My Perfect Life
by Lynda Barry
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 April, 1992)
list price: $10.00
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Reviews (4)

Not Just Cartoons, But Literature
Much like the content of her "ernie pook's comeek", LyndaBarry's "My Perfect Life" is more than just a cartoon, it isliterature.The book sucks you into the lives of its complex and appealingcharacters until you are experiencing and caring about what happens tothem.Sometimes hilarious and sometimes sad, this is a wonderful book.

Lynda Barry is Funk Queen of the Galaxy
Thank you, Lynda, for sharing your talent and emotion with us.This booklet me know I was not insane when I felt like crap and let me (no MADE me)cry about it.I also shared Maybonne's recovery and continued confusionand frustration with the jerks of the world. Read this book and everythingelse Lynda Barry does!

This book saved my mind in junior high
Lynda Barry comics are the best.That's it.This whole book (and also Come Over, Come Over) blew my mind when I read them and made me really happy that someone could make the horible crap I was feeling seem actually funny, sometimes in a kind of sick way, but I read the books over and over and they never failed to please ... Read more

Isbn: 0060965053
Sales Rank: 478572
Subjects:  1. American wit and humor    2. American wit and humor, Pictorial    3. Comic books, strips, etc.    4. Comics & Cartoons    5. Form - Cartoons & Comics    6. Humor    7. United States   

The Doubtful Guest
by Edward Gorey
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (15 June, 1998)
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Editorial Review

Originally published in 1957, The Doubtful Guest serves as a prime example of the beauty, eccentricity, and brilliance of Edward Gorey's work. If the book was read aloud without revealing the accompanying black-and-white drawings, you might guess the tale came from the quirky genius of Dr. Seuss. The rhyming couplets and nonsensical verse (about an even more nonsensical creature) feel familiar, but in Gorey's skilled hands, the experience becomes altogether new.

The doubtful guest shows up unannounced and unwelcome, yet its presence is accepted after only a brief interlude of screaming. The staid, pale, Victorian inhabitants of the mansion alternately stare and glare at the doubtful guest as it tears out whole chapters from books, peels the soles of its white canvas shoes, and broods while lying on the floor ("inconveniently close to the drawing-room door"). Strangely, or rather, typically, as this is a Gorey book, the stymied occupants never ask the guest to leave--and in 17 years it has still "shown no intention of going away." Maintaining a matter-of-fact tone in spite of true oddity is pure, delicious Gorey, and his trademark drawings are not to be missed. The ghostly, stark, and undeniably amusing illustrations make The Doubtful Guest an entrancing tale in which reserved, insular lives meet with the unexpected and bizarre. (Ages 5 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (14)

"It Betrayed A Great Liking For Peering Up Flues..."
This is my single favorite Edward Gorey book, partially because of the amusing couplets it is written in, but mostly because of the appearance of the guest himself, which never ceases to amuse me. The concept of a strange creature who mysteriously visits and decides to stay (seventeen years) while exercising odd whims (like fits in which he removes all towels from the bath or hiding inside a soup tureen) is particularly suited to Gorey's odd brand of humor (although it is not one of his more unusual books, by any stretch of the imagination.)

I have liked Edward Gorey since I was in my teens, and still find him as unique and entertaining as ever. This is my very favorite Gorey book, and would make an excellent introduction to one of the oddest cartoonists of the twentieth century.

Grab your galoshes
You will not be doubting this book as a guest on your shelf.The Doubtful Guest is a Gorey masterpiece in all its pawky nature. If you find that you are fond of it, you might drop it in the pond, as the doubtful guest does to things it's fond of: "It would carry off objects of which it grew fond, And protect them by dropping them into the pond."You'll surely be all wet if you do, because you'll want to fetch it out for a read quite often.

