Western Books

Not only does this cookbook have some great recipes, but it like reading an Old West novel. Extremely interesting and informative.

There are many things about this book that are great; the stories, the lay out, the quality of the book itself, but what I love the most are the recipes. I would have paid double what this book is listed at just because I love it so much. Its a book that I will have to order more copies of and hand out as gifts. Don't pass this one up. Its a keeper.

This is an awesome book! So much more than just a "cookbook" it contains little bits of history woven throughout, along with many detailed descriptions and explanations on how and why things were done. I also enjoyed the wonderful pen and ink illustrations. The recipes are great and easy to follow. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for original, old-time recipes!

Get out your Dutch oven. Find a ceramic crock with a tight lid. You'll need both when you open this wonderful cookbook. Of course the oven is for the baking and the crock is for the sourdough starter you'll learn to make. I couldn't believe the Old West recipes that were in this cookbook. I immediately bought several books as gifts for my relatives and friends. Walters has dug up so many memorable and forgotten recipes that it's like finding the Mother Lode of pioneer vittles. Houn' Ears & Whirlups, Splatter Dabs, Oatmeal Pudding, three different sourdough starters, Railroad Cake, they're all packed into 170 pages. In addition, the book has excellent historical and contemporary photographs and informative inserts. The Old West Baking Book is a truly a treasure found.

I adore this cookbook! Spiral-bound, lie-flat pages; many gorgeous color photographs of the baked goods as well as historical photographs of cowboys cooking and eating; and a great layout are just the beginning. Every single recipe has a several-paragraph commentary about how the recipe came into being or the differences between the original Old West and updated recipes. Scattered throughout the book are features on various topics such as cooking equipment in the Old West, chuck wagons, and availability and use of various foods. I also enjoyed the uniqueness of the recipes. Never before have I seen recipes for green tomato pie, gems (similar to muffins), or spotted pup (a pudding). However, the book doesn't neglect more common fare such as sourdough bread, cherry cobbler, bread pudding, biscuits, etc. Additional features include an Old West cooking dictionary, a comprehensive index, and a bibliography of books about food and life in the Old West. If you love baking or the Old West, you MUST get your own copy, because I'm not going to lend mine to anyone!!!

Speaking as a 47-year-old male bookworm, this beautiful story is unquestionably for all ages. The relationship that develops between the fourteen-year-old Travis and Yeller in postbellum Texas, as well as the demands of a young man having to take on adult responsibilities is conveyed in a elegantly sparse and effective manner. The heart-wrenching conclusion was impossible for me to get through without sporting one huge mother of a lump in my throat. Well worth reading no matter how old you are.

Old Yeller is a book that has many problems in it, but they always find the solution. I would recomend this book to peope who can handle a very sad ending. This is such a good book I could not think of anything I didn't like about the book. The dog is almost like a body gaurd to them. This book is probably in my top ten books. Maybe even my favorite.

This story is about a boy who os left to be man of the house. But it wasn't as early as he thought, he had to deal with littler arlis and old yeller. My favoratyer charecter is travis becouse he is just like me in almost every way. My only question after reading this book were is the salt licks, and how do i get there. If m friends were here i'd say, 'pude it's soo cool'. the best line in old yeller was "Jupedr! if you don't go out there and finish ploning you're gonna get more of the same understand?But the funniest part was when little arlis gets chace. the only part that i didn't like was that it was sad. its a good book!I recomend you should al least give the but a chance because it's a very hysterical but touching story.

It wa so good i have to tell about it,...

There is a dog that is yellow and is so old. It come to a boy house and then the boy's dad tell him to shot the dog but the boy won't to keep the dog so he does and the boy call him old yeller.

THAT IS THE END

This story is about a boy who os left to be man of the house. But it wasn't as early as he thought, he had to deal with littler arlis and old yeller. My favoratyer charecter is travis becouse he is just like me in almost every way. My only question after reading this book were is the salt licks, and how do i get there. If m friends were here i'd say, 'pude it's soo cool'. the best line in old yeller was "Jupedr! if you don't go out there and finish ploning you're gonna get more of the same understand?But the funniest part was when little arlis gets chace. the only part that i didn't like was that it was sad. its a good book!I recomend you should al least give the but a chance because it's a very hysterical but touching story.

It is said that when the student is ready, the teacher appears. And so it was when I met Joe Donlan several years ago, as we chanced to sit next to one another on a flight from New Orleans to Atlanta. I was ready for his teaching! Before long our conversation drifted to his passion -- how to create a satisfying life utilizing the positive forces of the mind. Already on that path myself, Joe's message encouraged me to explore the field of positive thinking. Additionally, he invited me to become one of his "test readers."

"Ordaining Reality" is a book I've read several times in its initial stages, but have vastly enjoyed having the finished product in my hands. It requires time to read and digest, but it is worth every moment of time thus spent.

How many of us are rankled by the Doubting Thomases of this world who say, in response to matters of faith and the metaphysical, "Prove it to me and I'll believe it!" Joe Donlan's book does just that: he proves the existence of a universe that is both interactive and all-empowering.

There are many sections of "Ordaining Reality" that I have read and re-read. Thanks to Mr. Donlan, I have at least a basic understanding of the quantum world. Additionally, his history of man's search for knowledge about how things really work is fascinating. However, he also enlightens us that many ancient philosophers, as well as Eastern Mystics, have, for millennia, intuited the existence of this "cosmic soup" that surrounds us.

I smile when I read notices that researchers are narrowing their pursuit of the Akashic Records (as if they could be a "physical" find!). Mr. Donlan proves to us that the universe itself is the Akashic Record (although he does not call it such). The universe contains all that ever was, is, or will be, we are told in his grand book.

