Second Draft of My Life : A Novel

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Charlotte Dearborn has just abandoned her career as a novelist to become an elementary school teacher. The likable, sad-sack heroine of Sara Lewis's fourth novel, Second Draft of My Life, Charlotte hasn't failed as a writer--her novels had all been praised by critics--but she is flailing financially, and at age 42 feels that a regular paycheck, benefits, and a chance to shape young minds surely outweigh the solitude, poverty, and constant disappointments of the writing life. At least that's what she tells herself. To prove her point, most of the chapters open with a recollection of a specific letdown in her literary career: the last-minute cancellation of a talk-show appearance; slow book distribution that wastes hard-won publicity; a rejection from a much-admired editor. This book will be a painful read for any professional writer, since hard knocks of this kind are no exaggeration. Luckily, Charlotte's troubles will seem comic to everyone else who reads this funny, well-crafted tale. As it turns out, Charlotte is stepping onto a road that will lead her back to her writing and her better, forgotten self. Like Robert Peck's assertion that everything important in life can be learned in kindergarten, Charlotte's survival proves that anyone who learns to handle a class of first-graders can handle anything at all. --Regina Marler

Book Description

Forty-two years and five books into her life, Charlotte Dearborn abandons her noncommittal boyfriend and her sinking-ship writing career, and becomes an elementary school teacher. Sure, she's giving up her dream of being a famous novelist, but in exchange she'll find a stable income, job satisfaction, and maybe even love. At least that's how it'd work if she were a character in one of her novels. In real life, she's busy coping with twenty yelling first-graders, a teacher's lounge full of nasty coworkers, and a series of romantic misadventures that fall far, far short of the real thing.

Charlotte's struggle to navigate the waters of a new career, a new single life, and the loss of her identity as a writer make Second Draft of My Life a funny, compulsively readable gem. From an author The Boston Globe applauded as "very, very good on the business of falling in and out of love," it is part romantic comedy, part manual for living, and wholly triumphant.

Download Description

Forty-two years and five books into her life, Charlotte Dearborn is ready to start over from scratch. As a writer, she's had enough rejection to sink a ship -- or at least a writing career. It's time to find a new job. Teaching elementary school sounds good. Although the work may not be glamorous, it offers many of the compensations that writing lacks. Steady paychecks. The camaraderie of colleagues. And the children -- to give her life a clear purpose. As she's committing herself to getting what she wants from her work, Charlotte decides to break free from her noncommittal boyfriend. She deserves better! She may be giving up her dream of being a recognized novelist, but in return she'll find a stable income, job satisfaction, and even love. Won't she? Of course she will. Any minute now. Just as soon as she figures out how to cope with twenty yelling first-graders, her nasty coworkers, and a series of romantic misadventures that fall far short of true love. Charlotte's struggle to navigate the waters of a new career, a new single life, and the loss of her identity as a writer make Second Draft Of My Life a funny, compulsively readable gem. From an author The Boston Globe applauded as ""very, very good on the business of falling in and out of love,"" it is part romantic comedy, part manual for living, and wholly triumphant.

Customer Reviews:

Maybe a third draft would have helped.......2006-06-02

I enjoyed Lewis's earlier novel The Answer is Yes quite a bit, so I was all the more disappointed by this terrible, annoying book. The narrator is a novelist tired of obscurity and disappointment, although she's published five books, and so decides to give up writing and become a first-grade teacher. (One of the few funny moments in this supposedly comic novel is when her fellow teachers say "You got into teaching for the money?") She's 42 but has neither the maturity nor the insight her age and profession would suggest. The teaching scenes are painful, because she's a terrible, ineffective teacher with no control over her classroom, and while this pains her, it's also played for laughs--and it's just not funny. Plus, this novel is full of all the most boring and obvious things to say about writing and the writing process. And how does the character find redemption? Does it involve writing? Would you believe it's by writing a crappy inspirational book of the type sold in cardboard display cases by bookstore checkout counters? There's more to hate, much much more, but you get the idea.