amusing, in a strangely British manner.
"It would carry off objects of which it grew fond, And protect them by dropping them into the pond."This quote sounds like British humour to me --- however these are the words of the American author Edward Gorey.This entertaining tale of a creature that arrives at a family's home one day is very amusing because of its strangeness.Each little episode is a description of a strange little event precipitated by the "Doubtful Guest" done in rhyme.It begs comparisons with Dr. Seuss, but it is a more sophisticated, darker humour, that is more suitable for adults.Accompanied by Gorey's own ink drawings, this book is a classic.Although it will only take a few minutes to read it, you will enjoy re-reading it many times. ... Read more

Isbn: 0151003130
Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Humor    3. Individual Artist    4. Techniques - Cartooning    5. Techniques - Pen & Ink Drawing    6. Art / Cartooning   

Manhattan Memoir
by Mary Cantwell
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 May, 2000)
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Reviews (5)

A Classic Memoir
Mary Cantwell's Manhattan Memoir is three books in one but you will never tell the difference.The stories flow together as Cantwell's memoir's cover her life.Cantwell takes you through a stroll in Manhattan.The good times, the struggles.The best memoir I have read.This is that book you will tell all of your friends about.Cantwell is a fantastic story teller.

Wonderful prose and a fascinating story
The other reviews told what the book was about. I just wanted to add to their comments by saying that I couldn't put the book down and was sad when it ended. Her words flowed so beautifully.

Delightful, Engaging and Unflinchingly Honest
Mary Cantwell bares her triumphs and joys as well as her shortcomings and insecurities in this collection of three memoirs that span her childhood, early adulthood, and middle- to late-adulthood respectively. Cantwell lead a wonderful, if unremarkable, childhood in an enviably Rockwell-esque seaside town - her depiction of her life through high-school is a real joy to read.Upon graduation from college, Cantwell hits the "Big City" appears to have forgotten some of the lessons learned in her idyllic childhood, however, she still manages to snag a plumb job with Mademoiselle Magazine and occasionally interacts with literary legends with her ambitious young husband.In her later life she is given interesting writing assignments and carves out a life for herself in Lower Manhattan, however, I found it discouraging that she wallows in the collapse of her marriage (which never appeared to be very strong), often to the detriment of her two daughters. I kept wondering how a woman with such a strong background could have allowed herself to sink to the depths Cantwell periodically allowed herself to hit.Regardless, she is not ashamed to remember less-than-glamorous moments in her life (which also include being jeered by fellow classmates as an elementary school student and suffering from paralyzing fits of self-doubt as a young career woman) - these are the events that have made her what she is.

It must have been incredibly therapeutic for Cantwell to write these memoirs.All three books can be seen as a view of the author's life from within her own head. Her message is simple:accept me for what I am."Manhattan Memoir," in addition to being the story of Mary Cantwell's life, it also about trying to be true to oneself when one isn't always sure what that means.By writing her story, Cantwell examines her life and tries to learn from her experiences - and it can make the reader start to thinkabout his/her own life as well.

While Cantwell's life is not particularly fascinating or different in itself, her writing style and manner of portraying her experiences are magical and riveting.She describes the joyous and painful events of her life in an easy, engaging manner - it is as if she is talking about the past with old friends.She manages to make the mundane fascinating.She also has a real gift for engaging the reader.I wasn't sure if I liked her writing style at first - Cantwell writes almost as one speaks - but within pages of beginning the book I became used to her rambling style and truly enjoyed it.

This book provides an added plus for those from or familiar with Rhode Island and/or New York City.It was fun for me to recognize the addresses of Cantwell's Manhattan apartments and know that the places she frequented, I often go to today. ... Read more

Isbn: 0140291903
Sales Rank: 500836
Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cantwell, Mary    6. Childhood Memoir    7. Childhood and youth    8. Literary    9. Manhattan (New York, N.Y.)    10. New York (N.Y.)    11. Travelers    12. Voyages and travels    13. Women    14. Journeys   

The New Yorker Book of Money Cartoons
by Robert Mankoff
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (01 November, 1999)
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Editorial Review

Freud saw money primarily as a fecal symbol: something to hoarded, treasured, and counted. That probably says more about Freud and the times he lived in than money. A more modern and accurate interpretation of money would be as a symbol of fertility and potency. So perhaps it is no coincidence that until the arrival of Tina Brown in 1992, The New Yorker never ran cartoons about sex. On the other hand, an astonishing 25 per cent of the 13,000 cartoons it has run since 1986 have been about money.

