Book Description
The Perfect Summer chronicles a glorious English summer a century ago when the world was on the cusp of irrevocable change. Through the tight lens of four months, Juliet Nicolson’s rich storytelling gifts rivet us with the sights, colors, and feelings of a bygone era. That summer of 1911 a new king was crowned and the aristocracy was at play, bounding from one house party to the next. But perfection was not for all. Cracks in the social fabric were showing. The country was brought to a standstill by industrial strikes. Temperatures rose steadily to more than 100 degrees; by August deaths from heatstroke were too many for newspapers to report. Drawing on material from intimate and rarely seen sources and narrated through the eyes of a series of exceptional individuals — among them a debutante, a choirboy, a politician, a trade unionist, a butler, and the Queen — The Perfect Summer is a vividly rendered glimpse of the twilight of the Edwardian era.
Customer Reviews:
Awful.......2007-10-18
This was one of my Book Club's suggestions and I ready it and didn't enjoy it at all. The author is a relative of some of the persons in the book, so there was a lot of "name dropping". I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Edwardian social history .......2007-09-16
Examination of the summer months of 1911, the Coronation Summer of King George V. The author's style can be somewhat plodding, and there a few noticable errors of fact. For example, Queen Mary's Aunt Augusta was nearly 89, not 85, in June of 1911. And I thought it was Harold Nicolson who owned the car nicknamed Green Archie, not Vita Sackville West? (Funny that a relative would make that error?)
Just two examples -- I don't want anyone to think I read the book looking for errors, but there are more than these.
The book is interesting yet somehow not very insightful. Despite a substantial biliography, the book gives an impression of being lightweight. Perhaps that's caused by its focus being somewhat more on the lives of the English aristocracy than on the lower classes.
I can say with all honesty, while I didn't dislike this book and in fact found some sections very interesting (such as, the cost of a funeral for a lower class English person, and the information about the strikes that occurred that summer) I am glad I borrowed a copy from the library rather than purchasing it.
Twilight of an Era.......2007-09-08
I found this a fascinating book, extremely well-written and a sharply-focused peek into a bygone era. For history buffs it is especially valable as not only the breaking up of a world which was never more to be, but the mindsets of various segments of a society which was to be turned u.pside-down by a war that decimated a generation. I highly recommend it.
OK, but...........2007-08-26
Not very 'deep'. Interesting, light, almost frivolous, view of 1911, and a good way to understand the differences and struggles of the various elements of post-Victorian society, but does not assess the year in the setting of post-Edwardian, and pre-WW I history, or the growing challenge of Kaiser Wilhelm's Germany. R.K.Massey's "Dreadnought" or William Manchester's "The Last Lion" (Vol 2)do a better and deeper job of this.
Deja vu.......2007-08-14
As I was born in 1925 much of what is described as occurring in 1911 was still in existence in my growing-up years. Class distictions were still "upstairs and downstairs" although the establishments were not as opulent as in 1911. My father, a rural general practitioner, was called in to treat the sick servants but had to go to the tradesmens entrance while the "county" would have specialists come down from London to treat them; this and many other things described in this book were still true in 1939 at the outbreak of the Second World War. I really enjoyed this book
Book Description
Irresistible and delicious, this multifaceted travelogue delves deep into summer in Sicily—complete with all the passion, power, politics, and pasta of the Italian island. After accepting an invitation to attend a confirmation in Sicily, author Brian Johnston naively expects little more than the chance to immerse himself in genuine southern Italian hospitality and, of course, the vibrant tastes, smells, flavors, and rituals of Sicilian food. What Johnston encounters and describes is flamboyant family drama, dangerous village politics, and eccentric local personalities—all while painting a fascinating picture of contemporary Italy.
Customer Reviews:
cicilian summer.......2007-03-22
I bought this book not knowing exactly what it was I though it was a light hearted book of travels like Brian Thacker writes it is not. All the smae it was interesting but not my kind of book.
If you have lemons, make lemonaid. .......2007-02-14
I have been reading all the Sicily related books and am happy to report that I enjoyed this one. Not fabulous or wonderful, but I did enjoy it. Worth a read.
Average customer rating:
- Nice
- Family Story Wrapped in Mystery
- How I wish I had her gift!!!
- Excellent Summer Read
- My first!
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The Perfect Summer
Luanne Rice
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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ASIN: 0553584049
Release Date: 2003-07-29 |
Book Description
Old friendships--and love--make all things new again.
The acclaimed author of
Safe Harbor and other New York Times bestsellers returns to the seaside, delving into the heart of a once happy family facing troubled waters.
