THE 3,000 MILE GARDEN Two professional gardeners, one British, the other American, having met at a New Hampshire "mushroom foray," continue to share their gardening adventures in this delightful collection of their letters. Journalist/author Land (The Modern Country Cook) has country gardens in Cushing, Maine, and upstate New York; Phillips, a prolific writer/lecturer and plant photographer (Quest for the Rose), gardens by committee in London's three-acre city park at Eccleston Square. The difference in their situations intrigues them both and is instructive. They exchange discoveries about climate, garden design, rare and common cultivars, soils, mulches, pests and numerous other details of concern to gardeners. They spice their letters with botanical myth and gossip, bits of local history and geography and custom, and compare favorite recipes for their edible plants. Among other titillations, Phillips tells her how he heated a ham in mulch, and Land describes her experiments with diluted urine as a greening agent. But every page in this chatty, exuberant book is a feast of tips and surprises whose abundance and utility well serve any gardener. Photos not seen by PW. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From Library Journal Land is an American food writer who gardens; Phillips is a London-based plant photographer and writer who cooks. The two met in 1989 at a mushroom bash in New Hampshire and began a conversation that was too good to end. They continued it by mail. The resulting letters, through 1994, make up a book that is an exchange of ideas, drawings, practical tips, recipes, and personal tidbits. The correspondence is also the basis of a public television series that will air beginning in December of this year. Of particular interest are Phillips's references to the garden squares of London. We learn a bit about their history, the committee that oversees them, and the assaults on them by builders of high rises and car parks. Land's garden is in Maine, and the reader enjoys following her struggles with weather, soil, and terrain. The letters, witty and entertaining, are unfortunately published with no linking narrative, leaving gaps and unanswered questions. Though not an essential purchase, this book nevertheless will be enjoyed where anglophilic gardeners or public television fans are numerous. Carol Cubberley, Univ. of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Perfect example of the art and frustrations of parsing kids' taste in literature. Oddly, I remember being "forced" to read some books in third grade for a book report, and I really didn't want to. They were biographies and I couldn't imagine how Ralph Bunche and Galileo could have had interesting lives, (I know!). I learned the lesson of stretching myself when it came to reading, and picking "outside the box" books and giving them a chance. Also not judging a book by its cover, since Ralph Bunche in a grey suit didn't convey the amazing achievements of the man, and nothing says, "dead boring old guy" like a painting of Galileo. I became a fan of both men though, after reading the books. I scratch my head when I think of some of my choices back then, I was all over the board. Still am I guess.

There was a national trend amongst the hipsters for "fancy toast". Usually avocado or some other veg spread, decorated by little bits that look like the bottom of the salad bowl after the leaves are gone. :) I've eaten some. Not bad, but you have to come from a cooking deprived household to think it's special. I have Nancy Silverton's book, which is interesting, but not really for beginners. Considering your relationship with baking in general, I wouldn't recommend it, though if you follow exactly without any deviation you could succeed. When I was starting, I used Local Breads by Daniel Leader, but it's more about European style bakery baking than what you're probably looking for, and it's full of errata. You can find lists of errors and corrections online, but then you have to amend the book. It's also not one I'd recommend for you. Most of my bread books, of which I have many, are very particular to the author and not really meant to be baked from like a Betty Crocker cookbook. I get your desire. Someone may know of a good one for what you're asking. I haven't seen one. I know you don't want to live online, but maybe you could do your research and print out the bits you need? Try Sourdough.com and Breadtopia.com and don't go any farther before you already have some success under your hands.

Oh wow, you guys are the best. I'm going to print this off and go do some research. I'm especially interested in the Redwall series Bestyears motioned - a 22 book series would be great for her. I did think of a series a really enjoyed when I was a young reader - The Chronicles of Narnia. Once I put them in my cart on Amazon, it started suggesting other books and I actually found quite a few possible contenders - but it's also great to have first hand recommendations here. I might try to find out a bit more about what her favorite books are, even if I just have one or two examples. I would never want to insult her intelligence by buying her something too juvenile. Thank you again! PS - James Herriot is a good idea too, I don't know why I didn't think of that. I remember my Dad (another animal lover) reading some of those books.