TOM Books

Terrific novel. Such a genuine, non-judgemental look at extra-relational relations (a euphemism if there ever was one), and so skillful at portraying how society deals with pedophilia. I was also impressed that a man caught the classic "Queen Bee-ness" of Mary Ann's character, and how her sidekicks were so driven by fear of her disapproval. I sympathized will all the characters, even the slimeballs. I sensed that the author didn't quite catch the "dialect" of three-year-old speech. Something to work on for his next great novel!

This is a wise and humane novel and one of the very few American novels to deal with marital and extramarital sex with honesty and understanding. Both the plotting and the characterization are exceptional and I hope this book finds a much wider audience.

I haven't seen the movie and don't know if I intend to. I just wanted a great book, and this was definitely a perfect choice! It's the kind of story that pulls you in immediately, and you can't put down, even though it's really time to go to bed!

There is suspense, electricity, and a twist. It should go on your list if you ever wonder about having a lover. Or want to read about someone who took the plunge.

Little Children was my favorite movie of 2006, and also my sister's favorite. So someone gave my sister a copy of the book it was based on. After she finished it, she gave it to me. It is a lot like the movie, only longer, since it doesn't have a two hour time limit. There are many extra scenes here that didn't make it into the movie. Much more background into the characters' past. One main difference between the book and the movie is that the actors in the movie don't match the descriptions of the characters in the book (not that they have to). The main difference plotwise is that the character of Ronnie meets a different fate in the book and the movie. Anyway, this is a great book which I enjoyed very much.

The book that I read was called The Little Gentleman. The book was about a man called "Mr. Franklin" that has broken his leg and a lady named "Ms. Miller" she took her granddaughter to help her clean the mans house. Then he tells the girl one day that she should go to the meadow to read out loud. After a couple of days a beaver comes and listens to her read. They become friends and he tells her that if any intruder comes to yell a word. After the man has heal his leg he stars to read to himself out loud.

This book rocks!!! I think this is the best book I have read all year. My favorite part was when Moon was chasing Mole. Moon was trying to catch Mole so he could eat him. Then, Bet threw a book at Moon and he ran away like a scaredy cat. That's why I liked this book.

Maura W.

This book rocks! I think it is the best book I have read this year. My favorite part was when Moon was chasing Mole. Moon was trying to catch Mole so he could eat him. Then, Bet threw the book at Moon and he ran away. I think that was funny. So that's why I think this book rocks!

Maura W

The mole I've known the longest is the funky-looking critter who makes a very brief appearance in Shel Silverstein's A GIRAFFE AND A HALF. The mole whose story has meant the most to me is the hopeful and persistent character in David McPhail's MOLE MUSIC. Then there is that most gracious host to tired little bunnies in the Barbara Cooney-illustrated SEVEN LITTLE RABBITS. (The music cassette accompanying that book is forever imprinted on my brain after my having played it as part of several thousand naptimes during my former preschool career.)

There is, in fact, a whole delightful assortment of moles in children's literature. But I'm seeing the mole (Condylura cristata) in a whole new light after being enchanted by the subterranean-dwelling "little gentleman in black velvet" who is at the center of Philippa Pearce's latest book.

"...Mole he is burrowing
his way to the sunlight
He knows there's someone there so strong..."
--Moody Blues, "Watching and Waiting"

Bet lives with her grandparents. Her grandmother tends to Mr. Franklin and to Mr. Franklin's home, and Bet frequently accompanies her grandmother there when not at school. When Mr. Franklin becomes indisposed--having fallen from a ladder and broken his leg--he enlists Bet to sit at the log out on the riverbank by herself and read aloud. Thus the girl comes to meet that most unique mole who is not only well-spoken in the King's English, but is also inadvertently responsible for a pivotal incident in the annals of the British monarchy and, thereby, the subject of a well-known historic toast.

