Great Canadian White Chocolate Cheesecake
Crust
2 cups graham or chocolate cookie crumbs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 to 1/2 cup melted butter
Mix together and press into a greased 10-inch spring-form or cheesecake pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare filling.
Filling
4 eggs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 pounds cream cheese
1/2 cup melted butter
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
12 ounces melted white chocolate
Place eggs and sugar into bowl of a large food processor. Do NOT use a blender as it will not be the same! You're better off doing it by hand, starting with the cream cheese and sugar, then adding eggs. Process until sugar is dissolved. Add cream cheese in 4 or 5 additions. Scrape sides of bowl often, and process until smooth. With the machine still running, add remaining ingredients. Process a few more seconds. Pour over prepared crust. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes and no longer! It will look loose and under baked, but that is how it is supposed to be. Resist the urge to bake until it is set, otherwise it will be dry and grainy. The middle 3 inches should still be wobbly. Let cool; refrigerate overnight. It will set.
Bring to room temperature to serve, and use a hot, wet knife to slice. You can serve 14 to 16 people with this cheesecake. It is very rich and creamy.
Easy recipe lovers also enjoyed these free recipes...
easy pineapple cheesecake
gingerbread cheesecake
deep fried dessert cheesecake
english toffee cheesecake
grasshopper cheesecake
Easy recipe related products...
DeLonghi HHP1500 Mica Panel RadiatorView This Product at Amazon
THERMOSTATIC TEMPERTAURE CONTROL 2 HEAT SETTINGS (Max power: 1500 W) BATHROOM WATER-SPLASH PROTECTION WALL MOUNTABLE SAFETY THERMAL CUT-OFF Is one more way to ensure product safety. If the unit becomes too warm, it automatically turns off. No need to worry about overheating. ROOM THERMOSTAT to set and automatically keep the desired temperature. SAFETY CUT-OFF CONVENIENT CARRY HANDLE Allows for easy portability. POWER AND CAUTION INDICATOR LIGHTS For safe operation. DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED IN ITALY
Bissell 1867-7 Steam Mop Hard-Floor Cleaner, Green TeaView This Product at Amazon
Ideal for the chemically sensitive or those with small children, the Bissell Steam Mop deep-cleans hard-surface floors using the power of pure water alone. No harsh (or expensive) cleaners means no fumes or residues to irritate lungs or muddy delicate finishes, while the use of hot steam rather than buckets of water leaves floors dry in just seconds. Heated and ready to use in 30 seconds, the remarkably quiet mechanism works something like an iron: steam is dispensed on demand, rather than continuously, by pressing the trigger while passing the mop over the floor. Hot steam easily removes hardened and sticky gunk, especially if the mop sits over the mess for a few seconds. (Leave it in place 15 seconds to actually sanitize the cleaning surface.) The machine steams for approximately 15 minutes before the tank needs to be refilled, but there's no lag once you refill it.
