Marie Rudisill is absolutely fabulous with this fruitcake book. This is by far the most wonderful cook book i have ever seen in my entire life. I was also able to read other of Rudisills books and she is one of the best writers there is and has ever been. Two thumbs up to Rudisill on the Jay Leno show. She was funny keeping Jay and Mel Gibson in line. I strongly recommend everyone to try this delightful fruitcake book. Check out The Southern Haunting of Truman Capote, it was inspiring learning about his childhood in the south.

MARIE RUDISILL HAS OUT DONE HERSELF WITH THIS FANTASTIC BOOK. IT NOT ONLY GIVES WONDERFUL RECEIPS IT ALSO SHARES MEMORIES OF TRUMAN CAPOTE AND SOOK FAULK..THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THIS BEST COOKBOOK I HAVE EVER OWNED. I ALSO HAD THE PLEASURE OF SEEING MS. RUDISILL ON THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO AND MEL GIBSON, THIS WAS THE BEST EPSIODE I EVER SAW..SHE HAD NO TROUBLE KEEPING THESE TWO MEN IN LINE, AND IT SEEMED THEY ENJOYED EVERY BIT OF IT...

A wonderful reflection of a generation as much as a collection of effective recipes. It doesn't just seem appropriate that the subject of fruitcake stirs this focused book. The times were tough and the cake ingredients reflected that. Speaking of charmingly tough, Marie Rudisill's moments with Mel Gibson and Jay Leno should make the Late Night hall of fame. As a Capote aunt, you'd almost expect a wry scolding, but with both men up to their wrists in fruitcake batter, the pleadings to be careful with her prized recipe were loving and comfortable. So is this book.

A co-worker just lent me this book after we shared a few conversations about rural Texas life and food. I didn't want to return it to him until I got a copy of my own, as it is a wonderful blend of autobiography and cookbook.

Reading it, I found myself missing the summers spent in East Texas with my great-grandparents. I particularly enjoyed the tales of my family's childhood adventures, and the wonderful smells and tastes of Great-grandmother's home cooking from scratch.

A word of caution, however; those of weak heart (both figurative and literal) should not only refrain from eating any of the foods as prepared per Mrs. Blackwell's instructions, but reading the Chicken and Dumplings recipe in the Poultry and Meat section should also be avoided (it contains rather gruesome, but hilarious and accurate instructions on how to dispatch the entree-to-be).

Whether you enjoy authentic home cooking, rural anecdotes, or simply reminiscing, you will find quite a gold mine in this little book.

THIS BOOK REFLECTS BACK ON THE SIMPLIER DAYS. AURTHOR DEENIE CARVER WORKED IN THE KITCHEN WITH HER MOM TO COOK FOR 9 CHILDREN. DEENIE JUMPED OUT OF A HAY LOFT AND BROKE HER HIP, FORCING HER TO STAY INSIDE AND NOT WORK OUT IN THE FIELD WITH THE REST OF THE CHILDREN. THE BLACKWELL FAMILY BOOST ON HER COOKING. LOUISE DILLOW HAS LIVED A JET SET LIFE AND IS AN ARTIST AND CONTRIBUTED HER ART ABILITY TO THE BOOK AS WELL AS RECIPES.

I found this cookbook to be very helpful in finding recipes for health-minded individuals without being too extreme. It concentrates on whole foods, natural substitutes, good nutrition, etc. I have recommended it many of my friends.

This book is definitely worth the read. It traces the lives of 3 individuals. All live life to the full, with passion and ambition. What they have in common is not only their passion and ambition in life but that they all die young. It is an inspiring read to see what they overcame and accomplished in their quest for happiness and perfection in their life space. Read it.

If you have any interest in Wewldon, then Ms Faulks' book is a must for your collection. This is a stirring, delightful review of Weldon. Faulks clearly loves her subject matter and her writing shows a real sensitivity to the nuances--and pleasures--of Weldon's prose. I personally have little time for literary criticism and was surprised at how much I enjoyed this when it was given to me for my birthday.

