The discovery by Americans of single-malt whisky back in the 80's and 90's was one of the most interesting stories in the food and beverage market ever. This event by itself probably prevented a number of distilleries from closing, and several, such as the great Ardbeg, which had been moth-balled, were perhaps reopened as a result.

Some great but lesser known malts, like Edradour, found new appreciation for their tiny output abroad. Edradour, for example, produces less in a year than some distilleries do in a week, like Tomatin (the Edradour distillery only has 3 employees and only makes 2 barrels a week). Others, such as the Islays like Lagavulin, Laphroaig, and Bowmore, and even the oddly dual-natured Caol Isla, with its both sweetish and phenolic character, were already known in Scotland but garnered new fans here in America. As in Scotland, the Islays are not to everybody's taste, but I know people here who will hardly touch a drop of anything else--an amazing testament to the enthusiasm that has developed in America even for the stronger and more exotic malts. And probably no book did more to make that happen than Jackson's great little books on single-malt scotch.

On a personal note, sometimes even the Scots themselves failed to appreciate how far American sensibilities had come with respect to single malts. I had the experience 20 years ago, when still a young man, of sitting in a bar at the south end of Loch Lommond, and having a well-meaning bartender refuse to serve me some Laphroaig. He insisted on giving me Royal Brackla from an old bottle, itself a great malt. But he thought this young American didn't know what he was asking for, and I think he was worried he might do in a perfectly good, paying customer with a draught of the pungent, phenolic, peaty, and iodine-tasking Laphroaig.

These books taught me a lot and I have all 3 editions. They're great for learning to appreciate the particular aspects and flavors of a malt, and as I've been tasting single-malts for 20 years, I've found Mr. Jackson's descriptions to be very accurate and informative. In many cases, after learning from his description, I was able to go on and detect things that weren't even in the book--a great testament to his skill as a teacher and writer. Without his guidance, I wouldn't have been able to educate my sense of taste nearly as expertly.

There is no better way to learn about single malts than to take samples of several malts and then taste and compare them using this book. After you're tasted a couple of dozen malts you should be able to get a good sense of what's going on and be able to go on from there.

A good way to do this is to pick a couple of classic malts from each category, say a couple of lowlands, a couple of highlands or Speysides, and a couple of Islays, and taste them alongside each other with this book. Some of the malts are just so unique or special that they deserve tasting by themselves--as in the case of Clynelish and Highland Park, or Caol Isla and Talisker, or the often overlooked but wonderful lowland malt, Littlemill, with its sweet cocoanut, English toffee, and creme de caramel flavors.

Well, I could go on for a while about interesting things to do for tastings, but I will leave the rest of that to you, hopefully by way of this book, except for one last recommendation. The great Victorian connoisseur and single-malt scotch authority Professor Shaftsbury considered mixing together some Clynelish and Longmorn to be possibly the greatest drink in the world. So you might give it a try sometime and see what you think. Good luck and happy tasting!

This guide is to Scotch what Wine Spectator is to wine and Cigar Aficionado is to cigars. Complete with introductory chapters on the making of Scotch whisky, detailed entries with ratings and tasting notes, and advice on proper Scotch appreciation, this book is a necessary addition to the library of any person serious about Scotch whisky. Though the reader may not personally agree with Jackson's preference for peatier malts (I personally like them myself), s/he will still find enough fairness in the narrative reviews to make a proper decision on whether a bottle is worth buying. Don't taste a dram without consulting this book!

I consider myself an above-average (although by no means an expert) fan of Scottish single malts, and I own several books on the subject. I find "Michael Jackson's Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch" to be the most comprehensive, intelligible and above-all useful book in my whisky library.

While no book can take the place of sitting down and doing some tastings, buying whisky by the glass for tasting can be prohibitively expensive. If you are buying by the bottle, it becomes an even greater investment, and figuring out your individual tastes will be a considerable investment. Michael Jackson's guide goes a long way in the selection process, leading you to the whiskys most likely to meet your pallet. Each whisky is outlined, explained and graded. It will at least give you an idea of what to expect when approaching an unfamiliar label.

This book definitely falls into the "If you only own one book about single malt..." category.

Comments from Marian Styles-McClintock: Enjoyed the book! I will be calling on you for advise and hopefully to arrange for a speaking engagement. Thank you for reaching out to your brothers and sisters. A service that is long time overdue. May God continue to bless you.

