Though the book dealt with interesting material and exotic themes, I felt in some ways that the flow of the book was a bit awkward at times. There is more of the impression of having different episodes that together make up the story, with little transition between them. For example, the daughter's coming of age and relationship with her mother and grandmother could have been developed and explored much more to my satisfaction.

Field's writing style however is delicious and thouroughly enjoyed it. I am interested in readng her other work.

I was wandering through the bookstore one afternoon and just picked this up randomly. I can honestly say this is my favourite "pick up" so far, and I pick up many different books. Carol Field is very passionate in her detail, and the characters' stories are ones that you feel personally despite the (at times) exotic locale.

I felt an indifference towards Miranda at first, but I did admire her tenacity. Of the 3 generations of women in that house, I felt the most compassion for the eldest and the youngest, but I guess I understood most where Miranda was coming from......

This is a wonderful book, a captivating read, and a perfect rainy afternoon escape. It won't take you long to finish it!!

This book reads so well!! It's a page turner as well as being finely written. Fascinating characters and story.

Considering that IBM's DB2 manuals are spread over more than 20 different books, a major obstacle for any beginner, a book like this was always needed.

This book is very well written and very useful to give you a broad overview of DB2. This book mostly includes materials already found in the manuals but in a far more concise and 'to the point' manner.

However on the minus sides of this book, adding the word certification to the title probably confuses the buyer. Most of the DB2 certifications need more knowledge then that provided by this book. From a certication point of view this book needs more in-depth coverage, examples and mock tests.

And lastly remember, at $60.00 (well $59.99, but that doesn't fool me) it costs more than the hardcopy manuals of DB2 Administration v7.0 (3 vols), Application developement guide v7.0, Data movement utilites guide v7.0 combined!!

I find the book OK but there are still quite a few points which deserve a little critics. It's true that it covers more or less all the topics but I can see relativly little concepts behind it. My impression is that many parts of the book are simply copied out from the "official" documentation. Well, OK, someone made the preselection for you and presents you the "important" things, leaving out the "less important". For me, it's too little for a book which should teach you DB2 UDB. The effect is that things are used in the text which are explained much later - without referencing. The book is not really in-depth; in my eyes, it's too complicated for an introduction and too little for everyday DBA work. I am missing conceptual explanations - I can read the online documentation myself. Eg. the Oracle8 DBA books (for courses) are much better, the things are explained there in clear steps and you feel that someone was thinking deeply how to construct these steps. Compared to those Oracle books, in this sense this book really legs behind. I felt a little lost while reading it. It was only at the end of the book that many things and relations became clear to me - a little late. My conclusion: This book contains much valuable information, no question, but the structure could be better. If you are new to DB2 UDB, don't hesitate and buy this book but organize yourself also a large portion of patience. Someone stated this book be "easy to read". I can't confirm this - assuming your aim is understanding how DB2 UDB really works.

This book should be your first stop if you're new to DB2, and it is a welcome addition an old pro's library. This is a worthy update from the V5 Certification Guide, both in terms of readability and additional content. DB2's product documentation has most everything you'll need day-to-day, but it is quite dense. This book helps clarify the main points and will act as a useful reference and supplement to the product documentation.

This adventure was a continuation of events which started in Great Modron March. Like that work, this had the adventures somewhat tangent to the ongoing plot (at least initially). PCs are not likely to fully destroy the big nasty at the end...

My primary reason for giving this product only 3 stars is that I dislike both the basic premise of the background plot as well as its effects. Powers should not be easily destroyed, particularly with a single word. And I like the big nasty the way he was...

The adventures are good, although the epilogue adventure seemed to be added to fill space. The appendix listing of encounters, and color illustrations in the rear were nice touches.

Overall, the source material in this book probably makes it worthwhile, but not essential.

Overall a good adventure as it kills off a few powers of which some are actually well known.

However one part that is diffcult to suspend belief is not that the main villian has such power but also why the egyptian patheon who had access to such power as well did not dominate the planes.

