Give your child a superior mind: A program for the preschool child

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Watch your child blossom

Buy it!

I Can't Recommend This Book Highly Enough!

One book doesn't make a difference

Give Your Child A Superior Mind

Give your child a superior mind: A program for the preschool child
Siegfried Engelmann
Manufacturer: Cornerstone Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Preschool & Kindergarten | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Elementary School | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
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Accessories:

Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 0346125324

Customer Reviews:

Watch your child blossom.......2007-01-11

THis is a fantastic book! I have used it in teaching my child to read and in helping him in physical development, etc. I originally found it at a flea market for a dollar and have been his biggest fan! My son is now seven years old and adds fractions with unlike denominators and is learning algebra. He reads on a fourth grade level and is very clever. Engelmann is spot-on when he advocates that you teach children to take a question of their ability to do something as a challenge rather than as a solid truth. There are so many stereotypes and cruel prejudices out there that no child can afford to believe the naysayers. If a child doesn't understand something in school that is a foundation for many later things, they can be typecast as stupid. It's very important to build the confidence of the little ones so that when they face hardship or negativity from others, they have a core sense of their ability to do, learn, and triumph. It should be required reading because he is very plain in stating that a child who has been marked early as slower can be guided along, using this book, to be at a normal (and I would believe higher) comprehension level. He firmly touts nurture over nature and I do too! It is a travesty that children are babytalked and coddled as if they aren't, truly, little people. When they are told the magical truth about our solar system and about the animal kingdom or mechanics, it is as if their little face had before been a tight little bud, but with a little radiant knowledge shone on it, it blossoms into a grateful, awestruck rose. I'm sure a lot of you who homeschool know what I mean. How many times have you explained an adult concept that really opened the world up to your child and they hugged you so hard and planted a loving kiss on your cheek in wordless thanks? It is a beautiful experience that I wish on all.
I think his How To Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons is a better program than Hooked on Phonics because it's very concentrated and comprehensive at the same time. You end up teaching your child his/her abc's, rhyming, reading, and writing the letters--all at the same time and in 100 lessons. What a great idea! I speak more on that book under its review.

Buy it!.......2006-12-21

As a parent of two young girls, and as a teacher, I highly endorse this
book. Buy it and read it through first, before attempting to teach your child/children. It is excellent, especially the math section. It is one of those rare books that not only teaches you to teach the skill, but also to give your students a comprehension of the skill. Both of my girls
are in the top half of their classes in math and reading!
Please, BUY IT!

I Can't Recommend This Book Highly Enough!.......2005-06-30

I bought one of the first ones out, in the 60s. It had been advertised as about to be released, so I prepaid so I would get it first thing. I had a three-year-old at the time. He was not talking yet (a genetic thing -- he talks beautifully now) but he struggled to make himself understood -- it was a motor development deficiency.

When I got this book, I immediately began the exercises, followed the suggestions, etc. My son blossomed, and when his baby brother became old enough, he too, learned well and quickly. They could both read as soon as they could talk! They could do math in their heads, they could play chess, as well, of course, as tic-tac-toe. When they went to kindergarten, they were writing, reading at about a second grade level, and were quite creative and artistic. I was amazed and delighted!

They were also ahead of their peers in motor skills and eye-hand coordination (a miracle, since the males in their father's family tended to be about two years behind in motor development!)

I believe firmly that this book allowed my sons to become the geniuses they are -- with IQs in the .003% of the population -- that is one in 333, if my math is correct. I could be wrong. Nevertheless it stood them in good stead in school, then in getting jobs. They are both in computer work,, but in very different areas. I am always amazed at their vocabulary, their ability to articulate, and their understanding of the "guts" of computers, etc.

Like I said, this book is a must, especially if your child has the beginnings of anything that could become a learning disabiity.

One book doesn't make a difference.......2003-09-20

PUUULEEEESE! Your fantastically talented children would've been fantastically talented and motivated even if you hadn't used the book! One book does not turn a kid into a star or superstar even if perfectly taught and/or implemented. What does is a combination of genes and environment over the long haul. Let's get away from the magic, pill, ok? Having said that, I'd unreservedly recommend this book and especially the Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons (along with flash cards and constant book and word list review--like the appendices in "Why Johnny Can't Read" by Rudolph Flesch). If these methods are followed, even a non-super star will be reading quite well before age 5. And isn't that good enough for us all? Most importantly, use higher level vocab and perfect grammar around your children, turn off the T.V. and elevate their minds with books, book, and more books and with great art (visual, auditory) thrown in and tons of leisure (in other words, don't over schedule them so they can never simply explore nature or your back yard, or a park, etc.) everything will fall into place whether you buy this book or any other book.

