Loved the novel and loved the story. There was too much inside British stuff in the novel for a Houstonian like me to get the irony of.

Dougal Douglas (or Douglas Dougal, depending on who you're talking to) may be a devil, and some people think he seems more Irish than Scottish. Whatever else he is, he is a lot of fun. THE BALLAD OF PECKHAM RYE lacks the sympathetic, possibly autobiographical central character found in many Spark novels (THE COMFORTERS, THE BACHELORS, etc.); however, it doens't fall into the black hole that swallows THE DRIVER'S SEAT or other works consumed by Spark's sense of evil. Instead, Dougal Douglas, the ever-present mischief-maker, takes the place of the sympathetic center. He wreaks havoc, but only by bringing out the devil in others--he himself has a kind of curious innocence in the midst of their scheming and violence, and acts as a (presumable) spokesman for Spark when he categorizes their various moralities (Functional, Emotional, Puritanical and Christian).

Such a summary doesn't begin to capture the delight and wit of one of Spark's most enjoyable and economical (again, not a page too long, which cannot be said for many of even our best writers today) books.

Dougal Douglas, the protagonist of this short novel, is a modern-day trickster, stirring up the sleeping industrial town of Peckham, where secrets and neuroses are in abundance. I loved Ms. Spark's sense of comedy. It makes her books always a fun read, and it's subtle enough so it never becomes an annoyance to distract one from the story.

This book has some great shots of the numerous Bond Girls who have come and gone through the years. The photos are crisp and clear and I recommend this book for anyone who calls themselves a James Bond fan. It's a great addition to the James Bond library.

However, on the critical side, this book didn't live up to my expectations in terms of describing the off-screen lives of the Bond girls. It spends a majority of the exposition describing the plot of each James Bond movie and then reserves only a minimal amount of page space to briefly, and I mean BRIEFLY, tell you about the actresses who portrayed Bond Girls in the movies. It is just not detailed enough. I was hoping to learn more about where Honor Blackman is right now in her life, or what became of Shirley Eaton after she became popular as a "Golden Girl". The book doesn't go into some of these things. Maybe this is because of the lack of information available, but if this is the case, I think the book should be advertised as more of a photo album rather than an expository book. Although the plot descriptions are very good, we have plenty of books which explain the plots of the James Bond movies. It doesn't have to be the emphasis in this book. The emphasis should be on the actresses themselves, not the characters they portrayed in the context of the story.

I give this book four stars because of the quality of the photographs, but it falls short of a five because of the reasons I stated.

Growing up on Bond, James Bond, there's a tendency for ones memory to highlight the action scenes, the suggestive sayings, or the coolness of Bond in the age of the Cold War, but this book puts everything back into prospective and lets us remember our shallow youth...and the women who shaped it.

Having all of the Bond books, the collections, and "encyclopedias," etc., I didn't think there'd ever be another Bond book that I'd want to have, much less need, but "The James Bond Girls" is a must have for everyone who's ever thought of themselves as a Bond fan.

I couldn't put 'The James Bond Girls' down even after the third time I read it. It has an excellent review of each movie, what happened and the stars involved. It gave an interesting account of each of the Bond Girls, what they did before they became a Bond Girl and there life after Bond. The book follows the sequence of all the films and is filled with photographs that compliments all the words and leaves you thinking and feeling 'Wow'. The only downside of the book is that some of the descriptions of the films are not entirely true. Certain details have been mixed up. This is the only thing that stops it getting a 10. When you get hold of this book you won't want to let it out of your sight, so grap a copy and enjoy!

I bought this CD to help me with one of my classes and found it very helpful in teaching the novel. I usually created my own stuff but this time the expenditure was worth it. The disk contains Vocabulary exercises, quizs, tests, and everything else that teachers ought to do. It's practical and solid with the traditional approach. Above it, it's easy to use and very well organized.

Being my first year as a high school teacher, I knew I would need some tools to help my first year go by without a hitch. This lesson plan (CD) did just the trick. I later bought one for The Crucible also. These each have 137 pages of activities, vocabulary, study guides, writing assignments and rubrics, tests, puzzles, and word searches. All I can say is wonderful. The other English teachers love them and out department head is looking into buying a series of the titles!

BUY THEM!

I'm not much of a book reader. I usually stick to magizines and news paper articals;But I must say I consider this book to be one of the better Books I have read. Some parts seemed to drag on forever, but then again Their were so many suprises and secrets that it all evened out. If I do ever decide to read a book or novel I like to read Gothic Mysteries. This book struck my fansy when I saw that it had the word Haunting in it. For the most part The Haunting of Lamb House was very injoyable!

This book describes the intertwined lives of the persons who live in Lamb House over the course of many years: a crippled boy whose greatest desire never comes true; Henry James and his infatuation with various younger men; and other characters. And I do mean characters! These are not run-of-the-mill folks. They are interesting and quirky and unique. I also sensed some tongue-in-cheek pokes at sexuality, which were amusing. The entire book is enjoyable.

