The Olive Season

Book Description

Carol Drinkwater's The Olive Farm told the lyrical tale of her real-life romance with partner Michel and an abandoned Provençal olive farm that they fell in love with and bought-a double love story, recounting with wit, warmth, and alluring detail the couple's attempts to bring their dreams to life.

In The Olive Season, Carol Drinkwater's much-anticipated follow-up to The Olive Farm, Carol and Michel prepare to exchange vows in, of all places, Polynesia-Michel's answer to Carol's challenging response to his marriage proposal ("Only if the ceremony is performed by the King of Tonga!") Upon their return to the south of France as husband and wife, they find there is much hope-and work-to greet them.

With a farm consisting of fifty trees producing some of the world's finest olive oil, no longer is the challenge one of restoring the farm but in charting its development and growth. France's rigorous agricultural standards are responsible for some of the world's best produce but also for one of its most infuriating bureaucracies. In order to obtain the coveted AOC rating, Carol and Michel are forced to both expand their farm and to negotiate a Byzantine world of forms, officials, and inspections, including the surveying of their land by a water diviner, who, via a power akin to extrasensory perception, can point out the existence of underground water sources on their property.

Further complicating matters is the fact that Carol has become pregnant with the couple's first child and has just accepted a demanding acting role. As the harvest season approaches, dramatic events, culminating in a heartbreaking miscarriage, cast shadows over the olive farm. With all the warmth and vibrancy of the Mediterranean sun, Carol Drinkwater tells her passionate, moving, and utterly uplifting story.

Customer Reviews:

Olive Season.......2007-02-17

Carol Drinkwater provides so much information and knowledge about her Olive Farm. Delightful Memoirs of her life. Excellent.

Superb-- Much More than a Travel Memoir.......2006-07-05

The Olive Season, the sequel to Carol Drinkwater's The Olive Farm, transcends the travel memoir genre to create a searing personal narrative.

In The Olive Season, Drinkwater has wed her fiance, Michel, in the South Pacific, and has returned to their farm in southern France to bring in another olive harvest. The harvest season proves difficult, however, and the care of the olive farm becomes a challenging undertaking for the newly pregnant Drinkwater, whose situation is complicated by her husband's absence, her own professional obligations, and intrusions from her past.

The events of The Olive Season force Drinkwater to revisit her past, transcend her present and muster her courage to shape her future. Suffused with the idyllic scents and scenery of southern France, The Olive Season is both a superb piece of travel writing and a wrenching examination of life, its tragedies and its triumphs.

A five-star read that will not disappoint.

Don't get ripped off.......2006-06-14

THE OLIVE SEASON and THE OLIVE FARM are excellent as is THE OLIVE HARVEST. When I recently saw A CELEBRATION OF OLIVES, I thought C. Drinkwater published a new book and ordered it. I received it today and was disappointed to find it's a double volume of THE OLIVE SEASON and THE OLIVE FARM combined, both of which I have. According to Amazon.com readers who buy A CELEBRATION OF OLIVES also buy her other books. I feel like I was duped and cannot return the book.

The passion continues, but with a tear.......2003-10-20

In the Olive Season, Carol Drinkwater continuous Michel and her dream-come-true olive farm experience in the south of France. Other reviewers of her first book, as well as this reviewer, hoped for a sequel and Carol did not disappoint them. Although the book can be read and enjoyed without reading The Olive Farm, this reviewer strongly recommends that readers first read the Farm, as it provides the necessary backdrop and introduction to characters that enhances the enjoyment of the Season.

In the Season, Carol shares a lot more on personal level than in the Farm. Although I have enjoyed the first book specifically because it largely revolved around their farming experience and dealt less with them at intimate level, I can accept the change in focus because it is quite understandable when one reads about their tragic loss halfway through the book. The closing paragraph of the book confirms this conclusion. Do yourself a favour and do not read the last page of the book before you "legitimately" can after you have read the rest of it - apparently some people actually do that! It will not necessarily spoil your reading experience, but the story unfolds very well and pulls the reader closer to the author as it develops. Similar to the first book, the Season is well written and/or edited.

I again enjoyed Carol's description of the French rural characters she and Michel meet during their farming adventure. Although I appreciate her sharing of her research into various aspects of farming and nature, I find that those specific paragraphs tend to clash with the writing style of the rest of the book. Although short, they are almost reference book fact-like descriptions. However, they are far and in between and do not really distract from the overall reading experience. Their exploits into the French countryside and visits to interesting little shops and eating places do a lot to make the reader want to get onto a plane and explore those hide-away places!