In his introduction to The New Yorker Book of Money Cartoons, Christopher Buckley, editor of Forbes FYI magazine, calls the cartoonists' obsession with business and money as a "sublimation" of this forbidden subject. One cartoon even shows two New Yorkers walking the streets surrounded by signs for money on the shops, billboards, buildings, vendors' umbrellas, and cars. "Remember a few years ago when everything was sex, sex, sex?" says one to the other. Another shows a couple standing at the entrance to a sumptuous living room. "See," says the man, "isn't this better than being happy?"

Of course American culture in general, and New York life in particular, has always been obsessed with money as an index of success, while other, older cultures such as the U.K. at least have a class system to fall back on. Nonetheless, this charming and relevant collection of cartoons will ring bells with anyone who has ever striven in the world of mammon. It's not so much the sort of book you would buy yourself, but it would be a real pleasure to give and to receive. --Alex Benady ... Read more

Reviews (2)

"Three wishes less commission."-- the good fairy
I first discovered The New Yorker when I was a teenager.When I saw how many people subscribed to the magazine, I started asking people why they did.Inevitably, the answer was, "For the cartoons."Since then, I have come to realize that The New Yorker is like the hall of famefor cartoonists.

Now, subscriptions to The New Yorker are prettyexpensive, so your cost per cartoon can be hefty.Buy this book, and slashyour cost per cartoon while increasing your laughs per minute!

Seriously(no kidding), this volume is well done.It leads off with a very wittyessay about money from Christopher Buckley of Forbes FYI who introducessome of the cartoons.

As well drawn as these 110 classic cartoons are,you'll find that many of them work as quips."I married you for yourmoney, Leonard.Where is it?"

The pursuit of money is always tingedwith concern about what one is giving up to get it."Well, anyhow, itsure is handy having my broker right here in my cell."

Money can bea distressing subject as well, too delicate for the dinner table. "Must you tell us our daily share of the national debt every time wesit down to dinner?"

Money is an important subject.One that oftencomes up in families at other times."Your mother called to remindyou to diversify," says secretary to the executive.

The dog's eyeview is helpful also, as one pooch says to the other, "Let's face it-- man's best friend is money."

The challenges of having enoughmoney can bring us all up short.Like the man addressing the bank tellersaid, "I'd like to bounce a check."

It's no wonder that moneyhas been such a constant source of cartoons in The New Yorker.By puttingmany of the best ones in this fine book, you'll have a good cross sectionof the best New Yorker cartoons in recent years.

Have a good laugh! Then stop to think about what stalled thinking you may have about money. Then think about how you could change your beliefs about money to have abetter life.

Find that person who dislikes cartoons, they gotta be dead.
As a former business owner, I found that those without a sence of humor soon lost money.

Here is a book of cartoons that will help most everyonelaugh, maybe even those on the way to their best tax haven (page 13),orthose who want to discuss the portfolio losses with their broker (page 96). There is also some excellent advice touse when responding to thoseunwanted cold calls (page 46).

Yes, I do like cartoons.With this bookyou can become a very good "money person".

It is bound to bringmany laughs, today, tomorrow and in much of the future! ... Read more

Isbn: 1576600335
Subjects:  1. American wit and humor, Pictor    2. American wit and humor, Pictorial    3. Caricatures and cartoons    4. Cartoons and caricatures    5. Comics & Cartoons    6. General    7. Humor    8. Money    9. New Yorker (New York, N.Y. : 1    10. Topic - Business and Professional    11. Cartoons & comic strips    12. Economics   

Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China
by JUNG CHANG
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (03 October, 1992)
list price: $16.95
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Editorial Review

