Anne Books

A modest book with some good insights on the spiritual symbolism of food and nourishing oneself at the hearth of one's home. It's a great subject that has not been adequately explored (either in this book or in others). Most books of this type explore either the general mind-body connection or accessing one's creativity, but don't focus specifically on food. I liked what I got from this book, especially insights about the goddess Hestia. But there wasn't enough real life examples from the author's actual practice. What exactly is a nutritional counselor? I wanted case studies and solutions. Instead, I got idyllic stories about her and her husband and her adorable little girls enjoying their country home. Not as much content as I would have liked.

There aren't enough good things to say about this book. The premise is that in losing the 'hearth' in a home, the whole family and whole culture suffers. Cooking is a sacred act and it nourishes so very much more than nutritional needs in a family. This is a global truth as the writer explores in chapters about Buddhists, ancient Goddesses, and modern families.

This book is a little bit hard to describe. I like its analogy of the hearth as a foundation of our lives, and the connection of the hearth to fire Goddesses, to home, to cooking, to our relationship with food, to the center (or lack of it) of our homes, and to our own "centers." The lack of hearths in our lives is described in a way that helps the reader understand the significance of that lack. And unlike many other books that just describe a problem, this book offers solutions.

The book contains much information about fire Goddesses, but not in the usual sense of merely presenting their story, their mythology. It has the history of their contribution to the world, and it's full of the author's reflections on how those Goddesses and the lack of their presence in society today affect us negatively. But again, there are solutions. There are also many, many experiential exercises and short meditations in the book to help us get in touch with various aspects of ourselves that may be hindering our ability to connect with aspects of these Goddesses and with ourselves. The exercises/meditations are important because, as the author says, "These archetypes hold tremendous power, and yet our understanding of them remains an intellectual exercise unless we experience their meaning in our daily lives. How do we bridge the distance that separates intellect from inner experience? First, we must consider our individual feelings in relationship to these Goddesses. These feelings lead us to meaning, and gradually the power of these archetypes becomes our own."

She writes about how the Goddess Pele helps us learn to see ourselves through "the eye of the heart," a watcher of sorts who is within us, who lesson is kindness to self. Again taking this lesson back to the hearth, she writes: "As we grow accustomed to this process of inner watching, we gradually awaken to ways in which be block our own nourishment."

The author talks about Chinese medicine and healing as well as from other cultures. And she talks about seasons, and how to intelligently adjust our eating to the seasons. But mostly she talks about who we are, and how we get that way and how food and hearth and home and love and the Goddesses who embody these things can help us. It's just a great all-around book for anyone into self-growth, parenting/nurturing, home life, raising children, learning about Paganism...I could go on and on. Get the book.

The title of this review appears on the book's cover; I couldn't think of a better one. While the themes Anne Scott covers --nutrition, goddesses, ancient practices such as Chinese medicine and the spiritual meaning of the seasons-- have become quite popular recently, this book has a unique voice. It is relatively short and compact and each page is filled with a quietly intense wisdom. The unifying theme is the hearth; that too often overlooked (in modern times) place of physical or spiritual fire that provides us with nourishment. Anne Scott explores this from many traditions. She focuses on several fire goddesses -- Hestia (Greek), Pele (Hawaiian), Brighde (Irish) and Gabija (Lithuanian), relates conversations with various teachers and healers and describes how the seasons correspond to the elements of Chinese medicine. Throughout the book are personal anecdotes that relate to the subject; indeed, the book seems to come primarily from her experience and life lessons. There is also some good advice on eating appropriately for the seasons, talking to children about food and eating more consciously. Like many spiritually-focused books, this one encourages us to slow down, pay more attention to our surroundings and appreciate the abundance of nature. This one accomplishes something rare; it is itself an expression of the kind of simplicity and awareness it advocates.

