Louisiana Books

I bought several books before this one and I basically wasted my money! Finally I am able to identify the odes that I have photographed in the field. This is a must have for anyone interested in dragonflies and damselflies!

This is not a book that you can skim; rather, it is one intended for the serious student of Odonata in Texas. Written by an acknowledged expert in the field, it covers everything you might want to know about the dragonflies found in Texas.

Be warned, though, that you cannot approach this book lightly. The author uses scientific terms liberally: you will have to spend time acquiring the vocabulary.

For the serious Texas "Odo-nut" this is an absolutely essential part of your library.

I have several guides for birds, butterflies, snakes, reptiles and amphibians. I just started learn about dragonflies this year and this is one of the best guides I have seen. In fact, it was highly recommended by an individual who has a Masters Degree in dragonfly study. I recommend it for individuals just starting out with dragonflies as the photos are great but it also provides enough information (range maps) to let you narrow down and identify the more difficult species.

This field guide is the one to own. It covers not only all the dragonflies of Texas and the Southcentral US, but all the damselflies as well. The photographs are superb and this make for easy identification of species in the field. However, because of these pluses, the result is a rather sizable guide that is just a bit too heavy to really qualify as a handy field guide. If you can deal with its size and weight, it more than makes up for this handicap in thes helpful information it provides. The only drawback and the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, is because it is a tad less user friendly for the novice or non-professional (i.e. The species identification keys are a bit confusing). Nevertheless, it is destined to become the standard to measure all other guides.

As an admirer of dragonflies and damselflies I was quite delighted to find this book by John C. Abbott. It is a mix of the very technical and (at least in part because of the 64 plates of magnificent color photos) the very useful for the non-specialist. The range maps are invaluable as a way of adding clues for the identification of similar species. The line drawings of anatomical parts are important in separating closely related species and the glossary of terms, the check list, and the large bibliography round out a very useful or even indispensable volume for the dragonfly watcher. In short, this book is a serious guide to an area with the highest odonate diversity in the United States. "Dragonflies and Damselflies of Texas and the South-Central United States" simply is a must for anyone interested in the odonate fauna of the five states involved. Its production, along with at least three earlier regional and national books on the subject, is a testimonial to the growing popularity of these beautiful and fascinating insects.

This is a wonderful history of Avery Island which includes many wonderful recipes. You cannot go wrong with this cookbook!!!!

After a wonderful forward by Paul McIlhenny (Tabasco) and introduction by
Marcelle Bienvenu (Who's your mama) you know this book has to be good.

The recipes are by Eula Mae, a long time cook for the Tabasco company, and
the narative is by Marcelle. Together they provide an insightful look into
Louisana Cajun cooking.

Miss Eula Mae has captured the spirit of Cajun cuisine. Of course, it didn't hurt that she lives on Avery Island and cooks under the auspices of Paul McIlhenny(of Tabasco fame). I found the recipes easy to use and uniformly delicious. My only problem was that I had a hard time choosing among all the great offerings. I suspect that I won't live long enough to try them all, but I intend to make a valiant effort to do so. If you like Louisiana cooking, whether or not you're accomplished at it, this is the cookbook for you.

My husband has taken up cooking in the last few years and has begun to appreciate cookbooks. This is one of his favorites. We both love the recipes he has tried. He says, "The recipes are delicious and easy to follow. Eula Mae's fascinating stories make the book even more enjoyable."

Besides a good collection of everyday Cajun food, this book is rich in the history and lore of the area. Thanks to Eula Mae Dore and Marcelle Bienvenue, the history as well as the recipes of this area will not be lost.

This is the only cookbook I've ever actually sat down and read. I learned so much about cooking that I was inspired to try some of these recipes. They're a little bit challenging but I think the average home cook can make these recipes work in their own kitchens. My family loves the ones I've made. If you are a semi-serious cook, or a professional chef, this is one book you can't pass up for your library!

John Folse is a great representative of South Louisiana Cajun Cooking and loves the history of the area. He relates the melting pot of the many nationalities that contributed to the culinary richness of South Louisiana cooking. This is an excellent book to learn all about all kinds of "roux", recipes and techniques of Cajun cooks. It's a fun book!

