Simple recipes that include chicken stews, fried cheese, coffee desserts, and entire buffet menus. As a teacher of African American Studies, I use this book to teach to my students. It's very helpful, resourceful, easy, and fun.

this was the first book on african cooking that I owned (20 yrs ago as a college student),and believeit or not it still gets use in my house. The recipes are all adapted to the american palate-meaning the heat is toned down.Great recipes and info on how to serve the food.

This book is an exceptional testimony to the courage and suffering of those who were POWs on the Burma-Siam Railway. Although it is not a literary book, like Eric Lomax's "The Railway Man", the rawness of Rawlings' prose compells the reader's empathy and compassion. What makes this book unique is that Rawlings was an artist and this book is full of his pictures - made at the time, under the most horrific and dangerous conditions. They are stark, realistic and paradoxically compassionate. Through his pictures he most eloquently pays tribute to his comrades and makes us confront their sufferings. A remarkable book which should be read by anyone with a serious historical interest in the events that took place on that notorious railway.

This is an amazing true story of both barbarous inhumanities and extraordinary feats of endurance and bravery.

A marvel in comparison to the many contemporary metaphysics books that are still so influenced by modernism, positivism and postmodernism. The book covers all issues dealt with by positivist books, but also traditional metaphysical trancendentals (truth, goodness, beauty), linking them to the ultimate Being. The author is not afraid of political correctness, arguing that metaphsics is a scientific discipline, and apologetically interacts with many recent philosophical developments, showing their inadequacy. The book is thick, exhaustive and with a good academic level. The author seems to be influenced by Gilson.

Fr. Sweeney was surprised when I referred to his book as a "metaphysicial primer". I meant it as a compliment. This is a lively yet scholarly introduction to metaphysics. It is equally valuable to advanced students and career academics.

The Library of America should be commended for preserving the works of Benjamin Franklin. This is the finest compilation of Franklin's writings still in print.

The book is organized and presented in chronological order. The first section contains Franklin's writings between 1722-1726. This section contains the famous "Silence Dogood" works. The second section consists of writings between 1726-1757. This section contains the "Busy Body" pieces and the writings from the Philadelphia Gazette, amongst other works. The third section consists of writings which date between 1757-1775. The fourth section consists of writings between 1776-1785. The fifth section consists of writings between 1785-1790. And the final two sections are "Poor Richard's Almanack" and "The Autobiography."

Moreover, the sections contain personal letters between Franklin and other notable men such as David Hume, Lord Kames, John Pringle, Benjamin Rush, etc. Also, religious writings, philosophy, political writings and the like are present in this single volume. In fact, there is about 1500 pages of just Franklin's writings. Additionally, in the back of the book, there is a very detailed chronology of Franklin's life describing notable things which occurred between his birth and death.

This is a great text for those who are wanting a very detailed volume of Franklin's writings. However, it is also a great compilation for those who simply want to sit down and get a sample of the works of Franklin to find out what type of man he was, what he believed, what he taught, his sense of humor and the like.

This book has been one of the best investments that I have made in my collection of American Revolutionary (Founders) history. I highly recommend this work.

Many of Benjamin Franklin's biographers follow up their treatments of his life and work with an edited collection of his writings, as if to concede that he is his own best presenter. Any reader interested in Franklin should therefore set the biographies aside for a time and turn first to this superb Library of America compilation of Franklin's writings. Spanning his life from his early humorous writings (penned at the age of 16) to letters he wrote in the last year of his life (at 84), it is the single best, because most comprehensive, introduction to Franklin.

Carl Van Doren ended his classic biography of Franklin by describing him as "a harmonious human multitude." The phrase has become shorthand for those who try to encompass Franklin's activities as printer, journalist, polemicist, political thinker, writer, economist, demographer, scientist (or "natural philosopher" in the 18th-century phrase), lobbyist, diplomat, and sage. More recent Fra! nklin scholars, such as Esmond Wright and Robert Middlekauff, concede his complexity, but doubt the harmony holding together his various interests, activities, priorities, friendships, and hostilities; they also note that Franklin's genial exterior cloaked a massive and implacable egotism and an unsuspected capacity for strong and often bitter emotion.

All these facets of Franklin emerge from this superbly-edited volume. J. A. Leo Lemay, one of the nation's leading scholars of Franklin's life and work, has produced a volume fully worthy of Franklin and the Library of America series; it will be indispensable to all future students of Benjamin Franklin, of colonial and Revolutionary America, and of the foundations of American literature, science, politics, and government. -- Richard B. Bernstein, Adjunct Professor of Law, New York Law School; Daniel M. Lyons Visiting Professor in American History, Brooklyn College/CUNY (1997-1998); Book Review Editor for Constitutional Books,! H-LAW; and Senior Research Fellow, Council on Citizenship ! Education, Russell Sage College.

I would have started with the first of the series, but was unable to find it (since I was away from the Northwest at the time), so I settled with book three. This story is perfect - believable characters, interesting plotline, the best dialogue I think i've ever read - weaved flawlessly into one very funny book.

