Asterix and the Magic Carpet (Uderzo. Asterix Adventure, 28.)

Book Description

The wonderful village where Asterix and Obelix live has only one drawback: its bard is the worst musician in the ancient world. Whenever Cacofonix strikes up a tune, the sun hides behind the clouds and the rain begins to fall. But, then a fakir flies in on a magic carpet asking for help in ending a terrible drought in his kingdom. Otherwise, his daughter Orinjade will be sacrificed to the gods. Suddenly, Cacofonix’s talents come in mighty handy.

Customer Reviews:

One of Uderzo's better solo efforts........2007-07-10

Albert Uderzo, Asterix and the Magic Carpet (Dargaud, 1987)

This is one of the three Asterix books I know I've already read during this marathon, but can't find any evidence I ever actually reviewed. Oops. In any case, a fakir has heard of Cacofonix's newfound ability to make rain fall with his singing, and heads off to the indomitable Gaulish village to seek his assistance. Along with Asterix and Obelix, Cacofonix accompanies the fair, Whatsisnehm, to India, passing a number of sites of their earlier exploits along the way. This is one to read after you've read the previous books in the series, otherwise there are a number of panels that won't make any sense. In any case, it's a pretty good entry in the series (and "pretty good" got more and more rare as Uderzo continued on, which makes this one something special). ***

Asterix and Obelix sans Romans in India.......2006-07-19

You just have to like Asterix and Obelix! These guys could conquer the world in their sleep, but as long as their village is safe, there is no need to!

In Asterix and the Magic Carpet, an Indian fakir seeks out their bard, Cacofonix, to return with him to to the Ganges and jump start the monsoon season. They agree, and the adventures begin.

I didn't realize how much I enjoy the banter and interactions of the Gauls and the Romans. This is what defines the daily lives of Asterix and company, and is absent from this book. Asterix and Obelix with no Romans to harass? Say it ain't so!

One of the worst asterix comics.......2005-12-18

I am a great fan of Asterix & Co. But this is one of the worst among the 30 odd Asterix books. This book was both written and illustrated by Uderzo. May be if Goscinny was there it might have turned out better. The drawings are drab and the jokes more stereo-typed than funny. It starts well, but after few pages the author doesn't know how to proceed. I am surprised that the author didn't do the usual research about the theme, here about India. Remember how the Asterix and Cleopatra turned out to be a master piece. Total lack of knowledge about India and its environments and relying solely on stereo-type based jokes ruined the storey.

Cacafonix/Troubadix, saves India........2003-12-09

As a child, I read all of the "classic" Asterix books in Swedish. As an adult living in the U.S., I am reading them again to my children, but this time in English. In addtion, this time I am also reading the new ones, like this one, and I am still enjoying it.

I like this one because Cacofonix is the hero this time (his Swedish name is Troubadix). He was also the hero in Asterix and the Normans (Vikings). Cacafonix is beaten up so often in these books that this is needed. I have read this one to my kids several times already.

I find that children the age 5-13 usually really enjoy these books, not just mine. These comic books are a great way to teach children ancient history. Naturally, the adult needs to help out with the differentiation between fiction and history. From these books, my kids have learned about the Roman Empire, the ancient Greeks, the Vikings, the Goths, the Phoenicians, ancient Gaul, ancient Egypt, and the ancient Mediterranean world in general.

Cacofonix To The Rescue!.......2003-02-07

This is one of the later Asterix adventures, and though not in the same league as the earlier ones, this still packs a punch. Cacofonix sings, it rains. Not very good. Though this time his singing, er... raining skills are in demand. And that too in India. Otherwise a princess will be sacrificed by an evil vizier (are there any other kind :).
This is not the first adventure where Cacofonix saves the day - remember 'Mansion of the Gods'?
Well worth a read. I def recommend it.

Asterix Chez Rahazade (French edition of Asterix and the Magic Carpet)

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Asterix Chez Rahazade (French edition of Asterix and the Magic Carpet)
Rene de Goscinny
Manufacturer: French & European Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ASIN: 0785910166

Asterix and the Magic Carpet (Classic Asterix Hardbacks)

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Wonderful story with a dent in its side...

Asterix and the Magic Carpet (Classic Asterix Hardbacks)
"Goscinny" , and "Uderzo"
Manufacturer: Hodder Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0340409576

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful story with a dent in its side..........2000-06-27

In this enthralling tale the lovable Gaulish duo hitch a ride on a magic carpet with the village bard, Cacofonix to the mystical land of India. And yet in this far away country, the natives have heard of the "village of madmen where a voice makes it rain" - a man that the Indians could use to end the long spell of drought that they have fallen under. Finally! An audience that appreciates the (incredibly annoying) vocal talents of Cacofnix! But as luck may have it, the great bard loses his voice...

