I had read this book back in the early 80's and found a paperback version after having lost the first one. Then lent it to a friend and lost it again. So I got an out of print version from Amazon.com after looking in various stores and then I, not thinking, lent it to another friend and lost it again. I am going to try and get another one, and this time it will be locked up for good. It is a superb book and after each reading I find another message. If the Catholic church has bought the rights and it can't be rereleased or made into a movie, they are so completely out of whack. This would bring more people into the fold then the reverse. It is awe inspiring. The very best of all books based on religion to be written.

I'm an old English major, one of those Victorian novel freaks who's always complaining that they never write any good novels anymore, no real heartrending grabbers. Well, this was sure an exception. I read it about 20 years ago, reread it, and then gave it to friends. The year it came out, I bought 15 copies for friends for Xmas gifts. I haven't seen a copy in about 12 years and would love to read it again. Please republish it. Hollywood, I cannot BELIEVE you haven't made a movie out of this. I would think you "boys" would be dying to get your hands on it and bring the fabulous story to the world by way of cinema. And, ooooooo, what fun the casting would be! I am desperate (ok, ok, I'm not really desperate)to find a copy and read it again. Anyone have one for sale? If you haven't read this book, do yourself a favor and find it. Another goody that should have done much better than it did was "A Prayer for Owen Meany." Anyone agree with me? Thanks for listening. Nice sharing with you!

I first read this book as a graduate library student in 1980. I was taking a course for library materials for young adults, so I called to ask my brother, still in high school, what everyone was reading. This was it.

Like so many others, once I started this book, I couldn't stop. This book is very well written, in terms of action and suspense, while still being a product of its times. As an amateur scholar of religious beliefs, I also truly appreciated his view of the second Son and the reaction of various religious orders.

I'm not sure what happened to my first copy (I think it was borrowed and "well" read), but I did get a second copy that joined my "keep forever" collection :). Like most of the others here, I often wondered what happened to the movie that was promised but agree that a movie could never do the book justice. (I think the movie that the one reviewer from California was referring to was "Saving Grace" with Tom Conti. I loved that movie, too.)

For another view of the Second Messiah, readers of this book might enjoy "The Last Day" by Glenn Kleier.

I sincerely believe that The Mad Scientists' Club was the reason I started reading voraciously as a kid and that the trend has continued into my adulthood. A series of stories first published in the popular 60's magazine Boys' Life, the words practically leap off the page with thier exuberance and brilliant ingenuity. The club is comprised of six 'junior geniuses', with our narrator as one. Each is given a distinct personality, and by the end we know (and in the case of former club-member and now sworn arch-enemy Harmon Muldoon, despise) each one of them like they were old friends. I still have my copy, completely tattered though it is, because I've re-read it at least 100 times. Even now as I write this review, I have to be careful not to start reading for fear of being swept up in the fun.

And each tangled situation our boys find themselves in (or in fact, help to create) is more outrageously inventive than the last. The real kicker is how authour Bernard Brinley keeps the prose totally accessible to youth but throws in enough engaging characters, thrilling action sequences and hilarious dialogue to entertain even adults sick of reading thier kids sugary-sweet Disneyized junk. He even sneakily gave me an education in basic mechanics by expertly describing the various machinery the boys build to wreak their harmless havoc on the citizens of little Mammoth Falls.

And I see here on Amazon.com that Brinley has continued the series with other books. If he brings even 10 percent of the sheer brilliance he displays in the first one, no adult should have a problem inducting thier children into this club.

I sincerely believe that The Mad Scientists' Club was the reason I started reading voraciously as a kid and that the trend has continued into my adulthood. A series of stories first published in the popular 60's magazine Boys' Life, the words practically leap off the page with thier exuberance and brilliant ingenuity.

The club is comprised of six 'junior geniuses', with our narrator as one. Each is given a distinct personality, and by the end we know (and in the case of former club-member and now sworn arch-enemy Harmon Muldoon, despise) each one of them like they were old friends. I still have my copy, completely tattered though it is, because I've read and re-read it at least 100 times. Even now as I write this review, I have to be careful not to start reading for fear of being swept up in the fun.

And each tangled situation our boys find themselves in (or in fact, help to create), is more outrageously inventive than the last. The real kicker is how authour Bernard Brinley keeps the prose totally accessible to youth but throws in enough engaging characters, thrilling action sequences and hilarious dialogue to entertain even adults sick of reading thier kids sugary-sweet Disneyized junk. He even sneakily gave me an education in basic mechanics by expertly describing the various machinery the boys build to wreak their harmless havoc on the citizens of little Mammoth Falls.

