Robert Weaver Books

Too little insight into the big stars he worked for, but fun quick read and glimpse into the "you should have been there" years of classic rock and roll. My favorite part was at the end of the book where Alf gives his hard-won advice on how to be a good "minder." If you like VH1 Behind the Scenes-type exposes, then this book is for you. Warning for the faint-hearted: Alf pulls no punches (so to speak) with language, although he does hold his tongue when it comes to revealing intimate celebrity secrets.

You can pretty much read his in one afternoon. The style of writing is essentially oral history. You also get some great British slang thrown in. All in all, a bit choppy, but worth the effort due to no real literary competitors.

Alf claims to be the first rock n' roll bodyguard and it's interesting to read how he fell into the job. A nice guy and a nice read but if you are buying this to read controversial info on celebrities, you will disappointed.

Alf describes his early life, history in the service and boxing followed by his foray into the life of a bodyguard. Alf has great history with the Beatles particularly, but also the Stones, Led Zeppelin, Cher and Frank Sinatra as well as many others. While he talks about the good traits, there is no dirt or secrets about these people.

Probably the most interesting relationship he has is with Mike Nesmith of the Monkees. Mike comes across as an interesting guy stuck in a bubble gum band that wants to evolve on a higher level musically.

While this is an enjoyable read, there is no real meat to the book that would need to be there to sell in large numbers.

Alf Weaver tells it like it is. No bull****, no boring stories, but ballsy writing and a whole bunch of stuff about all your favourite rock 'n' roll stars.

Lots of former friends of the stars write kiss and tells, but forget about the kissing and the telling. Weaver ain't one of them. He's got the juice on everyone from Frank Sinatra to The Beatles and also a lot of interesting stuff about The Monkees, Led Zeppelin and all the great bands from the 60s and 70s.

The table of contents and general outline were acceptable.

The reference to diet affecting assertiveness was a big stretch.

The bibliography was difficult to corroborate and certain references to books were not found when searching for them by using Amazon.com

The book is worth less than the price asked.

The best written and most complete non-technical book on assertiveness training available. A clear, even handed guide to the behavior and thinking changes required to become more assertive. Very practical in its approach.

This is a time honored book that teaches individuals how to be themselves with dignity. If you have ever felt that you can't say no, or that you can't ask for something that 'belongs' to you then this is a great text. It is easy to read and well illustrated with examples of its teaching. A Primer of sorts for all who want to live their lives fully. Remember this teaches about being assertive and that is not a 4-letter word. enjoy

This book is the definitive text on re-learning communication. I have used it for myself and taught programs using this as the primary guide. These tools are very effective and the book is an excellent resource.

I thought the advice given was nothing new, cliche-ish and thus very uninspiring. The book often refers the reader to other books for what I believe it lacked--depth and focus. Also I disagree with the writers idea of how to handle anger. They mention how, in early editions of this book, they had encouraged readers to physically express anger safely but now recommend verbal expression instead. The importance of safe physical expression of anger is clearly and effectively explained in John Lee's "Facing the Fire"--a must-read for anyone having issues over anger especially suppressed anger left over from the past.

I never know what to expect when ordering something used. I was very happy, it was like brand new, but at a used price. Very nice, Thanks

Dr. Meyer's Case Studies is a well-written and comprehensive view of mental disorders. It is a fine supplement to any abnormal, clinical or forensic psychology class. Disregard the previous reviewer's comments. It is obvious that his political views cloud his "scholarly" judgment.

This is an excellent collection of case studies that illustrate the various classes of mental disorders. It is a useful addition to courses on psychopathology. Although most abnormal psychology texts have a few case studies, it is helpful to have even more examples.

The book includes several case studies for each class of mental disorder, as well as descriptions of the common features of each class. It discusses differential diagnosis and treatment options for each class of disorder, although sometimes these discussions (particularly regarding treatment options) are not as thorough as one could hope. However, given that the purpose is to serve as a secondary text, it is more than adequate.

