This is one of the most enjoyable books that I have ever read. I have to order a new copy because the old one is falling apart from overuse. The book has been read by every member of the family, from my grandfather to nieces and nephews.

Well, get ready to take yourself back to grammar and high school! If you attended a small, interactive private (in the US sense) school, this incredibly imaginative coverage of the genre will leave you gasping for breath more than once. If you, in your youth, were adventurous, mischievous and inventive, always in some sort of trouble, this is a book that will recapture those times both when you beat the system and when the system beat you. My father, who would be 103 if he still lived, passed this book on to me in his will, and I still have the original. In its thirty years of existence it's become dogeared and yellowed, like its former and its current owner. And it cost $.60 originally. You don't have to be old to enjoy it; you don't even have to have a "past" to laugh out loud every single time you read it. Buy it! You'll be passing it on to your children.

Then this book is for you. This coming-of-age story relates the adventures of three mischievous boys at an English public school. Each chapter describes one of their pranks, which are ingenious and hysterical. They are pursued by the faculty with little success, but when caught they are creatively punished by the wise Headmaster. Without appearing to do so, Kipling paints a vivid and intimate portait of these pranksters. This book is founded on Kipling's memories of his boyhood friends, and by the last chapter they will be your friends too. I read this book about once a year, and enjoy it more each time.

Few have doubted Kipling's literary genius but for much of the 20th century progressive opinion has caricatured him as the bard of racism, the poet of savagery, the versifier of militarism. Gilmour focuses on Kipling's complex relationship with the British Empire, and shows that these caricatures do not do justice to the poet's nuanced views. To take only one example, Kipling was perfectly aware of the foibles of his fellow Anglo-Indians, and he often paid tribute to the nobility of ordinary Indians. But he was also aware that British rule over the Subcontinent was a great force for peace and stability. The Bloomsbury set jeered his views but he was proven tragically right after Indian independence, which resulted in a bloodbath. Let us hope that Kipling is not proven even more correct in the event of a nuclear exchange between India and Pakistan.

Rudyard Kipling was both a great writer and a representative figure of the British Empire, dabbling in both politics and exploration and winning the Nobel Prize in literature. This biography is the first to examine not only his writing, but his world: The Long Recessional considers the history of his times and provides a lively, revealing probe of the man's changes.

The fact that Gilmour explores Kipling's writing in terms of these themes and how they reflected aspects of his character is a clear indication that this book is no hagiography. The focus here is on the subject of empire and as the subtitle says it is all about: "The Imperial Life of Rudyard Kipling". Gilmour quotes Kipling as saying that empire was "the fabric of my mental and physical existence." Kipling seemed to see empire as some divine right of England:

GOD of our fathers, known of old,
Lord of our far-flung battle-line,
Beneath whose awful Hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine
Lord god of Hosts be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!
(Recessional)

It's this thinking that Gilmour focuses on and thus Kipling's life and works can't be seen as anything but a study in THE LONG RECESSIONAL. That's one emphasis; another is what Gilmour identifies as the "two sides to [Kipling's] head". With this he's looking at writings that were chauvinistic, ultra-nationalistic and even racist. Poems such as "The Female of the Species" and "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" being cases in point. Gilmour then shows the other side of the man's head with writings depicting his compassion and humanity - "If" for instance. Kipling's life can't be completely studied outside the context of family and the sadness of losing children and an unhappy marriage. The times and circumstances through which he lived also influenced him. Being born in colonial India and living through the Boer war and WWI all served to paint the lens through which Kipling saw and wrote about life in a rosy imperial tint.

One of the greatest losses to cinema is the old-fashioned, politically incorrect but thoroughly enjoyable British Empire film that was designed to prove no point other than its value as entertainment. In recent decades John Huston's "The Man Who Would Be King" managed to distill the old and the new sensibilities into a cohesive whole; but alas, the increasing lack of hardy and rugged actors of the caliber of a Sean Connery or a Victor McLaglen or an Errol Flynn have made the task of filming Kipling or Haggard yarns all the more formidable; and audiences are the losers.

