22 Years Ago

Advantages: A classic read
Disadvantages: Only if you think the warning no longer applicable

...I'll assume most people will have heard of Orwell's 1984 - even if you have only the vaguest idea what it's about, certain phrases such as Big Brother and Room 101 have become parts of our popular culture (generally for the worse of TV). The fact that the book itself may be described as literature, however, means I reckon far fewer have actually read it unless given the chance/forced to at school. Certainly that was the case for me, until this summer when I decided to put that right. 1984 was Orwell's final novel, written in 1948 (he simply transposed the last two digits to set his dystopian vision in the not-so-distant future). It's actually amazing that it now seems to long ago and, particularly since the end of the Cold War, I have to say this makes the book rather less frightening. One has to remember the world Orwell wrote in had...

a-true-ben 29.10.2006 · Read review
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Review of 1984 - George Orwell

For Emma, Forever Ago - something special

Advantages: The chance to hear a new and important voice in acoustic music
Disadvantages: none

...of this singer-Songwriter. the beautiful melody of his guitar with his heartfelt tale of loss ends this album but leaves you wanting to go right back to the start and do it all over again. Bon Iver - For Emma Forever Ago - you will not be disapointed if you enjoy artists such as Jeff Buckley, Ray Lamontagne, Sam Amidon...

ciao_rossi 11.09.2008 (28.10.2008) · Read review
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Review of For Emma Forever Ago - Bon Iver

York One Thousand Years Ago

Advantages: Interactive, Super displays
Disadvantages: Queue

...a guide tells you a little of the Viking history. My children were impressed when he told them about Viking poo being found, and what they used to wipe their bottoms (moss, in case you are interested). In this area we were told that we would be travelling back in time to the Viking age, this made my youngest (age 4) a bit worried, because he is partial to modern day life, and the guide had to reassure him it was only a game. The toilets are situated here. You then make your way through to a room where you will be transported back in time. You are asked to remain seated and warned that the time machine will shake a little. However anyone of a nervous disposition (4 year olds included) may stand at the back of the room. You are shown a series of pictures from the 1980s, 70s, 30s and so on, back through time to finally arrive in the Viking...

ciaomeister1 02.06.2006 · Read review
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Review of Jorvik Viking Centre (York)

A Witches Story, 350 years ago, has relevance today.

Advantages: Captivating, educational, just brilliant.
Disadvantages: It ended.

...the authors skill at getting inside our heroine and giving her a voice. The characters around her are told with depth and colour, making them easy to imagine. And the sights, smells and sounds of hope and fear in a new land fills the reader with the emotions felt by those first pilgrims. It's been a long time since I read a book aimed at teenagers, over 18 years ago probably. Yet I know that as a teenager I would have adored this book, and can see how it would be loved today too. While set 350 years ago, it's easy to relate the troubles Mary encounters then, in today's world. As a teenager, there is nothing more frightening than feeling different. While prejudices have changed, they are very much still prevalent. The effect of rumour and gossip can be make or break in the school yard, as it was in these times, and the 'In crowd' can wreck havoc...

Rhiana 01.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Witch Child - Celia Rees

Why didnt i Get One Years Ago !!!!!

Advantages: Dinner is ready when you get home. Easy to use
Disadvantages: NONE

...I bought this model from Sainsburys at a pricely sum of £20. Best money spent by far. This model has 4 settings, high, medium, low and off. Dont know why i didnt get one of these years ago. I have heard about them but always assumed they were hard work and a little bit old fashioned, until I stayed with a friend who used one all the time, so i purchased myself one and my life is transformed. (slight exaggeration, but you get the gist !!!) Usually i make up the ingredients in the morning or if you dont have time you could always prepare the night before and put in the fridge. You can even make it up in the pot, put the lid on the keep that in the fridge and then just transfer to the unit and switch on and go. Be careful not to put anything in thats too hot or too cold as this will crack the pot. Also never put the unit on to...

toyah999 09.09.2009 (11.09.2009) · Read review
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Review of Morphy Richards Slow Cooker

The First Year

Advantages: Good info, handy, food recipes
Disadvantages: None

.../information books but I have been pleasantly surprised by reading this. The Complete First Yeat Planner is a guide to help you enjoy a healthy pregnancy and a stress free and healthy first year including over 80 delicious recipes for you and your baby. If you are looking for a one stop book to see you through the whole time then this is definitely for you. Generally I always find that there are books for preganacy and then there are books regarding how to deal with the first year but not many are combined so this is a good book for that. The first section of the book has a really good nutrition section for the expectant mother. I found this to be quite comprehensive compared to some other books I have read. I liek the fact that it points out "superfoods," those whicha re going to be very beneficial for your health and it makes it easy to stick to...

Spottydog11 07.08.2009 · Read review
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Review of Annabel Karmel's Complete First Year Planner - Annabel Karmel

Is It Really 20 Years Ago?

Advantages: Pure, unfussy pop
Disadvantages: Karma Chameleon!

...what your glamorous aunt was sipping her Diamond White to back in the day, you could do worse than this album. Culture Club reformed a couple of years ago and headlined the Here and Now 80's revival tour and for my mind, that should be that now. Let's remember them fondly as they were....

waynehorrigan 11.06.2004 · Read review
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Review of Colour By Numbers [Remastered] - Culture Club

As real today as it was 60 years ago

Advantages: Clever and thought-provoking
Disadvantages: None, although some would likely disagree

...read even 60 years on. I highly recommend this book to everyone interested in the world we are living in and how we got to where we are today. *In 1995, Orwell's Animal Farm was made into a film but the satire was diluted....

ally2kc 10.07.2006 · Read review
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Review of Animal Farm - George Orwell

If I was a horse they'd of shot me years ago!!

Advantages: The story and acting
Disadvantages: Quite depressing, the use of flash-forwards

... THEY SHOOT HORSES DON?T THEY? (1969) DVD (2008) I think that there must have been something in the water in 1969 as there was a whole bevy of great films released that year, here are a handful of those films. Anne of the Thousand Days Easy Rider Hello Dolly! Midnight Cowboy The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie True Grit The Wild Bunch Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid They Shoot Horses, Don't They? This review is about the latter of these films, ?They Shoot Horses Don?t They?? directed by Sydney Pollack., based on the 1935 novel of the same name by Horace McCoy SETTING The film tells the story of the 1930's dance marathons that were held to give middle class people a source of entertainment and poorer people a chance to earn some money. ($1,500 in this film). Dance Marathons (which...

oldchem 06.11.2009 · Read review
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Review of They Shoot Horses Don't They? (DVD)

Was it really 30 years ago

Advantages: Great footage
Disadvantages: DVD features could be better

...If you are over 30 and serious about music then you will at some time in your youth come across The Old Grey Whistle Test. From its first transmission in 1971 to the last 16 years later in 1987 this programme showcased some of the biggest acts in 70?s and 80?s music. To mark the 30th anniversary of the show the BBC released this 2 DVD set which includes a varied selection of the output over the years. IN THE BEGINNING I?m not old enough to remember the earliest editions of the show, I suppose I started watching it regularly in the late 70?s. Like all kids interested in music my main exposure came from watching ?Top of the Pops? with screaming studio audience, banal presenters and cheesy sets (and Pan?s People of course!). The Old Grey Whistle Test a complete opposite to this it was shown late at night, past my bedtime and I knew...

Mauri 22.05.2002 · Read review
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Review of Old Grey Whistle Test (DVD)