The message of Joe Donlan's work is very empowering. Although he does not discuss reincarnation or karmic cycles, his message of FOREVER is very comforting. In the metaphysical world, there is no linear sense of time. All exists simultaneously -- past, present, and future. And while many of us already sensed this, how delightful to have it proven to us!

Mr. Donlan's highly entertaining and very readable style is at its best as he enlightens us on his Harmonic Theory. Just the name itself sounds like something we should ALL read about. As I have praised "Ordaining Reality" to other readers, several have asked to borrow my copy. Just seeing the book on my office table reminds me that I, too, as other reviewers have stated, will re-read many sections lest I be tempted to slack off in my positive quest for a harmonic and positive life. And so I tell them to go get their own copy!

Thank you, Joe Donlan, for this wonderful book and all its knowledge and lessons. Please write another one soon.

Our actions are driven by our thoughts; it is therefore logical that our thoughts influence the actions of others. This book, unlike The Secret explains this link clearly. Although the science portions of the book may be more than some readers can tolerate, the author presents it in layers so that the uninitiated can pick and choose the parts they need. In converse, I found that The Secret confused this principle via the simplistic black and white world it paints and its unabashed advocacy of materialism and greed. I recognize that in the US, at least, materialism is the Holy Grail, and success in life is measured by the toys we have and the size of our portfolios. That is why people who are struggling financially are grist for this mill and led to the success of her book. While it is true that positive thought beget positive outcomes, The Secret suggests that people who are starving in parts of Indonesia and Africa are entirely responsible for their own circumstances. In contrast, Ordaining Reality fosters human compassion and empathy and makes the case that we are all in this world together, and one's own happiness and gain is brought about by helping others to gain. This book should be read by every member of our government so that they would understand nature and re-align their priorities.

This book, unlike any other that I've ever read, explains in clear terms how events and objects are connected through thoughts and how they either attract or repel each other. As its title states, it actually explains the science behind the power of positive thinking. I have a background in science, so I drank all of it in. Good stuff. However, I can see that readers with little or no background can read the first 100 pages or so 'all non-technical', jump to chapters Seven and Eight and then go to the last chapter and probably get just as much out of it in the end. Read what you can and then carefully follow Chapter Thirteen.

I just finished it. Very good writing style for complex topics as the author presents the complex portions in a layered form and uses italics to give supporting details that most readers will just skip.
This book is just loaded with information about who we are, why we're here, and where we're going (or at least where we could be going). It addresses subjects that I've been thinking about my whole life. I would pass it on, but I want to reread parts of it and really get my money's worth. The last chapter is something that I plan to read every few months to refresh my ability to concentrate on what I want from deep inside me.

I read many books, often several at the same time. I generally read non-fiction. This is the most informative and provocative book I've read in a long time. It gets into so many topics of interest and presents them in understandable language. There were parts I needed to read more than once to fully grasp them, but I think I followed everything, even the sections that the author said were optional. I'm wiser for my effort. The book reinforces a lot of the topics it presents and makes a lot of forward and backward references. That was very helpful.

This was obviously quite an effort to produce, and I think its title betrays its range of value. However, now that I am through with the last Chapter, I shall put it to the test of helping me to shape my future. I am confident that it will and I think others will gain this ability when they read this book.

I've decided that no early Christian thinker is easily accessible to most contemporary Christians, Origen least of all. This is especially true of Origen because much of his thought was classified as heresy by later Christians. That said, many later Christian thinkers (like Gregory of Nyssa) drew upon Origen to faithfully interpret Scripture in order to articulate Christian orthodoxy.

This volume is easily one of the best introductions to the most important of Origen's texts. I recommend it for any who wish dig deeper into the Church Fathers. You cannot study the Church Fathers and not engage Origen!

Origen (c. 185--254) was not only one of the four great Church Fathers (Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian), but also one of the founders of the philosophy Neoplatonism. He was a fellow student of Plotinus, the credited Founding Father of Neoplatonism. They were pupils under the legendary Platonist teacher Ammonius Saccas in Alexandria, Egypt. This outstanding volume begins with "An Exortation To Martyrdom," which describes indepthly Origen's beliefs about martyrdom to his two friends, Ambrose and Protoctetus. Time and again he takes parables from the Bible and mixes them within his own eclectic exegesis and Neoplatonic theories. It's quite outstanding, to say the least. The next work is "On Prayer," in which Origen lays out with mental precision "The Lord's Prayer"--breaking it down into sections and explaining them. At the end he brilliantly says how we ought to pray and what we should pray for. "On First Principles: Book IV" is my favorite. Here it is. "Chapter One: That The Scriptures Are Divinely Inspired"; "Chapter Two: That Many By Not Understanding The Scriptures Spiritually And By Badly Understanding Them Fall Into Heresies"; "Chapter Three: Examples From The Scriptures Of How Scripture Should Be Understood"; and "Chapter Four: A Summary Concerning The Father, The Son, And The Holy Spirit And Other Matters Previously Discussed." In the magnificent "The Prologue To The Commentary On The Song Of Songs," Origen explains Solomon's only surviving psalm and its allegorical meanings. He goes on at length about the three Books of Solomon's: Proverbs (moral or ethical), Ecclesiastes (natural or physics), Song Of Songs (contemplative or enoptics). He describes Solomon's transformation and "Divine" wisdom throughout. Also, why he believes Solomon's other psalms were excluded from the Old Testament as apocryphal writings. In the beginning Origen warns the unlearned not to pick up or read his own work! Finally, there's the exegesis or "Homily XXVII On Numbers." As Origen explains its main theme, "If one examines as carefully as possible, he will find in the Scriptures that there are forty-two stages in the departure of the children of Israel from Egypt; and, further, the coming of our Lord and Savior into this world is traced through forty-two generations. This is what Mathew and the Evangelist points out when he says, 'From Abraham to David the king, fourteen generations. And from David to the Babylonian Exile, fourteen generations. And from the Babylonian Exile to Christ, fourteen generations'" (Mt. 1:17). Origen's exegesis of the Book of Numbers comes to the conclusion that the soul's journey from earth to heaven goes through the same stages on our pilgrimage to God. The stairway to heaven is made of virtues. We ascend one virtuous step at a time "until the soul arrives at its goal, namely the highest summit of virtues, and crosses the river of God and receives the heritage promised it." It's an extremely insightful glimpse into the Book of Numbers. This volume is a must have for any Christian mysticism or Neoplatonic collection. I highly recommend this superlative volume as well as the others in The Classics of Western Spirituality series.

