Average customer rating:
- Mighty finest read, don't miss it.
- Difficult but Worthwhile...
- deft recounting of female friendship during racist era
- Uneven and problematic
- This Is Not Just Another Book About The South ...
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The Persia Cafe
Melany Neilson
Manufacturer: Thomas Dunne Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0312262191 |
Book Description
Having come within an inch of her life, Fannie Leary is determined to take a good look at it -- to figure out, in fact, what is her part in the tragedy.Growing up in a small Mississippi River town, Fannie works at the local cafe, trying to hold her own in a world of slow expectations and hard boundaries.Dreaming that her cooking will be her ticket out of Persia, she cleaves to Mattie, the irrepressible black woman who runs the kitchen; to Will, the troubled, quiet boy she falls in love with; and eventually to Sheila Jones, a reclusive young girl who has returned with her mother from California to the town after her father's death.But when a young black boy suddenly disappears and the town erupts in violence, she is the only one who can piece their story together.What she uncovers is as unexpected as it is heartbreaking.The Persia Caf examines the ordinariness of racism, and what people will do to one another in the name of loyalty.It is a story of a place where dreams are paid for in blood.But it is also about a woman who has other, perhaps even more complex business to attend as she confronts a vastly transforming world, and the personal search she must make, the difficult question she must ultimately ask: How do you forgive those who show no regret, or even understanding?A novel about innocence passing, along with an American age, The Persia Caf is a story of murder, betrayal, and the possibility of redemption.With The Persia Caf, award-winning author Melany Neilson establishes herself as a remarkable new voice in Southern fiction.AUTHORBIO: Melany Neilson grew up on a farm near Ebenezer, Mississippi.Her first book, Even Mississippi, won the Lillian Smith Award, the Mississippi Authors Award, was named Gustavas Myers Outstanding Book on Human Rights, and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.She now lives in California with her husband, Fred Slabach, and her young twin sons.The Persia Caf is her first novel.
Customer Reviews:
Mighty finest read, don't miss it........2005-01-30
Heck, this is one mighty fine novel and you don't want to miss it. Read it just as soon as you can! I'm just sayin' ... this beaucoup best la-la for your reading itch. Finest kind. Superb writing and writer. Go git it!
Difficult but Worthwhile..........2003-03-04
I'm not the world's fastest reader, so when I encounter a book with the dialogue and style of writing like this one, I sometimes will become frustrated at the length of time devoted to complete. Melany Neilson, from what I understand, is a poet who has written her first novel. The writing style clearly shows and can be very difficult. I read another review where the reader didn't get past page 60. I almost gave up on this book at page 80. I'm extremely glad however, that I did not. Even though the language of the book is challenging, the descriptiveness and language used, is extremely beautiful. This kind of beauty takes time, and you may find yourself putting in more energy into this book than the sleeve of the book indicates what might be a simple story. I have to admit however, that I did take a break and read another book halfway into this one, before I finished. I overall rated the book a 3, only because of the challenging style. Believe me, the ending, the entire story, as it all falls together, does take some time, but is well worth discovering. The bond between the two main characters, Fannie and Mattie is strong, fragile and yet special. I disagreed with another commenter that the reader couldn't quite decipher the relationships that Fannie maintained, that is of her husband Will, and between her mother. I'm not from the south, but I quickly characterized all female characters as the strong southern woman. I didn't find any of the female characters to be "warm and fuzzy", or particularly inviting, and maybe this was misread and misinterpreted. There is no doubt that the relationship between Fannie and her mother, with Mattie, are not warm. But a mutual respect and love exists, especially between Fannie and Mattie, that even Fannie cannot sometimes understand. The same can be said between Fannie and her husband. Obviously, not a very romantic relationship, but one that works for both of them, with the baggage that Will has since childhood, and one that Fannie can understand. Again, I found all characters to very good representatives for the time period and plot.
Knowing what I know now, I cannot honestly say if I would ever read another novel by Melany Neilson.
deft recounting of female friendship during racist era.......2002-02-09
Taut, languid and ominous, Melany Neilson's "The Persia Cafe" is a remarkable debut novel. Treating the theme of interracial friendship during the formative years of the civil rights movement, "Cafe" explores the corrosive impact of racism through the evolving relationship between two honorable, frustrated women. Uncommonly understated, Ms. Neilson's writing compels the reader to construct detail, both in the evolution of the plot and the impact of events on the two protagonists. The novel builds an almost unbearable tension as the reader struggles with such issues as constructing authentic relationships in a social milieu which limits and punishes their creation, the limits and consequences of knowledge, personal and social respnsibility for acts of violence, passion and betrayal, secrecy and its impact on how people respond to each other.
Shackled by societal restrictions, frustrated by personal disappointments and angered by repressed ambitions, the evolving relationship between Fannie and Mattie becomes the central focus of the novel. Fannie, aware of her heritage as the illegitimate daughter of the town's seamstress, yearns to escape the suffocating constraints of Persia, Mississippi, which in 1962, epitomizes southern rural racism. Fannie's personal alienation and harnessed hopes for freedom channel her into the kitchen, where she learns of her culinary gift. In her hands, food becomes transformed into art. Yet, this same burning drive for experience that elicits creative talent leads her into an ill-conceived and fractious marriage.
