Customer Reviews (1)

Biltmore Oswald
Before there was Popeye, Sad Sack, Beetle Bailey and Crock, there was Biltmore Oswald. Biltmore Oswald is the compilation of a weekly series that Thorne Smith wrote for the Naval Journal Broadside. It's the diary of Biltmore Oswald, a hapless naval recuit, and his day to day adventures during World War I.

Oswald, a naive innocent, finds himself in many a compromising situation: Showering in the hotel room of the wife of a murderous, jealous man; observing French men greeting each other with kisses, and being pursued by beautiful women, much to the displeasure of his sweetie, Polly.

This, as Thorne Smith's first attempt at writing, proved to be quite successful for its time, yielding a sequel, "Out 'o' Luck." ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
James Thorne Smith Jr. (1892-1934), was an American writer of humorous supernaturnal fantasy fiction. Best known today for his creation of Topper, Smith's comic fantasy fiction (most of it involving sex, lots of drinking, and supernatural transformations, and aided by racy illustrations) sold millions of copies in the early 1930s. Smith drank as steadily as his characters; his appearance in James Thurber's The Years With Ross involves an unexplained week-long disappearance. Smith was born in Annapolis, Maryland the son of a Navy commodore, attended Dartmouth College, and after hungry years in Greenwich Village working part-time as an advertising agent, Smith achieved meteoric success with the publication of Topper in 1926. His other works include: The Stray Lamb (1929), Turnabout (1931), The Night Life of the Gods (1931), Topper Takes a Trip (1932), The Bishop's Jaegers (1932), Rain in the Doorway (1933), Skin and Bones (1933) and The Glorious Pool (1934). He died of a heart attack while vacationing in Florida. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Revelation Of The Legs
This is a truly wonderful, but little known sex-comedy, by Thorne Smith who brought us "Topper".Written in 1932, it deals with a young man named Peter Van Dyck, who has recently inherited his father's coffee business and is engaged to beautiful socialite Yolanda Wilmont.Peter's secretary Josephine Duvall is in love with Peter, and makes the most of every oportunity to attract him, mostly by showing off her sexy legs while taking a couple of letters. Josephine tells Peter that the stuffy Yolanda is entirely unsuitable for him, and that he needs someone to mold him into the kind of man who can successfully run a business (i.e., Josephine).Peter rebuffs her advances, but all the while finds himself getting turned on by his cheeky secretary.When the ferry they are taking gets lost in the fog, Peter, Yoland, Josephine, and a few other peripheral characters (including the Bishop of the title) set out in a small boat hoping to get to shore before the ferry.When they alight, they discover they are in a nudist colony, where all persons are forced to strip and go naked--all except Yolanda, for whom an exception is made.Being naked causes the characters to see themselves and others differently, especially Yolanda, who has an epiphany when she finally decides to disrobe.

Smith's prose is fast-moving and enjoyable, and his plots and dialogue are laugh-out-loud funny.This is my favorite of all his books.

A number of years ago, when I was in acting school, a classmate of mine and I adapted Chapter Three into a scene to perform for a show my school put on.It was a big success, and I have long thought this book was theatrical enough to be easily transformed into a movie or play, except for the second half which takes place in the nudist colony.How could you present this with everyone totally naked?I recently read that "The Bishop's Jaegers" is on its was to becoming a motion picture, so I am eager to see what they do about this.

Clergy in Long Johns
Thorne Smith is always a treat.The Bishop's Jaegers is my personal favorite of his works.Characters like "Aspirin Liz" and the little pickpocket make the book more personable.The plot involves a groupofFerry boat passengers stranded on a nudist colony.The pickpocketfinds nudity unrewarding, the Bishop (in his Jaegers) finds itdisconcerting.The reader finds it very amusing.

A group are held 'captive' at a loony nudist colony.
A businessman, his fiancee, his secretary, a thief and a bishop leave a ferry lost in a fog, and find themselves at a nudist colony, where they are forced to remain. The usual Thorne Smith zaniness, with the occasional caustic comment on society.

