Living with allergies is more than a chore for many sufferers, it can also mean the difference between life and death with some allergies deeply affecting the welfare and health of those with them.  Some allergies, such as peanut allergy, create a serious constraint on the lifestyle and eating habits of those afflicted – especially as peanuts and products derived from them are used in such widespread abundance throughout the food chain.

The Peanut Allergy Answer Book

By Dr. Michael C Young

This is the first book to deal with the life-threatening and life-changing peanut allergy.  Food specialists consider the peanut allergy to be the most dangerous of all allergies and it should be of concern to everyone that it is becoming much more prevalent.

Why peanut allergy is on the rise is uncertain and no-one really knows, however while medical teams search for an answer, parents with children suffering from this reaction must ensure their children are protected and safe.

Dr Young is a pediatric specialist in allergies and his book is considered to be the definitive work on the subject.  Concerned parents can use this very helpful guide to assess whether their children are also susceptible to peanuts (particularly if one of their children already has the condition).  It is packed with practical information and especially, listings of those foods which either contain peanuts and by-products in their manufacture.

While it focuses upon peanut allergy, this is a must read for anyone with a food related allergy.

Mommy, Is This Safe to Eat? For Kids Allergic to Peanuts and Tree Nuts, 2nd Edition

By Christina Black

This is an extremely useful and enjoyable book which is aimed at children with nut allergies, though it is useful for any child with a food related allergy.  This is a picture book with follows Ricky, a preschool child with a peanut allergy.  By reading through and following the picture story, both parent and child can educate themselves on what foods are safe to eat and there has been no skimping on pictorial representations of safe foods and those to avoid.

A word of caution – this is sold as a “book” however, some readers are disappointed when it arrives because it is not presented in a hard cover but rather a pamphlet form.  Nevertheless, it serves very well for children and it is the message which is far more important than the book presentation.

This is an excellent tool for getting the message on nut allergies over to your child and can be used again and again.

Allie the Allergic Elephant: A Children’s Story of Peanut Allergies

By Nicole Smith (Illustrated by Maggie Nichols)

Again, using the pictorial format to convey the message on food allergies to children in a format they will like and enjoy.  This is one of my personal favorites as we follow the food adventures of Allie the Elephant and it is suitable for all children and not just those with an allergy.  As an educative tool for children (and adults) as to how serious an allergy can be for those with them and why some foods should never be shared with or given to sufferers, this is a superlative tool for helping children understand the impact and seriousness of food allergies.  It is also a great introduction for adults who can use the book to increase their own understanding of food allergies so they in turn can explain it better to children.

Food Allergies : Enjoying Life with a Severe Food Allergy

by Tanya Wright

Ms Wright has written an extremely informative book which is based upon her personal experiences and the effects upon the dietary requirements of sufferers.  This is an excellent guide on how an allergy sufferer can come to terms and live with the condition given the reduced range of foods sufferers may use and the increasing number of foods which they must avoid.

The focus is upon proactive prevention with outlines of special diets and practical tips for eating away from home.

The Allergy Bible: Understanding, Diagnosing, Treating Allergies and Intolerances

By Linda Gamlin & Jonathan Brostoff

Allergies affect some 25% of the population in one form or another (with 10% of children also suffering from them).  Allergic reactions from all sources are outlined and described here, together with illustrations and up-to-date information on medical developments.

While it is detailed and packed with medical information, it is also written and presented in a style which makes it highly readable and informative; an eminently suitable volume for the layperson who is interested in the subject or for those who are suffering from an allergy and need definitive information specific to their condition.  This book also includes sections on alternative and complementary medicine, which have also scored some success with the treatment of allergies and alleviating symptoms.

Buy the book

How To Cook for Food Allergies: Understand Ingredients, Adapt Recipes with Confidence and Cook for an Exciting Allergy-Free Diet

By Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne

One major issue for those suffering from food allergies is the restricted range of foods which they cannot tolerate in their diet.  It is not simply the natural food which may be the sole cause of allergic reactions, but any by-products or other foods which use them in their own production.  Clearly, peanut allergy is a serious issue in this respect because it is so widely used to make other foods, including cooking foods with peanut oil.

The layout of this volume is recipe driven, with clear instructions on how to prepare a meal and the ingredients to be used as well as tips on how to source them.  There is also an excellent dietary section on satisfying the sufferers vitamin and nutrition requirements.

Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook: 100 Recipes: Breakfasts, Entrees, and More

By Elana Amsterdam

A  thoroughly comprehensive book on cooking for those with gluten intolerance”!  Food allergies dramatically impinge on the ability to cook nutritional and enjoyable food for sufferers, but this book gives a wide range of recipes and cooking ideas using gluten free almond flour.

This is perfect for those who want to bake cakes for children and give them all the treats that they feel they are missing out on, but at the same time you can rest assured you are feeding them nutritious food as well.

For those seeking self-help, this is also a great book to have in the kitchen library but it is also a book for the professional adviser.  Written clearly by someone with a great deal of allergy experience, this is packed full of practical tips which have been derived from personal experience.

One observer remarked that there was nothing wrong with France except for the French!  Love them or hate them, the French have their own Gallic charm and character  which at once renders them amongst the most interesting and infuriating of any people of the West! In short, they are intriguing and have a history which rivals that of any Old World country – to visit France is to take a journey not just of several thousand miles but back in time several thousand years.

Fodor’s France 2009

By Fodor’s Gold Guides

Fodor is the top selling guide book on France (and many other countries too) in the US and North American market.  Every day in Paris, you can spot the American tourist not so much by their dress or accent but by the manipulation of the Fodor Guidebook!

Fodor is comprehensive but it suffers from a lack of detail and accuracy in the smaller things.  It is not uncommon to find simple errors of geography, especially once you are looking at places and points of interest beyond Paris.

So saying, it is well laid out, lots of good photographs and maps and there is even a basic French grammar and vocabulary though you will probably find a cheap language guide of more use.

Overpriced for what it is, but nevertheless you’re likely going to buy one just for the bookshelf when you return!

One Hundred & One Beautiful Small Towns in France

By Simonetta Greggio

While France celebrates its culture and history in cities such as Paris, Lyon and Toulouse it is only when you get out of the major urban areas and into the countryside that you begin to get a taste of the real France or la vie Francais!

France is primarily an agricultural country with a huge section of the population working and living on the land.  The small towns in France are where the true French way of life is to be found. Whether you are looking for the statue of Cyrano de Bergerac in Bergerac itself, megez in Arcachon, calvados in Caen or La Loup de Rocamadour (the Wolf of Rocamadour) in, where else but Rocamadour – then this is the book for you.

It is not coldly detailed as many guides are but tries to give you a taste of small towns and places to go visit and hopefully stay a while so you can truly enjoy the unique culture of France.

France (Country Guide) (Paperback)

By Nicola Williams and others

This is a collaborative work from seven different writers, each with their own views on France and covering different cities and rural areas.  As the work of constructing the guide has been split between so many different reviewers you are assured of two things – differing points of view on the same topics and reviews by people who truly know about the areas they are talking and writing about.

I also liked this book because it contrasts the views of French and foreign guide reviewers – you are sure to get an honest opinion from different perspectives using this volume which can make the difference between a great vacation and a wasted trip.

France (Eyewitness Travel Guide)

By Roger Williams & Robin Gauldie

This is a very comprehensive volume and you will not get lost for lack of something to see or do.  The attention to detail is pitched at the right level – guide books so often deteriorate into histories or a collection of personal anecdotes which defeat the object.

Informative without being overbearing and the writers hit the target when it comes to providing enough basic information to cover the mundane while providing more advice and tips when it comes to the more interesting.  For instance, points of interest such as museums or art galleries come complete with direct dial telephone numbers and email addresses, which is something you usually don’t find in other mainstream guides.

The photography and image reproduction are first-rate with cutaways and diagrams marking standing out and which are the signature of the Eyewitness series.

The Discovery of France: A Historical Geography

By Graham Robb

For many, Paris is France but too the cognoscenti, the real country is to be found in the provinces.  So to with the history of the country which though it may have Paris as the focus, once you have covered a fraction of this volume you will quickly see that Paris is overrated to the extent that it has eclipsed the role of the rest of this vibrant and interesting country.

Robb has taken the country in from the comfort of his bicycle (cycling is important in France – just ask Lance Armstrong) but while his original intention was to create a history of France, what he has come up with is a book which contains innumerable, intriguing places to visit and soak yourself in the culture and history of the area.

