Williams Reviews

The Crown Of Eden

Published in Paperback by Thomas Nelson (1999-09-10)

Author: Thomas Williams

List price: $12.99

New price: $6.88
Used price: $0.28

Average review score:

The Crown Of Eden

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-03-11

I found this book very intreguing. I have read The Chronicles of Narnia completely several times as an adult and this book is right up there with it. The story was spell binding allegory. The princess, a prophecy, a secret, everything about it kept me reading. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of his sequel, The Devil's Mouth, so that I can continue my journey into the seven kingdoms.

Fantastic

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2002-06-01

Thomas Williams is truly talented! This book got me from the first page till the last and I neglected much work while reading it as I couldn't put it down.Set in medievil times around two kingdoms and an awsome forrest it's fast paced , exiting and full of adventure.It has strong characters and a fantastic story line that I wished would never end. It will make you believe in love and honour and think about your own morals and strive to be better.I loved every word!

great book!

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2001-12-28

This book has wonderful allegory that compels one to be noble and pure. It is a page turner (especially the last half)that is in ways comparable to Tolkien's works. It has extensive characters which come to life and plot that is quite enjoyable.

Gospel Tidings Review (Sept. '99)

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2004-09-30

I am excited about Tom Williams' new book, "The Crown of Eden," for several reasons. First, for those who enjoy medieval tales of brave knights and fair ladies and enchanted forests, Tom's story will thoroughly delight. The adventures of Princess Volanna and the gallant knight Aradon are woven together in twisting episodes of romance, terror, tragedy and triumph. The story begins by bringing the reader up to date concerning the great empire of Perivale whose victorious battle with the evil Morgultha united seven kingdoms. But Perivale disappears mysteriously and an ancient sage appears out of the enchanged Braegan's Wood to foretells the breakup of Perivale's empire. He delivers also a hopeful yet cryptic prophecy concerning the eventual restoration of Perivale's glory through an heir who will one day take the throne, reunite the kingdoms and reign over days even more glorious than those of his father. "The Crown of Eden" is the exciting story of the fulfillment of that prophecy.

The best thing one can say about "The Crown of Eden" is that it is a wonderfully told story. The chapters are short, revealing just enough surprises in the unfolding story that it is difficult to stop. More than once, as the reader is gaining speed toward some seemingly inevitable conclusion, Tom inserts an unexpected turn in the plot which leaves the reader delightfully off balance. And though one senses near the end of the story how it might end, the twists and turns keep coming even to the last few pages.

Tom has created dozens of wonderful characters in the story including the noble King Tallis, the loyal servants Kalley and Olstan, and the pathetically evil prince Lomar.but the story centers around two main characters, Princess Volanna and the commoner Aradon. Through these two characters Tom is able to not only tell a great story, but teach profound lessons in an effective and unintrusive way. Which is the next best thing about "The Crown of Eden." It does more than just tell a good story.

Interwoven amidst jousting festivals, harrowing escapes through murky swamps, rescues from dark and foreboding castles, there are scenes and conversations which allow Tom's characters to give articulate expression to various truths. King Tallis expounds on the puzzle of balancing God's sovereignty and man's freedom. Father Lucidis eloquently expounds on the virtues of pleasure, delight and ecstasy. Lord Aldemar wrestles with the tension of obedience to law and loving his country. Bogard gives some of the best advice to be found on choosing one's life mate.

Best of all, we find in Volanna and Aradon the embodiment of what it means to be a womand and a man. Tom is at his best when he describes the beauty of Volanna, a beauty that does not inflame illicit passion, but awakens the legitimate passions which lie all too dormant within us. If there is a weakness in "The Crown of Eden," it is that these "philosophical moments" in the story may linger a bit too long and distract at times from the story.

One last observation which made the book enjoyable was the way Tom has blended his own fantasy with the history of scripture. These characters and their kingdoms exist only in our minds, yet they are christians and as such often look to biblical stories to make meaning our of their own experience. The most intriguing example of this is the use of the strange biblical story of King Jephthah and his daughter which finds in "The Crown of Eden" a narrative commentary.

