Vans Books

BEAUTIFUL. LOVE IT. It is big, so you should be sure you have the space to keep it. BUT GORGEOUS.

The book is extremely well crafted.

Perhaps the size of the print could've been a little larger, but I see it OK as it is. The written content is well-informed and easily accesible for non-experts. Paper is obviously of high quality as is the printing. Especially nice is the black suede and gold print detail on the side of the outside binding.

I purchased this book for two reasons: it covers an interesting topic and it is also a nice piece of decoration for a study room or library. The book is very elegant; you will not be dissapointed.

There are many of us who just can't afford the time and money to get many Cellarius pieces for the home. This is the solution in a lovely, well printed and compiled edition of the book, from start to finish. It is large (slightly larger than the original). It would be perfect on a library table or similar. If you are interested illminated manuscripts, astronomy history, mythology, early scientific understanding of the heavens... then this is of great interest to you.

A great source book, with beautiful illustrations of cosmos seeing thought the ayes of the 15 Century Artists.

Taschen never seems to disapoint and this latest issue in their series of oversized classic texts is no exception. The Harmonia Macrocosmia is a lavish oversized book of 17th century celstial maps that are reproduced with stunning clarity and brilliance. This volume should appeal easily to anyone with an interest in astronomy, art or fine books.

This is by far my favorite Chinese cookbook. The directions are so easy and straightfoward, and all of the dishes I've made are truly scrumptious. My kids love it, too, although they always want me to make things spicier. I highly recommend this book, you won't need any other Chinese cookbook.

I've been a hobby Chinese cook for about 10 years, since I found this book for $1 on a table along NYC's Broadway on the Upper West Side. Its perfectly adapted recipes for the American kitchen are true to the original intent, and you will be able to create great meals at home with little trouble to replace that cold take-out.

Lest it sound that it's not for the serious chef, the instructions provide lots of interesting details about the true Chinese recipes and ingredients. If you live in a city or town that gives you access to the true ingredients (as I do), then you can also play authentic Chinese cook for your family or friends.

All-in-all, one of the most used cookbooks in our house, where we have well over 100, and my wife is a professional chef!

I was looking for a really good Char Shue (Chinese Bar-B-Q Pork) recipe since having this delicous treat at Chef Chew's restaurant in CA. For years, nothing came close to what I had that day. Then I found this book by Chef Chew and I wouldn't part with it for anything! It's well written and it's got some of the best authentic chinese cuisine in it *YUM!*

You won't be disappointed!

There were so many Chinese cookbooks available so I had to try something different to pick one. So I looked inside the cover and picked out the best looking Chef I could find.

That may sound wierd, but the quality of food I cooked was amazing. Chef Chu takes traditional Chinese cooking to the next level with his unique touches that can't be found in any other cookbook out there. Chef Chu not only covers how to cook great Chinese, but how to make the dishes look like artwork.

If you are serious about cooking Chinese food, this is THE book to get.

This is a very good food textbook, simple, clear, easy, no gimmicky or outrageous and so-called innovative modern Chinese nouvelle cuisine, such as those made up in "Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine." The other one that I found as authentic as it is "Mrs. Chiang's Szechwan Cookbook" by Ellen Schrecker and her husband. Only the latter is so authentically Chinese that you may have to reduce certain fat from the ingrdients by using leaner stuff.

This book is fantastic! Both my husband and I enjoy cooking and loved spending an evening thumbing through this book over a glass of wine looking up every term we could think of...all were in the book! The book has also added greatly to our dinner party conversations as it offers a bit of historical context for food terms. Quite interesting. I think this book would make a fabulous gift for anyone you know who likes to cook.

Excellent, Every Chef should have a copy of this book on their desk. The perfect dictionary for any Culinary Arts student.

Love this book. This book has words I never even heard before.It is the type of book that every culinary student and professional should have with them at all times. Another book I found very helpful were the Study Guide for the National Servsafe Exam and the Study Guide for Baking and Advanced Baking. These books have very good questions with answers and even explanations. All these books can be found under Patrick Leonardi. A very smart and talented author.

Elizabeth Riely has amassed a library of resources (see the enviable bibliography) and has carefully chosen a comprehensive collection of culinary terms for this book. The cross-pollination of categories is rich, from the scientific to the ethnic, from the technical to the colloquial. Of her knowledge and research capabilities, I'd say she's a force to be reckoned with. With people like Elizabeth Riely and Sharon Tyler Herbst in this world, rest assured that when a culinary term is needed just fingertips away, we can depend on their talents to give us responsible information. I also like the pronunciation guides, as I am prone to guessing incorrectly more often or not. For anybody who's into food as more than a hobby, The Chef's Companion (published by the textbook makers VNR, and I hope, available to more than culinary school students) reads like a satisfying novel. Lick a bookplate and stick it in the front cover of this book; you'll keep it forever.

