1 comments about BYOB Chicago: Your Guide to Bring-Your-Own-Bottle Restaurants and Wine & Spirits Stores in Chicagoland (BYOB Guides).

1. American liquor laws are intricate, confounding, and disparate, varying widely from state to state, county to county and even block to block. As Jean Iverson notes in this update to her 2005 guide to bring-your-own-bottle restaurants, the southeast corner of State and Division was voted dry in the 1980s, and no new restaurant within 100 feet of a school, church, or library stands a chance of snagging a liquor license. Chicago's own colorful history regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol continues on, with the granting of liquor licenses inextricably intertwined with ward politics, zoning, and other delights of life in the Windy City.
   
   Chicago is also a city of world-class restaurants, of course, and many of them are surprisingly affordable--all the more so if you can buy your booze at the neighborhood liquor store. Iverson's book--slim enough to slip in a purse or a jacket pocket--is an indispensable resource for budget-conscious diners, as well as for those who want, say, a J & G Baumann vin de pays des Côtes de Gascogne 2006 as they peruse the menu, and nothing else will do.
   
   Iverson has researched scores of restaurants, from family-run storefront cafes to upscale hot spots, and compiled her findings in this easy-to-use guide. A comprehensive list of BYOB restaurants from A to Z is complemented by tidbits of history, etiquette tips, help with choosing the right wine for the evening's cuisine, a guide to wine shops and liquor stores, and listings organized by type of fare and neighborhood. Found yourself in Albany Park with a taste for Scandinavian food and a bottle of Grenache in your bag? Iversen has the dining destination for you!
   
   This second edition updates information from the original, and has been expanded to include BYOBs in the 'burbs, nontraditional BYOB dining spots such as local theaters, and restaurants with liquor licenses that still allow you to bring your own.

4 comments about The Shark God: Encounters with Ghosts and Ancestors in the South Pacific.

1. What is relegion? Why do we believe what we believe? These are important questions since all of us look for meaning within our existence. This book offers valuable insight into those issues. Not just a travel book.
   
   This well written book takes you deep into the South Pacific like no other book I have read before. In many ways this book transcends the travel category and takes you into the relm of relegion and theology as well as anthropology and a little political science thrown in too just for good measure. I was very pleasantly surprised.
   
   I also like the way this book helps to educate us on a part of the world that is so far off the beaten path, at the edge of our existence, that we ignore it. Huge mistake. Read this book, ponder the issues it brings up, and you will learn a lot.



2. As a correspondent I was in the Solomons for most of the key moments - and many of the darker moments of the civil war on Guadalcanal. Montgomery, whose original motivation was plainly to write some kind of family travel account, was deeply changed by what he saw and felt. As were we all. I never met him during the dramas, suggesting he kept away from the media events linked with it all. For this we all owe a very deep debt of thanks; he has bought a powerful light to parts of the story that needed to be illuminated. The horrors of Harold Keke and his gang, off set by the glories of the Melanesian Brothers. This is a major Pacific work; something to be celebrated and cherished.



3. Having a missionary ancestor is a fine prompt for travel. Most early missionaries, to justify their existence and purpose, were dogged journal keepers. Montgomery's grandfather was no exception. Rev. H.H. Montgomery had not only kept extensive notes, but much of that collection and other thoughts were produced in a book, "The Light of Melanesia". Discovering that account led Vancouver-born Charles to light out to the Pacific to see the results of his grandfather's and other missionaries' endeavours. In keeping his own records, Charles has produced a 21st Century adventure yarn of captivating interest.
   
   If there is a pivotal point in this book, it is the 1871 "murder" of Bishop John C. Patteson. The bishop seems to have died happy - martyrdom has an appeal to some religious folk. The century following may have justified his bizarre view, since his death has become a symbol to the local people. For one thing, they are able to brag that "we don't kill white folks any more". The author has some reason to doubt this claim as he travels through Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. He has trouble separating the various Christianities spread throughout the islands. A good many of them are still practising various forms of ancient witchcraft as part of their new religious activities.
   
   Montgomery sets himself a quest to find Melanesian witchcraft in its pure form. This is easier told than accomplished, since today's missionaries, and many of their converts, hunt down the practitioners. Sometimes with violence. The islanders, however, have a long warrior tradition supporting their activities and working out winners and losers is challenging. Still, for him to unearth the ancient practices, he must trek deep into mountain hideaways, convince those claiming to hold special powers that he won't reveal them to Christian authorities, and come away unscathed. If the Melanesians don't do him in, the weather is always waiting for its own chance. "Getting there is half the fun" as the author haunts docks and ships seeking elusive transport. Ships run weekly, monthly, or when fuel money is produced. His persistence ought to be worth some kind of award.
   
