Georgia Books

I laughed until my sides hurt. Sex, Dead Dogs, And Me is thick with outstanding humor. It has it all. Ed writes about extremely funny stories from his youth such as good and bad kisses, workman's compensation for jock itch, the vapors, and the adultery business. If you love to laugh, you'll want this book for your collection. You get a truly all encompassing, across the board variety of wit.

My favorite is Ed's classic tale of stink perfume. It reminds me of my own prank-filled youth. I have read a lot of humorous books, and this ranks among the very best. Ed's writing style brings the stories to life. It was easy to visualize the characters and get attached to them. Fresh, entertaining and comical, I highly recommend it.

I will have to make one correction however. A Canadian girl's lips kiss better. Perhaps one day Ed will get to test that theory.

Linda Oness

The factual, earthy antics of Ed Williams and his buddies growing up in the South make for hilarious reading. Those who were lucky enough not to be targets for their hijinks can consider themselves very fortunate!

it was a great attempt for an unknown. After reading the reviews, I ordered this book. A few of the chapters were good but on the whole it was a disappointment. I could not recommend this book without feeling guilty.

This book was recommended to me by a friend at the university. I had a hard time finding it in the bookstores, so I ordered it here. I have never laughed as hard in my life (my roommate threatened to make me leave our room, then she read it and laughed more than I did). Ed, should you ever come to Oxford, let me know. Maybe we could do something that might inspire a chapter in one of your future books, you southern devil, you!

The funniest book I've ever read. Can't read it at night because I keep my wife awake laughing. At last my search for great Southern humor is ended as long as Ed Williams keeps putting out this kind of quality writing. He is good ... very good! Guess I'm gonna change from Grizzard's Sprayberry BBQ to Ed's Nu Way hot dogs .... that ain't all bad 'cause Lewis did before he left us. Don't miss a real treat. Try Sex, Dead Dogs, & Me for an antidote for the dreadfully dull political babble which we are about to experience for the next few months.

I thought the premise of this book seemed a bit silly but decided to try it based on the exceptionally good reviews. I hereby thank the previous reviewers! I also thank Jack Warner for such an outstanding and original thriller--I think I'll remember this one for a long time.

I did not think I would like a book about a tiger loose in Georgia. Boy, was I wrong. This story sucks you in and you want to keep reading.

A year or so ago the SciFi Channel made a pathetic movie that was obviously based on this book. But as bad as the movie was, the book is great.

I would advise anyone who likes high suspense and action to read this book.

The people in Jack Warner's book are not only believable, but something even more exciting; they are southern characters not steeped in stereotype. The sheriff is skillful, astute and unpretentious. The people have an identifiable heritage without being all that different from myself and my neighbors.

Each development is unpredictable at the same time it feels inevitable in the flow of the story. An author who weaves a wonderful tale at the same time he seems to point out that this age of information more than ever needs an awareness of and respect for wisdom. Such an unusually discerning novel is amazingly not ponderous but as quietly powerful as the animal it introduces to us.

This book had it all: originality, great characters and a thrilling plotline. I couldn't put it down! A great book to take to the beach this summer(although I'm not sure I'd bring it camping).

Jack Warner is a master storyteller.

I've been privileged to enjoy Warner's work for more than 20 years, from his days as a wire-service deskman to newspaper reporter to his station in life now as a novelist. He is one of the finest writers I've encountered. He doesn't waste words or mince them; he can tell you more in two sentences than most writers can in 20. His writing is elegant and illuminating and never flabby. He is effusively efficient.

After only a few pages of "Shikar" you will feel the man-eating tiger's yellow, glowing eyes stalking you. You will also feel a strong reluctance to put the book down. You might also never look at a walk in the woods the same way again.

This is a heart-stopping thriller but also a sweet story about a noble old man and an innocent young boy with more in common than one might imagine. These are characters with hearts and souls.

My wish is that Jack Warner writes faster. I can't wait for his next book.

Adoption is supposed to be an act of goodness, but there are those who would corrupt it. "The Baby Thief: The Untold Story of Georgia Tann, The Baby Seller Who Corrupted Adoption" tells of Memphis-based black market baby merchant Georgia Tann, who operated from the 1920's to the 1950's conning mothers out of their children or just out and out kidnapping them, only to turn around and sell them to the wealthy to claim as their own. Her orphanage was applauded in spite of its horrifically high death rate. She habitually hid adoption records, a practice that has unfortunately become standardized in today's adoption industry. An expose of a dark individual who treated babies worse than cattle, "The Baby Thief" reveals why, despite its more stringent modern regulations, modern adoption needs to rethink some of its practices (such as sealing records). Highly recommended.

