A truly wonderful sequel to Book 1!, 04 Sep 2007
My children (and I!) enjoyed Sara Book 1 so much that we couldn't wait for Book 2 to be published in the UK and so sent away to the States! We were not disappointed: Yet another fabulous story interwoven with amazing life-lessons, eye-opening for children and adults alike! Highly recommended :)

A truly wonderful sequel to Book 1!, 04 Sep 2007
My children (and I!) enjoyed Sara Book 1 so much that we couldn't wait for Book 2 to be published in the UK and so sent away to the States! We were not disappointed: Yet another fabulous story interwoven with amazing life-lessons, eye-opening for children and adults alike! Highly recommended :)

Anarchy through the week, 11 Sep 2007
For a book that's as short as this one, "The Man Who Was Thursday" is pretty packed.

G.K. Chesterton's classic novella tackles anarchy, social order, God, peace, war, religion, human nature, and a few dozen other weight concepts. And somehow he manages to mash it all together into a delightful satire, full of tongue-in-cheek commentary that is still relevant today.

As the book opens, Gabriel Symes is debating with a soapbox anarchist. The two men impress each other enough that the anarchist introduces Symes to a seven-man council of anarchists, all named after days of the week. In short order, they elect Symes their newest member -- Thursday.

But they don't know that he's also been recruited by an anti-anarchy organization. And soon Symes finds out that he's not the only person on the council who is not what he seems. There are other spies and double-agents, working for the same cause. But who -- and what -- is the jovial, powerful Mr. Sunday, the head of the organization?

Hot air balloons, elaborate disguises, duels and police chases -- Chesterton certainly knew how to keep this novel interesting. Though written almost a century ago, "The Man Who Was Thursday" still feels very fresh. That's partly because of Chesterton's cheery writing... and partly because it's such an intelligent book.

He doesn't avoid some timeless topics that make some people squirm. Humanity (good and bad), anarchy, religion and its place in human nature, and creation versus destruction all get tackled here -- disguised as a comic police investigation. And unlike most satires, it isn't dated; the topics are reflections of humanity and religion, so they're as relevant now as they were in 1908.

But the story isn't pedantic or boring; Chesterton keeps things lively by having his characters act like real people, rather than mouthpieces. From Symes to the Colonel to the mysterious Sunday himself, they all have a sort of friendly, energetic quality. "We're all spies! Come and have a drink!" one of the characters announces cheerfully near the end.

And of course, once the madcap police investigations are finished, there's still a mystery. Who is Sunday? What are his goals? And for that matter, WHAT is Sunday -- genius, force of nature, villain or god? The answer is a bit of a surprise, and as a reflection of Chesterton's beliefs, it's a delicate, intelligent piece of work.

"The Man Who Was Thursday" is a wacky, literate little satire that will both amuse and educate you. Not bad for a book often subtitled "A Nightmare."

A truly wonderful sequel to Book 1!, 04 Sep 2007
My children (and I!) enjoyed Sara Book 1 so much that we couldn't wait for Book 2 to be published in the UK and so sent away to the States! We were not disappointed: Yet another fabulous story interwoven with amazing life-lessons, eye-opening for children and adults alike! Highly recommended :)

Anarchy through the week, 11 Sep 2007
For a book that's as short as this one, "The Man Who Was Thursday" is pretty packed.

G.K. Chesterton's classic novella tackles anarchy, social order, God, peace, war, religion, human nature, and a few dozen other weight concepts. And somehow he manages to mash it all together into a delightful satire, full of tongue-in-cheek commentary that is still relevant today.

As the book opens, Gabriel Symes is debating with a soapbox anarchist. The two men impress each other enough that the anarchist introduces Symes to a seven-man council of anarchists, all named after days of the week. In short order, they elect Symes their newest member -- Thursday.

But they don't know that he's also been recruited by an anti-anarchy organization. And soon Symes finds out that he's not the only person on the council who is not what he seems. There are other spies and double-agents, working for the same cause. But who -- and what -- is the jovial, powerful Mr. Sunday, the head of the organization?

Hot air balloons, elaborate disguises, duels and police chases -- Chesterton certainly knew how to keep this novel interesting. Though written almost a century ago, "The Man Who Was Thursday" still feels very fresh. That's partly because of Chesterton's cheery writing... and partly because it's such an intelligent book.

He doesn't avoid some timeless topics that make some people squirm. Humanity (good and bad), anarchy, religion and its place in human nature, and creation versus destruction all get tackled here -- disguised as a comic police investigation. And unlike most satires, it isn't dated; the topics are reflections of humanity and religion, so they're as relevant now as they were in 1908.

But the story isn't pedantic or boring; Chesterton keeps things lively by having his characters act like real people, rather than mouthpieces. From Symes to the Colonel to the mysterious Sunday himself, they all have a sort of friendly, energetic quality. "We're all spies! Come and have a drink!" one of the characters announces cheerfully near the end.

And of course, once the madcap police investigations are finished, there's still a mystery. Who is Sunday? What are his goals? And for that matter, WHAT is Sunday -- genius, force of nature, villain or god? The answer is a bit of a surprise, and as a reflection of Chesterton's beliefs, it's a delicate, intelligent piece of work.

"The Man Who Was Thursday" is a wacky, literate little satire that will both amuse and educate you. Not bad for a book often subtitled "A Nightmare."

A world of doubt and despair, 28 Oct 2007
In a surreal turn-of-the-century London, Gabriel Syme, a poet, is recruited to a secret anti-anarchist taskforce at Scotland Yard. Lucian Gregory, an anarchist poet, is the only poet in Saffron Park, until he loses his temper in an argument over the purpose of poetry with Gabriel Syme, who takes the opposite view. After some time, the frustrated Gregory finds Syme and leads him to a local anarchist meeting-place to prove that he is a true anarchist. Instead of the anarchist Gregory getting elected, the officer Syme uses his wits and is elected as the local representative to the worldwide Central Council of Anarchists. The Council consists of seven men, each using the name of a day of the week as a code name; Syme is given the name of Thursday. The Secretary is Monday, Radcliffe is Wednesday, Gogol is Tuesday, Professor Worms is Friday, Dr Bull is Saturday and the President is Sunday. In his efforts to thwart the council's intentions, however, Syme discovers that five of the other six members are also undercover detectives; each was just as mysteriously employed and assigned to defeat the Council of Days. They all soon find out that they are fighting each other and not real anarchists; such was the mastermind plan of the genius Sunday. In a dizzying and surreal conclusion, the six champions of order and former anarchist ring-leaders chase down the disturbing and whimsical Sunday, the man who calls himself "The Peace of God".
The book was intended to describe the world of wild doubt and despair which the pessimists were generally describing at the beginning of the 20th century; with just a gleam of hope in some double meaning of the doubt, which even the pessimists felt in some fitful fashion.


The wild joy of being Thursday, 01 May 2006
Witty, wonderfully written and endlessly surprising, The Man who was Thursday is a novel which defies categories. It is hard to believe it was first published a whole century ago and that its protagonists scamper about in tails and top hats 'like black chimney pots'. On one level, it is a breathless thriller worthy of 007 - featuring a descent into an international terrorist organization headquarters, a baffling game of subterfuge between spies and a high speed chase through central London after an elephant and a hot air balloon. On another, it is a profound meditation on the nature of identity and the theological problem of evil. Entertainment and such weighty themes make strange bedfellows indeed, but here it is as if they tear off the sheets and indulge in a 100-page pillow fight so much fun is had by their combination. Chesterton acts as a winking master of revels throughout, orchestrating the chaos in his inimitable style while scattering bon mots and charming comparisons with abandon. One of my personal all time favourites, 'the wild joy of being Thursday' is an experience I will return to again and again.

On Thursday..., 01 Mar 2006
For a book that's as short as this one, "The Man Who Was Thursday" is pretty packed.

G.K. Chesterton's classic novella tackles anarchy, social order, God, peace, war, religion, human nature, and a few dozen other weight concepts. And somehow he manages to mash it all together into a delightful satire, full of tongue-in-cheek commentary that is still relevant today.

As the book opens, Gabriel Symes is debating with a soapbox anarchist. The two men impress each other enough that the anarchist introduces Symes to a seven-man council of anarchists, all named after days of the week. In short order, they elect Symes their newest member -- Thursday.

But they don't know that he's also been recruited by an anti-anarchy organization. And soon Symes finds out that he's not the only person on the council who is not what he seems. There are other spies and double-agents, working for the same cause. But who -- and what -- is the jovial, powerful Mr. Sunday, the head of the organization?

Hot air balloons, elaborate disguises, duels and police chases -- Chesterton certainly knew how to keep this novel interesting. Though written almost a century ago, "The Man Who Was Thursday" still feels very fresh. That's partly because of Chesterton's cheery writing... and partly because it's such an intelligent book.

He doesn't avoid some timeless topics that make some people squirm. Humanity (good and bad), anarchy, religion and its place in human nature, and creation versus destruction all get tackled here -- disguised as a comic police investigation. And unlike most satires, it isn't dated; the topics are reflections of humanity and religion, so they're as relevant now as they were in 1908.

