Tears of the Giraffe: More from The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Book Description

Precious Ramotswe is the eminently sensible and cunning proprietor of the only ladies’ detective agency in Botswana. In Tears of the Giraffe she tracks a wayward wife, uncovers an unscrupulous maid, and searches for an American man who disappeared into the plains many years ago. In the midst of resolving uncertainties, pondering her impending marriage to a good, kind man, Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni, and the promotion of her talented secretary (a graduate of the Botswana Secretarial College, with a mark of 97 per cent), she also finds her family suddenly and unexpectedly increased by two.

Customer Reviews:

What's not to love???.......2007-06-04

Loved it! This author writes with clarity and passion such that I find myself immersed in his work. Truly a don't miss!

A Beautiful Life.......2007-05-31

An enchanting book for all ages, of a good, quiet, content, polite world. No violence, no sex, no sadness. Characters are satisfied with the way they look, and the way they live, and have plenty to give! This book encourages moral, social, and family ties. It promotes the almost-forgotten concept of active involvement in bringing happiness to others, and hence to oneself. In this novel, Africa is forever warm, colorful, friendly, and proud.

Outstanding Stories.......2007-04-06

I have read everyone of Alexander McCall Smith's books of life in Africa and I loved everyone of them. Alexander McCall Smith is a great story teller and his characters come to life. His talent in describing the everyday events in the life of his characters is nothing less than brilliant. Do yourself a favor, read any one of his books and you will be transformed into the life of
people you don't meet everyday.

The Adventures of Mma Ramotswe continue.......2007-03-03

In TEARS OF THE GIRAFFE the wonderful sequel to THE NO.1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY, Mma Ramotswe, the strong, feisty, proud but compassionate lady detective (the only in Botswana, maybe Africa) faces new challenges both in her life and in her work. Upon her engagement to the kind, reliable mechanic, Mr. J.L.B Matekoni, she ponders a possible move, negotiates the purchase of her engagement ring (diamond, of course!) and suddenly finds herself a new mother of two children. She is also called upon by an American mother to resolve the mystery of her son, who disappeared in the desolate Kalahari Plains many years ago, and track the modern, 'wayward' wife of a honest butcher.

Like its predecessor, this book is not your typical "who dun it" detective story- in fact, the detective element figures in this story even less than in the first novel. Mma Ramotswe only solves two cases- actually, she solves only one, as the other is solved by her able, newly promoted Assistant, Mma Makutsi. Rather, the novel focuses on developing solid characters (apart from Mma Ramotswe, we get much more insight in this novel into the characters of Mr. J.L.B Matekoni and Mma Makutsi) and highlights life in Botswana and the views of its proud people.

Unlike its predecessor, this book has more of a focus on ex-pats and development workers, which I found interesting as an ex-pat development worker in Africa. Mma Ramotswe comments that Ex-pats often do not have good manners (ie, would shake with one hand, leaving the other hand free for 'mischievous activities') and do not understand simple, obvious issues such as the fact that the dead are always with us. Ex-pat development workers, although well-meaning, are always coming up with bizarre, idealistic theories and schemes. They are always giving advice, always trying 'to change the world.' But, as Mma Ramotswe says, vegetables just were not meant to be grown in the Kalahari desert! Furthermore, "Africa needs its own solutions."

This novel also focuses on moral issues: Mma Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B Matekoni both lament the loss of 'the Old Botswana morality' which promotes hard work and a respect for elders. Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi struggle with moral questions such as, does the end justify the means? Ie, is it okay to lie, manipulate and blackmail to get a desired, even just, result? The novel ends on a beautiful note, suggesting that in order to heal after loss, compassion, understanding and reconciliation maybe more important than strict justice.

love the detective agency.......2007-01-24

I love the descriptions of the life and places in these books. Very rich.

Tears of the Giraffe. More from the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency.

