By 

Jeffrey Leach (Omaha, NE USA) –

  

  

  

Counterculture icon and author Ken Kesey (1935-2001) wrote his first novel, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” in 1960. The book was a response to the author’s experiences testing mind-altering drugs for the federal government and his later tenure as a nurse’s aide in the same facility. In the introduction to the novel, Robert Faggen places this seminal novel in its proper context, arguing that this book incorporates several themes of the 1950′s: the Cold War, the plight of the Native Americans, the reliance on psychiatry as a cure all for social problems, and the vestigial remnants of McCarthyism. Even if you could care less about how Kesey’s book fits into American cultural history, you could hardly fail to miss the overarching theme of his novel: the tensions between the individual and the state, between those trapped in an industrial society and those who wish to live in freedom. There is a film version of this book starring Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher that adequately captures Kesey’s stark visions.

The author’s tale takes place in a mental asylum at an unknown time. Perhaps this is because time has little importance to the inmates in the facility. The people in this particular ward of the hospital fall into categories of `acute’ or `chronic,’ depending on whether they have hope of recovery or are irrevocably ill. The days are full of drudgery, an endless round of medications interspersed with playing cards against the background of canned polka music. Everyday the acute patients meet for group therapy that really doubles as a McCarythyesque tattling session. The name of the game is acquiescence to the myriad rules and regulations of the institution. Those inmates who violate the rules earn a trip to the disturbed ward or a quick trip to the electroshock chamber. Repeated disobedience could lead to a lobotomy. Predictably, fear is the perpetual state in which most of the patients live. But with the appearance of a nonconformist named Randle McMurphy, fear starts to give way to a burgeoning hope that life will become better in this hospital.

The narrator of this story is Chief Bromden, a mixed blood Indian who is a patient in the ward. This man spends his days mopping and sweeping the floors while hearing and seeing everything that goes on around him. The Chief fears that something called the `Combine’ controls the world. For him, the `Combine’ is the machinery that fills the walls and floors of the hospital, constantly spying on and controlling the men in the ward. He believes that those who work in the asylum are actually full of cogs and gears, are part of this giant, controlling machine. Moreover, the staff and the patients believe that Bromden is a deaf mute. He isn’t, but Kesey’s choice of this Indian as the narrator of unfolding events is a stroke of brilliance. Since no one thinks the Chief can hear or speak, he becomes privy to every activity in the institution. The staff speaks freely around him because they feel they have nothing to worry about. His cleaning duties allow him full access to every area of the floor, including the room where the staff meets to discuss other inmates. You cannot help but like Bromden, and you quickly question whether his observations are truly the ramblings of a madman.

The central figure in Bromden’s `Combine’ theory is Nurse Ratched, sometimes referred to as `Big Nurse.’ This seemingly grandmotherly woman personifies the Chief’s fear of control and cold aloofness. Ratched runs the floor from her little glass booth, her hands on the levers of the machinery that controls the lights, the music, the group therapy sessions, and even most of the doctors. Her voice alone controls the destiny of the inmates. Ratched enforces the rules and regulations, and she decides who receives punishment or release. Big Nurse encourages stool pigeons and belittles the patients with implied threats and stony glares, often masked under an ersatz exterior of patience and cheerfulness. With the arrival of McMurphy, Ratched prepares for a battle of wills that by extension is a war between the individual and the state.

Randle McMurphy is a boisterous, tattooed, redheaded troublemaker ducking a sentence on a work farm by acting crazy. Right from the start, McMurphy undermines the rules and regulations of the hospital. He gambles for money, wonders the hall wearing nothing but towels, sings, and challenges Ratched’s authority by going to the floor doctor to receive rule waivers. But far, far worse is McMurphy’s effect on the other inmates in the institution. His breezy spirit and tenaciousness encourages others to demand changes in the daily routine. Randle is a subversive of the worst type, and Ratched will do anything in her power to slap down this upstart to her fascistic rule. The end of the story seems to mark a significant defeat for the concept of individualism, but if one reads closely it is apparent Kesey keeps the dream of freedom alive however ephemeral it may be…

