Virginia Books

I have studied Southern food for years, yet I've never found another book like this one. Each page enlightens cooks of all skill levels. The recipes are written meticulously well while Virginia's beautiful writing brings back memories of times gone by. Ms. Willis has written about Southern food the way it should be - honest. My copy has a permanent home right in my kitchen.

I've been a longtime fan of Virginia's cooking classes and her contributions to Marvin Wood's Home Plate so her fabulous recipes were of no surprise. Virginia does a remarkable job of bringing these recipes to life with funny anecdotes and personal accounts of growing up in the kitchen alongside her mother and grandmother. The stories alone make you want to try the recipes. You'll not only find tasty southern and french inspired recipes, but also beautiful photography and informative tidbits on selecting the best ingredients. A great addition to any cookbook collection.

This book is great. I love the pictures and the recipes are not too complicated. I made the Red Velvet recipe for a social gathering and everyone just raved over it!

This cookbook it great with wondeful recipes and delightful stories. Really blends /french techimque with good ole Southern hospitality!!

Wow. This is one of my new favorite cookbooks! My seven year old daughter and I met the author at a book signing and "tasting." She was fabulous, genuine and the picture of Southern hospitality! My daughter and I got two books- one for us and one for my mother. We plan to give it to her for her birthday next month in hopes of continuing our own multi-generational Southern cooking story. The author is an inspiration to Southern cooks to keep cooking and spice it up a bit from time to time. I loved her stories about her "Meme." Thank you for sharing this interesting piece of history, heritage and home with us Miss Virgina. Ya'll will love these recipes!

Virginia Lanier's bloodhound series opens pretty convincingly in this book which has enough plotting and subplotting to fill three books. We're introduced to feisty JoBeth Sidden, a near-thirtyish trainer of bloodhounds who also has her own company which does search and rescue operations for local police authorities. In this debut, JoBeth is involved with an abusive ex-husband; the mysterious will of her deceased artist father; a handsome new lawyer in town; escaped criminals; missing children; a handsome private investigator; and lots more. JoBeth is even framed for the attempted murder of aforementined Bubba, her ex! While it takes a little patience to get into this book, once you do, you'll find yourself rewarded. Lanier has a flair for Southern life, and her characters are sharply drawn and developed.
I'm looking forward to further adventures with JoBeth and her hounds!

"Death in Bloodhound Red" is the first in the Virginia Lanier "Bloodhound Series." It is a great book and so different from most mysteries that I am surprised that I had not heard of the series before.

This is a series to buy all at once because once you start reading = you will not want to stop.

"Death in Bloodhound Red" is difficult to classify even though it is a mystery. It is not a superficially light book and there are parts that will make you laugh and parts that are very somber.

Jo Beth Sidden raises and trains bloodhounds and utilizes them for tracking in a small county in Georgia. Her life is rather interesting. Her deceased father became a famous artist when she was a teenager, while most of her childhood was spent in dire poverty. Her childhood though, is in many ways very mysterious.

Yet by working continually, Jo Beth has built a kennel and bloodhoumd business. Businesses and law enforcement agencies hire her and her dogs to seek out drugs and criminals.

Jo Beth is rather a tough woman because she has had to be. But she is working at addressing the vulnerabilities in her life and this dialogue is reflected as well. She is a very ardent feminist because she has had to confront countless prejuidices in her life of work.

Virginia Lanier has topped my list for new authors.

A Must read series - All of Viriginia Lanier's books. The characters come alive on each page. Her description of loving and smart bloodhounds will endear you to them forever. You can't wait to read what happens next. A true treasure of a character is Joe Beth, a woman detective and her bloodhounds.

