Book Description
As I walked back through the City, my mood was moderately elevated. This appointment did not displease me nearly as much as I pretended. Like most Romans I abhorred the very thought of sea duty, but this was one of the rare occasions when I was looking forward to getting away from Rome....... For years I had complained of the disorder of the City, and now that it was gone, I found that I missed it. All the peace and quiet seemed unnatural. I did not expect it to last. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger in SPQR IX: The Princess and the PiratesHis two years of aedileship over, Decius is ready for his next adventure. He would rather do anything than join the war with Caesar in the dismal forests of Gaul, so he and his slave/proteacute;geacute; Hermes find themselves on a mission to rid the Mediterranean of pirates. They set off with shoddy ships and sailors to the island of Cyprus, where a young Cleopatra is staying. Between her impressive crew and the ex-pirate Ariston providing insider knowledge of that cutthroat occupation, Decius thinks he stands a good chance of bringing himself some glory. That would be too simple, though. The ruler of the island, Silvanus, is murdered in a most peculiar fashion and Decius, as a guest in his home, has a sacred duty to find and punish the guilty party. Because world relations are already strained, he would rather not suspect Cleopatra, heir to the Egyptian throne. But she has plenty of reasons to hate Rome and murder runs in her family. Another guest and suspect is Gabinius, who is in exile and could have easily given up loyalty toward his friend if it meant a quicker return to Rome. In the meantime, Decius is being humiliated in his pirate hunt, and as if this weren't enough, Aphrodite herself seeks Decius's help by appearing to him in a dream vision. As Decius investigates world trade, the island history, and the new kind of piracy plaguing the waters, he is finding connections more menacing than he had ever imagined possible. In this ninth book in the series, Roberts crafts another skillful mystery, this time fervently pulsing with the collision of Roman, Greek, and Egyptian interests.
Customer Reviews:
Another enjoyable SPQR episode.......2007-08-09
Overall: This is another highly enjoyable, quick read in the SPQR series by John Maddox Roberts.
Detailed: The title is a bit misleading which actually helps sets up the rest of the story. The pirate part of the book is more part of the historical back drop for the murder than a key plot element. As per the other SPQR books, this is a murder mystery using famous historic personages and repeeating characters from the other books.
The main character development is of Cleopatra instead of the major characters. There is clear foreshadowed of Cleopatra's role in upcoming books / future events which is done very well. Hermes is freed in act of kindness caused by the realization of how short life is by Decius. It is nicely done.
The religous elements of the story are interesting especially regarding the cult of Aphrodite. There is a clear implication that Decius and Julia will be parents in the next novel. It should be a very interesting twist to see Decius as a father.
Summary:
--------
Plot: 4 of 5 stars
Characters: 3 of 5 stars
Action: 3 of 5 stars
Ninth in the SPQR Series.......2007-03-01
John Maddox Roberts is the pseudonym of Mark Ramsay, author of numerous works of science fiction and fantasy, in addition to his successful historical SPQR mystery series. He lives in New Mexico with his wife.
Anyone who is a fan of Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor or David Wishart will love the SPQR series of books by the author. Once again we have an addition to the ever growing number of amateur detectives patrolling the streets of ancient Rome, solving mysteries and crimes. Not all at the same time, I may add, in fact not even in the same centuries. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, a high-born bad boy, is the offering of the author and he is just as interesting, likeable and believable as the leading characters from the author's contemporaries.
Decius has managed to travel the length and breadth of the empire, mostly trying to escape from people who would like to beat his brains out or worse. Along the way he has had several adventures and been involved in solving more than one mystery.
Now he is newly elected to the prestigious, but lowly office of aedile, probably the lowest rung on the ladder of political ambition and what does he have to do? Seek out the corruption that is threatening to strangle Rome. Decius must put his fertile brain to work to clean up the streets of his beloved Rome before hidden powers destroy everything within the gates of is beautiful city.
