Reviews (5)

This book is in ENGLISH only!! Be Warned !
I bought this book after reading Elizabeth Wu's listmania..There are some deceptive chinese characters shown in the sample pages so I figured it would be in Chinese, maybe pinyin and the english translation !! Bad Mistake..!! If you are a reader on Chinese, its not fulfilling to read it only in English.

Best-Loved Chinese Proverbs
The most romantic that ever happened to me was motivated by this book and one of its proverbs.My boyfriend wanted to find something culturally significant (I'm Chinese)to use to propose to me.Apparently, he searched far and wide for a book like this and it was difficult to find, but when he found Theodora Lau's "Best-Loved Chinese Proverbs" it all fell into place.He also made quite the impression on my traditional Chinese family with such lovely words.

too simple
If you are Chinese or speak Chinese, this is not a book you will be interested in. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    2. Inspirational - General    3. Literature: Folklore/Mythology    4. Maxims, Chinese    5. Proverbs    6. Quotations    7. Reference    8. China    9. Folklore    10. Religion / Inspirational   

Reviews (2)

A welcome addition to any grouch's library
Those among us who are generally grouchy and pessimistic can find solace and support in the pages of this book.Indeed, the Portable Curmudgeon Redux is a celebration of the art of complaining.You don't have to be a misanthrope to enjoy the humor, but eternally happy, effervescent souls will find little reason to even glance at these pages.This is the province of realism, satire, rapier wit, irritability, and--above all--humor; this book really doesn't take itself too seriously.The book offers a dictionary of quotations for such selected words and concepts as love, marriage, life, lawyers, and advertising, the jewels of wisdom coming from such individuals as Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, and H. L. Mencken.Several specific topics (such as American Presidents, music, and fine art) are singled out for special attention.There are also interviews with personalities such as P.J. O'Rourke, Larry Gelbart, Florence King, and Carrie Fisher.No subject is taboo or safe from the skewering stick of sarcasm, and many of the statements are thought-provoking or just plain funny enough to make special note of.Amuse your friends or pester your enemies with curmudeonly quotes on all manner of subjects.

A KEEPER
Calling all cars! Calling all cars!Be on the look-out for a funny, acerbic collection of smart-alec quotes from the 20th century's greatest cynical wags.Suspect is armed and dangerous with several witticisms,hilarious one-liners and quips.Proceed carefully; you could die laughing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American wit and humor    2. Anthologies (multiple authors)    3. General    4. Humor    5. Quotations    6. Quotations, English    7. Humor / General   

Subjects:  1. Quotations   

Reviews (2)

A Necessity for Any Daughter
It's a fact: all women are daughters, and this book is for all daughters. The book contains morsels of advice mixed in with quotes from real women (presumably, some of the author's friends) about their mothers, although some are a bit off the wall. The least you will get out of this book is inspiration to contemplate your own mother, if not the women of your entire family, and her influence on you. I'm glad my mother gave me this book!
Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Interpersonal Relations    3. Parenting - Motherhood    4. Psychology    5. Quotations    6. Quotations, English    7. Self-Help    8. Women    9. Family & Relationships / Motherhood    10. Gift books    11. Marriage, family & other relationships    12. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (2)

Rural Texas Sayings: Voices from the Great Depression
Thank goodness someone thought to compile old country sayings of rural Texas! Truly a glimpse of rural Texas life, a historic, gem of a book. It reminded me of the memorable times I listened with great attention to my grandfather's colorful stories which amused me and appalled my parents. I'm so glad that we won't lose these timeless sayings forever as generations die. Just wish that I'd thought of writing this delightful book.

Funny, Witty, Simply Brilliant!!
This book is simply wonderful.The sayings can be appreciated and enjoyed by anyone, but especially by those originating from the South, as the sayings come from rural Texas.You won't be disappointed! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    2. Quotations    3. Social Science    4. Sociology    5. Dictionaries of quotations   

Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (13)

Good for long quotations from famous works
This book is very different from the other quotation books I've used.It is well organized and indexed, but a large number of quotes are very large indeed.It is perhaps dominated by the Bible, Shakespeare, and a few other well-know authors/books.If you know something is from Shakespeare and you need to know where (which play, act, etc.), this book is for you.If you just collect quotes, as I do, it isn't all that helpful--Bartlett's is better for that purpose.Also, see Lieberman's 3500 quotes book and, especially, Braude's book of speakers' stories (exceptionally good).So, the Oxford book is a 3 or a 5 depending on how you want to use it.So, I gave it a 4.What can you do?As Virgil (as quoted in the book) says: "Trust one who has gone through it."Great reference text, but not a book to read through, IMHO.

