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Library Bookwatch

Volume 5, Number 7 July 2010 Home | LBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Library DVD Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Library Music CD Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf Biography Shelf
Christian Studies Shelf Poetry Shelf Sports Shelf
Gaming Shelf Business Shelf Fiction Shelf
Religion/Spirituality Shelf Photography Shelf Architecture Shelf
Native American Shelf Self-Help Shelf Buddhist Studies Shelf
Hunting/Fishing Shelf American History Shelf Black Studies Shelf
Philosophy Shelf Art Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Science Shelf Library Science Shelf Education Shelf
Nautical Shelf Cookbook Shelf Environmental Studies Shelf
Gardening Shelf Railroading Shelf Interior Design Shelf
Literary Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Parenting Shelf
Genealogy Shelf Money/Finance Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Social Issues Shelf Music Shelf Needlecraft Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

Survive!
Jerry Ahern
Krause Publications
c/o F+W Media
700 East State Street, Iola, WI 54990-0001
9781440211126, $19.99, www.krausebooks.com

Anything can happen, and being prepared is one's only defense. "Survive!: The Disaster, Crisis, and Emergency Handbook" is a guide to being prepared the best one can against the worst the world can throw at you. Everything from the most extreme of nature's wrath, to failures in power plants, disease, and the worst of humanity's own threats to itself, "Survive!" is a riveting read with no shortage of information for readers who don't want to be caught unaware.

Tokyo Clash
H. F. Ullmann
Langenscheidt Publishing Group
15 Tyger River Drive, Duncan, SC 29334
9780841671812 $19.99 www.langenscheidt.com

Tokyo Clash: Japanese Pop Culture is a lavish compendium of full-page photographs offering a dazzling visual display of various aspects of popular culture in Japan - from pachinko parlors to plastic dolls to origami creations to ramen noodles. Each image is accompanied by a brief caption in three languages: English, Japanese, and German. A whirlwind tour of Japanese daily life, Tokyo Clash is a beautifully immersive experience, and the perfect giftbook for students of contemporary Japanese culture. Highly recommended.


The Library DVD Shelf

Travel with Kids: Alaska
Janson Media
88 Semmens Road, Harrington Park, NJ 07640
9781586393393 $17.98 www.janson.com

Travel with Kids: Alaska is a delightful DVD installment in the award-winning "Travel with Kids" series. Following the Roberts family as they see the snow-covered wilderness of Alaska firsthand, experience dog sledding and horseback riding, visit Anchorage and observe wildlife, in this presentation sure to delight armchair travelers and prospective Alaska vacationers alike. bonus features include a trip planner with a wealth of information about activities, accommodation, and transportation, a family travel tips and resources section, and an "Alaska at Home" section including a wildlife guide, crafts and recipes. Highly recommended. 85 minutes.

The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan
PBS Home Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
9781608831999 $24.99 www.shopPBS.org

The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan is a DVD episode of "Frontline" exposing the reality of a shocking cultural tradition that has re-emerged in modern Afghanistan. Formerly banned by the Taliban, the practice of "Bacha Bazi" or "boy play" is a form of child prostitution. Boys as young as eleven are bought from poor families or collected off the street, and forced to dress up in women's clothing and perform for the entertainment of wealthy and powerful men. After the performance, boys are sold to the highest bidder or pawned for sex. Afghan journalist Najibullah Quraishi talks with the boys of this practice (illegal under current Afghan law yet intractably prevalent, especially since so many of its patrons are rich and powerful), as well as the boys' families and their masters. A grim expose of cultural pedophilia, The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan is disturbing and absolutely unforgettable. 60 min. Also highly recommended are the "Frontline" DVD episodes "Behind Taliban Lines" (9781608832439, $24.99, 60 min.) and "The Quake" (9781608832286, $24.99, 60 min.).

Dr. Teri Jory's Strong and Sexy Full Body Workout
411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$19.95 www.411videoinfo.com

Dr. Teri Jory's Strong and Sexy Full Body Workout lives up to its title, featuring a solid exercise routine ideal for toning and invigorating one's muscles. Hosted by fourth degree black belt, professional ice skater/dancer/choreographer, and mother of twins Dr. Teri Jory, Strong and Sexy Full Body Workout is composed of three sections - the first draws upon martial arts stances to build upper body muscles, the second involves elbow crossovers and hand/leg criss-crosses to work out one's abdominals, and the third section involves crescent kicks and fifth-position leg burners to shape and tone one's thighs, legs, hips, pelvic muscles, and more. An invigorating experience from start to finish, Dr. Teri Jory's Strong and Sexy Full Body Workout is a welcome addition to DVD fitness libraries. 49 minutes.

Visions of Israel
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598284270 $29.99 www.acornmedia.com

As seen on public TV, Visions of Israel is a gorgeous documentary offering airborne footage of Israel's holy sites, including the Western Wall, the Temple Mount, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Panoramic scenes of exotic seaside resorts and the fierce natural presence of the desert further enhance this extraordinary tour, the next best thing to observing Israel's landscape in person. Bonus footage not originally shown on public television enhances this wondrous and unforgettable DVD. 78 min., 16:9 aspect ratio, widescreen, closed captioned.

Naturally Obsessed
PBS Home Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
$24.99 www.shopPBS.org

Naturally Obsessed: The Making of a Scientist is an award-winning documentary following the lives three biology graduate students pursuing a PhD and success in their chosen field. All three are competing in a worldwide race to be the first to publish their discoveries; their challenge is to figure out the structure and mechanism of AMPK, a protein involved in the burning and storage of fat. An extraordinary chronicle of years of hard work, packed with special features and even a discussion guide in .pdf format, Naturally Obsessed is inspirational as well as educational, and highly recommended. 60 minutes, widescreen.

Worse than War
PBS Home Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
9781608832323 $24.99 www.shopPBS.org

Based on Daniel Goldhagen's book with the same name, Worse than War is a chilling DVD documentary about the horrors of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and mass-murder. Meticulously studying the causes, patterns, and motives of genocide, as well as the role it plays in the interaction between nations, Worse than War gathers testimony on the phenomenon from victims, perpetrators, witnesses, humanitarians, historians, journalists, and more. Worse than War ultimately seeks to understand genocide so that it can more effectively be prevented and stopped - a goal that makes it worthy of the highest possible recommendation. 2 hours, widescreen.

The Agatha Christie Hour, Set 1
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598284133 $39.99 www.acornmedia.com

The Agatha Christie Hour, Set 1 is a DVD collection of adaptations of five of Agatha Christie's mysteries, in which her lesser-known protagonists unravel crimes of passion, theft, and merciless murder. Featuring veteran actors John Nettles (from "Midsomer Murders"), James Grout ("Inspector Morse), William Gaunt ("No Place Like Home"), and Maurice Denham ("All Passion Spent") in the intrepid role Parker Pyne, The Agatha Christie Hour brims with drama, deception, and pathos. The stories are "The Case of the Middle-Aged Wife", "In a Glass Darkly", "The Girl in the Train", "The Fourth Man", and "The Case of the Discontented Soldier". Extras include a biography of Agatha Christie and her fictional character Parker Pyne, created before Poirot. An absolute "must-have" for Christie's legion of fans, The Agatha Christie Hour, Set 1 is an engrossing, mystery-lover's treasure from beginning to end. 2 discs, approximately 257 min, full screen, SDH subtitles.

U2: Let Them Be - The Second Chapter
MVD Entertainment Group
PO Box 280, Oaks, PA 19456
$26.95 www.MVDvisual.com 1-800-888-0486

U2: Let Them Be - The Second Chapter is a two-DVD documentary chronicling the second half of the history of the popular band U2. Rising to popularity in the 1980s, U2 revitalized itself in the twenty-first century. Let Them Be - The Second Chapter blends interviews with the band, rare and previously unseen footage, archival film material, and much more. Although Let Them Be - The Second Chapter is not authorized by U2, their management, or their record company, it is a meticulously in-depth documentary that U2 fans everywhere are sure to treasure. Highly recommended. 136 minutes, 4:3 format.

White House Revealed
Martin Sheen, narrator
Smithsonian Networks
c/o Infinity Publishing.com
1094 New Dehaven Street, #100, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2713
$14.98 www.amazon.com

A Smithsonian Networks production, White House Revealed is a DVD documentary offering a charming tour of the world's most famous residence. The White House's dedicated staff members (including maids, assistants, ushers, butlers, chefs, plumbers, engineers, florists and more) share their experiences with presidents, first pets, celebrations, even their involvement in world-changing moments and events. Still photos, oral histories, exclusive interviews, and even an interview with 41st president George H. W. Bush round out this exceptional behind-the-scenes glimpse of the place designed to enable America's President and his confederates to concentrate on the difficult task of governing the nation. Highly recommended. 51 minutes, closed-captioned, rated TV-G.

Laurence Gartel: Digital Media Artist
Crystal Productions
PO Box 2159, Glenview, IL 60025-6159
9781562906313 $39.95 www.crystalproductions.com 1-800-255-8629

Laurence Gartel: Digital Media Artist is a DVD documentary about the digital media of Laurence Gartel, who has explored the potential of computer-created art for over 30 years. Gartel's distinctive creations have been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, and other locations. Laurence Gartel: Digital Media Artist offers a brief yet vividly brilliant portrayal of the man and his work, offering a wealth of inspiration to aspiring artists eager to seize advantage of the latest creative innovations. 14 minutes.

America's Test Kitchen Season Ten
PBS Home Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
9781608831920 $39.99 www.shopPBS.org

America's Test Kitchen Season Ten is a four-DVD set packed with thirteen hours of episodes of the most-watched cooking show on public television. Each of the recipes presented has been fine-tuned and tweaked to virtual perfection by dozens of expert test cooks. In addition to the recipes themselves, episodes offer taste tests of supermarket goods, ratings of assorted kitchen equipment and tools from blenders to personal teapots, and solid grocery shopping advice. Cooks of all skill and experience levels, from family meal providers to professional restaurateurs, are sure to appreciate the value, research, and practical wisdom found within America's Test Kitchen Season Ten! Also highly recommended from PBS is the DVD documentary Just Add Spice (9781608832491, $24.99, 90 min.), which is packed with advice for parents to help wean their kids from unhealthy habits - whether in diet, activity, or other life goals.

The Small Business Fraud Prevention Toolkit
Julie A. Mucha-Aydlott, CFE
SDBAS Publishing
PO Box 7275, Loveland, CO 80537
9780979412417 $169.00 www.businessfraudprevention.org

The Small Business Fraud Prevention Toolkit is a workbook and DVD kit designed to help familiarize small business owners and workers with common fraud schemes, warning signs, and methods to help protect against the risk of fraud. The security recommendations are specifically chosen to be practical and of minimal cost, especially when compared to the severe cost of actual fraud. The DVD plays on any TV DVD or Computer with a DVD decoder, or a DVD-ROM drive. An absolutely invaluable reference and resource for small business owners, especially during today's tough economic times when identity theft and expensive fraud are on the rise, The Small Business Fraud Prevention Toolkit is a core pick for business owners and proprietors of all walks of life.