Give Your Child A Superior Mind.......2003-04-30

I first purchased this book as a young Mom. Now I am again purchasing it as a Grandparent. How I wish I had kept the original copy. The content is still applicable in 2003. I do suggest though that as well as age norms, one considers the developmental stage the child is at. Use that as the beginning point and go from there. With my background of parent, teacher educator, primary specialist and special education including gifted, I confidently award this book the very highest rating.

Give Your Child A Superior Mind How You Can Increase Your Child's Intelligence in the Games, the Play, the Everyday Life of a Loving A Program for the Preschool Child Home

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Give Your Child A Superior Mind How You Can Increase Your Child's Intelligence in the Games, the Play, the Everyday Life of a Loving A Program for the Preschool Child Home
Siegfried and Therese Engelmann
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RSNX5E

Give Your Child a Superior Mind: A Program for Preschool Children

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Give Your Child a Superior Mind: A Program for Preschool Children
Engelmann Seigfred
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000X536WQ

Book Description

The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, in the hands of both states and terrorist networks, is considered by many to be the greatest threat to global security today. Contemporary Nuclear Debates discusses the key issues surrounding that threat.

The book is divided into four parts. Part I, "US National Missile Defense: When and How?" presents an overview of the missile defense debate and examines the merits of different deployment systems, such as sea-based, space-based, and boost-phase. Part II, "Global Perceptions of Missile Defense," goes beyond the standard debate about the risks and benefits of missile defenses to examine the specific potential reactions of major countries, including China, India, Iran, Japan, and Russia. Part III, "Do Arms Races Matter Anymore?" asks which countries, if any, have the capability to conduct an arms race with the United States, whether any country would choose to do so, and what weapons a country might build in response to a US missile defense deployment. Part IV, "Is Arms Control Dead?" discusses the circumstances under which arms control is useful today, new principles upon which it can be based, and new visions for its future.

Customer Reviews:

a still-dominant US.......2006-07-04

In light of current events in Iran and North Korea, this book is certainly germane. It asks in part what types of arms races might occur between the US and other countries, and who those might be. What is striking about the book is how dominant the US is, compared to the Cold War, when there was a real feeling that it might not be able to maintain a parity with the Soviets.

Of the countries discussed, only the Russians have the ability to destroy the US. And the book helps keep this in perspective, when considering the capabilities of so-called rogue nations, or those of terrorist groups.

On the topic of being able to intercept a few incoming ballistic missiles, there is sadly little substantive detail about the American ability. Highly classified. Still, hundreds of billions of dollars must have been spent since Reagan began SDI. It would be nice to have some accurate inkling of what all that money bought.

Contemporary Nuclear Debates: Missile Defenses, Arms Control, and Arms Races in the Twenty-First Century.(Book Review): An article from: Air & Space Power Journal

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Contemporary Nuclear Debates: Missile Defenses, Arms Control, and Arms Races in the Twenty-First Century.(Book Review): An article from: Air & Space Power Journal
Merrick E. Krause
Manufacturer: U.S. Air Force
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Science & Technology | Subjects | e-Docs | Formats | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Air & Space Power Journal, published by U.S. Air Force on June 22, 2004. The length of the article is 1132 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Contemporary Nuclear Debates: Missile Defenses, Arms Control, and Arms Races in the Twenty-First Century.(Book Review)
Author: Merrick E. Krause
Publication: Air & Space Power Journal (Refereed)
Date: June 22, 2004
Publisher: U.S. Air Force
Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Page: 124(2)

Article Type: Book Review

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Contemporary Nuclear Debates: Missile Defenses, Arms Control, and Arms Races in the Twenty-First Century (Washington Quarterly Readers)

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Contemporary Nuclear Debates: Missile Defenses, Arms Control, and Arms Races in the Twenty-First Century (Washington Quarterly Readers)
Alexander T. J. Lennon
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQB8WE

Book Description

From despotic rulers in Europe to revolt and slavery in America to the first rumblings of the Industrial Revolution, the eighteenth century was a time of unrest and intellectual advancement amidst a climate of repression. This anthology covers the century with chapters on philosophers and writers, monarchs and wars, and the growth and struggle for independence of the thirteen British colonies in America.

