Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: A Trip to the Beach : Living on Island Time in the Caribbean by Robert Blanchard, Melinda Blanchard ISBN: 0-609-80748-X Publisher: Three Rivers Press Pub. Date: 20 November, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.58 (50 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Entreprenuerial spirit alive & well in Anguilla, (man)
Comment: Although the authours of the book are listed as Melinda and Bob Blanchard, it appears the entire piece is written by Melinda, speaking for her husband as applicable (although I'm sure he approved). I read this book after having read Solomon Time by Will Randall, and I probably should have read them the other way around because while the Blanchard's book is all about creating their own successful business on an island paradise (kudos to them), Solomon Time is about a man who travels to the Solomon Islands to help the islanders start their own business and become self sufficient. The whole tone of the latter seems a bit more noble and more palatable. Mr Randall does not evoke any sense of 'me' and is not on the island to meet his own personal ends. It's much more selfless. Depending on who you are, you may prefer his book. Because in the Blanchard's, there is a persistant air of, well, American-ness (you may like that, or you may not). It's also interesting to note that, as informative and telling as the book is with regard to opening a restaurant on a tiny island (as well as a genuinely warm account and in-depth profile of the islanders - by far the best part of the book), there is constant reference by Melinda to rather silly trivialities, eg reports on everything she's eaten every day (which is usually some form of meat) and apparently growing increasingly fatter, or as the locals say, "coming nice", and it just reads a touch like a spoiled, wealthy and shielded housewife who doesn't want the real version of the island but who craves the five star hotel existence (she runs back into the car during a business negotiation because some little bugs are biting her ankles). You also get the faint impression that everything they do, every action they take, every involvement and favour to the islanders is rooted in the end goal of making their business a success rather than a genuine interest in helping out for helping's sake. It is also a touch ironic that Melinda considers herself a 'belonger' to Anguilla and to bemoan the loss of innocence on the island, and when she speaks in local talk (eg bad english), sorry, but I couldn't help but feel a bit queasy. What was also a bit unnerving was not once, but twice a reference by Melinda to making a business out of the local elections (eg selling campaign buttons and other unnecessary junk to the islanders). Makes you wonder when Bob will run for office. Money makes money, no matter where you are or what you do. And when you have a quarter million plus at your disposal, is it that surprising to make a success of anything? Just, erm, food for thought.
bwhiskey
Rating: 5
Summary: Just Like Being There!
Comment: I have never travelled to Anguilla. Now that I have read Melinda and Robert's book about their adventure of starting up Blanchard's Restaurant there, I feel at home there already! I enjoyed the people we met personally who helped them in their venture. It is always wonderful to "meet" people who give up all of their world's possessions to start over again to make a dream come true. This book gives the reader the courage to do just that.As you read, you feel the highs and lows of their attempts to do just that: establish a new family home and business in a beautiful part of the world: The Caribbean. They chose the tiny Island of Anguilla and in a very short time became family to all who lived there. Youll will laugh alot at the antics of their "highly qualified staff". I especially loved the inclusion of recipes they conjured up to suit the natural foods that they found on the Island. When you read this book, I think you, too, will want to travel there and taste the flavour of life overlooking the turquoise bays. What is your dream? Will you have the courage to make it come true? Read this book. You will love it!
Rating: 5
Summary: Blundering into success
Comment: This book is a journal of the first year in the lives of a couple who decide to cash in their chips, sell their house in Vermont, and start a restaurant in Anguilla. Although they've had some experience in the food service industry before, having started a reasonably successful company that makes bottled sauces, they had no idea about the challenges that might face them when trying to run a business in a foreign country and culture.
Their first task upon arrival in Anguilla was to find a suitable location for their restaurant. They soon discovered that the way to find a property in Anguilla is not through a real estate office, but through connections and backroom deals, sealed with a handshake. As they moved on to the renovations and supply stage of their business, they were shocked to find out that they couldn't just run down to the local Home Depot to get construction materials. Slowly, they became aware that things are done differently in Anguilla, and one reason why prices for tourists are so high is that most everything must be shipped in from Miami and pass customs at great expense.
It's very fortunate for them that Melinda is a great cook and Robert is handy and knowledgeable in so many areas, and most important of all, that they have a healthy relationship based on trust and wanting to keep each other happy. Many people would never have the courage to even attempt what the Blanchards have done- -they would sit down first, make some calculations on the back of a napkin, check with the local business people to find out about tax laws and suppliers, and give up before they ever got started, realizing that the venture would be hopeless. But the Blanchards aren't planners, they don't agonize over what disasters the future may bring, and as a result, with fortune smiling upon them, their little business venture seems to fit in fine in Anguilla.
 |
Title: At Blanchard's Table: A Trip to the Beach Cookbook by ROBERT BLANCHARD, BEN FINK, MELINDA BLANCHARD ISBN: 0609610821 Publisher: Clarkson Potter Pub. Date: 25 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $32.50 |
 |
Title: Don't Stop the Carnival : A Novel by Herman Wouk ISBN: 0316955124 Publisher: Back Bay Books Pub. Date: 15 May, 1992 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
 |
Title: An Embarrassment of Mangoes : A Caribbean Interlude by Ann Vanderhoof ISBN: 0767914023 Publisher: Broadway Pub. Date: 13 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
 |
Title: Island Wise : Lessons in Living from the Islands of the World by Janis Frawley-Holler ISBN: 0767912047 Publisher: Broadway Pub. Date: 18 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
 |
Title: Live De Life: Caribbean Island Style by Joan F. Harrington ISBN: 0805960953 Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Co Pub. Date: 19 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