With the life of a princess at stake, a race against the clock to get the bard's voice back and dodging evil fakirs at every corner, this is an adventure to remember - an episode in which the oft-neglected bard comes in to his own.

Although the book was well laid out with a funny, interesting plot, some of the laughter comes at the expense of an ethnic stereotype. As long as it is understood beforehand that life in India doesn't follow such a pattern, this book would be a whole bunch of constructive fun. For that reason alone I felt the need to drop a star from my rating.

Most Asterix titles are aimed at a teen/adult audience and they cleverly integrate many historical events in to their plots. There is also a deeper satirical presence throughout these books, and for that reason I feel that children under the age of 12 or so would not quite appreciate the humor. The violence is more along the lines of black eyes, dented armor and missing teeth, and hence should not worry a parent too much. This is another good Asterix comic - I recommend it!

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Asterix and the Magic Carpet

Asterix and the Magic Carpet
Rene de Goscinny , and M. Uderzo
Manufacturer: French & European Publications Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Asterix | Humorous | Series | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0828885699

Customer Reviews:

Asterix and the Magic Carpet.......2001-03-07

Very good, the drawings were just beautiful. The story line flowed with the last story (Asterix and Son). The story never did explain why Cacofonix's voice brought rain every time he singed, but really did not matter. The whole Asterix series just seems to get better every book.

Asterix and the Magic Carpet (Asterix Comic)

Average customer rating:

Great Asterix comic!
Asterix in India
Wonderful story with a dent in its side...
Great Story, Wrong India
something different

Asterix and the Magic Carpet (Asterix Comic)
Albert Uderzo
Manufacturer: Hodder Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0340427205

Customer Reviews:

Great Asterix comic!.......2002-09-11

Despite the fact that this comic is written by Mr. Uderzo, as well as illustrated by him, it is quite as good as any of the classics, like Asterix and Cleopatra or Asterix and the Goths. The art is up to the old standards, the pacing and flavor remain the same, and the same excruciating-yet-oddly-satisfying puns are sprinkled throughout the text. It's a rollicking, good-natured adventure from first to last.

A couple of notes here. In the first place, it IS interesting to see an Asterix comic focused on Cacophonix, rather than just sticking the bard in an introductory cameo and showing him tied up at the feast at the end. In the second place, it's good to see Dogmatix, Obelix's pet pooch, play an active and sometimes important role in the story .... okay, so I'm a dog lover, but it is good to see another character being used, rather than just being an afterthought like he was in Asterix and the Belgians (my only quibble with that excellent comic).

The only other thing that strikes me is that certain other reviewers have remarked on the "ethnic stereotypes of Indian life" that appear in this comic. I'll admit that I'm hard-pressed to see this. I suppose that to the hypersensitive, merely mentioning India or Indians makes the book some kind of ethnic horror-show of lies and stereotypical fabrications. Lighten up, guys! Other than showing the Hindus bathing in the Ganges (which you can see in any National Geographic with an article on India) and wearing Hindu clothing (which is hardly a 'stereotype,' any more than showing a businessman wearing a suit) it doesn't show much of the "Indian way of life" at all. All this talk of stereotypes boggles me, since only the most convoluted, tortured logic could squeeze any type of ethnic slur out of the story.

All in all, a fine addition to a fun and light-hearted series! :)

Asterix in India.......2002-08-02

The Kingdom of the Ganges, ruled by the good King, Rajah Watzit, is in crisis.
Not one drop of rain has fallen during the monsoon season.
The evil Guru, Hoodunnit that if no rain falls before the end of the Monsoon season, then the Rajah's daughter, the sweet and lovely Princess Orinjade, must be sacrificed to appease the wrath of the gods.

The only hope lies in the plan by the wise Fakir Watziznehm, who has heard that in far-off Gaul, there is a bard who's singing causes rain. So Watziznehm, flies on his magic carpet to Gaul where he enlists the help of Cacofonix, Asterix and Obelix (and who wouldn't want to rescue the gorgeous Princess Orinjade)

So our friends for the first time travel by air, and after an exciting journey, in which, among other things, they engage in an aerial attack on the Scythian pirates.
When they land in India, they have to deal with various snags, before they can save the Princess.