But the story isn't pedantic or boring; Chesterton keeps things lively by having his characters act like real people, rather than mouthpieces. From Symes to the Colonel to the mysterious Sunday himself, they all have a sort of friendly, energetic quality. "We're all spies! Come and have a drink!" one of the characters announces cheerfully near the end.

And of course, once the madcap police investigations are finished, there's still a mystery. Who is Sunday? What are his goals? And for that matter, WHAT is Sunday -- genius, force of nature, villain or god? The answer is a bit of a surprise, and as a reflection of Chesterton's beliefs, it's a delicate, intelligent piece of work.

"The Man Who Was Thursday" is a wacky little satire that will both amuse and educate you. Not bad for a book often subtitled "A Nightmare."

You won't put it down!, 06 May 2004
In this short text, Chesterton shows himself to be a master of a wide variety of styles - the genres of thriller, humour, fantasy, horror and philosophy are only some of those employed by him in this captivating tale. The scholarly introduction illuminates the reader's understanding, whilst also giving details of the contemporary reaction to the text and Chesterton's understanding of it. Although a very different kind of story, this is no less entertaining and thought-provoking than Chesterton's Father Brown stories, and is guaranteed to keep you guessing in just the same way!

Edwardian London through a multi-coloured lens!, 21 Oct 2002
Renowned for his Father Brown stories, GK Chesterton has created a small but perfectly formed classic nightmare-novel.Strange colours and landscapes form around a group of anarchists named after days of the week. The dreamlike quality is enriched by the familiar but almost otherwordly locations,london streets and parks, a winter's night by the Thames, frantic chases accross Northern France and the strange energy of the characters.
At once a realistic fairy tale or a fantastical account of a dream this short story is one to enjoy and immerse yourself in.

A truly wonderful sequel to Book 1!, 04 Sep 2007
My children (and I!) enjoyed Sara Book 1 so much that we couldn't wait for Book 2 to be published in the UK and so sent away to the States! We were not disappointed: Yet another fabulous story interwoven with amazing life-lessons, eye-opening for children and adults alike! Highly recommended :)

Anarchy through the week, 11 Sep 2007
For a book that's as short as this one, "The Man Who Was Thursday" is pretty packed.

G.K. Chesterton's classic novella tackles anarchy, social order, God, peace, war, religion, human nature, and a few dozen other weight concepts. And somehow he manages to mash it all together into a delightful satire, full of tongue-in-cheek commentary that is still relevant today.

As the book opens, Gabriel Symes is debating with a soapbox anarchist. The two men impress each other enough that the anarchist introduces Symes to a seven-man council of anarchists, all named after days of the week. In short order, they elect Symes their newest member -- Thursday.

But they don't know that he's also been recruited by an anti-anarchy organization. And soon Symes finds out that he's not the only person on the council who is not what he seems. There are other spies and double-agents, working for the same cause. But who -- and what -- is the jovial, powerful Mr. Sunday, the head of the organization?

Hot air balloons, elaborate disguises, duels and police chases -- Chesterton certainly knew how to keep this novel interesting. Though written almost a century ago, "The Man Who Was Thursday" still feels very fresh. That's partly because of Chesterton's cheery writing... and partly because it's such an intelligent book.

He doesn't avoid some timeless topics that make some people squirm. Humanity (good and bad), anarchy, religion and its place in human nature, and creation versus destruction all get tackled here -- disguised as a comic police investigation. And unlike most satires, it isn't dated; the topics are reflections of humanity and religion, so they're as relevant now as they were in 1908.

But the story isn't pedantic or boring; Chesterton keeps things lively by having his characters act like real people, rather than mouthpieces. From Symes to the Colonel to the mysterious Sunday himself, they all have a sort of friendly, energetic quality. "We're all spies! Come and have a drink!" one of the characters announces cheerfully near the end.

And of course, once the madcap police investigations are finished, there's still a mystery. Who is Sunday? What are his goals? And for that matter, WHAT is Sunday -- genius, force of nature, villain or god? The answer is a bit of a surprise, and as a reflection of Chesterton's beliefs, it's a delicate, intelligent piece of work.

"The Man Who Was Thursday" is a wacky, literate little satire that will both amuse and educate you. Not bad for a book often subtitled "A Nightmare."

A world of doubt and despair, 28 Oct 2007
In a surreal turn-of-the-century London, Gabriel Syme, a poet, is recruited to a secret anti-anarchist taskforce at Scotland Yard. Lucian Gregory, an anarchist poet, is the only poet in Saffron Park, until he loses his temper in an argument over the purpose of poetry with Gabriel Syme, who takes the opposite view. After some time, the frustrated Gregory finds Syme and leads him to a local anarchist meeting-place to prove that he is a true anarchist. Instead of the anarchist Gregory getting elected, the officer Syme uses his wits and is elected as the local representative to the worldwide Central Council of Anarchists. The Council consists of seven men, each using the name of a day of the week as a code name; Syme is given the name of Thursday. The Secretary is Monday, Radcliffe is Wednesday, Gogol is Tuesday, Professor Worms is Friday, Dr Bull is Saturday and the President is Sunday. In his efforts to thwart the council's intentions, however, Syme discovers that five of the other six members are also undercover detectives; each was just as mysteriously employed and assigned to defeat the Council of Days. They all soon find out that they are fighting each other and not real anarchists; such was the mastermind plan of the genius Sunday. In a dizzying and surreal conclusion, the six champions of order and former anarchist ring-leaders chase down the disturbing and whimsical Sunday, the man who calls himself "The Peace of God".
The book was intended to describe the world of wild doubt and despair which the pessimists were generally describing at the beginning of the 20th century; with just a gleam of hope in some double meaning of the doubt, which even the pessimists felt in some fitful fashion.


The wild joy of being Thursday, 01 May 2006
Witty, wonderfully written and endlessly surprising, The Man who was Thursday is a novel which defies categories. It is hard to believe it was first published a whole century ago and that its protagonists scamper about in tails and top hats 'like black chimney pots'. On one level, it is a breathless thriller worthy of 007 - featuring a descent into an international terrorist organization headquarters, a baffling game of subterfuge between spies and a high speed chase through central London after an elephant and a hot air balloon. On another, it is a profound meditation on the nature of identity and the theological problem of evil. Entertainment and such weighty themes make strange bedfellows indeed, but here it is as if they tear off the sheets and indulge in a 100-page pillow fight so much fun is had by their combination. Chesterton acts as a winking master of revels throughout, orchestrating the chaos in his inimitable style while scattering bon mots and charming comparisons with abandon. One of my personal all time favourites, 'the wild joy of being Thursday' is an experience I will return to again and again.

On Thursday..., 01 Mar 2006
For a book that's as short as this one, "The Man Who Was Thursday" is pretty packed.

G.K. Chesterton's classic novella tackles anarchy, social order, God, peace, war, religion, human nature, and a few dozen other weight concepts. And somehow he manages to mash it all together into a delightful satire, full of tongue-in-cheek commentary that is still relevant today.

As the book opens, Gabriel Symes is debating with a soapbox anarchist. The two men impress each other enough that the anarchist introduces Symes to a seven-man council of anarchists, all named after days of the week. In short order, they elect Symes their newest member -- Thursday.

But they don't know that he's also been recruited by an anti-anarchy organization. And soon Symes finds out that he's not the only person on the council who is not what he seems. There are other spies and double-agents, working for the same cause. But who -- and what -- is the jovial, powerful Mr. Sunday, the head of the organization?

Hot air balloons, elaborate disguises, duels and police chases -- Chesterton certainly knew how to keep this novel interesting. Though written almost a century ago, "The Man Who Was Thursday" still feels very fresh. That's partly because of Chesterton's cheery writing... and partly because it's such an intelligent book.

He doesn't avoid some timeless topics that make some people squirm. Humanity (good and bad), anarchy, religion and its place in human nature, and creation versus destruction all get tackled here -- disguised as a comic police investigation. And unlike most satires, it isn't dated; the topics are reflections of humanity and religion, so they're as relevant now as they were in 1908.

But the story isn't pedantic or boring; Chesterton keeps things lively by having his characters act like real people, rather than mouthpieces. From Symes to the Colonel to the mysterious Sunday himself, they all have a sort of friendly, energetic quality. "We're all spies! Come and have a drink!" one of the characters announces cheerfully near the end.

And of course, once the madcap police investigations are finished, there's still a mystery. Who is Sunday? What are his goals? And for that matter, WHAT is Sunday -- genius, force of nature, villain or god? The answer is a bit of a surprise, and as a reflection of Chesterton's beliefs, it's a delicate, intelligent piece of work.

"The Man Who Was Thursday" is a wacky little satire that will both amuse and educate you. Not bad for a book often subtitled "A Nightmare."

You won't put it down!, 06 May 2004
In this short text, Chesterton shows himself to be a master of a wide variety of styles - the genres of thriller, humour, fantasy, horror and philosophy are only some of those employed by him in this captivating tale. The scholarly introduction illuminates the reader's understanding, whilst also giving details of the contemporary reaction to the text and Chesterton's understanding of it. Although a very different kind of story, this is no less entertaining and thought-provoking than Chesterton's Father Brown stories, and is guaranteed to keep you guessing in just the same way!