Product Description

This unique publication is designed for the reader who has a basic knowledge of corrosion processes but who needs more practical and specific information on combating metallic corrosion in soils. 13 chapters cover: Current soil corrosion problems, including damage to the environment, safety issues, and cost. Properties and variations of soils so that estimates of soil corrosivities can be made. Types of corrosion most commonly found in soil, with particular emphasis on the most serious corrosion problems, including stress corrosion cracking, stray currents, and microbial corrosion. How to prevent or stop corrosion, with special emphasis on cathodic protection. Readers will gain an understanding of how to tackle their problem along with a knowledge of the extensive support available to them in the way of modern test instruments and protection equipment. This valuable resource is intended for RBCA, petroleum, pipeline, and drilling company personnel; UST owners; risk assessment specialists; and anyone who needs specific information on effective corrosion protection.

Book Description

"Woooooo! ™"

With that triumphant cry, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair surpassed his predecessors and his peers to become one of the greatest professional wrestlers in history.

To wrestling fans, the Nature Boy is a platinum-blond deity. A sixteen-time World Champion, "Slick Ric" could convince television viewers that a momentous life experience would pass them by if they missed an upcoming match. His opponents were challenged with this simple taunt: "To be the man, you have to beat the man."

From the moment he was born, Richard Morgan Fliehr was enmeshed in controversy. Like many of the other children adopted through the Tennessee Children's Home Society, he had apparently been stolen from his birth parents. Raised just outside Minneapolis, Ric was a distracted student, a brilliant athlete, and a wild party boy. Then, a chance meeting with Olympic weightlifter Ken Patera, directed Flair to the world of professional wrestling.

In 1974, Flair relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, igniting the Mid-Atlantic Wrestling promotion. He was almost forced to retire a year later when his back was broken in a plane crash. Flair recuperated, and in 1981 he would win his first National Wrestling Alliance championship. As the most traveled champion ever, he once wrestled eighteen hour-long cards during a fourteen-day stretch.

Before purchasing World Championship Wrestling in 1988, Ted Turner was given assurance that the Nature Boy would come with the package. But Flair's clashes with WCW management would drive him to World Wrestling Entertainment. When he later returned to WCW, Flair collided in and out of the ring with Hulk Hogan and -- as the company disintegrated -- began losing his self-esteem.

Arriving back at WWE in 2001, Flair was a broken man. What he didn't realize was that wrestlers who'd grown up idolizing him now inhabited the locker room. With their support, he was finally able to claim his legacy and receive the credit he so richly deserved.

To Be the Man traces the rise of one of wrestling's most enduring superstars to the pinnacle of the sports entertainment universe, and is a must-read for every wrestling fan.

Customer Reviews:

Great and honest from 1949 to 2002.......2007-08-20

I love Ric Flair as a wrestling performer and respected him more as an "athlete" than Hogan ever was when they both ruled their respective promotions NWA (Flair) and WWF (Hogan) some 20 plus years ago. However, a lot has changed since 2004 when this book was published which isn't Ric's fault. He divorced his 2nd wife Beth soon after this book was published so his marital bliss through 2004 to his 2nd wife is no longer the case today.
I thought from 1949 to the end of WCW in 2001, Flair stayed on course with confirming wrestling and backstage politics in a way that I felt was substantiated. 1) It's well known Hogan brought in a lot of his unathletic musclehead buddies from 1980's WWF to give him more political power and undermine Flair's and his small contingency of "allies" like Arn Anderson in WCW. 2) His shoot on Scott Steiner was very fair and justified.3) WWF did lose fans with the likes of Bret Hart as heavyweight champ from the 1993-1997 period when Ric claimed "the company went to hell for awhile."
The fact was from 1993 to 1997, the WWF was sloping downhill fanbase and ratings wise with the likes of Hart, Kevin Nash/Diesel, and even to a degree...Shawn Michaels holding the top spots. It wasn't until Austin in 1998 as the featured star that ratings immediately rebounded and overtook WCW.
My problem with this book was that from 2002 on when he signed with WWE, you felt you were no longer reading Ric as an honest straight shooter, but Ric "The WWE Salesman." He seemed to focus most of his negativity on wrestlers either on suspect terms with WWE in 2004 (Foley and Hogan) or former WWF/WWE wrestlers on bad terms with Vince like Bret Hart, Sid Vicious, Steiner and DDP. I notice HHH had a warm sentimental "intro" to this book on how Ric Flair is the greatest of all time. It's funny how around 1999 when Ric was in a dying rival promotion, HHH publicly and on air suggested "Ric has had his time and should just retire." Yet five years later,pulls a complete 180 saying how Flair is the best thing since sliced bread while they are working as teammates in "Evolution" when this book was published in 2004.A little too much WWE propaganda from 2002 on for my liking.

