Martinez Books

Not what I expected. Was more like an expose of the author's clients. However there was some good information at the end of the book and some passages that were relateable... there would be more I am sure if I lived in Los Angeles.

I just finished reading this thoughtful, well researched and insightful book on the narcissistic personality. I want to thank the author for all of the help she has given me. Recently, I finished going through a rough divorce from a very narcissistic woman. (Of course, narcissists are both male and female). Besides my very competent and savvy attorney and my friends and family, this book really got me through a nightmare. I was married to Deanna (that's the name I'll use) for five years. The marriage was really over in the first year. I kept telling myself that Deanna would change. In the beginning I was mesmerized by Deanna's charm, her bright intellect, her take-charge attitude and success in the world. There was such a powerful chemistry between us, I took a leap of faith and married her. Quite soon, I recognized that everything was about Deanna; she was a completely self-absorbed, perfectionist. When she made a mistake, Deanna blamed it on me. She frequently bawled me out over the slightest issues. I found out that Deanna had been cheating on me for some time with a couple of former boyfriends. When I confronted her, she said I was delusional and should see a therapist. Deanna lied with ease; it seemed like a natural part of her personality. Finally, I recognized that this was not a marriage; it was a charade and I was the one paying the emotional price. I found an excellent attorney and filed for divorce. Although the process was tumultuous, I know this was the right decision. With the support of my family and friends, I am finding an independence and strength I didn't realize I had. Dr. Martinez-Lewi's book helped me to understand the narcissistic personality and provided me with innumerable essential tools for dealing with them in my life. I highly recommend this book, especially if you suspect you are involved with a narcissistic man or woman.

After a long career in advertising, I decided that helping entrepreneurs to creatively brand their products would be fascinating. I have learned to read people quite well but I have always had difficulty with self-absorbed, "my way or the highway" type of individuals who think they are perfect. Until I read this book I didn't understand what makes narcissists tick and how to handle them.The author is an expert on the subject and uses colorful vignettes from her clinical practice to illustrate the distinct character traits of narcissists. She provides a childhood perspective of these individuals and clearly explains how they feel deep inside. For those of us who must deal with narcissists every day in our work and personal lives, this book is terrific. Dr. Martinez-Lewi hands her readers the tools they need for making encounters with narcissists successful while we maintain our sense of balance and peace of mind.

I have always been a trusting person. Some would call me naive. Often this point of view has worked but I have run into a lot of grief at work with a supervisor who is mean and unfair. She constantly criticizes me even when I haven't made a mistake. She walks around like she owns the world. This supervisor constantly talks about herself and is very vain.
Not too long ago, a friend of mine was talking about this book. I read it and discovered that it describes my boss perfectly. She is a narcissistic personality. Now, I am not surprised about her superior attitude and her cruelty. I have learned a lot and am using many of the suggestions that the author offers for those of us who are dealing with narcissists at work and in our personal lives. Now that I know who I am dealing with and what I can do, I feel much more confident.

It has taken me a long time to realize that my mother is a narcissistic personality. She is charming, bright, and socially gifted. I always wanted to be just like her. She understood how to excel in the world and was very successful in her professional life. I looked up to her, almost worshipped her. Allyson (I'll call her) always got what she wanted. She knew exactly how to manipulate my father. When my sister and I were young, mom insisted that we do everything her way. Allyson has a coldness that I can remember since I was a small child. I would beg her to comfort me when I felt miserable. She had great difficulty expressing any physical or emotional affection toward my sister and me. Allyson has never been able to put herself in my shoes. She is completely unempathic. Fortunately, my dad was a very warm, compassionate human being. Mom let me know that she had all the answers, made no mistakes and that she was constantly disappointed in me. I had some tough times psychologically because of Allyson's distant coldness, her brittle criticism, and lack of affection. As I grew older I recognized that my mother is a narcissistic personality. A friend of mine recommended this insightful and entertaining book about the narcissistic personality, his/her childhood origins, the grandiosity, the rage beneath the perfect public face. The author puts excellent tools for dealing with narcissists in your personal and professional lives in your hands. This book is invaluable, especially if you are dealing with a parent, spouse, ex-spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, family member or friend who you think is a narcissist.

The product was sent to me ahead of schedule and in great condition. The book itself is very well written and interesting. I find the novel to be surprising at every turn. Tomas Eloy Martinez is a fabulous writer. If you get a chance to read the book, please do because it is definitely great to the end.