This tale, which hopefully will be the first of many in the The Seven Kingdom Chronicles, is a wonderful addition to the rapidly growing genre of Christian fantasy and as enjoyable as such established authors as Terry Brooks (of recent Star Wars fame.) Though Tom's single story does not merit comparisons with his literary mentors, Lewis and Tolkein, clearly his writing exhibits the best of their influence and the tales of the Seven Kingdoms certainly deserve to be on the same shelves alongside the tales of Narnia and
Middle-earth.

It's not just a story, it's an experience!

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-30

Tom Williams has a marvelous way of telling a story. You will actually fall in love with the main characters--and right along with them--feel their hurts, fears, disappointments, as well as their ultimate joy and exhilaration. There are profound lessons woven into the story, but they emerge from the characters' wrestling with decisions and their actions rather than tedious, preachy dialogs and monologs. Williams addresses some knotty theological questions, such as how the free will of men and women fits into an unfailing providence revealed in prophecy. But not to the detriment of a beautiful love story.

This book is masterpiece. It comes in second to none, including the works of George MacDonald, J. R. R. Tolkein, and C. S. Lewis.

Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide to London

Published in Paperback by DK Travel (2002-02-06)

Author: Roger Williams

List price: $12.00

New price: $9.60
Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

The only book you'll need for a short visit

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-09

Compact, great pictures, well indexed. It won't scream "TOURIST" when you pull it out of your bag. I got this one and the Paris book. Used them exclusively. Barely opened the other ones I got.

A Relaxed Vacation

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-22

This books gives you the 10 top sites to see and itineraries. I like the itineraries (10), because it's very simple. It reminds you that your on vacation and you don't need to be running around town to enjoy London.

Excellent Guide

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-15

This is one of the best guides out there, very detailed & full of photos of things worth seeing & comes in a neat, small size so you can easily throw it inside your back-pack.

Great Pocket Guide

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-10

This book is compact and easy to carry around and has all pertinent information for daily use. Maps are good and the top 10 seemed to agree with my assessment.

Great on-the-go travel guide

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-30

My wife and I love the Top 10 series. We always buy a Frommers or Rick Steves book for the trip's planning, but the Top 10 is a must for the trip itself. It'll fit in a pocket (a long one), and will provide quick and easy references to the most important sights, as well as maps and public transportation routes.

George Shrinks

Published in Hardcover by Harpercollins Interactive (1994-11)

Author: William Joyce

List price: $24.95

Used price: $12.95

Average review score:

George Shrinks

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-15

My three-year old grandson loved the book. The story is good and the art is exceptional.

George Sponge SKi's!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-10

As an artist I tip my hat to William Joyce! I read in an earlier review someone saying it is done in simple watercolor but thats not watercolor unless its watercolor pencils. Such meticulous detailed work even as George ventures down the railing of the stairs he passes a depiction of "Sunday afternoon on the Island of Le Grande Jatte"! This book is a prize the story line is so cute the text is perfect for age 2-6 and the adventure and art are unforgettable. No wonder PBS made it into a show!

The cutest kids book ever!!!!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-24

I loved this book. It was so cute. I thoughtit was good for every one. It was about a kid who wonders about how it would be if he was shrunken and when he was sleeping he actully shrunk. But he had to do some chores and they were the simplest things like watering the plants or feeding the goldfish turn into the biggest adventure.

George Shrinks

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-20

I gave this book a five because a little kid name George has a dream of him being small like a "teddy bear". When he had the dream he was in his bed sleeping, his mom left a note of chores and he was doing the chores. The "scary" part in the book was when the cat sees George and thinks his is a toy and the cat tries to put his claw on him ,but George runs and hides from the cat. This book is great and I think William took a long time doing the cover and pictures and I say the book cover and pictures are really beautiful. I love this book because he had a dream that was weird that he was small and that he had to do big chores. I would recommend this book because it is a cute book for a 1st and 2nd graders I think they will love it because all of the cute pictures and the funny pictures they would love to read this book a lot of times and I would like to some day read it again because it would be so nice to read it over and over.

small George

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-04-19

I will give this book George Shrinks 5 stars. I do like this book because it is action pack and it is kind of funny because a boy that small can do all his chores.I do recomend the book to people that have a sense of humor.I think this book is for all ages.

