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

California Bookwatch

Volume 3, Number 1 January 2008 Home | CALBW Index

Table of Contents

Donovan's Picks Architecture Shelf Photography Shelf
Antiques/Collectibles Shelf Computer Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Social Issues Shelf Business Shelf Gardening Shelf
Woodworking Shelf Military Shelf Cookbook Shelf
Education Shelf Biography Shelf World History Shelf
Art Shelf Islamic Studies Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Science Shelf Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Needlecraft Shelf Crafts Shelf California Shelf
Mystery/Suspense Shelf Audiobook Shelf Sports Shelf
Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Music Shelf Native American Shelf
Genealogy Shelf    


Donovan's Picks

Into Hot Air: Mounting Mount Everest
Chris Elliott
Weinstein Books
99 Hudson Street, New York NY 10013
1602860076, $23.95 www.weinsteinco.com

At once a novel and a parody, INTO HOT AIR mocks epic literary adventure stories and comes from an award-winning comedian who presents the story of a great-uncle's journey and an anonymous package which indicates he might have been the first to climb Everest. High humor and tongue-in-cheek discovery will delight any who regularly read adventure nonfiction, particularly mountain-climbing books, making this an excellent general-interest collection recommendation.

Parties That Wow
Jonathan Fong
Watson-Guptill
770 Broadway, New York NY 10003
0823099784, $21.95 www.watsonguptill.com

Any who love throwing parties who want to put on an outstanding celebration will relish the many ideas, from decorating to food to fun interactions between guests, which comprise PARTIES THAT WOW: SETTING THE STAGE FOR CREATIVE ENTERTAINING. More than your usual focus on foods, this teaches how to offer guests theme parties with fun, memorable experiences - and on a budget, too. Any general-interest lending library will relish the theme and seasonal ideas.

An Immigrant Celebrates America
Mel Ramaswamy, Ph.D.
University of Indianapolis Press
1400 East Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46227
0880938684, $16.95 www.uindy.edu/universitypress

AN IMMIGRANT CELEBRATES AMERICA: REFLECTIONS ON AMERICA THROUGH THE FRESH EYE OF AN IMMIGRANT portrays an immigrant's observations of America over the past few decades, surveying the author's encounters with American habits and following his transition from immigrant to citizen. A changing range of interests and understanding of American culture makes for an excellent autobiographical survey of modern American social atmosphere.

Why Did I Marry You Anyway?
Barbara Bartlein, RN, MSW
Cumberland House
431 Harding Industrial Drive, Nashville, TN 37211
9781581826326, $16.95 www.cumberlandhouse.com

Author Barbara Bartlein is a clinical psychologist who has provided couples counseling for over 25 years and has conducted many a workshop on the topic: WHY DID I MARRY YOU ANYWAY comes from years of successful, positive work with couples and shares the secrets of what lends to a happy, successful marriage. Chapters tell how to improve an existing marriage and offers some fifteen strategies arranged by common problem, from money and children to sex. Case studies accompany examples of how to revitalize and change communication processes. Any general-interest library will find this an appealing lend.


The Architecture Shelf

How to Build an Igloo and Other Snow Shelters
Norbert E. Yankielun
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393732153, $17.95 www.wwnorton.com

How are blocks of ice cut and fitted to create an igloo, how can one assess snow possibilities to build one, and what are other shelter options for snowy areas? Norbert Yankielun's How to Build an Igloo and Other Snow Shelters covers all the basics, offering step-by-step insights on how to construct - and inhabit - an igloo or other snow shelter. Any collection located in an area that gets winter snow will relish this fun, appealing title!


The Photography Shelf

Composition Photo Workshop
Blue Fier
Wiley Publishing Inc.
111 River Street, 4th Floor, Hoboken, N 07030
9780470114360, $29.99 www.wiley.com

How a photo is composed can determine what it communicates, and while Photoshop and after-shot programs can help render images with greater precision, they are no substitute for decent composition. That's why any college-level class on photography and any library strong in photography references needs COMPOSITION PHOTO WORKSHOP: it shares all the elements which make up a masterful design, from color and lighting to design and symbolism. There are different techniques for portraits, landscapes and still lifes alike: COMPOSITION PHOTO WORKSHOP covers them all in great detail.

Pogue Press/O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
www.missingmanuals.com

Photoshop Elements holds most of the power of the higher-priced Photoshop but gears down the cost for the average photographer, making it a fine pick for any who want many of the digital editing features sans complexity and price. Barbara Brundage's PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 6: THE MISSING MANUAL (0596514441, $39.99) offers all the basics needed to get the most from the program, from an introduction to how it operates to tips on how to repair damaged photos, use special effects, create collages and photo greeting cards, use photos in scrapbooking, and more. From bare-bones basics to techniques pros use, PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 6: THE MISSING MANUAL is a must for any computer library catering to photographers at the everyday level. J.D. Biersdorfer and David Pogue's IPOD; THE MISSING MANUAL, 6TH EDITION (0596514913, $19.99) covers all variations of the iPod, from iTunes and the Touch to Nano and the little Shuffle models. From the basics of adding, locating and organizing songs in the iPod environment to using iPod's features with dialup accounts, this packs in a host of tips on customizing the iPod features and is key to any iPod owner's collection.

Best of Photographic Lighting
Bill Hurter
Amherst Media
Box 586, Buffalo, NY 14226
9781584282174, $34.95 www.Amherstmedia.com

Industry leaders and professional photographers are polled to assess and reveal the lighting techniques they used to create amazing images in this survey of a range of lighting control methods in BEST OF PHOTOGRAPHIC LIGHTING. These essays and discussions bring the best professional tips to the public eye, with excellent color photo examples supplementing techniques for studio, outdoors and different styles and types of photography. It's a 'must' for any who would follow the tips and insights of pros and will appeal to a range of collections from general-interest public lending libraries to art and professional photography holdings.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

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

Schroeder's COLLECTIBLE TOYS ANTIQUE TO MODERN PRICE GUIDE, 11TH EDITION (9781574325720, $19.95) packs in an excellent updated values guide with color photos throughout, surveying the latest trends and prices for toys ranging from dollhouses and character collectibles to games. An organization by both item and manufacturer make it easy to quickly look up flea market treasures, making this a good recommendation for both take-along toting to garage sales and for reference libraries catering to collectors. John P. Zastowney's LANCASTER GLASS COMPANY 1098-1937 (9781574325683, $29.95) is a pick for any library catering to specialty collectors, especially collectors of glass. Color photos pack an identification and value guide which features glass not only by Lancaster, but by Lotus, Monongah and Standard, making for a fine survey of some of the major manufacturers in the field.