For anyone who loves the magic of the south especially the festivities behind louisianas Marty Gras would love to get a nibble if not more from this book. It is a very straightforward and beautifully prepared recipe book that will take you through years of shopping and parties with friends and families.Enjoy!

I am a Creole who grew up thinking everybody ate gumbo at least once a week. Using this cook book is like having my momma looking over my shoulder telling me how to make all her favorite dishes. I have purchased at least a dozen of these books for gifts to family and friends.

Chef John Folse's THE EVOLUTION OF CAJUN AND CREOLE CUISINE is an absolute must for any kitchen, whether it is home to a well-seasoned chef or a ripe, budding cook. Folse's description of the seven nations that settled Louisiana, the intermarriage of their cultures and cuisine and the recipes found between the covers of this book culminate in a "mouth-watering" explosion of down-home, Louisiana flavor.

The recipe format was easy to follow and ingredients were easy to find in most any supermarket. From cooking the roux to garnishing the final dish, EVOLUTION turns the simplest meals into culinary masterpieces.

Eye of the Cricket is the 4th Lew Griffin novel and begins similarly to the others with Lew attempting to locate a missing person. Although Lew has no real vested interest in finding the brother of one of his students, Lew naturally takes on this role even if it interferes with his job as a college professor. The irony is that Lew's own son is missing, and he has no clues where to look until a bum appears at a local hospital with one of Lew's books that he'd given to his son years ago.

As with the other Lew Griffin novels, the focus is not on the mystery but more on the inner struggle that Lew goes through, having dealt with the loss of so many loved ones and trying to reconcile. This book is really more of a social commentary, and the noir feeling to it beautifully highlights the struggles that Lew and all of us have to deal with. Lew just allows himself to sink to lower depths than most people would ever consider, giving him a different and well-rounded perspective.

The writing here is outstanding. Occasionally I'd have to pause in my reading just to bask in the perfection. For lack of a better word, it's just so poetic. The words and tone are spot-on, and many scenes are so wonderfully illustrated that I found myself smiling with satisfaction after reading them. Sallis doesn't waste any words yet still conveys the emotions and impressions of his characters so well. These novels leave such an impact that I'm always left wanting to read the next one.

This is the 4th book in the exceptionally dark Lew Griffin series. Before heading between the pages of this series it would really be a good idea to work out how susceptible to depression you are. If you prefer happy, light-hearted mysteries then believe me, this book will not be for you.

EYE OF THE CRICKET is an example of southern noir or, to be more precise, it's New Orleans noir told from the first person perspective. Lew Griffin is a black man who teaches French and English literature in between occasional flurries as the author of several novels. He is also known to be quite adept at finding missing persons and so he moonlights as a sort of private detective. He is a man who seems to care a great deal for others, to the point where he has difficulty saying no to people's requests, often to his own detriment.

It is in his capacity as a teacher that he is approached to act as a private detective by a student who had heard of his ability at finding people and asks Griffin to try to find his half-brother. Griffin immediately agrees to help, no questions asked, a typical response.

What is revealed is that Griffin himself has a son that is missing and the tragic irony is, although he is able to find other people's missing loved ones, he can't seem to find his own son, not even a clue of where he might be.

That is, until a vagrant is brought into a hospital emergency room and the only item in his possession that might identify who he is, is a copy of one of Griffin's books - a book he had inscribed for his son. Suddenly he feels he might have the clue that he needs to continue his search.

Although the storyline seems straightforward enough, it is littered with flashbacks, dreams and memories, all of which managed to keep throwing me completely off balance. It was not always clear which parts were actually happening and which parts were just memories. Often times they interrupted the flow so badly I had forgotten what the original storyline was about.

As it turns out, the actual detective work done by Griffin is inconsequential and is given only minor importance as the focus is more squarely placed on Griffin and the question of how he would survive his demons. The missing persons case serves to remind him directly of his own missing son, a fact that he dwells on constantly. Combined with this is the beginning of a new relationship with a wonderful and understanding woman. But this prompts endless memories of LaVerne, his dead wife. Dreams, memories and reality become intertwined as Griffin fights thoughts of his own failings, the results of which form the body of his (Griffin's) latest novel.