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http://www.writers-bloc.net/2011/07/01/most-popular-great-books-auctions-18/#comment-5770 Hassan Galadari Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:01:04 +0000 http://www.writers-bloc.net/2011/07/01/most-popular-great-books-auctions-18/#comment-5770 <div style="margin-left:0.5em;"> <div style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> 119 of 126 people found the following review helpful: </div> <div style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> <span style="margin-left: -5px;"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0._V192240867_.gif" width="64" alt="5.0 out of 5 stars" title="5.0 out of 5 stars" height="12" border="0"/></span> <b>Fabulous and Inspirational</b>, <nobr>September 9, 2001</nobr></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> <div><div style="float:left;">By </div><div style="float:left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A1VS4PX8JCTLYN/ref=cm_cr_if_pdp/179-4164049-9077115?ie=UTF8&tag=mytopratedvac-20&linkCode=xm2" target="_top"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hassan Galadari</span></a> (Boston, MA USA) - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A1VS4PX8JCTLYN/ref=cm_cr_if_auth_rev/179-4164049-9077115?ie=UTF8&tag=mytopratedvac-20&linkCode=xm2&sort_by=MostRecentReview" target="_top"></a><br/><a href="/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=cm_rn_bdg_help/179-4164049-9077115?ie=UTF8&nodeId=14279681&pop-up=1#RN" target="AmazonHelp" onclick="return amz_js_PopWin(this.href,'AmazonHelp','width=340,height=340,resizable=1,scrollbars=1,toolbar=1,status=1');"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/reputation/c7y_badge_rn_1._V192249968_.gif" width="70" align="absmiddle" alt="(REAL NAME)" height="15" border="0"/></a>    </div></div><div style="clear:both;"/> </div> <div class="tiny" style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> <b><span class="h3color tiny">This review is from: </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Flew-Over-Cuckoos-Nest/dp/0451163966/ref=cm_cr_if_orig_subj/179-4164049-9077115?ie=UTF8&tag=mytopratedvac-20&linkCode=xm2" target="_top">One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Mass Market Paperback)</a></b> </div> This novel officially ends the 4-book reading that I had set forth to get my teeth into this summer. I must say, that it truly stands out from anything I had read before it, be it this summer or anytime for that matter. Ken Kesey weaves a tale that is smart, witty, sometimes insane and ultimately tragic. Though the setting is mainly in a mental asylum somewhere in Oregon, this story has a universal appeal to it that can be felt by anyone, anwhere in this world.<p>R.P. McMurphy is a sane man that, due to a brush with the law, opts for being committed in a mental asylum rather than be incarcerated with hard labor. Upon his entry in the secluded world of the asylum, he strips all the barriers formed and starts laying his own rules, in his own way. This leads to problems with the head honcho of the place. A big, gruesome, and menacingly evil Nurse Ratched, dubbed Big Nurse for her huge frame and even huger bosom. The rollercoaster, that patient McMurphy takes the inmates through, finally leads them to realize the ultimate goal. That man, no matter the situation, can always hold his destiny in his hands. This knowledge, achieved in the end, does not come without a price.</p><p>Set in the late 60s, early 70s, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a gem of modern literary works that came out at the time. It brought out a wonderfully-made movie, starring Jack Nicholson as McMurphy. The role defined him as an actor to be reckoned with. Though the mavie is seen through the eyes of McMurphy, the novel's perspective looks at things through the eyes of a big half white, half Native American inmate, that acts deaf and dumb in front of the asylum's staff. The narrative, because it is through the eyes of a mental patient, can at times be truly insane. That's where the fun really lies. Kesey works his magic in making us feel the insanity and despair of the patients. He can be funny, in a laugh out loud kind of fashion. He can also be tragic, when you realize what the inmates go through each passing day. The novel is a definitive treatment of the age old abode of individual versus establishment.