If you have enjoyed The Olive Farm, you will also enjoy The Olive Season, although it is somewhat more "heavy" because of the dramatic events referred to earlier. Would I buy the next episode if Carol writes it? Yes, probably, even if only to find out whether they have managed to find a beekeeper! She clearly wrote, or at least completed, this one, inter alia for her own personal healing, but her writing style is such that I would support sequels in the Olive-saga much more positively than I would support Hollywood follow-on's!

CANDOR, HUMOR, AND SENSUALITY.......2003-09-21

Countless readers enchanted with Carol Drinkwater's initial memoir "The Olive Farm" will find themselves similarly captivated with her eagerly awaited follow-up. The candor, humor, sensuality, and gift for the appropriate word, all the qualities we've come to associate with this talented actress/writer are again very much in evidence in her latest offering.

"The Olive Farm" which traces Ms. Drinkwater's passion for an abandoned villa called "Appassionata" in the south of France, and her even greater passion for Michel, a French film director, allowed many to enter a world of which they could only dream. Despite the dire prognostications of friends she joined her financial resources with Michel's to purchase the villa with hopes of restoring it to former glory and overseeing a profitable olive farm.

As "The Olive Season" opens with yet another marriage proposal from Michel, Ms. Drinkwater cannot quite bring herself to take that step and responds with, "Only if the King of Tonga marries us."

She underestimates Michel, and their vows are repeated on an island in the South Pacific. It is more than a fairy tale wedding. Upon returning to their villa they happily learn that she is pregnant. She has miscarried several times, and now yearns to have their child. Yet thoughts of impending motherhood must be set aside as pesky boars are once again intruding. Further, the newly marrieds want the much desired Appellation d'Origine Controlee rating for their olive oil, which necessitates an infinite number of bureaucratic forms, inspections, plus an expansion of their farm. The setting of the Cote d'Azur, evenings on their terrace are incomparably beautiful; their work is exhausting.

Once again Ms. Drinkwater peppers her narrative with vivid descriptions of lush countrysides as well as historical notes. Readers accompany her to villages that Napoleon once roamed and learn the origins of bamboo, which she is surprised to find near Baremme amidst apple and cherry trees.

Bringing her own unique style and perceptions to these descriptive passages Ms. Drinkwater's words fairly sing with verve and rhythm. "And our poppies in the garden," she writes, "so hot is that colour, I hear the heroin cracked voice of a jazz singer, scarlet lips flush against a silver mike, crooning the blues."

Dropping by Cannes for the film festival, the contented couple saunter through the Croisette. This area is described as a haven for swindlers or, in French, for an "escroc." Scoundrels abound, seeking out and bilking foreigners who long for a part of the Cote d'Azur. Escroquerie or swindling "is woven into the fabric of living here," she opines. "How could it be otherwise when money is the god? It is the yardstick by which worth is judged and valued."

Visitors come and go at "Appassionata;" readers will never want to leave. We wish for just a little more time with Ms. Drinkwater, a charming hostess who enchants and delights with her tales. She is a spellbinding contemporary Scharazade who leaves us awaiting another missive from her paradisaical land.

- Gail Cooke

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Words in Season (Modern Classics (Penguin))
Olive Schreiner
Manufacturer: Penguin Global
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

South Africa | Africa | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0143185411

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Harlequin Omnibus ( Curtain Call; Sawdust Season; Olive Island )

Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0373200501

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Curtain Call, Sawdust Season, Olive Island

Manufacturer: Harlequin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HQYRT2

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FLOWER SONGS OF THE SEASONS
CICELY MARY BARKER AND OLIVE LINNELL
Manufacturer: BLACKIE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000SB32OC

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Flower Songs of the Seasons
CICELY M (music by Olive Linnell) Barker
Manufacturer: Blackie
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000Q8USSA

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The Olive Season
Carol Drinkwater
Manufacturer: Recorded Books, Clipper Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: 1841978035