The Audiobook Shelf

Thin Rich Pretty
Beth Harbison, author
Orlagh Cassidy, narrator
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781427209993 $29.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Thin Rich Pretty is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of Beth Harbison's novel about three women, Holly, Nicola, and Lexi. Twenty years in the past, Holly and Nicola clashed with the wealthy, spiteful Lexi at summer camp - but their feud was destined to leave long-running emotional scars. Now, each of the women is chasing the futile belief that the road to happiness lies in being just a little thinner, richer, or more beautiful - it is only through their connection to one another that they discover what contentment and fulfillment in life truly means. A profound, emotionally moving story about discovering what truly matters most, highly recommended. 7 CDs, 9 hours.

South Wind Through the Kitchen
Elizabeth David, author
Melissa Hughes, narrator
Out Loud Audiobooks
111 Middle Street, Stockton Springs, Maine 04981
9780982547014 $19.95 outloudaudiobooks.com 1-877-567-3950

South Wind Through the Kitchen is the abridged audiobook rendition of author Elizabeth David's culinary tour through the countryside of France, Italy, and the Mediterranean. From open fish markets to top-quality restaurants to humble yet cozy kitchens, South Wind Through the Kitchen is as much an expression of joy and fulfillment through exploration and gustatory experience as it is a culinary travelogue. The next best thing to personally traveling to France, Italy and Greece to sample their delicacies in person, South Wind Through the Kitchen is highly recommended. 3 CDs, 3 hours 35 min.

Desert Queen
Susanna De Vries, author
Beverly Dunn, narrator
Bolinda Publishing
186 S Long Swamp Rd, Jackson, ME 04921
9781742141565 $93.95 www.bolinda.com

Desert Queen: The Many Lives and Loves of Daisy Bates is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of historian Susanna De Vries' evenhanded biography of one of the most independent-minded, free-willed, and controversial women of the 1890s. Daisy Bates made her mark upon history as an ethnologist who studied and spread word of Australia's Aboriginal culture. She wrote extensively about Aboriginal daily life, customs, traditions, beliefs, and more; she also resisted the forced assimilation of Aboriginals into white society, and tried to defend the rights of Aboriginal women against being sexually exploited by men. Yet she was also convinced that Aboriginal culture was doomed to extinction, and had a grimly low option of the mixed-blood offspring of Aboriginals and other races. As courageous, compassionate, yet paradoxically prejudiced as her professional life was, her personal life was even more so. Her own testimony of her life history is unreliable; records reveal her ultimately failed marriage with Breaker Morant, and the story of her subsequent bigamous marriage to two different husbands. Who was the real Daisy Bates? Desert Queen strives to reveal both positive and negative truths about this utterly extraordinary woman. Skillfully narrated by award-winning stage performer Beverly Dunn, Desert Queen is highly recommended. 9 CDs, 10 hours 10 min.

Days of Gold
Jude Deveraux, author
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781440776311 $123.75 www.recordedbooks.com 1-800-638-1304

Days of Gold is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of author Jude Deveraux's emotional historical romance, about the bond that forms between a dark Scotsman and an English beauty. In the year 1766, the willowy Edilean Talbot tells Angus McTern about the thief that stole her fortune. Driven by the longing of his heart as well as his desire to see justice served, Angus sets out to help her regain her wealth. An extraordinary saga brimming with passion and adventure, Days of Gold is an immersive epic contribution to the multi-generational Edilean series that began with "Lavender Morning." Highly recommended. 11 CDs, 12.25 hours.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll, author
Miriam Margolyes, narrator
Bolinda Publishing
186 S Long Swamp Rd, Jackson, ME 04921
9781742147130 $54.95 www.bolinda.com

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is an unabridged audiobook adaptation of Lewis Carroll's beloved classic fantasy, about a young girl who follows a white rabbit to a world of tremendous imagination. Superbly narrated by award-winning actress Miriam Margolyes, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a delight for listeners of all ages and backgrounds. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a treasure especially recommended for public library collections. 3 CDs, 3 hours 23 minutes.


The Library Music CD Shelf

Love One Another: The Wedding Collection
World Library Publications
3708 River Road, Suite 400, Franklin Park, IL 60131-2158
9785845949875 $17.00 www.wlpmusic.com

Love One Another: The Wedding Collection is a music CD album of twenty-seven high-quality recordings of songs, each performed by a wide variety of celebrity performers, suitable for play at weddings. Anyone who enjoys wedding-themed music will savor this musical celebration of love and lifelong commitment. The tracks are "A New Commandment", "Ave Maria", "Ave Maria", "Be with Us Today", "Blessed One", "Build a Family", "Celebrating Years", "God Is Love", "Hear Us Now, Our God and Father", "Holy Family", "In the Light of the Lord", "Love", "Love One Another", "Make Us One", "Make Us Your Own", "May the Lord Bless Us: Psalm 128", "One", "Our God Is Love", "Set Your Heart on the Higher Gifts", "Taste and See/Gusten y Vean: Psalm 34", "The Goodness of the Lord", "The Greatest Gift", "The Hail Mary", "The Lord Is Kind and Merciful", "The Lord Is Rich in Kindness", "This Is the Day: Psalm 118", "This Is the Day/Este Es el Dia".

A Delicate Balance
Lisa Downing
Vision Quest Enterprises, Inc.
PO Box 621542, Littleton, CO 80162
c/o The Creative Service Company (publicity)
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
$21.49 www.visionquestmusic.com

A Delicate Balance is the third album by expert piano soloist and piano teacher Lisa Downing. The gentle, flowing, exquisitely beautiful music encapsulates the theme of balance in mind, body, soul, and nature. Downing's wonderfully evocative music is soothing, lovely, and far-reaching. A Delicate Balance is especially recommended as a gift to anyone who enjoys listening to lilting piano. The tracks are "The Gift" (2:25), "The Bedtime Song" (3:42), "Make Believe" (3:56), "Lost" (3:35), "Indecision" (2:37), "A Delicate Balance" (4:16), "No Matter What I Do" (3:59), "Slow Dancing" (3:29), "Song for Emma" (3:51), "Diaphanous Breeze" (3:39), "Night Games" (3:04), and "Speaker/Listener" (3:20).


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

The Writer's Portable Mentor
Priscilla Long
Wallingford Press
PO Box 95145, Seattle, WA 98145-2145
9780984242108, $17.95, www.wallingford.com

Finding that muse and keeping going is the hardest thing about the call of writing. "The Writer's Portable Mentor: A Guide to Art, Craft, and the Writing Life" is a reference for writers who want to be driven to improve themselves and their work, and most importantly to keep writing. Author Priscilla Long gives readers a list of advice on improving their work to publishable quality and keeping one's spirits up. "The Writer's Portable Mentor" is a choice advisory and very highly recommended.

A Path To Publishing
Ed Cyzewski
Privately Published
www.edyz.com
9781451580587, $15.00, www.amazon.com

In "A Path to Publishing: What I Learned by Publishing a Nonfiction Book", author Ed Cyzewski lays out with informative detail his experiences and 'lessons learned' when he published his first book "Coffeehouse Theology". Enhancing and expanding on his own experiences in writing and marketing a self-published book, Ed Cyzewski also draws upon illustrative case studies as he moves the reader through the process of self-publication step-by-step and chapter by chapter. Of special note are the chapters focused on Preparing Your Proposal; Publishing Options; Working with an Editor; and Marketing Your Work. Thoroughly 'user friendly' and superbly presented, "A Path to Publishing: What I Learned by Publishing a Nonfiction Book" is a very strongly recommended read for any and all aspiring writers seeking to turn their manuscripts into profitably published books.

On Books and Writers
Matthew J. Bruccoli
The University of South Carolina Press
1600 Hampton Street, 5th Floor, Columbia, SC 29208
9781570039027, $39.95

Writing is a passion and calling, and some people turn it into a life. "On Books and Writers" is a love letter to writing from Matthew J. Bruccoli who has made it a half century of devotion to the craft of writing, as he demonstrates with pieces he has composed over the years on the subject, proving a scholarly and educational collection on the subject. With a unique voice and much wisdom and advice for those pursuing the craft themselves, "On Books and Writers" is a fine collection not to be missed for any literary studies or guides on writing collection.

Five Rivers Chapmanry
704 Queen Street, PO Box 293, Neustadt, ON N0G 2M0
www.5rivers.org www.paullima.com

Professional writer and communications instructor Paul Lima presents two invaluable writing guides, references, and aids, for authors and aspiring authors of all skill and experience levels. "(re)Discover the Joy of Creative Writing" (9780986563003, $14.95) features almost fifty exercises to stimulate ideas, practice one's craft, and (re-)experience the joy of scripting believable characters, literary world, and soul-searching insights. From word associations to tapping the power of childhood memories to 'What if?' speculation and journal exercises, "(re)Discover the Joy of Creative Writing" is a hands-on treasury of tips, tricks, techniques, and tools to motivate and refine one's art. "How to Write a Non-fiction Book in 60 Days" (9780973927849, $14.95) outlines how to apply desire, discipline, and dedication to creating a publishable nonfiction reference. "How to Write a Non-fiction Book in 60 Days" describes what to do during the first ten days of the process in-depth, from brainstorming and clustering to assessing the language skill of one's audience to documenting one's research, creating a logical flow, creating the outline, and much more. The rest of the sixty days is divided into focusing on the writing, and editing/polishing. A handy, practical, and methodical guide, invaluable to anyone seeking to organize, present, and publish their personal expertise. Both guides are worthy of the highest recommendation.

Writing Reviews For Readers' Advisory
Brad Hooper
ALA Editions
c/o American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
www.alastore.ala.org
9780838910177, $45.00, www.amazon.com

Book reviews are the primary source of information librarians utilize in their acquisition decision making process. They are also a major marketing tool employed by publishers with respect to both the bookseller and the general reading public. In "Writing Reviews for Readers' Advisory", book reviewer Brad Hooper addresses several relevant issues with respect to the reviewing of books. These issues range from the differences and distinctions between reviews and literary criticism; pre-publication and post-publication reviews; what constitutes a book review; what defines a good reviewer. Of special note is the chapter devoted to reviewing audio books by Joyce Saricks. Enhanced with information on review writing workshops, a bibliography, an index, an appendices of writing annotations and Hooper's favorite reviewers, "Writing Reviews for Readers' Advisory" will prove informatively illuminating to authors with respect to the book reviewing process, as well as being a highly recommended addition to library reference collections and the supplemental reading lists of aspiring and practicing book reviewers.