For instance, 100 years ago, only 20% of the population spoke French – the rest spoke Basque, Breton and 55 other dialects and languages – the story of France is not about the French, but about the numerous different cultures and people who today make up France.

Quiet Corners of Paris

By Jean-Cristophe Napias (Author), Christophe Lefebure (Photographer) & David Downie (Translator)

Think Paris and iconic sights come to mind – the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysses, Louvre, Sacre Cours, Notre Dame and at night, Moulin Rouge.

Except this is not Paris.  These are just some of the sights which are located in Paris but they are not what makes up the City of Light.  You find Paris in more than the central arondisements which are the focus of virtually every other guidebook – instead, the entire city is taken in and this is positive in itself because it draws you out of the iconic imagery of what Paris is and intrigues the reader enough to go visit the places and neighbourhoods where real Parisians hangout.

The Road from the Past: Traveling through History in France

By Ina Caro

Visit France and you are not travelling to a geographical location but to a repository of culture and custom going back a few thousand years.  Caro has written a book which takes in the historical and cultural significance for the visitor but one criticism I have of this book is that Ina tends to allow her personal prejudices and petty dislikes to influence her writing far too much.  While I like the tone and the snippets which are true gems, I simply don’t care about her waiter-fixation on someone who gave poor service and who I’m certainly unlikely to ever come across personally.

by Karl Hindle

It can be very beneficial to read up on a location before you visit – especially if you’ve never been there before.  Additionally, if you’re not sure where you want to go on your next travel adventure, reading travel books might be a good way to decide.  If you take your gastronomical pleasure into account when making these plans, it might behoove you to read up on the best places to eat in the places you are considering seeing.  But wait…that sounds like a whole lot of reading, doesn’t it?  Lucky for you, we’ve gathered 7 of our favorite books about food AND travel.  Check them out before you plan your next trip, and we are sure your wanderlust will be satisfied along with your appetite.

Diners, Drive-ins and Dives:  An All-American Road Trip…with Recipes!
by Guy Fieri and Ann Volkwein

If you’re looking to stay within the Continental US, this book would be a heck of a good travel companion.  Also, a bottle of Prevacid might come in handy.  Guy Fieri won The Next Food Network Star the second season it was on, and he had a show called Guy’s Big Bite, wherein he taught us how to make amazing chili fries, the best nachos ever, and about 11 different types of barbecue.  He went on to host Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, wherein he took us through hole-in-the wall eating establishments that actually gave some of us hunger pains while watching.  Seriously – Captn’ Crunch French Toast?  Genius!  This book follows the same vein and features many of the places he visited on the show.  Read this book for a list of places to visit as you take an all-American road trip.

Frommer’s 500 Places for Food and Wine Lovers
by Holly Hughes

One of the most popular series of travel guides, Frommer’s is the  series that gave us Europe on $5 a Day and many other great books.  Frommer’s also has a comprehensive website where you can get all sorts of helpful destination information, plus they have bloggers that blog about travel.  This book covers a wide range of places around the globe where you can find great food and wine – like farmer’s markets, vineyards, specialty food stores, and more.  Also, it offers great tips on hotels and public transportation that will assist with your travel planning.

Roadfood:  The Coast-to-Coast Guide to 700 of the Best Barbecue Joints, Lobster Shacks, Ice Cream Parlors, Highway Diners, and Much, Much More
by Jane and Michael  Stern

This book is touted by USA Today as “a bible for motorists seeking mouth-watering barbecue or homemade pie.”  Jane and Michael Stern are well-versed in their subject, having authored more than forty books about the country’s local food.  The book (and the previous six editions of it) is arranged by region, then by state.  For a guide to the best barbecue, ice cream, hotdog stands, and more, pick up this book.

Her Fork in the Road:  Women Celebrate Food and Travel
by Lisa Bach

Part of the Traveler’s Tales series of books about the human’s emotional relationship with food, this book features essays by some highly talented female writers about specific experiences they’ve had with food – in many different countries and towns.  From an essay called “Tempted in Jakarta” by Faith Adiele, to one called “Easter Nachos in Warsaw” by Kristin Roberts, this book is more than a treat for your culinary appetite, but for your spiritual appetite as well.

500 Things to Eat Before It’s Too Late:  and the Very Best Places to Eat Them
by Jane and Michael Stern

Given that the authors of this book are experts on food around the US, it is not unusual that two of their books would make our list.  Since not every restaurant, food stand, and mom-and-pop eatery lasts forever, this book complies all of the Stern’s must-eat foods around the country.  To further convince you, the book includes vibrant photographs so realistic you can almost smell them.  This book will have you planning a road trip in no time.

