Beck Books

Continuation of Volume I. This volume has breadmaking for one that wants to duplicate wonderful French bread. Unless you live near a fabulous bakery, the recipes in the bread and pastry section will make life better.

Both Volumes I and Volumes II are must have and make absolutely wonderful gifts for any new bride.

Being french and a lover of cooking, and living in United States for the last 15 years, I was intimidated by this thick and presumably academic American Cook Book, until I read "my life in France" also written by Julia Child.
In this book,the way she describes how she wrote "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" was so lively and appealing that I decided to give it a try.
And I was not disappointed.
Not only she gives all the equivalent proportions, quantities and temperatures, but she explains very clearly and simply how to make a dish a success. I tried several of the recipes, my best being a "souffle with orange and Grand Marnier" .
To get the most of her explanations I also borrowed a couple of DVDs of her first cooking shows from my local library, and I got the same good feeling.
The reason I gave only 4 stars is because of the presentation of the recipes, with a very detailed master recipe, and just a few lines for the variants. That makes a little bit uneasy to go back and forth during my usual rush cooking time. But that is part due to my own lack of organization.
I was so thrilled by this book that I also gave it , as a gift , to a friend who loves cooking.

Julia's book was recommended to me by a French Chef we met in the Caribbean. It is the perfect book from which to learn French cooking. Julia's instructions are very detailed and make it easy to prepare each recipe. I highly recommend this book.

This book bring together years of cooking by recipe. It actually explains things so I can understand why I'm doing them.

The best Coq au Vin and Boeuf Bourguignon recipes you'll find are in this book. I've had Mastering the Art of French Cooking for years and recently gave one to my son, who also loves to cook. This cookbook tells you what to do, how to do it, and where to easily find the ingredients in your American supermarket. I don't do much (any?) baking, so don't have Volume II Mastering the Art of French Cooking Vol. 2 (Paperback), which I understand is primarily about baking, but this one, Volume 1, is fantastic.

This book and The Joy of Cooking by Irma Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker and Ethan Becker Joy of Cooking: 75th Anniversary Edition - 2006 are the first ones I turn to in the kitchen. Together, they will teach the new cook how to cook and the experienced cook how to cook much better.

Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul; 102 Stories to Give Kids Courage, Hope, Laughter

This book is more than just a book. My friends and I have read it and we agree that it's an awesome book.

My wife loves this book. I get tired of the same fables with pictures. It's nice to read something that peaks the child's curiosity and allows discussion about meaningful things.

I bought this book for my little daughter, but I ended up reading it, too. It had good, inspirational stories about kids. I really enjoyed it.

Chicken Soup for the Kids Soul
JAck Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Kimberly Kirberger, Mitch Claspy
K. Gan
P. 6

This book is what everything a kid goes through. They go through love, friendship problems, family problems and attitude a justment. Every kid should get this book because this book has the answers to your problems. No matter what situation, good or bad, this book does have the answers. This book shares a lot of problems a kid goes through and a lot of good times in their childhood. For me, i don't dislike the book, i really love it!
As I was growing up, I had a lot of problems. One of my problems was the fact that my bestfriend was moving. In this book, it says "But the more i thought about it, the more I realized I wasn't really losing her. The person taught me so much in life and laughter, the person who had helped me grow to be myself, was just going away for a while, to do some growing and learning up of her own." This quote is really true. The person who taught me so much is still here with me. I think that he just needs to keep learning. He was always there for and he made an impact in my life that no matter where he is, he is always going to be apart of me.
This book teaches a kid not to take things for granted. Lately, I been taking time for granted. Me and my brother has been really distance in the last few years. Me and him are seven years apart and we and him never really talked. In one short story in the family section it says " Hey Tova,It's me Sara. I just called to tell you I love you." This quote is a good quote. In this story, Tova is travaling to Egypt to study by herself. Her sister, Sara, is a few years younger then her. Sara wanted to be everything her sister is, so she copied everything she did. On the night Tova left, Sara noticed how quiet it is without her older sister so she cried all night. She then got the courage to call her and say I love you and she did. I wish that I could do this, so this short story gave me the courage too.
I have no favorite part in the book because everything in this book is really usefull in a kids life. This book covers every aspect in a kids life. Turning from a kid to a teenager, this book has it all. I advise every kid to read it because it's really handy when your in need.

