My Home is in the Smoky Mountains

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Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home

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In the first hours there was nothing, no fear or sadness, just a black and perfect silence.

Nando Parrado was unconscious for three days before he woke to discover that the plane carrying his rugby team, as well as their family members and supporters, to an exhibition game in Chile had crashed somewhere deep in the Andes. He soon learned that many were dead or dying—among them his own mother and sister. Those who remained were stranded on a lifeless glacier at nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, with no supplies and no means of summoning help. They struggled to endure freezing temperatures, deadly avalanches, and then the devastating news that the search for them had been called off.

As time passed and Nando’s thoughts turned increasingly to his father, who he knew must be consumed with grief, Nando resolved that he must get home or die trying. He would challenge the Andes, even though he was certain the effort would kill him, telling himself that even if he failed he would die that much closer to his father. It was a desperate decision, but it was also his only chance. So Nando, an ordinary young man with no disposition for leadership or heroism, led an expedition up the treacherous slopes of a snow-capped mountain and across forty-five miles of frozen wilderness in an attempt to find help.

Thirty years after the disaster Nando tells his story with remarkable candor and depth of feeling. Miracle in the Andes—a first person account of the crash and its aftermath—is more than a riveting tale of true-life adventure: it is a revealing look at life at the edge of death and a meditation on the limitless redemptive power of love.


From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews ::

Excellent Book! - Will Ramirez - Los Angeles, CA
I did not expect to enjoy this book so much. It is truly a great and inspiring story. Of course it's a bit depressing at times based on the events but overall it's a great story of survival. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in survival stories and overcoming odds. In fact, after reading this book I was inspired to read "Alive," and although I found it to be very good, this book was more readable and interesting.

Book Review - Never Surrender by LTG (Ret) William G Boykin

Ok, here's another good book that I just plowed in one day. I think I read that thing in about 7 hours with 368 pages. wow! So if this gives you an indication of how interesting this book was, so take note. My overall impression was that Boykin, a special operations hero who has sacrificed a lot for this country. And after all that he has and what he has lived at the end took a group of journalists who wanted to take a cheap shot at the Bush administration has screwed byBoykin and attacking his religious beliefs. And they succeeded.

Boys was a religious man, and that's what the media has decided with his dagger and twist-stick. Just because you wear a uniform does not mean that your right to religious freedom goes out the door. And guys have to be after I'm done with him as a crusader. And to take this hit piece of cyberspace, then all hell broke loose. He and his family were threatened by some Muslim extremists PagesIt 'been fired from his job in DC, and his good name was dragged through the mud.

Now I personally do not so religious. But I respect the religious convictions of a person are, and for some soldiers and contractors, is the belief in God, what is all day. I have no problem with that, but do not be pushed into the neck. But I must say that I am a believer in the concept that there is no such thing as an atheist in the trenches. God, and all forms of GodThe cult, it is through the times when there are no answers to the really bad situations and get down in life. As you read this book, you can see exactly how much life of faith Boykin as an operator and leader of Delta, and how ridiculous and wrong, the media had influenced their opinion of a man.

I do not want to give away the whole book, but I will give you a taste of some of the really cool stuff. Boykin was a member of the original group of young Delta. He was aVietnam veteran, Ranger, air, you name it, and it was in those early days of Charlie Beckwith (founder of Delta) trained. The book describes Boykin, as it was in those early days of the group and goes to some of the details and logic behind the selection process. (What I found very interesting)

As you progress through the book, he goes on with his life in the world Special Operations. He was involved with the mission of the hostages in Iran, Grenada, Operation JustCause and rescue of Kurt Muse, Somalia, hunting war criminals in Bosnia, Wacko and the Branch Davidian incident, hunting and Pablo Escobar. He also talks about his injuries, leaving behind a .50 cal around the arm and shrapnel of Grenada in Somalia. All the while, he remained faithful to his people, country and God

One last thing to bring only get an idea of the type of material in this book. Children often tells the true story behind all these great events of our recentThe story since Vietnam. Puts the rumors about the commitment idiot Wacko Delta and the death of Pablo Escobar is not alone. He goes into detail why they consider rock music actually used during Operation Just Cause / Noriega and the negotiations behind the scenes to save the Kurt Muse. He talks about how Mike Durrant (the pilot in Somalia, who was captured) to the face with the severed limb of one of his fallen comrades beaten by his captors. These are the kinds of data, you can expect fromthis book, and it was a page turner for me.

Bringing Home the Birkin

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An insider's hilarious, whirlwind account of his years spent globe-trotting in search of the holy grail of handbags: the Birkin

For more than twenty years, the Hermès Birkin bag has been the iconic symbol of fashion, luxury, and wealth. Though the bag is often seen dangling from the arms of celebrities, there is a fabled waiting list of more than two years to buy one from Hermès, and the average fashionista has a better chance of climbing Mount Everest in Prada pumps than of possessing one of these coveted carryalls. Unless, of course, she happens to know Michael Tonello . . .