Thorne Smith is always the "best"
Thorne Smith lived a melencholy (and some what alcohol besotted) existance and yet was able to create some of the funniest writtings known to modern man. His books are a slow read because you find yourself stopping for extended periods of time to laugh, blot your tears, laugh some more and then some more. Line by line, he has you rolling on the floor, causing a scene nowhere near as funny as what you have just read but in serious contention. If you are one of those folks who does not laugh out loud, you should, perhaps avoid his work as I believe it must be unhealthy to stay in control of this much fun with out the safety valve of laughing. And for heaven's sakes, don't read in the presence of strangers, they will think you demented (and you will feel much that way, as well). Smith wrote so long ago that his were books sneaked into the house by my (then) teen-aged father (now nearing 80). The books have survived to be read (and re-read) by every one in the family...and they are evry bit as funny (though probably not as racey) as they were for my dad. They are irreverent, ridiculous, fantastic and amazing. I need more, more,more.... ... Read more

Product Description
Skin and Bones is the story of Mr.Quintus Bland, the eminent photographer, whose efforts to perfect X-ray film had, one evening, the unfortunate effect of leaving Mr. Bland in the position of an X-ray film himself; in other words, him found himself no more than a skeleton. ... Read more

Product Description
With Illustrations by Richard Dorgan ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Bristles with magic!
This may just be the Holy Grail of Children's literature. I spent 25 years attempting to obtain or just even read a copy of this book. It is that hard to come by as there was only one edition, in 1931! The copies I did see available were way too expensive for me. In the end, a determined librarian managed to track me down a copy for loan, something I was never able to do. I knew from the first page it was going to be worth the quarter of a century of waiting. This is a wonderful childrens fantasy about an old unhappy couple who are transformed back into children by the magical Lazy Bear himself. They then take to the road and having adventures and meeting all kinds of fantastic and odd people. Stand-outs include the cowardly lion twins Albert and Rudolph and a ship commandeered by an all penguin crew.

Lazy Bear Lane was the only childrens novel that Thorne Smith ever wrote. As he is known more for his risque fantasy novels set in the Jazz Age, I was flabbergasted that he managed to write this novel of innocence and wonder. I laughed out loud several times while reading, and thought that it was a crime that this novel has never been republished like most of Smiths work. It is sad that most children and adults who need more wonder in their life like me, will never come across it. It deserves a much wider audience. Track this down any way you can. You will be transported. I know that I was.
... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Volume: 526; Original Published by: Frederick A. Stokes company in 1918 in 140 pages; Subjects: Fiction / General; Fiction / Classics; Fiction / Historical; Fiction / Literary; ... Read more

Product Description
FIRST EDITION 1932 SUN DIAL ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great read...
This book was originally published in 1945 or so & is still as funny today. Hope I can find more of the Thorne Smith books. Though the "jaegers" are an old fashioned word no one has a problem knowing what they are and if you can picture an old-fashioned Anglican bishop in a nudist colony you can imagine the fun this book is. This was shipped so quickly I was reading it before I expected to receive it. If you have the chance read it, it'll put a smile on your face. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Perhaps His Best
Smith is remembered today (if at all) for "Topper", which in turn is probably known from the TV show and, for old-timers, the movie.In fact, Smith was a side-splitting humorist, and even the Topper tales are much better than the screen versions (or does that not need saying?).

This little gem of a novel is very possibly his finest work, the madcap nature of it more compressed and condensed than his usual, and more zany: it must remind one of the style of the Marx Brothers.

And, as has been noted, the book is not just funny, but bitingly funny: it has things to say, and it delivers them as cyanic acid at the heart of rich sweets.Fantastic, funny, insightful--a wonderful (literally) book.

Simply absurd...just the way I like it!
That one man could be at once this melancholy and this hilarious is much of Smith's genious. If not for the gut-splitting humor he would be down-right depressing...but boy, is he not! This is theatre of the absurd at its best. Be prepared to laugh uncontrollably and make a total fool of yourself (if anyone can see you).Thorne Smith was the "racey" writter of my father's youth and my "sibs" and I learned the value of a good laugh at dad's knee.Thorne Smith is the best, I search for more. ... Read more

Product Description
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Topper Takes a Trip (1939) VHS -- Colorized!!
Beware! This is a wonderful film, not yet available on DVD, but at least one of the VHS versions being sold has been colorized--which is a hideous and disrespectful thing to do to a great old black and white film. It would be helpful if Amazon could include this information on its sale pages. (In this case, the reproduced VHS box cover does include the word "colorized", which I didn't notice.) Since they don't, before buying a VHS, if getting the original B&W matters to you (and I hope it does), then inquire carefully of your seller. I got a VHS from Video Treasures, it was colorized, and I returned it.

