Dove in the Window (Benni Harper Mystery)

Book Description

Benni Harper, the spirited ex-cowgirl, quilter, and folk-art expert, has an eye for murderous designs--and a talent for piecing together the most complex and cold-blooded crimes

Benni and her relatives and friends are gathered for the family's annual barbecue and cattle roundup. Among the guests is Shelby Johnson, a young photography student from a wealthy Chicago family. In Benni she finds a favorite subject and a new friend. But when the young woman's body is discovered on the ranch the next morning, Benni's closest relatives suddenly develop into prime murder suspects...

* Fifth in the popular Benni Harper mystery series

* Each book features a different quilt pattern

* Fowler is a three-time Agatha Award nominee

"Earlene Fowler writes from the heart, and her BenniHarper is a true original."--Susan Rogers Cooper

"Bright, fresh--and endearing."--Carolyn G. Hart

"Shimmers with life and love... warmly endearing."-- The Poisoned Pen

"Fowler writes beautifully..."-- Booklist

Customer Reviews:

not what I hoped for.......2004-03-12

I thought it was a decent mystery.

That aside, there are two types of novels I read: those I could recommend to my grandmother, and those I cannot. I read both, but unfortunately, this was in the latter category. And it's listed as a quilting novel, for goodness sake! The trucker's mouth on Benni Harper just wouldn't sit well with anyone else I know who enjoys quilting. Besides that, this book barely touches on quilting. For all that it affects the plot, she could be wrestling alligators. Disappointing, considering all Ms. Fowler's books have quilt pattern titles.

If you are looking for a book that incorporates the spirit of quilting with a good story, I would recommend any of Jennifer Chiaverini's novels, or Alice's Tulips or The Persian Pickle Club, both by Sandra Dallas.

-Quilts, Mystery and Photography.......2002-09-03

In this fifth book of the Earlene Fowler quilting series, the community of San Celina is getting ready for Heritage Days and Benni Harper, the curator of the local folk art museum is encouraging quilters, painters and photographers to complete their projects for the show. An exhibit of women artists who specialize in Western scenes is expected to be very popular with the visitors.

Benni and her husband Gabe are still working out the kinks in their new marriage and the surprise visit of a former brother-in-law causes dissention between them. Grandmother Dove is as feisty as ever and cousin Emory visits from Arkansas. At the annual Harper family barbecue, a young and talented photographer is found dead and Benni's concerned because the young woman had confided a serious problem to her.

There's always a lot going on in these stories and the author does a great job of keeping the reader interested in all of the different plots.

Benny is too self-centered........2002-03-11

Although this is a soft-boiled, fun series, I find that the protagonist is too self-centered and whiny. The fact that she is the only person who believes that her ex-brother-in-law, Wade, is innocent of two murders goes a little ways in redeeming her, but not far. As for the rest of the characters, I always enjoy books like this with large families that are close and stick together to help their own. The festitives are fun, the characters are wonderful, and this book hits the ground running and doesn't stop - despite the fact that two young people were murdered, and Benni puts herself right in the middle of finding out who did it.

I want to like it, but..........2000-06-15

I want to like the Benni Harper mysteries, I really do. I like the setting, I like the characters who surround Benni, I like the mysteries, which are well-handled, I even like the quilting connection, but I just can't like Benni. On the surface, she's everything a heroine should be, but she can't stop whining about her husband wanting to protect and care for her. As if that were something disgusting and shameful, that he shouldn't do. He's her HUSBAND! And he's a cop! Of course he wants to protect her! Would she somehow be happier if he didn't care what happened to her, and sent her off on her amateur detecting missions with a quick wave and nothing more? Surely, if he were in danger, she'd want to protect him. Wouldn't she? I don't know, but I'm starting to not care. The man is a saint, she treats him like dirt, and I don't know if I want to spend another 300 pages with someone I think is self-centered and whiny, when she has no reason to be. It's hard to like the book, if the main character is not likeable.