About The Author
Nicholas A. Basbanes
Fine Books Press
4905 Pine Cone Drive, #2, Durham, NC 27707
Gulotta Communications (publicity)
341 Lexington Street, Newton, MA 02466
www.finebookspress.com
9780979949135, $27.95, www.amazon.com

Nicholas Basbanes was literary editor of the Worcester, Massachusetts Telegram & Gazette from 1978-1991, in which capacity he was able to interview hundreds of authors whose publicity tours took them through the city of Boston. In "About the Author: Inside the Creative Process", Basbanes draws upon his conversations with an immense diversity of literary greats ranging from Alfred Kazin, Arthur Miller, John Updike, and Toni Morrison, to Doris Lessing, Kurt Vonnegut, Neil Simon and Alice Walker, to explore the motivations and processes that authors experience and utilize to create their novels, poetry, histories, and other literary works. A fascinating read from beginning to end, this 246-page compendium is as informed and informative as it is insightful and inspiring. Thoughtful and thought-provoking, "About the Author: Inside the Creative Process" is highly recommended reading and a seminal work for both academic and community library Literary Studies reference collections.

Write That Book Already!
Sam Barry & Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Adams Media Corporation
57 Littlefield Street, 2nd floor, Avon, MA 02322
www.adamsmedia.com
9781605501475, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Writing is hard. Getting published is harder still. That's why "Write That Book Already! The Tough Love You Need to Get Published Now" by Sam Barry (Marketing and Promotions Manager, HarperOne) and author/publicist Kathi Kamen Goldmark is such an invaluable instructional resource for aspiring authors. A 226-page compendium packed from cover to cover with sage advice and practical commentary, "Write That Book Already!" provides an overview with the 'life cycle' of a book from original idea to published book -- and the marketing, publicity, and promotion that comes next. From step-by-step instructions on writing book proposals and pitch letters, to obtaining an agent, to working with editors, "Write That Book Already!" covers every aspect of the publishing process -- including the option of self-publishing. Enhanced with a glossary of publishing terms, effective tactics for dealing with writer's block, and personal stories of writers who went on to eventual success despite earlier rejections, "Write That Book Already!" is a highly recommended addition to academic and community library Writing/Publishing reference collections, and an enduringly useful read for anyone aspiring to become a successfully published author.

Publish Your Nonfiction Book
Sharlene Martin & Anthony Flacco
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F+W Media
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
www.fwpublications.com
9781582975788, $17.99, www.amazon.com

Writing a book is only the beginning of the process of getting published. When the manuscript is a work of nonfiction, the author should give a careful reading to "Publish Your Nonfiction Book: Strategies for Learning the Industry, Selling Your Book, and Building a Successful Career", a 296-page compendium of practical commentary, advice, tips, tricks and techniques on getting published. From recruiting an agent, to dealing with editors, to preparing proposals and delivering pitches, to contract negotiations, to the option of self-publishing, "Publish Your Nonfiction Book" is comprehensive, detailed, superbly well organized, and thoroughly 'user friendly'. Enhanced with an appendices of relevant resources, "Publish Your Nonfiction Book" is highly recommended for academic and community library Writing/Publishing reference collections, and critically important reading for anyone non-fiction author with a manuscript in need of publication.

Essentials Of Screenwriting
Ricahrd Walter
Plume
c/o Penguin Group, USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.us.penguingroup.com
9780452296275, $16.00, www.amazon.com

A screenwriter and novelist in his own right, Richard Walter has been the Screenwriting Chairman of the UCLA Film, Television, and Digital Media writing program for almost thirty years. "Essentials of Screenwriting: The Art, Craft, and Business of Film and Television Writing" is a 400-page compendium of basic instruction in the art and craft of writing screen plays in which Professor Walter draws upon his near legendary expertise and experience to cover every aspect of the screen writing process. Fully living up to its title, "Essentials of Screenwriting" covers what to do and what not to do when scripting a story for film or television; dealing with sex and violence in a script; narrative choices; writing dialogue; the necessity and techniques of revision; recruiting and utilizing an agent; and the business of getting paid. "Essentials of Screenwriting" is real world practical, thoroughly reader friendly, a strongly recommended addition to film school library reference collections, and should be considered mandatory reading for all aspiring (and practicing!) screenwriters.


The Biography Shelf

Olof the Eskimo Lady
Inga Dora Bjornsdottir
The University of Michigan Press
839 Greene Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-3209
9780472117260, $29.95, www.press.umich.edu

Being a freak show is a story all of its own in history. "Olof the Eskimo Lady: A Biography of an Icelandic Dwarf in America" tells the story of a truly unique individual in history of Olaf Krarer, an Icelandic dwarf who came to the America, and faced with no options but the wife of a dwarf at the circus, she crafted he own persona of the Eskimos, a people who she legitimately had no ties to. Her act was the stuff of legend, and makes "Olof the Eskimo Lady" a riveting and highly entertaining read.

SEAL of Honor
Gary Williams
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
9781591149576, $29.95 www.navalinstitute.org 1-800-233-8764

SEAL of Honor: Operation Red Wings and the Life of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, USN is the true-life biography of a heroic soldier of the U.S. military operation in Afghanistan. From his life on New York's Long Island, to the decisions that led him to be part of an elite fighting unit on a remote mountainside in Afghanistan, to his self-sacrificing heroism during a deadly battle against the Taliban, to the friends and family who justly mourn his loss, SEAL of Honor is an inspiration. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this powerful and moving testimony to a man of insurmountable character and courage.

Missionaries in Hawai'i
Clifford Putney
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
9781558497351 $34.95 www.umass.edu/umpress 1-800-537-5487

Missionaries in Hawai'i: The Lives of Peter and Fanny Gulick, 1797-1883 is a biography of two pioneer missionaries to Hawai'i. Clifford Putney (assistant professor of history, Bentley University) evenly weighs historical evidence of the full role that Peter and Fanny Gulick - and many others like them - played in Hawaiian history. Hawaiian missionaries have been criticized for being the advance guard to American imperialism in the island culture, yet Putney also focuses on how the missionary enterprise helped protect and preserve key elements of the Hawaiian way of life, including the Hawaiian language. Drawing upon letters, journals, and a wealth of other primary sources, Missionaries in Hawai'i offers a balanced, informed and informative overall picture, and is a strongly recommended contribution to Hawaiian history and biography shelves.

North Star: A Memoir
Peter Camejo
Haymarket Books
PO Box 180165, Chicago, IL 60618
9781931859929 $18.00 www.haymarketbooks.org 1-773-583-7884

North Star: A Memoir is the autobiographical memoir of Peter Camejo (1939-2008), co-founder of the California Green Party who ran as Ralph Nader's vice presidential candidate in 2004. An outspoken proponent of socially responsible investing, veteran of the struggle for civil rights, and a voice for the antiwar, environmental, and socialist movements, Camejo was unshakably dedicated to fighting for a better world. North Star is a stirring, inspirational record of his mission to champion the rights of the oppressed and downtrodden, highly recommended.

Someone Like Me
John W. Quinn
History Publishing Company
PO box 700, Palisades, NY 10964-0700
9781933909745, $16.95, www.historypublishing.co

When someone says you can't do something, the natural human response is defiance. "Someone Like Me: An Unlikely Story of Challenge and Triumph Over Cerebral Palsy" tells the story of John W. Quinn, and how for decades he hid his condition and rose through the ranks of the US Navy. Born with Cerebral palsy, no one expected him to achieve officer rank in the Navy. "Someone Like Me" is a fascinating and uplifting story, very highly recommended.

The Misadventures of Marvin
Marvin Druger
Syracuse University Press
621 Skytop Road, Suite 110, Syracuse, NY 13244-5290
9780815609490, $17.95, www.syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu

Life is nothing without an endless march of challenges. "The Misadventures of Marvin" is a memoir from Marvin Druger as the retired biology teacher reflects on a life well spent on mistakes and overcoming those mistakes along the way. Through his classroom, he has learned more about life than he has taught and how he has passed along that wisdom, along with the wisdom he's gained through age. "The Misadventures of Marvin" is a charming read that shouldn't be missed.

The Canals of Mars
Gary Fincke
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, East Lansing, MI 48823-5245
9780870138805, $29.95, www.msupress.msu.edu

The desire for perfection, ever pushing people forward, drives people to an impossible dream. "The Canals of Mars" is a memoir from Gary Fincke as he reflects on growing up in Pittsburgh, and how the pursuit of perfection lead him everywhere but. A poignant memoir of coming to terms with one's own imperfections and weaknesses, "The Canals of Mars" is an intriguing and fascinating look into life and coming to terms, highly recommended.

Everything is Possible
S. Daniel Abraham
Newmarket Press
18 East 48 Street, New York, NY 1001
9781557048509, $24.95, www.newmarketpress.com

A diet shake alone isn't going to make someone a billion dollars. "Everything is Possible: Life and Business Lessons from a Self-Made Millionaire and the Founder of Slim Fast" is an uplifting memoir from Dan Abraham, who made his fortune through the Slim Fast diet shakes. But he says a good idea isn't enough to make someone rich, one has to be smart and believe in themselves to succeed. From making sure everyone gets paid, when to go on your gut and when not to go on your gut, being prepared for the worse and more, "Everything is Possible" is a no-nonsense good advice guy, written for business but with plenty of advice otherwise.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Your Study of Jeremiah Made Easier
David J. Ridges
Cedar Fort
2373 West 700 South, Springville, UT 84663
9781599554006, $19.99, www.cedarfort.com

The book of Jeremiah is one of the most important books of the Old Testament, but it has proved challenging to understand for many modern students. "Your Study of Jeremiah Made Easier" is a study guide to help Bible students gain a better understanding of the symbolism and events of the book of Jeremiah so they can fully learn the details of the book. "Your Study of Jeremiah Made Easier" is a must for any Bible student or Bible studies collection.

Why the Bible Matters
Mike Erre
Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North, Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
9780736927307, $13.99, www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Now, more than ever, the contents of the Bible have been underscored. "Why the Bible Matters: Rediscovering Its Significance in an Age of Suspicion" discusses how to make the Bible relevant and powerful in today's world of skepticism and secularism. Mike Erre encourages Christians to pursue God's goals in the world strongly, to help push them forward. "Why the Bible Matters" is a top pick that shouldn't be missed by any Christian who wants to enhance their faith in their everyday life.


