The Everything Mediterranean Cookbook: An Enticing Collection of 300 Healthy, Delicious Recipes from the Land of Sun and Sea (Everything: Cooking)
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • Fantastically Healthy Recipes...
  • Work up front
  • My Least Favorite Cookbook
  • The Everything Mediterranean Cookbook
  • Not authentic, but good
The Everything Mediterranean Cookbook: An Enticing Collection of 300 Healthy, Delicious Recipes from the Land of Sun and Sea (Everything: Cooking)
Dawn Altomari-Rathjen , and Jennifer Bendelius
Manufacturer: Adams Media Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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MediterraneanMediterranean | European | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
InternationalInternational | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1580628699

Book Description

The bountiful cuisine of the Mediterranean evokes thoughts of luscious grains, pasta, vegetables, fruits, and, of course, olive oil. But did you know that current research also indicates that people who reside in these regions have the lowest rates of chronic diseases and one of the highest life expectancies in the world?

In The Everything® Mediterranean Cookbook, Culinary Institute of America graduate Dawn Altomari-Rathjen teams up with registered dietician Jennifer M. Bendelius to provide you with 300 of the most sumptuous—and healthy—recipes that the Mediterranean has to offer.

From Roasted Garlic Served on Crostini and Oven-Dried Tomatoes to Mushroom Ravioli with Walnut Parsley Pesto, The Everything® Mediterranean Cookbook helps chefs of all levels bring the Mediterranean into the comforts of their own home.

Featuring:
·Acorn Squash Bake
·Frittata
·Red Lentil Lasagna
·Stuffed Grape Leaves
·Braised Okra with Tomato
·Vegetable Samosas

Whether you're cooking for one or having a full dinner party, The Everything® Mediterranean Cookbook will have your guests begging you for the secret recipe!

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Fantastically Healthy Recipes..........2007-06-27

Great cookbook...wonderful for those who are looking for ways to cook Mediterranean or for the experts who want to add this book to their collection. I love it !!!! :)

3 out of 5 stars Work up front.......2007-05-12

I haven't tried any of the recipes yet because most of them require the prior preparation of a stock or sauce (recipes are also provided for these)in order to prepare the main recipe. The recipes sound good and flavorful, but I need to make the time to prepare the sauces/stocks and put them in the freezer so I can make these recipes on a moments notice. So if you're looking for a cookbook that you can just pick up and instantly make the recipe, this is not the one for you.

1 out of 5 stars My Least Favorite Cookbook.......2007-02-06

Nothing to talk about. Just a very plain average cookbook with little or no originality. Very disappointing

1 out of 5 stars The Everything Mediterranean Cookbook.......2006-02-17

This book (in general)contains a basically half dozen base recipies, such as stock, to which various ingredients are added.

3 out of 5 stars Not authentic, but good.......2006-01-11

I like mediterranean food but this cookbook seems tailored for Americans. It's not authentic. But don't let me spoil your appetite.
Arabesque: A Taste of Morocco, Turkey, and Lebanon
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Arabesque: A Taste of Morocco, Turkey and Lebanon
  • Like exploring the world without leaving your kitchen
  • love it!!!!!!
  • Brilliant
  • Yum
Arabesque: A Taste of Morocco, Turkey, and Lebanon
Claudia Roden
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
MediterraneanMediterranean | European | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 030726498X
Release Date: 2006-10-31

Book Description

In the 1960s Claudia Roden introduced Americans to a new world of tastes in her classic A Book of Middle Eastern Food. Now, in her enchanting new book, Arabesque, she revisits the three countries with the most exciting cuisines today—Morocco, Turkey, and Lebanon. Interweaving history, stories, and her own observations, she gives us 150 of the most delectable recipes: some of them new discoveries, some reworkings of classic dishes—all of them made even more accessible and delicious for today’s home cook.

From Morocco, the most exquisite and refined cuisine of North Africa: couscous dishes; multilayered pies; delicately flavored tagines; ways of marrying meat, poultry, or fish with fruit to create extraordinary combinations of spicy, savory, and sweet.

From Turkey, a highly sophisticated cuisine that dates back to the Ottoman Empire yet reflects many new influences today: a delicious array of kebabs, fillo pies, eggplant dishes in many guises, bulgur and chickpea salads, stuffed grape leaves and peppers, and sweet puddings.

From Lebanon, a cuisine of great diversity: a wide variety of mezze (those tempting appetizers that can make a meal all on their own); dishes featuring sun-drenched Middle Eastern vegetables and dried legumes; and national specialties such as kibbeh, meatballs with pine nuts, and lamb shanks with yogurt.

Claudia Roden knows this part of the world so intimately that we delight in being in such good hands as she translates the subtle play of flavors and simple cooking techniques to our own home kitchens.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Arabesque: A Taste of Morocco, Turkey and Lebanon.......2007-09-26

What a beautiful, well laid out, and enjoyable read this cooking book is.
It brings the feel and culture of the countries into the recipe sections. The meals that I have tried are excellent, very easy to follow.