In Wild Swans Jung Chang recounts the evocative, unsettling, andinsistently gripping story of how three generations of women in her family fared in thepolitical maelstrom of China during the 20th century. Chang's grandmother was awarlord's concubine. Her gently raised mother struggled with hardships in the early daysof Mao's revolution and rose, like her husband, to a prominent position in the CommunistParty before being denounced during the Cultural Revolution. Chang herself marched,worked, and breathed for Mao until doubt crept in over the excesses of his policies andpurges. Born just a few decades apart, their lives overlap with the end of the warlords'regime and overthrow of the Japanese occupation, violent struggles between theKuomintang and the Communists to carve up China, and, most poignant for the author,the vicious cycle of purges orchestrated by Chairman Mao that discredited and crushedmillions of people, including her parents. ... Read more

Reviews (259)

Buy it, read it, treasure it
Of a dozen or more books that I have read on China, this one definitely rates as the best of the lot. Tracing the lives of three generations of Chinese women, from the fall of the Qing Dynasty to the end of the Cultural Revolution, it is as good for its historical account as it is for its personal insights. Often tragic and often heart-warming, it tells China's modern history exceptionally well. Having had more than 250 highly positive customer reviews which (at the time of writing) give it a four-and-a-half star average, the popularity of this book speaks for itself. The reader will not be disappointed, no matter how far we reviewers go to setting it up for a fall as if by trumping it up too much. We could never do this, as our writing skills barely compare! It is not only the best book I have ever read on China - a history, a multi-biography, and an adventure story in one - it is one of my favourite books of all time. Buy it, read it, treasure it.

An Incredible Book
'Wild Swans' is perhaps the greatest book of all those I have read. It is simultaneously a chronicle of the epic events that shook China and the world during the 20th Century and a person tale of survival in a world gone mad.

As the personal stories of three generations unfold against a backdrop of war and revolution it is hard to remember at times that one is actually reading a true story - not a novel and not embellished in any way. This book drew me in more than any other I have read and despite its considerable length I completed it in just one day - almost in a single sitting.

Starting in the last years of the two millennia old Chinese Empire the book moves into the uncertainty of the warlord era that followed Sun Yat-sen's 1911 revolution and then passes into the age of Kuomintang and Japanese oppression before passing on to the civil war when the author's mother witnesses spectacular brutality on the part of the Kuomintang and decides to throw her lot in with the communists. The narrative continues on through the civil war and onwards - revealing a world increasingly worse as Mao's megalomania grows and madness grips the world's most populous nation.

The climax of the book comes with the onset of the Cultural Revolution and the stories here are both spectacular and terifying simultaneously - seeming like a real life 1984 as one by one friends and relations meet terrible fates in purge after purge - torture, execution, exile...

This book is not a light-hearted read - it is the tale of the events that collectively constitute China's 20th century history - perhaps the greatest tragedy of last century. Everyone should read this book - it is insightful and powerful.

History worth reading
"Wild Swans" is the autobiography of Jung Chang, a London-based writer who grew up during the Cultural Revolution in mainland China.Her story covers three generations of her family's history.Chang's grandmother was a concubine whose feet were bound at the age of 2, just before the practice disappeared in the early 20th century.Chang's mother was a hard-working government bureaucrat whose passion for Communism glowed brightly in 1949, but was extinguished during the repressive years of Mao's leadership.And Chang herself endured the hardships of life in China in the 1960s and 1970s, but emphasizes that her suffering was minor compared to that of her countrymen.

"Wild Swans" is a great book.It's one of those rare finds that both educates and captivates.Readers who have an interest in Chinese history will discover a fascinating account of life under Mao and Deng.And those who enjoy a first-person memoir from an author who led an interesting and challenging life will be drawn in by Chang's stories."Wild Swans" isn't the best-known memoir out there, but it's a good one to read and share with others. ... Read more

Isbn: 0385425473
Subjects:  1. 1952-    2. Asia - China    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Chang, Jung,    8. China    9. Historical - General    10. Women    11. Women's Studies - General    12. Chang, Jung    13. Social Science / Women's Studies   

The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Poetry : Sixty-Five Outstanding Poets
by J.D. MCCLATCHY
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (31 October, 1990)
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Reviews (5)

