Les Miserables will be a tough read for some. Victor Hugo, in typical Nineteenth Century prose, is exceedingly verbose. His character introductions go on literally page after page, covering minute details that some modern readers will find tedious. Not only are they long, but they break the modern writing rule of "show rather than tell." When he presents new characters, we don't hear them converse or see their actions to form our own opinions. Hugo simply regurgitates a ten or twenty-page biography on them.

But this was how books were written then, and he did it as well as it could be done. The language is marvelous and rich, the characters interesting and complete, and the story sweeping and classic.

Jean Valjean, freshly released from a French prison, is caught stealing silver from an extraordinarily pious Bishop. Amazingly, this Bishop denies the silver is stolen, allowing Valjean to go free. Valjean, brutalized by nineteen years of life in "the galleys" and suffering poverty and maltreatment as an ex-convict, is so affected by this merciful act that he vows to reform. Seven years later he has changed his name and transformed himself into a righteous and contributing member of society, now a prominent factory owner and town Mayor. Life is good as he shares his profits and kind heart with the poor and unfortunate--until his past catches up with him. Valjean is then faced with an incredible predicament whose genius and complexity can be appreciated only by plowing through the full text.

Historically, this is an important literary work. Much of its political and religious sub-text may be lost, however, on those unfamiliar with the basics of the French Revolution. Like Valjean, readers will be better people for making the journey through this book. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.

I love the film adaptions and musical of Les Miserables, but they can't even compare to the greatness of this piece of literature. It's such an epic story, covering such topics as justice vs. the law, and ultimate love and self-sacrifice. Everyone can find something to relate to, something to learn from, and something to enjoy in this novel. The characters truly do come alive in this novel, from the center and hero of the story, Jean Valjean, to the minor characters. I particularly was touched by the story of Fantine, a "minor" character but easily my favourite. This character falls from innocence, and eventually makes an ultimate self-sacrifice for her daughter. I found myself unable to put the book down on many a late night, but especially so on the chapters concerning Fantine. Of course, perhaps my love for "classics" and "epics" and "historical romance" may have helped me enjoy the book so, as I know many people who could barely get through the first 20 pages of the 1400 + page novel. Some people may not have the patience to go through the Waterloo part, etc. It is a quite detailed book, and it does go very much "off-topic" a few times. But I still enjoyed every single word. I hope the size of the book won't make people think twice about reading it, it really is best unabridged. I have read the abridged version and it is quite confusing, and you miss several moving scenes. In my own opinion, everyone should read this book, unabridged...and prepare to be amazed!

Les Miserables is one of the greatest novels of all time. It doesn't just have an intriguing story-it has a dozen intriguing stories! That's one of the great things about Les Miz--it has something for everyone. It starts out with the reformation of the saintly convict Valjean and his moral battle with the fanatical policeman, Inspector Javert, but the books picks up many more characters along the way. First comes Fantine, a down-on-her-luck single mother, and her sweet young daughter Cosette, later adopted by Valjean. There's the godlike young revolutionary leader Enjolras, and his quirky band of followers, Les Amis de l'ABC. The villain (contrary to popular belief) is not Inspector Javert, but a greedy con artist named Thenardier. Two other main characters are Thenardier's children, (thankfully nothing like himself) the snarky, golden-hearted street urchin Gavroche, and the lovelorn waif Eponine. And my personal favorite, "Baron" Marius Pontmercy, Cosette's brave-but-confused young suitor/stalker.

The novel is packed with everything a reader could ask for--suspense, drama, romance, action, and plenty of crazy twists and turns to keep you on your toes. In addition to being a moving work of fiction, it teaches a good lesson (well, several good lessons, actually). For example, Les Miz does a great job of showing how some "bad guys" are victims of society (Javert) and some are just natural scum-buckets (Thenardier). It also shows how people can get past the circumstances they were born into and become wonderful people (Gavroche). I could go on for hours, but you probably don't want that...

It teaches a lot of history as well. A lot of readers have complained about the long tangents, and I tend to agree on some points. I recommmend skipping "The Intestine of the Levithan" and just skimming the Waterloo section for first-time readers. However, there is a lot of info on nineteenth century France mixed right in with the plot. You get to learn about the severity of the justice system (Valjean), and how politics could divide families (Marius), and how tough life was for Gypsies (Javert). Not only that, but the Paris Uprising of 1832 was a real event, and most of the characters were based on real people. Valjean and Javert were both based on Inspector Vidocq, Marius was based on Victor Hugo himself, and Enjolras was based on the real leader of the uprising. Hugo really manages to bring the time alive for you.

