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California Bookwatch

Volume 2, Number 8 August 2007 Home | CALBW Index

Table of Contents

Donovan's Picks Dance Shelf Self-Help Shelf
California Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Fiction Shelf
Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Biography Shelf International Studies Shelf
Social Issues Shelf Art Shelf Crafts Shelf
Science Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Photography Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Education Shelf
Computer Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf Music Shelf
Military Shelf Christian Studies Shelf Business Shelf
Woodworking Shelf Sports Shelf Antiques/Collectibles Shelf  
Needlecraft Shelf Native American Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf  
Graphic Novel Shelf World History Shelf Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf  
Gemstone/Mineralogy Shelf Homeowner's Shelf Buddhist Studies Shelf  
Terrorism Studies Shelf    


Donovan's Picks

How To: Advanced Custom Motorcycle Chassis
Doug Mitchel
Wolfgang Publications
217 Second Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082
1929133375, $24.95 www.wolfpub.com

Motorcyclists involved in either building a bike from scratch or adding to a factory chassis will appreciate the photo-packed, project-oriented "How To: Advanced Custom Motorcycle Chassis", which discusses upgrades, frames, assembly specs and more. Over 400 color images accompany details on what to buy and how to assemble all kinds of parts, including sidebars of information from industry leaders. A 'must' for any collection catering to motorcycle hobbyists.

Mindfreak: Secret Revelations
Criss Angel with Laura Morton
HarperCollins
10 East 53rd Street, New York NY 10022
9780061137617, $24.95 www.harpercollins.com

"Mindfreak: Secret Revelations" tells of Criss Angel's evolution as a performance artist, magician and musician, charting his rise to fame beginning at age 6 and adding details of his life and his artistic philosophy and influences. Criss is today a performer in his own TV series and specials doing live shows, soundtracks, and other music. He's studied mysticism, music, and even dance. His survey covers the 'Mindfreaks' which allow him to push for excellence in very different worlds and offers step-by-step instructions on mastering some forty 'Mindfreaks' for magicians or general-interest audiences. Perfect for general-interest lending libraries.

Makeup: The Art of Beauty
Linda Mason
Watson-Guptill
770 Broadway, New York NY 10003
0823099792, $14.95 www.watsonguptill.com

Linda Mason is a top international makeup artist and here provides an outline of techniques and how-to tips that are used to achieve high glamour and modern results. Mason served as a makeup artist for many Hollywood shoots, so her expertise comes from tested techniques under the most rigorous of conditions, yet translates well to the everyday woman's needs. General-interest libraries with beauty sections will welcome a basic primer packed with color photos, step-by-step application tricks and tips, and a knowledge of bone structure, color, and makeup for different ethnic groups. Very highly recommended.

Kabul Beauty School
Deborah Rodrigues with Kristin Ohlson
Random House
c/o Random House Trade Group Publicity
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
9781400065592, $24.95 www.atrandom.com 1-800-726-0600

KABUL BEAUTY SCHOOL: AN AMERICAN WOMAN GOES BEYOND THE VEIL tells of Deborah Rodriguez, who went to Afghanistan as part of a group offering humanitarian aid to the nation. Rodriguez was a hairdresser and mother who believed she could offer little but found her talent for befriending Afghans and her profession led to a unique concept: to found the first class in beauty school operations in the country. Her journey through a new culture's needs and world is recounted in a warm memoir which penetrates the social issues and milieu of Afghan women and makes for a key acquisition for any collection strong in Middle East or Afghanistan culture and issues, especially at the public library lending level.

Lighthouses
Sara E. Wermiel
Library of Congress
c/o W.W. Norton
500 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
0393831069, $75.00 www.wwnorton.com

This pictorial history of lighthouses may initially appear to duplicate other, lighter surveys of the same subject but it comes form the Library of Congress Visual Sourcebooks Series and adds plenty of history and overall background to the vintage black and white photos of lighthouses. The history includes service, construction, and illumination technology so LIGHTHOUSES here contains a depth lighter, more general-interest surveys don't hold and it relies heavily on historic and contemporary images alike something else missing from competing, slimmer titles. LIGHTHOUSES thus is a definitive, in-depth volume recommended for college-level holdings as well as any library where American history and architectural design are key components of the collection.

The Black Swan
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Random House
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9781400063512, $26.95 www.randomhouse.com

Nissim Taleb is an options trader/statistician turned philosopher and so his THE BLACK SWAN: THE IMPACT OF THE HIGHLY IMPROBABLE doesn't fit neatly into any one category, but will equally interest libraries with patrons concerned with business, philosophy, science, and more. A Black Swan here serves as a metaphor for an unpredictable event with massive impact and they underlie almost everything about our world. They can occur in personal lives as well as affect societies as a whole. The blend of philosophy and social analysis makes THE BLACK SWAN a wide-ranging discussion suitable both for college-level and general-interest library lending collections.


The Dance Shelf

Classes In Classical Ballet
Asef Messerer
Limelight Editions
c/o Hal Leonard Corporation
777 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213
0879103442, $20.00 www.limelighteditions.com www.halleonard.com 1-800-637-2852

CLASSES IN CLASSICAL BALLET has long been a classic out of print, so its reappearance after thirty years makes it a 'must' acquisition for any serious dance or ballet collection. Author Asef Messerer is a celebrated dancer and teacher, the founder of the Bolshoi school of ballet, and here provides six of his classes with notes, positions and steps illustrated by nearly 500 black and white photos of principal Bolshoi dancers. Teachers and dancers will find it a top instructional pick.


The Self-Help Shelf

Law of Attraction
Michael J. Losier
Wellness Central
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
0446199745, $17.99 www.hachettebookgroupusa.com

What drives the forces of serendipity and attraction? LAW OF ATTRACTION: THE SCIENCE OF ATTRACTING MORE OF WHAT YOU WANT AND LESS OF WHAT YOU DON'T reveals a three-step program to increasing positive change, blending exercises, tools and scripts with a wide-ranging survey for attracting the best of 'luck' in everything from relationships to jobs. From using worksheets to clarify wants, needs, and desired changes to analyzing the elements of others' success and coveted earnings in life, LAW OF ATTRACTION provides a powerful formula for achievement. Public libraries will find the idea appealing and the concept straightforward, though the worksheets included here might make it a more appropriate pick for book buyers who can then feel free to write in the spaces provided for self-analysis.


The California Shelf

Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
www.nolo.com

Let nobody tell you it's impossible to afford a house in expensive California it IS possible, with the help of How to Buy a House in California, co-authored by attorney Ralph Warner and two real estate brokers (Ira Serkes & George Devine, 1413304036, $34.99). From obtaining the best mortgage and choosing a house and neighborhood to making offers, inspecting the house, and buying and selling a house simultaneously, this 11th updated edition includes a simple method for calculating how much house is affordable and packs in forms, tables, and more. A 'must' reference not only for would-be California homeowners, but for any public library catering so them. Also 'musts' for California collections is Julia Nissley's 18th edition of HOW TO PROBATE AN ESTATE IN CALIFORNIA (1413305741, $49.99) and the 17th updated edition of Attorneys Janet Portman and David Brown's CALIFORNIA TENANTS' RIGHTS (1413305733, $29.99). TENANTS' RIGHTS covers everything from locating an optimum place to live to fighting an eviction in court, spelling out legal rights under California law and how to protect them. From negotiating the terms in a lease to fighting discrimination and getting needed repairs, everything is covered and backed by the latest legal tips. HOW TO PROBATE AN ESTATE IN CALIFORNIA surveys court proceedings, probate, living trusts and the transfer of both real and personal property. Newly updated for 2007, this edition offers hundreds of probate shortcuts that allow for quick property transfers without any court proceedings.