Of all the vegetarian cookbooks I've come across, this one is among the best. I've tried other cookbooks such as Moosewood and was never satisfied. This book actually has entrees that aren't just a collection of Middle Eastern dishes. They are original, yet simple and easy to follow and don't require a trip to specialty stores for that one ingredient you've never heard of. The dishes that I've prepared from this book have been enjoyed by vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, so if you're family is divided on such issues, have no fear.

This is my all time favorite cookbook. Anyone can use it and get terrific results. It's laid out in a very organized fashion making it easy to read and follow. My favorite recipes? Ashram lentil soup, and the Zucchini Pinenut Tamales!!

I own about 45 Vegan and Vegetarian cookbooks and this one is the best! Head and shoulders above the rest. It's recipes are easy to make. They are also incredibly delicious and nutritious! No need to sacrifice taste for good health when you have this gem in your library. The Indian breakfast cereal is now a staple in our house. If you don't own this book do yourself a favor and purchase it. You won't be sorry!

EASILY READ,EASY TO USE!

This was a fantastic book and a long one (I like that). I took it on a ski vacation and was tempted to take it to the slopes with me. I finally realized that was not a great idea but I could hardly wait to get back to my room, get comfortable, and begin reading again.

"The Shuttle* was written in the early 1900's, but it shows the brutality of spousal abuse--mental and physical--with no holds barred. Gentle Rosalie undergoes years of cruel emotional battering which is described with absolute psychological accuracy. It turns out that her sister Bettina is strong and determined enough to save both of them. Sir Nigel's end is satisfying, although it might have been even better if he'd fallen into the pigpen and been devoured by swine. This is a very early and powerful feminist novel as well as a skillfully written, entertaining page-turner.

The book is set in the 19th century, but the heroine, Bettina Vanderpoel of the filthy rich New York Vanderpoels, is no shrinking violet. That role is left to her older sister, sweet and not overly bright Rosalie. The story starts out with Rosalie being courted by and married to Sir Nigel Anstruthers, an impoverished English aristocrat on the make for a rich wife. Although she is only eight at the time, Betty hates Sir Nigel. Her instincts are on the money. Sir Nigel is a rotter, a blackguard, a cad, and a bounder. He is utterly infuriated that he did not automatically gain control of Rosalie's money when he married her. He and his equally appalling mother start a loathsome campaign of emotional abuse that gentle Rosalie is not equal to. Luckily, by chapter five it is 12 years later and Bettina has grown into a fine, strong-minded woman who has all the business sense that made the Vanderpoel fortune. The rest of the book tells us how she rescues her sister, her nephew, and the Anstruthers estate from Sir Nigel. The hero of the book is another impoverished aristocrat, but cut from genuinely noble cloth, even if most of his ancestors were of the Sir Nigel type.
Before the book is over, Bettina will be trapped, injured, and at the mercy of Sir Nigel, who has Perfectly Awful plans for the lovely lady. Will Bettina wring her hands helplessly and beg?
Don't be silly. Read and see how love, virtue, and justice triumph and Sir Nigel gets his.

I have a 1907 edition of this book that I love.. I've read it several times and each time I savour the language and the world that Frances Hodgeson Burnett described before the First World War: a world of English village streets with sound of carts clattering past hawthorn hedges and brash young American boys bicyling in buttonup boots and celluloid collars up the pleached alleys of country estates.
I think that the previous reviewer has unfortunetely missed much of the subtlety of the story, painting it in almost comicbook colours. It's "comfort reading" for adults who grew up making friends with Little Lord Fauntleroy and a Secret Garden. This is a novel that celebrates the goodness of people and cultures on both sides of the Atlantic in tender and funny ways that remind me of Lousia May Alcott's books and in the end, metes out justice in very satisfying ways. You might also want to see if you can find F H Burnett's "T. Tembarom" --which is, as her characters themselves might put it, a "bang-up" book as well.