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly: "Striking a lovely balance of memoir, travelogue and olive-growing how-to, Drinkwater (The Olive Farm) delivers a richly textured account of her enviable life in southern France. She and her husband return from their wedding in Polynesia to their farm: "[P]erched halfway up the slope of the hill, our belle poque villa comes into view. Abounding in balustrade terraces, nestling among cedars and palms... overlooking the bay of Cannes towards the sun-kissed Mediterranean, there it is." The author's roots are in acting, and her dramatic flair turns mundane chores-e.g., spraying olive trees with fungicide; learning the basics of beekeeping-into colorful celebrations of nature. Some of her adventures are quite funny, such as a stuffy dinner at a British Lady's home-it's the French equivalent of a McMansion, in a housing development "where the enormously wealthy and overly paranoid can vacation with peace of mind, secure in the knowledge that armed guards and coded gates keep the rest of the south of France out of sight and at bay." Drinkwater's description of her dinner companion at that gathering-"a convivial, lobster-faced aristocrat" who makes her feel like she's "in the company of a steaming kettle"-typifies her pointed yet kindhearted sense of humor. But at the heart of these optimistic musings lies Drinkwater's desire for a child of her own (her husband has daughters from a previous marriage), and this book is heartbreakingly framed around near-fulfillment of that dream. Drinkwater succeeds in illustrating not only the graceful countryside, but the buoying power of an adopted community and a devoted spouse." Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

The Olive Season - Amour, A New Life, And Olives Too . . . !

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The Olive Season - Amour, A New Life, And Olives Too . . . !
Carol Drinkwater
Manufacturer: Overlook Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K0CRHE

The Olive Season [UNABRIDGED CD] (Audiobook)

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The Olive Season [UNABRIDGED CD] (Audiobook)
Carol Drinkwater
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

Nonfiction | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
ASIN: 1402572786

Product Description

This is the best-selling sequel to The Olive Farm. To gain the coveted AOC rating, Carol and her new husband need to plant 250 olive trees on their Provencal farm. Now, pregnant and often unassisted, Carol will have to do the bulk of the farm work. She struggles to find a water diviner to check for sources on the property. Then there is the matter of locating an elusive beekeeper who she hopes will place hives on the land in exchange for honey. But the harvest season is fast approaching.

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A Season of Olives
Wrey Gardiner
Manufacturer: The Falcon Press Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MW96CE

Book Description

From Pittsburgh's adoption of motorcycles for police use in 1909 to Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing's 1916 pursuit of Pancho Villa into Mexican territory on Harley-Davidsons, Indians and Excelsiors to the deployment of motorcycles in both world wars, this book tells the fascinating tale of these magnificent machines from their 20th century beginnings to their current use by police departments and militaries throughout the world. Joseph Berk, author of The Gatling Gun, explores every aspect of police and military motorcycles, including the history of their manufacture by Harley-Davidson, Indian, Kawasaki, BMW, Honda and others; details of their procurement by selected U.S. police departments; critiques of the "Big Three" police models employed in the United States from officers who have put them to the test; a detailed outline of the intensive 10-day training program required of U.S. motor officers; an inside look at how specific police departments from Atlanta to L.A. utilize motorcycles on a day-to-day basis; and a look at the specific makes and models used by Special Forces and other military units from World War I through the turn of the century and beyond.

Customer Reviews:

Book purchase.......2007-08-23

A very nice book on my specialised subject. Good photos, many in closeup.It covered the subject in some depth with some facts previously unknown to me.

Best Book on Police and Military Motorcycles Ever.......2005-02-22

This book is an easy-to-read, comprehensive analysis of police and military motorcycles. The author's research took him around the world, and the coverage in the book is the better for it. A must-read for anyone interested in motorcycles.

Inaccurate.......2004-05-27

I found this book to be full of inaccurate statements and misinformation. Right at the start the NJ State Police "era" is incorrect. Bigtwin H-D fatbob tanks were never used for oil and then gasoline as stated. They were always used for gasoline. Only the 45 utilised one fatbob for oil and the other for fuel. This is just two examples.

Book Description

This up-to-date book provides a balanced, in-depth background to main IPE theoretical approaches, examines IPE issues in historical perspective, and discusses domestic-international linkages. Managing the Global Economy Since World War II: The Institutional Framework; The Realist Perspective; The Liberal Perspective; The Historical Structuralist Perspective; International Monetary Relations; Foreign Debt; Global Trade Relations; Regionalism and Global Trade Regime; Multinational Corporations and Global Production; International Development; Current Trends in the Global Political Economy. Anyone interested in international political economy.

Customer Reviews:

Great introductory text!.......2006-12-05

Theodore H. Cohn's "Global Political Economy: Theory and Practice" is an excellent primer to the study of international political economy (IPE). This text covers the main theoretical approaches to IPE and provides fairly detailed accounts of several issues such as "International Monetary Relations", debt, trade, regionalism, MNC's, international development and a brief section on globalization. I used this book for an undergrad. IPE course about a year ago and I find myself constantly referring back to it, mostly for an overview of a subject. The most valuable component of this book is the reference section at the end of each chapter. Cohn has excellent sources that are invaluable for those who wish to pursue a certain theoretical perspective as well as a specific issue. These citations were particularly helpful when writing research papers. Overall, this is an outstanding beginners text in the subject of IPE.