In short, this is a great book all around. And I'm not just saying that because it's my Bible (hehe). The book isn't nearly as difficult to read as it looks. If you're like me, you'll get so into it that you won't even notice the length. I strongly recommend Les Miserables to every literate person out there.

I did not read Anne's diary until I was 35 years old. I was not expecting much. After all, what on earth could a 14-year old write that would be of any interest to me? I was ridiculously wrong. I will forever look at young people differently.

All my life I have been haunted and filled with despair by the visions of the Holocaust, to which I attribute a great deal of my misanthropy.

Today, August 8th, 1998 I finished Anne's diary, and I will never be the same. Paradoxically, it took a product of the Holocaust, Anne's diary, as well as her death in a Nazi concentration camp, for this to happen.

Anne has been immortalized by her diary. Her wish to become a writer of importance has come true, probably beyond her wildest dreams. Congratulations, Anne!

Anne Frank, I hope that you still exist somewhere in this universe. And I wish that you are experiencing that profound love that you once dreamed and wrote about.

Anne, I love you.

No words can describe what I feel as I read this book. The painthat is in the Holocaust leaks through the pages with blood. But also, looking back at some of the lighter entries in Anne's diary, I can't help but smile. Anne was someone who was misunderstood by many, but also someone who loved life and enjoyed it. She had a good sence of humour and, (I don't know if this came out right), had some fun during her short time on earth. But what made me exceptionally sad, was when I was finished reading, I imagined Anne's dad, Otto Frank, coming after the war into the annex and finding his daughter's diary. I can only imagine the pain that he felt as he picked up the pages and read, remembering his daughters and wife and friends, all lost. That image in my mind still makes me cry today.. If you haven't read the book I have only one message for you: Read it as soon as you can.

I recently read a book titled Anne Frank: Diary of a young Girl. When I first started reading it I couldn't put it down I read it night and day, day and night. It is a perceptive journal that was written by a young girl during the time of the Holocaust. She received this journal on her thirteenth birthday; it was a gift from her father. This was about two weeks before her family went into hiding. The people that she lived with were her mother and father, her sister, another family of three, and a young dentist.
I absolutely fell in love with this book. It showed haw hared it was for a thirteen-year-old girl and her family (along with some others) hid from the Nazi's during the Nazi Occupation of Holland. Her personality really surprised me, because she had such a positive attitude through everything that she went through. In her diary she expressed her thoughts and insights about her environment. She described her feelings and all the occurrences that took place everyday on fears that she lived through.
I enjoyed this book because it taught me a great deal about myself. It showed me that I didn't have as hard of a life as I had thought I had. Anne Frank never had the chance to lead a normal adolescents life... The book brought me to tears, and I have a lot of respect for Anne Frank. After reading the Diary of Anne Frank I appreciate my life and what I have a lot more!

Okay, some others may have read my negative reviews on Eye of the World and Dragon Reborn. Just to prove I'm not such a clod, The Great Hunt is the best of the bunch so far (I'm currently on page 600 of The Shadow Rising). I liked The Great Hunt because, unlike The Eye of the World and Dragon Reborn, the plot line doesn't wander as much; I don't get the sense that Jordan is just filling up space. The plot of The Great Hunt is fairly linear and straight forward--a stolen horn, and the chase to get it back. And when Jordan does wander, in the final third of the book, it's actually quite entertaining. I have to admit that all of the Senachan stuff thrilled me greatly; I was unable to put the damn book down.

I was persuaded to read The Wheel of Time series by a friend. Though my tastes sway towards literary fiction, I've been trudging though Jordan's books as best I can. Sure, I may be critical at times (I think books one and three are borderline lousy), but it must say SOMETHING that I'm still reading the series (I'm on book four). Like a soap opera, I'm hooked!!!