Another gem from JMR.......2006-11-10
John Maddox Roberts is the underrated, best writer of the Roman detective mystery genre. Flawless historicity is combined with excellent writing, humor, and interesting characters, who actually develop and mature as the series progresses. The Princess and the Pirates is one of his best, as our Decius finds himself in a perilous situation on Cyprus, and surprised to be helped by young Cleopatra. As Rome had just taken Cyprus from Egypt, her presence is not as surprising as it might seem. She is but one character to show maturation through this series, including Decius himself, his assistant/bodyguard Hermes, the former street gang leader Milo and his enemy Clodius's sister Clodia.
One nice thing about the SPQR series: despite taking place in the heavily left-right politicized times of Cicero and Julius Caesar, these books adhere to a mildly cynical view of both the aristocratic party and the so-called democratic(demogogic?) one. Decius has ties to leaders of both. Stephen Saylor and a few others imbue their books with first century B.C. leftist manifestos. I can't vote for consul, so leave the heavy-handed good side, bad side politics out. Just give me fun ancient Roman mysteries like the SPQR series.
The series just gets better.......2005-12-30
SPQR IX commences just after Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger's aedile adventures with dodgy tradesmen with our senatorial sleuth setting off for Cyprus under a commission from the Senate to mop up an irritating case of piracy with minimal resources. With a growing air of authority our purple striper boards ship for the Mediterranean island with the grown up and ever faithful Hermes at his side and wife, Julia, making a more sedate journey with Titus Annius Milo a few weeks behind.
Freed from marital constraints, Decius makes the most of this change of scenery by arriving and, in true Julian style, swiftly commandeers three water laden hulks and a motley crew of ex-pirates and legionaries to sail his flotilla. After recruiting the fearsome Ariston to aid him in his chase he also deals with the governor, Silvanus, who eventually ends up murdered by being forced to choke to death on incense. There is also the exiled Gabinius whose imperium is non-existent but personal authority is immense. In addition to these two senior Roman officials, we are introduced to a supporting list of suspects with the poet Alpheus and the four representatives of the powerful equites factions, Marcus Junius Brutus of the Wine Merchants, Mamercus Sulpicius Naso of the Grain Exporters, Decimus Antonius of the Metal Brokers, and Malachi Josepides of the Textile Importers. Prominently in the cast is Sergilius Nobilior, chief of the Banker's Association and his voluptuous and somewhat promiscuous wife, Flavia.
However, the real task for Decius is to hunt down the pirate Spurius and he is given some unwanted assistance by the teenage Cleopatra who happens to be visiting Cyprus. Her political astuteness and immense resources coupled with girlish enthusiasm prove boon and bane to our hero as he finds himself on the receiving end of caulking sabotage, night espionage trips, attempted assassinations and insistent women before Julia and Milo turn up in good time to lend a much needed hand as he finally discovers who is behind the piracy, Silvanus' murder and a vast trading conspiracy.
Decius steps out of his trip to Cyprus with his auctoritas improved. He is no Julius Caesar (in fact he's delighted to make the acquaintance of an Ethiopian prince who's never heard of the great man) but his cogitative sleuthing makes him stand out amongst the senatorial crowd. Geniunely likable, always affable, hard but fair his results speak for themselves.
JMR's creation continues to improve and the SPQR series is vastly superior to the somewhat pulpy Children of Rome novels. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger ranks right up there with Gordianus the Finder, Marcus Didius Falco and Marcus Valerius Corvinus and JMR should continue to write about him for as long as he can.
Buy it.
excellent read.......2005-09-06
The author is excellent, the book is very easy to read and flows from the first to the last page. I couldn't put it down.
Customer Reviews:
Moorcock is at least Tolkien's Equal.......2007-01-18
Aged fourteen, The Knight of the Swords was the first Moorcock I ever read, in fact I read it before I read Tolkien. Moorcock remains for me the only fantasy writer who can compete with Tolkien in terms of the size and detail of the world he creates. In fact if anything Moorcock's world excels Tolkien's in its scope and weirdness.
