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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
The African
J.M.G. Le Clezio, author
C. Dickson, translator
David R. Godine, Publisher
PO Box 450
Jaffrey, NH 03452
9781567924602 $22.95 www.godine.com
Skillfully translated from the original French by C. Dickson, The African is the memoir of
J.M.G. Le Clezio, winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize for Literature. Le Clezio recounts how, in
1948, he and his mother left behind Europe (which was still reeling from the aftershocks of war)
to rejoin his father, a military doctor in Nigeria. Adapting to his new life in Nigeria, Le Clezio
enjoyed the breathtaking freedom and beauty of the African savannah, yet struggled to connect
with his authoritarian and rigidly formal father, whom he'd met only once before. The African is
a story of complex human beings, driven by their beliefs and perceptions. The final chapters also
touch upon the horrifying war and genocide that swept Nigeria in 1968 (Le Clezio lived in
Mexico at the time). A unique story about the bond between father and son, The African is
unforgettable and a welcome addition to public and college library literary memoir
collections.
Vietnam Rough Riders
Frank McAdams
University Press of Kansas
2501 West 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66049
9780700618989 $34.95 www.kansaspress.ku.edu
Vietnam Rough Riders: A Convoy Commander's Memoir is by Vietnam War veteran Frank
McAdams, whose personal experience included the harrowing and dangerous job of protecting
truck convoys of precious supplies, despite the ever-present risk of ambush. McAdams recounts
battles with lethal enemies, an all-too-incompetent commanding officer, and a sludgelike
bureaucracy. Of especial note are his candid recollections of a three-day firefight that pinned him
and his men near the Song Cau Do River at Hoa Vang, as well as his life-or-death struggles at
Thuong Duc. Gripping from cover to cover, Vietnam Rough Riders is enthusiastically
recommended especially for military memoir collections.
The Examined Life
Stephen Grosz
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393079548, $24.95, www.wwnorton.com
THE EXAMINED LIFE: HOW WE LOSE AND FIND OURSELVES provides general readers
with an engaging survey packed with insights on everyday life and represents over twenty-five
years of psychoanalytical insights uncovering the hidden feelings behind behavior. It tells how to
create an 'examined life' through a better understanding of the basics of communication and
listening, offers a self-portrait of applied psychoanalysis, and includes stories about everyday
lives and lies. The result is an inspirational pick that will find its way not only into psychology
collections, but into the hearts and lives of everyday readers.
The Philosophy Shelf
Human Rights As A Way Of Life
Alexander Lefebvre
Stanford University Press
1450 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304-1124
www.sup.org
9780804785792, $24.95, www.amazon.com
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is
inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived
as universal (applicable everywhere) and egalitarian (the same for everyone). These rights may
exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in local, regional, national, and international law. The
doctrine of human rights in international practice, within international law, global and regional
institutions, in the policies of states and in the activities of non-governmental organizations, has
been a cornerstone of public policy around the world. The idea of human rights states, "if the
public discourse of peacetime global society can be said to have a common moral language, it is
that of human rights." Despite this, the strong claims made by the doctrine of human rights
continue to provoke considerable skepticism and debates about the content, nature and
justifications of human rights to this day. Indeed, the question of what is meant by a "right" is
itself controversial and the subject of continued philosophical debate. "Human Rights as a Way
of Life: On Bergson's Political Philosophy" by Alexander Lefebvre (Senior Lecturer in the
Department of Government and International Relatons and the Department of Philosophy,
University of Sydney, Australia), is a 216 page compendium presenting and commenting on the
French philosopher Henri Bergson and his contributions to the concept of human rights. An
informed, informative, detailed, and impressive work of seminal scholarship, "Human Rights As
A Way Of Life" is an important contribution and a highly recommended addition to academic
library Political Philosophy reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
Plato for Everyone
Aviezer Tucker
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616146559, $21.00, www.prometheusbooks.com
PLATO FOR EVERYONE is a pick for any general lending library interested in easy
philosophical reviews of his works, and rewrites his dialogues as accessible short stories holding
modern settings. It handles five such Plato classic dialogues and turns them into modern writings
any can readily absorb, creating a format and focus that will help even students challenged by
Plato's ideas or basic philosophy as a whole. It's a fun introduction for any interested in breaking
into the philosophy realm.
The Christian Studies Shelf
A Worldwide Heart
Robert Hurteau
Orbis Books
Box 308
Maryknoll, NY 10545-0308
www.orbisbooks.com
9781626980211, $45.00, www.amazon.com
Maryknoll is a name shared by three organizations that are part of the Roman Catholic Church
and whose joint focus is on the overseas mission activity of the Catholic Church in the United
States. These organizations consist of a society of apostolic life for men, a religious institute for
women and a lay group, respectively: The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers (The Catholic Foreign
Mission Society of America); The Maryknoll Sisters (The Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic); and
the Maryknoll Lay Missioners. While sharing a name and similar origins, the organizations are
independent entities that work closely together in many of their missionary endeavors.
Throughout its 100-year history Maryknoll has emphasized ministry and missionary work
particularly in East Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Latin America and Africa. Father John J.
Considine (1897-1982) was one of the leading figures of the Maryknoll Catholic mission. Joining
the Maryknoll order in 1915, Father Considine went on to become the first director of the U.S.
bishops' Latin America Bureau. "A Worldwide Heart: The Life of Maryknoll Father John J.
Considine" by Robert Hurteau (Director of the Center for Religion and Spirituality, Loyola
Marymount University, Los Angeles, California) is a 320 page biography of Father Considine's
life and work. Detailed, engaging, well organized and presented, "A World Wide Heart" is an
inspiring read and highly recommended for personal, church, academic, and community library
Christian Studies collections
Dietrich von Hildebrand and Edith Stein: Husserl's Students
Alice von Hildebrand
Roman Catholic Books
PO Box 2286
Fort Collins, CO 80522-2286
9781934888605 $5.90 www.booksforcatholics.com
Dietrich von Hildebrand and Edith Stein: Husserl's Students is a brief, saddle-stitched paperback
offering a thoughtful portrait of two legendary converts to Catholicism and students of
philosopher Edmund Hummel. They did know one another, but only casually. Drawn from the
memoirs of each, Dietrich von Hildebrand and Edith Stein: Husserl's Students examines both
biographical and philosophical aspects of their lives. The result is a contemplative, welcome, and
inexpensive profile of two notable twentieth-century Catholics and their contributions to
religious thought.
Bible Crossword Puzzles: Number One
Frieda Thiessen
Vision Publishers
PO Box 190, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
www.vision-publishers.com
9781932676822, $3.99, www.amazon.com
Ably compiled by Frieda Thiessen, "Bible Crossword Puzzles: Number One" is a 96 page
compendium of thoroughly entertaining, biblically oriented crossword puzzles that will provide
hours of fun -- and more than a little biblical instruction along the way!. Whether a novice or a
seasoned crossword puzzle fan, "Bible Crossword Puzzles: Number One" is a very highly
recommended pastime selection!
Crossway Books
1300 Crescent Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
www.crossway.org
Martyn Lloyd-Jones's The Assurance of Our Salvation: Exploring the Depth of Jesus' Prayer for
His Own (9781433540516, $28.00) comes from a Bible teacher and preacher who here provides
a verse-by-verse of Jesus' priestly high prayer, offered hours before his betrayal by Judas and his
arrest, and is a powerful statement recorded in John 17 and here analyzed stanza by stanza. Any
Christian scholar and collections catering to them will find this a powerful spiritual analysis
packed with insights into God's plan for salvation. No Christian holding should be without this
coverage. R.C. Sproul's Matthew (St. Andrew's Expositional Commentary, 9781433531750,
$54.99) comes from a doctor who over the course of a three-year period gave some 128 sermons
on the Gospel of Matthew, edited here for a collection that links the canon with analysis and
discussion points. Christian collections will find this an in-depth probe suitable for Bible study
groups, exploring all the words and intentions of Matthew and providing an accessible format
that lends to lay readers and church leaders alike. It's a solid pastoral commentary and reference
perfect for study and discussion groups.
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
www.eerdmans.com
Any scholarly Christian holding will welcome Barry G. Webb's THE BOOK OF JUDGES
(9780802826282, $50.00), a book of commentary on the Old Testament Book of Judges that
reveals how to understand the narrative. From analysis of the stories themselves and issues
portrayed in them to how it relates to the Christian teachings of the New Testament, this
examines biblical text to consider different interpretations and meanings to be found in Judges.
Any scholarly Christian collection devoted to Scripture analysis will find this specific, pairing
analysis with many footnotes and a bibliography for further reading. Richard F. Ward & David J.
Trobisch's BRINGING THE WORD TO LIFE: ENGAGING THE NEW TESTAMENT
THROUGH PERFORMING IT (9780802868855, $18.00) maintains that the New Testament
books were written to be performed, not silently studied - and this coverage provides a history of
such performance in the first and second centuries, the process of using an early New Testament
manuscript for performance, and how to explore these texts through modern performance
standards. The result is a powerful key to bringing the Bible to life using a different approach
than study groups employ: an approach designed to enliven any Bible study.
Classical Christian Doctrine
Ronald E. Heine
Baker Academic
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 E Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
9780801048730, $21.99, www.bakeracademic.com
Ronald Heine is an internationally known expert on early Christian theology, and developed this
book from a course he's taught for years. It uses the classical Christian doctrines of the Nicene
Creed to guide students on the faith, and provides an ecumenical work identifying major
personalities and history in classical Christian thinking. Each chapter ends with discussion notes,
and each offers a solid introduction to ancient faith and comparisons to modern times. A 'must'
for any interested in classical teachings and scholarly analysis.
Does Jesus Really Love Me?
Jeff Chu
Harper
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062049735, $26.99, www.harpercollins.com
Does Jesus Really Love Me? A Gay Christian's Pilgrimage in Search of God in America blends a
memoir with an investigative analysis of the blend of faith, politics and sexuality in Christian
America today, and follows the path of the author after he came out to his devout Christian
parents as gay. As a believer, Chu decided to examine more closely the church contention that
Jesus loves all - and his quest led him on a cross-country journey to discover the beliefs of
followers of Christ as they related to his own homosexuality. The result is a solid, involving read
highly recommended for any Christian or social issues collection!
The American History Shelf
Why We Fight
Nancy Beck Young
University Press of Kansas
2501 West 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66049
9780700619177 $39.95 www.kansaspress.ku.edu
Why We Fight: Congress and the Politics of World War II is a close examination of the bitter
political battles fought among members of America's Congress during the era in which history
claims that going to war united the nation. Of particular interest is the key role that moderates
played; Why We Fight advocates that it was the moderates, not the conservatives, who would
ultimately drive crucial policy debates, with repercussions that would echo for the next
twenty-five years. Amid today's bitterly divided and partisan American politics, Why We Fight is
an extremely valuable window into the lessons learned from political machinations of the past.
Highly recommended, especially for public and college library American History shelves.
Manners and Southern History
Ted Ownby, editor
University Press of Mississippi
3825 Ridgewood Road
Jackson, MS 39211
www.upress.state.ms.us
9781617030406, $30.00, www.amazon.com
Pretty much all that most people know about the manners and etiquette of the antebellum South
is what they've seen in movies or read in romance novels. Drawn from contributions to the
Chancellor Porter L. Fortune Symposium in Southern History Series, and compiled by Ted
Owney (History & Southern Studies, University of Mississippi), "Manners and Southern History"
is a 186 page compendium comprised of eight seminal and erudite essays by experts in the
cultural history of the American south. Of special note is Joseph Crespino's "Civilities and Civil
Rights in Mississippi". Also available in both a hardcover ($47.50) and a Kindle edition
($16.50), informed and informative, "Manners and Southern History" is a body of impressive
scholarship and highly recommended for academic library American History reference
collections and to the non-specialist general reader with an interest in pre-Civil War southern
culture and society.
The Engraving Trade in Early Cincinnati
Donald C. O'Brien
Ohio University Press
The Ridges, Building 19
Athens, OH 45701
9780821420140 $39.95 www.ohioswallow.com
Illustrated with color images of vintage engravings throughout (some of the engravings were
originally black-and-white; others were highlighted with color, an extraordinary feat for the
time), The Engraving Trade in Early Cincinnati: With a Brief Account of the Beginning of the
Lithographic Trade is a thoughtful study of how the engraving industry advanced the growth of
Cincinnati in the nineteenth century. Chapters cover the works of early engravers, engraving
company Doolittle & Munson, the evolution of banknote engraving, the popular publication
"Ladies' Repository", the wood-engraving trade, and the origins of the lithographic trade. An
index rounds out this excellent and finely detailed history, presenting a professional artisan
legacy in accessible, user-friendly terms.
This Far-Off Wild Land
Lesley Wischmann & Andrew Erskin Dawson
The Arthur H. Clark Company
2800 Venture Drive
Norman, OK 73069
www.ahclark.com
9780870624193, $39.95, www.amazon.com
The latest addition to the Arthur H. Clark Company's outstanding Western Frontiersmen series,
"This Far-Off Wild Land: The Upper Missouri Letters of Andrew Dawson" is a 336 page
biographical compendium featuring original correspondences of a young man of 24 years who, in
the mid-1800s, found himself far from his home in Scotland and working for the American Fur
Company on the upper Missouri River. Compiled and annotated by Lesley Wischmann and
Andrew Erskin Dawson (the great-grand-nephew of Andrew Dawson), "This Far-Off Wild Land:
The Upper Missouri Letters of Andrew Dawson" is a superbly produced biographical study that
will prove to be an invaluable contribution to academic library 19th Century American History
reference collections and is highly recommended for non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the 19th Century American frontier and fur trade.
The Best Planned City In The World
Francis R. Kowsky
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
www.umass.edu/umpress
9781625340061, $39.95, www.amazon.com
Frederick Law Olmsted (April 26, 1822 - August 28, 1903) was an American journalist, social
critic, public administrator, and landscape designer. He is popularly considered to be the father of
American landscape architecture. Calvert Vaux (December 20, 1824 - November 19, 1895) was a
British-American architect and landscape designer. In a collaborative partnership, Olmsted and
Vaux created a series of parks and parkways for Buffalo, New York. "The Best Planned City in
the World: Olmsted, Vaux, and the Buffalo Park System" by Francis R. Kowsky (Distinguished
Professor Emeritus of Art History, SUNY) is a superbly illustrated, 304 page, descriptive history
of the 'constellation of projects' of one of the best known and influential of 19th Century
American landscape design partnerships. Showcasing original plans, drawings, photographs,
reports and letters, "The Best Planned City in the World: Olmsted, Vaux, and the Buffalo Park
System" is a superbly written and presented work of scholarship that is highly recommended for
academic library American History collections, and to non-specialist general readers with an
interest in Fredrick Law Olmsted, Calvert Vaux, 19th Century landscaping, or the history of the
Buffalo Park System.
A Short History of Sonoma
Lynn Downey
University of Nevada Press
Mail Stop 0166
Reno, NV, 89557-0166
www.unpress.nevada.edu
9780874179125 $21.95 print / $9.99 Kindle www.amazon.com
Historian and fifth-generation Sonoma resident Lynn Downey presents A Short History of
Sonoma, which chronicles the story of this favorite Northern California tourist destination from
its first Native American residents to the coming of a Spanish mission, the Bear Flag Revolt,
California's nascent statehood, the inception of the local wine industry, and the popularity of its
nearby hot springs. Notable historical Sonoma figures are also profiled, including Mexican
general Mariano Vallejo, Hungarian winemaker Agoston Haraszthy, and writers Jack London
and M.F.K. Fisher, who each called the beautiful Valley of the Moon home. A bibliography,
index, and a handful of black-and-white vintage photographs round out this thoroughly enjoyable
and accessible tour through time and culture.
Chicago's Greatest Year 1893
Joseph Gustaitis
Southern Illinois University Press
1915 University Press Drive
SIUC Mail Code 6806
Carbondale, IL 62901
9780809332489 $29.95 www.siupress.com
Black-and-white photographs illustrate Chicago's Greatest Year 1893: The White City and the
Birth of a Modern Metropolis, a proud portrayal of the milestone accomplishments that
transformed the White City in 1893. The World's Fair has gained so much historical prominence
that it overshadows the other great Chicago events of that year, including the completion of a
pivotal skyscraper, the opening of Frank Lloyd Wright's office, the inception of the Art Institute
of Chicago, the rise of Chicago authors who pioneered urban literature, an Austro-Hungarian
immigrant's creation of the "Chicago hot dog", and much more. Amazing and informative,
Chicago's Greatest Year 1893 is a welcome contribution to American History shelves, highly
recommended.
For God, Country & Coca-Cola, third edition
Mark Pendergrast
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780465029174, $21.99, www.basicbooks.com
For God, Country & Coca-Cola: The Definitive History of the Great American Soft Drink and
the Company That Makes It appears in its third revised, expanded edition to provide an
encyclopedic history of Coke and its culture. More than being the history of a drink, however, it
covers the company's evolution, the social environment of its evolution, and updates Coke
leadership to include three new chapters of CEOs Doug Daft, Neville Isdell and Muhtar Kent.
Controversies over Coke bottling, connections to paramilitary groups in other countries, and
underlying Coke culture and events makes for a lively and powerful coverage highly
recommended for any fan of popular cultural histories.
The World History Shelf
Matamoros and the Texas Revolution
Craig H. Roell
Texas State Historical Association
1155 Union Circle #311580
Denton, TX 76203-5017
9780876112601 $15.95 www.TSHAonline.org
Matamoros and the Texas Revolution shines light on a lesser-known event of the Texas
Revolution - the controversial attempt of an American volunteer army to capture the Mexican
port city of Matamoros. The campaign was divisive, and ended in a complete debacle; Mexican
General Jose de Urrea successfully united his fellow Mexicans and soundly defeated the
American invaders. Thus Matamoros remained a part of Mexico; and the spirit of independence
remains strong in Mexico's northern borderlands to the present day. Extensive notes and an index
round out this scholarly scrutiny, highly recommended especially for college library history
shelves.