Arcadia Publishing
420 Wando Park Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
www.arcadiapublishing.com 1-888-313-2665

Arcadia's excellent 'Images' titles are top picks and highly recommended for any California library strong in local history. Grante Ute and Bruce Singer's ALAMEDA BY RAIL (0738557069, $19.99) offers an outstanding compilation of vintage images celebrating Alameda's railway heritage, using the archives of the Western Railway Museum to power a history of rail operations and lines. There's little mentioned in typical California or Bay Area general history circles of Alameda's importance as a rail hub, so ALAMEDA BY RAIL is unique and needed for any collection strong in Bay Area history. Rayna Garibaldi's SAN FRANCISCO'S PORTOLA (0738547158, $19.99) provides a history dating back to the 1800s, telling of a part of San Francisco little known to tourists. Originally settled by Jewish immigrants, the area evolved into a community populated by nurserymen and flowers growers. Lifelong Portola resident Rayna Garibaldi shares history with photos unique to this book many from the family archives of local business owners, nurserymen, and other long-time residents. Branwell Fanning and William Wong's ANGEL ISLAND (0738547190, $19.99) tells of the rise of Angel Island and comes from a Tiburon former mayor and the son of Chinese immigrants once detailed at the immigration station. Both share personal collections and resources to build a fine visual survey of Angel Island's history. Paul C. Trimble and William Knorp's FERRIES OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY (073854731X, $19.99) comes from a transportation historian who provides a vast selection of early ferry images gleaned from the National Maritime Museum, Northwestern Pacific Railroad Historical Society, and other collections. Black and white vintage images of Key System ferries and old ferries are accompanied by descriptions that place each ferry in historical perspective. Michael F. Crowe and Robert W. Bowen's SAN FRANCISCO ART DECO (0738547344, $19.99) is outstanding: a celebration of an art movement which made its mark on San Francisco in the early 20s, when the era created thousands of new buildings, many embodying the style and idea of 'art deco'. The historic images here examines art, architecture and social history alike. All are extraordinary, unique titles perfect for any California collection .


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Simmer Down
Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant
Berkeley Prime Crime
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
9780425213858, $22.95 www.penguin.com

SIMMER DOWN is another recipe-enhanced mystery novel by authors who have used the successful formula blending mystery with culinary insights in prior, successful books. Here Gourmet Detective Chloe Carter returns in a story of a dream boyfriend prepping for the opening of Boston's newest restaurant when a murder threatens his world. Chloe finds herself with likely and unlikely suspects, recipes, and employs much humor in her quest for truth, making SIMMER DOWN a fine choice for libraries seeking something different in mystery writing.


The Fiction Shelf

Life's Golden Ticket
Brendon Burchard
Harper San Francisco
353 Sacramento Street, Suite 500, San Francisco CA 94111-3653
9780061173905, $22.95 www.harpersf.com

Brendon Burchard's LIFE'S GOLDEN TICKET is billed as an inspirational novel which it is but stems from real life experience: a terrible car accident changed his life and gave him a 'golden ticket' a second chance at life, and this novel tells of a fiance entrusted with an impossible mission when he's sent to give an envelope to a brother in an amusement park a brother long dead, a park long vanished. An outstanding, spiritual story of evolution and change makes for an inviting read in a novel recommended for fans of THE ALCHEMIST and similar spiritual novels.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Night Rising: Vampire Babylon
Chris Marie Green
Ace Books
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
9780441014675, $14.00 www.penguin.com

Hollywood after dark is filled with more than just stars these days, as stuntwoman Dawn Madison finds when her father vanishes and she begins investigating. Dawn finds his colleagues mysterious and uncovers a strange underground society made up of vampires that are deadly and dangerous. Humor and intrigue blend with mystery and the supernatural to make for a gripping detective science fiction tale hard to put down, and perfect for collections where patrons relish new vampire-themed novels.

Baen Books
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
www.baen.com

John Lambshead's LUCY'S BLADE (1416521216, $24.00) is a highly recommended adventure for any fan of fantasy in general and political fantasy in particular. Lucy's trying to fend of marriage against her will while Spanish secret agents are trying to assassinate Queen Elizabeth and a royal magician's efforts cause her to be possessed by a demon. What else can possibly go wrong in Lady Lucy's life? Magic, history and adventure blend in a fast-paced plot packed with satisfying twists and turns. David Weber and Eric Flint's 1634: THE BALTIC WAR (141652102X, $26.00) presents another in their 1634 timeslip series: the lost Americans still are involved in the Baltic War which began in the novel 1633 and they're still caught in the middle. Political encounters, military clashes and high adventure result in a series of complex encounters highly recommended for prior fans of the timeslip alternate history series.


The Biography Shelf

Louis I. Kahn: Beyond Time and Style
Carter Wiseman
W.W. Norton
500 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
0393731650, $60.00 www.wwnorton.com

The biography of architect Louis I. Kahn, whose work is now ranked with Frank Lloyd Wright and other notables, represents the first in-depth survey of an architect whose works redefined 20th century architecture, and uses over a hundred interviews with colleagues, clients and family members to reveal Kahn's life, influences, and his sudden emergence as a notable architect. Illustrated with many previously unpublished photos documenting the rise of this poor immigrant, and including extensive family documents from archives, LOUIS I. KAHN: BEYOND TIME AND STYLE surveys his personal relationships, clients, and the extent of his genius. Highly recommended for any college-level collection concentrating on architectural history.

An Illuminated Life: Belle da Costa Greene's Journey from Prejudice to Privilege
Heidi Ardizzone
W.W. Norton
500 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393051049, $32.50 www.wwnorton.com

In 1911 one Bella da Costa Greene made New York newspaper headlines by buying a book from one of Britain's finest printers, succeeding at a high-profile auction which allowed her to walk away with the book for half of what her employer had authorized her to pay, despite aggressive bidding. She would spend some forty years at her employer's resulting library and become its first director but the real story of her achievement, which includes her African-American heritage, lack of formal art education, and bohemian lifestyle, remained hidden until now. AN ILLUMINATED LIFE charts her rise to culture and prosperity and provides an extraordinary, gripping memoir of an amazing woman which is perfect for any general interest library strong in biographical memoirs, art history, or even Afro-American notable figures.

The Education of Ronald Reagan
Thomas W. Evans
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street, New York, NY 10023-7015
0231138601 www.columbia.edu.cu/cup 1-800-944-8648

The Education of Ronald Reagan: The General Electric Years and the Untold Story of His Conversion to Conservatism is a far different portrait of Reagan than typical biographies have covered. For one thing, the focus is much narrower and more specific: for another, it's based on a newly discovered collection of private papers, interviews and corporate documents, and provides fresh revelations on Reagan's ideological development. From mentors and influences on his development to the ideals of modern American conservatism, THE EDUCATION OF RONALD REAGAN is a 'must' for any college-level collection strong in not only Presidential analysis or Reagan in particular, but for those strong in American political debates.

Her Way
Jeff Gerth and Don Van Natta Jr.
Little, Brown
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
0316017426, $29.99 www.hbgusa.com

Nothing could be more timely than an expose of a powerful front-runner for party nomination in an election year, and HER WAY: THE HOPES AND AMBITIONS OF HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON is certain to receive much attention as it surveys her formative years, career, and life. There are other biographies which seem to cover the same material, but the authors here conducted over five hundred interviews with her closest friends, aides, former aides and confidants including Ken Starr and include analysis based on previously undisclosed documents. The result debunks many commonly accepted myths about Clinton and her purposes.