The Steam Mop's low-profile 360-degree swiveling head accesses hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, like under kitchen cabinets, while its compact profile stores easily in small spaces. Other thoughtful design touches include a quick-release cord wrap and easy-carry handle, as well as a built-in water filter to protect from the minerals and impurities in hard water. (An indicator lets users know when the filter need to be replaced.) Durable, reusable microfiber pads are safe on all sealed hard surfaces and clean up nicely in the washing machine, making them more environmentally friendly than disposable options. Measuring 6 by 11 by 45-1/2 inches, the Bissell Steam Mop weighs less than 7 pounds and is covered by a one-year limited warranty.--Mary Park
Delonghi TRD0715T Safe Heat Oil-Filled RadiatorView This Product at Amazon
Vertical Thermal Tunnels Maximize Flow of Heat / 24-Hour Programmable Timer / Thermostat / 3 Variable Heat Settings / 110V AC / Wheeled Base
Rock n Roll JesusView This Product at Amazon
Kid Rock maintains a remarkable propensity for wearing his contradictions on his sleeve, and more than anything he's previously released, Rock n Roll Jesus finds fuel in unresolved opposites. Is he a hard-core chauvinist ("Half Your Age") or a would-be gentlemen ("When U Love Someone")? Is he a God-fearing everyman ("Blue Jeans and a Rosary") or a bohemian hero ("So Hott")? These questions are nothing new, even if the album at hand takes them to freshly delirious extremes. Ever since he first began shedding his rap/rock posture to be the next Ted Nugent, Kid Rock has constructed his public persona out of full-frontal ambivalence: race, class, sex, religion, money, whatever it takes. This album's bookends--the title song and "bonus" track, "Lowlife (Living the Highlife)"--demonstrate all this irreconcilable nonsense in no uncertain terms, but all his polar wobbling is at least stabilized by a firm commitment to southern-styled rock, tinged at times with gospel, blues, a lingering need to rap ("Sugar"), and a rare, soul-fed instrumental jambalaya ("New Orleans"). In the end, Kid Rock may be a remarkable self-promoter, but a musical Messiah he is not. --Jason Kirk People en Español
Pareciera que Kid Rock está madurando, en Rock and Roll Jesus ha dejado atrás al típico rockero que se conformaba con escandalizar, y se ha atrevido a navegar las aguas de otros géneros como el country y el blues en canciones como "New Orleans" y "All Summer Rock," además Rock se ha olvidado del hip-hop, hoy denuncia la muerte absurda de soldados en Irak y el racismo. Pero no crea que el músico se ha convertido precisamente en un santo, el disco incluye canciones poderosas como "So Hutt" que es puro rock o "Half Your Age" en la que no es secreto que vuelca todas sus frustraciones por haber perdido a Pamela Anderson. En la canción él dice que ahora tiene una chica más joven y más hot. En suma Rock and Roll Jesus es un material mucho más maduro, pero si quiere escuchar al Kid Rock escandaloso y despreocupado de antes quizá no sea buena idea comprarlo. Por el contrario si le gusta el hard rock de los años 70 y el country, este es un álbum que le gustará. --Ernesto Sánchez (People en Español
)
Thomas & Friends: The Great DiscoveryView This Product at Amazon
Thomas the Tank Engine stars in an all-new movie guest starring Pierce Bronson as the narrator! Sodor Day is coming and all the engines are busy preparing. When Thomas gets lost in the mountains he discovers the old town of Great Waterton! Soon the whole island is buzzing with the news of Thomas' discovery and restoring the town in time for the big day. Join the fun and meet a new engine friend named Stanley!System Requirements:Running Time: 60 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: NR UPC: 884487100022 Manufacturer No: H180013
How Great Is Our God (DVD+CD)View This Product at Amazon
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie BrownView This Product at Amazon
Charlie Brown gets rocks in his trick-or-treat bag, Linus awaits a visitation from the Great Pumpkin in his terribly sincere pumpkin patch (while the adoring little Sally sits tight with him), Snoopy falls asleep, Lucy harasses Schroeder, and Pig-Pen kicks up a dust storm even beneath his costume in this classic television broadcast. Funny stuff, but also graced with Charles Schultz's more poignant and gently satiric themes from the 1960s on the influence of faith, failure, and hope in our lives. --Tom Keogh
Peter the GreatView This Product at Amazon
Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of EuropeView This Product at Amazon
European chefs are being killed in the manner that their signature dishes are prepared.
Magna Cart Personal Hand TruckView This Product at Amazon
Kit Kittredge - An American GirlView This Product at Amazon
Studio: New Line Home Video Release Date: 10/28/2008 Run time: 100 minutes Rating: G
Peanuts Holiday Collection (It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown / A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving / A Charlie Brown Christmas) (Deluxe Edition)View This Product at Amazon
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 09/23/2008 Run time: 150 minutes Rating: Nr
300 [Blu-ray]View This Product at Amazon
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 07/31/2007 Run time: 116 minutes Rating: R
Oral-B Pulsonic Power ToothbrushView This Product at Amazon
Features: Gentle Sonic Vibration - 30,000 Sonic Bribrations. Multi-Modes: Clean and Sensitive. Super-Thin bristles for precision cleaning. Promotes naturally whiter teeth by gently polishing surface stains.