But despite all of that, he is still a most down-to-earth fellow:

"The mole spoke as if indeed in mid-flow of neighborly chat:'...And you probably have little idea of how delicious--how scrumptious--they are when eaten fresh. Of course, I have my worm larder--' He corrected himself. 'Worm larders, well stocked, but the prey pursued, or promptly pounced upon, and eaten fresh--as I've said--Ah! the earthworm, there's nothing like it! You can have your wireworms and your leatherjackets and as many ground beetles as you like to eat--snap! crackle! crunch! You can have them all! Even the toothsome slug has nothing to equal the near liquefaction of worm meat as I pass its length through my fingers sieving out the earth granules from its incessant feeding. Or alternatively tear it to eat it at once in great guzzling, gulping chunks.' "

And as surely as Bet comes to learn the twists and turns that mark the mole's jawdropping personal tale of history, sorcery, and happenstance, readers come to realize that the story of Bet and the mole is an intense tale of friendship and selflessness and choices. And while this is a book that is quite accessible to third and fourth graders, the questions THE LITTLE GENTLEMAN poses, in regard to what one would do for a friend, makes this story also fit in quite nicely alongside any number of YAs that probe similar ground, albeit in a more edgy and mature fashion.

" 'Now,' said Bet with satisfaction, 'we're going to go the whole hog.'
" 'More accurately,' said the mole, 'the whole mole!' "

Philippa Pearce, skillfully digging into British historic trivia, has mined a rich vein with THE LITTLE GENTLEMAN. The book arrived here just in the nick of time--it becomes my read aloud for our family vacation this coming week--and it is sure to be received with similar enthusiasm by all those who somewhere, down deep, are "watching and waiting for a friend to play with."

Truly gorgeous photography in this book, and his depiction of the temperament, personality and intelligence of Abyssinian cats is so true! So many photos in the book and descriptions of behavior mirrored life with my own Abyssinian cat. The story of how living with Dickens gave such entertainment and pleasure is absolutely charming.

Of course any cat lover will adore this book...but it will likely make many converts among those who think cats are just decorative bean bags, too! My photographer friend really appreciated the "Hurrell" portrait in the book as well as the composition and quality of the photos overall.

We "Aby people" have always said if Ferrari designed a cat, it would be this breed of cat. Wonderful book!

I collect cats books and this is absolutely the best! The black and white pictures are taken with superb skills and perspective. The text carries an elegant sense of humour. It is a complete visual entertainment for a cat lover.

I picked up this book on a whim -- and am ever grateful I did! The pictures of Little Dickens make me not only want to take up photography, but buy an Abyssinian also.

How did he catch that shot of sweet little Dickens in mid sneeze, I can't help but wonder!

Buy this book if you need a pick-me-up, or know someone who does, it's like comfort food for the eyes. Even if you believe you are a "dog person," you won't be able to avoid being delighted by the candid images Tom Bianchi shares in this book.

Dear friends. After twelve and one half years of loving life, Dickens died this past April. Fortunately,he had only one sick day at the end. I'm lucky to have had this wonderful five star cat's company. I'm grateful that his charm lives on and that so many people got to know him through his book. Thank you. Tom Bianchi

This is the only book from Longman I would have ever considered buying. I love it and I have recommended it to all of my students and most have purchased it and they also find it useful. This useful little book shows you the differences between words. For example. hotel, motel, inn, etc. Only buy the English version of this book. There is a Chinese version available but the translations are terrible.

i am a college student in Taiwan.i want to study english further,all of my teachers recommended this dictionary.when i read it..oh..it's an amazing book!it helps me a lot with writing and it makes me know many words very clearly.

i am a college student.when i want to study further,i asked all my english teachers what's dictionary that i should buy.they all recommended this book.when i read it.wow!what's a amazing book!it really helps me a lot.i love it.

A thematic dictionary is an excellent way to learn a language. I advise you to buy two : one you'll put on the loos and one in your bathroom. Just read them in your spare time. In six months you'll have astonishingly improved your vocabulary. Jacques De Schryver (french journalist).

Having read all of the original Benson books and the sequels by Tom Holt, I think I am something of a Lucia-expert. Therefore, I can certainly feel the difference in style between the Benson books and this wonderful Holt pastiche, but I still love it. England is at war, as are Mapp and Lucia. The battle in Tilling goes to the one who gathers the most officers for their parties. Naturally, Queen Lucia leads the fray, but Elizabeth has an ace up her sleeve in the form of a distant cousin who serves in the military. The campaign against Germany has nothing on the intrigues of those nemesi of Tilling. Holt does an admirable job of breathing life into these characters, and his obviously knowledge about and affection for the original saga makes this novel a joy.

