This version of "Wheels on the Bus" is simply an excellent book. We first purchased this book seven years ago, for our then 3 year old son. We still have it, though due to overhandling by several pairs of little hands, we are now in the market for a new one! This book invites little hands to bring the words to life, by moving the sturdy tabs back and forth. The tabs are big enough for toddler hands to operate and they move smoothly, which keeps frustration at bay! All you need to do is sing the tune and your child will do the rest! All of my children have loved this book. I highly recommend it.

My children (now 5 and 1) love this book. I purchased it when my son was about 2 and a half and the tabs and flaps are still working after lots of use. (A major plus as well loved books with movable parts often don't hold up to toddler adoration.) Now my daughter is taking her turns too and the "wheels on the bus" still go round as well as the wipers swishing and moms shushing. The illustrations capture attention and really bring to life this popular children's song. With this book they can make the doors on the bus open and shut, etc. with great pleasure. I highly recommend this book for its creativity and durability.

I wanted for my son to have this book remembering how my nephews loved it. I bought it when he was 13 months old and it has been his favorite ever since. He is 16 months old now and asks for it by saying "bu bu," translated to my ears as "bus book". We look at it every morning for a half hour before breakfast and then for another half hour after naptime. This is about the only time in the day that my son will cuddle with me so I am very grateful for such a wonderful, interactive book. He loves to point to the kitties in the box on the bus and also to the dog that chases the bus. I will keep this tattered first favorite for myself as a fond memory of special times shared by mother and son, even if I buy many more copies in the future once this one earns a much-deserved retirement!!

*From Me to You: The reluctant writer's guide to powerful, personal messages* will help you to eloquently communicate your innermost thoughts and feelings, creating memorable gifts that are as rewarding to give as to receive.

In *From Me to You* JacLynn Morris and Paul L. Fair, Ph.D., present examples of many kinds of personal messages, including
those of appreciation, apology, advice, inspiration, and comfort. The first requirement of a personal message is to write in your "true voice." Using vivid everyday language contributes sincerity and depth to a message.

Morris and Fair identify five basic elements to include in nearly every message, regardless of its purpose:

1. What got me thinking about you?
2. What are my positive feelings for you?
3. What makes you special to me?
4. What do I remember and treasure about our time together?
5. What do I want you to get from my message?

These elements, which need not be in any particular sequence, are unobtrusively identified in the many messages that serve as models in *From Me to You*. The authors also add several special elements and techniques that are helpful for especially difficult messages. One of the most interesting of these is Writing in the Margins, creating a separate column on your page in which you write your inner thoughts and feelings that might detract from your message's purpose.

Morris and Fair do not limit their messages to print -- or even to words. They discuss audio and videotape messages, collections of music, annotating children's creations, passing along stories with family recipes. There is no end to the number of ways to create lasting messages for the special people in your life.

Many of us are in the sad situation of having questions about our family members but having no living person who can answer them. Providing your loved ones with messages that communicate your feelings and your family stories will reduce the likelihood that this will happen to them.

As you celebrate special occasions, why not give powerful, personal messages to those you love? Such messages are lasting
gifts; they can be read again and again, and they might be read by a descendant even a century later.

*From Me to You* will make it easier for you to initiate communication that will connect you more deeply with those around
you. The example messages will show you how, and the accompanying stories of their success will contribute inspiration.

Words provide continuity from generation to generation that surpasses our limited life spans to enrich the shared love of friends and family, to bind generations, and to offer hope to the future. Despite the power of words, many people are reluctant writers, uncertain of what to say or how to say it. To that end, authors JacLynn Morris and Paul L. Fair, Ph.D. bring their own writing skills, teaching experience, and research to bear, offering aid to the reluctant writer in FROM ME TO YOU.

Simple, easy to follow steps guide the writer through the process of conveying thoughts and emotions that might else wise remain unanswered and unspoken. Using the five basic elements enumerated in FROM ME TO YOU, writers can add depth and value to their messages. Concise explanations and the generous use of examples accompany each step, clearly illustrating each point. Many of the examples are both poignant and inspiring, aiding the prospective reader in finding their own voices and experiences. Difficult to write messages that reveal secrets or explanations likewise becoming easier to write with the aid of FROM ME TO YOU.