I eagerly anticipated getting to this book, especially after having spent so long trying to wrap up the first in the series. It is really more the first book than "Eye....", which seemed more of a introduction into the world of Jordan. You don't even necessairily have to read the first book: the characters and their back-stories are all explained, not too great length, but enough to get a good idea. I'd suggest reading EOTW anyhow, it's a good piece of literature.
This is the continuation of th WOT series, and is basically the platform on which to set up Rand al'Thor and his future. In fact, a more appropriate title would be "The Book of Rand", since the other characters generally sit around, watching and waiting for the next move. Perrin, my favorite character, doesn't really make the kind of advancements that I would have liked, and Mat is still basically as he was at first, not quite realized, just a stock character of sorts, although he is one of the main reasons for the story to go on, and he has a good role in the ending. Nynaeve becomes a bit more likable, a bit more tolerable, and Egwene is more fully realized. Moiraine and Lan don't have much of a role here, although you do find out more about them. Also, a character comes back from the dead....
As with the first book, I have a serious bone to pick with Rand. His stubborness and his refusal to accept the truth are very irritating and somewhat nerve-wrecking. I found myself wanting to slap him on numerous occasions. He does somewhat become more enjoyable towards the end, and he has noble enough reasons for doing a lot of the things he does. A main element of the series so far seems to be the beauty of friendship, loyalty, love. Another is the conflict between good and evil.
This novel doesn't seem quite as long as the first, and I was able to complete it in a few weeks. Keep in mind, I have a LOT of free time. If you had 6-8 hours of steady reading time every day, you too could finish it in about that much time, but otherwise it could be a matter of months. The finale alone is worth sticking along with the tale for. As would be expected, the book ends, when you would like it to keep going. Fortuately, there are many more to be read, and I am going to be starting "The Dragon Reborn" very soon. All in all, it's fantastic read, and I recommend it highly.

A few years ago I was in a book club. I didn't care much for fantasy books then, but then I stumbled upon "The Eye of the world" in the book club magazine by accident, and because there were no other books in the magazine that seemed good, I decided to order it. Now I'm glad I did. The Wheel of Time-series is the best books I've ever read! They capture you from the first page to the last, and it doesn't matter that they're very long, it only keeps you in the wondeful world of Rand, Mat, Perrin and the others for a little longer. And this book, "The Great Hunt", is the best book of the series - so far (I've just started on "The Fires of Heaven"). It is everything a good book should be: exciting, interesting... I'm amazed that Jordan can keep track of all his characters! I won't say anything about the plot; it's useless, because you have to read "The Eye of the World" before you read this, otherwise you won't understand a thing. But I highly recommend this book and the others in the series. My last words will have to be: please excuse my poor English, I'm from Sweden...

You do not need to be an artist in the sense of a gifted painter, sculptor, writer, musician, etc. to enjoy this book. We are all artists in that each of us designs, creates and shapes our own future. We make the choices that will determine where our paths will lead. The only limitations we have are those we place on ourselves.

Julia Cameron makes the journey a little smoother by helping us rid ourselves of life's negative emotions - fear, jealousy, guilt, limited beliefs, etc. While the book makes interesting and insightful reading, I think it is important to be committed to completing all the exercises for maximum benefit. The author does touch on spirituality and makes reference to God in several instances; however, whatever your own personal beliefs, the reader can easily adapt the material written here to any spiritual belief, regardless of what "Higher Power" you believe in.

Two other books which I highly recommend are "You Can Heal Your Life" by Louise L. Hay, and "What's Next: Women Redefining Their Dreams in the Prime of Life", by Rena Pederson. Both are excellent books.

"The Artist's Way" is a book that will help to free and activate your creative energy. Author Julia Cameron outlines a twelve-week program to clear away the self defeating "editor" that sits on your shoulder, whispering in your ear, reinforcing all the doubts and fears that inhibit your creativity. After reading this book you will feel energised to write, paint, sew, sculpt, dance, sing or to follow whichever path your creative spirit chooses. This is a very spiritual book in a non denominational way! I personally like the way the author connects creativity to spirit. I have always believed that ideas and inspiration and intuition are spirit and that spirit propels us to create. The activities in this book will free you from the self defeating thoughts that hold back the flow of your creativity. The rewards are great. The act of creating connects you with your innermost feelings. If this sounds too "fuzzy-warm" for you, consider that allowing yourself time to be creative is very healthy. It's probably the best thing you can do for yourself. It will relax you and transcend all stress and worry. The author has written a valuable book. Consider reading it. It will strengthen and enrich you.

