Julian Slatcher

Advantages: Small, concise and inspiring.
Disadvantages: Those photographs are so beautiful they would look lovely when enlarged!

...Gardening with WILD PLANTS by Julian Slatcher - published by the Guild of Master Craftsman Publications. The ideal Christmas present for anyone interested in gardening, British wild plants, or just glorious photographs. What comes to your mind when a 'Coffee Table Book' is talked about? I always picture a large, expensive book which is profusely illustrated in full colour and with a limited amount of text. This book would prove an ideal 'Coffee Table Book', even though it fails on my first two criteria! It is NOT LARGE and it is NOT EXPENSIVE, but boy does it make up for lack of size with profuse numbers of glorious full colour photographs (almost entirely taken by the author himself), and illustrations. The text is short, to the point and totally inspiring. It is a book to be enjoyed on many levels, practical and aesthetic - just... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Richly illustrated and lots of quirky personal touches
Disadvantages: Some inaccuracies and maybe some pet theories that are OTT

...This book is all about "megalithic" sites in the UK, think Stonehenge and old barrows and cairns and you're on the right track. Not everyone's cup of tea but a very real part of this country's ancient history and worth treasuring and preserving. I wouldn't personally classify this book as religion but there ya go, I guess ciao has to slot it in somewhere. Julian Cope was the singer in Teardrop Explodes back in the 80's, now he visits and writes about prehistoric sites - hence The Modern Antiquarian. This is a real labour of love, all Julian's pet theories (some rather difficult to swallow) plus a comprehensive gazzetteer complete with maps and directions to many dozens of fabulous sites across Britain. When you visit some of the sites you come to realise that Julian's directions are not aways the best and the factual content sometimes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: A great read
Disadvantages:

...This book is a classic. Julian Barnes gives his unique interpretation of life the universe and everything from the perspective of the woodworm and up. I read this book 10 years ago when I was at university and I have been regularly handing it out to friends and relatives as presents ever since. Whilst the literary amongst us may say that Flauberts Parrot or Metroland were Barnes' best achievements it is my opinion that most readers would enjoy this book the most. It is both funny, moving and thought provoking and just writing about it makes me want to read it again. A must for all devotees of late 20th Century literature.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful