Virginia Books

In today's world of multi-cultural marriages, the surprises seem to be endless. So many women have joined multi-cultural families in the Middle East to find their viewpoint on women is not the same as we see them here in the United States. Much easier to get into the marriage than to get out of it.

Ms. Dale's story of an 60s American co-ed who marries a Frenchman livingin Morocco really taught me a lot about the country at that time as well as expatriates who lived there. It is a captivating personalized history which easily brings the reader back to that time. A very good read indeed! I wish I, like Ms. Dale's heroine, had gotten to see Algiers then. It sounds so beautiful.

Going back to our post-college days and meeting a wealthy foreigner is such a romantic notion,but when reality strikes for the differences in culture, the romance hits a different level. A most enjoyable read on every page, an insight into personalities, cultural differences and the adventure of youth.

Well, first of all, after reading only the review online, I don't think I care to buy this book personally. I am a bit offended by the differences of the title and the caption of what the book is supposed to be about. I am an American and I got married to a Moroccan man in Morocco last October. His family is wonderful. But it seems like this book would have a different title than the one for which it is published. For instance: "Don't marry an aristocrat in Europe." or something to that nature. It seems to have nothing to do with actually marrying someone in Morocco or the family being from Morocco. The family mentioned only has a business in Morocco. This is a very misleading title. It would prompt one at first glance to think that the person was actually speaking of an encounter of marrying someone in the country and being subjected to the hassles of a foreignor marrying a Moroccan national.

Schlafly's story has something for everyone. He is a gifted story teller. A real renaisance man, he brings disparate bits of knowledge together to tell the story of his brewery and so much more. His wit reminds me of Mark Twain. Schlafly is a keen student of history and culture and it shows throughout his entertaining book. Once you start, it is hard to put it down.

This book is tons of fun and is filled with lots of St Louis History that I was never aware of prior to reading it. It's the kind of book that is hard to put down, you can read it in one sitting, by the time you finish you feel like you know more about beer and are a personal friend of Toms! As a business major, I also found it to be a wonderful case study in all the economic good businesses can provide to a community(while turning a profit). Restoring areas that had seen better days by setting up shop and making them vibrant thriving "places to be" again is something to be admired and commended. As a beer fan, I can't speak highly enough of this book, it has piqued my interest in homebrewing and I hope to try my hand at it very soon. God Bless Tom Schlafly! I hope he can bring his "Beer the way it used to be" to the Dallas market!

After about 10 years of indulging in Tom Schlafly's products and enjoying the fine food they serve at his restaurants I was excited to see that he had written a book of his David versus Goliath journey in the St Louis beer industry. I was even more excited this Friday night to get to meet him at a book signing event and have a sip with him of his new "No. 15" brew to commemorate their 15th anniversary in St Louis.

Anyway enough of how I came into the possession of this fine book, which can be read in a matter of hours, and on with the review. Not only is Tom a great person and business man but he also has incredible writing talents. As the story unfolds and you are taken on journey of not only Schlafly's rise in the St Louis brewing arena but a historical recount of his beloved town, family, partners, and even his rivals at AB (or the Brewery as it is called in St Louis). Readers of biographies as well as many other reading genres will enjoy this great account of an American business triumph by the little beer company that could! Good luck Tom we hope to enjoy your products and wit for years to come!

This memoir is an interesting and often amusing look at the entrepreneurial spirit of someone who turned his love of beer and entertainment into a thriving business. The book is an easy read and makes you feel as though you just sat down for a couple of beers with Mr. Schlafly and you listened to his story, with lots of sidebars. It helps if you are familiar with St. Louis and the people and workings of medium sized mid-western cities.

This fascinating book gives the little-known history of the growth in the first half of the twentieth century of a vital community of visual artists in the Greenwich Village -- in the two blocks just north of Washington Square -- and the inevitable gentrification that followed. Using real estate records and other contemporary sources, the author provides an illuminating account of the often collaborative -- and very successful -- effort by landlords and artists to develop and renovate property here. Many of the renovations remain today as highlights of one of New York's most famed and picturesque historic districts. Especially noteworthy is Ms. Budny's illustrated accounts of the transformation of part of one particular block by the use of stucco, glazed tiles, and window boxes to evoke a Parisian charm, and of the artists who animated those spaces.