A fictional account of the myth of Eva Peron that delves into the latin desire to make icons out of humans. Evita is the quintessential rage-filled femme whose ambition still provokes the world, and at least her native Argentina. Her dying wish was to never be forgotten and in the years since she perished in 1952, it has been fulfilled over and over again while her embalmed body rests in peace in the Recoletta cemetary of Buenos Aires.

I was lucky to read this novel while traveling in Argentina. I like strange & mysterious stuff, so I found the events surrounding the corpse of Evita Peron to be magnetic. Truth is stranger than fiction! A great book that everybody should read whether or not they care a fig about Evita - just to open up minds to the wonders of reality. And, yes, Martinez does drag on at times.

Spanish author Tomas Eloy Martinez was forced out of Argentina by Isabel Peron (Juan Peron's third wife)so it is no wonder that he is able to speak so passionately about the deposed dictator and his second wife, Evita.

Martinez takes the reader through his mindset while writing the book as he cites interviews with hairdressers, butlers, and other people close to the first lady. He untangles what happened after he death as she is embalmed and shows the life of Moori Koenig, the Colonel who was given the order to get rid of the corpse.

In detail it describes writings and instances that the first lady went through in her final days. Example, her butler rigged her scale so that it would always read 93 pounds. The butler did this so that Eva wouldn't think she was losing weight. There are also instances where he talks about how she would be so persistant to get out of bed that she would get up and get dressed before anyone else came into the room as to not be stopped.

This is a great read particularly if you liked Andrew Lloyd Webber's EVITA and wanted to see what happened to her corpse. I also highly recommend the Argentine film EVA PERON, which details the last year or so of Evita's life.

T. Eloy Martínez offers a truly special portrayal of Argentina's
first lady, Eva Perón. The story of her wandering cadaver is haunting, tragic and at times quite hilarious, and always mind-blowing. I recommend this novel. (I'm not sure the English translation is decent, so if you can, read it in Spanish). It's a great example of the poststructuralist novel of the 20th century.

Martinez writes about the early years of the LRRPs in Vietnam; about formation and transformation of the unit and their training and equipment. Furthermore the book is filled with dozens of accounts of LRRP missions. From observation missions to kidnap missions etc. These accounts come from a nummber of ex-LRRPs who Martinez interviewed and from the author who was a LRRP himself. Result is a book full of interesting facts and stories full of heroism, action, drama, humor or whatsoever.

I've read a lot of books on Special Ops and especially Lurps in Vietnam. I haven't read a book yet that I didn't like but this one was rather boring. I have to agree with another reviewer that there "wasn't anything making me want to turn the page." If you like sit on the edge of your chair, can't put the book down for hours read this isn't it. Still the book is informative and the series is pretty good.

THE THIRD OF THE THREE BOOKS TELLING THE STORY OF THE LRP'S ROLE IN THE VIETNAM WAR. TOLD BY ONE WHO WAS THERE FOR MORE THAN ONE TOUR. GO ON PATROL, FEEL THE TENSION AND EXPERIENCE THE FEAR AND EXCITEMENT OF COMBAT. A GREAT READ!!

This book is very informative, and includes the accounts of various LRRPs who served in the LRRPs of the 101st. This is excellent, as you get different views on the experiences. If you are interested in the LRRPs of Vietnam, then this is one you should definately add to your collection!

Six silent men Reynel Martinez
101st LRRP
The 101st Long Range Reconnainsce Patrols worked all over Vietnam, from I Corp in the North to the delta in the South. At times they worked with the Marines and the Special Forces. They went out in 6 man teams. The goal was to locate the enemy and target it for others to kill.
The 101st arrived in Vietnam in July 1965, at Cam Ranh bay. They were highly trained due to the efforts of Major David Hackworth, the brigade operations officer. In September, 1965, to gather intelligence, the Long Range Recon Patrol group was set up under the command of 1srt Lt. Joel Stevenson. The unit was formally established on 15 October. 337 men volunteered, and 32 were accepted.
The book relates the histories of several of the men that the author knew. This is the 1st of 3 books written about the LRRPs by the men who served with them. It covers this authors time there. Other time periods are covered by other authors. The author is the son of one of the Darby Rangers of World War II. He went around in the 1980's and got each person's story for the book. Maps would have helped in this book.