Fenton Art Glass
Debby and Randy Coe
Schiffer Books
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764327940, $35.00 www.schifferbooks.com

Any collector of Fenton art glass and many a collection catering to glass collectors will find this an invaluable review, offering glass from all of Fenton's decades of production under one cover - some 100 years of glassmaking history. 3,000 pieces are profiled in over 600 color photos, along with their latest values and examples of changing styles. It's a 'must' for any serious collector's specialty collection, especially those of glassware collectors.


The Computer Shelf

Photoshop CS3 Layers Bible
Matt Doyle and Simon Meek
Wiley Publishing Inc.
10475 Crosspoint Road, Indianapolis, IN 46256
9780470082119, $39.99 www.wiley.com/compbooks

Advanced Photoshop CS3 users know that layers is one of the most attractive - and challenging - aspects of the program, so having a book entirely devoted to this - rather than just a chapter or two in an overall Photoshop guide - is special. PHOTOSHOP CS3 LAYERS BIBLE comes with a cd-rom of over ninety stock photos for use and source images from the book, and covers all the basics and advanced-level uses, from how to create a smart object from an image file to using layers in other applications outside of Photoshop. Any library specializing in Photoshop guides will find this a popular lend indeed.

Next Generation Java Testing
Cedric Beust and Hani Suleiman
Addison Wesley
75 Arlington Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02116
0321503104, $49.99 www.awprofessional.com 1-800-428-5331

College-level libraries strong in Java programming guides need NEXT GENERATION JAVA TESTING: unlike many Java programmer's guides, it provides a pragmatic discussion for Java developers interested in building stronger code for applications, and packs in chapters discussing testing methods, tradeoffs associated with testing, applications of testing theory and rules, analysis of partial failures and remote invocation, and more. In-depth and extensive code examples throughout also differentiate NEXT GENERATION JAVA TESTING from competitors, making it a top recommendation.

Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Premium All-in-One Reference for Dummies
Damon Dean, et.al.
Wiley Publishing Inc.
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9780470120996, $34.99 www.wiley.com

Libraries seeking computer reference books promising lasting value would do well to look at this one-stop guide to creating a dynamic web site using Adobe's Creative Suite program. Damon Dean is an experienced web producer and developer who works with other equally talented to pack in over 800 pages of details, from formatting text and importing images to laying out pages and using PDF files. It's packed with plenty of detail, yet very accessible to relative newcomers, making it an excellent collection choice.

GIS for Web Developers
Scott Davis
Pragmatic Bookshelf
P.O. Box 293325, Lewisville, TX 75029-3325
0974514098, $34.95 www.pragmaticprogrammer.com

GIS FOR WEB DEVELOPERS: ADDING WHERE TO YOUR WEB APPLICATIONS tells how to add geographic information into reports and programming ventures: an important key to advanced programming, as many major database vendors have made geographic data a standard feature of their products. Geographic Information Systems are explained using a simple survey and projects geared to hands-on instruction. College-level students of programming will find it an excellent introduction, as suitable to classroom assignment and use as it is to a lending library.

OpenSuse Linux Unleashed
Michael McCallister
Sams Publishing
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
067232945X, $49.99 www.samspublishing.com 1-800-428-5331

OpenSuse Linux Unleashed isn't for the casual computer library, but for the college-level collection strong in openSuse installation, configuration and website management. Programmers receive an excellent overview on the program's applications, administration tools, functions in web programming and networking environments, and more, and come from a technical writer well versed in explaining the program to novices. An accompanying DVD includes openSuSe10.3, making it an excellent blend of tutorial and program.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Skinny Bitch
Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin
Running Press
2300 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
0762424931, $13.95 www.runningpress.com

"You cannot keep shoveling the same crap into your mouth every day and expect to lose weight": that's the hard-hitting message of a former model and a former agent who've successfully counseled models, actors, and athletes on their 'skinny bitch' method of losing weight and keeping it off. Chapters provide harsh assessments of the results of a non-vegan diet and also show that vegan food need not be dull or distasteful, offering recipes, tips on better vegan substitutes on the market, and criticism of the factors which keep readers from healthier eating. The language is rough but the message is clear, and SKINNY BITCH will find an audience especially among younger dieters who want to embark on a vegan lifestyle for healthier results.


The Social Issues Shelf

A Place to Call Home
Martha Randolph Carr
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591025108, $26.00 www.prometheusbooks.com

A PLACE TO CALL HOME: THE AMAZING SUCCESS STORY OF MODERN ORPHANAGES refutes the myths that would view orphanages as sterile, unloving backwaters for rejected children, showing how in truth they are homes to children and young men and women who grow up in safe, loving environments. Most residents are children of single parents who can't care for them: this is the first study of orphanages in over sixty years and blows apart a common yet antiquated image of the modern orphanage.


The Business Shelf

The Girls' Guide to Building a Million-Dollar Business
Susan Wilson Solovic
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019
0814474195, $21.95 www.amacombooks.org

While women have outpaced men in opening small businesses over the last years, it's surprising to note that less than three percent of women-owned businesses in the U.S. gross a million or more than revenue - and less than eight percent gross over, $200,000. That makes The Girls' Guide to Building a Million-Dollar Business an essential guide to both business libraries and women's studies collections alike: it offers lessons on how to make good business decisions, hire right, and avoid common obstacles to building that bigger business. The keys to a million dollar business are right here for any businesswoman to consider.

The Boss from Outer Space and Other Aliens at Work
Patricia J. Addesso, Ph.D.
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 01019-7420
0814474438, $15.00 www.amacombooks.org

The Boss from Outer Space and Other Aliens at Work: A Down-to-Earth Guide for Getting Along With Just About Anyone should be required reading for any worker. General-interest libraries as well as business libraries will find invaluable an approach which goes beyond the usual boxing and identification of personality disorders in the workplace, addressing how to cope with these difficult personalities. An outstanding survey of distinctive and related issues reveals all kinds of options for compromise and positive change.

Your MBA Game Plan
Omari Bouknight and Scott Shrum
Career Press
Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
1564149684, $17.99 www.careerpress.com

Written by the co-founders of a leading business school admissions service, YOUR MBA GAME PLAN is an invaluable resource for any who would go beyond the usual reference telling how to gain an MBA. It focuses on the school itself, discussing everything from acing the GMAT and getting into a top business program to selecting the right school, and this revised edition includes sample essays and resumes from successful applicants. It's a 'must' not just for college libraries but for general-interest lending collections catering to business school students.