The International Studies Shelf

Inside North Korea
Mark Edward Harris
Chronicle Book
85 Second Street, Sixth Floor, San Francisco CA 94105
0811857514, $35.00 www.chroniclebooks.com

North Korea's always in the news and so a book like INSIDE NORTH KOREA is essential not just to college-level holdings with books on North Korea, but to general-interest collections as well. The public library will especially appreciate this book's format: an oversized photo exhibit which pairs well-researched essays and commentary by North Korea experts with images of North Korean peoples and places. Perfect for any collection seeking a solid introduction.

On the Road to Kandahar
Jason Burke
Thomas Dunne
c/o St. Martins Press
175 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010-7848
0312366221, $24.95 www.stmartins.com

ON THE ROAD TO KANDAHAR: TRAVELS THROUGH CONFLICT IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD could have been featured in our Travel Shelf section but it's so much more, and shouldn't be limited to a leisure travel-reading audience alone. Jason Burke spent a decade among Muslim people in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Thailand and other areas: his guide explores their culture and concerns, blending first-person experiences and encounters with interviews with a wide range of people, from Taliban officials and a former torturer for Husseun's intelligence service to a suicide bomber and an American sniper in Iraq. It's these varied encounters from different cultures in the area which offer eye-opening insights and cultural revelations not to be missed. Any collection serious about Middle East issues needs ON THE ROAD TO KANDAHAR.


The Social Issues Shelf

Savage Perils
Patrick B. Sharp
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
080613822X, $34.95 www.oupress.com 1-800-627-7377

SAVAGE PERILS: RADICAL FRONTIERS AND NUCLEAR APOCALYPSE IN AMERICAN CULTURE examines the history of American culture from the early industrial age to the Cold War, considering how this history and culture influenced representations of nuclear weaponry in American society and psyche. From anthropological race theory and Asian immigration to Darwinian evidence of struggle between 'civilized' and 'savage' forces, SAVAGE PERILS juxtaposes both military and social history in an analysis perfect for college-level social science holdings.

Storm World
Chris Mooney
Harcourt
15 East 26th Street, New York NY 10010
9780151012879, $26.00 www.HarcourtBooks.com

Chris Mooney is one of the leading science journalists and commentators working today and his meteorological guide STORM WORLD: HURRICANES, POLITICS AND THE BATTLE OVER GLOBAL WARMING thus comes with authority and expertise, following the lives and careers of the leading researchers on either side of the global warming argument. Rather than the usual science-only focus, STORM WORLD also focuses on the interactions between politicians, economists, big business and the media, considering how weather patterns and impact is interpreted on all sides. The result is a powerful social and scientific expose that is as strong on interpersonal influence and political insights as it is on science fact. Perfect for not only college-level libraries but for general-interest public library collections.

Voices of Protest
Frank Lowenstein, Sheryl Lechner, Erik Bruun
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
151 West 19th Street, New York NY 10011
9781579125851, $24.95 www.bdl.com

There have been many books written on protesting and civil liberties, but few with the breadth and strength of VOICES OF PROTEST: DOCUMENTS OF COURAGE AND DISSENT which captures the writings of Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Socrates, Muhammad Ali, Ronald Reagan and other major voices under one cover. It's the first in-depth collection of international documents of protest, is organized into seven main subject categories for quick reference, and is an excellent pick not just for high school to college-level collections strong in civil rights and social issues, but for the general interest lending library, as well.

Reset
Rusel DeMaria
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650, San Francisco CA 94104-2916
1576754332, $24.95 www.bkcurrents.com

Video games can prove powerful tools for learning and social change: that's the eye-opening revelation in RESET: CHANGING THE WAY WE LOOK AT VIDEO GAMES, which comes from a gaming journalist and concerned parent who examines the myths and stereotypes revolving around video games. From an analysis of the business forces behind these games' development to the unique qualities which distinguish video games from other media and the latest learning research on play and learning connections, chapters extol the possibilities of video games as powerful tools for education and inspiration if presented properly. A fine choice for education and social issues libraries alike, this will reach college-level audiences.


The Art Shelf

Hudson Hills Press
Box 205, Manchester, VT 05254
www.hudsonhills.com

Two extraordinary art displays are top picks for any serious art library holding. Robert Kipniss' PAINTINGS: 1950-2005 (1555952801, $60.00) catalogs Kipniss' many works which have made his career as a printmaker and painter. These are primarily landscapes in black and white and duotone, receive full-page displays, and gather some of his most distinctive styles from his earliest works through the 70s and 80s. It's a gorgeous presentation perfect for any serious college-level art library specializing in modern painters. Michael Taylor's A GEOMETRY OF MEANING (1555952623, $60.00) provides a gorgeous selection of glass art works by a pioneer of the craft. His work spans over thirty years and this catalog, paired with essays, provides both a catalog of works and a survey of the process of his evolution over the decades. An outstanding survey, recommended for any serious art library collection.

Enchanted Jewelry of Egypt
Azza Fahmy
American University in Cairo Press
c/o International Publishers Marketing
P.O. Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
9789774249013, $59.95 www.ipm.com

ENCHANTED JEWELRY OF EGYPT: THE TRADITIONAL ART AND CRAFT comes in an oversized gorgeous hardcover with slipcase and is a top pick for any college-level or in-depth specialty collection focusing on either world jewelry in general or Egyptian history, culture and the arts in particular. The author is a designer of jewelry based on traditional motifs and covers jewelry made throughout Egypt over the last hundred years, using her own collection and travels to supplement history and research. Both history and jewelry-making insights make for an outstanding survey.


The Crafts Shelf

Beading Inspiration
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
0871162466, $19.95 www.kalmbachbooks.com 1-800-533-6644

Beading Inspiration: How To Use Color In Jewelry Design is a craft guide to both innovative and traditional approaches to designing colorful jewelry arrangements, as well as sample jewelry projects to test one's palette and creativity. Chapters offer thematic and inspirational suggestions for every color, from red to green to indigo to brown. Step-by-step instructions and color photographs walk the reader through threading and assembling splendid creations from simple and relatively modest materials and tools, such as claret red and gold earrings from 44 3mm biocone crystals, 1g Japanese cylinder beads, flexible beading wire .015, 2 crimp beads, a pair of earring wires, chainnose pliers, crimping pliers, and diagonal wire cutters. A fabulous "how-to" guide for beading and jewelry makers of all skill and experience levels.

Easy Beading V. 3
BeadStyle
Kalmbach Publishing Company
P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
9780871162410, $29.95 www.kalmbach.com

Jewelry makers who want to become more involved with beading projects will find excellent projects packed into EASY BEADING V. 3: THE BEST PROJECTS FROM THE THIRD YEAR OF BEADSTYLE MAGAZINE. Over two hundred pages pack in over eighty jewelry-making projects perfect for beginners and the libraries catering to them, packing hundreds of color photos of finished pieces in a collection organized by the types of materials they use. From blending beads with gemstones and other materials to step-by-step photos, EASY BEADING VOLUME 3 covers everything from terms to tools and is a 'must' for any beginning beader or libraries catering to them.