5 out of 5 stars Like exploring the world without leaving your kitchen.......2007-08-06

"Arabesque: A Taste of Morocco, Turkey and Lebanon" shares a delightful collection of recipes, each of which makes you feel as if you are experiencing a vibrant part of another culture. From Tala_ Börei, which takes you into the kitchens of Turkey, to Moroccan Briwat Bi Tamr (Dates Rolls in Honey Syrup), spending time with this book is akin to taking a culinary trip around the Middle East. Each chapter includes an introduction to the cuisine & history of the part of the world it seeks to represent. It is in sections like these that we learn, for example, about Lebanon's history as a feudal state and how interactions between Sunni Muslim, Greek Orthodox and Ottoman culture influenced the cooking we recognize as Lebanese today. Such socio-historical tidbits are sprinkled throughout the book, while chapters are organized into sections about "starters & meze," "main courses," and "desserts." Many recipes are accompanied by mouth-watering color photographs, so that this well-bound, artistically presented book would make a lovely coffee table book when you're not using it in the kitchen. Most of the dishes I tried were truly delicious, opening my eyes to new spice combinations and flavors. It was not until this book, for instance, that I would have thought to add cinnamon, pine nuts and currants to a meat dish (vegetarian meat dish in our kitchen, but the principle is the same), nor would I have thought to add pomegranate molasses and cumin to a salad. On one or two occasions I wasn't thrilled by the final result, but one cannot expect to fall in love with every recipe in a cookbook, especially one that is composed of meals so dissimilar from what you eat on an everyday basis. Recipes do assume that you have a firm grasp of basic cooking principles but at no point is this a hindrance. With internet access just a step away it is an easy thing, after all, to verify what "stiff egg whites" look like (Alton Brown did an entire show about this) or what greek-style yogurt is. Overall this book is a worthy addition to any collection - if you buy it and want my advice, make the Briwat Bi Loz (Almond Pastries in Honey Syrup) first. Not only are they easy to make, but the combination of crispy fillo, crunchy almonds and sweet syrup is hard to resist. Variations with confectioners sugar & orange blossom water are included for even more delightful exploration of this Moroccan dessert.

5 out of 5 stars love it!!!!!!.......2007-05-14

I just love this book, the stories and recipes. I bought three and gave them as gifts, and I think I'll keep buying some more!

5 out of 5 stars Brilliant.......2007-05-12

Claudia Roden manages to amaze me every time. Each book is distinct and the theme for Arabesque is summer. She offers a lot of grilled items, eggplant favourites, lots of lemon, olive oil and amazing desserts and not one bad recipe! She is a gracious, generous, loyal to all who taught her recipes and just lovely. This book makes a great present.

5 out of 5 stars Yum.......2007-05-10

Roden presents Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines with delicious results. The recipes are clear, easy and just plain good. Try the zucchini fritters "kabak mucveri," the roast shoulder of lamb with couscous and date stuffing "dala m'aamra bi keskou wa tmar" or prawns in spicy tomato sauce "kimroun bil tamatem." A glossary would have been a good addition and the book's organization by country is a bit awkward, but the index is thorough and broken down by ingredients. For the cook interested in this food genre, I would also refer them to books by Wolfert and Heiou, as well as Roden's previous writings. A terrific addition to any cook's library.
The Classical World: An Epic History from Homer to Hadrian
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • A great overview
  • Fill-in the gaps in your knowledge of history and have fun doing it
  • The Classical World is an excellent introduction to the ancient world for the general reader
  • Sweeping history of the Classical World
  • Readable but not compelling
The Classical World: An Epic History from Homer to Hadrian
Robin Lane Fox
Manufacturer: Basic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Early CivilizationEarly Civilization | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0465024963

Book Description

Armies and empires, statesmen and tyrants--the acclaimed historian Robin Lane Fox vividly recounts the history of two great civilizations and one thousand years that forged the Western world

The classical civilizations of Greece and Rome once dominated the world, and they continue to fascinate and inspire us. Classical art and architecture, drama and epic, philosophy and politics--these are the foundations of Western civilization. In The Classical World, eminent classicist Robin Lane Fox brilliantly chronicles this vast sweep of history from Homer to the reign of Augustus. From the Peloponnesian War through the creation of Athenian democracy, from the turbulent empire of Alexander the Great to the creation of the Roman Empire and the emergence of Christianity, Robin Lane Fox serves as our witty and trenchant guide. He introduces us to extraordinary heroes and horrific villains, great thinkers and blood-thirsty tyrants. Throughout this vivid tour of two of the greatest civilizations the world has ever known, we remain in the hands of a great master.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars A great overview.......2007-08-22

I knew a lot about bits and pieces of classical culture and history, but this book put it all together nicely. It would defenitely be best for people who have an interest in the topic going in. It gets a bit encyclopedic in places, but overall a good and informative read.

5 out of 5 stars Fill-in the gaps in your knowledge of history and have fun doing it.......2007-05-31

I enjoy reading history and decided on this book to give me information about an era I know little about, ancient Greece and Rome. This work is an excellent introduction to this topic and is quite enjoyable to read. The chapters are generally twelve pages or less, so it is convenient to sample the material in small doses. And those doses prove to be fascinating enough to tempt the reader to push on through succeeding chapters even as the eyelids grow heavy at night.

This is a narrative history which chronologically traces the developments of both societies. It is heavy on political events, but provides enough social history to make the period come alive. Fox's work can serve as a fine springboard for later reading in more concentrated areas that the reader may wish to explore. For the person with an interest in history, Professor Fox lays a basic foundation and provides a strong sense of understanding what made Grecian and Roman societies work. In an engaging style, he helps us understand how many traditions, practices, and values evolved in western civilization.

