Book Description
Following the long-running success he has enjoyed on bestseller lists in Europe, Inspector Salvo Montalbano is now winning over American readers and critics alike as "one of the most engaging protagonists in detective fiction" (USA Today). Now, in Excursion to Tindari, Andrea Camilleri's savvy and darkly comic take on Sicilian life leads Montalbano into his most bone- chilling case yet.
In two seemingly unrelated crimes, a young Don Juan is found murdered and an elderly couple is reported missing after an excursion to the ancient site of Tindari. As Montalbano works to solve both cases, he stumbles onto Sicily's ghastly "new age" of brutal and anonymous criminality.
Customer Reviews:
Exquisite Mysteries, Little Personal Plots, Tiny Pleasures, and Sardonic Humor.......2007-08-15
Excursion to Tindari has some of the best humor based on human elimination since Rabelais. Who else but Andrea Camilleri would indulge his character development in such an imaginative and earthy way?
An ongoing theme in the book is the troubled nature of love between men and women. You will find the exposition to provide much room for chuckles and smiles.
The mysteries are subtle and puzzling . . . with the ultimate causal strings well hidden until near the end. Those who love challenging mysteries will feel well rewarded.
Ultimately, Excursion to Tindari is more character development about Inspector Montalbano than it is a mystery. But the book is much more mystery, if you look only at that dimension, than all but a few mysteries that will come out in any given year. As someone who loves great character development and difficult-to-solve mysteries, I was in heaven while reading this delightful book.
A young man is assassinated, professional-style, on his doorstep. He comes from a poor family and his work doesn't pay much. Where did he get all those expensive belongings?
An unfriendly elderly couple takes an excursion on a bus to Tindari, and don't even get off the bus until just before the trip ends. After that, no one can find them. What's going on?
A Mafia don tells Montalbano to call on him. Even with great caution, can Montalbano avoid being used for the don's purposes?
In the background, Montalbano is very upset to learn that Mimi Augello, his right hand man, has fallen in love with a policewoman in another town and is thinking about moving. Can anything be done?
The book has only three highlights for Montalbano: His favorite tree provides inspiration and answers; he has an unexpectedly pleasant meal with a beautiful and agreeable young woman; and he can always seem to find some wonderful food to distract him from his annoyances and frustrations.
The contrasts between the inner Montalbano and the public one are nicely and humorously drawn. As always, the politics of the police are displayed in Keystone-Kops-like ways. You could laugh about the funny parts of this book for days.
Bravo to both Andrea Camilleri and his brilliant translator, Stephen Sartarelli!
The Fifth Inspector Montalbano Mystery by Andrea Camilleri - La Gita a Tindari - The Excursion To Tindari .......2007-03-12
Inspector Montalbano buried his head in his pillow, eyes held tightly shut hoping the sound of the telephone being muffled would eventually stop, he knew he should have pulled the plug last night, at this hour it could only mean one thing; trouble. Montalbano is quickly informed somebody had been killed; the address given was Via Cavour 44. Vigàta, a young man just coming home early hours, puts his keys in the front door then (Zap) a single shot to the face and that's where they left him, sprawling on the pavement.
Davide Griffo had shown up at the police station pretty worked up and looking to speak with Inspector Montalbano, Montalbano agrees to this unscheduled meeting if only to quieten down the noise. Griffo was very worried he had travelled from Messina to look for his parents, he was extremely perplexed his parents were old and had never been outside Vigàta, but out of the blue they decided to go on an Excursion to Tindari and he had not heard from them since. Montalbano would have passed the missing persons case straight on if it wasn't for the fact that Mr. Griffo said that his parents' home address was Via Cavour 44.
Montalbano third unexpected and annoying moment was an early morning call from Orazio Guttadauro the Mafia's favourite Lawyer. Guttadauro informs him that Don Balduccio Sinagra although in his nineties was still head of one of the two biggest families and was still in excellent health and wondered if Montalbano could stop by for a polite discussion with him sometime soon. Great just what Montalbano needed, a nice friendly chat with the opposition and another link for him to be lead up one more twisted path, where was this all leading?
