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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
The Mind and the Moon
Daniel Bergner
Ecco
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
www.eccobooks.com
9780063004894, $28.99, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Moon-Brothers-Science-Psyches/dp/0063004895
Synopsis: In the early 1960s, President John F. Kennedy declared that science would take us to the moon. He also declared
that science would make the "remote reaches of the mind accessible" and cure psychiatric illness with breakthrough
medications. We were walking on the moon within the decade. But today, psychiatric cures continue to elude us -- as does
the mind itself. Why is it that we still don't understand how the mind works? What is the difference between the mind and
the brain? And given all that we still don't know, how can we make insightful, transformative choices about our psychiatric
conditions?
When Daniel Bergner's younger brother was diagnosed as bipolar and put on a locked ward in the 1980s, psychiatry seemed
to have achieved what JFK promised: a revolution of chemical solutions to treat mental illness. Yet as Bergner's brother was
deemed a dire risk for suicide and he and his family were told his disorder would be lifelong, he found himself taking heavy
doses of medications with devastating side effects.
Now with the publication of "The Mind and the Moon: My Brother's Story, the Science of Our Brains, and the Search for
Our Psyches", Bergner recounts his brother's journey alongside the gripping, illuminating stories of Caroline, who is beset
by the hallucinations of psychosis, and David, who is overtaken by depression. Bergner also examines the evolution of how
we treat our psyches. He reveals how the pharmaceutical industry has perpetuated our biological view of the mind and our
drug-based assumptions about treatment -- despite the shocking price paid by many patients and the problematic evidence of
drug efficacy. Then he takes us into the pioneering labs of today's preeminent neuroscientists, sharing their remarkably
candid reflections and fascinating new theories of treatment.
"The Mind and the Moon" raises profound questions about how we understand ourselves and the essential human divide
between our brains and our minds -- and offers a thought-provoking reframings, delving into the science and spirit of our
psyches. It is about vulnerability and personal dignity, the terrifying choices confronted by families and patients, and the
prospect of alternatives.
In "The Mind and the Moon", Bergner beautifully explores how to seek a deeper engagement with ourselves and one
another -- and how to find a better path toward caring for our minds.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, impressively informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "The Mind and the
Moon: My Brother's Story, the Science of Our Brains, and the Search for Our Psyches" will be of immense value to both
health care professionals and non-specialist general readers with an interest in Medical & Psychology Psychopharmacology,
and Alternative Medicine. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation "The Mind and the Moon" is
unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Psychology, Psychiatry,
and Mental Health collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Mind and the Moon" is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (9798200970797, $41.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Daniel Bergner is a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine and the author of several books of
nonfiction, including The Other Side of Desire; In the Land of Magic Soldiers: A Story of White and Black in West Africa,
and God of the Rodeo: The Quest for Redemption in Louisiana's Angola Prison.
A Portrait of Walt Disney World
Kevin Kern, et al.
Disney Editions
c/o Disney Book Group
https://books.disney.com
9781368052849, $60.00, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Portrait-Walt-Disney-World-Editions/dp/1368052843
Synopsis: Walt Disney's vision for the "Florida Project" begins with creation of Disneyland in California and the 1964-1965
New York World's Fair. After an imaginative and expansive design, a unique land acquisition process, and an innovative
construction period, Walt Disney World in Florida celebrated its opening in 1971. It featured a theme park dubbed the
Magic Kingdom and three exquisitely themed resorts: Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Polynesian Village, and
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
As Walt Disney World consistently grew and evolved through the five decades that followed, certain themes keep
reverberating: there's an appreciation for nostalgia, a joy in fantasy, a hunger for discovery, and an unending hope for a
better tomorrow. Inspirational and memorable theme parks, water parks, sports arenas, recreational water sports options,
world-class golf courses, vast shopping villages, and a transportation network unlike any other in the world resulted in fun
and familiar characters, traditions, spectacles, merchandise, and so much more. The resort has come to represent the pulse of
American leisure and has served as a backdrop for life's milestones both big and small, public and private.
With the anniversary celebrating publication of "A Portrait of Walt Disney World: 50 Years of The Most Magical Place on
Earth" a veritable treasure trove of Disney's dream made real is available for the informed delight of pop culture enthusiasts,
students of hospitality, artists, art collectors, and, most of all, dedicated Disney fans. This coffee table style volume (9.75 x
1.3 x 13.15 inches) is a profusely illustrated, history packed, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, family,
and community library Theme Park, Travel Guide, and Disney World Memorial collections.
Editorial Note: Kevin M. Kern began his career with the Walt Disney Archives in 2011. As the group's manager of research,
he works predominantly with historical documents and artwork, and helps to facilitate company legacy and outreach
projects, including oral histories and the development and installation of museum exhibitions. He's hosted special event
programming for many business units across The Walt Disney Company and has had his writing featured in numerous
publications.
A Dog Lover's Guide to Hiking Wisconsin's State Parks
Danielle St. Louis
University of Wisconsin Press
728 State Street, Suite 443, Madison, WI 53706-1418
www.uwpress.wisc.edu
9780299336646, $19.95, PB, 432pp
https://www.amazon.com/Lovers-Guide-Hiking-Wisconsins-State/dp/0299336646
Synopsis: Danielle St. Louis and her energetic Labrador-border collie rescue dog, Lucky, have hiked every Wisconsin state
park together. While doing so, they enjoyed the state's rich natural beauty and the challenges that can come from hiking with
a canine companion. St. Louis documents it all in this fun and thorough guide.
With the publication of "A Dog Lover's Guide to Hiking Wisconsin's State Parks", Danielle divides Wisconsin into five
regions and further details specific trails, graded for dog reactivity as well as the fitness level of human and canine alike.
She also helpfully notes the availability of nearby facilities such as bathrooms, water stations, trashcans, designated dog
swimming areas, and veterinarians.
Critique: Simply stated, if you have a canine companion of your own, and live in the state of Wisconsin, then you need to
have your very own copy of "A Dog Lover's Guide to Hiking Wisconsin's State Parks". Thoroughly 'user friendly' in
organization and presentation, and enhanced with a listing of local and 24-Hour Veterinarians, this is a unique kind travel
guide planner for visiting every one of the Badger State's parks and is an unreservedly recommended addition to Wisconsin
community libraries. It should be noted for the personal use of any Wisconsin dog owner seeking to go enjoy nature with
their canine companion that "A Dog Lover's Guide to Hiking Wisconsin's State Parks" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $19.95).
Editorial Note: Danielle St. Louis is a hiker and dog lover from the Midwest. She runs the popular adventure dog blog and
Instagram account WI State Park Dogs, which features tips for hiking and favorite outdoor travels with Lucky the adventure
dog. She is a past winner of the Moth Story Slam and has received professional writing scholarships from Oklahoma State
University.
Lennon, the Mobster & the Lawyer
Jay Bergen
Devault Graves Books
https://www.lennonthemobsterandthelawyer.com
9781942531425, $28.95 paperback/$9.99 eBook
https://www.amazon.com/Lennon-Mobster-Lawyer-Untold-Story/dp/1942531427
Fans of the Beatles rock group may think they've read it all, given the plethora of books about the group and its individual
members; but they can't make this claim until they've read Lennon, the Mobster & the Lawyer: The Untold Story. Unlike
other biographies about the Beatles, this book will appeal to a wider audience than rock music history fans alone, probing
the issues of artists' rights, mob relationships, legal processes, and lawyer and judge operations with equal attention to
detail.
Attorney Jay Bergen was partner in a major New York legal firm when he was tapped to represent John Lennon in a battle
over the ownership and rights of his musical creations. The lawsuit revolved around an attempt by Roulette Records owner
and mobster-connected Morris Levy to circumvent and acquire Lennon's works by releasing an unauthorized version of the
same record Lennon had created, Rock 'n Roll. Levy had used rough mixes of John's unfinished Rock 'n' Roll recordings,
claiming that the former Beatle had verbally agreed to the arrangement. The resulting lawsuit and countersuit between Levy
and Lennon was about more than a single album's ownership. It would establish precedent for determining musician rights,
and occurred at a pivotal time in Lennon's life, as he was on the cusp of becoming a father and family man in the
1970s.
Many Beatles fans that have focused on their music will have missed this legal struggle, which operated largely behind the
scenes. This is yet another reason why Bergen's story is essential reading for any Beatles fan as well as musicians who want
to protect their creative rights. Bergen's in-depth survey moves between courtroom proceedings and his first-person accounts
of interactions with Lennon on not just professional, but personal levels. His chatty, accessible tone reflects a serious
relationship and struggle that captures the minutiae of back-and-forth court proceedings as well as Lennon's concern over
his case's impact on Yoko and his life.
Many insights into the business of music and its promotion are also provided as the case winds through court. Readers who
anticipated yet another Lennon biography should prepare for something satisfyingly different in this legal treatise. It's a far
wider-ranging survey than most Beatles examinations and offers a rare opportunity to not just see inside a judge and
lawyer's minds, but to examine the processes by which creative works and their ownership are established and protected. All
this melds with Bergen's personal observations of John and Yoko to add depth and lively interpersonal discourses to the
legal battle.
Anyone involved in the business of making, promoting, or protecting musical rights needs Lennon, the Mobster & the
Lawyer: The Untold Story as a study in perseverance and process. It's very highly recommended.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Infographic Guide to Creating Stories
Hank Quense
https://hankquense.org
Strange Worlds Publishing
9798985309713, $24.99, PB, 118pp
https://www.amazon.com/Infographic-Guide-Creating-Stories-Quense/dp/B09PP6NYDZ
Synopsis: Do you have a story struggling to come out? Do you know how to write it down? Or how to tell it? Writing a
story involves weaving many elements together to create a singular tale. If you're stumped on how to get started then giving
the "Infographic Guide to Creating Stories: Learn How to Write a Story" by the award-winning author Hank Quense is a
good way to begin.
In this basic 'how to' instructional guide and DIY manual, Quense tells you how to create your story. He believes that stories
come from the melding of three elements: getting ideas, story design and story-telling. Ideas have to come from the author.
"Infographic Guide to Creating Stories" concentrates on the last two.
"Infographic Guide to Creating Stories" concentrates on developing characters including such rarely discussed requirements
such as a dominant reader emotion and the character's biography.
Plots are also covered in depth and a number of graphics are included to illustrate complex points. Still section discusses
subplots and how to utilize them and how to nest them within the main plot. A separate chapter discusses the relationship
between the plot and the emotional arcs.
Other topics covered in "Infographic Guide to Creating Stories" include: character arcs, scene design, point-of-view, writing
voice and more.
Critique: A complete course of 'how to' instructions on the art and craft of writing stories other people would enjoy reading,
"Infographic Guide to Creating Stories: Learn How to Write a Story" is comprehensive and thoroughly 'user friendly' in
organization and presentation. Highly recommended to the attention of all aspiring writers, and while also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $8.99), "Infographic Guide to Creating Stories" is an especially useful and commended addition
to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Writing/Publishing collections and writer workshop
curriulums.
Editorial Note: Hank Quense has a blog at blog:http://hankquense.org. He can also be followed Twitter at
http://twitter.com/hanque99, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/StrangeWorldsOnline, and on the Writers and
Authors Resource Center https://hanque.gumroad.com
The Environmental Studies Shelf
Reckoning with the U.S. Role in Global Ocean Plastic Waste
Medicine National Academies of Sciences, Engineering
National Academies Press
500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
www.nap.edu
9780309458856, $35.00, PB, 268pp
https://www.amazon.com/Reckoning-Global-Plastic-Consensus-Report/dp/0309458854
Synopsis: An estimated 8 million metric tons (MMT) of plastic waste enters the world's ocean each year -- that's the
equivalent of dumping a garbage truck of plastic waste into the ocean every minute.
Plastic waste is now found in almost every marine habitat, from the ocean surface to deep sea sediments to the ocean's vast
mid-water region, as well as the Great Lakes. "Reckoning with the U.S. Role in Global Ocean Plastic Waste" is an official
report that responds to a request in the bipartisan Save Our Seas 2.0 Act for a scientific synthesis of the role of the United
States both in contributing to and responding to global ocean plastic waste.
The United States is a major producer of plastics and in 2016, generated more plastic waste by weight and per capita than
any other nation. Although the U.S. solid waste management system is advanced, it is not sufficient to deter leakage into the
environment. Reckoning with the U.S. Role in the Global Ocean Plastic Waste crisis calls for a national strategy by the end
of 2022 to reduce the nation's contribution to global ocean plastic waste at every step, from production to its entry into the
environment, and includes substantially reducing U.S. solid waste generation.
This timely and alarming report also recommends a nationally-coordinated and expanded monitoring system to track plastic
pollution in order to understand the scales and sources of U.S. plastic waste, set reduction and management priorities, and
measure progress.
Critique: A consensus derived, science based, marine environmental impact report, "Reckoning with the U.S. Role in Global
Ocean Plastic Waste" is a clarion call to action and urgently recommended reading for governmental policy makers, plastic
manufactures, and environmental activists, as well as community, college, and university library Environmental Waste
Management and Environmental Pollution Engineering collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
The Cookbook Shelf
The Food Matters Cookbook
James Colquhoun, author
Laurentine Ten Bosch, author
Hay House, Inc.
PO Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100
www.hayhouse.com
9781401967536, $34.99, HC, 368pp
https://www.amazon.com/Food-Matters-Cookbook-Gluten-Free-Transforming/dp/1401967531
Synopsis: Especially relevant for anyone seeking a more plant-based diet that is full of flavor and made of ingredients that
are natural and easy to find, who are struggling with bloating, digestive issues, fatigue, weight gain, or chronic illness, "The
Food Matters Cookbook: A Simple Gluten-Free Guide to Transforming Your Health One Meal at a Time" offers recipes
that free from gluten, dairy, and refined sugar can help to transform anyone's health one meal at a time.
A well-rounded cookbook by James Colquhoun and Laurentine ten Bosch, "The Food Matters Cookbook" shares the
principles behind their popular Food Matters documentary and lifestyle brand, helping you to achieve optimal health with
easy-to-make, delicious gluten-free recipes.
"The Food Matters Cookbook" reveals: The 10 key Food Matters nutrition principles; Ways to healthify your kitchen,
including essential ingredients and easy swaps; Delicious recipes for improved gut health, immunity, energy, and beauty;
Simple lifestyle tips to create healthy habits and morning rituals. Complete with full-color photos and easy-to-follow steps,
this one cookbook guaranteed to provide the tools and motivation needed to make a new healthy lifestyle -- and one that will
last a lifetime!
Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with mouth-watering, hunger inducing dishes that range from a
Berry-Rich Smoothie; Breakfast Tacos with Homemade Gluten-Free Wraps; Gluten-Free Pizza with Seasonal Roast Veg;
and Raspberry Chia Seed Jam; to No-Bake Choc-Caramel Peanut Bars; Caramelized Cauliflower & Leek Soup; Healthy
Mac 'N' Cheese with Hidden Veggies; and Rosemary & Sea Salt Cassava Crackers, "The Food Matters Cookbook: A
Simple Gluten-Free Guide to Transforming Your Health One Meal at a Time" is unabashedly recommended for personal,
family, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "The Food Matters Cookbook: A
Simple Gluten-Free Guide to Transforming Your Health One Meal at a Time" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: James Colquhoun & Laurentine ten Bosch are the filmmaking duo behind Food Matters, Hungry for Change,
and Transcendence seasons 1 and 2 and the founders of Food Matters and FMTV. Together they founded the Food Matters
community to help give people the tools (films, books, articles, and guided programs) to take charge of their own health.
The have a website at www.foodmatters.com
Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends 4 Seasons Cookbook
Wanda E. Brunstetter, author
Barbour Publishing
P.O. Box 719, 1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, OH 44683
www.barbourbooks.com
9781636092485, $16.99, Spiral Bound, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Wanda-Brunstetters-Friends-Seasons-Cookbook/dp/1636092489
Synopsis: "Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends 4 Seasons Cookbook" was compiled, organized and presented by Wanda
Brunstetter for the benefit of household cooks who want to provide their families with meals featuring fresh recipes for each
season of the year.
Organized by the winter, spring, summer, and fall seasons, there are a bounty of recipes for various ways to use up seasonal
fruits and vegetables. Sprinkled throughout with tips for growing and harvesting, too, this well-organized and beautifully
illustrated cookbook boasts contributions drawn from Amish and Mennonites from across the United States.
Critique: Very highly recommended for personal and community library cookbook collections, and published in a lay-flat
spiral binding with recipes that range from Coconut Peach Dessert; Green Tomato Relish; Chicken Dumplings; and Fruit
Parfait; to Peanut Butter Popcorn; BBQ Meatballs; Buttery Onion Soup; and Home Made Tater Tots, "Wanda E.
Brunstetter's Amish Friends 4 Seasons Cookbook" is a palate pleasing and appetite satisfying delight to plan menus with for
anyone who gardens, participates in a CSA, or enjoys farmers' markets.
Editorial Note: An award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has
written more than 100 books translated in four languages. Wanda has her own website at www.wandabrunstetter.com.
Pig Beach BBQ Cookbook
Matt Abdoo, author
Shane McBride, author
Mariner Books
www.marinerbooks.com
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
195 Broadway, New York, NY, 10007
www.harpercollins.com
9780358651888, $30.00, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Pig-Beach-BBQ-Cookbook-Grilled/dp/0358651883
Synopsis: Chefs Matt Abdoo and Shane McBride launched their professional careers preparing three-star Italian and French
haute cuisine, but in their spare time, what they really loved cooking (and eating) was barbecue. Eventually, they traded in
their Michelin star kitchens for a smoker and opened their dream restaurant: a laid-back eatery that pays homage to the
culinary traditions of American BBQ but isn't afraid to experiment with worldly influences.
Now, with the publication of their "Pig Beach BBQ Cookbook: Smoked, Grilled, Roasted, and Sauced", anyone can master
Matt and Shane's smoky meats and championship-winning sauces at home. With more than 50 mouth watering recipes, The
"Pig Beach BBQ Cookbook" includes everything from traditional favorites like buffalo wings and smoked beef brisket, to
such ground breaking new dishes as Mojo-Marinated St. Louis Ribs and Secret Spice Pecan Candied Bacon.
Essential reading for every aspiring at-home pitmaster, the "Pig Beach BBQ Cookbook" also offers a definitive barbecue
tour of the United States. By sharing tricks of the trade from experts in every region, the team of Matt Abdoo and Shane
McBridge explains once and for all how North Carolina 'cue differs from Texas 'cue, and teaches how to recreate those
distinct and delicious flavors no matter where the BBQ pitmaster might live.
Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated with full color photography throughout, and offering a wealth of tantalizing
recipes, "Pig Beach Bbq Cookbook: Smoked, Grilled, Roasted, and Sauced" is a truly impressive, informative, and inspiring
introduction to the culinary art and craft of barbeque in all of its welcome varieties. Throughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in
organization and presentation, and an inspirational delight for the purpose of menu planning, "Pig Beach Bbq Cookbook:
Smoked, Grilled, Roasted, and Sauced" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99) and must be considered
an essential and core addition to personal, professional, and community library cookbook collections.
Editorial Note #1: Matt Abdoo was the Chef de Cuisine of Del Posto and during his tenure the restaurant received a coveted
four-star review from the New York Times, and the Relais & Chateaux distinction. Prior to opening his own restaurants,
Matt first earned his BBQ chops during his time working on America's highly competitive barbecue circuit with team Salty
Rinse. The team received 2nd place medal for Whole Hog in 2015 and 1st Place for Best Sauce (Mustard) at the annual
Memphis in May World Championship. Today, Matt is a frequent guest chef on The Today Show and has appeared on
many national cooking shows as well as DirecTV's Fantasy Zone.
Editorial Note #2: Shane McBride is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and one of New York's most
accomplished chefs. He began his career in the city with esteemed chef Charlie Palmer at Aureole. He then went on to work
with Chef Christian Delouvier at the world-renowned Lespinasse. He subsequently partnered with Jean-Philippe Leloup to
open his own star-studded restaurant, Oceo. Shane went on to be the executive chef at Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak for many
years, followed by a long tenure as executive chef at the famed Soho brasserie, Balthazar. His passion for barbecue was
practiced as a hobby until he left the world of haute cuisine to focus entirely on operating and expanding the Pig Beach
empire.
The Mexican Chile Pepper Cookbook
Dave DeWitt, author
Jose C. Marmolejo, author
University of New Mexico Press
1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM 87131-0001
www.unmpress.com
9780826363510, $24.95, PB, 296pp
https://www.amazon.com/Mexican-Chile-Pepper-Cookbook-Cooking/dp/0826363512
Synopsis: "The Mexican Chile Pepper Cookbook: The Soul of Mexican Home Cooking" by the team of Mexican cuisine
experts Dave DeWitt and Jose C. Marmolejo is the first cookbook to explore the glories of Mexican regional cooking by
focusing on this single, but endlessly variable, ingredient. "The Mexican Chile Pepper Cookbook" is comprised of more
than 150 recipes that celebrate the role of chiles across appetizers, soups and stews, tacos, enchiladas, tamales, moles, and
vegetarian dishes.
Of special note is that comprehensive glossaries of Mexican chiles, cheeses, and food terminology are also included --
allowing chili enthusiasts to discover and savor the history, culture, and recipes of Mexican regional home cooking as
highlighted in a unique, full-color cookbook that fully explores the various chile peppers showcased in this beautifully
illustrated culinary collections.
Critique: Ideal for menu planning with an authentic Mexican cuisine based on an impressive variety of chilies, the recipes
are thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' in organization and presentation. Laid out in two major sections (The Plant; The
Recipes), "The Mexican Chile Pepper Cookbook: The Soul of Mexican Home Cooking" is further enhanced with the
inclusion of two Glossaries (Mexican Chilies; Mexican Cheeses), a Bibliography, and an Index. While also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $24.95), "The Mexican Chile Pepper Cookbook: The Soul of Mexican Home Cooking" is a
very special and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library Ethnic Cookbook
collections.
Editorial Note #1: Dave DeWitt is a food historian and one of the foremost authorities in the world on chile peppers, spices,
and spicy foods. He has published fifty-six books, including Chile Peppers: A Global History (UNM Press).
Editorial Note #2: Jose C. Marmolejo owned and operated Don Alfonso Foods, a specialty outfit of Mexican delicacies in
Austin, Texas. He assisted in a PBS TV series production on fiery foods and appeared with Andrew Zimmern on "Bizarre
Foods." A native of Mexico, he has lived in the United States and in France, where he widened his appreciation of Mexican
gastronomy.
Nana's Creole Italian Table
Elizabeth M. Williams
Louisiana State University Press
338 Johnston Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
https://lsupress.org
9780807177136, $29.34 (Amazon), HC, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/Nanas-Creole-Italian-Table-Sicilian/dp/080717713X
Synopsis: From meatball po'boys to Creole red gravy, the influence of Sicilian foodways permeates New Orleans, one of
America's greatest food cities. Comprised of recipes and stories drawn from the culinary culture of Sicilian New Orleans,
"Nana's Creole Italian Table" by Elizabeth M. Williams showcases those immigrants and their communities through the lens
of food, exploring the ways traditional Sicilian dishes such as pasta and olive salad became a part of (and were in turn
changed by) the existing food culture in New Orleans.
Sicilian immigrants (cookbook author Elizabeth Williams's family among them) came to New Orleans in droves in the late
nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, fleeing the instability of their own country and hoping to make a new home in
America. This cookbook compendium shares Williams's traditional family recipes, along with variations that reveal the
evolution and blending of Sicilian and Creole cuisines. Baked into every recipe is the history of Sicilian American culture as
it has changed over the centuries, allowing each new generation to incorporate its own foodways and ever-evolving
tastes.
Critique: Very highly recommended for personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections as it
Features recipes a wealth of dishes that range from a Creole Italian Seasoning Mix; Creole Sicilian Shakshuka (Eggs
Poached in Tomato sauce); Italian Sausage Maque Choux; to Benne Biscotti (Sesame-Seed Cookies); Lemon Pecan
Cornmeal Cake; and Bradied Kumquats, and are presented with a listing of the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and
serving size, "Nana's Creole Italian Table" is a distinct pleasure to plan authentic Italian-Creole themed menus with.
Editorial Note: Elizabeth M. Williams grew up eating in two great food traditions, those of New Orleans and Sicily.
Founder of the Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans, now part of the larger National Food and Beverage
Foundation, she has a weekly podcast, Tip of the Tongue, about food, drink, and culture. She is the author of many books
and articles about foodways in New Orleans and the South.
Dutch Oven Camp Cooking
Vernon Winterton
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton UT 84041
www.gibbs-smith.com
9781423661252, $17.99, HC, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Dutch-Oven-Cooking-Vernon-Winterton/dp/1423661257
Synopsis: Packed with 65 easy to make, palate pleasing, appetite satisfying recipes featuring sweet and savory breads,
breakfast, main dishes, sides, soups, sauces, and desserts, "Dutch Oven Camp Cooking" by Vernon Winterton will quickly
become a family favorite "go-to" when the everyone has worked up a cowboy-size appetite while camping and playing in
the outdoors.
Provided with clear instructions for using coals to bake each feature dish, the recipes range from Mountain Man Breakfast;
Bacon-Cheddar Breakfast Rolls; Sloppy Joes; and Dutch Oven Pizza; to Tortilla Soup; Cheesy Potatoes; and
Raspberry-Peach Pie.
Critique: Featuring a spring coil binding that allows "Dutch Oven Camp Cooking" to be laid out flat, this is a beautifully
illustrated and thoroughly 'camp cook friendly' culinary treasure for outdoor (and indoor!) dining. Deftly organized into
seven sections (Helpful Hints; Breakfast & Sweet Breads; Savory Breads & Rolls; Main Dishes; Side Dishes; Sauces, Soups
& Stews; Deserts), "Dutch Oven Camp Cooking" also has a very handy Index to assist in planning menus with. While also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99), "Dutch Oven Camp Cooking" is particularly recommended for personal,
professional, family, and community library cookbook collections.
Editorial Note: Vernon Winterton has been cooking in Dutch ovens for over forty years. He is one of the founding members
of the Greater Wasatch Dutch Oven Society and served two years as its assistant director. Vernon has competed in
numerous Dutch oven cook-offs over the years, qualifying three times to go to the world championships.
Quesadillas
Donna Kelly
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton UT 84041
www.gibbs-smith.com
9781423660392, $15.99, HC, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Quesadillas-new-Donna-Kelly/dp/1423660390
Synopsis: Simply put, the quesadilla is melted cheesy goodness sandwiched inside two crispy tortillas. But now these little
gooey snacks we all used to make as kids have evolved into savory meals and scrumptious desserts that are bursting with
flavor.
Featuring all new photography, "Quesadillas" by Donna Kelly showcase variations of these delicious favorites ranging from
Roasted Veggie and Goat Cheese, Thai Peanut, Parmesan Crusted Italian, and Chicken Caesar, to Philly Cheesesteak,
Peanut Butter Apple, Triple Chocolate Decadence, and Pecan-Crusted Pear.
Critique: Beautifully illustrated throughout, this new and expanded edition of "Quesadillas" byh Donna Kelly is a
thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' compendium of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying recipes that are an ideal source for
menu planning. In addition to the recipes themselves, there are sections devoted to Ingredient Tips, Cooking Techniques,
Salsas & Sauces, and Deserts. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99), "Quesadillas" will enrich any
personal, family, professional, or community library cookbook collection.
Editorial Note: A food fanatic and recipe developer, Donna Kelly is the author of several cookbooks including "French
Toast", "101 Things to Do with a Tortilla", and "101 Things to Do with An Instant Pot".
The Slimming Foodie in One
Pip Payne
Aster
c/o Octopus Books
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781783254996, $24.99, HC, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/Slimming-Foodie-One-one-dish-calories/dp/1783254998
Synopsis: "The Slimming Foodie in One" by Pip Payne is a new and impressive collection of 100 slimming recipes. These
dishes are as delicious and simple to prepare needed only one pot, pan or tray to prepare them. With recipes for dishes
ranging from all-in-one feasts to slow-cooked comforts, there is always something for the whole family to enjoy for any
dining occasion -- without fuss and with minimal washing up!
"The Slimming Foodie in One" is organized by the type of cooking hardware to be used. In a Pot (Pizza mac 'n' cheese,
Orange, honey & soy pot-roast chicken and Philly cheesesteak casserole); In a Pan (Black bean & mushroom dal, Pil-pil
prawn rice and Rich rigatoni with chorizo & onions); In a Tray (Harissa baked eggs, Salsa verde roasted cod and
Strike-a-balance chocolate cake); In a Slow Cooker (Pomegranate & sumac chicken, Lasagne and Peach cobbler). Of special
note are the sections "All in the Prep" and "Jazz It Up".
Critique: Beautifully illustrated throughout with full color photography, each dish is under 600 calories -- making it an ideal
resource for weight conscious family cooks to plan palate-pleasing, appetite satisfying, health maintaining menus. Enhanced
further with the inclusion of a two page Glossary, a two page Recipe List, and a four page Index, "The Slimming Foodie in
One" is highly recommended for personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections.
Editorial Note: Pip Payne is behind the award-winning blog The Slimming Foodie (https://www.theslimmingfoodie.com/).
Keeping a love of food at the fore, Pip's approach is about bringing back convenient home cooking by making healthy
recipes that are accessible to a new wave of home cooks. Creating great tasting meals that are cooked from scratch and cut
down on fat and sugar while following science-led nutrition advice. She can be followed on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/slimmingfoodie/; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_slimming_foodie/?hl=en; and
Twitter: https://twitter.com/slimmingfoodie?lang=en
The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Binge Times
Dade Hayes, author
Dawn Chmielewski, author
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9780062980007, $28.99, HC, 384pp
https://www.amazon.com/Binge-Times-Hollywoods-Furious-Billion-Dollar/dp/0062980009
Synopsis: After giving Netflix and the deep-pocketed Amazon Prime Video a full decade's head start, rivals from the tech
and start-up realm (Apple, Quibi) and traditional media (Disney, WarnerMedia, NBCUniversal) all decided to move
mountains to enter the streaming game. At a cost of billions, each went after their own piece of the market, launching five
new services in a seven-month span. And just as the derby was heating up, the corona virus pandemic arrived, a black-swan
event bringing short-term benefits but also stiff challenges.
The battle for streaming supremacy may end up having more than one winner, but the cost and disruption to decades-old
business models have also produced a lot of losers.
With the publication of "Binge Times: Inside Hollywood's Furious Billion-Dollar Battle to Take Down Netflix", the team of
Dade Hayes and Dawn Chmielewski reveal the true costs of the vision quest as companies are turned inside-out and
repeatedly redraw their organization charts and strategic plans. Stretching from Silicon Valley to Hollywood to Wall Street,
this is a mesmerizing, character-rich, true life tale of hubris and ambition, as the fate of a century-old entertainment industry
hangs in the balance.
Critique: A simply fascinating and informative read from cover to cover, "Binge Times: Inside Hollywood's Furious
Billion-Dollar Battle to Take Down Netflix" will have an immense appeal to anyone interested in how technology has
impacted the mass audience and entertainment market. Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of an informative four
page Epilogue, a four page listing of Acknowledgments, ten pages of Notes, and a twenty-two page Index, "Binge Times:
Inside Hollywood's Furious Billion-Dollar Battle to Take Down Netflix" is especially and unreservedly recommended for
community, college, and university library Media & Mass Communications collections and supplemental curriculum studies
lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the subject that "Binge Times: Inside Hollywood's Furious Billion-Dollar Battle to Take Down Netflix" is also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio,
9798200856916, $43.99, CD).
Editorial Note #1: Dade Hayes is the business editor at Deadline. Along with two previous books about entertainment, he
has written for the New York Times, Variety, and the podcast Business Wars.
Editorial Note #2: Dawn Chmielewski is an entertainment business correspondent for Reuters and was previously a reporter
for the Los Angeles Times, Recode, and Forbes.
John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars
Eve Golden
The University Press of Kentucky
663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40508-4008
www.kentuckypress.com
9780813196497, $24.95, PB, 378pp
https://www.amazon.com/John-Gilbert-Silent-Screen-Classics/dp/0813196493
Synopsis: Charming and classically handsome, John Gilbert (1897 - 1936) was among the world's most recognizable actors
during the silent era. He was a wild, swashbuckling figure on screen and off, and accounts of his life have focused on his
high-profile romances with Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich, his legendary conflicts with Louis B. Mayer, his four
tumultuous marriages, and his swift decline after the introduction of talkies.
A dramatic and interesting personality, Gilbert served as one of the primary inspirations for the character of George Valentin
in the Academy Award - winning movie The Artist (2011). Many myths have developed around the larger-than-life star in
the eighty years since his untimely death, but "John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars" is definitive biography that
sets the record straight.
With the publication of "John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars", biographer Eve Golden separates fact from fiction
as she traces the actor's life from his youth spent traveling with his mother in acting troupes to the peak of fame at MGM,
where he starred opposite Mae Murray, Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, and other actresses in popular films
such as The Merry Widow (1925), The Big Parade (1925), Flesh and the Devil (1926), and Love (1927). Golden debunks
some of the most pernicious rumors about the actor, including the oft-repeated myth that he had a high-pitched, squeaky
voice that ruined his career.
Meticulous, comprehensive, and generously illustrated, "John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars" provides a
behind-the-scenes look at one of the silent era's greatest stars and the glamorous yet brutal world in which he lived.
Critique: Originally published in 2013 and now released in a paperback edition as well as in a digital book format (Kindle,
$2.99), "John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars" is the definitive biography of one of the great male lead actors
during the silent era years of American cinema. Organized chronological into three major sections (The Climb; The Peak;
The Decline), "John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars" is additionally enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of
black/white photos, a thirty-two page Filmography, twenty-four pages of Notes, a four page Bibliography, and a fifteen page
Index. Comprehensive and exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film
Stars" is an important and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university
library Americn Theatre/Cinema History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.
Editorial Note: Eve Golden is the author of five other theater and film biographies, including Jayne Mansfield: The Girl
Couldn't Help It, Anna Held and the Birth of Ziegfeld's Broadway, and The Brief, Madcap Life of Kay Kendall.
The Education Shelf
Well-Being in Schools
Andy Hargreaves, author
Dennis Shirley, author
ASCD
1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
www.ascd.org
9781416630722, $32.95, PB, 188pp
https://www.amazon.com/Well-Being-Schools-Forces-Students-Volatile/dp/1416630724
Synopsis: Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, students' well-being was an increasingly prominent concern among
educators, as issues related to mental health, various global crises, and social media became impossible to ignore. But what,
exactly, is well-being? What does it look like, why is it so important, and what can school systems do to promote it? How
does it relate to student achievement and social and emotional learning?
