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- The Best of the Firth Five
- Rankin at his finest
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- mortal causes
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Mortal Causes (An Inspector Rebus Novel)
Ian Rankin
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Paperbacks
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Black and Blue: An Inspector Rebus Mystery (Inspector Rebus Novels)
ASIN: 0312960948 |
Book Description
In Edinburgh you're never far from a peaceful spot, or from a hellish one either. Now, in the heart of summer, in the midst of a nationalist festival, Inspector John Rebus is on the murder case of a young man left hanging in a spot where his screams would never be heard. To find the victim's identity--and his killer--Rebus searches from Edinburgh's most violent neighborhood to Belfast, Northern Ireland--amongst petty thugs, gunrunners, and heavyweight criminals. But before Rebus can get to the truth, he's bloodied by the dream of society's madmen--and staring into the glint of a killer's eyes.
Customer Reviews:
The Best of the Firth Five.......2006-04-14
A boy is found tortured in an underground alley in Edinburg that is below the local courthouse. This is just the beginning of the best Rebus yet. The story itself is intriguing and thought provoking (it has to do with a home grown terrorist group that is working with the Protestant Paramilitaries in Northern Ireland). As the story builds, we meet some old friends that we didn't think we'd see again, and some new ones we hope never to see again.
Rankin always does a great job in tying in humor and the comic relief in this one is precious (not to mention with a lot of patience). Unlike the last two, this is really a one man show, and John gets beat up, beat on, and seriously pummeled. (I would sure like for Rankin to take it easy on this guy, since he quickly approaching 50). John's instincts are amazing and he is as relentless as a junkyard dog with a new bone.
A great fun read.
Rankin at his finest.......2004-07-01
I have to admit that I am an Ian Rankin junkie. I have never been much of a murder-mystery devotee, but Rankin has a way with drama and putting characters together within the Edinburgh context that is exceptional. Mortal Causes is one of my favorite Rankin mysteries because it breaks away from many of his typical roles. Inspector Rebus is not called on the carpet, as usual, he is hard on the case, and we have the chance to see a bit of his own personal history. This novel is an 'easy read' and I found it thoroughly delightful.
Nice Yarn.......2004-05-13
It's a good thing that Inspector Rebus is so smart. Otherwise, drinking too much and losing every fight he gets into would surely do him in. When a brutally murdered body turns up during the Edinburgh Festival, Rebus starts our tour of the city's seamier underside. There are more than enough additional murders, beatings, pubs, slums, betrayals, and manipulations to satisfy any mystery fan. The story is taut, well-paced, and peopled by memorable, well-developed characters. Although there was a bit too much impenetrable British slang for my taste, it certainly adds credibility and color to the tale. Pour yourself a single-malt, sit back, and enjoy the ride.
Troubles In Edinburgh.......2001-06-28
After a particularly gruesome murder is discovered during Edinburgh's Fringe Festival, Inspector John Rebus is seconded to the elite Scottish Crime Squad. The reason for this is that aspects of the murder make it appear that a terrorist group was responsible and Rebus's previous SAS experience would come in handy. The investigation takes him from his home base to the villages of rural Scotland and across to Belfast and back again.
Throughout the book, the Catholic versus Protestant problem is continually raised, comparing Scotland to the Troubles in Northern Ireland and suggesting that the same uprising could be imminent. While the characters were discussing terrorist organisations there were enough three letter acronyms being bandied about to make me think I might have stumbled into a Microsoft manual.
