Dear Fatty

I went into Waterstones with the intent of not buying another book to my already large group of currently awaiting books to be read. But within 3 seconds of announcing this to my daughter I held the book that was looking right at me and was there at the counter paying my money. I totally enjoyed the book, it shows Dawn as the truely rounded person she is (sorry for the pun Dawn). I liked the way she wrote it, letters to everyone and it was actually a good idea considering she had never written a book before. Madonna lost out as she couldn't possible compete with the comedy diva's of French and Saunders we have in Britain. That's probably why she always turned you down. Your talent shines through and so does the love you have for your family and friends. It would of been nice if you had told others about the time you took Alison by surprise and turned up at her concert at the NEC in Birmingham with a custard pie. I didn't know she could swear so much but it had to be one of the best concerts I ever attended. Maybe next time eh? Thank you for letting us into your world and sharing it with us. Good luck to Dawn, Len and Billie.

"Who are you, and what have you done with our Mum?"

I must own about 100 recipie books easily, maybe more. They cause me trouble in storing them and strife everytime we move...but no more ...I'm about to ditch most of them! I've had The Ministry for 3 weeks and have used more recipes from this than I have out of the other books combined!

I love the one recipe per left hand page and pictures showing stages and finished item on right side of pages, no flicking pages here, or pictures of tempting dishes and endless frustration trying to match recipe to correct picture 30 pages apart! Every recipe is pictured, so you know what it's supposed to look like!
There's not even lists of difficult to source ingredients, and there are many ideas of how to tweak recipies to make them into something else. I've never used so many fresh herbs in cooking, and they really do lift the quality and flavour of the meals. It's inspired me to start a herb garden of my own!

My family have particularly loved the Roast chicken - moist melt in the mouth and totally flavour packed - as is the consistantly good gravy - Bisto have lost me forever. I actually had no idea how easy it is and how good gravy could taste. Parmesan chicken and posh ham chicken great - although 2nd time used smoked bacon instead - just as good really. Salmon fishcakes gorgeous. The sauce with the meatloaf is fantastic, and have used this as a veggie main meal with couscous on its own (without bacon!)

Trouble is I'm being pestered to remake so many things...particularly Mega Chocolate Fudge Cake...heavenly.

I'm quite a confident and good home cook anyway, but have been guilty of getting stuck in a rut with old favourite meals cooked hundreds of times. I usually only dabble in recipe books at Xmas time. However we are all loving the Ministry.

I highly recommend this easy to follow, attractive and no nonsense book as the only one you need in the kitchen - except for Xmas stuff!

Humble, inspiring and beautifully written memoir

I was overwhelmed by how good this memoir is. Having also grown up in Jakarta, Indonesia and lived in Manoa, Hawaii (where Barack's parents met) he captures the essence of both places beautifully, and I can verify the accuracy and authenticity of the cultural descriptions. Barack describes different cultures extremely well (as we might expect from someone whose mother was an anthropologist), as well as the challenges he faced and the decisions he made. This book is of a far higher quality than that written by most writers, let alone politicians. I quote him in my book on finding inspiration through travel Travelling Magically: How to Turn Your Journey into a Life-changing Experience. There is more about Hawaiian culture and the beautiful valley of Manoa for those readers who are interested in my first book [[ASIN:1594770093 The Sacred Power of Huna: Spirituality and Shamanism in Hawai'i], which describes my journey towards getting a Ph.D.in Anthropology in Hawaii. I would highly recommend Barack Obama's memoir to all those who want to know more about the world, and who want to change their place in it.

No wonder this is the world's best selling book!

After having received Guinness World Records 2009, as a gift, I've realised just how good it is. I was in Tesco a few days ago, and flicked through it then. I thought it was good. But now I own it, it's enabled me to see the extent of just how good it is.

Saying that it's the best edition of Guinness World Records to date, and it is (no worries there), isn't really that much of an achievement. Saying, however, it's the best book I've ever read...the best book ever made...is.
And this is. It's crammed full of amazing achievements, epic engineering, fantastic feats, and much more amazing stuff to feast your eyes on.