Asterix and Obelix really get to travel and explore exotic locations. And while the India, the authors of Asterix write about in no way of course, resembles the real Ancient India, neither the other Asterix albums resemble the locations our friends visit. It is all tongue in cheek, and pokes fun at everyone, but in a gentle way.
Asterix and the Magic Carpet is great fun.

Wonderful story with a dent in its side..........2000-06-27

Great Story, Wrong India.......2000-03-24

A wonderful story set in an India that never existed except in the minds of western authors. It was lots of fun seeing cacofonix turn out to be the hero.

something different.......1999-10-20

At last Cacofonix is the real hero! They come to India! Like all books in the series, a real fun to read!

Asterix and the Magic Carpet (Knight Books)

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Asterix and the Magic Carpet (Knight Books)
"Goscinny" , and "Uderzo"
Manufacturer: Hodder Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Asterix en la India (Spanish edition of Asterix and the Magic Carpet)

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Asterix en la India (Spanish edition of Asterix and the Magic Carpet)
Rene de Goscinny , and M. Uderzo
Manufacturer: French & European Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Asterix im Morgenland (German edition of Asterix and the Magic Carpet)

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Asterix im Morgenland (German edition of Asterix and the Magic Carpet)
Rene de Goscinny , and M. Uderzo
Manufacturer: French & European Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0828872791

Mille e un'Ora di Asterix (Italian edition of Asterix and the Magic Carpet)

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Mille e un'Ora di Asterix (Italian edition of Asterix and the Magic Carpet)
Rene de Goscinny , and M. Uderzo
Manufacturer: French & European Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASTERIX AND THE MAGIC CARPET
R GOSCINNY & A.UDERZO
Manufacturer: Hodder Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Average customer rating:

A fun summer/baseball book

Some really dumb thoughts!

Hammering it home hurts

I would give it 5 stars, but then it might be overrated.

Enjoyable, but nothing groundbreaking

The Stark Truth: The Most Overrated and Underrated Players in Baseball History
Jayson Stark
Manufacturer: Triumph Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Baseball | Sports | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1572439599

Book Description

Every baseball fan knows New York Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter is a great all-around player. But how about Alex Rodriguez, Jeter's teammate, former American League MVP, and probable future Hall of Famer? Many would argue he's even better than Jeter. And what about Jeter's seemingly unassailable status as one of the greatest Yankees of all time? Such discussions highlight one of the great joys of being a baseball fan: arguing over who's really great and who falls just short, who doesn't get the respect he deserves and who gets too much. In other words, who's overrated and who's underrated.

Customer Reviews:

A fun summer/baseball book.......2007-08-23

Here is an enjoyable read for those baseball fans who have always questioned the rankings of various players throughout the decades. In simple and lively writing,the author singles out various overated and underated players and the reasons why they have fit into these categories.
It's a quick read and something to be passed on to a fellow baseball fan or better yet, to a friend with whom you have always argued with over the worth and abilities of various ball players.

Some really dumb thoughts!.......2007-08-15

This guy is nuts! He says Yaz is the most overated Red Sox player ever.
And has some of the most popular players as Overated and in some cases he has players underated and most people think of them as great. I really don't get the point of the book except to make money!

Hammering it home hurts.......2007-08-10

I very much enjoyed Stark's book. I really did. It made me think more about some of the players whom most people make assumptions about, and it confirmed some of my thoughts about other players who were under- or over-rated in my opinion as well. It also introduced me to some statistics, especially relative stats (in other words, comparisons with other players) I'd never even thought about. If I disagreed with him, I didn't take it personally (who would? It's just a book). Dave Winfield overrated? OK, I can see where you're coming from. Was Andy Van Slyke the 5th-most underrated at his position? Probably true--I'd agree more easily if you didn't introduce him as your friend Andy though. Phil Rizzuto overrated? Sure, you make some good points. Nolan Ryan and Sandy Koufax overrated? You're getting controversial, but I can see your points there too. The important thing is to read what Stark says, not just look at the player names in big bold text at the beginning of the section. It's called a book. It is intended for reading. So those are some positive points to the book, and the reason I give it as many stars as I do.

The one thing keeping it from getting 5 stars from me (I'm about to overreact a bit, so I apologize in advance) is his incessant chattering about what overratedness means and does not mean. In every single chapter, Stark has the urge to re-explain that just because a player is overrated does not mean that he should have taken up ballroom dancing (or some other activity unrelated to baseball) instead, but only that the average fan's perception of the player is greater than the player's actual performance. OK, I understood that point in chapter 1. Maybe a person who is a little less swift would have needed to review the concept in the second chapter. But in every single section of the book (sometimes for multiple players within a section), the point is driven home again. And again. And it drove me mad. Even at the end of the book--page 183 out of 194--he indicates that this is the point he is "getting at." Buddy, you got there before page 5. Could have saved me a solid 10 minutes of reading time if I didn't have to re-read the meaning of overratedness again and again and again.