The Poetry Shelf

Burning House
Richard Lemm
Wolsak and Wynn
69 Hughson Street North Suite 102, Hamilton, ON Canada, L8R 1G5
9781894987400, $17.00, www.wolsakandwynn.ca

A critically acclaimed award winner, Richard Lemm brings readers many fine samples with "Burning House". A followup to his previous volumes which were loved, he brings his unique brand of humor and philosophy to life, and makes for a solidly recommended read. "Burning House" is a choice pick and very highly recommended. "Newly Dead": Bombs go off in London/and I've not heard from you./Twenty-two years since/I kissed you goodbye at/Heathrow security and ran for my life/back to Canada, the year Stan Rogers/died in a plane fire, rescuing others./You knew his songs,/slipped "Forty-five years"/into your Irish set-list on tour in Europe,/"Make and Break Harbour" for British pubs.

Poetics of Emptiness
Jonathan Stalling
Fordham University press
2546 Belmont Ave, Bronx, NY 10458
9780823231447, $45.00, www.fordhampress.com

America has changed the life of many and the culture of many more. "Poetics of Emptiness: Transformations of Asian Thought in American Poetry" discusses how Asian thought processes, spirituality, beliefs, and faith has been reflected in the past hundred years by using poetry as a chart of these changes. Scholarly and thoughtful, everything from Buddhism and tradition to the law is discussed and makes for a fascinating read. "Poetics of Emptiness" is a key addition to any poetry or literary studies collection.

Not for Mothers Only
Catherine Wagner & Rebecca Wolff, editors
Fence Books
University at Albany, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222
9780977106486, $24.99, www.fencebooks.com

Motherhood is a journey that starts with a bit of excitement and never stops being so. "Not for Mothers Only: Contemporary Poems on Child-Getting and Child-Rearing" is a discussion of motherhood, as a good collection of women present their own stories through verse on the child raising experience, providing a good dose of wisdom on the subject. For anyone who wants a bit of motherly wisdom, "Not for Mothers Only" is a fine collection and very highly recommended.

Mortal Geography
Alexandra Teague
Persea Books
853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
9780892553587, $15.00, www.perseabooks.com

Death awaits everyone, so it's all a matter of what one does with their time. "Mortal Geography" is a collection of poetry from Alexandra Teague, presenting many thoughtful and creative poems for readers to make them ponder the human experience that unites us all. "Mortal Geography" is an enticing collection of poetry, highly recommended. "Language Lessons": The carpet in the kindergarten room/was alphabet blocks; all of us fidgeting/on bright, primary letters. On the shelf/sat that week's inflatable sound./ The Th/was shaped like a tooth. We sang/about brushing up and down, practiced exhaling while touching our tongues to our teeth. Next week, a puffy U/like an upside-down umbrella; the rest/of the alphabet deflated. Some days,/we saw parents through the windows/to the hallway sky. Look, a fat lady,/a boy beside me giggled. Until then/I'd only known my mother beautiful.

The Sore Throat & Other Poems
Aaron Kunin
Fence Books
Science Library 320, University at Albany, 1400 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12222
9781934200346 $16.00 www.fenceportal.org

The second collection by poet Aaron Kunin, The Sore Throat & Other Poems is a flowing compendium of expressive human emotion. The poems vary in format, but are unified in their first-person voice - sometimes filled with frustration, sometimes wistful, sometimes cutting straight to the heart of the human condition. The verses themselves are brief, yet reverberate in the mind. The Sore Throat & Other Poems is a collection that deserves to be read, pondered, and reread. "Laughter is a way of knowing / or a sing of knowing, a way / of saying that you know something // without saying what it is (you / think you know but it's not what you / think) about. Is it possible // that when I was talking about / laughter, I was, in fact, thinking / about - something else?"


The Sports Shelf

Snake River, Fly Fishing
Boots Allen
Frank Amato Publications, Inc.
PO Box 82112, Portland, OR 97282
9781571884589, $24.95, www.amatobooks.com

Snake River has a lot to offer the fly fisher. "Snake River Fly Fishing: Through the Eyes of an Angler" is a guide to the Snake River region for those who have a love an appreciation of fly fishing. Written by someone who has taken fly fishing in the region as their passion and has years of experience, Boots Allen provides plenty of informative charts, full color photos, and loads of references. "Snake River Fly Fishing" is a read that shouldn't be missed for those visiting the Snake River area.

Golf's Greatest Championship
Julian I. Graubart
Taylor Trade Publishing
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781589794665 $16.95 www.rowman.com 1-800-275-8188

Golf's Greatest Championship: The 1960 U.S. Open is an in-depth history of a pivotal golf game. On the final two holes of the 1960 U.S. Open, there was only one stroke difference between the three leaders: veteran players Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmar, and talented newcomer Jack Nicklaus. Golf's Greatest Championship brings the close competition to vivid life; the sports narrative remains as captivating today as it was fifty years ago. An excellent read or giftbook for golf enthusiasts everywhere.


The Gaming Shelf

Improve Your Chess At Any Age
Andres D. Hortillosa
Everyman Chess
c/o The Globe Pequot Press
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9781857446180 $26.95 www.everymanchess.com 1-800-243-0495

Former United States All-Army Chess Team member and columnist for the online magazine "Chessville.com" Andres D. Hortillosa presents Improve Your Chess At Any Age, a solid guide to bettering one's skill at chess. Chapters discuss how to put together a study plan to improve one's weaknesses at the game; tips, tricks, and techniques; how to guard oneself against common mistakes and bias; and how to effectively make use of chess references and resources. Black-and-white diagrams of sample games illustrate both general and specific points in this all-around practical guide. Highly recommended for any chess lover interested in honing their skills.

Play Chess Like the Pros
Danny Gormally
Everyman Chess
c/o The Globe Pequot Press
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9781857446272 $26.95 www.everymanchess.com 1-800-243-0495

Expert chess grandmaster Danny Gormally presents Play Chess Like the Pros, a guide for intermediate to advanced chess players seeking to improve their overall game. Chapters reveal the styles, strengths, and talents of the most successful chess grandmasters, and how players today can learn from them and improve. Of particular import is the emphasis on the role computers play in the modern understanding of chess. Black-and-white chess diagrams and numerous examples enhance this extraordinary and helpful guide, highly recommended for anyone serious about improving their skill at the game. "It's too easy to have the computer running away in the background, doing our work for us... using a machine probably shortcuts the time we take on analysis by about 80 percent, but the other way is much more fulfilling, and in the long run more likely to benefit our chess. Nevertheless, I'd be lying if I said that working with computers can't in some way improve our chess abilities."


The Business Shelf

Successful Research Business
Mary Ellen Bates
CyberAge Books
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055
9780910965859, $34.95, www.infotoday.com

Research is not something that will turn a direct profit, but it doesn't mean it can't be profitable. "Building & Running a Successful Research Business" is a guide to running a successful research driven business. Examining the business model needed to be successful in such an environment, the challenges faced, and with plenty of advice drawn on experience, "Building & Running a Successful Research Business" proves to be an invaluable reference for readers and managers, and is a core addition to any business collection.

Out of Another @#&*% Crisis!
Mike Micklewright
ASQ Quality Press
600 N. Plankinton Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53201-3005
9780873897839 $34.00 www.asq.org 1-800-248-1946

Expert Quality Auditor, Quality Engineer, and Supply Chain Analyst Mike Micklewright presents Out of Another @#&*% Crisis! Motivation Through Humiliation, a straightforward guide for American business owners especially, concerning whether America's modern economic crisis and how it compares to the crisis of the 80's. Thirty years ago, American consumers started to choose Japanese goods over American ones, because Japanese goods were consistently of higher quality. The bitter lessons of the past carry harsh repercussions today - if America continues to ignore principles of Dr. Deming, who observed and reported on the 80's crisis, then the negative cycle will simply repeat itself no matter how many billions are wasted on bailouts. Out of Another @#&*% Crisis! discusses Deming's fourteen key points including "Drive out fear so that everyone may work effectively for the company", "Remove barriers that rob people of pride of workmanship", "Institute a vigorous program of education and self-improvement", and more. Further chapters explore why root cause analysis has failed so often in America, and extrapolate what Deming might make of modern-day movements such as Lean Six Sigma or ISO 9001. A solid self-help manual expressly for businesses and corporations coping with tough economic times, Out of Another @#&*% Crisis! is an invaluable resource for learning how to prepare and adapt to competition on all fronts.


The Fiction Shelf

Exit Blue
Ivan G. Goldman
Black Heron Press
PO Box 133396, Mill Creek, WA 98082
9780930773946, $23.95, www.blackheronpress.com

Denmark has always been the hub of the world's terrorists. "Exit Blue" is a satirical novel telling of an America where the blue states have seceded from the Union and the resulting America that remains. Pursuing Denmark as the current leader of terror with a political dynasty gripping the White House and the vice presidency ruled by someone not quite all there from a secret base in the mountains, "Exit Blue" is a humorous and sometimes frightening look at what America could become.

I Hotel
Karen Tei Yamashita
Coffee House Press
79 Thirteenth Avenue NE, Suite 110, Minneapolis, MN 55413
9781566892391, $19.95, www.coffeehousepress.org

Every group of people had their own fight for liberty. "I Hotel" is collection of novellas all tying into a greater story, focusing on the International Hotel and the yellow power movement, where Asian Americans made their bid for equal rights. A riveting story with countless entertaining people and characters, "I Hotel" is a choice read and a very highly recommended pick.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Qumran & Jerusalem
Lawrence H. Schiffman
Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
9780802849762, $35.00, www.eerdmans.com

Perhaps one of the greatest historical discoveries of recent years, the Dead Sea Scrolls have changed much of how the world thinks. "Qumran & Jerusalem: Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the History of Judaism" analyzes the debates through academia that have risen up regarding the Holy City, its relation to the Qumran sect, literature, and its effect on Judaism on the whole. Scholarly, Lawrence H. Schiffman provides a solid volume full of thoughts and ideas that makes "Qumran & Jerusalem" a core addition to any religious and historical studies collection for community & college libraries.


The Photography Shelf

Cesar Chavez
Ilan Stavans
Cicno Puntos Press
701 Texas Avenue, El Paso, TX 79901
9781933693224, $13.95, www.cincopuntos.com

You don't need to lead a bloody revolution to make a difference. "Cesar Chavez: A Photographic Essay" looks at the work of Cesar Chavez, a man who made his way through life trying to make a better world for the people of Latin America, even across the American border, protesting through non-violence the many practices negatively affecting Latin America. A solid biography through photography, "Cesar Chavez" is a core addition to any photography collection.

Colorado's National Parks & Monuments
Grant Collier
Collier Publishing
451 Wright St. #15, Lakewood, CO 80228
9781935694007 $35.00 www.collierpublishing.com

Colorado's National Parks & Monuments is a lavishly beautiful coffee-table book showcasing spectacular, full-page color photography of Colorado's parks and distinctive monuments. A small amount of text enhances and elucidates the images, which offer a breathtaking visual tour. A vivid source of inspiration, Colorado's National Parks & Monuments is the next best thing to traveling to Colorado's vibrant public parks in person.


