Sly, randy, and splendidly researched, Harvey Jacob's novel is one for the ages.I did not expect this story to be told with so much humor or such understated insight into what our country - and many of its denizens - was like circa 1869. Marvelous descriptions, amusingly deft characterizations, some startlingly intuitive depths where one would least expect them to appear. This novel does not at all suffer to compare with the magnificent RAGTIME. I was most amused and impressed by the fast, witty dialogue, particularly between Barnum and Tom Thumb - what used to be called "crackling good" dialogue during the old screwball comedy days. Other scenes reminded me of the logical nonsense of CATCH 22. In other words:a hoot and a real pleasure to read - made me want to start it all over again once I finished. Harvey Jacob's marvelous imagination and talent has provided us with a celebration of American craziness and craftiness. Very funny and something else. So read it, already!

Is this giant too big for America to see ? I first read about it in an English magazine in a piece I think by Michael Moorcock or Martin Amis, who claimed Jacobs as one of America's funniest writers. Well it took the Brits to see Chandler, Faulkner, Welty and a dozen others before we did, so maybe I shouldn't be surprised. A prophet in his own land indeed! This is a superb, mordant, intelligent, clever and wonderfully funny novel which should be on every literary studies syllabus in America. I can't add much to the other reviewers -- except to join in the applause. Jacobs is a first rate writer. This is the first book I have read of his and I'm desperate for more. A great American novel, nothing less.

Based on an all-American hoax, it tells an all-American story of suckers and entrepreneurs and proves that, here at least, one of each is born every minute. But beyond the hilarity--somewhere between the fictional spin on the factual fun-- Mr. Jacobs is making a point about what made America "great" and lo! it's that tension between suckers and entrepreneurs. And all of this is wrapped in a delicious, rollicking prose that makes you look up from your reading and say,"Honey, listen to THIS..." In other words, I'm giving it three thumbs up.

Thank You, Hazel Platt,is a warm, funny, well-written tale of a young Jewish boy growing up in post-World War II England, and enduring the trials and tribulations of adolescence and young adulthood. Harry Nathan, the narrator, struggles with many demons--his narrow-minded and often limited relatives, his overbearing mother and unhappy father,the restrictions of Orthodox Judaism, his attraction to gentile women and his ultimate marriage to one. The narrative moves along at a sprightly pace, peppered with many comic anecdotes. Harry Nathan tries on many identities and grows in stature as a character as the novel continues, and by the end, he is well on his way to understanding who he is in relation to who he was. Does he succeed in overcoming the limitations of his background and transforming himself? The end will leave you wondering.

A great cast of characters you love and love to hate, especially the acerbic Aunt Miriam and the bumbling Uncle Benny. But what I enjoyed most of all was the author's ability to take what are obviously crippling and painful situations and diffuse them with just the right touch of humor. The book brought tears of sadness and joy to my eyes. Thank you, Harvey Jacobs.

I have just started reading Jacobs and he isn't that easy to find. I've read American Goliath and this and I'm hunting for more. This is another wonderful book. He is a warm-hearted, funny, universal writer with a keen and I suppose very Jewish sense of humor. I'm not Jewish, but I guess my sense of humor is. Wonderful reading. Now I'm looking for The Egg of the Glak, his short story collection.

I remember having these Fairy Tales read to me at bedtime when I was little. I bought the same book to read to my son. The stories are bit anachronistic and may not meet modern standards of being politically correct, but we love them anyway.