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Rating: 
Summary: Irresistible Bounty for Bibliophiles!
Review: 8 Stars ********This was the first book I have read in years that I was sorry to reach the end of. Each sentence is there to delight you. Each story is there to enthrall you. Each chapter encompasses a microcosm of the wonderful world of books. If you love books, are interested in authors, wonder about reviewers, or find dedications and acknowledgments intriguing, you've found just the right book! One of the things that makes the book especially delightful is that it does not take the subject too seriously. For example, the dedication (in part) is to all book reviewers so that they will not pan the book (I would have praised the book anyway!). You will also learn which authors wrote in the nude on their porches. There really is a section on the writing career of Casanova. From readers, to the economics of authors, to what happens to all those books that go to the Library of Congress, to which books are stolen most often, it's all here. Each seemingly irreverent thought though builds into a fascinating picture of the role that books play in the lives of authors, readers, reviewers, publishers and book sellers. You will get insights from Gutenberg to Amazon.com. Here are some of the chapter titles to give you a sense of the book's coverage and mood: -- T. Roger Claypool's Fish Store -- Art of Marketing -- Artless Thank You's -- A Guide to Good Book Behavior -- Inglorious Employment -- Literary Luck -- Best Stolen Books -- Dear Mr. Politican, Please Don't Write A Guide to Good Book Behavior tells you what to do and not to do when you friend writes a book. You'll learn the etiquette of writing an autograph if you are an author. The material is so good that this could be turned into a one person Broadway show. That would be wonderful! Have a great time reading this book. It is best taken in laugh-size bites!
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Summary: Casanova Was a Book Lover
Review: Hamilton can be witty or hilarious depending on the subject. He is erudite, but plain spoken. His book is well researched. Unfortunately, he can occasionally be a bit dry. If you like books on books than this is worth your time, if not than you may still enjoy the humor within.
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Summary: Leaves the reader wanting more
Review: Hamilton does what needs to be done to the book industry...this book pulls no punches and exposes all the tie-ins and problems with critical reviews, including the problems with the one I'm writing right now! It really is an eye-opener and has helped me be more critical of the quality of books now being published and to distinguish between the plethora of junk and self-promotional drivel. Good read!
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Summary: A complete literary toast to the written word
Review: John Maxwell Hamilton, in Casanova was a book lover, obviously researched his material extensively. Yet a credit to him is the fact that this book is the opposite of dry. Casanova was a Book Lover is wetter than the Amazon(no pun intended) Rain Forest, as he adds dashes of wit to his wisdom regarding his subject matter. There were passages I literally laughed out loud even as my uneducated (respectively speaking) brain soaked up his tidbits of knowledge. This text isnt perfect obviously, and confession time I skimmed a page here and there. Overall though it is arguably the best book on books writtin within the last decade. Perhaps the greatest compliment is his ability and agility in appealing to both the Literrati, and layperson in this book;s text and factiods. A fine touch of irony in that he seems disparaging of the Amazon review process, and I see his point in many ways, yet his work gets glowing reviews(mine isnt first or hopefully last). Well done Mr Hamilton, though you may snort if you happen to come across this review teehee, I stand by my critique.
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Summary: A Book Dedicated.........To Me! (and to all reviewers)
Review: Mr. Hamilton dedicates this book to all reviewers, on the theory that only someone very ungracious would pan a book dedicated to them. At least in my case, he need not worry. I loved this book. The theme connecting these diverse chapters is the writing, selling and reading of books. Hamilton brings a scholar's learning and a sharp-edged wit to the page, making the journey both educational and fun. Here you'll learn about the most frequently stolen books, why politicians shouldn't write books, what goes on behind the scenes at the Library of Congress, how and why authors abuse dedications and acknowledgements, and lots more. In fact, except for a rather greedy wish for more, I don't see how I could have enjoyed this book to a greater degree.--William C. Hall
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Summary: This book is a must for bibliophiles everywhere
Review: Where do I begin the praise for this extraordinary book? I could start with the brilliant prose, that makes every passage sparkle. Or I could comment on the ingenious content, that unleashes its wisdom upon the reader as each page is turned. Perhaps I should begin with the witty satire, that provides comic relief throughout the whole of this magnificent book. No, I don't think there is just one facet of Casanova that makes it the wonderful piece of literature that it is. Rather, it is the sum of its parts that makes me read it over and over and over, until I have been able to memorize and recite entire chapters at a time. Like a fine french wine, say a '75 Rothschild, this book has to be savored. Every page has to be drunk deep into the readers' psyche. I would suggest you buy several copies, just as insurance in case one or two are destroyed. My father really needs the money from the royalties.
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