Author: Bob Purnell
By Hamlyn

Tastes as good as it looks!, 2008-09-14
I've thoroughly enjoyed leafing through this colourful and inspirational book. I never realised veg growing could be so much fun or that they could look so good. I've tried several of the ideas in my garden this year and have been pretty successful. In fact, considering I've only been gardening for a couple of years and I only have a tiny courtyard, I'm really very pleased. The 'tumbling toms' and 'potted potager' worked particularly well.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys growing their own food, especially if they are short of space. You won't ever become self sufficient growing your veg in pots but every bit of homegrown produce is a bonus. Even if it doesn't reach the plate, at least with the help of this book your veg will be great to look at.

Can't wait try out some more ideas next year. I've already started planning!

Author: Sara Lewis
By Hamlyn

A really good buy, 2008-06-16
I only started making bread a few weeks ago. I have got a breadmaker but I do a lot by hand as well and this book caters for both methods.
Another very good thing is the fact that you can choose how big a loaf you want to make (500g, 750g or 1kg) and the ingredient quantities are already adjusted for you!
An awesome book, a great investment and a fantastic incentive to get you into making bread - it definitely worked on me!

Author: Sara Lewis
By Hamlyn

Great start, 2008-03-09
This was the first book I bought after purchasing my slow cooker. It has been a great help because it not only has a some wonderful recipes but has specific information about how a slow cooker works which has enabled me to translate some old favourites. Favourite recipes have been produced week after week, and everybody from the 14 year old to the 4 year old has enjoyed them. Good range of recipes, all the ones we have tried have been delicious. Highly recommended.

Author: Gwen Bailey
By Hamlyn

Great book for a first time dog owner, 2008-08-11
I bought this book a few weeks before we picked up our springer puppy because I had never owned a dog before and wanted to make sure I did everything right from the start.

This book was a great help, and helped me to understand some simple, yet effective, dog psychology (such as who walks through a door first, when you should feed them etc).

The book is easy to read and helped to give me some confidence when we first got our puppy. I've since passed it on to friends who have also found it useful.

Our dog is now 3 years old, and he's pretty well behaved (particularly for a Springer!), and I would put some of this down to this book as it was a great place to start.

Author: Desmond Morris
By Hamlyn

Beautiful , 2008-09-25
A really beautiful book, layout and photos are excellent. Very practical and simple, just strieght forward biology and behaviour, no nosense. A lovely gift for a first time parent.

Author: Prosper Montagne
By Hamlyn

A feast of a book!, 2008-01-03
This is a gorgeous book - an absolute joy - and I wish I'd bought it years ago. (The price had always put me off but as far as I am concerned now, it is an investment - and had I known then what I know now, I would have bought fewer 'other' books and used the money saved to buy this one.) It is an absolute mine of information, and if you're interested in food, as I am (and you must be, or you wouldn't be reading this..), I am sure you will find yourself 'dipping' into this book constantly - it makes fascinating reading, and this version is beautifully presented. The pages are crammed with many tempting recipes - certainly, some of these are complicated and more suited to a professional chef, and perhaps this would not be the best choice for a 'first cookbook' for a novice - but there are so many recipes and cooking methods that would be suitable and appealing to anyone with a basic knowledge of cooking. Even the humble potato has a whole host of recipes devoted to it. I find the book to be an invaluable reference aid and now - having enjoyed cooking from an early age, and after 30 years as a 'home cook' - I find my enthusiasm rekindled and my horizons broadened. Nothing left to say really, except perhaps 'bon appetit!'

By Hamlyn

easy and cheap vege cooking, 2008-10-11
It's one of my very fav cookbooks. here is why:
1) It doesn't assume any previous cooking knowledge, doesn't use jargon and gives very clear instructions.
2) most of ingredients are easy to get or you may even have them in your cupboards already.
3) includes information on time required to make a given dish, number of servings and how difficult it is to make.
4) recipies are very easy locate in the book. they are grouped into chapters with a "theme", eg. oriental, italian and so on. you can also find vegetarian ways of making our familiar dishes. or even things like pouched eggs or pancakes.
5) it's cheerful and enthusiastic, includes things like hangover juice remedies and nice easy desserts.
6) the layout is clear and neat, easy to follow. no pictures though.

if you are new to cooking or new to vegetarian cooking, you will probably like this book as much as I do. enjoy!

By Hamlyn

This is the essential cookbook for students learning to cater from themselves, including over 100 recipes ranging from cheap eats for one, to meals for entertaining mates. All the recipes are easy to follow with clear instructions so that even the most in
Cheap, simple, tasty, 2008-01-11
I bought this book shortly after going to Uni, everything I've cooked from it has been good, and all the recipes have worked. It's not your typical student cookbook in that it doesn't completely lead you by the hand and some of the ingredient lists are a little more complicated than you find in most student books. On the other hand that's precisely why I was attracted to it, far too many of the other books I looked at seemed to suggest that preparing macaroni cheese was the zenith of student cooking. If you understand basic cooking and want something interesting to eat, student or not, then this is the book for you.

Author: Richard Marson
By Hamlyn

Author: Colour Me Beautiful
By Hamlyn

A Fashion Bible for the over-40's, 2008-07-31
I fully endorse everything written by the previous reviewer. Pat Henshaw and Veronique Henderson have done it again. Another great book with lots of guidance on style, colour, make-up, hair and accessories to make us all look younger and who's going to argue with that! Practical suggestions in an easy-to-follow colourful format. Enjoyable and totally absorbing. Read this and you can't go wrong - a style bible for every woman over 40.