Return to home
page Book Reviews, Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers
Home / The Bookwatch

The Bookwatch

Volume 3, Number 2 February 2008 Home | BW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Education Shelf Military Shelf
Self-Help Shelf Parenting Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Christian Studies Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf Psychology Shelf
Music Shelf Cookbook Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Automotive Shelf Business Shelf Money/Finance Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Needlecraft Shelf Travel Shelf
Social Issues Shelf International Studies Shelf Science Shelf
Pets/Wildlife Shelf Art Shelf Jobs/Careers Shelf
Computer Shelf Photography Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Antiques/Collectibles Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

The Pantry: Its History and Modern Uses
Catherine Seiberling Pond
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
1423600045 $16.95 www.gibbs-smith.com

Most books on pantries focus on their contents: how to build up pantry stock and cook with it - but this is different, covering the physical evolution and development of the pantry and providing a blend of history and period references following its various structures. Homeowners interested in re-doing an existing pantry, adding one, or incorporating a pantry into a new design finally have a book devoted entirely to the topic, filled with color photos and pantry patterns. Collections catering to homeowners and home builders will find it a popular pick.

Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of the Troubadours
Jean Markale
Inner Traditions
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
1594771952, $16.95 www.innertraditions.com

Eleanor of Aquitaine has been noted for her political achievements - yet here the focus is on her spiritual influence, nature and side, which considers her as a figure restoring a feminine face to medieval religious life, representing female power and leadership. Collections strong in medieval studies, both at the high school and college level, will find this a different kind of biographical coverage which examines the spiritual representation of Eleanor of Aquitaine.

50 Reasons to Hate the French
Jules Eden and Alex Clarke
Ivan R. Dee
1332 North Halsted Street, Chicago IL 60622
1566637627 $24.95 www.ivanrdee.com

The authors are two Londeners who here offer up fifty researched vignettes on why the French are so hated, from the Tour de France to their secrets of being stylish and hip, and more. From dogs to fashion, 50 Reasons to Hate the French surveys French culture and oddities and is a top pick for any public lending library strong in French history or culture.

70s Fashion Fiascos
Maureen Valdes Marsh
Collector's Press
Box 230986, Portland, OR 97281
1933112263 $16.95 www.collectorspress.com

The 70s were a decade of flamboyant styles and fashion statements influenced by the hippie era, and 70S FASHION FIASCOS captures them all, with full-page color photos capturing styles accompanied by notes on designers, objectives, and culture. Any collection interested in contemporary fashion trends will love the attention to flashy detail of the 70s, offering plenty of whimsical, fun moments.

The Year of the Goat
Margaret Hathaway
Lyons Press
Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9781599210216 $22.95 www.LyonsPress.com

The authors perceived something missing from their city lives and began to dream of living closer to the land. Llama farmers and gardeners have routinely followed this path: what makes this different is their determination to raise goats - even though they knew little about either goats or farming. A hilarious, insightful survey of not only goat farming but producing the perfect goat cheese makes for a lively survey perfect for rural collections and culinary holdings alike.


The Education Shelf

Building an Intentional School Culture
Charles F. Elbot and David Fulton
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
9781412953788, $27.95 www.corwinpress.com

BUILDING AN INTENTIONAL SCHOOL CULTURE: EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMICS AND CHARACTER is based not on theory but on lessons learned from the authors' work in improving over sixty schools across the country: it blends case studies, strategies, and implementation plans for organizing and building such schools through teacher training programs, principal workshops, and more. From explorations of decision-making processes to school character, chapters provide plenty of practical, applied ideas especially useful for college-level education collections.


The Military Shelf

Osprey Publishing
443 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
www.ospreypublishing.com

P-51 MUSTANG VS. FW 190 EUROPE 1943-45 by Martin Bowman (9781846031892, $17.95) tells of the history of a classic duel as American and German pilots fought each other over Europe, offering the first in a new series to describe the design and deployment of these fighters. Any collection strong in military aircraft history will welcome the specifics on combat training, strengths and weaknesses of different fighters, and key elements of plane design. David Fletcher's SHERMAN CRAB FLAIL TANK (9781846030840, $15.95) follows the design and history of the Sherman tank, considering its development and deployment. Colorful artwork and vintage photos supplement a collection recommended for any in-depth military library focusing on equipment history. Pier Paolo Battistelli's PANZER DIVISIONS: THE BLITZKRIEG YEARS 1939-40 (9781846031465, $23.95) follows a German division relatively late to armored warfare, but which formed a formidable 'lightning war' contribution to its side. This focus on the tactics, weaponry and strategies of the Panzer Divisions is an excellent choice for any in-depth World War II military library. Stephen Turnbull's JAPANESE CASTLES IN KOREA 1592-98 (9781846031045, $16.95) is a pick not just for military libraries but for any specializing in early Asian history. The focus on Japanese-built castles and Korean fortifications follows the design and use of key fortresses and joins the publishers' 'Fortress' history series. Military modelers will relish Stan Spooner's MODELLING THE P-51 MUSTANG (9781841769417, $18.95), an in-depth survey of how to model World War II's famous fighter craft. From the history of the Mustang to five building projects of varying complexity, military and hobbyist holdings will find this an excellent pick. Trevor Bryce's HITTITE WARRIOR (9781846030819, $17.95) is written by an expert on the topic and follows the history of a warrior people famed for their ferocity. Their early empire stretched from Mesopotamia to Syria and Palestine: this book examines not only their history and culture, but specifically their battle tactics and strategies. Robert Kirchubel's OPERATION BARBAROSSA 1941 (3): ARMY GROUP CENTER (9781846031076, $18.95) outlines the command strategies, tactics and battle experiences of the Barbarossa campaign of 1941 and represents the concluding volume in the trilogy on the subject. Military libraries that already have the other volumes will find it an essential probe of the causes behind the German failure. All are fine picks for military collections.


