an informative, dark read, 27 Sep 2008
I read Mein Kampf in the hope of understanding some of the madness of Hitler's actions and wasn't disappointed. Although written in the 1920s what can be found here is a sort of blue print for World war Two.Through the book Hitler exposes the dark side of the human race and tries to manipulate the reader into agreeing with him. Unlike the German people of the time the reader has the luxury of knowing the evil of his plan. An informative and dark book that gives history a slightly different slant

RRRRR-----ZZZZZZZ------RRRRR-----ZZZZZ, 08 Aug 2008
Well, may be I m going against the flow here, but this book, is one of the most boring, poorly written, waste of money and paper i ve ever read for ages.. Its full of hate, written by a guy who throw up his bitterness and hate of everything non German during pages after pages after pages..., like you would throw up when You re drunk....

It s brilliant to put you to sleep if you ve got insomnia though...

we all know about the context in which it was written and what it lead to. so, no need to make some fuss about it and call it a must read. when it s an absolute piece of human junk.and fuel for hate...
well. i read it.. did not like it, .. but that s my personal opinion.

ay-dolf : bad writer, decent fascist. (if there is such a thing), 30 Jun 2008
i stopped reading this book about a quarter of the way into it. i got extremely tired of the repetitive points..i know this is a way to emphasise something, but they seem a tad unneccesary if you know what hitler was all about already (obviously when this book was written, not so much). i also got tired of how poorly written it was...it seems like very often his point becomes lost, as if his attention span is that of a hyperactive child (which makes sense in re-iterating my last point.)
obviously this book is intersting just as prying into the mind of jeffrey dahmer is interesting, but these writings, like his paintings, are just plain artless. his inability to write well, combined with his inability to paint were quite likely part reasons as to why he had such an enormous inferiority complex.

A paranoid book by a fiercely intelligent man, 23 Jun 2008
As you read 'Mein Kampf', there is no doubt as to Hitler's intelligence: it smacks you in the face. He clearly was not the clownish buffoon he is usually presented as. He tackles many issues cleverly if not clearly: his opinions on parliamentary democracy, reading, and propaganda are particularly interesting.

As Golo Mann famously remarked, Hitler was a man who simply couldn't understand moderation, and 'Mein Kampf' furnishes plenty of examples. Parliamentary democracy is bad for Germany? Have the politicians strung up, then. A colonial policy won't secure Germany's status for the future? Conquer eastern Europe, work its inhabitants to death, and plant Germans there. His answers to problems (as he seems them) are shockingly radical and indicative of a disturbing amorality. 'Mein Kampf' speaks volumes (no pun intended) about the tortured workings of a paranoid mind. That, really, is my second point: rather than believing in accident, Hitler sees gigantic conspiracies at work in the world (read Richard Hofstadter's excellent essay 'The Paranoid Style in American Politics' on this).

Hitler's logic is frequently circular and flawed, his style questionable (as Stuart Hodgson wrote, with typical British understatement, 'Mein Kampf' is written in 'by no means irreproachable German') and his arrangement of the material confusing. Nonetheless he provides a fascinating commentary on his times - the 1920s. I am highly sceptical of attempts to see all of Hitler's future decisions in the pages of 'Mein Kampf'. The mere fact that he envisaged a future war to be between Britain, Germany and Italy on the one hand and France on the other must show us that he was no Cassandra.

I agree with 100% if I'm honest!!! (his policies NOT his actions), 10 May 2008
The allies, Christians and Jews have been the ones to write the history books and have had an monopoly on our modern image of Hitler. 'Mein Kampf' was written by Hitler between the two wars and offers a view from the other side. So dont judge a man on his deeds until you hear his side of the story, and most importantly, WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF IT ALL. We all know what Hitler did, (we arent allowed to forget, as any mention of been proud to be white, we are quickly reminded!!)I recommend this book as it is a fascinating read (a little boring when he talks about German politics) but most of it is very good. Hitler talks about germans doing national service BEFORE earning citizenship. He talks about fighting terror with terror and blames abortions and Christianity for poor birth rates amongst germanic people and blames this and LIBERTY for Multi-culturalism and promotes the idea of a strong national dictator. He even talks a lot about England and the British Empire as he explains that he too wants to gain land for his own people by expanding his borders, not by colonising. He tells us that England had weakened herself by dividing our people through colonising the world and splitting up (I.e USA) and allowing ourselves to be conquored through peaceful immigration, losing our identity and connection to the mother land, England. England had an empire based on greed, Hitler wanted an empire to provide land for his RACE to prosper and multiply in a future 'possible' race war in Asia. (the English came from Germany, so this would have included us). He talks about England with great respect claiming England would be Germany's greatest ally in war making us invicable. All of this has been erased from history. (you aren't allowed to know this!!!!)

Hitler killed many people he saw as unworthy to breed (terrible- I know) but it was to provide a healthy nation for the future not just because of race hate. Hitler encouraged high birth rates amongst healthy German women whilst promoting mental and physical health and rejected city life for clean rural living providing an environment or healthy people to prosper. (look how fat and unhappy our kids are today) Sure he hated the Jews and blamed them for everything thats wrong with the world (read the book to find out why). Hitler rejects foreigners, partly because of rascism, but also to avoid mixing with other races into oblivion. And he was a cultured man who loved NATIVE germanic culture including the Pagan warrior religion of The ancient Germans, Vikings and my English/germanic anscestors. Hitler rejected globalisation to protect his race and national identity and so it is enivitable for us to become interested in Hitler as we see a rise in extremism against us, and we witness our own culture erased by newcomers. To put this in a modern context, Hitler wrote the book as he wanted to avoid what has happened to modern Britain and USA where its a sin to be proud of who we are, as we are too often branded as Rascists. Make your own mind up about Hitler and Nazism, try reading about it from the man himself.

an informative, dark read, 27 Sep 2008
I read Mein Kampf in the hope of understanding some of the madness of Hitler's actions and wasn't disappointed. Although written in the 1920s what can be found here is a sort of blue print for World war Two.Through the book Hitler exposes the dark side of the human race and tries to manipulate the reader into agreeing with him. Unlike the German people of the time the reader has the luxury of knowing the evil of his plan. An informative and dark book that gives history a slightly different slant

RRRRR-----ZZZZZZZ------RRRRR-----ZZZZZ, 08 Aug 2008
Well, may be I m going against the flow here, but this book, is one of the most boring, poorly written, waste of money and paper i ve ever read for ages.. Its full of hate, written by a guy who throw up his bitterness and hate of everything non German during pages after pages after pages..., like you would throw up when You re drunk....

It s brilliant to put you to sleep if you ve got insomnia though...

we all know about the context in which it was written and what it lead to. so, no need to make some fuss about it and call it a must read. when it s an absolute piece of human junk.and fuel for hate...
well. i read it.. did not like it, .. but that s my personal opinion.

ay-dolf : bad writer, decent fascist. (if there is such a thing), 30 Jun 2008
i stopped reading this book about a quarter of the way into it. i got extremely tired of the repetitive points..i know this is a way to emphasise something, but they seem a tad unneccesary if you know what hitler was all about already (obviously when this book was written, not so much). i also got tired of how poorly written it was...it seems like very often his point becomes lost, as if his attention span is that of a hyperactive child (which makes sense in re-iterating my last point.)
obviously this book is intersting just as prying into the mind of jeffrey dahmer is interesting, but these writings, like his paintings, are just plain artless. his inability to write well, combined with his inability to paint were quite likely part reasons as to why he had such an enormous inferiority complex.

A paranoid book by a fiercely intelligent man, 23 Jun 2008
As you read 'Mein Kampf', there is no doubt as to Hitler's intelligence: it smacks you in the face. He clearly was not the clownish buffoon he is usually presented as. He tackles many issues cleverly if not clearly: his opinions on parliamentary democracy, reading, and propaganda are particularly interesting.

As Golo Mann famously remarked, Hitler was a man who simply couldn't understand moderation, and 'Mein Kampf' furnishes plenty of examples. Parliamentary democracy is bad for Germany? Have the politicians strung up, then. A colonial policy won't secure Germany's status for the future? Conquer eastern Europe, work its inhabitants to death, and plant Germans there. His answers to problems (as he seems them) are shockingly radical and indicative of a disturbing amorality. 'Mein Kampf' speaks volumes (no pun intended) about the tortured workings of a paranoid mind. That, really, is my second point: rather than believing in accident, Hitler sees gigantic conspiracies at work in the world (read Richard Hofstadter's excellent essay 'The Paranoid Style in American Politics' on this).

Hitler's logic is frequently circular and flawed, his style questionable (as Stuart Hodgson wrote, with typical British understatement, 'Mein Kampf' is written in 'by no means irreproachable German') and his arrangement of the material confusing. Nonetheless he provides a fascinating commentary on his times - the 1920s. I am highly sceptical of attempts to see all of Hitler's future decisions in the pages of 'Mein Kampf'. The mere fact that he envisaged a future war to be between Britain, Germany and Italy on the one hand and France on the other must show us that he was no Cassandra.

