This book is more about bagels, than actually about MAKING bagels. I would recommend Joan Nathan's "Jewish Cooking In America" for a book that has a better recipe for bagels as well as SO much more to offer (heck, even if you are only looking for the bagel recipe her book is still a better way to spend your money).

This silly book is not for someone who wants to sincerely learn about the history and preparation of bagels.

There are a few pages about the origins of the bagel, followed by a bagel recipe. I was disappointed to see that the very ingredient that makes bagel dough out of bread dough, malt, was substituted with plain sugar. And this in a book dedicated solely to bagels...!

What follows is a "recipe" collection, taking up more than 60% of the volume, describing what can be spread and laid onto a bagel - you guessed it, pretty much everything. Most every recipe features cheese or some other "heavy" ingredient - why don't people understand that a bagel stops being a healthy food in the moment one spreads it with cheese or mayonnaise...?? Needless to say, I have not seen one single vegetarian recipe (besides the plain bagel itself).

The rest of the book (about 25% of the volume - no kidding!) is a long list of bagel shops around the US.

All in all, the only use of this book may be as a "gag" surprise for someone who loves bagels - then again, such a person probably already eats more calories than (s)he should, and so even more cheese-loaded recipes are not recommended.

This review is about the _second_ edition of the book, which apparently is totally different than the first edition.

I thought this was a great book for the history as well as the recipes. The first part of the book is various celebrities saying what kind of bagels they like - interesting, but not compelling.

Then there are about 15 pages of bagel recipes - yes,_bagel_ recipes such as a basic one, blueberry (of course) and a Valentine's Day bagel, among other recipes. There's info on why a bagel is better than a doughnut for you (but you knew that already, didn't you?). The rest of the book is recipes for bagel toppings and things such as bagel stuffing.

I wonder if I read the same book (again, I'm talking about the second edition) simply because there are recipes to make bagels and there's about 13 pages of vegetarian spreads, despite what another reviewer stated. There's stir fried bagels, garlic bagels, butterscotch bagels as well as my kids' favorite, pizza bagels.

The spreads are amazing - the strawberry cheese bagel is much better than the soft spread Philadelphia Brand sells. The bagel cheese pastries are terrific. I recommend this book highly as it expands your horizons in regards to what you put on a bagel. I was always a cinnamon raisin with plain cream cheese kind of person, but that mushroom spread on an garlic bagel is heavenly.

Buy the book and enjoy bagels.

I read this book at the end of the year, thinking it would be good to read about the end of one millenium at the end of another. Wrong! I particularly disliked this book. It's little of historical fiction, and a lot of surrealism. I even thought it lost in the translation, but by the time I was through, I knew it was simply unlikable. Sometimes it even makes you want to puke.

I bought this book because I like Medieval History and I wanted some more ideas of what feelings were like at the turn of the last Milennium. There are several good books out there on the subject. Though I would still put this book on the list I would put it at the bottom. I was looking for history and got 90% surrealism. If that's what you're looking for then fine. If you're looking for a good history or historical fiction then look elsewhere.

I agree with the previous two reviewers: if you are looking for a history book, look elsewhere. But Aridjis isn't an historian, he's a poet, and this book is sheer poetry, wonderfully imaginative and beautifully written.

I enjoyed the three earlier Betty Trenka mysteries, but this one was plodding, uninspired. A big problem is that of the Obvious Villain. Where, exactly, is the mystery? Moreover, it struck me as implausible that parents allowed their children to hang out with that very odd couple 15 years older. Not one parent put a foot down? The really interesting twist was in the development of a neighbor's personality--one who turns out to be a lot less insightful than he's been portrayed to date.

A very bland tale. Where is the mystery? I am afraid that Joyce Christmas has lost her touch. This tale about pseudo-satanists and angst-ridden teenagers is obvious and totally charmless, most unlike the three previous Betty Trenka mysteries. Has Joyce lost her touch?

