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Volume 19, Number 4 April 2009 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Sports Shelf Hunting/Fishing Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Architecture Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf
American History Shelf Art Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Poetry Shelf Environmental Studies Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Aviation Shelf Travel Shelf
Education Shelf Christian Studies Shelf Parenting Shelf
Self-Help Shelf Money/Finance Shelf Judicial Studies Shelf
Literary Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Biography Shelf
Fiction Shelf Language Studies Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Mystery/Suspense Shelf Gaming Shelf Native American Shelf
Library Science Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Humor Shelf Biology Shelf Black Studies Shelf
Nautical Shelf Railroading Shelf Buddhist Studies Shelf
World History Shelf Psychology Shelf Music Shelf
Business Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Library DVD Shelf
Library CD Music Shelf Audiobook Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Computer Shelf Dance Shelf Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
International Studies Shelf Homeowner's Shelf Photography Shelf
Economics Shelf Political Science Shelf Women's Studies Shelf
Military Shelf Astronomy Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice

The Bazaars of Istanbul
Isabel Bocking, et al.
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, NY, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500514474 $60.00 1-800-233-4830

Illustrated with stunning, full-color photography on almost every page, The Bazaars of Istanbul by Isabel Bocking, Laura Salm-Reifferscheidt, and Moritz Stipsicz is a coffee-table book offering a one-of-a-kind glimpse into the vibrant, chaotic, and exciting world of Istanbul's bazaar quarter. From works of traditional craftsmanship to venues of mass production, from vegetable gardens to bookstores, the bazaar quarter is filled with cultural influences of the east and west. The extensive text combined with the vivid photography is so thorough it's the next best thing to visiting a Turkish bazaar in person! Thirty traditional Turkish recipes round out this wondrous showcase especially recommended for armchair travelers.

Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes 3, second edition
Fred Beckey
The Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134
9781594851360, $34.95, www.mountaineersbooks.org

Going through the Cascade Alpine mountains can be the adventure of a lifetime. "Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes 3: Rainy Pass to Fraser River" is the second edition of this trusted manual, covering the trip from the Rainy Pass to the Fraser River. With over one hundred black and white photographs, and a good deal of maps both topographical and traditional, "Cascade Alpine Guide" is a must for those who want to hike through this mountain range between the United States and Canada.

Taming the Anarchy: Groundwater Governance in South Asia
Tushaar Shah
RFF Press
1616 P Street NW, Washington DC 20036-1400
9781933115603, $49.95 www.rffpress.org

College-level libraries strong in Asian social issues and history will find this a specialty item key to understanding resource management in the entire region. South Asia's irrigation system has become a chaotic landscape of individually owned wells and government management is desperately needed. The social and ecological issues at stake has stymied both scientists and policymakers: Tushaar Shah investigates the history and changes affecting South Asian irrigation patterns and considers its social and ecological impact alike in a text key for understanding the region's evolving issues.

Impermanence: Embracing Change
David Hodge & Hi-Jin Kang Hodge
Snow Lion Publications
Box 6483, Ithaca, NY 14851
9781559393072, $29.95 www.snowlionpub.com

What does constant change mean, and how do people confront ideas of death and change? The authors are multimedia artists asked to contribute to an exhibit featuring the works of the Dalai Lama: they interviewed over a hundred people on the idea of impermanence and change in their lives and offers a book and DVD combination of interviews paired with black and white photos. Arts and social sciences libraries will find it a fine documentary of the modern condition.

The Chocolate Guide
TasteTV
TCB Cafe
PO Box 471706, San Francisco, CA 94147
9780979864001, $15.95, www.tastetv.com

There are very few people in the world who do not like chocolate. "The Chocolate Guide: To Local Chocolatiers, Chocolate Makers, Boutiques, Patisseries and Shops - Eastern Edition" is a guide to all things chocolate up and down the eastern seaboard of the United States. Every region has its own spin on the beloved treat, and each being a culinary delight to the taster's senses. For the traveler who loves chocolate and trying new varieties, "The Chocolate Guide" is highly recommended.

Ms. Starkey's Original Guide To Private Service Management
Mary Louise Starkey
Starkey International
c/o Starkey and Associates
1350 Logan Street, Denver, CO 80203
http://www.starkeyintl.com
9780966480726, $225.00, 1-800-888-4904

Mary Louise Starkey is the person who coined the term 'Household Manager'. She is the developer of the Starkey Service Management System and software, as well as hosting the first Household Management conference in March 2000. In "Ms. Starkey's Original Guide To Private Service Management" she draws upon her many years of expertise and experience to compose a 704-page compendium of information on service management that stands as the definitive industry bible on the subject. Of special note are the chapters devoted to Administrative Standards (when setting up a household); 'Housekeeping Standards'; 'Culinary Standards', 'Clothing Standards and Valet Responsibilities', and 'Entertaining Standards'. Other issues thoroughly covered include those related to property and grounds, maintenance, transportation and travel, safety and protection, as well as the care of children, guests, elders, and pets. Enhanced with useful and informative appendices, "Ms. Starkey's Original Guide To Private Service Management" is an impressive and comprehensive 'workshop and in-service training program within a single volume. Also very highly recommended are Mary Louise Starkey's two other and more specialized instructional guides: "Mrs. Starkey's Setting Household Standards" ($134.00) and "Mrs. Starkey's Nanny Manager" ($84.95).

Carl Hagenbeck's Empire Of Entertainments
Eric Ames
University of Washington Press
PO Box 50096, Seattle, WA 98145-5096
www.washington.edu/uwpress
9780295988337, $35.00, www.amazon.com

Carl Hagenbeck was to 19th Century European popular entertainment what Walt Disney and P.T. Barnum were to America in later years. Hagenbeck was a well-known animal trader and ethnographic showman who, like Barnum, charged admission to a fascinated public of his collections of people, animals and artifacts drawn from all over the world. His collections culminated in his 1907 opening of Tierpark (near Hamburge, Germany) featuring the creation of exotic environments inhabited by both humans and animals. In "Carl Hagenbeck's Empire Of Entertainments", Eric Ames (Assistant Professor of German, University of Washington) has written and compiled a seminal biographical work that provides a historical perspective and framework for Hagenbeck's myriad enterprises in the context of European colonialism and an emerging globalization; what we would today describe as ethnography and anthropology; the popularity of zoological gardens and international expositions; the paradoxes of museum culture and visual spectacle; the phenomena of consumerism and immersive entertainments with respect to such public entertainments that ranged from Wild West Shows to theme parks to world fairs. Occasionally illustrated with black-and-white period photographs, "Carl Hagenbeck's Empire Of Entertainments" is a work of impressive and seminal scholarship making it strongly recommended for academic library 19th & 20th Century Popular Culture Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

King Arthur
Kaye D. Hennig, author
Terrance Hennig, photographer
DesignMagic Publishing
156 Madrona Drive, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
www.kingarthur-lordofthegrail.com
9780980075809, $65.00, www.amazon.com

Popular works of literature and Hollywood films have made the legend of King Arthur, Camelot, the Round Table, and the tragedy of Sir Lancelot and the Lady Guinevere well known and a part of the common folklore of the western world. What is less well known are the sources of the legends that evolved and matured down through the centuries. Was Arthur a historical figure or simply the stuff of which legends are made to serve the cultural and social needs of subsequent generations over the last 1300 years? Academician Kaye D. Hennig addresses this question with her remarkable study "King Arthur: Lord Of The Grail", a 306-page compendium of her research findings (expertly illustrated by the photography of Terrance Hennig) and provides the reader with a wealth of information of what her own explorations in Scotland and England in pursuit of the historical Arthur and his companions revealed. A superbly written, informed and informative study, "King Arthur" is an original and seminal body of work that is very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library collections -- and a 'must' for all students of the Arthurian legends.

You Are Still Being Lied To
Russ Kick, editor
The Disinformation Company
220 E. 23rd St., Suite 500, NY, NY 10010
9781934708071, $24.95, www.disinfo.com

We live in an age of perpetual 'spin'. Information given bias by the agendas of those who produce and/or communicate it. In "You Are Still Being Lied To: The Remixed Disinformation Guide to Media Distortion, Historical Whitewashes and Cultural Myths", editor Russ Kick has compiled reports, contributions, and commentaries by investigative reporters, political dissidents, academics, media watchdogs, scientist-philosophers, social critics, and independent scholars to reveal the true and underlying stories that have been commonly suppressed, distorted, and ignored by the mainstream media, the political establishment, and the culturally conservative. Enhanced with informed and informative essays by Noam Chomsky, Ron Paul, Sydney Schanberg; Gary Webb, R. Crumb; Howard Zinn; Graham Hancock; Michael Parenti; Rian Eisler, Jim Marrs, Howard Bloom, and others, "You Are Still Being Lied To" is a remarkable and seminal compendium that should be a part of every academic and community library Social Issues, American History, and Political Science reference collection and personal reading list.

Greetings From Jacksonville, Florida
Donald D. Spencer
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen, PA 19310
9780764329586, $24.99, www.schifferbooks.com

Colored post cards were a major publicity tool for communities seeking to boost their tourist and business attractions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Such was the case with Jacksonville, Florida as evidenced by an impressive collection of such colorful images compiled by Donald D. Spencer and featured in "Greetings From Jacksonville, Florida". Considered a 'gateway' to Florida by air, land and sea, Jacksonville (originally called 'Cow Ford' until renamed by its residents after President Andrew Jackson) became established in the opening decade of the 20th century as a favorite winter resort. The postcards themselves are expertly captioned, flawlessly reproduced in full color, and provide a fascinating approach to the history of this thriving community. "Greetings From Jacksonville, Florida" is especially recommended for postcard enthusiasts and readers with an interest in the early history of this key Floridian city.

The Planer Truth
Dana Martin Batory
Astragal Press
c/o Finney Company
8075 - 215th Street West, Lakeville, MN 55044
www.astragalpress.com
9781931626255, $21.95, www.amazon.com

Woodworking is as much an art as it is a craft and has a history as old as civilization itself. "The Planer Truth: A Brief History & Guide To Servicing Vintage Single Surface Roll Feed Planers (1850-1950)" by Dana Martin Batory is a 160-page compendium of illustrations and information drawn from diverse out-of-print texts and manuals, combined with expert commentary based upon 'hands-on' experience by the author and provide readers with a succinct historical overview of this machine beginning with its invention in 1828. The planer system, from in-feed to out-feed, is presented including instructions on adjusting and fine-tuning each of the separate elements including table adjustment, chipbreaker adjustment, pressure bar adjustment, knife setting, and more. Of special note are the commentaries on troubleshooting, required horsepower, and more. Offering a wealth of practical information and helpful hints, "The Planer Truth" is replete with detailed illustrations from the author's own extensive library of period catalogs, manuals, and photograph files. Also very highly recommended for woodworking enthusiasts and historians are Dana Batory's previous titles from Astragal Press, "Vintage Woodworking Machinery" (AP751, $18.95) and "Vintage Woodworking Machinery: Volume II" (AP197, $29.00).


The Sports Shelf

The Bill James Gold Mine 2009
Bill James
ACTA Sports
5559 West Howard Street, Skokie, IL 60077
9780879463694 $23.95 www.actapublications.com 1-800-397-2282

The Bill James Gold Mine 2009 is a massive compendium of statistical information about 2009's baseball teams, enhanced with comments, clarifications, and musings by expert baseball analyst Bill James. The data collected includes pitch type analysis, baserunning analysis, pitcher's record of opposing batters, performance by starting pitcher, productivity by batting order position, and fielding bible plus/minus data. James' additional essays and inquiries include "A What-If Fantasy", "Whoppers", "Triple Crowns", "96 Families of Hitters" and much more. A "must-have" for any truly dedicated baseball fan, and the perfect resource for fantasy baseball leagues!

Women's Baseball
John M. Kovach
Arcadia Publishing
420 Wando Park Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
0738533807 $19.99 www.arcadiapublishing.com 1-888-313-2665

Written by the first man to be honored by the National Women's Baseball Hall of Fame (as Manager of the Year in 2002), Women's Baseball is part history, part photographic record, part enthralling journey of the course of this sport from the just after the end of the Civil War to the beginning of the twenty-first century. A wealth of vintage black-and-white photographs and illustrations spanning almost a century and a half fill Women's Baseball cover to cover; each image has a brief caption explaining its history and significance. There is almost no narrative text outside of the photo captions and brief introductory sections to each group of period illustrations; Women's Baseball is primarily a visual tour de force. A "must-have" for women's baseball fans intrigued by the history and evolution of the sport.

Milwaukee Braves: Heroes and Heartbreak
William Povletich
Wisconsin Historical Society Press
816 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
9780870204234 $24.95 www.wisconsinhistory.org

Written by award-winning documentary producer William Povletich, Milwaukee Braves: Heroes and Heartbreak captures the astonishing rise and fall of the Milwaukee Braves baseball team. For thirteen years, the Braves never had a losing season - they won two National League pennants, and in 1957 they earned Milwaukee its only World Series championship. Attendance records surged and stars like future Hall of Fame residents Henry Aaron and Eddie Mathews captivated fans. But after their landmark 1957 win the Braves underwent a downward spiral, leading to declining attendance and finally one of the most bitter breakups between a sports team and a city. Illustrated with more than 200 vintage black-and-white photos, Milwaukee Braves: Heroes and Heartbreak is a spellbinding chronicle especially recommended for sports history scholars and fans.


The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

Fishing Key West
David Conway
University Press of Florida
15 Northwest 15th Street, Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
9780813032948, $21.00, www.upf.com

One of the paramount destinations for recreational fishers, "Fishing Key West: and the Lower Keys" is a handbook for those who want to get started doing their favorite pastime in this wonderful vacation destination. Aimed at any level of fisher, there is much to be learned within the manual for fishing in the region, some tips which are valuable when fishing elsewhere as well. "Fishing Key West" is a fine pick for the traveling fisherman who will soon find themselves in Florida.

On The Hunt
Robert C. Willging
Wisconsin Historical Society Press
816 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
www.wisconsinhistory.org
9780870204050, $26.95, www.amazon.com

Deer hunting has been a part of Wisconsin's culture from antiquity down to the present day. Native Americans and pioneers hunting for substance. Gradually deer hunting took on an entertainment value as a sport. But even today, deer hunting continues to be a major food resource for a significant number of Wisconsin families. In "On The Hunt: The History of Deer Hunting In Wisconsin", freelance outdoor writer Robert C. Willging lays out a definitive historical survey of deer hunting in the Badger State beginning with the spear-throwing Paleo-Indians of the Upper Midwest, to the sportsmen and women of today with their scoped rifles. "On The Hunt" draws from such divers published historical resources as Wisconsin Conservation Department and Department of Natural Resources archives, hunting magazines, newspaper articles, and anecdotal stories of hunters and deer biologists. Superbly illustrated throughout with historical photos of classic deer camps, "On The Hunt" is as informed and informative, as it is engaging and insightful. Strongly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Wisconsin wildlife reference collections, "On The Hunt" is ideal for non-specialist general readers with an interest in this enduringly popular activity that has been (and continues to be) such an integral part of Wisconsin popular culture.

Bait-Fishing For Trout
Terry Sheely
Frank Amato Publications
PO Box 82112, Portland, OR 97282
9781571884282, $9.95, www.amatobooks.com

Frank Amato Publications has a well deserved reputation for being a premier publisher of especially 'user friendly' books on the art and craft fishing. Now they've come up with a new series of fishing and outdoors 'pegboard' instructional books that at 3 1/2" by 7" are perfectly sized for inserting into a pocket, a tackle box, a glove box, or a boat compartment so that they can easily and accessibly accompany fishermen anywhere and everywhere. "Here's How To...: Bait Fishing For Trout" by expert angler and outdoors writer Terry Sheely is the first of this new series and deftly covers the basics of bait-fishing including the use of rods, reels, lines, and other terminal gear. Step-by-step illustrated instructions are provided for knot tying, selecting rigging, as well as attaching weights and hooks. Also provided is such useful information as to different trout species, where they can best be found, successful baits to use and when to use them, and so much more that will prove invaluable -- especially for the novice angler. Also highly recommended and the second title in this outstanding series is "Here's How To...: Fishing Rigs" (9781571884404, $7.95) by Robert H. Campbell which is a superbly illustrated guide to rigs for salmon, steelhead, trout, kokanee, sturgeon, shad, halibut, and more.


The Cookbook Shelf

The Freshwater Fish Cookbook
A.D. Livingston
The Lyons Press
246 Goose Lane, Guilford, CT 06437
9781599213866 $19.95 www.lyonspress.com 1-800-836-0510

Written by "Gray's Sporting Journal" food columnist A.D. Livingston, The Freshwater Fish Cookbook: More Than 200 Ways To Cook Your Catch is lives up to its title with gusto. Full-color photography enhances this collection of more than 200 recipes for freshwater fish ranging from trout, salmon, and black bass to pike, walleye, stripers, eels, and even supposed "trash" fish such as suckers and carp. An easy-to-use cookbook vital for any serious angler's dinner table, highly recommended.

The Vineyard Cookbook
Barbara Scott-Goodman
Welcome Books
6 West 18 Street, New York, NY 10011
9781599620640 $24.95 www.welcomebooks.com 1-800-733-3000

Featuring full color photography of not only the finished dishes, but also the beautiful vineyards from which they came, The Vineyard Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes & Wine Pairings Inspired by America's Vineyards is a recipe collection sure to appeal to connoisseurs. Offering a tour of thirty-two outstanding American vineyards as well as sixty delectable recipes for all seasons, The Vineyard Cookbook is a treasury ideal for any wine lover. Sample recipes include "Oyster, Scallion & Watercress Soup", "Ricotta & Prosciutto Crostini", "Pan-Seared Duck Breasts with Red-Wine Sauce", and much more. Highly recommended.

Autumn Gatherings
Rick Rodgers
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
www.williammorrow.com
9780061438844, $19.95 www.harpercollins.com

Cooking instructor Rick Rodgers provides 'down home' and family cooking at their best, from Leg of Lamb with Roasted Ratatouille to Pumpkin Sticky Toffee Pudding and Ziti with Chicken, Broccoli and Rosemary. The result is an outstanding collection of different embellishments on traditional 'comfort food' perfect for general-interest lending libraries.

Putting Up
Stephen Palmer Dowdney
Gibbs Smith
Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
1423602803, $19.99 www.gibbs-smith.com

PUTTING UP: A YEAR-ROUND GUIDE TO CANNING IN THE SOUTHERN TRADITION offers a step-by-step survey of canning, from basic procedures and equipment to seasonal recipes for fruits and vegetables alike. From a Green Tomato Relish and Artichoke Pickles to Red Tomato Relish and Charleston Gumbo, these are preserves often not found in the typical beginner's canning cookbook, and come with color photo accents throughout.

So You Want to Be a Caterer (On a Budget)
Diane Svenwol Olson
Vantage Press
419 Park Ave. South, New York, NY 10016
9780533159567, $7.95, www.vantagepress.com

Catering is a unique business where one has to make good food, and lots of it. "So You Want to Be a Caterer (On a Budget)" is Diane Olson's advice manual for those who want to break into the career of catering but don't exactly yet have a big budget to spend freely. Never sacrificing quality, "So You Want to Be a Caterer" is just what some need to break into the business and establish a career.

The Scandinavian Cookbook
Trina Hahnemann, author
Lars Ranek, photographer
Andrews & McMeel
4520 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111
9780740780943 $29.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com 1-800-851-8923

Illustrated with mouth-watering full-color, full-page photography, The Scandinavian Cookbook is a compendium of sumptuous Scandinavian dishes for every month of the year, from Skagen Fish Soup in February to Smorrebrod: Smoked Cheese Salad on Rye in July to Swedish Christmas Ham in December. The step-by-step instructions are complemented by recommendations for serving various dishes in this gorgeous cookbook by Danish TV chef and food writer Trina Hahnemann. A worthy addition to any international cookbook and recipe collection.

Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
www.pelicanpub.com, 1-800-843-1724

The Pelican Publishing Company of Gretna, Louisiana, is a premier publisher of regional cookbooks showcasing cuisines of the American South. Three of their 'city oriented' titles are especially recommended additions to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. "New Orleans Classic Gumbos & Soups" (9781589806306, $15.95) is a compendium of beautifully illustrated recipes by culinary author Kit Wohl from some of the finest restaurants New Orleans has to offer. "Dallas Classic Desserts" (9781589806245, $15.95) showcases superbly illustrated dishes selected by culinary expert Helen Thompson from some of the truly elegant restaurants of Dallas, Texas. "Atlanta Classic Desserts" (9781589806214, $15.95) provides an illustrated cornucopia of mouth-watering confections taken from renowned restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia by culinary authority Krista Reese. All three of these impressively produced and enthusiastically recommended regional cookbooks are 'kitchen cook friendly' with easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipes for dishes that would grace any table, please any palate, and satisfy any appetite!

Quick-Fix Vegetarian
Robin Robertson
Andrews & McMeel
4520 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111
www.andrewsmcmeel.com
9780740763748, $16.95, www.amazon.com

A vegetarian diet is not only healthier than a non-vegetarian diet, in this day of economic stress and shrinking domestic budgets, a vegetarian diet is less expensive than a non-vegetarian diet. What's not so generally well known is that vegetarian dishes can be prepared and served in less time than it would take to go to a 'fast food' restaurant and be served. Drawing upon her more than twenty-five years of experience and expertise as a chef, caterer, cooking teacher, food columnist, and cookbook writer, Robin Robertson has compiled 150 easy and quick to prepare vegetarian dishes that will please any palate and satisfy any appetite. Offering dishes for every dining occasion, the recipes range from Roasted Bell Peppers; Creamy Tortilla Soup; Peanut Butter and Tomato Quesadillas; and Sicilian Couscous; to Ginger Sesame Noodles with Broccoli; Roasted Winter Vegetables with Seitan Chunks and Brown Gravy; Jamaican Red Bean Stew; and Pecan Shortbread Cookies. Enthusiastically recommended, "Quick-Fix Vegetarian" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to any personal, family, or community library cookbook collection!

Wanderlust
Joe Mannke & John DeMers
Bistro Le Cep
11112 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77042
0978737105, $28.50, www.amazon.com

"Wanderlust: The Life Of A Globetrotting Chef" is the personal story of Joe Mannke and begins just prior to World War II in Omerania (a territory divided between German and Poland) and the free city of Danzig. The ravages of war necessitated Joe to begin at the age of 14 as an apprentice in the culinary arts associated with the Hotel Bayerishcher Hof in Munich in 1956. By the age of 21 Joe was in America, having previously worked in South African hotel kitchens of Durba, Johannesburg, and Port Elizabeth. Once in America he obtained employment at the Stork Club, then the Sonesta Hotels. By age 27 he assumed the position of executive chef for Anthony's Pier Four. Then in 1971 when Disney opened their 'Magic Kingdom' in Orlando, Florida, Joe became Executive Chef for the Contemporary Resort Hotel and Polynesian Village with a staff of more than 100 chefs and the production of over 20,000 meals a day. Three years later Joe was working in Houston for the Hyatt Regency as its Food and Beverage Director and Executive chef. Then in 1978 Joe opened his own restaurant, the Rotisserie for Beef and Bird in Houston, Texas. All of this impressive culinary memoir and more are laid out in "Wanderlust" along with occasional illustrations and a great many recipes ranging from Banana Rum Cake and Bermuda Fish Chowder; to Sauteed Veal Medallions in Mustard Sauce to Chilled Gazpache. Unique and memorable, "Wanderlust" is highly recommended for personal and community library collections as both a biography and a cookbook.


