- Paperback: 252 pages
- Publisher: Time Warner Paperbacks; New edition edition (1981)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0708818889
- ISBN-13: 978-0708818886
- Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 10.7 x 2.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 168,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
An enjoyable,amusing and not to be missed compelation of the letters and replies of Henry Root. Whether you have five minutes or an hour to spare this book will keep you amused from start to finish. A must for the avid complainer or tongue in cheek writer wishing to improve their written skills. A book that the reader will pick up time and time again and wish it was just that few pages longer.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I don't know what makes a legend but the writer of this book, who's prose may have matched the skill of Wodehouse and wrote the funniest book of the 3rd quarter of the 20th century should be a qualifier and he would be if more people had heard of him. Put simply, this book of wind up letters to political movers and shakers of the day, academics, police chiefs and tv celebrities (Mr Root's snarky eye ranged wide) is always funny and more than occasionally hilarious. Most innocently replied, adding to the fun.
It's perhaps too late for legend status as in 2011 the book has the feel of a historical document, with many of the recipients of Mr Root's letters forgotten or unknown to a younger generation. As well as letters to Mrs Thatcher, Angela Rippon and Patrick Moore, recipients included James Anderton (then the notorious Manchester Police Chief) and The Lucy Clayton Model Agency. Where are they now? However, the still living targets won't have forgotten Mr Root, especially the majority who replied to his outrageous assaults.
Willie Donaldson, the creator of Henry Root, wet fish millionaire and man of letters, lived a more than interesting life (a crack addicted prostitute's pimp and would be theatre impresario) and I would recommend Terence Blacker's biography "You Cannot Live As I have lived and Not End Up Like This". Yes, it's a strange corner of literature, but always great fun.
It's perhaps too late for legend status as in 2011 the book has the feel of a historical document, with many of the recipients of Mr Root's letters forgotten or unknown to a younger generation. As well as letters to Mrs Thatcher, Angela Rippon and Patrick Moore, recipients included James Anderton (then the notorious Manchester Police Chief) and The Lucy Clayton Model Agency. Where are they now? However, the still living targets won't have forgotten Mr Root, especially the majority who replied to his outrageous assaults.
Willie Donaldson, the creator of Henry Root, wet fish millionaire and man of letters, lived a more than interesting life (a crack addicted prostitute's pimp and would be theatre impresario) and I would recommend Terence Blacker's biography "You Cannot Live As I have lived and Not End Up Like This". Yes, it's a strange corner of literature, but always great fun.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I'm sure everyone has had an experience of something extremely irritating, or extremely wonderful, where there doesn't seem to be an appropriate way of moaning at, or congratulating someone. Henry Root found his way - mostly to wind people up - and his way works wonderously. One wonders how these people fell so massively for his wind-ups, although it's clear that in certain cases it was purely good grace which led to the replies. But, to use that awful cliché, it's definitely a laugh out loud book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The original spoof letter writer
Henry Root was the forerunner or a number of spoof letter writers and they still bring a smile to my face even now.
Published 10 months ago by J. Tait
Still very funny
I bought this book after reading the authors amazing lie story. It was still very funny despite being of the 80s and a little dated, you would probably not be allowed to 'get away'... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Goochie
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