The Architecture Shelf

Super Structures
Mark Denny
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9780801894374 $30.00 www.press.jhu.edu 1-800-537-5487

Theoretical physics expert Mark Denny presents Super Structures: The Science of Bridges, Buildings, Dams, and Other Feats of Engineering, an amazingly accessible guide to how extraordinary architectural creations - tall buildings, long bridges, big dams and more - are designed and built. How are such gigantic structures made stable, and how do they sometimes crumble? Though mathematical, geometric, and engineering concepts are described at length, one does not need a college degree to comprehend Super Structures - the principles behind constructed marvels are broken down clearly and succinctly, in terms that readers of all backgrounds can quickly grasp. Black-and-white photographs and diagrams round out this extraordinary guide to the hidden secrets of modern man-made miracles, highly recommended.


The Native American Shelf

The Native Americans
Elizabeth Glenn and Stewart Rafert
Indiana Historical Society
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center
450 W. Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202
9780871952806 $13.95

The Native Americans is a historical chronicle of Indiana's Native American inhabitants, from roughly 9500 BC to the modern day. Chapters chronicle repercussions of European contact with Indiana's Miami, Wea, Mascouten, and Shawnee tribes; how all tribes save a portion of Illinois' Miami were forcibly relocated to western reservations by 1850; and World War II drastically changed everything. Native Americans served the American military and the home front during World War II; afterward, Indiana's Miami and Potawatomi joined forces with those of many other tribes to rekindle the tribal and cultural traditions that had been repressed by assimilation for so long. A handful of black-and-white photographs enrich this highly accessible and insightful history. An enthusiastically welcome addition to Indiana state history and Native American Studies shelves.

Defining Moments: American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee
Kevin Hillstrom and Laurie Collier Hillstrom
Omnigraphics, Inc.
PO Box 31-1640, Detroit, MI 48231
9780780811294 $49.00 www.omnigraphics.com 1-800-234-1340

Defining Moments: American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee is the latest installment in the "Defining Moments" series of invaluable resources chronicling important events in America's history. Like all volumes in the series, American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee is divided into three sections: the Narrative Overview section, summarizing the events of the governmental policy that ultimately led to an infamous massacre; the Biographies section which concentrates information about key historical figures (along with a list of resources for further information on various individuals); and the Primary Sources section offering a wide assortment of original references and documents - letters, memoirs, official records, and much more. Black-and-white photographs illustrate this detailed, practical, user-friendly historical compendium, highly recommended for public and college library reference shelves.


The Self-Help Shelf

Yoga for Anxiety
Mary NurrieStearns, LCSW, RYT and Rick NurrieStearns
New Harbinger Press
5674 Shattuck Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609
9781572246515 $17.95 www.newharbinger.com 1-800-748-6273

Psychotherapist/yoga teacher Mary NurrieStearns and meditation teacher Rick NurrieStearns present Yoga for Anxiety: Meditations and Practices for Calming the Body and Mind, a guide to using the practice of yoga to relieve stress, improve concentration, control the symptoms of anxiety, and more. Filled with suggested meditations, mindfulness passages, self-inquiry exercises, yoga poses and more, Yoga for Anxiety is accessible to readers of all backgrounds, regardless of personal skill and experience in yoga. Black-and-white photographs illustrating yoga poses enhance this gentle, well-thought-out, easy-to-follow guide. A superb resource that seeks to address multiple root causes of anxiety, in addition to proffering ways to tap into the power of yoga and physical activity as a positive counter-force, Yoga for Anxiety is highly recommended.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

Wise Teacher, Wise Student
Alexander Berzin
Snow Lion Publications
PO Box 6483, Ithaca, NY 14851
9781559393478 $18.95 www.SnowLionPub.com

Written by Alexander Berzin, an expert in Tibetan Buddhism who has studied with numerous lamas including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Wise Teacher, Wise Student: Tibetan Approaches to a Healthy Relationship explores the dynamics of the teacher-student relationship. In particular, Wise Teacher, Wise Students seeks to enlighten Westerners who may be unfamiliar with the obstacles that cultural differences, language barriers, and conflicting preconceptions present when trying to learn from Eastern teachers. Berzin covers an assortment of common difficulties encountered between teachers and students, particularly from the Tibetan Buddhist perspective, an suggests ways to promote healthy connections and positive relationships. A thoughtful compendium, grounded in experience, wisdom, and insight, and invaluable to anyone preparing themselves to learn from an unfamiliar instructor.

Answers from the Heart
Thich Nhat Hanh
Parallax Press
PO Box 7355, Berkeley, CA 94707
9781888375824 $12.95 www.parallaxpress.com

Answers from the Heart: Practical Responses to Life's Burning Questions presents the direct, honest wisdom of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist Monk whose efforts to promote peace and reconciliation earned him a nomination for the 1967 Nobel Peace Prize. Answers from the Heart draws upon the teachings of Buddhism, and the value of mindfulness in daily practice, in its responses to fifty of the most common questions that Hanh has had to respond to. "When you ask whether it's all right to end our lives if our lives have become unbearable, I say we should first try to get help. We can't be dogmatic about euthanasia; we have to examine each case. Sometimes we have to help a person to die, because their suffering is so intense it would be against the practice of compassion if we let them continue to suffer. But it should be done with the collective insight of the doctors, the families, and the person concerned..." An absolutely insightful and invaluable supplement to any Buddhist studies collection, Answers from the Heart is thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds, and highly recommended.


The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

Gentlemen Preferred Dry Flies
William C. Black
University of New Mexico Press
1312 Basehart Road SE, Albuquerque NM 87106-4363
9780826347954 $19.95 www.unmpress.com 1-800-249-7737

Gentlemen Preferred Dry Flies: The Dry Fly and the Nymph, Evolution and Conflict is an exceptional examination of the history of fly-fishing, an art that stretches back at least seven hundred years. Chapters also cross-examine the debate through history as to whether flies should be modeled only upon flying insects that alight on the water's surface, or whether flies should also resemble nymphs, the immature forms of floating insects. Drawing upon the words of distinguished fly-fishers throughout history, Gentlemen Preferred Dry Flies offers an extraordinary evolution of the sport, and of the people who cherish and champion it. Gentlemen Preferred Dry Flies is a unique and wonderfully addition to fishing shelves and reference collections.


The American History Shelf

The Santa Fe Fiesta, Revisited
Sarah Bronwen Horton
SAR Press
PO Box 2188, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2188
9781934691199 $24.95 www.sarpress.sarweb.org

The Santa Fe Fiesta, Revisited: Staking Ethno-Nationalist Claims to a Disappearing Homeland explores the history and evolution of the Santa Fe Fiesta - specifically, what this popular celebration has to say about the established cultural identity of New Mexico's Hispanic population. Author Sarah Bronwen Horton examines the festival as an outpost of collective identity, and even as a form of resistance against Anglo cultural saturation. Chapters illuminate Horton's theories with testimonies from Fiesta organizers, tales of day-to-day life in Santa Fe, noteworthy social upheavals directly affecting the Fiesta, and more. An extraordinary study of Hispanic identity and connection with their homeland, as well as the expression of this cultural celebration, The Santa Fe Fiesta, Revisited is an excellent addition to college library ethnic studies shelves.

Medicine in the Old West
Jeremy Agnew
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
9780786446230 $35.00 www.mcfarlandpub.com 1-800-253-2187

Medicine in the Old West: A History, 1850-1900 lives up to its title, providing a solid historical overview of the practice of medicine in the Old West. Vintage black-and-white photographs illustrate the most common methods used by doctors against the maladies of the era, including the drugs turned to most frequently, the nature of surgical implements, the most common diseases, folk remedies, even American Indian healing practices. Medicine in the Old West is detailed an in-depth, yet written to be accessible to readers of all backgrounds. An absolute treasury for Western history buffs, as well as for anyone seeking to research how Americans lived (and died) during this turbulent era, Medicine in the Old West deserves the highest recommendation.


The Black Studies Shelf

The Harlem Renaissance Revisited
Jeffrey O. G. Ogbar
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9780801894619 $30.00 www.press.jhu.edu

The Harlem Renaissance Revisited: Politics, Arts, and Letters is an anthology of scholarly essays by learned authors, collecting a wealth of historical and literary illumination into the transformation of 1920s Harlem and the African-American experience. The essays are catalogued into five general categories: "Aesthetics and the New Negro", "Class and Place in Harlem", "Literary Icons Reconsidered", "Gender Constructions", and "Politics and the New Negro". An articulate, thoughtful, and far-reaching collection, The Harlem Renaissance Revisited is a superb addition to American History and African-American studies shelves, and deserves the highest recommended especially for college library collections.


The Philosophy Shelf

Antonio Gramsci
Antonio A. Santucci
Monthly Review Press
146 West 29th Street, Suite 6W, New York, NY 10001
9781583672105 $15.95 www.monthlyreview.org

Antonio Gramsci is straightforward presentation of the philosophy of instructor Antonio Gramsci (1949-2004), a foremost visionary of Marxist thought. For the first time, Gramsci's intellectual reasoning about the workings of society, and means of Marxist theory and practice that can be successfully applied to the details of life, are available to readers everywhere in English. Chapters include Gramsci's political writings, his letters from prison, his prison notebooks, and his thoughts at the end of the century. An invaluable contribution to socialist and Marxist philosophy shelves, Antonio Gramsci is a "must-have" for college library reference collections.


The Art Shelf

Yves The Provocateur
Thomas McEvilley
McPherson & Company
PO Box 1126, Kingston, NY 12401
9780929701912 $27.00 www.mcphersonco.com 1-800-613-8219

Yves the Provocateur is an extraordinary analysis of the art of Yves Klein - created from the brief period between 1956 and 1962, and embodying a critical aspect of art history's transition phase from Modernism to post-Modernism. Black-and-white photographs of Yves, as well as reproductions of a handful of his distinctive works, illustrate this methodical, thoughtful, and richly detailed study. A chronology and notes round out this absolute "must-have" resource for anyone seeking to better understand or learn from Yves' creative genius. Highly recommended.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Temperance
Cathy Malkasian
Fantagraphics Books
7563 Lake City Way, NE, Seattle, WA 98115
9781606993231 $22.99 www.fantagraphics.com 1-800-657-1100

Temperance is an award-winning, black-and-white graphic novel portraying one man's awakening within a dystopian society. Lester suffers from trauma-induced amnesia; his wife has struggled to keep him from remembering the truth about Blessedbowl, the society that considers him to be a hero. Blessedbowl keeps its citizens in a state of fear and falsehood, threatening them with the specter of war just outside its walls. But the ground beneath the illusions gradually gives way as Lester remembers more and more. Temperance is a story of awakening and transformation - physical, emotional, and spiritual. A profoundly empathetic reflection upon the systemic societal problems of culturally ingrained violence and brainwashing, Temperance is profound, meaningful, and deserves to be read and reread at length.

