The Annotated Wizard of Oz (Centennial Edition)

I had the 70’s version of this book but sold it years ago. This new version has the same information and illustrations along with lots of updates and a better layout. This 1900 story is a true American fairy tale which inspired the iconic 1939 MGM film. Classic “Americana” at its best…

This Annotated Wizard of Oz (Centennial Edition) is a comprehensive and in depth exploration of the original children's book by L.Frank Baum. I have long been a fan of the 1939 Hollywood movie version of the story, and have read the original story many times before. However, this annotated version opens the "OZ" world to a whole new level. Initially, there are about 100 pages that deal with the history of Baum, the Oz book, the illustrations, the public reception, critical reviews, the stage and movie treatments, and where it stands today. Outstanding. Next, the true "heart" of the book, is the annotated facsimile of the original Oz book. After re-reading the book this time, along with the detailed annotation notes, it was a whole new experience. I have a new understanding of Baum, his surrounding world and his thought process in writing "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz". This annotated version is NOT a book a would I recommend for young child or a first time reader of Oz. However, if you have "traveled" to Oz few times before, and would like something more, this version will take you to places a general reader could never imagine.

This beautiful, oversize, lavishly illustrated Centennial Edition of L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" is a cornucopia of enjoyment for Oz fans. Edited by Oz expert Michael Patrick Hearn, it's annotated in a manner similar to Martin Gardner's "Annotated Alice" (Gardner contributes a preface outlining the history of the "The Annotated Wizard of Oz"). There's a hundred-page introduction, with lots of photos and color illustrations, covering Baum's life, his family, his non-Oz books, and the history of the Oz phenomenon (books, plays, musicals, movies, other Oz authors, and much more). The story itself is reproduced from the 1900 edition. W.W. Denslow's original illustrations, including all 24 color plates, are here too. Hearn's notes are entertaining, informative and very extensive. For example, there are three double-columned pages dealing with Baum's brief one-page introduction alone! Anyone who loves the Oz books will find countless hours of pleasure in this delightful book. It's well worth the price!

The introduction is amazing and thorough. The annotations are informative and helpful, and they are timed perfectly. They give info about the film and author, symbols, history, etc. It is fascinating. The artwork and pictures are beautiful. The hardback is beautiful, but because I had my class order it, I wish it had be available in a paperback version also. Overall, love it so very much.

This looks like an interesting read, with a lot of background and supplementary materials. Bought through a used book seller and it is in great condition.

Not too much to say. This is the timeless story in a beautiful presentation volume with more annotation and trivia than one can ever hope for. Extensively researched and beautifully presented, it will grace your library shelf. You don't buy this volume just to get a copy of The Wizard of Oz. There are other, cheaper ways of doing that. The total package is a work of art and quite affordable at that. My library has two copies now so that my daughters will not have to fight over one later. The copy that I bought from Amazon.com did not have the embossed slip cover (a thing of beauty by itself) and I returned it for that reason. A presentation volume with this much work and care is not complete without it.

I gave this as a gift (I have the Peter Pan version) and my friend LOVES it. She had no idea about the author and all the elements that went into the writing of the story. She adores it. Not only that, it is beautifully done!

I bought this because I loved reading these stories and learning about L. Frank Baum. There's just something so original and rich about all of it and also fun seeing the influence of another era in the writing and art. I enjoy the artworks inside but admit the artwork on glossy paper that just doesn't fit the old fashioned designs (that is probably the artist in me complaining...) That being said -- I do LOVE having this book and I love having the artworks together like they are. If you love the Wizard of Oz or children's stories, this is a wonderful addition to any collection.

Schön aufgemachtes Buch mit interessanten Erklärungen. Liebe solche Hardcoverbücher mit diesen netten Details. Die Notizen, sowie Bilder machen diese Anschaffung absolut empfehlenswert, wenn man denn auf solche Sachen steht, denn neben der Hauptgeschichte, gibt es noch genug nebenbei zu lesen. Habe mir ebenfalls Alice im Wunderland angeschafft, gleiches Format und ebenfalls zufrieden.

No decepciona en absoluto. Es una edición especial en la cual toda la información acerca de este libro y la novela, la puedes encontrar ahí. Además, al ser versión original en inglés, puedes observar las páginas tal cual eran en la primera edición del Mago de Oz. Muy contenta con la compra, aunque hay que tener un mínimo de inglés para leerlo (no es muy difícil ya que es un cuento "infantil").

There is no other edition out there like this one, and it would be hard to beat, but I call onto any competition to try. Though the references and mindset of the annotations can be limited, and at certain times a little superfluously comical, they are nevertheless interesting, and I am pleased that they are included. Much of the annotations come from a handful of secondary sources, but that is the fault of the scholarly field that has been taken upon The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and not the compiler of this edition. Thus, the book itself as a meta-compalition of Oz information is at the top of the field and I highly recommend it to those wanting to begin to engage in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in a more scholarly fashion. It is a good starting point for research, though it is not the end all, for there is much more information out there that deserves thoughtful engagement, and also much more to be analyzed. The book (physically) is great quality, and pleasant to look at. The Oz story itself, well, it is a novel that deserves even more admiration and respect then it gets, as it is truly a masterpiece of American literature, as well as children's literature of the English language.

Bought for my son in law he loved it

Libro precioso. Una edición cuidada y de calidad para los fans de El Mago de Oz. Si