Andrea Camilleri has written a wonderful Montalbano Mystery series, this book is the fifth in the series and again he doesn't disappoint. What I love about this whole series would be the characterisation and language the usage of dialogue in conversation it's all been kept real it's got it sharp wit and ironic comedy moments, the sly comments on Italian life and culture keeps things amusing and interesting. Also for me the passion for great flavoured food, all the dishes in these books are mouthwatering and endless.
Camilleri has done wonders with the character Inspector Salvo Montalbano especially in this one, showing his cynical, realist side, Montalbano does not treat organised crime lightly, in this fictional town of Vigàta the police realise they cannot defeat the Mafiosi but they do try to co-exist with them, they want to minimise the damage that they cause, this might hold them in good stead to confront the more violent and ruthless New Generation Mafia.
All Characters in these books are very funny and well written; the description of the wonderful chaotic police station is hilarious, especially the character Catarella (Cat) his dialogue in this and others just has me in stitches. The whole series has a timeless feel about them and they clearly deserve to be read from the beginning.
This is also where I bring in my special thank you to poet Stephen Sartarelli who has translated each book smoothly and clearly managing to keep its humour through out and for the informative notes given at the back on wording.
I've loved this whole series and this one is another fantastic read.
A.Bowhill
One of Montalbano's best cases.......2006-12-29
Andrea Camilleri has created a vastly interesting detective series with two lead characters--Inspector Salvo Montalbano and Sicily. These books are always at least half about the cultural and political life and mores of the island. "Excursion to Tindari" is a good example of this dual purpose story, happening to have a particularly good mystery as its chassis. No reason to get into the plot here. Suffice it to say that the storyline moves along swiftly as Montalbano pokes and prods to solve a particularly brutal murder of a couple of senior citizens. With a story set in Sicily, author Camilleri could easily fall back frequently on the Mafia as his villain. He rarely takes this predictable route and his mysteries are always the better for that choice. One other thing worth noting here is that Camilleri's Italian-in-the-original stories are beautiful translated. He's lucky to have such a good collaborator. I would recommend this whole series to anyone who likes good mystery writing and or is interested in Sicily/Italy.
Continued Excellence........2006-09-01
"Excursion To Tindari", by Andrea Camilleri. Subtitled: "An Inspector Montalbano Mystery". Translated by Stephen Sartarelli. Penguin Books, 2005.
When a young man, N. Sanifilippo, is assassinated in front of his apartment building, the murder has all the signs of being a Mafia hit. "They shot him once. Bull's -eye, in the middle of the forehead." (Page 7). But then, an elderly couple, Mr. & Mrs. Griffo, who live in the same apartment building, go missing. Is there a connection? Were the elderly people abducted to hide some aspect of the crime? Inspector Montalbano is on the outside of the murder mystery, and he begins to investigate only the disappearance of the Griffo couple, slowly but surely interrogating the occupants of each apartment on the Via Crucis. "The last station on the Via Crucis was Apartment 19, fourth floor..." (Page 33).
Unlike other Inspector Montalbano novels, the title is explained fairly early in this book, as it appears that the Griffo couple had gone on an excursion to Tindari to view the Black Madonna. Tindari is north of Catania, almost at the Straits of Messina. It seems that the Black Madonna statue had been fished out of the sea, and healing powers had been attributed to the statue. But!, the Griffo couple were in fairly good health. The Inspector tracks down the bus line that runs the excursions, meets a good looking woman who was the attendant, and the end result is that the Griffo couple went to Tindari, but they got off the bus just before returning home. Inspector Montalbano goes to sit under his famous Saracen oak to ponder all this, and the description of the snake-like weaving and interweaving of the oak's branches is fabulous. The murder of Sanifilippo and the murders of the Griffo couple are also intertwined like the oak branches. The forensic evidence shows that the Griffo couple were murdered together, while they were holding hands. Inspector Montalbano brings it all to an end in his usual fashion, which is all I'll tell you...
Excursion to Tindari.......2006-07-11
I have read "The Snack Thief" and "The TerraiCotta Dog" and rank this novel up with them. The Montalbano character really grows on you.
Average customer rating:
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The Excursion To Tindari: An Inspector Montalbano Mystery
Andrea Camilleri
Manufacturer: Wheeler Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
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General
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Literature & Fiction
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ASIN: 159722040X |
Book Description
An International Bestseller
A young Don Juan is found murdered in front of his apartment building early one morning, and an elderly couple is reported missing after an excursion to the ancient site of Tindari - two seemingly unrelated cases for Inspector Montalbano to solve amid the daily complications of life at the Vigata police headquarters. Then he discovers that the couple and the murdered young man lived in the same building . . .
