5 comments about The Prince of Darkness: 50 Years Reporting in Washington.

1. Bob Novak, love him or hate him, is a damned good reporter. His passion is politics, and only political junkies will appreciate this book of memoirs...apolitical types will not get past five pages.
   
   Liberal politicos should read this book, too, though I fear not many will. Novak is, after all, THE ENEMY, and fifty years of empirical insights can be discounted on partisan grounds. If so, their loss.
   
   One can psychoanalyze Novak and get a sense of what makes him tick: only child of an adoring Jewish mother and Republican father, spoiled, coddled, with the characteristic Semitic drive and ambition to work hard, get ahead, become a success, and leave a mark.
   
   Those qualities have impelled Novak to write a very long memoir, including as many details as his editor would allow...and it is fascinating, hard-to-put-down stuff. Novak is now in his late seventies, with millions in the bank and a large, loving family...ergo, he lets it all hang out. Names are named, undiplomatic opinions given, and, most importantly, integrity maintained.
   
   That's right: integrity. Novak may come off as arrogant and self-serving to some, but the guy is as aware of his own faults as he is of the politicians' he has covered, and does not hesitate to critique his own conduct...and to admit mistakes he has made. And though a conservative, he does not spare anyone based on political considerations. (Just ask Bush 41.)
   
   (If it makes any difference, in private Novak is a personable, kind man...he was charming and friendly to a relative of mine who met him whilst working at a hotel he was staying at.)
   
   Some political memoirs are terrible, but this is not one of them. It is not perfect, but it almost never drags (I could do without Novak's recounting of his religious rebirth, but, then again, when I'm his age, I'll probably find God too), and the revelations, insights, and, uh, substantive gossip cascade from the pages. I came away edified, informed, and with a deeper respect for and understanding of one of the nation's most brilliant, professional and uncompromising journalists.
   
   (P.S. Joe Wilson is a lying douchebag.)



2. As a retired journalist I thought "The Prince of Darkness" was one of the best autobiographies I've ever read. This book should be required reading for journalism students. Novak is probably one of the best pure reporters in the last half century. If you're one of Novak's contemporaries you can relate to the politicians, communicators, and other prominent Americans and the pivotal events he discusses so succinctly. I especially enjoyed his personal reaction to Joseph Wilson, husband of Valerie Plame. I think that his integrity is the major reason his career was so successful. His opinions and his reporting come straight from the shoulders--direct and more often than not right on the mark.



3. An autobiograpy of Novak career as a journalist, this book is a tour de force of his personal recollection and opinion of an imposing array of the famous, near famous, would be famous US political figures of the past 50 years.
   
   I heartily recommend this book as nostalgia for readers of my generation and an educational primer for the younger.



4. I'll come clean and admit off the bat that I like Robert Novak. I don't dislike someone because of their political ideology if they can sublimate that to their profession. I like his combative style, his principles, his philosophical underpinnings which - one notices distinctly - set him against those who one would assume would be natural allies (Bush, Dole, Bush II, Eisenhower, various conservatives). Indeed, his traditional Republican values of personal liberty, sound currency, a foreign policy of non-intervention, a free-market (vs government-imposed or Socialist) approach to societal problems - these eventually set him squarely against the Washington elite regardless of party. This principled approach helped maintain his independence over the years instead of becoming a party hack mouthing the party line as so many journalists are wont to do tody.
   
   In the end, though, his is a story about journalism. He continually went after the big story. The book is framed around the so-called Plame affair and in this case, Novak's version was completely verified by all those concerned - the special prosecutor, witnesses and the Senate committee that found Wilson had gave untruthful testimony. One notes repeatedly how often Bob Novak reports on incidents that put himself in a bad light or shows that he made a mistake at the time - a rarity in either DC politics or modern journalism.
   