With the publication of "Well-Being in Schools: Three Forces That Will Uplift Your Students in a Volatile World ",
academicians and education experts Professors Andy Hargreaves and Dennis Shirley answer these questions and more with
an in-depth exploration of the underlying ideas and research findings related to well-being, coupled with examples of
policies and implementations from around the globe. These two collaborative authors make the case for putting well-being
ahead of other priorities, such as scores on high-stakes assessments, and explain the three powerful forces that educators can
leverage to set up effective well-being policy and practice: prosperity for all, ethical technology use, and restorative
nature.
"Well-Being in Schools: Three Forces That Will Uplift Your Students in a Volatile World" offers hope in a time of
unprecedented challenges. Looking within and beyond the classroom, it charts a path toward a lofty but achievable goal:
improved well-being not only for students but also for society as a whole.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, insightfully informative, thoughtful and thought provoking, "Well-Being in Schools:
Three Forces That Will Uplift Your Students in a Volatile World" is inspiring and recommended reading for classroom
teachers, school administrators, governmental education policy makers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in
the subject. While a core addition to school district, college, and university library Contempoary Education Reform
collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that "Well-Being in Schools: Three Forces That
Will Uplift Your Students in a Volatile World" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.99).
Editorial Note #1: Andy Hargreaves is director of CHENINE (Change, Engagement and Innovation in Education) at the
University of Ottawa, research professor in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College, and
honorary professor at Swansea University in the UK. He is cofounder and president of the ARC Education Project, a group
of nations committed to broadly defined excellence, equity, well-being, inclusion, democracy, and human rights in
education. Hargreaves was president of the International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement 2017 - 2019,
served as education advisor to the premier of Ontario 2015 - 2018, and is currently an advisor to the first minister of
Scotland.
Editorial Note #2: Dennis Shirley is Duganne Faculty Fellow and professor of education at the Lynch School of Education
and Human Development at Boston College. Shirley has led and advised many educational change initiatives. He was the
principal investigator of the Massachusetts Coalition for Teacher Quality and Student Achievement, a federally funded
improvement network that united 18 urban schools, 7 higher education institutions, and 16 community-based organizations.
He has conducted in-depth studies about school innovations in England, Germany, Canada, and South Korea. Shirley's
previous book is "The New Imperatives of Educational Change: Achievement with Integrity".
Parklands: A School Built On Love
Chris Dyson
Crown House Publishing
81 Brook Hills Circle, White Plains, NY 10605
www.crownhousepublishing.com
9781785836008, $21.95, PB, 170pp
https://www.amazon.com/Parklands-school-built-Chris-Dyson/dp/1785836005
Synopsis: With the publication of "Parklands: A School Built On Love", educator and head teacher Chris Dyson provides a
heartwarming account of Parklands School's transformative journey towards becoming a safe, loving environment in which
all of its learners can thrive. If anything can bind together nearly 400 pupils and 100 school staff in challenging
circumstances, it's love. And love is in plentiful supply at Parklands.
The pupils at Parklands Primary School, located on the Seacroft estate in Leeds, often face significant hardship. Children
start at the school significantly behind their peers nationally, especially in terms of their language and literacy. Yet the
school is famed for outstanding learning -- both in terms of Ofsted judgement and, more importantly, in achieving amazing
outcomes for its learners.
In "Parklands: A School Built On Love", Dyson shares the story of how he has steered the school towards the seemingly
impossible educational dream of high achievement, personalised support and complete inclusion. He explains how the
school setting can be a place where there is love but also hope and relentless ambition for children, and reflects on the steps
that he and his staff have put in place to make this a reality for Parklands' pupils.
Dyson also delves into how this culture and climate of love drives behaviour and decision-making throughout the school --
and, as a result, how this creates a safe, loving environment in which all of its learners can thrive.
Chris also provides insights into how the leadership team goes about raising funds for the school, and how they choose to
spend it on both curricular and extracurricular projects. And, furthermore, how the school broadens its pupils' experiences
and cultural capital by means of residential trips, in-school productions, and sports and arts provision.
Critique: Offering a wealth of practical insights and examples, "Parklands: A School Built On Love" has a great deal of
value for classroom educators and school administrators -- especially in districts with high numbers of underprivileged
students, underfunded resources, and stressed out faculties. Inspired and inspiring, 'real world practical' and informative,
"Parklands: A School Built On Love" is especially and unreservedly recommended for school district, college, and
university library Teacher Education collections and in-service training workshop curriculums. It should noted for personal
reading lists that "Parklands: A School Built On Love" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.49).
Editorial Note: Chris Dyson is the head teacher of Parklands Primary School in Seacroft in Leeds. Chris was brought up in a
single-parent household and received free school clothes and free school meals himself as a child, which has meant that the
connection between his early life and that of Parklands' pupils is built on understanding. Chris believes that education is the
key to making the future brighter, and he is driven by a desire to provide his pupils with the best education and opportunities
possible as attested by a newspaper article at
https://www.parklandsprimary.org.uk/chris-dyson-inspiring-teacher-of-the-year-nominee
The Science Shelf
The Monster's Bones
David K. Randall
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
www.wwnorton.com
9781324006534, $26.99, HC, 28pp
https://www.amazon.com/Monsters-Bones-Discovery-Shook-World/dp/1324006536
Synopsis: In the Bone Wars of the Gilded Age era, two vastly different men emerge with a mission to fill the empty halls of
New York's struggling American Museum of Natural History: Henry Fairfield Osborn, a privileged socialite whose
reputation rests on the museum's success, and intrepid Kansas-born fossil hunter Barnum Brown.
When Brown unearths the first Tyrannosaurus Rex fossils in the Montana wilderness, forever changing the world of
paleontology, Osborn sees a path to save his museum from irrelevancy. With four-foot-long jaws capable of crushing the
bones of its prey and hips that powered the animal to run at speeds of 25 miles per hour, the T. Rex suggests a prehistoric
ecosystem more complex than anyone imagined. As the public turns out in droves to cower before this bone-chilling giant of
the past and wonder at the mysteries of its disappearance, Brown and Osborn together turn dinosaurs from a biological
oddity into a beloved part of culture.
Vivid and engaging, "The Monster's Bones: The Discovery of T. Rex and How It Shook Our World" by David K. Randall
journeys from prehistory to present day, from remote Patagonia to the unforgiving badlands of the American West to the
penthouses of Manhattan. With a wide-ranging cast of robber barons, eugenicists, and opportunistic cowboys, to reveal how
a monster of a bygone era ignited a new understanding of our planet and our place within it.
Critique: Written with the storytelling flair of a novelist, David Randall's "The Monster's Bones: The Discovery of T. Rex
and How It Shook Our World" is an inherently fascinating and detailed history that will have special appeal to
academicians, paleontology students, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in dinosaurs. While also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.16), "The Monster's Bones: The Discovery of T. Rex and How It Shook Our World" is
especially recommended as a prized acquisition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library
Paleontology collections and Science History collections.
Editorial Note: A senior reporter at Reuters, David K. Randall is also the author of Dreamland, The King and Queen of
Malibu, Black Death at the Golden Gate. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Los
Angeles Times, among other publications.
The Art Shelf
Women Painting Women
Andrea Karnes, editor
DelMonico Books
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
c/o Distributed Art Publishers
155 Sixth Avenue, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10013-1507
www.artbook.com
9781636810355, $49.95, HC, 172pp
https://www.amazon.com/Women-Painting-Andrea-Karnes/dp/1636810357
Synopsis: Compiled and edited by Andrea Karnes, "Women Painting Women" is a thematic exploration of nearly 50 female
artists who choose women as subject matter in their works,
"Women Painting Women" is comprised of nearly 50 portraits that span the 1960s to the present. International in scope, the
artists and their work recognizes female perspectives that have been under-represented in the history of postwar
figuration.
Painting is the focus, as traditionally it has been a privileged medium for portraiture, particularly for white male artists. The
artists here use painting and women as subject matter and as vehicles for change. They range from early trailblazers such as
Emma Amos and Alice Neel to emerging artists such as Jordan Casteel, Somaya Critchlow and Apolonia Sokol. All place
women in terms of their bodies, gestures and individuality at the forefront.
The pivotal narrative in "Women Painting Women" is how the selected artists included use the conventional portrait of a
woman as a catalyst to tell another story outside of male interpretations of the female body. They conceive new ways to
activate and elaborate on the portrayal of women by exploring themes of the Body, Nature Personified, Selfhood and Color
as Portrait. Replete with complexities, realness, abjection, beauty, complications, everydayness and joy, the portraits in this
volume make way for women artists to share the stage with their male counterparts in defining the image of woman and
how it has evolved.
Critique: Of special note is the inclusion of photos of the women artists accompanying their succinct biographies. A simply
fascinating volume to browse through on artist and one painting at a time, "Women Painting Women" is a unique,
informative, ground-breaking volume that is an unreservedly recommended acquisition to personal, professional,
community, college, and university Art History and Women's Art History collections and supplemental curriculum studies
lists.
Editorial Note: Andrea Karnes obtained a college degree in art history from the University of North Texas. She began her
career as a receptionist at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. She then worked her way up to research assistant and
registrar while getting her master's degree at Texas Christian University, then on to becoming a curator and now is a senior
curator.
Drama & Beauty
Erin R. Jones, author
Richard P. Townsend, author
Giles
https://gilesltd.com
9781913875206, $39.95, HC, 152pp
https://www.amazon.com/Drama-Beauty-European-Paintings-Collection/dp/1913875202
Synopsis: "Drama & Beauty: Great European Paintings from the Bob Jones Collection" is a beautifully illustrated catalog
that celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Bob Jones Collection and offers a fascinating survey of religious European art
from the 14th through the 19th centuries.
Bob Jones Jr. founded the collection as an educational effort and opened it on the campus of the university named after his
father in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1951. Those first 25 paintings included works by Bicci di Lorenzo, Luca Giordano,
El Greco, and Tintoretto, and today the collection comprises over 400 paintings, as well as a wide range of sculpture,
decorative arts, and antiquities. It is widely recognized among scholars as one of the finest collections of Renaissance and
Baroque paintings in America, and a document of the revival of the taste for Baroque pictures in the mid-20th century.
Erin Jones's introduction provides an overview of the history of the various iterations of the Museum & Gallery, even as it
looks forward to a new home in the center of its community. Richard P. Townsend's essay presents the most in-depth
examination to date of Bob Jones Jr. as a collector, extensively using letters, invoices, and photographs to paint a picture of
Jones hitherto not available.
At the heart of the volume is the presentation of 55 paintings, featuring works by great European masters including
Botticelli, Bouts, Cranach, Guercino, Jordaens, Preti, Reni, Ribera, Rubens, Tiepolo, and Zurbaran.
Critique: A coffee-table style volume (9.75 x 1 x 11.25 inches), the format of "Drama & Beauty: Great European Paintings
from the Bob Jones Collection" is to have a full page reproduction of the painting on the right hand page while the left hand
opposing page provides informative commentary and physical attributes such as its size, time frame, artist, etc. The result is
an impressively informative layout that will inspire the reader to revisit the volume time and time again. Especially
appropriate as a library's Memorial Fund acquisition, "Drama & Beauty: Great European Paintings from the Bob Jones
Collection" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university Fine Arts
collections. It should be noted that "Drama & Beauty: Great European Paintings from the Bob Jones Collection" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note #1: Richard P. Townsend is a museum consultant and art advisor, and the president of Townsend Art
Advisory LLC. He was previously executive director at the Driehaus Museum, Chicago, and the director of the Museum of
Biblical Art, New York.
Editorial Note #2: Erin Rodman Jones is the executive director of the Museum & Gallery, Inc.
New Way of Seeing
Kelly Grovier
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500239636, $50.00, HC, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/New-Way-Seeing-History-Works/dp/0500239630
Synopsis: From a carved mammoth tusk (ca. 40,000 BCE) to Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights (1505 - 1510) to
Duchamp's Fountain (1917), a remarkable lexicon of astonishing imagery has imprinted itself onto the cultural
consciousness of the past 40,000 years.
With the publication of "New Way of Seeing: The History of Art in 57 Works", Kelly Grovier devotes himself to
illuminating these and more than fifty other seminal works in this radical new history of art. Stepping away from biography,
style, and the chronology of "isms" that preoccupies most of art history, "A New Way of Seeing" invites a new interaction
with art, one in which we learn from the artworks and not just about them. Grovier identifies that part of the artwork that
bridges the divide between art and life and elevates its value beyond the visual to the vital. "A New Way of Seeing"
challenges the sensibility that conceives of artists as brands and the works they create as nothing more than material
commodities to hoard, hide, and flip for profit.
Lavishly illustrated with 200 illustrations showcasing the most breathtaking and enduring artworks ever created, Grovier
casts fresh light on these famous works by daring to isolate a single, and often overlooked, detail responsible for its
greatness and power to move
Critique: Providing a unique and inherently fascinating approach to art history, "New Way of Seeing: The History of Art in
57 Works" is an extraordinarily informative and thought-provoking study that is especially and unreservedly recommended
for personal, professional, community, college, and university Art History collections and supplemental curriculum studies
lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "New
Way of Seeing: The History of Art in 57 Works" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9780500295564,
$29.95).
Editorial Note: Kelly Grovier is a poet, historian, and cultural critic. He is also a regular contributor on art to the Times
Literary Supplement, and his writing has appeared in numerous publications, including the Observer, Sunday Times, and
Wired. Educated at the University of California, Los Angeles, and at the University of Oxford. He is the author of "100
Works of Art That Will Define Our Age", "Art Since 1989", and "On the Line: Conversations with Sean Scully".
Watercolor Painting at Home
Bley Hack
www.estherbley.com
Walter Foster Publishing
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9781600589423, $21.99, PB, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Watercolor-Painting-Home-Simple-projects/dp/1600589421
Synopsis: As we all spend time at home due to the pandemic, many of us find ourselves looking for a creative outlet that
doesn't require us to get out and about. That's where Watercolor Painting at Home comes in, with ideas and inspiration for
painting from our couch, front porch, backyard, and more. Painting our favorite things will make our homes look more
beautiful and will help us to appreciate where we live and what we have. It's easy to find inspiration at home; just look to
our holiday decor, favorite recipes, plants, office, and more.
Expertly written and illustrated by a professional artist, and comprised of easy-to-follow water color based painting projects
inspired by the comforts of home and the colors of the garden, "Watercolor Painting at Home" is beautiful instructional 'how
to' guide filled with inviting and colorful large-scale art accompanied by step-by-step instructions that are clear and easy to
follow for any skill level. Watercolor is one of the most popular art mediums out there, and the items needed for the projects
are affordable and accessible.
"Watercolor Painting at Home" will enable even the most novice of artists to gain a new appreciation for their home as they
paint their everyday surroundings.
Critique: Exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, this latest addition to the Inspired Artist series from
Walter Foster Publishing, has the very highest recommendation for both personal and community library DIY art instruction
collections, "Watercolor Painting at Home" invites art hobbyists and casual art enthusiasts to have fun learning basic art
concepts, relaxing into the creative process to make art in a playful, contemporary style. Also from this same art instruction
series are even more artistic inspiration guides including: "Draw Every Little Thing", "Paint Every Little Thing", and "Block
Print for Beginners".
Editorial Note: Bley Hack is an artist based in the Midwest. Working primarily with watercolor, as well as pen and ink and
digital media, Bley creates patterns and artwork inspired by vintage designs. Some of her clients include Papyrus; Design
Design, Inc.; Art in Motion; Calypso Cards; Lifetime Brands; and Minted. She maintains a website at
www.estherbley.com
Mastering Sculpture
Cristina Cordova
Quarry Books
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartous.com
9780760373095, $35.00, HC, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Sculpture-Capturing-Ceramic-Artists/dp/0760373094
Synopsis: With the publication of "Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay: A Guide to Capturing the Human Form for
Ceramic Artists", renowned sculptor and instructor Cristina Cordova teaches everything the aspiring sculptor needs to know
to replicate the full human figure using clay.
The reader will start by developing meaningful sketches and reference points and then learn how to make and use an
armature to create hollow forms that are safe to fire in a kiln. Fully explained is how with using patterns and slabs, you can
then move on to develop a full human form, head to toe. Of special note is that with "Mastering Sculpture" the aspiring
sculptor can work along with the Cristine Cordova to create a form about two-feet tall -- or choose their own size because
the patterns and instructions can work in a variety of scales.
Photographic demonstrations and diagrams cover the construction and articulation of feet and legs, the hip area and upper
torso, arms, hands, neck, and head. Cristina also includes supplementary tips and insights throughout to support the
sculpting process and enhance naturalism. You'll also find a brief section on general anatomical concepts and modeling
strategies to facilitate accuracy and expression as all the components come together.
Whether you are a clay artist with limited experience in figurative sculpture or a figurative sculptor outside the world of
ceramics looking for a straightforward fabrication strategy to create permanent compositions from clay, "Mastering
Sculpture: The Figure in Clay" will expertly guide your way from beginning to completion of a project involving the human
figure.
Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout, "Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay: A Guide to Capturing the Human
Form for Ceramic Artists" is enhanced with the additional inclusion of four Appendices, a list of Resources, and an Index.
Exceptionally well organized and presented making it an ideal DIY instruction guide and manual, "Mastering Sculpture:
The Figure in Clay: A Guide to Capturing the Human Form for Ceramic Artists" is an especially and unreservedly
recommended as a textbook for art class curriculums on sculpture, and an essential, core addition to personal, professional,
community, college, university, and art school Sculpting Art & Techniques collections.
Editorial Note: Cristina Cordova is a contemporary artist and sculpting instructor whose work is collected around the world.
She is featured in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum; The Coleccion Acosta de San Juan,
Puerto Rico; the Mint Museum of Craft + Design; the Museum of Contemporary Art; and the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum,
among others. She is the recipient of numerous grants and award, including NC Arts Council Fellowship Grant, a Virginia
Groot Foundation Recognition Grant, several International Association of Art Critics of Puerto Rico awards, and in 2015
the prestigious United States Artist Fellowship award. Her work is widely featured in all major ceramics and arts media,
including the covers of Ceramics Monthly, and was featured by Craft in America, on PBS, in their episode on Identity.
Drawing and Painting Beautiful Flowers
Kyehyun Park
Quarry Books
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartous.com
9780760373309, $24.99, PB, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Painting-Beautiful-Flowers-Techniques/dp/0760373302
Synopsis: With the publication of "Drawing and Painting Beautiful Flowers" by Kyehyn Park, aspiring artists and
illustrators will discover how to draw flowers such as cosmos, hibiscus, canola, lily of the valley, hydrangea, foxglove, and
more from various angles, and learn about perspective and shading. Once they have the skills to draw a single flower, they
will go on to learn how to draw groupings and wreaths, as well as mixing in leaves and smaller flowers to create a variety of
looks.
Finally, they will learn simple techniques to add luscious watercolor, using shading, blending, and gradient techniques for
eye-catching results.
"Drawing and Painting Beautiful Flowers" also includes: Ideas and techniques for drawing and painting charming potted
plants; Instructions for drawing and painting smaller flowers, buds, and branches; Watercolor techniques showing how to
expertly blend colors, use brush strokes and brush pressure to create various shapes, and how to use color to shade and
highlight; Warm-up exercises that help develop skills; Simple methods for understanding perspective and composition,
making it effortless to draw flowers from different angles
As popular Instagram artist Kyehyun Park shares her secrets for capturing realistic flower, leaf, and plant shapes, artists of
all levels will enjoy drawing and painting nature, and with these techniques they will confidently render lifelike botanicals in
an array of lovely palettes.
Critique: Exceptionally well written with easy to follow, step by step instructions, "Drawing and Painting Beautiful
Flowers" is the ideal DIY instruction guide, especially for the novice artist/illustrator. Whether working with pencil or
watercolor, "Drawing and Painting Beautiful Flowers" will prove to be a well appreciated and core addition to personal,
professional, community, and art school instructional reference collections.
Editorial Note: Kyehyun Park was born and raised in South Korea. After receiving her bachelor's degree in graphic art, she
worked as a graphic designer in South Korea and New York City. She completed her master's degree in animation at
Academy of Art University, majoring in 3D environment modeling. She has created illustrations for Hyundai Motor
America's Santa Fe and Tucson social media campaigns, and in 2019 she became a licensed designer with the French decor
company Lilipinso. Since 2017, Kyehyun has been posting her drawing and watercolor flower painting tutorials on
Instagram to her large platform of followers, and teaching watercolor classes in Los Angeles, where she lives. She can be
followed on Instagram: @urbankate_in_ca
The Biography Shelf
Identified with Texas
Elizabeth Whitlow
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
www.untpress.unt.edu
9781574418668, $45.00, HC, 432pp
https://www.amazon.com/Identified-Texas-Governor-Marshall-Lucadia/dp/1574418661
Synopsis: The first published biography of Texas Governor Elisha Marshall Pease (1812-1883), "Identified with Texas" by
historian Elizabeth Whitlow is a dual biography of Pease and his wife, Lucadia Niles Pease (1813-1905).
Pease volunteered to fight in the first battle of the Revolution at Gonzales, and he served with the Texan Army at the Siege
of Bexar. Pease served in the first three state legislatures after Texas joined the Union in 1845, was elected governor in 1853
and re-elected in 1855, and returned to the governorship as an interim appointee from 1867 to 1869 during Reconstruction.
His achievements in all these positions were substantial.
Lucadia Niles Pease was known as the Governor's "Lady". Moreover, her early, independent travel and her stated position as
a "woman's rights woman" in the 1850s, as well as her support for sending a daughter away to college in the 1870s to earn a
degree, all serve as markers of her intelligence and the strength of her convictions.
To tell their story, Elizabeth Whitlow mined thousands of letters and papers saved by the Pease family and housed in the
Austin History Center of the Austin Public Library, as well as in the Governor's Papers at the Texas State Library and
Archives Commission.
Critique: Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a six page Bibliography, fifty-two pages of Endnotes, and a thirty-
eight page Index, "Identified with Texas: The Lives of Governor Elisha Marshall Pease and Lucadia Niles Pease" is an
impressively informative, detailed and documented biography that is a welcome and informative contribution to community,
college, and university library 19th Century American Biography, and Texas History collections and supplemental
curriculum studies reading lists. It should be noted for students, academia, historians, and non-specialist general readers
with an interest in the subject that "Identified with Texas: The Lives of Governor Elisha Marshall Pease and Lucadia Niles
Pease" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $24.99).
Editorial Note: Currently residing in Austin, Texas, Elizabeth Whitlow holds a BA with a double major in geography and
history and a secondary school teaching certificate. She also received an MSW from the University of Denver and spent
much of her career in social service work.
The Double Life of Katharine Clark
Katharine Gregorio
Sourcebooks Inc.
1935 Brookdale Road, #139, Naperville, IL 60563
www.sourcebooks.com
9781728248417, $16.99, PB, 384pp
https://www.amazon.com/Double-Life-Katharine-Clark-Suspenseful/dp/1728248418
Synopsis: In 1955, Katharine Clark, the first American woman wire reporter behind the Iron Curtain, saw something none of
her male colleagues did. What followed became one of the most unusual adventure stories of the Cold War. While on
assignment in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, Clark befriended a man who, by many definitions, was her enemy. But she saw
something in Milovan Djilas, a high-ranking Communist leader who dared to question the ideology he helped establish, that
made her want to work with him. It became the assignment of her life.
Against the backdrop of protests in Poland and a revolution in Hungary, she risked her life to ensure Djilas's work made it
past the watchful eye of the Yugoslavian secret police to the West. She single-handedly was responsible for smuggling his
scathing anti-Communism manifesto, The New Class, out of Yugoslavia and into the hands of American publishers. The
New Class would go on to sell three million copies worldwide, become a New York Times bestseller, be translated into
over 60 languages, and be used by the CIA in its covert book program.
Meticulously researched and written by Clark's great-niece, Katharine Gregorio, "The Double Life of Katharine Clark: The
Untold Story of the Fearless Journalist Who Risked Her Life for Truth and Justice" illuminates a largely untold chapter of
the twentieth century. It shows how a strong-willed, fiercely independent woman with an ardent commitment to truth,
justice and freedom put her life on the line to share ideas with the world, ultimately transforming both herself (and history)
in the process.
Critique: A fascinating, true life, and impressively informative journalist memoir that reads with all the suspense and high-
tension thrills of a novel, "The Double Life of Katharine Clark: The Untold Story of the Fearless Journalist Who Risked Her
Life for Truth and Justice" showcases an extraordinary woman who was able to accomplish a truly hazardous series of
services during some of the worst years of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the Western Democracies. Also
readily available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99), "The Double Life of Katharine Clark:
The Untold Story of the Fearless Journalist Who Risked Her Life for Truth and Justice" is an extraordinary and highly
recommended addition to community, college, and university library American Biography/Memoir, Cold War, and
American Journalism collections.
Editorial Note: Katharine Gregorio is the great niece of Katharine Clark. She holds a BA in History from Dartmouth
College, an MSc in International Relations from The London School of Economics and Political Science, and an MBA from
The University of Chicago's Booth School of Business.
Nicolae Iorga: A Biography
Nicholas M. Nagy-Talavera
Center for Romanian Studies
c/o Histria Books
www.histriabooks.com
9789739809177, $59.99, HC, 588pp
https://www.amazon.com/Nicolae-Iorga-Biography-Nicholas-Nagy-Talavera/dp/9739809170
Synopsis: The Romanian historian Nicolae Iorga played a critical role in the history of his country for more than fifty years
until his tragic death in 1940. The author of more than 1,200 books and 20,000 articles, Iorga was one of the most prolific
scholars of all time. In recognition of his academic achievements, Iorga was made a member of the Romanian, French,
Yugoslav, and Polish academies, and received honorary doctorates from universities around the world.
Iorga was also deeply involved in the political life of Romania throughout the first four decades of the twentieth century,
one of the most complex and important periods in his country's history. With the publication of "Nicolae Iorga: A
Biography", the first comprehensive biography of one of the most important European cultural and political personalities of
the first half of the twentieth century, biographer Nicholas M. Nagy-Talavera considers Iorga not only as a historian,
politician, journalist, literary critic, playwright, writer, poet, and linguist, but also as an orator, teacher, and last, but not
least, a human being
Critique: A massively detailed, exhaustively researched and comprehensive biography of Nicolae Iorga, this study is a work
of meticulously thorough scholarship that will be an appreciated and invaluable contribution to college and university
library Historical European Political Biographies and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students,
academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in Romanian History that "Nicolae Iorga: A Biography" is also
available in a paperback edition (9781592110759, $34.99).
Editorial Note: Nicholas M. Nagy-Talavera (February 1, 1929 - January 23, 2000) was a Hungarian-American dissident,
historian, writer and professor. There are two websites dedicated to his life and work:
https://www.enwik.org/dict/Nicholas_Nagy-Talavera and the Library of Congress at
https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no90013846.html
Up North in Michigan
Jerry Dennis
University of Michigan Press
839 Greene Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3209
www.press.umich.edu
9780472132973, $24.95, HC, 186pp
https://www.amazon.com/Up-North-Michigan-Portrait-Seasons/dp/0472132970
Synopsis: Northern Michigan is a place, like all places, in change. Over the past half century, its landscape has been
bulldozed, subdivided, and built upon. Climate change warms the water of the Great Lakes at an alarming rate (Lake
Superior is now the fastest-warming large body of freshwater on the planet) creating increasingly frequent and severe storm
events, altering aquatic and shoreline ecosystems, and contributing to further invasions by non-native plants and
animals.
And yet the essence of this region, known to many as simply "Up North," has proved remarkably perennial. Millions of
acres of state and national forests and other public lands remain intact. Small towns peppered across the rural countryside
have changed little over the decades, pushing back the machinery of progress with the help of dedicated land conservancies,
conservation organizations, and other advocacy groups.
"Up North in Michigan: A Portrait of Place in Four Seasons" is a new collection of commentaries from celebrated nature
writer Jerry Dennis which captures his lifelong journey to better know this place he calls home by exploring it in every
season, in every kind of weather, on foot, on bicycle, in canoes and cars. The essays comprising "Up North in Michigan" are
more than an homage to a particular region, its people, and its natural wonders. They are a reflection on the Up North that
can only be experienced through your feet and fingertips, through your ears, mouth, and nose -- the Up North that makes its
way into your bones as surely as sand makes its way into wood grain.
Critique: A fascinating, absorbing, thought-provoking, entertaining, and truly memorable read from cover to cover, "Up
North in Michigan: A Portrait of Place in Four Seasons" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to
community, college, and university library Nature Writing and American Biography/Memoir collections. It should be noted
for personal reading lists that "Up North in Michigan: A Portrait of Place in Four Seasons" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Jerry Dennis is an award-winning nature writer who calls Traverse City, Michigan, home. His essays and
stories have appeared in The New York Times, Smithsonian, Audubon, National Geographic Traveler, and Gray's Sporting
Journal, among other periodicals. He has written over a dozen books, including The Windward Shore: A Winter on the
Great Lakes; The Living Great Lakes: Searching for the Heart of the Inland Seas; and Canoeing Michigan Rivers: A
Comprehensive Guide to 45 Rivers, which is now in its 3rd edition.
The House with Round Windows: A Memoir
Richard Snodgrass
https://richardsnodgrass.com
Carnegie Mellon University Press
5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
www.cmu.edu/universitypress
9780887486807, $29.95, PB, 312pp
https://www.amazon.com/House-Round-Windows-Memoir/dp/0887486800
Synopsis: The poems of W. D. Snodgrass, which were based on events from his troubled family life (particularly the death
of a beloved sister) had a direct influence on Robert Lowell, Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, and changed mid-twentieth century
American poetry.
Now with the publication of "The House with Round Windows: A Memoir", his younger brother, Richard Snodgrass, who
also experienced those same family events as well, masterfully weaves a counterpoint of personal stories, family history, and
his own photographs into his work that reminds the reader that there are many sides to any story, that every unhappy family
is unhappy in its own way, and (perhaps most terrible of all) that everyone has their reasons for.
Critique: An inherently interesting, well written, organized and presented memoir that is deeply personal, candidly
informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "The House with Round Windows: A Memoir" is an arguably personal and
poetic sibling counterpoint whose life story and perception will be of particular interest to anyone also interested in the work
and life of William De Witt Snodgrass (January 5, 1926 - January 13, 2009) who won the 1960 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.
Simply stated, "The House with Round Windows: A Memoir" from the Carnegie Mellon University Press is especially and
unreservedly recommended for community, college, and university library American Biography & Memoir collections.
Editorial Note: An American writer and photographer known for his evocations of life in small-town and rural western
Pennsylvania, and whose published work includes fiction, nonfiction, and photography, Richard Snodgrass is also the author
of There's Something in the Back Yard, the Books of Furnass, Kitchen Things, and An Uncommon Field: The Flight 93
Temporary Memorial. He has his own website at https://richardsnodgrass.com
Vagabond
Ceilidh Michelle
Douglas & McIntyre
c/o Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219, Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0
www.douglas-mcintyre.com
9781771622981, $18.95, PB, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Vagabond-Venice-Beach-Points-Between/dp/1771622989
Synopsis: At twenty-one, Ceilidh Michelle spent a year homeless and drifting through counter-cultural communities along
California's coast, from Venice Beach to Slab City to Big Sur. This restless and turbulent year began when she was sleeping
on her sister's couch in Vancouver and decided to become a yoga disciple in California. Denied entry at the US border in
Washington state, and stuck overnight in the Greyhound station, her already shaky pilgrimage began to take another
direction, away from the inward sanctuary of an ashram and toward the sea and light and noise of Venice Beach, and
eventually up Highway 1 to the desert.
Having spent much of her youth outrunning family turmoil, the peripatetic lifestyle once key to Michelle's survival is now a
habit she can't or won't break -- unless it breaks her first! Sleeping in parking lots, camping out in abandoned beach cottages
and mansions, she finds community, easy and fraught, with fellow travellers: musicians, veterans, ex-cons, addicts, drug
dealers, artists and con artists. Still, dreams and fleeting notions of home fuel and shadow every encounter, haunting the
places she stays, offering moments of both grace and violence.
Told with deadpan humor and insightful lyricism, Vagabond is an observant and at times shimmering narrative suspended
between a traumatic past and an as yet unimagined future. Coursing through it is the story of an emergent writer just
beginning to find sanctuary in her own creative instincts.
Critique: An inherently interesting memoir of an inherently interesting woman and her inherently interesting adventures,
"Vagabond: Venice Beach, Slab City and Points In Between" is a deftly crafted and intensely personal life story that is as
memorable as it is thought provoking. Reminiscent of Jack Kerouac's "On The Road", this is one of those memoirs that will
prove to be enduringly popular and highly recommended for personal reading lists and community, college, and university
library Contemporary Biography/Memoir collections.
Editorial Note: Ceilidh Michelle is the author of the novel Butterflies, Zebras, Moonbeams (Palimpsest Press, 2019).
Michelle has had work published in Entropy, Longreads, The Void, Broken Pencil, Matrix Magazine, McGill University's
Scrivener Creative Review, Cactus Press and Lantern Magazine. She is currently studying writing at the University of
Edinburgh and calls Montreal, QC, home.
The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book
Richard Estep
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Rd., #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
www.visibleinkpress.com
9781578597772, $54.95, HC, 464pp
https://www.amazon.com/Handy-Armed-Forces-Answer-Book/dp/1578597773
Synopsis: From the few hundred soldiers in its ranks when it was first established, to the over one million service members
today, the U.S. military has grown in power and size over its 250-year history. Its organization and branches have changed
to adapt to new technologies and national needs. "The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book: Your Guide to the Whats and
Whys of the U.S. Military" by Richard Estep covers each branch of the U.S. military and answers more than 500 of the most
intriguing questions ranging from How is the U.S. military organized?, to How do the branches work together?, When did
the Army Air Corps become the U.S. Army Air Force?, and What is the selection process like for Special Forces?, to Who
was the Continental Army's first Commander in Chief?, How many bases does the military have?, Who were the Buffalo
Soldiers?, Does the Space Force have any operational bases?, Who defends the United States against cyberattacks and other
digital threats?
The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force are uniquely American, each in their own way. With
the publication of "The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book: Your Guide to the Whats and Whys of the U.S. Military", the
reader will learn what makes each branch special. With more than 140 photos and graphics, "The Handy Armed Forces
Answer Book: Your Guide to the Whats and Whys of the U.S. Military" is enhanced with the inclusion of a bibliography
and extensive index.
