Hart Books

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views

Although Hart's cookbook incorporates Central Florida's regional foods, I found that I am able to get the majority of the ingredients in Texas - even Key Limes. I only found one item, Wood Duck, that is solely regional, but Hart gives the option to substitute Quail or Cornish Hen.

Perusing "The Bounty of Central Florida" my attention was drawn to Key Lime Cheesecake. It is rich, but light, and full of flavor. The Pecan Crust makes an ideal base for this cheesecake. The Best Flaky Pie Crust is short and browns well, however, makes a larger batch than indicated. For brunch, the Low Fat Blueberry Coffee Cake is ideal and goes well with a freshly brewed cup of coffee. The Chiffon Cake took be me back to my childhood when my mother made one for every Sunday. Rich and creamy is the Hollandaise Sauce and very easy because it's made in a blender giving it a guaranteed smooth texture.

"The Bounty of Central Florida" has easy step-by-step directions to follow and majority of the ingredients can be found in most kitchens. The pages are glossy and easy to wipe and the center has wonderful colored photos of many of the dishes. "The Bounty of Central Florida" is a must for anyone who enjoys simple cooking with an elegant flare.

The Bounty Of Central Florida by central Florida resident and kitchen cook Valerie Hart showcases almost 300 regional recipes highlighting the bounty that would grace any table and make any dining occasion a special event. From Muscadine Jam with Marsala; Jalapeno Corn Bread; Apple-Cranberry-Pecan Bread; and Crab Filled Artichokes; to Baked Wood Duck with Tangelos and Bananas; Fried Turkey Breast Blackman; Chet Blackman's Bodacious Barbecued Venison; and Beer Battered Fried Catfish, The Bounty Of Central Florida is a completely "kitchen friendly" compendium of wonderful recipes showing off the best of what central Florida has to offer the rest of the country.

Some of the world's best cooks live in Florida and as someone who has sampled delicious recipes at the homes of Southern women, I must say they have taught me a great deal about cooking. Valerie Hart's Cookbooks are a warm reminder of the time I spent in Florida and in her new cookbook, she also includes tempting pictures.

Her first cookbook, "The New Tradition Cookbook" is a true culinary classic and in this book the pictures reveal the sophistication and elegance in table settings and gourmet presentation. The picture of an entire table of deserts made with care made me feel a little nostalgic. Strawberry Pie, Chocolate Angel Food Cake and Citrus Sunshine Cake would be perfect to make for a Summer Tea Party.

The Bounty of Central Florida is not only unique because it is written by Valerie Hart, Food Writer and Restaurant Critic, it is unique in the way it is organized. The recipes are organized by favorite foods. Chapters include recipes for Bananas, Berries, Grapes, Kumquats, Citrus, Corn, Mushrooms, Pecans, Fish, Crab, Shrimp, Duck, Quail, Shrimp, Turkey, Venison and yes, Alligator Tail.

Delicious Recipes Include:

Banana Bourbon Bread Pudding
Berry Trifle
Strawberry Cassis Jam
Muscadine Jam with Marsala
Kumquat Chutney
Lemon Curd
Key Lime Pie and Key Lime Cheesecake
Corn and Shrimp Chowder
Portobello Bruschetta
Fried Zucchini Blossoms
Crab and Shrimp in Filo
Shrimp Kebab
Duck in Thyme
Game Hen with Tarragon
Alligator with Shallots and Thyme
Venison Ragoût

Sophisticated and often dreamily gourmet, these recipes all have the comfort of home with the feeling of having discovered a cooking treasure! Finally, a recipe for Plum Pudding! There is also an easy recipe for Ganache Frosting and a delicious recipe for Beer Battered Fried Catfish.

~The Rebecca Review

This book lists all the conventions authorized by the ACBL, describing the intent of the convention, its operation under a variety of circumstances, the pros and cons of using it, and even a few words about the defence to many conventions.

It is not intended for the non-serious bridge player. It is intended for partners who have already settled on their basic bidding system, but who wish to review the conventions they use, and decide whether any changes would improve their game.

The book is exhaustive rather then brilliant, but if you want a tool to enhance partnership discussion of your bidding methods, this book is hard to beat.

Kearse's convention compilation is a cornerstone for the serious bridge library. For bidding theorists and advanced partnerships, no substitute for this work exists (and attempting one would be a foolish waste of time). Only the inclusion of a bibliography with appropriate references to same in the body text could substantially improve this fine reference work.

Where most "convention encyclopaedia" books fail to provide enough detail to be practical, this book delivers!

