Outstanding book that would be even better with pictures.

My brother sent me a copy of Beyond Burlap for my birthday. I fell in love with this cookbook. Now, I send it to all my friends who have ever asked what can I make with potatoes. It is very complete and appeals to all tastes and ages. A perfect gift for anyone!

Beyond Burlap has an excellent assortment of potato recipes! I never knew there were so many ways to prepare a potato! The Potato Mocha Poundcake is my favorite. The stories and fun potato tidbits make Beyond Burlap a fun cookbook to own!

All potato lovers should own this book!

I have owned more than one copy of this amazingly informative and very complete book! (I typically have had to replace it after friends and family from the lower 48 have visited my Alaska home.) This book provides an excellent selection of tradtional and non-traditional recipes as well as fascinating information on Alaska.

A must have for anyone who lives in Alaska, dreams of Alaska or collects cookbooks.

As a new Alaska resident, I am so glad I stumbled upon this cookbook. My husband is an avid hunter and fisherman, and I love to garden and pick berries. Cooking Alaskan has recipes for all of our wild game, water foul, fish, seafood, herbs, vegetables, berries, and more! If you can hunt it, catch it, grow it, or pick it, there is a recipe in this cookbook for you. A majority of the recipes (if not all) are submitted by tried-and-true Alaskans, not fancy chefs, so they are easy to follow and use ingredients that can be found in any supermarket.

The best feature of Cooking Alaskan is perhaps not the recipes, but all of the extra information contained inbetween. Tips on harvesting, butchering, cleaning, and storing Alaska foods; lessons on identifying poisonous plants and berries; and antecdotes and stories of Alaskan culture are practical, useful, and most of all, entertaining. Cooking Alaskan is much more than just a cookbook!

Where else can you find recipes for Canadian Lynx Stew and Sauteed Salmon Steaks in the same place. Or, how about Sea Cucumber Fritters or Spruce Grouse with Blueberries. This cookbook is a mixture of "normal" and exotic recipes for ALL fish, shellfish, game, game birds, and edible plants that are available in Alaska. All of the recipes are excellent and most are entertaining just to read.

This is an amazing book on Hawaii, focusing on the less-well-known and less-traveled islands. Most of us only know Hawaii as a wonderful tourist destination, composed of a handful of islands fulfilling all of our vacation needs. In fact, Hawaii is much much more. The Hawaiian islands actually extend for many miles to the northwest, where the visitors are mostly only the native wildlife. These Northwestern Hawaiian islands comprise the "real" Hawaii: the Hawaii that is untouched by tourism; the Hawaii that gives us a glimpse back in time, allowing us to view the untarnished natural and cultural history of this unique archipelago. This is the Hawaii that the author focuses on, and he does it with great success.

Although the author is a biologist by trade -- and one might think from the title that this is basically a biology book -- it would be a big mistake to think that this book is limited to the biology of these islands. In fact, this book is much broader than that. What Mr. Rauzon does is integrate many aspects of the islands' life and history into an eminently readable story.

This book works on so many levels: a cultural narrative, a historical account, a description of the flora and fauna, a memoir of the author's experiences, a photographic essay. Take any one of these aspects alone, and the author succeeds admirably. But the real beauty of this book is the way that the author weaves all of these elements together into a rich and fascinating story of these enchanting islands. (Personally, I'm partial to the exceptional collection of high-quality photographs which add life to the text. But they could also easily stand alone as a coffee-table photography book in their own right.) One more bonus is the inclusion of artwork by the highly-skilled author -- beautiful watercolors and pen-and-ink drawings.

The author has an easy personal style which makes this book read like an unfolding story. It is not a text book. Sure you'll learn some interesting facts, but that's not the point of this book. Mr. Rauzon allows us to experience the joy and wonder of these islands just as he has in his explorations and adventures over years.

This book has it all; it's educational, entertaining and thought provoking. Mark Rauzon has written a book that provides an understandable look at the natural history of the sea birds, mammals and sea turtles that thrive throughout the leeward islands. This is fascinating stuff and interesting in its own right--but wait there's more! He also has meticulously researched and reported on the human history of the area, including early Polynesian times, discovery and exploitation in the 1800's and early 1900's, world war drama, and recent attempts to recover the natural beauty of the area. This history documents the folly of man's attempt to intervene in natrual systems and the often catastrophic results.....but wait there's more! He also shares some of his personal journey as he spent much of his time over the past twenty years working in this remote area (he has visited all but one of the leeward islands). These personal stories are sometimes humorous, but always interesting. I've never been to these remote islands and probably never will be able to visit them. Rauzon took me there and I'm gald for the visit. Read this book, you won't regret it--it's wonderful!

