Book Description
The critically acclaimed author of the Sharon McCone series delivers a rivetingnew mystery about a small town pitted against a foreign corporation. At the northernmost point of Soledad County lies Cape Perdido-once a lumber town, now a getaway for tourists and outdoor recreationists. But when the water harvesting plans of a North Carolina company threaten the residents' livelihoods, four people get caught up in the fight to save the town: Jessie Domingo, a community liaison specialist from New York City; Joseph Openshaw, an environmentalist forced to face ghosts of his past; Steph Pace, a restaurateur and former love of Openshaw's who must confront the same ghosts; and Timothy McNear, a former lumber mill owner who harbors secrets of his own. The arrival of the 'waterbaggers' will drive otherwise peaceful people to desperate acts, and a dramatic series of events-including a sniper's bullet, a midnight inferno, and an abduction-will awaken the residents of Cape Perdido to unsavory truths about their town and each other.
Customer Reviews:
Not a Sharon McCone mystery.......2007-07-21
Cape Perdido is the present story of a fight for water in northern California and the ramifications of big business against the little man. A conglomerate wants to take the water from the local river and ship it to southern California in huge rubber bags and the local people are fighting to prevent it.
Jessie Domingo is trying to get established as an environmentalist, she`s had several bad experiences and comes to Cape Perdido hoping that this will make her career. Her developing friendship with the environmentalist lawyer was one of the best relationships in the book. The two of then become involved in the personal lives of the local people and their stories. At that point, an old unsolved murder becomes the main focus and the story changes direction. The old crime and the lives that were affected by it become the central theme.
This book was not as good as her Sharon McCone books. The background story was confusing, people overreacted and the protagonist changed with every chapter.
Ms Muller tried to present the story from too many view points so lost the continuity the book needed.
The Truth Shall Set You Free.......2006-09-28
This is one of Muller's few non-Sharon McCone mysteries, & it's very different from that series. While told chronologically, within each day are sub-chapters focusing on individual characters. Each time that character is revisited, the reader learns more about that character & others as well. There are several mysteries woven into the plot but the two main ones are the external--fight between local & NY "environmentalists" & a corporation wishing to export Perdido River water to LA--and internal--an unsolved old murder involving many of the main characters. Avoiding the pitfalls of a binary or black & white mentality, Muller skillfully rounds virtually all of her characters by revealing their shadow sides. Thus, this novel is more appealing to a mature reader especially one interested in reality & human psychology. Still, there is considerable action in it & the mystery (though difficult to unravel) is fairly presented. The environmental story shows the dark side of so-called environmentalists who would stop at almost nothing to win (both locals & New Yorkers) with the less-that-perfect heroine still a foil to them. There's a lot of role reversal too--some white hats turn dark while some black hats get lighter. The corporate coalition (including the man providing the right-of-way fares the same. Assumptions are, after all, the stock-in-trade of the mystery writer. True, the story starts out slowly, but it builds up speed--I couldn't put it down at the end. The denoument was a bit disappointing--even though I did (finally) figure out who the killer must be, but overall the book was an innovative, even remarkable achievement. If you are looking for a standard mystery, this may not be the book for you. But, if you are into characterizations, realistic depictions of people (vs. stereotypes), this book may very well speak to you. If you have any secrets, this tale of a skeleton closet may strike a chord. It also has a message: keeping secrets may seem okay on the surface, but it's a loser in the long-term. The Truth can set you free.
Not Her Best.......2006-09-03
Marcia Muller is my favorite author, and while I love the Sharon McCone series, I've also enjoyed her stand-alones. However, this one just didn't do it for me.
I found all the environmental stuff boring, so the book didn't hold my interest the way her books normally do. I also didn't really care all that much about any of the characters, since I didn't feel they were that fully developed. Had this book been written by anyone other than MM, I probably wouldn't have even finished it.
nice departure for Marcia Muller.......2006-08-23
With Cape Perdido, Marcia Muller takes a break from her Sharon McCone series and focuses on an unlikely venue for murder- water rights in a small California coastal town. When a company threatens to siphon off water from the river and float it in huge inflatable bags to dry communities further north, the townspeople join together to fight the action.
I was actually very involved in the ecological aspects of the book and was disappointed when it suddenly diverted to focus on an old crime. It seemed as though the water rights issue was just an opportunity to bring the players together so that the older mystery could unfold. The mystery itself was okay, but I would like to have seen Muller stretch herself a little bit by focusing more on the water rights issue and making this into a true conservation mystery.
She did leave things open for future mysteries involving her ecologists, and I would like to see more of them. Let's just hope that next time, she leaves the historical baggage behind and focuses on the issue of corporate rights vs. regional rights, and conservation of resources.
