Being There
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (29 October, 1996)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $9.99
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Editorial Review

Wilco's follow-up to A.M. impresses first with its size: 19 tunes fill the double-CD package, and the packaging unfolds like a larger-than-life 1970s-era gatefold album cover. But the love affair with the artwork is short-lived, fading as the music takes center stage, making plain the band's overwhelming stretch into innumerable styles. Jeff Tweedy's love of pop and the mechanics of making pop albums is clear almost immediately, as he and his cohort utilize the studio to create and manipulate undertows and snaky recorded elements throughout many of their tunes (a keyboard touch, a guitar's flair, a cymbal's unexpected crash). There are the plainspoken acoustic numbers, recalling Tweedy's tenure in Uncle Tupelo, and there are also unwinding swoops of tinted, guitar-heavy rock--one of which collapses into chromatic jabs at a piano only to resolve in silence on "Sunken Treasure." Oodles of influences fill Wilco's collective mind, and they're perfectly content to pile the trace elements atop each other and make scrambled pop perfection. --Andrew Bartlett ... Read more

Reviews (78)

Good, not earth-shattering
I really like Wilco.Jeff Tweedy has a far better sense of how to craft songs than most any songwriter out there nowadays.And he does a very good job on Being There.My complaint is, and I can hear the screaming already from other devotees, that the vast majority of songs on this disc are forgettable.Wilco really isn't trying anything radical here, and as a result most of the songs end up feeling like filler.That said, there are a handful of very good songs here.Say You Miss Me and Sunken Treasure are beautiful and mesmerizing, Red-Eyed and Blue is great, and there are some fun songs on here like Got You (At the End of the Century) and Monday.

I recommend this album for either people who've already bought later Wilco albums and loved them or people who like relatively unproduced, unrambunctious rock.If you're not sure, buy Summerteeth first.If you think you would like it if it were stripped down to guitars, then go buy Being There.

On the cusp...
This album is best enjoyed on big headphones plugged into a hi-fi. Both of the discs compare favorably to any of the best country-infused rock of the last 30 years, exploring the deep personal issues seldom heard on older recordings yet burdened by none of the naval-gazing of the more confessional singer-songwriter types. The songs and the music are beautiful, whether you're talking about anthemic rock songs like "Monday" and "Outtasite (outta mind)" or piano-driven laments like "Sunken Treasure."
Wilco has continued to release excellent records, but this is the one that finds them on the cusp between where they were going and where they had been. You can see the more varied musical landscapes Tweedy and company would later explore, but they're still safely off in the distance. This record occupies a space in your parent's basement, your childhood room, the first bar where they knew your drink. At about the length of a single CD (with at least a couple duds on the second disc), it's hard to say why this album occupies two discs, but allow them theindulgence. I never get tired of this record.

Wilco Finding Their Voice
This double-disc album is loaded with stunning tracks.

Some highlights:

"Misunderstood"is reminiscent of The Velvet Underground's "Heroin," with the juxtapostion of noise-rock and the consonance of Jeff Tweedy's simple song.The use of changing textures here is masterful.Tweedy's lyrics come across as clever without be self-conscious or trying too hard.

"The Lonely 1" is one of my all-time favorite Wilco tracks, beautiful and bittersweet.The arrangement is well-crafted, with understated strings and steel guitar.This song is featured prominently in "Chelsea Walls," a film that Tweedy scored.

There are a number of songs that remind me of Johnny Cash or Bob Dylan, played and sung in a straight-forward style with brilliant lyrics (songs such as: "Someone Else's Song," "What's the World Got in Store," and "Forget the Flowers").

The straight-ahead rock stuff works well too, simple, catchy, optimistic songs with tasteful vocal harmonies and driving guitars (songs such as: "Monday," "Outtasite (Outta Mind)," and "I Got You (at the End of the Century)").

Then there are the songs that are hard to categorize, floating somewhere between the world of folk, pop, country, and alt.-rock.These songs take chances and are worth a listen (songs like:"Sunken Treasure," and "Hotel Arizona").

