Rifts World Book 8: Japan Review

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(More customer reviews)This book was great! It combined old mysticism with amazing technology. The only thing it was missing was that the cool motorcycles and other vehicles that were pictured, but were not given stats on! It also made Japan seem less powerful than the "NGR" (technology wise). The old mystics (like the traditional ninja and samurai) are a little weak, as they had low mega-damage stats and refuse to use technology so you can't even fit them into a suit of power armor to protect them! A lot of it was rehash too, like the Japanese "Samas" operator and the Japanese "Glitterboy". Other than that, the weapons were pretty cool, the possible adventures are good, the OCCs are excellent, and if you combine this book with "Ninjas and superspies" it really brings it to life!

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Jennifer Scales and the Ancient Furnace (Jennifer Scales, Book 1) Review

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(More customer reviews)I love MaryJanice Davidson and devour all of her books. I looked forward to giving Jennifer Scales and the Ancient Furnace a whirl. I loved The Adventures of the Teen Furies and looked forward to reading another one of her Young Adult efforts. This time Davidson teams up with her husband, Anthony Alongi, and creates a spanking new YA fantasy series. Even though Jennifer Scales is a sweet, fun introduction to a series, I was not as riveted with this effort as I was with Teen Furies. Jennifer Scales's growing pains are tougher than the rest of the fourteen-year-olds out there. After all, she doesn't just have to deal with puberty, boys, friends and other teen conundrums, she also has to deal with the fact that she is a weredragon who shifts to her dragon form during the crescent moon. Her parents had kept the secret until she began to feel changes within her. She developed her dragon form and other abilities at a younger age than most weredragons. Also, she looks different from other dragons. Could the fact that her mother is human be the reason for this? As her father and grandfather teach her how to hunt for prey and fly using her dragon wings, she tries to adjust with her unconventional life, but things get tougher when she learns that there are enemies who want to destroy the dragons...
I like how realistic Jennifer's reaction to being a weredragon is. She has a difficult time adjusting to her new lifestyle and is refreshing to see that she does not accept things from one chapter to the next. Her relationships with her high school friends suffer as a result and her school days could well be over. I liked the scenes centered on her interactions with her grandfather and other teen weredragons. This is an overall nicely done work that has a less abrupt ending than other Davidson efforts. I don't know if this has to do with her collaboration with her husband, but the pace of the story is far better this time around. However, I found myself struggling to finish this book. Perhaps the reason to this is due to the fact that this book is specifically written for very young readers. As an avid Davidson fan, I wanted to give the book a whirl despite knowing that it is written for very young adults. I'll be fair and review it within its genre and say that the novel is wonderful and a great reading investment for young readers. I'll give Jennifer Scales and the Ancient Furnace to my sixteen-year-old niece and hope she will continue to read the future offerings of this series.

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And you thought puberty sucked. Try morphing into a dragon.I knew that at this age I'd be going through a lot of changes-but blue scales? Claws? A snout? Come on! This is ridiculous and just so unfair. And I can't believe my parents waited until the day I turned into a dragon to tell me that I am one-thanks to my dad's side of the family. Believe me, no amount of dieting can stop how big I grow when I turn dragon-and don't get me started on the tail. This dragon thing is going to happen every crescent moon. Can I be any more of a freak? At least I have my grandfather to show me how to get by as a weredragon. It's not easy. And I can't even tell my best friends, because dragons have ancient enemies who want to destroy them. As if my parents, school and the soccer team weren't enough to deal with. Looks like it's up to me to protect the few fellow dragons that are still left or I won't see my next birthday. Forget about blowing out those candles. With this breath, I'll set the whole town on fire...

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Monster Trucks Review

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(More customer reviews)We ordered this book for my 3 year old son who is really into Monster trucks right now. Of course he can't read so he just looks at the pictures, but I have read a few pages here and there during the thousands of times we have looked at it, and it is actually pretty interesting! It discusses the conception of monster trucks, how Bigfoot really changed the whole thing and then how it turned from a novelty into more of a sport. It is a very informative book. And the photos are terrific. As a 35 year old woman, I never thought I would learn about things like monster trucks... but having two sons has changed that idea. :-) This is a good book for any age looking to find out more about monster trucks!