So, it was a great book, and also a very fun and easy read. Only would have been improved if it weren't so maddeningly repetitive.

I would give it 5 stars, but then it might be overrated........2007-07-30

A 2007 summer reading list mini review.

When I heard Jayson Stark promoting this book on the radio, I knew I had to read it. I read it all cover to cover in 3 days and am very glad to have done so. Stark researched this book thoroughly, but the success of the book comes down to opinions and their presentation. Stark educates the reader on these opinions and entertains them with his presentation.

Stark's opinions are backed up statistically, although, he is the first to admit that you can back up whatever you want with statistics. This is what I most like about the book: Stark knows when not to take himself or the subject too seriously. He has an unusual ability, a gift really, to sound authoritative and self effacing at the exact same moment. Presenting your opinions passionately, persuasively and personably can never be overrated.

Enjoyable, but nothing groundbreaking.......2007-07-11

If you're a serious fan of the game, then you're unlikely to learn much new from this book. Stark does, however, manage to provoke thought, which should really be the point of a book like this.

Most of his lists are pretty predictable - I wasn't at all surprised to see Nolan Ryan as the most overrated righthander and Steve Garvey at first base. I've spent more than enough hours arguing against others putting those guys on pedestals, so it was nice to hear someone agree with me. A few of the choices might shock people - Sandy Koufax as the most overrated lefty is an example - but Stark backs up his choices with stats and clear arguments. In the case of someone like Koufax, Stark isn't trying to discount his greatness, only to show that he had a mediocre start to his career and didn't have sustained greatness like some others.

This is a good, quick read, but nobody should have their hopes high that they're going to be reading a James/Neyer-type analysis of players. The book is a good debate starter, and there's nothing wrong with that.

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Examining Past Glories Deserved & Otherwise!
Food for Thought

Overrated/Underrated
Editors of American Heritage Magazine
Manufacturer: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Essays | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Popular Culture | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

One hundred of America's favorite writers re-evaluate the overpraised and applaud the unappreciated in this fun and impossible-to-put-down collection of highly opinionated essays.

What began as one of American Heritage's most popular annual features is collected now in this beautifully illustrated, endlessly entertaining book. One hundred inspired, irreverent, illuminating pieces take a fresh look at the people, places and things we take for great-and for granted. Dozens America's most celebrated writers muse on the subjects they know best: Liz Smith on the Most Overrated and Underrated Love Affairs; Art Spiegelman on Comic Strips; Lawrence Block on Fictional Private Eyes, and Christopher Buckley on the most Overrated and Underrated Kennedys, to name just a few. Their wizened analysis, leavened with liberal dollops of humor, is sure to inspire thought and lively conversation, whether you agree or disagree, for example, that Barbara Streisand is the most overrated singer or that the peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich is the most underrated American dish.

Customer Reviews:

Examining Past Glories Deserved & Otherwise!.......2006-03-22

This delightful book from American Heritage is a real treat, educating, entertaining and challenging the reader all at the same time. The book's sub-title, "100 experts topple the icons and champion the slighted," aptly summarizes the book's contents as authors, columnists, editors and what-not take on various subjects and tell us why it was given too much credit or not enough.

Why, for instance, was Marilyn Monroe the most overrated Sex Symbol and Donna Reed, the most underrated. Donna Reed!?! Why is meatloaf such an overrated Traditional Dish and the lowly peanut butter and jelly sandwich underrated? Why is the most underrated Rock Band Creedence Clearwater? And who is the most overrated Rock Band? Wait for it! The Beatles! Read this book and learn why!

More serious topics such as Founding Fathers, Presidents, Medical Breakthroughs and Events of the 20th Century get their comeuppenace as well in pithy, humorous and thoughtful comments from the likes of John Kenneth Galbraith, Caleb Carr, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. and Tom Wicker.

Whether you read this book from cover to cover or jump in at random, you will enjoy it no end. It's a hoot!

Food for Thought.......2003-11-30

From time to time, American Heritage magazine asks a group of authors to name the person or thing that is most overrated and most underrated in each author's field of expertise. "Overrated/Underrated" assembles three years worth of answers to those questions, and the result is a quick and enjoyable read.

