Customer Comments

Walk on Water, a book about the skills and challenges of a pediatric cardiac surgeon, proves that Michael Ruhlman is an expert journalist, researcher, and storyteller. Parents of a newborn who needs heart surgery will not have time or energy to read this book. Everyone else should read it immediately. This is real drama, laden with conflict and risk. Learn about hope and the worth of accurate information. Learn about bold surgeons who must innovate because the territory is usually uncharted. Learn about the jeopardy and choices parents might have to face. Learn how to find the right help before you or someone you care about requires it because, if that time comes, you won't be able to play catch-up.

The Soul of a Chef brought non-fiction writer Michael Ruhlman to my attention, but Walk on Water is the Ruhlman book everyone needs to read...immediately. You will discover the life of a pediatric surgeon and the morass in which parents of very sick babies find themselves. The book is gripping, hard to read, and fascinating. You will learn things you may wish you didn't understand and, afterward, you will be armed for challenges I hope you never face. Ruhlman is thorough and brilliant in his sharing of detail and process. You will wonder how he managed to learn so much and write it so clearly. Then you would do well to read House: A Memoir to get a glimpse of what was happening to the rest of his family while Ruhlman researched and wrote.

With gorgeous pictures, stories, and recipes, this cookbook demonstrates how regional foods and eating patterns persist, despite governmental shift. I was surprised to see an architectural detail photo of a Tibetan building on an opening page of a Chinese cookbook. A few pages further on, there's a MAP showing cultural influences on food patterns. This book is a gem.

With gorgeous pictures, stories, and recipes, this cookbook demonstrates how regional foods and eating patterns persist, despite governmental shift. I was surprised to see an architectural detail photo of a Tibetan building on an opening page of a Chinese cookbook. A few pages further on, there's a MAP showing cultural influences on food patterns. This book is a gem.