The Once and Future King

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Summary: The most wonderful story of all time!
Review: The Once and Future King is the most wonderful book I have ever read! I was forced to read it because of an assignment in school, however, I was pleasently surprised! I finished it with in a matter of days of starting it! I really got into the story and felt as though I was watching something happen right in front of me! I enjoyed the romance between Guinevere and Lancelot, the balence between gentle love, war, and justice that Arthur possessed, and the mystical adventures that Merlin took Arthur on! This was the best book that I have ever read! Next up, The book of Merlin!

Rating:
Summary: 10 stars
Review: It's a shame that 5 stars is the maximum allowed. This is my favorite book of all time. I first read it as a college freshman in 1970, and have re-read it at least a dozen times since. Every time it makes me laugh and weep. This is a classic for our time and for every time.

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Summary: I've never read a better book
Review: Others have very competently covered the plot and characterization. I will simply say that this is the best book I have ever met. I first read it as a child and have read it many more times in the two decades since then. Each time some new depth or nuance is revealed.

If, god forbid, I had to select only one book from my shelves to last me for the rest of my life, I would unhesitatingly throw away the other thousand odd and keep The Once and Future King. This book has everything.

I envy people who are discovering it for the very first time - savor it!

Rating:
Summary: recommended
Review: I recommend this mostly for its masterly command of English prose. It's odd to think that its first three books were originally published by themselves. They all three leave you hanging. On the other hand, there are slight inconsistencies from book to book (for example, the witch Morgan Le Faye is described in "The Sword in the Stone" as frumpy and in "The Candle in the Wind" as beautiful). As I read, I kept hearing in my head echoes of other writers. "The Sword in the Stone" by turns reminded me of Hemingway's vigorous prose, his evocations of the wild, and of Douglass Adams's British sense of humor. In the subsequent books I thought of E. B. White, of C. S. Lewis, and of Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" trilogy-the way the camera pans from scene to scene. The books are paced differently too; the first is leisurely; the last is furious.

In any case, as I said, I think, twice before (my command of English prose is un-masterly, alas), I very much recommend "The Once and Future King". I also recommend Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises", Douglass Adams's "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe", E. B. White's "Points of My Compass", C. S. Lewis's "The Abolition of Man", The Proclaimers's "This is the Story" (their first recording) and Jeff Burns's "Pentatonic Scales for the Jazz Rock Keyboardist" (a method book).

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Summary: The most inspirational and beautiful book I have ever read.
Review: I first read this book when I was 14 years olds in 1963. Since that time, I have reread it six times, the last being c. 10 years ago. I now feel a need to read it again as I approach my 50s. First time I read it, I read it much as a fairy tale. In latter readings, it came across very much as an adult novel. Something for everyone in it -- love, war, good, evil, quest for the Holy Grail, etc. My readings of the Once and Future King caused me to read Mallory's Le Morte de Arthur, Tennyson, as well as some of the original French and English legends about the subject. So, it incited a life-long passion in Arthurian drama although I don't think any of them ever approached the majesty of The Once and Future King.

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Summary: Awesome
Review: If you love romance, humor and great adventure, you will love this book! It truly is a classic!

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Summary: Who gave this book less than 4 stars?
Review: I'd like to start out by saying this book was simply awesome. It was a little long, but not really. It can be boring in some parts, but when i was done reading this book, i knew that with out all the long descriptions, and dialogue, we would know nothing of the characters, and they'd be just like in any other book. That's the thing...this isn't just any old book, it's a classic. For those people who gave this book less than 4 stars, this is a classic for a reason. I can see someone maybe thinking this book is too long, or boring, but saying it's bad, is simply beyond comprehension. It's called a classic because it is one. This could very easily be the best book i've ever read.

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Summary: An awsome book for anyone in love with the Artheren legend!
Review: I have read this book for the first time as a senior in highschool. I think it is an incredible book for any age. It had romance, battles and a message that will carry on into the next millennium. It is a MUST READ for anyone!

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Summary: Reader from Maine, what are you thinking?
Review: Okay, I'll admit that this book is kind of hard to get through. But it is a beautifully written story once you get into it, and it will certainly be treasured forever. I just want to know something: reader from Maine, do you really pay attention to that stuff like the armor worn in the book? I just want to know if you are a college proffessor or something.

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Summary: Finally, the whole story !
Review: If you want to know everything there is to know about the King Arthur legend, this is the book. Everything from his conception, his reign as king, and his death is all in here. The dirt on all of his knights are in here as well. I found the book fascinating and even philosophical. T.H. White goes beyond telling the epic fantasy. He writes the meaning behind the tale and compares how similar things are between medieval time and our modern time. The story come alive in this book. I can never put it down. And the characters are so well rounded. I found the Lancelot- Guenevere affair very interesting. I've seen Excalibur and it's nothing like this ! Do yourself a favor. Buy this book you too will fall under the spell of the tale that will live on for ages. Arturius Sempre Viva !