Fever Pitch
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 March, 1998)
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Editorial Review

In the States, Nick Hornby is best know as the author of High Fidelity and About a Boy, two wickedly funny novels about being thirtysomething and going nowhere fast. In Britain he is revered for his status as a fanatical football writer (sorry, fanatical soccer writer), owing to Fever Pitch--which is both an autobiography and a footballing Bible rolled into one. Hornby pinpoints 1968 as his formative year--the year he turned 11, the year his parents separated, and the year his father first took him to watch Arsenal play. The author quickly moved "way beyond fandom" into an extreme obsession that has dominated his life, loves, and relationships. His father had initially hoped that Saturday afternoon matches would draw the two closer together, but instead Hornby became completely besotted with the game at the expense of any conversation: "Football may have provided us with a new medium through which we could communicate, but that was not to say that we used it, or what we chose to say was necessarily positive." Girlfriends also played second fiddle to one ball and 11 men. He fantasizes that even if a girlfriend "went into labor at an impossible moment" he would not be able to help out until after the final whistle.

Fever Pitch is not a typical memoir--there are no chapters, just a series of match reports falling into three time frames (childhood, young adulthood, manhood). While watching the May 2, 1972, Reading v. Arsenal match, it became embarrassingly obvious to the then 15-year-old that his white, suburban, middle-class roots made him a wimp with no sense of identity: "Yorkshire men, Lancastrians, Scots, the Irish, blacks, the rich, the poor, even Americans and Australians have something they can sit in pubs and bars and weep about." But a boy from Maidenhead could only dream of coming from a place with "its own tube station and West Indian community and terrible, insoluble social problems."

Fever Pitch reveals the very special intricacies of British football, which readers new to the game will find astonishing, and which Hornby presents with remarkable humor and honesty--the "unique" chants sung at matches, the cold rain-soaked terraces, giant cans of warm beer, the trains known as football specials carrying fans to and from matches in prisonlike conditions, bottles smashing on the tracks, thousands of policemen waiting in anticipation for the cargo of hooligans. The sport and one team in particular have crept into every aspect of Hornby's life--making him see the world through Arsenal-tinted spectacles. --Naomi Gesinger ... Read more

Reviews (115)

What it is like to be a sports fan
Nick Hornby describes exactly what it feels to be a fan of a team in terms that almost anyone who is a fan can identify.Heart breaking losses, non-descript performances, listening to the game on the radio, going out with your friends to watch the game at a pub and having girlfriends who just can't quite understand what the big deal is when your team finally reaches the promised land is just part of the charm that Hornby weaves into this tale of his coming of age with football.

Delightful prose adds to one's pleasure, but for the most part this is a funny, yet often times, poignant book.As a Manchester United supporter, I even found myself identifying with Arsenal (no small feat!).Highly recommended for anyone who is a fan of English Football, or even for fans of any sport, anywhere.

Fandom never had a better chronicler
Nick Hornby is, by now, the master of the male confessional, an astute observer of what it is that makes modern men tick. In this, his first book, Hornby turned the lens on himself and his life-long obsession with soccor. While some might not be able to relate to the soccor-heavy lore, most everyone will be able to relate to the notion of obsessive fandom, and how it can define (and deny the progress of) a life.

Hornby structures the book around matches he attended, starting with a first memorable visit to Highbury in 1968. Here, an eleven-year-old Hornby finds the team that will become his obsession, and a crutch for the years to come: Arsenal. A previously great team that is down on its luck when he comes along, Hornby soon becomes a devoted watcher of even the team's worst defeats and draws. As the years wear on, and the matches fluctuate from utter despair to unrestrained joy, Hornby gives us a glimpse into why he loves this sport, and why he loves Arsenal in particular.

Like most Americans, however, I had trouble following some of the action described in the book. Hornby's soccor-heavy knowledge (and his assumption that you, the reader, will know who or what he's refering to) might be a bit off-putting, which is why I don't recommend this for soccor-hating folks. But if you're a fan of Hornby's writing, even the dullest aspects of soccor culture take on a grand magnificance in Hornby's prose.

All in all, I came away with the book with a deeper understanding of who Hornby is as a human being. Like all of us (particularly males), he is sports-obsessed, but then again any sort of obsession could be inserted and the book would still work. Be it pop music, the World Cup, or reading, Hornby is a praticed master at disecting and understanding the root of the neurosis. Hornby recognizes, like most fans, that he has a problem; like most fans, however, he wouldn't have it any other way.

Even if you despise soccor, "Fever Pitch" is a must if you enjoy sports and good writing. Nick Hornby may be a world-class writer, but he is also a world-class fan. With this book, he tells you why, and you can understand why. Hell, if you follow a team with half the devotion of Hornby, you'll feel right at home with "Fever Pitch"

Hornby scores with Fever Pitch
As a football (or soccer) player and fan, I thought Nick Hornby's, Fever Pitch, was a flying success.It has a very unique style and Hornby uses a brilliant organizational strategy to connect the stories.Unlike the organization of any memoir I have read, Fever Pitch follows Hornby's life through a series Arsenal football games (his favorite team) he attended and the impact these games had on him as a football fan and as a person.It keeps the story focused, while also providing the reader with some understanding to why he acted the way he did.
The story, however, is not just about the games.Each game he attends connects to his life outside of Arsenal in some way.What I most admire about the piece is the way he keeps the two lives tied in together and keeps both the soccer and the social life interesting.He truly is obsessed with soccer and no matter how much he tries to deny it, it has taken over his life.He not only abandons a good friend's birthday party, but at one point he says that if he has a kid, he can't imagine going to his child's game or concert over an Arsenal game.As readers, we see the choices he is forced to make and the affects this has on him and the people in his life.
While I think everyone would enjoy this book, I hesitate in recommending it for people who aren't fans of football and who don't know the rules.I can see the book getting very repetitive if the games are not interesting to the reader, because Hornby's social life goes on dry spells for many pages at a time.He goes on for a long time about the successes and failures of Arsenal, which climaxes at the 1989 Arsenal vs. Liverpool game.As a football fan, I was on the edge of my chair reading each play with enthusiasm, but if the reader is an American without much knowledge of soccer I doubt he or she could fully understand how intense the game can get and how into English fans get.Overall, though, Hornby scores with Fever Pitch.
... Read more

Isbn: 1573226882
Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Authors, English    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. English authors    8. Great Britain    9. Historical - British    10. Hornby, Nick    11. Literary    12. Soccer    13. Sports - General   

The Naked Chef
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (06 September, 2000)
list price: $34.95 -- our price: $22.02
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Editorial Review