Another sticking point is why the main villian allowed the characters to even penetrate his fortress. If the villian is as crafty as some adventures potray him, he should have easily shown up (through teleport, gate, etc) and blasted any party (including the old 100 level characters from h1-h4) into oblivion.

To combat such obvious logical traps, the dm will probably have to think of some good reasons. After the adventure, though, the party could through their own initiative, attempt ressurection of their favorite power that got killed. The DM could conceivably include any power that the pc clerics worshipped as a casualty for more "exciting" play.

Dead Gods is an incredible adventure for the Planescape setting. The main adventure brings the characters into the plot slowly, but soon involves them in a epic storyline. The adventure develops slowly, and is done in segments, so that the DM can run other adventures in between. There is also a second adventure included in Dead Gods that is also broken into segments. The DM can intertwine these two for a really good storyline that should last many gaming sessions. Additionally, the adventure can be used as a follow-up to the product "The Great Modron March" for extra intrigue. It is a solid product with a good plot.

"Flight Across the Mekong" is a great teenagers read for two reasons: (1) It is an action packed adventure in which the young people play roles equal to their parents; (2) the setting of the fall of Laos in 1975 is based on historical fact which is developed in an interesting and entirely approachable way for young readers. No dull recounting of historical facts and figures here. Rather a fast-paced education in the complexity of a South East Asian nation in revolution - with sufficient intigue and even a touch of teenage roamance for good measure. Having lived in Bangkok and frequented Pattaya, the Laotion border and Thai jails there was an undeniably realistic feel to the overloaded samlaw struggling up the hill. This book would be particulalrly suitable for junior high school teachers who wished to introduce their students to revolution through the eyes of young people.

I found this book very interesting and captivating - I am65years old and even though the clientele aimed at is between 9 and15, the author has kept me wanting to read more, it was difficult to put the book down. Congratulations to Jennifer Cook, keep up the good work.

I enjoyed reading this book. It is very well written, it peaked my curiosity and interest until the very end. Although this book is intended for a younger audience, I enjoyed it immensely and I'm 48 years old. Congratulations and good luck in your future endeavours.

This book consists of essays concerning different aspects of the history of food and cooking in the United States, and, much like a buffet, some "dishes" are more appetizing than others. Make no mistake, this is well-written from beginning to end, but the subject matter of some chapters held little interest for me personally, while I found others quite fascinating. As a rule (with exceptions), the better the food, the more interesting the essay, so I found the first two chapters rather tedious. Finally, when I got to the chapter about the health food fads that originated from Battle Creek did I find the writing riveting and quite interesting. Other favorites include the chapter about the FDR White House food, which had a notoriously bad reputation, the essay on the Harvey girls, and the chapter about African-American cooks. In summary, this book is a mixed bag where the good outweighs the bland. What more could you ask for in a buffet?

Barbara Haber, Curator of Books at the Schlesinger Library, has compiled a basic history of America's food. The topics covered include the Irish famine, the Civil War, food reformers such as Graham and Kellogg, the abominable food served in FDR's White House, how food has maintained familial, cultural, and racial bonds, and even cookbook collecting (and I thought I was the only one!). Each topic is a basic history, and for more in-depth study and knowledge, one will likely need to dig through some of the resources provided in the bibliography. But for someone who wants just a basic overview, this book is perfect.

Barbara Haber has spent years investigating stories of changing ways of cooking meals in America: this gathers the best of these insights from the 1840s to modern times, using cookbooks and menus from all classes, regions, and eras to explore the changing world of food. From the role of food in luring adventurers to the undiscovered American west to how cooking kept POWS alive during World War II, From Hardtack To Home Fries is packed with intriguing history.

I'm not a cop, but I enjoy cop books. I was pleasantly suprised at what an easy and enjoyable read this was. He's a very good writer, reminicent of Dale Carnegie in that he doesn't just tell the reader what's going on, he shows the reader through easy-to-understand stories.

He gives good, solid, common-sense advice to the potential undercover agent.

A fun read for anyone.