Readers of Moorcock will know of his concept of the Eternal Champion, that is that a series of heros who are all incarnations of each other and of his basic idea that the universe, or as Moorcock calls it the multiverse, is governed by the conflict between the forces of Law and Chaos. The idea being what is needed is a balance between the two.
In this group of stories the champion is Corum a member of an elf like race who face extermination at the hands of humans. The story involves Corum in a series of battles for and against an assortment of men, demons, sorcerers and gods. The stories are fast paced and as usual Moorcock has the abilty to describe a person, a city or even a God in a couple of well chosen phrases.
Remember this is fantasy do not expect any great truths about life to be explained but what you can expect is a great read from a writer who knows that fantasy writing is supposed to be fantastic.
Great read.......2003-04-01
Moorcock and Fritz Leiber have the same ironic vision which means they use language lightly to suggest rather than belabour their points and they almost never dwell too long on the emotions of their heroes, no matter how bad things get. That said there is a refreshing pace and clarity of writing to this book which, while not being one of Moorcock's finest, still gives more per page than almost anything else out there. Corum was the first of Moorcock's characters I read, so I guess I identify with him more than the gloomier Elric, and I also like this 'science fantasy' quality, which takes Corum through various incarnations of the multiverse in rapid succession as he tries to avoid the genocide planned for him by the Mabden (mankind) interlopers. As usual Moorcock defeats expectations and takes some odd twists to deliver a fine, nicely-flavored wine which is best drunk by the goblet-full and savoured when you're done with it. A soupcon of Paidraic Colum, maybe, a touch of Dunsany, perhaps, with a dash of Yeats echoing in the background, but none the worse for that. A great read for St
Patrick's Day!
All Pace, No Substance.......2003-02-14
If you haven't read Moorcock before, you will be suprised by the lack of depth to his writing. 'Corum' is no exception. Moorcock's style is amateurish, but by no means slow.
'Corum' is basically set in a Celtic, Bronze Age Europe as man is starting to dominate and destroy two elf-like races, one of which Corum is a member. Corum decides to seek vengeance, but as a result of being sidetracked, ends up going on an Odyssey-like adventure.
The pace is fast - too fast, because very rarely does Moorcock describe the setting of a location or develop the characters to any great extent, even the main character, Corum. Exposure to characters lasts only a few pages on occasion, as the odyssey is quickly into full swing again.
I don't recommend this book to anyone requiring depth or development of character, or intelligent themes, for there is no attention to detail. This book seems to be written by an inexperienced author for a teenage audience, but I don't think it has been. I think Moorcock is a very average author - even for a "light read" author. If you are looking for a light read, but with decent characters who have real motives than read David Gemmell's Drenai Saga.
Tired of Tolkein clones, sick of Potter copies ?.......2001-12-03
Moorcock began his fantasy writing career young, in the 1950s, around the same time as Lord of the Rings and Gormenghast were published. His interest in fantasy predated his reading of either sequence. He quotes such writers as Twain and Cabell as influences. It's clear, however, that Moorcock writes more in the Peake tradition than the Tolkien and, if you want a combination of the virtues of both writers, you'll find it here. Moorcock loves language and his books are enriched by it. You don't need 800 pages to get the message across! In Europe he is honored as an important literary writer. These novels are a great writer enjoying himself. Moorcock has said that he only writes fantasy novels if he can enjoy himself. Even now in his new Elric books Moorcock is still keeping them short and fast. Why the books have depth is because of the superior writing, with characteristic ironies and elegaic tone, fresh quality of invention, strong structuring, using 'image as narrative', the underlying philosophy which is never shoved in your face, but makes you think, the characters, who have strong motivations and crises. Moorcock doesn't world-build, any more than he bothers with invented alphabets and other somewhat nerdy occupations. He is a story teller and nothing extraneous is allowed to get in the way of that first priority. (...)