Part of the training was knowledge of the rules of 1759, of Rogers Rangers, still valid today, and in an appendix.
Doing this kind of work was new for Americans. The Special Forces had been doing it for years, and the LRRPs borrowed some of their tactics. However, the SF worked with local people on patrol It was widely expected that the LRRP all American team would not last a week in the jungle.
One problem was the headquarters would want to send the LRRPs out as bait for the North Vietnamese, and then attack the North Vietnamese when the LRRPs were attacked. This tactic was fought by the LRRPs, as they did not have the firepower to stop large groups of enemy.
The author goes into lots of detail about who was on each mission, combat loads, and training. In an appendix, is a list of a variety of weapons the LRRPs used as well as the enemy. LRRPs used the Special Forces tiger uniforms that they acquired via barter or stealing.
A bunch of times the teams were inserted into hot landing zones and had to be extracted immediately.
This included their very first mission, which was being monitored by brass all the way to Saigon. On the first mission they almost lost the classified codes used, and had to go back to retrieve them while being fired upon.
Sometimes while under fire chopper pilots refused to retrieve the teams. Braver substitute pilots had to be found. As time went on, a bonding occurred between the pilots and the LRRPs, as the pilots knew that the LRRPs would come and get them if they got shot down. The LRRPs greatly admired the pilot's bravery.

The LRRPs carried whatever weapon they wanted. Most used M-16's but some carried shotguns, grease guns from WWII, SKS's, Thompson's, whatever. They borrowed strobe lights from the chopper pilots for use in signaling.
Many of the fights were within a few feet of the enemy. Several accounts relate the enemy looking directly at the men on one side of a bush, the LRRPs on the other side, and the enemy not seeing them due to LRRP camouflage.
Choppers at the time had to descend to the ground for the men to get aboard, as ladders and harness's had not been devised yet.
There were several occasion were teams were inserted into the wrong spots and got into big trouble, as there were lots of unexpected enemy, or they were in the target zone of a B-52 arc light bomb strike.
A bunch of the LRRPs were former Special Forces people.
Special Forces camps such as Dong Tre and Tra Bang were used as jump off points for some of the teams.
Sometimes they got orders that they knew were making them bait, so they said OK to the orders, but ignored them.
Once in a while they got inserted via boat. One Vietnamese crew put them in 30 miles North of the target area, and they ran into many VC and were in the way of a B-52 strike.
Some teams had scout dogs, but the teams considered them worthless as the dogs ate and drank too much, and gave away their locations by growling and whining. One dog kept biting the team members and mysteriously got fragged. (Killed by a grenade).
Sometimes they had time to fish and used "Dupont lures" (M-26 grenades.)
One mission was up north near Duc Pho, near Nui Dang hill, where Marine Carlos Hathcock got his 2500 yard sniper kill using a 50 caliber machine gun. Hathcock was a legend with the 101st too.
There were lots of people killed in this book. A lot of medals were given, Medals of Honor, Silver Stars. One person had acquired 13 purple hearts.
On one mission, they were flying for an insertion and spotted troops on the ground. They radioed this and were told that there were no friendlies in the area. They called in an air strike and found out later that the target was a group of American troops who had been inserted in the wrong landing zone.
May 1966 was the second generation of LRRPs, as the originals were being sent home. The 3rd generation came a year later. In 1967. Some men kept extending, staying overseas 5 and 6 years. LRRP troops were recruited for SF duty, and visa versa.
One mission they were on was to snatch a prisoner. He was a high ranking VC and they were in a no shooting mode, so as not to kill the potential prisoner. Shooting started immediately, and they got the prisoner they wanted plus a bunch of others.
Several funny incidents in local bars are included. One Lt had a pet bird that he used to take to the bar and buy drinks for. He told the bird to attack, at which point th bird would run out on his arm and squawk at the crowd. The bird always passed out. At another bar, they ran into a bunch of Koreans. There was a face off, and finally a Korean grabbed a beer out of a LRRPs hand, drank half of it, and handed it back. The LRRP finished it and the party was on. Other times they took beer back to base with them, a no-no. They had arguments with MP's trying to take the beer away. A Marine major was giving a bunch of static right after they had returned from a mission. The LRRPs listened to this for awhile, and one in the back finally yelled out "let's shoot the MF!". The Marine major advanced in the other direction quickly.
In July 1967, the LRRPs were running missions from the Tra Bong Special Forces camp. The author liked the Montagnard rations better than his own. Theirs was fish heads and rice, and hot peppers. The author did not envy the SF as they always had VC spies among their troops.
The author also went to the Recondo school while there, and participated in 10 mile runs with a 40 lb pack, plus weapons.
Men like Top Smith were idolized for his leadership ability. He never raised his voice or gave orders, just suggestions. He defended his men from headquarters. So did Superspade.