The Science Shelf

Hydrogen: Hot Stuff Cool Science
Rex A. Ewing
PixyJack Press
Box 149, Masonville, CO 80541
9780977372416, $25.00 www.pixyjackpress.com

The second updated edition of this classic continues to be a top pick for both general-interest lending libraries and collections strong in environmental science studies. Charts, graphs, facts and science are presented along with lively first-person vignettes and fun examples to cement knowledge and encourage easy understanding.

Extreme Weather: A Guide and Record Book
Christopher C. Burt
W.W. Norton
500 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110-0017
9780393330151, $25.95 www.wwnorton.com

Is the climate really changing radically? To answer this a record of past weather extremes and norms needs to be reviewed, and there's no better place to do this than with Extreme Weather: A Guide and Record Book. Here are U.S. weather trends going back to the 19th century in a revised, updated guide which includes historical examples of strange weather. Divided into chapters by type of weather strange snowstorms, thunderstorms and hail, etc. each chapter pairs color photos and illustrations with maps, lively overviews, and more. An excellent choice not just for science libraries, but for any general interest lending library.

F5
Mark Levine
Miramax Books
99 Hudson Street, 5th Floor, New York NY 10013
9781401352202, $25.95 www.miramax.com

F5: DEVASTATION, SURVIVAL AND THE MOST VIOLENT TORNADO OUTBREAK OF THE 20TH CENTURY comes from an award-winning magazine writer and is a powerful survey of the 1974 tornado array some 148 of them which struck thirteen states in the Midwest and killed hundreds. F5 reads like fiction but packs in science details on the six that achieved F5 force status the rarest, largest of tornadoes. By including case history vignettes of individuals affected during the storms, F5 pairs science with a personal touch lending it appeal into general interest lending library holdings, where it's sure to be popular.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Equine Injury, Therapy and Rehabilitation, 3rd Edition
Mary Bromiley
Blackwell Publishing
Box 570, Ames, IA 50010-0570
9781405150613, $39.99 www.blackwellprofessional.com

The new updated edition of Equine Injury, Therapy and Rehabilitation is a winner for the horse-riding community, fully updating technological advances in diagnostic ability and animal physiology. In addition to a foundation of equine anatomy it surveys common equine and rider injuries, explains rehabilitation and recovery processes, and describes all manner of horse physiology in the process. A 'must' for any serious horse library.

Circus Tricks for Your Dog
Rick Martin
Lark
c/o Sterling Publishers
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
1579908160, $9.95 www.larkbooks.com

Plenty of books cover dog training and a few others cover animal circus performers but what if Fido could become such a performer? Until now the entertainment of a circus dog has been limited to the big top, but public lending libraries will find pet owners will be excited by the at-home training opportunities reviewed in CIRCUS TRICKS FOR YOUR DOG. From riding a skateboard to riding a rolling barrel and climbing a ladder and jumping, each trick receives step-by-step coverage, from acquiring or building props to enticing a pet to do the right thing. Any who own a dog and dream of better tricks will find CIRCUS TRICKS FOR YOUR DOG: 25 CROWD-PLEASERS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR DOG A STAR will prove an exceptionally inviting, different guide.

Koi: A Handbook on Keeping Nishikigoi
Servaas de Kock & Ronnie Watt
Firefly Books Ltd.
66 Leek Crescent, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 1H1, Canada
1554072158, $22.95 www.fireflybooks.com

For centuries koi fish have been a popular hobby, especially in Japan and in the West more recently: now beginners can learn their special needs with KOI: A HANDBOOK ON KEEPING NISHIKIGOI. The authors are experienced koi-keepers and provide all the basics in an easy, logical progression of tips perfect for general interest lending libraries strong in pet references. Chapters cover the natural history of koi and koi varieties and move into building ponds, keeping koi, and even showing koi. Packed with color photos, this is a guide any aspiring koi-keeper needs.


The Photography Shelf

Testimony
Gillian Laub, Ariella Azoulay and Raef Zreik
Aperture Foundation
547 West 27th St., 4th Floor, New York NY 10001
9781597110129, $40.00 www.aperture.org

For four years Gillian Laub has worked in Israel and Palestine producing portraits of their inhabitants, and TESTIMONY thus has appeal not only for art schools strong in contemporary portrait photography and social issues photography, but for any college-level holding including studies about and images of Middle East residents. Fifty of her portraits cover Israeli Jews and Arabs alike, are accompanied by interviews which reveal common threads of survival issues, and make for an excellent series of eye-opening visual images. A powerful library pick.

The National Road: A Photographic Journey
Clarence Carvell
American Literary Press
8019 Belair Road Suite 10, Baltimore, MD 21236
9781561679522, $29.95 www.americanliterarypress.com

Any collection strong in either historic photos or American history will welcome the new Heritage edition of THE NATIONAL ROAD A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY, gathering photos of historical treasures to be found along U.S. Route 40. Clarence Carvell's photos reflect his long-time studies of what remains of the road: his research notes and photos are here bound into a book perfect for coffee tables, college libraries and public library lending collections alike.

Closeup Shooting
Cyrill Harnischmacher
Rocky Nook
28 West Mission Street, Suite 3, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
9781933952093, $24.95 www.rockynook.com

CLOSEUP SHOOTING: A GUIDE TO CLOSEUP, TABLETOP, AND MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY comes from a photographer and designer who introduces readers to the world of small objects and the special challenges involved in taking photos of this world. From choosing equipment and using ambient light to maximum advantage to framing perfect shots and using flash effectively, CLOSEUP SHOOTING is for any photographer who would hone skills in macro work, and comes packed with color photos. Photographer libraries and public libraries catering to novices both will find it a popular lend.

The Art of People Photography
Bambi Cantrell and Skip Cohen
Amphoto Books
770 Broadway, New York NY 10003
0817455671, $24.95 www.amphotobooks.com

Bambi Cantrell is a well-known wedding and portrait photographer and Skip Cohen is president of Rangefinder Publishing: the two pair their considerable talents and experience in The Art of People Photography: Inspiring Techniques for Creative Results, which teaches the basics of portraiture from the foundations of acquiring and using professional equipment to learning the rules of portraiture and when and how to break them. From shooting babies and children to adults, special settings to special lighting conditions, this teaches a range of skills and packs in color and black and white photo examples throughout, making it a top pick for any lending library strong in portrait photography.


The Cookbook Shelf

Confetti Cakes Cookbook
Elisa Strauss with Christie Matheson
Little, Brown Publishers
1271 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9780316113076, $29.99 www.HachetteBookGroupUSA.com

When a famous shoe designer received a surprise birthday cake of a stiletto perched next to a tissue-filled shoe box, he was amazed at the talents of Elisa Strauss of Confetti Cakes in New York and everyone wanted one of her creations. THE CONFETTI CAKES COOKBOOK would at first glance seem to appeal only to seasoned bakers, but in fact offers up eye-catching projects for every skill level, from novice to expert. Chapters pack in projects and decorations and not just full, large cakes but cookies, cupcakes, and smaller cake choices. Any tired of the 'same old' approach who seeks something different and eye-catching will find THE CONFETTI CAKES COOKBOOK attractive as will public lending libraries catering to dessert cooks.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Pagan Prayer Beads
John Michael Greer and Clare Vaughn
Weiser Books
500 Third Street #230, San Francisco CA 94107
1578633842, $16.95 www.redwheelweiser.com

PAGAN PRAYER BEADS: MAGIC AND MEDITATION WITH PAGAN ROSARIES comes from a beading expert who covers the meditative qualities of Pagan rosaries and is the first book to do so. New Age libraries will find it an excellent and unique survey which provides explanations and keys to understanding the rituals associated with different kinds of rosary beads, covering everything from making and stringing a rosary to using it properly.