Stargazer Volume One
Von Allan
Von Allan Studio
PO Box 20520, 390 Rideau Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 1A3
9780978123727 $14.95 vonallan.com

Stargazer Volume One is a black-and-white graphic novel following three girls stranded on a faraway alien world. Young Marni has recently lost her grandmother, with whom she was very close. Her grandmother had also bequeathed a mysterious "Artifact" upon her - and it is this object that transports Marni and her friends, Sophie and Elora, far away from any home they have ever known. The three girls must pool their courage and resources to learn more about this unreal new world, and the strange things within it - a robot, a faraway tower, and an unknown monster hidden in shadows. Stargazer is a story of wonder, exploration, determination, and inward as well as outward challenge, and is highly recommended for readers of all ages.

Graphic Classics: Edgar Allan Poe, fourth edition
Matt Howarth, et al.
Eureka Productions
8778 Oak Grove Rd, Mount Horeb, WI 59572
www.graphicclassics.com
9780982563007, $12.95, www.amazon.com

Now in a newly revised and substantially enlarged fourth edition, the Eureka Productions graphic novelization of the stories of Edgar Allan Poe continues to document their 'Graphic Classics' series as one of the very best. Eleven stories are represented along with a diversity of artists doing the illustrations for them. Featured are The Pit and the Pendulum; William Wilson; The Tell-Tale heart; The Black Cat; never Bet the Devil Your Head; The Cask of Amontillado; The Fall of the House of usher; The Premature Burial; The Imp of the Perverse; The Raven; and Annabel Lee. This 144-page compendium of illustrated classics is very highly recommended for school and community library collections, and especially for Edgar Allan Poe enthusiasts!


The Science Shelf

Amber: Tears of the Gods
Neil D. L. Clark
Dunedin
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213
9781906716165 $45.00 www.isbs.com

Strikingly illustrated with full-color photography on almost every page, Amber: Tears of the Gods is a scientific and historical tour of the substance of amber, accessible to readers of all backgrounds. From amber's origins, folklore, and usage in trade, to its incorporation in art and how it has superbly preserved insect fossils, Amber: Tears of the Gods is a captivating exploration of this material and its role in both natural and human history, and a joy to simply page through. A worthy addition to public and college library collections, highly recommended.

The Silicone Elastomer Handbook
David M. Brassard
Silicone Solutions
1670-C Enterprise Pkwy., Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
9780615322421, $795.95 list / $99.99 library, www.siliconehandbook.com

The Silicone Elastomer Handbook: A Guide To Applied Silicone Elastomer Technology encapsulates a course that author David M. Brassard teaches at the Akron Polymer Training Center, College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, at the University of Akron. A solid reference and teaching guide, whether for coursework or self-study, The Silicone Elastomer Handbook covers basic silicone chemistry, techniques for manufacturing/processing/compounding silicone substances, methods of product testing, a troubleshooting guide for problems endemic to the raw materials, uncured physical properties, cured physical properties, processing issues, etc. and much more. The reader is presumed to have a background in basic chemistry and mathematics; The Silicone Elastomer Handbook spells out scientific facts at length about its specific topic, enhanced with a 27-page glossary and 144 figures and tables. An excellent contribution to science and vocational college libraries, The Silicone Elastomer Handbook undeniably lives up to its title.

Make: Technology on Your Time
O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein, Hwy N., Sebastopol, CA 95472-2811
9780596807177, $14.99

You don't have to wait for something to be invented when you can do it yourself. "Make: Technology on Your Time" is a guide to many creative technological projects one can endeavor on with plenty of ideas and step by step instructions. With everything from remote control lawn mowers to psychic powers, there is no shortage of creative ideas and projects, making "Make: Technology on Your Time" an invaluable treasure trove.


The Library Science Shelf

Foundations of Library and Information Science, third edition
Richard E. Rubin
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038-4512
9781555706906 $75.00 www.neal-schuman.com 1-866-672-6657

Now in an updated third edition, Foundations of Library and Information Science is an exhaustive, in-depth reference and resource for library and information science professionals. Updated to reflect the latest technological transformations in the field, Foundations of Library and Information Science covers archives and preservation management, human-computer interaction, information analysis and retrieval, information systems management, information policy, library and information services, records management, social computing, and more. A top-notch curriculum or self-study aid for anyone interested in any of a wide variety of information science professions, Foundations of Library and Information Science especially recommended for college library collections.

Customer Care
Pat Gannon-Leary & Michael D. McCarthy
Chandos Publishing
c/o Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038-4512
www.neal-schuman.com
9781843345701, $115.00, www.amazon.com

The collaborative effort of Pat Gannon-Leary and Michael D. McCarthy, "Customer Care: A Training Manual For Library Staff" is a 242-page training manual for designing and delivering customer care programs for library systems of all types and sizes, including academic, corporate, and public libraries. Informatively enhanced with tables and figures, "Customer Care" addresses both general and specific issues while treating library patrons as 'customers' requiring services. Of special note are the chapters devoted to dealing with challenging situations and team building. Detailed and professional, "Customer Care" is a seminal contribution to academic library 'Library Science' reference collections and very strongly recommended reading for library administrators, policy makers, and staff members.


The Education Shelf

Getting the Most Out of IEPs
Colleen A. Thoma & Paul Wehman with invited contributors
Brookes Publishing Company
PO Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
9781557669445 $29.95 www.brookespublishing.com

Colleen A. Thoma (Professor in the Department of Special Education and Disability Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University) and Paul Wehman (Professor and Chairman of Research in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University) combine their expertise in Getting the Most Out of IEPs: An Educator's Guide to the Student-Directed Approach. Getting the Most Out of IEPs is an exhaustive guide to structuring, troubleshooting, and supervising Individual Education Programs. Chapters cover everything from acquiring suitable accommodations to effective evaluating the performance of programs to involvement in postschool requirements. Black-and-white charts and diagrams enhance this user-friendly guide to devising effective educational plans for students of all ages and backgrounds. An excellent supplement to education reference shelves.

A Roman Map Workbook
Elizabeth Heimbach
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers
1570 Baskin Road, Mundelein, IL 60060
9780865167261 $22.00 www.bolchazy.com

A Roman Map Workbook is a consumable geography study guide, designed to help students learn more about the geography of the Roman world. Pages offer twenty maps of the ancient Roman world, with text elucidating each map; suggested activities and exercises (including work with blank maps) to help impress and familiarize oneself with the information; recommendations for further exploration and mini-research projects, and more. A useful self-teaching tool for history students, or anyone seeking to better understand the world in which the ancient Romans lived, highly recommended.


The Nautical Shelf

The Mariner's Book of Days 2011
Peter H. Spectre
Sheridan House Inc.
145 Palisade Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
9781574092936 $14.95 www.sheridanhouse.com 1-888-743-7425

Spiral bound to lay flat or wrap its front cover all the way around for ease of use, The Mariner's Book of Days 2011 is a consumable, nautical desk diary and calendar. Each two-page spread lists a week on the right (the days include notes on the phases of the moon, famous nautical events in history, and plenty of blank space to write in) and extensive nautical history, facts, and trivia tidbits on the left. The Mariner's Book of Days 2011 is at once both a useful scheduling tool and an extraordinarily fascinating assembly of facts about life on the oceans and seas.


The Cookbook Shelf

Legends in the Kitchen
Mrs. Howard Keel & Linda F. Radke, compilers
Five Star Publications Inc.
PO Box 6698, Chandler, AZ 85246-6698
9781589850545 $17.95 www.FiveStartPublications.com

Legends in the Kitchen: Celebrity Recipes for a Cause is a unique cookbook - its recipes have been provided by a diversity of celebrities, and a percentage of the profits for its sale are marked for the Motion Picture & Television Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing charitable services for those in the entertainment industry. From Stefanie Powers' recipe for Pierogie, to Burt Reynolds' Beef Stew, to Dennis Weaver's Cheese Nut Loaf, the culinary delicacies span a wide variety of palates. Legends of the Kitchen is an inexpensive, user-friendly means to literally eat like a movie star, and makes for an excellent giftbook.

The Pioneer Village Cookbook
Ann Chandonnet
Native Ground Books & Music
109 Bell Road, Asheville, NC 28805-1521
9781883206604, $12.95, www.amazon.com

Charming illustrated with vintage woodcuts and the occasional black-and-white photo, Ann Chandonnet's "The Pioneer Village Cookbook" offers 168 pages of culinary and folk medicine nostalgia drawn from our pioneer forebears. Offering commentary rich with historical perspective and context, "The Pioneer Village Cookbook" is a compendium of 17th and 19th century wisdom born of necessity when kitchen cooks from the Appalachians, to the New England States, to the Texas prairies had little more than the basics of a knife and cooking pot. Of special note is the section on 'Hearty Breakfast' with dishes ranging from Indian Slapjack, to Hasty Pudding, to Red Flannel Hash, and more! A fascinating and informative read, and offering a wealth of truly 'down home' cooking, "The Pioneer Village Cookbook" is a highly recommended addition to academic library American Folk Medicine reference collections, as well as personal, family, and community library cookbook shelves.

Down Home: Downtown
Jeff Mall and Josh Silvers
Rodney Strong Vineyards
c/o Favorite Recipes Press
2451 Atrium Way, Nashville, TN 37214
www.frpbooks.com
9780615285467, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with the color photography of Alan Campbell, "Down Home Downtown: Seasonal Recipes from Two Sonoma Wine Country Restaurants" showcases the recipes of chefs Jeff Mall (Zin Restaurant & Wine Bar) and Josh Silvers (Syrah Bistro). With informative commentary captions by Linda Murphy, "Down Home Downtown" is a 144-page compendium of seasonal recipes drawn from two distinguished restaurants in the Sonoma, California wine country. The dishes are elegant, gourmet, and thoroughly kitchen cook friendly. Ranging from such culinary delights as Spring Greens Salad with Bellwether Farms Pepato Cheese, Candied Pecans, and Pickled Onion; Butterscotch Creme Brulee; and Spicy Watermelon Gazpacho; to Grilled Rib-Eye Steak with Black Truffle Butter, Watercress Salad, and Salt-Roasted Potatoes; Grilled Peaches with Honey-Rosemary Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream; and Whiskey Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce, "Down Home Downtown" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Quesadillas
Donna Kelly
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton UT 84041
www.gibbs-smith.com
9781423605034, $14.99, www.amazon.com

Once the province of Mexican restaurants, the quesadilla has become enormously popular as a party snack or a family meal entree. In "Quesadillas", cooking enthusiast Donna Kelly has compiled a beautifully illustrated, 128 page compendium of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, kitchen cook friendly recipes showcasing an incredible diversity on the quesadilla theme. Enhanced for the benefit of the novice, "Quesadillas" begins with an informative introduction on the origins of the quesadilla, the basic techniques of baking, grilling, microwaving, and skillet toasting of the quesadilla, ingredient tips, the use of sauces and salsas, and how to properly serve quesadillas. The recipes themselves range from the classic quesadilla, to more complex dishes including Tex-Mex; Sweet and Spicy Asian; Caprese Style; and Roasted Corn Confetti. Of special note is the section devoted to the quesadilla as dessert featuring Triple Chocolate Decadence; Peaches and Cream; Caramel Apple, and more. Superbly organized and presented, "Quesadillas" is very highly recommended for personal, family, and community cookbook collections.

