I love this book, and am very impressed that it was put out by a "non-professional" publisher (the Houston Junior League). The recipes are easy to follow & clear, the graphics are crisp and fine, and the food that I have made from the book has been well-loved by the lucky eaters in my circle.

I fancy myself a bit of a domestic goddess-- ask anyone who knows me if they would turn down a dinner invitation. I originally bought this book to give to a friend for a wedding gift, and eventually had to buy it for myself. I traded in a more "famous" trendy cookbook which was not well done for this one and have not looked back.

It's both complex enough for experienced cooks and simple-to-follow enough for the beginner-- plus includes some "everyone ought to know this" tips and charts on things other than the nuts and bolts of recipes. Buy this book; you won't regret it, and you're supporting charity work, as well.

I hate having cookbooks where every recipe needs exotic ingredients and cost $... to make. This is a wonderful cookbook (and believe me- I have many). I found that most ingredients are easily accessible in the supermarket and the results are usually a lot for little effort. Some favorites are the lemon yogurt muffins, herbed beer bread, and ANY of the pasta dishes. I have a lot of vegetarian friends and some times struggle to find a happy medium for both...this book has a lot of great non-meat alternatives that aren't just side dishes. There's also a lot of lower fat/calorie dishes. The recipes are unique and tasty. I grab this book first when I know company is coming-- it's definitely worth the money.

Stop and Smell the Rosemary is beautifully written and also makes a wonderful coffee table book. The recipes are easy to follow and the tips listed in the margins are great. This has been a favorite of mine to give as gifts, and has been very well received.

You must try the Mango Margaritas, they are festive and great for a change from the standard lime. The Tortilla Soup is the best I've ever had! There are far too many great dishes to name them, and my dinner guests have never been disappointed!

"Have lots of thanks for the really nice done "World of Artistamps". Your effort & energy to realize that project as CD-ROM creates new possibilities to look at Artistamps with other eyes." Gunther Ruch, Artist, Switzerland

"(The World of Artistamps) presents us with a beautiful kaleidoscopic reflection of the great complexity of the Artistamp world... The looker can just look, the intellectual/academic is stimulated by the divergent points of view that compel examination of ones own belief system whether one is a philatelist, mail artist, or Artistamp producer, or just a plain lover of creativity expressed in all its forms, from Artistamp to CD-Rom. Congratulations" Lewis E. Tauber, Ph.D. Philatelic Researcher and Author aka Re Buat

"Thank you for the wonderful Cd-Rom. All the best to you in your efforts to expose the world to the beauty of artistamps." Gregory Zbitnew, Artist, Canada

If I wasn't interested in Sears homes before, I definitely am now! This illustrated book makes me want to scour the city to see if there are any of these homes here in Texas! The book is very well written....in a manner that the lay person can understand. Her knowledge and passion for Sears homes is most evident in her writing. I've had the pleasure of communicating with Ms. Thornton, and she is delightful and most willing to share her wealth of information.

This book is amazing. If you love Sears Catalog Homes, you will love this one. I have found more information in the authors books about Sears Catalog Homes than from any other sources. It covers everything from what a Sears Catalog Home is to the missing sears homes. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I do!

Rose Thorton has achieved what few writers have been able to do. Hold my husband's attention. This book has so many interesting facts and tidbits that you can pick it up at any given time and find out something new. A must read for anyone interested in Sears homes or our history.

Helene Hanff was a New York writer and Frank Doel was a London bookseller. This book chronicles the letters they wrote over a period of many years to one another. Although they never met, they became true friends bonded by their love of literature.

Having read this tiny little gem, I can tell you that I'm not even sure why I liked it so much. Maybe it was because I loved seeing a warm friendship develop between two total strangers. Maybe it was because I loved the dry wit of Helene and the staunch Britishness of Frank. Maybe it was because I liked hearing about the WWII years, how the people of Britain sacrificed, and how one caring American woman made a difference to this small group of Britishers.