Ereth's Birthday is a very cute and good book. I recomend it to people inbetween the ages of 8 & 11. I'm 11 but I still loved it. It's about this porcupine named Ereth and he thinks that his best friend and the mouse he has had a crush on forever forgot his Birthday. Then he decides to go off insearch of his favorite treat. SALT. Although he's a very determined prcupine he gets slowed down by a thick layer of snow. Through out his long journey he learns that he shouldn't think about just himself when his life is threatened. It is funny and sad in a few places but thats what makes it a good book. He makes up odd words like bubbled bat wings and slimy slithering snakes. But I think you should defanately read it.

My children absolutely adore this series. They just can't get enough. I have borrowed them so much from the library (and paid so many fines) that I finally bought the set. A great addition to your child's library!

I'm in my 20's but I love children's books. This one is very touching and written from a different slant. I think parents would enjoy it too.

Max in India has fantastic illustration art and offbeat textwith lots of play-on-words. Most kids (especially as young as the "4-8" range)will not be able to relate to this tale of a man/dog pondering the meaning of life while expecting his first offspring. It's more like a fun gift book for adults or maybe older kids/teens with an interest in India, art or philosophy. My six-year-old liked the pictures but didn't get anything out of the story.

Max Stravinsky (poet, dreamer, dog) is back in full color in a charming romp through India's exotic locales and treasures. As he anxiously pursues the "meaning of life," Max encounters Kalman's usual eccentrically lovable characters and valid lessons. This book can be read BY youngsters or read TO them, but it is the inner child in the adult who benefits the most. Throw away those dime-store psychological self-help tomes...and let Kalman's magic combination of drawings and delicious vocabulary make you a Swami for life!

Holden Caulfield is an untypical character, scandalously believed to be the epitome of teenage angst. Subjects of his kind are few and far between and worshipers of his ethos contradict themselves with un-Holden-like gestures of 'coolness' and materialism. No wonder Salinger 'pukes', as he might put it, at his cult following, ALMOST the antithesis of what he was trying to promote.(PR)I met a girl outside a nightclub with an American accent. "Have you read 'The Catcher in the Rye'?, I asked. "Yes!!!!", she replied, "I spent a time being in love with Holden Caulfield!". I was pleased, but then she tried to shake my hand in a stylised 'cool' manner. I tried to respond but failed...oh...but she turned on me; "Hey, get with it, man!", and walked off, not annoyed, but none too impressed...the point is 'The Catcher in the Rye' is a comment on society. It is densely planned but sounds like the simply written diary of a complicated, compassionate, emotional person. It is hilarious and tragic, the author engaging one in a seemingly non-technical rollercoaster of truth, of the way life should be and the way people could be. There is no effect of Salinger distancing the reader with any form of over-stylised excess. Holden is talking TO you, not at you. He becomes the reader's friend.(PR) This is no adolescent book: it is universal and for anybody who has sense and compassion enough to understand: the adolescent eyes of Holden Caulfield are used simply as a means of making the point: he hasn't enter the world so his plight becomes more powerful. He doesn't want to because he is more mature...ironically.(PR) The Vespers of wit clothe the more sombre truth in a short, to-the-point novel, written by a perfectionist with no frills, about a man who so longs for an escape route from imperfection. Joseph Zachary Humphries (jzh1ugs@bolton.ac.uk),Bolton, England.

I first read this book when I was a sophomore in high school. I remember myself drawn into it then but after I finished it I thought it was fun but didn't quite think it a classic. Recently, I had felt a need to escape my everyday life and the idea of taking off from my job, roommates, life really appealed to me so I picked up this book again. I read it little bits and pieces and treasured each moment. I really identify with Holden a lot mre now after being in the world for a little bit. Salinger's observations through Holden are interesting and his digressions make for great reads. But what I noticed this time around almost above everything else is the intense and sharp humor of the book. I found myself several times laughing out loud. The book is really funny. Holden's observations are so true, it's just funny. The humor relies on behavior instead of jokes and I think at 24, I've observed more behavior and appreciate the humor. The relationships Holden has a very touching and interesting too. I felt that he was more similar in this regard to an early twenty something than a high schooler, but I think early twenty-somethings are a lot more "phony" than holden so he works better as a high schooler. It's a good book. I want to read it again.

The book "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger is an excellent comming of age novel. You see the world through the eyes of the main character, Holden Caulfield. Salinger uses swirls his unique characters into his "stream of concious" writing style. The blend of Holden's tangents and his simplistic observations of other people serve as a source of comedy and sadness.
Holden is a unique character in himself. He observes other people's "phony" actions and ridicules them for it, when at the same time Holden is not perfect by any means. I think the idea of seeing your self, and self-actuality are two of the novel's main themes. Holden is one of the most prominent protagonists in contemporary literature because he is so easily realted to. His hardships of adolescense can apply to almost every teenage in today's world. The struggle for a purpose in life is one of the biggest challenges that people face, and I think the novel shows one way that a lot of people handle it.
This novel is one of the best books in American contemporary literature because it carries so many themes and ideas about life that everyone can relate to.

