Wizard of Oz

THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ by L Frank Baum
Centennial Edition
Ibooks (Simon & Schuster) - 2001
ISBN: 0743412982 - TPB

Reviewed by Rachel Hyde, MyShelf.com
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The Wizard of Oz needs no introduction whatsoever – since its publication in 1901 generations of children (and adults) have delighted in its simple, joyous magic. It is perhaps true that since the classic 1939 film it is this version that people think of with its attendant songs, cast and plot changes but the book has always endured. Now to commemorate the centenary of its publication ibooks have issued this special edition that contains not only the full text complete with original illustrations (so you can see what Dorothy and co really looked like) and some new ones by William Stout but several essays as well. Ray Bradbury, Gore Vidal, John Updike and Robert A Baum (great-grandson) all contribute so this is a grand place to find out about the man behind the books and chart the history of his life and the Oz phenomenon. It certainly fascinated me who only know the story from the film and the whole book comes up the high standard that ibooks have set and kept consistently. Finally there is even a list of Oz websites to explore – an ideal gift to anybody who loves a good story…complete with illustrations and annotations!