5 out of 5 stars The Classical World is an excellent introduction to the ancient world for the general reader.......2007-05-21

Rome was not built in a day. Neither was Athens or Alexandria or your knowledge of the ancient world! "The Classcial World" is a long book with
small print which will give you a good working understanding of the classical world from Homer (8th century BC) to Hadrian the Roman ruler of the second century AD.
Fox is an Oxford Scholar best known for his book on Alexander the Great used by Oliver Stone in his making of the movie "Alexander." In being forced to cover over 900 years of history it is impossible for Fox to cover, in detail, all the political, social, literary and scientific advances made in that near millenium. Rather, Fox gives us a political survey of the times with some social history included. The chapters are short and digestable. We learn of what is what like to live in the Athens of Pericles or the Rome of Julius Caesar. Fox teaches us about blood sports, sexual morality, literature and the complicated politics of the distant past over 40 generations ago. We meet such seminal figures in Western culture as Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Caesar, Cleopatra, Mark Antony and Latin authors such as Tacitus, Virgil, Suetonius as well as Greek historians Herodotus & Thucydides. The philosophy of Plato and Aristotle is explored. We see empires rise and fall. We meet early Christians such as Paul and see the impact of Christianity on the Roman Empire.
This book is written in a plain easy to comprehend style. The book is well illustrated containing good maps. The most interesting section, to this reviewer, was the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of emperors in the first century BC. Emperors from the Julian-Claudian dynasty are fascinating. Caesar, Augusutus; Tiberius; Caligula; Claudius; Nero are well drawn.
Fox says three major themes are apparent in the way ancients looked at the world" Freedom-from Athenian republicanism to the tyranny of Roman emperors; justice issues were important to the ancients as were the role of luxury in life. The Spartan Greeks would have been appalled at the wanton luxury and sybratic lifestyle of the Roman aristocracy.
This book would do well as a basic textbook for Ancient History 101.

4 out of 5 stars Sweeping history of the Classical World.......2007-02-24

Robin Lane Fox has authored a sweeping history of what he calls "The Classical World," from Homer's Greece to Hadrian's Roman Empire. While a work of such scope means that there cannot be great depth in discussing any point in that era; on the other hand, it provides a bird's eye view of issues, themes, and change over time. The author himself notes that (page xv): "It is a challenge to be asked to write a history of some none hundred years, especially when the evidence is so scattered and diverse, but it is a challenge which I have enjoyed."

Some definitional issues. Lane defines "The Classical World" as (page 1) ". . .the world of the ancient Greeks and Romans, some forty lifetimes before our own but still able to challenge us by a humanity shared with ours." Fox ceases his narrative with the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Why? Lane says (page 2): ". . .'classical literature' ends in his reign. . . ." Even more important Page 2), ". . .is that Hadrian himself was the emperor with the most evident classicizing tastes."

First, Fox focuses on three themes across this span of history--freedom, justice, and luxury. He believes that each of these--and the changes that occurred with time--can help explain the sweep of events.

Second, he divides the time span into several eras, and treats each separately, although noting how the themes of freedom, justice, and luxury play out in each. "The Archaic Greek World" begins with Homer's Greece and concludes with the great Persian Wars. The next time period is what Fox refers to As "The Classical Greek World." This period runs from the rise of democratic Athens, the Peloponnesian War, Socrates, the rise of Philip of Macedon. The next phase is what he terms "Hellenistic Worlds," beginning with Alexander the Great's incredible success and the development of one of the world's largest empires. This frame runs until the final struggles between Carthage and Rome. Fox then moves on to a discussion of "The Roman Republic." Here, he considers the increase in luxury in Rome, the intrigues among Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Caesar's death. He follows this with a discussion "From Republic to Empire." The chapters in this segment include the rise of Octavian (to Augustus), his conflicts with Mark Antony, the Civil War against the assassins of Caesar, and so on. The last portion of the book, "An Imperial World," traces the post-Augustan period, concluding with Hadrian's rule.

Under Hadrian, according to Fox (page 571): ". . .the two worlds of this book, the classical Greek and the Roman, came closely together. Hadrian's love of Greek culture is evident in his patronage, his favours for Greek cities (especially Athens) and his personal romantic life."

In a history as large as this, one sacrifices depth for breadth. It is interesting to note Fox's rather dismissive treatment of Julius Caesar and Octavian/Augustus, as compared with more sympathetic treatments of each in the recent biographies by Goldsworthy and Everitt. Also, Everitt's biography of Cicero provides greater depth on that key figure in the period of time when the Republic was moving toward Empire. All in all, this is a well written book and worth looking at by those interested in this slice of history.

3 out of 5 stars Readable but not compelling.......2007-02-21

Overall, TCW is an adequate survey of over-arching trends in Greco-Roman history. I found the writing style strange, however. Perhaps I'm just more accustomed to linear narratives but TCW seems to lack focus (not to mention depth, but that's to be expected in a general survey).

What is interesting is the theme that runs through the entire work: the correlation between "luxury" (i.e. concentration of wealth and conspicuous consumption) and tyranny/corruption (including sexual mores). I'm not sure if this theme is deliberate or if the author is simply reflecting the values of his sources. Either way, this theme colors the history presented.

What I did like, however, was that relatively little ink was spent on Alexander and Caesar. IMHO it's too easy to get wrapped up in these individuals at the expense of their greater historical context. (Sure, they're interesting but there are plenty of books dealing with them). I was also pleased with the chapters dealing with the Diadochi (the Successors to Alexander the Great).

Another interesting aspect of the book was the (to a significant degree) common culture shared between the Greeks and the Romans. More traditional histories seem to treat the Romans as having emerged independent of and isolated from the larger Greek world that was really the dominate culture in much of the Mediterranean (and the Black Sea, for that matter). That was, perhaps, the most enlightening contribution of the book (for me, at least).