Disagreements, Disputes, and All-Out War
Gini Graham Scott, Ph.D.
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019
0814480632, $15.00 www.amacombooks.org

Conflict is an inevitable part of life, whether it be at home or in the workplace - and Disagreements, Disputes, and All-Out War: 3 Simple Steps for Dealing With Any Kind of Conflict is key to understanding - and managing - conflict effectively, using easy exercises to demonstrate and assess typical conflict scenarios. From conflicts stemming from poor communication and incorrect assumptions to developing win-win solutions for all involved, DISAGREEMENTS, DISPUTES AND ALL-OUT WAR goes beyond the usual advice on handling difficult people to address the fundamentals of conflict, offering concrete, real-world applications for resolution. An excellent pick not only for business libraries, but for general-interest collections.


The Gardening Shelf

Outstanding Planting for Adventurous Gardeners
Christopher Lloyd & Friends
Timber Press Inc.
133 S.W. 2nd Avenue, Suite 450, Portland, OR 97204-3527
9780881928426, $29.95 www.timberpress.com

Christopher Lloyd was one of the world's most influential gardeners, and while he passed in 2006, his influence remains. EXOTIC PLANTING FOR ADVENTUROUS GARDENERS covers garden content, structure, and theory and represents his last work, nearly complete at the time of his death. His gardener friends helped finished the book, which receives gorgeous color photos by Jonathan Buckley as it presents articles describing exotics in an urban garden, managing unusual plant combos, and more. Any general-interest collection appealing to gardeners will find it a popular lend.


The Woodworking Shelf

Celebrating Birch
North House Folk School
Fox Chapel Publishing
1970 Broad Street, East Petersburg, PA 17520
9781565233072, $24.95 www.FoxChapelPublishing.com

The North House Folk School was created to encourage lifelong learning through teaching traditional crafts, and here they celebrate one of the oldest trees used in woodcrafting, the birch. Biology, ecology, and some twenty projects using birch, from a carved box to a wooden bowl, are presented in a woodworker's guide which holds wider appeal than your usual woodworking book, and thus is recommended for any library catering to either crafters or home owners. CELEBRATING BIRCH: THE LORE, ART, AND CRAFT OF AN ANCIENT TREE packs in color photos and step-by-step instructions on every page, making it an exceptional presentation.


The Military Shelf

The Veteran's PTSD Handbook
John D. Roche
Potomac Books Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
9781597970648, $17.95 www.potomacbooksinc.com

Veterans face many special challenges and obstacles in applying for benefits related to post-traumatic stress disorder - not the least of which is drawing connections between a veteran's service and the disorder whether in combat or noncombatant settings. That's why any collection strong in military resources - and many a general-interest lending library - needs THE VETERAN'S PTSD HANDBOOK: it packs in discussions of how to file a well-grounded claim for benefits, and comes from the four years the author spent helping one veteran establish a 'service connection' for his claim. Essential reading.

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

The Yom Kippur War happened on Israel's most holy day of the year and caught the Israelis off guard - and Egypt and Syria were initially successful in their surprise offensive. It took a month of fighting before the Israelis were ultimately able to fight off their attackers. Historian Simon Dunstan focuses on the military aspects of the war and experiences of commanders and solders on the ground in his groundbreaking THE YOM KIPPUR WAR (9781846032882, $24.95). Where others have focused on the politics behind the war, this volume's focus on strategy and tactics makes it an especially important acquisition for military libraries strong in strategy analysis. Military collections and general-interest holdings strong in aviation will relish the visual treat of Steve Davies and Doug Dildy's F-15 EAGLE ENGAGED: THE WORLD'S MOST SUCCESSFUL JET FIGHTER (9781846031694, $35.00), in which a USAF Colonel and a leading aviation journalist write the most eye-catching, detailed book in print on the F-15 Eagle fighter. Striking color photos liberally pepper a history and military assessment which is a top pick for any library strong in military aircraft history, whether it be specialty military collection or general-interest lending library. Alexander Turner's CAMBRAI 1917: THE BIRTH OF ARMOURED WARFARE (9781846031472, $18.95) tells of the birth or armored warfare through a battle which saw the first use of armored vehicles in 1917. The battle of 1917 ended in a stalemate - but the tactical lessons learned from the conflict reach far into the future and hold meaning for military collections in particular. Libraries strong in military modeling books will appreciate Steven J. Zaloga's MODELLING THE US ARMY M4 (76MM) SHERMAN MEDIUM TANK (9781846031205, $18.95), a survey covering the up-gunned Sherman, the major Allied tank during the late war and key to the Normandy operation's success. This book covers modeling the tank and offers a range of specific projects modelers will appreciate. Ron Field's THE CONFEDERATE ARMY 1861-65: TENNESSEE & NORTH CAROLINA (9781846031878, $15.95) is for any collection strong in Civil War history in general and Confederate history in particular. Chapters survey uniforms worn by these volunteers, equipment, and field army experiences, with vintage black and white photos complimenting color illustrations throughout. Paddy Griffith's FRENCH NAPOLEONIC INFANTRY TACTICS 1792-1815 (9781846032783, $17.95) covers the history of Bonaparte's Grande Armee, surveying tactics and using original drill manuals and writing to discuss French infantry organization and strategy. Tony Holmes' SPITFIRE VS. BF 109: BATTLE OF BRITAIN (9781846031908, $17.95) uses first-hand accounts from veterans who flew the planes to chart strategy and experience in dogfights and more. Gordon L. Rottman's WORLD WAR II COMBAT RECONNAISSANCE TACTICS (9781846031373, $17.95) is essential for any collection strong in World War II battles and strategy, narrowing the focus to reconnaissance units and analyzing their procedures. Vintage wartime photos accent the experiences. Nic Fields' SOLDIER OF THE PHARAOH: MIDDLE KINGDOM EGYPT 2055-1650 BC (9781846031069, $17.95) is a pick for any serious military collection interested in early military experience, offering insights to the motivations, weaponry and tactics of early Egyptian soldiers. Ron Field's AMERICAN CIVIL WAR FORTIFICATIONS (3): THE MISSISSIPPI AND RIVER FORTS (9781846031946, $16.95) narrows the focus to Confederate fortifications tested during the long Federal campaign of 1862-63. Major sites of such fortifications are surveyed for their military impact. David Nicolle's TEUTONIC KNIGHT 1190-1561 (9781846030758, $17.95) offers unusual in-depth detail on one of the most famous Crusading Orders in history, which undertook campaigns in the Baltic against pagan Prussians and Christian Poles. Details include not only extensive historic notes but plenty of detail on military and religious sentiments and organizations of the times. All are top picks military specialty libraries will relish.


