Impressionism is my favorite style of painting so I was really enchanted with this biography. Written by Renoir's middle son, Jean, Renoir, My Father not only gives us an intimate look at the life of Auguste Renoir, it gives us an intimate look at the Paris of Renoir's day as well.

As we get to know Renoir we get to know his contemporaries, too. Jean Renoir writes about Monet, Cezanne, Manet, Sisley and many other great artists. We learn many "little known" facts, such as Monet's penchant for lace and his "artful" way with the ladies.

Paris really comes alive in this book. Many of the places Renoir writes about still exist and can be visited today. This book makes any art lover's trip to Paris more meaningful whether he's a Renoir fan or not.

When reading this book, one must remember that this is not a "run of the mill" biography. This is a son writing about the father he adored. The portrait we are given is very intimate, detailed and loving. It's obvious that Jean Renoir adored his father, just as Auguste Renoir adored his family.

Ultimately, this book is a beautiful tribute from a loving son to a father who was one of history's consummate artists. If you have any interest at all in art, this is one book you simply must not pass up. The last page alone will break your heart.

Renoir was far more than one of the world's greatest artists. He was an adventurer, a family man, a man who held interesting views on just about every subject under the sun, and finally, in his later years, a martyr to life. Although this book was written by Renoir's middle son, Jean, it is as vibrant and alive as if Renoir, himself, had just written the words in his own hand. Through this book we learn how the Renoir family left its roots in Limoges and moved to Paris. We read of Renoir's early years as a painter of porcelain and how and why he became an artist, more specifically, an Impressionist. We learn of Renoir's marriage to Aline Charigot of Essoyes, the birth of his three sons and his move to the south of France. Some of the most interesting sections of the book deal with Renoir's feelings about the effect of light on a painting and why he needed to paint in a "natural" setting. Also, most interesting are the chapters on the birth of Impressionism and Renoir's relationships with the other artists of the time, such as Monet, Manet, Sisley and Cezanne, just to name a few. Lovingly and charmingly written, this book truly brings Renoir to life and makes him accessible to all. Absolutely a must for anyone with even a passing interest in art or artists!

Not only is this a book about Renoir, whose tableaux peer out of every other art store on every mall in North America (what a curious fate!), it is also a book about Paris. Born in 1841, Renoir was older than most of the other Impressionists with whom he grew friendly later. He also had the chance to see Paris as it was before the Commune and the war of 1870. He lived a good part of his life on the Butte in Montmartre and it is hard now to recapture the atmosphere up there among the hordes of tourists. Yet early on Sunday mornings with a light rain playing on the umbrellas of the artist's stands in the Place du Tertre, you can wander freely among the memories of the rue Lepic and elsewhere, and catch glimpses of Renoir (and others) as you pass through the old streets. Reading this book first will help.

Jean Renoir is a very famous artist in his own right, having made numerous films and become one of the most acclaimed directors in French cinema history. Here he has taken great pains to paint a fine portrait of his renowned father, this time with a pen. He has succeeded admirably.

Patti Labelle is legendary for her cooking stories from on the road - for years, she had a rider in her contract that a full kitchen be available at her shows for her to prepare post-concert meals.
Patti has taking her love (and considerable knowledge) of food, and put this in a book that also contains family recollections, words of encouragement, and smart living advice. It's a great book to give as a gift (especially to someone who loves to cook, but needs to watch their diet), and a whole lot of fun to read, and prepare her meal suggestions.
This book focuses on low-fat, low-sodium and low-carb meals, but does not sacrifice taste (nor tasty ingedients) in favor of diet. There are some rather indulgent recipes (the Chocolate Pecan Pie is AWESOME), but they are prepared smart.
Patti's stories that accompany many of the recipes are always enjoyable (is there a more down to earth singing star than this fine lasy?), but also poignant - her discussions of her mother's death by diabetis, and her talk of dealing with having the disease herself make you want to eat smarter.
Buy 2 copies of this book - one for a friend who needs to be cooking smarter (we all have one), and one for yourself. It's a great mix of food and wisdom as only Patti could deliver.

Patti LaBelle's recipes are WONDERFUL!!! THANK YOU PATTI for taking the time out of your busy life to share this HEALTHY cook book with us. Your "Chicken Cacciatore" is a mouth watering dish!!! We love your cook book..your recipes..(of course we love ALL OF YOUR MUSIC)...and we Love You!! I would recommend this cook book to everyone. What a tasty collection of healthful eating!!! Patti has WOWED me once again!!!

