volume. Barbie: Supporting the nobody dies today/The afternoon should be as crystal clear/And simple as this morning's atmosphere/Supposing there's no infidelity/The trees should spread their friendly limbs like fans/Open indiscriminately to breeze/Supposing there's no crushing of the heart/The curbs along the road should turn us home/Away from Moses' desert wanderings/Supposing that she walks out of her clothes/And like a perfect plastic model goes/Each shadow balanced by an angled light/To show us she's not plastic after all/Supposing that she's not and doesn't die.

Very Virgoian poems about women. An interesting blend of spritual and physical emotions. All human feelings are holy, including sexual ones. All is holy. We are holy, so nothing we feel or think (including lecherous thoughts) is necessarily evil.

He brings in recognizable Biblical places and people into this work..and it seems to work a bit. Of course, it may seem blasphemous to some fundamental religionists.

That's my take. A book worth reading. Take the time and experience it!

From THE EASE OF LECHERY

"The naked woman smiles an easy smile
While doing simple, ordinary things--
So simple that they've hardly earned a name--
So ordinary they don't come to mind--
So plain as day they do not interrupt
The ways she walks or waits or lifts a cup.

And so she smiles as if she didn't smile
And isnt any other than she is.

I'm well aware that it would be a sin
To intrude into where I've never been--
But Lord I wonder if she'd let me in:

I'd like to be her ordinary man
And do such simple tasks as come to hand

And smile a smile of easy lechery."

I like that "I'd like to be her ordinary man"..nice

This is a very good introduction to the most famous French baroque composers: Lully, Charpentier, Lalande, Couperin and Rameau. The book gives an account of each of the composers' lives, lists all their works and comments on their style and major achievements. It is easy to read and one quickly gets a basic overview. However, if you are interested in a deeper exploration of the composers' opus, you may find yourself wanting more details. In that case you may want to read "Marc-Antoine Charpentier" by Catherine Cessac for more information on Charpentier or "Jean Baptiste de Lully and his Tragedies Lyriques" by Joyce Newman. Both books are very informative and detailed.

I naively thought, based on the title, that this book would tell me what a Secular Humanist thinks Secular Humanism is. Wrong. The author offers a condemnation of Secular Humanism,based on his definitions which do not conform to those of Secular Humanists. He also blames Secular Humanism for many of what are, to him, ills of society at the present time, such as: environmentalists,atheists,feminists,propagandists,communists,psychologists,evolutionists,and liberals.