Or what about how to pronounce the wine "Gewürztraminer"? Or my personal favorite "Crème Fraiche" pronounced (krem fresh)

What is the definition for Jicama or Wasabi? and where did they come from?

What is the difference between "Crayfish" and a "Langoustine" and are they indigenous to Louisiana...

WELL WONDER NO MORE!!... this book is the secret behind all of those fancy menus you read in Restaurants and Banquet menus (I should know I have had to create new Catering Menus every year since 1993)LOL

I have been in the Hospitality Industry for over 17 years this book has been in my collection since I started. If you can purchase it get it!! Definitely a must for any Caterers or students of the Culinary Art.

This book contains definitions of almost EVERYTHING Food (and some wines), the correct pronunciation, spelling and it's original origin. I can't recommend this book enough!! It is quite pricey but I have bought it at least 5 times in my career as gifts for my assistants moving on to greater positions in this Industry. They have terms (and again pronunciations) for all Culture cuisines ie; German, Cambodian, Japanese, French, Italian, Middle Eastern and Spanish just to name a few.

I also recommend the Oxford Companion for Food and Wine as well as any "Professional Chef" book from Culinary Institute of America

Respectfully Reviewed

This is a must read for internet online dating men and women- the information in this book will make you educated and be able to know when you have come upon a scammer.

Knowledgeably co-authored by Anna Alden-Tirrill and Jonathan van Helsing, Cyber Love's Illusions: Exposing The Romance Scams Of Internet Dating is an in-depth study of, and guide to, the commonly encountered schemes of internet-based romance scams. Deftly exploring internet dating and romance scamming from the perspective a professional directly involved with such scams, Cyber Love's Illusions compiles and presents a complete understanding of the modern and progressive theft of billions of dollars and thousands of broken dreams and expectations yearly. Cyber Love's Illusions is very highly recommended reading, especially and particularly for those who are searching for a safe and sound approach to internet-romance and true love.

For anyone who has been scammed, knows of someone who has been or is in doubt of their cyber love, this is the book for you. The authors have dug deep into the research of this book and it explains all that you need to find out if you are dealing with a scammer. It gives you places to go and information about where to send or research your scammer. The stories in this book are real and it is going to make you stop, look and listen. The Nigerian/Russian scam is so large that it will overwhelm you that so many people have been victims. Buy this book, read it and refer to it over and over again...You will not be sorry. Spend the money for the book before you send your "cyber love" any money it is well worth it.

This is an excellent book, for anyone who is using an online dating site, chat room and any other online public group or forum. Online safety and awareness of these types of scams are vital in today's tech world we live in. I have purchased this book for myself and my teenage daughter in the hopes her friends and herself will not fall victim to these scams. This book is an easy read to understanding the history of 419 Nigerian Scams, and how these Romance Scams work. The stories are real, personal and truly heartbreaking on how these scams have touched many innocent people. I am amazed at the detailed information this book has to offer along with the resources to keep your friends and family safe from these online predators. Moderator Linda http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancescams/

Excellent read, a must for everyone that utilizes online dating sites or chat rooms! The stories are true-life experiences from members of the Yahoo group Romancescams, complete with verification by our Nigerian "deep throat". This problem is more widespread than most people realize and this book does an outstanding job of describing the booming business of scamming, how much money is being lost to foreign scammers, how dangerous this "game" is and how certain dating sites are choosing to react. Definitely an educational tool...learn how to spot the scammers, learn the ins and outs of how they operate, learn where to go for help and what you can do to spread the word. You will truly be amazed! Moderator Rhonda http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancescams/

"The Day Of The Bomb" is the best history book i have ever read. Giving in complete detail a day by day trial of everything that had happen before the atom bomb was dropped. Always making you question yourself on; "was this the exact manner that things should have been done in?" Hear the struggles that people had to go through in order to survive the horrific tradgedy of "The Day Of The Bomb".

Reviewer: Erin from Peoria, IL This book was one of the very few written on the Hiroshima bombing that I did not find both nauseating and horrifying. The way Mr. Bruckner used the views of characters ranging from a pair of young Japanese siblings, to the crew of the plane from which the Enola Gay bomb was dropped, was very interesting. At no time while reading this book did I find it tedious or drawn out. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes to read historical fiction, but doesn't want to be put to sleep after reading the first page.

