The Complete Henry Root Letters [Paperback]

William Donaldson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2001

This single volume brings together "The Henry Root Letters" and "The Further Letters of Henry Root". It consists of real correspondence between an apparently wealthy and eccentric retired fish-merchant, and many public figures to whom he wrote, requesting support for bizarre right-wing proposals.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It deserves to be bought by all who know a laugh when they see one." -- The Times

From the Publisher

The eccentric, ribald, hysterical writings of semi-retired wet fish merchant Henry Root have been England's best-kept comic secret since the late 1970s. That's when the devilish William Donaldson adopted the nom de lettre of Mr. Root and began to offer unsolicited advice, bluffly impertinent, robustly cranky, wonderfully lunatic advice, and propose strange but just-barely-plausible schemes to Britain's most prominent individuals. Donaldson's all-too-straight-talking, archly English crackpot elicited from his targeted bigwigs one unthinkingly self-important reply after another, and often a signed 8x10 glossy! This edition reproduces the actual letters and photos: seeing this crazy correspondence in the raw makes it just that much more a riot.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Akadine Pr (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888173009
• ISBN-13: 978-1888173000
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #975,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hysterical - unqualifiably genius, December 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Henry Root Letters (Paperback)

You must buy this book! Donaldson's hilarious letters are full of subtle putdowns (sample: "Do you only read the news or do you make it up?) You will be in hysterics reading the straight-faced answers from British notables.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb collection from a master letter writer, August 3, 2008

By 

Thomas Mclean "absit iniuria verbis" (Los Angeles, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Henry Root Letters (Paperback)

Henry Root's letters are absolutely marvelous. I have read, and re-read, them on an annual basis for quarter of a century. There have been many imitators but `Henry' is the Top Dog! They are wicked, barbed, politically incorrect, rude, sometimes offensive, occasionally rancid, insightful, intelligent, and oh so incredibly funny. He skewers and hooks many `celebrities' and `self righteous, self appointed do-gooders' and shows just how disconnected from reality some folks are. The letters poke fun at numerous topics and people then lets them `dig their own grave' so to speak with their PC acceptance of his `off the wall' positions. William Donaldson has created a brilliant character in Henry Root.

In my opinion, the closest you will find to Henry to-day is Sacha Baron Cohen's `Borat' character. Who similarly takes, often wacky, ideas and `tests' individual responses. Even when presented with overtly racist, sexist, ageist, etc opinions, people will be Politically Correct before decrying such mumbo-jumbo! Despite being for a new audience, it shows how far we have sunk in pandering to nutty ideas.

You can't go wrong with this book. It contains both earlier volumes and, despite being paperback, is well bound and printed.

I have resorted over the years to writing letters and e-mail in the style of Henry. While I'm not as scathing as he, it is amazing how direct communication, tinged with humor cuts through the BS and gets to people.

I wish it were available for my Kindle!!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even if you're a Conservative..., March 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Henry Root Letters (Paperback)

This book is wickedly funny. Less wicked, but also very amusing, are Bill Bryson's "In a Sunburned Country," Roy Moore's "Brothel in Pimlico," and even T. Dalrymple's "Life at the Bottom." All happen to be British.