Many "self-help" books are often quick reads that give us a moment of stimulation, a swift kick in the direction of changing things, make us commit to a project that "we'll start tomorow", only to get buried in the business of living a life of maintenance that begs not to be crowded with more lists. THE ARTIST'S WAY just simply is not in that category. Julia Cameron has presented the serious, spiritually directed person with a way to make significant change in the way we perceive the world....and more importantly in the way we perceive ourselves as a significant part of that world. The book is meant to unlock the creative artist within us. I think one of the best ways to approach this marvelous little tome is to just browse through it as a book, in one evening, just to get the lay of the land. THEN, if you feel commited to positve change in your life, start from page one, follow her path to the letter, and then - see if your image still fits into one mirror! This is an amazing, enriching, satisfying, warming pathway to self discovery....and worth the amount of commitment it takes. Thank you Julia Cameron!

This is not your typical "man-running-for-president" memoir, most of which fail as even rudimentary books and instead serve as long and turgid pamphlets designed to impel the political careers of their subjects. John McCain has a compelling story based upon the example of his father and grandfather (both admirals) and his years spent as a prisoner of the North Vietnamese.

This is a book about family, honor and surviving tortuous trials unimaginable to almost everyone else on the planet. Scion of a long line of Americans who have served our country in our armed forces, McCain's service was perhaps inescapable. Simply, he was bred for it and never questioned that he would wear an American uniform. His most immediate examples were his grandfather, a four star admiral whose carrier task force helped crush Japanese naval strength in the last year of the war, and his father, another four star admiral who (ironically) was CINCPAC during McCain's last years of captivity.

The first half of the book covers the careers of father and grandfather and illustrates the family code that serves as a lodestar for the author. Both admiral McCains were salty men who valued personal honor, duty and the primacy of naval service above all else in their lives. They also shared a strong father-son bond, one which McCain was to also experience, although his internalization of his own father's presence does not seem to reach the levels experienced between the father and grandfather.

What makes this book compelling are McCain's prisoner of war experiences. Tortured, maimed, neglected and challenged by the North Vietnamese, McCain resisted and survived with his honor intact. The details of the privations he suffered (and those suffered by his fellow POW's) are fascinating reading, and serve to honor the men who wore our country's uniforms behind enemy lines and were asked to sacrifice far beyond what they had expected.

The themes of honor and duty run throughout the book and in places alight upon almost every page. Without the incredible personal tests to which McCain's honor and sense of duty were put, their emphasis could seem cynical and dismissed as simplistic patriotism. No one reading the book will doubt that the easy road for prisoner McCain would have been to abandon his honor and duty to relieve his physical and mental sufferings (nor wonder whether they themselves could have held on to such principals were they in his place). I doubt anyone will be less than impressed and honored that such men as McCain agree to serve our country and fight our wars.

This is a good book with a compelling story that will cause you to think about the meaning, and true tests of, honor and duty.

This book contains quite a bit of military history and military details that some readers will not find interesting. I am one of those people; nevertheless, I found McCain's book delightful overall. It is inspiring to read the life story of a man who lives for something greater than himself, and has the humility to give extensive credit to his forefathers and his fellow POWS, many of whom he mentions by name. McCain tells his story with the help of a professional writer (one online reviewer, who obviously never read this book, says the book couldn't have been written by McCain because he wouldn't have had the time--and that that must be evidence of the man's inauthenticity!) In fact, Faith of My Fathers is full of credit graciously given to a vast array of friends and associates, including his ghostwriter. Today, McCain's once-athletic body still shows evidence of the abuse and torture he suffered. In a self-absorbed age with few heroes, we need to hear more from men of conviction, character and courage like John McCain. It inspires us to push on, regardless of the cost or of the disabilities with which we struggle.

No writer of fiction could create this plot: three generations of McCain's, all graduates of Annapolis, all unique in their own ways, but similar in their devotion to serving their country in the Navy. I would not be surprised if this became required (or at least recommended) reading for students at the US Naval Academy. The major strength of this book lies in it's understanding of the complexity of life, families, and individual personalities. The stories of the men in this book, including the group of prisoners in Viet Nam, present a real, unglorified portrayal of what courage and patriotism mean. John McCain has the right stuff. So did his father and his grandfather. So did the men imprisoned with him in Viet Nam. The stories of their lives are told well, warts and all.