View This Product at Amazon
Woolite 850B Rug Stick Carpet & Rug CleanerView This Product at Amazon
Woolite Rug Stick Carpet & Rug Cleaner Kit, Revolutionary Way To Quickly Deep Clean Heavy Traffic Areas, Pushes The Foam Cleaner Deep Into The Carpet, Lifting & Loosening Embedded Dirt From The Bottom Of The Carpet Fibers, Revitalizes Matted Fibers & Ground-In Dirt For A Deep Down Clean, Includes: 1 Rug Stick & 1 - 9 OZ Heavy Traffic Trial Size Cleaner, Uses Full Size 22 OZ Refill, Model #820, True Value # 462575.
Belkin USB 2.0 4-Port Ultra Mini Hub F5U407View This Product at Amazon
The Hi-Speed USB 2.0 4-Port Ultra-Mini Hub provides four downstream USB ports for Plug-and-Play connectivity to your USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 devices. A perfect lightweight travel tool, this compact Hub tucks easily into the pocket of your laptop bag, and requires no extra power supply. It offers the ideal way to connect on the road, and virtually anywhere you need fast, handy access to your USB devices.
Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 - SlateView This Product at Amazon
Microsoft Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse - BX3-00008 ( Slate Gray ) -
Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000View This Product at Amazon
A 14 degree gable separates the two groups of keys, which is complemented by the curved key bed and 7-degree wrist rest for what looks to be a truly comfortable typing experience. Other notable features include a zoom slider, five programmable favorites keys for launching documents and applications, forward & backward keys located in the center of the keyboard, hotkeys, and the standard enhanced function keys.
Coby 1.5-Inch Digital Photo Keychain (White)View This Product at Amazon
PRODUCT FEATURES:1.5" CSTN LCD full-color displayDisplays JPEG, GIF, and BMP image filesStores over 60 photosIntegrated rechargeable lithium-ion batteryUSB port for fast file transfers
Canon CLI-8 4-Color Multipack Ink TanksView This Product at Amazon
Canon has poured all the Know How of its extraordinary history of developing innovative office machines into each of its copiers, printers, and networked office systems. The same superiority of design and manufacture goes into all of the Canon-branded consumable imaging supplies and parts for this equipment. Naturally, no one makes better parts and supplies for Canon products than Canon. Using genuine Canon parts and supplies is your best insurance against equipment damage, and possibly voiding your equipment warranty.
EyeClops Night Vision Infrared Stealth GogglesView This Product at Amazon
Take covert operations to the dark side with this handheld unit that lets you see up to 20 feet in the dark. Powered by actual infra-red driven night vision technology, EyeClops Night Vision enables clear visibility in even complete, pitch dark environments. Become a night spy, investigate nocturnal activities in your house and take games like hide 'n seek to a whole new level. Requires 4 "AA" batteries, not included. Measures 10"L x 12"W x 7"H.
Gold Toe Women's Sloppy Boot SockView This Product at Amazon
70% Pashmina 30% Silk Paisley Self-design Shawl / Wrap / Stole - 46 Beautiful Designs ! (Buy 2 - Get FREE SHIPPING !)View This Product at Amazon
The touch of Silk to the Pashmina gives it a luscious and luxurious look. Because of its unique softness & comforting warmth, it can be worn all year round.
Dickies Men's 13 Inch Inseam Work Short With Multi Use PocketView This Product at Amazon
A necessity for the guy on the run. Dickies shorts feature a cell phone pocket, stain release finish, and sturdy deep pockets. 13" inseam. Poly-Cotton.
