Amazon.com
In Texaco, Patrick Chamoiseau is not scared of reimagining history in order to illuminate an essential truth about his homeland, Martinique. Through his narrator, Marie-Sophie Laborieux, a daughter of slaves, he chronicles 150 years in the history of Martinique, starting with the birth of Marie-Sophie's beloved father, Esternome, on a sugar plantation sometime in the early 19th century. It ends with her founding Texaco, a shanty town built on the grounds of an old oil refinery on the outskirts of Fort-de-France. What happens in-between is an astounding flight of imagination and language that rivals the works of Salman Rushdie, Ben Okri and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Chamoiseau begins in the present with the arrival of an urban planner, whom the residents of Texaco mistake for Christ. It then spins back in time to the birth of Esternome and the death of his father, who was suspected of witchcraft by a white plantation owner. In myriad short sequences, the novel follows Esternome's progress as he is first freed by his master, then drawn away from the plantation by the lure of St. Pierre--"City" in the minds of the disenfranchised black population of Martinique. He is eventually washed up on the outskirts of Fort-de-France, which becomes "City" after St. Pierre is destroyed by a volcanic eruption. With the birth of Marie-Sophie, Chamoiseau takes the reader into the present century--through two world wars, riots, famine, political turmoil. The tension always simmers between "City," a metaphor for France, and the countryside where black Martinique's collective consciousness resides.
Book Description
"Chamoiseau is a writer who has the sophistication of the modern novelist, and it is from that position (as an heir of Joyce and Kafka) that he holds out his hand to the oral prehistory of literature."
--Milan Kundera
Of black Martinican provenance, Patrick Chamoiseau gives us Texaco (winner of the Prix Goncourt, France's most prestigious literary prize), an international literary achievement, tracing one hundred and fifty years of post-slavery Caribbean history: a novel that is as much about self-affirmation engendered by memory as it is about a quest for the adequacy of its own form.
In a narrative composed of short sequences, each recounting episodes or developments of moment, and interspersed with extracts from fictive notebooks and from statements by an urban planner, Marie-Sophie Laborieux, the saucy, aging daughter of a slave affranchised by his master, tells the story of the tormented foundation of her people's identity. The shantytown established by Marie-Sophie is menaced from without by hostile landowners and from within by the volatility of its own provisional state. Hers is a brilliant polyphonic rendering of individual stories informed by rhythmic orality and subversive humor that shape a collective experience.
A joyous affirmation of literature that brings to mind Boccaccio, La Fontaine, Lewis Carroll, Montaigne, Rabelais, and Joyce, Texaco is a work of rare power and ambition, a masterpiece.
Customer Reviews:
great caribbean story.......2002-04-23
This is the first book I've read by Chamoiseau, it reminded me of Gabriel Marquez's "One Hundred Years of Solitude", and is really fine literature, magical & funny, a caribbean tale of the island of Martinique. It begins in the time of slavery on the sugar plantations and ends in more modern, corporate times. The book's ending is surprisingly uplifting and postive. It was hard to decide what rating to give this book - certainly it deserves the highest praise, however I have a feeling this book is much better read in its' original language. There are footnotes throughout explaining original Creole terms used. I would recommend this to anyone interested in Caribbean history or "universal" world literature.
This book should be read in French.......2001-07-27
While I have greatly profited from the translator's hard work and I do recommend that anglophones have a copy of her English version handy; reading this book in English is like reading Faulkner or Joyce translated into French. Again, I wish to emphasize that the translator has done a good job -- but the magic of the original pales in translation.
Five stars for the original (for which Chamoiseau won the Prix Goncourt) -- available from Amazon.fr
This book should be read in French.......2001-07-27
While I have greatly profited from the translator's hard work and I do recommend that anglophones have a copy of her English version handy; reading this book in English is like reading Faulkner or Joyce translated into French. Again, I wish to emphasize that the translator has done a good job -- but the magic of the original pales in translation.
Five stars for the original, which is available from www.amazon.fr
Excellent! Pure Oiseu de Cham!.......2001-07-05
It took me a little while to get into the rhythm of this book...I had just recently finished reading another book with a more linear storyline, but I kept at it and was rewarded with a wonderful, highly nuanced, passionate, and an ultimately funny story told by Marie-Sophie, Texaco's protector. Texaco, the place, is the heartbeat of the Creole nation of Martinique. Texaco, the book is peppered with ideas that are more eloquently described by Creole words or phrases. Chamoiseau is a brilliant writer who for me recalls Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Umberto Eco. I highly enjoy his work.
Brilliant........2000-10-28
At first, I couldn't get through the first two pages. So I began in the middle and after a chapter, went back to page one. My copy is now tattered; I've re-read it so many times. This book is brilliant. Esternome, Marie Sophie and the rest of them leave this world doing what so many of us fail to. They taste and hear life in all its dimensions. Three cheers for Oiseau de Cham. He really breaks it down.