No "electric sparkle" here.......2005-06-23

Reading this book you can't help but compare author Sara Lewis to her main character Charlotte Dearborn. Charlotte is writer who despite having five of her novels published (with awful titles), is not successful. Sara has written a comprable number of novels with similarly uninventive titles (although I really don't know how successful she's been). I couldn't help thinking that if Charlotte writes like Sara, no wonder her writing career never took off. I am an educator, I generally like books about teachers, but most of this story came off trite, dull, and pedestrian. Like reading someone's diary who records the mundane comings and goings of their not-so-interesting life. I don't have issues with details or descriptions in books, but I need to feel it's there for a reason. So much of it seemed like filler. Also, her teaching experience didn't ring true. Maybe it's because I've taught in NYC as opposed to affluent Southern California suburbs, but the situations she describes as challenging would be a dream come true for most teachers who teach in inner city public schools. Through most of the book I just wanted to shake Charlotte and say "Quit whining, you deluded, clueless, white woman!" (I specify "white" because I there weren't any non-white characters in this story despite the fact it took place in southern California!). I struggled to get through this book and did so only because I had nothing else to read on my long train commute. If you want a truly great book about teaching by a smart, funny, sassy white woman teaching real and believable students, try "Educating Esme: Diary of a Teacher's First Year" by Esme Raji Codell.

Banal.......2005-06-10

I am halfway through this book and can't seem to get past the insipid writing...this seems like something written by an 8th grade student.

Inspirational.......2004-10-15

It's rare that a book really lifts your spirits, but this one does and then some. I was feeling really down in the dumps when I started this one, but by the end I was really motivated to take the first step towards achieving my goals.

This is such a great book because it is both painfully realistic - the protaganist hasn't figured out what to do with her life, all her romantic prospects are distinctly unimpressive and she's losing the battle of the bulge - and at the same time it's also uplifting and inspirational (especially the ending, which is totally unexpected and utterly charming).

I can't wait to read more by this author. If she isn't huge now she deserves to be. Sara Lewis is simply amazing.

Recommended.......2004-07-11

This is a great summer book. It carries you along and makes you think a bit too. I passed my copy on to my mother and you might do the same! Its a relatively light hearted journey of discovery that you want to share.

Book Description

The sea war rages up and down the Sword Coast, leaving the busy harbor of Baldur's Gate in flames. Following his mad quest, the evil Iakhovas has found a gateway into the protected waters of the Sea of Fallen Stars, and now no coast is safe from his marauding armies of the deep.

Customer Reviews:

Fun, for the most part.......2004-07-22

Overall I really liked this book, as with the others in this series. The battle/action scenes are great, and the whole time I was wondering, "What will happen next?" It was very hard to put down...
My only complaint about this book would be that the characters were just plain stupid a lot of the time. I had just finished reading some of RA Salvatore's crap, and I will say that the characters are nowhere near as annoying as his, but they are still annoying sometimes. Pacys the bard seems like a nice guy, but all he does is lament that the song he wants to write will never really come to him, and yet he is given lines to said song like every other minute. Jherek is clearly the chosen one or whatever, and yet he still denies it, even when any conclusion other than he is the chosen one would be incredibly insane. I guess he is too busy feeling sorry for himself to realize he is actually really tough. OK the character I liked least in these books was Sabyna...you can tell from reading the books that she's not hot at all, but thinks she is...again she is actually a really cool character when compared to RA's "Cattie-Brie" but she was still a pain in the neck sometimes. Oh wait, maybe Sabyna isn't the most annoying character, there is this sahaugin named Laqueel that is a religious fanatic, OK fine, people, and sahaugin should be able to believe what they want, and I have no problem with that, but if you do decide to be a religious fanatic, there shouldn't be books written about you. I don't want to read about someone if I always know what they will do in any given scenario. Oh and along the same lines as Pacys complaining he can't think up a song when he is writing one throughout the book, Odom says time and again that the Sahaugin hate magic, and yet all they do is use magic...What's going on here Mel? OK so that's all the bad stuff...the characters are really stupid and uninteresting, but much cooler and more interesting than any of Salvatore's good guys.
Here let me just say that I can't emphasize enough how cool Odom's battle/action scenes are...that alone has me reading this trilogy for a second time.

Too drawn out.......2004-01-18

Ok I picked up the first one had thought it was a pretty good book it definetly had my intrests peaked so when I settled in my favorite chair to start up reading the sequel I was expecting a decent read. I was definetly disappointed. This book is horribly drawn out. This book should have been condensed to a couple chapters and edited in the 3rd book to save people time from reading it.