Who would have thought that a book about a series of tiny islands in the middle of the ocean could be so fascinating? Somehow, the author, Mark Rauzon, has crafted an extremely compelling book about these Northwestern Hawaiian islands. This book took me places I didn't expect, but surely enjoyed. Rauzon, with his expert story-telling and beautiful photography brings these islands to life. The reader comes to see each of these small islands - some hardly larger than a rock outcropping - as a unique entity with its own story to tell. And Rauzon, through his beautiful prose and eloquent style, speaks passionately for these islands, which he so clearly loves. The author, with his rich experience to draw from, as well as his obvious joy of discovery, has created a book filled with spirit and emotion. I learned so much from this book; but that's not the half of it. What's so special about this book is that I now feel as though I "know" these islands

The Northwest Essentials Cookbook is a superbly produced regional cookbook that offers a culinary wealth of more than 150 recipes representing a delicious spectrum of flavors and tastes. From Warm Duck and Apple Salad, Poached Salmon with Tarragon, and Chocolate Almond Apricot Cake, to Oysters Mignonette, Savory Stuffed Mushroom Caps, and Simple Rockfish Stew, The Northwest Essentials Cookbook is a welcome addition to any kitchen cookbook shelf.

I live on the northern california coast and we share many of the same wonderful foods that create the northwest flavor. This is a great cookbook, the recipes are simple and tasty. The book is broken down into chapters like salmon, prawns and crab, wild mushrooms, herbs, lentils split peas & chickapeas, and apples & pears. These are a few, but certainly not all. This is a book full of recipes at their best when you use the freshest of ingredients. I recommend!

- - - -In my heart, my palate, my stomach, memories of home and thoughts of wanting to visit the Seattle area! I really feel good about the support Greg Atkinson gives his recipes in the way of stories, personal experiences and appreciation of the people, places and tastes in his life. This book is a great experience before, during and after meals, for singles and families alike! I'm giving it to my friends!

I have this book displayed on my shelf right next to my Northwestern yearbooks because it is prepared in a simlar format. This book methodically and beautifully details the history of Northwestern University through illustrations, historic photographs, and memorable accounts that will keep you interested from start to finish. I particularly appreciated the aerial maps of the campus that appear at the beginning of each chapter. This shows the layout of the campus for the time period covered by the chapter, and truly shows the progress that has been made over the years.

My only complaint is that there were not more pictures of the building of the landfill section of campus. This, to me, is the most fascinating part of Northwestern's history and is now one of the most beautiful parts of campus. In summary, I would like to have seen a few more 'old vs new' photographs. The way it is, there are just enough to tempt the palette. So, it is only natural that, after reading this book, you will be thirsty for more. I hope a next edition will be written to answer that call.

As it is, this is a well-executed account of a terrific university. Happy birthday NU! And thank you, Mr. Pridmore, for this wonderful gift.

Having lived near Northwestern all my life, I thought I knew the history. However, 'little did I know!' This is an extremely well done book, the pictures are priceless as are the narratives. A must have for history buffs and university supporters.

I have very fond memories of the time I myself spent at NU, and this book never ceases to bring them back to mind! This sesquicentennial tribute does it all -- from detailing the history of the school as well as of longstanding Wildcat traditions (i.e., Waa-Mu, Mee-Ow, painting The Rock) to showcasing some of the Evanston campus' most "photogenic" spots. This is definitely a must-have for any NU-loving alum.

I made the Paula's Easy Decadent Chocolate Trifle for a Neighborhood Harvest Party, and I won the award for the best dessert brought! People raved about it and said it was awesome -- beautiful and delicious! One of the neighbors decided to purchase the cookbook to give to her daughter who was wanting an outstanding dessert to serve for a party.

There are so many different and wonderful recipes, it's hard to start. But I have to tell you about the Beer Braised and Balsamic Vinegar Lamb with Rosemary White Beans. Give me a break!!! I couldn't even read the recipe without salivating!! (How embarassing!) It is one of the most unusual orchestrations of flavors I've ever experienced!! This is a special dinner, a night when you polish the silver candlesticks, chill some nice wine, and hope for rain, because you won't want anyone disturbing you at this dinner. The only thing I'd add, are a few of your best friends, then enjoy this elegant culinary event!!