Hank Aaron and the Home Run That Changed America

Published in Hardcover by William Morrow (2004-03)

Author: Tom Stanton

List price: $23.95

New price: $3.03
Used price: $0.11
Collectible price: $23.95

Average review score:

Baseball History Comes Alive

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-06-26

In his usual, thorough and mesmerizing manner, Stanton takes us thru the times of one of baseball's true heroes. Aaron emerges at once a hero AND a normal man with wants, fears and determined expectations lived under the canopy of the race issue. This book is one that is easily read because Stanton makes the progression to the final home run go swiftly. But he includes statistics and surprises which make each page worth the close scruitiny required if a reader is to get the full meaning of Hank Aaron's life and his importance to America's Game. This is a book I'm saving for my young grandson to read and before he is old enough to appreciate it's impact, I'm going to enjoy reading it again!

Solid, Readable Narrative

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-13

Author Tom Stanton provides a straightforward account of Hank Aaron's chase of Babe Ruth's home run record during the 1973-74 seasons. The book is partly about baseball but more about Aaron the man, plus his life under pressure from a combination of fan adoration, media crush, and racist hate mail. Imagine being constantly surrounded by adoring fans, and even having tour busses stop in front of your house. Imagine facing hordes of reporters before and after every game, or playing the outfield after receiving death threats. Most fans supported Aaron, but some responded in a vile manner. Like millions of other kids I watched his record-breaking homer on TV, and then was surprised to hear Aaron say moments later, "Thank God it's over." After reading this book, one can see why Aaron said that.

The author might have given more attention to U.S. life circa 1973-1974, the coming of free agency, and how most of the sellout crowd that night left the ballpark not that long after Aaron's fourth-inning homer. Still, this is a very readable look at one of baseball's most famous moments, and one of the game's most inspiring stars.

Three reasons why it's the best

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-21

Early last summer, I walked out of a Vermont bookstore with a copy of Hank Aaron and the Home Run that changed America by Tom Stanton. I wanted to learn about Aaron and his quest to break Babe Ruth's all-time career home run record. About nine months later, I picked the book up and began reading it. I learned more about those two heart wrenching years than I ever thought I could. I also realized that I had just read one of the greatest sports books ever.
There are three main reasons why I consider this book to be one of histories greatest. The first is that it only chronicled the two years Aaron was chasing Ruth's coveted record. Most other sports books I've read, including Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy by Jane Leavy and Derek Jeter: The Life You Imagine By Jack Curry and Jeter himself both told of the life stories of the athlete the book portrayed. This book is one of the only sports biographies that doesn't tell about an athletes entire life. Although it did tell of Aaron's personal life during those two years, including his marriage to wife Billye Williams, and his childhood inspirations from Jackie Robinson in the first chapter, it is almost entirely about "the chase".
Another reason I enjoyed this book so much, is that it kept interviewing and talking to the same characters, including teammate Dusty Baker and manager Eddie Mathews. With this, not only were you connecting with and watching Aaron grow, but also you saw what happened to his friends throughout all of the two years. With other books, you'll be lucky to hear about a sub-character, or read an interview from the same person mabey on two pages tops.
The third and final reason this is the best sports novel ever is because it showed how hard it was to mentally survive the two record breaking seasons. It told of all the death threats, hate mail, and concerns Aaron had for his family. It also told about kidnappings that were going on at the same time that made him so cautious.
I hope by posting this book review that I have intrigued some of you sports fans to pick up a copy of Hank Aaron and the Home Run that changed America. After reading it you all will agree that this book is not only one of the greatest sports books ever, but one of the greatest books in history as well.

A good book, but not great

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-01-26

Three-and-a-half stars, actually.

Tom Stanton takes us back to 1973 (with a little of '72 and '74 thrown in, of course) to tells us the story of Hank Aaron and his record-breaking 715th home run to break Babe Ruth's record. We follow Aaron through the '73 season, tracking his progress and following the reaction of everyone to his home run. For the most part, the reaction is favorable, but there are many examples of hateful sentiments in the form of letters and catcalls. We also read background on Aaron's career and life, with emphasis on the unfortunate impact of race on not only Aaron, but also baseball in general.

Stanton's book was quite good, and I enjoyed reading it, but I couldn't help feeling like there was something missing. A good baseball book presents the story in a straightforward, professional manner that tells you what you need to know. A great baseball book, though, does that and then gives you more, a little bit of heart, something that takes the story beyond just what happened and gives you a feeling for the subject matter. Stanton just couldn't get to the level of great, he created a skillful portrait of Aaron and he effectively captured the time, but there was still something more he left out. I felt like everything turned out too sunny in the end, that there was more to the bad side (as much as many would not want to dwell on that) that would be key to capturing the story.

