This is an amazing book...well thought out, researched, illustrated and written with a phenomenal amount of personal knowledge.

This book will benefit everyone. I will get great use out of it when planning parties for friends and family. It will make a great gift no matter what the occassion for men and women alike.

A must have for every book shelf.

Well done Christine...BRAVO!!

Christine West has obviously put a great deal of research and pride into this project. It is a great read and worth keeping on your bookshelf for reference.
You don't have to be a server to enjoy this. As a customer, it will clear up many misconceptions for you about how you should and shouldn't be served.
I especially enjoyed the "Wining and Dining" chapter.
A treasure of knowledge with a comprehensive layout and some great restaurant stories. A cynical person on my best day, I had to take the time to write this review and recommend you take the time to order it.

This book is informative for those in a serving profession. Even the simplest things that you might forget are mentioned. The book is fun and informative. You need to add this book to your shelves.

Edited with an Introduction by Marlene Smith-Baranzini, The Shirley Letters: From The California Mines 1851-1852 by Louise Amelia Knapp Smith Clappe presents the contemporary reader with vivid first-person accounts of what it was like to live in the midst of the great California gold rush. Written in the form of letters by a doctor's wife who lived through the thick and thin of boisterous events, The Shirley Letters encompass mob violence, summary justice, a duel to the death, a rowdy July 4th celebration, and much, much more. A first-rate primary source, The Shirley Letters offers especial insight to American history and is highly recommended for both personal reading lists and academic reference collections.

This book is a marvelous true story of what it was like, in California, during a time which will never come again. The author's detailed descriptions and wonderful style of writing takes the reader there, to the Old California, when it wasn't a state, it was a wild untaimed country unto itself. Truly beautiful.

I have one of under 200 original copies, signed by the author, it is my treasure. I am so glad to see it here, offered to the general public. I obtained it just last month, and wanted to share it with every woman, man, child I know! I thought I was going to have to type the entire book just to give a copy to my mother. I thought that because of the small number printed that there wasn't any way I would find another one, but low and behold, here it is, reprinted only this year, on Amazon. A must for any Californian.

Dame Shirley's classic (and often humorous!) letters portray the California gold rush in all its excitement and ethnic diversity. At last an edition has appeared that sets her writings in context! Editor Marlene Smith-Baranzini has done students, researchers, and history buffs a huge favor by putting together THE definitive Dame Shirley collection, complete with excellent introduction, interpretive footnotes, maps, photographs, and even a glossary. Reccommended for anyone interested in California history or just in search of a good read.

Does socialism deaden individual freedom and creativity? Che Guevara, a leader of the Cuban revolution, answers this question in this 1965 article. He draws on the experience of that revolution. Guevara demonstrates that the individual reaches its highest creativity as part of the struggle against the exploitation and violence of capitalism. It is only through this process that the individual can reach his or her fullest development.

We fight because of love, July 18, 2002
Reviewer: Marcel Black (see more about me) from North Miami Beach, FL United States
This pamphlet ranks with the communist manifesto, with State and the Revolution, with Trotsky's great writings against stalin, as one of the texts the encapsulates why and how we fight for a world of working people in power, why revolutionists like Che gave their lives for the cause of socialism, why humanity has a future out of the muck and mire and filth, why we fight. Che admits revolutionists fight for the love of the world. Che who brought books of poetry and of languages and of higher math with him to Bolivia, not for his own enjoyment, but to truly educate the other fighters, Che in simple direct butalmost poetic words, explains why we fight, why we will win.

Why did Cuba survive the 'collapse of communism' ? Che Guevara explained that
without a communist party, a genuine one which means led by the most politically
conscious and self-sacrificing workers and farmers, leading a constant battle for workers'
control and a higher level of consciousness and solidarity among the whole population,
any revolution would slide back toward capitalism. The Cuban Communist Party is such a
party: the only one in power anywhere since the 1920s.Thus, he predicted the collapse
of Stalinism ( as opposed to communism).Cuba put his ideas into practice in the middle
to late 1980s for the first time on a nationwide basis.It was this battle against bureaucracy
and for workers' democracy that made Cuba strong enough to survive its severest
economic crisis since the revolutionary triumph.Cuba is ready to aid as always any
revolutionary movements that develop as a result of the present crisis of capitalism, and
to aid the revolutions to come : its internationalism is intact. The basic line of march ,the
ideas as a guide to action that make Cuba capable of mobilizing millions for socialism and
the revolution in 2002 are outlined in this pamphlet.Workers and farmers everywhere
who fight back against capital NEED THIS BOOKLET.