Date : 8/8/2000

I recently purchased your new book, very enlightening. I'm just finishing up. I would like to talk with you when you have some free time, about some additional investing. Your advice is very helpful. I also appreciate that you are Frat.( Will you be attending the upcoming convention). I knew you were an Alpha Man. I have a lot of concerns and questions to ask. I and other Bros want to join an investment club and need more advice, I mentioned your book and its strong points, they want to check it out. Thanks for this book, I'm just about done took me 2 weeks. Look to hearing from you soon. P.S. You look rather young for 50.

Help me become a millionare by 55. Kenric Horton

Comments from Kurt Gillon: Great book, I have read several wealth, character building books authored by African American and this rates at the top. I passed it along to a friend who generally does not read financial books. She was happy that I forwarded her the book and is looking to apply the principles that you outlined.

Again, great book.

KPG

At 50 I'm still the fantasy freak in the house and found this book as enchanting and enjoyable as any I've read. My wife the murder mystery consumer was totally enthralled by the tale when searching for a diversion from her regular reading. We've both read the tale more than once and have made present to one of our nephews of a hard back version of the book, that's how much we liked it. When you finish reading this book you set it down with a feeling of satisfaction, that everything wrapped up quite nicely, and wonder if there will be another to follow.

I have had my copy of this book for over 10 years now. My mother read it to my younger siblings and me when I was a tweenage girl. I pick it up and read it every few years and have also read it to my son. He thought it was great, too.

It's a great, old-fashioned fairytale set in today's world. Be warned - It is not an everyone gets along in the end story. The ending ends as it should with everyone getting exactly what they deserve. It makes you wish that there was a little book dragon looking over your shoulder.

I would recommend this book to adults and children alike. It has a moral message that a child as young as 4 or 5 would get but has enough levels to keep everyone entertained.

I found this book as an adult, but I was totally enchanted, and it became the start of my collection of dragons. This rates with Anne McCaffrey's dragons--friendly dragons. This tale is so enjoyable, yet not predictable. Moral, but not preachy. And kids will love the good guy/bad guy tension.
This is a book every child (and most adults) should have the pleasure of having in their life.

This is the 6th book in "The Cat Who (TCW)..." Series. The 5th "TCW Played Brahms" was the biggest turning point, and this book is the important sequel.

I don't think the TCW Series is very good as a whodunit, but this book is relatively well-plotted. Maybe best-plotted in the six TCW books I have ever read. But I don't give this book five stars, because I still don't like Moose County and I feel the development is rather boring.

And I feel Koko's sleuth ability is too much in this book, such as Koko gets cold to Qwill who barks up the wrong tree. Still tolerable this time, since it can be interpreted as Qwill's overestimation. I'm afraid it might go too far in later books.

This book starts off very interestingly with Qwill not knowing who or where he is due to falling off his bicycle on Ittibittiwassee Road. This provides some very interesting reading material at the beginning because his best friend Riker comes to his hospital room and has to refresh Qwill's mind on his past. So, consequently, the reader is filled in on a lot of Qwill's life up to that point. Some of which we already knew, some we didn't! This whole book is, of course, interesting and Koko and Yum Yum are adorable. This paragraph from the book will give you a good idea about the cats... "'CHFFF!' The Siamese were still under the table. Yum Yum was looking for a shoelace to untie, and Koko was listening to the guests' voices with rapt concentration."

I think that this is one of Lilian Jackson Braun's best.. . . . it was great i could not put it down

This book is a great general guide to what was 'contemporary' - including architecture of the home, public building and office. In addition, it delves into interior design - including glass, wall treatments, flooring and furniture. The prospective reader should be made aware right off that this book is written from the British perspective - one will see British English spellings of words, and names of British companies. However, the vast majority of the book deals with American developments, which is more pertinant to the US reader. I call this book a great 'general' introduction because it digs about 75% of the way into each subject. But how many other books can cover so many subjects as well? None that I've been able to find so far. The book is richly illustrated, including some photos which span the entire page. The text is interesting and easy to understand. After reading each chapter of the book, you are left with a good basic undertanding of what you've just read. The pictures themselves are generally period photos, which really help the reader see what 'contemporary' was to the eyes of the folks living at that time. If you are contemplating purchasing a 'contemporary house', or perhaps decorating in the 'contemporary' style, this book will give you some good ideas. Overall, a very enjoyable book - it would make a good present, and look great sitting on your coffee table!

