I purchased this book and Alfred Portale's 12 Seasons Cookbook at the same time. Both are gorgeous to look at and flip through, but I find myself going to this one time and time again for recipes I actually plan to try. Clearly, Gordon Ramsay is a man in love with food and his craft. Don't let what you may have heard about him (e.g., he does not roam through the dining area of his top rated restaurant to glad-hand patrons and solicit their thoughts, believing that anything leaving his kitchen is perfect and beyond criticism) deter you from picking this up!

I found the one theme, intended or not, that makes this a favourite is that many components of the various recipes are interchangeable. For example, there is a great recipe for a lobster and mango/baby spinach salad. I was shopping for ingredients and found the lobster sub-par, so I managed to substitute his marinated tuna recipe in with great success. Same goes with recipes for various pureed sauces and soups. And particularly useful are discussions on the best of seasonal ingredients (notwithstanding that many may not be available to the average cook due to cost, or geographical limitations)

Overall, a top notch book and highly recommended.

With a talent for the simple and elegant, Gordon has produced a book with class. Typical of Ramseys attention to detail a multi-tude of simple and surprisingly easy recipes. No poncy overblown recipes here just class. And to think he played for Glasgow Rangers Soccer team. what he lacked in finesse on the field he more than makes up with finesse in the kitchen and nice to here him singing the praises of the quality of Scots ingredients.

These are the words Charlie Trotter described Ramsey's cooking. I bought this based upon a recommendation about new, hot cookbooks coming out. Sometimes one is really disappointed with the final product.

By first inspection, I imagined this was another of those letdowns. Beautiful photos, seasonal recipe organization,and what appeared to be bland style recipes.

But upon trying several, this book delivers Trotter's assessment: purity and elegance. Although tried only Cauliflower and Sorrel Soup, Tomato And Parmesan Gratinee Tarts and Duck Breasts with Endive Tarts, this food is elegant and tastes are clean, distinct and so, so satisfying.

Anxious to explore this hot London cook even more.

Conversations with Papa Charlie made me miss my grandfather and the stories he used to tell me. growing up in the Washington area, Charles E. Smith was a familiar name to me. I always thought it was a made up corporate entitity. It's nice to see that Chalres Smith was a real person, and not a heartless corporate giant. I recommend this book to all those who are looking for a little guidance in life, and for anyone who just wants to read some heartwarming stories.

I DON'T THINK I'LL FORGET PAPA CHARLIE FOR A LONG TIME. HE HAS TRULY INSPIRED ME!!!!!

It is nice to know that there are businessmen who are not just---interested in making money. This wonderful memoir shows how the elegant Mr. Smith, a Russian immigrant who came to America at the age of 10, went from rags to riches---twice. His initial success was achieved as a builder of homes and small shopping centers in Brooklyn, New York shortly before the Depression. Feeling that a stock market disaster was imminent, he confided to his partner-cousin that he wanted to get out of the business. But his cousin believing Smith to be irrational, talked him into staying in the business through 1929; in 1930, the agreed, they would stop building. Unfortunately the Crash came and Smith lost all of his money, but not his spirit. The lesson he learned--one of many he passes on to the reader in "Papa Charlie"--is never to go against your intuition. Smith eventually re-constructed his wealth--the second time in Washington, DC twenty years later--but in the end retired suddenly at the age of 66 to spend the rest of his life as a philanthropist. In the 28 years he was to live, he raised money for numerous causes, and co-founded the Institute of Psychobiology in Israel. As his grandson-author, David Bruce Smith, reveals, Smith would also peruse the Washington Post each morning, looking for human interest stories that moved him. The reader learns about the poor woman for whom he bought a washing machine, the friends he helped during financial reversals, and the kind and compassionate way he treated his employees. Reading Conversations with Papa Charlie was a moving experience for me. I would recommend it for ANYONE. Smith's story makes you believe that Good Samaritans still exist.

Every day, we hear names of business giants such as Bill Gates or John D. Rockefeller. But what we don't hear is the story of what makes or made these men who they were. How they lived. Who they loved. What inspired them.What they ate for breakfast.

Conversations With Papa Charlie gave me a real look behind the scenes at Charles E. Smith--one of the biggest names in real estate. I discovered who Charles E. Smith really was--his successes, his failures and lessons--not just for business but for life.

