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A tough book to review.
This is a toughie.I picked it up locally because (a) it was filed after Pratchett, and I'd been mentally moaning how there were no new Discworld books for me to read, and (b), the artwork and title seemed vaguely steampunk.I didn't have my glasses on, but could read enough of the back jacket to see something about Nazis and WWII, which is always interesting in fiction, so I bought it.I'd never read anything of Rankin's before.

Now, the story is quite interesting, as stories go.It does seem a little bit boy-oriented in the manner of George Macdonald Fraser or William Dietrich.As a middle-aged woman there were times when I found it simply too cloak-and-dagger for me.It was a bit worrying to read Rizla's prologue - the name made me think the character was a young girl mentee, and I dislike that older man/young girl mentor relationship - but then I learned Rizla was a teenage boy, so it was all right.The characters of Rizla and Rune are interesting; the evil Count Black is a bit too stereotyped, but it was OK for this boy-tone story.

The problem I have writing the review is Rizla's dialogue.He's supposed to have been a teenager in the UK in 1967, but his jargon sounds excessively forced and twee, a bit like Stephen Fry's characters in "Making History" and "The Liar."Perhaps that's how teenagers spoke in those days, but to me here in the US it's just as jarring as reading 1920s slang like "the bee's knees" or "the berries."He says he doesn't want to "go on the Work" (i.e., get a job), for example.This is why I take off a star, because I spent a lot of time grimacing at the dialogue.

Naturally there are lots of mystical things happening to save the heroes' bacon at various times.

On the whole I prefer Discworld books; Pratchett's characters seem more grounded and real, even if they are trolls and other species.But I might pick up some more Rankin books next time I need something to read.

NB - if you aren't thinking of Rune and Rizla as Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, the only other man who leaps to mind for Rune is George Sanders.Sigh.
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Customer Reviews (6)

It's Hard To Believe
It's hard to believe that Robert Rankin's books are so difficult to obtain on these shores: for my money, Rankin is, hands down, one of the funniest, most visionary authors writing in any genre. His style is loose and playfuland, on the onset, seemingly completely at odds with the purpose ofconstructing a coherent narrative. Laugh-out-loud moments abound however,drawing the slack-jwed reader deep into a web of outrageous characters andeven more outrageous situations. An absolutely stunning achievement! I wishI could have amnesia so I could read this book again for the first time!

An excellent Book, with a roller-coaster twist in its tail
I fell in love with this book.Mr Rankins inventive and at times, ingenious writing had me enthralled. I just loved the cruelty and revenge factors of this book... and its anti- world supremacy outlook.Just wait for the celebrity summoning chapters, in Roberts own bar on the necronet. Fabulous

If your favourite drink is Death by Cider you'll love this
This is one of Rankin's best books and is best read after after most of his earlier works (as there are several references).

As usual, Rankin provides a straight forward mix of thought provoking hi-tech concepts, oldfashioned suspense, yuk and hilarity.

Easy to read with a title that'sbrilliant to show off on the train (only kidding) this book is a greatexample of why Rankin far outstrips Pratchett for action and humour.

Thebook leaves you wanting more of the same and I think that's a compliment!

More genius
This book is simply genius. (full stop - end of argument)

Do do that Voodoo that you do so well...
Rankin once again has a weirdly catchy title to fit an even weirder book.

For a taste of what technology can do in the wrong hands that is frighteningly feasible...

And a further helping of sprouts (one calledBarry in particular)...

He's a clever chap, Rankin. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Couldn't crack even a smile.
Considering that this is a comic novel, I found it completely lacking in humour. Sure, it was full of crazy ideas and events, but being crazy doesn't automatically equate to being funny. Throughout the entire novel, I couldn't manage a smile once. Even a very small smile.

