I not only have this book but also have Alices book, Cookies and Brownies. Her recipes are wonderful, from there taste to there beauty! The instruction in the book is easy to follow. I would recommend this to anyone that loves chocolate (Who Doesn't) One of the other reviews on this book stated that she must have used a machine to make the chocolate ruffles. I was lucky enough to attend a class at Sur La Table (an excellent cookware store) the instructor was Alice herself! We learned exactly how to make the beautiful ruffles by hand. It was not hard and they turned out beautiful. Like with any good cookbook you have to read the instruction carefully. With a little bit of practice the ruffle technique can be done beautifully. You will impress your family and friends with your creations from using this wonderful book. I would recommend highly to anyone wanting to learn about chocolate.

If you love things chocolate and like to make them, then this is the book you have been waiting for. Personally, my obsession is truffles. I have been searching for years for a domestic equivalent to the bittersweet truffles I used to buy at chocolatiers in Paris, but to no avail. Everything I could get in SoCal was either too sweet, too old, or not chocolatey.

Not so here. These recipes produce truffles just like the ones I remember from France: a grown-up treat, not the over-sweetened, over-flavored, dried-up disappointments we have imported or made here. I have only tried the recipes for truffles, but I plan to work my way through the rest of the book, recipe by recipe, the cakes and pastries too. Truffles are so easy to make! Excellent technical information on the handling of chocolate from a writer who is obviously sharing her inside tips. Do what Alice Medrich says, and you can't go wrong. Good mail order sources, copious (and luscious) photos and illustrations. Also, an inspiring and colorful story of someone with an idea who just couldn't let go of it no matter what. In an oversize format, the book itself is a pleasure in the hand and a literal feast for the eye. I plan to give it to friends for Xmas

Book covers: introduction, Alice's thoughts on ingredients and chocolate, cakes, tortes, mousses, truffles, brownies, where to buy stuff, and techniques. I've tried both truffle recipes (they are very easy and can be done in 1.5 hours!) and both are excellent. Alice has since modified the French chocolate truffle recipe to include mixing the eggs with boiling water (instead of water in the chocolate) to keep it safe from salmonella. A beautiful book, with tons of incredible photos and glossy pages. One thing that struck me though, was that a few of the chocolate ruffles shown were obviously created using an automatic "ruffle maker" (you grind them out circularly from a cylinder of chocolate) instead of by hand as the rest of us have to do, and as she describes in the book. That irritated me a little. I think for total beginners there are better books from which to learn which equipment to buy, to learn about ingredients, and the like. For instance There is no section on how to cut your cake into 3rds (not as easy as it appears). It's hard to give more specific examples, it's just a general feeling that some of the things in the book are not totally easy to do. But I love the concept of the desserts that Alice has designed, the recipes look correct, and the 2 I've tried were great. And out of the 4 baking books I own, this is by far the most beautiful. Compared to Pie/Pastry and Cake Bibles and Baking with Julia I feel this book is less suited for the beginner if it's the only book you get - if you have more baking books than this book is wonderful. This book is also well-suited for the intermediate who wants to further develop style in creating desserts and also familiarity with chocolate.

I think this is one of the best books ever!!! I read the whole book in 3 days I loved it so much! When I read it I felt like I was in Readonia[if you read this great book you'll find out what I mean.] This author uses great vocabulary and discription. I find that anyone with an imagenation and a hankern' for a good book will love it!!

It's so hard to find books for my middle reader children that aren't either dark and violent or "too little kid-ish" for them (as they would say). This book is the perfect alternative: it's a fun read, but so beautifully and elegantly written that my kids were learning new vocabulary words without even realizing it. The story has a moral center, which I loved, but it's told in such an energetic and interesting way that as far as my kids were concerned, it was just a great tale. The illustrations are fantastic--I especially liked the Toad Prince. Highly recommended.

Engraved In Stone is a cleverly plotted romantic adventure. Whether your 12 year old reads it to him/herself or you read it to your 6 year old, your child will love this book. While enthralled in this tale, your child will, unknowingly, also be expanding his/her vocabulary and learning about life and love.

Make this your next gift to a child you love.

I first found this book as part of a Psychology research project.
The research that founded this book has influenced the way that government systems deal with divorcing families across America. It is one of the best resources I can think of for families that are going through divorce. Though the title states a decade after divorce the follow up has gone well beyond this. I have been divorced for 15 years - today I am purchasing a copy for my sister who is getting divorced after 18 years of marraige - This is one of those books that I have loned out and lost and loned out and lost repeatedly - they keep getting passed forward. Well worth the little investment of money and time.