Michael's newfound career started with an impulsive move to Barcelona, a vanished job assignment, no work visa, and an Hermès scarf sold on eBay to generate some quick cash. But soon the resourceful Michael discovered the truth about the waiting list and figured out the secret to getting Hermès to part with one of these precious bags. Millions of dollars worth of Birkins later, Michael had become one of eBay's most successful entrepreneurs—and a Robin Hood to thousands of desperate rich women.

With down-to-earth wit, Michael chronicles the unusual ventures that took him to nearly every continent, from eBay to Paris auction house and into the lives of celebrities and poseurs. Flirting with danger, Michael recounts the heady rush of hand delivering his first big score to famed songwriter Carole Bayer Sager in Paris; how he had to hire thugs to rescue a bag that one of his "shoppers" held for ransom; and the story of the Oscar-worthy performances that allowed him to snag "reserved" bags from other, less dogged Birkin seekers.

Whether he's relating his wining and dining, buying and selling, dodging and weaving, laughing and crying, or schmoozing and stammering, Michael is a master raconteur who weaves together tales of hunting Birkins in the world's most posh locales, memories of meals that would make any gastronome salivate, anecdotes of obsessed collectors with insatiable desires, and sweetly intimate stories about his family, friends, and finding true love. The result is a memoir that is distinctive, fun, page-turning, and as addictive as its namesake.

Customer Reviews ::

Wonderful book - Public Librarian - Baltimore
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author was funny, honest and quite a businessman. I never even heard of a Birkin and will probably never own one but it was interesting learning about them. If you're in the mood for a biography that's easy to read and humorous, try this. I would love to meet the author one day -- he seems very genuine and I'm sure he would keep me laughing.

The Spice Necklace: My Adventures in Caribbean Cooking, Eating, and Island Life

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While sailing around the Caribbean, Ann Vanderhoof  and her husband Steve track wild oregano-eating goats in the cactus-covered hills of the Dominican Republic, gather nutmegs on an old estate in Grenada, make searing-hot pepper sauce in a Trinidadian kitchen, cram for a chocolate-tasting test at the University of the West Indies, and sip moonshine straight out of hidden back-country stills.

Along the way, they are befriended by a collection of unforgettable island characters: Dwight, the skin-diving fisherman who always brings them something from his catch and critiques her efforts to cook it; Greta, who harvests seamoss on St. Lucia and turns it into potent Island-Viagra; sweet-hand Pat, who dispenses hugs and impromptu dance lessons along with cooking tips in her Port of Spain kitchen.

Back in her galley, Ann practices making curry like a Trini, dog sauce like a Martiniquais, and coo-coo like a Carriacouan. And for those who want to take these adventures into their own kitchens, she pulls 71 delicious recipes from the stories she tells, which she places at the end of the relevant chapters.

The Spice Necklace is a wonderful escape into a life filled with sunshine (and hurricanes), delicious food, irreplaceable company, and island traditions.

• ISBN13: 9780618685370
• Condition: New
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While sailing around the Caribbean, Ann Vanderhoof and her husband Steve track wild oregano-eating goats in the cactus-covered hills of the Dominican Republic, gather nutmegs on an old estate in Grenada, make searing-hot pepper sauce in a Trinidadian kitchen, cram for a chocolate-tasting test at the University of the West Indies, and sip moonshine straight out of hidden back-country stills.

Along the way, they are befriended by a collection of unforgettable island characters: Dwight, the skin-diving fisherman who always brings them something from his catch and critiques her efforts to cook it; Greta, who harvests seamoss on St. Lucia and turns it into potent Island-Viagra; sweet-hand Pat, who dispenses hugs and impromptu dance lessons along with cooking tips in her Port of Spain kitchen.

Back in her galley, Ann practices making curry like a Trini, dog sauce like a Martiniquais, and coo-coo like a Carriacouan. And for those who want to take these adventures into their own kitchens, she pulls 71 delicious recipes from the stories she tells, which she places at the end of the relevant chapters.

The Spice Necklace is a wonderful escape into a life filled with sunshine (and hurricanes), delicious food, irreplaceable company, and island traditions.

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A Look at The Spice Necklace
(Click on Images to Enlarge)

Photos from the Islands

Fresh lobster for dinner

Nutmeg and mace come from the same tree.

A seamoss farmer with a jug of seamoss drink

Author Ann Vanderhoof drinking coconut water

Cassia bark is rolled and pressed by hand to form cinnamon sticks

Cooking oregano infused goat

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Spicy Bites: A Taste of The Spice Necklace

1. Wild oregano is a mainstay in the diet of goats that graze in the hills at the northwest edge of the Dominican Republic--which means the meat comes to the kitchen preseasoned, and infused with flavor.