You will not learn to bid from this book. But once you have read a basic bridge book... (***a real book...not "Bridge and Whist in one weekend" or "Lets' play bridge in fifteen seconds" [titles made-up]***) ...this book will serve as an invaluable reference. This book is to Bridge what "Modern Chess Openings" is to Chess.

I have never read a more complete collection of bidding and signalling conventions in any other text. Not only are the mechanics of the conventions discussed, but the rationale behind their use is adequately presented without sacrificing brevity.

While reading `Butterflies In May' I learned more than my previous knowledge on how hard teenage pregnancy is and how many difficult decisions you have to make, and that those decisions even from the very beginning will stay with you forever in life. I loved the way the characters seemed real. In high school everyone thinks they are in love and will stay with their partner through anything, but `Butterflies in May' showed how a loved one may not be everything you hoped for. This book has opened my eyes to how even when being careful accidents do happen, it's part of life, and that they can happen to anyone at anytime. I recommend this book to any teenage girl interested in reading about a heartfelt life changing story, or any high school girl looking for a good book to read. `Butterflies In May' takes a teenage girl on a totally different path than she ever planned, and she will keep you interested during the whole book.

The above paragraph was written by my 15 year old grandaughter, Sadie. As a 68 year old, this book is not what I usually read, but the first page caught my attention and I finished it the same day. 'Butterflies in May' is for all ages!

Butterflies in May was a very strong and powerful book for a 13 year old girl, as I am. After reading this book, I thought how hard it was for Ali Parker to have a child and lose her boyfriend at the same time. I think all teenage girls as well as boys should read this book so they know the things that can happen in their life and be aware of their decisions for their future. When I was reading this book, I could simply not put it down, Miss Karen Hart is a wonderful author who is smart and cares about what goes on in the world. I hope she continues to write fabulous books as this one was.

~~Emiley from Texas

High school senior Ali Parker has always been careful about sex, but she has never been in love before. Now a seventeen-year old and applying to nearby Northeastern, she has met her soul mate Pratt Institute bound Matt Ryan, a talented artist. Since Matt is planning on attending school in New York, Ali applies to Columbia and NYU, noted journalist schools as is her interest, so they can be a subway ride away from each other.

However, objectives change when Ali becomes pregnant. She must decide what to do. The choices are obvious but none simple. Her loving parents want the best for her, but they also want to make that choice. Her boyfriend Matt is confused and bewildered; one moment feeling they can do it if he gives up his artistic dreams and she her journalistic endeavors to raise the child as a married couple; the next just wanting to attend college with no responsibilities except grades. Her best friend Monica is there for her, but Ali knows in the end everything is up to her.

BUTTERFLIES IN MAY is an insightful look at teen pregnancies through the eyes of an intelligent, cautious female who abruptly finds herself needing to make difficult adult decisions, Ali holds the tale together as she struggles with her world reversing polarity from a somewhat carefree existence to making complex adult choices. Karen Hart provides a deep character study-family drama in which the emphasis is to provide teens with honest education, information and knowledge instead of sound bites, shrills, and platitudes. Parents and leaders need to be there not preach as sometimes even a careful person can land in a sticky situation.

Harriet Klausner

The fog of time and the strength of anti-anti-Communism have obscured the real Che. Who was he? He was an Argentinian revolutionary who served as Castro's primary thug. He was especially infamous for presiding over summary executions at La Cabaña, the fortress that was his abattoir. He liked to administer the coup de grâce, the bullet to the back of the neck. And he loved to parade people past El Paredón, the reddened wall against which so many innocents were killed. Furthermore, he established the labor-camp system in which countless citizens--dissidents, democrats, artists, homosexuals--would suffer and die. This is the Cuban gulag. A Cuban-American writer, Humberto Fontova, described Guevara as "a combination of Beria and Himmler." Anthony Daniels once quipped, "The difference between [Guevara] and Pol Pot was that [the former] never studied in Paris." - Jay Nordlinger

This is an excellent book about Che Guevara. The articles have been well chosen from expert contributors such as Jon Lee Anderson, Eduardo Galeano, Alma Guillermoprieto and Guevara himself. The chronological order brings forth the evolution of this remarkable man whose life and sacrifices for his ideal of a just world still haunts our minds. From his "motorcycle diary" days a la Kerouac in the 50's to his death in Bolivia in 1967, yes, we must admit, Che definitile lives.

This book brings together the key writings of someone who is better known by one photograph than everything else about them. Hart has made a careful and thoughtful compendium of the writings that most reveal Ernesto Guevara's thinking, one that changed over the years but always held to its guiding principle: "the real revolutionary is guided by strong feelings of love." Both a good starter or introductory book, and one that can serve as a general reference.