Forced into retirement after three decades as an office manager, Betty Trenka moves to East Moulton, Connecticut where she still seeks to find something productive to do with her time. While visiting her neighbor Ted Kelso, Betty meets Brad Melville, who has a nefarious reputation amidst parents of teenagers throughout the town. However, teens think so highly of Brad, he has become a cult-like figure to them. Betty also meets Brad's girl friend, Raven, who gives the appearance of being a witch. Brad and Raven frighten Betty.

When the school secretary becomes ill, the principal temporarily hires Betty to take over the job. Betty also hires troubled fourteen-year-old Tommy Rockwell to mow her lawn. Betty becomes concerned with Tommy's quest for power and vengeance against his peers who seem to always pick on him. Even more worrisome to Betty is the influence of Brad on Tommy. She thinks something deadly is coming and there is little she can do to stop it.

The fourth Betty Trenka cozy is a warm New England tale that fans of the Jessica Fletcher series will enjoy. Like the previous three tales, MOOD TO MURDER, is a character-driven story. Betty remains an intriguing individual whose philosophy on the whims of life is the key to her essence and the overall plot of the novel. The secondary characters add a husky New England flavor to the mix. Though the story line is entertaining, there is little action until the climax. As with her Lady Priam mysteries, Joyce Christmas provides a gift to those readers who enjoyable a serene cozy.

Harriet Klausner

I read with great interest Embraced by the Light, it had beed loaned to me by born again believers in Jesus Christ. I considered NDE as new age and occultic and as I had loved and embraced the beliefs of Shirley MacLaine, the book drew me in. However, I was pleasantly surprised how I was drawn toward Jesus Christ and gave my life to Him.

I read Deceived by the Light as I was looking for answers to some of my doubts about Betty's experience. The book appeared to offer some answers although I reckon they were rather extreme. I have not read any where else about Betty being a Mormon yet this book claims she is and that her experience were typically Mormon mythology.

I can't completely dismissed the book as ramblings, but rather an invitation to debate.

My friends dismissed the book as extreme, but he had a right to his opinion.

Although Doug Groothius is skeptical about the near-death experience (NDE) and it's
biblical interpretation, the author manages to keep a good balance on his views, the bible
and the NDE. His main focus is the authenticity of most NDE's and the after affects in
their lives, specifically Betty Eadie's account of her NDE in "Embraced by the Light."

Some pertinent questions are asked by the author.
1) Why did it take Betty Eadie so many years to tell her story?
One must have time to assimilate what has happened and not to react emotionally. This
is a very emotional experience as well as intellectual and spiritual. Knowledge comes at
a very fast speed, since most NDE's only last about 5 minutes. In 1974 I personally
experienced a NDE and after sharing the experience with my family and a few friends I
pretty much kept it to myself. In 2000 I put together my own personal website to share it
with others, I felt the timing was right.

2) What biblical response do the NDE's acquire? Most NDE's experience a great
love, an unconditional love that is God's love. If we respond to this love, isn't this what
Jesus has asked us to do? Most NDE's change their life's course after their experience.
Consider these bible quotations: JN 13:34 I give you a new commandment: love one
another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. JN 15:10 If you keep
my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's
commandments and remain in his love. JN 15:13 No one has greater love than this, to
lay down one's life for one's friends. JN 17:26 I made known to them your name and I
will make it known, that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them.

3) What about near-hell experiences? Although Betty Eadie does not go into detail
about her negative experience, she does recount the void and hopelessness that one feels
without the love of God. I personally experienced this void at the end of my NDE before
coming back into consciousness. One account of the near-hell experience comes from
Howard Storm. In his book "My Descent into Hell and the Message of Love which
Brought me Back". This is the story of a near-death, recovery, and transformation - of
lessons from spiritual beings about the future, the meaning of life, life after death, the
role of angels, and much more. But the Lord of Light sent him back with a message of
love. His life was so immensely changed after his near-death experience that he resigned
as a professor and devoted his time to attending the United Theological Seminary to
become a United Church of Christ Minister. JN 5:24 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever
hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to
condemnation, but has passed from death to life.