And I see here on Amazon.com that Brinley has continued the series with other books. If he brings even 10 percent of the sheer brilliance he displays in the first one, no adult should have a problem inducting thier children into this club.

I first read the Mad Scientists Club book about 25 years ago and I was completely fasinated by the story. I by chance happened upon this book among a group of several and was drawn to it by the title and the intresting illustrations. The book was and is a delight to read. I believe this book is one of the rare finds in literture as it combines adventure, easy of reading, and a spirt of comraderie among teens. A creative work, full of intriguing situations, unquestionably this book should be provided to the new generation of readers for enjoyment. Well written, with a fine mix of characters, satire, and simple fun, this book created a wonderous and enjoyable reading enviornment. Periodically over the years I have recalled with joy my reading of this book, one I long since lost, but never forgot. The story still stands the test of time, albeit the technological changes, but the interaction of the characters remain, the compelling nature of the situations encountered make me now wonder if the author influenced such contemporary authors as Tom Clancy and Clive Cussler as young adults. This bok is simply fantastic, and truly is more valuable to a person than any jewel or precious metal!

One of my great joys in life is reading short stories. I love science fiction and fantasy. My special joy, however, is the fairy tale. In "The Mole and the Owl" I have found the pure essence of fairy tales. The true and pure love of the mole and his selfless heroism, the sacrifice of the owl and the actions of the wolf are magical. This story tells about all things noble and makes me believe I can be just that noble. A great story is a great story but there is something that can be added to the telling. The lyrical use of prose in this story is almost unbelievable. It sings to me like a favorite song. Ray Bradbury is the only writer I have read with an idea of prose that even comes close to comparison. I am rarely moved the way I was moved by this story. I cried. I never cry when I read. It's just a story. But still I cried.

I found this little book by accident, visiting somewhere, and read it only because I had nothing else to do at that moment. I don't normally even read much fiction anymore and am not given to sappy love stories.

Yet this book reached in and grabbed my heart like nothing I've ever read. It's the kind of soul-level writing that once in a great while an author is a conduit for... I'm not sure writing at this level is really a brain thing of the person, more an internal thing of the spirit. I can't talk about the plot or the information or things I would normally review in a book. It is just a story; it is a story for a person of any age; it is a better story for those who have ever known love, or known longing, or found themselves the outcast, or found inside themselves the powerful dharma of being what one is as "I AM"... in this case, he was in love.

Not only did the book hold me in a poet/dreamer thrall throughout, and make me cry in sadness and joy, and laugh out loud at many small insights or comments, but hours and even days later, my whole interpretation of my world had more... poetry to it. More color, more eloquence; as if for a time, that love and energy gave ME more poetry; a new way of looking at all things with love. (I know. This is embarrassing. But read in the right state of mind, it's a very cool book.)

I'm buying the book now so I'll have my own copy. I want to suggest to people that I love that they read it. It's like a gift I want to give. I recommend the book very much.

This book must be in every house, in every hotel, restaurant, kitchen, bathroom, on the street, school, bus... all over the world. It's a book that goes so near to the heart that I'm smiling and crying together.

I am in my late 40's. I first read this book when I was thirteen, and shortly thereafter bought a copy that I still have and that I read many times throughout my teens. I was so taken with Desiree that I began searching in the history section of my library - pulling every book about Napoleon and searching the indexes for references to Desiree and Julie. And then I began reading those book on Napolean. Now I have an extensive library of historical biography of French, British and Russian leaders, writers, artists, etc. I trace my love of history back to when I first opened this book and history became alive in a way I could relate to. I loved this book.

I first read this book when I was about 12 and reread it about 10 more times throughout my life (I'm now in my late 30's), the last time being 2 years ago. It is an extremely well-written piece of biographical fiction and lets you empathize with all the characters, even Napoleon who is usually portrayed as a horrible person. I would like to own my own copy since I know I will want to read it more times in my life and may not find it easy to get a copy. Please let me know who has a paperback of the book and how much you'd like for it.