While in the kitchen of the Persia Cafe, Fannie encounters a defiant, proud black cook, Mattie. Nursing her own anguish and smoldering resentments at a society which binds her to subservience, Mattie slowly, reluctantly, suspiciously develops a relationship with Fannie. Mattie is a defiant woman who often speaks in cryptic half sentences; she ponders if Fannie's personal frustrations could lead to a biracial understanding. Mattie evolves as a central figure; her personal, unspoken knowledge of the details of a racist murder alternately draws and repels Fannie, who is laboring with her own burdens of knowledge -- of a failed marriage, of derivative responsibility for racial violence, of her own shanmbles of a life.
"The Persia Cafe" contains exquisite descriptions of the physical nature of rural, river life in 1960s Mississippi. Sweltering heat, earthy smells, the sounds of insects and the river during a summer night capture the reader's imagination. Ms. Neilson tantalizes us with her exploration of things unbridgeable: relationships between the races, the shattering of a marriage by a husband's betrayal, the wonder if what we know is actual or imagined. Persia's racism is ever-present, looming and casting its shadow everywhere; physical violence receives an ugly complement in psychological terror and threat. Mattie and Fannie's friendship is all the more remarkable given its improbability and inherent danger.
Successful in its treatment of theme, both understated and elegantly detailed, honorable and true in its exploration of friendship in the midst of racism, "The Persia Cafe" will join a growing set of works which prove that America is itself coming of age as it explores the wounds and possibilities created during its civil rights era.
Uneven and problematic.......2002-01-05
Not a horrible book, but not a great one either. The characterization is uneven - for instance, Fannie's mother is made to say how much she adores her daughter at the beginning, but in fact, their relationship is rather prickly. It is unclear how Fannie feels about her husband; their dialogue is often confusing. Actually, much of the dialogue is confusing. The narrative and perspective shifts oddly and I had difficulty staying with it. The only reason I finished the book is because I wanted to see who killed Earnest. That WAS surprising. Additionally, sometimes Neilson gives us far too much detail. I often felt lost in the picayune.
Although it does, I think, portray the South of the 1960's fairly well, if in a rather stererotypical fashion, I did not find this book cause for exhilaration. I've read many other Southern and non-Southern writers that were far more enjoyable, understandable and clear.
This Is Not Just Another Book About The South ..........2001-11-11
This is a story about a young woman who is determined to do the right thing. It takes place during the 60's in Persia, Mississippi and captures the feelings of that particular time -- specifically racism, ignorance, and people uncomfortable with the idea of change. It is about murder, violence, betrayal, innocence lost, and ultimately redemption.
I felt for Fannie's situation throughout this book. It pained me when the people of her community shunned her, and I was grateful she used her culinary talents as an outlet from their ugliness. Also, the friendship between Mattie and Frannie was depicted so well -- it perfectly captured the underlying tension present in their interactions with one another.
I cannot help but think of Harper Lee's, "To Kill A Mockingbird," after reading this book. Like it, "The Persia Cafe," is a fascinating glimpse into a time and place I know little about. And, both tell the story about the sacrifices we sometimes must make in order to do the right thing.
Average customer rating:
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PERSIA CAFE
Melany Neilson
Manufacturer: Thomas Dunne Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTDIYC |
Book Description
In the midst of a cutthroat mayoral election, a ship smuggling Chinese refugees runs aground on Alcatraz. With the entire crew murdered, the crime screams professional assassin. Is it a coincidence that Cape Weathers friend Sallytrained to be a deadly force by a Chinese secret society has disappeared? The private investigator knows little about Sallys murky history as an orphan in Hong Kong. But she has saved his butt umpteen times, and Cape wants to return the favor. With help from a neurotic cop, a drug lord, and an autistic computer genius, he scours the darkest corners of San Franciscos Chinatown searching for the snakeheadthe leader of the human smuggling ringthat will lead him to Sally. From the ancient Triads of Hong Kong to Chinatowns underground, this electrifying thriller penetrates the sinister and fascinating world of organized crime.
Customer Reviews:
Extraordinary spin through San Francisco.......2007-07-17
Having read many things from Maleeny before this (I worked with him years ago, so the content wasn't nearly as fun), I thoroughly enjoyed the journey he took me on around parts of San Francisco I'd only imagined existed! With wonderfully quirky character names and a finely tuned use of wit, this was truly a reading romp I completely enjoyed!
Smart, Fun Thriller.......2007-07-08
This book was entertaining from the first page to the last, introducing us to a new set of interesting and endearing characters. I have found another writer to add to my list of favorites. I eagerly await the next installment, Beating the Babushka!
Crime noir tour of San Francisco's Chinatown.......2007-05-30
San Francisco is at once a city of beauty and mystery, of hope and despair. It defies a consistent definition, being more a collection of neighborhoods in occasional uneasy proximity of each other than a cohesive unit. STEALING THE DRAGON, Tim Maleeny's debut novel, successfully captures not only the bright atmosphere of San Francisco but also the darker aspects of its soul, in a manner perhaps previously matched only by Dashiell Hammett.