Average customer rating:

Tears of the Giraffe. More from the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency.
Alexander McCall SMITH
Manufacturer: Abacus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N7SC8M

Book Description

He is the Songweaver, but before he was a master of song he was merely Cerin of Wran Cheaping—a seventeen-year-old orphan raised by a wildland witch. Then he encountered the Maid of the Grey Rose—the lone survivor of the war that devastated the Trembling Lands and the promised bride of Yarac Stone-Slayer, the feared and terrible Waster. The mysterious beauty captured Cerin's heart, drawing him into a world both dark and deadly, until, armed with only a tinkerblade and the magic of song, he would take on a man's challenge . . . and choose a treacherous path toward a magnificent destiny. The Harp of the Grey Rose is award-winning fantasist Charles de Lint's first novel, long out of print—and it hints of the wonderful stories to come.

Customer Reviews:

Not his best, but I liked it.......2006-10-09

This was a quick, enjoyable read, but it is readily apparent that this was his first novel. It pulls too heavily from other sources and doesn't have deLint's distinctive voice that make his later stories so spell-binding.

Very Good Book.......2004-06-01

I read this book and couldn't put it down. It keeps you in the book and makes you wish you were there. It was like The Riddle of the Wren, but The Harp of the Grey Rose missed out on some of the details it had. The only thing that wasn't great about the book, is that it seemed like two stories. Besides that, this is a great book and you should buy it.

Ho-Hum.......2004-05-28

Those looking for a typical De Lint read won't find it here. "The Harp of the Grey Rose" reads at a young level, with none of the hints of darkness and/or redemption of some sort that can be found in De Lint's later works. You can tell about fifty pages into the book that it was originally a novella even if you didn't know so beforehand. Though it seems like the rest of the story is a bit forced, if you have a free afternoon, its an amusing story and it doesn't take long to read.

Early De Lint shows only a hint of his potential.......2003-08-05

I had seen this title on lists of CDL's work, but it took me several years to find a copy. Having read it, I understand why he let it go out of print, and may be keeping it that way even though a new edition would surely sell. It's not a bad book, but it's very much an immature work compared to his later stuff. It's connected to the Newford stories (it's about the childhood of the harper Kelledy), but the tone is very different. The most striking thing about it is the heavy Lloyd Alexander influence, something De Lint seems to have shed as he developed his own voice. In fact, it's downright derivative, though competent and even promising. It straddles, a bit awkwardly, adult fantasy and children's literature, and does not have the distinctive complexity of imagination that makes De Lint's mature work so fascinating and unique. For a fan of the mature work, it's not much more than a curiosity; as an introduction to De Lint it barely hints at the brilliance that came later.

great companion to Riddle of the Wren.......2002-07-28

This is a wonderful book! Its not exactly a sequel to Riddle of the Wren, but set in the same universe, with the same hoary feel to it. Not one of his more well-known books, but I loved it as a kid and still do. Both are a definite must-read if you love old high fantasy.

The Harp Of The Grey Rose: The Legend of Cerin Songweaver

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The Harp Of The Grey Rose: The Legend of Cerin Songweaver
Charles de Lint
Manufacturer: Subterranean Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000P0UK0A

Average customer rating:

The Harp Of The Grey Rose - The Legend of Cerin Songweaver
Charles de Lint
Manufacturer: Subterranean Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000P0WD3M

Average customer rating:

Harp Of The Grey Rose: The Legend of Cerin Songweaver

Manufacturer: Firebird
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GRM7MQ

Six Drawings from The Harp of the Grey Rose

Average customer rating:

Six Drawings from The Harp of the Grey Rose
Charles de Lint
Manufacturer: Triskell Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Pamphlet
ASIN: B000NSF93M

Product Description

Six postcard-size images by Donna Gordon depicting the main characters from De Lint's novel.

Book Description

Sex. Slang. Slumber parties. The preoccupations of adolescents with Asperger Syndrome are no different than those of other teens, but they can be much more confusing. The lack of social skills and ability to grasp conversational nuances that characterize AS make adolescence the most difficult life stage.

`Why can I swear in front of my friends, but not in front of the teacher?'
`Why do I have to pay attention when I'm not interested in what my friend is saying?'
`What does it mean to `go out' with somebody?'

Asperger Syndrome is characterized by a reliance on clear guidelines, and in adolescence the social guidelines become murky and confusing. In Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence, child psychologist Teresa Bolick presents strategies for helping the ten to eighteen-year-old achieve happiness and success by maximizing the benefits of AS and minimizing the drawbacks.

You'll Learn:
-How to work with the school to help the AS child learn and succeed.
-Strategies for turning common AS traits like preoccupations and routines into positive strengths.
-How to help the AS teen learn to manage unforeseen glitches with grace.
-The best ways to talk to your teen about friendship, love, romance, and sex.

Along the way, you'll be inspired by success stories of dozens of AS teens. With the help of this book, you'll learn that it is possible for an adolescent with Asperger Syndrome to achieve unimaginable success.

Customer Reviews:

Extremely Helpful Resource!.......2007-05-07

I haven't finished reading this book, but so far what I've read completely fits. My AS teen needs all the help he can get with organization, social skills, etc. This book gives real life examples and excerps from real parents and adolescents with AS. This book is helping me to better understand my child and to help him develop strategies and coping mechanisms so he can have a successful life. Definitely a good addition to my AS library!

Excellent - Must Have !.......2007-04-10

More and more books are addressing the problems ASD kids encounter in their latter years . Teresa Bolick has written a well thought out and structured book that answers many of the concerns that parents and teachers have. Would you need another book dealing with this area ? I would say...yes. It is such an important time in these kids lives that a comprehensive knowledge is needed by all those that care for these yound adults.

reviewed by Special Education Teacher and father of ASD child.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!.......2007-03-25

I have a son with Aspergers. This book is a great help!

Asgerger Syndrome And Adolescence.......2007-01-10

It is a very good book that will help you understand how your AS. kids head works as well as gives good advice to help with their education. anyone with an AS. kid knows that educaters tell you that they deal with this all the time, and that is true only they really dont know what it is they are dealing with. Which makes it a great reading assignment for their teachers. You can't be afraid to call them on the carpet for what they dont know. Another good reading assignment is Freaks Geeks And Asberger Syndrome

Great Hands-On Help for Parents, etc........2007-01-04

I found this book to be excellent in helping parents, teachers, and other interested individuals to help with the issues facing us as we raise kids who are on the high-functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome spectrum. The ideas are easy to impliment and suggest things that would be useful for any parent or teacher of ALL children!

Average customer rating:

A practical view on how to eliminate trans fat from our diets

The Trans Fat Kitchen

A must in every kitchen!

Changed Our Life

no fat

The Trans Fat Free Kitchen: Simple Recipes, Shopping Guide and Restaurant Tips
Ronni Julien
Manufacturer: HCI
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Low Fat | Special Diet | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Diets | Diets & Weight Loss | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Low-Fat Diet | Special Conditions | Diets & Weight Loss | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
General | Nutrition | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Trans Fat Solution: Cooking and Shopping to Eliminate the Deadliest Fat from Your Diet

Get the Trans Fat Out: 601 Simple Ways to Cut the Trans Fat Out of Any Diet

Trans Fats: the Hidden Killer in our Food

Dr. Bob's Trans Fat Survival Guide

What Should I Feed My Kids?: How to Keep Your Children Healthy by Teaching Them to Eat Right

ASIN: 0757303900

Book Description

Just in time to meet the FDA's new labeling law, The Trans Fat Free Kitchen provides the skinnynot the boring scienceabout how confused consumers can keep their lives free from the most dangerous fat ever "created": trans fats. A study in the Lancet proved that eating a mere 5 grams of trans fats a day increased women's rates of dying from a heart attack by 50 percent (5 grams of trans fat is found in one medium order of McDonalds fries or one small donut). In January of 2006, the FDA will require that all food manufacturers change their nutritional labeling to denote when trans fats are present; however, companies can still emblazon their packaging with "Trans Fat Free" even if a food has trans fats in levels less than .5 grams a serving. Confused? Consumers will be, too. Enter The Trans Fat Free Kitchen, a simple, practical book that gives readers a real-world guide to avoiding trans fats. Filled with shopping lists, sidebars and tips, this reader-friendly book will give people: An aisle-by-aisle supermarket guide to trans fat products and healthier replacements. Tips on how to find the hidden trans fats on product labels. 2 weeks of trans fat free menus for toddlers, teens and adults. Advice on what to eat when you eat out. Trans fat free snacks that kids will actually eat. A formula to determine whether a product is healthy just because it's trans fat free.