Once again we are treated to the bare bones of Edinburgh's back streets and dingy estates that have fallen into ruin. Rebus is as inscrutable and removed from his fellow officers as ever, yet, at least for me, he is becoming more and more likable. I feel this series is getting more and more enjoyable with every book I read, this one is no exception.
mortal causes.......2000-08-09
well where to start,again rankin astuonds me with his talent.The plots always twist and turn but never to the extreme of you losing the thread, beatifully deep rich characters with a high sense of realism. I first discover rebus series a few years and now it's worse than a bad coke habit, when you "score" a new novel you just want to be left alone to devour it. must be at least on par with james ellory. if you enjoy police books then this must be the best contempory series come on ian , we want more
Book Description
A lifeless newborn baby is found discarded in a motel dumpster. Authorities quickly arrest the infant's teenage parents, charging them with murder. Did Amy Grossberg and Brian Peterson, in fact, murder their own baby? When Tammy Wynette died suddenly at a relatively young age, why was no autopsy performed? Was someone trying to hide the real cause of death? Did Sam Sheppard (who later served as the basis for the television series "The Fugutive") really kill his wife? And if not, who committed the murder?
Things are not always as they appear, as world-renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht shows in this riveting behind-the-scenes look at nine famous cases. Drawing on police reports, depositions, trial testimony, and autopsy reports--as well as his four decades of experience--in MORTAL EVIDENCE Dr. Wecht, with the assistance of coauthors Greg Saitz and Mark Curriden, raises important issues and offers fresh perspectives on each case. In the nationally known baby case involving Amy Grossberg and Brian Peterson, Dr. Wecht reviews the evidence and comes to a startling conclusion. In fascinating detail, he demonstrates how the tools of forensic pathology often uncover murky, long-hidden secrets that track seemingly unsolvable crimes.
Writing in the first-person, Dr. Wecht leads readers into the heart of the investigation, focusing each chapter on a single engrossing drama. He reveals the most startling evidence that shows why, in his professional judgment, JonBenet Ramsey's killer most likely came from within her home. Dr. Wecht also offers insight into the O.J. Simpson trial and the murder of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman, and shocking revelations about Robert Berdella's conviction for grisly torture and sex-abuse crimes against young men. Other cases covered include the drug-related death of casino magnate Ted Binion; the 1982 showdown between religious sect members and police in Miracle Valley, Arizona; and Robert Curley's death by long-term, methodical thallium poisoning.
Whether you find the fictional plots of such dramas as "C.S.I." and crime scene documentaries exciting or you are just fascinated by true crime investigation, you'll be amazed by the true stories Dr. Wecht has to tell in this amazing real-life thriller. As this intriguing page-turner proves, the science of forensic pathology has changed the face of detective work forever.
Customer Reviews:
Revisiting high interest cases........2007-06-11
Sometimes we read in great depth the details surrounding high interest crime cases and they become overwhelming because of so many opinions, both in reporting and in conjecture. It takes a book such as The Forensics Behind Nine Shocking Cases to put each of these cases in proper perspective. I actually finished the book in one evening. Couldn't put it down!
Wonderful Overview of Cases and Introduction to Concepts.......2007-04-12
Dr. Wecht has spent years in various positions within the criminal justice system. During his time he has worked on such celebrated cases as the Chappaquiddick case, which involved Send. Edward Kennedy and more recently on the O.J. Simpson murder trial.
The book follows the investigation and details of the forensics used in nine cases, some of which are new and others which have faded a bit into history. He discusses the obvious cases that seemingly every forensic expert has an opinion on, namely JonBenet Ramsey and O.J. Simpson. But he also goes back farther into time and brings to light things about the Sam Sheppard case. His case was the inspiration for The Fugitive TV show and movie. Dr. Wecht also was asked to look into the death of Tammy Wynette, one of country music's favorite stars and this case gets a treatment as well.
Throughout every case, Dr. Wecht not only gives us some details about the forensics involved, but he also stops and takes the time explain what some of the medical terms used actually mean, in layman's terms. What this gives us is a Cliff's Notes type of medical dictionary that we can take with us as we read more cases, so that we increase our understanding of the terms used in autopsy reports and other medical evaluations.
