5 comments about The School for Cats (New York Review Children's Collection).

1. I picked up a Jenny and the cat Club book at a yard sale in the late 1970's. It quickly became my favorite book, and I still have it today. I tried to collect other Jenny books over the years, but they are hard to find in good condition - and expensive - so I was happy to see them all republished in hardcover! My collection grows!!
   
   These books are wonderful - hope you will buy one for your kids - or yourself! :)



2. My daughters love the Jenny Linsky cat books. All of the drawings are extremely charming and the writing is so fluid that my nine-year-old reads them to her younger sister.



3. I thought this story would be far fetched being that Jenny goes to a "camp." But she actually goes to a kennel and it made more sense to me (talking cats, cat who drives--perfectly normal to me). Nonetheless, the story keeps in balance with the rest of Averill's series. My five year old truly enjoys this series. He loves cats and enjoys the fun adventures Jenny the cat experiences.



4. We are purchasing this series one at a time for our daughter, who is also named Jenny. She is eating them up! The stories are simple and sweet, but include lots of old-fashioned adventure, just perfect for young kids. We own several titles now and I have not been disappointed by any of them. Charming illustrations and great stories makes for a perfect combination! I recommend this series highly. Probably up to a fourth grade reading level.



5. My husband and I just love these Jenny Linsky stories, and we have no kids! We had never heard of Jenny Linsky until my husband brought home a very badly beaten up copy of it from the dump of all places. We are now HUGE fans and plan on collecting all of Jenny's charming stories.

5 comments about Inside My Heart: Choosing to Live with Passion and Purpose.

1. I thought this was going to be Robin pretending to be a therapist. It really wasn't. She just told her life story and I respect her for it. There are things she feels strongly about that I don't (like she finds a lot of joy in keeping house and ironing her husbands shirts) but I was able to take a lot away from the book anyway. I would recommend it!



2. did not care for it, VERY boring, I've owned it for a year and still have not finished it and no desire to.



3. I did not think this was such a great book. Somewhat of an arrogant type of person, not at all a humbleness to her. Sorry, I didn't like it.



4. This is a very interesting book. Very well written and a hard book to put down. I Loved It. She is a very smart woman. And a great wife. I learned alot from her. Thank You Robin for your great insight into being a great wife and mother!



5. If you like, love, hate, don't know Dr Phil it doesn't matter. This book (narrated by Robin herself) is an incredible listen and she takes you from little girl to woman and all the trials she has gone through. She is amazingly candid and because of this she is someone you can relate too. The way she has handled everything from an alcoholic father to cancer is not only inspiring but admirable. She tells it from the darkest times to the most happiest momonts in her life. I loved it.

5 comments about My Big Dog (A Golden Classic).

1. Our class thought this book was funny! We laughed when the cat, Merl, got dressed up as a girl. Our favorite part was when the kids played tug-of-war with Merl. You have to buy this book! It is excellent!



2. Awesome book! Only thing that I didn't really like so much were the grey people (they seemed to be photographs) that were inserted with the animals) Merl certainly is a very special cat, and I can't think of a reason why any child wouldn't love this book. I'm especially fond of Merl's pink mouse toy.
   
   That aside, the writing is great and the illustration (Aside from the grey people) fit the mood of the whole thing fanatsticly. The 'i'm so irritated' cat face is just perfectly captured.



3. "My dish. My sofa. My chair. My mouse. My Bed." These are the words uttered by Merl, a very special cat and above each two word sentence is an excellent illustration. Merl, who always seems to have his pink mouse toy in his teeth by the tail is a happy, content cat, until his owners bring home a puppy. The puppy dog licks and slurps Merl to no end, apparently not aware that cats and dogs aren't supposed to be friends. Merl does everything he can to discourage the puppy, but in the end finds that nothing he does will shake this dog's love, so he leaves and seeks out a new home.
   
