Tea Books

I found this book to be entertaining and educational. It's not only good for a Giant fan but anyone who loves baseball.

This September will mark the 50th anniversary of Bobby Thomson's home run that cost the Brooklyn Dodgers the pennant. This book makes it seem like yesterday. I loved it.

I enjoyed this book very much, and I'm not even much of a baseball fan. It's very historical and contains many interesting (and some humorous) anectodotes. It makes a great gift for any baseball fan--especially for a "real" Dodger or Giant fan. A great read.

The title of this book is completely misleading. One might expect a chronicle of the great games played between these two rivals, but it is no such thing. Instead, Mr. Cohen attempts to evaluate the rivalry between the Giants and the Dodgers by comparing, season by season, the best batting averages, best ERA's, and best home run hitters for each team. Prior to giving us this riveting information, Mr. Cohen gives a brief description of each team's season, along with highlights from other teams in the league if it strikes his fancy. However, outside of the most famous game between the Giants and the Dodgers--arguably the most famous game ever played--Mr. Cohen says not a word about games between the Dodgers and the Giants. You might expect him to give, for each season he reviews, the records of the teams against each other. He does not. You might think he would state the lifetime record of the Giants against the Dodgers. He does not. In short, this is a rather dry history of baseball from 1900 to 1957, with an emphasis on the Giants and the Dodgers, but not on the games they played against each other. I found no misstatements of fact, but Mr. Cohen errs when he says that the Giants won the first two subway series. The Giants did beat the Yankees in the 1921 and 1922 series, but in those years the Giants and the Yankees both played at the Polo Grounds. Ergo, no subways were involved. In 1923, the Yankees beat the Giants in the World Series. Since the Yankees were playing in their new stadium, it was a subway series. If you are interested in reading about the Giants or the Dodgers, I don't recommend Cohen's book. There are several books about the Dodgers, and Stew Thornley's "New York's Polo Grounds: Land of the Giants," does a much better job of surveying the history of the Giants than does Mr. Cohen.

Dan Shaughnessy is a skilled writer with an endless knowledge of Boston sports, so this Celtics history, written nearly 20 years ago, is a fun, fast read with some interesting tidbits and quotes. But he told the entire history of the NBA's most storied franchise in less than 250 pages, and it just wasn't sufficient.

This book had been sitting in my book case for about 15 years, and as a lifelong Celtics fan looking for a light read, I finally decided to pick it up. And I'm glad I did. Shaughnessy provided some good anecdotes about the early years of the Celtics franchise and how he managed to land Bob Cousy and Bill Russell. There were also some great quotes from Auerbach, Cousy, Heinsohn, Havlicek, Bird, etc.

The problem was, I wanted more. Shaughnessy's "Curse of the Bambino," a history of the Red Sox, was also a little too short, but there were far fewer big games to describe. The Celtics had won 16 championships when this book was written, and the book was begging for more info on some of the critical series, games and moments.

So as an overview of the Celtics for those with limited knowledge of the team's history, the book is pretty good. It's an enjoyable read. But for a big Celtics fan looking to experience the major moments of the 1960s and 70s, this will barely quench your thirst.

THIS IS A BOOK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE BOSTON CELTICS. IT IS NOT GREATLY DETAILED BUT IT IS A MUST READ FOR ALL CELTIC AND BASKETBALL FANS. IT COVERS A SEASON BY SEASON LOOK AT ALL THE CHAMPIONSHIP YEARS AND HOW THE TEAMS WERE OUT TOGETHER. THE AUTHOR GIVE US AN OVERALL VIEW OF HOW THE TEAM WAS FOUNDED AND ALOT OF INFO CONCERNING RED AUERBACH. ALSO SOME OF THE LEAN YEARS ARE COVERED ALONG WITH SOME STORIES TOLD BY EX-PLAYERS AND COACHES CONCERNING THE CELTIC DYNASTY. VERY RECOMENDED

This book can best be described as an extremely long Boston Globe article on the Celtics by Dan Shaughnessy. Shaughnessy covers many tidbits in the book. Many interesting things about the old Boston Garden, Red Auerbach, and the team. Overall, an excellent read for a new Celtics fan (old ones as well).

