Richard Saunders – författare

The Mystery To This Book

...is to make you smile, laugh, or just shake your head.

Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, ‘and what is the use of a book,’ thought Alice ‘without pictures or conversations?’

And then the murders began.

Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, By Lewis Carroll

It all started with a small quote from Marc Laidlaw who created a nice approach to revisiting first lines of books. His 3 March 2017 tweet said, “The first line of almost any story can be improved by making sure the second line is, ''And then the murders began.''”

This book was a test of that idea.

I took the first lines of the top 100 downloaded books from Gutenberg.org, in order, and applied that concept.

The idea does work in almost all cases to create something humorous (depending on your idea of what''s funny.)

To be fair, in many cases, a better effect is often achieved once the scene is set. Especially when you are already familiar with the author''s style. Romances seem to work best. Plays are awkward.

You can try this for yourself as you go – take only the first line and add “And then the murders began.” The results are more often than not incredibly hilarious. Sometimes merely droll. And even non-fiction can be as surprising.

Or, just read along with my excerpts and see which one you like better. I give you, then, two books in one. (Three, if you want to explore that classic further...)

Above all, the idea is to have fun.

Pediatric Ophthalmology: current thought and practice’ is written by renowned experts with many years of experience and perspective on the state-of-the-art recommendations.All chapters are consistent in format and style and have practical application to the daily practice of medical and surgical pediatric ophthalmology.Starting with a guide to the examination of children, it covers all important topics for all who care for children’s eyes regardless of their niche interests within the field of pediatric ophthalmology. Many techniques that have been learned over many years by experienced practitioners will be illustrated and explained to the reader. Added value is given with useful tables and charts that will likely get constant use in offices and operating rooms, for example: Important drug dosages and side-effects, nystagmus surgical charts, strabismus surgical tables, spectacle artifacts, and an intraocular lens nomogram. This practical guide will promote understanding andupdate and guide the novice and the expert to improve the flow of the examination and treatment outcome. It is one of the most informative and useful books ever written for the pediatric ophthalmologist and the general ophthalmologist who cares for children.