I have read this little book dozens of times and it never fails to raise a laugh. It has a magnificently silly take on English history that would instantly appeal to fans of Pythonesque humour.

It is not necessary to know English history to enjoy 1066 And All That, but I have found that the more I learn about it, the more jokes and puns I find in the book. That's one reason why it rewards constant re-reading.

I first encountered this book in the local junior library, and later bought my own copy. I have now worn out two copies and am on my third. It will always have an honoured place on my bookshelf.

The fact that a priceless gem like this was allowed to go out of print in the US just goes to show (once again) the sad state of publishing in this country. Try amazon.co.uk -- several printings are still readily available in Britain and a new one is due out Sept. 13, 1999.

An unforgettably funny and very brief review of all the English history that most adults are able to remember, suitably warped, as all things memorable usually are.

I have quite a bit of experience in the study of Classical civilization, and I have yet to find a better source for information on Greek and Roman mythology. I think this book is a necessity for anyone wishing to learn more about ancient religion or to anyone who needs a reliable reference for this subject.

Everyone should own a copy of this book. It is the best sophisitcated introduction to classical mythology that is out there, and is filled with useful illustrations.

Morford and Lenardon set out to write a pretty comprehensive mythology text for those just starting a study of the subject and I think they've done a fantastic job. The most recent edition features tons of artwork and brings recent research in classical mythology and archaeology into the discussion. Also, the book is written in a highly engaging style that draws the reader in. You tend to forget you're reading a textbook. My only complaint was that I didn't feel some gods and goddesses were really covered. However, they were usually minor characters in Greek myth, so don't let that deter you from this book. It's worth the price!

Water F. Otto's Dionysus: Myth and Cult is a difficult but extremely rewarding study not only of the god Dionysus but of myth and cult as well. The book is divided into two parts. The first looks at the meaning of myth and cult and their relationship, the second attempts to arrive at the essential characteristic of Dionysus. By no means should you skip the first part. In it Otto lays the groundwork for his penetrating analysis of the god. It is a scintillatingly brilliant and illuminatingly original exposition of the meaning and origins of myth and cult. Anyone interested in Greek religion or for that matter liturgy alone, should read it. Although written over forty years ago it will still challenge and startle. Otto is gifted with a poetic depth of perception and gnomic expressiveness worthy almost of Heraclitus. For example at one point he states: "The more alive this life becomes, the nearer death draws, until the supreme moment-the enchanted moment when something new is created-when death and life meet in an embrace of mad ecstasy."

Otto holds that "The true visage of every true god is the visage of a world." In the second part he sets about discovering the form or visage of Dionysus. This he brilliantly lays out in chapters dealing with every aspect of the god. Chapters include: The Vine, The Somber Madness, Dionysus and the Element of Moisture, Dionysus and the Women, and Dionysus and Apollo. I will not attempt to recount his conclusions. Get the book and read them in Otto's lapidary language. Don't be put off from reading this book if you don't know Greek. While there are a fair number of untransliterated words, you can understand the meaning of the sentences from the context. However, be aware that this is not "lite" reading but a serious study that requires and will repay thought. The book itself is a handsome, sturdy paperback with glued signatures.

The author brings the immediate experience of Dionysus to the reader. In the first part, a general context is laid out. In the second, the stories of Dionysus are told, of a living presence. This immediacy makes the essay both powerful and compelling.

This book is written in two parts. The first is an essay about the use of Cult practices as a source for the substance and interpretation of myth. The second (and longest) describes the myths themselves.

I have only read the second part. Ottos description and interpretation of the myths surrounding Dionysus is poetic and, and at times borders on the sublime. His impact is emotional as well as intellectual, and I came away feeling that I knew the God of whom he writes. This must say something for both the passion of the author for his subject and the skill and sympathy of the translator.

The book is well (exhaustively ?) documented. Only one thing was irksome. Reference is constantly made to words from the original Greek using greek characters with no transposition into english characters (for a non-classically trained person such as myself). While the commentary surrounding these texts usually explains their meaning and impact, I have had to learn the Greek alphabet and buy a classical greek dictionary (Langenscheidt) to verify and fully understand the commentary. Even so, the book is otherwise beautifully accessible for a lay person such as myself.

This prayer book is the best all around prayer book for daily personal (or even family)use. The Scriptures are addressed back to God and arranged by category (with direction to add certain categories of requests inbetween the sections). This adds structure to ones prayer life and breaks the monotony of "grocery list" praying. This one is a little longer than, "Praying the Scriptures for Spiritual Growth" or the "Simple Prayers" books; in my own personal devotions, it takes me about 7 minutes per daily prayer segment.

Boa has written several prayer books, all great, all solid. This is my favorite to date.

