Average customer rating:
- A culinary student must have
- Don't Bother Me...I'm choosing a wine.....!
- From http://www.AWineStory.com Publisher Marisa D'Vari
- Great content, sloppy editing
- Perfect Timing
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What to Drink with What You Eat: The Definitive Guide to Pairing Food with Wine, Beer, Spirits, Coffee, Tea - Even Water - Based on Expert Advice from America's Best Sommeliers
Andrew Dornenburg ,
Karen Page , and
Michael Sofronski
Manufacturer: Bulfinch
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Spirits
| Drinks & Beverages
| Cooking, Food & Wine
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Wine & Winemaking
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Food & Wine
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General
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| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
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Cooking, Food & Wine
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
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Similar Items:
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Perfect Pairings: A Master Sommelier's Practical Advice for Partnering Wine with Food
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Culinary Artistry
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Happy in the Kitchen: The Craft of Cooking, the Art of Eating
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Working the Plate: The Art of Food Presentation
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Windows on the World Complete Wine Course: 2007 Edition (Windows on the World Complete Wine Course)
ASIN: 0821257188 |
Book Description
The most comprehensive guide to matching food and drink ever compiled, by the James Beard Award winning author team of Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg, with practical advice from more than seventy of America's leading pairing experts In a great meal, what you drink is just as important as what you eat.This groundbreaking food and beverage pairing reference allows food lovers to learn to think like a sommelier, and to transform every meal- breakfast, lunch, and dinner - from ordinary to extraordinary. Exceptional in its depth and scope - with over fifteen hundred entries - What to Drink with What You Eat is based on the collective wisdom of experts at dozens of America's best restaurants, including Alinea, Babbo, Bern's, Blue Hill, Chanterelle, Daniel, Emeril's, French Laundry, Frontera Grill, Inn at Little Washington, Jean Georges, Masa's, The Modern, Per Se, Rubicon, Tru, and Valentino. You'll find authoritative recommendations for stocking your cellar and kitchen with must-have beverages, from wines to waters.You'll also learn what to drink with everything from French toast to Chinese food, and what to eat with everything from Pinot Noir to green tea, to create mouthwatering matches.Follow the authors three simple Rules to Remember when making a match - or just dive into the wide-ranging listings in chapters 5 and 6. This incisive, hip writing team (Publisher's Weekly) distills history, geography, science, expert technique, and original insight to create a remarkably user-friendly and engaging reference.Lavishly illustrated with gorgeous four-color photographs, What to Drink with What You Eat is an instant classic essential to every connoisseur's bookshelf.
Customer Reviews:
A culinary student must have.......2007-05-12
I recently had to do a food and wine pairing for class. Considering i'm still in school, I had no idea what to do.After talking to a chef instructor, I decided that this book would benefit me in both school and out in the industry. I mean, it even pairs water. Yeah, this book is definately worth every cent.
Don't Bother Me...I'm choosing a wine.....!.......2007-04-18
The dust on my furniture is thickening, the phone is ringing, my dog wants a walk...Sorry, I am selecting which beverage to serve tomorrow nite with peel-and-eat shrimp...oh, what fun!! Watch out because once you open this book, it will be awhile before you rejoin the world: It's pure facination and empowerment (!) for an avid foodie who has never been quite certain of what wine to serve without groveling at the local wine shop! And it's not just about wine; there are fabulous suggestions for beer, citrus drinks, tea....
There are already excellent reviews (in my opinion) so I don't want to reinvent the wheel by raving on the photos, the organization, the pure depth of information, the perfection of this book. But if you have stopped on this page, you probably also own a dog-eared, raggedy, finger-smudged copy of "Culinary Artistry" (somewhat like mine is?) and suffice to say that while this is a much more beautiful book and may not necessarily be sitting next to your stove (although there are wonderful recipes...)you will probably refer to it as often.
Suggestion: Read the more in-depth reviews, click to order....and purchase those little anti-static dust cloths. I haven't figured out what to do about the dog yet...
From http://www.AWineStory.com Publisher Marisa D'Vari.......2007-04-09
Are you curious about what wine to order with your cheesecake? Intimidated by five-hundred page wine list at a top restaurant? Downright scared when the sommelier comes charging toward your table?
Relax. Authors Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page have created a resource that helps even the `average Joe or Jane' understand the principles of wine and food pairing. They take the conventional, canned, old-school advice of "red wine with meat, white wine with fish" to an entirely new level, based on insights learned from their previous books on cuisine, as well as interviews with America's top, cutting-edge sommeliers.
In many ways, the format of What to Drink with What You Eat resembles a substantial wine/food pairing encyclopedia specifically designed to be quickly skimmed before heading off to a restaurant or purchasing wine for a dinner party. For example, let's say you are entertaining clients at a steakhouse, and want to sound intelligent about wine. You know red wine typically goes with red meat, but which red? Old world or new? And what are the virtues of each? By spending just five minutes with this book (and perhaps jotting down some notes) you will be able to help your guests order a Shiraz, Barbaresco, Barolo, or good old Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon based on the elements of the sauce and cut of meat they choose.
In a similar fashion, let's say you want to dazzle your friends and show off your new kitchen with a fabulous dinner party. Spend a few moments with this book and you will be able to pair every element of your menu with an exciting, unusual wine. No need to consult a professional wine expert, as you have this knowledge at your fingertips.
Sommeliers interviewed for this book are mostly young and more free-thinking than sommeliers of years past. They are enthusiastic about wine, regardless of it's an exciting, new world find of exceptional value, or a fine-aged Bordeaux worth hundreds of dollars. As a group, they see their mission as helping you find a good wine to accessorize your meal within your price range. And the individual quotes from sommeliers are what makes this book so fresh and appealing.
