Book Description
Born into a desperately poor Sicilian farming family, La Mennulara became a maid for a well-to-do local family when she was only a girl; by dint of hard work and intelligence, she became the indispensable administrator of the familys affairs. Still, she was a mere servant, and now (as the story begins) she is dead. Who was she, really? Was she a humble servant who ruled her master, or perhaps a pawn for the Mafia? Was she a seducer and opportunist, a sly blackmailer waiting for a payoff, or the opposite? During the thirty days following her death, the surprising truth is revealed. As the details of La Mennularas life, The Almond Picker assumes the witty suspense of a thriller, the emotional power of a love story, and the evocative atmosphere of a historical novel. Set in Sicily in the 1960s, a violent, complicated society in the midst of tumultuous change, The Almond Picker is the story of a woman who negotiated for her freedom as no one else dared.
Customer Reviews:
Just a Treasure.......2007-04-22
I found this novel in a stack at a half-priced book store.
The lovely cover caught my eye, and the title was intriguing.
What a wonderful, intricately-woven tale. Once I began, I could not put it down. I started it in the morning, and I took it with me that afternoon to the stables where my daughter was riding. Unfortunately, I left it there by mistake and could not retrace my steps to reclaim it. I was already half-way through the book, and I was furious with myself for losing it. I went out that same day and bought another copy - and finished it before falling asleep that very same evening.
Despite the unfamiliar names and the large number of minor characters, I found this to be an easy and pleasurable read. It is a mystery, a love story, a family saga all rolled into one well-written and engaging package.
Who was Mennulara, the almond picker and recently deceased servant/administrator of a wealthy Sicilian family? Through snatches of conversations, village gossip, secret letters, snippets of memories, and whispered confessions, we eventually learn ~ piece by piece ~ the story behind this mysterious figure.
It is a well-crafted story. I believe that there were references and connections that I missed the first time around, and I plan to read this novel again in the near future.
loved it!.......2006-11-10
This novel is by far the best I've read in the past 6 months. It's an adult-version fable full of legends and morality. At first I was a bit overwhelmed by all the characters that swamped in in each chapter, but later I learned to keep in mind only the very key names, which in turn made my reading a lot more enjoyable.
Great find..........2006-10-11
Like one of the other reviewers, I too came upon this book on the shelf at the library and was attracted by its slight size - as I ride the train every day, I love to have small, light books I can easily carry in my purse - along with it's lovely cover. The description on the inside flap sealed the deal for me. I am particularly drawn to generational family stories - especially those that involve intrigue, deception, and potentially explosive secrets.
This book did not disappoint. I found it very easy to read with very well-drawn characters and a plot that had many suprises without making it feel overly complicated or ridiculous. The author's style was quite straight-forward and clean but brought the people and their town to life beautifully.
I enjoyed it so very much I think I read it in 3 days or less. If you are looking for a charming, entertaining, and interesting story, I highly recommend this one.
Delightful, thoughtful and a little mystery too!.......2006-08-03
Would I have picked out this book on my own? Despite its pretty cover I probably wouldn't have. But it was the current selection for the book club I'm joining so I dove in.
To me, the first few chapters were a bit dry -- somehow reminding me of Jane Austen -- lots of characters and background stuff. But somewhere around the the third chapter or so, I was involved. I was living in this little Sicilian town and observing the nuances and mannerisms and relationships involved.
The story was delightful -- at times a "morality" piece and other times just plain good mystery. All in all, it's the first book I read straight through in a few sittings since high school -- when I used to read simply for pleasure. It took precedence over work, TV and even, on one occasion, a dinner out.
If you want to escape to a different time and place and find intriguing people -- pick up this book and dive in. You won't regret it!
Peggie Arvidson-Dailey
Beautiful prose.......2006-06-07
This was a book I picked up on a whim, read as a diversion and found to be a triumph.
There are twists and turns, some fascinating insights into characters and some interesting views of loyalty.
While none of this is unique to the cultural setting chosen, it seems more authentic as a consequence. The novel is interesting, the language sparkles with vitality. The characters become alive.
