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Author:
Stephen Fry
By
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
 From Cover to Shining Cover, 2008-11-02
Having read the three and four star reviews, I had second-thoughts about purchasing 'Stephen Fry in America'. But after purchasing the book on the back of watchin three episodes of the TV programme I was compelled to write a review and it is one of 5 stars, as I'm sure you may be aware of! I can tell you my friends, that this well put together travelogue of a quintessentially Englishman's journey through and into the heart of America is almost definitely a book everyone who 'views' this item on amazon should purchase.
I don't want to slate the former reviews (apart from the 5 star one, great outlook ol' chum) because they're entitled to create their own opinions but they are wrong! To quote Mike D of the Beastie Boys, "I don't speak what I hear, I just say what I know" and this will form the basis of my own review, which I hope will prove informative and may tip the balance in favour of you buying this book. And I am an independent source, I'm not on Stephen Fry's payroll (NB* If he has one, can somebody please get in touch with me).
Firstly, the price of this book, as of 2/10/08 (or to be topical 10/02/08), on Amazon is £9, which is £1 cheaper than the low price of ASDA and Waterstones, is very reasonable especially seeing as it is in hardback and vibrant in colour, and perhaps more central, priceless with in the qualitative and quantitative information it is crammed with.
Fry starts off in Maine, following an interesting and humorous introduction. From the off, one can simply tell that this tale is going to be an insightful and intriguing journey through all 50 states. Fry does not fail to miss out the `little man' which he seems to stress as being so important in the fabric of the American global blanket.
I won't list every single tale from every single encounter in every single tale for I feel it is a story you need to embark upon yourself. But I can tell you he meets one very special Hollywood A-lister, and this isn't even the highlight of the saga!
This very factual and delightfully subjective account avoids falling into that massive cavity of the all-too common `America-bashing', something the man makes clear he is not a fan of. This book is not a fact-by-fact, number-by-number tale but rather an engrossing book which will see you turning the page faster and faster, your fingers will be moving faster than a New York Minute, or faster than a mid-western diner waitress swiftly topping up the `bottomless coffee' of her thirsty patrons.
Stephen Fry, the stand up for America guy! A warming and enlightening tale that is sure to warm up your autumn. Purchase in confidence of owning a great book that I'm sure you will be able to go back to again and again, until Fry embarks upon another such journey, perhaps of England!
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List Price: £20.00
Our Price: £8.95
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Author:
Bruce Parry
By
Michael Joseph
Bruce rocks!, 2008-10-10
In his inimitable style Bruce is bringing attention to one of the biggest scandals in the modern world, no less than the destruction of the most important habitat on our planet. It's something our generation will go down in history for and nobody is doing anything to stop it. More power to Bruce for showing how even some of the people destroying the forest are just trying to survive. We won't begin to tackle this issue until we appreciate that there are no easy answers (if you want a good summary of why the Amazon and other environments are so precious I'm a big fan of Bruce's other book Serious Survival as well).
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List Price: £20.00
Our Price: £8.25
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Author:
Daniel Everett
By
Profile Books Ltd
Never Read a Book so Quickly!, 2008-11-10
I bought this book on Saturday. It's Monday now and I've just finished it, which for me is very fast indeed, and a reflection on what a fascinating and well written book it is.
I heard the author talking about his travels and studies on BBC Radio 4 and thought his ideas about linguistics were interesting, but when I had a quick look at the book before I bought it I realised it was much more than an work about the theory of language. It's actually a rare combination of exciting adventure story, anthropology AND linguistics. The conclusions Everett reaches after 30 years of living amongst the Piraha people get right to the heart of what makes us who we are as human beings, and provide a fascinating insight into another way of life we would otherwise never have heard of, or at least would understand only superficially.
The first half of the book focuses on the lives of the Piraha (and the experiences of Everett living with them), the second half focuses on the linguistics. This structure works really well and the book is a great fusion of entertainment and information throughout.
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List Price: £15.00
Our Price: £8.53
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Author:
Roberto Saviano
By
Pan Books
 Buy it if you want to read about the dark side of man, 2008-11-15
The book offers a native eye on mafia "entrepreneurship" in South Italy and Europe. If you are interested to know how organized and disorganized crime operates, a possible outcome for a community that has been abandoned by government care and to what extend can people go, this is definitely your read.
What was enjoyable for me is that the book is written mostly in a journalistic fashion with not a lot of "creative editing" to make it more story-like. I guess the reality was graphic enough.
In the back of the cover it is written "a mosaic of terrifying stories...Gomorrah paints a terrible portrait of an organization that has killed more than all other is Europe". I don't know the body count but I agree with the description of the book.