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Bigger and badder trucks, exciting new events, and increased exposure have monster trucks once again roaring across the landscape of the United States.Monster Trucks explores the beginnings, the rise and fall, and the resurgence of this all-American pastime. From the beginning, when monster trucks were simply brawny modified pickups, through the Big Foot era and the beginnings of production monster trucks, and onto the current retooling of the sport, this book features both a dynamic visual and authoritative text look at monster trucking through the years.A great look at monster trucks for casual fans and rabid fanatics, Monster Trucks offers an entertaining account of the trucks, mud, and madness that make these events an exciting U.S. past-time.

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Mediterranean Clay Pot Cooking: Traditional and Modern Recipes to Savor and Share Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my third book by Paula Wolfert. I intend to get all of them. Her books are not just full of recipes, but also contain relevant background information and insights into other cultures. I'm especially interested in learning more about cooking in clay. So this is the perfect book for me. In addition to the material in the book, you'll find more information about Paula's methods on eGullet's forums. I came across a thread on tagines and another on how to cure claypots. Paula contributed to both threads. Her knowledge, enthusiasm, and curiosity are amazing. It also speaks well of her how she encourages others on the forums. Clearly, a very neat lady.
Now the warning: you may end up with a house full of a new class of toys. So far I've accumulated a Chinese sandpot (which I cracked making a Wolfert recipe and successfully repaired using Paula's instructions), four different tagines, an Emile Henry Flame Top dutch oven, two Roemertopf's, a Japanese donabe, a Spanish Cazuela, and a Baeckeoffe oval tureen from Alsace. Regrettably, I'm not done yet. I still want to get some Black Chamba Clay Cookware and perhaps a daubière... unless my wife puts me out of my misery first.
Update (1-21-2010):
I've made numerous recipes from the book by now: Moroccan Fish Tagine with Tomatoes, Olives, and Preserved Lemons (for which I bought an inexpensive Rifi Tagra), Fried Spatchcocked Chicken (made in an Italian mattone), Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Sweet Onions and Raisins, Baked Moroccan Chicken with Charred Tomatoes, Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Winter Squash and Toasted Pine Nuts, etc. , etc. They were fun to make and tasted wonderful. Some recipes are easy to make and some require patience and dedication. There's a thread on eGullet that deals with cooking from this book. Its title is Cooking with Paula Wolfert's "Mediterranean Clay Pot Cooking" You'll find some pictures, experiences, and hints on this thread, should you need help. Paula contributes here as well.
Update (2-17-2010):
I'm still happy with this book and I'm cooking at least one new recipe from it per week. My two recent favorites were "Chicken with Red Wine Vinegar, Tomato, and Shallots" and "White Beans with Tomatoes and Sage." The latter required making the beans before, according to another recipe: "Tuscan White Beans with Sage and Garlic." The beans were just terrific with the tomatoes and sage. It was an instant favorite for us while it was also one of the easiest recipes to make. I used my Chamba bean pot for this dish. (It's winter now in Colorado and it feels nice to put one's cold hands on the warm lid of the Chamba while inhaling the wonderful aromas escaping from the pot.) I'm completely sold on cooking in clay, thanks to Ms. Wolfert. Her book serves as an instruction manual on how to utilize the various clay pots available by providing the recipes that are best made in these pots. Months after I bought the book, I still have clay pots coming in on a regular basis--not that I *must* have them, but because I'm hooked. (Paula says in her book that 75% of the recipes can be made in just six different pots.) I'm also a fan of Ms. Wolfert's style of presenting information, which is not at all dry. As of today, I own all of her books.

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The Female Pelvis Anatomy & Exercises Review