Available only in Wheeler Softcover 4.
Book Description
All new deluxe edition for 2005! This edition replaces the standard edition and has the same price/ISBN. Features deluxe maps, 20 lavish illustrations, guide to the characters, and more.
Readers everywhere are discovering the works of Robert Stanek. Robert's books are published in over 20 countries around the world and beginning in 2005 the first of many translations will be published.
Recommended Age: 9 and up. Unleash the power of your imagination and enter a world you've never dreamed existed! Best-selling author Robert Stanek delivers an epic fantasy adventure that will open your mind and your heart. Perfect for the young and the young at heart! The Kingdoms & The Elves Of The Reaches is a refreshingly unique fantastic adventure where its only limits are the limits of your imagination.
Inside, you'll discover the breathtaking world of Ruin Mist where the mystical and the magical abound, and you'll fall in love with three heroes: a boy who would become a mage, a princess who is fleeing a dying kingdom, and a warrior elf who undertakes an epic journey. The adventure begins with Book 1.
Customer Reviews:
Superb...Wonder-filled!.......2007-10-04
This is the first in a wonderful series of books that seem destined to become a classic. The Kingdoms are a magical place and a fantastic destination. There are no lovelier fantasy books for readers of all ages than the Kingdoms books. The best part about this book, other than the lovely story, beautiful imagery, and wonderful characters, is that its only the beginning of a grander tale. Adventure awaits! Happy reading!
I got to give it 5 of 5.......2007-09-29
Kids, adults. The Kingdoms & the Elves are great. I love the books and how they are presented. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. I have read this series 6 times! I know that isn't near as many as others, but it is a lot for me. This series of books are incredible to read, keep you locked in to the end of the last book, and make you want to reread them.
I find Stanek's characters lovable and relateable. There is a character for every reader to identify with in some way. He brings readers on a journey with Adrina, Seth & Vilmos, and what a journey it is. This is a great time to start reading (if you haven't already). This series is great literature, and is compulsively page turningly entertaining. I give them my highest recommendation.
The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches are the real deal. This set is fantastic.......2007-09-16
I am totally pleased with this set of books. They are great and get better in the last books. If you're one of the few people who has not yet read this amazing series - or if you're on the fence about getting it for a child - DON'T HESITATE. This isn't half baked or over the top stuff.
The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches is a phenomenon because Robert Stanek is an incredible writer. He brilliantly crafts a vivid alternate universe where magical creatures and magic are real. The plots of each book are a brilliant balance of coming of age stories, friendship, danger, and epic good against evil.
There are parallels to the Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia. Stanek has a special affinity for action. With the exception of the first each of the books races and soars until a rip roaring conclusion.
What more can I say about The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches and the fascinating world? It is absolutely amazing as you become engrossed into each book, each chapter, each page, each word. The books have helped me rediscover reading for the last few years. I read all 4 books in 2 weeks. I started the In the Service of Dragons on a Friday and finished all four by Monday afternoon! I recommend all of these books to children, teenagers, and adults alike. There are those out there that are hesitant about the books. I was a skeptic. I had heard great things about the books, but never considered them. Then one day I took a leap of faith and began reading and I've never looked back. Thank you Robert Stanek and I love The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches and the world you created!
amateurish writing and an uninspired plot.......2007-08-27
This book is totally non-noteworthy. I normally wouldn't even bother to waste time writing a review about it, since it is just a self published book pretending to be greater than it is.
This book is not a "modern day fantasy classic". It is not "better than Harry Potter" or "Star Wars with elves". Robert Stanek is not "America's Tolkien". Where did all this over-the-top hype come from? One can only guess.
This book is a stale piece of prose. A short boring episode of what threatens to be some endless drawn out cliché (there are books 2, 3, 4 and then a "sequel series" (?) that goes on and on). This book is so unimaginative that there is even a "dark lord" and a "middle earth" thrown into the mix.
However, this book does have some unintentional funny bits. I had to laugh when I was told that "middle earth" was a realm between lower and upper earth. And the author clearly is confused about the meaning of many words, such as when a frightened princess speaks COYLY to a supernatural apparition.
