Best of Blue

A child of poor Jewish parentage, educated in the roughest part of the East End of London, worked his way to Balliol College, Oxford and the Rabbinate to become a star of radio and stage. His "Thought for the Day" broadcasts enchanted and invigorated millions of listeners. The Rabbi's humour became celebrated making it even a regular feature of "Private Eye", the satirical magazine. The Rabbi's opening gambit of 'Good morning Peter, good morning Sue and good morning everyone' became as famous as the opening gambits of broadcasters, such as David Frost or Dixon of Dock Green. Now in his early seventies, Lionel Blue has decided to present the very best of his writing for a wide public. Much of this has never been published in book form before including articles for "The Tablet and Saga" magazine. The book sparkles with Lionel Blue's characteristic and idiosyncratic humour. It is through this that his profound wisdom has touched the hearts and minds of millions of appreciative listeners. In 1972, Lionel Blue was a little known Rabbi in London. Spotted by a perceptive publisher, he then published his first book "To Heaven with Scribes and Pharisees". Many still consider this his best. But the range of books that followed was incredible - cookery books, books of Jewish jokes, the "Blue Guide to Eternity" and "Jewish Prayer Books for High Days and Holy Days". This whole range is represented in this charming new collection.

Rabbi Lionel Blue now lives in North London. He continues to appear frequently on radio and television. He is an honorary fellow of Grey College, University of Durham. He was once Chairman of the Beth Din of the RSGB