France Books

What a wonderful story! I was amazed that the author is a man. The character of Sheila Redden is so believable and your sympathy is with her even though she is about to leave her son. Ordinarily that would lose me as far as any compassion is concerned. I really enjoy Mr. Moore's style of writing and plan on reading all of his other books.

Wonderfully romantic reading, but not sappy or "unreal"......I loved this book from page one until the end.........a woman's awakening to her life. Highly recommend it.

Wow! What a book! I don't usually read romance novels, and I'm still unsure as to what compelled me to buy this one. But whatever the reason, I'm glad I did!

Had someone handed me this book to read, stripped of its cover thus leaving me no clue as to whom had written it, never in a million years would I have guessed the author to be a man!
Brian Moore should be commended for his impressive ability at bringing to life the totally believable female character portrayed in this book. Few male writers can successfully execute on paper such a vivid and candid depiction of a middle-aged woman in turmoil--the revealing of her innermost thoughts about herself and the world around her as she grapples with the sensitive issues of aging and sexuality.

Anticipating her husband's arrival in France to celebrate their second honeymoon, Sheila Redden dreams of rekindling the passions and excitement once present in their stale, sixteen-year marriage. However, disillusioned by his many excuses for not showing up to meet her, Sheila soon becomes painfully aware that her husband's busy schedule with tending patients takes precedence over her happiness. Lonely and deeply hurt, Sheila does what I guess many emotionally-neglected wives would do--she has an affair. I don't think that she intentionally went out looking to get laid--it was just something that happened quite naturally given the vulnerable state of mind she was in at the time. What starts out as a seemingly innocent enough chat with a handsome young American in a Paris diner, suddenly magnifies into something far more serious. Riddled with guilt, yet driven by the desire to walk away from her loveless marriage in favor of a more independent life, Sheila confesses to her husband (over the phone!) that she is in love with another man. What follows Sheila's confession is an unexpected train of events that will drastically change the lives of all of those she touches.

As I've said before--Wow! What a book! This is one of those
'once upon a time' fairy tale romances, but one in which no one at the end rides off into the sunset happily ever after.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to just kick back and enjoy a good ole' fashioned, brilliantly-written romance novel. But be forewarned--some of the lovemaking scenes are quite explicit.

TWO THUMBS UP FOR THIS THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE NOVEL!

Smart, quiet, shy, too tall, Sheila had never been on her own. She went from dependence on her parents to dependence on a husband. After 15 years of marriage, a long-planned 2nd honeymoon sets into motion the chain of events which leads her away from her safe, ordered, boring existence, and awakens a desire for autonomy.

Moore's cool, precise, detached prose steers the reader through an emotional storm. If anything, this coolness enhances the intensely erotic scenes in the story. As always with Brian Moore, the tale seems to be driven by its own internal workings, and the personalities of its characters. Yet the ending is neither staid nor predictable. You will not be able to put this book down easily, or to put it out of your mind until long after you have finished reading it.

Easy to use and carry with all of the pertinent information needed to Rx antibiotics. Well researched and up to date.

This is an amazingly useful and easy to use book! Unlike most other antibiotic guides this one gives you all the information you need when a patient with an infection is in front of you in the office. Not only the drug of choice, but useful alternative therapies, dosages (adults and children), common adverse effects and other helpful prescribing information. And it's so easy to find the infection you're looking for- since the book is arranged from anatomical top (HEENT)in the front to bottom (GU) in the back. There's a separate section for antimicrobials in addition to the one for the disease syndromes. The book fits perfectly into a lab coat (or shirt) pocket and is up to date and highly accurate. The best antibiotic guide I've seen.

A fellow medical student showed me this pocket book and I am glad I bought it. It is very easy to use and the print is readable. The best part of this book is the list of dosing for Peds. I don't have to look up the amount based on the kg of the child; its right there. Highly recommend for those of us who work or do clinical rotations in the out-patient setting.