Castration and Culture in the Middle Ages
Larissa Tracy, editor
D. S. Brewer
c/o Boydell & Brewer Inc
668 Mount Hope Avenue
Rochester, NY 14620-2731
www.boydellandbrewer.com
9781843843511, $99.00, www.amazon.com
Castration (also known as neutering) is any action, surgical, chemical or otherwise, by which a
biological male loses use of the testes (orchiectomy). This causes sterilization, i.e. prevents them
from reproducing; it also greatly reduces the production of certain hormones, such as
testosterone. A castrato (Italian, plural: castrati) is a type of classical male singing voice
equivalent to that of a soprano, mezzo-soprano, or contralto. The voice is produced by castration
of the singer before puberty, or it occurs in one who, due to an endocrinological condition, never
reaches sexual maturity. Castration and castrati have always been facets of western culture, from
myth and legend to law and theology, from eunuchs guarding harems to the seventeenth- and
eighteenth-century castrati singers. Compiled and edited by Larissa Tracy (Associate Professor of
Medieval Literature, Longwood University), "Castration and Culture in the Middle Ages" is a
365 page compendium comprised of fourteen scholarly articles focusing on the implications of
the literal act of castration as recorded in historical accounts, as well as its use in Medieval
literature. Of special note is the concluding article 'The Dismemberment of Will: Early Modern
Fear of Castration' by Karin Sellberg and Lena Wanngren. Enhanced with the inclusion of a 30
page bibliography and a comprehensive index, "Castration and Culture in the Middle Ages" is
highly recommended for academic library Medieval Studies reference collections and
supplemental reading lists.
The Photography Shelf
Photography Q&A
Zack Arias
New Riders
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.newriders.com
9780321929501, $29.99, www.amazon.com
In "Photography Q&A: Real Questions. Real Answers", editorial and commercial photographer
Zack Arias draws upon his many years of experience and expertise in the photography industry to
produce a 312 page compendium of commentary and instruction for the practical benefit of the
novice and amateur photographer while having an immense value for even the more experienced
and professional photographer. Profusely illustrated throughout, "Photography Q&A" is as
informed and informative as it is 'user friendly'. Of special note is what Arias has to offer with
'How do I sell stuff that people don't buy?' and 'Basic checklist for permanent studio space'.
Enhanced with the inclusion of worksheets and a comprehensive index, "Photography Q&A" is a
very highly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library photography
reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
Images of War: Armoured Warfare in Northwest Europe 1944-1945
Anthony Tucker-Jones
Pen & Sword Books Limited
9781781591758 $24.95 www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
Part of author Anthony Tucker-Jones' series of photographic military histories, Images of War:
Armoured Warfare in Northwest Europe 1944-1945 is a repository of rare, black-and-white
photographs from World War II archives. Complementing the images is a detailed narrative text
placing the pictures in full historical context, including armored engagements atthe D-Day
landings, Operation Goodwood, the Rhine crossing, in the Reichswald and more. A treasure
trove of visual military history, Images of War: Armoured Warfare in Northwest Europe
1944-1945 is an excellent addition to reference and college library collections.
People Apart: 1950's Cape Town Revisited
Darren Newbury, author
Photographs by Bryan Heseltine
Black Dog Publishing
10a Acton Street
London, England, WC1X 9NG
9781907317859 $29.95 www.blackdogonline.com
People Apart: 1950's Cape Town Revisited is a rich repository of previously unpublished
black-and-white photographs of South Africa at the beginning of the apartheid era. South
African-born, English-educated photographer Bryan Heseltine captured images revealing the
social and cultural life of Cape Town, and also express emergent anti-apartheid sentiments. The
text by Darren Newbury grounds Heseltine's photographs in an extensive historical background
and contemporary context. Some of the images show survival in poverty conditions; others offer
glimpses into the day-to-day life of ordinary citizens. People Apart: 1950's Cape Town Revisited
is not only a visual history, but speaks to the possible future, and is highly recommended
especially for public and college library photography collections.
The Conquest of Everest
George Lowe and Huw Lewis-Jones
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500544235 $39.95 www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the first ascent to the peak of Mount Everest on May 29,
1953, The Conquest of Everest: Original Photographs from the Legendary First Ascent is an
eye-catching coffee table book filled with black-and-white photographs and other archival
material from the George Lowe collection, some of which has never previously been published.
The text retells the story of the milestone ascent from the point of view of author George Lowe,
the New Zealand mountaineer, photographer, and filmmaker who was part of the 1953 British
Everest expedition. Chapters also feature contributions from many other notable mountaineers
and explorers, and offer harrowing true stories of pre- and post-1953 attempts to scale Mount
Everest. The Conquest of Everest is a historic turning point in mountain climbing history
captured on the printed page, highly recommended.
Alvarado's Pin-Up Nudes
Robert Alvarado
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764344442, $34.99, www.schifferbooks.com
Alvarado's Pin-Up Nudes is the author's second collection of pin-up photography and relies on
unusual costuming choices and innovative modern techniques to bring the themes and models to
life. From piercings, tattoo culture and shaved bodies to stiletto high heels and sassy poses, each
model enjoys a two full pages of representation that includes different pose perspectives and
approaches. The focus on culture and surprise are classic Alvarado signatures bringing his unique
brand of pinup magic to life. Any collection strong in photography in general and pinup artistry
in particular will find this a solid reference holding attraction for photographer and
general-interest artists alike.
Rocky Nook
802 East Cota Street, 3rd Floor
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
www.rockynook.com
Markus Varesvuo, Jari Peltomaki and Bence Mate's The Handbook of Bird Photography
(9781937538101, $49.95) comes from three well-known wildlife photographers who here share
their professional techniques and illustrate them with solid results. Chapters cover a range of
approaches to great bird photography, from basic shooting techniques every photographer needs
to know to understanding and working with bird behavior patterns. Everything from basic skills
to advanced photo capture of a wild animal's habits is provided in a discussion designed to get
beginners up to speed quickly. The result is a powerful visual and knowledge key to getting the
most from bird photography efforts. Photographic Visions: Inspiring Images and How They
Were Made by 1X.com (9781937538309, $39.95) provides the second contribution to a
successful series exploring how classic photographic images were created, and is a pick for any
photography library. The curators of the online gallery 1X.com select the top 95 images from the
thousands on their website, all by previously unknown photographers from around the world,
then provide details about their composition and making, from stories behind the image to the
tools and photographic techniques used to capture it. A 'must' for any aspiring photographer!
Amanda Quintenz-Fielder and Philipp Scholz Rittermann's Digital Capture After Dark
(9781933952666, $39.95) covers all the common pitfalls and opportunities involved in night
photography, and is a 'must' reference for any who would overcome obstacles to produce
memorable shots. This goes beyond the usual 'how to take a picture' approach to discuss the
mechanics and specific of long-exposure photographic techniques, covering everything from
editing techniques for better output to color balancing, dealing with noise, and much more. From
toning to black and white photography, this is packed with image examples and specifics.
The Computer Shelf
Cloud Computing
Thomas Erl
Prentice Hall Professional
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.mcp.com
9780133387520, $49.99, www.amazon.com
Cloud computing is a colloquial expression used to describe a variety of different computing
concepts that involve a large number of computers that are connected through a real-time
communication network (typically the Internet). Cloud computing is a jargon term without a
commonly accepted non-ambiguous scientific or technical definition. In science, cloud
computing is a synonym for distributed computing over a network and means the ability to run a
program on many connected computers at the same time. The popularity of the term can be
attributed to its use in marketing to sell hosted services in the sense of application service
provisioning that run client server software on a remote location. The collaborative work of
computer experts Thomas Erl, Ricardo Puttini, and Zaigham Mahmood, "Cloud Computing:
Concepts, Technology & Architecture" is a 528 page instruction manual covering every aspect
from fundamental concepts, to infrastructure mechanisms, to delivery model considerations.
Enhanced with the inclusion of seven appendices and a comprehensive index, ""Cloud
Computing: Concepts, Technology & Architecture" is also available in a Kindle edition ($31.19)
and should be considered as a core addition to professional and academic library Computer
Science reference collections.
2D Graphics Programming for Games
John Pile Jr.
CRC Press
Suite 300
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW
Boca Raton, FL 33487
9781466501898 $49.95 www.crcpress.com
Ideal for self-teaching or reference, 2D Graphics Programming for Games is a straightforward
guide to the programming concepts and techniques used to create attractive two-dimensional
graphics in video games. The ideas can be applied to games created on a multitude of platforms,
including iOS, Andriod, Xbox 360, and the PlayStation Suite. Chapters walk the reader through
motion and depth, cel animation, tiling, layering, particle systems, shader, splines, and more.
Enhanced with a wealth of sample code and full-color screenshots, 2D Graphics Programming
for Games encourages readers to apply its lessons to sample exercises and experiment with code.
Tips, tricks, and techniques abound in this "must-have" for any aspiring 2D video game
creator!
Murach's C# 2012
Joel Murach & Anne Boehm
Mike Murach & Associates
4340 North Knoll Avenue
Fresno, CA 93722
9781890774721 $54.50 www.murach.com
Part of the Murach series of computer programming language guides widely renowned for their
overall excellence, Murach's C# 2012 is the definitive training, reference, and self-instruction
manual for C# programmers of all skill and experience levels. Over 800 pages and an index fill
this object-oriented book with guides to data handling, introductions to Windows 8 apps,
complete sample applications that have been thoroughly tested and debugged, and a
straightforward structure that programmers can use to advance their command of C# at their own
pace, Murach's C# 2012 is an absolute "must-have" for professional and amateur C# coders alike.
Highly recommended, especially for college library computer science collections!
Addison-Wesley Professional
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.informit.com/aw
James Gosling, et.al.'s THE JAVA LANGUAGE SPECIFICATION JAVA, SE7 EDITION
(9780133260229, $59.99) is written by the inventors of the Java technology and provides the
first definitive technical reference for the Java programming language. It describes all the new
features added in Java SE7, includes explanations and coverage of the formal rules of the
language versus the behavior of compilers, and includes chapters filled with code examples and
discussions of access control, class members, various statements, and much more. Any
programmer working with Java SE7 needs this reference! Michael J. Hernandez's DATABASE
DESIGN FOR MERE MORALS, 3RD EDITION (9780321884497, $49.99) provides an easy,
basic guide to database design which provides step-by-step instructions on how to design
databases that are flexible and accessible for all kinds of web applications. From defining tables
and fields to business rules and setting database objectives, this covers all relational database
systems and teaches how to design flexible databases that are trustworthy. Even those who have
never designed a database receive clear guidelines to improving generic designs and existing
structures. Tom Lindholm, et.al.'s THE JAVA VIRTUAL MACHINE SPECIFICATION, JAVA
SE 7 EDITION (9780133260441, $59.99) is also written by Java inventors and experts, and
provides detailed coverage of the Java Virtual Machine. It provides the instruction and methods
needed to handle mechanism in Java SE 7, includes the class file extensions for generics defined
in Java SE 5.0, and aligns all rules with the Java Memory Model. The result is a solid reference
any Java programmer must have.
For Dummies
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com
The 12th updated edition of Edward C. Baig's MACS FOR DUMMIES (9781118517192,
$24.99) teaches the basics of how to set up and configure a Mac, covers everything form syncing
with iCloud to online safety and social networking, and provides tips on frequent tasks performed
by Mac users. No prior Mac or computer information is assumed in this title, which teaches both
very rudimentary and advanced Mac management tools, from basic surfing to iCloud storage and
management. This 12th updated edition covers everything Mac users need to know. Sean
McManus and Mike Cook's RASPBERRY PI FOR DUMMIES (9781118554210, $24.99) covers
the basics of a pocket-sized computer which holds many tricky moments. It's the item of choice
for new users who would avoid common pitfalls, requires no prior programming or Raspberry
experience, and covers everything from operating system software and configuration processes to
editing images, playing music, and installing free software. With its emphasis on clear coverage
and simple discussions, it's a 'must' for any Raspberry user.
Arduino Workshop
John Boxall
No Starch Press
38 Ringold Street
San Francisco, CO 94103-4403
9781593274481, $29.95, www.nostarch.com
Arduino Workshop: A Hands-On Introduction with 65 Projects offers a basic tutorial for
beginners and comes from an Australian electronics enthusiast who teaches how to design and
build interactive electronics. From a digital thermometer that displays temperatures on an LCD to
a GPS logger that can display travel data on Google Maps, this is packed with over sixty clear
projects that serve as stepping stones to provide skills leading to the reader's own design
processes. Arduino is a small microcontroller that only requires a computer and imagination to
create electronics marvels: this book tells how.
Computer Forensics
David Cowen, CISSP
McGraw-Hill
c/o The McGraw Hill Companies
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor, NY, NY 10121-2298
9780071742450, $40.00, www.mhprofessional.com
COMPUTER FORENSICS is for any who would foster a career as a computer forensics
investigator, and teaches the latest tools and methods in the field. From building a forensics lab
to transitioning from other computer fields to become a computer forensics examiner, this pairs
case studies with basic concepts covering everything from hardware choices and setting up a lab
to testing tools and storing evidence. Best practices for documentation and gathering evidence for
court are included in a title recommended for any library strong in network security.
The Business Shelf
Negotiation
Brian Tracy
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
www.amacombooks.org
9780814433188, $9.95, www.amazon.com
Haggle, horse trade; accord, arrangement, bargain, concurrence, consensus, deal, understanding;
agreement, settlement; mediation, treaty -- these are all forms of negotiation. Every business
dealing involves some degree of negotiation. This is a skill set that everyone involved in business
(or government) must acquire an expertise in if they are to prosper in their chosen field of
endeavor. In "Negotiation", Brian Tracy has written a succinct, compact, pocket-sized 112 page
compendium packed from cover to cover with sound advice, tips, tricks and techniques.
Beginning with an explanation of why everything is negotiable and how to overcome a
discomfort towards engaging in negotiation, Tracy showcases six distinct styles of negotiation,
and provides expert commentary on the key to persuasion by reciprocation, knowing when and
how to terminate a negotiation, and a great deal more. It should also be noted that "Negotiation"
is also available in a Kindle edition ($3.79) and an audio book format ($13.50). Thoroughly 'user
friendly', "Negotiation" is highly recommended for personal, corporate, and community library
Business Studies reference collections.
Betting The Company
Andrew Trask & Andrew Deguire
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue
NY, NY 10016-4314
www.oup.com/us
9780199846252, $49.95, www.amazon.com
Negotiation is the heart and core of what every corporate executive and every corporate lawyer
must be adept at doing if they and the businesses they represent are to prosper in today's highly
volatile and competitive market place. The collaborative work of Andrew Trask (Counsel at
McGuireWoods London LLP) and Andrew Deguire (Vice President, Business Developer &
Global Growth Building for Efficiency for Johnson Controls Inc.), "Betting the Company:
Complex Negotiation Strategies for Law and Business" is a 368 page compendium of
commentary and instruction in both the theory and practice of successful business negotiation. A
work of considerable expertise, "Betting The Company" would make an excellent and practical
supplementary textbook for an academic business management curriculum. Informed,
informative, and highly recommended reading for anyone charged with the responsibility of
negotiating in behalf of their company or business client, it should also be noted that "Betting
The Company" is also available in a Kindle edition ($27.99).
The Advantage
Emma-Sue Prince
Pearson
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9781447929567, $24.99, www.amazon.com
It takes more than just routinely doing your job to advance in today's highly competitive
corporate world. Men and women wanting to advance their corporate careers will need to acquire
a very special skill set that apply to being a good team player, negotiator, and leader. That's why
corporate leadership trainer Emma-Sue Prince has written "The Advantage: The 7 Soft Skills
You Need To Stay One Step Ahead", a 256 page compendium of tips, tricks and techniques
superbly organized and presented in seven succinct chapters focusing on the subjects of
adaptability, critical thinking, empathy, integrity, optimism, being proactive, and resilience.
Informed, informative, inspired and inspiring, practical and thoroughly 'user friendly', "The
Advantage" should be considered mandatory reading for anyone serious about getting ahead --
and staying ahead -- in today's local, regional, national, or international corporate
environments.
Berrett-Koehler
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
www.bkconnection.com
Steven Snyder's LEADERSHIP AND THE ART OF STRUGGLE: HOW GREAT LEADERS
GROW THROUGH CHALLENGE AND ADVERSITY (9781609946449, $19.95) is a pick for
any business collection strong in leadership explorations and uses real-life stories from the
author's own research studying leadership struggles to show how to understand the challenges
affecting business success. Strategies include keys to embracing struggle and offer a set of
applied tools for assuring greater life success in mastering the art of successful struggle. The
result is a guide on how to survive in adversity, how to grow from it, and how to harness its
power as a building block for greater organizational health. SPEAKING UP: SURVIVING
EXECUTIVE PRESENTATIONS by Frederick Gilbert and Scott McNealy (9781609948962,
$24.95) discusses business presentations and outlines their underlying rules: rules too often
ignored or not fully understood. This approach to executive-level presentations goes where few
manager's titles have gone before, examining the psychology and business tactics of presenting at
the highest levels and using ten years of research and hundreds of interviews to solidify the
processes' approaches and challenges. Chapters include comments from executives who explain
exactly what they do and don't want in a presentation, and provide specific examples to pair with
approaches to putting together the best presentation. Any who want to apply executive-level
presentation methods to their business approaches will find this a solid, specific and
indispensable reference, highly recommended!
Harvard Business Review Press
60 Harvard Way
Boston, MA 02163
www.hbsp.harvard.edu
Dorie Clark's REINVENTING YOU: DEFINE YOUR BRAND IMAGINE YOUR FUTURE
(9781422144138, $25.00) provides readers with a solid key to re-assessing professional
development's past, present and future and is for any who want to build clear goals and careers
that thrive on reaching them. It offers a step-by-step approach to skills assessment, personal
branding and marketing, blending case histories with interviews and examples from business and
other arenas of life. Any interested in building a new career objective will find this key to the
process of self-assessment. Robert Steven Kaplan's WHAT YOU'RE REALLY MEANT TO
DO: A ROAD MAP FOR REACHING YOUR UNIQUE POTENTIAL (9781422189900,
$25.00) comes from a leadership expert and author who regularly advises executives and
students on how to tackle questions of career and personal identity. His new book shares a
specific plan to help readers define their own success and path in life, uses his years of
experience, and provides exercises and insights designed for any who would make the most of
opportunities in life. The result is a powerful survey highly recommended for any business or
self-improvement collection. FRANCESCA GINO'S SIDETRACKED: WHY OUR
DECISIONS GET DERAILED, AND HOW WE CAN STICK TO THE PLAN
(9781422142691, $25.00) comes from a psychology professor who explores inconsistent
decision-making processes and how they affect consumer and business relationships. From
choices in managing to choices in handling friendships and what sways decisions, this provides a
solid focus pairing psychological insights and analysis to business concerns and applications. The
result is a powerful survey outlining the entire decision-making process, how it gets derailed, and
how to get it back on track.
Book Yourself Solid
Michael Port and Jocelyn Wallace
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118495421, $45.00, www.wiley.com
Any business collection strong in marketing and sales will want to acquire BOOK YOURSELF
SOLID ILLUSTRATED: THE FASTEST, EASIEST, AND MOST RELIABLE SYSTEM FOR
GETTING MORE CLIENTS THAN YOU CAN HANDLE EVEN IF YOU HATE
MARKETING AND SELLING. This reissued edition is illustrated by Jocelyn Wallace, with
clear sketches and diagrams providing satisfying insights into the finer art of lead generation and
marketing efforts. From establishing credibility and expanding markets to earning higher fees and
standout from the crowd, this survey teaches the basic rules of success but avoids the usual
weighty and challenging language of most marketing titles, making it very appealing to any
business reader or entrepreneur.