STEALING THE DRAGON is a crime noir tour of San Francisco's Chinatown, conducted by an occasionally abrasive but nonetheless likable detective and an unforgettable assassin who lead the reader down alleys that are worlds away from the usual tourist haunts. The detective in question is Cape Weathers, an ex-cop who you wouldn't necessarily want to pal around with but who nonetheless would be on the short list of people you could trust to watch your back. Weathers is reluctantly drawn into a homicide investigation when a container ship runs aground on Alcatraz Island. A group of Chinese refugees are on board, along with a brutally murdered crew.
The incident occurs almost simultaneously with the smuggling of a highly valued talisman out of China and the disappearance of Sally, an enigmatic and dangerous associate of Weathers. The Triads, an ancient and powerful alliance of crime entities, want that talisman, and the dots have been connected to Sally and Weathers. Bodies begin piling up, and soon the police --- at least some of them --- are after Weathers as well. In the best tradition of noir private eyes, Maleeny has assembled an intriguing cast of secondary characters to help Weathers navigate his way through a dark and deadly maze where few can be trusted and no one is safe.
While Maleeny skillfully leads his reader through a complex plot, the real star of STEALING THE DRAGON is Chinatown itself. He takes his characters far off the well-treaded paths of the visitor tours and wanders down the alleys that are usually seen only momentarily, if at all, as the buses speed by. Maleeny's compelling descriptions match his plot points for intrigue, resulting in a work that is part noir thriller and part exotic travelogue, and that reads like a collaboration between the aforementioned Hammett and Sax Rohmer.
--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
Amazing Read!!.......2007-05-05
I read this book in two days, which is quite a feat as I hardly have time to read at all. The book kept my on my toes. The main character is witty, charming, yet human. All of the characters had their own stories and their own story lines, but you were never confused as to where the story was going. This was the first in the series and I'll def. be checking out the rest!
Not to be missed!.......2007-04-29
A wonderful read; think "Chinatown" with a better sense of humor. Reminiscent of Elmore Leonard at his best. Great characters, fantastic story that hummed along to an extremely satisfying finish. Hard to believe this is his first book; can't wait to read the next!
Book Description
Arlian had never left his home village in the Obsidian Mountains. The green hills, white peaks, and black glass were all he had ever known of life, and though he dreamed of travel and adventure, he knew deep in his heart that he would probably never leave.Until the dragon weather came. Incredible heat, oppressive humidity, dark and angry clouds . . . and dragons. Dragons with no feelings, no empathy, no use for humans; dragons who destroyed his entire village and everyone in it. Everyone, that is, except Arlian.Orphaned and alone, Arlian the child is captured by looters and sold as a mining slave. Seven years later Arlian the man escapes, fueled by years of hatred for the dragons, bandits, and slavers that took his youth away--and a personal vow to exact retribution from those who have wronged him.As Arlian makes his way through life, he is obsessed with the concept of justice, and that obsession informs every task, every decision. Even Black, the man he befriends and grows to love as a brother, has little influence against Arlian's obsession. His entire life has one purpose, and one purpose only: to mete out justice. But can one righteous man change the entire world for the better? Or is he doomed by his own actions to become as unjust as those he seeks to destroy?
Customer Reviews:
Compent fantasy.......2006-06-15
I read this novel sitting in a bookstore for a couple of hours waiting for my wife to get off work. As a book to read lightly for a few hours it works quite well. A great or notable contribution to fatasy it is not. The story is plot heavy, and while nothing in it is new or groundbreaking, it is engaging enough to keep your intrest. The main character is a man who sees all aspects of the world through his view of justice, and most of the novel is based on hime tring to extract revenge for crimes done to him and the moral dilemias he faces in tring to do this.
The novel is very plot driven, this is not really a character study, and there is a certian sense of detactment between the reader and the protagonist. Some people seem to love this giving this book great praise, so if you are a fan of plot driven novels this would be a good canidate for you. If not, it can take up a boring afternoon.
Decent Read.......2005-09-18
This is one of Lawrence Watt-Evans better efforts in recent years. I really loved his early work. The Lord of Dus series and The Misenchanted Sword. Somewhere in the middle, he lost me. Nothing in his books was really grabbing me. An interesting back cover blurb and a nice cover made me pick this one up. While it is a good read, it certainly has some faults in storytelling. I think that the good outweighs the bad however, and the story contains a few unique ideas. So if you are a dragon fan, this will probably be a good read for you.
Read The Count of Monte Cristo.......2005-08-01
For the first half of _Dragon Weather_, Watt-Evans basically rehashes one of my favorite books, _Count of Monte Cristo_. However, he doesn't do it quite so well as Dumas did. Of course, that's a high standard, and any book, in my mind, would suffer from a comparasion with Dumas.
There were several problems with this book. First of all, there was the writing. It was not very well paced. Several important plot points were virtually glossed over in sentances, where as a few were mentioned ad nauseum.