Eco murders.......2006-07-11
Jessie Domingo is an ecologist who has been flown in from New York to a small town on the northern California coast, to help locals in their fight against a huge corporation who has claimed the right, under Californian law, to collect the town's water in massive rubber bags, which would be towed to more arid areas, for a huge profit. Old crimes, old vows of vengeance for real or imagined grievances, all come to the fore as greed battles with common sense. Old alliances break and old enemies join forces in this story of murder in a small community. Unfortunately, it just hasn't got the magic "it" factor which makes a book sing for me.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Library Bookwatch, published by Thomson Gale on October 1, 2005. The length of the article is 429 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: Brilliance Audio.(Cape Perdido)(Chill of Fear)(Fire Sale)(Killing Time)(One Shot)(Breaking Point)(Case of Lies)(Bloody Mary)(Audiobook Review)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication:
Library Bookwatch (Newsletter)
Date: October 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: NA
Article Type: Audiobook Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
|
Cape Perdido
Marcia Muller
Manufacturer: Warner Books Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000OZO3JA |
Average customer rating:
|
Cape Perdido
Marcia Muller
Manufacturer: Brilliance Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N659XE |
Amazon.com
Sequel to
D'Shai, this story doesn't rely too heavily on what's gone before and can be read alone. Kami Dan'Shir, a social climber in a rigidly stratified society, has creatively promoted himself from Acrobat to Discoverer-of-Truths, from peasant to bourgeois. Alas, the privileges of class bring with them duties, and Kami must demonstrate both his social skills and his ability to solve puzzles when he travels to a wedding and a murder interrupts.
Customer Reviews:
Rather unbalanced.......2006-09-05
As far as being a mystery novel, the murder doesn't take place until page 175 and is solved on page 235. The other 200 pages of the book are just setting and character development. Except the characters don't develop; they're just introduced. It's not an unpleasant read, it just feels like there isn't much point.
Joel Rosenberg does it once again.......2000-08-17
Hour of the Octopus was a fun read. While I still prefer his Guardians of the Flame series, both this book and D'Shai have kept me very well entertained. I especially loved the prologue. It was extraordinarily well-written.
A very solid book, a different style........1999-07-05
This book is different from the start. It is somewhat hard to follow at times buy is worth the effort. There are several unusual twists and turns.
Yet another incredible book by Rosenberg.........1998-01-13
Once more Rosenberg has reached into his bottomless creativity and pulled out a masterpiece of modern Science-Fiction. I eagerly await his next novel with ever-growing anticipation. Each of his books was better than the last, but I loved them all just the same!
One of the top books of the year.......1997-02-07
Joel Rosenberg has shown once again why he is become one of the hottest fantasy/science fiction authors in the writing industry today. This book once again proves that Rosenberg's life experience & writing experience helps produce a great book
Amazon.com
Jamie Oliver's Happy Days with the Naked Chef is in the same mold as his bestselling cookbooks, The Naked Chef and The Naked Chef Takes Off: recipes for simple, comforting food. This time, however, he has some interesting additions from his travels to Australia, New Zealand, America, and Japan. There are three new ideas in Happy Days with the Naked Chef. Oliver has included a chapter on "Comfort Food"--the kind of cooking Nigel Slater and Nigella Lawson specialize in. There are recipes for British favorites like Toad in the Hole, Fish Finger Buttie, and Sticky Sausage Bap with Melted Cheese and Brown Sauce. In his "Quick Fixes" chapter, Oliver has selected dishes where saving time and minimal washing up are the key ingredients. These include a Steak Sarnie and Chicken Breast Baked in a Bag with Mushrooms, Butter, White Wine, and Thyme. He has also included a "Kids Club" chapter, which offers inspiration for parents trying to get their children excited about food. The new additions don't dominate the book as the remaining two-thirds contain Oliver's standard Italian-style fare: simple salads, fish, meat, vegetables, breads, and desserts. Don't miss the excellent recipe for Medallions of Beef with Morels and Marsala and Crème Fraîche Sauce. Oliver has also been traveling and you'll find recipes with bok choy, soy sauce, and ginger popping up here and there--delicious! --Elizabeth Murgatroyd, Amazon.co.uk
Book Description
Jamie Oliver's Happy Days with the Naked Chef is in the same mold as his bestselling cookbooks, The Naked Chef and The Naked Chef Takes Off: recipes for simple, comforting food. This time, however, he has some interesting additions from his travels to Australia, New Zealand, America, and Japan. There are three new ideas in Happy Days with the Naked Chef. Oliver has included a chapter on "Comfort Food"--the kind of cooking Nigel Slater and Nigella Lawson specialize in. There are recipes for British favorites like Toad in the Hole, Fish Finger Buttie, and Sticky Sausage Bap with Melted Cheese and Brown Sauce. In his "Quick Fixes" chapter, Oliver has selected dishes where saving time and minimal washing up are the key ingredients. These include a Steak Sarnie and Chicken Breast Baked in a Bag with Mushrooms, Butter, White Wine, and Thyme. He has also included a "Kids Club" chapter, which offers inspiration for parents trying to get their children excited about food. The new additions don't dominate the book as the remaining two-thirds contain Oliver's standardItalian-style fare: simple salads, fish, meat, vegetables, breads, and desserts. Don't miss the excellent recipe for Medallions of Beef with Morels and Marsala and Cr+me Fra+che Sauce. Oliver has also been traveling and you'll find recipes with bok choy, soy sauce, and ginger popping up here and there--delicious!--Elizabeth Murgatroyd, Amazon.co.uk