The original book was my mother's and luckily I ended up with her copy. I am now looking for copies for my 3 sisters since they are always trying to borrow mine. I'm afraid I won't get my book back if I lend it to one of them. All 4 of us read this book as teenagers and all 4 of us loved it. The story of Desiree Clary and Napoleon ignited a love of history in all of us and turned us into avid readers. While the ending is not as detailed as the rest of the book if you're like us you will be researching to find out what happens in Desiree's life and family after the end of the book. This is a great book for getting your teen interested in reading.

Written in the early twentieth century, this indigenous Japanese novel recounts the life & times of old Japan's greatest swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi -- a man who began life as an over-eager and rather brutish young lout but who, through the discipline of Japan's "way of the sword," turned himself into a master of his chosen weapon. But this tale is not only one of a life spent in training to perfect the art of killing with a sharpened piece of steel. In the venerable Japanese tradition, it is also about a man's search to conquer himself, to become a better man. The Buddhist view cultivated by the Japanese warrior class allowed for a spiritual dimension to their very bloody (in western eyes) enterprise of warfare and killing. And it is this aspect of his training that consumes Musashi, to the detriment of the people he encounters and who seek to attach themselves to him. Unable to settle down in the ordinary way, or to simply join a particular clan as a retainer to some noble lord, Musashi embarks on the life of a ronin (masterless samurai) as he wends his way through the feudal world of medieval Japan in his seemingly endless search for perfection. In the process he finds a young woman who loves him and many enemies who seek his destruction, at least in part in repayment for the damage he does them while on his quest. He also crosses swords with many other experts in Japan's martial arts, but it is his encounter with a Buddhist priest that ultimately puts him on the right path. In the end Musashi finds his grail in a duel to the death with his greatest opponent, the sword master famous for his "swallow cut" -- a stroke so fast and deadly that it can slice a swooping, looping bird out of the air in mid-flight. This alone is a challenge worthy of the master which Musashi has become -- and a match which even he may not be up to, for this opponent is surely the finest technician in his art in all Japan. But there is more to swordsmanship than technical skill, as Musashi has learned, and there is more to living one's life than mere technical proficiency. Musashi attains a sort of peace in preparation for his climactic bout, for he is willing to risk all and even die in order to win against the master of the swallow cut, while applying all the strategy he has learned throughout his tumultuous career to unsettle the man who will oppose him. In the end Musashi lived to a fairly ripe old age and, unlike many of his contemporaries, died in his bed after composing the famous Book of Five Rings -- his own contribution to the art of strategy. (And, by the way, The Art of War, another famous book of military strategy was written by the Chinese general Sun T'zu -- not "Lao T'zu.") -- Stuart W. Mirsky (mirsky@ix.netcom.com

Written in the early twentieth century, this indigenous Japanese novel recounts the life and times of old Japan's greatest swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi -- a man who began life as an over-eager and rather brutish young lout but who, through the discipline of Japan's "way of the sword," turned himself into a master of his chosen weapon. But this tale is not only about a life spent in training to perfect the art of killing with a sharpened piece of steel. In the venerable Japanese tradition, it is also about a man's search to conquer himself, to become a better person. The Buddhist view cultivated by the Japanese warrior class allowed for a spiritual dimension to their very bloody enterprise of warfare and killing. And it is this aspect of his training that consumes Musashi, to the detriment of the people he encounters and who seek to attach themselves to him. Unable to settle down in the ordinary way, or to simply join a particular clan as a retainer to some noble lord, Musashi embarks on the life of a ronin (masterless samurai) as he wends his way through the feudal world of medieval Japan in his seemingly endless search for perfection. In the process he finds a young woman who loves him and many enemies who seek his destruction, at least in part in repayment for the damage he does them while on his quest. He also crosses swords with many other experts in Japan's martial arts, but it is his early encounter with a Buddhist priest that puts him on the path which will forever after guide his life. Musashi ultimately finds his grail in a duel to the death with a man called Kojiro, who will become his greatest opponent, a sword master famous for his "swallow cut" -- a stroke so fast and deadly that it can slice a swooping, looping bird out of the air in mid-flight. This alone is a challenge worthy of the master which Musashi has become -- and a match which even he may not be up to, for this opponent is surely the finest technician in his art in all Japan. But there is more to swordsmanship than technical skill, as Musashi has learned, and there is more to living one's life than merely preserving it. Musashi attains a sort of peace in preparation for his climactic bout, for he is willing to risk all and even die in order to win against the master of the swallow cut, while applying all the strategy he has learned throughout his tumultuous career to unsettle the man who will oppose him. In the end Musashi became a legend to his countrymen, composing the famous Book of Five Rings -- his contribution to the art of strategy. But what he and Kojiro must do when they finally face each other is a tale in itself -- and a denoument towards which everything else in this book ultimately leads.