I agree with 100% if I'm honest!!! (his policies NOT his actions), 10 May 2008
The allies, Christians and Jews have been the ones to write the history books and have had an monopoly on our modern image of Hitler. 'Mein Kampf' was written by Hitler between the two wars and offers a view from the other side. So dont judge a man on his deeds until you hear his side of the story, and most importantly, WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF IT ALL. We all know what Hitler did, (we arent allowed to forget, as any mention of been proud to be white, we are quickly reminded!!)I recommend this book as it is a fascinating read (a little boring when he talks about German politics) but most of it is very good. Hitler talks about germans doing national service BEFORE earning citizenship. He talks about fighting terror with terror and blames abortions and Christianity for poor birth rates amongst germanic people and blames this and LIBERTY for Multi-culturalism and promotes the idea of a strong national dictator. He even talks a lot about England and the British Empire as he explains that he too wants to gain land for his own people by expanding his borders, not by colonising. He tells us that England had weakened herself by dividing our people through colonising the world and splitting up (I.e USA) and allowing ourselves to be conquored through peaceful immigration, losing our identity and connection to the mother land, England. England had an empire based on greed, Hitler wanted an empire to provide land for his RACE to prosper and multiply in a future 'possible' race war in Asia. (the English came from Germany, so this would have included us). He talks about England with great respect claiming England would be Germany's greatest ally in war making us invicable. All of this has been erased from history. (you aren't allowed to know this!!!!)

Hitler killed many people he saw as unworthy to breed (terrible- I know) but it was to provide a healthy nation for the future not just because of race hate. Hitler encouraged high birth rates amongst healthy German women whilst promoting mental and physical health and rejected city life for clean rural living providing an environment or healthy people to prosper. (look how fat and unhappy our kids are today) Sure he hated the Jews and blamed them for everything thats wrong with the world (read the book to find out why). Hitler rejects foreigners, partly because of rascism, but also to avoid mixing with other races into oblivion. And he was a cultured man who loved NATIVE germanic culture including the Pagan warrior religion of The ancient Germans, Vikings and my English/germanic anscestors. Hitler rejected globalisation to protect his race and national identity and so it is enivitable for us to become interested in Hitler as we see a rise in extremism against us, and we witness our own culture erased by newcomers. To put this in a modern context, Hitler wrote the book as he wanted to avoid what has happened to modern Britain and USA where its a sin to be proud of who we are, as we are too often branded as Rascists. Make your own mind up about Hitler and Nazism, try reading about it from the man himself.

A great Companion, 02 Sep 2007
I was lucky enough to be given this as a birthday gift when I first got into my Family Tree. It is a really useful resource helping a beginner find their way around the wealth of info available on the web to the amateur genealogist. There is info on where to start and on the whole aray of online sources. A great book, worth the money.

The second book you should buy, 27 Nov 2006
Once you begin to understand how to tackle mapping your family tree, you will quickly realise that you need to use the Internet.

This book is your invaluable guide - it tells you what is there, how to get it, what it costs and gives a very unbiased view as to quality.

I was very impressed by the range of material and the style of review - you do not see the author's preferences unless they made explicit, instead you get a sensible appraisal of the pros and cons of various sites and the options you need to consider before embarking on subscriptions that may end up not justifying their purchase.

I have found this a great companion on my journey into the past.

A Genealogists Must Have On The Book Shelf!!!, 30 Apr 2006
There are many books on the subject of genealogy reference, so much so, it is a nightmare and a daunting experience as to which reference books to plumb for. Peter Christian, has produced such a book, that is written in plain English, for the beginner and more advanced genealogist. The book is chronological in format with the most uptodate references of internet resources and the record offices/agencies available. The book is non biased towards any agencies, but does point out the pitfalls of information submitted to the various sites, as not being accurate without being verified manually from record offices. Such information apparently goes unchecked and therefore, inaccuracies, occur in the compilation of genealogical compilations. This is something Peter Christian, quite rightly, points out. This in mind, Peter Christian has covered all aspects of the science of researching family history. A very well written reference book and one that every researcher of genealogy should have. I certainly recommend this book for persons looking to purchase on this subject!!

A Goldmine of Information, 16 Feb 2006
Superb. Packed absolutely full of information on Internet resources fo rthe genealogist. The author even has a website containing updates to links that have changed since being printed in the book. Highly recommended.

Well-judged, helpful and very authoritative, 11 Nov 2001
It's hard to imagine a more compendious or useful book for the intelligent beginner or the established Family Historian with ambitions to extend his or her knowledge through the enormous (but potentially bewildering) resources of the web.

The author is a Fellow of London's Society of Geneaologists but does not blind with science: the book is a well-paced primer, but completely unpatronising. It will prove enlightening even to hardened net-users, and it contains a huge number of tips about exploring British Genealogy online that will be indispensible to Family Historians all over the world.

The book is fully-illustrated and nicely-presented. A specially valuable section concerns the practicalities, and the netiquette, of putting your own Family Tree online, thereby getting the attention of, and swapping information with, remote relations and fellow researchers.

The web is revolutionising the already-absorbing study of Genealogy and this excellent volume smooths and illuminates any would-be explorer's path through it.

an informative, dark read, 27 Sep 2008
I read Mein Kampf in the hope of understanding some of the madness of Hitler's actions and wasn't disappointed. Although written in the 1920s what can be found here is a sort of blue print for World war Two.Through the book Hitler exposes the dark side of the human race and tries to manipulate the reader into agreeing with him. Unlike the German people of the time the reader has the luxury of knowing the evil of his plan. An informative and dark book that gives history a slightly different slant

RRRRR-----ZZZZZZZ------RRRRR-----ZZZZZ, 08 Aug 2008
Well, may be I m going against the flow here, but this book, is one of the most boring, poorly written, waste of money and paper i ve ever read for ages.. Its full of hate, written by a guy who throw up his bitterness and hate of everything non German during pages after pages after pages..., like you would throw up when You re drunk....

It s brilliant to put you to sleep if you ve got insomnia though...

we all know about the context in which it was written and what it lead to. so, no need to make some fuss about it and call it a must read. when it s an absolute piece of human junk.and fuel for hate...
well. i read it.. did not like it, .. but that s my personal opinion.

ay-dolf : bad writer, decent fascist. (if there is such a thing), 30 Jun 2008
i stopped reading this book about a quarter of the way into it. i got extremely tired of the repetitive points..i know this is a way to emphasise something, but they seem a tad unneccesary if you know what hitler was all about already (obviously when this book was written, not so much). i also got tired of how poorly written it was...it seems like very often his point becomes lost, as if his attention span is that of a hyperactive child (which makes sense in re-iterating my last point.)
obviously this book is intersting just as prying into the mind of jeffrey dahmer is interesting, but these writings, like his paintings, are just plain artless. his inability to write well, combined with his inability to paint were quite likely part reasons as to why he had such an enormous inferiority complex.

A paranoid book by a fiercely intelligent man, 23 Jun 2008
As you read 'Mein Kampf', there is no doubt as to Hitler's intelligence: it smacks you in the face. He clearly was not the clownish buffoon he is usually presented as. He tackles many issues cleverly if not clearly: his opinions on parliamentary democracy, reading, and propaganda are particularly interesting.

As Golo Mann famously remarked, Hitler was a man who simply couldn't understand moderation, and 'Mein Kampf' furnishes plenty of examples. Parliamentary democracy is bad for Germany? Have the politicians strung up, then. A colonial policy won't secure Germany's status for the future? Conquer eastern Europe, work its inhabitants to death, and plant Germans there. His answers to problems (as he seems them) are shockingly radical and indicative of a disturbing amorality. 'Mein Kampf' speaks volumes (no pun intended) about the tortured workings of a paranoid mind. That, really, is my second point: rather than believing in accident, Hitler sees gigantic conspiracies at work in the world (read Richard Hofstadter's excellent essay 'The Paranoid Style in American Politics' on this).

Hitler's logic is frequently circular and flawed, his style questionable (as Stuart Hodgson wrote, with typical British understatement, 'Mein Kampf' is written in 'by no means irreproachable German') and his arrangement of the material confusing. Nonetheless he provides a fascinating commentary on his times - the 1920s. I am highly sceptical of attempts to see all of Hitler's future decisions in the pages of 'Mein Kampf'. The mere fact that he envisaged a future war to be between Britain, Germany and Italy on the one hand and France on the other must show us that he was no Cassandra.