A Matter of Life and Death
Rosemary Altea
Tarcher
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014-3658
9781585425532, $24.95 www.penguin.com

Fifteen years ago the term 'medium' was barely known to the public: today the ordinary American knows it well. Psychic Rosemary Altea's A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH: REMARKABLE TRUE STORIES OF HOPE AND HEALING comes from a woman widely known as the 'voice of the spirit world' and here provides an important survey of how to spot fakes in the industry, and how to understand the spirit world. From the author's latest encounters with the spirit world, including a soldier who died in Iraq, to increased media coverage of psychics in modern times, A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH offers much insight into the world of psychic perception.

Llewellyn Publications
PO Box 64383, St. Paul, MN 55164-0383
www.llewellyn.com 1-800-843-6666

Ellen Dugan's NATURAL WITCHERY: INTUITIVE, PERSONAL & PRACTICAL MAGICK (9780738709222, $16.95) offers practicing witches a dozen ways to hone intuition, from psychic exercises and quizzes to starting a coven and understanding spells and rituals. As an enhancement for beginning witches it goes far in covering basic techniques to strengthening blossoming intuitive magick. Noel Tyl's GUIDE TO ASTROLOGICAL CONSULTATION (9780738710495, $24.95) is an excellent survey by a master astrologer who adds detail and in-depth insights to the art of astrological interpretation. Here the horoscope is presented as a key to understanding individual interpretation and art, and chapters provide a format for astrologers to work with clients, offering ten major considerations to help strengthen the relationship. Verbatim case studies of five Tyl consultations chart thoughts and paths of approach and will prove invaluable keys to understanding. Both will be top picks for new age collections; especially those catering to beginners.

The Yoga of Truth
Peter Marchand
Destiny
c/o Inner Traditions
Box 388, Rochester, VT 05767
1594771650, $14.95 www.destinybooks.com

Seekers interested in searches for truth and Hindu spirituality will find an excellent guide in THE YOGA OF TRUTH, which uses a series of easy introspective questions to help penetrate the ego's barriers to understanding. THE YOGA OF TRUTH analyzes the steps to realization and higher consciousness, considering illusions and obstacles of ego and self. New age collections will find this engrossing.


The Education Shelf

Assessing Teacher Dispositions
Judy R. Wilkerson and William Steve Lang
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
9781412953689, $39.95 www.corwinpress.com

ASSESSING TEACHER DISPOSITIONS: FIVE STANDARDS-BASED STEPS TO VALID MEASUREMENT USING THE DAATS MODEL is for any college-level education library or any collection including teacher assessment methods geared to national accreditation standards. School leaders will find it an important, key tool to assessing teacher dispositions offering worksheets, training activities, and examples from pre-service and in-service settings alike. It's been field-tested, so it isn't just theory and its system can be used with the CAATs model also. An essential guide.

The Art of Learning
Josh Waitzkin
Free Press
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
0743277457, $25.00 www.simonandschuster.com

THE ART OF LEARNING: A JOURNEY IN THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE is the story of a world-class chess winner who dominated the chess world for ten years and became fascinated with the learning process involved in both chess and martial arts. In analyzing the principles of learning which led to his success in two very different arenas, THE ART OF LEARNING offers up insights into the mental and physical skills involved in achieving success no matter what the subject. An excellent blend of autobiography and learning insights will appeal not just to education libraries, but to general-interest collections as well.

Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
www.corwinpress.com

Teachers and college-level collections strong in education studies will relish these new, important titles. Jie-Qi Chen and Gillian Dowley McNamee's BRIDGING: ASSESSMENT FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOMS, PRE-K-3 (9781412950107, $34.95) is for practicing teachers and encourages them to assess both classroom content and the process of teaching it. Fifteen activities across five curricular areas provide guidelines for 'bridging' observations of children to classroom teaching practices, helping teachers assess development, effective learning techniques, and helping them to predict future learning techniques and trends. Brenda Utter's PICK AND PLAN: 100 BRAIN-COMPATIBLE STRATEGIES FOR LESSON DESIGN (9781412951142, $24.95) also presents an activities-based workbook to teachers, offering strategies to tailor classroom activities to students' individual learning styles and needs. From development a framework for engagement to mixing strategies and organizing routines, sample lessons and sidebars of information accompany classroom-specific routines and suggestions gleaned from real-world applications that work. Sarah F. Mahurt, Ruth E. Metcalfe and Margaret A. Gwyther's BUILDING BRIDGES FROM EARLY TO INTERMEDIATE LITERACY GRADES 2-4 (9781412949637, $27.95) surveys a range of techniques designed to move students from beginning to intermediate literacy levels, showing teachers how to refine instruction to incorporate specialized assessment tools, reading and writing instruction strategies, and using charts to track progress. Chapters have been tested by experienced literacy educators and offer a fine synthesis of techniques that work. Carey Dimmitt, John C. Carey and Trish Hatch's EVIDENCE-BASED SCHOOL COUNSELING: MAKING A DIFFERENCE WITH DATA-DRIVEN PRACTICES (9781412948906, $32.95) provides a process for using evidence to determine what needs to be done, interventions, and assessing intervention effectiveness. School counselors and students of the profession receive specific guidelines and models for collecting and analyzing data, including tips on measuring student learning and behavior modification. An excellent guide counselors will appreciate. Vickie Gill's THE TEN STUDENTS YOU'LL MEET IN YOUR CLASSROOM: CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS (9781412949125, $24.95) outlines ten typical student archetypes to teach how to reach each type of individual in a classroom setting. While there is no pat formula involved, the approach does help teachers identify and more effectively work with common patterns of behavior and learning: add case histories and you have an excellent real-world survey. Dan French, Mary Atkinson and Leah Rugen's CREATING SMALL SCHOOLS: A HANDBOOK FOR RAISING EQUITY AND ACHIEVEMENT (9781412941755, $32.95) is based on the authors' work at the Center for Collaborative Education and provides an A-Z resource for developing small communities that specialize in personalizing education for all students. From methods of establishing new schools to instructing in a small school setting, school leaders receive specific tips tailored to not just creating the small school environment, but managing it more effectively.


The Computer Shelf

Access Data Analysis Cookbook
Ken Bluttman & Wayne S. Freeze
O'Reilly Publishing
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
9780596101220, $49.99 www.oreilly.com

Any involved in database management in general and Access in particular will want the ACCESS DATA ANALYSIS COOKBOOK, a survey which shows how to solve common problems of extracting data and performing calculations from large databases. From developing better queries and applying them to inserting, updating and deleting data to managing text-based data and using arrays, this offers a wealth of high-level technical Access information perfect for managers who already have the basics down.

Ruby by Example: Concepts and Code
Kevin C. Baird
No Starch Press
555 DeHaro #250, San Francisco CA 94107
9781593271480, $29.95 www.nostarch.com

Any programmer who would better understand the basics of Ruby would do well to consider RUBY BY EXAMPLE, a learn-by-doing guide which analyzes a series of Ruby scripts, examining how the code works, explaining its concepts, and demonstrating modifications. Readers will learn how to use the interactive Ruby shell to maximum advantage to learn the language, and will learn to use utilities that help analyze HTML, XML and more. An important guide for any using or learning Ruby or Rails, and for reference libraries catering to this audience.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Pain Relief Without Drugs
Jan Sadler
Healing Arts Press
c/o Inner Traditions
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
1594771510, $19.95 www.healingartspress.com

In 1989 the author was left in constant pain after back surgery, wit no hope of remedy and no adequate drug therapy. So she gave up teaching to investigate the self-treatment options for her ongoing pain and found pain management techniques which worked. Her techniques evolved into programs centered around changing personal reactions to pain and these show how to break the cycle of pain using relaxation and acceptance. Chapters offer self-help techniques from visualization to relaxation exercises, cover the basics of setting goals and handling pain flare-ups, and will prove invaluable for any facing a chronic pain condition. An accompanying 55-minute cd, narrated by the author, reinforces the book. Any public library strong in self-care handbooks must have this; its subject and approach promises to make it a popular lend.