One feature of the book can be a strength or a weakness, depending on your point of view. The author includes many case studies of famous people (e.g., Karen Carpenter for anorexia). This can be considered a strength, as it is likely to engage people in learning the material. It is also a weakness, primarily because these figures typically have much more severe forms of the disorder than most people are likely to encounter in clinical practice (most people with paraphilias are not like Jeffrey Dahmer). These examples are useful for learning about the core features of a disorder, but less useful for depicting the typical presentation in a clinical context. Even given this limitation, I highly recommend this book for anyone who is taking an advanced undergraduate course in psychopathology.

In the case studies for abnormal sexual behaviors, along with Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer, is listed that one of William Jefferson Clinton. If we consider the life of the former president an abnormal behavior instead of a political maneuvre to discredit a political opponent on an issue that it would be otherwise been accepted as a normal behavior from very many in the U.S. and abroad - many psychologists included - we teach a dangerous lesson and we set a dangerous standard. Such lesson would be very much welcomed by those people who exploit sexual personal issues to either state a twisted ethics (like Sen. Rick Santorum) or present a non-serious examination of sexual abnormal behavior, based on facts not always proved , like Mr. Meyer did in the case of Mr. Clinton.

One of m friends were showing me this book when we were talking about genetics and stuff. I became intrested of it and borrowed it for a couple of weeks. This book led me into the world of genetic principles, possibilities and etics in no time. The language is in a medium level, quit easy to understand even for a swedish teacher. It is perfect if you study fundamental genetics or want to now what genetics is all about.

Every precinct of mobile homes, whether park or court, woods, grove, or manor, builds a culture of its own. However varied the residents may be and whatever the ebb and flow of tenantry, a distinct ethos is created. And,as lives intertwine, social dynamics are generated. There are strata of power, circles of confidence and suspicion, and tides of social change. These operate to produce a singular design. That design, however, may be a web of malignant mystery as it is in the demesne of Leo Bass, owner, manager, and resident tyrant at Basswood Motor Home Court.
It is the sudden death of the obnoxious Mr. Bass that propels Adam Clay, State Trooper, to the scene. He finds hinself looking into not just one mystery but a whole set of strange events, past, present, and imminent. As in the medieval village good intentions and bad acts swirl around an interesting cast of characters, well sketched and strongly developed. The strands of mystery reach even deeper. We are steered gently by means of very effective dialogue into the enigma of a murder. Then we meet , too, the moral ambiguities of the "free speech," "free love," "burn baby burn" climate of the Sixties. The issues and actions of the trailer court people turn out to be connected to another scene of action, the campus of Arden College.
The death of Leo Bass, apparently by a stroke of lightning, an "Act of God," is an explanation that satisfies, indeed pleases, all but Adam Clay. He sees unconnected wires and closely connected lives suggesting that God is working in ways more mysterious than lightning. The cross connection among certain of the tenants provide more culpability than any detective needs. Simple good and evil keep tripping over each other.
The scenes grow dark and dangerous, even for those bent on doing good. Colliding events, at Basswood and on the Arden campus, confront Trooper Clay and the reader with a well-drawn series of moral challenges, some of which remain after the last page is read. Piece by piece and against the stubborn tides of common sense, Clay builds his sppecial brief carrying the reader along through every step. He "solves" the case but leaves us and most of his characters with some intricate moral dilemmas. These are characters of substance and they endure. This book is not exactly "ulta-lite" fare. The edged writing requires the reader to keep track of the twists and turns of the plot. It's a worthwhile trail!
Days after the cover is closed and the slim volume returned to the shelf one is likely to be musing: Does Clay ever put to rest his own demons? Can Father McGrath come to terms with his dupicitous saints? And, sometimes, where did I put Helen Brownell's new address?

After reading the all the reviews for this book I decided to take the chance and see how wonderful or bad this cookbook could be. To be honest, I had mixed results although I'd make three of the recipes again with modifications.

The recipes I tried include:

Spiced Bran Muffins
Vegetable Barley Stew with Lentils
Penne with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Chicken
Chocolate Tofu Cake

Some of the reviewers commented on the amount of ginger in the Bran Muffins. I have to agree, ¼ to ½ of a teaspoon would be preferable. I tried them with the full amount and thought they were a bit spicy. The texture was good and they are very low in fat so they would work on a low-fat-high-fiber diet. I'll definitely make them again.

