United Kingdom Books

I stumbled across this book while doing research for a master's thesis that dealt with, of all things, the history of paleontology and the Peking man digs in China. I found it eye-opening and fascinating. Through showing the history of the British Royal Botanical Gardens, the author manages to teach a great deal about the rise of Europe and the West, Colonialism, science, agriculture and economic production throughout the British empire, and the world at large, up to modern times. Of special interest to me was the intertwining of science and economic exploitation in colonialized nations of the time. I consider this book remarkable in that it taught me more than if I had read five similar books.

This is an excellent book, very easy to read and covering the colonial economic botany (rubber, quinin, sisal) in a true apealing way.

The author was my mother. The book, based on her anthropology thesis, applied anthropological concepts to the sweeping GLOBAL influence and changes of Western colonization using the British empire as the model. Its a ground breaking book, easy and interesting to read (don't mind the implicit occasional politics). "The best part" (that's an inside family joke) is learning about the relationship between colonial expansion, Kew Gardens, rubber plantations, malaria, chinchona (sp?) and Gin and Tonics. I actually typed an early version of this chapter and couldn't have been happier with the content

Finally a book that successfully combines contemperory with the traditional.The recipes are beautifully presented with spectacular colour photographs. Unlike some cookery writer's books the recipes are usable for every day life covering such topics as breakfast, meats and baking. Being Scottish myself I know that this book genuinely reflects Scottish cooking and I love the way the author combines the recipes with anecdotes making the book not only a good cooking book but also a good read. I would highly suggest that everybody should buy this book as the recipes are the best things that have come out of Scotland since Sean Connery.

Over a hundred of the best traditional Scottish recipes have been collected for Scots Cooking by Scottish author Sue Lawrence from her home country, and uses the fresh and diverse local ingredients for which Scotland is so famous. Anticipate many dishes holding seafood and meats, and presenting flavor combinations not to be found in other cookbooks; such as the Orkney dish Clapshot.

If you like Scottish food, sweets in particular, this book is for you! We have made virtually all of the baking and sweet recipes in this book, and they are all delicious. Do you like Tiramisu? I did not think anything could top that, but then I tried the recipe in this book for Cranachan -- oh, my! Who'd of thought that cream and raspberries and honey could mix with some other delightful things and be so incredible?

The breakfast pancakes, with lime juice flavored golden syrup as a topping -- amazing! Real maple syrup pales in comparison. And fresh from the oven Baps and eggs for breakfast -- yum!

You'll need to buy some Lyle's Golden Syrup and some Lyle's Black Treacle for most of the baking recipes, but it is SO worth it!

We've only made one meal recipe, to date, which is the Scotch Broth. For soup/stew lovers, this one is a hearty bunch of comfort food. Eaten with some warm, crusty wheat rolls, on a cold winter's evening, you are definitly feeling some endorphins flowing!

Buy the book! :)

As a person who studies fashion and historical fashion as an avocation, I particularly like books with excellent pictures of fashions and accessories that are actually from the period and not historical plates from magazines, though I believe renderings extremely helpful. With a clear picture, one can derive better methods for recreation in historical costuming ventures. I have long been a fan of the Snowshill collection. I loved this little book. I hope there are more published. I appreciate the fine photographs, the brief and informative descriptions. The color and fabric choices of history very interesting and I can spend an hour or two with one book trying to absorb every detail. I have the Shoes and Slippers book as well as the Hats and Bonnets book. They are wonderful additions to my costume library.

Buy this. Gorgeous pictures, charming and scholarly text, what more can a designer, clothes lover, or dress historian ask from any book? The introduction of these pretty jewel-like volumes on Shoes and Hats provide pleasure and inspiration for designers and fashion fanciers. And the detailed inset photographs on construction makes "Shoes & Slippers", and its sister volume "Hats and Bonnets" obligatory reading for costume makers. Who knew that the Snowshill Collection held this treasure trove of costume? Hat's off to Althea Mackenzie for her terrific work on these fresh additions to the costume and fashion bookshelf.

Beautiful photos of a wonderful collection of 18th & 19th century footwear. A terrific reference for anyone interested in either century.