There are a few British television chefs, such as Delia Smith and Nigel Slater, who know exactly what viewers want. They cook food that is simple to prepare but looks and tastes delicious. That's probably the reason why the BBC appointed Jamie Oliver as the presenter of its series The Naked Chef (which airs on the Television Food Network in the U.S.). A working chef at London's celebrated River Café, Oliver cooks simpler versions of the fare you would find on the restaurant's menu. It's basically modern Italian food using ingredients that can be found by almost anyone who is reasonably interested in food shopping. Like the television show, the book is titled The Naked Chef. In Oliver's words, this sums up the idea: "It's basically stripping back to the bare essentials." He applies this to all his recipes--from salads to roasts, desserts to pastas. He doesn't use culinary jargon or time-consuming processes. In the book you'll find suggestions for ingredients to keep in your larder (pantry) and herbs to grow on your windowsill. Recipes include Warm Salad of Radicchio; Gem and Pancetta; and Beetroot Tagliatelle with Pesto, Mussels, and White Wine. There are also tips on how to cook live lobsters, how to make gravy, preparing dry beans for cooking, and how to make the perfect roast chicken. Several photographs accompany some of the recipes, with step-by-step instructions. Oliver's recipes for bread are particularly good--a tribute to his training at Carluccio's, the Covent Garden deli. This is the perfect book for anyone who doesn't want to spend much more than a half-hour preparing meals and is not willing to compromise on innovation or taste. --Dale Kneen, Amazon.co.uk ... Read more

Reviews (66)

HAVE SOME FUN IN YOUR KITCHEN!
Jamie Oliver's approach to cooking has reminded me that mealtimes shouldn't be stressful, but rather they should be opportunities to get together with family and friends and enjoy each other with some great food!

Usually when I cook I stick to the bulleted list of ingredients and exact steps to follow, which Jamie's cookbook lacks.My most useful tools in the kitchen are normally my measuring utensils.But cooking without exact steps to follow makes the whole process more enjoyable and really gives me a sense of ownership with the food I prepare.

I'm learning that cooking isn't about trying to do everything the same way each time; its about experimenting with the food and trying new kinds of food altogether...its all about being adventurous in the kitchen!The best chefs in the world didn't become the best by sticking word-for-word to bulleted instructions.Thanks to Jamie for giving me some confidence to do my own thing in the kitchen!

Looking at what Jamie has done with his restaurant Fifteen (see the DVD Jamie's Kitchen), he really has shown that it's not a formal culinary education that makes a chef great, but passion for the food.

So go get a Jamie Oliver cookbook or catch one of his shows on the telly, go out and meet your local butchers and farmers, buy some fresh veggies and meat and herbs and have some fun with them!Enjoy spending mealtimes having some fresh food in the enjoyable company of family and friends!

A Model of Life in Love with Food and Cooking. Buy It!
Jamie Oliver's first book, `The Naked Chef' was published shortly after his success with the short run BBC series of the same name, when Jamie looks to be not much more than 20. While it was easy to understand the quality of his fourth American publication, `Jamie's Kitchen', it is a little surprising to encounter the quality in his very first book, until you read of his culinary apprenticeship under both Antonio Carluccio and Gennaro Contaldo (of the Neal Street restaurant) and Rose Gray and Ruth Rodgers (of the River Café) in London plus a journeyman's stint with a major restaurant in Paris. Young chefs do not get stints with these venues without some serious abilities above and beyond their three years at the Westminster Catering College. His working to Carluccio certainly explains his love of fresh ingredients. His visits to the local greengrocer and other markets are not a TV gimmick. A `Gourmet' magazine writer was visiting the London open air markets collecting information for a story when they ran into our boy Jamie, off camera, doing exactly the kind of ingredients collecting he does at the beginning of each of his TV shows. I also understand the background of his simple approach to food after having reviewed three cookbooks from the River Café duo Gray and Rodgers. This first book was done not long after he left their service and in many ways it reads like another Gray / Rodgers effort, except that our Jamie has added a few good touches of his own to enhance the material.

As the flyleaf clearly explains, the `Naked' moniker refers to the style of food preparation practiced and promulgated by Monsieur Oliver and not a comment on his attire while cooking. Be very clear about the fact that this is not the same as fast or even easy, however most of Jamie's recipes are relatively easy for a moderately talented home cook. `Naked' primarily means dishes which are prepared from ingredients which are as close as possible to the soil, the sea, and the pasture. And, it means that the food is prepared with a minimum of fuss and measuring. Jamie firmly believes in the maxim that good cooking is acquiring the very best ingredients and doing as little as possible to muck them up.

The first indication that this book is not about fast is when Jamie gives us two recipes for homemade pasta and goes on to give many, many recipes which use this homemade fare, with the full expectation that you will take the time to make these yourself. True to his River Café roots, there are many good pasta dishes in this book. The homemade ravioli and tortellini recipes alone may be worth the price of admission. The seafood recipes are a close second in their simplicity and appeal to the mind's taste buds.

The chapter on meat, poultry, and game broadens Jamie's horizon to include pork and lamb dishes inspired by American, British, and North African cuisines. There are four variations on roast leg of lamb, a real boon to lamb lovers like myself. Roasted chicken and duck get a turn in Jamie's oven as well. Jamie returns to his Italian inspiration at the end of meats with a rather elaborate meatball recipe that includes just about every spice in the Italian pantry plus the usual bread, egg, cheese, and mustard for mortar. This recipe is a perfect example of where Jamie may be overlooking some finer details for the sake of simplicity. The meat is simply `meat for grinding or bought ground meat'. There is no suggestion of beef and pork and veal mixtures. The simplification goes further in suggesting that unground meat can be made ready by giving it a whizz in the food processor. My favorite foodie nerd Alton Brown gives detailed instructions for grinding meat in a food processor, as a heavy finger on the `On' button can easily turn your choice chuck into choice mush.

The chapter on vegetables covers a lot of familiar Mediterranean territory, but it also branches out to the Orient for a stir-fry recipe and a vegetable tempura. Jamie really dips into his love of the Mediterranean cuisine by devoting an entire chapter to legumes. I would expect a true Brit to talk up potatoes, but not our Jamie. And, he will have nothing to do with canned beans. All recipes in this and other chapters call for beans soaked overnight. This fits the `cheap and easy, but not necessarily quick' theme of the book. The stars in this chapter include cranberry beans, chickpeas, yellow split peas, green lentils, black-eyed peas, lima beans and cannellini beans.

Another paean to the Mediterranean is the next chapter on risotto and couscous. I'm really surprised to find that Jamie's favorite risotto recipe includes both rice and beans; however, a little reflection reminds me that this is simply another marriage of foods which have been complementing one another for centuries. The couscous recipes touch the high points with two hot dishes and a salad.

Jamie's chapter on bread is another sign that his style is all about simplicity and not speed. His basic recipe is pure Italian, using classic Italian techniques and durum semolina flour. I have done Oliver bread recipes with great success, so I heartily recommend his contributions to everyday bread baking. For a relatively small book, the variety of bread recipes is really impressive. Compared to the bread chapter, the dessert chapter is rather short and sweet, focusing on conventional English and Italian standards.

Jamie Oliver is not giving us quick cooking. He is not even aping River Café works and giving us good, simple Italian cooking. Jamie Oliver is promoting a lifestyle based on good cooking from basic ingredients.

Jamie's recipes may be a bit too simply stated for a complete novice, but I am ready to sign up for his view of home cooking with naked ingredients. How about you?