This gem provides beautiful photographs and fabulous documentation of the interwoven influences of art, artists, and art patrons. Context is rarely provided in discussions of artistic excellence, but Budny gives us the spirit of the time and opens the frame of reference to the broader international and provincial levels that compose the vibrant early 20th century art world. This work is an important link between the fabulous Parisian scene and the emerging American dominance of the avant-gard.

This little book is meticulously researched and rich in historic detail and human anecdote. The text is eloquent--spare and clear; the illustrations--many previously unpublished photos--are stunning and arresting. It tells the story of the conversion of a Greenwich Village neighborhood north of Washington Square at the turn of the 20th Century into a creative mecca evoking the Latin Quarter of Paris. Our knowledge of these artists and their families is enriched; a must have addition to any library, personal or public, that is serious about American art history.

A thoroughly enjoyable read about an exciting artistic time I did not know existed. Well researched and illustrated with a clear love by the author for the groundbreaking artists that inhabited this forgotten area of New York City. Clearly a time of extraordinary artistic sharing between artists like Noguchi, Manship, Lachaise and Hopper and many other characters that fully comes alive with colorful stories from the day. The book is both a redefining of the historical beginnings of America's avant garde in the art world and a poetic call to arms for the need for such a nurturing artistic community in New York City.

Each chapter is a learning story unto itself. Some, very poignant. This book would be worthwhile for any age. Also, very instructive in showing how art therapy and tactile experience can be vital. Spending time with the recently deceased body is crucial to start the goodbye process, and, one chapter, especially, shows this well.

I was given the amazing opportunity to spend time with Virginia Fry while living in Vermont this past winter. My 14 year old sister had recently passed away after her stuggle against cancer. I was completely lost, and met with Virginia several times. She is one of the most amazing people that I've ever been priviledged enough to have come into my life. This book enveloped every part of her ideas and extremely heartfelt suggestions to get you through the most horrible times. She is such an amazing person and this book reflects that to the fullest extent.

My name is Amy Petrucelli and chapter 5 is about me, my sister Betsy and our brother Frankie.
The very first time I read Ginny's story and at that time it was a draft, it brought tears to my my eyes and my late mothers. If it were not for Ginny and Hospice to help us as children to cope with death and dying, I do not think I would be here today. This book is more than helpful and insightful, at least for me. I encourage any person(s) having known a child or know one who is going through death and dying to read this book and share it with that child and help them to work through their loss, questions and fears, Lord knows the author Virginia Fry did that for me.

I really enjoyed this book. I bought it a few years after my mother died, and it helped me a great deal with what I was feeling, thinking, and seeing. It also helped me deal with the day-to-day struggles that I encountered. Thank you so much for writing this book.

Excellent review material; closest review to actual test. I will use again when I recert.

This was an excellent review book and I really recommend reading it from front to back 2-3 times! It provides information in an organized manner that allows for easy recall! I will definitly refer to this book in my practice.

This review guide is an excellent resource for the PNP exam and PNP program. I would highly recommend it.

Read this book front to back 2-3 times and you can rest assure that you will pass the PNP exam. This is an excellent review of pertinent information and is also my most used reference now that I am a certified APRN in practice.
Excellent review guide.

I bought this book about 20 years ago - It was a favorite of my then young children. TO this day, my daughter, son and I remember the great stories and pictures. They are now 24 and 26 years old. I have given this book for a gift as well. You can't beat this one!

"The People Could Fly" has it's roots in Angollah and the "Gullah" people. It is beautifully illustrated and written. The colors only enhance the beauty of the original black and white drawings. This book will spark a child's interest in African American history and mythology.

The death of author Virginia Hamilton in 2002 was a blow to the world of children's literature, no question. Hamilton was an extraordinary writer, creating complex fantastical books for children that seamlessly integrated contemporary interesting situations with aspects of African-American culture. Heck, one of the first ways I learned about the Underground Railroad was through her "House of Dies Drear". I hadn't read her collection of black folktales entitled "The People Could Fly" though I intended to. I was a little confused, therefore, when a brand spanking new "The People Could Fly" was published in 2004. I soon learned, though, that the book had taken one of the stories from the original collection, in a beautiful retelling of the amazing title story. This is a book that is beautiful to look at and a joy to read and reread.