'Alias Grace' has long been recommended to me but I only just read it because the story, a piece of historical fiction of a 1840s Canadian murderess, didn't sound particularly appealing. Well my only regret is not having read the book sooner.

The story itself, on face value, is rather ordinary. Teenage girl and apparent boyfriend both kill their employers. However the girl ('Grace') is enigmatic and, as such, her actual guilt is brought into question. All this is explained very early in the novel. But then Atwood does a wonderful job of going into the mind and soul of our poor Grace; we are intrigued, disgusted, and feel compassion for this strange creature. The author then deftly reveals, in minute stages, what the real Grace is all about. The results are unexpected.

Oh, and Ms Atwood is a brilliant writer. Her prose is superb, to the point where you wonder if she can write a bad sentence.

Bottom line: among Atwood's best. A must read.

It is Canada in 1843 - Queen Victoria reigns; her insurrection prone North American colonists are diverted and then transfixed by a shocking murder trial.

Against this backdrop Margaret Atwood, who gave us The Robber Bride and The Handmaid's Tale, presents her ninth novel. Atwood's virtuosity is at its peak as she traces her feminist thesis in Alias Grace, which is based on the true story of a 16-year-old servant girl accused of double murder. With few facts known, the author has drawn a haunting portrait of what might have been, a profoundly mesmerizing combination of actuality and invention.

Grace Marks and her fellow worker, James McDermott, were tried and convicted for the brutal killing of their employer Thomas Kinnear and his housekeeper Nancy Montgomery. McDermott was hanged at the new gaol in Toronto, November 21, 1843. While Grace, due to her youth and "feminine weakness of mind," was sentenced to life in prison. She was also committed to a lunatic asylum following an emotional breakdown. Throughout both incarcerations Grace maintained that she had no memory of the murders or the victims.

Referring to the scandalous trial in her afterword Atwood writes: "The details were sensational: Grace Marks was uncommonly pretty and also extremely young; Kinnear's housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery, had previously given birth to an illegitimate child and was Thomas Kinnear's mistress; at her autopsy she was found to be pregnant. Grace and her fellow-servant James McDermott had run away to the United States together and were assumed by the press to be lovers. The combination of sex, violence, and the deplorable insubordination of the lower classes was most attractive to the journalists of the day."

Grace's story is revealed through letters, verse, news accounts, but primarily through her voice and that of Dr. Simon Jordan.

An ambitious young doctor with an interest in the field of repressed memory, Jordan is retained by those who believe Grace innocent to help her remember. As Grace's memory is prodded, she weaves her tale. Is Jordan trying to exploit her for professional gain. Or, is it possible that she is manipulating him?

Was Grace a naive pawn or a venomous Circe who bewitched then goaded McDermott into committing this appalling crime? The climax is a stunner!

In the adroit hands of Margaret Atwood, shades of guilt, innocence and complicity as well as the complexities of the human mind continue to fascinate. Alias Grace, a laudatory fictionalization of actual events, is a shivery Victorian tale of obsession and murder.

A sizable part of _Alias Grace_ is based on Susana Moodie's mid-19th century book about Grace Marks, who was convicted along with fellow servant, James McDermott, for the murders of Thomas Kinnear, and his housekeeper and mistress, Nancy Montgomery. Moodie met Grace Marks while the former was visiting the insane asylum and then the penitentary where Marks was later incarcerated. McDermott was hanged for his part in the murders; Marks was also condemned to die in the same manner, but her sentence was commuted to life in prison through the efforts of her attorney and of private citizens' groups who believed in her innocence. Much of Grace Marks' story is told by her, through a series of post-conviction interviews with Dr. Simon Jordan, a medical doctor who was a pioneer in the enlightened treatment of the mentally ill. Dr. Jordan is sponsored by a Reverend Verringer, who heads one of these groups.