These selected works from the writings of Origen (c. 185-254) will give the reader much to contemplate and are complex enough to perhaps frustrate the reader without some foundation in the material. Do not read Origen without first reading the preface (Hans Urs von Balthasar) and the foreword and introduction (Rowan Greer). These are valuable insights into the second and third centuries and the early history of Christian thought. The writings of Origen generated several centuries of controversy in the early church. His ardent admirers included Eusebius, Gregory of Nissa and the Cappadocian Fathers, and Jerome. His ardent detractors included Epiphanius, Theophilus, Jerome (persuaded to change his mind), and the Emperor Justinian. One of the so-called "Four Fathers" of the Christian church, "Origen was as towering a figure as Augustine and Aquinas. . . his overt and hidden influence has proved no less far-reaching than theirs," says Hans Urs von Balthasar as he begins his preface. "Whoever seeks access from merely dogmatic faith into that inward realm where we see with the inner eye of faith enters a world of mystery demanding not only intellectual reverence but personal holiness as well. . . Perhaps it can be said that [Origen's] simultaneous viewing of prayer and exegesis . . . of exact philology . . . and the search for the spiritual sense, is the most important aspect of Origenistic spirituality for our present situation. . . . the underlying attitude remains exemplary for us, perhaps more than ever before."
Jesus said "wisdom is proved right by her actions," and "by their fruit you will recognize them," and "the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him." These thoughts commend to us the influences of Origen.
Apart from the Introduction to these selections, I particularly recommend "On First Principles: Book IV" and "Commentary on the Song of Songs". Some of the ideas presented in "Homily XXVII on Numbers" were fuel for his detractors (the 42 steps), along with an oversimplification and misunderstanding of his neo-Platonic deliberating. As Greer says, "these difficulties should not be allowed to obscure the main lines of his thought." Origen's spiritually rich approach to exegesis is typified in this passage:
"Now all these truths, as we have said, are . . . buried in the narratives of holy Scripture, because 'the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field' (Mt. 13:44). Consider very carefully whether this passage does not point to the fact that the soil and surface, so to speak, of Scripture, that is, the meaning according to the letter, is the 'field' filled and flowering with plants of all kinds, while the deeper and more profound spiritual meaning is 'the treasures of wisdom and knowledge' (Col. 2:3), which the Holy Spirit through Isaiah calls 'obscure, invisible, and hidden treasures' (cf. Is. 45:2-3). To be able to find them we need the help of God, who alone can 'break in pieces the doors of bronze' by which they are shut up and hidden."
It is said that Origen was the first great post New Testament theologian, exegete, and apologist. The doctrinal/ exegetical and theological issues with which he wrestled had not yet been 'resolved' by the church councils of later years (it would be na?ve to think that some have ever been universally resolved). We might expect that there be difficulty with certain of his understandings. Of course the 'big' problem in his writings, as we still have them, is his idea of the transmigration of souls (an unusual idea in Western thought, whether Judeo-Christian or Greco-Roman). This is the idea that most stirred his opponents. In honest fairness to Origen, we must admit that we don't finally know his ultimate view in this area and perhaps his detractors didn't either. He is known to have changed his thinking on certain issues as he continued to study and pray, and much of his extensive writings disappeared long ago. At the end of his extremely productive life, he was arrested and tortured, and died after being released (this happening when the early persecution of Christians was waning). As he did not die in the custody of his tormentors, there was, in his death, more room for controversy -- as to whether or not he should be counted a martyr.
The mysticism of Eastern Christianity traces largely to Origen and his deeply spiritual approach to scripture, always looking to philological accuracy, subtleties, and deeper and more theologically and spiritually consistent meanings. Much of his exegesis and theology is present in the writings of Augustine and Christian thinkers down to our day. An honest knowledge of Origen's thought will benefit anyone with an interest in philosophy, theology, exegetics, and/or church history. Although Origen is inherently difficult, this volume provides a needed window of access to the work of this learned and gifted theologian.

Origen's legacy for Christianity has certainly been mixed. Many reading his works today, as many did in his time, would no doubt find what he 'found' in the Bible bizarre, heretical and perhaps even blasphemous. Indeed he was condemned as such by Church councils some centuries after his death, and as a result many of his works were lost.

However, it also must be acknowledged that Origen was one of the faith's most brilliant and original minds. Asides from his remarkable theories about 'what really happened' before and after the fall of human beings and angels, and the creation of the universe itself, his remarkable penetration and allegorising of scripture and seeing the 'spirit' in the letter are rarely equalled by any other Church father. Few Christian thinkers ever had such brilliant talents in speculative theological power, exegetical skill, mystical insight and creativity and daring to try and wrest such deep insights as Origen found, which were in many ways far ahead of his time.