The Sports Shelf
Errors and Fouls
Peter Handrinos
Potomac Books, Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166-2012
9781612345604 $24.95 www.potomacbooksinc.com
Errors and Fouls: Inside Baseball's Ninety-Nine Most Popular Myths is a critical analysis and
deconstruction of ninety-nine popular and widespread beliefs about baseball in America.
Although author Peter Handrinos draws heavily upon statistics and research to lay out his
well-reasoned arguments, it's notable that a few of the "myths" he attacks are actually statements
of opinion, not fact - such as "Ballparks Are Economic Investments" (in which he champions
baseball parks not for the monetary revenue they bring, but rather for the positive social
experience they promote in today's modern era of isolation), and "Steroids ~ Evil" (in which he
questions whether the extreme vilification of steroid usage is entirely justified). Baseball history,
tactics, the real meaning of Billy Beane's "Moneyball" player evaluation system, and more are all
brought under the metaphorical microscope. Regardless of whether the reader agrees completely
with each entry, Errors and Fouls is an amazing, shrewdly written, and persuasive from cover to
cover!
The 50 Greatest Players in New York Yankees History
Robert W. Cohen
Taylor Trade Publishing
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200
Lanham, MD 20706
9781589798151 $19.95 www.rowman.com
The 50 Greatest Players in New York Yankees History lives up to its title with profiles of the
most notable Yankees players, selected via assessment of how each contributed to the team's
legacy and earnings, as well as the level personal stardom attained while playing. Brief
biographies, statistics, recaps, famous quotes and more pepper this grand stroll down memory
lane. An inset handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this "must-read" for loyal
Yankees fans!
Fitness & Health, seventh edition
Brian J. Sharkey and Steven E. Gaskill
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61820-5076
9780736000370, $37.00, www.humankinetics.com
The seventh updated edition of Fitness & Health provides an in-depth guide to aerobic fitness
and nutrition, and is a compendium of facts by key experts in the field who address challenges to
attaining health and fitness goals. This newly updated edition includes new content: a revised
chapter on the science of fitness, new information linking physical activity with brain health, an
entirely new chapter added to discuss behavior changes and the psychology of activity, and new
strategies to make the most of mind/body connections. The result is an exceptional reference
highly recommended for any sports or health collection serious about understanding sports and
fitness science.
The Cookbook Shelf
Scrumptious: Food for Family and Friends
Jane-Anne Hobbs
Struik Lifestyle
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166
www.internationalpubmarket.com
9781431702244, $32.00, www.amazon.com
Scrumptious: delightful, excellent, especially delicious. Culinary expert Jane-Anne Hobbs does
full justice to the meaning of the word in her 192 page compendium of superbly illustrated and
presented recipes for dishes that will please any palate and satisfy any appetite. Ranging from a
Cauliflower Salad with Crisp-Fried Chorizo; a Cheese, Onion and Green Olive Tart; Libyan
Spiced Fish; and Spiced Butterflied Chicken with Saffron and Yoghurt; to Slow-Cooked Beef
Shin Pie with Mushrooms and Rosemary; Nougat and ice Cream Cake with Hot Raspberry
Sauce; and Baked Camembert with Fruit Mincemeat, each delicious recipe showcased in this
fabulous collection is guaranteed 'kitchen cook friendly' in preparation. Of special value are the
"Notes" provided for each individual recipe. With superbly crafted dishes appropriate for each
and every dining occasion, "Scrumptious: Food for Family and Friends" is an extraordinary
addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.
Fiori di Zucca
Valentina Harris
Duncan Baird Publishers
c/o Osprey Group
43-01 21st St., Suite 220B
Long Island City, NY 11101
9781848990852 $24.95 www.dbp.co.uk
Valentina Harris, a descendant of Giovanni Sforza (the first husband of Lucrezia Borgia) and
Carlo Sforza (an Italian senator forced to flee his homeland shortly before World War II),
presents Fiori di Zucca: Recipes and Memories From My Family's Kitchen Table, a blend of
time-tested Italian recipes and emotional family memoir. Vintage black-and-white photographs
of Harris' family, as well as full-color images of the delectable dishes, pepper this savory
anthology of recipes and vignettes. The stories range in tone from heartwarming to tragic, as they
chronicle the family's efforts to survive, resist, and escape the rising the tide of fascism in Italy,
the German invasion of World War II, and the scandal that ensued when Harris' mother dared to
marry a man who was not Catholic, resulting in her excommunication. The recipes range from
celebratory delights to food that sustained through hard times, including such dishes as "The
Contessa's Galantine of Chicken", "Quince Cheese", "Brown Shrimp Omelet", "Milk & Rice
Soup", "Tomato, Basil & Eggplant Spaghettini", and much more. Fiori di Zucca is as much a
culinary treasure as it is an up-close and personal view of unfolding history through one family's
eyes, and highly recommended.
Michael Chiarello's Live Fire
Michael Chiarello
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
www.chroniclebooks.com
9781452101811, $35.00, www.amazon.com
It's the beginning of the outdoor cooking season when grilling on the back deck or over a camp
fire become favorite methods for preparing meals. To enhance those outdoor dining occasions
there can be no higher recommendation than to plan those meals around the 125 thoroughly 'user
friendly' recipes that comprise "Michael Chiarello's Live Fire". Beautifully illustrated with full
color photography throughout, the recipes range from Whole Lamb on an Iron Cross with Minto
Pesto and Chile-Fennel Tzatziki; Grilled Lemon-Saffron pound Cake with Lavender and Fresh
Berries; Salt-Baked Potatoes with Mascarpone and Prosciutto Bits; and Foil-Wrapped
Ember-Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese; to Baby Back Pork Ribs with Milanese Rub; Baba
Ghanoush with Toasted Pine Nut Tahini and Socca; Fresh-Caught Trout Cooked in Foil; and
Monterey Jack-Stuffed Turkey Burgers. Of special note is and entire chapter devoted to recipes
to seasonings, sauces, and dressings. Enhanced with a Table of Equivalents; a list of resources,
and a comprehensive index, "Michael Chiarello's Live Fire" will prove to be an extraordinary and
highly valued addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.
Flavored Butters
Lucy Vaserfirer
Harvard Common Press
535 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118
9781558328075, $15.95, www.harvardcommonpress.com
Flavored Butters teaches how to make, shape, and use flavored butters as spreads and toppings,
offering a range of recipes for butters that transform meals. From a Lemon, Dill and Garlic Butter
spread that makes all seafood 'pop' to Green Tea-Sesame Butter for dip or spreads, this pairs
color photos with easy, appealing recipes and then adds plenty of ideas for incorporating the
butters into a meal plan. Herbs, spices and common kitchen ingredients can all be blended into
butters to achieve remarkable results, and this idea makes Flavored Butters a fine, unique pick for
any cook's library.
Barbecue Crossroads: Notes and Recipes from a Southern Odyssey
Robb Walsh
University of Texas Press
PO Box 7819, Austin, TX 78713-7819
9780292752849, $24.95, www.utexasedu/utpress.com
Barbecue Crossroads: Notes and Recipes from a Southern Odyssey pairs stories, recipes and
photos from a James Beard award winner who works with documentary photographer Rufus
Lovett to take a journey through the South and its acclaimed barbecue masters. The
accompanying history blends travel and culinary lore with a survey of barbecue's changes and
evolution. The authors visit many places; some of which are deserving of their fame and others
of which have fallen by the wayside, to be replaced by less famous yet equally-adept masters at
smoke and fire. An added focus on how race influences cooking styles plus ways in which media
shows are undermining traditional barbecue culture makes for a wide-ranging, multi-faceted
cookbook and travelogue perfect for any fan of slow-cooked meats.
Ryland Peters & Small
519 Broadway, 5th floor
New York, NY 10012
www.rylandpeters.com
Jane Mason's ALL YOU KNEAD IS BREAD (9781849752572, $24.95) gathers some fifty bread
recipes from around the world and advocates that cooks will find it easy to bake great bread.
Newcomers to the art will find this user-friendly guide explains basic techniques, offers
step-by-step photos supporting the idea that bread-baking is simple, and gathers recipes from
around the world. All have been selected because they're easy to follow. Some fifty recipes run
the gamut from pita bread and cinnamon buns to rye bread and brioche. The result is an
outstanding gathering of delicious dishes, perfect for any home baker new to the finer art of bread
baking who wants an introduction that assures success. Felipe Fuentes Cruz & Ben Fordham's
REAL MEXICAN FOOD (9781849753425, $24.95) comes from the Mexican chef behind the
London restaurant Benito's Hat, and shares his family recipes for authentic feasts and casual
dining like. Vivid color photos by Peter Cassidy accompany such unique fare as a Spicy
Broad/Fava Bean Salad, Chipolte Chicken Tacos, and Carmelized Apple Burrito: the result is an
outstanding collection of Mexican dishes you won't find in other cookbooks, all tested as
authentic and appealing dishes for any Mexican home cook.
The Biography Shelf
Murder in the State Capitol
Pamela Chase Hain
Mercer University Press
1400 Coleman Avenue
Macon, GA 31207-0001
9780881464306 $35.00 www.mupress.org
Murder in the State Capitol: The Biography of Lieutenant Colonel Robert Augustus Alston
1832-1879 is a scholarly, in-depth profile of a truly principled man - who was also a slaveholder.
In his own words, Robert Augustus Alson went to war to defend his right to own slaves. During
the American Civil War, Alston served under General John Hunt Morgan, and later in command
of a brigade. Alston's sense of right and wrong caused him to feel disgust at the robberies (and
worse) committed by Morgan's troops; he reported Morgan to the authorities for turning a blind
eye to these depredations. After the Civil War, Alston employed freedmen to farm cotton,
practiced law, sold insurance, and became the editor of the "Atlanta Herald". He worked to
restore the Democrats to power, but his sense of justice would ultimately be the death of him. As
a state representative and chairman of the penitentiary committee, he spread word of the
reprehensible conditions of convict camps leased by private companies, exposing the dark side of
the convict lease system (which at its worst, was effectively a continuation of slavery). Alston
was threatened and eventually murdered for his bravery and moral outrage. Even though Alston
did not personally end the corrupt system, his efforts are historically regarded as the spark that
led to its abolition. Murder in the State Capitol is a fascinating read from cover to cover, and
proof that human morality is not so easily cast in shades of black and white. Highly
recommended!
The Life and Death of Thelma Todd
William Donati
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611
Jefferson NC 28640
9780786465187 $40.00 www.mcfarlandpub.com
The Life and Death of Thelma Todd is the biography of a legendary 1930's film actress who
starred in approximately 120 movies, playing opposite such greats Buster Keaton, Laurel and
Hardy, and the Marx Brothers. Her glamour, performance skills, and contributions to
Hollywood's legacy earned her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Yet her life came to a
shocking and abrupt end when she was only 29. She was found in her luxury car, dead from
carbon monoxide poisoning - was it murder, suicide, or an accident? Author William Donati
draws upon a wealth of research as well as interviews with Todd's friends, coworkers, and
cousins Bill and Edna Todd. The story of Hollywood's first major sex scandal (a 1913 incident
involving Jewel Carman, future spouse of director Rolan West, the man whom Thelma Todd fell
in love with) rounds out this accessible biography and memorable slice of Hollywood
History.
Freefall to Fly
Rebekah Lyons
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive
Carol Stream, IL 60188
9781414379364, $19.99, www.tyndale.com
Freefall to Fly: A Breathtaking Journey Toward a Life of Meaning talks about surrender, faith,
and spirituality in the course of providing a memoir of the author's life path, which changed from
a set course of motherhood and building a family world in the South to a struggle with a new
world when they moved to the heart of New York City. In a different cultural environment driven
by performance, Lyons experienced depression and loneliness as expectations and lifestyle
challenges soared. This memoir of her experiences charts her upward course as she finds faith
and positive experience in the face of vast change and adversity, and is a pick for spirituality and
general biography holdings alike.
By Some Miracle I Made It Out of Here
Tom Sizemore
Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9781451681673, $26.00, www.simonandschuster.com
By Some Miracle I Made It Out of Here: A Memoir provides a powerful autobiography by an
actor who was widely in demand in the 1990s, but who struggled with a drug problem even while
he was working. As he worked hard to stay sober long enough to act, he saw his personal life
disintegrate, from being accused of domestic violence by the world's most famous madam to
becoming a prisoner, then living in an abandoned cabin and becoming homeless. Sizemore's rise,
fall, and survival examines both the entertainment industry and his on path through it, and
provides an excellent survey of drug addiction and recovery perfect for autobiography,
entertainment and health readers alike.
I Can Barely Take Care of Myself
Jen Kirkman
Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9781451667004, $22.00, www.simonandschuster.com
I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales from a Happy Life Without Kids comes from a stand-up
comedian and actress who here speaks of her life and our baby-obsessed society. It's a support of
the "childfree by choice" movement which hosts a boatload of fun personalities, and provides
personal chapters reflecting on the questions people ask about choosing not to have children.
Autobiography blends with social assessment and a healthy dose of humor throughout to make
for a multi-faceted story that will prove appealing to any library and to those interested in both
humor and social observation.
The Friedkin Connection
William Friedkin
Harper
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780061775123, $29.99, www.harpercollins.com
The Friedkin Connection: A Memoir is illustrated with two 8-page color inserts and tells of
filmmaker William Friedkin and his evolution as a force in Hollywood history. It provides a
candid survey of his life and reveals the inside politics and influences of Hollywood and the
technical, artistic and business decisions he confronted as he made his films. Any interested in
the industry in general and Friedkin's evolution and achievements in particular will enjoy a vivid
autobiography that roams from his childhood to the circumstances which led him from poverty to
success in one of the most demanding artistic industries in the world.
The Criminology Shelf
Anne Perry and the Murder of the Century
Peter Graham
Skyhorse Publishing
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10018
9781620876305, $24.95, www.skyhorsepublishing.com
Anne Perry and the Murder of the Century provides a satisfying story of convicted killer Juliet
Hulme - who penned under the name of Anne Perry - and provides the crime and ensuing trial
that captured world attention. In 1954 mystery writer Perry and her friend Pauline Parker
murdered Parker's mother in a public park in cold blood. This book covers the crime, considers
the girls' relationship, and analyzes the personalities of each in a survey that brings to life the
world, times, and relationships of the famous mystery writer. The result is especially
recommended for true crime holdings and collections already seeing interest in Anne Perry's
mystery novels.
The Travel Shelf
Florida Theme Parks: A Guide
Alex Miller, author
Caroline Miller, illustrations & photography
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road
Atglen, PA 19310
9780764343339 $19.99 www.schifferbooks.com
Illustrated with some 280 full-color photographs, Florida Theme Parks: A Guide is a whirlwind
tour of twenty unique Florida attractions, and the features that make them famous worldwide.
Florida Theme Parks: A Guide is primarily a vivid showcase to delight armchair travelers and
vacation planners, not a traditional travel guide; it doesn't have any maps, lodging information,
parking information, etc. The theme parks profiled include Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Fun Spot
America, King Richard's Family Fun Park, LEGOLAND Florida, Miracle Strip at Pier Park, Old
Town, Sam's Fun City, Silver Springs, Zoomers Amusement Park, SeaWorld Orlando, Universal
Studios Florida, Walt Disney World Resort, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and more. Florida
Theme Parks is pure joy to page through, and makes an excellent family vacation souvenir!
Historic Walks In Sherwood Forest
Brian Conduit
Palatine Books
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166
www.internationalpubmarket.com
9781874181835, $14.95, www.amazon.com
Compiled by Brian Conduit, "Historic Walks in Sherwood Forest: In the Footsteps of Robin
Hood" is an inherently fascinating, superbly illustrated, 160 page collection of do-it-yourself
guided tours through the legendary Sherwood Forest. Enhanced with informed and informative
commentaries on the histories and sights to be encountered, " Historic Walks in Sherwood
Forest: In the Footsteps of Robin Hood" is a highly recommended travel guide for anyone
vacationing in England and wanting to get off the usual big city 'beaten paths' for tourists and
enjoy a truly up close and treasured personal experience. Simply stated, " Historic Walks in
Sherwood Forest: In the Footsteps of Robin Hood" is a guaranteed memory maker!
Eat Smart in Germany
Mary Bergin
Ginkgo Press
PO Box 5346
Madison, WI 53705
9780977680146 $14.95 www.eatsmartguides.com
Travel columnist and gourmet Mary Bergin presents Eat Smart in Germany, a culinary guide
especially for tourists seeking to enjoy German cuisine to the fullest. Chapters cover a brief
history of German cuisine, a survey of regional variations in German food, tips for savvy
shoppers in Germany's food markets, helpful phrases for use in German markets or restaurants,
and much more. "Ease of access to exotic ingredients means meals in Germany, especially in its
most metropolitan areas, often have an international flair. Germany offers a melting pot of ethnic
cuisines, like any other industrialized nation, and this sometimes makes it difficult to find
traditional German food. Menus are more likely a fusion of cultures." Worthy of its place in the
award-winning "Eat Smart" culinary travel guide season, Eat Smart in Germany is
enthusiastically recommended especially for international tourists with a cultured palette!
Lonely Planet France's Best Trips
Oliver Berry, et al.
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
www.lonelyplanet.com
9781742209852, $24.99, www.amazon.com
France continues to be one of the most popular European destinations for Americans going
abroad for vacation and recreation. The collaborative work of Oliver Berry, Stuart Butler, Donna
Wheeler, and Jean-Bernard Carillet, "Lonely Planet France's Best Trips" is a compact, superbly
illustrated, information packed, colorfully illustrated, 448 page compendium that showcases 39
memorable road trips throughout the various regions comprising France. A wealth of maps and
travel tips on what and where to dine, lodge, and sightsee, make "Lonely Planet France's Best
Trips" an indispensable and thoroughly 'user friendly' resource for planning a trip to France be it
for a weekend, a season, or anytime year round. If you are planning a visit to France, then you
need a copy of "Lonely Planet France's Best Trips"!
France's Best Trips
Oliver Berry, et.al.
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
9781742209852, $24.99, www.lonelyplanet.com
39 road trips throughout France offer itineraries packed with a wide range of cultural and natural
wonders unique to France, from art and historical sights to countrysides filled with wine, food,
and nature. Overviews of trip highlights accompany discussions of classic trips, detours and side
roads, tips for outdoors adventures, and much more. Small maps and discussions of places to stay
and eat accompany candid assessments of what types of trips will appeal to different tastes, from
journeys specific to architecture and arts fans to those filled with spectacular views and car rides.
