Simply superb, 16 Sep 2008
One of the best biographies i have ever read. Beautifully written and fascinating even for someone like me who had little previous interest in either architecture or the nineteenth century.

THE MAN WHO DESIGNED BIG BEN, 26 Aug 2007
This is a superb biography. If you're interested in the history of English architecture and interior design then this book is unmissable. But Hill's vivid and rich portrait of a complex and driven man, whose ideas were highly influential but whose projects were often blighted, deserves to be read by a much wider readership. Witty, wise, often moving and always informative, GOD'S ARCHITECT is a great read.

Simply superb, 16 Sep 2008
One of the best biographies i have ever read. Beautifully written and fascinating even for someone like me who had little previous interest in either architecture or the nineteenth century.

THE MAN WHO DESIGNED BIG BEN, 26 Aug 2007
This is a superb biography. If you're interested in the history of English architecture and interior design then this book is unmissable. But Hill's vivid and rich portrait of a complex and driven man, whose ideas were highly influential but whose projects were often blighted, deserves to be read by a much wider readership. Witty, wise, often moving and always informative, GOD'S ARCHITECT is a great read.

A charming and delightful book, 13 Oct 2007
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is very tempting to describe the book by what it is not, not autobiography, not a companion to "Sorry I haven't a clue", not about Jazz... Though I think anyone with an interest in these areas will enjoy it.
The book is quite literally a collection of rambling thoughts and reminiscences - which does not sound very appealing. But Humphs love of language and music shine though continually, and it flows along in a delightful manner.
While his achievements in Jazz and Comedy are well known, Humph's journalism successes are perhaps less well known - and in my opinion his abilities as a writer are every bit as great, and that shines from the pages of this book. I really think anyone with a sense of humour will like it - a smile on every page!



Random thoughts of Chairman Humph, 17 Sep 2007
The title says it all - this is a collection of thoughts and memories and definitely NOT an autobiography. On the first page Humph desribes it as "a hotchpotch of thought and memories and this is exactly what it is.
The book is a wonderful encapsulation of the wit and considerable wisdom of the inimitable Humph, with at least one laugh per page and frequently more as Humph seamlessly elides from the consideration of 3 a.m. transport caff meals to the subject of crimes against the decent pronunciation of English within the space of about 30 words. Devoting six hilarious pages to this, he moves, with his own brand of logic to school days at Eton and and thence to dispense a cornucopia of stories and anecdotes about eccentric relations, jazz greats and his own life.
In no particular order we are treated to a wondrous sequence of cameos from the very full and fully-lived life of a man whose humour never conceals his innate wisdom and humanity.
If you enjoy the lunatic humour of "I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue" or if you have an interest in jazz or if you just want a good read, this is it!

Simply superb, 16 Sep 2008
One of the best biographies i have ever read. Beautifully written and fascinating even for someone like me who had little previous interest in either architecture or the nineteenth century.

THE MAN WHO DESIGNED BIG BEN, 26 Aug 2007
This is a superb biography. If you're interested in the history of English architecture and interior design then this book is unmissable. But Hill's vivid and rich portrait of a complex and driven man, whose ideas were highly influential but whose projects were often blighted, deserves to be read by a much wider readership. Witty, wise, often moving and always informative, GOD'S ARCHITECT is a great read.

A charming and delightful book, 13 Oct 2007
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is very tempting to describe the book by what it is not, not autobiography, not a companion to "Sorry I haven't a clue", not about Jazz... Though I think anyone with an interest in these areas will enjoy it.
The book is quite literally a collection of rambling thoughts and reminiscences - which does not sound very appealing. But Humphs love of language and music shine though continually, and it flows along in a delightful manner.
While his achievements in Jazz and Comedy are well known, Humph's journalism successes are perhaps less well known - and in my opinion his abilities as a writer are every bit as great, and that shines from the pages of this book. I really think anyone with a sense of humour will like it - a smile on every page!



Random thoughts of Chairman Humph, 17 Sep 2007
The title says it all - this is a collection of thoughts and memories and definitely NOT an autobiography. On the first page Humph desribes it as "a hotchpotch of thought and memories and this is exactly what it is.
The book is a wonderful encapsulation of the wit and considerable wisdom of the inimitable Humph, with at least one laugh per page and frequently more as Humph seamlessly elides from the consideration of 3 a.m. transport caff meals to the subject of crimes against the decent pronunciation of English within the space of about 30 words. Devoting six hilarious pages to this, he moves, with his own brand of logic to school days at Eton and and thence to dispense a cornucopia of stories and anecdotes about eccentric relations, jazz greats and his own life.
In no particular order we are treated to a wondrous sequence of cameos from the very full and fully-lived life of a man whose humour never conceals his innate wisdom and humanity.
If you enjoy the lunatic humour of "I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue" or if you have an interest in jazz or if you just want a good read, this is it!


The great Francis Bacon, 16 Jul 2006
A fascinating study of the great man and his work. Peppiatt knew Bacon from the 60's onwards, thus the biography feels intimate and true to life and is successful in depicting the flamboyance, complexity and sheer charisma of this important British artist.

Bacon's father is depicted as a key figure, as well as a leitmotif of brutal masculinity in Bacon's paintings. A tyrannical, martial man, (according to Peppiatt, he has his teenage son horsewhipped by his grooms in order to `make him more of a man') he is the very antithesis of the highly intelligent, young, unconventional Bacon. This early encounter with such brutality goes some way to explaining the power and masculine energy so apparent in Bacon's paintings, as well as the sado-masochistic and destructive nature of his sexual relationships.

Peppiatt describes Bacon's influences - Picasso's biomorhic figures as well as his 'Crucifixion', the photographic images of Edweard Muybridge, Velasquez's 'Pope Innocent X', which inspired the 'Screaming Pope' series.

Bacon's days spent as `bon viveur', drinking vast quantities of alcohol at the Colony in Soho, with the cliquey, languorous dry wit of camp proprietress, Muriel Belcher is captured wonderfully ("Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends!", as Bacon once declared), as well as his slightly alarming brush with the Kray twins (who fascinated him), and his doomed relationship with his tragic muse, George Dyer.

All in all this is an immensely enjoyable read as well as providing a real insight into the artist and his work.

highly entertaining and informative, 17 May 2000
Peppiatt's indepth knowledge and presentation made this book an absolute joy to read. Going farther and deeper than Farson with complete excavation of and endearment for Bacon.A great character, the book a sheer delight.

Simply superb, 16 Sep 2008
One of the best biographies i have ever read. Beautifully written and fascinating even for someone like me who had little previous interest in either architecture or the nineteenth century.

THE MAN WHO DESIGNED BIG BEN, 26 Aug 2007
This is a superb biography. If you're interested in the history of English architecture and interior design then this book is unmissable. But Hill's vivid and rich portrait of a complex and driven man, whose ideas were highly influential but whose projects were often blighted, deserves to be read by a much wider readership. Witty, wise, often moving and always informative, GOD'S ARCHITECT is a great read.

A charming and delightful book, 13 Oct 2007
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is very tempting to describe the book by what it is not, not autobiography, not a companion to "Sorry I haven't a clue", not about Jazz... Though I think anyone with an interest in these areas will enjoy it.
The book is quite literally a collection of rambling thoughts and reminiscences - which does not sound very appealing. But Humphs love of language and music shine though continually, and it flows along in a delightful manner.
While his achievements in Jazz and Comedy are well known, Humph's journalism successes are perhaps less well known - and in my opinion his abilities as a writer are every bit as great, and that shines from the pages of this book. I really think anyone with a sense of humour will like it - a smile on every page!