Edwardian London through a multi-coloured lens!, 21 Oct 2002
Renowned for his Father Brown stories, GK Chesterton has created a small but perfectly formed classic nightmare-novel.Strange colours and landscapes form around a group of anarchists named after days of the week. The dreamlike quality is enriched by the familiar but almost otherwordly locations,london streets and parks, a winter's night by the Thames, frantic chases accross Northern France and the strange energy of the characters.
At once a realistic fairy tale or a fantastical account of a dream this short story is one to enjoy and immerse yourself in.

Spectacular Research!, 24 Oct 2008
I'm giving this five stars because whether or not you accept it or not, it certainly is deeply and heavily researched. Sitchin has gone into our deep history and has found much hard eveidence to suggest that we have all been sold a dummy, as far as our recorded history is concerned. Never before have I unearthed a more spectacularly written, well researched and thought provoking book ever before. We have all got to at least give ourselves the chance to consider this books research as somewhat possible!

History brought to life, 10 Nov 2003
The book is excellent. There are claims that it is purely fictional, and other claims that it is based on pieces of texts or complete texts. The only real way to be sure would be to ask Sitchin.

Regardless of that, it is a fascinating read. Anyone who is open minded enough to question what they know and take a walk in Sitchin's version of early earth as reached by intense research into all major civilisations, this is the book that could make it all come alive. It'll help firmly imbed in your mind the personalities of the "gods", which will help you understand the rest of his books if you have problems reading them. If you don't care about the rest of the books, it is still one of the single most fascinating reads you'll find for the next few years ;-)

FANTASTIC EXTRATERRESTRIAL FICTION BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS, 27 Feb 2002
The reader will be aware that "The Book of Enki" is a fictional ancient Sumerian text and no such artefact has been unearthed by any archaeological exploration.

In this work the author has skilfully crafted an imaginary ancient record based on available evidence, and the result is as convincing as we could hope in view of his distinguished experience in the study and interpretation of ancient writings. The theme of this ancient fantasy is an autobiographical account by the Sumerian deity, Enki, in which the enthralling role of the gods in early human history is dramatically portrayed. The sequence of events is generally in accordance with the authentic historical record, and entirely consistent with the author's beliefs. The story is easy to follow, accessible and captivating.

The scholarly reader will be disappointed by the absolute absence of any references to support the facts. It is impossible to discriminate between the historical facts in this book and the author's own interpretation, dramatisation or embellishment.

I recommend referring to previous books by this author, where the established facts presented and referenced to support the discussion are conclusive in demonstrating the interventionist viewpoint. In addition, even the less certain interpretations proposed by the author, together with his own ideas and theories, are both fascinating and entertaining to read alongside the more serious arguments in his prior work.

If you are interested in extraterrestrial intervention theory or alien research, ancient history or the history of human civilisation, and if you like to read fiction - especially science fiction - then you will definitely enjoy this book.




breath taking & inlightening, 24 Jan 2002
Zecharia Sitchin, One of the most breath taking
autobiographical accounts I have ever read.
It answers so many questions that to date have never had real answers too, like how we humans came in to being, & how the people of the past could know so much about the universe,
"things that we are only becoming aware of now!"
the book left me totally speachless, congratulations Zecharia.

A truly wonderful sequel to Book 1!, 04 Sep 2007
My children (and I!) enjoyed Sara Book 1 so much that we couldn't wait for Book 2 to be published in the UK and so sent away to the States! We were not disappointed: Yet another fabulous story interwoven with amazing life-lessons, eye-opening for children and adults alike! Highly recommended :)

Anarchy through the week, 11 Sep 2007
For a book that's as short as this one, "The Man Who Was Thursday" is pretty packed.

G.K. Chesterton's classic novella tackles anarchy, social order, God, peace, war, religion, human nature, and a few dozen other weight concepts. And somehow he manages to mash it all together into a delightful satire, full of tongue-in-cheek commentary that is still relevant today.

As the book opens, Gabriel Symes is debating with a soapbox anarchist. The two men impress each other enough that the anarchist introduces Symes to a seven-man council of anarchists, all named after days of the week. In short order, they elect Symes their newest member -- Thursday.

But they don't know that he's also been recruited by an anti-anarchy organization. And soon Symes finds out that he's not the only person on the council who is not what he seems. There are other spies and double-agents, working for the same cause. But who -- and what -- is the jovial, powerful Mr. Sunday, the head of the organization?

Hot air balloons, elaborate disguises, duels and police chases -- Chesterton certainly knew how to keep this novel interesting. Though written almost a century ago, "The Man Who Was Thursday" still feels very fresh. That's partly because of Chesterton's cheery writing... and partly because it's such an intelligent book.

He doesn't avoid some timeless topics that make some people squirm. Humanity (good and bad), anarchy, religion and its place in human nature, and creation versus destruction all get tackled here -- disguised as a comic police investigation. And unlike most satires, it isn't dated; the topics are reflections of humanity and religion, so they're as relevant now as they were in 1908.

But the story isn't pedantic or boring; Chesterton keeps things lively by having his characters act like real people, rather than mouthpieces. From Symes to the Colonel to the mysterious Sunday himself, they all have a sort of friendly, energetic quality. "We're all spies! Come and have a drink!" one of the characters announces cheerfully near the end.

And of course, once the madcap police investigations are finished, there's still a mystery. Who is Sunday? What are his goals? And for that matter, WHAT is Sunday -- genius, force of nature, villain or god? The answer is a bit of a surprise, and as a reflection of Chesterton's beliefs, it's a delicate, intelligent piece of work.

"The Man Who Was Thursday" is a wacky, literate little satire that will both amuse and educate you. Not bad for a book often subtitled "A Nightmare."

A world of doubt and despair, 28 Oct 2007
In a surreal turn-of-the-century London, Gabriel Syme, a poet, is recruited to a secret anti-anarchist taskforce at Scotland Yard. Lucian Gregory, an anarchist poet, is the only poet in Saffron Park, until he loses his temper in an argument over the purpose of poetry with Gabriel Syme, who takes the opposite view. After some time, the frustrated Gregory finds Syme and leads him to a local anarchist meeting-place to prove that he is a true anarchist. Instead of the anarchist Gregory getting elected, the officer Syme uses his wits and is elected as the local representative to the worldwide Central Council of Anarchists. The Council consists of seven men, each using the name of a day of the week as a code name; Syme is given the name of Thursday. The Secretary is Monday, Radcliffe is Wednesday, Gogol is Tuesday, Professor Worms is Friday, Dr Bull is Saturday and the President is Sunday. In his efforts to thwart the council's intentions, however, Syme discovers that five of the other six members are also undercover detectives; each was just as mysteriously employed and assigned to defeat the Council of Days. They all soon find out that they are fighting each other and not real anarchists; such was the mastermind plan of the genius Sunday. In a dizzying and surreal conclusion, the six champions of order and former anarchist ring-leaders chase down the disturbing and whimsical Sunday, the man who calls himself "The Peace of God".
The book was intended to describe the world of wild doubt and despair which the pessimists were generally describing at the beginning of the 20th century; with just a gleam of hope in some double meaning of the doubt, which even the pessimists felt in some fitful fashion.


The wild joy of being Thursday, 01 May 2006
Witty, wonderfully written and endlessly surprising, The Man who was Thursday is a novel which defies categories. It is hard to believe it was first published a whole century ago and that its protagonists scamper about in tails and top hats 'like black chimney pots'. On one level, it is a breathless thriller worthy of 007 - featuring a descent into an international terrorist organization headquarters, a baffling game of subterfuge between spies and a high speed chase through central London after an elephant and a hot air balloon. On another, it is a profound meditation on the nature of identity and the theological problem of evil. Entertainment and such weighty themes make strange bedfellows indeed, but here it is as if they tear off the sheets and indulge in a 100-page pillow fight so much fun is had by their combination. Chesterton acts as a winking master of revels throughout, orchestrating the chaos in his inimitable style while scattering bon mots and charming comparisons with abandon. One of my personal all time favourites, 'the wild joy of being Thursday' is an experience I will return to again and again.

On Thursday..., 01 Mar 2006
For a book that's as short as this one, "The Man Who Was Thursday" is pretty packed.

G.K. Chesterton's classic novella tackles anarchy, social order, God, peace, war, religion, human nature, and a few dozen other weight concepts. And somehow he manages to mash it all together into a delightful satire, full of tongue-in-cheek commentary that is still relevant today.

As the book opens, Gabriel Symes is debating with a soapbox anarchist. The two men impress each other enough that the anarchist introduces Symes to a seven-man council of anarchists, all named after days of the week. In short order, they elect Symes their newest member -- Thursday.

But they don't know that he's also been recruited by an anti-anarchy organization. And soon Symes finds out that he's not the only person on the council who is not what he seems. There are other spies and double-agents, working for the same cause. But who -- and what -- is the jovial, powerful Mr. Sunday, the head of the organization?

Hot air balloons, elaborate disguises, duels and police chases -- Chesterton certainly knew how to keep this novel interesting. Though written almost a century ago, "The Man Who Was Thursday" still feels very fresh. That's partly because of Chesterton's cheery writing... and partly because it's such an intelligent book.

