John Bailey

Advantages: Funny, honest and thoroughly entertaining
Disadvantages: Memoirs are split into two books

...Murderers and Other Friends is the second part of John Mortimer's memoirs, the first being Clinging to the Wreckage. Now I remember reading this book on holiday nine years ago and being thoroughly entertained and oblivious to the fact that this was the second part of two books. In my stupidity I assumed he launched into the most exciting part of his life first and gave us snippets of his youth throughout the book. Only upon reading for a second time did I see (on page 122) a reference to the first part of his memoirs. When you read the book you can realise how easy it is to make this mistake as the book is not your average autobiography and John Mortimer is not your average author. We all know John Mortimer for his Rumpole of the Bailey TV series, but his credentials stretch far and wide; he is a novelist, playwright and a retired... Read review

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Advantages: great advice, great pictures
Disadvantages: None (unless you're looking for rig diagrams)

...John Bailey has long been regarded as one of the best Angling writers alive today, and this book is no exception. I've had this book since 6th January 2005, and I can't recommend it highy enough..... in fact I think it was me who nominated it to the powers that be in charge of this site to make it available for review here. It follows on from "John Bailey's Complete Guide to Fishing"... and sort of expands on it a bit, and also has a companion "John Bailey's Complete Guide to Fly Fishing" (which is also a damn good fishing book, and worth it just for the extra tips on Watercraft)...... I've got all 3 of these books. It's published by "NEW HOLLAND PUBLISHERS", and the ISBN number is 1-84330-567-4 After the Introduction on page 6, it splits up like this: PREPARATION - Knowing the Fish (p12) - Watercraft (p20) - Tackle (p34) - Bait (p44... Read review

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Advantages: Light and entertaining
Disadvantages: A little unreal

...Have you ever read any of the Catherine Cookson 'Bill Bailey' novels? If you do come accoss any of these books read them. Although the books are captivating, entertaining and witty I must admit they are very unbelievable because Bill Bailey is every woman's dream man. He is handsome, strong, protective, gentlemanly etc. He is too good to be true. Do any of us know a man that perfect? There were parts in these novels when I did find myself getting emotional and I would also say the books are hard to put down. Before reading these series of books I would have considered Catherine Cookson's books to be a bit like Mills and Boon but I have to admit this was an enjoyable series. If you want some light bedtime reading - you know what book to buy.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful