A mere patchwork of aphorisms, Stewart Home's "Assault on Culture" fails because of its inflated gesture. The book debunks itself as a product of the very "lumpen intelligentsia" it ridicules since the dialectics of the notions sought to be criticized backlashes against their very critique: Although "The Assault on Culture" suggests being about "culture," the notion itself is not critically examined, but reinforced in the feuilletonistic sense of "the art world." This is manifest in such linguistic twists as the "cultural worker"Ñtautological if "culture" had been more thoroughly reflected, backlashing into re-affirmation of its replace-term nevertheless. While "The Assault on Culture" may be in itself as much an aporia as Neo-ism is an oxymoron, "The Assault on the Art World" would have described the project better, and left its terminological calamities more obviously unresolved

Very funny, entertaining and a valuable, inspirational book. The Berliner above takes it perhaps a bit too seriously, and maybe hopes for the chimera of a dispassionate analysis? Of course it is a product of the "lumpen-intellectuals", and so it is written by someone who relishes the spirit of the crazy movements documented. Of course it is a contradictory, confused piece. That's what makes it so interesting and hilarious.

Stewart Home's overview of amusing 20th century art hipsters ranges from dada to punk. It is unpretentious and unflattering and yet extremely entertaining to think of the myriad ways art punks have had a good time in the name of History in this quirky century's worth of reflections on millenarian one-man outbursts and odd collective hallucinations. I think his account is much less tedious than most such accounts and a good present for a young person with green hair at Christmas who likes to read a bit. -- Kirby Olso

Sort of an odd stew satirizing porn novels and English political extremists featuring an antihero skinhead as the catalyst for many things. Loads of over-the-top sex, violence and ideological debate make for a somewhat tiresome book. Not likely to appeal to many people.

For those of you who grew up in the late 70's and who can relate, associate and/or identify with the skinhead and punk rock scene in Northern Europe at the time, this book is a must. It's sick, allright, but also very, very funny. Had me rolling on the floor. Rock'n'roll. A riot.

I borrowed this book from the library, learned many useful things from it, but also found it maddeningly sketchy and incomplete. Thinking that a new edition would improve things, I ordered this one, but there is very little difference between versions.

A short, introductory text for beginners can get away with describing "how-to" while going light on "why-to," but only if the instructions are error-free and complete. The authors would have been better to leave out the extensive sections on history and commercial methods and concentrate purely on simple systems suitable for the home. They could also have explained a little more why things are done the way they are.

For example: many pages are devoted to the description of methods for circulating nutrient solution, either by hand or automatically. Why nutrients are circulated is barely mentioned. The reader is left wondering why a constant flow of the same nutrient solution is better than just leaving the solution where it is. (Answer: for the same reason that blood circulates.)

So, a maddening book, but still a useful one. I used it to design some cedar window-boxes, fed by inverted 2-litre soda bottles that look like enormous IVs.

After modifying my design to account for the authors' nearly-fatal omission that their choice of growing medium, perlite, is actually lighter than water (!), the tomatoes and herbs exploding out of my boxes now block the sun, and the neighbours are jealous of my IV-covered walls.

The book is very good at giving the basics of getting started into the world of soilless plant growth. The book is very easy to read and also gives formulas for producing your own nutrient solutions. I think this is an excellent starter book and it will have you looking for more information.

Home tries to do a little too much here in attempting to satirize the contemporary London art scene within a what appears to be a parody of pulp fiction. The plot intertwines the trendies of the London art world with a gang of sympathetic, yet thuggish skinheads (the non-racist kind) let by Johnny Aggro. There's lots of silly art doubletalk, some asskicking of foolish people by the skins, and lots of sex. Not erotic or even pulp sex, but rather a parody of pulp sex. Everyone seems to want it--from frustrated social workers, to young schoolgirls, to the fat skinhead--and Home uses the same words to describe each act, sometimes duplicating the entire passage. In any event, Home's touch is far too heavy to pull this whole enterprise off.