I traveled regularly to the UK for a few months and this book provided us with plans for our 15 most memorable weekends. Most walks take you to locations that you probably wouldn't encounter if you stuck to a typical guidebook. We particularly liked the walks in the western and southern part of the country. We used recommendations for B&Bs in Wales and the Southwest. One of the paths for the walk was overgrown and we got lost for 30 minutes or so...no big deal.

You won't need hiking shoes/gear for these walks, but bring a backpack with water and a snack and if you are traveling in the springtime, paths can get a little muddy and you will almost certainly need a change of shoes (and possibly a change of pants).

Even if you are only going to be in the UK for a couple of weeks, I would recommend mixing 2 or 3 of these walks into your trip.

This valuable little book really aided our trip and gave us lots of ideas for planning other trips as well.

Very readable and thankfully for all budgets!

Highly recommended! (Especially good on the plane, bus or train, too!)

I'm not big on walking, and this book only has four hikes for Scotland, so why would I bother buying it when I took a trip to Scotland about ten years ago? Because leafing through it, the hike to Dunnottar Castle (and the castle itself) sounded so intriguing, and so cool, that I decided I had to go. My "regular" travel guide just mentioned the castle in part of one paragraph, but that hike was the highlight of my entire trip. I ended up doing 3 of the 4 Scottish walks instead of just the one. Many of the expeditions are really easy: you don't need hiking boots, stamina, or experience, and they take you to specific interesting destinations. It's fun to read even if you don't actually go on the walks, but you'll sure want to once you've read the book.

I purchased this book for my husband, but read it myself first. It is very well written with good insight as to Sir Edward Coke. I would cheerfully recommend this to anyone with an interest in legal history.

Allen Boyer has produced a worthy successor to Bowen's The Lion and the Throne.

Boyer shows us the pragmatic Coke, the shrewd lawyer who energetically represented his clients. He also shows us the idealistic Coke, the jurist who championed and clarified the English common law.

Boyer's legal background makes Coke come alive, a lawyer's lawyer. Still an inspiration after 400 years!

Whether one is interested in History, Law or just seeking some insight into someone who has shaped our world Allen Boyer's work is a pleasure. I must confess my exposure to Sir Edward Coke was rudimentary at best but over the course of this text I became familiar with his accomplishments and gained an intimate insight into Sir Edward Coke's life. Allen Boyer's mastery of the written word is quite apparent and his ability to entertain and bring life to this important historical figure makes the work a true joy to read. His tireless research and familiarity with the subject matter is found in almost every crafted word.
Simply stated, it is a must have for anyone interested in the history of Law, Sir Edward Coke and those who wish to read a finely crafted text.

Some of the most beautiful & heart felt love letters. The letters do become sad & painful as you go along. There are some superb examples of true passion in this book(provided you can find one!!!). The only copy that I had gone thru is now missing from the local library:(

I have always found Rupert Brooke to be a fascinating poet, so when I was in York and discovered this little treasure (for sale, no less) I bought it. I'd started it a couple of times but never got around to completing the book. Then, I resolutely decided to read it, and I found it completely entrancing. You get something from this book about Brooke that you could never get from a biography: his yearning, passion, anger.... all in his very own words. It was hard for me to put down, and any fan of Brooke's should most definitely look into it.

This book is fantastic and gives a good look into Rupert's relationship with Noel. The incite into Rupert's love life and his feeling for Noel and his friends is worth getting the book alone.

As with most oral histories, you'll find this story to lack cohesiveness often, with many gaps in the narrative and conflicting claims about what really happened. That said, this lightning-fast read is packed with more than its share of entertaining and informative insights from various people who, in the 40s through the 90s, made these scenes into the legends that they are. Although ostensibly split in half between music and clothing, clothing seems to get more coverage. Required reading for any present-day mods and skins.

This book is pretty modest. It sits at just over 200 pages, but because its more of an oral history, there's a lot of white space and that cuts down on the "true" size of the book. You'll be surprised at how quickly the pages go by.

It is a great book though. Hewitt's writing is suplimented with bits of interviews from original players of the day (names like Ann Sulivan, Ian Hebditch, Cox, etc.) all of whom share their personal input into the clothes, the music...everything. The interview segments are the absolute best part and without them this book would just be a long essay from Paolo.

I wish it were longer. I wish there were more lifted from the interviews. I wish there were pictures. I have "Mod: A Very British..." and its not as if I'm lacking photos of the era, but I just think a few personal ones from the people in the book would have really beenfitted this book.