Highly recommended.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
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La Mennulara /The Almond Picker (Coleccion Andanzas) (Coleccion Andanzas)
Simonetta Agnello Hornby
Manufacturer: TusQuets
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Customer Reviews:
Enjoyable!.......2006-02-07
ON BLUE FALLS POND by Susan Crandall
February 6, 2006
Amazon rating 3.5/5
"This is the story of a woman who ran away from her hometown of Dawson, Tennessee, after a devastating fire took the lives of her husband Andrew and her unborn child. Now, two years later, Glory Harrison has returned to be with her grandmother Tula, who is slowly losing her eyesight. Glory gradually recalls why she ran away (most memories of her husband had been erased) and with the help of an old friend, Eric Wilson (the fire chief who saved her life), she finally remembers everything - the good and the bad.
The book is filled with many interesting characters including Eric's two-year-old autistic son Scott (his mother Jill is in denial). Eric and Jill are divorced, due to her infidelities with a man named Jason, and while Jill seems to be a very distracted mother, Eric is there as much as he can be for Scott, a child who is slowly retreating into his own world. Tula is Glory's headstrong maternal grandmother, and despite the fact that Glory grew up in the city (her mother Clarice was embarrassed about being born in the hollow), Glory became the closest of all Tula's grandchildren. They have a special bond. Now that Tula's eyesight is failing, Glory fears that soon Tula may need help permanently." - Complete review at BookLoons - M. Lofton
I enjoyed this story that takes places in the small town of Dawson, Tennessee, and found the mystery behind the fire that took the life of Glory's husband and unborn baby intriguing. Crandall's strong point is her plot, and while I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters, some of them were a bit overly dramatic, although they did fit into the overall scheme of the novel. Those who enjoy southern romances, ON BLUE FALLS POND is recommended.
Exceptional book.......2006-01-24
Susan Crandall has written another deeply moving book in On Blue Falls Pond.
Glory Harrison fled Dawson, Tenn., after the tragic deaths of her husband and their unborn child. Now two years later her beloved Granny Tula eyesight is failing so Glory returns to help. Memories of that tragic night are slowly coming back and Glory finds a friend in Eric Wilson.
Fire chief Eric Wilson rescued Glory from that long ago fire. He has always felt a connection with her. Their paths cross again since her Granny is watching Eric's young troubled toddler Scott. Eric's ex wife thinks it's all just the trauma over the divorce but Eric is convinced something is seriously wrong with his son.
Glory and Eric's concerns begin to overlap, Tula's failing vision and the problems it makes for them both. This eventually draws them closer but as Glory's memories become clearer, someone will stop at nothing to keep those memories buried.
On Blue Falls Pond is a book that will make you remember why you love to read. The characters are just like everyday people with real ups and downs. You are drawn in from page one and it takes a grip on your soul. The deepening relationship between Eric and Glory is compelling and sizzling. I couldn't put this book down once I started.
Susan Crandall is a star on the rise.
5 Stars and Worth Every Bit........2006-01-12
When I rate a book, it helps to remember that there will be times . . . when a book is TRULY a 9 or 10. A 9 or 10 rating shows I feel the book is one of the best books ever! Is ON BLUE FALLS POND a 10? Well, to me, a 10 rating is perfection! So no, ON BLUE FALLS POND is not a 10, but it certainly is a 9! Susan Crandall's ON BLUE FALLS POND is a beautiful story.
After nearly two years, Glory Harrison comes home - home to grandmother, love, and childhood roots! In reality, Glory Harrison reluctantly returns to find herself. Eighteen months ago, Glory lost everything in a devastating fire. She lost a husband. She lost a child. Now she returns to face fleeting memories and terrifying fear.
Eric Wilson lives every day with his own fear - fear for a little boy. He fears for a small son who is slowly drifting away from him. He watches, each day, as the child retreats further into another world - the world of autism. Undeniably, Eric Wilson battles each new day. He battles his ex-wife, who refuses to see the steady decline of their son and he battles his own dread and guilt. Was the divorce responsible for their child's steady decline?
ON BLUE FALLS POND is a splendid story about two lonely people with common small-town roots. Two lonely people with problems and worries. Two lonely people who discover they can't live without one another. Two lonely people who make Crandall's reader want to share in happy endings.