This book can best be described as an extremely long Boston Globe article on the Celtics by Dan Shaughnessy. Shaughnessy covers many tidbits in the book. Many interesting things about the old Boston Garden, Red Auerbach, and the team. Overall, an excellent read for a new Celtics fan (old ones as well).

"The Pleasures of Tea: Recipes and Rituals" is a perfect book to give as a gift along with a favorite tea and maybe some homemade cookies. While the exquisite photographs are the highlight of the book, there are also 35 recipes to enjoy. You may want to try the following recipes:

Rhubarb and Ginger Jam
Zucchini-Pistachio Bread with Vanilla Frosting
Leek and Mushroom Tart
Strawberry Iced Tea
Smoked Salmon Canapes
Rose Petal Scones
Cucumber-Basil Tea Sandwiches
Orange-Clove Tea

Among the beautiful pages there are also tidbits to enjoy. One section explains how tea leaves are harvested, while another gives cozy book recommendations. There are a few tips for making tea more delicious and ideas for a variety of tea parties. I especially enjoyed reading about the picnic tea party, which can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

~The Rebecca Review

Victoria magazine's feature editor Kim Waller lavishes readers with a beautifully illustrated tribute to the world's most traditional beverage. THE PLEASURES OF TEA is brimming with recipes, accoutrements, interviews, gorgeous pictorials of tea services from around the world, and my favorite tidbit - suggestions for how to combine tea time with reading time. I was even pleased to see a quick picture of my own service -- "Lady Carlyle" by Royal Doulton. The book also contains fascinating information on the business of tea and a resource section listing salons and sources for tea goodies.

Overall this is quite an extraordinary book, one that I refer to often. I wouldn't suggest this as a first book for a novice, although its gorgeous photos and print would make it a lovely gift. There are others, such as TEA WITH FRIENDS that would make better first sources. Nevertheless, it is one of the best presentations of this wonderful pastime.

Cris Cunningham

This colorful book is a good resource for the kinds of china used in serving tea and the different kinds of teapots for collectors. The beauty of wedgewood and chintz are brought to life. A key tip for me is if a teacup is stamped "England" instead of "Made in England" is was made before 1908. The recipes were in my opinion while not numerous were varied and unique. I especially enjoyed the features: A Tea Lover's Home, The Accoutrements of Tea, Visit a Tearoom; and interviews: A Tea Salon Owner and A Tea Grower. Tnere is a celebrations section with a set up for a children's tea. This book is a definite coffe table (or tea table) must for tea lovers and collectors.

This book is gorgeous to look at just like Victoria magazine, but the content is not very substantial. It makes a good book for a cozy tea table, but for recipes or other information you might want to look elsewhere.

Wow...what a book and story by Josh Heupel. He is truly an outstanding young man with his head on straight. A must read for all, even if you are not from Oklahoma. I don't live in Oklahoma and just heard about the book.

This book will be treasured by Sooner Fans forever. We are very lucky to have had such a great guy lead our team to the NC. Josh is such a wonderful guy and a great leader. Seeing the pictures in the book brought back great memories. This book is a MUST HAVE for any Sooner fan.

Josh Heupel shares his most inner thoughts as he retraces the long road from South Dakota to the hallowed ground of Owen Field at OU. You'll discover a very humble man who wasn't always close to God, but in time turned his life around and achieved the pinnacle of college football. No Sooner fan should miss this book filled with great trivia as well. Thanks for the excitement you gave us Josh and may the road continue to be straight and narrow for you...