The result is a fine travel planner highly recommended for any who plan on making France their
destination.
Transylvania, second edition
Lucy Mallows
Bradt Guides
1st Floor IDC House, The Vale
Chalfont St Peter, Bucks, England, SL9 9RZ
9781841624198, $25.99, www.bradtguides.com
The second updated edition of Transylvania is an excellent choice for any planning a visit to
Romania or Hungary, and is directed to independent travelers who dream of trekking, using
private guesthouses, and traveling some of the lesser-covered roads of the countries. This second
edition has been thoroughly updated and covers all the basics of where to stay, what to eat and
drink, and what to see. Line maps throughout accompany discussions of cultural attractions
unique to each country, while tips on camping, caving and more make for a fine, specific
coverage any destination-oriented visitor will love.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Fabulous Feathers & Fillers
Sue Nickels
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781604600605, $24.95, www.aqsquilt.com
Fabulous Feathers & Fillers: Design & Machine Quilting is packed with clear directions on
designing and quilting different types of feathers, then applying them to quilting pursuits.
Directions cover the basics of machine quilting on a home machine and include coverage of
fillers, using 9 projects to build skills and experience. It also includes the pattern and instructions
for the award-winning Tea at Tenby quilt she created with her sister. Any quilter looking to learn
machine quilting in general and feathers and fillers in particular will find this a winner.
C&T Publishing
1651 Challenge Drive
Concord, CA 94520-5206
www.ctpub.com
Annabel Wrigley's WE LOVE TO SEW: 28 PRETTY THINGS TO MAKE (9781607056324,
$22.95) is a recommendation for needlework and crafts collections alike, offering sewers a focus
on making everything from jewelry to handbags, t-shirts and more and providing 28 projects
designed to encourage unique approaches and crafty skills development. Color photos of each
finished project accompany sidebars of information and step-by-step close-up color photos
making for a powerful and fun recommendation for any strong in needlework skills development.
Elizabeth Barton's INSPIRED TO DESIGN: SEVEN STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL ART QUILTS
(9781607056348, $29.95) packs in exercises that guide readers through the design process
involved in producing art quilts, and is a pick for any quilter who wants to move beyond the
traditional block quilt idea. Chapters cover all the basics, from inspirations that can be translated
to a quilt to working with color and light, integrating geometric-shaped structures, and much
more. The result is a 'must' for any would-be art quilter!
Martingale
19021 Avenue NE
Bothell, WA 98011
www.martingale.com
Mary Etherington and Connie Tesene's THE BLUE AND THE GRAY: QUILT PATTERNS
USING CIVIL WAR FABRIC (9781604682540, $24.99) packs in a fine collection of projects
inspired by the Civil War, featuring some 18 traditional designs that include wall hangings, table
toppers, and even doll quilts. Each project is very different: some use fat quarters, some scraps,
and others involve matching geometric designs to create fresh, new inspirational pieces. Projects
come with names from the Civil War era, and each accompanies clear directions with a full-page
color photos and pattern instructions. A recommendation for Civil War and especially
needlework libraries alike! Megan Kreiner's CROCHET A ZOO: FUN TOYS FOR BABY AND
YOU (9781604682731, $22.99) offers projects for crocheting animals from lions and bears to
apes, and is a pick for those with basic skills who want to stitch some animals or an entire zoo.
Over 16 patterns accompany color photos and step-by-step illustrations of how to create the
crochet animal. Any who would lend their crochet skills to creating toys will find this a fine pick.
Jen Eskridge's HEXAGONS MADE EASY: MACHINE TECHNIQUES FOR EXCEPTIONAL
QUILTS (9781604882755, $24.99) tells how to create lovely hexagon quilts without y-seams or
hand sewing. It comes from an expert quilter who uses a quick facing technique as an alternative
to traditional paper piecing, streamlining and simplifying the method and offering some 15
projects in a rang of sizes, from pot holders to table runners and large quilts. Machines are used
for stitching hexagons of any size, making this an easy and unusual choice for any needlework
collection. Nancy Allen's TRIPLE-PLAY SCRAP QUILTING: PLANNED, COORDINATED
AND MAKE-DO STYLES (9781604682632, $24.99) provides a fine crafts and quilting guide
that offers beginner-friendly strategies for showcasing a range of fabrics. Some nine quilts are
each shown in three different colorways to work with scrap materials. In the process of showing
these quilts, tips, tricks and techniques for paper piecing, applique, and alternatives for different
piecing strategies to put them all together make this a fine pick for any quilter looking to use up
scraps. Amy Ellis' MODERN NEUTRALS: A FRESH LOOK AT NEUTRAL QUILT
PATTERNS (9781604683233, $24.99) gathers new blocks and quilts and teaches how to use
neutrals to make fine quilts. Fifteen quilts range in style from easy to complicated and teach the
basics of using graphic quilt designs in neutral tones. Plenty of guides teach how to use color and
patterns: this focus on neutrals provides a unique approach not found in other quilter's guides,
making it a solid pick for any quilting library. Evelyn Sloppy's LOG CABIN FEVER:
INNOVATIVE DESIGNS FOR TRADITIONAL QUILTS (9781564774118, $26.99) offers a
fine survey analyzing Log Cabin blocks and providing a twist to the traditional pattern by
blending these blocks with over kinds of quilt blocks. Some 11 projects demonstrate how to mix
these blocks, showing how to build designs and then expand them with different Log Cabin
block approaches. From cutting and sewing to assembly, this tells how to produce a new classic
quilt.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Pets, second edition
Simon J. Girling
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
9780470659175, $64.99, www.wiley.com/go/medicine
Veterinary Nursing of Exotic Pets appears in its second updated edition to cover the basic
principles of nursing exotic species. From chinchillas to iguanas, it considers nutrition, handling,
husbandry, and all manner of diseases and treatments, with new coverage for this revised edition
including emergency and critical care, radiography, and small exotics such as sugargliders. Color
photos and color tabbed pages accompany discussion of common diseases of small mammals and
their treatment. Vet students and clinics will find this a solid reference compiling best practices
and considering all issues involved in management.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Learning to Listen
T. Berry Brazelton, MD
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738216676, $24.99, www.dacapopress.com
Learning to Listen: A Life Caring for Children provides an autobiography and medical review all
in one, tracing the evolution of his techniques that helped thousands of parents raise their
children, and showing how these techniques evolved from his work. From his anthropological
study in Kenya to researching Mayan newborns in Mexico, this tells of one who began his
medical career in the 1940s just as the field was changing to reflect modern times, and makes for
a fine review of not only Dr. Brazelton's life and achievements, but of the evolving field of
medicine itself. A fine recommendation for any medical or autobiography holding!
Jones & Bartlett
5 Wall Street
Burlington, MA 01803
www.jblearning.com
The second updated edition of Anita Finkelman and Carole Kenner's PROFESSIONAL
NURSING CONCEPTS: COMPETENCIES FOR QUALITY LEADERSHIPS (9781449649029,
$83.95) provides a detailed survey of nursing education and professional development and
engages students in recognizing the role nurses play in healthcare delivery. New information on
healthcare reform and nursing implications and content on the American Nurses Association
Principles for Documentation accompanies revisions and two entirely new chapters on
community health concerns and changing nursing practices. A student companion website
provides students with study aids for each chapter in the book. The result is a guide which
shouldn't be missed by any serious nursing study collection. Professional health reference
collections will also benefit from the addition of Joseph K.H. Ma and Boka W. Hadzija's BASIC
PHYSICAL PHARMACY (9781449653347, $85.95), a reference directed to health care
professionals and packed with basic scientific principles relating to pharmacy and drug
formulation. Chapters authored by nationally recognized scientists and pharmacologists cover
dosage forms, pharmacy systems, and novel drug delivery systems, offering students and
professionals alike in-depth details on the chemistry and features of major drug products and
delivery systems. A 'must' for any health/medicine collection.
The Technology Shelf
Artech House
685 Canton Street
Norwood, MA 02062
www.artechhouse.com
Roman Krzanowski's Metro Ethernet Services for LTE Backhaul (9781608076857, $129.00)
joins others in Artech's mobile communications reference series and provides an in-depth guide
to designing and using mobile Ethernet backhauling services in urban areas. Engineers receive
technical coverage on the service components of CE architecture, explains their interactions, and
offers descriptions of applications and technical notes on implementation and management. Any
who must choose the standards and technical documentation related to a design project will
consider this an indispensable engineering reference. Principles of GNSS, Inertial, and
Multisensor Integrated navigation Systems by Paul D. Groves (9781608070053, $169.00)
appears in its second updated edition to discuss navigation systems for engineering collections.
It's been substantially revised and expanded to provide the latest in-depth survey of systems
operation and component integration, adding many updated references and also including a new
chapter on radio positioning basics and field applications. An accompanying DVD packed with
interactive examples and basic simulation software rounds out the technical presentation in this
winning survey. Battery Power Management for Portable Devices by Yevgen Barsukov and
Jinrong Qian (9781608074914, $99.00) is written by leading engineers in the field who
document the many changes in handheld technology, and will appeal to professionals working in
the engineering field. It reviews and provides in-depth analysis of many areas of battery power
management for portable devices, offering the latest information on everything from optimizing
circuits to creating the longest possible run-time and using safety circuits to protect the new
battery properties. Examples of whole systems offer plenty of real-world applications and
insights, perfect for engineers working in the field.
The Education Shelf
Think It, Show It Science
Gregory A. Denman
Shell Education
5301 Oceanus Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92649-1030
9781425810535, $39.99, www.amazon.com
It's not enough to teach student the facts and processes of science, it is equally important to teach
students how to effective write and communicate those facts, processes and results. In "Think It,
Show It Science: Strategies for Demonstrating Knowledge", Gregory A. Denman draws upon his
many years of experience and expertise as an instructor at Lesley University and the University
of Colorado at Colorado Springs to create a 176 page manual of instructive lessons specifically
designed to enable student to accurately and informatively write and record their scientific
thinking. This highly educational compendium features practical, 'user friendly', strategies that
will significantly aid students to explain and write about their ideas and scientific content
knowledge in either a classroom or a laboratory setting. Enhanced with the inclusion of rubrics,
mentor texts, and student examples, "Think It, Show It Science: Strategies for Demonstrating
Knowledge" is an ideal and highly recommended curriculum supplement for teachers charged
with the responsibility for instructing students with respect to any and all of the sciences.
Teacher Evaluation That Makes A Difference
Robert J. Marzano and Michael D. Toth
Publicity Department
ASCD
1703 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
9781416615736 $28.95 www.ascd.org
Educational experts and researchers Robert J. Marzano and Michael D. Toth present Teacher
Evaluation That Makes A Difference: A New Model for Teacher Growth and Student
Achievement, a practical-minded guide to their model for improving the art and science of
teacher evaluation, with the goal of helping educators improve. Chapters cover standards,
rubrics, and methodologies; step-by-step guidelines for implementing the suggested model; how
to create coaching programs for the teachers who need them; ideas for taking advantage of the
latest technologies to facilitate teacher collaboration; and more. "One way to counteract this
tendency toward score inflation [when evaluating teachers] is to use different standards for
different levels of experience - that is, holding teachers in the early stages of their careers to
different criteria than those in the later stages. In this way, even relatively inexperienced teachers
could be assigned high scores, since in their cases the criteria for those scores would be less
stringent than those applied to more experienced teachers." Teacher Evaluation That Makes A
Difference is a valuable, hands-on reference and resource for principals and educators
confronting real-world challenges, and highly recommended.
The Almanac Of American Education 2013
Deirdre A. Gaquin & Gwenavere W. Dunn, editors
Bernan Press
4611-F Assembly Drive
Lanham, MD 20706-4391
www.bernanpress.com
9781598886016, $79.00, www.amazon.com
Collaboratively edited by Deirdre A. Gaquin and Gwenavere W. Dunn, this seventh edition of
"The Almanac Of American Education 2013" is a 578 page compendium of contemporary
statistical data on American education systems at the county, state, and national levels. This
expanded seventh edition for 2013 includes new data such as the percentage of high school and
college graduates in the population, and enrollment status by age and by level of education. From
determining nationwide trends in earnings by educational attainment levels; to earnings gaps
between high school graduates and college graduates; to ranking the states accordingly to teacher
salaries; to comparing student poverty rates and county-level expenditures per students; to free
lunch eligibility, "The Almanac Of American Education 2013" will prove to be an invaluable,
indispensable, and reliable resource and reference and highly recommended for professional,
governmental, NGO, academic, and community library Educational Studies collections.
Reflecting In Communities Of Practice
Deb Curtis, et al.
Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court
St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
www.redleafpress.org
9781605541488, $19.95, www.amazon.com
Teaching a young child is a complex and demanding task. Teaching whole classes of young
children requires a high degree of organizational and management skills in order to foster the
children's imaginations, creativity, curiosity, and love of learning. "Reflecting in Communities of
Practice: A Workbook for Early Childhood Educators" is an 80 page compendium specifically
designed for classroom teachers seeking to develop and enhance their abilities to share
experiences and respond appropriate to young children for the purpose of fostering their
education. Of special note is the chapter on 'Assessing Your Disposition Toward Risk". Offering
ten study sessions based upon current education theory and 'best practices', "Reflecting in
Communities of Practice: A Workbook for Early Childhood Educators" is very highly
recommended for student teachers, novice classroom instructors, as well as experienced
childhood educators wanting to hone their skills.
Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court
St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
www.redleafpress.org
Early childhood collections and education holdings dealing with exceptional young children will
find Ann Gadzikowski's CHALLENGING EXCEPTIONALLY BRIGHT CHILDREN IN
EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOMS (9781605541167, $34.95) a solid collection of
techniques designed to explore what it means to be exceptionally bright at the preschool and
prekindergarden levels - and how to help such children reach their full potential. Three broad
categories help educators and parents connect with these kids, building rich learning experiences
that address both their special needs and the overall regular learning style of a classroom. The
result is a rich, powerful collection of ideas for any early education holding. Judith Anne Rice's
THE KINDNESS CURRICULUM: STOP BULLYING BEFORE IT STARTS (9781605541242,
$24.95) provides early childhood educators with nearly a hundred character-building activities to
promote peace and harmony, teaching preschoolers who to develop compassion for others. New
and revised experiences are provided in this updated second edition, which teaches about love,
self-control, respect and more. Activities that aim to prevent bullying before it starts impart the
basics of prosocial values in a safe, community environment. Highly recommended!
The Social Issues Shelf
After Bin Laden
Abdel Bari Atwan
The New Press
38 Green Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10013
9781595588999, $27.95, www.thenewpress.com
AFTER BIN LADEN: AL QAEDA, THE NEXT GENERATION is a 'must read' for any
concerned about politics, social issues, policy making, and Middle East affairs, and comes from a
journalist who examines Al Qaeda's transformations over a ten year period, when it moved from
a small group based in Afghanistan to and international movement around the world. Its focus on
using 'lone-wolf' members who sacrifice themselves for their cause and its various grassroots
tactics are still alive and growing, and its growth is here charted by a journalist who interviewed
bin Laden twice, and who provides a powerful perspective for any who would consider the
lasting effects of terrorism on the world.
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue
Boulder, CO 80301
www.westviewpress.com
Michael Carolan's SOCIETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT: PRAGMATIC SOLUTIONS TO
ECOLOGICAL ISSUES (9780813345949, $65.00) provides readers with an excellent, new way
of understanding global environmental issues and pairs concepts and analysis of
environmentalism in thinking about global solutions to problems. It uses sociological thinking
but pairs this with political science, science, economic and geographical studies to provide a
multi-faceted survey of how societies address these larger environmental challenges. The result is
a top pick for any college-level collection strong in social issues or environmental studies. Craig
Zelizer edits INTEGRATED PEACEBUILDING: INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO
TRANSFORMING CONFLICT (9780813345093, $40.00), a college-level study which
examines how the theory of integrated peacekeeping can be applied across disciplines, from
health and media concerns to social, political and environmental applications. The theory and
practice of mainstreaming peacebuilding are considered in an anthology that provides
cutting-edge material reviewing the business and structure of the peacekeeping field as a whole.
With its strong focus on how such efforts change the nature of conflict and lend to peace, this is a
powerful survey highly recommended for any social issues holding. Kevin B. Smith and
Christopher W. Larimer's THE PUBLIC POLICY THEORY PRIMER (9780813347493, $37.00)
appears in its second updated edition to considering how public policy research has changed to
reflect new focus on processes, design, issues and theories. It provides a comprehensive and
inclusive synthesis of college-level studies and methodological approaches, outlining key debates
and controversies and offering new approaches to behavioral economics and social policies.
College-level readers will find this scholarly yet accessible read.
Our Common Wealth
Jonathan Rowe
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781609948337, $16.95, www.bkconnection.com
Our Common Wealth: The Hidden Economy That Makes Everything Work could have been
featured in our business section, but is reviewed here for its wider discussion of economics and
their effects on human and natural paths alike. "The commons" is a term that denotes shared
environments and endeavors, and here editor and U.S. Senate aid Jonathan Rowe focuses on the
concept, its applications in economic, social and political arenas, and how it is threatened by
privatization and neglect. Struggles against pollution, overdevelopment, and corporate sales
strategies alike are analyzed with a strong eye to explaining these 'commons' and the threat to
their existence. Business, political and social science collections alike will find this lends to
wider classroom discussion and debate.
The Music Shelf
Bluegrass Jamming on Banjo
Wayne Erbsen
Native Ground Books & Music
109 Bell Road, Asheville, NC 28805
www.nativeground.com
9781883206659, $24.95, www.amazon.com
Native Ground Books & Music is a premier publisher of authentic American folk music mixed
with regional history anecdotes and background information. Their latest titles is "Bluegrass
Jamming on Banjo", a spiral bound, 112 page compendium of performance tips, banjo
techniques, sheet music, and an accompanying instructional audio CD. Of special note for the
novice banjo player are Wayne Erbsen's informative commentaries on 'How to Read Chord
Charts'; 'Playing by Ear'; 'Making Up Your Own Licks'; and How to Lead a Song'. Enhanced with
black & white photos, chords to both popular bluegrass songs and fiddle tunes, "Bluegrass
Jamming on Banjo" is an ideal and enthusiastically recommended instruction manual for anyone
considering taking up that quintessential musical instrument -- the banjo!