Secondly, Arlian has very, very hypocritical ethical standards. He bases his wealth on a series of burglaries, but he justifies it because the nobleman he robs holds slaves and hurt some of Arlian's friends. While slavery is wrong, it is not right to steal from someone. He is shown as being persistant in taking his revenge, but he takes it to such extremes. He does feel some remorse for some of the actions, but it's almost an afterthought. Compared to Edmond Dantes, Arlian leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
Thirdly, I did not feel that the world of Dragon Weather was very well developed. It didn't really seem to have very good underpinnings. All of the characters use nicknames, sometimes several. The reason is mentioned offhandedly, but is not really delved into. Aside from the nicknames, not much information is given about the culture.
Finally, an inordinate amount of the story relies on heavy, heavy coincidence. For example, several of the looters who find Arlian and sell him into slavery can recognize him. Arlien also convinces one man to leave his job to teach him to swordfight, in just a matter of minutes of meeting the man. Arlien and the leader of the looters belong to the same secret society. This type of thing goes on throughout the book, and it's really hard to ignore.
I would only recomend Dragon Weather if you are interested in some light bedtime reading. It is ultimately a forgettable novel. Science Fiction Chronicle decribed it as the best fantasy novel of the year. If that's the case, 1999 was a "ho hum" year for fantasy all around.
Revenge!.......2005-01-20
I really enjoyed reading DRAGON WEATHER. The author uses great descriptive words to make you feel as if you're right there in the story. It all starts with a young boy named Arlain. One hot summer day, dragons come and kill his family and destroy his village. After the attack, a group of men come and pillage the remains of the village of Obsidian. They find Arlain and decide to sell him into slavery. From these humble beginnings he rises in his campaign to kill the dragons and get revenge on those who wronged him. I personally like fantasy books and as a lover of this particular genre, I tip my hat to DRAGON WEATHER. It host an excellent cast of mythical creatures and gives a new spin on old ones, such as the dragons not actually breathing fire, but spitting a highly combustible venom. The environments are vast and well described. The characters develop their own personalities and make you hate or love them. All in all, it was a great read and I suggest it to any one who is a fan of fantasy and adventure.
Wow.......2004-09-09
What a great fantasy book. It is a great revenge/Hero/coming of age story in where the action doesn't let up and the story just keeps getting better with every page. I have never read anything by this author before and in fact, before last week, I had never heard of him. I am extremely glad I picked this book up and it is always great to find an author who writes good fantasy as this genre has many more sub-par writers than good ones.
It is also refreshing to read a book that has a different take on the fantasy genre. There are no elves, dwarves, or gnomes in this book and while I love reading books that involve those races and other typical fantasy fare (ie. Tolkien, Weis & Hickman, McKiernan, Stasheff, Gemmell, J.V. Jones, etc.), I also love books that are new aren't typical fantasy (ie. G. R. R. Martin, Duncan, Mitchell Graham, Simon Green, etc.)
This book, while not the "best" ever, had no faults that I could detect offhand. The writing was great and again, the plot and story were amazing. I can't wait until this weekend when the second and third book arrive and I can't find out what happens next.
I recommend this book highly.
Customer Reviews:
Compent fantasy.......2006-06-15
I read this novel sitting in a bookstore for a couple of hours waiting for my wife to get off work. As a book to read lightly for a few hours it works quite well. A great or notable contribution to fatasy it is not. The story is plot heavy, and while nothing in it is new or groundbreaking, it is engaging enough to keep your intrest. The main character is a man who sees all aspects of the world through his view of justice, and most of the novel is based on hime tring to extract revenge for crimes done to him and the moral dilemias he faces in tring to do this.
The novel is very plot driven, this is not really a character study, and there is a certian sense of detactment between the reader and the protagonist. Some people seem to love this giving this book great praise, so if you are a fan of plot driven novels this would be a good canidate for you. If not, it can take up a boring afternoon.
Decent Read.......2005-09-18
This is one of Lawrence Watt-Evans better efforts in recent years. I really loved his early work. The Lord of Dus series and The Misenchanted Sword. Somewhere in the middle, he lost me. Nothing in his books was really grabbing me. An interesting back cover blurb and a nice cover made me pick this one up. While it is a good read, it certainly has some faults in storytelling. I think that the good outweighs the bad however, and the story contains a few unique ideas. So if you are a dragon fan, this will probably be a good read for you.
Read The Count of Monte Cristo.......2005-08-01
For the first half of _Dragon Weather_, Watt-Evans basically rehashes one of my favorite books, _Count of Monte Cristo_. However, he doesn't do it quite so well as Dumas did. Of course, that's a high standard, and any book, in my mind, would suffer from a comparasion with Dumas.
There were several problems with this book. First of all, there was the writing. It was not very well paced. Several important plot points were virtually glossed over in sentances, where as a few were mentioned ad nauseum.
Secondly, Arlian has very, very hypocritical ethical standards. He bases his wealth on a series of burglaries, but he justifies it because the nobleman he robs holds slaves and hurt some of Arlian's friends. While slavery is wrong, it is not right to steal from someone. He is shown as being persistant in taking his revenge, but he takes it to such extremes. He does feel some remorse for some of the actions, but it's almost an afterthought. Compared to Edmond Dantes, Arlian leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
Thirdly, I did not feel that the world of Dragon Weather was very well developed. It didn't really seem to have very good underpinnings. All of the characters use nicknames, sometimes several. The reason is mentioned offhandedly, but is not really delved into. Aside from the nicknames, not much information is given about the culture.