The Vegetable Stew was interesting but I'd advise you to leave out the lentils because they take so long to cook. There is a lot of barley in the recipe and tons of delicious vegetables. It is very healthy but you might need to use an entire bottle of V8 juice and an additional 3 cups of water because there are so many vegetables it needs more liquid. I added two teaspoons of garlic salt for flavor.

The Penne with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Chicken was my favorite recipe but I adapted it so the sauce was a little richer in flavor. To adapt the recipe just use 2 tablespoons butter in place of the cooking spray and use an additional tablespoon flour. I also added 1 teaspoon of garlic salt for flavor and used whole milk in place of the evaporated milk. I didn't use the pepper flakes because I didn't want it to be too spicy. My husband also liked this recipe the most and it freezes well (I'm cooking for two not four so I freeze leftovers).

The Chocolate Tofu Cake is more like a cheesecake and was my least favorite recipe. The cake only turns out to be about ¼ of an inch thick. So if you are on a diet this might be a good option if you like tofu. I'd recommend serving it with a rich chocolate sauce to add a little more chocolate flavor.

I'm of the opinion that if you find one recipe in a cookbook it is worth the price. I found three and I'm sure I'll try more in the coming months. I wouldn't recommend this to new cooks as some of the recipes do take quite some time to put together (also, lots of dishes to wash) unless you adapt them - like the Vegetable Soup "without" the lentils would be much quicker to make.

~The Rebecca Review

7/23/2008 - I made the "Un-Fried" chicken and it was delicious. I left out the cayenne pepper and creole seasoning and used poultry seasoning in place of the herbs. After dipping the chicken in yogurt and then in the seasoned bread crumbs I placed a teaspoon of butter on each piece of chicken before putting them in the oven. The entire house had a warm buttery savory scent. My husband couldn't wait for dinner.

My family and I used this cookbook last year after we got it for Christmas. I have to say, we began with trepidation, wanting to do everything "right" but pretty soon we were laughing and having a good time. The results were yummy. The food was tasty and we had a bunch of fun making it. After that first experiment, I served some stuff to my book club, announcing "Here are Oprah's Favorites." The only thing missing was Oprah.

Especially like the salad and pasta dishes. Well worth the money. I don't understand the "bland" remarks other reviewers have made.

While I overall liked this book, as a 'non-cook,' I sometimes found it hard to follow. If my cooking skills were at a much higher level, I think I would have thoroughly enjoyed it.

Rosie Daley is probably as well known for serving as "Oprah's Chef" as for her own work. In an Introduction, Oprah Winfrey notes (page xi): "I once believed that eating healthy meant eating food that was missing something--TASTE." Then, at a spa where she went, she experienced the meals of Rosie Daley. Of that experience, Winfrey said (page xi): "This new way of eating very low fat, low sugar, low salt. . .has made such a difference in my life."

This short work includes recipes for soups, salads, pasta, entrees, vegetables, and desserts. One of the things that I really like seeing is no salt among the ingredients and low fat ingredients as part of recipes. For instance, on page 69, she provides her recipe for pizza sauce. No salt, no sugar. Just tomato paste, tomato puree, and, for some zest, red paper flakes, oregano, basil, and thyme. On pages 86-87, there is an interesting recipe for Peppered Tuna Nicoise. Lots of ingredients--including wasabi and ginger for some kick. However, instructions are pretty straightforward.

Finally, an interesting potato dish--Roasted Mustard Potatoes. As with the items already mentioned, a little spiciness is included, with chili powder and cayenne pepper. Pretty easy to make and a potato dish with a bit of pizzazz.

The main problem for me is that there are so few recipes. However, what is included has some interesting and fairly easy to make items.

The recipes I tried were the unfried french fries, unfried crabcakes, and unfried chicken. All were rather bland and needed modifications. The yogurt idea with the unfried chicken was good but it turned out a bit dry and somewhat bland. Maybe less oven time and more spices. The french fries were good but needed a bit more seasoning. The crab cakes needed more egg in order to hold together and were quite dry and tasteless. I like the healthy ideas behind the recipes but they just need more flavor. I probably won't try many more of the recipes given how the first three I tried turned out.