These stories are set in Cornwall, easily identified by the use of original Cornish (Celtic) names. This year I visited 'Moidel's Mount' and its
wonderful, impregnable castle, which, apart from the town now on the other shore, is exactly as Moorcock describes it, only it's called St Michael's Mount and is across from Marazion in Cornwall. The Scilly Isles also feature, though in the Moorcock books they are still attached to the mainland. This is real
Arthurian territory, but Moorcock makes no reference to it. He is busy inventing his own mythology. He is steeped in Celtic and Norse mythology, which he also claims as a strong influence on Corum and Elric respectively.
Moorcock says in his introduction that he came up with the Corum stories during a wet vacation in Cornwall. All I can say is, thank goodness it rains in Cornwall (and how it rains!). This is a fine, intelligent, fast read. It won't tax your mind, but it will leave it a little richer when you're done. I'm very choosey
about the kind of fantasy I read and this, believe me, is amongst the very best you'll find.
A Book That Does Much Justice To The Eternal Champion Saga.......2000-11-27
Michael Moorcock's books have always enthralled me and I number his works among the finest in my collections. Corum: The Coming of Chaos, which I have just finsihed, does much justice to Moorcocks other books and is easily on par with his Elric Saga. The book is written in Moorcock's graceful fast paced prose which moves the story along at breakneck pace and keeps you interested. Moorcock shows here he is a master of plots and story progression and Corum is a joy to read about. As always Moorcock's book transcends traditional fantasy to become more than just a heroic adventure. Much philosophy and mythology is tied in with the story and this makes for a read that is unlike anything else. Get this book if you have any like for good fiction, but start with The Eternal Champion book if you are not familiar with his works. Moorcock is easily in league with such greats as Tolkien and Lovecraft and he should not be overlooked.
Average customer rating:
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Classic Star Wars: a New Hope (Classic Star Wars)
Larry Weinberg
Manufacturer: Egmont Childrens Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
| Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Star Wars
| Media Series
| Series
| Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0749729481 |
Book Description
The first book in the companion series to the classic Star Wars(TM) movie trilogy begins with a hectic chase after a runaway droid and escalates into an adventure of galactic proportions as young Luke Skywalker becomes embroiled in the struggle between the Rebel Alliance and the dark forces of the Empire.
Customer Reviews:
Fun to read.......2006-03-21
After seeing the movie many times, I found that reading the screenplay gave me a new feel for the movie. Especially understanding some of the less prominent lines and scene descriptions.
Star Wars A New Hope.......2003-03-03
If there was any book in the world i would read Star Wars A New Hope. It was one of the best books I've ever read. There are reasons I like this book one of them is imaginative, and full of excitment.
Good for kids, but otherwise it's kind of boring.......2000-12-10
The only reason I gave this book two stars is because it's really meant for kids younger than myself, so I probably can't rate it accurately. For one thing, it's way to short! I can literaly read it in fifteen minutes, and all the best parts of the movie are left out. The writing is also undiscriptive, boring, and it doesn't show the character developement that was in the movie. Even when I first read this book at ten years old I thought it wasn't that good, but now truthfully the only interesting part is the pictures from the movie stuck in the middle. Younger kids eleven and under, for whom this book is intended for, might not mind this, and it is a good start for young readers who want to get into reading Star Wars, but older fans probably won't like it.
Star Wars -A New Hope- (Seafire12).......2000-05-14
This book is great! It brings the movies stunning images into your mind and also gives those images more depth than any movie could give. Luke Skywalker is a young Farm-Boy how dreams of joining the acadamy. Then he meets the droid-dou of C-3PO and R2-D2, after that his life will never be the same. I loved this book! It is a must have!