   His sources were legendary - Patrick Moynihan, Jack Kemp, lobbyists, secretaries, ambassadors, Karl Rove - the list goes on. These provided so many exposes and behind-the-scenes "what really happened" incidents that they are too numerous to attempt to enumerate. His Evans & Novak column, his CNN shows, his personal and private friendships and wars make for fascinating reading from a true Washington "insider." The personal touch - his conversion from a fuzzy Jewish background to Catholicism - gives us that human touch needed in tomes like these. My Grade: A



5. It took me a little while but I read each and every word of this 638-page Washington memoir by Robert Novak. While Novak clearly sees the world through his right-wing perspective, the dirty little secret is that he can usually rise above this point of view and be just as tough and analytical on conservative republicans as he can on liberal democrats and become a terrific and perceptive reporter. As proof, Novak cites his usually dead-on predictions through the Evans and Novak Political Report of election results for each two-year cycle.
   
   His book is amazingly candid in revealing many of his sources throughout his 50 years of reporting in Washington as well as frequent references to his personal assets and earnings throughout the years, which he uses to measure his success. Novak has and continues to suffer from an almost innumerable amount of illnesses (including several bouts of cancer) which he details throughout the book, but it all doesn't matter--The column or the (CNN) show must go on! Because he is so tough and serious about his work, he makes enemies amazingly easy and often converts former friends to enemies after some "misunderstanding" which he points out is never his fault.
   
   The book does offer some great insights into some of major events and figures of our times with a special emphasis on politicians' and other reporters' hypocrisy whether it's Dick Armey, Bill Kristol, Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter, Bob Dole, Wolf Blitzer--well, you get the idea.
   
   What I found amazing is that Novak--as a central figure in at least part of the CIA leak case--never references the name of Scooter Libby and he makes no acknowledgment that his column's reference to Valerie Plame had a contributing role in Libby's actions which led to Libby's conviction. This is an example, I think, of Novak's inability to often "connect the dots" which looks to be one of his weaknesses.
   
   Finally, Novak also shows himself to be a very sensitive individual and he seems to take special "joy" in using his latest and the most personal of his books to settle old grudges--both personal and political. It was somewhat disappointing (but revealing and entertaining) to learn that Novak just can't help himself throughout the book in attacking the policies of George McGovern. Gee, Bob--that was 36 years ago. Oh well.
   
   This is a solid read and will fill in many of the blanks in your knowledge of the last 50 years in Washington, D.C. I strongly recommend it especially for those who have an interest in journalism and media as well as politics.

5 comments about Alone Together: Making an Asperger Marriage Work.

1. This book is written in a very relaxing and easy to read style, I do not think this is only for Asperger diagnosed people, but for everyone, since all of us show aspergians characteristics once in a while, specially when we are under a lot of stress, so the key is having open communication so we can understand why the other person did what he or she did, rather than walking away without having all the information. One of the key characteristics that I have taken away from this book is that Aspergian behavior seems to be triggered when we act out on our feelings without putting any bounderies or controls over them, then a balance is broken and people get hurt, however, understanding that some people do not know how to build those boundaries or limits can be the key to re-establishing an old relationship in new and fresh ways through teaching, practicing and lots of patience, lots of it, but the end result is all worth it, since we are all human beeings and we like each other's company although we may not know how to express it. Great book.



2. I am married to an Aspie. I've read many books on this subject. So far, this one is helping *me* with my marriage. The other books helped me to understand the Aspie, but this one is helping me with my reactions to him. This book is written in layman's terms, and in story form which makes it easy for me to understand. I recommend this book highly.



3. I recently purchased this book as I suspect my husband has AS. It has been very informative in helping me communicate in a more successful manner and improve our relationship. I am still not sure if AS is applicable to my situation as I am still on the road to discovery. Any assistance is great.



4. My heart bled for this woman, over and over. Why is it so many loving, sensitive women get in relationships with men with Asperger's? Aspie men are brilliant at presenting themselves as charming, intelligent, slightly shy or aloof and we flock to them like bees to honey- feeling that we are the ones who can rescue and bring them out of their lonely shells. I do understand much about Asperger's, and have great compassion, yet why is it that she stays in this marriage that keeps her constantly working so hard to keep him from getting upset or on overload? How could she stay after, "The Girlfriend"? She doesn't touch on a subject that is an issue in many Aspie/NT marriages and that is lying by the Asperger's partner, specifically in relation to infidelity. She begins to touch upon this in "The Girlfriend" chapter, but seems satisfied that Gavin once and for all learned his lesson. I somehow doubt it. Fooling other women who don't know them as well as we do can be addictive to husband's with Asperger's. They don't have to get that disapproving, disappointed vibe that we wives naturally give off after being hurt, lied to, let down countless times.
   I think this women has begun to love her prison; and has lost her sense of self.