Food:  A Taste of the Road
by Richard Sterling

With essays by some truly talented writers, this book talks about local cuisine in Mexico, China, Malaysia, and more.  With stories so amazing and outlandish that you feel like you have stepped into another world, this book inspires the itchy feet that many of these essayists experienced that took them to their destinations.  Thought-provoking and sometimes downright delectable, this book is a good read whether you like to travel or not.

Food Journeys of a Lifetime:  500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe
by National Geographic

A National Geographic book generally has some aspects you can count on.  One – it will be well-researched.  Two – the photographs will be amazing.  This book does not disappoint in either category.  If one were to follow the itinerary set forth in the book, one would realize they’d be spending a lot of money on travel, because such a wide territory is covered.  From the US to Tokyo, to South America, to Europe and beyond, you will learn about famous eateries, as well as lesser-known places.  A pleasurable read for anyone, and a valuable addition to your home library.

Brought to you by Custom Concession Trailers.

Software Sizing, Estimation, and Risk Management: When Performance is Measured Performance Improves

by Daniel D. Galorath and Michael W. Evans

If you are looking to improve your return on investment, investing in this book is your first step.  This volume clearly outlines how to use tracking and estimation data to improve overall forecasting and investment identification.  For those who are focused on enhancing software productivity and product cycle, this is your first stop for practical advice and information.

The key to realistic estimation is knowing how to apply the different estimation techniques and understanding the limitations of the input data and the estimation results.  Packed with practical discussion of the whole software estimation process, this book is completed with detailed assessment and explanation of the critical factors which play such an important part in project estimation and business success.

Software Estimation: Demystifying the Black Art (Best Practices (Microsoft))

by Steve McConnell

A key theme running throughout this volume is the emphasis on the different treatment of estimation as a science, on the one hand, and as an art on the other.  While current software estimation research targets reducing estimation error to below the +/-5% margin, the typical company is frequently making estimate errors in excess of 100%.

McConnell recognizes the intuitive feeling project managers already possess – that software estimates are simply amalgams of other people’s best guesses!  By following the detailed statistical techniques and other non-quantitative methods covered here, project managers can look to reduce software estimation error to the +/-25% range which is relates far more favorably to practical, current business project management issues than pure estimation research suggests.

Estimating Software Costs: Bringing Realism to Estimating

by Capers Jones

Jones provides a clear and incisive volume for effective planning and execution of projects.  This is a comprehensive work which will help you understand estimation issues such as software costing, project scheduling and qualitative factors.

This work will assist you to choose the appropriate estimation strategy along with the hardware and software you need and supporting testing protocols.

Software Cost Estimation with COCOMO II

by Barry W. Boehm, Chris Abts, A. Winsor Brown, and Sunita Chulani

Dr. Boehm has not written a replacement volume for his Software Economics tome handling COCOMO which has been adorning every professional involved in software estimation since the Eighties.  What COCOMO II does is to bring us up to date with developments surrounding the COCOMO estimation suite.

This book focuses on the techniques and best practices for estimating size, work input (effort) and scheduling the project components.  It is also suitable for management and training departments as a reference.

Software Cost Estimation and Sizing Methods, Issues, and Guidelines

by Shari Lawrence Pfleeger

This volume is available on Kindle and is quite short at 72 pages long.  The tight focus is on enhancing accuracy of cost estimation, improving risk and uncertainty assessments, and enhancing functionality of software estimation tool.

Brief, focused and very much to the point.

Agile Estimating and Planning

by Mike Cohn

This volume is focused very much on providing practical, bottom-line enhancing tips and guidance.  Cohn clearly is a business-driven practitioner rather than an academic researcher, which is obvious from the tool set he provides for successful planning, scheduling and estimating tasks.

A practical edition for dealing with fast-changing, dynamic projects.

Estimating Software-Intensive Systems: Projects, Products, and Processes

by Richard D. Stutzke

Stutzke delivers a volume which outlines the practical application of estimation techniques to a range of real-life scenarios in which project managers and engineers frequently find themselves.  The emphasis is upon improving cost estimation no matter what the circumstances or stage of the project under consideration and treats software estimation as a reiterative process upon which a knowledge base is constructed for use in the existing and future project portfolios.