His reports are clear and concise, with no wasted words. This is not to say he does not fully the cover the material, he just does not drone on about things that do not pertain to the case. I also like his style of writing. he uses a host of medical terms, but never does it seem that he is trying to overwhelm or prove his intelligence. He is, I believe, trying to give us the jargon used in his line of work so that some of the mystery is removed from the legal documents when read in the future.
To me, this book serves two purposes. It offers a glimpse inside some of the most interesting investigations in the past 30 years. But it also serves as a mini-dictionary of forensic terms, so that you can take the knowledge with you into more reading and investigation. I highly recommend this book and look foward to hearing more from Dr. Wecht.
HOKEY.......2006-05-20
Anyone who says the OJ Simpson case was correctly decided in the courtroom deserves neither my money nor respect. Plus, add on the fact that he was friends of the so-called "Dream Team" makes that even more laughable. This book is a joke - I borrowed it from a friend - and she asked me to throw it away after I was done. So now it's at the bottom of the landfill - where it belongs. IS THERE A MINUS RATING POSSIBLE FOR THIS BOOK? Giving it one star is an insult to stars~~~~~~
What Seemed Obvious Was Completely Wrong.......2005-01-23
Cyril Wecht MD, JD has performed more than 14,000 autopsies and overviewed another 35,000 examinations in his more than 40 years of experience. Wecht studied the autopsy records of JFK and concluded that the single-bullet theory just couldn't be true (p.13). The forensic evidence says that Sirhan was not the killer of Sen. Robert Kennedy. Wecht was involved in eight of the nine cases in this book, except Jon-Benet Ramsey (p.15). Wecht is a commentator for CNN and other television networks. Some of these cases are well-known.
Chapter 1 tells about the "Teenage Baby Killers" who faced a first-degree murder charge. These cases happen more often than people imagine. Post partum depression is a legal defense in many countries (p.22). Wecht explains why the infant was stillborn (pp. 35-36). Chapter 2 considers the unsolved murder of Jon-Benet Ramsey based on his review of the medical facts. A supermarket tabloid sent him pictures of the body (p.47). Page 71 has the comments from the profilers. Wecht's conclusions are on page 80. Chapter 3 tells of sex, drugs, and money in Las Vegas. [Was this used for a story by the TV drama "CSI"?] Pulmonary edema is common for a drug overdose death. The interaction from multiple drugs can result in a fatal dose (p.112). [Were Murphy and Tabish convicted by their life-style?]
Chapter 4 deals with the famous prosecution of Dr. Sam Sheppard for the murder of his wife Marilyn. Their son published a book in 1995, and tried to get his deceased father proven innocent (p.122). This crime scene was not secured (p.124); the coroner assumed Dr. Sam did it. The pervasive and unfair publicity told of his guilt before the trial. F. Lee Bailey gained national fame in 1964 when he got Dr. Sheppard a new trial. Chapter 5 has the story about the killing of members of a religious sect in 1982 Miracle Valley Arizona. Forensic evidence can determine what happened, and exclude other claims. The events leading to the killing are on pages 160-161. Were Cochise County officials trying to run off the members of the Christ Miracle Church (pp. 165-166)? The lesson learned here could have prevented the Waco Texas massacre of 1993 (p.154). Chapter 6 wonders if Tammy Wynette died of natural causes or as a result of her pain-killers. An immediate autopsy could have provided an answer (p.194).