Josh Heupel is a cut above your average athlete, not in terms of physical ability, but in hard work, dedication, and faith. He was the biggest key (along with Coach Bob Stoops and his staff) to the resurrection of the Oklahoma Sooner football program to national glory. As a diehard Sooner fan, I found this a very enjoyable read. As a Christian, I found it inspirational. Although Josh is listed as the author, it's clear that most of this book was written by his collaborator, who interviewed friends and family to get the full picture of this remarkable young man. There are a few chapters penned by Heupel, including a message he gave at church the Sunday morning following the Big 12 Championship game. The last section details each game of the Sooners championship run, which admittedly will probably only be of interest to Sooner fans (me!) I would like to have seen Josh talk more about the day-to-day experiences, the interaction with teammates and coaches, that type of thing. Maybe it will be up to someone else to write that book. I recommend this book for young people, Oklahoma Sooner fans, and Miami Dolphin fans (the Dolphins drafted him in the sixth round, and if they read this, they'll have no doubt that Heupel will be a great player for them in the NFL). Josh Heupel will be a success in whatever he does, and this book shows you why.

I absolutely was intrigued by this book, read while sipping a cup of tea. My favorite teas are Republic of Tea, I'd recommend those as well! I liked learning about "TGBOP", Oolong teas, how to brew teas, teas from different countries, etc. I am by no means a tea snob, just a tea lover. This book is great for tea drinkers of any kind.

I ordered both this book and The Tea Companion: A Connoisseur's Guide by Jane Pettigrew . Though I read this book first, I was most impressed by Tea Companion. Tea Basics seemed to have a bit more depth when talking about the history of tea, but it disappointed me most was the end. I had hoped to learn more about specific types of tea, but instead the author tells how to plan and execute a tea party. Not something I care about in the least and for something that (to me) is so insignificant, I found that too much time was given to the information.

All in all, not a bad book, but you can really do better. Check out Pettigrew's book. I would have been happier just getting that one alone.

This book impressed me. It is easy to read, has a personal feel, and covers all of the basics (what tea is, history, where it is produced, how to brew it, tea tasting, tea ceremonies, etc). Many resources are listed in the back. I have five books on tea so far (a beginner), and this is my favorite. If you only want one book on tea, this is my recommendation. The health section is pretty basic, so if that interests you, you might want to also look at a health-related tea book (green tea). This book describes the general regions, whereas the Tea Companion book describes the individual tea gardens (which may or may not be useful to you.)

To try to prevent my niece from spending all of her time in college going to starb%#ks I recently put together a care package of tea brewer, a few starter books on tea, and some nice loose leaf teas in tins. Going through the recently published books on tea I found this one which is a nice paperback book on tea basics. It has a little filler but covers all of the fundamentals in a concise way, a brief history of camellia sinensis, where it is grown today, grades, types, how the market for tea works, tea vocabulary, some pros/cons on how to brew, and has a nice list of tea resources appended to the back. It even has a good brief description on how to cure a new yixing pot. I like it when a "book on basics" is done well for a topic, and this one is in that category. Not a lot of pretty pictures here... just some good basic information on tea. Throw in Okakura Kakuzo, one of the paperbacks by Diana Rosen and you have yourself a nice present to give someone just starting out with tea. WARNING to tea novices, this stuff is addicting and before you know it you will have an assortment of kettles cups and pots, thermometers, scales, infusers, tins and a dogeared copy of John Blofeld's book. You have been warned.

Being new to the joy of tea drinking, this was a great introduction. Great chapters on the history of tea, the many varieties, and the basics for brewing a cup. I highly recommend it and their wonderful tea.

Although I haven't totally abandoned my coffee---and my coffee lifestyle---the Republic of Tea's products and mission have brought a growing serenity to my everyday outlook. The sip-by-sip culture centered around the "event" of taking tea has been a release valve for my frenetic pace.

This book helped me appreciate the inner-workings---not just the taste---of tea. I will keep it next to my teapot where it will serve a valuable reference to this ageless beverage.

I'm a confirmed Tea drinker and have been for many years but with the explosion of coffee shops in recent decades Tea drinking seems to have fallen out of favor in our 'instant' and fast paced world. Not to sound counter culture but to me one of the attractions of drinking tea is its slow pace. When you decide to make a cup of tea its not just a ring-pull-glug beverage it's more like an experience, a quiet vacation from a busy day. Time is required to brew the tea, the longer you wait the stronger the brew but also the longer you wait the cooler the tea becomes.

