The sonnet is one of the more difficult-to-write forms of poetry, with very strict rules on rhyming and lines, and that makes Shakespeare's collection of sonnets all the more impressive. Shakespeare sprinkled his various plays with poetry and songs, but there is something of a different flavor to these works.

Titleless, identified only by numbers, these poems have vivid metaphors and imagery ("let not winter's ragged hand deface," "gold candles fix'd in heaven's air"). The tone of the poetry varies from one sonnet to the next; sometimes it focuses on old age, to love that "looks upon tempests and is not shaken," and simple expressions that can't really be interpreted any other way. Some of it is pretty well-known ("Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?/Thou art more lovely and more temperate") but most of them you won't have seen before.

Even if you're not normally a fan of poetry, the delicate touch of Shakespeare's words is worth checking into. Fantastic.

This edition of the sonnets is one of the most important and the description on Amazon is misleading - It is actually both volumes 24 and 25 bound together so you get the complete set It's hard to find this book so it is a great find in this version

Shakespeare's amazing Sonnets are compiled here in this wonderful volume, a great addition to anyone's bookshelf. If you love Shakespeare, then this is a must-have book.

Let me be very clear as to why I give this book a full five stars... it makes Shakespeare's sonnets readily accessible/understandable to the average common reader (which I consider myself to be). This Arden version has become a treasure to me. I have loved W.S.'s sonnets ever since committing #116 (my favorite) to memory a few years ago, but I admit that many of them have left me with one profound thought at the end of the fourteenth line, and that thought is... "huh"? It is truly a sad predicament to be left in such a state of ignorance when Shakespeare is ALWAYS saying something AWESOME! But this book has come closest to a complete cure for me. I am now seldom (if ever) left in the dark by an obscure phrase, line, or context, because the notes on the opposing page are right there to help me through those exact points of difficulty. I unreservedly recommend this affordably priced 3rd Series edited by Katherine Duncan-Jones to any and all sonnet lovers. Let it "give physic" to your ailment.

P.S. It begins with an excellent over 100 page introduction and follows the sonnets with an equally great exposition of "A Lover's Complaint".

This is a nicely bound, low priced volume of Shakespeare's sonnets. But it is more than just that. Each sonnet is on a page by itself with explanatory notes on the facing page. While most of us do not need a spoon-feeding of these wonderful works, we sometimes do come to an abrupt halt at "some in their garments like new-fangled ill", or "sometimes a blusterer that the ruffle knew of court". In the above instances we are talking about fashionable but absurd garments, and a braggart's display. Also, many elisions are changed to modern words (e.g. advised for aduis'd) except where such a change would hinder the flow of the sonnet. There are also over 100 pages of historical and critical comments at the front of the book, which you can read or ignore as you choose.

All in all this is an excellent package of the sonnets with a very useful set of notes. It's great that all of the notes are adjacent to the sonnets, so that you do not have to page back and forth, and that there are no nasty little note reference numbers marring the lines of the sonnets.

This is a nicely bound, low priced volume of Shakespeare's sonnets. But it is more than just that. Each sonnet is on a page by itself with explanatory notes on the facing page. While most of us do not need a spoon-feeding of these wonderful works, we sometimes do come to an abrupt halt at "some in their garments like new-fangled ill", or "sometimes a blusterer that the ruffle knew of court". In the above instances we are talking about fashionable but absurd garments, and a braggart's display. Also, many elisions are changed to modern words (e.g. advised for aduis'd) except where such a change would hinder the flow of the sonnet. There are also over 100 pages of historical and critical comments at the front of the book, which you can read or ignore as you choose.

All in all this is an excellent package of the sonnets with a very useful set of notes. It's great that all of the notes are adjacent to the sonnets, so that you do not have to page back and forth, and that there are no nasty little note reference numbers marring the lines of the sonnets.

But those are fictional retellings -- And from page one it's very clear that this is not fiction.