Chapter 7 discusses the Trials of OJ. Wecht believes the verdicts of both trials were right (p.197)! Was this a "great trash novel come to life" (p.199)? Was the continuing coverage just a way to fill up cable broadcasting? Wecht was a friend and colleague of the defense lawyers and expert witnesses. [Was this case famous because so many knew the answers but not the facts?] The timeline for the murders is on pages 222-223. Note that the limo driver did not see or hear any car arrive between 10:22 and 11pm. F. Lee Bailey's cross examination was "most brilliant and devastating" (p.235). Dr. Cyril Wecht now believes the police fabricated the evidence against O. J. Simpson (p.237). [Could Wecht's involvement with TV show business have prevented him from realizing this earlier?] Chapter 8 tells of a Kansas City serial killer who preyed on drug-addicted drifters. None of his victim's bodies were ever found, except for a couple of skulls, the photographs, and Berdella's diary. An insurance company would be liable if these deaths were accidental (p.243)! They settled out of court (p.270). Chapter 9 tells about Robert Curley's poisoning with thallium, which was overlooked in testing for heavy metals (p.272). Poisoning is one of the most difficult crimes to detect (p.277). The hair of the victim was analyzed as a timeline to the poisoning (p.279-280). Who benefited from his death? His wife, who alone had the access during the time he was poisoned (p.285). She wanted the insurance money (p.290).
A Must For Lovers of CSI.......2005-01-06
I just love CSI and I think forensics are absolutely fascinating. This book has an amazing attention to detail. It's a book that really gets you thinking. Wecht truly reveals some gripping discoveries in these cases. A worthwhile read.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Siempre!, published by Edicional Siempre on April 10, 1997. The length of the article is 1252 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Enfermedad mortal, pero prevenible. (el cáncer; causas, prevención y tratamiento)(TT: Deadly disease, but preventable) (TA: cancer; causes, prevention, and treatment)
Author: Roberto Mendoza Zepeda
Publication:
Siempre! (Refereed)
Date: April 10, 1997
Publisher: Edicional Siempre
Volume: v43
Issue: n2286
Page: p69(1)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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Mortal Causes
Manufacturer: Orion Publishing Group, Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000GRSBNK |
Product Description
5 massmarket paperback Titles By Ian Rankin - Witch Hunt - Set in Darkness - Mortal Causes - Hide and Seek - Black and Blue
Customer Reviews:
Best fantasy series ever.......2006-01-04
Ignore the cover art, which has nothing to do with the book. The further adventures of Teleri, Ceilyn and some of his cousins. This marvelous trilogy is to contemporary, lumbering epics as song is to speach. The only possible comparison is to Rosemary Edgehill's abandoned series about elfland, and Edgerton actually finishes her projects.
The Moon In Hiding.......2005-06-13
First of all, I like the title of this book. It sounds exactly the way the book is written. You'll know what I mean if you read it. I really liked this book, so far the series has just kept getting better! I am planning to read the last book, _The Work Of The Sun_, as soon as possible.
In this book, Diaspad makes another try for power, this time trying to eliminate Fflergant and Tryffin. Ceilyn and Teleri must go against their principles of not using the old heathen rites to stop her. Afterwards this leads to awful consequences. The romance between Ceilyn and Teleri is really sweet, but sad. This book ends on another cliffhanger. The other thing I like about this author is how she tells you the story from many people's perspectives, but still in third person. Even the villian has her own chapters! I wouldn't suggest reading this book until you've read _Child Of Saturn_, because it won't make any sense to you and you won't know the characters or their backgrounds. However, this series is definitely a must-read for fantasy and Arthurian fans!
It is really very good!.......1998-01-29
I really like this book, almost as much as I liked the first one. The plots ties in with Child of Saturn, and the romance is seemlessly sewn in the depths of the book. I really love it!
Customer Reviews:
Titles in this Volume_ Two-B.......2007-02-22
The Greatest Science Fiction Novellas of All Time: Titles as follows: SF Hall of Fame, The: Vol Two B
Asimov, Isaac Martian Way, The
Blish, James Earthman, Come Home
Budrys, Algis Rogue Moon - Psychological thriller
Cogswell, Theodore Spectre General, The
Forster, E.M. Machine Stops, The
Pohl, Frederik Midas Plague, The
Schmitz, James H. Witches of Karres, The
Sherred, T.L. E For Effort
Shiras, Wilmar H. In Hiding
Simak, Clifford D. Big Front Yard, The - a clever tale
Vance, Jack Moon Moth, The
Product Description
Six pages, four of title song, one of sample music. Uke and Banjo tuning and chords.