I agree with 100% if I'm honest!!! (his policies NOT his actions), 10 May 2008
The allies, Christians and Jews have been the ones to write the history books and have had an monopoly on our modern image of Hitler. 'Mein Kampf' was written by Hitler between the two wars and offers a view from the other side. So dont judge a man on his deeds until you hear his side of the story, and most importantly, WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF IT ALL. We all know what Hitler did, (we arent allowed to forget, as any mention of been proud to be white, we are quickly reminded!!)I recommend this book as it is a fascinating read (a little boring when he talks about German politics) but most of it is very good. Hitler talks about germans doing national service BEFORE earning citizenship. He talks about fighting terror with terror and blames abortions and Christianity for poor birth rates amongst germanic people and blames this and LIBERTY for Multi-culturalism and promotes the idea of a strong national dictator. He even talks a lot about England and the British Empire as he explains that he too wants to gain land for his own people by expanding his borders, not by colonising. He tells us that England had weakened herself by dividing our people through colonising the world and splitting up (I.e USA) and allowing ourselves to be conquored through peaceful immigration, losing our identity and connection to the mother land, England. England had an empire based on greed, Hitler wanted an empire to provide land for his RACE to prosper and multiply in a future 'possible' race war in Asia. (the English came from Germany, so this would have included us). He talks about England with great respect claiming England would be Germany's greatest ally in war making us invicable. All of this has been erased from history. (you aren't allowed to know this!!!!)

Hitler killed many people he saw as unworthy to breed (terrible- I know) but it was to provide a healthy nation for the future not just because of race hate. Hitler encouraged high birth rates amongst healthy German women whilst promoting mental and physical health and rejected city life for clean rural living providing an environment or healthy people to prosper. (look how fat and unhappy our kids are today) Sure he hated the Jews and blamed them for everything thats wrong with the world (read the book to find out why). Hitler rejects foreigners, partly because of rascism, but also to avoid mixing with other races into oblivion. And he was a cultured man who loved NATIVE germanic culture including the Pagan warrior religion of The ancient Germans, Vikings and my English/germanic anscestors. Hitler rejected globalisation to protect his race and national identity and so it is enivitable for us to become interested in Hitler as we see a rise in extremism against us, and we witness our own culture erased by newcomers. To put this in a modern context, Hitler wrote the book as he wanted to avoid what has happened to modern Britain and USA where its a sin to be proud of who we are, as we are too often branded as Rascists. Make your own mind up about Hitler and Nazism, try reading about it from the man himself.

A great Companion, 02 Sep 2007
I was lucky enough to be given this as a birthday gift when I first got into my Family Tree. It is a really useful resource helping a beginner find their way around the wealth of info available on the web to the amateur genealogist. There is info on where to start and on the whole aray of online sources. A great book, worth the money.

The second book you should buy, 27 Nov 2006
Once you begin to understand how to tackle mapping your family tree, you will quickly realise that you need to use the Internet.

This book is your invaluable guide - it tells you what is there, how to get it, what it costs and gives a very unbiased view as to quality.

I was very impressed by the range of material and the style of review - you do not see the author's preferences unless they made explicit, instead you get a sensible appraisal of the pros and cons of various sites and the options you need to consider before embarking on subscriptions that may end up not justifying their purchase.

I have found this a great companion on my journey into the past.

A Genealogists Must Have On The Book Shelf!!!, 30 Apr 2006
There are many books on the subject of genealogy reference, so much so, it is a nightmare and a daunting experience as to which reference books to plumb for. Peter Christian, has produced such a book, that is written in plain English, for the beginner and more advanced genealogist. The book is chronological in format with the most uptodate references of internet resources and the record offices/agencies available. The book is non biased towards any agencies, but does point out the pitfalls of information submitted to the various sites, as not being accurate without being verified manually from record offices. Such information apparently goes unchecked and therefore, inaccuracies, occur in the compilation of genealogical compilations. This is something Peter Christian, quite rightly, points out. This in mind, Peter Christian has covered all aspects of the science of researching family history. A very well written reference book and one that every researcher of genealogy should have. I certainly recommend this book for persons looking to purchase on this subject!!

A Goldmine of Information, 16 Feb 2006
Superb. Packed absolutely full of information on Internet resources fo rthe genealogist. The author even has a website containing updates to links that have changed since being printed in the book. Highly recommended.

Well-judged, helpful and very authoritative, 11 Nov 2001
It's hard to imagine a more compendious or useful book for the intelligent beginner or the established Family Historian with ambitions to extend his or her knowledge through the enormous (but potentially bewildering) resources of the web.

The author is a Fellow of London's Society of Geneaologists but does not blind with science: the book is a well-paced primer, but completely unpatronising. It will prove enlightening even to hardened net-users, and it contains a huge number of tips about exploring British Genealogy online that will be indispensible to Family Historians all over the world.

The book is fully-illustrated and nicely-presented. A specially valuable section concerns the practicalities, and the netiquette, of putting your own Family Tree online, thereby getting the attention of, and swapping information with, remote relations and fellow researchers.

The web is revolutionising the already-absorbing study of Genealogy and this excellent volume smooths and illuminates any would-be explorer's path through it.

The only cookery book I consider indespensible., 24 Apr 2008
A row is brewing. Your daft *****/******* of a wife/husband and you are trying to come to terms with the fact that only one of you will get to decide what to do with the Jerusalem Artichokes/ Lamb chops...

McGee settles it. Ask McGee. He WILL have the answer, and then a whole lot more. I mean it people, this book could save your marriage. In point of fact, if your going to get stranded on a desert island, take this along, IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Everything you or anyone else will ever ask yourself about food. And then enough to keep you entertained (never mind well fed) for 10 years on a desert island.

Mr. McGEE I hope you read this one day, you are a great man, I salute you.

I'm also slightly toasted on Mulberry Gin, so forgive my grammar!

astonishingly interesting book, 24 Jun 2007
this book covers just about everything you were curious about, or didn't know yet that you were curious about, with respects to food, its history and its preparation.

Ultra!, 30 Apr 2007
This book is perfect. I wish all non-fiction books were created like this. It is technically accurate in every detail, this immediately comes across in the brilliant writing and vocabulary. It contains such a wealth of knowledge in every concise, impartial paragraph. This evening I enjoyed the section on "utensil materials." Where else can you read about so much collected knowledge in such a pleasingly presented manner. Definitely something to dip into every few days.

Now I just need to find a book equally as accomplished on VW Golfs.

prefer American edition, 13 Apr 2007
This is a great book, with lots of useful detail that will help anyone wanting to improve their cooking skills. Yes, it contains information about the molecular structure of milk. However, in an encyclopaedic tome one can simply skip the parts that don't appeal, and instead focus on the main points (like what happens when baking a soufflé, and what this means in terms of doing things in the kitchen -- no, it won't necessarily collapse if you open the oven).

A pity, then, that the British edition has a cheap, budget feel. Not only is the page layout somewhat mangled, but the spine is stiff and the book doesn't want to lie flat. In contrast the red American edition is beautiful, with antique style paper and careful layout. On the other hand, I dislike the smell of the inks used for the American edition...

The answer to all culinary questions., 27 Aug 2006
An unrivalled guide to the science of cooking.

Every concievable topic is covered in detail; from the manufacture of soy sauce, to descriptions of the aromatic compounds in different herbs and spices. Why does fish smell fishy, and exactly what happens to meat when it's browned?

This is an almost overwhelming resource, and a must for anyone eager to develop their culinary understanding beyond the basic information found in most recipe books. I have been better able to control the food that I cook with a fraction of the information found within this amazing read.

An absolute must.

an informative, dark read, 27 Sep 2008
I read Mein Kampf in the hope of understanding some of the madness of Hitler's actions and wasn't disappointed. Although written in the 1920s what can be found here is a sort of blue print for World war Two.Through the book Hitler exposes the dark side of the human race and tries to manipulate the reader into agreeing with him. Unlike the German people of the time the reader has the luxury of knowing the evil of his plan. An informative and dark book that gives history a slightly different slant

RRRRR-----ZZZZZZZ------RRRRR-----ZZZZZ, 08 Aug 2008
Well, may be I m going against the flow here, but this book, is one of the most boring, poorly written, waste of money and paper i ve ever read for ages.. Its full of hate, written by a guy who throw up his bitterness and hate of everything non German during pages after pages after pages..., like you would throw up when You re drunk....

It s brilliant to put you to sleep if you ve got insomnia though...

we all know about the context in which it was written and what it lead to. so, no need to make some fuss about it and call it a must read. when it s an absolute piece of human junk.and fuel for hate...
well. i read it.. did not like it, .. but that s my personal opinion.

ay-dolf : bad writer, decent fascist. (if there is such a thing), 30 Jun 2008
i stopped reading this book about a quarter of the way into it. i got extremely tired of the repetitive points..i know this is a way to emphasise something, but they seem a tad unneccesary if you know what hitler was all about already (obviously when this book was written, not so much). i also got tired of how poorly written it was...it seems like very often his point becomes lost, as if his attention span is that of a hyperactive child (which makes sense in re-iterating my last point.)
obviously this book is intersting just as prying into the mind of jeffrey dahmer is interesting, but these writings, like his paintings, are just plain artless. his inability to write well, combined with his inability to paint were quite likely part reasons as to why he had such an enormous inferiority complex.

A paranoid book by a fiercely intelligent man, 23 Jun 2008
As you read 'Mein Kampf', there is no doubt as to Hitler's intelligence: it smacks you in the face. He clearly was not the clownish buffoon he is usually presented as. He tackles many issues cleverly if not clearly: his opinions on parliamentary democracy, reading, and propaganda are particularly interesting.