Vaccinated
Paul A. Offit, MD
Smithsonian Books
c/o HarperCollins
10 East 53rd Street, New York NY 10022
9780061227950, $26.95 www.harpercollins.com

VACCINATED: ONE MAN'S QUEST TO DEFEAT THE WORLD'S DEADLIEST DISEASES tells of Maurice Hilleman's early goal and life work: he became a microbiologist, joined Merck, and there pursued his goal of eliminating childhood disease. But VACCINATED is more than just a biography of his life: it uses his life to explore nearly two hundred years of medical history, telling the story of the evolution of vaccines and vaccine research, and rebutting ideas that these vaccines also are responsible for autism and other conditions. It's an eye-opening history perfect not just for medical libraries, but for the general-interest public lending library.

Cancer Sourcebook, 5th Edition
Karen Bellenir
Omnigraphics
615 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
9780780809475, $87.00 www.omnigraphics.com

The 5th, updated edition of CANCER SOURCEBOOK should be in every public and health lending library collection: it packs in the latest research on all kinds of cancers, from lymphomas and skin cancers to bone and endrocrine cancers, covering risks, prevention, treatments and more. Extensive statistical data and a directory of resources for each type of cancer makes for an unparalleled discussion essential for any health collection considering an all-in-one basic general reference.


The Music Shelf

The Wall of Fame
Henry Goldrich and Holly Goldrich Schoenfeld
Hal Leonard
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York NY 10010
1423405552, $24.95 www.halleonard.com

THE WALL OF FAME: NEW YORK CITY'S LEGENDARY MANNY'S MUSIC recalls a New York institution with a guide to one of the most important music instrument stores of the swing, big band and electric eras. Manny's was the music store of choice for musicians ranging from Kiss to Chet Atkins, Chet Baker and Dizzy Gillespie: THE WALL OF FAME is a rock celebration of these musicians, offers a gorgeous blend of a concert diary and rarely-seen souvenir photos, and reproduces nearly 200 autographed photos from the store's walls. Any definitive music collection whether it be at the college or general lending library levels needs WALL OF FAME.

Icons of Hip Hop
Mickey Hess, Editor
Greenwood Press
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9780313339028, $175.00/set www.greenwood.com

ICONS OF HIP HOP: AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE MOVEMENT, MUSIC AND CULTURE is an excellent 2-book encyclopedic reference offering in-depth biographies often a number of pages long about major figures in hiphop culture. From influences and achievements to lasting legacies left by each, ICONS OF HIP HOP promises to be an excellent documentation of the movement as well as the music, and is a pick for any library where patrons harbor more than a casual interest in modern music trends in general or hiphop in particular. Many a college-level collection strong in music studies will find it attracts both researchers and leisure browsers.

Debussy: The Quiet Revolutionary
Victor Lederer
Amadeus Press/Limelight Editions
c/o Hal Leonard Corporation
777 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213
1574671537, $22.95 www.amadeuspress.com www.halleonard.com 1-800-637-2852

Debussy's music ranks among the most challenging: his influence on other composers makes it essential to understand his approach, but typically music students find such analysis a daunting proposition. Not so Debussy: The Quiet Revolutionary, which pairs a cd of music with an analysis of the subtleties of his works and analyzing Debussy's approach and contributions. The author is a New York critic on music and culture: his approach is perfect for any newcomer to Debussy and is especially recommended for middle to high school students receiving a strong introduction on Debussy's art and achievement.

MySpace for Musicians
Frances Vincent
Thomson Course Technology
25 Thomson Place, Boston, MA 02210
1598633597, $34.99 www.courseptr.com

MySpace is one of the most rapidly-growing, popular venues on the internet and MYSPACE FOR MUSICIANS: THE COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO MARKETING YOUR MUSIC ONLINE packs in details specific to music marketing for any band, soloist, side musicians or publisher who wants to take full advantage of MySpace's popularity and easy use. Chapters offer information perfect for newcomers to MySpace as well as to seasoned musicians who already have a page but want to maximize its potential. From identifying a target market to customizing a page, this is an item of choice any serious independent musician must have and any library catering to such, especially at the high school level.


The Military Shelf

Defiant Superpower: New American Hegemony
Donald E. Nuechterlein
Potomac Books Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Dr. Dulles, VA 20166
9781574889895, $17.95 www.potomacbooksinc.com

DEFIANT SUPERPOWER tells of how the Bush administration took initial bold steps in response to 9/11, but then continued aggressive policies that alarmed the world by 2002. This book assesses that hegemony, considering the requirements of homeland security, global order, and American political and economic needs alike as it analyzes alliances, international organizations, and traditional methods of international politics affected by the Bush administration's routines. Any college-level holding strong in international relations needs the insights of DEFIANT SUPERPOWER, perfect for classroom discussion.

Osprey Publishing
443 Park Avenue South Suite 806, New York NY 10016
www.ospreypublishing.com

Peter Antill's STALINGRAD 1942 (9781846030284, $18.95) discusses one of the key battles of World War II and is a top pick for any in-depth military library seeking more detailed analysis of strategies and approaches to battle. Peter Antill questions why the Germans allowed themselves to be diverted from their main objective and defeated in the Eastern Front: maps and analysis provide keys to understanding. Mark Johnston's THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY IN WORLD WAR II (9781846031236, $17.95) joins others in the 'Elite' series for military libraries, considering the organization and deployment of one of the most significant fighting armies of the war. While plenty of World War II titles provide overviews of the army, this is the item of choice for any seeking depth and detail, with original wartime black and white photos from all fronts adding illustration and enhancing color plates of uniforms and gear. Terry Crowdy's FRENCH RESISTANCE FIGHTER: FRANCE'S SECRET ARMY (9781846030765, $17.95) joins the 'Warrior' series to analyze the French Resistance which terrorized German forces. Photos and first-hand accounts of struggle, capture and torture at the hands of Germans make for a striking account suitable for in-depth World War II collections. Dr. Gary Sheffield edits WAR ON THE WESTERN FRONT: IN THE TRENCHES OF WORLD WAR I (9781846032103, $24.95) is a narrowed focus on the Western Front of the first world war and is a pick for any college-level military library strong in the era's history. Its focus is on the daily lives of soldiers: as such it provides both first-person history and survey of trench warfare and tactics which changed the strategies and nature of warfare. An excellent, well-detailed analysis.

Encyclopedia of the American Armed Forces
Alan Axelrod
Facts on File
132 West 31st Street, New York NY 10001
0816047006, $ 175.00/2 volumes www.factsonfile.com

Both general-interest and school libraries from high school to college, as well as military collections, will find inviting the 2-volume ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE AMERICAN ARMED FORCES reference. Volume 1 covers U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, with A-Z listings covering some 1,2000 entries on history, command organizations, missions, equipment and more. From wars to key figures to training, the separation of volumes by branch (Volume 2 covers U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy) provides essential in-depth coverage for any serious reference collection.