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Hiding Places (Harlequin American Romance)
Modean Moon
Manufacturer: harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Harlequin American Romance | Series | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0373161131 |
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Moon in Hiding
Gene Walden
Manufacturer: ACE Charter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: 5550666006 |
Book Description
This is an omnibus of two early novels in L.E. Modesitts Ecolitan Matter series, The Ecolitan Operation and The Ecologic Secession. The series deals with the conflict between the old and corrupt interstellar Empire, and the Ecolitan Institute of the planet Accord. The Institute ostensibly a training academy in ecology, is in reality a progressive force reminsicent of Isaac Asimovs Foundation. Both novels were initially published as mass market originals and are now out of print. The two books form a complete story arc.
Customer Reviews:
A Hero Gone Rogue.......2004-06-09
Empire & Ecolitan (2001) is an omnibus edition of the first and second novels in The Ecolitan Matter series according to the internal chronology. It includes The Ecolitan Operation and The Ecologic Secession.
The United Confederation of Independent Worlds -- otherwise known as the Empire -- is an hegemony of over 190 worlds plus their colonies and other dependencies. The capital of the Empire is at New Augusta on Terra, although many support functions are based off-planet, particularly on Alphane.
The Emperor is the titular head of the United Confederation, but most power resides in the Senate. The Empire nominally includes about fifty semi-autonomous planets on the fringes. The largest principality in this region is the Conglomerate of Fuard, which is aggressively flaunting its military might.
The Empire has long ago ceased to work for the welfare of its member planets, but instead has strived for maintenance of the status quo and perpetuation of the institutions of the Empire itself. The dependent worlds have been hit the hardest with increased taxes and conscripted troops. Armed rebellions have occurred sporadically throughout the colonies.
In The Ecolitan Operation (1989), Major Jimjoy Earle Wright III is a Special Operative for the Imperial Space Service who manages to successfully complete the most difficult missions, but who displeases his superiors with the intemperate violence of his methods. They would prefer something more subtle, but Jimjoy does whatever must be done to achieve the objective. In his current mission, he causes a fusion plant explosion to kill off the Halstani High Command, but has a collateral kill count of over fifty thousand bystanders. His case officer sends him next to Accord to report on the Ecolitan Institute, but the Empire has a lethal surprise waiting for him on the planet.
In The Ecologic Seccession (1990), Jimjoy is now Ecolitan Professor James Joyson Whaler II, Senior Fellow of the Institute. The Empire believes that he is dead and hopefully they will continue to do so. Jimjoy has created a new department within the Institute -- Applied Ecologic Management -- which is actually the new Special Operations branch. It is clear to Jimjoy and to the Ecolitan Prime that the Empire will soon be imposing more stringent controls on Accord and that the planet must rebel to keep its liberty. As a first step, Jimjoy single-handedly destroys the System Control station at Haversol.
These novels are mostly about the ethics of violence, personal and social. All ethics are contingent upon survival; i.e., survival of yourself or your descendants or your group is a prime concern. However, certain methods of survival are wrong, for they destroy they very things you wish to preserve. These novels explore the ethical limits of defense of a society -- that is, a large group of people -- which is threatened by external forces. What types and degrees of violence are legitimate under those circumstances? Are civilians legitimate targets of violence and, if so, under what conditions? The author raises some interesting questions, but more importantly, he points out the uncertainties surrounding all such issues.
Highly recommended for Modesitt fans and for anyone who enjoys tales of political intrigue and special operations with a touch of romance.
-Arthur W. Jordin
Great book: interesting characters and plot........2001-07-03
This book was originally published as a duology (The Ecologic Operation and The Ecologic Secession...search under these titles for more reviews), but the transition between the two books is seamless so reprinting as a single book works well.