The sub-genre of "dog mysteries" is not nearly as extensive as "cat mysteries" for reasons I will never understand. (After all, do cats really care what human beings do to each other? I don't think so.) In this specialized arena, Virgina Lanier's Bloodhound books are definately best in show. "Death in Bloodhound Red" is one of the best novels -- in or out of the mystery genre -- I've read in a long time. Yes, the plot is meandering and convoluted, the conversations are of a length only southerners can aspire to, and the language is as dense and atmospheric as the scent of jasmine on an early summer day. But what matters in the end is how completely Lanier manages to submerge us in the swampy world of southern Georgia and the wonderful profession of search-and-rescue with her beloved bloodhounds. If all the following books aren't always as over the top excellent as the first, who cares? They are all great and the bloodhounds get even more time on stage as the series goes on. What more could you want?

This is an incredible first book of a series, that sadly is behind a couple years. The books are; 1996-Death in Bloodhound Red, 1997-The House on Bloodhound Lane, 1998- A Brace of Bloodhounds, 1999-Blind Bloodhound Justice, 2000-Ten Little Bloodhounds. I'm not sure why we don't have books for 2001 and 2002, but after you read the first book and then run out and buy the next four that continue without dropping the pace and excitement, you'll mourn the gap in the series. Especially using the recommendations, its not that infrequent I get a new author 'can't put me down'er. However this was one of those I read through as fast as I can because of the tension and mystery, and then start right over again to read for the wealth of information and the beauty of the text.

I can't think of anything this book doesn't have. There is a strong female protaganist, and one that hard to work her way from the ground up as well (as I did) that I really appreciate. As a now breeder and trainer of bloodhounds, Jo Beth is a complex character with sometimes warring qualitis, but one that acts consistently within the defined pesonality. The tension with the maniacal ex husband catches you quickly, but the mystery picks up and holds you as you go on. Additionally I love a book that provides some other new knowlege and this book is rife with knowlege about 'The South', the Okenofree swamp, and Bloodhounds. I've checked some of what I learned here with a friend who has been in the swamp and the South and it's been checking out. As an animal lover as well, you really get to love the bloodhounds and the knowlege of scent tracking and bloodhounds in particular is wide and varied.

Yet Virginia Lanier sneaks the information in without any long boring solioquies. She always manages to get the right amount in to help you appreciate the story and does it in a way that goes with the story, like say explaining something to a new person, and then drives back to the plot before you could get bored. And she makes it fascinating. As I said earlier I was interested enough to talk to people till I found one that had been in the okenofee swamp, and I've got bloodhound research on my list of things to look into as well. As far as the south in concerned, I feel she does a good job of showing the pros and cons, the beauty and surface graciousness on the surface, and the misogeny and the racism underneath.

A beautiful tribute to those who have given their lives for our country. The pictures chosen reflect the dignity and beauty of this final resting place better than any words can. Excellent historical documentation. Everyone should own a copy for their personal libraries.

Where Valor Rests: Arlington National Cemetery: is an inspiring tribute to hundreds of thousands of our uniformed men and women who served this nation - in war and in peace. Arlington, like other military cemeteries at home and abroad, is ground made sacred by their dedication, their lives of service, and their sacrifices. This book tells the history of Arlington Cemetery and through it the history of many from our nation's heroes, ordinary and extraordinary. The selection of photographs is excellent, and Rick Atkinson's essay informative and inspiring.

Where Valor Rests: Arlington National Cemetery Outstanding in pictures and facts. The emotional response evolves as one gets further into the content. What a tremendously powerful book!

As a former member of the 3rd Old Guard Infantry, the ceremonial unit at Arlington, I very much appreciate the great photographs and fine writing that went into this beautiful tribute to the Garden of Stones. I visit my brother, my father-in-law, and a half dozen brothers-in-arms at Arlington at least once every year. With this book I can visit that hallowed ground more often. It's a wonderful tribute to the fallen and those who tend the fallen at Arlington. bb

Stunning pictures and moving text combine to give you an awe inspiring tour of probably the most revered area of the United States. You may have visited Arlington on a tour of Washington D.C., but Rick Atkinson and National Geographic takes you past the tourists and delivers a book that shows the care, dedication, and honor that envelopes the cemetery.