Holt is ingenious in his attempts to cast himself back into the twisted mind of EF Benson. Throughout the book he nearly achieves the impossible, for alas no modern author could really be as perfect as Benson. Nevertheless this book (and TRIUMPHANT) are worthy successors to the original six and are not bad in their own right, though perhaps giving Georgie Pillson such prominence wasn't the best idea he had. LUCIA IN WARTIME might well have been called GEORGIE IN WARTIME for our little hero, one of the most effeminate husbands in all literature, here achieves mass popularity nearly on the scale of his opera singing idol Olga Bracely, by becoming a cook. His radio broadcasts sweep the nation and cheer up a populace devastated by German bombing and grimly stuck with a harshly limited menu, for Georgie has somehow learned to disguise everything as something else so that you too can serve Lobster a la Riseholme (Benson's immortal invention) at a dinner party for eight even if you have only a cup of rolled oats and perhaps a carrot.

Lucia is thereby thrust somewhat in the shadow of things, and even her arch rival Elizabeth Mapp-Flynt attains a momentary upper hand when she intercepts Lucia's invitation from Windsor Castle and goes in Lucia's place, claiming that Lucia will be unable to attend. Maybe TRIUMPHANT is a bit better that WARTIME, for TRIUMPHANT has the hilarious mystery of Mapp's lineage to make a throughline in it, whereas WARTIME just goes amiably along from one "almost working" plot to another. Nevertheless all the old gang are here, nearly recognizable--quaint Irene, Diva Plaistow, the Wyses, Benjy and Foljambe. Long live Lucia!

Though published before Holt's other highly satisfying sequel to Benson's sextet, "Lucia in Wartime" reads perfectly as the concluding volume. Best to read "Lucia Triumphant" right after the last Benson (or maybe a few weeks later, so the very slight shift in voice and rhythm isn't so apparent), and then this last. The final paragraph is just how that dazzling chronicle of entre-deux-guerres small-town England should end.

Tom Holt has moved Lucia to the days of Winston Churchill and WWII. He wrote this sequel to the Lucia novels after E.F. Benson passed on, and I must say, he did an admirable job of catching the dialog exactly. You'd swear that Benson wrote this book.

The plot is predictably Lucia, who seeks to gain local social prominence, this time amongst the officers who are heading off to war. Their staff of servants (cook especially) are off doing important wartime work and Lucia and Georgie must fend for themselves. Georgie turns out to have a flair for the kitchen, even with wartime rationing and a surfeit of parsnips. He escapes from Lucia's domininance to shine on his own. Which leads to the triumphant end of the book, and a dinner for a certain cigar chomping notable.

Sad this is out of print, so seek one out. If you are a Lucia addict, this book will add to your enjoyment.

A city like Madrid has centuries of art, culture, history, and cuisine to explore. It's universities lead the world in selected areas of research, and it's museums preserve not just the world's treasures for Spain, but Spain's inheritance for the world. Even ignoring the nearby country and other cities, there is a huge amount to know about this complex place and its people.

I have a business trip to Madrid coming up, just a few days, and most of that taken up with the demands of my trade. I want to know what to see in my few free hours, know where to go, and know what I'm looking at when I see it. Lacking a native guide or a detailed program of study, this Eyewitness guide seems like just what I wanted. It's clearly organized by sections of the city (and beyond), and by different kinds of events and attractions. It includes brief, tabular summaries describing where to stay, eat, and shop. It covers the prgamatics of getting around an unfamiliar city and country, and of understanding a few gastronomic specialties that may not be familiar.

I'm sure it's missing a lot. A very big city, big in history if not in millions of inhabitants, can't fit into a small book. But I have a small time in which to enjoy Madrid first-hand. I won't know til I'm there just how good this is, but it has my hopes up.

//wiredweird

This is the book you put in your coat pocket and take with you when you leave the hotel. It has the best maps, the top sights listed and detailed, the right amount of history, the best book. It is also beautifuly done, and is fun to look at for the pictures and maps. If you are visiting Madrid, you are probably also visiting Toledo and Segovia, and this book covers them as well in excellent fashion. I visited that area for 10 days, and this is the book I had on me every day. The book improves the experience of being there.