Average customer rating:
- Cannot get enough.....
- Unique Medieval Romance
- Enjoyable, until the author cops-out.
- Unique story line, Beautiful romance
- Will leave you smiling and wanting more!
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Black Lion's Bride
Tina St. John
Manufacturer: Ivy Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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ASIN: 0804119635
Release Date: 2002-04-30 |
Customer Reviews:
Cannot get enough............2006-08-24
Another great book by Ms St John.
Another fast moving , heart warming, brilliant tale of an alpha male in need of adventure only to find true love, with a unique twist as expected in a book penned by Ms St. John. (Please read synopsis on Product review page)
It is filled with a great amount of necessary history of the genre to bring the story along.
Every description of each person, building, street etc jumps out at you as you read the book, the images vivid in your head just like it was meant to be.
I love the cultural differences between the Hero/Heroine and their willingness to adjust to each other even in the end when it would have been unnecessary.
I wanted to see more of the Heroine's Fidai skills though. She was portrayed as the only female worthy to be called a Fidai, but we didn't get to see much of what she was capable of doing. I also enjoyed the pre-story to Garreth of Fallonmour and seeing a cameo appeareance by Calab "Blackheart" and Emma, Isabel and Griffin and their "TWINS"!!!!!
MY ONLY PROBLEM: Was at the end of the book, when they all returned back to England, and in two-three months the Heroine was decribed to have "almost lost" her arabic accent when speaking English"
This is VERY impossible, (SPOILER WARNING)---> if she was abducted at the age of two and spoke Arabic and the Lingua Franca literally all her life , how could she have lost her accent in a mere two months????? Even if she tried very hard to fake it, there is no way she would have been able to dislodge her accent.
Unique Medieval Romance.......2005-04-18
This is one of my favorite romance books because it is wonderfully different from the typical medieval romance tale. It has depth, tension (not just romantic tension), and uniqueness. One of the major things I've been annoyed by in romance books (esp. those by Johanna Lindsey) is that they either make you really pity the main characters or make the heroine unbelievably headstrong..to a point where you just want to slap some sense into them when they are in their defiance mode. This book doesn't appear to use either of those techniques and I am truly grateful for not having to roll my eyes after every page.
Enjoyable, until the author cops-out........2004-06-26
I did enjoy this book but I had to give it 3 stars because I was totally disappointed and felt the author really copped out when 1/2 way through the book it's revealed ------ Don't read further if you don't want to know -- our heroine, Zahirah is not really Arab at all, but English! Not even 1/2 Arab. Not even a speck of Arab. In fact Sebastian doesn't even really declare his love to Zahirah until he suspects it...although I think it's clear he would have loved her regardless. I don't know why the author felt it necessary to do this. But it sort of wrecks the main premise and conflict of the book, that Sebastian and Zahirah can't help themselves and love each other despite their vast ethnic, religious, and cultural differences. The result: it just doesn't deliver the same punch (even though Zahirah doesn't know this about herself until near the end).
Unique story line, Beautiful romance.......2003-12-11
Sebastian and Zahirah are a refreshingly sweet couple. For once, the hero of the story does not spend most of the book denying his feelings. Sebastian falls true and hard for Zahirah, proclaiming:
"I love you. I don't care if you're brown or white. I don't care if you're English, Arab, half of each, or not of this world at all. I love you."
The entire book is filled with beauty like this. Tina St. John makes your heart do flip- flops with pure romance and steamy love scenes that never disappoint, nor do they get too repetative.
Both the hero and heroine are devoted to one another, enough so to turn away from their own people, and risk their own lives to protect one another.
When you sit down with this book, be prepared to stay in your seat. You won't be able to put the book down. You'll enjoy exciting sword battles, steamy love scenes, sweet romance, and a great base- story that keeps the book moving.
Will leave you smiling and wanting more!.......2003-05-18
I am on a great reading roll lately with excellent books, most recently this wonderful follow on title to Tina St. John's WHITE LION'S LADY. The romance in BLACK LION'S BRIDE was even more than I hoped for! How can you top a story that has a great, dark and dangerous warrior hero and an elusive, deadly assassin (femme fatale) for a heroine? I don't think you can! It's a story filled with emotion, action, and lots of passion that we romance readers all love. I loved it!
Product Description
As deadly as she is beautiful, Zahirah, daughter of the King of the Assassins, steals into the camp of the English army. She intends to murder King Richard, but her plan only delivers her into the hands of the enemy and puts her at the mercy of the dashing Black Lion, Sebastian of Montborne. Seeing only a mysterious beauty in need of his protection, Sebastian is unaware that Zahirah is the enemy he has sworn to destroy. Caught in a web of passion and deception, they now risk their lives to share a forbidden love.