This is an amazingly useful and easy to use book! Unlike most other antibiotic guides this one gives you all the information you need when a patient with an infection is in front of you in the office. Not only the drug of choice, but useful alternative therapies, dosages (adults and children), common adverse effects and other helpful prescribing information. And it's so easy to find the infection you're looking for- since the book is arranged from anatomical top (HEENT)in the front to bottom (GU) in the back. There's a separate section for antimicrobials in addition to the one for the disease syndromes. The book fits perfectly into a lab coat (or shirt) pocket and is up to date and highly accurate. The best antibiotic guide I've seen.

parents being dead catherine was only seen as politcal pawn to use by her family.she deal with the lose of people who truly care for her,become a strong smart woman.she married a french royal in love with another woman.but she become queen help rule with her sons.becoming most powerful woman in the rule.

Duchessina like most books by Carolyn Meyer was amazing. It talkes of a young girl woes family falls from power in Italy. she depratel put in a covent for her own protection. I loved this book and sugest it to most of my friends.

When I was finished with this book, I hated it. I thought that the author made Catherine seem like a heroine, when in reality (from what i have read) she was more of a "bad girl"! But after reviewing the book in my head after a few days, i realized how much i liked the book. It's a very fast read-things certainly don't turn out the way you would hope. so if you are a hopeless romantic reader...don't read it. but i learned a lot about that era in time. I liked it.

Catherine de'Medici, Duchessina, grows up in a palace in Florence where her family rules the city. When her family falls out of power, she must flee. She becomes imprisoned within the walls of convents for her protection against the angry mob that calls for her death. At the first convent, the nuns make their hatred of her family no secret.

The Duchessina lives in misery, enduring the pain as best she can under the circumstances. Finally, the tides change and her family once again controls not only Florence but the papacy as well. The Pope, her old guardian, calls for her to live in Rome until he can make arrangements for her future.

As one of the richest woman in Europe, the Pope intends to make an advantageous marriage. He marries the Duchessina off to the Dauphin of France. The Dauphin cares little for his new wife and Catherine's misery continues, but she creates advantages to help ease her pain and eventually finds contentment.

A wonderful outlook on the creation of Madame Serpent, remembered in history as the "girl who endured." Carolyn Meyer takes another historical princess and adds strong characters and rich details to spin a delightful tale.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel

A beautiful, visual book. The story is short and sweet. The colors are vibrant and the rainbow intriguing. Our grandchildren ages 2, 3 and 4 enjoy the book and so do I. Our little one with visual impairment (age 4) can enjoy "Duckie's Rainbow" because of the large size of the book.

Both of my kids (almost-4 and almost-2) like this book, and have since we got it over a year ago. It's a very quick read, which leaves plenty of time to sit and look at the pictures and talk about colors.

This book was given to my 7 month old son by his grandparents and he already shows great interest in it! It has wonderful, bright colors and beautiful artwork. The duck is sweet and friendly looking and the bright colors and storyline will draw kids in. I think this is a wonderful book!!!

Duckie's rainbow is as delicious a visual treat for the adult as it is entertaining and fun for the child. The duck itself has such charm and charisma and my 15 month old takes true delight in identifying it on each page.It's really good for learning/teaching colors but in a totally fresh way and the surprise rainbow at the end of the book is a fantastic grand finale. Frances Barry is a real artist.

I've used this book on two trips to France (May and November of 2000) and I think the book is incredible!

I'm at the advanced level in French, however the menus at the restaurants in France still always confounded me until I bought this book. I would say that 80% to 90% of the food items on any menu are listed in the book. Other French guide books or dictionaries do not have anywhere near the number of entries that this book contains. I've used the book at a number of restaurants in France with great success. Also, the book is so small that you can easily fit it into a small bag (or purse), so it is very easy to carry it and use it in any restaurant. You don't have to be afraid to order the Andouillette any more!

I recently returned from Paris and this small pocket guide was a great help. I ate at a small restaurant in the Marais section of Paris listed in this book and had the best meal of my life. The menu reader part of this book was really helpful for someone with limited knowledge of French. The illustrations and comments are informative and very funny.