I'd pay as much as forty dollars to have this book in my collection. As it is, I only paid $9. Good deal, good book.

This modest-looking little paperback is an amazing collection of primary sources for anyone studying the fashions or culture of these groups. Well organized and well edited, and a fascinating read.

Since reading this book I've had solid sucess in weight loss and am eating healtheir and feeling better. The book Sugar Busters for Kids did accomplish several key elements in my personal weight loss program.

This book helped me greatly to understand the "why" of my life long struggle with weight and obesity. It has given me a tool in the understanding of "how" certain foods affect my wieght loss. And it has provided me with the "what" to eat and feel good at the same time.

The Glycemic Index Tables provided an easy and useful referance to the everyday control of my diet and food intake. Dr. Andrews and team have made the concept easier to understand and workable.

The recipes work, and I love the use of Creole seasoning to put flavor into some of the dishes.

My daughter who is a sophmore in college also uses the info found in this book very helpful.

This book should be included in every dieters libray, know matter what the age.

We just loved this book. We have been followers of the Sugar Busters concept for over five years and have never been healthier. Since reading the original Sugar Busters book, we have been concerned about all the sugar and processed carbohydrates that children eat these days. This book has really allowed us the share the benefits we have received with our children. The book is informative and easy to read and the illustrations are great, but one of our favorite things about the book is the recipes which, I might add, are not just for children. They are great for the whole family.

This book will be most appealing to adults who have had success with the Sugar Busters! approach to weight control through reducing the amount of high glycemic foods (ones that raise insulin levels and thus slow down the metabolism) that they eat. Now, you will know how to integrate this approach for the whole family!

If you have not yet discovered the Sugar Busters! approach, it is well worth your time. As the authors (three M.D.'s and a former Fortune 500 CEO) point out, many diseases are related to overweight and obesity (such as Type 2 diabetes which is caused by insulin resistance, and cardiovascular diseases). Two terrible things are happening now. First, childhood overweight and obesity are growing rapidly as a percentage of the population around the world. Second, what were once adult diseases related to overweight and obesity are showing up in children. The authors point out that these trends are closely associated with the rise in the use of refined sugar. These trends run in families, suggesting both genetic (homone related) and environmental causes.

As to changing, the book is filled with directions for how to shop, menus (along with acceptable substitutes), and recipes (on the spicy side to appeal to the adults too). You can also use the recipes in any of the other Sugar Busters! series books. The recipes are almost all simple to prepare. Most include ingredients available at most food stores. There also seemed to be an attempt to keep the cost reasonable. I do think that households with younger kids will probably use fewer seasonings (but remember that no-sugar ketchup!).

There is a separate section with rhymes for kids at the back, which illustrates some of the key concepts. You can use this like a standard children's book for those in the 3-6 age range. My only criticism about the back is that the letter to kids uses gasoline for a car as the analogy to the need to eat better. Prior to the age of driving, I doubt if that analogy will work

One of the best parts of the book is that it keeps it as simple as possible. The authors also emphasize making better choices rather than treating this like a diet. They also point out that there are few long-term studies of the effects of diet on youngsters, but they have used the few that are available. For example, a low glycemic breakfast reduces what youngsters eat in calories for lunch. They also discuss how to introduce new foods (assume it will take at least 10 efforts before acceptance occurs, so be patient and persistent!). The menus are adjusted separately for the 6-8 and 9-12 year old groups. Over 12, they can use the adult Sugar Busters!

Richard Blaustein's book is fascinating comparative study of Appalachian and Scottish culture. The approach provides ways to ascertain salient features in the areas' contemporary culture that are derived from different, yet similar, historical backgrounds. Blaustein uses this analysis to demonstrate ways that folklore and literary arts contribute to the revitalization of culture and community life. Blaustein extends this argument to show that this type of revitalization is a creative resource for ameliorating psychological stresses and for unifying people politically to resist hegemonic forces in the wider society. Blaustein's critique of critical theory and deconstruction of deconstructionism are especially important contributions. This book is an important addition to post-postmodernist discourse, and it also serves as a great introduction to terrific writers from Appalachia and Scotland.

