surprisingly good, 09 Sep 2008
I picked this up thinking it would do as a stocking filler for anyone keen on Morrissey or Men Behaving Badly. However, having had a good look through I'd say that this book has enough bar jokes and anecdotes to satisfy the men behaving fans but also has a number of really good brewing recipes and beer tips to genuinely interest amateur beer brewers and enthusiasts. Overall, a very good read.

surprisingly good, 09 Sep 2008
I picked this up thinking it would do as a stocking filler for anyone keen on Morrissey or Men Behaving Badly. However, having had a good look through I'd say that this book has enough bar jokes and anecdotes to satisfy the men behaving fans but also has a number of really good brewing recipes and beer tips to genuinely interest amateur beer brewers and enthusiasts. Overall, a very good read.

A good giggle and a couple of useful recipies, 07 Sep 2008
As an avid Discworld fowllower I love this book - whether I will ever try any of the recipies is a different matter - I just love reading them! Tongue in cheek and totally Pratchett!

Not what you think, 17 Feb 2008
This is not a cook book, exactly. It is designed on one of those old household management or kitchen garden type books, a how to run a household, or in Nanny Oggs case - how to order the daughters-in-law about.

It's basis is that of the diary series, and completely enjoyable for moments when you don't want to start a full story but just dip in for a few minutes of relief.

I, initially, put this in my cupboard after an initial skim though, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't "the joye of snacks". When I got over my disappointment I got it out I discovered that my initial judgement was so wrong. It's an enjoyable book, with some interesting recipies and great titbits and the wonderful artistic work of Paul Kidby.

I would like to see "the joye of snacks" like some of the other reviewers, and like them I doubt this will happen, but this is an outstanding alternative.

If you love the diaries and the almanac then this is definitely worth the money.

An excellent cookery book full of good advice, 25 Sep 2007
I laughed myself silly reading this; it is VERY funny. Cookery books are not usually humorous reading, but this one is a corker. I am looking forward to trying the recipes (especially the Dwarf bread and battle scones), and think they look perfectly do-able.
If you own a copy of 'The Joye of Snacks', and can bring it out into the open without it spontaneously combusting, you probably don't need this book.
If you are a fan of the Disk World and Nanny Ogg, you definitely do need this book - it is a true classic of a type never before (or since) seen.
The advice in the back of the book is also hilarious and entirely true in all respects - I would recommend this book for any about-to-be-married couple; they will cherish it.

Update on my review:
Since buying the book, I've had a go at a number of the recipes and they do work and have proved very popular with my family. Also, if you promise not to tell Nanny Ogg, I'll let you into a little secret ... many of the recipes can be adapted to suit vegetarians. The Klatchian curry using quorn instead of chicken was delicious; the Slumpie worked very well with quorn mince and the Gumbo was excellent without anything that had been dredged out of the bottom of a swamp. I haven't yet plucked up courage to try the Distressed Pudding ... watch this space!

Nanny Ogg definitely is my gran!, 01 Jun 2006
Fantastic book. You must experiment with the cooking aspect - I think a more authentic recipe result will probably be attained by not being able to cook.

Wonderful illustrations as always.

A tip for those Americans who are not familiar with English English: Swede, a large yellow root vegetable of the turnip family, generally diced, boiled and then mashed with butter as potato to create a softer version of 'mash'. Sometimes combined with said spud (potato) to create an earthier 'mash'.

Treacle; a deliciously sweet refined inverted sugar syrup. Please don't believe that this substance is or has ever been mined. Treacle mines do actually refer to underground works where hematite like minerals are found, that bear a resembelance to black treacle (molasses). Treacle is used in our rounded earth world to make tarts (they are like a pie without a lid ok) and as an ingriedient in cakes.

Sorry for the digression but it seems to keep cropping up.

cookbook with a difference, 25 Sep 2004
This book is a joy not only to those who like cooking but also to anyone who is a Terry Pratchett fan.The figgins were delicious- rather like a boozy eccles cake.The chocolate delight with special secret sauce just disappeared as everyone wanted second helpings.Anyone with a childrens halloween party coming up really must make the sheep's eyes - gruesome to look at - but really quite edible.The second part of the book enlightens one on some fascinating facts and folklore, some of which has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

surprisingly good, 09 Sep 2008
I picked this up thinking it would do as a stocking filler for anyone keen on Morrissey or Men Behaving Badly. However, having had a good look through I'd say that this book has enough bar jokes and anecdotes to satisfy the men behaving fans but also has a number of really good brewing recipes and beer tips to genuinely interest amateur beer brewers and enthusiasts. Overall, a very good read.

A good giggle and a couple of useful recipies, 07 Sep 2008
As an avid Discworld fowllower I love this book - whether I will ever try any of the recipies is a different matter - I just love reading them! Tongue in cheek and totally Pratchett!

Not what you think, 17 Feb 2008
This is not a cook book, exactly. It is designed on one of those old household management or kitchen garden type books, a how to run a household, or in Nanny Oggs case - how to order the daughters-in-law about.

It's basis is that of the diary series, and completely enjoyable for moments when you don't want to start a full story but just dip in for a few minutes of relief.

I, initially, put this in my cupboard after an initial skim though, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't "the joye of snacks". When I got over my disappointment I got it out I discovered that my initial judgement was so wrong. It's an enjoyable book, with some interesting recipies and great titbits and the wonderful artistic work of Paul Kidby.

I would like to see "the joye of snacks" like some of the other reviewers, and like them I doubt this will happen, but this is an outstanding alternative.

If you love the diaries and the almanac then this is definitely worth the money.

An excellent cookery book full of good advice, 25 Sep 2007
I laughed myself silly reading this; it is VERY funny. Cookery books are not usually humorous reading, but this one is a corker. I am looking forward to trying the recipes (especially the Dwarf bread and battle scones), and think they look perfectly do-able.
If you own a copy of 'The Joye of Snacks', and can bring it out into the open without it spontaneously combusting, you probably don't need this book.
If you are a fan of the Disk World and Nanny Ogg, you definitely do need this book - it is a true classic of a type never before (or since) seen.
The advice in the back of the book is also hilarious and entirely true in all respects - I would recommend this book for any about-to-be-married couple; they will cherish it.

Update on my review:
Since buying the book, I've had a go at a number of the recipes and they do work and have proved very popular with my family. Also, if you promise not to tell Nanny Ogg, I'll let you into a little secret ... many of the recipes can be adapted to suit vegetarians. The Klatchian curry using quorn instead of chicken was delicious; the Slumpie worked very well with quorn mince and the Gumbo was excellent without anything that had been dredged out of the bottom of a swamp. I haven't yet plucked up courage to try the Distressed Pudding ... watch this space!

Nanny Ogg definitely is my gran!, 01 Jun 2006
Fantastic book. You must experiment with the cooking aspect - I think a more authentic recipe result will probably be attained by not being able to cook.

Wonderful illustrations as always.

A tip for those Americans who are not familiar with English English: Swede, a large yellow root vegetable of the turnip family, generally diced, boiled and then mashed with butter as potato to create a softer version of 'mash'. Sometimes combined with said spud (potato) to create an earthier 'mash'.

Treacle; a deliciously sweet refined inverted sugar syrup. Please don't believe that this substance is or has ever been mined. Treacle mines do actually refer to underground works where hematite like minerals are found, that bear a resembelance to black treacle (molasses). Treacle is used in our rounded earth world to make tarts (they are like a pie without a lid ok) and as an ingriedient in cakes.

Sorry for the digression but it seems to keep cropping up.

cookbook with a difference, 25 Sep 2004
This book is a joy not only to those who like cooking but also to anyone who is a Terry Pratchett fan.The figgins were delicious- rather like a boozy eccles cake.The chocolate delight with special secret sauce just disappeared as everyone wanted second helpings.Anyone with a childrens halloween party coming up really must make the sheep's eyes - gruesome to look at - but really quite edible.The second part of the book enlightens one on some fascinating facts and folklore, some of which has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Disappointing and lightweight, 18 Apr 2008
A little bit funny in places and an occasional insight but by and large poorly written and forgetable.


Feathery fun... and a little bit more., 02 Dec 2007
Like other reviewers here, I thought this book was very entertaining, hugely humerous, and very warmly written. It is not a soppy recollection of chicken tales, but an open and honest (yes, and funny - but how could a book about these fabulous birds fail to be funny?) look at how one man has had his life affected by his feathery pals.

Chapter 2 starts with the words: "The sort of chicken-keeping we were embarking on can be summed up in three words: 'twee' and 'middle class." And I read those words with recognition, not embarrassment. My two ex-Tesco hybrid waifs are currently strutting their stuff around our ill-prepared garden, and laying an average of 9 eggs a week between the two of them.

This book is for people like me. I have recently ordered 2 more copies of this for my newly chickenified friends. Why? Because of its honesty. Because of the little snippets of chicken care secrets. Because of the kindness in this book. Because it's worth its weight in eggy gold!