Customer Reviews:
recipes are definitely off.......2006-10-11
The first few times I made things from this book, they seemed off. But Jamie is such the grab and go and not really measuring cook. So I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Then I tried one of his bread recipes... the Banana and Honey Bread (p.245) and using the basic bread recipe (p. 236). Starting with the banana recipe, he says to puree 6 bananas and add water to equal two cups. 6 bananas pureed came out to way more than two cups... then I didnt know what to do about the water. In the basic bread recipe, there it calls for 2 TABLESPOONS of level salt and 2 TABLESPOONS of level sugar. The sugar I could understand, but I had to read the salt one over and over again. I dont even use 2TBS of salt for a roasted chicken and I like salty foods. Then the banana recipe did not call for the removal of the salt from the original recipe. Needless to say, the bread did not turn out well was quite salty, among other things. In retrospect, I think this book has suffered from the conversion from the British system of metrics to the American measurements. I was really disappointed in how much energy and time and enjoyment I had poured into this book and Jamie Oliver, when someone did not care enough to proof the book and ensure that recipes were accurate and usable. I was so disappointed that despite the small fortune I used to collect the books, I decided to give them away with the belief that you should use the book for inspiration, and for recipes that do not call for exact measurements, otherwise, this is not really a cookbook but a selling of a celebrity or personality. I was truly disappointed.
Jamie Does Cooking with the Family. Highly Recommended.......2004-10-03
In every way imaginable, this third Jamie Oliver cookbook proclaims that he has arrived as a celebrity chef, husband, father, and all around swell lad made good. His name on the cover is about three times the size of the book's title, `Happy Days with the Naked Chef', the book is dedicated to his two children, Little Henners and Jakey Bakey, and photos his nibs with his wife, Jools appear throughout the book. On top of all this, there is a much broader representation of international flavors in these recipes based on trips to the Orient, echoing the influence of Japan on the culinary thinking of Joel Robuchon.
At the risk of laying it on just a little too thick, I really believe Oliver shows the kind of passion about good food and cooking which I have seen in very few other TV culinary personalities. Stopping short of a comparison with Julia Child, as Saint Julia did say she couldn't quite understand him most of the time, I would compare his enthusiasm with that of Mario Batali and Jacques Pepin, although he does not have the depth of technique of Jaques or the extensive knowledge of local Italian cuisines as Mario.
Oliver does not simply dedicate to his children for schmaltz value as he devotes a sizable section of the book on the value and attitudes to use when cooking with your kids. These few pages alone are worth the price of the book. Emeril just published a whole book on techniques for cooking with your kids, and as good a job as he did in telling you how to do it, Jamie does a much better job of telling you why you do it and what benefits will arise from the effort. Jamie also gives a few insights into his cooking with Jools as well when he says that once upon a time, every little suggestion on Jools' cooking from world famous chef Jamie was taken as a criticism and tended to dampen her enthusiasm for doing something she did not especially enjoy anyway. The whole picture changed when Jamie simply praised everything Jools did in the kitchen. The quality of her cooking and her attitude improved dramatically. I can think of a few of my relatives I would love to feed the wisdom in this book.
In reviews of Oliver's other books, I have warned that while Jamie preaches simplicity, this is not the same as quick or easy. Jamie does lean a bit toward quicker and easier in some chapters in this book, keeping to the cooking with the kids theme. He has a chapter on `Quick Fixes' and `Comfort Grub' plus `More Simple Salads'. And, he leaves out any recipes for homemade pasta, with all pasta dishes being based on dried pasta, which he always says is not inferior to fresh, just different. There is also a very short chapter just after the introduction on using fresh herbs, which for the entire world sounds like a sermon from Pastor Oliver exhorting you to use fresh herbs. This homily is understandable if you recall that Jamie Oliver's writing and televising about food is all about lifestyle, not just how to cook. His lesson is that fresh herbs are necessary to good cooking.
As always, Oliver's most appealing recipes are for salads, pasta dishes, and seafood. I sometimes wish that all of his books would be reissued collecting all like chapters into individual volumes and I would buy the salad and pasta volumes simply to have all these recipes together. They are by far the most original of his dishes, although there is one pasta dish Jamie attributes to Mario Batali and there are a few in his books that are attributed to his experiences at the River Café.