Dr. Blaustein's book is destined to become a standard reference for teachers and students of History, English, American and Ethnic Studies. The author simplifies the complex connections between Appalachian and Scotish traditions. He concludes that despite the pressures from dominant cultures, traditions are as tough as thistles and briers to destroy. Dr. Blaustein applies folklore and oral history techniques to prove that cultural revitalization movements have helped empower people who are oppressed by outside colonial forces. This book is a strong reminder of the power of poetry and music to reinforce and regenerate ethnic identity.

This comparison between the marginalized peoples of Scotland and Appalachia deserves a wider reading than it's likely going to receive. Its theme transcends the treatment of these two groups by "mainstream cultures" and shows how marginalized people in general use their creative skills to rise above discrimination and shame. Blaustein is both a part of the Appalachian culture, having lived in East Tennessee since 1970, and yet removed from it as well, having grown up in Brooklyn. His years in Brooklyn helped him understand the Appalachian mindset, because, as he writes, "the Borough of Brooklyn is to the City of New York what Appalachia is to the United States--marginal, subordinate, and popularly portrayed as uncouth." This book describes the rise of the Appalachian studies movement in the region's colleges and universities and chronicles the growth of Scottish heritage celebrations in the United States, through excerpts from a personal interview with Waynesville, North Carolina, ballad singer and activisit Flora MacDonald Gammon, a driving force behind the annual Highland Games, held on Grandfather Mountain in Western North Carolina. A particularly powerful chapter recounts instances of "colonialism" among public school teachers who derided pupils for usages such as "hit" instead of "it." Blaustein strongly reinforces the notion that dialect is unrelated to intelligence. With the deplorable proposal by CBS to create a hillbilly reality series, this book is especially timely for those who seek to understand, rather than mock, the Appalachian mountain people and their rich and complex culture.

This book is an excellent source for anyone who wants to find good, cheap restaurants in and around London. Having already been there many times, I just picked this book up to help plan my next trip (in just over a month!)and have found it to be invaluable. I even see a number of our favorite restuarants already listed! Here are some reasons as to why I am in love with this book:

1. Size - it is pocket-sized - perfect to bring along on the trip with you without being bulky like many travel books. Can even fit in a purse to carry around with you on a daily basis while in London.

2. Organization - The book is divided into sections of London, complete with maps, so you will always be able to locate a restuarant near to where you are. The maps help you locate streets and restaurant locations, and there is also an index if you want to look up a restaurant by name, not location.

3. Authority - Time Out is a trusted source of info, and they provide excellent detailed reviews of each restaurant. Furthermore, their reviews are annonymous - they don't announce who they are at the restaurants they review, and they pay in full like any other customer.

4. Coupons! Need I say more? :) There are three 25% off vouchers to use at about 10 different specific restaurants.

I am an avid traveler and I have to say this is one of the best guides I have come across. It is organized, informational and compact. It is great for the budget traveler or for a regular traveler who wants to try some of the good, less expensive restaurants London has to offer. The only drawback is its limited use...the coupns expire in May 2006, and like any other dining guide, it is only useful if the establishments stay in business.

We have been to London many times and have always been disappointed by the food - the price is so high and we didn't seem to get the quality we wanted. I bought this book and we used it to find a place to eat every day for a week! This is a must have. I did find a few discrepencies in the book - restaurants listed in the index but with the wrong page number, restaurants on the maps but with no write-up. But these were minor.

Like another reviewer said, you may not consider it cheap for US standards but it is for London. We tried restaurants in multiple locations (not just one neighbor hood) and always went out for a late lunch so we could catch lunch prices. My favorite places were Daquise (Polish), Sofra (Turkish - a mini chain with multiple locations), Belgo Centraal (Belgian - they have a great lunch menu special). It was worth the price to buy this book. It also took some of the stress off of us - we didn't wander the streets thinking 'where are we going to eat'.

I purchased this book before a recent trip to London and found it to be an invaluable resource. Granted, you might not consider some of the restaurants listed in this book "budget" restaurants by U.S. standards, but in London, they are. I primarily used the information about restaurants in the Marylebone High Street area and found several gems, including the Golden Hind, where you can have delicious fish and chips. The book helped me find great spots frequented by Londoners.

A word of advice: Even if you're sticking to one or two neighborhoods, peruse the entire book. Some of the chains found across the city (including Pret a Manger and Yo! Sushi) are listed in a single section but actually have multiple locations.