Laugh out loud funny -- and a few lessons to boot, 04 Sep 2007
I don't recommend reading this in bed next to a spouse who has to get up for an early commute. You could be laughing so hard, you may not be forgiven. I haven't had such a good time reading a book in I don't know how long... terrifically witty & many laugh-out-loud moments.

I agree with another reviewer who said this book can help you make up your mind about having chickens, as it gives the ups and downs and the no nonsense and the you've got to really want to do this kind of thing information woven into the humour. But I think there are quite a few good lessons to be learnd and chix health tips I'd not heard of before, so I'd recommend it also as a way to get some good chicken rearing information.

Eggcellent, 21 Apr 2006
My only criticsm of this book was that it was too short. It is an entertaining tale of keeping chickens, don't expect to learn to much from it for that I'd reccomend Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens but for those still wonderimg about weather to get chickens or not this will make your mind up.

Hen and the art of chicken maintenance, 30 May 2004
This was a really funny book, it had me laughing out loud all the way through but you would have to keep hens for it to be really relevant. A good read and I picked up a few bits of good adviceand felt I had learnt a little about chickens but not an information book.

surprisingly good, 09 Sep 2008
I picked this up thinking it would do as a stocking filler for anyone keen on Morrissey or Men Behaving Badly. However, having had a good look through I'd say that this book has enough bar jokes and anecdotes to satisfy the men behaving fans but also has a number of really good brewing recipes and beer tips to genuinely interest amateur beer brewers and enthusiasts. Overall, a very good read.

A good giggle and a couple of useful recipies, 07 Sep 2008
As an avid Discworld fowllower I love this book - whether I will ever try any of the recipies is a different matter - I just love reading them! Tongue in cheek and totally Pratchett!

Not what you think, 17 Feb 2008
This is not a cook book, exactly. It is designed on one of those old household management or kitchen garden type books, a how to run a household, or in Nanny Oggs case - how to order the daughters-in-law about.

It's basis is that of the diary series, and completely enjoyable for moments when you don't want to start a full story but just dip in for a few minutes of relief.

I, initially, put this in my cupboard after an initial skim though, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't "the joye of snacks". When I got over my disappointment I got it out I discovered that my initial judgement was so wrong. It's an enjoyable book, with some interesting recipies and great titbits and the wonderful artistic work of Paul Kidby.

I would like to see "the joye of snacks" like some of the other reviewers, and like them I doubt this will happen, but this is an outstanding alternative.

If you love the diaries and the almanac then this is definitely worth the money.

An excellent cookery book full of good advice, 25 Sep 2007
I laughed myself silly reading this; it is VERY funny. Cookery books are not usually humorous reading, but this one is a corker. I am looking forward to trying the recipes (especially the Dwarf bread and battle scones), and think they look perfectly do-able.
If you own a copy of 'The Joye of Snacks', and can bring it out into the open without it spontaneously combusting, you probably don't need this book.
If you are a fan of the Disk World and Nanny Ogg, you definitely do need this book - it is a true classic of a type never before (or since) seen.
The advice in the back of the book is also hilarious and entirely true in all respects - I would recommend this book for any about-to-be-married couple; they will cherish it.

Update on my review:
Since buying the book, I've had a go at a number of the recipes and they do work and have proved very popular with my family. Also, if you promise not to tell Nanny Ogg, I'll let you into a little secret ... many of the recipes can be adapted to suit vegetarians. The Klatchian curry using quorn instead of chicken was delicious; the Slumpie worked very well with quorn mince and the Gumbo was excellent without anything that had been dredged out of the bottom of a swamp. I haven't yet plucked up courage to try the Distressed Pudding ... watch this space!

Nanny Ogg definitely is my gran!, 01 Jun 2006
Fantastic book. You must experiment with the cooking aspect - I think a more authentic recipe result will probably be attained by not being able to cook.

Wonderful illustrations as always.

A tip for those Americans who are not familiar with English English: Swede, a large yellow root vegetable of the turnip family, generally diced, boiled and then mashed with butter as potato to create a softer version of 'mash'. Sometimes combined with said spud (potato) to create an earthier 'mash'.

Treacle; a deliciously sweet refined inverted sugar syrup. Please don't believe that this substance is or has ever been mined. Treacle mines do actually refer to underground works where hematite like minerals are found, that bear a resembelance to black treacle (molasses). Treacle is used in our rounded earth world to make tarts (they are like a pie without a lid ok) and as an ingriedient in cakes.

Sorry for the digression but it seems to keep cropping up.

cookbook with a difference, 25 Sep 2004
This book is a joy not only to those who like cooking but also to anyone who is a Terry Pratchett fan.The figgins were delicious- rather like a boozy eccles cake.The chocolate delight with special secret sauce just disappeared as everyone wanted second helpings.Anyone with a childrens halloween party coming up really must make the sheep's eyes - gruesome to look at - but really quite edible.The second part of the book enlightens one on some fascinating facts and folklore, some of which has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Disappointing and lightweight, 18 Apr 2008
A little bit funny in places and an occasional insight but by and large poorly written and forgetable.


Feathery fun... and a little bit more., 02 Dec 2007
Like other reviewers here, I thought this book was very entertaining, hugely humerous, and very warmly written. It is not a soppy recollection of chicken tales, but an open and honest (yes, and funny - but how could a book about these fabulous birds fail to be funny?) look at how one man has had his life affected by his feathery pals.

Chapter 2 starts with the words: "The sort of chicken-keeping we were embarking on can be summed up in three words: 'twee' and 'middle class." And I read those words with recognition, not embarrassment. My two ex-Tesco hybrid waifs are currently strutting their stuff around our ill-prepared garden, and laying an average of 9 eggs a week between the two of them.

This book is for people like me. I have recently ordered 2 more copies of this for my newly chickenified friends. Why? Because of its honesty. Because of the little snippets of chicken care secrets. Because of the kindness in this book. Because it's worth its weight in eggy gold!

Laugh out loud funny -- and a few lessons to boot, 04 Sep 2007
I don't recommend reading this in bed next to a spouse who has to get up for an early commute. You could be laughing so hard, you may not be forgiven. I haven't had such a good time reading a book in I don't know how long... terrifically witty & many laugh-out-loud moments.

I agree with another reviewer who said this book can help you make up your mind about having chickens, as it gives the ups and downs and the no nonsense and the you've got to really want to do this kind of thing information woven into the humour. But I think there are quite a few good lessons to be learnd and chix health tips I'd not heard of before, so I'd recommend it also as a way to get some good chicken rearing information.

Eggcellent, 21 Apr 2006
My only criticsm of this book was that it was too short. It is an entertaining tale of keeping chickens, don't expect to learn to much from it for that I'd reccomend Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens but for those still wonderimg about weather to get chickens or not this will make your mind up.

Hen and the art of chicken maintenance, 30 May 2004
This was a really funny book, it had me laughing out loud all the way through but you would have to keep hens for it to be really relevant. A good read and I picked up a few bits of good adviceand felt I had learnt a little about chickens but not an information book.

Wicked! (from the director of THE LION KING), 08 Sep 2008
Who knew that all those pesky children would make such lovely dishes? Really, my wife and I have been trying these recipes and the neighborhood has never been quieter. With Martin Howard's demented prose and Colin Stimpson's muculent illustrations, no area of bad taste has been left unexplored. I can't say I'd recommend this book- my mouth's too full of Kate and Sidney pie! Yum!

Redhill, UK, 03 Sep 2008
What a masterpiece ! Hilarious book with superb illustrations. Perfect gift for all ages - I predict a Christmas bestseller !

Inspired!, 02 Sep 2008
My nine year old son, a very reluctant reader, was given this book and has hardly put it down. It is a perfect combination of excellent writing, with 'rude' bits for children and something a bit more sophisticated for adults, and marvellous illustrations, which bring the whole thing alive. A great buy for any child from 8 - 80.

Brilliant, 31 Aug 2008
This is a fantastic book, well written, very funny and the illustrations are pure brilliance. It charges the imagination from the first page through to the humorous advertisements at the back. Its a must for any childs bookcase. Great enjoyment for both children and adults.

outrageously funny, 08 Aug 2008
This book blew my socks off. I bought it for my children as a bedtime story book and could barely get through it for laughing so much. The humour appeals to both adults and children so it is a joy for me to read and the children adore it too. The illustrations are delightful and the characters of the individual witches are hilarious. My favourite by far is Esmelia Smiff - the insightful, vicious and downright rude editor who comments on the other witches recipes and lifestyles with unreserved disdain. There are so many quotable parts of this book, it is difficult to choose but if I had to narrow it down, my absolute - almost wet myself from laughing moment is in the Irish witches recipe - Iris O'Rambly. "WHen Irish eyes are confiscated by the police." Buy it, read it, get the joke and laugh with me. Childrens books like this are one in a million.

surprisingly good, 09 Sep 2008
I picked this up thinking it would do as a stocking filler for anyone keen on Morrissey or Men Behaving Badly. However, having had a good look through I'd say that this book has enough bar jokes and anecdotes to satisfy the men behaving fans but also has a number of really good brewing recipes and beer tips to genuinely interest amateur beer brewers and enthusiasts. Overall, a very good read.