Bay McCabe relishes life’s simple pleasures, her children, her home by the sea. She has never forgotten the values of her Irish granny--the everyday happiness of family, good friends, and hard work. Bay and her husband, Sean, have weathered rough spells and moved on. Now a perfect summer, filled with the scent of beach roses, lies before them.
Charming and ambitious, Sean splits his energy between the town bank, his old fishing boat, and the family he seems to adore--until he leaves his young daughter stranded after school. As troubling memories resurface, a phone call confirms that Sean is missing. So begins a season that will change everything. As the door to all Bay cherishes seems to close forever, another opens, and an old love steps through. Embraced by enduring friendships, Bay will discover the truth of who she is--what love is--and how life’s deepest mysteries are often those closest to home.
Download Description
Old friendships -- and love -- make all things new again.
The acclaimed author of Safe Harbor and other New York Times bestsellers returns to the seaside, delving into the heart of a once happy family facing troubled waters.
Bay McCabe relishes life's simple pleasures, her children, her home by the sea. She has never forgotten the values of her Irish granny -- the everyday happiness of family, good friends, and hard work. Bay and her husband, Sean, have weathered rough spells and moved on. Now a perfect summer, filled with the scent of beach roses, lies before them.
Charming and ambitious, Sean splits his energy between the town bank, his old fishing boat, and the family he seems to adore -- until he leaves his young daughter stranded after school. As troubling memories resurface, a phone call confirms that Sean is missing.
So begins a season that will change everything. As the door to all Bay cherishes seems to close forever, another opens, and an old love steps through. Embraced by enduring friendships, Bay will discover the truth of who she is -- what love is -- and how life's deepest mysteries are often those closest to home.
Customer Reviews:
Nice.......2006-03-02
I enjoyed Bay and her family. Who could forget her fiery best friend, across the creek? That character was more believable than any other one. Though I really enjoy Rice's books, I was slightly disappointed by this one. I liked the way the reader learns about Bay's missing husband and the other subplots, Bay and her oldest daughter grated on my nerves. To me these two characters were not fully developed or Rice had a lapse in memory of who Bay and her oldest daughter was in different parts of the book. And, that anomaly made this a 4 star rather than a 5 star story. I would recommend this book-it's nice brain candy.
Family Story Wrapped in Mystery .......2005-09-16
The reader slides easily into the lives of Bay and her children and longtime friend, Tara. Bay's unease, at the cracks running through her marriage, rings true. The waterside, flower-bedecked cover led me to expect a pleasant romance, so I was surprised by the mystery, the family trauma, the return of a long-forgotten love. Well done!
The viewpoint shifts from Bay to her daughter Annie, to Tara, to Dan and also the emotionally-fragile Eliza. The story unfolds through their eyes and at times I wanted it to hurry up a bit. Mostly though, I savored the development of the characters and the flavor of the Connecticut seaside life.
If you like this author, I'd also recommend Wanda Ryder's Free To Go.
How I wish I had her gift!!!.......2005-08-22
Dearest Luanne, ty ty ty for continuing to write all of these wonderful stories,,,they are filled with every emotion available. AGAIN, ty from a devoted fan. Jules : )
Excellent Summer Read.......2005-06-24
This is my first Luanne Rice book and enjoyed the writing. The mystery was enough to keep you reading more, the characters were varied and developed well. This is an easy book to read and would be an excellent choice for the beach or any vacation.
My first!.......2004-12-31
This is my first book by this author, and although it won't be the last, I wish there had been more depth and detail to this book. At times it seemed unbelievable some of the things the FBI and police would do, but hey what do I have to say? I am just along for the ride. I do agree Bay and Danny were slightly boring and I enjoyed Tara more. I skimmed over quite a few pages but none the less I did enjoy reading it!
Book Description
Cocktails in Tahiti is a visually stunning, full color showpiece combining a playful yet sophisticated look at Tahiti's magnificent luxury resorts and their most delicious, flirtatious, and slightly decadent cocktails. Filled with unusual insights, folklore, and facts about Tahiti and her islands,
Cocktails in Tahiti has something to tempt and delight all tastes.
Over 50 sumptuous cocktail recipes blend exotic fruits, juices, and liquors providing a flavorful and vibrant palette from which to capture the fun and often elegant mood of these captivating islands. You'll learn the history of the legendary Mai Tai, Tahiti's most famous cocktail, and discover the secrets of the intriguing rums, vodkas, and distinctive liqueurs used in creating Tahiti's most celebrated libations.
A special section features the signature cocktail recipes from Tahiti's most outstanding luxury resorts along with spectacular photographs and overviews of these renowned hotels.