For example, Steve Beckta of Beckta Dining & Wine in Ottawa believes that as a sommelier, it is almost more important to match a wine to a person than to match the wine to the food. Curious thought! "The most important part of being a sommelier is not your ability to taste, but your ability to empathize with the person who is in front of you," he explains in the book.
How very true. In one instance, Beckta recalls three `big businessmen' sitting at a table. One wants lamb, one wants halibut, and the other guy wants scallops. They tell him they want the "perfect" wine that matches all three, dissimilar dishes. By carefully listening to the subtext of what they are telling him, Beckta realizes they are after a wine that fits into their comfort zone, not necessarily the best match. To him, that means a "big red" from Australia and as it turns out, the businessmen love it.
Sommelier Alpana Singh, formerly of Everest in Chicago (now with the Lettuce Entertainment Group) agrees that comfort is important. She likes to serve California wines on big holidays like New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day, because people who dine out only a few `special nights' a year want something they can recognize and appreciate.
If you entertain or dine out frequently, What To Drink with What You Eat is a dynamic desktop resource and wine and food pairing primer that will stimulate you to learn more about wine by further reading or classes. If you like oaky Chardonnay, for example, this book will also motivate you to try unoaked Chardonnay wines and realize the difference, especially when paired with food. Yet what works best about this book is the way you can take advantage of the authors' extensive research and with just a few minutes of skimming, come across as a credible wine expert in front of clients, colleagues, family and friends.
Great content, sloppy editing.......2007-04-06
First off, it's very wide ranging and is incredibly easy to use. All of the recommendations in this book have come from top notch chefs and sommeliers, so you know they can be trusted. You'll often find a wealth of options to choose from for different foods due to the democratic group effort behind this. You'll also get more than just wine, which is incredibly refreshing. Some snobs refuse to admit it, but there are some dishes that simply work better with other drinks. They go above simply listing "beer" and will put "lager", "wheat beer", etc., which is nice.
The book uses a system of bold print, capital letters, and asterisks to point out which drinks work particularly well, as well as other options for people who are looking to try something different. It's also nice to see a section afterwards that does the reverse and is listed by drink and then has food suggestions. Sometimes you want to build the meal around a special bottle of wine instead of vice versa. After that comes specific recommendations from some of the well known contributors to the book. It's an almost flawless book. Except....
....the book is very poorly edited and, in at least two cases, factually inaccurate. Jean-Luc Le Du is either misquoted, misinformed, or simply misspoke. The quote: "Where to find great Cabernet Sauvignon: This would be a toss-up between hillside vineyards in California and Pomerol in France." I had to do a double take...Pomerol? For Cab Sauv? Huh?
Not only that, I noticed this statement in two different parts of the book. I'm assuming M. Le Du meant to say Pauillac, as Pomerol is, of course, known for Merlot, which makes up most or all (80-100%, usually) of the wine blend there. Even if there is Cab Sauv in the blend, it's a minimal amount of the wine. I can understand misspeaking and saying Pomerol when you mean Pauillac; it happens. But how this obvious factual error ended up in the final print of the book is beyond me. Anyone that buys a Pomerol expecting a shining example of Cab Sauv will be disappointed (although they may end up with some of the world's best Merlot.)
I've also noticed another factual error concerning the retail price of a certain wine; they mention Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon as a great value wine at $10 a bottle. It actually retails for around $30-$35 a bottle, not $10.
While I have yet to find any other major errors in the text (not that I'm actively searching for them, but maybe I should), I have noticed a couple grammatical blunders; missing punctuation, spelling errors and such. It's disappointing to see easily correctable errors like this mar an otherwise fantastic book. That being said, don't let these gripes deter you from buying this excellent reference source for food and drink pairings. Clean up the grammar and factual errors and this becomes a 5 star book.
Perfect Timing.......2007-03-19
I am soon to open my First restaurant. Being a chef not only did this book help me brush up it even expanded my paring knowledge. I have also used it as a training tool with my employees and recommended it to them. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys food.
Book Description
The Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine is an illustrated, accessible guide to understanding what works and what doesnt in the world of complementary and alternative medicine, and how to put this information to use in your everyday life. For the first time, leading medical experts at world-renown Mayo Clinic are publishing a book that surveys the most important and popular therapies, remedies, procedures and practices of natural medicine, delivering you the facts, based on clinical experience and current research and testing. From acupuncture to yoga, Echinacea to St. Johns wort, and meditation to healing touch, Mayo Clinic provides answers to the most pressing questions people have about the effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine, and when its appropriate to use natural remedies in place of or in conjunction with traditional medicine. This guide also offers practical advice for treating common ailments and incorporating alternative treatments into yourand your familyslife. The book covers areas as diverse as simple products that can be worked into your daily menus (i.e. drinking green tea), to more specific natural practices like massage therapy and traditional Chinese medicine that can help address a specific health condition or improve your quality of life. This book explains how natural therapies and remedies, combined with traditional medicine, can provide you with the most well-rounded plan for dealing with your overall health and the health of your family.The Mayo Book of Alternative Medicine is your complete plan for safely and effectively incorporating natural remedies into your life.
Customer Reviews:
Good book but could be even better.......2007-07-07
This really deserves 3 1/2 stars. It is very good for what it includes, but should include a bit more. It mostly emphasizes cardiac health. Much of the information is well documented and available elsewhere.
But it does a very good job in presenting the material and making it understood by many people.