A treasury of wisdom! I read the book straight through when I bought it, and find myself returning to it daily for one more taste. This is a wonderful gift book to give to those who are exploring spiritually; it introduces the reader to a wide range of our foremost thinkers and teachers from many spiritual and healing paths.

"Soulful Living" is a gift to my spirit and my humanity. It is compilation of the wisdom of possibility gathered with deep dedication. It reflects a quest in honor of soul's search for expression. The teachings of the significant spiritual leaders of our time have been sought out, studied and honored. They have discussed their work or written related articles so that all of us benefit from their wisdom.As a collection of the most articulate, passionate, resonate work, "Soulful Living" functions as a guide to my spiritual needs as they emerge. For the moment I am immersed in the task of using my life learning as elder and contributing it with love to the next generation. An interview in "Soulful Living" with Marianne Williamson is the piece I turn to for exploring my own concerns. Each section of this book can be read and re-read as I seek guidance in finding a path through the complexity of being spiritually alive.By: Wilma Heckler, Ph.D. (Professor of Education and Author of the forthcoming book "Loving the Minds of Children")

Thank you for one of the best and most meaningful books, "Soulful Living," that I have read in a long time. I make it a practice to read a section from this anthology each morning to better start my day.I have been increasingly more interested and intent on learning my life's purpose. Several selections seem to address the issues I am presently experiencing and have made me hopeful that I will soon bring resolution to some current frustrations.

If you are, or you have friends or family who are collectors of exotic cookbooks -- especially African -- then South of the Sahara is a terrific gift! It was my pleasure to receive a copy from the book's publisher to review for my African Cultures site at About.com. In addition to great, authentic West African recipes, the book contains valuable information about the various foods and sources where you may purchase the ingredients called for in West African cooking.

We are Americans residing in Ghana and received this book as a gift-the recipes faithfully recreate the food we find in the markets and chop bars. Its a book we'll carry and use in all our future travels.

Good food, beautiful pictures of some of the dishes and of Africa, and easy to follow recipes.

Absolutely tremendous. It is my favorite book of color Colorado photographs.

Photographers are a dime a dozen. Kathleen Norris Cook with Western Relfections Publishing shows that there are a few good photographers. Get the book!

How then does light return to our world in the San Juan Mountains after the setting of the sun? Miraculously. Boldly. In broad stripes. It hangs like a glass cage. It is a hoop that seemingly cannot be captured.

Next moment a flash of a camera. Then an image is recorded as if earth were breathing in and out, once, twice, as if for the first time. In this camera sharp place where the only electricity is in such thunderous lightning, there are no sounds in an afternoon save the hum of a rainbow. It is so spectacular, so luminous, so fresh, that we intruders feel also quiet, intense and strangely tiptoe, as if in anticipation.

The mountains throb purple and green, and gradually the valleys below drink in red, brown and gold. Suddenly a mountain stream snatches a blue light. The earth absorbs color like a sponge, slowly drinking the mountain sun. It puts on weight; rounds itself; hangs pendent; settles and sways beneath our feet through the lens of Kathleen Norris Cook. There's no telling what a collection of such beauty, power and insight might inspire.

I rated this book 4 stars for the incredible amount of information regarding the time period revolving around the massacre. Any fan of western history or native american history should read this book. The only thing about the book that I did not like was that it appeared that the author continuoulsy gave reasons of provocation on Colonel Chivington's actions against Black Kettle and his people who were trying to live in harmony with the settlers and the army. Im not saying the author is a Chivington apologist by any means and did a great job with the facts, but maybe my own contempt and feelings toward Chivington and Anthony got in the way. There are many contributing factors to what happened but the bottom line is Chivington hated the Indians and wanted them dead. I recommend the book....especially if you live or plan to travel the eastern Colorado area.

The Sand Creek Massacre was one of the most heinous acts to ever be committed against the American Indian culture. This is an atrocity that has been quietly tucked away in the back of the American consciousness and I feel that Stan Hoig has done it justice by bringing it to light in this wonderfully revealing book. Mr. Hoig pulls no punches in his expose (as the government and military pulled no punches in their attempts to annihilate an entire race of people) and I must applaud him for his efforts. Parts of this book will bring your eyes to tear, others will redden your face with anger, and others will numb your mind with horror at the brutal acts of murder and mutilation that were committed in the name of greed and hatred. This is a book that should be required reading for all Americans so that they may understand just whose blood this country was built upon. Never have I read a historical account so compelling. White Antelope, my brother, I hope that the truth of this book helps you to rest in peace!!