Bread is one of my favorite culinary subjects and Jamie is one of the very few superstar chefs who gives special emphasis to bread baking. His basic bread recipe is a classic fast method he probably got from Gennaro, as Contaldo uses a very similar recipe in his book `Passione'. The recipe violates the recommendation from experts like Peter Reinhart who promote little yeast and long rise times, but I have made Jamie's bread and I find it just fine, especially as a medium for rolling in savory additions such as onions and salami. To atone for his fast yeast bread, Jamie adds a recipe for artisinal sourdough bread with natural yeast and a classic Italian bega. Read this recipe very carefully before starting, as it takes a FULL WEEK to complete. If you are serious about bread, check out books by Reinhart, Joe Ortiz, or Nancy Silverton, but you could do a lot worse than getting your first taste of bread baking from Sir Jamie.
When someone has an engaging TV personality, I fear their enthusiasm may not transfer to a skill with the written word, especially with Jamie, as I have heard him say he dictates all his books into a tape recorder, as he never really learned to write properly in school. Let me assure you here that even his chapters with low culinary interest such as his chapters on mixed drinks are a joy to read.
Jamie has a habit of labeling certain recipes as `the best ever'. Well, I have made his `best ever' recipes and I agree with him. They have all become standards in my repertoire. He continues to match or exceed the very high quality of recipes you will find from the River Café or even from Signoir Batali himself.
On the remote chance that Hyperion editors read this review for constructive criticism, I will point out that the layout of ingredient lists makes reading the recipes a bit annoying, as does the absence of ingredient lists from some of the simpler recipes.
If one wishes to get more out of their cooking, they could not do much better than to work their way through Jamie Oliver's cookbooks.
The recipes don't turn out right.......2003-06-13
I don't know why the recipes in this book don't turn out right. Every recipe I tried has been a disaster, not to mention required an extremely expensive list of ingredients (porcini mushrooms and arugula anyone?). Jamie Oliver puts on a great show, but the food just doesn't seem to live up to the "easy peasy" hype. His "My favorite curry" with "Lemon rice" took almost 3 hours from prep to finish and tasted horrible. I won't be buying another Jamie Oliver book.
Scrumptious..........2003-05-17
This is absolutely the best cookbook I have ever owned. Usually I own a cookbook and prepare maybe one or two recipes before it sits of the shelf and begins to collect dust.
Happy Days is chock full of simple, low fuss recipes that taste as though hours of work have been spent in the kitchen. Simple, accessible ingredients and winning combinations. A recipe has yet to disappoint me. For someone who's life is too busy for long hours in the kitchen and want flavorful recipes with flair and originality - this is the book for you!
Positively Scrumptious! :).......2003-05-14
This recipe book is very aptly named and will certainly bring you happy days with recipes that are really great and totally simple. As Jamie Oliver has previously done in his other cookbooks, he has enchanted readers with delicious recipes, excellent photographs, funny stories, and enough Cockney to make you feel like a Brit.
Book Description
A full-color cookbook containing more than 1,000 photographs and illustrations for a complete, step-by-step demonstration of each recipe. It includes more than 100 recipes - a fusion of the finest European and Asian pastries. This selection of cookies, pastries, breads, and much more is sure to capture the American audience with fresh and never before seen looks and tastes.
Customer Reviews:
It's a 'keeper'.......2006-05-25
A COLLECTION OF FINE BAKING: THE RECIPES OF YOUNG MO KIM has recently been selected as the recipient for the 'Best Desserts Cookbook' category from Gourmand World Cookbook for 2005 - and it's easy to see why. Here are luscious-looking cookies, cakes, pastries and breads which pair beautiful professional color photos with a touch of professional style cooks at home can easily achieve. And herein lies the difference between A COLLECTION OF FINE BAKING and most competitors: most baking books are either geared for home cooks and lack professional finesse, or for pros - and lack accessibility by home cooks. A COLLECTION OF FINE BAKING easily straddles the line between pro and homemaker to provide both audiences with tips on how to produce professional results from a home kitchen. It's a 'keeper'.
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch
Even I can bake!.......2005-09-09
A friend of mine bought me this book to prove to me that even I can bake! She is an excellent baker & I would never even try because I was always intimidated by her baking skills. Well, it turns out - even I can bake! This book or should I call it a baking road map helped me so much. The format of this book is great - it is inviting and does not scare the heck out of you when you open it up. Usually I say, I can't do this stuff. But this book is easy to read and understand. Each baking instruction has a corresponding picture to illustrate the steps. When I go through the recipes I feel like I have Young Mo Kim in the kitchen with me - teaching me - guiding me - helping me along the way. The characters were also very helpful providing tips & guidance & very funny at times. A cookbook with humor - what a concept!! I recommend this book highly and will probably give this as gift to my baking challenged friends and family.