I leave you with one of my other book reviews by Carl Jung. "Memories, Dreams,
Reflections". These writings come straight from Jung's own inner experience and it is
his last book before his death in 1961. I have read and re-read this work because at
different times in my life I needed to re-evaluate where I was and where I was going.
Other books by Jung are more intellectual and scientific, whereas, this autobiography has
the wisdom of a person in the later part of life and it was written not so much to teach but
to leave with us his legacy. Having myself had a NDE, I was especially
re-affirmed by Jung's own NDE and his dealings with this phenomenon.
His acceptance of his own humanity and his returning from this state to share with us his
knowledge and vision is a gift to all of us. It is not easy to return to our humanity and
deal with the sufferings we encounter but growth is the only evidence of life. We have to
come down from the mountain top and work in the valley.

This brings to mind two books
written by Hannah Hurnard called "Mountains of Spices" and "Hinds Feet in High
Places". Allegories about living our lives with others and not in solitude. Solitude is a
wonderful place but if we stay too long we become self-centered, afraid to reach out to
others. Another author who gives a good perspective on life is Henri Nouwen and his
books "Out of Solitude" and "Reaching Out".

One reviewer below stated, "When Mr. Groothius has a detailed near-death experience of his own that he can use for comparison to Betty Eadie's, then I will take him seriously."

Isn't this like saying, "If you've never experienced heroin, then you can't knock it"? Also, I wonder if that reviewer has had a NDE which he/she can use to determine if Eadie's experience is valid?

Are all subjective/existential experiences beyond evaluation? If so, then anyone could claim anything, and all others would be forced to believe.

Groothuis does a good job of cutting through this type of thinking and shows how truth-claims about NDE's can be tested, and evaluated.

I was expecting much more out of this book, especially when it is the first one dedicated just for anchors. I was disappointed when I saw it and disappointed more when I read it. I think it is a total waste of time and money.

Measuring 9" x 6", this compact paperback contains a full explanation of how the anchor developed from the pierced stones of ancient times to devices used by the largest of today's super-tankers and oil platforms. The book is well laid out with plenty of photographs, diagrams and drawings depicting every aspect of the anchor - including it's history, design, build, use and stowage.

As an example of the detail contained within, my local Church is named after St. Clement and I had long wondered why there was an anchor on the church gate. This book explains how, in medieval times, St. Clement was martyred by having an anchor tied around his neck before being cast overboard.

If ever anyone was trying to identify an old ship from it's distinctive Anchor, then this book might just provide the clue. A most useful tool.

NM

There aren't that many histories of the development of the anchor ("probably the single most important piece of equipment any vessel takes to sea," it says) so it's nice to have this concise and well-illustrated review by a researcher with the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich, England. Although it only covers the evolution of anchors for Western maritime cultures, it's as comprehensive - and accurate - as one could ask, and more accessible than Jobling's 1993 Texas A&M dissertation on English anchor development from 1550-1850.

After reading about this book on the author's home page, I was looking forward to detailed information on diet and natural remedies the author has used in overcoming her MS. I was disappointed. Not only does the book not cover these important issues, but calling it a book is generous to begin with. It is in fact a small pocket-size booklet, which would only be about 40 pages if it were a standard size book. It is certainly NOT worth the money. The contents reflect more of the author's philosophy on life, and attempt to inspire the reader. If you are looking for suggestions on dealing with your MS from a nutritional point of view, try The Swank Diet or a similar work. If you want a feel good book, and don't mind shelling out the money, buy this. Frankly, there are better feel-good books that provide a lot more than this. I can't recommend it.