Contents:
Preface
Essay
History
Final March
Autumn
People
Caring
Salutes
Ceremony
Sacrifice
Tomb Guards
Services
Afterglow
Afterword
About the Contributors
Photography Credits

Beginning with the history of Arlington, which was once General Robert E. Lee's estate, and ending with pictures of Arlington at night, Where Valor Rests: Arlington National Cemetery is a beautiful, lovingly photographed book. The Afterword tells you that after every internment, this book, along with the flag, are given to the family. And I can see why.

I've been to Arlington, but not the Arlington presented in this book. That Arlington is populated with people that dedicate themselves to the care, maintenance, history, ceremony, and protection of 300,000 graves of the fallen. Exquisitely photographed, this book brings you more than a tour ever could. You see the cemetery in all seasons, you see veterans of World War II honoring their comrades, you witness the burials of soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan (Section 60). You learn that ever since July 2, 1937, every minute of every day, someone has guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Every. Single. Day.

Think about that for a moment.

There are pictures that show the guards in snow, at night, and other times when not a single other soul is in the cemetery.

It was difficult for me to read the captions on those pictures.

While I have read a few books this year, none of them affected me like this one. None of them included pictures like the ones that are in this book. This is an amazing tribute to Arlington National Cemetery, the 300,000 interred, and those who protect, care, and serve within its boundaries.

An incredible work. One that everyone should experience.

I purchased this book for my Grandson. Mike Mulligan was one of my favorite stories. It brings back great memories, plus there are the other stories which I didn't know of when I was a child.

If you have young sons, this is a great book to have. I have 4 sons and they have all loved the books "Katy & the Big Snow" and "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel" My other copies were so worn, I had to order a new one for my 4th son. It's great to have these 4 stories together.

This is a very good book. It is nice to have all the stories combined in one hardcover book.

These stories are timeless. Sure the cars and truck (and steam shovels) are dated, but your young kids will love the stories. The Little House and Mike Mulligan & His Steam Shovel are must reads. This book helps to fill those nights when you need a story that's just a bit longer, a little richer in plot. The illustrations are simple, but truly enhance the story. These stories will entertain you and your child for many story-times to come.

It is a great book and I sent it to Tim Dexter in Minnesota, he has a grandson now and his grandson will have his 1st birthday in March of 2008.

Fathers Troubles is a wonderful read and Carter Taylor Seaton knows how to tell a story. Her main character, Lawrence Burgher, manages in his short life to acquire and lose a fortune in the boom and bust years of the 1920's and 30's. Much of the story takes place in the coalfields of southern West Virginia that she describes well and in fine detail.
But Lawrence Burgher's troubles affect his wife, children and their families well into the century. The tale Carter Seaton tells is how those generations deal with or fail to deal with his legacy.
The author says, "Fathers Troubles is neither classical memoir nor pure fiction". This reader finds Father's Troubles to be a story of a time, place and people the author knows well.
Ren Parziale

I found the story engrossing from the beginning because of the way Carter focused on details of how life was lived in 1891 all the way through the 1930's. I was able to imagine daily life and get a better grasp on how Mr. Burgher's decisions might have affected his family. It is a sad tale for the Burghers, but found Maggie's reconciliation and self-realization regarding her mother touching and perhaps the most important lesson of the novel.
Since Carter is a family friend I was very excited to read her book. That it took place mostly in Huntington, WV was a bonus as it is my hometown, and I have a lot of fond memories from there.

I picked this book up at Tamarack on the West Virginia Turnpike in the WV books and music section. I was totally mesmerized from the opening page.If this is an example of her first novel, sign me up for an advance copy of number two!! This is a must read!! Frances Case

What a wonderful and easy read for the summer or any time. Carter brings you carefully into her story and keeps you there with intrigue and passion for her story.
Being from Huntington, WV and knowing several members of the family but not the story, the descriptions brought the story up close and personal for me. How excited I was to figure out Eileen was my mother's good friend.
Hope there is another book in Carter's horizon.