We just returned from our trip to Madrid and this book was fantastic. My sister is abroad there and my family members have all gotten different guides for their visits, but I have now loaned out both copies I had of this guide, because they found it to be much better than theirs. It has great breakdowns of the areas of Madrid and maps that are all cross-referenced. It also includes a section on Toledo that we found to be very helpful on our day trip there. We were very pleased with this purchase.

I'm taking my second trip to Europe in September...Madrid... and again referred to my favorite travel series....Eyewitness. You really can't beat the Dorling Kindersley publishing group for travel books. As I am a little ADD, the fact that not only do they offer a very reader friendly book, but that they also chock it FULL of pictures is a huge plus. To me, a picture is worth a thousand words, so I have to give Eyewitness my seal of approval. I have been relying on Eyewitness travel guides for about 10 years now and so far, I haven't found any other travel guides that come close in comparison.

Created by Donald Barickman for the Charleston based Magnolias Uptown/Down South restaurant (and enhanced with color photography by Tom Eckerle), Magnolias Uptown/Down South Southern Cuisine showcases 99 superbly presented recipes ranging from Parmesan Fried Oysters with a Roasted Garlic Dip; Pan-Fried Chicken Livers with Caramelized Onions, Country Ham and Red-Eye Gravy; Magnolias' Grilled Chicken Salad with Caramelized Onions, Lemon Vinaigrette and Fresh Parmesan Over Mixed Greens; and Grilled Salmon Filet with Dill Butter Over Creamy White Grits; to Salt and Pepper Fried Shrimp; Magnolias' Steamed Petite Clams with Fresh Tomatoes, White Wine, Garlic and Basil; Pork Bar-B-Que Sandwich with Mustard Slaw and Sweet Pepper Relish; and Magnolias' Baked Creams with Orange Custard Sauce, Chef Barickman's unusual interpretations of traditional Charleston and Lowcountry dishes makes for truly inspired dining.

This prominent Charleston chef provides us with some of his recipes which have made his restaurant a landmark.

For most of us who have not cooked with grits and greens and blackened this and that, this book teaches us to use these ingredients with style and flash.

Particularly enjoyed seeing him prepare Magnolias' Spicy Shrimp, Sausage and Tasso Gravy over Creamy White Grits on TV. This attracted me to the book. Getting the grits from his recommended source along with the tasso made the dish hopefully turn out close to the restaurant. This is good, comfort food!

Also have enjoyed an unusual dessert dish which is elegant, delicious and relatively easy to prepare: Magnolias' Baked Creams with Orange Custard Sauce.

This is delightful source to turn to when the event calls for some downhome, good basic Southern food with style and flair. Attractively done with good color photos and excellent writing guiding one through the recipes with sources, etc.

I purchased two copies of this book (one for myself and one for a friend) while dining at Magnolia's in Charleston. We were so impressed with the food that we had to have the recipe for the grits with shrimp dish that enthralled my husband (who is not a Southerner). While there we ran into others who are equally impressed. One famous journalist detours frequently just for the food at Magnolia's. Recipes are well presented, easy to follow and delicious. When calling for special ingredients, e.g., tasso, the author provides sources. For anyone who loves to cook and wants to evoke Southern style in a new and fresh way, this book will serve all your needs.

Great book! The first real cookbook to come from any of the Charleston area Restaurants. Beautiful photographs and makes a great gift, especially for those who have eaten or have been to the famous Magnolias.

Dude, she entertains the pope! The wedding night feast is hilarious, and the photos of the food will make you laugh out loud in a crowded public place! Martha fans, wake up, for this parody is more Martha than the real thing. Great find!

A hilarious parody on the infamous Martha Stewart. Martha is giving advice and ideas for the holidays and family get-togethers. She is doing everything from circumcising to poaching lobsters. You will see her like you have never seen her before. Truly imaginative, and a great laugh. I would recommend this to anyone with a sense of humor.

Have you ever been annoyed by the unshakeable, in-your-face PERFECTION of Martha Stewart, queen of the perfect households? After listing the names by which she is often called ("Martha de Sade") she gets down to business: how to be like her in every respect.