When you order a 'hot' tea you normally end up with a cup of hot water with a tea bag floating in it, you still have to let it brew. So when I started seeing a Chai tea being offered with the same speed and efficiency as a latte I was curious about the Chai tea is it just some marketing fad or did it have some history?

I picked up the book "Tea Chings" for some light background information on my favorite beverage and I was surprised to find out that Chai Tea does have a history almost as old as tea in India. The book also opened my eyes to other delightful facts about tea.

"Tea Chings" by Ron Rubin and Stuart Avery Gold is a pleasant book to read with facts and history of various styles and blends of teas from traditional black and green leaf teas to Herbal and White leaf teas. Although the facts and the information are sprinkled with hint of propaganda for the 'Republic of Tea' the book does gives you a sound fundamental on the subject of tea.

Not to detract too much from the book but to me it read like a term paper rather than a reference book. For most of us this will be a sufficient level of facts, after all how much does any one really need to know about tea? But if you look a little deeper into the facts you notice a few holes in the information.

I liked the book a lot, even the lettering and the green ink illustrations add to the visual enjoyment of the book. It's a good book to read while waiting for your tea to brew.

The emphasis here is on an attractive and somewhat cutesy presentation of tea and herbs very much in concert with Ron Rubin's The Republic of Tea retailing business. There are sidebar quotes from such anonymous "authors" as "The Minister of Travel," The Minister of Soil," The Minister of Herbs," etc., in frank imitation of Eastern mystical pronouncements. ("The Minister of Travel" is identified on the jacket as co-author Stuart Gold.) An example from page 72:

Who draws the water and boils it?
Who spoons the leaves from the tin and places them in the pot?
Who lifts the kettle and pours?
Who could be a greater friend?

This Zen and Taoist take on the consumption of tea is of course entirely appropriate. The Bodhidarma himself (legend has it) contributed his eyelids to the spawning of the first tea plant; and Zen and Taoist masters have from olden times used tea as an aid to meditation. Personally, as a long-time devotee myself, I believe that tea has mystical powers not easily quantified by modern science, and at any rate there is also a ceremonial and a devotional aspect to the drinking of tea than leads one to the quiet contemplation that makes for a life fully lived.

The text is easy to read and there are attractive thumbnail illustrations in green throughout. There are a few plugs for Rubin's company, but they are tastefully woven in. I must however call into question some of the information. For example on page 34 it is writ: "Homo erectus pekinensis, who lived in Southeast Asia where tea bushes grow wild, was boiling water and eating wild tea leaves more than 500,000 years ago." I would dearly like to see the reference for this supposition. (There are no footnotes.)

Also on page 20 it is claimed that white tea has "virtually no caffeine." I am having white tea myself this afternoon with lunch (Foojoy's Bai Mudan) which I have drunk many times before. I can say with complete confidence that it has noticeably more than "virtually no caffeine."

Indeed the whole question of the caffeine content of various teas seems a bit murky in this volume. On page 80 there is a table "Caffeine in Beverages" that indicates that five ounces of green tea contains 15 mg of caffeine while five ounces of black tea contains 40 mg. Needless to say it depends on which green or black tea you are talking about. Japanese green teas in my experience typically contain more caffeine that Chinese green teas. The caffeine in a typical Assam tea (a "black" tea) seems greater than in say Keemun the famous black tea from China. Furthermore, of course, it depends on how strong one brews one's tea and how long the leaves stay in the water and indeed at what temperature the water is when it hits the leaves.

Putting that aside and assuming such things are balanced, as I presume the authors do, consider this statement, also from page 80: "The more oxidized (or "fermented") the tea, the more caffeine it contains..."

I don't see how this can be true since the amount of caffeine in the bud and leaves does not gain from oxidation. It is not the processing of the tea (except for the deliberate removal of caffeine), but the tea leaves themselves that determine the amount of caffeine in the infusion. The authors imply that they know this when they end the paragraph with the observation that "The greatest concentration of caffeine...is in the bud and first two leaves of the tea bush."