</p><p>This is a very human story, with a lot of suffering and exploration of man's insecurities. It has become a classic that some schools have even recommended as part of their curriculum. Through all the ups and downs of the story, I was, forever inspired and ultimately liberated in mind to finally realize that you can take away a man's life, but never his freedom. The book receives my highest recommendation. </p><div style="padding-top: 10px; clear: both; width: 100%;"> <div style="float:left; padding-right:15px; border-right:1px solid #CCCCCC"><div style="padding-bottom:5px;"><b class="tiny" style="color:#666666;white-space:nowrap;">Help other customers find the most helpful reviews</b> </div><div style="width:300px;"> <a name="R16W8DH1HLCXTI.2115.Helpful.Reviews" style="font-size:1px;"> </a><span><span class="votingPrompt">Was this review helpful to you? </span><a rel="nofollow" class="votingButtonReviews" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R16W8DH1HLCXTI/Helpful/1/ref=cm_cr_ifvoteyn/179-4164049-9077115?ie=UTF8&token=791411DEFD0B7475A97A73C2CCE16474EECBE3EF&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL3Byb2R1Y3QtcmV2aWV3cy8wMTQwMjgzMzRYL3JlZj1jbV9jcl9pZnZvdGVyZHIvMTc5LTQxNjQwNDktOTA3NzExNT9fZW5jb2Rpbmc9VVRGOCZzdW1tYXJ5PTAmYWxpbmtDb2RlPXhtMiZ0YWc9bXl0b3ByYXRlZHZhYy0yMCZ2PTImbGlua0NvZGU9eG0yJmFzaW49MDE0MDI4MzM0WCZ0cnVuY2F0ZT01MDAwJmFraWQ9QUtJQUpNRDQzM1hKSDcyUkdXVFEmc2lnPXBrTjlnbllIbDcyZnIxSHklMkZxenBxT3ZqNm9hJTJGdUVWYkZ5bkF5Uld6TFpnJTNEJmV4cD0yMDExLTA3LTAyVDE5JTNBMDAlM0EwNFomYXRhZz1teXRvcHJhdGVkdmFjLTIw&voteAnchorName=R16W8DH1HLCXTI.2115.Helpful.Reviews&voteSessionID=179-4164049-9077115"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/reviews/btn-yes-sec-md._V192249951_.gif" width="35" alt="Yes" style="vertical-align:middle;" height="18" border="0"/></a> <a rel="nofollow" class="votingButtonReviews" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R16W8DH1HLCXTI/Helpful/-1/ref=cm_cr_ifvoteyn/179-4164049-9077115?ie=UTF8&token=DC2BBA5CC81D594229949CF2F5E211060FCC4DC7&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL3Byb2R1Y3QtcmV2aWV3cy8wMTQwMjgzMzRYL3JlZj1jbV9jcl9pZnZvdGVyZHIvMTc5LTQxNjQwNDktOTA3NzExNT9fZW5jb2Rpbmc9VVRGOCZzdW1tYXJ5PTAmYWxpbmtDb2RlPXhtMiZ0YWc9bXl0b3ByYXRlZHZhYy0yMCZ2PTImbGlua0NvZGU9eG0yJmFzaW49MDE0MDI4MzM0WCZ0cnVuY2F0ZT01MDAwJmFraWQ9QUtJQUpNRDQzM1hKSDcyUkdXVFEmc2lnPXBrTjlnbllIbDcyZnIxSHklMkZxenBxT3ZqNm9hJTJGdUVWYkZ5bkF5Uld6TFpnJTNEJmV4cD0yMDExLTA3LTAyVDE5JTNBMDAlM0EwNFomYXRhZz1teXRvcHJhdGVkdmFjLTIw&voteAnchorName=R16W8DH1HLCXTI.2115.Helpful.Reviews&voteSessionID=179-4164049-9077115"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/reviews/btn-no-sec-md._V192249949_.gif" width="35" alt="No" style="vertical-align:middle;" height="18" border="0"/></a> <span class="votingMessage"/></span> </div></div><div style="float:left;"><div style="padding-left:15px;"><div style="white-space:nowrap;"><span class="tiny"> <a name="R16W8DH1HLCXTI.2115.Inappropriate.Reviews" style="font-size:1px;"> </a><span class="reportingButton"><nobr><a rel="nofollow" class="reportingButton" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R16W8DH1HLCXTI/Inappropriate/1/ref=cm_cr_ifvoteyn/179-4164049-9077115?ie=UTF8&token=4F15DEFD7ECF4A6047DE35B5F763A0FBD7C56437&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL3Byb2R1Y3QtcmV2aWV3cy8wMTQwMjgzMzRYL3JlZj1jbV9jcl9pZnZvdGVyZHIvMTc5LTQxNjQwNDktOTA3NzExNT9fZW5jb2Rpbmc9VVRGOCZzdW1tYXJ5PTAmYWxpbmtDb2RlPXhtMiZ0YWc9bXl0b3ByYXRlZHZhYy0yMCZ2PTImbGlua0NvZGU9eG0yJmFzaW49MDE0MDI4MzM0WCZ0cnVuY2F0ZT01MDAwJmFraWQ9QUtJQUpNRDQzM1hKSDcyUkdXVFEmc2lnPXBrTjlnbllIbDcyZnIxSHklMkZxenBxT3ZqNm9hJTJGdUVWYkZ5bkF5Uld6TFpnJTNEJmV4cD0yMDExLTA3LTAyVDE5JTNBMDAlM0EwNFomYXRhZz1teXRvcHJhdGVkdmFjLTIw&voteAnchorName=R16W8DH1HLCXTI.2115.Inappropriate.Reviews&voteSessionID=179-4164049-9077115"></a></nobr></span> </span> <span style="color:#CCCCCC;">|</span> <span class="tiny"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R16W8DH1HLCXTI/ref=cm_cr_if_perm/?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0451163966&nodeID=&tag=mytopratedvac-20&linkCode=xm2" target="_top"></a></span></div><div style="white-space:nowrap;padding-left:-5px;padding-top:5px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R16W8DH1HLCXTI/ref=cm_cr_if_cmt/179-4164049-9077115?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0451163966&nodeID=&tag=mytopratedvac-20&linkCode=xm2#wasThisHelpful" target="_top"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/comment-sm._V192250344_.gif" width="16" alt="Comment" hspace="3" align="absmiddle" height="16" border="0"/></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R16W8DH1HLCXTI/ref=cm_cr_if_cmt/179-4164049-9077115?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0451163966&nodeID=&tag=mytopratedvac-20&linkCode=xm2#wasThisHelpful" target="_top">Comments (2)</a></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"/> </div> <br/></div>