Why only 4 stars? The album is too long.It could have been cut down to one fantastic disc.Wilco comes across as indecisive, trying to figure out what their sound should be.For example, they include two versions of the same song ("Outta Mind (Outta Sight)," and "Outtasite (Outta Mind") are the same song, one is done in a sing-songy Beach Boys style, and the other is done in a heavy rock style).Make up your minds guys! Pick the best version for the album and go with it.Save the alternate version for a Beatle-esque Anthology in 20 years.

This one gripe aside, there are many tracks here that are worth your time and money.If you like this album, order "Summerteeth" and "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot."I would only recommend their latest album, "A Ghost is Born" for super-fans of Wilco.It has some solid tracks, but it is a big departure from the albums mentioned above. ... Read more

Asin: B000002N7G
Subjects:  1. Adult Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Alternative Country-Rock    3. Alternative Pop/Rock    4. Pop    5. Rock   

GodWeenSatan: The Oneness
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (07 October, 1992)
list price: $13.98
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Reviews (16)

Way overrated...
First of all, this album is not the classic a lot of people here seem to claim it is. This is a cd for Ween fanatics only. If you don't like or care about Ween, you won't like this cd. It is mainly an hour of screaming, yelling, and disjointed singing over fast guitar riffs and jangly pop sounds. While some of the songs are really creative and good, most is just white noise. I really love Ween's later, poppier albums like "Chocolate & Cheese" and "White Pepper", so I thought I'd like the earlier stuff as well. But be warned...this sounds TOTALLY different from their post-C&C stuff. Personally, I'd recommend all Ween albums from "Pure Guava" onwards because they are all brilliant, but this one really dissapointed me.

Aggressive, early Ween
This is Ween's psycho-punk first album. It's more prone to screeching guitar and throat shredding yelling by the Lennon and McCartney of our generation than the murky two albums that follow it.This band has the ability to be cute, offensive, touching, violent, and just flat out funny under the cover of one recording. Don't make Dean and Gene send Fat Lenny to your house-get this necessary Ween immediately.

Good stuff to chew
I have all of Ween's albums, from their less ferocious, more approachable "Mollusc" to the hazy, floating "Pod", to this biting, fearsome beast known as "GodWeenSatan: The Oneness" Is this a good album? No, not in the sense that you can turn it on and listen to it the whole way through with a smile on your face. Is this a challenging album? You bet. If you listen to "top 40" radio, you'll miss a lot, and won't understand most of this album. In fact, you'll probably turn it off after a few seconds. There are a lot of rewarding moments, though, to be had by the discerning - don't laugh (I love you), and the quintissential "Nicole." Make sure to listen to Nicole all of the way through, without distractions.. there is a LOT going on there. If you are looking for something different, give this a shot. ... Read more

Asin: B0000018VP
Sales Rank: 49187
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. Comedy Rock    3. Indie Rock    4. Lo-Fi    5. Pop    6. Rock   

Paul's Boutique
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (19 July, 1989)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Editorial Review

After the out-of-nowhere success of Licensed to Ill, the Beasties had to prove they were more than one-album wonders, and they hit it out of the park with this follow-up. The Boys' lyrics are a hysterical deluge of cultural allusion (Ponce De Leon, Sadaharu Oh, and Love Connection's Chuck Woolery all get name-dropped), compressed wordplay, and adenoidal snottiness, but the real stars are the Dust Brothers, whose production is a hip-hop landmark. Their music tracks sound like the history of rock and funk radio boiled down to a pure concentrate--monster jams built out of thousands of unexpected samples (Johnny Cash! The Sweet!). It's a killer party album, kinetic and dense, and it never slows down. --Douglas Wolk ... Read more

Reviews (180)

Still the best after all these years
This is my first Amazon review, but I felt that if I had to review one album, this would be it.My tastes of music have made many transitions over the years...rock, jazz, blues, bluegrass, and now some samba and bossa nova...but this album can never stay on the shelf for too much time.It has been my favorite album now for over 10 years (I'm 25), and I'm really curious to know if it still will when I'm 65.