The "Papal Visit" I wasn't crazy 'bout, but that definitely had some hilarious moments, including a sidebar that describes her pilfering other people's figurines and knicknacks. "Garden Party" includes the mind-numbing recipes for "Hand Picked Field Salad" which will make you cry; and the flambe-related Smoked Woodchuck.

In the matter of taste and refinement, nothing can beat the "circumcision day" chapter, with recipes that will make you shriek. And for Valentine's Day, Martha shows us how to souse and seduce... or just souse. Then she flits back to her childhood for "Mother's Day," going over various "regular" meals by her mama. The next chapter describes how to have a beach cookout, with one of the worst fish visuals I've ever seen!

"Christmas/Holiday Decorating" describes how you can horrify your friends and neighbors with perfect holiday decorating; the piece de resistance, however, is the chapter on Death and what to do if one of your guests dies ("Quickly, while you still can, shape and level the deceased's hand to hold a serving tray and begin setting out hors d'oeuvres..."

This book is written in a bitingly satirical style, and is graced by various straight-faced photos of "Martha" taking the necessary actions, such as preparing a tasteful lined coffin or cheerfully roping a date. And the cover is just a delight! As is this book!

(If you are a die-hard fan of Martha, however, do not read this book. Ever. You will explode)

Martha Stuart's Better Than You at Entertaining is a fabulous gift for virtualy anyone in your life. It holds hours of enjoyment & makes for a wonderful surprise for your house guests if you leave a copy of it on your coffee table next to a few real Marths Magazines. The woman from comedy central who is in the book is great & does a really dead ringer impersonation of Martha. I have tried to find this book in the past at other book stores but have been unable to find it. But it sure is a steal at the current list price!

The Martial Arts Athlete was one of the best all around fitness books I have ever read. It provides information about how to tighten your abs, stretch correctly, heal low back pain, and improve any sports skill, especially martial arts.

This book using great illustrations tackles much more than the details of martial art training. All info. can be applied to virtually any activity making this book the perfect guide for a novice to an elite athlete. Tom Seabourne is an excellent author and hope to see more in the future.

Hit harder, kick faster and use martial arts fitness routines to maximum advantage with the use of Martial Arts Athlete, a guide which offers training and conditioning techniques to enhance a martial arts routine. These exercises are especially tailored for the martial arts and black and white photos throughout provide clear instruction on the steps.

The thing I liked most about this book is that everything that Dr. Seabourne demonstrates can be done in the comfort of your own home. There is no fancy equipment that you need nor do you have to go to a gym and find a particular machine to use. Dr. Seabourne also demonstrates a wide array of exercises. I cannot stress the diversity of exercises he offers in this book. The tips that Dr. Seabourne provides are invaluable. He offers imagery tips, relaxation methods, plyometric drills, weight training drills, the whole 9 yards. I am indebted to Dr. Seabourne for the information he has provided through this book. If I had one complaint it would be in the ordering of the photographs, they can be hard to follow from time to time.

I found the novel, A Matter of Support, to be a wonderful portrayal of life on the Maine coast. The characters are very strong and the story is interesting, informative and romantic. I particularly enjoyed the wide-range of references and tight, focused writing. I look forward to more from this author.

Tom Direnzo has captured Portland Maine in a unique and realistic manner. His characters are delightful, eccentric yet realistic. Frank Mangino takes us into the inner workings of the Maine Child Support Enforcement Office through his own eyes and experiences. Whether it's the tart tongued clerk Madeline or Wild Bill, the renagade enforcement agent, the characters are charming if a little rough around the edges. I hope to see Frank Mangino as the central character in a series of books!
A quick read, I read it in a day!

I was initially drawn to this book by my interest in learning more about the support enforcement system. "A Matter Of Support" delvered that and a whole lot more. A cast of colorful, comical (and imminently realistic) characters are centered by Direnzo's grey collar "hero" Frank Mangino. Great story line that also offers a good cross class snapshot of life in southern Maine. Direnzo's stlye compares favorably to that that of Wally Lamb.

Funny, sad, and at times, un-nerving, this book is an eye-opener to the world of child support. A disturbing look into the world of "dead beat dads" and some "not-so-nice mothers" and the shenanigans they pull to pay or receive support for their children. A must read for those going through the misery of child support. A Matter of Support takes a look at just how lackadaisical the system really is and the extent someone will go to help others while going through challenging times of his own.