Enid Blyton 234 success facts by Martha McClure

[Rob Houghton]

Yesterday I was reading The Enid Blyton Dossier and marvelling at what a truly excellent book it really is.
Yet Tony said that did not sell.By that barometer I cannot truly see Martha's book becoming a best seller.

So true on both counts. The Enid Blyton Dossier is one of my favourite books about Enid Blyton - such wonderful illustrations of book covers etc, great information, and deserved to have been a best seller. It's actually the book that is credited with re-igniting my love of Blyton and started me on the enjoyable path of being a collector and also a member of The Enid Blyton Society, as I answered the 'advert' in The Dossier and wrote to become a member.

[Courtenay]

I hadn't heard of The Enid Blyton Dossier before (being fairly new to the Society), but having read these rave reviews in the last two posts, then looking it up and finding that one of the authors sounds rather familiar, I've just put in an order for a "like new" copy at an excellent price on Amazon!

[pete9012S]

I wish the Dossier could be scanned and made available on Amazon in electronic form to buy.
It should be the first book people go instead of these other half baked amateurish efforts.
Maybe one day??

[Julie2owlsdene]

I bought my Dossier years ago from The Gingerpop Shop in Corfe.

Trouble is when I get to see Tony, I keep forgetting to bring my book along for him to sign!

Hopefully I'll try and remember to bring it to Dorset this year, and try and get Tony out from the Cave to pop over and sign it for me!

[Lenoir]

Just for you Lenoir,the book doesn't say to much about fleas,but on page 23 it states:

Flea Circus - Other
A flea cirque is highlighted in Enid Blyton's bestseller The Mystery of The Missing Man (1956),that is no.13 of her Find -Outers/Five Find-Outers and Dog serials of children's enigma narratives.The publication mistakenly proposes that the cirque functions since the fleas are clever,and consequently able of being instructed.

I'm not at all sure what that means, but thanks!

[Moonraker]

Amazon have really gone down in my estimation, given that they are allowing this drivel to be sold on their site.

Amazon only sell items, I suppose you can't expect them to check everything, or in the case of books, read everything that they list. I'm afraid that with the advent of self-publishing, anyone can write anything and pay for it to be published. If any laws are broken, then it is up to the person concerned to sue. Maybe the comfort comes in the fact that these people have lost money.

[Poppy]

I always think of The Enid Blyton Dossier like a 'Cave of Books' in book form. Not only does it provide all the essential, basic details about Enid's life and works, but also so many gorgeous, colourful illustrations - all in one lovely book. I'd definitely recommend it above any other non-fiction books about Enid Blyton.

[Courtenay]

Flea Circus - Other
The publication mistakenly proposes that the cirque functions since the fleas are clever,and consequently able of being instructed.

Hmmm... I think it's intended to mean something like "The book mistakenly proposes that the circus functions because the fleas are intelligent, and consequently able to be trained."

Here's what Wikipedia says about how flea circuses work in reality:

Fleas typically live only for a few months and are not trained.

Fleas are observed to see if they have a predisposition for jumping or walking. Once sorted, they are harnessed by carefully wrapping a thin gold wire around the neck of the flea. Once in the harness the fleas usually stay in it for life. The harnesses are attached to the props and the strong legs of the flea allow them to move objects significantly larger than themselves.

Jumping fleas are used for kicking small lightweight balls. They are carefully given a ball; when they try to jump away (which is not possible because of the harness) they shoot the ball instead. Running fleas can pull small carts and vehicles or rotate a Ferris wheel.

There are historical reports of fleas glued to the base of the flea circus enclosure. Miniature musical instruments were then glued to the flea performers and the enclosure was heated. The fleas fought to escape, giving the impression of fleas playing instruments.

[Moonraker]

I decided it would be good to write a review of the book on Amazon...just short and to the point...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Enid-Blyton-234 ... merReviews" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As have I. Unfortunately, I made a slight typo!

[Tony Summerfield]

Yesterday I was reading The Enid Blyton Dossier and marvelling at what a truly excellent book it really is. Yet Tony said that did not sell.

The Dossier had a very difficult start in life, Pete, and the sales figures were not good.

[pete9012S]

I too have added an Amazon review of this book.(234 Success Facts)
As usual I seem to be one of the very few to have read it!!!

[John Pickup]

I've posted a review as well. Though how you can review that unreadable drivel beats me.

[Moonraker]

Mine came from Past Times, I seem to remember!

[Courtenay]

Mine came from Past Times, I seem to remember!

Oh, you mean your Enid Blyton Dossier. Not your Martha McClure.

[Rob Houghton]

My Dossier came from Waterstones in Birmingham - which had a copy of The Rupert Bear Dossier also. I paid the full price for it, just so you know, Tony And it was well worth it!