Regards: The Selected Nonfiction of John Gregory Dunne

Book Description

No writer captured the tragic absurdity of late-twentieth-century America better than John Gregory Dunne. For over forty years, he cast an unsparing eye on contemporary America, never flinching from the unpleasant truths he saw around him. Whether novels, screenplays, or nonfiction, his work was marked with a droll wit and a pointed cynicism that often examined buried aspects of public and private life in Hollywood and America at large.

Regards is a celebration of Dunne’s best nonfiction, from frank observations on the film industry, politics, sports, and popular culture to tender reflections on what it was like to raise an adopted daughter. The collection spans his entire career, including his depictions of Las Vegas and an L.A. film studio, and essays from both of his existing compilations, as well as the essays from the last fifteen years of his life, never before collected. This book is a magnificent gift from one of the finest and most uncompromising writers of a generation.

Customer Reviews:

dunne alive.......2006-03-18

after reading Joan Didions book aout his &his daughters death,it was a joy to read what he wrote about when he was ALIVE.Reading abouthislife &the interesting stories he covered was a true pleasure.

A Look Behind the Curtain.......2006-01-25

Politics, celebrity, entertainment, sports, Ivy League pedigrees...Participant observer John Gregory Dunne viewed this landscape with insight, skepticism, and, in connection with his Hollywood involvements, some self-parody. I bought this book for its essays on Cesar Chavez, the Kennedys, and a patrician ex-communist by the name of Dan James, who worked for many years in East L.A. and wrote the Chicano novel "Famous All Over Town" under an assumed name. That section of the book is fascinating. Dunne shows us in the other parts, particularly the essays about movies, something he seems slightly ashamed of: the vulgarity under the bright lights and his part in it. Aside from that bitterness, a fine selection.

Book Description

Inheriting a fortune means less to Ally Jarrett than fulfilling her real dream: to take off for the wilds of Alaska and photograph animals. Unfortunately she's also inherited her grandmother's personal assistant-an over-protective nerd who couldn't survive a snowball fight.As a PI and bodyguard, Mitchell Caruthers is the perfect man to protect his late employer's granddaughter. However, keeping his geek-masquerade-and the secret behind his real mission-isn't easy when the freeze between Ally and Mitchell begins to melt.Yet all's not well in this sub-zero paradise. Ally's bad seed uncle is staking a claim on the family inheritance with a dangerous masquerade of his own. With Ally's life in danger, it's time for her right-hand nerd to expose the real man undercover, and prove himself to the vulnerable body he's been hired to guard....

Customer Reviews:

Favorite Nerd.......2007-10-01

Other reviewers have given a plot run down so I won't do a repeat. I just wanted to say that this is my favorite of the 'Nerd' series...so far. They're all great and I would recommed every one. This just made me laugh the most, which is saying a lot because their all hilarious. If you haven't read the 'Nerds' then you're missing out! And if you like this author then try Jennifer Crusie.

Originally Posted on Romance Junkies in 2005.......2007-05-13

The third book in Ms. Thompson's on-going NERD Series, NERD GONE WILD does everything but fail to disappoint. This book joins together another no-nonsense heroine in the form of spunky Ally Jarrett, a nerd-in-disguise hero, Mitchell Carruthers, and a set of chilly circumstances that's bound to heat up even the most jaded romance reader.

For Ally, there's only been on goal for as long as she can remember-head to Alaska, that glacial state where moose outnumber humans ten to one, and take photographs of the wildlife. So, her grandmother died and left her millions? That's nothing but a blip on her Alaska-trekking radar. So, she needs to sign about a million pages of paperwork to transfer deeds, settle estates, take charge of stocks? She can do that, if scrawling her name will get her on that plane to the wilderness faster. So, she has to deal with pencil-pushing, fashion-failure Mitchell to get all of her grandmother's affairs in order? It's a tough task, but if it will lead to escape in the freezing wilds of Alaska, she'll do what she needs to do.

She arrives in Porcupine, Alaska, free of social restraints and one wardrobe-challenged legal adviser, and she's finally free to embark on the adventures that Alaska has to offer. Sort of. That is, she would have been able to embark on adventures, if she hadn't been waylaid by Betsy, the proprietor of the Loose Moose lodge, on her way out the door with her camera. And if one Mitchell Carruthers, dressed in a gigantic orange parka that appeared to be the offspring of a mating between a giant emergency cone and a dreamsicle, hadn't shown up at the lodge just as she was attempting to leave. And, of course, if a blizzard roaring into town hadn't forced said fashion-disaster, geek in a suit, nerd with a pocket protector, to become the second guest at a lodge in the middle of nowhere.

Mitchell, of course, isn't just a card-carrying member of Nerds-R-Us. He's a private investigator and a bodyguard, masquerading as a simple assistant to Ally's late grandmother. He was hired to do much more than protect the financial assets of the Jarrett fortune-but he seems to be getting side-tracked by the very personal assets of one Miss Ally Jarrett. Too bad Ally can't do anything but shudder at his geek disguise every time she looks at him.

What follows is a hilarious romp through the Alaskan wilderness, some chilly days avoiding danger, and some hot, hot nights between the sheets. Kudos to Ms. Thompson for another great NERD book. I, for one, can't wait to see what comes next.

Disappointing.......2006-09-21

This author has so much potential, but fails to deliver a great book. This book was boring to say the least. It takes place in Alaska, around a bar called the Top Hat and the inn they stay at with a unusual owner by the name of Betsy. Ally is boring, Mitch is boring, the only part of the story that was not boring was the strip poker game. I did not get Vivian's weird sex ideas and how they even relate to the story at all. I felt annoyed by the emphasis she put on it (I am far from being a prude). But it had no barring on the story what so ever.

