Amazon.com: Acquired Tastes: Peter Mayle: Books

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19 Reviews

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.5 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)

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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars pure decadence and charm, February 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Acquired Tastes (Paperback)

Mayle's book on the best that money can buy is like living the lives of the rich without paying the large sums of money. His wordpainting is so vivid, I imagine I'm sitting in a room furnished with astronomically priced antiques, sampling caviar with my 50 servants by my side. Perfectly charming and entertaining. I recommend this book highly.

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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, even if you can't afford to do the things described!, April 27, 2003

By

Matthew J. McGuire (Orland Park, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Acquired Tastes (Paperback)

The first time I saw this book, I was at the local library and the title caught my eye. When I saw that Peter Mayle was the author, I expected that I would enjoy it. I was not disappointed.

Whether you are rich, know people who are, or just enjoy imagining what you'd do with great wealth, this book offers an array of amusing possibilities. Mr. Mayle's best attribute as a writer is his ability to be witty without sacrificing erudition, and this book delivers on both counts.

My favorite chapter, without question, is the one about buying a vacation home; first because I know a few people who own second homes, and second because it's probably the only thing mentioned in the book that I'll ever be able to afford. Mr. Mayle offers an intriguing suggestion of how to savor the pleasures of a second home without any of the potential pitfalls. I haven't yet decided if I'll buy a vacation house or choose the Mayle method, but in the meantime, this book has been a great gift for friends and relatives who have taken the plunge.

In short, the best reason to buy this book is that it's fun.

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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Acquired Tastes, April 20, 2000

By

Rebecca (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ACQUIRED TASTES

I thought this book was great! I could read it again and again. I especially enjoyed reading about the experience of buying shoes. It was difficult to come back to reality after drooling over this book's vivid descriptions of privileges of the super-rich. Now I know where I'm going to spend my lotto winnings! Wish me luck!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Bon mots and bon bons: Mayle's choice segments of the high life
Readers of A Year in Provence will already be familiar with Pater Mayle's command of the Queen's English and joie de vivre for all things comestible. Read more

Published 3 months ago by N. Davis

5.0 out of 5 stars Fiction, book
Love this fast and easy read. Will purchase this author again. Book arrived in perfect condition.

Published 22 months ago by Marianne Kaczmarek

5.0 out of 5 stars Delicious luxury
I can't even tell you how much I enjoyed this book. Not just Mayle's delightful style, but the view into a world of low-key luxury. Read more

Published on February 21, 2009 by C. G. King

5.0 out of 5 stars A Life of Luxury
"Aquired Tastes" is a completely captivating book if you love to live vicariously. If you are extremely wealthy then this book could also give you some more ideas about how to... Read more

Published on February 19, 2009 by Rebecca Johnson

5.0 out of 5 stars Acquired Tastes
This book is a wonderful gift for the holidays. It is a humorous book written by the author of A Year in Provence. It reads quickly and gives true insight on our acquired tastes.

Published on October 30, 2008 by Alexandra W. Colomb

5.0 out of 5 stars Aquired Tastes....a favorite!
I love all things "Peter Mayle!" He's just so fun to read! Aquired Tastes is witty and even a little wild!

Published on November 30, 2007 by Debs Phelan

3.0 out of 5 stars A fun treatise on the finer things in life!
In his undying wit, Mayle shares with us some of his field research on the finer things in life. Although really geared toward the gentleman reader, it is enjoyable for women to... Read more

Published on January 29, 2007 by Bunny Bunsen, PhD

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Mayle's best
Leaving his haunts in the South of France, Peter explores the tastes of the rich and famous. Custom shoes, shirts, suits, second homes, stretch limos and all. Read more

Published on October 16, 2005 by Sherrilynn S. Palladino

5.0 out of 5 stars Hedonism at high level
I used to think as a big disadvantage to live in a small and poor country as Chile. However, Mr. Mayle's book demonstrated me that living in a "third world country" has some... Read more

Published on March 25, 2004 by Ignacio Gonzalez Miranda

5.0 out of 5 stars i want to move to france!
all of peter mayles books are great - and this is no exception!

Published on August 20, 2003 by N. Haftl

› See all 19 customer reviews...

Inside This Book (learn more)
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First Sentence:
THERE ARE TWO OR THREE discreet establishments in London that for generations have catered to one of man's lesser-know vices. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
cashmere socks, fresh truffles

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New Year's Eve, New York, Herbert Johnson, Wall Street, Gray Area, Los Angeles, Grand Cordon, Madison Avenue, Man Who Has Everything, Monsieur Baveret

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