The Architecture Shelf

Beyond The Architect's Eye
Mary N. Woods
University of Pennsylvania Press
3905 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
www.upenn.edu/pennpress
9780812241082, $49.95, www.amazon.com

Architecture is what both shapes and is shaped by human-created environments. The way architecture is typically recorded for academic studies is professionally produced images via photography or blue-print sketches. What makes "Beyond The Architect's Eye: Photographs And The American Built Environment" by Mary N. Woods (Professor of the History of Architecture and Urbanism at Cornell University) is an informed and informative exploration of how amateur as well as professional photographers utilized the camera to record architectural structures that populated a disparate American landscape prior to World War II reflective of the differences between rural and urban man-made landscapes and the culture shifts they connote. Professor Woods includes the work of Alfred Stieglitz, Frances Benjamin Johnston, Marion Post Wolcott, Alice Austen, Gertrude Kasebier, Berenice Abbot, Eudor Welty, and many others to provide the reader with an intensely informed and elegant work of seminal scholarship that is an enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, professional, and academic library American Architectural Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Jean-Yves Barrier: Architect and Urbanist
Andrew Ayers
Edition Axel Menges
c/o National Book Network
4270 Boston Way, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9783932565243 $109.00 www.nbnbooks.com 1-800-462-6420

Jean-Yves Barrier: Architect and Urbanist is a showcase of thirty years of architectural work of Jean-Yves Barrier, ranging from individual houses to apartment buildings, schools, libraries, university buildings, museums, town halls, offices, public spaces and thoroughfares, to civil-engineering infrastructure. Common threads in Barrier's creations include environmentally friendly "passive" energy-saving designs, and a will to promote pragmatic urbanism without necessarily surrendering to monotonous mass-identical productions. Full color photography on almost every page (except for the sample floor plans, which are in black-and-white) complemented by extensive analytical text are the hallmark of this in-depth study. A worthy and welcome addition to architectural studies shelves, especially recommended for college libraries.

Louisville Architectural Tours
Lisa Westmoreland-Doherty
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764330384 $14.99 www.schifferbooks.com

Louisville Architectural Tours: 19th Century Gems is an eye-catching architectural tour of Louisville, Kentucky's historic districts, featuring full-color photographs on virtually every page. From the Conrad Caldwell House and the Pink Palace of Old Louisville, to the Gothic Revival-themed bed-and-breakfast at the Inn at Woodhaven, Louisville Architectural Tours features five tours that explore architectural history preserved. A beautiful book especially recommended for (architectural) armchair travelers!

A World History Of Architecture
Michael Fazio, Marian Moffett, Lawrence Wodehouse
The McGraw Hill Companies
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Fl., NY, NY 10121-2298
www.books.mcgraw-hill.com
9780071544795, $65.00, 1-877-833-5524

The making of buildings from natural materials is older than the recorded history of the human race. Even in paleolithic and neolithic eras there were remarkable, complex, and enduring structures as evidenced by archaeological discoveries. The collaborative work of the team of Michael Fazio (Professor Emeritus of Architecture, Mississippi State University), Marian Moffett and Lawrence Wodehouse (both of whom have extensive careers teaching architecture at the university level), and now in a newly updated and expanded second edition, "A World History Of Architecture" begins with the advent of the city state architecture beginning with the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Hittites, Assyrians, and Egyptians, then proceeds with an architectural survey of the ancient Greece, India, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and the Romans. There are detailed chapters covering the distinctive architecture of the Early Christians and Byzantines, Islam, medieval and romanesque Europe. Also presented are informative chapters on Gothic architecture, indigenous American and African architecture, as well as the buildings and structures of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. The final four (and extensive) chapters deal with 18th, 19th, and 20th century architectural advances, as well as 'Modernisms in the Mid- and Late Twenty-First Century and Beyond'. Superbly illustrated throughout, the text is consistently informed and informative, making "A World History Of Architecture" a critically essential addition to academic and community library Architectural Studies collections -- and is especially recommended for non-specialist general readers with an interest in architectural history.

Geologics
Vicente Guallart
Actar D
158 Lafayette St., 5th fl., NY, NY 10013
9788495951618, $47.00, www.actar.com

Vicente Guallart is an accomplished Spanish architect and a expert in the subject of the new media who in "Geologics: Geography, Information And Architecture" provides the reader with a superbly illustrated and informative survey of the technological, social and cultural changes that have made our contemporary 'information society' what it is today. This 384-page compendium of information addresses architecture's contribution to the construction of systems for inhabitable environments, as well as issues presented by diverse environmental, social, and economic conditions. Addressing a synthesis and synergy of collaborations with specialists and experts in the fields of geology, anthropology, sociology, engineering, economics, software, and interface design in projects affecting urban development, "Geologics" represents a seminal and insightful body of work that will prove an invaluable addition to professional and academic Architectural Studies reference collections and reading lists.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Wisdom's Journey
John Herlihy
World Wisdom
1501 E. Hillside, Bloomington, IN 47401
9781933316642, $19.95 www.worldwisdom.com

WISDOM'S JOURNEY: LIVING THE SPIRIT OF ISLAM IN THE MODERN WORLD comes from an American convert to Muslim thinking and pairs a spiritual autobiography with a review of Islam's importance and meaning in his life. From mystery and faith to the nature of Islamic prayer routines, WISDOM'S JOURNEY is a pick for any spirituality library focusing on various religious paths.

Urban Soul Warriors
Lalania Simone
Soft Skull Press
2117 Fourth Street, Suite D, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781593762124, $15.95, www.softskull.com

The deep inner city is not known to be among the most spiritual places on the planet. "Urban Soul Warriors: Self-Mastery in the Midst of the Metropolis" is Lalania Simone's guide to finding inner peace in an area most known for violent crimes and selfish attitudes. Chronicling her own journey to self-enlightenment in an inner city neighborhood, she offers tips and advice for others in such harsh environments. "Urban Soul Warriors" is a must for the spiritual city dweller.

Primary Source Readings in World Religions
Jeffrey Brodd
Saint Mary's Press
702 Terrace Heights, Winona, MN 55987-1318
9780884898474, $15.95, www.smp.org

Understanding the faiths of the world is a key to understanding why the world is the way it is today. "Primary Source Readings in World Religions" was created in response to the recent call by Pope Benedict for all religions to work together and embrace one another to make the world a better place. Brodd takes pieces from the sacred texts of several major world religions to explain their nature and values, and how they came to be. "Primary Source Readings in World Religions" is a solid introduction to understanding the religions of the world.

Gita Wisdom
Joshua M. Greene
Shambhala Publications, Inc.
300 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA 02115-4544
9781601090362, $14.95, www.shambhala.com

"Bhagavad Gita" translates into English as "Song of the Supreme Person" and is a founding document upon which the Hindu religion and Yoga traditions are based. It is also the story of an epic war between two massive armies of four million soldiers with all the panoply of an ancient battlefield that included warrior elephants, gold-plated war chariots, beating drums, men grimly bent on killing other men with bows and arrows, spears and clubs. "Gita Wisdom: An Introduction To India's Essential Yoga Text" translated and provided with extensive footnoting by Joshua M. Greene is the 'story within the story' of prince Arujuna who foreseeing the carnage to come and turns to his friend and advisor Krishna (who also serves as Arjuna's charioteer). Their extended dialogue is what comprising the "Bhagavad Gita", and whose enduring ethical message is one of love's transformative power with respect to the hearts of men in even the most dire of circumstances. "Gita Wisdom" offers scholars and non-specialist general readers with a superb presentation and is therefore a welcome, recommended, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' addition to personal, academic, and community library Philosophy & Spirituality Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Crazy Faith
Susan K. Williams Smith
Judson Press
PO Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851
9780817015312, $15.00, www.judsonpress.com

It's easy to believe what is socially acceptable. But when you go outside it, you're called crazy. "Crazy Faith: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives" travels through history and focuses on people of many faiths who did outrageous acts for their time in the name of their faith. From Moses standing up to the leader of the Egyptians, to Mother Teresa's endless charity in India, these people were driven by faith and earned their place in history. "Crazy Faith" is a spiritual book of history, sure to inspire.

A Compendium of the Theological Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg
Samuel M. Warren
Swedenborg Publishers
320 North Church St., West Chester, PA 19380
9780877851201, $29.95, www.swedenborg.com

Originally compiled in 1875 by Samuel M. Warren, "A Compendium of the Theological Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg" includes Swedenborg's philosophical writings from the abstract nature of God, man, and the human soul, to the application of charity, free will and spiritual regeneration. Swedenborg's interests and writings on such diverse subjects as the history and rites of the Christian church to the wonders of the afterlife. Scientist, theologian, and metaphysical researcher, Emanuel Swedenborg published more than seven thousand pages of commentary based on his communication with the spiritual world. This 816-page collection of his works represent extracts of key passages from this massive body of work and are organized so as to be 'user friendly' accessible by grouping the entries according to subject areas for each reference. This new edition of "A Compendium of the Theological Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg" is an invaluable and highly recommended reference for students and scholars of Emanuel Swedenborg work.

On the Pilgrim Way to Trondheim, new edition
Stein Thue, editor
Tapir Academic Press
c/o International Specialized Book Services (ISBS)
920 NE 58th, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213-3786
9788251923033, $30.00, www.tapirforag.com

The religious journey is not something that is entirely lost on today's world. "On the Pilgrim Way To Trondheim" is a new and updated edition helping those who want to take the religiously historic journey to Trondheim like it was during the time of Saint Olav Haraldsson, the patron saint of Norway. A unique experience, the book covers the history of the road and gives readers what they need to know in order to experience it for themselves. Historical and intriguing, "On the Pilgrim Way to Trondheim" is a fine addition to religious collections with a focus on pilgrimage.

Festal Orations
Nonna Verna Harrison, translator
St. Vladimir's Seminary Press
575 Scarsdale Road, Crestwood, NY 10707
9780881413250, $15.00, www.svspress.com

One of the earliest Saints of Christianity, St. Gregory of Nazianzus was one of the most important figures in early Christianity. "Festal Orations: Saint Gregory of Nazianzus" is a collection of the man's festal speeches, deftly translated by Nonna Verna Harrison. His orations bring to light the problems Christians faced in the day, and the book covers his life and times as well as his acts earned him posthumous sainthood. "Festal Orations" is a must for historians who focus on earlier Christianity.

The Atheist's Way
Eric Maisel
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
9781577316428, $14.00, www.newworldlibary.com

Religion is a means to an end, but not the only means. "The Atheist's Way: Living Well Without Gods": is a spiritual guide for the typically unspiritual. Encouraging atheists and agnostics to find their moral and spiritual ground in the world and telling them that they do not need God to embrace the human spirit and live a full, happy, and healthy life, "The Atheist's Way" is a must for these individuals who do not seek God, but do seek what God allegedly offers.

Miracle As Modern Conundrum In South Asian Religious Traditions
Corinne G. Dempsey & Selva J. Raj, editors
State University of New York Press
State University Plaza, Albany, NY 12246-0001
9780791476338, $65.00, www.sunypress.edu

Miracles are commonly defined as phenomena that cannot be accounted for by natural means but are the product of the supernatural or divine. Every religion has its own version of the miraculous as part of its theological and cultural history. Knowledgeably co-edited by Corinne G. Dempsey (Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point) and Selva J. Raj (former Chair and Stanley S. Kresge Professor of Religious Studies, Albion College), "Miracle As Modern Conundrum In South Asian Religious Traditions" is a compendium of contributions by scholars who draw upon the diverse religious traditions of South Asia that includes Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity to explore how modern miracles pose complex problems as divine proofs and sources of embarrassing expose, as well as contributing to the issues of modernity and tradition for believers and non-believers. A seminal work of impeccable and diverse scholarship, "Miracle As Modern Conundrum In South Asian Religious Traditions" is a welcome and core addition to academic library International Religious Studies reference collections and reading lists.


The American History Shelf

The Gathering Place
John S. McCormick
Signature Books
564 West 400 North, Salt Lake City, UT 84116-3411
1560851325 $39.95 www.signaturebooks.com 1-800-356-5687

Written by John S. McCormick (Professor of History, Salt Lake Community College), The Gathering Place: An Illustrated History of Salt Lake City lives up to its title with studious yet accessible text and a wealth of vintage black-and-white photography. Chapters cover the population decline of Utah's native peoples, how the Mormons' desire for independence from the United States brought an army to their doorstep (causing the Mormons to abandon their capital city until a negotiated peace permitted their return), Salt Lake City's role in the American Civil War, the rise of self-interest over communal purpose in Salt Lake City during the twentieth century, the dramatic changes brought about by the 1960s counterculture, the 1990s controversy over sexual orientation, and much more. An excellent resource highly recommended for any library covering Utah's remarkable historic saga.

Fighting Against The Stars
Timothy J. Minchin
University Press of Florida
15 Northwest 15th Street, Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
081302790X, $59.95, www.upf.com

The tension between labor and management throughout the American south has always been turbulent and hallmarked with outbreaks of violence as workers sought to unionize, improve their working conditions, and resist the authoritarian tactics of factory and mine owners who often used armed strikebreakers, police, and even state militias against their workers. "Fighting Against The Odds: A History Of Southern Labor Since World War II" by Timothy J. Minchin (Senior Lecturer in American History at La Robe University, Melbourne, Australia) is an informed and informative historical survey and account of what southern workers experienced in a section of the country infamous for lower wages, lower rates of unionization, and a legacy of racial segregation. In this 70-year historical overview, "Fighting Against The Stars' reveals a growing labor activism based on primary sources and more than two hundred interviews with southern workers. Of special note is the attention paid to the growing presence of Latinos in the workforce, the deline of the textile industry, high-profile union efforts to organize the Nissan plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, and patterns of economic and demographic changes in the 20th Century South. Informed, informative, articulate, documented, deftly written, and thoroughly 'reader friendly', "Fighting Against The Stars" is a seminal contribution to American History reference collections in general, and American Labor History Studies supplemental reading lists in particular.

Facts About The Presidents, eighth edition
Joseph Nathan Kane & Janet Podell
H.W. Wilson Company
950 University Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452
0824210875, $150.00, www.hwwilson.com

Now in a fully updated eighth edition, "Facts About The Presidents From George Washington To Barack Obama" is an essential, core addition to every school and community library. Divided into two distinct parts, "Facts About The Presidents" offers biographical data on all 44 of America's presidents, as well as comparative data with respects to presidential chronology, family history, personal background, education and career, residence, physical characteristics, death and burial, commemoratives, and general statistics. Of special note is the section devoted to presidential elections, conventions, candidates, election returns, the vice-presidents, and more. "Facts About The Presidents" is an 816-page compendium of superbly researched, organized and presented information covering everything from presidential vetos to presidential salaries, making it an invaluable reference for students as well as an engaging browse for non-specialist general readers with an interest in those who have held the office and responsibility of presiding over the nation from its founding to the present day.

Oneota Flow
David S. Faldet
University of Iowa Press
100 Kuhl House, 119 West Park Road, Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
9781587297809 $27.50 www.uiowapress.org 1-800-621-2736

Written by David Faldet (Jones Professor of English, Luther College) Oneota Flow: The Upper Iowa River & Its People relates the story of Upper Iowa, while remaining mindful of the vision of great conservationist Aldo Leopold. From the Upper Iowa River's geologic origin, to the Native Americans who inhabited the region, to the American colonists who settled there, to today's modern era, Oneota Flow spans the gamut of evolution in the land's natural and human history. A positive message about the importance of maintaining the river through stewardship of the biological communities that connect to it rounds out this inviting and enjoyable historical chronicle.

Old Dominion, New Commonwealth
Ronald L. Heinemann, John G. Kolp, Anthony S. Parent Jr., & William G. Shade
University of Virginia Press
PO Box 400318, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4318
9780813927695, $29.95 www.upress.virginia.edu 1-800-831-3406

Written by four current and emeritus professors of history, Old Dominion, New Commonwealth: A History of Virginia 1607-2007 is an in-depth chronicle of the state of Virginia's history since the founding of the Jamestown colony. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this fascinating chronicle of the changes that beset Virginia over the centuries, accessible to scholars and lay readers alike. A worthy and highly recommended addition to both public and college library American History shelves. "No other Southern state suffered the devastation that Virginia experienced during the [civil] war. It had been the chief battleground in the conflict. More than 40,000 citizens had perished, most of them in military service to the Confederacy. Thousands more were crippled... Six months after Appomattox thousands of black and white Virginians were surviving on rations provided by the Union army. Disease was rampant. With Confederate currency worthless and personal savings wiped out, a barter economy developed."

Ready, Booted, and Spurred
William A. Frazier & Mark K. Christ, editors
Butler Center Books
c/o Butler Center For Arkansas Studies
100 Rock Street, Little Rock, AR 72201
9780980089752, $19.95

Ready, Booted, and Spurred: Arkansas in the U.S.-Mexican War is an anthology of essays by five learned scholars discussing Arkansas' role in America's "forgotten war" with Mexico during 1846-1848. From a thoughtful examination of each phase of the war, to true stories of the personal adventures, exploits, and tragedies of those who left Arkansas to join the fight, Ready, Booted, and Spurred reveals how the consequences of the war permanently changed Arkansas' role in the nation. Endnotes and an index round out this meticulous analysis of long-standing historical repercussions. Highly recommended especially for Arkansas state history shelves.


The Art Shelf

99 Fears
Nedko Solakov
Phaidon Press
180 Varick Street, New York NY 10014
9780714848884, $29.95 www.phaidon.com

99 real and imagined anxieties of modern life receive black and white embellishment with humor from the pen of Bulgarian artist Nedko Solakov. Line drawings, cartoons and dark humor survey the roots of fear and make light of it, offering hilarious art collection worthy of inclusion in any college-level library of contemporary illustration and humor.

West of the Imagination, 2nd Edition
William H. Goetzmann and William N. Goetzmann
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069-8216
9780806135335, $65.00 www.oupress.com

The second edition of a landmark publication on western American art has been thoroughly revised to expand on the original, packing in nearly five hundred images in color and black and white, including over 150 new ones. Using these illustrations the authors discuss the changing myth of the West, from values to art, using art as a medium for discussing the West's evolving image. It will appeal not just to art history holdings at the college level, but to any collection strong in American history and Western history in particular.

Twin Palms Publishers
Box 10229, Santa Fe, NM 87504
www.twinpalms.com

Anthony Goicolea's DRAWINGS (1931885400, $50.00) provides delicate blends of black and white and color renditions, using graphite, ink, acrylic, mylar, plexi and more to create unusual, striking drawings that stand out from the crowd. Contemporary art libraries will find this a strong pick for any artist working in multimedia presentations. Jonathan Hollingsworth's EVERYBODY I EVER MET IN L.A. (9780615239224, $35.00) provides a survey of the author's former home of Los Angeles and the pop culture and stereotypes defining it, with color photos of selected zany individuals making for excellent and unique portraits. Hand-drawn observations accompany this set of images, perfect for California collections in particular. Peter Young's PAINTINGS 1963-1980 (9781931885683, $60.00) ranges from very simple geometric and line forms to abstract paintings and more complex explorations of imagination. Another pick for any serious college-level art collection.

The Cinematic Art of World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King
Insight Editions
17 Paul Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903
c/o Palace Publishing Group
3160 Kerner Blvd., Unit 108, San Rafael, CA 94901
www.insighteditions.com
9781933784816 $29.95 www.palacepress.com

The Cinematic Art of World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King is an astounding, full-color panorama of the painted, pencil-and-paper, and digitally created cinematic art of "Wrath of the Lich King", the latest expansion to the wildly popular high fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft. From the design behind the game's title sequence of the nefarious Lich King raising the dragon Sindragosa from her icy grave as an undead horror, to sweeping landscapes of the new continent of Northrend, to character designs for new undead enemies (and Death Knight player characters!) to a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how rigging, rendering, and other processes bring art to life, The Cinematic Art of World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King unquestionably lives up to its title. Two removable special cells - one a portrait of the Lich King in battle armor, another picturing Sindragosa in flight - further enhance this dramatic artbook, enthusiastically recommended not just for World of Warcraft fans, but also any collector of epic high fantasy art.

Crossroads and Connections
Central Washington University Art Department
WSU Press
PO Box 645910, Pullman, WA 99164-5910
www.wsupress.wsu.edu
9780874223002, $29.95, www.amazon.com

Fifty-eight artists who are also alumni of Central Washington university participated in a memorable exhibition in April 2007 and held simultaneously at the Sarah Spurgeon Gallery on campus and in downtown Ellensburg, Washington, at the Gallery One Visual Arts Center. Represented in "Crossroads and Connections: Central Washington University Art Alumni Exhibition" and reproduced in full color are works from sculptors, painters, photographers, graphic designers, fiber and ceramic artists, metal smiths, professors, teachers, and graduate art students from 1954 through 1979. Informed and informative, each featured artist is provided with a succinct biographical and/or professional summary -- along with their class year designation. A superbly produced, organized and presented art catalog, "Crossroads and Connections" is a model of such publications and would well serve as a template for similar projects by other university art department and alumni associations.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Ginger's Gift
Michelle Linn-Gust
Chellehead Works
1711 Solano Drive NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110
9780972331821, $20.00, www.chelleheadworks.com

A dog is more than a companion; it can be a healer. "Ginger's Gift: Hope and Healing Through Dog Companionship" is a look at the value of man's best friend in overcoming the challenges that humanity faces. The unwavering loyalty of dogs, their playfulness even in the worst situations can inspire people to keep their own chin held high even when they have no reason to do so otherwise. "Ginger's Gift" is a treasure for dog owners, and for consideration for those on the fences on letting a dog into their lives.

Good Rabbitkeeping
Sue Fox
T.F.H. Publications
1 TFH Plaza, 3rd & Union Avenue, Neptune City, NJ 07753
9780793806638, $19.95, www.tfh.com

Rabbits are a popular pet, a good source of nutrition, and can be raised as indoors or out of doors. Sue Fox is an expert at raising small animals and in "Good Rabbitkeeping" provides a complete 'how to' guide for anyone aspiring to raise rabbits for fun or for profit. Thoroughly 'user friendly' as a 256-page and profusely illustrated instruction manual, "Good Rabbitkeeping" provides descriptions of all forty-seven breeds identified by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, choosing and obtaining the right breed for any given set of circumstances or intentions, rabbit housing and accessories, rabbit diet and nutrition needs, rabbit taming (including litter box training for rabbits), rabbit behavior, breeding, showing, health care and more. Simply stated, "Good Rabbitkeeping" is an indispensable, vitally important, highly recommended reference manual for anyone wanting to raise rabbits in an urban, suburban, or rural setting.