119 of 126 people found the following review helpful:

Fabulous and Inspirational, September 9, 2001

By 

Hassan Galadari (Boston, MA USA) –

  

This review is from: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Mass Market Paperback)

This novel officially ends the 4-book reading that I had set forth to get my teeth into this summer. I must say, that it truly stands out from anything I had read before it, be it this summer or anytime for that matter. Ken Kesey weaves a tale that is smart, witty, sometimes insane and ultimately tragic. Though the setting is mainly in a mental asylum somewhere in Oregon, this story has a universal appeal to it that can be felt by anyone, anwhere in this world.

R.P. McMurphy is a sane man that, due to a brush with the law, opts for being committed in a mental asylum rather than be incarcerated with hard labor. Upon his entry in the secluded world of the asylum, he strips all the barriers formed and starts laying his own rules, in his own way. This leads to problems with the head honcho of the place. A big, gruesome, and menacingly evil Nurse Ratched, dubbed Big Nurse for her huge frame and even huger bosom. The rollercoaster, that patient McMurphy takes the inmates through, finally leads them to realize the ultimate goal. That man, no matter the situation, can always hold his destiny in his hands. This knowledge, achieved in the end, does not come without a price.

Set in the late 60s, early 70s, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a gem of modern literary works that came out at the time. It brought out a wonderfully-made movie, starring Jack Nicholson as McMurphy. The role defined him as an actor to be reckoned with. Though the mavie is seen through the eyes of McMurphy, the novel’s perspective looks at things through the eyes of a big half white, half Native American inmate, that acts deaf and dumb in front of the asylum’s staff. The narrative, because it is through the eyes of a mental patient, can at times be truly insane. That’s where the fun really lies. Kesey works his magic in making us feel the insanity and despair of the patients. He can be funny, in a laugh out loud kind of fashion. He can also be tragic, when you realize what the inmates go through each passing day. The novel is a definitive treatment of the age old abode of individual versus establishment.

This is a very human story, with a lot of suffering and exploration of man’s insecurities. It has become a classic that some schools have even recommended as part of their curriculum. Through all the ups and downs of the story, I was, forever inspired and ultimately liberated in mind to finally realize that you can take away a man’s life, but never his freedom. The book receives my highest recommendation.

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]]> http://www.writers-bloc.net/2011/07/01/most-popular-great-books-auctions-18/#comment-5769 Anonymous Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:37:37 +0000 http://www.writers-bloc.net/2011/07/01/most-popular-great-books-auctions-18/#comment-5769 <div style="margin-left:0.5em;"> <div style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> 9 of 9 people found the following review helpful: </div> <div style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> <span style="margin-left: -5px;"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0._V192240867_.gif" width="64" alt="5.0 out of 5 stars" title="5.0 out of 5 stars" height="12" border="0"/></span> <b>Not a loser in the bunch!</b>, <nobr>November 30, 1999</nobr></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> By <b>A Customer</b><br/></div> <div class="tiny" style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> <b><span class="h3color tiny">This review is from: </span>Maida Heatter's Brand-New Book of Great Cookies (Hardcover)</b> </div> I'm slowly working my way through the entire book baking up all the delicious goodies. Maida Heatter's recipes are thorough, concise and most importantly they always work. I can't wait for her to put out her next book! <div style="padding-top: 10px; clear: both; width: 100%;"> <div style="float:left; padding-right:15px; border-right:1px solid #CCCCCC"><div style="padding-bottom:5px;"><b class="tiny" style="color:#666666;white-space:nowrap;">Help