It wasn't until recently (I'm almost 40) that I began to look at my parent's divorce as a source of some of my behaviors. I'm very functional,even successful, but sometimes wonder if I haven't been undercut by the blow of losing "home". This is an interesting read, and worth exploring by those who share my suspicion about their own lives. Knowledge is power. Good luck.

I found this book in a second hand shop during the time that my husband and I were considering seperating after an 18 year marriage. I found the book amazenly insightful. I saw the truth in what really happens to children after a divorce and not what the public portrays and "something they will get over." This book made me cry on nearly ever page. I was able to identify with many things, myself as a child of divorce. I did go ahead and get a divorce but this book absolutely changed my life and my actions. My ex husband read the book and we attended classes on how to behave and raise children in THEIR best interests. It has been three years now and even through there have been struggles, I feel I have done the best that a parent can in this situation. My exhusband and I are very amicable and cordial to each other. His child support is never a day late. He calls several times a week because we live in another state. He flies to see the children on spring break and they spend Christmas vacation and summers with him. We never bicker or fight or ever use the children. This book helped us see how parents can fall into patterns of destruction. We are both parents of our two children, and we feel that even though we are divorced we still need to co-parent. We discuss their future and make plans together for them. We owe this to our children. Our children have the right to two loving parents. Because of this book, we have been able to see better ways to raise our children with as little trauma as possible and give them a brighter future. I HIGHLY recommend this book to any couple considering divorce. You OWE it to your children.

You won't find any glitz or glamour in this book, just very intelligent writing about why advertising really works - and how to create advertising that works.

The wonderful part about this book is that it provides you with the key measures you need to use in seeing whether or not your advertising is/has worked. When clients want to justify their budgets, agencies can now help them do this by translating the results of their creative work into hard numbers.

For anyone serious about knowing how to create great advertising, this is a must read.

I have been consulting in the advertising business and have taught
graduate level advertising courses for over 20 years. I have never found a book that brought so much insight to the advertising issues associated with effective selling. I highly recommend this book to all.

The book dissects the advertising process and analyzes the different elements that make up the ad.

Backed by years of tracking TV commercials down under, Max Sutherland has first-hand knowledge of what qualities make an ad work and what others make no or a negative difference in the ad's effectiveness.

The book commences with an introduction to advertsing's facts of life and a clarification of what is substantial and what is not in the public's perception of the industry.

It ends with a couple of interesting chapters that introduce the reader to the basic concepts of ad-effectiveness research. All in all, a good and solid book.

It does, however, use brand examples throughout that are known only to Australian readers and primarily discusses broadcast advertising.

I found this book again while cleaning my daughter's room; I found it years ago and it is such a wonderful and uplifting story. Perhaps it was more than serendipity that I found it again, for it seemed the perfect message to send to an adult friend who needed some TLC -- for its main message, to my mind, is one of hope, and of believing in the power of love.

This story is one of the true classics of children's literature, even though it is an unkown. I collect children's books, and this is one of my all - time favorites. If you want a story with substance, meaning, and still a wonderful story - buy this one. The illustrations are outstanding, also. Have a kleenex handy, though.

This is one of the most beautiful books that I have ever read. It is love. Love that is indeed essential. Like water for chocolate type of love. Whenever I read this book it amazes me how as to how real the author personified the characters.

This story not only clarifies the necessity to of the need for love but it brings it forth with such astounding boldness. The mountain in its isolation literally almost gives up in the midst of its quest for companionship.

This book is not only a book for children -- it is can also be a literary piece for adults. In the quest for the mountain's security; the bird leaves behind generation upon generation of offspring to provide the mountain with a sense of love and security for many, many, many years to come.

Beautiful -- is a mere word that describes an element of something that is precious, astounding, and good. I cannot find the perfect word for this book. It seems to me that beautiful is hardly enough.

I bought this book from Amazon after reading all the glowing reviews. I was skeptical, but hopeful, it would really help me. I want to tell anyone reading these reviews that this book is worth buying and reading, if you suspect, or know, that you were abused as a child. Every good thing said about this book is true. If you are hurting, angry, have trouble trusting, have trouble keeping a relationship going, this book may be just what you need.

I found the techniques described in this book incredibly simple with a powerful impact. "Simple" meaning very uncomplicated but requiring a commitment to healing on the part of the reader. It has made me very cognizant of those moments we all have when we are about to react from frustration or anger--or even dismiss an emotion because we don't want to deal with it. This book says, STOP...right in the middle of it...embrace it, feel it, hurt with it, learn from it. It's extremely empowering and very humbling to realize how often I have such moments. I highly recommend this book to those who want to make positive changes in themselves and ultimately in their relationships.