A Launch Pad For Poetry Lovers
I bought a copy of the first edition of this book (much prettier cover I am sorry to say) in high school.I thumbed through it, over and over, finding new and different poems to savor, getting exposed to countless amazing poets whose full books now grace my shelves (Anthony Hecht, Elizabeth Bishop, Adrienne Rich, Mona Van Duyn, Howard Nemerov).This book, by choosing generally shorter poems that catch your eye (with some exceptions) by a host of excellent modern poets with tremendous variations in styles, changed me from a poetry dabbler to a true poetry consumer and fan.I often give away copies of this book, with post-its marking my favorites.I highly, highly recommend this book, particularly to people intimidated by the number of diverse and excellent poets from which to choose.

Beware: This is new but out of date
You'd think that a new, second edition of this anthology would be truly updated?Well, if so, you'd be wrong.All that this adds to the first edition is a few young poets at the end.The poets who were included in the first edition and who have continued to write might as well have died in 1990 as far as this anthology is concerned.Mark Strand wrote his best work in the 90s; in this book, his career stops in 1980.Anthony Hecht and Richard Wilbur and John Hollander have written fine poems in the last decade, but you wouldn't know it from this book.The editor should have made room for this new work by cutting some of the poems by Robert Lowell (his reputation has shrunk for a good reason) and Theodore Roethke and other poets who have been dead for more than 25 years.

A Great Anthology
This is a great anthology of later 20th C. American poets and a great book to use for a poetry reading group, because the selection for each poet is sufficiently long to provide a good introduction.It inspired me to acquire books by many of the individual poets.

I would prefer that the poems be dated and would greatly prefer it to be available hardbound - it deserves the permanence in my library.

McClatchy's editing of this and Contemporary World Poetry is outstanding! ... Read more

Isbn: 0679728589
Sales Rank: 209505
Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. American Contemporary Poetry    3. American poetry    4. Anthologies (multiple authors)    5. Collected works    6. Poetry    7. Poetry / Anthologies (multiple authors)   

NY ATLAS
by Stephan VanDam
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 October, 1998)
list price: $14.95 -- our price: $14.95
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Reviews (7)

Great Guide
An easy-to-read (as in, you can actually see the map details without a magnifying glass), easy-to-follow, extremely helpful guide to NYC.I moved to Queens from Manhattan a couple of years ago, and I would have been lost (literally) without it. It also helped me navigate my way through Brooklyn as I searched for apartments there -- and it's small enough to fit easily in a purse or backpack. As a former long-time Manhattanite, I find this book invaluable for finding my way around those other mysterious boroughs. Anyone who can't follow it doesn't knowhow to read a map...

D@mn confusing
I'm a New Yorker, and this book made simple trips seem complicated. I recommend the free map from Downtown Alliance; see downtownnewyork.com. If you're planning a trip to new york, there are dozens of other great free maps--including the very complete one available at any metro station.

Unreliable. A frustrating guide for the traveler!
At first glance this book seemed like the ideal guide for tourists or native New Yorkers, but when I actually pulled it out to use it found that the navigation system was hard to follow and not even accurate! The establishments I went to had the wrong address!! I went to call to verify another address before traipsing overthere and the phone number was out of service!! After I noticed these mistakes I looked closer and saw that the facts were wrong. I decided the maps were worth one star, but the reliability factor was nil. By the author hype on the cover I excpected a masterpiece! This was a big letdown. ... Read more

Isbn: 0931141907
Sales Rank: 929903
Subjects:  1. Atlases    2. Atlases - General    3. Reference    4. Travel - United States    5. United States - General   

Walking on Walnuts
by NANCY RING
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (04 August, 1997)
list price: $12.95
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Reviews (6)

great recipes, heavy-handed writing
My mom insisted that I read this book because my career paths and quandries are remarkably similar to Ms. Ring's. I'm about 3/4 through it and I have to confess that the writing has so befuddled me that I've started skimming over the family history parts to get to the narrative of her restaurant stories, in fact I'm longing for even just ten uninterrupted pages of ANY straight narrative, preferably without walnut analogies or metaphors.

