I've got to get better at this...

I'm beginning to think my New Years resolution needs to be to blog more regularly!  Truth is, I have been swamped at school lately (it's that time of the semester!) and I've done very little leisure reading.  I read lots of student assignments though!  But somehow I don't think you want to hear about that.  Never fear!  The semester is over soon, and with a three-week break I'm sure to get a lot of reading in.  Lord knows I have tons of book I need to get to!  So please don't abandon the blog yet -- better times are coming!

National Book Festival -- Washington, DC, Sept. 24-25

I'm finally getting around to blogging about my trip to the National Book Festival in DC.  What a wonderful event!  It is put on by the Library of Congress and is very well run.  It takes place on the National Mall, and there are tents set up for the different genres of books that are represented.  There is also a Barnes and Noble tent to purchase books from the authors who are speaking, and a book signing area.  Let's talk about what we did at the festival.



On Saturday, we arrived at the festival around 10am. The first place we went was the C-Span bus.  As dorky as it sounds, I was really excited about this because I'm a big fan of C-Span.  They were handing out free cloth bags which was convenient for carrying things around of course; but it's also a great souvenir.  The bus was located right next to the History & Biography tent, and C-Span had its own little tent to interview the authors after they got done speaking.


We didn't really visit any tents in particular on Saturday, although we did stop to watch a few minutes of a presentation by Edmund Morris, who wrote a book several years ago that my husband likes about Ronald Reagan ("Dutch").  His current book is about Theodore Roosevelt.  We then went to the Barnes and Noble tent and I bought an autographed copy of a book about Lincoln and slavery ("The Fiery Trial") by Eric Foner.  I could have bought lots of books, but I kept in mind that I had to transport them all back to Green Bay, and I could always buy them there.  But Foner's book was a trade paperback and signed, so a good candidate to purchase and bring back. We then proceeded  to the Pavilion of the States tent, where there were tables to showcase local authors.  It was pretty crowded so we just checked out the Wisconsin tent.

In all, we didn't spend a lot of time at the festival on Saturday as I was most interested in seeing David McCullough speak on Sunday.  So we spent the rest of the day at the Air and Space Museum.  I'm always amazed at the quantity and quality of FREE things to do in DC.


Then came Sunday, the big day and the reason we came to the festival.  On arriving at the Mall, we first checked out the line for David McCullough's book signing.  I had my copy of "The Greater Journey" with me for him to sign if I got a chance.  It was over an hour before it began and the line was really long already.  This was a problem for me.  As I mentioned in a previous blog post, I tore my Achilles tendon this summer.  I had worn my boot most of the time in DC, but I was having heel problems so I just wore tennis shoes on Sunday.  There was pretty much no way I was going to be able to stand in line for what could have amounted to two hours.  We looked in the B&N tent several times during the day to see if they were selling autographed copies of the book, but if they had them I never saw them.  So I had to pass on getting my book signed.  There was just no way I could have done it.
 
For the same reasons, I was really concerned about getting a seat in the History & Biography tent for McCullough's speech.  I did not want to have to stand for that either.  Therefore, I went to the tent two authors early to make sure I got a seat.  I saw Kristie Miller talk about her book "Ellen and Edith: Woodrow Wilson's First Ladies" and Carla Peterson talk about her book "Black Gotham: A History of African Americans in Nineteenth-Century New York City".  They were both really interesting and I'm definitely going to read both.

Then it was time for David McCullough's speech.  I was in the third row, and turned around to see an absolutely packed tent, with rows of people standing in the back.  There were also people sitting on the ground in front and to the sides.  He was introduced by the Librarian of Congress, which I think is one of the coolest job titles around. When McCullough came onto the stage, he got a standing ovation.  His talk focused on a couple of things.  First, he talked about the importance of libraries and teachers, which drew shouts of support from the crowd.  Then he talked some about his book.  In reality, it wasn't anything I hadn't heard him say before; but seeing it in person made it all seem new.  He's a very good speaker and seems passionate about what he does.  After his 40-minute speech, C-Span did a live interview with him.  Unfortunately, I had to go meet some friends and couldn't stay for that so I'll have to check C-Span's website for the video.
 

I really enjoyed the festival.  We were lucky to have great weather (after there had been pouring rain on Friday) and the Library of Congress does a great job.  I will continue to keep an eye out each year for who is speaking, and will definitely go again.  It was a great experience, and I recommend that anyone interested in books and reading go at least once, or if nothing else, watch it live on C-Span.