Book Description
Slippery Jim DiGriz is the Stainless Steel Rat: the galaxy's greatest thief and con artist. For novel upon novel, the Rat has outfoxed the forces of conventionality, cutting a stylish swathe through dozens of star systems. Now three of the Rat's greatest exploits are collected in a single volume. In A Stainless Steel Rat Is Born, we see the origin and early days of Jim DiGriz's brilliant criminal career. In The Stainless Steel Rat Gets Drafted, the Rat must avenge the murder of his mentor-in-crime. And in The Stainless Steel Rat Sings the Blues, Slippery Jim must retrieve a missing alien artifact, while disguised as a futuristic rock-and-roller . . . or forfeit his life.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent edition .......2007-08-09
I am well pleased with this wonderful edition of an old "classic". Thanks, so much !
Fascinating!.......2004-02-25
I was interested to read how close this book came to the classic description of the Crucifixion in THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JESUS CHRIST as told to Neil Elliott. Both books are fascinating from first to last.
i never knew.......2003-08-30
I've read the Bible and of course I've recited the Apostle's Creed but until I read this book I never fully understood what crucifixion was. Dr. Barbet described in forensic detail what the body of a condemned man went through. He explains from history what the Romans commonly did to prisoners. For example, scourging wasn't just a beating.
Crucified victims died slowly, in agony from suffocation. I expected the book to be dry, it wasn't. I expected it to be interesting, it was fascinating. I read it once a year, usually during Lent and I am deeply moved by it each time.
As doctors go he's a pretty good Catholic.......2002-08-20
Dr. Barbet was the first person in modern times to simulate the Crucifixion, and he did so using corpses to examine what was and was not practical and feasible. This makes for a fascinating, if gruesome read, as Dr. Barbet uses these experiments and the evidence of the Turin Shroud to present an account of what crucifixion actually entailed for the victim.
The book overall is regrettably marred by the fact that many of Barbet's observations about the Turin Shroud, and thus his conclusions from it, are seriously questionable.
He claims to be able to discern the shape and number of scourge marks, for instance, on the Turin Shroud. In fact this isn't feasible, given the faint and pixellated image on it; so that the Shroud is throughout a Rorschach test of his faith and hence an index to the objectivity of the book. It scores rather low on that count.
Dr. Barbet argues, for instance, that the bifurcation of the blood flow from one wrist wound evidences a suffocating man writhing as he tried to breathe. A nailed wrist would have been immobile. He argues that the thumbs are invisible because the median nerve was damaged during crucifixion, but elsewhere maintains that the nails were driven through Destot's space, which is on the wrong side of the wrist entirely for this to happen. He also argues that the cause of death was suffocation, which Zugibe's subsequent experiments have shown was not the case.
This isn't a book about the authenticity of the Shroud, though; it's about the process of crucifixion. Whenever or however it was produced, it certainly appears to show a detailed image of a man who had been crucified. A mediaeval artist may have forged it, but if so, then he did so with an actual crucified man as his reference or model. This book tells you exactly what that felt like, and you may want to ask yourself if you really want to know.
A thorough, yet painful reminder of Christ's death..........2001-12-16
"I should no more expect anatomical precision from a theologian or a paleographer than I should ask a doctor for a dogmatic definition or for an explanation of some exegetical or historical point. To speak the truth, it seems to me essential that we should collaborate, and that each one should tell what he knows." (pg. 150).
Dr. Barbet gives us a heart-rending account of the pain and suffering that Christ undertook on our behalf. In the book, Dr. Barbet begins with the Shroud (Chapter 1), speaks on crucifixion and what was know about this practice (Chapter 2 and 3) and ten launches into the sufferings of Christ based on what history tells us about the practice of crucifixion (Chapters 4 through 7). He then explains what archaeology and the Gospels tells us about the removal from the cross and the burial (Chapters 8 and 9). The last couple of chapters ten touch on a scientifically accurate crucifix (Chapter 10) and Dr. Barbets final thoughts (Chapter 11) followed by a meditation on the Passion of our Lord, Jesus Christ (Chapter 12).
Though the book was written in the 1940's, the science is good and widely accepted. Dr. Barbet does a good job of putting things in a layman's context so everyone (not just those with an understanding of human anatomy/physiology) can understand what had taken place. The book s written very formally, but that is really a product of the time and does not detract from the message this book conveys.
After reading this book, I have come to a deeper appreciation of the sufferings of Christ, and I imagine that most people who do read this book will come to a similar conclusion. For anyone wanting to come to a deeper appreciation of the Passion, I would highly recommend this book, and it would handsomely complement any Bible study of the Passion narratives, especially during the Lenten season.