For you see, they say the people could fly. Long ago in Africa there lived people who had beautiful bright black wings and who could soar in the sky. When they were captured by white slavers, the people shed their wings in the tight confines of the slave ships and forgot how to soar. They were sent to work in the field under the whips of the "masters" and overseers. One day, a woman and her babe were suffering too much to go on much longer. With the ancient words of the old man Toby, the woman and the babe remember how to fly and soared away from the farm. The story recounts how the people who knew how to fly learned to do so again with the help of old Toby and how the slaves who did not know how to fly watched them escape and retold the story to their children just as this book tells it to you.

It's a lovely story, all the lovelier due to the illustrations of Leo and Diane Dillon. The Dillons have illustrated the covers and books of Ms. Hamilton for years, so it is not surprising that they should do so again here. I've always been a huge fan of the Dillons, and this latest effort of theirs is as beautiful as anyone could hope. Even its endpapers are gorgeous, all matt black with shimmery feathers floating down the pages. What "The People Could Fly" does best is introduce children to the concept of slavery within the context of a folktale. Through this story kids understand the horrors of enslavement, rejoice in the escape of some, and understand that most slaves remained trapped and unable to fly. What really set this book apart for me, though, was the use of Editor and Author's Notes. Some great picture books (such as "Ellington Was Not a Street") are beautiful and interesting but never set their story within any context and leave you feeling very confused. "The People Could Fly", on the other hand, tells you everything you need to know about Hamilton, the origins of this tale, the various interpretations of flight (and how you can find a similar idea in Toni Morrison's excellent "Song of Solomon"), and the degradation of slavery.

All intelligent dialogue aside, this book is just a great read to kids. It'll capture their attention with the beautiful pictures, and the words will give them the additional thrill of wondering what it would be like to fly with wings. It's written with slightly older children in mind. Those kids who still like picture books but may want something a little more sophisticated than your average "Horton Hears a Who". With all the folktales out there, it's sometimes difficult to find African-American tales that aren't ALL based on Brer Rabbit. Fortunately, we now have this story to read to all the children we can find. This is a gorgeous addition to any collection and should be adored for as long as it exists.

The story, prose, and illustrations of this book are beautiful and timeless.

We checked this book out from the library and it became an immediate favorite--we didn't want to give it back! I'm buying my own copy for our collection.

When our son and daughter were little, they absolutely adored both "The Perfect Pancake" and "The Duchess Bakes a Cake." When Purple Press reissued "The Duchess Bakes a Cake" a few years back, my wife and I immediately bought copies for our grandchildren, and an extra copy to keep here at our house. If they would only reprint "The Perfect Pancake," we would buy several copies of it too.
As for the stories themselves, they are charming, and Virginia Kahl's writing is fantastic. Her words take on a life of their own and make her stories sound almost musical. Both of these books leave you wanting more of Kahl's wonderful writing.

I love the premise of this book and the cleverness of the stranger in convincing the pancake-maker to cook him more pancakes!

Ms. Kahl wrote wonderful, memorable, creative stories for children. In response to one of the previous reviewers' questions: Ms. Kahl had lived in the Northern Virginia area at the time of your review, but she died in November of 2004. She was a friend of my mom's. We understand that she had been in the process of having her books republished, but passed away after only one book made it back into print. Be sure to look at "The Duchess Bakes A Cake" for this charming kids' book, now published by Purple House Press. Here's hoping that Ms. Kahl's estate makes the others (including the Perfect Pancake) available to the publisher for reprinting!

The Perfect Pancake was one of my favorite books as a child. To tell the truth I would love to have copies of all her books in my home right now. She was one of the reasons that I learned to read, and one of the reasons that I love to discover new authors. This book's title says it all, it's a simple story, told with humor, and as usual, delightful old fashioned illustrations. Along with The Dutchess Bakes a Cake, the Perfect Pancake is Kahl's joyous tribute to food, and the joys of the kitchen. Hey all you Virginia Kahl fans, let's demand that her books be made readily available again ! Is Ms. Kahl still alive? Love to hear from her, or those who knew her in this forum...

My six children all loved this story of how a village woman would make one pancake for anyone but when they praised it and asked for another, she refused. Then a stranger came to the village, asked for a pancake and said it was very good, but... Perplexed she made another and got a similar response. Then another and another until the man had had his fill and finally said that that last one was a perfect pancake. So she could finally stop. Our youngest daughter claims that when we made her we could finally stop because she was the 'perfect pancake.' She's now 35 and teaches school. She has many children's books but not this one. Tell the publisher there's a good market for this book. Tell them to stop being like the women in the story and republish the book so we can all enjoy more Perfect Pancakes.