New Posts Coming Soon!

I apologize for the lack of blogging this summer.  I tore my achilles tendon, and that has thrown my whole summer off kilter.  However, I'm on the road to recovery, and classes have started again, so I will be back to blogging soon!

Starting "The Greater Journey"

Yes, I know my posts have had a definite theme lately; but it's not too often that I get this excited about a particular book.  I'm about two chapters into "The Greater Journey" and I'm hooked already.  If this keeps up, it will definitely become one of my favorite books.  I wish I had more time to read but summer classes keep me pretty busy.  I have the week of the 4th of July off, so I anticipate getting through it then.

The book has really gotten me thinking and remembering about the time I've spent in Paris.  So, periodically as I read the book, I will be blogging about those experiences as the relate to what is going on in the book.  Hopefully it will be a nice departure from just book blogging, but in a way still related to books.  So look for my first Paris experience post in the next couple of days.

It's Official -- I'm going to the book festival!!!

Last night, prices went down on airfare to DC to a level my husband and I had previously agreed was our purchase price.  So we bought the tickets and are all set to go to DC for a long weekend for the book festival.  I am so excited!  I've been wanting to go for several years, since I first saw portions of the festival broadcast on C-Span.  Also on our itinerary are a visit to the US Supreme Court and Colonial Williamsburg.  We also might take in a Washington Nationals baseball game, as the Sunday we are there is there last home game of the season.  Can't wait!

National Book Festival in DC

As I mentioned earlier, David McCullough (my favorite author of nonfiction books) has a new book out now, about Americans living in Paris in the 1800s.  My copy of the book should arrive today, and I'm very excited to get started reading it.

For several years now, I've wanted to go to the National Book Festival in DC, which is the last weekend in September.  But there haven't been any authors that interested me enough to make the trip out there.  This year, however, I'm hoping to make it as McCullough will be there.  So here's hoping I find a decent airfare.  I really, really want to go!

For information on the festival, go to http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/.

New David McCullough book coming out this month!

As many of you may know, my very favorite author is David McCullough.  I've read many of his books, my favorite being his biography of John Adams.  Later this month, his new book "The Greater Journey:  Americans in Paris" comes out.  What could be better than this?!?  Not only is it exciting to finally have a new McCullough book to add to my collection, but it's about Paris!  More specifically, from a product description on amazon.com, "The Greater Journey is the enthralling, inspiring—and until now, untold—story of the adventurous American artists, writers, doctors, politicians, architects, and others of high aspiration who set off for Paris in the years between 1830 and 1900, ambitious to excel in their work."

I love Paris and have been there three times.  My favorite spot on Earth is the Trocadero, just across the river from the Eiffel Tower (see my 3 January 2011 blog entry for a picture of me from that spot).  I have Eiffel Towers all over my house.  Now, I realize most of this book takes place pre-Eiffel Tower, but I love the ambience of Paris as well, which I anticipate will be front and center in the book.

Normally when I buy new books, I don't read them right away.  I put them on the shelf and get to them whenever they come up in rotation (see my 30 July 2010 blog entry for an explanation of my book selection method).  However, I will begin reading this book on May 24, the day it comes out.  I have big expectations, and I doubt I will be let down.

Cookbook Sundays -- May 1

Finally, I made a recipe that turned out.  Well, mostly.  Today I just made a dessert because I'm going to my parents' house for dinner.  I made chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting from the cookbook "1001 Cupcakes, Cookies & Other Tempting Treats" (2009, pg. 24).  Before I talk about the recipe specifically, I will comment on the cookbook itself.  It's a great reading cookbook.  It's very colorful, and there are pictures of every recipe.  Therefore, it's fun to read even if you don't really intend to make anything.  I love to sit and page through cookbooks, and this is one of my favorites.

This was actually my first attempt to make something from it.  It's a very easy recipe, with very few ingredients.  I was a little bit concerned with it put the pan in the oven, because the recipe said it would make 18 cupcakes, and I had trouble getting them to fill twelve tins.  It was also a very dense mixture, and didn't spread at all in the pan.  I double-checked the recipe and I did everything properly so I just kept going.  In the end, the cupcakes didn't really rise at all, so they are more the consistency of brownies than cupcakes.

