The Far Side Gallery 2007 Off The Wall Page-a-Day Calendar

Customer Reviews:

Larson is a classic and usually a good spot for humor.......2007-04-17

I received this desk calendar as a gift, by request because I have always loved Larson and his Far Side. This calendar, however, seems to be a compilation of little seen, not published and sometimes not finished cartoons and very few are funny. I am very disappointed in this calendar this year.

absolut genius .......2007-03-21

well, i am a greeat Gary Larson Fan. It proper, it's neat. You have to s'dscipline NOT to look through the whole calender at once. you want to but you can't help. you have to peak!! it's a joy day for day. it makes your day. it's alittle sunshine, a ray of lightfor every day!!Larson as homeopathic medicin!!

"THE Master at His Best!" Larson's work is hilarious........2007-03-20

Hey Folks it's just a calendar I know,.......BUT it is a "Far Side" calendar taken from the cartoons by Gary Larson. You've seen these cartoons before in Larson's collections or from the newspaper. Trust me folks it doesn't even matter,........funny is funny is funny!!! If you can't find a genuine full, outloud hearty laugh from one of these cartoons then consider donating your organs to science. It is a calendar but to me one of the best and as mentioned before.....the FUNNIEST!

I LOVE GARY LARSEN!.......2007-03-19

If i were ever going to have an affair, it would be with Gary Larsen.. the man is a genius!!!

My boss loves it.......2007-02-16

This creates a comic relief for my boss who works long and hard. He told me he looks forward to a new page everyday. One day, he left a few of his favorites on my desk.

The Complete Far Side 1980-1994 (2 vol set)

Average customer rating:

The Far Side collection
Nice book - fast shipping ... unattended extra payments
Why Gary, Why?!
The Complete Far Side 1980-1994 (2 vol set) by Gary Larson
review complete far side

The Complete Far Side 1980-1994 (2 vol set)
Gary Larson , and Steve Martin
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0740721135

Amazon.com

Gary Larson calls The Complete Far Side, the massive two-volume collection of his Far Side cartoons, an "18-pound hernia giver." Sure to give any coffee table a solid workout, the handsome and heavy 1,272-page "legacy book" is a must for fervent fans; over 4,300 single-panel comics with more than half in color and 1,100 that have not appeared in any book form before (the popular--and far less weighty--paperback collections).

Set in rough chronological order, the comics share pages with occasional letters from fans, detractors, editors, folks made famous by a particular cartoon, and those begging for explanations. Though few explanations are provided (Larson personally supplies merely one, plus a single apology), this collection helps answer the inevitable "how do you think up these things" conundrum. Before each year's cartoons, Larson provides insight with essays about his childhood, various travels, occupational hazards, and his official rules for dealing with bedtime monsters (which often turned out to be his older brother). Most wonderful is the first essay on how the comic started. (His longtime editor Jake Morrissey's long introduction is a must read on The Far Side's story).

Despite no central characters, it's easy to spot patterns in Larson's wild and wacky cartoons. Animals, insects, and inanimate objects often exhibit all-too-human impulses. Larson's subjects are often in scenes of peril--disasters, visits to hell, and perhaps a hundred cartoons set on a one-palm tree deserted island. It is what Larson's fertile imagination mined from those situations that created fans and enemies for 14 years. (Larson retired at his peak and then went into jazz music). The comics are not indexed (how could they be--first lines? listings of cartoons with cows?); finding a favorite requires a great memory for its publication date. Best simply to peruse the pages of this beautiful collection in which you will certainly find more than a few new chuckles before landing on your beloved Larson sketch. --Doug Thomas

Book Description

New York Times best-seller!

“Every one of these cartoons is just something that drifted into my head when I was alone with my thoughts. And, for better or worse, I ‘jotted’ them down. It was only later, when perhaps I received an angry letter from someone, that it struck me: Hey! Someone's been reading my diary!”

—Gary Larson, from the preface to The Complete Far Side

Revered by its fans as the funniest, most original, most “What the ... ?”-inspiring cartoon ever, The Far Side® debuted in January 1980 and enjoyed an illustrious 14 years on the world’s comics pages until Gary Larson’s retirement in 1994. The Complete Far Side celebrates Gary’s twisted, irreverent genius in this ultimate Far Side book, a lavish production, which takes its place alongside collector’s-edition art books.

A masterpiece of comic brilliance, The Complete Far Side contains every Far Side cartoon every syndicated—over 4,000 if you must know—presented in (more or less) chronological order by year of publication, with more than 1,100 that have never before appeared in a book. Also included are additional Far Side cartoons Larson created after his retirement: 13 that appeared in the last Far Side book, Last Chapter and Worse, and six cartoons that periodically ran as a special feature in the New York Times Science Times section as The Far Side of Science. Creator Gary Larson offers a rare glimpse into the mind of The Far Side in quirky and thoughtful introductions to each of the 14 chapters. Complaint letters, fan letters, and queries from puzzled readers appear alongside some of the more provocative or elusive panels. Actor, author, and comedian Steve Martin offers his pithy thoughts in a foreword, and Gary Larson’s former editor describes what it was like to be “the guy who could explain every Far Side cartoon.”

Customer Reviews:

The Far Side collection.......2007-08-04

Having always been a fan of the Far Side, this was well worth the purchase and my wife and I have enjoyed laughing together. My only complaint are the many, many blasphemous cartoons where God is the butt of the joke. It is also annoying that there are so many cartoons promoting evolution. So discernment is needed.