Random thoughts of Chairman Humph, 17 Sep 2007
The title says it all - this is a collection of thoughts and memories and definitely NOT an autobiography. On the first page Humph desribes it as "a hotchpotch of thought and memories and this is exactly what it is.
The book is a wonderful encapsulation of the wit and considerable wisdom of the inimitable Humph, with at least one laugh per page and frequently more as Humph seamlessly elides from the consideration of 3 a.m. transport caff meals to the subject of crimes against the decent pronunciation of English within the space of about 30 words. Devoting six hilarious pages to this, he moves, with his own brand of logic to school days at Eton and and thence to dispense a cornucopia of stories and anecdotes about eccentric relations, jazz greats and his own life.
In no particular order we are treated to a wondrous sequence of cameos from the very full and fully-lived life of a man whose humour never conceals his innate wisdom and humanity.
If you enjoy the lunatic humour of "I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue" or if you have an interest in jazz or if you just want a good read, this is it!


The great Francis Bacon, 16 Jul 2006
A fascinating study of the great man and his work. Peppiatt knew Bacon from the 60's onwards, thus the biography feels intimate and true to life and is successful in depicting the flamboyance, complexity and sheer charisma of this important British artist.

Bacon's father is depicted as a key figure, as well as a leitmotif of brutal masculinity in Bacon's paintings. A tyrannical, martial man, (according to Peppiatt, he has his teenage son horsewhipped by his grooms in order to `make him more of a man') he is the very antithesis of the highly intelligent, young, unconventional Bacon. This early encounter with such brutality goes some way to explaining the power and masculine energy so apparent in Bacon's paintings, as well as the sado-masochistic and destructive nature of his sexual relationships.

Peppiatt describes Bacon's influences - Picasso's biomorhic figures as well as his 'Crucifixion', the photographic images of Edweard Muybridge, Velasquez's 'Pope Innocent X', which inspired the 'Screaming Pope' series.

Bacon's days spent as `bon viveur', drinking vast quantities of alcohol at the Colony in Soho, with the cliquey, languorous dry wit of camp proprietress, Muriel Belcher is captured wonderfully ("Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends!", as Bacon once declared), as well as his slightly alarming brush with the Kray twins (who fascinated him), and his doomed relationship with his tragic muse, George Dyer.

All in all this is an immensely enjoyable read as well as providing a real insight into the artist and his work.

highly entertaining and informative, 17 May 2000
Peppiatt's indepth knowledge and presentation made this book an absolute joy to read. Going farther and deeper than Farson with complete excavation of and endearment for Bacon.A great character, the book a sheer delight.

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vivienne's clothes speak for themselves. The full page glossy pictures of the most influential designer of the 20th Century almost make you salivate. I used to shop at World's End and wore the original Pirate range, but even then I'd still forgotten just how stunning it was. If you are interested in fashion, music, history, art, literature, anarchy and chaos, then this is for you.

worth it!!, 08 Jun 2005
If like me, you are fascinated by Vivienne westwood's achievements in fashion then you wont be disappointed. This book was released to accompany the V&A exhibition last year, which was fantastic. I orginially intended to buy this book at the exhibition as a souvenir of the wonderful show, however i lacked the money at the time and was over the moon when i found it on amazon.

The book itself, is better than any of the attempts at writing a decent biography of her career. This is because of the huge contribution westwood made towards the book, which includes pictures from her own collection- and most notably the foreward at the beginning from the designer herself. She worked closely with clare wilcox, who organised the V&A exhibition so she knows her stuff!

And so it begins with the foreward, then a concise history of her career. From her childhood where she made her own clothes, to her punk days with mclaren and onto the present day.
The vast majority of the book is made up of pictures/photos of her much of her collections up to the present day.

It is such an amazing book, i like to flick through it every now and then to draw some inspiration from this truly amazing designer.

Simply superb, 16 Sep 2008
One of the best biographies i have ever read. Beautifully written and fascinating even for someone like me who had little previous interest in either architecture or the nineteenth century.

THE MAN WHO DESIGNED BIG BEN, 26 Aug 2007
This is a superb biography. If you're interested in the history of English architecture and interior design then this book is unmissable. But Hill's vivid and rich portrait of a complex and driven man, whose ideas were highly influential but whose projects were often blighted, deserves to be read by a much wider readership. Witty, wise, often moving and always informative, GOD'S ARCHITECT is a great read.

A charming and delightful book, 13 Oct 2007
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is very tempting to describe the book by what it is not, not autobiography, not a companion to "Sorry I haven't a clue", not about Jazz... Though I think anyone with an interest in these areas will enjoy it.
The book is quite literally a collection of rambling thoughts and reminiscences - which does not sound very appealing. But Humphs love of language and music shine though continually, and it flows along in a delightful manner.
While his achievements in Jazz and Comedy are well known, Humph's journalism successes are perhaps less well known - and in my opinion his abilities as a writer are every bit as great, and that shines from the pages of this book. I really think anyone with a sense of humour will like it - a smile on every page!



Random thoughts of Chairman Humph, 17 Sep 2007
The title says it all - this is a collection of thoughts and memories and definitely NOT an autobiography. On the first page Humph desribes it as "a hotchpotch of thought and memories and this is exactly what it is.
The book is a wonderful encapsulation of the wit and considerable wisdom of the inimitable Humph, with at least one laugh per page and frequently more as Humph seamlessly elides from the consideration of 3 a.m. transport caff meals to the subject of crimes against the decent pronunciation of English within the space of about 30 words. Devoting six hilarious pages to this, he moves, with his own brand of logic to school days at Eton and and thence to dispense a cornucopia of stories and anecdotes about eccentric relations, jazz greats and his own life.
In no particular order we are treated to a wondrous sequence of cameos from the very full and fully-lived life of a man whose humour never conceals his innate wisdom and humanity.
If you enjoy the lunatic humour of "I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue" or if you have an interest in jazz or if you just want a good read, this is it!


The great Francis Bacon, 16 Jul 2006
A fascinating study of the great man and his work. Peppiatt knew Bacon from the 60's onwards, thus the biography feels intimate and true to life and is successful in depicting the flamboyance, complexity and sheer charisma of this important British artist.

Bacon's father is depicted as a key figure, as well as a leitmotif of brutal masculinity in Bacon's paintings. A tyrannical, martial man, (according to Peppiatt, he has his teenage son horsewhipped by his grooms in order to `make him more of a man') he is the very antithesis of the highly intelligent, young, unconventional Bacon. This early encounter with such brutality goes some way to explaining the power and masculine energy so apparent in Bacon's paintings, as well as the sado-masochistic and destructive nature of his sexual relationships.

Peppiatt describes Bacon's influences - Picasso's biomorhic figures as well as his 'Crucifixion', the photographic images of Edweard Muybridge, Velasquez's 'Pope Innocent X', which inspired the 'Screaming Pope' series.

Bacon's days spent as `bon viveur', drinking vast quantities of alcohol at the Colony in Soho, with the cliquey, languorous dry wit of camp proprietress, Muriel Belcher is captured wonderfully ("Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends!", as Bacon once declared), as well as his slightly alarming brush with the Kray twins (who fascinated him), and his doomed relationship with his tragic muse, George Dyer.

All in all this is an immensely enjoyable read as well as providing a real insight into the artist and his work.

highly entertaining and informative, 17 May 2000
Peppiatt's indepth knowledge and presentation made this book an absolute joy to read. Going farther and deeper than Farson with complete excavation of and endearment for Bacon.A great character, the book a sheer delight.

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vivienne's clothes speak for themselves. The full page glossy pictures of the most influential designer of the 20th Century almost make you salivate. I used to shop at World's End and wore the original Pirate range, but even then I'd still forgotten just how stunning it was. If you are interested in fashion, music, history, art, literature, anarchy and chaos, then this is for you.

worth it!!, 08 Jun 2005
If like me, you are fascinated by Vivienne westwood's achievements in fashion then you wont be disappointed. This book was released to accompany the V&A exhibition last year, which was fantastic. I orginially intended to buy this book at the exhibition as a souvenir of the wonderful show, however i lacked the money at the time and was over the moon when i found it on amazon.