The frosting is also very simple,  It's a combination of cream cheese and melted white chocolate.  I'm usually not a huge fan of homemade frosting for some reason, but prefer the stuff in a can.  But, I decided to make it because it was so easy, and I'm glad I did.  It's very good.

So, while these aren't the prettiest cupcakes I've ever made, they are still tasty,.  In the end, I suppose that's what matters!

#7 -- "American Insurgants, American Patriots: The Revolution of the People" by T.H. Breen (2010)

We all know about the American Revolution from the perspective of the Founding Fathers.  However, this book presented the Revolution from the point of view of the average, everyday American.  This was a viewpoint I'd never read about before, so I really enjoyed this book.  I was completely unaware at how grass-roots the Revolution really was.  People from Maine to Georgia were all intimately involved in supporting our country's bid for independence. 

One thing I had never heard about before was something called "The Association."  This was an act by the Continental Congress calling on municipalities to form committees to spread the revolutionary agenda.  In many towns, all citizens had to sign petitions stating they were on the American side of the cause.  Anyone who supported the British was ostracized from the community, and would have to go in front of the committee and recant their views in order to be accepted again.  The book goes into a lot of detail about how different communities enforced the Association.

People also were really prepared to take up arms if necessary to support people in other parts of the country.   For example, at one point before any of the fighting actually began, there was a report that Boston was being attacked by the British.  People from other New England colonies immediately organized and began a march towards Boston to support those living there.  Even people in the southern states, too far away to send militia, sent money and other items to support those in Boston who were in need during the British occupation of the city.  This is all especially amazing when you consider the fact that people in that time very rarely left the colony in which they lived, yet they were quick to come to the defense of others. 

I really enjoyed this book because it gave me a new perspective of that time in our country's history.  When you think about it, it really wouldn't have mattered what our Founding Fathers did or said if the ordinary people living in America hadn't also supported the cause of revolution.

Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars.

Cookbook Sundays Comes to Wednesday, Revolutionary Style!

One of my favorite restaurants anywhere is City Tavern in Philadelphia.  It is where our Founding Fathers met and ate, and they still serve all the traditional foods of the era.  It's a really fun place to eat because it feels like you're stepping back in time, and the food is wonderful.  Recently, my husband bought The City Tavern Cookbook (2009), and tonight he surprised me with a meal almost entirely from that book.  I had to blog about it, as it proves who the real cook in the family is.

First, we had Traditional Beef Stew (pg. 190).  The meat was marinated in red wine overnight, and the wine was used for the sauce.  I think that really was the key to the stew's success.  Unfortunately, he left out the carrots, because he forgot to get them at the store. The recipe also called for bacon, which he forgot as well.  The stew was good without them, but the added color and flavor of the carrots and bacon would have made it even better.  The stew was served with smashed potatoes and dinner rolls. 

Then, for dessert we had Blueberry Cobbler (pg. 253).  This dessert was not difficult to make, and tasted amazing.  The crumble topping is the best part!  It was served warm with ice cream on top.  A perfect end to our Revolutionary meal.  Maybe the leftovers will be breakfast tomorrow!

I don't normally rate cookbook recipes, but I've been asked to do so for this one.  I rate it a 4.87 out of 5 stars.  Had there been carrots in the stew, it might have ranked a 4.92 with carrots and a 5.0 with carrots and bacon.  My husband's an accountant/baker, so you know I had to use odd numbers!

Cookbook Sundays -- April 17

This week's meal wasn't so great, but I think it was mostly my fault rather than the recipe's fault.  First, I made Basic Butter Cake for Every Day, from the "Dinner Against the Clock" cookbook (1973, pg. 309).  Rather than make a cake, I made it into cupcakes.  It's a small recipe, designed to make on layer of a layer cake; it made 8 cupcakes.  I put them in the oven, went to do some grading, and promptly forgot about them.  They sat in the oven about 10 minutes too long.  But it wasn't a total loss.  They're a little dark and crispy on the outside, but when covered with chocolate frosting it's not so bad.  I'll eat them.  Calling it butter cake is definitely a correct description.  There were 10 tablespoons of butter in this recipe!  I think I'll try it again sometime, as it seems like, properly cooked, it would be really moist and delicious.

Incidentally, I love some of these old cookbooks from the 70s and earlier.  Lots of great homey recipes and direction for the housewife on how to elegantly host a dinner party.  Fun stuff.