It is true Origen's genius was also in many ways his downfall, and it can be rightly said many of his interpretations of scripture are too speculative or in better words, go so high into the clouds any vision of the concrete ground is lost. Yet one must also admire his determination to set Orthodox Christianity on an intellectual and speculative par with the main rivals for thinking seekers of the time, Gnosticism and Neo-Platonism. To this day his influence resounds through Christian mysticism, and his view of the Bible as an infinitely deep wellspring of Godly wisdom which originated from the Logos itself, is a refreshing counterpoint to the literal and one-sided fundamentalism which holds so much in our own time.

"Let us, therefore, not think that it is words we are taught to say in appointed seasons of prayer. On the contrary, if we understand our former consideration of prayer without ceasing, let our whole life be a life of unceasing prayer." Origen



Origen's Early life:
I encountered Origen, as a young kid in a Sunday lesson on the Alexandrine Didaskaleon, for the first time. A devout Christian, biblical scholar, catechist, and head of the Alexandrian Catechetical school. Born in 185 AD, Alexandria, Egypt and died in 254 AD, Caesarea, we were told, Origen was the eldest of seven children. His father Leonides, was a teacher of Greek literature, and a presbyter deacon, who educated his brilliant son in both Hellenistic and Biblical studies. Though he was unable to answer some of Origen's probing questions, he is said to have kissed young Origen's chest, a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. In 202, Leonides was martyred during Severus persecution. Origen sought to share the fate of his father, and was only prevented by his mother's hiding his clothes to prevent him going outside. Origen satisfied himself with writing an earnest letter to his father exhorting him to face death if necessary and cautioning him "not to change your mind because of us." Leonides fortunes were confiscated by the empire.

Origen's Career:
Origen took shelter for a time in the household of a wealthy Christian lady while he continued his studies. Within a year or so, he had begun work as a teacher of Greek literature in order to support himself and his newly impoverished family. In the meantime, Origen continued his own education.
Persecution under Severus had left the catechetical school of Alexandria without leadership. To meet the needs of those who desired to learn about the Christian faith, Demetrius, Bishop of Alexandria, appointed Origen to take over the catechist instruction. He continued his grammarian instructions as well, but when his brothers became old enough to support the family, he was able to focus on his religious mission.

Exhortatio ad Martyrium:
Origen is probably the most voluminous writer the Church has ever had and that even antiquity ever knew. Origen left two ascetical works,"On Prayer" and "an Exhortation to Martyrdom." The Exhortation to Martyrdom, written around 235, early days of Maximinus' persecution. Addressed to Ambrose and to Protoctetus, a presbyter of Caesarea, whom Origen exhorts to confess their faith up to death, if necessary. A forceful and earnest address, which expresses the author's own attitude towards martyrdom. The exaltation of martyrdom was a corner stone of Origen's training in the Christian life, and a major topic in his teaching. throughout his life, Origen's thoughts were linked to Martyrdom, as professing true faith. He was a martyr by race; yearned in his youth to be martyred with his father Leonides.

Origen & Martyrdom:
Martyrdom was a continuation of the work of redemption for who Origen risked his life in encouraging martyrs, starting with his own father when he was only seventeen. He was himself tortured as an elder man and died in Caesarea, a short time later. But the Alexandrian, who had spent much of his life exhorting others to martyrdom if necessary and encouraging the persecuted, shown no signs of betraying the faith. Much of Origen's life in Alexandria was devoted to support of believers in the midst of persecution. Several of his own students were martyred, while Origen was himself spared, though so often present at prisons and executions. His life was endangered many times, but he survived, and continued his instruction of new believers in the Christian faith. Origen himself, was put in prison and tortured, in his late sixties, and died a confessor due to his sufferings. Origen shares with St. Ignatius of Antioch his desire for martyrdom, and with Clement of Alexandria, on teaching that martyrdom was the perfection of love. Martyrdom, for him was an attestation to the truth of Christianity, not merely that Christians were capable of dying for their faith, but because martyrdom shows Christian contempt for death, and proves the defeat of the powers of evil (I Cor. 15:55).


A Life of Prayer:
On prayer is divided into two parts: prayer, its necessity and efficacy; and a commentary on the Lord's Prayer. This little book is one of Origen's most spiritual, written probably in his mature manhood years. Origen begins his treatise 'On Prayer' by acknowledging that even to begin to speak of prayer is to draw a contour for a great mystery; "The discussion of prayer is so great a task that it requires the Father to reveal it, his First-born Word to teach it, and the Spirit to enable us to think and speak rightly of so great a subject." To speak of prayer, then, is to be on holy ground. Origen ends his treatise on prayer saying, "I have struggled through my treatment of the subject of prayer and of the prayer in the Gospels together with its preface in Matthew. But if you press on to the things in front and forget those behind and pray for me in my undertaking, I do not despair of being enabled to receive from God the Giver a fuller and more divine capacity for all these matters,.. ."

Comments on Prayer:
Evagrius, one of Origen's best students on prayer, concludes "eventually give way to 'prayerful' existence,the fulfillment of contemplation, as theologia." Andrew Louth describes the progression to this state as, " In this state of natural contemplation,... This is the realm of prayer, which Evagrius regards as a state rather than an activity, not so much something you do as something you are. In this state the soul recovers its true nature: 'the state of prayer is an impassible habit which snatches up the soul that loves wisdom to the intellectual heights by a most sublime love'.
Some scholars like Schmemann declares that, "The real danger, in Evagrius' interpretation of Origen, resided in the replacement of a salvific contemplation with a state of prayer in which the soul is essentially static. The human spirit - at least in the West - naturally rebels against such doctrines."

Preface:
Written by Hans Urs von Balthasar, the late eminent Swiss theologian, one of the greatest Catholic theologians of the 20th century. Born in Lucerne, Switzerland, Balthasar studied philosophy and German literature at the universities of Zurich, Vienna, and Berlin, joined the Society of Jesus and studied under Henri de Lubac, who inspired him on the love of the Fathers of the Church, resulting in his important studies of Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, and Maximus the Confessor (Cosmic Liturgy, 1941.) This period was marked by his long commitment to the work of translation, that started with selections from Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, and Augustine.

