Robin Currier

Fails to satisfy, July 2 2004

On the face of it, this book sounded appealing--unattractive woman becomes transformed into a great beauty consumed by the desire to revenge her murdered child. What's not to like?

However, this book simply missed the mark. It felt like a blend of "Lives of the Rich and Famous" mixed with a James Bond movie. Everyone lives in rich splendor, is very attractive, and yet there is no real conflict or emotional depth to this book. Lots of action, yet it all seems so superficial and contrived. The main character, Nell, seems to wring her hands a lot and go through a lot of emotional trauma, and yet I just don't seem to care... Her character starts out so meek and submissive that even when she… Read more

Fun Bio-Thriller!, Jun 27 2004

This book would be great to take on an airplane or to read on the beach if you want an exciting, but not too deep, read.

A really clever plot keeps you wondering right from the beginning. Two alternating tales of bubonic plague in the 14th century and disease outbreaks in the 21st century future keep you guessing what the connection between the two tales might be.

Both tales are equally fascinating: One is the story of a wandering Jewish physician from Spain who is unwillingly caught up in the political intrigues between Pope Clement and King Edward of England while trying desperately to hide the secret of his past. His experiences of plague in medieval Europe are frightening and… Read more

Every serious cook should have this book, Jun 17 2004

This is my favorite cooking reference book! The authors explore many different standard recipes, and provide a fascinating discussion of the best way to make those recipes.

For example, if you find that your peanut butter cookies just don't come out like Grandma's did, turn to the "Cookies, Brownies, and Bars" chapter, and find a detailed discussion of what works and what doesn't when making peanut butter cookies--what kind of shortening, what kind of peanut butter, etc. And then, you are presented with the optimum recipe based on their experimentation.

By going through this book, you absorb not just specific recipes, but an understanding of basic cooking principles. I curl… Read more