An old favourite
Bought for my mother who had lost her copy of this much loved book. She was chuffed to finally have it back in her collection.

Topper Trip
If you haven't experienced the Topper movie trio, you just must. We all love them!

Topper Takes a Trip
TOPPER TAKES A TRIP is almost the equal of the original film, "TOPPER." It lacks the presence of Cary Grant as Constance Bennett's partner as George & Marion Kerby and their ectoplasmic adventures; (Grantmakes only a cameo appearance).

The script follows Thorne Smith's book fairly faithfully, except the glaring absence of Mr. Kerby. However it is clever and funny and keeps the clever interplay between the bewildered Cosmo Topper, played to perfection by Roland Young and his companion, Marion Kerby played by Constance Bennett. Good fun and very entertaining.

George (Cary Grant) replaced with a dog

We find Mr. Topper (Billie Burke) is going to get a divorce due to catching her hubby with a woman that is not a woman, Marion Kerby (Constance Bennett.) or at least she is being pushed in to thinking she wants a divorce bay a so called friend of whom has a nefarious purpose of her own. Toppy must go after her and woo her back.

The story line is week and the acting trite. There is a defiant lack of comedy or even credulity. There is a countless count and an unbelievable scheme. Oh yes, Cary grant is replaced by Skippy.

On the plus side Cosmo Topper (Roland Young) does a great job of being pushed around by the invisible. And Alan Mowbray the bad guy in "Charlie Chan in London" made a believable butler. "Now you are holding the door open for me."
... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

An About-Face
Humor is often misused, but in a master's hand, it can be the best tool to push a point. Here Thorne Smith helps us see marriage in a different light.
In Turnabout, Sally and Tim Willows revolt against the constrictions of their marriage. Sally wants romance and a job; Tim wants to be in the nude and wiggle his toes. It takes the intervention of an annoyed statue, Mr. Ram, who switches their bodies, to resolve these 'irreconciable differences'.

The novel is a brisk read, magnetically holding the attention to the last page. The hopelessness of the first chapter is conveyed colorfully, introducing us to the hilarious plot. Smith pours out wry double entendres, "one does not play with fire here, one actually uses it," and dry quips, "...then proceeded to give a loquacious dissertation on the virtues of brevity."
There are some lessons to be learned here, mind you, like getting to be in a person's shoe to feel his pain, but even without them, Turnabout can be read for its sheer fun with words. This is my first Thorne Smith read; it will be definitely not be my last.

Turnabout is More than Fair Play
I discovered this book decades ago in an old steamer trunk that belonged to my wife's late aunt.I was surprised to find it so hilarious since I had never heard of Thorne Smith.When I later found out he had authored "Topper", I understood.I could hardly put it down because it kept me wondering what disaster would next befall Tim - or should I say Sally?Read it!You will understand.

Also, to Catherine:Turnabout was made into a movie in 1940.I've yet to see it, but I've read some good reviews about it.

Reading and re-reading for forty years and still wonderful!
I first found this book when I was fifteen and have read it now at least fifty times.The characters and events still bring tears of laughter to my eyes.I've wished for a very long time that this could be made into a movie so more people could share Thorne Smith's vision.It is an intelligent read and a wonderful look at urban life in the late 20's.Block out some time and prepare to laugh out loud.

Delightful Comedy
Read this fantasy on several levels.Mr. Smith is a wordsmith able to delight while commenting on the human condition.It is especially refreshing to draw comparisons with the 20's and today.

Interesting and funny "what if"
The 1920's through the eyes of a husband and wife who switch bodies with each other. While some of the gags are a bit dated, it was interesting to view male/female attitudes of that era. What would you do if you swappedbodies with someone of the opposite gender here in 1999? I know what Iwould do. ... Read more

Product Description
New York Univ., NYC. Comprehensive textbook for students, residents, and practitioners covering the entire field. Halftone illustrations. Previous edition: Plastic Surgery, edited by James W. Smith (c1991). 141 contributors, 134 U.S. DNLM: Surgery, Plastic. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

horrible seller
Unprofessional seller. I dont know why he doesnt have the courtesy to reply my 2emails. Please do not get anything from this person. Its a waste of time