IT WAS TERIFIC BETER THAN THE MOVIE.......1999-09-09
It added facts I did not know.I liked it
Amazon.com
"'I want to come with you to Alderaan,' Luke said, resolved. 'I want to become a Jedi like my father.'" This marks the start of Luke Skywalker's involvement with the Rebellion in George Lucas's grand narrative of good versus evil, Star Wars. You know the story, you've seen the film--but this chunky little book is a real gem. Star Wars fans of all ages will enjoy both the fine abridgment and Brandon McKinney's 146 two-color illustrations, drawn in classic comic book style. --C.B. Delaney
Book Description
Finally, the novel of the movie STAR WARS
is available with its original title (
STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE
Luke Skywalker lived and worked on his uncle's farm on the remote planet of Tatooine--and he was bored beyond belief. He yearned for adventures out among the stars, adventures that would take him beyond the farthest galaxies to distant and alien worlds.
But Luke got more than he bargained for when he intercepted a cryptic message from a beautiful princess held captive by a dark and powerful warlord. Luke didn't know who she was, but he knew he had to save her--and soon, because time was running out.
Armed only with courage and with the lightsaber that had been his father's, Luke was catapulted into the middle of the most savage space war ever...and headed straight for a desperate encounter on the enemy battle station known as the Death Star (
MORE THAN 5 MILLION COPIES IN PRINT!
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
This is definitely a fun book, and I used to be able to do quite a bit of quoting from the material in my younger days.
The one thing that we used to wonder 'why' about, was why was Luke Red 5 in one, and Blue 5 in the other. One of the mysteries of the universe.
Definitely a good read though.
A New Hope - The Literary Version.......2007-06-13
Reading and reviewing the book of A New Hope is impossible without using the film as a frame of reference. For most of us, the film was our introduction to the amazing new world of Star Wars. This is when we first met Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie, Obi-Wan, R2-D2, and C-3PO. We all know how the story goes and that is my only problem with the book. It is still great fun to read, but it is so much like the film that it is almost too familiar. It is not precisely like the film, but it is extremely close. The book was ghostwritten by Alan Dean Foster in late 1976 based on the George Lucas screenplay. Considering that Mr. Foster did not have the visual benefit of seeing what Star Wars looked like on screen, I think he did a remarkable job.
The story begins on Tatooine as Luke acquires R2 and 3PO and our favorite little droid is bound and determined to deliver a mysterious message to some one named Obi-Wan Kenobi. The adventures that follow lead us through the cantina at Mos Eisley where we meet Han and Chewie and on to Luke's destruction of the Death Star. You undoubtedly know how it goes.
If by some fluke of nature you actually have not seen the film, then you definitely should read the book. It is a rousing adventure story and leaves you wanting to read more. The edition I read was the very nice trade paperback version of the Star Wars Trilogy that was published in 2004. Having all three of the trilogy books in one volume is a good feeling.
Solid adaptation of a classic story.......2007-03-26
This novelization of the first Star Wars film is the alpha ancestor of the entire Star Wars universe. Published several months before the release of the film (which was simply titled "Star Wars" in 1977, picking up the "A New Hope" signifier in the 1979 theatrical re-release), the book was a success on a small scale but did not take off until the film became a phenomenon. George Lucas is credited with authoring this novel, but as he acknowledges in his introduction, the book was ghostwritten by Alan Dean Foster based on Lucas' screenplay. Foster went on to write two more Star Wars novels, Splinter of the Mind's Eye in the late 70's and The Approaching Storm in 2002.
Credit must be given to Foster for capturing a Star Wars "feel" in this novel without any preceding Star Wars material to work from and without knowledge of the scrutiny every scrap of Star Wars literature would eventually be subjected to. He follows the screenplay quite faithfully, and except for the inclusion of a sequence on Tatooine that was shot but cut from the film late in the editing process, his novel follows the film's sequence of scenes exactly. He does toy with the dialogue to an extent, re-writing lines throughout. To a modern-day Star Wars nut, this can sometimes be jarring, as everything about this story is so familiar. It's interesting in movie novelizations how the authors often change dialogue but nothing else: I like seeing a little more experimentation, such as that in Matthew Stover's superb novelization of Revenge of the Sith.