I'm not even sure that this is correct. What IS correct is that the finer the tea the more likely it is to come from the bud and the first leaf or two, yet it will not be experienced as "strong"--which reveals perhaps a more important point about tea drinking: in the older leaves there is more tannin, and it is the experience of tannin that seems "strong" and bitter. The finest teas have only a hint of tannin and not a bit of bitterness.

Putting these peccadilloes aside, this is an attractive book that would make a nice gift for tea and herb lovers. For those who drink nothing but Lipton, it will be an eye-opener deluxe.

This is ancharming poetry picture book. Poems are cleverly arranged in stages of having a tea party: shopping, creating invitations, preparing, brewing, and entertaining. Teatime Tips accompany each poem, ranging from recipes to activities to placating party poopers.
Dugan's whimsical illustrations are faintly reminiscent of Tomie DePaola's soft rounded style, but have more color and action. The pictures, people with a multicultural cast of cheerful children, portray movement in every sense.
Spinelli's text has trouble keeping up with Dugan's smooth style. Some of the poems have odd rhythms due to forced rhymes, but in most cases, the desired effect is achieved, whether it be one of bustling preparation ("Pots clank/Glasses clink/Water gurgles/in the sink") or calm lazy afternoons ("Brown sugar sand is soft and sweet/This day is good enough to eat").
With curriculum connections potential in a variety of subjects, this book is a worthy purchase for any library serving younger elementary grade students - in spite of Spinelli's need for a bit more polishing in the poetry department.

Charming illustrations, delightful poems with delicious tea tips on every page! My grandaughter only wanted to read two of them at first, and then wouldn't be satisfied until we read the whole thing twice!

TEA PARTY TODAY

When I first read this collection of poetry for children by Eileen Spinelli, I was not just enthralled by the fine writing, but fascinated with the author's beloved memories of tea parties.

The poetry in this book is filled with charm, in lines such as "With clover all woven through braids in her hair," about the Beekeeper's Daughter (from the poem, "Market Day"). And, from the poem "Invitation," ". . .jam is a treat/ That butterflies taste/ On their flutter-by feet." Then, there's the poem, "Adventure," about the joy of reading and the imaginary trips it affords one, that can lead to ". . . tea with a dragon/ And lunch with a mouse." The illustrations by Karen Dugan are colorful, pert, cuddly, and capture the charm of the words. Some of the poems are humorous, and here again, the illustrator makes the most of that humor. An example of this is the page about the "Teatime Grouch." Another page, with the poem entitled "Please," features a mischievous child who puts his finger in his cup of tea, bringing about shocked reactions from his co-partygoers, who are appropriately wearing flowered, feathered and beribboned hats.

As we continue to read Tea Party Today, we realize that it isn't just the poetry that is inviting. At the bottom of each page, readers will find suggestions and ideas for their next tea party under the heading "Teatime Tips." These creative tips make the planning of a tea party so attractive that they are sure to make the reader start writing invitations and stock up on a variety of regular and herbal teas. The tips are both educational and fun, and one of my favorites is, "Invite grandparents and other older relatives to tea . . . Ask them to tell stories about when they were children." Doing this will not only help form a bond between generations, but also give children an opportunity to learn something about their older relatives.

This book, besides being charming and fun, is important inasmuch as it teaches children the fine art of being a host or hostess, of ensuring that everyone who comes to their home will leave with a warm feeling in their heart. After all, we are social beings, and what better way for a child to learn how to socialize than by reading Tea Party Today and putting its Teatime Tips into practice.

Charming illustrations, delightful poems with delicious tea tips on every page! My grandaughter only wanted to read two of them at first, and then wouldn't be satisfied until we read the whole thing twice!

This is a wonderful and enlightening book with many delicious recipes that translate so well into life today. Rose Nichols entertained some of the most famous and distinguished characters of the early twentieth century, including Winston Churchill. She cared passionately about good food and was a much travelled and artistic woman, who epitomized the Beacon Hill society of Boston. The recipes are so good and I particularly recommend the Glazed Orange Cake and the Graham Bread. This is a brilliant hostess gift and so much more interesting that the inevitable chocolates or wine that go back and forth in England.