This book exposes the history of adoption in the United States, particularly its corrupt underside. The book addresses four themes:

1. Changes in attitudes about adoption, as well as adoption laws, in the past 100 years.

2. Corruption in adoption, embodied in "The Baby Thief," Georgia Tann. This includes the long-term impact on her victims.

3. Georgia Tann's long-term impact on society as a whole, including her lasting impact on today's adoption laws.

4. A call to revise adoption laws.

It's an engaging read, but loses a star for several instances of repetitive information.

Definitely recommended.

Georgia Tann ran an adoption agency from the 1920s until the 1950s. Supported by a corrupt government, she stole children from poor Memphians and sold them across the country to wealthy families. She ignored background checks and rated people by the amount of money they could pay her. As a result, children were torn from their mothers arms, sometimes right after their births, and many were placed in abusive families. Some tricked mothers never saw their children again. Raymond has a personal interest in the story as an adoptive mother herself, and her enthusiasm makes for a quick read. Her interviews with people who knew Tann and the people affected by her shady practices are excellent additions.

Raymond does a good job of getting at as much information as she can, and this book is well researched. However, I would have liked to know a bit more about the celebrity cases involved. Christina Crawford is perhaps the most famous Georgia Tann adoptee; why wasn't she discussed? Was she stolen from her birth parents? Pamela Powell is also mentioned; Dick Powell threatened to fight if her birth parents tried to reclaim her. Whatever happened to that case?

Overall, this is a good read and not just for people with a specific interest in adoption.

Excellent recollection of a horrible, horrible time in our so-called Democratic Society. I appreciate the efforts of the author and all who helped her. I wish Steven Speilberg would turn this into one of his epics. His Holocaust movie set in motion positive reactions, respect and awareness. Let's hope he can bring this to fruition. But more importantly-the research presented here and the stories told should affect our Elected Officials and our Supreme Court....they should OPEN ALL THE RECORDS sealed because of the manipulation of a criminal, evil woman and her corrupt support system. As an adoptee I want to know who I am-it is my constitutional right to know. To quote Alex Haley:"In all of us there is a hunger, marrow deep, to know our heritage, to know who we are, and where we have come from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning; no matter what our attainments in life, there is the most disquieting loneliness." Alex Haley Thank you again Barbara-Bravo

A couple of years ago I watched a docudrama on A & E starring Mary Tyler Moore as the depraved monster Georgia Tann. When I searched for a book written about Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children's Home Society, I found this one and read it in two days. It was riveting, thought-provoking, and heartbreaking. What a shame that her lies were not exposed years earlier when more of her victims may have had the opportunity to reunite with their loved ones. She and her cronies destroyed countless lives with their deceitful practices, and I hope that this book will create an awareness of people who prey on others so that history can never repeat itself in this way.

I love this book!! comfort food at it's finest...the grit gravy and the grit tofu are just amazing.

This cookbook is absolutely fantastic! I used to live in Athens, Ga and this cookbook gives the recipe for my old favorites at the real restaurant, The Grit! I could NOT be happier- as a beginning vegetarian, this book is priceless because it helps prove that as a vegetarian you do not have to miss out on great tastes, new great tastes are DEFINATELY out there!

The publishers ought to be giving me a commission as I have turned so many people on to this cookbook! Seriously, it has fantastic recipes, including the best pancakes I have ever made....the nutritional yeast gravy and the golden bowl are to die for...the stews with Guinness beer rock....the cilantro and pesto quesadillas are always a hit....yum......

My son bought me this book for Mother's Day. He told me to bookmark the book I wanted. I didn't, but had left the page up with the Grit Cookbook on it and left the room. I had wanted another cookbook, looking forward to receiving the other cookbook, and to my surprise, received this book instead. What a wonderful accident. I have enjoyed reading the book. It's so fun; it makes you want to visit the Grit. I have, also, enjoyed the recipes. So far, we have tried the salsa, famous vegan ranch dressing, tabouli, spinach and lentil soup, and my husband's two favorites: cream of tomato soup and mock cream of chicken soup. Everything has been excellent! Thank you son for such a wonderful surprise!!

