Book Description
Abe Lieberman is a veteran Chicago detective who prefers to use his head and heart more than his gun.nbsp; He and his Irish partner, Bill Hanrahan, are known on the streets as the Rabbi and thePriest and their commitment to justice is sorely tested everyday.The extradition of a mob enforcer goes horribly awry when he is gunned down at the airport....while Lieberman is escorting him.nbsp; A police officer's wife is raped and Lieberman and Hanrahan have to find the perp before the hearbroken, furious cop settles the matter himself.nbsp; Lieberman and Hanrahan struggle with one vital question: which is better, to be a Just man or to be the instrument of the Law?And if that's not enough angst, somewhere in all this Lieberman has to plan a bar mitzvah that will surely bankrupt him......nbsp;nbsp;
Customer Reviews:
One for the old folks!.......2005-05-31
I've been a Porfiry Rostnikov fan forever. But since Kaminsky hasn't written a Porfiry mystery in well over three years I decided to try one of his other series.
The Abe Liebermann series has quite a bit in common with the Rostnikov mysteries. Both protagonists are over sixty and both are dedicated family men. But perhaps the major similarity is the Ed McBain influence. Rostnikov has a couple of underlings who are usually involved in their own cases. Liebermann has a partner named Bill Hanrahan, who calls Abe "The Rabbi." Abe calls Hanrahan "Father Murphy." These are working cops and they have more cases than a Budweiser brewery.
The book starts with Abe escorting a Mafia hitman back to Chicago from Yuma, Arizona. An elderly janitor shoots the hitman before Abe can get him on the plane. The janitor is an elderly man who claims he agreed to the contract to pay for his grandchildren's college.
Back in Chicago, Hanrahan and his temp partner, O'Neil are investigating a series of muggings and rapes. Hanrahan must also deal with O'Neil's racist and sexist remarks as well as the crime spree.
This wouldn't be a Kaminsky mysteries if the detectives didn't have personal problems to match their professional concerns. Liebermann's grandson, who lives with Liebermann and his wife, is having his bar mitzvah and Liebermann is trying to scrape together the money to pay for it. His daughter, with whom he doesn't get along, is also arriving for her son's big day. Meanwhile, someone has been calling Hanrahan's pregnant Chinese wife, warning her not to have the child.
Throw in the case of a sign painter, who is stalking a country western singer, whom he wants to kill, and you have quite a few story lines to keep track of.
Probably the most impressive aspect of the book for me was the theme of "respect for family and the elderly" that runs throughout the book. For instance, when Abe's grandson tells Abe he doesn't think he should go through with his bar mitzvah because he doesn't believe in God, Abe convinces him to do it for his grandmother, his other relatives, and all of the people who were looking forward to the event. Mr. Woo, an elderly Chinese crime lord, negotiates a truce between the Puerto Rican and Chinese gangs. Kaminsky puts a capper on this theme when the most deplorable human being in the book takes the fall for his grandmother when she's implicated in a shooting.
Not up to his usual standard.......2005-05-09
I am a great fan of Kaminsky's Abe Lieberman mysteries. This one, though, was a bit of a disappointment. Kaminsky is a prolific, accomplished writer but the story line in this book is not up to his usual standard.
There are just too many coincidences in the book; a villain who tried to rob Abe's synagogue over thirty years before, is murdered when Abe is bringing him back from Arizona to face charges in Chicago. The plotting strains one's credibility.
Hanrahan, his partner, is teamed up with a racist, sexist temporary partner, who just happens to have been married to a black woman. Who has since died. Huh?
The incident that ends the book also leaves one somewhat dazed.
The charm of this book as in all Lieberman books is the humanity of Abe and the realistic and sympathetic portrayal of his family and friends.
If you are new to Kaminsky, I would strongly suggest reading all of his earlier Lieberman mysteries. They are great!
All in all, this one is not up to his usual standard but even with that caveat, Kaminsky keeps you intrigued and once you suspend your logical brain, this is a good read.
Upset.......2005-01-28
I was very impressed with parts of this novel, but found other parts to be unbelievable or even disconcerting. The end of the novel troubled me the most. There was an unevenness to much of this book, both in writing style and plot. I've read many other books by Kaminsky, and have always been more satisfied, even if less impressed. I think he tried to go beyond himself in this novel, sometimes successfully and sometimes not.
A gem.......2004-12-11
I've only recently discovered police procedurals. Or should I say compelling, interesting police procedurals? I've read others along the way, but until I discovered John Sandford's "Prey" series, I found them trite and boring for the most part.
Now with my discovery of Stuart M. Kaminsky and his Abe Lieberman character, I admit to becoming a fan.
Abe Lieberman is a 60-ish Chicago detective. I should note that this is Kaminsky's eigth Lieberman book, so presumably he started the series with a younger man.
Lieberman is no superman. He has ordinary problems like high cholesterol, insomnia and an adult daughter who can't find happiness, so blames her father for her unhappiness.
The story begins with Lieberman in Yuma, Arizona, about to escourt a prisoner back to Chicago. An elderly black airport janitor kills Lieberman's prisoner at the boarding gate - and we're off to a cop's life.