I have not read this book, but my nine year old daughter has read and enjoyed most of it. Last night though, she cried herself to sleep after reading graphic stories (near the end of the book) by an incest victim whose father was sent to jail and the daughter of an injection drug user who woke up one night with police pointing guns at her. I'm sure the inclusion of these stories was well-intentioned, but there's no way they are "chicken soup" for the average kid's soul.

This book is dedicated, "for all young people in their search for themselves." These are short stories about teenagers who are trying to find their identity, Teenagers face who they are and find support from their parents and friends. In some stories, they do find support from school, parents and friends. In additional some even find the right person to be with. There are three scenarios: teenagers not being accepted from others, not getting support from others and themselves being confused with their identity.



My favorite story from the book was Parents' Night. This story was about a teenager who had her girlfriend but her parents didn't know, they thought they were just friends. At the beginning of the story she says that her father didn't give her a rose in her birthday. This was because they were at dinner when Karen gave them the news; she told them that she was involved in a club at school. This club was the Gay Straight-Bisexual Alliance, which every one in that club they were going to represent in on Parents' Night. Karen tells her parents that she was going to be there with her girlfriend Roxy. Her father wasn't happy with the news, so he didn't agree and he was really mad. In Karen's birthday her father was really quiet and he didn't give her a yellow rose like he used to every year. My favorite part of the story was when her parents go to Parents' Night and her father gives Karen a rose. He tells her that it was a little late and that he is happy that she got a really nice girlfriend. This part really got me, Karen was crying and my eyes were watery. She knew that her parents were now accepting her the way she was.



All stories have a main idea. The writer sends messages that after reading each story you might think differently. The idea is to understand and support those who are in situations like that. I think that people don't have to experience first in order for them to write stories. All these authors give really good stories, which really touch the readers heart and at the end of the book you put it down and have a different view of those who are confused with their identity.



The book has sixteen stories. The story Am I Blue talks about a gay teenager who has a fairy godfather who helps him out throughout his time of not knowing what he wants. The stories were different but they had the same idea in all of them. In Michael's Little Sister, his sister shows him that it's okay to be that way; she gives him support and understands him. Slipping Away is a story where a gay teenager tells his friend Maria who likes him, that he is gay but like any other girl she got mad at him instead of supporting him. Running from the book is really interesting; it's about a girl that starts seeing her sister's friend differently. Sheila was Heather's friend who brought her because she was having problems at home, and that's how Heather's sister meets Sheila. All these stories are really interesting and they throw good messages in each story written.



I like this book mostly because in each story the writer gives an idea why he wrote that story and why he/she wants us to read it. Also when the reader reads the story, the writer clearly states how the person feels. It is really important for those who read this book to understand what and how it feels when a person who is in a position like that might feel when he/she doesn't have any support or is not accepted from others.

I recieved this book and I found it very helpful to see this wide variety of people in it, talking about love and life and living and dicovering ones own self. It's a must read for so many people. It's just beautiful.

There are some stories in this book that are absolutely phenomenal. "Am I Blue" is one of them, and it is a great first story of the book. This books helps people to understand what it is like to be GLBT from many different viewpoints. "The Honorary Shepherd" is probably the story that impacted me the most, as it deals with interracial relationships as well. Having bought this book on accident, I am glad I did. I've probably read the book 15 times through and I don't know if I'll ever tire of it.

Written over ten years ago, AM I BLUE? is still as important today as it was then. A short-story collection dealing with GLBT (gay/lesbian/ bisexual/transgender) issues by some of 1995's top authors, this book is a true gem for teens searching for their identity--or just looking for a good read. With stories ranging from contemporary paranormal, to ones set in the 1950's, to one based during the Vietnam War, and even one in another world of Amazon warriors, there's something here for everyone.