Motor racing has been with us from the moment cars were invented; indeed a primary reason for the development of the automobile has not been to spread mass transportation to the masses but to enjoy the thrills of racing and the need for speed.  Every car manufacturer in the West can trace their origins to motor racing and relative newcomers have been quick to spot the marketing potential of associating their car marquee with racing prowess whether it is the Indy 500, the Le Mans 24 or less glamorous, but ultra-strenuous rally driving as epitomized in the Paris-Dakar race through to the humble stock car meets and dirt tracks dotted around the country.

Car racing books focus on either the cars and their drivers as they race at prestigious events and tracks, or otherwise they purport to advise wannabe’s on racing and driving technique to help them cut those vital few fractions of a second off their lap times.

Here are our top 7 books on car racing for you to enjoy.

Speed Secrets: Professional Race Driving Techniques

Ross Bentley (1998)

This is the ultimate “how to” for would-be Indy car champions and covers every theoretical aspect of acquiring better driving skills and techniques.  The book is well-written and the author, Ross Bentley has a great deal of car racing experience both behind the wheel and in the pits.

Packed with very useful information covering optimal seating through to working with your pit crew, this book allows the reader to improve their driving and provides practical advice on how to coax the very best performance out of your car, no matter whether you are racing professionally or simply want to beat the muscle car revving its engine at the stop light.

Going Faster! Mastering the Art of Race Driving

Carl Lopez (2001)

This book complements Ross Bentley’s but be warned, while it contains a great deal of analysis it is very hard reading.  This is a book for those who are truly serious about gaining the theoretical background to how their vehicles perform in almost any given racing situation.  Don’t expect to be entertained by this work; expect to have your brain stretched to the limit before you have the opportunity to do the same with your race car.

Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans

A.J. Baime

Motor racing is a worldwide passion and competition is extremely high no matter which race or car you are looking at.  The Le Mans 24 hour race has dominated the world of motor racing endurance and still does even with the advent of the Daytona Rolex 24 Hour event which is still in relative infancy.  Le Mans has a long history of producing thrilling individual races but the continuous competition between American Ford and their Shelby Mustangs pitted against the fantastic Italian Ferrari’s has provided one of the greatest spectacles in the world.  One which is still being lived out today and nowhere else will you find these two racing giants going head-to-head and down to the last piece of tread.

Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman

Matt Stone & Preston Lerner

aul Newman may have been a great actor, but he has never really been credited with the world class racing career he enjoyed and which has been left to us today as a living legacy with the Newman Wallach racing team.  This book is packed with photographs of Newman’s time behind the wheel and on the track but it does let itself down as the definitive Newman racing history.  More of Newman’s interaction with the racing community, and especially in supporting younger drivers, would have been better.  A glaring omission is Newman’s teaming with Eddie Wachs to create the Newman-Wachs Formula Atlantic racing team which enjoyed so much success in 2008 when Paul sadly passed away.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway: 100 Years of Racing

Ralph Kramer

The Indianapolis 500 is an iconic race track and event which dominates the US car racing scene like no other.  The Indianapolis Speedway has already celebrated its 100^th birthday, which also gives you an idea of just how long men have been testing themselves and their machines!  This hardback volume is an excellent testament to the history behind the track and one of America’s premier sporting events and while no book could capture the spirit of the Indy, this work does a fine job of bringing to life the trials, tribulations and overwhelming triumphs of speedway drama.  An excellent read and worth the time and money!

Legendary Race Cars

Basem Wasef

There is much more to car racing than simply NASCAR!  I know this may sound like blasphemy to some but, the rest of the world, especially the Europeans, have been racing cars for just as long (and even longer) than we have in the US.

This book picks out the best of the very best cars for a range of classes including the development of the dragster, the iconic DB1R through to the Shelby Mustangs and virtually every other motor racing marquee of significance including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, Ford GT40, Audi and many more.

This is a great book for expanding your knowledge and understanding of the worldwide, motor racing tradition.

NASCAR: The Complete History

Greg Fielden

No book review on car racing would be complete without reference to NASCAR, and this book is certainly the most complete, and comprehensive history of NASCAR from inception to its current dominant position in North America.