Translator:
Rowan Greer, who wrote the exhaustive introduction, a key to enjoying Origen's spiritual books, is Professor of Anglican Studies, Yale University Divinity School. An expert on early church life and thought, he wrote many books on the subject, including: Broken Lights and Mended Lives:Theology and Common Life in the Early Church, The Captain of Our Salvation:A Patristic Exegesis of Hebrews; The Sermon on the Mount.

This is absolutely one of the most beautiful cookbooks I have ever had the pleasure to add to my library. It could as easily be presented as a travelogue with recipes, as it contains sections for all of the Pacific Northwest; Vancouver and British Columbia, the Islands, Washington, Oregon and Idaho...and is so informative and full of images, I want to go there right now. I vacillate between wanting to visit the restaurants where some of the recipes originated, and wanting to take a stab at making them myself; and the pictures of the finished products make me want to eat the page. All recipes are complete with a history of the dish and concise and readable instructions, and most, if not all, look quite easy to replicate. There are some that include ingredients that would be hard to find (Yelloweye Rockfish and Singing Scallops comes to mind) but I'm sure other (lesser in the eyes of Pacific Northwest natives, I'm sure) variations would work as well for the dish. I am looking forward to trying Geoduck and Green Onion Hash; Wild Mushroom Ragout; Basque Onions in Sour Cream; Peppered Flank Steak with Oregon Blue Cheese Sauce; Stout Braised Beef with Onions and Sour Cream; and the Baked Blueberry Clafouti looks divine. There isn't a page that doesn't suck you in and you realize that your mouth is watering as you read. If you can obtain a copy of this cookbook (a caveat; it is a coffee table sized book), it will satisfy both your yen to read about the Pacific Northwest as an eventual destination and excite your imagination towards creating some outstanding dishes for your next dinner party. Highly recommended.

I am looking for a copy. Can anyone help? Harriet

Please contact me at either : hiltonpu@fedsure.co.za . . . or P O Box 371, Noordhoek, 7975, South Africa Many thanks!

Of all my cook books, this is my favorite. The beautiful illustrations are a plus along with the truly unique recipes. It's such a beautiful book I leave it on my coffe table for my friends to look through and comment. As much as I like experimenting with different styles of cooking, I seem to always return to this book. It truly represents the unique style of cooking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest!

This cookbook is magnificent! With breathtaking photography,stellar production values and innovative recipes which emphasize the unique bounty of the Pacific Northwest, what more could anyone ask for in a cookbook? Grab your own copy to use and treasure forever!

Patton's Third Army was made up of many great units, but few are as well known or as famous as the 4th Armored Division. This book provides a great account of the 4th's major actions (and there were many) during WWII. It also provides a great portrait of the men and officers who did the fighting.

I bought this book solely for the purpose of researching the battle at Singling and was very pleasantly surprised at the overall wealth of detail throughout the book. If you have an interest in tactical details this would probably be a good choice for you. Good pictures and maps as well.

I am 32 and most books I have read about WWII have been overviews or concern a specific theatre or action. This is the 1st book I have read so specific within the subject. I found it to be somewhat easy to read and follow overall. Certain chapter descriptions I could easily make a mental picture of the battle. Some of it was overwhelming in detail, which is probably what some of the soldiers thought of the war. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in military history and especially the ETO. Would definitely read the next book by the same author. Thank you Mr. Fox

The problem with most World War II books is that you are given overviews and opinions. This book is highly detailed and gives the blow by blow descriptions of specific battles. It is excellently researched and backed up by personal accounts of General Al Irzyk, Colonel James Leach and others.
I felt like I was there in my own Sherman tank and it is a must read for someone who craves small unit and company action.

Every few years a book comes along that is truly impressive and this book is one of them. The author has written an excellent account of an armored division at war. It is very easy to read and understand and he is very descriptive of the battles and movement of the 4th Armored Division. The author talks about the big picture to help the reader understand why the division attacked in certain directions. He also peppers each chapter with small unit actions that conveys the terror and triumphs the men of the division experienced. The chapter on the relief of General Wood was well written and thought out. The author avoids trying to lay blame at one person's feet, but tries to show how certain factors (from COL Withers incompent handling of CCA to Wood's arguments with his corps commander, Eddy) may have lead to Wood's dismissal from command of his beloved division. The only "flaw" if you can call it that is at the beginning of each section he includes a map of the area of operations the chapter is describing. What would have been helpful would have been if the author showed the routes of CCA, CCB and CCR along with what units were on the flanks. It would have helped follow the action a little better. Nonetheless this book is worth every penny and If the author decides to write another book on "Patton's Best" I will be first in line to buy it.

The question is, were the Marlow brother outlaws? This is a fast moving western packed with action. "Sons of Katy Elder," John Wayne's movie was good and so is this story. It did not really answer the question for me. I am sure the Wallaces and the Marlows tell very different stories. By Ruth Thompson author of "The Bluegrass Dream" and "Natchez Above The River"

Writing as a Small BusinessQualifying Laps: A Brewster County NovelTravelersSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelThe Bluegrass Dream: A Wilderness Adventure of Early SettlersNatchez Above The River: A Family's Survival In The Civil War

Charley Marlow was my great great grandpa! This book accurately follows the record that I have heard and read. Alan Huffines has brought the characters of my family's past into focus. What a great read! Factual. Mr. Huffines brings 1880s Texas out of the past and into clear view. I really enjoyed this read!

I am a Wallace. Sheriff Wallace was my great great grandpa.

