I just picked this book up because it is a true get to the point guide. No mixing lessons, no quantities. Just the basic ingredients list to make a drink. All alphabetical.

For anybody who already know's how to bartend and just wants a good book full of recipes this the one you want. This book assumes you, as a bartender, already know the basics. It's loaded with recipes that are organized alphabetically, and easy to read.

I've been bartending for many years and have been looking for a book like this! There are so many great recipes! Its alphabetical...really easy to read... There are great shots and old classics. Its a dictionary for the busy bartender and my friends love it too. Now I only need one book instead of keeping several by the bar! Great job.

I have always preferred coffee to tea and have never been much of a fan of it, especially not to the point of buying books about it. The interested was spiced up by my reading of books about antioxidants, which often mention green tea as a powerful antioxidant. Lester Packer's "Antioxidant Miracle" in particular fully pushed green tea as an excellent substance to combine with other antioxidant elements, but many other studies have now proven its benefits too.

After trying it I thought it was very pleasant as an alternative to coffee in cold winter days. For some reason, I was still curious about it and took a look at the books. Few reviews were available, and it was hard to pick one, but I bought Nadine Taylor's "Green Tea". 0 reviews available, little info. Risky buy. :-)

I wasn't impressed when I saw it. This is a little book, 179 pages of cheap paper, and no photos, just text. Much to my surprise, it turned out to be quite a surprisingly competent book, Tea as an interesting subject? Now that I didn't expect.

This book will dedicate most of its pages to establishing the position of Green Tea as a healthy drink, mentioning all the aspects of how it can help your body (and mind, some say). It describes its history and some curious events, how to identify different kinds of green tea, where to buy it (Useful mostly to US readers). It will go as far as describing in detail the Japanese and Chinese tea ceremonies and giving you ideas for recipes. You also get a decent Glossary.

The Japanese have been drinking green tea for centuries and their cancer rate is among the lowest in the world, today, scientists are showing that moderate amounts of green tea can be enough to make a difference. This author in particular backs up her claims mentioning many studies and links to the proper documents in the 10-page Bibliography. I found most of it very consistent with my previous reading about Green Tea as a powerful agent against free radical damage.

So basically, the simple but pleasant cover and the cheap paper hide a very interesting title. If you like Green Tea, are confused about anything about it (like what kinds to get and what is the difference between brands) or want a quick look at its antioxidant properties (for a more technical approach you will have to look elsewhere) then this guide will probably give you everything you need to know about it, and probably more.

I had enough and I don't think I'll ever want to know more about tea, but I'll never say that reading about it can't be enjoyable. :-)

Compact and complete title. Recommended.

I use this book as a primary refernce tool in my life. THe information here is historical and informative. Green Tea is a life saving, life enhancing and life giving drink that goes un noticed buy many. This book shows both the value and need for this "Magic" elixer!

This all-text book is one I keep coming back to because it's positive and sunshiny and we all need more of that. It's theraputic to get a cup of tea and sit down with this book for a few minutes. It feeds the fantasy of the fountain of youth, and the ale of good health. You really feel that what you are doing at that moment is really good for you.

This is a very genuine and accurate account of a subject that has always fascinated me. It is written by the person who would know the material best--a genuine Civil War soldier--in excruciating detail and a suprisingly lively, colorful style for a book of nonfiction, not the stuffy, pompous style of encyclopedias. It contains well-articulated, balanced, open-mided opinions that are probably as unbiased as is possible for someone so close to the source.

Be aware, though, that this book contains only the personal experiences of the author, and is thus a source of information only about the Union, not the Confederacy. Still, it is an extremely informative book that reads almost like a novel, and I highly recommend it to any intellectual who is curious about conditions for the common soldiers in the American Civil War.

Hard Tack and Coffee is a unique, entertaining. and informative book. Where most Civil War books write about a particular battle, campaign, or biograph a particular general or personality, Hard Tack And Coffee differs in that it covers none of these things but discusses the daily life of a Union Civil War soldier -- food, dress, duties, clothes, badges, bridges, mules, wagon trains, signal flags, etc... I found this very entertaining and a quick read.

If you are only going to read 1 book about the Civil War, I wouldn't choose this book. But if you plan to read a bunch, then you should include this book for sure.

Josh Billings served with the 10th Mass Battery of Light Artillery during the Civil War. After having written the Official "History of the 10th Mass Battery" he responded to numerous requests to write a book about daily life in the Union Army. "Hardtack and Coffee" is an unpretentious, humorous look at life in the Union Army, Particularly the Light Artillery During the Civil War. Mr. Billings paints a vivid picture of living life under canvas, in the field. He addresses such topics as Army food, The day by Bugle calls, Beats (people who "avoided work"), punishments and more. This book is not a comedy, but is written with a light and readable style that makes it interesting to the average reader, as well as to those interested in the Civil War. this book is a must read for all readers of Civil War literature.