At last, a writing book for everyone! Whether your words are meant as a thank you, as an apology, to offer comfort or advice, or simply to affirm your love, FROM ME TO YOU will aid all writers in expressing themselves. Powerful, personal messages are our legacy to those we love, regardless of the purpose of the note, and can easily be strengthened by following these simple steps. One of the best writing resources I have encountered, FROM ME TO YOU comes very highly recommended.

From me To You is a book of empowerment. In five easy steps, it teaches readers how to write from their hearts. Whether healing relationships or giving comfort and inspiration, its methods are proven to work. Those methods include using five basic elements that make writing powerful, intimate, satisfying and meaningful. In a clear and companionable style, the book shows readers astep-by-step plan for expressing their thoughts in messages and letters. Beginning with answers to five personal questions, the authors teach how to : Express love, tenderness and good will. Pass along life lessons, values and traditions. Comfort the ill or bereaved. Reconnect or repair our relationships. Give advice that gets through to others. Communicate our feelings and concerns for older people (particularly our aging parents). Included are 100 examples by those who've found the methods to work. Jaclynn Morris is a free-lance writer, public speaker, and business consultant. Dr. Paul Fair is a licensed clinical psychologist. Both live in the Atlanta area.

With the Old Breed, by E.B. Sledge is the best personal account of combat that I have ever read. It is brutally honest, as Sledge does not gloss over the horrific nightmare that is war.After reading Slede's book, it is no small wonder that 26,000 Americans lost their sanity in the Okinawa battle alone. He spares us none of the gory details, yet he delivers this true account in an eloquent style that gives the story even more impact. Sledge does not only desribe the fight against the Japanese,but also the mental battle raging within men on the front line, as he himself fights to remain sane amid the filth, fear and misery that were the battles of Peleliu and Okinawa.It is at times moving, and at other times stomach turning. At all times though it is extremely riveting, and I found that this book was very hard to put down. One can also not put down this book without a profound appreciation for the young men who went through the worst kind of hell for their country.

Three veterans of the First Marine Division have written accounts of WWII in the Pacific. E.B. Sledge in this book, William Manchester in "Goodbye Darkness," and Robert Leckey in "Strong Men Armed." Sledge's book gives an honest, plain spoken, first hand account of two horrific campaigns. He pulls no punches in describing the brutality and the horror, but he doesn't dwell on it. He merely describes it in a matter of fact fashion.

Leckey's book ("Strong Men Armed") doesn't dwell on personal experiences, but gives the vast panorama of the Navy/Marine Corps island hopping campaign, and helps to put Sledge's personal memoir into the context of the whole war in the Pacific.

Manchester's book ("Goodbye Darkness") reads something like the out-loud ruminations of a mental patient working through unresolved issues on the psychiatrist's couch.

Leckey is a noted military historian who has written a number of very good books on the subject. Manchester is a noted author, and of the three has the most recognizable name. Sledge, however, although not a professional writer, is the First Division alumnus who has written the best book on the Pacific War. (Leckey runs a close second and Manchester a distant third).

Somehow my recollection of Dr. Sledge as my cheerful, quiet-mannered, humble (but tough!) zoology professor is stood on its head after reading his book. How did this gentleman live through such stark and utter hell? How could anyone? But he tells you -- his fine scientific mind observant and sparing no detail to clouded memory or gentrified constraints -- so Peleliu and Okinawa are beyond my words (but no longer beyond my imagination). No one who has not endured the horror of entrenched infantry warfare could adequately describe it; but this book helps any reader who hasn't -- like me -- begin to fathom its terror. And as we begin to take it in, we realize what an enormous legacy of sacrifice that generation left us, that "with privilege comes responsibility," as Dr. Sledge says. How can we ever repay these numbed, reluctant heroes? I suspect we never can. But we can listen to some who were lucky enough to survive, and never forget those countless boys and men who came out maimed, or just didn't come out at all. We owe them all a tremendous debt of gratitude for the lives we lead today, and this book tells you, in graphic and heart-gripping detail, exactly why.

This book was a very quick read, as I have found all of Mr. Evans' books to be. While at times the writing did seem a little lengthy and the plot contrived, I very much appreciated the message behind this book (and all of his books, for that matter). This latest work was indeed a quick read, as I finished it in two readings. The story is quite enjoyable although at times I kept mentally picturing Ali McGraw and Ryan O'Neal (albeit in reversed roles) as Faye and Michael. The book gave me pause as I reflected on Esther's comments on old age and how certain decisions in one's life can indeed be pivotal experiences.