Save Your Horse
Michelle Staples
Red Jeans Ink
PO Box 106, Point Arena, CA 95468
0978568508, $24.95, www.redjeansink.com

Sooner or later every horse owner or trainer is faced with having to extricate an animal from some source of entrapment or restraint. These conditions can arise from a variety of incurrences ranging from an overturned trailer, to a fall, to being mired in. Michelle Staples draws upon her many years of experience and expertise in "Save Your Horse: A Horse Owner's Guide To Large Animal Rescue" to provide step-by-step instructions on extricating a horse from such conditions, including vertical extrication from a hole or ravine, as well as diagonal extrication from a steep slope. Of special note is the horse rescue information provided for emergency responders on how to behave around a horse, how to approach and catch a horse, how to halter, lead, tie, and restrain a horse, how to keep a horse down, and how to get a downed horse up, and the information on euthanasia. Enhanced with practical information on calling for help, trailer safety for horse owners, and the use of knots with horses, "Save Your Horse" also features a number of appendices that include general tips for all other livestock, barn fire safety, training and rescue equipment, and more, "Save Your Horse" is an invaluable, thoroughly 'user friendly', and highly recommended reference and resource for all horse owners and trainers. In an ongoing effort to bring as much training to as wide an audience as possible, Michelle has written three "Teach it Yourself" classes, with a fourth expected to be released in the next few months. By way of a postscript to this review, animal safety classes are not widely available, and there are many areas that just can't get instructors. Michelle's classes are designed to fill the need for training where none is available. You don't need any special skills to teach them; just follow the instructions. Horse Awareness and Safety is an all-day class that teaches basic information about horses in both the classroom through a Powerpoint presentation, and in an arena with actual horses. Designed for emergency responders, it can also be used by any individual or group that wants to learn about horses. Intro to Large Animal Rescue for Horse Owners is a 3-4 hour class that teaches horse owners about barn fire safety, trailer safety and how to rescue a horse from entrapment. The class includes hands-on practice tying an emergency halter and a lift harness, plus information on calling 9-1-1 and a description of the Incident Command System used by responders at the scene of an incident. Emergency Pet First Aid is a 3-4 hour class based on human CPR/first aid training. Designed for pet owners (dog/cat/pocket pets/birds). Hands-on practice includes CPR and bandaging.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Death Gods
Ernest L. Abel
Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc.
88 Post Road West, P.O. Box 5007, Westport, CT 06881-5007
9780313357121, $65.00, www.greenwood.com

As recorded from antiquity down to the present day, every human culture, religion, and mythology we know of has incorporated within it beliefs, legends, folklore, and theological systems that incorporate such concepts as kingdoms of the dead, evils spirits, death gods, demons, the living dead such as vampires and zombies, apocalyptic scenarios, and the supernatural. In "Death Gods: An Encyclopedia Of The Rules, Evil Spirits, And Geographies Of The Dead", academician Ernest L. Abel has compiled an encyclopedic and alphabetically organized listing of these phenomena including the 'underworlds' from such diverse cultures as the Aztec, the Babylonians, the Celts, the Egyptians, the Christians, the Buddhists, the Greeks, the Norse, the Polynesians, and others. Also included is an impressive listing of 'death gods' and demons. Enhanced with the inclusion of extensive references and a comprehensive index, "Death Gods" is a unique and highly recommended addition for personal, community, and academic library Metaphysical Studies, Mythology, and Religious History reference collections.


The Poetry Shelf

Mistaken for Song
Tara Bray
Persea Books
853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
9780892553471, $14.00, www.perseabooks.com

Award winning and prolific poet Tara Bray brings a delightful blend of storytelling and poetry in "Mistaken for Song". Using the misconceptions that birds sing but instead are simply communicating with one another, she explores both human and animal concepts in a beautiful blend of verse. "Mistaken for Song" is a choice book of poetry, sure to please. "Blackberry": Dew-licked,/teetering & ripe,//crypts plumped up/with bright drizzle,//this purple-witted seed-star,/earth-lodged & lonesome,//old prophet once pleasure-shy,/now aching in thornlight,//sway, roothold, desire//whipped fast with impulse,//hands reaching, ripping, riddling - all/to bring the old sweet trinket home.

The Skeleton of the Crow
Seido Ray Ronci
Ausable Press
1026 Hurricane Road, Keene, NY 12942
9781931337434, $16.00, www.ausablepress.org

Seido Ray Ronci brings poetry fans nearly two hundred pages of elegant verse. "The Skeleton of the Crow" is a collection of poems that tell a story. Channeling his soul and putting it in a flowing, stream of consciousness style throughout his book, he tells a story like no other. "The Skeleton of the Crow" is unique and recommended reading, indeed. "Music": Especially in the cold!//I sat in the Luxembourg Gardens,/formal children in their dress wools,/sticks and sailboats; I sat/all bundled up in my arms, collar raised,/whole orchestras in my head, symphonies/lifting to the ceiling and going/out! And up! And up!/Through centuries!//Just like that.

Hurry Home Honey
Sawako Nakayasu
Burning Deck Press
71 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence, RI 02906
1886224986, $14.00, www.burningdeck.com

One of the enduringly popular subject areas or genres of poetry is that of love and romance. "Hurry Home Honey: Love Poems 1994-2004" collects the memorable and remarkable verses of Sawako Nakayasu, which explore and articulate love as a game, a sport, a speed-time, a dance, a performance, a contract, a conflict, a failure, and a relationship. Thoughtful, recognizable, and occasionally iconoclastic, "Hurry Home Honey" is a highly recommended compendium of prose poetry for anyone who has every been in (or found themselves out of) love.

Hearth
Simon Pettet
Talisman House Publishers
PO Box 3157, Jersey City, NJ 07303-3157
9781584980612, $17.95, www.talismanpublishers.com

With a few volumes of poetry under his belt, Simon Pettet is no stranger to the world of poetry. "Hearth" is his newest volume of poetry, which draws upon Pettet's natural optimism to make that feeling and brightness shine through in a world filled with gloom and depression. Soft and poignant in verse, "Hearth" is a strong consideration for poetry fans. "Spleen": What can't keep/can't keep/and that's the end of it./I've considered/giving it to the birds/but I don't have/that patience.

Ghost Songs
William Pettit
Casagrande Press
3119 Carleton Street, #4, San Diego, CA 92106
www.casagrandepress.com
9780976951667, $12.95, www.amazon.com

A gifted word smith in total control of his language, William Pettit's verse compiled into "Ghost Songs" evoke images and emotions associated with landscape, joy, grieving, and intimacy. A unique and distinctive 'voice', Pettit's poetry is laid out on paper with all the care of fine word paintings. To read his poetry is to experience a kind of meditative articulation that deftly blends mind and emotion. The result is a true tour-de-force of word rhythms and imageries that will linger long after the book is closed and placed back upon the shelf. "Ghost Songs" is especially recommended reading for those who prefer their poetry to both thoughtful and thought-provoking. 'Somedays I'm not up for the challenge': Usually at six with mambo Kids chips and chickencoop wine/The mountain seems an ass/The insects feed on me starting now and/a constellation of rhombus and oblong ellipse/shapes rise up on veiny ankles and knuckles/I start another crossword puzzle (& leave another incomplete).//This, after many non-committal walks, much flipping the tape and lunch/And some half-hearted dabbing into the cerulean sky/of another unfinished painting.

Seaway
Todd Swift
Salmon Poetry
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9781903392928, $24.95, www.dufoureditions.com

Poetry is a universal form of communication for thoughts, ideas, insights, and emotions expressed not only in the rhythm of the words, but in the silent pauses between the words. Such is the case with the poetry of the Canadian poet Todd Swift as presented in "Seaway: New And Selected Poems", a compendium of eighty poems of superbly written free-form verse that is enthusiastically recommended for personal, academic, and community library Poetry collections and reading lists. 'The Call': The call, when it came/Was Hong Kong quality:/Could have been from/The next room; which it was./I wasn't glad to take it/But the phone range and rang/And in reverse. The voice/Kept saying cockles-mussels./I went and took the call/And now and now/We're gathered here, that is all.

Allegheny, Monongahela
Erinn Batykefer
Red Hen Press
PO Box 3537, Granada Hills, CA 91394
9781597091343 $16.95 www.redhen.org

Winner of the 2007 Benjamin Saltman Poetry Award, Allegheny, Monongahela a poetic drama about the complex relationship of two sisters as they grow up in Western Pennsylvania. Narrated through sonnets and free verse, Allegheny, Monongahela touches upon the issues of violence within the family, and the powerful impulses for limitless creativity and limitless self-destruction. An absorbing tale of the myriad facets of human nature. "Dog Poem": In my dog skin, I am always starving. / I am wildly alert, distrustful of things that do not bleed / or otherwise die. // I've been known to drag old bones with me for miles. / If I bury them, the only question is how long / till I'm clawing the ground to feel them under my teeth again. / I never satisfy this want.

Target Practice
Jan Chronister
Parallel Press
372 Memorial Library, 728 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
9781893311893, $10.00 http://parallelpress.library.wisc.edu 1-800-636-0071

Written by award-winning poet and college teacher Jan Chronister, Target Practice is a flat-spined chapbook of brief, free-verse poems that offer a moment's contemplation about the everyday matters of life. Thoughtful and picturesque, Target Practice touches upon emotions of regret and hope, as well as the recalcitrant nature of humans to accept inevitable change. Highly recommended. "Divorce": For twenty years she carried / fragile panes of window glass / up the fire tower steps. / Why was she surprised to find / she had nothing to show; / her life sucked into the vacuum cleaner / with lost buttons, stray pins, single earrings. // Surprised, / as if she didn't know / that a bag of broken glass, / when dropped from the tower's top, / becomes a mound of crystal dust.

Arrogant Bones
Larry Schug
North Star Press St. Cloud, Inc.
PO Box 451, St. Cloud, MN 56302
9780878393060, $12.95, www.northstarpress.com

Man of the world and experienced poet Larry Schug brings readers his next volume of verse with "Arrogant Bones". Drawing upon his long life and resume, Larry brings much of his experience out in his verse, leading to down to earth work that anybody can understand and enjoy. "Arrogant Bones" is an excellent effort from Schug, and will make readers want to seek more. "Construction Accident": He'd been workin'/demolition sites/since Jericho;/thought he knew/all about/tumblin' walls./But you know/them demo sites,/so noisy sometimes/you can't hear/a trumpet blow.

Delivered
Sarah Gambito
Persea Books
853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
9780892553464, $14.00, www.perseabooks.com

With one anthology behind her, Sarah Gambito returns for a second round with "Delivered". The work of a strong-willed, independent woman of the world, "Delivered" speaks her mind and provides entertainment alongside insight in a fine well-composed package that lets one see the world from her eyes. "Delivered" is a fine volume, sure to leave readers yearning for more. "One Minute": What would it do to curse you/in my learned languages/to curse the left leg with the right.//Semper Fi,/Il pleure dans mon coeur//Panicking and picnicking/with yourself and a bad shovel./Breaking into amethysts/sighing at last.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

The Role of the Environment in Poverty Alleviation
Paolo Galizzi
Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Ave, Bronx, NY 10458
9780823228034, $90.00, www.fordhampress.com

Environmentalism is no longer just about plants and animals anymore. It's about people. "The Role of the Environment in Poverty Alleviation" is a look at how proper environmental policy could do wonders for some of the most poverty stricken places on the planet. Many brilliant minds come together in this volume, and argue their points quite clearly - that environmentalism and humanitarianism are not opponents, security against the disaster can save lives and nature, how to set these dual-purpose goals into power, and much more. Frank, honest, inspiring and inspirational, Paolo Galizzi and company do very much to give readers hope for the future of the environment. Enhanced with indexes and closing thoughts, "The Role of the Environment in Poverty Alleviation" is enthusiastically recommended for both environment and social issues collections for community and college libraries.

Climate Change And European Emissions Trading
Michael Faure & Marjan Peeters
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court, Northampton, MA 01060-3815
9781847208989, $165.00, www.e-elgar.com

After decades of debate and scientific inquiry, it is now commonly acknowledged that global warming is real, and that if unchecked it will prove globally catastrophic for the human race. The latest edition to the outstanding 'New Horizons in Environmental Law' series from Edward Elgar Publishing, "Climate Change And European Emissions Trading: Lessons For Theory And Practice" is expertly co-edited by Michael Faure (Professor of Comparative and International Environmental Law, Maastricht University, The Netherlands) and Marjan Peeters (Professor of Environmental Policy and Law, Maastricht University, The Netherlands). After an informative introduction by the editors, "Climate Change And European Emissions Trading" presents a collection of twelve superbly written contributions by leading researchers and scientists on greenhouse gas emissions trading by members of the European Union, as well as alternatives and new developments in this specialized area of global warming reduction related commercial exchange. Concluding with thoughtful and thought-provoking conclusion by the editors, "Climate Change And European Emissions Trading" is a seminal and strongly recommended work of particular relevance and value for both academic and governmental reference library collections on International Environmental Studies.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

The Brain Power Cookbook
Dr. Frank Lawlis & Dr. Maggie Greenwood-Robinson
Plume Books
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
9780452290136, $16.00 www.penguin.com

THE BRAIN POWER COOKBOOK could have been featured in our 'cookbook' section but is reviewed here because it's much more important to libraries with strong health and self-help sections. A psychologist and a nutritionist team up to offer brain-boosting recipes that heal the mind in a guide to building brain power and expanding memory through improving one's diet. Each chapter pairs a mental challenge with types of food and adds recipes that blend these foods. Health libraries will find it an easy read.

The Smart Woman's Guide to Heart Health
Sarah Samaan
Brown Books Publishing Group
16200 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 170, Dallas, TX 75248
9781934812136, $24.95, www.brownbooks.com

A healthy heart is a healthy body. "The Smart Woman's Guide to Heart Health: Dr. Sarah's Seven Steps to A Heart-Loving Lifestyle" encourages women to improve their overall health by improving the health of their heart. Sarah Samaan aims to help women combat cardiovascular diseases which claim hundreds of thousands of lives in American women each year, with tips on diet, exercise, and other factors, such as age and relationships. Complete and comprehensive in scope of the female heart, "The Smart Woman's Guide to Heart Health" is a must for the health conscious woman.

The Back Book
Ziya L. Gorkaslan & Lee Hunter Riley
The John Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9780801890437, $16.95, www.press.jhu.edu

If the back hurts, you hurt. "The Back Book" is the work of two experts on the human spine and how to properly care for it in a number of situations. A complete and comprehensive guide to the back, it provides an excellently researched manual derived from years of experiments, explaining the many parts of the back, what causes it pain, diagnosis, dealing with the pain with and without surgery, and how back therapy is key to restoring a damaged spine. "The Back Book" is a must for any who are facing back pain and are evaluating their options fully.

Beating Ana
Shannon Cutts
Health Communications
3201 S. W. 15th Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190
9780757313851, $14.95, www.hcibooks.com

Food is not something to be feared. "Beating Ana: How to Outsmart Your Eating Disorder & Take Your Life Back" is a guide to battling what many women and some men face every day due to societal pressures - a crippling fear of food and getting fat due to the eating disorder known as Anorexia Nervosa. Shannon Cutts draws upon her own experience and hopes to inspire other readers to rise up and above and to not fear food. "Beating Ana" is a top pick for those fighting this disease or know someone who is.

Obesity in Youth
Leslie J. Heinberg & J. Keven Thompson
American Psychological Associations
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
9781433804274, $59.95, www.apa.org

America's childhood obesity rate has been rising. "Obesity in Youth: Causes, Consequences, and Cures" is a psychological look at the rising rates of obesity not in just America, but throughout the world. These bad habits inflicted upon children when they are young lead to problems later in life, as well as a lifestyle that's hard to kick as an adult. Examining how children get to this point, the importance of understanding genetics and cultural impact, as well as what parents can do to better their children as well as society, Heinberg and Thompson put much professionalism and education to the topic. Enhanced with references for its research, indexes, and more, "Obesity in Youth" addresses the causes, and proposes quite a few solutions.

Chemobrain
Stewart B. Fleishman
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, New York, 14228-2119
9781591026693, $18.95, www.prometheusbooks.com

Chemotherapy is a last resort, and its side effects are exactly why. "Chemobrain: How Cancer Therapies Can Affect Your Mind: What Patients, Families, and Doctors Need to Know" is an exploration of Chemotherapy and its effects on the human mind. Telling the story of how cancer survivors beat their cancer with the treatment, but have suffered losses in other areas, Fleishman explains the phenomenon with stories and what sufferers should do to deal with 'chemobrain'. "Chemobrain" is an exploration of the other side of cancer survival, enlightening and highly recommended.

The Human Powered Home
Tamara Dean
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0, Canada
9780865716018, $29.95, www.newsociety.com

With the recent rise in concerns over energy, some are looking to alternative sources for energy - such as humanity. "The Human-Powered Home: Choosing Muscles Over Motors" is a guide to the world of pedal powered and other manual devices that could save its users hundreds every year as well as get them valuable exercise that's sadly lost to most of today's society. Exploring human-powered machines that one never would have expected to be possible, Dean brings many new and useful ideas in "The Human-Powered Home", something enthusiastically recommended to those who want to trim the fat along with the power bill.

Freedom in your Relationship with Food
Myra Lewin
Synergy Books
PO Box 80107, Austin, TX 78758
Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists (publicity)
2100 Kramer Lane, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78758
9780981546216, $16.95, www.synergybooks.net

Food is no longer a source of joy for many people, but instead a source of stress and misery. "Freedom In Your Relationship with Food" is a guide for making food what it should be - a source of enjoyment and nourishment instead of what is killing us. Using the discipline of yoga, Myra Lewin tries to inspire readers to improve their relationship with food so that other aspects of their existence may flourish. An interesting examination of the spirituality of what runs our bodies, "Freedom in Your Relationship with Food" is a strong dual choice for spirituality and health collections.

When Altruism Isn't Enough
Sally Satel
American Enterprise Institute
1150 Seventeenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
9780844742663, $25.00, www.aei.org

If people were willing to risk their own lives to help others universally, the world would be a better place - but it's not. "When Atruism Isn't Enough: The Case for Compensating Kidney Donors" is a look at the ethical issues around America's organ shortage. When someone needs a kidney, finding a good match is hard, and the good match is not always willing. But throwing money at the problem presents another issue - is it ethical to sell one's organs for profit to save a life? Is it ethical to deny one a kidney if it means their death? Intriguing and a very real issue many doctors face today, "When Altruism Isn't Enough" is a scholarly look at this serious ethical debate.

Medical Biostatistics
Abhaya Indrayan
Chapman & Hall/CRC Press
c/o Taylor & Francis Group
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
1584888873, $99.95, www.crcpress.com

It is in the arena of medical research that the hopes for cures to presently intractable illnesses and improvements in the treatment of injuries are to be found. Such research must be held to and conducted under the rigorous standards as any other field of science. Such standards are firmly grounded on statistical analysis of research student results. The need for a thorough master of medical biostatistics is predicated on a mastery of the advances in this specialized field of study. That's why a newly updated and significantly expanded second edition of Abhaya Indrayan's "Medical Biostatistics" textbook has been published as part of the Chapman & Hall/CRC Biostatistic Series". In addition to a thorough coverage of basic biostatical concepts and methods including mean and standard deviation, logistic regression, and multivariate methods, this updated edition of "Medical Biostatistics" is enhanced with complete chapters on clinical trials, observational studies, laboratory experiments, survival analysis, and logistic regression. Of special note is the chapter on clinometric and evidence-based medicine. There are expanded discussions on the relevant subjects of epistemic uncertainties, crossover designs, equivalence trials and studies, hazard functions, and the log-rank test. Additionally there are sample size formulas for relative risk, odds ratio, and survival studies, illustrative examples drawn from contemporary medical literature, and numbered steps for many of the detailed procedures and remarks. "Medical Biostatistics" is an indispensable textbook and a core addition to academic library and medical school research and reference collections.


The Aviation Shelf

Flying Across America
Daniel L. Rust
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Dr., Norman, OK 73069
9780806138701, $45.00, www.oupress.com

In a single generation, civilian aviation went from a few adventure hardy men and women trying out the new transportation technology of airplanes, to a common place occurrence among a majority of the American population. What might not be obvious to the current generation whose experience with air flight transportation is one of crowded terminals, weather related delays and cancellations, missed connections and lost luggage, is that in its 'Golden Age', travel by airplane was one of elegance, luxury, and the thrill of a lifetime. "Flying Across America: The Airline Passenger Experience" by Daniel L. Rust (Assistant Director of the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Missouri--St. Louis), is a superbly illustrated and informatively written account of the evolution of commercial passenger service from its beginnings in the 1920s through its increasing accessibility in the 1960s, to the Post 9/11 problematic conditions that are the present day norm. Laced through this deftly written history are firsthand accounts from celebrities like Will Rogers (who ultimately lost his life in an air plane crash) to ordinary American passengers. Unique and inherently entertaining, "Flying Across America" is a welcome and highly recommended addition to community, and academic library Aviation Studies and American Aviation History reference collections and personal reading lists.


The Travel Shelf

Up the Rouge! Paddling Detroit's Hidden River
Joel Thurtell, author
Patricia Beck, photographer
Wayne State University Press
The Leonard N. Simons Building, 4809 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201-1309
9780814334256 $34.95 http://wsupress.wayne.edu 1-800-978-7323

Illustrated with full-color photography on almost every two-page spread, Up the Rouge! Paddling Detroit's Hidden River is a true-life travelogue of a quest to paddle his way up a sadly over-polluted and abused tributary to the Great Lakes. From dealing with logjams to glimpses of water birds to close encounters with the horrific stench of sewer grates, Up the Rouge! is an unflinchingly honest look at what the proximity of a city does to a river, as well an eye-opening journey. Told in brief passages dated by day and hour, Up the Rouge! Paddling Detroit's Hidden River is truly an up-close and personal picture of what it's like to paddle up the Rouge... not that the authors particularly recommend doing so (at least, not without a thorough set of inoculations against disease).

Discover! America's Great River Road, volume IV
Pat Middleton
Heritage Press
c/o Great River Publishing
W987 Cedar Valley Road, Stoddard, WI 54658
097116021X, $19.95, www.greatriver.com

The Mississippi runs through a lot of culture. "Discover! America's Great River Road: Volume IV - Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana" is the fourth part of an ongoing series reflecting on the immense amount of American culture found along the great river. Covering each town along the river and what each town has to offer tourists and those who want to soak in the rich culture, Middleton gives another great coverage of all that one can experience. "Discover! America's Great River Road" is a series that will make a trip down the Mississippi all the more enticing.

Footsteps Through Athina
Angelyn Balodimas-Bartolomei
Palo Albums
1410 Higgins Rd. Suite 104, Park Ridge, IL 60068
9780578000190, $19.95, www.athinaguide.com

The birthplace of western civilization, Greece is of interest to any international traveler. "Footsteps Through Athina: A Traveler's Guide to Athens and Greek Culture" is a travel guide focusing on Athens and how to embrace both the modern flavor of the city and its long running routes to the time of antiquity where Democracy was born. A must for those who love to travel to vital cultural cities, via in person or from the comfort of their own home, "Footsteps Through Athina" is enthusiastically recommended.

The Western of Desert Egypt
Cassandra Vivan
American University in Cairo Press
420 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018
International Publishers Marketing, Inc.
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
9789774160905, $29.95

The desert may be a harsh unforgiving place, but there is much history to be seen there. "The Western of Desert Egypt: An Explorer's Handbook" is a guide for those who would dare travel the deserts of Egypt and see experience one of the most iconic places of the world first hand. A complete and comprehensive travel guide, Cassandra Vivian gives a very thorough set of resources sure to give potential and arm chair travelers who wish to explore the aeons old desert themselves a treat. "The Western of Desert Egypt" is a must for anyone who embraces adventure.

Florida
Jeff Campbell & Collaborators
Lonely Planet
150 Linden St., Oakland, CA 94607
9781741046977, $21.99, www.lonelyplanet.com

Florida is one of America's biggest vacation destinations, and Lonely Planet's "Florida" will tell travelers why. With well over five hundred pages of information, Lonely Planet has aimed to give readers a compact yet complete and comprehensive guide to traveling to Florida. With info on scuba diving, embracing the wide range of cultural exposure, finding something for the kids, and environmental tourism, author Jeff Campbell and his crew leave little out. A straight information guide for travelers or potential travelers, "Florida" is a fine acquisition to supplement one's trip to Florida.

Mount Rogers, second edition
Johnny Molloy
The University of Tennessee Press
293 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0325
9781572336285, $24.95, www.utpress.org

Some areas of nature just have so much to offer that it can be overwhelming to enjoy it all. Now in an updated and expanded second edition, "Mount Rogers: National Recreation Area Guidebook" is a complete and comprehensive resource for the Mount Rogers region in Southern Appalachia and everything the area can offer its travelers. Molloy loves the region and wants other to develop an appreciation for it as well, and his book succeeds at this aim very well. "Mount Rogers" is a fine travel manual, and is sure to give outdoors lovers a new destination to consider.

Italy Luxury
Levinson Family Guides
Max Publications
825 Malvern Hill, Alpharetta, GA 30022
9780963357755, $25.00, www.italyluxuryfamilyhotels.com

Rome, Venice, Milan, just three of many reasons to consider a vacation to Italy. "Italy Luxury: Family Hotels & Resorts" is a travel guide for the family that wishes to see the world together, focusing on the boot shaped country of Italy. Covering a countless number of luxury hotels and resorts throughout this country and outlining which each has to offer and how family friendly it is, "Italy Luxury" is a must for any family looking towards an Italian vacation with a good deal of style thrown in for good measure.

The Little Black Book Of Florence & Tuscany
Vena Neskow
Peter Pauper Press, Inc.
202 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY 10601
9781593598310, $14.95, www.peterpauper.com

Of all the popular travel destination in Italy, none rank higher than the Renaissance cities and the rolling countryside of Florence and Tuscany. That's why "The Little Black Book Of Florence & Tuscany" (the newest addition to the outstanding pocket travel guide series of 'Little Black Books' from Peter Pauper Press) is a 'must' for any business traveler or vacationer to those two colorful and history laden communities. Enhanced with the inclusion of eight fold-out maps and a wealth of 'insider tips' makes this highly portable, enthusiastically recommended, 256-page compendium of practical and 'user friendly' information on where to go, what to see, things to do, and places to eat and shop. An indispensable resource for planning itineraries and getting the most out of a visit, whether it be an extended weekend or a lengthy vacation stay.


The Education Shelf

Adventures in Graphica
Terry Thompson
Stenhouse Publishers
PO Box 11020, Portland, ME 04104-7020
9781571107121, $18.50, www.stenhouse.com

Comic books, once decried as the defouler of America's youth, can be an invaluable tool of literacy. "Adventures in Graphica: Using Comics and Graphic Novels to Teach Comprehension, 2-6" is a look at using graphica - a term used to cover comic books and graphic novels - to inspire children to become better readers. Research has shown that people are more likely to embrace other forms of literature if they are exposed to some form as children. "Adventures in Graphica" is a unique and effective approach to promoting literacy, enthusiastically recommended.

Teaching Band and Chorus in the 21st Century
Steve Raybould & Kriston Feldpausch
BNC Education
10223 Lakent Lane, Richmond, VA 23236
9781438278407 $21.95 www.bnceducation.com

Written by two expert music teachers, Teaching Band and Chorus in the 21st Century: A Director's Guide is a no-nonsense manual to running a band and chorus program. Accessible to beginning band and chorus teachers, yet filled with suggestions that even veteran teachers are sure to find useful, Teaching Band and Chorus in the 21st Century covers such topics ranging from how to successfully raise funds to assessment and grading ("No matter how clear you make your grading scale, you will have parents and students who question your methods and reasoning. You will not ever please all of your students and their parents all of the time. Don't let it bother you.") to successful recruiting strategies ("...the greatest drop off is when students move from middle or junior high into the high school. This will likely be your primary area of focus, but you cannot afford to neglect the ends either. The high school and the elementary school are just as important to the recruiting cycle.") Highly recommended for any music instructor responsible for a program that teaches school-age children, young adults, and/or teenagers.

Habits of Mind
Arthur L. Costa & Bena Kallick
ASCD
1703 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
9781416607632, $26.95, www.ascd.com

The mind is a creature of habit. "Habits of Mind: Across the Curriculum" is a guide for understanding the philosophy behind the mind and its subconscious practices. Understanding the mind and how it reacts to certain types of education is essential for more effectively teaching students certain subjects. Outlining sixteen habits of the mind, both facilitating and impeding the educational process, "Habits of the Mind" is a strong choice for any teacher who wants to maximize their chances of getting their lesson through to their students.

Topics in Graph Theory
Wilfried Imrich, Sandi Klavzar, & Douglas F. Rall
AK Peters
888 Worcester Street, Suite 230, Wellesley, MA 02482
9781568814292, $75.00, www.akpeters.com

There's more to graphs than the average person would ever know. "Topics in Graph Theory: Graphs and Their Cartesian Product" is a scholarly textbook of graph theory; a quarter of the book is dedicated to exercises and their complete solutions. Chapters cover Cartesian products, more classical products such as Hamiltonian graphs, invariants, algebra and more. "Topics in Graph Theory" is an ideal text for classroom or self-study.

Flip For Non-Fiction Comprehension
Emily Cayuso
Maupin House Publishing
PO Box 90148, Gainesville, FL 32607
9781934338377, $27.95, www.maupinhouse.com

The newest addition to the outstanding 'Flip' series from Maupin House Publishing, "Flip For Non-Fiction Comprehension" by Emily Cayuso (an instructional coordinator and reading specialist in San Antonio, Texas) features fifty-five 'kid friendly' lessons focused on the specific strategies, text features, and text structures appropriate for students in grades K-5. A free-standing, tabletop book, "Flip For Non-Fiction Comprehension" provides thoroughly 'user accessible' comprehension exercises specifically designed to enhance reading comprehension skills. Each of these elements can be incorporated into classroom activities before, during, or after reading. A highly recommended curriculum supplement for building student reading comprehension skills with respect to non-fiction texts, "Flip For Non-Fiction Comprehension" is ideal for home schooling as well as traditional classroom curriculums.

Assistive Technology for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
Ike Presley and Frances Mary D'Andrea
AFB Press
c/o American Foundation for the Blind
11 Penn Plaza, Suite 300, New York, NY 10001
9780891288909 $49.95 www.afb.org

Written by experts in the field, Assistive Technology for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired: A Guide to Assessment is an omnibus compilation designed to inform educators of the latest technology designed to aid learning in blind or visually impaired students. Chapters cover technologies for accessing printed or electronic information, producing written communication, producing materials in alternate formats, the assistive technology assessment process, how to write a recommendations report, how to implement recommendations, and more. Copies of sample assessment forms round out this "must-have" reference and resource for anyone charged with educating visually impaired students.

Curriculum Development for Adult Learners in the Global Community, Volume II
Victor C. X. Wang
Krieger
1725 Krieger Drive, Malabar, FL 32950
9781575243009, $36.50, www.krieger-publishing.com

There are two sides to every interaction, and a way to do everything poorly and well. "Curriculum Development for Adult Learners in the Global Community Volume II: Teaching and Learning" is the second volume in Krieger's series on adult education around the world, discussing the importance of cultural needs in education. Building a method out of well-researched concept, Wang presents many ideas that are to help educators deal with the challenges adult learners face. A must if one has the previous volume, "Curriculum Development for Adult Learners in the Global Community Volume II" is a strong choice for adult educators and collections on the subject.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Mark in the Lectionary
Gerald Caron
Paulist Press
997 Macarthur Blvd., Mahwah, NH 07430
9780809145911, $19.95, www.paulistpress.com

Some books require a more intensive study. "Mark in the Lectionary: An Ecumenical Guide to the Sunday Gospels" is a fresh and original approach to interpreting the important Gospel of Mark. Serving as a study guide, "Mark in the Lectionary" covers how to teach the Gosepel of Mark to others, through lecturing or preaching. "Mark in the Lectionary" is a must for preachers and those who simply want to understand the Gospel of Mark.

The Fly in the Ointment
J. Russell Crabtree
Church Publishing
445 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9780898696066, $18.00, www.churchpublishing.org

Church attendance has been falling in recent years. "The Fly in the Ointment: Why Denominations Aren't Helping Their Congregations . . . and How They Can" is a guide discussing church attendance, congregations, and denominations and how the three interact, outlining what churches must do to restore themselves to prominence in the community. Churches were once centers of a community, and author J. Russell Crabtree says that's something they must strive for again. "The Fly in the Ointment" is a must-get for modern church leaders.

All I Need is Jesus & A Good Pair of Jeans
Susanna Foth Aughtmon
Revell
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
9780800731724, $12.99, www.revellbooks.com

Perfection is a goal that is always wanted yet is so far away and hard to obtain. "All I need is Jesus & A Good Pair of Jeans" is the memoir of a woman of the world making her way as a young Christian in a world that doesn't seem to want to facilitate her goals in any way. Telling her story by measuring her own shortcomings and trying to inspire other young women to overcome their own limits as people and as Christians, "All I Need is Jesus & A Good Pair of Jeans" is a solid memoir for the reader who wants Jesus to remain important when so many others forget Him.

What the New Testament Authors Really Cared About
Kenneth Berding & Matt Williams, editors
Kregel
PO Box 2607, Grand Rapids, MI 49501
9780825425394, $24.99

Although perhaps inspired by God, the Bible was written by men. "What the New Testament Authors Really Cared About: A Survey of Their Writings" takes a look at the men behind the Bible. Breaking down each of the authors and trying to dig into their mind, it dives into their true intentions and how their ideas may be applied to today. Enhanced with many full color photos and the history of the New Testament, "What the New Testament Authors Really Cared About" is a dissection of one half the book that has impacted billions of lives.

Disputed Issues
Stephen T. Davis
Baylor University Press
One Bear Place, #97363, Waco, TX 76798-7363
9781602581517, $29.95, www.baylorpress.com

One of the dismaying facts of modern life for members of Christian communities is how often their children will, during the course of the college careers, become disenchanted with traditional Christian beliefs and embrace secular philosophies. "Disputed Issues: Contending For Christian Faith In Today's Academic Setting" by evangelical academician and theologian Stephen T. Davis (Russell K. Pitzer Professor of Philosophy, Claremont McKenna College) provides an articulate defense of traditional orthodoxy in contemporary academic debates over Christian theology and biblical studies from the perspective of traditional evangelical interpretations. Offering special chapters devoted to New Testament issues ranging from the Q Theory to Christ's Resurrection, to theological issues and issues arising from the philosophy of religion, "Disputed Issues" is very highly recommended reading as an informed, informative, thoughtful, and thought-provoking series of articulate, scholarly essays that make an invaluable and seminal contribution to on-going discussions in support of the validity of an evangelical approach within the context of an academic setting of deliberation and debate.

Seeking Spiritual Clarity
Don Umphrey
Quarry Press
PO Box 181736, Dallas, TX 75218
9780971495883, $14.00

Evil is everywhere and an unavoidable plague. "Seeking Spiritual Clarity: The Murky Perspective of Evil" is a book aimed at Christian Bible study groups who want to discuss the influence of evil in the everyday lives of men and woman. Discussing evil, its roots with Satan, and why so many give in to the desires, "Seeking Spiritual Clarity" is an ideal piece to be discussed for those who think about the nature of Christianity and evil.

Setting Up Stones
Martha & Greg Singleton
New Hope Publishers
PO Box 12065, Birmingham, AL 35202-2065
9781596692190, $12.99, www.newhopepublishers.com

Worship is not the strict avenue of only the church. "Setting Up Stones: A Parent's Guide to Making Your Home a Place of Worship" is a guide to nurturing a child's spirituality through a positive religious environment in the home. Packed with ideas from two parents who have used this advice with their own children, "Setting Up Stones" is a practical and valuable guide for Christian parents who value faith in their everyday lives.

Life Application Study Bible
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
9780310941460, $59.99, www.zondervan.com

For decades, the Zondervan Publishing House has been a premier publisher of bibles and biblical study materials for Christian communities, seminaries, and study groups. One of their newest releases is the "Life Application Study Bible" which was specifically produced for Christians wanting to explore what relevance the Bible has for them in their personal lives today. Based upon the New International Version (NIV) translation of the Bible, this edition is enhanced with more than 10,000 'in-text' application notes addressing the message of Scripture and the practical application of scripture in modern life. Enhanced with the inclusion of more than one hundred biblical personality profiles, timelines, overviews, outlines, in-text maps, updated in-text charts and diagrams, new information on the Intertestamental Period, a Christian worker's supplement, a dictionary-concordance, a side-column reference system, a harmony of the four gospels, 'red letter' highlighting of Christ's words, sixteen pages of full-color maps, a presentation page, a single-column format using nine-point text, the "Life Application Study Bible" is strongly recommended as a personal and professional scriptural studies textbook, as well as an important addition to church, seminary, family, academic, and community library "Christian Studies" reference and supplemental curriculum resource collections.

Taking Jesus to Work
Vera R. Jackson
Chosen
c/o Baker Publishing Group
11400 Hampshire Ave. S, Bloomington, MN 55438
9780800794613, $13.99, www.chosenbooks.com

Jesus is in your heart, and he's still there even when you're working. "Taking Jesus to Work: Living Out Your Faith on the Job" is a guide to balancing one's career and God. Encouraging people at any level of a career, be it flipping burgers or flipping on Powerpoint presentations, one can mix God with their job with much success and make themselves a better worker as more devout follower. "Taking Jesus to Work" is a fine choice for the devout career person.

A Quiet Reality
Emilio Marrero, Jr.
FaithWalk Publishing
c/o CSS Publishing Company
517 South Main Street, Lima, OH 45804
9780788026171 $15.99 www.csspub.com

A Quiet Reality: A Chaplain's Journey into Babylon, Iraq with the Marine Expeditionary Force is the true-life testimony of Navy chaplain Emilio Marrero, who has served the Navy and Marine Corps for over 29 years, including during Operation Desert Storm and two tours in Iraq. A Quiet Reality focuses upon Marrero's time in Iraq with the Marine Expeditionary Force. An up-close and personal testimony of the complex nature of the two Iraq wars and subsequent occupation, A Quiet Reality combines an understanding of practical realities with abiding faith. Especially recommended reading for Christians of all walks of life, and for church libraries. "I find it no accident that the communities that deal intimately with the quiet realities of war - death, maiming, destruction, grief, humiliation, hunger dislocation, finite mortality - are the very communities that embrace the chaplaincy and understand the need for a community of spiritually focused professionals who care for the soul and spirit of its combatants. The further we get from the intimate face of war and sanitize its process by employing weapons remotely, relegating combat to inanimate objects like missiles and never seeing or smelling the consequences of the ground war, the less conscientious we become of the effects of war and the human toll it can have."

The God I Don't Understand
Christopher J. H. Wright
Zondervan
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
B&B Media Group (publicity)
109 South Main Street Corsicana, TX 75110
9780310275466, $19.99, www.zondervan.com

God is a tough topic, for even those that believe in him unwaveringly. "The God I Don't Understand: Reflections on Tough Questions of Faith" is a Christian's doubts about his relationship with God, and pondering the unanswerable questions that so often plague him when trying to be faithful to his lord. An ultimately religious manual for those who believe but are not without wonder, "The God I Don't Understand" is an intriguing read, sure to provide much food for thought for the Christian intellectual.

Top 10 Ways to Defuse Your Congregational Time Bomb
Julianna Kristina Tenny-Brittian
The Pilgrim Press
700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115
9780829818048, $20.00, www.thepilgrimpress.com

Where people gather, drama forms, even in the house of the Lord. "Top 10 Ways to Defuse Your Congregational Time Bomb" is a guide for church leaders to become community mediators who help their congregation solve conflicts in the most peaceful and faith inspiring ways possible. If handled incorrectly, these bombs of drama will explode and lead to a dead church - which will kill the faith of its former members. "Top 10 Ways to Defuse Your Congregational Time Bomb" is highly recommended reading for any religious leader who knows their followers on a personal level.

The Life and Miracles of Saint Maurus
John B. Wickstrom, translator
Cistercian Publications
3642 Monks Road, Trappist, KY 40051
9780879073237, $16.95, www.cistercianpublications.org

A tradition is nothing if it isn't held up through the years. "The Life and Miracles of Saint Maurus: Disciple of Benedict, Apostle to France" is a biography of Saint Marus, one of the men who held up the Benedictine tradition through the dark ages. Telling this monk's story and how he ascended to sainthood through service to his brothers and God, John B. Wickstrom does a great job translating this account of the medieval church. "The Life and Miracles of Saint Maurus" is a fine recommendation to any religious collection seeking to be more complete in its information.

First Principles
David E. Crosby
Dove Inspirational Press
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053
9781589806795, $12.95, www.pelicanpub.com

Christians should aspire to be more like Jesus, but what are the man's core principles? "First Principles" is a book covering the core principles of Christianity and what they mean in today's world. Drawn from Baptist ideals, Crosby goes over many of the core principles of faith, and describes them with great detail, breaking down each statement with divisions and further elaboration. "First Principles" is a good read for those who want to get in touch with the fundamentals of faith.

Chasing Chariots
KD Weaver
CSS Publishing Company
517 S. Main Street, Lima, OH 45804
9780788026102, $10.95, www.csspub.com

The Chariot is a symbol of power and strength, things elusive to most in modern society. "Chasing Chariots: Eleven Biblical Lessons for Christian Growth" draws from the Bible to inspire Christians to seize what they are seeking so they can finally catch the Chariot. The lessons touch on coping and conquering change, and facing maturity in life, among other vital matters. "Chasing Chariots" is a must for Christians looking for a little more inspiration in life.

C.S. Lewis on the Fullness of Life
Dennis J. Billy
Paulist Press
997 Macarthur Blvd. Mahwah, NJ 07430
9780809145430, $14.95, www.paulistpress.com

C.S. Lewis was one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century. "C.S. Lewis on the Fullness of Life: Longing for Deep Heaven" takes the novelist's approach to his devout faith, as he evaluated the major aspects of Christianity from his perspective. Dennis Billy evaluates the writer's writings on the subject, and offers a look into the mind of Lewis, his faith, and perhaps the faith of the reader as well. "C.S. Lewis on the Fullness of Life" is a top pick for those who want to understand the faith behind Narnia.


The Parenting Shelf

Anxiety-Free Kids
Bonnie Zucker
Prufrock Press
5926 Balconies Drive, Suite 220, Austin, TX 78731
9781593633431, $19.95, www.prufrock.com

Anxiety does not have to be a constant state. "Anxiety-Free Kids: An Interactive Guide for Parents and Children" is a parent's guide to dealing with their child's anxieties and phobias, so that they can face them now before they develop into lifelong problems. Doubling as an advice guide for parents and an activity book for younger readers in dealing with their fears, "Anxiety-Free Kids" is a unique approach to childhood phobia, highly recommended.

The Highly Intuitive Child
Catherine Crawford
Hunter House
c/o Publishers Group West
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9780897935098, $15.95, www.hunterhouse.com

Every child is different, and every child has different gifts. "The Highly Intuitive Child: A Guide to Understanding and Parenting Unusually Sensitive and Empathic Children" is a guide to dealing with children who are especially empathic or intuitive to their own feelings and the feelings of others. With advice for parents on understanding if their own child is particularly empathic and how a parent can help their child with it and turn it into a gift rather than a problem, "The Highly Intuitive Child" is a top pick for these parents and their children reach a greater understanding.

Sparks
Peter L. Benson
Jossey-Bass
c/o Wiley
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Newman Communications (publicity)
20 Guest St., Suite 150, Brighton, MA 02135
9780470294048, $24.95, www.josseybass.com

The teenage years are when one can get talents that can make them who they are for the rest of their lives. "Sparks: How Parents Can Help Ignite the Hidden Strengths of Teenagers" is a guide for parents to finding those hidden talents of their teenagers and encouraging them to feed that gift to prepare their teenager for the future. A good talent, be it artistic, practical, or anything else, can mean a lot in today's world, and feeding that as a teen means it can be enhanced in high school and college. "Sparks" is a must for parents of teenagers who see something in them but don't know how to bring it out.

Nurturing Young Children's Disposition to Learn
Sara Wilford
Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court, St. Paul, MN 55117
9781933653471, $27.95, www.redleafpress.org

A young mind eager to learn is a beautiful thing. "Nurturing Young Children's Disposition to Learn" is a guide to teaching children by keeping up their natural curiosity about the world and using this natural curiosity to teach them. Facilitation is the key subject, as Wilford draws upon many aspects of educational science to give educators the tools they need to set up children to be the best learners possible and prepare them for the future. "Nurturing Young Children's Disposition to Learn" is a fine recommendation to educational professionals as well as parents with an interest in their child's minds.

Parenting You Internationally Adopted Child
Patty Cogen
Harvard Common Press
535 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118
9781558323261, $14.95, www.harvardcommonpress.com

Adopting from another country is an option many parents are looking into in recent years. "Parenting Your Internationally Adopted Child: From Your First Hours Together Through the Teen Years" is an advice manual for these children and the parents who have had big enough hearts to accept them into their lives. These children face special challenges as they are placed in front of an entirely different world. Covering the many stages of when a child depends on a parent, from toddler to young adulthood, "Parenting Your Internationally Adopted Child" is a must for any parents about to embark on this unique adventure.

The Parent's Guide to Baby Signs
Leann Sebrey
Gallaudet University Press
800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002-3695
9781563683985, $19.95, gupress.galladet.edu

There's more to human communication than the spoken word. "The Parents' Guide to Baby Signs: Early Communication with Your Infant" is a guide for parents who want their child to embrace sign language as a way of speaking with one's infant, as a method that can be used from a far younger age than verbal speech. With a step-by-step process of trying to get one's child to understand sign language, it's aimed at hearing impaired families, but the information rings true for any. "The Parents' Guide to Baby Signs" is a fine acquisition for any parent who wants to encourage their child in any way they can.

First Tears Over The Loss Of Your Child
Linda Anderson
ACTA Publications
5559 West Howard Street, Skokie, IL 60077
9780879463878 $14.95 www.actapublications.com 1-800-397-2282

First Tears Over The Loss Of Your Child is a collection of vignettes, thoughts, and comments written by parents who have unexpectedly lost a child - whether infant, toddler, preteen, teen, or adult - for the sake of others undergoing the same, heartbreaking trauma. A work of commiseration and sympathy, First Tears strives to help others through the sorrow and grief that come from devastating loss. Some of the writings are from a Christian perspective, but the majority of the contributions reach out to readers of all faiths and backgrounds. A gift of reconciliation and hope, First Tears Over The Loss Of Your Child is highly recommended. Some of the recommended "Tips for Coping" include "Identify what you're feeling", "Acknowledge your thoughts and share them with others", "Ask for what you need", "Believe in yourself", "Listen", "Set small goals in the beginning", and "Schedule specific times to do something you like".


The Self-Help Shelf

Think and Make it Happen
Augusto Cury
Thomas Nelson
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
9780785227816, $22.99, www.thomasnelson.com

A positive mind can lead to a positive life. "Think and Make it Happen: The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Overcoming Negative Thoughts, and Discovering Your True Potential" is a guide to the power of optimism. A positive thinker never doubts themselves in pursuit of their golds and draws upon its impact from a spiritual and mental focus of life. Also looking in the mind of Jesus, "Think and Make it Happen" is a guide to the world of the positive thought and as such is a top pick for those who think their life could use an injection of positivity.

Strategic Acceleration
Tony Jeary
Vanguard Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
387 Park Avenue South, Floor 12, New York, NY 10016
Meryl L. Moss Media Relations (publicity)
155 Post Road East, Suite 8, Westport, CT 06880
9781593155018, $25.95, www.strategicaccleration.com

Speed and success often go hand in hand. "Strategic Acceleration: Succeed at the Speed of Life" is a self-help manual from Tony Jeary, a man who has advised some of the most powerful men in business today. Encouraging readers to reevaluate their life so that they can see what is important and what to focus on to better so that they can get better results at a rate they never thought possible. Communication, understanding, and using your resources to their fullest extent are all-important aspects of Leary's advice. "Strategic Acceleration" is a must for any business leader who thinks they can do much better than they are now.


The Money/Finance Shelf

You Can Do It
Donald H. Young
iUniverse
1663 Liberty Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403
9780595489664, $28.95, www.iuniverse.com

Financial security is a wonderful thing. "You Can Do It: An Easy Step-By-Step Guide to Financial Security" is a guide to attaining the secret of financial security through wise economic planning and setting realistic goals, as well as accounting for the cruel hand of fate and its many, many surprises. Focusing on the fact that being financially secure makes one emotionally secure and more complete in life, "You Can Do It" is something to be considered for those who want to use their money wisely.

Financial Survival in Uncertain Times
Deborah Smith Pegues
Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North, Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
9780736927277, $10.99, www.harvesthousepublishers.com

When money's tight, wise spending is more important than ever. "Financial Survival in Uncertain Times" is a guide for those fearing the recession and possible depression and what it means for their own personal bank account. Solid spending habits are a must and pulling oneself out of debt is still possible even in tough times, and Pegues offers sound advice on how to accomplish this goal without living in a shack and eating ramen. "Financial Survival in Uncertain Times" is just what one needs to endure financial hardship.

Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money
Woody Tasch
Chelsea Green Publishing
PO Box 428, 85 North Main Street, Suite 120, White River Junction, VT 05001
9781603580069, $21.95, www.chelseagreen.com

Not every way to make money has to be fast. "Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money: Investing as if Food, Farms, and Fertility Mattered" is a look at agriculture and its power as a solid investment prospect. Agricultural is a safe, reliable business that will always be needed by society, and while it is slow, there is growth in the industry. Placing one's money there will help one's finances as well as America's food supply. "Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money" is something to be considered for those looking for sure things amid financial turmoil.

The Smartest Way to Save
Samuel K. Freshman & Heidi E. Clingen
Straightline Publishers
25876 The Old Road, #313, Valencia, CA 91381
9781419656835, $16.99, www.thesmartestway.com

A penny saved is a penny earned, but saving is harder than Mr. Franklin knew. "The Smartest Way to Save: Why You Can't Hang on to Money and What to Do About It" discusses the big challenge many people today face - the inability to save money in the face of the rising cost of living and the need to spend. Freshman & Clingen lay out many money saving tips that one can use to cut back on the spending but not one's life. Addressing debt, living within one's means, and more, "The Smartest Way to Save" is a fine recommendation for those who keep finding themselves with an empty wallet the day after payday.

The Uncommon Investor III
Benj Gallander
Insomniac Press
192 Spadina Avenue, Suite 403, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5T 2C2
9781897178621, $19.95, www.insomiacpress.com

Wise investors don't look at a bad economy and see doom - they see opportunity. "The Uncommon Investor III: How to Earn Superior Returns in the Stock Market Despite Everything" tells the story of an unusual stock market player. Apathetic to the ever-changing ticker on news networks, he has proven successful even during down times. Hoping to pass on his cool wisdom to the small time trader, his ideas are fresh and are well worth the shot. "The Uncommon Investor III" is a solid choice for the stock trader who wants to play the market but doesn't seek to obsess.


The Judicial Studies Shelf

The Organized Lawyer
Kelly Lynn Anders
Carolina Academic Press
700 Kent St., Durham, NC 27701
9781594604300, $20.00, www.cap-press.com

Lawyers, by practice, are swarmed with paperwork. "The Organized Lawyer" is a guide for practitioners of law to getting organized in one's firm, the better to deal with the sea of paperwork that they commonly face. Covering everything from making a better home out of one's office to keeping the books balanced, using electronic devices, and more, "The Organized Lawyer" is strongly recommended for any lawyer who does more organization than actual work.

Assessing the Impact of Transitional Justice
Hugo Van Der Merwe
United States Institute of Peace Press
1200 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
9781601270368, $24.95, www.usip.org

Human rights are a horrible thing to violate, but they so often are. "Assessing the Impact of Transitional Justice: Challenges for Empirical Research" is an exploration of the justice that is administered when tyrannical regimes and governments are deposed, and the new government is charged with punishing the old for their crimes against the people. Using well over seventy case studies, "Assessing the Impact of Transitional Justice" tells the tale of very different methods of dealing with them, and discusses the effectiveness of each. "Assessing the Impact of Transitional Justice" is intriguing and highly recommended for anyone trying to understand what's the best thing to do with tyrants.


The Literary Shelf

Shakespeare's World/World Shakespeares
Richard Fotheringham, Christa Jansohn, and R.S. White
University of Delaware Press
c/o Associated University Presses
2010 Eastpark Boulevard, Cranbury, NJ 08512
9780874139891, $69.50, 1-609-655-4770

Shakespeare has long ago left England as the home of his plays. "Shakespeare's World/World Shakespeares: The Selected Proceedings of the International Shakespeare Association World Congress of Brisbane, 2006" is a look at how Shakespeare's work has spread across the globe and have been vastly adapted in many new and different ways. Investigating how his work has been spun throughout human history for political and societal gain, it's an utterly fascinating account of how one man's literary work could have such a major impact on the world four hundred years later. A fascinating, complete and comprehensive collection for anyone in love with the Bard's work.

The Other Night
Herschel Farbman
Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Ave, Bronx, NY 10458
9780823228652, $50.00, www.fordhampress.com

A window to another world, some cultures viewed them as prophecies, others as omens - dreams. "The Other Night: Dreaming, Writing, and Restlessness in Twentieth-Century Literature" is a scholarly discussion about the world of literature relating to sleep. Focusing on dreams and their impact in the many genres of fiction and non-fiction, Farbman offers insight into the real world as well as the literary one with his writing. Drawing inspiration from minds such as Freud and Socrates, Farbman also breaks down perhaps one of the most famous pieces of dream literature, Finnegan's Wake. "The Other Night" is an enthusiastically recommended analysis of dreams in literature, and a must for any student or just the curious.

Stories From Songs
Gail de Vos
Libraries Unlimited
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
www.greenwood.com
9781591584247, $45.00, www.lu.com

Lyrics are a form of poetry set to music. Like all good narrative poems, lyrics tell stories blending information, emotions, ideas, ideals, and entertainment. This is especially the case with the folk music genre. In "Stories From Songs: Ballads As Literary Fictions for Young Adults", Gail de Vos (Adjunct Professor, School of Library and Information Studies, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada) has compiled a 453-page seminal study of folk ballad origins, history, interpretation, and how they have both generally and specifically evolved over time. Illustrative ballads are thematically grouped into 'historical', 'riddle', 'murder', 'tragic love', 'other worldly', 'shape-shifting/female monster', as well as 'tricks and disguises'. Of special note are the chapters devoted to 'talking birds, singing bones, and materializing revenants'. Professor de Vos also includes chapters dedicated to 'ballads as national icons' and concludes with 'A Sampling of Other Ballads' ranging from the well-known 'Pretty Peggy-O' to the obscure 'The Walled-Up Wife'. Enhanced with the inclusion of two appendices, an Author/Illustrator/Musician Index, a Ballad Index, and a Title Index, "Stories From Songs" is an impressively presented, informed and informative scholarly study that is an essential edition to academic library collections and appropriate for both students of Folk Music History and non-specialist general readers with an interest in learning about the background and development of the ballad as a source of information, ethics, cultural development, and social entertainment for teenagers and young adults.

Leafy Rivers
Jessamyn West
Indiana University Press
601 N. Morton Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
9780253353023, $14.95, iupress.indiana.edu

By the time you realize there's a problem, it may already be too late. "Leafy Rivers" tells the story of the titular character as she faces life in the later nineteenth century. One of the finest novels from Indiana's long history, it is filled with unique characters who offer a glimpse of life at the time while entertaining readers with an adventurous and great story. "Leafy Rivers" is a must for fans of literary fiction, or classical American literature.

The Lexicon
Steve Vander Ark
RDR Books
1487 Glen Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49441
9781571431745, $24.95, www.rdrbooks.com

Harry Potter has shot straight up the charts as one of the most popular fiction novels ever - no matter the age of the reader. "The Lexicon: An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction and Related Materials" is a deep and go to reference for those who want the best understanding of the series possible. Composed in an alphabetical dictionary format, it covers everything from abbot to zoological column, drawing info from nonstandard yet canon sources such as the video games and chat transcripts with Rowling. "The Lexicon" is simply a must have for those want to know everything they can about the young wizard.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

And From There You Shall Seek
Joseph B. Soloveitchik
KTAV
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
9780881259346, $29.50, www.ktav.com

The search for God drives many people, regardless of their faith. "And From There You Shall Seek" is one Jew evaluating the search that so many embark on, and the human experience that wraps itself around its faith. "And From There You Shall Seek" was originally written in 1978; now, Naomi Goldblum has for the first time translated the volume into English for all readers to enjoy. "And From There You Shall Seek" is a must for Jews in search of God for themselves, and of interest for any religious reader.


The Biography Shelf

Over the River... Life of Lydia Maria Child
Constance L. Jackson
Permanent Productions Inc.
904 Silver Spur Rd., #510, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274-3800
9780981820408 $18.95 www.permproductions.com

Over the River... Life of Lydia Maria Child, Abolitionist for Freedom is a companion book to the documentary of the same title about children's literature author and anti-slavery activist Lydia Maria Child. When she published "An Appeal in Favor of that Class of Americans Called Africans", her books were burned. She was a voice for humanity, during the turbulent 1800's, unafraid to speak out for American principles of freedom and equality. A handful of black-and-white photographs and illustrations enhance this enjoyable biographical portrait, worth reading on its own or in conjunction with viewing the documentary it complements.

Chasing Moonlight
Brett Friedlander and Robert Reising
John F. Blair, Publisher
1406 Plaza Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
9780895873699 $19.95 www.blairpub.com 1-800-222-9796

Chasing Moonlight: The True Story of Field of Dreams' Doc Graham is the biography of the American baseball legend and doctor Archibald W. "Moonlight" Graham, the real-life inspiration for the novel "Shoeless Joe" and its movie adaptation "Field of Dreams". Unlike his portrayal in the movie, the real-life Moonlight Graham had a remarkable career in professional baseball, all the while pursuing medical residencies. Just as in the movie though, Graham eventually quit baseball to pursue medicine. In the course of his life and career, he treated patients of epidemics, wrote a study on blood pressure that became required reading worldwide at medical schools, and served a remote community. A well-rounded portrayal of a truly remarkable man of both sports and medicine, Chasing Moonlight is highly recommended.

North Korea Kidnapped My Daughter
Sake Yokota
Vertical
1185 Ave of th Americas 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10036
9781934287446, $16.95, www.vertical-inc.com

Throughout its split from its southern half, North Korea has not been a country of virtue. "North Korea Kidnapped My Daughter" is the heart wrenching tale of a Japanese mother who lost her thirteen-year-old daughter to Communist North Korea. Sakie Yokota tells her story of her most unusual tragedy, and how she coped with the events . . . A story of anguish and the kindness of others, "North Korea Kidnapped My Daughter" is intriguing and a riveting read of one woman's saga.

My Father's Roses
Nancy Kohner
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, Fifth Flor, New York, NY 10004
9781605980188, $24.00, www.pegasusbooks.us

Truth will eventually come to light, even if no one will speak it. "My Father's Roses" is a memoir of Nancy Kohner and her family. Her father never spoke of his past and when she began to go through his things after his death, Nancy began to discover her father's tragic story, which he never spoke of for very good reason. A true story of a family, secrets, and uncovering what really happened, "My Father's Roses" is a top pick for those looking for a literary look of how the world wars affected people on a personal level.

Let Me Count the Ways
Perla Fox
Devora Publishing
40 East 78th Street, Suite 16D, New York, NY 10021
9781934440070, $27.95

The past half century has sped everything up, including life and love. "Let Me Count the Ways: Letters of Friendship, Love, and Deception" is a memoir of sorts, drawn from the correspondence of two people who fell in love through their correspondence and tells their life stories in the process. Author Perla Fox draws from over four hundred letters in piecing together this wonderful tale of two Jewish immigrants who came after World War I and their letters during the peace time between it and World War II. "Let Me Count the Ways" is charming and educational as a portrait of the life of the early twentieth century for a Jewish immigrant.

Backyard Maine
Edgar Allen Beem
Tilbury House Publishers
103 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, ME, 04345
9780884483175, $15.00, www.tilburyhouse.com

The everyday experiences that we all face are what makes us the same, yet at the same time, different. "Backyard Maine" is a collection of memoirs from Edgar Allen Beem discussing his adventures in life from his back porch in Maine. A far range of topics receive his wit and wisdom, jumping from underpants to the value of real estate. Creative, humorous, and poignant, "Backyard Maine" is something to consider for those who value the daily experiences of others.

John Adams
Anne Husted Burleigh
Transaction Publishers
Rutgers University, 35 Berrue Circle, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8042
9781412810005 $39.95 www.transactionpub.com 1-888-999-6778

John Adams is more than a simple biography of the American Founding Father, philosopher of the Revolution, and second President of the United States. Also inherent in author Anne Husted Burleigh's study are a close analysis of Adams' political and philosophical beliefs, and the value his teachings have for today's modern society. Adams considered humans to be beings of liberty subject to God's law, and sought to balance liberty and law from that vantage point. The principles of politics and human nature that he outlined remain vividly relevant to this day. "Adams perceived sharply the intimate relation between liberty and property. He believed that without the right to acquire property, life and liberty are totally without protection and are mere abstract phrases. He believed that the right to property without liberty to acquire it is a term equally empty." Highly recommended, especially for political science and philosophy shelves.

"We'll Always Be Pals"
Tom McManus
Dog Ear Publishing
4010 W. 86th Street, Ste H, Indianapolis, IN 46268
9781598587685 $19.95 www.dogearpublishing.net

"We'll Always Be Pals": The Last Words of a Dying Father and True Hero! is the true-life memoir of a son's bond with his father. The father, Gene McManus, lived through some of the most tumultuous events in history - he grew up in the Great Depression, and became a football star, a boxer, a B-24 Liberator pilot, and a POW during World War II. His son, author Tom McManus, was fifty years his junior yet treasured his bond with the father that taught him how to play football and pursue his dreams. "We'll Always Be Pals" were the last words Gene said to his son before passing away. An involving portrait of love, sacrifice, heroism, growth, and sharing.

Sweet Nata
Gloria Zamora
University of New Mexico Press
MSC04 2820, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
9780826346346 $24.95 www.unmpress.com 1-800-249-7737

Sweet Nata: Growing Up in Rural New Mexico is the true-life memoir of author Gloria Zamora, who lived with her maternal grandparents in a rural Northern Mexico village near Mora as a young girl. Her memories of being surrounded by a large family and living among a Hispanic community are vividly brought to life - such as watching her beloved grandmother making oatmeal with sweet nata. At age six, the author left this community and went to live with her parents, encountering a complete transition as she struggled to adapt to siblings she barely knew and a thoroughly different way of life. Sweet Nata is a memoir of sharp contrasts, and the power of love to carry one through early life in two dramatically different cultures. An eminently readable account, highly recommended.

A Lovely Little War
Angus Lorenzen
History Publishing Company
PO Box 700, Palisades, NY 10964-0700
9781933909134, $24.95

Sometimes being held against your will isn't so bad. "A Lovely Little War: Life In a Japanese Prison Camp Through the Eyes of a Child" is the reflections of an Englishman who was interred by the Japanese during World War II when he was only seven years of age. A unique perspective on one of the darkest times in human history with much reflection from Lorenzen offering new insights on the war at large and the Japanese people, "A Lovely Little War" is highly recommended reading for World War II history buffs for bringing something new to the table.

Red Skelton
Wes D. Gehring
Indiana Historical Society Press
450 W. Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202
9780871952752, $19.95, www.indianahistory.org

One of the icons of early television comedy, Red Skelton was man of many layers. Mostly masks. "Red Skelton: The Mask Behind the Mask" tells the story of the man who brought joy to millions, and how there wasn't much joy for him growing up. While he was all smiles when the camera was on, Red was anything but when the cameras were off. Telling his life story in a charming tribute to one of the greats, "Red Skelton: The Mask Behind the Mask" is a must for those who want to finally get to who the man really is.

Making Friendship
Chandler B. Saint & George A. Krimsky
Wesleyan University Press
215 Long Lane, Middletown, CT 06459
9780819568540 $22.95 www.wesleyan.edu/wespress 1-800-421-1561

Making Friendship: The Extraordinary Life of Venture Smith is an amazing, in-depth biography of Venture Smith (1728-1805), a New England slave sold into slavery as a boy in Africa who worked for a quarter century, then purchased his own freedom and became a respectable and noted American citizen. Meticulously reconstructing Smith's life from years of research and documentation, Making Friendship stretches beyond Smith's life to touch upon the lives of his descendants. Smith's own 1978 narrative is also included in facsimile form, as are a proliferation of black-and-white photographs and illustrations. Highly recommended as a worthy addition to American biography shelves.

Frederic Remington
Jane Thielemann
Hendrick-Long Publishing Co.
10635 Tower Oaks, Suite D, Houston, TX 77070
9781885777485, $14.95, www.hendricklongpublishing.com

In the rough and difficult times of the old west, there was still room for art. "Frederic Remington: Artist of the West" is a biography of the man through photographs, artwork, and text chronicling his unique life. He was a man of many talents ranging from cowboy and artist to diplomat. Intriguing and beautiful to look at, "Frederic Remington" is a highly recommended read for those who enjoy western biographies.


The Fiction Shelf

The Moon in Deep Winter
Lee Polevoi
Casagrande Press
3119 Carleton Street, Unit 4, San Diego, CA 92106
9780976951650, $23.95, www.casagrandepress.com

Sometimes one would prefer the mad dog killer types of the criminal underworld to one's own family. "The Moon in Deep Winter" is the story of Parker Sloane. Seeking to return to his family after a spell as something in no way legal, he finds his homesickness unfounded as his insane family with its nonstop dysfunction is harder to handle than the organized crime syndicates he used to work with. Religion, incest, and other unseemly elements permeate "The Moon in Deep Winter". A read that will keep readers glued to the pages.

Johnny One-Eye
Jerome Charyn
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393333954, $14.95 www.wwnorton.com

"Johnny One-Eye" is the story of one-eyed spy John Stocking, who must fight to survive in wartime Manhattan during the Revolution. He lives through events from the torching of Manhattan in 1776 to famous battles. "Johnny One-Eye" is one of the most moving Revolutionary War novels to appear in recent times; general-interest lending libraries will find it a fine acquisition.

Operation Snowshoe
Thomas F. Erickson
Durban House Press
5001 LBJ Freeway, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75244
9780981848600, $15.95, www.durbanhouse.com

The truth is sometimes hard to find. "Operation Snowshoe" follows Patricia Shaver as she's faced with finding out how four people from very different backgrounds came together, why one of them is dead, and their true intentions. Finding something more sinister than a forming family, something that may shake the world as it's known, "Operation Snowshoe" is a fascinating thriller that will keep the reader guessing.

Spirit Horses
Alan S. Evans
Oceanview Publishing
2817 West End Avenue, Suite 126-274, Nashville, TN 37203
9781933515250, $25.95, www.amazon.com

Tragedy strikes in the life of Shane Carson. All he has left is a promise to fulfill to his young son that will necessitate leaving the hills of Tennessee to return a mustang to the Shoshone reservation in Wyoming. In doing so, Shane encounters Native American traditions and beliefs that are threatened by hate, intolerance and greed. At the center to all of this is a herd of wild horses, protected for centuries by Shoshone tribal responsibilities as a part of their legacy and Shane's personal destiny. Horse trainer and author Alan S. Evans brings to his original, deftly written and engaging story a particular expertise combined with a creative imagination that will sweep the reader deeply into the life and adventure of Shane Carson and the 'Spirit Horses' of Wyoming. "Spirit Horses" is a terrifically rewarding read and a highly recommended addition to community library collections.