The story line here was boring also, a rich woman and her not so nerdy assistant/bodyguard. This book was titled Nerd Gone Wild. He was not even really a nerd. Disappointing. The ending was abrupt and blah. And the letter written to Ally at the end (stupid) why would someone do that. I guess Ally counld not figure it out on her own how much she cared about Mitch. Save your money and skip this one.

This is the second Nerd book by this author that I have purchased and it will be my last. If you want to try one try - Nerd in Shining Armor. It was better that this disaster.

Sex and a Murderous plot in sub-zero paradise.......2005-12-03

`Nerd Gone Wild' by Vicki Lewis Thompson is a mix of sweet romances and Villains who like S&M. Ally Jarret goes to Alaska to enjoy some new found freedom but her grandmother hires a bodyguard to protect her from corrupt money stealing people. The mix of small town Alaska who talk about sex all the time and the interesting storylines this was a fun erotic novel. This was nice quick read - enjoy! I would also suggest Body Check by Deirdre Martin , `Drive me Crazy' by Kate Angell , The Ice House by Minette Walters and `Saving Allegheny Green' by Lori Wilde.

This was a VERY sexy story, graphic at times! .......2005-08-29

The beautiful Alaskan winter-wilderness setting and the colorful secondary characters added degrees of depth, as did the adventuresome storyline of uncovering Uncle Kurt and his accomplice Vivian's motives and plot to swindle Ally out of her inheritance. I enjoyed this story, although not as much as the original Nerd book, perhaps because Mitch wasn't a true Nerd, but rather a hunky undercover PI/bodyguard using a Nerd disguise.

3 Vicki Lewis Thompson NERD book set: NERD IN SHINING ARMOR / THE NERD WHO LOVED ME / and NERD GONE WILD

Average customer rating:

3 Vicki Lewis Thompson NERD book set: NERD IN SHINING ARMOR / THE NERD WHO LOVED ME / and NERD GONE WILD
Vicki Lewis Thompson
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000S5SZZO

Nerd Series: Nerd In Shining Armor, The Nerd Who Loved Me, Nerd Gone Wild, Gone With The Nerd, Talk Nerdy to Me, Nerds Like It Hot, My Nerdy Valentine (Set of 7)

Average customer rating:

Nerd Series: Nerd In Shining Armor, The Nerd Who Loved Me, Nerd Gone Wild, Gone With The Nerd, Talk Nerdy to Me, Nerds Like It Hot, My Nerdy Valentine (Set of 7)
Vicki Lewis Thompson
Manufacturer: St. Martins Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000NK7KVY

Customer Reviews:

Clone Wars MASH Unit.......2006-11-14

Battle Surgeons is our introduction to a Clone Wars MASH unit on the Planet Drongar, a pestilential quagmire of a world. The Republic medical team of surgeons, nurses, and droids is headed by Dr. Jos Vondar. Their primary function is to keep as many wounded clone troopers alive as possible. Their medical skills are impressive but the team is working under extremely difficult conditions and is having to treat a steady flow of injured troopers brought in by medlift.

Further complicating the situation is the presence of a Separatist spy and a Black Sun operative. Black Sun is particularly interested in a miracle plant called bota that is a cross between a mold and a fungus and has amazing medical uses. Bota grows only on Drongar and is immensely valuable.

As the book unfolds we come to understand the pressures of constantly trying to save lives while operating under huge pressure. We also are introduced again to Jedi Padawan Barriss Offee. We first met her in The Approaching Storm. We also meet once again the droid I-5, one of my favorite characters from Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter. Throw these characters in with the Sullustan reporter Den Dhur and Dr. Vondar's fellow surgeon and friend Zan Yant, and you get a volatile mix. The tale moves along at a good pace and gets the reader to think about the ethics of using clone troopers as cannon fodder. Also, Padawan Offee continues to struggle with the use of the Force and the appropriate ways for a Jedi to function. An entertaining tale that will be followed by Medstar II: Jedi Healer.

Medical adventures in the Clone Wars.......2006-09-18

Much of the Star Wars Expanded Universe is heavily focused on the main characters as presented in the films. However, there are some definite exceptions to this rule, and what I find particularly interesting is how little of the Clone Wars literature follows that trend. This is the fifth book in chronological order telling the story of the war, and so far one has focused on Obi-Wan, one on Mace Windu, and three have not featured main film characters in any meaningful way. Anakin has had essentially a handful of paragraphs, while Padme has been non-existent.

Medstar I: Battle Surgeons is the tale of a medical unit desperately fighting to keep clone troopers alive on a hostile world. The story could be summarized as M.A.S.H. blended with Star Wars. Like in Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter, Michael Reaves (with Steve Perry this time) shows a strong capability for writing likable characters and snappy dialogue. The book flows well and is a quick read. I was excited to see the return of I-Five, the protocol-droid-with-an-attitude from Shadow Hunter. His acerbic attitude fits perfectly with the survival-through-sarcasm approach of the Rimsoo (a medical unit) the book follows.

I-Five also is a tool for exploring the nature of droids and their standing in the order of the universe. Jos Vondar, the lead surgeon in this particular camp, has narrowed his worldview to exclude many possibilities. This keeps him able to make it through the daily horror of his wartime surgery post. However, this attitude prevents him from dating outside his culture, from keeping an open mind to the possibilities inherent in a developed artificial intelligence, and from gaining a deeper understanding of the hundreds of clone troopers passing by his operating table. I-Five's self-exploration, important to him after the climactic events of Shadow Hunter, pushes Jos to begin his own journey within.

Also, the encounters Jos has with a clone trooper, CT-914, stir within him a dawning awareness that these soldiers are not just simple mindless vat-grown automatons; they are fully functioning human beings, only limited by the environment they were raised in and the accelerated aging forced into their genes. This running theme in the EU has totally changed how I view the troops of the Star Wars universe, adding considerably more interest to their progression from servants of the Republic and the Jedi to enforcers of the Empire. In the two Republic Commando books, The Cestus Deception, and Battle Surgeons, this theme has gotten some serious play.