Leaving `Ripley's: Believe It Or Not' for dead, GWR really have excelled themselves this time. It really is astonishing.
This year's edition also includes huge, awe-inspiring fold out 3D features, which are apparently obvious when you wear the 3D-glasses that are provided.
It's awesome!

- Revealed: the world's strongest man
- The record-breaking world of Harry Potter
- Inside the Hollywood Hall of Fame
- The top ten videogames of the year
- Face to face with dinosaurs in exciting 3D!
- Plus your favourite records country by country

All this can be found in the spectacular book that is Guinness World Records 2009.

I'd suggest going over to that bookshop, right this second, and buying a copy.
Guaranteed - you won't be disappointed.

Inspiring

I don't really know what I was expecting when I started to read this book, but what I wasn't expecting was a genuinely interesting, even-handed and thoughtful portrayal of the American democratic system. While I have obviously seem Obama on the Teevee, I can't say that he ever really energised me in the same way he did so many others. However, upon finishing this book I started to understand a bit more why people find his message so resonant. He writes with compassion and respect for differing opinions, and with the obvious intelligence he displays in speeches and interviews.

It's a refreshing book - I don't know if it's an honest book, because I don't know the man in person - but it certainly comes across as honest. It's well worth reading no matter your views on Obama himself or his political positions - even those at opposite ends of the spectrum should find his gentle humanity somewhat inspiring.

Not the way to go...U-turn needed

I am an avid viewer of the TG show, a subscriber to the the TG magazine, and a regular reader of Mr. C's columns in the Sunday Times, BUT I have to be honest - this book is a stinker - a complete cash-in - as a throwaway stocking-filler, OK - but I was expecting something a bit meatier in terms of content (closer to TG magazine's style), especially as there's also a separate 'TG Annual' aimed at kids. All I can say is, goodness knows what that Annual is like, because most of what's in THIS should be in the annual - it just looks like someone's decided 'let's milk the name for all it's worth' - big pity...

sweetly timed shot to the boundary - excellent

To Parky I say, thanks for this timely autobiography, and many 'thanks for the memories' from the last 30 years. I enjoyed the book very much. It came across as very honest and entertaining.

If this is the best then....

This won the Booker prize - if it the best then the worst must have been pretty awful. The book never felt as if it got any momentum going. Yes it was descriptive, but at times I wished that Balram would slit my throat too. I am sure that the portrayal of India is probably accurate and the author will not be Mr. Popular back home, but don't you sometimes wish that a story could win one of these prizes instead of some"clever satirical tale"

BUY IT!!!

I very rarely write reviews about products, but I felt the need to for this book. In my opinion this book should be in EVERYONE'S kitchen.

It has not only saved me money but it has improved my cooking skills. I like make everything from scratch, and thanks to this book it has helped me in this challenge. I can be 100% sure I know exactly what I'm eating - and this book makes it easy - and fast!!!

Wonderful book

Best book I've read this year. Very well written. Full of life and also very funny indeed. Don't like using cliches, but this is definitely an 'instant classic'.

A slow beginning leads to a captivating, engaging finish

I do enjoy a good autobiography, and I much prefer autobiography to biography. Julie is undoubtedly a legendary British actress who deserves all the praise and accolades that have been heaped upon her during her career. I'd been hoping for an autobiography and was delighted to learn it was published.

Initially I found it rather a heavy read, perhaps rather slow to get started. I felt that Julie was finding her feet in a new (for her) medium of expression. Any such shackles were soon discarded and the book became very readable, indeed there were times when I found it very hard to put down, but I wanted to make the book last rather than finish it in a couple of days!

Having now finished it I feel as though I'm a close personal friend, but surely that's the sign of a well-executed autobiography in that it fully engages the reader by its conclusion?

Order early??