Complaint with format, not content
I have used previous editions of the Oxford book o' quotations and, until this edition, I considered this book a must-have for anyone that relies upon reference sources for quotations, as I do as a magazine editor. An Essential Reference for Any Home Library
The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations is more than simply a collection of words people have spoken. It's a summary of the best of our spoken and written language - the Greek and Latin authors, Dante, The Bible, Shakespeare, the English Poets, Winston Churchill, and just about every other essential literary or historical work of the last two thousand years. In a sense, the ODQ is not so much a collection of famous sayings as it is a single volume summary of western literature you can use to track down a line from a poem or novel as well as a phrase from a famous speech. This is an essential reference work for anyone interested in literature or history and should be part of any home library alongside such frequently used books as a dictionary or encyclopedia. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Quotations    2. Quotations, English    3. Reference    4. Dictionaries of quotations    5. Reference / Quotations    6. Reference | Subject area reference   

Reviews (1)

Nice selection of Quotes
This is a small, easily read book of quotes. There were several inspiring quotes and several famous quotes. Sometimes it seemed as though there were repeats of quotes or they were stuck on a theme.I wish the book was longer and referenced more outstanding speakers/thinkers. OVERALL... I am very satisified. I purchased this book as a resource for students it will fit well in the classroom. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Inspirational - General    2. Philosophy    3. Quotations    4. Quotations, English    5. Reference    6. Reference works    7. Religion / General   

Subjects:  1. Inspirational    2. Inspirational - General    3. Motivation    4. Motivational & Inspirational    5. Quotations    6. Self-Help    7. Spiritual Healing    8. Spiritual life    9. Wealth    10. Body, Mind & Spirit / Personal Transformation    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Popular psychology   

Subjects:  1. College readers    2. Education    3. English Composition    4. Essays    5. Interdisciplinary approach in    6. Interdisciplinary approach in education    7. Quotations    8. Readers    9. Reference    10. Writing Skills    11. Collections & anthologies of various literary forms    12. Essays, journals, letters & other prose works   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Humor    3. Quotations    4. Reference    5. Topic - Adult    6. Reference / Quotations   

Reviews (4)

DECEPTIVE
This book appears to be a normal size book in its add on the web but is infact only 2 1/2 inches wide and 3 inches long.
Dementia are Appropriate
The dementia of this book are entirely appropriate. One minor criticism: Ms. Shannonneglected to include an excerpt from the works of the often-overlookedIrish pugilist-poet Fighty McDrunkahan. His cycle of travellers' poems -- "Jaysus, What's This in Me Shoe?" -- is a classic of vernacular Irish literature.

Nice book to carry around
I can see this book going into your pocket for a walk in the park or keeping it somewhere handy to pull out to look for a little bit of insperation.I have nocied that the cover picture is on another book, so pay attention to the demention size, this is a MINITURE book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    2. Inspirational    3. Inspirational - Gifts    4. Poetry    5. Quotations    6. Reference   

Reviews (10)

An inspiring look at a man 100% determined to overcome his limitations
Jackson is a fascinating man who had some really serious problems and issues but who was determined to apply his faith in God and his absolute best efforts towards being the very best man he could be. The commentary in this book draws that point out very well.
Jackson's maxims for gentlemanly behavior are here reproduced for modern audiences and Civil War fans alike
Stonewall Jackson was heavily influenced by the writings of Lord Chesterfield and began collecting maxims as part of his search for status as a gentleman before he became famous during the war. These maxims he wrote into a personal notebook scholars had assumed lost - until James Robertson discovered it in the Tulane University archives in the 1990s. Jackson's maxims for gentlemanly behavior are here reproduced for modern audiences and Civil War fans alike. Highly recommended.
sloppy hackwork
James Robertson has eeked out a career selling rewarmed and often inaccurate anecdotes from the life and career of Stonewall Jsckson.This copy and paste job, sadly, is nothing new. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1824-1863    2. Conduct of life    3. Confederate States of America    4. Generals    5. History    6. History - U.S.    7. History: American    8. Jackson, Stonewall,    9. Military - United States    10. Quotations    11. Quotations, maxims, etc    12. United States - Civil War    13. Jackson, Stonewall   

Subjects:  1. Inspirational    2. Inspirational - General    3. Inspirational - Gifts    4. Quotations    5. Religion    6. Collections & anthologies of various literary forms    7. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques   

Subjects:  1. European - Spanish & Portuguese    2. History & Surveys - General    3. Literary Criticism    4. Maxims    5. Personal Growth - Self-Esteem    6. Philosophy    7. Quotations    8. Self-Help    9. Spanish Literature    10. Self-Help / Self-Esteem   

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. General    4. Motivational & Inspirational    5. Quotations    6. Quotations, maxims, etc    7. Teachers    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    9. Education / General    10. Educational resources & technology    11. Organization & management of education   

Reviews (1)