This book takes you on a year-by-year journey through the development of NASA and the stories, cars, drivers and events which captured the imagination of the devotees of the original, dirt track racing sport which captivates millions every weekend.

In 2006, Leonardo DiCaprio hit the movie screens with Blood Diamonds detailing the story of a diamond smuggler cum mercenary and that of a man who had lost his family to rebels who kidnapped his son for work in a conflict diamond mine.  Blood diamonds are not named for their color but rather the very real blood which is shed in order to mine them and more sinister, the arms for civil war for which they are used to pay for.  If you wear a conflict or blood diamond on your hand, then you really do have blood on your hands!

The DiCaprio film was not based on a particular book but the subject has attracted the interest of a number of writers and here is our pick of seven. Seven books reviews on Blood Diamonds.

The Rise and Fall of Diamonds: Shattering the Illusion

Edward Epstein (pub. Simon & Schuster 1982)

Published at a time when most people were almost universally concerned with making money in the booming early years of the 1980’s, the popularity or newsworthiness of many conflicts around the globe was diminished as people enjoyed the good life.  Epstein’s book opened the door on the world of conflict diamonds in a revealing look at what to the outsider, looked like an industry of opulence, style and wealth was in fact based upon the untold misery of entire countries and an unbelievable scale of death and destruction.

An easy read with a searing critique of the closed shop of the diamond industry which is more concerned with profits than human life.

The Rise and Fall of Diamonds: The Shattering of a Brilliant Illusion

Diamonds and Conflict: Problems and Solutions

Ed. Arthur Levy (pub. Nova Biomedical)

A more academic treatment of the subject matter but nevertheless, written in a style and tone which allows the reader to assimilate the issues and help them come to form their own opinions on the subject.  Levy has put together an excellent set of arguments as his team has identified the principal issues and set them into context.  Africa has historically been torn apart and fought over for its immense wealth of natural resources, and conflict diamonds are a further facet to this bloody saga.

We recommend this book not least for the wealth of illustrations and the objective reasoning applied which is hard to refute.

Diamonds and Conflict: Problems and Solutions

Glitter and Greed; the Secret World of the Diamond Cartel

Janine Roberts (pub. The Disinformation Company 2003)

“Conflict diamonds” as a phrase evokes visions of Africa, civil war and immense profits but in reality, conflict diamonds can be found around the world aside from Africa.  Roberts is an Australian journalist who first became interested in the subject when she covered a dispute between a diamond mine and Aboriginal natives in her homeland of Australia.  In the following years, she has doggedly followed the trail of conflict diamonds around the world including India and Africa.  Ultimately, any follower or writer dealing with any diamonds will come across de Beers who mine around 45% of the global production.

Diamonds may no longer be a girl’s best friend after reading this damning and meticulously researched expose.

Glitter & Greed: The Secret World of the Diamond Cartel

Diamonds in Peace and War: Severing the Conflict Diamond Connection

Ingrid J Tamm (pub.WPF Report #30 2002)

Tamm is a program manager at the Carr Center for Human Rights at Harvard University so expect a very dry treatise on the problematic issue of conflict diamonds.  In fact, what you get is something which is as rare as a diamond – practical recommendations for the resolution of the use of conflict diamonds in purchasing arms which in turn fuel the wars and atrocities in the countries where the stones are sourced.

To get the most out of this work, arm yourself with some knowledge of the diamond industry and international politics between conflict diamond sources and especially the United States where most of the stones end up.

Diamonds In Peace and War: Severing the Conflict Diamond Connection (WPF Report #30)

The Heartless Stone: A Journey Through the World of Diamonds, Deceit and Desire

Tom Zoellner (pub. St. Martins Press 2007)

Zoellner was dumped by his fiance, which is pretty rough especially if you are contributing editor to a men’s magazine (Men’s Health).  For cathartic release, Zoellner travelled the globe and tracked down the history of the diamond which represented pain and misery to him and in doing so, he uncovered for himself the wider picture of child labor, genocide, civil war and the seedy side to the sparklers worn on the finger.

Written in an easy-to-read style, it is a personalized and yet very relevant account of conflict diamonds and the negative impact they have on people all over the world.