I have been a student of Native American history for more years than I care to remember, and each time I finish reading a book on the subject I ask myself the same question.Why ? This book unfortunately reflects all others on the subject, for the white mans GREED. Of course with hindsight, we all agree it should not have happend, certainly Sand Creek should not have happened, hindsight or no, Hoig has written a really moving epitaph to the Cheyenne Nation, and whilst history may be written by the victors,there will always be people searching, and often finding the truth, sure the Indian may not have been perfect, but nor were the white europeans who were prepared to annihilate whole cultures in their greed for land, gold etc. A well written book which any student of Native American culture should not be without.

I no longer live in the Midwest, but my sister gave me this book so that I would never forget my roots in the heartland.

I think I love the "Come for Coffee" and "Pride of the Heartland" sections best. The lebkuchen recipe tastes exactly like my mother's. And I love the gingered fruit crisp recipe, with all of its variations.

As for the savory dishes, they are also tasty. The country sauerkraut would make a kraut lover out of anyone. I've made several of the soups, which were all very satisfying. My Thanksgiving guests always love the wild rice, cranberry, walnut and vegetable salad.

This book also has many asides which comment on the culture which created Midwestern cooking: thrifty farmers' wives, potlucks at the church, and agricultural fairs. In all it speaks to the values of the heartland: frugality, community, generosity, and excellence.

I have purchased this book for not only myself, but for family members and friends as well. I would describe the work as Alice Waters meets the Midwest. The results are a book you could practically devour! The book emphasizes freshness and local produce as the key to producing outstanding food.

I am also part of the diaspora of Midwesterners on the West Coast, and this book helped reconnect me with those roots. The historical anecdotes about food ways of the past sparked a spirited discussion with my grandparents about their favorite "old-fashioned" foods and our family food traditions.

The recipes are clear and concise with great results. I have tried the Sugar cookies, corn pudding, Radish and Cucumber salad, Roasted Vegetable Strudel (YUM!)and the Chicken Sautee with Seasonal Variations (Summer).

Thanks Lucia!

I came across this cookbook while browsing the bookshelf of my local public library. Being from Wisconsin, I enjoyed reading the recipes and the stories between! It was a wonderful book, so much so, that I was willing to pay a "late fee" in returning it! We tried several recipes, and loved them! It immediately went to the top of my "Books to buy" list! I am very disappointed to find that it is out of print. Until it is available again, I will be borrowing it from the library frequently!

"... an inspiration! I'm ready to rediscover the Caribbean!" Penelope Ann Miller

"Fabulous facts and finds. I can't wait to go on vacation!" Julie Moran, Entertainment Tonight

"... let this book guide you. It spotlights extraordinary island resorts where you can become the star of your own movie, set in a tropical paradise." About.com Honeymoons

Ok, so not everyone is into the "darker" side of life. We prefer to focus on sunflowers, streams and good old-fashioned values here in the midwest.
To many people, gravestones are just plain creepy. Haven't we all watched horror movies where the dead crawl out from beneath a cracked headstone and kill innocent lovers?
Mr. Brown's book made me look at the gravestones in a brighter (although not unentirely SAD) light. I saw the loss that families suffered through in the intricacy of massive stone mausoleums. I felt the emptiness of parents in the lifelike sculptures of their children. And I shook my head at the quirkiness of folks whose death markers are every bit as weird as they themselves must have been.
I've had this book for 5 years and I STILL pick it up now and again to read the stories behind the cemeteries. I have also given it as a gift to people in my life who I know won't get totally freaked out by it. They LOVE it.
It is a wonderful read/lookat/whatever.... just try it!--

My husband John and I love tombstone art and stomp around the countryside taking photos of cemeteries. This is one of our favorite books, with lots of wonderful photos of cemeteries around St. Louis and so forth. The author also writes a wonderful commentary on the nature of cemeteries, their conditions, and how we view them today as a modern American society. The photos of the children's graves are especially haunting. A must for collectors of tombstone art.

John Gary Brown, does an excellent job at showing the eccentricity and beauty of grave markers. He uses different angles, and points of view in his compositions, to bring out a morbid beauty, that is rarely seen by the naked eye. A truly impressive collection of masterpieces. Just when you think the works speak for themselves, Brown also includes wonderful poetry, which co-exists perfectly with the photographs. A must for anyone's artistic anthology collection.