Luscious Coconut Desserts
Lori Longbotham
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
www.chroniclebooks.com
9780811865999, $19.95, www.amazon.com

For a great many, coconut in a dessert means macaroon cookies or Almond Joy candy bars. In "Luscious Coconut Desserts", Lori Longbotham showcases more than fifty recipes featuring what the versatile coconut can do, from the simple to the complicated, as a do-it-yourself kitchen cook prepared dessert. Based upon this natural sweet, "Luscious Coconut Desserts" offers step-by-step recipes for an impressive array of delectable dishes ranging from a Toasted Coconut Lane Cake; Toasted Coconut Cream Pie; and Elegant Coconut and Curry Butter Cookies; to Coconut and Lemongrass Creme Caramel; Young Coconut Water and Coconut Milk Jelly; and Coconut Lover's Coconut Custard Sauce. For the macaroon cookie enthusiast there are several delightful variations on that venerable treat! Enhanced with the occasional colored photograph, "Luscious Coconut Desserts" is a unique and highly recommended addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections!

Entree to Judaism
Tina Wasserman
URJ Books & Music
633 Third Avenue, 7th floor, New York, NY 10017-6778
9780807411100 $39.95 www.urjpress.com 1-888-489-8242

Tina Wasserman, an award-winning cooking instructor and a food columnist for "Reform Judaism" magazine, guides readers to the art of Jewish cuisine in Entree to Judaism, a grand compendium of over 275 recipes along with a wealth of culinary tips and tricks. Dozens of full-color photographs illustrate this highly accessible guide; chefs of all skill and experience levels can pick up and easily follow the extremely detailed preparation instructions. Recipes include "Syrian Apricot Compote in Rose Water Syrup", "Turkish Stuffed Grape Leaves", "Stir-Fried Chicken in Hoisin Sauce", "Bolemas with Pumpkin-Cheese Stuffing", and much more. An indispensable treasury for anyone with an interest in the flavorful delights of Jewish cooking.

Cider Beans, Wild Greens, and Dandelion Jelly
Joan E. Aller
Andrews & McMeel
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9780740779589 $27.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Cider Beans, Wild Greens, and Dandelion Jelly: Recipes from Southern Appalachia collects more than one hundred recipes drawn from the people and culture of southern Appalachia. Beautiful color photography of some of the dishes and a few glimpses of Appalachian wilderness enhance this captivating tour of not only Appalachia's culinary delicacies, but also Appalachian lore, traditions, history, and way of life. The unique recipes include Oven-Baked Blueberry French Toast, Cream of Pear Soup, Spiced Cranberry Pork Roast, Mammy William's Dandelion Wine, and much more. A sumptuous and flavorful addition to regional cookbook collections.

The 30 Minute Vegan's Taste of the East
Mark Reinfeld and Jennifer Murray
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
Eleven Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780738213828 $18.95 www.dacapopress.com www.perseusbooksgroup.com

Award-winning chefs Mark Reinfeld and Jennifer Murray present The 30 Minute Vegan's Taste of the East, an extraordinary compilation of vegan dishes from India, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Nepal, Japan and more Asian nations. Each dish can be created in thirty minutes or less. The recipes' instructions are described at length in user-friendly detail. Simple cooking charts, suggested preparation techniques, cooking tips and more round out this excellent, easy-to-use addition to any vegan cookbook collection.

Ripe From Around Here
Jae Steele
Arsenal Pulp Press
341 Water Street, Suite 200, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6B 1B8
9781551522548 $23.95 www.arsenalpulp.com

Registered holistic nutritionist Jae Steele presents Ripe From Around Here, a cookbook designed to promote the value of organic and local vegan foods - not only for personal nutrition and health, but also to promote a positive, self-sustaining way of life in harmony with the planet. The first section is packed with tips, tricks, and techniques for finding fresh, healthy, and local ingredients; the second section is packed with recipes and illustrated with a handful of color plates. Recommended culinary creations range from Blueberry Peach Pancakes to Sesame Arame Broccoli Salad to Roasted Ratatouille, Chai Pumpkin Seed Cookies, and much more. A treasury for vegans, or anyone interested in promoting healthy, eco-friendly eating, Ripe From Around Here is highly recommended.

In The Lands Of Misfits, Pirates And Cooks
Michael Bennett
The Professional Image Inc.
info@foodbrats.com www.foodbrats.com
9780615297781, $35.95, www.amazon.com

Packed into 280 pages are some of the best Caribbean dishes that chef and author Michael Bennet has found and/or created in dining and working at notable Caribbean restaurants in southern Florida. Beautifully illustrated, the epicurean quality cuisine ranges from St. Kitts Crab Cakes and a Yucatan Spice Rub, to Mango Ketchup and Seville Orange Glaze, to Macadamia Crusted Striped Bass and St. Croix Seven Flags Escolar, to Caribbean-Latin Chicken Breast and Porkloin with Red Curry and Blueberries. These dishes and so many more are gourmet quality, palate pleasing, and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly', making "In The Lands Of Misfits, Pirates And Cooks" an ideal and highly recommended addition to personal, family, and community cookbook collections.

Almost Homemade
Daymaker
c/o Barbour Publishing
P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, OH 44683
www.barbourbooks.com
9781602607415, $9.99, www.amazon.com

Ideal for small kitchens with limited counter space, "Almost Homemade" is a small, 160-page, spiral bound, 4-color display cookbook that showcases 120 thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes, practical kitchen tips, and occasional inspirational citations. Designed to prop itself up 'tent style' and colorfully illustrated, the recipes (grouped and color coded into Appetizers & Snacks; Main Dishes; Sides; Desserts; and Breads) range from Caramel Cream Cheese; 15-Minute Chicken and Rice Florentine; Lemon Poppy Seed Bread; and Pineapple Surprise; to Barbecued Green Beans; Two-Cheese Spinach; Refried Bean Soup; and Basic Meat Loaf. Of special note for space limited kitchen environments is the tip on 'Extra Counter Space'! Ideal for time-limited, space-limited kitchen cooks, "Almost Homemade" will prove to be a welcome and enduringly popular addition to personal and family cookbook collections.

Cooking Well: Low-Carb Sugar-Free Desserts
Victor Kline
Hatherleigh Press
5-22 46th Avenue, Suite 200, Long Island City, NY 11101
www.hatherleighpress.com
9781578263257, $11.00, www.amazon.com

One of the great culinary dilemmas facing dieters and diabetics is the question of appropriate desserts. Enter pastry chef Victor Kline's "Cooking Well: Low-Carb Sugar-Free Desserts: Over 100 Recipes for Healthy Living, Diabetes, and Weight Management", a 176-page cookbook compendium showcasing more than one hundred step-by-step, 'kitchen cook friendly' dessert recipes specifically appropriate for diabetics and dieters. The delectable dishes range from Almond Delight Spritz Cookies; Blueberry Muffins; Low-Carb Cinnamon Buns; and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake; to Bake-Free Cherry Cheesecake; Pumpkin Pie Dessert Cups; Vanilla Praline Pecan Torte; and Banana Mousse Supreme. Of special note is an entire chapter devoted to toppings and frostings! From ice cream and other frozen treats, to fudge, chocolate, and candy delights, "Cooking Well: Low-Carb Sugar-Free Desserts: Over 100 Recipes for Healthy Living, Diabetes, and Weight Management" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to the cookbook shelves of anyone having to deal with diabetes and weight management issues.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

The Everglades Handbook, third edition
Thomas E. Lodge
CRC Press
Suite 300, 6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Boca Raton, FL 33487
9781439802625 $59.95 www.crcpress.com

Now in an updated third edition, The Everglades Handbook: Understanding the Ecosystem is an exhaustive, scholarly reference packed cover to cover with scientific information about the ecosystem of the Everglades - taking into account how drastically the Everglades has changed, and how it can be restored and safeguarded to promote sustainable use. Full-color photography illustrates the extensively researched text. The new third edition includes information about agriculture in historic Everglades lands, the latest information about and difficulties with the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, and a brand new chapter titled "Peripheral Ecosystems of the Everglades". A welcome, professional addition to college library and environmental studies shelves.


The Gardening Shelf

The Zero-Mile Diet
Carolyn Herriot
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219, Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0
9781550174816 $32.95 www.harbourpublishing.com 1-800-667-2988

Carolyn Herriot, an organic gardener of thirty years' experience, shares her wisdom in The Zero-Mile Diet: A Year-Round Guide to Growing Organic Food, a month-by-month guide to cultivating food right in one's own backyard. From selecting and taking proper care of gardening tools, to recycling ideas, to saving seeds, looking after a fruit orchard, putting a garden to bed for winter, and much more, The Zero-Mile Diet is a thorough and user-friendly resource. Full-color photography on virtually every page and even a handful of recipes enhance this extremely accessible and practical guide. Highly recommended.

Dream Gardens
Tania Compton & Andrew Lawson
Merrell Publishers
38 High Avenue, 4th floor, Nyack, New York 10960
www.merrellpublishers.com
9781858943688, $39.95, www.amazon.com

There are few sights lovelier than a well mannered garden. "Dream Gardens: 100 Inspirational Gardens" is a 352-page compendium of full color photography showcasing spectacular gardens from around the world. Representing an impressive diversity of form and styles, we see represented these amazing garden landscapes with each superb photograph succinctly captioned as the individual gardens are presented in breathtaking detail. Inspired and inspiring, "Dream Gardens" truly lives up to the promise of its title and is an enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library collections.


The Railroading Shelf

Scenery by the Seasons
Randy Rehberg, editor
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
9780890247174 $21.95 www.kalmbachbooks.com 1-800-533-6644

Assembled by expert editors and contributors to "Model Railroader", Scenery by the Seasons is a step-by-step guide to creating beautiful, realistic model railroad scenery to scale, reflecting the seasons of the natural world. A wealth of full-color photographs on almost every page illustrate each step of the meticulously detailed instructions. From crafting model farm crops, bushes, grass, and weeds, to believable ice and snow, streams with flowing water, and even rendering the mud season of northern New England, Scenery by the Seasons lives up to its title. An excellent supplement for any dedicated model railroader's library. Also highly recommended for model railroading buffs is "The Allegheny Midland: Lessons Learned" (9780890247709, $21.95), which covers the history and legacy of the Allegheny Midland model railroad layout, from its creation in the early 1970's to its end in 2000.