Destiny takes hold..........2000-07-12

The story of Jherek and the Sahauguin invaders continues in this well written book. Odom continues to develop his characters well, even adding a couple of new additions to the journey. A young paladin joins Jherek on his journey after the item given to him by the priest of Lethander. And they end up at the Sea of Fallen Stars right where the old bard weaving his tale just happens to have traveled to.

The series is shaping up to be a fantastic one all in all, but this book was missing something compared to the first book. It seemed drawn out at times just filling space, like the author ran into the problem of one group being here and the other there and no way to bring them together, but he manages to pull it off rather well and it doesn't destract from the book at all.

Despite what some reviewers say this does not surpass the books of Salvatore. Does it come close? I will have to concede that it does. This is shaping up to be one of the best adventures in the Realms in recent history. Enjoy!

Looking into a distant sea.......2000-01-27

As I read this second book it what is shaping up to be a fantastic series, I can not help that notice that this book is not as strong as the first. The Character development contined at a some what slower rate, and I see signs that the story is begining to be drawn out (Though not to the extreem that Robert Jorden is still doing), and can only hope that the next book remains the same quality.

I find that there are a lot of similarities in the general story line to a series of "ready to play" adventures developed by TSR for the DD gaming universe. So I recomend for those players that liked this series to look in finding the "Trouble in Saltmarsh" adventures and trying them out.

Over all I did like this book and I highly recomend that the fans of the first should also get the second.

Enjoyable, but loses some of the momentum of the first novel.......2000-01-15

Overall Mel Odom continues to do a good job with this saga that touches on an area that no Realms novel has ever dealt with before. He deserves much credit for being the first author to work in this virgin territory, creating detailed pictures of the cultures and creatures that make their lives under the waves. In this second installment of the trilogy he continues to add color and depth to his characters as well as introduce a few new ones. My only regrets which keep this a 4 star review, are the few moments when I had to suspend my disbelief. For example, Jherek with the help of his new found friend the paladin launch a clumsy, hopeless attack on the HQ of a pirate, and are only saved by the good samaritan actions of another pirate. Not too believable. Jherek's sense of honor also gets a bit annoying, mainly during combat. In the naval attack on Baldurs Gate he passes up oppurtunities to strike his sauhagin foes in the back, and he shudders at the tactics his fellows use in combat because they seem "unfair" to him. In all probability Jherek should have gotten himself killed fighting the way he does. However, towards the end of book Jherek's sense of himself receives a serious blow, and he needs the help of a friend to get himself centered again. So in a sense his character retains some realism and becomes believeable. The book's pace doesn't quite match the first, but I still enjoyed reading it and look forward to the final novel.

Forgotten Realms - The Threat from the Sea Trilogy - Realms of the Deep, Rising Tide, Under Fallen Stars, The Sea Devil's Eye

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Forgotten Realms - The Threat from the Sea Trilogy - Realms of the Deep, Rising Tide, Under Fallen Stars, The Sea Devil's Eye
Phillip Athans , and Nell Odom
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000QFXRLI

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We need Lyndon Hardy's Trilogy in Hardcover

Systematic fun

Hidden Gem

Interesting and fun look at magic in a fantasy setting

A fascinating treatise on magic (but not a great read)

Master of the Five Magics: (#1)
Lyndon Hardy
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Magic & Wizards | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Secret of the Sixth Magic: (#2)

A Darkness at Sethanon: Volume IV in the Riftwar Saga

Silverthorn (Riftwar Saga, Volume 3)

Magician: Master (Riftwar Saga)

ASIN: 0345334256
Release Date: 1985-10-12

Customer Reviews:

We need Lyndon Hardy's Trilogy in Hardcover.......2007-01-16

Lyndon Hardy wrote a wonderful trilogy
Master of the Five Magics
Secret of the Sixth Magic
Riddle of the Seven Realms

I highly recommend all three books and I hope someone out there will reprint them in hardcover editions! Hint Hint ;-)

Systematic fun.......2005-12-12

I worked for Lyn a long time ago, and I've read his books every decade or so since they were written. They're fun, and the magic system he came up with is fascinating.

The guy ("trent?") who doesn't like the books, and claims none of his friends do either, has to learn to live with the fact that people can have different opinions without being invalid human beings, rather than deciding that all of us who liked the books are part of some conspiracy.

I will grant that this isn't exactly great literature, but neither are, say, Dickinson's Dragon and the George series, or the Robert L. Asprin Myth or Phule's Company series, or the Chicks in Chainmail books either. I enjoyed all of them in different ways.