Many times when we pray we don't know where to get started, what to do, many times we just want a deeper prayer life.

This book will scripturally guide you through praying...not only the scriptures, but will guide you in praying for your world around you. It begins with praise and worship of Almighty God, leads you in a confession of Who He is, then guides you through personal renewal, petitions, intercession, and then a prayer of thanksgiving.

One of the things I liked best about this book was that it started out with each section, declaring the Word of God, then it guides you (differently each day) to pray for your leaders one day, your family the next, that you will be a faithful steward of your time and money, for God's wisdom...the list goes on and on.

Both this book and "Praying the Scriptures for Spiritual Growth" are two of the best prayer/devotional books I have ever used. If I could only keep two, these would be the two I would keep. Not only are they easy to follow, they are taken directly from the Word of God.

Face to Face is a wonderful tool to help you pray. Boa has assembled scripture into eight sections for each day. You pray through scripture for Adoration, Confession, Renewal, Petition, Intercession, Affirmation, Thanksgiving and Closing. It helps you focus and it gives a marvelous sense of the completeness of God's word. I do not recommend very many books but this is one that I would recommend to anyone. I have already given away 20 copies.

A must have for aserious Williams fan. Considerd by most to be the founder of this genre. Exceeded my expectations.Xlnt value.

Immerse yourself in this mind-bending collection of original art. A full compliment of drawings, sketches, comic book covers and paintings round out this look at the career (still going strong) of Robert Williams. The paintings are lavishly reproduced on high-quality paper stock and the over-sized dimensions of this book are perfectly suited to appreciate the artist's awe-inspiring technique. A MUST for any fan of underground art, culture and surrealism!

I have been a follower of Robert Williams' work for about 8 years. I own all but one of his previous books and was under the assumption that "Malicious Resplendence" was a collection of new work only. Thankfully I was wrong, and completely blown away. Not only does this huge beautifly hard back show his most recent paintings, the book is actually a collection of his entire history of art. Robt.Wms is truly a master painter in the classic sense, a painter of our century who can actually stand up to the vision and draftsmanship of the greatest painters of history

The author, Walter Middleton, was a good friend of my dad's when I was a kid. At about age 10, full of the idea that war is really grand (common among red-blooded males of that age and beyond, it seems), I started bugging Mr. Middleton with questions like, "What did you do in the War?" About the third time I asked, he set me down for about an hour and told me. What I heard changed me forever.

Many of the things Mr. Middleton told me that day are stories included in this book. I warn you, it is un-PC by standards of the current decade, but the author is to be forgiven if four years of treatment as an animal, by animals, has colored his view of the Japanese as a people. Also, the text is rife with colloquialisms, and there are more than a few grammatical and spelling errors. But the intent was not to write a thesis here. It was to record for succeeding generations the unique perspective of the War, the Japanese captors, and our own officers (including the great MacArthur) from the eyes of our enlisted men, who bore the brunt of the War. In this aim, Mr. Middleton succeeds with five stars. For anyone who has never read an alternative history textbook, I rank "Flashbacks" equal to Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the U.S." and James Loewen's "Lies My Teacher Told Me" in importance.

I have ordered a copy of this book for a friend of mine with whom I have had conversations about how most Americans of my generation have no idea what hard times are really like. (I know I don't, not from first-hand experience such as recorded in this book.) I would have sent my own copy to my friend, except that it is a signed copy, and even more importantly because I will want to pass it down to the next generations in my family. This reading is not pleasant, but it is vitally important. The history embodied in this book must be kept alive. Read it and pass it on.

I just so happen to be the great niece of Mr. Walter T. Middleton. This book was a very heart moving book to read. For a person to go through the treatment that he endured is a miracle. This book is great. He is an outstanding storyteller and this book is a page turner. I would recamend this book to anyone looking for stories during this time perod.

A well-written reference book which provides an in-depth look at Greek grammar. It serves as a wonderful aid in research or sermon preparation. Recommended for a specialist or someone with considerable familiarity with Koine Greek.

BDF is still the standard Greek grammar of the New Testament even after four decades. It is in the process of being revised (by a revision committee of eight members), but the revision will take several more years to complete. We felt it needed revision because BDF presupposes that the average reader has had much exposure to classical Greek prior to working in the New Testament. This is part of the reason that BDF is so hard to use: most NT students have not had exposure to classical Greek nowadays. Another reason is its cryptic nature, Teutonic abbreviations, and omission of 'normal' grammar. Nevertheless, even with these shortcomings, every responsible exegete of the New Testament must own a copy of this goldmine of information.

