When I set out to write a book about the natural history of breasts, I knew I'd have to answer some awkward questions about my book topic. At a...
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Terry Jones of Monty Python fame is also an historian, and he puts his knowledge to use in this fascinating book. The chapters deal with different members of medieval society (such as monks and court jesters), giving detailed accounts of the lives they led. The book is often surprising, such as Jones' revelation that the medieval Europeans were well aware that the earth was round, and that even the peasants often ate surprisingly good food and had better-than-average medical care. Refreshingly, the book takes a pro-feminist viewpoint, with some wonderful stories of very strong women of the Middle Ages. This is a book to be read, savored, and read again and again.
Perfect introduction to Wodehouse, for those who've never read him before. This volume contains the woes of Bertie Wooster and the genius of his manservant, Jeeves (a retelling of the Holmes and Watson stories, in comedy); a story of one of Mr. Mulliner's countless relatives; the uproariously funny trial of friendship between two young men, Barmy Fotheringay-Phipps and Reginald ("Pongo") Twistleton-Twistleton; and the masterpiece, "Uncle Fred Flits By". The last story should be saved until the others have been read; you'll be gasping for breath by the time you finish it! Enjoy.
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(4 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
What a stunning first novel! I read it when it was first published, and I was enthralled. This is not your run-of-the-mill murder mystery, nor are the characters your typical college students. Richard, the protagonist of the novel, comes to discover the dark secret his fellow students of ancient Greek are keeping from him, and is pulled into a conspiracy of silence and lies. The novel takes a deep look at the ugly underside of a beautiful surface, where nobody is innocent, nobody is perfect, and nobody is safe. Thoroughly engrossing.
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(11 of 19 readers found this comment helpful)
This is THE definitive film version of the classic novel. Okay, to be fair, I haven't seen any others. But I don't care. The always-reliable Ronald Colman gives his most stunning performance as the alcoholic, dissolute, yet heroic Sydney Carton. The film takes quite a few liberties with the book, but the result works even better than the novel did. Silent-film buffs will note the casting of silent star Henry B. Walthall as Doctor Manette. One to watch and keep.
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(7 of 11 readers found this comment helpful)
The best of Chandler's novels. The crime - a spoiled socialite battered to death - takes second place to Marlowe's relationships with the only close friend he may ever have had (the mysterious Terry Lennox), his strong yet uneasy attraction to a married woman, and his particular code of ethics. Chandler takes unerring aim at the society of the early 1950s, with devastating and highly entertaining results.
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(15 of 24 readers found this comment helpful)
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Erin Naillon has commented on (14) products.
Terry Jones' Medieval Lives by Terry Jones
Erin Naillon, January 19, 2012
Terry Jones of Monty Python fame is also an historian, and he puts his knowledge to use in this fascinating book. The chapters deal with different members of medieval society (such as monks and court jesters), giving detailed accounts of the lives they led. The book is often surprising, such as Jones' revelation that the medieval Europeans were well aware that the earth was round, and that even the peasants often ate surprisingly good food and had better-than-average medical care. Refreshingly, the book takes a pro-feminist viewpoint, with some wonderful stories of very strong women of the Middle Ages. This is a book to be read, savored, and read again and again.Young Men in Spats by P. G. Wodehouse
Erin Naillon, February 18, 2008
Perfect introduction to Wodehouse, for those who've never read him before. This volume contains the woes of Bertie Wooster and the genius of his manservant, Jeeves (a retelling of the Holmes and Watson stories, in comedy); a story of one of Mr. Mulliner's countless relatives; the uproariously funny trial of friendship between two young men, Barmy Fotheringay-Phipps and Reginald ("Pongo") Twistleton-Twistleton; and the masterpiece, "Uncle Fred Flits By". The last story should be saved until the others have been read; you'll be gasping for breath by the time you finish it! Enjoy.(4 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
Secret History by Donna Tartt
Erin Naillon, January 8, 2008
What a stunning first novel! I read it when it was first published, and I was enthralled. This is not your run-of-the-mill murder mystery, nor are the characters your typical college students. Richard, the protagonist of the novel, comes to discover the dark secret his fellow students of ancient Greek are keeping from him, and is pulled into a conspiracy of silence and lies. The novel takes a deep look at the ugly underside of a beautiful surface, where nobody is innocent, nobody is perfect, and nobody is safe. Thoroughly engrossing.(11 of 19 readers found this comment helpful)
Tale of Two Cities
Erin Naillon, October 18, 2007
This is THE definitive film version of the classic novel. Okay, to be fair, I haven't seen any others. But I don't care. The always-reliable Ronald Colman gives his most stunning performance as the alcoholic, dissolute, yet heroic Sydney Carton. The film takes quite a few liberties with the book, but the result works even better than the novel did. Silent-film buffs will note the casting of silent star Henry B. Walthall as Doctor Manette. One to watch and keep.(7 of 11 readers found this comment helpful)
The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler
Erin Naillon, September 1, 2007
The best of Chandler's novels. The crime - a spoiled socialite battered to death - takes second place to Marlowe's relationships with the only close friend he may ever have had (the mysterious Terry Lennox), his strong yet uneasy attraction to a married woman, and his particular code of ethics. Chandler takes unerring aim at the society of the early 1950s, with devastating and highly entertaining results.(15 of 24 readers found this comment helpful)
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