Well written, easy to read. Hard acts to follow. You will get to know three successful business leaders. What are their background, childhood, education and career? What happened to their companies when they were leading them? Interviews with each one of them in which many questions are answered that you probably would have asked. The companies are large, global and successful. There is a lot to learn. It is not a cookbook. The authors make a useful summary but when you reflect about what the three persons have done there are not only many things they all did but also many things they did differently. I bought the book because it was listed under the heading "business ethics" in an Amazon search. The book is not directly about ethics. It is useful in that context as it shows that these three leaders through their actions demonstrate having moral convictions. Part of that conviction is to deliver shareholder value but also strong feelings of responsibility for the environment and social issues. Furthermore they have been able, with a lot of hard work, to impart this concept on all of the employees. All three believe that employees become much more motivated and loyal to the organisation when they feel that they are working towards goals in addition to shareholder value. One also becomes convinced that they do not set these wider goals as a public relations exercise or a clever way to motivate people to work harder. These leaders are totally sincere in what they say and what they do.

The book gives valuable insight into the way these three ground-breaking European leaders think about business, and how they successfully manage global organizations. The book clearly illustrate the different personal traits of the subjects (the builder, the transformer, and the integrator), and ecourages the reader to challange the pros and cons of the different philosophies. The book reads very much like a case study, and provides an excellent but basic overview over the global marketplace and on how to be able to draw on the ideas implemented by these great leaders.

Growth on a global stage is the only way to sustainable success. It is an enormous challenge to grow let alone accomplish it globally. This book provides tangible object lessons on how these leaders have done it. If first-hand learning is best, then these stories approximate that construct.

This is an engaging and usefull guide to a difficult act.

I read this book after meeting the author in summer 2000 at Volk WANGB. I should have enjoyed it, but I didn't. The reason for that is that I met the author and read the book at a time that I went through some very scary things that the book talks about. To put it in the author's words (faultily remembered): "I distrusted the Japanese when I heard about Manchuria. My distrust turned to anger when I heard about Pearl Harbor. My anger turned to hatred when I heard about Bataan. Later, I learned that we invaded Indian lands. Then I heard about how we sent troops in while we negotiated with them. Finally, I heard about the Trail of Tears, in which Indians were marched from Florida to Oklahoma and buried alive if they could not keep up."
Despite, my personal feelings coinciding with the book, I have read it several times and have recommended it to several friends, including one of my teachers- it is a must-read book!

My father wrote this book. It is an extraordinary story about an extraordinary man. It reveals to us the fact that we are all really connected on a deep level and that war is such a cruel experience for anyone to go through.

50 years my father fought against the Japanese. Now they are his in-laws. What a co-existence of opposites! This is a wonderful book about how a man can fight against a whole country and then 40 years later fall in love with the people and the culture he fought against. Be ready for an emotional ride and a wonderful ending.

This book is very well written and easy to read. I especially liked the part where Jerry Yellin is explaining what the Baatan Death March is to Yas, his Japanese friend. Jerry askes Yas how the Japanese could be so cruel. Yas comes back with how Americans treated the American Indian during the March of Tears and they go on to discuss the bombing of Hiroshima. This part is very inlightening. I would recommend this book to teenagers and adults alike. In fact we will be selling it shortly in the bookstore of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park on the island of Guam.

I love this book. It has recipes from all over Europe. This book is very large containing about 300+ recipes. Broken down into 14 different sections this book is likely to have just what you are looking for. Each section has several different areas of recipes. For example the vegetable section is broken down into hot soups, cold soups, stews, fried and roast vegetables, boiled, stuffed, salads, mushrooms, olive snd olive oil dishes, seaweed. She takes her time with each recipe stating where it comes from, the approximate year, and sometimes additional hints and tips on the recipes.
This book is wonderful because you get to learn a bit about each culture, sometimes what they ate with a particular recipes, or when it was served. It is also nice because many of the dishes are inexpensive to prepare and make great quanities. Perfect if you are cooking for a good deal of people. While this book is currently not in print, I would urge anyone looking for recipes from the Old World to take a chance on this book.

Elisabeth Luard has written a captivating book. If you read cookbooks for pleasure, this book is simply a must-have. Ms. Luard takes both a scholarly and a very practical approach to the subject. She describes in detail the development of peasant cooking, and each recipe is prefaced with an interesting aside or personal story. Reading this book, you will learn how a foie gras is judged while still in the duck, how a pig filled a winter larder and how to choose a perfect earthenware dish for Romanian Tocana de pui (chicken pot roast).