If you're trying to decide whether you should read this book, let me give you a food analogy to help you out. This book is like a fruitcake. Densely packed with tasty tidbits and each and every tidbit is in every single bite. There's no escaping the pineapple if you don't like pineapple, no escaping the nuts either.

The restaurant stories are entertaining, especially for anybody who's been in the industry; the family stories are compelling (and really deserve their own straight narrative, not this chopping up to accentuate Ms. Ring's life), the recipes look great and make me wish it were late summer so I could make that peach cake. The walnut facts and analogies are so tedious they make me want to cry.

Basically I'm going to skip to the end of the book to figure out what she does (goes to work for a caterer? Opens her own pastry shop? Does she every marry Eric? Under a walnut tree in Central Park?) and I'm sorry, all you great grandmas and uncles.....I'd love to spend some time with you to get to know you, but you're too confusing a gaggle.

Ms. Ring. In your next book, how about just a straight story, set in the not too distant past....some historical fiction based on your relatives and ancestors? That farm in Argentina--that's a great story-- imagine being that woman holding the farm together, trying to keep a kosher kitchen when all there is to burn is dried cow patties. You've got the material, now all you need is the time, right? Yeah, ha ha.

An evocative memoir with recipes
There are those among us who read cookbooks like normal people read novels.If you are among this group, you will rejoice at Nancy Ring's evocative memoir, "Walking on Walnuts."This lovely book braids delectable recipes (Burnt Orange Ice Cream, Peach and Honey Upside-Down Cake, among many others) together with tales of the author's family and the story of her own path towards professional and personal fulfillment.

Nancy Ring held a number of positions as pastry chef in some of New York City's finest restaurants, all without benefit of culinary school training.She learned to bake from her grandmothers, and she learned to create recipes from her own imagination.Her progress from utter novice to confident chef is fascinating, especially because she never seeks to pull the wool over her readers' eyes.She knows she's inexperienced, and she's not above naïveté and wonder as she traverses the Manhattan restaurant world--a world which shows its magic to the public and saves its horrors for those who create the magic.This only adds to the absorbing narrative tension of the story.

To protect the innocent and not-so-innocent, Ring has altered the names of the restaurants which employed her, as well as the names of most of her co-workers.My favorite section takes place in the first restaurant to take a chance on Ring's as-yet-unproved baking talents; she works under a sassy woman named Arana who takes relish in appearing at the restaurant's staff holiday party dressed as a formally set dinner table:

"She walked straight up to the chef and placed herself directly in front of him.Arana was very tall, and in those heels she towered over the chef, who stood barely over five feet.Her breasts were nearly exactly level with his eyes.When I tell you the crowd was disintegrated in laughter, I mean it.'Arana,' the chef said in a tone somewhere between shock and appreciation . . . 'This is a party, not a watermelon sale.'Knock-down, all-out, knee-slapping laughter.Somebody yelled, 'Touché!''Hmmpf,' said Arana, real Mae West style, 'don't you know what I am?' . . . 'No, I don't,' he laughed.Arana stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at the crowd until they quieted a little.Then, when she was sure they would all hear her, she turned back to the chef, enjoying her captive and her audience. 'Would you like a bite?' she smirked.'I'm the tart of the day.' "

This is the type of book you immediately want to go out and buy for friends.Ring's own illustrations punctuate each chapter; in addition to being a pastry chef and writer, she is a talented artist.I can hardly imagine a more enjoyable read for anyone who enjoys cooking as much as they enjoy a fast-moving, well-plotted story.

A wonderful layering of walnuts and history as life
I really liked this book because I could identify with the author on every level: artist, baker, family member.An intricately woven story of life in the 1990's as seen through the eyes of a struggling female artist and the generations of women who proceeded her. I love how each chapter ends with a recipe she struggles with during the course of the story and how food and walnuts are used as metaphors for life. ... Read more

Isbn: 0553375164
Sales Rank: 558436
Subjects:  1. Artists    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cooks    6. General    7. Jews    8. New York (N.Y.)    9. Biography & Autobiography / General