Susan Crandall should be proud! ON BLUE FALLS POND is a poignant, convincing story. Crandall absorbed me in her tale; she stirred me with her words; she made me believe! Her characters are well drawn and remarkably ordinary and this common ordinariness is Crandall's strong suit! Her setting and her characters ARE in every small town across the land . . . and THIS gives the reader belief . . . and the handling of the grandmother's character is true writing genius - crème de la crème!
Grade: A
MaryGrace Meloche.
Terrific Read - Highly Recommend!.......2006-01-10
Eighteen months ago, Glory Harrison had fled Tennessee after a fire ravaged her life leaving her without a husband, a home, and her unborn daughter. After many therapists and as many moves, she still felt an emptiness where once there had been a soul. After a heartfelt call from her ailing Gran, Glory knew it was now time to face her demons. In coming home again Glory Harrison had to face all the brutal truths of her past, even the painful ones that she had buried along with her unborn child. Her first morning back, the anguish returned with a vengeance as she looked into the face of the man who had saved her life, fire chief Eric Wilson. From that first eventful morning her memories started to return, and along with sage advice from her no nonsense, plain speaking Gran she was able to look at her past with a clearer understanding. Along with the strength and support she soon found in Eric's arms, she would find the strength to face her demons and begin a healing process. As Glory climbed out of the prison within her heart, she was able to open it to Eric, in accepting his toddler son's limitations. Unfortunately, the closer Glory came to rediscovering the truth behind the fire, the closer someone came to driving her away for good!
Susan Crandall gave wonderful and very deeply moving character studies for both main characters that will both exhilarate and soothe ones soul in this very beautiful and moving story. While handling the complexities of the two main characters admirably, she also blended in some interesting secondary storylines dealing with the macular degeneration of her gran; autism of Scott; and background into dogs for more than just for seeing eye service. Well-written, highly enjoyable, and lovingly crafted, this was one extremely robust and terrific read that I highly recommend.
powerful psychological drama .......2006-01-03
Eighteen months ago Glory Harrison is rescued from an inferno by Dawson, Tennessee Fire Chief Eric Wilson; her husband Andrew died in the blaze and not long afterward she miscarried. While her beloved septuagenarian Granny Tula Baker believes that God has a reason to put her granddaughter through such a tragedy, Glory, though she remembers nothing from that tragic night no longer believes. She flees her hometown as the memories haunt her; no place feels like a home anymore.
Tula asks Glory to come home for a short stay so she can see her one last time as her eyes are failing her. Though reluctant to return to the site of her tragedy, Glory would face demons for her beloved Granny Tula so she comes home. Glory becomes upset when she thinks Eric is using Granny Tula to watch his three year old son Scott, whom he believes has a behavioral problem though his ex-wife Jill denies this. As she sees him help Granny Tula she revises her belief. She begins to remember what happened on that fatal night, but will it be in time to prevent more misfortune from reoccurring?
ON BLUE FALLS POND is a strong glimpse at how individuals react to crisis differently with some hiding or running away while others finding solace to help them cope. Granny Tula turned to God after the tragedy while Glory turned away from God; Eric accepts that there is problem with his son while Jill rejects any notion that the child has any deep rooted behavioral issues. The late exciting suspense takes away from the core value of a powerful psychological drama that grips the audience once Glory starts shaking as she approaches Dawson.
Harriet Klausner
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Cenizas Del Pasado / On Blue Falls Pond
Susan Crandall
Manufacturer: El Ateneo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 9500230844 |
Average customer rating:
- Better than average but marred by plot inconsistencies
- Not as strong as the first book
- A pleasent 2nd effort by the author of the series, but...
- Another exciting Longknife adventure!
- Another good sci-fi
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Kris Longknife: Deserter (Kris Longknife)
Mike Shepherd
Manufacturer: Ace
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Similar Items:
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Defiant (Kris Longknife)
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Kris Longknife: Mutineer (Kris Longknife)
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Resolute (Kris Longknife)
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Dauntless (The Lost Fleet, Book 1)
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Fearless (The Lost Fleet, Book 2)
ASIN: 0441012272 |
Book Description
A search for her lost friend leads the female space warrior into a galactic hellhole with no way out.
Customer Reviews:
Better than average but marred by plot inconsistencies.......2005-12-24
In Deserter Kris is assigned to a Kamakize class ship to sort out the problems with smart metal technology.