Towards the end of the book, Griffin allows himself to sink to incredible depths in his quest to find his son. His willingness to do this typifies the man who, for all his dark thoughts and introspection, is a deeply caring person. There are some points where some truly moving moments can be found. But it is also at this stage that the maximum attention must be paid as Griffin's consciousness becomes distorted and consequently, so does the narration.

As far as the characters other than Griffin are concerned, although there are many of minor players, there are only 2 who play any substantial role in the story, or who are given any real substance. The first is Don Walsh, a police detective who is equally as jaded as Griffin making him a perfect friend. He has seen too much of the seamier side of life to hold any real hopes of happiness and exudes an air of tired desperation whenever he meets Griffin. The other character is Deborah O'Neill, Griffin's new girlfriend and the shining light in the book. She represents a chance for Griffin to break out of his miasmic haze of self doubt and is a breath of fresh air each time she appears.

If you're a devotee of noir fiction, particularly those involving troubled loner detectives, then this book will appeal to you. It reminds me a lot of James Lee Burke's early Dave Robicheaux books. A lot of that has to do with the Louisiana setting, but is also due to the depth of turmoil going through the protagonist's mind.

This is a story that is carried on the shoulders of Lew Griffin. Its darkness is generated by the demons inside his head, but there is a distinct feeling of optimism by the time we reach the last few chapters. While the book doesn't exactly finish with a happy ending or an ending with any real climax, it probably comes as close to one that we're going to get in this moody series.

New Orleans, old demons and a continuing search for the missing David. How could you go wrong? Lew Griffin is many things but never predictable. Everytime I read another Lew Griffin book I'm left wanting more....

Now that he is in his fifties, African American Lew Griffin would prefer to just quit fighting the tide and go with the flow. Instead, Lew finds himself investigating the cases of several missing children, including the half-brother of a friend, the son of another friend, and his own son, David. To perform his search of New Orleans, Lew must enter the crummiest neighborhood areas where it's known that a teenager could drop out and turn on.

EYES OF THE CRICKET is the serpentine (try flow charting the plot) twisted fourth entry of Lew Griffin. As with its three predecessors, this novel is well written and filled with numerous twists and turns. Lew is an extremely lovable chap, whose new philosophy of "I Quit" clashes with his reality. Jim Sallis has written a book that will please most mystery afficiandos, except perhaps those who prefer a linear story line.

Harriet Klausner

Am a regular reader of mysteries. How I'd missed Sallis I don't know. I am pleased to "discover" him and his wonderful characters. He has a fine feel for my favorite city to visit: New Orleans, and gives a sound psychological sense to his characters. Even the minor characters stand out as people I would be interested to know. I took several quotes from the book and introduced them to a class I was teaching on Human Identity. The words just fit right into the context of the class. Now I've read Black Hornet and am waiting for more.

Easy to read, interesting, and less touristy than Fodor's. I like it, and hope it serves me well on my upcoming New Orleans trip tomorrow!

This is the best book I've seen on visiting New Orleans. Very comprehensive, in fact just a very good read, even if you're not intending to visit in the near future. Looking forward even more to our holiday in New Orleans with the information in this book.
Recommended!

I have now almost worn out my second copy of this book and have been thinking I need to invest in a third. This is THE best travel guide to New Orleans (actually, to any destination, come to think of it) I have ever read. I bought three or four different guides before my first trip to New Orleans; this is the one that made the others unnecessary. Many NOLA trips later, this book that still goes with me every time I return. In this Frommer's edition, Mary Herczog's voice is not so much that of a travel expert--although she is indeed that, and her advice is thorough and invaluable. But reading her pages is like having a friend in New Orleans--a native who knows all the good stuff, has all the real stories, knows the places YOU would want to visit. Her style is warm and conversational; her knowledge exhaustive, well-organized, and accessible. I've made so many margin notes "in answer" to her entries that my book has become as much a dialogue as a guidebook. Ten trips later, I am still learning from it.