Books numbering to nearly 1000 pages daunt me-- as you can tell, I don't read very much, even though I should. Of course, knowing vaguely of the legend of Musashi prompted me to pick up this book-- and I haven't regretted it. I am only 60% done with it, but just for that first 60% I'd still give it a five-star rating. Not only was it true to Japanese culture, it was entertaining. (Shogun, the film, was true to form but not very entertaining for me.) What is very fun about the book is the way that Yoshikawa uses characters who existed at that time, and events that took place at that time (mostly the duels), and swirled them into a semi-fiction novel. The character personalities are simply intriguing. For vernacular purposes, "cool" describes many of the ronin portrayed in the book. I enjoy the mixture of arrogance, honor and skill that characterize the samurai-- especially Sasaki Kojiro Ganryu's references to his thirsty Drying Pole.

As a last note, the translation was exemplary. Not only was it technically correct, but Terry managed to transfer Yoshikawa's humor into English so that it was understood, and generally captured Yoshikawa's intentions throughout the book-- it seemed that things which are easy to describe in Japanese, yet having no literal translation in English, were recognized by Terry and converted into understandable English.

After I finish the book, chances are that Amazon.com had better establish a 6 star rating.

Whenever I read a book, I generally use highlighter and underliner to mark the sentences and words that convey the true meaning and essence of what the author wants to say. While reading The Tibetan Book of Living And Dying, I had to stop using the highlighter after a few pages only as the most of the words on each page were worthy of being highlighted. Indeed, the author has said so much precious on every page that a reader must read and re-read the book and with every reading she/he gets more and more knowing.The subject of death has been most puzzling and perplexing to humankind since the time immemorial. The Eastern way of looking at the death as only a 'transition' is explained by the author in a profoundly simple manner. The book certainly helps one to understand the true meaning of the phenomena called death. This understanding helps one to reduce the irrational fear of death. From the lives of the great men and women we know that those who 'lived' a life can only meet the 'death' with equnimity. Thus the author has first taught the art of 'living'. It is only through right type of living that we can 'live' the death also.
I suggest that this book be read by all the Buddhist as well as by non buddhists also. Every one who reads it will find something for him/her.
I salute Sogyal Rinpoche for giving us a wonderful gift of THE TIBETAN BOOK OF LIVING AND DYING.

This book should be read by or to everyone at some point in their lives. It not is not just for the buddhist. As His Holiness, the Dalia Lama explains, no matter what religion you practice the goal is the same: happiness. This book can be an inspiration at all times in life. Once you have read it through once, it is organized in such a way, so one can go back and read certain sections to help along the way. Sogyal Rinpoche captures the essence of his purpose of creating the book when he writes: "to learn how to die, is to learn how to live." That simple statement is a social commentary on the development of modern society and the direction it is heading in. The ageing and dying are quickly isolated and doctors are rarely educated in emotional or spiritual care. Sogyal Rinpoche's proposes a new attidute to those who are in a stage that we all will reach at some point. His beautiful writing style and comforting compassion radiates from the pages themselves. I do not associate myself with any one religion, but consider myself a wanderer following my own road in search for answers, for all those who feel the same, this book can illuminate some of the darkness that surrounds us all who have not yet awakened.

This book gives you a spirutal, personal and intimate understanding of death and dying. More than that, it compels you to stop and take a deep and serious look at your own life and your own death. The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying helps to alievate your own fear of dying and helps you take the responsibility to prepare for your death. At the same time, it gently helps you prepare yourself for the death and dying of a loved one. The teachings and personal experiences of Sogyal are simple to understand and intrepret and incorporate into your personal life. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for every introspective person as well as for those facing the death of a loved one.

How To Read A Book by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren is a very useful book for anyone wishing to give their books a more thoughtful, in-depth reading.

The book does have an agenda to push. That agenda is to see more people go beyond high school reading levels. The authors begin by reviewing how America got to the point where almost everyone could read, but very few people could read well. They offer the techniques in this book as a path from this superficial knowledge of reading to a deeper understanding of how to read more effectively and more deeply.

The book breaks down the levels of reading. They present four levels of reading: Elementary, Inspectional, Analytical, and Syntopical.