What makes Margaret Atwood's novel so compelling is that much of what happens in _Alias Grace_ is based on true accounts of Grace Marks' life, which is seamlessly and expertly adapted by Ms. Atwood. She readily admits in her afterword "where hints and outright gaps exist in the record, I felt free to invent." Ms. Atwood is a master storyteller. Her Grace Marks is very much a three-dimensional, flesh and blood 19th century woman. The public's beliefs about her parallel many of the widely held views of females of her time. While many imagined Marks to be weak and easily led astray by a stronger and more wiley older man (Marks was only 16 at the time of the murders), others saw Marks as an evil and jealous temptress who entrapped a gullible man into the killings. Atwood also sensitively reveals the plight of many young girls of the period who suddenly become motherless and due to their changed cicumstances take positions as servants to the wealthy, or worse yet, are forced into prostitution. The alternative was pennilessness and ultimate starvation. Then there are those young women who fell prey to a "gentleman's" amorous demands, some of whom promised marriage, only to later abandon them. A truly heartbreaking episode in the book concerns Mary Whitney, a co-worker and close friend of Grace Marks, who dies as a result of a shoddily performed abortion.

By the end of the book the reader is given no definitive answer as to whether Marks was directly involved in either of the two murders. Her complexity is further revealed in the section of the book where a doctor (of the jack-of-all-trades type) puts her under hypnosis and another aspect of her personality is revealed. Grace Marks is confirmed as a woman of many sides, capable of acts of goodness, compassion--but murder? Read the very highly recommended book and then decide for yourself.

I dislike magic realism, I won't read fantasies, and I will be the last person ever to discover the charms of Harry Potter. I found this unique book so seductive, however, that I could not put it down. Even now, I'm surprised, not only that I liked it but that I liked it so much. Part exciting adventure story, part philosophy (which it wears lightly), part comic flight, part fantasy, and part homage to the coldest winters imaginable, it is, in my experience, absolutely unique. Though you will probably never want to leave the tropics to "savor" the fierce winters Helprin describes, his characters will remain with you, you will care about them, and weeks from now you will remember the story and its imagery. This is a total departure from A Soldier of the Great War and Memoir from Antproof Case-both more imaginative and more thoughtful.

I purchased Winter's Tale in a train-station in Germany and became so engrossed that I missed my stop. Once I got back home (reading all the while), I stayed up all night and finished it. After sleeping, I began it again the next day. It is interesting to me that a number of people have labeled it elitist. Many of the characters start out comparatively poor (though not uneducated) and rise to their destinies. Whether it's Virginia who leaves home to keep her family alive or Hardesty who rejects his family's wealth or Christiana who is a waitress taken by a rich man to live the high life (which she rejects to live in a one room apartment), these are characters from all ends of the economic spectrum. Friends that I have given this book have thanked me. From the first page there are sacrifices, yet each leads to a betterment of some sort. Balance is important as a theme and the city that will be built at the end will include Pearly Soames a truly frightening man. Please read it.

If there is a Hemingway of our time, it is Mark Helprin. And Winter's Tale is his "The Sun Also Rises". When you sit down to read this book, be prepared to be transported to a different place, far away from all that is known to a magical world of immense beauty and wonder.

Helprin has a unique and wonderful gift with the language, and his soaring prose and pristine word pictures help the reader to see and feel a place never before imagined.

Set in New York City of a century ago, Helprin's tale calls forth a good man's vision of a glowing city of justice--not as it is, but as it could be. The characters are unforgettable, richly drawn, poignant in their weaknesses and triumphant in their virtues.

If you long for an unforgettable experience, and a book you will surely re-read, Winter's Tale is highly recommended.

As someone who is learning to cook only late in her life, I was apprehensive and embarrassed about asking simple basic questions of friends and family. Perceiving this, my parents gave me this cookbook, and voila! -- I can cook!

With step-by-step instructions on everything from cookware, ingredients, buying, preapring, cooking, and serving, there's nothing this book can't handle. It provides recipes to prepare foods in the simplest ways, all the way up to complex gourmet dishes. And it covers every imaginable food -- if it isn't in here, I can't imagine where you'd find it.

The language is straightforward and encouraging, with appropriate editorializing on the author's preferences, and the layout is clean and easy to read. I can't say enough good things about this cookbook -- it never leaves my kitchen counter.

(P.S. -- Try the spinach with tons of butter -- it's to die for!)