Compared to the rest of the series, this story was a bit lacking in the forensic details (which I like), but had all the action and suspense to make it a good thriller. The murder scenes are grisly, and Walker describes them well in great detail. I found Jessica to still be an interesting character, and I enjoyed the attention given to her interactions with her colleagues and those around her.

I was very excited to see that Walker had a new thriller out. It did not overall, grab me, like the others Instinct books did, however. Coran was tentative rather than extreme "go for broke". Still I would read it again.

This book has none of the forensic or scientific details that drew me to ME thrillers, and Jessica Coran in particular. She may as well have been an untrained PI. Perhaps Walker has run out of Coran material. His new book Cutting Edge introduces a new character and is quite a bit better.

This book the 6th in the EXTREME series, is the best one. I loved the chases across states the logical dedctive reasoning and the killer is sooo evil and scary. Good gore and a great plot. Now going to read the HC of BLIND INSTINCT.

Superb information. Easy to understand yet comprehensive. This is a "must have" for grape growers. Only reason I'm getting rid of it is area I now live doesn't support grapes [outside of muscadine which grow like a weed]. This covers everything the others don't.

I got the book from the library and I want it. There is too much good detail to remember. Can you talk them into publishing it on CD Rom? Or, can they at least print some more so I can buy it? It is a narrow subject that probably doesn't have enough readers, but it is good.

Very disappointed in this book. I found it a shallow and pretentiously technical book.

If you are even an occasional consumer of hamburgers, then Great Burgers will become your kitchen bible. Why settle for fast food burgers when you can make your own delights at home?

Sloan's book is divided into four, easy-to-use categories: Classic Burgers, Adventurous Burgers, Lighter Burgers, and Side Dishes. And there is something for everyone.

Surprisingly, despite the title, not all recipes are for burgers made of beef. There are a number of recipes for burgers made with tuna, lobster, chicken, and portabello mushrooms among other ingredients, and all sound absolutely delicious.

In addition to listing basic ingredients, Sloan also gives a list of basic condiments in the opening of the book, and explains why each one is perfect for burgers, and he also discusses the various methods of preparing each type of burger.

Whether it's the basic bacon cheeseburger you crave, or a more adventurous burger like his recipe for a Thai Veal burger, you'll find this book will also trigger your own ideas for variations on the norm.

The side dish recipes include Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, the classic French Fry, delicious garlic mashed potatoes, and even an authentic New York Egg Cream.

If you're looking to inject a little change into what you normally think of as a burger, then Great Burgers will help you reflavor your taste.

There's so much more to a hamburger than will ever be encountered at a McDonald's or a Wendy's or a Burger King. Great Burgers: Mouthwatering Recipes by burgermeister Bob Sloan offers a culinary collection of savory hamburger recipes that brings this American classic up into the ranks of gourmet dining. There are even "kitchen friendly" recipes for superbly crafted non-meat burgers! From the Portobello Mushroom and Goat Cheese Burger; to the Lamb and Feta Burger with Cumin-Yogurt Dressing; to the Churasco Burger with Chimichurri Sauce; to the Portobello-Eggplant Burger with Smoked Mozzarella and Tapenade, Great Burgers is one specialty cookbook that fully lives up to its title! Enhanced throughout with the color photography of Jonelle Weaver, Great Burgers is additionally enhanced with a chapter dedicated to truly superb recipes for side dishes, a "Table of Equivalents", and an index. If you only have room on your kitchen shelf for one more cookbook, then make it Bob Sloan's Great Burgers!

There are a whole bunch of burger cookbooks out this spring and I bought three. This one came in third; pictures were kind of bland, and recipes seemed vaguely familiar. Nothing too original here. The others had ideas that I never would have thought of. Burgers Every Way and The Great Big Burger Book are better collections of new ways to make burgers.

I just purchased this book and finished it today. It is pretty much a copy of T.D. Maguffee's book with added recent information. Although I did learn something new, about Aaron Latham, nothing else surprised me or excited me. In some areas of this book I almost fell asleep, and that saying a lot being a ten year sigourney fan. I would stick to the TD Maguffee book and periodicals at the library.