Nice book - fast shipping ... unattended extra payments.......2007-07-22

The books (complete far side) itselves are marvelous. I received them much earlier than indicated by amazon. The only problem was that I had to pay 10 euro extra on import duties: the custom house had opened the packet.

Why Gary, Why?!.......2007-07-21

Though this collection is nostalgic for a die hard fan like myself, I can't suppress my disappointment at how many of these cartoons have been retouched in COLOR. This coupled with the small panel size and wasted page space is actually quite aggravating dispite the 1000 cartoons not previously released in book form.

The Complete Far Side 1980-1994 (2 vol set) by Gary Larson.......2007-07-13

Fantastic collection of Far Side cartoons all in two volumses. Wonderful coffee table books for company as well. Top of the line humor, especially for thinking people. Very inexpensive.

review complete far side.......2007-07-12

This is one a great job of one of the best cartoonist I know. A great work edited in a de luxe format. beautiful edition for a hilarious Saga.
The book is not to put in chideren's hand (too heavy ;-)). Every page is a delight drawn on a glossy heavy paper. A perfect balans for the mind and the senses.

My Side of the Mountain Trilogy (My Side of the Mountain / On the Far Side of the Mountain / Frightful's Mountain)

Average customer rating:

Not Just for Children
An OK book
An Adventure
A Young Boy's Walden
a wonderful adventure ! (By Ian in Plano ,TX )

My Side of the Mountain Trilogy (My Side of the Mountain / On the Far Side of the Mountain / Frightful's Mountain)
Jean Craighead George
Manufacturer: Dutton Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0525462694

Amazon.com

Asked why the writing of the My Side of the Mountain trilogy took Jean Craighead George more than 40 years, she responds, "My mother disapproved of sequels. 'Those are trashy books,' she told me when I was a child. So I grew up and did not write them.

"But kids are wiser than adults, I learned. Letters kept arriving from schools and homes, saying, 'We want to know more about Sam, Frightful, and the wilderness.' 'Sequels,' they said, 'are important.' They were right."

Now, all three of George's remarkable novels about the wilderness adventures of young Sam Gribley and his falcon, Frightful, are available in one handsome volume. In My Side of the Mountain, a Newbery Honor Book, Sam leaves home to fend for himself in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. For a year he lives in a hollowed-out tree, befriending animals and depending on his wits for survival. In the sequel, On the Far Side of the Mountain, Sam's sister has now joined him, and his falcon is confiscated by a conservation officer. Frightful's Mountain is an interesting departure for George. Written from the perspective of Frightful the falcon, the concluding novel in the trilogy follows her efforts to learn to depend on her own instincts in a world crawling with dangers.

Jean Craighead George is the beloved author of more than 80 books, including the Newbery Medal winner, Julie of the Wolves. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

In 1959, Jean Craighead George published My Side of the Mountain. This coming-of-age story about a boy and his falcon went on to win a Newbery Honor, and for the past forty years has enthralled and entertained generations of would-be Sam Gribleys. The two books that followed--On the Far Side of the Mountain and Frightful's Mountain--were equally extraordinary. Now all three books are available in one deluxe yet affordable volume for veteran devotees and brand-new fans alike.

Customer Reviews:

Not Just for Children.......2007-07-19

As former wildlife rehabilitators of birds of prey, my wife & I now retirement age, completely enjoyed the narative and are amazed at the the accuracy and depth of JCG's facts. Truely a heart warming trilogy in todays not so warm world. JCG has been given a great gift to combine depth of knowledge and story telling. We are fans of hers and now have read many of her books.
I mentioned this book to the very best rehabber we know & she was so happy to have the title as she had forgotten it & read it when she was 11. Said today it has influenced her life ever since, a very highly educated abd sophisticated woman who lives in the woods. As a child, her father would drop them off in the Adirondack woods, with meger supplies, a section map etc, and then pick them up at a pre-arranged spot 3 or more days later. This went on till she was sixteen. Now she will purchase & pass this trilogy on to her grandson. Ractions from others to whom I have introduced this series include, from a VP of a multi billion corp. who was fascinated with it, finished it quickly and gave it to the son of his "Boss" and wants his report back. etc etc.

An OK book.......2007-04-19

i thought that this book was an ok book. i didn't like it that much because i kinda got bored with it. some of the good parts were when Frightful caught an animal. it didn't have enough action in it. If you like books that aren't thrilling and and books that are calm then this is your kind of book!! but if you like action and books that make you think than i suggest the Artemis Fowell series!!!

An Adventure.......2007-04-19

My Side of the mountain is about a boy who is sick of the city and runs away to the Catskill mountains. He learns that he can survive all year in a hollowed out tree. I liked this book because it had some adventure. i also liked how Sam trained Frithtful to hunt. another thing that i liked was how Bando made whistles for music.