Jamie Oliver revolutionized my cooking style
If it weren't for Jamie Oliver, I'd probably still be eating beans out of a can with rice for dinner on a very regular basis.The great thing about the Naked Chef cookbooks is that even though I don't use the recipes everyday, I have learned some basic principles from the books that I use consistently in so much of my day-to-day cooking.

If you are from the United States, one thing to be aware of is that I believe we have larger produce here on average than in Great Britain.There have been a number of times when I followed Jamie's recipe to a T, but still felt there was quite a bit too much lemon, lime, veggie, etc.So just be aware that if Jamie says "the juice of a large lemon", that might really mean a medium lemon for an American.

If you know a little about cooking but are ready to take it to the next level and make some very tasty meals, the Naked Chef cookbooks just might be for you.They are especially good for those who, like me, highly enjoy Mediterranean-style food.

... Read more

Isbn: 0786866179
Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. General    5. Regional & Ethnic - English, Scottish & Welsh    6. Cooking / British   

Underground Art: London Transport Posters 1908 to the Present
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 January, 2000)
list price: $29.95 -- our price: $29.95
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Reviews (2)

Misleading Title ? I was disappointed
When I purchased this book - Underground Art: London Transport Posters 1908 to Present - I expected it to contain ALL of the London Transport Posters from 1908 to the date of publication as implied in the title.

It does NOT. However, it does contain some 200 of them - but not ALL of them! The book is great for what it provides, but that's not why I purchased it. Don't you be fooled too.

A treasure!
I bought this book in London 10 years ago and it's never left my "at-hand" reading. Beautifully designed with thorough (if a bit dry) commentary, its variety of styles and graphic whimsy and innovation isinspiring. I've recommended this book to both designers and Anglophiles. ... Read more

Isbn: 1856691667
Sales Rank: 1310470
Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. History - European    4. History - Modern    5. Techniques - General   

The Beatles Anthology
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (05 October, 2000)
list price: $60.00 -- our price: $37.80
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Reviews (208)

A legacy in literary form
A friend of mine got me this book for Christmas in 2000. This was an addition to my Beatles memorabilia(I got the 3 double-disc Anthology CD's and the eight-volume VHS tapes between 1995 and 1997 respectively). This "coffee table" book was authored by all four Beatles Paul McCartney,Richard "Ringo Starr" Starkey,the late John Lennon and the late George Harrison(Harrison was alive when this book went to press and came to bookstores). All four Beatles give their own life histories through the 1970 disbanding. Lennon tells about the death of his mother Julia who was run over by an intoxicated off-duty policeman. Lennon wrote several odes to her,those being entitled JULIA,MOTHER and MY MUMMY'S DEAD. The latter two songs were Lennon's post-Beatles compositions both appearing on PLASTIC ONO BAND,released in late 1970. This book is a revision and update of the 1964 Capitol Records album THE BEATLES STORY. Many people over the years have written books about the Beatles legacy but this item is the ultimate one. Lennon and McCartney first met in 1957 when Lennon was 17 and McCartney was 15. McCartney brought a few buddies to see John's band called The Quarrymen. After the concert,John and Paul had a nice get-acquainted chat and became fast friends. Paul joined the Quarrymen and a short time later,he recruited Harrison. These Liverpool,England lads always loved American Rock 'n Roll. McCartney was 14 when his mother passed away. TBS did not say how she died. McCartney's dad was a cotton salesman. Harrison came up the Beatles' legendary "mop-top" hairstyle. He recalled in an interview that one day when he and the other Beatles were swimming,they emerged from the pool with their hair over their foreheads. They decided they liked it,and it has remained. Ringo joined the Beatles following the ousting of Pete Best. Best didn't seem to be doing a great drumming job,according to John,Paul and George. Naturally mournful-faced Ringo was previously drumming for Rory Storme & The Hurricanes. The oldest Beatle,three months Lennon's senior,was called Ringo because of his passion for wearing lots of rings(four on each hand). Illness forced Ringo to drop out of school as a child(he had been in and out a few times). Ringo sought employment at an engineering company before his drumming career. In 1958,18-year-old Ringo received his first drum kit that Christmas. He's still drumming today although he sings more often. Ringo always loved to sing during the Beatles' performances,but preferred to leave the vocal work to his three fellow Beatles. Pre-Beatles,Harrison had a short-lived job as an electrician. He quit because he "kept blowing everything up". Lennon,who came up with "Beatles",caused controversy in 1966,telling a concert audience that the band was "more popular than Jesus Christ". The outrageous comment led to a bonfire in Alabama. Fans placed their Beatles memorabilia into the fire. This also led to the band abandoning touring and spending their business time in the studio. Harrison developed in interest in Indian music and culture. You can hear Harrison playing the sitar on songs like NORWEGIAN WOOD(THIS BIRD HAS FLOWN) and WITHIN YOU WITHOUT YOU. While recording the LET IT BE album in January 1969,the band gave a free concert atop the Abbey Road Studios roof. You can see a clip of it in the 1988 Warner Bros. documentary IMAGINE-THE DEFINITIVE PORTRAIT OF JOHN LENNON. What led to the Beatles' break-up was managerial and musical differences between Lennon and McCartney(the pair remained friends though). All four Beatles were already married so I guess we can say another reason why they broke up was because so they could spend more time with their wives. Lennon was already into his second marriage to Tokyo-born Yoko Ono. Lennon's first marriage to Cynthia Powell ended in 1968. That marriage brought Lennon's rock star son Julian who is now aged 42. Since the disbanding of the Beatles,all four members have pursued successful solo careers. I dedicate this item to the memories of Lennon,who was murdered in 1980 in New York City,where he last lived and Harrison,who succumbed to lung cancer in 2001.

A must for any Beatles fan
I do not believe it is necessary for me to go into all the detail that prior commentators have gone into. Let me just sum it up: This book is a must read for any Beatles fan. After all, it is about the Beatles, by the Beatles.Well written and full of previously unreleased photos and copies of memorobilia such as letters, posters, etc. However, there are two criticisms that I have:

First, the book's format leaves much to be desired. It is physically huge and heavy and not comfortable to handle. The print is very tiny and there is much printed language superimposed on photographs, letters, etc.I would have loved to sit down with this book to knock it off in two or three reading sessions, but alas, that is impossible, because the book is so physically uncomfortable to handle and an eyestrain to read.