One note: this is the only book I have ever read that is truly enhanced by the video. Read the book, then rent the movie. Anne Bancroft is the perfect Helene and Anthony Hopkins is brilliant as Frank.

This charming little book is a collection of letters between New York author Helene Hanff and London bookseller Frank Doel. In the course of 20 years from Hanff's first book order from Marks & Co,, till Doel's death in 1969 they connected through the mail they exchanged and built a wonderful relationship. While Hanff became friends with Doel's family and his co-workers at the bookstore, what the two had was something special, revolving around their love of literature. Despite plans to do so, the two never met as Hanff didn't make it to London until after Doel's death and the publication of the letters. This book beautifully demonstrates the power of correspondence and how two people can connect, solely by the written word.

Heartwarming, funny, sad, all rolled in one. I went on to read other books by Hanff where she describes her trips to London. After reading her books, I too went on a pilgrimage to 84, Charing Cross Road.

...The book is comprised of letters exchanged by a New York-based American television script writer and various personnel at a small London bookshop where she prefers to buy all her books. The bookseller tolerates her insistance on paying in US currency and stoically endures her teasing and scolding when they send her a book that doesn't quite come up to her expectations. What comes across in this twenty year exchange of letters is the ease with which making and keeping friends is possible--if one only makes the effort. In the years immediately following World War II, Hanff saw that rationed food stuffs were sent to the shop so that they could be shared among the staff. The letters of thanks sent to Hanff and the enthusiasm with which the booksellers greeted friends of the author who happened to visit the shop when taking their vacations in England shows that their affection for their American friend was sincere and deep.

Don't read this collection with the expectation that you will get an in-depth view of the characters' lives. Read it as a way of discovering how simple it is for human beings to drop their defenses and treat one another with respect, civility, humor, and openness. Read it when your hope for humanity is at its lowest.

"84, Charing Cross Road" reminded me of Jan Struther's "Mrs. Miniver." I believe "Mrs. Miniver" was originally published as a series of newspaper articles. When collected into a book, it was rightly or wrongly perceived as a novel. Readers who see it as a novel usually have complaints about it's structure and seeming lack of plot (if this is what you desire, you can always rent the movie). Read as a collection of finely crafted observations of daily life in England during World War II, it's a moving tribute to the strength and durability of the human spirit. "Miniver" and "84, Charing Cross Road" make great back-to-back reads.

What a wonderful book! Rosie's letters and journal entries transport the reader to the 1940s like no other book I have read. This book offers a keen insight, as well, into the American Red Cross, an organization that is what it is because of people like Rosie. Bravo!

Rosemary's letters and journal entries give the reader a solid picture of volunteerism at its best during WWII. Many from my generation, who only knew Viet Nam as a war, can learn a great deal from reading this book. The prevailing Gung-Ho attitude of the American Red Cross volunteers seems to have been crucial for morale...and Rosemary was the queen of dedication! Her descriptions of people, places and emotions are so vivid...it was as if I knew her by the end of the book and longed for more friendship with her. I read it while visiting Hawaii and I am sure it enhanced my experience at Pearl Harbor. More power to Rosie!

What refreshing, unique book! Although nonfiction, this reads like a thoroughly enjoyable, can't-put-it-down novel. The author's letters home and journal entries during her tour of duty in the American Red Cross tell her story in an engaging manner; yet Mrs. Norwalk also gives one a deep appreciation for the amazing sacrifices made by the WWII generation.

Martin Goldsmith, a senior commentator for National Public Radio, paints a vivid and poignant story about his own mother and father in "The Inextinguishable Symphony." Goldsmith's parents, both German Jewish musicians, were forced to work in one of Germany's Judische Kulturbunds, which were really little more than forced Nazi propaganda. By creating the Kulturbunds, which only Jews could join and attend, the Nazis hoped to cover up their inhumane treatment of this ethnic group.