Thomas Jefferson-Essential Letters And Quotations
Thomas Jefferson was a man of many facets. Among these were the power of words,
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1743-1826    2. American - General    3. Jefferson, Thomas,    4. Literature - Classics / Criticism    5. Presidents & Heads of State    6. Quotations    7. Quotations, American    8. Reference    9. U.S. President    10. American History    11. American history: c 1500 to c 1800    12. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    13. History / United States / Revolutionary Period (1775-1800)    14. Political Science and International Relations    15. USA    16. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (4)

Nothing beats dark and mysterious film and pulp noir!!!
I must admit I fell in love with "It's a Bitter Little World", it's a good little reference book for some of the best late forties and fifties noir movie punch lines. Last Saturday afternoon I saw "Kiss Me Deadly" on TCM for the first time but I'm going to make it a point to seeall my old favorites like "Somewhere in the Night" though not mentioned by Mr. Pappas, and "Nocturne", "High Sierra" and other Bogey noir favorites, also"Chinatown", "Farewell My Lovely" "Blade Runner" as well as some I haven'tyet seen. Long live noir!

A Piece of History
Every once in a while, and it's not often, you run across a book whose contents seem ready to bust its covers. ITS A BITTER LITTLE WORLD is one of those beauties. Charles Pappas has created a multi-media experience in book form. Not only do you get the best film-noir quotations ever uttered by the most desperate guys and dolls, but you get them surrounded by graphics and design that pull you right into the shadows. Visually, it's a striking book. And, as if that wasn't enough, you get a healthy dose of Mr. Pappas' own observations, written in a style that has all the bite and brains of the genre he obviously loves so well. ITS A BITTER LITTLE WORLD is a labor of love, and it pulls no punches. I can't imagine a worthier tribute to the film-noir genre, and I can't imagine anyone pulling it off half as well as Mr. Pappas. Film-noir has given us the greatest dialogue in the history of cinema, and ITS A BITTER LITTLE WORLD is a feast of imagery and phrases whose like we won't see again. This is a book for every library.

A fun, revealing compilation lending to leisure browsing by any who love film noir and literature
Charles Pappas' It's A Bitter Little World: The Smartest Toughest Nastiest Quotes From Film Noir represents the author's sixty years of film noir surveys to locate quotes and dialogue which pertain to life's challenges and answers. Arranged by decade, these are scalding quotes and even fun, memorable lines and dialogue bits which reflect a love of language and an eye to fun. It's A Bitter Little World is a fun, revealing compilation lending to leisure browsing by any who love film noir and literature. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Film & Video - General    2. Film & Video - History & Criticism    3. Film & Video - Reference    4. Film noir    5. General    6. Motion pictures    7. Performing Arts    8. Performing Arts/Dance    9. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    10. Quotations    11. Quotations, maxims, etc    12. Dictionaries of quotations    13. Films, cinema   

Reviews (2)

The maxims of great but dead generals...
My Rating would be 3 1/2 stars. Words of Wisdom
Greenhill has done it again, giving us a superb volume that is of immense help to researchers, historians, and history buffs.Edited by Peter Tsouras, and enlarging his original work, Warrior's Words, this exhaustive, interesting, and most useful volume gives us insight into such well-known great commanders and leaders as George Washington, Napoleon, the Duke of Wellington, George Patton, and Norman Schwartzkopf, as well as lesser known professionals and masters of the art of war as Turenne, Folard, Lloyd, Belisarius, Xenophon, and Scharnhorst.Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. History - Military / War    4. Military - General    5. Military Science    6. Military Science (Specific Aspects)    7. Military art and science    8. Quotations    9. Quotations, maxims, etc    10. Reference    11. War    12. Dictionaries of quotations    13. History / General    14. Warfare & Defence   

Reviews (1)

Wild and Witty
Autumn Stephens has done it again with another edition to her "Wild and Witty Women" collection with her newest book, "Out of the Mouths of Babes, Quips and Quotes from Wildly Witty Women."This book is a perfect read for the feminist in all of us.It is jam packed with quotes that will not only inspire but also put a smile on your face.It speaks the true meaning of girl power! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Inspirational    2. Inspirational - General    3. Quotations    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Women    7. Women's Studies - General    8. Humour collections & anthologies    9. Women's studies    10. Women's Issues   

Reviews (7)

So small
I thought the size of the book is 8x11, but it's merely 4x6.Should put the size there.Otherwise, the content is awesome.

Profiting from Other People's Work
Why buy this book? The "editor" didn't write it, so why should she profit from it? You can see this on her website, reata.org, for free.

Interview with God
It's very nice view from God point. I'm very like this point. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conduct of life    2. God    3. Quotations    4. Religion    5. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    6. Spirituality - General    7. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    8. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works    9. Religion / General