They come to a place where there will be nearly a month stoppage of work, at the same time Tom (one of Krfis's
friends) takes off to a new planet looking for runs. He is with Penny who calls Kris to let her know Tom was
apparently kidnaped by Sandfire a hatchet man for Peterwald. How Penny winds up making the call as described
turns up mysteriously on turns up on Turantic where Tom was taken as military attache is one of several loose
ends in the plot that are glazed over.
Overall a good read although marred by plot problems still well above average for the janre, because of the
inconsistencies-another was a 15 digit phone number that only had 14 digits-I only gave it 3 stars.
Not as strong as the first book.......2005-03-10
I really enjoyed "Kris Longknife: Mutineer", but the sequel "Deserter" is not as strong a story. (By the way, who chose the silly names for these books? They are in no way a fair description of the action that takes place).
Kris launches herself off on an adventure without her beloved Navy when her friend Tommy goes missing on holiday. Accompanying her are her bodyguard and the most dangerous lady's maid I've ever come across in fiction, plus a few others that crop up as the story unfolds. Trading on her despised status as a princess, Kris "infiltrates" high society and finds that there is more than one dangerous plot threatening her and the planet she's visiting.
I do like Kris herself and the plot outline is a good one, but the execution suffers somewhat from a plethora of characters that aren't given enough to do and an poorly-defined setting. Also, some matters were introduced but never engaged with, like alien technology. And I never thought I'd say it, but I wanted some risks and last-minute hitches rather than everything going perfectly in the big finale.
I'd like to read more of Kris' adventures (some features of "Deserter" hint at a third book in the series), but Shepard needs to be careful that Kris stays properly human. At present she's veering dangerously close to superwoman territory. Some plot elements seem to have no better purpose than to demonstrate how consistently wonderful she is.
A pleasent 2nd effort by the author of the series, but..........2005-02-26
Kristine Longknife has some very determine enemies who'd like nothing better than to axe this prime ministers daughter, billionaire in her own right, member of a extreamly weathy-powerful multi-generational family, and navy lieutenant 2nd class, and now a Princess in a new star nation/empire.
Kris is about to learn just how far her enemies will go to try and kill her. As she says in the first book if she is going to be "one of those damn Longknives," its time she knew what it was all about. All of Kris's friends will be back plus a couple new ones as Kris once again leads her friends to kick tushy!
The story itself in a interesting one and a fun read. But there are so many inconsistancies; name changes, tense changes, several places the word "a" or "an" is missing, there are spelling errors of the most basic sort and etc, that they take away from the punch of the story. Oh don't get me wrong this is a fun read but it could have used some serious proof editing.
On the whole the story is a decent read.
Another exciting Longknife adventure!.......2005-01-18
The book is a definate must read, especially if you've read the 1st book. This book was exactly what a 2nd book should be. It built on the characters and situations introduced in the 1st book and brought in new exciting characters as well. I really liked how Nelly evolved from an expensive tool into a very interesting character. Kris's relationships with her friends and her bodyguards were really cool as well. I can't wait to see more of her and her crew. I still want to know who Abby really is and what's going on with Nelly? Hurry up Shepherd and gimme more!
Another good sci-fi.......2005-01-02
This one was a bit planet-bound and slow in some parts but there was still not a sword or wizard in it. The closest thing to magic being Kris's personal computer which I thought pushed the edge of likelihood at times. I can't see any point in her being a princess, either. Seems to push a point. But it's still a good read and I'm eagerly awaiting the next one!
Product Description
Kris Longknife Series (Science Fiction) : Volumes 1-3 By Mike Shepherd - Deserter, Mutineer, Defiant.
Book Description
One reads not for information, writes Brother Wayne Teasdale, but for inspiration. In his new book, Teasdale presents a powerful daily guide to interspiritual wisdom with 365 quotes from the great religious and spiritual traditions, from sources as varied as St. John of the Cross, Confucius, the Dhammapada, and Allen Ginsberg. Designed as an aid for daily reflection and meditation, Teasdale's illuminating commentary follows each passage.