Critique: Comprehensively informative, authoritative and exceptionally 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation,
"The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book: Your Guide to the Whats and Whys of the U.S. Military" must be considered an
essential addition to community, college, and university library American Military collections. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book: Your Guide to the Whats and Whys of the U.S.
Military" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781578597437, $24.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$11.99).
Editorial Note: Author and researcher Richard Estep has written twenty books, including Serial Killers: The Minds,
Methods, and Mayhem of History's Most Notorious Murderers. He has also written for the Journal of Emergency Medical
Services.
The Political Science Shelf
Read Dangerously
Azar Nafisi
Dey Street Books
c/o William Morrow & Company
www.harpercollins.com
www.BlackstoneAudio.com
9780062947369, $26.99, HC, 240pp
https://www.amazon.com/Read-Dangerously-Subversive-Literature-Troubled/dp/0062947362
Synopsis: What is the role of literature in an era when one political party wages continual war on writers and the press?
What is the connection between political strife in our daily lives, and the way we meet our enemies on the page in fiction?
How can literature, through its free exchange, affect politics?
A galvanizing guide to literature as resistance, with the publication of "Read Dangerously: The Subversive Power of
Literature in Troubled Times", author, academician, and political activist Azar Nafisi seeks to answer these questions.
Drawing on her experiences as a woman and voracious reader living in the Islamic Republic of Iran, her life as an immigrant
in the United States, and her role as literature professor in both countries, she crafts an argument for why, in a genuine
democracy, we must engage with the enemy, and how literature can be a vehicle for doing so.
Structured as a series of letters to her father, who taught her as a child about how literature can rescue us in times of trauma,
Nafisi explores the most probing questions of our time through the works of Toni Morrison, Salman Rushdie, James
Baldwin, Margaret Atwood, and more.
Critique: Thoughtful and thought-provoking, inspired and inspiring, exceptionally well organized and presented, and
occasionally iconoclastic, "Read Dangerously: The Subversive Power of Literature in Troubled Times" must be considered
essential reading for not just the general public with an interest in preserving democracy with respect to today's political
climate at home and abroad, authors and small press publishers with an interest in the politics of censorship, the political
aspects of literary criticism, and the role of books and reading in shaping and influencing American political culture should
give careful attention what Azar Nafisi has to say on these subjects.
While unreservedly recommended for community, college, and university library Political Science & Literature collections,
it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, political activists and writers, as well as non-
specialist general readers with an interst in the subject that "Read Dangerously: The Subversive Power of Literature in
Troubled Times" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book
(Blackstone Audio, 9781799953197, $34.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Azar Nafisi is the author of the multi-award-winning "Reading Lolita in Tehran", as well as "Things I've
Been Silent About", "The Republic of Imagination", and "That Other World". Formerly a Fellow at Johns Hopkins
University's Foreign Policy Institute, she has taught at Oxford and several universities in Tehran.
Beyond Leviathan: Critique of the State
Istvan Meszaros, author
John Belamy Foster, editor
Monthly Review Press
134 W. 29th Street, Suite 706, New York, NY 10001
www.monthlyreview.org
9781583679500, $99.00, HC, 512pp
https://monthlyreview.org/product/beyond-leviathan
Synopsis: Istvan Meszaros was one of the greatest political theorists of the twentieth century. Left unfinished at the time of
his death, "Beyond Leviathan: Critique of the State" is written on the magisterial scale of his previous book, "Beyond
Capital", and meant to complement that work. It focuses on the transcendence of the state, along with the transcendence of
capital and alienated labor, while traversing the history of political theory from Plato to the present.
Aristotle, More, Machiavelli, and Vico are only a few of the thinkers discussed in depth. The larger objective of this work is
no less than to develop a full-edged critique of the state, in the Marxian tradition, and set against the critique of capital. Not
only does it provide, for the first time, an all-embracing Marxian theory of the state, it gives new political meaning to the
notion of "the withering away of the state". In his definitive, seminal work, Meszaros seeks to illuminate the political
preconditions for a society of substantive equality and substantive democracy.
Critique: Posthumously edited by Professor John Bellamy Foster, "Beyond Leviathan: Critique of the State" by Istvan
Meszaros is a seminal work that will be an enduringly appreciated and valued addition to college and university library
Political Economy and Religious Philosophy collections in general, and Communism/Marxism political science studies lists
in particular. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Beyond Leviathan: Critique of the State" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781583679494, $34.00) and in a
digital book format (Kindle, $14.16).
Editorial Note #1: Istvan Meszaros (19 December 1930 - 1 October 2017) was a professor emeritus at the University of
Sussex and a world renown philosopher and critic. He authored Marx's Theory of Alienation, Beyond Capital, and over a
dozen other titles.
Editorial Note #2: John Bellamy Foster is the editor of Monthly Review and professor emeritus of sociology at the
University of Oregon. He has written many books including The Robbery of Nature (with Brett Clark) and The Return of
Nature, which won the Deutscher Memorial prize.
The Autism Shelf
The Loving Push
Temple Grandin, author
Debra Moore, author
Future Horizons, Inc.
107 W. Randol Mill Road, Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76011
www.fhautism.com
9781941765203, $19.95, PB, 280pp
https://www.amazon.com/Loving-Push-Professionals-Spectrum-Successful/dp/1941765203
Synopsis: Parents, teachers, therapists, and anyone who cares about a child or teen on the autism spectrum need to carefully
read "The Loving Push: How Parents and Professionals Can Help Spectrum Kids Become Successful Adults", an essential
roadmap to prepare our youth for being successful adults in today's world.
With the publication of "The Loving Push", author, autism advocate, and animal science professor Dr. Temple Grandin
joins psychologist and autism specialist Dr. Debra Moore in spelling out which steps can be taken to restore a child's hope
and motivation -- and what must avoid.
"The Loving Push" is comprised of eight life stories told by people on the autism spectrum, as well as chapters on subjects
like how to get kids off their computers, how to build on their strengths and get back to caring about their lives, and how to
find a path to a successful, meaningful life.
Critique: Thoroughly 'parent and caregiver friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Loving Push: How Parents and
Professionals Can Help Spectrum Kids Become Successful Adults" is an essential and unreservedly recommended addition
to community, college, and university library Autism & Asperger's Syndrome. It should be noted for the personal reading
lists of parents, teachers, daycare center staff, and psychology students that "Autism & Asperger's Syndrome" is an ideal
guide and DIY handbook for assisting autistic children to succeed in their daily lives.
The Library Science Shelf
How to be a Peer Research Consultant
Maglen Epstein, author
Bridget Draxler, author
ALA Editions
c/o Neal-Shuman Publishers
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
www.alastore.ala.org
9780838937624, $50.00, PB, 108pp
https://www.amazon.com/How-Peer-Research-Consultant-Librarians/dp/0838937624
Synopsis: Every student brings their own individual set of educational and personal experiences to a research project, and
peer research consultants are uniquely able to reveal this "hidden curriculum" to the researchers they assist.
In seven highly readable chapters, "How to be a Peer Research Consultant: A Guide for Librarians and Students" provides
focused support for anyone preparing undergraduate students to serve as peer research consultants, whether you refer to
these student workers as research tutors, reference assistants, or research helpers.
"How to be a Peer Research Consultant: A Guide for Librarians and Students" offers valuable training material to help
student researchers develop metacognitive, transferable research skills and habits, as well as foundational topics like what
research looks like in different disciplines, professionalism and privacy, ethics, the research process, inclusive research
consultations, and common research assignments.
"How to be a Peer Research Consultant: A Guide for Librarians and Students" concludes with an appendix containing 30
activities, discussion questions, and written reflection prompts to complement the content covered in each chapter, designed
to be easily printed or copied from the book.
"How to be a Peer Research Consultant: A Guide for Librarians and Students" can be read in its entirety to gather ideas and
activities, or it can be distributed to each student as a training manual. It pays particular attention to the peer research
consultant-student relationship and offers guidance on flexible approaches for supporting a wide range of research needs.
The book is intended to be useful in a variety of higher education settings and is designed to be applicable to each
institution's unique library resources and holdings. Through mentoring and coaching, undergraduate students can feel
confident in their ability to help their peers with research and may be inspired to continue this work as professional
librarians in the future.
Critique: An ideal resource as a DIY study or as a library science curriculum textbook, "How to be a Peer Research
Consultant: A Guide for Librarians and Students" is exceptionally well written, organized and presented. Thoroughly 'user
friendly' in organization and presentation, "How to be a Peer Research Consultant: A Guide for Librarians and Students" is
especially recommended as an essential and core addition to community, school district, college, and university Library
Science collections and supplemental curriculum studies reading lists.
Editorial Note: Maglen Epstein (Research and Instruction Librarian) and Bridget Draxler (Associate Director of Writing,
Speaking, and Academic Support), both work at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. In addition to separately training
undergraduate students in research support and writing tutoring, respectively, Maggie and Bridget have also co-trained
students in the combined position of Writing and Research Tutor as part of an initiative to better support underrepresented
first-year students. Their combined experience with tutor training, collaborative efforts to create cross-campus partnerships,
and individual expertise in research instruction and writing pedagogy have shaped the collaborative and practical nature of
"How to be a Peer Research Consultant: A Guide for Librarians and Students:.
Introduction to Information Science
David Bawden, author
Lyn Robison, author
Facet Publishing
www.facetpublishing.co.uk
9781783304950, $79.99, PB, 384pp
https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Information-Science-David-Bawden/dp/1783304952
Synopsis: Now in a significantly revised and expanded second edition, "Introduction to Information Science" by
academicians David Bawden and Lyn Robinson provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects of the subject, bringing it
up-to-date with analysis of the changes in the information environment, now largely digital, and their implication for the
discipline and professions.
The approach taken in "Introduction to Information Science" is rooted in the philosophical, theoretical, and conceptual
foundations of the subject and in particular in Floridi's ideas of the fourth revolution, hyperhistory, and onlife.
The theory-practice relationship is strongly emphasized throughout, and the extensive literature coverage makes this a
valuable sourcebook. This new second edition is extensively revised, with largely new text, illustrations, and resources, and
offers a global perspective.
The main topics covered include: foundations: philosophies, theories, concepts, ethics, and historical perspectives
organising, retrieving, and analysing information and data information behaviour, domain analysis, and digital literacies
digital technologies, information systems, and information management information research methods and informetrics
changing modes of information communication, and information society the nature and future of the information disciplines
and professions.
A standard textbook for students of library and information disciplines, "Introduction to Information Science" includes
information science, librarianship, information and knowledge management, archives and records management, and digital
humanities. It will also serve as an introduction for those beginning research in these areas, and as a resource for thoughtful
and reflective practitioners.
Critique: Comprehensive, well written, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, this new second
edition of "Introduction to Information Science" is a critically important and unreservedly recommended addition to
community, college, and university Library Science collections and supplemental curriculum reading lists. It should be
noted for student librarians, academia, librarian in-service workshops, active librarians, library board members, and non-
specialist general readers with an interest in Information Science & Technology that "Introduction to Information Science"
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $49.99).
Editorial Note #1: David Bawden is Professor of Information Science at City University London, editor of Journal of
Documentation, and a council member of Aslib. He is author of over 150 books, chapters, papers and published
presentations.
Editorial Note #2: Lyn Robinson is Senior Lecturer in Information Science, and Director of the Postgraduate Information
Studies Scheme, at City University London. She is author of numerous papers and published presentations, and has written
two books, including Facet's Understanding Healthcare Information.
The Business Shelf
The Monocle Book of Entrepreneurs
Joe Pickard, editor
Molly Price, editor
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500971185, $50.00, HC, 204pp
https://www.amazon.com/Monocle-Book-Entrepreneurs-Tyler-Br%C3%BBl%C3%A9/dp/0500971188
Synopsis: As we face a world that is undergoing unparalleled change, no area is more dynamic than business. To help us
understand, navigate, and succeed in this new world, the editorial team of Joe Pckard and Molly Price at Monocle brings
together a unique knowledge of culture, politics, economics, and business.
Featuring stories of people running enterprises on every scale, the inspirational tales comprising "The Monocle Book of
Entrepreneurs" provide readers with insights into the challenges and joys of creativity and entrepreneurship. These
unmatched case studies reveal, among many success stories, how leaders choose branding, hire teams, and design
workspaces for today's needs.
Whether you are planning to make a life change, start a new business, or reinvigorate an existing one, "The Monocle Book
of Entrepreneurs" is an invaluable resource for anyone wanting to make a difference in their work and life.
Critique: Published for the benefit of anyone wanting to run their own business and find a better quality of life as a
successful entrepreneur, "The Monocle Book of Entrepreneurs" must be considered essential reading. Comprehensive, 'real
world' practical, thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Monocle Book of Entrepreneurs" is
particularly appropriate for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Business Management &
Entrepreneurship collections and supplemental curriculum studies reading lists.
Editorial Note: Joe Pickard is the books editor at Monocle. Molly Price is deputy books editor for Monocle. The Monocle
website is https://monocle.com
Customer Relationship Imprinting
Michael Barnett
Sound Wisdom
167 Walnut Bottom Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257
www.soundwisdom.com
9781640953659, $17.95, PB, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Customer-Relationship-Imprinting-Exceptional-Exception/dp/1640953655
Synopsis: While many customer service books discuss customer loyalty, the concept of customer imprinting has never been
introduced into the customer service conversation until the publication of "Customer Relationship Imprinting: The Six
Elements that Ensure Exceptional Service Without Exception" by Michael Barnett.
"Customer Relationship Imprinting" reveals why some businesses have fiercely loyal customers who will pay much more
for the same goods and services instead of doing business with their competitors. Barnett demystifies the success secrets of
these top customer-centric businesses so that you can infuse the main ingredients of customer imprinting into your
organization. The result? You'll not only strengthen customer bonds -- you will create an amazing internal employee
culture.
With so much confusion on how to provide great customer service, "Customer Relationship Imprinting" provides a clear
path to delivering extraordinary service consistently and reveals: The three sectors of impact that can elevate or devastate
your business; How to trade transactional flings for loyal customer relationships; What Relational Velcro is and how to use
it to maximize meaningful customer interactions; Who Service Architects are and how to empower them to build a strong
brand framework -- and so much more!
Critique: Comprised of Practical tools, insightful stories, and a team-reading option, is essential reading for customer
service professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs and business managers from all segments of modern American
business enterprises. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Customer Relationship Imprinting: The Six
Elements that Ensure Exceptional Service Without Exception" is especially and unreservedly recommended as an essential
addition to community, corporate, college, and university library Marketing & Customer Relations collections and
supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of MBA students, academia,
entrepreneurs, and customer service personnel that "Customer Relationship Imprinting: The Six Elements that Ensure
Exceptional Service Without Exception" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.49).
Editorial Note: Michael Barnett is a seasoned speaker, trainer and marketing professional who has spent many years helping
businesses develop their brand, and advertising initiatives. As a customer service expert, Michael has brought a unique
perspective that is both refreshing and insightful to the customer service world. He has not only added phrases such as
"Relational Velcro," and "Customer Relationship Imprinting", to the CX lexicon, but he has developed Six-Sided Service --
a cohesive customer-centric approach that helps businesses significantly attract, acquire and retain more customers through
six specific disciplines.
Sales Savvy: The How-to Sales Handbook
Rebecca Parry
Business Books
c/o John Hunt Publishing
www.johnhuntpublishing.com
9781789048162, $14.95, PB, 144pp
https://www.amazon.com/Sales-Savvy-How-Handbook/dp/1789048168
Synopsis: While selling is not for the weak of heart, "Sales Savvy: The How-to Sales Handbook" by Rebecca Parry reveals
the simple steps to close more deals based on her own international sales experience of over 30 years.
Specifically tailored for people who may not come from a sales background but who still need to be persuasive, "Sales
Savvy: The How-to Sales Handbook" is a step by step practical guide that will give you the hints and tips to be confident
and skilled in sales. From landing that first meeting to captivating your audience when giving a pitch, through to closing the
deal and retaining the client, everything you need to know to sell effectively is in this book.
Written with real-life sales stories from Rebecca Parry's personal experience across multiple industries, including how she
took a fledgling tech start up from New Zealand and broke into Hollywood's competitive entertainment industry, included
are a series of practical exercises including notes on selling in a post Covid world,
Critique: Drawn from her years of experience and expertise, Rebecca Parry's "Sales Savvy: The How-to Sales Handbook" is
a comprehensive sales learning tool that will impact your bottom line. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented,
"Sales Savvy: The How-to Sales Handbook" is a thoroughly 'user friendly' instructional guide that is very highly
recommended as an addition to personal, professional, community, corporate, college, and university library Business
Management & Entrepreneurship collections. It should also be noted that "Sales Savvy: The How-to Sales Handbook" is
also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Rebecca Parry is a highly accomplished sales professional with a 30 year international sales career. As a
shareholder and Head of Sales of a rapidly growing entertainment technology company with a global customer base, she
possesses real world experience with a depth of sales knowledge gained from a lifetime of selling.
The Archaeology Shelf
Between the Meadows
Caitriona Moore
Wordwell Books
https://wordwellbooks.com
9781911633303, $30.00, PB, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Between-Meadows-Archaeology-Edercloon-Dromod-Roosky/dp/1911633309
Synopsis: The bog in the townland of Edercloon, Co. Longford, first came to archaeological attention in 1964, when a local
farmer discovered a prehistoric stone axe that retained a portion of its original wooden handle. Forty-two years later, during
test excavations in advance of the construction of the N4 Dromod-Roosky Bypass, the preservative peat of Edercloon
relinquished further ancient secrets in the form of a large network of wooden trackways and numerous artifacts. This proved
to be one of the most remarkable archaeological complexes ever excavated in Ireland's wetlands.
Evidence for human activity at Edercloon extends back almost 6,000 years, where the first narrow track of branches and
twigs was laid down on the wet bog surface. This practice would continue for four millennia as further structures were built
and wheel fragments, spears, and vessels were deposited among them.
The story of Edercloon is not limited to the sites and objects submerged within the peat. Volcanic ash, ancient pollen,
microscopic organisms, deep accumulations of peat, beetles' wings, and the wood of the trackways themselves have been the
subject of paleoenvironmental studies.
Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout, "Between the Meadows: The Archaeology of Edercloon on the N4
Dromod-Roosky Bypass" by Caitriona Moore is further enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of two
Appendices (Radiocarbon Dates; Dendrochronological Dates), a seventeen page Bibliography, and a six page Index.
Exceptionally well organized and presented, "Between the Meadows: The Archaeology of Edercloon on the N4
Dromod-Roosky Bypass" is an inherently interesting and welcome addition to the growing library of Irish Archaeology.
While unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Archaeology
collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted for students, academia, archaeologists, and non-
specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Between the Meadows: The Archaeology of Edercloon on the
N4 Dromod-Roosky Bypass" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: Caitr-ona Moore studied archaeology at University College Dublin and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in 1996 and a Master of Arts degree in 2009. She has worked on a wide range of archaeological projects across
Ireland and specializes in the archaeology of wetlands, ancient woodworking, and wooden artefacts. Caitr-ona is a
Managing Director with Archaeology and Built Heritage Ltd.
Editorial Note #2: The Wordwell Group, established in 1986, is the publisher of History Ireland, Archaeology Ireland and
Books Ireland magazines, alongside Wordwell Books and, as of 2019, Eastwood Books. The group has been at the heart of
Irish cultural life for more than three decades, publishing in collaboration with the National Museum of Ireland, the National
Library of Ireland, the OPW, the Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, TII, the Decade of Centenaries and the
National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, together with many of Ireland's finest authors in the fields of history, heritage
and archaeology. Recent awards include winning the 2019 Nilsson Heritage Prize at the Listowel International Festival and
being shortlisted for Irish Small Press of the Year at the Bookseller Awards 2019.
How to Build Stonehenge
Mike Pitts
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500024195, $29.95, HC, 256pp
https://www.amazon.com/How-Build-Stonehenge-Mike-Pitts/dp/0500024197
Synopsis: There is nothing like Stonehenge: the simple, graphic genius of these great, arranged blocks. The stones seem to
rise from the ground in some antediluvian heave of the Earth: lintels, great horizontal slabs, roughly squared, the grey rock
now covered in subtle lichen green. But who made it? When did they make it? And most importantly, how was it built?
How it was constructed is perhaps the central question about Stonehenge and likely the most common query from its many
visitors. Yet it's one of the least-researched aspects of the site, which author Mike Pitts aims to correct with the publication
of "How to Build Stonehenge".
With a unique focus on the monument itself, Pitts describes the site as it is today, what we know about the different types of
stone, how they were carved and positioned to create the ultimate in megalithic architecture, and how this was taken down
and left to ruin until the decay was arrested in the twentieth century with substantial restoration works.
Pitts then examines the latest research on the site, interrogating the key questions: the sources of the various stones, how
they were transported, and how it was all put together.
"How to Build Stonehenge" considers the first significant study of sarsen, the stone most of Stonehenge is made of, in
detail. Recent groundbreaking discoveries using cutting-edge scientific techniques have given us incredible new detail on
the sources of these immense stones and brings it into the wider context of other megalith buildings around the world, as
well as placing Stonehenge at the center of a network of European Bronze Age cultures.
Critique: Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of an Appendix (A Brief History of Stonehenge); a one page advisory
on 'How to see Stonehenge'; eight pages of Notes; a two page listing of Further Readings, a two page listing of
Acknowledgments; a one page 'Sources of Illustrations; and a four page Index, "How to Build Stonehenge" is an
impressively informative and unreservedly recommended addition to professional, community, college, and university
library Archaeology collections in general, and megalithic history supplemental curriculum studies lists in particular.
Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, it should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general
readers with an interest in the subject that "How to Build Stonehenge" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$14.99).
Editorial Note: Mike Pitts is the author of "Digging up Britain", "Digging for Richard III", and "Hengeworld". He is also the
editor of British Archaeology magazine and is a trained archaeologist with firsthand experience digging at Stonehenge. He
has presented at countless events and talks at Stonehenge.
The Parenting Shelf
10 Steps to Develop Great Learners
John Hattie, author
Kyle Hattie, author
Routledge
711 - 3rd Avenue, Floor 8, New York, NY 10017-9209
www.routledge.com
9781032189284, $160.00, HC, 206pp
https://www.amazon.com/10-Steps-Develop-Great-Learners/dp/1032189282
Synopsis: With the publication of "10 Steps to Develop Great Learners: Visible Learning for Parents", veteran educators
John and Kyle Hattie offer a 10-step plan to nurturing curiosity and intellectual ambition and providing a home environment
that encourages learning. Drawn from the authors years of experience and expertise, each one of these steps is based on the
strongest of research evidence and packed full of practical advice can be followed by any parent to support learning and
maximise the potential of their children.
Critique: Covering such vital issues as: Choosing the right school for your child; Communicating effectively with teachers;
Being the 'first learner' and demonstrating oneness to new ideas and thinking; Promoting the 'language of learning'; Having
appropriately high expectations and understanding the power of feedback, "10 Steps to Develop Great Learners" is an
especially recommended addition to personal, professional, community, school district, college, and university library
Education Psychology and Parenting collections and supplemental studies curriculum lists. It should be noted that "10 Steps
to Develop Great Learners" is also available in a paperback edition (9781032189291, $19.95) and in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: John Hattie is Emeritus Laureate Professor at the Graduate School of Education, University of
Melbourne, Australia. He is one of the world's best known and most widely read education experts and his Visible Learning
series of books have been translated into 29 different languages.
Editorial Note #2: Kyle Hattie is a Year 6 Teacher working in a primary school in the northern suburbs of Melbourne,
Australia. Over his 10-year career, he has taught at many year levels, from Prep to Year 6 in both Australia and New
Zealand. Kyle has held various leadership titles and has a passion for understanding how students become learners.
Finding Ecohappiness
Sandi Schwartz
Quill Driver Books
c/o Linden Publishing
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
www.quilldriverbooks.com
9780941936507, $19.95, PB, 292pp
https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Ecohappiness-Nature-Activities-Happier/dp/0941936503
Synopsis: Are your kids stressed? Are they feeling a bit down? Do your children (and you) need a break from screens?
Nature can help. What we all suspected intuitively for generations, science has now confirmed: spending time connecting to
nature is a safe, effective tool to help improve our health and happiness.
In "Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer", author and parent Sandi
Schwartz guides families in building regular habits of experiencing nature to reduce stress and boost mood. She explores
key positive psychology tools from a nature-loving perspective. You will learn simple, practical tips for incorporating these
tools including awe and gratitude, mindfulness, creative arts, outdoor play and adventure, volunteering, food, and animals,
into your daily routine to help your children thrive and live a happy, balanced life.
"Finding Ecohappiness" will also introduce you to all kinds of engaging nature activities you can do with your kids, from
hiking and bike rides to visiting nature centers and science museums to volunteering outdoors to embarking on ecotourism
adventures. In addition, you will discover unique nature relaxation activities like cow cuddling, animal yoga, forest bathing,
float therapy, and earthing. Nature isn't just for kids, either -- doing these activities with your children will tremendously
improve your own well-being, too.
Critique: With the publication of "Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and
Calmer", parents wanting to raise calmer, healthier, happier children of all ages are now provided with a throughly 'parent
friendly' combination of parenting guide and manual for protecting children from feeling stressed and overwhelmed;
managing their children's current issues regarding stress, anxiety, and mood; and utilizing nature driven activities, exercises
and projects to improve family togetherness and harmony. Impressively written, organized and presented, "Finding
Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer" is especially and unreservedly
recommended for personal, family, and community library Parenting, Family Activity, and Child Psychology collections. It
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel
Happier and Calmer" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Sandi Schwartz is a journalist specializing in parenting, wellness, and the environment. She has written for
Chicken Soup for the Soul, Scary Mommy, and Very Well Family, among other publications She founded the Ecohappiness
Project to help families build a nature habit to feel happier and calmer by exploring positive psychology tools through a
nature lens. Previously, she held communications positions at the United States Environmental Protection Agency and
National Academy of Sciences. She is an active member in environmental and writing organizations including Children &
Nature Network, American Society of Journalists and Authors, Sierra Club, and more. She has a website at
www.ecohappinessproject.com
The Graphic Novel Shelf
To Strip the Flesh
Oto Toda
Viz
https://www.viz.com
9781974722372 $12.99 pbk / $7.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Strip-Flesh-Oto-Toda/dp/1974722376
Synopsis: A moving collection of six short stories that explores what must be stripped away to find the truth and celebrates
the beauty of embracing who you are.
Chiaki Ogawa has never doubted that he is a boy, although the rest of the world has not been as kind. Bound by his mother's
dying wish, Chiaki tries to be a good daughter to his ailing father.
When the burden becomes too great, Chiaki sets out to remake himself in his own image and discovers more than just
personal freedom with his transition - he finds understanding from the people who matter most.
Critique: To Strip the Flesh is a black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) anthology of six short stories about self-
discovery, gender-identity, and the quest for understanding. Chiaki Ogawa was assigned female at birth, but has never
doubted his identity as a boy. Chiaki tries to play the role of daughter to his father for the sake of his mother's dying wish,
but can't keep going through the motions of living a lie. To Strip the Flesh is a thoughtful and profound story about the
experience of a young trans man, highly recommended especially for LGBT collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that To Strip the Flesh is intended for older teen and adult readers, and available in a Kindle edition
($7.99).
Dungeon: Twilight vols. 1-2: Dragon Cemetery
Joann Sfar, author
Lewis Trondheim, author
Kerascoet, illustrator
NBM Publishing
160 Broadway, Ste. 700, East Wing, New York, NY 10038
https://www.nbmpub.com
9781681122939, $19.99, PB, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeon-Twilight-vols-Dragon-Cemetery/dp/1681122936
Synopsis: The planet Terra Amata, on which Dungeon resides, has stopped turning. On one side, total darkness and absolute
coldness; on the other, a searing desert and eternal day. The survivors live on a thin slice of earth where day and night meet.
A territory known as Twilight.
Welcome to the third facet of the Dungeon world, its dark downfall. Marvin, now old and blind, sensing his end, goes on a
long trek to the legendary cemetery of dragons. And then, saved at the last minute from certain death in a duel by his young
warrior admirer Marvin the Red, he simply cannot be let to die like he wishes!
Whatever he loses, he regains in different powers. He's even become invincible. It's to the point where he'd rather exchange
body parts to get back his mortality! But then he is led to a discovery that may make continuing to live actually worth
it!
Critique: With the publication of "Dungeon: Twilight vols. 1-2: Dragon Cemetery", it is clear that the artwork of Kerascoet
creates an impressive visual support and enhancement of collaborative authors Joann Sfar and Lewis Trondheim's original,
memorably entertaining, and satirical storylines. The result is a graphic novel anthology that is unreservedly recommended
for personal reading lists and community library Science Fiction & Fantasy graphic novel collections.
Yaksha Hime: Princess Half-Demon 1
Story and Art by Takashi Shiina
Main Character Design by Rumiko Takahashi
Script Cooperation by Katsuyuki Sumisawa
Viz
https://www.viz.com
9781974732654 $9.99 pbk / $6.49 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Yashahime-Princess-Half-Demon-Katsuyuki-Sumisawa/dp/1974732657
Synopsis: Can the three teenage daughters of demon dog half-brothers Inuyasha and Sesshomaru save their parents,
themselves, and both realms from the menace of the seven mystical Rainbow Pearls?
Living in the present day isn't easy for Sesshomaru's daughter Towa. She can't remember where she came from, must
conceal her mysterious powers, and is either worshipped or feared by girls she just wants to be friends with. But she has no
way of returning to her own time until one day... a demon attacks and she is transported to feudal-era Japan.
There Towa, her twin sister Setsuma, and her cousin Moroha - Inuyasha's daughter - have a mission bestowed upon them by
the mystical Tree of Ages. With only vague memories of their past to guide them, the three young women set out to find
their parents, heal a rift in time, and fulfill their royal destiny...
Critique: Yaksha Hime: Princess Half-Demon 1 is a black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) that begins a next-
generation sequel to Rumiko Takahashi's wildly popular "Inuyasha" manga series. Rumiko Takashi provides main character
designs, and the story and art by Takashi Shiina weave a demon-fantasy-adventure saga around the daughter of Inuyasha,
and her twin cousins, the daughters of Sesshomaru. All three young women must come to terms with their part-demon
lineage, and navigate time-twisting troubles through demon-plagued feudal Japan to seek out their parents, uncover their
own shrouded memories, and close a rift distorting reality itself! Featuring a strong balance of intense action and soul-
searching characterization, Yaksha Hime is highly recommended especially to fans of the original Inuyasha saga. It should
be noted for personal reading lists that Yaksha Hime: Princess Half-Demon 1 is intended for teen and older readers, and
available in a Kindle edition ($6.49).
Ghost Reaper Girl 1
Akissa Saike
Viz
https://www.viz.com
9781974729760 $9.99
https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Reaper-Girl-Akissa-Saik%C3%A9/dp/1974729761
Synopsis: Chloe has dreamed of leading a glamorous life as an actress ever since she was little. But being the ripe old age of
28 might be working against her, and her spontaneous displays of violence aren't helping either! Not all hope is lost,
however - she might be perfect for the role offered by a mysterious and charming new man in her life. Can Chloe become
the Ghost Reaper Girl and take down the evil spirits that have escaped from Hades?
Critique: Showcased in Shonen Jump, Ghost Reaper Girl 1 begins a series of black-and-white manga (Japanese comics)
about a 28-year-old young woman with a supernatural new job - stopping evil spirits that have escaped the underworld!
Mystic powers clash full force in this heady blend of action and attraction, especially recommended for fans of occult-
themed fantasy. It should be noted for personal reading lists that Ghost Reaper Girl 1 is intended for older teen and adult
readers, and available in a Kindle edition ($6.49).
Blackguard 1
Ryo Hanada
Kodansha
www.kodansha.us
9781647291150 $12.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Blackguard-vol-1/dp/1647291151
Synopsis: The world is no longer what it used to be. Shojo - ferocious, ape-like creatures who feed on humans - roam the
land, and anyone who's bitten becomes infected with the same mysterious virus.
Humanity has resisted by building aerial cities and forming special units called Guards to fight back. Among them, a young
man with a blank stare battles without regard for his life - Minami. People call him a messiah, but their only hope has a
constant death wish and defends them day in and day out simply because he still breathes...
A dark post-apocalyptic fantasy from the creator of Devils' Line, Ryo Hanada!
Critique: Blackguard 1 begins a dark, post-apocalyptic manga (Japanese comics) series in a world where a mysterious virus
spread by biting transforms humans into vicious, cannibal, ape-like monsters. Human survivors live in aerial cities and form
units called Guards to fight against the horrifying threat. Among the Guards is Minami, who is revered as a hero but harbors
a death wish, and continues to fight only because he still breathes. Minami's assigned handlers try to help him move past his
unending death wish, but then a stranger also tries to "help"... by suggesting suicide. An intense, psychological, hard-hitting
character drama, Blackguard is thoroughly engrossing from cover to cover. It should be noted for personal reading lists that
Blackguard 1 is intended for readers age 16 and up, and available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).
Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible 1
Nene Yukimori
Viz
https://www.viz.com
9781974729685 $9.99 pbk / $6.29 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Kubo-Wont-Let-Invisible-Vol/dp/1974729680
Synopsis: Junta Shiraishi blends into the background so much that even his classmates fail to spot him. His goal is to make
the most of his high school years, but that pesky invisibility gets in the way... until Nagisa Kubo notices him! Kubo's playful
teasing kicks Shiraishi out of his comfort zone and begins a friendship - or maybe something more?
When Kubo sits next to Shiraishi in their first year of high school, Shiraishi's nonexistent social skills get a boost. Speaking
up in class is only the beginning for Shiraishi - soon Kubo forces him to be noticed at school, at the bookstore, and all
around town. Shiraishi's once-lackluster life isn't so dull anymore!
Critique: Kubo Won't Let Me Be Invisible 1 begins a lighthearted black-and-white comedy manga (Japanese comics) series,
about a high school boy who tends to be overlooked and ignored - and the social butterfly girl who takes an interest in him!
Through her, the oft-unnoticed boy gets more attention than he ever expected, and he's forced to work on improving meager
social skills as fast as he can to keep up! Charming, whimsical, and perhaps embellished a hint of potential romance, Kubo
Won't Let Me Be Invisible is a delight to browse. It should be noted for personal reading lists that Kubo Won't Let Me Be
Invisible is intended for older teen and adult readres, and is available in a Kindle edition ($6.29).
Sakamoto Days 1
Yuto Suzuki
Viz
https://www.viz.com
9781974728947 $9.99 pbk / $6.29
https://www.amazon.com/Sakamoto-Days-Vol-1/dp/1974728943
Synopsis: Taro Sakamoto was once a legendary hit man considered the greatest of all time. Bad guys feared him! Assassins
revered him! But then one day he quit, got married, and had a baby. He's now living the quiet life as the owner of a
neighborhood store, but how long can Sakamoto enjoy his days of retirement before his past catches up to him?!