   However, everywhere he goes he has problems, first a lady dresses him up like a show cat, children fight over him and he winds up sleeping in a box on the street until this dog comes by and guess what, that dog is the puppy all grown up and he takes Merl home and Merl decides to be friends after all, but there are a few rules he lays down and they are, "My dish. My sofa. My chair. My mouse. My bed and My Big Dog."
   
   This is wonderful book for children just learning to read. The illustrations are simply beautiful. Your child will just love this. I know my girls did when they were learning to read. Five stars from me for "My Big Dog."



4. This is a humorous look at an imaginary life of Merl the "special" cat. He has his cat people and when they bring a puppy into the home, Merl begins an adventure. Kids love to hear it over and over--the illustrations are also very lovely. I love to read this out loud.



5. The author really gives the cat in this story a voice, not to mention the cat is just like mine. Great story and pictures. I read it to my fourth grade class and they enjoyed it.

5 comments about Rotten Ralph.

1. Rotten Ralph is Sarah's bad, bad cat, and she loves him. Her parents tolerate him...until the unforgivable. Ralph ends up on his own, cold, lonely and miserable, and regretting his evil ways. Most of the time.

   Extreme, crazy, and a little more than rotten sometimes. The drawings aren't traditional, which makes "Rotten Ralph" even more fun for kids to read and look at.




2. Ralph is a very bad kitty, as is generally what cats thrive on being. He is often rude, knocks things over, disrupts social occasions, makes sport of preying on pet birds, fish or rodents, and purposely exacerbates the one annoying, albeit universally inherent, trait in dogs: obnoxiousness. After one especially horrid, feline-induced fiasco at the circus, Sarah's father determines that he's had enough of Ralph and gives him the boot. Ralph's consequential homeless journey thus necessitates him a good look inwardly, seeking the key to whatever could possibly save him from being lost forever to his comfortable home and family...

   Not so very many years ago, I had the very great pleasure of reading over and over and over, and over immeasurable, this fine tale of haphazardness, naughtiness, chastisement, and redemption. So I'll now tell you a little tale of my own - a personal pathway, of sorts, toward eminent endearment of this sweet little book:

   Several years ago, a little child went with her mother and father to a book signing in downtown Chicago. The name of the book escapes me now, but alas, it's irrelevant to this story. John Lydon ("Johnny Rotten" of Sex Pistols fame) was doing the signing for some newly published writing affair at a trendy north side bookstore. As Mr. Rotten has always had a great dedicated following, the line for this book, to be graced with his signature, was immensely long. The little girl, wearing a pink winter coat and purple ribbons in her hair, was the only child present in a snaking line omnipresent in the aisles throughout with multiply tattooed and body-pierced fans. Yet she was neither intimidated nor gainsaid as she quietly recited her favorite nursery rhymes, picking up to browse each prettily covered book she saw. She was ever patient, and even after over an hour of waiting would smile sweetly to strangers' questions and comments as she held onto her mother's hand.

   Finally, after what seemed like an infinitesimal wait, she and her parents reached the front portion of the line. Then, all hearts fell as the gentleman just ahead of her family, a tall thin young man with long silky black & blue-streaked hair and an earring was told the featured book had just sold out - that there were absolutely no more copies. Dejected and deflated, all those remaining in the line began to take their leave.

   This little girl, however, would have nothing of it. "But we came here for a book!" she cried loud enough for anyone in the store to hear, "I want that book!" Before either of her parents could chastise her for this outburst, Mr. Rotten spoke up with that beautifully enunciated British accent he has, and said, "You want a book? I'm sorry...uh, but we...Wait - This child wants a book! - Oh yes, never fear, little one; I will get you a book." A consummate gentleman, he merely snapped his fingers to one of his assistants and pointed to a nearby display at the edge of the children's section, and said, "I want to give her that book."