The Heartless Stone: A Journey Through the World of Diamonds, Deceit, and Desire

Blood Diamonds: tracing the deadly path of the world’s most precious stones

Greg Campbell (pub. Westview Press 2002)

Campbell neatly ties in the tale of how conflict diamonds end up on the ring fingers of Western brides while their use has funded a war which has ripped Sierra Leone apart for decades.  He follows the trail as they are smuggled from West Africa to New York, London and Antwerp frequently with the cooperation of the legitimate diamond industry and into mainstream use.

Campbell demonstrates how the operations work and the impact on the people it touches as well as the history of the practice which was institutionalized by De Beers in the 1880’s.  For those who remember Princess Diana and the Angolan mine victims she met in a blaze of publicity before the world’s TV cameras, just remember that she was meeting with the victims blood diamonds.

Blood Diamonds: Tracing The Deadly Path Of The World’s Most Precious Stones

Africa’s Vengeance: Diamonds are Forever

Alex Vann (pub. Cambridge University Press 2007)

With growing awareness of the existence of conflict diamonds impinging upon the public conscience, players in the diamond industry and governments around the world subscribed to the Kimberley Process to control and attempt to eradicate the use of conflict diamonds.

Vann explores the interconnection between conflict diamonds and more than war in host countries but the knowck on ripples of criminality and suffering which takes place here in the west.  In particular, he focuses on the relationships between those who source and use conflict diamonds and the drug smuggling operations as he outlines a criminal economic system which replicates the slaving trading triangle between Africa, the New World and the UK except it is now diamonds, guns and drugs instead of slaves, tobacco and molasses.

While we don’t advocate cheating in the form of counting cards, or any other sort of unsavory activity, we do like to win, so learning all about how to play games in the most educated way is something worth reading about for us. Maybe you want to read about it, too. So here we submit to you seven books about the venerable game of Blackjack. A good review of some of these books will help you calculate the odds of winning – by estimating the chances by whether or not you’re willing to stick through the most technical mumbo-jumbo. Don’t worry – we did it for you already.

Beat the Dealer: A Winning Strategy for the Game of Twenty-One

Edward O. Thorp

To be completely honest, this book is pretty much about card counting. You can still find some pretty good, legal tips that will help you understand how the game works. This book was published in 1966, so there have been lots of ideas on how to beat the house since then, but Thorp started it all with his scientific examination of the game. Plus, it’s got lots of cool stories in it about real-life situations. This is the book that started the “Basic Strategy” that anyone who plays the odds ought to know.

Buy the book

Blackjack Bluebook II – The Simplest Winning Strategies Ever Published

Fred Renzey

This helpful book contains a strategy chart and pictures that help show you exactly how different strategies work or don’t work. It gives you three card counting strategies, and gives you some ideas about how to outmaneuver other players. It also gives you some strategies that have reportedly never been in print, one called “The Nifty 15 Camouflage Hands.” How fun is that? Many seasoned players have found this book to be indispensable.

Buy the book

Blackjack Blueprint: How to Play Like a Pro…Part Time

Rick Blaine

This little gem is written by a fancy executive guy who plays for profit in his spare time. He used his 25 years of experience to put together this book to help other people win at blackjack. You could consider him to be an authority, since he’s managed to earn a seven-figure “spare time” income playing cards. Blaine gives the normal information about card-counting strategy, but also shares real life experiences that players consider valid.

Buy the book

Blackjack: Play Like The Pros

John Bukofsky

This book doesn’t cost a lot, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. It’s clearly written, easy to understand, and while it still gives you the information about card counting, it presents it in a very lucid way. Another thing this book does is tell you a little about how the casino functions from their side of the table.

Buy the book

Knock-Out Blackjack: The Easiest Card-Counting System Ever Devised

Olaf Vancura

This book is easy to read. It’s not bogged down with a lot of technical terms, so if you’re a “Weekend Warrior” or only want to know the basics to wow your friends at parties, this is a good book to read. It’s also a good starting point to find out if you’re ready for and willing to read something more technical. The information is easy to understand, and the author is pretty funny.

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The Theory of Blackjack: The Compleat Card Counter’s Guide to the Casino Game of 21

Peter A. Griffin

This book with the unwieldy title is from a guy who probably hates the guy who came up with the names on The Family Guy. That notwithstanding, this book is considered to be THE definitive book for learning card counting strategies. It is based in pure math, and explains the game mathematically.