Finally, an inordinate amount of the story relies on heavy, heavy coincidence. For example, several of the looters who find Arlian and sell him into slavery can recognize him. Arlien also convinces one man to leave his job to teach him to swordfight, in just a matter of minutes of meeting the man. Arlien and the leader of the looters belong to the same secret society. This type of thing goes on throughout the book, and it's really hard to ignore.
I would only recomend Dragon Weather if you are interested in some light bedtime reading. It is ultimately a forgettable novel. Science Fiction Chronicle decribed it as the best fantasy novel of the year. If that's the case, 1999 was a "ho hum" year for fantasy all around.
Revenge!.......2005-01-20
I really enjoyed reading DRAGON WEATHER. The author uses great descriptive words to make you feel as if you're right there in the story. It all starts with a young boy named Arlain. One hot summer day, dragons come and kill his family and destroy his village. After the attack, a group of men come and pillage the remains of the village of Obsidian. They find Arlain and decide to sell him into slavery. From these humble beginnings he rises in his campaign to kill the dragons and get revenge on those who wronged him. I personally like fantasy books and as a lover of this particular genre, I tip my hat to DRAGON WEATHER. It host an excellent cast of mythical creatures and gives a new spin on old ones, such as the dragons not actually breathing fire, but spitting a highly combustible venom. The environments are vast and well described. The characters develop their own personalities and make you hate or love them. All in all, it was a great read and I suggest it to any one who is a fan of fantasy and adventure.
Wow.......2004-09-09
What a great fantasy book. It is a great revenge/Hero/coming of age story in where the action doesn't let up and the story just keeps getting better with every page. I have never read anything by this author before and in fact, before last week, I had never heard of him. I am extremely glad I picked this book up and it is always great to find an author who writes good fantasy as this genre has many more sub-par writers than good ones.
It is also refreshing to read a book that has a different take on the fantasy genre. There are no elves, dwarves, or gnomes in this book and while I love reading books that involve those races and other typical fantasy fare (ie. Tolkien, Weis & Hickman, McKiernan, Stasheff, Gemmell, J.V. Jones, etc.), I also love books that are new aren't typical fantasy (ie. G. R. R. Martin, Duncan, Mitchell Graham, Simon Green, etc.)
This book, while not the "best" ever, had no faults that I could detect offhand. The writing was great and again, the plot and story were amazing. I can't wait until this weekend when the second and third book arrive and I can't find out what happens next.
I recommend this book highly.
Customer Reviews:
Errand of mercy.......2005-06-06
As will be the pattern for the rest of the series, Jon-Tom is sent off on an errand by his mentor, the wizard Clothahump, and must travel through the world accompanied by his friend Mudge, the otter woodsman. This time, Clothahump has fallen sick, and his medicine can only be obtained from a single shop of unearthly goods located across the Glittergeist Sea. Jon-Tom must travel through many weird perils along the way, solving them through creative use of his power of spellsinging -- when Jon-Tom sings, the lyrics come true.
There's a lot to recommend this novel; the characters who join Jon-Tom's "adventuring party" are a varied lot, and it makes sense that they would choose to travel with him. The story is highly episodic, and we get to see intrigue, mystery, brutality, and even a tiny touch of the sense of wonder in the previous novel, Hour of the Gate.
Unfortunately, starting with this book jokes (not humor, JOKES) begin taking precedence over story. A lot of the events seem to happen more because they might be funny than because they're interesting or advance the plot. Tellingly, the two best sections of the book -- the other ship they run across and what happens when they land in the city -- are both deadly serious in tone.
Spellsinger series book 3.......2003-11-29
This is the third installment of the spellsinger series in which our hapless hero is sent across the world in a quest to obtain....well..I don't want to give away to much. Needless to say, if you liked the first two books you'll love this one. It has all the great elements of a funny, swords and sorcery/science fiction novel. Talking animals, magic, technology and one of the best supporting characters of all time, Mudge the Otter.
Average customer rating:
- Complete Meat Cookbook
- so little time, so many good recipes
- Fantastic resource
- Awesome Cookbook
- Great book
|
The Complete Meat Cookbook
Bruce Aidells , and
Denis Kelly
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Meats
| Meat, Poultry & Seafood
| Cooking by Ingredient
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
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Bruce Aidells's Complete Sausage Book : Recipes from America's Premium Sausage Maker
ASIN: 061813512X |
Amazon.com
"Frankly, we love meat." Thus spake Bruce Aidells and Denis Kelly, their first words in The Complete Meat Cookbook. "This book," these well-informed authors tell us, "is written for those who share this carnivorous inclination." As the authors of Hot Links and Country Flavors, Real Beer and Good Eats, and Flying Sausages, these guys know meat. And their mission in life is to share what they know. With gusto.
The divisions are obvious: beef, pork, lamb, veal. But packed into each chapter is more information than any single reader might think possible. There's history and anthropology; there's anatomy and kitchen chemistry. And all of it is aimed at what the authors call the "new meat." It's a leaner product--less fat than ever before. So to get the succulence and the flavor that resides in memory (coming from a time of fattier cuts) sliced and onto the plate, today's cook has to use a different, more informed approach. You will find that guidance in this book. How to select and buy, how to prep, how to intensify the flavor, how to cook, how to store: it's all here. There is no other book like it.