Overall, TCW is an adequate general survey of the subject but not exactly a compelling read.
The Mediterranean Diet
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Good, with some reservations
  • buy only if you like to read about nutrition
  • So-So
  • Full of Healthful Eating Info!
  • Repetitive, but important
The Mediterranean Diet
Marissa Cloutier , and Eve Adamson
Manufacturer: Harper
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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  2. The Everything Mediterranean Cookbook: An Enticing Collection of 300 Healthy, Delicious Recipes from the Land of Sun and Sea (Everything: Cooking) The Everything Mediterranean Cookbook: An Enticing Collection of 300 Healthy, Delicious Recipes from the Land of Sun and Sea (Everything: Cooking)
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Accessories:
  1. Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor

ASIN: 0060578785
Release Date: 2006-12-26

Book Description

An essential diet and lifestyle program from the Mediterranean region––where some of the healthiest, leanest people in the world live. Enjoy pastas, olives, wine, fruit, and delicious vegetables––all while lowering your weight and risk for heart disease!

It has been known for a long time that people who live in Mediterranean countries, and who eat a diet that gets its fat mainly from olive oil and features a variety of fruits and vegetables, have lower rates of heart disease and are generally slimmer than people who live in Northern Europe, where the diet features foods with more animal fat. You can build your diet from a base of grains, use olive oil for cooking, enjoy a variety of vegetables every day, and lower your salt intake on a Mediterranean diet––while eating delicious foods and lowering your risk for heart disease. THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET provides the nutritional information and guidelines that introduce you to the Mediterranean cuisine and lifestyle. With recipes and a 7–day program to get you started, this book provides an excellent introduction to losing weight and living right the Mediterranean way.

Download Description

"

Scientists have discovered that traditional Mediterranean cuisine is one of the most healthful, nutritious diets in the world -- one that can help everyone lose weight and enjoy lower rates of coronary heart disease and other chronic conditions, including diabetes and cancer. From tasty Moroccan vegetable stew to rosemary focaccia, from eggplant parmesan to lemon almond cake, The Mediterranean Diet offers a program that will make dieters everywhere -- and food lovers in general -- rejoice.

Lose weight and worry with every delicious meal!

"

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Good, with some reservations.......2007-05-31

If you are looking for a book written specifically for losing weight, this is not the book for you.(There is one chapter on losing weight.) If you are looking for a book to help you determine the best diet for good health, this is the book for you.

Pros:
Very well organized
Very well researched
Very detailed
Interesting
Includes the Mediterranean lifestyle as important as the diet

Cons:
Although the author, a dietitian, says the Mediterranean Diet is the best for health, she chooses to change it by adding canola oil and decreasing the amount of eggs allowed.

One needs to do research on canola oil before using it as freely as olive oil. Canola oil is a modern phenomena, unlike olive oil that has been used successfully for centuries.

The author discusses a study that showed, along the Mediterranean coast of Spain, eggs were eaten at almost every meal, but heart attacks were a rarity. But, still, the author suggests eating no more than four eggs a week. Modern science has determnined that eggs do not affect cholesterol levels and if eggs high in omega-3 are chosen, they can be beneficial.

I think the book would have been improved if she had just reported the research that shows the Mediterranean Diet to be healthy instead of adding her own "knowledge" that contradicts this historically healthy diet.


There are a few recipes at the end that I have not tried yet, so can't review that portion of the book.

3 out of 5 stars buy only if you like to read about nutrition.......2006-11-27

This is a review of the paperback version of this book. Author is a registered dietician. Basic recipes are a small part of the book.
If you've never heard of the components of the Mediterranean way of eating and are interested in basic nutrition, you might like this reading. If you are interested in cooking, search for a cookbook.

2 out of 5 stars So-So.......2006-11-10

You can pick up a few good nutrition ideas here, and maybe one or two good recipes: but the pickings here are slim, in both areas. This book is not a complete waste of money, and it's not terrific either: just so-so, any way you slice it.

5 out of 5 stars Full of Healthful Eating Info!.......2006-11-03

This book is wonderful in describing the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet. This diet is easy for people to adapt to their lifestyles. Several other books take this info and present menus to help anyone wanting to take full advantage of the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet, such as Mary El-Baz's "Easy and Healthful Mediterranean Cooking."

5 out of 5 stars Repetitive, but important.......2006-07-16

I agree that the book can be repetitive at times, but it gives a lot of important and clear information on the history and benefits of the Mediterranean diet that should not be missed. I think that if this is the lifestyle that you wish to persue(and I think most should), then this book needs to be one of the books on your shelf along with The Omega Diet and The Fat Fallacy. If you would like to find recipes that support this lifestyle, Italian Cooking For Dummies has detailed explanation of ingredients as well as recipes and Lidia's Family Table has some wonderful recipes in it. Most ethnic cookbooks of the region will work, keeping in mind that portion control and quality ingredients are the cornerstone of this diet as well as the ratio of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. I should add that many of the recipes in vegetarian cookbooks as well as whole food cookbooks will also fall under a Mediterranean lifestyle. Quality not quantity will buy us the health we want.
Mediterranean Inspiration: 125 Home Plans Inspired by Southern European Style (Inspiration (Homeplanners))
Average customer rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
  • Mediterranean Inspiration
  • Affectation In-A-Box
  • Jolene's Reviews
Mediterranean Inspiration: 125 Home Plans Inspired by Southern European Style (Inspiration (Homeplanners))

Manufacturer: Home Planners
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

ResidentialResidential | Building Types & Styles | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1931131090