A good giggle and a couple of useful recipies, 07 Sep 2008
As an avid Discworld fowllower I love this book - whether I will ever try any of the recipies is a different matter - I just love reading them! Tongue in cheek and totally Pratchett!

Not what you think, 17 Feb 2008
This is not a cook book, exactly. It is designed on one of those old household management or kitchen garden type books, a how to run a household, or in Nanny Oggs case - how to order the daughters-in-law about.

It's basis is that of the diary series, and completely enjoyable for moments when you don't want to start a full story but just dip in for a few minutes of relief.

I, initially, put this in my cupboard after an initial skim though, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't "the joye of snacks". When I got over my disappointment I got it out I discovered that my initial judgement was so wrong. It's an enjoyable book, with some interesting recipies and great titbits and the wonderful artistic work of Paul Kidby.

I would like to see "the joye of snacks" like some of the other reviewers, and like them I doubt this will happen, but this is an outstanding alternative.

If you love the diaries and the almanac then this is definitely worth the money.

An excellent cookery book full of good advice, 25 Sep 2007
I laughed myself silly reading this; it is VERY funny. Cookery books are not usually humorous reading, but this one is a corker. I am looking forward to trying the recipes (especially the Dwarf bread and battle scones), and think they look perfectly do-able.
If you own a copy of 'The Joye of Snacks', and can bring it out into the open without it spontaneously combusting, you probably don't need this book.
If you are a fan of the Disk World and Nanny Ogg, you definitely do need this book - it is a true classic of a type never before (or since) seen.
The advice in the back of the book is also hilarious and entirely true in all respects - I would recommend this book for any about-to-be-married couple; they will cherish it.

Update on my review:
Since buying the book, I've had a go at a number of the recipes and they do work and have proved very popular with my family. Also, if you promise not to tell Nanny Ogg, I'll let you into a little secret ... many of the recipes can be adapted to suit vegetarians. The Klatchian curry using quorn instead of chicken was delicious; the Slumpie worked very well with quorn mince and the Gumbo was excellent without anything that had been dredged out of the bottom of a swamp. I haven't yet plucked up courage to try the Distressed Pudding ... watch this space!

Nanny Ogg definitely is my gran!, 01 Jun 2006
Fantastic book. You must experiment with the cooking aspect - I think a more authentic recipe result will probably be attained by not being able to cook.

Wonderful illustrations as always.

A tip for those Americans who are not familiar with English English: Swede, a large yellow root vegetable of the turnip family, generally diced, boiled and then mashed with butter as potato to create a softer version of 'mash'. Sometimes combined with said spud (potato) to create an earthier 'mash'.

Treacle; a deliciously sweet refined inverted sugar syrup. Please don't believe that this substance is or has ever been mined. Treacle mines do actually refer to underground works where hematite like minerals are found, that bear a resembelance to black treacle (molasses). Treacle is used in our rounded earth world to make tarts (they are like a pie without a lid ok) and as an ingriedient in cakes.

Sorry for the digression but it seems to keep cropping up.

cookbook with a difference, 25 Sep 2004
This book is a joy not only to those who like cooking but also to anyone who is a Terry Pratchett fan.The figgins were delicious- rather like a boozy eccles cake.The chocolate delight with special secret sauce just disappeared as everyone wanted second helpings.Anyone with a childrens halloween party coming up really must make the sheep's eyes - gruesome to look at - but really quite edible.The second part of the book enlightens one on some fascinating facts and folklore, some of which has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Disappointing and lightweight, 18 Apr 2008
A little bit funny in places and an occasional insight but by and large poorly written and forgetable.


Feathery fun... and a little bit more., 02 Dec 2007
Like other reviewers here, I thought this book was very entertaining, hugely humerous, and very warmly written. It is not a soppy recollection of chicken tales, but an open and honest (yes, and funny - but how could a book about these fabulous birds fail to be funny?) look at how one man has had his life affected by his feathery pals.

Chapter 2 starts with the words: "The sort of chicken-keeping we were embarking on can be summed up in three words: 'twee' and 'middle class." And I read those words with recognition, not embarrassment. My two ex-Tesco hybrid waifs are currently strutting their stuff around our ill-prepared garden, and laying an average of 9 eggs a week between the two of them.

This book is for people like me. I have recently ordered 2 more copies of this for my newly chickenified friends. Why? Because of its honesty. Because of the little snippets of chicken care secrets. Because of the kindness in this book. Because it's worth its weight in eggy gold!

Laugh out loud funny -- and a few lessons to boot, 04 Sep 2007
I don't recommend reading this in bed next to a spouse who has to get up for an early commute. You could be laughing so hard, you may not be forgiven. I haven't had such a good time reading a book in I don't know how long... terrifically witty & many laugh-out-loud moments.

I agree with another reviewer who said this book can help you make up your mind about having chickens, as it gives the ups and downs and the no nonsense and the you've got to really want to do this kind of thing information woven into the humour. But I think there are quite a few good lessons to be learnd and chix health tips I'd not heard of before, so I'd recommend it also as a way to get some good chicken rearing information.

Eggcellent, 21 Apr 2006
My only criticsm of this book was that it was too short. It is an entertaining tale of keeping chickens, don't expect to learn to much from it for that I'd reccomend Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens but for those still wonderimg about weather to get chickens or not this will make your mind up.

Hen and the art of chicken maintenance, 30 May 2004
This was a really funny book, it had me laughing out loud all the way through but you would have to keep hens for it to be really relevant. A good read and I picked up a few bits of good adviceand felt I had learnt a little about chickens but not an information book.

Wicked! (from the director of THE LION KING), 08 Sep 2008
Who knew that all those pesky children would make such lovely dishes? Really, my wife and I have been trying these recipes and the neighborhood has never been quieter. With Martin Howard's demented prose and Colin Stimpson's muculent illustrations, no area of bad taste has been left unexplored. I can't say I'd recommend this book- my mouth's too full of Kate and Sidney pie! Yum!

Redhill, UK, 03 Sep 2008
What a masterpiece ! Hilarious book with superb illustrations. Perfect gift for all ages - I predict a Christmas bestseller !

Inspired!, 02 Sep 2008
My nine year old son, a very reluctant reader, was given this book and has hardly put it down. It is a perfect combination of excellent writing, with 'rude' bits for children and something a bit more sophisticated for adults, and marvellous illustrations, which bring the whole thing alive. A great buy for any child from 8 - 80.

Brilliant, 31 Aug 2008
This is a fantastic book, well written, very funny and the illustrations are pure brilliance. It charges the imagination from the first page through to the humorous advertisements at the back. Its a must for any childs bookcase. Great enjoyment for both children and adults.

outrageously funny, 08 Aug 2008
This book blew my socks off. I bought it for my children as a bedtime story book and could barely get through it for laughing so much. The humour appeals to both adults and children so it is a joy for me to read and the children adore it too. The illustrations are delightful and the characters of the individual witches are hilarious. My favourite by far is Esmelia Smiff - the insightful, vicious and downright rude editor who comments on the other witches recipes and lifestyles with unreserved disdain. There are so many quotable parts of this book, it is difficult to choose but if I had to narrow it down, my absolute - almost wet myself from laughing moment is in the Irish witches recipe - Iris O'Rambly. "WHen Irish eyes are confiscated by the police." Buy it, read it, get the joke and laugh with me. Childrens books like this are one in a million.

A must-have for wine lovers., 24 Mar 2000
This is a compilation of brilliant illustrations accompanied by the standard "wine talk" phrases. An ideal gift for any wino!

surprisingly good, 09 Sep 2008
I picked this up thinking it would do as a stocking filler for anyone keen on Morrissey or Men Behaving Badly. However, having had a good look through I'd say that this book has enough bar jokes and anecdotes to satisfy the men behaving fans but also has a number of really good brewing recipes and beer tips to genuinely interest amateur beer brewers and enthusiasts. Overall, a very good read.

A good giggle and a couple of useful recipies, 07 Sep 2008
As an avid Discworld fowllower I love this book - whether I will ever try any of the recipies is a different matter - I just love reading them! Tongue in cheek and totally Pratchett!

Not what you think, 17 Feb 2008
This is not a cook book, exactly. It is designed on one of those old household management or kitchen garden type books, a how to run a household, or in Nanny Oggs case - how to order the daughters-in-law about.

It's basis is that of the diary series, and completely enjoyable for moments when you don't want to start a full story but just dip in for a few minutes of relief.

I, initially, put this in my cupboard after an initial skim though, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't "the joye of snacks". When I got over my disappointment I got it out I discovered that my initial judgement was so wrong. It's an enjoyable book, with some interesting recipies and great titbits and the wonderful artistic work of Paul Kidby.