It is a rare person who can understand the unfolding of their own life with clarity and objectivity, even in hindsight. Rarer still is someone who can relate the saga to others in a way that sweeps them up into the tale and makes them feel they've been part of it. Duncan MacLaughlin has both those gifts.

By devoting the first 50 pages of The Filth to his childhood, the author enables us to grow with him in conviction and understanding. That background, together with a style of storytelling that blends irrepressible wit, complete lack of self aggrandizement, step-by-step build up, and gritty detail, makes it seem perfectly natural to have progressed from childhood camping trips to camouflaged hide outs nearly under the feet of Sunday picnickers.

The second fifty pages take us through the author's early days as a 'bobby on the beat' and the rigorous training program that makes London's police force into a world renowned entity. In those pages we discover that everything we suspect about our local police force is probably true...And that truth can provide more humor than fiction. However we're also acquainted with the facts of police life and work that make us all grateful to have them right where they are: Standing between the criminal element and the rest of us; Handling the problems we'd rather not have to see; and -- eternally -- There when we need them most.

The final 3/5ths of the book is dedicated to MacLaughlin's work with Scotland Yard's Criminal Investigative Division, "The Filth" of the title. From the numerous moments when his life was on the line, to details of training programs even many of the 'best of the best' couldn't stay the course for, to the deep camaraderie that goes hand in glove with living in those situations, once again we are privileged with a true glimpse inside a world most of us can only guess at.

Beyond the heart-stopping drama and unprecedented inside information, the thing that impressed me most about The Filth was Detective MacLaughlin's feeling for the people involved in each facet of his work: The human tragedy of the victims and their families; The understanding for how the backgrounds of those who became his sources led them to the positions in which he found them; The unfailing commitment to protecting those sources; and, overall, The dedication to keeping the world as safe as possible for the rest of us. He makes no bones about the fact that corners are cut and that neither he, nor the force, were squeaky clean. However The Filth also makes it clear that there are some corners that will never be cut.

The author's adherence to his own code of honor and priorities with regard to the people he values were dramatically underscored in an on-air publicity appearance for The Filth on the BBC last year. MacLaughlin's answer when asked the best thing about having had a book published, reflects the inimitable style that grounds this saga. The author responded, "Quite honestly, it's allowed me to be in contact via a third party with the guy responsible for my father's death. I was able to put him on notice that his days are numbered; That I intended killing the person who shot my father and what's more, that I'm smart and would never be caught."

The elder MacLaughlin, a Royal Marine Commando and medical doctor, was shot in Northern Ireland during one of the first major skirmishes of that conflict. One of the most poignant passages in The Filth relates a conversation in which MacLaughlin and his father discuss what happened the day a sniper targeted the author's father over and over as he drove an ambulance through the embattled streets in an effort to save wounded civilians. He saw the gunman firing at him, but his inability to positively identify the weapon that had been used (and unwillingness to lie about the fact when asked) allowed the man charged with the sniper attack to walk free -- and to spit at his victim's feet as he passed.

In the quoted exchange, MacLaughlin Sr asks his son what he would have done in similar circumstances. As true to his own code when being put on the spot by his lifelong hero as he was throughout his career, the author responded that he'd have said whatever was necessary to ensure the guilty party went to prison. That answer led his father to question the state of his son's conscience...A question he might well reiterate if he'd been alive to hear the BBC interview. But after reading The Filth, one thing is abundantly clear: Duncan MacLaughlin will deal with life on his own terms, according to his own deeply held ethics.

As several other reviewers have noted, the ending makes it clear that another book will be forthcoming. The next one is sure to be an even more suspense-packed read focusing wholly on his days with the elite squads, as well as the internal politics and grudges only briefly mentioned here, that led MacLaughlin to leave the force.