Bringing Tony Home
Tissa Abeysekara
North Atlantic Books
c/o Scala House Press
PO Box 4518, Seattle, WA 98194
9781556437571, $14.95, www.northatlanticbooks.com

Life has a strange habit of throwing curve balls. "Bringing Tony Home" is a collection of short stories from Tissa Abeysekara, who provokes the strange coincidences of life. Winning many awards, the stories range from lost dogs, rediscovering past flames, parents, ancestry, and more. Using the written word as a beautiful paintbrush, "Bringing Tony Home" is unique and highly recommended reading for fans of short fiction.

Out At Home
Glenn Ickler
Pemberton
c/o Sterling House
3468 Babcock Bouelvard, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
1563154072, $14.95, www.sterlinghousepublisher.com

Little league baseball and murder don't have that much in common, or do they? "Out at Home" is the sixth book in the series following the adventures of Mitch and Al, two friends who are seemingly surrounded by the horde of crazies that is reality. Not afraid to use comedy and puns to tell his story, Glenn Ickler is an exciting writer and "Out at Home" is a fine blend of mystery and humor, highly recommended.

Graphic Times
Joe Costanzo
Charles River Press
541 Long Lane, Casper, WY 82609
0982094604, $15.95, www.charlesriverpress.com

Shame is a powerful thing that can destroy lives. "Graphic Times" follows shamed journalist Anthony Logan, who holds himself responsible for the freedom of a murderer. Stuck in a dead end career after the fact, he tries to redeem himself as the man he freed contacts him, in a strange mocking gratitude. Anthony looks to an opportunity to redeem himself, but his only outlet to the media is a tabloid... "Graphic Times" is a fine novel of suspense surrounding the world of the printed media, highly entertaining and recommended reading.

Tales of Crossed Destinies
Azade Seyhan
Modern Language Association
26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10004-1789
9781603290319, $22.00, www.mla.org

The novel a culture enjoys can tell quite the story about the culture. "Tales of Crossed Destinies: The Modern Turkish Novel in a Comparative Context" is an examination of modern Turkish literature and how it got to where it is today. Looking at its evolution alongside the history of Turkey and how the Turkish novel has changed along with the Turkish state, "Tales of Crossed Destinies" is enhanced with a timeline and a list of Turkish terms. Outlining what the key Turkish novels are today, "Tales of Crossed Destinies" is a look at how crucial understanding Turkish fiction is to understanding Turkey.

Chest Pains
Janet Nichols Lynch
Bridge Works
Bridge Lane, PO Box 1798, Bridgehampton, NY 11932
9780981617503, $23.95, www.bridgeworksbooks.com

Sometimes that pain in your heart is an ailment more than physical. "Chest Pains" is the story of the broken dreams and aspirations of Gordon Clay. His music career failed; he is still alone in his thirties; and his life is not unfolding anything like he would have wanted it to. Driven to turn his life around, he sets his eyes on unlikely prospects for his career and may find love in the strangest of places... "Chest Pains" is a finely written novel of facing a midlife crisis, sure to please many a reader.


The Language Studies Shelf

Oxford Dictionary of Euphemisms
R. W. Holder
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016-4314
9780199235179, $14.95, www.oup.com

Cool means: low temperature. Or does it mean that's fine? Or suave? Or relaxed? "Oxford Dictionary of Euphemisms: How Not To Say What You Mean" is an adventure in the English language outlining the countless words in the English language that have so many meanings thanks to changing times and slang, that it's hard for even a native speaker to stay on top of the changes. "Oxford Dictionary of Euphemisms" is a must for anyone who speaks English or is trying to learn when everyone else is barely speaking it to begin with.


The Social Issues Shelf

Perspectives on Sustainable Resources in America
Roger A. Sedjo, editor
RFF Press
1616 P Street NW, Washington DC 20036-1400
9781933115634, $38.95 www.rffpress.org

Both general-interest collections and those catering to college-level audiences strong in natural resources management issues will find Perspectives on Sustainable Resources in America a winning guide, drawing together assessments from some of America's top scholars in natural resource economics and politics. Chapters survey wildlife and sustainability issues alike, documenting rising problems in human and wildlife needs and points where they intersect. College-level libraries in particular will find the documentation outstanding and the discussions lend well to classroom debate.

Give Peace a Deadline
Nathan Otto & Amber Lupton
Greenleaf Book Group Press
PO Box 91869, Austin, TX 78709
Booth Media Group (publicity)
1386 Nightshade Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011
9781929774869, $22.95, www.gbgpress.com

Peace has been given plenty of chances. It's about time to make it happen. "Give Peace a Deadline: What Ordinary People Can do to Cause World Peace in Five Years" is an empowering manual encouraging normal everyday people to achieve something that the most people at the highest ranks of power view impossible - achieve world peace. Saying that peace will come through activism, Otto & Lupton dream that 2014 will be a year that does not know war. "Give Peace a Deadline" is a must for those who wish for world peace and want to do more than just wish.

The Age of Migration
Stephen Castles & Mark J. Miller
The Guilford Press
72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012
9781606230695, $42.00, www.guilford.com

Hundreds of years ago, it was uncommon for someone to leave their home country at any point in their lives. Now in an updated and expanded fourth edition, "The Age of Migration: International Population Movements in the Modern World" takes a look at modern population trends and how people all over the world are emigrating and immigrating to new places in search of jobs, opportunities, or other reasons. With a scope on the world as a whole, it tracks the trends of moving, and the new fourth edition includes extra chapters on the developing world and how international security has began to come into play. "The Age of Migration" is scholarly and highly recommended reading for anyone who wants to understand immigration.

Kitchen Table Sustainability
Wendy Sarkissian & collaborators
Earthscan
c/o Stylus Publishing
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9781844076147, $32.95, www.earthscan.co.uk

Sometimes the best way to handle a community is to boil it down to the simplest version of it - the kitchen table. "Kitchen Table Sustainability: Practical Recipes for Community Engagement with Sustainability" is a guide to community planning that takes an approach of the family meeting at the kitchen table as its model for success. Aiming to be user friendly yet still highly effective, the book breaks down its methods in a frank and honest, but easy to remember manner. "Kitchen Table Sustainability" is a fine pick for those in charge of their community's meetings to discuss its future.

Witnessing Whiteness
Shelly Tochluk
Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Langham, MD 20706
9781578867264, $29.95, www.rowmaneducation.com

Racial issues are a touchy subject despite the major advantages, but white people today must tread lightly to avoid the label of 'racist'. "Witnessing Whiteness: First Steps Toward an Antifascist Practice and Culture" is an exploration of the stigma that the white race carries in some fields, especially those issues dealing with race. Evaluating that racism is not a one way thing of affirmative action, author Shelly Tochluk desires to push society forward and play down the racism so that it will truly matter less in the world. "Witnessing Whiteness" is a scholarly look at whiteness and society, a fascinating read throughout.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

The Old Battle-Axe & Dark Power
Elisabeth Sanxay Holding
Stark House Books
2200 O Street, Eureka, CA 95501
9781933586168, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Good things come to those who wait. "The Old Battle Axe & Dark Power" is a doubling up of two mystery novels from Elisabeth Sanxay Holding. Set in the early twentieth century, their elements carry over well through the decades and into the new millennium. Exquisitely written, "The Old Battle Axe & Dark Power" is a compendium of two stories worth the pride of admission alone, but together, it is a must-get for mystery fans.

Obsidian Mystery
c/o The Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.penguingroup.com www.amazon.com

Kate Carlisle's HOMICIDE IN HARDCOVER (9780451226150, $6.99) is first in a projected new series and tells of one Brooklyn Wainwright, a skilled surgeon who discovers her mentor murdered with only a cryptic message to point the way to a solution. Her investigation will take her into the world of books and bibliophiles in this satisfying mystery. Judi McCoy's HOUNDING THE PAVEMENT (9780451226310, $6.99) provides another fine Dog Walker mystery: here Ellie holds a dream job - until she stumbles upon a dead client and becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation. And now the killer is after Ellie. Both are fine mysteries holding many twists and turns for mystery fans.

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

Lorna Barrett's BOOKMARKED FOR DEATH (9780425226144, $6.99) provides a fine book-oriented mystery including recipes as it tells of a bookstore author signing gone awry when the author is murdered. It's up to Tricia to investigate in this thriller. Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant's TURN UP THE HEAT (9780425226636, $7.99) also includes recipes as it provides a new 'gourmet girl' mystery in which restaurant staff enjoy pulling pranks on each other - until a non-humorous waitress is found dead. Michele Scott's CORKED BY CABERNET (9780425226445, $7.99) includes recipes and wine pairings alike and is a perfect pick for wine lovers who also relish mystery. Nikki's new life at a vineyard hotel home with her boyfriend is threatened by a guru and his followers when one of them goes missing and is discovered dead in the wine storage car. Jimmie Ruth Evans' LEFTOVER DEAD (9780425225608, $7.99) includes country recipes and provides a 'trailer park mystery' as it tells of Wanda's new husband and newlyweds who face the rise of a long-unsolved murder. The characterization is a powerful plus to this thrilling story. Annette Blair's A VEILED DECEPTION (9780425226407, $6.99) provides a 'vintage magic' mystery revolving around fashion and intrigue alike. Maddie's sister's nemesis has been strangled with the bride-to-be's own veil and leads to her involvement in a dangerous plot. Margaret Grace's MALICE IN MINIATURE (9780425222585, $7.99) offers another 'miniature mystery', in which Geraldine's craft leads to more intrigue. When Zoe is arrested for the murder of her boyfriend, Geraldine finds her quiet home threatened when she investigates. Amanda Matetsky's DIAL ME FOR MURDER (9780425220504, $6.99) provides a fine Paige Turner mystery as it tells of a crime reporter and mystery novelist who finds her job hitting too close to home when a young secretary is murdered. Emilie Richards' A LIE FOR A LIE (9780425226643, $7.99) tells of actor and singer Grady Barber who has returned to his hometown to judge a talent show - but is murdered instead. He's made many enemies - and Aggie finds too many easy suspects in the course of her probe. Cleo Coyle writes as Alice Kimberly with THE GHOST AND THE HAUNTED MANSION (9780425224601, $7.99), a 'haunted bookshop' mystery revolving around a bookshop owner who not only believes in her P.I. ghost, but enlists in his help when the mailman gets into trouble. All are excellent choices for general-interest mystery collections.

The Dawn of Saudi
Homa Pourasgari
Linbrook Press
PO Box 2325, Beverly Hills, CA 90213
9780977978014, $15.95

The Dawn of Saudi: In Search for Freedom is a dark mystery novel with an element of romance, and scathing critique of how Saudi Arabian culture treats women as second class citizens. One woman, Sahar Al-Hijazi, fights for the right to choose her own destiny; her best friend, Dawn Parnell, is trapped far from home because she was foolish enough to change her religion and marry a Saudi, duped into believing he was a progressive thinker. Together, the two women struggle to survive and escape Riyadh. Meanwhile, a wealthy California-based corporation reaps extravagant profits from its business ties to the Al-Hijazi family - until the heir to the fortune begins to examine the gender inequality that is the Saudi way of life, and question the betrayal of his own ethics for the sake of easy money. A tightly written suspense story sure to keep readers engrossed to the very last page.


The Gaming Shelf

Poker - The Journey
Coco
Vantage Press
419 Park Ave. South, New York, NY 10016
9780533159673, $13.95, www.vantagepress.com

Poker is more than a game of chance. "Poker - The Journey: Poker Stories and Learnings for Players" is a combination how to guide for poker and memoir for one man's adventures in the world of Poker. Telling his story and peppering it with advice, Coco reveals the glory of poker and why some people come to take it so seriously. "Poker - The Journey" is a must for any player who wants to share experiences or anyone who wants to see what the hubbub is about.

Omaha High-Low
Bill Boston
Cardoza Publishing
5473 S. Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89119
9781580422550, $19.95, www.cardozabooks.com

The game of checkers has been solved with computers, and Bill Boston has taken that power and applied it to the world of cards. "Omaha High-Low: For Low Limit-Players" is filled with tested theories on the game that Boston has done much in the field of researching. Statistics are the name of the game, and Boston seeks to help readers know when to throw it all in, and when to back off and wait for the hot streak to come. "Omaha-High Low" is a strong choice for anyone playing the game, although the book is aimed at low limit players in particular.

The Greatest Ever Chess Tricks and Traps
Gary Lane
Everyman Chess
c/o Globe Pequot Press
PO Box 480, 246 Goose Lane, Guilford, CT 06437-0480
9781857445770, $24.95, www.everymanchess.com

Chess is a game of strategy, and maybe perhaps more so, deception. "The Greatest Ever Chess Tricks and Traps" is a guide the world of chess ruses, where one deals with playing their opponent right into their hands. Exciting and tricky, these techniques will bring advice to even the most novice player's game, making victory all the more attainable. "The Greatest Ever Chess Tricks and Traps" takes a look at how playing the game is all about playing your opponent - highly recommended.


The Native American Shelf

The Sea Woman
Frederic Laugrand and Jarich Oosten
University of Alaska Press
PO Box 756240, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6240
9781602230262 $49.95 www.uaf.edu/uapress 1-888-252-6657

Illustrated with full-color photography, particularly of Inuit carvings and sculptures of Sedna, The Sea Woman: Sedna in Inuit Shamanism and Art in the Eastern Arctic is an in-depth artistic and cultural study of the mythical Inuit figure of Sedna, the sea woman, believed to be the caretaker of animals' souls and avengers of transgressions against them (such as wanton or wasteful killing, as opposed to respectful killing and thorough use of their bodies). A recurring presence in artistic sculpture, legends, shamanism, and customs of proper behavior, Sedna the Sea Woman is a fascinating paragon worthy of the scholarly analysis that authors and anthropology professors Frederic Laugrand and Jarich Oosten provide. Highly recommended as a worthy addition to Native American cultural studies shelves.

The Lipan Apaches
Thomas A. Britten
University of New Mexico Press
MSC04 2820, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
9780826345868 $34.95 www.unmpress.com 1-800-249-7737

The Lipan Apaches: People of Wind and Lightning is a studious examination of the history of the Lipan Apaches, a Native American tribal group that played a major role in Texas history for at least four centuries. Unlike other Apaches to the West, the Lipans had embodied a plains-oriented economy into their culture and lifestyle; in the early 1700s, they controlled the bison hide and meat trade. The arrival of the Comanches and the expansion of Spanish colonization ended their absolute dominion; they evolved their way of life from nomadic to semi-nomadic, depending on hunting, gathering, and farming for subsistence. Ultimately, their inability to form lasting alliances with the Spaniards, Comanche, Wichita, or east Texas tribes left them virtually surrounded by enemies, though some relocated to south of the Rio Grande. By the end of the twentieth century the tribe's population was gauged to be at less than forty people. A thoughtful and detailed chronicle, featuring notes, a bibliography, and an index, The Lipan Apaches is a worthy addition to college library Native American studies shelves, and thoroughly enjoyable to readers of all backgrounds.


The Library Science Shelf

Privacy and Confidentiality Issues
Theresa Chmara
American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
9780838909706, $36.00, www.alastore.ala.org

You can tell a lot about someone by the books they read, and as such, some people don't want their reading choices known. "Privacy and Confidentiality Issues: A Guide for Libraries and Their Lawyers" is a guide to the world of law in libraries. Right to privacy is one of the cornerstones of America, and libraries must be one of the many defenders of this right. With information for dealing with confidentiality, the internet, and when it's applicable to bend on these matters, "Privacy and Confidentiality Issues" should be read by every librarian.

The Making of the Morgan from Charles McKim to Renzo Piano
Paul Spencer Byard, et.al.
Morgan Library & Museum
c/o W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780875981499, $35.00 www.wwnorton.com

In 1906 in New York City one Pierpont Morgan built a private library intended to rival Europe's finest art collections: it became a public library in 1944 and in 2006 saw a major expansion and renovation designed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop. Its history is documented in "The Making of the Morgan from Charles McKim to Renzo Piano", a survey of Pierpont Morgan's visionary process and how the library's collection changed from a private to a public institution. Collections strong in both library science and architecture and the arts will find "The Making of the Morgan from Charles McKim to Renzo Piano" to be a powerful pick, packed with color photos throughout.

Core Technology Competencies for Librarians and Library Staff
Susan M. Thompson
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038
9781555706609, $65.00, www.Neal-schuman.com

The day where a librarian could be ignorant of how to turn on a computer are long gone. "Core Technology Competencies for Librarians and Library Staff" is a guide for understanding the basic fundamentals of computing for library staff. Integrating new technology is a must for librarians to stay in the game of this world with rapidly changing technology, but having it isn't enough. Susan M. Thompson, a well-versed professional in the field of libraries and technology expertly applies her knowledge for others to benefit from. A complete and comprehensive guide to teaching the needed knowledge, "Core Technology Competencies for Librarians and Library Staff" is absolutely needed for the modern library and those who run it.

The Organization of Information, third edition
Arlene G. Taylor & Daniel N. Joudrey
Libraries Unlimited
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9781591587002, $50.00, www.lu.com

More and more information comes into the world every day, and if it can't be managed, there is little point to it. Now in an updated and expanded third edition, "The Organization of Information" is a library science manual focusing on the modern advancements and how they affect libraries and other key compounds of information. Libraries, archives, museums, even the internet are all discussed in the forms they are used to store the massive amounts of information and data the world produces. With chapters on the many complex methods one must deal with to maintain the integrity of original documents, items, and other important subjects, "The Organization of Information" is complete and comprehensive in its application. "The Organization of Information" is enhanced with bibliographies, indexes, glossaries, and more, making it an absolute must for any archive which wants to serve its purpose well.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Novelists
Andrew McAleer
Adams Media
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 92322
9781598695892, $12.95, www.damsmedia.com

Why can R.A. Salvatore sell millions and you can't? "The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Novelists: Insider Secrets from Top Writers" draws from a huge pool of talented writers who present their habits and routines they use to put their best-selling novel out into the world. With names like R.A. Salvatore, Robin Moore, Mary Higgins Clark, the talent pool does know what they are talking about. For anyone who is delving into the avenue of long fiction, "The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Novelists" is encouraging reading.

The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing
Linda F. Radke
Five Star Publications
1193-392nd Road, Utica, NE 68456
www.FiveStarPublications.com
9781589851016, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Even in the present economic climate that has compelled the major publishing houses to cut back the numbers of titles they produce, it has never been easier to publish a book -- or sell one. In "The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing: How To Produce And Market Your Book On A Budget", Linda F. Radke draws upon her more than 24 years of experience and expertise as a publisher whose Five Star Publications has produced award-winning and commercially successful books that were traditionally published, self-published, and published through limited partnerships. The result is a compendium of solid, practical, step-by-step information that takes the aspiring author from manuscript to published book, and then on to the tasks of marketing, promotion, publicity, and sales. "The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing" covers such issues as transforming a manuscript into a typeset book; recruiting illustrators and editors; obtaining copyrights, ISBN numbers, and bar codes; getting printing bids; publishing as a home business; developing mailing lists; even handling interviews. Of special note is what "The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing" offers by way of strategies and tactics for effectively marketing a book on a limited budget. Enhanced with an appendix listing useful publications and associations for the self-published author, "The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing" is highly recommended reading and an invaluable resource and 'do-it-yourself' reference for anyone aspiring to publish their own work.

Creative Writer's Handbook
Philip K. Jason & Allan B. Lefcowitz
Pearson/Prentice Hall Press
c/o Berkley Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
0131893718, $80.60, www.prenhall.com/english

Creativity is executing an art form, and with art, there is no such thing as absolute perfection, there is always room for improvement. Now in an updated and expanded fourth edition, "Creative Writer's Handbook" is a guidebook for writers of all sorts to better gain a mastery of their art form, be it short fiction, poetry, or other artistic endeavors that use the spoken language as their primary medium. Encouraging readers to enhance and ever improve their craft, Jason and Lefcowitz have put out a text that will benefit many a college age creative writing student well, as a free study manual or as a textbook for creative writing classes. "Creative Writer's Handbook" is a deftly composed book, highly recommended for community and college collections aimed at the art of writing.

20 Things You Must Know to Write a Great Screenplay
Rick Reichman
Central Ave. Press
2132-A Central SE #144, Albuquerque, NM 87106
9780971534476, $16.95, www.amazon.com

Some things are obvious, some things are slight, but they're all important nonetheless. "20 Things You Must Know to Write a Great Screenplay: A Thorough Primer for Screenwriters" is a manual for the aspiring screenwriter who wants every trick and tip possible to take their story from good to great. When relating tips for the writing process, author Rick Reichman references successful Hollywood productions in order to give examples relevant to the tips. "20 Things You Must Know to Write a Great Screenplay" is a strong choice for a would-be screenwriter.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Otomen Volume 1
Aya Kanno
Viz Communications Inc.
295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
9781421521862 $8.99 www.viz.com 1-800-394-3042

Part of Viz's "Shojo Beat" line of manga (Japanese comics) aimed at girls and women, volume 1 of Otomen introduces readers to an unlikely teenage trio. Asuka Masamune is a decidedly heterosexual guy who loves girly things, from sewing and knitting to making stuffed animals and reading girls' manga; he has a severe crush on Ryo Miyakozuka, a girl who can't sew or bake at all, and who likes guy things such as martial arts. Their mutual friend is a playboy who secretly uses them both as inspiration to create his own best-selling shojo manga! Trapped in a culture that values men who act manly, how can Asuka learn to accept his own "otomen" (i.e. guy who likes girl stuff) nature, when almost no one else will accept it - not even his own mother or Ryo's father? Otomen is a lighthearted romantic comedy with a serious underlying message - that it's okay to be secure in one's gender and sexuality without conforming absolutely to rigid gender roles. Highly recommended to shojo manga fans.

American McGee's Grimm #1
Dwight L. MacPherson et al.
IDW Publishing
5080 Santa Fe St., San Diego, CA 92109
No ISBN, $3.99, www.idwpublishing.com

"American McGree's Grimm" isn't the first full-color comic to be based on a popular video game -- but it is most certainly one of the best! "American McGee's Grimm" is a five-issue mini-series featuring a macabre dwarf seeking to wreak havok against 'happy endings'. After unleashing dark magic across five different fairytale worlds, in this debut issue, Grimm exits the latest fairy tale he's sinisterly transformed to be confronted with new worlds to conquer in the form of comic book universes. The first comic book genre to catch his attention are those of the Superhero genre. This comic book world is a place where the supervillains are ordinarily doomed to defeat -- but that was before Grimm decided to get involved in the struggle! Original, iconoclastic, altogether entertaining, and very highly recommended for comic and graphic novel enthusiasts, "American McGee's Grimm" is the collaborative project of writer Dwight L. MacPherson, artist Grant Bond, letterer Neil Uyetake, and editor Tom Waltz. But be warned! This first issue will leave the reader impatiently awaiting the next installment -- when Grimm sees what he can do in the Romance comic book genre!