I would like to see "the joye of snacks" like some of the other reviewers, and like them I doubt this will happen, but this is an outstanding alternative.

If you love the diaries and the almanac then this is definitely worth the money.

An excellent cookery book full of good advice, 25 Sep 2007
I laughed myself silly reading this; it is VERY funny. Cookery books are not usually humorous reading, but this one is a corker. I am looking forward to trying the recipes (especially the Dwarf bread and battle scones), and think they look perfectly do-able.
If you own a copy of 'The Joye of Snacks', and can bring it out into the open without it spontaneously combusting, you probably don't need this book.
If you are a fan of the Disk World and Nanny Ogg, you definitely do need this book - it is a true classic of a type never before (or since) seen.
The advice in the back of the book is also hilarious and entirely true in all respects - I would recommend this book for any about-to-be-married couple; they will cherish it.

Update on my review:
Since buying the book, I've had a go at a number of the recipes and they do work and have proved very popular with my family. Also, if you promise not to tell Nanny Ogg, I'll let you into a little secret ... many of the recipes can be adapted to suit vegetarians. The Klatchian curry using quorn instead of chicken was delicious; the Slumpie worked very well with quorn mince and the Gumbo was excellent without anything that had been dredged out of the bottom of a swamp. I haven't yet plucked up courage to try the Distressed Pudding ... watch this space!

Nanny Ogg definitely is my gran!, 01 Jun 2006
Fantastic book. You must experiment with the cooking aspect - I think a more authentic recipe result will probably be attained by not being able to cook.

Wonderful illustrations as always.

A tip for those Americans who are not familiar with English English: Swede, a large yellow root vegetable of the turnip family, generally diced, boiled and then mashed with butter as potato to create a softer version of 'mash'. Sometimes combined with said spud (potato) to create an earthier 'mash'.

Treacle; a deliciously sweet refined inverted sugar syrup. Please don't believe that this substance is or has ever been mined. Treacle mines do actually refer to underground works where hematite like minerals are found, that bear a resembelance to black treacle (molasses). Treacle is used in our rounded earth world to make tarts (they are like a pie without a lid ok) and as an ingriedient in cakes.

Sorry for the digression but it seems to keep cropping up.

cookbook with a difference, 25 Sep 2004
This book is a joy not only to those who like cooking but also to anyone who is a Terry Pratchett fan.The figgins were delicious- rather like a boozy eccles cake.The chocolate delight with special secret sauce just disappeared as everyone wanted second helpings.Anyone with a childrens halloween party coming up really must make the sheep's eyes - gruesome to look at - but really quite edible.The second part of the book enlightens one on some fascinating facts and folklore, some of which has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Disappointing and lightweight, 18 Apr 2008
A little bit funny in places and an occasional insight but by and large poorly written and forgetable.


Feathery fun... and a little bit more., 02 Dec 2007
Like other reviewers here, I thought this book was very entertaining, hugely humerous, and very warmly written. It is not a soppy recollection of chicken tales, but an open and honest (yes, and funny - but how could a book about these fabulous birds fail to be funny?) look at how one man has had his life affected by his feathery pals.

Chapter 2 starts with the words: "The sort of chicken-keeping we were embarking on can be summed up in three words: 'twee' and 'middle class." And I read those words with recognition, not embarrassment. My two ex-Tesco hybrid waifs are currently strutting their stuff around our ill-prepared garden, and laying an average of 9 eggs a week between the two of them.

This book is for people like me. I have recently ordered 2 more copies of this for my newly chickenified friends. Why? Because of its honesty. Because of the little snippets of chicken care secrets. Because of the kindness in this book. Because it's worth its weight in eggy gold!

Laugh out loud funny -- and a few lessons to boot, 04 Sep 2007
I don't recommend reading this in bed next to a spouse who has to get up for an early commute. You could be laughing so hard, you may not be forgiven. I haven't had such a good time reading a book in I don't know how long... terrifically witty & many laugh-out-loud moments.

I agree with another reviewer who said this book can help you make up your mind about having chickens, as it gives the ups and downs and the no nonsense and the you've got to really want to do this kind of thing information woven into the humour. But I think there are quite a few good lessons to be learnd and chix health tips I'd not heard of before, so I'd recommend it also as a way to get some good chicken rearing information.

Eggcellent, 21 Apr 2006
My only criticsm of this book was that it was too short. It is an entertaining tale of keeping chickens, don't expect to learn to much from it for that I'd reccomend Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens but for those still wonderimg about weather to get chickens or not this will make your mind up.

Hen and the art of chicken maintenance, 30 May 2004
This was a really funny book, it had me laughing out loud all the way through but you would have to keep hens for it to be really relevant. A good read and I picked up a few bits of good adviceand felt I had learnt a little about chickens but not an information book.

Wicked! (from the director of THE LION KING), 08 Sep 2008
Who knew that all those pesky children would make such lovely dishes? Really, my wife and I have been trying these recipes and the neighborhood has never been quieter. With Martin Howard's demented prose and Colin Stimpson's muculent illustrations, no area of bad taste has been left unexplored. I can't say I'd recommend this book- my mouth's too full of Kate and Sidney pie! Yum!

Redhill, UK, 03 Sep 2008
What a masterpiece ! Hilarious book with superb illustrations. Perfect gift for all ages - I predict a Christmas bestseller !

Inspired!, 02 Sep 2008
My nine year old son, a very reluctant reader, was given this book and has hardly put it down. It is a perfect combination of excellent writing, with 'rude' bits for children and something a bit more sophisticated for adults, and marvellous illustrations, which bring the whole thing alive. A great buy for any child from 8 - 80.

Brilliant, 31 Aug 2008
This is a fantastic book, well written, very funny and the illustrations are pure brilliance. It charges the imagination from the first page through to the humorous advertisements at the back. Its a must for any childs bookcase. Great enjoyment for both children and adults.

outrageously funny, 08 Aug 2008
This book blew my socks off. I bought it for my children as a bedtime story book and could barely get through it for laughing so much. The humour appeals to both adults and children so it is a joy for me to read and the children adore it too. The illustrations are delightful and the characters of the individual witches are hilarious. My favourite by far is Esmelia Smiff - the insightful, vicious and downright rude editor who comments on the other witches recipes and lifestyles with unreserved disdain. There are so many quotable parts of this book, it is difficult to choose but if I had to narrow it down, my absolute - almost wet myself from laughing moment is in the Irish witches recipe - Iris O'Rambly. "WHen Irish eyes are confiscated by the police." Buy it, read it, get the joke and laugh with me. Childrens books like this are one in a million.

A must-have for wine lovers., 24 Mar 2000
This is a compilation of brilliant illustrations accompanied by the standard "wine talk" phrases. An ideal gift for any wino!

New Journalism Memoir of Waiting on Tables Spiced Up to Read Like a Reality Television Show's Script, 27 Sep 2008

Drama: Without it we are soon bored. With too much drama, we are soon looking for peace and quiet. Waiters usually have no drama as they routinely do their jobs, so naturally the dramatic moments stand out. The Waiter who writes for the Waiter Rant Web site entertains us in this self-revealing memoir by sharing his highest and lowest moments serving the public in the New York City area.

Now, life for waiters in New York tends to be more dramatic than elsewhere in the United States: New York diners are demanding, loud, and aggressive. I well remember my first meal in a nice restaurant with people from New York. It was in Boston. If our waiter didn't sprint to our table within five seconds of these people wanting something, they headed off in a jog to find him. If this meant pushing into the kitchen or pounding on the men's room door, so be it. I wanted to crawl under the table and dig a hole.

Since then, I gotten used to dining with people from New York: There has to be a 30-minute heated discussion with the hostess over which table we will sit at while they threaten to take the whole party elsewhere (and often they do!). They usually don't even start thinking about what to order until after the waiter has returned six times to ask if everyone is ready. Everyone wants to order some item that's not on the menu and bitter complaints follow if that's not permitted. When the food arrives, they automatically send the entrees back to the kitchen to be redone while saying spiteful things about incompetence. The main table conversation is about how bad the restaurant is (led by those who picked the restaurant). Argh!

I hesitate to imagine what it must be like to be a waiter in these places. It might make a person a little cynical; n'est-ce pas?

The Waiter is one of those serving warriors who has done for this a long time. No, he doesn't plan to act on Broadway. No, it isn't a second job to support his family (he's unmarried and unattached). No, he isn't going to grad school. He does it to earn a living.

How did he get there? The Waiter started out in seminary, wanting to be a Catholic priest. He got angry about the way things were run in the church (and didn't realize that Catholics don't have a monopoly on inappropriate behavior) and quit. He earned a college degree in psychology and worked in a series of forgettable health care environments run by very sleazy people.

