Maran Illustrated Bartending

I now have 6 recipe/bartending books (all reviewed on Amazon at 4.5 star or above) and I have to say that, for me as a beginner-intermediate home bartender, this is the best. Although it doesn't have nearly the number of recipes of a strictly cocktail recipe book, it has plenty for a home bar including all of the classic drinks. (It does, however, contain an entire section dedicated to the martini with sixteen different types and four drink recipes for each type. Ever tried a Sake-tini?) It has sections in it that are in none of my other books. One such is a Liqueur section where one can find out, for example, what advocaat(!) is, of what it's made, what it tastes like and how it's used. This, alone, won't help you mix a drink but it can sure help you decide whether or not to spend the money to try that new, fascinating recipe you found in some magazine. Though several of my books have a garnishing section, Maran Illustrated Bartending has the best. Excellent step by step photos of how to make more garnishes than I have ever seen. I have already tried several which were new to me and had no trouble following those photographic instructions (with explanations, of course.) In fact, the photos are one of this book's strongest attributes. One weakness of the book, however, is that their is little in the way of cross-referencing drink recipes to ingredients. You can't look up "advocaat", for example, in the index and see that it is an ingredient of a "Christmas Cappuccino Warmer." Other than that, it is a truly excellent book which I highly recommend especially as THE first book for those just starting out in home bartending. Intermediate home mixologists, will find it excellent, too.

"Maran Illustrated Weight Training" is a comprehensive guide. Most exercises are the usual ones that one sees. This is excellent for the beginner.Chapter 1 goes through weight training equipment, a quick lesson in anatomy, weight training at home and at the gym, choosing a personal trainer, gym etiquette, and so on.Photos are in color, and, in general, vary from the 3 times the size of a business card to business card size. Personally, I always prefer larger photos, and am always asking for larger photos.Dumbbells, a barbell, gym machines, and occasionally bodyweight movements are used. All exercises are illustrated with photos. Exercises are accompanied with anatomical drawings of the area worked and include two tips. Either a man or a woman demontrates the exercises.Here are the exercises for chapters 2 and 10 to give an idea on what's in the book.Chapter 2 chestChest exercises are dumbbell bench press, barbell bench press, dumbbell fly, push-up, assisted dip, chest press machine, pec. fly machine, and cable crossover.Chapter 3 shouldersChpater 4 backChapter 5 tricepsChapter 6 biceps and wristsChapter 7 absChapter 8 legsChapter 9 buttocksChapter 10 calvesExercises covered in the calves section are standing calf raise machine, seated calf raise manchine, sinlge leg calf raise, with a dumbbell, and calf press on a gym machine.Chapter 11 exercises using the Swiss ball (large ball)Chapter 12 exercises using tubingChapter 13 workout routines and programs, concepts briefly introduced, including super slow, negatives, drop sets, pyramids, circuit training, split routines, supersets, safety, and so onChapter 14 stretchingChapter 15 cardioChapter 16 nutrition

An owner's manual for your dog. The title "Dog Training" may be a bit misleading. "Dog Ownership" might be better. Covers all the basics and then some, from dog breeds through house training, training and bad behavior in a handy easy to reference style with lots of photos of dogs and their owners. Presents the information as text, photos and bullet points making it easy to absorb for different styles of learning, good for families. A good resource to have around if you own a dog. Since it is very broad and formulaic in its presentation it may not provide the depth you need on any particular subject. My dog was an 8 month old rescue and came mostly house trained so while I took some advice from that part of the book I suspect that there is benefit to getting a specialized book on that subject. The book does cover general dog training and you can get the basic idea quickly which I found helpful to get started but it is a bit procedural about specific commands where dog training is a bit more or a journey. I found "21 Days to Train Your Dog" by Colin Tennant a better book for actual dog training (not house training). Both book emphasize positive training and I recommend both.

This book was recommended by the rescue shelter where we obtained our 8-month-old dog, Max: a medium-security prison where inmates use the dog training techniques in this book to teach basic obedience-- the program teaches the trainers to **communicate** with their animals in a way that is understandable & effective. The book contains (up-to-date) color pictures on every page to demonstrate the concepts and starts with the basic commands moving up to more complex. (It uses the techniques similar to those shown on the CBS program, "Lucky Dog.")

This excellent book on learning the guitar from the talented maranGraphics team runs to almost 300 pages and is, without any serious rival, the best such instructional book I have ever seen (nb the `Complete Idiot's Guide' series is also very good).The inspired layout of the pages makes reading and using the book a real pleasure; it's almost a sensual experience. The instructional writing style by Tim Martin, head of Guitar Department at the Merriam School of Music, is lucid and engaging. Double-columned pages of clear, explanatory text are lavishly illustrated with high-quality photographs showing you how to place your fingers on the strings.The beginner is taken through a logical chapter sequence from basics, correct hand positioning, reading tablature and chord diagrams to reading music; playing basic chords, barre chords and power chords; articulation techniques and different styles - rock (including excellent sections on playing minor and major pentatonic scales, add chords, slash chords, alternate and open tunings), blues, folk, country and classical. There is a chapter on buying a guitar and one on accessories: amps, speakers, cases, picks, straps, strings. There are chapters on guitar repairs, care and maintenance, and on home recording.A `Quick Reference Chapter' at the end covers guitar information on the internet, and includes chord and scale diagrams. Overall, this is probably the only book you'll ever need to take you from novice to confident intermediate-level player. The rest, as they say, is up to you: motivation and practice, practice, practice!

This is a very simple to use guide to dog training. The instructions are easy to follow and it has excellent photos to give you more of an idea. Also includes a good section on fun games to play and tricks to teach your dog. A must for anyone who wants simple dog training ideas.

Clear and easy to follow

Book in excellent condition

My first foray into the world of Maran illustrated was with their Yoga book, and I loved it so much I decided to get the weight training book to help me get started with weights. I like Maran series books, because I find that the quality of instruction is very good. Its hard to put my finger on it, I'm not sure exactly what makes them so useful, perhaps its the detailed color photos, clear instructions, or suggested complete workouts. Whatever it is, it gives me confidence, that the important bases are being covered.