This is a must-read for fans of Mr. Evans and it shall receive a place of honor in my library next to the "Christmas Box" series I own. Read and enjoy!

I have heard of Richard Paul Evans, but have never read his books until now. I recieved The Locket in a fed ex package from my step-daughter. I read it in one night. Start to finnish. The Locket is a story of a longing heart and a yearn for love. It is a story of valuing every moment of your every day life. Is about the enduring qualities of hope and forgiveness. When I read the last page I was left in awe. The book has changed me. For anyone who has experienced the redemption of love, you will identify with this book. The Locket is the best book I've read in years, and since reading it, I have put all of Evans' books I've missed at the top of my Christmas list.

This is the only book I've read by this writer, but I will definitely read more of his books. It is a very well written and beautiful story. I couldn't stop reading it once I started. It is also a very quick read because of the brief chapters and the way that it is organized. Although it was a quick book to read and a fairly simple story, I still felt I had been challenged in thought by the time I finished the book. I also had a good cry in the end. Can't wait to pick up another of his books.

I first read this book when I was twelve years old and it affected me so much that ten years later I still have a deep and abiding love of Greek mythology. A ratty, paperback copy I found at Salvation Army still holds *the* place of honor in my Greco-Roman collection, usurping The Odyssey, The Iliad, Edith Hamilton, and Robert Graves.

What originally struck me as so fantastic (and still does) is that the D'aulaires don't write down to their audience or edit out details important to the original myth that some parents might not approve of. The end result? An all ages storybook and mythological primer that no one should be ashamed to own.

The drawings are an acquired taste, falling somewhere between Classical pottery paintings and Art Deco, but they do grow on you. My only quibble is that there's no pronunciation guide, which can really hamper you if this is your first exposure to these stories.

Buy this for for your children or even for yourself, you will never regret it.

When I was in elementary school I found this book at the library. I loved it so much that I did not want to return it. Finally, after several months of renewals, my parents bought it for me. It was one of my most treasured--and worn out--books that I owned.

What made me fall in love the book was the beautiful, large colorful pictures; the easy introduction of the many Gods (to a child with no background in the stories); and, of course, the myths themselves. They were wonderful stories and will pull in readers of all ages.

The book inspired me to read more books on Greek mythology--Edith Hamilton, for instance--and Norse myths (the D'Aularies wrote a book on Norse gods that is unfortunately still out of print) and Asian folktakes when I was still in grade school. In college, however, I learned that these myths in this book had gone through a bit of sanitization, but it is still terrific. I haven't found another chilren's book that treats Greek mythology so well.

This book is one that will keep giving even when the child becomes an adult. When I went to college and was assigned other Greek and Roman poems, plays, and essays, I would be reminded the pictures and the myths found in this book. It would bring back wonderful memories, and at the same time made reading ancient literature enjoyable and easy rather than onerous. To this day, I still remember all of the myths and gods that are in this book, and it gives me a nice referemce to my academic reading.

My parents recently bought the hardcopy edition of the book for me for Christmas. It was the best gift I have received in years!

It is simply a wonderful book!

I don't know about all of you, but Greek Mythology is something I just can't live without! I pondered long and hard over many other volumes that were of the same material, but VERY longwinded. I don't have a lot of time on my hands, but I was just dying to learn of the famous Zues, Hera, Aphrodite, Ares, Athena, and all of the other gods and goddesses who governed the world high atop Mount Olympus. Also of Cronus, Rhea, Gaea, Uranus, and other gods and goddesses I never knew about. Then I found this book, this treasure amongst literature. The artwork alone is enthralling and the detail in which the stories are told is absolutly mesmerizing. The book is one of the best and one would certainly advise a friend to read it if one is streched for time yet has an incredible lust for Greek Mythology. The stories are easy to understand and yet so graphical that even the simplest child could lose themselves in the stories of Eos, Hercules, or Heracles as he is called in the book, Persephone, Demeter, and Phaethon. If you love Greek Myths, this book is an absolute must

Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet is a book that has touched many people very deeply since it's publishing in 1923. It has been translated into more than twenty languages, and the American edition alone has sold more than four million copies. It is considered both by Gibran himself, and by the general public to be his literary masterpiece. The Story is about a prophet leaving a town, and as he leaves he imparts some of his knowledge to the towns people. Gibran himself was born in Lebanon in 1883. He was a poet, artist, and philosopher. His fame and influence has spread through the world, superceding linguistic and cultural barriers. His poetry has been translated into more than twenty languages, and his drawings and paintings have been distributed and showcased all around the world. In the last twenty years of his life he lived in the United States, and began to write in English. The book The Prophet was written during this time period. His words and pictures change the way that people look at life, and people find them to be an expression of the deepest impulses of man's heart and mind. The Prophet is about a man who is leaving a small town called Orphalese where he has made his home for the past twelve years. He has, for that time period, been waiting for a boat to take him back to the land of his youth. We are not told where that land is, only that he has been waiting to return there for twelve years. The entire book occurs on the date of his departure. As he is about to leave, the townsfolk stop him in the town and request that he tell them about certain things. He talks to them about life's lessons and imparts his wisdom to them. He is asked about giving, and he tells the people to give without recognition, because their reward is their own joy. He also talks about things like marriage, work, friendship and also love. He speaks about each, and more, describing the way that people should deal with each issue. This book is an interesting book. It is ninety-three pages of life's lessons set down in writing. These are words to live by, and tell others to live by. This book is certainly a book that everyone should read. Even if people don't agree with some of the beliefs, they should still read the book, if only to get their mind thinking about life, and it's many quandaries from a different perspective. This book is not unlike the musings of an aging man imparting his life's lessons to an audience of just about anyone whom he can gather to listen to him. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's lessons and stories are wise beyond the ages, and still hold up to be as true today as they were when Gibran wrote them in 1923. The lessons enumerated within this pages are lessons that one would hope were followed by the general population, and I know that if more people read this book, then the world as a whole might become a more easily survivable place.

My late father gave me a pocket sized hardcover edition of this book when I was a teenager. I've had it ever since and still read it from time to time.

Gibran's words are refreshingly nonsectarian yet feel none the less profound, timeless, universal and relevant to all cultures, peoples and times. Some have attributed an alternative spirituality to this work either as praise or as criticism.

I personally don't view the Prophet as a book that advocates any particular spiritual or religious path whatsoever. Regardless of whatever else this book may be may be, I've found the Prophet to be restful and quite enjoyable from time to time. I don't worry about the potential hermeneutic interpretations (that I seriously doubt exist) that might exist therein.

Thus, if it's a spiritual and/or religious text you seek I wouldn't recommend the Prophet. But I don't mean that as a criticism of the Prophet.

I simply view the Prophet as a text on the nonreligious, nonsectarian and universal ideas, ideals, feelings and qualities of what it is and means to be and feel human as viewed from the perspective of another fellow human being who had the same limited perspectives that we all share by virtue of being human beings. Gibran never claimed any differently.

If you only buy one book of prose then this is the one I'd recommend.

Gibran gets right down to the bedrock of what it is all about. He was obviously a very enlightened man, and The Prophet is so completely, psychologically and spiritually healthy. Anyone who would not consider this work a standard for healthy living, is simply simple-minded. This book should be offered to all high school students as a guide in gaining perspective on what is really important in life. I first read The Prophet about 10 years ago, and I typically read it about once a year, just to remind myself. However, I gave my copy to my son who showed signs of being "at risk" at age 17. I believe the book had a significant, positive impact on him, and he is now 20 and living a very responsible and balanced life. After my son had read this book, I found him on the telephone one evening reading passages to a friend. It made him think, and any time you can get a teenager to think, it's a very good thing.

Dr. R. Paul St. Amand and Claudia Craig Marek have gained the admiration of many who have suffered from the so misunderstood disorders of Fibromyalgia and Myofascial pain. I will not begin to say how long and how much I went through before finding a doctor who prescribes to Dr. R. Paul St. Amand's scientific protocol. It is a great benefit, and so much more effective than the popular treatments of medication, surgery and physical therapy. Of course, PT is the best of these frustrating treatments. The authors have more experience here then any author I know treating this disorder. Even the most popular author for books on Fibromyalgia, Devin Starlanyl who steadfastly holds onto confounding beliefs for the cause of Fibromyalgia and the methods to cope with it, will not stray from Amand's protocol. This book will give chronic pain sufferers a legitimate cause for this disorder and more importantly a treatment that works. Anyone who has suffered from chronic fatigue and chronic pain while also ignoring some of their other less disturbing physical disorders will be awakened to the root of their problems. This book will give you all the resources you need. It has a good format, is good reading, and is well-written. Please read and learn how to shed years of pain and frustration.