I read this book when I was 13. I've re-read it many times since to my children and grandchildren. The immediate association to the two main children characters endows the imagination of the young, whereas the story and the full horror of that day sinks deep in the heart of adults. An ageless book charming and deep.

This book was very realistic in my mind. Karl Bruckner's way of showing readers the bombing of Hiroshima during World War II through the eyes of two Japanese children is creative and fascinating. I would suggest this book to anyone who would like to know more about the atom-bomb explosion and how it affected the lives of all the men, women, and children of Japan.

My mother read this book to me as a child and I had all but forgotten it, although traces remained since I tried (and failed) to make a thousand cranes for my sister when she was ill. Now aged 42, I was sitting in a hotel in Paris watching a program on Canal 5 about Japanese cartoons, of all things, and one dredged up the memory of the book and how deeply it had affected me as a child. I am not sure if there is a Manga film based on the book or if it simply had a similar theme.

I would recommend it to anyone, especially with children, and would dearly love to own a copy now, not only for myself but for my mother. I would also welcome correspondence from anyone on the subject, for example, does anyone know why this was written in Austria of all places?

I read this book shortly after my daughter's (also named Zoe) premature birth. The book was rather inspiring to me and helped through some of tribulation I was going through with my own daughter. After reading the book, I knew that I was not the only one going through that same situation. After reading this book, I have felt even more blessed to have my child because I know that there are many parents out there who are not as fortunate as I am to have a healthy child.

I have purchased this book more than a dozen times for parents of children born with special needs. It is a chronological story that offers hope and much need faith for those who might be faltering. I was once one of those parents and this book helped me through. I hope everyone has such an opportunity as to read this amazing journal.

I was given this book as a gift after my daughter became seriously ill. At 6 weeks, my daughter (also named Zoe) was hospitalized for heart failure. While she wasn't premature I could totally relate to what the author was feeling and thinking during those trying times. I'm not even completely finished with the book yet and already I find myself inspired by it.

If you have ever had a premature baby or know someone who has, or are just curious about the world behind the plastic walls, this book is a must read. Told from a grandfather's perspective, it is a beautiful account of the passion of a parent to a child and then to her child. A great, hopeful story.

True, this book is initially about the birth of a premature grandchild, but it is about so much more. It is about the preciousness of life, no matter how short or long it is. It is an affirmation of life. I would recommend this book to anyone who is willing to look at life thoughtfully and honestly. Mr. DePree writes with painstaking honesty and heartfelt thoughts on prayer, life, death and God. Go out and read the book today!

I was a student of his many years ago. The book is not nearly as great as the man. He was a rare professor.

On the book, it is well laid out, progresses well and a distinct asset to the language learner.

I received the book in three working days. Book was in great condition and the price was lower than I had expected to pay.

Mailed and recieved in the time they said. The book is in great condition, the price was even better.

The book is one of the "classics" of introductory level German. I used this book for a college level class and now find myself referencing it as I complete more advanced level classes and prepare to move to Germany. The authors do a great job of simplifying the grammatical points of the German language in clear everyday language. They also use many examples throughout the explanations to clearly illustrate the key grammar concept. I also appreciated the mini-review at the end of each chapter, as well as the list of the grammar concepts in the index. Finally, the list of valuable idiomatic expressions and relevant sayings is helpful to the student in many normal everyday situation whether it be in a classroom or in a normal everyday situation. All in all, it was and is a valuable learning tool!

I bought this book to use with my German 101 and 102 classes, and it was extremely helpful. The writing style was, if not absolutely gripping, easy to get through, and the information was plentiful and well laid out. The accompanying website was also useful. The only problem I have with this book is that at the beginning of each chapter are a few dialogues using grammar that hasn't yet been learned. It would've made more sense to put those dialogues at the end of the chapters, in my opinion. That's more annoying than anything, and doesn't hurt the content or student's learning rate at all. I'd recommend this to any beginning German student.

The Independent Reviews Site writes in their April / May 2001 review:// Vanity the cat chooses her ideal owners, visits the vet, falsifies her pedigree, and collaborates in writing a book. Accompanying these adventures is a string of delectable satires of human types indegenous, the author says, to Santa Fe. You will enjoy recognizing many of them yourself. The chapter on writing should be framed and hung next to the desk of any writer with a feline roomate.

In the first section of the book Vanity's charachter comes across with catly vigor and playfulness. In the second half Vanity goes sking, leads a museum tour, attends City Council, and gets a job. She wears clothes and does the culture circuit. No more satire, this is fantasy; and the jokes are all about cat conceit.