Both of Martin Goldsmith's parents were talented, highly trained musicians. His father, Gunther Goldschmidt, was the son of Alex Goldschmidt, a prosperous clothing store owner in Oldenburg, Germany and a World War I veteran. Gunther, a budding flutist, was eventually forced to leave music school simply because he was a Jew.

Goldsmith's mother, Rosemarie, was a violinist who had been trained by her own father, the director and owner of the Gumpert Conservatory of Music in Dusseldorf, Germany. Both Gunther and Rosemarie considered themselves Germans first and Jews second, and both were happy to be accepted into the Kulturbund...at first.

On 9. November 1938, the eve of the horrible "Kristallnacht," the Jewish community in Germany was forced to take another look at their comfortable Kulturbunds, for it is on that date that the Nazis chose to burn synagogues and Jewish places of business. When Alex Goldschmidt marched down the streets of Oldenburg with other young Jewish men in protest, he was rapidly taken to prison. The Nazis, however, attempted to "smooth things over" by telling the Jews they were only "protecting" them from other, angry German citizens.

In 1941, when the Nazis closed the Kulturbunds, Gunther and Rosemarie escaped to freedom in New York City. Other patrons and musicians, however, did not make it to safety. As a memorial plaque at one Kulterbund reads, "Almost all of those who worked here were murdered in concentration camps."

The Goldschmidts, now the Goldsmiths, eventually settled in Ohio where Martin Goldsmith was born in 1952. Although his father gave up music forever, his mother later became a member of the Cleveland Orchestra.

"The Inextinguishable Symphony" is a book about Nazi Germany that gives us another view of the era and of the Holocaust. Rather than focusing on the camps as excellent authors such as Elie Wiesel and Primo Levi have done, Goldsmith focuses on the plight of Jews who managed to remain out of the camps, yet lived very restricted lives.

This book is a fascinating account and one that is extremely well-written. I would recommend it highly to anyone who is interested in this period in world history.

This Martin Goldsmith is a multitalented guy . I knew his voice as the host of NPR's Performance Today, and this memoir of his (Jewish) parents' struggles and love in Hitler's Germany shows where he got his classical music genes. It must have taken a lot of courage to write this book -- Goldsmith explains how the Nazi terror was a taboo subject growing up , so we readers are fortunate that he had the courage to tell this beautiful story, and to tell it in such a modest, uncluttered, and elegant way . The chapter about the abortive attempt at escape on the St. Louis is a real cliff-hanger, and his account of the forced march of the jews, including the authors father and uncle, is chilling. Don't miss this one.

National Public Radio listeners have known Martin Goldsmith for years as the friendly, reassuring voice of "Performance Today." Encyclopedically knowledgeable about classical (and rock) music, Goldsmith has a relaxed and comfortable on-air style that helps to make classical music more accessible to broad audiences. That same style is found in "The Inextinguishable Symphony," helping to make another complex subject - the Holocaust - more accessible to audiences both familiar and unfamiliar with it.

But this isn't just "another book about the Holocaust." Nor is it about tragically anonymous victims. It is instead about Goldsmith's parents - Gunther, a flutist, and Rosemarie, a violist - who meet and charmingly fall in love in Nazi Germany in the '30s, as well as about Grandfather Alex and Uncle Helmut and other family members and friends, each of whom Goldsmith makes real and sympathetic through his rich, exquisitely detailed, and heartbreakingly honest narrative. These are people that the reader comes to care about deeply, and we celebrate - and in some cases grieve - their fates. Goldsmith is a helluva storyteller.

But the book is also not just a love story (Gunther literally does risk his life for his young sweetheart) or merely an author's purely personal journey in search of his own roots. Through the vehicle of his remarkable parents' own individual stories, Goldsmith explores the only-dimly known, but fascinating, story of the Judische Kulturbund - the Jewish Culture Association - to which Jewish musicians, actors, and others were artistically exiled in Nazi Germany. Goldsmith reveals much about this controversial and complicated organization which, although the only source of culture for German Jews, knowingly served the Nazis' propaganda purposes. The reader marvels at how much the "Kubu" was able to accomplish under such hateful conditions, but is also forced to ask, "What would I have done in these circumstances? Would I have risked my life just to make music?"