My entree was Tuna and Corn Fish Cakes from the cookbook "Potato" (1999, pg. 202).  It combines mashed potatoes, tuna and corn into a patty which is then covered in breadcrumbs.  Part of my problem was in reading the recipe.  To begin, it talks about preheating a grill and then cooking the fish cakes under the grill.  I didn't know if that meant it should be broiled or what.  I've never heard of cooking "under" a grill before.  So I decided to just bake them.  Second, the recipe called for 300g/11oz of mashed potatoes.  I don't have a scale and couldn't figure out how to convert that to cups, so I just guessed.  I also used instant mashed potatoes instead of homemade, which the recipe said you could do.  But I think I made the potatoes too thin and used to much of them, because the mixture was too loose to form into patties.  In the end, they tasted pretty bland, and because there were too many potatoes I couldn't really taste anything else.  I ate them because it wasn't terrible-tasting, but I threw away what was left.  It's not something I'd bother to reheat and eat again.

Better luck to me next week!

Textbooks, Part II

Well, I'm back from the conference.  While some sessions weren't that great, others were very interesting and I got a lot of good information from them.  There were three tables with representatives from textbook publishers.  I use books from all three of them, so all have good options.  I was really glad to see that my estate planning textbook is coming out with a new edition this summer, so I signed up to get a copy as soon as it's published.  I really like the book, but it's getting outdated and I was thinking I'd have to change texts altogether.  Thankfully, now I won't have to do that. 

Other than the estates book, I wasn't really thinking about changing the text for any of my classes.  Students don't like it when you change books because current students can't sell theirs back, and new students won't have used copies available.  So changing books isn't something I do lightly. However, I found a really great business orgs book that I think I have to try.  It's a brand new textbook, which is kind of exciting.  What I really like about it is that each chapter has several case studies at the end.  I'm always looking for things to do in the classroom beyond just lecture, but it's sometimes hard to come up with them myself.  With this book, it would be easy!  I also like the way it's written.  There are charts and graphs to help visual learners, and the language level is appropriate. It also pretty much follows the format of the text I use now, so I wouldn't need to adjust the syllabus too much to accommodate it. 

It might be too late to use this book next Fall, but I am definitely going to look to order it for my students in Spring 2012 at the latest.  I think the students will really like it, and I'll like teaching from it.

Checking Out New Textbooks!

This weekend I'm going to a paralegal educators' conference in Chicago.  I know that a lot of people hate conferences; I like them.  First, I think they're valuable and I learn a lot from them.  Second, I get to get out of town for a few days on the school's dime.  There's always time for sightseeing at night or in between sessions.  A couple years ago I went to Portland, OR for a conference and it was great because I'd never been there before and don't know that I would have gone otherwise. 

One of the things I really like about the conferences, though, is looking at new textbooks.  Various texbook vendors set up booths at the conference, and you can order free copies of their books to review.  I don't always decide to switch textbooks, although I have done that from time to time.  But even if I don't officially use them in class, they're great references for supplemental material.  Each book presents the issues in a slightly different way, or has good review questions I can use in class.

This time, there's a new edition of my estate planning text that is supposed to come out this summer.  I'm hoping they have a preview of it at the conference, because I'm really excited about it.  I've used the current edition for three years now, and it's getting out of date.  I was considering changing texts as a result, even though I really like my current book; but now I won't have to with the new addition.

Wish me luck!

Cookbook Sundays -- April 3

I am finally back with another edition of Cookbook Sundays!  There have been a lot of Sundays lately when I haven't cooked anything, and others when I have but just never got around to blogging about it.  But here I am again.  Just to refresh your memory, I make on dessert and one non-dessert item on Sundays.  These are almost always new recipes that I get from my ever-growing collection of cookbooks.

My non-dessert item was Baked Beans Quintent, from the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook (2002, pg. 86).  Actually, the recipe calls for garbanzo beans, which after some bad experiences with them the semester I spent in Spain, I will never eat again if I can help it.  So I guess I actually make a bean quartet.  The recipe can be baked in the oven, but I chose to use a slow cooker.  I was very happy with the result, and would make them again if I was having a cookout or something like that. 