Persian cuisine is among the oldest in recorded human history and principally based on subtle and varied combinations of lamb, fruits, vegetables, and grains. Nesta Ramazani's Persian Cooking: A Table Of Exotic Delights offers nutritious, economical, and delicious recipes for appetizers, soups, stuffed vegetables, Persian souffles, yogurt dishes, salads, stewed meats, game birds, brad, pastries, puddings, sherbets, pickles, and more. From Mint and Parsley Soup with Green Plums, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Tomato Rice with Lamb, and Duckling in Pomegranate-Walnut Sauce, to Yogurt with Eggplant and Meatballs, Liver and Kidney Casserole, Pheasant with Cream, Chick-Pea Flower Cookies, and Pickled Cherry Tomatoes, Persian Cooking is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to any ethnic and multicultural cookbook collection.

I have a large selection of Persian cookbooks but this book is my favorite. Nesta is an excellant cook and the final results of her recipes are very delicious. I am American, but married to a Persian man, so when I cook Persian food I want to please his taste buds. I have cooked many of the recipes in this book and he has enjoyed every one of them. I would recommend this book to any one that is looking for authentic Persian cooking. Many Middle Eastern cookbooks include recipes other than what the people of Iran enjoy. When you cook from this book you can be sure that the recipe is from Iran. You won't be able to stop eating! Enjoy

I found the book complet and comprehensive and recommend it without reservation.Bon apetit

I'm from Iran and have used various Persian cookbooks. This is the only one in English where the recipes turned out as they should have.

Arizona native and prize-winning author Virginia Nosky presents Pima Road, a romance novel about the challenges of an interracial relationship. WASP-y Yale lawyer Sarah Livingstone and American Indian sculptor Jimmy Zah are both training to run in the New York Marathon; a chance encounter later resurfaces as a daring rescue, when Sarah nearly drowns in a fast-moving canal, and gradually the two of the build a relationship together as they train. When their feelings draw close to love, Sarah's mother becomes appalled to learn that her daughter is involved with an American Indian. Cultural differences, family pressures, and a stark divergence in traditions threaten to end the close ties between the two of them, in this turbulent story about the realities of making a relationship work - or watching it die - the face of mounting outside pressure.

Falling in love when you're struggling to discover who you truly are can be a not-so-glorious thing. It should be a time of mental abandon and pure bliss, but there are times when this isn't possible, or rather, there are some people who just can't let go of that control. In Virginia Nosky's novel "Pima Rd," readers will enjoy the romance as much as they possibly can but will also struggle along with the characters as they make discoveries and face the world from two different perspectives.

Sarah Livingstone was raised in New England, graduated from Yale and became a lawyer. Jameson Zah grew up on the Pima Reservation, became a talented artist, and calls Phoenix home. The two meet during Sarah's training for the New York marathon, a common goal, and through a common interest in dogs. Sarah's little Shih Tzu, having a small dog complex, attacks Zah's much larger dog, Joe. A bit panicked, Sarah says some things she shouldn't have, and a bit put off, Jameson goes on the defensive, informing her that she is running on reservation land. Their next run in is slightly more friendly, if not more hectic when Jameson rescues both Sarah and her dog from a flooded canal. Both are drawn to each other and decide to train together for the race. The romantic tension builds but so does Jameson's wariness that Sarah is just seeking the thrill of having an Indian lover. While he is afraid of being heartbroken, Sarah is fending off the unwanted romantic overtures of her supervisor at the law firm. Tensions grow as swiftly as their love affair and only get worse when Sarah's mother shares her feelings over their interracial relationship, and when someone threatens Jameson's mother, steals a large sculpture he'd done, and intimidates the possibility of the reservation making plans with a developer.

The book is not your typical romance, but a story that delves into the connotations of racial differences, as well as the human heart connection. The added conflicts of work related sexual harassment, and the theft of the sculpture mystery, bring a feeling of suspense to the tale. The characters are likeable, in relatable situations, making the book a laid back and interesting read. Examining the differing cultures through the eyes of Sarah and Jameson was a delight. I enjoyed it very much and hope to see more from Virginia Nosky in the future.

Pima Road is author Virginia Noskey's latest and best book. She has presented a love story that is full of intrigue and conflict. Two independent, intelligent and very likable people try to bridge their cultural differences while sharing a goal of running in the NYC marathon. The love scenes are passionate and the disagreements believable. They are characters that you don't want to say goodbye to.