Dave's Gourmet Exotic Salts Collection in Gift Shaker is a Great Way to Get Six Exotic Salts From Around the World. Now You Can Have The Same Ingredients That Top Chefs Have Been Using For Years. Elevate Your Culinary Experience!View This Product at Amazon
This is a collection of exotic salts from around the world. Make a real difference when flavoring your foods with the unique world flavors. Included are Hawaiian Red Salt, Eurasian Black Salt, Grey Salt, Fleur de Sel, Smoked Salt and Italian Sea Salt.
Fireworks Popcorn Medley BowlView This Product at Amazon
From white to yellow, red to blue, pink to black, our gourmet popping corns are naturally grown, GMO free for superior taste and texture, not just size. Try all 12 varieties of Fireworks Popcorn each in a 4 oz. single popping size to find your favorite. Included in this 11-inch wood composite bowl are the following twelve popcorns: Wisconsin White Birch, Savanna Gold, Starshell Red, High Mountain Midnight, Red River Valley, Autumn Blaze, Orchard Blossom, Blue Heron, Baby White Rice, Baby Yellow, Black Hills, and Sunset Fire.
Dave's Top Four Hot Sauce Sampler with Insanity Sauce. The Best Way to Sample the World Famous Dave's Insanity Sauce Along Side Three Other Top Selling Dave's Gourmet Hot Sauces. A Great Gift Set and Fun To Eat and Cook. New Reduced Shipping!!View This Product at Amazon
This pack contains four 2 oz. bottles of our delicious top selling sauces. These include Roasted Garlic Hot Sauce, super hot Insanity Sauce, fresh tasting Hurtin Jalapeno Sauce and, piquant Cool Cayenne sauce. This is a great way to get all four of the top selling Dave's sauces without breaking the bank!
Crayola Color Explosion Glow BoardView This Product at Amazon
Spark kids' creativity with this magical Glow Board where your drawings appear and disappear, creating cool 3-D effects like a neon sign. The reusable surface provides hours of non-stop creative fun. The colors give an intense, glow-in-the-dark effect, and violet lights illuminate the ink. Includes: two drawing surfaces, six glow-in-the-dark markers and a tracing sheet. Easel back. Measures 12" x 13.5" x 2.5".
Blokus ClassicView This Product at Amazon
Grades K and up. Europe's 2003 game of the year! Develops logic and spacial perception while kids learn to be tactical. Players take turns placing pieces on their board, each starting from their corner. Each new piece must touch at least one other piece of the same color, but only at the corners! The goal is to get rid of all your pieces. The game ends when all players are blocked from laying down any more of their pieces. Includes one gameboard with 400 squares, 84 game pieces in four bright translucent colors, and an instruction guide.
Fisher-Price Elmo LiveView This Product at Amazon
Is it live or is it Elmo Live? For the first time ever, in this truly life-like creation, Elmo really appears to be speaking as his mouth opens and closes just like a muppet. His mannerisms are right on target and his head bobbles back and forth as he speaks. Elmo waves his arms, sits and stands, and even crosses his legs while telling stories and jokes, singing songs and playing games. Children can activate the magic with a tickle or a squeeze of Elmo's foot, tummy, back or nose. Requires 6 "AA" batteries, included. Measures 12" tall.