This book is a must read for everyone. It combines all the elements of a wonderful story with historical and local information that is facinating.

The story combines the past showing how an intelligent man, Lawrence Burgher, driven by the love he had for his wife and children and the ambition to "be somebody" can end up making choices that are clouded by that ambition. Even though he had no intentions of embezzlement, he was caught up in a web of lies that he just could not untangle. The present aspect of the book shows how Maggie's mother let the tragedies of her youth dictate how she lived her life and how she treated others.

There are many lessons to be learned from this book and Carter Seaton has woven all the lessons into a remarkable and enjoyable read.

Once you get past the strange layout (described in other sections), this is a great edition of Henry V. It is easy and fun to read and offers valuable insights (not just for students either). Well worth a flutter.

This play is best known for the St. Crispian's Day "Band of Brothers" speech given by King Henry just before the battle at Agincourt. It is a powerful speech that rallies people at all times and everywhere. Sir Lawrence Olivier made a film version in 1944 during WWII and Kenneth Branagh made another as recently as 1989. You can count on there being more versions. Epecially so when computers can help them make spectacular battle scenes (that aren't really in the play) with less expense.

Audiences love this play and they should. There is a lot to like and enjoy. I think upon repeated readings Henry becomes a more equivocal character than he seems at first. And readers of the King Henry IV plays will know him before he became King Henry and know something deeper about his personality.

And of course there is the whole bit about the drive to France being sponsored by the Church to avoid confiscation of property by the Crown. Moreover, there is the slaughtering of the French prisoners, and his treatment of Falstaff (who dies offstage in this play). This isn't revisionist stuff, it is right there in the play, but it is easy to miss the first time you are trying to take in the play.

In any case, this Arden edition is the one to buy and read from. Why? Because it has the most authoritative text, but that is only the beginning. It also shows variants between the early sources. The notes at the bottom of each page of the play are simply fabulous. The editor includes not only helpful notes explaining what might be obscure in the text of the play, he provides sources Shakespeare probably used such as Holinshed and makes for some very interesting study. There are also some helpful notes on how various scenes have been performed over time.

And to make this sound more like an infomercial, you get more! The introduction provides great background material on the play, its sources, and how it has been performed throughout history. After the play, there is a photo reproduction of the first Quarto from 1600 and it is fairly readable. There are also a couple of maps showing the path of the English Army from Harfleur through other towns on its way to Calais and makes clear how they had to pass through Agincourt.

There is also a helpful genealogical table so you can see the confusing claims used by Henry and the French nobility to make their claims. And there is a doubling chart so you can see how theater companies can perform all the roles with fewer actors.

This is a great edition as are all the plays published by the Arden Shakespeare. The amount of work collected in these volumes is stunning and they will enrich your experience of the plays tremendously. I can't recommend them enough.

This play more than any others in the histories glorifies Englishmen and England. His characters in this one are larger than life, but each has their own limitations and flaws. The play covers the time of the Battle of Agincourt when the French King Charles was so sure of victory that he sent a messenger to Henry to ask him to give up and to pay a ransom before the battle. On the eve of the Battle of Agincourt, the English were outnumbered five to one, Henry's troops were on foreign soil and riddled with disease. The scenes where Henry dons a disguise and goes out amongst his troops to bolster their confidence are great. The English managed to triumph in this battle where all was stacked against them mostly because of Henry's leadership. This is such a sweeping story that it is hard to condense in a few words, the plot of the play, but it is a wonderful example of Shakespeare's skills as a writer.

'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.' What more need I say? Henry V is an imortal classic of western literature. And this edition is complete and accurate. See the film if you want, but be sure to read the words at least once. They are inspiring.

"Now, if these men do not die well, it will be a black matter for the King that led them to it."

Particularly poignant poetry in these times of pompous presidential sabre rattling and wars based on questionable facts.