Stories include:

AM I BLUE? by Bruce Coville
WE MIGHT AS WELL ALL BE STRANGERS by M. E. Kerr
WINNIE AND TOMMY by Francesca Lia Block
SLIPPING AWAY by Jacqueline Woodson
THE HONORARY SHEPHERDS by Gregory Maguire
RUNNING by Ellen Howard
THREE MONDAYS IN JULY by James Cross Giblin
PARENTS' NIGHT by Nancy Garden
MICHAEL'S LITTLE SISTER by C. S. Adler
SUPPER by Leslea Newman
HOLDING by Lois Lowry
BLOOD SISTER by Jane Yolen
HANDS by Jonathan London
50% CHANCE OF LIGHTNING by Cristina Salat
IN THE TUNNELS by William Sleator
DANCING BACKWARDS by Marion Dane Bauer

It's hard to pick a favorite from this collection, as each story has something different to offer. From allowing everyone in the world to see who is gay, to wondering what it would have been like to have two gay shepherds at the birth of Christ, to manning a booth about gays and lesbians at a school parents' night, each short story has an engaging story to tell.

The only thing that would make this book better is to have a part two--another AM I BLUE? published in 2006 with some of today's best GLBT authors like Julie Anne Peters, Brent Hartinger, David Levithan, and more.

_Am I Blue?_ is a brilliant YA anthology that should be required reading in every classroom! Dealing with homosexuality in teenagers and their parents and friends, these stories will move any reader--gay, straight, questioning, or bisexual. This anthology helps gay kids understand that they are not alone, while shining a light on what it feels like to be homosexual for straight readers. The stories have similar themes, but range in genre, giving every reader something to thoroughly enjoy. I can't recommend it strongly enough!

My only complaint is that there were no stories that really focused on a bisexual character.

But she liked it enough that when her original book got eaten by the dog, She had me get her another.

some articles were longer than need be. The book is big,heavy, and has waxy pages. I would have perferred a lighter smaller book. This is a high quality, keep in one place type book with many tips guys can use as well.

I bought these as gifts for all the girls in my office, They all loved the book and would talk about their favorite sections. This would be a grat hostess, gift, birthday, Christmas, etc. All around great book.

As a life coach I'm always looking for appropriate books to recommend to my clients--this is one of them. When this book first came out I bought several copies and gave them as gifts to friends. If you need inspiration, this book will help you make positive choices so you can live your best life. Pamela D. Blair, Author The Next Fifty Years: A Guide for Women at Mid-Life And Beyond

This book is a great compilation of Oprahs work. A nice addition to your table top books. I'm so pleased with this book and what a great price through Amazon! I bought several of these and gave as gifts for Christmas. Oprah and Amazon - a winning combination!

I have just recently started looking at smalltalk and like many people (being used to c++), when starting out in smalltalk, just going through the code didn't actually tell me much about anything, it's hard to find where anything is actually being done. After reading this book this task was significantly easier, the reason is simple, after going through this book one gets a much deeper understanding about why the code is split the way it is and gains a real insight into why this is a better approach than the usual C++ style with 100-200 lines of code methods. Kent Beck's writting makes the book a very nice read, must admit i was actually sorry when i finished it.

I wish more Java/C#/C++ programmers would read this (and maybe even learn Smalltalk) so that they can appreciate the weaknesses in those languages and possibly in their practices that they might not even realize today. I certainly did. While Robert Martin and others have offered up some of the canon of good design for contemporary developers, this little gem really reveals the "feel" of good OO.

I'm always looking for ways to make coding work better, at any level from nanosecond arithmetic operations to decade-long enterprise operations. I didn't find much of use here, but there were a few good points here (very few). Let me start with those.

The "Execute Around Method" pattern is good idea, applicable far beyond this Smalltalk context. The Beta language has "inner" inheritance, which makes the idea easy, but most other languages lack a good mechanism for undefined logic between matched operation pairs (open/close, setup/cleanup, etc.) "Enumeration" is another good one, enshrined as "Visitor" in the Gang of Four book.