I never been to the restaurant before but from this book I can imagine their food is great. Its full of interesting, tasting, and quality recipes. Also these recipes are made to feed large families which is good with me because I have one. My absoultey favorite recipe is the BBQ Tofu Sandwiches oh my goodness it is the best bbq sauce I have ever made and the ingredients are so simple(I must note this recipe calls for honey but I use agave and it is still good). I must add that this book is not 100% vegan some of the recipes call for cheese, butter and milk but that can be easily substituted with its vegan counterpart. All of the vegan recipes have a little V by them to make them recognizable on site. So if you are looking for good vegan food for a big family, then check this book out.

This is an amazing book that really brings a tear to your eye. I definitely recommend it, it is moving and honest in a way that is not often found these days.

The pictures are great. I love how the author captured the society and different personalities of the cats. However, I was disappointed that the writer didn't get around to explaining whether the cats were neutered/spayed until the end of the book. There were references to the old tom cat, beat up. Why didn't they get him neutered? Or the momma who had more than one litter. I don't know when this was written, but it is standard practice now with feral colonies to trap/neuter/release on a regular basis to manage the colony and keep everyone healthy.

I'm so glad I ordered this calendar, I couldn't beleave it was on my dorrstep the next day, it was like they new I was going to order it and sent it in advance, amazing. The calendar is so preciouse with all the pictures of street living cats, but the real jewl in this is the stoy the photographer shares on who these felines are, where they live, how he came to know them and take tell their stories. It makes one want to go out and take pictures of forgotten community of homeless and stray animals. It's a work of Heart.

A stark account of the lives of urban feral cats. The book may leave you sad and angry, but the black and white photos are precious, and you will run to give your own sweet, safe, healthy kitty an extra hug. I bought it for a fellow cat friend.

Photographer Knox and freelance writer Sara Neeley have teamed up to produce a stunning, poignant photo essay highlighting the beauty of the hidden world of alley cats. Knox, well known for his gritty urban photojournalism, was inspired to photograph the feral survivors he encountered in his work. He soon uncovered a complex underground family structure of cats surviving the clash between nature and modern civilization. The authors readily acknowledge that this book shows only a sunny glimpse at the brutal life of street cats (for "who would buy a book that accurately showed the suffering" they endure?), but their purpose is to document this world and inspire citizens to make small changes, including spaying and neutering both domestic and feral animals.

While I appreciate the sentiments of Mr. Block and Mr. Delgado, it doesn't speak to me about the reason I should purchase Doors. I happen to have a copy of the book and I think it is very good. The story is about a boy, Derrick, who was constantly being teased in school by a schoolyard bully. Derrick relayed this to his mother, who then teaches him a very positive technique/skill for handling the way he feels. She teaches him how to use his mind to visualize the best places he likes to visit. She helps him to compartmentalize these places and selectively put them behind "Doors." Each door has a name. While the bully and his friends are teasing Derrick, he drifts off to a place where they cannot affect him. He teaches this coping skill to a homeless boy in Kenya, Africa. Derrick's mother helps him write to the boy, Quami, and they send him items to help him survive. Quami then creates his own door and includes Derrick behind his door. It's a great premise and a positive tool for children and adults.

Ditto to Ray's comments about the author. She is an impressive lady and Doors is an impressive book. I just picked up 10 copies from the lulu site...Christmas gifts for all the children in my family. Their parents will appreciate me finally getting them something educational, and fun at the same time. I've known the author for about 17 years. She's one of the most striking and well-put together woman in thought, appearance, and direction. Doors is great. I've had an advance reading of the second book, "Children of Ocha," which is wickedly funny and really good too.

Always in your corner, L.

It was obvious to me how passionate the author is about children. Doors give us a clue. I happen to know some other things about the author as well, like the fact that she leads an organization for children, she's a lyricist, and has written a good number of songs. She wrote Doors because she loves children...the message is clear in the story. I love this woman! I love her creativity! After knowing her for more than 15 years, I hope she'll do me the honor. Doors is a must have book!
--Ray

Before I comment about the book,its really important to talk about the author...Georgia is one of my good friends...n I have seen her taking efforts for this book...making and publishing of this book.The idea of using sketches in the book was fantastic which challenges us to imagine the scene and sequence....the characters in the book they actully talk to us....and I think this the thing which diffrerentiates Doors from others.This is not an advisory book but also challanges reader to think and decide....I expect alot more from Georgia now...some quality stuff like.....DOORS...