Heavily illustrated, The Complete Meat Cookbook opens with a section on meat basics, including a little meat eating history and a terrific doneness chart. Then there's a long section covering all the basic cooking techniques and which cuts of which meat work best with each technique. Once the book breaks out into sections by kind of meat--beef, pork, lamb, veal--the depth of information focuses and intensifies, and the recipes roll right along for more than 600 pages.
Myth busting (like, don't salt meat before cooking, it will dry it out: wrong) is highlighted throughout the book. And each recipe is labeled for ease, speed, budget consciousness, serve to company, etc. The recipes take into account the world of meat eating. This is no Eurocentric text--it is, as the title proclaims, complete. If you are going to eat meat, do it right. This is the book to show you how. No cookbook bookshelf is complete without a copy of The Complete Meat Cookbook. --Schuyler Ingle
Book Description
Whether it's a perfectly grilled steak, an expertly done roast, slow-cooked ribs, or a robustly flavored stew, there's nothing like the satisfying savor of meat. However, today's cuts, which are naturally lean, need special treatment and updated cooking techniques so they turn out tender, juicy, and flavorful. Called the book "for the new meat world order" by the Los Angeles Times and hailed as "definitive" by countless reviewers, this authoritative guide ensures that you'll get superb results every time, whether you're a confirmed carnivore or a sometime meat eater. Everything you need to know is here, including - straight talk on how to choose the right cut for every occasion: a great steak, a pork roast for a weeknight, or a leg of lamb that's easy to carve - simple seasoning techniques, such as dry rubs, wet marinades, flavor brines, herb pastes, and fast sauces - advice on how to cook each cut to just the right temperature - more than 230 recipes, ranging from the ethnic and eclectic to everyday classics, from Nogales Steak Tacos and Tuscan Herb-Infused Pork to Lisa's Lazy Pot Roast - hundreds of tips on meat cookery that will enlighten even expert cooks.
Customer Reviews:
Complete Meat Cookbook.......2007-07-09
This book helps bridge the gap between those that are accurate for "yesterdays" meats and the extremely LEAN mrats we get today.
It contains much that will help the Home cook prepare "good" meals.
so little time, so many good recipes.......2007-03-27
I've always been intimidated by cooking meat...I'm much better at veggies, fish and poultry. This book will take me a lifetime to get through but all my first tries have been hits. Well organized. Lots of variety. THE source on cooking meat.
Fantastic resource.......2007-02-26
I've owned this book for a total of about 2 months and it has already become an irreplaceable staple in my kitchen. Every recipe I've tried has been reliable and delicious, and I've learned so much already from the instructions on how to choose, buy, and prepare difference kinds of meat. The sheer number of recipes in this book is almost mind-boggling, an effect made more profound by the incredible variety of tastes, ethnicities, and techniques represented. It'll probably take me years to try every recipe, and I doubt I'll ever get bored.
They should have called this book "The Meat Bible". Because it surely is.
HIGHLY recommended.
Awesome Cookbook.......2006-03-04
I learned so much about choosing & cooking beef just in the first chapters of this book. It is a very practical guide to helping laymen identify different cuts of meat, the characteristics of each, and the best methods of cooking. It has definately helped my ability to choose & prepare meat selections. I would highly recommend this book to everyone from casual weekend cook to seasoned cooks.
Great book.......2006-02-25
This is the most complete book on meat I've seen. Everything you want to know about the cuts and what cooking method they're best suited for.
Every recipie is very good, right down to different wet and dry "rubs".
I have learned so much from this book, and now enjoy meat I never thought I liked.
You can't go wrong with this one!
Average customer rating:
- This is the best.
- Great book great meals.
- a cookbook for the everyday venison cook
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The Complete Venison Cookbook: From Field to Table
Jim Casada , and
Ann Casada
Manufacturer: Krause Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Plastic Comb
General
| Baking
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Game
| Meat, Poultry & Seafood
| Cooking by Ingredient
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Meats
| Meat, Poultry & Seafood
| Cooking by Ingredient
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
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301 Venison Recipes: The Ultimate Deer Hunter's Cookbook
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Venison Cookery (Hunting & Fishing Library)
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Deer Burger Cookbook: Recipes For Ground Venison - Soups, Stews, Chilies, Casseroles, Jerkies, And Sausages
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The Complete Venison Cookbook
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Ultimate Venison Cookbook
ASIN: 0873414160 |
Customer Reviews:
This is the best........2007-03-15
This is the first of, I believe, three cookbooks by the Casadas. This is, without a doubt, the best venison cookbook in existance. I have about 20 venison cookbooks. This is the best. I really like the slow cooker section.
Great book great meals........2002-02-08
I have about 15 or so game cookbooks, this is one of the best! Simple, easy instructions and lots of excelent recipies. From simple to elegant and great variety. This is a cookbook that you will use over and over!
a cookbook for the everyday venison cook.......2000-08-22
This cookbook was mentioned in our local paper as "the best venison cookbook ever." I was tired of game cookbooks with exotic recipes, while meanwhile we have 100 pounds of venison in the freezer. This book is great!! Special recipes for prime cuts, yes; but also chapters on using the crockpot, ground venison, casseroles, grilling, stews, and soups. Within a month I had tried ten recipes and they were all excellent. You will not face the dilemma of a significant portion of frozen venison in October with this book. I only wish I had ordered it sooner.