Most of what's left is either trivial or Smalltalk-specific and face it, Smalltalk is mostly a cult language with nearly no commercial significance. The Smalltalk pretty-printing and variable-naming rules, fatuous at best, are just not applicable to most langages. Some of Beck's "practices" are language features (like 'super'). Other "practices", like the long chapter on Collections, seem to describe standard library classes and messages. Yet others (e.g. Type Suggesting Parameter Name) correct language defects - Smalltalk chose to give up the error detection capability offered by variable typing. Beck tries to sneak it back in with variable naming conventions sort of like Microsoft's old Hungarian naming. Some of his suggestions are just dangerous, like that one that says a constructor should "half-way construct an object in one place, then pass it off to another to finish construction. (p.23)" This distributes an object's setup responsibility across its client classes, leaves unusable and incomplete objects floating around, and causes subtle exposures in multithreaded systems - I'd rip out any code I saw built this way.

The good news is that no new trees died to make my copy of this book - I got it used, and it's returning to the used market. At least my conscience is clean on that account, no matter what I'm doing to the poor guy who buys this book next.

//wiredweird

I wish I had read this book when I started getting into OO programming. This is OO to the max, at maximum granularity.

Beck's style is clear and concise, the patterns are understandable even by a non-senior Smalltalker like me.

SBPP has changed me. Kent Beck has changed me.

SBPP shed a new light on my previous knowledge of "patterns" in computer programming. I was deep in the DP tar pit. SBPP saved me. SBPP changed almost all my thoughts on programming. It has changed what I value, and how I pursue it.

Kent Beck says that he is not a great programmer but just a pretty good programmer with great habits. Build great habits with this book. Read and reread this book every morn.

If you have studied DP, this book will open your eyes to the wider world of patterns. You will think about DPs quite differently after this book. You will be able to escape from the bad effects of DP abuse.

If DPs were nouns, verbs and adverbs/adjectives, SBPP are articles and auxiliary verbs. SBPP are used much more frequently than DPs. When you learn a language it is very important to learn more frequently used words first. It could be less efficient(or even dangerous) to learn "appreciate" before "thank (you)".

--JuneKim

When I read don't start reading until you have the time I had no idea how true the statement really was. I found myself not only captivated, spellbound, and utterly mezmerized by the story that evolves on the very first page, I was blown off my chair literally.

Like so many other readers I was expecting a terrorist 9/11 story but I was fooled. Instead I got the very best Vietnam story I have ever read bar none!

Harold Beck tells a tale of the war unline any ever told. I enjoy modern day thrillers and this one is set against a totally believeable historical backdrop every American can identify with. It was a book I just couldn't put down

Where did this author come from and why haven't we heard about him on television? I found myself thinking the story was real, especially the part on Che Guevara. The story is historically accurate as Guevara died on the date he dies on in the story and he also died in the same village he dies in in this story. Is it a coincidence or is the author revealing some well kept secret, as is the main story line in this book? I could not put this book down and I also didn't want it to end. The images created in this story were all too real.

I began casually reading this book and was hooked by the end of the first page. I give it 5 stars as it is the best I've read in a long, long time.

Reading The First Terrorist Act was as if I was reading the newspaper. This is a story that could easily be non fiction and I found myself living the experiences of Charley Reed.

I am a Vietnam Vet and I remember the battles as the author describes them. The battle for the City of Hue was exactly as he described. No doubt he was there!

Arc Light was Operation Archangel and there is little doubt in my mind his account in Bolivia with Che Guevarra is factual.

Where has this author been and why haven't we seen more from him? I'm hooked. When do we have a sequel or when will this be on the big screen?

This book is a must for all thriller fans.

What can be said about Harold Thomas Beck other than he is an extraordinary author cut from the same cloth as a Tom Clancy.

There is little doubt in my mind that this novel will rank with those Clancy has given us. I know. I am a Clancy fan. Now I am a Beck fan also.

"The First Terrorist Act" was given to me with Clancy's "Rainbow Six". Clancy and Beck are pure page turners! There are no if's, ands or buts about it.

As most Clancy reader's know, his characters are all well developed characters. Beck does it even better than Clancy. I couldn't believe it. Where has he been? His bio indicates he is not a youth new to writing.

I initially did not want to read this masterpiece because of the obvious inference to that tragic day of September 11, 2001. However when I was told this was along the lines of a couple of Clancy's novels I thought better of it and went forward. I was not disappointed. I loved this book.

From the first page to the last this novel, like Clancy novels, is purely enthralling and you will hardly be able to put it down. Even if you've never read a Clancy novel before, pick this up and then go to Clancy for a mild let down. He is better than Clancy.

