Rating: 
Summary: A worthwhile coffee table book of the macabre
Review: Combining short but insightful text with a visually stunning layout design, _Clive Barker's A-Z of Horror_ provides a light read on some very dark subjects. It would make an excellent gift for both those making their first steps into this genre as well as for old hands looking for something to keep around for visitors to squeal about.
Rating: 
Summary: THIS BOOK IS GREAT STUFF BODIA DEMOS DEMOS
Review: Glossy, high-concept, yes! Satisfying, high-content, not even close! This book looks lovely but has almost nothing to say about horror, and that's too bad. Barker is certainly one of the most influential horror writers alive, and he's also quite a personality. But this book feels like it was thrown together with very little work on Barker's part. The entries are all short enough and sufficiently eclipsed by the artwork--which IS impressive--that Barker gets by without saying very much about any of them. What's worse, he has an irritating way of sounding profound without actually having anything of substance to say. I can't imagine anyone coming away from this book having learned anything from it or thinking about horror differently than they did when they opened it up (although perhaps it would bring new names to their attention). All of this is disappointing because, as I've said, Barker is a very influential figure in the genre. He's also quite controversial. Readers have a right to expect better from him than they get here.
Rating: 
Summary: HORROR-IBLY Disappointing
Review: Glossy, high-concept, yes! Satisfying, high-content, not even close! This book looks lovely but has almost nothing to say about horror, and that's too bad. Barker is certainly one of the most influential horror writers alive, and he's also quite a personality. But this book feels like it was thrown together with very little work on Barker's part. The entries are all short enough and sufficiently eclipsed by the artwork--which IS impressive--that Barker gets by without saying very much about any of them. What's worse, he has an irritating way of sounding profound without actually having anything of substance to say. I can't imagine anyone coming away from this book having learned anything from it or thinking about horror differently than they did when they opened it up (although perhaps it would bring new names to their attention). All of this is disappointing because, as I've said, Barker is a very influential figure in the genre. He's also quite controversial. Readers have a right to expect better from him than they get here.
Rating:
Summary: THIS BOOK IS GREAT STUFF BODIA DEMOS DEMOS
Review: HEY DEMOS, I LIKE THIS BOOK, RIGHT DEMOS GELFAND? OK DEMOS, I'LL SEE YOU LATER
Rating:
Summary: Holds surprises even for the most well versed of horror fans
Review: I picked up and flipped through Barker's A-Z of Horror on at least through occassions before purchasing it. My first thought was - this is a picture book on horror - I have alot of these, do I need another? My second was - I know horror, A-Z books are for beginners. Then one day I sat and read the first few chapters and I was hooked. The book is at once and abbreviated Danse Macabre, a morphology of fear and a history of Horror. And there are some surprises which are a consequence of Barker's unique perspective from Europe (i.e. the chapter on Dennis Wheatley). My only real criticism was the absence of a chapter on Stephen King - we have alot of supporting quotes from King scattered through the book, but no effort by Barker to situate King within the heritage of horror. This is a real weakness and can only have been a conscious decision (which is why the book only gets 4 stars). Overall the book is superb, with outstanding visual supports. The harcover book is a real nice addition to anyone's library and I would highly recommend it. Later.
Rating:
Summary: Holds surprises even for the most well versed of horror fans
Review: I picked up and flipped through Barker's A-Z of Horror on at least through occassions before purchasing it. My first thought was - this is a picture book on horror - I have alot of these, do I need another? My second was - I know horror, A-Z books are for beginners. Then one day I sat and read the first few chapters and I was hooked. The book is at once and abbreviated Danse Macabre, a morphology of fear and a history of Horror. And there are some surprises which are a consequence of Barker's unique perspective from Europe (i.e. the chapter on Dennis Wheatley). My only real criticism was the absence of a chapter on Stephen King - we have alot of supporting quotes from King scattered through the book, but no effort by Barker to situate King within the heritage of horror. This is a real weakness and can only have been a conscious decision (which is why the book only gets 4 stars). Overall the book is superb, with outstanding visual supports. The harcover book is a real nice addition to anyone's library and I would highly recommend it. Later.
Rating:
Summary: A worthwhile coffee table book of the macabre
Review: I would recommend this book for all passing horror fans and experts alike; Clive Barker, that well respected mentor of modern English horror, has created a fine compendium. If at times a little pretentious, particularly in the sprawling and philosophical introduction, the layout is first-class and it doesn't dwell on the statistics-for-anoraks that so many of these type of film book do. Enjoyable, perhaps even essential for your film shelf. It is at times a little lightweight; at others, snobbish and frothy.
Rating: 
Summary: As a matter of fact...
Review: I would recommend this book for all passing horror fans and experts alike; Clive Barker, that well respected mentor of modern English horror, has created a fine compendium. If at times a little pretentious, particularly in the sprawling and philosophical introduction, the layout is first-class and it doesn't dwell on the statistics-for-anoraks that so many of these type of film book do. Enjoyable, perhaps even essential for your film shelf. It is at times a little lightweight; at others, snobbish and frothy.
Rating:
Summary: A private tour insider Clive Barker's psyche!
Review: It's a drop-dead gorgeous book, a primal primer of Clive Barker's inspirations, imaginings and id. A ghastly glimspe of genius skating that thin line of insanity. A must reference for fans of Night Breed and Hell Raiser, you will be enthralled by the alphabetical approach to horror. Poster art, sketches and photos flesh out the interesting tidbits of terror. Wait! Was that the wind or a hellhound outside my door? Shivers of pleasure await dear reader...
Rating:
Summary: A private tour insider Clive Barker's psyche!
Review: It's a drop-dead gorgeous book, a primal primer of Clive Barker's inspirations, imaginings and id. A ghastly glimspe of genius skating that thin line of insanity. A must reference for fans of Night Breed and Hell Raiser, you will be enthralled by the alphabetical approach to horror. Poster art, sketches and photos flesh out the interesting tidbits of terror. Wait! Was that the wind or a hellhound outside my door? Shivers of pleasure await dear reader...
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