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Rating: 
Summary: A loving word is better than sweet kolache!
Review: Colorful egg paintings by Marjorie Kopecek Nejdl of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Daniela Sipkova-Mahoney of Portland, Oregon, grace front and back covers. Art work inside is from antique line engravings of the Czech Republic. According to editor Joanne Asala of Chicago: "The short wise sayings of the Czech people are unlike the proverbs of any other culture. There is a sharp, biting wit in nearly every adage, but it is a humor that does more than entertain the listener. The wit, like the barb of an arrow, makes the proverb stick in the mind.'' Examples of Czech proverbs: Only in water can you learn to swim. He to whom the Lord has shown a treasure must dig it out himself. Our parents teach us how to speak, the world teaches us how to be silent. That which is soon ripe is soon rotten. Water is cheaper than medicine. The swallow carries spring on her wings. In life we sometimes laugh, in life we sometimes cry. Youth is not a virtue. Joanne Asala is an editor and writer dedicated to the preservation of folklore and traditional customs. Of Polish and Finnish descent, she grew up in Bloomingdale, Illinois, and earned an English and Medieval literature degree from the University of Iowa. She is the author of "Fairy Tales of the Slav Peasants and Herdsmen," and has edited several collections of proverbs for Penfield Press, including "Norwegian Proverbs," "Swedish Proverbs," "Words of Wisdom from the Vikings" and "Polish Proverbs."
Rating:
Summary: A Tempting Taste of Czech Wit & Wisdom
Review: This book is a gem, filled with such witticisms and warnings as: "Don't praise the banquet until you are going home," "Do not select a wife at a dance but from a field of workers," "Better one's own slice than another's loaf," "Do not jump high in a room with a low ceiling", "Not every opinion is the truth," and astutely "If a fool could keep silent he would not be a fool."
Fully illustrated with delightful woodcuts and idiomatic drawings of the Bohemian countryside rendered by artists from the old country.
A great gift for anyone who enjoys the written word, or the sharing of words of wisdom. And do please keep in mind ~ "Happy thoughts are half your health."
Nazdar!
Rating: 
Summary: A small, attractive collection of proverbs
Review: This book is very well-produced, with gorgeous engravings and line drawings and a good selection of Czech sayings. Having lived in the Czech Republic myself, I can verify that this book gives you an accurate feel for the culture. It really is a nicely-designed, attractive little collection. My only disappointment was that I hoped it would be completely bilingual, giving all proverbs in both Czech and English...but only the first proverb in each section is also written in Czech. The rest are English only. That's the only thing that keeps me from giving this 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Heartfelt Helpings of Czech Wit & Wisdom
Review: This compact, colorful volume is a gem. Filled with witticisms and warnings such as: "Do not select your wife at a dance but from a field of workers," "Do not look for apples under an oak tree," "Don't praise the banquet until you are going home," "Do not jump high in a room with a low ceiling," and "If a fool could keep silent he would not be a fool." In addition, throughout are delightful idiomatic woodcuts and drawings of the Bohemian countryside rendered by artists from the old country.
Here's a wonderful gift for anyone who enjoys the written word, or sharing words of wisdom. And remember to keep in mind, "Happy thoughts are half your health."
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