Amazon.com
Gourmet Cooking for Dummies is perfect when you want to upgrade from making back-of-the box recipes to mastering the fine points of culinary technique. Charlie Trotter, known for the creative, sophisticated dishes he prepares at his Chicago restaurant, is one of America's über gourmet chefs. Trotter is famous for amazingly artistic presentations, as the chapter "Architectural Cuisine Made Easy" amply demonstrates. Gourmet Cooking for Dummies is a good guide when you want to ease into classic French culinary techniques such as deglazing and tempering, and learn how to apply them in contemporary ways. Along with recipes ranging from reasonably easy to recherché, Trotter crams in an encyclopedic amount of information, complemented by 16 pages of color photos and illustrations that are sprinkled throughout the text. He even includes advice on pairing foods with wine, lists other cookbooks he recommends, and tells where to send away for the best ingredients. When you want to stun friends with a Whole Roasted Tomato filled with Roasted Garlic Soup and Crispy Fried Leeks, or Chicken Roulade with Prosciutto and Artichoke-Spinach Purée, Gourmet Cooking for Dummies shows you how to go for it.
Book Description
"Trotter's book stands equally alongside the works of Julia Child and James Beard."
—Library Journal
"Cooking a gourmet dinner doesn't have to be a frightening experience - Charlie Trotter's Gourmet Cooking For Dummies will dispel all your fears and help you turn out wonderful dishes."
- Ferdinand E. Metz, President of the Culinary Institute of America
"Look to Charlie Trotter for great wine choices for gourmets - Dummies or not! Educational, instructive, and delicious."
- Robert Mondavi, Robert Mondavi Winery
"Charlie Trotter has become famous for his unique and detailed approach to food. This book is no different - and entertaining as a bonus."
- Keith Keogh, C.E.C., President, California Culinary Academy
If tuna casserole is the most exciting meal you've made lately, let Gourmet Cooking For Dummies⢠come to your culinary rescue! In a matter of minutes, you can create mouth-watering dishes - from soups and sauces to zesty vegetarian delights and seafood masterpieces - that are guaranteed to impress your family and friends.
Inside, you'll discover how to:
- Set up your gourmet kitchen with the right pots and pans, tools, and spices
- Prepare sauces, soups, vegetable dishes, seafood creations, desserts, and more with a minimum of ingredients
- Create complete menus for any occasion, from a meal with your boss to a summer picnic
- Bring the world into your kitchen with recipes for ethnically inspired dishes
- Use Charlie's chef-tested cooking tips to make gourmet cooking fun and easy
Customer Reviews:
Great Reference Book and Good Recipies.......2006-09-25
An interesting book to dip into and gives recommendations by difficulty and cost of recipies. Easy to read and containing many nuggets of great info, this is a good gift for a novice or a more experienced cook. The other great feature is that there are many recommenations for other references out there. Simple techniques are included and a nice assortment of terms used in all sorts of chef situations.
This is my favorite book!.......2003-09-23
Not only my favorite cookbook, but my single favorite book of any kind, that I keep going back to again and again. I learn something new every time I pick up this little gem! Highly recommended for those of us not formally trained in the culinary arts!
This is Trotter's gift to the home chef.......2002-08-24
If you can forget the fact that this book is from the "for dummies" series, you are in for a real treat. During the first few chapters of this book, Trotter gives you detailed accounts of gourmet cooking methods, and soon you will understand what makes him one of the world's best chefs. I own books by Alice Walker, James Beard, Emeril, the Cul. Inst. of America, and none of them come close to exposing the breadth of knowledge Trotter presents. The exquisite recipes he gives in the later chapters give you detailed accounts of 'why' the recipes work, not only 'how.' I've been using the book as a guide now for about 8 months, (the pages are practically falling off), and people can't believe the meals I prepare. Most importantly, it actually teaches you how to cook by improvising if you want. Even if you are a good cook, you will feel humbled at how much you didn't actually know about the art. I assume, unfortunately, that the book's unattractive cover is the reason this has not become a staple in all kitchens.
A GREAT REFERENCE FOR THE ASPIRING CHEF.......2001-06-29
This is perhaps one of the most accessible (and affordable) `celebrity' cookbooks on the market today. The depth of explanation is remarkable compared to Trotter's other books, many of which serve only to stoke the ego of a wealthy restaurateur. Gourmet Cooking for Dummies breaks down many of the barriers associated with fine cooking. By explaining techniques (many of which are very simple), Trotter's book allows readers to expose themselves to food and cooking to an extent previously limited to complicated picture books dedicated to food (as many of Trotter's other books are). A great learning tool for beginners, and (as the saying goes) "a reference for the rest of us." Highly recommended.
The recipes are supurb!.......1999-08-06
If anyone is interested in becoming a truly Gormet Cook, this is the book. For the very experienced cook, there isn't a lot new as far as tips and information, however, the recipes are sublime. Each one is better than the next and they are fairly easy to read and follow for excellent results. I was very impressed and would recommend it not only for the information but epecially for the exotic yet simple recipes.
