Mitchell Books

There are so many "miracles" in the cancer world that one has to be cynical just to keep a little bit of money in your jeans. We have strong personal reasons for following developments in the field. I surfed across a 1997 press release from John Hopkins that quieted my cynicism about broccoli sprouts.

It's been known for some time that broccoli contains the multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties including diindolylmethane and selenium. The 3,3'-Diindolylmethane found in broccoli is a potent modulator of the innate immune response system with anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity. Broccoli also contains the compound glucoraphanin, which can be processed into an anticancer compound sulforaphane, though the benefits of broccoli is reduced if the vegetable is boiled.

The press release claimed that "three-day-old broccoli sprouts consistently contain 20 to 50 times the amount of chemoprotective compounds found in mature broccoli heads, and may offer a simple, dietary means of chemically reducing cancer risk," says Paul Talalay, M.D., J.J. Abel Distinguished Service Professor of Pharmacology."

Now that was interesting. There is more of the good stuff in sprouts than in the mature plant. There is no reason to cook sprouts, so I wouldn't be destroying the chemical. So, I started buying cartons of the sprouts and adding them to our evening salads several times a week. We also continued to eat steamed broccoli two or three times a week.

But, broccoli sprouts aren't always available at the Market Basket in Franklin Lakes, and they are much pricier than some of the other sprouts on offer. I found many references to this book as a good source of information on how to grow my own. In practice those references turned out to be absolutely accurate; we can now grow regular crops of broccoli sprouts. As the author writes: "They stand about two to three inches tall, are frail and spindly, fall over in the slightest breeze...." So, plant them very very close together, about 200 seeds in a three inch square tray.

It pays to remain cynical, even if you enjoy eating a low calorie food that tastes good and may help your body fight cancer. Before writing this Review, I asked John Hopkins for the current status of their research results.

I received a very kind response indicating that Hopkins still believes the press release reports good science. The also sent me information on other benefits in the fight against UV damage to skin and skin blistering generally. They also referred me to a great resource, the Johns Hopkins Medical Desk Reference. [Amazon's policy against publishing links prevents me from citing the sources, but the John Hopkins website is easy to navigate.]

So, despite my natural cynicism, I can still recommend this book in good conscience. Broccoli sprouts have a bite something similar to uncooked cabbage, and spice up a mixed green salad in quite a pleasant way. Unless you dislike the taste of cabbage, of course. Then you may decide to just choke them down anyway for the food benefits.

Be warned: This is not for the casual reader; Belfrage goes into levels of detail heretofore unknown regarding Tuscany, Puglia, Sicily, and the rest of the South. He seems to have visited every producer in Italy, and to have traced (where possible) the origins of every grape he comes across--and he comes across quite a few that you won't find in the Oxford Encyclopedia of Wine or in Jancis Robinson's "Vines, Grapes & WInes." I have a special place in my heart for the unfortunate Nuragus, the most widely planted grape in Sardinia, of which Belfrage says "Nuragus probably has little or nothing to do with Trebbiano Toscano, as the ampelographer Cettolini would have us believe, but it does share an inability to rise above a certain fairly basic level of mediocrity winewise..." If you have to look up "ampelographer," you are probably going to find this book heavy going.

On the other hand, it's not like you need to know to enjoy the book. Belfrage is a good writer, a terrific reporter, and has the added benefit of being honest. He's got some commercial connections in Italy, and he's very straightforward about stating them.

His overall take on the slowness of southern Italy to rally to the cause of quality over quantity is astutely observed: He has no love for Italian Bureaucracy, EU bureaucracy, or the Mafia. All three, he says, conspire to prevent progress.

Anyway, if, like me, you find it is actually important to know that the wide variability in quality in Chianti is as much due to clonal selection as anything else, you'll greatly enjoy Mr. Belfrage's company.