5. The author does an excellent job of communicating the difficulty of an AS marriage. The title is wonderful and says it all. She does a good job of explaining the frustrations of everyday life, but is very kind and understanding when speaking of her husband even when he is verbally abusive to her. There was somehow a comfort in reading about the feelings and frustrations that I experience daily. It was like I have a friend who understands completely what I am going through and is sharing her similar story with me. I highly recommend the book.

5 comments about Secrets of the Monarch: What the Dead Can Teach Us About Living a Better Life.

1. This book as all the other books Allison Dubois writes are excellent. The thing I like about the book above all the others is how you feel at the end. It makes you want to live your life to the fullest and to let go of the negative things and grab onto the positive things in your life. I wouldn't want to stay angry and take any of that with me when I go. I would rather be happy and feel I did what made me happy. I can't say enough about how great this book is. I even gave it as a birthday present to a friend of mine.



2. Just as great as the books before, Allison Dubois book is heart warming. I loved every minute of reading it!



3. Just like the two other books preceeding this one, "Don't Kiss Them Goodbye" & "We Are Their Heaven", Allison Dubois gives us much needed information to help guide us through our every day life. I am only half way through this book but I am already realising it's worth and specifically the timing in which I am doing it. We really need to take a step back from every day life and try to breathe and then I believe that the signs and messages that are designed for us from beyond will be able to come through. Thankyou Allison



4. another precious read from Allison, but with a different slant toward generational balance...presents one with a new perspective on family and the responsibility of the familial soul...



5. This book is simply written, with good advice based on Allison's experiences. I'm a fan of the TV show based on her life and talents, The Medium. She has also written two other books. I have read them both,and I enjoyed them more than this book.

1 comments about Rick Mears: Thanks: The Story of Rick Mears and the Mears Gang.

1. Kirby did an excellent job writing about a super race car driver and a super nice person. I was both saddened and happy that Rick retired when he did. I think he could have reached the magic number 5.

5 comments about A Life of Picasso: The Triumphant Years, 1917-1932.

1. This a wonderful book portraying an incredible time of Picassos life and also of the other great artists of that time period with whom he was sharing this spectacular period of creativity with.
   
   John Richardson has outdone himself and this book is a must for all art lovers!!!



2. If you think you know Picasso's work, this book will convince you otherwise. John Richardson has done a tremendous service by sorting out when Picasso produced his greatest works between 1917 and 1932, what sources he "borrowed" from, what he was trying to accomplish, and how all of these works affected his career. This book was quite a revelation to me. Simply by seeing a lot of his work (as you can do at Musee Picasso, for example), you quickly realize that Picasso constantly copied himself. And, of course, it is well known that he borrowed much while trying to establish a style and while working with Braque to develop cubism. But Picasso borrowed early and often in ways I didn't realize. In that sense, he was a supreme stylist who could execute someone else's idea in a more profound way. I came away with a new appreciation for that aspect of his talent.
   
   While Picasso was alive, very little was said in books about his mistreatment of women and the motives behind his paintings of his wives and lovers. While his second life was alive, people were still pretty circumspect on this point. But now we know that Picasso was louse when it came to women and his family. This book gives you the full story of his first marriage, relationship with his young mistress who inspired so many joyous works, Marie-Therese Walter, and his constant attraction to prostitutes.
   
   There are some other surprises in this book including how central his work with ballet was in creating interest in his paintings and sculptures. It was through Diaghilev that Picasso met his first wife, Olga Khokhlova, a ballerina in the Ballets Russes. Picasso decided it was time to settle down and marry. Despite having had long relationships with women before, he now was looking for someone who would help make him respectable. In the process, Picasso adopted the lifestyle of one of the first wealthy artists (famously being driven around in one of the world's most expensive cars by a chauffeur in the middle of the world-wide economic depression).
   
