I see that it's been released on Amazon, but I was wondering if anyone has seen or read it yet, is it worth buying?
If I were in the states I would just run out and take a look for myself, alas I am limited to Amazon and the opinions of fellow cakers, so reviews please!!
Here's the review in case the link doesn't work. I couldn't figure out how to link directly to that specific review.
Quote:
10/24/09 Renee Bush:
Read in October, 2009
I knew when I ordered this book that it is NOT a cookbook, or how-to book, though there are plenty of fun tips included!
This review could get bogged down in details, because there was not a page of this book on which I did not find something I absolutely loved--the tips, the photos, the fun facts. The best word for this one is "lush"--the incredible photos of cakes which are eye-candy masterpieces; the photos of people to whom viewers feel a connection; the details of what...more I knew when I ordered this book that it is NOT a cookbook, or how-to book, though there are plenty of fun tips included!
This review could get bogged down in details, because there was not a page of this book on which I did not find something I absolutely loved--the tips, the photos, the fun facts. The best word for this one is "lush"--the incredible photos of cakes which are eye-candy masterpieces; the photos of people to whom viewers feel a connection; the details of what it is "really like" to work at Charm City cakes... the list goes on.
You have to LOVE the show to LOVE this book--but, isn't that obvious? If someone buys this book expecting it to detail for them how to start their own Charm City--forget it; but even the "show-uninitiated" could get pulled in by simply thumbing through this book. Show-LOVERS, such as myself, will only love the show all the more, as a result of reading ACE OF CAKES.
Some favorite bits: Mary Alice explaining herself explaining the no-visitors policy (I would need to keep Valium handy!); any one of the decorators telling his/her own story; anything, and everything, DUFF.
Duff says he does not consider himself particularly gifted. Where he errs in that statement is in the lack of detail. While he may not consider himself a gifted cake-decorator (I know; none of us who love him can understand THAT), his real gift, to my mind, is his incredible joie de vivre. I guess he must have a bad day and be a grouch sometimes; but it is hard to picture it. Also, my favorite episodes are the ones in which he donates an incredible cake to an important cause. What a large heart this "hairy baker" (An MA quote) has!!!
I cannot imagine this one getting fewer than five stars in a review; but then, I think ACE OF CAKES is one of the best things on television. The winning ingredients are the people, then the cakes.
CakeSnubbery Newbie
Joined: Jul 14, 2009
Posts: 1
Posted:
Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:06 am
I had it in my hand to buy at the bookstore until I saw the $35 price tag. It's definitely stuffed with info and pictures, and probably worth the money, but that was a little too steep for me at the moment.
Edited to add: The book is much bigger than I expected, and there is literally no space wasted, every page is covered with pictures, stories, etc. It is probably worth every penny of that $35. But like the review says, it's not a "cake book" and you'd have to love the show to love the book. Hope that helps!
cylstrial Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Aug 12, 2008
Posts: 5339
Posted:
Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:43 am
I forgot that it came out. I'll have to run over to Borders and check it out today.
charmed Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 02, 2004
Posts: 986
Posted:
Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:37 pm
I just got the book from our library and I am kind of disappointed. I was so excited about the book and I thought it would be about cakes and it is not...the book is about the charm city cakes and how it started and mostly biography of all the staff.
cylstrial Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Aug 12, 2008
Posts: 5339
Posted:
Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:16 pm
Really? That's surprising to me as well Charmed.
Rylan Forum SuperStar!
Joined: Feb 19, 2009
Posts: 3897
Location: Las Vegas
Not the best looking fella,but love his dry sense of humor!
jenncowin Frequent Member
Joined: Jan 05, 2006
Posts: 467
Location: SW Missouri
Birthday: May 28
Posted:
Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:58 pm
I have it reserved at my local library, but haven't gotten it yet. Can't wait to look at it to see if I want to go buy it.
Kayakado Frequent Member
Joined: Oct 09, 2006
Posts: 476
Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:30 am
I had it on preorder with my bookstore and got it last week. I left iot at work over the weekend to keep it out of temptation's way ( I had homework).
It is a good book for fans of the people on show, but not for the cakes. Each Charm City person has a few pages of bio and then a cake that they made specially for the book. This book also gives info about all the Food Network people, cameramen, sound people - basically everyone involved making the show, the history of the Goldman family and starting the bakery.
There is a centerfold claiming to depict every cake made over the last seven years. It probably does, but the pics are smaller than postage stamps. Too small for magnifying them into to something recognizable.
Then there is an episode by episode synopsis of the show from start to finish.
I was hoping for a few recipes and some large cake pics with real detail.
I was disappointed to say the least, but real fans may be totally elated.
sweetpea1972 Regular Member
Joined: Oct 22, 2007
Posts: 122
Birthday: Mar 01
Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:35 am
I just got mine last night at their book signing! I got to meet and get all of their autographs (except Ben and Adam). So cool! I felt like I was 8 years old and starstruck! They were all so nice and exactly the way they seem on TV
I just started flipping through it. They say up front that it is not a cookbook. The pictures are great! Some of the information I've seen before (on other episodes or Chefography) but I still love having it since he's a hometown guy!
enchantedcreations Junior Member
Joined: Jun 12, 2009
Posts: 25
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Birthday: Nov 21
Posted:
Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:51 am
Okay, I have a question... I saw an episode the other night and they were filming the the camera crew taking shots of them creating all these cakes for the book. This is the first year I've been watching Duff, so my question is this; all those cakes were being made on fake boards, etc. But were they re-created or duplicates of already produced "real" cakes? I was confussed, as I thought "how do they know they will really work in the real world?" It was turning me off and I didn't think I would want to buy the book if they were just creating "master pieces" for a book to be published. Cany anyone clarify? Thank you.
VinceLupo Newbie
Joined: Nov 07, 2009
Posts: 5
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posted:
Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:25 am
I was one of the photographers on the Ace Of Cakes book project (the bald guy with glasses in the 'Book of Cakes' episode, and on page 84 of the book). If you want to see more photos of the project that DIDN'T make it into the book, check out my flickr link: http://www.flickr.com/groups/duffjpegs/
It was a great project (we shot it in Feb-Mar 2008), and everyone was wonderful to work with. Overall I'm pleased with the results, though the 'better' photos taken by the three photographers on the project (me, Justin and Adrienne) seem to get obscured by the other shots taken with people's cell phone cameras, etc....but that might just be the photographer in me talking. As far as recipes go, I did shots of Adam making a butter cream, and thought that recipe was going to be in there (it's only one recipe, I know), but you can see those shots on the flickr site.
As far as the cakes being re-creations of existing cakes, the only one that I can speak about is the one that Duff made (the three layered asymmetrical cake). That's one that has been a staple for him over the years, so in a sense that's a re-creation of a real cake. But all the other ones were only made for the book itself, and done in styrofoam. These needed to hold up for photography only, so no point in making them out of actual cake. There is one actual cake that Duff made for me to photograph, the slice of which can be found on page 107 of the book. Nice thing was that I got to take that cake home!
How incredibly cool of you to join in and post Vince! Your pictures are beautiful and my copy of the book should arrive in the mail soon. Now here is my burning question since I have you, lol how was the cake? What flavor was it was it, how was the filling, anything you can remember to share? Forgive me I am a cake nerd to the 10th degree and I have waited forever to hear from someone who has had a Charm City cake Thanks for sharing all of the outtakes too, that's just so cool! Andrea
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Not the best looking fella,but love his dry sense of humor!