What Philip Leibfried has achieved here is an immensely readable and enlightening survey that details just how many such films have been made based on the writings of these two authors. The survey goes beyond the films to also include adaptations in other media. The list is staggering: some 110 adaptations all told, each one described (where information was avaliable) with cast and credits, production history, and criticisms. Each of the authors' works is also delineated in a plot summary; and stills illustrate the book liberally. (How the author managed to find some of the more obscure stills remains no small achievement). The lives and careers of both men are also described in some depth in the Introduction.

The author's approach is sensible and fair: even the poorest film gets coverage and consideration. Space obviously did not allow for it, but on rare occasion, however, one wishes for an even more expansive approach, as in the case of the 1950 adaptation of "King's Solomons Mines". Because that film was almost unrecognizable as an adaptaion of Haggard, it receives less coverage than most of the other major productions. However, the author is clearly more respectful of the more faithful filmings, and he rightly bemoans the fact that this 1950 film left out the book's fantasy elements, many of its characters, and much of its action and plot.

These adaptations of Kipling and Haggard brought forth the best that Hollywood and the world had to offer in order to make them: directors such as John Ford, Victor Fleming, William Wellman, George Stevens, John Huston, and the Korda brothers; and actors of the caliber of Cary Grant, Spencer Tracy, Michael Caine, Deborah Kerr, Ronald Colman and the three mentioned in the opening paragraph; not to mention inimitable players such as Sabu, Shirley Temple, and of course Sam Jaffe, whose heroic and poignant portrayal of the simple regimental "bhisti" Gunga Din remains the most unforgettable of them all.

The book is handsomely packaged, on fine paper, with the stills very sharply reproduced. It is the kind of book that can be opened to any page for reading; and for once we have a "Complete List" film book that offers up a healthy serving of fresh and virtually unknown material, both written and pictorial.

This well-written and delightful book, a comprehensive guide to the works of Rudyard Kipling and Sir Henry Rider Haggard on screen, stage, radio, and TV, is the perfect gift for both the cinéaste and the casual moviegoer and reader of adventure lore. The stills and posters are great. Many of the scenes come alive in memory. The synopses and reviews are exhaustive. Mr. Leibfried's knowledge of his subject is encyclopedic. His aside on the Haggard-Hayden feud is proof alone of that. A great book for film buffs everywhere.

Rudyard Kipling (The Jungle Book) and Sir Henry Rider Haggard (King Solomon's Mines) were close friends who wrote popular stories and poems about exotic adventure in very different ways. Their various works have been adapted many times for screen, stage, television, and radio productions. Rudyard Kipling And Sir Henry Rider Haggard On Screen, Stage, Radio And Television is a complete and definitive guide to those adaptations and each original literary work is summarized, followed by a complete filmography and analysis for each film based on a particular story or poem. Separate sections provide information on adaptions created for radio, stage, and television. The informative text material is enhanced further with numerous photographs from films. Rudyard Kipling And Sir Henry Rider Haggard On Screen, Stage, Radio And Television is an invaluable addition to literary and film histories, and an important reference for all Kipling and Haggard fans.

My favorite of the "Just So Stories" explains how the Cat, the "wildest of the wild animals" came to share the home and hearth of Man. Of course, the Cat resisted the Magic which the Woman made to enslave the Dog, the Horse, and the Cow. He tricked the Woman into accepting him on his own terms. And to this day, he walks by himself, by his wild lone, waving his wild tail. And all places are alike to him. I've read Kipling's classic a bazillion times in the past 45 years, and this is easily the most beautiful rendition of it I've ever seen. The large type and attractive font make reading easy for children -- and delightful for adults! The illustrations are simply exquisite! The "Just So Stories" have withstood the test of time -- more than a century -- and political correctness But I beg to differ with Kipling's contention that "three proper Men out of five will always throw things at a Cat." *Real* proper men love cats!