The book itself, is better than any of the attempts at writing a decent biography of her career. This is because of the huge contribution westwood made towards the book, which includes pictures from her own collection- and most notably the foreward at the beginning from the designer herself. She worked closely with clare wilcox, who organised the V&A exhibition so she knows her stuff!

And so it begins with the foreward, then a concise history of her career. From her childhood where she made her own clothes, to her punk days with mclaren and onto the present day.
The vast majority of the book is made up of pictures/photos of her much of her collections up to the present day.

It is such an amazing book, i like to flick through it every now and then to draw some inspiration from this truly amazing designer.

Useful... occasinally, 27 Nov 2005
Very often I have come to use this book and not been able to find what I need, probably best for reasearching more traditional artists etc, but can be very useful to have at hand. Also this, the 7th edition, whs first published in 1997 and I don't think it has been updated since which is probably necessary.

A dictionary worth swallowing, digesting, and regurgitating., 13 Jan 2001
This book is compact yet detailed. Pick any noteworthy artist and they are guaranteed to be depicted here in more than a passing definition. As a student of art, it has proved invaluable as a resource and is the first port-of-call for any research required. Equally, as a bed-time read, simply by opening a page I can always be sure to learn something new about the world of art.

Simply superb, 16 Sep 2008
One of the best biographies i have ever read. Beautifully written and fascinating even for someone like me who had little previous interest in either architecture or the nineteenth century.

THE MAN WHO DESIGNED BIG BEN, 26 Aug 2007
This is a superb biography. If you're interested in the history of English architecture and interior design then this book is unmissable. But Hill's vivid and rich portrait of a complex and driven man, whose ideas were highly influential but whose projects were often blighted, deserves to be read by a much wider readership. Witty, wise, often moving and always informative, GOD'S ARCHITECT is a great read.

A charming and delightful book, 13 Oct 2007
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is very tempting to describe the book by what it is not, not autobiography, not a companion to "Sorry I haven't a clue", not about Jazz... Though I think anyone with an interest in these areas will enjoy it.
The book is quite literally a collection of rambling thoughts and reminiscences - which does not sound very appealing. But Humphs love of language and music shine though continually, and it flows along in a delightful manner.
While his achievements in Jazz and Comedy are well known, Humph's journalism successes are perhaps less well known - and in my opinion his abilities as a writer are every bit as great, and that shines from the pages of this book. I really think anyone with a sense of humour will like it - a smile on every page!



Random thoughts of Chairman Humph, 17 Sep 2007
The title says it all - this is a collection of thoughts and memories and definitely NOT an autobiography. On the first page Humph desribes it as "a hotchpotch of thought and memories and this is exactly what it is.
The book is a wonderful encapsulation of the wit and considerable wisdom of the inimitable Humph, with at least one laugh per page and frequently more as Humph seamlessly elides from the consideration of 3 a.m. transport caff meals to the subject of crimes against the decent pronunciation of English within the space of about 30 words. Devoting six hilarious pages to this, he moves, with his own brand of logic to school days at Eton and and thence to dispense a cornucopia of stories and anecdotes about eccentric relations, jazz greats and his own life.
In no particular order we are treated to a wondrous sequence of cameos from the very full and fully-lived life of a man whose humour never conceals his innate wisdom and humanity.
If you enjoy the lunatic humour of "I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue" or if you have an interest in jazz or if you just want a good read, this is it!


The great Francis Bacon, 16 Jul 2006
A fascinating study of the great man and his work. Peppiatt knew Bacon from the 60's onwards, thus the biography feels intimate and true to life and is successful in depicting the flamboyance, complexity and sheer charisma of this important British artist.

Bacon's father is depicted as a key figure, as well as a leitmotif of brutal masculinity in Bacon's paintings. A tyrannical, martial man, (according to Peppiatt, he has his teenage son horsewhipped by his grooms in order to `make him more of a man') he is the very antithesis of the highly intelligent, young, unconventional Bacon. This early encounter with such brutality goes some way to explaining the power and masculine energy so apparent in Bacon's paintings, as well as the sado-masochistic and destructive nature of his sexual relationships.

Peppiatt describes Bacon's influences - Picasso's biomorhic figures as well as his 'Crucifixion', the photographic images of Edweard Muybridge, Velasquez's 'Pope Innocent X', which inspired the 'Screaming Pope' series.

Bacon's days spent as `bon viveur', drinking vast quantities of alcohol at the Colony in Soho, with the cliquey, languorous dry wit of camp proprietress, Muriel Belcher is captured wonderfully ("Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends!", as Bacon once declared), as well as his slightly alarming brush with the Kray twins (who fascinated him), and his doomed relationship with his tragic muse, George Dyer.

All in all this is an immensely enjoyable read as well as providing a real insight into the artist and his work.

highly entertaining and informative, 17 May 2000
Peppiatt's indepth knowledge and presentation made this book an absolute joy to read. Going farther and deeper than Farson with complete excavation of and endearment for Bacon.A great character, the book a sheer delight.

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vivienne's clothes speak for themselves. The full page glossy pictures of the most influential designer of the 20th Century almost make you salivate. I used to shop at World's End and wore the original Pirate range, but even then I'd still forgotten just how stunning it was. If you are interested in fashion, music, history, art, literature, anarchy and chaos, then this is for you.

worth it!!, 08 Jun 2005
If like me, you are fascinated by Vivienne westwood's achievements in fashion then you wont be disappointed. This book was released to accompany the V&A exhibition last year, which was fantastic. I orginially intended to buy this book at the exhibition as a souvenir of the wonderful show, however i lacked the money at the time and was over the moon when i found it on amazon.

The book itself, is better than any of the attempts at writing a decent biography of her career. This is because of the huge contribution westwood made towards the book, which includes pictures from her own collection- and most notably the foreward at the beginning from the designer herself. She worked closely with clare wilcox, who organised the V&A exhibition so she knows her stuff!

And so it begins with the foreward, then a concise history of her career. From her childhood where she made her own clothes, to her punk days with mclaren and onto the present day.
The vast majority of the book is made up of pictures/photos of her much of her collections up to the present day.

It is such an amazing book, i like to flick through it every now and then to draw some inspiration from this truly amazing designer.

Useful... occasinally, 27 Nov 2005
Very often I have come to use this book and not been able to find what I need, probably best for reasearching more traditional artists etc, but can be very useful to have at hand. Also this, the 7th edition, whs first published in 1997 and I don't think it has been updated since which is probably necessary.

A dictionary worth swallowing, digesting, and regurgitating., 13 Jan 2001
This book is compact yet detailed. Pick any noteworthy artist and they are guaranteed to be depicted here in more than a passing definition. As a student of art, it has proved invaluable as a resource and is the first port-of-call for any research required. Equally, as a bed-time read, simply by opening a page I can always be sure to learn something new about the world of art.

Fantastic, 29 Aug 2008
A truly heartwarming ending to a incredible sad, inspiring and uplifting story. Proving that anyone can make a difference.

Beautifully touching, 04 Jan 2008
This is another fine work from Hayden, up there with her best.

Taking place after the mainstreaming act, which eliminated classes for disordered children, Torey is acting as a resource room teacher and doesn't have a proper class of her own. Soon into the year though a young boy appears who just will not fit in anywhere else. Boo's parents are at their wits end and can't cope with the autistic child on their own anymore. Soon Torey finds the child has come to join her in the afternoons along with her lovable, caring but brain damaged resource student Lori. Not knowing what to do with the unusual and very different pair she finds herself in at the deep end and with a very small, but no less troublesome, class of her own once again. But it isn't left there: throughout the following months two more children who have slipped through the system fall into her care. 11 year old Tomaso suffers violent rages after the death of his father and his being put into foster care and it is put down to Hayden to tame him. Then 12 year old Claudia emerges: pregnant, confused and vulnerable she has been pulled out of her Catholic school to finish the year alongside the other children in Hayden's class.