Going Undercover: Secrets and Sound Advice for the Undercover Officer, by Jerry VanCook, provides clear instructions for developing an alternate identity with a personality flexible enough to work in a barroom or a boardroom. You'll learn how to deal with such vital aspects of undercover operations as handling wary, greedy or double-crossing informants; covering the inevitable mistakes you'll make while undercover; and choosing the appropriate weapons to carry in case things go wrong. The book is written in a clear and entertaining voice, far from the dreary, dry read found in too many police technique books. VanCook takes you through the details of undercover work while making you feel as if you are being let into a private world only a few experience. Here are some of the chapters contained within. * A special message to women undercover officers * Creating an undercover identity * Creating an alternate personality * Personal transportation * Undercover Overnight * Getting into character * Rehearsing your new identity * Advance training * Working narcotics and other illegal drugs * Robbery, burglary and theft * Homicide * Electronic aids * Creating illusions * Undercover weapons * Developing memory * Testifying in court * And lots more

One of the features I like about Going Undercover is that not only does VanCook explain in detail how to do a particular phase of undercover work, but he also shows how things can go wrong, which they usually do, and what you can do about it. For example, in a chapter called "Creating Illusions," the author explains how you can convince a burglary suspect, who you are trying to get next to, that you are an armed robber. He even shows how you can take the burglar along on a "robbery." VanCook then illustrates what can go wrong even with the best of plans. The author's writing is conversational and filled with humor and crammed with excellent information. I recommend this book.

This book is written in a clear an entertaining voice and is by no means a "dry read" like some of the non-fiction police/crime related works. The author takes you through the details of undercover work while making you feel like you're being let in to a private world, as well as a private joke at some points in the book. This book is a must-have for any fan of true-crime, police proceduarl fiction, as well as anyone wishing to be a police fiction writer. (And, don't forget, those wishing to be police officers as well.) Five great big stars!

This is a good novel, with lots of character growth, and impressive characters, it just lacks a little something that makes it a great novel. The characterizations are just amazing, and the Khahan is one of the best figures ever written in the FR.

It is a good book, that sets up an even better series of stories to follow.

This is one of those books that when you finish it you just sit back in silence and say to yourself "WOW"! Not because it had a revolutionary ending or anything like that, but because it is just a great book that is extremely well written and well thought out. Its nice to read a fantasy novel once in a while where there doesn't have to be a battle every five pages and yet captures your attention so good. What makes it so great you ask? I can't really point out one or two specific things. Its just a really good book. Read it!

This book opens one of the best series I have ever read. It tells the story of a Koja, the Khazari monk, who finds himself sent to the side of Yamun, the leader of the barbarian tribes called the Tuigan. The story allows the reader to see the culture of the Tuigan barbarians through the monk`s eye and puts a large question mark on the meaning of the word "barbarian". Yamun is revealed as a leader full of both diplomatic and tactic wisdom, and as the story goes on Koja is being troubled with the definition of his position at Yamun`s side - an ambassador or a consultant ?

A great storyline, deep and evolving. You will not be able to stop until you finish it. And a after that - two more books await ...

MFK Fisher is somewhat over-rated as a food writer. This book has interest because it was written when food rationing was in force due to WWII. Rationing reminded her of other experiences of deprivation, which is the theme of the book. So-so writing, but a really good recipe for gingerbread. If you like gingerbread, this recipe alone is reason to read the book.

M.F.K. Fisher was a superb writer. And she lived in "interesting times" in Europe and California. How to Cook a Wolf pitted her inate love of food and cuisine against some severe times when money might be short or food was rationed. Her strange sense of humor and practical outlook are interesting; for example, she gives a recipe for a sludge to keep body (if not soul) alive. The instructions begin with borrowing 50 cents to buy the ingredients; hamburger, wilted vegetables. The resulting mush can be used as a nutritious dog food, or a staple to survive on. She even claims it can be quite acceptable fried as scrapple, but then you'd have to have some cooking fat (and even that could be hard to come by.)