Smoke Screen continues the series begun with Multiple Listing, featuring Sydney Teague in her second outing. This novel takes us beyond the typical amateur sleuth adventure, covering themes of obsession, family and forgiveness. The journey Sydney takes here is deeper than the solution of the murder disguised as suicide that starts the book - it encompasses a searching of the past, both hers and the victims for answers that extend past the "facts of the case".

The seriousness of the issues is leavened with Sydney's self-deprecating humor, the relationships with her employees and her children (a NY mystery book store owner praises Grant's ability to write about children -"she just gets it" - and I agree), and the gentle pricking of Charlotte, NC's wannabe self absorbtion.

The depth of thought here does not in any way remove the lively pace. I couldn't put it down. A compelling book from an author who has much to give.

hooray for sydney! i loved how determined and devoted she was to someone with an inspiring dream! too bad he died before we got to meet him. this book showed a powerful look at the tobacco industry thru the eyes of the people who work the fields. it reminds you how unhealthy smoking is without being preachy. this book leaves you hanging on til the very end, never quite sure whodunnit. once again i am glad to acquaint myself in sydney's world and can't wait until sally is back on her feet flirting with everyone in the next book! hmmm... i wonder if they ever really will develop a safe cigarette....

"Multiple Listing" by Anne Underwood Grant was a great read and her new Sydney Teague mystery "Smoke Screen" is even better. Sydney has a new client for her advertising firm. Seth Bolick had developed a new product--tobacco free cigarettes. They will have addictive qualities, but eliminate the toxins of tobacco, tar and the hundreds of other additives. When Seth dies, Sydney is convinced that it is not suicide as reported. The sheriff/coroner/auto dealer, etc. in the small community near Charlotte, N.C. wants it to be suicide as do the residents of the town which relies heavily on tobacco crops. Seth's family believe his obession with his quest for a safe cigarette led him to madness and self-destruction just as it had his father. There are plenty of suspects as well as some knotty social and economic issues. What happens to tobacco growers and others who make their living in the industry? In some ways it is analogous to the fate of the lumber industry as thousands were plunged into unemployment to save some obscure flora or fauna. Grant presents this problem with real compassion for all sides of the issue. We also learn more about Sydney's past, especially her relationship with her father. Buy and read "Smoke Screen," but be sure to read "Multiple Listing" first. Anne Underwood Grant is a real find among mystery writers.

I enjoyed Multiple Listing, Anne Grant's first Sydney Teague mystery. I enjoyed Smoke Screen even more. When confronted with the untimely death of a favorite client, amateur sleuth Sydney Teague is presented with a personal dilemma when the coroner labels it suicide. She can't accept that the man she had grown close to in a short but intense period of time would kill himself. Accidental death is highly unlikely which leaves murder -- or maybe she didn't know him as well as she thought she did? It's a good mystery that includes well-crafted surprises that delighted this mystery buff to the very end.

However, Smoke Screen presents more than a good mystery to be solved. One of the reasons I enjoy amateur sleuths is that, unless they are put into immediate personal danger, their motivations for finding the truth come from within. In Smoke Screen, Anne Grant weaves her mystery thread into a tapestry that explores the nature of friendships, family relationships, and human frailty.

In an early scene in the book, Sydney visits her father's grave and reflects on their relationship. After reading that scene, I put the book down for a while. Not because it interfered with the flow of the book, but simply because I wanted some time to reflect on the thoughts -- like appreciating a good sunset.

Characters which first appeared in Multiple Listing return in Smoke Screen enhanced. I particularly liked the interplay between Sydney and Hart, her art designer. Having them in the same scene for more than a paragraph or two always leads to a good and sometimes a great .

Read Multiple Listing. Then read Smoke Screen. You won't be sorry, and, you'll know why I am looking forward to Anne Grant's next book.

Sorrow's Web -- the book I've needed to read for decades. Ms. Sheffield deals with the subject of growing up with a depressive mother in such an insightful, intelligent, and honest way! I found recognition, understanding and comfort from her combination of the personal and the more "scientific" information. I urge mothers, daughters, sons -- and, yes -- fathers, to read this book. It has the potential profoundly affect your life and the life of those you love most.