Despite my complaints, though, this was a good book and well worth any baseball fan's time.

Baseball's Greatest Record and the Man who Broke It!

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2005-11-29

Like author Tom Stanton, I was a little boy when Henry Louis Aaron was closing in on baseball's crown jewel record: Babe Ruth's 714 home runs. I lived in Forest Park, Georgia, about 12 miles south of Atlanta Stadium, and I had the good fortune to be able to see about a half dozen of Mr. Aaron's home runs in person. I played with the other boys in our neighborhood, and when the Braves were playing we always had the radio on. We could talk and joke and laugh through the rest of the game, but our voices would hush when Milo Hamilton would tell us "Aaron is on deck". Hank would come to the plate and our room would erupt with joy if we got to hear Milo's typical home run call. "There's a long drive.... It's going back.... WAY back.... It's OUT of here! Home Run number 683 for Henry Aaron!"

Anyway - I had to begin this review by admitting what a HUGE hero Hank Aaron is in my life.

All that being said, this book is both very informative and disappointingly bland. It was good to hear the names of those Braves from the past - in particular Aaron progeny Dusty Baker and Ralph Garr. Darrell Evans and Davey Johnson who joined Aaron as the only 3 teammates in history to hit 40 home runs the same year. (1973, the year before historic #715). Eddie Matthews, who was once Hank's teammate, the two teammates with the most life-time home runs, then served as Hank's manager during the years that make up the bulk of the book. Hall of Fame teammates Phil Niekro and Warren Spahn. Hall of Fame opponents like Bob Gibson, Tom Seaver and Don Sutton.

Most enlightening were the details of the paths Hank followed behind Jackie Robinson as a ground-breaking African-American excelling in the National Pasttime. Most heart-breaking were the tales of hate mail and death threats that he received every day. To right-thinking people it is inconceivable that a man could receive death threats only because he was doing his job as well as any person had ever done it.

The four stars are because I didn't come close to receiving the same thrill that this same material could have given me if presented properly. Stanton is a terrific researcher, but his writing style feels clinically cold. If America is a country of "Tall Tales" and our best legends are the real living ones, then certainly Hank Aaron must be one of America's Greatest Heroes by any definition. Stanton says as much in this book, but there's what you say, then there's how you say it. Nonetheless, this is the best record I know of covering these events, and I'd call it "required reading" for anyone wanting to know about Hammering Hank.

Insider's Guide to the World of Pharmaceutical Sales, Eighth Edition

Published in Paperback by Principle Publications (2005-06-25)

Author: Jane Williams

List price: $37.49

New price: $23.43
Used price: $17.95

Average review score:

Good Bool

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-25

This book is worth it for anyone wanting to learn about Pharmaceutical Sales. It covers EVERYTHING you need to know about this career. It was recommended to me by a sales rep for a major pharmaceutical company. The book is great from beginning to end. It's also very easy to understand and offers great tips. The only thing I didn't like were the sample resumes and cover letters. Nevertheless, it was still a good buy.

Exactly what I needed!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-13

Insider's Guide to the World of Pharmaceutical Sales, Eighth Edition

This book had every bit of information that I needed to get interviews, how to perform on interviews and what to bring with me. I used it to get a different type of sales position but I went to each interview well equipped and was able to score so many job offers that in the end, I got to pick and choose! There are key factors in here that will truly win you the next interview or the job offer. I am so thankful for this book!

pharma sales

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-08

great book. very informative. I highly suggest buying this book before you try and get a pharma job. You will realise that after reading it, the process is whole differant approach than a conventional job.

So far, so good!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-18

Great reference. Thorough, succinct, nice extras in the back, lots of legwork already done for you!

Excellent primer

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-03

This book is a fantastic primer for "how-to-get-a-job" in pharmaceutical sales. It is a quick read, but the information is complete and if you actually follow-through with all of the tactics that the author suggests, you have a good chance of at least getting one interview. After that it will be up to you to sell yourself and demonstrate that you actually know what you're talking about. But again, if you do what the author advises you to do, you should be able to get the business.