The Best Jobs in the Music Industry
Michael Redman
Hal Leonard
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York, NY 10010
9781476817019, $24.99, www.halleonardbooks.com
THE BEST JOBS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY: STRAIGHT TALK FROM SUCCESSFUL
MUSIC PROS provides a fine career guide for those who love music and who want to become
involved in more than just a performer capacity. Here is a list of such music-related jobs, along
with job requirements, potential revenue, longevity ratings, benefits and discussions of musical
careers. Each description begins with a summary designed to help readers decide on whether it's
of interest, with case histories of those involved in the career path further defining the pros and
cons of each position. Michael Redman, himself a composer and musician, interviews over sixty
professionals in the business to gain solid insights into all the options. Any aspiring music
worker will find this a solid key to success.
The Military Shelf
The Battle of Midway
Thomas C. Hone, editor
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road
Annapolis, MD 21402
9781612511269 $28.95 www.nip.org
The Battle of Midway: The Naval Institute Guide to the U.S. Navy's Greatest Victory is an
anthology of over fifty scholarly essays about the crucial Battle of Midway during World War II,
widely considered to be one of the most important naval battles of all time. Essays discuss the
approach to the battle, the battle itself, the battle's end, the commanders, and the code-breaking
that may well have turned the tides of war. A handful of black-and-white photographs and charts
illustrate this superb anthology, highly recommended especially for public and college library
collections.
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B
Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
WORLD WAR II WINTER AND MOUNTAIN WARFARE TACTICS by Stephen Bull
(9781849087124, $18.95) receives fine color art by Steve Noon to accompany black and white
photos as it considers the history of winter and mountain warfare tactics during World War II.
Any military history collection will find this a solid discussion of the training, equipment and
special approaches winter warfare required, with chapters based on both wartime manuals and
critiques of what actually happened during combat. A specific 'must' for any military collection!
Robert Forczyk's KHARKOV 1942: THE WEHRMACHT STRIKES BACK (9781780961576,
$21.95) narrows its focus to the Red Army's key battle in one sector of the Eastern Front,
designed to disrupt German plans, and provides a fine survey of a campaign which developed
into one of the Red Army's greatest defeats of the war. It provides fine in-depth analysis of battle
strategy, failure and outcome and receives excellent illustrations by Howard Gerrard in a
detailed, satisfying discussion. Chris McNab's AMERICA'S ELITE: US SPECIAL FORCES
FROM THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION TO THE PRESENT DAY (9781780962849, $39.95)
provides a solid overview of the history, skills and purposes of various U.S. Special Forces over
the decades, charting these forces from the 18th century to modern times and pairing a lively
historical survey with black and white and color photos and illustrations throughout. Here is a
complete survey of how the US Army, Navy, and Air Force developed and used the concept of
elite soldiers, considering key operations, training, and technology that separates them from
regular soldiers. The combination of striking artworks and in-depth history makes this a 'must' for
any military holding. Ian Knight's THE NEW ZEALAND WARS 1820-72 (9781780962771,
$17.95) chronicles two major 19th-century wars between the British settlers in New Zealand and
the indigenous Maori, who had firearms as part of their traditional tactics. The Maori built
sophisticated defensive forts although many chose to side with the settlers: this account from an
expert on colonial warfare features rare photos and color plates to examine the tactics and
perspectives of both sides, and is a 'must' for both military and New Zealand history holdings.
Victor Kulikov's RUSSIAN ACES OF WORLD WAR I (9781780960593, $22.95) details the
encounters of the Russian Imperial Army Service, which consisted of no more than four battle
aviation groups, each controlling three or four smaller fighter detachments. This narrowed focus
details the planes, the aces, their strategies and their key battles of the times, using information
based on material newly sourced by the author from Russian military and private archives. The
result is an outstanding analysis suitable for any aviation history or World War I military holding.
Andrew West's VIETNAM: A VIEW FROM THE FRONT LINES (9781849089722, $25.95) is
based on the collection housed at the National Archives, the Center of Military History, and at
the Vietnam Archive at Texas Tech, and provides the reader with a common soldier's view of
Vietnam conflicts, from the rice paddies and swamps of the Mekong to the Marine bases around
the DMZ. It provides stories of battles, heroism, and impossible odds and traces the American
experience of Vietnam from start to finish, offering an accurate experiential portrait rather than
your usual historical analysis. Any military collection will find this powerful and revealing. Kari
Stenman and Peter de Jong's FOKKER D.XXI ACES OF WORLD WAR 2 (9781780960623,
$22.95) provides a powerful history of the elite fighter pilots of the war and the Fokker D.XXI, a
fighter which operated under primitive conditions and racked up many wins in comparison to the
Soviets. The fighter produced the first 'ace in a single mission' in World War II and featured in
many amazing missions even as it was deemed obsolete in the fighter world. This celebration
focuses on the planes, pilots and battle experiences, blending vintage black and white photos
with color illustrations throughout, and is a pick for any military or aviation history
collection.
The Fiction Shelf
The Golem and the Jinni
Helene Wecker
Harper
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062110831, $26.99, www.harpercollins.com
The Golem and the Jinni provides a fine multicultural immigrant story that blends Jewish and
Arab folk mythology in telling of two supernatural creatures who arrive separately in New York
in 1899. The woman is a golem created out of clay in Poland, the man is a Jinni: a being of fire
trapped by a wizard in a copper flask and accidentally released in Manhattan. Their different
cultures and journeys as they explore their new human home makes for a fine story of
supernatural and human personalities as they predictably meet, form a strong bond, and interact
with the immigrant world around them. This magical, fun fable is a pick for any novel
collection.
Together Tea
Marjan Kamali
Ecco
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062236807, $14.99, www.eccobooks.com
Together Tea offers a debut novel that outlines the complex life of an Iranian immigrant, Mina,
and her family as the group attempts to integrate their old country ways with American culture.
There's always a difference and hard choices to make, not only between cultures but between
mother and daughter. Taken from the Persian culture they love, Mina and her family face many
changes on many levels, with differences between their comfortable old world traditions and
challenging new world encounters fueling controversy even into Mina's adulthood. Eventually
the tangled web leads back to Iran, where Mina and her mother seek to forge a better relationship.
This powerful novel of cultural understanding is recommended for any collection strong in
modern fiction.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Dead, White and Blue
Carolyn Hart
Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780425260777, $25.95, www.penguin.com
DEAD, WHITE, AND BLUE provides a new 'Death on Demand' mystery, adding to the series
and telling of a 4th of July mystery revolving around the disappearance of two tourists and a trail
of blackmail and betrayal. Annie and her husband Max find their investigations bring them into
the thick of tangled passions and motives for death in a thriller that is especially recommended
for prior fans of the series, who will appreciate a new plot, new characters and new insights.
Board Stiff
Elaine Viets
Obsidian
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780451239853, $23.95, www.penguin.com
BOARD STIFF provides a new 'Dead-End Job' mystery and tells of a customer killed in a tragic
paddle-board mishap. Company owner Jim is sure it's no accident - but PI team Helen and Phil
face one of their greatest challenges yet as what seems to be an accident evolves into a cutthroat
murder that exposes the underworld of the beachfront business and an industry laden with
resentments, simmering murder, and abuse. BOARD STIFF keeps one guessing until the end
and, steeped in beachfront culture, is a satisfying survey any mystery fan will welcome - even
newcomers to the 'Dead-End Job' setting of previous writing.
Joyland
Stephen King
Hard Case Crime
c/o Titan Books
144 Southwark Street, London SE1 OUP, UK
9781781162644, $12.95, www.titanbooks.com
JOYLAND combines two of Stephen King's favorite genres: pulp crime novels and ghosts, and
provides a fine novel set in a small-town North Carolina amusement park in 1973, where college
student Devin comes to work as a carney and becomes involved in murder and the fate of a dying
child. It's a powerful novel that crosses genres to provide readers an engrossing plot and
action-packed story in the style of pulp fiction, and it's a pick that maintains the drama and
interest of a King classic without the thousands of pages many of his novels require. Crime
fiction fans who enjoy a touch of supernatural in their reading will find this a winner!
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave., #103
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
www.poisonedpenpress.com
Betty Webb's THE LLAMA OF DEATH: A GUNN ZOO MYSTERY (9781464200687, $14.95)
joins others in the Gun Zoo series and is especially recommended for prior series fans. Zookeeper
Theodora takes a llama to a local Renaissance faire, only to stumble upon a dead reverend and a
crime scene made to look like the llama stomped him to death. But the obvious quickly emerges:
the 'reverend' is actually a convict, and has been killed with a crossbow. When Teddy's own
mother becomes the chief suspect and is jailed, it's up to Teddy to overcome a storm of
controversy and locate the real killer, before it's too late. Mystery holdings will find this packed
with satisfying twists of plot. Mystery collections will also welcome Clea Simon's PARROTS
PROVE DEADLY (9781464201028, $24.95), a fine Prue Marlowe 'pet noir' mystery revolving
around an animal psychic, a foul-mouthed parrot whose owner has died, and clues that boil down
to the parrot's witness of murder. Can Pru use her animal instincts and friends to get to the
bottom of a deadly case? A fine story revolving around animals will prove perfect for fans of
Braun's 'Cat' mysteries.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Blood of Dragons
Robin Hobb
Harper Voyageur
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062116857, $27.99, www.harpervoyageurbooks.com
Fans of the prior volumes Dragon Keeper, Dragon Haven and City of Dragons can't miss this
ringing conclusion to the series which profiles dragon magic and fantasy encounters. A crew of
outcasts and sailors have reached the fabled lost city and ancestral source of magic after a
dangerous journey imperiling their dragons: the quest for the Silver wells that will prolong the
dragons' lives is nearly over, and the keepers are seeking the wells. But their joined search
continues fraught with peril, and involves the life or death of Tintaglia, the queen of dragons. An
engrossing epic saga concludes a series noted for its powerful twists of plot and solid
characterization.
Roc
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com
S.M. Stirling provides a powerful conclusion to his Shadowspawn series in SHADOWS OF THE
FALLING NIGHT (9780451464514, $27.95), a recommendation for prior enthusiasts of the
series who can't wait for the satisfying conclusion to the fantasy. The Council of Shadows is
meeting to determine the fate of the human race but there are forces on the other side struggling
for mankind: namely Adrian Breze, a nearly pure-bred Shadowspawn, and his human mate Ellen,
who fight against Adrian's twin sister Adrienne, who would prefer to use the humans to support
Shadowspawn lifestyles as food servants. Pit ancient shapeshifters with human interests and
brother/sister struggles and you have a fast-paced fantasy that draws all facets together. Stephen
L. Antczak and James C. Bassett's CLOCKWORK FAIRY TALES: A COLLECTION OF
STEAMPUNK FABLES (9780451464941, $15.00) offers a fine gathering of steampunk stories
written by top science fiction and fantasy authors: a collection packed with tales that have never
before been printed. Fairy tales blend with technological wonders to make up the steampunk
theme, offering fine accounts of deception, danger, and surreal worlds blessed by ancient and
modern wonders operating side-by-side. Any steampunk fan will relish these originals!
The International Studies Shelf
Madmen At The Helm
Muriel Mirak-Weissbach
Garnet Publishing
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166
www.internationalpubmarket.com
9781859643358, $14.95, www.amazon.com
One of the unfortunate realities is that at one time or another the United States of America has
allied itself with dictators. This is especially true of the nations comprising the Middle East.
That's one reason why "Madmen at the Helm: Pathology and Politics in the Arab Spring" is a
particularly informed and informative book that deserves the widest possible readership in this
country. Author and political journalist Muriel Mirak-Weissbach's 164 page compendium
profiles key political leaders whose once iron-clad control of their respective countries finally
lost their control (and sometimes their lives) in response to the revolt of their citizenry in what
has been popularly termed the 'Arab Spring'. Also available in hard cover ($37.56) and Kindle
($8.99) editions, "Madmen at the Helm: Pathology and Politics in the Arab Spring" is insightful,
astute, observant, and impressively knowledgeable, and should be considered mandatory reading
for anyone seeking to understand the mind-sets of the leaders of these Middle Eastern countries
whose sudden downfall was completely unexpected by most western observers in such places as
the American state department and oil company headquarters.
Africa in World Politics, fifth edition
John W. Harbeson and Donald Rothchild
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813348452, $45.00, www.westviewpress.com
AFRICA IN WORLD POLITICS: ENGAGING A CHANGING GLOBAL ORDER appears in
its fifth updated edition to provide a classic consideration of Africa's evolving place in world
politics. All chapters have been completely updated to explore new issues and changes affecting
the continent since the last edition, six completely new chapters on warfare and peacekeeping
have been added, and surveys of international influences on African politics make for an updated
classic that will engage and educate the latest college-level readers on contemporary African
political and social shifts.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
The Alien Abduction Files
Kathleen Marden and Denise Stoner
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
220 West Parkway, Unit 12
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
9781601632715, $16.99, www.newpagebooks.com
THE ALIEN ABDUCTION FILES: THE MOST STARTLING CASES OF HUMAN-ALIEN
CONTACT EVER REPORTED collects new case studies and evidence that support alien
abduction, and comes from two expert investigators and media professionals in the field. From
the science that explains alien technology to messages conveyed by ETs to abductees and
evidence of alien phenomena, this collects hair-raising stories and dramatic accounts supported
by multiple eyewitnesses. Any collection strong in alien coverages will find this enlightening and
engrossing.
The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Pictures from a Distant Country
Dr. Richard Doty
Whitman Publishing
4001 Helton Drive
Florence, Alabama, 35630
0794832555, $24.95, www.whitman.com
PICTURES FROM A DISTANT COUNTRY: SEEING AMERICA THROUGH OLD PAPER
MONEY packs a 296-page hardcover with details linking the nation's overall history with a
history of its early currency evolution, focusing on the days when there was no federal money in
circulation and private banks and businesses issued currency. Vignettes and enlarged bank-note
engravings are packed into ten chapters that focus on 1800s U.S. history which will delight fans
of general American history; but it's the currency collector who will delight in the appendix of
full sized notes, cross-referenced to the narrative and including an index arranged state, city and
bank to discuss individual notes. Any collector of obsolete paper money and many a history buff
will find this discussion fascinating.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
Persia Blues Volume 1: Leaving Home
Dara Naraghi & Brent Bowman
www.DaraNaraghi.com
NBM Publishing
160 Broadway, Ste. 700, East Wing
New York, NY 10038
www.PersiaBlues.com
9781561637065 $12.99 www.nbmpublishing.com
Iranian-born, US-educated author Dara Naraghi and prize-nominated artist Brent Bowman
present Persia Blues Volume 1: Leaving Home, a black-and-white graphic novel for readers of all
ages, about a young woman searching for her place in two worlds. Minoo Shirazi is strong-willed
and a talented artist, majoring in architecture as a compromise; she chafes at having to live under
the oppressive, male-dominated Iranian government, where for a woman to show too much hair
is literally a crime, punished severely by the morality police. Yet Minoo is also living a fantastic,
sword-and-sorcery adventure in a mystic rendition of ancient Persia, where she and the man she
loves battle the evil monsters of Ahriman. The art shifts significantly with the juxtaposed stories,
tracing stark, simple lines to portray the modern-day world, while enhancing the fantasy world
with rich shading. Minoo's complicated relationship with her father - a progressive man by
Iranian standards, yet frustratingly protective and principled to a fault - adds an unforgettable
touch to this unique, original, and highly recommended contribution to public library graphic
novel shelves.
Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant
Tony Cliff
First Second
175 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10010
9781596438132 $15.99 www.firstsecondbooks.com
Opening in 1807 Constantinople (known as Istanbul today), Delilah Dirk and the Turkish
Lieutenant is a high-spirited, full-color graphic novel about the good, the bad, and the ugly of
living an adventurous life. Erdemoglu Selim is a loyal and honorable lieutenant in the Turkish
Janissary Corps, whose personal passions include a lifelong love of the the finest gourmet teas.
His life turns upside-down, among other directions, when he crosses paths with Delilah Dirk - an
ex-noblewoman turned wandering thief, troublemaker, gadgeteer, swordmaster, acrobat, and
more, determined to pay back an evil pirate captain's robbery with robbery! "'What about your
royal courts and your English family? ...Or those English balls - I hear they're very extravagant.'
'They're hot, sweaty, the air stinks - candle wax, sweat, perfume - blech, and the jewelry and the
fashion are all a horrible game of one-upmanship... No one says what they mean, and everyone
pretends to be something they're not.'" Readers of all ages and backgrounds will enjoy this
upbeat, lively and wonderful graphic novel, highly recommended especially for adventure
connoisseurs and public library collections.
The Audiobook Shelf
The Honest Toddler
Bunmi Laditan, author
Kyle McCarley, narrator
Tantor Media, Inc.
2 Business Park Road, Unit 2
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
9781452613758 $34.99 www.tantor.com
The Honest Toddler: A Child's Guide To Parenting is the unabridged audiobook rendition of a
laugh-out-loud candid guide to the trials and travails of raising a toddler. Very much from a
toddler's point of view (as penned "under the supervision" of author Bunmi Laditan), The Honest
Toddler warns the listener about what to expect from aggressive playground outbursts (justice
naturally comes swift, severe, and messy), the importance of unconditional love (pants optional),
and lying (expect it to happen often; toddlers are just less savvy at it than adults). The Honest
Toddler is an unforgettably funny, heart-touching, practical-minded and realistic portrait of hectic
parenthood, highly recommended! 7 CDs, 8.5 hours.
Sea Glass Island
Sherryl Woods, author
Shannon McManus, narrator
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887
Grand Haven, MI 49417
9781469286983 $29.99 www.brillianceaudio.com
Part of the Ocean Breeze series, Sea Glass Island is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of
Sherryl Woods' touching novel. Samantha Castle's younger sisters are getting married, and the
hectic pace of life in New York is beginning to drag her down. When she visits her friends and
family on the North Carolina coast, she also has sees Ethan Cole, upon whom she once had a
teenage crush. Now they're both adults, and perhaps somewhat world-weary; Ethan is more
emotionally damaged than she is, having returned from his service as a doctor in Afghanistan
bitter, missing a leg, and unable to believe in love. But Samantha won't give up on him - or
herself - or the possibility of sharing happy life together, in this windswept and wonderful
romance. 8 CDs, 9 hours 17 min.
Galaxy Press
7051 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 200
Hollywood, CA 90028
www.galaxypress.com
Galaxy Press is the premier publisher of the literary works of L. Ron Hubbard. Their aim to keep
his wealth of 'pulp magazine era' short stories accessible to new generations of appreciative
readers. What is perhaps less well known is that they also provide superbly produced audio book
editions of Hubbard's stories featuring music, sound effects, and full cast performances. Two of
their newest audio book titles feature Hubbard's western stories. "Devil's Manhunt"
(9781592123858, $9.95) offers "Devil's Manhunt" which was originally published in the pages of
the February 1950 issue of 'Famous Western'. Also included are to short stories: 'Johnny the
Town Tamer' and 'Stranger in Town'. "Death Waits At Sundown" was originally published in the
October 1938 issue of Western Story Magazine. In this audio book edition, two additional short
stories are included: 'Ride'em Cowboy' and 'Boss of the Lazy B'. For pure entertainment from
start to finish, western fans will enjoy these outstanding audio book productions of one of the
best pulp magazine fiction writers of his day -- L. Ron Hubbard! Highly recommended for both
personal and community library audio book collections, visit the Galaxy Press web site at
www.galaxypress.com for a complete listing of their print and audio book titles.