To Be the Man.......2007-07-26

Actually 3 1/2 stars. A very good, very quick read. I think anyone who is or has ever been a fan of professional wrestling will really enjoy this book. I thought this book was very well written. Alot of behind the scenes stuff that I found quite interesting. Definately a one-sided version but still worthwhile.

Outstanding book ..........2007-05-18

"Ric Flair: To Be the Man" is an outstanding documentation of the wild and lascivious life of the leader of the Four Horsemen. The story is insightful, exciting, and informative reads. It really could appeal to guys with the "man's man" outlook on life, and the envy of those who did not engage in the sowing of youth's wild oats.

The book is not as glib as Mick Foley's book, and the work of a ghost writer seems evident. Despite that, it is a great read and a proper tribute to one of the greatest wrestlers in the history of professional wrestling.

A Surprisingly Good Read.......2007-02-08

I am not a big Ric Flair fan. Or I wasn't a big Flair fan back in his WCW days. I never tuned into WCW and have only caught up on Flair's history in wrestling through this book, his dvd set and WWE 24/7. I have grown to like the Nature Boy. Even though his book did create some controversy with his harsh words about Mick Foley and others, it gives you insight into the man and wrestler. If I could I would rate this as a 4 and a half stars out of five. The only wrestling book I think is a 5 star is Mick Foley's Have A Nice Day. This is close to being perfect (about on the same level as Mick's sequel Foley Is Good). You might not agree with everything the man says, but this book does what it intends to : entertain and inform. Highly recommended more for Flair/WCW fans or those who want to learn about the history of the business and one of the biggest stars to come along in the wrestling industry.

The Man.......2007-01-12

If you have watched wrestling over the years as i have then you should enjoy this book by Slick Ric. To Be the man in the wrestling business as long as he has is amazing.Very enjoyable stories. I loved the book.

Average customer rating:

To Be the Man (WWE)
Ric Flair , and Keith Elliot Greenberg
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1416511261

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To Be the Man Ric Flair
Ric Flair
Manufacturer: POCKET BOOKS @
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000SMZDRK

Book Description

Drawing on material from Europe, America and the Middle East, leading scholars of twentieth century history address the issue of how wars, and the loss of life in wars, have been remembered collectively in the aftermath of conflicts such as the First and Second World Wars, the Spanish Civil War and the Algerian War. However, rather than focus on whole societies or ruling groups alone, this volume adopts a "social agency" approach to highlight the behavior of small groups and individuals who do the work of remembrance.

War and Remembrance in the Twentieth Century.(Review) (book review): An article from: Canadian Journal of History

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War and Remembrance in the Twentieth Century.(Review) (book review): An article from: Canadian Journal of History
Hubert C. Johnson
Manufacturer: University of Saskatchewan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Canadian Journal of History, published by University of Saskatchewan on April 1, 2000. The length of the article is 2028 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: War and Remembrance in the Twentieth Century.(Review) (book review)
Author: Hubert C. Johnson
Publication: Canadian Journal of History (Refereed)
Date: April 1, 2000
Publisher: University of Saskatchewan
Volume: 35 Issue: 1 Page: 159

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

The Memory Boom: War And the Art of Remembrance of the Twentieth Century

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The Memory Boom: War And the Art of Remembrance of the Twentieth Century
Jay Winter
Manufacturer: Yale Univ Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N7EVOG

Vanilla: The Cultural History of the World's Favorite Flavor and Fragrance
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A Vanilla Read

Everything Anyone Would Ever Want To Know...And Then Some!