I purchased this book for a recent trip to New Orleans and found it a valuable resource, both for myself as a somewhat frequent visitor to the city and for my boyfriend, who was experiencing this wonderful place for the first time. We were guided to some absolute restaurant gems, both inside and outside of the Quarter, and to some fabulous music venues. We also spent our days on the recommended walking tours (the book pays for itself in walking tours alone--you will see and learn about a great deal of history and beautiful architecture at your own pace without being stuck in a group). The post-Katrina information was helpful and up-to-date, especially considering that so many businesses and services are still in a state of transition. The Frommer's guide enhanced our New Orleans experience immeasurably, and I would recommend it to anyone planning a trip to the Big Easy.

This guide provides a variety of interesting facts about New Orleans, its culture and history, as well as information for selecting activities, restaurants, tours, and other in and about New Orleans. Very helpful as a pre-trip planner, and its maps assist getting about while there. It also gives a brief section about Katrina's impact.

Anyone who has an abiding affection for New Orleans and its layers of tradition should read this book. I loved it. Authors Burton and Holditch observe and participate. In so doing they seem to say to you.....here have a seat. come. dine with us.

Of course there is the history of this great restaurant which fascinted me. But beyond that, I felt as if I have been there: in the kitchen, offices, even the outside alleyways with the smell of oysters wafting through the soft Louisanna air. And beyond that still are the sometimes eccentric and quirky characters that populate the community, the kitchen, and the offices. Its a splendid cook's tour done with integrity and savoir faire.

Enjoyable walk through the long run of Galatoire's. Recommended for anyone who has eaten there as I have a number of times. You don't need to be a regular to savor the stories. Here's hoping Galatoire's returns even better after Katrina. Steve

Burton and Holditch lovingly recount the 120-year history of this famous eatery, synonymous for many with New Orleans itself. Along the way we are regaled with anecdotes about the Galatoire family owners (now in the fourth generation), dedicated staff, and loyal customers. From Tennessee Williams to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, an impressive parade of celebrities, socialites and royalty have dined at this New Orleans landmark. The authors also include some traditional recipes. I recommend this book to anyone who likes good food, good times, and the Big Easy.

One-hundred-year-old Galatoire's restaurant, the greatest dining institution in New Orleans, where great restaurants are numerous, has at last found its chroniclers. Kenneth Holditch and Marda Burton, authors and long-time devotees of the place, have published Galatoire's: Biography of a Bistro, a charming, gossipy, witty account of the history and character of this famed eatery.

Galatoires, as Burton and Holditch portray it, is a microcosm of New Orleans traditions reflected in the history of the Galatoire family, the loyal generations of staff, food tastes as they have evolved, and the eccentric, and sometimes famous, patrons throughout the years who have made the restaurant so successful. The layout with photographs and numerous anecdotes convey the vitality of this venerable institution. We even tried some of the recipes and created a little bit of Galatoire heaven in our own kitchen. The many facets of this book will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers. Whoever thought anyone could portray the life of a restaurant so vividly on the printed page!

IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE makes an excellent companion to THE HIDING PLACE and TRAMP FOR THE LORD. After discovering all the stories of Corrie ten Boom from the time she went into a German concentration camp during World War II until her death, her early years had always remained a mystery. And now, IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE tells exactly what happened to Corrie during her first 50 years of life.

Starting out with Corrie's great-grandfather, the book tells the story of how the early events in Corrie's life shaped her and prepared her for prison. Some of these stories will make you smile (Corrie was apparently a little rascal at times), and some will make you want to cry. Corrie's life was an amazing tapestry of love for people and her Savior. From Corrie ten Boom's girl clubs to the great halls of St. Bavo's Cathedral, you'll fall in love with Corrie ten Boom all over again with IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE.

The end of the book brings everything full circle up to the point of THE HIDING PLACE, and then is followed by the Golden Tea Party (you'll have to read to find out about that!). All in all, IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE is another great read from the life of Corrie, but I do recommend reading THE HIDING PLACE first. That book makes this one a little easier to understand.

Check it out!

This quite-amazing book chronicles the half century of Corrie ten Boom's life before being imprisoned for helping to save Jewish people in Holland during World War II. I can't express just how profoundly this book enlightened me to the Christian way people could actually live. I haven't been around many outstanding Christians and the ten Boom family was definitely a Christian family. How blessed I am to know about them!