This is fun, clever, comical, cute, fanciful and fabulous. Read it, use it, learn from it and just enjoy it - dont' think just read and then try your hand at making pancake sculptures, drawing puddy cats and sunflowers, making a coat of arms and making the best apple pie in the world. Suitable for all ages but you must have an open mind otherwise you might think the author was little crazy when she wrote it!

If you are looking for a fun gift look no further! this book is an exellent peice of work from people of all ages! It is fun and creative and never boring! Read it and give it a try!

When I read this book I shouted aloud, "Eureka!" It is so much fun, and the author is a nut, in a good way. I bought it for all my friends, too.

This is a very good beginner's book to the Java programming language. It is written at a very informal, non-technical level and the quality of the book itself is outstanding with many high quality illustrations and helpful diagrams.
Not recommended for advanced programmers unless they want a casual introduction to Java or review some programming language basics

This is by far the best book I have read on Java for a person with little or no experience in either Java or C++ (since Java is in many ways similar to C++ those with experience in C++ may want a more advanced book). It "offers a hands-on approach to teaching Java basics, object-oriented concepts, and applet programming." The source code is printed in color, which is nice, and the book is interspersed with countless examples. Perhaps the book's best feature is its direct and easily understood language. This book is not recommended for advanced programmers, but rather for the new or casual Java programmer. As stated before, this is by far the best introductory book to Java available so far!

I am not a programmer and I can't even read programming books for Dummies, but I could understand this book, and I learned a lot.

There are perhaps a dozen or more books out there about where to eat in Los Angeles, but this is the one recommended by the staff of the Los Angeles Almanac. It has all our favorite calorie-loading haunts as well as many we don't even know about and sure would like to try. What we like best - unlike so many other snobbish L.A. where-to-eat books, this one doesn't ignore the rich culinary terrain of L.A. County's Eastside (Taco King rules!). Keep this guidebook in your glovebox along with your Thomas Guide!

We have now tried out about 10 of the places in this book, and have not been disappointed yet! This is a great guide for those of us that are looking for good (sometimes even great) food without spending a lot of money. Most telling, while we always check out Hungry? before we head out into a new part of LA, we never even glance at our Zagat guide (which was given as a gift 3 year ago when we moved here)! Zagat may be good if you've got money to spend, but the Hungry? guide is the one to get if you're looking for some hidden gems in LA.

If you are in LA and you are hungry then you need this book. Heck, you don't even have to be in LA or hungry, this is one swell book. Lots of fun to read, informative yet witty without being silly. The section on Cheese Breads alone is worth the price.

A Morning Without Coffee is a delectable book of poetry designed to tempt and fill you to repletion with its sage, welcome words of faith and promise.

It will awaken you to the joys surrounding you and gently encourage you to imbibe, sipping slowly at its overflowing verse and savouring its warming tanginess throughout the day for, once this book is picked up, you will wish to keep it at hand.

This book is a warm and wonderful compilation of faith, love and courage.

Flo is the poet and flow is what her verse does. Read and heed the wisdom imparted in each poem.

We look forward to Flo Given's next book, hoping for some rich offerings to accompany the marvellous blend of verse already served, in A Morning Without Coffee.

She Writes Poems That Heal

With six other books already written, Florence Rosie Givens is excited about her first book that has recently been published- a collection of poems titled " A Morning Without Coffee."

...Not only has writing helped Givens heal, but she writes poems for her friends that are facing difficult situations.

...Feedback from recipients of these healing poems have been positive.

...Her advice to single parents is, " Reach out to the mountain of hope, that awaits their enthusiasm."

" A Morning Without Coffee" has enriched my life as I read it many times over. It has clarity and the right uplift that I need. So many poems has their highest point of enthusiasm then quickly taper off leaving you in a state of wonder. This book has the right lift and drive to it...leaving you refreshed and wholesome.

The title itself should be a Best Seller, it's universal and people can relate to the contents inside also. People think about what it's really like to have A Morning Without Coffee, and they'd rather have their first cup of coffee and then some...with a book of poetry such as this is a plus.

A good book of poetry like the book " A Morning Without Coffee" is a must read for it tells of a variety of subjects: from the " Ocean" to " Marigolds Upon The Porch", to "Single Parent", and children, all family orinated poems.

People love this book and the reviews are overwhelmingly in the Author's favor especially since the author was a single parent, going through struggles yet she held on to integrity.

"A Morning Without Coffee" gives a person a sense of hope and many readers have read the book more than twice..they're astonished over such rewards of hard work by the author. Teachers are enthused, hearts are lifted and happiness comes about in their day after reading such richly put together poems.

The short stories are great for getting the day going each morning. Many, not all, but many of the stories are an awakening and add a nice, positive lift for the new day.