If you're looking for pure intrigue, thrilling action and a few good laugh's along the way, as well as real life women, something missing in Clancy, you won't be disappointed. I wasn't.

A huge thank you to the Author for this one.

My husband told me I would like this book. Why would I like a book about spys, soldiers, and the Vietnam War?

Hello!

There are women involved with spys, soldiers, and the Vietnam War - especially the soldiers who served in the Vietnam War. And are there ever women in this story!

Jerilyn and Cindy are the opposites yet so much alike. The dark haired slut versus the blonde who did everything she was supposed to do. They shared Charley, they lost him, and now they have him back. Wow!

Then there is the driven reporter, also a woman who faces all the problems women face in their drive to the top.

We also have daughters. How does this man know so much about women? Moreover, how does a man write so expertly about women?

The historical backdrop as well as the current events unfolding and me remembering where I was when makes this all the more interesting. I loved this story. When will there be more from this wonderful author?

It's been a while since I've been able to grab a book and really have a good read for myself. This was it. Right from the first page, the character Jerilyn is exciting and the mystery starts with how this is all tied together and what the women all have in common and what they have up their sleeves.

The book is very well written. I had never read any of Mr. Beck's books before and needless to say, I am now reading another. I figured what could top "The First Terrorist Act", but another book by the same author.

The book is very good all along, without giving away any of the juicy details, but be prepared not to be able to put this book down until the well-done ending.

I interviewed Dr. Gettis for an article I wrote on his book, which is a compilation of short stories, each with its own message. His book taught me how it's so important to slow down and be grateful for everything around you, even if it's something as small as your car starting or waking up healthy and without a headache.

Before, I used to rush through tasks like washing dishes or pumping gas, thinking of them as moments that were mundane and not part of my "real" life. But reading the book taught me to appreciate every moment, even if I'm doing something simple or "boring." I love this quote he gave me: "Every day, there are a million things that go right."

I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels bored or unsatisfied in life, or is just stuck in a rut.

I expected to enjoy this book, however I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. Following the example of Alan Gettis' previous book, "Seven Times Down, Eight Times Up," one of the truly worthwhile things about "The Happiness Solution," is that by using fairly short stories to illustrate and teach the lessons that are important in achieving "genuine happiness," the author is able to cover a wide range of happiness related subjects and philosophies in these 200-odd pages. And he does it very well.

The stories are cleverly told. In a Zen-like way, the messages are often subtle, worthy of reflection and thought, softly guiding the reader into a deeper understanding of the meaning of real happiness. These stories are profound without seeming to be so.

I grew up in Africa, where the history and the fabric of each tribe was passed down from generation to generation, verbally, through stories. I remember when first hearing some of the stories, they just seemed to be great human stories. Little did I know that they were teaching those who heard them and retold them how to live life. Alan Gettis' stories have the same feel.

From teenagers to baby boomers, in this upside down world, "The Happiness Solution" offers entertainment coupled with gently delivered, easily absorbed wisdom. I would like to see it as required reading in schools and colleges. It is that meaningful!

On a scale of 1-5, "The Happiness Solution is a 20. I have just one word for "The Happiness Solution", and that is AMAZING. I believe this is one of the best books I have ever read. Alan Gettis has done a fantabulous job of bringing happiness into this world. This book is so easy to read. Many authors just write useless words that do not get to the meat of the book, but Alan uses very short chapters to get his message across. I had a hard time putting down this book. I felt so inspired to do great things every time I read it. I know now that anything is possible, and you can be happy doing it. Thank you Alan for changing my life.

Michael Monji, author of "Does It Pay To Die?"

Alan helps us to turn our life around literally by changing the way we think. With the econonmy in such turmoil sadness and depression are more rampant than ever. Many people are losing their jobs, their homes, due to the credit crisis and natural disasters. With Alan's book you can read real stories that will help you to have a different outlook and bring more joy into your life, no matter what your circumstances are.

