Product Description

All the books illustrated in this irresistible little volume were collected by Michael Bell when he owned an antiquarian bookshop in Lewes. His criterion was simple: these were old books that raised a grin if not a guffaw from his customers as soon as they saw them. Some are simply mystifying like the enigmatic "Book of Blank Maps"; bizarre like Frances E. Willard's perfectly straight-faced account, "How I Learned to Ride the Bicycle"; or simply evoke a world which has long since vanished like Paulo Montegazza's manual on "The Art of Taking a Wife". Sometimes it is the combination of title and cover artwork that does the trick, but most frequent of all is the title that now conveys a meaning quite at odds with the author's original intentions, the boy's story "Invisible Dick", for example, or another children's novel, "How Nell Scored".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #101940 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-23
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 96 pages

Customer Reviews

A soon-to-be classic
I remember some of these titles from when the Author ran the bookshop in Lewes - they were in a corner of the window with 'not for sale' signs but I always stopped and browsed with a smile on my face. Back to the book - great stocking filler or toilet shelf gem - you will love it!

One of a kind!!!
This gorgeous book is just fantastic.....I nearly passed it by in the bookshop as it isn't overly noticeable, but who can pass up a title like this! Michael Bell has collected some absolute gems of book titles from his bookshop, and most of them certainly wouldn't be printed today. Place your tongue firmly in your cheek and enjoy!!

Hilarious
I picked this book up in the Book Shop, I dont know why, and started reading, Ive never laughed out loud at anything before. I apologised to the bloke standing next to me, he said he read the book and done the same thing himself and also brought three copies to give away.

The titles choosen are so innocent and suggestive but not in a rude why at all, which makes it all the funnier.

You cant get better.