Daniel B. Wallace, Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

Often called "the father of history" Herodotus wrote the history of the Persian Wars more than one thousand years ago. The Persian Wars were a series of wars between the Powerful Persian empires of Xerxes and Darius and a handful of Greek cities, most notably Athens and Sparta. The Persian Wars set the tone for many subsequent themes in Western History including:

1. The concept of preserving Western culture from Eastern invaders. This theme occurs again and again in the conflicts between Rome and Parthia, the latter Roman Empire and the Huns, Charlamagne and the Saracens, late Medieval Europe and the Mongols, and contemporary Hollywood propaganda films about Arab terrorists. 2. The idea of a highly motivated and cunning underdog defeating a powerful but sloppy enemy. 3. The need for alliances and team work.

The most interesting part of The Histories, however is not the politics or the battles but the moral lessons that Herodotus tried to impart. A recurring theme in The Histories is the idea that the Greeks defeated the Persians because the Greeks acted in Harmony with nature while the Persians defied nature. Herodotus provides countless anecdotes of the hubris of Persian emperors who attempted to dominate nature by bridging the Hellespont , draining an offending river by digging thousands of diverting canals, or throwing shackles into the ocean to symbolize its submission to the Emperor. Herodotus viewed these actions as Hubris because they contained a false assumption of man's superiority over nature.

It is interesting that the father of Western History derived his culture's legitimacy from its respectful interaction with nature. What on Earth would he make of us now?

First of all, if you haven't had the pleasure of reading any of the Norton Critical Editions of any famous works, always opt for them. As usual, this is a superb edition with tons of scholarly material and background information. If you like Greek history, it's hard to find anything that you would not like about Herodotus's histories. Many consider him the father of all history, and after you read him, you'll see why. On top of being a great historian, you'll find plenty of personal anecdotes about the Romans' escapes in Egypt, Cyrus's mistakes and achievments, and Xerxes' victories. This will make you a quick expert in Greek history and will entertain you with anecdotes from the Greek forays into Africa and the Mediterrean. You'll never think of any of the Greek leaders the same way again after you read Herodotus' gossip column account. You can't always trust him, but it's much more entertaining than Thucydides's histories.

I've always been a fan of Walter Matthau, and was looking forward to reading this book. I found that it was loaded with information about him. I didn't know that he appeared in so many 1950s television shows, for example, and that he acted in so many dramas before playing Oscar Madison. I also enjoyed reading about his childhood, his military service in World War II, and his friendship with Jack Lemmon. A first-class read!!!

Walter Matthau always enjoyed fabricating his past. From false name (Matuschanaskayasky) to false ancestors (his father was not an orthodox priest). Most of his biographers dutifully reported all those false informations he fed them over the years, until the "real" person of the actor nearly disappeared under the flood of anecdotes. Now - the long list filled with the names of interviewed persons confirms it - Rob Edelman and Audrey Kupferberg set out to search after the "real" Walter Matthau. From his miserable childhood on New York's lower East-Side to the U.S.Army Air-Corps, to Broadway. Scene-stealing supporting parts in films, and finally, the big breakthrough at the late age of 55 with "The Odd Couple" and "The Fortune Cookie".

The best thing about this book is, that we finally get to know more about the private person than we used to know about the public one. This biography gives an astonishing frank account of the star's weaknesses (He lost about $5 million on the race-track) and his failures. The whitewashing is only minimal: no, it's not the lawyer who is to blame if the ex-wife isn't well off. The fact that his first family (including his two children) disappeared completely from public sight once he started his second one is honestly mentioned. Matthau's health problems are described in such detail that his son was even criticized for his, well, detailed description. Fortunately "Matthau - a life" does NOT contain exhaustive interpretations of his films - read the Allan Hunter book for this - but on 338 pages on which not one word is wasted exactly what the title promises: The story of a man and his life. Essential reading.

Nicest format, best layout, best and last one I'll ever have to buy. The yearly updates really keep me up to speed. Thank you CT.

I'm never buying another book. Finally a book that I don't have to read a story to make a drink. The layout is logical & easy to follow with quantity & liquor in the order to be added, followed by how the drink is prepared ( blended, chilled, layered, etc.) followed by the kind of glass and ice and garnish. No time consuming BS to read through. It's got pictures of all the types of glasses so you don't have to guess, & a table of terminology so I didn't have to wonder what something meant. Has a cross reference by alcohol so I can show it to people who aren't sure of what it is they want i.e. "It had some Bailey's in it and was in a short glass and was kind of light brown... You know?" And all the coffee drinks are separated and the shooters are marked so they are easy to find. It even has a separate blank section with it's own index page for my own stuff and the house specialties of every place I've worked, and they update it every year so I don't have to buy another one. Great chart shows how to make my own layered drinks too. It even stays open to the page your reading until you close it. Best bar book I've ever had, HIGHLY recomend it.