I purchased this for an upcoming visit to France and think it will be very useful, esp. for someone who has limited French and loves food. I tested it out using menu information from my French Michelin guide. It does not list everything, but it contains a lot of terms and descriptions.

I've used this book on two trips to France (May and November of 2000) and I think the book is incredible!

I'm at the advanced level in French, however the menus at the restaurants in France still always confounded me until I bought this book. I would say that 80% to 90% of the food items on any menu are listed in the book. Other French guide books or dictionaries do not have anywhere near the number of entries that this book contains. I've used the book at a number of restaurants in France with great success. Also, the book is so small that you can easily fit it into a small bag (or purse), so it is very easy to carry it and use it in any restaurant. You don't have to be afraid to order the Andouillette any more!

I have yet to read a book on Eleanor that I did not find interesting. She is quite a character. My recommendation is to start out by watching the film, Lion In Winter, and then graduating to books on the subject. This one would be a good place to begin.

After having read the romantic but scholarly book by Amy Kelly and the loose but lively biography of Alison Weir, this book presents the perfect balance between readability and scholarship.

The author did an excellent job informing the reader of the differing viewpoints regarding this amazing woman. I learned in detail about Eleanor's two husbands, her ten children, and the various enemies to the "Angevin empire." Thus this book is not just about Eleanor, but also about the historical period in which she lived.

I love this book. I first read it two years ago, and I was hooked. Anyone remotely interested in Eleanor Aquitaine should definetly read this. It's fascinating and absorbing. Two thumbs up for Desmond Seward!

I purchased this book along with Beyond the Bread Basket, another book by famous baker Eric Kayser.

This book is another fantastic title, with excellent photography and fantastic tarts. I have already tried a few and have found them to be extraordinary. I would definitely recommend this book -- the pictures alone make it worth it!

This high quality book (as is usually the case with Flammarion titles), features what may or may not be Eric Kayser's favourite tarts. Have no illusions, pastry chefs rarely develop a recipe for a product to sell in their shop and then just publish it for the general public!
This work has beautiful photographs, gloss paper, artistic presentation and a very easy to use layout. Each recipe is alloted a full page photograph and in most cases there are photos of the procedures.
Mr Kayser is not a pastry chef but first and foremost a baker. His tarts reflect this as they are rich, hearty affair with a generous rustique appearance. The simple but hearty presentation makes one's mouth water.
As other reviewers have mentioned, we are dealing with a somewhat dodgy translation here. The Metric weights and their volume equivalents are not the same in way too many recipes. Case in point the chocolate short pastry: It sais 400g of cake flour and the volume is stated as 4.5 cups. 4.5 cups is about 600g or more(!) thus transforming the otherwise balanced recipe to a sandstone!
Also some recipes do not correspond to the photos. On page 66, the artichoke,tapenade and parmesan quiche asks for 400g of pate brisee and in the adjacent photo of the product the pastry is bread dough. On the same recipe the 400g are stated as 1Lb in the volume measures, while 1Lb is exactly 454g. Similarly the apple and raisin tart on page 121 calls for puff pastry, but the photo of the product shows what looks like a shortbread base. I don't know if this is a mistake of the original or of the translation, but considering all the other mistakes I lean towards the latter.
Let this not prevent you from buying the book though. The Metric weights, that by sheer Providence have remained in the book after the translation are accurate and proper. I only use Metric so I don't mind the messed volume measures. It is the best way to make pastry, accurate with consistent results. I would advise all aspiring home bakers/pastry chefs out there to acquire a scale and go Metric.
To the contents now. There are 20 savory tarts and quiches, 25 fruit tarts, 10 chocolate tarts and 5 sweet tarts with variable main ingredients. Add to this the many basic recipes for tart and bread doughs, including puff and croissant doughs and you get a pretty good package for the money.
The basic pastry section states the recipes, the method and in small photographs the products made using each dough along with the page to find them. This can be very useful as each recipe is for three 24cm/9.5 inch square pans, or three 26cm/10 inch round pans. So if you make the whole recipe instead of scaling it down you know where to use the leftover dough.
Mr Kayser does not use too much butter to make his doughs flavorful as other authors do. The flavor comes from the quality of the ingredients and the balanced recipes. I have something to note though concerning the yeasted doughs. They are all done in the space of (at the most) 2 hours by using a lot of yeast. My advice is to half the yeast and place the dough, covered, in the refrigerator for about 8 hours, or overnight. This method makes for excellent flavorful dough.
There are instructions and tips dispersed all over the book and they are helpful and very easy to follow.
In the savory section my personal favorites are:
Smoked trout and fennel tart.
Leek, anchovy and tapenade quiche.
Chanterelle and duck breast tart.
Marinated salmon and mozzarella tart (with pesto).
Artichoke, tapenade and parmesan quiche.