Our family has a different version of this story. That being said, this is a well written book. I enjoyed it a lot.

This story was already made into a movie by Hollywood.

"the Sons of Katie Elder" was based on this incident, but altered and given the "Hollywood treatment". This book is far far closer to the reality.

There are always 3 sides to every story, who knows where the truth really lies. I'm just glad that no matter who's story you believe, Sheriff Wallace is agreed to have been a good guy. But, I can tell you, the Wallace family firmly believes the Marlowes were outlaws

Jailed for a crime they did not commit. Fought off a lynch mob from inside the jail. Ambushed while being transported to a safe location, the shackled Marlow brothers amazingingly defeat their assailants! And it all REALLY HAPPENED in Graham, Texas in the 1880s.

A Pilgrim Shadow is the historical version of the incredible story that was the basis for the John Wayne movie: The Sons of Katy Elder. Definately in the "truth is stranger than fiction" category, this tale of the Marlow brothers eclipses the movie version. The author brings the Marlow family to life in a fast-moving, ruddy, authentic form complete with simple language and forgotten images of actual events. As true as possible to the historical record found in the Young County Archives, this novel tells a story that needs to be told. When immersed in the text, the words leap off the page and conjure sounds, accents, and images of 1880s Texas as the reader is transported to the creaky sherriff's office, cold jail cell, smokey bar room, and lonely farmhouse with the Marlow's and the real people they encounter.

I was especially moved by the simple, honest nature of the Marlow family, trusting the local law officers to keep them safe in jail while their mother worked on getting thier names cleared. Meanwhile some of them were plotting against these migrant farmers as scapegoats to appease a rougher, more complex crowd of lawyers and cattle barons. It is a stunning contrast.

Another noteworthy detail is that the white Marlow brothers worked for an Indian rancher for a while. Strange, but true. One of many paradigm-breakers in this fine book.

A MUST READ for Old West enthusiasts who want to read about the TRUE west- not some glamorized dime-novel. Written in a style that rivals McMurtry, this is the West as it really was- showcased in a true story that makes the book a real midnight-oil page-turner!

"A Pilgrim Shadow" is a tale told with an economy of words that conveys more character and story development in single brushstrokes than many authors achieve in entire chapters. Like A. B. Guthrie, Jr. in such novels as "The Big Sky" and "The Way West," Alan Huffines tells his story of the persecuted Marlow brothers in the jargon of the time---even in his narration of the events. This gives the book its salty edge. It is a remarkable first novel, and one that merits a wide readership.
The author's treatment of violence is free of the gratuitous, sensational gore that passes so frequently for art these days. He gets to the point, and moves on, without wallowing in pools of blood like so many authors. Indeed, less is more; and "A Pilgrim Shadow," by its very sharp-as-nails brevity and force, will linger in the mind longer than so many novels six to eight times its size.

Not that more to say than the title... This book contains many great photos made by a master, and the print quality makes justice to them (well, to confirm another review, there is one image that went too far on the reds, and has a deceptive burnt look - while many are great, and the splitND use is far more unobtrusive than Rowell's eg, with due respect ;o).
Page layout is more conservative than in other Muench books I have (I think to Primal Forces, great images but layout on the kitsch side), and that suits me well.

Besides the several landscape books from Muench, I have collected quite a few other landscape books from other famous photographers. By far, this is the one I like most (together with one by Apse called "New Zealand Landscape"). The photos in the book fully demonstrate that one can always breathe new life to old scenes with enough skill, perception and perseverence.

This is the first David Muench book that i've purchased and because of the beautiful photos inside it will not be my last.

This is a gorgeous book of southwest photographs. It has many examples of how to take great photographs. An interesting feature is the photographers comments about each photograph, found in the back of the book. There are only a few flaws in my humble view. Some of the photographs were printed with very exagerated color saturation. This is painful in some cases. Another problem is Mr. Muench's use of a split density magenta filter for several of the photographs. He tries to give the scenes a warm glow but the magenta color looks totally fake, especially when one sees it only across the top of the photograph. Please throw that split density magenta filter away and let the southwest present its beauty naturally. Still a great and valuable book to own.

This book offers a breathtaking view of the Colorado plateau. The full-page color photos are so incredibly vivid they almost jump off the page. It really makes you feel like you are there.

You get a look at towering mountains & magnificent nature made stone sculptures. Cascading waterfalls, meandering steams, peaceful snowscapes, brilliant autumn leaves, beautiful flowers & endless skies take your breath away.

Muench is a master at capturing detail and light, and this setting shows off his talent to the maximum. A narrative by James Lawrence provides a history of the area and conveys the feelings inspired by this natural wonderland.

Some images have small quotes & poems under them. In the back, each photo is shown in miniature with comments from photographer and technical details. This book provides a beautiful world to get lost in.

This book presents a great selection of Popper's writings, a real a crash course on the thinking of one of the greatest philosophers of science of the 20th century. The book also presents his work regarding social and political philosophy. As almost any text dealing with philosophy, a calm and slow reading is absolutely required to fully grasp Popper's ideas, especially if you are a layman like me. I mean, this is not the kind of page-turner you can read entirely during a flight. This collection allows you to learn about Popper's legacy without the burden of reading his whole work, which I guess is almost reserved for scholars and students of philosophy.

I particularly enjoyed his ideas regarding the philosophy of science and scientific progress, specifically his critical rationalism and the concept of falsifiability (meaning that a hypothesis must be falsifiable and that a proposition or theory cannot be called scientific if it does not admit the possibility of being shown false). I highly recommend this book for those with a serious interest in the evolution of science and the scientific method. A worthy follow up to Sir Karl's views on science would be Thomas S. Kuhn's "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" (1962). Tough many ideas between these two philosophers of science are similar, Kuhn, in his book "The Essential Tension: Selected Studies in Scientific Tradition and Change" (1977), presents an interesting discussion in Chapter 11 (Logic of Discovery or Psychology of Research) about the disagreements between his views and Popper's regarding scientific development.