A Young Boy's Walden.......2006-12-14

Granted, there are still some places like the one imagined by Craighead in My Side of the Mountain, and there are some boys and girls out there who still explore in the woods, some parents who allow their kids to spend the night out there, but this book, like Thoreau's, is much more important for kids (and parents) who have no real wilderness in their lives. Unlike so many young persons' books these days, which try so hard to help readers through difficult times (divorce, peer-pressure, death of loved ones) in predictable, heavy-handed ways, the premise of this book is not dramatic. The young narrator is just tired of the city (not in any committed political way), and more importantly tired of living in a large family in a small space. When he says he's going to run away to find the spot where his grandfather once had a farm in the mountains, his family ignores him--his father dares him to do it, and he takes the dare. Granted, there's a bit of drama here and there (his capture and training of the young falcon is more than improbable), but mostly the book is content to chronicle the boy's slow growth--not from some tenderfoot to a fully capable survivor (the story of "Hatchet")--but from a boy who knows something about nature from books to a boy who figures out, through his experience of nature, something new about himself and his relation to other people and the world. Here Craighead is above all PATIENT--able to chronicle the pace of a life that puts into question much of what kids and their parents might consider "normal" interests, or attachments, or social behavior. The best experience of this book won't drive kids to try their hand at survival in the woods (though that wouldn't be such a bad thing for many)--rather, it will show young boys and girls that there are other ways of seeing nature and the world than those they see on the Nature channel. The second in this series, The Other Side of the Mountain, is different--more of a detective story in the woods--but equally a good read.

a wonderful adventure ! (By Ian in Plano ,TX ).......2006-11-11

My Side of the Mountain is a wonderful adventure about a boy named Sam Gribley who is getting tired of living in the city and runs away to the Catskill mountains in New York. He learns how to use different plants and animals to make food and shelter in the wild. I like it becaus it has so many wonderful adventures and information about living in the mountains. if you like nature, and reading about it, you will probably like this book.

Average customer rating:

Graphic SF Reader
realer than real
Original 1984 Gallery of Masterpieces Will Never Go Out of Fashion
It's the Far Side, but...
My First Far Side Collection

The Far Side Gallery
Gary Larson
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0836220625

Amazon.com Reviews

Before office people faxed around Dilbert strips, they faxed the good ol' Far Side. This big 192-page treasury collects the first three standard collections: The Far Side, Beyond the Far Side, and In Search of the Far Side. Watch out for funny snakes, cows, and nerds--and don't let your boss catch you near the fax machine.

Book Description

The Far Side® and the Larson® signature are registered trademarks of FarWorks, Inc.

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

The Far Side Gallery is the first collection of Gary Larson's crazy comic strips featuring hordes of talking anthropomorphised fauna and fowl of all shapes and sizes.

These are generally very amusing, and generally very witty, and you are bound to get some fridge or door material out of one of these.

realer than real.......2007-07-13

Gary is sorely missed. Almost no one saw it the way he did. I hope another comes along.

Original 1984 Gallery of Masterpieces Will Never Go Out of Fashion.......2006-12-19

Larson's original gallery has so many classic Far Side cartoons that you can not justify not owning this sensational collection of his work. Larson may well have retired a while ago but the power of these works of brilliance to make the reader laugh will never fade. There have been many who have copied Larson's style but I have never come across anyone else who has even come close to achieving the quality of The Far Side.

Buy The Far Side Gallery along with its sequels, the original smaller books that make up these galleries are also great buys, along with the calendars and other merchandise. Larson's 2007 calendar gives all the proceeds to wildlife conservation (which obviously inspired a lot of his work) so get that too. You can never own enough of The Far Side.

In this volume (originally released in 1984) of the Gallery collections you will find such classic Far Sides as on Noah's Ark "Well that's it for the unicorns, from now on all the carnivores are confined to C Deck", the father being held up by his shirt collar by an invisible man with his son saying "BigBob is tired of you saying he doesn' exist, the smashed bottle falling from the clouds with humans running away with the word Uh-Oh! from the sky. The bears riding in the circus car saying "Looks Like a trap I said, nonsense no one would set a trap way out here in the woods you said...." The crocodiles on the river bank saying "That was incredible, no fur, claws, horns, antlers or nothing, just soft and pink" and of course the classic picture of dinosaurs smoking with the caption beneath "The Real Reason Dinosaurs Became Extinct" are just a small sample of the classic laughs within this sensational masterpiece.

It's the Far Side, but..........2006-03-10

Okay, it's a collection of Far Side comics, which is what I want, so it's awesome for that reason. BUT, the actual final product in book form is a little disappointing. First, all the comics are black and white. Yeah, it's not about the art and you don't miss much without color, but come on, would a little color kill anyone (especially ones that were originally color)? Second, it's pretty thin on strips, with 4 to a page most of the time (a good amount) sometimes 2 on a page, and even occassionally one comic on a single page! It looks pretty silly with just one giant comic on a page.

My First Far Side Collection.......2006-03-05

Some of my earliest memories are filled with reading The Far Side on my father's lap after the evening meal. Whenever I asked my parents for a one of the standard collections, they told me to wait, one day they would all be in one book. Then, for Christmas one year, I got this book.

What can I say, but thank you Mom and Dad and thank you Mr. Larson! The Far Side was, and still is, funny, original, and timeless. This collection gives you some of the best of the original strips and lends itself well to watching the progression of humor up and through until the end.