Reviewer: Gwen Richtermeyer, Ph.D.
Director, BRIDG,University of Missouri-Kansas City

If having knowledge about a situation better prepares you to be successful in that encounter, then Clearing the Hurdles is a must-read for women entrepreneurs eager to grow their businesses. Knowing what lies ahead, including the stereotypical beliefs that many in the venture capital industry hold about women, is a giant step in our knowledge base about why women continue to lag behind men in creating and sustaining high-growth businesses.

Broadly speaking, the hurdles to be faced can be clustered under the umbrella of capitals - human, social, and financial. The authors identify seven specific, major hurdles which speak to the entrepreneur's desire, education, training, management and financial knowledge and skills, strategic orientation, social and funding networks and financial resources. By reflecting upon her assets as well as understanding her areas for improvement, the woman entrepreneur will be better able to counter these hurdles as they come up in capitalizing and growing the business.

Clearing the Hurdles is not a passive book, however. In addition to mapping the terrain and identifying the hurdles, the authors provide illustrative vignettes that bring realism to the issues that are often missing from research-based academic work. And, the authors don't stop there; they provide workable strategies to help women entrepreneurs think through the issue and get over the hurdle.

As a gender scholar, I was particularly interested in whether and how the book would address gender bias. While the authors do not espouse a specific gender theory to guide their explanations of why women continue to face these specific hurdles, they suggest a number of possible gender theories, including social psychological, social construction, sociobiology, and social networks. By using these illustrative theories, the authors are able to debunk some of the myths concerning women and their associated capitals.

Clearing the Hurdles has value not only for women entrepreneurs, but for angels and venture capitalists that could benefit from seeing themselves through the eyes of their clients. By acknowledging their beliefs and understanding that they are instrumental in setting the bar heights, they will see more deals and create diversity in their portfolios that benefits all.

Founder and former owner of Office Plan, Inc.
MN SBA Small Business Person of the Year (1998)

I wish this book had been written 10 years ago! Not before I started my business; but after it was up and running and I knew it had possibilities for growth. It would have saved me a lot of time as I floundered around trying to learn about financing ventures. What seems so simple to answer now (Should I look for debt or equity financing?) took ages because my knowledge base was at Square One.

I read "Hurdles" because it addresses my current passion-helping women entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses. But the book delivers so much more. It is, in fact, a compendium on both entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial financing. In order to explain their premises, the authors lay out solid information and data about entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship-males and females.

Because five researchers with strong academic credentials wrote it, I prepared myself for heavy reading. I was pleasantly surprised to find an eminently readable text. This book will be accessible to every entrepreneur trying to understand the money equation and growth strategies.

But I really think this book should be required reading for everyone who teaches in business school. In my own search for knowledge and skills to grow my business, I got my MBA. I am sad to say that none of my instructors understood entrepreneurship. Some knew they didn't know; most thought new ventures are smaller versions of large corporations. While this book would not be a substitute for a deeper understanding, it certainly would introduce them to the real differences.

Here, in one book, you will find the collective wisdom of five leading academics on the subject of women entrepreneurs and high growth businesses.
This incredibly well-researched book is the culmination of years of work on the gold standard of studies of women in business called "The Diana Project".
While women entrepreneurs have forged their own path and now account for over 50% of all new business start ups, issues still remain around perceptions and misconceptions of women in business by those who control purchasing and funding decisions. This book provides a road map for navigating these issues, while at the same time it holds a mirror up to everyone by laying out facts and case studies regarding the hurdles women face in breaking some of the last barriers to acheiving full economic parity.

Because I have a large library of books, I am very selective as to the ones I keep to read again. This was one of those books. I can recommend it without reservations.

I couldn't be happier reading this story. You get to know all the characters so well that you keep wanting only the best for them. This was a wonderful story of two families and their friends. You wish you could join them in their weekend barbecues. They have so much fun and are full of life. I picked the book up and didn't put it down until I finished - it was a day well spent! The whole novel was strongly written and the pages just flowed. Terry, Jan and Rob are super people that I couldn't get enough of. This is a story you will read more than once. The writer will grab hold of your emotions and won't let go until the last page.

I got this from the publishers web site - A triangle with a twist, Coming Home is the story of three good people caught up in an impossible situation. Rob, a charismatic ex-fighter pilot severely disable with MS, has been steadfastly cared for by his wife, Jan for many years. Quite by accident one day, Terry, a young writer/postal carrier, enters their life and turns it upside down. Injecting joy and turbulence into their quiet existence, Terry draws Rob and Jan into her lively circle of family and friends until the growing attachment between the two women begins to strain the bonds of love and loyalty, to Rob and each other.