Great story line.......2007-08-17
i just finished this book and plan to read the rest of the series. N ot on a par with "Potter" or "Lord of the Rings" or "Aslan", but a very engaging story with good characters...
Average customer rating:
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March of Glory
Carla Joinson
Manufacturer: Royal Fireworks Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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United States
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ASIN: 0880920823 |
Book Description
March of Glory is a handsomely written novel for young adults, teachers interested in integrating American Literature and American History, and Civil War buffs. It is about the mind-set of a young southern soldier. It is an American history experience masterfully crafted, richly documented and accurate in every detail. Cadet Charlie Stuart's story is a "must read" alone, or as a parallel piece to Red Badge of Courage.
Born into a prosperous North Carolina family with business ties in the North, Charlie decides to become a soldier when North Carolina secedes from the Union. Against his father's wishes, he joins the Virginia Military Institute to become a good fighting soldier for the honor of his state and his country. The war, he believes, was started over states' rights but was now becoming a war over slavery.
Through Charlie's relationships with and observations about his Southern family, VMI cadets and upperclassmen, we experience the internal psychological and real toll on the Southern family unit and social group in terms of emotions and economics. The external economics of the plantation system and slavery are clear, too. Hard work, long hours of study, little food and belittling relationships with upperclassmen and close, cherished friendships with other new cadets are all here. Characters have pasts and personalities. The reader is a witness in real time to real people. Even Charlie's brief capture by Union soldiers has unusual depth as he dramatically shares his fear and his discovery that a Union soldier is capable of compassion. Although the South is ill-equipped for war, the pervading feeling is that it will fight to the death to preserve its way of life. Therefore, when the VMI Corps of Cadets supports General John C. Breckenridge's forces in Staunton, Virginia, we see an extraordinary battle scene.
March of Glory is an American novel of human feelings, honor, values and soldiering. It is superb!
Book Description
The author's earlier, widely acclaimed Mars stories were about the beginning years of the first human settlement on Mars, but you don't have to read them to enjoy this latest, fast-paced, stand-alone novel.
In the first story, As It Is On Mars, three explorers, abandoned in 2038, found a prosperous settlement on Mars. A stand-alone second story, Give Us This Mars, takes place in 2048, as rival European and American "rescue" missions fight to take control of the fledgling settlement.
This latest story takes place twenty-six years later. It has new lead characters, and enough of the settlement's early history for new readers to join the tale effortlessly.
Two scheming, aristocratic brothers, Harold and Oliver Derk, are the instigators when a United Nations coalition dispatches a massive armada to attack the settlement in 2074. The independent settlement is illegal, but has been growing prodigiously, thanks to a secret machine the Martians have built. It is very well defended too, and getting the better of it is now a serious military matter.
The Martians also control a vital copper deposit, the largest ever found, now worth over ten trillion dollars. Gaining control of that copper will make the brothers rich and powerful beyond dreams. Their lust for the copper is matched only by their passion for avenging the public disgrace of their father, years earlier; the Derk brothers are determined to erase the demeaning stain of dishonor that Martians have etched on their ancient family name.
One shadowy brother, Harold Derk, is the CEO of the world's largest resource company, Condor Copper Inc., and a master of political intrigue. He paid corrupt, warmongering political leaders to terrify their citizens, and deceive them into believing that the secret Martian machine is a horrible weapon of total annihilation, capable of wiping out all human life on Earth. The fabricated fear worked as intended, and led to popular support for the obscenely expensive armada, to put an end to the dangerous, illegal settlement and its abominable machine.
The other brother is the armada commander, four-star General Oliver Derk. He is a rogue general, with genocide in mind. He has all the military strength he needs to defeat the settlement quickly, and kill everybody in it.
As this very fast-paced tale opens, we find a ten-man Martian work crew in a desolate place south of Mariner Valley, over a thousand miles from home. One of them is a mysterious young man called Edward Russell. The ten have just finished hiding the secret Martian machine, to keep it out of the hands of the coalition. But that evening, they make a fluke discovery. Coalition forces have made a stealth landing, unexpectedly early, clearly intent on an overwhelming surprise attack on the settlement.