Few books have been written for people who want much more than feeling somewhat better. Jenson makes clear how much of our reaction to situations and other people is programmed by childhood experiences that must be uncovered, and grieved for. If you are satisfied with anti depressant medication, then don't bother reading. But if you want real healing, you will need to read this book. You may also want to read, No Shame On You.

Did you ever do something good or bad to someone and it came back on you? The book Alice and Greta by Steven J. Simmons is a great example of how the treatment of others will come back on you! The book is about two witches, Alice and Greta, who see the same thing but differently. Alice sees good and Greta sees bad. Will Greta do good things or will she be in a mess? Well, you will find out when you read the book. I think this book was interesting because the pictures are so colorful and bright.

Student from G.P.

Alice and Greta is a delightful book written by Steven J. Simmons. As you can read from the other reviews, it is about two witches who choose to behave differently, one doing good deeds and one doing bad deeds. The Brewmerang Principle is the main theme here, telling the witches that whatever you do will come back to you. My four year old granddaughter LOVES this book. The illustrations
by Cyd Moore are vibrant and wonderful! This book has been a wonderful way to teach my young granddaughter that good deeds return good deeds to her. She talks about being like Alice and doing good things for people. If you are looking for an entertaining book with a great moral lesson, this is it!! I have just discovered the other books in the series and am going to buy them today!! Thanks for a wonderful book!!

Alice and Greta, two zealous young witches who have just graduated from Magic School, are ready for some action. Greta, whose nasty attire reflects her attitude is, searches for good things to ruin, while the sweet and perky Alice looks for good deeds to do. Each witch goes her own way until one day their paths collide, and Greta comes to terms with the most important lesson a witch can learn.
Cyd Moore's cover illustrations could cause this enchanting book to jump off of the shelf and into the arms of any young reader searching for a fun read. The detailed pictures and simple font help to maintain the picture book status, focusing on painting a picture through words and illustrations, while making each character and scene come alive. Simmons uses the witches' lives to expose the importance of treating others with kindness without blatantly preaching or forcing the idea on the reader. I recommend this magical book to children of all ages.

I bought this book from Amazon.com's recommendations and I was not sorry at all that I did.

The title story itself is moving and touching as it deals with a mother's experience as she slowly loses her son to AIDS. Dark's manner of narration is rich and vivid. As I was reading, I could not help but be involved in the mother's heart-wrenching struggle in trying to ease whatever pain her son was experiencing.

The other stories were equally beautifully-written as it tugs at the reader's emotions.

If there is one book to read during a retreat or while on vacation, this one is it.

I've never been compelled to write a review, but "In the Gloaming" is quite simply the best story I've ever read. There isn't, to my knowledge, a tale that better conveys compassion and pathos, or has the ability to move the reader through the complete emotional experience.
On the whole, this collection won't take you far beyond its title story, but it's more than most accomplish in a life of writing. Raymond Carver is without a doubt my favorite writer, but Dark has managed to write my favorite story.

It is now old news that John Updike selected the title story from this volume of short stories as one of the best American short stories of the century. Quite an accomplishment for Ms. Dark. "In The Gloaming" is the story of a young man with AIDS who comes home to die and his mother's caring for him in his last illness. Early in the story Laird and his mother Janet are sitting on the terrace at the close of day. "'The gloaming,' he said, suddenly. She nodded dreamily, automatically, then sat up. She turned to him. 'What?' Although she'd heard. 'I remember when I was little you took me over to the picture window and told me that in Scotland this time of day was called the 'gloaming.'. . .'I always thought it hurt you somehow that the day was over, but you said it was a beautiful time because for few moments the purple light made the whole world look like the Scottish highlands on a summer night.'" Thus Ms. Dark sets the mood for this beautifully and delicately understated story. Janet seizes the waning days of her son's life. Each fleeting moment is precious as both of these individuals seek to know more of each other in the little time they have left. Laird's father Martin husband is not so lucky. He is one of Ms. Dark's characters who suffer from opportunities lost, a recurring theme in several of these stories. I must say the only jarring note in this exquisite story is Janet's deciding on a bagpipe for her son's funeral. I understand that this is a Scottish instrument. I just have heard "Amazing Grace" played on the bagpipes one too many times at memorial services for friends and acquaintances who died of AIDS. This is purely my own bias and probably unfair to Ms. Dark.