To be honest, it took two or three times listening to it to begin to really appreciate it, as its very different than all other Beastie Boys albums, but my appreciation has never died or even dimmed since then.

My only wish is that the Beastie Boys made a few more songs with this album that they're waiting to release some day??Either way, this is my personal favorite of all time, and I recommend it to everyone.

!!! I LOOKED DOWN THE BARREL OF THIS GUN !!!
IVE LOOKED DOWN THE BARREL OF THIS GUN, AND IT WAS FUN! THIS CD IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT AND INFLUENCIAL PIECE OF MUSIC IN THE RAP SCENE, AS WELL AS ENDTRODUCING OF COURSE. TO ANYONE WITHOUT THIS CD THAT LISTENS TO GOOD MUSIC, OR MUSIC FOR THAT MATTER, THIS CD SHOULD BE SITTING NEXT TO YOUR BIBLE AS JUST AS IMPORTANT PIECE OF HISTORY.

Underapreciated gem
This CD is full of interesting sounds and styles. It's something I can always go back and listen to and it never sounds stupid, dated or unoriginal. ... Read more

Asin: B000002UUN
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rap & Hip-Hop   

Revolver [UK]
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $18.98 -- our price: $13.49
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Editorial Review

Revolver wouldn't remain the Beatles' most ambitious LP for long, but many fans--including this one--remember it as their best. An object lesson in fitting great songwriting into experimental production and genre play, this is also a record whose influence extends far beyond mere they-was-the-greatest cheerleading. Putting McCartney's more traditionally melodic "Here, There and Everywhere" and "For No One" alongside Lennon's direct-hit sneering ("Dr. Robert") and dreamscapes ("I'm Only Sleeping," "Tomorrow Never Knows") and Harrison's peaking wit ("Taxman") was as conceptually brilliant as anything Sgt. Pepper attempted, and more subtly fulfilling. A must. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (668)

Got To Get This Into Your LIfe
Lets get right to it, shall we? Revolver is a pretty good Cd, and although there were really only two hits on this album, most, if not all, of these songs are quite amazing. This is the official transition from the early, touring, ed sullivan appearing, drug-free beatles, to the drug-addled, beautifully lyrics, and innovative sounds.

Taxman- A good opener. George Harrison was my fave Beatle, but still, a good song. I especially like the intro, and the song takes a lot of influence from the old Batman theme song. 8/10

Eleanor Rigby- A great song, classic. Love the string selection, extremely sad, yet very thougt-provoking, and McCartney is awesome in this song. Great vocals. 9/10

I'm Only Sleeping- In my opinion, the best song on the album. Incredibly underrated, amazing lyrics, catchy tune, awesome chorus and verses, and classic Lennon vocals. Crazy how awesome this song is. I really, really love it! 10

Love You To- Another Harrison song. Pretty awesome intro, cool lyrics, and his voice is pretty awesome to boot. George is the only one playing on this track, and uses his beloved sitar, first used on Norwegian Wood (Rubber Soul). This track ends the energy-filled start of the album temporarily, but the energy will come back quite soon. 8/10

Here, There, And Everywhere- A great ballad by McCartney, with a very catchy tune, and awesome guitar in the background. Very realxing, a great love song. Continues the pause of the uptempo songs in the beggining of the album. 8/10

Yellow Submarine- Pretty good song for the kiddies, good lyrics, Ring does a pretty good job, but the song soon gets incredibly annoying. 6/10

She Said She Said- Written by Lennon during an acid trip w/ George and Peter Gonda. Apparently, George had such a horrible trip that he saw visions of his own death, and was totally "freaking out, man." But, Peter Fonda, who almost killed himself when he was a little boy, calmed George down. He kept saying, "I know what it's like to be dead," thus leading to that line in the song. Good sound, even better story. Also resets the album with a heavy chorus.7/10