By the way, Popper's ideas come very handy and this book is a must-read for those with a genuine interest in the trustworthiness of science behind the current "Consensus Theory" explaining the causes of Global Warming. You can bet that in a few years the way most climate scientists are handling simulation modeling, making predictions with an immature science, with selective interpretation of weather data will become a textbook case of politicized science, together with complete disregard for the most basic principles of the scientific method, including the fact that no criticism is allowed. As Popper said:

"If we are uncritical we shall always find what we want: we shall look for, and find, confirmations, and we shall look away from, and not see, whatever might be dangerous to our pet theories. In this way it is only too easy to obtain what appears to be overwhelming evidence in favor of a theory which, if approached critically, would have been refuted". The Poverty of Historicism (1957).

This book came to me quickly and efficiently. Its contents were in terrific condition and I feel that Amazon.com did a great job at satisfying my expectations.

Brilliant, clearly written, and wonderfully brief essays that span the life works of Karl Popper, organized into four parts: Theory of Knowledge, Philosophy of Science, Metaphysics, and Social Philosophy.

Perhaps best known for his 'Open Society and Its Enemies' (written during WWII while in New Zealand), Popper is clearly an advocate of open and free debate in all academic disciplines. Against solving irrelevant 'puzzles of language' - a habit of philosophers and Ludwig Wittgenstein in particular (Read book on this: 'Wittgenstein's Poker') - Popper is most concerned with solving real world 'problems' that impact human life. 'Our ignorance is sobering and boundless' he suggests but, together, through open-ness we can move toward finding ever-adjusting solutions for a better world.

Like other survivors of WWII (e.g. Isaiah Berlin), Popper is especially concerned with those who advocate 100% solutions to society's woes. One of our clearest advocates of the lessons of the Ancient Greeks, Popper tells us: The 'tradition of critical discussion' was the secret of the ancients. This tradition leads us to the realization that our attempts to find 'truth' are never final; and that criticism and critical discussion are our only means of getting nearer to the truth.

For those interested in: 1) Clear-headed discussions on science and philosophy, and 2) Hearing from a strong advocate of freedom and the 'western tradition' read this book. And bring a pencil.

Popper's favorite philosophers are the pre-Socratics. He celebrates them for their willingness to entertain/invite/encourage alternative points of view. The pre-Socratics sought to explain the universe ( a goal modern philososphy/science has lost sight of) but no one theory was viewed as absolute, rather each theory was viewed as a proposition that could then be honed/improved/altered by further argument/inquiry. This spirit of inquiry begins to vanish around the time of Plato and Aristotle for their teachings begin to be passed down not as theories that can be improved upon (modified or dismissed) but as knowledge. For Popper reverence for "great men" and "great ideas" only stands in the way of pluralism and progress.

Poppers method is to identify the mistakes made by the "great men" and therefore clear the way for further inquiry. Of all the western philosphers Plato receives the most attention. Popper finds much to admire in Plato but also much that needs amending. In an essay on "subjective" and "objective" knowledge Popper evolves his idea of a third "world" of knowledge. This autonomous third world of knowledge is reminiscent of Plato's theory of ideal forms with one essential difference. For Popper all knowledge is man made and so his third world of knowledge contains not ideals(in Popper's world ideals do not exist) but "problem situations" -- the state of a discussion or the state of a critical argument at the present time and these "states" make up the "objective contents of thought".

In the world according to Popper thought ( in the philosophic and scientific realms) evolves because a variety of thinkers make a variety of creative propositions that are then examined and found to be true or false. Popper calls this method "critical rationalism".

In each of these essays Popper addresses a key philosophic issue and discusses it with his signature grace, eloquence and humor. His contribution to social theory seems especially significant and on this topic he is especially eloquent. Being no great believer in the great man theory of history and knowing full well that all of mans ideas as well as social theories are riddled with mistakes Popper thinks the best way to advance socially is in a piecemeal fashion. This limits the harm any one man or theory or institution can do. For Popper society like philosophy and knowledge is the result of an ever renewed inquiry.

This is clearsighted and jargon free writing and these are model essays!

Warning: I am highly biased, as Karl Popper is one of my most influential "mentors." As time passes, his wisdom increases, and his value as an original thinker becomes more, not less, vivid -- even if many of his "controversial" ideas in the Thirties are now considered normative.

Popper's collected essays, derived from class lectures, offers a broad introduction to the work of this seminal philosophy. These essays cover scientism, the scientific method, the scientific attitude, nominalism, historicism, democracy, falsification principle, evolutionary thought and applications, rationality, epistemology, and more.

While heralded as the scientists' philosopher of science, Popper's thought is not so provincial. His brevity and clarity of analysis are brought to bear on many subjects, practical and theoretical. His perspicacity and directness leave no room for ambiguity. The one philosophical topic not addressed in this representative volume is ethics.

Popper's central theme, of course, is science and how the scientific attitude and method fundamentally change our modern perceptions. While no longer controversial, indeed his thought has become commonsense, he, alone of the Vienna Circle, survived intact decades later. Because of the clarity, incisiveness, and rectitude of his claims, I purposefully return to him every five or so years to get "grounded" again.

One doesn't experience "eurkea" with Popper, one simply becomes reacquainted with basic knowledge and a few first principles. Perhaps a few "tweaks" occur, but Popper is more of an anchor than a revolutionary. Even his "defense" of science comes with numerous caveats. Given the topsy-turvy intellegensia stirring up the pot with new "-isms," it's useful to have a "home" to come back to. Because his commonsense prevails, his controversial stances several decades ago, while not quite platitudes now, are "defaults" that have withstood the strongest assaults. I cannot think of another major thinker who has withstood time and challenges better.

