ABC'S OF FOOD encyclopedia is one of the most interesting and informative books I have. For example, I assumed in eating the abalone that we ate the body. In the ABC'S OF FOOD I learned it's the foot we eat. It even explained how to cook and tenderize the foot. Most fascinating were the how and where foods, such as Hot Cross Buns, originated from. With the explanation of terms, such as Dry Water, I can now answer customer questions. I work in the food area of the largest retail chain in the world and I am asked about lots of products. Now if I don't know the answer, I use my ABC's book!
Also,reading about such down home wild foods as chinquepins
(chinky pins), hickory nuts, muskadine grapes, and pawpaws brought back childhood memories of following my daddy through the woods, looking for these, along with sassafras roots for the tea in the winter for better health. And if I got hungry while there, we ate veenie weenies (Vienna Sausages)with crackers. I wonder how many of the readers have some of the same fond memories. It would be very interesting to hear from them. I hope there is a follow up book VERY soon! Linda Clark,
former Bakery Manager for Ingles, Consumers, Wal-Mart.

It is a pleasure to read a food book with such vast information. With its tightly written entries, I can absorb knowledge while relaxing. I have worked with freshly prepared food and fresh produce all my life. My father is an avid gardener.
With my past 30 years of experience in restaurant work and as a produce specialist, it is uplifting to keep learning from this book. The ABC'S OF FOOD has fascinated and challenged me to broaden my horizons. I highly recommend THE ABC'S OF FOOD to any age group. --Joan Harness, Wal-Mart Superstore Produce Specialist

Ulmer and Calhoun have presented a comprehensive food library that is sprinkled with stories and anecdotes that keep the reader at full attention. It is easy to read, concise yet useful by its brevity, and gives the reader what he is looking for. It has both utility and entertainment. Bravo Ulmer and Calhoun!

I read this book in the 70s and really enjoyed it. The author is very clever with his unbelievable character development and interaction. I am very sorry it is presently out of print. I had loaned it to several friends and somehow didn't get it back.

This book is about a man that comes up with the scheme to make himself 'Everybody's Millionaire'. Some of the exploits are just hilarious, for instance, the time he climbs upon the top of a car to scare the occupants but he waits until the car is moving then pulls himself to look down through the windshield and the driver slams on the brakes and Dando goes tumbling over the hood to the pavement.

While this book is out of print and dated it had some of the funniest scenarios I have ever read in a book. One example dealt with the account supervisor who resented the owner's son position in the agency. The son had just purchased a new homburg hat and was quite proud of it. The account supervisor bought the same hat in a size smaller and one a size larger and would then periodically switch the hats. There is also an on-going tale of the account supervisor and a woman he sits next to on the train every day during his commute to work. It ends in the most hilarious scene immaginable. This is a light-hearted book that anyone who has ever had anything to do with advertising will find totally enjoyable.

Katie John is a character I grew up with, and the books about her are filled with fun, adventures, and funny things that happen, while teaching good vurtues. Which is more than I can say for some of the depressing childrens' books in the bookstores and libraries today. The author should keep writing!

I loved Katie John; she was such a tomboy, and -- being one myself -- I enjoyed watching her get in and out of trouble and excitement. A definite must-read.

Katie John and her folks move into a huge old house. Katie John is into everything, and the fun begins! Don't miss the part where Katie John gets her finger stuck in the speaking hole!

I grew up with Katie John, and I can hardly wait for my new copy of this, her first book, to arrive at my house. Katie John is a wide-open, hysterical heroine for kids of all ages!

I found it really interesting.On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate it at a 50.Even my 18-year old brother and my dad read it.We also read #5 and #6. I think T.B. Calhoun is a terrific writer.I enjoy how he elaborates on every little and big thing.I can't wait until he comes out with more.I really look forward to reding the others. I even would like to read the ones that I have already read again.

My sons (8&9) love NASCAR and couldn't believe their eyes when they saw the 1st two books in this series. They loved them. Our only regret is that the new ones won't be available until 1999.

My son doesn't like to read, but he loves NASCAR racing. We picked up this book on Mon. it's Wed. He has read half of the book with out any encouragement from us. He is 9yr. old. The first night he read for an hour. At 10:00 we had to tell him to turn the light out because he had school the next day. He think's it is so good he has shared it with his friend and asked me to read,"cause it is so good, and it has mystery and adventure in it". If your child like auto racing they will love the book.