Time has passed peacefully for Sakamoto since he left the underworld. He's running a neighborhood store with his lovely
wife and child and has gotten a bit... out of shape. But one day a figure from his past pays him a visit with an offer he can't
refuse: return to the assassin world or die!
Critique: Sakamoto Days 1 is a black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) kicking off an unpredictable and
sometimes violent series about a retired assassin whose former job won't leave him alone! Taro Sakamoto simply wants to
run a neighborhood store and live in peace with his wife and child, but when an underworld figure gives him an offer he
can't refuse, his past catches up to him with a vengeance. Exciting and sometimes surreal in its portrayal of Sakamoto's
effort to balance violence and family life, Sakamoto Days 1 is a thoroughly captivating page-turner and highly
recommended. It should be noted for personal reading lists that Sakamoto Days 1 is intended for older teen and adult
readers, and available in a Kindle edition ($6.29).
Sakamoto Days 2
Yuto Suzuki
Viz
https://www.viz.com
9781974732142 $9.99 pbk / $6.49 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Sakamoto-Days-Vol-2/dp/1974732142
Synopsis: Taro Sakamoto was once a legendary hit man considered the greatest of all time. Bad guys feared him! Assassins
revered him! But then one day he quit, got married, and had a baby. He's now living the quiet life as the owner of a
neighborhood store, but how long can Sakamoto enjoy his days of retirement before his past catches up to him?!
Shin faces off with a strange assassin who's targeting Mr. Sakamoto, but how will he manage against a foe whose thoughts
are unreadable? Then, the Sakamoto gang does their best to enjoy a peaceful family outing at the amusement park, only to
be rudely interrupted by a pair of menacing assassins. Can Mr. Sakamoto and his buddies take care of them without his
family noticing?
Critique: Sakamoto Days 2 continues the manga (Japanese comics) saga of Taro Sakamoto, the ex-assassin turned store
owner and family man. Sakamoto's violent past has caught up to him; he's targeted by assassins! Can he and his underworld
friends eliminate the threat without disrupting Sakamoto's peaceful family life? Even something as simple as a family outing
to an amusement park has the potential to turn deadly! It should be noted for personal reading lists that Sakamoto Days 2 is
intended for older teen readers, and is available in a Kindle edition ($6.49).
The Audiobook Shelf
HMS Hazard
David Donachie, author
John Telfer, narrator
Soundings
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781407999715, $TBA, Library CD, 10 Discs
https://www.ulverscroft.com/title.php?sqlCmd=isbn%3D9781407999715
Synopsis: In the year 1796, John Pearce is stuck with a difficult mission, a crew of Quota Men forced to enlist in the Royal
Navy, four new midshipmen, as well as Samuel Oliphant, companion-cum-spy, whom he finds a constant irritant.
In his favor he commands HMS Hazard, a speedy warship, a pair of competent officers and, of course, his trusty friends the
Pelicans. Their mission is to head for the Mediterranean Fleet and warn Admiral Sir John Jervis of impending danger he
will face, fighting a combined French/Spanish fleet.
But there is a serious distraction, the imminent arrival of a Spanish vessel from South America carrying silver, for which the
Spaniards are waiting before declaring war. Can John Pearce resist the lure of such a valuable capture and risk his ship in a
dangerous battle to gain it, or will his duty come first?
Critique: One of those great action/adventure novels from a time in history of iron men and wooden ships, Novelist David
Donachie's "HMS Hazard" is brought vividly to life with a 'theatre of the mind' quality vocal performance by narrator John
Telfer. The result is a complete and unabridged audio book that is enthusiastically recommended for all community library
collections. It should be noted that "HMS Hazard" is also available in an MP3-CD edition (9781407999722) as well.
Editorial Note: David Donachie is a Scottish nautical historical novelist. He also writes under the pen-names Tom Connery
and Jack Ludlow as well as, from 2019, Jack Cole. He was elected to the Management Committee of the Society of Authors
in 2014 and became Chair in March 2016.
Jumping Jenny
Anthony Berkeley, author
Soundings
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781407998954, $TBA, Library CD, 7 Discs
https://www.ulverscroft.com/title.php?sqlCmd=isbn%3D9781407998954
Synopsis: At a costume party with the dubious theme of 'famous murderers and their victims', the know-it-all amateur
criminologist Roger Sheringham is settled in for an evening of beer, small talk and analyzing his companions. One guest in
particular has caught his attention for her theatrics, and his theory that she might have several enemies among the partygoers
proves true when she is found hanging from the 'decorative' gallows on the roof terrace.
Noticing a key detail which could implicate a friend in the crime, Sheringham decides to meddle with the scene and
unwittingly casts himself into jeopardy as the uncommonly thorough police investigation circles closer and closer to the
truth.
Critique: Tightly paced and cleverly defying the conventions of the classic detective novel, "Jumping Jenny" by Anthony
Berkeley was originally published in 1933 remains a a classic example of the inverted mystery subgenre. Brilliantly narrated
by Sean Barrett, this complete and unabridged audio book is a 'must' for all dedicated mystery fans and will prove to be an
enduringly prized addition to community library Mystery/Suspense audio book collections. It should be noted that "Jumping
Jenny" is also available in an MP3-CD audio book format (9781407998961).
Editorial Note: Anthony Berkeley Cox (5 July 1893 - 9 March 1971) was an English crime writer. He wrote under several
pen-names, including Francis Iles, Anthony Berkeley and A. Monmouth Platts.
The Last Goddess
Katerina Tuckova, author
Nina Yndis, narrator
www.katerina-tuckova.cz/en
Brilliance Audio
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781713649922, $34.99, Library CD Edition
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Goddess-Novel-Kate%C5%99ina-Tu%C4%8Dkov%C3%A1/dp/1542036380
Synopsis: Last in a centuries-old lineage of healing women, Dora Idesova was raised by her aunt Surmena in the White
Carpathians. Resistant to superstition, Dora grew up hearing stories of the "goddesses" who were said to conjure love and
curses and, through divine connection, cure the spirit and the body. Now an academic, Dora is researching the tales that for
generations spellbound the hillside where she grew up.
As the mysteries become truths, they reveal a stunning discovery that reaches back from the witch trials of the seventeenth
century through Nazi-occupied Germany. Embarking on an emotional journey, Dora is about to find out how deeply and
fatefully she is entwined with secret tradition.
Critique: Beautifully weaving together fact, folklore, and fiction, with the publication of "The Last Goddess", Katerina
Tuckova draws on the stories of her ancestors to explore the extraordinary history of goddesses who walked the earth. All
this is compellingly narrated by the vocal performance of Nina Yndis is a complete and unabridged Library CD edition (11
CDs, 132 Hours, 57 Minutes) that is certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library audio
book shelves. It should be noted for personal and community library collections that there is also an MP3-CD edition
(9780756415860, $27.99) available as well.
Editorial Note: Katerina Tuckova is a Czech playwright, publicist, biographer, art historian, exhibition curator. She has won
several literary awards, including the Magnesia Litera Award, the Brno City Award for literature, the Josef Skvorecky
Award, and the Czech Bestseller Award. Her books have been translated into nineteen languages. She has an informative
website at www.katerina-tuckova.cz/en
Betraying the Crown
T. P. Fielden, author
Joel Froomkin, narrator
Brilliance Audio
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781713659204, $25.99, Library CD Edition
https://www.amazon.com/Betraying-Crown-Guy-Harford-Mystery/dp/1713659204
Synopsis: Windsor, 1943. Britain is in the grip of World War II and treachery is afoot. The body of controversial former
courtier Lord Blackwater is found in the abandoned Fort Belvedere, once the country bolthole of the King's wayward
brother. And all signs point to murder.
Royal confidant Guy Harford is called in to solve the mystery quickly and quietly, before any hint of scandal reaches the
public. Investigating with the help of Rodie, his roguish burglar girlfriend, his enquiries lead him into the world of the Royal
Ballet, where on-stage glamour hides an undercurrent of off-stage deceit. And when the ballet company's newest recruit
turns up dead, it's clear there's more to this murder than meets the eye.
Meanwhile, news reaches the Palace that the King's brother (already under strict orders to stay out of trouble) is threatening
to undermine both Crown and country by taking US citizenship.
Harford must do his royal duty. It's up to him to catch the killer and save the monarchy from crisis in wartime. Before any
more heads roll!
Critique: Superbly narrated by Joel Froomakin who brings author T. P. Fielden's novel, "Betraying The Crown" vividly to
life in a true 'theatre of the mind' experience, this riveting Library CD edition of a British style detective mystery is highly
recommended for community library audio book collections. (7 CDs, 8 Hours, 50 Minutes). It should be noted that
"Betraying The Crown" is also available in an MP3-CD audio book format (9781713659211, $14.99).
Editorial Note: TP Fielden is the fiction-writing name of the acclaimed royal biographer and commentator Christopher
Wilson, who has penned biographies of Prince Charles, Camilla, Diana and other members of the British royal family. For
twenty years a leading Fleet Street journalist with columns in The Times, Sunday Telegraph, Daily Express and Today, he is
now a bestselling biographer and (as TP Fielden) novelist.
The Ice Ghost
Kathleen O'Neal Gear, author
Shaun Taylor-Corbett, narrator
Sisi Aisha Johnson, narrator
Brilliance Audio
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781713562542, $36.99, Library CD Edition
https://www.amazon.com/Ice-Ghost-Rewilding-Reports/dp/1713562545
Synopsis: In the brutal Ice Age caused by the ancient Jemen war, many archaic human species, including Denisovans and
Homo erectus, hover on the verge of extinction. There seems no way out, until the greatest Neandertal holy man, Trogon,
has a vision.
Legends say the truce that ended the old war left one hostage in the hands of the victorious rebels: the godlike Jemen leader
known as the Old Woman of the Mountain. According to Trogon's vision, only one person knows the location of that burial
cave.
Trogon must capture young Quiller and force her to lead him there -- for the Old Woman may not be dead. She may only
have been in stasis for a thousand summers, and when reawakened she will save them from oblivion.
But according to the Denisovans (Quiller's people) Trogon is the most powerful witch alive. He's up to something evil that
will surely spell their destruction. He must be stopped before it's too late. So Quiller's best friend Lynx must brave towering
glaciers, dire wolves, and prides of giant lions to save her and stop Trogon.
Critique: Heroic fantasy at it's very best, "The Ice Ghost" by Kathleen O'Neal Gear is flawlessly performed by the narrative
team talents of Shaun Taylor-Corbett and Sisi Aisha Johnson. This complete and unabridged Library CD edition (8 CDs, 9
Hours, 25 Minutes) from Brilliance Media is an especially recommended addition for both personal and community library
Science Fiction & Fantasy audio book collections. It should also be noted that there is an MP3-CD edition available
(9781713562559, $29.99).
Editorial Note: Kathleen O'Neal Gear has authored or co-authored 50 novels and around 200 non-fiction articles. In 2015,
the United States Congress honored her with a "Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition" for her work as an
American archaeologist and writer. In 2019, her book "Maze Master" won the International Book Award for Best Science
Fiction novel. She has a website at www.gear-gear.com and can be followed on Twitter: @Gearbooks
The Druid
Jeff Wheeler
http://www.jeff-wheeler.com
Brilliance Audio
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781713646709, $24.99, Library CD Edition
https://www.amazon.com/Druid-Dawning-Muirwood-1/dp/1713646706
Synopsis: Eilean was born a "wretched" -- a lowly foundling raised by the Aldermaston of Tintern Abbey. Then she's chosen
to assist in establishing the new abbey of Muirwood, now the site of a castle in the swampy Bearden Muir. Eilean's role is as
night servant to the druid Mordaunt, the king's exiled advisor -- and prisoner. He's clever, dangerous, and invaluable to the
Aldermaston.
Mordaunt's priceless secret: the hiding place of an ancient tome that reveals the existence of other worlds and the magic
between them. Mordaunt knows how potent its words are and how dangerous they could be in the wrong hands. But can
Eilean win him over? All she must do is gain Mordaunt's confidence and trust and persuade the apostate to divulge his
secret to her. But as she learns more from Mordaunt, Eilean's loyalties begin to fray. And the risks are greater than she
imagined.
Despite betrayals, deceptions, and the deadly motivations of others, a girl from the flax fields is about to rise above her
station. By exploring the potential of the power of an ancient spoken magic, Eilean is coming into her own.
Critique: A superbly crafted novel of magic, fantasy and mythology, author Jeff Wheeler's "The Druid" is expertly narrated
by the storytelling talents of vocal performer Kate Rudd in this highly recommended, complete and unabridged Library CD
edition (8 CDs, 9 Hours, 7 Minutes). It should also be noted that "The Druid" is readily available for personal and library
collections in an MP3-CD format (9781713646716, $14.99).
The Library CD Shelf
Lifeline
John Stein
Whaling City Sound
www.whalingcitysound.com
$TBA CD
Lifeline is a 2-CD music album celebrating the storied musical career of jazz guitarist John Stein. Featuring highlights from
Stein's discography, the track selection showcases decades of passion, creativity, and performance. Contributions from side
musicians and creative arrangements enhance this treasury, highly recommended especially for jazz guitar enthusiasts and
public library collections. 73 min., 8 sec.
Reflection
Lynn Tredeau
www.lynntredeau.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $10.00 digital
https://lynntredeau.bandcamp.com/album/reflection
Reflection is a calming new age solo piano album. The gentle, smoothly flowing music evokes soul-searching over one's
past, and inspires dreams for the future. Reflection is a beautiful, calming and centering listening experience, highly
recommended especially for connoisseurs of the genre. The tracks are Tide Pools, Someday Somehow, What the Rain Said,
Dreaming Tree, Meandering, Aspens of Targhee Mountain, Deep in the Forest, The Passing of Time, Nomad, The Road to
There, Washed Away, and Celebration.
New Roots
Adema Manoukas Octet
FACTOR
7.00 Euro digital
https://nickadema.bandcamp.com/album/new-roots
New Roots is the debut album of contemporary jazz by eight Canadian music artists, Adema Manoukas Octet. The Octet
consists of Evan Dalling on trumpet, Brenon Parmar on alto saxophone, David Hodgson on tenor & soprano saxophones,
Nick Adema on trombone, Alex Manoukas on baritone saxophone, Leighton Harrell on bass, and Keith Barstow on drums.
Their music includes both original compositions and arranged interpretations of classic songs by Dizzy Gillespie and
Thelonious Monk. New Roots is a treasure for modern jazz collections, highly recommended. The tracks are Tour de Force,
Eastern Avenue, 'Round Midnight, New Roots, In the Weeds, Reflections, Three Step Deal, and Runnin'.
Up the Hill and Through the Fog
The Slocan Ramblers
slocanramblers.com
Privately Published
$14.98 CD / $8.99 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/Hill-Through-Fog-Slocan-Ramblers/dp/B09VQ3RZCX
Up the Hill and Through the Fog is a bluegrass album by award-winning Canadian roots ensemble The Slocan Ramblers.
The album features the three core Slocan Ramblers members Darryl Poulsen on guitar and vocals, Adrian Gross on
mandolin, mandola, and vocals, and Frank Evans on banjo and vocals, with additional contributions from Charles James on
bass and vocals. Up the Hill and Through the Fog is passionate, emotional, memorable, and highly recommended especially
for connoisseurs of the genre. The tracks are I Don't Know, You Said Goodbye, Won't You Come Back Home, A Mind
With A Heart Of Its Own, Snow Owl, Bill Fernie, Platform Four, Streetcar Lullaby, Bury My Troubles, Harefoot's Retreat,
The River Roaming Song, and Bring Me Down Low.
Qui Quen Grogne
Yannick Rieu
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $10.32 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TBG412Z
Montreal-based jazz saxophonist Yannick Rieu presents Qui Quen Grogne, an album titled after a French expression that
means "I don't care what people think about what I'm doing." Rieu's sublime mastery of tenor and soprano saxophone shines
through these eight original compositions. Qui Quen Grogne is enthusiastically recommended especially for jazz saxophone
connoisseurs. The tracks are Qui Quen Grogne, Song Sisters, Riff Droite, Time is Life Was, Le Philosophe, Pharaon, and
Porta di Cinese.
Havana Meets Kingston Part 2
Mista Savona and Havana Meets Kingston
Cumbancha
www.cumbancha.com
$13.98 CD / $9.49 MP3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZLNWRR4
Havana Meets Kingston Part 2 is the follow up to Mista Savona's 2017 debut album. An all-star lineup of musicians from
Cuba and Jamaica showcase 15 songs ranging from reggae, dancehall, and rocksteady to Cuban son, timba, and salsa. The
pulse-pounding performances are an electrifying experience! Havana Meets Kingston Part 2 is a choice pick for
international music collections, highly recommended. The tracks are The Fire From Africa, Siempre Si, Guarachara, The
Human Chain, Solutions (We Can Do It), Havana Meets Kingston, Lo Que Quieres, Lagrimas Negras, Beat Con Flow,
Destiny, Kingston Nights, Reggae Y Son, Slave Trade, Juramento, and We Are One.
The General Fiction Shelf
Carry On, Jeeves
P. G. Wodehouse
Dover Publications, Inc.
31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, NY 11501
www.doverpublications.com
9780486848952, $6.00, PB, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/Carry-Jeeves-Dover-Thrift-Editions/dp/0486848957
Synopsis: "Carry On, Jeeves" is comprised of ten classic and very funny short stories by author and humorist P. G.
Wodehouse featuring the amusing antics and occasional mishaps of young gentleman Bertie Wooster, who regularly relies
on the infinite wisdom of his consummate valet, Jeeves, for help. Lighthearted and delightful to read, these stories include
some of the most popular from the Jeeves canon: "Jeeves Takes Charge," in which Bertie and Jeeves first meet, and "Bertie
Changes His Mind," -- which is the only story told from Jeeves's point of view.
Critique: Lampooning the English gentry, "Carry On, Jeeves" will have a very special interest to the legions of Dalton Abby
fans and the other BBC television series and movies reflecting life and times of the British upper class. P. G. Wodehouse
was a master of the lighthearted short story forma and this new Dover Thrift Edition of "Carry On, Jeeves" will introduce a
talented writer and a rather incompetent young man and his ever capably valet to a new generation of appreciative readers.
Simply stated, "Carry On, Jeeves" is very highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library humorous
fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, KBE (15 October 1881 - 14 February 1975) was an English author and
one of the most widely read humorists of the 20th century. His creations include the feather-brained Bertie Wooster and his
sagacious valet, Jeeves; the immaculate and loquacious Psmith; Lord Emsworth and the Blandings Castle set; the Oldest
Member, with stories about golf; and Mr Mulliner, with tall tales on subjects ranging from bibulous bishops to
megalomaniac movie moguls. There is a website dedicated to the life and work of P. G. Wodehouse at
https://wodehouse.fandom.com/wiki/P._G._Wodehouse
The Weed Man
Nicola Jane John
Vanguard Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
www.vanguardpressbooks.com
9781800160866, $7.99, PB, 111pp
https://www.amazon.com/Weed-Man-N-J-John/dp/1800160860
Synopsis: Following his retirement as a top-ranking Secret Service agent in Her Majesty's government, Professor Gethin
David Weedall becomes bored with the tedium of everyday life in suburbia. He misses both the glamour and the danger
associated with the assignments which took him to virtually every corner of the globe. 007 had a potent rival.
What to do? The prof simply didn't know. Then while strolling through his extensive gardens he had a flash of inspiration.
WEEDS. Yes of course. WEEDS. Though somewhat unusual, this would become his passion. He would conquer all weeds
despoiling his beautifully manicured lawns... to his wife, Sally Anne's dismay and the loss of intimacy she still craved
for.
Unfortunately, things don't go quite to plan as he runs out of his favourite weedkiller, Devitas. And when Internet shopping
goes awry, life becomes complicated. Very complicated.
Critique: Written with considerable wit and laugh-out-loud humor, "The Weed Man" showcases author Nicola J. John's
genuine flair for originality and the kind of narrative storytelling style that keeps the reader's rapt attention from cover to
cover. With its them of obsessive involvement with a garden, "The Weed Man" is certain to be an immediate and enduringly
appreciated addition to personal reading lists and community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should
also be noted that "The Weed Man" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Almost Like Praying
Joel Samberg
Black Rose Writing
www.blackrosewriting.com
1685130091, $25.95, HC, 249pp
https://www.amazon.com/Almost-Like-Praying-Joel-Samberg/dp/1685130097
Synopsis: "Almost Like Praying" by Joel Samberg consists of three separate stories he reconstructs: one about the family's
Massachusetts and Long Island roots, another about the troubled early adulthood of the eldest son, and the last which details
the curious relationship between Dolores and that little girl.
Critique: Of particular interest to readers who enjoy original and entertaining stories about family life, "Almost Like
Praying" deftly blends memorable characters with a narrative driven storytelling style that engages the full attention of the
reader from first page to last. Joel Samberg's narrative driven storytelling style and genuine flair for originality makes for
memorably entertaining read. Especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary General
Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Almost Like Praying" is also available in a paperback
edition (9781684339365, $20.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $5.99)
Editorial Note: Joel Samberg is the author of the 2019 novel Blowin' in the Wind as well as four nonfiction books including
Some Kind of Lonely Clown: The Music, Memory & Melancholy Lives of Karen Carpenter. His complete biography can be
found at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6358153/bio
Nightwork
Nora Roberts
St. Martin's Press
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781250278197, $29.99, HC, 448pp
https://www.amazon.com/Nightwork-Novel-Nora-Roberts/dp/1250278198
Synopsis: Harry Booth started stealing at nine to keep a roof over his ailing mother's head, slipping into luxurious, empty
homes at night to find items he could trade for precious cash. When his mother finally succumbed to cancer, he left Chicago
-- but kept up his nightwork, developing into a master thief with a code of honor and an expertise in not attracting attention
or getting attached.
That is, until he meets Miranda Emerson, and the powerful bond between them upends all his rules. But along the way,
Booth has made some dangerous associations, including the ruthless Carter LaPorte, who sees Booth as a tool he controls
for his own profit. Knowing LaPorte will leverage any personal connection, Booth abandons Miranda for her own safety, as
cruelly and with no explanation he disappears.
But the bond between Miranda and Booth is too strong, pulling them inexorably back together. Now Booth must face
LaPorte, to truly free himself and Miranda once and for all.
Critique: Few writers today can match author Nora Robert's impressive narrative driven skills for blending romance with
suspense. Once again with the publication of "Nightwork" she demonstrates her authentic flair for originality, her crafting of
memorable characters, and her seemingly innate ability for coming up with compelling and unexpected plot twists and turns.
While unreservedly recommended for community library fiction collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists
of the legions of Nora Roberts fans that "Nightwork" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and
as a complete and unabridged audio book (Macmillan Audio, 9781250852120, $44.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Nora Roberts ROBERTS is the author of more than 230 novels, including Legacy, The Awakening,
Hideaway, Under Currents, The Chronicles of The One trilogy,and many more. She is also the author of the bestselling In
Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
Everything Must Go
Camille Pagan
www.camillepagan.com
Lake Union Publishing
Brilliance Audio
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781542037426, $24.95, HC, 272pp
https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Must-Go-Camille-Pag%C3%A1n/dp/1542037425
Synopsis: Laine Francis believes there's a place for everything -- and New York (where her family lives), isn't her place. But
no sooner does the professional organizer's marriage begin to unravel than her sisters drop another bomb on her: their
mother, Sally, may have dementia, and they need Laine to come home.
Laine agrees to briefly return to Brooklyn. After all, bringing order to chaos is what she does best. To Laine's relief, Sally
seems no more absentminded than usual. So Laine vows to help her mother maintain her independence, then hightail it back
to Michigan.
Except Laine's plans go awry when she runs into her former best friend, Ben, and realizes she finally has a chance to repair
their fractured relationship. Then she discovers that memory loss isn't the only thing Sally's been hiding, forcing Laine to
decide whether to reveal a devastating truth to her sisters -- and whether to follow her heart when it means breaking her
mother's.
Critique: Of special appeal to fans of family fiction involving mothers, sisters, and a complicated romance, "Everything
Must Go" by veteran novelist Camille Pagan is an extraordinarily entertaining and memorable read. Exceptionally well
written, with distinctive characters and an engagingly original plot, "Everything Muse Go" is especially recommended for
community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Everything
Mus Go" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781542037433, $14.95), in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99),
and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance Audio, 9781713656005, $24.80, MP3-CD).
Editorial Note: Camille Pagan is the author of eight novels, including Don't Make Me Turn This Life Around, This Won't
End Well, I'm Fine and Neither Are You, Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties, and Life and Other Near-Death Experiences.
Her work has also been published in the New York Times; O, The Oprah Magazine; Real Simple; Time; and many others.
She has her own website at: www.camillepagan.com
The Historical Fiction Shelf
In the Shadows of Guadalcanal
Phillip Parotti
Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781636241623, $22.95, PB, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Guadalcanal-Casemate-Fiction/dp/163624162X
Synopsis: Twice torpedoed during the Battle of the Atlantic, LT. Tony Colombo USNR, a former merchant marine officer,
is appointed to command a new Navy ship, PC-450, a 173 foot, steel-hulled and much advanced submarine chaser carrying
five officers and sixty-five men. After a period of escorting convoys up and down the Atlantic coast, Tony suddenly finds
himself escorting ships loaded with Marine Corps equipment all the way to Wellington, New Zealand and then to Brisbane,
Australia.
Once arrived, he is instantly ordered to begin escorting small convoys up and down the Australian coast. Some weeks later,
Tony and PC-450 engage in battle with a dangerous Japanese midget submarine which is attempting to penetrate Brisbane
Harbor.
In the summer of 1942, as PC-450 begins to escort numerous convoys from Australia to Noumea in New Caledonia, the
United States suddenly invades Guadalcanal with the result that Tony begins guiding convoys north in support of the
invasion while fending off the multiple day and night air raids that the Japanese throw down The Slot.
Subsequently, following the hard fought victory on Guadalcanal, PC-450 participates in the invasion of the Russell Islands
and then, during the grinding fight for New Georgia, PC-450 not only helps to fend off Japanese air attacks on the fleet but
twice engages in surface actions when the Japanese attempt to infiltrate troops onto the island. Wounded in a sudden air
attack that radar could not detect in advance, Tony and Baldy are returned to Brisbane for convalescence and new
assignments.
Critique: Although a work of carefully crafted fiction, "In The Shadows Of Guadalcanal" by Phillip Parotti is clearly infused
with the author's years of experience as a U.S. Naval officer and his familiarity with the history of American armed forces in
the Pacific Theatre of World War II. The result is a simply riveting and entertaining read from first page to last. While also
available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.49), "In The Shadows Of Guadalcanal" is certain to
be an immediately welcome and enduringly popular addition to community library Military Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Phillip Parotti graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1963, and served four years at sea on destroyers,
both in the Pacific and the Atlantic, before exchanging his regular commission for a commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
In addition to a number of short stories, essays, and poems, Parotti has published three well received novels about The
Trojan War. He has his own Wikipedia page at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Parotti
Sins of the Fathers
Herbert J. Stern, author
Alan A. Winter, author
Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781510769427, $29.99, HC, 432pp
https://www.amazon.com/Sins-Fathers-Herbert-J-Stern/dp/1510769420
Synopsis: History hinged on a call as the German high command waited for Hitler's order to invade Czechoslovakia. That
was the signal that would launch their revolt to bring down the Reich. Every detail of the coup was in place. Access roads to
Berlin would be blocked. The city sealed. Communication centers taken. A commando squad of sixty hand-picked men
were ready to storm the Chancellery and seize Hitler. The only open question: to try Hitler as a traitor or execute him on the
spot.
Although a work of fiction, "Sins of the Fathers" is based on historical facts and is the story of the efforts of German
military leaders, career civil servants, and clergy to solicit England's assistance to bring down Adolph Hitler in 1938.
When Prime Minster Neville Chamberlain refused to meet with them, they turned to Winston Churchill, who secretly
supported their cause. Armed with a strongly worded letter from the future prime minister, they waited for Hitler's telephone
call ordering German troops to invade Czechoslovakia -- the signal for their uprising.
But the call did not come. Instead, Prime Minister Chamberlain went to Hitler's apartment in Munich only to bow to the
dictator's will. The invasion was over before it began -- and with that, so was the coup. Flying home, Chamberlain
announced he had obtained "peace for our times."
"Sins of the Fathers" tells the dramatic true story of a foolish British prime minister that undermined the coup intended to
topple the regime, but ended by delivering Czechoslovakia to Hitler, saved the Fuhrer's life, and paved the road to what
would be justifiably called World War II.
Critique: The sequel to Herbert Stern and Alan Winer's novel about Hitler's rise to power, "Wolf" (9781510769441, $19.99
PB, $18.99 Kindle) this dramatically presented and heretofore obscure series of pre-war events makes for a riveting,
thought-provoking, and thoroughly entertaining read from cover to cover, "Sins of the Fathers" is unreservedly
recommended for community library World War II Historical Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading
lists that "Sins of the Fathers" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99).
Editorial Note #1: Herbert J. Stern served as judge of the United States Court for Berlin. There he presided over a hijacking
trial in the occupied American Sector of West Berlin. His book about the case, Judgment in Berlin, won the 1974 Freedom
Foundation Award and became a film starring Martin Sheen and Sean Penn. He co-authored Wolf: A Novel, and he also
wrote Diary of a DA: The True Story of the Prosecutor Who Took on the Mob, Fought Corruption, and Won, as well as the
multi-volume legal work Trying Cases to Win.
Editorial Note #2: Alan A. Winter is the co-author of Wolf: A Novel, and the author of four other novels, including Island
Bluffs, Snowflakes in the Sahara, Someone Else's Son, and Savior's Day, which Kirkus selected as a Best Book of 2013. He
edited an award-winning journal and has published more than twenty professional articles. Alan studied creative writing at
Columbia's Graduate School of General Studies. His screenplay, Polly, received honorable mention in the Austin Film
Festival, and became the basis for Island Bluffs.
Brandy, You're a Fine Girl
Dee DeTarsio
http://www.deedetarsio.com
Addison & Highsmith Publishers
c/o Histria Books
www.histriabooks.com
9781592111398, $29.99, HC, 260pp
https://www.amazon.com/Brandy-Youre-Fine-Girl-DeTarsio/dp/1592111394
Synopsis: If you know the song, you know Brandy's sailor loved the sea more than her (The bastard.). Brandy, You're a Fine
Girl is historical fan fiction, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the 1972 hit songs written and composed by Elliot Lurie,
and then recorded by his band Looking Glass.
But Brandy's story doesn't end when the music stops -- her destiny is filled with adventure!
England, mid-1800s, and Barmaid Brandy seizes on a plan to become that good wife and escape her life of drudgery. A
pregnancy would be just the thing to get him to marry her. When that doesn't work, she crosses paths with Elliot, a
nobleman in need of a wife and heir by his fast-approaching 30th birthday, or else his inheritance will go to his scheming
cousin Clarence.
Once married, Elliot's problems appear solved, and Brandy has a kind husband and a warm and comfy new home, even if it
is full of Elliot's odd band of friends. Everyone tries to get along and put up with Brandy's strange cravings and
profanity-laden drama, until they discover she never was really pregnant.
She fears she'll be kicked out, but not to worry -- there's still time for Elliot to fulfill his husbandly duty and save the day. Or
is he up to the task? When Elliot's handsome (and virile) best friend Beau shows up, Brandy promptly falls head over heels.
She becomes pregnant, but will it be too late? Swearing she can live on love, Brandy dreams of running o with Beau, until
she discovers a shocking secret about her husband and his best friend.
Will the baby arrive before Elliot's 30th birthday? Will it even be a son and therefore true heir? And who is the mysterious
one-armed carpenter from Brandy's past? Fear not -- Brandy always has a back-up plan. From the tarnished silver locket
(that turned her neck green, but may hold a pirate's map), to a secret passageway containing hidden treasure, Brandy is
determined to get by on her wits and her tits.
Critique: A purely fun read from first page to last, "Brandy, You're a Fine Girl" is an enduringly popular song that has now
inspired what will be an equally popular historical romance novel by Dee DeTarsio. With cleverly crafted characters, a roller
coaster of a plot, and a a truly memorable read from cover to cover, "Brandy, You're a Fine Girl" is especially recommended
for the personal reading list of all dedicated romance fans, as well as a welcome addition to community library Historical
Romance Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: An award winning writer, Dee DeTarsio began her career in Tucson, Arizona as a news producer. After
moving to San Diego, she worked at SeaWorld as a producer/writer, then Children's Hospital in the marketing department,
and then became Marketing Director of a dermatology group where she got free Botox. Writing women's fiction along the
way, she has written eight novels. She has her own website at http://www.deedetarsio.com
The Literary Fiction Shelf
Sonju
Wondra Chang
https://wondrachang.com
Madville Publishing
MadvillePublishing.com
9781948692588, $19.95, PB, 290pp
https://www.amazon.com/Sonju-Wondra-Chang/dp/1948692589
Synopsis: Author Wondra Chang's novel, "Sonju", opens on a chilly day in November, 1946 in Seoul, Korea. Japan has
ended its thirty-five-year occupation of Korea after the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. The American military has
become the new occupier. A young woman named Sonju is on the way to her best friend's house when she sees two
Americans in military uniforms walking ahead of her, and her heart stirs. So begins the story that spans over two
decades.
Sonju comes of age in Japanese-occupied Korea, and having received a modern education, she imagines a life of equality
and freedom of choice. Her ideals soon clash with the centuries-old Confucian tradition of order and conformity when her
mother arranges her marriage to a man she has never met. The decisions she makes during the Korean War lead to her being
disowned by her family, betrayed by her best friend, and shunned by society.
Through the period of rapidly evolving political strife in her country following its liberation in 1945, Sonju's private struggle
to seek her relevance in a male-dominated society parallels the struggles of Korea on its way to becoming a force in the
word.