This balanced, frank, and insightful account will make a difference in a lot of lives. Thoroughly explores and illustrates the many aspects and consequences of maternal depression in detail, is packed with valuable observations and information - no wasted words here. Devoted to straight talk. Sheffield offers knowledgeable support to her reader, does not flinch from using her own experiences to illustrate her points, and provides clear, practical advice on therapy choices with no waffling on any of the challenges we will meet in seeking the right treatment for ourselves or others close to us. Provides lists of resources for information, newsletters, local support groups. An illuminating and much needed book.

This is an extraordinary book -- sensitive, revealing and READABLE. I only wish I had it thirty years ago!

Sheffield's biggest contribution may offering an answer to those who have struggled with chronic depression: "Why have I always felt so strange? Where did this all come from?" In other words, the fallout from living with a mother who is depressed -- even someone who has never been identified as "depressed" -- can have lifelong consequences. The book will probably convince those who have been reluctant to get treatment to do so. Much of the rest is a standard round-up of recent literature and the usual advice on what to do when you are depressed --take medication, find a therapist - maybe. Despite its failings and its occasionally cutesy writing, it's probably the book about depression that has been the most personally helpful. I'd give this five stars for the idea and three for the execution.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is well written and easy to follow. A werewolf story with a twist.

Storm Mountain is an intriguing, suspenseful novel, a page turner, with the underlying theme of the fragile balance of nature and man's potential to destroy or preserve it. This novel is not only entertaining, but thought provoking.

Tantalizing beginning . . . and an even better ending . . . with good reading all the way in between. If you like suspense, and if you're interested in finding a new writer's take on things . . . this is a book for you!

If you like mystery and suspense with a supernatural twist, STORM MOUNTAIN is a real page turner. The author brilliantly developes the characters, plot and mountain setting -- all with a surprise ending. Great vacation or weekend "read". What a surprise book!!!! Hope other books are on the way from this promising new author....

Great book!! another Bible for me for great design and detail for young designers .

All of the books on historical fashion published by the Victoria & Albert Museum are beautiful, and this is no exception. I saw this exhibition while I was in London this summer and I was pleasantly surprised at liking the book because I always assumed that publications wouldn't be able to measure up to seeing the garments in person. Instead I found that the book gives me a chance to appreciate each beautiful garment at my leisure, and read the history about Queen Maud (which gives a context and feeling of `realness' to the clothing). The book features Edwardian coronation gowns (literally, Maud wore one for the coronation of Edward VII, her father), sportswear (riding gowns etc.), and dresses and suits through the late 30's all beautifully photographed and described.

Beautiful book. Beautiful images. I wanted MORE images but that's just me.
Cool to see some other designers works besides the greats like Dior and Balenciaga. There are a few outfits that really take my breath away. If it had more images I would have given it 5 stars! but it really is a 5 star book for most people.

This book is excellent for costuming ideas. It has large, sharp pictures that show the details on the dresses beautifully.

Dracula is a classic that is worth the price of admission by itself. But when you add Carmilla, Vampyre, and the other little extras then it becomes a must buy for any fantasy or vampire fan. Pick it up. You wont be sorry.

There was John Polidori's The Vampyre and Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla. This book has all THREE plus chapters that trace early appearances of vampires in literarty works and chapters that focus on Stoker's research into and his creative use of vampire sources. Also the cancelled chapter never used in Dracula, called "Dracula's Guest", which is a story all by itself. To wrap up the book there is a list of vampire films, listed by year, in the back. Very detailed, very complete - perfect as a gift or just an addition to any vampire library.