Firstly, Patti LaBelle is my favorite entertainer of all time so whatever she releases, I am there to get it. Although I am a thin, nineteen year old male, there are some recipes in here that I not only will try but have tried kind of. The most appealing part of the book is that the meals are delicious but they are also healthy. Whether one is overweight or not, has diabetes, heart problems or not, everyone needs to eat healthy because it is one of the best ways to remain healthy. This is no exception. The meals are great and easy to understand. So, get with the program and buy this sorely universally needed cookbook by soul cook and soul singer Patti LaBelle. I was taken away by how good these dishes actually are. They are so very easy to do so do not worry about not really being a cooker.

This book has truly been a blessing to my life. After reading it four times, I have been compelled to stop complaining and appreciate life, for I am truly blessed. Patti is truly a gem. She is a living testimony. Through the tears and the pain, heartache and betrayal, like a phoenix, Patti rises above it all. She shows that there is gold at the end of the rainbow we call life. This book is no less than Remarkable, compelling, and exceptional. Patti tells all, and each revelation brings about a major learning experience that makes her the powerful, spiritual, and "down-to-earth" Diva that she is today. As you read, it leaves you not only NOT wanting to put it down, but selfishly wishing for a sequel. If there were a class on autobiographies of the stars, this would be a Required Reading. Patti's life has only just begun and through "Don't Block The Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime," Patti shows us, without reservation, that we can truly overcome anything, as long as we don't block the blessings. Everything in life happens for a reason, and if you learn from each life's experience, you will transcend and begin to appreciate people, as well as yourself, ...just don't block the blessings

Patti is truly a gem to be cherished. She is truly a living testimony. Through the tears and the pain, heartache and betrayal, Patti rises above it all, to show that there is gold at the end of the rainbow of life. This book is no less than remarkable, compelling, and exceptional. As you read, it leaves you, not only not wanting to put it down, but selfishly wishing for a sequel. Patti's life has only just begun, and through "Don't Block The Blessings: Revelations of a Lifetime," Patti shows us, without reservation, that we can truly overcome anything, as long as we don't block the blessings. Everything in life happens for a reason, and if you learn from each life's experience, you will transcend and begin to appreciate people, as well as yourself, just don't block the blessing.

Don't Block the Blessings is an excellent book. When I began to read the first couple of words, I knew that this would be one book that I would not be able to put down. I often found myself reading the book while taking tests, taking a bath, while exercising, and sometimes while riding in the car. I think that the reason it caught my attention was because some of the issues that Mrs. LaBelle faced, I have gone through also. Although I am only sixteen years old, I have been in similar situations. Like Patti, I have often feared death, and I let that bother me for so long. I have lost an aunt, tragically, and me not being able to say to her what I needed to say still haunts me. After reading the book, I've learned to deal with my problems, as did Patti. I know Mrs. LaBelle will remain a true inspiration in my life because through her book, and through God, she has helped me to learn to never block the blessings. I believe that if America were to live by this motto, it would be a much better place. We need more people , like Mrs. Patti LaBelle, to speak out and help make this world a better haven. I commend her and may God continously bless her. I will remain her number one fan!!!

I love New Orleans and everything about it! My husband and I go there regularly, so when we bought a new house in December, I wanted to really decorate the interior of some of the rooms "New Orleans Style". When searching on Amazon, I found this book with pictures of some homes in NOLA interiors. I found this book to be very helpful as far as decorating and choosing Nawlins' colors for my house. Not to mention the fact that it gives me a "quick fix" for New Orleans when I can't be there in person!

One of my all-time favorite books. The stuff of dreams and nightmares too.

This is an utterly luscious picture book. Chock full of photos of real interiors. Real homes of artists and the creative. Homes of people who love peeling wallpaper and cracked plaster; and especially those who love living in the midst of art works, or deeply personal collections.

The homes of people who love the humid haze, moist earth-scented New Orleans.

This book has great interior pictures of some glorious New Orleans homes. Unfortunately when I've been there, I didn't have the opportunity to go inside to see the many interior styles. This book gives me the opportunity to see the beauty inside, that I've only been able to view from outside. Great book for those of us who love and appreciate the city!