Customer Reviews:
Inspiration Reflecting On Inspiration.......2005-05-19
Brother Wayne Teasdale was dying of cancer when he wrote 365 commentaries to 365 pearls of wisdom culled from a wide range of authors from different fields. Wayne had developed a unique feeling based sense of interspirituality in his earlier works. But in this selection, Wayne's inspired commentary for each day is radiant with light and warmth, a special legacy for those of us here on a planet in painful transition. This is the one book I would give to everyone I know, the one book I would place in every hotel or motel room. Get it for yourself and you will want to get it for everyone you love.
A Great Interspiritual Devotional.......2004-11-15
"One reads not for information, but inspiration." --Wayne Teasdale
Brother Wayne Teasdale was a lay monk and interspiritual teacher who believed that we are all baptized in a cosmic sense by our birth, called into being for the purpose of connecting with the Divine. A leading activist and teacher in building common ground between religions, Brother Teasdale passed to the other side in October 2004--before he had a chance to see the publishing of his new book The Mystic Hours.
Teasdale believes that we are all mystics, and that books and reading can often serve as a direct path to mystical realization. Drawing upon wisdom from all the great religions, as well as insights from contemporary authors and mystics, The Mystic Hours - A Daybook of Interspiritual Wisdom & Devotion is an interspiritual devotional for every day of the year. Organized into 365 pages, Teasdale takes a brief wisdom quote and then provides illuminating commentary on its meaning and relevance. The devotionals are at once gentle and incisive, designed for meditation and reflection.
Here's an example of one of the interspiritual devotionals from the book:
I don't think that any great issues ever get resolved. Rather, I think we outgrow them. --Jean Houston
"The great matters that divide us, most ironically the world's terrible conflicts over religion, are usually irreconcilable as long as the combatants are so heavily invested in their position. One example of this kind of polarization is the terrible conflict in Northern Ireland between Catholics and Protestants. Neither side of this conflict will likely ever understand the other side's position as long as they cling to the very real injustices they have suffered. Eventually, the two sides will tire of death and hatred and will abandon the old rivalry. That we may outgrow our need for dualism and conflict--that is my prayer."
And another example:
A vital faith is more like an organism or a work of art than it is like a cafeteria tray. --Huston Smith
"Although he is a great proponent of synthesis in the study of religion, Huston Smith, the venerable sage of the religious and spiritual life as well as comparative religion, corroborates D.H. Lawrence's insight but adds that authentic spirituality cannot simply be a grab bag of beliefs and practices. A faith that really means something in a person's life, a faith that nourishes and inspires, that is a source of insight, strength, encouragement, and guidance, needs to be cultivated, protected, never taken for granted. Such a faith doesn't happen without sufficient effort and commitment. In this sense, it is similar to a living being. Insofar as we cultivate our faith and permit it to be the center of our lives and the animating core of our being and value, it becomes, as Smith says, "a work of art"."
The Mystic Hours is a powerful book that shows the true meaning of interspirituality: that at the core of all our religions and philosophies lies burning mystical wisdom that can bring us together sooner than tear us apart. I find the devotionals therein to be a source of comfort, clarity, and insight--reminding me of what is important in life, as well as the necessary ingredients in achieving personal and spiritual meaning.
Book Description
From Biba Caggiano Come all the rich, flavorful recipes and The warm good fun of her sensationally popular cooking show, Biba's Italian Kitchen, which has been called the most delightful cooking show on the air.
Following a childhood spent in Bologna, and an adulthood in the bosom of an Italian family in New York, Biba Caggiano found herself in Sacramento, California, in 1968, unable to find the food that was familiar to her palate--and essential to her heritage. Working from memory, Biba recalled her roots and recreated authentic Italian flavor in this most American of cities, and quickly became a local legend for her cooking classes and, ultimately for her famously delicious restaurant, Biba.
Biba's fantastic, simple dishes represent what the Italians call la buona cucina casalinga--more commonly known as "good home cooking"--and are now available to all in From Biba's Italian Kitchen.
Biba's foolproof method relies on the senses, not on the repetition of rigid recipes. Do the tomatoes at the market look particularly fresh? Then it's time to whip up a quick puttanesca sauce to top practically any pasta or meat dish. Are the porcini mushrooms especially eye-catching today? A tangy and woodsy sauce of porcini and tomatoes for. delicate spinach-ricotta gnocchi is just minutes away. Did a batch of walnuts just arrive from your aunt out West? Walnut pesto is the only proper reply.Biba trusts her (and your)impulses, and encourages a casual but committed approach to food, two hallmarks of la dolce vita, the sweet life that From Biba's Italian Kitchen promotes on every page.