If you like the direct innovative designs of the 50's & 60's this book will provide a great overview with lots of photos.
It would have been nice to see more coverage of the furnishing specifics, especially DUNBAR and Edward Wormley - my personal favorites.

Put on some lounge music, pour a martini and enjoy!

This is a pretty cool book. The photos are honest, as they're from the era instead of reconstructed rooms today. Very in depth also; it covers furniture, architecture, glassware, kitchens, textiles and other home furnishings.

If you are a student of New York City or among the millions who love it, Kenneth Jackson's mammoth Encyclopedia is indispensible. I began using it as a reference book for my novel, The Five Points. Before I knew it, I was reading it from cover to cover. What a ride! What an achievement! While loaded with gorgeous illustrations, this is no coffee table book. This is a fact-filled guide to assist the serious student and amorous admirer through the intricacies of the greatest city on Earth. And unlike most books about New York City, this encyclopedia actually covers the other four boroughs, not just Manhattan! The enormous effort that went into this book will be gratefully acknowledged by anyone who reads it.

Just make sure you have plenty spare time when you pick this volume up. It is so addictive - you look something up, then something else catches your eye and before you know it two hours have passed.
I love New York and this book has definately increased my pleasure and knowledge of the city.

This is a great reference book to keep around. Great gift idea to New Yorkers who think they know everything about this great city.

I was looking for a good suspense/action story to read other than my usual John Grishman novel and I found it in "Iona". It started out a little slow for me but by Chapter 3 I could not put the book down. The interplay between the characters Lona and Niall was very intriguing. I especially enjoyed reading the Scotish dialect and felt I had developed a decent Scotish accent by the end of the book. I liked it so much I purchased (12) copies to give to my friends.

In Melanie Jackson's second book, and in it she weaves a tale of the Scottish Highlands, with the canny feyness that makes you think she lived it in another time. I write history and lore of the Picts and Celts, so I generally cringe when I read a Scottish Historical. NOT THIS ONE!!!

From the opening pages, she takes you into the mind of a woman who stands alone, who has the full weight of her clan upon her shoulders, cares little for men and the wars, only the survival of her people and she is willing to ensure this even to committing murder.

I could not put this book down!!

WISE Writers and Readers Historical Selection

This book was awesome! You could feel the mist and smell the sea air and those ghostly wails positively gave you the shivers. I must congratulate Ms Jackson on a brilliantly written novel with great atmosphere, strong loveable characters, and a wonderful plot. Can't wait to see what she writes for us next!

After reading a complex volume or when in need of a little quiet therapy, I go to visit Qwill in Pickax. The Cat Who...books are all imaginative and funny, as well as clean and well-written. They are not earth shattering works, but more like a portal to a place that feels like home.

The cat who sniffed glue is no exception. I feel that this is one of the strongest books in the series, with an excellent and professional plot.

I do hope you'll get to know the characters in Moose County, and enjoy them as much as I do. None of the Cat Who books disappoint!

"The Cat Who Sniffed Glue" follows in its typically serial vein with the usual fluffy fodder of feline fancies, but enhanced with a more sinister plot. While most assuredly not bordering on lurid, it is a welcome spin on the usual "Cat Who..." entertainments. Written as a play, it is piquantly refreshing due to familiar characters but change of setting, hosting the thrillingly suspenseful atmosphere of the theatre. "The Cat Who Sniffed Glue" rises above preceeding installments with Braun's usual wit and the perpetual fascination of whodunit. Delightfully cunning!

Number 8 in "The Cat Who ... " series. Like in the last book, a family seems ill-fated. When a man and woman are killed, the police think the motive was robbery, but Qwill digs beneath the surface and uncovers some shocking skeletons in the Fitch family's closets. The ending will probably come as a surprise!

I bought this for my kindegartner, since his older brother has a school album and I wanted my younger son to have one, too. It's nice, it has all the places to remark about each school year, places for photos, places to keep reports and other mementos. But it's just... ugly! The layout, the design, the colors -- not at all attractive. If I could return it, I would, but my son has already written in it....

...BR> One day while surfing on amazon.com i found my school days.I ordered it and knew immediatley that it was the perfect tool to help me update and stay on top of my childs magnificent development.
This book is great for anyone who is serious about recording the wonder years of children.

Using my "School Years History Album", has helped me very much and as I look back in my book, it brings back many fond memories that I would not be able to remember otherwise. The author is very innovative and I am glad that I have "My School Year History Album".