Know your expectations.......2007-05-19
The answer to the question "Is this book worth the money it costs?" greatly depends on what you expect to get from it. If you're looking for a reference guide for the so called "alternative therapies" (I'll use CAM for short henceforth), you probably should look someplace else. If you are a believer in CAM, looking for a scientific proof that CAM works, you might be disappointed. Although the book does list 20 conditions, which can be "helped" with CAM according to scientific studies, a closer look reveals that by "helps" they almost always mean "provides a temporary and mild relief for some superficial symptoms", namely: non-specific pain, nausea, stress, anxiety, depression, and high blood pressure. In my case, I was looking not for the information, but for another point of view. It's not difficult to find all the information in this book online, either in favor of CAM (mostly coming from practitioners), or against it (QuackWatch, SkepDic, NCAHF, CSICOP etc.), or even something more or less neutral, like NCCAM. After listening to all the sides I thought that Mayo Clinic, as a respectable medical institute, but with unusually liberal approach towards CAM, may provide a unique perspective on the matter. In this respect the book was more or less worth the money I paid for it. Two things soured the experience, however. First of all, the book isn't as comprehensive as I was hoping for. It contains a basic description of 25 popular types of "alternative therapy", as well as 59 common herbs, vitamins and minerals. This is a nice coverage, actually, but with hundreds of therapies and thousands of herbs out there (if not more) it's far too small to be a real compendium. I was hoping for at least twice as much. In particular, there is nothing about such famous (or infamous) things as colon cleansing and Philippine healers. One star off for this. There is a lot of information about healthy living, and just a handful of pages about the dangers of CAM and the quackery, but since I've found nothing there I didn't know already, it didn't affect my rating. Some people might find it useful, though. Another matter is more serious: deception. To my best knowledge (but who knows) they tell only the truth in the book, but definitely not the whole truth, which creates false impressions. For example, they speak of the idea of "putative energy" or "life-force" as a supposed basis of some "therapies", but never mention the fact that such concepts are extremely anti-scientific. People who aren't versed in science may take this silence as a sign that science, at the very least, doesn't deny the existence of such "energies", which is not true. A more disturbing example involves prayer. The book gives it a "green light" and says that a study (emphasis on "a") showed that prayer can change the course of some disease, yet never mentions all the other studies, including at least two performed by Mayo Clinic itself (!), which showed absolutely no benefit of prayer on healing. Whether prayer works or not, I find such glaring omission unacceptable. There are many other examples like this one, and even the choice of words is sometimes misleading ("study couldn't prove" instead of "study disproved", for example). Because I generally like and respect Mayo Clinic, I will take off only one more star for this, but I can't promise to be so nice next time.
Great book.......2007-03-08
Nice large easy to read, not too technical book. Good for anyone who wants to bridge traditional medicine with alternative treatments.
Disappointed.......2007-02-12
Very disappointed in how watered down the information in this book is...doesn't seem like the Mayo Clinic gave me any new information, and just scratched the surface on all that's available today. Wouldn't recommend to the serious reader, but a good place to start if you know absolutely nothing about health choices.
not enough depth, and possibly wrong sometimes.......2007-01-22
I think money and politics and the threat of lawsuits sometimes affects the how researchers present a therapy or drug as either safe or not. It seems they tend more to the safe side than not, at least that what it seems like. The book has a lot of nice pretty pictures, and for those who are rushed for time and don't want to take an indepth look at a particular drug or treatment, then I suppose this book is adequate. Although there are a lot of websites out there, imo, that have just as good information if not better. I was suprised that Soy was given a green light given the nature that high amounts of soy does contain a chemical in it that might be considered by some to not be beneficial. Definately a good book for some. But for the serious alternative medicine researcher, there is no substitute for reading as much as you can from just about every source you can.
Book Description
This 4-CD set includes:
Manifesting with the Angels,
Past-Life Regression with the Angels,
Karma Releasing, and Healing with the Angels
Manifesting with the Angels: Doreen guides you through a powerful manifestation session called “progression,” in which you and your angels attract the qualities and experiences of your soul’s highest destiny and intentions.
Past-Life Regression with the Angels: Doreen leads you through a very gentle and deep past-life regression, in which you recall your life’s purpose and answer other key questions.
Karma Releasing: Doreen helps you to release painful conscious and unconscious memories from your past (including past lives) so that you can live free from fears.
Healing with the Angels: Many people report receiving healing and higher self-esteem from listening to this guided meditation in which Doreen invokes Archangel Raphael and other healing angels.
Customer Reviews:
Angel CD's.......2007-09-22
All of Doreen Virtue's books, angel deck cards & cd's are outstanding. These cd's are a great introduction to the Angel world. Doreen is by far the expert & wonderful guide to helping you understand and utilize God's wonderful gift of the Angels.
Great Value, Great Gift to yourself.......2007-06-05
I bought this set a couple of months ago and I have listened to all 4 CDs.
Every CD places something good back into your life by reviewing past lives, breaking neg patterns, or visualizing what you want. Doreens voice is very soothing and calming. While I have had issues in the past with going into a hypnotic state with guided meditations, Doreens voice set my mind at ease. I don't believe anyone who chooses to buy this set will be disappointed.
Thanks Doreen & Angels.......2007-03-12
You will discover so many good things you did not know you had abilities to reach. By looking at her photo I had imagined Doreen to have a cute little voice, but it turns out her voice is very grown-up and tenor. The kind of voice you feel comfortable following into the world away from this world.
The Best of Doreen Virtue.......2007-01-17
I loved all the meditations,very well done,very relaxing. Ideal for anyone on the spiritual path.
cd.......2007-01-05
i love to listen to doreen virtue great cd set love them thank for have this product
Book Description
Kim Sheridan grew up with animals as her constant companions. Each time she faced the death of a beloved pet, along with the pain came the same questions, to which she could find no answers. Then, mysterious things began to happen that she couldn’t explain, which led her on an incredible journey to uncover the truth. Along with her own extraordinary experiences, she compiled heartwarming and meaningful true stories of everyday people around the world, and discovered compelling evidence that forever erased her own doubts about an afterlife for animals.
This book provides enormous comfort and reassurance to anyone who has ever cherished a pet, and food for thought for anyone who has ever questioned the place of these beloved creatures in the larger scheme of things, both here on Earth and beyond.
