Author Donne Florence has done an excellent job of over viewing John Steinbeck's life and contribution to American literature. Although this book is listed for juvenile readers it is a very solid introduction to Steinbeck for all ages. The author has done their homework. The information is current and accurate. Many of the common errors I see in published information on Steinbeck are missing here. This author got it right! The author avoided the rumors and searched out truth. This 128 page book has a easy to read font, and while not the indepth study that we see in Jackson Benson's "The True Adventures of John Steinbeck, Writer", it covers the basics. Helpful listings are given at the end of the book - not only chapter notes, but some Internet Addresses, further reading suggestions, chronology and lists of Steinbeck's works. My retirement profession is Steinbeck, I lecture, give tours, and help researchers. I recommend this books for new and knowledgeable Steinbeck readers.

If you would like some authentic Korean recipes for Kimchi, this is a great book! It shows exactly how to make a lot of different kinds, and the pictures are great. I've seen some recipes elsewhere for "basic" kimchi, but there are many, many different kinds and very few are written anywhere.

The book DOES assume you have some basic kimchi knowledge -- like how to ferment vegetables. There are not many books that really cover that aspect of things. And getting some of the ingredients -- like pickled baby fish -- requires going to a Korean grocery, perhaps with a bilingual friend.

That said, it's worth the effort! It is very difficult to get "real" kimchi recipes unless you know someone who makes it, and this is an invaluable guide. And, for us Westerners, making your own means you can vary the amount of pepper and garlic and sourness to suite your particular taste. Kimchi really does have more bio-available nutrients than raw or cooked vegetables, and does good things to your blood sugar and intestinal bacteria.

Plus, it makes your meals taste better!

This book has 4 maps of Florence which I used over and over. It also has info organized into what there is to do in each little area. This was really helpful when we were in an area and had time to catch another museum, palace, etc. I would recommend it. Next time I travel to a city for any amount of time, I will look for another Let's Go Map.

Introduce your children to the wonderful tales Japanese children know and love! A bit abridged, if you know the tales already, but these are a fine collection.

Little One-Inch is Japan's Tom Thumb, and he is shown wending his way down a stream in a boat made of a rice bowl, using a chopstick for propulsion.

There are ten stories in all, sweetly illustrated in Japanese style. Kids 3 to 10 will enjoy these; my favorite is The Rabbit Who Crossed the Sea ...on the backs of sharks he somewhat maliciously tricks into helping him. The listener learns Rabbit's hard-won lesson about fooling people, and they are given a delightfully amazing picture of Rabbit using the sharks as an inter-island bridge.

One warning: there is a color picture of Little One-Inch poking a needle into the eye of a demon, but I've seen more frightening pictures in Disney publications. In general, the book has nothing scarier than what western fairy tales offer.

Hanoi is one of my favorite cities in Vietnam and this compact guide will serve you well as you navigate its colorful streets. It contains 193 pages of up to date information on transportation, where to stay, day trips and other excursions as well as all the things Lonely Planet readers have come to expect. Maps, glossary of terms, language and more. Also of great use in a country which is so "foreign" to us is a section on etiquette, history and religion. Food in Vietnam is unbelievably good and the Guide includes an excellent section explaining some of the types and variety of dishes and eating etiquette. And, of course, a comprehensive listing of restaurants separated by type. Highly recommended.

Not complete and definitely geared toward a more youthful audience, but an excellent read and very informative. Lots of pictures, but (AARGH!) little info on titles or artists, which is frustrating as some of these pictures I've never seen anywhere before!

The book details Lorenzo's young life as well as that of his grandfather and father. It talks mostly about his youth and his earliest days as ruler of Florence, with flavoring about his life, marriage, kids, and other such topics. It also details his death and a bit about those who followed him. A very useful geneological chart is included, which, though far from complete, was appreciated. There is also a map of Italy, which one would expect in this kind of work but which is sometimes lacking. I vaguely know where Florence is, but it's always nice to know exactly where things are.

The book did tell me a lot of things I didn't know about Lorenzo's all too brief reign, but I'd have loved to have heard more about the politics of the region. I also would have enjoyed hearing more about his relatives and his daily life. That said, I would recommend this book to anybody looking for an introduction to late 15th century Florentine history. I'm a costumer, and already this book has given me some absolutely delicious ideas.. as soon as I figure out where some of these paintings are from.

I loved Florence Kings 'Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady'. It was wildly funny and right on target for those of us who grew up in the South. 'Lump it or Leave it' has its moments but this time King's cutting humor goes to the bone. Sometimes funny, sometimes mean spirited. I think Ms. King is a brilliant story teller and I'd love to see more of that as opposed to her railings on random topics. Of course, Ms. King probably doesn't give a fuzzy rats butt what I or anyone else thinks anyway!

Wanted just a little more information, but overall it's an ok book

Save the pictures for postcards (and your own photos). This all-text guide is very informative, with a particularly helpful hotel section. For example, only hotels that are relatively close to the sights, but free of Florence's (Firenze's) traffic noise are listed.

Use it!

The Mystery of the Missing Suitcase is a great book. It is about figuring out a mystery about figuring out who is tring to rob the local bank and to try stoping him. At first,Derek, a member of the Spotlight Club [a mystery solving club]went on a trip and went home. He went home on a train and fell asleep and woke up finding a women with a strange hat on her head. She told him that she has to sit by him because a man on the train is following her and is after her money. Later on went Derek went to go get his suitcase, He picked up a suitcase that he thought was his. When he got home, he opened it and found some disguises and a camera. The Spotlight Club Members began to solve a mystery. At the end, they found out that the man that was trying to take the woman on the bus' money was a employee for the woman's brother. The woman on the bus' brother hired the man to make sure that his sister did not lose her purse.