Laura's Early Years Collection

Published in Hardcover by Topeka Bindery (1999-04)

Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder

List price: $28.05

Average review score:

These books offer life lessons...

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2002-10-03

I wonder how many of us women and men for that matter read these books and began to long for a family and community like those found in these books. I recently re-read these books and got a completely new perspective on them from when I was a young girl. The Ingalls' family life and the love they share through tremendous struggle is inspiring and will live on with the generations to come.

Very appealing to the young

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2002-04-05

The stories of Laura Ingalls Wilder will capture the hearts of your children and their. It is a very wonderful book series for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR YOUNG READERS

Adventurous Pioneer Girl!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-12-19

Laura Ingalls Wilder is an amazing, adventurous pioneer girl. She grew up in the big woods in Wisconsin. She went from the prairie to Plum Creek. Laura has a mother, father and three sisters named Mary, Carrie and Grace. Laura also had a dog named Jack. On the banks of Plum Creek, Laura moved into a sod house. When Laura or her sisters played outside, they might see a cow standing on their sod house. A sod house is mainly made of mud. Over the mud layers laied a nice layer of grass. My favorite part about this book is when Laura invites a mean girl from her class to her house, and then Laura took her down the creek and splashed an insect on her. Laura grew up to be an amazing author. She died in the 1960's. I like to read about people who were pioneers and lived in the 18-1900's.

Take a wagon ride back to 1800's

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-10-29

I love the LITTLE HOUSE books. Two books I read so much they've been replaced, and I still have to add ON THE SHORES OF SILVER LAKE and THE FIRST FOUR YEARS. I have nearly the whole Rose series, but that's a different story. I love these books, even at 14! I will pass them on. I still read them all, even though two are cover-less and fixed up with duct tape! They are so special to me, I can't throw them away. These are wonderful books, 1-3 appealing to younger children (although they are still wonderful!) and 4+ appealing to pre-teens and teens, especially THESE HAPPY GOLDEN YEARS, which deals with friendships and marriage. Find out how the pioneers had to deal everyday with so many hardships, like grasshoppers and storms. Even harvesting and moving were huge ordeals, but the American dream never died. Pa and Ma Ingalls emerge as wonderful parents, and the family is close-knit. "Little sisters" may associate with Laura--I know! The books get more detailed and substansial as the series advances, so you may want to collect as your child advances. The illustrations are beautiful!!! This is a must have. This is the ultimate American historical fiction. Even adults can enjoy it...or read aloud. p.s, the adult form doesn't work so I had to use this form. Sorry for being so long, but I totally love these books! I want to give a million stars!

My, how American life has changed

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-01-25

"Little House in the Big Woods" is a perfect way to educate your children about pioneering in the United States. Growing up in the woods of antebellum Wisconsin, Ingalls recalls the details, both big and small, of settler life. The world is much different today than it was back then, and this book displays that perfectly. The Ingalls' were very self-sufficient people, and had to care for each other in a way that shows how families back then were self-reliant teams, instead of groups of people who see each other for 15 minutes while they have breakfast, an hour after dinner, and then on the weekends.

This book teaches kids how people who are poor in wealth can be rich in life. The Ingalls' had no servants and no silk sheets. Luxury was hard candy on Christmas. Hiking into town was tempting fate. Laura's favorite plaything was a corn-husk doll. The Ingalls had to make use of every scrap of food and every 1/2 cent they had! At the same time, they were reverant, intelligent, and caring people.

This book is an unbeatable read for kids, and still enjoyable for adults, as well.

The Letter of Marque

Published in Hardcover by William A. Thomas Braille Bookstore (1993-01)

Author: Patrick O'Brian

List price: $41.68

Average review score:

Aubrey gains and loses

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-14

Very good entry into the Captain Aubrey/Steven Maturin series wherein Aubrey loses his position in the navy, but gains personal fortune and fame.

Thirteenth in the series: The Thirteen-Gun Salute

A welcome series "reset"

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-04

The last few books in this series had gotten very complicated and very dark. This book hits a much-needed "reset" button. Captain Jack Aubrey, who in the last book was stripped of his rank and convicted of a crime he did not commit, blazes his way to exciting, glorious redemption. Doctor Stephen Maturin, while still flirting with disaster with his laudanum addiction, reconciles some of his personal problems and resolves a confusing, multi-book story arc with a bang.