   His luck might be due to some recognition, as well. In the islands, the witchcraft Montgomery seeks is based on "mana". Mana is the life force and may be transferred from one human to another - by head hunting [cognitive scientists take note]. The more exalted the victim, the greater the mana. The missionaries, and the military forces they frequently called in to support them, sought to quell the practice. Their substitution was "Christian love", which often took a beating when the islanders objected to their land being taken or their wives and daughters raped. Montgomery laces the history of missionary work with his personal account seamlessly. Daily confronting the results of what the missionaries imposed [this book was originally titled: "The Last Heathen"] Montgomery's scepticism of their work can only be enhanced. Belief, however, is an immense force among humans. Montgomery realises he cannot dismiss it thoughtlessly. The result of his quest results in a fascinating essay on what "religion" has come to mean to the Pacific Islanders. It's far from what the missionaries intended - and intend - but it's demonstrably real. The book is a valuable social commentary, both about the Pacific islands and our own culture. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]



4. We're all interested in God. (Even atheists make a theological statement when saying there is no god; and presumably, they've said so based on an informed consideration of some sort.) Montgomery takes us on an extra-ordinary quest in pursuit of God-knowledge. And he does so in the footsteps of his great grandfather, who was a missionary to the people of the south sea islands. He starts as a well-studied skeptic on a grand adventure. Along the way we encounter history and myth surrounding magic, cannibal stories, hallucination, faith, and genuine self-sacrifice. And we see our stalwart tour guide grow as a result of his quest. His appreciation for the power of myth expands to reveal the truth that it can convey. And his spirituality makes a significant transition from that of someone inquiring into the basis of religion -- to observing its significant influence on the human family, in practice.
   
   There are occasional sentences written in a creole which might require a bit of a stretch for some readers -- but it really is English if you sound them out carefully. (Let your eye and ear work together to parse those words, out loud, if necessary.) The editors would have done well to include a glossary for those who are intimidated by foreign-looking words. But please don't let this discourage you from this very enjoyable book which tracks a coming of age from spiritual infancy into a dawning maturity.
   
   ~eric.

3 comments about City Baby Chicago.

1. I'm not sure I can actually rate this, because this was a gift for my sister. However, she was VERY happy to receive it. Apparently it's good!



2. Most of the stuff in the book is for pregnant moms. Also several of the suggestions sent me to internet addresses that were not active. I'm returning the book because I feel I could get similar information off the internet.



3. This book has a lot of useful information. I didn't use it much during my pregnancy because I already knew which doctor and hospital I was going to use, and I'm not really one for prenatal yoga / massage / etc.
   I just picked up the book again recently (the baby is 5 months old, it's kind of been a blur before now anyway) and there are so many cool things listed that I want to do. It lists all types of classes for the baby, restaurants that are baby/kid friendly, parks, stores and thrift stores, and just about any other resource you might need.
   Some of the website addresses are incorrect, but the business names are correct so you can just google it.

1 comments about eat.shop.chicago: The Indispensable Guide to Inspired, Locally Owned Eating and Shopping Establishments (eat.shop guides series).

1. Chicago's one of my favorite cities, but I wanted to spice up my trip a bit this time, and try some new restaurants and such. This book was perfect. The recommendations were really good--I hate feeling like I wasted a meal out when I'm on vacation. Every recommended restaurant I tried was a hit! The shopping part of the guide was really useful, too. I found some really unique gifts for the folks back home, and a bunch for me too! Nothing like coming home from a trip looking like a million bucks! Highly recommended!

5 comments about Shoeless Joe & Me: A Baseball Card Adventure.

1. Shoeless Joe was a fun book to read. It was about baseball. He was a good player but did not have power. I liked this book because it was about baseball. He was a player on the White Sox. The story was in Chicago where Shoeless Joe was a famous baseball player.
   The kid in the book went back in time. The boy wanted to meet Shoeless Joe, so he went to the store to buy the card. Then he packed his tooth brush and clothes. Then he went to his room. Then he hugged the card and went back to the past. This was the most exciting part of the book.