I was struck by the Jedi Master/Padawan pair of Luminara Unduli and Barriss Offee the very first time I saw them together in Attack of the Clones publicity photos, and it's cool to get Barriss as a main character for a second time (The Approaching Storm being the first). Keeping a Jedi in the character mix helps to firmly root this book in the Star Wars universe. The rest of the cast is a snappy group as well: Den Dhur the Sullustan reporter adds a non-combatant viewpoint to the war and the shadowy intrigues of several other characters look to be setting up a big payoff in Medstar II: Jedi Healer.

I wasn't hooked yet by the spy segment of this story: Column/Lens is written so vaguely as to be more frustrating than teasing. Generally my favorite stories focus very closely on following what the main characters know, and when knowledge is introduced that we as readers know but the heroes don't, I like to have some explanation. Otherwise I generally prefer to see these elements only come to light when the main characters discover them.

Overall, Medstar I: Battle Surgeons is an engaging and breezy tale, with strong characterization and solid if not completely gripping plotlines. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the duology.

M*A*S*H in space...sort of.......2006-07-26

I originally bought this book based on how the back cover made it sound like it was MASH, Star Wars style. I love both MASH and Star Wars, so I thought putting them together would be awesome. It's not bad, but not that great either.

This book is on the verge of making way too many MASH-like references, down to the main wise-cracking surgeon, to an alien phrase that's obviously from "meatball surgery". But before you get too critical, the whole idea has an interested message: even in a technologically advanced and sophisticated future, war is still violent and pointless.

So all in all, give this book a chance. As soon as I finished this one, I went out to buy the next one. The middle drags a bit, but the end is pretty good. Overall an entertaining book.

Not enough Barriss Offee.......2006-03-07

Based on the authors and the character Barriss Offee, I was looking forward to reading this one. The characters were made interesting enough, but Barriss was not included in very much of the story. It was well written, but seemed to go nowhere. It was enjoyable enough to read I guess, but nothing special.

Surprisingly good!.......2006-01-02

I really wasn't expecting much from this novel. In fact, I'm not sure what even led me to pick it up. Suffice to say I was pleasantly surprised. This is one of the few Star Wars books I've read that contains almost no references to the main characters from any of the movies, and that's what makes it so refreshing. The idea of a Star Wars MASH unit may sound a little cheesy, but the book doesn't try to be 'Star Wars ER' rather it's much more of a character-driven novel that emphasizes the human cost of the Clone Wars. It's nice to see Star Wars novelists finally stop trying to create characters who can "out-Vader" Darth Vader and instead focus on the personalities who populate the Star Wars universe.

Star Wars: Clone Wars: Medstar I: Battle Surgeons

Average customer rating:

Star Wars: Clone Wars: Medstar I: Battle Surgeons
Michael, Steve Reaves
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B000NJXFLE

Customer Reviews:

pleased.......2007-09-11

The order was place and received in perfect order. Thanks! Speed has produced some very helpful materials.

Waste of time and money.......2006-01-29

If you do buy this book save the receipt so that you can send it back if you are disappointed like I was. No respectable publisher would ever publish this book.

Less content than an average web page.......2005-03-14

This book has 30 pages of obvious and worthless information. The book is very thin; when the box from Amazon arrived I looked in the box and almost didn't find the book, that's how thin it is. Of course it is quality not quantity that matters, and there too this book falls short. It was not written by a psychologist, in fact the educational qulifications of the author are not revealed. He is a "management consultant to churches." The average web page has more information than this book. Definitely not worth the price.

Don't avoid this..........2003-11-08

Speed Leas' book on conflict management is used in many settings, but is perhaps best known in seminary and church contexts. It is used at my seminary as part of the basic ministry class, to enable students to learn about their own conflict management styles directly before assuming a role in churches or classrooms where they will have to be the ones managing other conflicts (which may or may not involve them directly).

There is a 45-question inventory of couplet questions that the reader is asked to complete prior to reading the short, 40-page text. (From a design standpoint, one might ask why this is in the back of the book, rather than the first thing presented.) This will give clues based on the six styles of conflict management where the reader falls within the categories. It is not a rigid classification system -- my own completion showed an equal high score in three of the six categories, and a tie for second place for two others.

The six categories are Persuasion, Compulsion, Avoidance/Accommodation, Collaboration, Negotiation, and Support. Most people will recognise that their own conflict management styles are a combination of these types, which get defined carefully and described in some detail despite the low number of pages in the text. Most people will however tend toward a few types of conflict management -- Leas gives clues as to how one can improve, both within and outside of the category. Leas shows the benefits of each style and the drawbacks of each style.

Effective use of this tool requires honesty on the part of the reader. One can decide to be a collaborator or a supporter, but one should honestly answer the questions and recognise the starting point. One person I know who took the test answered as he believed the seminary class wanted him to answer, and chose which group he thought would be best to join. This, of course, belies the intention of this teaching tool, but the incident did demonstrate clearly his real categorisation (that of compulsion).

As is pointed out in the text, the best time to use this tool for learning about conflict management is not in the midst of a conflict, but rather before such conflicts happen. Learning from this text, the reader will learn to manage people's conflicts more wisely, first by understanding one's own style, but also from gaining insights into the behaviours of others. Leading all to a more satisfactory conclusion is a desirable outcome in any organisation, secular or ecclesiastical.

Speed Leas is an educator and consultant experienced over many decades of teaching and working with church and other organisations. Sponsored in this project by the Alban Institute, Leas has produced an ideal tool for use with leadership groups, church groups, academic groups, boards, and any other group or community (which is, in fact, all of them) where people might disagree and where conflict might arise. It is short (which is good for those with busy schedules, who find it difficult to find the time for reading), it is to-the-point and direct in its language (not bogging down in theory or speculation too much), and it is practical.