Biba starts with a staple of Italian cooking: the elegant, integral antipasti. Simple or sophisticated antipasti show the instruments of the Italian symphony tuning up before the first act. Gorgeous red bell peppers nestle with hunks of Italian bread and are topped by verdant parsley to make luscious bruschetta, plump little artichokes nuzzle with sun-dried tomatoes for sun-drenched carciofini all'olio; and fresh eggs with earthy potatoes and onions blend to create rustic fritatta di patate e cipolle.
The harmony continues into the main dishes, a cavalcade of pasta, meat, and fish dishes that catch attention without disrupting a schedule. Prepare in haste and enjoy in leisure such delicacies as seafood cannelloni, delectably bitter pasta with broccoli rabe, succulent osso buco, veal shank with tomatoes and peas, or classic tagliatelle with sweet prosciutto and fresh tomatoes.
A chapter on vegetable side dishes (whether grilled, sautéed, baked, stuffed, roasted, braised, or steamed) shows how primizie--the first, freshest produce of the season--bring the vegetable garden to the urban table. Complete sections on pizza (of course!),risotti, the light yet hearty dishes, made from Italian arborio rice, and polenta, the scrumptious cornmeal preparation that is the perfect foil to vegetable and meat alike, round out Biba's memorable tavola calda.
And dessert!Italian desserts! Juicy fig and jam tart, sinful mascarpone-zabaglione mousse, juicy strawberries in red wine, and apple and amaretti cake serve as an elegant, graceful cadenza to the mellifluous meals in From Biba's Italian Kitchen.Striking every grace note, Biba conducts her culinary symphony, Biba conducts her culinary symphony with verve, and makes a maestro of every cook.
Customer Reviews:
One of the best cookbooks of Northern Italy........2007-01-15
Recipes are easy to follow and delicious.
Excellent, approachable Italian recipes.......2005-03-10
From Biba's table to yours...this excellent, uncomplicated book features dozens of formulas for easy-to-prepare soups, pastas, antipastis, gnocchi, seafood, meat and poultry dishes, vegetables, pizzas and desserts.
After sampling many recipes, Biba's meat dishes were the intial attraction for me. (The osso bucco was sublime.)
However, since my husband and I have become vegetarians, I've turned to Biba's soup, salad and vegetable recipes and have found her strengths to be evenly disbursed, though I wish there were more vegetable and salad recipes included. The soups are hugely satisfying, but fairly simple to make.
This is one of my non-vegetarian books I still turn to a on a regular basis.
True Italian Cooking - but lacking.......2001-06-06
I think that she has a lot of useful tips in this book. For instance, there are a lot of HARD ways of doing things that she manages to eliminate. Her gnocchi recipes are strikingly similar to that of my family's (actually from Italy). However, I would like to see a little something different. Perhaps more vegetables. And definitely more substance in the dessert section. There is so much more she could have done in there without going overbaord or worse, skipping right past things the way she did.
Biba is Wonderful!.......2000-09-03
Even though I live in the country...I am Italian born and I miss the wonderful, simple cooking of my homeland. Most ingredients are close at hand.(even in Alabama!) But with the guidance of Biba, Italy is just a page away. I was sent tapes of her show on a regular basis and I have every one of her books. Her cookbooks are a tool that every Italian cook should have nearby.It is a shame that TLC stopped airing cooking shows because she was so good at teaching. I dream of the day that I can go to California to meet her and sit at her restaurant. Biba if you can hear me, you are loved all over the world.
Fabulous Recipes!.......2000-04-14
I love this book. Biba's recipes are easy to follow and turn out beautifully. The Shells with shrimp and artichoke hearts is fantastic. Biba's cookbooks are the only Italian cookbooks I use regularly anymore.