Customer Reviews:

A practical view on how to eliminate trans fat from our diets.......2006-03-20

I was fortunate enough to hear the author speak at a book signing. She speaks as well as she writes. I like her practical approach on nutrition. The fact she's a mother raising children adds value because I feel like she relates to me. I found her book easy to understand, easy to read, and easy to follow. She's made shopping easier with her varied lists of foods we can eat, including name brands. Changing eating habits is very difficult, yet after seeing her and reading her book, making changes seems obtainable. In fact, our family was able to make instant changes in our food buying/eating habits. Her book is a valuable tool for anyone who wants to make informative and positive changes in their nutrition.

The Trans Fat Kitchen.......2006-03-07

I love this book. I have a better understanding of the true meaning of "trans fat". Understanding the dos and don'ts is a big help. This book is such an important tool for everyone's health.!!

A must in every kitchen!.......2006-03-06

The Trans Fat Free Kitchen is a an invaluable tool that should be a must in every kitchen! Not only are the recipes delicious and easy to prepare but the shopping lists, menus and eating out tips are extremely helpful! This book is complete guide to eating healthy!

Changed Our Life.......2006-03-06

We have seen diet fads come and go, but this book helped us adjust our eating habits, not our lifestyle. The recipes are easy to follow, and the changes made to the original recipes to exclude trans fats were not noticeble in taste, nor did the taste make you ask the question "is this Diet"?

This book should be in everyone's kitchen.

no fat.......2006-03-03

Great book. Easy to read, concise and to the point. Makes it easy to eliminate harmful fats from your diet.

Product Description

These fascinating animals are difficult to keep in captivity and require specialized care. This book offers expert advice for hobbyists. Books in this series give hobbyists basic information on reptiles' anatomy, life cycles, and traits, as well as specific instructions on care and breeding. There is expert information on selecting good specimens, determining sex, providing proper caging, nutritious feeding, and health care. All books are heavily illustrated with full-color photos.Paperback / 48 Pages / 5 5/8" x 8 3/16" / 2001

Customer Reviews:

Very informative.......2007-07-17

Lots of good information in this book. Great for beginners getting into herps. Chameleons are very interesting, but can be difficult to keep.

Scott

Average customer rating:

Practical and Easy Gardening

Helpful book

Gardening with a bad back

Great Book!

Never too late (for SFG)

All New Square Foot Gardening
Mel Bartholomew
Manufacturer: Cool Springs Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Container Gardening | Techniques | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Vegetables | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Cubed Foot Gardening: Growing Vegetables in Raised, Intensive Beds

Four-Season Harvest: Organic Vegetables from Your Home Garden All Year Long

Great Garden Companions: A Companion-Planting System for a Beautiful, Chemical-Free Vegetable Garden

Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening

The Organic Gardener's Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control: A Complete Problem-Solving Guide to Keeping Your Garden and Yard Healthy Without Chemicals

ASIN: 1591862027

Book Description

Do you know what the best feature is in All New Square Foot Gardening?

Sure, there are ten new features in this all-new, updated book. Sure, it's even simpler than it was before. Of course, you don't have to worry about fertilizer or poor soil ever again because you'll be growing above the ground.

But, the best feature is that anyone, anywhere can enjoy a Square Foot garden. Children, adults with limited mobility, even complete novices can achieve spectacular results.

But, let's get back to the ten improvements. You're going to love them.

1) New Location - Move your garden closer to your house by eliminating single-row gardening. Square Foot Garden needs just twenty percent of the space of a traditional garden.

2) New Direction - Locate your garden on top of existing soil. Forget about pH soil tests, double-digging (who enjoys that?), or the never-ending soil improvements.

3) New Soil - The new "Mel's Mix" is the perfect growing mix. Why, we even give you the recipe. Best of all, you can even buy the different types of compost needed.

4) New Depth - You only need to prepare a SFG box to a depth of 6 inches! It's true--the majority of plants develop just fine when grown at this depth.

5) No Fertilizer - The all new SFG does not need any fertilizer-ever! If you start with the perfect soil mix, then you don't need to add fertilizer.

6) New Boxes - The new method uses bottomless boxes placed aboveground. We show you how to build your own (with step-by-step photos).

7) New Aisles - The ideal gardening aisle width is about three to four feet. That makes it even easier to kneel, work, and harvest.