There was a mission where they called in an air strike and the planes and choppers came and shot the target up. There was a VC 51 cal machine gun that was shooting at the aircraft. Strike after strike came in, and the VC with the 51 cal kept shooting and wounded a couple of the planes. The LRRPs were impressed with the VC gunners bravery and cheered him on. After several passes, the aircraft finally silenced the machine gun.
Weather and leeches were a constant problem. They were on a mission when a typhoon came over them.
The monsoon season kept them wet and cold all the time. Electrical storms got so bad that it would set off the claymore mines and trip flares.
One man in their group was a medic. He was one of 3 brothers. He got killed on Nov 1, 1967, exactly 17 years to the day as his older brother, who died in Korea. He was one of the authors best friends.
An incident is related where the unit is out in the boonies and comes to a hamlet with a restaurant. They order a meal, and while eating a VC group comes in and orders lunch too. Both sides eat and leave, in opposite directions.


At one time the LRRP. s were working out of Song Be, on the Cambodian border. At least once they got picked up for extraction on the Cambodian side.
On leave in the states, he meets one of his team members for some drinks and go to a bar. A good looking girl sits with them. The author knows the girl has something on her mind. He has something on his mind. Both keep drinking. The author felt something was wrong. She finished her mixed drink and finally asked, "Well, how many babies did you kill in Vietnam"? Thinking this over, the author finally replied, "Not near enough. That's why I'm going back!". End of relationship.
Within 48 hours of landing back in Vietnam, he was in the bush again, in action.

They caught a VC paymaster with a bunch of gold leaf, and turned him in to the Vietnamese. Superspade turned the guy over to the Vietnamese. A few days later, the author saw the VC out. He had bought himself ort of prison. After returning from leave, he noted to Superspade how unfair the situation was, letting the VC paymaster go. Superspade showed the author his new gold teeth and said that the VC paymaster paid for them. He had kept a bunch of the VC money. He also noted that he saw the VC paymaster in the jungle later. The paymaster was arrogant to Superspade, thinking he had bought Superspade's silence. Fatal mistake.
The book ends after Tet, and the elimination of the 1st Brigade LRRPs as an independent organization.

There is an epilogue explaining where surviving members went.

A good book that would be better with maps.

Hundreds of large black and white photos of yoga poses. It's very simple, inspiring, and aesthetically pleasing! A great buy if you want to look at the beauty that is yoga!

This book is full of gorgeous black and white photos. Even some of the simple poses are shown but in great detail. I recommend this book not only for people interested in yoga but for those who like to see the human form in all its glory!

This book is unusual in its depiction of yoga practice. The book is divided into various sections such as standing postures, inversions, and seated postures. A brief section on the history and philosophy of yoga is offered at the beginning of the book. The majority of the pages are art quality photographs of some of the most respected yogi's from around the United States. This work is an aesthetic tour de force. The photography exquisitely captures the power and serenity of the poses while allowing the reader to extract meaning and to analyze the pose without the distraction of a text instruction manual.

This book would be welcome on any coffee table or yoga library. I bought multiple copies to give as gifts. Whether you are a beginning student or an instructor, this is a book to enjoy frequently.

The introduction gives a good introduction to the history and origins of yoga up to its modern practice. The rest of the book is a collection of well-executed yoga postures in simple, clean, black and white photographs clearly demonstrate what it is you're trying to achieve in your yoga practice, or can be an example of just what the human body can adapt to do. It seems to me that this book would better demonstrate the poses if it were larger, and perhaps easier to open, but its dimensions make it impossible to lay flat. I have found that it was originally published in a larger size, which would probably be better to buy. Mine is small and soft-cover.

At any rate, this book has come in handy as I practice yoga on my own to visualize what I'm trying to do better, and to hand to my husband to ask: "Do I look anything like this picture?"

It would make an excellent gift for a yoga enthusiast.

And so inspiring! I see the book, and I want to practice. :o)

This book is definitely worth the read. A number of thoughtful, intelligent and insightful pieces of writing help illuminate Tolkien's work a bit further and share the author's viewpoints and inspirations as they relate as well. Serious fans of Tolkiens work will like this book and those just beginning and or curious will like it as well.

I read this book based on the apparent "love it or hate it" theme that crops up in the other reviews. What I found, as a long time Tolkien reader, was a competant work that emphasised some lesser known influences on Tolkien. It is an engaging enough read to be recommended for that reason alone. Middle-Earth is such a vast subject, that for the serious, I think this is a worthwhile addition to your bookshelves, but it is just one of many works that we will collect!