The workers now have to get home at once, and sound the alarm. They have no choice but to take an impossible shortcut, up along the treacherous thirty-mile long Hell Ridge. But then, in Chapter Two, with their four rovers perched high on the ridge, over three miles above the floor of Coprates Canyon: Disaster!
Shortly after, a deadly enemy of the coalition appears out of the southern waste, at the head of a dusty column of tanks and rovers, intelligent, nuclear-powered predator drones flying overhead. It is Edward Russell, with desert warfare in his genes, and for good reason. Soon he will be known on two planets as the desert fox of Mars, feared for his vicious, lightning attacks on the coalition, but revered for his tactical genius.
The elaborate setting for this epic novel takes in a great deal of the Western Hemisphere of Mars, which the war turns into a gigantic military chessboard. The plot is multi-threaded, and tragic too, a subtle blend of politics, war, human relationships, and the relationship of man to his planetary environment. It's even a tale that is not primarily science fiction, that anybody can enjoy at any time of life, and likely find something profound in too. The story unfolds at a rapid pace, as the war intensifies and the suspense builds. The plot also builds to a perplexing tactical puzzle, which armchair generals will no doubt try to solve, as they pit their brains against the desert fox.
It is also the story of the daring journey of a courageous Martian company in search of an elusive goal, as the company is sought high and low, and attacked too, by the forces of the coalition. The journey starts south of Mariner Valley in Chapter 1, and weaves its way through the entire novel, and over much of the Western Hemisphere, and does not end until the novel's final Chapter 20.
The author deploys military technology in the Martian war consistent with the known Laws of Nature. His intelligent nuclear-powered tanks, predator drones, and laser-gun armed fighter drones are all extrapolations of current capabilities that we can reasonably expect.
The book has five separate maps of the spectacular terrain of the Western Hemisphere. They are strictly not necessary, but are included for readers' convenience and enjoyment.
EXCERPT From
CHAPTER TWO: Hell Ridge
[
SCENE: A rocky outcrop is blocking the company's upward advance along the treacherous ridge. They are trying to blow up the outcrop, about to detonate a second blast sequence, when a predator drone spots the four rovers.]
...The predator drone was now almost upon them.
Two seconds later it shot across the ridge, directly over the lead rover, barely thirty meters above them. This time the booming scream from the jet motors was quite loud.
"Stop driving, everybody! Now!" shouted Edward.
Astrid obeyed.
"It didn't fire. How come?" cried Lucy, looking out the driver side window to her left, as the aircraft shot away to the west.
"Our sudden motion confused it, I think," explained Edward, still watching the drone through his field glasses. It was now turning toward the escarpment wall to the north. "It had set things up for a stationary target. Probably didn't have time to reconfigure for a moving target. But you can be sure by now it's figured out the best way to attack us as a moving target—head on, or at our tail."
"That means it'll come at us along the line of the ridge," said Astrid.
"Right," said Edward, his field glasses focused on the drone, "probably from the north, out of the sun."
The predator drone had already turned right, to the north, and climbed, and turned right again. Now it was headed back eastward along the top of the northern escarpment wall.
"I think you've won us only a few minutes reprieve, Edward," said Astrid. "Any more good ideas?"
"Don't know," said Edward, still tracking the aircraft through his field glasses. "A sudden motion won't help us next time, if it comes at us along the ridge."
"What if we try and drive off the crest, down the slope to the right?" suggested Lucy.
"Wouldn't help. There's no shelter on the slope either, and anyway we wouldn't get very far. It'll be here in twenty seconds."
The machine now began to veer to the south, as it approached the point where the north-south running ridge met the east-west running escarpment wall. The aircraft was just under three miles away.
"The explosives!" cried Freda, suddenly.
Neither Astrid nor Lucy responded. They were both very frightened. They did not need to be reminded about the explosive charges in the trailer, equivalent to over a quarter ton of TNT.
Edward just said: "I know, Freda."
His mind was racing, thinking tactics at high speed. But thinking time was short. The predator drone was now coming straight at them again, very fast, this time along the line of the ridge.
"ETA fourteen seconds," shouted Edward. "Quick! Switch seats, Freda! Quick!"
Freda was agile, and almost jumped over Edward.
Edward quickly pulled himself into Freda's seat at the right side of the rover, his eyes never leaving the oncoming aircraft.