Critique: A carefully and impressively crafted work of literary fiction, "Sonju" will have a very special appeal to readers of
women's historical and literary fiction. An entertaining and memorable read from beginning to end, "Sonju" is especially
and unreservedly recommended for community, college, and university library collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Sonju" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Wondra Chang was born in South Korea and has lived in the U.S. since 1970. Her writing discipline began
at age ten, writing five short stories a day under the tutelage of a writing teacher. She won first place in a province-wide
in-person writing competition. She also studied journalism at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea. She has a website
at https://wondrachang.com
The Romantic Fiction Shelf
Edgewater Road
Shelley Shepard Gray
Blackstone Publishing
31 Mistletoe Road, Ashland, OR 97520
www.BlackstoneAudio.com
9781799923695, $17.99, PB, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Edgewater-Road-Rumors-Ross-County/dp/179992369X
Synopsis: When Jennifer Smiley's grandmother, Ginny, leaves her an old farmhouse on Edgewater Road in seemingly quiet
Ross County, Ohio, Jennifer can't pass up the opportunity for a new beginning. Almost immediately she meets a group of
men who generously help her move in. When she realizes that they work for Lincoln Bennett, her next-door neighbor, she's
intrigued. Lincoln is gorgeous and has dark, lapis-blue eyes she could get lost in . . . but he doesn't seem all that friendly.
She's torn between getting to know him and sticking with the solitude she knows so well. Maybe she could let down some
of those walls she's built around her emotions?
Lincoln Bennett likes to keep his head down and get his work done. He's been to prison and he knows that a lot of folks
don't take kindly to a man with that kind of history. Plus, he's busy helping other ex-cons get back on their feet. But when he
meets Jennifer, he can't help but feel an instant attraction. Will she be able to look past his unsavory history? Will she be
able to accept the men he's working so hard to help?
While Jennifer gets to know Lincoln and his friends, she also begins to unravel her grandmother's story, putting together the
pieces from scraps of memories and things she finds in her new home. She soon discovers that Ginny Smiley harbored some
dark secrets on Edgewater Road -- and that those secrets include both Lincoln and her own absent father. Is learning the
truth worth the heartache it could bring?
As the weeks pass and she and Lincoln become closer, Jennifer learns there is a lot to uncover in Ross County -- wonderful
friendships, darling towns ... and more than one secret that might be better left buried!
Critique: An original, carefully crafted and inherently entertaining novel, with the publication of "Edgewater Road" author
Shelley Shepard Gray continues to document her undeniable talents and genuine flair for the kind of narrative storytelling
style that creates a kind of theatre of the mind experience for the reader. Of special attraction who like small town stories
with revealed small town secrets, "Edgewater Road" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library
Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for the growing legions of Shelley Shepard Gray fans that
"Edgewater Road" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book
(9781799921813, $31.95). Librarians please note that there is a large print edition (9798200911547, $28.99, HC) of
"Edgewater Road" as well.
Editorial Note: Shelley Shepard Gray is the author of numerous romantic fiction series and mystery novels, including the
Seasons of Sugarcreek series, the Sisters of the Heart series, the Families of Honor series, and others. She is also a recipient
of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award. She has written more than eighty novels, translated into multiple
languages.
That Cowboy of Mine
Donna Grant
www.DonnaGrant.com
St. Martin's Press
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250820280, $8.99, PB, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/That-Cowboy-Mine-Donna-Grant/dp/1250820286
Synopsis: Dillon Young is proud that she inherited her aunt's ranch. The problem: someone is trying to run her off and is
willing to do whatever it takes. Strange, dangerous things keep happening.
Dillion suspects her no-good neighbor and fellow wealthy rancher Hank Stephens. Never a man to get his hands dirty, he
sends others to get the job done. So, when the irresistible Cal Bennett is found passed out drunk on her property, Dillion is
on high alert. Until someone takes a shot at her and Cal springs to her rescue. When the hard-bodied, no-nonsense-talking
cowboy points out that she may need some help, Dillion is inclined to reluctantly agree.
Waking up on a stranger's property with a shotgun in his face is not Cal Bennett's idea of a good time. Never mind that the
person on the other end of the barrel is one of the most fiercely beautiful women he has ever seen. Things get more
interesting when he finds himself shielding her from flying bullets. It's clear that this smart, savvy woman could use a hand
and Cal is all too happy to lend any part of his body she requires. His proposal: pose as lovers until they find out who is after
her ranch. As the danger rises and secrets are revealed, the passion explodes between them and there is no turning back.
Critique: A deftly crafted and original novel that effectively blends a mystery with romance, "That Cowboy of Mine" by
author Donna Grant is an original, fully engaging, and thoroughly fun read that will have a special appeal to fans of
contemporary western romance. While highly recommended for community library Romance Fiction collections, it should
be noted for personal reading lists that Donna's latest novel, "That Cowboy of Mine", is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: As a novelist, Donna Grant has been praised for her "totally addictive" and "unique and sensual" stories. Her
latest series, Dark Kings, features a thrilling combination of dragons, Fae, and immortal Highlanders who are dark,
dangerous, and irresistible. She has two websites: www.DonnaGrant.com and www.MotherOfDragonsBooks.com - and is
also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDonnaGrant
Rules for Engaging the Earl
Janna MacGregor
St. Martin's Press
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250761613, $8.99, PB, 384pp
https://www.amazon.com/Rules-Engaging-Earl-Widow/dp/1250761611
Synopsis: Constance Lysander needs a husband. Or, so society says. She's about to give birth to her late husband's child -- a
man who left her with zero money, and two other wives she didn't know about. Thankfully, she has her Aunt by her side,
and the two other wives have become close friends. But still, with a baby on the way, her shipping business to run, and an
enemy skulking about, she has no time to find the perfect match.
Enter Jonathan, Earl of Sykeston. Returned war hero and Constance's childhood best friend, his reentry into society has been
harsh. Maligned for an injury he received in the line of duty, Jonathan prefers to stay out of sight. It's the only way to keep
his heart from completely crumbling. But when a missive from Constance requesting that he marry her, Jonathan is on
board. His feelings for Constance run deep, and he'll do anything to make her happy, though it means risking his already
bruised heart.
With Constance, Jonathan, and the new baby all together, it's clear the wounds (both on the surface and in their relationship)
run deep. But when the nights come, their wounds begin to heal, and both come to realize that their marriage of convenience
is so much more than just a bargain.
Critique: Some authors just seem to be born with a genuine flair for historical romance and the creation of characters their
readers just can't fail to engage with in a kind of 'theatre of the mind" experience. With the publication of "Rules for
Engaging the Earl" (and the second volume in 'The Widow Rules' series), it is clear that Janna MacGregor is one of those
rare and impressive writers. While also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99), "Rules
for Engaging the Earl" will prove to be a welcome and popular addition to community library Historical Romance sections
in general, and Regency Romance collections in particular.
Editorial Note: Janna MacGregor is a dedicated fan of romance novels and writes stories where compelling and powerful
heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She particularly enjoys hearing from readers. She has a
website at: www.JannaMacGregor.com (where fans can sign up for her newsletter) and can be followed on: Twitter:
@JannaMacGregor and Facebook: Janna MacGregor.
A Daring Pursuit
Kate Bateman
https://www.kcbateman.com
St. Martin's Press
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250801609, $8.99, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Daring-Pursuit-Ruthless-Rivals/dp/1250801605
Synopsis: Carys Davies is doing everything in her power to avoid marriage. Staying single is the only way to hide the secret
that could ruin her and her family if it was revealed. For the past two seasons she's scandalized the ton with her outrageous
outfits and brazen ways in a futile bid to deter potential suitors. Outwardly confident and carefree, inside she's disillusioned
with both men and love. There's only one person who's never bought her act - the only man who makes her heart race:
Tristan Montgomery, one of her family's greatest rivals.
Wickedly proper architect Tristan needs a respectable woman to wed, but he's never stopped wanting bold, red-headed
Carys. When she mockingly challenges him to show her what she's missing by not getting married, Tristan shocks them
both by accepting her indecent proposal: one week of clandestine meetings, after which they'll go their separate ways.
But kissing each other is almost as much fun as arguing, and their affair burns hotter than either of them expects. When they
find themselves embroiled in a treasonous plot, can they trust each other with their hearts, their secrets and their lives?
Critique: Simply stated, Kate Bateman is a master of the Regency Romance genre and her latest contribution to the personal
reading lists of dedicated historical romance fans is "A Daring Pursuit". A truly entertaining read from cover to cover,
making it an unreservedly recommended as a summer read and as an addition to community library Romance Fiction
collections, it should be noted that "A Daring Pursuit" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Kate Bateman is an accomplished author of historical romances, including her RITA nominated Renaissance
romp, The Devil To Pay, the Bow Street Bachelors series (This Earl of Mine, To Catch an Earl, and The Princess and the
Rogue), along with the novels in the Secrets & Spies series (To Steal a Heart, A Raven's Heart, and A Counterfeit Heart).
When not writing novels that feature feisty, intelligent heroines and sexy, snarky heroes you want to both strangle and kiss,
Kate works as a fine art appraiser and on-screen antiques expert for several popular TV shows in the UK. She has her own
website at https://www.kcbateman.com
Brush with Love
Mazey Eddings
St. Martin's Griffen
c/o St. Martin's Press
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271
9781250805980, $16.99, PB, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Brush-Love-Novel-Mazey-Eddings/dp/1250805988
Synopsis: Harper is anxiously awaiting placement into a top oral surgery residency program when she crashes (literally) into
Dan. Harper would rather endure a Novocaine-free root canal than face any distractions, even one this adorable.
A first-year dental student with a family legacy to contend with, Dan doesn't have the same passion for pulling teeth that
Harper does. Though he finds himself falling for her, he is willing to play by Harper's rules. So with the greatest of
intentions and the poorest of follow-throughs, the two set out to be "just friends."
But as they get to know each other better, Harper fears that trading fillings for feelings may make her lose control and can't
risk her carefully ordered life coming undone, no matter how drool-worthy Dan is.
Blood, gore, and extra-long roots? No problem. The idea of falling in love? Torture.
Critique: All the more impressive when considering that "A Brush With Love" is author Mazey Eddings debut as a novelist,
this romantic comedy (which is also available in a digital book format -- Kindle, $10.99) is an utter delight from first page
to last and will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to the personal reading lists of romance fans who
appreciate wit, whimsey, and unrelenting humor, along with memorable characters and entertaining plot lines. Librarians
should note that there is also a large print hardcover edition (Center Point Publishing, 9781638083184, $37.95, 445pp) of
"A Brush With Love" available for their collections.
Element of Love
Mary Connealy
www.maryconnealy.com
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton Road, Ada, MI 49301
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764239816, $29.99, HC, 293pp
https://www.amazon.com/Element-Love-Lumber-Barons-Daughters/dp/0764239589
Synopsis: With their sharp engineering minds, Laura Stiles and her two sisters have been able to deal with their mother's
unfortunate choice in a second husband until they discovered his plans to marry each of them off to his lecherous friends.
Now they must run away (far and fast) in order to find better matches and to legally claim their portion of their father's
lumber dynasty and seize control from their stepfather.
During their escape, Laura befriends a mission group heading to serve the poor in California. She quickly volunteers herself
and her sisters to join their efforts. Despite the settlement being in miserable condition, the sisters are excited by the
opportunity to put their skills to good use. Laura also sees potential in Caleb, the mission's parson, to help with gaining her
inheritance. But when secrets buried in Caleb's past and in the land around them come to light, it'll take all the smarts the
sisters have to keep trouble at bay.
Critique: A veteran author of romance fiction, once again with the publication of "The Element of Love" novelist Mary
Connealy exhibits her impressive skills with respect to the kind of narrative driven storytelling style that has created some of
of the best Christian historical and western romance fiction available to appreciative readers today. While unreservedly
recommended for community library Romance Fiction collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of the
growing legions of Mary Connealy fans that "The Element of Love" is also readily available in a paperback edition
(9780764239588, $$15.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Mary Connealy writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed
style. She is also the author of the popular series Brothers in Arms, Brides of Hope Mountain, High Sierra Sweethearts,
Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie's Daughters, and many other books. She has her own website at
www.maryconnealy.com
The Heart of the Deal
Lindsay Macmillan
Alcove Press
c/o Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9781639100101, $16.99, PB, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Deal-Novel-Lindsay-MacMillan/dp/1639100105
Synopsis: Rae is in a romantic recession. As a Wall Street banker and single in New York City she feels overwhelmed by
the pressure to scramble up the corporate and romantic ladders. Feeling her biological clock ticking, she analyzes her love
life like a business deal and vows to lock in a husband before her 30th birthday.
The Manhattan dating app scene has as many ups and downs as the stock market, and outsourcing dates to an algorithm isn't
exactly Rae's idea of romance. She considers cutting her losses, but her friends help her stay invested, boosting her spirits
with ice cream and cheap wine that they share in their sixth-floor walk-up while recapping cringe-worthy dates.
And then Rae meets Dustin, a poetic soul trapped in a business suit, just like her. She starts to hear wedding bells, but
Dustin's struggles with depression will test their relationship, and no amount of financial modeling can project what their
future will look like.
Can Rae free herself from the idea she had of what thirty was supposed to look like and let love breathe on its own timeline?
Or is she too conditioned to stay on the "right track" to follow her unpaved intuition?
Moving and timely, The Heart of the Deal is the story of one woman's reckoning with what success really is in a city, an
industry, and a relationship whose low lows continually challenge the enchantment of the high highs.
Critique: A deftly crafted contemporary romance that is all the more impressive when considering that "The Heart of the
Deal" is author Lindsay Macmillan's debut as a novelist, this fun, emotional, and all too believable struggle to find love,
matrimony, and being able have a family of her own is certain to be an engaging and appreciated addition to personal
reading lists and community library Romance Fiction collections. It should be noted that "The Heart of the Deal" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape,
9781666581348, $22.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Lindsay MacMillan is a writer and businesswoman. She graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth
College and was formerly a vice president at Goldman Sachs. She shares her unfiltered poetry and prose on Instagram
@lindsaymacwriting
The Western Fiction Shelf
Deputized
T. L. Davis
Five Star Books
c/o Gale Cengage Learning, Inc.
20 Channel Center Street, Boston, MA 02210
https://www.gale.com/five-star
www.cengageptr.com
9781432869724, $25.95, HC, 281pp
https://www.amazon.com/Deputized-Five-Star-Western-Davis/dp/1432869728
Synopsis: Frank Whittaker is just an unemployed trail hand trying to recover from a night of celebration when he witnesses
a bank robbery and is deputized into a posse to track the outlaws. Frank is reluctant and resentful until he finds a way to
make money at it by signing on as a guide for a U.S. marshal in pursuit of the same bank robbers, Dandy Jim Beudreaux and
his gang.
Marshal Dayton Howard and his manhunters leave a bloody trail in their pursuit of Dandy Jim through Northern New
Mexico and Southern Colorado, a trail that forces Frank to confront his own morality. But capturing Dandy Jim is only part
of the puzzle Frank will have to solve before justice can be done!
Critique: A screenwriter with several screenplays, one optioned and one taking semi-finalist in a screenplay competition, but
primarily a novelist and freelance writer, T.L. Davis has worked as a producer on micro budget films called The Green
Room and The Last Water Well, both written by him. He has also acted as Executive Producer, writer and narrator for the
non-partisan documentary Lies of Omission. So it's no surprise to find that Davis has a genuine flair for writing a western
action novel like "Deputized". With memorable characters, unexpected plot twists, and gun play aplenty, this new hardcover
edition of "Deputized" from the Five Star series from Gale" is especially recommended for community library Western
Fiction collections and the personal reading lists of dedicated western fans.
Rio Hondo
Preston Lewis
Five Star Books
c/o Gale Cengage Learning, Inc.
20 Channel Center Street, Boston, MA 02210
https://www.gale.com/five-star
www.cengageptr.com
9781432891404, $25.95, HC, 373pp
https://www.amazon.com/Rio-Hondo-Three-Rivers-Trilogy/dp/1432891405
Synopsis: In the aftermath of the "Big Killing," which culminated in the Lincoln County War, rancher Wes Bracken must
rebuild life for himself and his family amid the lingering animosities from the deadly feud. That bloody conflagration has
destroyed his livelihood, strained his family, and turned both sides against him as he steered a neutral path between the
warring factions.
His vengeful brother-in-law vows to kill him, the economic kingpin of Lincoln County seeks revenge, and the despicable
outlaw Jesse Evans, who violated Bracken's wife, intends to murder Bracken and his young family. Two promises
complicate Bracken's chances for survival: a pledge not to kill his wife's brother and a commitment to help William H.
Bonney earn a governor's pardon for his crimes during the turmoil.
With only his Henry rifle-toting partner to depend on, Bracken must fight a corrupt legal system, a duplicitous governor, a
ubiquitous political ring, and an evil Jesse Evans if he is to fulfill his dream of a peaceful life in 1880s New Mexico
Territory. If Bracken keeps his promises to his wife and Billy the Kid, he risks an early grave in the same soil that holds so
many dead from the Lincoln County War. If he doesn't live up to those pledges, he will dishonor the good name he hopes to
build his future on.
Critique: A prolific author who has his own website at https://prestonlewisauthor.com/, Spur Award winner Preston Lewis
has a genuine flair for writing action adventure western novels and "Rio Hondo" is one of his best. Part of his 'Three Rivers
Trilogy, "Rio Hondo" is the stuff of which great western movies are made and a compelling page-turner of a read that is
especially recommended for community library Western Fiction collections and the personal reading lists of the legions of
Preston Lewis fans.
Bad Man's Return
William Colt MacDonald
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781785419584, $TBA, PB, Large Print, 472pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/title.php?sqlCmd=isbn%3D9781785419584
Synopsis: The publication of western novelist William Colt MacDonald's "Bad Man's Return", the cowboy heroes known as
The Three Mesquiteers (Tucson Smith, Stony Brooke, and Lullaby Joslin) return with their special brand of triple trouble!
Two gunfighters arrive in Los Potros the same day, both seeking Tucson. One is anxious to shake the hand of the man who
befriended him years before. The other is a desperado looking for an opportunity to put a bullet through Tucson's heart, in
revenge for a beating he once suffered. But when Tucson is shot, the evidence points to the culprit being his friend -- much
to the gunslinger wrath of Stony and Lullaby.
Critique: This large print paperback edition of "Bad Man's Return" from the Linford Western Library series is in part a
deftly crafted vengeance quest that is part mystery to be solved, and part western gunplay at its very best. A welcome
introduction to one of the best western novelists to every put pen to paper and spin a story that is a terrifically entertaining
read from cover to cover, "Bad Man's Return" is highly recommended to a whole new generation of appreciative readers and
certain to be a welcome addition to community library Western Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Allan William Colt MacDonald (December 2, 1891 - March 27, 1968), who used the name William Colt
MacDonald for his writing, was an American writer of westerns born in Detroit, Michigan whose work appeared both in
books and on film. His many film writing credits, all for character writing, include Santa Fe Stampede (1938), Cowboys
from Texas (1939), The Kansas Terrors (1939), New Frontier (1939), Wyoming Outlaw (1939), Three Texas Steers (1939),
The Night Riders (1939), and Red River Range (1938). His many novels included Gun Country (1929), Rustler's Paradise
(1932), The Crimson Quirt (1949), Action at Arcanum (1958), and California Gunman (1957). A complete listing of his
books can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Colt_MacDonald
No Place To Hide
John Davage
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444848410, $TBA, PB, Large Print, 248pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/title.php?sqlCmd=isbn%3D9781444848410
Synopsis: When Joe Spearman sees a face from the past, he gets a shock. It's the face of a killer - one who now has a good
deal of influence and power in the little town of Ox Crossing. Someone who won't want his past catching up with him.
However, before Joe can do anything about his discovery, the man he has recognized acts, and Joe is silenced - permanently.
Now it's up to his old army buddy Nat Leach to find the murderer.
Critique: A deftly crafted action/adventure western novel that is unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and
community library Western Fiction collections, with the publication of this large print paperback edition of "No Place To
Hide", veteran western author John Davage includes elements of a mystery and a little romance with traditional western
gunplay and cliff-hanger plot twists. The result of an inherently riveting read and one that will have special appeal to all
dedicated western fans.
Jed Harker Rides Out
Simon Webb
https://www.simon-webb.com
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444848656, $TBA, Large Print, PB, 232pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/title.php?sqlCmd=isbn%3D9781444848656
Synopsis: Its the Spring of 1861 and Jed Harker aims for nothing more than to mind his own business while traveling north
to Kansas. But men and women are taking sides on the question of slavery all over the United States, and Harker finds
himself compelled to declare where he stands on on the issue. Since Jed stops a white man named Chappe from abusing a
young black boy. As a result Jed ends up fleeing through the Indian Nations having reluctantly volunteered to helping the
boy, his mother and a baby sister to freedom in Kansas -- accompanied by a young woman who has invented a new kind of
weapon for the Union forces that the Southerners will kill to acquire. With war about to break out, it will be a race against
time for Harker and his companions to reach safety!
Critique: A skillfully crafted western set in the opening days of the Civil War, "Jed Harker Rides Out" by seasoned western
author Simon Webb is a memorable original and entertaining story from first page to last. Originally published in hardcover
in 2019, this new large print paperback edition of "Jed Harker Rides Out" will prove to be a popular addition to community
library Western Fiction collections and the personal reading lists of all dedicated western action/adventure fans.
Editorial Note: Simon Webb is the author of more than 30 westerns, including Badman Sheriff, Comanche Moon, and
Showdown at Parson's End. He has a a personal and professional website at https://www.simon-webb.com
Remarque's Law
Will DuRey
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444848731, $TBA, PB, Large Print, 234pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/title.php?sqlCmd=isbn%3D9781444848731
Synopsis: Ben Joyner has no argument with the people who settled on the grassland near Pecos, but other cattlemen have
long considered the range their own domain. Ben's boss Gus Remarque believes a dollar a day buys not only a man's labor,
but his loyalty too. When that loyalty might involve killing or being killed, Ben wants to wash his hands of the dispute. So
he quits the ranch and rides east. But then a strong-willed woman alters his plans!
Critique: Originally published in 2019 as a Black Horn Western, "Remarque's Law" by Will DuRey is new large print
paperback edition from the Linford Western Library series is a fully engaging and entertaining read from cover to cover by a
veteran master of the western novelist.
Editorial Note: Will DuRey is a life-long student of the history and legends of the Old West.
A Gift from Crick
John McNally
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444848458, $TBA, PB, Large Print, 228pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/title.php?sqlCmd=isbn%3D9781444848458
Synopsis: Sailors Diggings, an an isolated mining settlement that is left reeling when outlaws slaughter seventeen of the
stunned population and clean out the assay office, stealing $75,000 worth of freshly mined gold. A group of vigilantes led
by Don Plunkett gives chase, determined to dispense some Old West justice. Eddie Carter is mistaken for a gang member,
and to escape a lynching he must go on the run -- handcuffed to outlaw Dave Mooney, the man responsible for the death of
his partner. In the confrontation that follows, the stolen gold disappears with an outcome that nobody could have
anticipated.
Critique: An impressively crafted and original western action/adventure replete with many a cliff-hanger plot twist and turn,
"A Gift From Crick by novelist John McNally is a large print paperback edition from Linford Western Library and certain to
be a favorite addition to dedicated western fans and community library Western Fiction collections.
Gold Rush
Bill Grant
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444848625, $TBA, PB, Large Print, 240pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/title.php?sqlCmd=isbn%3D9781444848625
Synopsis: Union Army deserter Cody Black thinks that Gold Hill is a safe place to hide out the war and make his fortune.
But Cody learns prospecting to be a tough business, and soon finds himself in debt to the local gold baron. Desperate for
work, he is forced to become a deputy sheriff, facing the very violence he fled the army to avoid. Meanwhile, a nefarious
plot is afoot to tip the balance of the war in favor of the Confederates. Cody must battle Southern sympathizers, and his own
doubts, to seek redemption and help save the Union.
Critique: Action packed from first page to last, "Gold Rush" by western novelist Bill Grant is an extraordinarily gripping
read from cover to cover. The stuff of which western movies are made, this large print paperback edition of "Gold Rush" is
highly recommended reading for all western novel fans in particular, and will prove to be a welcome addition to community
library Western Fiction collections in general.
The Line Rider
K. S. Stanley
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444848809, $TBA, PB, Large Print, 282pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/title.php?sqlCmd=isbn%3D9781444848809
Synopsis: With his job as a line rider under threat, Mack Cambray hopes to settle down with his bride as a homesteader.
However, in trying to solve the mystery of his wife's untimely death, Mack ends up in the middle of a violent range
war.
Critique: A riveting read so vivid you can practically smell the gunsmoke, "The Line Rider" by K. S. Stanley is part mystery,
part action/adventure, and all western. Now available in a large print paperback edition from Linford Western Library, "The
Line Rider" will prove to be a welcome and appreciated addition to community library Western Fiction collections and the
personal reading lists of staunchly devoted western novel fans.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Death By Beach Read
Eva Gates
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9781643859101, $26.99, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Beach-Lighthouse-Library-Mystery/dp/1643859102
Synopsis: It's spring in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and Lucy and Connor have moved into their new home at last, a
historic cottage on the Nags Head Beach. The house needs a lot of renovations, but they worked hard over the winter to get
it ready. Lucy is now happily immersed in her work at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library, planning her wedding, and
decorating the house. That is, until a dead body disrupts their peaceful new abode.
The first night Lucy's alone in the house, with the company of Charles the library cat, she hears sounds. Investigating they
see footsteps in the dust of the unfinished living room, and the door to the outside is open. Lucy's reminded that the house is
said to be haunted: forty years ago the teenage daughter of the owners fled in the night, and never again stepped foot inside
her family home.
But the sounds have an all-too-human origin and one evening Lucy and Connor find the dead body of a man they don't even
recognize in their kitchen. They soon realize he has a long-time connection to their house. Lucy's forced to find out what
happened all those years ago and why it's threatening her happiness today.
Meanwhile, the Classic Novel Reading Club is reading The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne, a book
about another old house full of secrets. Can Lucy find parallels to her own situation in Hawthorne's fiction before the killer
strikes again?
Critique: The ninth title in mystery novelist's Eva Gates 'A Lighthouse Mystery Series', "Death by Beach Read" is the
riveting and entertaining read we've come to expect from one of the best cosy mystery writers in the business. Memorable
characters, clever plotting, and great fun from cover to cover, "Death by Beach Read" is a 'must' for Eva's legions of fans.
While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape
Media, 9781666581317, $22.99, CD), "Death by Beach Read" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal
reading lists and community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: Eva Gates is a national bestselling author who began her writing career as a Sunday writer: a single mother
of three high-spirited daughters, with a full-time job as a computer programmer. In addition to her nine volume 'Lighthouse
Library Mystery' series, she now has more than twenty novels under her belt in the mystery genre, published under the name
Vicki Delany.
A Fatal Booking
Victoria Gilbert
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9781643859149, $26.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Fatal-Booking-Booklovers-Mystery-BOOKLOVERS/dp/1643859145
Synopsis: Booklover Charlotte is delighted to welcome an eclectic group of guests to Chapters Bed and Breakfast for a book
club retreat focused on fairy tales and classic children's literature. But when one of the guests is poisoned at a Mad Hatter
tea party, Charlotte realizes she's fallen down a rather unpleasant rabbit hole
The victim was an opinionated busybody whose jewelry store sold original designs, along with some possibly "hot"
merchandise -- and had plenty of enemies, spurring Charlotte and Ellen to offer their well-honed investigative skills to assist
the local police. But as they delve deeper into each of the guest's stories, they realize all of them had a motive, and the
means, to close the book on the unfortunate victim.
Enlisting the aid of a few local residents, as well as their new ally, agent Gavin Howard, Charlotte and Ellen vow to reveal
the truth, even if the path to any sort of happy ending is strewn with deadly danger.
Critique: A cosy mystery lover's delight from first page to last, "A Fatal Booking" by the talented novelist Victoria Gilbert is
part of the 'A Booklover's B&B Mystery' series. One of those perfect 'whodunnit' novels to curl up with in bed or at the
beach, "A Fatal Booking" is highly recommended for both the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs and
community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that "A Fatal Booking" is also readily
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Media,
9781666581386, $22.99, CD.
Editorial Note: Victoria Gilbert has worked as a reference librarian, research librarian, and library director. She is also a
member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers.
Peril at Pennington Manor
Tracy Gardner
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9781643859064, $26.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Peril-Pennington-Manor-Antique-Mystery/dp/1643859064
Synopsis: Thanks to Aunt Midge's unlikely friendship with Nicholas Pennington, the Duke of Valle Charme, Avery Ayers
and her associates at Antiques and Artifacts Appraised head off to their most glamorous assignment yet -- cataloguing and
appraising the contents of a castle-like mansion on the Hudson River. But regal splendor becomes a backdrop to mayhem
when the precious Viktor Petrova timepiece disappears and housekeeper Suzanne Vick plummets from a parapet to her
death.
Avery, her dad William, and colleagues Micah Abbott and Sir Robert Lane soon learn that Suzanne's predecessor also met
with an untimely end. Further, the housekeeper's suspicious demise coincides with Avery's discovery that many of the
Duke's most priceless heirlooms have been replaced by fakes.
Detective Art Smith lends his expertise, but the suspect list encompasses the Duke's entire retinue -- including his family.
Could the killer be someone intimately familiar with the Pennington estate, such as caretaker couple Ira and Lynn Hoffman,
the Penningtons' chauffeur Roderick, or even one of the heirs to the Pennington fortune?
Then the duke himself is injured in an inexplicable riding accident, and the clock swiftly ticks toward a reckoning with a
cold-blooded killer. A criminal mastermind is making a desperate bid for ill-gotten riches... can Avery bring the culprit to
justice before her time is up?
Critique: An impressively crafted 'whodunnit' style cosy mystery, "Periol At Pennington Manor" is a simply riveting read.
Novelist Tracy Gardner has created a cast of memorable characters and an inherently fascinating, entertaining, and
surprising storyline that keeps and holds the readers full addition from cover to cover. While also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $13.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape, 9781666581416, $22.99, CD), "Peril
At Pennington Manor" will prove to be a prized addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: Tracy Gardner Tracy Gardner, a Detroit native, is a cozy mystery and women's fiction author. A registered
nurse and the daughter of two teachers, Tracy lives with her husband and best friend of thirty years, their three great kids
who come and go between college schedules, and a menagerie of spoiled rescue dogs and cats.
A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons
Kate Khavari
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9781639100071, $26.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Botanists-Parties-Poisons-Saffron-Everleigh/dp/1639100075
Synopsis: Newly minted research assistant Saffron Everleigh is determined to blaze a new trail at the University College
London, but with her colleagues' beliefs about women's academic inabilities and not so subtle hints that her deceased
father's reputation paved her way into the botany department, she feels stymied at every turn.
When she attends a dinner party for the school, she expects to engage in conversations about the university's large
expedition to the Amazon. What she doesn't expect is for Mrs. Henry, one of the professors' wives, to drop to the floor,
poisoned by an unknown toxin.
Dr. Maxwell, Saffron's mentor, is the main suspect and evidence quickly mounts. Joined by fellow researcher (and potential
romantic interest) Alexander Ashton, Saffron uses her knowledge of botany as she explores steamy greenhouses, dark
gardens, and deadly poisons to clear Maxwell's name.
Will she be able to uncover the truth or will her investigation land her on the murderer's list, in this entertaining examination
of society's expectations.
Critique: Set in 1923 London, "A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons" by Kate Khavari is an inherently entertaining
'whodunnit' mystery that showcases the author's complete mastery of the mystery and suspense genre. A fascinating and
entertaining read from beginning to end (and with many an unexpected plot twist throughout), "A Botanist's Guide to Parties
and Poisons" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book
(Dreamscape Media, 9781666582123, $22.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Kate Khavari is the author of fiction ranging from historical mysteries to high fantasy epics. A former
teacher, Kate has a deep appreciation for research and creativity, not to mention the multitasking ability she now relies on as
an author and stay at home mother to her toddler son.
Shadow of Memory
Connie Berry
www.connieberry.com
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781643859088, $26.99, HC, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Memory-Kate-Hamilton-Mystery/dp/1643859080
Synopsis: As Kate Hamilton plans her upcoming wedding to Detective Inspector Tom Mallory, she is also assisting her
colleague Ivor Tweedy with a project at the Netherfield Sanatorium, which is being converted into luxury townhouses. Kate
and Ivor must appraise a fifteenth-century paintingand verify that its provenance is the Dutch master Jan Van Eyck. But
when retired criminal inspector Will Parker is found dead, Kate learns that the halls of the sanatorium housed much more
than priceless art.
Kate is surprised to learn that Will had been the first boyfriend of her friend Vivian Bunn, who hasn't seen him in fifty-eight
years. At a seaside holiday camp over sixty years ago, Will, Vivian, and three other teens broke into an abandoned house
where a doctor and his wife had died under bizarre circumstances two years earlier. Now, when a second member of the
childhood gang dies unexpectedly (and then a third!) it becomes clear that the teens had discovered more in the house than
they had realized.
Had Will returned to warn his old love? When Kate makes a shocking connection between a sixty-year-old murder and the
long-buried secrets of the sanatorium, she suddenly understands that time is running out for Vivian -- and anyone connected
to her.
Critique: Another skillfully wrought 'whodunnit' from the imagination and storytelling talents of Connie Berry, "The
Shadow of Memory" is the fourth volume in the Kate Hamilton Mystery series. Inherently fascinating, impressively original,
and a mystery lover's delight from cover to cover, "The Shadow of Memory" is strongly recommended, especially for
community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of the growing legions of
Connie Berry fans that "The Shadow of Memory" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
Editorial Note: Connie Berry is the author of the Kate Hamilton Mysteries, a series of mysteries set in the UK and featuring
an American antiques dealer with a gift for solving crimes. Like her protagonist, Connie was raised by antiques dealers who
instilled in her a passion for history, fine art, and travel. In 2019 Connie won the IPPY Gold Medal for Mystery and was a
finalist for the Agatha Award's Best Debut. She's a member of Mystery Writers of America and is on the board of the
Guppies and her local Sisters in Crime chapter. She maintains a website at www.connieberry.com
Murder, She Wrote: Killer on the Court
Jessica Fletcher, author
Terrie Farley Moran, author
www.terriefarleymoran.com
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
www.penguin.com
https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com
9780593333655, $27.00, HC, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-She-Wrote-Killer-Court/dp/0593333659
Synopsis: Jessica Fletcher is delighted when her nephew Grady invites her to spend a few days with his family in an
oceanside New York bungalow. She packs her bags and heads down to the city, ready to spend some quality time with
Grady, his wife, Donna, and their young son, Frank.
But the morning after Jessica's arrival, Donna finds her boss dead on a tennis court, and Jessica's dreams of a relaxing visit
are quashed. Everyone in the small beachside community is a suspect, and the local authorities (headed by an old colleague
of Cabot Cove sheriff Mort Metzger) have asked that no one leave town.
Will Jessica be able find a killer and salvage the rest of her trip?