Top Notch.......2005-09-08
A top notch baking book that fuses European pastries with Asian ingredients: Imagine the richness of French desserts mixed with ingredients like green tea and ginger? This is a cookbook like no other.
Young Mo Kim began his adventures in baking when he was 17 years old. His passion brought him to pastry arts school. Before he was 30 years old, he opened his first bakery in Seoul, Korea. Currently, he has four bakeries and one cafe. Not only does he teach baking at culinary schools as well as to home bakers, he is also a celebrity chef on television. He is currently the president of the Korean Bakers Association. This is his third baking book, and the first one in English.
Not only are there fantastic photos of the finished product for each recipe, but also photos of each stage of creation, totally over 1000 photos! I find this extremely helpful when trying a completely new recipe.
Young Mo Kim's experience at teaching home bakers is quite evident. He explains the method to each recipe so well, anyone can try these recipes.
Chapters included in this book are: Simple Delights (cookies, pound cake and more); A World of Bread (croissants, scones, bagels and more); Fantastic Desserts (tarts, souffles and more); Cakes for Special Occasions (genoises, sponges, cheesecakes and more); Valentine's Day (chocolate); Holiday Treats (yule logs, fruit cake and more); ingredients; and equipment.
One of my favorite recipes is: Pumpkin Cake. It is very different from what we usually see. The cake is a layer cake with the cake part made of a pumpkin genoise. Instead of a cream cheese frosting, the cake is filled with a pumpkin mousse. It is topped with chantilly cream. The entire outside of the cake is covered in genoise powder and then utilizing a jack o lantern stencil and cocoa powder, there is a jack o lantern on the top of the cake!
Another tidbit about this book is that there are Dream Character characters that offer tips and ideas throughout the book. It's like getting a tiny bit of anime on each page!
For the home baker that is wanting an easy-to-read book that offers new ideas to baking your repertoire. This is a wonderful book!
UPDATE: Winner of a Gourmand World Cookbook Award for 2006 Best Desserts Book in the World on May 21st, 2006.
Tastes just as good as it looks.......2005-09-08
My girlfriend bought this book for me after I said I wanted to try baking at home, and I was a little intimidated at first because all of the pictures looked so professional. But as soon as I dove in, I found that the recipes were very easy to follow, and my cakes ended up looking (almost) as good! But more importantly, they tasted phenomenal. The ingredients are always very specific, they don't want you to use just any old kind of flour. But I'm sure you could and it would still taste great! Anyway, I've made about a dozen of the recipes so far with very little trouble (any omissions were my own I'm sure)and I can't wait to try some of those delicious looking holiday cakes. If you love baking, do yourself a favor and buy this book. If I can use it, you can too!
I know facts about this book!.......2005-09-03
I've been a very serious home baker for last 7 years and enjoy baking very much. I'm a fan of this author and own all of his books. His first baking book was published in 2002(in Korean only!). Now, `A Collection of Fine Baking', is a brand new book and it is published only in English. I read from the Korean Daily article about this book and it said that it will be published in Korean sometime next year. I've already tried many of the recipes in this book and results are just incredible! Every recipe shows the step-by-step photos and demonstration from beginning to the ending. It was so easy for me to follow. This book explains each recipes in detail. you'll not make any mistakes when you follow these recipes. I just have to say... it is definitely a five star baking book and enjoying them very much.
Book Description
Several cichlid varieties constitute ninety percent of the fish in Lake Victoria and surrounding waters. All make colorful additions to the hobbyist's fish tank. Here is a wealth of advice and information on keeping these fascinating fish. Barron's comprehensive Pet Owner's Manuals are heavily illustrated and filled with useful information. They instruct owners on how to care for their dogs, cats, birds, fish, and other animals. Books give advice on purchasing and acquiring, health care, feeding, and much more. Clear, straightforward texts are accompanied by high-quality full-color photos and anatomically accurate line art, as well as helpful tables and charts.
Customer Reviews:
Very informative.......1999-01-17
Although you indicate it's not out yet in print. The St. Louis County Library have had it for over a month and it is the best source for cataloging my stamps I have found.
Book Description
A guide to using more than flowers to make a beautiful garden, this book discusses the small trees and shrubs that make up much of the structure for contemporary gardens. Trees and shrubs are arranged according to months of interest with many of the trees' characteristics described through multiple seasons-flowers in spring, foliage in summer, foliage and fruit in fall, and bark in winter. Gardeners can find the information they need quickly, and each of the 272 entries include beautiful photographs showing the plant characteristics in a natural setting. Specific gardening information is listed for each tree-the plant type, zone grown in, fruit or flower, habit or foliage, height, width, spacing, light, soil, care, uses in the garden, problems, insider's tips, and complimentary plants. Deciduous, evergreen, and broadleaf evergreen trees and shrubs are all profiled.