The Cookbook Shelf

Sweety Pies
Patty Pinner
The Taunton Press
Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470-5506
9781561588480, $23.00 www.taunton.com

Don't expect just another pie cookbook here: it blends a collection of culinary memories and experiences with insights into cooks and witty observations - along with recipes and color photos - to make for a fun survey of selected women who are respected in their communities and families. From The Missus and Her Granola Pie to My Grandmother's Handmade Apple Pie, each recipe tells a story - and makes for a warm, revealing and fun collection libraries strong in cookbooks will find appealing.

Just in Time!
Rachel Ray
Clarkson Potter
c/o The Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, #B1, New York, NY 10019-4305
9780307383181, $19.95 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

TV cook show personality Rachel Ray provides a fine gathering of new 30-minute meals and slow-it-down, 60-minute meals with JUST IN TIME! THE ALL-NEW 30-MINUTE MEALS, PLUS SUPER-FAST 15-MINUTE MEALS. It packs in many of the fast meals she's known for, along with tips on streamlining kitchen processes and recipes for hectic lifestyles. No color photos, but the easy recipes don't need 'em and the reputation of Rachel Ray as a 'fail-safe cook' can't be beat, guaranteeing this book's popularity in any general-interest lending library.

The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook
Jackie Newgent, R.DE.
American Diabetes Association
1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311
1580402755, $18.95 www.diabetes.org

THE ALL-NATURAL DIABETES COOKBOOK: THE WHOLE FOOD APPROACH TO GREAT TASTE AND HEALTHY EATING offers a focus on fresh foods and whole-food ingredients to create fine meals suitable for the diabetic diet plan, providing diabetics and families with a range of international dishes easy to prepare, from Blanco Huevos Rancheros to Lemony Stuffed Grape Leaves and Creole-Style Red Beans and Rice. No photos - but the easy recipes don't need them.


The Education Shelf

Understanding Place: GIS and Mapping Across the Curriculum
Diana Stuart Sinton and Jennifer J. Lund
ESRI Press
380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92383-8100
9781589481497, $49.95 www.esri.com

UNDERSTANDING PLACE holds essays by educators who describe GIS-based teaching processes, and how they impact liberal arts and sciences alike. These discussions include reviews of successes and challenges in bring GIS into the classroom, surveying mapping applications and how students use GIS. Any college-level collection strong in education or GIS applications needs this.

The Gay and Lesbian Guide to College Life
John Baez, Jennifer Howrd, et.al.
Princeton Review
2315 Broadway, New York NY 10014
9780375766237, $13.95 www.randomhouse.com

Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender students and their allies will appreciate a guide which covers all the basics: from issues arising when gay or transgender students study abroad to representing gay rights in the student body, living on and off campus as a gay person, and more. From social acceptance and atmosphere to the availability of medicines specific to say transgender needs while overseas, this is a key book highly recommended for any library catering to lesbian and gay college students and their parents.

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

Barry Corbin's UNLEASHING THE POTENTIAL OF THE TEENAGE BRAIN: 10 POWERFUL IDEAS (9781412942492, $27.95) is based on the latest neuroscientific research on teens and implications for their social and intellectual development, resulting in ten ideas for blending new with existing theories to help teachers create more effective teaching routines. Case studies and examples of how to translate theory into everyday teaching accompany descriptions of what differentiates the 'brain-compatible classroom' from regular environments. Any teaching library needs this. Roger Pierangelo and George Giuliani's UNDERSTANDING ASSESSMENT IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS (9781412917911, $21.95) is a top recommendation for college-level education libraries: it offers a step-by-step assessment guide, comes from legal and special education experts and teachers, and explains federal regulations as they relate to special education assessment processes. From understanding basic statistics to understanding the foundations of the MDT, this is a powerful tool educators need. Joseph Murphy and Coby V. Meyers' TURNING AROUND FAILING SCHOOLS: LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM THE ORGANIZATIONAL SCIENCES (9781412940979) is a powerful recommendation for school administrators and collections catering to them. It provides a comprehensive review of the literature on organizational deterioration, examining causes, symptoms, and how schools in trouble can be successfully turned around. Chapters cover the basics of educational reforms as they apply in real-world situations, making this an invaluable pick for any administrator or policy maker interested in reform processes.


The Biography Shelf

Finding Iris Chang
Paula Kamen
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Publishing Group
2300 Chestnut Street #200, Philadelphia, PA 19103
0306814668, $26.00 www.dacapopress.com

Iris Chang's suicide in 2004 at age 36 made no sense: she had a loving family and everything to live for - even fame and fortune - so many wondered if she'd been murdered over her controversial book The Rape of Nanking. Author Paula Kamen was her longtime friend - and her journey to reconcile Chang's suicide with her perfect life resulted in a survey of Chang's diaries, letters and anything that could help to understand her life and choices. FINDING IRIS CHANG: FRIENDSHIP, AMBITION AND THE LOSS OF AN EXTRAORDINARY MIND results and is a top pick for any general-interest lending library as well as collections specializing in literary biographies.


The World History Shelf

Alexander the Great Failure
John D. Grainger
Continuum Books
80 Maiden Lane #704, New York NY 10038
9781847251886, $24.95 www.continuum-books.com

ALEXANDER THE GREAT FAILURE: THE COLLAPSE OF THE MACEDONIAN EMPIRE examines the rise and fall of an empire which rested on the king's absolute authority: when the king failed his empire crumbled. Alexander needed an adult successor, but refused to provide one and even killed potential candidates for the job: the foundations of his empire and their shaky grounds are analyzed here in an outstanding in-depth survey recommended for college-level collections strong in early history.

The Buccaneer's Realm: Pirate Life on the Spanish Main 1674-1688
Benerson Little
Potomac Books Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166-2012
9781597971010, $29.95 www.potomacbooksinc.com

In 1674 it's three years since Henry Morgan's pirates sacked Panama and peace is spreading - but buccaneers are set to seize opportunity from a failing Spanish Empire and Spain itself produces pirates which will lead to new challenges. Any college-level collection strong in marine history will appreciate this new in-depth focus on pirate culture and history, considering their deeds, the Spanish Main's world and sentiments, and pirate life as a whole. It's a lively survey recommended for any in-depth marine history collection - and many a general college-level world history holding.