A couple of examples of Popper's gems: Democracy is not the best form of government; rather, it is the best form for excising bad government (this novel insight, a Popper first, is repeated by many subsequent political theorists, e.g., Ian Shapiro, Michael Walzer, John Rawls, etc.). An "open society" is more important, but this preeminent value requires the "background" of democracy. Central planning by governments should be confined to the margins, tinkering with changes that can be reversed before bad policy and unintended consequences become ensconced. If useful, then begin the reach. His skepticism does not permit purchase of any ideology. All historicisms are fortune-telling religious dogma, erroneously believing the past predicts the future, or that "inevitability" resides with the forces of History. Humans exist in an "open" environment, while science's predictability requires a "closed" environment; ergo, all "human sciences" are at best informed or educated guesses. Their ability to predict is next to nil.

Again, these Popperean gems may no longer be earth-shaking insights, but they once were, and the repitition of these claims is welcome against the ever-advancing onslaught of new "-isms." Popper's innately skeptical stances are a constant reminder that our fantasies can become our nightmares. This is most evident with science, where Popper insists that all knowledge, even scientific knowledge, is "tentative" at best. It's not just its verification, but ultimately its falsification, that requires this tentative stance. And, just because "science can," does not mean "science should:" Technology must "be harnassed."

An encounter with Popper leaves one speechless. Contentious by nature, I try to find loopholes in his claims; Popper does not leave many, if any. I'm still puzzled by his appeal to nominalism, but I cannot fault his logic. His thought experiment with tripartite worlds (not "universes") of the empirical, the conscious, and their overlap, is one of the best examples of Occam's Razor. But above all, Popper is as accessible as he is grounded. His clarity, brevity, and incisiveness are not common to philosophers, and thus, all the more welcome. He may not change your life, but he will provide a needed grounding for further venture!

As a fellow native of Kansas City, I see Ms. Fertig's work everywhere- in newspapers, in bookstores, and on television. And like other Midwesterners, I admire her efforts to give our regional cooking the status it deserves. This book eliminates any doubts about the quality of Midwestern cooking. It has been a huge success locally, and the nationwide attention it is receiving is equally justified. Ms. Fertig mixes ethnic dishes such as Bratwurst with Caramelized Onion and Apples with modern classics like Vegetable Garden Pot Roast to yield a truly well-rounded image of the Midwestern culinary tradition. For those skeptics out there, one bite of the heavenly Blue Cheese and Toasted Pecan Spread will convert you! I've had the pleasure of attending some of Ms. Fertig's cooking classes, and her penchant for humor and storytelling are clearly reflected in her book. I strongly recommend it for any avid cooks who wish to get in touch with their roots. This is the epitome comfort food.

I got on to this cookbook through a friend who is also mad keen on Laura Ingalls wilder - (I love those books and have the little house cookbook. At first I thought this book would be more of the same - but this is so much more! Unrestrained by the limitations of Ma's cooking and other things described in the little house books - this is a wealth of heartland home cooking which is presented extremely well also.

This isn't a fancy book - there are no styled photos of steamy puddings and roasts - but rather it is simply presented with recipes following one another and illustrated with very tasteful line drawings where appropriate

The books presentation I really liked overall - (I thought I would say this quickly - while I love my lush Nigella-style books - I do like the simpler ones when they are done well.

The beauty of this book is it is all recipes and handy information about the cooking itself. The availability of items - the cooking of what was around (ie chokeberries etc) and some wonderful tips such as how to make your own sourdough starter - some excellent tips on how to do chicken and old fashioned pickles etc which you just don't see around much these days (watermelon rind!)

It is a good sized book, and for someone who lives in New Zealand, I found it stacked full of things which I wouldn't normally cook as we have an almost entirely indigenous and British heritage - there is little influence in our culture of the Scandanavian for instance which seems to be very strongly prevalent in the reipces. I say this because it might be that Mid West America still does many of these tasty recipes - but for me the delicious mixture of old fashioned recipes and exotic mixtures were fascinating

This book is definitely at the most accesible part of my cooking shelf and is thumbed through a lot.

Prairie Home Cooking is the kind of cookbook you curl up and read with before ever entering the kitchen. Wonderfully written, it interweaves heartland history with beloved recipes. Growing up in the country, this cookbook took me back to simpler times and the comforts of food made with love. As I plan my move back to the prairie and grow my own food, this book will serve as my never-ending reference and companion. The Blue-Ribbon Brownies recipe (page 373) will make you the most popular baker around! My ancestors, being German, probably made many of the recipes in this cookbook. I am honored to replicate them. Prairie Home Cooking is my very favorie cookbook. A huge variety of recipes- something for everyone!

Judith M. Fertig's "Prairie Home Cooking" is a wonderful compendium of heartland recipes that will make you feel like a modern-day Laura Ingalls Wilder in the kitchen. It is the kind of book you want to sit down and devour while sitting on the couch, drinking a cup of tea and nibbling at a homemade oatmeal cookie.

The recipes are wide-ranging, taking their cue from the many immigrants who settled the American west and midwest. There are many German and Scandinavian recipes here, which is in keeping with the immigration percentages, but there are lots of Native American, Russian, Italian, and other "flavors" in the mix as well.

Sara Love's superb illustrations deserve special mention. These block print pictures lend such a homey, heartland atmosphere to the book and complement Fertig's comfortable-as-old-slippers voice beautifully. This book is a treasure!

I gave this cookbook as a Christmas present to a very good German friend of mine who loves to cook and we had fun noticing the similarities between the recipes in the book and the traditional recipes of Germany.