Book Description
Over 950 color photographs of dolls of famous people. Favorite dolls from television sitcoms and dramas as well as from movies are the largest section of the book. Other categories include musical groups and singers, entertainers, movie actors and actresses, circus performers, historical figures, sports stars, biblical dolls, and miscellaneous dolls. Listed alphabetically in each category by character, and the manufacturer, years produced, and any accessories or identifying features are given. Prices are quoted for mint-in-box, mint, and played with conditions. AUTHORBIO: Don Hultzman has always been a casual collector of old toys, but got really serious about the hobby when he found that repairing broken toys was just as exciting as collecting them. Besides working, raising a family, and collecting and repairing mechanical and battery-operated and wind-up toys, he also writes feature articles for toy publications as well as books on battery-operated toys. REVIEW: This book highlights hundreds of dolls made bymany companies, dolls made of television and movie stars, entertainers, sports stars, historical figures, and even circus stars. Details on who the doll was based on, size, year, condition, and current collector value are provided for each doll shown.
Customer Reviews:
It's ok but there isn't 950 pictures.......2001-12-29
I thought the book was ok and there were lots of pictures but about 400 not 950 as the other reviewer wrote. I wish there would have been more information, it's mainly a picture book. There's lots of newer dolls but not enough old dolls. Not what I expected. I would have liked to see more background and info on the dolls and characters. It was fun looking through the pictures though. Prices were pretty true, gave a good range.
Gorgeous Volume To Delight Celebrity Doll Collectors.......2001-12-15
Hot off the presses is this brand new 2002 volume, complete with 224 pages filled with large, full color, sharp photos of every type of celebrity doll. Prices seem to be up-to-date. There are over 950 great photos!! There's not a lot of text, but descriptions are complete. Major topics include, TV stars, movie stars, actors and actresses, musical groups and singers, entertainers, historical figures, sports stars, bibilical characters, circus stars and more. Celebrity doll collectors will be delighted with this soft-bound book. 630
Average customer rating:
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Vienna Regulators and Factory Clocks
Rick Ortenburger
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0887402240 |
Book Description
This range of clocks used to be considered the common, household clock which many people recognized but for which little documentation was available. Rick Ortenburger now presents the book that will fill this void. Vienna regulator clocks were first produced in Vienna, Austria about 1780 and then became a familiar style made also elsewhere in the German-speaking world. Included are early, transitional, serpentine, altdeutsch, Baroque, and factory-made types from 1780 until about 1930, of one, two, and three-weight movements. The author has done his own research in Europe and America in both German and English so he is able to present much original information in a pleasing format for the average reader. His brief, factual text, supported by good photographs, useful in identifying the period of manufacture, may be the book's most useful feature to the serious collector. Her fully explains the production of Gustav Becker, Junghaus, HAC, Lenzkirch and competitive factories whose products are still on the market and well within the financial means of the vast majority of clock enthusiasts. He also covers many rare and exotic regulators such as long-duration clocks and variations from the norm.
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At its most basic, Jane Tidbury's Zen Style simply invites readers to notice their homes and their surroundings. And unlike many decorating books that focus on revitalizing your home by adding new objects or by making large-scale alterations, Zen Style is much more concerned with the details--color, light, the placement of small objects, and, perhaps most importantly, the introduction of sensory elements like scent and sound.
As the book's subtitle mentions, this type of style is about simplicity and balance. The opening chapter is dedicated to elements of this simplicity--showing the reader how to observe the space, light, and textures of their home. In the course of the introduction, the book also eases the reader out of any preconceptions of what is traditionally thought of as interior design.
One of the most refreshing aspects of the book is that very few of its suggestions require either great expense or effort to effect significant change. By making small adjustments--adding a hint of color to a white wall with a single brushstroke, placing a small collection of wildflowers in an antique jar, or lining a mantelpiece with tea lights and leaves--even minor changes in environment can profoundly alter the mood of a room.
For those with more ambitious stylistic ideas, Zen Style encourages any major remodeling efforts to be concentrated around adding more light to rooms or creating a sense of connection within a home by adding interior windows in walls. There are several smaller-scale projects explained in the book as well--the enterprising home decorator will find plans for building a relaxation fountain and repurposing an old table as a hand-painted ornamental display.