It is a magical and charming memoir that I would recommend for anyone of any age who wants to be inspired.

Browsing through a bookstore or online, it sometimes seems that there are as many books of photography of New York City as there are yellow cabs or unemployed dot-com workers. So the first question is why do we need another, followed by, and why this one in particular? The answer is simple. Mark Crosby has an extraordinary eye for this city, and much like Walker Evans, captures the essence of what makes it wholly unique. In Crosby's beautiful and oftentimes surprising images, he reminds you that no matter how well you think you know New York, look again, the city just may surprise you.

Mark's ability to capture the energy and essence of a scene or a life is incredible. His pictures are definately worth more than a thousand words.

Sites of NYC captured in this book are great, even for someone who lives in the city. Sometimes I marvel at how did he get that shot or even "Where is it?". A book this beautiful must have been created by natural talent - skill could never be perfected to this level.

I can't wait for the third book!

Open City consistently publishes great stories, poems, essays, and artwork. I look forward to each issue, because each one is so different, and because this magazine continues to be vital and relevant, esp. because many literary magazines are so staid and dull....

As a fan of Charlie's Angels since I was a kid, I would like to say that the book is a treasure to all fans of the series. I love its behind the scenes details. There were many questions that were answered after reading the book. I now know how each girl was hired. I know why Farrah & Kate quit (ouch). I know why Shelley Hack was fired (double ouch) and why the show subsequently was cancelled. I also appreciate the episode guide the book has to offer. Its better than any episode guide I have seen on the internet. I also like the input the producers like Barney Rosenzweig, Rick Husky & of course Aaron Spelling put into the book. But lastly I am grateful for the authors for finally providing a detailed book on one of my favorite series of all time. You all did an excellent job as far as I'm concerned.

As a fan of television, and especially Charlie's Angels, it was a no-brainer for me to get this book... and I must say that this is definitely in the top ten of the best written, and most informative TV-related books. I thought I knew everything there was to know about Charlie's Angels, but Mr. Condon and Mr. Hofstede have proven me wrong! Every page is loaded with little-known facts, info, trivia, tidbits, and insights, that are invaluable to any fan of the Angels. From Kate Jackson to Tanya Roberts, they're all here (And who could forget our beloved Bosley, the late David Doyle). You'll find the true stories behind, among many others, the creation of Charlie's Angels, the last minute decision that put Jaclyn Smith in the role of Kelly Garrett, Farrah's departure after the first season and the lawsuit that ensued, Kate and Cheryl Ladd's true relationship, how Shelley Hack really felt about being hired and then, ultimately, fired, and the massive search for the "final" Angel. In between you will find personal recollections from the Angels, as well as various guest stars, directors, producers and writers from the series' five season run. There is also an extensive episode guide, with commentary and additional info about each episode, as well as a guide to the massive amount of Angels merchandise produced over the years. And don't miss the full page photo of co-author Jack Condon's world-renowned Charlie's Angels collection! (As a side-note, I'd like to mention that I own several books published by Pomegranate Press, LTD., and I love all of them. Each of them contains a wealth of information and rare photgraphs of the various shows they cover, which include Dark Shadows and The Night Stalker.) Take it from a die-hard fan, you will not be disappointed!

Being a huge fan of charlie's angel's I was naturally attracted to this book as it's cover contains not only the three original angel's but the best angel's to have ever graced the series. I couldn't put it down until I'd read the entire thing - this book is full of facts, pictures, and behind the scenes antics of all the angel's and is an absolute "must" for serious Charlie's Angel's fans. There is a full insight into what the girls were like on the set, what they are doing now and all about their personal lives and what they think about the impact of the show. There is even a full episode guide outlining each episode in all five seasons - Excellent! For me the best thing about this book is that it's 100% official so what you're reading is true and not simply patched together from many unreliable sources, most of which are untrue. It's plain that Jack Condon and David Hofstede clearly have first hand facts and know what they're talking about. This book screams class - The one and only Jaclyn Smith wrote the foreword, need I say more? For any fan who doesn't own this book "You're insane, buy it now" Best book I have ever read!

I await the next one Jack!

Miss Sarah Kelly

The strength of this book is the writing. Larry Young takes the wonder that naturally is (and should be) associated with space travel and a crisp action-adventure plot and uses them to frame some very well-done character studies. This is a fun book, and a thoughtful book, and one that makes me hope against hope that broadcasting live from the moon won't always be just the stuff of fiction.