   ROTTEN RALPH was the chosen book's title. My daughter's copy is signed by Johnny Rotten, the inside jacket adorned with a Polaroid photo taken of herself, her new book, and the kindest punk rock star on earth. Truly, upon many a night for perhaps the next two years that followed, ROTTEN RALPH was included in our nightly ritual of bedtime stories. And though our cat George was often annoyed that he was forced to sit, listen and learn, neither my girl nor I ever tired of reading it.




3. Of all the books that I read to my son when he was young, "Rotten Ralph" was one of my--and his--favorites. The artwork is incredible--very kinetic and colorful, a combination of Keith Haring and Outsider Art. The story is written with great wit, and one can sympahize with the poor heroine trying to get her unruly cat to behave--kind of like she's the parent and Ralph's the child. Yeah, Ralph's behavior is really rotten, but Sarah loves him anyway. Sound familiar? Like Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are," "Rotten Ralph" project a child's fears to an imaginary realm where they can be dealt with safely. It's a great piece of children's literature.



4. There are certain unchangeable constants in this world. The tides. The phases of the moon. And the love children will always have for naughty, bad, not-so-very-nice behavior. It is this love that has made "The Cat In the Hat" a picture book classic, and that has raised David Shannon's, "No, David!" from obscurity to beloved bedtime must. And though "Rotten Ralph" is not original in terms of bad-pet-wreaks-havoc (the best version of which, by the way, is Joan Aiken's, "Arabel's Raven"), it is certainly one of the more original and visually stimulating of its kind. There will always be certain fuddy duddy parents out there that dislike "Rotten Ralph" on the basis of its content (i.e. naughtiness to them=evil incarnate). But there will also always be parents who recognize why children love Ralph's wicked ways, and shall purchase accordingly.
   
   Ralph is a cat that, as his owner Sarah puts it is, "sometimes ... very hard to love". He delights in tormenting those around him. When Sarah practices ballet, Ralph makes fun of her. When she has a tea party, he takes precisely one bite out of each cookie. When she's swinging (and I'm not entirely certain that the term "rotten" quite covers this one) he saws off the branches of the tree she hangs from. All this comes to a head when the family, with Ralph in tow, goes to the circus. Ralph engages in out-and-out highly despicable behavior, causing Sarah's father to insist that the fam abandon Ralph to the circus itself. By doing so, Ralph learns humility and how to fend for himself. And when at last he is reunited with the ever-caring Sarah, he tries not to be so very rotten after all. "Except for sometimes when Mother cooked lobster for dinner".
   
   Author Jack Gantos originally wrote this tale in 1976, and it allowed him to jump start his lucrative career as a children's author. Since that time he has gone on to write the incredibly well-written "Joey Pigza" series (if you haven't you MUST run out and read "Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key" at once!) as well as the fabulous young adult autobiography, "Hole In My Life". And it all started with one malicious and very naughty kitty. Ralph's actions are, of course, despicable. In fact, they're often so ludicrously terrible that they strike great guffaws of laughter from the audience. Of course, the story feels like exactly what it is. A writer's first picture book. It's a fine little piece but it doesn't have the ease and sophistication of the later "Ralph" books. In fact, most parents probably wouldn't have even noticed its existence if Mr. Gantos hadn't been paired with illustrator Nichole Rubel. Ms. Rubel has worked on other children's books, it's true. But when she has reached the end of her too brief life and joined the choir invisible, one cannot help but think that what Ms. Rubel will be most remembered for will be her participation in the "Rotten Ralph" series. After all, she imbues him with such life, verve, and wanton (not to say gleeful) destruction that long after reading the story, the image of him is burned deeply into one's brain. Now, the book does suffer from containing zippo people of color (unless you count the questionable fellow on a camel, midway through the tale) so don't expect much in the way of multiculturalism here. Then again, this is a problem through the entire series, so I shouldn't have been too surprised. And the pictures do sometimes strike you as slightly modified William Steigs (later Steig, of course) in their wavy nightmarish way. So if you've a child who fears the wiggly, avoid this book at all costs.
   