I made the mistake to purchase the book before looking it up in the local library. It was not what I expected. The historical and biographical references are delivered very dry on the verge of boring (compare with "Tea with Jane Austen"). The recipes are not very practical, the tea choices referred are limited and the tea preparation suggestions are often wrong. For example, the only suggestion to the water temperature one uses is to be kept boiling in the tea urn (a suggestion valid for herbal tea, while a taste killer for green and black tea as a true tea lover would know). Unless one looks for a tea party as the kind of entertainment for a charity event with no concern for the actual taste of the tea itself, I would not recommend the book.

Simply put, this book is a perfect gift for anyone whose friendship and love you might cherish. This is a marvelously engaging and unique piece of literature. It's also the perfect gift for a friend who has an appreciation for history and an aptitude for sharing thoughts and friendship with others. It's an equally beautiful experience to read this book in the privacy of your den or to follow its recipes in the kitchen.

This is more than a window into a less complicated past but a sense for what many of us have deprived ourselves from enjoying in decent conversation and quality entertainment. A good friend gave me Tea with Miss Rose as a gift and for that friendship I will forever be in his debt. I am ordering copies for those I regard as good friends as I know they'll appreciate this magnificent and charming reminder of a lovely life.

This very well written book gives an insight into a special way and lost way of American life, Boston around the turn of the last Century. In addition to its pictures and descriptions, we were able to savor the experience from its tea recipes. Highly recommended.

With her debut novel, Felicia Luna Lemus treats us with a story filled with corazon and a deceptively easy style. Her protagonist, Leticia Marisol Estrella Torrez, is a young Angeleno who struggles to blend her lesbian life with that of her traditional Mexican-American family. Funny, soulful and heartbreaking, this is a fine novel that establishes that the personal is often political. I hope this is the beginning of a long writing career for Felicia Luna Lemus.

Rarely do I take the time to right a review for books. Most follow the same hum drum scenerios. Though this one follows the ole "grrl finds grrl" bases, the voice of the author was quirky, colorful and left me praying I didn't get to the end of the book any time soon. I'll be scanning bookstore shelves for up and coming titles from this wonderful author. Bravo Ms Lemus!

This is a story of a Mexican-American young woman leaving her grandmother's traditional ways and becoming her own person. Even though the specifics of this novel include "coming out," and coming to terms with "dyke identity," this novel's protagonist more importantly works toward learning to be comfortable with her cultural history.

The language is fluid, changing to suit the story, from lush, descriptive and tender to snappy and tough. It was a real page-turner. I can hardly wait for her next novel!

One of the biggest mistakes made by gay authors and gay film makers is that they assume that by virtue of having gay/lesbian protagonists that their stories will somehow automatically become interesting, but alas a book containing finger down throat sentiments in the straight world will have the same messy effect on us gay folks as well.
The characters are over the top cute, and dull to boot. Hanging out with these people and listening to the dull details of their thrift store chic would be the last way I'd want to spend a Sunday. Despite the supposedly risque lesbiana, the book reaks of an irritating girly girl cutesyness that I thought only existed in front of 7th grade bathroom mirrors.
Even worse, Lemus still has to put in stereotypical homophobic villians. An evil skinhead apartment manager? The woman in the cake shop who won't put two girls on a cake? Yeah right.
Nana, who has potential is barely in the book, and then her rantings sound like a poor imitation of the cutesy ethnica of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Nice try, but the humor falls flat.
And as for "K" we can see it coming a few pages after they've met. I had high hopes for this book, but K and Leticia are no Hopey and Maggie.

Excellent book. Step by step instructions with beautiful pictures. It's so nice to be able to see what the recipe is supposed to look like. The bread recipes are excellent and the jams and jellies are unique.Highly recommend!

Bought this book for my wife who loves all kinds of teas and tea related things. She loves the book and has added it to her growing collection of high quality tea and cake books.

Delightful book on tea basics, tea ettiquette, and many wonderful tea recipes that are sure to create an instant hit at your next tea party or gathering.