My dessert was not so successful.  It was Carrot Almond Torte, which is a recipe I printed off the Food Network website when I was in law school.  I have a stack about two inches high of recipe printouts.  You used to be able to go to the website and click on "random recipe" and get whatever came up.  If it sounded interesting, I'd print it.  Last I checked a couple of years ago they no longer have that feature, so all my printouts are about 10 years old.  It looked good coming out of the oven, but when I cut it it was obviously a disaster.  I can't really say what happened, but it was just a gloppy mess inside.  Te recipe called for grated carrots and grated almonds, and I think what I used wasn't fine enough because I used shredded carrots and slivered almonds.  Whatever the reason, the whole thing ended up in the trash along with the recipe itself.  I don't care to try again.  Thankfully, this wasn't a recipe that called for any expensive ingredients, so the loss wasn't too great.  I had Ben and Jerry's Red Velvet Cake ice cream in the freezer, and that was a great dessert. 

Hard Copy Book Sales Down -- Are Books Doomed?

Is the print book coming to an end?  From http://www.thebookseller.com/news/print-book-sales-continue-fall.html:


"Book sales slipped for the fourth week in a row last week, and were down more than £3.3m on last year, according to Nielsen BookScan data.

A total of £24.2m was spent on printed books at UK retail outlets in the seven days to 26th March, down 2.9% (£735,000) on the previous week, and down 12% on the same week last year.

It is the 10th week of 12 in 2011 thus far that BookScan has reported a drop in year-on-year book sales, as the trade struggles to match a particularly poor start to 2010 when inclement weather resulted in sales falling 6% (£23m) in the first three months of the year on 2009."

I had blogged earlier about wondering whether to get a Kindle or Amazon or the like.  I still haven't gotten one, as I don't really have a need for it.  I don't travel enough for it to make a whole lot of sense for me.  I would never, ever read an ebook at home.  I prefer actual hard copy books.  But will there come a point when I will have no choice?

I have a hard time seeing a time when hard copy books will become obsolete; but I think things will change.  You used to see music stores in every mall.  Not anymore.  It's much easier and often cheaper to buy music online.  But you can still go to Target and buy a CD if you want one.  In that same vein, I am sure those who want actual books will still be able to get them.  But I also predict that the trend discussed in the above-mentioned article will continue.  However, it does make me a little bit sad.

C-Span's Book TV -- "Andrew Johnson" by Annette Gordon-Reed

I am a big fan of C-Span's Book TV.  Every weekend, C-Span2 airs programs about books.  These may be interviews with authors, book readings, programs from book fairs around the country, and presentations by authors.  This last is my favorite to watch.  Each week I look at the listings for the coming weekend and often set my DVR to record one or more shows.  I currently have a backlog!

Yesterday, I watched a presentation by Annette Gordon-Reed, who wrote a biography of President Andrew Johnson for the American Presidents series.  You may recall that I recently reviewed the biography of Chester Arthur from that series.  Ms. Gordon Reed apparently normally focuses on slavery issues (she is African American), and stated in her presentation that she typically avoids the period of Reconstruction because it's very emotional for her.  However, she was asked by friends to write this biography for the series and she agreed to do so.

I enjoyed listening to her talk about the process of doing the research and how her feelings about the era influenced her writing.  I also learned quite a bit about Johnson from the presentation.  Many of us, myself included, know little more than that Johnson was impeached (but escaped conviction by only one vote) and that he is considered among the worst presidents we've had.   Ms. Gordon-Reed talked about Johnson's viewpoints regarding society at the time, such as his opinion that whites should always be above blacks, and that he really wan't that in favor of abolishing slavery.  Therefore, that colored his view of how to reincorporate the South into the Union, and may have extended the racial issues that didn't even begin to get resolved until the mid 20th Century.

I am very interested to get this book to add to the editions I already have from the series.

If you'd like to view the presentation, it can be found on C-Span's Book TV website at http://www.booktv.org/Program/12207/Andrew+Johnson.aspx

Book List -- Trying to Catch Up!

I am woefully behind on my book reviews.  I keep having good intentions to get caught up, and then I finish another book and fall farther behind.  Therefore, I'm just going to give you short reviews of the books I've read recently, and I'll start up with regular reviews with the next book.  So, in the couple of months I've read:

#3 -- "First Family: Abigail and John" by Joseph J. Ellis (2010).   I'm a big John Adams fan so I was excited to read this book.  It was strange after reading "Founding Brothers" immediately before this, because much of the John Adams chapter from "Brothers" is repeated verbatim here.  The book didn't present much that I didn't already know, but by now that would be hard to go given all the Adams books I've read.  For someone new to the Adams relationship, this book would be a great start.  3 stars out of 5.