Good Day SUnshine-Written by Paul, a nice little diddy with great sound. 7/10

And Your Bird Can Sing-John, who wrote this awesome song, hated it and even went as far as to say, "That song was a piece of trash, a piece of Sh*t," in an interview. A little harsh, considering that the guitar here is pretty awesome and strong for a beatles tune. 9/10

For No One- Pretty boring...sounds sorta cool..yeeah...(cough)..6/10

Doctor Robert- About Robert Freymann, adoctor who supplied celebs with drugs and stuff. Awesome song, will grow on you, especially the "Well. well, well, you're feeling down.." part. 8/10

I Want To Tell You-Another Harrison song, with a pretty cool intro. natch. 8/10

Tommorow Never Knows- Tied for the best song along with "I'm Only Sleeping," throughout the whole song is a c-pedal playing, and Lennon again is uncanny on this drug-influenced track. 10

Basically, it goes like this; 4th-rubber soul, 3rd-Revolver,2nd-Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band, and the best ever is Abbey Road.

The Revolutionary Groundbreaker of Music History
Revolver is without a doubt the most statistically and musically the greatest album of all time. For more than one reason. One is that you can literally listen to this album and not skip a song because its not good.You can listen to it the whole way through. Not many albums have achieved that.And second, near the end of the album, you get a sense of musical satisfaction that literally hasnt been achieved since this album or the legandary Dark Side of the Moon. Many say that Sgt. Pepper was the ground breaker for the Beatles and rock. But Revolver was the real groundbreaker. With every song as good as the one before it. I give to you, the Revolutionary, awe inspiring, musically changing, REVOLVER!

Pure sh**!
This is pure sh**! Led zeppelin and Black sabbath stared making great rock music...this album is awful! ... Read more

Asin: B000002UAR
Subjects:  1. Lo-Fi    2. Pop    3. Rock   

Surfer Rosa
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (28 January, 1992)
list price: $11.98
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Editorial Review

Before the Breeders and Frank Black, there was this Boston quartet, playing hardcore's rush and terseness against the acoustic grit and the minor-key flourish of Latin pop. Their first full-length album is their starkest, harsh and trebly, with the drums right in your face, and songs edited to eliminate any note that's not absolutely necessary. Singer Black Francis yelping away about destroyed bodies and the river Euphrates, alternately acting cryptic and crazed. Kim Deal, then calling herself "Mrs. John Murphy," contributes the highlight, "Gigantic," a creepy anthem about childhood voyeurism. The playing is snarly and tricky but unfailingly tuneful, and the hooks come out of nowhere, hiding behind the noise, and bite down hard. --Douglas Wolk ... Read more

Reviews (143)

If you don't like this album!
I generally hate it when people claim you don't know good music if....etc, so I'll just say you better at least understand why this is an awesome, groundbreaking album (not that it wouldn't be incredible even if it hadn't come at the time when it did), you're an old man or just not listening hard enough, although with the irresistble catchiness of this album (and almost every Pixie song) I don't see how the latter could be true. What...is all that distortion or whatever distracting you? come on! I've never given a thought to the raw production or abrasive guitar because there's so much else to grab your attention, not that it doesn't contribute to the charm and spookiness of the work. Bottomline, this album wreaks of (its own) character as much as any I can think of, and if its too short listen to it again. If its melody you want listen to first off River Euphrates, Where is Mind (of course right?), Broken Face, Break My Body, Cactus, Brick is Red, Gigantic, and the others are definitely not monotone or filler by any means.

The Shape of Things to Come
As much as the Pixies were great songwriters and innovators, they will be remembered at least as much for their influence on future genres like grunge. Amidst the excess of glam and hair metal, the Pixies helped bring music back to its basics. There are no long technical guitar solos, no helium vocals, no makeup, costumes or gimmicks. The Pixies's music had a primal intensity that was equally weird and harsh as it was catchy and powerful. The influence and lasting power of Surfer Rosa and later, Doolittle, is a testament to the power of strong songwriting.