   Otherwise, it's a perfectly good story about a perfectly awful pet. Unlike some of the other "Ralph" books, the cat in this tale faces a mighty good comeuppance for his crimes. Kids will enjoy his foibles just as much as they clamor to read about some of his other adventures. A fun and deeply disturbing tale.



5. My 2-year-old can't get enough of this book! The illustrations are creative, unique and keep his attention. Rotten Ralph is a lovable character even with his mischievous ways. This book reinforces to children that even if they misbehave and have to go to time-out, they are still loved and important. We've enjoyed all the other Rotten Ralph titles as well.

5 comments about Woodcraft and Camping.

1. I've owned a copy of this book for a number of years. I read it at least once every year. This is one of the best books around, albeit a very slim little book. a) The writing style is interesting, much more so than the styles of modern day writers. He ruminates about why he is outdoors, about philosophy, not just gear and "how-to's". b) Every time I read him, I get a new idea for reducing my pack weight. I go backpacking nowadays with a pack weight of about 20-25 pounds (including food and water). This is largely due to Nessmuk (and Horace Kephart). This little book is one of the best investments you can make.



2. This book tells how camping should be done, like what you really need to bring backpacking and how to make an efficent fire that will last all night without restoking. Nessmuk also includes stories of his experiences with the techniques.



3. In this book, "Nessmuk" (a pseudonym for George W. Sears) provides a moderately entertaining read. He writes during, and was an active participant in, the "back to nature movement" during the Victorian period. He writes about the glory and romance of camping, woodcraft, woods travel, and flyfishing using minimalist methods. The info on reflector fire-building, hatchets, fishing with worms/grubs is good, basic lore that everyone needs to learn; however, the book lacks detail on many other basic aspects of woodcraft and Northwoods style camping and outdoor survival, especially collecting and storing food and winter living. If the reader follows the author's recommendations during a lengthy outing in the Northwoods or boreal forest, they'd likely get into major trouble. More info is needed than presented here by Nessmuk if one plans their own 10-day adventure crossing a big stretch of woods. In summary, yes, it's a quaint and entertaining read, but if you want less romanticizing/glorification and more detail, check out "Camp and Trail Methods" by E. Kreps and "Northern Bushcraft" by Mors Kochanski. (Note: This review written by a primitive survival expert and former fur trapper. I gave this book 2 stars to make a point regarding safety. Many a person has died or nearly died in the outdoors by following the ways of romantics/mystics rather than seeking knowledge from and following the ways of realists -- the practitioners. Although Nessmuk teaches solid methods, he leaves too many important things unsaid for students of the outdoors. If you just want to be entertained, then buy the book.



4. Talk about a look back in time; this little book makes you appreciate the times Sears was living. It's amazing how much some things have changed, yet so much has remained the same. Nothing really profound here, just a great expression of the ways things were in that period of time. The writing style of that period is refreshing, as well.



5. "Nessmuk" wrote for an era when much of the lower 48 was still wilderness, and his writings are an entertaining time machine trip to a long-gone era. Myself, I enjoyed reading the book very, very much. But you can no longer start a campsite by cutting down a half-dozen trees!

3 comments about A Kitten Tale.

1. Caldecott Medal Winner (My Friend Rabbit), Eric Rohmann, has created another charming picture book that shows respect for a child's fear of the unknown, while also illustrating the power of a positive attitude.
   
   There are four little kittens who have never seen snow. Three of them spend Spring, Summer and Fall worrying about how cold and wet snow will make everything. The fourth kitten just keeps saying, "I can't wait." The fourth kitten's attitude is so wonderful...
   
   Read the rest of this and other reviews on my site.



2. 
   It isn't often that I find a children's book through the "Wall Street Journal". Last January, this delightful book was described amidst the stock prices and financial news.
   
   "Once there were four kittens who had never heard of snow." Eric Rohmann's lovely illustration shows three kittens looking at a fourth deep in a mailbox. Only his butt is showing, and the mail is falling like snow.
   