Derrick, a student, was being teased by the not so nice Sam. He came home sad. His mommy told him a story about The Doors. The Doors stored the things he wanted and didn't want and it helped him to deal with the teasing.

One day while Derrick and his parents were watching TV he saw that children in Africa were hungry. Derrick felt sad and wanted to help. He and his mother started sending food, clothes, money and Derrick included letters addressed to Quami, a five-year old he saw on the show. He told him all about The Doors.

Even though the bullying continued, Derrick sat quietly on the school bus knowing that The Doors would help him.

It was a good story a little sad too but we liked it.



Reviewed by:Marshae-age 10
Marquis-age 6

This is an ok effort by Ms. Goldstein but unfortunately the recipes don't quite result in the amazing flavors that Georgian cuisine is known for. Perhaps it is Ms. Goldstein's substitutions of less authentic ingredients as some ingredients in the "real" dish are hard to find. Perhaps it is something else. (Her "adjika" is REALLY bad/wrong for instance....)

OK book if you want an idea of what Georgian cuisine is like. Not good if you REALLY want the real thing...

This is a marvelous, utterly authentic encyclopedia of Georgian cooking. I tried some of the recipes before leaving for Georgia in summer 2006, and they were great, and gave me a good idea of what to expect. Once in Georgia, the book was an invaluable reference that I constantly turned to whenever I tried something new. Just about *everything* I had is in here, along with many things I didn't get around to sampling.

This book also helped me learn the correct Georgian names for the dishes and many of the ingredients. A significant portion of the book is devoted to providing cultural background on Georgia and Georgian food, such the elaborate rules for a _tamada_, or Georgian toastmaster. With its charming photos of representative paintings scattered generously throughout its pages, it also made me a Pirosmani fan, and better able to appreciate the originals when I saw them for myself.

Most importantly, as the other reviewers say, the recipes *work*. We just made the potato salad with walnut paste (p. 172), and it was delectable. Other dishes we have tried and like include tomato soup with walnuts and vermicelli (p. 73) and green beans with egg (p. 130). Pkhali was one of my favorite dishes in Georgia, and I'm glad to have the recipe for when I get around to making it myself. There is a recipe for beets with cherry sauce, a dish a travel companion had tried but that even some of our Georgian hosts weren't familiar with. For the few recipes that seem to be missing from this book, like eggplant with walnut paste, try Please to the Table: The Russian Cookbook, another excellent collection of delicious recipes from all the former Soviet republics.

_The Georgian Feast_ is well worth having even if you don't eat meat - many of the recipes are completely vegetarian. This book is a real treasure.

I've already written a review of this great book. I have only one suggestion: the basic khmeli suneli recipe can be augmented further to reach the authentic smell and taste. The wikipedia article on khmeli suneli has additional ingredients that can be added to the recipe. I tried that, about 2 teaspoons of each ingredient that's not already in Darra's recipe (less for black and chili pepper), and it came closer to the authentic smell and taste. I think the author of the wikipedia article might have meant safflower (marigold) instead of saffron though, so I didn't add that.

I gave this book to a Georgian and she loved it. It had all the dishes she had eatten as a child. If your looking for a book to fill in any missing recipes this is the book for you.

As someone who was born and grew up in Tbilisi, I was very happy to find this book -- it captures all of my favorite recipes, and when I prepare them according to this book, they taste just like my grandma's cooking.

More than just a recipe book, this is also an exploration into the rich history and culture of Georgia, and how the history shaped the cuisine. I suggest this book to everyone who would like to add some interesting preparations to their cooking. For vegetarians, Georgians have plenty of healthful and filling ways to prepare veggies and beans, and also some mouth watering sauces that will enliven any dish (veg or not).

I enjoy this book both as a cook book, and as a historical book!

I have had a lot of fun with this book as I have passed it on to members of my family and we have enjoyed the wisdom of the answers..After all who doesn't want to know what route a heart will take...Thanks for the fun Ms. Routsis Savas...Dina Keriazes

I truly enjoyed the book and found it exremely helpful in making some life altering decisions that I probably would not have been couragous enough to make had I not read this very inspiring book. It was given to me by a true friend and will always remain a special gift.

I used the Love Oracle to answer a few questions about my love life and it was right on the money. My Valentines Day turned out great -- exactly like it said it would.
And I'm looking forward to the new adventures it predicted!

With old-timey fortune teller-ish illustrations, one feels inspired to open the mind and listen to what the heart reveals. It seems simple yet The Oracle of Love is a tool to help bring you back to yourself. Pay attention and stay open. A warning though, you might not always like the answer!