Foster is a descriptive writer and this story flows along briskly. One quirk that happens multiple times is he often uses comparisons rooted in our own mundane Earth to describe something, such as "like a dog padding on plastic," "like an Oriental poppy in a sea of oats, " and "like the damping rods in a nuclear reactor." Foster definitely had his work cut out for him in trying to describe such a visual universe before any visual media had been released to the public, but the dozen or so Earth allusions often shatter the otherworldly feel of the story.
As I mentioned earlier, the book contains a sequence set on Tatooine that did not make the final cut of the movie. It occurs early in the story with Luke observing the capture of the Tantive IV in orbit and rushing off to Anchorhead to tell his friends about the battle. When he arrives at Tosche Station, he has an unexpected joyful reunion with his old friend Biggs Darklighter. This segment with Biggs plants the seeds of sympathy toward the Rebellion in Luke's mind and also heightens the impact of Biggs' death during the Death Star attack at the end of the story.
The novelization of Episode IV is a serviceable rendition that does not add too much to the film. It would be interesting to see a new interpretation, either by Foster or another author, written in the modern day that could incorporate material from the prequels and the Expanded Universe material that has been released since 1977.
Justin in San Antonio Star Wars Fan.......2007-02-02
I really like Star Wars and have read different Star Wars books including the Last Jedi and Boba Fett series. I liked this book because it is like watching the movie but you find out more about the people from the story. In the movie you see how people are acting but when you read the book it will tell you what they were thinking.
The prologue in the book tells more about what happened before the story starts than the movie does. The action starts right away and kept me interested. I have to read for school, but when I read the Star Wars books I am able to read something I like and it counts as my homework.
Enjoyable Refresher.......2006-03-06
Here's my perspective on this --- it's been a very long time since I've seen the original films. So I came into this with the more recent films fresh on my mind.
Overall, I'd say that this is an enjoyable book, especially for someone who's been spending time with the more recent editions in the series and wants to go back to the roots. One noticeable thing about this and the earlier stories is a sense of fun and humor that doesn't seem nearly as palpable (heh heh) in the later trilogy. Being more of a casual fan, I can't comment much on the differences between this and the actual film series, but overall, it still stands as a great story.
This book comes with an introduction by George Lucas detailing the original release and explaining that this is ghostwritten by Alan Dean Foster. Though only about a page long, it's an excellent intro to the book.
Book Description
Whether it's a classic chocolate chip cookie for an afternoon snack at the kitchen table, a tangy lemon bar as a treat after lunch, or a delicate jam-filled cutout cookie shared at a special gathering of friends, we all have a favorite cookie or two that we just cannot resist.
Williams-Sonoma Collection Cookies offers over 40 delicious recipes, including time-honored favorites as well as fresh new ideas. Brighten up a rainy day with chocolate cookie sandwiches, tempt guests with light hazelnut meringues after a dinner party, or celebrate the holidays with sweet and sparkly cutout stars. Here, you will find all the classics as well as cookies for making with and enjoying with kids or for sending to faraway friends. If you are planning a party or searching for a cookie to establish new holiday tradition, you'll find plenty of recipes with style inside these pages. In addition, a chapter devoted entirely to decorating provides you with simple ideas for transforming cookies into little works of art.
Full-color photographs of each cookie recipe help make it easy to decide which one to bake, and photographic side notes throughout highlight key techniques or essential ingredients, making this book the ideal source to have on hand for making cookies. An informative basics section and glossary fill in all you need to know to create a wide array of irresistible cookies.
Customer Reviews:
Good collection, easy to follow :-().......2005-09-19
I am not a novice in the kitchen - that's for sure. But with the help of this book, I've managed to make some of the nicest cookies I've ever made. I found the recipes easy to follow and clear instructions. The smells in the kitchen are so good, we've often eaten the goods before they are cooled properly. If you are a little kitchen challenged, this is for you because as I mentioned, I'm finally getting some serious results (and putting on a pound or two).