Almost everyone has heard of the famous aviatrix Amelia Earhart, but far fewer know of Harriet Quimby, a flamboyant beauty who was the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel. When someone asks "who is the most famous sex symbol of the twentieth century?", Marilyn Monroe is a safe bet for the answer--but what about Donna Reed, named by one author as the most underrated sex symbol of her time? And what about Robert E. Lee--was he the great strategist that history makes him out to be, or was he really "the original Teflon general"?

Overrated/Underrated pillories many icons and offers substitutes to replace them--as a result, it's bound to irritate readers, but that's half the fun. And since each article is fairly short, the book can easily be interrupted and put aside (thus making it ideal for airplane travel).

Average customer rating:

The Paolantonio Report -- Challenging

No Sacred Cows

The Waterglass is both half full and half empty - at the same time

Good reality check for the myths of the NFL

The Paolantonio Report: The Most Overrated and Underrated Players, Teams, Coaches, and Moments in NFL History
Sal Paolantonio , and Reuben Frank
Manufacturer: Triumph Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Customer Reviews:

The Paolantonio Report -- Challenging.......2007-09-21

This book is engrossing and challenging. It is very, very well done. I have read The Paolantonio Report twice -- the second time to carefully weigh the evidence. There is alot to debate, and I am ready to start (though I would have to check my emotions and get my facts organized as Sal Paolantonio's positions are persuasive; and are backed up by alot of research and sound analysis). The real special pleasure of this book is how it gives credit to many overlooked and important NFL players and moments. Good players and key moments are highlighted based on merit. (Postscript: In the chapter for underrated Super Bowl teams, the authors should have included the Denver Broncos from Super Bowl XXXII. Recall: the Broncos were huge -- HUGE -- underdogs. Recall: the Broncos won, and dramatically so.)

No Sacred Cows.......2007-09-15

There are no sacred cows in this book. Sal Paolantonio takes on football icons like Brett Favre and Sam Huff. The best thing about the book is that it takes on the silliness that is the Football Hall of Fame selection process. Sal points out at least a half a dozen HOF "no brainers" that somehow the sports writers have overlooked. This is a must read for any NFL fan. No one will agree with all these picks, but you will have hours of fun debating it with friends and family.

The Waterglass is both half full and half empty - at the same time.......2007-09-13

ESPN's Sal Paolantonio is SO right to say Mike
Vrabel is one of the most underrated TEs of all
time. He is SO right to say that Dave Krieg is
one of the most underrated QBs of alltime. He is
SO VERY wrong when he says the great Marv Levy is
one of the most overrated Coaches of alltime and
that the great Larry Csonka is the most overrated
RB-FB of alltime. You have to decide whether he
is smoking left-handed stogies or if he is really
serious or not. As I like Sal on ESPN I have to
really wonder about whether he is serious on some
of his Over-Underrated picks. But I still give this
book three out of four stars.

Good reality check for the myths of the NFL.......2007-09-08

This book promotes certain players and coaches (Tampa defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore), etc. and demolishes certain myths, like the entire myth surrounding Brett Favre. I have to admit at this point to being a Vikings fan, but the entire 'Cult of Favre' is so annoying, and I am glad someone finally demolished it. Favre is constantly promoted as "loving the game", "being tough", etc., something you could say about most NFL players. Favre's actual performance in playoff games since 1996 has been bad (including a game vs. the Rams in which Favre completely sunk the Packers by throwing 4 interceptions). The game vs. the Eagles comes to mind, when Favre had a completely open receiver on 4th down, and overthrew him. Favre backers ridiculously then said the receiver "didn't run under the ball", one of the most laughable comments I have ever heard in pro football.

The book also exposes some NFL coaches (Norv Turner ("soft"), Jeff Fisher, and Bengals coach Marvin Lewis (whose team is so out of control off the field that the NFL had to institute new rules of behavior, and whose Bengals team is terrible on defense, the supposed specialty of Lewis).

I liked the mingling of old-time NFL stuff with new stuff. The explanation of why American football is a huge improvement over British rugby is worth the price of the book alone. Paolantonio clearly knows his NFL history, and I liked the way he included some older coaches and players from the 1940s and 1950s.

This book exposes some teams, big-time, and that is why it is so fun. BTW, Cowboy fans, Romo, T.O., and Roy Williams are profiled here, and it is not in the "underrated" part.

Paolantonio details the "New York Hype Machine" and how players like Strahan and Tiki Barber are constantly over-sold and hyped, just because they play in New York. Good point. Put Tiki on Arizona, and then see how much hype he would have gotten in his career.

And yes, My Vikes are included here for their abysmal 10.5 points per game in the post-season in the 1970s.

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