Average customer rating:
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Sushi Para Dummies
Judi Strada
Manufacturer: Grupo Editorial Norma
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 9580484449 |
Average customer rating:
- All of CT's secrets under a hideously ugly cover.
- Cookathomechef
- Gourmet Cooking for Everyone
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Gourmet Cooking for Dummies / Entertaining for Dummies
Charlie Trotter , and
Judi Carle
Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0764581406 |
Customer Reviews:
All of CT's secrets under a hideously ugly cover........2002-08-23
Please don't be put off because this is a 'for dummies' book. I own all of Charlie Trotter's books (as well as about forty other cook-books), and this is by far the best book out there. "Gourmet Cooking" is a readable, useable, un-clunky version of the "The Professional Chef" by the Culinary Institute. This teaches you how and why gourmet chefs do the things they do with the ingredients they use. The first few chapters explain what knowledge is needed to prepare a gourmet meal; i.e.- how to blend tastes, textures, temperatures, and courses. This knowledge is invaluable and once you understand it, you will also realize that almost no home-chefs have this knowledge. Then Trotter goes into chapters of outstanding recipes that have been proven at his restaurants, so we know they work. He also explains why the recipes work, what to serve them with, and numerous other useful hints. My cooking has gone into the stratosphere due to this book and nobody believes that I didn't attend cooking school. I have tried to get about ten other people to read this, and eight of them would not because 'for dummies' and 'gourmet' don't go together... but the two people who did are now also preparing meals that leave guests speechless.
Cookathomechef.......2002-08-23
Please don't be put off because this is a 'for dummies' book. I own all of Charlie Trotter's books (as well as about forty other cook-books), and this is by far the best book out there. "Gourmet Cooking" is a readable, useable, un-clunky version of the "The Professional Chef" by the Culinary Institute. This teaches you how and why gourmet chefs do the things they do with the ingredients they use. The first few chapters explain what knowledge is needed to prepare a gourmet meal; i.e.- how to blend tastes, textures, temperatures, and courses. This knowledge is invaluable and once you understand it, you will also realize that almost no home-chefs have this knowledge. Then Trotter goes into chapters of outstanding recipes that have been proven at his restaurants, so we know they work. He also explains why the recipes work, what to serve them with, and numerous other useful hints. My cooking has gone into the stratosphere due to this book and nobody believes that I didn't attend cooking school. I have tried to get about ten other people to read this, and eight of them would not because 'for dummies' and 'gourmet' don't go together... but the two people who did are now also preparing meals that leave guests speechless.
Gourmet Cooking for Everyone.......2001-04-19
I just ordered this book. I have recently gotten into cooking, and I can't wait to read this book cover to cover, and make all the recipes from it. I will definitely use this book for years to come.
Customer Reviews:
Read this before you go antiquing!.......2006-07-13
This is the book that convinced me I could have fun with collecting even though I don't have an unlimited budget. I got the inside track from a real expert. The author writes as though he's talking to me personally. I can go to an antiques show or flea market now and have the confidence to talk to the dealers, and usually get a better deal on whatever I buy. I bought copies for a couple of my girlfriends who I go antiquing with and they loved it too. Heartily recommended.
Affordable antqiues: less for more.......2004-08-28
This book was wonderful. I have been antiquing for about 15 years now and wish I had this book when I started. It gives you advice on how to bargin with dealers and how to handle auctions. It also gives you some good advice on how to look for the sleepers at garage sales and also at thrift stores. Very well written. Could hardly put it down! Few pictures and not much detail on marks and how to really tell an orginal from a repoduction. But for some one just getting their feet wet and who only want to spend a few dollars, this book is well worth it.
excellent knowledge, wonderfully written.......2004-07-08
Excellent book- increasing your knowledge and know-how of antiques by 700%, it also was a pleasure to read. Highly recommended.
The Secrets to Affordable Antiques.......2004-07-02
Frank Loomis knows his stuff. This is the easiest book to follow, the best advice for newcomers to antiquing, and packed with valuable information for everyone who has ever found an interesting article in the attic. Frank has obviously worked very hard to acheive this amazing book. I will now start my collecting with a valuable asset in my back pocket, The Secrets to Affordable Antiques.
Ann Brandt, author of Crowfoot Ridge, HarperCollins 1999
How to Be a Savvy Antiquer.......2004-06-30
This book does a wonderful job of steering novices as well as "vintage" antique buyers into making well-thought-out purchases. I found the many tips very helpful. Even though I've been in and out of the antique trade world for 20 years, Mr. Loomis's book gave me a number of insights which I had not been aware of. I highly recommend this book to anyone who dapples in the antique world. One of the many strengths in his writing is that it invites even those with limited resources to have a valuable experience when out antiquing.