   As good as John Richardson is on those subjects, he can be most annoying in other ways. For example, Mr. Richardson seems to have an obsession with Jean Cocteau and writes a lot about him even though Picasso didn't like Cocteau very much and Cocteau didn't influence Picasso very much either. Mr. Richardson also has a writing style that can be enormously elusive, describing what happened without saying anything. Picasso's wife seems to have had a lot of physical and mental problems but these are mentioned without providing much real information other than when they occurred. A greater problem comes in that Mr. Richardson likes to drop in lots of French phrases (I read French so I had no problem), but if you don't read French it makes the text harder to follow. Some will also find some of Mr. Richardson's put downs of those who disagree with as being rude and high handed. Perhaps the most annoying problem comes in using academic words to describe distasteful aspects of Picasso's personality and behavior. It's like putting lipstick on a pig.
   
   But I advise you to read the book while being prepared for its weaknesses. I'm afraid there is no substitute. The generously represented art makes up for the weaknesses.



3. John Richardson's long awaited third of four volumes of "A Life of Picasso" does not disappoint. The writing is insightful due to the author's personal relationship and knowledge of the artist. The first two works provided more than simply a lesson in art history, rather, an encompassing view of the life and times of the man and his culture. This most recent work continues the saga in the same well written manner.



4. Mr. Richardson has out done himself on his Picasso opus. He displays Picasso in the light of his work and his influences without fluff and sensation. The book is a pleasant and interesting read sans the dry, academic, and often inaccurate writing of other books on Picasso. He also down plays the sensationalism producing a sensative and revealing portrait of the greatest artist of the twentieth century. As an artist myself, (www.arteespanol.us), I found this book extremely informative, useful, and entertaining. I highly recommend this, and Mr. Richardson's previous books on Picasso to art lovers and lay people alike.



5. I love Picasso and to read about him as a regular guy living his life is very revealing in that he is human as well as a protean god of Art. Loved this book as it continues the story along. The only real criticism I have of J. Richardson is that it seems he's in a rush. Quite a difference from the slow but sure tone of the first two books. It seems for some reason that he went in and took out a lot of stuff some stupid editor told him was too much for any one to care about. Wrong. I sure hope he finishes the proposed 7 volume series but for as long as it is taking him to write it, well, I will keep my fingers crossed because he writes in a honest way the story of one man who changed the world.

5 comments about One River.

1. It was in better condition than I expected (it was used). The cover isn't bent at all - it doesn't look like it's been read.



2. I actually teared up at the end of this book, not something I expected from a book about ethnobotany. At the end of the reading I had learned about the lives of researchers in such exquisit detail that I lived along side of them. This book is nearly perfect, much better than even the rave recommendation from some very respected friends. It's possible that there will never be anyone who will have the knowledge from experience that Richard Shultes had aquired in South America and that alone makes this book very rich, yet added to his story are the experiences of Davis and Dr. Plowman two researchers that also immerse themselves deeply into the Andes, the llanos, and the Amazon to learn about the forests, the people and the use of medicinal and psychoactive plants.
   
   This is a long book, nearly 500 pages and is a serious commitment but well worth it as you will not experience anything quite like it unless Davis's other book is better (I have not read it yet). I only have a few complaints about the book and those are regarding omissions in some available photographs that Davis mentions in the end and a lack of maps for much of the area covered in the book. There is one small map on page 125 that shows the route of travels but it is too small and difficult to use. I resorted to a copy of International Travel Maps - South America North West to see the detail that I needed as I followed the travels of Schutes, Davis and Plowman.
   
   Davis is an excellent writer and he has a way of conveying a sensitivity to the lives of all that he encounters. That along with his insight into the cultures that he experiences and the knowledge and history that he brings into this makes it a unique, rich read.



