Bentley Reviews

Let's face it. Reading Milton is no cakewalk. Oscar Wilde once said a writer was a "prose Milton" then added, "but so is Milton." That's why Anton Lesser's reading is genius. It's so genius, it demonstrates the genius of Milton. Laura Paton can't quite match Anton in his Shakespearean crispness and demonic force, but she only reads the few speeches of Eve.

Yes, it's an abridged version. But when they say abridged, they barely mean it. Whole books are included on the three (THREE!) CDs and ones that aren't read fully are here in Milton's own summaries. I recommend getting the NORTON CRITICAL EDITION OF PARADISE LOST to read along with this (although everything that's read is included in a booklet that also comes (!) with the CDs. The Norton Crit has the full text (should you want it) along with good footnotes and essays.

This is all so well done and so mindbogglingly cheap for how long it is (four hours!), I'm a little baffled why I hadn't heard of it before. Every English teacher will tell you that Milton should be read aloud. So why not have Anton Lesser do it for you? He does it so dern well.

Naxos audio maintain their high reputation with this excellent production of Milton's classic; wonderfully read by Anton Lesser, with Laura Paton as Eve.

Paradise Lost can be a difficult read. Personally, I could never get round to comitting myself to the book, but this reading really brings it to life, and is well worth spending the time and money. Milton creates many wonderous and fantastical images and characters. Satan is shown as a tragic hero, tormented by the innocence of Adam and Eve, and prompted to revenge. Milton actually uses his characters to play 'devil's advocate' (literally!) by asking many paradoxical questions of the biblical story. Considering this book was first printed at the height of the witchcraft paranoia of the seventeenth century, it's amazing he managed to get away with it.

Full of allegory and layers of meaning, this is a CD set you can enjoy again and again.

Merritt Hughes was a Quaker??
Anyway, despite the date of publication (1962) which leaves the commentary a little outdated, in that it doesn't really address Stanley Fish or Joseph Wittreich or some other big Milton scholars' recent contributions to the subject, this edition is great, for beginning milton readers and more advanced alike. The introduction and footnotes are among the most complete available anywhere with good references to hebrew, classical, and other motifs within the poem. It addresses the ptolemic vs. copernican debate (sun round earth or earth round sun) and Milton's astronomy in some depth in the introduction, maybe beyond what will be interesting until you've finished the poem.
A timeless edition, I would say, which is why its still popular after 40 years, much better than the penguin classic edition.

Unlike most of the appreciators of Hilaire Belloc's comic verse for children, I first came to these wonderfully droll verses as an adult (I was brought up on Samuel Hoffenstein and Ogden Nash), but I have grown to love them as if I had known them since my earliest years (hey, that's the start of "Lord Lundy"). In his "Beasts", "Cautionary Tales" and "Peers" verses, Belloc achieves a delightful synthesis of the fearless straight-ahead gaze of childhood (in the tradition of "The Story of Augustus, Who Would Not Eat His Soup") with the style of absolutely dead-pan English humor (e.g. Stephen Potter's "Gamesmanship"). Do not neglect the verses in "Peers" and "More Peers"; "Lord Hippo" and "Lord Lucky" are the equal of "Matilda" and "Jim". Note for Lord Peter fans: Dorothy L. Sayers has Peter Wimsey quote several times from these Belloc poems.

This is an excellent book. It is small and pocket-sized so my children can handle it very easily. This book is advertized as being a hardcover when it actually is not. It is still worth it to get it, though.

Outrageous, yet, delivering a straight-forward moral lesson, Belloc's cautionary tales are classic.

This book is wonderful, I have just about all the driving books available today and was unsure about buying this one... I am very happy that I did, it was and is very worth the money.

Bentley, who does still race, is easy to read and talks in terms of real world driving, on the street. Yes, he covers a lot about on the race track and the finer points, but her relates that to the street and the "practice" of feeling the car and understanding what is happening at all times in order to become a better driver... and it actually works, I have started to become more aware of the fine movements of weight distribution in my commute to work!

If you think you have too many books on driving, splurge a little and buy this one, I think you'll be happy you did!

I have read most books on driving and racing techniques, this one makes it easy to understand and to apply to everyday situations. I like the way that Bentley divided the book into the four parts (the car, the track, the driver and the finish line) it is an easy read. There are lots of good diagrams to help get the point across. If you are a driving enthusiast or racer, and you only want to buy one book, this is the one you must have.