Book Description
This must-have volume for NASCAR fans and collectors features all the diecast models, plastic-model kits, Hot Wheels, Matchbox cars, transporter models and other NASCAR toys that have been available to fans over the course of the last 20 years. Examples are arranged by driver and accompanied by brief descriptions providing dates of manufacture.
Customer Reviews:
JOKE~!!!.......2006-02-22
First of all, I HATE the BIG UGLY picture of American Car Racer...do not know his name, on the cover of the book. Second, I hate NASCAR and Cheap political HOT WHEEL junk I do not even care for looking at. The book should focus on HIGH QUALITY COLLECTIBLE BRANDS ONLY. What a waste of paper~!!!
This book was WEAK!.......2005-06-20
I did much better finding things on
www.nascarfantalk.com
Also disappointed.......2005-02-21
I agree that this book has very little to offer someone who is interested in diecast collecting and diecast values. The book contains some interesting photos and NASCAR history, but mostly sizzle with very little steak. Save your money.
A big disappointment.......2005-02-07
Very disappointing! This book has very little information on the value of nascar diecast and it doesn't have pictures to correspond with the item description. It lists the cars by team rather than just by dirver so it has maybe 10-15 max car models per TEAM. If you are into Nascar collectibles you know there are lots more than just 10-15 per team. This book leaves a lot to be desired.
Book Description
Through 250 photographs, take an in-depth look at the finest kitchens Country Living has ever profiled, and explore the elements, from cabinets to appliances, that form their foundation. These beautifully designed rooms come from American farmhouses, suburban homes, and even city apartments. See how to sort through the many available options, while considering your own needs and budget.
Customer Reviews:
I liked this book very much.......2002-11-10
This large and attractive book is colorful look at the country kitchen, as reinterpreted for the modern world. Chapter one is a look at some of the author's favorite kitchens, while chapter two presents different styles of country kitchens. Chapter three is a pictorial examination of kitchen elements (cabinets, rugs, etc.), and chapter four (my favorite) looks kitchen collectables, such as woodenware, redware, and other such functional and decorative kitchen extras.
I liked this book very much. It's 250 color photos provided lots of ideas, and lots of candy for the eye. This is a good book for interior decorators of all stripes, even those of us just doing it for our own enjoyment. Recommended.
Customer Reviews:
One of the best cake cookbooks ever!.......2007-09-10
I just started making cakes about a year ago, and as a newbie, I was searching for a recipe for strawberry cake from scratch. This was the only book I found that had one. The cake came out looking and tasting great--it looked just like the picture, and I am looking forward to making more cakes from this book for the holidays. The pictures are beautiful (a picture of each cake is shown), and the recipes are easy to follow.
Book Description
A combined book-and-DVD package, Freewave is a sourcebook of freeware for the cut-and-paste generation and a showcase of graphic design talent. The disc contains the complete makeup of the book, including fonts, layouts, photographs, and illustrations, as well as pieces of interactive software, animations, and sound loops. All the content supplied can be reused without restriction for printed material, websites, software, or presentation. AUTHOR BIO: David Luscombe, designer and developer of Freewave, cofounded Fontmonster, an Internet company that offers free fonts, in 1999. Alison Rosco is project manager and researcher of Freewave.
Customer Reviews:
incredible must have resource.... for people who like to take it apart themselves. .......2007-09-08
So I just picked this book up at B&N after not finding it on amazon (thought it was "freeware"). Anyway, I learn by taking it apart. My first car was a Honda Prelude, and I didn't know a single thing about cars or engines until the damn thing broke on me a few times. After a full head rebuild and an engine swap I can tell you a lot about any honda. Back to the book- It works on this same concept. As a designer we always see things and ask ourselves/each other "how in the f*** do they do that?" And prior to this book I would google endlessly through tons of different illustrator tutorials. With this book I can find something similar in it and pull up the actual file. And through a little reverse engineering figure it out.
I'm on the first page, first file and I've already had about 10 questions answered. I seriously think other reviewers are downplaying this and keeping it as their own little secret! shame shame! just kidding. As far as all of the vector elements, fonts, and stock photo's I really don't think that is the main purpose of the book. Again, it's a good way to have that little honda engine blown up in front of you.
I understand this isn't a new concept for design books but it's new to me and I'm sure as hell going to buy any other book like this, and highly suggest this one unless you went to a good art school and already know everything ;)
Good resource.......2007-07-26
I agree this is a good value for the money you spend. files are inspirational as well as well as useful. not "must have", but a "fun to have".
Great resource and inspirational too!.......2006-03-27
Great concept and good execution, and decent range of artists/styles. Vector elements can be broken down/ungrouped so lots of versatility, and photos are good too. Fonts are just OK - not as helful as I'd hoped.
