The Winemaker's Daughter

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Stick to nonfiction!

Even heros have flaws

Beware the Reviews

Two stars for effort.

The Winemaker's Daughter
Timothy Egan
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1400034108
Release Date: 2005-01-11

Amazon.com

While The Winemaker's Daughter may be his first foray into fiction, Seattle author Timothy Egan is certainly no stranger to critical acclaim. As his debut novel deftly illustrates, this Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist certainly shows great talent for capturing the essence of a scene. His descriptive prose is infused with a certain lushness--just like a misty Seattle day. Where Egan stumbles, though, is in trying to bring together several plot lines and characters. While they share a thinly knit connection, none of them ever rises up to truly engage the reader.

The novel follows the story of Brunella Cartolano, an Italian winemaker's daughter who embarks on a battle to save her aging father's Pacific Northwest vineyards after a treacherous fire takes the life of her brother, Niccolo. At the same time, Brunella is struggling to preserve a historic Seattle waterfront from being destroyed and redeveloped by a Bill Gates-like millionaire. Brunella is also pursuing a romantic relationship with her brother's friend Teddy Flax, and with the Nez Perce Forest Service man who is investigating the fire that took her brother's life. Confused? Herein lies the problem with what could have been a dreamy, well-conceived look at life in the post-dot-com era of the Pacific Northwest--Egan strives to accomplish too much in too few pages. Rather than positioning itself as an epic tale of betrayal, love, lust, and loyalty, The Winemaker's Daughter never truly develops the themes that are so central to its success. --Gisele Toueg

Book Description

Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times national correspondent Timothy Egan turns to fiction with The Winemaker's Daughter, a lyrical and gripping novel about the harsh realities and ecological challenges of turning water into wine.

When Brunella Cartolano visits her father on the family vineyard in the basin of the Cascade Mountains, she's shocked by the devastation caused by a four-year drought. Passionate about the Pacific Northwest ecology, Brunella, a cultural impact analyst, is embroiled in a battle to save the Seattle waterfront from redevelopment and to preserve a fisherman's livelihood. But when a tragedy among fire-jumpers results from a failure of the water supply–her brother Niccolo is among those lost--Brunella finds herself with another mission: to find out who is sabotaging the area's water supply. Joining forces with a Native American Forest Ranger, she discovers deep rifts rooted in the region's complicated history, and tries to save her father's vineyard from drying up for good . . . even as violence and corruption erupt around her.

Customer Reviews:

Stick to nonfiction!.......2007-07-13

Our book club recently read "The Worst Hard Times" by Timothy Egan and we loved it! However, the authors first foray into nonfiction falls terribly flat. Since it was another selection for our book club, I trudged through it, gagging on the stilted dialogue, underdeveloped characters, and lack of emotional depth. On the bright side, the authors sense of place aptly depicts the Northwest, but then almost too much so. He gets lost in overdone descriptions...of everything except for his characters. I give him credit for trying to write fiction, but for the time being I will stick to his nonfiction books, which really shine.

Even heros have flaws.......2005-07-16

Unfortunately, Timothy Egan seems to forget that in this novel. Among the issues I have with this novel, this is the biggest. His characters are perfect. The heroine is smart and sexy and physically fit and the top of her field. She speaks Italian with her father, has a taste for wine (not to be unexpected, given the subject matter), seems completely at home in the country or city and seems to be passionate about everything.

In other words, she's boring.

I picked up this book because I was looking for a Northwest author writing about the Northwest. What I found was warmed over prose written by an author who is too full of himself. He's in desperate need of a serious and skilled editor.

Beware the Reviews.......2004-06-20

There was a lot of hype in the NYTimes about this book along with a great review. Now that I've read it, it seems to me it's the good-old-boys network supporting one of their own. It realy is nothing more than a potboiler. So much of the story is disjointed - you are jarred going from one scene to another - where is the transition or even the rationale? No character is real - they merely behave how you would think they should. There is no real development and no poetry in the writing. It really seems like a non-fiction writer said "now I must write that novel." Too bad really good books by completely unknown writers don't get the big write-up from the Times. My book club prefers to read books they have "heard about" rather than try a new author who really has talent. So much for promoting new good writers rather than ensuring that the inner circle keeps earning their money so they can stick around and support their buddies. Corrupt that this book gets the big splash.

Two stars for effort. .......2004-03-24

The setting and the premise are interesting but the story never develops. People and events are never connected. This book reads more like a rough draft than a finished story.