As Golo Mann famously remarked, Hitler was a man who simply couldn't understand moderation, and 'Mein Kampf' furnishes plenty of examples. Parliamentary democracy is bad for Germany? Have the politicians strung up, then. A colonial policy won't secure Germany's status for the future? Conquer eastern Europe, work its inhabitants to death, and plant Germans there. His answers to problems (as he seems them) are shockingly radical and indicative of a disturbing amorality. 'Mein Kampf' speaks volumes (no pun intended) about the tortured workings of a paranoid mind. That, really, is my second point: rather than believing in accident, Hitler sees gigantic conspiracies at work in the world (read Richard Hofstadter's excellent essay 'The Paranoid Style in American Politics' on this).

Hitler's logic is frequently circular and flawed, his style questionable (as Stuart Hodgson wrote, with typical British understatement, 'Mein Kampf' is written in 'by no means irreproachable German') and his arrangement of the material confusing. Nonetheless he provides a fascinating commentary on his times - the 1920s. I am highly sceptical of attempts to see all of Hitler's future decisions in the pages of 'Mein Kampf'. The mere fact that he envisaged a future war to be between Britain, Germany and Italy on the one hand and France on the other must show us that he was no Cassandra.

I agree with 100% if I'm honest!!! (his policies NOT his actions), 10 May 2008
The allies, Christians and Jews have been the ones to write the history books and have had an monopoly on our modern image of Hitler. 'Mein Kampf' was written by Hitler between the two wars and offers a view from the other side. So dont judge a man on his deeds until you hear his side of the story, and most importantly, WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF IT ALL. We all know what Hitler did, (we arent allowed to forget, as any mention of been proud to be white, we are quickly reminded!!)I recommend this book as it is a fascinating read (a little boring when he talks about German politics) but most of it is very good. Hitler talks about germans doing national service BEFORE earning citizenship. He talks about fighting terror with terror and blames abortions and Christianity for poor birth rates amongst germanic people and blames this and LIBERTY for Multi-culturalism and promotes the idea of a strong national dictator. He even talks a lot about England and the British Empire as he explains that he too wants to gain land for his own people by expanding his borders, not by colonising. He tells us that England had weakened herself by dividing our people through colonising the world and splitting up (I.e USA) and allowing ourselves to be conquored through peaceful immigration, losing our identity and connection to the mother land, England. England had an empire based on greed, Hitler wanted an empire to provide land for his RACE to prosper and multiply in a future 'possible' race war in Asia. (the English came from Germany, so this would have included us). He talks about England with great respect claiming England would be Germany's greatest ally in war making us invicable. All of this has been erased from history. (you aren't allowed to know this!!!!)

Hitler killed many people he saw as unworthy to breed (terrible- I know) but it was to provide a healthy nation for the future not just because of race hate. Hitler encouraged high birth rates amongst healthy German women whilst promoting mental and physical health and rejected city life for clean rural living providing an environment or healthy people to prosper. (look how fat and unhappy our kids are today) Sure he hated the Jews and blamed them for everything thats wrong with the world (read the book to find out why). Hitler rejects foreigners, partly because of rascism, but also to avoid mixing with other races into oblivion. And he was a cultured man who loved NATIVE germanic culture including the Pagan warrior religion of The ancient Germans, Vikings and my English/germanic anscestors. Hitler rejected globalisation to protect his race and national identity and so it is enivitable for us to become interested in Hitler as we see a rise in extremism against us, and we witness our own culture erased by newcomers. To put this in a modern context, Hitler wrote the book as he wanted to avoid what has happened to modern Britain and USA where its a sin to be proud of who we are, as we are too often branded as Rascists. Make your own mind up about Hitler and Nazism, try reading about it from the man himself.

A great Companion, 02 Sep 2007
I was lucky enough to be given this as a birthday gift when I first got into my Family Tree. It is a really useful resource helping a beginner find their way around the wealth of info available on the web to the amateur genealogist. There is info on where to start and on the whole aray of online sources. A great book, worth the money.

The second book you should buy, 27 Nov 2006
Once you begin to understand how to tackle mapping your family tree, you will quickly realise that you need to use the Internet.

This book is your invaluable guide - it tells you what is there, how to get it, what it costs and gives a very unbiased view as to quality.

I was very impressed by the range of material and the style of review - you do not see the author's preferences unless they made explicit, instead you get a sensible appraisal of the pros and cons of various sites and the options you need to consider before embarking on subscriptions that may end up not justifying their purchase.

I have found this a great companion on my journey into the past.

A Genealogists Must Have On The Book Shelf!!!, 30 Apr 2006
There are many books on the subject of genealogy reference, so much so, it is a nightmare and a daunting experience as to which reference books to plumb for. Peter Christian, has produced such a book, that is written in plain English, for the beginner and more advanced genealogist. The book is chronological in format with the most uptodate references of internet resources and the record offices/agencies available. The book is non biased towards any agencies, but does point out the pitfalls of information submitted to the various sites, as not being accurate without being verified manually from record offices. Such information apparently goes unchecked and therefore, inaccuracies, occur in the compilation of genealogical compilations. This is something Peter Christian, quite rightly, points out. This in mind, Peter Christian has covered all aspects of the science of researching family history. A very well written reference book and one that every researcher of genealogy should have. I certainly recommend this book for persons looking to purchase on this subject!!

A Goldmine of Information, 16 Feb 2006
Superb. Packed absolutely full of information on Internet resources fo rthe genealogist. The author even has a website containing updates to links that have changed since being printed in the book. Highly recommended.

Well-judged, helpful and very authoritative, 11 Nov 2001
It's hard to imagine a more compendious or useful book for the intelligent beginner or the established Family Historian with ambitions to extend his or her knowledge through the enormous (but potentially bewildering) resources of the web.

The author is a Fellow of London's Society of Geneaologists but does not blind with science: the book is a well-paced primer, but completely unpatronising. It will prove enlightening even to hardened net-users, and it contains a huge number of tips about exploring British Genealogy online that will be indispensible to Family Historians all over the world.

The book is fully-illustrated and nicely-presented. A specially valuable section concerns the practicalities, and the netiquette, of putting your own Family Tree online, thereby getting the attention of, and swapping information with, remote relations and fellow researchers.

The web is revolutionising the already-absorbing study of Genealogy and this excellent volume smooths and illuminates any would-be explorer's path through it.

The only cookery book I consider indespensible., 24 Apr 2008
A row is brewing. Your daft *****/******* of a wife/husband and you are trying to come to terms with the fact that only one of you will get to decide what to do with the Jerusalem Artichokes/ Lamb chops...

McGee settles it. Ask McGee. He WILL have the answer, and then a whole lot more. I mean it people, this book could save your marriage. In point of fact, if your going to get stranded on a desert island, take this along, IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Everything you or anyone else will ever ask yourself about food. And then enough to keep you entertained (never mind well fed) for 10 years on a desert island.

Mr. McGEE I hope you read this one day, you are a great man, I salute you.

I'm also slightly toasted on Mulberry Gin, so forgive my grammar!

astonishingly interesting book, 24 Jun 2007
this book covers just about everything you were curious about, or didn't know yet that you were curious about, with respects to food, its history and its preparation.

Ultra!, 30 Apr 2007
This book is perfect. I wish all non-fiction books were created like this. It is technically accurate in every detail, this immediately comes across in the brilliant writing and vocabulary. It contains such a wealth of knowledge in every concise, impartial paragraph. This evening I enjoyed the section on "utensil materials." Where else can you read about so much collected knowledge in such a pleasingly presented manner. Definitely something to dip into every few days.

Now I just need to find a book equally as accomplished on VW Golfs.

prefer American edition, 13 Apr 2007
This is a great book, with lots of useful detail that will help anyone wanting to improve their cooking skills. Yes, it contains information about the molecular structure of milk. However, in an encyclopaedic tome one can simply skip the parts that don't appeal, and instead focus on the main points (like what happens when baking a soufflé, and what this means in terms of doing things in the kitchen -- no, it won't necessarily collapse if you open the oven).

A pity, then, that the British edition has a cheap, budget feel. Not only is the page layout somewhat mangled, but the spine is stiff and the book doesn't want to lie flat. In contrast the red American edition is beautiful, with antique style paper and careful layout. On the other hand, I dislike the smell of the inks used for the American edition...

The answer to all culinary questions., 27 Aug 2006
An unrivalled guide to the science of cooking.

Every concievable topic is covered in detail; from the manufacture of soy sauce, to descriptions of the aromatic compounds in different herbs and spices. Why does fish smell fishy, and exactly what happens to meat when it's browned?

This is an almost overwhelming resource, and a must for anyone eager to develop their culinary understanding beyond the basic information found in most recipe books. I have been better able to control the food that I cook with a fraction of the information found within this amazing read.

An absolute must.

I concur......, 24 Feb 2008
....with all of the previous reviews. This book is divided into girl and boy names which are then listed in alphabetical order. There are so many names, 5,000 according to the book itself, that reading through them all to create a shortlist is time consuming!