Could not put this book down. Loved it! Only thing I didnt like was the cover--- It's weird looking; while I was reading it everywhere I went I would put the book face down.

I just finished this book and found it hard to put down. Piper Rountree is right up there with the worst of the worst - an incredibly narcissistic, coldblooded, self-absorbed individual. Kathryn Casey pulled it all together seamlessly, from the beginning of Piper's and Fred's relationship to the tragic end. It's the first book of hers I've read, and I'm here now to order another.

Oh those minority opinions, sure to get the writer in trouble- especially when all the foregoing reviews have awarded DML 5 stars! Nonetheless, let's give this review a try: Piper and Fred are not the ideal, happily married couple. In fact, they are poles apart. He is a distinguished egghead of a college professor; she can kindly be described as a "free spirit". Early one morning, Fred meets his demise in the driveway of his Richmond, VA home. It is not divulging much to state that the slate of suspects is short. Wifey quickly emerges at the head of the list, as most spouses do in these situations. The challenge to the Law is to place her at the crime scene. What makes DML interesting is Piper's alibi-she claims to have been in Houston at the time of the murder. Plus, there is a Texas-based sister who could pass for her. That draws 2 investigative departments into the chase. The story ebbs and flows as scenes shift from Texas to Virginia and back. This reviewer found it difficult to track all the detectives, district attorneys, lawyers, witnesses, family members and hangers on in two cities. Sometimes interest would heighten, other times it would wane. The end result was an often frustrating read. One has to hand authoress Casey credit. Imagine how challenging it must have been to document the myriad of facts and personalities herein. Ms. Casey certainly set a high bar for herself but this reader found DML a bit much. This reviewer is actually a Casey fan, but one has to call them as he sees them: Ms. Casey has simply done better work elsewhere, most especially with her first tale, "The Rapist's Wife". This review could not conclude without mentioning the infamous Ann Rule rule: Tundra will be happy to read that it is not in effect here. Those centerfold photos do not even hint at the resolution; they do the proper job of putting faces on the main characters. Also, the front and back covers reveal nothing. Casey fans take heart: Most reviews are favorable. Scroll up or down to receive more favorable opinions of "Die My Love".

DIE, MY LOVE is Kathryn Casey's account of the murder of Fred Jablin, a respected college professor, by his self-centered and narcissistic wife, Piper Rountree. Rountree's motivation was to assure that she was granted custody of their three children, and, not incidentally, that she would not
have to pay child support. She is presented as a woman who professed repeatedly to care more about her children than anything else in the world, but who in fact simply used them when it suited her needs, one of the main ones being to show the world that she was, above all else, a MOTHER!
Fred meanwhile became the one who actually cared for the children on a day to day basis, performing the routine, mundane tasks that a truly loving parent repeats daily to raise and protect a child, because Piper found this necessity boring and beneath the artistic, new-age, and ultimately just "special" person she considered herself to be. Both before and after the murder, Rountree and her equally self-centered sister clumsily constructed a series of events designed to provide Rountree with an alibi. But since the sisters were not as smart as they believed they were, the attempt ultimately failed.

This is the fourth Casey book I have read and reviewed (the others are A WARRANT TO KILL, THE RAPIST'S WIFE, and SHE WANTED IT ALL) and they are all outstanding. Casey, as is for her routine, avoids filler and drama. Her research is so deep that she has no need to copy police reports or trial transcripts, a common tactic of the lazy incompetents who litter the true crime landscape. Her writing, as always, is crisp, reportorial, and adult. It is also highly literate, and it is always a pleasure to read a writer who actually appears to have more than a passing familiarity with the English language.
The highest praise I can think to give a writer is to say that you realize that when you have finished a book you are truly glad you read it and then realize that, while it was beautifully written, you were not aware of the author's personality while you were reading it - that the author does not personally intrude on the story he or she is telling. And I can praise DIE, MY LOVE as well as Casey's other three books as meeting this standard.