Hannrahan, Abe's partner, is an Irish Catholic, a reformed alcoholic, with a second wife. In Lieberman's absence, Hannrahan is teamed with O'Neill, who appears to be extreme racist.
Life's misfortunes provide the cloud through which these men. Elderly Jews gathering at Leiberman's brother's delicatessen; a bunch of kids who get their kicks beating and finally murdering and raping women on the street; a demented young man who happily sets out to kill a rising celebrity. It's all part of day's work for Lieberman and his colleagues.
Several stories at once flow in the narrative and Kaminsky keeps them all straight, never missing a beat, never forcing the reader to suspend credulity.
Kaminsky and Lieberman have a new fan.
Jerry
A thrilling 8th novel in the Abe Lieberman series.......2004-12-08
Part of the appeal of mystery novels comes from the multiple vehicles that authors use as Connelly's Harry Bosch and Ed McBain's Steve Carella. Recently, however, a new cop on the block has appeared on my book table, Detective Abe Lieberman of the Chicago Police Department.
THE LAST DARK PLACE by Stuart M. Kaminsky is the eighth novel featuring the sixty-year old Chicago detective confronting the crimes of a big city along with the difficulties of life. Lieberman is a Job-like figure, a small, cynical and fatalistic man looking ten years older than his actual age, battling crime and his cholesterol count at the same time. He resides on the North Side of Chicago and does the majority of his crime fighting in the Rogers Park area of the city, a modern ethnic melting pot for Jews, Hispanics, Asians and even Caucasian criminals. The trademark of a Lieberman escapade is a juggling act of multiple crimes, committed by several criminals investigated by Lieberman and his Irish Catholic partner Bill Hanrahan, "the Rabbi and the Priest," as they are known on the streets of Chicago. Compounding his crime solving battles are the personal predicaments in Lieberman's life --- from his children, grandchildren, synagogue and community.
The opening scenes of THE LAST DARK PLACE find Lieberman in an Arizona airport handcuffed to Connie Glover, a fugitive from justice that the detective is returning to Chicago. Before they can board the plane, Glover is gunned down, and finding out why the killer was killed becomes Lieberman's next assignment.
Abe Lieberman is more than a police detective. He is a mixture of philosopher, psychologist, rabbi and diplomat. In the melting pot neighborhoods of Chicago, the turf wars between rival ethnic gangs are of prime concern to law enforcement. Lieberman has the respect of the community and he wields his respect as a neighborhood Henry Kissinger, using his skills to mediate and avoid disputes while always being prepared for the use of force if required. Kaminsky, a former resident of the North Shore area, has a remarkable insight into the various communities and nationalities that populate the Chicago area. Through the vehicle of Abe Lieberman he creates characters who are real, and plots that are both simple and complex while always enjoyable and expertly crafted.
Celebrated fictional detectives are engaging because they do more than solve mysteries. Along the way they often face personal dilemmas easily identified by most readers. Abe Lieberman is not only a detective; he is a father and grandfather. Life's personal difficulties take as much of his time as the misdeeds of the criminals he tackles on his job. In THE LAST DARK PLACE, his grandson's bar mitzvah requires Lieberman's attention. That event demands that he cope with major financial and philosophical issues while continuing his criminal investigation. This is the balancing act that is Lieberman's life. He can successfully face those problems because, above all, Abe Lieberman is a mensch, a Yiddish word meaning decent human being, a good person who always takes the high road.
In the hands of an accomplished and skillful writer, an exciting mystery is a wonderful journey to another world. Stuart Kaminsky has taken readers on that journey in countless mysteries set in locales across America and around the world. If you have not had the pleasure of meeting Abe Lieberman, THE LAST DARK PLACE is a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with the Chicago detective and his community. It could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
--- Reviewed by Stuart Shiffman
Amazon.com
Merlin Part I: The Old Magic is the first of a three-part novelization of the very successful Hallmark Entertainment Merlin miniseries starring Sam Neill, Miranda Richardson, Isabella Rossellini, and Martin Short.
Author James Mallory has long been fascinated with the Arthurian legends and their historical development, and he greatly expands upon the TV series, adding material derived from the original Celtic mythology, together with further invention of his own. Characters not seen in the televised series include Herne The Hunter and Idath, Lord of the Wild Hunt. Mallory also provides a foundation for the later Grail Quest, which the miniseries left offscreen.
The Roman Legions are abandoning Britain, and Christianity is spreading through the land. Mab, Queen of the Old Ways, is determined to fight the new religion, first by placing her hopes in the tyrant King Vortigen and then by creating the part-man, part-elemental Merlin. As a youth, Merlin falls in love with the Lady Nimue, but as Mab's evil grows he vows to oppose her and the Old Magic.