Good Variety of Cookies.......2004-11-15
I have had excellent experiences using this book. Although some of the recipes call for non-standard kitchen equipment (like Madeleine trays or silicon baking sheet liners) most of the recipes are both easy to use and very good to eat. I particularly liked the chocolate chip cookie recipe; it never fails to turn out chewy and delicious chocolate chip cookies.
Here are the rest of the recipes included:
Scotch Shortbread, Sugar Cookies, Lemon Bars, Anise Biscotti, Madeleines, Linzer Cookies, Oatmeal Cookies, Brownies, Blondies, Chocolate Cookie Sandwiches, Black & White Cookies, Nutty Butter Balls, Crisp Chocolate Bites, Ruby Jewel Cookies, Almond Sand Cookies, Neapolitan Cookies, Chocolate Espresso Bars, Almond Crisps Drizzled with Chocolate, Peanut Butter Cookies, Brown Sugar Tuiles, Cigarettes Russes, Pistachio-Spice Cookies, Double-Ginger Snaps, Lizzies, Hazelnut & Dried Cherry Biscotti, Butterscotch Coconut Cookies, Oatmeal, Date, & Walnut Spice Cookies, Coconut-Macademia Triangles, Spritz Cookies, Mexican Wedding Cookies, Moravian Molasses Cookies, Brandy Snaps, Bourbon Balls, Rugelach with Apricot and Pistachio Filling, and Hazelnut Meringues.
The book also has an excellent section of decorating tips and every recipe features a beautiful full-page color photo.
Watch out, cookie monster!.......2003-11-20
The recipes in this cookbook are very straightforward and easy-to-follow. And at this price, it's totally worth it, because you'll definitely find at least two or three recipes you'll fall in love with. I personally love the Gingersnaps, and they've been a big hit with my family as well. Give yourself a little extra time the first time you prepare any of these recipes: they're not hard, but you'll definitely get better/faster at it the more you do it. Highly recommended for anyone, whether you're a master chef or just a beginner -- the great photos and straightforward directions are perfect for any skill level!
Excellent!.......2003-11-13
As with the reviewer of "Wonderful," I had this on my wish list since I saw it on Amazon.com. Having just received it, I have made the chocolate-chip cookies (still searching for the best recipe!), blondies, butterscotch-coconut cookies, and espresso bars. Of course they all turned out wonderful! The pictures in the book are luscious, as will all William Sonoma's books. I feel the author does a good job of presenting cookies with varied flavors (espresso, fruit, chocolate, ginger, etc.) and giving a wide variety of cookies to choose from (bars, rolled, drop). I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves cookies or just simply enjoys looking at beautiful food photography.
Wonderful.......2003-10-29
I had this on my wish list for a long time. I received this as a birthday gift in the mail from Amazon recently. I couldn't wait to make some of these cookies. They all look so wonderful. As the holidays get closer I am sure I will turn to this book more and more. The recipes are straight forward and clear. They are easy for a non-professional to follow. Great fun!
Book Description
A slice of rich, moist cake is irresistible. From a tart, sweet lemon sponge or airy angel food cake to a decadent chocolate torte, there is a cake to satisfy every craving. Whether you are searching for a special cake to establish a birthday tradition or are simply looking for a sweet ending to an everyday meal, there are cakes to fit any occasion.
Williams-Sonoma Collection Cake offers more than 35 tantalizing recipes, including updated classics as well as fresh new ideas. For elegant entertaining, make an impressive Rolled Chestnut Cream Cake before your guests arrive, then relax and enjoy the party. When time is short, keep it simple with easy Chocolate-Orange Cupcakes or Espresso Pound Cake. The many delicious recipes inside these pages will inspire you to tempt and dazzle friends and family alike. A chapter devoted to deorating ideas will help you transform any cake into a work of art.