Most of the suggestions that Tidbury offers are far less time-consuming, however, and what is most enjoyable here is simply the number of opportunities to convert a bland or cluttered space into a more open and inviting place through well-chosen additions or changes. The book's color photos and Zen sayings illustrate the basic elements of simplifying not only a home's style, but the philosophy of that style as well. One such photo, a slightly blurred shot of a white cot with a simple cotton pillow and a pile of soft wool blankets at the foot, typifies Zen Style: it is often the small comforts and relaxing, familiar things that make a home a peaceful and pleasant place to live.--Kris Law
Book Description
The Zen home is tranquil and light, natural and balanced; it is a minimalist space influenced by Eastern philosophy. This book draws together elements of Zen Buddhism and applies them to all areas of home decorating-- including color, texture, lighting, flooring, and furniture-- to reveal how you can create an elegant and serene interior landscape.
Beautifully illustrated with two-hundred photographs that show practical solutions to common problems and simple projects-- such as an indoor water fountain, textured cushions, and a linen screen-- Zen Style provides all you need to achieve a calm and peaceful living space.
Customer Reviews:
Easy, relaxing read.......2002-06-05
This is a great introductory book to the art of Zen living. Although it seems that the word "Zen" has become more and more of a catch phrase, I still must say I enjoy the concepts and ideas that have branched off of it.
This book has great pictures and illustrations of very interesting and different spaces. As well, my favourite part, it has helpful "how-to's" ... tables, pillows, curtains.. and my personal favourite.. the wall stripe!
Give it a try. I borrowed mine from the library and I'm planning to order it online tonite!
Stunning grasp of the obvious.......2001-01-04
This book displays a stunning grasp of the obvious. Beyond its plans for some not very interesting do-it-yourself projects, it offers little--trite advice like "Spending time alone with yourself is an important feature of reflection" accompanied by an unsatisfying collection of photos. Books like The Japanese House, Simply Zen, and Japanese Style do a much better job of presenting the Zen aesthetic.
Makes a Zen lifestyle obtainable.......2000-10-26
The natural colors and textures of the book make it not only a joy to behold but also read. I enjoyed this book so much, and will be making the wonderful bamboo fountain (instructions are in the book) sometime soon!
Zen Style: Balance and Simpilicity for Your Home.......2000-06-16
This book is excellent! Jane Tidbury teaches you how to create those special looks for your own home, even if you live in a very ordinary house that has no special architectural features. It is easy to follow because she doesn't get too technical, and she even guides you through some simple projects you can do that would create a significant impact on your place.
Just what we needed!.......2000-04-24
We bought this book hoping to get both some useful specific ideas and general good perspective on decorating our new home. This book gave us both. The author gives specific instructions for implementing many of the best ideas (like attractive linen room dividers) and includes helpful commentary among enlightening pictures on how to apply the principles to your own situation. Well done!
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Maximizing the Audience : Gabor Palotai Graphic Designer
Gabor Palotai
Manufacturer: Komintern
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 9197391239 |
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Ramon Novarro: The Life and Films of the First Latino Hollywood Superstar
Frank Javier Garcia Berumen
Manufacturer: Vantage Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0533133963 |
Customer Reviews:
What a Disappointment.......2001-12-20
The angle of sometimes neglected history, i.e Latino or minority history vs Anglo or majority history could have made this book very interesting. Also, Ramon Novarro, a mega-star of the silent and early talkies has only had one other biography written about him by A. Ellenberger. However, this book is a great disappointment. First of all, you have to wonder how much a biographer knows of his subject when he gets the date of his subject's death wrong (Oct 31 1968, NOT Nov 1 as stated in this book)
Secondly, the biographer states he is not going to talk about rumors, i.e. Ramon Novarro by repute was gay, and then goes on to try to suggest Ramon Novarro as having had affairs with some of his female stars. Almost as bad as the old movie studio publicity when, MGM tried in 1934 to publicise a 'romance' between Myrna Loy one of his co-stars. Apparently, this author had never read her reaction at the time as recorded in her autobiography in the 1980's, which states 'it was ridiculous, Ramon didn't even like the girls'.
It's nice to see another book on Ramon Novarro, a really great movie star, but this one is just plain disappointing.
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- The Bingo Palace (P.S.)
- The Blindfold: A Novel
- The Blooding of the Guns: The Everard Naval Series: Volume One
- The Early Stories: 1953-1975
- The Gardens of Kyoto: A Novel
- The Good Priest's Son: A Novel
- The Guru of Love: A Novel
- The Invention of Morel (New York Review Books Classics)
- The Isle of Avalon Sacred Mysteries of Arthur and Glastonbury
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