Great characters, but some irritating techniques.......2000-06-12

Earlene Fowler has peopled her Bennie Harper series with plenty of enjoyable small-town characters and an authentic, humorous, feet-on-the-coffeetable ambiance. Two things, though, were enough for me to lop off some stars in my rating.

I took off one star for the irritating practice of mentioning an event several times throughout the book--in this case, a "hot" date between Benni's best friend and her cousin--and then having the event happen sometime out of the time frame of the book. Unfair, annoying, and unnecessary, near as I can tell.

Book Description

Do our loved ones who have died still care about us? Is God concerned that we are grieving?

Vera P. Glenn has put together a collection of true stories from people who have been dealing with the death of someone they care about. In His mercy, God permitted brief but powerful communications between the natural and spiritual worlds -- confirmations that life and love continue after death. We are always being thought about and loved from the spiritual realm, and our Heavenly Father constantly desires to comfort us. Sometimes that comfort takes the form of dreams or of other glimpses into the life beyond.

You will be amazed at the varity of comforting messages here described. For each story, Vera has chosen one or more quotations from the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, which speak about elements of the spiritual world that are demonstrated in the dreams or experiences.

"Many people I have known have had similarly simple, yet profound and beautiful affirmations that there is a heaven and that people do become angels." Rev. Jeremy Simons

Customer Reviews:

Comforting.......2000-01-04

Most people who have had someone close to them die long to know they are well. This book confirms what the bereaved know in their hearts - that their loved one still lives. This book contains reassuring confirmations of this belief through dreams and other exper\theiences of a variety of people in a variety of experiences with a common belief that there is a life to come where we will be reunited with those we love.

A Dove at the Window.......1999-12-20

This is a beautiful book for the soul. Vera Glenn's collection of people's personal loving encounters with heavenly visitors will give comfort to all who have lost loved ones. I recommend this book for everyone, not only because of its hopeful message, but it is a delightful adventure to read.

Average customer rating:

DOVE IN A WINDOW
Wonderful
Dove In A Window

Dove in a Window
Jean Marie Haugen
Manufacturer: Marvin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Psychological & Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 096620154X

Book Description

Dove In A Window is a psychological thriller with a touch of romance weaved in. It will take you into the complex realm of multiple personality disorders and the disturbing realities that lie beneath. Dove In A Window takes a unique and realistic look at the spiritual healing that so often needs to take place in broken lives.

Customer Reviews:

DOVE IN A WINDOW.......2002-10-08

DOVE IN A WINDOW IS A VERY INSPIRING AND MOVING STORY ABOUT A WOMAN WHO SUFFERS FROM WHAT APPEARS TO BE SPLIT PERSONALITIES, BUT IS REALLY A CASE OF PARENTAL ABUSE AND DEMONIC OPPRESSION. JEANMARIE WEAVES HER CHARACTERIZATIONS WELL INTO A TALE OF INTRIGUE AND SUSPENSE THAT KEEPS THE READER CAPTIVATED ON EVERY WORD. HER KNOWLEDGE OF THE SPIRITUAL REALM, THE INTERACTING OF ANGELS AND DEMONS BATTLING OVER THE SOUL OF HER MAIN CHARACTER ANGELA REFLECT THE RESULT OF MUCH RESEARCH. I RECCOMMEND THIS BOOK TO OTHER READERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE! I READ THIS BOOK IN TWO DAYS AND FOUND IT TO BE VERY INFORMATIVE AND THRILLING. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HER SEQUELS OF THIS BOOK. I MUST INFORM PAST, CURRENT, AND FUTURE READERS OF THIS BOOK THAT JEANMARIE WILL BE PUBLISHING UNDER A NEW LAST NAME, AS THE 25TH OF MAY SHE AND I BECAME HUSBAND AND WIFE!! PLEASE WATCH FOR HER NEXT BOOK.