Generally a good value-for-money clip art resource.
Average customer rating:
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FreeWave's corporate culture spells success: An article from: Boulder County Business Report
Elizabeth Gold
Manufacturer: Boulder Business Information Corporation
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Time to Be in Earnest: A Fragment of Autobiography
P.D. James
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Cover Her Face
ASIN: 0345442121
Release Date: 2001-02-27 |
Amazon.com
"At seventy-seven it is time to be in earnest," wrote Samuel Johnson, and bestselling crime writer P.D. James took this maxim as a challenge, setting out to record "one year that otherwise might be lost." The result is a fascinating and reflective account, part diary and part memoir, of one very full year of Baroness James's life, interspersed with her memories and intelligent analysis of "what it was like to be born two years after the end of the First World War and to live for seventy-eight years in this tumultuous century." P.D. James grew up in Cambridge, England, between the wars and worked in the home office of the forensic and criminal justice departments, which sparked her interest in that area, though she did not become a published novelist until 1962 with Cover Her Face. She began to write full-time after her "retirement" in 1979, and along the way became a governor of the BBC before taking a seat in the House of Lords in 1991. Time to Be in Earnest is a lucid and penetrative work by one of the most influential figures currently involved with the arts in Britain. James reveals her vast scope for enjoyment, interest, and simply getting on with life (her husband, Connor White, died at the age of 44 in 1964 after years of mental illness), whether it be spending time with her children and grandchildren, musing on the hideous British architectural mistakes of the 1960s, or giving her view of the controversies continually surrounding the running of the BBC. At an age when many people would be considering slowing down, James seems constantly on the move, recording her day-to-day existence and her past with an alert and judicious eye. "I am sustained by the magnificent irrationality of faith," she states. "I inhabit a different body, but I can reach back over nearly 70 years and recognise her as myself. Then I walked in hope--and I do so still." --Catherine Taylor, Amazon.co.uk
Book Description
On the day she turned seventy-seven, internationally acclaimed mystery writer P. D. James embarked on an endeavor unlike any other in her distinguished career: she decided to write a personal memoir in the form of a diary. Over the course of a year she set down not only the events and impressions of her extraordinarily active life, but also the memories, joys, discoveries, and crises of a lifetime. This enchantingly original volume is the result.
Time to Be in Earnest offers an intimate portrait of one of most accomplished women of our time. Here are vivid, revealing accounts of her school days in Cambridge in the 1920s and '30s, her happy marriage and the tragedy of her husband's mental illness, and the thrill of publishing her first novel, Cover Her Face, in 1962. As she recounts the decades of her exceptional life, James holds forth with wit and candor on such diverse subjects as the evolution of the detective novel, her deep love of the English countryside, her views of author tours and television adaptations, and her life-long obsession with Jane Austen. Wise and frank, engaging and graceful, this "fragment of autobiography" will delight and surprise P. D. James's admirers the world over.
Download Description
In 1997, P. D. James decided to undertake a book unlike any she had written before: a personal memoir in the form of a diary. Structured as the diary of a single year, it roams back and forth through time, illuminating James's extraordinary, sometimes painful and sometimes joyful life." "Here, interwoven with reflections on her writing career and the craft of crime novels, are vivid accounts of episodes in her own past - of school days in 1920s and 1930s Cambridge ... of the war and the tragedy of her husband's madness ... of her determined struggle to support a family alone.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing.......2007-02-15
As a long-time fan of PD James, I was eager to read her fragment of an autobiography. Upon finishing it, I regretted reading it. This esteemed author reveals a bit too much about her extremely right-wing politics, her puzzling infatuation with rank and privilege, and her obsessive nature. I didn't count the number of speeches and signings she did in her 78th year, but the number would be staggering. She seems unable to refuse any request to be honored and fawned over. Of course, her obsessive nature is useful in crime fiction, I suppose. And her prose remains the model of clarity. I still love her work and will go on reading it, but I will have to make an effort to separate my negative impression of the woman.
A Time To Be.......2006-06-27
As a fan of P.D. James' mysteries, reading her 'fragment of autobiography' served as an interesting chance to get to know the woman behind the words. "A Time To Be In Earnest" is a diary written for one year of the author's life: since the original intent was publication, there is a formality to it and it does lack the spontaneity of emotions of other diaries. Yet that does not diminish what is written within its pages, for it is a glimpse into the everyday life of a woman, a writer, a grandmother, a public image, etc... as she reflects on the past, present, and what the future may bring.