As a practical cookbook, it is wonderful. Each recipe is clear, concise and easy to follow. Ms. Luard gives suggestions for compatible side dishes and wine, as well as what to do with leftovers. (Did I mention most recipes are meant to serve 6 or more strapping farmers?) Each recipe is followed with suggested substitions, which comes in handy when you do not have sorrel or you don't care for prunes. More than 300 recipes are included, and they come from all over Europe, from Iceland east to Scandinavia, and south to Italy, not skipping a country in between. The book is divided into sections by ingredients, which I find extremely useful. The sections are: vegetable dishes; potato dishes; corner cupboard dishes (beans and grains); pasta, noodles and dough-based dishes; barnyard and dairy; fish and food from the sea; poultry; small game; pork; shepard's meats; beef, reindeer and grilled meats; bread and pastry dishes; sweet dishes; and the rustic kitchen. The last section is a great resource on herbs, mushrooms, oils and cheeses, and how to preserve meats.

There isn't space enough to tell you how great this book is. This is, without a doubt, my all-time favorite cookbook.

I like to read history, cookbooks, and about other cultures. Because of these interests, The Old World Kitchen is my cup of tea. The recipes are examples of peasant cooking in different countries and regions. There are lots of stews and soups. I never dreamed there were so many ways to cook potatoes. Having read most of them, it appears that they can be duplicated in western kitchens. The introductions at the beginning of each recipe are informative and interesting. The directions are clear and concise. They begin by telling what equipment you will need and what would be handy. At the end are suggestions about what can be substituted for recipe ingredients. These recipes are not diet food, but then peasants worked too hard to need to be on diets.

This is a beautiful book filled with eye candy but, better yet, full of practical advice for anyone ready to design a garden. Smith was smart and patient when he set out to design his own garden in Tennessee. Here he shows how the gardens of his childhood and most importantly, visits to the great gardens of Europe, helped influence and shape his design philosophy.

Smith uses the popular concept of "garden rooms" to illustrate twelve principles - Enclosure, Shape and Form, Framing, Entry, Focal Point, Structures, Color, Texture, Abundance, Whimsy, Mystery and Time. Each of these are illustrated with lush photos of Smith's own garden as well as his clients gardens.

The last section of the book discusses techniques and ideas on how to plan and construct your garden. Lists of plants are provided for specific situations.

Overall, a well designed, photographed and written book.

Wow! Allen definitely makes complicated gardening look easy and exciting in his new book. I love the way he compares rooms in a garden to those in a house. His suggestions on color are so inspiring. Allen's lifelong passion for gardening is so obvivous through his work. I am so ready for warm weather so my family and I can begin our outside rooms!

In this elegant new book, Allen has made grand garden designs easy to understand, and even easier to achieve in the garden. I love the juxtaposition of the traditional English perennial borders with the front yard of his home in Little Rock! I found the book to be inspiring - can't wait for spring. Hard to imagine it his first book... looking forward to more.

Hey, i'm looking for some contact with Fernando del Paso, 'cos i wonder if he could give us a speech, or something in the Medicine School at Cuernavaca, Mexico, may you please helpe me?

Palinuro of Mexico is a long surreal voyage throughout everything, full of obscure refrences, and quotations, Palinuro takes you on a trip were Mexico and all of its small surrealistic features come to light, were the abnormal is the commonplace and were Palinuro sets out on a journey of self-universal-discovery. Once you have read it you will be the same

so you think 100 years of solitude was the ultimate latinamerican novel? Not at all .Very well misbegotten, Palinuro de México has remained for a long time in the dark, almost surrepticiously. This is a very "natural" combo of baroque, enciclopedia and just mad characters . Of course it is political, but it is also very funny, almost overwhelmingly so. If you are looking for a taste of surrealism, a little of violence (just a little),a beguiling antihero (who happens to be a medical student and a"nice" member of mexican society) and anything else from ridiculous advertisements to a wonderful reflection on death -a-la-mexicana- involving bones and dead bodies(what do you know!) Palinuro of México is a must read for everyone who wants to taste life at its full , in all its fleshliness and with mundane curiosity, do drink it slowly for this is a book that really gets through you,it is a climax, sort of speak. And yes, it happens to be more compelling and more refined than any of Isabel Allende's novels.

Elizabeth Fischer writes a powerful book outlining good common business sense that small business owners should have, that many do have, but either way, that most neglect to practice. It is a prescription, if taken properly, for improving your ability to avoid frustration, to realize your personal and professional worth, to strengthen your business and wow, to consequently make more money!

"Mistakes I Made My First 5 Years in Business" makes you think, "Hey, this sounds like me." It is chock full of business vitamins that make you want to take a dose of her advice daily.

It is a book about business wellness. Buy it. Read it. Take your medicine and get well soon!

We have been in business for 8 years now and I have found this book to be an INVALUABLE reminder of problems that still occur everyday. The mistakes the author describes cross the boundaries of business types, and are just as applicable for an existing business as for a new one. Her very readable, in-depth chapters ae well thought through. And her suggestions at the end of each chapter on what to do are really helpful. This is great book to read and RE-READ which I definitely will be doing!

This book is WONDERFUL, and a MUST for everyone going into business for themselves, or for everyone who is in business that tends to have problems on occasion. This book can be used for any sized business and should be encouraged for use as a SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) manual! After reading Elizabeth's book, I can see and understand why I failed the times that I tried to go into business for myself. She answered EVERY question and problem that I had already encountered, but didn't know how to handle; or, I just couldn't pinpoint what went wrong! I could totally relate! She uses her humor, wit, and enthusiasm in her writing, which keeps you totally engrossed, so much that you'll have a hard time putting it down. I can't wait to read her next book! Kudos!