In these times of plenty, it's hard to relate to this book except to read Fisher's ideas and fantastic prose; the section on "Sue" (really California artist and etcher Nel Coover) who survived and entertained her guests with wild ice plants, seaweed and stolen eggs and potatoes is captivating.

If you have never read any M.F.K. Fisher, start with "The Measure of My Powers", but if you have read her, and if you have developed a taste for her marvelous writing, this is one of her famous works that is unique and interesting.

I can't vouch for her recipes but I can speak for her prose. I picked up this book for pure entertainment and found it. Fisher's conversation is elegant, entertaining, and educational, and her advice is at times amusing, at times timeless.

This is a beautiful book--gorgeous photos--but not one that I find especially practical. I've owned it for a while now and seldom reach for it.

There are little bios of each chef (Michael Lomonaco used to drive a cab--who knew?) and the occasional story. There are occasional boxes throughout that are fun (Julia tells you how to make your own truffle oil, how to select apples).

The recipes range from the easy and practical (a very nice recipe for peach tarts) to the obscure (fareki) to the out-of-most-of-our-league (a Jacques Torres chocolate structure).

Because it's a collection by *chef* not by cuisine, there is not a lot of coherence.

So all in all if you like cookbooks, it's great fun to browse, and you'll likely find something you want to try. If you want a practical cookbook, it is not useful.

This book is a must in any kitchen. It covers many of the basic recipies and even some of wonderful deserts that compliment any meal, such as Baking Powder Biscuits, Fried Chicken, Peach Tart, Buttermilk Fudge Cake, and so on. The lists of ingredients are the kind that you should be able to find just about anywhere. And yes, it does have recipies included that are more complex, and elaborate as well as variations for many of he recipes. She has included several sorbet, custards, herbed butters, to name a few.
She has very descriptive and precise with her directions to accomplish even the more complicated dishes that are included in this book.
It keeps with Julia's normal format of telling you exactly what equipment is needed to complete the dish, to wonderful photo's of almost each dish, without going overboard on the number of pictures.
I have found the tips that are included on so many of the subjects/recipes, quite helpful and informative.
The book also does not get overly wordy when she tells you about each of the cooks that are included in this book.
I have found this book a great asset to my kitchen, and it has taught me quite a bit.

This is by far one of the best and easy to follow cookbooks. The recepies can be complex, but the execution is very easy after reading some of the tips and techniques that are embedded throughout (something very few other cookbooks do). Julia Child at once strips the mystery of gormet cooking away through easy to follow directions and helpful hints while at the same time demonstrating respect for each of the chef's talents. Jim Dodge's buttermilk chocoate cake is the best cake recepie--it is light, moist and airy. I've successfully made it many times and have also altered it slightly by brushing each layer with gran marnier and then fill each layer with chocolate mousse and topping it with chocolate ganache and candied oranges (instead of the chocolate fudge frosting).

Before buying this book you should be aware that Mr Food's favorite ingredient is a can of soup - tomato soup, cream of mushroom soup, and onion soup being his favorites. Most recipes consist of a couple of common prepared items such as soup, soy sauce, canned fruits and vegetables, or bottled dressing combined with the chicken. There are a handful of simple from scratch recipes, but the bulk of these recipes are similar to those found in advertisement to promote the use of a particular convenience item. These are for the most part very good versions of this style of cooking and I enjoy using them every now and them. Some people think this is the only way to cook and others turn up their nose at it. Just be forewarned that while you will get quick and tasty, you are not going to get fresh and healthy or anything remotely authentic.

I have about 8 of his cookbooks.

Can we talk? I sooo can't cook. Not at all. I have trouble boiling water and scrambling eggs. And even I can make a recipe out of this book.

Mr. Food is better (and funnier!) then my high school home ec teacher. His recipes are simple, with basic ingrediants, and most importantly - are delicious.

I have a few stand by favorites and every now and again, I'll try a recipe that's "new". This is by far one of my favorite cookbooks.

Whether you're an experienced cook or a (ahem!) novice like myself, I highly recommend this book.