other customers find the most helpful reviews</b> </div><div style="width:300px;"> <a name="R304XJROOV8I08.2115.Helpful.Reviews" style="font-size:1px;"> </a><span><span class="votingPrompt">Was this review helpful to you? </span><a rel="nofollow" class="votingButtonReviews" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R304XJROOV8I08/Helpful/1/ref=cm_cr_ifvoteyn/183-5428370-9364724?ie=UTF8&token=34732893A4FEB8F96D08FAED893F7A0DAE52BD7B&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL3Byb2R1Y3QtcmV2aWV3cy8wNjc5NDM4NzQyL3JlZj1jbV9jcl9pZnZvdGVyZHIvMTgzLTU0MjgzNzAtOTM2NDcyND9fZW5jb2Rpbmc9VVRGOCZzdW1tYXJ5PTAmYWxpbmtDb2RlPXhtMiZ0YWc9bXl0b3ByYXRlZHZhYy0yMCZ2PTImbGlua0NvZGU9eG0yJmFzaW49MDY3OTQzODc0MiZ0cnVuY2F0ZT01MDAwJmFraWQ9QUtJQUpNRDQzM1hKSDcyUkdXVFEmc2lnPWhDJTJCWkl3RDd3NDFVREFkQWtsT1p5R3Jmakl4YTIlMkZ6Mm44eFJJJTJGZkJkaEElM0QmZXhwPTIwMTEtMDctMDJUMTklM0EwMCUzQTA0WiZhdGFnPW15dG9wcmF0ZWR2YWMtMjA&voteAnchorName=R304XJROOV8I08.2115.Helpful.Reviews&voteSessionID=183-5428370-9364724"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/reviews/btn-yes-sec-md._V192249951_.gif" width="35" alt="Yes" style="vertical-align:middle;" height="18" border="0"/></a> <a rel="nofollow" class="votingButtonReviews" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R304XJROOV8I08/Helpful/-1/ref=cm_cr_ifvoteyn/183-5428370-9364724?ie=UTF8&token=5E68E7E63FA42CD8B88583EC39ADFAA7AF34B3D3&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL3Byb2R1Y3QtcmV2aWV3cy8wNjc5NDM4NzQyL3JlZj1jbV9jcl9pZnZvdGVyZHIvMTgzLTU0MjgzNzAtOTM2NDcyND9fZW5jb2Rpbmc9VVRGOCZzdW1tYXJ5PTAmYWxpbmtDb2RlPXhtMiZ0YWc9bXl0b3ByYXRlZHZhYy0yMCZ2PTImbGlua0NvZGU9eG0yJmFzaW49MDY3OTQzODc0MiZ0cnVuY2F0ZT01MDAwJmFraWQ9QUtJQUpNRDQzM1hKSDcyUkdXVFEmc2lnPWhDJTJCWkl3RDd3NDFVREFkQWtsT1p5R3Jmakl4YTIlMkZ6Mm44eFJJJTJGZkJkaEElM0QmZXhwPTIwMTEtMDctMDJUMTklM0EwMCUzQTA0WiZhdGFnPW15dG9wcmF0ZWR2YWMtMjA&voteAnchorName=R304XJROOV8I08.2115.Helpful.Reviews&voteSessionID=183-5428370-9364724"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/reviews/btn-no-sec-md._V192249949_.gif" width="35" alt="No" style="vertical-align:middle;" height="18" border="0"/></a> <span class="votingMessage"/></span> </div></div><div style="float:left;"><div style="padding-left:15px;"><div style="white-space:nowrap;"><span class="tiny"> <a name="R304XJROOV8I08.2115.Inappropriate.Reviews" style="font-size:1px;"> </a><span class="reportingButton"><nobr><a rel="nofollow" class="reportingButton" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R304XJROOV8I08/Inappropriate/1/ref=cm_cr_ifvoteyn/183-5428370-9364724?ie=UTF8&token=25DDB0F56BDFA72693EDB1A870126DB455644BEF&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL3Byb2R1Y3QtcmV2aWV3cy8wNjc5NDM4NzQyL3JlZj1jbV9jcl9pZnZvdGVyZHIvMTgzLTU0MjgzNzAtOTM2NDcyND9fZW5jb2Rpbmc9VVRGOCZzdW1tYXJ5PTAmYWxpbmtDb2RlPXhtMiZ0YWc9bXl0b3ByYXRlZHZhYy0yMCZ2PTImbGlua0NvZGU9eG0yJmFzaW49MDY3OTQzODc0MiZ0cnVuY2F0ZT01MDAwJmFraWQ9QUtJQUpNRDQzM1hKSDcyUkdXVFEmc2lnPWhDJTJCWkl3RDd3NDFVREFkQWtsT1p5R3Jmakl4YTIlMkZ6Mm44eFJJJTJGZkJkaEElM0QmZXhwPTIwMTEtMDctMDJUMTklM0EwMCUzQTA0WiZhdGFnPW15dG9wcmF0ZWR2YWMtMjA&voteAnchorName=R304XJROOV8I08.2115.Inappropriate.Reviews&voteSessionID=183-5428370-9364724"></a></nobr></span> </span> <span style="color:#CCCCCC;">|</span> <span class="tiny"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R304XJROOV8I08/ref=cm_cr_if_perm/?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0679438742&nodeID=&tag=mytopratedvac-20&linkCode=xm2" target="_top"></a></span></div><div style="white-space:nowrap;padding-left:-5px;padding-top:5px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R304XJROOV8I08/ref=cm_cr_if_cmt/183-5428370-9364724?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0679438742&nodeID=&tag=mytopratedvac-20&linkCode=xm2#wasThisHelpful" target="_top"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/comment-sm._V192250344_.gif" width="16" alt="Comment" hspace="3" align="absmiddle" height="16" border="0"/></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R304XJROOV8I08/ref=cm_cr_if_cmt/183-5428370-9364724?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0679438742&nodeID=&tag=mytopratedvac-20&linkCode=xm2#wasThisHelpful" target="_top">Comment</a></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"/> </div> <br/></div>