Wonderful.......2002-07-16

Well I am Jeans daughter, And I can remember many of nights she sat up thinking and reseaching her work for this book, I can remember reading broken chapters and thinking can she ever finish this thing...Or trying to talk to her and her not relizing..I now know that it was worth everything she put into it..Its a very wonderful and touching book...
Now its done and I can read the whole thing, instead fo just parts..

Dove In A Window.......2002-02-28

When Jean First Told Me She Was Writing A Book I Knew This Was Something She Could Do, Having Enjoyed Seeing Her Art Work And Reading Her Poetry All My Life! So It Was No Suprise When She Told Me!

There Was A Time When She Was'nt Sure She Should Continue,Some Of Us Reminded Her That Anything Done For The Glory Of God Is Worth Doing! After Weathering Some Hard Time's (Which She Did Gracefuly!), She Finaly Finished "Dove In A Window"!

I Have Read Alot Of Book's. Everything From "Moby Dick" And "Great Expectation's" To The Complete Work's Of Louis L'Amour! I Dont Claim To Be A Critic, But This Is A Good Book, Very Compelling And Well Worth Reading! And I Dont Just Say That Because She's My Sister But Because It Is A Good Book!

Average customer rating:
Ventanas. (crítica de los más recientes libros; 25 de diciembre de 1997)(TT: Windows) (TA: critique of the most recent books; December 25, 1997): An article from: Siempre!
Alejandro Pescador
Manufacturer: Edicional Siempre
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00097TI0C
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Siempre!, published by Edicional Siempre on December 25, 1997. The length of the article is 764 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: Ventanas. (crítica de los más recientes libros; 25 de diciembre de 1997)(TT: Windows) (TA: critique of the most recent books; December 25, 1997)
Author: Alejandro Pescador
Publication: Siempre! (Refereed)
Date: December 25, 1997
Publisher: Edicional Siempre
Volume: v44 Issue: n2323 Page: p59(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

As doves to their windows: A memoir of the life of Altna Sieben Gerdes

Average customer rating:

As doves to their windows: A memoir of the life of Altna Sieben Gerdes
Gladys E Fairhead
Manufacturer: Fairhead
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

A Benni Harper Mystery-6 Book Set-Goose In The Pond / Irish Chain / Dove In The Window / Mariner's Compass / Fool's Puzzle / Kanas Troubles (Benni Harper Mystery, 6 Book Paperback Set)

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A Benni Harper Mystery-6 Book Set-Goose In The Pond / Irish Chain / Dove In The Window / Mariner's Compass / Fool's Puzzle / Kanas Troubles (Benni Harper Mystery, 6 Book Paperback Set)
Earlene Fowler
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N2REQS

Product Description

6 Paperback book set.

Average customer rating:

Dove in the Window
Fowler Earlene
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JPIRVA

Average customer rating:

Like doves to their windows
Larry H Cox
Manufacturer: Streams in The Desert Broadcast, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00070MYUC

Average customer rating:

A good piece of society-building

Addictive

Waiting with Aniticipation for the Next Book!!!

Read this book and get hooked!!

Sex, Swords, and Spaceships = Courtesan Prince
The Courtesan Prince: Part One of the Okal Rel Saga (The Okal Rel Saga)
Lynda Williams
Manufacturer: EDGE Science Fiction & Fantasy Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Throne Price

ASIN: 1894063287
Release Date: 2005-05-09

Book Description

In this volume: When Earth's first attempt to conquer the far reaches of space was thwarted by the failure of a faster than light transportation system, the first colonists were abandoned.

Subsequent colonizations were successful but ideological differences in cloning caused renegade scientists to sever their contact with Earth and establish their own unique world.

Now, thousands of years in the future, the scattered descendents of humanity have evolved into two distinct planetary societies: the Reetions of Rire, who rely on advanced computer technology to regulate every aspect of their lives, and the genetically superior and honor bound Sevolites, of Gelion.

With one conflict already behind them, these two cultures are once again on the brink of war. But one last desperate mission is launched and somewhere within a dark region of space, Reetions and Sevolites find themselves torn between their own alliances and the inexplicable desire that constantly draws them closer together.