After losing a mental health job, he realized that he needed work to tide him over and avoid depression while he looked for a "good" job. Since his brother was working as a waiter part-time while he was in school, his brother suggested that The Waiter join him at Amici's, a suburban New York Italian restaurant. In the process, he learned that he had jumped out of the frying pan into the fire because Amici's was a very emotionally toxic environment, one where the survival of the fittest would have impressed Darwin.

I won't tell more of the story, but you'll get your share of ugly customer behavior, callousness, poor management, bad hygiene, and ripping off the customer. These are portrayed in calendar order, interspaced with the seasonal challenges of various holidays (Mother's Day is the worst for servers and customers) illustrated by horror stories.

The writing is extremely slick in the beginning, so much so that it seems like the stories are likely to have been "improved" as new journalism stories often are to be a "better" story. Amici's isn't quite to be believed, but you can make up your mind for yourself on that point.

The bulk of the book is sited at The Bistro where The Waiter doubles as the restaurant's manager whenever Fluvio, the owner, is away (which seems to be all of the time). The squabbles between The Waiter and the rest of the staff and with Fluvio are straight from sit-com heaven. When Ken Blanchard is looking for his next coauthor to write a parable about what not to do in business, he should look up The Waiter.

The craziness moves on nicely from episode to episode, but eventually focuses in on The Waiter's desire to escape waiting by becoming a writer. He begins to pay more and more attention to the Waiter Rant blog and dreams of writing a book. Well, you know how that turned out.

I thought the most interesting parts of the book came in how he came to understand himself better through being a waiter. Think of that part of the book as "Confessions of a Snippy Waiter."

Because of his psychology training, he's very good at explaining why waiting appeals to some people . . . despite the horrible drawbacks.

You'll probably cut back on your fine dining after you read this book. There's a tendency to make all customers seem like infants who lack motherly love and are willing to spend ridiculous sums to get a little attention from someone who is willing to pander to get tips.

Some (especially those from New York City) will be offended by the various guidelines for being a customer.

I was shocked to learn that I was demeaning servers whenever I gave them a tip over 25 percent. Who knew?

I would wish you bon appetit, but this book will probably spoil your appetite with its various stories about hygiene and getting revenge on customers.


If you have ever waited on tables you will love this, 12 Aug 2008

Written by 'The Waiter' who set up the popular website of the same name, Waiter's Rant is an account of the waiter's experiences working in a busy New York restaurant.
The Waiter leaves no stone unturned as he insightfully and comically describes the ups and downs of the server's lifestyle ranging from difficult customers, irate chefs, anti social work schedules to tipping and waiting on celebrities. I can guarantee that all those who currently wait and have waited on tables at some point in the their lives will have experienced these ups and downs at least once and will not fail to appreciate the waiter's to the point sense of humour. Personally I was most taken by the parallels between the waiter's experiences and my own, I'm sure many other readers will feel the same.

A well earned 5 stars.


Own now... Or destroy your own true Karma, 11 Aug 2008
Update the list of books you must own... You must now add `Waiter Rant' (Regardless of international edition - the UK cover is far better). Break down the rules you possess regarding fiction and non fiction and look at your reasons for reading:

Is it because you want to be enlightened? Is it because you want to be informed? Is it because you want to be entertained? Is it because you want to escape your current situation?

The `Waiter' (now unmasked as... Nah, you do the Google work to find his name out; just the same as I was forced to... suffice to say he's honest in the epilogue) has a huge talent.

And I need to quantify that. It's not his skills as a waiter... It's not the fact he trained to be a Catholic Priest. It's not the fact he worked in the nasty parts of mental health... it's not even the fact he's damned-fine wordsmith... It's because this man has a unique way of explaining the human psyche... And that's not with scientific `parts of the male human form which dangle between their legs when they are standing' definition of `psyche''. I mean a man, or as I would rather address him: `Gentleman' (and as a true Brit I could not use this as a compliment to most Yanks I've encountered - and YES there are a couple of exceptions!) who possesses a skill most authors have yet to acquire.

What's that? In my humble opinion [with 3 contracted theatre performances under my belt] the ability to disclose the thoughts/beliefs of certain sections of our population (regardless of nation) who are devoid of any form of true human compassion which enables them to falsely determine others they encounter as subordinate / secondary / minor / insignificant to them. Yet he, the target for this abuse, accomplishes this in his prose in a poetic and gentle manner the enables the reader to hate the bad customers whilst hating the flaws in ourselves when `presented' or `faced' or `dealing' with the dreaded unclean the self entitled call `The Wait Staff'.

While this is categorised as a `Memoir' (by the publishers in the UK; I can't speak for the rest of the globe!) I feel this book is a `Self Help Manual' in disguise... During reading, I've identified some of the worst parts of myself (and want to change them for the better) and realised I'm right at finding others' actions not only unattractive, but almost `biblically' inexcusable (such things as a lack of: manners; humility; selflessness; compassion and patience).

I could now discuss his popularity of as a blogger... I could now discuss the links he has developed (without asking) across the net...

But why?

Even as a fan of his blog for 3+ years, this work stands on its own.

More to the point: My nearest and dearest, who has never read the blog, desperately wants me to let her read this book...

But I won't let her...

Why...

As this is a first book for this author... Lend it to a friend and you deny him his reward (or in the context of this book - his tip).

Don't buy one copy, (I didn't) but buy at least 2, so you have one to pass on as a gift.

In summary: A book that makes you realise why you enjoy reading!

surprisingly good, 09 Sep 2008
I picked this up thinking it would do as a stocking filler for anyone keen on Morrissey or Men Behaving Badly. However, having had a good look through I'd say that this book has enough bar jokes and anecdotes to satisfy the men behaving fans but also has a number of really good brewing recipes and beer tips to genuinely interest amateur beer brewers and enthusiasts. Overall, a very good read.

A good giggle and a couple of useful recipies, 07 Sep 2008
As an avid Discworld fowllower I love this book - whether I will ever try any of the recipies is a different matter - I just love reading them! Tongue in cheek and totally Pratchett!

Not what you think, 17 Feb 2008
This is not a cook book, exactly. It is designed on one of those old household management or kitchen garden type books, a how to run a household, or in Nanny Oggs case - how to order the daughters-in-law about.

It's basis is that of the diary series, and completely enjoyable for moments when you don't want to start a full story but just dip in for a few minutes of relief.

I, initially, put this in my cupboard after an initial skim though, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't "the joye of snacks". When I got over my disappointment I got it out I discovered that my initial judgement was so wrong. It's an enjoyable book, with some interesting recipies and great titbits and the wonderful artistic work of Paul Kidby.

I would like to see "the joye of snacks" like some of the other reviewers, and like them I doubt this will happen, but this is an outstanding alternative.

If you love the diaries and the almanac then this is definitely worth the money.

An excellent cookery book full of good advice, 25 Sep 2007
I laughed myself silly reading this; it is VERY funny. Cookery books are not usually humorous reading, but this one is a corker. I am looking forward to trying the recipes (especially the Dwarf bread and battle scones), and think they look perfectly do-able.
If you own a copy of 'The Joye of Snacks', and can bring it out into the open without it spontaneously combusting, you probably don't need this book.
If you are a fan of the Disk World and Nanny Ogg, you definitely do need this book - it is a true classic of a type never before (or since) seen.
The advice in the back of the book is also hilarious and entirely true in all respects - I would recommend this book for any about-to-be-married couple; they will cherish it.

Update on my review:
Since buying the book, I've had a go at a number of the recipes and they do work and have proved very popular with my family. Also, if you promise not to tell Nanny Ogg, I'll let you into a little secret ... many of the recipes can be adapted to suit vegetarians. The Klatchian curry using quorn instead of chicken was delicious; the Slumpie worked very well with quorn mince and the Gumbo was excellent without anything that had been dredged out of the bottom of a swamp. I haven't yet plucked up courage to try the Distressed Pudding ... watch this space!

Nanny Ogg definitely is my gran!, 01 Jun 2006
Fantastic book. You must experiment with the cooking aspect - I think a more authentic recipe result will probably be attained by not being able to cook.

Wonderful illustrations as always.

A tip for those Americans who are not familiar with English English: Swede, a large yellow root vegetable of the turnip family, generally diced, boiled and then mashed with butter as potato to create a softer version of 'mash'. Sometimes combined with said spud (potato) to create an earthier 'mash'.

Treacle; a deliciously sweet refined inverted sugar syrup. Please don't believe that this substance is or has ever been mined. Treacle mines do actually refer to underground works where hematite like minerals are found, that bear a resembelance to black treacle (molasses). Treacle is used in our rounded earth world to make tarts (they are like a pie without a lid ok) and as an ingriedient in cakes.

Sorry for the digression but it seems to keep cropping up.

cookbook with a difference, 25 Sep 2004
This book is a joy not only to those who like cooking but also to anyone who is a Terry Pratchett fan.The figgins were delicious- rather like a boozy eccles cake.The chocolate delight with special secret sauce just disappeared as everyone wanted second helpings.Anyone with a childrens halloween party coming up really must make the sheep's eyes - gruesome to look at - but really quite edible.The second part of the book enlightens one on some fascinating facts and folklore, some of which has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Disappointing and lightweight, 18 Apr 2008
A little bit funny in places and an occasional insight but by and large poorly written and forgetable.