The Self-Help Shelf

Notes from the Universe
Mike Dooley
Beyond Words
c/o Atria Books
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
1582701768 $17.95 www.beyondwords.com

NOTES FROM THE UNIVERSE: NEW PERSPECTIVES FROM AN OLD FRIEND offers a host of admonitions and reminders on how to have the life you desire and how to handle coincidences and serendipities. Chapters survey challenges in life, self-image and more in a set of admonitions and mental challenges perfect for collections strong in new age or self-help guides.


The Parenting Shelf

Sleeping With Your Baby
James J. McKenna, Ph.D.
Platypus Media LLC
627 A Street, NE, Washington DC 20002
1930775342, $14.95 www.PlatypusMedia.com

SLEEPING WITH YOUR BABY: A PARENT'S GUIDE TO CO-SLEEPING provides an excellent guide to parents who are interested in sleeping with a baby - a practice often treated with angst and suspicion in modern times. A PARENT'S GUIDE TO CO-SLEEPING comes from an authority who considers the real benefits of co-sleeping and refutes arguments against it, and is backed by pediatrician recommendations. From sharing a bed to sleeping nearby, parents receive an excellent set of tips, making this a pick for any library catering to parents.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Like Catching Water in a Net
Val Webb
Continuum
80 Maiden Lane, New York NY 10038
9780826428912 $24.95 www.continuumbooks.com

Val Webb isn't out to prove the existence of a god, but to point out imitations of the Divine nature from the literature on the world's religions. Thus her survey includes a range of world beliefs, from Buddhism and Hindu mystics to early Mesopotamians and the Aboriginals of Australia. The result is a critical challenge to the thinking processes of traditional Christianity and a challenge to readers to broaden their view of what constitutes spiritual thinking. Spirituality collections will find it invaluable.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Justice in the Burbs
Will & Lisa Samson
Baker Books
Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
0801068096 $14.99 www.bakerbooks.com

In the suburban world of nice homes, lawns and new cars it's easy to forget about social justice and brotherly love, but Justice in the Burbs: Being in the Hands of Jesus Wherever You Live shows it is in the suburbs as well as in urban areas, using plenty of case history examples to portray the places God is discovered in the habits of man. Meditations from various authors point to the methods God uses to provide spiritual guidance in all walks of life, making this a fine pick for any general Christian spiritual collection.

Teilhard de Chardin: The Divine Milieu Explained
Louis M. Savary
Paulist Press
997 Macarthur Boulevard, Mahwah, NJ 07430
0809144840, $19.95 www.paulistpress.com

During the 20th century Jesuit priest/scientist Teilhard de Chardin devised an integrative concept of spirituality and science, melding scientific concepts into Christian beliefs. While many books since his time have attempted to explain his ideas, this is a spiritual guide for the everyday, applied use of his ideas - and offers a set of spiritual practices and exercise blending science and faith. From handling dying and death to understanding the underlying meaning of the Cross, THE DIVINE MILIEU EXPLAINED comes packed with insights for daily life.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Blind Spots
Madeleine L. Van Hecke, Ph.D.
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591025092 www.prometheusbooks.com

BLIND SPOTS: WHY SMART PEOPLE DO DUMB THINGS packs in examples, tactics and tips on how to understand the underlying meaning of simple blunders. Psychological probing reveals the underlying nature of jumping to conclusions and failing to think through challenges and issues, documenting exactly how smart people fail and offering scientific research on critical thinking which is actually fun to read, making it a pick for both college-level psychological libraries and general-interest collections.

The Alexander Technique Manual
Richard Brennan
Connections Publishing
148 King's Cross Road, London WC1X 9DH, UK
9781859061633 www.amazon.com www.connections-publishing.com

Any who struggle with posture issues will find THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE MANUAL: TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR POSTURE AND YOUR LIFE goes beyond the usual admonitions and shows how to release muscular tension, learn new ways of sitting, standing and moving, and relieve common aches. Large color photos show how individuals can achieve their own chiropractic-type adjustments, increase sensitivity to movement choices, and learn new techniques. Both health libraries and general-interest collections will find this invaluable.


The Psychology Shelf

The Mindful Brain
Daniel J. Siegel
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
039370470X $26.95 www.wwnorton.com

THE MINDFUL BRAIN: REFLECTION AND ATTUNEMENT IN THE CULTIVATION OF WELL-BEING comes from a scientist, psychiatrist, educator and leader in mental health who explores here what it means to be 'mindfully aware'. While mindfulness has often been a term associated with spirituality, it here is considered from a psychology viewpoint, making THE MINDFUL BRAIN an excellent pick for college-level psychology collections. The blend of science and practice surveys brain function and how empathy and understanding are fostered.