Will the brilliant anthropologist, Ranar of Rire, find out more than he bargained for in the strange undercity of Gelion?

Will the hot-headed Reetion pilot, Ann, learn that true love has a price? Will the Sevolite blade-dancer, Von, discover the dark secrets which hold the key to his world's survival? And will Di Mon, the proud Highlord of Gelion somehow find the strength to face the chaos that may destroy them all?

Customer Reviews:

A good piece of society-building.......2006-07-14

Set approximately one thousand years from now, this is the story of the first two interstellar Earth colonies. They were abandoned by Earth after the failure of early attempts at faster-than-light travel. The problems were solved, but ideological differences concerning genetic engineering caused outlaw scientists to sever all contact with Earth and set up their own worlds.

The Reetions of Rire regulate every aspect of their lives with advanced computer technology. The Sevolites of Gelion are much more of an honor-bound people. The wearing, and using, of swords in public is a normal part of daily life. It is also a rigidly class-defined culture, where one is expected to use the proper pronouns when speaking "up" or "down" to someone else.

The two civilizations fought a major war about 200 years previously, which left large regions of space uninhabitable. Despite severing all relations with each other, another war between them is increasingly likely.

Ann, a Reetion pilot, meets, and falls for, Von, a Sevolite male courtesan and sword-dancer (who Ann calls Beauty), who may be an actual Prince. Ranar, a Reetion archaeologist with dark skin (a novelty in Sevolite society), meets Di Mon, a high-ranking member of Sevolite society, who is also in love with Von. Unintentionally, perhaps they can prevent another major interstellar war.

This is a good piece of society-building. Since this is not the usual sort of new world, this novel will require some patience on the part of the reader (it takes a while to get going). It is also the first of a projected ten-book series. It's very much worth reading.

Addictive.......2006-04-08

I first started reading the Okal Rel Universe with Lynda Williams' first book (the third in the series), "Throne Price", with Alison Sinclair. I had difficulty with that book, because I wasn't yet familiar with the Okal Rel Universe. But this one, I didn't put down until I was finished. I began reading, and became so absorbed in this rich and captivating place that I went back and read "Throne Price", along with anything I could get my hands on to do with Okal Rel. Williams' characters are fascinating; her stories complex and intriguing.

One of the aspects I most enjoyed with this book was the dialogue; the interactions between the handful of primary characters. This book is far more engaging than any movie could ever be. It rivals Herbert's "Dune", both in its complexity and in its richness.

Williams takes a brilliant and complex universe and invites us in, pulls us in, and keeps us there, turning pages, wanting more, voraciously lapping up everything she tosses our way. I should like to thank her for creating this wonderful thing, this series of books that will be treasured for years to come.

"Why only four stars then?" you ask.

Only because it helps to be familiar with Okal Rel before diving in. It helps to know a little about the history - a little more than what's in the preface - and to have read some of the Okal Rel novellas to familiarise yourself with the background of the universe. It isn't strictly *necessary* to do so, but I recommend it. Luckily, all of this is available: http://www.okalrel.org/

Waiting with Aniticipation for the Next Book!!!.......2006-01-08

This is a fascinating new world of rich, complex characters, relationships and cultural conflicts! I love how Lynda has chosen to grapple with difficult social issues by presenting them through a "safe" distant world.....

Read this book and get hooked!!.......2005-11-25

This book is truly, simply put, amazing. Set in the universe of Okal Rel, I found myself awestruck and lured in by the meticulously thought-out galaxy and characters.
Oh, the characters! Electric, brilliant characters, both unique and full of life, they grab hold of your affection (and sometimes hatred) and don't let go.
And of course, to accompany all this, is a wonderful plot, brimming with adventure, seductive romance, politics and more then the characters' fair share of hardships.
Plus, as an extra bonus, the universe is open to fans! Enthusiasts can write novellas set in the Okal Rel universe and get a chance to work with the author, Lynda Williams, herself!