I wrote to the author before submitting this review and was delighted to find that we have a third book to look forward to as well. It seems that, true to the international sleuth image we've been introduced to here, the former detective has dedicated the past year to cracking one of the world's great unsolved mysteries. It will be no surprise to his readers that the case of the missing earl was no match for his skills. There's now at least one person in the world who knows exactly what happened to Britain's infamous Lord Lucan after he disappeared the night his wife was attacked and his children's nanny murdered a quarter century ago.

The rest of us will have to wait for the book.

"The Englishman is at his best the moment another man starts throwing a ball at him," wrote German novelist and poetess Vita Sackville-West in 1947. "He is then neither spiteful, nor vindictive, nor mean, nor querulous, nor desirous of taking unfair advantage; he is law-abiding, and respects the regulations which he or his ancestors have generally made; he assumes that his adversary will respect them likewise; and he would be profoundly shocked by any attempt to cheat." Believe me, such a statement does not apply to Scotland Yard detectives - well at least not to one!

Using The Filth as a guide-stick, I'd hazard a guess London detectives lack all of the 'oh so English' traits an American would expect from an Englishman, as described by Ms. Sackville-West.

When the British Airlines flight attendant showed me to my seat aboard the aircraft at London Heathrow, I confess, the unkempt casual appearance of my neighboring passenger ('The Filth' author Duncan MacLaughlin) slumped in the gray leather upholstery beside me made me think, "Is this really Concorde, or am I flying coach on a US carrier?" By the time we landed at NY, I was infatuated by the unassuming, shy, but charming ex-undercover cop, and unsuccessfully attempted to purchase 'The Filth' at JFK before catching my connecting flight home. I have since bought the book via Amazon (and Duncan, it remains unsigned!).

'The Filth' takes the reader on MacLaughlin's journey as a London detective, tackling serious crime in both the UK and further afield, touching briefly upon his adventures here in California and elsewhere in the US.

In short, it's an eye opener and if ever made into a movie, I demand the right to play the part of his American distraction.

What's most frightening about this book is that ever so often I had the impression that I was reading about the present-day situation on the Balkan. Yes, the old dynasties were swept away in the aftermath of WWI, so the names have changed, but the peoples on the Balkan peninsula are still the playthings of international capital and its henchmen in the parliaments. Unfortunately most modern reporters either hardly know how to formulate a correct phrase or have no clue about the social and economic background of the situation they write about. L.D. Trotsky, on the other hand, combined a keen eye for the complex intersection of economy, politics and religion with an expressive style. Not to forget his vitriolic humour. (And yes, I loved his snide remark about Austrian tardiness - verrry true!;-)) Despite the intricacy of the issues, these reports are easily readable.

Trotsky's war correspondence from the Balkan Wars that just preceded World War I is more than a fascinating collection of journalism by a dramatic and passionate figure in modern history. It is also an indispensable backgrounder for the fighting going on in the region today. Much of Trotsky's reportage, e.g. on Serbian attempts to reduce the Albanian population of Kosova by mass murder, will echo very loudly. To his credit, Trotsky sided whole-heartedly with the Albanian victims, in a way that shames the modern defenders of media neutrality and global passivity in the face of ethnic terrorism. The beginning of all wisdom on the modern Balkan wars.

Wind in the Wires paints a vivid picture of World War I aviation, especially in the war's early years. The author's account of flying the Maurice Farman "Shorthorn" and the BE 2 in 1915 is fascinating and more than a little frightening. Forced down and captured after his aircraft suffered engine failure, Grinnell-Milne returned to the front in 1918 as a member of 56 Squadron, flying the SE5a. His experiences with the famous squadron late in the war provide a fitting "bookend" to his wartime career. This ranks among the best aviation books I have ever read, and the quality of writing places it among my favorite books of any genre.

This is a classic memoir of WWI flying from the early days until the end of the war, with a short gap in between. It is on a par with, or as I believe, better than the classic _Sagittarius Rising_ by Cecil Lewis. The author has an eye for detail, and an excellent self-deprecating sense of humor. He survived some truly amazing experiences. This is my favorite WWI flying book, and I highly recommend it!