The most time and attention is given to Analytical writing. The authors present ways to read more analytically. They also lay out rules for giving a book a fair analytical reading. I found this part very helpful personally.

The other three levels of reading are treated in much less detail. Each is more presented than taught. The authors demonstrate how each level is dependent on the one preceding it.

This book is very well put together and nicely laid out. One can tell that this was a labor of love by the authors. A feature that I found particularly interesting was the suggested reading list in the back of the book.

How To Read A Book will be helpful to any reader who desires to learn how to read more deeply. I recommend it.

This book picks up where your reading instruction in school most likely left off. In school you probably learned only the first, elementary, level of reading. In How To Read A Book Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Doren explain that there are actually three levels of reading beyond the elementary level (inspectional, analytical, and syntopical) and they demonstrate how to develop each of these levels of reading within yourself. In so doing they instill in the reader critical thinking skills that can be applied not only to the written word but to the spoken word as well. And after reading this book you will discover that you are not only a better reader you will find that you are a better communicator. In short, this book will provide you with the tools necessary to live a more fulfilling life.

After I read How to Read a Book, I wanted to re-read every important book I've ever read. It is a $40,000 liberal education in a $8.95 book.

How to Read A Book is an elegant guide to the lost arts of Active Reading, Conversation, and Intellectual Etiquette. Learn how to fairly and methodically assess an author's intentions and how the author fulfills (or doesn't) what they set out to do with the book. Learn how to interact with the book and make it your own...absorb its contents completely. Learn how to analyze and argue. Learn how to talk about disagreements.

This is one of those books you want to re-read every once in a while. It's a great gift for a high-school or college bound student. It should be required reading Freshman year.

This is the most wonderful Bible I've ever owned, and I have tried many over the past 20 years, including a variety of study Bibles.

Although study Bibles do offer value, I think that sometimes there is too much of man's option for me to use these as my every day primary usage Bible. The New Thompson-Chain offers something truly different from other study Bibles... it fully uses God's Word to explain itself without the help of man's opinions. It is an incredible tool to dig deep into the Word of God easily - it can be used by beginners or "road scholars" of God's Word alike. Top of mind benefits are easy to read text, incredibly thorough reference system, the pages just the right thickness, extensive maps, great archeological section, many blank pages in the front and back of the book to write your own notes. But what I like best of all is the unique index system where you can look up a topic and see all the scriptures on that topic printed out together, not just the scriptural references to look up on your own. That way, you can read 10+ scriptures on the topic, all on one page viewing, rather than flipping through 10 or more scriptures.

New King James Version + Thompson Chain Reference = AWESOME BIBLE!

For many years, I searched for the "ultimate" Bible. Being an avid New King James Version reader, we don't always have as many resources available as the King James or NIV people. My most useful Bible study tool is many, many cross-references, which I always looked for in NKJV Bibles that had the most. The Thompson Chain has much more than the standard cross-references. The chain references are just that: you go to the alphabetical index to find your subject, (which there are listed around 4,400 different topics) and you go to the first reference, and simply chain through the scripture references. In other words, they are cross-referenced in sequence order! The topics are as detailed as "blue" and as extensive as "God"; these more extensive subjects are then broken down into various sub- topics. Also, in the back of the Bible, the subjects are listed by title, then all the references are given, and the more main ones are chained throughout the scriptures, and some topics' scriptures are written out in the back also! There are also absolutely no commentaries, nor any conclusions drawn in this Bible! I would 100% recommend this Bible (in any version you use) for those of us who love many, many cross references, and believe first and foremost to compare scripture with scripture (1Cor. 2:13) in Bible studies. For those who like this, this Bible has everything!

I purchased my first Thompson Chain Reference Bible as a new believer back in the 70's. It was and continues to be the best study Bible for those who desire to search out the Word for themselves and compare scripture with scripture. And, the extensive Bible study helps in the back of the Bible do add a rich dimension in addition to the topical chain references.

I was a little concerned about the "new" TCR's as several reviewers mentioned degradations in quality and I certainly didn't like the thin glossy paper I saw in the hardbacks in the bookstore. I was delighted today when I received my large print deluxe leather edition Bible.

The Bible I received has excellent flat, opaque Bible paper perfect for note-taking. And, the binding appears to have stitching in addition to the glue, so I'd say the quality of the binding is fine and should serve one well for years.