This is indeed one of my favourite books of all time! Okal Rel is a whole new, wonderful universe and will get the reverence it truly deserves.

Sex, Swords, and Spaceships = Courtesan Prince.......2005-11-23

Sex, swords, spaceships, what more could you want? Courtesan Prince by Lynda Williams is the story of the beautiful, soul searching, anguished Amel's search for and discovery of his hidden identity and his passionate liaison with the fiery pilot, Anne. The half-naked female spacer finds her male "Beauty" in the midst of painful, physical, psychologically generated cultural clash, rushes to his defense, and sets into motion a destiny of lust, romance, compulsion, and intrigue.

First contact between two lost societies of Earth, genetically enhanced super beings the Sevolites of Gelion and the humans of Rire, had failed eons earlier and accident has brought renewed potential for conflict. Small numbers on both sides struggle to balance a fragilely wrought peace confounded by motivations of duty, honor, and sacrifice. All the factors contrive for the enticing entry into the world of Okal Rel.

Courtesan Prince is the first novel in a ten book series. Book two, Righteous Anger, set for release in 2006, follows the tale to the House Nersal and Sevolite intercultural, religious, genetic conflict. Book four, published first in 2002, written with Allison Sinclair, Throne Price details the search for the next heir to the Sevolite Empire. All three novels are produced by Edge Publications of Calgary, Alberta. Lynda's novellas, Kath, Mekhanstan, and The Lorel Experiment, are available through Windstorm Creative, of Port Orchard, Washington. The Okal Rel website offers current work and visual representations of the universe: [...]

Dark/ light, good/evil, and the blurred lines in between, Amel and Anne, later Horth Nersal and Ameron, struggle to do right between the simple honesty of sword law and artificially arbitrated intelligence. The personal battles are situated against ingrained values of ethnocentric cultural superiority. Set in an alternate universe, the perennial struggle mirrors the fissures in society today. Cosmic, a colossal tale, written by a lady with a universe in her head, the Okal Rel series fills the void left in the conclusion of Star Trek and Star Wars franchises.

Amazon.com

Just had a baby? Lie down, rest your weary womb, and muster up a rousing cheer! (Shh! Don't wake the baby!) Now, from the author of The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy, comes the book all new moms have been waiting for, whether they know it or not. Vicki Iovine talks turkey ... and stitches, and weight loss, and depression, and sex (trying it for the first time after labor and delivery? "Inebriate and Lubricate"). Vicki--yeah, I know I'm calling her by her first name but after reading this book you'll be on a first-name basis with her, too--is funny, informative, and utterly (udderly?) irreverent. New mothers have never had it so good.

Customer Reviews:

Love her.......2007-08-27

These books are hilarious. They give you a funny, honest look at childbirth, the first year, pregnancy, etc. She is great!

Not as funny as the Pregnancy Guide.......2007-08-19

I'm a first time mom and I read this book when my son was 3 1/2 months old. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Yes, it probably would have scared me before the baby was born, but I feel that this was her honest assessment of the first year of life. This book was NOT as good as the Pregnancy Guide, which I loved, but it provided me with some good laughs as I compared my experience with hers (and noted many similarities!)

An honest perspective.......2007-08-18

First of all, I have to explain that I am the mom of two children ages 8 and 5. I started reading this book because I was considering it for a girlfriend of mine who is expecting her first child any day now. I really enjoyed reading "The Girlfriend's Guide to Toddlers" a few years ago when my 8 year old was in that stage so I was interested in reading this book with the intention of buying it for my girlfriend.

I decided to go Amazon to see what the price was for the book online, and was quite surprised to read so many scathing reviews. What surprised me most was how meanspirited and angry some of the reviews were, as if they were personally affronted by the author, Vicky Iovine's, viewpoint. That, I don't quite get. Why get so personal about it. It is just a book, and she is not your "girlfriend", but an author sharing her perspecives on motherhood. But some of the comments of reviewers I did consider to have quite a bit of merit. And after thinking about the reviews for an hour or so, I concluded something and decided to write my own review.