The hero gave his name to a company Lyn founded years later too. Oh the stories!

Hidden Gem.......2005-10-12

I'm surprised this book is out of print. Someone should print up a big trade or hardcover of this book and the two sequels Secret of the Sixth Magic and Riddle of the Seven Realms. While the writing is good and not great, the intelligent design of magic in this world makes this a must read for the originality alone.

Interesting and fun look at magic in a fantasy setting.......2005-09-04

I really quite enjoyed this book. The logical view of how magic works is well developed and has an internal consistency that is lacking in most fantasy worlds.

The writing is not the best you will ever read. However, it is a fun read. It is significantly better than most of the crap that is being published by Wizards of the Coast stable of authors -- I have to apologize to R. A. Salvatore (he still puts out a good book now and again).

The approach to the story, magic and character development are a bit different that most other books. If you see a copy in a used bookstore, it is worth picking up and giving a try. If you like this book you will like the two follow up books.

A fascinating treatise on magic (but not a great read).......2005-08-22

This book is one I am proud to own, but not one I found satisfying to read. This paradox comes from my reasons for tracking down a copy.

Master of the Five Magics is a fantastic discussion of how magic works - as the main character progresses through the five paths of magic, the reader learns the natural laws of magic that govern spells. These laws and their application are the meat of this book; roleplayers interested in designing their own magic systems could learn a lot from it. Others interested in magic for its own sake will also enjoy it. Those seeking a good read, however, may be disappointed.

I found the writing to be fair, but nothing special; the plot was original but not exciting; the characters failed to gain depth and gain sympathy from me, although they felt realistic enough. The main character is an apprentice magician who finds himself caught up in war, seeking to save the princess he is infatuated with by picking up first one, then another form of magic. This boyish motivation leads him not to master any one form of magic, but to flit from one to another in order to find some solution to the current problem facing his group, and eventually, by combining several of the forms, to face the root of the problem and overcome it. An exciting plot, in theory, yet it never seems to truly take off; one has the feeling that it could have been so much better without having any real complaint per se.

This book was followed by two sequels (Secret of the Sixth Magic and Riddle of the Seven Realms, in that order) which expanded on the laws of magic by showing us entirely new forms. Both are worth picking up in a used bookstore if you enjoyed the first, but if not, you shouldn't bother.

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Magic Finally Making Sense

An adaptive look at magic

One of the greatest fantasy novels from the 1980's

Makes Sense!

Master of the Five Magics
Lyndon Hardy
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Secret of the Sixth Magic: (#2)

ASIN: 0345319079
Release Date: 1984-04-12

Customer Reviews:

Magic Finally Making Sense.......2007-02-27

I unfortunately read the first two books backwards upon just picking up "Secret of the Sixth Magic" at random from a section of used books at the local library. Once I finished it I went back immediately and was joyed to find that the first one was there also.

This is probably the most sensible description of magic I've ever encountered in a fantasy book. It is detailed enough to understand how the systems work and how each school derives its own workings. I'm guessing because of Mr. Hardy being a physicist, that he had the technological slant in his writing to make it come out this way. Even though the story is imaginative enough on its own and the ideas behind the workings of demonology I think are great. I'm yet to read the 3rd novel but plan to buy a copy immediately after reading this just recently again (and enjoying it even more this 3rd time reading it).

The theme in the book is rather basic but fits well to life and is perfectly understandable. I would recommend this book to any avid fantasy reader. If you enjoyed this one, then the other ones no doubt will be a good read to you.

An adaptive look at magic.......2006-10-24

I read this series a long time ago simply on impulse. The story is excellent and enjoyable. The book however is more than the story, it is a concept that is brilliant in it's execution. At the very beginning, even before chapter 1, it lists 5 different types of magic, and the rules for each. These are concepts that exist at the very core of almost every form of magic that you have ever read about in fantasy or seen in movies. Such examples include sorcery (thrice spoken, once fulfilled) which celebrates the conbination of the word and reality, with repitition.

These rules have always been used by various authors, but Hardy is one of the first to not only combine them, but in fact define them with precepts.

One of the greatest fantasy novels from the 1980's.......2006-08-16

I grew up reading fantasy and science fiction, and one of the greatest regrets I have is that I never found more than three books written by Lyndon Hardy, an author I still consider an automatic buy. In a way, this man's work defined what I expect from fantasy.

