"Wonderful digest of the very latest research"
I've been reading this magazine for 15 years and find it one of the best and most condensed sources of the latest research. This magazine often contains summaries and digests of the major science publications (Nature, Science, etc), so you hear about the latest real science. The editors have consistently demonstrated savvy skill in choice of relevant research, not the sound bite pseudo science published by otherwise reputable sources. (Hydrogen car to save world energy crisis? Give me a break.)
"No plot"
The author doesn't seem to understand the principles of story development. His many vignettes wander in random directions, discuss characters that will never be seen again, and don't move the story forward. You can skip the entire second volume, as nothing whatsoever happens.
Overall, I'm thoroughly unhappy with this series. The author seems to be experiencing some halo effect from Tolkien, which is thoroughly undeserved. Please go re-read Tolkien and skip right past this series.
"Not suitable to line the bird cage"
I had high hopes for this book as a thorough examination of the American dietary habits but was entirely let down as the author expounded on many absurd supositions and implications with little or no evidence. The author wastes pages bemoning the migration of people from farms into cities and the industrial revolution. At one point he implies dirt roads are somehow better than blacktop, and expresses sadness that we drive cars.
If this book was written 150 years ago, it would at least be relevant and timely. The author could have mourned the loss of jobs to industrialization, called for a return to egrarian subsistence farming, and demanded that such scoundrals as Eliah Whitney be tarred and feathered. As it is, the author is just plain out of date and makes absurd inferences that have no relevance whatsoever.
I'm ashamed that I spent money on this piece of cat litter.
"Chic book, but a good read (grunt, scratch)"
Sparks creates a wonderful image of an old man near the end of his days, recollecting his past love.
"Charming drivel, but drivel"
Not very impressed by this work. I had trouble identifying with the author's perspective, which seemed at times old fashioned, at times sexist, at times openly disdainful of Americans. I had to double check the publication date while reading this book to verify that it was written in the 20th century.
"Charming and insightful SF"
One fantastic book. A light but charming read - reminds me of Dickens. The comparison is easy, since some of Dickens works were written in installments, as was this book. Much of Dickens is light, accessible reading, as is this book. Dickens style was to present poignant observations about the life of his characters, very similiar to Spider's style in the bar.