This book is a must have for people suffering from FMS. It is the only book on the market today that offers a step by step treatment for reversing Fibromyalgia. It also offers information about the disease itself and the cluster of symptoms that come along with it such as: fatigue, IBS, skin irritations, vulvodynia, hypoglycemia, ect... This book will help you understand your body and how fibromyalgia affects it. It will also provide solutions for coping and controlling your symptoms until the guaifenesin makes them go away. I can truly say that Dr. St. Amand's protocol has not only changed my life, but it has saved my life. Ten short months ago (Feb. 1999) I was in the hospital fighting for my life from an overdose of pain medications & antidepressants given to me by a rheumatoligst, who claimed that these medications were the only way to deal with fibromyalgia. Today I have been on Dr. St. Amands treatment for 11 months and 8 days. I no longer need or take any pain medication and my family doctor is now weaning me off of prozac. I am happy and have the will to live again. Please do yourself a favor, read this book, and start the protocol. It's not easy but it works!

Dr. St. Amand's use of analogies and ability to explain complex concepts using clear, straightforward language make this book a joy to read! Its readers will understand the "mysteries" of fibromyalgia (and the hypoglycemia that often accompanies it) as never before. Best of all, they will be handed the tools for re-creating optimum health, vibrancy, and a sense of well being. A victim of fibromyalgia for many years, I've been on Dr. St. Amand's protocol for only five months and have already experienced amazing results! Patients, doctors, and medical students need to become intimately acquainted with this treatment plan, which is the result of over 40 years of careful research. Finally we have a solution that actually reverses the disease and allows fibromyalgia patients to lead normal, active lives.

This is the book we have all waited for. For almost 30 years we have waited; and MAN!!! Was it ever worth the wait. This book is at first glance; one of the most beautiful books I've ever held in my hands. The paper used is thick, heavy, and smooth as silk. It's a rather large book, which gives the photographs an impact few books have offered before. Even the shots I've seen before are striking. This is by far the most comprehensive document ever published on the "Fab Four". So many surprises, so many "little" details that only the boys could know. Everything about the "Anthology" project has been done with such loving care, and this book is no exception. The beatles have given the world so much over the past four decades; and now, with this rich impressive chronicle, they give us their own personal recollections of a time when the world was just beginning to learn how to ROCK!!! Thank you, John, Paul, George, Ringo, George Martin, Neil Aspinall, Mal Evans, Derek Taylor, Klas Voorman, and Yoko Ono. This is without doubt; the "Ultimate" book on "The Beatles". Still the most influential band in the history of Rock n' Roll.

So very many books were written about the Beatles, and so many TV documentries were made about them. Anthology is definitely the best one yet, and I don't think there will ever be another book as complete and sincere as it. For the first time the Beatles tell their own story (yes, even John - material from old intreviews with him are beautifuly collected and edited into the book), along with some help from George Martin, Derek Taylor and Neil Aspinall and some old quotes from Brian Epstein, Mel Evans, Pete Best and others, and that makes Anthology a truly unique experience. The story is told from such a personal viewpoint that you will feel like you're part of the band. George, Ringo, Paul and John will become your closest friends for the period of reading the book.

Anthology covers every (well, probably almost every) aspect of the Beatles' life and musical career. It starts as four seperate stories as every band member describes his childhood, then melds into the story of the band. All the interviews from the wonderful Anthology TV series are in the book, but so are many more. There are far more details - especially about the music itself, which was neglected in the series. While in the series some albums were hardly mentioned, in the book the Beatles refer to almost every song, telling a thing or two about its background. Also, more touchy subjects which were avoided in the series appear here - such as, the (phony) death of Paul McCartney, the (real) death of Stuart Sutcliffe, the unfortunate Hell's Angels incident and the terrible case of Charles Manson and his connection to the White Album. The photographs and documents shown in the book are facsinating as well.

And no, it's NOT too long. The only problem with the book is its weight, which makes it quite uncomfortable to read. Anthology is a superb book, which reminded me why I used to love the Beatles so much and got me to hear all their albums again - twice.

This past weekend, my copy of The Beatles Anthology came from Amazon.com. The deliverer was glad she didn't have to go to the front office with it since it's so heavy!

This book is special because the Beatles themselves are the authors! There are also contributing quotes from Pete Best, Stuart Sutcliffe, George Martin, Mal Evans, Neil Aspinall and others.