The Music Shelf

Long and Winding Roads
Kenneth Womack
Continuum
80 Maiden Lane, New York NY 10038
0826417469, $21.95 www.continuumbooks.com

Any music library strong in Beatles surveys and references will welcome LONG AND WINDING ROADS: THE EVOLVING ARTISTRY OF THE BEATLES, which takes quite a different approach than most biographical focuses. This one maps the group's evolutionary trends from their first recordings to the height - and then fall - of their career. The Beatles' body of songs - not their lives - are considered in an analysis which does include some biography, but doesn't make this the focal point. The result is more well-rounded than most Beatles coverages with an emphasis on music over inspirational influences.

The Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide 2008
Alan Greenwood and Gil Hembree
Vintage Guitar Books
c/o Hal Leonard
P.O. Box 13818, Milwaukee, WI 53219
1884883192 $27.95 www.halleonard.com

Both collectors of vintage musical instruments and musicians will appreciate this fine guide to collectible guitars and gear which backs in over 1,000 photos and information on over 1500 brands. Any interested in pricing, whether it be a musician, collector, buyer or seller, will find this is packed with authoritative details on the vintage market, making for an outstanding reference perfect for either specialty library or general-interest collection.

100 Albums That Changed Popular Music
Chris Smith
Greenwood Press
88 Post West Road, Westport, CT 06881
0313338256 $65.00 www.greenwood.com

Plenty of Billboard-type guides provide chart lists of hit albums and many a music book discusses key albums; but this is the first to select 100 albums with lasting influence on popular music trends, and should be considered an essential reference for any collection strong in popular music history. Analysis includes notes from critics, insights on music history, release dates and notes, and clear surveys of why the albums are to be considered groundbreakers.


The Cookbook Shelf

My Love for Naples
Anna Teresa Callen
Hippocrene Books
171 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10016
0781812054 $35.00 www.hippocrenebooks.com

Anna Callen journeys to Naples to explore Neapolitan cuisine in a cookbook packed with details on traditional and regional dishes. The author's background as a cooking instructor lends to easy dishes which pepper color photos with dishes ranging from Polenta Casserole with Sausage to Spicy Vesuvius Chicken and Noodle Soup with Meatballs. Any general-interest library selecting international dishes will find this packed with appealing regional fare reflecting the author's love for Naples, and spiced with lovely color photographs.

5 Spices, 50 Dishes
Ruta Kahate
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco CA 94107
9780811853422 $19.95 www.chroniclebooks.com

How can gourmet dishes be produced from only five spices? The five featured here are coriander seeds, cumin, mustard seeds, ground cayenne and turmeric: the dishes which evolve are spicy and delicious Indian fare. From Creamed Farmer Greens to Steamed Cauliflower with Spicy Sauce, this simplifies Indian cooking to the degree that any public lending library will find it a popular, easy pick, complete with the color photos needed to make it an eye-appealing pick any library strong in easy ethnic cookbooks will relish.

The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken
Laura Schenone
W.W. Norton & Company
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
9780393061468 $26.95 www.wwnorton.com

Lending libraries strong in culinary history, particularly American regional dishes, will delight in THE LOST RAVIOLI RECIPES OF HOBOKEN, based on the author's quest for a great grandmother's recipe for ravioli. Her journey takes her to family history and archives, surveys conflicting ideas of culinary history, and journeys from New Jersey's suburbs to her Italian ancestors' home. The result's a lively food history not to be missed.


The Audiobook Shelf

Eternity in Death
J.D. Robb
Brilliance Audio
c/o Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
1423351703, $19.95 www.brillianceaudio.com 1-800-854-7859

Veteran audio narrator Susan Ericksen lends a smooth and dramatic voice to this mystery involving a futuristic lieutenant who is on a collision course with a criminal vampire. Her struggles to find and subdue the unusual perp lend to a riveting mystery perfect for any collection strong in audio mysteries or vampire stories in general; especially for those seeking something different.

Lord John And The Brotherhood Of The Blade
Diana Gabaldon
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
C4207, $123.75 www.recordedbooks.com 1-800-638-1304

Europe's infamous Seven Year War was fully in progress in 1758. Lord John and his brother Hal must deal with their responsibilities as British officers, a troubled family history involving their father's seeming suicide. A series of events lead them to the conclusion that their father was never a Jacobite agent, and was murdered. Author Diana Gabaldon's superbly crafted historical novel, "Lord John And The Brotherhood Of The Blade" is brought vividly to life through the narrative skills of Jeff Woodman in this complete and unabridged recording, comprised of 13 compact disks and with a total running time of 15.75 hours. Against a background of war, family secrets, and even a forbidden love, "Lord John And The Brotherhood Of The Blade" is a riveting 'theatre of the mind' experience, and an enthusiastically recommended addition to personal and community library audiobook collections.

Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.hachetteaudio.com

Three books in James Patterson's 'Women's Murder Club' set (1800242413 $49.99), each narrated by excellent, different readers, spice a collected box set audio which is the perfect listen for any who want the complete stories under one box. Suzanne Toren narrates FIRST TO DIE, about newlyweds being murdered in San Francisco, Melissa Leo and Jeremy Piven provide a gripping dual narration with SECOND CHANCE, revolving around a killer who is not choosy about his victims, and THIRD DEGREE receives a fine, lively review by Carolyn McCormick who brings to life this story of a burning town house, three bodies, and a mysterious message. All are fine picks under one box set which audio listeners will relish. Patterson's DOUBLE CROSS (1600240593, $39.98) is also a winner, pairing a dual narration by Peter Jay Fernandesz, a New York based actor, with Micahel Stuhlbarg, a Julliard attendee, who together provide a hard-hitting drama. A psychotic killer craves an audience for his acts, while a competitor is a brilliant killer who works alone. The two are after the same detective - Alex Cross. Can he survive a double web of two very different approaches to murder? David Baldacci's SPLIT SECOND (1600241344, $29.98) is an excellent thriller pairing a fine reading by Scott Brick with a moving thriller revolving around one Michelle, who has blown her future with the Secret Service and when she lets her charge vanish. She joins forces with the unlikely Sean King who has a similar problem - and the two delve into a world of secrets and deadly coincidences. Both are high-powered thrillers. Joyce Meyer's STARTING YOUR DAY RIGHT, ENDING YOUR DAY RIGHT BOX SET: DEVOTIONS TO BEGIN AND END EACH DAY (1600240959, $24.98) is on 4 CDs narrated by Andra McCollom, whose smooth voice lends quiet inspiration to a wonderful set. This will make either a fine lending library addition or a perfect gift for any seeking inspiration.


The Automotive Shelf

Westwood: Everyone's Favorite Racing Circuit
Tom Johnston
Granville Island Publishing
212-1656 Duranleau, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6H 3S4
189469449X $54.95 www.granvilleislandpublishing.com

There have been over 600 automobile roadracing tracks in North America since racing began 100 years ago: Westwood was different from the rest, having been built, owned and operated by the racers themselves, who formed a club to acquire a site in the BC mountains on a limited budget - and evolved one of the four best tracks in the world. Color photos supplement vintage illustrations throughout in a captivating history perfect for any library specializing in race car history.


The Business Shelf

How To Run A Dog Business
Veronica Boutelle
Dogwise Publishing
PO Box 2778, Wenatchee, WA 98807-2778
9781929242474, $19.95 www.dogwisepublishing.com 1-800-776-2665

A professional dog-trainer, Veronica Boutelle is also the former Director of Behavior and Training at the San Francisco SPCA. In "How To Run A Dog Business: Putting Your Career Where Your Heart Is", she draws upon her many years of experience and expertise to show aspiring dog trainers wanting to start their own business how to analyze their market, set prices, and advertise their services; determine what licenses, insurance, and professional affiliations are needed; create systems that profitably streamline the business; and how to balance work demands with having a personal life. Exceptionally well written and superbly organized, "How To Run A Dog Business" is very highly recommended for aspiring professionals, as well as non-specialized general readers who enjoy the company and training of their canine companions.

Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.amacombooks.org

Until recently the most important stakeholders in any company were employees who worked with loyalty and passion, giving the job their all. With the advent of a global economy such commitment has faded, and Judith M. Bardwick, Ph.D.'s ONE FOOT OUT THE DOOR: HOW TO COMBAT THE PSYCHOLOGICAL RECESSION THAT'S ALIENATING EMPLOYEES AND HURTING AMERICAN BUSINESS (0814480586, $24.95) charts this tendency of modern employees to 'sleepwalk' through jobs without any commitment. Chapters do more than document the trend: they provide managers and collections catering to administrators with the tools for combating this tendency. David Reed's MORTGAGE CONFIDENTIAL: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT YOUR LENDER WON'T TELL YOU (0814473695, $16.95) tells everything a lender won't about what they really look for in an application before approving a loan, and is a pick for any solid real estate collection and for any who would understand the loan process. From qualifications for different size loans to avoiding scams and maximizing chances for loan approval, MORTGAGE CONFIDENTIAL is an invaluable guide.


The Money/Finance Shelf

Your Complete Guide to Early Retirement
Sandy Baker
Atlantic Publishing Inc.
1405 SW 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
9780910627931 $24.95 www.atlantic-pub.com

This step-by-step plan for early retirement offers in-depth advice on three key tips to early retirement: managing expenses and eliminating debt, accumulating capital, and investing it wisely. Chapters cover all the basics, from building a portfolio geared to these goals to handling inflation and considering income payments from social security and other sources. It's a 'must' for any general-interest lending library.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Goth Craft
Raven Digitalis
Llewellyn Publications
2143 Woodside Drive, Woodbury, MA 55125-2989
9780738711041 $16.95 www.llewellyn.com

When Paganism and Goth cultures come head to head there's much possibility for a blend of magickal change - and GOTH CRAFT: THE MAGICKAL SIDE OF DARK CULTURE provides the nuts and bolts of how to anticipate, channel and direct this change. New age and Wiccan libraries must have it: it tells how to channel darkness, use dark arts of clothing, makeup and body modifications, and even chose appropriate Goth ritual music. An excellent link between Goth and magic evolves.

The Orb Project
Miceal Ledwith, DD, LLD & Klaus Heinemann, Ph.D,
Atria Books
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 100020
1582701822 $18.95 www.simonsays.com

Spherical objects sometimes appear in photos and are akin to the crop circles observed in nature: new breakthroughs in science offer new ideas on orbs, and THE ORB PROJECT comes from two leading experts in the field of orb observation who provide photos of different types of orbs, the latest analysis and ideas on their science and meaning, and more. Spirituality blends with science in a survey recommended for any new age collection.

