Bean Books

Bean's book certainly presents a fresh approach to reasoning about causation. His ideas on causation under time reversal and backward causation are interesting, indeed. The reader will find this work inclusive of physics, Artificial Intelligence and Philosophy quite stimulating.

Bean is an original and careful thinker. His ideas challenge refutation. Those interested in physics, philosophy, and cybernetics will find this work to be a stimulating departure from traditional views on causality.

While these were abridged versions of the books, the editing was very well done. My only complaint were the occasional mispronounced word - suite pronounced as suit, for example. This is a very small thing, but it served to bring me out of the story. The biggest drawback was that I listened to these books in the car and didn't want to go in to work until the current exciting bit was done. Barr's descriptions of the parks, the people, and the events were very well done, crisp and clear, and brought you right into the story. Well done!

Joyce Bean brings Nevada Barr to life. This performance is brilliant. I lived inside Anna Pigeon's head (a great place to be) and felt like I was seeing the world through her eyes. Bean's delivery is matter-of-fact. This may sound strange, but I like the way Bean lets you hear her breathe. She is reading and it feels like you're sitting around a campfire with the best of them. On top of Bean, this is a fantastic plot. The long opening scene of the recovery in the cave is gripping. The first long third of this book takes place underground but Barr brings each room, tunnel, corkscrew and wormhole to life. The characters around Pigeon are interesting and diverse and while the action moves to the surface for the middle section, it's equally compelling. The wrap-up? One of the best. Great story of greed, brilliantly read by Joyce Bean.

Now this is a perfect book for a young child to get the explanation of growing a bean. A simple , well illustrated story line with easy to understand idea of seed to plant to seed eg the growing cycle. If you have a little one and have a bean ( I suggest green bean) and want to read and show by example how to take a bean and get it to grow to get more beans this delightful book will help you to do just that. I have a 2 1/2 yr old granddaughter who has experienced growing seeds in a garden this year but if you only have one bean, a little pot and some sun and soil you too can give this experience to a little one. It makes Jack and the Beanstalk seem like it could actually have happened ...almost anyway. It says a lot about the miracle of growing and nature. Highly recommended. Pre school in my opinion. 5 stars even if only 4 show here.

"One Bean" is a terrific book that teaches children about plant cycles. The illustrations are charming and show exactly what happens to the bean throughout the growing process. The back of the book also gives follow-up activity suggestions. Someone gave this book to me with a packet of bean seeds attached, which is also a great way to present the book to a child or teacher.

I've been hearing for years that I should eat more pulses and legumes, but I wasn't really sure what they were.

Now that I have this book, they've become my favorite food group. The recipes are diverse, delicious, and easy to make. Out of 10 or so recipies we've tried so far, they're all winners that we'd make again. The favorites so far are the cassoulet and the bean and beer soup.

I also now know where the expression "full of beans" comes from. Since eating from this book, I have a lot more energy. And I'm also losing weight (11 pounds so far and still counting), even though I'm not eating any less or exercising any more.

All of our other cookbooks have gone into storage and this new one is getting worn out quickly!

This cookbook contains a wide variety of recipes for beans and legumes, from many different styles of cooking, such as Australian, Middle-Eastern, European, Asian and Indian.

As a vegetarian, I found it a very useful cookbook since about 30% of the savory recipes are strictly vegetarian, and a further 20% or so could be converted by substituting vegetable stock for meat stock. Then there are the desserts, which are of course meat-free. The food is very nice.

There are also lots of hints about the preparation and nutritional value of legumes, peas and beans, including information on how to save time, and how to avoid the wind some people experience with legumes.

I would recommend this book highly to anyone interested in learning more about beans and peas, to anyone interested in eating more beans and vegetables, to people interested in trying ideas from different cuisines, and to anyone looking for quick, healthy, yummy recipes. Many recipes are suitable for vegetarians, some are suitable for vegans (and many of the other recipes can be converted easily). Most of the recipes are suitable for diabetics, except those marked as indulgences.

One of the first things a reader will notice about this book is that Victor Cruz is a man who writes from his heart. Secondly they will notice that his poetry doesn't seem to follow any set style, but rather is based on his unique and keen observations on life. One moment he will be sharing wisdom about the risk of death by mangoes propelled by gale force winds, the next he will be quoting Basho in Spanish.

From the spice and passion of his Puerto Rican heritage comes a mystic of language who walks a road that intersects with many others, and his writing is a powerful reflection of this. Some of his "poems" are very short, mere quotes at times, while others are more akin to short stories. But there is much more than poetry to be found in this book, such as when the author discusses aspects of his cultural heritage, particularly Salsa dancing. When I first purchased this book many years ago I didn't find much interest in this, but now as an adult who loves to dance Salsa, I have a newfound appreciation for his discussion on the roots of this beautiful and exotic dance. But I would urge new readers of Victor's work to look deeper than his words, for he imparts much of his wisdom in the spaces in between.

Back in the early 90's I had the opportunity to meet Victor Cruz and to hear him read selected poems from Red Beans. All I can say is that there is a special magic that happens when he reads in front of an audience...and words cannot do it justice. I am unsure if Victor is still doing readings in the United States, but if you ever have an opportunity to hear him read in person, do not miss it. It is an experience you will never forget.