2.Seamoss is a type of seaweed that is reputed in the Caribbean to be a potent aphrodisiac, the island version of Viagra. It’s dried, boiled until thick, then mixed with milk and spices (such as cinnamon and nutmeg). One restaurant in Grenada calls its version of the milkshake-like seamoss drink “Stay Up.”

3. Nutmeg and mace come from the same tree. When its apricot-like fruit is ripe, it splits open to reveal a lacy, strawberry-red wrapper around the hard glossy brown shell that holds the nutmeg itself. This waxy red corset is mace, and more than 300 pounds of nutmegs are needed to yield a single pound of it.

4. On the Scoville scale of pepper heat, Trinidadian Congo peppers rate about 300,000 units. Even the most fiery Mexican jalapeño only measures about 8,000.

5. Coconut water--the clear liquid inside a young or "jelly" coconut--has the same electrolyte balance as blood and was given intravenously to wounded soldiers as an emergency substitute for plasma during World War II. Coconut water is also better than energy drinks for rehydration, replenishing electrolytes and minerals such as potassium. For the same reasons, it's used as a hangover cure in the Caribbean.

6. Much of the ground cinnamon sold in North America is actually cassia, which is the variety of cinnamon grown in the Caribbean. Cassia has a stronger, more pungent flavor than true cinnamon. Once a year, the trees are harvested by carefully peeling the bark away from the branches. After the outer layer is removed, the inner bark is dried in the sun. As it dries, it begins to curl into sticks, and then is rolled and pressed by hand to complete the process.

7.The aroma of allspice is a sensuous combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper-- which leads to the common misconception that it is a blend of several spices. In fact, allspice is a single spice-- the dried berry of a tree that is native only to the West Indies and Central America. Jamaica produces 90% of the world's supply; Grenada, the remaining 10%.

8. To make removing coconut meat from the shell easier, bore holes in two of the eyes of the coconut using a pointed utensil and drain the liquid. Bake the nut in a preheated 400° F oven for 15–20 minutes. This cracks the shell and shrinks the meat slightly, so it virtually pops out.

9. Mauby, a popular West Indian drink, has a proven ability to reduce high blood pressure. It's made by steeping the bark of a native Caribbean tree with spices such as bay, cinnamon, star anise, and fennel.

10. Vanilla is the world's second most costly spice (after saffron). Not only do most vanilla flowers have to be hand-pollinated to produce beans, but the beans also have to be fermented and aged to develop their flavor. Straight off the vine, they're odorless and tasteless.

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Customer Reviews ::

You'll Hunger for the Island Life - Skylark Thibedeau - Charlotte, NC USA, Terra, Solaris System, Milky Way Galaxy.
The `Spice Necklace' is part travelogue, part cookbook, and a joy to read. Anne Vanderhoof and her husband Steve took two years off from the real world to explore the Caribbean on their sailboat the `Receta' (Spanish for `recipe'). Along the way we meet the diverse people, customs, and tastes (especially the tastes) of the Islands from the Dominican Republic south to Trinidad.

The people we meet through Anne's eyes are very friendly and generous. They share their lives, their communities and their kitchens. People like Miss Dingis and her family in Grenada who live in a lush forest surrounded by spice and Cocoa trees. She welcomes Anne into her home and over the course of their friendship teaches her to cook like a born Grenadian.

There's also Dwight and Stevie, two local fishermen who trade the bounty from the Waters off Grenada for Anne's Home baked cookies and pastries. Stevie and Dwight have a very delicate palate and advise Anne on her cooking of local dishes. They let her know when she is fixing the dish just right.

Over in the Dominican Republic we can almost taste the sweet tender meat of the self spicing goats of Chef Julian Tatiz's `La Madonna restaurant which is an adventure in itself to get to. The goats graze on wild oregano in the mountains and their meat has the taste of oregano already infused.

Down in Trinidad we meet Miss Pat Jones and are introduced to the Trini tradition of `Liming' that is relaxing and having fun with your friends. In addition to Miss Pat's hot and spicy recipes we also get a glimpse of Carnival and how West Indian Curries are made.

There are so many peoples to meet, tastes to discover, and places to see it would take several pages to relate them all. I really enjoyed this book and probably gain 10 pounds just reading it.

The book comes with 71 recipes of which I tried several. The Ginger Spice Cookies (page19) were terrific and a kid pleaser. The Grenadian Banana Bread (Page 21) was very good and differs in flavor and texture from my normal recipe. I liked the Spicy Peanut Cream (Page 361) but my Kids not so much. The Ginger Peanuts (page 449) are the favorite and we've made 4 batches. I tried the Chivo Guisado (page 46) with Lamb instead of goat. I loved it but it's not a kid pleaser. Give'em Hotdogs.

The Spice Necklace is a wonderful book which will make you hunger for the Island Life. You'll have a hard deciding to keep it in the library or the kitchen.