Do you believe in hobbits? Do they really exist? Are you sure? Understanding Middle Earth is a book to stir your imagination and make you wonder if these essays on Tolkien's Middle-Earth are really a pseduo-history or a real-life account of elves and their complex societal structure. Imaginary? Probably. Possible? Maybe. Take and adventure and explore possiblities that you might not ever imagine if you do not read this book.

An incredible book! Michael Martinez takes you on a journey through Middle-earth like nothing you have ever seen before. I thought the movies were great but this book blows them out of the water. All the stuff about the Elves is simply amazing. I never knew Tolkien had written so much about Middle-earth.

Martinez mixes humor with serious study and he doesn't take himself too seriously. He covers so many topics you just can't believe there is more to Middle-earth that he doesn't go into. I can't wait for the third book! When does it come out?

How can anyone believe a review written by a self-proclaimed Michael Martinez hater? Why does Amazon allow people to post hateful reviews that are so clearly intended to hurt sales?

I have read this book and I enjoyed it. Michael Martinez knows the material inside out and I have no doubt he does a better job of checking his facts than people who are so hateful they have to accuse him of being a liar.

You should judge for yourself whether the book is worth the price you pay. Middle-earth is a wonderful fantasy and it comes to life under the hand of Michael Martinez. He is extremely faithful to professor Tolkien's word.

This is not the kind of book I generally read (chick lit) so I was a little uncertain. But what a fun surprise! The best way to describe this book is a zesty salsa. The main characters were colorful and, for the most part, likeable. The town and it's people were just different enough to be real. The writing bounced between English and Spanish so neatly, I almost felt bilingual. The ending was not completely satisfying, but oh well. I'm glad I read it.

Ms. Martinez's book came at the right time for me. I was beyond busy with 2 stressful jobs, about to get on a plane in stormy weather and was needing a laugh badly. The book delivered with a story of love, mariachi, religion, drug dealing, transvestites and a little witchcraft thrown in. Martinez's book blends Mexican and American culture to render a story that ultimately examines what love is- the love of lifelong friends, the love of long-time admirers, the love of god, the love of being bad and the plain need to just be loved. It's not sentimental or mushy. Magic realism peeks in now and again, but doesn't overshadow. I give it 4 stars because it was a great book, but the end left me wanting a bit.

Inspired by La Lotería, a Mexican game of chance not unlike bingo, the novel is a joyous story of mamacitas and mariachis, fiestas and Tupperware parties, rodeos and Miss Magma beauty contests. In Caramba! the American experience emerges in a brilliant new language and landscape, both touching and dazzlingly fresh. (summary by the Latino Recommended Reading List from the Association of American Publishers's * Publishing Latino Voices for America Task Force)

Caramba, a debut novel by Nina Marie Martínez, is a zany, breezy, often hilarious story filled with the quirky characters who live in fictional Lava Landing, a farming community in California dominated by the Big Cheese factory. The chapters unfold as `turns of the cards' in the Mexican game of chance called `La Lotería.' Illustrations of the cards precede each chapter and hint at what's to come.

The ambiance is pure Chicano. Mexican and American pop cultures blend in a potpourri that makes a culture all its own with Spanglish as its language. Witchcraft and the folkloric wisdom of common Mexican proverbs are perfectly at home alongside yard sales, Tupperware parties, and trendy American fashions and music.

The novel is really a series of vignettes featuring six major characters. Their stories are loosely bound together by plot lines that are not as important as the characters themselves and their dreams of finding true love.

The principal characters are life-long best friends Consuelo Constancia González Contreras (who legally changed her name to Consuelo Sin Vergüenza) and her pal Natalie. Nat and Sway's principal quest is to free Consuelo from her phobia of public transportation and fear of traveling more than 30 miles from her home. The phobias stem from the fact that Sway lost her father, don Pancho Macías Contreras, who, while drunk, passed out on railroad tracks and got clobbered by an oncoming train.

Don Pancho, a womanizer still during his long stay in Purgatory, visits the girls in their nightmares. He pleads for them to round up the citizens of his village in Mexico to pray for him, and thus spring him from Purgatory into his hacienda heaven where, incidentally, only English is spoken.

Then there's Javier, a born again Christian who uses his mariachi band to sing the songs of repentance and salvation. His evangelizing has yet to clinch his sexy mother Lulabell's salvation. She herself is struggling between handing her soul over to the Lord or to the Devil. While singing of salvation at the local jail, Javier becomes enamored of the alluring, drug-dealing prisoner Lucha who turns out to be his half sister. Javier concludes "God is much more complicated than I thought."

True-Dee, a transvestite, runs the local beauty parlor, and is a friend of all the girls. She longs for the true love of one good man.

There is a full cast of secondary characters just as quirky, such as La Señora Linda, a super-psychic, whose powers fail when it comes to her run-down house "in dire need of a new roof and a paint job."

The book is punctuated with illustrations of menus, grocery lists, Lulabell's map of Mexican men, jukebox listings, classifieds, letters to an advice columnist, and cut-outs for Mexican paper dolls.

The improbable--Lulabell's message from Jesus scribbled in the guacamole of her tortilla--is juxtaposed alongside the mundane--La Yarda tag sale.

Binding the vignettes together is the theme best expressed by Lulabell: "Love is a lot of hard work and sufferin, and it don't never end." Yet the suffering is worth it. Don Pancho says Hell is a place where "You will never know love".

The language is wonderful, borrowing from both English and Spanish in getting exactly the right word. Lulabell informs her Alberto, "If you wanna be my mero mero pistolero, then you've gots to do some hoochie coochie conmigo."

And if the exact word doesn't exist in either language, Martínez invents the perfectly appropriate one. For example, Nat and Sway talk of potential "disastrophes" while making their "primperations for the Baile Grande". As Nat says, "English is a live language. It's always changin."

The author has an ear for the sounds of words and pays close attention to the rhythm of her phrases. Entire passages beg to be read aloud.
While someone who speaks only English can enjoy the novel, a bilingual reader will be laughing more, missing none of the innuendos or nuances!

Easy read. Has won awards. I thought it was a great chick book. The book cover is great, as are the other colorful touches that enhance the book pages. Magical realism meets Tom Robbins. It reminded me of "Even Cowgirls get the Blues", but not so radical and with artistic treats.

Read it---it will certainly prove itself and you will want to pick up the phone and call the bombshells just to say thanks.

I laughed and cried as I enjoyed the passion of these six women.
Their diversity added to the wonderful mix of stories. I've been on their website and I think they're truly expanding the notion of "girlfriends." We can't live without them!

This book proves that truth is stranger than fiction ----and is written in a sassy, authentic and inspirational tone. It brings out feelings of connection, validation, amusement...sprinkled with a bit of shock value. It's like seeing a movie you want to further discuss - this is why it's the perfect book club book. It made me want to 'dish & tell' - and there's nothing better than 'good ole gal pal therapy.'

Really enjoyable book that will amuse you as it makes you think. Just read it!

I'm at a loss. I could not figure out why this book exists. What is the point? Are readers assumed to be interested in gossip about people we don't know and we don't care about? Does it promote some silly Oprahesque morality about "being real"? Or are we just supposed to be grateful to bask in the fabulousness of these women?

I must repeat the words of another reviewer: fatuous, self-absorbed drivel.

And if you're still tempted to buy this book, note that the positive reviews come from the state of Florida. Obviously, syncophant friends of the Miami Bombshells who ARE grateful to bask in their fabulousness.

If you don't know Matt Martinez, you should! This book is teriffic! Every single recipe is a good one! Food, drink...whatever....it is all fantastic! If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. Alot of recipe books have things that are way over our heads....these are not. Give it a try!

Fabulous Book! Matt's recipies, tips and tricks will perfect your MexTex cooking...
A great "cooks" cookbook, as you need to have some experience in the kitchen to really fully enjoy this book...The recipes and techniques simplify preparation and offer consistent results everytime. Matt gives you the seasoning and sauce recipes that make it all come together.
I find it a Great companion to "Matt Martinez's Culinary Frontier" Matt Martinez's Culinary Frontier
You can see the progress and evolution in the recipies from book to book, but the older one has some "must have" recipes as well, such as the "I'm Not lying This Time Margaritas", you've just gotta try them!
Consistently great recipes, we have prepared most of them and have not been disappointed yet

Great book. The entire theme of this book is simplicity, fineness, well done. I have to believe this is as close to what MexTex should be (I've never been to his restaurants). You do need to read the beginning where the cooking methods are addressed. I found the toasting, etc, very important and has a huge impact on the finished dish. Ingredients are typical, it is just the combination and the prep. If you have any doubt, I suggest you make the TexMex spice mix and the Texas enchilada sauce. You'll want to put the sauce on everything. I keep doubling the recipe, still isn't enough. I read the previous review on how somethings might be left out. Could be true, could be the day to day restaurant experience at the hands of a professional, who knows. All I know is that I've got a few Mexican, TexMex books, this is now my go to.