Secondly, while the content itself is admirable, I believe someone who is not already a Beatles fan and who is not already somewhat knowledgeable about the Beatles (and there may be 4 or 5 people on the planet who fit that category) this book may not be a good introduction to the greatest band in history.I would suggest first reading the Hunter Davies biography of a similar biography before tackling this massive Anthology.

couldn't have asked for a better book on the Beatles
To be honest, I have always liked the beatles music from as far back as I can remember late 60's. Anyway, in the mid. 90's when the anthology cd's came out and was on tv, I bought those and enjoyed them a lot.I just happened upon this book. I enjoy knowing the history of certain bands, and despite a few people saing you can read or have a hard time reading certain pages - it's not that big of a deal. You do have to take more time and read about 10 to 20 pages. Also how large the book is and how heavy. People will complain about anything. I like hardbound books best so thats what I got. If paperback doesn't bother you get that. One final complaint is that they brag and pat each other on the back - HELLO - I find the Beatles to be very modest considering how their music changed the world. Geat pictures, and great inside stories from the Beatles. Before reading the book I had doubts about reading a book in which the people involved write the book, because an outside view is also very good for certain reasons - I would recommend Shout, and I haven't read The Beatles ten years that changed the world, but the reviews are very good. However, you really need a great book on the Beatles by an outsider, and you need one geat book from the band and thats what you have. If you like the Beatles want to know the history - this is a wonderful book to get. ... Read more

Isbn: 0811826848
Sales Rank: 55205
Subjects:  1. Beatles    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Composers & Musicians - Rock    7. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    8. Genres & Styles - Rock    9. Historical - British    10. Rock    11. Rock music    12. Rock musicians    13. Music / Reference   

Trainspotting
by Ewan McGregor Ewen Bremner Jonny Lee Miller Kevin McKidd Robert Carlyle
Director: Danny Boyle
Average Customer Review:
DVD (06 May, 2003)
list price: $19.99
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Editorial Review

With its hallucinatory visions of crawling dead babies and a grungy plunge into the filthiest toilet in Scotland, you might not think Trainspotting could have been one of the best movies of 1996, but Danny Boyle's film about unrepentant heroin addicts in Edinburgh is all that and more. That doesn't make it everybody's cup of tea (so unsuspecting viewers beware), but the film's blend of hyperkinetic humor and real-life horror is constantly fascinating, and the entire cast (led by Ewan McGregor and Full Monty star Robert Carlyle) bursts off of the screen in a supernova of outrageous energy. Adapted by John Hodge from the acclaimed novel by Irving Welsh, the film was a phenomenal hit in England, Scotland, and (to a lesser extent) the U.S. For all of its comedic vitality and invigorating filmmaking, the movie is no ode to heroin, nor is it a straight-laced cautionary tale. Trainspotting is just a very honest and well-made film about the nature of addiction, and it doesn't pull any punches when it is time to show the alternating pleasure and pain of substance abuse. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen

Reviews (214)

Choose Trainspotting
"Trainspotting", a classic movie that spawned a classic soundtrack, hit the big screen in 1996 and is based on Irvine Welsh's debut novel. Starring, among others, a pre-Jedi Ewan McGregor, Johnny Lee Miller and Robert Carlyle, the film is mostly set in Edinburgh and London. The film is narrated by Mark Renton - known to some as Rent Boy and played by McGregor. It tells the story of our 'hero' and his friends : a group of junkies and / or criminals.

As the film opens, Renton is already a heroin addict - though, as it progresses, he tries several times to get off the drug. Most of his friends are also addicts - the most notable exception is Begbie, played by Carlyle. Franco (as he is occasionally known) is an ignorant, obnoxious, violent, hard-drinking bully, who likes nothing better than being at the center of a brawl. Sick Boy - played by Miller - is as much a rival to Renton as a friend. He is also something of an expert on Sean Connery, particularly in his 007 days. (Miller's grandfather, funnily enough, played "M" in the Bond movies until 1979). For some reason, I found Spud (played by Ewen Bremmer) to be the most likeable character - or, at least, the one I had the most sympathy for...I'm not entirely sure why, when it was Tommy who had the worst luck of all. (Bremmer was also in the running for the part of Renton - he'd played that part on stage in Edinburgh and London). The gang's dealer is known as Mother Superior - it's not that he's particularly religious, it's more to do with the length of his habit.

The soundtrack is superb - New Order feature, while Primal Scream begged to be allowed to write a song after seeing a rough cut of the movie. I now find it hard not to think of the film's opening scene when I hear Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life", while Lou Reed's "Perfect Day" inclusion is not entirely unexpected, but thoroughly welcome.

Anyone who tells you that "Trainspotting" glamorises drug-taking in general, and heroin use in particular, simply can't have watched it. While there is a great deal of humor, many of the scenes and situations do not present addiction as an appealing option. Renton and his friends see a great deal of action : constipation when hooked, impressive bouts of diarrhoea when coming off the drug, the risk of catching HIV / AIDS, the sickness brought on by going cold turkey and the potentially fatal effects of too big a hit. As a result, it's not for the easily offended or the squeamish - while it's one of my favorite movies, I wouldn't recommend watching it with your grandparents !

Gritty, realistic protrayal of junkies in a fun way.
One of Ewen MacGregors first big films, I find this one of the most realistic, gritty and at times, digusting films to come out in a long time.
Not for the faint hearted, there are some gross scenes in the movie- the public toilet scene for one.
A very dark movie, with the most accurate potrayal of junkies perhaps ever seen in a major movie, this movie is also sad, funny, and full of hope in some places, and the depths of woe in others.
You find yourself sympathasising with the main character, hoping he can overcome his addiction and move on to a better life.
Very hard genre to describe, except to say definitely black humour, with some drama, tension and action thrown in for good measure
Well worth a look!!

Trainspotting is the real deal
I watched this movie for the first time last night and I had no idea this movie would be as good as it is. Ewan McGregor is a very underrated actor and he's brilliant as a junkie in this film. This movie really hit me hard showing the despair of addiction. Some people survive it and some don't. This movie is a great depiction of the struggles each character goes through in their fight with addiction. Heroine was already something i would never do but after this movie it shows that its one of the most dangerous things you can mess with. Anyway I was pleasantly surprised at how good this movie is. I enjoyed it more then any Tarantino movie I've seen and those are all excellent films. Trainspotting is definately a winner so go out and see it if you haven't already. ... Read more

Asin: 6304806442
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
by Jason Flemyng Dexter Fletcher
Director: Guy Ritchie
Average Customer Review:
DVD (01 May, 2001)
list price: $19.95
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Editorial Review

Cockney boys Tom, Soap, Eddie, and Bacon are in a bind; they owe seedy criminal and porn king "Hatchet" Harry a sizable amount of cash after Eddie loses half a million in a rigged game of poker. Hot on their tails is a thug named Big Chris who intends to send them all to the hospital if they don't come up with the cash in the allotted time. Add into the mix an incompetent set of ganja cultivators, two dimwitted robbers, a "madman" with an afro, and a ruthless band of drug dealers and you have an astonishing movie called Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Before the boys can blink, they are caught up in a labyrinth of double-crosses that lead to a multitude of dead bodies, copious amounts of drugs, and two antique rifles.