This is an off-beat version of the early part of an oft-told tale. It works best as an introduction to the Arthurian saga for those who loved the Merlin miniseries, or for young adults unfamiliar with the legends. Adult readers, or those who know the original stories, will perhaps find more satisfying other retellings such as The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead or Rosalind Miles's Guenevere series. --Gary S. Dalkin, Amazon.co.uk
Book Description
Merlin Part I: The Old Magic is the first of a three-part novelization of the very successful Hallmark Entertainment Merlin miniseries starring Sam Neill, Miranda Richardson, Isabella Rossellini, and Martin Short. Author James Mallory has long been fascinated with the Arthurian legends and their historical development, and he greatly expands upon the TV series, adding material derived from the original Celtic mythology, together with further invention of his own. Characters not seen in the televised series include Herne The Hunter and Idath, Lord of the Wild Hunt. Mallory also provides a foundation for the later Grail Quest, which the miniseries left offscreen. The Roman Legions are abandoning Britain, and Christianity is spreading through the land. Mab, Queen of the Old Ways, is determined to fight the new religion, first by placing her hopes in the tyrant King Vortigen and then by creating the part-man, part-elemental Merlin. As a youth, Merlin falls in love with the Lady Nimue, but as Mab's evil grows he vows to oppose her and the Old Magic. This is an off-beat version of the early part of an oft-told tale. It works best as an introduction to the Arthurian saga for those who loved the Merlin miniseries, or for young adults unfamiliar with the legends. Adult readers, or those who know the original stories, will perhaps find more satisfying other retellings such as The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead or Rosalind Miles's Guenevere series. --Gary S. Dalkin, Amazon.co.uk
Customer Reviews:
The mini series adaptation and whole lot more!.......2001-05-28
If you loved (or even just liked) the Merlin TV miniseries, and also if you love Arthurian tales, this won't dissapont you. Granted, the tales is told in a lighthearted manner with many liberties taken with the legend of Merlin but that's what makes reading Arthurian tales interesting, each author brings his own spin on the story. What really makes this book worth reading is the wealth of background information regarding Merlin's life. Many scenes in the book are not shown in the Miniseries and that gives the story a wider scope. Parts like Merlin's magical training and his encounters with Idath and Herne the Hunter as well as a further exploration of the mystery of the Grail.
Another take on the Merlin legend.......2000-05-27
After the Romans abandon Britannia, the queen of the fairy world, Mab, is determined to bring the Britons back to worship her and the rest of the old gods. She first tries through King Vortigern, but, failing there, creates Merlin. Part human, part fairy, Merlin learns to walk a road between the old ways and the new, angering Mab. She turns on him, only to find his human side gives him powers the fairy queen never expected.
This is a good read. Compared to Mary Stewart's Merlin series, it's a little lightweight, but a really nice and off-beat look at Merlin.
It's a keeper in my library. So's the movie...
It's the best book i have ever read!.......2000-03-05
This is truly a fantastic book worth reading...I admit it's pretty thick, but don't let that scare you off..once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down! If anyone knows where you can find 'Merlin : The King's Wizard' and the third book ( I don't know what it's called ) please e-mail me at hsinginez@hotmail.com! Like I've already said, a terrific book looking back at the magical times. After you read this, you'll believe that a magical time really did exist!
Read it!.......1999-06-17
After I saw the film I was dying to read the book. I do not regreat that i did!
Its a GREAT book........1999-05-17
I really wonder why is it said that its not released yet when i have actually finished reading the book. Its a facinating story. I love it a lot. The problem is, I cant find the Second chapter called "Merlin, The King's Wizard". When is the second and the following chapters going to be released? If anyone know... Please do contact me. I am dying to read what happened next
Amazon.com
All parents fall short from time to time. But Susan Forward pulls no punches when it comes to those whose deficiencies cripple their children emotionally. Her brisk, unreserved guide to overcoming the stultifying agony of parental manipulation--from power trips to guilt trips and all other killers of self worth--will help deal with the pain of childhood and move beyond the frustrating relationship patterns learned at home.
Book Description
When you were a child...
Did your parents tell you were bad or worthless?
Did your parents use physical pain to discipline you?
Did you have to take care of your parents because of their problems?
Were you frightened of your parents?
Did your parents do anything to you that had to be kept secret?
Now that you are an adult...
Do your parents still treat you as if you were a child?
Do you have intense emotional or physical reactions after spending time with your parents?
Do your parents control you with threats or guilt?
Do they manipulate you with money?
Do you feel that no matter what you do, it's never good enough for your parents?
In this remarkable self-help guide, Dr. Susan Forward drawn on case histories and the real-life voices of adult children of toxic parents to help you free yourself from the frustrating patterns of your relationship with your parents -- and discover an exciting new world of self-confidence, inner strength, and emotional independence.
From the Paperback edition.
Customer Reviews:
Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy & Reclaiming Your Life.......2007-07-07
This book, for me, was very hard to put down. Reading other peoples' experiences and the results in their lives was heartrending and helped me feel less alone. The letters to parents helped me start to formulate letters to mine. This book was recommended by my therapist, and it has given me the strength to move forward.
I HIGHLY recommend it. Thank you!
eye opener.......2007-05-08
This book along with a couple of others on the subject have helped me to have peace with my hurtful childhood. I had pretty much adopted the attitude that I received the hand that I was dealt in life. Now I'm beginning to see that things could have been much better had I had parents who bothered to take an interest in me other than what I could do for them. The good news is I feel empowered to break the cycle and provide loving feedback for my children at all times.
