The Kalahari Typing School for Men (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Book 4) Paperback – February 1, 2004

Alexander McCall Smith never disappoints and "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" is gift that just keeps on giving. I love what I am learning about Africa and the African people. AMS, obviously, loves Africa and its people, especially Botswana. I'd love to sit with Mma Precious Ramotswe and share some Bush tea, some good conversation. She is wise and compassionate. I have a long way to go in the series but that is okay. This means that I can enjoy some good company for quite a while. I would like to invite Alexander McCall Smith to have Bush tea with us too and some fruit cake. The conversation would be so entertaining.I just saw a talk by Alexander McCall Smith at the Washington Library. It took place when Bush was in office. He spoke about "No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" at length and he took questions. I could listen to this man speak forever. I love his speaking voice and I love his laugh. He has a great laugh. I like a good laugh and he has a really good laugh. He is so cute and he has a great sense of humor. I would love to see him in person. I have so many questions for him. I have to look at his schedule to see when he will be in NYC. I'd like to see him. I don't know where this man gets the time to write all of these books, travel and teach at the University too. I am amazed by his energy.

I love this series and this book so much, but be prepared for a sad ending. I like the focus on Mma Makutsi and her ideas/life too. The author is very gifted and balances difficult things, like pain and heartbreak, with wit and beauty. I do wish it had been resolved differently at the end with what happened to Mma Makutsi and the man involved. This author sometimes will end a book on a note that feels sad and/or unresolved, and then I buy the next book hoping that story will continue and get fixed, but it doesn't in many cases. Worth the read and beautiful. This is a great series.

This is my 4th Alexander McCall Smith book in this series. I still love them and have ordered more.That said, I must warn readers who are new to this series: this is not a "detective" series like Conan Doyle or C.S.I or any other modern detective series with evidence and dangerous culprits.No it is an interesting African woman who solves her assignments by listening to her clients with a good grasp of basic psychology and has fascinating ways of solving her puzzles. The puzzles or no more threatening than finding out what a husband is up to or locating a couple of people who someone needs to talk to.This particular novel explores the development of a side business for the agency asst. detective and a quick romance for her. The development of this character started in the previous novel and I expect it will continue. Also included are some small problems with her two adopted children.My only criticism of these novels is that they have long lectures on how people should behavior. There is a lot of comparison of the old Botswana ways of politeness vs modern day behavior. Both Precious - the main character and her assistant spend time reflecting on what people should do vs. what they actually do. It can get a bit tiresome sometimes.Nevertheless, I am enchanted by the descriptions of the land, the views of the cattle (which were a type of currency), and the various tribal stereotypes and the challenges presented.The books are fast reads and fun. I recommend them for a fun and different reading experience.

In this book, Smith's 4th and most recent book in the "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series, he tackles again some of his usual topics. He again shows the constant battle between traditional values and modern values and their interaction in Botswana.However, in this book, Smith goes even further than he has before. He engages in conveying the ability of people to self-empower themselves. In this book, Smith illuminates the continual problem of a male dominated society and how this situation affects the women of Botswana. Throughout the book, there are multiple examples of the women of Botswana self-empowering, and feeling the tremendous elation and self-satisfaction that accompanies that accomplishment. Starting particularly with Mma Makutsi, Assistant Detective, who starts a business teaching MEN how to type. And it is an immediate success, as men often feel internal cognitive dissonance that they cannot type for themselves, and have to depend on women to do their typing. The concept of the class itself is self-empowerment for men. And the business itself allows Mma Makutsi to feel self-empowered herself, the proprietor of a successful business.While the books are "plugged" as "mystery/fiction" most readers of the "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series recognize, that the cases, the investigations, are really just a device to advance the plot and to help illustrate the points which mostly deal with ethics, morality and how people treat each other. This is truly what Smith is trying to get across and by using Botswana, a small, proud, independent, Democratic country as a microcosm of the world, he tries to help the reader understand cross cultural issues and basic ethical concepts which are slightly different in each venue, but are nonetheless, universal around the world.Smith gives us yet again, a close look at the internal workings of another society and allows the reader to draw their own conclusions as to how it relates to the world they live in themselves. Truly a wonderful and instructive series, this book deserves the 5 star rating.

This is another book in the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series - the series that puts a smile on your face and makes you wish that we could go back to the simple life.Mma Ramotswe and Mma Rakusi continue to show that unique outlook on life and problem solving that made the series such a joy to read. Maybe the only criticism I have is that Mma Ramotswe's impending wedding is taking a little too long, and her poor fiancee just doesn't have the mental strength of Mma.Although the story line isn't quite as captivating as the first book, it is still a wonderful read.

The entire series of the 'No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency' sits on my bookshelf - 'have just finished the last volume and cannot wait for the next to be published. The stories are compelling and draw the reader in to a world that is not perfect, not without tears and heartache, but the stories are full of simple hope and the problems often resolved with surprising twists. I have found them uplifting, and soothing, and would strongly recommend these books .

The best way I can discibe this series of books is to say they have a gentle charm.The books are character driven and contain humour ,insight ,and pathos in equal measure.There are no grissly murders.shoot outs or car chases,but reading these books is kind of addictive.Walleejay

As are all of the No 1 Ladies Detective series. But, they far from represent value for money! The overall costs is somewhat higher than many other novels, and the books are very short. Even shorter than they actually appear as 8 to 10 percent at the end of each book is taken up by a chapter promoting another authors book. Would love to read the whole series but baulk at the cost.

Another lovely book. So relaxing and a great pleasure to read.. Alexander McCall Smith's love of Botswana shines from the book and makes me long to visit it.! The book is full of endearing characters especially Precious Ramotswe.

Brilliant book written portraying south Africa culture. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series of 'No1 ladies detective' series

Loved the series on tv got the DVDs too. So I thought why not get the books too. Fantastic reads just want to read one after the other.

Another wonderful book from this lovely series

gentle read

I just love this delightful series. I am re-reading it currently on the Kindle to catch up ready for the latest releases as yet unread. You get an insight into a different and somewhat nicer way of life.

Great value and good listening

As usual a good read, gentle yet wonderfully perceptive.

Brilliant reading for those who love the Precious books. So much insight into Botswana and life there as well as the mystery and human element. All books recommended to anyone who loves 'good books'.

Book exactly as described

Very good copy