This is definitely a childrens book. It would put an adult to sleep. It is a very funny children's book though. The jokes aren't exacty that funny. I tried the funniest one on my dad and he kinda said, "Was that supposed to be funny or what?" It was sort of embarassing. I would recommend this book to any one who likes to laugh and is able to get their nose out of a good book.

Everything is a joke to Bobby Garrick. He makes everything funny. Although the knock-knock jokes in this book are terrible, the story is funny. Bobby never does his homework, and when he finally does (write a page on what you think could make this school better), his teacher knows he's serious. He suggests to the principal they actully do this idea (a school laugh off: kids go up against kids telling the funniest jokes, & teachers going up against teachers telling the funniest jokes. Then the funniest teacher goes up against the funniest kid. The winner is based on who has the loudest applause). The principal says ok. READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT MORE!

In the book "My Life as a Comedian" Bobby Garrick is a class clown who thinks that he can get by with practical jokes just as his brother Jimmy did when he was in school--that is before Jimmy got kicked out of alternative school and home as well. Being like big brother has its consequences, and Bobby isn't sure that he wants to be placed in an alternative school. It takes a caring teacher, Mr. Matous, who suggests that Bobby use his quick wit to organize a school-wide comedy contest to help Bobby prove himself to his school and his family.

My daughter just turned one and she loves this book. It's well constructed--built to last little hands that tug & pull on everything!

My 8 month old son would rather chew on a book than sit still and look at the pictures, but this book is great for an active tot! The book goes from dinner, bath, story, to crib, just like we do at home. His favorite part is the page where a child is holding a book while her dad reads to her in his lap. The book that she holds is part of the "touch and feel" aspect in that my son can open and close the little book. His face lights up as soon as he sees this page!

This book always brings a smile to Shakespeare's face. After his bath, we cuddle up and read the book together. I love having a book that describes our nightly routine, from eating a bedtime snack to going to sleep. He enjoys touching the pictures, turning the pages, and lifting the flaps. When we come to the picture of the mirror, I hand him his own toothbrush so he can imitate the baby in the picture. One day, we found the book that the baby is reading. He recognized it immediately with squeals of delight. I would highly recommend this book for any parent. It makes a perfect end to a busy day.

PATCHWORK PERSUASION by Joen Wolfrom is more art book than work book, but interesting nevertheless. If you've been making quilts for awhile you will find this book relatively straightforward. If you've never made a quilt or are not terribly practiced then it will prove less useful. Wolfrom provides an illustration of each of the quilts she discusses in the text (there are many of them) and for some, examples of the basic block used in the construction of the quilt.

Some of these quilts are quite literally works of art--many of recent origin, such as "Layfayette Square" (1993) and "Georgetown on the Potomac" (1995). In fact, most of the quilts were recently made by contemporary American artists. Excluding the cover example ('Sunlight and Wheels' by Junko Sawada of Yokohama-shi Japan) my favorite is Carol Bryer Fallert's 'Oswego, Illinois' which shows a stylized idyllic fall river scene viewed through a garden lattice. Consider this book the next best thing to the annual quilt show (or better depending on the exhibits at the show).

Has Joen Wolfrom ever written a bad book? She's really amazing. I have four of her books now, and have learned so much from each one of them. The ideas in this book have changed the way I look at quilts. She presents practical, clear methods for modifying traditional designs to make more complex and striking quilts. The color pictures alone are worth the price of the book; the quilts are SO beautiful. Be aware that this is a book intended to provide you with the tools to design your own quilts; it does not include detailed designs, piecing instructions, etc.

This book features some of the most stunning, dynamic quilts I have ever seen. I think the major theme of this book is optical illusion quilting. Most of the compositions aim to tease your depth and/or motion perception. The use of color is also remarkable. This book has inspired me to open up the old scrap bin. Highly recommended!

This book helped me fulfill my gift-giving needs for all the cooks on my list. It is not only informative and functional but it is so beautifully presented that it fits just as nicely on the coffee table as in the kitchen. Great recipes and great photographs combine to make one great book.

I think this book is fabulous. So cool that someone finally did a really nice book on this subject. The pictures are gorgeous and you can read it like a novel with all the little stories of different people and their backgrounds and recipes -- or you can get right into the pickling process and end up with stuff that you sort of never really thought you could make. I tried the mustard pickles and they were better than anything i've had out of a jar and took about 5 seconds to make. The Haitian Pikliz is insanely spicy, but I can't seem to keep it in my fridge between me and my husband. I can already see a gift idea for lots of my friends...a jar of pickles plus the book. How excellent.

For those interested in collecting single subject books, this is one to add to your collection. This basically covers all you need to know about pickles and how they are made throughout the world. It's like reading a personal note from a friend.