Feathery fun... and a little bit more., 02 Dec 2007
Like other reviewers here, I thought this book was very entertaining, hugely humerous, and very warmly written. It is not a soppy recollection of chicken tales, but an open and honest (yes, and funny - but how could a book about these fabulous birds fail to be funny?) look at how one man has had his life affected by his feathery pals.

Chapter 2 starts with the words: "The sort of chicken-keeping we were embarking on can be summed up in three words: 'twee' and 'middle class." And I read those words with recognition, not embarrassment. My two ex-Tesco hybrid waifs are currently strutting their stuff around our ill-prepared garden, and laying an average of 9 eggs a week between the two of them.

This book is for people like me. I have recently ordered 2 more copies of this for my newly chickenified friends. Why? Because of its honesty. Because of the little snippets of chicken care secrets. Because of the kindness in this book. Because it's worth its weight in eggy gold!

Laugh out loud funny -- and a few lessons to boot, 04 Sep 2007
I don't recommend reading this in bed next to a spouse who has to get up for an early commute. You could be laughing so hard, you may not be forgiven. I haven't had such a good time reading a book in I don't know how long... terrifically witty & many laugh-out-loud moments.

I agree with another reviewer who said this book can help you make up your mind about having chickens, as it gives the ups and downs and the no nonsense and the you've got to really want to do this kind of thing information woven into the humour. But I think there are quite a few good lessons to be learnd and chix health tips I'd not heard of before, so I'd recommend it also as a way to get some good chicken rearing information.

Eggcellent, 21 Apr 2006
My only criticsm of this book was that it was too short. It is an entertaining tale of keeping chickens, don't expect to learn to much from it for that I'd reccomend Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens but for those still wonderimg about weather to get chickens or not this will make your mind up.

Hen and the art of chicken maintenance, 30 May 2004
This was a really funny book, it had me laughing out loud all the way through but you would have to keep hens for it to be really relevant. A good read and I picked up a few bits of good adviceand felt I had learnt a little about chickens but not an information book.

Wicked! (from the director of THE LION KING), 08 Sep 2008
Who knew that all those pesky children would make such lovely dishes? Really, my wife and I have been trying these recipes and the neighborhood has never been quieter. With Martin Howard's demented prose and Colin Stimpson's muculent illustrations, no area of bad taste has been left unexplored. I can't say I'd recommend this book- my mouth's too full of Kate and Sidney pie! Yum!

Redhill, UK, 03 Sep 2008
What a masterpiece ! Hilarious book with superb illustrations. Perfect gift for all ages - I predict a Christmas bestseller !

Inspired!, 02 Sep 2008
My nine year old son, a very reluctant reader, was given this book and has hardly put it down. It is a perfect combination of excellent writing, with 'rude' bits for children and something a bit more sophisticated for adults, and marvellous illustrations, which bring the whole thing alive. A great buy for any child from 8 - 80.

Brilliant, 31 Aug 2008
This is a fantastic book, well written, very funny and the illustrations are pure brilliance. It charges the imagination from the first page through to the humorous advertisements at the back. Its a must for any childs bookcase. Great enjoyment for both children and adults.

outrageously funny, 08 Aug 2008
This book blew my socks off. I bought it for my children as a bedtime story book and could barely get through it for laughing so much. The humour appeals to both adults and children so it is a joy for me to read and the children adore it too. The illustrations are delightful and the characters of the individual witches are hilarious. My favourite by far is Esmelia Smiff - the insightful, vicious and downright rude editor who comments on the other witches recipes and lifestyles with unreserved disdain. There are so many quotable parts of this book, it is difficult to choose but if I had to narrow it down, my absolute - almost wet myself from laughing moment is in the Irish witches recipe - Iris O'Rambly. "WHen Irish eyes are confiscated by the police." Buy it, read it, get the joke and laugh with me. Childrens books like this are one in a million.

A must-have for wine lovers., 24 Mar 2000
This is a compilation of brilliant illustrations accompanied by the standard "wine talk" phrases. An ideal gift for any wino!

New Journalism Memoir of Waiting on Tables Spiced Up to Read Like a Reality Television Show's Script, 27 Sep 2008

Drama: Without it we are soon bored. With too much drama, we are soon looking for peace and quiet. Waiters usually have no drama as they routinely do their jobs, so naturally the dramatic moments stand out. The Waiter who writes for the Waiter Rant Web site entertains us in this self-revealing memoir by sharing his highest and lowest moments serving the public in the New York City area.

Now, life for waiters in New York tends to be more dramatic than elsewhere in the United States: New York diners are demanding, loud, and aggressive. I well remember my first meal in a nice restaurant with people from New York. It was in Boston. If our waiter didn't sprint to our table within five seconds of these people wanting something, they headed off in a jog to find him. If this meant pushing into the kitchen or pounding on the men's room door, so be it. I wanted to crawl under the table and dig a hole.

Since then, I gotten used to dining with people from New York: There has to be a 30-minute heated discussion with the hostess over which table we will sit at while they threaten to take the whole party elsewhere (and often they do!). They usually don't even start thinking about what to order until after the waiter has returned six times to ask if everyone is ready. Everyone wants to order some item that's not on the menu and bitter complaints follow if that's not permitted. When the food arrives, they automatically send the entrees back to the kitchen to be redone while saying spiteful things about incompetence. The main table conversation is about how bad the restaurant is (led by those who picked the restaurant). Argh!

I hesitate to imagine what it must be like to be a waiter in these places. It might make a person a little cynical; n'est-ce pas?

The Waiter is one of those serving warriors who has done for this a long time. No, he doesn't plan to act on Broadway. No, it isn't a second job to support his family (he's unmarried and unattached). No, he isn't going to grad school. He does it to earn a living.

How did he get there? The Waiter started out in seminary, wanting to be a Catholic priest. He got angry about the way things were run in the church (and didn't realize that Catholics don't have a monopoly on inappropriate behavior) and quit. He earned a college degree in psychology and worked in a series of forgettable health care environments run by very sleazy people.

After losing a mental health job, he realized that he needed work to tide him over and avoid depression while he looked for a "good" job. Since his brother was working as a waiter part-time while he was in school, his brother suggested that The Waiter join him at Amici's, a suburban New York Italian restaurant. In the process, he learned that he had jumped out of the frying pan into the fire because Amici's was a very emotionally toxic environment, one where the survival of the fittest would have impressed Darwin.

I won't tell more of the story, but you'll get your share of ugly customer behavior, callousness, poor management, bad hygiene, and ripping off the customer. These are portrayed in calendar order, interspaced with the seasonal challenges of various holidays (Mother's Day is the worst for servers and customers) illustrated by horror stories.

The writing is extremely slick in the beginning, so much so that it seems like the stories are likely to have been "improved" as new journalism stories often are to be a "better" story. Amici's isn't quite to be believed, but you can make up your mind for yourself on that point.

The bulk of the book is sited at The Bistro where The Waiter doubles as the restaurant's manager whenever Fluvio, the owner, is away (which seems to be all of the time). The squabbles between The Waiter and the rest of the staff and with Fluvio are straight from sit-com heaven. When Ken Blanchard is looking for his next coauthor to write a parable about what not to do in business, he should look up The Waiter.

The craziness moves on nicely from episode to episode, but eventually focuses in on The Waiter's desire to escape waiting by becoming a writer. He begins to pay more and more attention to the Waiter Rant blog and dreams of writing a book. Well, you know how that turned out.

I thought the most interesting parts of the book came in how he came to understand himself better through being a waiter. Think of that part of the book as "Confessions of a Snippy Waiter."

Because of his psychology training, he's very good at explaining why waiting appeals to some people . . . despite the horrible drawbacks.

You'll probably cut back on your fine dining after you read this book. There's a tendency to make all customers seem like infants who lack motherly love and are willing to spend ridiculous sums to get a little attention from someone who is willing to pander to get tips.

Some (especially those from New York City) will be offended by the various guidelines for being a customer.

I was shocked to learn that I was demeaning servers whenever I gave them a tip over 25 percent. Who knew?

I would wish you bon appetit, but this book will probably spoil your appetite with its various stories about hygiene and getting revenge on customers.


If you have ever waited on tables you will love this, 12 Aug 2008

Written by 'The Waiter' who set up the popular website of the same name, Waiter's Rant is an account of the waiter's experiences working in a busy New York restaurant.
The Waiter leaves no stone unturned as he insightfully and comically describes the ups and downs of the server's lifestyle ranging from difficult customers, irate chefs, anti social work schedules to tipping and waiting on celebrities. I can guarantee that all those who currently wait and have waited on tables at some point in the their lives will have experienced these ups and downs at least once and will not fail to appreciate the waiter's to the point sense of humour. Personally I was most taken by the parallels between the waiter's experiences and my own, I'm sure many other readers will feel the same.