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

Not a loser in the bunch!, November 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Maida Heatter’s Brand-New Book of Great Cookies (Hardcover)

I’m slowly working my way through the entire book baking up all the delicious goodies. Maida Heatter’s recipes are thorough, concise and most importantly they always work. I can’t wait for her to put out her next book!

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]]> http://www.writers-bloc.net/2011/07/01/most-popular-great-books-auctions-18/#comment-5768 Anonymous Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:36:22 +0000 http://www.writers-bloc.net/2011/07/01/most-popular-great-books-auctions-18/#comment-5768 <div style="margin-left:0.5em;"> <div style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> 10 of 10 people found the following review helpful: </div> <div style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> <span style="margin-left: -5px;"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0._V192240867_.gif" width="64" alt="5.0 out of 5 stars" title="5.0 out of 5 stars" height="12" border="0"/></span> <b>Delicious cookies, from simple to elegant!</b>, <nobr>June 16, 1997</nobr></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> By <b>A Customer</b><br/></div> <div class="tiny" style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> <b><span class="h3color tiny">This review is from: </span>Maida Heatter's Brand-New Book of Great Cookies (Hardcover)</b> </div> Cookies can be found in this book to meet anyone's desires! Maida Heatter includes a wide array of recipes, from the popular biscotti to the elegant sables. Instructions are detailed, and easy to follow. This book is loaded with helpful information, and interesting stories about cookies. Most importantly, the cookies will look like the cookies in the book! My family has enjoyed every cookie I've made from this book <div style="padding-top: 10px; clear: both; width: 100%;"> <div style="float:left; padding-right:15px; border-right:1px solid #CCCCCC"><div style="padding-bottom:5px;"><b class="tiny" style="color:#666666;white-space:nowrap;">Help other customers find the most helpful reviews</b> </div><div style="width:300px;"> <a name="R3I89AQGK0P84O.2115.Helpful.Reviews" style="font-size:1px;"> </a><span><span class="votingPrompt">Was this review helpful to you? </span><a rel="nofollow" class="votingButtonReviews" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R3I89AQGK0P84O/Helpful/1/ref=cm_cr_ifvoteyn/183-5428370-9364724?ie=UTF8&token=D7E425B5D567E06E3C44FAE1A59465F1FF17FF60&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL3Byb2R1Y3QtcmV2aWV3cy8wNjc5NDM4NzQyL3JlZj1jbV9jcl9pZnZvdGVyZHIvMTgzLTU0MjgzNzAtOTM2NDcyND9fZW5jb2Rpbmc9VVRGOCZzdW1tYXJ5PTAmYWxpbmtDb2RlPXhtMiZ0YWc9bXl0b3ByYXRlZHZhYy0yMCZ2PTImbGlua0NvZGU9eG0yJmFzaW49MDY3OTQzODc0MiZ0cnVuY2F0ZT01MDAwJmFraWQ9QUtJQUpNRDQzM1hKSDcyUkdXVFEmc2lnPWhDJTJCWkl3RDd3NDFVREFkQWtsT1p5R3Jmakl4YTIlMkZ6Mm44eFJJJTJGZkJkaEElM0QmZXhwPTIwMTEtMDctMDJUMTklM0EwMCUzQTA0WiZhdGFnPW15dG9wcmF0ZWR2YWMtMjA&voteAnchorName=R3I89AQGK0P84O.2115.Helpful.Reviews&voteSessionID=183-5428370-9364724"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/reviews/btn-yes-sec-md._V192249951_.gif" width="35" alt="Yes" style="vertical-align:middle;" height="18" border="0"/></a> <a rel="nofollow" class="votingButtonReviews" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R3I89AQGK0P84O/Helpful/-1/ref=cm_cr_ifvoteyn/183-5428370-9364724?ie=UTF8&token=6644726719C772E1E26ECFB2744100B77F5128C5&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL3Byb2R1Y3QtcmV2aWV3cy8wNjc5NDM4NzQyL3JlZj1jbV9jcl9pZnZvdGVyZHIvMTgzLTU0MjgzNzAtOTM2NDcyND9fZW5jb2Rpbmc9VVRGOCZzdW1tYXJ5PTAmYWxpbmtDb2RlPXhtMiZ0YWc9bXl0b3ByYXRlZHZhYy0yMCZ2PTImbGlua0NvZGU9eG0yJmFzaW49MDY3OTQzODc0MiZ0cnVuY2F0ZT01MDAwJmFraWQ9QUtJQUpNRDQzM1hKSDcyUkdXVFEmc2lnPWhDJTJCWkl3RDd3NDFVREFkQWtsT1p5R3Jmakl4YTIlMkZ6Mm44eFJJJTJGZkJkaEElM0QmZXhwPTIwMTEtMDctMDJUMTklM0EwMCUzQTA0WiZhdGFnPW15dG9wcmF0ZWR2YWMtMjA&voteAnchorName=R3I89AQGK0P84O.2115.Helpful.Reviews&voteSessionID=183-5428370-9364724"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/reviews/btn-no-sec-md._V192249949_.gif" width="35" alt="No" style="vertical-align:middle;" height="18" border="0"/></a> <span class="votingMessage"/></span> </div></div><div style="float:left;"><div style="padding-left:15px;"><div style="white-space:nowrap;"><span class="tiny"> <a name="R3I89AQGK0P84O.2115.Inappropriate.Reviews" style="font-size:1px;"> </a><span class="reportingButton"><nobr><a rel="nofollow" class="reportingButton" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R3I89AQGK0P84O/Inappropriate/1/ref=cm_cr_ifvoteyn/183-5428370-9364724?ie=UTF8&token=AD6124F9249C4B2B6821BAC7E6951323E0191974&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL3Byb2R1Y3QtcmV2aWV3cy8wNjc5NDM4NzQyL3JlZj1jbV9jcl9pZnZvdGVyZHIvMTgzLTU0MjgzNzAtOTM2NDcyND9fZW5jb2Rpbmc9VVRGOCZzdW1tYXJ5PTAmYWxpbmtDb2RlPXhtMiZ0YWc9bXl0b3ByYXRlZHZhYy0yMCZ2PTImbGlua0NvZGU9eG0yJmFzaW49MDY3OTQzODc0MiZ0cnVuY2F0ZT01MDAwJmFraWQ9QUtJQUpNRDQzM1hKSDcyUkdXVFEmc2lnPWhDJTJCWkl3RDd3NDFVREFkQWtsT1p5R3Jmakl4YTIlMkZ6Mm44eFJJJTJGZkJkaEElM0QmZXhwPTIwMTEtMDctMDJUMTklM0EwMCUzQTA0WiZhdGFnPW15dG9wcmF0ZWR2YWMtMjA&voteAnchorName=R3I89AQGK0P84O.2115.Inappropriate.Reviews&voteSessionID=183-5428370-9364724"></a></nobr></span> </span> <span style="color:#CCCCCC;">|</span> <span class="tiny"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R3I89AQGK0P84O/ref=cm_cr_if_perm/?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0679438742&nodeID=&tag=mytopratedvac-20&linkCode=xm2" target="_top"></a></span></div><div style="white-space:nowrap;padding-left:-5px;padding-top:5px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R3I89AQGK0P84O/ref=cm_cr_if_cmt/183-5428370-9364724?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0679438742&nodeID=&tag=mytopratedvac-20&linkCode=xm2#wasThisHelpful" target="_top"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/comment-sm._V192250344_.gif" width="16" alt="Comment" hspace="3" align="absmiddle" height="16" border="0"/></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R3I89AQGK0P84O/ref=cm_cr_if_cmt/183-5428370-9364724?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0679438742&nodeID=&tag=mytopratedvac-20&linkCode=xm2#wasThisHelpful" target="_top">Comment</a></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"/> </div> <br/></div>