The Far Side of the World (Aubrey Maturin Series)

Average customer rating:

Unexpected plot twists and delightful travelogue make this my favorite O'Brian novel so far
O'Brian is one of the great treasures in modern literature
good book--disappointed with edition
A Fascinating, Fun Read!
Captain Aubrey Sails for the South Pacific and Galapagos

The Far Side of the World (Aubrey Maturin Series)
Patrick O'Brian
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0393308626

Amazon.com

Captain Jack Aubrey sets sail for Cape Horn, determined to intercept an American frigate before it can wreak havoc on the British whaling trade. As always, he is accompanied by intelligence operative Stephen Maturin, and as always, Aubrey has no idea of what his companion is up to. Another impeccably written adventure, by the end of which you should be able to identify a mizzen topsail in your sleep.

Book Description

Now available in an attractive movie-tie-in jacket for the release of the motion picture Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World starring Russell Crowe: "A world of enchanting fictional surfaces."—John Bayley, New York Review of Books.

Jack Aubrey, a brilliant and fearless captain in Nelson's navy, accepts a mission that will test his abilities to the limit: he is to set sail immediately for Cape Horn, to intercept a powerful frigate intent on wreaking havoc among British whalers. Aubrey's beloved ship, HMS Surprise, is up to the task, but many of her sailors are untried. Aubrey's confidant, ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin, has orders of his own in the world of secret intelligence. As the Surprise and her crew draw closer to the enemy, their journey grows ever more dangerous: murder, shipwreck, and a desperate rescue attempt await them in the far reaches of the Pacific.

Customer Reviews:

Unexpected plot twists and delightful travelogue make this my favorite O'Brian novel so far.......2007-04-14

I am working through Patrick O'Brian's famed Aubrey-Maturin series in order, and am both proud and sad to say that I've reached the midway point with Book 10, "The Far Side of the World." But it is without reservation that I say that this is my favorite novel in the series so far.

Part of that enjoyment stems directly from my enjoyment of first nine books in this series - this is not an example of one sterling novel in a series of sub-par efforts. Rather, I appreciate "Far Side" for the new directions where O'Brian is willing to take the characters he has established so well.

The first nine novels can be safely broken down into "Aubrey novels" or "Maturin novels". The "Aubrey novels" have plots that follow the personality of Captain "Lucky Jack" Aubrey - they are action packed, with taut sea-chases and horrific broadsides. "Master & Commander" and "The Mauritius Command" fall into that category. The "Maturin novels," on the other hand, focus their plots on Dr. Stephen Maturin and his spy-games. "The Surgeon's Mate" is one of these novels. While all the novels feature the classic O'Brian love of language, their plots tended to focus on one over the other.

"Far Side" takes a new tack, as in this novel Aubrey is charged with tracking down an American frigate, the "Norfolk," that is harrassing British whalers in the Pacific. So there is lots of sailing - they have to get to the Far Side of the World, after all. O'Brian reveals himself as a travel writer of surpassing skill as he describes the wild sights that enchant the naturalist Maturin, including the Galapagos Islands. For the nature-lovers in O'Brian's cast of characters, the thought of spying a new type of beetle is just as romantic a notion as encountering a pod of eighty-ton sperm whales.

In addition to some spectacular travel writing, O'Brian musters up fights, murder, mayhem, shipwrecks, and even the sub-plot of Aubrey and Maturin winding up lost at sea, only to be rescued by seafaring Polynesian/Amazonians. The novel twists and turns, but always seems both plausible and restrained. Look for a lot of humor and touch-and-go action in this novel, and the novel's conclusion is highly satisfying and yet leaves one panting for Book 11, "The Reverse of the Medal."

Be warned - despite its title, this is not the sole O'Brian novel that was used to make the fantastic Peter Weir movie, "Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World." That movie borrowed several plots and ideas from many different novels in the entire series - you will surely recognize some of them in this book, but not all. For fans of the movie, this is a good thing - it will encourage you to read all the other novels as well. And you will be glad you did.

O'Brian is one of the great treasures in modern literature.......2007-01-10

Give these stories a chance! I credit the recent film "Master & Commander" with making the O'Brian series more accessible. One of the best films I have ever seen, it provided a visual context for me when I read the Aubrey/Maturin books. Though the film departs quite a bit for good reason from "The Far Side of the World", I thoroughly enjoyed the book and O'Brian's style of writing. Especially memorable for me was the unorthodox method O'Brian applied for conclusion of the book. Victory is in the air, and he dispenses with the need to drag the book out unnecessarily. Brilliant and revelatory to me!

good book--disappointed with edition.......2006-11-05

My husband LOVES this series of books, and has been collecting them. The newer addition (post 1992) had covers like you can see in the online picture, and the neat thing about them is that when you put the bindings of the series together, it forms a picture. Unfortunately, we thought we were ordering the same edition (that's what it says in the information about the book), and we received this book in the old edition, which does not match. Needless to say, my husband was disappointed. But I would definitely recommend the series.

A Fascinating, Fun Read!.......2006-08-25

The Far Side of the World was my first foray into author Patrick O'Brian's epic series of Napoleon-era novels detailing the exploits and adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey and I'm happy to say it won't be my last!

The story, set in 1812, is this: Captain Aubrey, also known as `Lucky Jack' for his good fortune on the seas, is assigned to hunt down and destroy, or take as a prize, the American frigate Norfolk, which has been attacking British whaling ships in the Pacific. After assembling his regular crew and selecting some newer members to fill vacancies left by promotions, the HMS Surprise sets out under Aubrey's command. Along the way, he and his faithful companion, Stephen Maturin, an intelligence officer and ship's doctor, face a series of challenges and incidents (a cheating wife, a murder, a vicious storm, an incident with men overboard and, believe it or not, an encounter with a tribe of deadly Amazonian women!) that threaten to end their voyage and their lives.