He doesn't avoid some timeless topics that make some people squirm. Humanity (good and bad), anarchy, religion and its place in human nature, and creation versus destruction all get tackled here -- disguised as a comic police investigation. And unlike most satires, it isn't dated; the topics are reflections of humanity and religion, so they're as relevant now as they were in 1908.

But the story isn't pedantic or boring; Chesterton keeps things lively by having his characters act like real people, rather than mouthpieces. From Symes to the Colonel to the mysterious Sunday himself, they all have a sort of friendly, energetic quality. "We're all spies! Come and have a drink!" one of the characters announces cheerfully near the end.

And of course, once the madcap police investigations are finished, there's still a mystery. Who is Sunday? What are his goals? And for that matter, WHAT is Sunday -- genius, force of nature, villain or god? The answer is a bit of a surprise, and as a reflection of Chesterton's beliefs, it's a delicate, intelligent piece of work.

"The Man Who Was Thursday" is a wacky little satire that will both amuse and educate you. Not bad for a book often subtitled "A Nightmare."

You won't put it down!, 06 May 2004
In this short text, Chesterton shows himself to be a master of a wide variety of styles - the genres of thriller, humour, fantasy, horror and philosophy are only some of those employed by him in this captivating tale. The scholarly introduction illuminates the reader's understanding, whilst also giving details of the contemporary reaction to the text and Chesterton's understanding of it. Although a very different kind of story, this is no less entertaining and thought-provoking than Chesterton's Father Brown stories, and is guaranteed to keep you guessing in just the same way!

Edwardian London through a multi-coloured lens!, 21 Oct 2002
Renowned for his Father Brown stories, GK Chesterton has created a small but perfectly formed classic nightmare-novel.Strange colours and landscapes form around a group of anarchists named after days of the week. The dreamlike quality is enriched by the familiar but almost otherwordly locations,london streets and parks, a winter's night by the Thames, frantic chases accross Northern France and the strange energy of the characters.
At once a realistic fairy tale or a fantastical account of a dream this short story is one to enjoy and immerse yourself in.

Spectacular Research!, 24 Oct 2008
I'm giving this five stars because whether or not you accept it or not, it certainly is deeply and heavily researched. Sitchin has gone into our deep history and has found much hard eveidence to suggest that we have all been sold a dummy, as far as our recorded history is concerned. Never before have I unearthed a more spectacularly written, well researched and thought provoking book ever before. We have all got to at least give ourselves the chance to consider this books research as somewhat possible!

History brought to life, 10 Nov 2003
The book is excellent. There are claims that it is purely fictional, and other claims that it is based on pieces of texts or complete texts. The only real way to be sure would be to ask Sitchin.

Regardless of that, it is a fascinating read. Anyone who is open minded enough to question what they know and take a walk in Sitchin's version of early earth as reached by intense research into all major civilisations, this is the book that could make it all come alive. It'll help firmly imbed in your mind the personalities of the "gods", which will help you understand the rest of his books if you have problems reading them. If you don't care about the rest of the books, it is still one of the single most fascinating reads you'll find for the next few years ;-)

FANTASTIC EXTRATERRESTRIAL FICTION BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS, 27 Feb 2002
The reader will be aware that "The Book of Enki" is a fictional ancient Sumerian text and no such artefact has been unearthed by any archaeological exploration.

In this work the author has skilfully crafted an imaginary ancient record based on available evidence, and the result is as convincing as we could hope in view of his distinguished experience in the study and interpretation of ancient writings. The theme of this ancient fantasy is an autobiographical account by the Sumerian deity, Enki, in which the enthralling role of the gods in early human history is dramatically portrayed. The sequence of events is generally in accordance with the authentic historical record, and entirely consistent with the author's beliefs. The story is easy to follow, accessible and captivating.

The scholarly reader will be disappointed by the absolute absence of any references to support the facts. It is impossible to discriminate between the historical facts in this book and the author's own interpretation, dramatisation or embellishment.

I recommend referring to previous books by this author, where the established facts presented and referenced to support the discussion are conclusive in demonstrating the interventionist viewpoint. In addition, even the less certain interpretations proposed by the author, together with his own ideas and theories, are both fascinating and entertaining to read alongside the more serious arguments in his prior work.

If you are interested in extraterrestrial intervention theory or alien research, ancient history or the history of human civilisation, and if you like to read fiction - especially science fiction - then you will definitely enjoy this book.




breath taking & inlightening, 24 Jan 2002
Zecharia Sitchin, One of the most breath taking
autobiographical accounts I have ever read.
It answers so many questions that to date have never had real answers too, like how we humans came in to being, & how the people of the past could know so much about the universe,
"things that we are only becoming aware of now!"
the book left me totally speachless, congratulations Zecharia.

nice idea, possibly unwriteable, 19 Jun 2007
I was prepared to stretch my credulity considering this was a book written in the mid 1970s and there was plenty of off wack new age stuff floating around at that time. However, I cannot forgive some of the stiled and cringemaking writing inside it. It's a really nice idea, it's fairly well constructed, but I get the impression that Mr Matheson ran out of ideas or steam or something and ended up taking the focus away from the very thing that made me pick the book up in the first place.

It's not Shakespeare, or if it is, then it's cymbeline.

A book that should be read by everyone, 28 Aug 2001
This book is the best I have ever read. It is a journal dictated to a medium by a man who has died. It tells of what lies beyond death. It reads like reality and not fiction and one feels uplifted and hopeful after reading it (which is surprising as it is simply a work of fiction). However it was thoroughly researched and the author has drawn from near death experiences, the amount of research shows and the eternal nature of the human soul shine through and make one feel alive. It will also make you examine your life in the here and now and wonder which of your actions will follow you through to the next life and which are superfluous. An amazing read. RUN out and buy it!

The most thought provoking, evocative novel ever., 15 Jul 2001
I read this book with great regularity - as a hospice nurse, having spiritual views can help enormously to cope with death and dying on a daily basis. Whilst it is, indeed, fictional the expansive list of references included demonstrates the amount of research conducted by Mr Matheson. Most of the references are non-fictional studies into near-death experiences. I would urge readers who enjoy this story to take a look at work by Raymond Moody and George Ritchie. The story is all-absorbing - one feels acquainted with Chris Neilson (the dead guy) and desperate for him to find peace. The description of 'Summerland' is fantastic, reassuring (especially if you've been bereaved)and very convincing. It's hard to remember this is a novel not an eye witness account. The film adaptation was a travesty - this book is ahead of its time and an absolute gem.

Fantastic Book Brings Reading Alive!, 22 Aug 2000
I loved this book. Right from the start, it whisks you right into its brilliantly conceived plot and Richard Matheson's brilliant descriptions of the beautiful afterlife are truly marvellous. I am 16 years old and part of a new generation that seems to be more partial to television shows with violence and films with the word 'Destruction' in the tagline. But this brilliant book has brought reading alive for at least one of the new generation. Me. It carefully balances sentiment with horror and at certain points throughout the story I was actually worrying so much for the main characters. Although they are ficticious, I feel like they are brilliant people who really do exist. The film was the same as the book, and yet so different - those of you who have read the book and seen the film will agree. I watched the film first and reading the book second has proved to be a great idea. I wonder is there may be a sequel to when Chris finds Annie? I hope so. I read every word on every page of this book like a hawk in three days I was so impressed by it. I think you will be too.

Affirming my own beliefs, 29 Nov 1999
What a great book, having seen the film with my husband, (my very own lost love) I had to read the book, and loved every page of it. I have been a spiritualist for seven years and all my beliefs were affirmed in this one book.

A truly wonderful sequel to Book 1!, 04 Sep 2007
My children (and I!) enjoyed Sara Book 1 so much that we couldn't wait for Book 2 to be published in the UK and so sent away to the States! We were not disappointed: Yet another fabulous story interwoven with amazing life-lessons, eye-opening for children and adults alike! Highly recommended :)

Anarchy through the week, 11 Sep 2007
For a book that's as short as this one, "The Man Who Was Thursday" is pretty packed.

G.K. Chesterton's classic novella tackles anarchy, social order, God, peace, war, religion, human nature, and a few dozen other weight concepts. And somehow he manages to mash it all together into a delightful satire, full of tongue-in-cheek commentary that is still relevant today.

As the book opens, Gabriel Symes is debating with a soapbox anarchist. The two men impress each other enough that the anarchist introduces Symes to a seven-man council of anarchists, all named after days of the week. In short order, they elect Symes their newest member -- Thursday.

But they don't know that he's also been recruited by an anti-anarchy organization. And soon Symes finds out that he's not the only person on the council who is not what he seems. There are other spies and double-agents, working for the same cause. But who -- and what -- is the jovial, powerful Mr. Sunday, the head of the organization?

Hot air balloons, elaborate disguises, duels and police chases -- Chesterton certainly knew how to keep this novel interesting. Though written almost a century ago, "The Man Who Was Thursday" still feels very fresh. That's partly because of Chesterton's cheery writing... and partly because it's such an intelligent book.

He doesn't avoid some timeless topics that make some people squirm. Humanity (good and bad), anarchy, religion and its place in human nature, and creation versus destruction all get tackled here -- disguised as a comic police investigation. And unlike most satires, it isn't dated; the topics are reflections of humanity and religion, so they're as relevant now as they were in 1908.