Average customer rating:
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The Venison Sausage Cookbook: A Complete Guide, from Field to Table
Harold Webster
Manufacturer: The Lyons Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Baking
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Game
| Meat, Poultry & Seafood
| Cooking by Ingredient
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Meats
| Meat, Poultry & Seafood
| Cooking by Ingredient
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Complete Venison Cookbook
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Home Sausage Making : How-To Techniques for Making and Enjoying 100 Sausages at Home
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Deer Burger Cookbook: Recipes For Ground Venison - Soups, Stews, Chilies, Casseroles, Jerkies, And Sausages
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The Sausage Making Cookbook
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Jerky: Make Your Own Delicious Jerky and Jerky Dishes Using Beef, Venison, Fish, or Fowl
ASIN: 1585748595 |
Book Description
The history of sausage making dates back to an obscure moment in time when early man discovered that his surplus meat lasted longer when it was chopped, mixed with a little raw natural salt to flavor it, and stored in the stomach or intestines of the animal. Since the discovery of sausage nearly 5,000 years ago, people from all over the world have been making sausage at home without the need for expensive equipment.
You may ask, why choose venison sausage instead of your regular pork or beef sausage? Harold Webster explains that making homemade venison sausage is safe, simple, and more economical. It provides a unique activity in which all members of your family can participate, and ultimately enjoy the fruits of their labor. All of the seasoning ingredients can be found in any supermarket, and you can have confidence in the meat's purity because it came from the woods.
THE VENISON SAUSAGE COOKBOOK provides step-by-step instructions to help you with selecting condiments, grinding, patty making, casing, stuffing, packaging, and storing your venison. In addition, you will find recipes for well over a hundred varieties of venison sausage, ranging from Mild and Easy Venison Sausage, to Syrian Venison Sausage Links with Red Wine and Pine Nuts, to Bratwurst Venison and Onion Sausage. If you're wondering what to serve with your delicious venison sausage, Webster also includes 195 of his best menus for all types of meals and occasions.
Customer Reviews:
Yum yum, eat 'em up!.......2007-02-17
I decided to start processing my own deer & I love venison sausage, so...I bought this book. Now I'm Mr. Sausage! Lots of recipes and plenty of information to get started even if you don't know anything about sausage.
Average customer rating:
- Stuffy. Rick Black's books are better!
- What else could you need?
- The Complete Venison Cookbook
- Offers more than 700 venison recipes
- A jam-packed cookbook!
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The Complete Venison Cookbook
Harold W, Jr. Webster
Manufacturer: Quail Ridge Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Baking
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Game
| Meat, Poultry & Seafood
| Cooking by Ingredient
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Meats
| Meat, Poultry & Seafood
| Cooking by Ingredient
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
301 Venison Recipes: The Ultimate Deer Hunter's Cookbook
-
The Venison Sausage Cookbook: A Complete Guide, from Field to Table
-
Deer Burger Cookbook: Recipes For Ground Venison - Soups, Stews, Chilies, Casseroles, Jerkies, And Sausages
-
Butchering Deer: The Complete Manual of Field Dressing, Skinning, Aging, and Butchering Deer at Home (Outdoorsman's Edge)
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The Complete Venison Cookbook: From Field to Table
ASIN: 0937552704 |
Book Description
Venison lovers will enjoy the experience of preparing and eating venison as never before imagined. This book solves the riddle of why some venison has a strong taste, and how to prevent it. You'll learn how to make venison tender and delicious. From basic recipes for home and camp to preparing and presenting venison for elegant dining, this book has over 700 venison recipes for steaks, chops, roasts, ribs, chilies, stews, stroganoffs, meat loaves, burgers, and more.
Also included are over 250 recipes that complement venison, plus recipes for canning, drying, sausage making, smoking, pickling, and preserving.
Customer Reviews:
Stuffy. Rick Black's books are better!.......2005-01-15
I'm like everyone else, I am stuck on Iowa's Rick Black and his very funny but great cookbooks on wildgame. I dont want to be a copycat, but I reccemend the following books by Rick Black to my brothers of the timber: Bag Em and Tag Em is one of the best books on deer hunting that has ever been put to print. For the bird hunters you will love The Wild Turkey Cookbook, Bird Up!, and The Funky Duck Cookbook. Cookin with Beer is a clasic for a hunter. I highly rec, The Mountain Man Cookbook by Rick Black, and Trailer Trash Cookin' is the funnist cookbook my wife and I have ever read! Check out his reviews on Barns and Noble!
What else could you need?.......2003-12-22
This is the most exhaustive book of Deer Recipes that I have ever seen. I just don't see how anyone could find any fault with it. Obviously the reader from Wisconsin who gave this book one star has an axe to grind.
The Complete Venison Cookbook.......2003-12-14
Do not waste your money like I did on this book. I am always looking for venison cookbooks as we get a number of deer each year. This cookbook was a big disappointment. If you want venison recipies get 301 Venison Recipies to start with.