Excellent if wordy.......2004-10-02

I have used this book over the past few years in an introductory course on International Politics. The organization of the book is quite ideal for this purpose as the paradigms used in IR (Realism, Liberalism, and Structuralism) are used in the presentation of ways to approach the study of International Political Economy. In addition, there is a useful overview of the Bretton Woods Institutions (IMF, IBRD, etc.) and chapters on IPE topics, such as currency exchange and debt. The only concern that I have had with this text is its growing wordiness, as each edition (now in its 3rd) is released. Undergraduates rarely have the patience for wading through pages of text, particularly on topics such as economics! With that caveat (for which I have only a limited sympathy) I would say the book is one of the best availbable on the subject.

Good Introduction & Reference.......2003-06-17

A great reference and introduction to the topic for students unfamiliar with the terrain (like me).

Despite it's heavy title this text simply and clearly introduces you to the global players and what they do. It then provides an overview of how they are seen by realists (the right), liberals (the free trade proponents), and historical structuralists (the left). It then provides an invaluable overview of major themes in the world economy and offers an impressively unbiased analysis of how people with different perspectives and organizations with different agendas view and respond to these themes.

If you really want to start to understand how global trade is facilitated (and hindered), and are willing to exert the energy to take a deeper look, then use this book to learn about the World Bank, UN (United Nations), IMF (International Monetary Fund), MNCs(Multinationl Companies), Foreign Debt, International Development, Capital Flows and Controls, etc.

Though filled with acronyms and the topics are heavy the book is a surprisingly friendly read. Readers are properly introduced to the international actors and agencies before they are discussed. There is even a glossary at the back in case you forget that SPARTECA is the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement. =)

While obviously not a casual read, it is a surprisingly captivating read if you have any desire to learn about globalization and the shepparding of the world economy (the shepards still have A LOT to learn).

Book Description

As ideas, goods, and people move with increasing ease and speed across national boundaries and geographic distances, the economic changes and technological advances that enable this globalization are also paradoxically contributing to the balkanization of states, ethnic groups, and special interest movements. Exploring how this process is playing out in Guatemala, this book presents an innovative synthesis of the local and global factors that have led Guatemala's indigenous Maya peoples to assert and defend their cultural identity and distinctiveness within the dominant Hispanic society. Drawing on recent theories from cognitive studies, interpretive ethnography, and political economy, Edward F. Fischer looks at individual Maya activists and local cultures, as well as changing national and international power relations, to understand how ethnic identities are constructed and expressed in the modern world. At the global level, he shows how structural shifts in international relations have opened new venues of ethnic expression for Guatemala's majority Maya population. At the local level, he examines the processes of identity construction in two Kaqchikel Maya towns, Tecpán and Patzún, and shows how divergent local norms result in different conceptions and expressions of Maya-ness, which nonetheless share certain fundamental similarities with the larger pan-Maya project. Tying these levels of analysis together, Fischer argues that open-ended Maya "cultural logics" condition the ways in which Maya individuals (national leaders and rural masses alike) creatively express their identity in a rapidly changing world.

The International Transfer of Technology: Theory, Issues, and Practice (Ballinger Series in Business in a Global Environment)

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The International Transfer of Technology: Theory, Issues, and Practice (Ballinger Series in Business in a Global Environment)
Richard D. Robinson
Manufacturer: Ballinger Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0887301398

Cosmopolitan justice and institutional design: an egalitarian liberal conception of global governance.: An article from: Social Theory and Practice

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Cosmopolitan justice and institutional design: an egalitarian liberal conception of global governance.: An article from: Social Theory and Practice
Simon Caney
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Social Theory and Practice, published by Thomson Gale on October 1, 2006. The length of the article is 15545 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: Cosmopolitan justice and institutional design: an egalitarian liberal conception of global governance.
Author: Simon Caney
Publication: Social Theory and Practice (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 32 Issue: 4 Page: 725(32)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Global Political Economy, Theory and Practice

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Global Political Economy, Theory and Practice
Theodore H. Cohn
Manufacturer: Longman Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OUEUAW

Global Political Economy: Theory and Practice (3rd Edition)

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Global Political Economy: Theory and Practice (3rd Edition)
Theodore H. Cohn
Manufacturer: Longman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OUIN3W

Global Political Economy: Theory and Practice. Third Edition.

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Global Political Economy: Theory and Practice. Third Edition.
Theodore H. Cohn
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000M4OWSK

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