Why I like this book:
There is less emphasis on getting the car set up and more on just driving like a pro. Too many grassroots level enthusiasts whine about tires, shocks and sway bars. Ross hardly touches on this stuff. Clearly he comes from the point of view of a professional driver, not a chassis tuner or racecar builder. His emphasis is to get as much as possible out of the car regardless of the equipment. Even pro's have to deal with sub par equipment and rules that make things less than ideal. For example, if you are a Pro driver for hire, you might get the call to run 24 hr of Lemans. You share one car with 3-4 other guys. It's not your car, it doesn't get to be set up the way you like it. You are paid to just plop in the seat and drive it fast and not complain. Now THAT's a race car driver. And that's the vibe i get from Ross in this book. Learn to drive fast, and stop whining. Also spend less money on your car and more money on track days. The book gives you good advice on how to analyze the track, and learn it quickly. Even though Ross mostly races RWD cars (I race FWD cars), I still found 90% of the book to apply. Read this book twice before your next trackday. Then review sections between your run groups, and amaze your buddies at how quickly you have become one of the fast guys! And don't loan it out!

The most moving book by a dancer I have read. It conveys Suzanne Farrell's enthusiasm, engergy and love for dancing Mr Balanchine's choreographies, but it is also the self-portrait of a woman whose humility is a lesson to all of us.
It inspires respect, admiration and love for Ms Farrell and for her art.
And the pictures are great too!

After reading (or, in my case, rereading) Suzanne Farrell's wonderful book, one feels a tremendous debt of gratitude. It isn't just that her life and views on dance and art are fascinating, though that is certainly true. It's the tremendous sense of generosity and compassion that flow from these pages. I remember when I first read her mother's words to her young daughters, that if they had "the arts in their life they would never be lonely", that I quietly marked the page, closed the book, and wept appreciatively. This was the first time I had heard these words expressed by anyone and it confirmed the feelings I've had since being very young.
Many may find the Balanchine references the definitive biography of this section of his life, but there is so much more to this glorious volume, gratefully back in print from the University of Florida. This paperback edition is very well-bound, pages are highest quality; the price may seem a tad high, but is in truth worth more than pricier hardcovers. This, along with the DVD of Farrell's exquisite "Elusive Muse" documentary make an outstanding gift idea for young people uncertain of how to attain their dreams. Ms. Farrell's life is certainly a great inspiration.

An honest, touching, and very well written book about a great dancer with an extraordinary story to tell.

I use this book to send submissions of my poetry to various magazines. The biggest help has been in introducing me to magazines that are not available at your average bookstore. The other thing is that I had no idea of the format of a submission before I first picked this book up. I have at least gotten read a couple of times, even if I did get rejection slips. Don't let this book scare you. There's so much information here that it's a little overwhelming. I have the 2001, but I would recommend buying the latest edition. You might even want to wait and buy the 2003. Also, hang in there. Being a poet in 2002 is a little difficult I know.

Poets faithfully depend on Poet's Market for their #1 reference. Market guidelines by the thousands are readily available. As an editor of a literary magazine, I can tell you candidly, that its greatest advantages for the poet of 2000 are Poet's Market inclusion of: the subject index, poetry websites, publications that accept e-mail submissions, and chapbook publishers. Poet's Market 2000 gives the poet a bona fide chance at publication.

I found this book by chance while browsing amazon.com; complete chance. What luck, what amazing luck! This is truly the most useful book in existence for any poet young or old, amateur or professional. Not only is the list of publishers ENORMOUS but the book provides you with inside contact information as well as what type of poetry each publisher wants, all organized so it's easily located in the book. There's also an excellent brief section on etiquette when submitting and other formal things that give you an inside track on the editor. No poet can live without this book. Buy it now, it's WELL worth the price!!

I was introduced to Alexander Technique and Centered Riding (separately) several years ago as a beginning adult rider. After several CR clinics, I gained a basic understanding of how Sally Swift uses Alexander. This book stands alone, but as a companion to Centered Riding, particularly Sally's new book, it will help you gain a lot more understanding of how your balance and centering affect your horse's way of going.

I had an opportunity to review the book with a Level IV CR instructor, and she was impressed. Many of the concepts and exercises she does in her clinics are there, and there are a many clever illustrations that clarify the concepts.

It doesn't make any difference what level or discipline you ride. This book and Centered Riding 2 are a terrific set to help you take your riding to new levels.

As an equine osteopath of ten years I was delighted to see in Joni's book many of the answers I had been looking for to stop people injuring their horses. Joni has a unique insight into the mechanics of the horse, yet can make complicated issues appear simple and easily understood. I feel this book will become a classic. Buy it, read, do it.