Average customer rating:

The Winemaker's Daughter
Timothy Egan
Manufacturer: Vintage Books / Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000P42K1S

Book Description

At first Wayfarer Inspector Danolarian thought the huge oval thing that had fallen from the sky was a dragon's egg. When it opened, however, he knew that it was much, much worse. His world was being invaded by pitiless sorcerers from Lupan, who could sweep whole armies aside, and even defeat the invulnerable glass dragons. Surrender or flight were the only options ... but not for Inspector Danolarian, his Wayfarer Constables, and his sweetheart, the sorceress Lavenci.
Although Danolarian is no sorcerer, he's no ordinary Wayfarer either. Faced with civilization crumbling around him, and organized resistance shattered by the invincible magic of the Lupanians, he chances upon an unlikely ally and begins to fight back. It won't be easy, for he has to rally the demoralized sorcerers of Alberin, organize its terrified citizens, stay one step ahead of his own past, and, most importantly, survive a dinner party with Lavenci's mother.

Customer Reviews:

Don't get it........2007-01-17

I picked this one off the shelf (at the library, fortunately!) without knowing anything about the author or the previous books in the series. Reviews here make it seem like you can start in the middle of the series: that's not the case at all. I read the first fifty pages, and saw no particular reason to waste my time finishing it. The characters are pathetic cardboard caricatures (the Revolutionary With Excessive Vocabulary is a perfect example: been there, read that; and I've seen much better, might I add?). It might have been worth reading on if any of the characters had any more than their single, overemphasized quirk. As it is, I couldn't manage to care about any of them long enough to find out if they ever attain development.

I'm only giving it three stars because I didn't read to the end, and it's always possible that it gets more interesting. Anything is possible....

A Touch of Romantic Fantasy to the Moonworlds Saga.......2006-03-26

The best of the Moonworlds series so far, in my opinion. I really liked Voyage of the Shadowmoon a lot, and I liked Glass Dragons too, but this book out-shines the others. The writing is definitely getting better. The story is all about an alien invasion of the planet Verral and what the locals do to fight it off - old idea, creative new angle.

It ties up some loose ends from the previous two Moonworld books but you don't need to read the earlier books to appreciate this one, as the books are pretty much stand-alone, self-contained stories. Minor characters from the earlier books such as Lavenci are now major characters.

It is just as action packed and fast-paced as the previous books. The humour is just as bawdy. I am impressed with Sean McMullen's ability to write three distinctly different leading male characters for each of his Moonworlds books. Danolarian could be described as the traditional hero but with a very BIG secret. This book is also very romantic, due to the Danolarian-Lavenci courtship sub-plot.

The other sub-plot is the political and social repercussions from the goings-on in the earlier books have finally arrived. The third sub-plot is the founding of democracy on Verral. The three sub-plots are neatly integrated with the main story line.

My only complaint - Laron is a minor character in this book.

Invasion of the Moonworld.......2006-03-21

McMullen is never so crass as to actually describe it, but the Moonworlds Saga is set on the earth-sized moon Verral, which orbits with its three sister moons around a kind of Super-Jovian ringed planet. Where our Jupiter generates strong magnetic fields, Verral experiences etherics, which give rise to a kind of sorcerous magic. A kind of magic which, if wrongly used, can have all kinds of disastrous consequences.

Voidfarer follows the further adventures and misadventures of the motley cast of characters first introduced in "Voyage of the Shadowmoon" and continued in "Glass Dragons." This time, the threat to the safety of the moonworld Verra comes from an invasion by the sorcerors of its sister moon Lupan. The Lupan sorcerors are far more powerful than those of Verral. On their giant glass tripod war machines, the Lupanese set out to conquer Verral.

Yes, it is a fantasy version of H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds" but it's also a McMullen, which means humor, love, sex, intricate plotting, betrayals and epic journeys across stunning fantasy landscapes. It's also the story of the arrival of democracy on the feudal moon of Verral, which gives McMullen the chance to spoof most Marxist cliche's.

No character in a Moonworld story is exactly who what he or she appears to be. No McMullen character's motivations are what you think they are. This story, told in the first person by a kind of roving marshal, is self-contained. You don't have to have read "Shadowmoon" or "Dragons" to enjoy this tale, but if you haven't you'll miss half the fun. When the courtier Laron says he is an old man in young man's body, it means far more if you have read "Shadowmoon."

And there will plainly be a sequel.

The Moonworlds Saga does't pretend to be high concept stuff. This is not Tolkien or any of its tedious horde of Tolkien wannabes. But it is fun and sometimes delightful reading. McMullen improves with each book. Recommended.

Book Description

The Daystar crew discovers an escape pod that was frozen in time. The pilot inside, Galan Knowles, has been frozen for more than 5000 years! But their thrilling discovery enrages the Daystar's enemy, Sir Richard Irons and the Jackray. Before the Jackray ambushes, the crew must start putting the pieces together. In this fast-paced sci-fi adventure, the space rangers discover how God reveals Himself to us in times of fear and confusion.