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

Delicious cookies, from simple to elegant!, June 16, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Maida Heatter’s Brand-New Book of Great Cookies (Hardcover)

Cookies can be found in this book to meet anyone’s desires! Maida Heatter includes a wide array of recipes, from the popular biscotti to the elegant sables. Instructions are detailed, and easy to follow. This book is loaded with helpful information, and interesting stories about cookies. Most importantly, the cookies will look like the cookies in the book! My family has enjoyed every cookie I’ve made from this book

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]]> http://www.writers-bloc.net/2011/07/01/most-popular-great-books-auctions-18/#comment-5767 Anonymous Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:23:21 +0000 http://www.writers-bloc.net/2011/07/01/most-popular-great-books-auctions-18/#comment-5767 <div style="margin-left:0.5em;"> <div style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> 16 of 17 people found the following review helpful: </div> <div style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> <span style="margin-left: -5px;"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0._V192240867_.gif" width="64" alt="5.0 out of 5 stars" title="5.0 out of 5 stars" height="12" border="0"/></span> <b>As always, Maida Heatter has written another winner!!</b>, <nobr>May 6, 1998</nobr></div> <div style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> By <b>A Customer</b><br/></div> <div class="tiny" style="margin-bottom:0.5em;"> <b><span class="h3color tiny">This review is from: </span>Maida Heatter's Brand-New Book of Great Cookies (Hardcover)</b> </div> Maida Heatter is my idol! I love to bake, and I have to say that my favorite recipes come from her cookbooks. This cookie book is no exception. If you don't already own it, buy it today! Then, try her recipe for Palm Beach Brownies with Chocolate-Covered Mints. These are to die for. Her biscotti recipes are also wonderful, and as always, her instructions are precise and easy to follow. One of the best parts of all of her cookbooks is the introduction to each recipe. She includes a short description, and very often an anecdote about the origin of the recipe, or of a time she served it. It is as much fun to read a Maida Heatter cookbook as it is to cook from it and taste the finished product (which always get rave reviews when served!). <div style="padding-top: 10px; clear: both; width: 100%;"> <div style="float:left; padding-right:15px; border-right:1px solid #CCCCCC"><div style="padding-bottom:5px;"><b class="tiny" style="color:#666666;white-space:nowrap;">Help other customers find the most helpful reviews</b> </div><div style="width:300px;"> <a name="R31BKQEI5UCOGO.2115.Helpful.Reviews" style="font-size:1px;"> </a><span><span class="votingPrompt">Was this review helpful to you? </span><a rel="nofollow" class="votingButtonReviews" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R31BKQEI5UCOGO/Helpful/1/ref=cm_cr_ifvoteyn/183-5428370-9364724?ie=UTF8&token=68C85867B2E525D919237DD4C59E045EE7EE4863&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL3Byb2R1Y3QtcmV2aWV3cy8wNjc5NDM4NzQyL3JlZj1jbV9jcl9pZnZvdGVyZHIvMTgzLTU0MjgzNzAtOTM2NDcyND9fZW5jb2Rpbmc9VVRGOCZzdW1tYXJ5PTAmYWxpbmtDb2RlPXhtMiZ0YWc9bXl0b3ByYXRlZHZhYy0yMCZ2PTImbGlua0NvZGU9eG0yJmFzaW49MDY3OTQzODc0MiZ0cnVuY2F0ZT01MDAwJmFraWQ9QUtJQUpNRDQzM1hKSDcyUkdXVFEmc2lnPWhDJTJCWkl3RDd3NDFVREFkQWtsT1p5R3Jmakl4YTIlMkZ6Mm44eFJJJTJGZkJkaEElM0QmZXhwPTIwMTEtMDctMDJUMTklM0EwMCUzQTA0WiZhdGFnPW15dG9wcmF0ZWR2YWMtMjA&voteAnchorName=R31BKQEI5UCOGO.2115.Helpful.Reviews&voteSessionID=183-5428370-9364724"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/reviews/btn-yes-sec-md._V192249951_.gif" width="35" alt="Yes" style="vertical-align:middle;" height="18" border="0"/></a> <a