"And you were wondering why...".......2007-05-01
It is rare that any of us grow up in "perfectly-parented" households; after all we're imperfect humans. Some of us have had really difficult, complex upbringings. Yet, we can move on and make the best of our lives with the help of information offered in this book. It opened a new vista for me, and parents should find it thought-provoking for their own relationships, especially in regard to both their parents and their children.
It was a great help to recognize the psychological types in my parents. For a couple of years in my adulthood my mother and I even "divorced" each other. Although we were not able to resolve all our issues before her death, we were finally able to function on relatively friendly terms in the last years of her life.
Although individual situations often warrant consulting a professional counselor, this book is an invaluable tool for identifying and recognizing the problematic traits, reasons for the behaviors, and ways to move beyond the differences, so you don't wallow in the blame-game. Depending on one's spiritual inclination, blame cannot be laid entirely on the parent. There may be karmic dynamics that call for healing.
E. A. Davis, author, Waiting for Wings: Accompanying a Parent to the Edge of Life
Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life.......2007-03-26
Perfect Item & Fast Shipping.
Self-help .......2007-03-24
Good book for doing self-analyis of one's childhood. Good start to moving foward and getting over the past.
Average customer rating:
- Awesome resource!!
- Fabulous in Every Way
- A kitchen library essential
- These recipes are consistently excellent, and wholesome too.
- A Healthy Little Gem
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The Splendid Grain
Rebecca Wood
Manufacturer: William Morrow Cookbooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Culinary Arts & Techniques
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Rice & Grains
| Cooking by Ingredient
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
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ASIN: 0688166121 |
Amazon.com
Rebecca Wood grew up on a family farm near Ogden, Utah. As a college graduate in the '60s, she landed in San Francisco and studied cooking with macrobiotic masters Michio and Aveline Kushi. The Splendid Grain proves that Wood's continuing holistic passion for being on intimate terms with what we eat has appeal for mainstream cooks. Philosophical, eclectic, homey, hokey, stuffed with old-fashioned values, and strewn with appealing new ideas, this is a lovingly written, thoroughly researched work. An enchanting storyteller, Wood sweeps you through interesting cultural anthropology and agricultural history, then presents an inspired collection of whole grain dishes. Recipes range from simple variations on the familiar oat pilaf, risotto, and tabouleh to tempting and imaginative barley-stuffed meatless dolmadakia. (The book is not vegetarian; meat, poultry and seafood dishes are included.)
Book Description
With 250 luscious recipes, along with eight pages of color photographs, The Splendid Grain dramatizes how you can incorporate extraordinarily healthful grains into your life without changing your lifestyle.
Grains can transform taste and texture in unsurpassed ways like these:
- Nutty, sweet oats form the delicious crust of fried chicken
- Piquant quinoa heightens and absorbs the savory juices of gingered lamb
- Hearty buckwheat becomes a sweet, delicate, Parisian-inspired crepe
- Thai black sticky rice flavored with coconut makes unforgettable exotic banana dumplings.
The natural and native history of each grain is also explored along with its health benefits.
Customer Reviews:
Awesome resource!!.......2007-10-10
I initially checked this book out at the library and just had to have my own copy. The author has done years of research and provides very detailed and interesting information about various grains to include their origins, historical uses and various methods of preparation. There is also a section detailing little-known places where you can order seeds to grow your own or purchase ready to use grains/grain products. This book should be in every home cookbook collection!
Fabulous in Every Way.......2007-09-29
Who says whole grains have to taste like health food? Rebecca Wood lays out everything you need to know about the common grains (oat, wheat, barley, rice), the not-so-common (quinoa, millet, amaranth, buckwheat) and the downright rarely eaten in this country (tef, Job's tears). For each one she explains how/where it is grown, how to buy and store it, what it is used for, its nutritional advantages, etc. She gives basic recipes for cooking the grains plain or nearly so, as well as more complicated recipes and suggestions for what to pair with what. The chapters are divided first by the continent to which each grain is native and then by the grains themselves, and then for each grain there are recipes for plain grains, soups, main dishes, side dishes and desserts. I like this organization, although if you want to make a whole grain dessert, for instance, you'll have to look through the chapters on the various grains or in the index, as there is no organization by type of dish, e.g., soups, desserts, etc. The intros to each dish give you a good idea of what to expect, the instructions are pretty clear, and the results are spectacular. The Winter Squash and Quinoa Pottage is amazingly great (especially if you make it with homemade stock -- it is particularly awesome using the vegetable stock recipe from The New Basics Cookbook, but was also good with Swanson low-sodium chicken broth), is ridiculously easy, and extremely high in protein and vitamins. Just wash the quinoa really well first. Takes less than 1/2 hour plus the time to wash the quinoa and cut the onion and squash. The pinon (pine nut) crackers with amaranth are all whole grain, super easy and the only problem with it is that it's hard not to eat the entire batch myself as soon as it's done. Recipes include a good mix of vegetarian items and ones with meat so it's a good book no matter how you eat. My only quibble is that measurements for baked goods are given solely by volume, rather than by weight, which is more accurate, but it's a small one. This is my new favorite cookbook.