A note from the editor (Anne Williams): This volume brings together the texts needed to follow the evolution of the vampire through the nineteenth century. The vampire first appears in Lord Byron's "The Giaour," a bit of folklore he picked up when traveling in Greece. The first vampire tale in English emerges from the ghost-story-writing contest in 1816 that also produced "Frankenstein." Sheridan LeFanu's novella, "Carmilla" describes the dangers of a female vampire, a story which in turned influenced Bram Stoker, whose "Dracula" provided the archetype of the monster that has influenced countless movies and novels. This edition also contains an introduction speculating about the enduring appeal of this monster, a filmography, and critical and literary excerpts establishing the cultural context out of which the fantasy emerged.

"Three Vampire Tales" is a collection of 19th century vampire literature that follows the increasing popularity of vampires in English literature, from Lord Byron's 1812 poem, "The Giaour", to the culmination of that century's vampire tales in Bram Stoker's 1897 gothic horror novel "Dracula". The three featured stories are: John Polidori's "The Vampyre", the first vampire short story in English, published in 1819; "Carmilla" by Irish writer Sheridan Le Fanu, published in 1872 as part of Le Fanu's "In a Glass Darkly" collection; and Bram Stoker's mythic 1897 novel "Dracula". All three works are included in their entirety.

"The Vampyre" concerns a taciturn, enigmatic vampire called Lord Ruthven, and Aubrey, a young naive aristocrat, who is at first pleased to have Ruthven as a traveling companion. In the course of their adventures on the Continent, Aubrey comes to understand Ruthven's predatory character. But Ruthven requests an oath of secrecy on his deathbed, to which Aubrey agrees, only to find himself in a dire predicament when Ruthven turns up again, very much alive. This is a good story once you acclimate to the somewhat overburdened prose style.

Sheridan Le Fanu is the most accomplished stylist of these three authors, and "Carmilla" has a crisp, delicate style. It shares with "Dracula" the technique of "authenticating" the story by making it out to be a first-person documentation of the events in question. A prologue explains that the story was written more than a decade after the events described, by the woman who experienced them in her youth. The story tells of 19-year-old Laura, who lives on an estate in Styria, Austria, with her widowed father and 2 governesses. The family takes in a lovely, but oddly languid, young woman named Carmilla who was shaken up in a nearby carriage accident. Soon after, women in the surrounding countryside begin to die mysteriously, and Laura experiences strange visitations in the night.

I won't say much about "Dracula" here, because I have said so much elsewhere. The novel has never gone out of print since its publication in 1897, and its continuing influence on literature, film, and popular culture is incalculable. "Three Vampire Tales" is not as limited as the title implies, however. After an informative introduction by editor Anne Williams, the first part of the book addresses other 19th century literary vampires and their influence on Polidori, Le Fanu, and Stoker. This is interesting, because that century's vampire stories are closely related.

For those who aren't familiar with the legend, I'll briefly describe the events of July 1816 at the Villa Diodati on Lake Geneva to which so much of the 19th century's vampire literature can be connected by some means: Lord Byron, his personal physician John Polidori, poet Percy Shelley, and his wife-to-be, Mary Godwin were staying at the Villa and, on one rainy evening, entertaining themselves by reading poetry aloud. After the recitation of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "Christabel" provoked some sort of panic attack in Shelley, Lord Byron proposed that each member of the party write a ghost story. "Christabel" was the inspiration for Le Fanu's "Carmilla". Two notable works of fiction emerged from this writing exercise. Mary Shelley wrote "Frankenstein". John Polidori wrote "The Vampyre", based on a fragment that Lord Byron wrote but never finished. Polidori published the story under Byron's name to boost sales, and Byron subsequently fired him.

