Rating: 
Summary: Fun to know
Review: This book is really only for those that have already read the Belgariad and Mallorian series. It tells the tale of the Great Belgarath from thief to "holy man". It really isn't an exiting read but it's well writen and the plot (if you can call it that) is well laid out, but lacks any punch. It has the thinks that always bothers me in all of Eddings work and that is repetativnes, same jokes and characters tend to say the same thing (if somebody says a word that doesn't exist then the others always say something like "Gee I wish I could make upp word like that" and so on). I wish that he could think of new dialogs. Theres nothing new or original in this book but some times it's good to read a tried and tested formula specialy when it involves some of ones favorite fictional charachters.If you have already read Eddings other works then this is a must, if not the give it a miss..
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Summary: The Belgariad from a fresh angle
Review: I do love the Belgariad and the Mallorean. Whilst they do not have the overall complexity of The Wheel of Time, or the great heroism of The Lord of the Rings, they do have something these lack. Wit and charm. I have read the series a few times, and they are by far the most enjoyable reads I have ever had, except for a few niggles ("nice little fight" does get boring).
This book is no exception to the rule. Although you need to read the series first, once you have you will find this book answers many questions and provides a compelling background to the books.
HOWEVER, towards the end I noticed some inconsistencies with the texts, and this does detract from the enjoyment slightly, as you feel that towards the end, Eddings was getting slightly bored and lazy. This is not to detract from the whole novel, as the rest is superbly crafted, and the first person perspective works excellently.
The other major plus point of the novel is the presentation of Belgarath as a wholly fallible character. Whilst this is undesirable in many cases, in this one it serves to add greater depth to his character, and also justify the exsistence of his brothers. You can't help but end up wondering about Beldin's history, or why Zedar ended up acting the way he did, and that is a testament to the strength of Eddings character development. All in all this is definitely worth a look if you are a fan. If you aren't, then read the Belgariad and Mallorean and I can guarantee you soon will be.
Rating:
Summary: great for the fans
Review: I thought this thick book would be at worst repeating things already mentioned in the saga, as the style of Eddings is similar to fairytales rather than an attempt for a realistic feeling world, and the stereotypes (particularly describing the various peoples and cultures) he already created in books 1 to 5 were repeated enough as it is. I was right about that, he repeats some things but generally speaking 90 percent of this book is all new material, as the history from Belgarath's point of view. I had a great deal of good laughs; the book has a slower pace and allows for greater detail at points, but Eddings spares us a lot of boredom and still manages to capture not only great events but also everyday life. Robert Jordan could learn a thing or two from Eddings even though he might have greater talent.
Rating: 
Summary: Great coda to the whole series
Review: The Belgeriad and Mallorean series are my favorite pieces of fantasy literature - I've read them a couple times, and they are always super enjoyable, and always force me to stay up late reading them because I can't stop, even though I know what's going to happen. This book (and Polgara) is a wonderful cap to the whole series, going all way back in time. Although much of it is a repeat of what was in the other books, this is wonderful reading since it is all from the perspective of Belgarath, alive these last 7,000 years, and he offers many, many new insights to the events of the books. It's fascinating: construct a whole series with the omniscient narrator, and then write two more books going over the whole thing again, but from the point of views of two characters in the series. Surprisingly, it not only works, it works well, and it's quite compelling reading. And Eddings writes convincingly enough to make one think it really *is* Belgarath who has written this. Absolutely excellent reading, but of course, you really do have to read the first ten books first. And I can't recommend this series enough. Certainly the best multi-volume fantasy series that has come out (and yes, I am apostate by regarding this higher than Lord of the Rings, but so be it).
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Summary: The Tale of Generations...