The songs here zip by fast, many under 2 minutes. So it takes repeated listens to grab the subtle nuances that make this album so enjoyable. This music isn't too layered or complex, but it has true depth.

The opening four songs, Bone Machine, Break My Body, Something Against You, and Broken Face let you know what you're in for. The harsh music, melodies that make more sense with repeat listens, latin tinges, disturbing lyrical imagery, and vocal maneurisms are all prevalent.

Tracks 5-7 are the core of the album in my opinion. The popular Kim Deal penned Gigantic is catchy, upbeat and somewhat anthemic hiding the dark undercurrent of the lyrics. The quiet verse, heavy chorus structure was a fixture of Nirvana's songwriting. River Euphrates is one of the more catchy songs here. It reminds me of Wave of Mutilation from Doolittle. The chorus is very catchy but not in the traditional way. Where is My Mind? is the pinnacle of this album. It's beautiful, melodic, catchy and haunting. A classic by any defintion.

Cactus has a chugging guitar riff and drum work with Black's strained singing. Really catchy. Tony's Theme is a silly song about a superhero named Tony. Oh My Golly! is chock full of abrasive guitars and Frank Black's bilingual hysterics. Vamos is similar with crazy guitar effects and lyrics. At four minutes it's the longest song here, but it doesn't get boring. I'm Amazed has the band going off their hinges even more than usual. The closer Brick is Red has some interesting instrumental sections with bluesy distorted soloing and acoustic guitars juxtaposed. The vocals kick in eventually to round out this beautiful song and album.

Surfer Rosa a monumental record for any genre. Plus, the Pixies's next album Doolittle is also amazing. Buy them.

Where Were Their Minds?
Like The Smiths, The Pixies never made a bad record.They may have made a few that didn't live up to the standards of their best albums, but the lesser efforts by either band (eg, "Meat Is Murder", "Trompe Le Monde") could have been any other band's greatest masterpiece.During the brief but amazing careers, neither band ever really had anything to prove.Except, perhaps, that they could deliver on the promise of their initial offering.While The Smiths second "proper" album may have slipped a bit from their debut (even though their second actual release didn't), The Pixies surged full-speed ahead with "Surfer Rosa", the full-length follow-up to their debut EP "Come On Pilgrim". (One then can't help but wonder, could the band follow up on a masterpiece? I think that we all know the answer to that one.)

"Surfer Rosa", all 33 minutes of it, is overstuffed with everything that made The Pixies creepy, unpredictable, and impossible to resist.The guitars are sometimes chainsaws, sometimes lasers, and sometimes surfboards.(Plus, there is that cool distorted James Brown riff in "Bone Machine", and the beginning of "Something Against You" sounds like a game show theme.)Frank Black's vocals are alternately shrieking and pensive, while Kim Deal's are a winsome counterpoint, and the lyrics are always at least a bit obscure, no matter who is singing them.Finally, David Lovering's thunderous drumming gives the songs an earthquake-like quality.

For all the truth that there is to how modern and groundbreaking The Pixies were, The Velvet Underground and especially The Stooges are the most obvious influences on this record .But as I said in a previous review (of The Strokes' "Is This It"), rock's greatest bands usually combine elements of the music that came before them, and breathe new life into it.Nowhere is The Pixies' ability to do this more obvious than on "Vamos", which answers the question of what a jam session between The Velvets and The Stooges would sound like (assuming, of course,that either Lou Reed or Iggy Pop could speak Spanish).Iggy Pop screams are all over the record - "Bone Machine", "Something Against You", "River Euphrates","Tony's Theme", etc.And while there is genuine beauty in the mess of this music, one cannot help but be struck by the creepy lyrics.Three of the first four songs make some reference to bones, usually broken ones.Moreover, strange sexual references are also sprinkled throughout the record, eg, "I miss your kissin' and I miss your head", "He bought me a soda and tried to molest me in the parking lot", "There was this boy who had two children with his sisters", "We'll have our sons, they'll all be well hung". (Considering this, the name of their 1989 tour - "Sex and Death" - comes as less of a surprise.)