Critique: Another fabulously entertaining 'whodunnit' in the Murder She Wrote series, "Killer on the Court" is an absolute
'muse read' for the legions of Murder She Wrote fans. Novelist Terrie Moran fully captures the feel and enjoyment of an
episode featuring that Cabot Cove amateur sleuth and mystery writer Jessica Fletcher. While an unreservedly recommended
addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for all dedicated Jessica Fletch enthusiasts
that "Killer on the Court" is also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a
complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Media, 9781666560237, $22.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Terrie Farley Moran is the author of the Read 'Em and Eat cozy mystery series including the Agatha Award
winning "Well Read, Then Dead". Along with Jessica Fletcher, she co-writes the Murder She Wrote mystery series. She
also co-writes the Scrapbooking Mysteries with Laura Childs. Terrie's short mystery fiction has been published in Ellery
Queens Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly and numerous anthologies. "A Killing at
the Beausoleil" was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Short Story. "Inquiry and Assistance" received the Derringer
Award for Best Novelette. She can be followed on Facebook and has her own website at www.terriefarleymoran.com
Reportedly Murdered
Geoffrey Walters
www.geoffreywalters.com
Resource Publications
c/o Wipf and Stock Publishers
199 West 8th Avenue, Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401-2960
http://wipfandstock.com
9781666736120, $19.00, PB, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/Reportedly-Murdered-Gregory-Thackery-Mystery/dp/1666736120
Synopsis: How does Gregory Thackery, a novice reporter working for a third-rate newsweekly, scoop the New York Press,
the New York Daily Tribune, New York News Journal, and the vaunted New York Dispatch, America's so-called
"newspaper of historical memory"? Luck? Common sense? Hidden connections? Even the clueless Gregory doesn't know
for sure. But someone could be dying to find out!
Critique: Written with wit and an impressively flair for narrative style storytelling, "Reportedly Murdered" is another
Gregory Thackery 'whodunnit' suspenseful mystery laced with memorable characters and unexpected plot twists. Simply
stated, "Reportedly Murdered" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense
collections, and the personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs.
Editorial Note: Geoffrey Walters (aka Geoffrey Smagacz) is a former reporter for the Times Newsweekly in Queens, New
York, and the author of Never Say Murder (republished in 2019), and A Waste of Shame and Other Sad Tales of the
Appalachian Foothills, which won the Independent Publisher Book Award (IPPY) Gold Medal for Best Regional Fiction in
2014. Geoffrey is a Pushcart Prize nominee. He has two websites at www.geoffreywalters.com and
www.geoffreysmagacz.com
Kalmann
Joachim B. Schmidt
Bitter Lemon Press
www.bitterlemonpress.com
9781913394684, $16.95, PB, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Kalmann-Joachim-Schmidt/dp/1913394689
Synopsis: Kalmann Odinsson is the self-appointed Sheriff of his Icelandic town. Day by day, he treks the wide plains which
surround the almost deserted village, hunts Arctic foxes and lays bait in the sea to catch the gigantic Greenland sharks he
turns into the Icelandic fermented delicacy, hakarl. There is nothing anyone needs to worry about. Kalmann has everything
under control.
Inside his head, however, the wheels sometimes spin backwards. One winter, after he discovers a pool of blood in the snow,
the swiftly unfolding events threaten to overwhelm him. But he knows that his native wisdom and pure-hearted courage will
see him through. There really is no need to worry. How can anything go wrong with Kalmann in charge? He knows
everything a man needs to know about life -- well, almost.
Critique: A deftly crafted Icelandic mystery populated with memorable characters and an impressively entertaining plot
replete with surprising twists and turns, "Kalmann" by Joachim B. Schmidt (and ably translated into English by Jamie Lee
Searle) is a fun read recommended to the attention of all dedicated mystery fans. While highly recommended for community
library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Kalmann" is also readily available in
a digital book format (Kindle, $9.56).
Editorial Note #1: Joachim B. Schmidt was born in 1981 and emigrated from Switzerland to Iceland in 2007. He is the
author of several novels and short stories and is also a journalist and columnist. Schmidt (who is Swiss and Icelandic) lives
in Reykjavik with his wife and their two children. He has a website (in German) at https://joachimschmidt.ch
Editorial Note 32: Currently residing in Winchester, UK, Jamie Lee Searle is a well-known translator from German and
Portuguese into English. She has translated novels by Urs Faes, Anna Kim, Marc-Uwe Kling, Christoph Ribbat and many
others. There is a website featuring her at https://granta.com/contributor/jamie-lee-searle
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Off-Target
Eve Smith
Thorpe/Charnwood Large Print
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print, Inc.
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444849165, $TBA, PB, Large Print, 384pp
https://www.ulverscroft.com/title.php?sqlCmd=isbn%3D9781444849165
Synopsis: In an all-too-possible near future, when genetic engineering has become the norm for humans, parents are
prepared to take incalculable risks to ensure that their babies are perfect, altering and replacing genes that may birth defects,
cause illness, enhance favorable qualities such as intelligence and physical ability.
Susan has been trying for a baby for years, and when a one-night stand makes her dream come true, she'll do anything to
ensure her husband doesn't find out -- including the unthinkable. She believes her secret is safe. For now. But as
governments embark on a genetic arms race and children around the globe start experiencing a host of distressing
symptoms, something truly horrendous is unleashed. Because those children have only one thing in common, and people are
starting to ask questions.
Critique: A medical/psychological science fiction thriller of a read, "Off-Target" by Eve Smith is an inherently compelling
novel that will engage the reader's full attention and engagement from first page to last. This large print paperback edition of
"Off-Target" (all the more impressive when considering it is the author Eve Smith's debut as a novelist) is particularly
recommended for both the personal reading lists of dedicated science fiction fans and community library Contemporary
Science Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Eve Smith has her own website at www.evesmithauthor.com and can be followed on Twitter @evecsmith,
and on FB & Instagram at EveSmithAuthor
The Blood Trials
N. E. Davenport
Harper Voyager
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063058484, $27.99, HC, 464pp
https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Trials-Gift-Duology/dp/0063058480
Synopsis: It's all about blood. -- The blood spilled between the Republic of Mareen and the armies of the Blood Emperor
long ago. The blood gifts of Mareen's deadliest enemies. The blood that runs through the elite War Houses of Mareen, the
rulers of the Tribunal dedicated to keeping the republic alive. The blood of the former Legatus, Verne Amari,
murdered.
For his granddaughter, Ikenna, the only thing steady in her life was the man who had saved Mareen. The man who had
trained her in secret, not just in martial skills, but in harnessing the blood gift that coursed through her. Who trained her to
keep that a secret.
But now there are too many secrets, and with her grandfather assassinated, Ikenna knows two things: that only someone on
the Tribunal could have ordered his death, and that only a Praetorian Guard could have carried out that order.
Bent on revenge as much as discovering the truth, Ikenna pledges herself to the Praetorian Trials -- a brutal initiation that
only a quarter of the aspirants survive. She subjects herself to the racism directed against her half-Khanaian heritage and the
misogyny of a society that cherishes progeny over prodigy, all while hiding a power that (if found out) would subject her to
execution -- or worse. Ikenna is willing to risk it all because she needs to find out who murdered her grandfather -- and then
she needs to kill them.
While Mareen has been at peace for a long time, Ikenna joining the Praetorians is about to change all that.
Critique: The first of a two volume saga, "The Blood Trials" by N. E. Davenport blends magic with technology and
action/adventure with mystery/suspense. The result is a riveting read that will have dedicated fantasy and science fiction
fans looking eagerly toward volume two of this original and deftly crafted series. While highly recommended for
community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Blood
Trials" is also readily available in January 2023 in a paperback edition (9780063058491, $17.99) and currently in a digital
book format (Kindle, $14.99). Librarians should note that there is also a complete and unabridged audio book edition
(Blackstone Audio, 9798200855964, $43.99, CD).
Wild Prey
Brian Klingborg
https://www.brianklingborg.com
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250779076, $27.99, HC, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Prey-Inspector-Fei-Mystery/dp/1250779073
Synopsis: Police Inspector Lu Fei has an unfortunate talent for getting himself into hot water with powerful and
well-connected people. Which is why he's been assigned to a backwater town in a rural area of Northern China and quietly
warned to keep his head down. But while running a sting operation on the sale and consumption of rare and endangered
animals, Lu comes across the curious case of a waitress who has gone missing. Her last known whereabouts: a restaurant
frequented by local elites, owned by smooth-talking gangster, and known for its exotic (and highly illegal) delicacies.
As usual, Lu's investigation ruffles some feathers, resulting in his suspension from the police force. Lu figures he's reached a
dead-end. Then he's contacted by a mysterious government official in Beijing who wants him to go undercover to track
down the mastermind behind an illegal animal trafficking network -- and hopefully, the answer to the fate of the missing
waitress. The mission will require Lu to travel deep into the lawless wilds of Myanmar, where he will risk his life to
infiltrate the hidden compound of a mysterious and ruthless female warlord in a bloody and nearly hopeless quest for
justice.
Critique: A brilliantly scripted mystery infused with the author's first hand knowledge and experience of residing in Asia for
a number of years, "Wild Prey" by Brian Klingborg is a mystery lover's treat from first page to last. With more plot twists
and turns than a Coney Island roller coaster, and also available for the personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery fans in
a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99), "Wild Prey" is especially and particularly recommended for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections.
Editorial Note: Brian Klingborg has both a B.A. (University of California, Davis) and an M.A. (Harvard) in East Asian
Studies and spent years living and working in Asia. He currently works in early childhood educational publishing.
Klingborg is also the author of "Kill Devil Falls" and has a website at https://www.brianklingborg.com
Baen Books
P.O. Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
www.baen.com
Three new books by Baen provide engrossing stories that deserve a place in any community library sci-fi collection or the
personal reading lists of dedicated science fiction & fantasy fans.
https://www.amazon.com/Into-Real-John-Ringo-ebook/dp/B09TQ4C8GJ
Into the Real by John Ringo and Lydia Sherrer (9781982126001, $25.00) considers the impact of a collision between a
game and real life, and will especially appeal to virtual reality gamers who will recognize many of the scenarios presented in
this story. Lynn Raven is a master at WarMonger 2050, but even her skills are tested when she agrees to beta test a new
augmented reality game that challenges her deepest fears. Her increasing involvement in the game mirrors dilemmas in real
life as Lynn faces the fact that winning in this dangerous game might mean losing long-held beliefs about the world and her
place in it. This thought-provoking, action-packed story takes some unexpected turns, making for a winning read.
https://www.amazon.com/City-Who-Fought-Anne-McCaffrey/dp/0671721666
Anne McCaffrey and S.M. Stirling's The City Who Fought (9781982126100, $16.00) is military sci-fi at its best and tells of
Simeon, a shell-person brain who runs a remote space station, but is discontented with his charge; especially since he's now
doing the job with a new partner who seems to have it in for him. Channa is unexpected and a rigid personality who keeps
distracting him from his favorite hobby, wargaming. It's a hobby that may prove their salvation when an attack calls upon
his skills to thwart.
https://www.amazon.com/Aurora-Borealis-Bridge-Over-Where/dp/1982126027
Jane Lindskold's Aurora Borealis Bridge (9781982126025, $16.00) is the second book in the Over Where fantasy series, and
is highly recommended reading for prior fans and newcomers alike. Peg, Meg, and Teg's entry into a universe where they
are the only humans and magic is real challenged them in the first book, but here the dual finds new revelations that
challenge not only their positions in this world, but their perception of their pasts. An engaging, engrossing story emerges to
attract all ages to a new adventure.
The Philosophy Shelf
The Story of Philosophy
Will Drant
Dover Publications, Inc.
31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, NY 11501
www.doverpublications.com
9780486848556, $11.00, PB, 496pp
https://www.amazon.com/Story-Philosophy-Dover-Thrift-Editions/dp/0486848558
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Story of Philosophy" in Pulitzer Prize - winning author Will Durant chronicled the
lives and ideas of several key philosophical thinkers throughout history in an impressively informative and eminently
readable text.
Beginning with Socrates and Plato and concluding with Friedrich Nietzsche, with twelve other prominent philosophers in
between, "The Story of Philosophy" builds a history of philosophy by showing how each thinker's ideas informed and
influenced the next generation.
Critique: For several decades now, "The Story of Philosophy" (first published in 1926) has justifiably considered as
essential reading for anyone fascinated by the development of Western philosophy -- and once again it has been made
available to students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject in a Dover Thrift Edition.
While unreservedly recommended, especially for personal, professional, community, college, and university library History
of Philosophy collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that "The Story of Philosophy" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.59) as well.
Editorial Note: William James Durant (November 5, 1885 - November 7, 1981) was an American writer, historian, and
philosopher. He became best known for his work The Story of Civilization, 11 volumes written in collaboration with his
wife, Ariel Durant, and published between 1935 and 1975. The Durants were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for General
Nonfiction in 1968 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977. There is a website dedicated to Will Durant at
https://www.will-durant.com
Thinking Ecologically, Thinking Responsibly
Nancy Arden McHugh, editor
Andrea Doucer, editor
State University of New York Press
State University Plaza,, Albany, NY 12246-0001
www.sunypress.edu
9781438486352, $95.00, HC, 340pp
Synopsis: Lorraine Code FRSC (born 1937) is Professor Emerita of Philosophy at York University in Toronto, Ontario,
Canada and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Her principal area of research is feminist epistemology and the
politics of knowledge. (Wikipedia)
Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by Andrea Doucer and Nancy Arden McHugh, "Thinking Ecologically, Thinking
Responsibly: The Legacies of Lorraine Code" brings together a transdisciplinary cohort of feminist, critical race,
Indigenous, and decolonial scholars who build upon and seek to widen and deepen the legacy and potential of feminist
philosopher Lorraine Code's work.
Since the publication of her 1987 book "Epistemic Responsibility", Code has been at the forefront of linking epistemologies,
ontologies, ethics, and epistemic injustice to guide critical frameworks for responsible, situated knowing and practices.
"Thinking Ecologically, Thinking Responsibly: The Legacies of Lorraine Code" both enacts and expands Code's theories,
epistemologies, and practices. It points to how concepts such as epistemic responsibility and approaches like ecological
thinking are not only theoretical frameworks for knowing the world well; they are also practices and approaches that more
and more feminists and critical thinkers are embodying in their work in order to think, write, and live critically and
responsibly.
Critique: Comprised of thirteen erudite and thought-provoking essays, "Thinking Ecologically, Thinking Responsibly: The
Legacies of Lorraine Code" is further enhanced for both academia and the non-specialist general reader with the inclusion of
an informative Introduction by the editors, an Appendix ("I Am a Part of All That I Have Met": A Conversation with
Lorraine Code on "Knowledge Processes and the Responsibilities of Knowing"), a four page List of Contributors, and a five
page Index. While also available for personal reading lists of philosophy students and academia in a paperback edition
(9781438486369, $35.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $32.25), Thinking Ecologically, Thinking Responsibly: The
Legacies of Lorraine Code" is an invaluable work of collective scholarship and unreservedly recommended for community,
college, and university library Contemporary Philosophy, Epistemology, and Ethics collections and Feminist Studies
supplemental curriculum reading lists.
Editorial Note #1: Nancy Arden McHugh is Executive Director of the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community and
Professor of Philosophy at the University of Dayton. She is the coeditor (with Heidi Grasswick) of Making the Case:
Feminist and Critical Race Philosophers Engage Case Studies and the author of The Limits of Knowledge: Generating
Pragmatist Feminist Cases for Situated Knowing, both also published by SUNY Press.
Editorial Note #2: Andrea Doucet is Professor of Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies at Brock University and
Canada Research Chair in Gender, Work and Care. She is the author of Do Men Mother? Second Edition and the coauthor
(with Janet Siltanen) of Gender Relations in Canada: Intersectionalities and Social Change, Second Edition.
The Music Shelf
The War on Music
John Mauceri
Yale University Press
PO Box 209040, New Haven, CT 06520-9040
http://yalebooks.com
9780300233704, $28.00, HC, 248pp
https://www.amazon.com/War-Music-Reclaiming-Twentieth-Century/dp/0300233701
Synopsis: With the publication of "The War on Music: Reclaiming the Twentieth Century" and offering a major
reassessment of classical music in the twentieth century, conductor and scholar John Mauceri argues that the history of
music during this span was shaped by three major wars of that century: World War I, World War II, and the Cold War.
Probing why so few works have been added to the canon since 1930, Mauceri examines the trajectories of great composers
who, following World War I, created voices that were unique and versatile, but superficially simpler. He contends that the
fate of composers during World War II is inextricably linked to the political goals of their respective governments, resulting
in the silencing of experimental music in Germany, Italy, and Russia; the exodus of composers to America; and the sudden
return of experimental music (what he calls "the institutional avant-garde") as the lingua franca of classical music in the
West during the Cold War.
Critique: With an impressive eloquence and insight, John Mauceri's "The War on Music: Reclaiming the Twentieth
Century" is an extraordinary contribution to music history. Provocative, iconoclastic, informative, and thought-provoking,
this study is a masterpiece of original scholarship and enhanced for the reader's benefit with the inclusion of an Appendix (A
Personal Diary), ten pages of Notes, and a thirteen page Index, "The War on Music: Reclaiming the Twentieth Century" is
especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university library 20th
Century Classical Music History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students,
academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The War on Music: Reclaiming the
Twentieth Century" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: John Mauceri is a world-renowned conductor and musical scholar. He has conducted most of the world's
greatest orchestras and opera companies and served on the Yale University faculty for fifteen years, and is the former
chancellor of the UNC School of the Arts.
The American History Shelf
The Widowed Ones
Chris Enss
TwoDot Books
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.rowman.com
9781493045945, $26.95, HC, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/Widows-Circle-Elizabeth-Custer-Bighorn/dp/1493045946
Synopsis: There weren't many women in the late 1800s who had the opportunity to accompany their husbands on adventures
that were so exciting they seemed more the subject of a novel than a memoir. Such was the case for the women married to
the officers in General George Armstrong Custer's Seventh Cavalry.
There were seven officers' wives. They were all good friends who traveled from post to post with one another along with
their spouses. Of the seven widows, Elizabeth Custer was the most well-known. As the wife of the commanding officer,
Libbie felt it was her duty to be present when the officer's wives at Fort Lincoln were told their husbands had been killed at
the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
The women were overwhelmed with letters of condolence. Most people were sincere in their expressions of sorrow over the
widows' loss. Others were ghoulish souvenir hunters requesting articles of their husbands' clothing and personal weapons as
keepsakes. The press was preoccupied with how the wives of the deceased officers were handling their grief. During the
first year after the tragic event, reporters sought them out to learn how they were coping, what plans they had for the future,
and what, if anything, they knew about the battle itself.
The widows were able to soldier through the scrutiny because they had one another. They confided in each other, cried
without apologizing, and discussed their desperate financial situations.
The friendship the bereaved widows had with one another proved to be a critical source of support. The transition from
being officers' wives living at various forts on the wild frontier to being single women with homes of their own was a
difficult adjustment. Without one another to depend upon, the time might have been more of a struggle.
"The Widowed Ones: Beyond the Battle of the Little Bighorn" by Chris Enss (with the support of authors Howard
Kazanjian and Chris Kortlander) tells the stories of these women and the unique bond they shared through
never-before-seen materials from the Elizabeth Custer Library and Museum at Garryowen, Montana, including letters to and
from politicians and military leaders to the widows, fellow soldiers and critics of George Custer to the widows, and letters
between the widows themselves about when the women first met, the men they married, and their attempts to persevere after
the tragedy.
Critique: An extraordinary and inherently fascinating read from cover to cover, "The Widowed Ones: Beyond the Battle of
the Little Bighorn" is an amazing and original work historical scholarship that lifts these women from an undeserved
obscurity and effectively introduce them to an appreciative new generation of historians and non-specialist general readers.
The true life experiences of women widowed in the aftermath of one of most famous 19th Century encounters between
Native Americans and the United States military known as the Battle of Little Bighorn, "The Widowed Ones: Beyond the
Battle of the Little Bighorn" is an impressively original contribution that will be enduringly valued by both academia and the
general reader alike.
Enhanced with black-and-white historic photograph images, an informative Introduction, an eight page Bibliography, twelve
pages of Notes, and an eight page Index, no community, college, or university library 19th Century American History can be
considered comprehensive within the inclusion of "The Widowed Ones: Beyond the Battle of the Little Bighorn" into their
collection.
Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The Widowed Ones: Beyond the Battle of the Little Bighorn" is an
ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to 19th Century American Biography supplemental studies curriculums. It
should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, and American western history and women's history
enthusiasts that "The Widowed Ones: Beyond the Battle of the Little Bighorn" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $19.49).
Editorial Note #1: Chris Enss is has been writing about women of the Old West for more than twenty years. She has penned
more than forty published books on the subject. Her work has been honored with five Will Rogers Medallion Awards, two
Elmer Kelton Book Awards, an Oklahoma Center for the Book Award, and was a Western Writers of America Spur Award
Finalist. Her books Thunder Over the Prairie, The Death Row All Stars, and The Trials of Annie Oakley have been optioned
by major production companies for feature films. Enss's most recent works are According to Kate: The Legendary Life of
Big Nose Kate, Love of Doc Holliday; No Place for a Woman: The Struggle for Suffrage in the Wild West; and Iron
Women: The Ladies Who Helped Build the Railroad. Chris Enss is also the current president of Western Writers of
America, and serves as executive director of the Will Rogers Medallion Award, and is a licensed private investigator.
Editorial Note #2: Howard Kazanjian is an award-winning producer and entertainment executive who has been producing
feature films and television programs for more than twenty-five years.
Editorial Note #3: Christopher Kortlander has been a Western Americana collector and dealer whose personal collection
was assembled over several decades and features some of the rarest and most desirable works and historic collectibles in the
province of the Indian Wars and America's Westward expansion. Kortlander also published "Custer In Photographs", and
produced a play, "Libbie," which offered a new take on the battle and its aftermath.
The World History Shelf
Mythical Ireland
Anthony Murphy
The Liffey Press
c/o Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781838359331, $35.00, PB, 340pp
https://www.amazon.com/Mythical-Ireland-Light-Ancient-Past/dp/0995792720
Synopsis: The Ireland of myth and legend embodies the search for a soul among Ireland's ancient ruins, and this updated and
expanded addition of "Mythical Ireland: New Light on the Ancient Past" by Anthony Murphy is an attempt to retrieve
something of deeper import from 5,000-year-old megalithic monuments and their associated myths. This informative history
represents a fascinating and engaging journey through time, landscape and the human spirit. Dealing with archaeology,
interpretive mythography, cosmology and cosmogony, and attempts to grapple with a core meaning, something beyond the
functional interpretations of academia.
In this new edition, author and journalist Anthony Murphy delves further into the many enthralling aspects of this journey.
Just how much knowledge did locals have of the secrets of Newgrange before it was excavated? Who is the Cailleach, the
ancient hag goddess whose image is ubiquitous in the ancient landscape? What happened to make Ireland's Stonehenge
disappear from the landscape? Who were the first kings of Tara? What were the indigenous Irish myths about the Milky
Way? Did someone try to steal the Tara Brooch? Why are there myths in Ireland about ooded towns and cities?
Lavishly illustrated with exquisite photographs of the Irish landscape and ancient monuments, Mythical Ireland represents a
personal and yet universal journey, a quest to reimagine the shrines as empowering and transformative sacred places.
Murphy invokes the druids and poets of the Boyne and thus the s-dhe of the ancient texts are reawakened for a modern and
turbulent world.
Critique: An inherently fascinating, impressively informative, exceptionally well written, and beautifully illustrated volume,
"Mythical Ireland: New Light on the Ancient Past" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
community, college, and university library Mythology/Folklore collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It
should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Mythical
Ireland: New Light on the Ancient Past" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
Editorial Note: Anthony Murphy is a journalist and the author of Dronehenge: The Story Behind the Remarkable Discovery
at Newgrange, Island of the Setting Sun: In Search of Ireland's Ancient Astronomers (2020 edition) and Newgrange:
Monument to Immortality. He lives in Drogheda and manages the website www.mythicalireland.com.
The Solomons 1943 - 44
Mark Stille, author
Peter Denis, illustrator
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B, Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
9781472824479, $24.00, PB, 96pp
https://www.amazon.com/Solomons-1943-44-Struggle-Bougainville-Campaign/dp/1472824474
Synopsis: Victory at Guadalcanal for the Allies in February 1943 left them a vital foothold in the Solomon Islands chain,
and was the first step in an attempt to isolate and capture the key Japanese base of Rabaul on New Britain.
In order to do this they had to advance up the island chain in a combined air, naval, and ground campaign. On the other
hand, the Japanese were determined to shore up their defences on the Solomons, which was a vital part of their southern
front, and would bitterly contest every inch of the Allied advance. The scene was set for one of the bloodiest campaigns of
the Pacific War.
Fully illustrated with specially commissioned maps and artwork, "The Solomons 1943 - 44: The Struggle for New Georgia
and Bougainville" is the compelling story of the struggle for the Solomons, a key part of the Allied advance towards Japan
which saw tens of thousands of casualties and so many ships lost that part of the ocean became known as "Ironbottom
Sound."
Critique: A profusely and effectively illustrated World War II Pacific campaign history, "The Solomons 1943 - 44: The
Struggle for New Georgia and Bougainville" is impressively informative, organized, and presented -- making it an
especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library
WWII Military History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and
military history buffs that "The Solomons 1943 - 44: The Struggle for New Georgia and Bougainville" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $14.49).
Editorial Note #1: Mark Stille (Commander, United States Navy, retired) received his BA in History from the University of
Maryland and also holds an MA from the Naval War College. He recently concluded a nearly 40-year career in the
intelligence community including tours on the faculty of the Naval War College, on the Joint Staff and on US Navy ships.
He is also the author of numerous Osprey titles focusing on naval history in the Pacific.
Editorial Note #2: Peter Dennis was inspired by contemporary magazines such as Look and Learn, leading him to study
Illustration at Liverpool Art College. Peter has since contributed to hundreds of books, predominantly on historical subjects,
including many Osprey titles. A keen war gamer and model maker, he is based in Nottinghamshire, UK.
At the Gates of Rome
Don Hollway
www.donhollway.com
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B, Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
9781472849984, $30.00, HC, 368pp
https://www.amazon.com/At-Gates-Rome-Fall-Eternal/dp/1472849981
Synopsis: It took little more than a single generation for the centuries-old Roman Empire to fall. In those critical decades,
while Christians and pagans, legions and barbarians, generals and politicians squabbled over dwindling scraps of power, two
men (former comrades on the battlefield) rose to prominence on opposite sides of the great game of empire.
Roman general Flavius Stilicho, the man behind the Roman throne, dedicated himself to restoring imperial glory, only to
find himself struggling for his life against political foes. Alaric, King of the Goths, desired to be a friend of Rome, was
betrayed by it, and given no choice but to become its enemy.
Battling each other to a standstill, these two warriors ultimately overcame their differences in order to save the empire from
enemies on all sides. And when one of them fell, the other took such vengeance as had never been seen in history.
Critique: History written with the narrative flair of a novel, with the publication of "At the Gates of Rome: The Fall of the
Eternal City, AD 410 ", historian Don Hollway has deftly combined antiquarian accounts of Stilicho and Alaric into an
simply riveting history -- one that replete with inherently fascinating betrayals, politics, intrigues, war, and a no-holds-barred
struggle for the mastery of the Roman Empire. While especially recommended for community, college, and university
library Roman History collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject that "At the Gates of Rome: The Fall of the Eternal City, AD 410" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.60).
Editorial Note: An author, illustrator, and historian, Don Hollway's first book, "The Last Viking", is a gripping history of
King Harald Hardrada. He has published articles in History Magazine, Military Heritage, Military History, Wild West and
World War II to Muzzleloader, Renaissance Magazine and Scientific American. His work is also available on his website at
www.donhollway.com
The Museum
Samuel J. Redman
NYU Press
41 Lafayette St., 5th Floor, New York NY 10003
www.nyupress.org
9781479809332, $24.95 HC, $14.72 Kindle, 232pp
https://www.amazon.com/Museum-Short-History-Crisis-Resilience/dp/1479809330
The Museum: A Short History of Crisis and Resilience should be in any arts collection as a powerful examination of the
museum, its historic role in times of crisis, and the physical and cultural conflicts that often affect its presence,
development, and longevity. Chapters explore major world history and events and their impact on museums, considering
past events, challenges that shaped their future, and the possibilities of how cultural institutions can weather crisis.
Historian and professional Samuel J. Redman lends a fine analytical eye to the discussions that blend historical events with
broader questions about museum operations, community presence, and special challenges. The result is a detailed blend of
reports and analysis that charts the evolution of the museum and the nature of its contents: "Museums of all kinds were
asked to retool and re-imagine their role in society for the war effort."
The Civil War Shelf
The Blue & Gray Almanac
Albert Nofi
Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781636241258, $22.95 PB, 304pp
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Gray-Almanac-Figures-Recipes/dp/1636241255
Synopsis: Now in a new paperback edition, Albert Nofi's "The Blue & Gray Almanac: The Civil War in Facts & Figures,
Recipes & Slang" tells the story of the American War through a range of insightful essays, anecdotes, and facts.
For example: During the final days of the war, some Richmond citizens would throw "Starvation Parties," at which
elegantly attired guests would gather at soirees where the finest silver and crystal tableware was used, though there were
usually no refreshments except water; Union Rear-Admiral Goldsborough was nicknamed "Old Guts", not so much for his
combativeness as for his heft, weighing about 300 pounds, and was described as ". . . a huge mass of inert matter."; That
30.6 percent of the 425 Confederate generals, but only 21.6 percent of the 583 Union generals, had been lawyers before the
war.
That in 1861, J. P. Morgan made a huge profit by buying 5,000 condemned US Army carbines and selling them back to
another arsenal, taking the Army to court when they tried to refuse to pay for the faulty weapons; Then Major General
Loring was reputed to have so rich a vocabulary than one of the men once remarked he could "curse a cannon up hill
without horses."; That Many militia units had a favorite drink, the Charleston Light Dragoons' punch took around a week to
make while the Chatham Artillery required 1 pound of green tea leaves be steeped overnight; and that there were five living
former presidents when the Civil War began, and seven veterans of the war (plus one draft dodger) who would go on to
serve as President o the United States.
Critique: Simply stated, no personal, professional, community, college, or university library American Civil War collections
should be without a copy of "The Blue & Gray Almanac: The Civil War in Facts & Figures, Recipes & Slang" by Albert
Nofi. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, civil war historians, and non-specialist general
readers with an interest in the subject that "The Blue & Gray Almanac" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$$10.99).
Editorial Note: Albert Nofi is a military historian, defense analyst and wargame designer for many years was an Associate
Fellow of the U.S. Civil War Center as well as a Director of the New York Military Affairs Symposium since its formation,
and a member of the Society for Military History and a number of other military and historical societies.
Grant vs Lee
Chris Mackowski, editor
Dan Welch, editor
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611215953, $29.95, HC, 336pp
https://www.amazon.com/Grant-Lee-Perspectives-Historians-Anniversary/dp/1611215951
Synopsis: With the presidential election looming in the fall, President Abraham Lincoln needed to break the deadlock. To
do so, he promoted Ulysses S. Grant -- the man who had strung together victory after victory in the Western Theater,
including the capture of two entire Confederate armies. The unassuming "dust-covered man" was now in command of all
the Union armies, and he came east to lead them.
The unlucky soldiers of George G. Meade's Army of the Potomac had developed a grudging respect for their Southern
adversary and assumed a wait-and-see attitude: "Grant," they reasoned, "has never met Bobby Lee yet."
By the spring of 1864, Robert E. Lee, the commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, had come to embody the
Confederate cause. Grant knew as much and decided to take the field with the Potomac army. He ordered his subordinates
to forego efforts to capture the capital of Richmond in favor of annihilating Lee's command. Grant's directive to General
Meade was straightforward: "Where Lee goes, there you will go also."
Lee and Grant would come to symbolize the armies they led when the spring 1864 campaign began in northern Virginia in
the Wilderness on May 5, 1864. What followed was a desperate and bloody death match that ran through the long siege of
Richmond and Petersburg before finally ending at Appomattox Court House eleven months later -- but at what cost along
the way?
Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by Civil War historians Chris Mackowski and Dan Welch, "Grant vs. Lee: Favorite
Stories and Fresh Perspectives from the Historians at Emerging Civil War" recounts some of the most famous episodes and
compelling human dramas from the marquee matchup of the Civil War. These expanded and revised essays also
commemorate a decade of Emerging Civil War, a "best of" collection on the Overland Campaign, the siege of Petersburg,
and the Confederate surrender at Appomattox.
Critique: Informed and informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, inherently interesting and often surprising, "Grant
vs. Lee: Favorite Stories and Fresh Perspectives from the Historians at Emerging Civil War" is composed of 46 succinct
vignettes and is further enhanced for the readers benefit with maps, photos, five pages of Contributor's Notes, a three page
Postscript, and a twelve page Index. A masterpiece of Civil War scholarship, "Grant vs. Lee: Favorite Stories and Fresh
Perspectives from the Historians at Emerging Civil War" is unreservedly recommended for personal, community, college,
and university library American Civil War Studies collections and supplemental curriculum lists. It should be noted for
students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Grant vs. Lee: Favorite Stories
and Fresh Perspectives from the Historians at Emerging Civil War" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$13.49).
Editorial Note #1: Chris Mackowski, Ph.D., is the editor-in-chief and co-founder of the online resource Emerging Civil
War. A writing professor in the Jandoli School of Communication at St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, NY, Chris is
also historian-in-residence at Stevenson Ridge, a historic property on the Spotsylvania battlefield in central Virginia. The
series editor of the award-winning Emerging Civil War Series, he has also authored or co-authored a dozen books on the
Civil War, and his articles have appeared in major Civil War magazines.
Editorial Note #2: Dan Welch was the Education Programs Coordinator for the Gettysburg Foundation, the non-profit
partner of Gettysburg National Military Park. Welch continues to serve as a seasonal Park Ranger at Gettysburg National
Military Park. Dan also serves as the Associate Editor of the long-running Gettysburg Magazine. He has received an MA in
Military History with a Civil War Era concentration at American Military University, and completed Gettysburg College's
rigorous Gettysburg Semester program under the tutelage of Dr. Allen C. Guelzo.
Hearts Torn Asunder
Ernest A. Dollar Jr.
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611215120, $32.59, HC, 264pp
https://www.amazon.com/Hearts-Torn-Asunder-Campaign-Carolina/dp/1611215129
Synopsis: Most people believe the end of the Civil War came at Appomattox with handshakes and amicable banter between
Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant -- an honorable ceremony amongst noble warriors. And so it has been remembered to
this day.