From the first sentence, it was clear that The Far Side of the World was not going to read like the `cinematic Big Macs' of today's popular fiction (not that there's anything wrong with that!). Immediately dropping us into the action, that opening sentence sets up a whirlwind of events that are already in progress in a prose style that is more reminiscent of actual novels of the 1800s than of today's popular fiction. Moreover, while some things are explained, it is generally taken for granted that we know the ins an outs of life on a ship, the terminology, the past relationships among the crew members and the general history of the time. As much as I felt that, because of all the references, I wasn't quite getting everything out of the book that I could have been, I simply chose to continue onward without worrying and in the end, I feel that that approach (for someone not familiar with the series nor with the sea) worked well and paid off. The events that transpire in and of themselves prove to be so interesting and fun that it didn't bother me at all - the book simply hooked me.

The story is not necessarily as exciting as it is fascinating. Readers who pick up The Far Side of the World expecting it to be like the movie will be disappointed. The film, while very faithful to the characters, some of the incidents, and most importantly the spirit of the book, has a feeling of full speed ahead that builds as the story progresses. The book, on the other hand, is more about one interesting incident simply following another, with not too much linking these events beyond that they happen on the same ship and on the same mission. Once Aubrey and his crew put to sea, some readers might even say that the story begins to cool off as it meanders from incident to incident and toward it's twist of a conclusion.

While in some respects I can agree that the book is paced, shall we say *patiently*, I found O'Brian's realistic, slice-of-naval-life approach far more fascinating and involving than anything that I was expecting after having seen the film version. I was fascinated by the details of the way things worked on the ship, the relationships between the crewmembers and how they reacted to the challenges that they faced. Most of all, though, I was fascinated by the feeling that everything was as it happened in 1812. It was obvious by the rich detail and painstaking research that must have gone into Far Side of the World that the author was absolutely in love with the sea, in love with the time period and in love with the Surprise and her crewmembers. I think that love of the sea translates into a lot of enjoyment for the reader and is what really carries the book so well when the story slows. Those willing to give the book a chance will find it to be in it's own way every bit as exciting and fun as the film.

If I had one issue with the book, however, it would be the transitions between scenes. Perhaps I'm too much a child of today's popular fiction, where things are simply spelled out, but I found the way O'Brian moved between scenes to be slightly confusing. While I'm sure he was aiming for smooth transitions that moved the story along quickly, the best word I can think of to describe O'Brian's transitions would actually be `stealthy' - as in, the reader isn't always quite aware of them until actual characters or events transpire to anchor us in a new scene. There were numerous times when I found myself flipping back several paragraphs or even a page or two because I was unaware that the scene had transitioned to another and was confused as to who was speaking to who and why! While these stealthy transitions sometimes worked well to move the story along and I eventually got used to them, I thought O'Brian might have made them a little clearer for the reader. Or, perhaps I'm just slow and dim-witted.

To those interested in O'Brian's Napoleon-era epic, I wouldn't exactly say don't start with this book... but I have a feeling that, assuming the other books are just as good as this one, it might be better to start with Master and Commander (the first in the series). All around, however, the Far Side of the World was a fascinatingly detailed read that I found to be great fun. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves tales of the sea or adventure in general. I suppose the best compliment I could give is to simply say that, after reading Far Side of the World, I greatly look forward to reading another adventure of Captain Aubrey and his crew!

Captain Aubrey Sails for the South Pacific and Galapagos.......2006-06-16

Note for new readers, or those inspired to read by the movie: For those of you who are beginning this amazing series, or are expecting a close re-telling of the movie starring Russell Crowe, please read the next few sentences closely. This book is the 10th in a series that detail the life and adventures of two best friends and their companions in the British Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars (rough timeline 1805-1812). The recent movie contains the titles of two these novels "Master and Commander", the first of the series, and this novel "The Far Side of the World"; this choice for the movie's title is more than symbolic, the director and script writers have actually taken events, conversations, battles and plot lines from the entire series, and has combined them in new and interesting ways. So, if you're fresh from the movie theater or just watched a new DVD and are excited to experience `the book' version, you should not expect a close retelling. I think of the movie as a new adventure with Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, and you can think of this book in the same light. And I believe the concept does the story and the characters justice: in Patrick O'Brian's own brief forward he even speculates on this same possibility -although in a purely literary sense- "and it is possible that in the near future the author (if the readers will bear with him) may be led to make use of hypothetical years, rather like those hypothetical moons used in the calculation of Easter: an 1812a as it were or even an 1812b" (page12). Additionally, I will highly recommend that you start your foray into the nautical world of Napoleon's time with the initial novel of the Aubrey/Maturin Series.

"The Far Side of the World" picks up directly where "Treason's Harbour" left off. Jack Aubrey is in the Mediterranean and coming to terms with the disastrous results of his previous mission involving a violent Barbary city-state secretly allied with France: one ship-of-the-line destroyed, the Surprise barely managing to escape- though through elegant and cunning seamanship, Aubrey led an enemy frigate onto a shoal and destroying her. However, despite what may on the surface seem disastrous is in fact not altogether a failure when the balance of naval power in the region is considered, and Aubrey is given a mission that will take him across the globe in pursuit of an enemy American frigate on course to wreck havoc on British Whalers in the Pacific. Here is the first considerable departure from the movie- the enemy is American due to the War of 1812, rather than the more comfortable villain of France (the movie-makers bow to the audience in the USA and us Patriots around the world).