3. Wade Davis is a lyrical writer and an accomplished scientist. This account of enthobotanists studying the amazing properties of plants and the way they are used by indigenous people is one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. Into the already-dense tapestry of medicinal, psychotropic, and industrial uses of plants he weaves fascinating details about the lives of several other brilliant and eccentric botanists, the administrative debacle of the U.S. government's rubber policy during WWII, the extraordinary lifestyles, religion and mythology of the tribes he encounters, the history of the missionaries, the cultural and nutritional significance of coca and the saga of its commercial exploitation, and the brutal history of the Spanish conquest. Add to this the sheer logistical difficulties of working in the remote rain forest -- the washed out roads, unusual diseases and parasites, harrowing plane rides, etc. -- that he, and especially his predecessors endured, and the book reads like a nail-biter adventure story. Left me with an overwhelming sense of awe as well as regret for the wonders that exist and those that have been lost.



4. This amazing book tracks the young career of National Geographic Researcher in Residence Wade Davis as well as the life of Prof. Richard Schulties, who was probably the best ethnobotanist the world has ever seen. Davis' task was difficult because Schulties kept no journals or logs of his travels. When he could, Davis interviewed Schulties whose failing mind made the process difficult. Davis also examined data and locality labels on herbarium (plant) specimens Schulties collected during his long career at Harvard University. What emerges is an in-depth look at Schulties' 12 years of exploration along remote rivers of South America in search of new and improved rubber-producing trees. This book provides a fascinating view of the scientific career of Schulties, from undergraduate student to career end, as well as vivid descriptions of travels in interior S. America. It is the most interesting book of explorations in South America that I have read. It also describes the lives of peoples untouched by western civilization; the health benefits of chewing coca leaves; the plague of aids; and the fragility of the world's rubber industry. Great book!



5. 'One River' is full of great stories and anecdotes as well as a sense of place and time that are unforgettable. I'm giving it four stars for reasons stated below and so won't focus on the positives which have already been so well covered by many reviewers. These are fairly minor quibbles in an otherwise good book.
   
   Stylistically, the narrative doesn't always flow well. Wade presents the life of the books central character, Richard Schultes, in some sort of chronological order, but interjects anecdotal stories out of order requiring the reader to have a good memory to keep everything straight. This is a long detail-rich book with 1000s of people and place names covering about a 150 year timespan from the Amazon Jungle, to the Andes to Central America and the American West.
   
   The amount of detail is at times excessive, in particular with place names and locations, Wade sometimes spends as much time describing where a place is (a 50 person village in the jungle) as he does about the place itself before moving on to the next place - it feels like a rote travel log at times, probably because he used Schultes private botany journals as one source. There is so much detail it sometimes crowds out the big picture, lost in the trees. I think the book could have been edited back 100 pages or so, there is just a lot of material that is pure anecdote or trivia.
   
   Finally and probably most importantly, as a life of Richard Schultes, this is pure hagiography. He is the hero of the story in all respects. Perhaps hagiography is helpful in motivating students to become scientists, but it is not a balanced objective biography, it is a tribute by one of his admiring students, Wade plays up Schultes accomplishments but does not question or examine his failures. For example, Schultes spent the majority of his career in the Amazon studying the rubber tree and became the world expert, yet he never did complete a book about it, what a tragic loss. I don't mean to disparage Schultes, but given his stature and reputation, the lack of any criticism naturally draws the question Wade never asks. The book was written in 1996 and Shultes died in 2001 so with time we may see a more balanced perspective.

5 comments about Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley.

1. The book title is also the name of the 1973 debut album on Island records for Bob Marley and The Wailers that brought the lyrics and sounds of reggae to an international audience.
   
   Originally published two years after Marley's death from cancer, the biography remains a great read due to the exhaustive research by author Timothy White.
   
   White had interviewed Marley from 1975-1981 and projects the development & growth musically, spirtually and politically in his life. White also interviewed musicians, friends, family members, music industry executives and poltical leaders, along with the typical research - newspaper articles and other media outlets - and not-so-typical - CIA documents concerning Marley.
   
   There are also sections on Jamaican history & politics, the history of reggae & Rastafarianism and how White did his research.
   
   Marley projected a militant spiritualism in his music that will remain timeless. Catch a Fire gives the reader an understanding and appreciation on why Marley's message means as much today as it did so many years ago.



2. Okay, I read all of the book and learned a lot more about Bob than had preciously known, but I was disappointed by the lack of details on the making of the music. I was hoping for more details about the inspiration for a lot of Bob's music and this book did not have it.
   