The Christian Studies Shelf

The Apocalypse Code
Hank Hanegraaff
Thomas Nelson Publishers
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
0849901847, $21.99 www.ThomasNelson.com 1-800-251-4000

The book of Revelation in the Bible is obscure to most because it's commonly treated as a book apart from the rest of the Bible, yet it holds close connections to the Old Testament and should be considered as closely as the rest of the Bible, despite its prophetic interpretation. THE APOCALYPSE CODE: FIND OUT WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY SAYS ABOUT THE END TIMES AND WHY IT MATTERS TODAY charts issues of faith, history, and prophetic interpretation in chapters which pack in Biblical passages and insights into interpretations. An outstanding analysis results, highly recommended as a 'must pick' for any serious Christian library.

Organic Community
Joseph R. Myers
Baker Books
Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
0801065984, $13.99 www.bakerbooks.com

Can a real church community be created using master plans and strategies? Sometimes, says Joseph Myers, an entrepreneurs whose consulting firm has helped churches develop community. But such connections tend to develop naturally, without artificial manipulation, and ORGANIC COMMUNITY: CREATING A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE NATURALLY CONNECT is an invaluable church resource to understand this process. Chapters use plenty of case history examples to show how projects develop naturally and fuel parisher interest in the process. Any library catering to church and organization needs will find ORGANIC COMMUNITY an appealing addition.

Comeback Churches
Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson
B&H Publishing Group
127 Ninth Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37234-0143
9780805445367, $17.99 www.bhpublishinggroup.com 1-800-251-3225

COMEBACK CHURCHES: HOW 300 CHURCHES TURNED AROUND AND YOURS CAN TOO charts the shrinking of the North American Church and the downward trend in attendance, considering how and why churches are stagnant and what might be done to return believes to the pews. Missiologist Ed Stetzer analyzes over 300 formerly declining congregations across some ten different denominations, analyzing church foundations, changes, and how empowerment may be created in the ministry. An essential acquisition for any spiritual collection strong in church analysis.


The Business Shelf

Brownie Points
Aundrea Lacy
Agate Publishing Inc.
1501 Madison Street, Evanston, IL 60202
1932841261, $14.00 www.agatepublishing.com

BROWNIE POINTS: SEVEN STEPS TO SUCCESS FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS FROM ONE WHO MADE IT tells the story of a woman who founded her business in making brownies sold through the Internet. Her background in marketing and as a model and TV reporter contributed to her business success and here she uses its tenth successful anniversary to explore the foundations of starting a business, serving as an inspiration for women of color and making BROWNIE POINTS a top pick for any general lending library catering to women seeking keys to success.

EBay the Smart Way, 5th Edition
Joseph T. sinclair
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019-7420
0814474519, $17.95 www.amacombooks.org

The 5th updated edition of EBAY THE SMART WAY is a 'must' for both eBay sellers beyond the casual once-in-a-while stage and for the libraries that cater to the general public. EBay has some 222 million users now, so there's lots of completion, and EBAY THE SMART WAY offers up everything needed to understand not just the basics of buying and selling online, but proven strategies which will lead to more sales, establish seller validity in the public eye, and generate a healthy income. From creating attention-grabbing descriptions and superior photos to accepting PayPal and handling specialty markets, EBAY THE SMART WAY is a winning survey indeed.


The Woodworking Shelf

Foolproof Wood Finishing
Teri Masaschi
Fox Chapel Publishing
1970 Broad Street, East Petersburg, PA 17520
9781565233034, $19.95 www.foxchapelpublishing.com

FOOLPROOF WOOD FINISHING FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO BUILD & HATE TO FINISH takes a different approach than most wood refinishing guides, using the author's years of experience in the field to tell how to determine best finishes, prepare wood, avoid uneven results, and color wood for the most professional appearance all with a minimum of time and fuss. Over 20 'recipes' for creating antique and authentic finishing looks, from cherry to mahogany, are included in a how-to title highly recommended for any homeowner's library.


The Sports Shelf

Bigger Deal: A Year Inside the Poker Room
Anthony Holden
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
0743294823, $26.00 www.simonandschuster.com

Nearly two decades ago journalist and music critic Anthony Holden wrote Big Deal, a memoir of a year spent as a professional poker player, which came to be viewed as a basic text in gambling literature. BIGGER DEAL expands on the ideas, presents Holden's worldwide tour of the poker tournament circuit again, and updates information on the game and its players. From the influence of the Internet during this time and a resulting explosion in poker's popularity to legal challenges to online poker rooms, BIGGER DEAL is the perfect, timely coverage of a rapidly changing game world and will make an excellent addition for any public library strong in either poker or gaming books.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Big Book of Pocket Knives
Ron Stewart and Roy Ritchie
Collector Books
Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002-3009
9781574325478, $19.99 www.collectorbooks.com

The third updated edition of the classic BIG BOOK OF POCKET KNIVES: IDENTIFICATION AND VALUES comes from a team of experts who've worked together since 1978, and offers up their life experience as members of the National Knife Collectors Association. Good-sized black and white photos and drawings pack a reference which pairs detailed written descriptions and prices with clear images lending to easy identification. The values have all been updated making this a perfect collector's pick. Very highly recommended both for knife collectors and for public libraries wishing to include several specialty collecting titles beyond the usual glassware and dolls choices.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Bend-the-Rules Sewing
Amy Karol
Potter Craft
c/o Random House Trade Group Publicity
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780307347213, $21.95 www.pottercraft.com

Sewing and humor don't commonly go together, but BEND-THE-RULES SEWING: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO A WHILE NEW WAY TO SEW achieves this not just with new patterns and designs, but with a beginner-friendly approach that incorporates comments and appealing, different projects, from a headband to a dog's collar. Color photos pack a guide designed to invite bare-bones beginners to sample the world of sewing.


The Native American Shelf

Blackfoot War Art
L. James Dempsey
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
0806138041, $45.00 www.oupress.com 1-800-627-7377

BLACKFOOT WAR ART: PICTOGRAPHS OF THE RESERVATION PERIOD, 1880-2000 is for college-level collections specializing in Native American studies and also for art libraries: it's a stunning survey of Blackfoot war art which presents both their representations of war and insights into Blackfoot culture and rituals. The author is a member of the Blood tribe, and uses both archival resources and museum collections paired with interviews of tribal members to provide a well-rounded, unique focus. The depth and detail in BLACKFOOT WAR ART is unparalleled, making it a major reference pick on the subject.

Missionaries Among Miners, Migrants & Blackfoot
Mary Eggermont-Molenaar and Paul Callens, Editors
University of Calgary Press
2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
9781552381892, $39.95 www.uofcpress.com

College-level collections specializing in Native American or early missionary studies will welcome the scholarly Missionaries Among Miners, Migrants & Blackfoot, packed with research based on primary source material much of it previously unpublished. Here are the transcribed diaries of brothers Leonard and Victor Van Tighem, Catholic missionaries in Alberta between 1974 and 1917.Their observations record not only their experiences but hold letters from family and associates and articles by bishops and priests of their time. An excellent acquisition for any in-depth college-level collection in Canadian or Native American history.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

The Book of Haftarot For Shabbat, Festivals, and Fast Days
Sol Scharfstein
KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
0881259292, $19.95 www.ktav.com

The reading of the Torah as part of the synagogue service on Sabbaths and fast days is followed by reading a selection from one of the prophetic books, known as the Haftarah. The Book of Haftarot For Shabbat, Festivals, and Fast Days: An Easy-to-Read Haftarah Translation is the sequel to THE FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES and is a 'must' for any serious Judaic studies collection. It offers readings which blend text, history, and connective analysis and is perfect for ongoing reference and consultation.