Customer Reviews:
EXCELLANT.......2007-10-03
Loosing a 'friend' is never easy....for some, as with myself....tramatic..it has been two months.....
but with Kim Sheridan.........and the stories.....it has helped, given me hope and some peace.
I DO NOT recommend Sylvia Browne's book 'Spirit of Animals"..it is a picture book with two minutes of reading time......and you do not feel any better for it.
This book gives you hope, peace, and that just maybe you and your friend will meet again on THIS side.............
Animals and the Afterlife.......2007-09-06
This book was so helpful in easing the pain of losing a beloved pet. Kim
Sheridan's writing is informative, compassionate and insightful. I would recommend this book to anyone who is grieving a companion animal.
Fantastic Book.......2007-09-05
Once I got started reading this book, it was hard to put down. After reading this book I have the comfort of knowing that the 2 pets I just recently lost are still close by. I was touched by the wonderful stories that were shared by other people. I would highly recommend this book.
Nice Read.......2007-08-24
Comforting book for anyone who has lost a beloved pet. I now even have a new outlook on the rat family. It is filled with many wonderful story the writer received from others who have lost there pets. Easy read, would recommend for anyone of any age.
an emtional warm blanket.......2007-03-18
kim's book has been answered prayers for myself and many family members and friends.i cannot imagine how she was able to pick and choose through so many broken hearts to help us. i shed tears while reading this book both from grief and joy and allowed myself a sense of peace and understanding of transition that i had not learned even after a lifetime of critical care nursing. i appreciate the authors' respect for all life, and the different ways it is celebrated,mourned and honoured throughout the world. i appreciate greatly the biblical referances and the beautiful quotations. even though i miss my family greatly, i rejoice in knowing they will meet me at the rainbow bridge....thankyou kim,bless you and your work...looking forward to the next book....hurry!!!
Book Description
The ultimate bartending guide!
Proven recipes, step-by-step instructions, and much, much more
Congratulations! You’ve just discovered the ultimate bartender’s guide that’s up-to-date, practical, and easy-to-use. Inside you’ll find recipes for hundreds of delicious cocktails and mixed drinks, plus step-by-step directions for making virtually every contemporary and classic drink ordered at bars and restaurants today–from an A.B.C. to a Zorbatini.
You’ll also find total coverage of bartending basics, including equipment, ingredients, techniques, glassware, and garnishes.
- More than 850 recipes–listed alphabetically
- Clear, step-by-step instructions and problem-solving tips
- Fast-find icons–for classics, shooters, party punches, and more
- Waterproof, wipe-dry cover with place-keeping ribbon
- Mini-course on professional bartending
Customer Reviews:
My favorite cocktail book.......2007-05-19
This book is indispensable! It contains recipes for old-fashioned cocktails (and their history) as well as new "foofy" drinks. I much prefer it over Mr Boston for its variety. I enjoy drinks that are simple and use bitters or aperitifs, and this book has plenty of them! It also includes non-alcoholic drinks for the tee-totaler.
I would recommend this book for anyone looking to build their bar and learn how to make some delicious drinks that go far beyond the boring martini-bar cocktail.
Pros and Cons.......2007-01-24
Pros: Awesome book. Easy to follow. Cheaper than bar-tending sites offer.
Cons: It doesn't have EVERY drink you're looking for, but it has a good enough selection you won't be disappointed.
great book.......2007-01-05
This was a great book. I just wish it had listed the drinks by alcohol ingredients. But overall, I loved it.
Good Drinks Good Fun!.......2005-01-25
This is a good book for people who want to know how to mix drinks and how to mix them well. It also has some non-alcholic mixes for the kids parties and stuff! And the cover is water proof and has a place keeping ribbon too!
Very good!.......2004-06-30
Got this book and was immediately impressed by the loads of recipes. However, there are some good ones missing and some of the recipes are tinkered with a bit (as most are), but that's just nitpicking. Overall an outstanding recipe book! Well worth the price!
Average customer rating:
- Great Primer to Italian Wines
- Wonderful book.
- Matt Kramer Understands Italian Wine
- Matt does it again
- Veni, vidi, vini
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Matt Kramer's Making Sense of Italian Wine: Discovering Italy's Greatest Wines and Best Values
Matt Kramer
Manufacturer: Running Press Book Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Spirits
| Drinks & Beverages
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Buying Guides
| Wine
| Drinks & Beverages
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Wine & Winemaking
| Wine
| Drinks & Beverages
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
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The Wines of France: The Essential Guide for Savvy Shoppers
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Italian Wines 2007: A Guide to the World of Italian Wine for Experts and Wine Lovers (Italian Wines)
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Matt Kramer's New California Wine: Making Sense of Napa Valley, Sonoma, Central Coast, and Beyond
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Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy
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The Oxford Companion to Wine, 3rd Edition
ASIN: 0762422300 |
Book Description
Matt Kramer, longtime Wine Spectator columnist and author of the classic Making Sense series of wine books, now turns his palate toward Italy. Though Italian wine is the most popular wine among consumers, it remains puzzling to most wine lovers who wouldn't know a Barolo from a Barbaresco. Though shrouded in mystery, Italian wine has some of the most exciting and affordable varieties being produced today. Kramer is a trusted companion in the wine store, telling his readers the essentials: which wines can't be missed, and which are safe to skip. Organized like a "Shopper's Guide," this unique book offers the lowdown on the most dazzling wines in every price range—their regions, traditions, and which foods to match with them. With Kramer's trademark wit and intelligence, here is an invaluable tool to finding treasures in the local wine shop.