Excellent on Conflict Styles and Levels of Conflict.......2002-02-15

Often read as a companion to Moving Your Church Through Conflict, this book gives a more thorough description of six styles of approaching conflict: persuading, compelling, avoiding/accommodating, collaborating, negotiating, and supporting. Each of them is defined, with suggestions as to how and when to use them, and the probable outcomes one can expect. A self-scoring inventory is included. This is a brief book (only 44 pages), but what it lacks in size it makes up for in practicality. No church leader should be without this resource.

Average customer rating:

An Interesting and Enjoyable Read

A Fun Way To Learn About Wine

Off Dry

Education and Entertainment

The Pleasures of Wine

Red, White, and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass
Natalie MacLean
Manufacturer: Bloomsbury USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Bargain Books | Stores | Books
Drinks & Beverages | Cooking, Food & Wine | Bargain Books | Stores | Books
Wine & Winemaking | Wine | Drinks & Beverages | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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A Hedonist in the Cellar: Adventures in Wine

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What to Drink with What You Eat: The Definitive Guide to Pairing Food with Wine, Beer, Spirits, Coffee, Tea - Even Water - Based on Expert Advice from America's Best Sommeliers

ASIN: B000NIJ47O
Release Date: 2006-09-19

Customer Reviews:

An Interesting and Enjoyable Read.......2007-08-19

Marketing books will tell you that the way to captivate a customer for your product is to tell a story, rather than recite a bunch of dry facts. The majority of books about wine focus on facts - about the grapes, vintages, food matches, how-to's, etc., and there's certainly nothing wrong with that except for when you've read one, the others get kind of repetitive.

What is refreshing about Ms. MacLean's book is that you learn via her telling you stories, relating her various wine world experiences. Her writing style is personable and easy to read, and makes you feel like you are accompanying her on her journeys. Reading her book is sort of like listening to Forrest Gump while most other wine books are like listening to a lecture. She's also got a great sense of humor - very entertaining.

The book is similar in style to Kermit Lynch's Adventures on the Wine Route; both educate the reader via tales of wine encounters. The difference is Mr. Lynch focuses on his visits to the various producers he imports (and thus writes from the point of view of a merchant and wine lover), whereas Ms. MacLean has a broader scope of topics (and it is obvious she has a passion for wine). What they do have very much in common is a talent for making you thirsty for the subject matter. Consider them both great ambassadors for wine.

One other thing I'd like to add is I admire how the author got started in her career. She came across something that really interested her, she pursued it, and her passion is obvious. We should all find something we love so much!

A Fun Way To Learn About Wine.......2007-07-17

Through this book, Natalie MacLean has achieved something many wine writers strive for but rarely achieve. Her book is educational, yet not at all intimidating -- it's actually fun to read. Natalie covers a wide variety of topics most "average, everyday winedrinkers" are interested in knowing more about -- wine production, marketing, tasting, and sharing -- and she does so with a humorous way of poking fun at herself. Great writing style!

Off Dry.......2007-06-21

Unfortunately, much of today's wine writing is, if you'll pardon the expression, far too dry, but Natalie MacLean has managed to wrap some very informative -- even at times rather technical -- information in a wonderfully entertaining package. She also spices things up with some delightfully sensual language, not least her decidedly female perspective late in the book on opening a bottle of champagne which I'll leave for readers to discover for themselves.

Speaking of champagne, that particular chapter ("The Merry Widows of Mousse") was my favorite, both informative and lyrical, almost poetic perhaps, in its evocation of the glories of champagne and its magical journey from chalky soil east of Paris all the way to our glasses in some of life's most enjoyable and memorable moments. I can't say it better than she does at the end of that chapter:

"For some, the allure of champagne is the image of luxury and celebration; for others, it's one of life's greatest sensory delights. For me, it's the Champagne behind the champagne, a region as old as Roman conquests, as deep as the chalk fissures, as artful as the riddler's hands, and as eternal as the taste itself."

One can't evoke the meaning and joy of wine any better than this.

Education and Entertainment.......2007-04-30

This book was absolutely the best resource I've read on wine. I use the word "resource" purposely because, while Ms. MacLean has a gift for storytelling, in the end, this book is quite enlightening and educational for folks like myself that are just beginning to appreciate good wine. I've been a wine drinker for 15 years, but couldn't ever keep my interest in any particular book or magazine. However, I couldn't put this book down. I highly recommend it. I have also very much enjoyed her free newsletters.

The Pleasures of Wine.......2007-04-07

I've been a fan of Natalie MacLean's writing for years and this book does not disappoint. Natalie makes the experience of learning about wine fun and with this book shows that every glass can offer a unique and memorable experience.

Average customer rating:

A Wine Authority and Stunning Images
Great content, beautiful photographs
An outstanding primer on grape growing and wine making

Wine from Grape to Glass
Jens Priewe
Manufacturer: Abbeville Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Spirits | Drinks & Beverages | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0789209179

Book Description

Wine expert Jens Priewe has revised his acclaimed guidebook to wine, providing his readers with the most up-to-date information on this topic. Tailor-made for the contemporary wine consumer who drinks what he or she likes, this vividly illustrated text discusses not only awe-inspiring vintages, but also unknown wines from countries only recently included on the wine maps of the world. Priewe provides a key to the complex language of wine and illuminates the science of wine making while honoring the art behind its creation. Half the book is devoted to the wine-making process itself; the other half examines the best wines of the world, country by country, and guides the reader to an understanding of the intricacies of wine tasting and appreciation. Illustrated with more than 1,000 color images, including computer graphics that explain the invisible processes of wine making; satellite maps and aerial photos of the world's most important wine regions; and photographs of individual vineyards by the world's best wine photographers, Wine: From Grape to Glass will quench the thirst for knowledge experienced by a true wine lover when uncorking a bottle of fine wine. A journalist covering politics and economics for twenty years, Jens Priewe began exclusively writing about wine over fifteen years ago. His books include Italy's Great Wines and Journey into the World of Wine. A regular contributor to culinary magazines, he lives in Munich.