The Graphic Novel Shelf

The Saga of Blood Benders
Rick Geary
NBM Publishing
40 Exchange Place #1308, New York NY 10005
1561634980, $15.95 www.nbmpub.com

Rick Geary's graphic novel series A TREASURY OF VICTORIAN MURDER returns with volume 9 of the series especially recommended for prior fans of his graphic novel mysteries. Black and white drawings illustrate the story of four strange people who use seduction to attract wealthy victims, whom they then kill. Excellent action and high drama mystery lends to a fast-paced graphic novel story hard to put down, and recommended for any general-interest holding strong in graphic novels.

Exit Wounds
Rutu Modan
Drawn and Quarterly
c/o Farrar, Straus & Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003
9781897299067, $19.95 www.fsgbooks.com 1-888-330-8477

EXIT WOUNDS is a graphic novel in full color, set in modern-day Tel Aviv and telling of a young man's urgent phone call from a female soldier which tells of his father's death from a possible suicide bomber. Koby joins the soldier searching for clues and finds himself facing his father's hidden identity and secret world and a danger which could draw him in. Excellent characterization and a vivid, contemporary plot make this a top pick for any collection strong in modern graphic novels.


The World History Shelf

Arctic Hell-Ship
William Barr
University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB Canada T6C 2E1
0888644728, $34.95 www.uap.ualberta.ca

ARCTIC HELL-SHIP: THE VOYAGE OF HMS ENTERPRISE 1850-1855 tells of a voyage to the Arctic in search of a missing expedition. The Enterprise was to find and hopefully rescue the lost Franklin expedition by approaching the Northwest Passage from the west: during the journey the crew passed three winter frozen into the arctic ice and many of Captain Collinson's officers spent their time under arrest. Paintings by the ship's assistant surgeon accompany a vivid memoir of Arctic conditions, exploration, and struggles to survive.

Kremlin Rising
Peter Baker and Susan Glasser
Potomac Books Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166-2012
9781597971225, $18.95 www.potomacbooksinc.com

KREMLIN RISING: VLADIMIR PUTIN'S RUSSIA AND THE END OF REVOLUTION appears in an updated edition to offer a behind-the-scenes look at modern Russia. The authors were Moscow bureau chiefs for the Washington Post and witnessed firsthand the campaign to change Russia back to an authoritarian state: their observations of Putin's rise reads with the drama of fiction and the authority of fact, and is key to understanding today's Russia, making it a top pick not just for college-level holdings but for any library including modern Russian history in its collection.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Shakespeare's Wordcraft
Scott Kaiser
Amadeus Press/Limelight Editions
c/o Hal Leonard Corporation
777 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213
0879103450, $18.95 www.limelighteditions.com www.halleonard.com 1-800-637-2852

Nine basic patterns of Shakespeare's language are revealed for students of both English and drama, offering a survey of how Shakespeare used words, phrases, expressions and images to solidify his ideas and plays. WORDCRAFT could have been recommended in our Literary Shelf area but is featured here for its broader applications to drama students at the high school, college and public performance levels alike: this audience will especially appreciate Shakespeare authority Scott Kaiser's revelations.


The Gemstone/Mineralogy Shelf

Treasure Hunter's Gem and Mineral Guides
Kathy J. Rygle and Stephen F. Pedersen
Gemstone Press
Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091
$14.99 Each www.gemstonepress.com

Travelers who want to focus on where and how to dig, pan and mine gems and minerals will find delightful regional guides to locating mining areas. NORTHWEST (0943763487) and NORTHEAST (0943763495) each pack in plenty of details on everything from locations and costs to techniques, equipment, and museums and mine tours, making them perfect acquisitions for any public library's travel or gemstone collection.

Gemstone Press
Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091
www.gemstonepress.com

Newly updated editions of two new definitive buying guides are recommended as references both for specialty jewelry and gemstone collections and for public libraries catering to collectors. Antoinette Matlins, P.G.'s THE PEARL BUYING BOOK: THE DEFINITIVE BUYING GUIDE (0943763355, $19.99) appears in its third updated edition to tell how to select and care for pearls. Chapters pack in the latest information on the pearl world and its prices, impart professional secrets to getting the best buy, and even covers common types of misrepresentation. Kathy J. Rygle and Stephen E. Pedersen's SOUTHEAST TREASURE HUNTER'S GEM & MINERAL GUIDE (0943763517, $14.99) is a pick for any Southeast collection where gems and minerals are of interest: it offers easy information on mining, locations, and safety alike, including directions and maps to gem and mineral sites as well as museums and mine tours. Both are excellent, definitive updates.


The Homeowner's Shelf

The Complete Pool Manual for Homeowners & Professionals
Dan Hardy
Atlantic Publishing Group
1405 SW 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34474-7014
9781601380227, $39.95 www.atlantic-pub.com

If you're a pool owner you have a major investment, and maintenance should be a top priority: The Complete Pool Manual for Homeowners & Professionals comes from a pool professional with some 20 years experience in the industry and covers everything involved in keeping a pool clean and operating well. His step-by-step maintenance guide starts with the basics of water chemistry and moves on to chemical additives, cures for common problems, and issues ranging from health in hot tubs to winterizing a pool. Any collection catering to homeowners in hot climates needs this.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

Buddha
Deepak Chopra
Harper SanFrancisco
10 East 53rd Street, New York NY 10022
9780060878801, $24.95 www.harpercollins.com

Buddha is the most important man who ever achieved enlightenment, and while there are many titles covering his beliefs and teachings, BUDDHA is something more: a survey of his life and psychological complexity. From Buddha's roots as Prince Siddhartha, raised to be a warrior king, to his achievement of enlightenment, this uses the novel format to reveal Buddha's life and philosophy, offering up a healthy dose of psychology in the process.


The Terrorism Studies Shelf

Radical Eye for the Infidel Guy
Kevin J. Ryan
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591025078 www.prometheusbooks.com

While aspects of the War on Terror have been analyzed, the real nature of the militant Osama wannabe hasn't and that is at the heart of understanding radical Muslim sentiment. RADICAL EYE FOR THE INFIDEL GUY: INSIDE THE STRANGE WORLD OF MILITANT ISLAM provides a picture of radical Muslims far different from your usual political analysis, delving into social issues such as women's rights to consider Islam's intolerance towards others and how it fosters militant family values with slavery as an underlying foundation. Any who would consider radical Islam from a different viewpoint needs RADICAL EYE FOR THE INFIDEL GUY from college-level holdings strong in Middle East issues and studies to general interest library holdings.

Londonistan
Melanie Phillips
Encounter Books
900 Broadway #400, New York NY 10003
1594031975 www.encounterbooks.com

British journalist Melanie Phillips reveals how the progress of global jihad and Islamic fundamentalism is being fostered by the concurrent collapse of Western values and national identity in Europe a trend in which Britain is taking the lead in LONDONISTAN, a hard-hitting examination of how terrorism works on home soils. The news media's focus on terrorism in Islamic countries must be rectified to examine its presence and growth at home, and LONDONISTAN charts its rise in Britain and its deadly implications in a hard-hitting book packed with insights.


James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
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http://www.midwestbookreview.com

Diane C. Donovan, Editor & Senior Reviewer
12424 Mill Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
phone: 1-707-795-4629
e-mail: donovan@sonic.net


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