As the story unfolds, Jack and Stephen must contend with a very attractive impotent Gunner's wife and the chaos she unwittingly ferments in the crew; the adultery it leads to and its final horrifying culmination. Jack and Stephen's most trying adventure occurs lost at sea without a ship, and their deadly rescue by a tribe of cannibal man-hating Pacific Islanders- and throughout the journey they must contend with unnatural bad weather. When the American frigate Norfolk is finally in their sights, the culmination of the story will completely surprise viewers of the movie, and satisfy readers intent on setting sail into another adventure. . .

This story is more focused on life at sea, the particular challenges of the capricious ocean, and the psychology that develops between a small group of people held together in amazingly small confines. It does not satisfy my craving for the gunpowder and saber action found in previous and later novels, but it is a critical juncture in the series, beginning Jack and Stephen's next long journey through the far side of the world.

Average customer rating:

LEARNING TO LET GO
Great Book
on the far side of the mountain
OTFSOTM Review
Mountian of a book

On the Far Side of the Mountain
Jean Craighead George
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Frightful's Mountain
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My Side of the Mountain

ASIN: 0141312416

Amazon.com

Life in the wilderness has just become a lot thornier for young Sam Gribley. For the last two years he's been living in a hollowed-out tree in the Catskill Mountains, hunting and gathering his food supply and befriending the critters in his "neighborhood." Sam's peaceful existence is abruptly shattered when an environmental conservation officer confiscates his peregrine falcon, Frightful. To make matters worse, Sam's sister Alice, who has been living with him for the past year, has disappeared. This double blow quickly puts Sam on the trail to the far side of his mountain, pursuing a multifaceted mystery that, ultimately, will force him to make the biggest decision of his life.

Thirty years after the publication of her Newbery Honor Book, My Side of the Mountain, Jean Craighead George rewarded her many fans with an exciting sequel. This remarkable author of over 80 books and recipient of more than 20 literary awards (including the Newbery Medal for Julie of the Wolves) is a passionate advocate for the environment. Her knack for naturalist writing that crackles with life will have readers of all ages chomping at the bit for the third novel in her trilogy, Frightful's Mountain. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

Two years ago, Sam ran away from New York City to live in the Catskill Mountains. Now his younger sister Alice has joined him and is quietly living in a tree house of her own nearby. Their peaceful life is shattered when a conservation officer confiscates Sam's falcon, Frightful, and Alice suddenly vanishes. Sam leaves his home to search for Alice, hoping to find Frightful, too. But the trail to the far side of the mountain may lead Sam into great danger.

"Surpasses the original in style and substance . . . This story [is] a jewel."
-Booklist

"George has outdone herself here."
-Kirkus Reviews

Customer Reviews:

LEARNING TO LET GO.......2007-09-23

This sequel to MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN takes up the story of Sam Gribley, living a wilderness existence by personal choice, two years later. Only he has been joined--to his amazement and displeasure--by his younger sister, Alice, who exhibits the family's pioneer spirit. As the book
opens Sam is devastated by the arrival of heartless Leon Longbridge, the local Conservation Officer, who confiscates Sam's beloved peregrine falcon, Frightful, for breeding in captivity.

Much of the story consists of Sam's tracking his independent sister who has taken it into her head to go off with her pet pig, Crystal. Demonstrating her woodland skills she plays their private game of "On The Track" with him, by leaving tantalizing clues re her destination. Sam enlists the aid of an older friend named Bando--a married man living in a rustic cabin nearby. The guys track girl and pig to distant wilderness areas. The story is enhanced by many pen and ink sketches and diagrams of woodland survival and colonial inventions, which make this book something of a reference manual for outdoorsmen.

The plot picks up amazing speed in the last chapters: Alice proves
a fearless and loyal sister to grieving Sam, while he must face the most difficult decision in his young life. Both siblings exhibit true character development in this YA book which makes use of diary entries as well as typical narrative to relate the story. Connecticut author Jean Craighead George presents a strong case for the preservation of endangered species, but can mankind both protect and responsibly enjoy these glorious birds of prey? Read the book to learn Sam's compromise.

Great Book.......2007-01-12

On The Far Side of The Mountain by Jean Craighead George is an amazing book and has all of the right ingredients for a suspenseful survival novel. The main character, Sam Gribley, has run away from home and been living in the Catskill mountains for a year or so now. It is amazing how he uses nature to make things for every day living. His main food provider, a falcon named Frightful, has been taken away for legal issues. Without his falcon Sam is left to fend for himself.

To find out what happens, read this great book that will keep you wanting to read more.

I highly recommend this book for all ages, it is a classic!

on the far side of the mountain.......2006-05-31

It was a good book for boys who like the wilderness. Some of the parts were vary boring. I picked this book because it was a medium length.

OTFSOTM Review.......2006-05-30

On the Far Side of the Mountain is about Sam Gribley, who lives on the Catskill Mountains. He eventually is also burdened with his sister living there, and must leave the safety of the mountain to save her with his friend Bando.