Cruz writes with such expression and feeling. Enjoyable reading

I bought this book several years ago and didn't like it, put it on the shelf and didn't look at it again until last month. I must have changed as a cook because what I thought was too complicated and bizarre before was now helpful and interesting. This book has changed the way I think about beans and my approach to creating new dishes. Anyone interested in improving their creative skills in the kitchen, understanding a cook's thought behind a recipe, as well as learning tasty ways to include healthy vegetarian bean dishes in the daily diet should treasure this book. It is really one of a kind.

I love the author's approach to bean cookery...the elemental "feeling" that the attributes to various types of beans...the taste, textures and energetics both in the bean itself as well as the various cooking methods. She really takes beans to a (deserved) higher level! My only reason for four stars is that frequently the recipes call for slightly odd ingredients which one might not normally have on hand; sometimes I was ready to prepare a recipe only to find I had no garam marsala, (or plantain, white miso, etc.)on hand and that this item was supposedly critical to the final taste. Personally I find it better to experiment anyway, and this gives you the springboard to becoming more adventurous.

This is a great book if you are researching the ethnobotanical uses of plants by southern California Indian groups. It has helped me tremendously in my research for my master's degree in Anthropology. However, some of the scientific names have changed since the book was published, sometimes making it problematic to obtain correct identifications. Nevertheless, whether you are interested from an academic standpoint, or just want to learn more about native Californians and plants, this is a great place to start.

In my opinion, this is the best ethnobotany ever written. (I am no expert, but I have read at least 30 ethnobotanical studies.) Mrs. Saubel's contribution as a learned Cahuilla elder and true co-author is unequalled in other ethnobotanical studies of Native people. She is well known and respected by Native people throughout southern California and elsewhere. You really get a sense of how traditional Cahuilla use the various plants of their region. I recommend this book very highly to anyone interested in the history of California, Native people, and ethnobotany.

I've read this book twice--it's a wonderful, quirky account of Orson Bean's personal and professional life. He's a funny and gifted writer--a man who views life with both sarcasm AND compassion. Bean has re-invented himself many times throughout his varied career. No stranger to trendy self-help programs, he always retained his independence and individuality, no matter what fad he was exploring at the time. Bean believes in living a joy-filled life but it took him many decades to learn how. This unconventional autobiography is honest and touching. There's also a little metaphysical wisdom ready to be uncovered if you are sharp enough to read between the lines. Definitely NOT your typical, name-dropping celebrity autobiography. Bean is a wise and compassionate man and he shares his hard-earned wisdom in this book.

If you are looking for charming, heart-felt, quirky tales of misadventure, Orson Bean's autobiography can surely pacify you. Bean is an amazing character that has the power to lift the spirit with his blantant charm and lust for life. His stories are outright wonderful. This is simply stated, honest book. A real gem.

Okay, so I'm kind of young but hey! I can still review a great book. Wooden teeth and Jelly beans is a book about presidents- but not the ordinary kind. It gives great facts in a fun and colorful way. I enjoyed reading it and kept on reading it over and over. I reccommend this book for anyone that can read or is in the ages of 7 to 777 years old. I especially loved the pictures that are like really good charicatures of all the presidents from Washington to Clinton. I really hope you pick up this book because this book is the best example I have seen of an educational book that can be fun!

My sister-in-law bought this book for her nieces, ages two and three. The book is too advanced for them, but not for me. I enjoy pointing out the wonderful cartoon presidents to them and guess what, they know a lot of their names. However, there is a lot they don't understand, but when they get to be about four or five this book will be ready and waiting for them.

The book starts out with a few words the young student needs to know to grasp the idea of the presidency and what it represents. The words are ambassador, assassination, cabinet, congress, constitution, Continental Congress, Declaration of Independence, impeachment, inauguration, secede and veto. As you can see, if your preschooler understood what these words meant, she would be well on her way to what President Gerald Ford calls in the introduction, her "greatest asset."

This book is beautifully done and you know what? I learned, or re-learned, a lot. Yes, this wonderful book is good for big people too. Five stars from Captain Katie.

Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne

I read this book for the first time when I was a sophomore in High School. I loved it then and after reading for the 6th time at age 25 I loved it even more today. A truly amazing story about love, coming of age, friendship and betrayal. The characters are written so well they will make you laugh and cry and I thought about them weeks after finishing the book. I passed this book on to all my friends and eventually my younger sister. I think every girl should read this book. I can not say enough good things about it. It is a MUST read!

I loved reading Judy Blume as an adolescent, and now I can say I love reading her as an adult. This book was very entertaining and fun.

This is a great book! I am an avid book reader and this is one of my absolute favorite books of all time. I have read this book at least five times and I know I will read it many more times in the years to come. It's nostalgic, sweet, and timeless. It is a wonderful story of the friendships and heartaches many people go through in their lives.

I am currently reading this book now & I love it. Great & real story of to girlfriends and their journey. It's great.

It came in excellent condition. It took a little longer than I anticipated, but it is the holidays. It came in time for Christmas, that is all that mattered.