P.D. James did not begin writing her novels until she was in her thirties - she was already married with two daughters and worked as a public servant. Her diary begins with a note to the reader about the task ahead. The title is taken from a quote by Samuel Johnson that reads, "At seventy-seven it is time to be in earnest" and so during her seventy-seventh year, James keeps this diary as a way to ward off the would-be writers of biographies and to help her remember certain events and moments in the face of oncoming age. Sometimes her entries focus on her early life, giving readers a brief biographical sketch of home and school, while other entries are forays into James' thoughts on current affairs, past crimes, and what it is like to be an author in demand. Also during this year, readers follow the author as she promotes her newly published book ("A Certain Justice") and travels throughout the world, allowing readers to into her insights on the places she visits.
There is no doubt that P.D. James has led an extraordinary life, having experienced love, loss, and the shattering and numbing consequences of war. Her diary is, at times, like sitting down with an old friend (who happens to be a favorite author) and discussing books, history and the affairs of the day. Readers are drawn into her life, just as they are drawn into the characters she creates in her fiction. (An included positive for Jane Austen fans, is a talk that James gave on "Emma" and how it is a detective story, with James laying out the clues that Austen left for readers to find.) James may fancy herself a grandmother who happens to write detective stories, but I for one am glad that she continues to write, well into her eighties.
One of the most unique autobiographies you'll ever read.......2005-05-02
This has to be one of the most unique autobiographies I've ever read. The premise is brilliant. P.D. James takes one year of her life, at age 77, and as we follow her from activity to relative to meeting to book event, she also takes the time to reflect on the larger picture of her life and the people she has known for most of her life, providing historical details as a stream of conscious memory. Some of her life just isn't that interesting, but trying to manage two children and a marriage to a man who spent most of his adult life in asylums, as well as being made a Peeress of the Realm, and all of the publication minutae are pretty interesting. It is always fun to read the story of a life richly lived by an accomplished person.
One Writer's Life.......2003-05-20
One reviewer said of this book, ". . . parts about the more technical aspects of book writing and publishing . . . tend to be dry and would hold more appeal to writers and those in the publishing business." These were the parts I liked best, and I'm not a writer. But I am a reader, and I've read and enjoyed most of P. D. James's books and the other books she discusses.
James kept a diary during the year she was seventy-seven. She records what's happening in the present and reflects on aspects of her past. In the present, James is constantly traveling, giving talks, and spending time with friends old and new. She appears to be a very busy person. All this traveling about, though not exactly boring, is not exactly fascinating either. To me, the more interesting parts were about the past and especially her thoughts and opinions on other writers, mainly mystery writers. Ms. James is another big fan of Jane Austen's, and an appendix gives the text of a talk she gave to the Jane Austen Society on mystery in EMMA.
Ms. James's outlook on life is that most things were better in the past (with the big exception of sanitary protection). She appreciates her relatively good health and independence and is grateful for each day, storing up good memories to sustain her as she grows older.
James is too refined to speak ill of anyone and is unwilling to reveal personal details about her life with a mentally ill spouse. She is quite willing to share her opinions on public issues, but she's reluctant to give us the inner P. D. James.
Still, I was more interested in this book than the other one I was reading at the same time, V. S. Naipaul's A HOUSE FOR MR BISWAS.
If you're a mystery fan, you'll probably enjoy James's remarks about other mystery writers of the past.
Don't Have to Be a P.D. James Fan.......2002-07-05
After an uneven beginning, Time to Be In Earnest, settles down to an earnest and enjoyable memoir (it is in diary form, covering a year: 1997-1998).
P.D. James has a distinct voice, comprised of dignity, reserve, confidence, practicality and intelligence. This voice or persona flows throughout the book. Not a reader of P.D. James' mystery novels, I have no way of knowing if this voice appears in her fiction. It is not a quiescent voice and therefore, not lightly ignored. It does give the reader an image of the author's personality, an image that may or may not be accurate.
P.D. James has an eye for detail, a quality that can bog down many a memoir and almost does in this case. However, there is something lesiurely, even unaggressive, about the wealth of detail, and it is intermingled with reflections on religion, nature, life, entertainment, writing and much more. And if you enjoy well-written pictures of nature, the prose of P.D. James will certainly delight and satisfy.
In fact, there's a bit of everything in this autobiography for everyone. I found the comments about writing and true life detective cases most interesting as well as P.D. James' experiences in WWII. There are references to Chatsworth, the House of Lords, the BBC and more prosaically, P.D. James' cat, the Civil Service and the work on her house.
There is always the suspicion in reading autobiography that it will be like watching other people's home movies: just a tad deary and confusing. This is not the case of Time to Be In Earnest. The smoothness of the writing carries the reader past all unknown faces (and it's fun to "meet" the few known ones). One gets the experience of the author's life as it happens. Many--if not most--memoirs/autobiographies are the analysis of events after they have been lived. This is true of sections of Time to Be In Earnest as well (and the analysis is always interesting) but the process of living alongside someone is what sets this book apart.
It is not a book to rush through. Read it a bit at a time and catch the very English flavor of a very English lady.
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