Customer Reviews:
Great Primer to Italian Wines.......2007-05-22
There are some great reviews here of this book. The only thing I can add as someone who loves Italian wine is Matt Kramer does a great job with the big job he has given himself and tells you as much in his introduction. I thought the first 3 chapters were excellent with the philosophy of being Italian. Each chapter simply covers the basics of Northern Italy's wine giving you producers who are good at that particuliar wine. I would recommend this book as a primer for the real beginner. God read.
Wonderful book........2007-05-09
This is a wonderful book.
I was already familiar with many Italian wines, but my knowledge and experience with them was scattered.
This book put so many things into perspective for me.
I went to Italy for the first time last September and now reading this book, I can look back and better understand and appreciate what I saw then.
The organization of the book is outstanding. The book has identified several wines of interest which I have now tried with great enjoyment.
Kramer's writing style is not only informative, but he can turn a phrase and I found my self smiling at several points and then found myself looking for the next clever piece of writing.
This book has also triggered a desire to learn more about Italian wines and I have started reading the Joe Bastianich book as a follow up.
This book is a home run.
Matt Kramer Understands Italian Wine.......2007-01-09
Matt Kramer provides a good perspective on Italian wines and winemaking. Although not a comprehensive encyclopedia of Italian wines or vintages it does provide a solid and understandable description of major and minor wine varieties. My only complaint...the typos are rampant and inexcusable.
Matt does it again.......2006-12-17
This is a great book, even though it is not as ambitious as the California and Burgundy books. Matt Kramer focuses on the most important and easiest to find Italian wines, but he really gets to the bottom of what makes them great, or not. If you want to know why a 20-dollar Chianti normale from a great producer is way more exciting than a 200-dollar Sassicaia, you must read this book!
The only downside is that the book is not a complete guide of Italian wine. For that, you can get Vino Italiano. But Matt's informed, intellectual view of Italian wine is unique, and really irreplaceable. If you love Italian wine, you must own this book.
Veni, vidi, vini.......2006-10-27
This is the most recent addition to Matt Kramer's "Making Sense" series of wine books. If you've read any of the others, you know that the dumbed-down "Making Sense" tag is a bit of a misnomer. The original Making Sense of Wine is one of the most intellectual wine books ever written, with thoughtful chapters on the nature of connoisseurship, the importance of typicity of place, and wine's changing role at the dinner table throughout history. And then there is Kramer's rare, inexplicably out-of-print Making Sense of Burgundy, which costs north of $100 if you can find it... rather like a prized Burgundy itself.
For better or worse, Making Sense of Italian Wine doesn't continue this deceptive labeling. It's organized like a buyer's guide for beginners and indeed Kramer states flatly in the introduction: "This book is not intended for wine lovers who are already deeply knowledgeable about Italian wines.... Instead, this book is for relative newcomers to Italian wines. It's for everyone who has enjoyed a bottle recommended to them in an Italian restaurant and would like a little guidance about how to go about having another such delicious experience."
The majority of the book consists of overviews of about 40 different types of Italian wine, broken down, for each category, into a brief history, a list of recommended producers, an overview of the cuisine typically served with the wines in Italy, various vital stats, and references to similar wine types. The culinary descriptions are particularly refreshing because they don't degenerate into any of the customary voodoo about what micro-elements in the wine and food "pair" with each other in whatever barely noticeable ways. Instead, Kramer just describes, quite evocatively, what the locals eat, so the result is a small lesson in culture rather than the usual dinner-table dogma.
The 40 wine categories cover about as much breadth as you can expect in a book of 250 pages without very much depth for any particular type. (Big guns like Barolo get 20 pages tops, mostly producer descriptions.) It's tempting to skip through a lot of this, but the fact is that Kramer has a real knack for isolating distinctive producers and tying their wine into the kind of story you want to retell to your friends when you have a glass of it in front of you. There's Saracco's Moscato d'Asti, for example, which Kramer describes as the closest thing on the commercial market to the genuine old-time Moscato d'Asti--the kind that was filtered through a sock and would often spontaneously explode in producers' cellars. If every chapter had a recommendation as on the mark and interesting as that one, the book would be indispensable, but unfortunately a lot of chapters seem to cry out for more flesh on the bones.
The three introductory essays are the emotional heart of the book in that they reveal Kramer having a real passion for the subject, rather than just a lot of expertise. The first is titled "Bella Figura--The Italian Love of the Beautiful Gesture" and is a warm account of the Italian obsession for the seemingly insignificant flourish designed to project the perfect image. For some producers, their "bella figura" is a fancy label or a heavy bottle; for others it's new oak barrels--"except for those traditionalist producers who, in a kind of jujitsu move, make the absence of small oak barrels their bella figura." Seen that way, suddenly it makes sense how both approaches can seem quintessentially Italian.
Book Description
A former cult member, now a counselor helping those affected by destructive cults, Hassan exposes the troubling facts about cults' recruitment, their use of psychological manipulation, and their often subtle influence on government, the legal system, and society as a whole.
This updated paperback edition includes a new preface by the author and an expanded bibliography and resource list.
Customer Reviews:
Well-written, extremely helpful and very balanced.......2007-03-24
This book is everything the positive reviews say and more. I believe it was greatly enhanced by the fact that the author was himself a member of the Unification Church for an extended period, as he contributes a good deal from his own experiences. He does a great job explaining how cults use psychological manipulation to draw in members, and how exit counselors work to "unfreeze" their minds so they can find their own way out of the group's lies. I also greatly appreciated the fact that he focused his criticsms on those who abuse religon for their own ends and did not try to caricature all religions as cultic. This book is a tremendous resource for anyone interested in this subject and gets my highest recommendation.
Scott's review of Combatting Mind Control.......2006-03-10
I found the book very informative and easy to understand. I was able to relate to what Steve was talking about having been raised in a mind control cult myself. I would recommend the book to those who are working on helping someone escape this subtle nightmare to become alive again. I am persuing the same mission field as Steve and he inspired me to stay with it.