A kitchen library essential.......2006-08-28
Wood's book is a must have for any cook serious about understanding how to cook with whole grains.
These recipes are consistently excellent, and wholesome too........2006-02-14
I knew nothing about this book when I checked it out of the library, except that it had recipes for some of the more unusual grains. It is only now that I looked it up on Amazon that I discovered that it won the James Beard award. I am not the least bit surprised, however, because all the recipes I have tried have been consistently delicious, wholesome, and creative. You will find very few run-of-the-mill recipes in this cookbook.
I check many cookbooks out of the library, but for many I can't find any recipes that I want to make, or if I do find recipes to try, once I make them I am generally not impressed. So I was amazed when I opened this cookbook to find so many intriguing recipes, each of which turned out better than the last.
Some highlights: The grilled millet and butternut squash cakes had so few spices I was sure they would be bland, but they weren't. They were subtle but sweet and crunchy and addictive. The millet, quinoa, and burdock pilaf again looked underseasoned, but the burdock adds a great earthy depth to the pilaf, and again, I could not stop eating this dish. Wood's recipe for Locro, a South American soup, has a large number of ingredients, but it is well worth the effort. The barley and beans that make up the bulk of this soup make it substantial and extremely filling. The celeriac is sweet and delicious, the anise seeds add a subtle mysterious note, and the roasted New Mexican chili and the kombu create a great tasty broth with more depth than a typical vegetarian soup.
The only recipe that I was disappointed in was her basic recipe for "steamed" amaranth. Wood swears it's the best way to cook amaranth, but I thought it turned out exactly the same as it always does when I cook it--gooey, but tasty. Also, as a previous reviewer noted, Wood doesn't use too many green vegetables in this cookbook, but since it is a grains cookbook I can forgive this one shortcoming.
Overall, this book is full of healthy, nutritious, creative, well-tested recipes that please the palate and the body, and are reasonably quick to prepare. The flavorings are generally subtle, but perfectly balanced, allowing the taste of the ingredients to shine through. If you like very strong tasting food, however, you might find the recipes a bit bland. The recipes are not all vegetarian, but there are enough vegetarian recipes that I just returned my library book and ordered this book on Amazon.
A Healthy Little Gem.......2005-09-23
This book is layed out by grain, making it easy to navigate, and has a good range of recipe-types (main dishes, breads, desserts, breakfasts). The recipes are healthy in a very holistic and balanced way.
I have already tried several recipes, all of which I was extremely pleased with- they were easy, and delicious. I can't wait to keep cooking from this book, it will surely be turned to again and again.
Book Description
A visit to Trinidad and Tobago has introduced countless birders to the astonishingly rich South American avifauna. Members of nearly all the families of South American birds can be found in these two beautiful West Indian Islands, where the climate is pleasant and the habitats varied. This easy-to-use book is the second edition of a comprehensive yet compact field guide to more than 420 species of the island's birds. First published in 1973, it has been brought up to date - and a new color plate and redrawn illustrations have been added.
In his introduction, Richard ffrench offers a full treatment of the history of ornithology in Trinidad and Tobago, and then sets the scene by describing the environment of the islands, including physiography, climate, and vegetation. Thirteen photographs depic the variety of habitats found on the islands. The author also details the destribution of species, their breeding and migration, as well as local conservation and protection measures.
Individual species accounts, arranged by family, make up the core of this practical identification guide, covering habtitat and status, range and subspecies, field description and basic measurements, voice, food, nesting, and behavior. They are illustrated by 29 color plates, 9 color portraits, and 24 drawings - the work of two of the foremost artists in Neotropical ornithology. A comprehensive bibliography lists more than 300 titles from the ornithological literature on birds of the area.
This book will be welcomed with enthuasiasm by birders and other naturalists, professional ornithologists, and travelers to the Neotropics.
Customer Reviews:
Don't buy this.......2007-06-30
I got really shafted on this purchase. This is apparently the 1991 version of this field guide (which is not that great), recently reprinted in Britain. I could have bought the same version printed in the US for half what I paid for this version printed in Britain. The 2003 date on the description in Amazon is a reprinting date, not a revision date, which I thought it was. False advertising.
Guide to Birds of T/T by R. Ffrench.......2007-01-19
I took this book to T/T on a bird watching trip and found it mildly useful. I am not a professional birder, so take that into account. The colors in the plates are not very true in many cases and the separation of plates from descriptive info is not helpful. Compared to such books as The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America it is a not very useful. Apparently not much else is available.
the best reference available on Tobago birds.......2005-03-22
I used ffrench's guide for a month of birding on Tobago, and found many mistakes. The plates are incomplete and inaccurate (the chachalaca, Tobago's national bird, is not given a color plate), the "range and subspecies" descriptions are confusing, the English names are not up-to-date with current ornithological classifications, and it is just plain difficult to use. I give it two stars instead of one because it is pretty much the only guide for Trinidad and Tobago birds available, so if you plan to do any bird watching on Trinidad or Tobago, you're better off with this book than without it. One of the biggest problems is that ffrench often does not include plates of common North American birds (the broad-winged hawk, for example), so if you are not familiar with North American birds, I suggest you also bring another field guide, such as Sibley's or Peterson's.