The Humor Shelf

South Park Guide To Life
Trey Parker & Matt Stone
Running Press
2300 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
www.runningpress.com
9780762435708, $12.95, www.amazon.com

The kids of South Park are the world's most famous potty-mouth ten year olds in the world. Now fans who can't get enough of them on cable television's 'Comedy Channel' (launched in 1997 and currently in its 13the season) can enjoy "South Park: Guide To Life" by South Park co-creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker. An illustrated collection of 'quotable quotes' the South Park gang of Stan, Kyle, Cartman, Kenny, along with such citizens as Chef, Mr. Garrison, and others, the "South Park Guide To Life" provides an iconoclastic philosophy such as Kyle's observation "Hybrid cars don't cause smugness. People do." A great (and all too quick) a read, the "South Park Guide To Life" is an absolute must for the legions of dedicated South Park fans, and a popular addition to any school or community library American Humor collection.


The Biology Shelf

Exploring The World Of Biology
John Hudson Tiner
Master Books
c/o New Leaf Publishing Group
PO Box 726, Green Forest, AR 72638
9780890515525, $13.99, www.newleafpress.net

Everyone should have an informed understanding of the basic principals of biology. "Exploring The World Of Biology: From Mushrooms To Complex Life Forms" by John Hudson Tiner is a combination text book and work book that is ideal for introducing students and non-specialist general readers to those basic concepts that compose the science of biology. Readers will learn how biological classification provide each different type of plant and animal with a unique nomenclature (name), the variety of means by which plant seeds are spread around the world; the body utilizes foods for energy and how that energy is stored; the processes by which a stomach digests food to create that energy, and how biologists have drawn from their science to create useful products such as velcro. Of special note is how biologists began in the 1990s to utilize DNA and RNA extracted from cell structures to further define plant and animal nomenclatures. Nicely illustrated throughout and with a thoroughly 'reader friendly' text, "Exploring The World Of Biology" is a highly recommended introduction to the subject and especially useful as a curriculum supplement for Home Schooling families.


The Black Studies Shelf

Black Pioneers
John W. Ravage
University of Utah Press
1795 East South Campus Drive, #101, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9402
9780874809411, $22.95, www.uofupress.com

With the end of the American Civil War, the nation's west and the southwest saw an immense migration of former slaves seeking economic prosperity and an escape from the continuing hostility and repression by the white southern populace. To this day it still surprises many that roughly one-third of all 19th century 'cowboys' were black men. Now in an updated and expanded second edition, "Black Pioneers: Images Of The Black Experience On The North American Frontier" by John W. Ravage (Professor Emeritus of Mass Media, University of Wyoming" is a seminal work of meticulous scholarship in which such disparate elements of historical data as oral histories, period photographic images, diary and journal entries, and other written documents reflective of the black experience in the Western United States and Canada have been retrieved from personal and academic archives to present a coherent study that is as informed as it is informative. Of special note in this new addition is the inclusion of sections on black entertainers and ranchers, a chapter on the dating of historic photographs and their genealogical significance, as well as an expanded bibliography related to the black frontier experience. Profusely illustrated throughout, "Black Pioneers" is a welcome and strongly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Black History Studies and 20th Century American Western History Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Nautical Shelf

Practical Boat Building for Amateurs
Adrian Neison & Dixon Kemp
Dixon-Price Publishing
PO Box 1360, Kingston, WA 98346
9781929516131, $9.99, www.dixonprice.com

Boat building is one craft nearly as old as humanity itself. "Practical Boat Building for Amateurs" is designed as a starters guide for do-it-yourself craftsmen who want to create their own seaworthy small boat of varying sizes and capacities. Realistic in viewing the skills of amateurs, Neison and Kemp outline the step by step process readers need to know before embarking on this endeavor. An expertly written craftsman's guide, "Practical Boat Building" is a must for those who wish to attempt a project of this nature.

Ships Of The St. Clair River
Raymond A. Bawal, Jr.
Inland Expressions
42211 Garfield Road, #297 , Clinton Township, MI 48038
9780981815718, $19.95, www.amazon.com

The ships that ply the waters of the Great Lakes in general, and the St. Clair River in particular, not only are a vital element of commerce but often singularly impressive in their own right with respect to their design, size, and cargo capacities. Photographer and history enthusiast Raymond A. Bawal, Jr. has compiled a series of black-and-white photographs combined with succinctly informative and extended descriptive captions showcasing twenty Greak Lakes vessels. Informed and informative, the reader is provided with information as to prior ownerships, name changes, and any extraordinary incidents in which these craft have been involved. The vessels themselves include straight deck bulk carriers, self-unloaders, cement carries, and tankers. They range in size from the 324 foot Yankcanuck to the 1,013 foot Paul R. Tregurtha. Enhanced with an indexing of more than 200 St. Clair River playing vessels, "Ships Of The St. Clair River" is a unique and highly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Nautical Studies reference collections -- and would well serve as a template for similar nautical studies of ships associated with other major water systems.


The Railroading Shelf

Pentrex
2652 East Walnut St., Pasadena, CA 91107
www.pentrex.com 1-800-950-9333

Pentrex is the premier producer of railroading videos and has an extensive DVD library of titles that are entertaining as they are informative. Five of their most recent DVD releases are especially recommended for railroading buffs as well as both academic and community library Railroading History reference collections. "The Heritage Collection: Volume I" (HC1, $29.95, 1 hour, 35 minutes) is a visual and narrated survey of key American railroads of the 1940s and 1950s. "Early Amtrak Across Wisconsin" (EWISC, $29.95, 1 hour) showcases Amtrak's Wisconsin rail passenger service from 1971 to 1973 between Minnesota's Minneapolis/St. Paul and diverse locations throughout Southern Wisconsin including St. Paul, La Cross, and the Amtrack trains that served this upper-Midwest region. Originally recorded in 1986, "BC Rail Collection" (BCRAIL, $29.95, 3 hours, 24 minutes) is a a compilation of five Canadian railways that combine spectacular landscapes, historic railways, and an informed narration to produce an especially rewarding experience for railroading enthusiasts. "Alaska: Steel Rails, Midnight Sun" (ALS, $29.95, 1 hour) and "Alaska: Where Trains fly and Eagles Soar" (ALF, $29.95, 45 minutes) is a two volume expertly narrated series revealing (in volume one) Alaskan railroads in the summer months and (in volume two) the Seward and Whittier Subdivisions on the Alaska railroad lines. All five of these very strongly recommended and flawlessly produced railroading DVDs provide visual insights and historical information that will augment personal, community, and academic library Railroading History collections.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

Living in the Face of Death
Glenn H. Mullin
Snow Lion Publications
605 West State Street, PO Box 6483, Ithaca, NY 14850
9781559393102, $16.95, www.snowlionpub.com

Death is a part of life, but so many live their lives denying its very existence. "Living in the Face of Death: The Tibetan Tradition" explores the Tibetan cultural view on death, and how their embracement of their impending doom has improved their lives. Taking examples of their poetry, literature, and more, "Living in the Face of Death" draws from important Tibetan texts. "Living in the Face of Death" is intriguing reading for those looking towards death with honesty, and could do much to improve one's life.

Buddha for Beginners
Stephen T. Asma
Hampton Roads
1125 Stoney Ridge Road, charlottesville, VA 22902
9781571745958, $15.95, www.hrpub.com

Buddhism is hip and in with many Americans, but what is the religion really about? "Buddha for Beginners" is an introductory guide to the world of Buddhism using the life of the Buddha himself in an original graphic novel format. Using the teachings, explaining dharma, Asma approaches the subject with wit and charm, and pulls no punches in laying out the true Buddhism, which is different from what some are led to believe. "Buddha for Beginners" is highly recommended reading for those with an interest in real Buddhism.


The World History Shelf

Loyalties in Conflict
J.I. Little
University of Toronto Press
2250 Military Rd., Tonawanda, NY 14150
0802095259, $24.95, www.utpublishing.com

Eastern Townships is not a very large place, but it has played its role in history. "Loyalties in Conflict: A Canadian Borderland in War and Rebellion 1812-1840" takes a look at the region of the Eastern Townships during the war of 1812 and the Canadian rebellions of 1837. This book looks at the reactions of this small area, giving a look of the people at these two major crises. "Loyalties in Conflict" is an intriguing read, and a fine piece of Canadian history.

Invisible History: Afghanistan's Untold Story
Paul Fitzgerald & Elizabeth Gould
City Lights Books
261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133
Gulotta Communications, Inc.
341 Lexington Street, Newton, MA 02466
9780872864948, $18.95, www.citylights.com

There's more to Afghanistan's history than the rise and fall of the Taliban. "Invisible History: Afghanistan's Untold Story" is a look at the oft forgotten long and storied history of the Afghani people. Drawing the tale from thousands of years ago in ancient times to what Afghanistan was like before the infamous wars with the Soviet Union, it tells the story from the Afghani perspective, leading to a fascinating story of a war-torn people. "Invisible History: Afghanistan's Untold Story" is enthralling history reading, a great pick indeed.


The Psychology Shelf

Foundations of Clinical Hypnosis
Edwin K. Yager
Crown House Publishing Limited
6 Trowbridge Drive, Ste. 5, Bethel, CT 06801
9781845901226, $39.95, www.chpus.com

Hypnosis has basis in fact, and it's not just some flashy stage show. "Foundations of Clinical Hypnosis: From Theory to Practice" is a scholarly discussion of hypnosis and its clinical applications in psychology. Separating fact from fiction, Edwin Yager stands up for hypnotism as a legitimate practice and not just to be tossed to the side as a pseudoscience. Subliminal therapy is what Yager calls it, and within this reference, he explains how it can be an invaluable tool. "Foundations of Clinical Hypnosis" is enhanced with indexes, bibliographies, and references, making it a must have for community and college psychology collections.


The Music Shelf

Mods, Rockers, and the Music of the British Invasion
James E. Perone
Praeger Publishers
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9780275998608 $49.95 www.praeger.com

The development of British invasion rock music is chronicled from the 1960s to modern times, documenting tensions between two very different resort communities - the Mods and the Rockers. Each group claimed its own culture and style - but it was the Rockers that entered America with the Beatles in 1964, leading a generation of vast musical change fueled by British influences. Any library strong in rock music history needs this.

Secular Devotion
Timothy Brennan
Verso Books
20 Jay Street, Suite 1010, Brooklyn, NY 11201
9781844672912, $29.95, www.versobooks.com

The impact of the African American people on the world of music is undeniable. "Secular Devotion: Afro-Latin Music and Imperial Jazz" is a look how African religious practices led to a revolution in secular music. The music draws from its original religious purpose and throughout the centuries, from slavery to other scatterings of the African people, the African religious music becomes absorbed into the culture of those around them, and while slowly the religious intent is faded as African people embrace other faiths such as Christianity, the music still remains. "Secular Devotion" is a fine examination of the impact of African music and how music became what it is today.

Rockaganda
Tony Clayton-Lea
Collins Press
c/o Dufour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781905172764, $21.95

The world of rock and roll is not one for the easily offended. "Rockaganda: Essential Irish Rock Quotes" is a collection of more than thirty years of quotes and stories from the biggest names in Irish rock. Divided into subjects such as sex, reviews, egomania, success, and general outrageousness, it's a vivid picture of how some of the geniuses in the world of music think. Hundreds of quotes are drawn, with notable words from the famous Van Morrison and U2. "Rockaganda" is a must for those who embrace the insanity that is the world rock and roll culture.


The Business Shelf

Making Room for Leadership
MaryKate Morse
IVP Books
PO Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL, 60515-1426
9780830834488, $17.00, www.books.ivpress.com

Body language can speak louder than words could ever dream of. "Making Room for Leadership: Power, Space, and Influence" is a Christian book trying to blend the power and methods of Christ in inspiring today's businesses. Saying that leadership is a universal trait that anyone can use, MaryKate Morse hopes to push today's business leaders to embrace God, grow closer to Him, and to their co-workers as well. "Making Room for Leadership" is a unique and impressive dive into the mix of religion and business.

Building Performance-Based 360 Degree Assessments
Lawrence John Cipolla
Adams Business & Professional
c/o Beaver's Pond Press
7104 Ohms Lane, Suite 101, Edina, MN 55439
9781592982721, $60.00, www.beaverspondpress.com

Feedback is great and all, but it's useless unless it's used properly. "Building Performance-Based 360 Degree Assessments: From Design to Delivery" is a guide for businesses for better assessing the feedback the company receive and how to properly act upon it. Drawing from well over three decades of experience, author Lawrence John Cipolla hopes to give businesses what they need to be competitive on a world-wide ever growing scale. With tips on gathering good, accurate data to start with, Cipolla has produced a book that should be essential reading for many business. Enhanced with appendixes quizzing the reader on how to improve their business, "Building Performance Based 360 Degree Assessments" is a top pick for business collections - highly recommended.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Vampires in Vegas
R.A. Lura
Raular Publishing
PO Box 5944, Goodyear, AZ 85338
9780982056202, $19.95

Usually those behind prostitution and human trafficking business are monsters, but in this case it's literal. "Vampires in Vegas" is a story of modern vampires. The son of Count Dracula has for years been working on a way for his kind to build up resistance and immunity to the burning sun that so often ails them. Their methods are far from morally right, as they set up their own breeding operation to use human DNA for their methods. But they happened to kidnap the wrong girl... "Vampires in Vegas" is a fine blend of fantasy and reality, highly recommended.


The Library DVD Shelf

Child Development Theorists
Learning ZoneXPress
PO Box 1022, Owatonna, MN 55060
1571758062 $79.95 www.learningzoneexpress.com 1-888-455-7003

Child Development Theorists: Freud to Erikson to Spock... and Beyond is an educational DVD offering a brief survey of how modern child development theories have changed the way that parents raise children and teachers instruct children. The major child development theories espoused by psychologists from Sigmund Freud to Abraham Maslow, B.F. Skinner, Benjamin Spock, Howard Gardener, and many more are touched upon, enhanced with historical footage and photos as well as candid footage from day care centers. Teaching materials are included in this excellent educational DVD recommended for high school classroom use. 21 minutes.

From the Top at Carnegie Hall, Season 2
Christopher O'Riley, host
WGBH Boston Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
9781593758394 $29.95 www.ssapr.com shop.wgbh.org

The second season of the Emmy-nominated public television series From the Top at Carnegie Hall continues to showcase the up-close and personal glimpses into the daily rigors of young musicians striving to the best performers they can be. Offering a tour backstage and beyond, From the Top at Carnegie Hall ranges from a bathroom that serves double duty as an acoustically satisfactory rehearsal spot in a young violinist's home; a trumpet player who enjoys performing in a jazz club known to host Tony Bennett; a marimba player who is sensitive to the rhythms around him at all times, even when doing household chores; and much more. An enthralling exploration in the demanding yet rewarding world of ambitious professional music, highly recommended. 13 episodes, 5 1/2 hours.

I's
Yoshiki Odaka and Nahomi Miyata, directors
Viz Communications Inc.
295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
1421530112 $29.92 www.viz.com 1-800-394-3042

I's is an anime (Japanese animated feature) combining drama and romance, complete in two episodes on a single DVD volume. The three I's in the story refer to Iori Hazuki, a beautiful high schooler on the verge of attaining a successful acting career; Ichitaka Seto, a classmate and acquaintance of Iori's who has secretly harbored a crush on her for years; and Itsuki Akaba, Ichitaka's cute friend who has recently returned from abroad. All three are on a remote island (cut off even from the range of cell phones), but will Ichitaka remember his childhood promise to Itsuki, let alone muster the courage to confess his feelings to Iori? When a gang of three murderous, sex-obsessed cutthroats on motorcycles threatens Itsuki, and rising floodwaters put Iori's life at risk, Ichitaka will need all the courage, ingenuity, determination and memories he can muster to save the lives of the women he loves! The result is an emotionally moving love story with a heart-wrenching twist, adapted from the manga by Masakazu Katsura (creator of the popular "Video Girl Ai"). This volume actually contains two DVD discs of the complete two-episode series - one DVD with a 4:3 fullscreen aspect ratio, and one DVD with a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. The audio is Japanese and English, with the option of subtitles. 120 minutes (240 minutes if one counts both discs).

The Secrets: A Film by Avi Nesher
Monterey Media Inc.
566 St. Charles Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-3901
9781569944233 $26.95 www.montereymedia.com 1-800-424-2593

The Secrets: A Film by Avi Nesher is a multiple award-winning movie about Naomi, the intelligent, faithful, and devoted daughter of an orthodox rabbi who must prepare for difficult choices in her life when her mother dies and she has to marry her father's prodigy. She begs her father for a year to study at a women's religious seminary to prepare for the sacrifices she must make as a wife and mother, and is permitted to do so. She befriends a schoolmate, Michelle, and a sickly older woman, Anouk (played by Fanny Ardant), who might be guilty of a terrible crime of passion. Naomi invents a progression of rituals designed to help Anouk release her sins, a process which brings Naomi and Michelle closer together - close enough to develop a forbidden attraction. An emotionally stirring tale, highly recommended. Special features include a "behind the scenes" video with subtitled actor interviews, deleted scenes, two music videos, and a photo gallery. Rated R, 127 minutes, Hebrew with English subtitles.

The Story of India with Michael Wood
PBS Home Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
0793670152 $34.99 DVD $39.99 Blu-Ray www.ssapr.com

Hosted by an acclaimed historian, The Story of India with Michael Wood is a six-part DVD tour (also available in Blu-Ray format) of the incredibly rich and complex history of India, a nation populated by a diverse confluence of peoples, cultures, and environments. From the deserts of Turkmenistan to the Khyber Pass, the plains of Pakistan, the majestic Himalayas, and much more, India is a vast land and with a storied historical narrative that spans millennia. "The Sights and Sounds of India" special feature enhances this lengthy and involving documentary, highly recommended for armchair travelers as well as public library collections. 6 hours, closed captioned.

The Line King Presents: The Round Up
Line King Productions, LLC
411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$19.95 www.411videoinfo.com

The Line King Presents: The Round Up is a family-friendly DVD presented in "docu-story" style introducing viewers to the fun of line dancing. The "Line King" Harvis Williams sets out on his two-day mission to lead five ordinary people through the rigors and challenges of three stages of line dance training. Harvis pairs the most surprisingly unlikely line dance instructors with ordinary people off the street! Proof that one doesn't need superior coordination to enjoy line dancing to the fullest, The Line King Presents: The Round Up is an excellent addition to dance DVD libraries, in spite of (or perhaps because of) not taking itself too seriously.

Arkadia DVD
c/o V.I.E.W. Video (distribution)
34 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010
www.view.com

Originally filmed in 1980, the Ad Lib series presents concert television programs of the best jazz, pop, and blues music artists of the modern day. It also holds the distinction of being the first music television series recorded in stereo. Two new DVDs each present two episodes of this historic series with digitally mastered audio and video, and make excellent addition to DVD libraries that celebrate great performers. "Freddie Hubbard: One of a Kind" (0803070357, $19.98, 76 min.) showcases renowned trumpet player Freddie Hubbard, playing songs such as "One of a Kind", "First Light", "There Is No Greater Love", and more. "Mark Murphy: Murphy's Mood" ($19.98, 60 min.) features the popular jazz lyricist and vocalist performing "You've Proven Your Point", "Again", "Farmer's Market", and more, while Pete & Cante Candoli present songs such as "Caravan", "Willow Weep for Me", and "Echo". Bonus features in both DVDs include biographies, and an ad lib highlights reel. Highly recommended especially for jazz enthusiasts.

Acacia
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 650, Silver Spring, MD 20910
www.AcaciaCatalog.com

The "Weight Loss" series of fitness DVDs debuts with two user-friendly installments. "Weight Loss Pilates with Kristin McGee" ($14.99, 50 min.) guides the viewer through Pilates exercises meant to tone and strengthen the body, along with "cardio blasts" meant to keep one's heart rate up. "Weight Loss Cardio Sculpt with Violet Zaki" ($14.99, 50 min.) includes both cardio and strength training in a vigorous routine meant to fire up one's metabolism. Since successful weight loss also depends on improving the quality of one's diet, both DVDs have bonus advice and recipes from the magazine "Cooking Light". Both DVDs also have a brief bonus segment focusing on abdominal muscles, and make excellent additions to DVD workout libraries.

Jeanette Jenkins: The Hollywood Trainer
Jeanette Jenkins
411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$19.95 each www.411videoinfo.com

Two new exercise DVDs by multi-certified nutritionist and fitness trainer Jeanette Jenkins, known for her professional appearances on NBC's Today Show and Fox News World among other venues, are an excellent enhancement to any workout program. "Jeanette Jenkins: The Hollywood Trainer - Sexy Arms, Abs and Legs" (60 min.) lives up to its title with easy-to-follow exercises from pilates, yoga, and traditional body sculpting to help one tone muscles and improve fitness head to toe. "Jeanette Jenkins: The Hollywood Trainer - Cardio Dance" (60 min.) is a vigorous and enthusiastic workout applying 40 minutes of Latin rhythms, dance classics, and even Caribbean music, followed by 20 minutes of dancer's sculpting to stretch and tone abs, legs, and arms. Both DVDs are a fun and high-spirited way to liven up one's fitness routine. Highly recommended.

Squeeze: Lower Body Challenge
Tracy Effinger
411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$19.95 www.411videoinfo.com www.tracyeffinger.com

Hosted by National Academy of Sports Medicine-certified celebrity trainer Tracy Effinger, Squeeze: Lower Body Challenge continues the series of "Squeeze" exercise DVDs with a quick and effective routine designed to strengthen one's lower body with both gym-based and dance-based exercises. The only equipment recommended are one inexpensive pair of simple, hand-held dumbbells (1 to 8 pounds in weight). The chapter menu allows one to select (and repeat) individual exercises as desired, allowing one to tailor the workout to one's liking! An excellent, easy-to-use DVD and a useful supplement to any exercise regimen. 30 minutes.

Pete Seeger: Live in Australia 1963
Reelin' in the Years Productions, LLC
c/o Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
$24.99 www.acornmedia.com

Pete Seeger: Live in Australia 1963 is a black-and-white DVD capturing the 1963 Melbourne concert of folk musician Pete Seeger, who at the time was blacklisted and barred from American television. In Australia he was widely beloved and gave sold-out performances. Nearly an hour of bonus footage taken from Seeger's other Australian television appearances rounds out this must-have DVD for folk lovers. Additional bonuses include a 16-page booklet with liner notes by Seeger biographer David K. Dunaway, rare photographs, and interviews Seeger gave on Australian news programs. Seeger's iconic banjo, guitar, and mellifluous voice are a treasure to listen to, in this enthusiastically recommended DVD. 105 minutes.