Written and directed by talented newcomer Guy Ritchie, this is one of those movies that was destined to become an instant cult classic à la Reservoir Dogs. Although some comparisons were drawn between Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino, it would be unfair to discount the brilliant wit of the story and the innovative camerawork that the director brings to his debut feature. Not since The Krays has there been such an accurate depiction of the East End and its more colorful characters. Indicative of the social stratosphere in London, Ritchie's movie is a hilarious and at times touching account of friendships and loyalty. The director and his mates (who make up most of the cast) clearly are enjoying themselves here. This comes across in some shining performances, in particular from ex-footballer Vinnie Jones (Big Chris) and an over-the-top Vas Blackwood (as Rory Breaker), who very nearly steals the show. Full of quirky vernacular and clever tension-packed action sequences, Lock, Stock and TwoSmoking Barrels is a triumph--a perfect blend of intelligence, humor, and suspense. --Jeremy Storey ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Dolby
• Widescreen

Reviews (230)

We grow copious amounts of ganja, yeah?
The second best Brit movie following Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It's dark, it's violent, but Oh My God is it funny. The plot, in a nutshell, is about a group of friends who own one very dangerous man a bunch of money and need to get it to him in one week if they want to keep their fingers intact. In the week, they plot, they steal, and almost get screwed in the process by three other groups wanting the same bag of money. It's like a heist movie, except with out the cool gizmos of today and the main characters using only their brains (which isn't saying much as it is). Highly recommendable and funny, and has so many one-liners you'll be quoting for days over.

Homebrewer
Four lesser thieves from the East End of London find themselves dangerously in debt to a local smut peddler - the result of a fixed poker game. The consequence being that until they repay the money owed, each one will lose a finger for each day the payment is late.

While trying to figure their desperate predicament, they overhear their gangster neighbors setting up a score from some slumberous marijuana dealers and decide that knocking over the neighbours is their only way out.

After the triumphant thievery, they discover that the pot belongs to the same menacing individual they want to fence it through - a black psychopath whose history reads like the Anti-Christ's resume. Enter a miscellany of desperadoes and hoodlums who target our four lads.

For the first time since 'Pulp Fiction', a movie comes along that breaks the shackles of tedious cloning. This film is entertaining and moves along at a cracking pace. Guy Ritchie's script is a tapestry of well-written characters, sharp dialogue that says what needs to be said and leaves the unsaid as food for thought, and a mesh of sub-plots that interlace together with imagination and expertise.

His direction is crisp and inventive allowing the cast of eccentric characters to move about freely while maintaining that erratic edge. In this slick piece of film making, Guy Ritchie denies hackneyed Hollywood trends by scripting no true good-guys just varying degrees of bad ones.

This is a terrific movie. It is violent but not extreme considering the subject matter and cast of cut-throat characters. The language is strong and the humor is black where you'll find yourself belly laughing at the brutal misfortune of others. If this makes you uncomfortable, then this film is not for you. It is also not for those who have been trained by television sit-coms to laugh on cue.

Broadminds are required to enjoy this fine British film where it will definitely add some zing to your day. So stick your tongues firmly in your cheeks and hop on the thrill a minute ride that is 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'.

Just Watch It
I am going to keep this review short and sweet and focus only on what I feel must be mentioned.With that said, I thought this movie was fantastic!It was one of the funniest movies I have seen in a long time and it is also extremely fun to watch.You find yourself completely emersed in the goings on and can't help but get caught up in the creative, clever, altogether wacky story line unravelling before your eyes.Also, I loved the ending; in my opinion there really could not have been a much better way to end this movie.

I highly enjoyed this movie and I have recommended it to all my friends and many members of my family, and now ... I am recommmending it to you.Buy it, rent it - either way just make sure you watch this movie. ... Read more

Asin: 630549228X
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-comedy   

Alfie
by Michael Caine Shelley Winters
Director: Lewis Gilbert (II)
Average Customer Review:
VHS Tape (27 February, 1996)
list price: $14.95
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Editorial Review

In this extremely grim comedy, Michael Caine plays a ne'er-do-well who never does good. The rakish Alfie moves from woman to woman with the emotional maturity of Bill Clinton, and even less morality. Alternately talking up to the camera and talking down to his sexual conquests, Alfie maneuvers through the minefield of emotions by remaining aloof, until of course, he is left alone. A fine performance by Shelley Winters as the wealthy woman Alfie seeks to court rounds out this well-aimed attack on the lady's man lifestyle. Nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award. --James DiGiovanna ... Read more

Features

• Color
• HiFi Sound
• NTSC

Reviews (30)

What's it all about, Alfie?
Michael Caine plays the title character, a rogue who spends his life having affairs with various women and making them (and himself) miserable. One woman (Julia Foster) he impregnates, but refuses to marry, and as he goes to other, more selfish women, he bemoans his "ties" to Foster as he sinks into the depths with the others. By the end he's a fairly detestable character, despite his feeling of remorse, Caine acts the part excellently, as does Shelley Winters who plays a rich, man-using lush. There is also a great jazz score written and played by Sonny Rollins. Definitely worth a watch (and listen).

An Extraordinary Film - Superb Acting - Which Holds Up Today
London was swinging in 1966. Mod fashion and the mini skirt were in vogue, discos featured the sound of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, Sean Connery starred in the latest James Bond 007 flick, drawing in crowds at the cinema, the counter culture was defining itself, the availability of medically prescribed contraceptives helped usher in the Sexual Revolution,even though Women's Lib was still a ways off - and Director Lewis Gilbert's "Alfie" was released. It turned out to be the most talked-about, controversial film of the year, launching Michael Caine as an international film star, and earning five Oscar nominations. Although "Alfie" is very much a period piece, I saw it again recently and was tremendously surprised at how well it holds up, especially in the context of its time.

Michael Caine's Alfie Elkins is the ultimate ladykiller, a sexual predator who approaches women and relationships the way a serial killer homes-in on a victim. He objectifies females, and many of his women are, indeed, victim-like in their neediness and vulnerability. This 30-something misogynistic, working-class, low-class playboy epitomizes narcissism, as he travels from "bird" to "bird," single women and married alike, without responsibility or care, and without malice. And then he moves on to his next conquest. Michael Caine is superb and very believable as the reckless lover with the Cockney accent. His hard-core arrogance and brutal honesty, (with his monologues to the audience), are chilling and, at times, funny - but we're talking about very dark humor. This is a cold and distant man. Not to get too deep into psychology here, but Michael Caine is able to bring the depth of a damaged person to his outwardly cool cad of a character.

The talented Mr. Caine couldn't pull-off this performance alone, however, so credit must be given to his supporting cast. Caine's counterparts are extremely credible, even by today's much more feminist and politically correct standards. These women are not Playboy Bunny types. A few of them are almost plain, and there is no cleavage except for the abundance of Shelly Winters.' Gilda (Julia Foster), is the working class woman, desperately in love with Alfie, who bears him a son out of wedlock. Although he states from the start that the baby is not his problem, he shows more affection to the child than he does to all his women combined. Vivien Merchant is excellent as Lily, the drab, lonely, married woman whom Alfie seduces and impregnates. She winds up having an abortion and, I must say, that the scenes surrounding this traumatic event are shocking in their emotional intensity, even in today's world. Annie, (Jane Asher) is the forlorn hitchhiker Alfie picks up and takes home to be his house maid, among other services. He winds up referring to her as "it." Shelly Winters is Ruby the vulgar older woman who dumps Alfie for a younger man.

I watched a double feature of this 1966 version of "Alfie" with Michael Caine, and Alfie, 2005 with Jude Law. I was curious to compare the two movies. The only comment I will make here, because I believe it is pertinent, is that although I like Jude Law as an actor, the remake is nowhere near as effective as the original - which I highly recommend.
JANA.