Review: I own all the books from the Belgariad and Mallorean series + Polgara and the Rivan Codex and this books fits perfectly with the entire collection. The book follows the life of Belgarath and how he became the legend he is, from the time he was born in the village of Gara, to the meeting with Aldur, cracking of the world...and so on. There may be some slight inconsistencies....but it was deliberate because Belgarath is telling the story from HIS point of view and how things really happen. Some folks maybe disapointed about how certain events are actually duller than what was learned from the two previous series. But thats the idea! Legends are always exaggerated and when the truth is told, people are upset. The interesting thing about the story is that Belgarath tried his best to keep the story down to earth as possible. Instead of the usual mystical mumbo jumbo, everything is laid out as if your own buddy was telling you the story. Overall, I think its a great read and will answer a lot of unanswered questions from the two series.
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Summary: Eddings Dairy of the Wolf is grand
Review: I always like Belegarath from his sense of dry humor to his ability to tell great stories. Well this book was his greatest of all his stories and helped fill in alot of gaps which where left out previous to Pawn of Prophecy. I hope Eddings writes Beldin the Hunchbacked or something like that I think that would be the best individual personal history story ever. I would like to see from other people who write reviews after me name a Sorcerer they would like to have a book written after.
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Summary: Belgarath The Sorcerer.
Review: This book is a must for readers of the Belgariad and the Malloreon. It is well written and humorous, yet there is sorrow here too - the apparent death of Belgarath's wife, Poledra and the loss of his two sorcerer brothers, Belsambar and Belmakor (although the latter is not clearly explained). Although written after the Belgariad and the Malloreon, new readers would do well to read Belgarath the Sorcerer first, as this will greatly facilitate their understanding of the later series. Belgarath himself is a likeable character, full of human weaknesses and foibles despite his enormous power, and the continual bickerings between himself and his rather straight-laced daughter, Polgara, are delightful. He is lazy, lackadaisical and often untrustworthy, but he fulfils his destiny completely, and his love for his master, the god Aldur, is very moving. A great story about a great character, whom you will come to regard as a friend when you finally lay down this wonderful book.
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Summary: a whimsical tale that spans eons
Review: For anyone who has fallen as deeply in love with the Belgariad and the Mallorean as I have will truly cherish and enjoy this book. Told from the straight from the heart of the centuries-old, wise, witty, overdramatic and altogether lovable sorcerer Belgarath, the Old Wolf, this novel is a captivating and entertaining novel that expands on the beginnings of Eddings' world. Throughout the book we are introduced to the first people, and the first gods that roamed at the beginning of time, and the marvelous events and prophecy that lead up to the stories of the Belgariad and Mallorean. We finally are given a history of Belgarath's remarkable beginnings, from the small vilage of Gara, to his first encounter with Aldur and the other disciples, to the Breaking of the World, and onwards, following his footsteps in all the adventures and exploits that he experienced even before Garion was born. We finally are able to appreciate and realize the depth and intellect of the often shabby Old Wolf through his experiences and dialogues, and are able to hop right into his shoes and personally get to know the other characters whose presence is pivotal in directing the flow of time. Eddings ties together many loose ends and allows us to understand the many facets of Belgarath's life, from being the shabby old story teller to being the most powerful sorcerer in the world, able to instil awe and fear in so many ('Grat is not nice!). This book lacks nothing and is rich in depth, articulate and descriptive writing, and is peppered with the classic dry humour and penetrating wit that Eddings has mastered, and will keep you enthralled and laughing for ages.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Although it would benefit a reader to have read one or both of his first serie's to be more familiar of caricter's,event's refered to,etc.,it's not neccisary to enjoy the book.
Rating:
Summary: Buy It, Read it , Keep it....
Review: Sarcastic, profane,slovenly, sometimes drunk, doesnt have perfect grooming habits and dress's badly, these are some of the descriptions that fit Belgarath. This book details the events that made him "The Eternal Man". Possibly the best conceived sorcerer in literature, Belgarath will certainly take a seat in history next to Gandorf, Obe-one, and Maadi. Some have complained that the book has "slow" spots. Well thats kinda like life, years of boredom, sixty seconds of terror. If every second of every day was heart stopping, even Belgarath would eventually give up. What I really liked was the fact that this book could stand alone. Even if I had never read the Belgarid/Mallorean series, I would have still enjoyed and understood this book. It has found a permanent place in my collection of "Keepers". I highly reccommend this book to everyone.
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