T&T birder's bible.......2002-04-07
An excellent field guide to Trinidad & Tobago's avifauna, the ffrench has been around long enough, & loved well enough, in its various editions, to be considered a classic of its kind. I've used it everywhere from Port of Spain's Botanical Gardens to the forests of the Northern Range to the Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust to my own back garden & never failed to identify the specimen in question (& I am no more than an enthusiatic amateur). This book, for me, is the model of a natural history field guide.
Not up to scratch!.......2001-11-29
Sadly, this book is a disappointment. Using it was commonly an exercise in frustration and futility.
Unlike other books in the same series, there was a noticeable lack of information - particularly Plates - on even the most common birds. The Plates that were available often showed marked errors e.g. colouring, from the actual birds (eventually) identified.
I found quite quickly that my poor view of this book was widely shared by the local guides - it was universally criticised as below the required standard.
I wished I'd taken my "Birds of Costa Rica" instead - I would have been better off!
Average customer rating:
- Fun, informative and useful
- Hoping for an updated version
- Too bad Bill Murphy hasn't written a guide for SE VA!
- Don't go there without it!
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A Birder's Guide to Trinidad and Tobago
William L. Murphy
Manufacturer: Peregrine Enterprises
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Ornithology
| Zoology
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0941475018 |
Book Description
The fabulous birds of Trinidad and Tobago have attracted naturalists from around the world for generations. Bill Murphy wrote this book in 1986 to satisfy the need for clear, complete information on finding birds throughout both Trinidad and Tobago. Ten years later, from that first effort has come this brand new edition.
Customer Reviews:
Fun, informative and useful.......2005-03-29
This book is a great find for anyone planning a trip to Trinidad and Tobago! The author gives you great information on the best birding locations, how to get to them and which birds you will see. The bird list and seasonal distribution list are very useful. Besides the birding info his book is an invaluable guide to where to stay and how to get around.
Hoping for an updated version.......2004-09-03
Just to update, Bill now lives in Indianapolis. I love reading Bill's guides and wish he had one for the Los Angeles CA area. His books are filled with details of the area, things apart from just the birds, that make the reader keep reading until they realize that they've read an entire birding book.
I grew up with Bill and have been intrigued with his knowledge since I followed him around as his little sister. Our current trips are still filled with interesting information and I am looking forward to the next book he releases. No one does a better job.
IMC
Too bad Bill Murphy hasn't written a guide for SE VA!.......1998-12-22
This guy should be doing nothing but writing bird guides! First, the writing itself is not only clear, but also entertaining. He writes about the birds, the geography, the accomodations as if this is his hometown and these are his friends. The tips are valuable... the book's organization can not be improved... even if you don't plan a birding trip to Trinidad and Tobago, it's worth having this book, because it's fun to read. I wish he would write guides for American areas!
Don't go there without it!.......1997-11-07
Murphy's "A Birder's Guide to Trinidad and Tobago" is newly released with new maps and updated commentary. These two islands have as many species of birds as the continental US. Finding even a couple hundred species during a self-guided trip requires this book. If you, a friend, or a loved one is going to the islands, don't leave home without it!
Customer Reviews:
Autograph Collecting pre-1990.......2005-07-02
This book was written by one of America's most-respected autograph dealers. It discusses the materials (paper and ink) used by forgers; shows comparisons between fake and real signatures; discusses famous forgers; provides an analysis of major forgeries; details the equipment used in examining questionable documents; and provides a bibliography of almost 100 books written on the subject of either autograph collecting or documenting forgeries.
Book Description
Known preservationist and expert on the architectural history of Harlem, Michael Henry Adams presents the stylish, elegant, and, above all, unique homes of distinguished African-American professionals and entertainers in luxurious detail. The first book of its kind, STYLE AND GRACE: AFRICAN AMERICANS AT HOME, is devoted exclusively to presenting the African-American tradition for flair and creativity in home design and decoration. This unique book celebrates the distinctive style of notable homeowners such as hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons, photographer Gordon Parks, and Congressman Charles Rangel, as well as leading bankers, lawyers, artists, and other professionals who have utilized cultural elements and icons to create gorgeous home environments. Sumptuous original photography created expressly for this book by Mick Hales portrays the stunning elegance of the homes, while delightful accounts of each domain and its inhabitants will draw readers into these private worlds. This book is a rich portrait of African-American homes of style and beauty.
Customer Reviews:
I Absolutely Love This Book!.......2007-07-03
I borrowed this book from my local library for decor inspiration and because the photographs were stunning. I then purchased my own copy because I fell in love with the wonderful stories of the homeowners and the gorgeous pictures. While the majority of the homes featured are in the New York area, there is a wide range of home design on display here. My favorites were the NY townhomes as I just love the look of the woodwork and the beautiful fireplaces. Well worth it and makes a fine addition to any library or showpiece for your coffee table.