Dark Comedy with Great Performance by Michael Caine
Hard to believe Michael Caine had to do "Jaws 4: The Revenge," because he kicks ass in this blockbuster still-socially-relevant 60's classic.A great snapshot of period London, right down to the great musical soundtrack and costumes.Most modern audiences should still find it affecting and effective, although the "talking to camera" gimmick has been overused and abused in the 4 decades since this was made.

Shelley Winters gives a very good, surprisingly understated supporting performance...as do all the female players.

Too bad the DVD doesn't feature a Caine commentary track.That would be great!

See if you can guess who sings the famous theme song in this movie version...it ain't Dionne Warwick!You'll love it... ... Read more

Asin: 630021589X
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-drama   

Parachutes
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (07 November, 2000)
list price: $17.98 -- our price: $9.99
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Editorial Review

Music doesn't come more touching than this. With their debut single alone, the emotion-fortified "Shiver," Coldplay prove they can shift between elated and crushed in a breath, as singer Chris Martin pours out music's oldest chestnut (unconditional yet unrequited love) with the shakiest of voices and a backdrop of epic guitars. For 10 tracks on Parachutes, he adds newfound meaning to the most tired and overused rock sentiments--love found, love lost, love unrequited--over acoustic guitars and emotionally fraught rock. And for once, all the clichés ring true because Chris Martin genuinely sounds like a man picking over the bones of his life, coming up with just as many reasons to be cheerful as seriously depressed. Not that Parachutes is a depressing album--there's too much conviction to the guitars and hope in Martin's words for that. Instead it's a beautifully tender balance that comes as close to perfection as anything that's come before it. --Dan Gennoe ... Read more

Reviews (580)

For The Love of Apple
Ha ...ha....ha. But seriously, this album was made to be listen alone in the dark ,then you'll know how misearable you are "I saw Sparkkkkkk.....I saw Sparkkkkkk". And for that, this debut is better than their 2nd album.

Yes,I am over the age of 13.

Musical Power Never Wanes
It's fashionable for people to backlash and dismiss a popular band just because it gets lots of air-play and too much hype, but don't make this mistake with Coldplay. Even after five years since their debut album Parachutes, the songs, dripping with beautiful melancholy, keep their power. Seamless and assured, the songs collectively make the album a pop music masterpiece, paving the way for a new label, "emotional rock." It doesn't hurt that my favorite Coldplay song, "Sparks," is on this album but I would still love the album even in the absence of that tender song. Thankfully, the band Keane has been carrying the torch of Coldplay's brand of emotional rock. Also for two lesser known bands who share Coldplay's mastery of emotional pop rock, check out the Swedish bands Ronderlin and Radio Dept.

A Great Album for great people
What can I say about Coldplay other than the fact that they are the greatest band out right now, I think that they are not going anywhere for a longtime. This album is very sad, and when I say sad I mean it is bittersweet and the lyrics reflect a very profound mind, with scars and fears. ... Read more

Asin: B0000508U6
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Sing When You're Winning
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (03 October, 2000)
list price: $17.98
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Editorial Review

If you're tempted to smirk at Robbie Williams's hip-factor-free approach to music, you are too late; he's already beaten you to the punch. On Sing When You're Winning, the British megastar's self-parodying caricatures, filled with both bravado and deprecation, safely evade overearnestness in forms such as crickets chirping behind the love song "If It's Hurting You," and the unexpected orchestral string arrangement from Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" in "Supreme," a sermon for the aging broken-hearted."Kids," his rousing bubblegum-funk duet with Kylie Minogue bursts into what can only be described as a full-out "musical number"; pop music hasn't seen such stare-down chemistry since Sandy and Danny declared "You're the One That I Want" back in 1978. From the "One Night in Bangkok" tributary disco track "Rock DJ" to the lighter-igniting anthem "Let Love Be Your Energy," this is unadulterated, epic pop music, and Williams' smart, irresistible wit permits the listener to indulge guiltlessly in all the album's bombastic fun.--Beth Massa ... Read more

Features

• Enhanced

Reviews (117)

Doesn't transfer well to the USA
Like ABBA, Robbie Williams is a Euro-megaphenomenon who doesn't cross the Atlantic that well. It isn't that we think he is terrible; we just don't hear or see anything to get excited about. His cheekiness is best understood/appreciated/loved by Brits. The music seems a bit - contrived and plastic. True, Williams doesn't take himself too seriously but we can't appreciate him being tongue-in-cheek/half-sincere without knowing the man as well as the Brits, who have seen him grow from boy band member to solo act. Most Americans have never seen him and couldn't pick him out of a line-up. If he wants to conquer America, he needs to hit the road and introduce himself to us Yanks on TV and stage.

Thanks to Barry White and others
Good music, that's true ! But thanks to 70's great stars : look at Rock DJ, and listen to "It's ecstasy when you lay down next to me" by Barry White ... Eternal love and respect Mister White !

oh heavens!!!, why is he so cute?
my robbie williams, he is just mine!, he has done another excellent job on this album!, yeah all the songs are so touching, that when you play them you feel as if robbie were opposite you singin' to you!, i do strongley recomemd you get this album as soon as possible. oh I almost forgot the booklet that the cd brings is just fantastic!, you can see his ASS, it is so perfect!, it seems to be so warm! robbie is you are reading this remember i '' be the happiest man on earth if you write o me or better if you come to lima stay at my house ok?, i'll be waiting for you! ... Read more

Asin: B00004YLIY
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Rock   

Belgo Cookbook
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (08 August, 2000)
list price: $25.00 -- our price: $25.00
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Reviews (3)

More than mussels
Fun to read; even more fun to cook from.This cookbook will send you scurrying to find Belgium beers to add to stews and desserts.

Cook Belgian frites at home & choose the right Belgian beer!
This book offers a humorous look at the history of the Belgian frite (french fry) as well as offering traditional Belgian recipes.You will learn how to pick the right Belgian beer to accompany your food, as well as how to prepare your own Belgian frites!And if you are in Brussels, they even give you suggestions on where to find the best, and the most unique, Belgian foods!Overall a great book!

Ironically, London's best restaurant is Belgian.
Namely, Denis and Andre's Belgo in Covent Garden. Unfortunately, I've found nothing like it back home. Fortunately, there's Belgo the cookbook. Equal parts moules, frites and beer, I've been able to bring Belgo home. Their book explains all: where mussels come from, which to pick, which toavoid and of course how to cook and eat them (with a discardedshell).

And while the recipes are quick, simple and delicious, this ismore than a cookbook. There's also a beer hunter's guide, Belgian musicsuggestions while cooking, Belgian jokes and plenty of silly photos of therestranteurs. Essentially a primer on the Belgian good life.

Did Imention it's beautifully designed? ... Read more

Isbn: 060980636X
Sales Rank: 776850
Subjects:  1. Cookery, Belgian    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Regional & Ethnic - European    5. Cooking / European   

Jam Collection
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (22 October, 1996)
list price: $20.99 -- our price: $20.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (8)

Great Passionate Rock Music
I agree completely with the reviewer who states that this + "The Compact Snap" encapsulate the band's legacy well.This CD is chock-full of great underheard rock music by a gifted bunch of lads.

