Buy books by Charles Neal
Cognac: Dissecting the World's Most Famous Brandy
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Cognac, the world’s most famous brandy, came to prominence during the 17th century in and around the town of the same name in the Charente region of western France. Cognac, Dissecting the World’s Most Famous Brandy, is a thorough study of every facet of the region’s complicated history and eminent brandy: production of cognac is discussed in detail, with comprehensive information on the region’s soil types, grapes, vineyard work, distillation methods, barrel aging, blending, and bottling—essential factors leading to the spirit’s becoming universally known and loved. Other chapters are devoted to tasting cognac, cocktails, regional touristic sites, the cuisine and wines of the region, consumption demographics around the world, and the commercial future of the revered spirit. In addition, an A-Z guide of the 20 most important cognac houses and over 120 essential independent producers are covered, with information gained from often repeated visits to each one.
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Calvados
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Calvados is a pear and apple-based brandy from Normandy, France. With a history dating back nearly 500 years, the region has a long history of distilling their ciders into delicious and complex spirits. While not as well-known as cognac or armagnac, calvados holds a dear place in the hearts of many spirits lovers.
In this comprehensive study, Charles Neal takes the reader on a back road voyage throughout Northern France, most Mount Saint Michel to Rouen, from Omaha Beach to the small hidden hamlets of the Orne. The history of the region and its distinctiveness in France are fully defined. All the factors that go into making quality calvados are explained, from the various soil types, apple and pear varieties, and cider production to its distillation and aging in barrel. With biographies and reviews of more than 200 producers dotted throughout the Norman countryside, Calvados, The Spirit of Normandy is an indispensable guide for the serious spirits connoisseur. |
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Armagnac
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Armagnac is Frances premier brandy, not only because it was the first but also because it is the preference of true connoisseurs. And while armagnac is often compared to its closest relative Cognac, the two brandies are distinctly different. In this detailed study, Charles Neal takes us to Gascony, in the hidden backwoods of Southwestern France. All the factors that go into making a great Armagnac are explained, as are the differences between it and Cognac. Insights into blending and the use of permitted additives are fully discussed. Also included are profiles of the regions most influential ngociants, objective tasting notes on their products, even information on how to match Armagnac with your favorite cigar. More important, however, is the focus on the regions real heart and soul, the producers of traditional Armagnac. Within their unrectified Armagnacs from a single year, subtle notes of prune, apricot, vanilla, spice and nuts converge to become heavenly. A deep, penetrating, natural sweetness of fruit remains on the palate for minutes, and when smelling the empty snifter the next day, one can be reminded of the memorable scent of un vrai Armagnac.
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The Armagnac book is currently out of stock.
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Kudzu
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Lowell Gaines is wandering through America's Deep South attempting to find direction in his banal life. After abandoning his job at a carnival, he crosses paths with prostitutes, perverts, strippers, psychotics, and a variety of other abject figures. He lands in a bug-infested mobile home next to an old friend and ex-con from the fair, gets a job at a fast food restaurant, and gradually becomes alienated from those around him. Lowell finally arrives at a crossroads: What wisdom he has gained and what path he will take is anyone's guess.
This novel was written in 1989 and has content that might be disturbing to some readers. |
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Sumac
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Wayne Turner is a diligent security guard who lives in a mobile home in rural Indiana. All Wayne really wants is a satisfying work assignment, a family that morally supports him, and perhaps a little hunting and fishing on the weekends.
Yet for all his efforts to achieve his goals, what he winds up with are problems — arguments, pay-cuts, and overdue bills. Wayne throws himself further into his jobs—he even imagines himself gracing the pages of True Detective magazine. Yet his drive and obsession with work go unappreciated by his indolent family: his overweight, lazy wife Ethel tricks him; slovenly daughter Darlene disheartens him; and rebellious son Wayne Junior spites him. At the same time, the values Wayne believes in seem to crumble before his very eyes, and his employers, fellow employees, and family begin getting in the way of every step he takes. Sumac is the story of one simple man's ambitions and dreams, his trials and failures in trying to realize them, and the steps he takes to remedy the pain within him. And as any such story must be, it is funny, cruel, sad, and violent. Cheap motel rooms, convenience stores, strip shows, prison, pornography, drive-ins, mobile homes...Sumac is strong meat!--The Haw River Testimony This novel was written in 1993 and has content that might be disturbing to some people. The cover is by Frank Kozik. |
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Tape Delay
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In 1984, author Charles Neal set about interviewing the major protagonists working in sound, word, and image. Concentrating on the most challenging and confrontational, he deliberately chose the individuals and groups most at odds with the mainstream. His aim was to produce a collection that reflected the cutting edge of the eighties underground.
With only his tape recorder as defense, he solicited hundreds of hours of interview material, as well as photos, original writing, and illustrations. His findings were as intriguing and diverse as the artists included. Often encompassing the taboo and the perverse, the opinions of Nick Cave, Genesis P-Orridge, and Michael Gira now read like lone voices against the tide of creeping commercialism that abounded in the eighties music scene. Also included are contributions from nearly all of the artists, in the forms of photos, collages, lyrics, short stories, and cartoons. Clearly, the confrontational of the artists included within Tape Delay's myriad pages is still visible in today's musical world. "'Tape Delay investigates those rare underground performers who've stuck their forefingers up the butt of commercial (in)sensibility to pursue their own visions. A virtual Who's Who of people who've done the most in the eighties to drag music out of commercial confinement."--New Musical Express Interviews with and contributors include Marc Almond, Dave Ball, Nevelle Brody, Cabaret Voltaire, Nick Cave, Chris & Cosey, Coil, Einsturzende Neubauten, The Fall, Diamanda Galas, Genesis P-Orridge, Michael Gira, The Hafler Trio, Andrew Johnson, Matt Johnson (The The), Biba Kopf, Laibach, Lydia Lunch, New Order, Nurse With Wound, Psychic TV, Boyd Rice, Henry Rollins, Clint Ruin (Foetus), Jon Savage, Savage Pencil, Mark E. Smith (The Fall), Sonic Youth, Stevo, Mark Stewart, Swans, Test Dept, and David Tibet (Current 93). ...a virtual Who's Who of people who've done the most in the past decade to drag music out of commercial confinement. Tape Delay is by far the most ambitious and comprehensive attempt so far to link together the large number of innovative noise-oriented bands to have emerged from the indie ghetto. — Sounds Magazine Tape Delay investigates those rare underground performers who've stuck their forefingers up the butt of commercial (in)sensibility to pursue their own visions. On that level alone it should be welcomed. — New Musical Express Overall, this truly superb book which anyone even half-interested in any of the artists covered should invest in. — Impulse Magazine Essential reading for the serious-minded listener to the "alternative" underground. |
Tape delay is Currently out of stock
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