Black & Decker AAW100 8-Inch Auto Wrench Adjusting WrenchView This Product at Amazon
When you find yourself in a tight spot, trying to tighten a hard-to-reach nut, this Black & Decker 8" Automatic Adjustable Wrench will save the day. Powered by 2 AAA batteries, the AAW100 helps you get a grip in cirumstances where you normally couldn't. What a helpful home maintenance tool! Battery Life - 650 Cycles Black & Decker 2 Year Warranty
Great Neck PSO40 40 Piece 1/4-Inch and 3/8-Inch Drive Socket SetView This Product at Amazon
No matter what your skill level might be you will eventually find the need to use a socket set to remove or tighten a bolt or nut. Furniture assembly, automotive or appliance repairs, computer parts, cabinet drawers or doors all have nuts or bolts that hold them together. The Great Neck Hardware Machinery 40-pc. socket set contains the most commonly used standard and metric-sized sockets. The 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch drive sockets come with a 3/8-inch reversible ratchet wrench plus accessories. The wrench and sockets are chrome plated for long lasting rust resistant performance. --C. Dwight Barnett
Bigg Lugg Power Tool Holder Belt HookView This Product at Amazon
Ideal way to hold and carry most cordless tools, pneumatic nailers, staple guns, saws, and more. Easily attaches to any tool belt or waist belt in seconds. Designed to use by left or right-handed users. Durable all metal construction. Contains 12 tool hoo
Fabric Elastic Stretch Belt: Great Price!View This Product at Amazon
Elastic Stretch Belts. The Comfort Belt is quality constructed with woven braided elastic material. The men's web belt has a full grain leather covered buckle (except Khaki) with a leather end and is 1.25 inches wide. A great value! Consider getting one of each color. For a larger view of this item, please click on the pictures. Available in web colors: Black, Navy, Grey, White, Brown, Khaki, Forest Green, Navy/Khaki, & Khaki/White. Sizes Small (30-32), Medium (34-36), Large (38-40), X-Large (42-44), XXL (46-48) and XXXL (50-52). Please note colors Grey, Forest Green, Navy/Khaki, & Khaki/White are not available in sizes XXL and XXXL. Sizes XXL and XXXL are $2.00 more.
Nine West The Great Find Medium ToteView This Product at Amazon
Croctastic! Embossed crocodile texture sets the Great Find tote apart.
Kenneth Cole New York Men's Great Deal Fashion SneakerView This Product at Amazon
Crafted in fine Italian leather, this smooth oxford evokes a classic athletic style and features intricate stitching throughout.
Wii Nunchuk ControllerView This Product at Amazon
Contoured to perfectly fit a player's hand, the Nunchuk controller builds on the simplicity of the Wii Remote controller and goes an extra step to meet the needs of gamers. The Nunchuk controller connects to the Wii Remote controller at its expansion port and is used in conjunction with the Wii Remote controller. The Nunchuk controller contains the same motion-sensing technology enabled in the Wii Remote controller but also includes an analog stick to assist in character movement. In several games, players will use the analog stick of the Nunchuk controller to move their characters and the Wii Remote controller to perform a specific action, whether that's throwing a pass in football or aiming a ranged weapon in an action game.Along with the analog stick, the motion-sensing Nunchuk controller also contains two buttons positioned for quick access. Because the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers are only relatively dependent on each other, players are free to hold them in whichever hand is most comfortable. The ambidextrous nature of the Wii controllers grants accessibility seldom seen in game controllers.
Wii Grand Slam Sports PackView This Product at Amazon
The Grand Slam Sports Pack for Nintendo Wii is the ultimate player's package for the multi-dimensional sports lover. It comes equipped with a tennis racket, baseball bat, golf club and steering wheel, clear remote cover, Wrist Strap. Located at the base/handle of each of these is a compartment that is designed for the Wii remote control to fit right into. With the remote snuggly secured, you can freely hack, drive and steer away while getting the authentic feel of actually being in the game. The lightweight material assures that equipment isn't a heavy burden on your arms so that you may enjoy a lengthier playing time without tiring as quickly. With this sports package, you won't even know that you are in front of a screen, but in the game itself.
Carnival GamesView This Product at Amazon
Carnival Games brings home all the excitement and fanfare of a day at the carnival. All the fun and games of a day at a carnival is yours -- without spending a lot of money or dealing with annoying crowds. Play fun multi-player games and collect prizes, just like at a real carnival.
American Girl: Mia Goes for GreatView This Product at Amazon
Prepare to go on the ice with American Girl: Mia Goes For Great. Help Mia prepare her solo appearance at the Lucerne's Winter Show by choosing a costume, designing and practicing a skating program and selecting music for her performance. The Program Builder lets you choose fancy twists and jumps to practice, and you can find helpful hints at the library for all the tips and requirements needed to help Mia skate her way to the challenging Regionals. Mia Goes For Great also features two strategy-based mini-games, "Rink Sweep" and "Snowflakes".