Of his three published works, I liked 'Master of the Five Magics' the best, followed closely with 'Secret of the Sixth Magic'. 'Riddle of the Seven Realms' comes in third, but keep in mind it's been over 20 years since I purchased the books, and I've moved six times and had to parse my book collection. I still have these wonderful novels, which I've re-read about once every five years.

Now about the book -- it follows Alodar, an apprentice Thaumaturgist. The magic system used by Lyndon Hardy is unique and self-consistent, hitting the right balance of rules vs power to make fantasy magic truly interesting. The closest modern equivlents I can think of are David Farland's Runelords or even Robert Jordan's One Power.

Alodar's journey takes him into enclaves of each magic practitioner across the land, and he meets adversaries that constantly beat him down. Yet he doesn't give up! I could really feel for Alodar by the end of the novel, so the primary characterization is wonderful.

The plotting was strong, and kept me with the book until the end. I never expected some of the twists thrown at me by Hardy.

As for the settings, I can still conjure up the inner heart of the Volcano with uncut gems waiting like burning fruit, the wizard's library with the spell barrier gongs, and the imposing black tower surrounded by minor demons. Those images have stayed with me for years, and have become benchmarks I measure new fantasy by. Lyndon Hardy hit the right mix of dialogue, pacing, and description I find lacking in so many 'modern' fantasy efforts.

If you haven't read this wonderful novel, I urge you to try it.

Makes Sense!.......2003-12-25

One of my all-time favorite books, this is one of those I come back to every now and then. Wonderfully crafted, Hardy takes logic to fantasy and returns with an outstanding storyline.

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Master of the Five Magics
Lyndon Hardy
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HLU7TG

Average customer rating:

Master of the Five Magics
Lyndon Hardy
Manufacturer: NY Del Rey Books 1985.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

THE ARCADIA SEQUENCE: Book (1) One: Master of the Five Magics; Book (2) Two: Secret of the Sixth Magic; Book (3) Three: Riddle of the Seven Realms

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THE ARCADIA SEQUENCE: Book (1) One: Master of the Five Magics; Book (2) Two: Secret of the Sixth Magic; Book (3) Three: Riddle of the Seven Realms
Lyndon Hardy
Manufacturer: Del Rey - Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NRTWIG

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Master of the Five Magics
Lyndon Hardy
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000IMR41S

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A cookbook you can use!

I found a new favorite!

Lack of Pictures

quick and simple recipe

The truth is on the cover

Every Night Italian: 120 Simple, Delicious Recipes You Can Make in 45 Minutes or Less
Giuliano Hazan
Manufacturer: Scribner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Spirits | Drinks & Beverages | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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MasterCook 5.0: Food & Wine

ASIN: 0684800284

Amazon.com

In Italy there are no mothers who are bad cooks. Can this be possible? In the case of Giuliano Hazan, whose mother is Marcella Hazan, yes. Marcella is the doyenne of Italian cookbook authors published in the United States. And Giuliano is no slouch, either. Though his first cookbook, The Classic Pasta Cookbook, is lamentably out of print, it is a laurel upon which he could have rested. Fortunately, Giuliano Hazan appears to be a restless man. "I learned to cook because I like to eat well," he writes in Every Night Italian. "Satisfying food does not have to be complex or take a long time to prepare. Often the simpler it is the better it tastes, and simplicity is what Italian cooking is all about." To this end, Hazan has compiled a collection of Italian recipes any cook can serve to any family every night of the week.

He wisely opens his book with two sections: "The Italian Pantry," a list of all the basic ingredients to have on hand, and "Some Essential Techniques," such as chopping an onion, cutting a pepper, trimming an artichoke, and boning and filleting a chicken breast. The book is then divided by appetizers, soups, pasta and rice, fish and shellfish, meats, vegetables, salads, desserts, and menus--120 recipes total, all flavor-heightened and with an eye cocked at the clock. Chicken Braised with Porcini Mushrooms has a substantial sound, and yet you are only looking at 20 minutes of prep time and 60 minutes from start to finish, leaving plenty of time for a Insalata Caprese with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Hazan's version of Ribollita, the classic Tuscan soup, takes two-and-a-half hours from start to finish, but only 30 minutes to prep. The Bucatini with sausage and onions is a straight shot at 30 minutes, start to finish. Spend a little time with this book, master the recipes, and you will no doubt find yourself agreeing with Giuliano Hazan that Every Night Italian is a perfectly plausible idea. --Schuyler Ingle

Book Description

A master teacher in his own right, Giuliano Hazan learned the art of Italian cooking from the authority on Italian cooking -- his mother, Marcella Hazan. When his first bestseller The Classic Pasta Cookbook appeared, Newsday exclaimed: "What a good cook he is, and what a clear and useful book he has made. He learned his mother's lessons well."