rel="nofollow" class="votingButtonReviews" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R31BKQEI5UCOGO/Helpful/-1/ref=cm_cr_ifvoteyn/183-5428370-9364724?ie=UTF8&token=6FCF6829AA2AEA1954A7EABA406E1037D8951C7C&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL3Byb2R1Y3QtcmV2aWV3cy8wNjc5NDM4NzQyL3JlZj1jbV9jcl9pZnZvdGVyZHIvMTgzLTU0MjgzNzAtOTM2NDcyND9fZW5jb2Rpbmc9VVRGOCZzdW1tYXJ5PTAmYWxpbmtDb2RlPXhtMiZ0YWc9bXl0b3ByYXRlZHZhYy0yMCZ2PTImbGlua0NvZGU9eG0yJmFzaW49MDY3OTQzODc0MiZ0cnVuY2F0ZT01MDAwJmFraWQ9QUtJQUpNRDQzM1hKSDcyUkdXVFEmc2lnPWhDJTJCWkl3RDd3NDFVREFkQWtsT1p5R3Jmakl4YTIlMkZ6Mm44eFJJJTJGZkJkaEElM0QmZXhwPTIwMTEtMDctMDJUMTklM0EwMCUzQTA0WiZhdGFnPW15dG9wcmF0ZWR2YWMtMjA&voteAnchorName=R31BKQEI5UCOGO.2115.Helpful.Reviews&voteSessionID=183-5428370-9364724"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/reviews/btn-no-sec-md._V192249949_.gif" width="35" alt="No" style="vertical-align:middle;" height="18" border="0"/></a> <span class="votingMessage"/></span> </div></div><div style="float:left;"><div style="padding-left:15px;"><div style="white-space:nowrap;"><span class="tiny"> <a name="R31BKQEI5UCOGO.2115.Inappropriate.Reviews" style="font-size:1px;"> </a><span class="reportingButton"><nobr><a rel="nofollow" class="reportingButton" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/voting/cast/Reviews/2115/R31BKQEI5UCOGO/Inappropriate/1/ref=cm_cr_ifvoteyn/183-5428370-9364724?ie=UTF8&token=9F95ED517E8629579E38CA36CA34A16D575EE21E&target=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbWF6b24uY29tL3Byb2R1Y3QtcmV2aWV3cy8wNjc5NDM4NzQyL3JlZj1jbV9jcl9pZnZvdGVyZHIvMTgzLTU0MjgzNzAtOTM2NDcyND9fZW5jb2Rpbmc9VVRGOCZzdW1tYXJ5PTAmYWxpbmtDb2RlPXhtMiZ0YWc9bXl0b3ByYXRlZHZhYy0yMCZ2PTImbGlua0NvZGU9eG0yJmFzaW49MDY3OTQzODc0MiZ0cnVuY2F0ZT01MDAwJmFraWQ9QUtJQUpNRDQzM1hKSDcyUkdXVFEmc2lnPWhDJTJCWkl3RDd3NDFVREFkQWtsT1p5R3Jmakl4YTIlMkZ6Mm44eFJJJTJGZkJkaEElM0QmZXhwPTIwMTEtMDctMDJUMTklM0EwMCUzQTA0WiZhdGFnPW15dG9wcmF0ZWR2YWMtMjA&voteAnchorName=R31BKQEI5UCOGO.2115.Inappropriate.Reviews&voteSessionID=183-5428370-9364724"></a></nobr></span> </span> <span style="color:#CCCCCC;">|</span> <span class="tiny"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R31BKQEI5UCOGO/ref=cm_cr_if_perm/?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0679438742&nodeID=&tag=mytopratedvac-20&linkCode=xm2" target="_top"></a></span></div><div style="white-space:nowrap;padding-left:-5px;padding-top:5px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R31BKQEI5UCOGO/ref=cm_cr_if_cmt/183-5428370-9364724?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0679438742&nodeID=&tag=mytopratedvac-20&linkCode=xm2#wasThisHelpful" target="_top"><img src="http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/comment-sm._V192250344_.gif" width="16" alt="Comment" hspace="3" align="absmiddle" height="16" border="0"/></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R31BKQEI5UCOGO/ref=cm_cr_if_cmt/183-5428370-9364724?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0679438742&nodeID=&tag=mytopratedvac-20&linkCode=xm2#wasThisHelpful" target="_top">Comment</a></div></div></div><div style="clear:both;"/> </div> <br/></div>

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

As always, Maida Heatter has written another winner!!, May 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Maida Heatter’s Brand-New Book of Great Cookies (Hardcover)

Maida Heatter is my idol! I love to bake, and I have to say that my favorite recipes come from her cookbooks. This cookie book is no exception. If you don’t already own it, buy it today! Then, try her recipe for Palm Beach Brownies with Chocolate-Covered Mints. These are to die for. Her biscotti recipes are also wonderful, and as always, her instructions are precise and easy to follow. One of the best parts of all of her cookbooks is the introduction to each recipe. She includes a short description, and very often an anecdote about the origin of the recipe, or of a time she served it. It is as much fun to read a Maida Heatter cookbook as it is to cook from it and taste the finished product (which always get rave reviews when served!).

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