Beverages Books

Most books on change management describe concepts and principles with some examples. This one went several steps further and provided me with a story that was rich in details and lessons learned. I could appreciate the nuisance and subtleties involved in change and transformation because of the fineness with which the business case was narrated. The authors should be commended for unraveling for the benefit of both business and non-business readers what goes on at the top management and various levels in a mammoth organization as it tries to change with the times.

In you are interested in linking innovative methods and models to bottom-line results, seeing the view of an organiziation's story as it unfolds and with the perspective of time, experiencing the transformation from those who lived it, or just a good read; then TO THE DESERT AND BACK is for you.

I don't think it is exaggerating to say the organization time and again was faced with its very survival. And each time it set the goal higher and invented the means to accomplish it.

It is a tribute to the importance of leadership, vision, creativity, and participation. While not many organizations may have the resources to play out the metaphor on such a grand scale, every leader and organization can take away the impetus to aim high, think big, and see beyond.

Mirvis, Ayas, and Roth make an exciting story accessible to a wide range of readers. Not only are the lessons of this story applicable to the business world, they carry over to relationships of all kinds. The dramatic story of Unilever's turn-around had this reader turning the pages. It is rare to come across a book with the potential to have such a far-reaching impact on organizations and the people in them. "To the Desert and Back" ought to be required reading for leaders young and old.

Stories of writers from all over the world in their "drinking" sprees, detailling with an excellent narrative and wonderful drawings (by Günter Mattei) the making of drinks and what these writers drank. As we say in French, it is the "petite histoire" behind their stories (of the writers and the drinks).

This is a fun book.

I read it while living in Puerto Rico so I could run out and get the all ingredients and mix up any drinks immediately. My friends and I came to love this book. We used it extensively (especially on Friday nights). I also enjoyed the snippets of fiction and art work woven through the book that tie it all the drink recipes together. It's difficult to make a bar book entertaining to read but the author succeeds 100%.

Stories of writers from all over the world in their "drinking" sprees, detailling with an excellent narrative and wonderful drawings (by Günter Mattei) the making of drinks and what these writers drank. As we say in French, it is the "petite histoire" behind their stories (of the writers and the drinks).

This product is great! It came really fast and i use it all the time.

I just bought a bar and it is going to be a great help to me

I am a bartender, and when it comes to finding a shooter recipe this book is #1. easy to read and different variations of recipes. a must have for the bar

Here's a little-known truth about wine: When a person says "I really wish I knew something about wine," he's usually talking through his hat. He really means he wants to know "How can I get, for a decent price, a bottle that I'll like and that won't embarrass me in front of my friends?"

Who can blame him? When knowledgeable wine-lovers say "there are no graduates from wine school," they're not kidding. The subject is endless if--IF--what you want is to know about wine. For the enormous majority, the people who want only good drink at a good price, this book is a godsend.

Felicia Sherbert has two secrets here. The first is that she doesn't bury you in wine-geekery. She does not drone on about rootstocks, degrees Brix and clonal selection; about residual sugar, cold fermentation and barrels of oak (American or French? Limousin or Alliers? Split or sawn? Kiln-dried or air -seasoned?). It's the wine-maker's job to deal with that stuff--not yours.

Her next secret is a copious Table of Contents. Its minutely subdivided vastness allows you to get the help you need when you need it by simply sliding your finger down the page.

Planning to woo with wine over dinner? Slide down the Table of Contents to "A Little Romance." Concerned about cost? See "Pick a Price Point." Don't know how to pull a cork? Worried that it might break? Slide, my friend, slide: Felicia knows you're in trouble and is waiting with the answers. How to decant? What glass to use? How to save the leftover half-bottle? Slide, slide, slide!

After a few jaunts down the slippery slope you'll be a happier, braver person. Then you can go back to the Table of Contents and--if you wish--look for sections and subsections that pique your interest. Such as how much to buy for a party. Sweet wines for dessert. The difference between champagne and sparkling wine. How to deal with wine in a restaurant. And so on. And on.

This is a handy, helpful, no-nonsense book. Like a puppy that follows you home from school, it'll be a friend for life.--Bill Marsano has won a James Beard medal for wine and spirits writing and is the wine editor of Hemispheres, the magazine of United Airlines.

If you occasionally drink wine and wonder why it is that some experiences are so much better than others, then this book is for you. In it the author strips away the pretentious mystery that surrounds wine drinking and encourages the reader to discover their own tastes and preferences. In a nice progression the book lets you learn as much or as little as you like. The basic premise is that the real point to drinking wine is to enjoy it. The secret to making this enjoyment consistent isn't in trying to learn obscure vintages or labels, but in understanding why you like what you like and encouraging you to follow your own tastes. Good advice for wine and and so much else.

As an average wine drinker who does not have a very refined palate but who enjoys a good glass of wine, I found this book to be very helpful. It is very down-to-earth and does not "talk over" the average person's head. I especially like the margin "bright ideas", etc. I would hightly recommend this book to the occasional wine drinker as well as the connoisseur (and not just because the author is my cousin)!