Ranging from seven to twelve, and with a number of different problems of their own, Torey has to pull out all the stops and use every trick in the book to makes sure she gets the children where they need to be by the end of their year together. With her home life deteriorating around her she finds herself engulfed more than ever in the education of these children and trying to find ways to make them ready to be mainstreamed once again. However, in one of the hardest struggles yet Hayden finds herself in constant arguments with another teacher, subject to classroom inspections and trying to work miracles for the children she has grown to love so much.

This was a very endearing tale and shows how, in times of need, all kinds of characters can pull together to ensure goals are met. What, at the beginning, seems like a mismatched class which will never work, turns into a series of beautiful friendships and proves that education may not be the most important thing after all- emotions and friendship are the key to being happy.

This is the kind of book which is very hard to put down. A real-page turner, it teaches much about life and shows that things are never as dire as they may seem. This is classic Hayden and shows once again her wonderful gift for bringing out the best in people and never giving up. Definitely give this a try: inspirational, emotional and beautifully written at the same time this is one that should not be passed up.


Somebody else's kids, 07 Nov 2007
As with all of her books, I loved it. Heart warming whenever progress however small is made and heart breaking when none can be made.

Simply superb, 16 Sep 2008
One of the best biographies i have ever read. Beautifully written and fascinating even for someone like me who had little previous interest in either architecture or the nineteenth century.

THE MAN WHO DESIGNED BIG BEN, 26 Aug 2007
This is a superb biography. If you're interested in the history of English architecture and interior design then this book is unmissable. But Hill's vivid and rich portrait of a complex and driven man, whose ideas were highly influential but whose projects were often blighted, deserves to be read by a much wider readership. Witty, wise, often moving and always informative, GOD'S ARCHITECT is a great read.

A charming and delightful book, 13 Oct 2007
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is very tempting to describe the book by what it is not, not autobiography, not a companion to "Sorry I haven't a clue", not about Jazz... Though I think anyone with an interest in these areas will enjoy it.
The book is quite literally a collection of rambling thoughts and reminiscences - which does not sound very appealing. But Humphs love of language and music shine though continually, and it flows along in a delightful manner.
While his achievements in Jazz and Comedy are well known, Humph's journalism successes are perhaps less well known - and in my opinion his abilities as a writer are every bit as great, and that shines from the pages of this book. I really think anyone with a sense of humour will like it - a smile on every page!



Random thoughts of Chairman Humph, 17 Sep 2007
The title says it all - this is a collection of thoughts and memories and definitely NOT an autobiography. On the first page Humph desribes it as "a hotchpotch of thought and memories and this is exactly what it is.
The book is a wonderful encapsulation of the wit and considerable wisdom of the inimitable Humph, with at least one laugh per page and frequently more as Humph seamlessly elides from the consideration of 3 a.m. transport caff meals to the subject of crimes against the decent pronunciation of English within the space of about 30 words. Devoting six hilarious pages to this, he moves, with his own brand of logic to school days at Eton and and thence to dispense a cornucopia of stories and anecdotes about eccentric relations, jazz greats and his own life.
In no particular order we are treated to a wondrous sequence of cameos from the very full and fully-lived life of a man whose humour never conceals his innate wisdom and humanity.
If you enjoy the lunatic humour of "I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue" or if you have an interest in jazz or if you just want a good read, this is it!


The great Francis Bacon, 16 Jul 2006
A fascinating study of the great man and his work. Peppiatt knew Bacon from the 60's onwards, thus the biography feels intimate and true to life and is successful in depicting the flamboyance, complexity and sheer charisma of this important British artist.

Bacon's father is depicted as a key figure, as well as a leitmotif of brutal masculinity in Bacon's paintings. A tyrannical, martial man, (according to Peppiatt, he has his teenage son horsewhipped by his grooms in order to `make him more of a man') he is the very antithesis of the highly intelligent, young, unconventional Bacon. This early encounter with such brutality goes some way to explaining the power and masculine energy so apparent in Bacon's paintings, as well as the sado-masochistic and destructive nature of his sexual relationships.

Peppiatt describes Bacon's influences - Picasso's biomorhic figures as well as his 'Crucifixion', the photographic images of Edweard Muybridge, Velasquez's 'Pope Innocent X', which inspired the 'Screaming Pope' series.

Bacon's days spent as `bon viveur', drinking vast quantities of alcohol at the Colony in Soho, with the cliquey, languorous dry wit of camp proprietress, Muriel Belcher is captured wonderfully ("Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends!", as Bacon once declared), as well as his slightly alarming brush with the Kray twins (who fascinated him), and his doomed relationship with his tragic muse, George Dyer.

All in all this is an immensely enjoyable read as well as providing a real insight into the artist and his work.

highly entertaining and informative, 17 May 2000
Peppiatt's indepth knowledge and presentation made this book an absolute joy to read. Going farther and deeper than Farson with complete excavation of and endearment for Bacon.A great character, the book a sheer delight.

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vivienne's clothes speak for themselves. The full page glossy pictures of the most influential designer of the 20th Century almost make you salivate. I used to shop at World's End and wore the original Pirate range, but even then I'd still forgotten just how stunning it was. If you are interested in fashion, music, history, art, literature, anarchy and chaos, then this is for you.

worth it!!, 08 Jun 2005
If like me, you are fascinated by Vivienne westwood's achievements in fashion then you wont be disappointed. This book was released to accompany the V&A exhibition last year, which was fantastic. I orginially intended to buy this book at the exhibition as a souvenir of the wonderful show, however i lacked the money at the time and was over the moon when i found it on amazon.

The book itself, is better than any of the attempts at writing a decent biography of her career. This is because of the huge contribution westwood made towards the book, which includes pictures from her own collection- and most notably the foreward at the beginning from the designer herself. She worked closely with clare wilcox, who organised the V&A exhibition so she knows her stuff!

And so it begins with the foreward, then a concise history of her career. From her childhood where she made her own clothes, to her punk days with mclaren and onto the present day.
The vast majority of the book is made up of pictures/photos of her much of her collections up to the present day.

It is such an amazing book, i like to flick through it every now and then to draw some inspiration from this truly amazing designer.

Useful... occasinally, 27 Nov 2005
Very often I have come to use this book and not been able to find what I need, probably best for reasearching more traditional artists etc, but can be very useful to have at hand. Also this, the 7th edition, whs first published in 1997 and I don't think it has been updated since which is probably necessary.

A dictionary worth swallowing, digesting, and regurgitating., 13 Jan 2001
This book is compact yet detailed. Pick any noteworthy artist and they are guaranteed to be depicted here in more than a passing definition. As a student of art, it has proved invaluable as a resource and is the first port-of-call for any research required. Equally, as a bed-time read, simply by opening a page I can always be sure to learn something new about the world of art.

Fantastic, 29 Aug 2008
A truly heartwarming ending to a incredible sad, inspiring and uplifting story. Proving that anyone can make a difference.

Beautifully touching, 04 Jan 2008
This is another fine work from Hayden, up there with her best.

Taking place after the mainstreaming act, which eliminated classes for disordered children, Torey is acting as a resource room teacher and doesn't have a proper class of her own. Soon into the year though a young boy appears who just will not fit in anywhere else. Boo's parents are at their wits end and can't cope with the autistic child on their own anymore. Soon Torey finds the child has come to join her in the afternoons along with her lovable, caring but brain damaged resource student Lori. Not knowing what to do with the unusual and very different pair she finds herself in at the deep end and with a very small, but no less troublesome, class of her own once again. But it isn't left there: throughout the following months two more children who have slipped through the system fall into her care. 11 year old Tomaso suffers violent rages after the death of his father and his being put into foster care and it is put down to Hayden to tame him. Then 12 year old Claudia emerges: pregnant, confused and vulnerable she has been pulled out of her Catholic school to finish the year alongside the other children in Hayden's class.