For the longest time I was skeptical of the title "How to Cook Everything". This book does have most everything in their selection of recipe, but better yet, they are excellent recipes. I love this book because it tells you how to prepare food in many different ways. This book is simple to read, laid out well, and the recipes are easy to follow. While this may not be a beginner cookbook it is quite good, and you will be sure to be pleased with this book. In many ways it reminds me of the Joy of Cooking books with a more contemporary feel to it.
Bittman is kind enough to give menus and other suggestions so you won't be wondering what would go with the fine meal you just prepared. A very nice added touch. The book also gives basic information about various foods their storage and preparation. This book is a wonderful addition to any cook book collection.

" 'Convenience' is one of the two dirty words of American cooking... the other is 'gourmet'. ... The gourmet phase, which peaked in the eighties, when food was seen as art, showed our ability to obsess about aspects of daily life that most other cultures take for granted. You might only cook once a week, but wow, what a meal." (from the introduction to the book)

This is an encyclopedic guide to cooking delicious food at home, from scratch. I got tired of spilling things on the library's copy of the book and finally bought my own. Everything I have made has turned out beautifully: an Asian-flavored green soup, puttanesca sauce, chicken adobo, gingered carrots, pears poached in red wine, and bread pudding, just to name a few.

The recipes use few convenience foods, but almost all the ingredients can be found in any supermarket. They are delicious, and most importantly, doable. Even the dishes that have only three or four ingredients, and there are lots of them, turn out to be more than the sum of their parts. Many basic recipes (e.g. grilled whole fish, stir-fried noodles, apple pie) are wonderful on their own but also feature variations for those who want to dress their food up. There are authoritative but not stuffy sections on equipment and technique, as well as some nice meal-planning suggestions ("Twenty fish dishes for fish haters," "Twenty-nine crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side dishes you may not have thought of"). Look no further: there is enough great cooking and eating in this book to last a lifetime.

Based upon Michiavelli's first hand experience as an emissary of the Florentine Republic to the courts of Europe The Prince analyzes the often violent means by which political power is seized and retained, and the circumstance in which it is lost. Because The Prince is a political commentary, and not a work of fiction, Michiavelli does not use "characters" in the sense of a novel or a short story. Instead he draws his examples from the current political and social events, as well as from history. His characters are the political leaders of his time. The book is a declaration in plain language the conduct of great men and the principles of princely governments. The book can be divided into four sections.

1. The types of principalities. Michiavelli lists four types of principalities.

* Hereditary principalities, which are inherited by the ruler.

* Mixed principalities, territories that are annexed to the rulers existing territories.

* New principalities which may be acquired by several methods: by own power, by the power of others by criminal acts or extreme cruelty, or by the will of the people

* Ecclesiastical principalities, namely the papal states belonging to the catholic churches.

2. The character and behavior of the prince. Michiavelli recommends the following character and behavior for princes:

* It is better to be miserly than generous.

* It is better to be cruel than merciful.

* It is better to break promises if keeping than would be against ones interest.

* Princes must avoid making them hated and despised; the goodwill of the people is a better defense than any fortress.

* Princes should undertake great projects to enhance their reputation.

* Princes should choose wise advisors to confide and consult with

3. The types of armies A prince must always pay close attention to military affairs if he wants to remain in power. A prince must lay good foundation and those foundations include good laws and good armies. There cannot be good laws without good armies, and where there are good laws there must be good armies. The study of war should be a prince's main goal, for war is a rulers only art.If princes become too refined to study this art they loose their state. The types of armies are:

* Mercenaries or Auxiliaries (loaned to you by another ruler) are both dangerous and unreliable, as they will maintain their interests preceding yours.

* Native troops composed of ones own citizens or subjects are by far the most desirable kind.

4. Italy's political situation Michiavelli outlines and recommends the following

* The rulers of Italy have lost their states by ignoring the political and military principles.

* Fortune controls half of human affairs, but free will controls the rest, leaving the prince free to act. However, the few princes can adopt their actions to times

I just had an interesting discussion with a young man who was convinced that Machiavelli was evil. I found out he'd never even tried to read "The Prince", which is the quintessential guide to Machiavelli's political mind. This young man's preconception is a very common one, alas.