This is a troubling, but ultimately triumphant, book about real people trying to live their lives, their love, and their music in unthinkable times. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in music, in the Holocaust, in cultural history, or simply in a good love story well told. Bravo, Gunther and Rosemarie and Martin Goldsmith!

This are perfect little books. In so few words, Wells lets us experience truly awful days from a child's standpoint, and then lets us see another day that would have been the opposite, a wonderful day. My 5 year old son loves these books, and I think they also send a message to parents---we should strive to give our children more days like the Bunny Planet days, and we should understand that even young children can have very bad days from which they truly need a restoring break.

These three books continue to top our list of favorites. Our girls continue to enjoy the cadence of the writing and spirit of the stories. We make up our own bunny planet visits when they have bad days. The storyline resonates with adults, too. A great gift.

Remember that old Excedrin commericial? "I've got a headache THIS BIG!" Read Rosemary Wells's adorable picture book trilogy, "Voyage of the Bunny Planet", and you'll learn another great trick to calm your jangled nerves. In each book a little bunny has a rough bunny day--late school bus, yucky lunch, crazy cousins... But help is on the way. "Far beyond the moon and stars, Twenty light- years south of Mars, Spins the Gentle Bunny Planet. And the Bunny Queen is Janet." Bunny Queen Janet takes each stressed-out little rabbit to "the day that should have been." From relaxing in the moss green forest, to making First Tomato soup with mom, to playing cards with dad in a warm house while it rains hard outside, Rosemary Wells perfectly evokes memories and feelings of safety and serenity. This is an ideal holiday gift for any age. Children will be soothed at night by the gentle text and sweetly-illustrated bunnies, and adults will love Wells's quirky humour and the memories of childhood this trilogy lovingly recreates. So don't let the hectic pace of the holiday season get you down--grab some egg nog and take a Voyage to the Bunny Planet!

I was brought up with the rhyme "Hickory Dickory Dock" but it appears in this book as "Dickory Dickory Dock". Perhaps someone out there could explain this different version.

Overall, I like the lovely illustrations, large collection of rhymes (some I have never seen before) and creative layout of the words, however my toddler prefers the Lamaze boardbook of Mother Goose with its durable, easy-to-flip pages. Also, the illustrations, though lovely and imaginative, are a bit sophisticated for the youngest readers. For instance, Humpty-Dumpty is not an egg-shaped character but a tiny, faceless, edible white-shelled egg. Jack and Jill are rabbits not children as are most of the other traditionally human characters.

My advice is to buy this book for its extensive collection of rhymes and beautiful and artistic illustrations, BUT you may want a simple, traditional Mother Goose on hand as well for daily reading.

Iona Opie is one of the great folklorists we have right now and all English-speakers should be grateful for her (and her late husband Peter's) tireless work to preserve and present the poetry of children at play. This book is a terrific introduction to her ear for the best of this kind of poem and to the wonder of Rosemary Wells' imagination. As others have noted, you will return to this book over and over, when other favorites have long since passed into neglect. There is a second volume of these poems, also with Wells' illustrations.

Then try and find a copy of I Saw Esau, an amazing collection of children's playground rhymes from the past 50 years or so. They are by turns witty, crude, wonderous and cruel and the Sendak drawings that accompany them are great. It's not for small children, but a nine year old would love it.

In the meantime, enjoy Mother Goose!

This book may keep Mother Goose nursery rhymes alive for many more generations to come. I was not particularly drawn to Mother Goose books - many of the rhymes I could remember seemed irrelevant to me. But this book has changed my view. My 3 1/2 year old son and I read it together regularly - he now chants the rhymes along with me. The collection is so well done, with rhymes you'd be happy to read to any child (none of the violent or gory rhymes), and the illustrations are utterly perfect & add tremendously to the content of the rhymes. We have shelves full of children's books, but I would put this in the top 2 or 3 - this is a classic.