The stories are great, from their childhood (John being an avid reader in grade school, Paul's father supporting his music skills, George mastering the guitar at a young age, and Ringo being shuffled in and out of hospitals) to their days in Hamburg (John claims that's where he truly grew up!).

In Hamburg, John, Paul, George, Pete, and Stu play various taverns (and meet Ringo) until Stu falls in love and abandons the Beatles. It seems like Ringo fits in better so they eventually sack Best for Ringo.

Funny stories include Mal breaking a windshield on a cold day while driving the Fab Four to their next gig and the Beatles hiding like school kids from an angry George Martin after missing a recording session!

They meet celebrities like Fats Domino, Little Richard, the Queen, and the King (Elvis).

John discusses "Help", "Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds", and "Revolution 9", Paul discusses "Yesterday", "Eleanor Rigby", "Yellow Submarine" and the Abbey Road Medley (particularly its highlight "The End"), George discusses "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Taxman", and Ringo discusses "Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus' Garden".

There are the sore subjects, too, like Manilla (Paul claims they were the 1st to snub Marcos), John's comments about Jesus, the death of Brian Epstein, the breakup coming close on the White Album and later on Let It Be.

Although some of the photos and interviews here can be seen and heard in the Anthology video series and some perhaps read in other books, this brings most everything you need to know about the Beatles in full circle.

And of course, the Beatles experiment with drugs (and later both John and George get
busted by Sgt. Pilcher for possession of them), seek spiritual guidance from the Maharishi (is he as "cosmic" as they think?), fall in love (John with Yoko, Paul with Linda). Unlike in the video series, there is mention of Paul being "dead" and the final nail in the coffin for the Beatles in late 1969 and 1970.

You can't tell it all even in this one (no mention of the Christmas singles, save for a poem by John called "Wonsapon a Pool Table"), but since the Beatles themselves (and their closest comrades) speak for the Beatles, a lot of myths and legends are put to rest. If you're a Beatles fan, you won't want to pass this by!

Over the years, there have been many attempts to establish a
"Deep Inner Meaning" for "Lucky Jim," but I wouldn't pay them
much attention if I were you. "Lucky Jim" is simply a hilarious
book. For me, it was a revelation -- I had no idea that a book
might leave me with my sides aching, weak from laughter, yet
ready to laugh again, as I recalled the phrase or the incident
which had initially tickled my funny-bone.

One reason the book is so funny is that it gores some very
Sacred Cows. In its time, those sacred bovines very definitely
included provincial academics who were seriously into
Elizabethan madrigals and recorder concerts; Amis had the
genius to see these daffy eccentrics for the incredibly comic
figures they really were. Even more outrageously, the novel's
hero gets the girl of his dreams and escapes the dreary provinces
for a happy career in London, by abandoning the academic life
and going into (are you sitting down?) BUSINESS. Into... TRADE.
It is hard to imagine anything more non-U.

In short, a masterpiece of comic English prose!

Highest possible recommendation!!!

When it was first published in 1954, it turned the author, Kingsley Amis (the father of Martin, also a fine author), into a celebrated writer and a spokesman for his generation, a position that he didn't seem to want or care about. The novel was "Lucky Jim," and it tells the story of a young academic, Jim Dixon, at work in one of England's provincial universities. The book is hilarious, from the first page (where Jim describes the physical sensation of hangover) to the last, when he leaves the shady groves of academia for a job with better pay in London. Along the way, Jim learns a lot about academic life--he hates recorder concerts, musical evenings, and academic pretentions--and he learns a lot of girls; his main preoccupation. I keep thinking this book is ripe for a movie version, with someone like Daniel Day-Lewis as the title character; it was made into a film in the 1950s, but I've never seen it and the reviews are not great. The book remains a delight to read, however, and, like all good satires, has some serious points to make, about things that Amis detected, like pretentiousness. "Lucky Jim" is also noteworthy because it launched Amis's career, and he wrote novels, short stories, poems, and journalism for the rest of his life, which ended just last year. He's a very different writer from his son Martin (rumor has it he didn't like Martin's work all that much), but they both share a real gift for comic writing. It is a work that achieves that rare combination of being interesting in a literary sense, but also humorous and a real pleasure to read. I recommend it heartily.

Kingsley Amis's "Lucky Jim" is a novel in the tradition of Wodehousian humoristic writing. But whereas Wodehouse wrote about silly characters worming their way out of silly situations with silly dialogue and behavior, "Lucky Jim" presents a scenario in which humor is developed more subtly through natural irony, cynical sarcasm, and things that are implied rather than said.