One caveat in regard to the large print edition--It is LARGE! Not the print (it's 9 point instead of the regular 8), but the Bible itself. It's not so unwieldy that I would think twice about using it, but if size is an issue for you, check the dimensions and choose accordingly.

I can't say enough good things about this Bible. It has my highest recommendation; you won't be sorry in choosing this Bible.

This is actually a presentation on de Tocqueville's life and times, centered on a general analysis of Democracy in America, but including much background on his family's history, his political career and accomplishments and a look at the historical context of France, Europe and the US in the mid 19th Century. The themes of DiA are reviewed with many quotes from the book and from commentaries by de Tocqueville's contemporaries. He is presented in all his glory: his hits (the brilliant insights into social character, the nature of democracy and his devastatingly astute, timeless analysis of our American identity) and his misses (his advocacy of war and his surprisingly traditionalist views of society's class structure). An occasional cheesy French accent in some of the characterizations is the only flaw. This is a _great_ commute tape, I look forward to "reading" more in this series on other great writers!

There is no doubt that Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America is perhaps the greatest book ever written on the US government and the principles of democracy. Tocqueville clearly shows both the promise and the problems of democracy. In many ways he is not at all flattering of the Americans, and in fact shows us how really terrible we can be. Nevertheless, he still shows hope in the ideas of democracy, and points that it is possible to overcome these problems.

The Mansfield edition of this book is a wonderful translation with great annotation and references, that make it good for a studnet or a casual, non-social theory, interested person to read. The introduction is also beautifully written and lays out the ideas de Tocqueville had marvelously. I think that this will be the edition to use in the future.

After hte events of last year, it is important for us to keep in mind what this country is about, what are its true problems, and how we can improve it. The problems that de Tocqueville points out are not something that panders to either left or right in our current sense, but points to problems fundamental in all democracies and particularlly in the American way of democracy. Yet, his hope should be uplifting.

Toquevilles' Democracy in America, written over a century and a half ago, is almost as relevant today as when it first appeared in print. Outside of the Federalist Papers, no book is as essential to a American student of political philosophy as this. This book is neither a manifesto of the right or left - both sides can draw powerful arguments (and lessons) from this work. Paramount to the book are the conflicts between equality and liberty, which today remains the core difference between the major political parties. Toqueville also predicted the rise of America and Russia, as well as the growth of the central government - a hundred years before it became reality. His praise of the American system of decentralized, voluntary associations is also dead on. A wonderful book.

My buddy said "here, read this book" so I did. I loved it ,I read the whole book in one day. This was the first book in a long time that actualy made me laugh out loud.I've read a lot of his other books since and felt the same way. Charles was a total lush, and it all started in this book, when he told of his first glass of wine.Be careful, reading his books makes you wanna drink(a lot more if you already do)a lot. Charles bukowski was heavily influenced by Celine,and if you have ever read DEATH ON THE INSTALLMENT PLAN by Celine, you will notice some huge similarities in the way they were constructed,the short and abrupt sentencing, and tastful vulgarity and shameless self criticism. Read this book, then read WOMEN, then watch the movie BARFLY,(which is about Bukowski's life) then read HOLLYWOOD(which is about the making of the movie). Then read everything else. Bye, I,ll be home soon

After wasting a lot of time and money trying to find authors I could enjoy, I was introduced to the works of Charles Bukowski. It has changed my life. Ham on Rye is the perfect place to start on Bukowski. This book keeps your interest through everyday events told from a realistic perspective. What I found most interesting about this book is that the point of view really went along with whatever age Henry was at the time. I read this book in a matter of hours, I really could not put it down. I think this book is a great indicator of Bukowski's writing style, so if you didn't enjoy this book, I wouldn't suggest reading any other Bukowski books.

Bukowski has really written an amazing novel. This being the first novel by him i've read I was truly blown away.
He dosn't just write about living in hell, but as being the lowest creature of hell, his rejection throughout childhood and his rejection of others are shown in the backdrop of this harsh environment.
I love the chapter when he is alone in bed and there appears the devil, 'god had forsaken you'.
His anger for the world as a child of depression was written beautifully, blunt and brutal. I love the way he begins as this innocent child, inquisitive and still rather happy. As he grows and as the pages get turned his language changes. He becomes angrier, although his quiet stoic demeanour is still prevalent.
I actually connected with Henry on many levels. Buk has written in a manner in which any disenfranchised adolescent could understand. His distaste for the way people try to portray themselves and hate for the 9-5 life are things I can understand.