Customer Reviews:

A Wine Authority and Stunning Images.......2001-10-27

I manage an online multimedia class on Wine Appreciation and this book is the benchmark. Comprehensive simplicity is achieved throughout, and the images are the best of any wine book on the market. For each region, there are ariel photos, where each winery site is identified for famous areas like Berdeuox, Napa, the Piedmont, etc. This is a perfect book for anyone who loves wine, regarless of prior knowledge.

Great content, beautiful photographs.......2000-02-19

What first stuck me about this book is its visual beauty. Every single page has illustrations, maps, or stunning photographs which cover every imaginable step in the wine-making process. This book manages to give a wide overview of the considerations that go into making a wine, from "grape to glass", but also provides a fascinating level of detail. This book would be perfect for a wine lover who wants to know more, or even as a reference book for a library.

An outstanding primer on grape growing and wine making.......1999-11-11

Attention holiday shoppers: This beautiful coffee table book from Abbeville Press would make an excellent gift to any wine lover. The ample photographs throughout are breathtaking. It will definitely inspire you to open a bottle of fine wine. It might even move you to make travel reservations to any one of the wine regions covered in the book.

Unlike many coffee table books, this one is chock-full of substantive information. There are separate and informative chapters on the wines of a host of countries -- France, Spain, the U.S., Australia, Argentina, and many others. The information is well organized and would easily serve as an excellent reference source for each. "Wine: From Grape to Glass" meets the challenge that so many other wine books fail: not too general, not too detailed. For each wine region, there is a history of the wine making in that region, along with enough information about each type of wine from the region to give the reader a firm handle on the wines without bombarding the reader with a list of specific labels and vintages.

Without question, though, the absolute best thing about this book is the extensive coverage of winegrowing, grape varieties, and the craft of winemaking. To his great credit, author Jens Priewe seamlessly integrates some pretty complicated information without cutting corners. Everything about the grape-to-wine process is here: choosing, planting, tending, harvesting, fermenting, and aging.

Book Description

For those looking for a deeper knowledge of this exciting subject, this book will prove a comprehensive, authoritative, and accessible guide that will provide readers with the confidence and enthusiasm to explore wine for themselves.

Customer Reviews:

An incredibly thorough book.......2005-02-22

Encyclopedia is the right word for the title of this book, which delves into almost every aspect of wine. Walton first tells you about wine tasting, wine storage and how to find the right wine for your meal, then tells you about grape varieties and the areas of the world where wine is produced. This book is well illustrated, with pictures of the grape varieties themselves, different vineyards/countries and wine labels. I also like Walton's writing style: you can tell that he really knows wine and that it is a real passion for him. On occasion, he refers to the different grape varieties as though they are people!

This is a terrifically comprehensive book, and if you already have a working knowledge of wine this book is a great addition. However, if you don't know anything about wine before buying this book, you might find yourself a bit intimidated/overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information.

comprehensive, well-written and entertaining.......1999-09-21

Sturat Walton's expertise both as a journalist and wine conoisseur shows in thei beautifully produced tour around the world of wine. Each country, and each grape type, is discussed in some depth, with suggestions for tasting and travel. It makes a great gift for someone interested in wine.

From the grape to the glass: In plain English

Average customer rating:

From the grape to the glass: In plain English
Helene LeBlanc
Manufacturer: LeBlanc Enterprises
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

The World of Wine: Flavors and Styles from Grape to Glass

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The World of Wine: Flavors and Styles from Grape to Glass
Andrew Jefford
Manufacturer: Ryland Peters & Small
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The New France: A Complete Guide to Contemporary French Wine (Mitchell Beazley Wine Guides)

ASIN: 1845972368

Book Description

In this book, acclaimed wine writer Andrew Jefford demystifies the world of wine by exploring both the tastes of wine and broader wine styles. He begins with the three things that determine a wine's taste. First, grapes; recognizing the taste of a dozen or so varieties will enable you to predict the taste of most wines. Next, places: Andrew examines flavours from the major winemaker on a wine's flavours. The book moves on to wine styles according to their colour, weight and whether they are still, sparkling or fortified. Andrew also discusses wine and food matching and choosing wine in restaurants. *By Andrew Jefford, winner of eight Glenfiddich Awards. *Evocative photography by Alan Williams.

Customer Reviews:

Inaccurate and valueless.......2006-12-23

This book is an embarrassment. Virtually every page of book titles and listings has at least one glaring error. In the area of juvenile series books it is both incomplete, full of errors, etc. Examples are easy to find- Border Boys Series incorrectly dates the publishers, Bobbsey Twins description woefully incomplete, Battleship Boys lists only a few of the titles in the series and does not mention the first publisher which was Altemus, Airship Boys Series fails to note all of the books and both of the publishers. These mistakes are just on the pages I glanced at for series books. I suspect the same errors of commision and omission exist for many other books. Get yourself Mattson's guide for series books and do your own research for anything else. This book does have a nice glossy cover. Totally form over substance.

Collector's Guide to Children's Books, 1850-1950: Identification & Values, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Very informative, great indexes, high quality photos

Collector's Guide to Children's Books, 1850-1950: Identification & Values, Vol. 2
Diane McClure Jones , and Rosemary Jones
Manufacturer: Collector Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Books | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1574320785

Book Description

The second volume of this collector's guide adds completely new price listings for many authors and series not in Volume I. The inventory, covering approximately 100 years of children's publishing, 1850 to 1950, is divided into two main sections: books listed by author and books listed by series. New and expanded illustrator biographies, more picture book listings, and close to 200 new illustrations accompany this vast value guide. So that Volume II may be used as a companion for Volume I, the authors have added title indexes for both volumes, a revised section of Internet resources, addresses for newsletters and fan clubs, and a glossary.2001 values. AUTHORBIO: Diane McClure Jones, along with author Rosemary Jones, is a noted collector and expert on children's books and young readers. She has co-authored three volumes, Collector's Guide to Children's Books, as well as Boys' Girls' Book Series: Real World Adventures. REVIEW: This is the second in a three-volume series by authors Diane Jones Rosemary Jones. This book covers 100 years of children's books, from 1850 to 1950. This book adds completely new price listings for many authors and series not covered in Volume One. The book is divided into two main sections, books listed by author and books listed by series, making it easy for readers to locate their items.