I like the book because is full of positive messages in every circunstance whether you answer is yes or no, it's all good is a good conversation piece and lot's of fun.

Pomerantz hit the high water mark of urban histories by providing an intimate picture of the emergence of the South's premier inter-racial city, Atlanta, from the standpoint of the two families---one once slave and the other slave owner---who helped to shape its progressive destiny.

As a recent transplant to the city of Atlanta, I didn't know much about Atlanta's history. And as an African American woman with grandparents who left the South in search of bigger opportunities in the North, I was more aware of the racism than I was of how and who ushered in the social and economic change that created more opportunities for my generation. The book is extremely well written and once I started I couldn't put it down. This is great way to learn about history. Anyone interested in Atlanta's history in particular and American history in general should read this book!!!!!!

This book not only is about two families but also about how those two families influenced and built one of the great metropolises of America. Greatly narrated and beautifully told.

I've read several of Gary's books and found this one to be an amazing work of not only scholarship and very detailed research but it was also very readable. Some people may be put off by the sheer size of the book but once I was hooked (it took a few pages), I really couldn't put it down until I was done.

Luckily, I was on a cruise and quite a few sea days to lie back in the sun and savour this wonderful book.

I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone interest in how the South was transformed (both intentionally and unintentionally) by a small number of people with not only immense vision but also immense bravery and a sense of justice.

Bravo Gary!

I am a native Georgian and raised in Metro Atlanta. This book opened my understanding of how, what, when and who made this city and why our state is so political about everything. Unfortunately, the race factor will always play a role in how we view and operate the local and state governments. This book just makes it clearer for anyone who works, lives and does business in Georgia. All Georgia history teachers should read this book. It would make Georgia history so much better for 8th graders and make them think. This is a must for reference material.

I discovered this book in high school back in the '70's and have reread it many times over the years. It is funny, moving, beautifully written, I believe the best American novel I've ever read. I was so enamored, I wrote the author, asking him tips on how to be a writer. He wrote me back a few fierce letters, passionate about his work and writing and writers. I actually had the guts to send him a piece of my own work, which he agreed to read. He savaged it, and that was devastating, but, over time, I found his advice to be 100% correct: be brave; dig deep into yourself and learn to listen to the writer who you are. What I've found baffling over these many years since the book was published (in 1974), was that this fine writer, a protege of the the wonderful writer Betty Smith ("A Tree Grows In Brooklyn) has never written a second book. What a terrible loss for us all.

Like another reviewer, I've had this book for years but never got around to actually reading it. But when I did, I couldn't believe I had let this sit on my shelf untouched! Excellent. And yes, it's right up there with the other classics like Tom Sawyer, To Kill A Mockingbird etc. Perfect for a rainy afternoon when you can curl up in bed and enjoy it.

"A Cry of Angels", which I have reread a few times, is probably one of the best books I have ever read. I rate it up there with "To Kill a Mockingbird", "The Secret of Santa Vittoria", and "The Milagro Beanfield War", all of which I consider classics.

This story of a Southern boy, his friends and relations, is immaculately drawn and very endearing. With each read the book retains its magic and charm and I can finally replace my old beat up paperback with this newly reissued edition.

Until this new edition, the book had been out of print for years. Fortunately readers will now be able to rediscover this wonderful secret classic. Unfortunately Jeff Fields has never written another novel, which is a great loss for anyone who loves great literature and a great story.

I knew Jeff Fields when he worked as a producer at a local television station in Jacksonville, Florida, and read the book reluctantly and only out of courtesy, not imagining that I was about to discover one of the great books of my life. Like most of the earlier reviewers I cannot understand why this book has not become a mega hit best seller. Jeff went to Hollywood as a script writer for the production of a movie about his book. Things did not go well with the producers when Jeff refused to change the story to suit them; he resigned and the movie was never completed as far as I know. Too bad, all someone has to do is follow the book EXACTLY and they will have an academy award contender. I have not seen Jeff since about 1985? and don't know if he continues to write. In an case, don't fail to buy this book!

A freind who is an avid reader repeatedly spoke about this book. She would not lend out her copy because the book was out of print. Finally and thankfully, it has been reprinted. I agree that it should be required reading for high school. There is so much substance; history, beautiful writing,and of course humor that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. In my opinion, there are too many coming-of-age books but it all depends on how one grows up.