It was interesting to read "Catcher in the Rye" because somewhere in the story I found myself as Holden or it reminded me of people that were like Holden, Ackley etc. The story was well written in the sense that it kept you in suspense of what Holden's other move would be. Whether he would go to the bar to get drunk or would secretly visit his little sister. The story also reflects one's opinion about the society Holden is living in. A place where a wide range of social unrest exists that cannot be handled by a 16 year old. The main theme of the story revolves around Holden's life, which at times is carelessness, negative attitude, romance and softness. Lastly one can learn from this story as to avoid ignorance and carelessness in life, which if followed will leave to an ending similar to as Holden's.

What J.D Salinger has done is what many folks of the last few generations wish had never happened and only now jump for joy at. The Catcher in The Rye has opened the door to many a writer who may with the classes looking down on them may not have written fantastic books. A perfect example would be Stephen Chobosky and his book "The Perks of Being a Wallflower". I am by no means however comparing this titles I would just like to mention that books by authors like Chobosky would not be around were it not for the vision of Salinger and his little red book. The blunt honesty of Holden Caulfield and the way that with every twist and turn of life he remains true to himself and even at times with the other characters will remain the staple of this classic and though many years have passed this book (and forgive for the next out dated pharse) like a fine wine can and will only get better.

This book was simply amazing. Unlike any other book I've read, this book uses language that a true teen of such years would use. The reader is able to be a part of the story rather than just a reader. The true emotions of the character seem to be the honest feelings of each human spirit at heart, rather we are able to admit it or not. His view of certain situations and of the world in general is a blunt realization and indenification of reality. 5 stars and 2 thumbs up!!

The book The Catcher in the Rye was one of the best books I have ever read, and also my favorite. As a fifteen year old myself I understood much of what Holden was going through. I got the book and didn't stop reading it untill I finished it the next night. I loved the style of writing and it kept me interested untill the very last word.

I absolutely loved this book. Holden Caulfield captures the essence of youth and all the troubles that the youth of any era must go through. A great book for anyone, from a high school student to someone in their 40's. This book will have you laughing, sympathizing and nearly in tears as you read about this troubled young man.

I read this book at 16 because a teacher told me I would relate to the main character. This was soon after I had been diagnosed with manic-depressive illness. I am now 21 and have read the book several times and the more I experience and live through the symptons of my illness, I see how the entire book seems to show that Holden might have been experiencing a manic episode. And it is amazing that it was written so long ago, before much was known of the illness. I adore this book because the thoughts and emotions I sometimes have that seem to be so terribly painfull and unexplainable are all stated crystal clear right there in the pages. I reccomend this book to anyone who has manic-depression, or anyone who wishes to understand such a person's emoitional obstacles. I also highly reccomend all other works by Salinger, particularly "Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters and Seymour, an Introduction".

The title of this book would lead one to believe that it gives how-to information for new, fresh, creative bouquets and arrangements. While the instructions are thorough and clearly written, the arrangements themselves are more traditional and "floristy" -- they use a lot of filler, and I think some of them look rather overdone.

The strength of this book is in the instructions. They are laid out step by step, with photographs of how to construct each arrangement. The book tells you exactly which tools you will need and how many flowers to buy. Even a beginner like myself would be able to create pretty good bouquets and arrangements with these directions.

I bought this book together with "Bouquets: A Year of Flowers for the Bride," which does have more creative ideas, but is weak on the instructional part. I recommend this combination of books to anyone like myself who is looking to make their own wedding flowers, but does not have experience in floral design. Both books have their weaknesses, but they complement each other and make up for each other.

From a bride who started by taking 2 years of design classes and creating her own bridal flowers to now a flourishing wedding floral business owner who creates custom wedding arrangements for brides all across the country, this book helped me get started. I review and purchase a lot of floral reference books for my design business, and when I started out, this was one of the better books I found on basic, traditional styles. The book is particularly helpful for the beginning designer as the clear photos and detailed, how-to steps are easy to follow. My only suggestion for improvement is to expand the book (or publish a second book) that lists advanced techniques and more contemporary, unique designs and florals/materials for the bride who desires something more unusual and creative. It's limited in the creativity it offers, but overall, it's one of the best BASIC books to reference and LEARN from. Good for beginners and floral students.

A few weeks ago I got myself in a jam. I agreed to help a friend of mine out with her bridal parties flowers not knowing the first thing on making a simple flower arrangement. I searched and searched the internet for step by step books that could help me out on creating floral arrangements but everytime I read the reviews it turned out that the title of the book had nothing to do with what the book was all about. Finally I pulled up Terry L. Rye's book it was a lifesaver. It was just what I needed. This book gives you step by step instructions from how to create a bouquet to creating floral head pieces for your brides maids. It's wonderful; I recommend it to anyone who's looking into creating their own wedding flowers. This book is definitely worth buying you will not be disappointed.