Customer Reviews:

freezing.......2000-12-06

This is an awesome book. You can understand it very well and it gives you a lot of suspense.This is the first daystar book i have ever read and its coool. Read it but dont FREEZE.

Book Description

READING THE OLD TESTAMENT, now in its third edition, has proven itself as a guide that successfully teaches students how to read the Hebrew Bible and how to go about mining the Biblical text for literary, historical, and thematic meaning. The book actively applies recent literary, rhetorical, and structural studies that shed light on art, design, coherence, characterization, theme, and other literary features of the Hebrew Bible. An engaging and instructive CD-ROM also comes packaged free with the text. This innovative and much acclaimed resource--developed by the author himself--includes the entire text of the Bible, the entire text of the book, and an interactive Study Guide. In both the book and on the CD-ROM, Bandstra demonstrates how knowledge of ancient culture, religion, and history is essential for interpreting Biblical texts. While history, archaeology, and extra-biblical documents are heavily utilized, they are presented only as they apply directly to specific Biblical texts.

Customer Reviews:

Old Testament Information.......2001-12-29

I used this book as a primary textbook in two classes: one on the Hebrew prophets, the other a general survey of the Old Testament. I found the book to be quite readable and even enjoyable, in spots. Most of my fellow classmates grumbled about reading this book. They complained that it was boring and lengthy. However, if you have no knowledge of the OT, this book will certainly illuminate the intricacies of the Hebrew Bible. Bandstra manages to maintain a good degree of neutrality with his writing, a process that is not easy to do when writing about the Bible. There is a CD included with the book that has maps, tons of texts and other helpful information that supplements the text. If you are assigned this book for your class, don't worry. You could do much worse.

Great textbook with an interactive CD.......1999-12-23

Bandstra focusses on the story line of the Hebrew Bible and does an admirable job of integrating historical and literary studies. A student reading this book will have a clear grasp of both the biblical story of Israel's history and the work of modern scholars on the subject. Bandstra writes with a sensitivity to the faith stance of the biblical writers yet does not shy away from critical issues which challenge a facile reading of the biblical texts. He introduces critical biblical scholarship as it becomes relevant to understanding those texts. Students will learn the content of the Hebrew Bible as well as scholarly methods for interpreting biblical texts.

The CD included with the book is extremely helpful. It includes the entire text of the book, the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (with links between the two at relevant points), and a wealth of learning aids for students.

Currently reading.......1997-09-17

I am a student at Houston Baptist University and I am currently reading this book as part of a course that studies the Old Testament. Surely there are better texts that discuss the translations of the Old Testament

INTRODUCTION TO THE HEBREW BIBLE: AN INDUCTIVE READING OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

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INTRODUCTION TO THE HEBREW BIBLE: AN INDUCTIVE READING OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
Michael Brennan Dick
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OI7XM6

Book Description

Looking for future employment as a postdoc? Or desperately looking for the perfect present for a chemist friend? Maybe you simply enjoy cooking and reading about current developments in chemistry research?
Then look no more: The very first Who's Who in organic chemistry to show what top scientists like cooking - on the bench and stove - and how they have made their way. Use K. C. Nicolaou's recipe for fish and chips and read about his scientific work while preparing the meal that helped him finance his studies back in England. More than 50 personal recipes and anecdotes from leading organic chemists, such as Lonely soup (Evans), Wild boar - Tuscan way (Waldmann), and Dulce de Leche (Vollhardt), accompanied by biographies and sketches of their current work, this is an exquisite delicacy for anybody who likes cooking, eating and chemistry.

Customer Reviews:

An invitation to dine at the periodic table........2003-09-25

"This book was the idea of a group of graduate students working for L. F. Tietze, a respected professor at the University of Goettingen, Germany. Building on their hunch that inside almost every chemist is a chef waiting to get out, they wrote to 100 of the world's leading organic chemists and asked them to contribute to a cookbook in Tietze's honour. Sixty recipes arrived on their desks: everything from Green Eel a la Marie to Lemon Kiwi Pie, a work far from formulaic.[...] A few recipes are for industrial quantities of chilli or lasagne to feed students; there is an occasional admission that a recipe originates from a restaurant or a wife. A handful are set out with method and materials as if, rather leadenly, for experimental purposes. But, overall, there is an overwhelming flavour of people who cook often, with ambition and for pleasure." (modified according to Karen Gold in: The Times Higher Education Supplement, July 18, 2003, p. 20f)