After the kids were snug in their sleeping bags and tents, their parents would pop the corks on their favorite brews and this collection of dirty, one-pager, country stories was passed from person to person around the campfire and read aloud. People would literally fall over, roaring with laughter, gasping for breadth. And often,the reader was paralized with laughter and couldnt continue. The stories are red neck filthy and funny beyond words. I didnt get the cultural relevance, I was too busy laughing. Not for the politically correct.

I took a strange but ultimately interesting course in American Folklore back at good old MWC. Our Professor made us read this book, and I can never thank him enough. I am still not sure what the purpose of us reading this book was, but the stories were hilarious. I laughed so much reading these stories. Many of which were simply extended dirty jokes. This was by far the best book I read at college. I don't know much about Folklore, but at the very least if you want to read a funny book, get pissing in the snow.

This book is a great collection of Ozark Folktales and stories. I wouldn't recomend reading this book to a 10 year old because of the content of some of the stories, but I would recomend this book to the older reader who would appreciate the wit and humor.

When you probate an estate yourself, you're your own lawyer. Fortunately Nissley, et al, and the State of California have made this possible for typical small family estates. Working through our own actual situation, with the help of this book, provided a much-needed education about what to do and what not to do in planning my own estate matters. What the book doesn't address is the difficulty the Executor or representative faces in managing through the attitudes, complaints and opinions of the others affected by the death of a loved one.

This edition seems to have been edited piecemeal to keep up with changing laws and tax matters, and some of the references within the book are incorrect. But my main objection is the unhappy practice in the book of requiring the reader to keep referring to other sections of the book to complete a form or prepare for a filing.

You can buy this with your eyes closed. I'm ain't loaning this one out.

Probate isn't the most exciting subject matter but Nissley will tell you what you need to know to get through it.

I also recommend Mary Randoph's "8 Ways to Avoid Probate".

I ordered several books on estates and what to do after someone passes away; after reviewing all of them, this is THE book I really used. It was the most complete, helpful, and accessible book on the topic. Also, note that it does NOT just deal with Probate -- my situation did not involve probate (fortuntaely!), but I still found this book invaluable in helping me know what to do about all the various matters after my mother passed away. I highly recommend this book.

A good commentary that will get you familiar with the many different interpretations of James, but will ultimately supply you with a rock solid study. Especially good is his treatment of the "problems" people often encounter with James 2.

There are plenty of footnotes that refer you to other works for further study concerning some opposing views, though not by any means an overkill on footnotes.

I am using this text in my "General Epistles" class at Lee University (Pentecostal - Church of God - Clevland, TN.) It should be noted though that this is not an academic level commentary, but is designed for lay and clergy alike. Hard as it may seem, Moo was able to squeeze out 191 pages of commentary.

Basically I use this book as my resource of the Sunday school
class. The more I read it, the more I like it. Moo is very careful in tracing the meaning of the texts by examining the
Old Testament, extra-biblical literatures and the context. If some texts are controversial, he is very even-handed in handling different solutions and comes up with a reasonable conclusion.

The even more important thing is he does not only render good
exegesis but also provide some good applications in christian life. I feel very impressed by his insightful prospectives.

Great book!!

This is the only commentary I have read on James, so I can't fairly compare it to others. But I can't imagine reading a more lucid, informed, intriguing, and just all around Godly understanding of what can be one of the most difficult books of the NT to understand. Moo handles each passage with clarity, being fair to different views and presenting his own conclusions. The book also has a well articulated introduction and discussion of time, place, and authorship.

I would have wished Moo had included Greek words in their original letters as well as their transliteration. I also wish he had interacted a bit more with the Greek text. Moo, however, was only staying true to the general format of the Pillar series, which assumes no previous Greek study on the part of the reader.

Both the hard cover as well as its dusk jacket are well manufactured and good looking. The pages are nice and the small size of the book makes it fairly easy to handle.

Overall, one of the best commentaries on any book that I have read.

This was an amazing book, especially because it was all apparently collected firsthand from the people who practiced the things in it. It's interesting and easy to read, packed with information, and though some of the things Ozark mountain people were concerned with may no longer be germane to people living in the modern world, it provides a fascinating look at folk customs, magic, and a body of lore that has most likely all but disappeared by now.

My parents still live in the Ozarks, and I recognised some of the things that were common superstitions, phrases, etc.
I found it very entertaining to read, and being born in MO myself, and having lived in some of those areas on and off, made it even more enlightening.
I also noticed tiny hints here and there of the Scottish influence, as that is my ancestry, and something I spend much time studying. Many did settle in the hills around there when they came, preferring that over cities. Makes it even more intriguing, that some bits peek out, mingled and changed with the new culture.
Good stuff!

