Four Fingers and Thirteen Toes

Had to read the book in one sitting even though I knew already quite a lot about their life, the ups & downs, how they want to live it to the full and in a positive way, it al sounds very familiar. Nice surprise to find a picture of me in it too :-). The way the book is written does the trick as it is a nice mixture of facts (Grunenthal & Thalidomide past & present) and Rosie's family life and strive, which results in easy reading and will be both encouraging and an inspiration to many.
Being your borne friend is a privilege indeed....well done Rosie, you finally finished it!

I couldn't put this down! A truly inspirational book - funny, poignant and occasionally dramatic, yet it is never maudlin or over-sentimental. Highly recommended. If you only read one book a year then make sure you buy this one!

Truly inspirational just couldn't put it down and read in one sitting.Made me laugh and cry .Factual information about the drug Thalidomide interesting and informative.Well done Rosie!Hope to meet you at book club for a face to face review.

I bought this book having worked with some of the Thalidomide victims. I found this book extremely interesting and read it from cover to cover without a break. It gave me a whole new outlook on life seeing how a handicapped person coped with all the ups and downs thrown at them.

This book could be read in one sitting, or at a more leisurely pace, flicking through the chapters. I read it in an afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed Rosie's sense of humour and honesty, without being too sentimental. Great book Rosie. Can't wait for the sequel!

No question, a truly remarkable story. Moving, inspirational and amusing in turn. A fully recommended read!

Thank you Rosie for putting all the effort towards this wonderful book. I started to read and could not put it down. What a brilliant mix of a gripping story, factual research, touching remembrance of loss, huge inspiration for the triumphs,and so important your very own brand of irreverent humour! puts my own little worries in perspective.
Well done Rosie! to everyone - READ THIS BOOK!

What can I say this book is so inspiring. Rosie and her family are an amazing example of what can be achieved with determination, resiliance, a positive attitude, and a strong circle of family and friends. I was priveledged to be able to read this book. A must read for all ages to prove disability can be overcome in a positive way.

Congratulations Rosie you are an amazing example

I really enjoyed this book. I found it most informative with regard to the history and possible future implications for the drug Thalidomide. It laid everything out clearly and was very readable. The personal story of the writer was moving and inspiring and give an insight into what disabled people really think behind their polite smiles.
As an added bonus the font size is generous.

Inn Keeping with Mr. Fawlty

Brilliant book, I could not put it down. It shows how those in the service and hospitality trade have to put up with us the moaning ungrateful and downright rude public.
For those of you that always find fault, Read the book and see the other side of life.
For those of you that enjoy life it will allow you to look at others through a different light.

Definitely go out and buy a copy and enjoy a good laugh. But be careful you may be the guest he is talking about.

A lighthearted, personal take on the hotel industry - Inn Keeping with Mr Fawlty tells the tale of a real-life Hotelier who, once described as a 'Real Life Basil Fawlty' by a reviewer decided to publish his memoirs. A humourous and entertaining book, full of laugh-out-loud moments and wry humour with lashings of Basil and tales that will make your hair stand on end! A perfect holiday read, or light-hearted treat for a rainy day - and a must for any discerning Hotelier!

I really enjoyed this lighthearted and enteraining look at the hosptiality trade. It took me about three hours in total reading time and left me laughing at the end. This book is a must for any one about to take a holiday or short break in a hotel.For some it should be a handbook in how not to behave, for others an exercise in how to make yourself a complete pain in the bum if things really do go wrong. It's all there, the guest who falls off his perch, the dodgy gambling, the Spanish Inquisition (sorry, I mean the hotel inspectors)and some really lovely guests.In reality Mortons House is calm and relaxing with very efficient, attentive staff and wonderful food. Andy himself is larger than life, a bit like a hyperactive puppy (lively and charming).
I'm looking forward to volume two.

Well I finally got my copy of the book on Saturday, Andy had sent it recorded delivery and as usual the postman didn't ring twice to make sure someone was in to sign for the parcel ! How bloody inconsiderate!!!!! So on Saturday morning I had to trundle down to the post office and personally collect my copy.
From then on I became annoyed everytime I had to put the book down, to cook tea, to attend with JT his Explorers Naming evening (Explorers = big boys scouts), which only just ran to schedule as , as usual all the people there wanted to squeeze every drop of time from their spot infront of a captive audience. So at 6.30am this morning I finally finished Andys biggest blog.
So what did I think of it? We all know Hemingway he ain't, (although his liver might be trying to be more than a passing resemblance), its not a profound piece of work, but it kept me amused and therefore very quiet for a good few hours.
I loved it! Light hearted and fun to read, I found it hard to put down and easy to pick up, there were a few, more than a few loud chuckles, I couldn't contain, and at times I found myself getting angry with some the *guests* he has had to put up with, and once angry with Andy himself, when walking with a crinkly and a zimmer frame, Andy if they have a zimmer frame, they are not going to be in the olympics!!! So it pissed down with rain, so what! Sorry folks carer side slipped out for a mo.
I think the book shows what a strange and varied life an Innkeeper has, also how colourful it can be, and I don't mean the copious amounts of vomit that he and his staff appear to have had to clear up. I wish I had both the money and time to pay an overnight vist to Mortons House Hotel, to savour the food and meet, hopefully, a few ghosts, and to enjoy one of his character bedrooms. More than that I would love to meet Andy, shake his hand and say, *Now try owning a rest home if you want a challenge!* I think I would enjoy being his manager and I could forsee many fireworks taking place, but a good time making friends again, he he.
I will happily recommend his book, I have managed to keep mine intact, no broken spine, no creases, no turned over page corners, and that is the way it will stay. I know for sure that I shall read this again, when I find a book I like I read them over and over and still manage to get enjoyment from them. So well done Andy I'm very satisfied with my purchase of your book and I have enjoyed every minute of my read of it.