But the story isn't pedantic or boring; Chesterton keeps things lively by having his characters act like real people, rather than mouthpieces. From Symes to the Colonel to the mysterious Sunday himself, they all have a sort of friendly, energetic quality. "We're all spies! Come and have a drink!" one of the characters announces cheerfully near the end.

And of course, once the madcap police investigations are finished, there's still a mystery. Who is Sunday? What are his goals? And for that matter, WHAT is Sunday -- genius, force of nature, villain or god? The answer is a bit of a surprise, and as a reflection of Chesterton's beliefs, it's a delicate, intelligent piece of work.

"The Man Who Was Thursday" is a wacky, literate little satire that will both amuse and educate you. Not bad for a book often subtitled "A Nightmare."

A world of doubt and despair, 28 Oct 2007
In a surreal turn-of-the-century London, Gabriel Syme, a poet, is recruited to a secret anti-anarchist taskforce at Scotland Yard. Lucian Gregory, an anarchist poet, is the only poet in Saffron Park, until he loses his temper in an argument over the purpose of poetry with Gabriel Syme, who takes the opposite view. After some time, the frustrated Gregory finds Syme and leads him to a local anarchist meeting-place to prove that he is a true anarchist. Instead of the anarchist Gregory getting elected, the officer Syme uses his wits and is elected as the local representative to the worldwide Central Council of Anarchists. The Council consists of seven men, each using the name of a day of the week as a code name; Syme is given the name of Thursday. The Secretary is Monday, Radcliffe is Wednesday, Gogol is Tuesday, Professor Worms is Friday, Dr Bull is Saturday and the President is Sunday. In his efforts to thwart the council's intentions, however, Syme discovers that five of the other six members are also undercover detectives; each was just as mysteriously employed and assigned to defeat the Council of Days. They all soon find out that they are fighting each other and not real anarchists; such was the mastermind plan of the genius Sunday. In a dizzying and surreal conclusion, the six champions of order and former anarchist ring-leaders chase down the disturbing and whimsical Sunday, the man who calls himself "The Peace of God".
The book was intended to describe the world of wild doubt and despair which the pessimists were generally describing at the beginning of the 20th century; with just a gleam of hope in some double meaning of the doubt, which even the pessimists felt in some fitful fashion.


The wild joy of being Thursday, 01 May 2006
Witty, wonderfully written and endlessly surprising, The Man who was Thursday is a novel which defies categories. It is hard to believe it was first published a whole century ago and that its protagonists scamper about in tails and top hats 'like black chimney pots'. On one level, it is a breathless thriller worthy of 007 - featuring a descent into an international terrorist organization headquarters, a baffling game of subterfuge between spies and a high speed chase through central London after an elephant and a hot air balloon. On another, it is a profound meditation on the nature of identity and the theological problem of evil. Entertainment and such weighty themes make strange bedfellows indeed, but here it is as if they tear off the sheets and indulge in a 100-page pillow fight so much fun is had by their combination. Chesterton acts as a winking master of revels throughout, orchestrating the chaos in his inimitable style while scattering bon mots and charming comparisons with abandon. One of my personal all time favourites, 'the wild joy of being Thursday' is an experience I will return to again and again.

On Thursday..., 01 Mar 2006
For a book that's as short as this one, "The Man Who Was Thursday" is pretty packed.

G.K. Chesterton's classic novella tackles anarchy, social order, God, peace, war, religion, human nature, and a few dozen other weight concepts. And somehow he manages to mash it all together into a delightful satire, full of tongue-in-cheek commentary that is still relevant today.

As the book opens, Gabriel Symes is debating with a soapbox anarchist. The two men impress each other enough that the anarchist introduces Symes to a seven-man council of anarchists, all named after days of the week. In short order, they elect Symes their newest member -- Thursday.

But they don't know that he's also been recruited by an anti-anarchy organization. And soon Symes finds out that he's not the only person on the council who is not what he seems. There are other spies and double-agents, working for the same cause. But who -- and what -- is the jovial, powerful Mr. Sunday, the head of the organization?

Hot air balloons, elaborate disguises, duels and police chases -- Chesterton certainly knew how to keep this novel interesting. Though written almost a century ago, "The Man Who Was Thursday" still feels very fresh. That's partly because of Chesterton's cheery writing... and partly because it's such an intelligent book.

He doesn't avoid some timeless topics that make some people squirm. Humanity (good and bad), anarchy, religion and its place in human nature, and creation versus destruction all get tackled here -- disguised as a comic police investigation. And unlike most satires, it isn't dated; the topics are reflections of humanity and religion, so they're as relevant now as they were in 1908.

But the story isn't pedantic or boring; Chesterton keeps things lively by having his characters act like real people, rather than mouthpieces. From Symes to the Colonel to the mysterious Sunday himself, they all have a sort of friendly, energetic quality. "We're all spies! Come and have a drink!" one of the characters announces cheerfully near the end.

And of course, once the madcap police investigations are finished, there's still a mystery. Who is Sunday? What are his goals? And for that matter, WHAT is Sunday -- genius, force of nature, villain or god? The answer is a bit of a surprise, and as a reflection of Chesterton's beliefs, it's a delicate, intelligent piece of work.

"The Man Who Was Thursday" is a wacky little satire that will both amuse and educate you. Not bad for a book often subtitled "A Nightmare."

You won't put it down!, 06 May 2004
In this short text, Chesterton shows himself to be a master of a wide variety of styles - the genres of thriller, humour, fantasy, horror and philosophy are only some of those employed by him in this captivating tale. The scholarly introduction illuminates the reader's understanding, whilst also giving details of the contemporary reaction to the text and Chesterton's understanding of it. Although a very different kind of story, this is no less entertaining and thought-provoking than Chesterton's Father Brown stories, and is guaranteed to keep you guessing in just the same way!

Edwardian London through a multi-coloured lens!, 21 Oct 2002
Renowned for his Father Brown stories, GK Chesterton has created a small but perfectly formed classic nightmare-novel.Strange colours and landscapes form around a group of anarchists named after days of the week. The dreamlike quality is enriched by the familiar but almost otherwordly locations,london streets and parks, a winter's night by the Thames, frantic chases accross Northern France and the strange energy of the characters.
At once a realistic fairy tale or a fantastical account of a dream this short story is one to enjoy and immerse yourself in.

Spectacular Research!, 24 Oct 2008
I'm giving this five stars because whether or not you accept it or not, it certainly is deeply and heavily researched. Sitchin has gone into our deep history and has found much hard eveidence to suggest that we have all been sold a dummy, as far as our recorded history is concerned. Never before have I unearthed a more spectacularly written, well researched and thought provoking book ever before. We have all got to at least give ourselves the chance to consider this books research as somewhat possible!

History brought to life, 10 Nov 2003
The book is excellent. There are claims that it is purely fictional, and other claims that it is based on pieces of texts or complete texts. The only real way to be sure would be to ask Sitchin.

Regardless of that, it is a fascinating read. Anyone who is open minded enough to question what they know and take a walk in Sitchin's version of early earth as reached by intense research into all major civilisations, this is the book that could make it all come alive. It'll help firmly imbed in your mind the personalities of the "gods", which will help you understand the rest of his books if you have problems reading them. If you don't care about the rest of the books, it is still one of the single most fascinating reads you'll find for the next few years ;-)

FANTASTIC EXTRATERRESTRIAL FICTION BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS, 27 Feb 2002
The reader will be aware that "The Book of Enki" is a fictional ancient Sumerian text and no such artefact has been unearthed by any archaeological exploration.

In this work the author has skilfully crafted an imaginary ancient record based on available evidence, and the result is as convincing as we could hope in view of his distinguished experience in the study and interpretation of ancient writings. The theme of this ancient fantasy is an autobiographical account by the Sumerian deity, Enki, in which the enthralling role of the gods in early human history is dramatically portrayed. The sequence of events is generally in accordance with the authentic historical record, and entirely consistent with the author's beliefs. The story is easy to follow, accessible and captivating.

The scholarly reader will be disappointed by the absolute absence of any references to support the facts. It is impossible to discriminate between the historical facts in this book and the author's own interpretation, dramatisation or embellishment.

I recommend referring to previous books by this author, where the established facts presented and referenced to support the discussion are conclusive in demonstrating the interventionist viewpoint. In addition, even the less certain interpretations proposed by the author, together with his own ideas and theories, are both fascinating and entertaining to read alongside the more serious arguments in his prior work.

If you are interested in extraterrestrial intervention theory or alien research, ancient history or the history of human civilisation, and if you like to read fiction - especially science fiction - then you will definitely enjoy this book.




breath taking & inlightening, 24 Jan 2002
Zecharia Sitchin, One of the most breath taking
autobiographical accounts I have ever read.
It answers so many questions that to date have never had real answers too, like how we humans came in to being, & how the people of the past could know so much about the universe,
"things that we are only becoming aware of now!"
the book left me totally speachless, congratulations Zecharia.

nice idea, possibly unwriteable, 19 Jun 2007
I was prepared to stretch my credulity considering this was a book written in the mid 1970s and there was plenty of off wack new age stuff floating around at that time. However, I cannot forgive some of the stiled and cringemaking writing inside it. It's a really nice idea, it's fairly well constructed, but I get the impression that Mr Matheson ran out of ideas or steam or something and ended up taking the focus away from the very thing that made me pick the book up in the first place.