The Spiritual Science of the Stars
Pete Stewart
Inner Traditions
Box 388, Rochester, VT 05767
1594771960 $16.95 www.innertraditions.com

Thousands of years before the first written records humans were using the night sky as a source of meaning for existence, drawing conclusions from observations which became stories around the world. These Creation Myths were designed to create harmony in the lives of humans by connecting human perception to the patterns they saw in the skies: this reexamination of creation myths in this new light today offers insights on how new ideas of the cosmos can be gained from modern astronomy, and deserves a place in any New Age lending library.


The Needlecraft Shelf

American Folk Art Quilts
Maggi McCormick Gordon
Trafalgar Square Books
Box 257, North Pomfret, VT 05053
9781570764004 $26.95 www.trafalgarbooks.com

Thirty examples of American folk art quilts are offered in a catalog which uses sample blocks for six categories of designs and styles, illustrating these with step-by-step techniques and pairing them with additional photos to show historical settings. The templates lend to pattern use, the descriptions provide plenty of background history, and the lavish result will prove appealing to any collection strong in quilting history or construction.

Martingale & Company
20205 - 144th Ave. NE, Woodinville, WA 98072-9478
www.martingale-pub.com

Easy machine techniques and projects for needle felting make Margo Duke's Needle-Felting Magic (9781564778123 $16.95) an excellent guide for beginners new to the ideas. Beginning projects teach newcomers about the materials and methods using plenty of color photos and very easy project ideas. Sidebars of 'inside secrets' also guarantee successful results without surprises, making this a top pick for any needlework library. Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss' 365 CROCHET STITCHES A YEAR PERPETUAL CALENDAR (9781564777348, $24.95) arrived too late for more timely Fall gift-giving mention but if you can still get it, it deserves a place on any crocheter's shelf for the year. It offers a year-long calendar format in a book form which packs in hundreds of crochet stitches and step-by-step instructions from beginning to advanced. The calendar format includes a closeup photo each day, with spiral binding for lasting year-long durability.

Sew What! Fleece
Carol Jessop and Chaila Sekora
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781580176262 $18.95 www.storey.com 1-800-827-8673

Feeling hemmed in by fabrics that are hard to work with and complicated patterns that go beyond the usual skillset? SEW WHAT! FLEECE offers easy tips on projects which move beyond hard seam finishes and linings to encourage the creation of a personal style. Over thirty projects for all kinds of fleece clothing from skirts and tops to pants provide beginners with easy yet contemporary clothing construction projects. A highly recommended pick for any collection catering to beginning sewers looking for forgiving fabric and easy projects.


The Travel Shelf

Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2008
Douglas Ward
Berlitz Publishing
c/o Langenscheidt Publishing Group
PO Box 979, Spring House, PA 19477
www.langenscheidt.com 1-888-773-7979
9789812682406 $24.95 www.berlitzpublishing.com

Lending libraries catering to travelers in general and the elderly who appreciate cruises in particular won't want to miss Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2008, a survey packed with independent reviews of cruise companies based on personal experience, not advertising or hearsay. Chapters do more than offer reviews of nearly three hundred cruise ships: they discuss what to look for in a ship and crew, how to compare the major lines for pros and cons, and where to find the best among different types of cruises. Simply packed with essential 'know before you go' detail.

The Lincoln Highway: The Great American Road Trip
Michael Wallis and Michael S. Williamson
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780059380 $39.95 www.wwnorton.com

American culture used to be a roadside culture, and the Lincoln Highway represented America's first transcontinental highway when it embraced 13 states and began in 1913 with much promise. Despite this history Route 66 has achieved far more fame, and THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY thus provides an excellent reminder of its importance as a rural link - and provides travel readers both armchair and destination-bound with plenty of vintage color photos and comments on sights along the way. Any general travel collection will find it an attractive, appealing lend.


The Social Issues Shelf

A Moral Climate
Michael s. Northcott
Orbis Books
Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0302
9781570757112 $20.00 www.orbisbooks.com

A MORAL CLIMATE: THE ETHICS OF GLOBAL WARMING offers a challenging, different look at global warming trends from a spiritual and ethical perspective, and comes from a leading international ethicist who has written other definitive works on the topic of Christian ethics and environmental thinking. From the failings in dominant economic models to the politics of oil around the world and religious perspectives and insights, this blend of Christian thought and social issues is a pick for both spirituality and social issues collections.

Unplugged
William H. Colby
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019
0814401600 $17.95 www.amacombooks.org

UNPLUGGED: RECLAIMING OUR RIGHT TO DIE IN AMERICA is based on court records, personal interviews and firsthand experience and comes from a lawyer who represented the family of Nancy Cruzan in the first right-to-die case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. Chapters survey legal and medical influences on end-of-life decisions, surveying how we die in America today and the social and ethical struggles surrounding medical care. Going beyond the health shelf we usually feature medical books under, UNPLUGGED is a top pick for a range of collections, from health and legal libraries to the general-interest lending library.

The Unaffordable Nation
Jeffrey D. Jones
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591025153 $17.95 www.prometheusbooks.com

THE UNAFFORDABLE NATION: SEARCHING FOR A DECENT LIFE IN AMERICA addresses concerns over the affordability of a decent life in America, and should be a part of any high school to college-level library strong in American social issues. In an era where even two incomes often isn't enough to make ends meet, the country is fast becoming an unaffordable nation by those who struggle in the middle and see their families falling to the poorer end of the economic sale - and THE UNAFFORDABLE NATION addresses these problems, offering plenty of opportunity for debate.