Ranging from seven to twelve, and with a number of different problems of their own, Torey has to pull out all the stops and use every trick in the book to makes sure she gets the children where they need to be by the end of their year together. With her home life deteriorating around her she finds herself engulfed more than ever in the education of these children and trying to find ways to make them ready to be mainstreamed once again. However, in one of the hardest struggles yet Hayden finds herself in constant arguments with another teacher, subject to classroom inspections and trying to work miracles for the children she has grown to love so much.

This was a very endearing tale and shows how, in times of need, all kinds of characters can pull together to ensure goals are met. What, at the beginning, seems like a mismatched class which will never work, turns into a series of beautiful friendships and proves that education may not be the most important thing after all- emotions and friendship are the key to being happy.

This is the kind of book which is very hard to put down. A real-page turner, it teaches much about life and shows that things are never as dire as they may seem. This is classic Hayden and shows once again her wonderful gift for bringing out the best in people and never giving up. Definitely give this a try: inspirational, emotional and beautifully written at the same time this is one that should not be passed up.


Somebody else's kids, 07 Nov 2007
As with all of her books, I loved it. Heart warming whenever progress however small is made and heart breaking when none can be made.

YSL is a legend and his style is forever!!!, 09 Sep 2008
i bought this book after some consideration and i don;t regret it at all. admittedly, the cover is such a turn off...but the inside, the contents, are amazing!!! from sketches to actual pieces from the Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent museum in France...it like peering into his mind. y the books has been put together, it's like taking a tour. :) love this book!!!

Simply superb, 16 Sep 2008
One of the best biographies i have ever read. Beautifully written and fascinating even for someone like me who had little previous interest in either architecture or the nineteenth century.

THE MAN WHO DESIGNED BIG BEN, 26 Aug 2007
This is a superb biography. If you're interested in the history of English architecture and interior design then this book is unmissable. But Hill's vivid and rich portrait of a complex and driven man, whose ideas were highly influential but whose projects were often blighted, deserves to be read by a much wider readership. Witty, wise, often moving and always informative, GOD'S ARCHITECT is a great read.

A charming and delightful book, 13 Oct 2007
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is very tempting to describe the book by what it is not, not autobiography, not a companion to "Sorry I haven't a clue", not about Jazz... Though I think anyone with an interest in these areas will enjoy it.
The book is quite literally a collection of rambling thoughts and reminiscences - which does not sound very appealing. But Humphs love of language and music shine though continually, and it flows along in a delightful manner.
While his achievements in Jazz and Comedy are well known, Humph's journalism successes are perhaps less well known - and in my opinion his abilities as a writer are every bit as great, and that shines from the pages of this book. I really think anyone with a sense of humour will like it - a smile on every page!



Random thoughts of Chairman Humph, 17 Sep 2007
The title says it all - this is a collection of thoughts and memories and definitely NOT an autobiography. On the first page Humph desribes it as "a hotchpotch of thought and memories and this is exactly what it is.
The book is a wonderful encapsulation of the wit and considerable wisdom of the inimitable Humph, with at least one laugh per page and frequently more as Humph seamlessly elides from the consideration of 3 a.m. transport caff meals to the subject of crimes against the decent pronunciation of English within the space of about 30 words. Devoting six hilarious pages to this, he moves, with his own brand of logic to school days at Eton and and thence to dispense a cornucopia of stories and anecdotes about eccentric relations, jazz greats and his own life.
In no particular order we are treated to a wondrous sequence of cameos from the very full and fully-lived life of a man whose humour never conceals his innate wisdom and humanity.
If you enjoy the lunatic humour of "I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue" or if you have an interest in jazz or if you just want a good read, this is it!


The great Francis Bacon, 16 Jul 2006
A fascinating study of the great man and his work. Peppiatt knew Bacon from the 60's onwards, thus the biography feels intimate and true to life and is successful in depicting the flamboyance, complexity and sheer charisma of this important British artist.

Bacon's father is depicted as a key figure, as well as a leitmotif of brutal masculinity in Bacon's paintings. A tyrannical, martial man, (according to Peppiatt, he has his teenage son horsewhipped by his grooms in order to `make him more of a man') he is the very antithesis of the highly intelligent, young, unconventional Bacon. This early encounter with such brutality goes some way to explaining the power and masculine energy so apparent in Bacon's paintings, as well as the sado-masochistic and destructive nature of his sexual relationships.

Peppiatt describes Bacon's influences - Picasso's biomorhic figures as well as his 'Crucifixion', the photographic images of Edweard Muybridge, Velasquez's 'Pope Innocent X', which inspired the 'Screaming Pope' series.

Bacon's days spent as `bon viveur', drinking vast quantities of alcohol at the Colony in Soho, with the cliquey, languorous dry wit of camp proprietress, Muriel Belcher is captured wonderfully ("Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends!", as Bacon once declared), as well as his slightly alarming brush with the Kray twins (who fascinated him), and his doomed relationship with his tragic muse, George Dyer.

All in all this is an immensely enjoyable read as well as providing a real insight into the artist and his work.

highly entertaining and informative, 17 May 2000
Peppiatt's indepth knowledge and presentation made this book an absolute joy to read. Going farther and deeper than Farson with complete excavation of and endearment for Bacon.A great character, the book a sheer delight.

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vivienne's clothes speak for themselves. The full page glossy pictures of the most influential designer of the 20th Century almost make you salivate. I used to shop at World's End and wore the original Pirate range, but even then I'd still forgotten just how stunning it was. If you are interested in fashion, music, history, art, literature, anarchy and chaos, then this is for you.

worth it!!, 08 Jun 2005
If like me, you are fascinated by Vivienne westwood's achievements in fashion then you wont be disappointed. This book was released to accompany the V&A exhibition last year, which was fantastic. I orginially intended to buy this book at the exhibition as a souvenir of the wonderful show, however i lacked the money at the time and was over the moon when i found it on amazon.

The book itself, is better than any of the attempts at writing a decent biography of her career. This is because of the huge contribution westwood made towards the book, which includes pictures from her own collection- and most notably the foreward at the beginning from the designer herself. She worked closely with clare wilcox, who organised the V&A exhibition so she knows her stuff!

And so it begins with the foreward, then a concise history of her career. From her childhood where she made her own clothes, to her punk days with mclaren and onto the present day.
The vast majority of the book is made up of pictures/photos of her much of her collections up to the present day.

It is such an amazing book, i like to flick through it every now and then to draw some inspiration from this truly amazing designer.

Useful... occasinally, 27 Nov 2005
Very often I have come to use this book and not been able to find what I need, probably best for reasearching more traditional artists etc, but can be very useful to have at hand. Also this, the 7th edition, whs first published in 1997 and I don't think it has been updated since which is probably necessary.

A dictionary worth swallowing, digesting, and regurgitating., 13 Jan 2001
This book is compact yet detailed. Pick any noteworthy artist and they are guaranteed to be depicted here in more than a passing definition. As a student of art, it has proved invaluable as a resource and is the first port-of-call for any research required. Equally, as a bed-time read, simply by opening a page I can always be sure to learn something new about the world of art.

Fantastic, 29 Aug 2008
A truly heartwarming ending to a incredible sad, inspiring and uplifting story. Proving that anyone can make a difference.

Beautifully touching, 04 Jan 2008
This is another fine work from Hayden, up there with her best.