But the war did not end on April 9, 1865. A larger and arguably more important surrender had yet to take place in North
Carolina. This part of the surrender story occupies but little space in the vast annals of Civil War literature, and as author
Ernest A. Dollar Jr. ably explains in "Hearts Torn Asunder: Trauma in the Civil War's Final Campaign in North Carolina",
the lens of modern science may reveal why.
The war's final campaign in North Carolina began on April 10, 1865, one day after Lee's surrender. More than 120,000
Union and Confederate soldiers were still in the field bringing war with them as they moved across the state's verdant
heartland. General William T. Sherman was still out to destroy the South's ability and moral stamina to make war. His
unstoppable Union troops faced General Joseph E. Johnston's demoralized but still dangerous Confederate Army of
Tennessee.
Thousands of paroled Rebels, desperate, distraught, and destitute, added to the chaos by streaming into the state from
Virginia. Grief-stricken civilians, struggling to survive in a collapsing world, were caught in the middle. The collision of
these groups formed a perfect storm long under reported by civil war historians.
"Hearts Torn Asunder" explores the psychological experience of these soldiers and civilians during the chaotic closing
weeks of the war. Their letters, diaries, and accounts reveal just how deeply the killing, suffering, and loss had hurt and
impacted these people by the spring of 1865. Dollar deftly recounts the experiences of men, women, and children who
endured intense emotional, physical, and moral stress during the war's dramatic climax. Their emotional, irrational, and
often uncontrollable reactions mirror symptoms associated with trauma victims today, all of which combined to shape
memory of the war's end.
Once the armies left North Carolina after the surrender, their stories faded with each passing year. Neither side looked back
and believed there was much that was honorable to celebrate. "Hearts Torn Asunder" ably recounts at a very personal level
what happened during those closing days that made a memory so painful that few wanted to celebrate, but none could
forget.
Critique: A unique and absolutely fascinating contribution to the growing library of Civil War histories, "Hearts Torn
Asunder: Trauma in the Civil War's Final Campaign in North Carolina" is a simply fascinating, absorbing, informative,
thought-provoking read from cover to cover. Bringing out a vital piece of heretofore neglected history, no personal,
professional, community, college, or university library American Civil War history collection can be considered
comprehensive or complete unless it includes a copy of "Hearts Torn Asunder: Trauma in the Civil War's Final Campaign in
North Carolina". Essential reading for students, academia, Civil War historians, non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the subject, it should be noted that "Hearts Torn Asunder: Trauma in the Civil War's Final Campaign in North
Carolina" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Ernest A. Dollar Jr. graduated from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro with B.A. in History and
B.F.A. in Design in 1993 and M.A. in Public History from North Carolina State in 2006. Ernest has worked in several
historic parks in both North and South Carolina, including as executive director of the Orange County Historical Museum,
Preservation Chapel Hill. He currently serves as the director of the City of Raleigh Museum and Dr. M. T. Pope House
Museum.
The Military Shelf
The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book
Richard Estep
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Rd., #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
www.visibleinkpress.com
9781578597772, $54.95, HC, 464pp
https://www.amazon.com/Handy-Armed-Forces-Answer-Book/dp/1578597773
Synopsis: From the few hundred soldiers in its ranks when it was first established, to the over one million service members
today, the U.S. military has grown in power and size over its 250-year history. Its organization and branches have changed
to adapt to new technologies and national needs. "The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book: Your Guide to the Whats and
Whys of the U.S. Military" by Richard Estep covers each branch of the U.S. military and answers more than 500 of the most
intriguing questions ranging from How is the U.S. military organized?, to How do the branches work together?, When did
the Army Air Corps become the U.S. Army Air Force?, and What is the selection process like for Special Forces?, to Who
was the Continental Army's first Commander in Chief?, How many bases does the military have?, Who were the Buffalo
Soldiers?, Does the Space Force have any operational bases?, Who defends the United States against cyberattacks and other
digital threats?
The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force are uniquely American, each in their own way. With
the publication of "The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book: Your Guide to the Whats and Whys of the U.S. Military", the
reader will learn what makes each branch special. With more than 140 photos and graphics, "The Handy Armed Forces
Answer Book: Your Guide to the Whats and Whys of the U.S. Military" is enhanced with the inclusion of a bibliography
and extensive index.
Critique: Comprehensively informative, authoritative and exceptionally 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation,
"The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book: Your Guide to the Whats and Whys of the U.S. Military" must be considered an
essential addition to community, college, and university library American Military collections. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "The Handy Armed Forces Answer Book: Your Guide to the Whats and Whys of the U.S.
Military" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781578597437, $24.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$11.99).
Editorial Note: Author and researcher Richard Estep has written twenty books, including Serial Killers: The Minds,
Methods, and Mayhem of History's Most Notorious Murderers. He has also written for the Journal of Emergency Medical
Services.
Moro Warrior
Thomas McKenna
http://www.morowarrior.com
Armin Lear Press Inc.
https://arminlear.com
9781956450088, $30.00 Hardcover/$21.95 Paper
https://www.amazon.com/Moro-Warrior-Philippine-Schoolmaster-Remarkable/dp/1956450076
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moro-warrior-thomas-mckenna/1141322687?ean=9781956450088
History collections strong in Asian history in general and World War II collections in particular will want to acquire Thomas
McKenna's Moro Warrior: A Philippine Chieftain, an American Schoolmaster, and The Untold Story of the Most
Remarkable Resistance Fighters of World War II in the Pacific in their holdings. It's a remarkable venture into 1942
Philippine history that delves into the Moros (Philippine Muslims), who were the first U.S. soldiers of the Pacific War to
challenge Japanese troops in jungle warfare.
They were also the original inhabitants of the southern Philippines, and were the only Muslim population ever formally
colonized by the United States. Thomas McKenna's survey reads with the drama of fiction, making it an enticing history
attractive to readers who may hold little prior familiarity with the Philippines or with Moros. The facts that form the
background of his probe are couched in action-packed scenes, social and political insights, and military events that
juxtapose personal lives with McKenna's research conundrums and achievements. From disrupted trade networks and the
involvement of different peoples in the jungle warfare to different difficulties faced by these diverse tribes, McKenna
succeeds in depicting the challenges and changes war brought to an archipelago populated by very different
communities.
His attention to these contrasting milieus and details that explore the cultures and lives of the diversity of the Philippines
also lends to including Moro Warrior in not just Asian or military history collections, but in those which explore the nature
and extent of Philippine culture.
Dialogue between characters, maps, and author notes personalize the entire experience, making for an unusually gripping
read that should be part of any reading list strong in the Philippines and their history and culture.
McKenna intended this book as a tribute to his honorary uncle. It holds a sad posthumous note: "When it came time to tell
my honorary uncle that this book was finally finished and ready to publish, it was too late. I had been away for too long and
he was gone. I had failed to say goodbye to him or to thank him or to reassure him that his story would be told before he
died. This book, the first of two planned books about Mohammad Adil, Edward Kuder, and the Moros in the twentieth
century, is a belated tribute (a posthumous citation, as it were) to Mohammad Adil and his fellow Moro guerrillas."
That McKenna persisted to bring this tribute to the public eye is testimony to not just perseverance, but to filling the gaps in
a story that needs to receive a world audience. Moro Warrior is highly recommended and holds the promises to appeal to a
diverse audience with its special blend of lesser-known facts, original research, and attention to capturing the lives,
thoughts, and culture of a nation challenged by war.
The Christian Studies Shelf
On the Orthodox Faith
St. John of Damascus, author
Norman Russell, translator
SVS Press
575 Scarsdale Road, Yonkers, NY 10707
www.svspress.com
9780881416947, $30.00, PB, 327pp
https://www.amazon.com/Orthodox-Faith-Fount-Knowledge/dp/0881416940
Synopsis: Saint John of Damascus was a Syrian monk and priest. Born in the seventh century and raised in Damascus, he
died at his monastery, Mar Saba, near Jerusalem. He wrote works expounding the Christian faith and composed hymns
which are still used. He is one of the most widely read Fathers in the Orthodox Christian tradition and is best known for his
strong defense of icons.
Considered by many to be the final and crowning work of the patristic age, St John of Damascus' "On the Orthodox Faith
addresses all the major areas of Christian belief: Trinitarian theology, Christology, soteriology, the sacraments, the
veneration of icons, saints, and relics, and much more.
This new translation by Norman Russell (Volume 3 of the Fount of Knowledge) includes a helpful introduction discussing
the origin and reception of the text. This diglot edition, reproducing the critical Greek text on the facing page, is sure to
become the standard and classic edition of this central and important patristic work.
Critique: A critically important and core addition to Orthodox Christian theology and history studies lists, "On the Orthodox
Faith" is an essential and unreservedly recommended addition to church, seminary, and academic library collections. It
should be noted for the personal reading lists of clergy, seminary studies, and non-specialist general readers with an interest
in the subject that "On the Orthodox Faith" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
The Judaic Studies Shelf
Liberal and Illiberal Arts
Abraham Socher
Paul Dry Books
1700 Sansom Street, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19103-5214
www.pauldrybooks.com
9781589881600, $19.95, PB, 232pp
https://www.amazon.com/Liberal-Illiberal-Arts-Essays-Mostly/dp/1589881605
Synopsis: How did Humphrey Bogart end up telling Lauren Bacall a Talmudic story in the film Key Largo, and what does
that have to do with Plato's theory of recollection -- or American Jewish assimilation? Precisely what poem of Robert Frost's
inspired Nabokov's Pale Fire, and how did Walter Benjamin learn about the remarkable stones of Sinai?
With the publication of "Liberal and Illiberal Arts: Essays (Mostly Jewish)", Professor Abraham Socher wears his learning
lightly in a collection of his witty and original essays embodying the spirit of the liberal arts. Of special note is his
devastating account of the illiberal arts at work in Oberlin College, where he taught for eighteen years and is arguably the
highlight of this unique collection of original essays.
Critique: Timely and timeless, quite entertaining, informative and insightful, exhibiting wit, wisdom, humor, and
occasionally iconoclastic, "Liberal and Illiberal Arts: Essays (Mostly Jewish)" is unfailingly erudite, interesting, thoughtful
and thought-provoking. While highly recommended for community, college, and university library Contemporary Judaic
Theology and Literary Criticism collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, and non-
specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Liberal and Illiberal Arts: Essays (Mostly Jewish)" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Abraham Socher is the editor of the Jewish Review of Books, which he founded, and a professor emeritus of
Jewish Studies and Religion at Oberlin College. His recent edition of the Autobiography of Solomon Maimon (Princeton
University Press) was a finalist for a National Jewish Book Award.
The Buddhist Studies Shelf
Temples in the Cliffside
Sonya S. Lee
University of Washington Press
PO Box 359570, Seattle, WA 98195-9570
www.washington.edu/uwpress
9780295749303, $65.00, HC, 328pp
https://www.amazon.com/Temples-Cliffside-Buddhist-Art-Sichuan/dp/029574930X
Synopsis: At sixty-two meters the Leshan Buddha in southwest China is the world's tallest pre-modern statue. Carved out of
a riverside cliff in the eighth century, it has evolved from a religious center to a UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular
tourist destination.
But this Buddha does not stand alone: Sichuan is home to many cave temples with such monumental sculptures, part of a
centuries-long tradition of art-making intricately tied to how local inhabitants made use of their natural resources with
purpose and creativity. These examples of art embedded in nature have altered landscapes and have influenced the
behaviors, values, and worldviews of users through multiple cycles of revival, restoration, and recreation. As hybrid spaces
that are at once natural and artificial, they embody the interaction of art and the environment over a long period of time.
"Temples in the Cliffside: Buddhist Art in Sichuan" by Professor Sonya S. Lee is a far-ranging and impressively illustrated
study of cave temples in Sichuan and shows that they are part of the world's sustainable future, as their continued presence is
a reminder of the urgency to preserve culture as part of today's response to climate change.
"Temples in the Cliffside" brings art history into close dialogue with current discourse on environmental issues and
contributes to a new understanding of the ecological impact of artistic monuments.
Critique: Impressively informative, exceptionally well written, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation,
"Temples in the Cliffside: Buddhist Art in Sichuan" is an extraordinary work of singular scholarship. Enhanced for the
reader with the inclusion of an Appendix (Chinese Texts), a four page Glossary of Chinese Characters, twenty pages of
Notes, a twenty page Bibliography, and an eleven page Index, "Temples in the Cliffside: Buddhist Art in Sichuan" is
especially and unreservedly recommended for community, college, and university library Buddhist History collections and
supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the subject that "Temples in the Cliffside: Buddhist Art in Sichuan" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $48.99).
Editorial Note: Sonya S. Lee is an Associate Professor of Chinese Art & Visual Cultures, University of Southern California
and the author of "Surviving Nirvana: Death of the Buddha in Chinese Visual Culture".
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Dragons: Your Celestial Guardians
Diana Cooper
www.dianacooper.com
Hay House
https://www.hayhouse.com
9781401970017 $16.99 pbk / $9.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Celestial-Guardians-Diana-Cooper/dp/1788171616
Synopsis: Dragons are celestial beings from the angel realms who have been sent here by Source to assist and protect us.
They have been serving our planet since its inception and work with the angels in service for the highest good.
In this book, world-renowned ascension and Atlantis expert Diana Cooper shares incredibly detailed and practical
knowledge about the dragons and how they can support us. You'll discover:
The history of dragons on Earth, how they came to be here and their mission for humanity
The air, earth, fire and water dragons, and how they act as personal companions
The higher frequency and galactic dragons and the wisdom they bring
How to meet your personal dragon guide and how it can help you on your ascension path
Through the visualizations and exercises in this book, you'll learn how to attune to dragon frequencies and expand your
consciousness. All you have to do is ask - and watch how the dragons co-operate with the angels to fulfil your soul's deepest
desires!
Critique: Dragons: Your Celestial Guardians is a spiritual guide to positive visualization, offering insightful techniques to
empathetically connect with the love, mercy, and wisdom of dragon spirits in one's personal quest for enlightenment.
Chapters are grouped into "Dragons and Their History", "Fourth-Dimensional Dragons", "Fifth- to Seventh-Dimensional
Dragons", "Dragons That Work With Archangels and Masters", and "Galactic Dragons". Dragons: Your Celestial Guardians
is a choice pick for Metaphysical collections with a focus on spirituality, highly recommended. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that Dragons: Your Celestial Guardians is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).
In Focus Wicca: Your Personal Guide
Tracie Long
Wellfleet Press
Quarto Publishing Group USA
100 Cummings Center, Suite 265D, Beverly, MA 01915
www.quartoknows.com
9781577152620, $19.99, HC, 144pp
https://www.amazon.com/Focus-Wicca-Your-Personal-Guide/dp/157715262X
Synopsis: Wicca is a modern Pagan religion. It was developed in England during the first half of the 20th century and was
introduced to the public in 1954 by Gerald Gardner, a retired British civil servant. Wicca draws upon a diverse set of ancient
pagan and 20th-century hermetic motifs for its theological structure and ritual practices. (Wikipedia)
Connecting intimately with the cycles of nature, Wicca calls on a rich pantheon of ancient and modern deities, including the
transcendent Triple Goddess, and its powerful rituals and spells allow you to channel their energy into your own. With the
publication of "In Focus Wicca: Your Personal Guide", experienced Wiccan Tracia Long shows how, by working with the
elements and focusing inward, how to create a more magical, powerful way of life, the practioner can increase the chances
of discovering peace, creating abundance, making friends, and even finding love.
"In Focus Wicca: Your Personal Guide" also covers: The history of witchcraft; Different kinds of witches, their symbols,
and tools; How to work with the elements and observe the vital turning points of the year; The power of candles and the
moon; How oils, incense, and herbs harness intentions; The basics of spellcasting.
Included is an 18x24-inch wall poster covering the basics of wiccan magic such as altar arrangement, using candles, and the
Wiccan Rede. Combining elegance and expertise, this is your essential and modern guide to an ancient tradition.
Critique: Impressively comprehensive and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "In Focus Wicca:
Your Personal Guide" is a complete DIY study guide and 'how to manual' that will have a very special appeal to students
and practitioners with an interest with Metaphysics in general, and Wicca Runic Divination in particular. Offering a
complete course of
basic instruction, "In Focus Wicca: Your Personal Guide" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional,
community, college, and university library Wiccan Studies collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
An Introduction to the Study of Mysticism
Richard H. Jones
www.richardjonesbooks.com
State University of New York Press
State University Plaza, Albany, NY 12246-0001
www.sunypress.edu
9781438486338, $95.00, HC, 308pp
https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Study-Mysticism-Richard-Jones/dp/1438486324
Synopsis: The primary purpose of "An Introduction to the Study of Mysticism" by Richard H. Joes is to fill a gap in
contemporary mystical studies providing an overview of the basic ways to approach mystical experiences and
mysticism.
"An Introduction to the Study of Mysticism" discusses the problem of definitions of "mystical experiences" and "mysticism"
and advances characterizations of "mystical experiences" in terms of certain altered states of consciousness and "mysticism"
in terms of encompassing ways of life centered on such experiences and states. Types of mystical experiences, enlightened
states, paths, and doctrines are discussed, as is the relation of mystical experiences and mysticism to religions and cultures.
The approaches of constructivism, contextualism, essentialism, and perennialism are presented.
Themes in the history of the world's major mystical traditions are set forth, along with approaches to mystical phenomena in
sociology, psychology, gender studies, and neuroscience are introduced. Basic philosophical issues related to whether
mystical experiences are veridical and mystical claims valid, mystics' problems of language, art, and morality are laid out.
Older and newer comparative approaches in religious studies and in Christian theology are discussed, along with
postmodernist objections.
Critique: A highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library collections,
and further enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of twenty-six pages of Notes, twenty-eight pages of References &
Further Reading, and a four page Index, "An Introduction to the Study of Mysticism" is of special interest to students,
academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in Metaphysics, Mysticism, Christian Theology and
Parapsychology. An impressive and thought-provoking work of detailed scholarship, it should be noted for personal reading
lists that "An Introduction to the Study of Mysticism" is also available in a paperback edition (9781438486321,
$32.95).
Editorial Note: Richard H. Jones is the author of several books, including "Philosophy of Mysticism: Raids on the Ineffable"
and "Mystery 101: Introduction to the Big Questions and the Limits of Human Knowledge", both of which are published by
SUNY Press. He has a website at: www.richardjonesbooks.com
Discover Your Soul Mission
Kathryn Hudson
Findhorn Press
www.findhornpress.com
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781644115237, $16.99, PB, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/Discover-Your-Soul-Mission-Manifest/dp/1644115239
Synopsis: With the publication of "Discover Your Soul Mission: Calling on Angels to Manifest Your Life Purpose",
Kathryn Hudson shows us a way to remember, to understand why we were born and what we are meant to experience on
this planet.
As we touch in with the energy of our inner child, we rediscover that sweet spot that made our heart sing when young, that
direct line to our soul. While soul contracts with family and others might impact us on our path in different directions, we
can reopen the clear channel to the GPS of our heart and energetic system through meditations, reflections, and
exercises.
Once realigned with the mission of our soul, many divine tools of manifestation open to us and, supported by angelic
mentors, we will be guided to establish our personal 12-month Mission Manifestation Plan that helps realize our life
purpose.
Guiding many in the quest for meaning and purpose, with "Discover Your Soul Mission", Kathryn shares how to move from
feeling out of place or out of sorts with where we are in our lives to moving intentionally into fulfillment and knowing that
we are exactly where we are meant to be. And why do it alone if divine help is at hand? Taking you from simple questions
and requests to direct experience and actual co-creation with the angelic realm, "Discover Your Soul Mission" offers a way
to bring renewed zest to your life.
Critique: As thoughtful and thought-provoking as it is inspired and inspiring, "Discover Your Soul Mission: Calling on
Angels to Manifest Your Life Purpose" is an extraordinary, inherently fascinating, and potentially life-changing, life-
enhancing read that will be of particular appeal to those with an interest in angels, spirit guides, and parapsychology. While
highly recommended for community, college, and university library Metaphysical Studies collections, it should be noted for
the personal reading lists of anyone aspiring to an effective DIY spiritual self-help guide that "Discover Your Soul Mission"
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
Editorial Note: Kathryn Hudson is a certified Angel Therapy and Crystal Healing practitioner and teacher. Also a Reiki
Master teacher, Kathryn writes, speaks, and teaches all over the world on opening up to the spiritual side of life and finding
your life purpose. She has a website at http://kathrynhudson.fr/welcome
Medium Mentor
MaryAnn DiMarco
https://www.maryanndimarco.com
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
www.newworldlibrary.com
9781608687633, $17.95, PB, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Medium-Mentor-Powerful-Techniques-Guidance/dp/1608687635
Synopsis: With the publication of "Medium Mentor: 10 Powerful Techniques to Awaken Divine Guidance for Yourself and
Others" by experienced psychic medium and teacher MaryAnn DiMarco, you can now connect more deeply to your soul's
innate abilities and employ them to enhance your everyday life and serve others.
Through true stories and expert tips, "Medium Mentor" reveals the magic, joy, and responsibility of developing psychic gifts
and working with souls on the Other Side, as well as how to interpret the powerful energy you experience and establish
boundaries. MaryAnn's deep wisdom comes through as she teaches you to create your own unique approach to intuition and
understand and implement universal guidance.
Critique: An invaluable and impressively well written combination of instructional guide and 'how to' manual that will be of
immense and particular interest to serious students of New Age channeling and ESP, "Medium Mentor: 10 Powerful
Techniques to Awaken Divine Guidance for Yourself and Others" is an inherently interesting, thought-provoking, and
inspiring read. While highly recommended for personal, professional, community, college, and university Metaphysical
Studies collections, it should be noted that "Medium Mentor: 10 Powerful Techniques to Awaken Divine Guidance for
Yourself and Others" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.15).
Editorial Note: MaryAnn DiMarco is an internationally recognized psychic medium, healer, and spiritual teacher. The
author of "Believe, Ask, Act", she has been a featured expert on various media platforms, including the New York Times,
Women's Health, and Elle; has appeared on the podcasts Better Together with Maria Menounos, The Balanced Blonde Soul
on Fire, and Dear Gabby; and has been a speaker at Gabrielle Bernstein's Masterclass live events. She has her own website
at https://www.maryanndimarco.com
The Travel Shelf
USA State by State
Moon Travel Guides
Moon Handbooks
c/o Avalon Travel
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
www.moon.com
9781640495975, $27.99, PB, 792pp
https://www.amazon.com/Moon-USA-State-Things-Travel/dp/1640495975
Synopsis: From the Pacific to the Atlantic, through prairies and bayous to snow-capped mountains, travelers and visitors can
uncover the best of what the US has to offer with "Moon USA State by State"
This comprehensive travel guide is: Broken down by region, each chapter introduces the unique personality of all 50 states,
Washington DC, and Puerto Rico; Lists the top 3 experiences in every state: Whether it's a bucket-list national park, a
famous festival, or an unbeatable beach, find out what makes each state special; Suggests unforgettable outdoor adventures:
Explore the best national parks from Acadia to Zion. Peep the changing leaves in Vermont or set up camp for a night of
stargazing in Texas. Explore underground caves in Kentucky, or hike to waterfalls in Washington and volcanoes in Hawaii.
Admire stunning arches and hoodoos in Utah, or watch for wildlife in Alaska.
It is also replete with road trip ideas and options: Hit the road with lists of each state's best scenic drives and must-see
roadside stops; Showcases local culinary flavors from coast to coast: Sample hatch chilis in New Mexico and dig in to
heaping plates of hot chicken in Tennessee. Spend a weekend wine-tasting in Oregon, or try a flight of craft beers in
Colorado; Is replete with history and fun facts: Get to know more about each state with historical background, lesser-known
local favorites, and more; And includes a foldout poster map with checklists to track your adventures
Critique: Exceptionally 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "USA State by State" from Moon is an ideal
resource for planning everything from a day trip to an extended vacation anywhere in the United States. Illustrated
throughout, packed with 'real world' useful tips for getting the most out of a trip, and also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $19.99), "USA State by State" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, family, professional,
community, college, and university library American Travel Guide collections.
Editorial Note: Since 1973, Moon travel guides has been guiding travelers to unique, authentic experiences in more than 200
destinations around the world. They believe in the power of travel to connect people and enrich their lives. Their authors are
local experts who share our commitment to independent businesses, local culture, and ethical travel. Moon Travel Guides
are published by Avalon Travel, an imprint of Perseus Books, a Hachette Book Group company, in Berkeley,
California.
The Packraft Handbook
Luc Mehl, author
Sarah Glaser, illustrator
Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134-1161
www.mountaineersbooks.org
9781680516029, $32.95, PB, 432pp
https://www.amazon.com/Packraft-Handbook-Instructional-Guide-Curious/dp/1680516027
Synopsis: The 2021 National Outdoor Book Award Winner in Outdoor Adventure Guides, "The Packraft Handbook: An
Instructional Guide for the Curious" by Alaska-based author and leading expert on Alaskan wilderness travel Luc Mehi has
an emphasis on skill progression and safety applies to wide range of outdoor water recreation which are enhanced for the
reader with vibrant illustrations and photos inform and inspire by Sarah K. Glasser.
"The Packraft Handbook" is a comprehensive guide to packrafting, Alaskan wilderness travelers will learn how to maneuver
through river features and open water, how to mitigate risk with trip planning and boat control, and how to react when
things go wrong. Beginners and even experienced wilderness enthusiasts will find everything they need to know to get
started -- from packraft care to proper paddling position as well as what to wear and how to communicate.
Illustrated for visual learners and featuring stunning photography, The Packraft Handbook has something to offer all
packrafters and other whitewater sports enthusiasts.
Critique: Of special interest to Alaskan wilderness tourists in general, and whitewater sports enthusiasts in particular, "The
Packraft Handbook: An Instructional Guide for the Curious" is an ideal DIY instructional guide and manual that is immense
interest and value to anyone wanting to safely get the most out of boating and other forms of wilderness oriented recreation.
Impressively comprehensive and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Packraft Handbook: An
Instructional Guide for the Curious" is a 'must' for personal, professional, community, college, and university library Travel
Guide and Outdoor Recreation collections. It should be noted that "The Packraft Handbook: An Instructional Guide for the
Curious" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Editorial Note #1: Luc Mehl grew up on the Kuskokwim River in interior Alaska and currently resides in Anchorage. With
graduate degrees from UCSB and MIT, he applies academic and village skillsets to his work as a swiftwater safety
instructor and environmental data scientist. Mehl has traveled over 10,000 miles by packraft, skis, bike, and ice skates.
Editorial Note #2: Sarah K. Glaser was born and raised in Moose Pass, Alaska and currently resides in Anchorage. An
education and adventure illustrator, she loves to combine "type-two" adventures and compulsive doodling. Her illustrations
have appeared on sidewalks, helicopters, ambulances, dump trucks, and on/in a half-dozen books.
Walking Great Britain: England, Scotland, and Wales
Heather Hansen
www.heather-hansen.com
Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134-1161
www.mountaineersbooks.org
9781680513172, $14.95, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Great-Britain-England-Scotland/dp/1680513176
Synopsis: Comprised of 63 walks packed with local history, cultural and literary highlights, ecological and geological
tidbits, and more; Brief descriptions of gateway towns and services; 75 full-color photos and detailed walk maps; an an
At-A-Glance chart featuring trail information and amenities, "Walking Great Britain: England, Scotland, and Wales" by
veteran travel writer Heather Hansen guides walkers and hikers of all levels and interests to the region's superlative
trails.
From easy riverside strolls to challenging mountain summits, these beautiful, classic routes so nicely showcased in
"Walking Great Britain: England, Scotland, and Wales" lend themselves to a good day's walking with detail about local
history, cultural and literary highlights, plus ecological and geological tidbits sprinkled throughout.
"Walking Great Britain: England, Scotland, and Wales" enhance the traveler's experience while visiting varied and stunning
landscapes -- including hidden waterfalls, wild beaches, long lochs, deep gorges, dramatic cliffs, striking sea stacks, high
peaks, picturesque peninsulas, colorful gardens, Roman ruins, turreted castles, and more.
Most trails are easy day trips close to popular towns and destinations, making "Walking Great Britain: England, Scotland,
and Wales " a perfect guide for a quick outing between museum visits or a week's worth of robust striding.
Critique: Beautifully and profusely illustrated in full color throughout, "Walking Great Britain: England, Scotland, and
Wales" is exceptionally informative and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, making it an ideal
resource for itinerary planning. While a highly recommended acquisition for personal, professional, community, college,
and university library Travel Guide collections, it should be noted for Great Britain bound travelers and on-site visitors that
"Walking Great Britain: England, Scotland, and Wales" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.70).
Editorial Note: Heather Hansen is an award-winning reporter, specializing in environmental and travel writing. She is also
the author of "Wildfire: On the Front Lines with Station 8", and her work has appeared in High Country News, National
Geographic Traveler, Smithsonian, Outside, Mountain Gazette, and others. She has her own website at
www.heather-hansen.com
Heartbeats: The Insider's Guide to Israel
Ya'acov Fried, author
Gilad Peled, author
Yishay Shavit, author
Gefen Publishing House
c/o Storch
255 Central Ave #B-206, Lawrence, NY 11559
www.gefenpublishing.com
9789657023778, $24.95, PB, 293pp
https://www.amazon.com/Heartbeats-Insiders-Non-Conventional-Anthology-Educators/dp/9657023777
Synopsis: With the publication of "Heartbeats: The Insider's Guide to Israel", the team of experienced tour guides Ya'acov
Fried, Gilad Peled, and Yishay Shavit invites the reader to step off of the well-worn tourist paths and enjoy rare access to the
nuances, contradictions, and complexities that make up the State of Israel.
"Heartbeats: The Insider's Guide to Israel" is fascinating anthology by expert Israeli tour educators, each of whom share
their experience of Israel through their own personal lens, background, and vantage point. Reading this unique travel guide
before, during, and after a journey to Israel will give the reader an exciting opportunity to delve deeper, not just into the
country but into themselves. This an informed and informative guide that will ably serve as a map through which the
traveler's curiosity will be able to run free and will enable them to experience and appreciate the diverse fabric of Israeli
society.
Critique: Deftly edited by Amnon Jackont, "Heartbeats: The Insider's Guide to Israel" is a non-conventional by inherently
fascinating and useful resource for getting the most out of a visit to Israel with memorable sights, Israeli histories, and
extraordinary experiences that go beyond the usual tourist itineraries. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.85), "Heartbeats: The Insider's Guide to Israel" is firmly recommended for personal, professional, community, college,
and university library Travel Guide collections and a essential for anyone visiting or planning to visit Israel.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Possums Are Not Cute!
Ally Burguieres
Quirk Books
215 Church Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
www.quirkbooks.com
9781683692997, $14.99, HC, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Possums-Are-Not-Cute-Misunderstood/dp/1683692993
Synopsis: Possums are more than the ugly-cute icons of the internet. These so-called trash animals and pointy kitties are not
only relatable avatars for anxious but resilient people everywhere, but nature's secret clean-up crew. Organized around
common myths that have given possums a bad reputation, "Possums Are Not Cute!: And Other Myths about Nature's Most
Misunderstood Critter" by wildlife rehabber and possum advocate Ally Burguieres is a fun and offbeat book that reveals the
truth about possums through dozens of adorable photos, informative illustrations, and fascinating facts.
For example: Possums protect people and pets from disease! A single possum can eat up to 4,000 ticks per week!; Possums
excel at interspecies friendships, often sleeping in other animals' dens; Possums are shy creatures: when they "play dead,"
they are actually fainting from anxiety!
Critique: Enhanced with 'real world' practical tips on possum protection, and also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$8.99), "Possums Are Not Cute!: And Other Myths about Nature's Most Misunderstood Critter" is a fun, informative, and
unreservedly recommended addition to school and community library Pets/Wildlife collections.
Editorial Note: Ally Burguieres is a wildlife rehabilitation expert, a possum ambassador, and can be followed at her
@ItsMeSesame Instagram account. When she's not wrangling her posse of rescue possums, she work as an artist and
manages two boutiques and an art gallery in New Orleans.
The Birds of Egypt and the Middle East
Richard Hoath
American University in Cairo Press
200 Park Avenue, Suite 1700, New York, NY 10166
www.aucpress.com
9781649031242, $16.95, HC, 176pp
https://www.amazon.com/Birds-Egypt-Middle-East/dp/1649031246
Synopsis: "The Birds of Egypt and the Middle East" is a compact and incisive photographic identification guide to 280 bird
species in Egypt and the Middle East. Each individual bird showcased in the pages of "The Birds of Egypt and the Middle
East" represents the region's most commonly seen, unique, and endemic species, and is a perfect visual guide for resident
and visitor bird watchers alike.
Each bird species is illustrated with a high-quality full-color photograph, accompanied by a detailed description, which
includes nomenclature, size, distribution, habits, and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers biogeography, migration,
bird topography, and a glossary. Also included is an all-important checklist of all of the birds of Egypt encompassing, for
each species, its common and scientific name as well as its status in each country and its global International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status.
Critique: Impressively informative and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Birds of Egypt and
the Middle East" is an ideal reference for on-site bird watcher observation -- and an unreservedly recommended addition to
personal, professional, community, college, and university library Ornithological Identification & Reference
collections.
Editorial Note: Richard Hoath is a leading naturalist based in Egypt, having traveled extensively throughout the Middle
East. He is also the author and illustrator of A Field Guide to the Mammals of Egypt (pbk edn., 2009), and many other
books and articles on the wildlife of the region. He is a founder member and serves on the Egyptian Ornithological Rarities
Committee, is a long-time member of the Ornithological Society of the Middle East (OSME), and is currently on the faculty
of The American University in Cairo.
The Secret Perfume of Birds
Danielle J. Whittaker
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
www.press.jhu.edu
9781421443478, $27.95, HC, 296pp
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Perfume-Birds-Uncovering-Science/dp/1421443473
Synopsis: The puzzling lack of evidence for the peculiar but widespread belief that birds have no sense of smell irked
evolutionary biologist Danielle Whittaker. Exploring the science behind the myth led her on an unexpected quest
investigating mysteries from how juncos win a fight to why cowbirds smell like cookies.
With the publication of "The Secret Perfume of Birds: Uncovering the Science of Avian Scent" (which is part science, part
intellectual history, and part memoir) Whittaker blends humor, clear writing, and a compelling narrative to describe how
scent is important not just for birds but for all animals, including humans.