Strangely put together

informative, but painful to read

Sweet read

Vanilla: The Cultural History of the World's Favorite Flavor and Fragrance
Patricia Rain
Manufacturer: Tarcher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Herbs, Spices & Condiments | Cooking by Ingredient | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
History | Gastronomy | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1585423637
Release Date: 2004-11-04

Book Description

It has seduced kings and comforted millions. Part culinary history, part cultural commentary, Vanilla tells the remarkable story of the world's most popular flavor and scent.

The Spanish considered vanilla the ultimate aphrodisiac, the Totonac Indians called it the fruit of the gods, and the Aztecs taxed the Mayans in vanilla beans, using the beans as currency. Today, vanilla is in our coffee, our perfume, tea, home products, body lotion, and just about anything imaginable.

Patricia Rain explores the incredibly diverse effect of vanilla on the worlds of food, medicine, psychology, and even politics. She intertwines the fields of cultural anthropology, botany, folklore, and economics, tracing the marvelous path of vanilla throughout world history. Vanilla shows how the impact and marketing of this ubiquitous little bean over the last eight hundred years saved the indigenous peoples of Mexico and Tahiti, put Madagascar on the map, drove the success of the great Parisian perfume houses and Europe's confection industry, and spurred trade routes across the Indian Ocean. Rain examines the rich history of vanilla with exacting detail and discusses its current role in our lives and the modern retail world, where the "vanilla boom" has caused the prices of many common consumer items to skyrocket.

Filled with fascinating insights, quirky characters, trivia, and even recipes, this beautifully written book is perfect for vanilla lovers, history buffs, and anyone interested in a real-life captivating story.

Customer Reviews:

A Vanilla Read.......2006-05-27

Vanilla is the only member of the orchid family, a family consisting of 90,000+ types, that has any edible properties. Vanilla is also used as an aphrodesiac to entice the opposite sex in the modern world, the same way it was back in the Aztec world. Of course it was also used to entice the Gods before a human sacrafice (reminds me of an ex I have *shudder*). Vanilla is also the cause for an unknown number of murders throughout history, flavoring your favorite foods, and is one of the most chemically complex compounds known to man! Vanilla, truly, is anything but vanilla.

Given, my book club was hesitant to read Patricia Rain, the Vanilla Queen's, newest book Vanilla: The Cultural History of the World's Favorite Flavor and Fragrance. Food histories are rarely o the top of anyone's "Must Read" list, and why would it be when The Secret Life of... can condense it so much easier in a simple half hour serving? But I was able to convince them otherwise, and they for the most part, enjoyed it.

Patricia Rain is by no means a truly professional writer (pot calling the kettle black), as it is layed out much like a college thesis - chronologically, and by subject. Luckilly it doesn't read like one; most of the time that is. While some historical backgrounds of the sweet bean may drag a bit, the favorite flavors' fascinating and intriguing story always pulls you in and Rain's writing always catches you time and again.

Rain begins the book with a short rundown of how and where vanilla grows and subsequently the how and where vanilla is cured and processed. She then proceeds to take us through it use and history in Aztec culture such as the above mentioned people slaughters and seductions. The tale then weaves through it's migration to Europe where it is subsequently forgotten except as a component of hot chocolate. An interesting story here is one of a pastor baning the high society parishoners from having their servants bring them their hot cocoa and vanilla to church, consistently interrupting his services. He is soon dispatched of via poison. Fun, fun. It goes without saying that the next pastor is more than happy to allow steamy sweet drinks.

The book soon goes into vanilla's sudden boom in France and Spain. We also delve into it's explosion into America thanks to prohiobition, because bathtub vodka's flavor just demands to be covered up. Vanilla candy, and flavor was a popular choice much like orange juice (the birth of the Screwdriver) to create tasty boozy drinks, bringing on the phrase, "Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker."

Luckilly she not only covers the social context and history of vanilla, but also it's significant standing in botany, religion, mythology, agriculture, and economics so the book in itself is quite complete. The pictures and "side bar factoids" are always welcome and help break up the sometimes monotonous vanilla musings.

Of course the book does have pitfalls. As I have mentioned before, the book does sometimes get itself in a rut. I think some of the European history chapters I just ended up skipping all together as it reminded me of dry cultural geography classes back in high school. The history section is also so long that I just started to randomly read the chapters in an order based on what sounded fascinating at the time. I think it just reads better that way.