The protagonist, Jim Dixon, is a lecturer in the history department of a not-so-highly acclaimed British university. He is lazy, immature, and hates his job and his boss, Professor Welch, the head of the department. Jim feels obligated to attend Welch's boring weekend parties, singing corny madrigals with insufferable members of the university faculty. At one of these parties, Jim runs afoul of Welch's son Bertrand, a pompous, self-important painter and self-declared pacifist who threatens Jim with bodily harm when piqued.

Jim falls in love with Bertrand's voluptuous girlfriend Christine, but he is stuck in a contentious relationship with Margaret, another lecturer in his department. He dislikes Margaret intensely, considering her neurotic and unattractive, but he can't help but feel a little guilty over her recent suicide attempt.

This background is used for further comic developments in which Jim must extricate himself from various quagmires, such as his attempt to conceal the damage to the Welches' bedsheets caused by his burning cigarette, his ploy to get Bertrand to bring Christine to a dance to present him with an opportunity for a rendezvous, and his attempt to deliver a scholarly lecture on "Merrie England" while quite inebriated.

Amis is masterful in the way he sets up these predicaments for his protagonist and allows him to conquer them one by one, capitalizing on each scene's full comic potential, finally emerging with something like a twisted fairy-tale happy ending. Overall, "Lucky Jim" is a novel that deflates intellectual and artistic pretentiousness in a smart (as opposed to vulgar) manner.

bold and witty, this hefty tome is a stellar discussion of what to do and how to do it for total mind/body fulfillment. the world would be a much happier place if "getting it on" was required reading in high school sex ed. (esp. with the handy diagrams for beginners and the uninformed.)

this guide unabashedly and responsibly emphasizes sexual stimulation, satisfaction, and safety -- with a healthy dose of clever humor thrown in. just peruse the glossary for a quick laugh.

would have expected some more information on same-gender sex and fetishes/fantasies -- but coming in at 700 pages already, i can see where those topics are for another book. if nothing else, "getting it on" is impetus and inspiration to initiate sexual communication for mutual enjoyment.

personally, while i've never considered myself a slacker in the sack, i bought this book with a new boyfriend -- to very satisfying results following a shared (and oft-interrupted) read on a snowy vermont sunday. highly suggest other readers employ the joy of pop quizzes, (still something to sweat over!).

The above is my response to this book. When I first started looking though it and reading some of what Paul Joannides has to say, I thought, "Right on!" And the more I read, the more I felt this way. Mr. Joannides deserves some kind of "Medal of Honor" for writing a comprehensive, non-judgmental and at times hip and irreverent look at the world of sexuality. He leaves virtually no topic uncovered. Dang, why wasn't a book like this around twenty years ago? I could have really used it back then! He also obviously put a great deal of effort and love into this book which spans almost 700 pages. Not only is it informative and humorous, but it gets its subject matter across in a down-to-earth and common-sense style. I also loved all the illustrations in the book....

This book in my humble opinion should be mandatory reading for every Human Sexuality class taught, it truly is that good. I lost count of all the various chapters in the book, but among them are [chapters on various types of sex] sex and aging, and a chapter about sex laws (and some of them are truly shocking). Most chapters also feature comments from readers of earlier editions of this book or those who filled out surveys on the publisher's web site; all of which are also highly informative and interesting.

I give this book five stars, only because I can't give it six. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to learn more about sex, relationships, what makes the "opposite gender" act the way they do, in other words virtually everyone!

When it comes to sex guides, there is no shortage. Many are written just to titillate the reader. Many are a guidebook to kink and assume that the reader already knows the basics for more straightforward sexual fun. Some ridiculously romanticize while others read like a medical school text.

Paul Joannides' "The Guide to Getting It On!" is the ideal sex guide. It deals with the basics as well as the more adventuresome stuff. It presents health issues with honest clarity, but is never frightening or clinical. It is a thick tome, but a remarkably fast read. Joannides is thorough, yet concise.

This is the best book on the market dealing with this subject matter. The advice for how to bring up children with healthy, age appropriate views about sex is invaluable. The only problem I have with this book is that I wish I'd written it myself.

Buy this book with confidence. If you are a sex guide hobbyist, you'll love it. If you are a complete novice to the topic you'll love it. There's none better.