   I am currently reading "Exodous the Making & Meaning of Bob Marley & The Wailer's Album of the Century." This book goes into a lot more detail if you want to learn more about the music. I would recommend it over this book.
   
   Still "Catch a Fire" is a good read if you want all the details of Bob's life.



3. I was very disappointed with this book. After reading it, I have a pretty good idea of what Marley's childhood was like, a hazy picture of his adult life but no understanding at all of how a poor man from a third-world country was able to popularize a genre of music that was almost universally disdained, or considered a novelty, in the world outside of Jamaica in 1973.
   
   I would have expected more discussion of his music; specifically how he and Chris Blackwell adjusted the arrangement of Marley's reggae songs to appeal to a broader audience, as well as how Marley's music evolved over time. I know from watching VH1's "Classic Albums", that process was critical to Marley's success but I don't even get an inkling of that in this book.
   
   Instead the book has way too much on Marley's childhood (140 pages into it, we have only followed Marley up to the age of 14!). This book also has too many vague, cryptic references to conspiracy theories about the CIA, Ronald Reagan, the Jamaican government, etc.
   
   On the bright side, the book does a good job of describing the superstititious world of poor Jamaica, full of demons and ghosts, etc., which helps explain the popularity of Rastafarianism.



4. The book came lightening fast and was in brand new condition. I would recommend this seller and would definitely purchase from them again.



5. Highly recommend this book, the author will make you feel like you right next to Bob, and also give you an overview as if you're 'following' along, looking over or riding, right on Bob's shoulders. It has definetly made me understand Bob and humanity better... highly recommend this book

5 comments about The Devil in the Kitchen: Sex, Pain, Madness, and the Making of a Great Chef.

1. I have been in kitchens where chefs have yelled at me, threatend to kill me and everything else that they can throw without hitting anyone. This book helped me understand all those crazy chefs I had worked for and what their passion was all about. Most of everything (except throwing customers out) in this book I have seen through other chefs and experienced. I thought that the book was very funny in certain areas as well. I highly recommend this book as well as Gordon Ramseys book, which they both talk about each other because Gordon was one of Marco's proteges.



2. Marco Pierre White is the original rock and roll chef and the first person I'm aware of to consistently go into the dining room and tell people to shove off.
   
   When I was on an ACF Jr. Culinary Olympic Team in the late 90s, this was not a fact we overlooked, and for it White was instantly a hero of ours. I grabbed up all his cookbooks; the best of which was the tough to find White Heat. Through it, we discovered strange foods like caul fat, that we, as young cooks, had never seen, had, or even heard of.
   
   Needless to say, when I saw he was writing a biography, my interest was peaked.
   
   There's a funny story in the book that sums it up for me. A Michelin 3 star chef dined at White's restaurant, and afterwards, came into the kitchen to say everything was great except the fish -- which was salty. White told the cook who prepared it to tell the chef to "F off".
   
   White seems to tell everyone to "F" Off, and as interesting as this book was to me, a fan, I'm sad to say, overall, it is pretty poor. White has a tremendous ego, and comes off sounding like a real jerk that ruins every meaningful relationship he's ever been apart of both personally and in business.



3. MARCO PIERRE WHITE IN THE TRADITION OF ENGLISH ECCENTRICS TAKES OR RATHER BAKES THE CAKE !
   
   HIS ANTI ESTABLISHMENT ATTITUDES AND APPEARANCE MAKE THIS HALLOWED ENGLISH CULLINERY
   GENIUS EVEN MORE REMARKABLE - HIS BRILLIANCE WAS TO DESTROY THE HACKNEYED PRESUMPTIONS
   THAT GREAT BRITAIN WAS AND IS A WASTE LAND OF BAD FOOD - HIS COURAGE IN THIS EXCELLENT BOOK
   WAS TO RELAY HIS RAGS TO RICHES RISE TO STARDOM WARTS AND ALL YET EXPLAINING THAT IT'S ALL ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS AND IF YOU CAN CAPTURE THE NATURAL ELEMENTS OF THOSE INGREDIENTS
   WITH INTEGRITY YOU CAN UNLOCK THOSE FLAVORS WHICH IS WHAT FINE COOKING IS ALL ABOUT - SOMETHING THAT IS LOST ON MANY OF TODAYS RISING CELEBRITY CHEFS.- SIMPLICITY NOT COMPLEXITY !
   