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Blackjack For Blood: The Card-Counter’s Bible, and Complete Winning Guide

Bryce Carlson

This book isn’t big on history or theory, but it’s absolutely down-and-dirty about technique and strategy. Many people say that it’s the only book you really need to get the job done. Carlson himself is a blackjack guru and he throws a lot of personal stories in there that give you a real picture of life as a big winner in a casino.

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So those are our picks for books on beating the house. Do you know of others we should have included?

Pearls are one of the most precious jewelry items and how they are formed has fascinated people for as long as we have been fascinated by the pearls themselves. How they grow, how they are harvested and what they can be turned into has created more than a passing interest and the subject matter has been used for documentaries, academic works and numerous books on the topic of “Pearls”.

Here we will review several titles and the kind of treatment they give the subject; some titles are suitable for anyone and everyone while some are academic and for the very discerning enthusiast.

The Book of the Pearl

George Frederick Kunz, A.M., Ph.D. & Charles Hugh Stevenson, LL.M., D.C.I.

This is probably the seminal work on pearls and was first published in 1908, over 100 years ago. It provides a fascinating though dry look at the history of the pearl though it is very Victorian in its outlook and especially the treatment of pearl divers, the “natives” who made their living by diving for dangerously long periods of time in deep waters.

The volume has many old photographs and illustrations which are very interesting for those who are keen on understanding how they were originally and commercially gathered.

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The Pearls Book

Antoinette Matlins

Antoinette Matlins is an internationally famous expert on gems, jewelry and of course, pearls. This guide provides an in-depth look at pearls and their use in jewelry, packed with numerous illustrations and color photographs. This guide is indispensable for those buying jewelry and looking to gain a deeper understanding of the pieces they already own. It is written for the lay person and while some of the treatment of the subject does go into great detail, these are well written and simple to understand.

Well written and a good read – indispensable if you are considering buying pearls or pearl jewelry.

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Pearls and Pearling Life

Edwin Streeter

This is another old text but very well written and an interesting read whether you are buying pearls or not. This is a didactic text on pearls and the lives of those who harvest them as seen from a journalist turned world traveler from the turn of the 20^th Century. The illustrations are also exquisite and very detailed. Be warned, this is a rare volume and you are unlikely to find it at your local library so try going online and seeing if there is a copy scanned and available online (there are several available complete with illustrations).

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Pearl Buying Guide

Renee Newman G.G.

If you want an up-to-date guide on how to buy and care for pearl jewelry this is the book for you. Simple to read and understand, this is a practical, no-nonsense guide to what to look for and what to do with your pearls. This book is highly recommended for those who want a basic education; simply read the opening chapters and you will vastly improve your pearl buying knowledge (this book is worth the price for the three opening chapters alone).

The book is well laid out with chapters specializing in flaws, evaluating pearl shapes and sizes, nacre thickness and color amongst many other features.

Top recommendation for beginners or those needing an all round education on what to look for when investing and how to look after them.

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Pearls

Fred Ward

Fred Ward is well-known for the series of gem guide books and this is a worthy edition to the series. This is heavily illustrated with color photographs and diagrams while coming in a handy, compact size suitable for your pocket when you are out shopping and yet detailed enough to give you a thorough understanding of how to evaluate pearls.

It is also a fascinating read in its own right and is used regularly by professionals as well as laymen.

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Simply Pearls: Designs for Creating Perfect Pearl Jewelry

The designs shown are simple enough to accomplish, simple to inspire but not so unusual as to stunt your own creativity.  I particularly liked the green garnet and pearl strand, but the pearl chip earrings had me wondering if it wasn’t time I got out a pair of pliers and some jewelry wire. There are interesting combinations of pearls and briolettes and pearls and other beads.  Advanced jewelry makers will probably not find a lot new in this book, but newer jewelry makers will find this is a great basic text for learning about making bead jewelry that features lustrous pearls, whether round, flat, irregular or seed.

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The Pearl Book, 3rd Edition: The Definitive Buying Guide: How to Select, Buy Care for & Enjoy Pearls

The Pearl Book is the definitive buying guide for pearls either as jewelry (pearl necklaces, pearl bracelets) or collectible investments. The Pearl Book features everything necessary to become an expert in an practical, comprehensive, easy-to-read, easy-to-understand, format answering all the questions on how to select, buy, care for, and enjoy the “oyster fruit”. The Pearl Book is for anyone wanting a reliable source of information to guide them, filled with “insider tips” and advice. Especially on what to do after you’ve acquired your pearls.

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