I think the following factors contributed to its lack of comedy:

A.) Pop culture references or inside jokes I've never heard of. Who is Helen Mirren? What is Millwall (beyond the obvious soccer hooliganism) and why do they hate Manchester United? And what on *earth* is a dangling lovely supposed to be? And what does "lovely left to hang" mean? A lovely what? A lovely woman? A lovely metaphor? A lovely rope (since it hangs)? And what was it "left" from? Left over from the accident that occurred just before? And "boom shanka?" Huh? It just didn't make any sense to me. The book is chock full of obscure references like these. I'm only 24 - maybe these things come from outside my generation. I'm also Australian, so perhaps these expressions are only used in England. But still, they were major obstacles to being able to find humour in this book.

B.) Running gags. I didn't find the jokes funny the first time I read them, and they definitely weren't funny the twentieth time I read them. They *were* annoying by that stage. Surely the point could have been made just once or twice, without the repetition.

C.) The topic matter. For example, I don't see what's supposed to be funny about Simon wearing a new hat (or not). It's a hat. He doesn't wear it. Everybody else is apparently oblivious to this. Why is that funny? There was nothing clever or witty about this joke at all, and hats aren't exactly inherently funny in themselves, either. Pretty much every joke in the book was as un-funny as this.

I was disappointed in this book. It's the first Rankin book I've read, and I have to say it doesn't make me want to read another. In the interest of a fair chance, though, I probably will eventually. I just wish it had been more clever instead of relying on random craziness to provide humour where wit wasn't available. It didn't work.

666 the number of the chicken!
Robert Rankin has without doubt the most bizarre sense of humour that I've run across. This isn't a bad thing, but it is a character trait I enjoy in a writer. I enjoy almost all I read by him, and this book is just as good as his others. People in danger on worlds far away, the cult of the daemon chicken Sate-Hen, an abomination of nature and of err... nature too, if you take my meaning and I'm sure that you do, and an abduction by astro starfish! What more could you wish for, cept a pint n a nice seat to sit on while you read. Make mine a large!

I like your new hat !
I stumbled upon this second hand book in a little store in Egypt (of all places) and read the whole thing through in less then two days. Not that it's this short, it's this good ! It completely obliterated all interest I had in pharao's and pyramids, i just couldn't put it down.

If you like Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchet, you're gonna love this.

It's the first book of Robert Rankin i read and here I am, coming back for more.. ;-)

Superb
I will never tire of this book. In the three years since I first discovered it, I have read it well over ten times. Excellent value for money. A lot of Rankin's fans treat this as his worst bok, I say it is hisbest. It is superbly off-the-wall, with likeable, funny characters, andmoments that continue to make me laugh out loud every time. Should beretitled The Greatest Book on Earth.

Typical Rankin - Brilliant
When you read a Rankin you have a good idea what your in for: wacky characters, daft running gags,a completely over-the-top plot and hours ofhumourous entertainment. 'The Greatest Show Off Earth' delivers this andmore. If you are struggling to find good humour since the demise of DouglasAdams' Hitchhikers and Dirk Gently series then look no further than Rankin. ... Read more

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THE EPIC TALE OF A FAMILY OF GOD-BOTHERERS

His great-great-grandfather died at the Battle of Little Big Horn.Hewasn't with custer though.He was holding a sprout-bake and tentmeeting and went over to complain.His great-grandfather (also asprout farmer and man of the cloth) always wore weighted shoes whilein the pulpit to avoid any embarrassing levitations during moments ofextreme rapture.His great-grandfather (also a sprout farmer and manof the cloth) always wore weighted shoes while in the pulpit to avoidany embarrassing levitations during moments of extreme rapture. hisgrandfather (lay preacher, taste for sprouts) spoke only in rhymingcouplets and owned a pig called Belshazzar.His father (an elder inthe Sacred Order of the Golden Sprout) practised body-modification inan attempt to win a bet with his brother (a monk). And then there washim.

Can this be Robert Rankin's autobiography?He swears that it isn't,but as a self-confessed teller of tall tales, whoever is going tobelieve him? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

sprout mask replica
genius!!!! i love this book, the way characters seem to know they are inside a book and reply to each others thoughts!!!!! pure comedy!!!