Taking place after the mainstreaming act, which eliminated classes for disordered children, Torey is acting as a resource room teacher and doesn't have a proper class of her own. Soon into the year though a young boy appears who just will not fit in anywhere else. Boo's parents are at their wits end and can't cope with the autistic child on their own anymore. Soon Torey finds the child has come to join her in the afternoons along with her lovable, caring but brain damaged resource student Lori. Not knowing what to do with the unusual and very different pair she finds herself in at the deep end and with a very small, but no less troublesome, class of her own once again. But it isn't left there: throughout the following months two more children who have slipped through the system fall into her care. 11 year old Tomaso suffers violent rages after the death of his father and his being put into foster care and it is put down to Hayden to tame him. Then 12 year old Claudia emerges: pregnant, confused and vulnerable she has been pulled out of her Catholic school to finish the year alongside the other children in Hayden's class.

Ranging from seven to twelve, and with a number of different problems of their own, Torey has to pull out all the stops and use every trick in the book to makes sure she gets the children where they need to be by the end of their year together. With her home life deteriorating around her she finds herself engulfed more than ever in the education of these children and trying to find ways to make them ready to be mainstreamed once again. However, in one of the hardest struggles yet Hayden finds herself in constant arguments with another teacher, subject to classroom inspections and trying to work miracles for the children she has grown to love so much.

This was a very endearing tale and shows how, in times of need, all kinds of characters can pull together to ensure goals are met. What, at the beginning, seems like a mismatched class which will never work, turns into a series of beautiful friendships and proves that education may not be the most important thing after all- emotions and friendship are the key to being happy.

This is the kind of book which is very hard to put down. A real-page turner, it teaches much about life and shows that things are never as dire as they may seem. This is classic Hayden and shows once again her wonderful gift for bringing out the best in people and never giving up. Definitely give this a try: inspirational, emotional and beautifully written at the same time this is one that should not be passed up.


Somebody else's kids, 07 Nov 2007
As with all of her books, I loved it. Heart warming whenever progress however small is made and heart breaking when none can be made.

YSL is a legend and his style is forever!!!, 09 Sep 2008
i bought this book after some consideration and i don;t regret it at all. admittedly, the cover is such a turn off...but the inside, the contents, are amazing!!! from sketches to actual pieces from the Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent museum in France...it like peering into his mind. y the books has been put together, it's like taking a tour. :) love this book!!!

Tracey has cut the crap, 09 Jun 2008
Autobiographical writing at it's best! No boring long-winded description or a need for telling everything. Tracey Emin has basically cut the crap and given us some of the highlights and lowlights of her life. The books is divided into three parts: Motherland, Fatherland and Traceyland.

Motherland deals with Tracey growing up in seedy Margate, getting abused and having sex all over the place. Fatherland is the slowest part where we get the part about Tracey's Turkish past and in Traceyland we get to meet the grown-up Tracey, who's still very much like a child. Sadly enough a lot in Tracey's life seems to be about abortions, miscarriages and a longing for a baby that she'll never have.

I've only known Tracey Emin through her art work, reading this book gave me a really humble feeling. Her life is so chaotic, but she describes it precisely in short chapters with vivid images and a poetic language.


Tracey Emin's autobiography, 21 Feb 2008
A superb autobiography from one of the U.K's top contemporary artists. In particular,it is a book would particularly appeal to female artists as it looks at the psyche behind Tracey's life and work. It handles serious topics that Emin has been affected by, such as rape and abortion, which would strike a chord with female readers. Emin is actually a very good story teller. Her style of writing is easy to read, intelligent and well written (unlike a lot of autobiographies). She is incredibly open and intimate in her candid account of her life. Absolutely loved it.

Uncomfortable but Great Nonetheless, 11 Jan 2008
Someone described this book as not being about Tracey Emin's art. But surely that is what it is? Much of her art is raw, personal and confessional. It takes the uncomfortable details of her life and makes them public property. This is exactly what this book does. It is a series of short extracts about her life and relationships. It is unflinchingly honest, raw and at times brutal. She lays bare her life, her thoughts, her obsessions for everyone to see. It is not a comfortable read, but you would expect nothing less.
At times this is messy and confused, at others limpid and soaring prose. It is surprisingly beautiful and eloquent in a way I didn't expect. I enjoyed it. I was sad it was so short.

very good book, 11 Dec 2007
being a huge fan of tracy emin i felt this book was a necesary purchase and it did not disspoint. the book is arranged into three sections, motherland, fatherland and tracyland. i found motherland and tracyland impossible to put down however the middle section was quite a dissapointment although still good, it didnt deliver the raw beauty that the rest of the book does.

Believe the hype, 01 Apr 2007
As you'd expect, this is pretty raw at times, with lots of detail about rape, abortions and bad sex, but the writing lifts the subjects, and this was a really interesting and diverting read. Oh, and it fits in your handbag.

Simply superb, 16 Sep 2008
One of the best biographies i have ever read. Beautifully written and fascinating even for someone like me who had little previous interest in either architecture or the nineteenth century.

THE MAN WHO DESIGNED BIG BEN, 26 Aug 2007
This is a superb biography. If you're interested in the history of English architecture and interior design then this book is unmissable. But Hill's vivid and rich portrait of a complex and driven man, whose ideas were highly influential but whose projects were often blighted, deserves to be read by a much wider readership. Witty, wise, often moving and always informative, GOD'S ARCHITECT is a great read.

A charming and delightful book, 13 Oct 2007
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is very tempting to describe the book by what it is not, not autobiography, not a companion to "Sorry I haven't a clue", not about Jazz... Though I think anyone with an interest in these areas will enjoy it.
The book is quite literally a collection of rambling thoughts and reminiscences - which does not sound very appealing. But Humphs love of language and music shine though continually, and it flows along in a delightful manner.
While his achievements in Jazz and Comedy are well known, Humph's journalism successes are perhaps less well known - and in my opinion his abilities as a writer are every bit as great, and that shines from the pages of this book. I really think anyone with a sense of humour will like it - a smile on every page!



Random thoughts of Chairman Humph, 17 Sep 2007
The title says it all - this is a collection of thoughts and memories and definitely NOT an autobiography. On the first page Humph desribes it as "a hotchpotch of thought and memories and this is exactly what it is.
The book is a wonderful encapsulation of the wit and considerable wisdom of the inimitable Humph, with at least one laugh per page and frequently more as Humph seamlessly elides from the consideration of 3 a.m. transport caff meals to the subject of crimes against the decent pronunciation of English within the space of about 30 words. Devoting six hilarious pages to this, he moves, with his own brand of logic to school days at Eton and and thence to dispense a cornucopia of stories and anecdotes about eccentric relations, jazz greats and his own life.
In no particular order we are treated to a wondrous sequence of cameos from the very full and fully-lived life of a man whose humour never conceals his innate wisdom and humanity.
If you enjoy the lunatic humour of "I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue" or if you have an interest in jazz or if you just want a good read, this is it!


The great Francis Bacon, 16 Jul 2006
A fascinating study of the great man and his work. Peppiatt knew Bacon from the 60's onwards, thus the biography feels intimate and true to life and is successful in depicting the flamboyance, complexity and sheer charisma of this important British artist.

Bacon's father is depicted as a key figure, as well as a leitmotif of brutal masculinity in Bacon's paintings. A tyrannical, martial man, (according to Peppiatt, he has his teenage son horsewhipped by his grooms in order to `make him more of a man') he is the very antithesis of the highly intelligent, young, unconventional Bacon. This early encounter with such brutality goes some way to explaining the power and masculine energy so apparent in Bacon's paintings, as well as the sado-masochistic and destructive nature of his sexual relationships.

Peppiatt describes Bacon's influences - Picasso's biomorhic figures as well as his 'Crucifixion', the photographic images of Edweard Muybridge, Velasquez's 'Pope Innocent X', which inspired the 'Screaming Pope' series.

Bacon's days spent as `bon viveur', drinking vast quantities of alcohol at the Colony in Soho, with the cliquey, languorous dry wit of camp proprietress, Muriel Belcher is captured wonderfully ("Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends!", as Bacon once declared), as well as his slightly alarming brush with the Kray twins (who fascinated him), and his doomed relationship with his tragic muse, George Dyer.