It's not Shakespeare, or if it is, then it's cymbeline.

A book that should be read by everyone, 28 Aug 2001
This book is the best I have ever read. It is a journal dictated to a medium by a man who has died. It tells of what lies beyond death. It reads like reality and not fiction and one feels uplifted and hopeful after reading it (which is surprising as it is simply a work of fiction). However it was thoroughly researched and the author has drawn from near death experiences, the amount of research shows and the eternal nature of the human soul shine through and make one feel alive. It will also make you examine your life in the here and now and wonder which of your actions will follow you through to the next life and which are superfluous. An amazing read. RUN out and buy it!

The most thought provoking, evocative novel ever., 15 Jul 2001
I read this book with great regularity - as a hospice nurse, having spiritual views can help enormously to cope with death and dying on a daily basis. Whilst it is, indeed, fictional the expansive list of references included demonstrates the amount of research conducted by Mr Matheson. Most of the references are non-fictional studies into near-death experiences. I would urge readers who enjoy this story to take a look at work by Raymond Moody and George Ritchie. The story is all-absorbing - one feels acquainted with Chris Neilson (the dead guy) and desperate for him to find peace. The description of 'Summerland' is fantastic, reassuring (especially if you've been bereaved)and very convincing. It's hard to remember this is a novel not an eye witness account. The film adaptation was a travesty - this book is ahead of its time and an absolute gem.

Fantastic Book Brings Reading Alive!, 22 Aug 2000
I loved this book. Right from the start, it whisks you right into its brilliantly conceived plot and Richard Matheson's brilliant descriptions of the beautiful afterlife are truly marvellous. I am 16 years old and part of a new generation that seems to be more partial to television shows with violence and films with the word 'Destruction' in the tagline. But this brilliant book has brought reading alive for at least one of the new generation. Me. It carefully balances sentiment with horror and at certain points throughout the story I was actually worrying so much for the main characters. Although they are ficticious, I feel like they are brilliant people who really do exist. The film was the same as the book, and yet so different - those of you who have read the book and seen the film will agree. I watched the film first and reading the book second has proved to be a great idea. I wonder is there may be a sequel to when Chris finds Annie? I hope so. I read every word on every page of this book like a hawk in three days I was so impressed by it. I think you will be too.

Affirming my own beliefs, 29 Nov 1999
What a great book, having seen the film with my husband, (my very own lost love) I had to read the book, and loved every page of it. I have been a spiritualist for seven years and all my beliefs were affirmed in this one book.

Truly magical, 15 Aug 2008
I read this book a couple of months ago and found it absolutely engrossing. I too thought it may have been written for younger people, but I think it will appeal to anyone who likes good strong tale telling and characters you come to care about, I love the narration of this book.
I am fortunate to live in Orkney, a recent move, and GMB's descriptive narrative is really spot on in capturing these islands and her own people.

The Charm of the Orkneys, 26 Mar 2008
Like the previous reviewers, I have only just discovered G M Brown, and I certainly expect to read more of his work in the future.

His writing is more lyrical than that of Neil Gunn, but like that great storyteller of Caithness, he succeeded admirably in capturing the atmosphere of northern Scotland, awakening a sense of its long history and opening the minds of its people.

I cannot help comparing this book with Gunn's "Morning Tide", because both works centre on the life of a young boy in the early years of this century, but the two books are different, for, while Gunn creates a convincing character and tells his story, Brown's Thorfinn somehow does not come alive in the same way. He is more of a literary device, a pivotal awareness, through whose reveries we explore the island landscape and come to meet the adult inhabitants. There is, of course, another difference. While Gunn is always conscious of his country's history and culture, the present is what matters; Brown, in this book at least, leads us constantly out of the present and into the more distant past. It is only in the concluding pages that we move into the twentieth century and Thorfinn begins to emerge as a real person.

As I began reading the book and became aware of Brown's simple language and the magical atmosphere of time-travel, I actually wondered whether it was really for children, but his simplicity of style is a means by which he represents the mind of a young child and makes the novel accessible to a very wide public. This is a work of great charm which will appeal to readers of almost any age.


simply magificent, 21 Feb 2007
This is the first book by George Mackay Brown that I have read. It won't be the last. Superb storytelling, wonderful, lyrical language. I bought this out of curiosity on Amazon - an impulse purchase to get over my free delivery point when I was buying WS Graham's collected poems. If you too have stumbled across this book, then take a chance - you won't regret it!

I do wish I had discovered him sooner..., 16 Feb 2006
I have come to George Mackay Brown very late in life and find it rather fascinating that, once a fortnight, I flew over everything he writes of on my way to and from North Sea oil platforms situated north of the Shetlands. I am now too old and infirm to manage to travel to the Orkney Isles which he describes so well, so must content myself with seeking out his works in Amazon's lists. They are well worth the hunt. Anyone with an interest in such things as the sea, small communities, folk, and life in general should take a peek into his books. They are all great volumes to have at the bedside, especially for those interminable insomniac hours: never waste those hours again if you have his books to hand.

spellbinding storytelling by a true bard, 11 Sep 2001
A moving tale suffused with magic, poetry and a deep wisdom. From Orkney's greatest Bard, the pages reveal the life of an islander from birth to death, as straighforward and extraordinary as any life.

As with all GMB's work the language is remarkably simple and yet deeply symbolic. Shortlisted for the Booker prize, this work speaks as perfectly and poetically of our green islands as it does of the nature of man and his place in the universe.

This is the work of a truly great poet. Read it!

A truly wonderful sequel to Book 1!, 04 Sep 2007
My children (and I!) enjoyed Sara Book 1 so much that we couldn't wait for Book 2 to be published in the UK and so sent away to the States! We were not disappointed: Yet another fabulous story interwoven with amazing life-lessons, eye-opening for children and adults alike! Highly recommended :)

Anarchy through the week, 11 Sep 2007
For a book that's as short as this one, "The Man Who Was Thursday" is pretty packed.

G.K. Chesterton's classic novella tackles anarchy, social order, God, peace, war, religion, human nature, and a few dozen other weight concepts. And somehow he manages to mash it all together into a delightful satire, full of tongue-in-cheek commentary that is still relevant today.

As the book opens, Gabriel Symes is debating with a soapbox anarchist. The two men impress each other enough that the anarchist introduces Symes to a seven-man council of anarchists, all named after days of the week. In short order, they elect Symes their newest member -- Thursday.

But they don't know that he's also been recruited by an anti-anarchy organization. And soon Symes finds out that he's not the only person on the council who is not what he seems. There are other spies and double-agents, working for the same cause. But who -- and what -- is the jovial, powerful Mr. Sunday, the head of the organization?

Hot air balloons, elaborate disguises, duels and police chases -- Chesterton certainly knew how to keep this novel interesting. Though written almost a century ago, "The Man Who Was Thursday" still feels very fresh. That's partly because of Chesterton's cheery writing... and partly because it's such an intelligent book.

He doesn't avoid some timeless topics that make some people squirm. Humanity (good and bad), anarchy, religion and its place in human nature, and creation versus destruction all get tackled here -- disguised as a comic police investigation. And unlike most satires, it isn't dated; the topics are reflections of humanity and religion, so they're as relevant now as they were in 1908.

But the story isn't pedantic or boring; Chesterton keeps things lively by having his characters act like real people, rather than mouthpieces. From Symes to the Colonel to the mysterious Sunday himself, they all have a sort of friendly, energetic quality. "We're all spies! Come and have a drink!" one of the characters announces cheerfully near the end.

And of course, once the madcap police investigations are finished, there's still a mystery. Who is Sunday? What are his goals? And for that matter, WHAT is Sunday -- genius, force of nature, villain or god? The answer is a bit of a surprise, and as a reflection of Chesterton's beliefs, it's a delicate, intelligent piece of work.

"The Man Who Was Thursday" is a wacky, literate little satire that will both amuse and educate you. Not bad for a book often subtitled "A Nightmare."

A world of doubt and despair, 28 Oct 2007
In a surreal turn-of-the-century London, Gabriel Syme, a poet, is recruited to a secret anti-anarchist taskforce at Scotland Yard. Lucian Gregory, an anarchist poet, is the only poet in Saffron Park, until he loses his temper in an argument over the purpose of poetry with Gabriel Syme, who takes the opposite view. After some time, the frustrated Gregory finds Syme and leads him to a local anarchist meeting-place to prove that he is a true anarchist. Instead of the anarchist Gregory getting elected, the officer Syme uses his wits and is elected as the local representative to the worldwide Central Council of Anarchists. The Council consists of seven men, each using the name of a day of the week as a code name; Syme is given the name of Thursday. The Secretary is Monday, Radcliffe is Wednesday, Gogol is Tuesday, Professor Worms is Friday, Dr Bull is Saturday and the President is Sunday. In his efforts to thwart the council's intentions, however, Syme discovers that five of the other six members are also undercover detectives; each was just as mysteriously employed and assigned to defeat the Council of Days. They all soon find out that they are fighting each other and not real anarchists; such was the mastermind plan of the genius Sunday. In a dizzying and surreal conclusion, the six champions of order and former anarchist ring-leaders chase down the disturbing and whimsical Sunday, the man who calls himself "The Peace of God".
The book was intended to describe the world of wild doubt and despair which the pessimists were generally describing at the beginning of the 20th century; with just a gleam of hope in some double meaning of the doubt, which even the pessimists felt in some fitful fashion.