This book keeps you turning the pages with interesting characters, great action scenes, and a nicely tuned plot. If you are an avid book reader you will find similarities in style and plot to a number of other great series such as Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy, Piers Anthony's Bio of a Space Tyrant, and Chris Brunch's Matador.
You might also want to check out The Ecologic Envoy which takes place 400 years after this book.
Product Description
Ominbus of "The Stars, Like Dust," "The Currents of Space," and "Pebble in the Sky." Special publication of the Science Fiction Book Club.
Average customer rating:
- A nice collection of good short stories
- An unusually good anthology of classic science fiction.
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Galactic Empires
Brian Wilson Aldiss
Manufacturer: Avon Books (Mm)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
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ASIN: 0380428792 |
Customer Reviews:
A nice collection of good short stories.......1999-12-04
I enjoyed the wit of the stories in this book immensely and hope that you do also. The possibilities are trulely endless for the human existance.
An unusually good anthology of classic science fiction........1997-06-13
I picked this book up at a used book sale intending to hold it in reserve for when I ran out of "better" reading material. Was I ever mistaken! This book is excellent! It consists of almost two dozen highly imaginative and downright mind-jarring tales of science fiction from mainly the 1950s and 60s. The first five are especially excellent. There isn't a bad one in the bunch and yet many of the authors have apparently become obscure since its publication. They do not deserve such a fate
Amazon.com
What is it about bad guys that's so compelling? The Star Wars Trilogy Scrapbook: The Galactic Empire is a veritable Who's Who of the Empire, from ruthless Emperor Palpatine down to the easily expendable low-level officers and the faceless stormtroopers. These brief biographies are followed by chapters on Imperial firepower and their major battles, as well as a special section on bounty hunters, the criminal underworld, and their hangouts (such as that "wretched hive of scum and villainy," the Mos Eisley cantina). Though this book is aimed at younger readers, any SW fan will enjoy the hundred-plus photographs reproduced in its pages, and most will learn at least a few new facts--provided they don't succumb to the lure of the dark side. --C.B. Delaney
Customer Reviews:
The galatic scum........2001-12-06
This book is aimed at younger readers. THE PHANTOM MENACE is the only STAR WARS movie many young fans know about. Therefore, many of them will find the book extremely informative, even though the most basic mature STAR WARS fan probably knows most of the information contained within the book. However, there are a lot of great pictures from the first three films that almost any fan will enjoy. Overall, a nice little scrapbook.
Buy It Now!.......1999-01-18
If you like Star Wars at all, you should buy this book. It is a great colection book. It is like a small version of the encyclopidia. Defenitly worth it.
A really good book if you are a Star Wars fan!.......1998-04-22
I am a really big Star Wars fan, and I try to get everything that relates to Star Wars. When this book came out, I bought it without a second thought. It was a better book then I thought! All of the pictures inside and the text are really neat.
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2nd foundation: galactic empire (Avon T-232)
Isaac Asimov
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
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| Comic
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| Literary
General
| Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
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General
| Asimov, Isaac
| ( A )
| Authors, A-Z
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: B0007E5UMW |
Customer Reviews:
Most Practical Espresso book in the Market.......2005-09-12
I worked for a coffee shop that had about fifteen books on espresso - most of the information given in the book was either flat-out wrong or recipes. One book, I recall very well, stated an espresso shot should run from 18-23 seconds. It's commonly accepted that espresso should run anywhere from 23-30 seconds depending on the blend.
I bought the Schomer book because I heard it was the most practical guide to making espresso in the market. That's an understatement. Schomer covers everything you'd need to know to have a basic knowledge, and helped me improve my technique (espresso quality and consistency) by leaps and bounds.
Schomer covers distribution techniques, tamping techniques, the roast, environmental factors, and a lot of other things in a straight-forward manner that gives a quick read, but also is very helpful. In three days, my technique went from mediocre to good.
taste don't read.......2003-01-05
If you have tasted the coffee at Vivacci, you know this guy is serious. It's the best I've had anywhere in the known world. The book is extremely detailed, just like his training for his Baristas. Go drink. Read. Buy. Enjoy the best.