   THIS BOOK IS AN EXCELLANT READ - I WISHED THERE HAD BEEN MORE - PERHAPS A FEW NEW CHAPTERS WILL
   SURFACE IN 2008 WITH HOPEFULLY MORE RECIPES AND BRILLIANT M P W TECHNIQUES.
   
   OH YES MARCO - WHY IS YOUR BOOK OR SHOULD I SAY KITCHEN BIBLE "WHITE HEAT" OUT OF PRINT ??
   
   NOT EVEN AMAZON CAN GET THEIR HANDS ON THIS - IT'S A CRYING SHAME THAT A BOOK OF THIS MAGNITUDE BE RELEGATED TO THE OUT OF PRINT DEPARTMENT OF CULLINERY IMPORTANCE.
   
   THE DEVIL IN THE KITCHEN IS ONE HELL OF A READ - FIVE STARS - PETER CHRISTIAN - LA.



4. THis book is great. Read it in two sittings and laughed alot. Also very thought provoking and an interesting point of view from such an acclaimed chef.



5. Marco Pierre White is both an award-winning chef and the product of a council block in Leeds. The Devil in the Kitchen demonstrates the relationship between those two facts, as Marco is driven to succeed, leveraging his blue collar work ethic and personal pride. His drive is all-consuming, with 17 and 18 hour days at the stove a common pattern. He is animated by a love of food--nature's great gift--and he operates on adrenalin, nicotine, an obsession with quality control and, for a time, the need for public recognition of his efforts.
   
   Marco is often thought of in America as Gordon Ramsay's mentor. If so, he put the hell in hell's kitchen, though the book is less about him as a devil than about the demons that make him a great chef. The book is a tour of British gastronomy in that Marco works--in the course of his life--at many of England's great restaurants and for England's great (often non-English) chefs.
   
   The book includes recipes of some signature dishes and sidebar tips on Marco's methods and techniques. The narrative (written with James Steen) is brisk, interesting and engaging. It is a story of obsession and accomplishment but not really about sex, pain, and madness, as the subtitle suggests. There is a little sex and a bit of pain but no madness in the clinical sense. There are also tantrums, anecdotes of the glitterati and tales of the rich, the powerful, the hungry and the rude. The world of Marco's kitchens will not be unfamiliar to readers of Tony Bourdain or fans of Gordon Ramsay's many shows. In some narratives cookery is all sweetness, light, conviviality, love and family. Here it is war, but war that is very tasty and washed down with first growth red bordeaux.
   
   Both confirmed foodies and fans of memoir and autobiography will enjoy this book.

5 comments about Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman.

1. Get this book!!!
   You won't be able to put it down, there are many books and even a movie (made Hollywood style, which Gladys didn't like) but the movie let me know about Gladys Alward
   
   But this book, written withe the help of a Christine Hunter, gives Gladys Alward's story in her own words!



2. This is an amazing book that I happened upon by accident. I have shared it with others who were impressed when reading about the life of this unassuming missionary. It was truly inspirational. I highly recommend this book.



3. THE BOOK ITSELF WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I ENJOYED READING THIS BOOK. IT WAS HARD TO PUT DOWN. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR ANYONE.



4. What an amazing woman - I first heard her story as a radio drama on Moody radio, and was so facinated I had to read her life story. If only there were more like her today, what tremendous growth the kindgdom of Christ would experience!



5. The movie made from this woman's life, The Inn of the 5th Happiness, was great. This book is even better. There are more miracles told of, and of course it is free of any Hollywood add-ons. This is the story of a parlor maid who feels a call, of all things, to go to China. She meets only discouragement and is told by a local missionary board that she is not qualified. But Gladys audibly hears from YHWH that she is to go. She saves her pennies and takes a train, alone, from England to China!
   