Whether served from a coconut or elegantly chilled in a martini glass of fine crystal, the flowering and colorful cocktails of Tahiti have an undeniable presence all their own. If you are dreaming of a future trip or reliving special memories from a past visit to these beautiful islands, this wonderful collection of delightful drink recipes, dazzling hotel photographs, and distinctive insights will put you in a tropical, tranquil mood as you sip your way to our magical paradise.
Al Keahi, Managing Director, Tahiti Tourism Bureau N.A:
A must have book of fun and facts for anyone who has visited or dreams of visiting Tahiti.
New Book Resources, October 2006:
We can't wait to try out the recipes and imagine that we are at one of the featured, dreamlike hotels.
Vincent Guerin, Director of Sales, Starwood Hotels & Resorts French Polynesia:
The finest collection of resort photographs and cocktail recipes from across Tahiti.
Customer Reviews:
What a fun and entertaining book!.......2007-08-05
Not only does this book have a wealth of information on a destination we long to travel to, but it offers a wide variety of fun and DELICIOUS drinks.
We love to entertain and it has been great having 'Cocktails in Tahiti' out at our parties...quite a conversation piece! Everyone loves the stunning photos of Tahiti, the scrumptious drinks, and the intriguing facts of the islands. Thank you!
Experience a whole new world of Cocktails!.......2007-04-28
Always looking for new and exciting cocktails to try, I purchased this book. Each page became more interesting, not only for the drinks presented but for the knowledge that Mr. Bondurant shares about Tahiti, it's culture, local accomodations, etc.
The photos are exceptional and each drink I have mixed has been better than the last. I have bought several as gifts for coworkers and friends. You won't be disappointed!
Cocktails from paradise at your fingertips.......2007-02-06
"Cocktails in Tahiti" is a must have for any lover of spirits with a tropical flair. The author has artfully put together a wonderful collection of cocktails, both old and new, from the scenic paradise of Tahiti. Colorful photographs and descriptions of each drink will have your mouth watering to imbibe several of these treats from the South Pacific. If you are looking for something new to bring some tropical flavor to your cocktail library, then you need this book!
This book will make you fall in love with Tahiti.......2006-12-18
I have always wanted to go to the Tahitian islands but have never had the opportunity. Now, after reading "Cocktails in Tahiti", I am planning a trip to Tahiti for next Summer. I originally thought "Cocktails in Tahiti" would give me some good ideas for entertaining, but soon found out it contained many intersting nuggets about the islands and their history. To sum it up, I am packed and ready to go to these beautiful islands.
If you've ever dreamed of a tropical vacation or just need to brighten up your winter, you should read this book.
Beautiful Book.......2006-12-09
I have never been to Tahiti, but after reading the fun, informative facts about Tahiti, seeing the beautiful pictures, and sampling some of the excellent cocktail recipes, I am ready to go!
Mr. Bondurant's love and knowledge of Tahiti come through clearly in the book, which is very well laid out. It provides enough information and explains things in such a way that an amateur can make delicious Tahitian cocktails as well as the most experienced bartender. The fun facts about Tahiti, along with summaries of the total hotels and the gorgeous pictures, makes this book a must have.
Until I can take my first trip to Tahiti, this book will help bring a little Tahiti to my home.
Product Description
Develop perfect physical and mental health
Heal your body after trauma or surgery
Create a peaceful, balanced mind free from anxiety, depression, or worry
Heal and repair any part of your body
Build strong bodily immunity and stamina
Create absolute health point-by-point through all your body's systems
Flowdreaming is a powerful, radical, and effective new way to balance your mind, free yourself from depression and anxiety, and create tremendous healing energy inside your body. You dont need any experience with meditation, and all it takes is 15 to 20 minutes a day. Think of Flowdreaming as a kind of guided daydreaming that puts you smack in the center of the Universal manifestational energy of the worldthe Flowas you access the quantum zero-point field that underlies all life.
Each track on this CD will guide you through vivid, super-focused imagery and scenarios that will help you manifest perfect physical and mental health.
1. Being in the Flow means that your life is flowing in a general direction that is for your highest good and happiness.
2. When you fight against the current of your Flow, its just like swimming upstreamyou encounter obstacles and frustration in your life. Things stop going your way.
3. By daydreaming yourself into the Flow, or Flowdreaming, you can guide yourself back into the natural, positive Flow of your life.