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American Stonewares: The Art And Craft of Utilitarian Potters
Georgeanna H. Greer
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Pottery & Ceramics | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0764322478

Book Description

This entirely different book on American Stonewares presents the history and the technology of production. Complete chapters describe the method of turning clay into pots, common and uncommon forms in which pots were made, the meaning of various marks and the varieties of decoration, the glazes employed, and the firing process. Never before have the various forms manufactured been so completely described and pictured. Temporal and regional variations are presented. Pots from different areas of the United States and Canada and dating from the earliest eighteenth century pieces into the twentieth century are included. A detailed chapter on glazes describes the characteristics of the four major forms of glaze used upon American Stonewares, including the curious Southern Alkaline glaze. The manner of preparation, components, characteristics and defects of these glazes are fully presented. A chapter on firing includes a description of various methods of stacking and furniture for this as well as a discussion of the effects of firing upon the body clay and the glazes.

American Stonewares: The Art and Craft of Utilitarian Potters

Average customer rating:

American Stonewares: The Art and Craft of Utilitarian Potters
Georgeanna H. Greer
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K11ZJ4

Product Description

From the dust jacket: "This entirely different book on American Stonewares presents the history and the technology of production. Complete chapters describe the method of turning clay into pots, common and uncommon forms in which pots were made, the meaning of various marks and the varieties of decoration, the glazes employed, and the firing process. Never before have the various forms manufactured been so completely described and pictured. Temporal and regional variations are presented. Pots from different areas of the United States and Canada and dating from the earliest eighteenth century pieces into the twentieth century are included. A detailed chapter on glazes describes the characteristics of the four major forms of glaze used upon American Stonewares, including the curious Southern Alkaline form of glaze. The manner of preparation, components, characteristics and defects of these glazes are fully presented. A chapter on firing includes a description of various methods of stacking and furniture for this as well as a discussion of the effects of firing upon the body clay and the glazes.

Book Description

If you're a dog lover who can sew, saw, cook, or paint, then you're barking up the right tree with this book! The crafts here include quilting and crocheting, woodworking and carpentry, baking and grilling, but all the most basic levels of skill. Create the Canny Canine Quilt, Paws That Refreshes Placemats, the Let-Sleeping-Dogs-Lie bed, and ecologically correct Canine Fashion Sweaters. All fifty projects will surely bring hours of pleasure to any dog and its human friends. 128 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 10.

Book Description

A sprawling compendium of Art Deco design from across Europe, Euro Deco features a broad range of exemplary graphic ephemera. Culled from Steven Heller and Louise Fili's popular International Deco series of inspirational reference books, the material in Euro Deco comes from Italy, Spain, the UK, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, primarily between WWI and WWII -- the time when the continent gave birth to modern graphic design. Well over a thousand images from posters, packaging, advertisements, menus, and brochures display the elegant geometry and harmonious marriage of typography and illustration that make deco a popular style to this day. A generous package at an attractive price, Euro Deco is poised to be a standard graphic resource for designers, collectors, and aesthetes alike.

Customer Reviews:

Graphic nostalgia.......2007-08-01

The origins of this book were six from the Chronicle Deco series. They covered European commercial art (1920 to 1940) from Britain, France, Germany, Holland Italy and Spain and about half of each is reproduced in this excellent and beautiful looking book.

Fili and Heller write in the introduction that Art Deco would have been launched sooner had it not been for the First World War interrupting the plans of the French to stage a huge trade fair to showcase their commercial creativity. The world had to wait until 1925 for the Paris 'Exposition des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Moderne' to kick-start a new visual culture.

The six nation chapters are sub-divided into graphic sections like: culture, fashion, beauty, industry or typography. There are also sections unique to some countries, Germany has samples of paper money printed by local authorities because inflation had made the Deutschmark worthless, Britain has a section devoted to the lovely graphics promoting the London Underground. Each chapter starts with an interesting and comprehensive overview explaining how each countries existing design styles and designers were influenced by Deco and then the following pages reproduce printed examples, more than two thousand color illustrations in all.

There is an American edition in the Chronicle series: Streamline: American Art Deco following the same subject format over 132 pages. Also worth checking out is Patricia Kery's Art Deco Graphics, a big book with 476 illustrations which looks at magazines, posters, fashion and books rather than commercial print and packaging which is the main strength of the Fili and Heller book. For the money though I don't think 'Euro Deco' can be beat.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

Amazing collection of deco graphic design.......2007-07-21

This book is filled with beautiful examples of European art deco graphic design. A must for designers and deco fans.

Book Description

Forget about the imitative Johnny-come-lately Crocodile Dundee! Here is the original Aussie Battler from the 1950s and this is his life story. Containing over 200 photos both in color and black and white.

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