Like The Velvet Underground, The Pixies had their abrasive and softer sides, and were able to display both on a single record, and often within a single song. On "Surfer Rosa", the softer - but equally cryptic - side is evident in the pensive "Where Is My Mind?", the T. Rex-ish "Cactus", and Kim Deal's delectable song "Gigantic", which seems perfectly innocent at first, until one realizes what it is about (clue - think voyeurism and interracial love)."Gigantic" always comes as a bit of a welcome relief, as Kim Deal's voice is beautiful and the song is so damn singable.It is every bit as significant to the album's quality as any of Frank Black's songs.(It's too bad that his unwillingness to record her songs lead to their acrimonious breakup, but he probably couldn't help but feel a bit threatened.And Frank Black doesn't seem like the type of person you want to piss off.)

From the tempo-defying opener to almost the very end, "Surfer Rosa" storms through your speakers like an aural blitzkrieg.I say "almost" because the final song, "Brick Is Red", is practically a throwaway, but it at least gives the listener the chance to catch his/her breath.This is probably one of the Top 5 American albums of the 80s, yet is inexplicably excluded - as are all Pixies albums - from MOJO's book of the greatest albums of all time. This has been partially remedied in the most recent editon with the inclusion of "Doolittle", but it certainly didn't have to be one or the other, so the continued absence of "Surfer Rosa" is still inexplicable.

All the same, it is hard to go wrong with any Pixies record.This happens to be the one that I like the best, and I highly recommend to, well, anyone who hasn't heard it. ... Read more

Asin: B000002HAF
Subjects:  1. Alternative Pop/Rock    2. College Rock    3. Noise Pop    4. Pop    5. Rock    6. United States of America   

The Compact Oxford English Dictionary
by Edmund S. Weiner, John Simpson
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (01 November, 1991)
list price: $395.00 -- our price: $248.85
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Editorial Review

Proper words in their proper places--and a good many improperones, too! If the OED's many obsolete definitions tend to be the mostenjoyable--shuff is dialect for "shy," dolt wasonce upon a time a verb as well, meaning "to befool"--everyday idiosyncrasies still abound. But, for instance,occupies nine columns of text, and who would wish a single line away?There's also the sublime pleasure of trawling through the sea ofrelevant quotations. The OED's initial team of "voluntaryreaders" was asked to cite as many phrases as possible for botharchaic and ordinary terms. None seems to have found this remotelyarduous, and we now reap the ubiquitous ("present orappearing everywhere; omnipresent") rewards. This huge venture isa labor of lore, love, and good humor. One caveat: If you skip over theHistorical Introduction, you'll miss learning about the UnregisteredWords Committee, and overlook the wry warning, "If there is anytruth in the old Greek maxim that a large book is a great evil, Englishdictionaries have been steadily growing worse ever since theirinception...." ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Something I should have purchased earlier
This is the pinnacle of scholarship concerning our language.It is an awe inspiring feeling to know that you can hold in your hands THE authority concerning our vocabulary.This is a marvelous tool that I have thoroughly enjoyed.That said, there are two compromises you must be willing to make to enjoy this dictionary.First, the typeface is incredibly small.I have better than 20/20 vision and it is still difficult for me to read the largest of print in the main body of the text unaided.As a side, the accompanying magnifier is wholly inadequate.Be prepared to invest in a good magnifying glass with 3x or greater magnification.Second, the size of the book is quite large.This is not a book you will be paging through on your lap on a lazy afternoon.If you can get past these hurdles, there is not a better dictionary for our language.And Amazon is, hands down, the best place to purchase this.I received my dictionary in 2 days for $100 less than the nearest competitor.