My North Carolina grandmother, born in 1888, read the 12 Miss Minerva series books to me when I was a young child in the 50's. She brought the antics of William Green Hill, Jimmy Garner, Frances, Lina, Wilkes Booth Lincoln, Aunt Cindy, Pilljerk Peter, Aunt Peruny Pearline to life, and I can still hear the words ringing in my ears as she read this book in the dialect of the southern Negro. Some feel that these aren't politically correct books for today's youth, but I feel that there are some innocent truths to be learned from reading these books, that come from the mouths of the children in them. They show how easily children of all races get along when the prejudices of their elders aren't present. The real life character upon which these books are based is William Green Hill who died at 64, the son of a prominent Tennessee physician Dr. Lafayette Hill. His sister, Mrs. S. A. Hamilton had not seen her brother in 15 years when he died of a heart attack alone and penniless in an empty railroad coal car on the outskirts of Pueblo, Colorado. My grandmother clipped the small article from the newspaper about Mr. Hill, which I have kept in my copy of the first of the books which were written about his life. The first book, Miss Minerva and William Green Hill, was originally written by Frances Boyd Calhoun who died, and was continued by Emma Speed Sampson, who wrote the sequel Billy and the Major, Miss Minerva's Baby, Miss Minerva on the Old Plantation, Miss Minerva Broadcasts Billy, Miss Minerva's Scallywags, Miss Minerva's Problem, Miss Minerva's Vacation, Miss Minerva's Neighbors, Miss Minerva's Mystery, Miss Minerva Goin' Places, and one other title. There also is a book named Miss Minerva's Cookbook which was so rare that a copy of this book is going for $1,000 at rare out of print used book stores. I certainly love to see that the University of Tennessee has brought back the first of this series, and I would love to see them bring back to print the rest of the series for a new generation of children to enjoy and understand the happiness and delicate, intricate balance that exists in childhood play between children of all races.

I read all 9 books in this series and enjoyed the humor of Billy's exploits with his Aunt Minerva and the neighborhood children. The children of this era made their own entertainment, played "pretend" and spent a lot of time outdoors-life was rather pastoral. However, Billy managed to keep everyone hopping. I'd describe the book as an early "Little Rascals" of the South. Well written, humorous and filled with the innocence of the era. Billy and his friends seem to have to learn everything the hard way!! Historically, it occurs in an era of segregation; however, it also demonstrates that children accept each other far more easily than adults do.

I read this book as a very young child and, as I collect old children's books, ran across it in my searches. Of course, I read it again and enjoyed it even more this time. I suppose it is"politically incorrect" now, but that's the way things were then--right or wrong. I still find the book both funny and sweet. I had no idea that someone had created a series after Mrs. Calhoun's death. I would love to find some of them.

This is the first and only book that speaks to the soul. From the dozens of people who have read it upon my recommendation, many agree (they all loved it, by the way). It is the first book that felt like I was talking to myself! Here, the author knows what it is like to be me. You will develop a rapport like nothing else ever experienced. Such is the power and grace of Mary Magdalena! By the way, she was not the prostitute she has been label by the Church Fathers! You will either love this book (and just can't put it down) or you will hate it and be unable to read it at all. Those are the only reactions I had people experience. So, if you can wait to get your hands on a copy, you are right! ------ COPYRIGHT 1997 Nathan Ray Stephenso

If you are a seeker of truth, buy this book now!

It will speak directly to your soul like no book you have ever read. Since reading this book I have been blessed to have several conversations with the author. I believe in this book; it is truth.

Honor yourself and read this book. You will be changed. It will shift you into the world you "gave up" when you "grew up".

Feel free to write me for more recommendations in the same light as this one. I will be happy to answer your questions and share the blessing I have received.
Peace

YES. And it will enjoy this book tremendously, taking you along to a heightened level of perception. If you feel this is the time for you to read such writing,stop waiting. If not, may you remember this recommendation at the appropriate moment.

I actually had the extreme fortune of working with Hollie at the local grocery store in Madison, MS in the early 90's and I found out about her death when I was at home visiting from college in ATL. I was mortified to find out that she was killed and even more so that anybody would do that to her. She was THE most caring, honest and funniest person I've ever known. She was amazing! I can only imagine the pain it is for Mr. Calhoun father to write such an in-depth account on the loss of not only his daughter, but Hollie, as a person. I didn't believe it was about her until I saw her picture on the inside flap cover. This book doesn't even convey how good a person Hollie really was and its even more heartbreaking for me because I really knew her. A phrase that Hollie would say everytime she was right about something, "Thank you for playing!" I still use it today.

