Author(s): Niall Edworthy & Petra Cramsie

Humour

Are optimists just reckless dreamers? Are pessimists miserable doom-mongers or just erring on the side of caution? Is the glass half empty or half full? Brilliantly compiled and beautifully written, this is a rich anthology of evidence from both sides of any argument. Covering everything from Beauty to Happiness, Patriotism to Walking, it is the perfect tool for squabbling families, a counterbalance for arguing couples and a mine of detail for the quarrelsome. The Optimist on the Afterlife: 'My heaven will be filled with wonderful young men and dukes' (Dame Barbara Cartland). And the Pessimist: 'That's what Hell will be like, small chat to the babbling of Lethe about the good old days when we wished we were dead' (Samuel Beckett). Review: A compendium of enlightening snippets ... Just looking at the quirky cover made me wonder if the book had been shelved in the Hogwarts' library ... worth the book's price for anyone tasked with running positive school assemblies. I hadn't met all the quotes before and the information was entertaining. www.thebookbag.co.uk