Whittaker engagingly describes how emerging research has uncovered birds' ability to produce complex chemical signals
that influence their behavior, including where they build nests, when they pick a fight, and why they fly away. Mate choice,
or sexual selection (a still enigmatic aspect of many animals' lives) appears to be particularly influenced by smell.
Whittaker's pioneering studies suggest that birds' sexy (and scary) signals are produced by symbiotic bacteria that
manufacture scents in the oil that birds stroke on their feathers when preening. From tangerine-scented auklets to her
beloved juncos (redolent of moss), birds from across the world feature in Whittaker's stories, but she also examines the
smelly chemicals of all kinds of creatures, from iguanas and bees to monkeys and humans.
Readers will enjoy a rare opportunity to witness the twisting roads scientific research can take, especially the challenging,
hilarious, and occasionally dangerous realities of ornithology in the wild. "The Secret Perfume of Birds" will be of particular
interest anyone looking to learn more about birds, about how animals and humans use our senses, and about why it can
sometimes take a rebel scientist to change what we think we know for sure about the world -- and ourselves.
Critique: A pioneering work of original research and innovative scholarship, "The Secret Perfume of Birds: Uncovering the
Science of Avian Scent" will prove to be an extraordinary and essential contribution to personal, professional, community,
college, and university library Ornithology collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. Enhanced for the reader
with the inclusion of a ten page Glossary, a twenty-two page listing of References, and a ten page Index, it should be noted
for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Secret Perfume of Birds:
Uncovering the Science of Avian Scent" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $20.99).
Editorial Note: Danielle J. Whittaker is the managing director of the BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action
at Michigan State University, where she is an instructor and the graduate program director in the Department of Integrative
Biology.
Wolves: Western Warriors
Julie Argyle
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton UT 84041
www.gibbs-smith.com
9781423660361, $50.00, HC, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Wolves-Western-Warriors-Julie-Argyle/dp/1423660366
Synopsis: With the publication of "Wolves: Western Warriors", wildlife photographer Julie Argyle showcases the life of the
powerful and majestic North American wolf. Often considered to be vermin and dangerous, the struggle wolves have to
simply survive in the wild and in a world where many people don't appreciate wolves and often set out to exterminate them
is beautifully showcased with full color photographic images.
"Wolves: Western Warriors" also explores their behavior, their family dynamics, and what it means to be a wolf in the
wilderness of the greater Yellowstone area through Argyle's stunning photography. Along with her superb images she
includes information about the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone and the ongoing struggle with keeping wolves listed
as endangered species, while also offering her personal observations about the Wapiti Lake pack, among others, and several
notable individual wolves.
The strikingly beautiful images and the information and stories woven throughout the pages of "Wolves: Western Warriors"
showcase this frequently misunderstood, yet completely incredible species.
Critique: A timely, informative, beautifully presented coffee-table style volume (12.2 x 1 x 10.6 inches, 1.7 pounds),
"Wolves: Western Warriors" is an ideal and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college,
and university library Wild Life Photography collections in general, and Wolf Biology supplemental curriculum studies lists
in particular. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Wolves: Western Warriors" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $22.49).
Editorial Note: Julie Argyle is a professional photographer who has spent 40 years observing and photographing grizzly
bears, along with other wildlife, within the Rocky Mountain West. Her photography business, Wild Love Images, has grown
to capture the lives and stories of much of the wildlife in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Julie is an active voice for their
preservation and protection.
The Literary Studies Shelf
A Forest Tragedy in the Vacuum: Or, Cupid's Sacrifice
William Percy, author
William Shakespeare, author
Anna Faktorovich, author/translator
Privately Published
9798750078011, $25.00, HC, 168pp
https://www.amazon.com/Forest-Tragedy-Vacuum-Re-Attribution-Modernization/dp/B09K2BFS5D
Synopsis: The Forest Tragedy is the only text that William Percy labeled as a "tragedy", but kept closeted in his family
archives, without successfully selling it to a publisher. As the dominant tragedian under the "Shakespeare" byline, Percy was
the master of this genre. After decades of practicing perfecting strict obedience to the Laws of Tragedy, in this experiment,
Percy rebels against them and satirizes the "imbecility" behind formulaic rules, and particularly in the types of rules that
governs this "cruel" genre. The resulting farce especially satirizes Percy's "Shakespeare"-bylined Romeo and Juliet (1597),
as well as other murder-suicide dramas described in "William Painter's" The Palace of Pleasure (1575).
Translated segments from Palace about Rhomeo and Julietta are included to assist readers with finding echoes between
these three texts. One blatant echo is the "...I die!" speeches uttered by Romeo and by Amadour in the Forest Tragedy. In the
latter, events take place seemingly in the duchy of the Vacuum, or a void that brings together characters from ancient times
together with historical and contemporary international European monarchs.
In its conclusion, the Vacuum consumes all eight of the main characters, and leaves only dead bodies in its void. There is no
clear main-character, so it might be Rhodaghond, the black-Egyptian slave-girl who ends up indirectly killing three of her
masters because her mistress, Fulvia, shoves her once with her palm. Alternatively, it might be the Jewish boy-scholar and
poison-brewer, Jeptes, who obliges his master by creating a poison that eventually kills four. The gore is brought to farcical
lows, as three characters drink from a cup of wine with Lord Affranio's heart and the poison in it.
Numerous laws of propriety, morality and generic-integrity are not only shattered across this Plot, but these shatterings are
also philosophically explained as deliberate decisions of a Poet intent on sacrificing this Plot to prove the absurdity of
genre-adhering murder-suicides. There is infidelity, hints of homosexuality, court-intrigue, fraudulent schemes, and a
myriad of other dramatic events. And below the surface of the farce, there are beautiful and enticing metered and rhymed
poetic passages hitting the heart and soul, as the audience is asked to consider these from the perspective of the omnipotent
Poet who has to condemn characters to tragic deaths across decades of a professional writing career.
Critique: An iconoclastic but inherently fascinating literary study by Anna Faktorovich, "A Forest Tragedy in the Vacuum:
Or, Cupid's Sacrifice" will have a very special appeal to scholars and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
William Shakespeare - William Percy controversy regarding their contributions to Elizabethan literature and drama. It
should be noted that "A Forest Tragedy in the Vacuum: Or, Cupid's Sacrifice" is also available in a paperback edition
(9798750077540, $16.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note #1: William Percy (1567?-1648) is the dominant tragedian behind the "William Shakespeare" pseudonym
according to the computational-linguistic study in The Re-Attribution of the British Renaissance Corpus. Percy was a
younger son of the assassinated 8th Earl of Northumberland and the brother of the imprisoned in the Tower 9th Earl.
Editorial Note #2: Anna Faktorovich is the Director and Founder of the Anaphora Literary Press. She taught college English
at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (2016-7). Previously, she taught for three years at the Edinboro University of
Pennsylvania and the Middle Georgia State College. She has a Ph.D. in English Literature and Criticism.
The Photography Shelf
Baobab
Beth Moon
Abbeville Press
655 Third Avenue, Suite 2520, New York, NY 10017
www.abbeville.com
9780789214096, $49.95, HC, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Baobab-Beth-Moon/dp/0789214091
Synopsis: Baobab trees are one of Africa's natural wonders. They can live more than 2,000 years, and their massive,
water-storing trunks can grow to more than one hundred feet in circumference. They serve as a renewable source of food,
fiber, and fuel, as well as a focus of native spiritual life. But now, suddenly, the largest baobabs are dying off, literally
collapsing under their own weight. Scientists believe these ancient giants are being dehydrated by drought and higher
temperatures, likely the result of climate change.
Photographer Beth Moon, already responsible for some of the most indelible images of Africa's oldest and largest baobabs,
with the publication of "Baobab" has undertaken a new photographic pilgrimage to bear witness to this environmental
catastrophe and visually documenting the baobabs that still survive. In this oversize coffee table style (15.4 x 0.8 x 10.3
inches, 3.26 pounds) volume, Moon presents breathtaking new duotone tree portraits of the baobabs of Madagascar,
Botswana, South Africa, and Senegal. She recounts her eventful journey to visit these monumental trees in a moving
diaristic text studded with color travel photos.
"Baobab" also includes an essay by Adrian Patrut, leader of a research team that has studied Africa's largest baobabs and
alerted the world tot he threat these majestic trees are facing, making "Baobab" not only a compelling photo book and travel
narrative, but also a timely ecological warning of the continuing impact of climate change.
Critique: A majestic and awe inspiring book to browse through on page at a time, "Baobab" by Beth Moon is a unique,
thought-provoking, memorable, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and
university library Contemporary Photography, African Photography, and Nature Photography collections.
Editorial Note: Beth Moon has gained international recognition for her large-scale, richly toned platinum photographs. Since
1999, her work has appeared in more than 60 one-person and group exhibitions in the United States, Italy, England, France,
Israel, Brazil, Dubai, Singapore and Malaysia, and has received critical acclaim in numerous national and international fine
art publications. Her prints are held in public collections such as The Museum of Fine Art Houston, The Cleveland Museum
of Art, The Museum of Photographic Arts San Diego and the Fox Talbot Museum (UK), and The Museum of Modern and
Contemporary Art in Bolzano, Italy. In 2013, the first monograph of Moon's work was published by Charta Art Books in
Italy. In 2014, Abbeville Press published Ancient Trees: Portraits of Time, and in 2015, Galerie Vevais, published a fine-art
edition, La Langue Verte. Abbeville Press released a follow up title in 2016, Ancient Skies, Ancient Trees.
The Mathematics Shelf
Introduction To Linear Algebra
Mark J. DeBonis
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
www.crcpress.com
9781032108988, $99.95, HC, 440pp
https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Linear-Algebra-Computation-Application/dp/1032108983
Synopsis: "Introduction to Linear Algebra: Computation, Application and Theory" by academician and theoretical
mathematician Mark J. DeBonis is specifically designed and intended for students who have never been previously exposed
to the relevant topics of a linear algebra course of instruction.
"Introduction to Linear Algebra" includes cutting edge applications in machine learning and data analytics, is suitable as a
primary text for undergraduates studying linear algebra, and requires very little in the way of pre-requisites.
The text is filled with interesting and diverse application sections but it is also a theoretical text which aims to train students
to do succinct computation in a knowledgeable way. After completing the course with this text, the student will not only
know the best and shortest way to do linear algebraic computations but will also know why such computations are both
effective and successful.
Critique: Exceptionally well organized and thoroughly 'student friendly' in presentation, "Introduction To Linear Algebra:
Computation, Application, and Theory" is an ideal textbook for highschool, college, and university curriculums. It should be
noted for students and academia that "Introduction To Linear Algebra: Computation, Application, and Theory" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $79.96).
Editorial Note: Mark DeBonis received his PhD in Mathematics from University of California, Irvine, USA. He began his
career as a theoretical mathematician in the field of group theory and model theory, but in later years switched to applied
mathematics, in particular to machine learning. He spent some time working for the US Department of Energy at Los
Alamos National Lab as well as the US Department of Defense at the Defense Intelligence Agency as an applied
mathematician of machine learning. He is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Manhattan College in New York City
and is also currently working for the US Department of Energy at Sandia National Lab as a Principal Data Analyst. His
research interests include machine learning, statistics, and computational algebra.
The Jobs/Careers Shelf
Easier: 60 Ways to Make Your Work Life Work for You
Chris Westfall
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com
9781119834571, $25.00, HC, 224pp
https://www.amazon.com/Easier-Ways-Make-Your-Work/dp/1119834570
Synopsis: With the publication of "Easier: 60 Ways to Make Your Work Life Work for You" by Chris Westfall,
entrepreneurs, business managers, and corporate executives are presented with a self-leadership inquiry that becomes a story
of transformation and powerful universal discovery.
A DIY handbook on coaching, leadership, and resilience, "Easier" offers leadership insights on creating the future of work,
finding connection and guidance, and uncovering 60 ways to make everything (yes, everything!) easier.
Of special interest for team players, and team leaders, and everyone in between, "Easter" reveals: How to pivot from "How
do I get through this?" to "What can I get from this?"; How to access innovation and empathy, for yourself and others,
regardless of your circumstances -- and find true personal freedom; How resilience and adaptability are available to anyone,
anytime.
Who doesn't want to make things easier? Tap into peak performance, by understanding that you don't have to go it alone.
The coaching conversation begins with a common concern and leads to a re-imagined future of work, because everything in
life can be made easier -- if you just know where to look.
Critique: Drawing upon his years of experience and expertise, author and business coach Chris Westfall has created an ideal
DIY instruction guide and how-to manual that will prove invaluable for anyone seeking to maximize the productivity of
themselves or subordinates. Exceptionally well written and thoroughly 'user friendly in organization and presentation,
"Easier: 60 Ways to Make Your Work Life Work for You" is singularly recommended for personal, professional,
community, corporate, college, and university library Business Motivational Management & Leadership collections. It
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Easier: 60 Ways to Make Your Work Life Work for You" is also available in
a digital book format (Kindle, $15.00).
Editorial Note: Chris Westfall is one of the most sought-after coaches and keynote speakers in the world. He has helped
launch over five dozen businesses and has appeared on ABC News, NBC TV, and CNN. A regular contributor to Forbes, he
has worked with thousands of leaders at Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations, and high-tech startups. He
regularly consults with top-tier universities and is the author of three other books, including Leadership Language.
The Humor Shelf
What's What and What to Do About It
Waldo Mellon
Seven Stories Press
140 Watts Street, New York, NY 10013
www.sevenstories.com
9781644210383, $21.95, HC, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Whats-What-Do-About/dp/164421038X
Synopsis: In a parody of such legendary advice columnists as Dear Abby or her sister, Dear Ann Landers, "What's What and
What to Do About It" is comprised of wit and wisdom offering a balm for the anxieties of life by imaginary advice
columnist and author Waldo Mellon.
Critique: Written with a genuine flair of originality, humor, and a very special, if somewhat iconoclastic insights into the
human condition, "What's What and What to Do About It" is a fun read from cover to cover. While highly recommended for
community library collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of those with a particular affinity for wry
humor, psychological parody, self-help caricature, and philosophical mockery, "What's What and What to Do About It" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: Waldo Mellon has written for television and film for the last forty years from his home base outside
Amherst, MA. Three of his screenplays were made into the movies Envy, Waiting for Forever, and No Stranger than
Love--". "What's What and What to Do about It" is his first book. He is currently working on a sequel: "What's Death and
What to Do about It".
Don't Worry, Be Ha-PEA
Marie Saba
Familius
www.familius.com
9781641704649, $14.99, HC, 128pp
https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Worry-Be-Ha-PEA-Deliciously/dp/1641704640
Synopsis: With the publication of "Don't Worry, Be Ha-PEA: 101 Deliciously Clever Food Puns" by Marie Saba, you can
now test your knowledge of pop culture, tourist attractions, social media slang, and more with this delicious collection of
101 visual food puns. Fresh food and beautiful photography make the perfect pear in this clever and original book of humor.
Some puns are trickier than others, but donut give up! Just keep calm and curry on.
Critique: Original, clever, and each individual page an illustrated masterpiece of a food related pun, "Don't Worry, Be
Ha-PEA: 101 Deliciously Clever Food Puns" is an ideal gift for pun fans and will be a welcome and enduringly popular
addition to personal and community library Contemporary Humor collections. It should be noted that "Don't Worry, Be
Ha-PEA: 101 Deliciously Clever Food Puns" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Marie Saba is a cookbook author and freelance content creator. Her playful creations have been featured in
numerous media outlets, including Bon Appetit and Food & Wine magazine, as well as on The Rachael Ray Show and The
Martha Stewart Show.
The Gardening Shelf
Garden Maker
Christie Purifoy
Harvest House Publishers
PO Box 41210, Eugene, OR 97404-0322
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
9780736982146, $26.99, HC, 208pp
https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Maker-Growing-Beauty-Flowers/dp/0736982140
Synopsis: The Bible tells us that from the beginning God made a garden called Eden. So it is no surprise if we feel closer to
Him with our hands in the dirt and the sun on our back. There is something profoundly soul-satisfying and spiritually
healing about creating and cultivating beauty in the form of a garden.
Critique: With the publication of "Garden Maker: Growing a Life of Beauty and Wonder with Flowers", author and
gardener Christie Purifoy will help the aspiring gardener to enjoy the simple delights of growing garden flowers. From
preparing and planning to creating beautiful bouquets and other arrangements, there are a profusion of lavishly
photographed images supporting a thoroughly 'gardener friendly' all-seasons DIY guide that will enable even the most
novice of aspiring gardeners to discover the innumerable joys and wonders to be found in the flower garden. It should be
noted that "Garden Maker" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.47).
Editorial Note: A writer and avid gardener, Christie Purifoy earned a PhD in English Literature from the University of
Chicago and has taught literature and composition at the undergraduate level. Her books include "Roots and Sky: A Journey
Home in Four Seasons" and "Placemaker: Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty, and Peace". She explores her love of
gardening and all things beautiful at her Victorian farmhouse in southeastern Pennsylvania.
A Guide to Medieval Gardens
Michael Brown
White Owl
c/o Pen & Sword Books
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
Casemate (distributor)
www.casematepublishers.com
9781526794543, $41.95, HC, 176pp
https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Medieval-Gardens-Age-Chivalry/dp/1526794543
Synopsis: Medieval gardens usually rate very few pages in the garden history books. The general perception is still of small
gardens in the corner of a castle. But recent research has shown that the gardens were larger than we previously believed. "A
Guide to Medieval Gardens: Gardens in the Age of Chivalry" academician and historian Michael Brown contains
information and pictures that have not been generally available before, including the theory and practice of medieval
horticulture.
Many features of later gardens were already a part of medieval gardens. The number of plants was limited, but was still no
less than many modern gardeners use in their own gardens today. Yet medieval gardens were imbued with meaning.
Whether secular or religious, the additional dimension of symbolism, gave a greater depth to medieval gardens, which is
lacking in most modern ones.
Critique: Profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout, Professor Michael Brown's "A Guide to Medieval Gardens:
Gardens in the Age of Chivalry" will be of particular interest to academia and non-specialist readers with an interest in the
subject of medieval gardens. This very special history contains some of the vast amount of research that Professor Brown
carried out to create the medieval gardens at the Prebendal Manor, Nassington, Northamptonshire. He had tried to use
previously unused sources and included his own practical experience of medieval gardening methods that he carried out to
maintain the gardens. Some worked, others certainly didn't.
A simply fascinating read and a singularly important. informative, unique and welcome addition to personal, professional,
community, college, and university library Medieval Studies and History of Gardening collections, it should be noted that
"A Guide to Medieval Gardens: Gardens in the Age of Chivalry" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$18.99).
Editorial Note: Michael Brown is Professor of Scottish history at the University of St Andrews. His main research interests
center on the political society of Scotland c.1250 - c.1500 and on the relationships between the various communities of the
British Isles during the same period. He has published studies of the practice and ideology of royal and aristocratic lordship
in Scotland.
The Beer/Wine/Spirits Shelf
Wild Brews
Jaega Wise
Kyle Books
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
http://www.kylebooks.com
9780857837813, $24.99, HC, 192pp
https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Brewer-Brewing-beginner-expert/dp/0857837818
Synopsis: Produced using a mixture of naturally occurring yeasts and bacteria, wild fermented beers offer the 'fine dining' of
the beer world. These beers are how beer tasted 200 years ago, before brewing was industrialized, and are enjoying a
worldwide revival.
Jaega Wise, head brewer at East London's Wild Card Brewery, is one of the UK's experts in wild fermentation. With the
publication of "Wild Brews" she explains the science behind the brewing process and shares her recipes so that you can
experiment at home. Learn how to brew, bottle, and age your beer in wooden barrels, and produce a range of different sour
beer styles, farmhouse ales and fruit beers.
Recipes and styles featured in "Wild Brews" include: German Berliner Weisse (tart and refreshing) and Gose (salty and
dry); Belgian Lambics, gueze, Flanders red ale and fruit beers; French Farmhouse ales such as saison and biere de garde;
Norwegian Farmhouse Ales including the Kveik IPA; and English Old Ale.
Also included is a trouble-shooter section to guide you through what happens when wild yeast and bacteria get out of
control and how to remedy it. Whether you are a beer geek or a home brewing novice, "Wild Brews" contains everything
you need to replicate today's sour and wild beer styles at home.
Critique: When it comes to the DIY craft of home brewing, from sour and fruit beers to farmhouse ales, "Wild Brews" is the
perfect step-by-step 'how to' instruction manual and guide for the amateur and aspiring home-based brew master. While also
readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99), "Wild Brews" by Jaega Wise is a thoroughly 'user friendly' and
highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Home Brewing and Beer
Lover collections.
Editorial Note: Jaega Wise is an English beer brewer, campaigner, broadcaster and author. Born in Nottingham, she is the
head brewer and co-founder of London-based Wild Card Brewery and in 2018 was named "Brewer of the Year" by the
British Guild of Beer Writers. Alongside brewing, Wise campaigns on various issues within the beer and wider drinks
industries, including sexism, race and disability. She has also presented several radio and television shows, including BBC
Radio 4's The Food Programme and Amazon Prime's Beer Masters.
The Computer Shelf
Murach's C++ Programming, second edition
Mary Delamater, author
Joel Murach, author
Mike Murach & Associates
www.murach.com
9781943872961, $59.50, PB, 800pp
https://www.amazon.com/Murachs-Programming-2nd-Joel-Murach/dp/1943872961
Synopsis: Now in a fully updated and expanded second edition, "Murach's C++ Programming" is the ideal instructional
resource for learning C++ in manageable chunks with Murach's distinctive "paired-pages" format that has proved
extraordinarily popular with C++ programmer students and practitioners. Each topic is presented in a 2-page spread: You
get clear syntax and coding examples along with easy-to-understand bullets on the righthand page and in-depth explanations
and perspective on the left. Not only does this format ease the learning curve, it's a time-saver for on-the-job reference
too.
Critique: Mike Murach & Associates is a premier publisher of computer software instruction manuals and textbooks. This
comprehensive and thoroughly 'user friendly' second edition of "Murach's C++ Programming" by the team of Mary
Delamater and Joel Murach continues to support their international reputation and is unreservedly recommended for
personal DIY studies, as well as professional, community, highschool, college, and university library C++ Programming
Language instructional collections and curriculums.
A Field Guide to Digital Transformation
Thomas Erl, author
Roger Stoffers, author
Addison Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.mcp.com
9780137571840, $34.99, PB, 288pp
https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Transformation-Pearson-Service-Technology/dp/0137571844
Synopsis: With the publication of "A Field Guide to Digital Transformation" IT experts Thomas Erl and Roger Stoffers
combine to provide comprehensive, yet easy-to-understand coverage of essential digital transformation concepts, practices,
and technologies in the format of a plain-English tutorial written for any IT professionals, students, or decision-makers.
With more than 160 diagrams, this illustrated guide provides a highly visual exploration of what digital transformation is,
how it works, and the techniques and technologies required to successfully build modern-day digital transformation
solutions.
IT students and practitioners will: Discover what digital transformation is, why it emerged and when to apply it; Identify the
significant business benefits that successful digital transformations can deliver and how to turn your organization into a
"disruptive" force; Prepare for and overcome the common challenges associated with digital transformation initiatives;
Understand the data-driven nature of digital transformation solutions and how they use and continually accumulate data
intelligence; Understand how digital transformation solutions can utilize AI technology for intelligent automated
decision-making; Gain insight into customer-centricity and how its practices are applied as part of digital transformations:
Explore key digital transformation automation technologies, such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Internet of Things
(IoT), Blockchain. and Cloud Computing; Explore key digital transformation data science technologies, such as Artificial
Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and Big Data Analysis and Analytics.
"A Field Guide to Digital Transformation" concludes with a uniquely detailed and highly visual real-world business
scenario that provides step-by-step insights into how a digital transformation solution works, how it utilizes data intelligence
to improve customer relationship building, and how it collects new data intelligence in support of enhancing future business
capabilities.
Critique: An ideal DIY textbook for understanding and utilizing the digital transformation of information, "A Field Guide to
Digital Transformation" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, college, and community library
Information Management instructional reference collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted
that "A Field Guide to Digital Transformation" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $27.99).
Editorial Note #1: Thomas Erl is a Canadian author, and public speaker known for major contributions to the field of
service-oriented architecture. The author of eight books on Service Orientation, Erl defined eight widely accepted principles
of service orientation.
Editorial Note #2: Roger Stoffers is a TOGAF-certified Enterprise Architect passionate about Digital Transformation and
Integration. Roger has worked for (and with) organizations in Telecommunication, Government and Finance industries,
building 25 years of experience in multinational organizations. He has served as principal and lead Enterprise Domain
Architect for digital business transformation initiatives, with strong focus for customer relationships and sustainable
organizational agility in distributed environments.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
The Seven Graces of Ageless Aging
Jason Elias
Five Element Healing Press
9780996654234, $18.00 Paper/$9.99 Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Graces-Ageless-Aging-Possible/dp/0996654232
The Seven Graces of Ageless Aging: How To Die Young as Late in Life as Possible is for those who would rewrite the
basic script of what it means to grow old, and invites readers from all walks of life to reconsider this process.
Many books about aging write about youth-preserving routines, from exercise to nutrition. Helping the brain rewire its most
basic tenets about aging, however, involves more than physical approaches. It involves cultivating a new paradigm of the
process, from what it means to retire to reconsidering life, from relationships to embracing mindfulness on many different
levels.
Jason Elias cautions that this does not involve a "one size fits all" approach, but represents a mindset that embraces
flexibility and positivity. His contentions come backed by research and studies from different disciplines, as well. As the
examples, stories, and advice unfolds, the focus on aging "naturally and gracefully" is supported by concrete actions that
others have undertaken to move into and embrace aging as a new opportunity for growth.
Elias advocates "living life fully to the end." This involves an interconnected embrace of physical and mental approaches
that, together, promote the feel of a full, purposeful life. As chapters move through mental and physical subjects, Elias
refutes some common perceptions of health: "Many scientists and health professionals assert that inflammation causes many
diseases and promotes premature aging. It's important to note, however, that inflammation serves a natural purpose...The
body's inflammatory response often saves our lives, and helps the body overcome its challenge. The danger lies with chronic
inflammation..." The "seven graces" he embraces are, in fact, a blueprint for not just facing advancing years, but
reconsidering and reworking their structure and importance.
Health collections, new age readers, and general-interest readers who look for research-based advice will all find plenty of
food for thought in this outstanding alternate vision of aging, which advocates making the most of one's years in many
different ways.
Long Lever Techniques
Babby Nourani, DO, FAAO
Richard Huff, DO
North Atlantic Books
2526 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704-2607
www.northatlanticbooks.com
9781623176785, $25.95, PB, 144pp
https://www.amazon.com/Long-Lever-Techniques-Practitioners-Neuro-Musculoskeletal/dp/1623176786
Synopsis: With the publication of "Long Lever Techniques: An Illustrated Guide for Practitioners to Treat
Neuro-Musculoskeletal Pain", Bobby Nourani and Richard Huff introduce an illustrated instructional manual for the
medical treatment of somatic dysfunction, reducing pain, and manipulating the body for effective and efficient healing.
Written specifically for medical and health care professionals (osteopaths, physicians, bodyworkers, physical therapists,
occupational therapists, craniosacral therapists, and other practitioners who want to integrate osteopathic techniques into an
existing practice) Long Lever Techniques focuses on how we can mobilize interconnected structures to positively restore the
body to better health and function.
The long lever approach (using the arm or leg as lever and fulcrum to mobilize an area of somatic dysfunction) is a manual
application of corrective force that can be applied once or multiple times. It has wide-ranging applications, from pain
reduction to autonomic rebalancing to improved respiration rate, and is presented with full-color photos and illustrations so
that medical professionals can put it into practice quickly.
Readers will learn about: The history and development of long lever techniques; Its clinical applications to cervical,
thoracic, rib, lumbar, sacral, and pelvic dysfunction; Coccyx and craniococcygeal anatomy, evaluation, indications, and
informed consent and documentation; How to integrate long lever techniques in practice.
Critique: A fully illustrated instructional manual and guide, "Long Lever Techniques: An Illustrated Guide for Practitioners
to Treat Neuro-Musculoskeletal Pain" is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation -- making it an ideal
addition to personal, professional, college, and university library Pain Management, Rheumatology, and Physical
Medicine/Rehabilitation collections and supplemental curriculum studies reading lists. It should be noted that "Long Lever
Techniques: An Illustrated Guide for Practitioners to Treat Neuro-Musculoskeletal Pain" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $18.99).
Editorial Note: Bobby Nourani is an expert in integrative musculoskeletal pain. He has achieved board certifications in
Family Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, Certificate of Added
Qualification in Pain Medicine, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Osteopathy (FAAO). Dr. Nourani's
professional contributions include multiple journal publications, book chapters, grants, and lectures. He has also served as
an expert medical reviewer for the Department of Justice based on his expertise in osteopathic manipulative treatment,
pelvic procedures, research, and lectures. His past positions include the Director of Osteopathic Education and Curriculum
at the University of Wisconsin, and Medical Director of Inpatient Integrative Health at the University of California Irvine.
He advanced and expanded the Long Lever Technique as taught by his mentor, Dr. Richard Huff, and utilizes them in his
teaching and practice.
The Crafts Shelf
The Art of Papercraft
Helen Hiebert
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
www.storey.com
9781635862652, $24.95, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Papercraft-One-Sheet-Inventive-Techniques/dp/1635862655
Synopsis: With the publication of "The Art of Papercraft: Unique One-Sheet Projects Using Origami, Weaving, Quilling,
Pop-Up, and Other Inventive Techniques", paper artist and teacher Helen Hiebert has compiled a one-of-kind collection of
40 unique projects, each using just one sheet of paper.
Combining decorative paper techniques like marbling, stamping, and stenciling with dimensional techniques like origami,
cutting, folding, quilling, stretching, weaving, and pop-ups, "The Art of Papercraft" offers a rich variety of projects that will
delight crafters, artists, and designers alike, including paper votive lights, pop-up cards, folded paper gift boxes and
envelopes, woven paper wall hangings, miniature one-sheet books, and much more.
Every project is beautifully photographed and accompanied by step-by-step visual instructions. Guidance on selecting tools,
materials, and paper selection; in-depth technique instructions; and profiles of contributing paper artists make this a rich and
practical celebration of papercraft.
Critique: Offering endless hours of paper crafting fun and instruction, "The Art of Papercraft: Unique One-Sheet Projects
Using Origami, Weaving, Quilling, Pop-Up, and Other Inventive Techniques" is a unique and very specially recommended
addition to personal, professional, and community library Arts & Crafts collections. It should be noted that "The Art of
Papercraft" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.18).
Editorial Note: Helen Hiebert is a Colorado artist who constructs installations, sculptures, films, artists' books, and works in
paper using handmade paper as her primary medium. She teaches, lectures and exhibits her work internationally and is the
author of the books Playing With Pop-Ups, Playing With Paper, Papermaking with Plants, The Papermaker's Companion,
and Paper Illuminated. Helen has served on the boards of the International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper
Artists and Hand Papermaking Magazine.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Knit 2 Socks in 1
Safiyyah Talley
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
www.storey.com
9781635864076, $16.95, HC, 152pp
https://www.amazon.com/Knit-Socks-Discover-Turning-Original/dp/1635864070
Synopsis: Socks continue to be a favorite project of knitters, but "single sock syndrome" (losing interest in knitting that
second sock after the first one is done) is the perpetual dilemma of even the most dedicated of needlecrafters. "Knit 2 Socks
in 1" introduces a distinctive new method that will appeal to sock knitters of all levels as the simplest, most accessible way
yet developed to knit two socks at a time.
This innovative technique begins with making the first sock's cuff. The knitter can then relax and knit a long tube, which
makes up the main body of both socks. With the help of a lifeline (scrap yarn that is threaded through stitches to hold them
in place), the knitter can easily separate the long tube into two socks. The heels and toes are worked with a simple two-row
repeat and are finished with a "hat closure," a novice knitting technique often used to close the tops of hats.
Much like choosing an alternate ending in a classic "Choose Your Own Adventure" book, the knitter can choose from 21
different sock styles, featuring a wide range of stitch patterns, design elements, levels of difficulty, and sizes ranging from
child to adult. Knit 2 Socks in 1 is a tried-and-true sock-knitting technique that allows knitters from all backgrounds to join
in on the fun.
Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout and hallmarked with clear step-by-step easy to follow instructions, "Knit 2 Socks
in 1: Discover the Easy Magic of Turning One Long Sock into a Pair! Choose from 21 Original Designs, in All Sizes" will
have a very special appeal for both the novice and the experienced knitter. While also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99), "Knit 2 Socks in 1: Discover the Easy Magic of Turning One Long Sock into a Pair! Choose from 21
Original Designs, in All Sizes" will prove to be a welcome and useful addition to personal, professional, and community
library needlecraft instructional reference collections.
Editorial Note: Safiyyah Talley is the creator of the popular blog at www.thedrunkknitter.com, hosts an independent Ravelry
store, a podcast, and her design work has been featured in online publications such as The Bobble Club, The Fiber
Company, LoveKnitting, and Darn Good Yarn, and in Warm Hands, a book of knitting patterns. She teaches knitting classes
virtually and at knitting shows including Vogue Knitting Live.
The Automotive Shelf
Lola GT: The DNA of the Ford GT40
John Starkey
Veloce Publishing Ltd.
www.veloce.co.uk
9781787117839, $60.00, HC, 144pp
https://www.amazon.com/Lola-GT-DNA-Ford-GT40/dp/1787117839
Synopsis: The 1963 Lola Mk VI GT was the car that inspired the Ford GT40 and then the Lola T70, both of which today are
seen as true classic racecars.
With the publication of "Lola GT: The DNA of the Ford GT40", car expert and racing enthuist John Starkey describes how
all that happened, concentrating particularly on Allen Grant's Lola Mk VI, one of just three built, which he bought in 1965
and still possesses today.
Of special note is that "Lola GT: The DNA of the Ford GT40" also contains never seen before photos from the Ford
Archives.
Critique: Beautifully illustrated throughout, "Lola GT: The DNA of the Ford GT40" is a notably informative and inherently
fascinating contribution to the growing library of automotive histories and is highly recommended for the personal reading
lists of Classic Care and Motor Sports fans and academic library Automotive History collections.
Editorial Note: John Starkey is a self-confessed racing fanatic who has owned many different sports cars, and has competed
in hill-climbs, rallies and vintage sports car races since the 1960s. Originally from Birmingham in the UK, John's early
career included managing the comedian Jasper Carrott and curating the famous Donington racing car collection. He now
lives in Florida, where he runs a racing car business, and works as a consultant, researcher and author. He has written more
than 20 motor racing history books published by Veloce.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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