We purchased the book to help us decide the name of our newborn and there are so many names to choose from that it is inevitable that you will find one that you both agree on!

Mainly European and biblical names, with a smattering of hebrew, arabic and Indian. Generally gives the history behind and the meaning of the name also.

Fantastic - best name book I've seen, 05 Nov 2007
This book is great. It has so many names from so many different origins and even the variants of those. Within 10 minutes of picking it up I had found 2 great possible names for my new addition wheras I'd found none in the countless books I had studied so far. Well worth the £8.99 RRP.

Penguin Dictionary of First Names, 22 Jun 2007
The Penguin Dictionary of First Names is easily the most comprehensive compendium of names I have ever come across. It is peppered with historical background and little anecdotes making it a most enjoyable read even if you are not planning on having babies but have always been extremely curious as to the story behind the name .

Thorough, informative & inspiring, 28 Sep 2006
This is easily the best name book which I own (and I own several). It is arranged in alphabetical order (as one might expect from a dictionary, I suppose) but for all names rather than with the usual Girl/Boy division. The gender of the name is indicated in brackets with either m or f. Each name has a paragraph of information about its derivation, meaning and historic use. This is far more thorough than many others on the market and allows you to make a very informed choice about your son or daughter's future name. I have used this book to make many suggestions to my sister about my future niece/nephew and she is very impressed. Even if you aren't expecting a child, this is an extremely interesting book to leaf through and well worth the modest price tag.

an informative, dark read, 27 Sep 2008
I read Mein Kampf in the hope of understanding some of the madness of Hitler's actions and wasn't disappointed. Although written in the 1920s what can be found here is a sort of blue print for World war Two.Through the book Hitler exposes the dark side of the human race and tries to manipulate the reader into agreeing with him. Unlike the German people of the time the reader has the luxury of knowing the evil of his plan. An informative and dark book that gives history a slightly different slant

RRRRR-----ZZZZZZZ------RRRRR-----ZZZZZ, 08 Aug 2008
Well, may be I m going against the flow here, but this book, is one of the most boring, poorly written, waste of money and paper i ve ever read for ages.. Its full of hate, written by a guy who throw up his bitterness and hate of everything non German during pages after pages after pages..., like you would throw up when You re drunk....

It s brilliant to put you to sleep if you ve got insomnia though...

we all know about the context in which it was written and what it lead to. so, no need to make some fuss about it and call it a must read. when it s an absolute piece of human junk.and fuel for hate...
well. i read it.. did not like it, .. but that s my personal opinion.

ay-dolf : bad writer, decent fascist. (if there is such a thing), 30 Jun 2008
i stopped reading this book about a quarter of the way into it. i got extremely tired of the repetitive points..i know this is a way to emphasise something, but they seem a tad unneccesary if you know what hitler was all about already (obviously when this book was written, not so much). i also got tired of how poorly written it was...it seems like very often his point becomes lost, as if his attention span is that of a hyperactive child (which makes sense in re-iterating my last point.)
obviously this book is intersting just as prying into the mind of jeffrey dahmer is interesting, but these writings, like his paintings, are just plain artless. his inability to write well, combined with his inability to paint were quite likely part reasons as to why he had such an enormous inferiority complex.

A paranoid book by a fiercely intelligent man, 23 Jun 2008
As you read 'Mein Kampf', there is no doubt as to Hitler's intelligence: it smacks you in the face. He clearly was not the clownish buffoon he is usually presented as. He tackles many issues cleverly if not clearly: his opinions on parliamentary democracy, reading, and propaganda are particularly interesting.

As Golo Mann famously remarked, Hitler was a man who simply couldn't understand moderation, and 'Mein Kampf' furnishes plenty of examples. Parliamentary democracy is bad for Germany? Have the politicians strung up, then. A colonial policy won't secure Germany's status for the future? Conquer eastern Europe, work its inhabitants to death, and plant Germans there. His answers to problems (as he seems them) are shockingly radical and indicative of a disturbing amorality. 'Mein Kampf' speaks volumes (no pun intended) about the tortured workings of a paranoid mind. That, really, is my second point: rather than believing in accident, Hitler sees gigantic conspiracies at work in the world (read Richard Hofstadter's excellent essay 'The Paranoid Style in American Politics' on this).

Hitler's logic is frequently circular and flawed, his style questionable (as Stuart Hodgson wrote, with typical British understatement, 'Mein Kampf' is written in 'by no means irreproachable German') and his arrangement of the material confusing. Nonetheless he provides a fascinating commentary on his times - the 1920s. I am highly sceptical of attempts to see all of Hitler's future decisions in the pages of 'Mein Kampf'. The mere fact that he envisaged a future war to be between Britain, Germany and Italy on the one hand and France on the other must show us that he was no Cassandra.

I agree with 100% if I'm honest!!! (his policies NOT his actions), 10 May 2008
The allies, Christians and Jews have been the ones to write the history books and have had an monopoly on our modern image of Hitler. 'Mein Kampf' was written by Hitler between the two wars and offers a view from the other side. So dont judge a man on his deeds until you hear his side of the story, and most importantly, WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF IT ALL. We all know what Hitler did, (we arent allowed to forget, as any mention of been proud to be white, we are quickly reminded!!)I recommend this book as it is a fascinating read (a little boring when he talks about German politics) but most of it is very good. Hitler talks about germans doing national service BEFORE earning citizenship. He talks about fighting terror with terror and blames abortions and Christianity for poor birth rates amongst germanic people and blames this and LIBERTY for Multi-culturalism and promotes the idea of a strong national dictator. He even talks a lot about England and the British Empire as he explains that he too wants to gain land for his own people by expanding his borders, not by colonising. He tells us that England had weakened herself by dividing our people through colonising the world and splitting up (I.e USA) and allowing ourselves to be conquored through peaceful immigration, losing our identity and connection to the mother land, England. England had an empire based on greed, Hitler wanted an empire to provide land for his RACE to prosper and multiply in a future 'possible' race war in Asia. (the English came from Germany, so this would have included us). He talks about England with great respect claiming England would be Germany's greatest ally in war making us invicable. All of this has been erased from history. (you aren't allowed to know this!!!!)

Hitler killed many people he saw as unworthy to breed (terrible- I know) but it was to provide a healthy nation for the future not just because of race hate. Hitler encouraged high birth rates amongst healthy German women whilst promoting mental and physical health and rejected city life for clean rural living providing an environment or healthy people to prosper. (look how fat and unhappy our kids are today) Sure he hated the Jews and blamed them for everything thats wrong with the world (read the book to find out why). Hitler rejects foreigners, partly because of rascism, but also to avoid mixing with other races into oblivion. And he was a cultured man who loved NATIVE germanic culture including the Pagan warrior religion of The ancient Germans, Vikings and my English/germanic anscestors. Hitler rejected globalisation to protect his race and national identity and so it is enivitable for us to become interested in Hitler as we see a rise in extremism against us, and we witness our own culture erased by newcomers. To put this in a modern context, Hitler wrote the book as he wanted to avoid what has happened to modern Britain and USA where its a sin to be proud of who we are, as we are too often branded as Rascists. Make your own mind up about Hitler and Nazism, try reading about it from the man himself.

A great Companion, 02 Sep 2007
I was lucky enough to be given this as a birthday gift when I first got into my Family Tree. It is a really useful resource helping a beginner find their way around the wealth of info available on the web to the amateur genealogist. There is info on where to start and on the whole aray of online sources. A great book, worth the money.

The second book you should buy, 27 Nov 2006
Once you begin to understand how to tackle mapping your family tree, you will quickly realise that you need to use the Internet.

This book is your invaluable guide - it tells you what is there, how to get it, what it costs and gives a very unbiased view as to quality.

I was very impressed by the range of material and the style of review - you do not see the author's preferences unless they made explicit, instead you get a sensible appraisal of the pros and cons of various sites and the options you need to consider before embarking on subscriptions that may end up not justifying their purchase.

I have found this a great companion on my journey into the past.

A Genealogists Must Have On The Book Shelf!!!, 30 Apr 2006
There are many books on the subject of genealogy reference, so much so, it is a nightmare and a daunting experience as to which reference books to plumb for. Peter Christian, has produced such a book, that is written in plain English, for the beginner and more advanced genealogist. The book is chronological in format with the most uptodate references of internet resources and the record offices/agencies available. The book is non biased towards any agencies, but does point out the pitfalls of information submitted to the various sites, as not being accurate without being verified manually from record offices. Such information apparently goes unchecked and therefore, inaccuracies, occur in the compilation of genealogical compilations. This is something Peter Christian, quite rightly, points out. This in mind, Peter Christian has covered all aspects of the science of researching family history. A very well written reference book and one that every researcher of genealogy should have. I certainly recommend this book for persons looking to purchase on this subject!!

A Goldmine of Information, 16 Feb 2006
Superb. Packed absolutely full of information on Internet resources fo rthe genealogist. The author even has a website containing updates to links that have changed since being printed in the book. Highly recommended.