Here is what I have concluded and what jives with what some of the other reviewers have said. I think this book is humorous and biting at times and totally realistic and the realistic part may be why some newer moms do not like the book. I think it hits too close to home, is too much truth for some new moms to take, and perhaps is not a book that most moms of brand new babies, especially first time moms, can relate to.

As much as I loved my new baby, as a first time mom, I did have many trying moments. And I also totally lacked perspecive. I think that is what this book really offers - perspective. The author has it because she has had 4 children that are out of the baby stage and onto their childhood years. She can offer an honest perspective because of this and because she has come to terms with what her life has become since motherhood.

My conclusion is that this is a book that many moms of 2 or more children, and especially those with older children, would enjoy or get a chuckle out of because I can honestly say, looking back on the first year with my first child, what Iovine says really does ring true in many respects. Now, would I have wanted to have heard all that at 2 months post-partum? Maybe not. Perhaps like many, I was still in the phase of thinking I could be a perfect mom if I just tried harder, that I could someday have my old body back exactly as it was, that my husband would be superdad (which he has BECOME, over time). This book reminds me of those early days, and I believe truly does offer an honest perspective of how it is, if one really wants to hear it.

Did She Really Say That?.......2007-08-02

New motherhood comes with it many pressures. The pressure to take care of a newborn and yourself, for starters. There is also a societal pressure, it seems, as we strive to be the perfect mother. We feel everyone is questioning our every "mother-move." Vicki Iovine's book is a help in this regard. Written with honesty and humor, it gives new mothers a glimpse "behind closed doors" to the "real" world of new motherhood. Knowing that you are not alone is always a help! My favorite part is Iovine's honesty. It is refreshing to hear an opinion, agree or not.

Claudine Wolk "It Gets Easier I Promise and Other Lies We Tell New Mothers"

Pretty Funny.......2007-07-21

good read overall. must be read BEFORE baby is born. helps you to realize you are not crazy. would recommend to first time moms.

The Girlfriends' Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood

Average customer rating:

The Girlfriends' Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood
Vicki Lovine
Manufacturer: Perigee
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 1568656483

Product Description

Wise and witty advice on everything from coping with postpartum mood swings o salvaging you sex life to fitting into that favorite pair of jeans.

Average customer rating:

The Girlfriends' Guide to Surviving The First Year of Motherhood
Vicki Lovine
Manufacturer: A Perigee Book
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KAC58A

Average customer rating:

The Girlfriend's Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood
Vicki Lovine
Manufacturer: A Perrigee Book
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LZ9OGU

The Girlfriends' Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood: Wise and Witty Advice on Everything from Coping With Postpartum Mood Swings to Salvaging Your Sex Life to Fitting into That Favorite Pair of Jeans

Average customer rating:

The Girlfriends' Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood: Wise and Witty Advice on Everything from Coping With Postpartum Mood Swings to Salvaging Your Sex Life to Fitting into That Favorite Pair of Jeans
Vicki Iovine
Manufacturer: Perigee
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NY2IYE

Average customer rating:

Recommended for homebrewers interested in farmhouse cider

Outstanding Reference

Brewers: avoid this book!

A beginners book!

hard cider

Cider: Making, Using & Enjoying Sweet & Hard Cider, Third Edition
Annie Proulx , and Lew Nichols
Manufacturer: Storey Publishing, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Spirits | Drinks & Beverages | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Cider, Hard and Sweet: History, Traditions, and Making Your Own

Making the Best Apple Cider

The Compleat Meadmaker : Home Production of Honey Wine From Your First Batch to Award-winning Fruit and Herb Variations