The deadly predator drone was shooting down along the ridge, slightly to the east side of the crest. Edward now estimated a ten-second time to arrival.
"Call out the seconds, somebody! Quick!" shouted Edward.
"One...two...three...four...five...six...seven...," came from Astrid, calm despite a feeling of impending disaster.
The nuclear-powered aircraft was now within a second of flying past the ridge outcrop that had been blocking their advance. Suddenly, Edward jammed his finger onto the third button on the communications panel on the dash in front of him.
Once more they saw the explosion before they heard it, the outside audio sensors picking up the sound, a machine-gun-like rattle of twenty rounds being fired. The explosion was even more spectacular than the first one. A long strip of rock at the outcrop on the ridge once more lifted in small fragments, starting at the south end, producing an even larger cloud of dust, with rocks flying out of the dust cloud and at least thirty or forty meters into the air.
For an instant the cloud of dust and hail of flying rocks completely hid the oncoming aircraft from view, and the sun too. But then, less than a second later, the machine appeared again, above the dust cloud, just to the right of the hail of debris.
It was still headed straight for them, apparently undamaged. At the same instant they saw it fire the missile.
Everything now happened so fast there was no time for anyone in the lead rover to react.
Whooosh.
The missile streaked past them on their right side, only a few meters from them, so close they actually heard it.
A split second later they heard a sharp bang, not very loud. It was followed a fraction of a second later by a booming screech, as the supersonic jet shot above them, also on the right side.
"Missed us," said Edward, with a sigh of relief. "The explosion debris must have affected its aim in some—"
"But that bang—it's hit something!" cried Astrid.
Her hand flew to a button on the dash to open up the voice communications channel. "Paul, Werner, Carol! Report damage!"
"No damage," said Paul, at once.
"No damage here," said Werner. "Loud bang behind."
There was no reply from Carol and Eva's rover.
"Carol, Eva! Please report!"
Still nothing. Astrid began feeling sick. The tail rover must have been hit. She wanted to believe that there was only damage to the rover's communications equipment, maybe only the antenna, but her gut told her it was not so. The idea of something happening to Eva and Carol was too painful even to think about.
"Bastards!" hissed Freda angrily. "And it's still got three more missiles."
"That first missile was intended for this rover," said Astrid in a much calmer voice, although she was still feeling sick. "Looks like your explosion saved us, Edward. I just hope Carol and Eva are all right. Can you save us one more time?"
Edward shook his head. "That was my best shot. I'd hoped to damage the drone with the explosion. It obviously didn't work...
Customer Reviews:
A fascinating story.......2005-07-11
This third book of the series is a continuation of the struggle for control of the settlement on Mars, as a second generation living on Mars defends the only home it has ever known. The plot moves along at a fast pace, with plenty of action, and interesting characters. The necessary science and military technology in the story are clearly explained.
I very much enjoyed this book. It shows what a near future Martian war could look like. The Martians do not have the sophisticated military aircraft of the invading coalition, but have other strengths that enable them to challenge the invaders from Earth. Edward Russell, for example, is a young man with a keen interest in military history and tactics, and the plot of the book reveals his hidden military genius. Also, I liked the book for the way it reinforces old themes of human nature like love, war, and the struggle for control. These themes are reflected in a fascinating and unusual plot.
Victory For Mars?.......2005-04-12
Thomas W. Cronin has given readers a satisfying, exciting, nail-biting conclusion to his Mars series. The underlying themes of self-reliance, independence, and self-determination inform a book that is very different from the first two books of the series. Glory Be To Mars is a novel of war and strategy that takes place about 30 years on from Give Us This Mars. The Earth and the U.N. are determined to take Mars from the Martians. Their impetus for war is an alleged weapon of mass destruction that has been developed by the Martians. The Earth has superior numbers and technology - the Martians have their own Martian desert fox. The war plays out on an accurate version of Mars that is informed by data from the latest Mars missions. The children of the characters from the first 2 books are the main players. Once the story gets rolling - an Earth attack on a nonmilitary Martian operation - the action never lets up [leave yourself a big block of time for reading - once you get started, you won't want to quit reading!]. My only concern involves Cronin's use of current biological knowledge [genetics] and that concern didn't take away from my ability to suspend my disbelief - hey it's fiction! - but I would love to have a discussion with Cronin about what traits are heritable in humans. I shall say no more on the subject since I refuse to be a spoiler and I want you to read this book. Besides fans of the first two books in this series and lovers of Mars fiction, Glory Be To Mars should find a whole new audience in lovers of military fiction. I hate to see the series end here, so if Mr. Cronin can find another creative and nonrepetitive way to extend the series, I know I'll be ready for another great Martian read!