This book has some action and adventure, but not enough for my taste. I didn't appeal to that or the characters. It was basically about outdoor survival, which is much better done in other books, like Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.

I would recommend reading other, more exciting books, like Hatchet,instead of this one.

Mountian of a book.......2005-11-23

On the Far Side of the Mountain is the second book in the series. It is about Sam Gribley and his adventures on the Catskill Mountains. In this book his family moves off the mountain because they could not farm the land. Sam's sister Alice convinces their parents to let her stay on the mountain with Sam. Sam dose not want her there but his dad says that she will probably be begging to leave in an hour. Alice is well adapted to living on the mountains and loves it there so she dose not tire of it. When Alice lives there thought she wants things that Sam has to build and make for her. Alice is doing well on the mountain and is almost living on her own. When some events happen Sam must leave the protection of his mountain home and explore new lands in order to save a life. What I liked about this book is that it is filled with action and adventure. I also liked his sister she was a great character in the book. What I didn't like about the book is that some on the decision that Sam makes I do not agree with. I know I said I liked Alice in this book but the spent the whole book talking about her and it was too much.
People that would like this book are people that enjoy the outdoors and nature. People that also like to go out in the woods and spent the night or have ever wondered what it would be like of a mountain.

Average customer rating:

The best of a cartoonist genius
great fun!
Hilarious
I AM A LARSEN JUNKIE!!! I NEED MORE!!!
Very Unique!

The Far Side ® Gallery 5
Gary Larson
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0836204255

Book Description

The Far Side® and the Larson® signature are registered trademarks of FarWorks, Inc.

Customer Reviews:

The best of a cartoonist genius.......2007-09-21

As a satirical cartoonist, Gary Larson has no peer. His biting and hilarious insights often require a great deal of thought before you get the point. If you are not familiar with the reference used to create the cartoon, it is unlikely that you will get the point.
For example, on page 42 there is a cartoon showing deer engaged in an excavation project with a mounted cowboy observing them while perched on a hill. The caption is "Where the deer and the antelope work." If you do not know about the song, "Home on the range", then you will not understand the joke. Another example on the same page shows three frogs lying among cattails holding wine bottles. The caption here is "Yeah, I remember Jerry. Good friend of mine ... You know, I never understood a single word he said, but he always had some mighty fine wine." Once again, if you are not familiar with the song "Joy to the World" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, the joke will most likely pass you by.
Gary Larson is a genius, where that quality is manifested in ways that are twisted, yet profound. This book is hilarious.

great fun!.......2006-02-17

This collection, as the other 4, are one of the best comics you can read! Great! Yuo must have it!

Hilarious.......2005-03-12

Here's another omnibus edition of Gary Larson's weird, wacky and utterly hilarious cartoons. To enter Larson's world is to enter a world where animals have meaningful conversations, bugs make their homes in nice suburban houses, flies fly planes etc, etc. Certainly not the mainstream kind of cartoon but for anyone who likes 'off the wall' type humour this is a 'must buy'. Absolutely hilarious.

I AM A LARSEN JUNKIE!!! I NEED MORE!!!.......2002-07-17

Larsen is the world's greatest cartoonist. Too bad he retired. I have envelopes filled with his cartoons clipped out of the newspaper (10+ years ago!) that I still can't bear to throw away. So I suppose this book was a good idea. It will take up less space than several bulging envelopes.

For younger people who can't remember his cartoons in the paper every day, you need to hurry up and start collecting his books so you can always be within arm's length of a smile or a laugh.

Also, I love the story about the "Jane Goodall Cartoon"

--George Stancliffe

Very Unique!.......2002-01-22

gary larson is one he best cartoonists ever! you have to travel to the far side! all of his comics will have you thinking! its great! buy it, you'll love it!

The Far Side ® Gallery 2 (Far Side Series)

Average customer rating:

Far Side Gallery 2
Unable to Continue
Like all good galleries this only contains masterpieces
the far side is by far the funniest comic strip
The twisted world of Gary Larson

The Far Side ® Gallery 2 (Far Side Series)
Gary Larson
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0836220854

Book Description

The Far Side® and the Larson® signature are registered trademarks of FarWorks, Inc.

Customer Reviews:

Far Side Gallery 2.......2005-10-26

It was an ok purchase. I am a die hard fan of far side as it appeals to my sense of humour. However, it had about as much duration as the average archie comic and left no lasting impression. No desire to re-read. Overall a fair book.

Unable to Continue.......2005-08-12

I'll write the review for this book as soon as I'm able to stop laughing.

Like all good galleries this only contains masterpieces.......2003-05-03

The Far Side Galleries are literature's version of greatest hits CDs. This edition is even forwarded by Stephen King.

The artistic masterpieces in this one come from the books Brides of The Far Side, Valley of the Far Side and It Came From the Far Side. It may be cheaper to buy these books individually instead of this gallery so compare prices before purchasing.

The advantage of owning the galleries is that some cartoons are full page size which is three times the size of the original books. Not all cartoons are full size though just some.

Classic cartoons contained in this one such as dogs looking at slides with one pointing to the screen, "Now in this slide we can see how the cornered cat has seems to grow suddenly bigger, Trickery! Trickery! Trickery!" Another has a guy waking up with a post it note on his left foot where his toe should be with the words "Went to market" on it. The classic human parody of nagging where a bear demands of her husband who has No. 8 shaved into his fur, a huge tag with no.8 on his ear and a needle sticking out of him "Late Again! This Better Be Good!"