   One kitten is an adventurer who embraces the new; the other three are cautious and apprehensive.
   
   Falling postcards show winter scenes:
   
   "Snow scares me!"
   "When winter comes, the snow will fall and fall and we'll be cold!"
   "Cold to the tips of our tails!"
   The contrarian kitten says: "I can't wait."
   
   The seasons pass, three kittens fret about snow. The fourth lives in happy anticipation.
   
   Snow arrives. Three kittens hide beneath carpets and furniture; one kitten frolics. The story ends happily for all four: "I can't wait!"
   
   The pictures enhance this charmer; kids between three and five will be enchanted. I suspect a few hard headed traders will be too. I sure was.



3. This is a great story about a little kitten who can't wait for it to snow, even though its siblings all worry about getting cold and wet... Eric Rohmann celebrates the value of curiosity and adventuresome, positive thinking... and plus, it has lots of pictures of cute little kittens. Graphically strong, with a nice, positive message. Recommended! (ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)

1 comments about Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia.

1. I had an opportunity to look through this book when a fellow vet tech student borrowed it to use for our Surgery class. It has ALOT of helpful information and was particularly beneficial for me in regards to monitoring during surgery and how to handle surgical emergencies (hypoxemia, hypovolemia, etc.). I would definitely recommend getting this book!

5 comments about Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics.

1. I thought this was a joke at first, but it does look like the evidence is there to suggest the pussies have a sense of aesthetics. These paintings are certainly more than merely territorial markings. I've had several cats myself but never had a cat who made any attempt to paint or create other forms of art. However, that doesn't necessarily mean it isn't possible. Just as some humans are artists, perhaps some cats are inclined that way too? It makes me wonder if there might be cat musicians and cat writers.



2. Several theories of feline art have been put forward over the years, and this volume may serve as an excellent introduction to the uninitiated. Influential feline artists are discussed and their work reprinted in glorious detail. There is, however, a strong bias towards the mainstream of cat art. Important, indeed vital, underground movements are completely ignored. The street art of alley cats is sadly overlooked, perhaps reflecting the authors deference to the curators of that ivory tower, the Museum of Non Primate Art.
   Also lacking is any serious discussion of Queer Theory, so vital in the deconstruction of any mammalian artistic representations.
   Yet in spite of these flaws, Why Cats Paint remains an important and influential volume that no connaisseur of feline aesthetics can afford to ignore.



3. This is a wonderful book, with very nice photos. The art world jargon is very believable. The cats are presented the way typically artists are shown and described by the art establishment.Abstract expressionsim is covered mostly, also you will have examples of installation art. Deliciuos and heart warming!I trully recommend this book, if you are an aillurophile yourself, or want it as a gift for a cat person, or an artist.



4. My husband and I are cat people and were thrilled when we received this interesting book as a gift. At first, we were amazed as we looked over the cat's paintings and read about the "artists" histories. However, as we paid more attention to the fine details in the book (i.e. the index and footnotes, etc.), we realized that this book is purely tongue-in-cheek. For example, on the page with the cat mummies, check out the "Egyptian" names listed. One is something like "Fakt Kat." Get it? Faked cat. My husband and I also went and checked out some of the books listed in the bibliography and surprise, none exist. Go through the book and there are other examples, proving that it's meant to be a humorous read.
   
   That said, we enjoyed this book immensely and found it to be pure genuis -- but not for the reasons we initially thought. I highly recommend it.



5. I had only seen the original edition of this book which is a full sized binding suitable for coffee table display. I was disappointed at what arrived, this pocket-sized version. Much of the best material has been edited out and of course the photos are now bite-sized. If you can, look for the original publication which is much more funny and looks like an actual non-fiction publication. The tiny version looks like a cute gag - which is what it has been reduced to.

5 comments about Mr. Putter & Tabby Catch the Cold (Mr. Putter & Tabby).

