As a rice lover, porridge and cooked rice are the only two varieties of rice I make in my kitchen. I imagine everything else takes too long and are too complex to prepare. The Variety of Rice contains recipes of some of my favorite rice dishes that I never have the courage to try cooking them at home. But my salivary glands got hold the best of me. I tried the seemingly complex Special Minced Chicken that I usually order in restaurants. To my surprise, the final product is delicious and the steps are not as complex as I had imagined. They are actually quite simple. And everyone thought I had fussed. Best of all, all the ingredients are obtainable from a well-stocked local supermarket.

After my initial success, I ventured to try a few things I usually purchase from a Chinese bakery or order in a specialized restaurant: the Fast Baking Cake, the Traditional Sweet New Year Cake and Eight Treasure Rice, and they have all turned out to be easy and delicious. The notes the author strategically placed in some recipes actually are the secrets of success for making these special dishes.

Oh! The accolades I received from family and friends made me feel as if I was the most wonderful cook they had ever seen. But I know I owe it all to the clear and simple instructions in The Variety of Rice. And I think I will try more of the ninety-one recipes, as the colorful photos are enticing, indeed.

Another fantastic book by author, Jay Solomon. I picked this one up, because I have celiac (gluten intolerance). Rice is one of the grains that I can eat so this book gets used quite frequently. Rice seems like a simple grain, but the diversity of recipes in this book make me want to eat rice every night! Some favorites are Sante Fe Posole Stew, Emily's Pepperoncini Rice Salad, Greek Spinach Pilaf, Champagne, Mushroom, and Spinach Risotto, Nasi Goreng, and Red Hot Lava Stir-Fry. A must have for any who wants or needs an alternative to breads and pastas!

I read this anthology in the heat of summer by a pool. I was transported to a cold frosty wonderland as each story revealed itself! I read each story and enjoyed every last one, my favorites of the five being "The Bird of Paradise" and "The Black Beast of Belleterre." Each story in this anthology was well developed with fully fleshed out secondary characters. In short stories that is unusual to find.

"The Bird of Paradise" was delightfully funny. I laughed at each twist of fate that was thrown at Miss Kate Thacker in this Christmas tale. Charles was as honorable hero as you could find. Their adventure, complete with penny pinching boss, dreadful aunt, sweet brother Randolph, Charle's fine family (mom, pop, siblings and kiddies!) plus a TURKEY kept me pensive, giggling and cheering.

"The Black Beast of Belleterre" was a typical Beauty and the Beast story which takes place beginning in Spring and culminates at Christmas. That fairy tale is even mentioned in the story! I was kept guessing until the end what "The Beast" looked like! Don't peek ahead! This story moved me from despair to elation and all within 64 pages! Ariel and James are so brilliantly portrayed that their thoughts, dreams and wishes become your own. What a beautiful story full of surprises. And I loved the motley collection of misfit animals that James had collected. I have read this one story over and over.

I think this is the best anthology I have ever read. Even if you are normally a "Regency" novel reader, you will find the Victorian times close enough to satisfy. Do not miss obtaining your own copy.

A great book, providing a very human view of the development of higher education. Andrew Rice is the perfect vehicle to explore Oxford, Tulane, and several experimental curricular attempts at collegiate education. Reynolds is a gifted writer. Her research is deep, her charactors compelling.

Paul's book reveals the stories we all needed to hear, before our lives were so swiftly mis-directed. Every Mother and Father could benefit from this book. It gives a new insight to guiding and protecting our children. Paul has opened a new path for all who read this book to share experiences that will ultimately help life to unfold expecting good and not being disappointed. May God bless you, Paul, your story is full of energy, love and care of neighbor.

Walter Rosenblum was born in New York City in 1919 and grew up on the Lower East Side. A part-time job at the Boys Club (thanks to the WPA) in the early 'thirties enabled him to meet photographer Lewis Hine, take his photography class, and acquire Hine as teacher, mentor, and friend for life. Rosenblum joined the Photo League in New York, a national locus for photographers and the burgeoning field of photojournalism. According to Shelley Rice's great introductory essay, in several rooms it offered photographers "a place to go, a focus for creative energies, and a chance to become part of a positive and dedicated community." In addition, the League, largely motivated by photographer and teacher Sid Grossman, "offered Rosenblum an education in the arts that was lacking in his family background and formal education, and the opportunity to write about photographs as well as to make them." It is this ability to articulate his passions in order to allow his photography to reflect and magnify his humanism and unwavering sense of ethics that both distinguishes Walter Rosenblum, and places him squarely among the world's best documentary photographers.

Rosenblum joined Life Magazine in the late '30s. After the US joined the war he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the Army Signal Corps, where he was trained in filmmaking. He was the first photographer to film the liberation of the camp at Dachau, and was highly decorated, receiving the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and more. Awards aside, Rice asserts that "the motivating force of his life has been his interest in people and his inner need to communicate with them, whether in the classroom or through his camera." He became a member the faculties of several colleges and art schools, and is Professor Emeritus of Photography at Brooklyn College, among many other honors.

This is a beautiful book of 140 black and white photographs and able, perceptive commentaries that discuss Rosenblum biographically and, later, in a larger context in "The Camera Image in Social Action," a careful and lengthy essay by photography historian Naomi Rosenblum. The series of black and white photos are of Pitt Street (1938), War (1944), Spanish Refugees (1946), Gaspe (1949), 105th St. (1952), Hospitals (1962), Haiti (1958-59), Europe (1973), Long Island City (1979), and the South Bronx (1980) They are arresting and emotional. They have historic value, too - as documentary. Street life, families, interiors, lovers, fun and suffering and a lot that lies in between, along with the detritus and disastrous artifacts of war and displacement - are here. The photos have been chosen and arranged sensitively. There is compassion without bathos. Open the book at any page, and the pair of facing photos that you see are complementary in mood and meaning. In addition there are remarks by photographers who worked with Rosenblum.

This is a terrific and well thought-out compilation with great accompanying writing and high-quality production. There is a bibliography and a list of Rosenblum's writings. This book is definitely worth the effort it takes to find it.

This slim book is only 135 pages, but it is well illustrated and packed chock full with very useful information on the "what and why of cat behavior". I have had cats my entire life and found this book to be an excellent refresher on how to raise a well-mannered cat. This is an outstanding book for those new to the wonderful world of cats -- or for anyone who would appreciate a good refresher on these lovely, but sometimes-mysterious creatures. For those who truly love their cats, it is a "must read".

This kiddie-lit classic is a wonderful story of the understanding between mother and child. Baby Sadie sings her way home, causing strangers to wonder if she is sick or hungry or thirsty, but her mother understands that Sadie is singing. The story is a touching one that children will enjoy. I still have fond memories of my mother reading this book to me when I was a little girl.

My children (ages 3&4) loved this book! We rented it so much from the local library that it was well worth the money to buy it.

Fun, fun, fun! My kids love the Slim Jim Watkins books, and this new addition is no exception. Cowgirl Gabby proves to the rough and tumble cowboys that a few kind words have the power to tame both man and beast. Knowlton has managed to provide plenty of humor with a positive message for young and old. Her use of simile and metaphor provide the flavor of the old west while tickling the funnybone of the reader ("horse is as jumpy as popcorn in a skillet"). Rice's illustrations are visually appealing, and compliment the text well. This is a winner for readers of all ages. With Slim Jim's sweet talk to Gabby at the end of the story, I wonder if the next installment will involve a weddin'?