Full-color photographs of each recipe help you easily decide which cake you want to preapare, and photographic side notes throughout the book highlight key techniques and ingredients. In addition, an informative basics section, with tips for both beginning and experienced bakers, makes this book the ideal source to have on hand for creating the perfect cake.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing.......2007-09-22
I returned the book to Williams-Sonoma after I attempted 3 recipes with disappointing results. I wonder how many of the recipes were actually tested in the kitchen.
Excellent Recipes and Good Reference.......2005-10-22
I have a few of the books in this series. The Cake and Ice Cream books are my favorites. The recipes are outstanding -- well-written and produce great results. The sidebars provide invaluable tips. If you enjoy the science behind cooking -- ala America's Test Kitchen/Cooks Illustrated and Alton Brown, you will enjoy the books in this series. WS, unlike Cooks Illustrated, presents just the winning method.
There is a good range of recipes -- simple birthday and carrot cakes to a very elegant rolled chestnut cream cake. There's enough variety within the recipes so that the user can find a cake for any occassion. The cake basics section is a nice, but short reference section.
This book represents a nice collection of recipies and good reference information -- it's a nice addition to the kitchen library. I know WS just introduced its Mastering series of books, including one on cakes. Those books are intended to be "a cooking class in a book" and break down the basics of cake making for true novices or those who have ploblems getting their cakes to turn out right. For more advanced techniques and/or all the science behind cakes, try The Cake Bible.
Book Description
A warm slice of bread, fresh from the oven and spread with butter, is one of life's simple pleasures. Whether it's a traditional whole-wheat loaf, a crusty baguette, or tender blueberry muffins, the delicious taste and aroma of home-baked bread appeals to all of our senses. Best of all, delectable baked goods will delight friends and family alike.
Williams-Sonoma Collection Bread offers more than 40 delicious recipes, from traditional yeast breads to convenient quick breads, including breakfast treats such as muffins and scones. Whether you are in search of a savory sourdough loaf to serve with soup, simple dinner rolls to enhance the holiday table, or classic banana bread for an afternoon snack, this book includes recipes for every occasion. In addition, a final chapter on international breads, such as Italian focaccia or French brioche, rounds out this essential collection for the home baker.
Enticing photographs of each recipe make it easy to choose which bread to bake, and photographic side notes give insight into each recipe. Including all the techniques essential to mastering the art of making bread -- from mixing and kneading to rising and baking -- here is everything you need to bake the perfect loaf.
Customer Reviews:
Tried and Loved!.......2007-05-24
Definitely one of the better cookbooks I have purchased. I have tried over half of the recipes and they came out successfully. I am a novice bread-maker, so this is definitely a great accomplishment for me! My family thanks the authors for helping their mama bake great bread!
Great bread book.......2007-03-18
I've got a number of bread books and although I've only made a couple of the recipes, I think this book will become one of two or three favorites. Nice pictures and the background info on the various breads is interesting. The print is large enough to read without glasses - something increasingly important to me. A well made and bound book that will probably have olive oil and butter stains before too long.
Too many recipes call for heavy-duty mixer.......2003-02-08
The book I received did not look like the photo, so I'm assuming it's the same with a "new" cover. I understand this is a reprint of an earlier favorite book. This version however, requires a heavy-duty mixer for many of the recipes. I do not have one and was looking forward to "hand-made" bread. I am not sure how to translate mixing and kneading times from mixer-time to handwork-time. The extra copy I bought for a gift I am no longer sure will be as appreciated for the same reason. A bit disappointing.
simply the best.......2002-02-23
I also bought this book in college, and now 12 years later, it is my bread bible. Hensperger's instructions are simple and the breads--no matter what kind--always are delicious. Always. I've tried other bread cookbooks, but always come back to this one.
Excellent book!.......2000-10-05
This is the first bread book I owned and the one that started a baking frenzy that still goes on! It's a beautiful book with incredible recipes. The challah is outstanding, the banana nut muffins are SOOOO good!, the orange date cake delicious, the brioche ease and delicious, the gruyere pullman loaf is amazing... I can go on and on. The only minus is the lack of sourdough breads. A book definitely worth having.
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