From the fruit section I would single out:
Cherry clafoutis tart.
Blueberry tart.
Mirabelle almond tart.
Normandy apple tart.
Apricot pistachio tart.

In the chocolate section the 'White chocolate and raspberry tart' and the 'chocolate trio tart' stand out and from the sweet section I like the Fig and pecan tart.

I have to note that the book has no index.
Despite the faults of the translation I really do like this book and I am not sorry that I bought it. I ordered it together with 'Mes Tarts' by Christine Ferber and although the latter has the name of the translator prominently depicted on the cover, it still has mistakes in the quantities. Between the two books I prefer Eric Kayser's book.

I've been a fan and client of one of Maison kayser shops in Tokyo for nearly 8 years. Every single bread baked in there is unique; his bread is the best bread in town.
Having Mr. Kayser book of tarts, and reading it page after page, it has turned into an amazing discovery, the bases are easy and can be prepared in advance, as well as saving some for later, besides, there are plenty of suggestions for the filling, but whether you go for them or you just use your own creation the result is absolutely fantastic. I absolute recommend it.

This is a superior tart book both for technique and a well-organized array of recipes with some excellent flavor combinations. For the knowledge of the chef, the quality of the recipes and the photography, design and layout of the book I would give it 5-stars.

HOWEVER, hopefully the US publisher will do a little heavy lifting on corrections for the next printing: my advice would be to make a trial run of each recipe before preparing one of these tarts for public presentation, use your best baking judgment on ingredient amounts, and use the weights listed for more accurate measure. Originally published in French, this English language edition does not credit any translator and I would venture a guess that the translator is not a baker, nor did they consult one. Suggested volume equivalents are often glaringly off (e.g. Pate Brisee), and technique for assembly is often better guided by the superior photographs than by the meager written instructions, which can lead to not-so-spectacular results. For example, the recipe for the apricot pistachio tart instructs the baker to use half of the filling mixture to to spread on top of the apricots...if you do this, you will not see any gorgeous golden glistening apricots in your finished product.

It's a little sad when publishing companies "buy-in" a superior foreign published book with excellent technical credentials, but don't bother to invest the time in verifying the technical translations. People will and ought to buy this book for more than the pretty pictures, but they had better know what they are doing in the kitchen until the publisher gets cracking on the corrections.

PUBLISHER: test bake these recipes and correct them.

NOT recommended for beginner bakers.

This is my favorite book written about the spiritual life. Cantalamessa helped me see the Eucharist from dozens of perspectives that changed the way I attended daily Mass and how I live every day. I found that reading just one short chapter gave me enough to medidtate on for close to an hour. Very, very powerful.

The best book I have read on the Eucharist in a very long time,THE EUCHARIST, OUR SANCTIFICATION, inspires the reader to greater love for the Eucharist and for the Church. It presents a scholarly yet simple approach to the subject, enriching the presentation with the historical foundation for various dimensions of the Eucharist and suggesting implications for personal spirituality as well as Church unity. It is the kind of book one can only read a little at a time; it is so rich!

This is an excellent book because it addresses the issue of the Eucharist in ways that go beyond the standard answers. Raniero Cantalamessa paints a picture that has texture, smells and richness that have really helped me to understand the depths of the Eucharist and how it has a necessary meaning for my life and the Church. I'm a protestant, and Raniero Cantalamessa has given me a lot to "chew". I would recommend it to anyone who is serious about the subject.