The Art Shelf

George Bellows
Mary Sayre Haverstock
Merrell Publishers Limited
740 Broadway, Suite 1202, New York, NY 10003
1858943930, $45.00 www.merrellpublishers.com

Georgeb Wesley Bellows painted American life in action, from polo matches to kids playing, and evolved a realistic perspective in his works which resulted in vivid portraits of American life at the turn of the century. His most important works are gathered under one cover, along with a biography and photos of family and friends, to create a well-rounded survey of not only his works - which receive full-color representation - but his influences and lasting achievements. Art libraries will find this indispensable.

The Nude Female Figure
Mark Edward Smith
Watson-Guptill Publications
770 Broadway, New York NY 10003
0823099911, $29.95 www.watsonguptill.com

Over two hundred color photos by photographer Mark Edward Smith capture women of all types in a range of classic poses, both traditional full-body and with close-ups of hands and feet as well. Accompanying these photos are an organization by type of pose, which allows for a quick visual reference for photographers. Any collection appealing to photographers and artists will find THE NUDE FEMALE FIGURE: A VISUAL REFERENCE FOR THE ARTIST an invaluable reference.

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

Art libraries and general-interest lending collections interested in representing the art deco movement with a regional focus will find Arnold Schwartzman's LONDON ART DECO (1555952828, $45.00) an excellent pick: it follows not only London art deco projects, but discusses how they became integrated into the London architectural style in various buildings, surveying theatres, hotels, stores and more. Any collection strong in British architecture and art needs this. William H. Robinson's MONET TO DALI: IMPRESSIONIST AND MODERN MASTERWORKS FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART (9780940717909, $50.00) follows nearly a hundred masterworks as it shows how the Cleveland Museum's architectural expansion resulted in a broader opportunity to display art when the temporary displacement of its holdings resulted in a traveling exhibition. Black and white and color plates depicting the works of the exhibition accompany invaluable artistic and historical background. Both are top picks especially recommended for art library holdings.

Swords & Sorcery!
Bryan Baugh
Watson-Guptill
770 Broadway, New York NY 10003
0823016668, $19.95 www.watsonguptill.com

Any artist interested in drawing fantasy will find SWORDS AND SORCERY! HOW TO DRAW FANTASTIC FANTASY ADVENTURE COMICS a real winner. Here under one cover is a blend of the artist's own drawings along with 13 others working in the field: all of whom offer step-by-step instruction for creating comics, from good and evil characters to landscapes. Advice and keys to correctly depicting characters and creating vivid settings abound in an instructional young cartoonists and illustrations, in particular, will relish, making this a top pick not just for general-interest lending collections but for libraries catering to young adults.


The Islamic Studies Shelf

From Muhammad to Bin Laden
David Bukay
Transaction Publishers
35 Berrue Circle, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8042
0765803909, $49.95 www.transactionpub.com

FROM MUHAMMAD TO BIN LADEN: RELIGIOUS AND IDEOLOGICAL SOURCES OF THE HOMICIDE BOMBERS PHENOMENON is essential reading for any who would understand the underlying religious sentiments affecting Middle East politics, society and religion. It considers the foundations of homicide bombings and jihad, using information from primary sources to also offer suggestions on overcoming violent messages in faith. The underlying interpretation of the Islamic foundation idea of da'wah, the expansion of the Islamic community, is explored on both a religious and a cultural level, making this a top pick for any college-level collection strong in Middle Eastern history, culture and spirituality.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

The Language of God
Francis S. Collins
The Free Press
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
1416542744, $15.00 www.simonandschuster.com

Dr. Francis Collins is head of the Human Genome Project and a leading scientist studying DNA: he believes that faith in God and science can coexist and be harmonious, and makes his case for this in THE LANGUAGE OF GOD: A SCIENTIST PRESENTS EVIDENCE FOR BELIEF. He addresses - and refutes - arguments against faith from scientists, while at the same time supporting scientific concepts the faithful often contest. Any collection strong in spirituality needs this debate.

Crazy for God
Frank Schaeffer
Carroll & Graf
c/o Avalon Publishing Group
245 West 17th Street, 11th floor, New York, NY 10011-5300
0786718919, $26.00 www.carrollandgraf.com 1-800-788-3123

Frank Schaeffer grew up in an idealistic community founded by his evangelical parents: by the time he was nineteen they had achieved global fame and the community, L'Abri, had become a mecca for spiritualists from Timothy Leary to top political figures. CRAZY FOR GOD: HOW I GREW UP AS ONE OF THE ELECT, HELPED FOUND THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT, AND LIVED TO TAKE ALL (OR ALMOST ALL) OF IT BACK follows his journey through spiritual and community circles, providing a powerful blend of autobiography and religious inspection sure to be a popular lending pick in any spiritual collection - and in many a public lending library.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Instruction: Living the Life Your Soul Intended
Ainslie MacLeod
Sounds True
P.O. Box 8010, Boulder, CO 80306-8010
9781591796053, $24.95 www.soundstrue.com

Have you sensed your life has a meaningful purpose but don't know what it is? Psychic Ainslie MacLeod's spirit guides have given him clues on how to discover this purpose - offered here for the first time as a step-by-step program for realizing personal fulfillment. From identifying your soul type and age to considering how to expand underlying talents through understanding past lives, THE INSTRUCTION is packed with keys to understanding.


The Science Shelf

Information and Emotion
Diane Nahl and Dania Bilal, Editors
Information Today Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055-8750
9781573873109, $47.60 www.infotoday.com

INFORMATION AND EMOTION: THE EMERGENT AFFECTIVE PARADIGM IN INFORMATION BEHAVIOR RESEARCH AND THEORY introduces the new research areas of affective issues in information seeking and use, offering college-level collections an invaluable, in-depth analysis of information design, use, and behavior research relating to the emotional quality of the information environment. Collections strong in information technology and research alike will appreciate this survey of the new research areas in information use.

The Mental Environment
Bob Gebelein
Omdega Press
Box 1546, Provincetown, MA 02657
9780961461119, $27.00 bobgeb@comcast.net

The author of RE-EDUCATING MYSELF returns with another hard-hitting survey of how to design a 'new civilization': this one focusing on the underlying cultural lies and the network of advertising and politics that fosters them. THE MENTAL ENVIRONMENT (MOSTLY ABOUT MIND POLLUTION) pinpoints inaccuracies, failures of social systems and mental warfare that has created such inaccuracies. From TV culture to advertising, THE MENTAL ENVIRONMENT analyzes underlying patterns of deception and is a fine pick for any library catering to the scholarly layman reader of sociology and cultural affairs.