A unique look at espresso from a coffee heretic.......2002-05-18
David Schomer is the owner/chief roaster at Vivace! in Seattle. His methods (particularly concerning the proper temperature for brewing) are the subject of much discussion, even derision, in the coffee community, because it is hard to get consistent results using his methods. That may be true, but his approach allows you to achieve near perfection about a third of the time, and decent results the rest of the time, while other methods will produce more consistent results, without ever equaling the best he can achieve.
If you want to get artistic about your espresso, learn some of the many variables involved, and commence your search for the perfect cup, this is the book for you. Schomer has studied espresso making for decades, with a degree of attention to detail that borders on the fanatical, and his key conclusions are described here in detail.
My only complaint is that Schomer doesn't even minimally discuss his techniques for producing rosettes on top of his lattes. I've taken the pilgrimage to Vivace! a few times, and watched how it's done, but after several years of trying a couple of times a day, I'm still not able to get results as good as the people at Vivace! can.
I did, however, manage to coerce a few nearly-perfect cups out of my Gaggia Paros before it died, and I have this book to thank for the experience.
If you're a new barista wannabe, you need this book.......2001-08-27
I'm sorry about the four stars David, because this is an essential book and indeed it gives the reader most of what he needs to make a truly excellent cup of espresso. Buy it folks. My problem is that this is a very short book and could have been a lot shorter. There is considerably more redundancy than is necessary to get the points across. Otherwise, it's well written and illustrated, providing the insider information you need. However, in the espresso blending section David spends almost two pages avoiding telling you what coffees make good espresso blends. Sure it's subjective, but I guess I felt I was paying for his opinion (which he gives copiously on other espresso issues.) He alludes vaguely to Brazilian and low acid (Brazil has very a wide range of possibilities, only a few of which I think make good coffee of any sort) and that's about it. I'd hoped for more. But there can be no doubt that David knows espresso in every detail. He's spent a lot of time and effort collecting the unique and necessary information he imparts. Plus, he and I agree that the best espresso is made in northern Italy and that most US espresso is charcoal water. So, this is a very expensive book for it's length, but it's definitely worth the price if you want to really understand espresso.
Excellent resource for coffee professionals and beginners........1999-05-03
This book is the "bible" for espresso techniques. The author has extensively researched his material and communicates clearly and concisely. Coffee professionals, baristas and those who love the art of coffee will find this book a resource they will return to over and over again. It will also serve as a tremendous training tool for those just starting out in the industry. The author also goes further than simply improving espresso techniques but also includes the importance of perfect milk frothing and steaming which directly influences the total espresso experience. Palates will not be the same after this book!
Books:
- Mrs. Jeffries Appeals the Verdict (Victorian Mysteries)
- Murder at Union Station: A Capital Crimes Novel (Capital Crimes)
- Murder in Montmartre (Aimee Leduc Investigation)
- Murder Makes Waves (Southern Sisters Mysteries)
- Murder of a Barbie and Ken (Scumble River Mysteries, Book 5)
- Murder on Astor Place (Gaslight Mystery)
- Murder on St. Mark's Place (Gaslight Mystery)
- Murder on the Iditarod Trail (Alaska Mysteries)
- Murder Runs in the Family: A Southern Sisters Mystery
- Murder Shoots the Bull: A Southern Sisters Mystery (Southern Sisters Mysteries)
Books Index
Books Home
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- The Color of Cities: An International Perspective
- Teach Me How to Love You: The Beginnings
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- The Mike Hammer Collection, Volume 2: One Lonely Night, The Big Kill, Kiss Me Deadly
- Invisible Gardens: The Search for Modernism in the American Landscape
- SuperDutch : New Architecture in the Netherlands
- Everyone in Silico
