In a poem about Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis wrote: "Duke Ellington touched more people than confetti." Ellington was America's most prolific classical composer. What Louis Armstrong was to jazz, Ellington was to music. A shelf of books cannot encompass the man. One book can't paint a portrait of the bands he struggled to keep together long after the big band era was over. But if you will settle for a sketch, Brian Gilmore's book will do.

All the essential lines are here--from the boy's paintbrush turned baton, into the clubs, recordings and wrenching US tours, through the great concerts in New York, London, Paris and Newport, and surveying the legendary bandsmen themselves. This is the pattern for the diorama that surrounds us as we listen.

Gilmore's poetry is not epic, as Ellington's music is mostly not, but Gilmore knows the facts, sets them down in the fewest words, and makes them sing! I could quote him, but which one of those 27 choruses could we isolate to show what Paul Gonsalves did at Newport? One phrase don't swing. The moods are not only indigo. It's the suites that are sweet. It takes some poet to put those musicians into words. They are never talked much about. The great Ellington songs are wordless.

Often a poet's words won't sing for everyone, but I offer you this. A friend told me about this book. I loved the title and the look. I read it and enjoyed every part. I invited the author to read at a series I run, and the entire audience--particularly the young--loved it madly.

I read this last year during an independent chemistry study. I am in the water softening business, so this and his other works are designed for a really in depth look at common chemicals. It was at times a little more detailed than I needed, but it was really good and offered unique uses and solutions. I basically used this in lieu of a textbook, and was very pleased with it.

From Your Ice Cream Maker by Coleen & Bob Simmons. > >The first recipe I used from this book was Raspberry Sherbert on page 70. >It not only says it makes 3 cups when, in fact it makes much more but it >omits any sugar. My husband made a double batch of this for guests at our >home, ruined 4 packages of frozen raspberries and it was not edible. My >first clue was when a four year old spit out his first bite. I am afraid to >try any more recipes in this book because it was obviously not proof-read. >I will not take any more chances. I will also tell my friends not to >purchase this book.

I like the book. is it very useful to me

I have had this book for about 5 years and I have used it and looked at it so much that it is falling apart. I love that it has all of the recipes divided in sections by their fat content. I have to admit, I haven't tried them all, but the ones I have tried were all delicious. Buy this book, you won't be disapointed.

Have been collecting soda fountain material for 30 years and this is the poorest yet! Lists fantasy items as real, shows kitchen items as fountain related, save your money!

I buy old drugstores, whether from individuals or at auction. This book is the poorest example of a "pricing guide/valuation" (whether it be at "auction value" or "street value") on drugstore items, collectibles, paraphenalia or whatever. It is very evident the authors have a very limited, unrealistic and deceptive "feel for the market".