Electric Water
Christopher C. Swan
New Society Publishers
Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0 Canada
9780865715851, $19.95 www.newsociety.com

Energy and water technologies are about to change the world, and ELECTRIC WATER: THE EMERGING REVOLUTION IN WATER AND ENERGY tells how, exploring the combination of energy and water which could lead to the reversal of global warming. Too much of a vision? ELECTRIC WATER is based on technology that already exists, not dreams; thus the book will interest not only high school to college-level collections strong in science, but any public library concerned with alternate energy resources and energy issues.

The Dirt on Clean: An Unsanitized History
Katherine Ashenburg
North Point Press
19 Union Square West, New York NY 10003
086547690X, $24.95 www.fsgbooks.com

Western culture's changing, evolving ideas about sanitation and cleanliness is considered here in a wide-ranging historical survey which blends science, health, and social issues under one cover: perfect for either public library lending or for college-level holdings strong in health or science. Here's more than a history of sanitation: it's a survey of changing attitudes towards what constitutes cleanliness and why it's important, surveying medical political and social roles and blending anecdotes with history to create a lively survey.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Sitcoms: The 101 Great TV Comedies of All
Ken Bloom & Frank Vlastnik
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
151 West 19th Street, New York NY 10011
97815679127527, $29.95 www.blackdogandleventhal.com

Any general-interest library strong in TV history and culture needs SITCOMS, a visual and verbal review of the top 100 shows over TV's 60-year history. Each show receives color and black and white photos, cast coverage, sidebars of off-the-set information and actor/actress profiles, and more. It's an outstanding coverage of some of the highlights and best of TV's sitcom shows over the decades.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Watson-Guptill Publications
770 Broadway, New York NY 10003
www.watsonguptill.com

Susan Cropper's VINTAGE CROCHET: 30 GORGEOUS DESIGNS FOR HOME, GARDEN, FASHION, GIFTS (0823099768, $19.95) pairs basic crochet instruction with gorgeous projects suitable for the home or wear, from bedspreads and pillows to necklaces, salad bowl covers, baby blankets and more. With its full-page color photos featuring contemporary designs and yarns to its special tips on finishing and adding unusual embellishments, VINTAGE CROCHET holds fine designs and comes from a London design artist. Kim Werker's GET HOOKED AGAIN: SIMPLE STEPS TO CROCHET MORE COOL STUFF (0823051102, $11.95) provides more projects to follow the winning blend of high fashion, very easy projects for beginners, and photos which show where to put where. Some 15 patterns appeal to beginners especially, from bags to hats and scarves: perfect for gift projects and for libraries catering to beginners.

American Quilters Society
Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
www.americanquilter.com

Pamela Humphries' AWARD-WINNING APPLIQUE BIRDS (9781574329438, $21.95) teaches how to incorporate over twenty applique birds on a quilt or other stitching project, teaching how to use applique methods or the author's own peel-and-stick template technique and covering bias-edged sashing, lovely floral and vine borders, and more. Close-up photos display the applique and hand-quilting details of an award-winning quilt, making this a top pick for any quilter seeking instruction on applique or embellishments. Rami Kim's FOLDED FABRIC ELEGANCE (9781574329414, $22.95) tells how to add texture and dimension to projects with traditional Korean folding methods, American smocking, tucks and more. Step-by-step instructions and fine color photo examples are accompanied by easy patterns and clear directions perfect for newcomers to applique. Anita Shackelford's A MODERN MIX: MACHINE & HAND QUILTING (9781574329384, $24.95) tells how to use BOTH methods in the same quilt, showing how to mix and match quilting motifs and techniques to get the most out of both. Quilting projects are offered to introduce quilters to the idea of how to mix both styles for maximum effect, making for an excellent guide for quilters from novice to advanced levels. Gail Simpson's FABRIC FANDANGO: COMBINING HAND DYED AND COMMERCIAL PRINTS (9781574329391, $22.95) tells how to showcase color and texture through a range of fine quilt projects. Ideas teach how to enhance quilts with rich colors pairing hand dyed products with commercially printed fabrics, and pair full-page color photos and patterns with easy step-by-step direction. Any general-interest or quilter's library strong in quilting projects and instruction needs these excellent titles.

Trafalgar Square Books
Box 257, North Pomfret, VT 05053
www.trafalgarbooks.com

Sarah Dallas, Wendy Baker and Catherine Tough's SCOTTISH HIGHLAND KNITS (9781570763779, $22.95) offers nearly twenty designs for women and men with step-by-step instructions and design templates and pattern charts. From XS-XXL, patterns offer a range of projects in traditional Scottish knits and cover everything from sweaters to throws and knits, all embellished with full-page color photos. Debbie Bliss' ESSENTIAL BABY (9781570763687, $19.95) provides an excellent knitwear collection for new babies offering over twenty items by knit designer Debbie Bliss. Key garments and nursery accessories are provided in a collection strong in the basics, from slippers and lamb toys to socks and a reversible blanket. Color photos of completed projects accompany clear directions on producing the knitted items. Both are strong recommendations for any knitter interested in assembling a foundation wardrobe for newborns.

Crocheted Pursenalities: 20 Great Felted Bags
Eva Wiechmann
Martingale & Company
20205 - 144th Avenue NE, Woodinville, WA 98072-8478
9781564777508, $19.95 www.martingale-pub.com

Twenty crocheted-and-felted bags which are both easy to make and modern in appearance are provided in a splash of easy designs using big hooks and novelty yarns, making for quick and easy crochet projects promising to be of interest to all ages. Those who already read crochet instructions will find the blend of full-page color close-up photos and detail intriguing.

101 Designer One-Skein Wonders
Judith Durant, Editor
Storey Publishing
210 MassMoca Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781580176880, $18.95 www.storey.com

Over a hundred patterns for producing projects from a single skein of yarn provides fun projects for everything from hats and scarves to chokers, mittens, and sachets. No color photos, but each project comes with not only step-by-step instruction but colored boxes of detail and information on supplies and techniques, making 101 DESIGNER ONE-SKEIN WONDERS a top pick for any knitter and any collection catering to them.