A well earned 5 stars.


Own now... Or destroy your own true Karma, 11 Aug 2008
Update the list of books you must own... You must now add `Waiter Rant' (Regardless of international edition - the UK cover is far better). Break down the rules you possess regarding fiction and non fiction and look at your reasons for reading:

Is it because you want to be enlightened? Is it because you want to be informed? Is it because you want to be entertained? Is it because you want to escape your current situation?

The `Waiter' (now unmasked as... Nah, you do the Google work to find his name out; just the same as I was forced to... suffice to say he's honest in the epilogue) has a huge talent.

And I need to quantify that. It's not his skills as a waiter... It's not the fact he trained to be a Catholic Priest. It's not the fact he worked in the nasty parts of mental health... it's not even the fact he's damned-fine wordsmith... It's because this man has a unique way of explaining the human psyche... And that's not with scientific `parts of the male human form which dangle between their legs when they are standing' definition of `psyche''. I mean a man, or as I would rather address him: `Gentleman' (and as a true Brit I could not use this as a compliment to most Yanks I've encountered - and YES there are a couple of exceptions!) who possesses a skill most authors have yet to acquire.

What's that? In my humble opinion [with 3 contracted theatre performances under my belt] the ability to disclose the thoughts/beliefs of certain sections of our population (regardless of nation) who are devoid of any form of true human compassion which enables them to falsely determine others they encounter as subordinate / secondary / minor / insignificant to them. Yet he, the target for this abuse, accomplishes this in his prose in a poetic and gentle manner the enables the reader to hate the bad customers whilst hating the flaws in ourselves when `presented' or `faced' or `dealing' with the dreaded unclean the self entitled call `The Wait Staff'.

While this is categorised as a `Memoir' (by the publishers in the UK; I can't speak for the rest of the globe!) I feel this book is a `Self Help Manual' in disguise... During reading, I've identified some of the worst parts of myself (and want to change them for the better) and realised I'm right at finding others' actions not only unattractive, but almost `biblically' inexcusable (such things as a lack of: manners; humility; selflessness; compassion and patience).

I could now discuss his popularity of as a blogger... I could now discuss the links he has developed (without asking) across the net...

But why?

Even as a fan of his blog for 3+ years, this work stands on its own.

More to the point: My nearest and dearest, who has never read the blog, desperately wants me to let her read this book...

But I won't let her...

Why...

As this is a first book for this author... Lend it to a friend and you deny him his reward (or in the context of this book - his tip).

Don't buy one copy, (I didn't) but buy at least 2, so you have one to pass on as a gift.

In summary: A book that makes you realise why you enjoy reading!

How to cook vegetarian rabbit , 15 Aug 2008
As a fan of bento and all things cute I bought this book as soon as I heard about it. I was expecting to find a few cute recipes to liven up my lunchboxes and picnics but on the first page I realised I wasnt dealing with an ordinary cookbook.

Were introduced to Miyuki her boyfriend Hiroshi and Coo, her mascot. They take you through the recipes, each of them drawn as a comic. Dont worry though, there are photographs of most of the dishes although they are separate from the recipes themselves.

The recipes are split into appetisers, obento basics(including ideas for scenes) main courses, and wagashi. Then there are notes on setting a Japanese style table and eating with chopsticks. The instructions are very clear and a symbol indicates easy recipes.

My personal favourites include the rabbit-shaped apple slices, rice burgers and instructions for making home-made udon. Vegetarians take note, there is plenty in here to keep us occupied.

surprisingly good, 09 Sep 2008
I picked this up thinking it would do as a stocking filler for anyone keen on Morrissey or Men Behaving Badly. However, having had a good look through I'd say that this book has enough bar jokes and anecdotes to satisfy the men behaving fans but also has a number of really good brewing recipes and beer tips to genuinely interest amateur beer brewers and enthusiasts. Overall, a very good read.

A good giggle and a couple of useful recipies, 07 Sep 2008
As an avid Discworld fowllower I love this book - whether I will ever try any of the recipies is a different matter - I just love reading them! Tongue in cheek and totally Pratchett!

Not what you think, 17 Feb 2008
This is not a cook book, exactly. It is designed on one of those old household management or kitchen garden type books, a how to run a household, or in Nanny Oggs case - how to order the daughters-in-law about.

It's basis is that of the diary series, and completely enjoyable for moments when you don't want to start a full story but just dip in for a few minutes of relief.

I, initially, put this in my cupboard after an initial skim though, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't "the joye of snacks". When I got over my disappointment I got it out I discovered that my initial judgement was so wrong. It's an enjoyable book, with some interesting recipies and great titbits and the wonderful artistic work of Paul Kidby.

I would like to see "the joye of snacks" like some of the other reviewers, and like them I doubt this will happen, but this is an outstanding alternative.

If you love the diaries and the almanac then this is definitely worth the money.

An excellent cookery book full of good advice, 25 Sep 2007
I laughed myself silly reading this; it is VERY funny. Cookery books are not usually humorous reading, but this one is a corker. I am looking forward to trying the recipes (especially the Dwarf bread and battle scones), and think they look perfectly do-able.
If you own a copy of 'The Joye of Snacks', and can bring it out into the open without it spontaneously combusting, you probably don't need this book.
If you are a fan of the Disk World and Nanny Ogg, you definitely do need this book - it is a true classic of a type never before (or since) seen.
The advice in the back of the book is also hilarious and entirely true in all respects - I would recommend this book for any about-to-be-married couple; they will cherish it.

Update on my review:
Since buying the book, I've had a go at a number of the recipes and they do work and have proved very popular with my family. Also, if you promise not to tell Nanny Ogg, I'll let you into a little secret ... many of the recipes can be adapted to suit vegetarians. The Klatchian curry using quorn instead of chicken was delicious; the Slumpie worked very well with quorn mince and the Gumbo was excellent without anything that had been dredged out of the bottom of a swamp. I haven't yet plucked up courage to try the Distressed Pudding ... watch this space!

Nanny Ogg definitely is my gran!, 01 Jun 2006
Fantastic book. You must experiment with the cooking aspect - I think a more authentic recipe result will probably be attained by not being able to cook.

Wonderful illustrations as always.

A tip for those Americans who are not familiar with English English: Swede, a large yellow root vegetable of the turnip family, generally diced, boiled and then mashed with butter as potato to create a softer version of 'mash'. Sometimes combined with said spud (potato) to create an earthier 'mash'.

Treacle; a deliciously sweet refined inverted sugar syrup. Please don't believe that this substance is or has ever been mined. Treacle mines do actually refer to underground works where hematite like minerals are found, that bear a resembelance to black treacle (molasses). Treacle is used in our rounded earth world to make tarts (they are like a pie without a lid ok) and as an ingriedient in cakes.

Sorry for the digression but it seems to keep cropping up.

cookbook with a difference, 25 Sep 2004
This book is a joy not only to those who like cooking but also to anyone who is a Terry Pratchett fan.The figgins were delicious- rather like a boozy eccles cake.The chocolate delight with special secret sauce just disappeared as everyone wanted second helpings.Anyone with a childrens halloween party coming up really must make the sheep's eyes - gruesome to look at - but really quite edible.The second part of the book enlightens one on some fascinating facts and folklore, some of which has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Disappointing and lightweight, 18 Apr 2008
A little bit funny in places and an occasional insight but by and large poorly written and forgetable.


Feathery fun... and a little bit more., 02 Dec 2007
Like other reviewers here, I thought this book was very entertaining, hugely humerous, and very warmly written. It is not a soppy recollection of chicken tales, but an open and honest (yes, and funny - but how could a book about these fabulous birds fail to be funny?) look at how one man has had his life affected by his feathery pals.

Chapter 2 starts with the words: "The sort of chicken-keeping we were embarking on can be summed up in three words: 'twee' and 'middle class." And I read those words with recognition, not embarrassment. My two ex-Tesco hybrid waifs are currently strutting their stuff around our ill-prepared garden, and laying an average of 9 eggs a week between the two of them.

This book is for people like me. I have recently ordered 2 more copies of this for my newly chickenified friends. Why? Because of its honesty. Because of the little snippets of chicken care secrets. Because of the kindness in this book. Because it's worth its weight in eggy gold!

Laugh out loud funny -- and a few lessons to boot, 04 Sep 2007
I don't recommend reading this in bed next to a spouse who has to get up for an early commute. You could be laughing so hard, you may not be forgiven. I haven't had such a good time reading a book in I don't know how long... terrifically witty & many laugh-out-loud moments.

I agree with another reviewer who said this book can help you make up your mind about having chickens, as it gives the ups and downs and the no nonsense and the you've got to really want to do this kind of thing information woven into the humour. But I think there are quite a few good lessons to be learnd and chix health tips I'd not heard of before, so I'd recommend it also as a way to get some good chicken rearing information.