Would Have Loved To Keep But Couldn't Read
I wanted this Dictionary the moment I heard about it... I was finally able to order it this month and was extremely sad to have to return it because despite having fairly decent eye sight even with the magnifying glass there were many parts of the dictionary I could not read.Who knew small microfiche type could get smaller.The magnifying glass provided doesn't encompass an entire column so to read a section you have to move it back and forth and it becomes difficult to keep track of which line you're on.I considered purchasing a stronger and larger magnifying glass but it also took a lot of time to find a word and I realized that after spending all that money I may not utilize it as often because of it's difficulties.

What I would recommend to those considering this dictionary is to be honest with yourself.I thought to sell such a dictionary you'd have to be able to read it with the magnifier or what was the use but it really is a challenge so how much time do you want to spend looking around for a word and strain while trying to focus and read.I am now saving for the full 20 volume set because heck only $600 more and you have a lovely, readable set.

Professor and the Madman OED
I like the book because it comes with a really cool magnifying glass to read the tiny words,I purchased a supplemental magnifying glass to make the words even larger! My only suggestion would be that they print the book large enough to not require a magnifying glass perhaps 6' square? Sure it might be cumbersome but you would not need the magnifying glass, nevertheless I would still want the magnifying glass because its pretty cool on its own. ... Read more

Isbn: 0198612583
Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. Dictionaries - General    3. English Language Dictionaries    4. English language    5. Language    6. Reference   

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
by Judith Viorst, Ray Cruz
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (15 July, 1987)
list price: $6.99 -- our price: $6.99
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Editorial Review

"I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there'sgum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped onthe skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sinkwhile the water was running and I could tell it was going to be aterrible, horrible, no good, very bad day."

So begin the trials and tribulations of the irascibleAlexander, who has been earning the sympathy of readers since1972. People of all ages have terrible, horrible days, andAlexander offers us the cranky commiseration we crave as well as areminder that things may not be all that bad. As Alexander's dayprogresses, he faces a barrage of bummers worthy of a country- western song: getting smushed in the middle seat of the car, adessertless lunch sack, a cavity at the dentist's office,stripeless sneakers, witnessing kissing on television, and beingforced to sleep in railroad-train pajamas. He resolves severaltimes to move to Australia.

Judith Viorst flawlessly and humorously captures a child's testytemperament, rendering Alexander sympathetic rather than whiny.Our hero's gum-styled hair and peevish countenance are artfullydepicted by Ray Cruz's illustrations. An ALA Notable Book,Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Dayis a great antidote to bad days everywhere, sure to put a smile oneven the crabbiest of faces. (Ages 5 to 9) ... Read more

Reviews (93)

People of all ages can relate!
I first had this book read to me as a child, and it stuck with me throughout life.I would always remember that anyone can have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day (even in Australia).In fact, sometimes I still tell people that I am having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, and it someone flickers with recognition, then all is well in the world!

Contrary to what some reviewers say, this is not a depressing book.It's one to keep on the shelf and re-read any day things aren't going right.It has a wonderful message and is beautifully illustrated.

This is a timeless classic.Adults and children will enjoy the experience.

My happy-go-lucky 5 year old could not relate to this book
My happy-go-lucky 5 year old could not relate to the character in this book.He asked a lot of questions as we read, because he just could not understand what this boys problem was.When something bad happens to him he just brushes it off and moves on.I doubt we will read this book again.

One of my favorite childrens books.
I stumbled across this book years ago when one of my daughters felt life was totally unfair to her.

The book enabled her to see another child having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.Humorously written, it reflects a boy having a day that was even worse than her day.It opened up channels of communication.After that we read the book regulary, and cited the title whenever things were difficult.

This book has been enjoyed and loved by my children, grandchildren, and friends children.Recently, I sent it to a Danish relative.She found it easy to translate the story line to her son.He loves it!

Buy it.Enjoy it with a child you love. ... Read more

Isbn: 0689711735
Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Humorous Stories    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Social Situations - Emotions & Feelings    6. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories