Reed Books

Black's "Impeachment" is the ideal guide for the average citizen who hasn't studied constitutional law. Black gives a thumbnail sketch of the impeachment process' mechanics and explains what we know about the framers' intentions. He discusses the most often debated impeachment issues, and he offers his own interpretation of the process in general and comments on Nixon's impeachment.

The main points I took from this book are that impeachment gravely frays the fabric of American society, and that partisan politics has no place in the process; the linchpin of impeachment is the solemn statesmanship of our congressmen. If another impeachment comes about in my lifetime, I'll let my congressmen know early in the proceedings that I'm counting on them to act without partisan bias.

Black's book is now a bit dated, and his treatment is certainly more broad-brush than that of, say, Michael Gerhardt's "The Federal Impeachment Process" but this is still a wonderful book. A classic and, like all Black's works, beautifully written. If you're interested in impeachment (and who isn't these days?) this ought to be the first book you read.

Black's book is remarkably relevent to the current impeachment situation, even after 25 years. Though his examples are comtemporary to the Nixon near-impeachment (and prior to his resignation), it is refreshing to read a treatise on impeachment that does not constantly refer to Starr, Lewinsky, Tripp, et al. It is not written for the lawyer, so it has a popular flavor that made it a quick read while still imparting a great deal of information.

Black's book is now a bit dated, and his treatment is certainly more broad-brush than that of, say, Michael Gerhardt's "The Federal Impeachment Process" but this is still a wonderful book. It ought to be brought back into print and -- given political events at the moment -- maybe it will be. A classic and, like all Black's works, beautifully written.

'The process of presidential impeachment and trial thereon, culminates in a judgement of the Senate, either that the president is not guilty, or that he is guilty on one or more of the Articles of Impeachment voted by the House, and is to be removed from office. Is this judgement of conviction final, or is it in some manner appealable, to the United States Supreme Court or elsewhere'?

Good question, huh? And so begins Chapter 4 of Charles L. Black's marvelous essay on the subject of impeachment. Black wrote this book when President Richard M. Nixon occupied the White House, yet the clarity of his writing, the reasonableness of his arguments and the vigor of his analysis, still hold true today nearly a quarter of a century later. This edition, republished in 1998, includes an impressive new forward by Prof Akhil Reed Amar of Yale University. If you're looking somewhat bewildered by the goings on Capitol Hill, and by implication, the lead stories on the news, rest assured you're not alone. One moment you hear the House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee recommending four Articles of Impeachment and the next moment you see the House vote to send the President to be tried by the Senate. What gives? You ask.

Black's book takes the reader on a journey in search of the facts relating to impeachment: what it means, where it originated and how we apply tests to determine the case for or against an impeachable offence. Black also examines the role of lawyers and of the Courts.

The author's objective throughout is not so much as to provide the reader with solutions, rather it is to illuminate why certain answers are incorrect. He does this by laying the evidence before the reader, so that the reader has every chance to examine both the evidence and his conscience, prior to arriving at a determination. As in other aspects of life, the book highlights that not all issues are clearly defined, and there is indeed room for some interpretation Irrespective of whether you're keen to turn the first sod in the political grave of the President William Jefferson Clinton, or whether you'd prefer to stand at his side as the United States Senate charges him; Black's essay is lucid, elegant and entertaining. As a contribution to the debate it is invaluable.

I acquired my first copy of this book when I was in college back in the 60s, and it altered the way that I think about how to cook. It liberated me from recipes, both in the sense of my being able to cook without recipes, and in the sense that I am not constrained by a recipe if I'm using one.

College and post-grad is just about the right time for someone to encounter this book. Younger than that, someone else is cooking for you. Older, and you are probably past the point where the book can be helpful. But in college, the porridge is just right.

Consider the casserole. Rosenberg points out that it's either starch/meat/cheese or starch/fish/vegetable. The non-starch things are prepared in such a fashion as to have enough liquid to "slop together" all the ingredients. At this point, if you have made one of the four casserole recipes he provides, thus learning the practicalities by specific experience, you have all the information you need to prepare an infinite variety of casseroles.

But you also have learned a theoretical framework for understanding cooking, and if you approach your cooking employing such frameworks, you will become a good extemporaneous cook, able to create a dish from whatever ingredients, few or many, are to hand when you get hungry.

Now, he does get some things wrong. He tells you to use ground round to make a hamburger. Don't. Use 75 percent lean, or as I tell my kids, "with as much fat as you can get in it." He tells you to use oleomargerine, because it costs less, and he is wrong not only for health reasons, but because with a very few exceptions, butter is better. But these are the sorts of things one learns as one goes along in life.

Do not get the idea that this is a junk food cookbook. For one thing, it has eggplant recipes in it.

But the main thing is that I found this book to be enlightening and enjoyable, because I got it right when I was becoming responsible for feeding myself every day, and had neither the money to dine out, or the opportunity to substitute junk food for real food.

So I recommend that you buy as many copies of this book as you have, or will have, college students to give them to. Because you won't get them back to pass on to others.

I love this book, I bought it in 1970 and still use it. A true gem.

It is available from Reed College Bookstore for $9.95 as of the date of this review. $4.40 of the proceeds of each copy will be used to fund a scholarship for Reed students. I am buying copies for all of the college age children in my family. I am so glad to have found it again.

I happened to find this little gem while browsing in my cookbook collection. It was given to me, along with used kitchen implements to start a kitchen, when I was in college in 1970. Not only did it provide useful information(very good chili recipe)back then, but it got me started on bread making which I still do. What a wonderful & delightful little book! It's a shame it's not still in print. Still helpful & relevant. The current Amazon prices ran from $30 to $100 for copies. Someone else must love theirs as well (the cover price was $1.50)! I wouldn't part with mine for $100.

My Dad bought this cookbook in 1970 and passed it on to me when I started life after college. Now that I'm in grad school I can't imagine surviving without it.

I bought this book when I was an impoverished student in 1970. When my husband and I divorced in 1987, we fought over who got custody of this book because we couldn't find another copy of it anywhere. Some of the recipes in it are still my favorites. If Jay Rosenberg ever gets tired of philosophy, maybe he could compete with Emeril?

Published by Bruno Gmunder Oversized. The next in a long line of fantastic black and white photo books by Bruno Gmunder featuring fresh-faced college-age guys. A nice addition to your coffeetable-book collection.

They are all beautiful boys out of daily reach. But they are so real, just in front of you. There even contain some hardcore pictures, but presented in a different way. So get it.

Sensational imagery- depicting every essence of manhood. This book features lots of gorgeous guys in natural poses.

Gradually, with the fine art stature achieved by photography, we are begining to see the male body in unashamedly homoerotic contexts. Reed Massengill has gathered a bevy of beautiful young men, asked them to relax and enjoy the sensual pleaure of their youthful bodies, and recorded this activity with simple, casual, quiet elegance. No manipulation here for artsy looks (gimmicks, overly dramatic lighting, fetishism). These are simply beautiful men enjoying being beautiful. Books like this help us overcome the national double standard of "nudity is OK in advertising, TV, movies, but NEVER put it into art form". Humbug!

Reed Massengill's men are young. His extrovert models present themselves cheeky and playful, teasing us pleasurably with their beauty.

What remains in my mind after reading Meadow Boy to our children is the light in John Roberts' illustrations. They radiate with a magic and meaning that need no words. The brief text, written on two levels (you must read one or the other to fully appreciate its flow), is delightful in its own way. But the illustrtations remain after the book is closed. We would love to mount them on the walls of our children's rooms as lullabies for the eyes.

I can't give you a wordy, erudite critique of this book. I just know what I like. This is it! The pictures are beautiful to look at. And, if you want enjoyable reading for a child, or an adult for that matter, that doesn't 'talk down' to them, get this book.

Meadow Boy once again revs up the promise for family books that fall outside the cookie cutter standards of big publishing houses. This first offering from Pentultimate Publishing neither panders to kids' cartoon mentality nor to adults' harried expectations. Author Reed Parsley and illustrator John Roberts defy conventional children's book wisdom on many levels. Parsley's text is divided on each page into poetic headlines that flow naturally from page one to conclusion. And beside each of the illustrations, narrative poems ease you into the soul of the artwork, which by any measure, is wonderful. For a quick bedtime read, the headlines take you from the kernel of a daydream to its fully popped possiblities within us all. For those joyous, pokey family interludes, the poems both stand alone and add layers to the rapturous artwork. The illustrations offer an art gallery-like opportunity for your children to experience provocative art. Nature as story teller, messenger of beauty, background comfort, psychic shelter and pre-eminent friend, Roberts' pictures transport on many different levels. Overall, Meadow Boy is tinged with a sense of pervading melancholy, perhaps for the time we no longer have to savor such published beauty as evidenced here.

At last a picture book that both fires the reader's imagination and awakens the spirit...a glorious antidote to the "noise" and "violence" in today's society!

I have seen an advanced copy at a book fair. A wonderful book that works for all ages. This book is really written on different levels. Caldecott Material, in my opinion. A quiet, literate book to share with your kids. I hear it will be available before Christmas.

Reviewed by Allison King for RebeccasReads (5/08)

As I began reading "The Midlife Bible: A Woman's Survival Guide," I felt as though Dr. Goodman was reading my mind. Menopause had always been a `hushed' topic that you didn't discuss as I was growing up. Dr. Goodman discusses alternatives to normal drug options for menopause and other health issues that arise in midlife for women. As a woman about to go through `the change' myself, it scares me that I might not be aware of all of the options for health issues that may arise. This book has given me a step forward in being more informed and confident when going in to a doctor's office.

Dr. Goodman writes in a simple language that makes it easy to understand the abundance of information he gives out in this book. He covers many health topics that a `midlife' woman might go through from the different phrases of menopause to sexuality, bone density and insomnia. He talks about not only the drug options available to assist in getting through different medical conditions, but notes how much a change of lifestyle (food and exercise) can be beneficial too. I liked how Dr. Goodman was very open to referencing and referring to other doctor's theories, books and websites to go to for more information on specific topics.

I would recommend this book for all women and even men to read to get a better understanding of how this midlife event can change the lives of everyone around you. Dr. Goodman has even written a book for men on the topic called "MEN-opause: The Book for MEN."

"The Midlife Bible: A Woman's Survival Guide" has given me hope that there are doctors still out there that are willing to listen to their patients and give alternative treatment options. The author `gets it' that not all women (or men) are alike and should not be given a standard treatment, but look at options that may be best for that individual person. As a woman in the society we live in now, we need to be informed and prepared to put our foot down when it comes to our own health decisions.

Dr. Goodman's book is a real lifesaver for someone like me who has entered perimenopause. It is thorough and easy to understand. I feel well-prepared now to talk with my doctor and find the best solution for my mid-life issues and symptoms. I just wish Dr. Goodman could have a clone of himself in every major city in the U.S.!

I have lots of girlfriends at my yoga studio going through perimenopause. We are all trying to take a holistic approach to aging, trying to find the mind/body balance in a natural way. This book has given us a truly balanced viewpoint of hormone replacement theraphy vs. using herbs and other botanicals. It gives good information and insight about the lifestyle changes that can make the greatest difference - ladies there is no magic pill, but Dr. Goodman gives excellent advice about how to navigate the change with grace and wellness. Thanks to the "Bible" we've gained a better understanding about ourselves and can now tell the facts from the fiction.

Michael P. Goodman, M.D., Certified Menopausal Practitioner and sex therapist, has written a complete, yet concise, informative, readable, up to date, affordable book that covers all the issues of feminine midlife. It is an excellent educational overview.

Dr. Goodman provides specific instruction on natural, nutritional, lifestyle and hormonal approaches to PMS, Peri-menopause, and menopause. The book deals with sexuality, stress, hormone alternatives, breast cancer, and bone density, as well as relationship issues. Case studies illustrate some alternative choices for dealing with specific symptoms.

Dee Adams' illustrations add a touch of subtle humor with droll captions to lighten up the frustrations of the transitional adjustments of midlife.

I enjoyed Michael's conversational writing style. After reading his book for men "Men-opause" I felt compelled to read more on the subject of midlife survival for women to better understand the changes my wife is experiencing so that we can work together to experience an ongoing, growing, and intimate relationship.

"The Midlife Bible" is an invaluable resource tool for women experiencing menopausal transitions and for husbands who want a better understanding of how to be supportive for their partner during this traumatic stage in life.

I am extremely fortunate to be one of Dr. Goodman's patients! In an era where HMO's have a stranglehold on the standard of medical care we receive and most doctors are forced to treat their patients in an "assembly-line" fashion, it's very refreshing to find an experienced and caring physician who has successfully rebelled against that trend for the sake of being able to totally care for his patients. He spends the time to truly listen to the concerns of women, and takes a holistic approach to the challenges most women face during perimenopause and menopause.

All of the care and concern that one would experience in an office visit with him comes through in this book. Using a friendly, conversational style rather than complex medical terminology, Dr. Goodman's book reviews all of the changes women may experience during midlife, and discusses an array of options for treatment to alleviate symptoms. Everything is covered in depth and is easy to understand.

I have already given the book to a few of my friends, who have also praised it heartily. If you are beginning perimenopause and are struggling with the changes within your body, you're not going crazy! Purchase this book and be informed about your options as to how to ease the natural transition into a new phase of your life. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

The best thing about this book is its vast coverage; especially those places off the beaten track. It has a lot of practical information and despite being 2 years old now, it was still fairly accurate. Other travel books attempt to be encyclopedic about Nepal,... documenting everything without prioritizing the places that people actually do visit. David's book goes into a lot of detail about places of interest, both historical and practical info. For example, the book had an excellent section on Chitwan national park. In fact, on our recent trip it saved us from getting a guide. I thoroughly recommend this book. The author even keeps a website to update the readers. Great.

While in Nepal last year I found this book to be exactly what I needed to get around as easily as possible. I usually use Lonely Planet Guides when traveling, but in this case - the Rough Guide is superior. Now if I can only get it back from my friend....

great guidebook. Describes in detail the good, the bad and the ugly of Nepal. The language section was extremely useful. A few hours spent learning some useful greetings and phrases will pay off tenfold upon arrival in Nepal. Being able to bargain or ask for directions in the native language is a lot of fun and much appreciated, especially since most travellers do not take the time to learn anything more than "Namaste."

This book has given me comfort and a wealth of information about what I would like to do and see in Nepal. Having a well planned trip in advance is smart and this book will probably tell you everything you need to know about anything, and more. Food, health issues, places to stay, sights, special points, etc. Definitely worth the investment.

I just returned from Nepal using this guide. The book was very well-written with lots of practical advice-- everything from how to book an airline to what kind of diahrrea you may have picked up. Very accurate information re. hotels, modes of transportation, etc. Useful vocabulary list.

This is a fine starter book for the first time home owner. In the first few pages, I had the answers to the three major problems I had been dealing with! Nice and straightforward catch-all book on working over existing stuff or putting in new.

I, recently, purchased this boook (my brother said he had one, and it was great). I flipped through most of the book -- it isn't the kind of book you sit down and read straight through. I've done a fair amount of handyman stuff around the house (I just replaced the motor in my dryer - which wasn't too difficult once I had the right parts). Well, as I flipped through the book, I would stop and read sections which interested me. There are well-written sections on, basically, everything about a house and what is in it. After spending about an hour scanning the book, I said to my wife: "You could build a house with the information that is in here!" It is one of those "I'm glad I bought this book" books. A great book to have if you're looking for stuff to do around the house; it is a real "Home Improvement Encyclopedia."

I've read a number of these books. This one is very complete. The illustrations are excellent and the topics are covered in adequate depth to help any home handyman.

I picked up this book in Home Depot back in 1997. At a glance I found out how to take out a load bearing wall, something I needed to do. I bought the book, and with it I had the confidence to take on a major remodel of my house. The book has everything, from framing an addition to fixing a leaky faucet. I consult it often. Right now (03/2002) I'm using it to build a shed. The language is clear and concise and the book doesn't waste words. I recommend it highly.

Being as how my husband is in his 60's he has done everythingbut build a new home. In 1990 he was given your encyclopedia as agift. He wishes he would have had this fabulous book 30 years sooner.It has become his Bible for any kind of situation that he has run into and he has found it invaluable for things he has not done. Due to this fact we have decided to purchase your latest book for our Daughter. She seems to take after her dear old Dad and has to call him on projects or repairs that she gets involved with. Such as installing ceramic tile, toilet innards, thermostats etc. I am sure that through the years she will find it as beneficial in her undertakings as her father has. To think our daughter purchased this book for her Dad so many years ago and now one is being given to Her.

I decided to read The Politics of American Religious Identity after reading a recommendation of it by Elder Oaks in his interview for the PBS documentary The Mormons (http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f11cb868474e3110VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRD&vgnextchannel=9ae411154963d010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD).

Flake's book is a fantastic read of a very fascinating period in Church history. I was struck by her account of how the Church's leadership's understanding of what it meant to be "Mormon" and the Church's core beliefs in the nature of God, priesthood authority, and revelation really came into focus during this time. In her description of these events--from the view of what I assume is a non-Mormon scholar--one can see the divine hand of revelation as God worked through President Joseph F. Smith and the Quorum of the Twelve to refine the Church and its people.

That said, it is a wonderful piece of scholarship and a enjoyable read.

Highly recommended.

This is an excellent book by an expert historian on the events that began the integration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into American life. Kathleen Flake discusses in detail the three-year-long hearings to determine if Senator and LDS Apostle Reed Smoot should retain his senate seat.

This book is not only about Reed Smoot, but also about then Church President and Prophet Joseph F. Smith. Perhaps Smith is the most interesting person in the book. His 5-day testimony before the Senate committee shows the quandary of demonstrating that the church was no longer teaching polygamy without alienating church members who were then praciticing that doctrine, which many believed to be the crowning revelation of church founder Joseph Smith, Jr. Perhaps today's faithful may be surprised that the LDS presidency and quorum of the twelve performed plural marriages after the 1890 Manifesto. (An apologetic treatment of this era is located on the FAIR LDS web site under the title "Polygamy, Prophets, and Prevarication.") Despite his careful statements as a witness (to the point of deception), Smith satisfies no one: not the senate, not the American public, and not the Church membership.

The 1900-era LDS church is also an interesting element in this book. The tension between the pioneer generations and their offspring over polygamy and the 1890 Manifesto fits the enduring theme of generational conflict, but also the ability of the LDS church to evolve in response to changing societal conditions.

Joseph F. Smith ultimately led the church through the transition away from polygamy and into American Life by focusing on the First Vision of the church's founder, the Prophet Joseph (who was Joseph F. Smith's Uncle.) To understand why this was effective you will have to read the book. Flake's discussion of Joseph F. Smith's eventual success in this regard is insightful and was a new wrinkle to me. Not only did Joseph F. Smith lead the church away from polygamy but he also revitalized the church's European missions, changed the policy of the "gathering to Zion" into one of building an international church; and encouraged church members to reject their isolationism and engage with their fellow Americans. Joseph F. Smith's support of Smoot's senatorial service while Smoot retained his role as Apostle proves to be a stroke of genius and ranks as perhaps Joseph F. Smith's most daring and visionary act as the President of the LDS church.

Reed Smoot is shown to be a remarkable individual. His senate career was almost 30 years long and in that time he became one of the most powerful senators and an adviser to three presidents, all the while serving in the highest quorum of the LDS church. I would have welcomed more biographical information about Smoot. Indeed this is the one shortcoming of the book.

With regard to religious bigotry in America, this book is poignant. With the candidacy of Mitt Romney, a faithful Mormon, we see the same accusations that were raised 100 years ago against Smoot: Questions of allegiance to the United States, dark implications about sacred LDS temple ordinances, suggestions that the LDS church is a subversive organization that aims to undermine the U.S. government.

It is not surprising that these repeatedly discredited accusations are once again being made by Protestant Churches and individuals. Flake shows that the Smoot Hearings were initiated, articulated, and sponsored by the Protestant churches and leading ministers of the day. Such is the state we once again find ourselves in 2007.

The drive to unseat Smoot ultimately failed for a number of reasons, including a natural inclination of Americans to allow freedom of religion, a movement away from Polygamy by the LDS church (after which the accusations against Smoot changed to questioning his loyalty to the nation), and also by Smoot's engaging personality and exemplary service as a senator.

I would like to believe we have come a long way as a tolerant nation in the past 100 years. However, it appears that we have not.

This is a superbly written book, and one of the few works of professional, objective history that examines 20th century Mormonism. Flake's central thesis is that pressure from the US Government in the form of the Smoot hearings forced the church to abandon polygamy once and for all. Faced with the loss of its most cogent identity marker, the Mormon hierarchy needed to find a way for the Latter-day Saints to distinguish themselves from other denominations. They did so by emphasizing the restoration message contained within Joseph Smith's 1838 account of his first vision. By pointing to the vision's statement that Mormonism was a unique restoration of primitive Christianity, the Saints were able to set aside the practice that had made them unique up to that point: polygamy. Flake's arguments are basically sound, but somewhat overstated. For instance, the first vision had been used for this purpose since at least the 1880s, and she selectively sorts through the existing scholarship on the vision to skirt this fact. She also places too much emphasis on the symbolic importance of the centennial of Joseph Smith's birth and the monument that commemorates it. Nevertheless, this book easily joins the pantheon of "must read" books in Mormon history, and no student of the early 20th century church can fail to grapple with Flake's conclusions. An excellent and highly recommended work.

This is a superb book.

The book brings history to life as it clearly and cleverly recounts a demanding and difficult time in Mormon and US history. It weaves together the social, political, and spiritual themes in an easy to read and engaging way. It offers remarkable insights on how religion and politics co-mingle. It brings to life Senator Smoot and his demanding role as senator and religious leader. It offers insights into the operations of the Mormon church as it dealt with a sensitive and important issue. It offers insights into the political process at the turn of the Century and how political processes are shaped by individuals. Dr. Flake has a unique ability to bring history to life and to help us learn from this history. This book is academically credible and yet easy to access.

I've grown up in the LDS church, served a mission, am married in the temple, but I never really knew much about church history past 1847 and the arrival of the saints in the Salt Lake valley. I've started to become more interested in how the isolated Rocky Mountain church has grown into the worldwide organization that it is. At the same time, I'm also interested in politics, having studied law. This book was a real eye-opener for me. I found the explanation about the church deciding to reach back east across the Rockies to find acceptance to be very interesting. I also learned a great deal about Joseph F. Smith. He realized that the controversy surrounding polygamy was so great that it was taking away from the mission of the church to continue to proselytise and grow the kingdom.

It was also interesting to see how members of the United States Senate were actually arguing that Mormons didn't deserve the basic rights of citizenship that we take for granted today. Even in today's heightened sensitivity to different religions of the world, I don't think anyone would suggest that non-Christians duly elected to public office should not be seated in the office to which they were elected. Yet many believed that Reed Smoot should have been ineligible to serve because he was Mormon. Ultimately he was seated due more to political pragmatism rather than because of a true belief in the First Amendment.

Kathleen Flake does an excellent job of presenting all sides of the issues, and provides a large amount of sources in the endnotes. I would definitely recommend this book to all members of the LDS church to help understand how today's worldwide church grew from that small group of "peculiar people" in 19th century Utah.

WONDERFUL NEW APPROACHES TO POTATO SALAD. RECIPES ARE CLEAR AND SIMPLE. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE BEAUTIFUL. LOVED THE HEARTWARMING AND AMUSING STORIES THAT ACCOMPANY THE RECIPES.

Even if you are an "occasional" cook, this book is fantastic! Most potato salads could be a meal. The information in the chapter called "The Basics" is invaluable for creating superb potato salad. After trying eight recipes, Barbara Lauterbach's "Potato Salad" will be a mainstay in my kitchen.

The title "Potato Salad" on the cover of this cook book intrigued me. I couldn't think of many variations of such an old fashioned dish. To me just omitting eggs or mustard , selecting salad dressing in preference to mayonnaise is about the extent of my repertoire .

I bought the book because potato salad is just about my favorite food. The variety of potato salad recipes is very surprising. Being a lover of fish I was amazed at the many kinds of fish that blend deliciously with potatoes in a salad.

Barbara has not only found tasty potato salad recipes from all over the world, she has made them simple to follow and noted substitutes where you may need them.

This is a great cook book made simple and will certainly be on my gift list.