#4 -- "American Original:  The Life and Constitution of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia" by Joan Buskupic (2009).  I'm not on Justice Scalia's end of the political spectrum, but I find him fascinating to listen to or to read his opinions.  He's a very interesting character.  Therefore, I found this book to be very interesting and I learned a lot about Scalia that I didn't know.  The book does focus on a lot of the cases he's been involved in, and it was interesting to read about his role in cases I studied in law school.  However, I wonder whether someone without a legal background would find the book a little too academic.  I thought it was great.  4.5 stars out of 5.




 #5 --  "Quentins" by Maeve Binchy (2002).  I'm not a big fiction reader, but if I'm in the mood, Maeve Binchy is always a good bet.  I've got a few of her books on my shelf.  This book is a bit of a mystery surrounding a restaurant in Ireland.  All the main characters have some sort of connection to the restaurant.  The mystery has to do with a Madoff-esque scheme whereby a man steals money from people and flees to Spain when he's about to get caught.  As usual, a very good book by Binchy.  4 stars out of 5.






 #6 -- "Chester Alan Arthur" by Zachary Karabell (2004).  This book is part of a series of presidential biographies. I have six of them and I hope to obtain them all.  They're very short books -- this one was 144 pages -- so they do not go into a whole lot of depth; but I'm not sure there'd be much to say about Arthur anyway.  He only served one term, and came to the Presidency only upon the death of President Garfield.  I really knew nothing about him so found the book interesting.  Arthur comes across as an ethical man and politician in an era marked with corruption. He never wanted to be President, and isn't marked as one of our best; but he made it through without scandal, which was really all that was needed at the time.  3 stars out of 5.

Let's hope I can bet back on track with book #7 for the year!

Failed Attempt -- "American Scripture: Making of the Declaration of Independence" by Pauline Maier (1997)

I always have a book that I keep at school to read during lunch or if I'm prepared for class early enough to have some time to read.  As you can imagine, it takes me quite a while to get through my "school book" reading only a few pages at a time here and there.  But it's better than trying to remember to bring a book back and forth from home.  Inevitably, the book is guaranteed to be wherever I am not.  This book has been my "school book" for the last couple of weeks.

Maier discusses not only at THE Declaration of Indepdence, but also smaller declarations by communities all over the thirteen colonies.  It was meant to show how it was more than just the founding fathers who were ready to break away from England.  Further, the declarations were all remarkably similar, even though there was little to no communication among groups who may have been located anywhere from Massachusetts to Georgia.  This should have been a book I liked.  Unfortunately, it just wasn't working for me.  It is only on rare occasion that I decide to quit reading a book. I usually slog my way through it out of principle -- one should finish what one starts, right? However, sometimes it's just best to quit and move on.


I think the main problem is that this book was a little too academic for my tastes.  It read to me more like the law review articles I dealt with in law school:  well researched and documented but lacking in any kind of passion, almost as if the author had to write it rather than wanted to write it.  It certainly wasn't a book I looked forward to reading at lunch every day.  Rather, I was reminded of something a history professor might assign to his/her students, and the students grumble about having to read it.  Once I realized that, like a student might do, I was forcing myself to read the book, I knew I had to stop. 

So what do I do with a book I don't really care for?  I don't throw books away; they just go back on my shelf in case someone else might be interested in reading it.  Who knows, maybe I'll give it another go one day.
  

Cookbook Sunday -- Jan. 23 and 30, 2011

These last two weeks have turned out to be off-weeks for Cookbook Sunday.  Last weekend, I was sick so didn't cook anything beyond some toast.  This weekend, I again didn't cook, but for a much better reason.  My husband cooked a turkey dinner for us, so the oven was occupied most of the day.  So, join us next week when hopefully Cookbook Sunday return ... unless of course my husband cooks again!