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(More customer reviews)When I was in graduate school, I was a Teaching Fellow in physiology and went on to further studies in biochemistry. I also attended medical school for a while, but ended up working as a research scientist. Now, I teach meditation and have a developed yoga practice in addition to being a personal coach with graduate education in psychology as well. In short, I think I am well-qualified to evaluate this book.
In general, I love this author's work and particularly liked Anatomy of Movement. I didn't like the Female Pelvis quite as much, but I still think it is very good. If I was able to, I would rate it a 4.5. Like all of this writer's work, the material is thoughtfully developed and presented in an easy to understand manner. There are also lots of diagrams that are very clear and compliment the text.
The difficulty with the pelvic region is that it is very hard to visualize it in three dimensions. This presents a challenge to the author and I think that he does a very good job of conveying three dimensions through all different kinds of diagrams.
The book starts out with the basic skeltal structure and then adds more detail a little bit at a time. At the same time, corresponding functionality is discussed and this keeps the book interesting and helps with memory attention. The average person can certainly go through this book easily, which is a testimony to the clarity and organization of the book.
With that said, I think to really learn the anatomy thoroughly one needs either the experience of dissecting this region or an augmentation of this material with useful photographs that show more detail and how everything fits together. For the average person, this may not be necessary, but for people in PT, yoga, massage or medical-related fields, it would solidify your understanding and help you to lock it in.
One think that is really special about this book is that it is mostly pictures with concise descriptions. The logical development of the topic allows it to flow and it doesn't deviate from its purpose, which is to educate women about the importance of the pelvis, how it changes through the lifecycle and how you can keep it healthy through exercise.
In reality, one book can't be all things to all people. This book is no exception and it is one of the best of its kind. If you are very interested in this area, I would also consider purchasing Pelvic Power for Men and Women: Mind/Body Exercises for Strength, Flexibility, Posture, and Balance. This book has a bit of a different angle, more exercises and more text. I think the two books are very complimentary and if you are serious about learning this anatomy and keeping your pelvis fit, you ought to have both to get the maximum results and understanding.
If you have a deep interest in this topic, you can find more resources on my listmania lists. There are several general anatomy texts all with different strengths and weaknesses listed. This would be useful information for people who need a very in-depth understanding or who have difficulty visualizing three dimensions from diagrams.

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The female pelvis and its contents are an underappreciated region of the anatomy.Important not only for sexuality, they are also central to the processes of childbirth and elimination. The Female Pelvis was written for women to use over the course of their lives, with a special emphasis on pregnancy, childbirth, and its aftermath.Its purpose is to help women become more familiar with the pelvis and its related structures, and how to keep them healthy and fit. The book begins with a description of the functional anatomy of the pelvis, and how it responds to pregnancy and childbirth.This is followed by a series of specific exercises, initially for self-discovery, and then to increase the flexibility, strength, and coordination of each of the pelvic functions. The book concludes with some guidelines which focus on the pelvis during different phases of a woman's life. The Female Pelvis was designed to make the subject of the pelvis understandable to all women. Anatomically correct, the language of the text is clear and concise.Over 250 drawings illustrate every important aspect of pelvic anatomy, and show the reader how to perform simple exercises to keep the pelvis and its related structures fit.

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Collected Ghost Stories (Wordsworth Mystery & Supernatural) Review

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(More customer reviews)Love this book and, as with any collection, thought a specific listing of all thirty included short works might be helpful to potential buyers.
Canon Alberic's Scrapbook; Lost Hearts; The Mezzotint; The Ash Tree; Number 13; Count Magnus; 'Oh, Whistle, And I'll Come To You, My Lad'; The Treasure Of Abbot Thomas; A School Story; The Rose Garden; The Tractate Middoth; Casting The Runes; The Stalls Of Barchester Cathedral; Martin's Close; Mr. Humphreys And His Inheritance; The Residence At Whitminster; The Diary Of Mr. Paynter; An Episode Of Cathedral History; The Story Of A Disappearance And An Appearance; Two Doctors; The Haunted Doll's House; The Uncommon Prayer-Book; A Neighbor's Landmark; A View From A Hill; A Warning To The Curious; An Evenings Entertainment; There Was A Man Dwealt By A Churchyard; Rats; After Dark In The Playing Fields; Wailing Well; Stories I Have Tried To Write

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M.R. James is probably the finest ghost-story writer England has ever produced. These tales are not only classics of their genre, but are also superb examples of beautifully-paced understatement, convincing background and chilling terror.As well as the preface, there is a fascinating tail-piece by M.R. James,Stories I Have Tried To Write , which accompanies these thirty tales. Among them are 'Casting the Runes', 'Oh, Whistle and I'll come to you, My Lad', 'The Tractate Middoth', 'The Ash Tree' and 'Canon Alberic's Scrapbook'. There are some authors one wishes one had never read in order to have the joy of reading them for the first time. For me, M.R. James is one of these . Ruth Rendall

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Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: Fabulous Flavor from Simple Ingredients Review