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
www.hachetteaudio.com
Two fine audio books are powerful recommendations for any audio book collection and bring to
life their written counterparts by adding exceptionally vivid readers to the mis. Rod Dreher's
THE LITTLE WAY OF RUTHIE LEMING: A SOUTHERN GIRL, A SMALL TOWN, AND
THE SECRET OF A GOOD LIFE (9781619696273, $29.98) is narrated by the author, whose
fine evocative voice brings to life his story of a little sister diagnosed at age forty with a virulent
form of cancer. The small town the author had left behind rallied around her - and on his visits to
her, he reconnected with the community - which raised some, $43,000 to help pay medical bills.
This is as much an account of that community as it is about Ruthie's life and death, an event
which prompted to author to leave the city to move back to his hometown. A powerful testimony
to community togetherness evolves. Jeff Haynes presents PETE SEEGER: THE STORM KING
(9781619698307, $19.98) in a fine presentation of music celebrating Seeger's music. Dar
Williams, Samite and others blends Seeger's storytelling with a range of musical styles in a
remarkable collection that runs the gamut from classical to American folk, new age, and even
international influences. The result is a fine blending of music and spoken story, highly
recommended for any Seeger enthusiast. David Baldacci's TOTAL CONTROL (9781619696235,
$29.98) receives a fine reading by Jonathan Marosz, whose evocative voice brings to life the saga
of Sidney, who has a fine family and a job she loves - until a plane crash changes everything. Her
husband has secretly entered a deadly world and his disappearance leaves Sidney with a wealth
of lies and deceptions she feels compelled to track. Aided by an FBI agent, she will become part
of a violent series of encounters that will leave a trail of bodies and mysteries in its wake in this
engrossing thriller, which comes to life in audio. David Baldacci's THE HIT (9781619695211,
$39.98) receives an outstanding dual narration by actress Orlagh Cassidy and author/actor Ron
McLarty, who also has had many appearances on Broadway and in film, and tells of one Will
Robie, a skilled assassin for the U.S. government. Now fellow assassin and equal Reel has gone
rogue - and it's up to Robie to capture her. Add a touch of attraction into the mix and you have a
complex story of intrigue: a cat-and-mouse chase that hides a larger, more dangerous attack that
could affect the world. Splendid intrigue comes to life in this audio, recommended for any
collection strong in novels.
Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887
Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com
Joel C. Rosenberg's DAMASCUS COUNTDOWN (9781423379492, $36.99) features a fine
performance by Christopher Lane and is a powerful international espionage thriller perfect for
any library strong in audio thrillers. Here Israel successfully launches a first strike on Iran, taking
out all their nuclear capabilities, involving the world in hostile interactions that could provoke
another world war. Meanwhile CIA operative David Shirazi has infiltrated the Iranian regime to
discover two nuclear warheads have survived, and threaten Israel. Can his team find them before
genocide erupts? A powerful saga, this keeps listeners engaged to the end. Penn Jillette's EVERY
DAY IS AN ATHEIST HOLIDAY! (9781469276861, $29.99) comes from one half of the music
duo Penn and Teller, and offers witty essays for believers and nonbelievers alike. His reflections
on holiday traditions, the possibility of life after death, and much more blend humor and insight
with a sense of fun as it observes everyday life and beliefs, and comments on ironies and
incongruities. Any audio listening library will find this a fun acquisition!
Highbridge Audio Books
201 Sixth Street SE, Suite 220
Minneapolis, MN 55414
www.highbridgeaudio.com
NPR's THE WAIT ALBUM: MORE OF THE BEST (9781611748628, $22.95) offers a
compendium of shows from the public radio news quiz Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, and is a fun
listen for any who enjoy the show. It selects some of the show's most entertaining guests, from
Cal Ripken Jr. to Jane Goodall and Vince Gill, and features the quiz involving a celebrity guest
who must answer questions on a topic totally outside their area of expertise. The result is
refreshing, fun, and a lively listen. Christa Parravani's HER (9781622311743, $34.95) provides a
powerful memoir telling of the author and her identical twin Cara, raised in poverty by a single
mother. They were gifted siblings who won scholarships to a prestigious college and married
early - but when Cara became a victim of brutality, she became addicted to drugs and died. This
is Christa's account of how she faced these same demons, resisted the urges to follow in her
sister's footsteps, and ultimately became her own person. It's a powerful memoir that comes to
life in audio and deserves to be in any audio library.
Keep It Pithy
Bill O'Reilly
Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780804128971, $25.00, www.randomhouseaudio.com
KEEP IT PITHY: USEFUL OBSERVATIONS IN A TOUGH WORLD is narrated by the author
and Dan Woren and provides a powerful unabridged production gathering the best of O'Reilly's
writings. Each chapter represents a core theme as it gathers these thoughts, culling the best from
his books and considering how his opinions have been verified as correct over the years. Any fan
of The O'Reilly Factor and Bill O'Reilly's thoughts and reflections will find his audio powerful,
backed by the voice of Dan Woren, an actor and voice-over artist.
The Library CD Shelf
George Shearing at Home
George Shearing & Don Thompson
Jazzknight Records
c/o Distribution 13
PO Box 52345
Irvine, CA 92619
$15.98 distribution13.com
George Shearing at Home is a treasure almost lost - the tapes by renowned jazz pianist George
Shearing (1919-2011) and bassist Don Thompson were originally created in 1983, just for fun
and the pleasure of making music, at Shearing's home. Thirty years later, Thompson found the
tapes hidden in a drawer, and resolved to share them with the world. Beautiful and timeless,
George Shearing at Home is a sparkling memento of the joy of music for music's sake. Highly
recommended! The tracks are "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" (4:36), "A Time For Love"
(2:49), "Ghoti" (5:51), "The Things We Did Last Summer" (3:02), "Laura" (4:48), "The Skye
Boat Song" (4:11), "Confirmation" (5:41), "The Girl Next Door" (2:50), "Can't We Be Friends?"
(2:22), "I Cover The Waterfront" (5:06), "Out Of Nowhere" (3:17), "That Old Devil Called
Love" (3:07), "SubconsciousLee" (5:10), and "Beautiful Love" (3:58).
In the Gallery
Jason Seed Stringtet
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
www.rockpaperscissors.biz
$TBA www.jasonseedmusic.com
Composer and guitarist Jason Seed Stringtet presents In the Gallery, who applies his knowledge
of jazz and chamber music to original, orchestral compositions that explore uncharted audio
territory. An instrumental masterpiece that eschews formality for freedom in its celebration of
stringed and acoustic instruments, In the Gallery alternately highlights solos and ensembles in its
creative approach. Highly recommended! The tracks are "Invocation", "Goulash Rag",
"Tangoesque" "Pictures of an Exhibitionist", "Ishtar", "Krakow", "Where the Corners Meet", "In
the Right Light", "Caterpillar Kif", "One in Five", and "In the Gallery".
Lineage
Dave Liebman and Michael Stephans
Whaling City Sound
1310 Tucker Road, No. Dartmouth, MA 02747
c/o Mixed Media
20 Lockmere Road, Cranston, RI 02910
www.mixedmediapromo.com
$14.99 www.whalingcitysound.com
Veteran jazz artist Dave Liebman and drummer Michael Stephans present Lineage, a
collaborative project to deconstruct and recreate some of the greatest and most beloved pop
classics. Each tune is re-imagined with new counterpoint arrangements, soulful saxophone, or
other insightful and intriguing new twists that reach out to pop and jazz fans alike. Highly
recommended! The tracks are "Mr. Sandman" (6:25), "Eleanor Rigby" (7:15), "Visions" (6:26),
"Tequila" (4:38), "I Only Have Eyes For You" (6:41), "Walk, Don't Run" (4:40), "Woodstock"
(6:05), "Wipe Out" (5:13), "Here, There and Everywhere" (3:28), and "Love Me Tender"
(4:17).
Ayo
The Garifuna Collective
Stonetree Records
c/o Cumbancha
413 Carpenter Road, Charlotte, VT 05445
www.cumbancha.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221
Austin, TX 78748
$TBA www.stonetreerecords.com
Ayo ("Goodbye" in the Garifuna language) is the first album that The Garifuna Collective has
released since the passing of beloved performer Andy Palacio. An original and worthy
celebration of the contemporary Garifuna music that Palacio loved, Ayo blends the rich cultural
legacy of musical traditions with modern technical panache, and the smooth harmony of a group's
unified vision. Several of the songs are direct tributes to Palacio, performed with the highest
respect and fondest memories. Ayo is a tresure for multicultural music collections. The tracks are
"Ayo" (2:35), "Galuma" (2:50), "Kame Bawara" (3:18), "Ubou" (3:40), "Mongulu" (3:18),
"Pomona" (3:05), "Beiba Nuwari" (2:48), "Gudemei" (4:22), "Dungua" (3:12), "Aganba" (3:46),
"Alagan" (3:12), and "Seremei Buguya" (4:12). Also highly recommended for fans of The
Garifuna Collective's extraordinary tropical rhythms is "Danny Michel with The Garifuna
Collective" ($TBA, www.dannymichel.com).
Walk A Mile In My Shoes
Barefoot Divas
Privately Published
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
www.barefootdivas.com.au
$TBA www.rockpaperscissors.biz
Walk A Mile In My Shoes is an original album by Barefoot Divas, a group of six bold women
who trace their ethnic and musical heritage to Australia's, New Zealand's, and Papua New
Guinea's indigenous peoples. Their collaborations draw upon the vibrance of assorted other
genres as well, from acoustic to jazz, R&B, soul, even a touch of Latin rhythm. Uplifting and
extraordinary, Walk A Mile In My Shoes is a choice pick for multicultural music shelves, and
also highly recommended for public library CD collections. The tracks are "Te Matipiko",
"Never Forget", "Fortuna", "This One Be Killa", "Lullaby", "Within These Walls", "Wahine
Whakairo", "Two Minds", "Without You", "Children of Romania", "Reconnect", "Do I Belong",
"Ngarraanga", and "Repeat Offender".
Affinity
Moya Brennan & Cormac De Barra
Beo Records
www.voicesandharps.com
Distribution 13
PO Box 52345
Irvine, CA 92619
$16.98 distribution13.com
The second album of Celtic music vocalist Moya Brennan (widely beloved for her performances
with Clannad) and master of the Irish harp Cormac De Barra, Affinity is a captivating experience.
Some of the songs have hauntingly beautiful lyrics sung in fluent Gaelic. The result is an
extraordinary and memorable listening experience, not to be missed. The tracks are "Intro"
(1:27), "Sailing" (4:11), "The Lass of Aughrim" (3:15), "Worlds Collide" (3:09), "I Feel You
Breathe" (4:43), "Cruiscin Lan" (3:31), "Captain O'Kane" (3:33), "Seoithin Seo" (3:51), "Stoirin
Rua" (2:55), "When the Morning Breaks" (4:00), "Ardaigh Cuan" (3:44), and "Suas Sios"
(4:46).
Stoic
Tha Tribe
Canyon Records Productions
3131 West Clarendon Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85017
$13.99 www.canyonrecords.com
Stoic: Pow Wow Songs Recorded Live in SoCal is an album by Tha Tribe, a Native American
performing group. Drumming and dancing figure prominently in this vibrant, energetic, and
positively charged listening experience. An open sharing of the pride, glory, and respect inherent
in Pow Wow traditional singing, Stoic is an excellent addition to Native American music
collections. The tracks are "Micayla's First Song" (2:01), "Victory Song" (2:01), "Fox Trail"
(2:22), "Skype Step J" (Side-Step, 3:11), "Apple Blossom" (1:50), "The Valley of Tha Sun"
(2:40), "Grand Entry" (4:12), "Pala Hoppin'" (Foot Slide, 2:12), "Intertribal (3:09)", "Budge
Boys" (2:52), "LaFramboise " (2:06), "Tha LaFleur Shuffle" (3:53), "Sioux Valley" (3:32),
"Celtic Tradition" (2:11), "Grand Entry" (3:18), and "The Slow Gamble" (2:47).
The Rhythm
Andy Snitzer
Native Language Music, Inc.
PO Box 52345
Irvine, CA 92619-2345
c/o Distribution 13
$16.98 distribution13.com
The first new studio recorded album by Andy Snitzer in two years, The Rhythm features groove
music as a refined art form. Including performances by saxophonist and co-producer David
Mann, guitarist Chuck Loeb, trumpeter Till Bronner, keyboardist Alain Mallet, bassists James
Genus and Tim Levebfre, and drummer Shawn Pelton, The Rhythm flows smooth and vibrant,
virtually a trance-inducing experience. An absolute must-have for connoisseurs of the genre! The
tracks are "Candy" (4:49), "Velvet" (4:26), "Devotion" (6:05), "Breaking" (4:42), "No Exit"
(5:20), "Siren's Serenade" (4:45), "Kinetic" (4:36), "Caso de Amor" (5:00), "And Again" (4:42),
"Above Us All" (5:10), "Realise" (1:19).
Baque do Brooklyn
Maracatu New York
Produced by Scott Kettner
http://scottkettner.com
Nation Beat Music
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221
Austin, TX 78748
$TBA www.maracatuny.com
Baque do Brooklyn is an original album showcasing Brazilian maracatu drumming with a New
York twist. Performed by Maracatu New York, Baque do Brooklyn is a celebration of percussion
artistry, and the exuberant dreams it can inspire in all of us. High-energy vocals, and band leader
Scott Kettner's unconventional time keeping enrich this cultural treasury, sure to energize and
enliven! The tracks are "Roda Baiana" (3:58), "Samba Le Le" (3:51), "Parada" (2:06), "Quem
Vem La" (4:05), "Baque de Brooklyn" (5:16), "Caboclo Big Chief" (3:57), "Over the Hills & Far
Away" (4:47), "Voo Doom" (2:58), "Four Bridges" (3:41), "Dia do Caboclo" (4:19), "Douglass
St Shuffle" (4:13), and "Bianco" (3:19).
Light of Aluna
Anima
Anima Sound Medicine
www.animasoundmedicine.co.uk
c/o The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
$TBA CD / $6.93 MP3 www.amazon.com
Light of Aluna: Sonic Transmissions from The Heart of the Divine Mother is a fantastically
beautiful album celebrating the treasures of peace and harmony, and the spiritual concept of the
life-giving Great Mother. Electronic sound, acoustic instruments, sacred chants and wordless
singing form a tranquil, inspirational, and mind-expanding listening experience. Highly
recommended, especially for connoisseurs of new age music. The tracks are "The New Dream"
(12:47), "Ocean of Heart" (8:22), "Aluna" (8:59), "Ancient Future" (8:58), "Peace" (10:36),
"Inner Light Aluna Mix" (10:41), and "Divine Emanation" (11:53).
Blackbird
Fat Freddy's Drop
Privately Published
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
www.rockpaperscissors.biz
$13.99 CD / $8.91 MP3 www.amazon.com
New Zealand soul musicians Fat Freddy's Drop bring their electronic funk talents to the fore in
Blackbird, a new album featuring nine original tracks created in the band's own studio. Their
rhythmic creation has a wild tendency to embed itself in the listener's ear, mind, and heart. A
creative fusion of African-American music traditions and modern panache, Blackbird is vibrant,
passionate, and highly recommended. The tracks are "Blackbird", "Russia", "Clean the House",
"Silver and Gold", "Bones", "Soldier", "Never Moving", "Mother Mother", and "Bohannon".
Inelement
SoCorpo
Ears Wide Open Records
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
www.rockpaperscissors.biz
$TBA CD / $7.92 MP3 www.amazon.com
Inelement is a new studio album from SoCorpo, the duo of performers Sasha Bogdanowitsch
(voice, autoharp, bowed psaltry, mbira array & electronics) and Sabrina Lastman (voice & bowed
psaltery). An extraordinarily uplifting experience, Inelement encourages the imagination to
weave with its dulcet tones. The pieces draw their inspiration from the classic elements, in these
wondrous and enticing original collection. The tracks are "On The Root: Earth" (4:44),
"Luminar: Fire" (5:38), "Everywhere & Nowhere: Void" (7:10), "Kaleidophonia" (7:22),
"Always Changing: Water" (4:31), "Immensity: Air" (7:46), "Borealis" (4:52), and "Beyond
These Things: All Elements" (9:20).
The Library DVD Shelf
Extreme By Design
A film by Ralph King Jr. and Michael Schwarz
Hawkview Pictures
c/o Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
www.extremebydesignmovie.com
1937772535 $295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com
Extreme By Design is a DVD documentary following teams of Stanford University business,
engineering, and medical students on a mission. They all signed up for the Design for Extreme
Affordability course, a "hands-on" educational program that challenges enrollees to improve the
lives of the world's poor. Students fly across the world to Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Cambodia,
where they design projects such as an IV medicine infusion pump, a ventilator to help keep
babies with pneumonia alive, or a means to more effectively store drinking water collected
during the rainy season. The most difficult part? Since their efforts are meant to serve the poor,
the students must strive to invent the most inexpensive solutions possible! Best of all, if they
succeed, their ideas might turn into startups that put theory into practice, and make the world a
better place. A masterful testimony of the trials and travails of teamwork, as well as the personal
calling to serve the less fortunate, Extreme By Design in an inspirational film especially
recommended for public, high school, and college library DVD collections. 57 min., SDH
captions.
North & South
Starring Patrick Stewart
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598289640 $39.99 www.acornonline.com
Based on the classic Victorian love story by Elizabeth Gaskell, North & South is the debut U.S.
DVD release of the four-episode BBC drama originally broadcast in Great Britain in 1975. Set
during the Victorian era, when a changing world challenged rigid, class-based traditions, North &
South follows Margaret Hale (played by Rosalind Shanks), a resourceful young woman forced to
adapt from life in the slow-paced British South to the heavily industrialized and soot-laden north.
At first she is leery of the strict mill owner, John Thornton (Patrick Stewart), but her perspective
evolves in the wake of a worker's strike and family misfortune. At once both a powerful romance
and an eye-opening portrait of Britain during the Industrial Revolution, North & South is highly
recommended especially for fans of British drama - and of Patrick Stewart's legendary
performances! 4 episodes on 2 DVDs, 207 min., full screen, SDH subtitles.