By Sofia Steryo-Bartmus, Author, "Paws of Wisdom"- Valuable Lessons We
Can Learn From Our Pets

Stories are the best way to make a point and Dr. Gettis does that so well. Everyone will find a story which they can relate to. Therefore, through a collection of easy and simple advice you can use, this book will take you to the next level of happiness regardless of where you are now. Each story will add value to your life through perspectives you may not have thought about before. It is a book you can read over and over. Read a chapter or two at a time as a daily devotion and then apply what you learned.

We all have challenges in life, but it is how we perceive them that will make us happy or unhappy. There are too many illustrations to mention here, but I liked the question asked in one of the chapters: How can I be happier? And the answer? Consider the Chinese Parable: If you want
happiness for a year, inherit a fortune, if you want happiness for a lifetime, help others...What a great advice!

Not only did I enjoy the book very much, I also learned a lot about myself. I recommend it to everyone, young and old, happy or unhappy. There is no one who would not benefit from at least one new idea for more happiness in this Upside down World!

My daughter recently turned 7 and she can't put these chapter books down. Great books to read over the summer for girls or any child interested in fairy fantasy. Definitely recommend.

We own all of this series! Started reading them when my daughter was 4 (she just turned 5 now), and they are age appropriate. Not too scary and always a happy ending. One book only takes us about 4-5 nights worth of reading together. The longer ones are good too "Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg" and "Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand", but they are a little bit scarrier than the short books (more appropriate for ages 5-7 I would think).

My daughter loves the Disney fairies and she is learning how to read. Because of the topic, she is having a great time reading these and learning faster than she would with other books. Great books!

Its a lovely set of books for beginners to fairies land. Great for grade schoolers. Beautiful pictures easy to read.

We purchased these books for my 6-year old daughter. We read them together and love the stories. We also enjoy the life learning that can be extracted from them.

Uplifting. Inspiring. Passionate. True. Reading SIZZLE for escape I found Mary Cavanaugh had personal and work things going on like me. It sounds so true. Why aren't there more writers like C.J.Beck out there today? Those over-hyped bestsellers I see all the time on Amazon seem a safe bet but I always go away feeling empty. Like eating Chinese food. This one stays by the bedside for midnight snacks.

"Sizzle has everything a connoisseur of fabulous ficition seeks. Compelling characters taking the reader on loads of adventure evoking tears and laughter simultaneously, an exquisite command of the English langauge and excellent use of details. Summer reading hasn't had it this good in quite some time." - Antoinette Walters review in Hi-Riser,Sun Sentinel Group, a Tribune newspaper. Couldn't agree more!

Sizzle surprises at several levels. It's a keeper that will be on my birthday mailing list since I know it won't disappoint. Border's has lots of copies.

I saw a display in Palm Beach and then later in Fort Lauderdale where apparently the author lives. Missed the signing unfortunately. Looking forward to the next one. Great Value!

How could Amazon let this sell out? It's such a great read for all burgeoning writers. Mary's the little lady who could. A protected spouse who blossoms and blooms in her late twenties to take on Madison Avenue, Hollywood and Washington D.C. by storm as to the manner born. C'mon Amazon. Follow Mary's lead!

I just got a second copy for my sister to practice her German, too. Very enjoyable way to learn a second language.

A great book if you're learning German (like me) and want to try your hand at some pleasure reading. Most books in second hand shops that are printed in German (at least, the ones near me) only have books by authors that I've never heard of, or who are a dime-a-dozen. Maybe I'm biased because I've loved the Potter series from its beginning, but I would definitely recommend this book.

For those who have read the Harry Potter books and who are also interested in learning German this book is a great tool. I have found it easier to learn new words when I already know what the plot is.
Diese Buch macht sehr viel spass!

I bought this book for a young man who was taking High School German because I felt that he would have fun while learning new words, verb tenses and sentence structure. He had already read Harry Potter in English but suddenly finding it in German was an exciting adventure for him. I would recommend anyone wishing to encourage or improve someone's language skills to buy this book in whatever language needed. Great fun!

This book is a great way to improve your german language skills. I would strongly recommend it to any student of the german language... not to mention it is a great story!!!

Ich finde Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen absolut fantastisch!! Ich empfehle dieses Buch weil es sehr spannend ist. Das Buch kann dir auch mit der deutschen Sprache helfen.