DIARY OF A SANTA FE CAT is a book to choose by subject and location. Recommended dosage is to read the fisrt half straight through, taking time to savor. Once the book has changed character, pick it up for a quick chortle when you have a spare moment. You won't even have to take an allergy pill if you are allergic to cats, but if you are allergic to puns, medicate heavily before reading.

I'm not a cat person, but I still find Peggy van Hulsteyn's writing to be hilarious. She captures the fun of Santa Fe through the eyes of a cat -- and it works! If you've ever visited Santa Fe, if you want to visit Santa Fe, if you can spell "Santa Fe," you'll enjoy this book about the adventures of a mischievous cat at the center of attention in every chapter. A good gift book, a great choice to place in the guest room, or fun reading for anybody, cat lovers or not!

Cat lovers know that feline intelligence is the example toward which human being and other animals aspire. In "Diary of a Santa Fe Cat," author Peggy van Hulsteyn, has transcribed her own cat's insightful observations about the behavior of that odd breed who lives in the gilded cage known as the City Different. The cat, Vanity, a sleek beauty with a playful attitude trusts her instincts, buoyed by catnip, and her experience, conditioned by the social whirl, to share one cat's witty remarks with us. Vanity is a potent art critic as well as an analytical social commentator. About Georgia O'Keeffe's famous forms, Vanity says, "Don't they look like mice? Bat the images around in your mind and put them on the canvas. Think of how many of her images look like fish bones. How about the skulls-- wouldn't they be fun to chew on?" Or this about a new-age spiritualist: "Some goofy looking woman named Sioux Casa entered swinging crystals and incense for all she was worth. She had on a dirty short denim skirt that would lhave barely covered Minnie Mouse's private parts." After continuing with a devastating description of this spiritual healer, Vanity says, "I've learned after living in the The City Different my entire life, that in Santa Fe every day seems like Halloween."

I meowed pathetically; I meowed playfully. I gave them my most winning "Please take me home" look, right before licking their outstretched hands. ~Vanity

Diary of a Santa Fe Cat defies categorization. Is this a diary or an engaging celebration of the life of a contented kitten? Peggy Van Hulsteyn and Jacquelyn Quintana have created an unforgettable treat for all cat lovers, pun aficionados and anyone who has visited Santa Fe.

Vanity the cat is a delight from the first page. We find her being whisked away in a car to the animal shelter. Vanity is not amewsed by this car ride and from the first page she shows her delicate breeding and sybaritic tendencies. Not only does this cat know she is the cutest cat around; she is determined to show her intellect, all while curbing her instinctive tendencies to pounce upon mice the moment they appear.

Can I just say that by page six I was already laughing and the story had just begun on page five. By page seven I was nearing a point of no return and could not stop laughing. I think the comment about the "petting zoo" really got me. You will see why.

The art is rather whimsical and evokes definite emotional responses. You can really see Vanity's personality in all the artwork.

Vanity reads Vanity "Fur" and dines on such delights as "Salmon enchiladas with Chanterelles and sorrel sauce." What is not to love? This cat is a lover of gourmet food and she knows how to dress for dinner.

My favorite diary entries included, Abandoned, Rescued and In the New Adobe Abode. The Adventures to the Cat Spa were also quite creative. I loved the observation about writers and the picture of Vanity prancing across the keyboard all while wearing glasses.

As Vanity discusses various occasions you can't help thinking that she reminds you of a cat you know. In fact, she rather reminded me of my own Princess Sasha who definitely considers us to be "her" pets and not the other way around.

When reading this book, you may find yourself suspended between hilarity and more hilarity. Fortunately Peggy gives the reader some time to breathe before she catapults you into more laughter.

Either Peggy Van Hulsteyn was a cat in her past life or this was defiantly written
by Vanity the Cat herself. I'm almost purrfectly sure it was.

Meowingly,

~The Rebecca Review

Readers older than 10 might be wary of books with animal protagonists, but "Diary of a Santa Fe Cat" is the exception that proves the rule. Peggy van Hulsteyn's grasp of what is amusing in the antics of concho-belted, squash blossom-necklaced nouveau-Santa Feans is keen, as is her understanding of cats. She skewers Santa Fe prentensions with a deadly aim as she describes "The Great Earth Mother... decked out in a calico long swaying skirt with combat boots barely visible beneath it" and another, "recently arrived from Oklahoma" with "four rings on every finger and a kachina doll picture embroidered on her blue jean jacket"... wearing "Santa Fe designed cowboy boots."