   On the trip Gladys just barely escapes being abducted by greedy and lascivious (to put it mildly) Communists who think she could be useful as they think a missionary is a machinist. When she gets to China - where she speaks not one word of the language - all she has to greet her is a 73 year old missionary living in virtual poverty who had prayed for a young woman to come and replace her. Good thing. The elderly lady died in about a year. Gladys became an inn keeper for mulemen, and a government foot inspector (the Chinese law was saying women could no longer bind their feet.)
   
   Wherever she went she preached the Gospel fearlessly and won many converts, including the local Mandarin who became a great friend of hers. Along the way she gave up her dream of one day marrying and having her own children. But she had plenty of children - I think about 20 officially, some abandoned, orphaned, or bought from those who were going to sell them for evil purposes. She also managed to get 100 children - 3 to 16 years old - over "impassable" mountains, mostly alone and mostly with only the meager food they could beg in their war ravaged area. They needed to reach a Christian missionary orphanage and did so - though at the cost of Glady's health in many ways. As always, people who give up all to follow Abba's call are very humbling, and when they triumph against all odds, we are inspired. What was also encouraging to me was that Gladys was not a bulwark of faith every minute. She sometimes questioned our Heavenly Father, and called out to Him in desperation like all the rest of us. And just as with us, He often answered her prayers at the very last minute!
   
   Though this little missionary had many hardships and trials, I'm sure she would not trade with those of us who sit reading her story in luxury in our climate controlled homes, with full bellies. I guess only those who live so fully dedicated to Yahusha ever really know what true adventure is, or what the truest fulfillment really is.
   
   "When the saints go marching in" I would guess this humble little lady will be among those placed at the head of the line.

5 comments about Assata: An Autobiography (Lawrence Hill & Co.).

1. Wow...When you read this book you feel in another era , in another world but the sad part is that is not, it is our world and what hapened to this woman was real.I recommended to everyone regarding your ethnic gropu, but specially to blacks and whites in this country.



2. This is by far the best autobiography I have read so far. It was an easy read and extremely expressive. In many ways it is disturbing if you think of what the character goes through. The explicit racism, abuse, pain that Assata had to endure is decribed really well. You get to in fact life in her era, in her life when you read this book. I literally could not put it down and read it in 2 days.
   
   It pretty much gives you and idea of how things were in the 70's, what black people went through especially women, what the black panther party was really all about, the dirty system we call law, explicit racial comments and treatment etc. If you like stuff like that, then you'll love this book.



3. This book is a must have for revolutionary minds of the next generation. Assata illustrates the life and times of the struggle. She also reveals what black women had to go through and endure. This book is worth the purchase. Young brothers and sisters need to feed their brains with this one.



4. Even if you have never heard of Assata you should pick up this book. It's the autobiography of a woman who now lives in exile in Cuba, telling her story of how she was arrested in the U.S. and charged with murder. When you pick up this book you can easily read it cover to cover. You will love her style; the book reads as if she is speaking to you one on one and telling you what happened. Her story is something that will show readers a view of society and government that they may have not seen or heard of before - the other side of the Black Power movement in the 1960s-1970s. The book speaks out on the corruption of the justice system and the government. Follow up after the book with materials and resources on her website for more information. Assata's few published books are difficult to find but well worth the read. She is a strong figure that is still active in making change in our society today. As a person who had not know much about the Black Power movement I was absolutely blown away by Assata's book, her work, and her continued vigilance and courage.



5. I'd only heard her story in snippets; she was a Panther, a revolutionary and a wanted woman. She has been lauded and lambasted and I believed that she was someone that I needed to learn more about. My education started by reading her biography.
   
   From a literary standpoint, the book is beautiful. Well written, easy to follow and interspersed with her own poetry. For it's beauty however it is still a difficult story to read. Because it is a story of a woman whose eyes, mind and heart were wide open to the possibilities of freedom and equality but was faced repeatedly with inequality, injustice, persecution and racism. Most times her story was horrifying, particularly her imprisonment, sometimes she kept it light, when speaking of her childhood, her friendships, etc. But through all times, I would suggest that her story remains relevant and inspiring and makes the reader thirst for more knowledge of her and the movement for which she sacrificed so much for.