Best of all G. M. Ford knows his city well and taps into some of its eccentricities well, which is a special treat for Northwesterners. After reading "Skid Road" by Murray Morgen, I would say that Leo Waterman's father is based off of Vic Meyers, a historic Seattle politician whose real campaigns were outrageously funny in their own right, which is just one little tidbit that gives a sense of realism and authority to the surroundings.

If you haven't read the first two Leo Waterman mysteries, then you should. G.M. Ford has created a cast as confused and convoluted as his own name. He keeps you laughing without pushing it too far, creates great tension, and manages to get Leo through another crises once again (relatively) unscathed. Once you read this one, you'll want to go back and catch-up with the first two.

To realy appreciate any of Leo's writings, please try to latch onto a video of any of his talks....howwonderful to be able to see his Love flow to all. This visual will make this book, and any of his others, live in your hearts. A wonderful life experience. As he said, "Just be the best You that you can be; you're so Lovable!"

Leo Buscaglia has a unique way of relating life experiences to every day trials and accomplishments in all of his books. Bus 9 To Paradise decribes various happenings within his life that can be related to your own. He describes the emotions of living through descriptive, and sometimes humorous, stories about love, family, food, death, and friendship. There is not one chapter within Bus 9 To Paradise that I didn't feel the same emotions of the author at numerous times throughout my life. I have recommended this book to many friends and family members, all of whom were grateful for the insight it offers! Bus 9 To Paradise is a book that should be "standard" on every bookshelf across the nation.

Full of energy & wisdom. Wish all of us had his enthusiasm.

This is a 2 tape set of a couple of his PBS lectures with all of the emotion, humor and humanity Leo injects into everything he does. This was a tremendous listen. It is better than hearing an author just read a book to you in my estimation. Much better with the audience interaction and feedback. Try it.

The Color Wizard

Wizard is tired of his gray life. He's a dull shade of brown when the book begins and everything around him is a dreary shade of gray. One day he decides to pick up a can of paint and goes wild. He paints his castle and everything surrounding it including dragons and any other creature that crosses his path. He even goes so far as to paint the sun a cheery shade of yellow. When the book nears its end Wizard is as colorful and animated as his surroundings. After this massive project Wizard stands back to admire his beautiful new world and takes a much needed rest!

This is a cute, brightly illustrated story that's perfect for the beginning reader. The text is lively and easy enough for my six year old to read entirely by himself without any moments of frustration. The illustrations of the wizard, his castle, dragons and other assorted magical creatures enchanted both of my children. This one's a keeper!

~ Laurie Shallah

I picked up a copy of THE COLOR WIZARD as I was searching for a short read-aloud story to accompany a pre-school lesson on color. I was SO surprised to find such a poetic and not-in-the-least-awkward text! Wow! Add to that, the ever-versatile Dillons' illustrations and, well, you get one of the highest quality (yet in tune with kids' sensibilities) books of this type that I'VE ever read... RECOMMENDED! The kids LOVED it! (parents, too)

"Coppelia" is a fantasy story retold by ballerina Margot Fonteyn, with paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. The story concerns Dr. Coppelius, a European dollmaker who is also an alchemist. Coppelius creates a remarkably lifelike doll who becomes involved in an unusual love triangle.

The paintings by Johnson and Fancher are an ideal complement to this story of love and magic. The photographic reproductions of the paintings are excellent; you can actually see the texture of the paint on the canvas. The art wonderfully captures a quaint European village; the artists include such details as half-timbering and ornamental stonework on the dollmaker's house.

According to a supplemental note, ballerina/author Fonteyn actually danced in the ballet version of this story; that fact gives the book an added touch if interest.

Margot Fonteyn's rendition of the French ballet Coppélia is wonderful. It is the story of a young man named Franz who is enamoured by a beautiful girl who sits by the window in the house of the mysterious dollmaker, Dr. Coppélius. This of course makes his betrothed, the fiery Swanilda very displeased. However, things are not as they appear to be. The story has an excellent flow to it and the illustrations have an impressionist feel to them---one can actually see the brush strokes---and are very lovely. This book makes a great bedtime story and I highly recommend it to children who like ballet or those who have yet to discover its charm.

I was impressed by this book and am not surprised that it won the Pultizer Prize. It was a well written telling of the struggles of the German Jews.

I had heard about Rabbi Baeck several years ago but had never read about his life. He was a brilliant scholar and very influential in Reformed Judaism. I'd have liked to know more about his wife. She was an essential companion in his life.

He refused to go to the Gestapo office on his Holy days even when commanded. He remained a great source of courage to the Jewish community and refused to leave them even when offered safe emigration.

He is a great example of a man of peace. I once read in a magazine his moving and controversial prayer for the forgiveness of the Nazis. This is an excellent and readable book.

Leonard Baker's Pulitzer Prize winning biography is an compilation of the life of one of history's greatest unknowns. In addition to taking the reader through the life of the "seelsorger" known as Leo Baeck, Baker shows the changes in Germany from the beginning of the twentieth century through the horrors of the Second World War. One can see first hand how the bitterness losing in World War I evolved into the greatest and most frightening regimes to ever take power. This book is perfect for those interested in German history, the Holocaust, and anyone who loves biographies. By the end of this book, you will answer Patrick Dolan's question of, "Who the Hell is Leo Baeck?"