Product Description
9 x 12" Softcover sponsor issue. Contains text and photos for the collection: Old Masters Paintings, Drawings Prints and Photographs, Sculpture, Jewels, Porcelain, Decorative Arts, Armory, Hunting Castle Moritzburg, Coins, and bibliography.
Book Description
America's master of delicious cooking brings you over 200 of the tastiest, healthiest recipes ever created.
Customer Reviews:
Mom loves it.......2006-07-06
The book was for my mom. She loves anything Jacque Pepin, anyway. She loves this book. At their age, they need to be diet conscience (shouldn't we all?). It combines her two favorite cooking subjects, Pepin and healthy cooking. Recipes are tasty. His writing is very easy to follow, she says.
My Favorite Cookbook Yet!.......2005-11-08
I am very health conscious, so the title of this cookbook grabbed my attention. I did not even know who Mr. Pepin was. I purchased the cookbook on a whim, and have not been sorry, yet. I did not know healthy cooking could taste so good. As one reviewer said, it is all in the preparation and spices. I simply had no idea! I have made several recipes so far, and have not been disappointed. They are truly delicious. However, the only negative thing I have to say is some of the recipe's ingredients are hard to find, or ones I have never heard of. It isn't simple cooking as the title implies, but it is well worth the time and effort put into each recipe. This is the best cookbook I have ever owned, and highly recommend it to anyone, whether you are health conscious or not.
Perhaps a little too thin?.......2003-10-23
I was a bit disapponted with many of the recipes in this book either because they seriously lacked flavor or just didn't turn out right. Also, I agree with the title in the sense that the dishes described in it are healthy, but quite a few are far from being simple (or, conversely, they are so simple that they're boring). On the bright side, I did enjoy many of his dessert recipes, particularly his fruit-based ones. Also, Pepin's example menus are quite creative and helpful, provided that you can do something to dress up the flavor of the actual meals. There is no question in my mind that Jacques Pepin is perhaps one of the most talented and respected chefs of our time, but this particular book just seems to fall short.
Healthy food that is actually interesting.......2002-12-08
I have typically stayed away from books promoting "healthy" or low fat cooking, primarily because I always found the recipes dull. I don't like using no-fat ingredients, fake butter, artificial sweetener, etc. To me, they make the food not worth eating, much less cooking. What I like about this book is that Pepin shares creative, inventive recipes that incorporate butter and oils in moderation, and he shows that you do not have to use a lot of these for a dish to be flavorful. It is all in the seasonings and preparation. And this is a cookbook that you can use on an everyday basis, as the recipes truly are simple... some of them so simple that you wonder how good it will really be. I have made over a dozen dishes from the book so far, and have not yet found a bad one.
Not for busy families.......2002-01-26
Healthy, perhaps; but simple? My problem with this book was that I couldn't just start with a trip to the grocery store. For example, in order to make one dish, one must first have made 'poultry brown base sauce.' In order to make this, one must first have made 'brown chicken stock,' which means one must have roasted several pounds of bones, then simmered them with vegetables and seasonings for a couple of hours...you get the idea. The proper French method, of course, but I began to long for a dish that could be made with (gasp) canned broth or even a boullion cube. I found this book inferior to the superb--don't let the grim title fool you--AMA family health cookbook. Assuming your supermarket has good produce, Asian, and Latin sections, any of it's recipes are easily achievable. And delicious.
Books:
- Faithless
- Feint of Art:: An Annie Kincaid Mystery
- Final Jeopardy (Alexandra Cooper Mysteries)
- Four Blind Mice
- Full Moon Rising (Riley Jensen, Guardian, Book 1)
- G Is for Gumshoe (Kinsey Millhone Mysteries)
- Grave Sight (Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 1)
- I, Claudius & Claudius the God
- I Is for Innocent
- In the Company of Cheerful Ladies (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Book 6)
Books Index
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