Book Description
Much more than just another tree encyclopedia, Trees for the Small Garden is a careful selection of the 100 best trees for use in small temperate gardens. Each entry includes lavish photographs and clear information about growth rate, care requirements, and seasonal interest. An extensive, illustrated tree-selector table allows readers to quickly choose that special tree that will make their garden a source of envy. This book will be an invaluable resource for every suburban gardener seeking to get the most out of their garden space.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing content.......2007-02-26
This book really tells one nothing that cannot be easily gleaned from any number of truly fine books on woody plants (can anyone spell "Dirr", after whom the purchase of this book is nearly pointless). I bought this book hoping it would be a fine, narrowly focused tome. But it tells me nothing I did not already know, and suggested nothing that I had not already been made aware of by other truly splendid books. Do not waste your money.
A good reference for the professional or homeowner.......2006-03-14
I am really impressed with this book on small trees. As a landscape designer, I look for horticultural books that present the information in a clear and simple way, but don't dumb it down in the process, and this book wins on both counts. The information is of a professional caliber, but would also be accessible to anyone with a basic hobbyist's/ homeowner's knowledge of horticultural terms.
The book is arranged alphabetically by botanical name (with the common name printed in bold below the botanical name), and each page or set of two pages features a different plant. Nearly every page in the book has either one full-page color photo or a series of close-up photos showing the special features of each plant, so you can really see what the habit, foliage, and flowers/ fruits look like.
Each page of text has a box with the plant's basic information such as height, hardiness, soil preferences, and light needs, so it is easy to narrow down your search quickly. The text on each page goes into fuller detail about the plant's uses and preferences, the different cultivars available and the benefits and drawbacks of each. The text amasses a wealth of information that is hard to figure out by experience and that often isn't readily available, so I am finding it an exceptionally valuable reference. The author chose plants that are easy to find at the nursery, but aren't so common that you will end up planting the same tree that all of your neighbors have.
The numerous, clear, full-color photos are also wonderful. I am finding that this is a book that I take with me on consultations to show people my favorite trees, because I haven't found any other book which has such great pictures of the mature specimens.
If you are trying to find a plant with a certain attribute, the author has a tree selector in the back, which has charts of plants separated by certain characteristics, like attractive flowers, attractive fruits or cones, foliage interest, fall color, attractive bark, and winter interest. The charts can help you compare plants with those attributes, to find out, say, which trees with attractive flowers will also tolerate heavy soils and have fall color. Then you can narrow it down further to find which of those plants bloom in the spring.
Overall, this is an excellent reference and well-worth the money. Between the easily navigated charts, the thorough and easy-to-understand text, and the gorgeous photos, this has become my favorite reference book when looking up a tree.
An excellent book for gardeners.......2005-12-20
This book contains everything you need in selecting trees for a small garden area. Most of the book is dedicated to the directory of over 65 trees/varieties. It has multiple color photos for each tree, one of a mature specimen in a garden scene and then others of interesting aspects of that tree, such as bark, foliage, flowers, fruit, etc. Also with each tree is a table of the basic information about the tree - soil type, temperature, hardiness and potential problems or weaknesses.
Another point of interest here is the background and history of each tree, including the country of origen.
I found the tables in the back of the book to be quite useful, identifying trees with interesting flowers, foliage, winter interest, bark, etc. A map of hardiness zones for North Americn and Europe is the inside back cover. There is also a list of books for further reading.
I really like this book.
Great Book!.......2005-09-04
By focusing on the smaller trees that can add so much to the garden of the average home owner, this book has filled a niche that has long existed. The information is quite good, and I especially liked the photography. I have used it several times in the few weeks I have had it, and it was always a great help. Along with Michael Dirr's books on trees, this volumn has a reserved place on my "top shelf."
Good Reference Book for Homeowners.......2005-06-07
With 177 pages, "Trees for the Small Garden" tries to narrow the choice of garden trees to a reasonable number from which a homeowner may choose without becoming either overwhelmed or a horticultural expert. [For a more comprehensive list check out "Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs" by Michael Dirr.]
Featured cultivars are said to be easily attainable at local nurseries and other plant suppliers.
Text descriptions include size (most of the specimens grow to a height of less than 33 feet, with many considerably smaller), hardiness, climate and soil specifications, pests and diseases, invasiveness and toxicity (of concern for those of us who like children and pets.) In addition there is something described as `aspect' by which I understand the author to mean environmental preference such as whether the plant likes to be sheltered.