4. Once in the Flow, you can manifest whatever you want to havesuch as robust health and a serene mind. It works!
This CD focuses on improving your health. Other CDs in this series include: Flowdreaming for Enhanced Creativity and Success; Flowdreaming for Immediate Relief; Flowdreaming for Happy Relationships; and Flowdreaming for Lots of Money, a Great Job, and a Luxury Lifestyle.
Customer Reviews:
A Gift!!.......2007-03-26
I bought the book and 4 of the cds..and find that this method "flowdreaming" IS one of the best methods of manifesting. This is not meditation..as Summer explains so often.. It is a form of daydreaming in which you conjure up the FEELINGS/EMOTIONS you need to attract what it is you desire. I have read lots of other manifesting books and while they are all really great..I find that flowdreaming really gets you down (or up) to the most important part of manifesting and that's the emotions and the feelings behind what you desire..The book explains the process in detail and It also explains some of the science behind it.
The flowdreaming method gets you to open up your emotions..something I had trouble with. If you don't get it in the first few trys don't give up....Just be patient with it. This method is a working method..you are awake and fully aware (and you want to stay that way throughout) you are creating your desires and the emotions as you ride along on this flow of energy. Of course anyone can do this on their own..but Summer's enthusiasm and excitement throughout the flowdream is actually what HELPS you develop your own ability to conjure up the emotions.. Listening to her excitement only makes you feel excited and happy and full of life. You need these feelings to manifest. Yes "Thoughts do Become Things" but it's the FEELINGS behind those thoughts that do all the attracting and Summer's upbeat personality will guide you.. I highly recommend these cd's to everyone interested in the law of attraction and manifesting what they desire into their lives. Guided flowdreaming is perfect for those who have trouble finding it hard to feel the emotions about something they don't have yet. It's easy to daydream and visualize having lots of money..But it is so hard to feel those feelings of already having them...That's why I love these cd's so much.. Summer takes you to that place of FEELING..
I'd give these cd's 100 stars if Amazon's scale went that high:)..=^..^=
my flu vaccine alternative.......2007-03-23
I have been flowdreaming for a couple of months now and
I'm happy to report that Flowdreaming for Health is my flu vaccine alternative. And it sure works.
I didn't get sick this year and to me this is a major blessing.
This CD is so much fun and you get to feel the benefits instantly.
I love the fact that Summer guides us through out our physical bodies so you
really feel "flushed", clean and charged up with energy.
An easy, fun way to feel good .......2006-12-18
We are daily bombarded by negative influences all around us. Giving ourselves positive affirmations is a good defence; they seep into the subconscious, culling out destructive beliefs. We can deliberately guide our thoughts onto what we want, for the purpose of manifesting a desired life experience. But if we give into the negativity, we risk attracting more of the same. The trick is getting and holding onto positive emotion, in order to attract and create more positive goodness.
I find that this series of CDs helps me do that very easily. The visualizations are positive mental journeys into "The Flow", the place where your "Inner Being", that non-physical part of you is listening to your every wish. A wonderful part of this process is the voice of Summer McStravick, the creator of Flowdreaming. Her voice has just the perfect blend of spiritual energy and youthful, effervescent positive emotion for the task at hand. It's very easy to get swept up in her positive flow, and it feels wonderful!
Even if I don't have time to flowdream, I still let these CDs play in the background. My subconscious mind absorbs the positivity. It's relaxing, spiritually invigorating and best of all, fun. You may want to give flowdreaming a try!
WORKS FOR HEALING, MEDITATION AND RELAXATION, SOOTHING!.......2006-11-26
First, I listened to HayHouse radio on the internet and listened to Summer's Flowdreaming show. I loved it and wanted more on several subjects. So I bought her first book-cd combo, the CD on money and this CD on health! On this CD, Summer has such a soothing, comforting and inspiring voice, that this makes the CD totally worthwhile. I somewhat agree with the other reviewer as each track of the 5 has the same introduction on each track, however, this is necessary for consistency. Each track has something for 4 health issues with these particular tracks: 2) Positive Flow, 3) Manifesting Perfect Health, 4) Releasing Depression, Worry, & Anxiety, 5) Powerful Healing & Repair. Each one is a self-contained meditation depending on which type of health concern that you have. What is so wonderful is each is only about 17 to 19 minutes, so if you need to concentrate on just one, then this only takes a few minutes time. For example, when I had a bad headache and needed relaxation and relief, I listened to track number 5. This track helped to first RELAX and then zero in on removing the headache, and it worked! Another time, I needed relief from ANGER about a situation, I listened to track number 4 and it helped me to first calm down and then release the ANGER. It really worked. This CD is for health issues and it really helps! Wonderful CD!