Having purchased this book hot off the press and cooking two of the recipes for Mother's Day, I have to say, this is a keepa! Brilliant idea to create a compilation of recipes focusing on one food. There's a spud recipe here for every kind of meal you could possibly imagine, from the very simple to the extraordinarily elegant. A must for every kitchen!

Well actually it probably has your mother's potato salad and a whole lot more. From the traditional to the revolutionary, all the bases are covered in this book. I particularly like Tarragon and Lamb Potato Salad and Jansson's Temptation. If the spud's your thing, you must have this book.

As a recent college graduate looking to start my career, I found this book to be an absolutely hilarious guide on how NOT to write my first resume. My favorite section was "Politics, Religion, and Other Inappropriate Subjects." The statements some of these people wrote in their resumes were so crazy I almost couldn't believe that they were real! I especially liked the one where the applicant signed their cover letter as "lovely human being."
This is definitely a must read for anyone who's ever written a resume or, like me, needs to write one in the very near future!! Although many of the excerpts are absurd, each chapter starts out with a helpful hint, making the book just as useful as it is entertaining. I would recommend this title to absolutely anyone.

This is not your typical resume book, and these are definitely not your typical resumes! Working in a Career Development office, I see my fair share of resume books, and this one really stands apart from the rest. While the more serious-minded job-seeker might opt for something a little more formal, those with a relaxed attitude and sense of humor are sure to appreciate the book's fun but functional "How Not To" approach to resume-writing.

Without all the rigid instruction of most resume books, Resumes From Hell gives readers something fun and new - a chance to learn from the mistakes of others. Whether it's sending important email messages with an online identity like [...] or telling employers you created "today's fanny pack industry," the mistakes and mishaps in this book boldly remind job-seekers to pay attention to details and to think more like hiring managers.

This book is almost as educational as it is funny. I read it cover to cover on a Boston - San Francisco flight and probably upset my fellow passengers by bursting into laughter on several occasions. As a bonus, I sure know what NOT to do next time I'm looking for a new job! Highly recommended!

Resumes from Hell is one of those rare examples of a book that is both entertaining and useful. Every single page contains a laugh-out-loud example of what NOT to do if you are a job-seeker. From the candidate who left a voice-mail describing his delicious sandwhich, to the one who listed his mother as a reference, the examples in this book are almost too comical to be believed--and yet each and every one is true.

All of the excerpts have been sorted into clearly defined sections, where off-the-wall examples are used to illustrate genuinely helpful resume pointers. Readers can flip through and entertain themselves by reading pages at random, or take a more utilitarian approach going chapter by chapter to get guidance on questions like whether or not to list hobbies on a resume.

I recommend readers turn immediately to the index and start from there. In it, the editors have brilliantly culled some of the most unlikely single words and phrases from their resume files--like "completely useless," and "orgasm," (not used in the same sentence, it's worth noting)--and compiled them into one hysterical list.

I received Resumes from Hell as a gift, and it is one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. I highly recommend it.

Frustrated about today's shrinking job market? Having trouble finding a job that even requires submitting a resume (and doesn't require sporting a colorful uniform)? Finding a good job requires education, experience, and a really good resume that stands out above the competition... That is, unless you're up against those who wrote the "Resumes from Hell" featured in this book of the same name, in which the authors expose hundreds of the most awkward, over-the-top, and downright hilarious resumes ever written. Reading them will help you improve your own resume, and it will give you hope. Just don't do what these people did! Whether they listed too many hobbies, made frightening political or religious statements, or simply gave "too much information," these writers bare their souls in hopes of landing a job. With previous experience such as "perishable manager" and "fanny pack designer," or qualifications like "specializing in the impossible," "Have Passport & Don't Use Tobacco or Firearms," and "Enjoy Dim Sum, Chai and other good things in life," you really wish you could sit in on their job interviews. My favorite chapter is "Graphics from Hell," featuring undecipherable charts, cheesy icons and clip art that some misguided souls used to spruce up their resumes. As professional job recruiters, the authors have seen it all, and their comments and examples prove unequivocally that poetry, spirituality, ranting, bragging, and sloganeering have no place in your resume. This book proves that what you DON'T say is often as important as what you do say.