Excellent book on cults and mind control.......2005-09-01
Anyone interested in this book should go to (...) "Constructing Social Reality". The program is hosted by Phillip Zimbardo, the well know social psychologist from Stanford University and long-time president of the American Psychological Association, and features footage of Steven Hassan talking briefly about his views on cults and mind control. It should give one a good sense of the tone, intelligence and validity of Hassan's writing.
This book helped me.......2005-05-26
When I learned that L. Ron Hubbard had officially "erased" his 2nd wife, Sara, and began describing her as the Russian communist spy Sara Komkosadamanov, and then I saw the huge stack of abandoned dianetics books at a used book store, I knew something was seriously wrong. Since then I've been reading and reading. Now I've just finished a really nice and concise over-view of whole messy subject: 'Combatting Cult Mind Control' by Steven Hassan. If you're tempted to wander into the world of cults, read this book first.
I was in a cult.......2005-04-26
This book is one of those books that one can read and relate their experiece - whether or not you were in one of the listed cults Hassan describes. How freeing to realize that the same tactics used by those Hassan listed are the same tactics the cults I was involved with used. There is nothing new under the sun, that's for certain.
With tremendous sincerity and helpfulness, Hassan lists out the destructive portions of the cults while at the same time not minimizing those of us who have been in a cult. ANYONE could be recruited or involved. I admire his compassion for all involved as well as a direct no-nonsense approach to those who premediate cult practises to harm and abuse others.
I recommend this book to anyone who is seeking validation regarding the possibility of being in a cult and to those who may work with those coming out of an abusive church/religious experience!
Amazon.com
When you witness a small child haul off and smack another child unprovoked, the theory of innate morality seems to lose all validity. Moral education has always been the domain of religion, and Linda Kavelin Popov has culled 52 universal virtues from the world's religions, one for each week of the year. The resulting Family Values Guide is a workbook for the moral education of children that transcends differences of religion or culture. Each week, the book suggests, a family should gather to discuss a different virtue from the book, such as love, generosity, or patience, and the parents then emphasize the virtue for the following days, capitalizing on appropriate moments for education. Contrary to some pop psychology authors, Popov insists that reasonable boundaries be established and maintained for children and that appropriate punishment be meted out when boundaries are crossed. Psychotherapist and president of the Family Values Project, Popov sees the language of values as the key to recognizing their importance in social interaction, and encourages parents to add other values to their own list.
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful, not just for Baha'i children!!.......2006-11-03
This book is absolutely wonderful ~ just what Baha'u'llah encourages us to be, and the virtues are beautifully explained and great examples are given!! Very clear to understand & practice. Every family should have this book, hands down. Of course, there are more than 52 virtues we all should learn & practice, but in this format, we can read and practice one virtue per week for a year. We make it a game & share our experiences throughout the week. :) It's been incredibly helpful not only to my daughter in giving her the tools to be a kind, loving, compassionate & confident individual, but also successful in any situation life will throw at her. NOT to mention ~ it's been invaluable to me, showing and teaching me virtues I needed to work on so I can be a better example for my daughter as well. Being a parent, there is no greater responsibility than talking the talk, and *walking the walk*!! LOVE IT!!
extremely helpful.......2006-03-19
I got this book because of a recommendation from a friend. She taught pre school, and when she applied "the virtues" to her class, she said that it was like a miracle.
Personally, my children are older, 10,11,12. I have also had awesome results so far! I have learned to see many situations differently, and it has worked! Each time I have had an opportunity to call my kids to a virtue, calmness reigns. When we argue, calling them to the particular virtue that is needed at that time makes sense to children. It also allows them to be in control of the results. I believe that I will be using this book until they are grown.
This is a must get book!.......2006-02-09
This book has taught us how to brake the cycle of shame & blame and then shown us a loving/just way to work with kids to change behavior. It has worked on myself just as much as my daughter and she loves to read or do the virtues picks. I can't express how much this has helped us! We all love the book.Have an open mind and do it for a month you will see results right away.
The very best parenting book and the only one you'll need.......2005-10-23
I came across this book in Australia 9 years ago and inmediately bought one. I still use it today. It is the only "parenting" book that I've found truly useful. It is relevant for children from as young as 3 till adult. Indeed, much of it gives fruit for thought for us parents as individuals as well. It is a wonderful tool for developing ethics and integrity, learning about virtues and values, your own and others' and what are universal virtues. I cannot recommend this book more strongly, not only because of its content, but also because it is fun and empowering to do.
a very valuable contribution.......2004-02-29
What is the most important gift we can give our child during the few short years parents exercise major influence? Could it be that giving them a strong moral and ethical framework is the most important task we face? The voices are few, but they are growing - voices that say that ethics is the missing link in the world today. Voices that say that virtues need to be taught to our children in schools. Voices expressed in such books as "The Quiet revolution; Encouraging Positive Values in our Children" where we are told about a revolution in education that is taking place in the Oxford Education Authority in the UK, based on positive concepts such as honesty, truthfulness, respect, happiness, peace, responsibility and love. During the school year children are exposed to 22 similar concepts because the headmaster sees values as the foundation of education, of the healthy development of the child and indeed of the strength of the national community.
Religions identify more that 300 virtues as the basis of their teachings, but the author of "The Family Virtues Guide" has limited herself to a more manageable 52 - one for each week of the year - and reading this book was like a breath of fresh air in a smoke-filled room. Compiled by the Virtues Project, an international organization dedicated to inspiring spiritual growth in young and old alike, this multicultural, interfaith handbook has been prepared for all those who wish to turn these 52 virtues into reality by providing us with simple strategies which we can readily incorporate into our daily life and thus take advantage of those quickly passing teachable moments. All religions have their own version of the Golden Rule - do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Likewise virtues are the silver thread running through all humanity's sacred literature, the traditions of indigenous peoples, all religions, faiths and cultures. Virtues are the qualities of the soul.