The wild joy of being Thursday, 01 May 2006
Witty, wonderfully written and endlessly surprising, The Man who was Thursday is a novel which defies categories. It is hard to believe it was first published a whole century ago and that its protagonists scamper about in tails and top hats 'like black chimney pots'. On one level, it is a breathless thriller worthy of 007 - featuring a descent into an international terrorist organization headquarters, a baffling game of subterfuge between spies and a high speed chase through central London after an elephant and a hot air balloon. On another, it is a profound meditation on the nature of identity and the theological problem of evil. Entertainment and such weighty themes make strange bedfellows indeed, but here it is as if they tear off the sheets and indulge in a 100-page pillow fight so much fun is had by their combination. Chesterton acts as a winking master of revels throughout, orchestrating the chaos in his inimitable style while scattering bon mots and charming comparisons with abandon. One of my personal all time favourites, 'the wild joy of being Thursday' is an experience I will return to again and again.

On Thursday..., 01 Mar 2006
For a book that's as short as this one, "The Man Who Was Thursday" is pretty packed.

G.K. Chesterton's classic novella tackles anarchy, social order, God, peace, war, religion, human nature, and a few dozen other weight concepts. And somehow he manages to mash it all together into a delightful satire, full of tongue-in-cheek commentary that is still relevant today.

As the book opens, Gabriel Symes is debating with a soapbox anarchist. The two men impress each other enough that the anarchist introduces Symes to a seven-man council of anarchists, all named after days of the week. In short order, they elect Symes their newest member -- Thursday.

But they don't know that he's also been recruited by an anti-anarchy organization. And soon Symes finds out that he's not the only person on the council who is not what he seems. There are other spies and double-agents, working for the same cause. But who -- and what -- is the jovial, powerful Mr. Sunday, the head of the organization?

Hot air balloons, elaborate disguises, duels and police chases -- Chesterton certainly knew how to keep this novel interesting. Though written almost a century ago, "The Man Who Was Thursday" still feels very fresh. That's partly because of Chesterton's cheery writing... and partly because it's such an intelligent book.

He doesn't avoid some timeless topics that make some people squirm. Humanity (good and bad), anarchy, religion and its place in human nature, and creation versus destruction all get tackled here -- disguised as a comic police investigation. And unlike most satires, it isn't dated; the topics are reflections of humanity and religion, so they're as relevant now as they were in 1908.

But the story isn't pedantic or boring; Chesterton keeps things lively by having his characters act like real people, rather than mouthpieces. From Symes to the Colonel to the mysterious Sunday himself, they all have a sort of friendly, energetic quality. "We're all spies! Come and have a drink!" one of the characters announces cheerfully near the end.

And of course, once the madcap police investigations are finished, there's still a mystery. Who is Sunday? What are his goals? And for that matter, WHAT is Sunday -- genius, force of nature, villain or god? The answer is a bit of a surprise, and as a reflection of Chesterton's beliefs, it's a delicate, intelligent piece of work.

"The Man Who Was Thursday" is a wacky little satire that will both amuse and educate you. Not bad for a book often subtitled "A Nightmare."

You won't put it down!, 06 May 2004
In this short text, Chesterton shows himself to be a master of a wide variety of styles - the genres of thriller, humour, fantasy, horror and philosophy are only some of those employed by him in this captivating tale. The scholarly introduction illuminates the reader's understanding, whilst also giving details of the contemporary reaction to the text and Chesterton's understanding of it. Although a very different kind of story, this is no less entertaining and thought-provoking than Chesterton's Father Brown stories, and is guaranteed to keep you guessing in just the same way!

Edwardian London through a multi-coloured lens!, 21 Oct 2002
Renowned for his Father Brown stories, GK Chesterton has created a small but perfectly formed classic nightmare-novel.Strange colours and landscapes form around a group of anarchists named after days of the week. The dreamlike quality is enriched by the familiar but almost otherwordly locations,london streets and parks, a winter's night by the Thames, frantic chases accross Northern France and the strange energy of the characters.
At once a realistic fairy tale or a fantastical account of a dream this short story is one to enjoy and immerse yourself in.

Spectacular Research!, 24 Oct 2008
I'm giving this five stars because whether or not you accept it or not, it certainly is deeply and heavily researched. Sitchin has gone into our deep history and has found much hard eveidence to suggest that we have all been sold a dummy, as far as our recorded history is concerned. Never before have I unearthed a more spectacularly written, well researched and thought provoking book ever before. We have all got to at least give ourselves the chance to consider this books research as somewhat possible!

History brought to life, 10 Nov 2003
The book is excellent. There are claims that it is purely fictional, and other claims that it is based on pieces of texts or complete texts. The only real way to be sure would be to ask Sitchin.

Regardless of that, it is a fascinating read. Anyone who is open minded enough to question what they know and take a walk in Sitchin's version of early earth as reached by intense research into all major civilisations, this is the book that could make it all come alive. It'll help firmly imbed in your mind the personalities of the "gods", which will help you understand the rest of his books if you have problems reading them. If you don't care about the rest of the books, it is still one of the single most fascinating reads you'll find for the next few years ;-)

FANTASTIC EXTRATERRESTRIAL FICTION BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS, 27 Feb 2002
The reader will be aware that "The Book of Enki" is a fictional ancient Sumerian text and no such artefact has been unearthed by any archaeological exploration.

In this work the author has skilfully crafted an imaginary ancient record based on available evidence, and the result is as convincing as we could hope in view of his distinguished experience in the study and interpretation of ancient writings. The theme of this ancient fantasy is an autobiographical account by the Sumerian deity, Enki, in which the enthralling role of the gods in early human history is dramatically portrayed. The sequence of events is generally in accordance with the authentic historical record, and entirely consistent with the author's beliefs. The story is easy to follow, accessible and captivating.

The scholarly reader will be disappointed by the absolute absence of any references to support the facts. It is impossible to discriminate between the historical facts in this book and the author's own interpretation, dramatisation or embellishment.

I recommend referring to previous books by this author, where the established facts presented and referenced to support the discussion are conclusive in demonstrating the interventionist viewpoint. In addition, even the less certain interpretations proposed by the author, together with his own ideas and theories, are both fascinating and entertaining to read alongside the more serious arguments in his prior work.

If you are interested in extraterrestrial intervention theory or alien research, ancient history or the history of human civilisation, and if you like to read fiction - especially science fiction - then you will definitely enjoy this book.




breath taking & inlightening, 24 Jan 2002
Zecharia Sitchin, One of the most breath taking
autobiographical accounts I have ever read.
It answers so many questions that to date have never had real answers too, like how we humans came in to being, & how the people of the past could know so much about the universe,
"things that we are only becoming aware of now!"
the book left me totally speachless, congratulations Zecharia.

nice idea, possibly unwriteable, 19 Jun 2007
I was prepared to stretch my credulity considering this was a book written in the mid 1970s and there was plenty of off wack new age stuff floating around at that time. However, I cannot forgive some of the stiled and cringemaking writing inside it. It's a really nice idea, it's fairly well constructed, but I get the impression that Mr Matheson ran out of ideas or steam or something and ended up taking the focus away from the very thing that made me pick the book up in the first place.

It's not Shakespeare, or if it is, then it's cymbeline.

A book that should be read by everyone, 28 Aug 2001
This book is the best I have ever read. It is a journal dictated to a medium by a man who has died. It tells of what lies beyond death. It reads like reality and not fiction and one feels uplifted and hopeful after reading it (which is surprising as it is simply a work of fiction). However it was thoroughly researched and the author has drawn from near death experiences, the amount of research shows and the eternal nature of the human soul shine through and make one feel alive. It will also make you examine your life in the here and now and wonder which of your actions will follow you through to the next life and which are superfluous. An amazing read. RUN out and buy it!

The most thought provoking, evocative novel ever., 15 Jul 2001
I read this book with great regularity - as a hospice nurse, having spiritual views can help enormously to cope with death and dying on a daily basis. Whilst it is, indeed, fictional the expansive list of references included demonstrates the amount of research conducted by Mr Matheson. Most of the references are non-fictional studies into near-death experiences. I would urge readers who enjoy this story to take a look at work by Raymond Moody and George Ritchie. The story is all-absorbing - one feels acquainted with Chris Neilson (the dead guy) and desperate for him to find peace. The description of 'Summerland' is fantastic, reassuring (especially if you've been bereaved)and very convincing. It's hard to remember this is a novel not an eye witness account. The film adaptation was a travesty - this book is ahead of its time and an absolute gem.