Ordered the HSM Annual 3wks ago along with some other items and was told the other items would be dispatched straight away but the HSM Annual would not be sent until at least 1st December,be aware of this delay if you are getting it for someones birthday as theres a chance of it not arriving on time if not ordered early enough.This needs to be bared in mind for Xmas too.
Good price,shame about long wait on delivery.

many repeated recipes

As I own all of Nigella's other books, from which I have evolved an undeserved reputation as a superb cook, there were few recipes in this book which I did not already have. that is my sole reason for awarding 4 rather than 5 stars.

However, it's a lovely read, the photos are utterly stunning and it's great to have all of the Chrsitmas stuff between two covers, rather than scrabbling through a shelf of books, in search of something suitably seasonal. (Actually, I could have done with some Chanukkah repeats as well. Note for the paperback edition maybe).
the food for presents section is especially inspiring.
sadly, despite the 120 mini mince pies, and 80 peanut butter cups already made and stashed in my freezer, not to meniton the 20 jars of mincemeat in the cellar, I'll be away for Christmas this year...

The Boy In Striped Pyjammas

I was reccomended this book by a friend who's really in to books set during wartimes. We don't often find that we like the same stories as i'm more in to thrillers and fantasy. However, I gave the book a shot and I'm glad I did. It was a very easy read but i think that made the story all that more effective. The narrotor, you see, is a young boy and the great saddness of his story and his time is intensified when seen through his naive eyes.

This book is one which leaves the reader stunned, thinking for a long while after, moved and leaking tears.

I reccomend that you read it and, if you like it, read 'The Book Thief'. Another book I was advised to read, by my Grandad this time, and found it so unbelievably detailed, passionately written, effective, and movcing that i was blubbering for days.

Laura Gray, 15.

Good fun

My three year old son thinks this book is hilarious. Lots of chuckles and silliness with pants and aliens, all good topics for little boys.

Honesty is the word

As soon as l saw this book l wanted it, l was not going to browse past past. So l bought it,
and it arrived the next day.
I dropped what l was reading (which is unusual for me), and got started.
It comes through from an early age Alan is very happy with himself, it's
others around him, who don't see it the same way.
Don't think this is a constant laugh out loud book, there are some very
funny incidents, but Alan talks very VERY frankly about being Alan Carr.
How he appeared 1st time on stage, and vowed never to return.
Alan doesn't moan at life he gets on with it. He makes it very clear that
money was so very tight, and even I thought that appearing at the
Edinburgh Festival you made money from it, and he lost.
He isn't ashamed of the jobs he did, and"The Phantom" at one job.
He talks of his highs and lows of being on stage. But he doesn't hit the big time straight away.
The book isn't full of antidote's its about his life, and how easy it was to eventually go on stage. I can
understand how sensitive he is about audiences, especially the christian one!!!
Alan comes over a very humble person, he is not one boast about all the people whom he has met,
he is overwhelmed when Robbie Williams comes to talk to him, same with Charlotte Church.
If you didn't know Alan Carr at the start of this book, you will hopefully
love him at the end.
The book ends as of where he is now, it leaves no strings dangling.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.

nice quite a young read really

I bought this for my 14 year old niece, who LOVES Top Gear, and I'm a bit disappointed. The book's very colourful, but it's full of word searches and `mazes', so really is far too young for anyone over the age of 8 or 9. I've just seen the Big Book of Top Gear, which is really funny, and I'm going to get that for her instead.

not yet available in Nice

WHY is the book called AZINCOURT? The famous battle was fought at AGINCOURT but the French, having lost the battle, changed the name of the village to AZINCOURT. The U.S. edition of this book reverts to the original name. One-up to the Yanks!

I hate this book

We've had this book for almost three weeks. I've read it to my two and a half year old son approximately 56 times. I've been woken up with the book on my head. I've found him sat outside the toilet with the book in wait. If anybody asks I am now Stick Man, Stick Man that's me!
Still, at least Tiddler can have a break from being late.
Story is as rich as all of Julia's and the artwork seems to have reached a new level. If Charlie Cook ever got hold of this he'd have a new favourite.