She Fell Among Thieves
Malcolm McDowell & Eileen Atkins
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
$24.99 www.acornmedia.com

The BBC drama that launched "Mystery!" on PBS, She Fell Among Thieves is a DVD presentation in full color, featuring silver screen stars Malcolm McDowell (known for his performances in "A Clockwork Orange" and "Heroes") and Eileen Atkins (known for her performance in "Cold Mountain"). While visiting the Pyrenees on holiday in 1922, English gentleman Richard Chandos crosses paths with Vanity Fair, the nefarious Mistress of the turreted Chateau Jezreel and leader of criminals, hell-bent on pressuring her beautiful stepdaughter to marry so that she may inherit millions. Chandos must put his brains and brawn to the test to rescue the damsel in distress, but his opponent has ice water for blood and murder in her soul. An enthralling drama, highly recommended to mystery lovers as well as public library DVD collections. 78 minutes, 4:3 full screen, SDH subtitles.


The Library CD Music Shelf

Watching for Rain
Anne Trenning
Shadetree Productions
c/o The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
$15.99 myspace.com/creativeservicecompany www.annetrenning.com

Watching for Rain is the third recorded music album by instrumental pianist Anne Trenning, featuring ten original songs plus five rearranged versions of beloved traditional songs. An abiding respect for tradition flows through her work, hearkening back to her treasured first memories of learning to play. A warm and inspirational album, highly recommended to invigorate the spirit. The tracks are The Ash Grove (2:54), Silent Night II (3:04), Eden Hall (4:04), A Prayer for the World (3:35), The Welcome Song (3:32), You and Me (5:15), Days of Pie (3:36), Carolina Moon (2:36), And I'll Fly Away (4:19), I Want To Be Ready (2:31), H.I.A.T.W. (3:41), Real Love (3:19), When You Say Nothing At All (3:26), Dancing With You (3:28), and Benediction (0:37).

Odo Sanbra
Occidental Brothers Dance Band International
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2, Bloomington, IN 47404
$TBA www.rockpaperscissors.biz

Occidental Brothers Dance Band International Odo Sanbra pays tribute to the diversity of African musical styles, particularly those that flourished in the early 1900s, in Oda Sanbra, their energetic new album. Neither does guitarist and band founder Nathaniel Braddock neglect his small-town Michigan heritage in the search to blend the best elements of traditional and original music. Saxophonist Greg Ward produces an African-styled counter to Braddock's guitar, while Ghanian star Kofi Crowell adds the gift of his lyrics, sometimes in English but often in the native Ghanian dialects of Fante or Twi. A truly marvelous listening experience, enthusiastically recommended especially for international music collections. The tracks are "Nyenko!", "Odo Sanbra", "Mafiwo", "Bizarre Love Triangle", "Circle Circle Circle", "Masanga", "Odo Bra WaWaWa", "Nedo Ye Fe", "Her Love Is Sweet", "Akwaaba 'You Are Welcome'", and "Yaa Amponsah".


The Audiobook Shelf

Essential Thoreau
Henry David Thoreau, author
Archibald MacLeish, narrator
Caedmon
c/o Harper Audio
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780061720963 $12.99 www.harpercollins.com 1-800-242-7737

Essential Thoreau: Excerpts from the Journal of Henry David Thoreau is an audio presentation of selected passages from the journal of great American philosopher, author, and nature lover Henry David Thoreau, which he started writing at the insistence of his colleague Ralph Waldo Emerson. Thoreau kept the journal during the course of his literary career, from 1837 to 1862; the entries chosen to be read aloud range from "Young Women at Parties" to "Sunlight after Storm". Far from a standard diary or autobiography, Essential Thoreau gives a glimpse into the mind of a great writer, and is a worthy contribution to public library audiobook shelves. 1 CD, 1 hour.

The Green Hills of Earth
Robert A. Heinlein, author
Tom Weiner, narrator
Blackstone Audiobooks
PO Box 969, Ashland, OR 97520
9780786167838 $80.00 www.BlackstoneAudio.com 1-800-729-2665

Featuring tracks every three minutes for easy bookmarking, The Green Hills of Earth is an unabridged audiobook on CD collecting short stories by Robert A. Heinlein, one of the most popular science fiction authors and winner of the 1975 Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement. Narrated by Earphones Award-winning audio actor Tom Weiner, known for his voice roles in the television shows "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Transformers" among many others, The Green Hills of Earth includes the classic sci-fi tales "Delilah and the Space-Rigger," "Space-Jockey," "The Long Watch," "Gentlemen Be Seated," "We Also Walk Dogs," "Ordeal in Space," "The Green Hills of Earth," and "Logic of Empire." Highly recommended for public library collections strong in science fiction, and for science fiction fans everywhere. 6 CDs, 6 1/2 hours.

Testimony
Anita Shreve
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
1600244025, $22.98 www.hachetteaudio.com

Robert Perkoff and a cast of others narrate TESTIMONY, a powerful story of a dangerous, charged videotape containing the sexual acts of very young students which unleashes shame and dismay through a small community. Questions and danger arise in this tense dramatic story, perfect for audio libraries.

Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com

Susan Spain lends an impassioned, smooth reading reflecting her extensive career in voiceovers, stage and TV in Eric Jerome's sizzling novel Dickey (1423345585, $38.95), telling of Nia, a woman who has it all - and wants more. When her logical methodical side battles with her passion, she becomes sexually adventurous and finds her life vastly changed. Libraries strong in dramatic accounts will find it a moving title. Christian Lander's THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO STUFF WHITE PEOPLE LIKE: THE UNIQUE TASTE OF MILLIONS (142337701X, $19.95) tells of white people who like the new York Times, NPR, indie music, and more - and who are anything but unique, as they feel. Victor Bevine lends a seasoned voice to this hilarious yet pointed observational of white peoples' lives and oddities. Ted Bell's TSAR (142337486X, $36.95) is narrated by John Shea and provides a fine conspiracy story centered around a powerful Russian whose identity is a mystery - and who becomes a larger threat when the Russians gain control of European fuel potentials. Tense intrigue is captured perfectly by narrator Shea in this thriller.

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

A fugitive's return, a would-be return president's coming campaign, and a threat from abroad presents a host of worries over the coming election, taxing the President's resources in Stuart Woods's fast-paced thriller Mounting Fears (9780143144113, $29.95), narrated by recording artist Carrington McDuffie and presenting a gripping, evolving plot with many twists and turns. Stephen King's THE BODY (9780143143925, $29.95) pairs veteran narrator Frank Mueller with the powerful novella about one Gordie and three friends, who learn about life and death in their own backyard Maine woods. THE BODY served as the basis for King's film STAND BY ME and is one of four novellas brought to audio life from the bestseller DIFFERENT SEASONS: any library strong in Stephen King fans should consider this indispensable. Just as indispensable is Stephen King's audio of THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (9780143143956, $19.95), a another novella brought to audio life from DIFFERENT SEASONS. Here Frank Muller narrates the story of a murderer in a prison run by a sadistic warden and a con who can pull strings.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Finishing Techniques for Crochet
Pauline Turner
Trafalgar Square Publishing
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05033
c/o Independent Publishers Group (distributor)
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
9781570764240 $22.95 www.trafalgarbooks.com 1-800-888-4741

Finishing Techniques for Crochet: Give Your Crochet that Professional Look is a guide intended for intermediate to advanced crocheters to applying finishing techniques that distinguish one's creations as work worthy of a professional. Chapters cover cuffs, bands, edgings, and pockets; the appealing use of color; eye-pleasing patterns; and much more. Sample projects for applying one's techniques, complete with in-depth instructions (like the "Hug-Me-Tight Vest" or the "Aran Cardigan" round out this hands-on manual. Written by the Pauline Turner, founder of the International Diploma in Crochet course, Finishing Techniques for Crochet is enthusiastically recommended for anyone looking to take their crochet skills to the next level.

Quilt This!
Lynda Smith
American Quilter's Society
Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781574329674, $24.95 www.americanquilter.com

QUILT THIS! PRACTICAL PATTERNS FOR EVERYDAY QUILTING offers a collection of quilting motifs suitable for both machine and hand quilting. Over 80 designs offer whimsical to elegant quilting options in a pattern book elongated for easy full-page pattern keys. Libraries catering to quilters will find it a popular choice.

Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines
Kay Gardiner & Ann Shane
Potter Craft
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, NY, NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com
9780307381705, $29.95 www.pottercraft.com

Knitting patterns, stories from knitters, tips on tricky knitting points, Fair Isle knitting and complex techniques simplified permeate a lively knitter's guide which is something more than a project collection. Knitters will find here an inspirational survey filled with sidebars of information, plus yes some knitting projects and many color photos. It's a colorful, chatty and fun knitting guide offering insights on the culture of knitters as well as seasonal and gift projects fun to reproduce, making it a fine pick for any general-interest or needleworker's collection.

Batik Gems
Laurie Shifrin
C&T Publishers
Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549
9781571205605, $27.95 www.ctpub.com

29 quilt projects offer both step-by-step techniques and a rainbow of colors and ideas for working with batik patterns. From learning the basics of batiks and how to work with them to tips on fabrics and tools, this is an excellent project guide for any quilter wishing to expand to batik projects.

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

Carol Doak's EASY REVERSIBLE VESTS (9781564778536, $26.95) comes in a fine revised edition to cover new block designs and piecing options for producing reversible vests. From choosing appropriate colors and scales to full-sized pullout vest patterns, this is especially recommended for home quilters and sewers who want something different in the way of vest projects. Norma Rapko Vargas' EMBELLISHED MEMORIES: DECORATING MATS AND FRAMES (9781564778741, $18.95) provides tips on setting up creative spaces to create frame masterpieces for photos and pictures. From layering and antiquing to decoupage and embellishments, color photos permeate plenty of projects in a crafts guide suitable for crafters and libraries catering to them.


The Computer Shelf

Pogue Press
c/o O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Hwy North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
www.oreilly.com

Any beginning digital photographer and any general-interest library catering to them needs David Pogue's Digital Photography: The Missing Manual (9780596154035, $24.99), a fun yet specific guide to digital photography quirks and tricks. From composing a shoot to working with thumbnails and fixing shots of wildlife and people alike, color photos pair well with clear directions to create excitement and emphasize 'how to' fixes. Susan Prosser and Geoff Coffey's FileMaker Pro 10: The Missing Manual (9780596154233, $39.99) tells how to get a database up and running with FileMaker Pro. From publishing polished reports and managing a mailing list to using built-in formulas, its blend of black and white screen shots and clear directions tied to daily functions makes for an essential 'how to' manual computer libraries need.

Hello, Android
Ed Burnette
The Pragmatic Programmers
P.O. Box 293325, Lewisville, TX 75029-3325
1934356174, $32.95 www.pragprog.com

HELLO, ANDROID: INTRODUCING GOOGLE'S MOBILE DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM covers all the basics of creating working applications using Android, which blends cell phones, open source software, and Google and other Open Alliance members. It's a mobile platform packed with options and applications, from building location- based services such as GPS to adding 2D and 3D graphics and networking with web services. Computer libraries will find it a top pick.

Addison-Wesley
c/o Pearson Education
801 East 96th Street, 3rd floor, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.awprofessional.com www.informit.com

College-level computer and business libraries holding titles on protocols for acquisition of products and services will find Brian P. Gallagher, et.al.'s CMMI-ACQ Guidelines for Improving the Acquisition of Products & Services (0321580354, $69.99) a key title for CMMI modeling. Chapters survey CMMI processes and models and describe goals and practices, giving plenty of examples for best practices. Sidebars of tips and boxed examples make for a surprisingly easy survey most accessible to college-level courses and students of product and services management. Anil Gurnani's WEB DEVELOPMENT WITH TIBCO GENERAL INTERFACE: BUILDING AJAX CLIENTS FOR ENTERPRISE SOA (0321563298, $39.99) offers developers' libraries a powerful tool for Ajax web development. From integrating XML and XSL with TIBCO's utilities to blending in databases, portals, and other applications, this is a fine review of the basics concepts and technologies needed to build a powerful framework. Anders Hejlsberg, et.al.'s THE C# PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE, 3RD EDITION (0321562992, $44.99) is a top pick for both classroom textbook use and library reference, is written by the language's architect and his colleagues, and offers the new feature of numerous annotations as it covers powerful concepts of the C# language and surveys how it is used. An excellent technical pick for any collection seeking an in-depth guide. Greg Conti's GOOGLING SECURITY (0321518667, $49.99) offers a fine guide to Google hacking and covers information disclosed to Google when using all of its top applications - not just its search engine. From informational 'keys' left behind when you use Google search to how Gmail can track personal networks, this provides an eye-opening survey of internet security and loopholes that any computer library will wish to have.


The Dance Shelf

Human Kinetics
Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
www.humankinetics.com

Sherry B. Shapiro, Editor's Dance in a World of Change: Reflections on Globalization and Cultural Difference (0736069437, $34.00) offers discussions on the body, performance, and dance and cultural links around the world. Writers come from all over the world and range from choreographers and critics to scholars who address a range of social issues and communication challenges within the spectrum of dance. Dance libraries will find it a winner. Janice Pomer's DANCE COMPOSITION: AN INTERRELATED ARTS APPROACH (0736067906, $39.00) pairs an original music CD by Barry Prophet and access to a companion web site with 28 exercises to help students gain perspective on links between dance projects. From 30 interview and arts connections that represent a range of cultures to discussions of visual and music arts, DANCE COMPOSITION is an integrated presentation perfect for any library strong in dance history.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

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

Collections strong in Native American artifacts in general and archaeology in particular as well as those catering to collectors will find Lar Hothem and James R. Bennett's Indian Bannerstones & Related Artifacts (9781574325867, $29.95) a unique, important identification and value guide packing in color photos with the latest values. Specific, yes - but key and essential to any specialty collector of Indian artifacts. Francesca Fisher's RUMRILL POTTERY: THE OHIO YEARS (9781574325904, $29.95) is an excellent specialty acquisition for any library strong in identification and values guides for RumRill pottery styles. Catalogs provide color photos and resources key to identifying RumRill styles. The 7th updated edition of Cathy & Gene Florence's KITCHEN GLASSWARE OF THE DEPRESSION YEARS makes for another fine specialty acquisition for libraries catering to collectors. Glassware here is arranged by both color and type, making it easy to quickly access and identify pieces - and color photos are clear and good-sized. Book IV of Jim and Susan Harran's COLLECTIBLE CUPS & SAUCERS IDENTIFICATION & VALUES (9781574325997, $29.95) features two more new chapters and pairs updated descriptions of cups and saucers with fine history and clear color photos throughout. These are top picks for any library catering to collectors.


The International Studies Shelf

Freeing Tibet
John B. Roberts II and Elizabeth Roberts
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019-7420
0814409830, $24.00 www.amacombooks.org

FREEING TIBET: 50 YEARS OF STRUGGLE, RESILIENCE, AND HOPE provides an inside story of how the 'free Tibet' movement was born and why it has lasted. Interviews with former CIA officers, government executives, and others provides new details on all aspects of Tibet's struggles, offering unusual insights into a movement maintained by millions around the world. A 'must' for any library strong in global issues and world politics.

The Israel Palestine Puzzle
Joseph Heller
Regent Press
2747 Regent Street, Berkeley, CA 94705
9781587901553, $18.00, www.regentpress.net

The Palestine/Israeli conflict can be likened to a hundred sided Rubik's cube - almost impossible, maybe outright, to solve. "The Israel Palestine Puzzle" is a collection of two essays discussing the touchy subject of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The two essays are 'The Ben-Gurion Magnes Debate, Jewish State or Binational State' and 'Israel's Borders in Historical Perspective: The Security-Demography Dilemma'. The two essays are from Joseph Heller, an internationally educated Jewish man who has won awards with his ideas, making "The Israel Palestine Puzzle" an excellent and educational read.


The Homeowner's Shelf

The Carbon Buster's Home Energy Handbook
Godo Stoyke
New Society Publishers
Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1XO Canada
0865715696, $12.95 www.newsociety.com

Home owners and renters alike can slow climate change and save money with the first book to provide a detailed carbon accounting of a typical family's carbon emissions. From contrasting and assessing the value of solar panels vs. hybrid cars to what home devices to invest in, this offers a fine survey any general-interest library will find popular.

Pavers 101: Patios and Other Projects You Can Do
Tina Skinner
Schiffer Publishinbg
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen., PA 19310
9780764330537, $19.99 www.schifferbooks.com

Home owners interested in constructing a patio will find PAVERS 101 key to understanding how to do it. It covers everything from choosing pavers to different patterns, laying payers, edging, and professional tips of laying a fine paving surface, including color photos to accent the step-by-step process. Any library strong in homeowner how-tos will relish this.


The Photography Shelf

Australasian Nature Photography
Stuart Miller, editor
Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9780643095694 $35.00 www.styluspub.com www.anzangnature.com 1-800-232-0223

Australasian Nature Photography: Anzang Fifth Collection showcases the best of the best in the fifth annual ANZANG nature photography contest. Most of the images are in stunning full color, except for one selection specifically for black-and-white contest entries. The pictures range from a threatened New Zealand falcon warming her chick in the nest, to ants communicating, to seal pups taking a break during play, marine life, dazzling landscapes, and even sad photos of the devastating consequences of mankind's impact on the natural world and its creatures. Each breathtaking image is accompanied by a brief caption by the photographer who captured it, often telling of the requisite hours, days, or more setup time invested just to get close enough to photograph the often (but not always) reclusive wild creatures at the perfect moment. Highly recommended especially for nature and wildlife photography collections.

Wildflowers of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island
William K. Chapman & Collaborators
Syracuse University Press
1600 Jamesville Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13244-5160
0815609264, $24.95, www.syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu

New England, covered with forests, has much more than trees to bring to its natural beauty. "Wildflowers of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island" is a collection of full color photographs of some of the most gorgeous flowers that can be found in the reason with high resolution full color photographs, alongside scientific information and descriptions of each flower covered. With more than four hundred entries, "Wildflowers of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island" is a must for any flower lover, especially one visiting the region soon.


The Economics Shelf

Free Market Madness
Peter A. Ubel
Harvard Business Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
9781422126097, $26.95, www.harvardbusiness.org/press

Could capitalism's greatest opponent be human nature itself? "Free Market Madness: Why Human Nature Is At Odds With Economics - And Why It Matters" is a look into a problem with the Free Market, namely, the irrationality of mankind. Humanity as a whole does not always do what's best for itself, while the free market always assumes this is the case. An intriguing and utterly fascinating blend of economics and psychology, "Free Market Madness" is a very strong choice for both psychology and economics collections.

Dow Theory Unplugged
Charles Dow, et al.
W&A Publishing
PO Box 849, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
9781934354094 $39.95 www.w-apublishing.com

In today's turbulent economic times, the need to re-examine market theory from the ground up is more critical than ever. Dow Theory Unplugged: Charles Dow's Original Editorials & Their Relevance Today is the most complete collection of the writings of Charles Dow (co-founder of the "Wall Street Journal" and the Dow Jones Indexes, who developed the basic means for monitoring markets that have been in use for a century), economic pioneer and genius of his era. Organized by topic around the six modern tenets of Dow Theory, Charles Dow's editorials remain relevant for twenty-first century traders, market analysts, and economists. Additional analysis from a modern perspective by expert contributors Richard Russell, Charles Carlson, and Paul Shread round out this "must-have" for college libraries and dedicated market theorists.


The Political Science Shelf

Rhetoric & Democracy
Todd F. McDorman & David M. Timmerman, editors
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25, East Lansing, MI 48823-5202
9780870138355, $59.95, www.msupress.msu.edu

Could democracy be relying too much on rhetoric? "Rhetoric & Democracy" is a collection of essays arguing this debate, discussing the rise of the use of rhetoric in the past century, and how the roots were planted long ago in the Declaration of Independence. Many scholars gather and debate the topic well, offering for utterly fascinating reading for the non-specialist general reader. "Rhetoric & Democracy" is an excellent contribution to college or community library political science collections. Enthusiastically recommended.


The Women's Studies Shelf

Sisters, Schoolgirls, and Sleuths
Carolyn Carpan
Scarecrow Press
4501 Forbes Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
0810857561, $35.00 www.scarecrowpress.com

Series books for girls have been popular since the early 1840s, and this social history of girls' series fiction covers works published in America from the mid-nineteenth century through the early 21st century. From popular genres and characters to changing themes, such as career girls during World War II, this makes an excellent reference for any library strong in young adult fiction or women's studies.

Women Making America
Heidi Hemming and Julie Hemming Savage
Clotho Press
1914 Grace Church Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910
9780982127100 $28.95 www.womenmakingamerica.com

Filled with vintage black-and-white as well as color photographic images throughout, Women Making America is history of women's contributions to the United States from the 1770s to the modern day. From Mary Walker, who earned a Medal of Honor serving as military surgeon for the Union during the Civil War, to Dorothy Harrison Eustis, founder of the first American seeing-eye-dog school in 1930, to Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1968, Women Making America touches upon the lives of extraordinary individuals as well as covering the broad societal transitions and issues affecting America in general and its women in particular as the nation evolved. "In rural households, women and men had their own, specific jobs. Women cared for cows and chickens, made butter and cheese, gathered eggs, grew vegetables and herbs, hauled water, and gathered wood. Men cleared land, plowed and planted corn, butchered animals, and maintained tools and buildings. If they had an orchard, they maintained it together. Men's work followed the cycle of the seasons, with stretches of intense physical exertion followed by periods of rest. Women's work, no matter the season, had no end." An excellent, reader-friendly textbook for high school students or adults of all backgrounds.


The Military Shelf

The Whole Damned World
Dean Daniel B. Jett, author
Martha Shipman Andrews, editor
Rio Grande Books
925 Salamanca NW, Los Ranchos de ABQ, NM 87107-5647
9781890689384 $35.95 www.nmsantos.com

The Whole Damned World: New Mexico Aggies at War: 1941-1945 collects the World War II written correspondence between Daniel B. Jett, the Dean of Engineering at the New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (later NMSU) from 1938 to 1947, and hundreds of his former students serving the nation overseas and stateside during the war effort. Daniel "Dad" Jett composed class newsletters in addition to writing scores of letters; his enthusiasm helped raise morale among soldiers and nurses, as well as those helping the school during difficult times. Many of the letters reveal nostalgia for college days, and hope for returning to the school after the close of the war. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this revealing and emotionally moving correspondence collection.


The Astronomy Shelf

Stargazing Basics
Paul E. Kinzer
Cambridge University Press
32 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013-2473
9780521728591 $19.99 www.cambridge.org 1-800-872-7423

Amateur astronomer and educator Paul Kinzer presents Stargazing Basics: Getting Started in Recreational Astronomy, a highly accessible guide to readers of all ages and backgrounds. From where to find affordable binoculars, telescopes, and accessories; to how and why the visible images in the night sky change over time; to getting started in astrophotography, Stargazing Basics is an excellent and easy-to-follow primer. Black-and-white astronomical photographs taken by the writer illustrate this handy reference.


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


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