Excellant meditation tool. Fr. Cantalamessa is a scholar as well as mystic when it comes to the greastest prayer of all times-Eucharist. I have to admit my first impression of the book was half favorable. With many text books during my seminary trainning I consider this one as one too many. But it was during my secend year of priesthood that I found this little book, a great tool and assistance in my priestly ministery.

I often travel to Europe. Hop the trains with my Eurail Pass and hit as many countries as I can in less than 10 days.

On one trip I took about 6 different phrase books with me and wrapped them all up with a rubber band. Too bulky!

What's better for European travelers are phrase books with multiple languages. The European Menu Translator fits perfectly in a backpack and even in your back pocket.

Great reference for eating out all over Western Europe.

If I had one criticism, it would be that they might want to include a couple more languages. Maybe expand it a bit and include some other important Euro languages, like Dutch, Czech, or even Russian. Certainly Greek should be added.

But otherwise great job Galbraiths!

This is an excellent travel book. Because it is small, it's easy to tuck in your purse, back pack or whatever. It's so thorough it makes the most of each meal on the road. It can bring a great new dimension to eating in countries with French, German, Spanish or Italian menus!

It's so inexpensive, it's a great bon voyage gift for a friend or for yourself.
We love ours!
Julie & Peter Dawson.

Collaboratively written by Whitney and Anne Galbraith, European Menu Translator is a "user friendly" pocket-sized dictionary specifically designed for tourists and travelers seeking to understand the specialized cuisine terminology of France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. A brief introduction to the fine dining basics of each nation supplements the lists of alphabetically arranged terms, subdivided by language. European Menu Translator is an excellent and very highly recommended reference whether when dining abroad or simply eating at a European-style restaurant here at home.

This is a terrific little book! EUROPEAN MENU TRANSLATOR has four languages in one small volume: French, German, Italian and Spanish. Menu items are easy to look up--it's in a dictionary style. The size is just right--I keep it in my moneybelt for quick access and full-time availability. I have food allergies and just plain avoid certain foods (eggplant--ick!). I also discovered some pleasant surprises that got me to try new things (did you know that Spanish moles are all based on chocolate?). This book allows me to enjoy the foods of the country without any unpleasant surprises! I highly recommend EUROPEAN MENU TRANSLATOR for any traveler.

Villainous Bourbons try mightily to murder one of Napoleon's finest generals in an historical thriller about Marshal Michel Ney, whom the Emperor called "the bravest of the brave." When high ranking French and English rescue Ney from certain execution behind the Luxembourg Palace in 1815, the adventure begins. Bradshaw's thoroughly researched account of what became of this extraordinary man who spoke several languages, was an expert swordsman, and possessed a notable physique convinced this reader that Ney did, indeed, confound the French rulers and escape his ordered death. The historical detail and fast-paced narrative make this a story that will keep you on edge until the last page.

The time and research put forth on Execution Denied pay off in the finished product. You needn't be a history buff to be moved by this compelling novel. Marshall Ney had to be the "Bravest of the Brave", both in battle and in political suvival skills. Ney 's portrayal is fascinating on many levels. Bradshaw does a great job convincing you that Ney not only survived his enemies, but went forward to an intriguing life in the Carolinas. Well done!

Bradshaw's dedicated, precise and unending research on Ney coupled with interesting, exciting and very probable historical events makes for an excellent novel about a fascinating man. I didn't want the book to end.

Despite being an historical "novel" the research and inference suggest far more fact than assumption. The book flows and the story is compelling. Bradshaw has done an excellent job of engaging the reader and keeping the story alive. It is hard to put down once you atart. Whether a history buff or not it is a fine addition to the collection of books about Ney. Reading the research Bradshaw has done in support of the underlying theme one is driven to the conclusion that it is not only plausible that Ney was executed in France but died in the Carolinas, but probably true. One can only wonder what the French will say to this.