I have the good luck to know Matt personally from some hunting trips to primitive camps in West Texas. He's as much fun as he is an inspriational and imaginative chef. This is his 3rd (I think) cookbook. I have 2 of them. This one is sort of a "30 minute" Matt's meals version. It's full of great TexMex standards (one of my favorites is beef enchiladas) and all of the recipes are easy to prepare. If you're overseas, check to see that you can find tortillas, the proper spices, and cheeses that will melt the "right" way. I had some unexpected cheese issues in Europe some years ago. It didn't melt. Turned into taffy-like goo instead. Matt's book is great. A necessary addition for anyone who likes Tex Mex food.

It was 1986 when Matt's El Rancho opened at its new location on South Lamar in Austin that I savored their wonderful food for the very first time. Surrounded by a sea of people waiting to be seated, we were greeted warmly by Matt, Sr. with his gracious smile and sincere welcome. When we finally got a table and ordered our food, the Chile Rellenos were to die for! Since leaving Austin a decade later--having made countless trips to Matt's through the years for a Mexican food "fix"--the challenge became bringing Matt's El Rancho to our own dinner table.

Thankfully, Matt Martinez, Jr. (Little Matt), has generously extended to homesick Texas expatriates, and to the world, the wonderful gift of his family's culinary heritage through his series of cookbooks. Mex Tex: Traditional Tex-Mex Taste is the latest and by far the best contribution of all. Unlike Matt's earlier efforts, Mex Tex is a rich and colorful tapestry of wonderful photographs that immediately transport the reader to the restaurant. It makes for an absolutely delightful dining-with-the-eyes experience. For those who've eaten often at Matt's, and treasure this family's vital contribution to "making Austin, Austin," the journey is enhanced greatly by many older photos and Matt's personal accounts, most notably the origin of "Bob Armstrong Dip."

While Matt's delightful array of recipes is absolutely wonderful, and quite accessible to virtually anyone with cooking experience, the larger contribution of Mex Tex should not be overlooked. Beginning with his first book, Matt Martinez's Culinary Frontier appearing ten years ago; to, Matt Makes a Run for the Border: Recipes and Tales from a Tex-Mex Chef; to Mex Tex, Matt Martinez, Jr. is clearly concerned to establish for all time the legitimacy of Mexican food made by himself and many generations of Tejanos (Texans of Mexican descent) as being "authentic" in every sense of the word.

This formidable challenge emerged in 1972 with the appearance of Diana Kennedy's, The Cuisines of Mexico. On the one hand, Kennedy did a good job of exploring much of the culinary picture and meaning and recipes of "Mexican food" as it exists in great variety within Mexico proper. Sadly, Kennedy, followed by legions of her admirers, has also been a mouthpiece of misinformation and misunderstanding regarding Mexican food as it has long been prepared by Texas Mexicans. Kennedy sought to convince the world (and with considerable success) that the Rio Grande River exerts a kind of magical demarcation, with the foods made south of it qualifying as "authentic," while food made to the north of it--tacos, burritos, enchiladas, etc.--as somehow counterfeit. The most obvious result of these misguided efforts was the emergence of the term, "Tex-Mex"--perceived initially (and accurately) as nothing less than a slur, as though Tejanos were unworthy of their own noble ethnic heritage.

To his great credit, Matt Martinez, Jr. responded to this indignity, not with rancor and invective (at least not in print!), but by following Kennedy's lead in publishing cookbooks, in order to set the record straight. Without apology, Matt embraces the necessity of "Tex-Mex" by turning it into MEX TEX, so as to awaken the reader to the actual truth of the matter: Mexican Texas food, while differing in many respects from the "cuisines of Mexico," is genuine--and delicious!--in its own right. The proof (if such is necessary) is that "authentic" Texas-style Mexican food has never been more popular.

Unfortunately, it has been years since I have dined at Matt's El Rancho on South Lamar. And yet, because of his wonderful cookbooks--the best being Mex Tex--Matt Martinez, Jr. makes it possible for us to get our "Mexican Food fix" with great regularity. It is a cookbook no Mexican food junky should be without.

Lots of helpful information I couldn't find anywhere else. I even got my insurance agent a copy.

This book is an encyclopedia in terms of how much information it has. I knew NOTHING about homeowners insurance until I bought it.