Rankin at his best
This is the best Rankin book - and one of the best humour books around. Hecombines his excellent jokes with a short piece at the beginning of thebook that is one of the funniest things ever written - yes, you heard it.The overall standard of the book is high, however the plot is not too farabove his average (if humourous) standards. Especially worthwhile forRankin veterans, as large parts of the Sprout mythology are revealedX-Files style at the end of the book.

Truly, one of the best books ever
This is truly a marvelous book. It is full of the running gags, stupid puns, deranged descriptions and confused characters that are the hallmark of Mr. Rankin. In this book, Mr. Rankin takes over the world in a verynervous manner, with the help of his holy guardian sprout, Barry, who getshim in more trouble than he's worth.

Truly, one of the best books ever
This is truly a marvelous book. It is full of the running gags, stupid puns, deranged descriptions and confused characters that is the hallmark of Mr. Rankin. In this book, Mr. Rankin takes over the world in a very nervousmanner, with the help of his holy guardian sprout, Barry, who gets him inmore trouble than he's worth. ... Read more

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DANNY PORTRAIT OF A SURREAL KILLER

Danny's not sad and lonely any more because Danny's got 'thevoices'. Well, one voice. It's the voice of his dog, Demolition Andthe dog's told him things. Like how to adjust the bar-code reader inthe shop where Danny works so that he can read the lines on people'spalms and see what they're thinking. And which small ads in the comicbooks to send off to so Danny can become irresistible to women, bendothers to his will, gain vital inches and fear no man living. ... Read more

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Excessively funny
Robert Rankin's style of surreal humour makes this and his other books possibly the funniest around. ... Read more

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Hugo Rune returns. And just in time, for the evil fairies of Brentford are planning to conquer the world. To publicise his mission, Hugo plans to kidnap the Queen while she addresses the world before a gig by the greatest rock band on earth, Gandhi's Hairdryer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Classic Rankin
This book contains everything which is to be expected. There is a humour not found in any other writer, which floats through the story like a log on a fast flowing stream. The lead charactors are obviously mad, the philosophies of Hugo Rune strangely persuasive, and there's an obnoxious Campbell! It's a sardonic sort of wit, but make no mistake, you will relate to the humour. If this is the first book you read by Rankin, you'll buy more.

Dissappointment
The trouble with this book and the others outside Rankins series about Brentford and Barry the travelling time sprout is you know that what you are reading ain't half as good. Rankin is undoubtedly an extremely funnyscience fiction writer but his(or his publishers?) policy of bringing outwhat seems like a book every week means you are getting less genius perpage than is tolerable. Slow down, Robert and refine your exquisitestories.Forget this book, readers, and head for Brentford country.

A madcap adventure of greed, revenge and big hair
robert Rankin is a great writer and this is one of his best books. Very funny silly and enjoyable. a word of caution though he has writtern a lot of books so prepare for a compulsive addiction

Another great story from a very under-rated writer
This book is the sequel to the "Book of Ultimate Truths". Robert is one of the great English story tellers.His brentford trilogy is a not to be missed set of books (very hard to find in North America, by the way!) The story involves two young men and their search for the great Hugo Rune (featured in the previous book.) It's got all the things fans of such authors as Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett are so good at.Creating a memorable group of charactors who you could believe to live in your own town. try this one out.It helps if you've read the first book, but this stands alone quite nicely! ... Read more

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AT LAST! The final and much-longed-for part of thestupendous ARMAGEDDON trilogy.

And so it came to pass that on 27 July 2061 in the land of Eden, themoney-free Utopia, Rex Mundi did toil mightily in his back garden. Andhe did excavate a cesspit like unto the one which his wife Christeen -the daughter of God and twin sister of Christ - had been giving himGBH of the earholes regarding the need for therewith.

And verily in the midst of his labours did Rex's spade strike a buriedobject of not inconsiderable size.

And lo. It were a marble statue of Elvis Presley.

Oh yes siree!