To me, many of these stories are equally as good as "In The Gloaming." I particularly liked "Home." This is again another story of the waning of life and the way loved ones react to the coming loss. In this instance,Gordon and Lil are being moved into an assisted living home--what a euphemism-- and Lil, who is in the early stages of Alzheimer's, asks and is granted permission to visit her home for one last time. There are no villains here, just decent people trying to make the best of a sad situation, the loss of health and ending of life as these two old people know it and their daughter Charlotte's trying to do what she perceives as the right thing for them. One can hardly fault her for doing what she has to do. Although she tries, she cannot know completely the utter horrow her mother faces at the loss of both her home and her intellect.

These fine stories go straight to the heart.

When I finished this book I knew I was going to miss the things it said to me. Alice Walker wrote brilliantly about her own struggles, her passion for other people to discover Zora Neale Hurston, the civil rights movement, and her work as a black feminist. So many subjects are touched in this book that jumps back and forth through 20+ years. Walker is inspritational to all woman. As a writer she shows one the strength to succeed not in business but loving yourself as well as working to achieve equal rights for everyone no matter the sex or the color. Her essays are moving written like a painting. Her words are beautiful and inspire. The few poems that she used in this collection are the best i have ever seen. She is honest about her experiences in hopes that we all might learn from her and take to a cause. We are the makers of our future. I would read this book again and it establishes to me that Alice Walker is a gifted writer who has become one of my favorites.

I first read "In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens," the influential essay collection by Alice Walker, as a college undergraduate more than 10 years ago. Re-reading the book was a wonderful experience that reminded me how important Walker has been to so many people. The book opens with Walker's definition of the term "womanist": "a black feminist or feminist of color." The essays in this book, which span the late 1960s, the 1970s, and the early 1980s, thus represent the development of Walker's "womanist" vision.

The pieces include book reviews, letters to various publications, autobiographical pieces, and other prose selections. Many of her essays and reviews represent Walker's views on a range of literary figures: Jean Toomer, Langston Hughes, Flannery O'Connor, Phillis Wheatley, Buchi Emecheta, and many more. Particularly interesting is her essay about Rebecca Jackson, a 19th century African-American woman who joined a Shaker community. Especially important are Walker's writings about Zora Neale Hurston, whom she reclaims as a black literary foremother.

Other highlights include articles about Martin Luther King and his widow Coretta Scott King, and an account of a trip to Castro's Cuba. She also includes an article about "Conditions: Five," the important collection of writings by black lesbian and straight women.

Alice Walker may be best known to general audiences for her novel "The Color Purple," but "In Search..." reminds me of her skill and passion as an essayist. This is a collection which is, I believe, historically important for the academic field of women's studies. But it is not just a scholarly artifact; it is also a book that holds power and relevance that go beyond its historical moment.

I have loved Alice Walker since I was 14. Granted, it has not always been an easy love. She speaks truths that I do not always find easy to hear. She makes statements that I have a difficult time agreeing with. At the same time, I find her writings wonderful, warm and insightful. She has a way of taking an everyday situation and making it resonate. Of special note in this book is Walker's (to me) classic essay on Flannery O'Connor. What could very easily have been a "what this author means to me" type of story, Walkers manages to tie it up with her own past, her relationships, the legacy of the South and Catholicism. It's one of my favorite essays of all time, and I am so glad to finally have my own copy to hold onto and read over and over again. This book is a good start for those who may have only read the Color Purple, but would liek to know more about Walker. Highly recommended.

A gorgeous novel. Mary is a superb writer, and I love the subtle way she has extended the Peter Pan story in this absolute gem.

While the original Peter Pan story revolved around Peter's attempt to delay Wendy's transition to womanhood (he took the children on her last night in the nursery), in Second Star we find Peter Pan (the Guardian of the Dead and the Lost Souls) is pivotal to the now aging Wendy's transition to the next life - which as the book suggests, may also be in the Never Land.

Mythology and quantum reality theory aside, this is also a beautiful love story, and the way in which Faye's relationship unfolds is just challenging enough to keep you guessing.

First class piece of writing. I'd love to see a sequel in which the ghost of Pan walks again.

Highly recommended! I loved Mary Alice Kruesi's Second Star to the Right. Her tale is exquisitely endearing, making wonderful use of the Peter Pan story (I, too had a crush on Peter as I was growing up) and interweaving it with the lives of Jack Graham, the hero, Faye O'Neill, the heroine and her children, and of course, Wendy. The book makes you want to believe in the magic of happy endings, and has you listening for bells and watching for shooting stars. The last chapter was a bit blurred, as I had to read it through tears. Congratulations, Mary Alice: another tour de force!

This was one of the best romances I've read in years. I laughed and I cried and I felt like a kid again, experiencing the magic of an unforgettable love story. Mary Alice Kreusi has won a fan for life with this spectacular book.