The guy whose review says it was "biased" is a morone. In more than one section, the author tells the reader to report their insurance company to the appropriate state agency that'll investigate any shenanigans by unscrupulous adjusters and insurance companies (see pages 91 & 100, among others).

Anyway, it's a great book.

The book consists of dozens of chapters, each with one or two pages on each topic/ chapter. Some of the information was helpful, including definitions. However, the author is an insurance agent and adjuster and his comments are heavily biased in favor of the insurance companies. For example, one chapter is entitled "Trust Your Insurer," a second is "Adjusters are very busy people" and in it says "My point is this: give your adjuster a break" and later "your adjuster is working as fast as is reasonably possible." It does not say that insurance adjusters are rewarded for minimizing and delaying payment of a claim (which they are) and that they might not actually be working in your best interests. If you want to arm yourself to get the best possible insurance settlement, this is probably not the right book for you.

Without this book, there'd be no way I'd be able to understand my home insurance policy in its entirety. I recommend it to anyone who really wants to learn the subject matter. It's one of those books that you'll keep on referencing for years like a dictionary or encyclopedia.

While a fire burned parts of my house, three clowns (i.e., public adjusters) appeared in front of my property. Each one told me how they could get me "the biggest" settlement if I agreed to their representation for "only" 30 percent of my settlement.

I couldn't believe my ears. There was my house, still smoldering, and all they could talk about was how they could get me the biggest settlement. I promptly ran their butts off my property.

My neighbor, who's a good friend, then told me about this book. I was skeptical before reading it but, after I read it, I found myself understanding my policy and what's involved in the claims process.

The advise is down-to-earth, explanations are concise, and the material is presented from an unbiased perspective. (The author goes so far as to encourage the reader to sue their insurance company if they screw up.)

Good book.

Fred Martinez is drunk on his own hubris. The regurgitator of the p.o.v. held by the proponents of Fox 'News', the Heritage Foundation, and virtually all other groups akin to Christian Reconstructionists, belies the shallow claims of this easily dismissed little tome.

Despite his near conspiracy-theorgy affect throughout, (thus the attention to 'hidden' axis of evil), Martinez merely reflects the standard invective that only sexual issues are 'moral'.

Finding fault with the Clinton administration's handling of 'morality' need not begin and end with sexual impropriety. For neither he, nor any of the neo-cons who have replaced him, have yet to develop the moral fortitude it would take to address the truly moral issues that face our nation's cultural demise in recent decades - namely greed.

The latter is a course never set out on by either Clinton Democrats nor neo-Christian-conservatives, for to do-so would be to dismantle the machinery of its own oppulance, whether in the marketplace, or at the money-changing tables of the mega-churches to which the latter belong.

Nice cover, Fred. Not the cover of your book, of course. Just a nice cover-up of the real 'hidden' axis of evil. 'Been reading that Bible of yours, lately? Nowhere does it say "the root of all evil is liberal political aims and sexual liberties between consenting adults." Instead it is, as we all (except Hernandez) have known for a long time, "Greed!"

Respectfully,
Rev. Michael Hollingshead

The Axis of evil is a clear counter thesis to the empty matieralistic political culture which the west now resides in. Axis explains in clear headed fashion the strategies used by those who have dissasembled our Christian heritage and put in it's place a nihilistic, therapuetic, politically mandated state machine. Axis gives a counter vision to help save the last vestiges of culture, our local communities. It shows the ultimate quest is similar in strategy to the enviromentalist movement, recognize what needs to be preserved and build a grass roots consciousness and begin to chip away at the Collosus. Our Christian Era has been given a symbol to persevere and that symbol is the ultimate way back home, the Cross and we have a choice to make for our families and communites.

The Hidden Axis of Evil lays out the reasons why the sex scandals happened as well as why abortion in America will remain unless the Nazi-like philosophy that guided the Clinton administration is known and defeated. This book shows why Clinton, CBS and Kerry keep falling into the big lie.

Battle Plan to End What Pope Benedict Calls the"dictatorship of relativism"

Shows why Pope Benedict warning against moral relativism is right on target. This book gives a battle plan for those who agree with Pope Benedict XVI that the "dictatorship of relativism" is the major evil facing America and the world.

Fred Martinez' book is worth reading for anyone willing to look behind the seductive facade of Clinton's politics to see what it masks. The book clarified why the country's moral fiber diminished under Clinton's administration and why it continues to do so through the supporters of similar politics. The book also provides information and research regarding pro-life; a solid reinforcement for those who are already pro-life and an important read for those who are ambivalent about pro-life and want to understand better its importance.