Well-judged, helpful and very authoritative, 11 Nov 2001
It's hard to imagine a more compendious or useful book for the intelligent beginner or the established Family Historian with ambitions to extend his or her knowledge through the enormous (but potentially bewildering) resources of the web.

The author is a Fellow of London's Society of Geneaologists but does not blind with science: the book is a well-paced primer, but completely unpatronising. It will prove enlightening even to hardened net-users, and it contains a huge number of tips about exploring British Genealogy online that will be indispensible to Family Historians all over the world.

The book is fully-illustrated and nicely-presented. A specially valuable section concerns the practicalities, and the netiquette, of putting your own Family Tree online, thereby getting the attention of, and swapping information with, remote relations and fellow researchers.

The web is revolutionising the already-absorbing study of Genealogy and this excellent volume smooths and illuminates any would-be explorer's path through it.

The only cookery book I consider indespensible., 24 Apr 2008
A row is brewing. Your daft *****/******* of a wife/husband and you are trying to come to terms with the fact that only one of you will get to decide what to do with the Jerusalem Artichokes/ Lamb chops...

McGee settles it. Ask McGee. He WILL have the answer, and then a whole lot more. I mean it people, this book could save your marriage. In point of fact, if your going to get stranded on a desert island, take this along, IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Everything you or anyone else will ever ask yourself about food. And then enough to keep you entertained (never mind well fed) for 10 years on a desert island.

Mr. McGEE I hope you read this one day, you are a great man, I salute you.

I'm also slightly toasted on Mulberry Gin, so forgive my grammar!

astonishingly interesting book, 24 Jun 2007
this book covers just about everything you were curious about, or didn't know yet that you were curious about, with respects to food, its history and its preparation.

Ultra!, 30 Apr 2007
This book is perfect. I wish all non-fiction books were created like this. It is technically accurate in every detail, this immediately comes across in the brilliant writing and vocabulary. It contains such a wealth of knowledge in every concise, impartial paragraph. This evening I enjoyed the section on "utensil materials." Where else can you read about so much collected knowledge in such a pleasingly presented manner. Definitely something to dip into every few days.

Now I just need to find a book equally as accomplished on VW Golfs.

prefer American edition, 13 Apr 2007
This is a great book, with lots of useful detail that will help anyone wanting to improve their cooking skills. Yes, it contains information about the molecular structure of milk. However, in an encyclopaedic tome one can simply skip the parts that don't appeal, and instead focus on the main points (like what happens when baking a soufflé, and what this means in terms of doing things in the kitchen -- no, it won't necessarily collapse if you open the oven).

A pity, then, that the British edition has a cheap, budget feel. Not only is the page layout somewhat mangled, but the spine is stiff and the book doesn't want to lie flat. In contrast the red American edition is beautiful, with antique style paper and careful layout. On the other hand, I dislike the smell of the inks used for the American edition...

The answer to all culinary questions., 27 Aug 2006
An unrivalled guide to the science of cooking.

Every concievable topic is covered in detail; from the manufacture of soy sauce, to descriptions of the aromatic compounds in different herbs and spices. Why does fish smell fishy, and exactly what happens to meat when it's browned?

This is an almost overwhelming resource, and a must for anyone eager to develop their culinary understanding beyond the basic information found in most recipe books. I have been better able to control the food that I cook with a fraction of the information found within this amazing read.

An absolute must.

I concur......, 24 Feb 2008
....with all of the previous reviews. This book is divided into girl and boy names which are then listed in alphabetical order. There are so many names, 5,000 according to the book itself, that reading through them all to create a shortlist is time consuming!

We purchased the book to help us decide the name of our newborn and there are so many names to choose from that it is inevitable that you will find one that you both agree on!

Mainly European and biblical names, with a smattering of hebrew, arabic and Indian. Generally gives the history behind and the meaning of the name also.

Fantastic - best name book I've seen, 05 Nov 2007
This book is great. It has so many names from so many different origins and even the variants of those. Within 10 minutes of picking it up I had found 2 great possible names for my new addition wheras I'd found none in the countless books I had studied so far. Well worth the £8.99 RRP.

Penguin Dictionary of First Names, 22 Jun 2007
The Penguin Dictionary of First Names is easily the most comprehensive compendium of names I have ever come across. It is peppered with historical background and little anecdotes making it a most enjoyable read even if you are not planning on having babies but have always been extremely curious as to the story behind the name .

Thorough, informative & inspiring, 28 Sep 2006
This is easily the best name book which I own (and I own several). It is arranged in alphabetical order (as one might expect from a dictionary, I suppose) but for all names rather than with the usual Girl/Boy division. The gender of the name is indicated in brackets with either m or f. Each name has a paragraph of information about its derivation, meaning and historic use. This is far more thorough than many others on the market and allows you to make a very informed choice about your son or daughter's future name. I have used this book to make many suggestions to my sister about my future niece/nephew and she is very impressed. Even if you aren't expecting a child, this is an extremely interesting book to leaf through and well worth the modest price tag.

Madresfield, 04 Jul 2008
Jane Mulvagh's book should be called The Lygons to be more accurate. She offers only tantalising glimpses into the house itself, using suspiciously round dimensions to describe the rooms, an implausibly high drawing room ceiling and throws away a comment about 60 bedrooms in her descriptions. If you are looking for a history of Madresfield you'd be better to read 'The Last Country Houses' or the Country Life articles, the latter of which don't make a mention in her bibliography. Her links from the brief descriptions of the house to the various family members are facile and 2 dimensional.

However as a history of the Lygon's the book is very good. It makes fascinating reading, particularly on the 20th century Lygons and offers glimpses to a very different way of life that was broken apart by scandal. The Brideshead Revisited inspiration seem undeniable and offers a realistic basis to a 20th century classic.


All in all a good book, but misleadingly titled.

an informative, dark read, 27 Sep 2008
I read Mein Kampf in the hope of understanding some of the madness of Hitler's actions and wasn't disappointed. Although written in the 1920s what can be found here is a sort of blue print for World war Two.Through the book Hitler exposes the dark side of the human race and tries to manipulate the reader into agreeing with him. Unlike the German people of the time the reader has the luxury of knowing the evil of his plan. An informative and dark book that gives history a slightly different slant

RRRRR-----ZZZZZZZ------RRRRR-----ZZZZZ, 08 Aug 2008
Well, may be I m going against the flow here, but this book, is one of the most boring, poorly written, waste of money and paper i ve ever read for ages.. Its full of hate, written by a guy who throw up his bitterness and hate of everything non German during pages after pages after pages..., like you would throw up when You re drunk....

It s brilliant to put you to sleep if you ve got insomnia though...

we all know about the context in which it was written and what it lead to. so, no need to make some fuss about it and call it a must read. when it s an absolute piece of human junk.and fuel for hate...
well. i read it.. did not like it, .. but that s my personal opinion.

ay-dolf : bad writer, decent fascist. (if there is such a thing), 30 Jun 2008
i stopped reading this book about a quarter of the way into it. i got extremely tired of the repetitive points..i know this is a way to emphasise something, but they seem a tad unneccesary if you know what hitler was all about already (obviously when this book was written, not so much). i also got tired of how poorly written it was...it seems like very often his point becomes lost, as if his attention span is that of a hyperactive child (which makes sense in re-iterating my last point.)
obviously this book is intersting just as prying into the mind of jeffrey dahmer is interesting, but these writings, like his paintings, are just plain artless. his inability to write well, combined with his inability to paint were quite likely part reasons as to why he had such an enormous inferiority complex.

A paranoid book by a fiercely intelligent man, 23 Jun 2008
As you read 'Mein Kampf', there is no doubt as to Hitler's intelligence: it smacks you in the face. He clearly was not the clownish buffoon he is usually presented as. He tackles many issues cleverly if not clearly: his opinions on parliamentary democracy, reading, and propaganda are particularly interesting.

As Golo Mann famously remarked, Hitler was a man who simply couldn't understand moderation, and 'Mein Kampf' furnishes plenty of examples. Parliamentary democracy is bad for Germany? Have the politicians strung up, then. A colonial policy won't secure Germany's status for the future? Conquer eastern Europe, work its inhabitants to death, and plant Germans there. His answers to problems (as he seems them) are shockingly radical and indicative of a disturbing amorality. 'Mein Kampf' speaks volumes (no pun intended) about the tortured workings of a paranoid mind. That, really, is my second point: rather than believing in accident, Hitler sees gigantic conspiracies at work in the world (read Richard Hofstadter's excellent essay 'The Paranoid Style in American Politics' on this).

Hitler's logic is frequently circular and flawed, his style questionable (as Stuart Hodgson wrote, with typical British understatement, 'Mein Kampf' is written in 'by no means irreproachable German') and his arrangement of the material confusing. Nonetheless he provides a fascinating commentary on his times - the 1920s. I am highly sceptical of attempts to see all of Hitler's future decisions in the pages of 'Mein Kampf'. The mere fact that he envisaged a future war to be between Britain, Germany and Italy on the one hand and France on the other must show us that he was no Cassandra.