The Age of Fallibility: Consequences of the War on Terror
George Soros
Public Affairs
250 West 57th Street, Suite 1321, New York NY 10107
9781586484941 $14.95 www.publicaffairsbooks.com

George Soros made billions anticipating financial market trends and issues and has used his money to foster world change: here he addresses the war on terror, considering how counter-terrorist methods and approaches are changing world processes and resulting in an increasingly unstable world. Public libraries as well as schools strong in current events will find this a passionate, involving survey of the consequences of America's war on terror - and its impact on freedom's processes.

Energy Victory
Robert Zubrin
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591025917, $25.95 www.prometheusbooks.com

ENERGY VICTORY: WINNING THE WAR ON TERROR BY BREAKING FREE OF OIL argues for a new direction in US energy policies, providing the author's plan for breaking the stronghold oil has on this country and providing evidence that such dependency has resulted in corruption and, more recently, the funding and protection of terrorist movements. His plan suggests if Congress passed a law requiring all new cars be flex-fueled, this would be a major step towards breaking the oil cartel's monopoly on world energy resources. It's a fascinating survey college-level collections interested in energy resources needs to fuel classroom debates and energy studies.


The International Studies Shelf

Encounters with the Middle East
Nesreen Khashan and Jim Bowman
Solas House
853 Alma Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301
1932361480 $17.95 www.besttravelwriting.com

ENCOUNTERS WITH THE MIDDLE EAST: TRUE STORIES OF PEOPLE AND CULTURE THAT HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE REGION focuses on the encounters and stories of ordinary people, surveying interactions with 30 writers who go beyond a social report to consider how life is lived in the region. Their experiences bring to life the daily trials and promises of the Middle East and makes for a strong survey for any collection strong in contemporary Middle East culture and issues, from high school and college libraries to the general-interest lending collection.


The Science Shelf

She's Such a Greek!
Annalee Newitz & Charlie Anders
Seal Press
1400 - 65th Street Suite 250, Emeryville, CA 94608
1580051901 $14.95 www.sealpress.com

Science and technology are typically the realm of males but there are women who love genomics, blogging, video games and technology - and SHE'S SUCH A GEEK! WOMEN WRITE ABOUT SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER NERDY STUFF is the perfect book for this audience. Chapters survey the passions and interests of these female 'science geeks' from their experiences interacting with males in the field to their special interests and how they were developed. Any science library or collection catering to women's studies programs will find this a lively, involving read.

Many Worlds in One
Alex Vilenkin
Hill & Wang
c/o Farrar, Straus & Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York NY 10003
0809067226 $15.00 www.fsgbooks.com

Among his peers Alex Vilenkin is one of the most imaginative of cosmologists, offering ideas relating to the possibilities of multiple universes. MANY WORLDS IN ONE explains to lay readers these potentials, offering insights into physics advancements and developments and the possible coexistence of other universes. Collections appealing to lay readers in physics and astronomy will find it an exciting, accessible guide.

Chasing Hubble's Shadows
Jeff Kanipe
Hill & Wang
c/o Farrar, Straus & Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York NY 10003
9780809034079 $15.00 www.fsgbooks.com

Readers interested in Hubble's promise and achievements will be fascinated to learn more about telescope searches in CHASING HUBBLE'S SHADOWS: THE SEARCH FOR GALAXIES AT THE EDGE OF TIME. History and science blend in a lively dialogue that is a perfect pick for collections catering to lay readers already interested in basic astronomy and Hubble achievements in particular.

Field Notes from a Catastrophe
Elizabeth Kolbert
Bloomsbury
175 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
1596911301 $13.95 www.bloomsburyusa.com

FIELD NOTES FROM A CATASTROPHE: MAN, NATURE, AND CLIMATE CHANGE offers a broad examination of the science and dangers of global warming, comes from a three-part series for New Yorker, and deserves a place on every lending library's bookshelf, from public libraries to high school and into college collections. Its appearance in paperwork allows for its acquisition by budget-minded libraries, who will find it an excellent reference.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

National Geographic Birding Essentials
Jonathan Alderfer and Jon L. Dunn
National Geographic
1145 - 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036-4688
9781426201356 $15.95 www.nationalgeographic.com

Beginners new to birding who want a simple overview of identification techniques and observation plans will find BIRDING ESSENTIALS the perfect starting place. It offers both beginners and elementary-level birders the tools to better their observations, and pairs fine color photos of common birds with tips such as understanding variations in bird color, key identification factors, parts of a bird, and much more. General-interest collections will find it a popular lend.

Bats in Forests
Michael J. Lacki, John P. Hayes and Allen Kurta, Editors
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
0801884993 $85.00 www.press.jhu.edu

BATS IN FORESTS: CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT is a pick for any college-level library strong in natural history and conservation issues and offers a narrowed environmental focus on forest bats. Bats in caves are the common focus, but more than half of bat species in North America depend upon and uses forests for roosting, so forest health is essential to bat conservation, and this in-depth coverage of both will prove a key reference for any collection strong in ecology issues in general and bat conservation in particular.