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List Price: £8.99
Our Price: £3.56
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Author:
Jeremy Clarkson
By
Penguin
Tells it like it is, 2007-12-16
I loved the first of Clarkson's books and this is almost as good. As with his on screen persona he doesn't pull any punches and the plain speaking makes for a great read.
The style of the book makes it ideal for dipping in and out of and it's a perfect book to read on journeys when you don't have time to get into something longer.
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List Price: £7.99
Our Price: £1.37
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Author:
Alisdair Aird,
Fiona Stapley
By
Ebury Press
Never suffer a dodgy pub meal again, 2008-10-24
As soon as the leaves start to fall it's time to get the new copy of the Good Pub Guide. Other reviewers have complained not much changes, but for me it's the small changes from year to year which are the pleasure. Which pubs are newly inserted, which ones are out?
If a pub you like isn't in there then why not submit a review (you can now do this on the web). The GPG team do take notice and you might even see your name in print in the 2010 edition...
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List Price: £15.99
Our Price: £8.76
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Author:
Charles Rawlings-Way
By
Lonely Planet Publications
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List Price: £15.99
Our Price: £7.42
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Author:
Charley Boorman
By
Sphere
A classic travel book of the future, 2008-09-27
I enjoyed this book emmensly. I have read Long Way Round and Long Way Down and found that the 2nd book was much better but By Any Means is defintely the best yet in the series and Charley Boorman comes accross brilliantly. You can really hear his voice if you know him from the TV series. The maps and tables really helped me get a sense of the journey which was a completly bonkers concept but makes for an interesting read.
a good book to take on holiday!
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List Price: £18.99
Our Price: £9.00
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Author:
Tim Butcher
By
Vintage
JOHN LE CARRE Quite superb…..a masterpiece WILLIAM BOYD Tim Butcher's extraordinary, audacious journey through the Congo is worthy of the great 19th century explorers. Completely enthralling but also a thoughtful and sobering portrait of modern Africa ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH A remarkable, fascinating book by a courageous and perceptive writer. One of the most exciting books to emerge from Africa in recent years. THE SUNDAY TIMES Tim Butcher's book is the latest in a long line, running through Joseph Conrad, Graham Greene, VS Nai-paul… his account of a hair-rising trip from east to west, against all advice, by motorbike and then river boat, is gripping and harshly informative… MAX HASTINGS Blood River represents a remarkable marriage of travelogue and history, which deserves to make Tim Butcher a star for his prose, as well as his courage. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH From his adventure he has plundered a wealth of terrific stories, and survived to recite a rosary of unstinting horror. FERGAL KEANE This is a terrific book, an adventure story about a journey of great bravery in one of the world's most dangerous places. It keeps the heart beating and the attention fixed from beginning to end. HATCHARDS …unputdownable… GILES FODEN An intrepid adventure... Tim Butcher has followed in the footsteps of Stanley and Conrad. It takes a lot of guts to yomp through the Congo and he obviously has plenty of those. But it is the wit and passion of the writing which keeps you engrossed. THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH ..stirring and thought-provoking. AESTHETICA MAGAZINE ….a remarkable travelogue of exquisite proportions…. highly emotive, historical and personal…Butcher's elegant style demands the reader's attention…….Blood River is nothing short of a modern-day masterpiece. WANDERLUST What makes Blood River such a compelling read is the fact that the journey becomes an exercise in mental terror, the author skilfully conveying the exhaustion of six weeks on tenterhooks, wondering what might happen just around the next bend. THOMAS PAKENHAM Tim Butcher deserves a medal for this crazy feat. I marvel at his courage and his empathy with the unfortunate Congolese... ESQUIRE …gripping… TRAVEL AFRICA The past meets present in this enthralling travelogue through the depths of the Congo.
Fascinating and insightful, 2008-09-24
Full of insight into the Congo, its history and relationships with its neighbours. The author's personal story makes it a good read, thanks to his detemination, sensitivity and the hardship he endures. The information he includes gives it a valuable educational quality. At the end I was filled with frustation, a sense of futility verging on anger. Colonisation has left scars and horror everywhere. It is understandable that the Congo may want to forget all that it was as a Belgian colony. But what is in its place?
Reminiscent of the potential and beauties of Africa and its people, there is a seeming disabilty for the Congo to rise above its past and take control of its future. The author clearly makes the point that in other parts of the world, this has happened successfully.
If you want to look inside the Congo (Africa?), and try to understand its issues this is 'must read'. But be prepared to wrestle with these issues, which the author so brilliantly highlights, for a long time afterwards.
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List Price: £7.99
Our Price: £0.45
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Author:
Elizabeth Gilbert
By
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Inspiring and empowering - read and pass it on!, 2008-09-16
Fantastic and humourous writing - couldn't put it down. Immediately passed the "wealth" to one of my best girlfriends upon completion. Every woman must read this!
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List Price: £7.99
Our Price: £2.97
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