Rating: 
Summary: Arrogance at it's Finest
Review: This is undoubtedly one of the most unusual books I've ever read, and I've read some weird stuff. "Pollack" is a very funny book, although it's not without its flaws. All the stories have the same theme, how he is the "greatest American writer of our time." From "The Albania of my Existence" to "Secrets of the Mystery Jew" all his pieces begin with seemingly legitimate topics and eventually degenerate into patting himself on the back for being so talented and handsome. This aside it is an excellent book, "Pollack" contains the kind of over the top humor used by such writers as Woody Allen. While it may take only an afternoon to read, it'll be a well-spent afternoon.
Rating: 
Summary: This one-punchline book quickly wears thin
Review: After recently reading both Dave Eggars' "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" (which was wonderful) and his delightfully articulated rant against bad taste and bad art (directed at a poor writer for the Harvard Advocate), I was genuinely optimistic that Neal Pollack's book (published by Eggars's imprint, McSweeney's Books) would be a worthwhile follow-up read to "AHWOSG." Alas, Pollack's book, while clever and dead-on accurate in its parody of first-person journalism, wears thin very quickly, and the joke becomes fast repetitive. Borrow this book from the library, but save your money.
Rating:
Summary: Are Eggers and Pollack the same person?
Review: Let's look at the facts, folks. It is my schooled, rational opinion that Dave Eggers and Neal Pollack are indeed one and the same person. The Evidence: 1) The name Neal Pollack has 11 letters while Dave Eggers has only 9. HOWEVER, the name *David* Eggers has 11 letters. FACT. 2) I met Neal/Dave at a recent bee-keeper convention. Sure, Neal/Dave was wearing a bee-keeper's bonnet, his face covered by netting, but I am sure that it was he. We chatted for a while about the merits of the D. E. Hive, which was designed for amateur and lady beekeepers and not only easy to manipulate but also clean and light to handle. Neal/Dave said that he liked the fact that the D.E. Hive has 11 frames and holds more bees. I said, laughing, "More bees, more honey." He agreed. FACT 3) I have submitted nearly a dozen letters, articles, and stories to McSweeney's. To date, I have received no reply, retort, or offer of any kind from them. FACT 4) Neal Pollack is in no way related to Jackson Pollock. Dave Eggers is in no way related to Jackson Pollock. FACT. 5) I once glimpsed Neal/Dave from the waist down while he was removing his wet suit. We were diving together in the Koh Samui region and an eel slithered into Neal/Dave's wet suit. In the race to get the eel (and Neal/Dave) out of his suit, I caught a glimpse of Neal/Dave's nether regions. There is an identifying mark that I will reveal only on a need-to-know basis, in order to prove my point. FACT p.s. The Anthology comes with a ribbon bookmark. Pretty cool idea, Neal/Dave.
Rating: 
Summary: Neal Pollack is a cross between Norman Mailer and Jesus
Review: Mr. Pollack warrents four stars mearly for the fact that this slim volume is not enough. My thirst for his prose is not yet quenched. I reread it often when lounging in a smoking jacket and slowly swirling warm brandy. I leave it on the coffee table when company comes over as it makes me look far more literary than the stack of comic books I keep hidden in a cardboard box. Thank you Neal Pollack. Thank you for publishing this morsal of genius which I read dutifully at small coffee shops as it is a guaranteed chick-magnet.
Rating:
Summary: Lacerates self-important, pompous journalism.
Review: Will the "thought piece" that pollutes our magazines and newspapers ever be the same after this book? Probably. Unfortunately. But that's not due to Pollack's efforts: he has adopted a persona and style here which is outrageous and hilarious, and lampoons so many of the tedious articles we've read in the tony magazines. He has puffed up his free-lance narrator in marvelous fashion, with the most hilariously adulatory jacket I've ever read, and a self-conscious prose that is worth sharing with all your friends. One very small example will suffice: on a dock, eating his breakfast banana, the free-lance journalist writes, "my knees trembled with the knowledge that this could be my last food until lunch." No, Pollack will not change the world with this sublime volume. Not yet. Would that he could!
Rating: 
Summary: A maddenning tale of a man who becomes a woman
Review: This maddenning tale of a man who becomes a woman is simply stunning. From its beginning hundreds of years ago, on an estate in sunny England's countryside, through decades of intrigue, romance, and high comedy, we share laughter and tears with the main character as his fey ways slowly transform him into a feminine form riding a motorcycle. This book is a national treasure and really encapsulates two centuries of English literature.
Rating:
Summary: NEAL RULEZ!
Review: My Dad has just returend from the USA and brought this awesome book for me. Though I have not finished reading it yet I have to admit that this book is wonderful. Neal tells a lot of interesting facts about himself. NPAAL is not just some scrapbook about a famous writer. It shows that every person has it's own ups and downs even such a star as Neal. It also reveals different events from his life. To make the story short, IT ROCKZZZZ!
Rating:
Summary: the almost greatest book
Review: i have never had pancakes with neal, but i wouldn't mind doing so. i hear he is from chicago. regardless, its refreshing to see a writer with some balls - the NP anthology of american literature is a decent attempt to pave the way for something new.
Rating:
Summary: a work of art
Review: This work by Neal Pollack has what Beaudelaire would call the "double simultaneous postulation"; every word has two meanings, every sentence can be seen differently they are forces that act on you with joy and sadness. You are left confused but with a feeling of satisfaction that reminds you of a good steak. Mr. Pollack does not write for a specific human group or way of life. He does not even try to appeal to the intellectuals as opposed to the bores. He works on all levels, the brain and the gut and everything in betweeen. And it stings like hell. But you love it, and you want more. He has gotten at the root of American Literature with more vigor than Twain and more eloquence that James. He has understood the American question of culture and answered it. We are now at the beginning of a new generation of literature and intellect that will change American society forever. Some will think Pollack a rebel, others will cite him as nothing more than today's fancy, some will accuse him of corrupting the minds of the youth. And to that all, I say Pollack is Pollack, he will last forever in English literature through his brilliant fictional narratives, his ingenious twists of prose, and more than anything else his penetrating insight. His anthology is the most impressive since Nicolas Bourbaki's and I would argue even more important.
Rating:
Summary: How's my lady?
Review: Neal, you just turned the publishing business on its collective ear. I haven't got my book yet. But, I can tell everyone, without even reading it, that it's the best thing since powdered milk.
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