(#2) "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis (2000)

Joseph J. Ellis is a fairly prolific writer of Revolutionary era biographies.  He has written about John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and the relationship between John and Abigail Adams.  "Founding Brothers" discusses six different stories from the era:

1.  The Alexander Hamilton/Aaron Burr duel.
2.  The agreement between Alexander Hamilton and James Madison (aided by Thomas Jefferson) whereby Hamilton got support for his plan to have the federal government assume the states' war debts, and Madison got support for the new capital being located on the Potomac.
3.  The effect of failure of the founding fathers to put an end to the slave trade.
4.  Washington's farewell address after the conclusion of the Revolutionary War.
5.  The relationship between Adams and Jefferson before that relationship deteriorated as a result of the contentious elections of 1796 and 1800.
6.  The marriage of John and Abigail Adams, and the renewal of the friendship between Adams and Jefferson in their old age.
.
At 248 pages, and covering six topics, it isn't surprising that Ellis just hits the surface of each these issues.  Indeed, Ellis took his research from the last topic and turned it into an entire book about John and Abigail Adams' marriage ("First Family," which, incidentally, will be the topic of my next book review).  As such, it's a good introduction to many of the most important players in the founding of our country.  From here, the reader can seek out more detailed biographies, many of which, as noted, Ellis has written.  Therefore, I think this book is best suited for someone who hasn't read a lot about this period.

There was one thing about Ellis's style that bothered me somewhat, and that's his excessive use (in my opinion) of the semi-colon.  At times, it made sentences stretch out too long, and I'd forget at the end of a sentence what was at the beginning.  I think his writing could have been much more succinct, which would have made the book easier to read.

Also a minor quibble, is that there were no pictures in the book.  Yes, I know this isn't a children's book; but biographies almost always have a few pictures in the middle of the book. For a reader who is new to this period of history, some pictures might make the characters come alive.  I know that I like seeing what the people I'm reading about looked like, particularly if it's someone with whom I'm less familiar. 

All in all, I think I probably was not in the target audience for this book, as I've read extensively about much of these stories.  Therefore, for me, it wasn't in-depth enough to really keep my interest.  I would recommend the book, however, for someone who is interested in reading about this era for the first time.

My rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Cookbook Sunday!

It's time for the first edition of Cookbook Sunday, where I detail my Sunday dinners made from my cookbooks.  To review, I make one dessert and one thing that isn't a dessert, and they each come from a different cookbook.  I try to ensure my meals have the following components:  a main dish, a starch (rice, potatoes, pasta), a bread, and a fruit or vegetable.  Here is what was on this week's menu.

My non-dessert cookbook item was mini honey-mustard meatloaves, from the March 2008 issue of the "Everyday Food" magazine (pg. 68).  I served it with sour cream and chive mashed potatoes, buttermilk biscuits and mandarin orange slices, along with a glass of Riesling.  Overall, the meatloaf was just OK.  It was cheesy, which I liked, but didn't have much flavor beyond that.  My usual meatloaf has sage and some other spices in it, which I like a lot, so if I made this again, I would maybe add that.

My dessert was oatmeal drop cookies, from the cookbook "Best Recipes From the Backs of Boxes, Bottles, Cans and Jars" (1982, pg. 567).  These cookies used wheat flour and brown sugar instead of the usual white flour and white sugar.  Therefore, the cookies had a much heartier feel than the usual oatmeal cookie.  I like them, but would add more raisins if I made them again.


Overall, this was a fairly successful meal.  I have one more mini-meatloaf to eat tomorrow, and a couple dozen cookies to eat over the rest of the week.

Next week's menu includes a pork tenderloin and chocolate cake.  I'm looking forward to it already!  Hopefully while I'm eating it I'll be celebrating the Packers' win over the Bears in the NFC Championship game!

Coming Soon to a Blog Near You!

For quite some time now, I've had a Sunday ritual.  Each week, I take two of my many cookbooks off the shelf and make something new.  One thing is always a dessert and the other can be anything from breakfast to appetizers to a main course -- really anything other than dessert.  It serves a couple of purposes:  one is to actually USE the cookbooks I accumulate and the other is to simply try something new.  As you can imagine if you read my earlier post about choosing books to read, there is a method to choosing what to make each week.  I'll spare you the details, but it's not dissimilar from the other process.

Anyway, I've been looking for some new things to blog about in the book world so that I'm not going so long between posts.  So I thought it would be appropriate to add a segment documenting what I make each week, for better or for worse.  Think "Julie and Julia" (a movie I definitely recommend, by the way) on a much smaller scale.  So, starting this coming Sunday, look here for the results of each week's cooking extravaganza.  Here's a teaser:  the menu will feature mini meatloaves and cookies.

New books!

I purchased several new books today, so I thought I'd share them with you.