Wonderful lifetime body of research collected as he lived among the Ozark people. I grew up in Ozark Co. in the 60's-70's and was fortunate to see and hear much of the rich folklore he records. For an outsider (even marrying into an Ozark clan didn't make him a local boy) Randolph obtained a staggering amount of information which is presented in a humerous yet respectful style. When so much of our culture preverted for the neon cash/trash of Branson it's refreshing to read Randolph and remember when stories were told around wood fired stoves and in the summer's evening on front porches. Anyone interested in the real Ozarks should read this...and before you dismiss it all as ignorant fantasy,I can attest that witching water works, and I've touched the otherworldly feather crowns found in death pillows among many other oddities he records.....can't explain it but here it is for what it's worth.

I bought this book off of Amazon, never having seen it in the stores. What a pleasant surprise! I'd expected another book of soul-food, Southern cooking (which is what I was looking for). Ms. LaBelle's book has plenty of down-home-type recipies familiar to those of us in the South, such as her pot roast and her Southern fried chicken, but also has recipes that reflect a wider, more modern cooking trend, such as Caribbean fish steaks and shrimp fried rice. Her Macaroni and Cheese recipe is to die for!

Unlike so many other 'celebrity' cookbooks, the recipes here are well-written and easy to follow. I've cooked a couple of dozen recipes here, and all have worked as published.

This cookbook can be a terrific introduction to Southern cooking as well as an illustrated biography of its author. I've been a fan of LaBelle for many years and was delighted to read her autobiographical segments. This book is a great blend of cookbook and memoirs, and can be enjoyable even if only for reading!

Ms. Patti! Ms. Patti! Ms. Patti! I love your recipe book! The potato salad was outstanding at Thanksgiving and the crab cakes were awesome at Christmas! Even my two teenage sons have tried your recipes. I really enjoyed your stories too. I am sending the book as gifts from now on! It is Geechie-Geechie Ya-Ya GREAT! Thanks again Patti.

When I met Patti Labelle about two years ago she said that she loved my name...well Patti I love your recipes! This book is wonderful. I received it as a Christmas present from a sorority sister. I made the mac & cheese, collard greens, and the peach cobbler and they all tasted great. The mac & cheese was the best. My family now thinks I'm a really good cook. Thanks Patti.

Although this book is the biography of Nancy Randolph, who was the daughter of one of the great Virginia planters, Unwise Passions is rich with history of Virginia, and it has a cast of characters that includes not only the haughty Randolphs, but also Thomas Jeffereson, Patrick Henry, and John Marshall. This book offers a valuable look at the lives of historical figures that we have previously known only as public figures of great stature. Here the reader gets a "real" view of these figures. The research process for this book was obviously conducted painstakingly with excellent results. It is an delightful read. It brings all the characters to life. I would like to go back to some of the original documents. I hope tjhat Mr. Crawford will write another book, bringing the history of our country into real focus for us.

This is a fun and fascinating book. It is a great story, all the more so because it is true. The characters are among our country's founding families, including Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson. The author shows us the very human side of the people involved. He smoothly works in quotes of letters to and from the characters to give us an eyewitness account of people and events. Crawford tells the story impartially so we are free to draw our own conclusions and opinions. I found myself unable to put the book down and read it in a weekend.

Highly recommended: If you're fascinated by true-crime stories, American history or just like a good read, you should really enjoy this compelling story about the Crime of the (18th) Century. Imagine a cross between Dominick Dunne, Stephen Ambrose and "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," and you'll get a sense of the author's power at telling a gripping tale. The book tells the story of a young, tempestuous aristocrat, Nancy Randolph, part of the legendary Randolph clan of Virinia, who is accused of killing the love child she had with her brother-in-law, Richard Randolph. The two Randolphs were defended by Patrick Henry and even Thomas Jefferson was caught up in the family's crises. The book then traces the fate of Nancy Randolph in the wake of the scandal that clouded her name forever, as she tried to remake herself as the wife of Gouverneur Morris of New York, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence. The story is played out against the crumbling of the Virginia tobacco aristocracy and the politics and passions that swept America in the wake of the American Revolution. This is as riveting as any book published so far this year. I loved it, and I think you will, too.