- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: Headline Book Publishing; First Edition edition (1 Sep 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0755312546
- ISBN-13: 978-0755312542
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 15.8 x 4.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 644,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Lynn Barber, Daily Telegraph
‘Fathers and Sons fulfils the first requirement of Waugh family values: it is funny’
A.C. Grayling
‘Beautiful, funny, touching and riveting. It is nothing less than a classic of its kind’
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This five generation biography of the Waugh family moves fluently in and out of the different father-son relationships, is full of appealling and appalling anecdotes and gives an over-view of a century of literature and publishing.
As has been noted, frankness about the family decreases proportionately the nearer the author gets to the present day. This is not too much of a problem as the earlier portions of the book, particularly the long section detailing the uneasy triangle of Arthur, Alec and Evelyn Waugh is of great interest and the subsequent discretion, though disappointing, does not invalidate one's enjoyment of the narrative.
This is a long book but so full of interest and insight that the reader's attention never flags.
As has been noted, frankness about the family decreases proportionately the nearer the author gets to the present day. This is not too much of a problem as the earlier portions of the book, particularly the long section detailing the uneasy triangle of Arthur, Alec and Evelyn Waugh is of great interest and the subsequent discretion, though disappointing, does not invalidate one's enjoyment of the narrative.
This is a long book but so full of interest and insight that the reader's attention never flags.
38 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Evelyn Waugh is of course the hook that will draw readers into this exceptional 'Autobiography of a Family'. It would be a mistake, though, to assume that his overtowering genius dwarves the rest of the book. Beginning with Evelyn's grandfather 'The Brute' (who crushed a wasp on his wife's forehead with his whip, and made his son Arthur kiss a guncase in an effort to kindle a passion for shooting), and finishing with a letter from the author to his own son Bron, this book is totally engrossing. Alexander Waugh is the son of another Bron, the great and good, who will long be remembered for his journalism. Alexander shows in this book the same light touch, disguising deep research, that was displayed in his biography of God and 'Time'. He too is a talent to be reckoned with. This book is funny, erudite, and oddly moving - this may be an extraordinary family in terms of literary output (Arthur Waugh's descendants have published a staggering 180 books between them) but it is above all a family. Alexander Waugh shows a deep affection for his eccentric family, without ever appearing adulatory or incapable of observing faults as well as virtues.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
To a non English public, the renown of the Waugh name is strictly confined to Evelyn. This book by Evelyn's grandson Alexander revealed to me a much richer picture and inheritance. Along with some very difficult family relationships handed down from father to son. A masterpiece in its kind is the author's capability of seamlessly blending each biography into the other ones, never for a moment causing the reader any confusion. Equally admirable is the author's restraint in relating personal details and impressions. Although the family's showpiece must necessarily be Evelyn, this book is not centred on his personality, but could be rather relabeled as Bron's revenge, thanks to the very sympathetic image that Alexander depicts of his own father, who managed to reverse an evil line of father-son relationships.
No doubt than the gift for writing still runs in the Waugh blood: a tradition well worth preserving.
A very enjoyable reading.
No doubt than the gift for writing still runs in the Waugh blood: a tradition well worth preserving.
A very enjoyable reading.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Father and Sons
An engaging, rewarding read, offering an insight into priviledge and opportunity. This book will not disappoint, the Waugh family, a family of letters.
Published on 30 Oct 2009 by Breddah
School fee paying trot through somewhat familiar territory
Alexander Waugh seems to have spent much of his life wrestling with the legacy of his father and grandfather. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2008 by Supertzar
Unleash the dogs of Waugh!
Well, it's a bit of a laugh isn't it? This romp through five generations of Waughs: mad dog 'The Brute' Alexander, sad dog Arthur, young dogs Alex and Evelyn and the ever barking... Read more
Published on 14 Sep 2007 by Bernard Davis
One hundred years of Waughs
The `Brute', Arthur, Alec and Evelyn, Auberon and Alexander: over one hundred years and five generations of Waughs. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2007 by Adisham Bookmark
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