The Letter of Marque is a fun and exciting read, though the story was not especially emotionally involving, so did not stick with me as much as thought it would. Great history and wit as we've come to expect from this author. On to the next book!

Reviewer: Liz Clare, co-author of the historical novel "To the Ends of the Earth: The Last Journey of Lewis and Clark"

Jack Aubrey Redeemed

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-11

First, I must say that I do not like to race through these novels. Instead, I like to read them slowly and savor every page. That was hard to do this time because this was a real page turner, an excellent follow-up to the previous installment.

Once I had finished The Reverse of the Medal, I instantly began pouring over this one, and indeed it was uplifting. Any fan of these books will be very pleased with this episode.

However, what I like best about these novels is the friendship between the characters. It says alot about honor, devotion, and true friendship, which I believe is the finest element of this series. That quality is particularly apparent in this novel.

Just a quick note

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-14

I don't have time for a long analysis, but these books are fantastic. I am on my second read-through of the series, and this time I am buying them as I read them. I have never been interested in the sea or ships or the military, (I used to wonder why anyone would have a painting of a ship in their house, waste of wall space), but now I have a whole new respect and admiration. Patrick O'Brien brings the English navy to life in a way that evokes feelings of pride, sympathy, horror, elation and pure heart-pounding anticipation. The contrast of the main characters, Aubrey and Maturin, is amusing sometimes, often heart-warming. The galaxy of supporting characters is rich with personalities and details. The only character I really don't like is Diana, but she does lend another facet to Stephen's persona. All in all, I highly recommend this series, they are the best historical novels I have ever read.

O'Brien as usual, now sailing as a privateer

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-24

After being deprived of his rank as post captain in "The reverse of the medal" Aubrey starts a new career as a "letter of marque" (private man-of-war) is started in this book. It's the characteristic seal of the series, it's a story of efforts and success, it enforces you to have read "The reverse", and to continue with "The thirteen -gun salute". If it will be your first book in the series it won't be the last. Save you don`t like this kinda book, then better don`t step through its board, and keep away of such a seizing.

A Love Affair with Southern Cooking: Recipes and Recollections

Published in Hardcover by William Morrow Cookbooks (2007-10-16)

Author: Jean Anderson

List price: $32.50

New price: $13.50
Used price: $18.55

Average review score:

What most Southerners already know!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-17

This was a gift to a southern couple who've moved to the Heartland, a place that's never heard of "sweet tea" and vinegar-based barbeque! The book has many southern stories that can be retold and embellished to win over their midwestern friends in both mind and belly! All regions have their own special foods and they're usually very tasty, but an entire cookbook of southern specialties is a must-have! It's well-written and mouth-watering.

Mouth Watering!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-13

This book is incredible.
Well written and entertaining.
The recipes are fantastic and many are easy to do.
The only thing you need when reading this is a napkin because everything you read will make your mouth water!

great read...great recipes

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-14

Extremely well researched and written about Southern cooking. The style is easy to read and enjoyable. While I generally prefer a lot of color photos, this book doesn't need them to keep my interest. Well done.

Best Southern Cookbook on the market

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-10

This is a fantastic cookbook for those who want to know how to cook "Southern-style." I bought this book because I was trying to duplicate some of the recipes my mother and grandmother cooked (and which I failed to get from them and now its too late). This cookbook did not disappoint. I've bought other Old South cookbooks, but none of them compared to the comprehensive nature of this book. Also, the history behind the recipes and foods was an added bonus. Since buying my copy, I have purchased other copies of this book as gifts for friends. To a person, they have indicated that they were sure it would become one of their most cherished cookbooks.

wonderful-!

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-31

I have fallen in love with this cookbook-I am originally from NC, and this brings back so many special memories-I love the inserts about Coke, Cheerwine, Little Debbie, Lance nabs, etc- and the recipes are super. They taste good, plus the directions given are very clear. ---I have ordered 4 more for gifts-I think friends will really enjoy this special cookbook.

The Max Strategy: How A Buisnessman Got Stuck At An Airport...