A complete change
This Grabb and Smith is completely different from the previous edition. While the previous version was a good one, this one is much better than the former, because chapters are more complete and less tedious. The fonts, paper and illustrations make reading this edition more comfortable. The authors, in more than 65% of the chapters, were modified, sometimes to ones less "famous" in the subject, but this is for the good, as the new authors don't stay focused only in their techniques. This is easy to see in reconstruction of the ear, for example. Burt Brent, the pope in this subject, did not write the new chapter, and so now we can have more highlights in the Nagata's technique. The size and weight of the book are smaller (or at least seem to be), making it easier to carry with you during shifts or travelling, making it an excellent daily reading book. It is the perfect stage between The Michigan Manual and Mathes-McCarthy-Converse's Plastic Surgery.

Impossible to read....
Allow me to state up front that I have not reviewed any of the actual text in this book.I have eagerly awaited the release of the new edition of Grabb and Smith for some time.However, upon its receipt I discovered that the font seems to have shrunk and the text appears to be single-spaced - I imagine in an effort to keep the text down to one volume.What they have succeeded in doing, though, is to make the text virtually impenetrable without a ruler to keep track of which line you are reading and a set of loupes to clearly see the text.I would have been happy to have had the text split into 2 volumes in order to make it easier to read.

In any event, I kept it for approximately 2 weeks and made multiple attempts to pick it up and read it, but each time gave up as soon as I opened it due to the immediate headache I received.Ultimately, I returned it and resigned myself to 10 more years of the 5th edition.....

PRS Resident

A comprehensive multiauthor text
Like many textbooks starting off as a minimized version of the bigger textbooks, Grabb and Smiths plastic surgery has with every revision grown to become one of the big ones.
It is a multiauthor text, each chapter written by some of the most respectable practitioners in the field involved.
The literature is well quoted for detailed researche and most importantly it continues to amaze me that it offers a detailed informative review of each subject that seems to withstand completely the test of time.
I have the 5th edition and I have compared it to other texts and must say that if you have this book you will not need any other comprehensive book to add to your knowledge in plastic surgery. Journals will supply you with the additional information.I am not awaiting the nest edition to egarly because this book is still completely up to date and it takes an enormous amount of time and effort for every author to review their text.There will be some changes, especially concerning the practice of microsurgery, perforator flaps, tissue expansion and other wastly growing fields. But the foundation remains the same.
The CD is a good addition that I have used alot. It containes the book in an accessible format to carry along with you in your laptop where ever you travel.And again if you need something specific,pubmed will provide you with the rest.
It is well worth the money and the only book of plastic surgery I would be 100% confident to recommend as an informative text that continues to stand in the forefront as a grate book, written by pioneers in plastic surgery.

G.Gunnarsson MD

WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT OF TIME AND MONEY
Very few surgical fields demand a complete and comprehensive knowledge of the entire human body. Plastics and reconstructive surgery is right up there when it comes to that. A successful Plastic surgeon incorporates knowledge of Gross anatomy, microscopic anatomy, tissue physiology, physiology of the patient itself and the innate aesthetic sense to recreate from tissue and prosthesis alike.

Grabb and Smith's text offers a comprehensive and engaging review of the essential aspects of Plastic surgery. Each Chapter starts with a review of clinical anatomy and leads on to Clinical aspects of diease. Historically important surgical approaches as well as current techniques are discussed. Disease classification is also described in excellent details through the use of tables.

I do firmly believe that this book is a worthwhile investment of time and money. ... Read more

Product Description
Feb. 23d. "And what," asked the enlisting officer, regarding me as if I had insulted him, his family and his live stock, "leads you to believe that you are remotely qualified to join the Navy?"
At this I almost dropped my cane, which in the stress of my patriotic preoccupation I had forgotten to leave home.
"Nothing," I replied, making a hasty calculation of my numerous useless accomplishments, "nothing at all, sir, that is, nothing to speak of. Of course I've passed a couple of seasons at Bar Harbor—perhaps that—"
"Bar Harbor!" exploded the officer. "Bar! bah! bah—dammit," he broke off, "I'm bleating."
"Yes, sir," said I with becoming humility. His hostility increased.
"Do you enlist for foreign service?" he snapped.
"Sure," I replied. "It will all be foreign to me." ... Read more