Part One of "Three Vampire Tales" includes a fragment of Lord Byron's poem "The Gaiour", the story fragment upon which Polidori based his story, the introduction that Polidori wrote to "The Vampyre", most of the poem "Christabel", an except from the penny-dreadful "Varney the Vampyre", 3 excepts by "Dracula" scholars Christopher Frayling and Elizabeth Miller about Bram Stoker's sources for "Dracula", including a source list from Stoker's notes, and the "lost chapter", "Dracula's Guest", which Stoker at one point intended to be "Dracula"'s opening chapter. Emulating "Carmilla", it takes place in Styria. So this is a nice selection of the works that led up to and influenced the more prominent "Three Vampire Tales". There are also chronologies for Polidori, Le Fanu, and Stoker in the back of the book. And there is a vampire filmography that lists title, date, and director by year. I don't know if this is supposed to be a comprehensive list of vampire films, but there are about 200, so it might be.

I couldn't put it down. Wish I could find more by this author. Loved every bit of it.

Received this book from a friend of mine and cannot believe it is out of print. What an oustanding story, compelling, driven, romantic, reflective and thoughtful. Where can I get more books from this author?

I fell in love with Brianda from the first chapter - the author really takes the reader into Brianda's soul!!! Well done!!! Where are more of her books?

wow. anne hodgson's premiere novel arrives with a bang and leaves the reader salivating for more. the characters are complex and well-presented, and the storyline is plausible yet unpredictable. the reader is drawn to the heroine, whose innocence and honesty are well-tempered with unmatched strength of character and conviction. i found myself alternately laughing and crying, but always cheering for the beautiful Brianda as she searched for the meaning of love, loss and new beginnings. a definite 'pick-me-up' for readers who have lost their faith in the power of love and perserverance in a world that's not always fair. five stars!

I have used this book in teaching a graduate course in trauma. Most students found it to be an invaluable resource. The clinical examples provide readers with critical information for consideration. It highlights in a highly readable fashion the complexities, pain and vast rewards of working with trauma survivors.

If you are working with survivors, this is a "must have" part of your library. TRAUMA AND THE THERAPIST not only has a clear and compelling theoretical basis, but it is uniquely helpful in clarifying both the universal and idiosyncratic nature of our reactions to survivor clients. I read it at a time of major crisis for myself in my work [and in my workplace] and it helped me understand what was going on in a way that was immediately useful, helped end my confusion and personal agony, and aided me in finding my way back to the joy of practice with this challenging population.

As a physician with a psychology background, working with many abused women in a general practice setting, I found the experience, wisdom, and insight presented in this book to be extremely practical and useful. It is an in depth discussion of the deeper issues of therapy and recovery related to sexually abused people. I found the early theoretical-base explanation somewhat unuseful. But the discussions with regard to transference and counter-transference were wonderful. It is marvelous to read such a well thought out collection of experience. This book is slow reading for me, given the time needed to process what is being said, but it could be read over and over again to glean deeper meaning. The focus on spirituality is somewhat shallow in my opinion. They explain it to be one of their focuses, but they never expound on it to deeply. Regardless, this book is a must read if you work with abused people. Our clients will all be better served in their recovery's if we can all better master the sensitivities and concepts presented in this book.

This is a wonderfully touching book, I could barely stand to put down. It is the finest book I have ever read on the therautic process of treating trauma victims and the effects of trauma experienced by the therapist. The depth of information regarding transference and countertransference and the exploration of what a therapist truely goes thru is simply to powerful to put into words. I have never read a book which deals with this subject from the therapists viewpoint, while not completely ignoring the client side either. But make no mistake, this is a book for understanding what therapists experience and for any therapist, graduate student, psychology instructor or interested lay person, this book is simply superb. My hats off to the authors who have truly done their profession a valuable service by making this information available - I found this book, hard and emotional to read and I am not a therapist, although I hope to be someday. I have a far greater understanding of the love and strength of character needed to specialize in treating victims of abuse so horrific, the authors made a point of deliberately leaving out extremely disturbing details of the story relayed in their book. Had they now chosen to do this, I venture to say very few people could tolerate the impact of these horrors. Even so, enough was left in to be seriously affected by the book. Should be required reading for every graduate program in the country. Heart Renching, Enlightening, Fascinating, and Painful...simply a marvelously written book - the authors should be very proud!