From MS to Wellness is a perfectly wonderful guide - it's one woman's personal history generously sprinkled with the research behind her conclusions. Conclusions which she openly says are hers alone, and might not be the end all for others. Ms. Iams writes in plain, unpretentious English. Her book had great value to me as it reinforced skills and knowledge that I have, but I've needed a good nudge to keep practicing them while on my own journey with MS and a middle aged slump. Her book absolutly reminded me to strive for the best of life: both emotionally and physically. One gift I received from this little gem is a good look at myself and the conclusion that "I am OK". She reinforced that I OWN my thoughts and have two choices. One, to think negative; or two, to brighten my day with positive thoughts. Very basic. Also, her writings encouraged me to stay the course with "clean" foods, daily exercise, getting outside each day, and the importance of a daily quiet time. It's a great little handbook with perfect common sense and many rich, new thoughts. Well worth the read!

After reading another book about this case and recently watching the Court TV rerun of the 1991 second trial, I was hoping for some additional insight (objective) into the background of Betty, Dan, and Linda Broderick. There was a little of that, but overall this was a disappointing book because of its strong bias toward the defense's theory of the case. Taubman apparently bought into the idea that the venom-spewing woman on the stand was "emotionally abused" by her ex-husband and his new wife to an extent that made murder expected and understandable. While she agrees that Betty Broderick deserved punishment, the author seems to think Broderick's actions made sense in the context of the bitter divorce. They didn't, they don't, and nothing I read in this book convinced me of this position.

This book is a good read if you want something fast with not a lot of details about the Broderick case. It does not compare with Bella Stumbo's "Until the Twelfth of Never", which should be top choice if you want a very thorough (but not in the least boring) read on it. The author gives a good representation of Betty's point of view, while at the same time stressing the total wrongness of her acts. With a double murder, high society, and the intriguing character of Betty Broderick you can't go too wrong picking this up. Can we ever get enough of this one?

Back Cover description: An offer she couldn't refuse...a nursing job in Holland was the only way Lavinia Hawkings could ensure a home and security for herself and her young sister Peta. Yet within weeks of arriving she was married to the devastating Professor Radmer ter Bavinck! Radmer had assured Lavinia that the marriage would be on a friendly basis only--he needed a kind stepmother for his daughter and a competent housekeeper to run his home. It seemed to be the ideal arrangement-- for everyone except Lavinia!

The plot was slow. I agree with the reveiwer from Santa Fe that this story could have been better. Do the two main characters even like one another? It's hard to tell. The ending was strange too. Are these two even happy? Not what I consider a good story from this author.

I have read a lot of Betty Neels books and out of them all I have to say that this is my least favorite. The heroine of the story spends her time wondering why she agreed to a marriage of convenience to a man who spends the entire book being remote and angry. It had a promising beginning and the ending was mediocre. I was left wondering if the ending was really a happy one or not.

When I lived in Hong Kong in the 90's I loved reading books like these. This one should be great; the problem is not the subject matter, but simply the flat, dull prose and tortured arguments. Aside from a small section of nice black and white photos I can't say anything good about it. Readers interested in this fascinating city may wish to try Harriet Sergeant's Shanghai, which at least is far better written (I'm not sure the other reviewer here read Wei's book or Sergeant's - it is the latter that is full of "wonderful anecdotes," I think - this one is a mediocre academic text). Another good book is W.H. Auden & Christopher Isherwood's A Journey to a War, which deals with a 1930's journey the two British poets made to China and includes a fascinating section on Shanghai, as well as Canton and Hong Kong, and includes Auden's poem "Hong Kong," which should be the anthem of that city.

Betty Wei has provided a balance narrative of how Shanghai emerged from a small and enclosed port to an international city known as the Pearl of the Orient in the 1930s and later came to embraced communism in 1949.

Full of anedotes of all kinds, Wei engages the reader to imagine the lives of various social and economic class and provide researched historical facts and statistics that other scholars in the field may find useful.

A must read for anyone who is interested in the history of Old Shanghai but short of time.