Customer Reviews:

Very informative, great indexes, high quality photos.......1999-06-20

This book is very comprehensive with a large amount of information. The information is easy to find with more than one indexing system. The quality of the paper and photos make it enjoyable to use. Highly recommend.

Average customer rating:
Step-by-Step Sewing Course: Essential Techniques for Making Over 150 Creative Home Projects
Karen Hemingway
Manufacturer: Readers Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Sewing | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Home Decor Sewing 101: A Beginner's Guide to Sewing for the Home (Black & Decker 101)

ASIN: 0762106301

Book Description

This is the first-ever survey of American design that cuts across the four disciplines of architecture, product design, graphic design, and new media. Put together by the National Design Museum surveys the up-to-the-minute trends in American design from architecture to product and graphic design to new media. This comprehensive survey catalogs the best in architecture, interiors, environments, landscapes, products, furniture, fashion, objects, typefaces, posters, publications, film and TV graphics, and interactive media from the last three years.?

Organized around a series of themes—Branded, Fluid, Local, Minimal, Narrative, Physical, Reclaimed, and Unbelievable—Design Culture Now presents projects from over 75 designers, ranging from new names to current work by established figures. Some of the people whose work is represented include graphic designers Bruce Mau and Stefan Sagemeister, style guru Martha Stewart, product designers Jonathan Ive (Apple Computer) and Tinker Hatfield (Nike), product designers Robert Egger and Moss, film set designer Dante Feretti, The Lion King director and costume, puppet, and set designer Julie Taymor, architects Neil Denari and Frank Gehry, and digital special effects designers Pixar, Digital Domain, and Industrial Light and Magic.?

This exhaustive survey contains hundreds of full-color images and a groovy design by Ellen Lupton, designer of Mixing Messages.

Customer Reviews:

spell-check now!.......2000-10-11

I agree completely with the reviewer from Providence, RI. However, I place the day-glo inks as the SECOND most noticeable flaw. The first is the misspelling of SMITHSONIAN on the spine.

You CAN judge a book by it's cover!.......2000-10-11

Almost annoying.

I agree about the fluorescent pages. I was really, really surprised that anyone would actually box large clumps of body copy (which by the way were written by someone who exists on a much higher plane of existence that the rest of us!) in to heavy fluorescent frames, which basically served to give me the worst headache I've had in weeks.

I was relieved though, that there was some redeeming content in the book. I appreciated the attention to various art disciplines, however, I would (as a graphic designer), have appreciated a LITTLE more attention to print projects.

I agree that it is perhaps, mis-titled, as I wonder if it truly represents "design culture," but there is much to inspire, and I found it worth having.

overviews are necessary.......2000-08-26

i like the book because of its overview and mixed / cross polinated approach. I don't think that vernacular design that informs our culture is any more inspiring necessarily to students than a more avant garde approach. Either way, I did find some mainstream design included and yet a lot was on the edge too. I think students, especially will gain from the survey approach here. They do not have enormous opportunities to see whats out there while they are in school and this resources makes a good effort at bringing it to them and the public. The layout is also fine. I do not fault the organization of the pages or thematic titles used throughout. It is a demonstration of cross fertilization in design that is pushing the envelope and thats the message of the book to me. Design is not complacent and not sitting still - it is pushing frontiers and making new relationships between information and communication, materials and process, environmental impact and human life/style, and so much more is happening all around us. I think its a good project.

A unique, informative survey of American design culture........2000-06-04

Design Culture Now is the first survey of American design to blend architecture, product and graphic design under one cover, presenting the latest work in everything from fashion and landscape architecture to posters, film and interactive media. Themes provide the chapter focus for a book profiling projects by new designers and established achievers alike. Black and white and color photos pack the presentation.

could have been SO much better.......2000-04-17

Design Culture Now is the title for the catalog of the National Design Triennial(an exhibit of the best product,graphic,and architectural design done in the last three years). It's a nice title, but I'm not completely sure how accurate it is. The book contains a lot of nice pictures of designs and some decent writing about it. However I'm left wondering is this what design culture is? My feeling is that this a collection of the best stuff that has been in magazines about design for the last three years or the culture around designers not the designs that influence culture at large. The saddest part about this book is its unrealized potential. The concept is a decent one. Curators from the three fields of design looked far and wide for the best design in the country created in the last three years. They then met and instead of categorizing by building, product, or graphic they devised seven categories that served as umbrella themes in design (fluid, physical, minimal, reclaimed, local, branded, narrative, unbelievable.) The result is interesting. In the FLUID category an iMac is a page away from a rollercoaster in PHYSICAL a redesign of a shopping cart is grouped with a poster where a man has scarred his body to advertise a lecture. The juxtapostions are interesting but do not save the book. Too much of the work resides in the avant-garde, unseen by most people even fellow designers in many cases. A good example is the work of Martin Venezky (in the PHYSICAL category) a designer who alters the characteristics of letterforms by cutting and distorting them, while the work is interesting enough is it a profound influence on design culture? More likely it is work influenced heavily by grungy graphics. Similar things happen throughout the book where novel objects are elevated to undeserved levels. Another flaw is the attribution of design movements or the lack of criticim for being derivitive of the design movements. Hailing Razorfish as the creators of great internet sights is ok but the book makes it seem as if they are responsible for the idea of E-commerce sights, a better solution may have been to list E-commerce as a topic giving credit to the multitude of companies that have had a hand in developing this amazing revoluton in web design. Conversely, the fluid category is filled with iMac knock-offs which is ok but it should have made it clear that these things were obviously influenced by Apple's ID team. The book design also left something to be desired. Ellen Lupton designed the interior(she was also the curator responsible for graphics) and I was thoroughly let down. I am huge fan of her book Design/Writing/Research a monument in design criticism and book design in general. This book however is the polar opposite. The day-glo inks are the most noticeable flaw, giving me headaches while I tried to read the essays. other than that the layouts are just mediocre. It feels like every other design collection you have seen, which is ok but considering her scary talent it could have been much better. Overall I give it three stars, The project had good intentions, It broke traditional categories, included things not traditionally associated with design(roller-coasters, comic books, etc.), and tried to show a cross pollinated view of design. However I hope the next installment equally favors vernacular design along with the avant garde and provides more critical insight into who made the biggest waves and who merely latched on.