The Art Shelf

The Fine Art of Anthony M. Alonso
Eclipse Press
c/o Blood-Horse Publications
PO Box 919003, Lexington, KY 40591-9003
9781581501728 $50.00 www.eclipsepress.com 1-800-582-5604

Anthony Alonso has been painting thoroughbred racing horses since the 1970s, documenting their racetrack battles, so any collection strong in horse books or horse racing titles needs THE FINE ART OF ANTHONY M. ALONSO, which profiles his work and packs in over 150 paintings. It's the first to compile his work, and provides his paintings in a full-page, oversized presentation complete with gilt edging worthy of gift-giving.

Licensing Art 101, 3rd Edition
Michael Woodward
Art Network
Box 1360, Nevada City, CA 95959-1360
9780940899841 $19.95 www.artmarketing.com

This guide to the licensing and publishing industry is essential not only to practicing artists but any serious collection catering to them. It covers all the basics of the licensing and publishing industry, from reproduction rights to manufacturers and publishers of calendars, posters and all kinds of art, offering the special knowledge on fees, marketing and exhibiting in trade shows, and accompanying this with 300 contacts for agents and all kinds of art publishers. It's a 'must' for any serious artist!

Seduced: Art & Sex From Antiquity to Now
Marina Wallace, Martin Kem and Joanne Bernstein
Merrell Publishers Limited
740 Broadway, Suite 1202, New York, NY 10003
9781858944166, $49.95 www.merrellpublishers.com

This survey of sex in art spans some 2000 years and considers the boundaries between art and pornography as it probes sexually explicit works and accompanies a London gallery exhibition on the subject. College-level art libraries will relish this stand-alone catalog, which holds works and discussions of over 70 artists and historical figures and examines history, culture and artistic considerations alike. Color and black and white illustrations abound.

Hudson Hills Press
3556 Main Street, Manchester, VT 05254
www.hudsonhills.com

Charles M. Carrillo, Ph.D. and Thomas J. Steele, SJ's A CENTURY OF RETABLOS: THE JANIS AND DENNIS LYON COLLECTION OF NEW MEXICAN SANTOS, 1780-1880 (1555952739, $60.00) provides an excellent tradition of fine religious painting, documenting a movement which flourished in New Mexico during its years before statehood. The collection of Janis and Dennis Lyon here receive public inspection for the first time under one cover, providing an excellent catalog of one of the finest collections of retablos in the world, and making for a top recommendation not only for art libraries, but for religious holdings as well. EARTHSCAPTURE: THE ART OF SETSUO ITO (155595281X, $65.00) is also a strong pick for Southwest library collections: it blends this with his Japanese culture to create a new form of autobiographical art, Earthscapture, which provides sculpture blending materials from plastic resin to mortar and seashells, effectively blending earth and art together. Full-page color photos catalog this achievement in a fine recommendation for any art library. Cecile Giorire and Daniel Roger's ROMAN ART FROM THE LOUVRE (1555952836, $65.00) covers the Roman art works at the Louvre, a huge collection of objects, and accompanies a traveling exhibition organized by the Louvre. Any in-depth art library specializing in antiquities will appreciate the detail, which blends photos of each piece with extensive background history covering both artistic focus and developments and general historical background. The scholarship is exquisite: any college-level collection strong in Roman history or art will relish it.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

How to Start and Operate Your Own Design Firm
Albert W. Rubeling Jr.
Allworth Press
10 East 23rd Street, New York NY 10010
1581154747 $24.95 www.allworth.com

Any interior designer or architect who has dreamed of operating a design firm needs the second updated edition of this classic which covers all the basics of establishing such a business, from developing a plan and financing an office to setting fees, locating clients and marketing design services. Both general and design firm-specific tips are blended together making this an invaluable guide for any collection catering to businesspeople or designers alike.

The Graphic Designer's Guide to Better Business Writing
Barbara Janoff and Ruth Cash-Smith
Allworth Press
10 East 23rd Street, Suite 510, New York NY 10010
1581154720 $19.95 www.allworth.com

The Graphic Designer's Guide to Better Business Writing could've been featured in our Business Books section, but is reviewed here for its importance to art libraries with graphic designer clients. Authors experienced in the business here provide tools to excel as business communicators, a key element to the successful graphic designer's business. From the basics of writing a resume or cover letter to landing accounts and conducting client research, The Graphic Designer's Guide to Better Business Writing offers an excellent set of tips for designers at all levels of their career.


The Computer Shelf

iPhone: The Missing Manual
David Pogue
Pogue Press
c/o O'Reilly Associates
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
0596513747 $19.99 www.oreilly.com

Consumers who have just purchased an iPhone will want to include iPhone: The Missing Manual in their shopping cart: it packs in details on the phone's basic and sophisticated features alike, showing how to sync it with a music file, how to get online using one of several ways, how to customize it for optimal performance and personal needs, and more. Both computer libraries and general-interest collections will especially appreciate the color tip bars, many sample screen shots throughout, and an easy format that lends to quick browsing and immediate understanding.