This book is a biography of a very interesting and persistent man, Dr. William Duncan Silkworth. Dr. Silkworth was a pioneer in the treatment of alcoholism in the early 1930's. The book's author Dale Mitchel does a fabulous job of researching Dr. Silkworth's background and detailing Dr. Silkworth's contribution to the treatment of alcoholism. It was one of Dr. Silkworth's patients who went on to form the basis of the most effective treatment of alcoholism today, Alcoholics Anonymous.
It was Dr. Silkworth who took the enormous gamble of allowing one of his recovered alcoholic patients, Bill Wilson, to act as a lay therapist on the alcoholism ward during the first few weeks of his sobriety. The gamble paid off and over time the concept led to the formation of AA.
Dale Mitchel felt that Dr. Silkworth did not get enough credit for his pioneering work, hence he set out to write the doctor's biography. But, how? Fortunately, Mitchel found all of Dr. Silkworth's personal papers in the possession of a niece of the doctor, Adelaide Silkworth. The result is not only a tribute to a great man, but also a very interesting story worth reading.

It's small and not meant to be comprehensive ( the title says it all), but in this thin book, there are makes of places to visit in Scotland, pictures, drawing and a good concise history of William Wallace.

This is perfect for anyone wanting to know without having to wade through large history.

I highly recommend it to younger people just getting interested in Wallace, or those venturing to Scotland in the hopes of walking in Wallace path.

I enjoyed this book completely...it really gave me a sense of the human experience of the journey, and made me appreciate just what an incredible accomplishment it was. The illustrations really add to the enjoyment of the book, as do the excerpts from the journals of several of the men. I also liked the background information on what goals were actually behind the exploration and how they worked to meet those goals. There's only one reason that I didn't give this book 5 stars, and that's because it lacks a good map to help understand where they were during some of the events described. But that can be found in other works, and this really is a good introducion to Lewis and Clark...it's a relatively easy read but full of interesting facts and adventures.

I give high praise to this book and this reading. You will learn so much about the journey, and you'll feel the cold of the winters and the wonderment of their adventures. Taken from their actual journals, this book is even better than "Undaunted Courage". p.s. the unabridged is even better.

This audio is a great telling of this amazing journey. Any history buff should order this and play it over and over. The facts of the ride and the aftermath of the characters will leave you in awe.

Russell Duncan's compendium of letters both exalts and puzzles.The job of editing the letters and setting them in the context of war, family ties, friendships, etc. is thorough and, for the most part, makes them accessible. Let's not forget, though, that the editor omitted some letters that don't support his main thesis: that Col. Shaw was a rich young pleasure-lover who fought to get back to his privileged existence, never changing this outlook throughout the war; he "never fully understood nor dedicated himself" to the cause of Black freedom (pp.1-2). So here we are presented with a young man raised by abolitionists who went to all the hazards of preparing and leading something new, a black regiment, before dying in the middle of it, without understanding what he was about, or dedicating himself to it. It's fashionable to "debunk" the heros of yore, but even those letters we have tell us otherwise, and Duncan reverses his appraisal, back and forth, several times. We should also beware of measuring citizens of other times against a modern baseline on classism, racism, etc. Apart from these problems, found in the introduction and some footnotes, the book lets Shaw speak for himself (he does it eloquently and enjoyably) and the reader can draw his/her own conclusion on ideas, events, and character development.

it's must have book I love this book

Robert Gould Shaw's letters home are a very realistic look of the Civil War battles by a unique individual with many perspectives. The brutality of battle along with the emotional turmoil from such a young officer bring the war to life. The authors have given us a true picture of a brave officer and the war. As you read the letters of Shaw you want to pull the blankets closer on the cold winter nights he spent in the field. You can share the suffering along with Shaw at the loss of friends. The courage and love of family and devotion of country are evident throughout his premature adult life. God bless the 54th and may Robert Gould Shaw and all that served with him and under him never be forgotten.