I am a stay @ home mom with a 3yr. old and a 10 mo. old. This is perfect for anyone who needs a pick me up. Just a couple minutes with God to begin your day or throughout your day. I enjoyed this and look forward to getting the rest of the devotionals. I plan to give these as gifts. I think it would be perfect. I hope you all read this and enjoy as I have. God bless you.

psswor

I haven't made all the cakes in this book, but I've made over half of them, and all have worked out well. My primary interest is in the pound cakes and angel food cakes; I've made all of these. In particular, the fresh raspberry and the lemon-vanilla cakes have turned out extremely well. In the pound cakes, I had the best result with the sour cream/chocolate chip and the soaked orange cakes. I've also made almost all the chiffon recipes, with the best reslts with the orange-and-lemon and the chiffon spice cakes.

This book has detailed instructions to accompany the recipes, making it easier for beginners to follow. Too often, smaller books such as this will sacrifice instructions for saving space, and this one doesn't.

My only disappointment is the quality of the book itself. There are no photographs, and the quality of the paper and binding don't bode well for heavy use. I plan to transcribe a few recipes out into the computer and the book won't be used again. The recipes are a good buy for the book's price, though. Just don't expect to hand this volume down to your children!

This book is just great. The recipes are simple, easy to follow, and they taste wonderful. The explanations given are so helpful.

I have a number of Elizabeth Alston's books, and she is true to form in this one. I would venture to bet she is from England, or at least has an English heritage due to her taste in cakes. You won't find sheet cakes or layer cakes calling for lots of super sweet icing in this book. These cakes are for the purists out there who appreciate the complex flavors and textures of unadulterated cake. Each one is unique and delectible. The point is that the CAKE itself is the star of the show here. I truly enjoy some of her unique flavor combinations and variations in these recipes. (A note about flour: I have found that using cake flour does not give as good a crumb and weight to the pound cakes or the heavier coffee cakes. Not only does it cause the cake to be too "crumbly", but the cake dries out after a day or two. Reserve the cake flour only for recipes that are for light cakes such as Angel Food cakes.)

Another thing I appreciate about this book, and her baking for that matter, is that you can bake more than one batch at a time. In fact, I think the cakes taste better when done that way. With the flavor combinations she has assembled, her suggestion to allow the cake to rest one day before serving or freezing is a good one. This allows all those wonderful flavors to mingle, or as my grandfather used to say, to let the flavors "meditate".

None of her recipes are hard, complicated or time-consuming. In fact, they are pleasingly quick to prepare for baking. When I am not baking a cake, muffins or scones from one of her cookbooks, I am reading them, scouring them for inspiration to be creative. She has taught me a lot about expanding my horizons in this area, for which I am thankful. My husband is thankful as is his coworkers. This morning he took a freshly baked creation to work to share with his department. Shortly after noon I received an abrupt e-mail saying that if I ever wanted to see my husband again I would have to send at least five of those cakes to the office!! The staff must have loved them to want cake ransom for my husband's return. Get the book and watch with pleasure as your loved ones and friends pig out on your creations in a wild food orgy. But be careful...you might find yourself chained to the kitchen with someone holding a gun to your head as you are trying to get YOURSELF out of ransom!

Victoria magazine's feature editor Kim Waller lavishes readers with a beautifully illustrated tribute to the world's most traditional beverage. THE PLEASURES OF TEA is brimming with recipes, accoutrements, interviews, gorgeous pictorials of tea services from around the world, and my favorite tidbit - suggestions for how to combine tea time with reading time. I was even pleased to see a quick picture of my own service -- "Lady Carlyle" by Royal Doulton. The book also contains fascinating information on the business of tea and a resource section listing salons and sources for tea goodies.

Overall this is quite an extraordinary book, one that I refer to often. I wouldn't suggest this as a first book for a novice, although its gorgeous photos and print would make it a lovely gift. There are others, such as TEA WITH FRIENDS that would make better first sources. Nevertheless, it is one of the best presentations of this wonderful pastime.

Cris Cunningham

This book is gorgeous to look at just like Victoria magazine, but the content is not very substantial. It makes a good book for a cozy tea table, but for recipes or other information you might want to look elsewhere.

This colorful book is a good resource for the kinds of china used in serving tea and the different kinds of teapots for collectors. The beauty of wedgewood and chintz are brought to life. A key tip for me is if a teacup is stamped "England" instead of "Made in England" is was made before 1908. The recipes were in my opinion while not numerous were varied and unique. I especially enjoyed the features: A Tea Lover's Home, The Accoutrements of Tea, Visit a Tearoom; and interviews: A Tea Salon Owner and A Tea Grower. Tnere is a celebrations section with a set up for a children's tea. This book is a definite coffe table (or tea table) must for tea lovers and collectors.