For Elvis looms large here, much to Rex's discomfort, which is furtherincreased when he discovers that the walls of Jericho fell to thestrains of 'It's Now or Never' and that David slew the dwarf Goliathwearing blue suede shoes. When Rex is confronted with The SingularCase of the Purloined Presliana, and the Luminous Order of the SacredSprout, he realises things are getting out of control... ... Read more

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A comprehensive guide to the theology and practice of evangelism within the Wesleyan tradition. No one would deny that evangelism stands at the heart of the Wesleyan/Methodist movement. Yet ask any number of representatives of that movement what evangelism means, and you will get an equal number of definitions. Is it bringing the lost to saving faith in Christ? Working to conform the social order to the Kingdom of God? Deepening the commitment of disciples to the work the Gospel? This important new volume answers that evangelism is all these, and more. Drawing on the work of prominent theologians and church leaders, it examines both the theory and the practice of evangelism among the people called Methodist, charting a course for a faithfully Wesleyan fulfillment of the Great Commission. W. Stephen Gunter is President of Young Harris College in Young Harris, Georgia. Elanie Robinson is Assistant Professor of Theology and Methodist Studies ... Read more

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Good Company
Very excellent company to do business with.Prompt responds and fast shipping.Really enjoyed buying from you and will buy from you again in the future.Keep up the good work! ... Read more

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Word count: 2066. ... Read more

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Robert A. Rankin, one of the world's foremost authorities on modular forms and a founding editor of The Ramanujan Journal, died on January 27, 2001, at the age of 85. Rankin had broad interests and contributed fundamental papers in a wide variety of areas within number theory, geometry, analysis, and algebra. To commemorate Rankin's life and work, the editors have collected together 25 papers by several eminent mathematicians reflecting Rankin's extensive range of interests within number theory. Many of these papers reflect Rankin's primary focus in modular forms. It is the editors' fervent hope that mathematicians will be stimulated by these papers and gain a greater appreciation for Rankin's contributions to mathematics.
This volume would be an inspiration to students and researchers in the areas of number theory and modular forms. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Good laughs
It was my first encounter with Rankin and I absolutely loved this book. Funny, enjoyable, genial. The "sniffing curry powder" line was hilarious!

He's still the best!
I think this book is one of Rankin's best.Filled with the usual running gags throughout and characters which have surprising realistic personalities which are reminiscent of the next door neigbour who you intensely dislike!I especially liked the part about the silent Dynamite, can you guess what it's called?You'll have to read the book to find out!Who else but Robert Rankin could think up a storyline about God and his wife and three kids?It's fantastic and I would recommend it to experienced Rankin readers or to newcomers. ... Read more

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The letters that Ramanujan wrote to G. H. Hardy on January 16 and February 27, 1913, are two of the most famous letters in the history of mathematics. These and other letters introduced Ramanujan and his remarkable theorems to the world and stimulated much research, especially in the 1920s and 1930s. This book brings together many letters to, from, and about Ramanujan. The letters came from the National Archives in Delhi, the Archives in the State of Tamil Nadu, and a variety of other sources.Helping to orient the reader is the extensive commentary, both mathematical and cultural, by Berndt and Rankin; in particular, they discuss in detail the history, up to the present day, of each mathematical results in the letters. Containing many letters that have never been published before, this book will appeal to those interested in Ramanujan's mathematics as well as those wanting to learn more about the personal side of his life. "Ramanjuan: Letters and Commentary" was selected for the "Choice" list of Outstanding Academic Books for 1996. ... Read more

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Get personal with Ramanujan through letters
Ramanujan was most certainly the most talented mathematician of this century. With essentially no formal training, he managed to discover an enormous number of formulas, many of which were quite different from those previously known. The story of how he came to the attention of the mathematical community and was brought into "formal" mathematical circles is an interesting one. Given the colonial nature of the relationship between England and India, it would have been "natural" for the English mathematicians to consider an untrained colonial native to be beneath them. However, to their credit, there is no evidence that the English mathematicians ever felt or acted this way.
This book is the story of Ramanujan told through the letters that were written by and about him. While many are very formal, you still see the personalities emerging. G.H. Hardy is at times in awe of Ramanujan's ability, proving to be a person of high quality as he tries as best he can to aid him in adapting to British society and to doing mathematics in a formal way. Many others are also involved, and it is clear that they do have a genuine interest in his welfare as a person and as a mathematician. The commentary included among the letters is very helpful in establishing a context for the text. The authors do a very good job in explaining the circumstances of the letters. Some deal with social conditions and others are as simple as a description of what a word means.
What is most impressive about the book is that there is no undercurrent of colonial class consciousness running through the material in the letters. Given the situation in the early part of the twentieth century, that would have been typical of most English men of the times and it is a tribute to the mathematicians that they avoided it. Not many others would have been so noble.

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission. ... Read more

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Published in 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson drafted The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde over just a few days while confined to bed. It can't be known whether this feat of writing drove him into a fever, or if his illness inspired the feverish plot. But this background helped to justify at the time the invention of Mr Hyde, the terrifying alter ego of a respectable man, whose depravity was so extreme that his worst criminal pleasures are tantalisingly omitted from a still violent story. At first shunned by booksellers, Jekyll and Hyde went on to be quoted as a moral allegory and enjoyed by an enormous public. It remains a frighteningly compelling crime thriller with an enduring vision of the dark side of the psyche with an unforgettable plot which puts it at the head of its genre. ... Read more

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2 Books in oneThe Hollow Chocolate Bunnies from 2002The Toyminator from 2006 ... Read more

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This book contains essays on Ramanujan and his work , as well as important survey articles in areas influenced by Ramanujan's mathematics. Most of the articles in the book are nontechnical, but even those that are more technical contain substantial sections that will engage the general reader.

The book opens with the only four existing photographs of Ramanujan, presenting historical accounts and information about other people in the photos. This section includes an account of a cryptic family history written by his younger brother, S. Lakshmi Narasimhan. Following are articles on Ramanujan's illness by R. A. Rankin, the British physician D. A. B. Young, and Nobel laureate S. Chandrasekhar. They present a study of his symptoms, a convincing diagnosis of the cause of his death, and a thorough exposition of Ramanujan's life as a patient in English sanitariums and nursing homes.

Following this are biographies of S. Janaki (Mrs. Ramanujan) and S. Narayana Iyer, Chief Accountant of the Madras Port Trust Office, who first communicated Ramanujan's work to the Journal of the Indian Mathematical Society. The last half of the book begins with a section on "Ramanujan's Manuscripts and Notebooks". Included is an important article by G. E. Andrews on Ramanujan's lost notebook.

The final two sections feature both nontechnical articles, such as Jonathan and Peter Borwein's "Ramanujan and pi", and more technical articles by Freeman Dyson, Atle Selberg, Richard Askey, and G. N. Watson.

This volume complements the book Ramanujan: Letters and Commentary, Volume 9, in the AMS series, History of Mathematics. For more on Ramanujan, see these AMS publications, Ramanujan: Twelve Lectures on Subjects Suggested by His Life and Work, Volume 136.H, and Collected Papers of Srinivasa Ramanujan, Volume 159.H, in the AMS Chelsea Publishing series.

Copublished with the London Mathematical Society. ... Read more

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This book provides an introduction to the theory of elliptic modular functions and forms, a subject of increasing interest because of its connexions with the theory of elliptic curves. Modular forms are generalisations of functions like theta functions. They can be expressed as Fourier series, and the Fourier coefficients frequently possess multiplicative properties which lead to a correspondence between modular forms and Dirichlet series having Euler products. The Fourier coefficients also arise in certain representational problems in the theory of numbers, for example in the study of the number of ways in which a positive integer may be expressed as a sum of a given number of squares. The treatment of the theory presented here is fuller than is customary in a textbook on automorphic or modular forms, since it is not confined solely to modular forms of integral weight (dimension). It will be of interest to professional mathematicians as well as senior undergraduate and graduate students in pure mathematics. ... Read more