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(More customer reviews)One of the things that I enjoy most about Ina's books is the beginning of each section. She does not jump into the recipes; she prepares you likened to a good orchestra conductor preparing before a recital; making sure she has gotten everything in order before presenting her work. Once she gets the essence of what she wishes to tell you into words, then will she begin the recipe process.
That being said, this book continues the appreciation that so many people for Ina, along with the superb photography she wants to help bring the flavors, colors, and joy of her ideas and foods. And as Ina states in her dedication, "simple food has the most style". Indeed it does.
Her "Acknowledgement" page has all the secrets of why her books are so successful........great book and cooking industry people, great photography ("I want you to see the photograph and feel like licking the page") and her great husband, Jeffrey (can't ever imagine one without the other).
Her "Introduction" is its own chapter in that you are given her ideas and thoughts behind how she approaches the dining table and the dining experience. She will opt for the simplest, yet freshest foods, whether for a casual or formal dinner. And she helps us to thin out some of the detailed concerns with how we want the table to look and instead, think of how the food should be prepared. This will help us come away with an appreciation for a simpler meal with the atmosphere automatically settling in as you go along.
A real treat in this book is her great new "cooking barn" (don't think hay and horses with a stove nearby but instead a fabulous, sleek, warm, inviting, rustic, yet modern edifice, that is totally Ina).
As you read each chapter, she doesn't just give recipes; she gives side lessons with the hints and insights that she has honed over the years that have made her successful, not just in the sense of financial or in her celebrity, but as a cook/chef/hostess or whatever jumble of adjectives you want to use to describe her. Garnishes, menu ideas, floral arrangements, things to do and NOT to do for a party; thoughts as such that will up the ante on what will make your gathering successful in terms of satisfaction for yourself and your guests.
COCKTAIL HOUR
Parmesan and thyme crackers, Campari orange spritzer, gravlax with mustard sauce, juice of a few flowers, roasted shrimp cocktail, pomegranate cosmopolitans, savory palmiers, mango banana daiquiris, bruschetta with peppers and gorgonzola
SOUPS (one of her best sections)
Lobster corn chowder, cream of fresh tomato soup, homemade chicken stock, roasted potato leek soup, chilled cucumber soup, pappa al pomodoro (this sounds so much more romantic than saying tomato soup, doesn't it), roasted butternut squash soup, Italian wedding soup
LUNCH
Cape Cod chopped salad, old-fashioned carrot salad, white pizzas with arugula, creamy cucumber salad, warm goat cheese in phyllo, roasted butternut squash salad, roasted tomato caprese salad, tomato and goat cheese tarts, truffled filet of beef sandwiches, roasted pears with bue cheese, mache with warm brie (a salad)
DINNER
Tuscan lemon chicken, roasted turkey roulade, chicken bouillabaisse, coq au vin, company pot roast, Niman Ranch burgers, French bistro steaks, Parker's beef stew, herb-marinated loin of prok, baked shrimp scampi, easy sole meuniere, bay scallops gratins, Indonesian grilled swordfish, mustard-roasted fish, soft-shell crab sandwiches, proscuitto roasted bass, pasta with pecorino and peppers, wild mushroom risotto (dee-vine!), spring green risotto, dinner spanokopita, tagliarelle with truffle butter
VEGGIES
Maple-roasted buttercream squash, confetti corn, creamy cheddar grits, orange pecan wild rice, baked poatoes with yogurt, celery root and apple puree, oven-roasted vegetables, parmesan-roasted broccoli, chive risotto cakes, pan-roasted root vegetables, roasted parsnips and carrots, baked sweet potato fries, roasted tomatoes with basil, garlic ciabatta bread
(this will pretty much replace any bruschetta)
DESSERTS (yipee!)
French apple tart, fresh lemon moussse, apple dried cherry turnovers, chocolate-dipped strawberries, french chocolate bark, old-fashioned gingerbread, plum crunch, honey vanilla pound cake, fresh raspberry gratins, pumpkin roulade, raisin pecan oatmeal cookies, affogato sundaes (ice cream, liqueur and whip cream), brownie pudding
Had enough? Not just yet because you can't forget:
BREAKFAST
Sunrise smoothies, country French omelet, buttermilk cheddar biscuits, baked blintzes, homemade muesli, tri-berry oven pancakes, whitefish salad, easy sticky buns, homemade granola bars, blueberry streusel muffins, date nut spice bread, fruit salad with limoncello, easy strawberry jam
Flavor Boosters
FAQS
Credits
Sources
Barn Sources (to dream and possibly build your own "Cooking Barn" too)
Menu's
Index
This latest addition to your Ina library is wonderful and will add more to your simple and fresh repetoire of foodstuffs. Bon appetit!

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