Is this book better than other galleries? Well that's a matter of opinion, different ones appeal to different people. Should you buy it? Yes!

the far side is by far the funniest comic strip.......2002-01-20

i can't tell you whether or not to buy this collection, you either like gary larson's work or you don't. and if you know his work, and everyone does, you already know if you want this. it's a winner. and has a brief intro by stephen king--it comes to no surprise that king is a fan of the far side. they seem to fit together.

The twisted world of Gary Larson.......2001-11-26

"The Far Side Gallery 2" gathers together a generous helping of cartoons by the brilliant Gary Larson, with an introduction by horror icon Stephen King. Larson's work is a surreal blend of horror, science fiction, and satire, all filtered through Larson's twisted, often macabre, sense of humor.

Larson aims his pen at many targets in this collection; vampires, nuclear holocaust, the Bible, the tooth fairy, obesity, game shows, suicide, Vikings, vegetarianism, creationism, and much, much more. He often pokes fun at famous people or characters from literature and popular culture: Albert Einstein, Humpty Dumpty, Frankenstein, Carl Sagan, the Brady Bunch, etc.

One of Larson's trademarks is to feature non-human characters who talk and behave remarkably like humans. Many such characters appear in this book: worms, extraterrestrial creatures, sharks, slugs, elephants, dragons, flowers, roaches, and more.

Customer Reviews:

Far Side.......2007-03-26

I love far side calendars. It's too bad Gary Larson doesn't do cartoons anymore. It was shipped promptly and came in pristine shape.

my kind of humor.......2007-02-26

i love this calendar. something a little different. lots of space to write in.

My Favorite Calendar/Appointment Keeper.......2007-02-06

Funny and irreverent. In other words, this product is perfect for the fans of Gary Larson. The desk calendar is spiral-bound, and has a single page devoted to each month - with one blank page opposite the month - which is devoted to notes. Afterward, there are successive pages for each day/week of a particular month (one week per page) where you can make entries for individual days..ie appointments, small notes, and/or special events. At the end of the calendar, there are several pages devoted to the next year with three months on each page (title of the month, only) and space underneath each month's title for minor notes related to that particular month. Afterward, there is a calendar of the next year on a single page, for reference. The last page is for jotting names and numbers on the front/back. Laced throughout the calendar are single page, color pictures of the famous/infamous cartoons - which fans of Gary Larson's work adore. The pros of this calendar are that it is lightweight and functional. It is easy to carry around with you. On the other hand, if you have a need for detailed, complicated notes, then you had better get a Dayrunner. The cons of this product are that it needs more space for notes throughout, and although I love Gary Larson's art, I'd rather have a few of these pages devoted to notes (with all due respect to the bears, lions, and other creatures immortalized within). Also, the area for names/numbers is too small. One page, front and back is not enough space for most of us. It would be nice if the product had three or four ring binders to insert/remove pages. However, despite these criticisms, I buy this calendar/desk companion every year. For those of us with a left of center wit, there's no substitute for Gary Larson in an "Office Space" world.

A fun way to stay organized.......2007-02-02

Gary Larson's brainchild is perhaps one of the greatest comedy creations of the 20th century. This calendar makes it easy to keep my events organized and yet also remain informal and put a smile on my face. I wish he was doing new strips.

The Far Side always makes me laugh.......2007-01-18

An everyday laugh on your desktop. For FarSide fans.

The Far Side 2007 Wall Calendar: The Secret Lives of Animals

Average customer rating:

Good price from Amazon 3rd party vendor
Item keeps getting delayed.
Never Delivered
Kept being postponed for delivery.
far side is the best

The Far Side 2007 Wall Calendar: The Secret Lives of Animals
Gary Larson
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Calendar

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ASIN: 0740758586

Customer Reviews:

Good price from Amazon 3rd party vendor.......2007-04-12

I bought this from an Amazon 3rd party. The price was really great even after the S+H. The only problem I had was that unlike the products purchased directly from Amazon, I could not track this product and had no idea when it would arrive. It did come in reasonable time & I had no problem with the vendor or product but not knowing when to expect it was bothersome.

Item keeps getting delayed........2007-04-07

I just got an email notification saying that it'll be delayed till May. Pretty soon it'll be over half the year before I get to see this calendar. What a waste. This is the first time I've experienced poor service from Amazon. Amazon, if you promise goods and services to your customers, make sure you have enough in stock.

Never Delivered.......2007-04-03

No idea if the calendar is any good but Amazon gets only 1 star here: I bought this in Feb. Here it is Apr 1 and Amazon emailed me that I would not get it shipped until May 14. This is the third delay. Don't pay attention to the 1 to 2 weeks for shipping. For me it's been months and I still don't have it. I finally cancelled today.

Kept being postponed for delivery........2007-03-21

I never got this calendar. I originally ordered in Jan. 1007 and finally cancelled the order about a week ago when I received 2nd notice about late shipment. This final was that it wouldn't ship until late April.

I am sure the calendar is great, but I will never know for sure.

far side is the best.......2007-02-19

This calendar hangs on the kitchen wall. It is a daily reminder of the funny side of life when viewing things from an animal perspective. At least, those animals in the Far Side.

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