Bridge Baron 19 By Great Games - Windows and MacintoshView This Product at Amazon
Bridge Baron offers you the most comprehensive, easy-to-use, bridge game available with all 53 octillion (that's 53 billion billion billion) bridge deals as possible random deals in Bridge Baron. Over 40 Skill Levels; Play Online, Learn and use over 100 bidding conventions; Improved bidding and play; When Bridge Baron claims the rest of the tricks, it states its line of play; Give you more flexibility in defining your bidding agreements: you can now set the level through which your doubles of opponents' opening bids will be takeout: Compete in Tournaments, Hints Always Available (Including Reasons Why), Double-Dummy Solver/Par Contract Analysis, 264 Declarer-Play Challenge Deals, Choose Long-Suit or Short-Suit Point Count, Conventional Bids Alerted or Announced, Comprehensive Statistics of Your Results, Bid Now/Play Now Buttons at High Skill Levels, Choose Your Leads and Signals, Flexibly Set Your Bidding Agreements.
Web Easy 7.0 ProfessionalView This Product at Amazon
Web Easy - The Most Powerful, Easy-to-Use Web Design Software Available! Create a great website in one hour with drag-and-drop simplicity. WebEasy includes everything you need in one box to create your ideal website with built-in templates and e-commerce tools. WebEasy automatically generates the HTML code, letting you create the website you want without any programming or technical skills required. BENEFITS: Building a Great Web Site Just Got Easier! Our Helpful Assistant Makes It Easy With Step-by-Step Instructions. 1) Select a professionally designed template and add other elements like headlines, text and your favorite photographs and graphics. 2) Customize by adding photos, clip art, sound file and image effects. Use your own imported files or choose from our included extensive library. 3) Publish and go live to the Internet in one click. Web Easy Professional automatically previews the final version and creates the HTML code for you. 4) Promote Your Products on eBay! Our new eBay Web Page Wizard allows you to generate web pages that are compatible with eBay®. Increase your eBay sales with professional looking pages. 5) Generate Web Page Photo Albums. Use the built-in wizard to select your photos, choose from several photo page themes, insert any descriptions and WebEasy does the rest. 6) Host podcasts for music, videos, news and announcements on your website. WebEasy does all the work for you automatically. 7) Web Page Style Designer - Customize elements such as title, navigation menu, header, footer, content and more for a consistent theme. 8) Ready-To-Use Templates - Choose from over 135 professionally-designed website templates for business, club, team, organization, school and home use. 9) Promote your site in search engines to bring more visitors and customers to your site. 10) One-Click Hosting Use our built-in hosting service or your own web hosting service. FREE TRIAL HOSTING No credit card needed!
Fat Cat Hold'em Dealer Poker Chip Set (500 Chips)View This Product at Amazon
FAT CAT HOME CASINO DELUXE CHIP SET.Aluminum case with silver hardware. Smooth, black interior. Includes 500 striped dice chips, two decks of playing cards and dealer buttons. 24" x 9-1/2" x 3" closed.
View This Product at Amazon
Originally developed for the Swedish Department of Defense, Swedish FireSteel is a flash of genius. Its 3,000°C spark makes fire building easy in any weather, at any altitude. Used by a number of armies around the world, Swedish FireSteel's dependability has already made it a favorite of survival experts, hunters, fishermen and campers. It has also found its way into cabins and backyards as a fool-proof way to light stoves and gas-barbecues.
The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great DepressionView This Product at Amazon
In The Forgotten Man, Amity Shlaes, one of the nation's most-respected economic commentators, offers a striking reinterpretation of the Great Depression. She traces the mounting agony of the New Dealers and the moving stories of individual citizens who through their brave perseverance helped establish the steadfast character we recognize as American today.
World Without EndView This Product at Amazon
Ken Follett has 90 million readers worldwide. The Pillars of the Earth is his bestselling book of all time. Now, eighteen years after the publication of The Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett has written the most-anticipated sequel of the year, World Without End.