Hilarious mix of art world satire and plagiarism of antique English porn and street punk fiction. Home realises that the leading characteristic of pulp fiction is repetition, and he just perfects the method, with highly amusing results. The book is populated with fictional versions of some of Home's own 'real-world' avant garde provocations, although with Home one is never sure what is original and what is a copy; what is 'real' and what is fiction.

This book really captured the essence of comfort food for me. The recipes are simple and satisfying; my particular favorites are the macaroni and cheese and the chicken pot pie, delicious versions of American classics. Beautiful photography doesn't hurt, either.

Martha only gets four stars for this one, since I agree with an earlier review that points out that this is less of a book and more of a magazine. A little too delicate for the amount of use I give it.

i just received this book and love the format. i don't feel that the presentation is magazine quality and certainly love that some of the recipes i use are finally in one place! i've tried some of martha's other sandwich recipes and loved those, so i can't wait to try the new ones listed in this book. this book would make a great gift for a new cook or a very busy one!

Wow, what a great book! *Most recipe books give lots of "fluff" but no really basic info on "how to" for beginners or for experienced cooks who have just never tried recipes for certain foods. *This book is a very good basic recipe book that has many down to earth, old fashioned, basic recipes that new cooks need, as well as recipes for us older experienced cooks who never tried certain recipes that appeared too complicated before. *Each recipe has basic ingredient lists and explicit instructions. *The best part is that if the recipe calls for an ingredient, such as chicken stock, or focacia bread for a sandwich recipe, right there under the basic recipe is another recipe for that ingredient from scratch if you choose to do that from scratch too. I've never found another cookbook that does this so well. *Also, there are lots of great photos that show each step in the recipe for those procedures that are alien to some of us. *I can't wait to try some of the recipes for items I normally only order at a restaurant, such as French Onion Soup and New England Clam Chowder. *I'm also ordering another copy for my 20 year old son who just moved into his own apartment this summer, as I know he hasn't got a clue how to make Macaroni and Cheese, Waffles, and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches yet - and they're all in this book. *Happy cooking!

It's time to retire this old book which is amazingly rigid in its decorating ideas and its school-marmish, rules-oriented approach to design. Decorating today is so personal, yet Martha (or this old book, anyway) seems to think that there is only one way to do things. It reminds me of a 1950s book filled with rules for the little housewife to follow, but it certainly doesn't fit the world of today's educated, style-conscious, and confident consumer. Bleah!

I couldn't wait to get my copy of this book, but was very disappointed to find how few ideas in here applied to me. We live in an apartment in NYC, and I was looking forward to ideas on how to make the most of a small space, how to brighten up a dark, windowless foyer, etc. None of these concerns are mentioned here. Instead Martha's "how tos" focus on spacious houses, with tons of natural lighting. Doesn't anything look good when you've got a huge light-filled house to work with?

Another disappointing thing about the book is its lack of practicality. The author often refers us to "Martha's collection of antique Wedgewood crystal vases", or "Martha's Louis XVI chairs" or something of the sort. Most people I know don't own priceless antiques. It's obvious that if we did it would be that much easier to make any room look spectacular.

Bottom line: many of the how-tos in here are no-brainers if you've got unlimited space, fantastic natural lighting, and a deep pocketbook. For the rest of us, keep searching for truly useful decorating pointers.

This was Martha's first work, and explores places and settings. The rustic bench in the middle of the trees is a great idea, ditto the outside shower, but only if you live where there will be no peeping Toms. While you may not be able to duplicate her ideas exactly, these should give you inspiration to work with what you have at home, wherever that may be.

Even if you aren't a true fan of Martha, you will enjoy her book filled with decorating and crafting ideas that you can either incorporate into your own traditions or expound upon to revise them to your personal taste.

It's a great book for your crafting collection!

I have found that Martha Stewart books are to be viewed rather than used as a basis for trying to make anything because her instructions and recipes are often convoluted and/or incorrect. I just do not understand why, with her vast resources, Martha does not hire better and more thorough editors and testers.