Crochet Inspiration
Sasha Kagan
Sixth & Spring Books
233 Spring Street, New York NY 10013
1933027126, $29.95 www.sixth&springbooks.com

Designer Sasha Kagan creates a fine crochet reference book with CROCHET INSPIRATION, a gathering of designs organizing some 200 of her swatch creations into four categories for eleven new projects. Some basic familiarity with crochet instruction abbreviations will lend to a quick understanding of the different crochet techniques presented here, while color close-up photos allow for easy assessment of project complexity and achievement. It's an excellent book for any crocheter who would move to the next level - and for collections catering to them.


The Crafts Shelf

Martingale & Company
20205 - 144th Avenue NE, Woodinville, WA 98072-8478
www.martingale-pub.com

Dave Brethauer's CARD DESIGN: RUBBER STAMPING WITH COLORED PENCILS AND WATERCOLORS (9781564777805, $21.95) surveys the art of making cards, showing how to use watercolor paints and colored pencils to create modern stylish greeting cards for all occasions. Over a hundred projects and ideas teach the basics, then move to special effects. Cheryl Owen's 101 SPARKLING NECKLACES (9781564777829, $24.95) offers step-by-step directions for 20 basic necklaces in a range of variations, from chokers to pendants, long strands to more. A minimum of tools and techniques is covered in introductory chapters of instruction, then projects reinforce learning using step-by-step color photos throughout. Both are strong picks for any crafts library.


The California Shelf

Under the Dragon
Lonny Shavelson and Fred Setterberg
Heyday Books
Box 9145, Berkeley, CA 94709
9781597140454, $24.95 www.heydaybooks.com

UNDER THE DRAGON: CALIFORNIA'S NEW CULTURE comes from a photographer who captures images of the changing ethnic and social makeup of California's Asian community, presenting a blend of color photos and essays surveying diversity and the changing ethnic makeup of California. From work and school life to celebrations, UNDER THE DRAGON should be required reading for any interested in contemporary California ethnic cultures - and for any California library.

Levi Strauss & Co.
Lynn downey
Arcadia Publishing
0738555533, $19.99 www.arcadiapublishing.com

Bavarian immigrant Levi Strauss opened his wholesale dry goods warehouse on the San Francisco waterfront in 1853 and rose in fame to become one of the world's largest clothing company - and LEVI STRAUSS & CO. documents his rise using vintage photos, ads, and artifacts from the Levi archives. Author Lynn Downey is the company's historian, and provides here an excellent visual survey of the Levin Strauss rise to power and prestige: perfect for any California or business library.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Berkeley Prime Crime
375 Hudson, New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com

Five fine new mysteries are top picks for lending libraries seeking affordable paperbacks and mysteries that are a cut above the usual offering. Melissa Galzer's A MURDEROUS GLAZE (9780425218365, $6.99) tells of a crafty murder when Betty is found murdered - with Carolyn's own awl in her. Now Carolyn is a suspect and must conduct her own investigation to regain her reputation in this fine blend of clay craft tips and murder mystery. Nancy Fairbanks' TURKEY FLAMBE (9780425219041, $6.99) tells of a middle-aged woman finished everything but becoming a food writer, which brings her to a dashing world of gourmet travel - and here, to an unexpected crime world when a publicity stunt results in injury and immerses her in mystery and possible revenge. Claudia Bishop's A CAROL FOR A CORPSE (9780425218341, $6.99) tells of a Hemlock Falls inn run by sisters who must support each other and spot the clues when murder comes to town. Emilie Richards' BEWARE FALSE PROFITS (9780425218685, $6.99) tells of the director of a food bank gone missing, and Aggie's discovery of his secret life as a female impersonator. When the mayor's wife falls dead during the food bank's fundraiser, Aggie begins to suspect more is involved than a vanishing act. John J. Lamb;s THE CRAFTY TEDDY (9780425218853, $6.99) tells of a teddy bear thief who steals a valuable bear from the Lyon home, bringing Japanese gangsters to the small town and the murder of a local museum director. Coincidences? An underlying crime is revealed in the course of many satisfying twists and turns. Charlaine Harris' AN ICE COLD GRAVE (9780425217290, $23.95) comes from the author of the best-selling Snookie Stackhouse novels and tells of one Harper Connelly, hired to find a missing boy in North Carolina, only to find he's one of several boys who have vanished over the years - all teens, all unlikely runaways. Harper soon finds their bodies - and when she's attacked, she find more than a casual involvement in investigating their demise. All these mysteries are top recommendations for avid mystery fans and collections catering to them.


The Audiobook Shelf

Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.HachetteAudio.com

Charles Grodin's IF I ONLY KNEW THEN…LEARNING FROM OUR MISTAKES (1600241107, $24.95) receives a fine and complimentary voice from comedian Marion Grodin as it provides over eighty revealing stories from friends and colleagues in the entertainment, sports, political and journalism worlds. These stories center around themes of learning and wisdom, providing hard-hitting accounts of wisdom insights from the school of life. Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child's THE BOOK OF THE DEAD (160024257X, $14.95) receives an excellent and dramatic reading by Rene Auberjonois as it tells of an FBI agent in prison for a murder he didn't commit, while his psychotic brother plots a terrible crime. Add an ancient Egyptian curse to the mix and you have an involving account. Stephen Colbert's I AM AMERICA (AND SO CAN YOU) (1600240364, $24.98) is a hilarious spoof 'shouted' by the author, who hosts his own show on American news transgressions. Whether you've seen his TV show or not, I AM AMERICA offers up hilarious commentary on American sentiment and psyche and is a top pick for any audio collection strong in modern humor and political observation.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
J.K. Rowling
Listening Library, Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780739360385, $79.95 www.listeninglibrary.com 1-800-726-0600

17 compact discs capture unabridged the full flavor of the saga HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, offering up a solid performance by Jim Dale in a full-flavored presentation perfect for audio listeners of all ages. While THE DEATHLY HALLOWS could have been featured in our children's BOOKWATCH issue, it's reviewed here for its recommendation to a much wider age range than young adults alone: all ages will find it an absorbing, moving listen.

Confessor
Terry Goodkind
Brilliance Audio
c/o Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
1423316584, $49.95 www.brillianceaudio.com 1-800-854-7859

This audio read by Sam Tsoutsouvas represents the culminating conclusion of Goodkind's 'Sword of Truth' series and lends the professional actor's smooth and clear voice to this story of a rising darkness and free people who fight the descent of the world into a new savage era, led by one Richard, determined to save his world. An epic journey has been created, and collections which hold the Sword of Truth predecessor will relish CONFESSOR's powerful conclusion.