Published in Hardcover by William Morrow (1996-01-16)

Author: Dale Dauten

List price: $19.95

New price: $10.94
Used price: $1.02
Collectible price: $23.50

Average review score:

Fluke-ology

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-07-14

The main character in Dale Dauten's magnificent story, The Max Strategy, is Max Elmore, an old man with infectious enthusiasm, insatiable curiosity, and wisdom gained from a lifetime of management consulting to leaders across a spectrum of organizations. Max meets the book's fictional author during an extended delay at O'Hare Airport, and during their ensuing conversation, one of the topics Max discusses is 'becoming a flukologist':

"Burton Malkiel (A Random Walk Down Wall Street) dreamed up an imaginary coin-tossing contest. A thousand contestants in a line; heads was a winner, tails a loser. So the thousand people toss their coins and about five hundred get tails and lose. The five hundred with heads toss again. After seven tosses there are just eight coin tossers left. By this time crowds start to gather to witness the surprising ability of these expert coin tossers. The winners are overwhelmed with adulation. They are celebrated as geniuses in the art of coin tossing - their biographies are written and people urgently seek their advice. After all, there were a thousand contestants and only eight could consistently flip heads."

"Naturally, if you aren't smart and hardworking and all that, you're going to fail ten times out of ten. But if you do all the right things, guess what? You fail nine times out of ten. Think how many great novels you've read that never became best-sellers. Think how many actors you see in local or regional theaters who are as good as those on Broadway. Their problem isn't talent or work ethic; it's that they aren't expert coin tossers."

"Remember this: The coin tosser who gets the most 'heads' is the one who gets the most tosses. Given enough chances, chance is your friend."

"Yes, a fluke is a fluke. But you could use a fluke in your career, no? So maybe we should learn their secrets and become 'flukologists.'"

"If you innovate instead of imitate, and work every day to be different from yesterday, you'll improve your odds: You no longer will fail nine times out of ten. You'll fail eight times out of ten."

"Real achievement is a kind of lottery. You enter by being competent and hardworking. Most people get one shot in the lottery, playing at one-in-ten odds. I'm trying to show you how you can enter again and again, at two-in-ten odds. Here's the logic. Most people try to be like the successful people in their field. The result is that everyone does what everyone else is doing. If a great new idea comes along, sure, they adopt it. So does everyone else. You see what is happening to each of them? Each is trying to be exceptional, but ends up going about it by being just like everyone else. The upshot? They have, at best, a one-in-ten chance of producing results in the top ten percent of their profession."

"If you want to be extraordinary, the first and hardest step is to stop being ordinary."

"People try to conform to success, but to be successful is to be a non-conformist. Let's put it this way: You don't become a Picasso by taking a Picasso print and running it through a Xerox machine."

"You can't get to better without first getting to different. Every blessed day. Believe me, it'll wear you out. No, I'm not suggesting the easy way out: this is the exhausting way out. But it's also the exciting way out, the alive way out."

This week, I'm teaching at the Wow Institute in Henniker, New Hampshire. 75 fundraisers from across North America have come seeking ideas to make them better. If we're successful, participants will learn to become innovative flukologists and expert coin-flippers who reject 'ordinary' and are committed to pursuing 'different' every day. It's the risky path, but it's also the only path to 'better,' the only path to 'extraordinary.'

(from www.crawdaddycove.com)

Good book, but thin.

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2002-04-05

This is a good book, but I'd say it's a bit thin on detail and information. It is basically composed of many feel good success stories.
There's no knowledge here that I found to be of of the ordinary or particularly helpful, but's a good easy read.

Great Learning

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2002-08-14

A very very good book. The great thing about this book is that once you start reading is, you will not let go... The book tries to reinvent our thinking from the normal rut. Definately a good read. You might not agree with the author at certain junctures, but then he comes up with very good examples.

Insightful and Easy to Read Guide to Innovation

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-11-30

This book was my introduction to Dale Dauten and remains one of my favorite business books because of the novel way the author finds to make practical advice memorable.

The book is organized as a conversation between a successful entreprenuer and a stranded burned-out businessman at snowed-in O'Hare airport. Max Elmore,our hero, helps his new friend see the nature of innovation and the connection between innovation and business success.

For the person who wants the reputation as an innovator (and ain't that what makes life fun?) this is a little book that can be read and understood in a few short hours.