There is a section on "Finding and Selecting Trees" and, of course, one on how to plant trees. All of these introductory discourses are then followed by the "Directory of Trees" itself. Each plant has 2 pages of photos. These lovely pictures show, when appropriate, features of the tree, such as what it looks like in bloom, or in winter. If the bark is of interest this also will be depicted so that there is no doubt what your tree will look like.
Each tree also has a "factfinder" block of data which states maximum height, hardiness, aspect, soil type, soil pH, and country of origin.
At the end of the book is a "Tree Selector" chart which lists each tree again with the following data:
Tolerance of ...
-- heavy clay soils
-- alkaline soils
-- poorly draining soils
-- dry soil
-- salt spray
-- exposure
-- extreme cold
Also whether the tree is evergreen, compact, flowered (in season), has foliage of interest, interesting fall color, attractive bark and winter interest.
Nicely done, this manageably sized book is a good guide for the homeuser. The only drawback I found (for me at least) in this and in nearly every other every tree and shrub tomb, is that the authors ONLY refer to plants by their Latin names. Unlike some books, however, this one at least allows you to look up the common names in the index so that one does not need to know that a Black Locust is scientifically known as `Robinia pseudoacacia'.
Book Description
So what exactly is "pop bonsai"? Bonsai like you've never seen before-a "freestyle" version, in fun containers, that reflects the author's breakaway approach to this ancient art.
Pop Bonsai involves taking a tiny seedling, trimming its branches and leaves, and wiring the trunk and branches to bend them into almost any style. The result: a living work of art, for next to no cost, to display as you like-in a ball of moss, on a can of beer, even in a pair of shoes or an eggcup!
Naturally this does require some basic bonsai techniques, and advice on looking after plants. But in contrast to classical bonsai, where the aim is carefully to reproduce natural scenery in miniature, pop bonsai stresses the imagination and creativity of people living modern lives.
Throughout, Pop Bonsai takes a no-fuss approach. Almost any kind of tree or foliage plant can be used, and you're encouraged to grow it from scratch. Before starting, you are told what you should know about trees in general, with hints on choosing the right one for your purpose. Instructions on care
and maintenance-soil, temperature, pruning, watering and fertilizers-are provided in a sensible, easy-to-follow way that should take the tension out of "gardening" even for those who have never tried it.
In your own home or on a balcony or at work, pop bonsai will let you enjoy the wonder of the changing seasons close-up, and remind you how precious and fragile life can be. But, cared for properly, your tree should live for decades. And in the process it will give you a taste of the enormous
satisfaction to be gained from creating, and watching over, your own living work of art.
Customer Reviews:
Pop Bonsai.......2007-05-10
I loved this book. The pictures are adorable, it inspires great ideas, and it gives great information about bonsai trees. Its kind of informal and is more fun than function, so buy this book it for into bonsai but not extremely serious about it.
Amazon.com
Full of solid, practical advice and plenty of how-to pictures, Small Trees is an ideal title for those wanting to maximize their success with this large and versatile plant grouping. Focusing on possible combinations with different varieties, containers, and growing conditions, you may be tempted to edge every inch of your lawn with gorgeous pint-sized maples. With so much detail on one particular type of plant, you'll find plenty of direction for growing healthy blooms and foliage, no matter what your specific needs may be.
Designed to be a complete do-it-yourself guide, don't let the small format of this book fool you--it's absolutely jam-packed with ideas for all styles of gardens, and as always, publisher Dorling Kindersley manages to take fairly complicated projects and reduce them to a manageable size that even the gardening novice can handle. Practical considerations are dealt with firmly--choosing healthy plants is an essential beginning, and without intelligent placement and pruning, your new trees will never look their best. The listings by size, bloom shape, foliage color, and optimal conditions are very specific, and new gardeners will find all kinds of useful tips.
Inspirational ideas are plentiful--the garden photographs are lush and detailed and provide all kinds of unusual notions for creating a truly unique gardening space. Whether you're looking for a low-maintenance choice for a difficult spot or want to provide happy homes for neighborhood songbirds, you'll find options for all your projects involving these lovely and versatile plants. --Jill Lightner
Book Description
This new generation of compact, attractive handbooks solves garden problems and showcases important plant groups. Endorsed by the American Horticultural Society, every handbook includes clear instruction and full-color photographs to help inspire confidence and ensure success.