This book contains illustrations, descriptions, and 11 specific items of information about 85 different Bed and Breakfast Country Inns in the state of Washington plus their most requested or favorite recipes. I especially liked one simply called "Bubble Bread" which included nuts, brown sugar, butterscotch pudding mix, and cinnamon in the ingredients!! The book lies flat when opened, has a beautiful hard cover,and is attractively printed in two colors. The authors also thoughtfully included tables of oven temperature equivalents, baking pan sizes, liquid and dry measures (including metric conversions), and high altitude adjustment suggestions. A special feature appearing throughout the book is entitled "Carol's Corner" where one of the authors records hints and happenings which developed during the testing of all recipes submitted. Tantalizing titles of some of the recipes are Banana Blueberry Muffins, Northwest Salmon Pie, Santa Cruz Sweet and Sour Zucchini Salad, Apple Breakfast Lasagna, Comeback Hash, and Paula's Easy Decadent Chocolate Trifle. You'll love the book for yourself and it would make a much-appreciated gift.

Penn has led me to insight into my own mixed-up family as my mother seems to have forgotten her own mixblood memory--had it not been for my grandparents, I would have never known my great-grandparents were members of the Delaware nation. Racial shame is the wrong way to bring up your children, and Penn clearly depicts the suffering it inflicts upon the entire family.

I think that good autobiography brings us to that space and place in our humanity where we must stop and rethink America's history so we do not continue to make the same mistakes again. Penn relates how American history has affected his own family from Chief Joseph to the present. What I enjoyed most was the way he wove textual criticism of other Native authors and their works into the story of his life. He is truly a gifted storyteller, and knows how to connect with his reader.

This is an amazing book. It is hard to write about one's own family and make it interesting. To go further and make it not only interesting, but relevant to others, takes a writer of rare talent. Penn is clearly such a writer, and I was very pleasantly surprised at the creative and original approach taken in this work. The author draws thought-provoking parallels and connections between his own mixblood Indian family's dreams, visions, failures and successes, and those of other families, in particular other native and mixed-blood families, including exploration of the writing of many historical native American figures. This is a creative and very original book, highly recommended.

In his Common & Contested Ground Ted Binnema fully describes the ecological reservoir that sustained the northern buffalo and was the focus of tribal subsistance. Here is a history of a neglected region that grows from the grassroots and hoof prints, set on a solid foundation and perceptively described. Breaking away from the river bound data of fur trade journalists, Binnema sets the record of the bands and traders properly ahorse and free to range the great adventures of the buffalo world.

As a scholar and researcher of the Northern Plains I can say without hesitation this is one of the best books to come out in years. Binnema has brought some fresh viewpoints to the complexity of northern plains history. It's refreshing to see new, good, work at a time when most authors are restating ideas that have been published to death.

Professor McCumber is one of the very few modern scholars who actually "gets" Hegel, and here, in a mere 442 pages, he distills Hegel down to a powerful, bitter essence. This is not summer reading, however. You will not want to carry this tome down to the beach or peruse it at poolside. No, this is definitely autumnal reading, best approached with a glass of good claret, a crackling fire in the hearth, and a shaggy dog asleep at your feet. The yellow leaves are piling up on your back lawn. The evening sky has a faintly regretful cast to its clotted clouds. But you, hypocrite lecteur, are happy to be inside with a good book in your lap. You are keeping company with one of the great continental philosophers. The solid weight of the book on your lap reassures you. This, after all, is what reading is all about.

Anyone who is interested enough in philosophy to consider reading this book is not right in the head. I should know, since my father, John McCumber, has banished me to a summer of reading all of his books on philosophy. So from my antiradical epistemological Kantian theorem of chaotic Heidegger viewpoint, you stink!

Dostoevsky's novels are prominent because he knew what the really important and urgent requirements in human minds are. He showed that there is no answer to the question 'Is there God or not?' And I think his brilliant insight into main concepts of human being through history is what you can enjoy.

Dostoyevski's novels are prominent because he knew what the really important and urgent requirements in human minds are. In this novel, he showed that there is no anwer to the question 'Is there God or not?' And his brilliant insight into main concepts of human being through history is what you can enjoy, I think.