DIE, MY LOVE is outstanding true crime, and I believe Kathryn Casey is among the very best true crime authors currently writing. I unreservedly recommend this one.

For so many years Ann Rule has been the reigning ruler of the true crime genre. Well she better watch her back because KC is poised to steal that crown. All of her books have been excellent and this one does not disappoint. In the days of so many poorly written, lazily researched and badly edited true crime books ruining the genre thank goodness for Kathryn Casey. Rather than start the book at the point of the murder, she is like the proverbial fly on the wall and takes us back through the lives of Fred Jablin and Piper Rountree. From what shaped them as adults to their meeting and subsequent marriage, all the way to the contentious divorce and custody battle and then the tragic murder of Fred Jablin. All this back story may sound boring but it is far from that. It gives insight that makes the story of the police investigation and subsequent trial all the more interesting. She also delves into the dysfunctional and troubling bond between Piper Rountree and her sister Tina which added a creepy element as well as in my opinion a bond that helped make the murder happen. If you are thinking of giving up on true crime because of all the bad books out there give this one a read. It is an excellent book and will restore your faith in the genre.

Read "The Retirement Nightmare" by Dr. Diane Armstrong. Get the real truth about the fraud and abuse of the elderly and not so elderly. To avoid a professional guardianship, should be of paramount importance. Reports of guardians stealing from their wards' bank accounts and other wise abusing guardianship powers are surfacing with disturbing regularity. 'This problem is going to get bigger and bigger,' says E. Bentley Lipscomb, AARP's Florida state director and a former state secretary of elder affairs. - GUARDIANS DRAWING INCREASED SCRUTINY, AARP Bulletin.

Find out how many landmines you've walked through uneducated, and how many more there are to come,now armed with knowledge! You'll discover your situation is not exclusive which is the good news...thus giving a little emotional reprieve! This is a wonderful resource book.

Virginia Morris nails it with this comprehensive volume. She addresses every issue I've faced as a caregiver and more. Her sensitivity and caring shine through every page, and she's packed the book with useful information.

If you're caring for aging parents, start here. "How to Care for Aging Parents" stands head and shoulders above other general caregiving books.

Phyllis Staff, Ph.D.
author, "How to Find Great Senior Housing"
and
"128 Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's and Other Dementias"

Taking care of my 90 yr old Grandmother was so difficult. This book gave me so much insight on area's that I had no understanding of. Also helped point me in the right direction to planning at the end.

This book is exceptional. The author includes all specifics needed to apply the valuable information provided throughout the book...including phone numbers and addresses. Not only did the book help my husband and I prepare to care for our own parents, reading it has helped us prepare for our own aging process. The information will make things as easy as possible for our single child when we become the "Aging Parents". This book is a must have. I bought one for each of my siblings and also copies for good friends who are also caring for elderly parents.

My 3rd son loves trains much more than my 1st who loved them a lot, but...although he doesn't have a ton of words yet and is only starting to put 3 or more words together can tell you the entire plot of this story...fills in the word missing if you stop for a second...points out people in the book as his cat, his grandma, etc...it has everything a train loving kid could ask for including another favorite with sounds and farm animals! Great classic...hope they come out with a board book for those nights when you really need to get them to bed!!! or to take in the car!!!

Choo Choo the runaway engine is a delightful story that mesmerizes three to four year old boys who like trains. Our son asks for this volume each night.
As with all of Virginia Lee Burton's books, the illustrations are delightful, here all rendered in charcoal, which is strangely appropriate for the "shiny black engine" at the center of the story.
The story is simple and easily understood by little readers, and they can pick out some words and map them to the illustrations. There is nothing objectionable in the tale, involving an engine who wants to break free of her responsibilities and run away to be the center of attention. Her engineer, conductor, and coal-man all work hard to chase her and bring her back, and she learns the lesson that running away from those who care for you typically ends in disaster.
We bought our edition in London, without the cassette, which strikes me as a bit datted in this CDROM and DVD era.
Highly recommended.