All in all this is an immensely enjoyable read as well as providing a real insight into the artist and his work.

highly entertaining and informative, 17 May 2000
Peppiatt's indepth knowledge and presentation made this book an absolute joy to read. Going farther and deeper than Farson with complete excavation of and endearment for Bacon.A great character, the book a sheer delight.

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vivienne's clothes speak for themselves. The full page glossy pictures of the most influential designer of the 20th Century almost make you salivate. I used to shop at World's End and wore the original Pirate range, but even then I'd still forgotten just how stunning it was. If you are interested in fashion, music, history, art, literature, anarchy and chaos, then this is for you.

worth it!!, 08 Jun 2005
If like me, you are fascinated by Vivienne westwood's achievements in fashion then you wont be disappointed. This book was released to accompany the V&A exhibition last year, which was fantastic. I orginially intended to buy this book at the exhibition as a souvenir of the wonderful show, however i lacked the money at the time and was over the moon when i found it on amazon.

The book itself, is better than any of the attempts at writing a decent biography of her career. This is because of the huge contribution westwood made towards the book, which includes pictures from her own collection- and most notably the foreward at the beginning from the designer herself. She worked closely with clare wilcox, who organised the V&A exhibition so she knows her stuff!

And so it begins with the foreward, then a concise history of her career. From her childhood where she made her own clothes, to her punk days with mclaren and onto the present day.
The vast majority of the book is made up of pictures/photos of her much of her collections up to the present day.

It is such an amazing book, i like to flick through it every now and then to draw some inspiration from this truly amazing designer.

Useful... occasinally, 27 Nov 2005
Very often I have come to use this book and not been able to find what I need, probably best for reasearching more traditional artists etc, but can be very useful to have at hand. Also this, the 7th edition, whs first published in 1997 and I don't think it has been updated since which is probably necessary.

A dictionary worth swallowing, digesting, and regurgitating., 13 Jan 2001
This book is compact yet detailed. Pick any noteworthy artist and they are guaranteed to be depicted here in more than a passing definition. As a student of art, it has proved invaluable as a resource and is the first port-of-call for any research required. Equally, as a bed-time read, simply by opening a page I can always be sure to learn something new about the world of art.

Fantastic, 29 Aug 2008
A truly heartwarming ending to a incredible sad, inspiring and uplifting story. Proving that anyone can make a difference.

Beautifully touching, 04 Jan 2008
This is another fine work from Hayden, up there with her best.

Taking place after the mainstreaming act, which eliminated classes for disordered children, Torey is acting as a resource room teacher and doesn't have a proper class of her own. Soon into the year though a young boy appears who just will not fit in anywhere else. Boo's parents are at their wits end and can't cope with the autistic child on their own anymore. Soon Torey finds the child has come to join her in the afternoons along with her lovable, caring but brain damaged resource student Lori. Not knowing what to do with the unusual and very different pair she finds herself in at the deep end and with a very small, but no less troublesome, class of her own once again. But it isn't left there: throughout the following months two more children who have slipped through the system fall into her care. 11 year old Tomaso suffers violent rages after the death of his father and his being put into foster care and it is put down to Hayden to tame him. Then 12 year old Claudia emerges: pregnant, confused and vulnerable she has been pulled out of her Catholic school to finish the year alongside the other children in Hayden's class.

Ranging from seven to twelve, and with a number of different problems of their own, Torey has to pull out all the stops and use every trick in the book to makes sure she gets the children where they need to be by the end of their year together. With her home life deteriorating around her she finds herself engulfed more than ever in the education of these children and trying to find ways to make them ready to be mainstreamed once again. However, in one of the hardest struggles yet Hayden finds herself in constant arguments with another teacher, subject to classroom inspections and trying to work miracles for the children she has grown to love so much.

This was a very endearing tale and shows how, in times of need, all kinds of characters can pull together to ensure goals are met. What, at the beginning, seems like a mismatched class which will never work, turns into a series of beautiful friendships and proves that education may not be the most important thing after all- emotions and friendship are the key to being happy.

This is the kind of book which is very hard to put down. A real-page turner, it teaches much about life and shows that things are never as dire as they may seem. This is classic Hayden and shows once again her wonderful gift for bringing out the best in people and never giving up. Definitely give this a try: inspirational, emotional and beautifully written at the same time this is one that should not be passed up.


Somebody else's kids, 07 Nov 2007
As with all of her books, I loved it. Heart warming whenever progress however small is made and heart breaking when none can be made.

YSL is a legend and his style is forever!!!, 09 Sep 2008
i bought this book after some consideration and i don;t regret it at all. admittedly, the cover is such a turn off...but the inside, the contents, are amazing!!! from sketches to actual pieces from the Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent museum in France...it like peering into his mind. y the books has been put together, it's like taking a tour. :) love this book!!!

Tracey has cut the crap, 09 Jun 2008
Autobiographical writing at it's best! No boring long-winded description or a need for telling everything. Tracey Emin has basically cut the crap and given us some of the highlights and lowlights of her life. The books is divided into three parts: Motherland, Fatherland and Traceyland.

Motherland deals with Tracey growing up in seedy Margate, getting abused and having sex all over the place. Fatherland is the slowest part where we get the part about Tracey's Turkish past and in Traceyland we get to meet the grown-up Tracey, who's still very much like a child. Sadly enough a lot in Tracey's life seems to be about abortions, miscarriages and a longing for a baby that she'll never have.

I've only known Tracey Emin through her art work, reading this book gave me a really humble feeling. Her life is so chaotic, but she describes it precisely in short chapters with vivid images and a poetic language.


Tracey Emin's autobiography, 21 Feb 2008
A superb autobiography from one of the U.K's top contemporary artists. In particular,it is a book would particularly appeal to female artists as it looks at the psyche behind Tracey's life and work. It handles serious topics that Emin has been affected by, such as rape and abortion, which would strike a chord with female readers. Emin is actually a very good story teller. Her style of writing is easy to read, intelligent and well written (unlike a lot of autobiographies). She is incredibly open and intimate in her candid account of her life. Absolutely loved it.

Uncomfortable but Great Nonetheless, 11 Jan 2008
Someone described this book as not being about Tracey Emin's art. But surely that is what it is? Much of her art is raw, personal and confessional. It takes the uncomfortable details of her life and makes them public property. This is exactly what this book does. It is a series of short extracts about her life and relationships. It is unflinchingly honest, raw and at times brutal. She lays bare her life, her thoughts, her obsessions for everyone to see. It is not a comfortable read, but you would expect nothing less.
At times this is messy and confused, at others limpid and soaring prose. It is surprisingly beautiful and eloquent in a way I didn't expect. I enjoyed it. I was sad it was so short.

very good book, 11 Dec 2007
being a huge fan of tracy emin i felt this book was a necesary purchase and it did not disspoint. the book is arranged into three sections, motherland, fatherland and tracyland. i found motherland and tracyland impossible to put down however the middle section was quite a dissapointment although still good, it didnt deliver the raw beauty that the rest of the book does.

Believe the hype, 01 Apr 2007
As you'd expect, this is pretty raw at times, with lots of detail about rape, abortions and bad sex, but the writing lifts the subjects, and this was a really interesting and diverting read. Oh, and it fits in your handbag.

Fascinating, 28 Oct 2007
This book is a strange beast, but never fails to interest whether you dip into a section or read it from cover to cover as I did. Warhol didn't actually write the book, just as he didn't actually paint most of his works himself. He had a tape recorder into which he poured his thoughts, and an assistant with whom he worked to transcribe and edit what he chose to publish. The book is made up of sections rather than chapters, as it has no real narrative thread. Each section is given a title such as money or art, and Warhol simply reels forth his ideology, thoughts and musings on the subject. Luckily he was an extremely odd man with an unusual way of looking at the world, which is what makes the book so entertaining. He had a fascinating relationship with his art and the people around him and enough wit and humour to take the edge of what might otherwise come across as highly pretentious musings. If you want to know about Warhol and what his art means, this is as good a place as any to start.