A friend loaned me his copy of this book. Now, after reading it, I want a copy of my own. I also plan to give several copies as gifts. The authors offer guidance to parents who want to build their families based on Christian principles. The first half of the book discusses several approaches that help you deal with difficult parenting issues. The second half of the books offers techniques to build the basic skills needed to succeed.

If you are a parent who thought you were alone in building your family on a solid Christian foundation, this book will offer you practical advice and encouragement.

It is a good book for begginers and laymen.

I took the author's short workshop class through University of California Extension, years ago. The class was based on this book, and the accompanying diskette which contains an interactive tutorial, which is the best feature. If you buy this used, be sure it comes with the diskette. The interactive tutorial was designed before the days of fancy graphics, but the content is good.

I never realized how much (and how little) our state parks have to offer those of us who have mobility limitations. The Mitchell's have taken the time to visit every park in their book - and it shows. I was especially impressed with the detailed descriptions of trails and points of interest. Now I have a very good idea of whether I will be able to enjoy each park. Most importantly, I know which parks I do not want to miss. Thanks for your efforts and awareness of the needs of wheelchair users and others with limitations.

I urge all romance readers to give this book a try. It is a bit different. It focuses on every day people instead of the usual scenario - perfect girl gets perfect guy. The main charecter in this story is really fat and her life is far from perfect. I'm a big girl and I related to it straight away.

This book was so clever! i have never seen my children so interested in a book, i can't wait for book number 2!

Yes, I do realise that is a big statement to make - but think about it. In every trade or profession there are basic lessons to be learned and photography is no different. Far too many photographers - even professional photographers, do not completely understand the capabilities of the equipment they are using. I am suggesting, therefore, if you want to know everything there is to know about photography - then start here by understanding the camera and what it is capable of achieving. After that, the rest is up to you.

Commencing with a hugely informative section on how cameras work, we then have chapters on; Choosing a Camera, Choosing the right Film, Understanding Lenses, Supporting the Camera, Close-up Photography, All about Filters, Lighting Equipment, Special Features, Studio Photography and Display & Storage.

As one might expect, the photographs themselves are quite excellent and support the point being made very well indeed. It is, however, the graphics which make this book stand above others in it's field and both are used to great effect. For example, on one page we have graphics showing the internal workings of the lens coupled with photographs of those internal elements taken from a lens which has been dismantled in order to make the point as clearly as possible.

NM

Philosophy has an interesting reputation for being a very difficult class for college students. I suppose this is because it combines the agonizing aspects of history with the frightening notion of critical thinking and argument analysis. However, "The Canon and its Critics" is an excellent step towards making philosophy clear to the average college student. The book is very broad and complete, and a reader could easily feel as if he's grounded himself in every aspect of philosophy. From metaphysics, artificial intelligence, epistemology, ethics, and political philosophy, The Canon and its Critics attacks the most pressing problems which plague today's perception of philosophy. This book is excellent for the intelligent student who wishes to learn philosophy as it should be learned: in a complete, detailed, and historical as well as modern aspect.

The book can be difficult to read; but this is through no fault of the authors. The styles of some of the great philosophers can be overwhelming at times, which is why the book may be difficult as a stand-alone source of knowledge. In a classroom setting, it is invaluable. A student can be content with his teacher's explanation of the text, or he may read further to truly grasp the material as an expert would. The book has much depth, and much can be learned from it. I have had the pleasure of attending Dr. Furman's classes, and can assure anyone that the book was written by a very talented, intelligent man who seems to genuinely enjoy teaching and helping others to understand. I highly recommend this book as a teaching tool.

If I were in a position to change this book to better fit my tastes, I believe I would enjoy more writing from the authors, Furman and Avila. Most of the book is a necessary compilation; however, the authors are so talented that I would enjoy a fresh perspective on the information in the form of philisophical commentary. Nevertheless, it stands that the book is excellent as is; no book can completely satisfy the thirst for philosophy. The Canon and its Critics acts as the first, crucial sip.