Book Description

Mediterranean inspiration Bringing the allure of the sunkissed Mediterranean directly into readers hands, all 125 home plans are inspired by the traditional Southern European style.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Mediterranean Inspiration.......2007-05-15

Title should be "Mediterranean Lack of Inspiration".
This book will appeal to those with too much money, too few brains and absolutly no taste
Although America, rightly so, lays claim to some of the finest examples of Mediterranean Revival in the world, this book does nothing to bring the reader into the understated elegance created by those homes. Instead it continues the trite and tasteless habit of ostentatious behavior we Yanks have become known for the world over. The designs are thinly vieled examples of the MacMansions found on converted corn fields, complete with corn fed owners, throughout America. Bigger is better and gaudy is better still.
The book should not be used for reference material or even a coffee table book unless you need something on which you may rest your Bud while watching Monster Truck episodes.
Using this book for reference will not supply any insight into the Mediterreanean style, but it will demonstrate just how good we are at commandeering a style that has been perfected over hundreds of years and "fixing" or "improving" it.
If you are interested in the Mediterranean style in America, try "Red Tile Style" by Aroll Gellner or "Santa Barbara Style" by Kathryn Masson.
There are also many books covering he work of Addison Mizner and George Washington Smith in Florida and giants such as Julia Morgan in the West.
This book MIGHT be good to line the cat's litter box, but be forwarned, the cat may object.

2 out of 5 stars Affectation In-A-Box.......2006-09-26

.
gauche: Lacking social polish; tactless

gauche --Synonyms inept, clumsy, maladroit; coarse, gross, uncouth

This offers the reader All of the above and more.

Several issues are immediately apparent. First, is the lack of congruity it seems, of a philosophy (or budget) that would purchase plans from a mass-marketed stylebook on the cheap, only to have designs embellished with an excess of budget-busting ornamentation, inordinate angles, appliqué, unnecessary fictitious details, fatuous decoration and curves upon curves.

Anyone expecting to save money on this type of approach to building is setting himself or herself up for a HUGE awakening. One is well advised to consult a designer, building designer, or architect prior to purchasing such plans and proceeding with wise professional counsels.

Essentially what the reader is purchasing is a catalog of 125 cookie-cutter, in your face track home plans, from which they can select the one design on which to spend another thousand dollars (give or take depending on the plan) to secure the foundation plans, detailed floor plans, cross sections, structural plans, exterior elevations, and electricals.

These ersatz, eclectic "Mediterranean Inspiration" designs "steal and borrow" (the word begins with a "B" and will not pass the filter although a legitimate clean word) from Neoclassical, Story Book Style, Norman, Gothic, Tudor, doghouse. They brim with ostentatious details that betray the very fundamental standards of taste and refinement that the purchaser hopes to transmit.

The designs are a miscellany of plans intended to impress; yet lack the grace, elegance, and fundamental standards of good taste.

The reader should recognize that they will need to float their furniture on all those curves that are so beguiling on paper. The reader needs to identify 12-foot living room space as too small, or a 10-foot circular breakfast room that looks better on paper than the Gestalt of its reality. Consider all those eyebrow, and Palladian curved windows that look great on the exterior elevations will also require window treatments. Curved arches, arch-over-standard, circles, octagons, hexagons, trapezoids, angled top or bottom, and cutout shades are all going to require custom solutions that are not only far more costly than standard windows, but they also frequently detract from the interior surroundings they are supposed to enhance.

This book might be useful to free up creative blocks for those persons collecting ideas for their building projects. Nonetheless spare yourself the troubles of buying the actual plans without professional counsels.

5 out of 5 stars Jolene's Reviews.......2006-07-04

This book has beautiful photos and sketched home plans for luxurious living. If you are looking for ideas to build an estate or a waterfront home, this is a good choice. It has home plans from designers like Sater.
The Complete World of Greek Mythology
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • text book
  • Well Constructed and Visually Engaging
  • The most beautiful book I have ever owned!
  • Excellent.
  • Are the gods still with us?
The Complete World of Greek Mythology
Richard Buxton
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books
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Folklore & MythologyFolklore & Mythology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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  1. Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths
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ASIN: 0500251215

Book Description

A full, authoritative, and wholly engaging account of these endlessly fascinating tales and of the ancient society in which they were created.

Greek myths are among the most complex and influential stories ever told. From the first millennium BC until today, the myths have been repeated in an inexhaustible series of variations and reinterpretations. They can be found in the latest movies and television shows and in software for interactive computer games.

This book combines a retelling of Greek myths with a comprehensive account of the world in which they developed—their themes, their relevance to Greek religion and society, and their relationship to the landscape.

Complemented by lavish illustrations, genealogical tables, box features, and specially commissioned drawings, this will be an essential book for anyone interested in these classic tales and in the world of the ancient Greeks. 250 illustrations, 120 in color.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars text book.......2007-09-09

Reminds me of a college text book. It's very informative, so be prepared. It's not just a collection of the myths.

5 out of 5 stars Well Constructed and Visually Engaging.......2007-01-22

I've been picking through the gamut of Greek myth texts for an introductory course, and I was fortunate to come across this beauty. It's not just a mythology text that the art historian can use, it's the ONLY classical myth "textbook" I have encountered that could legitimately appeal to art history classes. There are illustrations (usually color photos) on every page. The quality of the pages and binding itself is also really quality stuff. The narration is pretty standard. It's more of a summary text kind of thing than the various excerpts you find in other classical myth texts. I wouldn't use any of the other mythology texts, but this one makes a wonderful supplement to primary source material such as Homer, Hesiod and/or the tragedians. This thing raises the bar for the presentation of classical myth books.