Pop Philosophy, 25 Oct 2007
Andy's response to an excess of abstract art was Pop Art.

Andy's response to an excess of abstract philosophy was Pop Philosophy.

This book is not so much about Andy Warhol as it is about Warhol making philosophy pop. To make philosophy pop, Andy shared his observations and values, just as to make art pop, Andy shared the Campbell soup he enjoyed so often.

Philosophy has been abstract for so long, we had forgotten it could be anything else. It had belonged to academicians for so long, we had forgotten it could belong to anyone else.

Andy worked with the topics of abstract philosophy, such as love, beauty, time, death, economics and art ... but he rendered them pop by talking about them the way ordinary people talk about them. Not that Andy seemed ordinary but what do you call concerns of pimples (in "Beauty"), not being able to shop on Sunday (in "Economics"), or waiting in line for movies (in "Time"). Views of Andy's but also acts of making topics previously owned by abstract philosophy into instances of pop philosophy.

Pop philosophy can also move beyond the limitations of stuffy abstract philosophy. Andy offers a chapter on something not to be found in academic philosophy: not "Power" but "Underwear Power". The same commercialism found in pop art can be found here in pop philosophy: "Buying is much more American than thinking..."

So philosophy needn't be just about thinking, it can be about our everyday lives: loving, working and buying underwear. Andy liked having loud music on when doing art so he wouldn't think too much. Perhaps thinking too much gets in the way of good philosophy. If your underwear fits well, there may be no need to work out a lengthy critique of dialectical reasoning. But can you accuse Andy of living an unexamined life?

Warhol should not be underestimated. His contributions and challenges to society are not limited to areas he is well known for such as painting, movies, interviewing but extend even to philosophy and the spirit in which we live each day. Warhol lives. If we practice pop philosophy in the manner he suggests in this book, we may find our lives worth living a good deal more than academic philosophers have shown. Forget the doctorate, go to your own school of Warhol.

Witty, clever, intelligent musings by a cultural icon, 26 Feb 2007
Whatever you think of Andy Warhol, 20 years after his death and 3+ decades after this little book was written, he remains an inescapable figure in the arts scene. This witty book is difficult not to like, full of clever musings about life and art. You'll want to keep turning back to it and pass it on to friends to enjoy.

Warhol is witty and, against his better judgment, profound., 29 Mar 2002
This book reveals interesting and paradoxically profound aspects of Warhol, a man whose reputation for shallowness and whose self-confessedly mercenary approach to art can be offputting.
His philosophy is to question the nature of art and of beauty itself.He does that in print here as he does elsewhere in paint and film. He neatly highlights and passes back to the reader for re-examination the differentiations commonly made between art and artefact, between intimate and public, between personal and mass-produced.
There speaks a naked and entertaining truthfulness from the page and there is a refusal to deal in the euphemism and pretention which pervade much art criticism. It's also very funny.

Excellent, but with faults...., 16 May 1999
This is an excellent book to take a look into the life and mind of the author himself, Andy Warhol. Chapter after chapter, Andy provides relevant stories that directly relate to the title of the chapter in one way or another, it's a very interesting book, but it has it's faults....First of all, how does he remember some of those conversations, was he recording them. Second, some of the material in the book was just stupid and ignorant, third, he contradicts himself in the book several times by saying one thing and then saying another thing that contradicts the first statement. Although some chapters are very funny, others are not! For the best example, chapter 14!!!! I want to know who that woman is, obviously she liked Andy, but gee whiz! Finally, I didn't like Truman Capote's review of the book, this book does not display amazing candor by Andy, in fact, I believe in many places this book displays Andy as a cold hearted, emotionless lizard. Some people who don't know Andy well, see him as some kind of a cult figure, well, if you don't know a whole lot about Andy Warhol himself, I reccomend reading this book and you may never look at him the same way again, especially not as a cult figure or anything like that....

Simply superb, 16 Sep 2008
One of the best biographies i have ever read. Beautifully written and fascinating even for someone like me who had little previous interest in either architecture or the nineteenth century.

THE MAN WHO DESIGNED BIG BEN, 26 Aug 2007
This is a superb biography. If you're interested in the history of English architecture and interior design then this book is unmissable. But Hill's vivid and rich portrait of a complex and driven man, whose ideas were highly influential but whose projects were often blighted, deserves to be read by a much wider readership. Witty, wise, often moving and always informative, GOD'S ARCHITECT is a great read.

A charming and delightful book, 13 Oct 2007
I enjoyed this book immensely. It is very tempting to describe the book by what it is not, not autobiography, not a companion to "Sorry I haven't a clue", not about Jazz... Though I think anyone with an interest in these areas will enjoy it.
The book is quite literally a collection of rambling thoughts and reminiscences - which does not sound very appealing. But Humphs love of language and music shine though continually, and it flows along in a delightful manner.
While his achievements in Jazz and Comedy are well known, Humph's journalism successes are perhaps less well known - and in my opinion his abilities as a writer are every bit as great, and that shines from the pages of this book. I really think anyone with a sense of humour will like it - a smile on every page!



Random thoughts of Chairman Humph, 17 Sep 2007
The title says it all - this is a collection of thoughts and memories and definitely NOT an autobiography. On the first page Humph desribes it as "a hotchpotch of thought and memories and this is exactly what it is.
The book is a wonderful encapsulation of the wit and considerable wisdom of the inimitable Humph, with at least one laugh per page and frequently more as Humph seamlessly elides from the consideration of 3 a.m. transport caff meals to the subject of crimes against the decent pronunciation of English within the space of about 30 words. Devoting six hilarious pages to this, he moves, with his own brand of logic to school days at Eton and and thence to dispense a cornucopia of stories and anecdotes about eccentric relations, jazz greats and his own life.
In no particular order we are treated to a wondrous sequence of cameos from the very full and fully-lived life of a man whose humour never conceals his innate wisdom and humanity.
If you enjoy the lunatic humour of "I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue" or if you have an interest in jazz or if you just want a good read, this is it!


The great Francis Bacon, 16 Jul 2006
A fascinating study of the great man and his work. Peppiatt knew Bacon from the 60's onwards, thus the biography feels intimate and true to life and is successful in depicting the flamboyance, complexity and sheer charisma of this important British artist.

Bacon's father is depicted as a key figure, as well as a leitmotif of brutal masculinity in Bacon's paintings. A tyrannical, martial man, (according to Peppiatt, he has his teenage son horsewhipped by his grooms in order to `make him more of a man') he is the very antithesis of the highly intelligent, young, unconventional Bacon. This early encounter with such brutality goes some way to explaining the power and masculine energy so apparent in Bacon's paintings, as well as the sado-masochistic and destructive nature of his sexual relationships.

Peppiatt describes Bacon's influences - Picasso's biomorhic figures as well as his 'Crucifixion', the photographic images of Edweard Muybridge, Velasquez's 'Pope Innocent X', which inspired the 'Screaming Pope' series.

Bacon's days spent as `bon viveur', drinking vast quantities of alcohol at the Colony in Soho, with the cliquey, languorous dry wit of camp proprietress, Muriel Belcher is captured wonderfully ("Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends!", as Bacon once declared), as well as his slightly alarming brush with the Kray twins (who fascinated him), and his doomed relationship with his tragic muse, George Dyer.

All in all this is an immensely enjoyable read as well as providing a real insight into the artist and his work.

highly entertaining and informative, 17 May 2000
Peppiatt's indepth knowledge and presentation made this book an absolute joy to read. Going farther and deeper than Farson with complete excavation of and endearment for Bacon.A great character, the book a sheer delight.

Sea, Sun and Piracy, 19 Sep 2006
This is a gorgeous,sumptuous book. It works precisely because it let's Vi