Book Description

An excellent resource for all emerging and established Web designers, this book provides detailed analysis about what works and what doesn't when it comes to usability.

More than 20 examples of well-known Web sites are profiled to illustrate good and bad design and functionality, outlining clear guidelines for meeting the end user's needs. The first half of the book covers key topics related to solid Web design, including:

Common traits of user-friendly Web sites Typography selections for optimum readability Page layouts that promote quick downloading, easy scrolling and clear navigation

The second half of the book is made up of detailed analyses of Web sites that have been designed or made over with usability in mind. They are grouped into six categories, according to the goals each user has: Learners, Browsers, Shoppers, Connection-seekers, Transactors and Entertainment-seekers. This book gives readers the insider information they need to design usable Web sites for any audience.

Customer Reviews:

Some padding in this one.......2006-11-29

This book gives you the basics of usability from a visual
design perspective, and lots of resources for learning more in chapter 1. The
rest of the chapters talked about all these different websites and broke them
down to laymen's terms for the reader to understand, but really, I feel this
book could have been 105 pages shorter. Just take away chapter 2-7, rewrite
them because it just took you to different web pages, and explain how each of
them functioned and told the reader about the site.

Chapter 1- Why does Usability
Matter?

The chapter explains how to construct a website around good
design and usability, but also around what people like.

Chapter 2- Learners

The author takes you to five separate websites through a
learners/researchers perspective. It breaks down each website in a way we
understand, but all it does is describe the websites.

Chapter 3- Shoppers

Chapter 3 takes you to several more websites except this
time it is through a shopper's point of view. It breaks down the websites by
using them as examples for the reader to use.

Chapter 4- Connection Seekers

The basis of chapter four is once again a basic over of five
more website, but through a person who is looking to make a connection. This
chapter does the same thing as chapters two and three; it just overviews
different websites.

Chapter 5- Transactors

This time chapter five goes to more websites, but through a transactor's
perspective and talks about what they are looking for.

Chapter 6- Business Browsers

Chapter 6 explains what business browser looks for and what
goals they have when they log onto a webpage.

Chapter 7- Fun Seekers

The basis of chapter seven explains three more web pages
through the eyes of a fun seeker. Fun seekers just wish to spend leisure time
exploring quality entertainment on the web.

I did not read this book to know about all of these
different websites, I was hoping to see if it showed how to build a website
from the ground up. Chapter 1 was very informative though, and was actually
very helpful. The section that outlined the general principles for web design
was very fulfilling and helpful because it takes you step by step to design a
user-friendly web page.

Introducing Designers to Web-Design Issues.......2003-09-10

First of all let it be said that this clearly IS an attractive, creatively designed book. Judging from the reviews (below) it has a lot of appeal for professional designers.
Keep in mind that it is NOT primarily a technology how-to book. And yet there ARE some helpful clues to get a designer-new-to-web thinking about issues of how to implement pleasing, effective web sites: what is "Flash"? a "blog"? CSS? (cascading style sheets) ...there are "browser compatibility" issues?
But once you've been alerted to some of these technology quandries you'll quickly need to turn to further education elsewhere. Fortunately, Benun has a nice selection of sites, forums, and publications listed at the back for your reference.
If you are already well-versed in the technologies of the web, you may find that you can learn most of what Benun offers through a cursory scanning at the library. Certainly the sites (25 of them) discussed here are NOT analyzed "in depth" -- the book is only 144pp after all. Offering a new way to think about the TYPE of audience(s) for which a site is designed is a nice contribution on Benun's part (see elaboration in others' reviews).
If you are just beginning your design enterprise you may be upset to have laid out this much money for just a few starting ideas. For economy's sake you may want to browse a wide selection (and it is wide) at a library or book shop.

Learn from examples.......2003-09-04

Many people learn by example. When reading documentation explaining the features of functionality, it doesn't always make sense until seeing it in action. For instance, in CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) font type is explained as:

{
font-family:
}

That isn't going to make much sense to many of you even if you know CSS. What if I gave you an example of:

{
font-family: verdana, arial, georgia, sans-serif;
}

Obviously, the is represented by the font names separated by commas with the first font taking priority. If the user's computer doesn't have verdana, then it tries arial and so on until it finds a font loaded on the user's computer.

Designing Websites for Every Audience starts with a chapter on usability with a focus on understanding users and the principles of usability. That's the only lecture of the book and the rest is case studies.

The book has 25 case studies sorted by user goals, which include learners, shoppers, connection-seekers, transactors, business browsers, and fun-seekers. Each case study covers the old site and the transition to the new design. Essentially, a before and after, which is popular these days with interior design TV programs.

The case study pages are easy to scan. Every one has the company information, site information, users with their goals and tasks, goals of the redesign, and pictures. Benum uses a variety of Web sites for the case studies and discusses the problems with the old design. Then, she analyzes the new design explaining the common traps that have been disposed of and the action taken to improve the user experience.