Eggcellent, 21 Apr 2006
My only criticsm of this book was that it was too short. It is an entertaining tale of keeping chickens, don't expect to learn to much from it for that I'd reccomend Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens but for those still wonderimg about weather to get chickens or not this will make your mind up.

Hen and the art of chicken maintenance, 30 May 2004
This was a really funny book, it had me laughing out loud all the way through but you would have to keep hens for it to be really relevant. A good read and I picked up a few bits of good adviceand felt I had learnt a little about chickens but not an information book.

Wicked! (from the director of THE LION KING), 08 Sep 2008
Who knew that all those pesky children would make such lovely dishes? Really, my wife and I have been trying these recipes and the neighborhood has never been quieter. With Martin Howard's demented prose and Colin Stimpson's muculent illustrations, no area of bad taste has been left unexplored. I can't say I'd recommend this book- my mouth's too full of Kate and Sidney pie! Yum!

Redhill, UK, 03 Sep 2008
What a masterpiece ! Hilarious book with superb illustrations. Perfect gift for all ages - I predict a Christmas bestseller !

Inspired!, 02 Sep 2008
My nine year old son, a very reluctant reader, was given this book and has hardly put it down. It is a perfect combination of excellent writing, with 'rude' bits for children and something a bit more sophisticated for adults, and marvellous illustrations, which bring the whole thing alive. A great buy for any child from 8 - 80.

Brilliant, 31 Aug 2008
This is a fantastic book, well written, very funny and the illustrations are pure brilliance. It charges the imagination from the first page through to the humorous advertisements at the back. Its a must for any childs bookcase. Great enjoyment for both children and adults.

outrageously funny, 08 Aug 2008
This book blew my socks off. I bought it for my children as a bedtime story book and could barely get through it for laughing so much. The humour appeals to both adults and children so it is a joy for me to read and the children adore it too. The illustrations are delightful and the characters of the individual witches are hilarious. My favourite by far is Esmelia Smiff - the insightful, vicious and downright rude editor who comments on the other witches recipes and lifestyles with unreserved disdain. There are so many quotable parts of this book, it is difficult to choose but if I had to narrow it down, my absolute - almost wet myself from laughing moment is in the Irish witches recipe - Iris O'Rambly. "WHen Irish eyes are confiscated by the police." Buy it, read it, get the joke and laugh with me. Childrens books like this are one in a million.

A must-have for wine lovers., 24 Mar 2000
This is a compilation of brilliant illustrations accompanied by the standard "wine talk" phrases. An ideal gift for any wino!

New Journalism Memoir of Waiting on Tables Spiced Up to Read Like a Reality Television Show's Script, 27 Sep 2008

Drama: Without it we are soon bored. With too much drama, we are soon looking for peace and quiet. Waiters usually have no drama as they routinely do their jobs, so naturally the dramatic moments stand out. The Waiter who writes for the Waiter Rant Web site entertains us in this self-revealing memoir by sharing his highest and lowest moments serving the public in the New York City area.

Now, life for waiters in New York tends to be more dramatic than elsewhere in the United States: New York diners are demanding, loud, and aggressive. I well remember my first meal in a nice restaurant with people from New York. It was in Boston. If our waiter didn't sprint to our table within five seconds of these people wanting something, they headed off in a jog to find him. If this meant pushing into the kitchen or pounding on the men's room door, so be it. I wanted to crawl under the table and dig a hole.

Since then, I gotten used to dining with people from New York: There has to be a 30-minute heated discussion with the hostess over which table we will sit at while they threaten to take the whole party elsewhere (and often they do!). They usually don't even start thinking about what to order until after the waiter has returned six times to ask if everyone is ready. Everyone wants to order some item that's not on the menu and bitter complaints follow if that's not permitted. When the food arrives, they automatically send the entrees back to the kitchen to be redone while saying spiteful things about incompetence. The main table conversation is about how bad the restaurant is (led by those who picked the restaurant). Argh!

I hesitate to imagine what it must be like to be a waiter in these places. It might make a person a little cynical; n'est-ce pas?

The Waiter is one of those serving warriors who has done for this a long time. No, he doesn't plan to act on Broadway. No, it isn't a second job to support his family (he's unmarried and unattached). No, he isn't going to grad school. He does it to earn a living.

How did he get there? The Waiter started out in seminary, wanting to be a Catholic priest. He got angry about the way things were run in the church (and didn't realize that Catholics don't have a monopoly on inappropriate behavior) and quit. He earned a college degree in psychology and worked in a series of forgettable health care environments run by very sleazy people.

After losing a mental health job, he realized that he needed work to tide him over and avoid depression while he looked for a "good" job. Since his brother was working as a waiter part-time while he was in school, his brother suggested that The Waiter join him at Amici's, a suburban New York Italian restaurant. In the process, he learned that he had jumped out of the frying pan into the fire because Amici's was a very emotionally toxic environment, one where the survival of the fittest would have impressed Darwin.

I won't tell more of the story, but you'll get your share of ugly customer behavior, callousness, poor management, bad hygiene, and ripping off the customer. These are portrayed in calendar order, interspaced with the seasonal challenges of various holidays (Mother's Day is the worst for servers and customers) illustrated by horror stories.

The writing is extremely slick in the beginning, so much so that it seems like the stories are likely to have been "improved" as new journalism stories often are to be a "better" story. Amici's isn't quite to be believed, but you can make up your mind for yourself on that point.

The bulk of the book is sited at The Bistro where The Waiter doubles as the restaurant's manager whenever Fluvio, the owner, is away (which seems to be all of the time). The squabbles between The Waiter and the rest of the staff and with Fluvio are straight from sit-com heaven. When Ken Blanchard is looking for his next coauthor to write a parable about what not to do in business, he should look up The Waiter.

The craziness moves on nicely from episode to episode, but eventually focuses in on The Waiter's desire to escape waiting by becoming a writer. He begins to pay more and more attention to the Waiter Rant blog and dreams of writing a book. Well, you know how that turned out.

I thought the most interesting parts of the book came in how he came to understand himself better through being a waiter. Think of that part of the book as "Confessions of a Snippy Waiter."

Because of his psychology training, he's very good at explaining why waiting appeals to some people . . . despite the horrible drawbacks.

You'll probably cut back on your fine dining after you read this book. There's a tendency to make all customers seem like infants who lack motherly love and are willing to spend ridiculous sums to get a little attention from someone who is willing to pander to get tips.

Some (especially those from New York City) will be offended by the various guidelines for being a customer.

I was shocked to learn that I was demeaning servers whenever I gave them a tip over 25 percent. Who knew?

I would wish you bon appetit, but this book will probably spoil your appetite with its various stories about hygiene and getting revenge on customers.


If you have ever waited on tables you will love this, 12 Aug 2008

Written by 'The Waiter' who set up the popular website of the same name, Waiter's Rant is an account of the waiter's experiences working in a busy New York restaurant.
The Waiter leaves no stone unturned as he insightfully and comically describes the ups and downs of the server's lifestyle ranging from difficult customers, irate chefs, anti social work schedules to tipping and waiting on celebrities. I can guarantee that all those who currently wait and have waited on tables at some point in the their lives will have experienced these ups and downs at least once and will not fail to appreciate the waiter's to the point sense of humour. Personally I was most taken by the parallels between the waiter's experiences and my own, I'm sure many other readers will feel the same.

A well earned 5 stars.


Own now... Or destroy your own true Karma, 11 Aug 2008
Update the list of books you must own... You must now add `Waiter Rant' (Regardless of international edition - the UK cover is far better). Break down the rules you possess regarding fiction and non fiction and look at your reasons for reading:

Is it because you want to be enlightened? Is it because you want to be informed? Is it because you want to be entertained? Is it because you want to escape your current situation?

The `Waiter' (now unmasked as... Nah, you do the Google work to find his name out; just the same as I was forced to... suffice to say he's honest in the epilogue) has a huge talent.

And I need to quantify that. It's not his skills as a waiter... It's not the fact he trained to be a Catholic Priest. It's not the fact he worked in the nasty parts of mental health... it's not even the fact he's damned-fine wordsmith... It's because this man has a unique way of explaining the human psyche... And that's not with scientific `parts of the male human form which dangle between their legs when they are standing' definition of `psyche''. I mean a man, or as I would rather address him: `Gentleman' (and as a true Brit I could not use this as a compliment to most Yanks I've encountered - and YES there are a couple of exceptions!) who possesses a skill most authors have yet to acquire.

What's that? In my humble opinion [with 3 contracted theatre performances under my belt] the ability to disclose the thoughts/beliefs of certain sections of our population (regardless of nation) who are devoid of any form of true human compassion which enables them to falsely determine others they encounter as subordinate / secondary / minor / insignificant to them. Yet he, the target for this abuse, accomplishes this in his prose in a poetic and gentle manner the enables the reader to hate the bad customers whilst hating the flaws in ourselves when `presented' or `faced' or `deali