Here is the book of the millennium and my new bible Centre Riding was the revolutionary book of it's time. Here is it's successor. The expertise and logic of Joni Bentley's training is so astounding it will amaze riders at all levels. Whether you want to brows or get deeply involved in it's technicalities, it is a stunning insight into how to do less and achieve more, horse and rider interact naturally yet classically. Each chapter starts with lively, brain teasing quotes, which are intriguing and so Poignant. This book gives you the tools and awareness to work in harmony with your horse The author uses gripping personal stories to pin point were we are going wrong in training. showing how fundamental problems are glossed over with quick fixs. Although it is fun and easy to read it's message is profound. Joni Bentley has a brilliant knack of drawing you in to her unique world of training. Check out her web site ... Most books are written for the perfect rider and the perfect horse this book is written for you. It deals with real bodies minds and spirits, and honours the horse as the teacher throughout. Riding Success Without Stress will change your life do your horse a favour and buy it now.

I have read One Time and would like to express my approval for the author openly and honestly confirming what takes place on the streets of Los Angeles between minorities and police officers. The actual events that minorities have been complaining about for years has finally come to life--from the eyes of a police officer himself. I am very appreciative of the fact that Mr. Bentley decided to share his experiences on the force with the public. I hope the information contained in the book will be used to take a look at the unjustices and unfair practices people of minority descent have endured for years from LAPD.

I read the book One Time with great appreciation and admiration for the young officer who worked in the inner city and for minority officers. The book depicts the inner most feelings of what it is like being an officer in Los Angeles. Law enforcement is sometimes frustrating, demamding, stressful and rewarding, which Mr. Bentley sucessfully displayed. The book also gave us a sample of how they are precieved and treated by the commnity and each other. It is unfortunate that this young, eager, and educated man was not allowed to be the kind of officer that he initally wanted to be, and to make a differnce in his commnity. Because of the prejudices, bureaucracy, politics and unethnical behaviors within the department,there will be many officers like Mr. Bentley who will be burned out by the system.

I recommend this book to all potental police officers and their families. A must read book!

Having grown up in S/C LA and also a retired Police Officer, this book give you the real world experience. This book will take you from one extreme to the other. You will laugh, cry and be very afraid. Because it is all so very true. Somebody needs to make this into a movie, Quick. Oprah needs to read this book

My husband and I hate this book (maybe just because we're tired of it) but my 2 year old loves it, which is all that matters! Everytime we read the part where the frog's tounge comes out....wooop!....she laughes and giggles and wants more, more, more!!! By far better by the same author is "The Icky Sticky Anteater." It actually has a moral to the story and the illus. are wonderful!!!

My older daughter purchased this delightful book for my younger daughter. In my opinion, it was a great pick! I have shared the book with first and second graders at my school who want to read it again and again. My 5-year old immediately loved the cover -- the wiggly eyes and icky, sticky, stretchy tongue! She and the students with whom I've shared it are immediately caught up in the story, reciting the repeated phrases throughout the book. A great predictable story, but with a surprise ending!

We have read this book so much we have it memorized. I have to say that that the first time I read the book, we did experience a bit of shock at the way it ended. You are expecting something different and my son said, "Mom, what happened!" So then I was able to explain how the food chain works in nature.

The long sticky-stretchy tongue came off of our book---maybe we read the book too much?? But after 3 children, the book is still the favorite. My 2 year old follows me around the house wanting me to read it over and over....I recite the story while cooking dinner and he sits on the couch and looks at the book....his favorite is the WHOOP! and SLURP! sounds I make.

This book was one of Bentley's better books. It tells about Samantha's past life, before and after her mother was killed.In this book,Cindy has a frightening fall, just like sam's mother. can sammy find happyness again? I thought it was a great book.

This is the only TB super special book I have read. It really gives you a good look at Samantha's life before she came to Whitebrook (or Townsend Acres). I liked it because if there's Ashleigh books telling us about Ashliegh's childhood why can't there be a book telling us about Samantha's childhood. A MUST READ!

I think this book was awesome! It took you into Sammy's mind and what really happened before she came to Towsend Acres! Also, you get to she how Tor perposed to Sam! I reccomed this book to everyone it really touches your heart!

I think this book is a must-have for anybody who pokes around the inside of their Jetta (or Golf or GTI). Not only does it contain the standard tear-down diagrams, but outlines tests on the car's systems and has charts for diagnosing trouble. (What's that noise?) It's all written in very plain English and is almost always very detailed (although its does have a few lapses). It saved me a pile of money I would have otherwise given to my dealer.

This book is great for the "do-it-yourselfer"...even for the novice who wants to save [the] per hour shop fee and do some basic repairs on your VW, this book will guide you through it. It also provides very handy diagrams and pictures.

I own a 1990 German built Jetta and have tried the Haynes manual for '75 through '92 models with little help. The Haynes is based on a complete teardown and rebuild of an older, gasoline vehicle. It doesn't discuss Diesel or Turbo Diesel, and it omits features found in later models, such as cruise control, and does not provide and explanation of determining what model you have. This book, published by Bentley Publishers, is more extensive and has far better illustrations and wire diagrams. My advice: if you want to save money fixing your VW yourself, skip the Haynes manuals and get this book.