If you have the courage to devote the additional time to completing the exercises outlined in the book you can expect to uncover some interesting experiments that might lead you to some new methods and new thinking.

If you are interested in innovatation and experimentation as an employee or a business owner, the few hours reading this book will be richly rewarded.

2 day reading! It's Great!

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2002-03-22

Couldn't put it down. I would recommend this book to anyone that has DARES to dream... It puts success in "simple" terms and not anything like the corporate books I have read in the past- that advises mostly on the "rules" on how you "should" do things....I LOVED IT! I'll probably re-read in about 6 months...

May All Be Fed: Diet for a New World

Published in Hardcover by William Morrow & Co (1992-09)

Authors: John Robbins and Jia Patton

List price: $23.00

New price: $3.50
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $23.00

Average review score:

Super Delish

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-01

Though I am not totally vegan yet, I have been working my way towards a more plant centered diet. I remembered seeing really great looking recipes in this book and decided to order it. It's a shame this is out of print and hasn't gotten more attention. One thing I needed help with is that I have a huge sweet tooth but can't tolerate any type of sugar. The dessert recipes in this book all use natural sweeteners ilke fruit juice concentrate and maple syrup. They also have no saturated fat. The Caramel Apple Crunch is simply amazing, it tastes just as rich and delicious as the apple crisp mom used to make. But with none of the butter or refined sugar. It calls for Fruitsource, which is no longer available, but I use a product called FruitSweet. The carrot cake is also wonderful,it used an interesting blenderized mix of sweetener, orange zest, oil and raisins to create a really terrific flavor. For Christmas, I made the pecan pie and the apple-cranberry bread pudding, both got raves. I want to try more of the savory recipes now, but only gave four stars due to the savory results so far: the broccoli soup was fair, kind of bland, and the cornbread was really dry and not good. Overall though, an interesting read with a lot of great recipes. Jia Patton should put out her own cookbook.

have I bought you this book yet?

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2002-01-13

This is the first book on becoming vegan and the first vegan cookbook I ever bought. I'll be needing a new one soon, as the one I have now (second copy) is getting too dog-eared and stained to read. Robbins concisely presents every reason for becoming vegan, and backs them all up with extensive, useful footnotes. And the recipes are just plain delicious! The Mexican Black Bean Dip & Eggplant, Vegetable & Tahini Spread are addictive. The Caramel Apple Crunch makes a cold, sad day all better. The Plum Cobbler is just the thing to make when Italian prune plums are in season. The only sad thing is that he lives in Santa Cruz & I don't, so the delicious recipes focusing on what is in season don't work as well for me as for him.

Loved the recipes

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2003-09-08

I loved the hints and tips for mainting a cupboard and kitchen, and the nice recipes that I have been using/modifying for my own use. The information in the beginning is nice, too, although mostly a reprint of Diet for a New America.

The updated sections on fish and milk were very interesting, however, especially fish, which is touted today as a wonder-food for older people hoping to live longer. Many fish today arrive at your supermarkets having previously been mold-contaminated from sitting out in the open too long, and many contain high concentrations of Mercury, which also has been documented in a recent Reader's Digest article.

Just like what Marianne Williamson said on the front cover of this book: "I hope everyone reads this book!"

Third World issues/possible solutions addressed.

Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2001-07-31

Diet for a New World will make you think twice about your next meal. Robbins offers real solutions to third world issues. When we consume meat, the crops were grown in abundance in a third world or extremely poor country, then it was exported to a meat farm to feed the cattle. Robbins explains that the grain used to feed the cattle could have fed the starving population of the growers and us as well.

Some of this book is difficult to read because it makes us take a serious look and the way live, eat and purchase everyday items. I'm glad I did- it changed my life.

Becoming vegetarian or vegan is only part of the solution. Buy the book, read it, practice it, bring veg dishes to gatherings and share what you know. Buy the book as a gift too, that's how I got it.

I realize we have One Earth and One Chance- let's make it count. John Robbins can get you started on the right path.

May All Be Fed - Diet for a New World

Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2001-11-06

Wonder what one person CAN DO to improve not only your own life but that of the entire planet? Read this book. It is filled with understandable information that can radically change your health, the health of the planet itself and give the opportunity for life to others as well. This book has changed my life...so much so that, after reading the library's copy, I am buying one.

Williams Books