I lost my brother in an accidental gunshot incident many years ago. That was horrific enough but couple that with murder and abduction and hours of not knowing and you have a true nightmare. This is a rare man who is able to reveal his innermost private feelings about the loss of his daughter. One reels as he describes the numbness, disorientation, and "inappropriate" acting out behaviors which run the gamut of emotions which he experienced. This book inevitably triggers one's own feelings about the out-of-body fog that accompanies the loss of a loved one. He knows correctly that it will never be over, his pain merely gradually muted a little more as each year passes. The sense of disbelief and wondering what might have been will never go away. Rather than being a downer, this book refreshes with its honesty.

I found 400 Hours to be an extremely poignant and gut wrenching story.The authors pain was horrific.I came away feeling that I knew the entire family and had somehow gone through the entire grieving process with them.It's all there.The author made it easy to read by weaving in and out of the various family members and how they each came to grips with the loss of Hollie.I highly recommend this book.

This is just a perfectly involving and cute holiday book for children but the illustrations appeal to all ages. And the price is right!

I love this picture book. My mother read it to me so many times (well over 20 years ago!) that I memorized the text! I loved cats as a child and was delighted with the story of Henry ("One smart cat") shushing along the snow on skis and poles he fashioned himself. The author tells the story so matter of factly that it seemed so real.

This is also a beautiful book to look at. The water color illustrations of the snowy landscapes are very well done. I remember this book fondly and look forward to sharing it with my own children.

A great story to read out loud!

Sorry to hear this is OOP. Another great read-aloud story. The adventures of Henry as he tries to make his way back home after being left-behind on the family vacation are both cute and funny at the same time. Anyone who loves cats will enjoy reading this book. This is definately one of our "family-favorites". If you can get your hands on a copy I would definately grab this one.

This was given to me as a present. I had never heard of the book before, and indeed, when I told people about it, I always got strange looks. But the 52 capsules of people's lives--not all of them well-known but they're people you should know about--are fascinating. Some personal favorites are the guy who invented the U.S. zip code and the founder of an AIDS group in a small town.

An enjoyable collection of obituaries written my Robert McG. Thomas Jr. These short (2-3 page) obituaries will make you smile and wonder what would be written about yourself. Some of the people you will recognize, most you will not, but you'll gain an understanding and appreciation for their time on this planet.

Recommended

When this book was first recommended to me by a friend, I must admit I was a little put off. A book of obituaries? Now there's a fun read! Although I know there are "die-hard" obit enthusiasts out there, I certainly don't count myself among them. All of this is leading to the further admission that I ordered the book with some trepidation. I needn't have worried. This book is an absolute joy. To say that it is well-written would be an understatement of Homeric proportions as Mr. Thomas had a subtle way with words that hints at Twain (I know! I know! They're "just" obituaries, but this gentleman could turn a phrase with the best of them!). Far from being ghoulish or depressing, these 52 McGs are fascinating celebrations of everyday extraordinary lives. Most importantly, each humorous account is filled with such warmth and respect that you don't get the feeling you're snickering at some poor dead guy "behind his back". 52 McGs falls into the category of "little discoveries that you can't wait to share with other people." Heartily recommended as an addition to your library or as a gift to anyone that enjoys highly skilled writing.

I have read many books on destroyers during WWII. This is the first book that put me on the deck during a night surface battle, and I could SEE what was going on. There is no hype, no "I was a hero" type of comments, just the facts. You can feel the pain he felt when he saw a fellow sailor dead on the deck. It almost brought me to tears.
If you want to SEE what life on a destroyer was like in WWII, this is a MUST READ book!

Like a previous reviewer, my father also served on a WWII Pacific destroyer. This book helps to capture what life on a destroyer must have been like. Interestingly, it follows the life and action of this ship from it's beginning in the shipyard; through its exciting sea battles, and then to her decommissioning. Thankyou Capt. Calhoun for a book well done.

The book had special meaning for me in that my father was aboard the Sterett from October 1941 to October 1943. Although he had often explained many of the events aboard ship, the connection for me between the war and it's lasting affect on the men who served, was not realized until I read the gripping tales recounted by Captain Calhoun. In a well researched history enhanced with the credibility of first hand knowledge, Captain Calhoun related the Sterett's experience. Every child, grandchild, and great grandchild of every sailor who ever served during WW II on any ship of any kind should read this book and well-up with the pride of having known, or have in their lineage the brave men who stood in harms way to preserve our freedom. My regret is that I had not read it prior to my father's passing on December 10, 1999 and let him know how proud of him I am. Thank you Cal wherever you are.