Joanna Lumley's Nile
Athena Learning
c/o Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781621720638 $39.99 www.acornonline.com
"Absolutely Fabulous" star Joanna Lumley presents Joanna Lumley's Nile, a beautiful DVD
documentary of her journey along the historic, 4000-mile Nile River from mouth to source. Her
travels take her past the bustling hub of civilization that is Alexandria, to Rwandan forests,
Sudanese desert, and Ethiopian highlands. On the way, Joanna befriends ship captains, crocodile
hunters, nomads, Sudanese beauty queens, and more. A 16-page viewer's guide enhances this
armchair traveler's delight, enthusiastically recommended especially for public library DVD
collections. 4 episodes on 2 DVDs, 184 min., widescreen, SDH subtitles.
Detective De Luca: The Complete Series
Directed by Antonio Frazzi
MHz Networks
8101A Lee Highway
Falls Church, VA. 22042
$39.95 www.mhznetworks.org
Detective De Luca: The Complete Series collects all four episodes of an Italian detective show
set during the turbulent period from 1938 to 1948. Detective De Luca is a cop without political
allegiance; he solves crimes in the city of Bologna, regardless of whom his findings may
displease. Uncompromising in his principles, alluring to women, and possessed of consummate
skilled at his job, De Luca is a canny and unforgettable sleuth. In "An Unauthorized
Investigation", De Luca uncovers the cruelty behind the murder of a call girl on the beachfront
next to where Mussolini is vacationing; in "Carte Blanche" he tracks down the truth behind the
murder of a socialite bachelor, despite what the government "wants" him to find; in "Cloudy
Summer" he flees for his life from the Allies' wartime advance, and becomes enlisted to solve the
murder of a remote yet respected villager; and in "Via delle Oche" he discovers how drastically
his beloved Bologna has changed after the war, and must uncover a killer even if it means
investigating corruption among local politicians and the police hierarchy. Detective De Luca: The
Complete Series is a gem for fans of gritty historical detective stories, and highly recommended.
2 DVDs, 430 min., widescreen, Italian with English subtitles.
Ellen Barrett Live series
Seth D. Stein Productions
c/o Fit PR
195 Linden Ave.
Red Hook, NY 12571
$15.00 each www.ellenbarrett.com
Three new DVDs in the Ellen Barret Live fitness series are excellent workouts offering
maximum benefit in a minimum amount of time. "Sleek Sculpt Express" (30 min.) works out
multiple muscle areas at once, in a fashion choreographed to flow naturally and keep the whole
body active, possibly with the aid of inexpensive light hand weights. "Fusion Floor Workout" (46
min.) requires no equipment other than a simple mat, and applies techniques from pilates, yoga,
and dance to sculpt one's body without standing up! "Superfast Body Blast!" (30 min.) is an
exhilarating, barefoot cardio workout designed to be easy on the joints while providing a
vigorous workout fusing elements of Pilates, yoga, dance, and whole-body movement. All three
are excellent picks that will help people with busy schedules look and feel great!
Pilates for Runners with Laura Tarbell
Laura Tarbell
208 Entertainment Inc.
c/o 411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
www.411videoinfo.com
$15.00 www.TarbellPilates.com
Pilates for Runners with Laura Tarbell is an intermediate-level workout DVD offering a Pilates
program designed especially to help runners cultivate flexibility, balance, and body alignment,
with the goal of improving their overall running performance. No expensive equipment is
needed; a simple exercise mat is optional. Certified Pilates instructor Laura Tarbell guides the
viewer through Pilates exercises especially for runners, with emphases on building strength in the
diaphragm and core muscles while improving one's running posture and form. Enthusiastically
recommended especially for joggers everywhere, whether they are casually running a mile a day
or in training for a marathon! 56 min.
The Real Winning Edge
Diane Preston-Reilly
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49530
9780310889854, $26.99, www.zondervan.com
The Real Winning Edge provides an inspirational DVD on how teens can overcome abuse,
parental issues and more and provides a visual inspirational piece that discusses faith and wise
choices. Any involved in youth ministry will find this lends to optimistic solutions and
discussions, with episodes documenting teen successes and how their basic values development
lent to high achievement choices. A fine recommendation for any spiritual community looking
for videos documenting teen achievement.
Doctor Who: Series Seven, Part Two
BBC America
7475 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite #1100
Bethesda, MD 20814
No ISBN, $24.98, www.bbcamerica.com
Doctor Who: Series Seven, Part Two offers the second half of series seven telling of the Doctor's
search for Clara, an 'impossible girl' who keeps dying and re-appearing in another form. Here the
battle aliens, are trapped in a Russian sub with a monster, and face ghosts including the Crimson
Horror of Victorian England and a new army of upgraded, more powerful Cyberman. The
episodes are written by top science fiction artists while this DVD includes two episode prequels
in a pick for any Doctor Who collection.
The Genealogy Shelf
Generations Volume I
Dr. James M. Rose
Clearfield Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 260
Baltimore, MD 21211
9780806380544 $39.99 www.genealogical.com
Generations Volume I: Ex-Slaves with Virginia Origins is a DVD-ROM (a PC with a DVD drive
and Adobe Reader software 9.0 or later is required to view its PDF file contents) collecting the
information gathered about thousands of former African-American slaves from 1937-38, as part
of the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Project Administration. It is a treasure trove of both
genealogical data and primary historical testimonies, filled with information from census records,
death certificates, probate records, plantation records, pictures of plantations, biographical
information of slaveowners, pictures of ex-slaves, and personal accounts of daily life under
slavery. The first volume focuses primarily on ex-slaves with ties to Virginia (many of whom had
relocated to other states), and is enhanced with an article by and video commentary with one
ex-slave's descendants. Generations Volume I and all successive installments in the series are
highly recommended, especially for historical or genealogical archives.
The Railroading Shelf
An Australian Locomotive Guide
Peter Clark
Rosenberg Publishing
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, OR 97213
www.isbs.com
9781921719554, $34.95, www.amazon.com
Compiled and written by railroading enthusiast Peter Clark, "An Australian Locomotive Guide"
is a 368 page compendium describing in detail the diesel and electric locomotives employed on
the main line and export mineral railways in Australia, as well as the remaining steam
locomotives used on preserved lines and on the main lines. Superbly illustrated with a color
photograph of each locomotive, they are listed according to the type of diesel engine and
arranged to show the development of a particular type of locomotive, with entries progressing
from lower power to higher power units. This layout shows the similarity of types used on
different systems, particularly in the area of Australia's state government railways. The electric
locomotives are grouped by system in chronological order and steam locomotives are nicely
organized by wheel arrangement. Informed and informative, "An Australian Locomotive Guide"
is an especially recommended addition to academic, community, and personal Railroading
Studies reference collections.
Garden Railway Basics
Kevin Strong
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53186
9780890248355, $19.95, www.kalmbach.com
GARDEN RAILWAY BASICS: FROM CONCEPT TO CONSTRUCTION TO UPKEEP
provides model railway fans with everything needed to plan and build a successful garden rail
model. Ten years of advice from Garden Railways columnist Kevin Strong contributes to a
handbook filled with everything needed to get started in garden railway construction, offering a
foundation of knowledge that will appeal to novices and experienced hobbyists alike. Color
photos and clear descriptions make this a solid reference.
The Science Shelf
The Science of Miracles: Investigating the Incredible
Joe Nickell
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616147419, $18.00, www.prometheusbooks.com
The Science of Miracles: Investigating the Incredible uses the author's forty-plus years of
experience in tracking down mysteries to reveal on-site examinations, lab experiments and other
investigations into claims of miracles around the world. From miraculous images and relics to
miracle healing experiences and visionary observations, chapters apply scientific investigation
and principles of proof to miracle claims, blending a paranormal investigator's approach to
spiritual experience. The result is a lively analysis that spirituality and science holdings alike
should find engrossing and revealing.
Self-Observation in the Social Sciences
Joshua W. Clegg, Editor
Transaction Publishers
10 Corporate Place South, Piscataway, NJ 08854
9781412849494, $49.95, www.transactionpub.com
Self-Observation in the Social Sciences brings together papers offering solutions to basic
questions in psychology and social interaction, making this a pick for any college-level collection
strong in either discipline. History, theory, and the roots of techniques of self-observation and
applied psychology provide an analysis of the dichotomy between objective and subjective
techniques, exploring the foundations of psychological thought and its applications. The result is
a scholarly reference which any college-level student of psychology and applied social science
concepts will find involving.
Supersymmetry and Beyond
Gordon Kane
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780465080465, $16.99, www.basicbooks.com
Supersymmetry and Beyond: From the Higgs Boson to the New Physics explains high-level
particle and experimental physics to lay readers and is a top recommendation for any
general-interest science reader. It covers the basics of the Standard Model and its fundamental
science, introduces the theory of supersymmetry, and offers in-depth yet accessible reviews of
modern physics discoveries and theories. This reprint has been fully revised and updated to
provide a lively discussion for any interested in physics theory, but who lack a scientific
background.
The Psychology Shelf
Brainwashed
Sally Satel and Scott O. Lilienfeld
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780465018772, $26.99, www.basicbooks.com
BRAINWASHED: THE SEDUCTIVE APPEAL OF MINDLESS NEUROSCIENCE comes
from a psychiatrist and a psychologist who reveal how many of the real-world applications of
neuroscience gloss over its limitations, serving to confuse the purposes and sources of behavior
and identity management. The field of neuroscience has expanded to include technologies which
have provided many groundbreaking insights into how the human brain works - but have they
really answered the basic mysteries remaining in psychology itself? This provides an important
survey of brain imaging advancements and the pros and cons of applying physical to
psychological science.
The Interior Design Shelf
Designers Abroad
Michele Keith
Monacelli Press
236 West 27th Street, 4th floor
New York, NY, 10001-5906
9781580933513, $50.00, www.monacellipress.com
DESIGNERS ABROAD: INSIDE THE VACATION HOMES OF TOP DECORATORS
features over twenty vacation homes and over 200 color photos of them, offering a range of
interior design insights on themes that range from a Paris studio to a house atop a cliff in Nova
Scotia. Different environments require different interior and exterior designs: this collection of
top designer answers to design challenges offers unique projects that are accompanied by
in-depth discussions of how the design was created and carried out. Any who would apply the
vacation home theme to unique structures will find this a winning discussion perfect for any
interior design or architecture collection, loaded with full color photos throughout and plenty of
detail on design.
The Art Shelf
Emotional Impact
April Kingsley
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25
East Lansing, MI 48823-5245
www.msupress.msu.edu
9781611860849, $29.95, www.amazon.com
Works of art can evoke profound and diverse emotional responses within those who view them.
"Emotional Impact: American Figurative Expressionism" by April Kingsley (Emeritus Curator,
Kresge Art Museum, Michigan State University), is a 154 page descriptive exploration and
commentary on the American Figurative Expressionism movement. Nicely enhanced with the
inclusion of color photos of selected artworks, an informative introduction and afterword,
selected notes on the featured artists, and a handy index, "Emotional Impact: American
Figurative Expressionism" is a seminal work of impressive scholarship and a highly
recommended addition to academic library American Art History reference collections and
supplemental reading lists.
Rodin & Eros
Pascal Bonafoux
Thames & Hudson
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500239001, $34.95, www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
August Rodin's sculptures and artworks depicted sexuality and erotic desire in a range of ways,
and this chronological survey Rodin & Eros offers a powerful journey through the artist's
personal life and influences guiding his perspective and focus. From his relationships with
women to his friendships with fellow artists and the social controversies surrounding his
sculptures, this becomes much more than another collection of Rodin pieces, providing a
powerful historical analysis of morality, social trends, and artistic influences key to
understanding his works. Any collection strong in sculpture history in general or Rodin's history
in particular will find this an excellent acquisition.
The Fashion Shelf
The Label Book of Clothing Culture
Thomas Rusche
Daab Media
Scheidtweilerstr. 69, 50933 Cologne, Germany
9783942597258, $95.00, www.daab-online.com
The Label Book of Clothing Culture surveys over 40 top labels within the clothing industry, and
is a top pick for any collection concerned with fashion design and industry history. It's a
coffee-table style book packed with history, fashion design insights, and company profiles, and
it's loaded with examples of fashion trends and evolving styles that will prove revealing and
perfect for any student of clothing culture. From craftsmanship to style trends, this covers all the
top features and attractions of the clothing industry in depth and detail, and is a 'must' for any
collection strong in fashion design.
Jewelry Projects from a Beading Insider
Cathy Jakicic
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871167026 $19.95 www.kalmbachbooks.com
"Bead Style" magazine editor Cathy Jakicic presents Jewelry Projects from a Beading Insider, a
plethora of affordable, expressive crafting projects. Packed with tips, skill-building workshops,
projects that apply a diversity of materials including gemstones/metals/crystals, and more,
Jewelry Projects from a Beading Insider is a solid, hands-on guide by a beading enthusiast, for
beading enthusiasts. The unique necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more make wonderful
handcrafted gifts!
Backcountry Makers
Betsy K. White
The University of Tennessee Press
293 Communications Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-0325
1572338768 $39.95 www.utpress.org
230 gorgeous color photographs illustrate Backcountry Makers: An Artisan History of Southwest
Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, a sweeping compilation of seventy-five notable craftspeople
of the region, from the pioneer days of the eighteenth century to the late twentieth century.
Potters, weavers, spinners, quilters, embroiderers, cabinetmakers, metalsmiths, clock-makers,
gunsmiths, and artists are profiled, along with their most notable creations. Drawing upon census
data and other historical documents, Backcountry Makers provides a wealth of eye-opening
context to the life stories and prominent contributions of each profiled individual. Notes, a
bibliography, and an index round out this beautiful, exceptional, and quintessentially American
artbook!
The Crafts Shelf
Easy Beading V. 9
Bead Style Magazine
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871167835, $29.95, www.kalmbachbooks.com
EASY BEADING appears in its ninth updated volume packing in hundreds of jewelry-making
ideas from Bead Style magazine, and is a pick for any collection strong in jewelry crafts. Some
80 illustrated projects represent the best picks of the 9th year of the publication and provides
stylish projects that use a range of materials, from gemstones and metal to chain and pearls.
Hundreds of step-by-step photos accompany easy instructions and compliment full-page photos
of completed projects and project lists. Very highly recommended for any collection appealing to
jewelry makers and crafters.
Crystal Play
Anna Elizabeth Draeger
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871164766, $21.95, www.kalmbachbooks.com
CRYSTAL PLAY: FUN & FABULOUS DESIGNS FOR STITCHED JEWELRY comes from a
jewelry designer who provides 25 new designs for bracelets, beaded beads, and different
accessories, offering a key to her own unique design process. Materials lists, step-by-step
illustrated directions, and ideas for color and design accompany color photos throughout in a fine
collection of stitching and jewelry projects for any crafter.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Kicking in the Wall
Barbara Abercrombie
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
9781608681563, $15.95, www.newworldlibrary.com
KICKING IN THE WALL: A YEAR OF WRITING EXERCISES, PROMPTS, AND QUOTES
TO HELP YOU BREAK THROUGH YOUR BLOCKS AND REACH YOUR WRITING
GOALS offers creative advice from a creative writing teacher and provides exercises to help
writers overcome blocks. It's a daily workout for any who would kick start their creativity,
offering exercises on everything from dreaming to childhood and changing. Each entry opens
with a quote from a writer, then one to three exercises based on the quote. Dozens of exercises
completed by the author's own students make for a fine compendium of inspiration perfect for
any aspiring writer.
Editor-Proof Your Writing
Don McNair
Quill Driver Books
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
9781610351782, $16.95, www.quilldriverbooks.com
Editor-Proof Your Writing: 21 Steps to the Clear Prose Publishers and Agents Crave provides a
foolproof method for identifying common misused, overused words and errors that lead
publishers and agents to reject manuscripts at the first page, and comes from a veteran editor who
shows how to change dull or error-laden copy to sparkling, fresh text. Over 40 years as a
professional editor and writing instructor lend expertise to these suggestions, which eliminates
the common approach of making the same mistakes over and over again. Most of the corrections
involve removing a few specific words. Any who would edit weak verb forms, redundancies, and
more will find this a solid, professional approach to editing one's own work for maximum
impact.
Scribblin' for a Livin'
Thomas J. Reigstad
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616145927, $19.00, www.prometheusbooks.com
Scribblin' for a Livin': Mark Twain's Pivotal Period in Buffalo provides an engaging portrait of
Twain at a point in his life when he lived in Buffalo, worked as an editor, and became committed
to full-time newspaper work. It considers his work environment and influences at the Buffalo
Morning Express, offering anecdotes about his colleagues and fun work habits and providing
original Twain stories and illustrations not previously reprinted. The result is a fine insight into
how Twain the writer evolved, filled with rare photos and a pick for Twain students and scholars
of American literature and writing as a whole.
The Science Writers' Handbook
The Writers of SciLance
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738216560, $17.50, www.dacapopress.com
The Science Writers' Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Pitch, Publish, and Prosper in
the Digital Age is edited by Thomas Hayden and Michelle Nijhuis and analyzes the challenges
facing science writers who pursue careers, and how to achieve success. From key skills needed
for quality science writing to maintaining a work-life balance in a home office setting and
supporting oneself on fluctuating freelance monies, this is packed with powerful strategies key to
success, and is a pick for any writing and publishing collection as well as many a science
holding.
Vivid and Continuous
John McNally
University of Iowa Press
119 West Park Road
Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
9781609381561, $19.95, www.uiowapress.org
VIVID & CONTINUOUS: ESSAYS AND EXERCISES FOR WRITING FICTION provides
college-level readers with a helpful key to becoming a writer, offering a supplement to beginning
courses in writing that focuses on lessons and exercises supporting a writer's efforts. Novels and
short stories are used as examples to support lessons that help would-be writers think more
deeply about their work. From building characters to using humor, this is packed with clear
pathways to success.
The Gardening Shelf
Heavenly Hydrangeas
Joan Harrison
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road
Atglen, PA 19310
9780764344190 $29.99 www.schifferbooks.com
Illustrated with over 250 strikingly beautiful color photographs, Heavenly Hydrangeas: A
Practical Guide for the Home Gardener lives up to its title as a comprehensive, easy-to-use
reference and resource for gardeners of all skill and experience levels. Chapters discuss how to
select hydrangeas by species, climate, size, sun/shade requirements, or traits; how to plant and
care for hydrangeas; how to grow hydrangeas in containers; how and when to prune hydrangeas,
how to preserve hydrangeas and create eye-catching dried flower displays; and much more. "You
can work to change hydrangea flower color from blue to pink or from pink to blue, but there's
nothing you can do to change a white hydrangea flower to either of these colors. White
hydrangeas are not subject to the same pH influences." Heavenly Hydrangeas makes an excellent
giftbook, whether for aspiring gardeners or browsers who enjoy simply paging through the
descriptive text and lavish images. Highly recommended!