8) New Grids - Prominent and permanent grids added to your SFG box help you visualize the planting squares and know how to space for maximum harvest.

9) New Seed Saving Idea - The old-fashioned way advocates planting many seeds and then thinning the extras (that means pulling them up). The new method means planting a pinch- literally two or three seeds--per planting hole.

10) Tabletop Gardens - The new boxes are so much smaller and lighter (only 6 inches of soil, remember?), you can add a plywood bottom to make them portable.

Of course, that's not all. We've also included simple, easy-to-follow instructions using lots of photos and illustrations. You're going to love it!

Customer Reviews:

Practical and Easy Gardening.......2007-10-10

I have been interested in gardening for years and have even attempted it a time or two. The results were never pretty. This book has helped me turn over a new leaf! I feel like I can garden without having to constantly experiment with the details - what soil mixture should I use, where can I find room, how much should I plant, etc. I followed his directions in making and gridding my box, the soil mixture, planting ,etc. I love the easiness of it all and how crisp and clean it looks! I am excited about my garden and have even intrigued my dad( who is an avid gardener) with this method! We are both experimenting together!

Helpful book.......2007-09-14

This a good book, but the author's ego is the size of the Atlantic Ocean. If you can get past his bragging and self-promotion, the book has some good ideas and helpful information. I like this book (the author can be inspiring and has obviously given a lot of thought to his ideas), but I like Gaia's Garden and Food Not Lawns better.

One idea the author doesn't mention is the use of free wood chips as a ground cover. Here in Portland, you can call most arborists and they will deliver free ground trees. It's better for the arborists than paying to dispose of the ground trees at a recycling center and they will schedule the delivery when they're in your area to minimize their delivery distance. You can minimize weeds by laying down a thick layer of newspapers or cardboard, and then covering them with wood chips.

Gardening with a bad back.......2007-09-09

I had back surgery 5 years ago and had to give up gardening. Last Spring a friend gave me a copy of Square Foot Gardening. I had someone build me a 4x8 foot garden on legs 4 feet tall and planted a vegetable garden that was so successful that we joked that it was going to take over the world! I have since had another built. It is so exciting to me to be able to grow things again! I would recommend that you have one built for a friend or parent who is unable to keep up with a regular garden. It is a wonderful feeling to eat what you have grown.
Diane Woodward
North Carolina

Great Book!.......2007-09-07

I love this book and can't wait to try out his methods of gardening. Pictures are very pretty. Instructions easy to understand.

Never too late (for SFG).......2007-09-05

This is a innovative, creative, common sense approach to engaging in the wonderwful world of gardening in a straightforward and easily managed way. Thanks Mel. (p.s. these words are from the person to whom I gifted this book)

Book Description

The National Council on the Social Studies will present "Prince Estabrook" with the 2002 Carter G. Woodson Book Award (middle school division) at the NCSS annual meeting in Nov. NCSS awards go to the most distinguished social science books depicting ethnicity in the United States appropriate for young people.

Customer Reviews:

An overdue history lesson........2001-06-21

This book should be required reading for American history buffs and students. Hinkle sifted through Lexington's past and managed to find enough of Prince Estabrook to give us a peek into his life as a slave and a revolutionary soldier more than 200 years ago.

Does great service an important topic.......2001-05-19

When envisioning the tense faces of Lexington militia on April 19, 1775 staring at the British regulars as they approach the green, rarely does one place a black face among them. None of the subsequent paintings of the Battle of Lexington included black participation. Through careful research, Alice Hinkle has pieced together into a lively narrative the shards of evidence extant on one such African American. Prince Estabrook's life and those of other local African American patriots of the American Revolution are illuminated in her book--Prince Estabrook, Slave and Soldier. In elevating the visibility of African Americans in colonial Lexington and surrounding towns, she has done a great service. New England slavery and military service are research topics that have yet to be thoroughly explored. Alice Hinkle shows presence of the past by interviewing Charlie Price the Lexington citizen that has taken on Prince Estabrook's role for a number of years in the April 19th town reenactment of the Battle of Lexington. In addition, an appendix offers a black patriots' trail for those who would like to visit sites in the Boston area connected with black patriots. A thoroughly enjoyable read, Prince Estabrook, Slave and Soldier, inspires one to want to delve further into the topic.

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