In 1989 Ken Follett astonished the literary world with The Pillars of the Earth, a sweeping epic novel set in twelfth-century England centered on the building of a cathedral and many of the hundreds of lives it affected. Critics were overwhelmed--"it will hold you, fascinate you, surround you" (Chicago Tribune)--and readers everywhere hoped for a sequel.
World Without End takes place in the same town of Kingsbridge, two centuries after the townspeople finished building the exquisite Gothic cathedral that was at the heart of The Pillars of the Earth. The cathedral and the priory are again at the center of a web of love and hate, greed and pride, ambition and revenge, but this sequel stands on its own. This time the men and women of an extraordinary cast of characters find themselves at a crossroad of new ideas--about medicine, commerce, architecture, and justice. In a world where proponents of the old ways fiercely battle those with progressive minds, the intrigue and tension quickly reach a boiling point against the devastating backdrop of the greatest natural disaster ever to strike the human race--the Black Death.
Three years in the writing, and nearly eighteen years since its predecessor, World Without End breathes new life into the epic historical novel and once again shows that Ken Follett is a masterful author writing at the top of his craft.
Questions for Ken Follett
Amazon.com: What a phenomenon The Pillars of the Earth has become. It was a bestseller when it was published in 1989, but it's only gained in popularity since then--it's the kind of book that people are incredibly passionate about. What has it been like to see it grow an audience like that?
Follett: At first I was a little disappointed that Pillars sold not much better than my previous book. Now I think that was because it was a little different and people were not sure how to take it. As the years went by and it became more and more popular, I felt kind of vindicated. And I was very grateful to readers who spread the news by word of mouth.
Amazon.com: Pillars was a departure for you from your very successful modern thrillers, and after writing it you returned to thrillers. Did you think you'd ever come back to the medieval period? What brought you to do so after 18 years?
Follett: The main reason was the way people talk to me about Pillars. Some readers say, "Its the best book Ive ever read." Others tell me they have read it two or three times. I got to the point where I really had to find out whether I could do that again.
Amazon.com: In World Without End you return to Kingsbridge, the same town as the previous book, but two centuries later. What has changed in two hundred years?
Follett: In the time of Prior Philip, the monastery was a powerful force for good in medieval society, fostering education and technological advance. Two hundred years later it has become a wealthy and conservative institution that tries to hold back change. This leads to some of the major conflicts in the story.
Amazon.com: World Without End features two strong-willed female characters, Caris and Gwenda. What room to maneuver did a medieval English town provide for a woman of ambition?
Follett: Medieval people paid lip-service to the idea that women were inferior, but in practice women could be merchants, craftspeople, abbesses, and queens. There were restrictions, but strong women often found ways around them.
Amazon.com: When you sit down to imagine yourself into the 14th century, what is the greatest leap of imagination you have to make from our time to theirs? Is there something we can learn from that age that has been lost in our own time?
Follett: Its hard to imagine being so dirty. People bathed very rarely, and they must have smelled pretty bad. And what was kissing like in the time before toothpaste was invented?
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don'tView This Product at Amazon
Five years ago, Jim Collins asked the question, "Can a good company become a great company and if so, how?" In Good to Great Collins, the author of Built to Last, concludes that it is possible, but finds there are no silver bullets. Collins and his team of researchers began their quest by sorting through a list of 1,435 companies, looking for those that made substantial improvements in their performance over time. They finally settled on 11--including Fannie Mae, Gillette, Walgreens, and Wells Fargo--and discovered common traits that challenged many of the conventional notions of corporate success. Making the transition from good to great doesn't require a high-profile CEO, the latest technology, innovative change management, or even a fine-tuned business strategy. At the heart of those rare and truly great companies was a corporate culture that rigorously found and promoted disciplined people to think and act in a disciplined manner. Peppered with dozens of stories and examples from the great and not so great, the book offers a well-reasoned road map to excellence that any organization would do well to consider. Like Built to Last, Good to Great is one of those books that managers and CEOs will be reading and rereading for years to come. --Harry C. Edwards