We should be concerned about virtues, not only because virtuous people are good people - it goes deeper than that. In each of us there is a deep spiritual need, a yearning of the soul which is often misinterpreted as physical or material neediness. How many of us believe that if only we had more popularity, money, love, power or a better job, we would be happy? Yet when we try to fill this longing by something physical or material - something outside ourselves - we remain unsatisfied. We need to connect to our spiritual self, some would say connect with God, to feel that we are a complete, whole person. The author likens a child to an acorn with the potential to grow into a great oak - born with all the virtues waiting to grow. But just as a tree requires the right environment to grow, so virtues in a child need tender loving care to develop. In today's world of latchkey children, it is easy to believe that if we satisfy our child's physical needs we are being good parents. But a child needs more and this book helps us to understand and implement part of what is missing. This book should be read by all thoughtful, loving parents who want their child to develop into the oak tree that is their potential.
The introduction tells us what we can expect from this book: "The Guide is a how-to manual for applying virtues in everyday life, for supporting each other to set spiritual goals. It is a guide to a simple language of spirituality - the virtues themselves. Some call it the language of the heart." Each virtue begins with a small inspirational quotation from the holy book of one of the world's religions and has an explanation of its meaning, why and how we should practice it and how we measure success in implementing it. The concept is well thought through, well presented and easy to follow.
Parents are the child's first teacher, yet most of us become parents with little training and prior preparation for such easily overlooked areas as teaching virtues. Very quickly children are launched into the world of television, materialism and advertising where they are exposed to values representing the opposite of ethics, integrity and love. For those who feel that endowing our children with virtues is important, "The Family Virtues Guide" is a very valuable contribution.
Book Description
Is it possible for a company to grow its revenues and profits by 10 percent or more for at least ten consecutive years, not counting acquisitions? That's an incredibly high bar for growth and profitability, one that 99.99 percent of American companies can't meet— including the famous ones that routinely land on magazine covers.
Management expert Jason Jennings screened 100,000 companies to identify nine little- known firms that have delivered stellar performance for a full decade or more, despite the ups and downs of the economy. And, as he reveals in his new book, these superstars have a lot in common despite their wide range of industries, which includes software, food services, medical supplies, and sporting goods.
It turns out that the best long-term performers all combine the strengths of a big organization with the hunger of a start-up. They build excellent relationships with their customers, suppliers, workers, and shareholders. They groom future leaders at all levels. They balance their short-term goals with their long-term visions. And they teach their managers to get their hands dirty.
Jennings did extensive interviews at his nine featured companies to find out exactly how they consistently increase revenue and profits without using manipulation or gimmickry. He reveals their unique approach to leadership and shows how any company, no matter what size or industry, can benefit from following their examples.
Think Big, Act Small may be the most powerful management book since Good to Great and Execution.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book!.......2007-08-23
I loved this book. It's an easy, enjoyable read, and very rich in information on how companies we know and love have made it through difficult times and the habits and beliefs they live on a day-to-day basis. Very interesting and insightful. I plan to re-read it in case I missed anything the first go-round.
10 successful companies explain what makes them great........2007-05-30
The book covers the study of 10 companies that have had an increase in revenue and profit of 10%, or more, for 10 consecutive years. There are many similarities with "Good to Great", however, this book deals with smaller companies and the leader at the helm is written about in more detail than "Good to Great". Like any great book on leadership and business you will find that the key to greatness is, you guessed it, FUNDAMENTALS. I particularly enjoyed the study of Koch Industries. Mr. Charles Koch guiding principles are outlined well in this book and I believe they are worth studying and implementing. They certainly have produced incredible results for his business conglomerate. Overall this book was well written and I was able to get some great nuggets of practical information from all 10 of the companies studied. I really enjoyed it, and got enough out of it to give it the 5 stars.
Stories of Business Practices, Culture, & Philosophy of Nine Successful Companies.......2007-01-20
This is a great business practice/philosophy book. It doesn't throw numbers at you or tell you how to hit your quarterly target. Instead, the stories of nine culturally healthy and monetarily profitable companies are told. The format is interviews with the company leaders and other key players. Jennings expounds on the interviews and builds similarities among the companies. For instance, these companies don't acquire customers or clientèle, they build communities and fans.
The stories are inspiring because they truly start from the beginning. For example, Dick Cabela purchased fishing flies in Chicago for only pennies apiece. When he returned home to the Midwest, he put an ad in a sportsmen magazine and the orders started to roll in. He and his wife filled orders on the kitchen table and their first warehouse was the shed in the backyard. Today, Cabela's is one of the largest outdoors specialty merchandisers/retailers in the US, grosses more than $1.5B, and their stores are considered tourist attractions.
One more story: Charles O'Reilly and his son Chub worked at an automotive parts store for years. Charles was let go at the age of 72 and Chub was transferred out of state by some higher-ups, as I like to call them. So Charles decided to open a competing store. Chub was a cofounder and they also hired 10 employees from their competitors under one condition, "anyone joining the new company had to make an investment and become and owner."
These companies don't make big 5-10 year plans, instead they focus on today through next year and sometimes two years ahead. They claim making big plans never work because trends, business, technology, etc. change too often and you lose site of the fundamentals and current goals and neglect suppliers (partners) and customers (the community). Additionally, resources are wasted trying to achieve something that might never be. However, they do focus on being extremely adaptable; ready to refocus the entire company or invent new businesses in short notice.
Bottom line, all the stories and lessons are inspiring and invaluable. Considerable focus is placed on the cultures of these companies. Basically, they don't worry about making money and acquiring customers. They concentrate on building a healthy culture, make sure employees are happy, and provide solutions to problems; gaining wealth and customers is only an axiomatic consequence.