5 out of 5 stars The most beautiful book I have ever owned!.......2007-01-09

Not only does The Complete World of Greek Mythology give the reader a panoramic view of the major motifs of ancient Greek mythology, but there are breath-taking illustrations on every page. It is a magnificent book! And what a bargain. The publishers could easily charge twice as much. Tom Browder

5 out of 5 stars Excellent........2005-06-18

An enormously engaging and highly explanatory work which details ancient greek religious beliefs and the works of the major playwrights and poets alike. What is of particular interest is how Gods and the stories of Myths of Gods and Godess's helped to explain the surrounding world to the people of the time. What is remarkable is these stories really were the first kind of documented evidence of humanity making sense of it's exsistance, purpose and meaning. A phenomena which has been occuring in revised and multi-cultural forms ever since.
The Myths are surprising, intelligent and familair at once, they are remarkable informative and have much contemporary resonance. A classic work on a classic subject.

5 out of 5 stars Are the gods still with us?.......2004-07-16

Seeing the recent movie "Troy" (twice) sparked my reading Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey" (Lombardo's translation). But Homer left gaps, assuming his audience was familiar with the mythology. Buxton's book very nicely, comprehensively and entertainingly fills in those gaps. It's fun to read or just peruse by itself, or as a reference.

Even so I'm struck by the early Greeks' absolute belief in the gods, in the gods' presence, and in their power over men and events. Given those Greeks' knowledge of their world back then, I suppose such beliefs were to be expected. But we've come a long way in the intervening three millennia - still many today profess belief in God, the angels and saints. Based on what's known today about our world, in my book, "Concepts: A ProtoTheist Quest for Science-Minded Skeptics", I propose an alternative to such beliefs.
Mediterranean the Beautiful Cookbook: Authentic Recipes from the Mediterranean Lands
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Touring the Whole of the Mediterranean: The Countries, the History, the Foods
  • Healthy, Tasty Food from the Mediterranean region.
  • Mediterranean The Beautiful Cookbook
  • Attractive
  • Wonderful, interesting, healthy food !!!
Mediterranean the Beautiful Cookbook: Authentic Recipes from the Mediterranean Lands
Joyce Goldstein , Ayla Algar , and Peter Johnson
Manufacturer: Collins Pub San Francisco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
MediterraneanMediterranean | European | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0002553708

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Touring the Whole of the Mediterranean: The Countries, the History, the Foods.......2005-12-21

'Mediterranean the Beautiful Cookbook: Authentic Recipes from the Mediterranean Lands' is one of those special books written by Joyce Goldstein that is so extensive in its survey of the various countries and the qualities that make them unique that it serves as a fine travelogue as well as offering some of the most tempting samplings of cuisines from this region ever assembled: and remember this 'region includes Italian, Provencal France and coastal Spain, Turkey, the Middle East and northern Africa, Greece and the Balkans!

As each country is visited there are extensive notes about the countries, their relationship and influences, and the flora and fauna that inform the cuisines from food scholar Ayla Aygar. The photography is as superb, both of the landscapes and cities and the people AND of course the foods.

The recipes offered here are unique in that they are geared toward healthy eating - something not all cookbooks from other countries include! Here are recipes easily carried out in the standard American kitchen with information on how to find ingredients locally. The writing is casually refined and the recipes are easy to follow.

For a book that will encourage the reader to extend that trip to one country to enjoy the kaleidoscopic magnificence of the entire Mediterranean this richly illustrated volume is on the top of the list. Buy it before it slips out of print! Highly recommended. Grady Harp, December 05

5 out of 5 stars Healthy, Tasty Food from the Mediterranean region........2005-10-22

My neighbors Tom and Julia who know my passion for the Mediterranean region gave me this book yesterday as a surprise gift. I have traveled the world, tasted many different cuisines and I came to a conclusion that when it comes to La Dolce Vita, Joie de Vivre and Good Food, nothing compares to tasty, healthy Mediterranean diet and life style. I am telling you folks, it's the best in the world. This book is a good representation of the cuisines from the region and has many delicious recipes from Turkey to Italy, from Israel to Tunisia. Especially those mouthwatering Turkish recipes in this book are easy to make. The book also has wonderful colored photos of the region accompanied by articles on each country in the area.

The Turkish cuisine which has long been rated by European experts as one of the best in the world together with French and Chinese, is not all that known in this country. This is partly due to the small size of the Turkish American society and partly the lack of publicity on Turkish resort towns in North America. However with this book, you do not have to wait until you visit Istanbul to try those dishes. This is one book you'll use over and over again, even if you immigrate to Europe, because the recipes in this book contain measurements both in English and metric.

This is the third cookbook we have in our collection by Joyce Goldstein and I can tell you that, this experienced cookbook author together with co-author Ayla Algar have outdone themselves in this book.

1 out of 5 stars Mediterranean The Beautiful Cookbook.......2002-02-20

I have never received this book because you cancelled my order. Although, I really would like the book, it is impossible for me to order again. Your computer tells me that I have odered it already and will not exept any additional orders for this item. I gave the 1 star rating because otherwise the computer will not send this message.
If you have this book again, please send me one; I am still interested.

5 out of 5 stars Attractive.......2001-10-20

This large format softcover book has beautiful pictures of various locations in the Mediterranean, as well as great pictures of almost every dish for which there is a recipe. The recipes are easy to follow, measurements in English and metric, with a helpful notation about the recipe at the start of each one. More importantly, they are useful dishes that you can acutally cook, not one of those books with 20 different ways to cook octopus. Where a particular local indgrediant is probably not available stateside, a creditable alternative is given. The book looks tasty to the eye, and the recipes are tasty as well. I am particularly fond of Turkish food and this cuisine is well represented, just as the other Mediterranean countires are.