The Apple Grower: Guide for the Organic Orchardist

Homemade Root Beer, Soda & Pop

ASIN: 1580175201

Book Description

The Pilgrims drank cider as they sailed to America aboard the Mayflower. John Adams had a tankard of cider every morning at breakfast. After a long day on safari, Ernest Hemingway liked to kick back beside the campfire with a glass of cider. And Robert Frost saluted his favorite beverage with a poem titled ?In A Glass of Cider.? Neck and neck with brewing beer at home is the resurgence of making cider. Whether sweet, hard, blended, or sparkling, trend watchers say cider, once the preferred beverage of early America, could very well become the drink of the future. (Hard cider is the fastest growing segment of the beverage industry.) Keeping pace with the commercial cider producers are small-scale and individual cider makers who have discovered how easy it is to make their own. After all, the only ingredient you need is an apple. In this updated edition of Cider, Annie Proulx and Lew Nichols take you step-by-step through the process that renders fruit into a refreshing drink. In addition to learning about the equipment you?ll need to make a glorious cider, Proulx and Nichols also discuss the pros and cons of various types of apple presses ? from traditional heavy grinders to sleek hydraulic presses. You?ll also learn about the glass bottles vs. wooden barrels debate; how to filter, fine, and rack your cider; and where and how to store it. Proulx and Nichols provide detailed recipes for making six types of cider: still, sparkling, champagne, barrel, French, and flavored, with advice on which apples to use to achieve a tart, aromatic, astringent, or neutral quality in your cider. In fact, this book is brimming with expert advice on cidermaking. If you want to plant your own apple orchard, this book has an entire chapter that lists which cultivars of apples thrive in which parts of the United States and Canada, along with each cultivar?s characteristics and when it is ready for harvesting. Another chapter explains how to care for an orchard, from improving the soil to pruning and thinning the trees to fighting off pests and wildlife. Once a cidermaker has learned how to make excellent cider, he or she is likely to look for further fields t o explore. With that in mind, the authors include a chapter on making cider vinegars and brandy and using cider in cooking.

Finally, Proulx and Nichols walk you through the latest federal regulations covering the production and sale of homemade cider in the United States and Canada, and they familiarize you with the kind of impact state and provincial laws can make.The clear, simple language, numerous illustrations, and detailed step-by-step directions make it easy for even novices to become skilled cidermakers. This revised edition of the classic handbook is a complete guide for anyone who wants to discover the pleasure of making ? and drinking ? fresh cider.

Customer Reviews:

Recommended for homebrewers interested in farmhouse cider.......2007-08-20

[Review written in Jul 2005]

From a home winemaking standpoint, this book is fairly solid offering - as evidenced by the fact that it's now reached it's 3rd edition (as of this reading, I only own copies of the 1st and 2nd editions).

The authors do a good job of covering all of the essential bases on this topic ... including apple cultivation, the selection of apple varietal blends for making various types of cider, an overview of the pressing and brewing process, an overview of common cider & sanitation problems, how to bottle, etc. I was also impressed by the reasonable level of competence demonstrated in their sections on sulfiting and pH/Acid balancing - topics that all too many amateurs (and more than a few novice pros) gloss over, or naievely (and maddeningly) avoid altogether.

I was blessed with having grown up with a local {fresh-sweet} cidery within easy driving distance, and I've made my own hard ciders and cysers on more than a few occasions ... and this book was very helpful when I was learning the ropes.

I only have a few minor complaints:

1) PERRY: It would have required only minimal effort to expand to book to also cover perry (cider made from pears).

2) NON-DRY SPARKLING HARD CIDER: Most homebrewers who make sparkling cider for the first time invariably wish to retain some residual sweetness in their finished product. Commercial brewers have access to techniques like glycol-chilled centrifuges, large-scale plate filtration, and chaptization combined with force carbonation. Homebrewers on the otherhand, who attempt to bottle a semi-dry cider with the usual 'classic' method of adding priming sugar to a freshly fermented semi-dry cider frequently end up playing Russian roulette with bottles that begin exploding after a few days/weeks/months. It's not pretty. I dont remember (it's been a few years since my last reading of the book) if the earlier editions included information on plate filtration and force carbonation, or, if such was absent, if it's since been added to the 3rd edition. The bottom line is that without force carbonation, the only type of sparkling hard cider you can make with any degree of reliability is bone dry.