What a collection
I first bought this about 5 years ago, and will admit I only liked the stuff before the "Sound Affects" era, i.e. the first half of the compilation. I was more a fan of the "classic" Jam sound, but have recently become familiar with their later work, so that now I reckon that this compilation is, in places, remarkably good. This collection of non-single album tracks and assorted B-sides gives a perfect accompaniment to any greatest hits compilation. Even at a hefty 25 tracks, it is a testament to this band's quality that I still would liked to have seen some other tracks to have been included. To summarise, watch out for the uptempo style of tracks like "To be Someone", "In the Crowd", and "Private Hell", and the edgier, more challenging styles of "Monday" and "Tales from the Riverbank". Also watch out for Paul Weller's lyrical and observational gift. I highly recommend this to anyone who has a greatest hits type compilation and wants to find out more about the musical depth of The Jam.

...Bring Back THE JAM!
I just wrote a review for Greatest Hits, and mentioned the Collection. This assortment definitely highlights the powerful dynamics of the band, and the well-honed songwriting at work. All of my friends who loathe the Jam only loathe the "In the City" incarnation. I feel that this collection shows more the breadth of The Jam, and their ability to ROCK, and communicate at the same time.(My question: Why didn't they just include the three live tracks from the Live SNAP! ep released with the early releases of SNAP! ? I SO want to hear what "The Great Depression" sounded like live!) ... Read more

Asin: B000002G7T
Sales Rank: 79300
Subjects:  1. British Punk    2. Mod Revival    3. New Wave    4. Pop    5. Punk    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop   

Elizabeth
by Cate Blanchett
Director: Shekhar Kapur
Average Customer Review:
DVD (06 February, 2001)
list price: $19.95
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Editorial Review

One of the big Elizabethan-era films of 1998, Shekhar Kapur's Elizabeth serves up a brimming goblet of religious tension, political conspiracy, sex, violence, and war. England in 1554 is in financial and religious turmoil as the ailing Queen "Bloody" Mary attempts to restore Catholicism as the national faith. She has no heir, and her greatest fear--that her Protestant half-sister Elizabeth will assume the throne after her death--is realized. Still, the late Queen Mary has her loyalists. The newly crowned Elizabeth finds herself knee-deep in dethroning schemes while also dodging assassination attempts. Her advisers (including Sir William Cecil, superbly played by Richard Attenborough) beg her to marry any one of her would-be suitors to stabilize England's empire. No matter that she already has a lover. The passionate Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes) is married, however, and shows he cannot stand up to the growing strength of the Queen. With the help of her aide Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush), Elizabeth strikes against her enemies before they get to her first. But her rise ultimately entails rejecting love and marriage to redefine herself as the indisputable Virgin Queen.

Cate Blanchett's Oscar-nominated performance as the naive and vibrant princess who becomes the stubborn and knowing queen is both severe and sympathetic. Her ethereal, pale beauty is equal parts fire and ice, her delivery of such lines as "There will be only one mistress here and no master!" expressed with command rather than hysterics. As striking as Blanchett's performance is the film's lavish and dramatic production design. The cold, dark sets paired with the lush costuming show the golden age of England's monarchy emerging from the Middle Ages. Rich velvet brushes over the dank stones while power is achieved at any price, and with such attention to physical detail, Elizabeth fully immerses you into its compelling chronicle of pioneering feminism and revisionist history. --Shannon Gee ... Read more

Features

• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen
• Dolby

Reviews (371)

Absolutely Love This Movie!
Cate Blanchett should have won the Oscar hands-down! She was absolutely superb in the role as Elizabeth...and her supporting cast was also outstanding!From start to finish this movie offers it all: a love story, intrigue, murder, mystery, danger and the rise of one of history's most prominent figures!"Elizabeth" is an exceptional film...everything was done just so..from the costumes, to the hair, to the scenery...it was all top-notch and gave one a true feeling of the era!Great, great movie!

Cate Blanchett should have won the Oscar for this...
Overall, in my opinion, a five star movie.Cate Blanchett's performance was excellent and her uncanny resemblance to the Elizabeth depicted in paintings was amazing, if not a little eerie.The supporting cast was brilliant; Fiennes, Rush, etc. were all equally great.The costumes were another highlight of this film and the setting/scenery was dark and surreal, as I imagined it would have been then as well.Great historical account and a must see for anyone interested in the story of Elizabeth.

Elizabeth is absolutly Entertaining!
Such great work from Blanchett, Rush, Fiennes, Attenborough, and others, makes this picture very enjoyable. Spectacular costumes make it very appealing. And a stark visual effect of lights and setting make it all very believible. Truely a film about a monarch's beginnings that makes you want to read more about it. I am truely pleased! ... Read more

Asin: 6305358613
Subjects:  1. Feature Film-drama   

Chantal Stainless 1-4/5-Quart Classic Teakettle
Average Customer Review:
Kitchen
list price: $130.00 -- our price: $99.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

This solidly built, classic-looking teakettle says you're serious about your tea. The bright stainless-steel finish makes the kettle an eye-pleasing focal point on the stovetop. Even more of an attention-getter is the two-tone harmonica whistle--an amusing reminder to the household that the water is boiling and ready to pour. The flat aluminum base ensures that water heats quickly, and the lid with its black rubber gasket keeps the heat in. The boldly curved metal handle and other metal parts can get quite warm, so use a potholder when picking the kettle up and flipping up the whistle. The lid opening is large enough to make cleaning easy. --Dale Steinke ... Read more

Features

• Dishwasher-safe; moveable parts are replaceable for a lifetime of use
• 1-4/5-quart capacity; durable stainless-steel body and components
• Aluminum core sandwiched within flat bottom for efficient heat conduction
• Can be used on ceramic, glass, and induction stovetops
• Extra-large lid opening for easy cleaning; Hohner harmonica whistle plays two notes

Reviews (4)

It's okay, but not great
This tea pot does the job -- boils water and has a loud whistle. I have no complaints about it getting too hot -- it's really not an issue. Mine came with a special "handle holder" which I've never needed to use. The whistle sounds like a fire alarm, it is not musical, or beautiful as some people describe. But, it is loud.

I have the stainless steel version and it looks rough after a few weeks of use -- lots of blotches and stains. They sell a special cleaner for it, but who wants to buy a special cleaner?

I am satisfied with this product, but not happy. I like Chantal, but would go for an enamel pot over this one... I would have done that, but didn't like any of the colors they offer.

For decoration ONLY
I bought this kettle for looks and that is all I got.It gets so hot as to be unusable and I had to make myself a little sleeve to put on the handle to even hold it.The finish has not held up well and even though I use commercial stainless steel cleaners and polishes it still looks horrid.In general I do not recommend Chantal products - I have had two saucepans that held up well, but a roaster and stockpot have been huge disappointments.If you actually want to USE your kitchen utensils, I would avoid this brand.