This has always been my favorite "Just So Story." It is good to see it in an individual book, as it is a little unwieldy as part of a group. This is the story of how woman domesticated various animals, yet had to deal on equal terms with the cat. We all know this is true yet it is good to find the origin of this truth. The pictures add a dimension and do not distract from the words. Rudyard Kipling is a master at this telling.

One of my favorite memories of my youth is that of my grandfather sitting down to read to me from this book. The timeless stories mix hilarity with common sense; their life lessons appeal to all ages. My all-time favorite is the Armadillo story, from which I can still quote directly. You and your children will benefit from and find much delight in these wonderful stories. Buy this book, Best Beloved - you'll be glad you did.

this is an excellent, intelligent book that will make everyone smile. the animal stories are cute and compelling and silly...after my sister took our childhood copy of this book, i'm buying it for myself. although it is intended for children, it is written with such an intelligent wit that adults, too, will find the stories endearing. this is an especially charming book to read aloud.

Rudyard Kipling writes concisely and with great insight on a wide range of issues. With each story only taking up a few pages the depth of characterisation is superb. 'The gate of one-hundred sorrows' is one of the finest short stories ever written.

My copy has 36 stories, but Kipling's Plain Tales tells about life in British-occupied India from every imaginable angle. It's touching, it's funny, and at times it's unbelievably sad. Don't let the author put you off, this is a highly readable book. My personal favorites are "Thrown Away" and "Beyond the Pale", but be careful; they're sad.

What a gem!!! I clicked to download this "excellent" account of "America" as it washes over one of earth's great literary men, who better to put into words our America than the man who wrote "Jungle Book" -- Rudyard Kipling as he first lands here in San Francisco in the 1800's. What a feel he gives us for how it really was -- no veneer of romance needed. The true romance of the American West gushes forth in this splendid little volume. Encountering the geysers in Yosemite and seeing massive waterfalls through bumpy and often life threatening rides via train and stage coach. I was given a box of old books for having cleaned out someones old office and these were to be discarded had I not taken them. I'm glad I did, for in the box amid other treaasures, was a faded and well worn copy of "American Notes" that has been in and through our family. Great, great, great! MJ ...~ Ps. Best read hearing a British voice in your head -- maybe even the actor Ben Kingsley :)

Considering all the works of Kipling I have read, this collection of short stories contains some of his his darkest and in some cases hints of dark humor. A very enjoyable read with lots of references to Freemasonry. Many of the stories pointedly show the scars of the first world war and how they affected both the soldier and the civilian. Some very good short stories that take place in lodges. If you enjoyed the Man Who Would Be King or if you are a Freemason you will probably enjoy this book.

This mystery book is about 3 children, Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose, who follow clues to track down a missing famous author. I read this book to my 2 daughters ages 8 and 5. They both loved it. My 5 year old normally has a hard time paying attention to chapter books but SHE was the one begging for "just one more chapter" each night when it was time to put the book down. This morning she asked me if we could start the "B" book tonight!!! My 8 year old packed the book to take with her to school to read herself during DEAR today! I would say it's a hit all around!

Have you ever invited a famous person to visit you who accepted the invation and strangely never showed up?Well Dink has! The
Absent Author is Dink and Ruth Roses' favorite author.The author's
name is Wallis Wallace.Dink invited him to the Book Nook and
Wallis accepted it to sign books.All of the kids meet at the Book Nook and Wallis never showed up.Dink thought he was kidnapped because of the letter they got.Its a mystery where and who the Author really was.I think the book is really interesting because
its a mystery book.Also because the kids were acting like detectives.The absent author was suspenseful.It also made me think.I really think that you should buy this because how much intersting stuff is in it.

I gave this book five stars because it was a mystery book that the kids are looking for a absent author. They thik she is a boy. I like it that way because you really do not know what is happening so you are wondering were the absent author is. Then once you now some clues you could find the author.