A must for Decorating Collectors.......2007-02-07
Style and Grace: African Americans at Home is a must for anyone that is an avid collector of diverse Interior Decorating styles. Even if you are just interested in designs for creating African interiors, or decorating styles of the artistic and eclectic, this is the one book to add to your collection. African objects mixed with art deco, classical, traditional and modern styles. The Exotic and Rustic to the Modern and Streamlined are showcased-all are a mixture of what we strive to achieve in our own homes.
The rooms in this book are actual, lived in rooms of everyday homes. Nothing seems staged or fussy. Masculine or Feminine...I found all these interiors very culturally urban. Comfortable, inspirational, unique and beautiful!
A gorgeous addition to the first survey to capture the spirit of African-Americans in their home design and decoration choices.......2006-05-22
If photographer Mick Hales' work in STYLE AND GRACE: AFRICAN AMERICANS AT HOME looks familiar, that's because his work has appeared in some top national magazines, from House and Garden to Vanity Fair. When paired with architectural historian Michael Henry Adams' work, it provides a gorgeous addition to the first survey to capture the spirit of African-Americans in their home design and decoration choices. A wide range of homes receive feature here, from that of hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons to Congressman Charles Rangel: each surveys the style, intentions and outlook of the homeowner as well as the designer or architect involved.
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch
A gorgeous addition to the first survey to capture the spirit of African-Americans in their home design and decoration choices.......2006-05-22
If photographer Mick Hales' work in STYLE AND GRACE: AFRICAN AMERICANS AT HOME looks familiar, that's because his work has appeared in some top national magazines, from House and Garden to Vanity Fair. When paired with architectural historian Michael Henry Adams' work, it provides a gorgeous addition to the first survey to capture the spirit of African-Americans in their home design and decoration choices. A wide range of homes receive feature here, from that of hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons to Congressman Charles Rangel: each surveys the style, intentions and outlook of the homeowner as well as the designer or architect involved.
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch
Beautiful, but missing something.......2004-01-25
If you're looking for a beautiful, decorative coffee-table book to fill space in your living quarters, look no further. STYLE AND GRACE: AFRICAN AMERICANS AT HOME is a beautiful escape inside the home of African American celebrities. Showing a diversity of styles and tastes, the reader is given a glimpse of quiet elegance, sophisticated clutter, and even over-indulgent artifacts. Showcasing the houses of celebrities such as Russell Simmons and Gordon Parks to Nancy Lane and Michael McCollom, this book is resplendent, and quite an inspiration to those who can afford to hire someone else to fix up their house.
Photographer Mick Hales has beautifully portrayed areas both inside and outside of each house. And, while I did think the book was beautiful, it was a bit annoying that it only focused on celebrities as if to say that other African Americans do not have style and decorating abilities too. It would've been nice to see a section devoted to those who do their own interior decorating.
Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Average customer rating:
- Comprehensive--answers all your questions
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Marriage in the Western Church: The Christianization of Marriage During The Patristic and Early Medieval Periods (Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae, V. 24)
Philip Lyndon Reynolds
Manufacturer: Brill Academic Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0391041088 |
Book Description
Author Philip Reynolds examines how marriage acquired a specifically Christian identity in the Latin West during the first millennium after Christ. Beginning with Jesus, everything the Christians did, including getting married, began a process of differentiation. Christians did not invent marriage, but they did redefine it, thereby hoping to solve the inherent problem of reconciling secular, carnal sexual relations with a holy and sanctified state of being, one that would ultimately become a sacrament. This twofold aspect of the Christian marriage was a formative principle throughout the Middle Ages and beyond. Reynolds offers three themes for theological reflection and interpretation: Jesus' teaching, Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, and Paul's justification of marriage as a solution to the problem of sexual desire. This book begins with the examination of Roman and Germanic law, followed by the turning from civil to ecclesiastical law. Then Reynolds presents Augustine's theology of marriage, and finally, the nuptial process. Reynolds' insights into the Christainization of marriage makes this a valuable book at both the scholarly and the practical level.
Customer Reviews:
Comprehensive--answers all your questions.......2007-06-26
Marriage is a hot topic right now. And there can be no doubt that marriage is changing--gay marriage, divorce, living together, and plunging fertility rates are all indications of the sweeping changes.
It's a good time to consider how western society's beliefs about marriage grew. This book will tell you.
The ancient world viewed marriage as existing "for the sake of the procreation and education of children" (p 15). Augustus, alarmed when the elite procreation rate plunged, taxed the unmarried, while giving a raft of goodies to those who had more than three legitimate children.
Roman girls were married young, frequently before menses. Divorce was easy, adultery was viewed as morally indifferent for men, and abortion and infanticide common except among Jews.
And then came Christianity. Christian regarded marriage as holy state by which two people could grow together toward God. Adultery? "The Latin Fathers...categorically rejected the double standard" (p 122) with regard to adultery, an extraordinary action in the ancient world. Some bishops were so rigorous they excommunicated adulterers, male or female.
Christianity took marriage far more seriously than any of the ancient civilizations. Divorce was forbidden and so was remarriage. "Not only does a man who remarries after divorcing his wife commit adultery, Ambrose argues, but his crime is all the more serious because he has sought legal justification for his sin" (p 126). Tertullian even felt that the widows ought not to remarry.