On of the best stories I've read in along time. Larry Young does an excellent job of creating interesting characters and binding them to a well written story. You can tell the love that Larry has for the subject material it shows in the detail he uses and the plans he's created. His sense of dialog is great. This is the kind of book that makes you want to see man go to the Moon again.

A Great story with excellent art. Highly recommended.

There have been some great films about the Moon, even one with Doris Day. But let's face it no-one can afford the big budget to make them totally believable. But in comics such adventures can be told for only a fraction of the budget. And all of the action.

If you are a person who "does not like comics" then this book is what you are missing. Great story-telling by the writer and artists and exciting adventure for the characters. It is an excellent introduction to the medium, because you'll recognise the style from your Bruce Willis adventure movies or your Buck Rogers serials.

This is a yarn about one of the world's richest men, an investigative TV reporting trio and conspiracies ranging from the mob to big business (not far, I know).

It contains one of the best visual puns you will ever see in a Space adventure. There is a clue in this review.

I thought this book was very interesting, the way Charlie wasable to hold up under pressure of the notes and Jessica. I thoughtthe ending wasn't so good. She definitely write a sequel so we can see what happens to Charlie next.

What an excellent, heartwarming story! Thoroughly enjoyed this novel!

Heroin is Charlie Smith's fifth book of poetry and it falls somewhere in the middle in terms of quality. There is a maturity here not present in earlier works, but the forced quality of the previous Before and After shows itself every now and then. Fortunately for us, the majority of Heroin is not glaringly autobiographical. Unfortunately, the narrative style of Smith's poetry seems to be slipping away. Standouts in this volume include "Beds", "Flowers of Manhattan", and "As for Trees". Respectively, these poems list all the different types of beds, flowers, and trees. But there is a music to them and a poignancy that pulls us out of that everyday fog we live in and makes us think of these things we wander by everyday. There is a sense of the disregarded here and an opening of that door. Several of the other more narrative poems work, but not in the same lyrical way as the non. Perhaps Mr. Smith has discovered his true forte is the novel. While the narrative poem might now feel forced, the poetic novel stands high overhead the sub-literary glop of the grocery store novel. And in today's market of glop disguised as lit, it is refreshing to know that someone out there is at least trying. Heroin falls way short of genius, but offers up enough promise to keep one hoping.

Heroin, great, another drug book. I recognized Smith's name from 'Poetry' so I went past the title of this collection to see if it would surpass my inhibitions. Based on the poems in this collection, I think he could write a wonderful poem about dirty laundry. I have to confess to reading more fiction than poetry on average, though I'm slowly correcting this.
Favorite poems in here- Beautyworks- curls to recapitulation, Beds- a list poem, but an excellent ode to beds, and As For Trees, variation on a list of trees. Reading through the collection again, I could select so many as favorites.
Many times when I read a poetry collection, I will flip through and read a few random poems, but Smith's collection is so readable and his voice so strong like in Fistfight, each poem is worth your attention. Almost a stream (of consciousness) that flows so well, I would follow it over a waterfall, if he kept writing. They move like Of This I Speak to No One, drawing you in close, putting an arm around your shoulder telling you something in an intimate, confessional manner.
This is easily one of my favorite books of poetry in the past year. It bears comparison with Jane Hirshfield,

This book is about a man who raises all kinds of mice. He meets this lady and they end up getting married. Charlie has never raised a green mouse and Mary encorages and helps him do it. When they take the green mouse to a show something happens. Now you will have to read the book to find that out!

What are we but the sum of our memories? In SHINE HAWK, Charlie Smith updates Faulkner's AS I LAY DYING and puts me in mind of Vonnegut's Billy Pilgrim (who was also unstuck in time). His viewpoint character, Billy, returns home to help a couple of old friends because Frank's little brother Jake has died alone in a trailer (alcoholism), but Billy's still in love with Frank's wife Hazel (and, truth told, with Frank). But the novel's not told strictly chronologically, though the floating in time is easy to understand. The language is gorgeous, with stupendous imagery. The story is about love--eternal love, brotherly love--and faithfulness. However, if you are going to be offended by graphic sex (threesome, peeping. . . ), you'll have to decide for yourself whether you'll want to read SHINE HAWK.