Average customer rating:
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Children's Treasury, The a booK to Grow On Includes House That Jill Built, Little Gray Pony, Poem Childs Garden Of Verses, Bartholomew , Three Little Mice, Sugar-Plum Tree, Posh & Tosh, Horace, Alphabet Park ETC
Marjorie, Art Editor Lillian B. Wuerfel, Color Pictorial Endpapers Small Dogear, Illustrated Color By Rosemary Buebrig, Clara Ernst, Barbara Clyne, Ann Davidow,age 13, ETC, Stories By Carolyn Wells, Maud Lindsay, Robert Louis Steve Compiled by Barrows
Manufacturer: Chicago: Consolidated Book Publishers, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JD61EW |
Average customer rating:
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Making a Small Garden (Wisley Garden Companions)
Geoffrey K. Coombs , and
Keith Rushforth
Manufacturer: Cassell
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ASIN: 0304320420 |
Product Description
Trees are an integral part of every garden, yet most gardens cannot accommodate the larger species which need a great deal of room to grow to their full grandeur. Collected here in a beautifully illustrated guide are complete instructions for the successful cultivation of almost 150 trees, shrubs and conifers which are suitable for smaller spaces. Ideal for both new and experienced gardeners alike.
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- Early modern witch-trials in Sweden
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'Wicked Arts': Witchcraft and Magic Trials in Southern Sweden, 1635-1754 (Cultures, Beliefs and Traditions, Medieval and Early Modern Peoples, Vol 7)
Per Sorlin
Manufacturer: Brill Academic Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 9004111832 |
Customer Reviews:
Early modern witch-trials in Sweden.......2000-05-09
Wicked Arts is the English translation of Mr. Sörlin's Swedish book, 'Trolldoms- och vidskepseprocessena i Göta hovrätt', published in Umeå, in 1993. Other than a few revisions, the English edition is, for all practical purposes, identical to the Swedish one. The study is based upon an empirical investigation that closely examines 353 cases of reported sorcery and minor magic trials, in the period from 1635 to 1754. The book's empirical findings are challenged throughout by three models of interpretation which, it may be claimed, have been prominent in international witch research during the past few decades: 1) the acculturation model, 2) the conflict model, and 3) the system model. In the preface, Sörlin writes how the book was written in reaction to some aspects of the sorcery studies of the 1980s when acculturation was of central importance. By studying minor witch crimes, in areas not affected by witch scares, this Swedish historian concludes that the prospect of elitism, underscored by a theory of the cultural conquest of rural society, is not rewarding as a model of interpretation. Interest in elitism is prominent, of course, in the southern Swedish cases, too, but there it is more a question of discipline and authority, and has less to do with acculturation, cultivation and assimilation. This study also shows that such cases frequently have nothing to do with crises or conflicts. Sörlin means that the most rewarding approach is to study these sorcery cases on their own terms, or, in other words, as separate phenomena that follow their own logic. The book is set apart by its dialogs and should be read slowly to make sense of all the nuances and interesting ideas.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Church History, published by American Society of Church History on June 1, 2000. The length of the article is 987 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: "Wicked Arts": Witchcraft and Magic Trials in Southern Sweden, 1635-1754.
Author: William Monter
Publication:
Church History (Refereed)
Date: June 1, 2000
Publisher: American Society of Church History
Volume: 69
Issue: 2
Page: 432
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
- Information good - quality of book poor
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Designer's Guide to Print Production
Kayanna Pace
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Designing with Type: The Essential Guide to Typography (Designing With Type)
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Steal These Ideas!: Marketing Secrets That Will Make You a Star
ASIN: 0130194662 |
Book Description
This book combines the basics of print production technology with design to give designers the knowledge they need to prepare designs for print. This book covers the fundamentals of printing including file set up, pre-press, the production process, and print production technology. For designers and print production artists who want a basic understanding of the printing process and the technology involved.
Customer Reviews:
Information good - quality of book poor.......2005-08-19
This was a text book for a college class. The content of the book is a good introduction to the subject. As a design student, I feel I benefited from reading it. But, the book itself is cheaply produced. 100 pages, only a few black and white images of poor quality. (Actually, they look like poor photocopies.) The cost of the book is more expensive than many of my other text books, which were printed on quality paper and included lots of full color, photographic images.
There have to be other books with similar content that are better value for the money.
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Designer's Guide to Print Production
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0823013146 |
Product Description
February 1988 issue. Five major sections includePreparing Copy for Type, Preparing Art and Photos, Color Reproduction, Printing and Paper, and Technology Update. Each section has excellent, useful information (for example, Copyfitting and Mark-up Aids, Camera Formats and Film Sizes, Evaluating Color Transparencies etc). There is an 8 page Glossary of terms. Plenty of black and white and color photos and descriptions. ISSN 0886-7682.
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In Struggle Against Jim Crow: Lulu B. White and the Naacp, 1900-1957 (Centennial Series of the Association of Former Students, Texas a & M University)
Merline Pitre
Manufacturer: Texas A&M University Press
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ASIN: 0890968691 |
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- Child Care and Preschools in Metro Denver, 2000-2001 Edition: The Comprehensive Guide to Preschools, Child Care Centers, School-Age Child Care, and Summer Camps
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- Current trends in comparative endocrinology: Proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium on Comparative Endocrinology, Hong Kong, 7-11 December 1981
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