John Henry Faulk was in an up and coming radio and TV personality when in the mid 1950s when he decided to stand up to those who tried to turn America against itself. His memoir of his legal struggle, "Fear on Trial" tells how he was blacklisted by AWARE, Inc. and subsequently could not work in his chosen profession. Mr. Faulk, with the help of such prominent broadcasters as Edward R. Murrow, Charles Collingwood and Mark Goodsen, hired famed cousel Louis Nizer to file a lasuit against the blacklisters. His victory sounded the death knell fr those who would try to rule through fear, intimidation and innuendo. "Fear on Trial" is a must read for all those who value freedom if thought and expression, for if it were not for John Henry Faulk, Howard Stern, Don Imus and Rush Limbaugh and others would not have the freedom they do today. His writing style is the same as his broadcasting tyle was, simple, folksyand to the point. His recalling the terrible days of unemploable status and the help of friends such as Tony Randall, Jack Gilford (also blacklisted) and others will tug at your heart, mind and soul. I most heartily recommend this book.

Excellent reading. I was amazed how the author was able to capture the heart of mind of this magnificent coach. It is amazing how Coach O'Brien was able to turn the Bucks around. OSU is quite fortunate to have Coach O'Brien in their program. Kudos to Mr. Paulk. Ann Fields

I love this book. It smells like warm cookies engulfed in milk on a warm sultry day:)

buy this book, please, i beg of you!

I have just recovered from reading this novel of Sebastian Faulks. The tension that is created with the love affair in this book holds true right to the very last.

Set in America against the backgroud of the Cold war and the election of President Kennedy this story unfolds in a way that encompasses the mood of the era while allowing the characters room to breath.
The main character Mary begins the novel woth the "perfect" life. She has a loving husband with a top job in the embassy and two adoring children. As the pages fly by we learn that not all is well in Mary's life, her husband Charlie starts to lose his grip in a battle with the bottle. Her children are sent off to boarding school in England.

Mary becomes involved with a journalist called Frank and thus ensues a series of adulterous visits to New York where instead of "writing a book", Mary becomes smitten by her new lover.

The reader is left breathless as the plot comes to an end.. will Mary go for the greener grass or will she face up to her duties to her poor husband and her ever changing children ?

There is a lot of good information in this book, but most of it can be found toward the beginning. The tips on predicting the weather alone could be worth the price of the book. However, the maps of the various waterways were absolutely terrible. I would recommend this book for a general overview and lots of tips and tricks for paddlers, and the two "Canoeing and Kayaking the Streams of Florida" guides for detailed information on specific waterways.

Book Review- Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State by Sandy Huff

Coming from a whitewater paddling background, my first thought on looking at the river descriptions in Huff's book was, "Hm, not very detailed." On further reflection, though, this makes sense. Details of how to run rapids aren't needed in Florida, and the lack of details makes visiting the waterways described much more of a voyage of discovery- as paddling should be.
Huff has logically divided her book into three major sections. The first part contains tips for paddling in Florida, and includes chapters on gear and clothing and how to pack it, staying healthy, staying safe, and camping in Florida with sections on cooking and camp activities, all delightfully written by someone who clearly has had an abundance of paddling experience.
The second section describes in detail all the wildlife you might encounter on any trip on Sunshine State waterways, and your best strategies for safely dealing with those critters (Do NOT feed the wildlife!). Aunt Sally from Ohio will survive her first alligator encounter if you follow Huff's advice. There is even a short chapter on fishing.
Finally, the last section contains descriptions of over 200 trips on 91 waterways across the state. Every description contains all the information you'll need to make that trip: a map, where to put in, where to take out, the length of time and/or mileage involved, skill level needed, and local emergency phone numbers (great idea!). The descriptions are also keyed to the corresponding DeLorme atlas page numbers, and include a brief outline of what you can expect to encounter, all written in a tastefully understated manner.
It's difficult to find any flaws in this book, or figure out how to improve upon it. For every Sunshine State paddler or anyone who wants to become one, Huff's book is a must read.

-John Kumiski

If you want to have just one book on paddling in Florida then this is the one to get!! It has easy-to-read maps, web sites, addresses and phone numbers for further information. Paddling a river or creek is more than just knowing where to put in and take out. Sandy gives you all kinds of information on the area, fishing, wildlife, weather, safety and much more. I must have every book there is on paddling in Florida but they're going on the bottom shelf because this is the one I'm going to reach for when planning my next adventure!!