1. My daughter who is now 8 and I have been reading the Mr Putter and Tabby stories from the very beginning when Mr Putter and Tabby poured the tea. In fact, she has learned to read thanks to this kind hearted old man and his "fine cat." This latest addition as the two of them deal with a common cold is uncommonly good. Cynthia Rylant has managed to convey the lives of two elderly people - Mr Putter and his neighbor, Mrs Teaberry - with dignity, humor and a sense of adventure in everyday living. My daughter loves this story and all the others because of the humorous situations and the likeability of the characters. I love them because as I approach my "Mr Putter years" -- I'm 56 -- I see him as a delightful example of what being an "old man" can be. Likewise I see my daughter learning compassion, acceptance and respect for older people so often missing in children's stories.

   I urge any parent -- and especially grandparents -- to add this book and any of the other Mr Putter and Tabby books to their children's (and grandchildren's)reading repetoire.




2. I've read the Mr. Putter & Tabby books with both of my children. It's a wonderful series for the beginning reader. This title is my favorite of the entire series. Mr. Putter has a cold and remembers what made him feel better when he was a boy. Chicken soup, some hot tea and an adventure book loaned by Mrs. Teaberry's dog, Zeke make this cold worth having. It perfectly captures just how much fun a sick day can be.



3. I have all the titles in the series, and of course, I love this one. My children snuggle up and we have read this one over
   and over. A must have for Mr. Putter and Tabby fans. Everyone will love the warmth and consideration from Mr. Putters neighbor and her dog, zeke. We should all care so much.



4. Mr Putter catches a cold! He thinks back to his younger days when he got sick. His mother always took good care of him. She gave him soup, tea and let him read adventure books. His neighbor Mrs. Teaberry decides to take care of him like his mother use to. She does a great job.
   
   
   
   
   I enjoyed reading this book. I have read others in the series and this one was funny like the others.
   
   
   
   This book is good for early readers. If they enjoy the Mr Putter series they will like this one as well.



5. Other than perpetuating the myth that you get a cold by going outside in the cold without a hat, this was a cute story.

5 comments about Schrodinger's Cat Trilogy: "The Universe Next Door", "The Trick Top Hat", & "The Homing Pigeons".

1. Trying to write a review about this book without trying to sound too grandiose is quite difficult. What's it about? Well, it's about everything... how we view life, politics, social interaction, sex, religion etc. Is it any good? This question is asking for a subjective judgement, but if you are the kind of person who likes original and unique philosophical views delivered in a creative style that will entertain, humor and sometimes scare you, than yeah it is good. In my estimation, the book is beyond creative. As far as his writing style, the man is brilliant. Every page blasts away at your preconceived notions of what writing, thinking, living should be and gives the reader an invigorated new sense of life's unlimited possibilities. Why this author is not listed among the upper echelon of literary dignataries is beyond me. I mean seriously, most "classic" novels are deemed as such because they have captured an audience because of their timeless content, advanced writing style, indvidualistic voice and perhaps inspirational,universal message. This being the case, I cannot think of a better way to describe this book.



2. Once again Robert Anton Wilson has written a novel that absolutely forces the reader to stand at attention - ready at all times for a multi-dimensional plot twist, sometimes through mirrored realities (almost!?) that humorously mock our own. His unique style effectively guides the reader into questioning his/her own thought processes and conciousness.
   
   A few times while reading I had to remind myself to laugh - partly due to Wilson's superior intellect, evident in his writing, which had me studying each page as if hidden somewhere within was the meaning of life! However, rest assured once I got started it was a full body affair.
   
   Always I look forward to Wilson's designs - in his novels there seems to be secret messages intricately woven within, maybe it is just me, but this type of writing is a blast to read. Literally this story will blow your mind.