So now I just look at her books for the visual pleasure they bring me! That way I avoid any frustration associated with implementation. And this one gave me lots of beautiful things to look at: the fruit wreath, the silvery pine cones, the beautifully done petits fours, the handmade ornaments, the gorgeous cookies.

Even if the directions were perfectly clear, I know I still would not make many of these things...but a gal can dream, can't she?

Although, like the rest of the "Christmas with Martha Stewart" books, they are republished features from the magazine, this one is pretty good. You do not have to use red and green every year; Silver, white, and even pastel colors can be used festively. I love the neat snowman article; unfortunately, here in Houston, we don't get much snow! Cookies. . .oh, I licked my lips over the snowflake wafers, but I've never made them.

This was my first and last Martha book. I admit that I'm not that familiar with her work, but I thought I'd get more decorating information than I did. Iwanted her to teach me more about how to use the projects instead of just giving me projects out of context.

This book is a compilation of projects from the magazine and TV show. The pictures are very nice and the projects could produce some beautiful results. But if you are looking for quick decorating ideas, then this book isn't for you. There are some simple projects here, but many of them are complicated.

One pro is the lengthy source information (including prices) which is organized by page number. However many of the "companies" are listed more than once and only the first listing gives the address and phone. Subsequent listings have the words "see above" written after the company name. How inconvenient to thumb through six pages of small print for a phone number! Adding an alphabetical listing of all sources seems like a no-brainer.

One more thing while you are thumbing through the source guide - notice that the sofa on page 18 can be had for a mere $8,870. If you want to spend that much money for something to sit on, why not pay somebody to make your lampshades for you?

I'm in the process of simplifying and optimizing my home's living quarters. I have to admit that I get depressed after looking at other decorating books - for instance, where rooms have dreamy coordinating wallpaper, border, paint & fabrics. This is a decorating book that doesn't stress me out wishing I had a particular piece of furniture or a million dollars. It's the projects themselves that remind you don't need to have to go and buy expensive things around the world. With a little creativity and some elbow grease, you can pick up items from the local home or fabric warehouse and keep it simple. I'd like to make the folding screen (p. 98) from lightweight boards, hinges and casters. I may cover them with fabric instead of paint. But I'll probably start with the linen pillowcases (p. 130) simply because I've got the materials for it. Notice that all the rooms are quite simple. The living room has a couch, a couple of chairs, some nesting tables. period. The projects are "light bulbs" that go on and make us remark: "why didn't I think of that?" OR: "that's what I am aiming for."

Well, Stevie does it again: takes all 'controversial' subjects he can think about in his small and pitiful mind and crams them togetrher in a rather random and artificial fashion. Jesus, Steve. How about a plot WITH these regressed post-punk episodes? That might actually be worth more than the paper it was sadly printed on...

Home is God, but this is confusing, infuriating and mystifying. Where were you going here?

stewart home, tediously repetetive and always true to the cause. destroy mass consumer culture!

I found this book to be of little use or value.

OK, so there'll be some strong emotions about returning home, it'll be harder than you think (honeymoon - disillusionment - acceptance), most family & friends won't care about what you've experienced, you've changed more than you think), etc.. The authors have simply labeled the process and have given little, if any, insight on the process or how one might manage it better.

You can pay a lot less money for a moving checklist elsewhere...

I believe that this book contains very helpful insights and advice on coming home. Several years ago I came home from an overseas assignment with little or no help--it was a nightmare. I wish I'd known then what I know now. This time, I'm planning my overseas return in a few months. Using suggestions in the book along with my own personal experience I expect a much better transition. P.S. I've given a copy to my Human Resources VP in the home office to help her have some insights regarding employees who make this transition.

As part of our year-long repatriation process, we (a global consulting firm) provide a copy of this book to all of our associates on cross-border assignments. Assignees often don't realize the "culture shock" and problems they and their families will face when returning to their home country. The book is written in a "reader-friendly" format and the feedback we've received from our "expats" has been very positive.