Penguin Audio
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com

Patricia Cornwell's BOOK OF THE DEAD (9780143059134, $29.95) receives a strong reading by Mary Stuart Masterson as it provides a new Dr. Kay Scarpetta novel centering around her move to South Carolina, where she opens a private forensic pathology practice only to find new problems erupt with local politicians and connected deaths. For an unabridged version, choose the reading by Kate Reading (9780143059147, $39.95). An excellent, fast-paced drama will intrigue any collection strong in mystery audios. Clive Cussler's THE CHASE (9780143142430, $39.95) receives Scott Brick's excellent acting skills to enhance an unabridged story on 10 cds of a train, a crime spree, and the special challenges facing a detective named Isaac, who faces a unique cross-country challenge in pursuing one of the best criminal minds he's ever encountered. An excellent thriller is presented in a series of excellent scenes which is a top pick for any audio collection specializing in thrillers.


The Sports Shelf

Year in Sports 2007
USA Today
Sports Publishing LLC
804 North Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61820
9781596702882, $19.95 www.sportspublishingllc.com

The best games, the biggest sports stories, and biographies of the year's best stars come together in the USA TODAY YEAR IN SPORTS 2007, a yearbook of sports highs covering everything from basketball and baseball to horse racing. Color photos from highlights in events accompany a dateline of achievement perfect for recalling the best in sports activity, making this a 'must' for any general-interest sports library.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

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

Michael Z. Williamson's BETTER TO BEG FORGIVENESS… (1416555080, $24.00) provides an excellent military sci-fi thriller revolving around a poor nation on a poor planet engaged in civil war, and a president's tough, deadly mercenary forces which keep him in power. Add swift drama and strong male and female protagonists and you have a military-based political scifi story that proves engrossing. Tom Kraftman's CARNIFEX (1416373836, $23.00) tells of Patricio, who has been waging a private world war to bring justice to the murderers of his family. His quest for revenge seems to hold no boundaries - until his hate leads him to a dangerous enemy and some snowy mountains of hell. Paul Chafe's GENESIS (1416355099, $24.00) tells of an overcrowded Earth and a colony ship which has been one hundred years in the making, launched on a ten thousand year voyage to carry mankind's prodigy to the stars. The Ark's designer, the first of the space-born and a simple farm boy will challenge their worlds in this gripping thriller. All are top picks for science fiction collections, especially those strong in military and political thrillers.

Keeper's Child
Leslie Davis
Edge Publishing
Box 1714, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2L7, Canada
9781894063012, $19.95 www.edgewebsite.com

It's the near future: the land is dying, the poor are sick, and a doctor has spent thirty years of his life trying to protect and rebuild a protected city and its technology. Jesse's been a hero for his efforts - but he journeys away from his beloved city to experience firsthand the dying world, and possibly its only salvation in a girl who was born with a genetic trap in her blood, struggling for her life. An engrossing story of the future will satisfy any avid science fiction reader.


The Music Shelf

Rostropovich
Elizabeth Wilson
Ivan R. Dee Publisher
1332 North Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60622-2694
1566637767, $35.00 www.ivanrdee.com

Rostropovich died this year in Moscow at age eighty, having built his reputation as a cellist and conductor who also was an proponent of artistic freedom during the cold war. ROSTROPOVICH: THE MUSICAL LIFE OF THE GREAT CELLIST, TEACHER, AND LEGEND celebrates his life, both musical and political, and provides both an overview of the musician and memories of the many students he taught. Elizabeth Wilson was herself a former student of 'Slava' and provides here a definitive and in-depth biography which should be a 'must' for any music library covering classical music - and many a public lending library.

Wagner Moments
J.K. Holman, Editor and Annotator
Amadeus Press
512 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
1574671596, $12.95 www.amadeuspress.com

For well over a hundred years the music dramas of Richard Wagner have thrilled audiences: to recapture the experience and celebrate its diversity, WAGNER MOMENTS: A CELEBRATION OF FAVORITE WAGNER EXPERIENCES gathers over a hundred anecdote and reflections from Wagner fans from C.S. Lewis and T.S. Eliot to James Joyce and Friedrich Nietzsche. It's a fine recommendation for any classical music library.


The Native American Shelf

Gall: Lakota War Chief
Robert W. Larson
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806138305, $24.95 www.oupress.com 1-800-627-7377

Gall was a Hunkpapa warrior and Lakota chief who resisted efforts by the U.S. government to annex the Black Hills - and led a charge to attack Custer's men on the other side of Little Bighorn. Despite his achievements there has been much controversy surrounding Gall's role and contribution to the conflict, and retired history professor Robert W. Larson here sorts through different reports, views and source materials to paint a new portrait of Gall's character. College-level holdings strong in Native American history will find it a scholarly survey that covers the known extent of Gall's life, using rare Standing Rock Reservation records, among others, to recreate and add depth to standard reports. It's a highly recommended library addition for any specialty collection.


The Genealogy Shelf

Far Northern Connections
Virginia Mattson-Schultz
Dorrance Publishing
701 Smithfield Street, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
9780805972610, $18.00 www.dorrancebookstore.com

FAR NORTHERN CONNECTIONS: RESEARCHING YOUR SAMI AND OTHER ANCESTORS IN NORTHERN NORWAY, SWEDEN, FINLAND, AND RUSSIA is more than just listing of research methods for genealogists and collections catering to them: it includes charts, explanations of foreign terms, and insights into the web sites and places to begin a search. The author's years of research into her own family history lends to a fine expose of the special challenges involved in research far northern archives for genealogical data.

Digital Family Album
Janine Warner
Watson-Guptill Publications
770 Broadway, New York NY 10003
0817438025, $24.95 www.watsonguptill.com

Janine Warner's DIGITAL FAMILY ALBUM: SPECIAL OCCASIONS TOOLS FOR MAKING DIGITAL MEMORIES could also have been featured in our Computer area but is reviewed here for its family focus, perfect for any with home and family and ideas for celebrating special holidays. Here are all the tools needed to turn family photos into festive cards, scrapbook pages, cookbooks, websites and more, offering an array of recommended software and tools and teaching how to share projects via the Internet. Color photos throughout pack a guide perfect for any who would put together a home scrapbook of impressive quality based on family photo archives.


James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
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

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


Copyright ©2001

Site design by Williams Writing, Editing & Design