3. In speaking about this book, Wilson said "Like Ulysses, it's a parallel to Homer's Odyssey but it's all from the point of view of quantum mechanics; there isn't one universe, but many," Wilson said. "Schrodinger said that the only way to understand quantum physics is in terms of the Upanishads, with the concept of unity, that everything, no matter how different it seems, it's all aspects of one hidden thing we don't see.
   
   "I think the dominant tendency in physics is to say that we shouldn't ask questions about the objective universe. All we can talk meaningfully about is the experimental universe, which involves us. Any method of observing imposes upon the thing the structure you're observing It through; your eye, your microscope, whatever. You can't leave the observer out."
   
   In the book, Wilson uses the fundamental ideas in Quantum Mechanics, and Joyce's literary techniques, to craft a complex and subtle story that expands beyond the scope of the normal novel. He creates a world that is made of both fact and fancy, blending them so that the reader's certainty about reality begins to erode. While it is true that it lacks a standard narrative quality, it more than makes up for it with the lovingly detailed segments that, ultimately, fit together into an illuminant masterpiece that I found to be deeply satisfying.
   
   One could argue that this work is analogous to Pointillism. Each part is a dot that, when seen as a whole, creates an amazing, funny, and beautiful picture.



4. After reading The Illuminatus! Trilogy, I stared at my copy of Schroedinger's Cat and wondered how the hell Bob could top the 800-page work of lunacy he had created with Robert Shea. Of course, I shouldn't have doubted Bob; anyone who has read his books knows how he can construct the most meaningful anecdotes and stories from seemingly random and uninteresting information. This book is no different.
   
   When I started reading this book, I assumed that the story would have to do with Schroedinger's Cat (obviously), but I didn't understand the novel's structure until I reached page 80 and the book ended, only to start again in a different world (which I know sounds strange; read it if you want to understand). The plot of this novel seems entirely random, and up to a certain point it is, but it has more structure than would seem at first glance. Like Illuminatus!, it would require a great deal of analysis and scholarship to unravel the ever-knotted threads of Schroedinger's Cat, and I know few who have the time to do that. Still, it's quite an enjoyable read, even if you never know fully what the hell is going on.
   
   As is usual for Robert Anton Wilson books, Schroedinger's Cat is side-splittingly funny. Perhaps the funniest part of the book is how characters change from world to world. For instance, in one world, Epicene Wildeblood is a debonair ladies' man. In a different world, Epicene is now a she, Mary Margaret Wildeblood, after a sex change. Even historical figures in the novel change depending on the world. James Joyce, in one world, was a minor composer. In another, Ezra Pound was not a famous poet; he was a famous folksinger. In yet another, Aleister Crowley was not an infamous occultist, but instead a British general who was the first person to reach the North Pole, which he claimed was inhabited by little green people when he got there (if you laugh at that, you will appreciate the book's humor).
   
   It's hard to put together a review of this book, because there's no continuous plot (at least not in the ordinary sense). Characters disappear for (sometimes literally) hundreds of pages, then reappear as if nothing happened. It's very disorienting and why I waited several months after reading the book to actually review it. I thought that "sitting on my thoughts," allowing them to formulate, would help. Instead, I find that I've forgotten half of what went on in the book. Oh, memory, how thou hast robbed me!
   
   Anyway, before I start to ramble, let me say that this is a good book for all science-fiction fans to read, since it is actual SCIENCE fiction (i.e. it involves quite complicated issues of quantum mechanics). I would recommend it to anyone with an IQ of 250 or a Ph.D. in rocket science. If you're like me and have neither, it's still a great novel. It just won't make full sense until you understand Bob's philosophy of neurological model agnosticism and quantum mechanics.



5. Parallel universes are certainly not a stretch, when you think about
   all the bizarre stuff that Robert Anton Wilson comes up with. Here we
   have another Illuminati trilogy style collection, even with some of the
   same characters. However, these are alternate universe versions of
   these people, hence the title of the trilogy.
   
   If you don't like that original trilogy, you are probably not going to like this.