2. The book I am reviewing is Shoeless Joe & Me written by Dan Gutman. I think this book deserves five stars because Dan Gutman doesn't stretch the book and he does not rush it. This book is about a boy named Joe Stoshack who can travel through time with baseball cards. The problem in this story is that when Joe had lost a game because of a bad call, he complains to the sponsor of his team, Flip Valetini. He says that it wasn't fair, and Flip tells him about the Black Sox sandal and Joe Jackson. Now he wants to fix it. But the rest... you will have to figure out. I would recommend this book to anyone from 3rd to 5th grade that loves fantasy books.



3. Haven't you ever wanted to go back in time to prevent something that happened to you? Shoeless Joe Jackson was one of the best baseball players in 1919. His career was destroyed by a gambling scandal. Joe Stoshack was a young boy and he heard about the famous player from a guy named Flip who worked at the baseball card shop he always went to. Flip told Joe that Jackson was not allowed to make the Hall of Fame because of the scandal he was in. Flip gave him Joe Jackson baseball card and the little boy thought to himself what it would be like to go back in time to see what the scandal was all about and even maybe prevent it from happening. He thought if it works in movies then it should work now. The next day Joe Stoshack found himself going back to the 1919's and found Joe Jackson at the stadium. He talked to Joe and asked him to leave the game before it started. He told Joe if he didn't something bad would happen. He told Joe he came back from the future and he knew that if the great Joe Jackson did anything to lose this game, he would never get all the rewards he deserved. He wanted to prevent the "Black Sox Scandal" from happening so Shoeless Joe Jackson could get into the Hall of Fame.
   I would rate this book a 5, on a scale of 5, with 5 being the best. Grades 4th and up would love it and its great family story.



4. One of my students wrote the following review:
   If you are a baseball fan you should read this book. This book is about a kid with a power. He can go back in time. He goes to 1919 to make the White Sox win the World Series by not letting Shoeless Joe Jackson take money. What will happen next?
   It was so fun to read it! I couldn't stop reading this book. It is a long book but it is fun when you read it. There are more books that this author wrote about baseball.
   -Brian



5. Shoeless Joe and Me is one of my favorite books! The book is about a kid who can Time-Travel by using Baseball Cards. He tries to go back in time to stop the Black Sox Scandal. The Black Sox Scandal was when 8 players on the White Sox were tricked by gamblers into losing the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds on purpose.
   
   Even if you don't like Baseball, I'm sure you will love this book. I loved it SO much that I couldn't take my face away from the book. I recommend this book to ANYONE, as long as they love a good book. It is part of a series, which include:
   
   Honus and Me
   Jackie and Me
   Babe and Me
   Mickey and Me
   Abner and Me
   Satch and Me

1 comments about Chicago: A Photographic Celebration.

1. This book Shows most of the well know landmarks in Chicago and many more obscure but beautiful Statues,Buildings,etc. It is More Picture than text making it an Ideal gift for foreign visitors to remember their vist to our beautiful City.

1 comments about Quick Escapes Chicago, 5th: 26 Weekend Getaways in and around the Windy City.

1. I realized recently while trying to plan a day-trip that I had no idea where I wanted to go. Thanks to this book, I'll never have that problem again.
   It's organized for weekend and day trips, with tips on lodging, eating and activities. Ideas range from stuff everyone's heard of (like Starved Rock and Galena) to stuff I can't wait to explore (like a Chocolate Trail!!!!)
   The author also gives price ranges for lodging and restaurants.
   Bottom line, if you get sick and tired of the city like I do, and need to get away (if only for an afternoon), then fill up your gas tank and buy this book.

3 comments about Chicago's 50 Best Places to Find Peace and Quiet (City and Company).

1. I'm the author, so I am, admittedly, biased. But I want to let prospective buyers to know that every spot in my book is open to the public, and that nearly all the places are free or low cost. After all, peace and quiet should be accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy. I cover all regions of the city, as well as at least one or two suburban spots in each direction. "Chicago Tonight" and WBEZ both did features on the book--I think you'll be pleased if you buy it.



2. This book is great for an afternoon get away! Also my husband and I have used it for great inexpensive dates!



3. It's about time. In a city that's louder than hell, this book was long overdue. The author did the subject justice - her choices prove that she really knows Chicago inside and out - and her writing is always entertaining.
   
   I highly recommend this book, not just for Chicagoans in search of some solace, but tourists who don't just want to hit the usual (overcrowded) spots. Whenever my mom comes to visit, everything is too loud for her. This book solves that problem. Seek it out!

No comments about Loving Yusuf: Conceptual Travels from Present to Past (Afterlives of the Bible).

No comments about Malinowski's Kiriwina: Fieldwork Photography 1915-1918.