In Every Night Italian, he writes for a new generation, addressing the concerns most often expressed by students in his cooking classes: how to make good, authentic Italian meals, with ingredients from the supermarket, when there's not much time to spend in the kitchen. With a pantry of basic Italian ingredients and detailed line drawings of the essential techniques for cutting a pepper, trimming an artichoke, sharpening a knife, and more, Giuliano Hazan teaches home cooks to prepare real Italian food like never before: quickly and easily. The 120 recipes in this book -- from appetizers to desserts -- each take less than forty-five minutes to prepare.

In his chapter on menu suggestions -- Simple Family Menus, Elegant Sit-Down Menus, Buffet and Picnic Menus -- which groups complementary dishes, Hazan also teaches home cooks how to organize their time in the kitchen and how to prepare several dishes simultaneously, making it even easier to produce a satisfying and balanced Italian meal for any occasion.

Americans love Italian food because of its genuine flavors and fresh ingredients. Now with the help of Giuliano Hazan, they will be delighted to learn that it has another wonderful virtue: it can be very simple and quick to prepare.

* 50 drawings of essential techniques

* 16 color photographs of finished dishes

Customer Reviews:

A cookbook you can use!.......2007-10-09

There is so much to love in this cookbook! The recipes are not difficult to follow, and the ingredients aren't so exotic that they're hard to find. You can use this cookbook for everything from family meals to dinner parties.

The book begins with an essential list of ingredients for the Italian pantry. This is a list of ingredients that should be easy to find at most grocery stores. Another nice feature that you'll discover as you go through the book is that the author will give ideas for substitutions in case you don't have something on hand.

A nice section of diagrams illustrate techniques for everything from cutting a pepper to deboning a chicken. There are even instructions for how to sharpen your knife.

There is a section of mouthwatering looking pictures clustered near the front of the book. I wish more cookbooks these days would illustrate each dish, but that's a minor quibble here. The recipes are fairly straightforward, so you don't really need a picture.

The cookbook is divided into the standard sections from appetizers through desserts. Everything sounds delicious! Reading through the dishes makes you want to get started cooking!

The book concludes with combinations for "Simple Family Menus," "Elegant Sit Down Menus," and "Buffet and Picnic Menus."

This is a cookbook that is designed to be used often!

Highly recommended!

I found a new favorite!.......2005-12-18

I"m so glad I ordered this cookbook. The recipes are easy and the ingredients (except for a couple of things) are available in the local supermarket. Being of Italian descent myself, I was looking for something different than the usual that was simple & quick to prepare. I found it in this cookbook and every one of recipes that I tried was delicious. The Meat Pie "Pizza Style" is a huge hit in my house. Bravo!

Lack of Pictures.......2005-08-09

I think this book is not meant for me. There was too little pictures. Dishes that have vegetable that i didnt like. Lack of recipe for pasta. i guess i dont know much of about italian food, but most of the food doesnt sound good because of whats in it. Personally i do not recommend it.

quick and simple recipe .......2005-03-17

this book is wonderfull ! the recipes are delicious and very tasty. I use it least once a week and each time I'm very pleased with the result.
I also have Simple and Simply Delicious by Sylvie Rocher with those 2 books I'm good to go !

The truth is on the cover.......2004-01-03

One of the best things about this book is stated on the cover: "...Delicious Recipes You Can Prepare In 45 Minutes Or Less". It's great to have recipes that are simple yet delicious and also leave some room for nice presentation.

I'm a fairly novice cook but I've found the directions in the book to be simple to follow, and the finished products have come out looking great as well as tasting great.

So far I have only tried about a half-dozen of the many recipes, but it's already a winner to me. In particular, Hazan's recipe for parmesan cheese encrusted rack of lamb is so simple and tasty at the same time that it makes you wonder why we pay so much for lamb in a restaurant.

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