Know what you're getting & you'll be satisfied........2006-04-03
First of all, I discovered Summer listening to Sirius & Hay House Radio and I love her Flowdreaming show. She basically is teaching guided meditation/visualization, not something "radically different". But enjoy her technique plus she has a great, positive vibe & voice. I wanted more so I bought 2 of her CD's from her own website. I just wish I could have had more info about what I was buying. Now that I've learned, I'm passing that information on.
Both CD's follow the same format - I assume the others do as well (but I could be wrong). There's a few minute introduction track, which I listened to once out of curiosity but never have listened again. Basically, it's just a how-to on visualization. Four other tracks follow, ranging from 15-18 minutes each. On this CD they are 1) Positive Flow, 2) Manifesting Perfect Health, 3) Releasing Depression, Worry, & Anxiety, 4) Powerful Healing & Repair. Each one is a self-contained meditation on the title subject.
What I'm not thrilled with is that every track, both here and on the other CD I own, start out exactly the same. Word for word the same. I haven't timed it but this part seems like it takes up at least 5-8 minutes of each track. It's the standard start to most any meditation a person might be familiar with. (Breath deep, relax each part of your body, be aware of the energy emitting from your center...) Then she leads you to this place of "The Flow" (basically the natural, positive direction you life should take). Summer's technique is to visualize this concept as you floating along in a river, flowing towards your most perfect state of being. I am not sure how easy it would be to pick up this concept of the Flow without listening to Summer's radio show first (or buying her book, which I'm getting as soon as it's available).
After this section is where each track becomes unique. You basically visualize negative aspects of your life flowing away from you and positive flowing in. The focus varies depending on subject. This part always seems too short to me. Then there's a 2-3 minute section, again it's standardized, where you return to your body and surroundings.
I'm not a fan of the prolonged, identical beginning & ending to each track because it makes it very awkward and unsatisfying to listen to more than one track in a session. Both CD's also the same Positive Flow meditation, with only minor changes. Some might end up feeling only 1 or 2 tracks apply to their own circumstances and never listen to the others. So basically, you're not buying a 1 hour CD. Instead only 15-30 minutes will ever be used.
So sample the Flowdreaming show and/or book first, know what you get on the CD, and if that all seems appealing, you'll be very satisfied with your purchase.
Customer Reviews:
A great family book.......2005-08-09
I bought this book so I could get ideas for "Kid Camp" which was one day a week with my grandchildren. I got nice ideas from the book and it is easy to read and nicely illustrated as well.
Product Description
A story of resilience, perseverance and everlasting love, The Summer of the Snail takes the reader on a captivating journey into the heart of a little girl. What she learns from a snail is an unforgettable story with a timeless message that speaks to the hearts of readers both young and old
Customer Reviews:
Summer of the Snail.......2007-09-06
A heartwarming story of a little girl's healing of the heart during the summer of her parents' divorce. Recommend to any family going through transition.
Average customer rating:
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The Boys of Enon Road
Allan Thames
Manufacturer: Tate Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Perfect Paperback
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ASIN: 1598865471
Release Date: 2006-10-31 |
Product Description
What would it be like to live in Mayberry? In The Boys of Enon Road, Allan Thames discovers that the Mayberry of Barney and Andy was not so much a place, but a time; a time before we began facing the realities of life. It was a time when days were long and problems few. Ride bikes, go fishing, and play ball again with The Boys of Enon Road and discover your own Mayberry.
Product Description
Penny Parrish Series Set includes: Star Spangled Summer; Dreams of Glory; Glory Be; Up Goes the Curtain; Practically Perfect; Reluctant Heart. The stories focus on Penny Parrish and her warm hearted family: Major (later Colonel) David Parrish, Penny's father; Marjorie Parrish, Penny's mother; older brother David; younger brother, Bobby; and younger sister Andrea (Tippy). Penny's best friend is Carrol Houghton who becomes an important part of the Parrish family. The Penny Parrish series is filled with timeless values reminding the reader of the importance of family and friends. The stories provide a lovely balance of family and friends, romance, and the glamour of the theatre. The Parrish stories illustrate America at its best!
Average customer rating:
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THE PERFECT SUMMER
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:
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Home Fires
ASIN: 0739437089 |
Books:
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- The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom
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- The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World
- There Must Be More Than This: Finding More Life, Love and Meaning by Overcoming Your Soft Addictions
- Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time
- Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves
- Training Plans for Multisport Athletes: Your Essential Guide to Triathlon, Duathlon, XTERRA, Ironman, and Endurance Racing
- Ultimate Flexibility: A Complete Guide to Stretching for Martial Arts
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