Fantastic Book Brings Reading Alive!, 22 Aug 2000
I loved this book. Right from the start, it whisks you right into its brilliantly conceived plot and Richard Matheson's brilliant descriptions of the beautiful afterlife are truly marvellous. I am 16 years old and part of a new generation that seems to be more partial to television shows with violence and films with the word 'Destruction' in the tagline. But this brilliant book has brought reading alive for at least one of the new generation. Me. It carefully balances sentiment with horror and at certain points throughout the story I was actually worrying so much for the main characters. Although they are ficticious, I feel like they are brilliant people who really do exist. The film was the same as the book, and yet so different - those of you who have read the book and seen the film will agree. I watched the film first and reading the book second has proved to be a great idea. I wonder is there may be a sequel to when Chris finds Annie? I hope so. I read every word on every page of this book like a hawk in three days I was so impressed by it. I think you will be too.

Affirming my own beliefs, 29 Nov 1999
What a great book, having seen the film with my husband, (my very own lost love) I had to read the book, and loved every page of it. I have been a spiritualist for seven years and all my beliefs were affirmed in this one book.

Truly magical, 15 Aug 2008
I read this book a couple of months ago and found it absolutely engrossing. I too thought it may have been written for younger people, but I think it will appeal to anyone who likes good strong tale telling and characters you come to care about, I love the narration of this book.
I am fortunate to live in Orkney, a recent move, and GMB's descriptive narrative is really spot on in capturing these islands and her own people.

The Charm of the Orkneys, 26 Mar 2008
Like the previous reviewers, I have only just discovered G M Brown, and I certainly expect to read more of his work in the future.

His writing is more lyrical than that of Neil Gunn, but like that great storyteller of Caithness, he succeeded admirably in capturing the atmosphere of northern Scotland, awakening a sense of its long history and opening the minds of its people.

I cannot help comparing this book with Gunn's "Morning Tide", because both works centre on the life of a young boy in the early years of this century, but the two books are different, for, while Gunn creates a convincing character and tells his story, Brown's Thorfinn somehow does not come alive in the same way. He is more of a literary device, a pivotal awareness, through whose reveries we explore the island landscape and come to meet the adult inhabitants. There is, of course, another difference. While Gunn is always conscious of his country's history and culture, the present is what matters; Brown, in this book at least, leads us constantly out of the present and into the more distant past. It is only in the concluding pages that we move into the twentieth century and Thorfinn begins to emerge as a real person.

As I began reading the book and became aware of Brown's simple language and the magical atmosphere of time-travel, I actually wondered whether it was really for children, but his simplicity of style is a means by which he represents the mind of a young child and makes the novel accessible to a very wide public. This is a work of great charm which will appeal to readers of almost any age.


simply magificent, 21 Feb 2007
This is the first book by George Mackay Brown that I have read. It won't be the last. Superb storytelling, wonderful, lyrical language. I bought this out of curiosity on Amazon - an impulse purchase to get over my free delivery point when I was buying WS Graham's collected poems. If you too have stumbled across this book, then take a chance - you won't regret it!

I do wish I had discovered him sooner..., 16 Feb 2006
I have come to George Mackay Brown very late in life and find it rather fascinating that, once a fortnight, I flew over everything he writes of on my way to and from North Sea oil platforms situated north of the Shetlands. I am now too old and infirm to manage to travel to the Orkney Isles which he describes so well, so must content myself with seeking out his works in Amazon's lists. They are well worth the hunt. Anyone with an interest in such things as the sea, small communities, folk, and life in general should take a peek into his books. They are all great volumes to have at the bedside, especially for those interminable insomniac hours: never waste those hours again if you have his books to hand.

spellbinding storytelling by a true bard, 11 Sep 2001
A moving tale suffused with magic, poetry and a deep wisdom. From Orkney's greatest Bard, the pages reveal the life of an islander from birth to death, as straighforward and extraordinary as any life.

As with all GMB's work the language is remarkably simple and yet deeply symbolic. Shortlisted for the Booker prize, this work speaks as perfectly and poetically of our green islands as it does of the nature of man and his place in the universe.

This is the work of a truly great poet. Read it!

Thought provoking for the first 80% of the book..... , 08 Jan 2007
There is no doubt that, for many reasons, there is much ancient knowledge that has vanished over the centuries and recent discoveries of Sumerian clay tablets and other sources testify to that. Sitchin, like Alan Alford and others, points to the Sumerian tablets that describe the story of the creation of the Earth and the dawn of life in terms that can be strangely close to recent scientific discoveries. Did the ancients really know about the structure of the solar system and the creation of life and space travel and hide these truths within stories passed down through history as myths?
Sitchin's strongest area is on the geology of our solar system and many of the points he makes are intriguing, as is the tie-in with the creation story as told in the ancient stories prior to Genesis being written and not the neutered version in our current bibles.
He ties together a series of events that can be validated scientifically as well as having strong connections with ideas from both evolution AND creationism, apart from those who insist the world was created in 4004 BC who are beyond any sort of help.
This part of the book, by far the the largest part, is superb and well-written and I recommend this to everyone not just those with an interest in ancient knowledge or religion.
Where he loses me though is in the last few chapters when he moves on to a possible threat to Earth from within our own solar system and a tie-in with strange happenings on Mars and its odd moonlets. With many millions being spent on deep-space SETI projects one wonders why anyone would want to avoid evidence in our own relatively local area. The USA, Russian and other Government's "apparent" lack of willingness to release information can only help promote conspiracies. One interesting thought though, would a strongly religious nation disclose new information that could undermine its religious beliefs? May there be a time when the truth is not out there, but locked away somewhere?
Read this book, the last part especially, with an open mind but do your own research as well. There are plenty books you can look up, visit libraries and search on the internet before you make your own minds up.

Fantastic read - very thought provoking, 26 Feb 2006
I have never been a believer of religion, and take all the bibles stories with a pinch of salt. To be honest, i find it sad that modern "man" (and woman) believe in & pray to a mythical god! and simply dismiss any other theories as nonsense!! I have always considered the bible to be a book of stories/fables designed to promote "good" living.

HOWEVER, as i started to read this book i realised that many of the stories from the bible have earlier origins (some 4,000 years earlier) and that perhaps there is some element of fact about them.
I avidly set about finishing Sitchin's book "Genesis Revisited" I was amazed to discover that Sitchin uses & quotes Sumerian texts that describe the creation of mankind. The texts are comparable with those of the bible, BUT, with more accurate translations. For example, the bible describes how God created Adam from the dust of the earth and breathed life in to him. Sitchin describes how the Sumerian texts/words used to describe the ape-like creature found on earth at that time, were "clay" or "dust" of the earth, and how the equivalent texts for what we now call laboratories translate from Sumerian as "the buildings where life is breathed". In other words the clay/dust of the earth (ape-man) was created in alien laboratories. The texts go on to explain how the term Adam should have been translated as Adamah - meaning "slave" - The gods created adamah as a slave to "till the earth" - ie do the laborious work for them.
There are many more examples of how the Sumerian texts can be found in the Christian bible - but have been mis-translated over the years. By the way, these texts pre-date the bible by some 4,000 years! The Bible is nothing more than a copy of these ancient texts written some 4,000 years earlier.
It is probably true to say that some people will simply dismiss Sitchin's book as nonsense. However, these are not simply his fancical theories or dreams - they are backed up by hard evidence - the Sumerian tablets do exist. They do describe God-like beings from the stars. They do describe how the earth was created. Even more difficult to dismiss is the fact that they describe in great details how each planet in our solar syatem is made up, what the atmosphere is like, what colour the planets are etc. All these things modern man has only recently discovered with the aid of massive telescopes and space probes etc. How did the Sumerian people get these facts so right over 6,000 years ago!!

This book has certainly provoked me to read more on this fasinating topic. It is a book that i found hard to put down.
I have always been interested in the theories that mankind was visited in the distant past by travelling "aliens", but this goes one step further. It describes how these aliens moulded the human race "in their own image".
Whether you belive these theories or not, one thing i am certain, you cannot dismiss them until you have read them!

This book modified my views on the Bible., 10 Feb 2002
Read this book and loved it. First came across Zachariah Sitchin through one of david Icke's books and am now buying some of Zachariah's other books. Thought this book was great, before I dismissed the bible as rubbish, now I believe there is alot of fact in genesis if you can work around the guff and correctly interpret the stories. Great conclusions that echoed my thoughts on the subject. This can't be rubbish, Zachariah predicted the colour of Uranus 1 week before modern science saw Uranus via a space probe (Using the sumerian texts). Got to find out more about these sumerian texts.

Your search for God starts here, 14 Jan 2000
Many people wonder where they come from - this book provides many possible or plausible answers. Readers must be discerning enough to put things into their own context. It is indeed provocative and intriguing; it stimulates one to look seriously into the possibility that we are not alone and that we are but a phase of existence of beings who travel in the huge cosmo.

It makes you wonder, 10 Aug 1999
I have to admit at first i was sceptic, but i like to think about myself as an open minded individual so i read it. I couldn't put the book down. Granted some of Mr. Sitchin's ideas are to say the least, provocative, but what if he's right? If you are religious individual it will make you reread the bible time and time again searching for the things he talks about, and if your are not it will make you pick up a the bible and do the same thing. In any case it was and still is a good book, as are all the Earth Chronicle books.