“Children who acquire a taste for chicken nuggets, roast beef and French fries today are the cancer patients and weight-loss patients of tomorrow”

In Better than Peanut Butter and Jelly, Dr. Neil Barnard reminds us of the disaster that is the industrial American diet. Harmonious Living offers a 5/5 star review of Marty Mattare's excellent dietary roadmap for the introduction of healthy food for our children. This revised edition also offers help on the introduction of vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. Harmonious Living is a sharp little website itself, offering Helpful Hints on Teaching Your Kids About the Environment, resources for those seeking tips on Well Being and Spiritual Wholeness, Environmental Education, even how to make your own Biodiesel. Hats off to -

Fancy Schmancy, eh Gerry?

From the Depths thriller author Gerry Doyle will be auctioned off to the highest bidder at Fancy Schmancy, a benefit to be held in Chicago on October 5 by the gang over at Barrel of Monkeys. The highest bidder will receive a set of review copies for their book group to read, which will then be followed up by a personal visit by the author himself. A bit about the Barrel:

Barrel of Monkeys (BOM) is an ensemble of actor/educators that creates an alternative learning environment in which children share their personal voices and celebrate the power of their imaginations.

BOM accomplishes this through creative writing workshops and in-school performances of children's stories. BOM also engages the broader community in support of the visions of children through public performances of their work.

Barrel of Monkeys is currently celebrating its 10th year!

Click here

There ARE rules, y'know

"#14. As the male author of a naval or military adventure series begins to age, instances of the hero successfully cuckolding an old fool become less frequent."

Yes, there are just too many rules for an author of historical fiction to consider. Sarah's Bookarama has neatly compiled Alan Fisk's All-Purpose Rules for Writing Historical Fiction/Writing Ripping Yarns.

Authors might also want to review Reading Matter's Rules for Classical-Set Fiction, also courtesy of Bookarama.

Quintus Honorius Romanus aka Taurus, Thracian fighter

The Roman History Reading Group recently held a live online chat with
James Duffy, author of The Fight for Rome
(publication date September '07).

Taurus, the hero of the Gladiators of the Empire series, is cited as an exemplary Thracian fighter. Here's the guest "editor" pictured at last year's Castra Romana, an Imperial Army Encampment re-enactment held in South Carolina.

Visit Night of Flames author Douglas W. Jacobson's Blog.

Fresh off the heels of his trip to Albany, NY to attend the Historical Novel Society's Annual Conference as a panelist, Doug is preparing for upcoming fall publicity events in Brussels, Belgium and in his home state of Wisconsin.

Visit Doug's new blog, Night of Flames for updates and information.

Publishers Weekly Review War of Knives

Publishers Weekly Review: The War of Knives by Broos Campbell
"In this entertaining sequel to No Quarter, the debut installment of Campbell's Matty Graves series of historical novels, the intrepid nautical hero, newly promoted to acting lieutenant aboard the navy schooner Rattle-Snake, finds himself out of his depth on terra firma . . . Campbell constructs an elaborate swashbuckling tale that will appeal especially to fans of high historical adventure." Will be available April 20th. read the review

Alexander Kent: new novel Heart of Oak

Onward - by Kim Reeman
An interview with Heart of Oak author Alexander Kent (pseudonym of Douglas Reeman).

Q: Douglas, you went back to the distant past to write Band of Brothers. Was it difficult to leap forward from that time back into Adam Bolitho’s life for Heart of Oak?

A: No, because I was reminded a lot of the big part the midshipmen play as I was writing Heart of Oak. So much of the action takes place on the ship, and you get to know the people so well. We have Adam’s midshipman, Napier, whom he’s sponsored, and his friends. It seemed a natural transition. read the interview | buy this book

HBO Rome TV and Sand of the Arena book

HBO: Rome TV series shares theme of James Duffy's Sand of the Arena

The highly acclaimed HBO series Rome has started its second season with a great deal of fanfare. If you like Roman history, especially gladiators, then we recommend James Duffy's book Sand of the Arena. His story occurs in AD 63 when the long arm of the Roman Empire stretches across the European continent and the gladiatorial games are awash in blood and glory. For Quintus Honorius Romanus, son of one of the richest men in Rome, everything is as it should be -- as long as he can sneak off to the arena for a little entertainment. Things go drastically wrong, however, when Quintus loses his family, his social standing, and his name to an imposter. Faced with a life of menial slavery, Quintus joins a gladiatorial school instead and begins a game of high stakes, as he vows to bring down the usurper who stole his life. see details | buy this book

Radio: Letters from author John Biggins

Found: The Real John Biggins!

As broadcast on Tony Miksak's Words on Books, KZYX radio: "Who could forget these great historical novels by John Biggins and his amusingly intelligent hero Otto Prohaska, Future Hero of the Habsburg Empire? . . . How COULD a contemporary author, writing a series of spectacularly well-reviewed historical novels published in two countries to great acclaim, disappear so completely that not even Google can find him?" see article | books by John Biggins

Publishers Weekly Review: Bodyfoods for Busy People

PW Review: Bodyfoods for Busy People

Here is a quote from the recent starred review from Publishers Weekly: ". . . Clarke provides clear, blessedly brief explanations as to why nutrients matter, and bolsters her arguments, point by point, with simple, fresh recipes that highlight particular ingredients, such as her Mango, Lime and Raspberry Juice (which provides a boost of beta carotene and vitamin C) and her high-fiber, whole grain Favorite Oatcakes." read the review | buy this book