How Tom beat Captain Najork and his hired sportsmen [Hardcover]

Russell Hoban (Author), Quentin Blake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1974

Because Tom's aunt disapproves of his constant fooling around she calls in Captain Najork to teach him a lesson. Tom, however, has a splendid idea.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum (1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689304412
• ISBN-13: 978-0689304415
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,057,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bring back the Capt. Najork books!, December 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen (Hardcover)

From the comments of other parents and various children's bookstore owners, as well as the fact that the rare used copies sell seemingly seconds after they become available, it is incredible that the two Capt. Najork books have been out of print for so long. (I once tried to put my name on a waiting list at a Toronto children's bookstore, and the clerk just laughed at me). The brilliantly innovative language -- try saying "Aunt Fidgit Wonkham-Strong Najork" and see if your palate isn't pleased -- sloppily perfect illustrations, and wonderful stories make for instant classics -- delightful for children and adults alike.

Wake up, publishers! There are a lot of very hungry Capt. Najork customers out there.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For kids through to adults., February 22, 2001

By 

alan penney (Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen (Hardcover)

The first time our family set eyes on this book was when we borrowed it from the mobile library that visits our village. It became a classic when the kids were young, and we went on to borrow it a number of times. Phrases from it became part of our everyday language such as lets do some "high up fooling around and low down fooling around", lets play "sneedball", and I think I'll go and "learn the nautical almanac". When our younger son reached 18 years of age we decided to buy him a copy as a joke present.... We wrapped it and presented it to him at our local pub where we were having a celebratory drink on his birthday. It was a present to be savoured. We ended up having a ceremonial reading in the pub, much to our great amusement. All the other customers wondered what all the laughter was about. Had they known they would have been as hysterical as we were. Whenever the family recalls great examples of children's books this is always at the top of the list. Its a cracking read for grown ups as well. I defy anybody not to laugh. We still have the book and still refer to it....

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great modern fairy tale, March 31, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Salisbury, North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Tom beat Captain Najork and his hired sportsmen (Hardcover)

After four children, our paperback copy of Captain Najork finally disintegrated. Tom's response to his Aunt Fidget's requirements, along with his determination to "mess around" with things that are truly important make for a hilarious and, at the same time, instructive read for children. Bring back Tom! Bring back the Captain! The overly programmed children of the 21st century will need them!