I agree with 100% if I'm honest!!! (his policies NOT his actions), 10 May 2008
The allies, Christians and Jews have been the ones to write the history books and have had an monopoly on our modern image of Hitler. 'Mein Kampf' was written by Hitler between the two wars and offers a view from the other side. So dont judge a man on his deeds until you hear his side of the story, and most importantly, WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF IT ALL. We all know what Hitler did, (we arent allowed to forget, as any mention of been proud to be white, we are quickly reminded!!)I recommend this book as it is a fascinating read (a little boring when he talks about German politics) but most of it is very good. Hitler talks about germans doing national service BEFORE earning citizenship. He talks about fighting terror with terror and blames abortions and Christianity for poor birth rates amongst germanic people and blames this and LIBERTY for Multi-culturalism and promotes the idea of a strong national dictator. He even talks a lot about England and the British Empire as he explains that he too wants to gain land for his own people by expanding his borders, not by colonising. He tells us that England had weakened herself by dividing our people through colonising the world and splitting up (I.e USA) and allowing ourselves to be conquored through peaceful immigration, losing our identity and connection to the mother land, England. England had an empire based on greed, Hitler wanted an empire to provide land for his RACE to prosper and multiply in a future 'possible' race war in Asia. (the English came from Germany, so this would have included us). He talks about England with great respect claiming England would be Germany's greatest ally in war making us invicable. All of this has been erased from history. (you aren't allowed to know this!!!!)

Hitler killed many people he saw as unworthy to breed (terrible- I know) but it was to provide a healthy nation for the future not just because of race hate. Hitler encouraged high birth rates amongst healthy German women whilst promoting mental and physical health and rejected city life for clean rural living providing an environment or healthy people to prosper. (look how fat and unhappy our kids are today) Sure he hated the Jews and blamed them for everything thats wrong with the world (read the book to find out why). Hitler rejects foreigners, partly because of rascism, but also to avoid mixing with other races into oblivion. And he was a cultured man who loved NATIVE germanic culture including the Pagan warrior religion of The ancient Germans, Vikings and my English/germanic anscestors. Hitler rejected globalisation to protect his race and national identity and so it is enivitable for us to become interested in Hitler as we see a rise in extremism against us, and we witness our own culture erased by newcomers. To put this in a modern context, Hitler wrote the book as he wanted to avoid what has happened to modern Britain and USA where its a sin to be proud of who we are, as we are too often branded as Rascists. Make your own mind up about Hitler and Nazism, try reading about it from the man himself.

A great Companion, 02 Sep 2007
I was lucky enough to be given this as a birthday gift when I first got into my Family Tree. It is a really useful resource helping a beginner find their way around the wealth of info available on the web to the amateur genealogist. There is info on where to start and on the whole aray of online sources. A great book, worth the money.

The second book you should buy, 27 Nov 2006
Once you begin to understand how to tackle mapping your family tree, you will quickly realise that you need to use the Internet.

This book is your invaluable guide - it tells you what is there, how to get it, what it costs and gives a very unbiased view as to quality.

I was very impressed by the range of material and the style of review - you do not see the author's preferences unless they made explicit, instead you get a sensible appraisal of the pros and cons of various sites and the options you need to consider before embarking on subscriptions that may end up not justifying their purchase.

I have found this a great companion on my journey into the past.

A Genealogists Must Have On The Book Shelf!!!, 30 Apr 2006
There are many books on the subject of genealogy reference, so much so, it is a nightmare and a daunting experience as to which reference books to plumb for. Peter Christian, has produced such a book, that is written in plain English, for the beginner and more advanced genealogist. The book is chronological in format with the most uptodate references of internet resources and the record offices/agencies available. The book is non biased towards any agencies, but does point out the pitfalls of information submitted to the various sites, as not being accurate without being verified manually from record offices. Such information apparently goes unchecked and therefore, inaccuracies, occur in the compilation of genealogical compilations. This is something Peter Christian, quite rightly, points out. This in mind, Peter Christian has covered all aspects of the science of researching family history. A very well written reference book and one that every researcher of genealogy should have. I certainly recommend this book for persons looking to purchase on this subject!!

A Goldmine of Information, 16 Feb 2006
Superb. Packed absolutely full of information on Internet resources fo rthe genealogist. The author even has a website containing updates to links that have changed since being printed in the book. Highly recommended.

Well-judged, helpful and very authoritative, 11 Nov 2001
It's hard to imagine a more compendious or useful book for the intelligent beginner or the established Family Historian with ambitions to extend his or her knowledge through the enormous (but potentially bewildering) resources of the web.

The author is a Fellow of London's Society of Geneaologists but does not blind with science: the book is a well-paced primer, but completely unpatronising. It will prove enlightening even to hardened net-users, and it contains a huge number of tips about exploring British Genealogy online that will be indispensible to Family Historians all over the world.

The book is fully-illustrated and nicely-presented. A specially valuable section concerns the practicalities, and the netiquette, of putting your own Family Tree online, thereby getting the attention of, and swapping information with, remote relations and fellow researchers.

The web is revolutionising the already-absorbing study of Genealogy and this excellent volume smooths and illuminates any would-be explorer's path through it.

The only cookery book I consider indespensible., 24 Apr 2008
A row is brewing. Your daft *****/******* of a wife/husband and you are trying to come to terms with the fact that only one of you will get to decide what to do with the Jerusalem Artichokes/ Lamb chops...

McGee settles it. Ask McGee. He WILL have the answer, and then a whole lot more. I mean it people, this book could save your marriage. In point of fact, if your going to get stranded on a desert island, take this along, IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Everything you or anyone else will ever ask yourself about food. And then enough to keep you entertained (never mind well fed) for 10 years on a desert island.

Mr. McGEE I hope you read this one day, you are a great man, I salute you.

I'm also slightly toasted on Mulberry Gin, so forgive my grammar!

astonishingly interesting book, 24 Jun 2007
this book covers just about everything you were curious about, or didn't know yet that you were curious about, with respects to food, its history and its preparation.

Ultra!, 30 Apr 2007
This book is perfect. I wish all non-fiction books were created like this. It is technically accurate in every detail, this immediately comes across in the brilliant writing and vocabulary. It contains such a wealth of knowledge in every concise, impartial paragraph. This evening I enjoyed the section on "utensil materials." Where else can you read about so much collected knowledge in such a pleasingly presented manner. Definitely something to dip into every few days.

Now I just need to find a book equally as accomplished on VW Golfs.

prefer American edition, 13 Apr 2007
This is a great book, with lots of useful detail that will help anyone wanting to improve their cooking skills. Yes, it contains information about the molecular structure of milk. However, in an encyclopaedic tome one can simply skip the parts that don't appeal, and instead focus on the main points (like what happens when baking a soufflé, and what this means in terms of doing things in the kitchen -- no, it won't necessarily collapse if you open the oven).

A pity, then, that the British edition has a cheap, budget feel. Not only is the page layout somewhat mangled, but the spine is stiff and the book doesn't want to lie flat. In contrast the red American edition is beautiful, with antique style paper and careful layout. On the other hand, I dislike the smell of the inks used for the American edition...

The answer to all culinary questions., 27 Aug 2006
An unrivalled guide to the science of cooking.

Every concievable topic is covered in detail; from the manufacture of soy sauce, to descriptions of the aromatic compounds in different herbs and spices. Why does fish smell fishy, and exactly what happens to meat when it's browned?

This is an almost overwhelming resource, and a must for anyone eager to develop their culinary understanding beyond the basic information found in most recipe books. I have been better able to control the food that I cook with a fraction of the information found within this amazing read.

An absolute must.

I concur......, 24 Feb 2008
....with all of the previous reviews. This book is divided into girl and boy names which are then listed in alphabetical order. There are so many names, 5,000 according to the book itself, that reading through them all to create a shortlist is time consuming!

We purchased the book to help us decide the name of our newborn and there are so many names to choose from that it is inevitable that you will find one that you both agree on!

Mainly European and biblical names, with a smattering of hebrew, arabic and Indian. Generally gives the history behind and the meaning of the name also.

Fantastic - best name book I've seen, 05 Nov 2007
This book is great. It has so many names from so many different origins and even the variants of those. Within 10 minutes of picking it up I had found 2 great possible names for my new addition wheras I'd found none in the countless books I had studied so far. Well worth the £8.99 RRP.

Penguin Dictionary of First Names, 22 Jun 2007
The Penguin Dictionary of First Names is easily the most comprehensive compendium of names I have ever come across. It is peppered with historical background and little anecdotes making it a most enjoyable read even if you are not planning on having babies but have always been extremely curious as to the story behind the name .

Thorough, informative & inspiring, 28 Sep 2006
This is easily the best name book which I own (and I own several). It is arranged in alphabetical order (as one might expect from a dictionary, I suppose) but for all names rather than with the usual Girl/Boy division. The gender of the name is indicated in brackets with either m or f. Each name has a paragraph of information about its derivation, meaning and historic use. This is far more thorough than many others on the market and allows you to make a very informed choice about your son or daughter's future name. I have used this book to make many suggestions to my sister about my future niece/nephew and she is very impressed. Even if you aren't expecting a child, this is an extremely interesting book to leaf through and well worth the modest price tag.