This book is simple and to the point and beautifully written. It gives the reader the insight of how human Corrie Ten Boom was and yet how much she relied on God for her direction. It is filled with humor and innocence as Corrie recounts her childhood memories, but always making it a point to let the reader know that the main focus is God. The delightful stories will stick in your memory bank. It was a very delightful book which I shall cherish and re-read in years to come.

As someone who voraciously gobbles up the writings of Corrie ten Boom, I have to say that _In My Father's House_ is my favorite. Anyone who has read _The Hiding Place_ , _Tramp for the Lord_, _A Prison and Yet_, or other books relating to Corrie's Nazi concentration camp imprisonment and her resulting ministry should do themselves a favor and savor _In My Father's House_. I am so glad this book is back in print and can now reach a new audience. Corrie discusses how the twists and turns of her childhood, teen years, and pre-imprisonment adulthood all came together to prepare her for her WWII and postwar ministry. She shows the evidence of God moving in her life to prepare her for her upcoming adventures. If you don't think so already, _In My Father's House_ may be what convinces you that there's no such thing as coincidence. The simply written, very basic family story of this book holds some deep implications. It may startle you in a pleasant way.

I particularly recommend this book to parents, especially parents of young children. This book will show how God uses you to raise your child to fulfill God's purpose for his/her life. Corrie writes in a very touching way of how her parents, siblings, and extended family were so responsible for the extraordinary woman she became. This book is a beautiful testimony of how God uses families. It will inspire you to go pick up and cuddle your child while praying fervently. It will also remind you of your need to lean on God and rely on his guidance for this your most important job. _In My Father's House_ is a very powerful book.

I recommend that you buy a copy of this book rather than borrowing it or checking it out from the library. As your glance flits across your bookshelves, perhaps a slight smile will come to your face as you notice the familiar spine peeking out at you. I return to my copy frequently and have repeatedly drawn from it for Sunday School lessons and devotional topics. _In My Father's House_ would be a valuable addition to your book collection.

She writes with the love and forgiveness that became her trademark after suffering terrible things at the hands of the Nazi's during WWII. I never cease to be encouraged, uplifted, and inspired when reading anything that she writes-this book included. Very few could have forgiven their tormentors the way that Tante Corrie did. She did it by the grace of God and her life was all the better for it.

A charming and slightly quirky look at the lessons of a southern life learned through the kitchen and cooking -- and the recipes are good too! This is a treasure you will want to share.

When you begin the journey that is this book you may think you will come away with some new ideas for the kitchen. However, By the time you have finished you will have had a few belly laughs, learned some great recipies and shed a few tears. Craig has done a great job in showing us that the best of times and yes the worst of times can be a source of inspiration to make us stronger and that everything looks better after a good meal.

A great read that you will come back to time and time again!

In reading this wonderful book I have found things to ponder and share with the many people in my life who have touched my heart. For example: page 66, My Friend, My Mirror, made me realize how my 19 year friendship with Brenda has lasted, when we are so very different. I was inspired to call my mom and read a chapter and a few recipes to her...she insisted on her own copy, which, to her surprise was just being delivered!

Craig McKneely has captured in a powerful way how we each are affected by those people in our lives whose paths we cross, and in turn inspires us to love ourselves, allow others to love us, and not to be afraid to share our feelings openly and honestly, and to say I Love You before the other person can't hear the feeling behind them.

While most "cookbooks" suggest obscure ingredients, Craig is not afraid to tell it like it is, and to encourage us to cook from the heart, no matter the ingredients. Comfort food is just that...food and smells which comfort our tummys and our souls.

After reading Lessons Learned While Cooking...From the Heart, I felt a Comfort or Loving feeling that will be there the rest of my life.
Craig has inspired me to take notice of life and never say NEVER. Always cherish the moments of family and friends, whether good or bad. What's LIFE without them?
Lessons Learned While Cooking ...From the Heart gives you all facets of life, ALPHA & OMEGA, the beginning and the end.
The recipes are bad for the hips, but good for the SOUL. I am proud to know Craig McKneely as a friend and confidant. LOVE YA!