3) MINIMUM ORDERS: Prospective homebrewers who approach a local cidery with a request for a custom pressing of a custom blend of apples are usually greeted with either blank stares or with a polite nod, followed by an explanation that they have to meet a certain minimum order size. In the case of my local cidery, the minimum order they'll accept for a custom pressing is 100 gallons ... which far exceeds the capacity of most home brewers (who are usually interested in 5-15 gals a pop). The authors can, and should, have given readers a polite heads up on such things, so that they can be prepared for it and line up some fellow homebrewers to do a group buy-in/brew-in. It's a hard hobby for suburbanites like me. I'm sure I wouldn't have the same problem if I lived in more rural areas ... particularly places like Vermont, Southern England, and Normandy France, all of whom have strong cidermaking traditons.

4) PASTEURIZATION: I dont recall if the authors covered the trend adequately in their earlier editions, and I dont know if they addressed it adequately in their latest edition, but there's a growing problem confronting prospective homemakers of small-batch hard cider. In recent years, in response to a damnably lawsuit happy public, many local cideries have stopped selling unpasteurized fresh sweet-cider to the general public ... most cideries pasturize their cider prior to sale now. Here's an example of a local cidery's announcement. Unfortunately for homebrewers like me, the pasteurization process weakens/mutes (or destroys completely, depending on the method used) many of the delicate flavor nuances that don't emerge from a sweet cider until AFTER you ferment off most of the sugar. It's like playing a scratch-n-sniff game ... you sometimes don't know if the result is good until weeks/months *after* you ferment off the sugar masking all the fine nuances.

In any case, even though (if I recall) the authors gloss over a few minor areas, they do give you most of the tools you need to make great cider. For those who've never had the pleasure of experiencing it, the difference between a hard cider made from unpasteurized juice (from custom blended single varietal apples), as compared to that made from pastaurized juice from generic all-purpose 'sweet' cider blends is akin to the difference between a fine artisan cheese and an insipid block of velveeta. It's worth the effort.

Bottom line: I can firmly recommend this book to any homebrewers who wish to experiment with cider. It's a good choice, for both amateur and hardcore (pun intended) brewers alike,

Outstanding Reference.......2007-08-01

The book on cider making by Annie Prolux has been extremely helpful and a lot of fun to read. The author starts with a step-by-step outline of the process, so you can 'jump right in', but then proceeds with lots of additional information, depending on how sophisticated you want to be about the process. She supplements with pictures and tables where necessary. As a homebrewer, I really appreciated her discussion of the chemistry of the fermentation process and the different add-ins. After reading the book, I feel very comfortable approaching the Fall apple season!

Brewers: avoid this book!.......2006-11-27

I purchased this book as an experienced homebrewer interested in branching out (I also bought The Compleat Meadmaker, which is excellent and helpful). I was *sorely* disappointed. It has nothing of value to teach about brewing of hard ciders. It does have lots of Foxfire-type info on building a cider press, planting an orchard, choosing cultivars, etc. But there is no real guidance for fermenting cider beverages.

If you have a farm and want to press sweet cider, this would seem to be a good book. But if you are interested in "something a little harder," look elsewhere (wish I knew where!).

A beginners book!.......2006-10-11

I am a long time beer brewer, who suddenly decided to switch to cider.
This book starts with planting trees. I didnt want to wait that long.
I wanted recipes! The section on yeast was a real disapointment, it listed one yeast not to use. Elsewhere I have read of the debate over English Ale yeasts or Champagne yeasts. This was the info I wanted.
If you have NEVER brewed this is your book. If you have ever brewed and want to make a batch skip this one, get Paul Correnty's "Art of Cidermaking". Yes its out of print and runs nearly $50.00, but its worth it.

hard cider.......2006-08-24

There is some info on cider sweet a lot more on hard cider.It was informative on how to make a press but they did not give away their
cider recipe oh well

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