Madresfield, 04 Jul 2008
Jane Mulvagh's book should be called The Lygons to be more accurate. She offers only tantalising glimpses into the house itself, using suspiciously round dimensions to describe the rooms, an implausibly high drawing room ceiling and throws away a comment about 60 bedrooms in her descriptions. If you are looking for a history of Madresfield you'd be better to read 'The Last Country Houses' or the Country Life articles, the latter of which don't make a mention in her bibliography. Her links from the brief descriptions of the house to the various family members are facile and 2 dimensional.

However as a history of the Lygon's the book is very good. It makes fascinating reading, particularly on the 20th century Lygons and offers glimpses to a very different way of life that was broken apart by scandal. The Brideshead Revisited inspiration seem undeniable and offers a realistic basis to a 20th century classic.


All in all a good book, but misleadingly titled.


The best just got better, 26 Aug 2008
The old 'Weinreb' was the best single-volume reference book on London, despite a few minor but still niggling errors. Happily most of these have been pulled out, the book's been expanded with more entries and even better illustration, and I had no hesitation whatever in grabbing a copy as soon as it went on sale. There's nothing to touch it, frankly: magnificent, endlessly fascinating, and outstanding value even before the discount. My 'Desert Island Discs' read, as indeed it's been for the last 25 years.

A much anticipated update does not disappoint, 13 Aug 2008
as a Londoner who bought the original edition back in the 80's, my original copy is well thumbed and has brought me many hours of pleasure exploring the origins and history of a great capital city.

This much anticipated third revision does not disappoint and if anyone wants to invest in a book about London that you can keep forever and return to it again and again and gain knowledge, information and pleasure then this is the one to invest in.

Excellent Reference Book, 31 Aug 2006
It very big and heavy but a wonderful reference book.
I agree will other reviewers that some of the references sources may be dubious but dont let that spoil the enjoyment

A great book for a great city, 28 Jul 2003
This book is a real pleasure. It can be used for reference, or just to dip into. There are some differences between the story here and that from other sources, but I am not in a position to say who is right.

One important point is that it is big and heavy, not really what I would describe as portable, and it is structured as a reference work. What I am saying is that this book is not a tourist/visitor guide, but really an encyclopaedia.

This book has given me many hours of fun, and much knowledge. I agree with the idea of making it compulsory that every taxi should have one. If you want to learn about London, then this is for you.

A fantastic resource, 15 Jul 2003
I was amazed to find this book. It details lots of things about London that you didn't know you wanted to know!

Although I understand that not everyone can cope with London I find it a wonderful place to live. This book enhances the experience enabling one to find out trivial facts about places and areas of London. The one disadvantage is the inability to go back in time to look at how things would have been when you find some fascinating fact!

an informative, dark read, 27 Sep 2008
I read Mein Kampf in the hope of understanding some of the madness of Hitler's actions and wasn't disappointed. Although written in the 1920s what can be found here is a sort of blue print for World war Two.Through the book Hitler exposes the dark side of the human race and tries to manipulate the reader into agreeing with him. Unlike the German people of the time the reader has the luxury of knowing the evil of his plan. An informative and dark book that gives history a slightly different slant

RRRRR-----ZZZZZZZ------RRRRR-----ZZZZZ, 08 Aug 2008
Well, may be I m going against the flow here, but this book, is one of the most boring, poorly written, waste of money and paper i ve ever read for ages.. Its full of hate, written by a guy who throw up his bitterness and hate of everything non German during pages after pages after pages..., like you would throw up when You re drunk....

It s brilliant to put you to sleep if you ve got insomnia though...

we all know about the context in which it was written and what it lead to. so, no need to make some fuss about it and call it a must read. when it s an absolute piece of human junk.and fuel for hate...
well. i read it.. did not like it, .. but that s my personal opinion.

ay-dolf : bad writer, decent fascist. (if there is such a thing), 30 Jun 2008
i stopped reading this book about a quarter of the way into it. i got extremely tired of the repetitive points..i know this is a way to emphasise something, but they seem a tad unneccesary if you know what hitler was all about already (obviously when this book was written, not so much). i also got tired of how poorly written it was...it seems like very often his point becomes lost, as if his attention span is that of a hyperactive child (which makes sense in re-iterating my last point.)
obviously this book is intersting just as prying into the mind of jeffrey dahmer is interesting, but these writings, like his paintings, are just plain artless. his inability to write well, combined with his inability to paint were quite likely part reasons as to why he had such an enormous inferiority complex.

A paranoid book by a fiercely intelligent man, 23 Jun 2008
As you read 'Mein Kampf', there is no doubt as to Hitler's intelligence: it smacks you in the face. He clearly was not the clownish buffoon he is usually presented as. He tackles many issues cleverly if not clearly: his opinions on parliamentary democracy, reading, and propaganda are particularly interesting.

As Golo Mann famously remarked, Hitler was a man who simply couldn't understand moderation, and 'Mein Kampf' furnishes plenty of examples. Parliamentary democracy is bad for Germany? Have the politicians strung up, then. A colonial policy won't secure Germany's status for the future? Conquer eastern Europe, work its inhabitants to death, and plant Germans there. His answers to problems (as he seems them) are shockingly radical and indicative of a disturbing amorality. 'Mein Kampf' speaks volumes (no pun intended) about the tortured workings of a paranoid mind. That, really, is my second point: rather than believing in accident, Hitler sees gigantic conspiracies at work in the world (read Richard Hofstadter's excellent essay 'The Paranoid Style in American Politics' on this).

Hitler's logic is frequently circular and flawed, his style questionable (as Stuart Hodgson wrote, with typical British understatement, 'Mein Kampf' is written in 'by no means irreproachable German') and his arrangement of the material confusing. Nonetheless he provides a fascinating commentary on his times - the 1920s. I am highly sceptical of attempts to see all of Hitler's future decisions in the pages of 'Mein Kampf'. The mere fact that he envisaged a future war to be between Britain, Germany and Italy on the one hand and France on the other must show us that he was no Cassandra.

I agree with 100% if I'm honest!!! (his policies NOT his actions), 10 May 2008
The allies, Christians and Jews have been the ones to write the history books and have had an monopoly on our modern image of Hitler. 'Mein Kampf' was written by Hitler between the two wars and offers a view from the other side. So dont judge a man on his deeds until you hear his side of the story, and most importantly, WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF IT ALL. We all know what Hitler did, (we arent allowed to forget, as any mention of been proud to be white, we are quickly reminded!!)I recommend this book as it is a fascinating read (a little boring when he talks about German politics) but most of it is very good. Hitler talks about germans doing national service BEFORE earning citizenship. He talks about fighting terror with terror and blames abortions and Christianity for poor birth rates amongst germanic people and blames this and LIBERTY for Multi-culturalism and promotes the idea of a strong national dictator. He even talks a lot about England and the British Empire as he explains that he too wants to gain land for his own people by expanding his borders, not by colonising. He tells us that England had weakened herself by dividing our people through colonising the world and splitting up (I.e USA) and allowing ourselves to be conquored through peaceful immigration, losing our identity and connection to the mother land, England. England had an empire based on greed, Hitler wanted an empire to provide land for his RACE to prosper and multiply in a future 'possible' race war in Asia. (the English came from Germany, so this would have included us). He talks about England with great respect claiming England would be Germany's greatest ally in war making us invicable. All of this has been erased from history. (you aren't allowed to know this!!!!)

Hitler killed many people he saw as unworthy to breed (terrible- I know) but it was to provide a healthy nation for the future not just because of race hate. Hitler encouraged high birth rates amongst healthy German women whilst promoting mental and physical health and rejected city life for clean rural living providing an environment or healthy people to prosper. (look how fat and unhappy our kids are today) Sure he hated the Jews and blamed them for everything thats wrong with the world (read the book to find out why). Hitler rejects foreigners, partly because of rascism, but also to avoid mixing with other races into oblivion. And he was a cultured man who loved NATIVE germanic culture including the Pagan warrior religion of The ancient Germans, Vikings and my English/germanic anscestors. Hitler rejected globalisation to protect his race and national identity and so it is enivitable for us to become interested in Hitler as we see a rise in extremism against us, and we witness our own culture erased by newcomers. To put this in a modern context, Hitler wrote the book as he wanted to avoid what has happened to modern Britain and USA where its a sin to be proud of who we are, as we are too often branded as Rascists. Make your own mind up about Hitler and Nazism, try reading about it from the man himself.

A great Companion, 02 Sep 2007
I was lucky enough to be given this as a birthday gift when I first got into my Family Tree. It is a really useful resource helping a beginner find their way around the wealth of info available on the web to the amateur genealogist. There is info on where to start and on the whole aray of online sources. A great book, worth the money.

The second book you should buy, 27 Nov 2006
Once you begin to under