O'Reilly Associates
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
www.oreilly.com

Steven Feuerstein, Bill Pribyl and Chip Dawes' ORACLE PL/SQL LANGUAGE POCKET REFERENCE (0596514042, $14.99) provides the fourth edition of a popular pocket guide which will serve as a quick reference in take-along tote format. PL/SQL's information covers records, functions, language elements and more, in a new edition that includes Oracle Database 11g elements from function results to compound triggers. New sections on Oracle's built-in functions rounds out the update. Steven Feuerstein's ORACLE PL/SQL BEST PRACTICES, 2ND EDITION (0596514107, $29.99) provides the author's years of programming, teaching and writing experiences in a set of 'best practices' for developing applications. The latest release of Oracle is covered in chapters which cover nine categories in chapters which are quick and easy to consult, arranged in a problem/solution format to reflect real-world programming examples and challenges.

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Bible
Ted Padova and Kelly L. Murdock
Wiley Publishing
10475 Crosspoint Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46256
9780470130674 $44.99 www.wiley.com

Any collection strong in Adobe CS3 needs Adobe Creative Suite 3 Bible: at over 1,200 pages of information it literally is a 'bible' of information, packing in details on all the toolbox offerings from the latest Adobe creation. From setting up workflows for teams or studios to exporting Web designs, working with older versions of files, adding animation and sound slips, and more, this offers up black and white screen shots paired with important information essential to Adobe users, making it a top pick not just for computer libraries, but for general-interest holdings.


The Photography Shelf

Bruno Gmunder Verlag
Kleiststr 23-26, D-10787, Berlin Germany
www.amazon.com www.brunogmuender.com

Bruno Gmunder Verlag's titles focus on explicit male pictures and photo books: while these won't be appropriate for the general-interest lending library, they will be key specialty items for any library including sections on gay men or explicit photos of male models. Two new highly recommended publications include Jeff Palmer's TOUCH (9783861874652, $49.95), with its focus on American models in sensual and intimate togetherness, and Henning Von Berg's ALPHA MALES (9783861874683). TOUCH's male nudes are excellent black and white, artistic renditions also recommended for art libraries seeking alternative books on portraiture, while ALPHA MALES focuses on bodybuilders and the male body set in often provocative or eye-opening displays. Both are top picks for any library not afraid of sexually explicit yet artistic productions.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Darwin's Paradox
Nina Munteanu
Edge Publishing
Box 1714, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2L7, Canada
9781896944685, $19.95 www.edgewebsite.com

An intelligent virus and an intelligent machine conspire to sieve North America's largest city, then spread world chaos - and the only woman who can save humanity is the one who began the virus. Her return to the city she once fled will lead to a different kind of revolution in this involving story of change, perfect for any collection appealing to avid science fiction readers.

Baen Books
Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
www.baen.com

Eric Flint and Virginia DeMarce's 1634: THE BAVARIAN CRISIS (1416542531, $26.00) tells of a 30 years war which continues to ravage 17th century Europe, and of transplants from the 20th century's West Virginia who, led by Mike Stearns, participate in a battle which can be won by 20th century technology - if modern materials can be found to build the inventions to rescue their forces. Military confrontation abounds in an exciting story. Andre Norton's STAR FLIGHT (1416555064, $24.00) tells of a hunted man whose brother is murdered for covert activities as a scientist in a world where scientists are blamed for the global war that destroyed mankind. It's a part of THE STARS ARE OURS and STAR BORN and represents their first combined publication under one cover. Travis S. Taylor's ONE DAY ON MARS (1416555056, $23.00) tells of one day which will change history not only for Martian citizen bent on breaking the Sol System government but for the entire solar system as a whole. Swift action and confrontations mark a military and political adventure.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Mego 8" Super-Heroes: World's Greatest Toys
Benjamin Holcomb
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
9781893905825, $49.95 www.twomorrows.com 1-919-449-0344

"Mego 8" Super-Heroes: World's Greatest Toys" is a detailed, 256-page survey of the Mego toy company and their extraordinary line of super-hero action figures that dominated the toy industry in the 1970s. Profusely illustrated with thousands of charts, checklists and color photographs, "Mego 8" Super-Heroes: World's Greatest Toys" offers a chronological history of Mego, interviews with former employees and Mego vendors, and comprises a definitive guide to Mego that will prove to be indispensable for dealers and collectors of Mego super-hero action figures, and is a highly recommended addition to academic and community library 20th Century American Popular Culture reference collections.

Collector Books
Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002-3009
www.collectorbooks.com

THE OFFICIAL PRECIOUS MOMENTS COLLECTORS' GUIDE TO FIGURINES, 3rd EDITION (9781574325690, $19.95) by John & Malinda Bomm pairs small color photos of figurines with prices, notes on retirement dates, and offers small areas where notes can be made by collectors as they acquire figurines. While these spaces may not lend to library circulation, they do make it a snap for individual collectors to organize notes easily in one place for at-a-glance information. David Longest's COLLECTING DISNEYANA: IDENTIFICATION & VALUE GUIDE (9781574325607, $29.95) will prove an exciting, popular pick for any library catering to Disney collectors. Color photos pack a survey of early to later Disney items, from films and books to figurines, packing in notes on collectible items and their prices. J. Michael Augustyniak's COLLECTOR'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BARBIE DOLL COLLECTOR'S EDITIONS 2008 (9781574325584, $29.95) is a 'must' for any Barbie collector or any collection catering to doll collectors. It packs its pages with the latest values and updated color photos, including descriptions, notes on special collections and Barbie attributes, and more. If only one Barbie doll collector's comprehensive reference were acquired for a general lending library, it should be this one.


James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


Copyright ©2001

Site design by Williams Writing, Editing & Design