The nine companies interviewed are PETCO, Koch Industries, Sonic, Cabela's, Medline Industries, O'Reilly Automotive, Dot Foods, SAS Institute, Strayer Education. The companies presented have grown revenues by at least 10% for 10 consecutive years.
Great.......2007-01-10
This book reminds us to set aside our own egos when managing a business or a department. It is a quick read with a clear message. I would recommend that all senior managers and those who aspire to be a senior manager read this book.
Model Organizations, Outstanding Leadership.......2007-01-09
What stands out about this Think Big, Act Small is that the ten companies the author highlights are not only model organizations and true to their mission, they also have the benefit of outstanding leadership. What struck me, especially in light of the culture of the rock star CEO is that for the most part, those who lead these organizations wants no part of that star mystique. Instead, they are interested in building organizations that stay true to their employees, their partners, and ultimately, to their customers.
KnightofGod spoke about some of the common sense lessons, that surprisingly enough are not as common place as you would think. I think that's the crux of how these companies operate. They adopt a common sense approach to their business, placing little bets along the way, quietly go about building their reputation, and where I think most companies truly fall short, give their employees a sense of ownership, either emotionally or by giving them a piece of the company.
For the CEO's that think a part of their job is to be on CNBC, it certainly is refreshing to read about executives who to a certain extent shun the spotlight. Not only are they averse to being on stage, they also shun the trappings of CEO-life. It is in stark contrast to the stories we have all read about.
Jenning's lays out ten "Building Blocks" to think big, but act small. In each of his ten cases, to one degree or another, these building blocks were a cornerstone or some component to their success. He also provides the reader with an evaluation to determine where their companies fall in a "The Quad," or the four types of companies (TSAS, TSAB, TBAB, TBAS - See Robet Morris' excellent review for further details).
Ultimately, Think Big, Act Small, is a great book on how ten companies did things their own way, shunning the advice of investment bankers and the demands of wall street. In most cases it gave each company the liberty to do what they thought was best for them, their partners and their companies. And in each case, the beneficiary has been the client.
I highly recommend Think Big, Act Small. If you are a commuter like me, reading this book is time well spent as you wait for your stop.
Book Description
Delicious, glamorous, even slightly decadent-- cocktails are back in vogue. Whether you want to throw a great party of spice up an ordinary evening with a special drink, Cool cocktails will provide all the inspiration you need. Ben Reed, London's hippest, hottest mixologist, offers a delicious range of recipes for almost 100 classic and contemporary cocktails(arranged by spirit), as well as practical advice on equipment and glasses. Why not start the evening with a classic apertif--a dry Martini, a sparkling Bellini, or an ice-cold Margarita? Of if you want to surprise your guests with something a little more adventurous, then mix up one of Ben's great original creations--a Bramble, a Cranilla Martini, or a Purple Haze. With stunning photography by William Lingwood and Ben's wise and witty words, Cool Cocktails will have you reaching for the crushed ice and cocktail shaker on a regular basis. For those moments when you want the taste without the alcohol, there is a selection of delectable non-alcoholic cocktails, including a Shirley Temple and a Pussyfoot. And for the die-hard party goer, Ben recommends several much-needed hangover cures, such as Prairie Oyster and a Corpse Reviver.
Customer Reviews:
Cool Book.......2006-08-21
Bought it for my sister-in-law as a birthday gift to go with some snazzy cocktail glasses and a pitcher. Plenty of beautiful pictures that might temp you into being an alcoholic! Well, maybe more adventurous in trying many of the obscure liquors out there.
The pictures alone make my mouth water..........2004-01-06
Hey, so just looking at the pictures just makes me want to get trashed. And it is very easy to, as author Ben Reed gives you the necessary steps to making these delectable drinks. The pictures alone make the book worthwhile. And even though mine don't look like that, none of my guests ever care, because its whats IN the drink, not what's on the OUTside of it. So, thanks Will for the pictures. And thanks to you Benny, for being a great bartender. A great book, highly recommended.
A lovely book, beautiful photographs..........2002-10-08
A beautifully photographed and laid out book that has some wonderfully good recipes. This book is so "pretty" you'll want to display it. I had this one out on my coffee table for a while. It is a lovely thin hardback that fits on top of any other books that you may already have on your table. The main downside that I may mention though, is that this book is more modern, "trendy" cocktails. If looking for more of a traditional cocktail book I would advise the quirky book "Atomic Cocktails" or the out-of-print classic by Linda Doerser (still available in some Z-shops or E-bay) called "The Cocktail Bible." I was surprised this book didn't list a receipe for a Cosmopolitan. This would make a good gift for any couple you know that entertains a lot or someone getting married who doesn't already have a nice library of libation books going.
Cool & Chique Drinks To Suite Everyones Fancy.......2001-07-09
When it comes to food and drink, the photographs look tastier than the real thing, but not in Ben Reed's book, Cool Cocktails. The drinks look better when you make them and are very good! I definitley would recommed this book for anyone who loves to have cocktail parties. Your guests will keep coming back. I would tell them to bring their own glass as a gift....and you could serve them a variety of drinks....it is a great book for the person that has no idea how to make cool cocktails.
Books:
- Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny
- You Shall Know Our Velocity
- A Hood Legend
- A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
- A Perfect Evil (Maggie O'Dell Novels)
- A Time to Die
- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (P.S.)
- All You Need to Be Impossibly French: A Witty Investigation into the Lives, Lusts, and Little Secrets of French Women
- Another View
- Aunt Dimity Goes West (Aunt Dimity)
Books Index
Books Home
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- Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
- Finding Sanctuary: Monastic Steps for Everyday Life
- Granite Bay, Inc. Level Two CD-ROM Practice Set
- Cash Values: Money And The Erosion Of Meaning In Today's Society
- Swedish Tango: A Novel