The contemporary history is by far the most intriguing section where we see why Vanilla beans are so expensive with difficulty in cultivating them in addition to constant theft and murder over them being the main reasons (although the World Market has Tahitian beans for 2 bucks! I assume they somehow bypass the murder somehow...). Plus, it goes through the scientific experimentation as it is utilized as a perfume, aphrodesiac, and drug, each with quixotic, though not surprising, results.

Ms. Rain appropriately sprinkles in some vanilla recipes throughout the book, creating a mouthwatering read to say the least. I tested out a few of them and let me say they truly rock my socks. The Vanilla and Coconut Milk with Shrimp recipe is heavenly, though I suggest you add a bit of cayenne to give it some kick. Plus the Chipotle-Vanilla Salsa and Barbeque Sauce is a mind altering experience. It's really like nothing you have ever tried before! I lurvs me some vanilla and garlic, and this married the two together into a perfect spicy sweet union! The taste of this and all her recipes is a mix of ephemeral and exotic.

Overall I give this a 3 out of 5. People who like food literature like this will adore Rain's vanilloquy. The everyday reader... not so much. It is however a book that you can easily pick up at anytime and will make a gorgeous addition to your book or cookbook shelf!

Everything Anyone Would Ever Want To Know...And Then Some!.......2006-02-28

I read this book as it was a suggestion from my book group. I adore vanilla. Most likely more than the average person. However, the author of this book REALLY REALLY REALLY loves vanilla. More than I think it humanly possible. Patricia Rain's pacing is terrible, she opens the book with a list of incorrect facts in an effort to "trick" the reader and then show off her smarts. I think the person who would buy this book already knows such basics as "vanilla beans are green, not brown when they are growing" so her trickery just comes off odd. If you really want a book that is badly written, but tells you everything you could possibly ever need or want to know about vanilla, then this is the book for you! If you're looking for an interesting read about the cultural history of a spice, I'd skip this one.

Strangely put together.......2006-02-03

While I found a lot of the material in the book very interesting, it is put together in such a muddled way that it is very difficult enjoy reading it. The book seems to be composed of a number of previously written (and in many cases overlapping) articles joined together with fairly boring 'filler' to try and present a 'complete' view.

I would suggest buying the book if you're interested in reading about early colonial life in the vanilla industry in Papantla, Mexico. Most of the other information can be easily found on the internet.

informative, but painful to read.......2005-12-23

Though this seems to be an extensively researched book on a thoroughly fascinating subject, the author's language is so awkward, inconsistent in tone and fraught with error that Vanilla is frustrating to read.

Ironically, the author Patricia Rain states in her acknowledgements that her editors' English "is impeccable." I find it hard to believe that the text was even proofread.

Consider the following sentence, typical of the language in the book:

"Families pollinate with the stem off a leaf of the tutor tree, toothpicks, twigs, or long thumbnails."

It requires multiple passes from the reader before one realizes that there is a spelling error.

I consistently find myself deciding if I want to decipher what Rain is trying to say and continue with the abundant information she has gathered, or to give up and wait for another, better edition.

Sweet read.......2005-07-22

This book gives an ecological and cultural history of vanilla, one of the oldest "spices" known to man. The book itself is interesting to read, and can be finished in several hours. It covers many things of interest such as:

1. The book describes the plant vanilla comes from, where this fits within the botanical world. The book also goes into a little detail of the chemistry of vanilla, why it smells the way it does, what is the natural purpose(s) of this aroma, and what are similar plants like it.

2. The book describes how humans probably first learned about vanilla, how the use of vanilla slowly spread around the world, and how it is treated in different cultures throughout history (currency, aphrodisiac, status symbol, etc..).

3. The book shows with great detail how vanilla is used in fragrances and food dishes throughout the world. The book is replete with cooking recipes showing how vanilla can be used in salads, seafoods, soups, meat dishes, etc...

4. Last, the book explains the vanilla industry, from seed to final consumer, and shows how the various industries and countries take part in this truly global trade. The book also shows how modern agriculture and agro-science has affected the domestication of vanilla (not a lot), even though science has a fairly good grasp of where the smell comes from and how to extract it for non-edible uses; i.e. garbage bags.

Overall, this is an interesting book to read, and I recommend it.

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