First, I got a gift card to Barnes & Noble from my brother for Christmas.  With it, I purchased two cookbooks, both from PBS's "America's Test Kitchen" program, one of my favorite cooking shows.  It's on my local PBS station on Saturday afternoons, and my DVR records it for me so I never miss it.  One book is on cooking and one on baking.  I was only going to get one, but they were half off so I figured that meant I should get both!

Then, while at the mall, I noticed that Waldenbooks had a going out of business sale and everything was 40% off.  They were also selling all their fixtures, so it was tempting to buy some of their shelves.  However, they really aren't the type of shelf you put in your living room, so I guess it wouldn't have been the best purchase.  Anyway, I purchased three books.  One is about the case Marbury v. Madison, specifically focusing on the roles John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Chief Justice Marshall played in that seminal case.  Anyone who knows me at all knows that I have to own any book that involves John Adams!. 

The other two books are a bit of a contradiction.  One is the recent book publishing Jimmy Carter's diaries from when he was in office.  The other is a similar book of Ronald Reagan's diaries.  I am very interested in presidential history, regardless of the politics involved, so I thought these books really went well together.  Plus, my husband is a big Reagan fan, so in reality the book is for him.

As usual, I'm accumulating books much faster than I can read them.  Now to go make space on my increasingly full book shelves...

(#1) "Paris Under Water: How the City of Light Survived the Great Flood of 1910" by Jeffrey H. Jackson (2010)

I am a big fan of Paris, and the Eiffel Tower in particular.  I thought it was magical the first time I saw it, and have been in love ever since.  I, however, did not marry it like some woman did a couple years ago.  Really.  Look it up.  Anyway, I've been to Paris three times -- in 1994, 1995 and 1997.  It's practically criminal that I haven't been there in so long!  But it really seems like only yesterday.

Knowing of my love for Paris, my husband got me this book for Christmas.  Actually, he probably got it less because I'm a fan and more because of the city's potential destruction by the flood.  You see, he's not a big fan.  But he's never been there so what does he know?  That's right, nothing.

For all my fandom of Paris, however, I had never heard of this flood, which occurred in January 1910.  It appears that Jackson first learned of it during a sewer tour in Paris.  Yes, you can take a tour of the sewer.  I was aware of that tour the times I was there, but never went on it.  It is now at the top of my list of things to do the next time I'm there (second to going to the Eiffel Tower, of course).

Me at the Eiffel Tower -- 1995

I really enjoyed this book.  Having been to Paris I knew many of the landmarks and places mentioned in the book.  There was a lot of interesting information presented.  For instance, the Parisians measured the flood by how high the waters came up on a statue (the Zouave) located on one of the bridges over the Seine.  The statue still exists today, although other statues that were on the bridge were removed when the bridge was subsequently rebuilt.  But the Zouave was put back in its place due to its significance with this flood.  It's another thing I'll have to look for on my next trip to Paris.

It was interesting that the flooding was only caused in part by the Seine overflowing its banks, which of course was significant.  But it was also caused by the water seeping up from underground as it rushed into the then-modern and ingenious sewer system (hence the sewer tours) and the newly constructed metro lines.  That portion of the flooding maybe caused more destruction from the sewer waste going into basements of buildings.

Another interesting thing was how the people reacted to the flooding.  As much as possible, life went on as normal during the flood.  People moved around the flooded areas using "passerelles" which were pathways built above the water by placing boards over ladders and saw horses and the like.  Also, people flocked to the river to watch the spectacle of people's belongings rushing down the river.  But citizens also really came to each others' aid by donating money, necessities and lodging to the victims.  It really pulled the people of Paris together, which may have helped them when they had to pull together again a few years later during World War I.

The only thing I would have changed in this book would be to add more pictures.  The one or two pictures added at the beginning of each chapter really enhanced the text.  In fact, the text often referred to them.  But the book didn't have, like most books do, a center section or two with pictures.  I would have liked that.  At any rate, I would highly recommend this book to any Francophile.

Rating:  4.5 stars out of 5.

New Year -- New Books!

I'm not one for New Years resolutions.  I know they're just going to get broken, so I don't bother.  But, I do want to set a goal of reading more this year and keeping up better with this blog.  To that end, I will be numbering my book reviews for the year to see how many books I can read in 2011.  Ideally, I'd like to read on average a book a week.  We'll see.  But stay tuned.  My first review for the year will be coming shortly.  Enjoy!