The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1: Episodes 1-26
Darl Larsen
Taylor Trade Publishing
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200
Lanham, MD 20706
9781589797123 $24.95 www.rowman.com
Darl Larsen (Professor of Media Arts, Brigham Young University) presents Monty Python's
Flying Circus Volume 1: Episodes 1-26, an unauthorized but exactingly thorough and in-depth
guide to the famous British comedy series "Monty Python's Flying Circus". The wildly successful
show, which developed a devoted cult following outside of the United Kingdom, lasted for 45
episodes. This gigantic first volume covers the first 26 episodes; the forthcoming second volume
is slated to cover episodes 27-45. Featuring a unique format in which the section for each episode
has all its entries catalogued alphabetically, Monty Python's Flying Circus discusses everything
from literary and metaphoric allusions and symbolisms, to the names of people and places, social
and cultural in-jokes, historical elements, and much more. A bibliography and exhaustive index
round out this definitive reference for fans and pop culture students of the show!
The Woodworking Shelf
In the Greene & Greene Style
Darrell Peart
Linden Publishing
2006 South Mary
Fresno, CA 93721-9875
9781610351805 $24.95 www.woodworkerslibrary.com
In the Greene & Greene Style: Projects and Details for the Woodworker is a guide for
intermediate to advanced woodworkers to crafting projects with elegance befitting the lauded and
unique style of Charles & Henry Greene's furniture designs. Step-by-step instructions and
full-color photography on virtually every page walk the reader through how to add such Greene
& Greene details as ebony splines, block dowel pulls, waterfall legs, and more. A number of
sample projects that demonstrate the techniques round out this superb guide for the woodworking
artist seeking to hone their command of the craft.
The Buddhist Studies Shelf
An Illustrated Outline of Buddhism
William Stoddart
World Wisdom
1501 East Hillside Drive
Bloomington, IN 47401
www.worldwisdom.com
9781936597260, $18.95, 160 pp., www.amazon.com
Buddhism is a religion indigenous to the Indian subcontinent that encompasses a variety of
traditions, beliefs and practices largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, who
is commonly known as the Buddha, meaning "the awakened one". The Buddha lived and taught
in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE.
He is recognized by Buddhists as an awakened or enlightened teacher who shared his insights to
help sentient beings end their suffering (dukkha) through the elimination of ignorance (avidya)
by way of understanding and the seeing of dependent origination (pratityasamutpada) and the
elimination of craving (ta ha), and thus the attainment of the cessation of all suffering, known as
the sublime state of nirvana. "An Illustrated Outline of Buddhism: The Essentials of Buddhist
Spirituality" by William Stoddart is an informed and informative history and introduction to a
world religion with more than a billion followers and divided into numerous sects. Beautifully
illustrated with eighty full color photographs, and enhanced with a number of maps, diagrams
and charts, this compendium of expert commentary on Buddhism's essential features is an ideal
introduction and is highly recommended for personal, academic, and community library Buddhist
Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
The Money/Finance Shelf
Think Like An Option Trader
Michael Benklifa
FT Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.ftpress.com
9780133065305, $44.99, www.amazon.com
In finance, an option is a contract which gives the owner the right, but not the obligation, to buy
or sell an underlying asset or instrument at a specified strike price on or before a specified date.
The seller incurs a corresponding obligation to fulfill the transaction, that is to sell or buy, if the
long holder elects to "exercise" the option prior to expiration. The buyer pays a premium to the
seller for this right. An option which conveys the right to buy something at a specific price is
called a call; an option which conveys the right to sell something at a specific price is called a
put. Both are commonly traded, though in basic finance for clarity the call option is more
frequently discussed, as it moves in the same direction as the underlying asset, rather than
opposite, as does the put. In "Think Like an Option Trader: How to Profit by Moving from
Stocks to Options", Michael Benklifa draws upon his many years of experience and expertise as a
professional options trader to provide a 208 page instruction manual on every aspect of option
trading, including what makes for a successful options trader, pricing options, building an
options portfolio, 'situational trading', and risk management. Of special note is the appendix:
Quantum Physics and Trading - The Price Uncertainty Principle. Informed, informative, and
thoroughly 'user friendly', "Think Like an Option Trader: How to Profit by Moving from Stocks
to Options" is a highly recommended addition to community and academic library
Money/Finance reference collections. Also available in a Kindle edition ($24.74), "Think Like
An Option Trader" should be considered mandatory reading for anyone contemplating investing
or trading in the options market.
The Jobs/Careers Shelf
How to Write Better Resumes and Cover Letters, third edition
Patricia K. Criscito, CPRW
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY 11788
9781438001470 $16.99 www.barronseduc.com
Now in an updated third edition, How to Write Better Resumes and Cover Letters is a
no-nonsense, twelve-step approach to crafting a polished, professional resume. Author and career
advisor Patricia K. Criscito teaches the reader the basics of using word processing software to
give one's resume panache; how to organize one's career information; how to make a resume
easy-to-read and Internet-friendly; the value of using "power verbs"; and much more. "Without
the right keywords, your resume will float in cyberspace forever, waiting for a hiring manager to
find it... Remember, your keywords are the specific terminology used in your job that reflect your
experience and skills. For instance, 'operating room' and 'ICU' immediately classify the
experience of a nurse, but 'pediatric ICU' narrows it down even further." Accessible and
user-friendly, How to Write Better Resumes and Cover Letters is worthy of the highest
recommendation for everyone in today's chaotic and competitive job market.
The Advertising On-Ramp
Belle Frank
Paramount Market Publishing, Inc.
950 Danby Road, Suite 136
Ithaca, NY 14850
www.paramountbooks.com
9780985179519, $19.95, www.amazon.com
Being employed in advertising, whether with the blockbuster firms on New York's famed
Madison Avenue or the independent shops found in every major market in the country, is a tough
and competitive business. This is especially true for those who haven't yet landed their own
accounts. That's why advertising expert Belle Frank has drawn upon her many years of
experience and expertise to write "The Advertising On-Ramp: Getting Your First Job in
Advertising", a compact, pocket-sized, 120 page compendium packed from cover to cover with
solid, practical, instruction manual and guide on everything from crafting a resume, to handling
an interview, to succeeding in your first advertising job. Combing humor with pragmatic
commentary, "The Advertising On-Ramp: Getting Your First Job in Advertising" is as 'user
friendly' as it is 'real world' useful and should be considered mandatory reading for anyone
seeking to become established in a marketing career.
The Economic Studies Shelf
Geographies of the Super-Rich
Iain Hay, editor
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court
Northampton, MA 01060-3815
9780857935687 $120.00 www.e-elgar.com
Geographies of the Super-Rich is an anthology of twelve scholarly essays by various
international scholars, examining the rise of the super-rich - the minuscule percentage of the
world's population who control roughly two-thirds of the global GDP. Although the text is
academic, most contributors avoid an excess of higher mathematics or technical jargon in their
point-by-point analyses and insights. What are the geographical patterns of the super-rich, and
how do they shape economics and history in today's new Gilded Age? Individual essays include
"Overseeing the fortunes of the global super-rich: the nature of private wealth management in
London's financial district", "The homes of the super-rich: multiple residences, hyper-mobility
and decoupling of prime residential housing in global cities", "Making art history - wealthy
private collectors and contemporary visual art", "Islanders, immigrants and millionaires: the
dynamics of upper-class segregation in St Barts, French West Indies" and much more. "The very
wealthy can, in the right circumstances, shift the agenda of political discourse. In a political
system like the US where there are no real limits on campaign contributions and a very expensive
and constant cycle of campaigns, the very rich through bankrolling candidates and funding
campaigns have great political power in electing politicians and influencing the tenor of the
political debate. While voters exercise political choice the very rich wield political power."
Geographies of the Super-Rich is an absolute must-have for college library economic studies
shelves, and highly recommended for public library collections as well.
The Political Science Shelf
The System Of Liberty
George H. Smith
Cambridge University Press
32 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10013-2473
www.cambridge.org
9780521182096, $29.99, www.amazon.com
Classical liberalism is a political philosophy and ideology that emerged as a response to the
Industrial Revolution and urbanization in the 19th century in Europe and the United States. It
shares a number of beliefs with other belief systems belonging to liberalism, advocating civil
liberties and political freedom, limited government, rule of law, and belief in free market.
Classical liberalism is built on ideas that had already arisen by the end of the 18th century, such
as selected ideas of Adam Smith, John Locke, Jean-Baptiste Say, Thomas Malthus, and David
Ricardo, stressing the belief in free market and natural law, utilitarianism, and progress. Classical
liberals were more suspicious than conservatives of all but the most minimal government and,
adopting Thomas Hobbes's theory of government, they believed government had been created by
individuals to protect themselves from one another. In the past few decades of the 20th Century,
the political term 'liberalism' which was once promoted and lauded on the national scene has
become defamed and denounced. That's one reason why "The System of Liberty: Themes in the
History of Classical Liberalism" by George Hamilton Smith (American author, editor, educator,
speaker, independent scholar, and columnist for the Cato Institute), is a welcome historical
overview into the political philosophy known as 'classical liberalism'. Also available in a Kindle
edition ($16.46) and a hard cover format ($76.50), "The System Of Liberty is a highly
recommended addition to community and academic library Political Science reference
collections, and should be considered significant and critically important reading for collegiate
level political science students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in political
philosophy.
The Civil War Shelf
A Season of Slaughter
Chris Mackowski and Kristopher D. White
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
9781611211481 $12.95 www.savasbeatie.com
Part of the "Emerging Civil War Series", A Season of Slaughter: The Battle of Spotsylvania
Court House May 8-21, 1864 is an in-depth examination of how General Ulysses S. Grant's
determination transformed the course of a wilderness battle, and ultimately the outcome of the
American Civil War. Unlike his predecessors, the newly promoted Union commander had the
will to use the North's advantage of superior numbers, relentlessly pressing General Lee
regardless of setbacks. In this way, the battle of Spotsylvania became a brutal clash in the mud,
noted in history for its 22-hours of hand-to-hand combat during a torrential downpour at the
Bloody Angle. Readers of all background will appreciate the vivid reconstruction of the extended
and punishing battle, illustrated with black-and-white photographs and maps on virtually every
page. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library Civil War collections.
The Native American Studies Shelf
I Fought A Good Fight
Sherry Robinson
University of North Texas Press
PO Box 311336
Denton, TX 76203-1336
9781574415063 $32.95 www.unt.edu/untpress
I Fought A Good Fight: History of the Lipan Apaches is a thoroughly researched, scholarly
examination of the Lipan Apaches (one of multiple Apache groups) of the American Southwest,
from the earliest archaeological evidence to the diaspora that spread surviving Lipans amid a
variety of other ethnic groups across a wide geographical range. The Lipans were never a large
tribe to begin with; yet for three centuries, they made their mark though fearless fighting, guerilla
tactics, and savvy alliances. The held on to their freedom for generations after their most
stringent enemies (particularly the Comanches) were forced onto reservations, and they
ultimately never surrendered. I Fought A Good Fight is fascinating from cover to cover, and a
welcome addition to public and college library Native American studies shelves.
The Judicial Studies Shelf
Father, Son, and Constitution
Alexander Wohl
University Press of Kansas
2501 West 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66049
9780700619160 $39.95 www.kansaspress.ku.edu
Former Supreme Court Judicial Fellow and "San Francisco Chronicle" Supreme Court
correspondent Alexander Wohl presents Father, Son, and Constitution: How Justice Tom Clark
and Attorney General Ramsey Clark Shaped American Democracy, a revealing portrait of the
legal and judicial careers of father-and-son duo Thomas Campbell Clark (1899-1977) and
Ramsey Clark (b. 1927). The two may perhaps be best known for making history when Tom
Clark resigned his seat on the Supreme Court so as to avoid a conflict of interest when his son
Ramsey Clark was nominated for the post of attorney general. This dual career biography covers
Tom Clark's involvement in forcing the imprisonment and relocation of Japanese-Americans
during WW II; his conservative Cold War policies; and his progressive outlook upon civil rights;
Ramsey's enforcement of civil rights laws in the 1960s; his quest to expand protections of
individual rights; and his efforts as a private attorney to represent clients ranging from political
protestors to alleged war criminals. The legal decisions, actions, and careers of father and son are
framed in the context of their impact on American history, in this excellent, thought-provoking
analysis, highly recommended for public and college library judicial studies collections.
The Botany Shelf
A Celebration of Wattle
Maria Hitchcock
Rosenberg Publishing
International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, OR 97213
9781921719561 $29.95 www.isbs.com
Featuring a wealth of full-color photography throughout, A Celebration of Wattle: Australia's
National Floral Emblem is a revised and greatly expanded edition of the 1991 publication
"Wattle", an in-depth scrutiny of Australia's beloved flowering plant, from its natural history and
propagation to its cherished role in Australian culture. Chapters present a history of Australia's
Wattle Day, ideas for celebrating the holiday in schools and among community groups, and even
Wattle-themed songs and poetry. A Celebration of Wattle is a treasury for botany enthusiasts and
Australian patriots alike!
The Literary Studies Shelf
Fiction & Physicians
Stephen McWilliams
The Liffey Press Ltd.
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7
Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.dufoureditions.com
9781908308269 $29.95
Fiction & Physicians: Medicine through the Eyes of Writers is a scholarly examination of the
intersection between the worlds of literature and medicine. Divided into two parts, one about
doctors who write fiction and one surveying fictional literature written about doctors, Fiction &
Physicians re-examines classic and iconic works (including Sherlock Holmes mysteries,
"Frankenstein", "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", and many more) with a keen
eye, backed by thorough research in both medical and literary fields. Highly recommended,
especially for college library literary studies shelves.
The Poetry Shelf
Bones Will Crow
Ko Ko Thett & James Byrne, editors
Northern Illinois University Press
2280 Bethany Road, DeKalb, IL 60115
www.niupress.niu.edu
9780875806914, $18.95, www.amazon.com
Poetry and song have been the mainstays of oppressed peoples throughout recorded human
history. Nowhere has this been more salient an observation than with the Burmese people
throughout the 20th Century. Knowledgeably compiled, translated into English, and deftly edited
by the team of Ko Ko Thett and James Byrne, "Bones Will Crow: An Anthology of Burmese
Poetry" is a 172 page compilation that presents the poetry of men and women that have suffered
exile and imprisonment by the Burmese government. Each poem is presented in both the
Burmese language on one page and the English translation of that poem on the facing page. Each
poet is presented with their photograph and a succinct one-page biography. Of special note is the
amazing diversity of poetic styles and the universal themes expressing the human condition that
western readers can readily identify with. Unique and compelling, "Bones Will Crow" is highly
recommended for personal, academic, and community library poetry collections.
The Mythology Shelf
Among the Mermaids
Varla Ventura
Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
665 Third Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
9781578635450 $15.95 www.redwheelweiser.com
Thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds, Among the Mermaids: Facts, Myths, and
Enchantments from the Sirens of the Sea is an anthology of classic fantasy stories and folklore
vignettes about mermaids - female, half-fish sea-borne beauties alleged to lure sailors to their
doom. A handful of black-and-white drawings illustrate this delightful collection of myths and
trivia. Highly recommended, especially for fans of legends and fantasy as well as for public
library mythology collections.
The Library Science Shelf
Envisioning Future Academic Library Services
Sue McKnight, editor
Facet Publishing
7 Ridgmount Street
London, England, WC1E 7AE
www.facetpublishing.co.uk
9781856046916, $105.00, www.amazon.com
No where is technology making faster advances than in the information field -- and that
especially affects community, corporate, government, and academic library systems. Compiled
and deftly edited by Sue McKnight (Professor of Knowledge and Learning Management and
Resources, Nottingham Trent University, UK) is a 288 page compendium comprised of twelve
seminal articles by experts in the field of communications and information technology covering
such issues as e-learning and social networking; institutional knowledge and information
management strategies; supporting library patrons (especially students and academic staff) in
virtual learning space, as well as the library and on the web; acquiring, managing, and enhancing
accessible information that is outside the normal province of the traditional 'brick & board'
library; and new leadership paradigms for the digital age. Erudite, informed, informative,
"Envisioning Future Academic Library Services: Initiatives, Ideas and Challenges" is essential
reading for anyone and everyone in the field of library and information science and an absolutely
indispensable addition to professional and academic library "Library Science" reference
collections and supplemental reading lists.
The Environmental Studies Shelf
Environmental Anthropology Engaging Ecotopia
Joshua Lockyer and James R. Veteto, editors
Berghahn Books
20 Jay Street, Suite 512
Brooklyn, NY 11201
9780857458797 $110.00 www.berghahnbooks.com
Environmental Anthropology Engaging Ecotopia: Bioregionalism, Permaculture, and Ecovillages
is an anthology of scholarly essays by diverse and erudite authors, about the meeting point
between environmental studies, anthropology, and the will to make the world a better place.
How, specifically, can global communities move toward a sustainable "ecotopia", that is better
able to keep human beings fed and environments preserved? Essays focus on the topics of
bioregionalism (cultural and political views common to a given environmental area, which may
transcend national borders), permaculture (ecological engineering with the goal of creating
long-term, self-maintained agricultural systems based on natural ecosystems), and ecovillages
(international communities created with the goal of being socially, economically, and
ecologically sustainable). For example, one essay is about the inherent problems besetting the
Ontario, Canada ecovillage named Whole Village: "Most people who came to Whole Village
interested in ecovillage living but who later decided not to join explained that their decision, in
part, came down to one of financial considerations. They felt they could not contribute to the
community in a sufficient manner while also trying to work a full-time job." Environmental
Anthropology Engaging Ecotopia is an absolutely invaluable contribution to discussions about a
very real and ongoing problem - how to effectively promote long-term sustainability amid an
increasing global population (over 7 billion as of this writing). Highly recommended.
The Language Studies Shelf
Latin For The New Millennium: Latin 3
Helena Dettmer & LeaAnn A. Osburn, editors
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers
1570 Baskin Road, Mundelein, IL 60060
9780865167971, $14.00, www.bolchazy.com
Collaboratively compiled and deftly edited by Latin scholars Helena Dettmer and LeaAnn A.
Osburn, "Latin For The New Millennium: Latin 3 - Select Latin Enrichment Readings is a 160
page compendium of supplemental readings drawn from the works of Roman authors ranging
from Caesar, Catullus, and Cicero, to Horace, Ovid, and Vergil. Also included are readings
drawn from baroque-era poets Lieven De Meyere and Mathias Casimir Sarbiewski. Enhanced
with 'same page' notes, vocabulary aids, appendices on meter and rhetorical terms, as well as an
extensive Latin to English glossary, "Latin For The New Millennium: Latin 3" is a strongly
recommended curriculum supplement for Latin language studies programs.
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
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