The book is beautifully colored including color screenshots of the designs. This is a good and a bad thing. Some of the side notes have a color background with black font making it hard to read, but this is the only negative thing in the book after all it impacts the usability of reading the book.

We have plenty of excellent books on how to improve the user experience when designing Web pages, but there are few that guide you through actual examples. Any Web designer who learns by example will want this one on the desk for referencing when working on a redesign.

Designind websites tailored to your users.......2003-05-30

There are a lot of books on the market today that teach website design. Very few teach the importance of creating a web site that is friendly and usable so the visitor has a positive experience and wants to come back. "Designing Websites for Every Audience" falls into that second category. It does not teach HTML or CSS or anything like that but what it does teach is much more important - how to create a website that people can use and want to return to time after time.

The beginning of the book covers pretty typical usability information, but starting with Chapter 2 the book separates itself from the crowd. At this point Ilise Benum starts several chapters that not only discuss web site design but also tailors that discussion to specific types of users. A website designed for learners should be different from one designed for shoppers, or one designed for transactors, or one designed for business browsers. Ilise Benum goes through these and other user types as she discusses how websites should be designed just for them.

Using specific examples from existing websites, she discusses usability factors before and after changing them. Complete with multiple detailed illustrations and analysis it is a highly recommended book.

Tremendously useful book!.......2003-05-08

This 144-page paperback is tremendously useful for web designers looking for both inspiration and instruction. The before-and-after redesigns of 25 different real-world web sites are examined in depth, with the design goals, user profiles, thoughtful observations, and unexpected discoveries enhanced through the use of full color screen shots. The chapters are organized by six different audience profiles, so no matter what type of site you're developing--commercial, community, educational, entertainment--you're bound to find tons of applicable ideas and expert knowledge upon which to draw.

Average customer rating:

Designing Websites for Every Audience
Ilise Benun
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MU9PZO

Book Description

Fusing black American rock with London's mod sixties style, The Who remains a potent force in rock and roll even after almost 40 years. This colorful pictorial, first published in 1982, draws on the author's inside viewpoint and features over 400 color and black and white photos. Bringing it up-to-date are a new introduction by Who guitarist Pete Townshend and insight on the band's continued live success, the media scrutiny over Townshend's work against child abuse, and the death of bassist John Entwistle.

Customer Reviews:

I Won't Get To Get What I'm After 'Til The Day I Die.......2007-03-14

The definitive book to have on The Who. Loaded & re-loaded with amazing photographs & anecdotes from a friend of the band who isn't afraid to point out the bad in addition to the good.

I bought this book on its original release back in the 1980's; the updated section to review the years 1983-96 is most welcome. Hopefully, Richard Barnes will release yet another edition that takes into account the years 1997 to the present.

If you're a Who junkie, this book is a must. If you're a new fan, this volume is a fantastic primer into the history of the greatest band there ever was.

Must have for Who fans.......2006-09-12

This book is an excellent resource for all fans of the classic rock band, The Who. Telling the band's story from their earliest days, the reader will find plenty of detail, interviews, and wonderful photographs to enhance this "amazing journey". The author takes a relatively unbiased stance, leaving out personal opinion in favor of simply stating "the facts".

If you are a fan of The Who, this is certainly a book that deserves a place in your library.

For the WHO fan, worth it.......2006-02-16

This book is really a great overview of the WHO's career. Starting out when the band started to meet as teenagers and spannig all the way to a few years after Keith's death, this book covers every single recording the WHO did.

Aside from just following the WHO through their career, this book is also jam-packed with those crazy Keith Moon anecdotes and interesting picures.

I really enjoyed this book, and enjoyed seein what one of my favorite bands was really like. I would definately recommend it to anyone who loves the WHO.

An Insider's View of the Who.......2005-03-14

As a HUGE Who fan, I first picked up "Maximum R&B" in the late 80's, and recently dug into the updated version.

Richard Barnes was an old art school friend of Pete Townshend's, and remained close to him and the band over the decades. His history of the Who is detailed, mixed with intimiate remembrances, especially of the early days of the band.

Barnes for the most part tells the story with a straight-forward, unbiased eye. He details the tulmultuous relationship between the band members, especially Townshend and Roger Daltrey, and draws on numerous interviews and press articles (the press materials are classic--some very early pix of a very young Detours lineup are among the entertaining bits).

Barnes also examines the Mod movement of the 60's, which was so critical to exposing the Who (for a while the High Numbers) to a hardcore audience.

For Who fans like myself, you may find some minor errors, and Barnes doesn't go too deep into some of the band member's personal lives, except where he seems to have an in. Among these would be Townshend's fascination with Meher Baba, his later drug and alcohol problems, and his later struggles with trying to deal with the Who while establishing himself as a solo artist.

In any case, a fantastic document of the history of one of rock's greatest and most talented bands.

A historic document in rock & roll.......2003-01-09

A wonderful book loaded with factual information and first-hand observations, filled with fascinating photographs. The definitive source for Who history from its original publication in 1982 until last year when Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere was published. My only complaint is that this new edition no longer includes the soundsheet recording in the original that reproduced Pete Townshend's original demo of My Generation, but most people don't have turntables anymore these days anyway.

Average customer rating:

The Who: Maximum R&B
Richard Barnes
Manufacturer: St Martins Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTQ1JQ

The Who: Thirty Years of Maximum R&B (Book and Cassettes)

Average customer rating:

The Who: Thirty Years of Maximum R&B (Book and Cassettes)
The Who
Manufacturer: MCA Records, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: B000RC7SXI

Product Description

This collection contains Thirty Years Of The Very Best from 'The Best Rock 'n' Roll Band In The World.' 79 classic recordings, many of them remixed and sounding better than ever before, including 14 previously unreleased tracks, 14 live performances, other Who rarities, commercials, stage and studio dialogue plus a rare glimpse into life with the Moons. Includes 72 pages of photographs, memorabilia, full liner notes, a Who diary, full discography and a foreword by Pete Townshend.

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