The Week-End Book [Hardcover]

Francis Meynell (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 2006

A delightful little book for week-enders young or old, guest or host, married or single, discreet or adventurous.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A book which invites all possible praise and then transcends it by its own inimitable quality. Week-enders, young or old, guest or host, married or single, discreet or adventurous, there is but one thing for you all to do, and that at once. Buy THE WEEK-END BOOK' - Arthur Waugh, Daily Telegraph 'A great success. I am delighted with my copy' - The Granta 'He who takes it on a railway journey will commiserate the unhappy people who rely on detective fiction' - The Observer 'Everybody is talking about it. Everybody is buying it... I wonder how I ever spent a week-end without it... It will go with us wherever the Oxford Book of English Verse goes. The authors have thought of everything' - Daily Telegraph 'I say! have you seen THE WEEK-END BOOK?' - Guardian 'The most valuable section of all is that devoted to Songs; and it is the most gorgeously selected... It is a marvellously good anthology... I have not doubt that the book will become a classic, and that every holiday-maker with his wits about him will possess a copy' - The Spectator 'A collection made with a fine and certain taste' - The Teacher's World 'The jolliest all-round companion that has appeared in print for many years' - Evening News 'A delightful medley' - Morning Post 'Is there anything else you can want in a week-end, even a wet one? Go and get the book - and your ticket' - Evening Standard --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

The Week-End Book was first published by the Nonesuch Press in June 1924. With various editions and altercations, it was reprinted in England nineteen times. In criticism of its commercial success, Virginia Woolf once commented, "The Hogart Press may not make any money but at least we did not publish The Week-End Book."

From how to forecast the weather, make a campfire, or make your own paper cups, to suggestions for games to play in the country and the potential damages (legal and medical) that might result, The Week-End Book offers essential advice for anyone on making the most of their precious leisure time. In addition, The Week-End Book contains a thoughtful selection of poetry that can be fully enjoyed in the peace of the countryside. Portable and practical, The Week-End Book is the perfect recipe for successful weekend living.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover; First Printing edition (May 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585678139
• ISBN-13: 978-1585678136
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 4.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,065,879 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for summer homes and beach houses, May 11, 2006

By 

David Watts "D.W." (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Week-End Book (Hardcover)

I first came across this little gem in England last year. I picked it up in a used bookstore and took it along on a family trip through Ireland. What a smart move. This book offers many diversions for a weekend out of the city and an extended visit to the country. Filled with games and puzzles as well as sections on animal tracks and birdsongs this book has a little something for everyone.

I was so happy when I learned that The Weekend Book was being reissued. I'd been searching for other used copies to give as gifts (talk about the perfect gift to give to your hosts...) but they were expensive. This is the perfect gift and it's under 20 dollars (and even cheaper here on Amazon).

Oh, and did I mention that it is beautiful to look at as well?

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank God it's FRIDAY!, June 6, 2006

By 

Cliff Milledge "Cliff" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Week-End Book (Hardcover)

I can't recommend this book highly enough, especially now that the glory of the summer weekend is upon us. Unlike something like Schott's Miscellany, this collection is actually filled with things worth knowing (the constellation, guides to birdsong, parlor games, etc.) and aside from being a useful book to have with you on vacation, it's also a fascinating look into the early 20th century world of P.G. Wodehouse and Agatha Christie, and it's written with the same dry british wit.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kill your television, September 9, 2007

By 

a reader (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Week-End Book (Hardcover)

A boyfriend gave my mother a copy of this in 1936.
She's still reading it, reciting the Shakespeare sonnets, consulting it on astronomy and giggling at the very witty Britty hate poems.
There are games and recipes.
It is an instruction manual on how to live life outside video games. What a concept.