Left at an animal shelter by her unfeeling owners, Vanity the cat is adopted by the perfect New Age Santa Fe couple, who carry her to their "adobe abode" where she dines on tuna tacos and uses a Georgia O'Keeffe-designed litter box. Presenting their new pet with her personal Crystal Healing Meditation Center, the "pet humans" honor their new cat, who "by doing what comes naturally" is one of "the spiritual gurus of Santa Fe."

Vanity casts her devastating feline eye on the excesses of Santa fe style with uproarious results.

I really enjoyed reading this book because it teaches in a conversational tone and it is so interesting! It doesn't read like a textbook at all.

I got this book very promptly as well as in great condition. Thanks!

I'm a biochemist who has started to work in the area of vent microbiology, and this book has served as an essential reference of vent ecology and basic vent geology for me - an excellent, readable book.

This book rates along with the standard texts by Marshall, Herring and Tyler that should be on the shelves of anyone interested in the biology of the deep sea. It brings the disparate biological, geological and biochemical hydrothermal vent literature together brilliantly. My only criticisms of the text are a lack of attention to the potentially damaging effects of scientific investigations on hydrothermal vents and propogation of the myth that deep-sea shrimps are able to see black-body radiation.

I had the pleasure of sailing with Cindy van Dover during 1985's Argo-RISE expedition to the Galapagos Rift. She probably recalls that I spent much of that oceanographic expedition annoying everyone with my overly-enthisiastic babble about what was then perceived as every oceanographer's chief competition for funding - the space program. Even under threats that if I didn't stop, I might end up "sleeping with the fishes," I could not stop talking about Valkyrie rockets and the moons of Jupiter.

Cindy's hydrothermal vents have turned out to be much more important than most people realize. Sub-surface, vent-sustained seas have been all but confirmed under the ice of Jupiter's moons Europa and Ganymede. They probably also reside inside Saturn's Enceladus and Titan, and they are suspected under Callisto and Mars. Looking outward from our Earth, it now appears that most life in the universe exists near deep ocean vents, and that worlds with their habitable zones on the outside are so rare as to make we surface dwellers a galactic minority, if not downright freakish.

This book is simply the most detailed single overview yet produced on what history may ultimately regard as one of biology's (and astrobiology's) most important discoveries - which makes Cindy van Dover more akin to Galileo than to William Beebe or Sylvia Earle. Cindy was partly responsible for turning my attention down from space, for more than a decade, and into more "earthy" subjects such as archaeology. I have to apologize to her though, for that little brawl I almost caused before the expedition; what a way to learn never, never to get so excited about submersibles and robot probes that I shout, in a diner full of non-oceanographer teamsters and lumber jacks, "I can't wait to go down on ALVIN!"

I have a master's degree in special education but have been in the business world for over twenty years. This book has given me a new zest for the field of special education. The insights give each side of discussions and leaves the reader to make decisions. The on line labs are excellent. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for wide views of the current challenges and progress in the field of special education.

This is a great book for teachers to learn more about dealing with children who have exceptionalities. If you are a new teacher or an experienced teacher dealing with inclusion, this book will be perfect for you!

This is a great text if you are looking for an introductory course text for special education. It is well suited for college and university students or teachers looking to learn more about children as it is easy to read and very informative. With chapters ranging from Planning and Providing Special Education Services to Students with Learning Disabilities to Gifted and Talented Students this text can be of appeal to a wide variety of those who would like to know more about children and how to help children attain their potential. I learned so much - I hope you will too.

I was astonished by both how readable this book is and how much useful information is presented. The book is designed for those entering the field of education and those studying for the Praxis II exam. While the book is targeted to the teaching of exceptional children, regular education teachers, parents and other interested parties would gain a great deal of information from this book. Our assignment was to skim the book - a task I found nearly impossible. I kept getting drawn into the interesting and vivid examples in each chapter. I found the focus questions and review sections to be particularly helpful.

I love this book! I purchased a used copy in 2001 to help prepare for my (then) upcoming Massachusetts State Teacher exam in special education, which I passed on my first try. It is a very useful source of information and contains a ton of facts. It presents special ed topics in a logical fashion and has a nice companion website. I practiced all the online questions since I had to learn a lot of material in a short period of time. The text is geared towards elementary education. However, I read it, even though my field is secondary SPED, because there are many things in it that relate to special education in general that I need to know about. The discussion of historical special ed legislation is especially complete. I just wish I could get my hands on the companion videos that are (or were) offered by the publisher.