The Eagle and The Rose takes us on one woman's adventures into her experiences with the "spirit" world. Whatever one's thoughts are in regards to life after death, this book will certainly get your mind pondering about the realm of possibilities that each of us will one day encounter.

Rosemary simply tells us what SHE has seen throughout her life. This book is not meant to sway one into believing that they too will be visited by a "ghost" or "lost soul". The purpose of this book, I believe, is to get in touch with one's own spirituality.

The Eagle and The Rose is an enlightening adventure for all of us to read. There are no right or wrong answers, but as individuals we have the power to change our lives and start on a new path towards spiritual healing. Read with an open mind and truely enjoy the journey that Rosemary shares with her readers.

I could not put this book down. The book is very easy to read and to understand. It makes you realize paths that are unknown to us in the living world. I lost my best friend, my husband, on July 12,1996 and felt that my world had crumpled before my very eyes. After reading this book I realized that he is still with me and watching over me. Maybe he will become my guide as Grey Eagle was for Rosemary Altea. I know that he is still on a journey but on a different level. She has helped me realize that life is a gift from God and that we all have a purpose.

Rosemary Altea gives true stories of her encounters as a gifted medium with the spirit world. She and her guide, Grey Eagle, will convert you to a believer in life after death if you are in doubt before you read this book.

This book is special because it is written
by a special woman for all women.

Rosemary Gladstar is one of this nation's leading herbalists. And, while she does not restrict her work to women, she does know first hand what their trials are.

In this classic book she shares her simple herbal remedies for all stages of a woman's life.

She shares her vast hands on experience in her easy to understand directions for making everything from teas to liniments.

Also included is a chapter providing more details on some of the herbs she uses.Our favorite story comes from this chapter. It is the one where she tells about breaking her leg. The way she heals her broken bones with comfrey is truly inspiring.

Rosemary Gladstar's "Herbal Healing for Women" is at the top of my list of 'must reads'. I've taken her herbal homestudy course and read most of her books. As an herbalist student I have shelves of herb-related books and this is one of my favorites.

Gladstar is one of the most respected herbalists today. Her books are easy to read and understand and full of helpful recipes. One problem with many herbal books is that they only mention what certain herbs are good for. Gladstar also explains how to use them and simply enough for anyone to understand.

When my very pregnant daughter mentioned that her stretched skin felt sunburned I went searching for help. I checked through all my 'woman' herbals but only this book had a suggestion. I found the recipe for "Pregnant Belly Oil" which was easy to follow. The ingredients were easily found here at home and in town. The best part of it all was it works beautifully and smells great!

This is a wonderful book to use to expand your study of herbalism. I have to admit that the review concerning peppermint encouraged me to write my own. If that review has made you re-think this book, you might want to consider that I checked through my library and found almost all my books listed peppermint to ease heartburn. Only one - "Green Pharmacy" mentioned the possiblity that peppermint caused heartburn BUT - note the BUT - it went on to say that they disagreed and suggested it was still a good herb for the problem.

Buy this book and use it! You won't be disappointed.

I wish I'd known about this book 10 years ago, when my interest in herbal healing and nutrition took off. I am SO glad I bought it. Ms. Gladstar's personality, compassion and expertise are almost palpable in this book. You almost feel that she is right there beside you, gently guiding you as you move on your healing journey. I found, within the pages of this book, more understanding of my womanhood and its challenges and transitions and pains/discomforts those entailed, than I ever found in any gynecologist's office. It's clear from her books that Ms. Gladstar is not only a healer, but a gifted teacher as well. She is able to transmit the philosophy that using herbs is a way of life and not simply emergency medicine. I noticed that many of the herbs and recipes in the book (and every last one of her recipes is a therapeutic masterpiece!) use herbs that are fairly easy to find. No exotic weeds here! Her years of experience are evident in how well her herbal blends work. I'm thankful that a herbalist of her caliber is generous enough to share so much knowledge that has been refined and proven over the years.