This is a super book, intelligent and attractive as well. As a child, I loved Vernor's Ginger Ale, and I enjoyed reading this book tremendously! The history of the company is well written and interesting, and the numerous illustrations are varied and delightful. I especially appreciated the chronology and bibliography that balance the cool graphics with authoritative research. Well done!!

This unique and eye opening saga into the history of Vernor's, reveals a facinating evolution from a doctor prescribed tummy soother, to "Detroit's Drink". Lawerence L. Rouch is an increadible writer who brings to life the colorful and amazing history of more than just a soft drink, but of the city of Detroit itself. From "The Original Ginger Ale's" post civil war beginings to its current position in the highly competive soft drink market of today, the Vernor story truly is one of a kind.

Wow! This book takes me back to my childhood in MI. It's so richly illustrated & so fun to read! I love it. I am going to buy it for all my friends and family for XMAS. What a great Michigan read!

These cards are fantastic. I recently discovered the joy of wine tasting, and decided to learn more. These cards are a perfect resource for several reasons: 1) beautiful photographs capture what the grapes look like with stunning clarity and color. 2) Compact enough to put into a purse or pocket and bring along to wine tastings or wine shops 3) concise information on the back of each card. Short paragraphs tell the history and origin of the wine/grape, how the wine is produced, description of the wine flavor, and food it best pairs with. 3) These high quality glossy cards are durable, and a pleasure to hold and read.

This is a beautiful deck with great photographs and excellent wine education text. I recommend highly.

These luscious cards remind me where I should be, and the balance that I should have in my life. There is just enough information on each gorgeous card to make me imagine how the grapes would blend, when I read the content on the wine bottle. The only way to know for sure though is to buy the bottle. So I do. And then more, to give as a gift (hostess or holiday), accompanied by these sensuous, juicy cards.

This book covers all of the details that are so often left out while training waitstaff and associated restaurant employees. We use it extensively for initial training and reference.

This is an excellent book. It's very thorough and the section on alcohol service was especially good. Highly recommend!

Opening a dining establishment is complex. There are many different things that need to be taken into consideration from food costs to training of employees. For those who have never had a restaurant before, the training of employees could be a little intimidating, especially when it comes to those who interact with the customers and whose service could make or break the business, the wait staff. This book takes the bewilderment out of hiring and training these very important people.

The book is comprehensive and follows a logical pattern which eases the reader into the business almost effortlessly. It is an all inclusive book which details different jobs which make up the wait staff from hosting to bussing. Most of the book is centered on service of the tables though. It explains everything from how to set the table to presenting the check at the end of the meal.

There is a special section on how to deal with the youngest of the customers as well as important issues which the customer does not see such as side work and dealing with customer complaints and the difficult customer. There are even tips on laws that regulate the industry such as alcohol and IRS laws. As with any other job in the restaurant, safety and sanitation is also a very important part. Taking the complexity out of hiring and training of these employees is bound to help everyone out.

Every person who cares enough about health and longevity needs to read and heed. Take charge of what goes into your body and gain better health and longer, more energetic life. This is especially true for parents who have an opportunity AND a responsibility to provide the best teaching and good health for their children.

For as old as this book is, it is incredible how the information is pertinent to today's drinking water issues. This book is easily read and packed with information in layman's terms. Information I have never read or heard of before. I highly recommend this book as well as others written by Norman Walker. He was a man ahead of his time!

Every person who cares enough about health and longevity needs to read and heed. Take charge of what goes into your body and gain better health and longer, more energetic life. This is especially true for parents who have an opportunity AND a responsibility to provide the best teaching and good health for their children.

I checked this book out of the library, and liked it so much I had to get a copy for myself! I am organizing a wine tasting group, and my hope is to educate as well as learn along with everyone else. We range from novice to experience wine tasters in our group. This little guidebook is one that I will bring to every tasting as a quick reference for those who want to learn an overview.

My favorite section is "Assessing Wine," which touches on color, tasting do's and don'ts, smell, and wine flavors. I wish DK Publishing would put out a poster with this information on it! I guess I will have to let people flip through this book when I want to make a point.

As with all DK books I own, this book is graphically excellent and it uses photography to illustrate its text in a very effective way.

I think this a great book!

This is a wonderful little wine book. It contains at least 101 little tips to make you more knowledgable about wine. This is the perfect starter book for anyone looking to learn about wine and be able to carry on an intelligent conversation about wine.

I am currently using this book at work. When I started reading it I knew nothing about wine. I am only half way into the book and feel that I know more then most people would about wine. It is an excellent source for anyone who would like to know more.

an excellent resource - full of usefull information, presented in a uniquely accessable format

I love the Instant Genius series. The tapes, especially the one on wine, are packed with a lot of information. There is no long drawn out time wasting introduction. I look forward to listening to this tape over and over.

A great overview of both red and white wines, covering a broad range of issues including origin, taste, selection of wine, year, etc. Both my appreciation and interest in wine has increased. Ideal for the wine lover that want to know more.