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful, interesting, healthy food !!!.......1999-04-10

I loved this book, but it was one of many that was damaged in the floods of 1998. Many of the dishes were very easy to make too. I've been waiting for a reprint since !
The Mediterranean Caper
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Don't let this be your first Cussler book
  • go dirk pitt
  • More Dirk Pitt
  • Good mix of action and history
  • A good first try
The Mediterranean Caper
Clive Cussler
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0425197395
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Book Description

Dirk Pitt rides a tidal wave of intrigue in this classic Cussler.

On an isolated Greek island, a World War I fighter plane attacks a modern U.S. Air Force base--a mysterious saboteur preys on an American scientific expedition--and Dirk Pitt plays a deadly game of hunter and hunted with the elusive head of an international smuggling ring.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars Don't let this be your first Cussler book.......2007-08-16

Look, this is a very early work - and the edges are really rough. The writing is pretty stilted. The plot plays games with the reader. The attitude towards women is really wretched. It isn't a terribly good book by any measure. Read this book if you are already a Cussler fan and you want to explore his early works. Don't read this as your first exposure to Cussler. You might well not give him a second chance - and some of his other books are really quite good. My personal favorites are _Raise the Titanic_ and _Night Probe_. Those are also pretty early efforts, but even a couple of books past _The Mediterranean Caper_ he had settled down into a pretty darned effective writer who could tell a good tale without totally annoying the average reader. If you already gave this book a try and hated it - try one of the above two before you give up on Cussler entirely.

5 out of 5 stars go dirk pitt.......2007-01-12

very good book to read easy to follow along with the plot. not for kids thought there are some adult situations in it. please read pacific vortex first even though mr. cussler wrote this first. pacific vortex is really the first book. there is a women they disscussed breifly in the begin that is in pacific vortex.

4 out of 5 stars More Dirk Pitt.......2006-12-27

Story that seems to transport plane enthusiasts back in time to the days of bi-planes and the First World War. Many of the important components are there: guns, bombs, planes and a woman. Great read.

3 out of 5 stars Good mix of action and history.......2006-08-02

The Mediterranean Caper by Clive Cussler is my first Dirk Pitt novel and it has encouraged me to read the rest of the series.

The book revolves around a major in the US Air Force, Dirk Pitt. This man travels around the world solving problems for NUMA (a research branch). When in Greece, a WWI plane attacks the main base and destroys the planes. Dirk must find out what in the world is going on. He faces over whelming odds, but that does not stop this hero.

I found this book to be a little too fast. The character kinda jumped around. In one scene Dirk is in a tunnel, yet it is hard to tell how he got there.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a nice relaxing read. The book is a page-turner.

3 out of 5 stars A good first try.......2006-07-29

It is easy to tell that this is Cussler's first Pitt novel. His writing hasn't matured at this point.
California Mediterranean
Average customer rating: 2 out of 5 stars
  • Not what I expected
California Mediterranean
Melba Levick , and Marc Appleton
Manufacturer: Rizzoli
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0847829154
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Book Description

In the early 20th-century, architects designing houses for the balmy climate of Southern California were influenced by the style of the villas and palaces that dominated the architecture of Italy, France, Spain, Greece, and Morocco, and a few other North African locales. The resulting style-noted for its pleasing combination of simplicity and dignity, for its often asymetrical undecorated facades-reflected romantic, European forms, and yet distinguished itself by adding American ingenuity. Prime examples of this include Villa Narcissa, widely celebrated for its unimposing grandeur, and Casa Leon, with its stunning hillside location and ocean views. Included here are residences by noted architects such as Julia Morgan, Bertram Goodhue, Addison Mizner, George Washington Smith, Wallace Neff, and others. While some of the houses are lavishly decorated villas with lush landscaping, others are more spare, creations; what all these interpretations of the California Mediterranean style have in common is an indoor-outdoor approach to living.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars Not what I expected.......2007-10-12

Although Marc Appleton wrote a very interesting introduction and the history about the houses was engaging, I was disappointed in this book. I was hoping more for an architecture book but instead got more Architectural Digest coverage of the homes. Having photo descriptions such as "The dining room is carried out in white, platinum, ice blue, and iridescent periwinkle." really didn't do anything for me. As a floor plan of George Washington Smith's Casa del Herrero was included in the introduction, I was expecting floor plans of the houses, but there were none. The photos were beautiful and Marc Appleton apparently knows his subject, but this book left me wanting for something more substantial.
Little Foods of the Mediterranean: 500 Fabulous Recipes for Antipasti, Tapas, Hors d'Oeuvres, Meze, and More
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Very extensive, best for advanced cooks.
  • Informative and Inspiring
  • Delightful
  • Little Foods Charm us All
  • Dishing up morsels to enjoy for family dining
Little Foods of the Mediterranean: 500 Fabulous Recipes for Antipasti, Tapas, Hors d'Oeuvres, Meze, and More
Clifford A. Wright
Manufacturer: Harvard Common Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
AppetizersAppetizers | Meals | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1558322272

Book Description

Mediterranean food expert Clifford Wright presents a jaw-dropping collection of more than 500 recipes for all sorts of appetizers, snacks, and little foods traditional across the Mediterranean.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Very extensive, best for advanced cooks........2007-09-20

This book is very extensive with a mind boggling amount of recipes. The author obviously spent many months, probably even years researching. It is better for the more advanced cook. Many of the recipes are complicated, or call for ingredients that a beginner like me just isn't familiar with. There are still many that are simpler and some that you can adapt to easier methods. If you are interested in this style of foods, it will help you to learn the flavor combinations, inspiring you to create your own (simpler, if need be) recipes. I also wish there were more pictures, there is only a small section at the front with a handful of recipes illustrated. This might help clarify some of the recipes that seem too complicated to the less experienced cook.