...First time I was able to cry and laugh all at the same time while preparing a meal. Recipes are easy to follow and quick. It's a definite cookbook for the soul.

Anyone can complile a list of ingredients and a set of sterile directions. Gwen McKee does so much more! Her step-by-step section not only tells the reader how to make gumbo, but what to expect the dish to look and smell like during various stages. Get your cast iron skillet, a glass of wine and start stirring!

The first time I ever made gumbo from this book, it was a raving success. I didn;t think I was ever going to try this marvelous New Orleans recipe when I tasted it there. The opening chapter called step-by-step to great gumbo is exactly that and led me through it. Now I feel comfortable trying all sorts of gumbos and dazzling my guests. Great book

The Little Gumbo Book is a cookbook featuring twenty-seven gumbo recipes for anyone seeking to create and experience the unique flavors and varieties of this distinctive Cajun dish. Tips, tricks, and techniques for everything gumbo-related, from different ways for preparing roux (the browning of flour, crucial to the richness of gumbo) to using microwaves and crock pots, to low-calorie gumbo for the health conscious, and much more. A superb giftbook written with passion as well as practical advice, recommended for any Cajun food lover.

I've lived in Louisiana all of my life and learned how to make a roux when I was knee high to a grasshopper by watching my Aunt Mace stir and stir and stir it in her big black cast iron skillet or pot. Almost every recipe my Mama and Aunt Mace made started out with the words, "First you make a roux..."

I'm very happy to report that this book has the most wonderful recipes for roux and gumbo that I've ever read. My youngest daughter recently moved from Louisiana to Tennessee and was looking for a jar of roux in the grocery store. The store manager had no idea what she was talking about and had never even heard of gumbo. I immediately thought to buy her this book for Valentine's Day. I taught her to make a roux during the holiday season, so she's halfway to gumbo already.

A coworker gave me a copy of this book back in 1988 and I've completely worn out my copy. It's a one-of-a-kind treasure that should be in every kitchen, especially if you enjoy true Southern cooking.

I've lived near New Orleans but have moved away. This book is authentic. Make gumbo by these recipes and you can't go wrong. I have used it many times and sent a few as gifts. Gives a lot more than basic recipes. A real "how to" cook book.

This is one of the finest cookbooks I've used and definitely the best I've seen with regards to New Orleans cuisine. The recipes rarely require anything extraordinary and substitutes are suggested in those rare cases where required. In addition, she adds pronunciations which are often helpful for those of us who are creloe deprived.

Ms. McKee has done a fantastic job bringing the recipes to life. I could smell the fresh pralines cooling in her kitchen and couldn't wait to make a batch of my own. If you love Southern cooking, this small book will be a wonderful guide.

Absolutely the best Louisiana cookbook out there! As a native of south Louisiana, I've never found a Louisiana cookbook that has truly authentic dishes--like the ones I grew up with--but this one does. And every recipe I've tried from this book has been delicious. It's not a large book, but EVERY recipe is worth making.

Gwen Mckee'sThe Little New Orleans Cookbook is a simple cookbook of fifty-seven classic Creole recipes, from trout amandine to jambalaya to New Orleans vs. microwave bread pudding, and more. Straightforward instructions, along with notes offering delicious variations or bits of history and tradition, make the recipes easy-to-follow. An excellent introduction to a wondrous and flavorful style of food preparation, The Little New Orleans Cookbook is a marvelous addition to personal and professional ethnic cookbook collections.

I picked up this book at the airport as I was leaving New Orleans. I had tried many of the dishes at restaurants in the city, then recreated them with the cookbook at home. The instructions are easy to follow, and the recipes are very much like what I had in New Orleans. My family wants me to make every recipe in the book.

Oh my goodness ! Have you ever wanted to cook down home creole dishes ? If so, this is the book for you. Simple instuctions and obtainable ingredients. I just made the Seafood Gumbo and it is out of this world. (Don't forget to make it the day before ;) The Chocolate Eclairs are to die for and easy to make. This little book is a must have for every good cook and my guys love every recipe. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would. Buy it ! Buy one for a friend. A wonderful cookbook.