Christianity regarded marriage as a profound and important union. A man and woman entered into a covenant bond in marriage, not a relationship. God had invented marriage for the good of both the man and the woman. "Augustine's theory of the sacrament of marriage is the premise that marriage is indissoluble in the Church" (p 281). Marriage was regarded as honorable because it was a figure or type of Christ's union with the Church. Temporal marriage was a little version of the great union.
There is a long and interesting chapter on the Matthean exception and the whole "porneia" problem, as well as a discussion of consummation and how it came to be regarded as integral to marriage. Status issues and questions about cousins marrying are also included.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Theological Studies, published by Theological Studies, Inc. on December 1, 1995. The length of the article is 860 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Marriage in the Western Church: The Christianization of Marriage During the Patristic and Early Medieval Periods. (book reviews)
Author: David G. Hunter
Publication:
Theological Studies (Refereed)
Date: December 1, 1995
Publisher: Theological Studies, Inc.
Volume: v56
Issue: n4
Page: p777(3)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
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David Smith by David Smith: Sculpture and Writings (Painters & Sculptors)
Cleve Gray
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0500275203 |
Average customer rating:
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Sculpture in Dallas.(Art): An article from: New Criterion
Karen Wilkin
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
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ASIN: B0008GFI8U
Release Date: 2005-10-11 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from New Criterion, published by Thomson Gale on January 1, 2004. The length of the article is 3734 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Sculpture in Dallas.(Art)
Author: Karen Wilkin
Publication:
New Criterion (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2004
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 22
Issue: 5
Page: 38(6)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Product Description
A selection of writings by the sculptor David Smith. There is a short bibliography of works about and concerning David Smith at the end of the book. Four color illustrations and about 60 black and white illustrations are also included.
Average customer rating:
- Painstakenly Researched Work
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A Little History of My Forest Life: An Indian-White Autobiography
Eliza Morrison
Manufacturer: Ladyslipper Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0970260628 |
Book Description
Written in 1894 and recently recovered from the archives of the University of Minnesota, this incredible autobiography tells the story of a Chippewa-Scots French woman from Madeline Island in Lake Superior. The child and grandchild of fur traders, Eliza Morrison tells of a difficult and beautiful life carved out of the wilderness-the "starving time" with her husband John on a homestead in northern Wisconsin; her travels by boat, dog sled, and on foot; and the joy of making maple syrup in the spring. Generously illustrated with photographs, drawings, and maps, Métis culture comes alive as Native American lore and history are blended with homesteading stories in true mixed-blood fashion, giving a 19th-century woman's view of the Wisconsin Death March, the Dream Dance, and the Chippewa-Dakota War as well as a personal look at the daily life of a fur trading family. Also included is a glossary of Chippewa words.
Customer Reviews:
Painstakenly Researched Work.......2004-01-24
Although an almost lifetime resident of Wisconsin, I had no idea until I read this book that Indians and European had intermarried to such a great extent in the state, and the ensuing Metis, or mixed, culture that sprang up as a result. As the years went by, most of the Metis became absorbed into the "mainstream" American society, although some chose to live with the Indians on the reservations. Some of this absorption happened naturally, some of it was forced when the government forced them to make choices.
This book has a format that I have not encountered yet, but it works very well. It consists of authentic letters between Eliza and an acquaintance of the family, explaining what was happening in her life at the time, as well as bringing in other aspects of the area's culture and history. Victoria Brehm has only modified the letters where necessary to assist in comprehenstion with items such as sentence notation and paragraph placement since some of the text was apparently very long and run-on. She has even kept in tact many of the spelling errors.
What a person absolutely must do when they read this book, is to immediately refer to the backnotes when one sees the annotation in the letter text. Ms. Brehm has done an absolutely impeccable job of putting historical reference around the letters, with her sources noted in case one wants to research with further detail. Putting context around the events Eliza is writing about makes her letters even more powerful. Eliza writes very simply, but from her heart. You can feel her pain and anguish when she writes about the accidental death of one of her children, and her frustrations pertaining to the goverment treatment of Indians and Metis.
If you are at all interested in the history of Wisconsin, or the Great Lakes area Native American or Metis culture, this book is a must read.
Books:
- The Main Corpse (Goldy Culinary Mysteries, Book 6)
- The Majolica Murders
- The Mousetrap and Other Plays (Miss Marple Mysteries)
- The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria (Sano Ichiro Novels)
- The Silver Anniversary Murder: A Christine Bennett Mystery
- The Temple of the Muses (SPQR IV)
- The Titian Committee (Art History Mystery)
- The Year of the Intern (Signet)
- Three-Course Murder (Culinary Mystery Series)
- Till the End of Tom: An Amanda Pepper Mystery (Amanda Pepper Mysteries)
Books Index
Books Home
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Not Quite Kosher: An Abe Lieberman Mystery
Terror Town: An Abe Lieberman Mystery (Abe Lieberman)
The Big Silence: An Abe Lieberman Mystery (Abe Lieberman)
Lieberman's Law (Abe Lieberman)
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