5 out of 5 stars Informative and Inspiring.......2007-01-04

Informative and Inspiring. This cookbook has introduced me to the flavors of other countries plus some history and personal comments that have been very welcome. I like the author's style and because he was so informative I have purchased two of his other cookbooks.

5 out of 5 stars Delightful.......2006-09-12

I agree with every word written by B. Marold below. This is simply a delightful book - a pleasure to read and the recipes are marvelous. For lovers of small dishes I cannot imagine anything better.

5 out of 5 stars Little Foods Charm us All.......2005-03-24

Little Foods of the Mediterranean:
500 Fabulous Recipes for Antipasti, Tapas,
Hors d'oeuvre, Meze and More









By Clifford A. Wright

Author of A Mediterranean Feast

This is an important food book written by a distinguished research scholar, cook and food writer. Wright makes you feel as if you are on-location in the friendly sunny Med when he teaches you why the foods are available, then how the folks there make little snacks with the fresh foods. Wright gives intense scrutiny to all his projects, so much so he dedicated this 514-page book to his youngest son, "who wondered when we would again eat `big' food."

Here are some of the foods, recipes and color the book is chock full of:

One of Wright's many indexes, "Cheesy Mouthfuls," contains such muchies as Spanish Baked Cheese Marbles, Gruyere Half-Moons, his favorite, Saganaki and an item he calls Provolone and Mortadella Bombs. He feels Saganaki with a squirt of lemon and a glass of oouzo aside the Ionian Sea is pretty close to what a heaven must be.

Under "Frittatas and Other Eggy Delights," he borrows dishes from Andalusia, Cordoba, Tunisia and Egypt, noting there are only four countries where Frittatas are eaten: Italy, Spain, Algeria and Tunisia. One eye-catcher is Poached Eggs in Garlicky Yogurt.

The "Saucy Little Dishes" parts are meant to open the appetite and satisfy the soul. These little dishes, little foods, are ever-popular and Wright keeps changing his mind about his favorite, probably most. Try Pork and Pine Nut Meatballs in Romesco Sauce, Carp Croquettes in Walnut Sauce in the style of the Greek Jews. How about Fresh Anchovy in Orange Sauce.

Another section is "Stuffed Vegetables" ranging from zucchini flowers, olives, potatoes to even onions. The Imam (word for a Muslim prayer leader) Fainted is a stuffed eggplant dish, one of Turkeys' most famous mezes, for it is said the prayer leader fainted when he realized how good the dish was. Few recipes gain such lofty titles.

In his "Filled Pastries, Puffs, Pies and Baked Turnovers" section Wright offers the recipe for Spicy Octopus Pie in a Red Wine Crust from the Port of Sete. He offers a care-filled lesson on cleaning an octopus you have caught yourself.

"Pizzas, Calzones and Empanadas" is a sizeable section. His San Vito's Pizza, comes with its own history and calls for pork shoulder, tomato, Italian sausage, salami, cinnamon, cheeses, fennel seeds and oregano. Calzones and Empanadas are carefully described, all being breadish conveyors of tasty ingredients, baked in very hot ovens.

His section entitled "Fried Tidbits," brings you Fried Kibbe, Mediterranean-Style Fried Small Fish, Fried Stuffed Cabbage Bundles from Catalonia, French Fried Pumpkin with Green Sauce from Naples, Fried Stuffed Olives from Venice and mjuch more.

Wright's "Seafood Salads and Platters" is probably crowned by the Venetian Seafood Antipasto - shrimp, mussels, cockles, little necks, oysters, baby octopus, tuna steak and cod fillets, bearly cooked and served drizzles with olive oil and squirted with fresh lemon.

In closing the book would be incomplete without his recipes for assorted sauces and spice mixes. Find Wright's Allioli, Romesco Sauce, Harissa, Ras al-Hanut, Tabil and more. Doughs and batters are there, suggested menus, too. Wright wisely groups the food for certain groups, i.e. A Summer Grill Party with Arab Meze for 12, Passed Appetizers for a Cocktail Party made for 20 - he pulls together many diverse groups and occasions. Interesting.

On the purely informal, local, U.S. level, my daughter, JoAnn, has a delightful little habit of walking by you and pressing a little crème brulee ramekin in your hand, one containing a little treat she has made up just for you. When you buy this book, you will do well to buy a set of these little cups.

© Marty Martindale, 2005, Largo FL



5 out of 5 stars Dishing up morsels to enjoy for family dining.......2004-01-12

In Little Foods Of The Mediterranean, culinary expert Clifford A. Wright pre-sents and showcases 500 mouth-watering recipes for appetizers and bite-sized servings of all kind, from the rich and diverse culinary tradition of the Mediterranean. Recipes for stuffed vegetables, filled pastries, fried tidbits, kebabs, dips, and many more types of nibble-worthy delights are presented along with fascinating asides about Mediterranean cooking, foods, history, and lore. Little Foods Of The Mediterranean is a magnificent resource -- especially for dishing up morsels to enjoy for ordinary family dining and at special holiday celebrations.

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