In this book, presented in short chapters, one finds a guidebook to taking power and ruling a small country. Nowhere does it suggest using excessive force, nor does it suggest gratuitous violence. It is straightforward and pragmatic. Machiavelli suggests keeping one's goal, political power, in mind all the time, and is not afraid to discuss unpleasant ways of getting and keeping that power. It is the essence of ruthlessness, but what politician doesn't do this every day? In every competitive, demanding occupation, participants must keep goals in mind constantly and work completely toward those goals. Machiavelli was just one of the first to codify how to do it. And codify he does -- the book is filled with suggestions on how to handle everything from whether to hire mercenary troops to how to make the commoners love you.

Though Machiavelli's writing is somewhat archaic and definitely rich in idea density, it is worth the read. I think everybody, from students to politicos to housekeepers to entrepreneurs, would benefit from the information contained herein. I do suggest getting a decent grounding in Italian history before the attempt.

This small yet informative book is the heart of power politics. It was Machiavelli's resume, written to help save both his country and his reputation. The book is often said to present a plan of leadership that is calculating and heartless. That is precisely the point; Machiavelli is a true historian who sets down the hard realities of what it is to be a leader and ignores lofty political ideals (making it obvious how few world leaders have actually studied it). As well as giving the modern reader a much needed history lesson, Machiavelli has a nearly prophetic knack for summing up the root causes of events from the 1st World War to Vietnam in a few sentences. It never fails to amaze me that leaders today would rather look at world events through hindsight than act on them by foresight.

In addition to Donno's excellent translation, this particular edition includes key points from The Discourses, which are guaranteed to astonish the reader with their obvious truth. After reading this numerous times, I found myself highlighting Machiavelli's major points throughout the book. It is not only political instruction but words of wisdom to live by.

Madame Bovary is a story about a common woman who marries an ordinary husband living an unglamorous middle-class life in a provincial town. It's that realistic. The heroine, Emma Bovary, longs for the wealth, romance, and adventure she finds in the Romantic novels of her time. After her marriage to Charles, a second class doctor, and moving to a small, mediocre town, she finds her life full of routine and banaltiy. She rebels, and seeks to satisfy her desires for a more glamorous life. This leads her to adultery and financial difficulties, which both lead to tragic consequences.

Emma Bovary is a character you will either despise for her actions or sympathise with and understand. It is true, her actions bring misfortune to her family, especially her husband Charles. Although he is weak and unambitious, lacking the gallantry of her image of a lover, his sentiments for her are genuine and she fails to see it. Moreover, he so trusts and admires her and never sees through her deception. I find that he is the character, if not most interesting, then most tragic and worthy of sympathy, as he becomes the true victim. As for Emma, like her or hate her, she is one who many will relate to.

This is not an exciting read, not fast paced or action-packed. Still, the messages in the book will reward your efforts. I'm no expert on Romantic novels but I think it's quite unlike other novels of it's time. Flaubert's descriptions and use of language are very moving, sometimes disturbing, especially when describing the ravages of sickness or pain. Those who like to contemplate on moral ideas in a literary work, or who love the beauty of language for the sake of it will enjoy this book very much.

This book is about a woman named Emma Bovary and her husband Charles Bovary. They are married and she becomes bored with his love and he doesn't satisfy her anymore. She becomes very depressed with life because what she imagined her love life to be is not at all what she is actually getting out of her marriage with Charles. Because of this fact she becomes attracted to other men she meets along the way. She meets a couple men and can't seem to stop thinking about them. Instead of trying to forget these other men she ends up having affairs with 2 of the men. She is affaid of what her husband will do but has the affairs anyway. She does end up seeing how much she does love Charles in the end. During Emma's deep quest for love I felt for her. She was a hopeless romantic in search of passion and a love like that towards herself. I feel as if Emma did not care enough to see the love that she did have for Charles until the very end of the novel.

In the opinion of our book group, this is still one of the greatest novels of all time in the richness of its descriptions and the loving, yet candid, description of the human condition. Flaubert's use of language and imagery is a beautiful representation of realism. His search for "le mot juste" - or exactly the right word - is still amazing. It was great to read this novel again through "mature" eyes. Life's lessons tend to lend a more sympathetic view of things. Although none of the characters are endearing, they are still engrossing. The story rings as true today as it did 150 years ago when Flaubert wrote it. All in all, Madame Bovary is simply, not just a novel, it is literature.