To brew the perfect cup of tea ...
... start with a Chantal tea kettle.After having purchased tea kettles that didn't whistle consistently even when full (the OXO Good Grips Uplift for one), it is nice to finally have one that does.No longer do I have to worry about putting the kettle on and forgetting about it!The water is heated very quickly, and it has a nice sounding harmonica whistle that is just the right loudness.I have a gas stove and the handle did get hot.Another reviewer had a good idea about using a pot handle hotpad (the Woolworks wool one fits well), but the handle cools so quickly that I find that I usually don't even use it.This is the nicest looking tea kettle that I've seen.Even though it is 2.5 quarts it's not as big and clumsy as some of the others. One look at the bottom of this kettle, and you know that it is sturdy, sturdy, sturdy!Most definitely a high quality kettle. ... Read more

Asin: B00004RD9Q
Subjects:  1. Teapots    2. (Tea pots)    3. Coffeepots    4. (Coffee pots)    5. Teakettles    6. (Tea Kettles)   

Delia Smith's Winter Collection : Comfort Food
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (04 November, 1997)
list price: $35.00
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Reviews (5)

Good Food but a little bland and not that exciting
Comfort Food in the title enticed me to try this, plus the raving about her popularity in Britain spreading to our parts as well.

Trying several of the recipes, I found them to be somewhat basic, bland (except for the Thai inclusions).I loved the Black Bean Chili with Avocado Salsa.But most of the time if I rummage through this one, I'm reminded of similar recipes juiced up by other cooks.Realize for some this approach might be ideal and this would become a solid favorite.

Guaranteed to brighten bleak winter days
This inspired collection features sophisticated home cooking that will satisfy the heartiest of cold-weather appetites. In addition to tried-and-true British classics updated for today's tastes, it offers many dishes that reflect the enticing and varied flavors of France, Italy, Spain, California, the Caribbean, India, and the Orient. Whether you are a kitchen novice or an experienced cook, you will find this solid, trustworthy volume a welcome addition to your bookshelf.

Also recommended: "Recipes and Remembrances from an Eastern Mediterranean Kitchen," by Sonia Uvezian. This definitive guide is a must for lovers of Mediterranean food! Not only does it contain fascinating text and highly original recipes, it is the first cookbook to document the important contributions American and British writers who lived and traveled in the Levant have made to enhance our understanding of the region's cuisine.

Excellent
This book is excellent for its cooking instruction alone! The PerfectRoast Potatoes recipe is great as is the Chocolate Bread & ButterPudding. If you like this one, try the Summer Collection! ... Read more

Isbn: 0375500243
Sales Rank: 750703
Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Regional & Ethnic - English, Scottish & Welsh    5. Regional & Ethnic - Soul Food    6. Seasonal    7. Winter    8. Cooking / General   

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (17 January, 1996)
list price: $14.99 -- our price: $10.19
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

It's safe to say that The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of the funniest science fiction novels ever written. Adams spoofs many core science fiction tropes: space travel, aliens, interstellar war--stripping away all sense of wonder and repainting them as commonplace, even silly.

This omnibus edition begins with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, in which Arthur Dent is introduced to the galaxy at large when he is rescued by an alien friend seconds before Earth's destruction. Then in The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Arthur and his new friends travel to the end of time and discover the true reason for Earth's existence.In Life, the Universe, and Everything, the gang goes on a mission to save the entire universe. So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish recounts how Arthur finds true love and "God's Final Message to His Creation." Finally, Mostly Harmless is the story of Arthur's continuing search for home, in which he instead encounters his estranged daughter, who is on her own quest.There's also a bonus short story, "Young Zaphod Plays It Safe," more of a vignette than a full story, which wraps up this completist's package of the Don't Panic chronicles.As the series progresses, its wackier elements diminish, but the satire of human life and foibles is ever present. --Brooks Peck ... Read more

Reviews (281)

A Dead Hero
I. Love. This. Book. That doesn't help the people reading this review much, but I have to say it. Basically, I think that Douglas Adams is one of the greatest writers ever. If you like funny fiction, or just like laughing you should not only buy this, but all of his other books as well. He manages to make an extremely funny book, that also says a lot of things that are really interesting to think about. Its not all just brainless humor. If you like this, and I would also reccomend the Amber series, by Roger Zelazny. It is slightly more gritty, and less funny, but just as unique and excellent. I would have to say that if I could bring back any two men from the dead, it would have to be Adams and Zelazny.

31/2 stars
I'm so sorry I have to do this, because I did enjoy the book, and I know how loyal Adams' fans are, but I just didn't love this series.

I thought it was very humorous, but I felt there was little warmth between the characters.Though at times their bickering was very funny, it reached a point where I just wanted them to appreciate one another and stop arguing over every little thing.At times, they all seemed to hate eachother, and they're supposed to be friends, or as the back of the book puts it, "Arthur Dent and his comrades!"

Again, the humor was great, but I just felt that the relationships were a tad weak.

Monty Pythonesque
Humor, and our perception of humor, is subjective.What is funny to one person isn't necessarily funny to the next.For example - I think Dave Barry is hilarious, and I think his first novel "Big Trouble" is a laugh riot - but I found the movie "Big Trouble" pretty tedious, and not very funny.

A friend turned me onto the Hitchhiker's Guide 20 years ago, and I laughed until I cried, and couldn't wait to move on to the next book, "The Restaurant At The End of the Universe".

I see LOTS of reviews of this book trying lamely to describe the "plot" of the story, which would give a reader as much reason to read the book as it would to give a potential movie-goer the "plot" of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail".The story isn't the point.The enchantment lies within Adams' incredibly witty descriptions of the mundane and the extraordinary.
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Here is an early passage where our hero discovers that his friend is not English at all:

"Alright," said Ford. "How would you react if I said that I'm not from Guildford after all, but from a small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse?"

Arthur shrugged in a so-so sort of way.

"I don't know," he said, taking a pull of beer. "Why - do you think it's the sort of thing you're likely to say?"
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Consider this exchange a few chapters later when space traveling Ford prepares earthling Arthur for his first travel in hyperspace:

"You'd better be prepared for the jump into hyperspace. It's unpleasantly like being drunk."

"What's so unpleasant about being drunk?"

"You ask a glass of water."
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I remember, reading the book for the first time, thinking "this book hits my funny-bone much the same as the movies of Monty Python."

So - if THAT style of witty/wacky British humor hits your funny-bone as well, and you HAVEN'T yet read Douglas Adams, I say:

Don't Panic.You're in for a treat.This particular collection has the advantage of containing ALL of the Hitchhiker series between two covers.This comes to less than two bucks per "book" - a reading bargain for certain! ... Read more

Isbn: 0517149257
Subjects:  1. Dent, Arthur (Fictitious chara    2. Dent, Arthur (Fictitious character)    3. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Science Fiction    6. Humorous    7. Humorous stories, English    8. Prefect, Ford (Fictitious char    9. Prefect, Ford (Fictitious character)    10. Science Fiction    11. Science Fiction - Adventure    12. Science fiction, English    13. Fiction / General