My train-loving son really enjoyed this book many times but we never bought it because it takes a little while to read it. Some nights when you're trying to hurry up the bedtime routines it feels like a very, very long time to read it.

Now at 32 months, he loves it even more. He can recite the entire book page by page. He knows the names of the characters and their jobs. He confirms that the "coal car fell off the bridge onto the barge and now the train derrick picks it up." all the sketches are black and white and quite unique. i recommend this book for all ages, boy or girl.

This book is one of Burton's masterpieces. She wrote and illustrated her books for her son and the reader can tell that she definitely knows what children, especially little boys want in a picture book. This book has been one of my children's favorites and now I am reading it to my grandson. Written 60 years ago it certainly qualifies as a classic!

I thought this book was written by someone who owned a restaurant in Mexico, but was pleasantly surprised to find out the location was in Austin Texas. This book consists of recipes that are on their menu inspired by authentic Mexican connoisseurs like Diana Kennedy and former head chef Roberto Santibanez who now owns the New York based Mexican chain Rosa Mexicanos. Having lived for years in Mexico this has taken me back to the culinary culture that I love and miss dearly. The artwork that hangs in the restaurant is beautifully displayed as is the history. This is definitely a go to book since the recipes are right on to what I remember in Mexico. Definitely worth getting, but remember this is an authentic Mexican cookbook and not a Tex Mex cookbook.

I do not cook- until now. We visited this restaurant in Austin and were so impressed by the beauty of the location that when I went home, I went online and purchased the cookbook. My only intention was to be an "armchair cook" until I read how easy most of the recipes are! I'm shocked to say it, but everything has been easy and delicious. Try it, you'll love it.

This book is a must for every Mexian food lover and art. I have attended a cooking glass by them and have eaten brunch at their restaurant. Absolutely fantastic. The almond flan is superb and very easy to prepare in a blender. The chicken in banana leaves is also a standout. Recipes are fairly easy to understand and prepare, it just takes a bit of time.

Beautiful pictures, great recipe. Perfect for a table book, not just a cookbook.

The cookbook Fonda San Miguel: Thirty years of Food and Art seems to be one of those titles you see from time to time, when an established restaurant puts together a collection of recipes and a publisher hopes that name recognition will move copies. But open the cover, try some of the recipes, and you find a culinary gem.

Fonda San Miguel is a well-regarded restaurant in Austin offering Mexican cuisine. Author credits are co-founders Tom Gilliland (runs the front of the house) and Miguel Ravago (the chef) as well as "text by" Virginia B. Wood, whom is an Austin writer. The foreword is by noted Mexican cuisine expert Diana Kennedy, who apparently is a friend of the founders and whose work has inspired some of the dishes.

From first glance, the book is visually sumptuous: all color photography of the recipes and art in the restaurant with attractive design, hardbound. And here comes the first of my few quibbles: even though the publisher, Shearer Publishing, may have bought the rights to the photography, or even done it in-house, it should have given full credit to the people responsible for the actual photographic and food styling work. There also should have been better photo editing; I noticed a few out-of-focus images, one of which seemed planned and appropriate although the others looked like mistakes.

The recipes, though - marvelous. I tried four for a family dinner: guacamole, Sopa de Elote (a smooth corn soup served with roasted chiles and cheese), Adoba Sauce (pork marinade made with ancho chiles, garlic, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, and black peppercorns), and Comote Y Piña (baked sweet potato puree with pineapple). The results were uniformly excellent. Unlike many cookbook recipes, I found that I could use each of these without modification or even adjusting amounts, which is pretty rare. I do wish that when a recipe referred to a preparation or technique elsewhere in the book that there was a page number associated, but, again, I did say quibbles.

The book originally came out in 2005, which does have me wondering why the PR firm that sent the copy is promoting it now, but it's nice to see that someone is taking an active interest in promotion this excellent volume.