Coming Home by Lois Cloarec Hart will lift you up and break your heart at the same time. It will make you laugh and cry in the same breath. It is a story that will inspire those that read it.

The author declares in her acknowledgements that Coming Home is a fictional account of the author's life with her husband who was a quadriplegic suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. Rob and Jan Spencer manage his disability until one day they seek out the assistance of their mail carrier, Terry Sanderson, when Rob falls from his wheelchair. From this simple meeting, the three form a bond that carries them through a very emotional and difficult time in all of their lives.

As the story progresses, Jan and Terry fall in love, but their love for Rob keeps them from acting on or even recognizing their feelings. Hart skillfully reveals the ethical dilemma and the hard choices that each character must make. Rob is Jan's best friend, and she is not only his wife but his caregiver. Rob can see how Terry and Jan come alive when they are together even though they do not admit their true feelings. Still, he cannot let go of Jan because she is his lifeline. Terry has fallen for her best friend, but loves Rob too and will not hurt either of them. It seems to be a no-win situation for all involved.

This is where Hart shines as a storyteller. Rather than writing a novel that is filled only with sadness, she balances it with the lightness of humor. The novel focuses on the deep friendships and the unselfishness of each character. The author redefines the meaning of family as the entire Sanderson and Spencer families rally around each other.

Hart's telling of Coming Home reaches deep into our core and takes hold of our hearts. We are drawn into the characters' lives through their extraordinary struggles. We laugh, get angry, and shed tears along with Rob, Jan, and Terry, and we are moved by how they handle the cruelty of the situation with courage.

It is life that we experience when reading Coming Home, and everything that it throws at us. Hart has truly given us a novel that defines the human spirit at its best.

DAYS OF VENGEANCE is a western mixed with a tinge of the supernatural. It is a compelling story that pulls you in, with characters who make you want to follow them to the end of the book. Thomas Hart's style is creative and lyrical, with an excellent use of metaphor, even during the more violent scenes which drive the protagonist toward his revenge.

This is a must read book. I takes you to places you might have drempt of and you stay on the edge of your chair until the reading is complete. A good book from a good writer.

I REALLY LOVED this book. I started to read it one evening and was interested right from the beginning. I planned to read a few chapters and then go to bed. When I got that far, I figured I would read the next chapter. Well, at 4am I finished the book and went to bed! It was far better than a lot of books I have read (not to mention the ones I never finished) and I am not a big fan of westerns. This wasn't the typical western, as I think of it, though, and was more a story about the characters. At any rate, I think it is the best book I have read in a long time!

The book is very well written and has excellent instructions and examples of how to draw animals correctly. Our daughter has really enjoyed using this book.

This is an excellent instructional book. Comparing the drawing of animals to drawing human characters helped immensely. The focus on drawing dogs and cats was also appreciated by my family and I, but rest assured there are lots of monkeys and giraffes! Topics on motion and angles were great as well. Recommended highly!!

A grand book filled with clear & simple step by step instructions, which are easy to understand and follow. The anatomy and the dynamics of each animal is described well in a separate chapter for many animal types. Each animal is portrayed by simplifying its body parts, poses, movements (run, jump, twist etc) and different views: Hart hi-lights each animal's general and specific characteristics (skeletal, muscular and joint placement) which brings life, individuality & personality to the illustrated creature.
many tips and techniques about creating not only a drawing but a feeling as well, makes this a great book for beginners as well as experienced illustrator.

I've read this book 3 times and I'm going to re-read it again. It's just perfect.

This is one of Gerald Durrell's best and funniest books. WHY is it out of print?!!

This book is a delightful true account of a naturalist's trip to South America in 1954. He is collecting animals for British zoos and in many cases he seems to be making some of the first discoveries of the intimate lives of his charges (what they eat, how best to house them, their temperaments, etc.). In the course their 6 month adventure, Gerald and his wife, Jacquie, must deal with numerous non-animal problems, such a revolution in Argentina, a crazed carpenter cage builder, and the eccentric habits of their temporary housekeeper, who also happens to be the local madam. Durrell's descriptions of the animals and the countryside are alternately beautiful and hilarious. This is a book to read aloud. It really is wonderful. :-)

Great photos and great commentary. I bought one for each one of my family...

I really enjoyed this book because it told me a lot about East Orange and I really loved the pictures.

Having been the fifth generation Purdue to grow up in East Orange, Bill Harts book truly shows how grand and proud East Orange once was.