Offers more than 700 venison recipes.......2003-02-11
To put it simply, The Complete Venison Cookbook compiled and written by venison expert Harold Webster is the most accessible, "kitchen friendly", definitive, and reliable resource for the preparation of deer and elk meat available today. Webster begins with basic recipes suitable for home and camp, and goes on to present venison based dishes that would be appropriate for even the most elegant dining and celebratory occasions. From Classic French Venison Pate; Venison Braised with Fried Almonds and Black Pepper; New England Venison Heart in Wine and Mustard Sauce; and Grilled Venison Flank Steak, Onion and Bell Pepper Sandwiches; to Venison with Curry & Applesauce; Southwestern Venison Sausage; Venison and Vegetable Pie; and Blender Venison Salad, The Complete Venison Cookbook offers more than 700 venison recipes. Enhanced with chapters on breads, desserts, drinks, punches, and lagniappe, The Complete Venison Cookbook is an indispensable addition to any dedicated deer hunter's cookbook collection.
A jam-packed cookbook!.......2001-01-09
I would recommend this wonderful cookbook to anyone. From a beginner in the kitchen to the culinary master. It offers a wide-range of recipes. Very easy to follow and understand. It offers easy to make dinners, information on making sausage and hamburger, side-dishs that compliment venison, and recipes for grand dinners. You will once again love to cook venison and even more important, you will love eating all the delicious meals.
Customer Reviews:
An amateur can become a world-class cook.......2003-10-20
I've cooked my way through most of this book, and it's got wonderful recipes. Vietnamese Ground Beef Curry, Ma Ho, Beef Stew Scandinavian Hunter Style, Austrian Pork with Fruit Sauce, and Ceylon Lamb Curry--this is greater eating than even the highest-priced white-tablecloth restaurant that you can find. This book is to cooking as a Bible is to religion.
Average customer rating:
- Cute cookbook, and very good!
- Yummy
- great
- A wonderful, witty and useful cookbook
- Interesting recipes
|
Babe's Country Cookbook : 80 Complete Meat-Free Recipes from the Farm
Dewey Gram
Manufacturer: GT Publishing Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Baking
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Vegetables & Vegetarian
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1577193547 |
Customer Reviews:
Cute cookbook, and very good!.......2002-07-05
I bought this book mostly for the stories and illustrations, but was surprised by how good the recipes are! Almost every recipe I've tried from this book has been a great success and added to my permanent recipe file, and I am fairly confident whenever I try something new from this cookbook that it will turn out well. Some of my new regular favorite meals include the Risotto with Asparagus and Pine Nuts, the Porcini Omelet with Feta and Sage and the Whole-Wheat Vegetarian Pie. There are some old standbys included in this cookbook, but for the most part, the recipes are delicious and different without being bizarre or difficult. If you're looking for some delicious new recipes, or even if you are just a fan of the movie Babe, consider getting this book. Even if you never cook out of it, you'll enjoy the "cozy" feeling of the stories and photos. Now that this book has been remaindered, it's really a great buy, too.
Yummy.......2000-04-22
I will try to avoid the obvious references to food and pigs. *grin* That aside, this is a wonderful cookbook! I bought it as a fan of the movie, and was delightfully surprised at how good a book it is. Contains breakfasts, soups, salads, vegetables, suppers, pickles & relishes, and deserts. The warm linguini with fresh tomato, balsalmic vinegar, and parmigiano-reggiano is quite good, as are the pecan sugar cookies. Although these recipes are not vegan, they are most definately vegetarian, and tasty!
great.......2000-04-03
the recipes in this book are so unusal that you are dying to try them just to see what they taste like... yet they are not unusually difficult. I was pleasantly surprised at this book... you'll never miss the meat.
A wonderful, witty and useful cookbook.......1999-01-29
Babe's Country Cookbook combines a compelling selection of vegetarian fare to cook at home with the charm of a Beatrix Potter tale. The illustrations are first-rate, too. You don't have to love Babe, or eschew meat, to enjoy this book and profit from it.
Interesting recipes.......1999-01-18
I found this cookbook very interesting as D.Gram was a friend and classmate of mine in Olean, N.Y. My son does not eat meat dished so He was happy with the recipes in the book. I would love to hear from D. Gram if he receives this message.
Average customer rating:
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Complete Fish & Game Cookbook
A. D. Livingston
Manufacturer: Stackpole Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Baking
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Meats
| Meat, Poultry & Seafood
| Cooking by Ingredient
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0811704289 |
Books:
- The Rich Man's Table
- The Sculptural Imagination: Figurative, Modernist, Minimalist
- The Spirit of Tio Fernando: A Day of the Dead Story/El Espiritu De Tio Fernando : Una Historia Del Dia De Los Muertos
- The Swoop! And Other Stories (A Continuum Book)
- The Unfinished Novel and Other Stories
- There Were Two Trees in the Garden
- Veronica My Daughter and Other Onitsha Market Play and Stories
- Victorine
- Wayfarers: Pilgrims and Strangers Seek the City Not Made with Hands
- When the Stars Danced
Books Index
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