Virginia Nosky's PIMA RD is an intense Romance/Mystery refreshingly well written and filled with nail biting suspense. On occasion, the reader is stopped in mid-story to reread a particularly visual metaphor; "The gossamer ball of water whispered and glistened in the mild night air like a giant fuzzy dandelion gone to seed." Or a delightfully descriptive phrase; "There was a brushwork of tiny, very high cirrus clouds, but mostly there was blue."
But PIMA ROAD is so much more than a good read. It clearly symbolizes the line drawn in the sand between cultures. Pima Road itself is exactly that and with it the double yellow line of prejudice. Nosky's novel gives us the archetypical beautiful blond, blue eyed Anglo woman, Sarah Livingstone, and the tall, dark, handsome American Indian man, Jimmy Zah, in a struggle, sometimes bold sometimes hesitant, crossing over and retreating back from that line and its accompanying dangerous canal. "Love thy neighbor as thyself" has the answer, both literally and figuratively. Is the physical and spiritual love between Fingers With Eyes and Living Stone strong enough to erase that line in the sand; to be swept along the relentless current to an acceptance that no 'us' and 'them' exists in reality; that there is only 'One' and that is 'us'? Perhaps this novel should be read twice. First for the thrill of the story, then again for the magic of its message. After all, Pima Road is a two way street.

Plantation Feasts and Festivals is a celebration, published on the occasion of the 250th birthday of President James Madison. Worthy of coffee table prominence, Plantation Feasts and Festivals is filled with beautiful photographs of Montpelier and neighboring estates of family and friends. A treasure trove of cultural and historical traditions, this volume's greatest value is in the kitchen. With recipes organized by seasonal occasions and celebrations, the sumptuous menus are connected with the land and its seasonal bounty, Southern tradition and hospitality. Edna Lewis, a native of Orange County and known throughout the country for her primers on Southern cuisine, shares her reminiscence of each season and many of the occasions. She says, "All recipes have been developed for special occasions, for those times when you want to indulge. Therefore we took no shortcut in preparation of ingredients."

Angela Mulloy's thirst for perfection must surely be quenched with the selections she included in this book celebrating Virginia heritage. Each menu is a beautiful balance of seasonal taste and tradition filled with ingredients that embrace the locale: shad roe, potted trout, quail, Chesapeake crab, country ham, fried chicken and venison; profoundly delicious uses of corn meal, greens, and fruits; and desserts made elegant in their simplicity and exquisite presentation.

Each occasion depicts a certain mood and a traditional style. The Hunt Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Lawn Party, Wedding Dinner, Holiday Feast, and Twelfth Night Ball all bespeak the gentility of the time and place, and yet each recipe is on the leading edge of today's most sought after techniques and tastes.

Plantation Feasts and Festivities would make a grand addition to anyone's library and a wonderful gift for any celebration.

Plantation Feasts And Festivities: A Celebration Of The Grandes Dames Of Virginia Food And Hospitality combines a regional culinary and cultural history with delicious recipes carefully modified for today's kitchens and adjusted to serve from six to eight adults. Superbly enhanced with spectacular color photography, Plantation Feasts And Festivities is organized around the four seasons of Spring, Summer Autumn, and Winter. From Hand-Churned Honey Vanilla Ice Cream, Streusel Peach Pie, Savory Bread Pudding, and Bourbon-Grained Mustard, to Cornbread and Country Sausage Dressing, Caramel-Pumpkin Custard, Sweet Potato Gratin, and Scalloped Tomatoes, This inspired and inspiring collection is highly recommended for fine gourmet dining and a true reflection of Virginia's impressive culinary history.

This book has given me the opportunity to try many new recipes as well as enjoy the historical tidbits depicting the life of James Madison and his entertaining wife, Dolley.

Unlike most restaurant-related cookbooks, the recipes in this book, although very gourmet in their presentation, can be easily followed by any home cook. Coupled with the beautiful table settings featuring rare antique china--beautiful portrayed in the magnificent color photos throughout the book--the writing brings forth many unique ideas for entertaining on any usual or special celebration.

A wonderful blend of the history of some of Virginia's finest plantations and a delicious sampling of the famous and not-so-famous recipes of Southern Cooking! An excellent presentation divided by seasons of the year and further divided into menus celebrating the elegance of southern hospitality.