The Interior Design Shelf

Inside Log Homes
Cindy Thiede, author
Jonathan Stoke & Cindy Thiede, photographers
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton UT 84041
9781586853549 $24.95 www.gibbs-smith.com

Packed with stunning, full-color photographs on virtually every page, Inside Log Homes is a gorgeous compendium of interior decorating ideas and examples meant to evoke the spirit of log cabin life. The text sidebars are filled not only with notes and descriptions of the furnishings, but also useful tips, tricks, and techniques for any reader - whether a professional interior decorator or an ordinary homeowner - interested in capturing a reflection of the frontier on their property. "There's no question that rare objects and well-preserved antiques can be expensive, but you need not be rich to seek out wonderful things... there are other old pieces by lesser-known artisans and wonderful new spin-offs by contemporary craftsmen with approachable price tags. Folk art, windmill weights, old movie posters - such things can be found for hundreds of dollars (or less) or for thousands and thousands." Inside Log Homes is also an absolute treat for anyone who loves rustic decor or log cabins to simply page through.


The Literary Shelf

The Birth of Romance in England
Judith Weiss, translator
ACMRS
Arizona State University, PO Box 874402, Tempe, AZ 85287-4402
9780866983921 $45.00 www.asu.edu/clas/acmrs/publications/mrts/catalo.html

The Birth of Romance in England collects four twelfth-century, Anglo-Norman romances, now translated into English for the first time. All four or originally written for the entertainment of the families of the barons who followed William the Conqueror to Britain. The four narratives are "The Romance of the Horn", "The Folie Tristan", "The Lai of Haveloc", and "Amis and Amilun". The expert translation by Judith Weiss (a Fellow of Robinson College, Cambridge) includes thoughtful, meticulous page notes about subtle language nuances, and cultural details the intended audience of the novels would have been familiar with. The Birth of Romance in England is an extraordinary glimpse into the evolution of the romance novel, and a welcome addition to historical literature and college library shelves.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Crown of Aleppo
Hayim Tawil & Bernard Schneider
Jewish Publication Society
2100 Arch Street, 2nd floor, Philadelphia PA 19103-1399
9780827608955 $45.00 www.jewishpub.org

Hayim Tawil (professor of Hebrew Language and Literature, Yeshiva University) and lawyer and Biblical scholar Bernard Schneider present Crown of Aleppo: The Mystery of the Oldest Hebrew Bible Codex, a scholarly study of the creation, history, and message of the Aleppo Codex, also known as "The Crown". Completed in the year 930, The Crown is the earliest known codex of the Hebrew Bible. Widely thought to be the one of the most accurate Masoretic biblical texts, The Crown is one of the most critical Biblical manuscripts of Jewish history. The Crown was thought lost when the Great Synagogue of Aleppo, Syria was burned in a 1947 pogrom, yet a notable portion of The Crown survived the pogrom fire and was transported to an unknown location, until it could eventually be moved to the Shrine of the Book in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. "Crown of Aleppo" recounts what scholarship, archaeology, and history have to say about the writing of The Crown, who its authors must have been, how it has been passed down through the generations, and its (unfortunately incomplete) restoration after the 1947 catastrophe. A handful of black-and-white photographs as well as endnotes, a glossary, a bibliography and an index illustrate this thoughtful, methodical, and exhaustively researched analysis. "Crown of Aleppo" is an excellent supplement to Judaic Studies and college library shelves.


The Parenting Shelf

Help! My Baby Came Without Instructions
Blythe Lipman
Viva Editions
2246 Sixth St., Berkeley, CA 94710
9781573443906, $14.95, www.vivaeditions.com

A life in your hands is something truly overwhelming. "Help! My Baby Came Without Instructions!" is a guide for new parents overwhelmed by the new life in their lives. Parents of newborns face a huge list of challenges on dealing with and caring for their newborn. Everything a parent needs to know about a newborns habits is discussed, and Blythe Lipman applies her expertise well, making "Help! My Baby Came Without Instructions!" a fine and solidly recommended choice for new parents.

100 Questions & Answers About Your Child's Obesity
Barton Cobert & Josiane Cobert
Jones & Bartlett Publishers
40 Tall Pine Drive, Sudbury, MA 01776
www.jbpub.com
9780763778323, $19.95, www.amazon.com

It is commonly acknowledge as a general premise that we are facing an epidemic of childhood obesity in this country. The speculated causes of this growing phenomenon range from fast food to sedentary recreations. The consequences are often serious with respect to the physical and emotional well-being of obese children. The collaborative work of the medical team of Barton Cobert and Josiane Cobert, "100 Questions & Answers About Your Child's Obesity" is a 190-page compendium of basic information on the causes, diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis for childhood obesity. Informed and informative, "100 Questions & Answers About Your Child's Obesity" is superbly organized and thoroughly 'reader friendly', making it an invaluable addition to community library Health/Medicine reference collections, as well as the personal reading list of any parent having to deal with childhood obesity.


The Genealogy Shelf

Unpuzzling Your Past
Emily Anne Croom
Genealogical.com
3600 Clipper Mill Rd, Suite 260, Baltimore, MD 21211
9780806318547, $18.99, www.genealogical.com

Finding out where one came from can be a highly fulfilling experience. "Unpuzzling Your Past: The Best-Selling Basic Guide to Genealogy" is a guide for those who want to get started in tracing their heritage back through history. With tips on how to get started, using public records, name histories, the census, and how to map this all out so one can create a realistic family tree, "Unpuzzling Your Past" is the ideal guide for anyone who wants to get started crafting their own history.


The Money/Finance Shelf

The Mutual Fund Industry
R. Glenn Hubbard & Collaborators
Columbia Business School
c/o Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street, New York, NY 10023-7015
9780231151825, $34.95, www.cup.columbia.edu

Mutual funds have become a financial juggernaut in today's world, and understanding them is simply good business. "The Mutual Fund Industry: Competition and Investor Welfare" discusses mutual funds and how they work. Mutual funds can be profitable to all those involved and can serve as a powerful resource when needed. Outlining how investors make their money and the strategies one should understand before tossing in their own money, "The Mutual Fund Industry" is a choice collection that shouldn't be missed for anyone using their money wisely.

It's About More Than the Money
Saly A. Glassman
FT Press
1330 Avenue of the Americans, 35th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780137050321, $19.99, www.ftpress.com

You can have all the money in the world, but if you hate yourself, what's the point? "It's About More Than the Money: Investment Wisdom for Building a Better Life" is an investment guide with a more powerful message, as Saly A. Glassman with plenty of wisdom about playing the investment game with piece of mind and a thoughtful approach to life and its challenges in business. "It's About More Than the Money" is a choice and solidly recommended read, highly recommended.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Reduce Your Cancer Risk
Barbara Boughton & Michael Stefanek
Demos Health
11 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036-8002
9781932603927, $16.95, www.demosmedpub.com

Stopping cancer can start any time. "Reduce Your Cancer Risk" is a guide for cancer prevention, seeking to arm readers with the knowledge they need to better reduce their cancer risks, especially if one has been living a high cancer risk lifestyle already. A change now can make all the difference in the world for one's long term health. "Reduce Your Cancer Risk" is a choice addition to any health collections.

Physics of the Human Body
Richard P. McCall
The John Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9780801894565, $45.00, www.press.jhu.edu

The human body is so complex with so many different systems, that it still inspires wonder even in today's scientists. "Physics of the Human Body" discusses the science of the physics behind the human body, and does not just focus on the exterior gross motor skills of movement and muscles. Everything from the movement of blood through the circulatory system to how our bodies maintain their heat, "Physics of the Human Body" is a fascinating and very highly recommended read, a choice addition to any biological science collection.

Heart Yoga
Andrew Harvey & Karuna Erickson
North Atlantic Books
PO Box 12327, Berkeley, CA 94712
9781556438974, $17.95, www.northatlanticbooks.com

Yoga encourages serenity of body and spirit. "Heart Yoga: The Sacred Marriage of Yoga and Mysticism" discusses the power of yoga and how it can have a positive and powerful change on peoples lives, leaving them greater and more open to the many other avenues of life. Thoughtful and enticing reading that can be applied easily in one's life, "Heart Yoga" is a must for anyone wondering about the power of yoga in one's life.


The Social Issues Shelf

Compete and Empower
Brian Sear
Beaver's Pond Press
7104 Ohms Lane, Suite 101, Edina, MN 55439-2129
9781592983063, $24.95, www.beaverspondpress.com

The American Dream is harder to realize than ever. "Compete and Empower: Increasing Wealth, Fostering Freedom" discusses how the concepts of the American Dream can be realized, calling for people all over the world to realize what they can do to reach that greater wealth and become a more self-reliant individual for yourself and your family. "Compete and Empower" is a choice and solidly recommended pick for social issues discussions and collections.


The Music Shelf

Appetite for Self-Destruction
Steve Knopper
Soft Skull Presss
c/o Counterpoint
2117 Fourth Street, Suite D, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781593762698, $16.95, www.softskull.com

Times change, and not everything is quick to change with it. "Appetite for Self-Destruction: The Spectacular Crash of the Record Industry in the Digital Age" discusses how the recording industry has been slow to embrace the digital era, only now with some companies realizing the power of the internet. Discussing how Napster led to the modern MP3 sales sites, their effect on music, the industry, and the artists, "Appetite for Self-Destruction" is a fascinating and informative read, and very highly recommended.


The Needlecraft Shelf

American Folk Art Quilts
Maggi McCormick Gordon
Trafalgar Square Publishing
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05033
www.trafalgarbooks.com
9781570764516, $17.95, www.amazon.com

Homemade quilts were a prime example of functional practicality elevated to the level of an art form. In "American Folk Art Quilts: Over 30 Designs to Create Your Own Classic Quilt", quilting expert Maggi McCormick Gordon has compiled a beautifully illustrated, 144-page compendium showcasing classic quilting designs that can be adopted and adapted by contemporary needlecrafters to make museum quality quilts of their own. Nicely organizing the quilts into six specific sections: Floral Quilts; Signature Quilts; Small Quilts; Wholecloth Quilts; Geometric Quilts; and Embellished Quilts. Enhanced with specific information regarding tools and equipment, basic quilting techniques, sample blocks, templates, a glossary, an index, and a succinct descriptive reference to the Wisconsin Historical Society and Museum (from which the showcased examples were taken), "American Folk Art Quilts" is an informative, 'user friendly', and highly recommended addition to personal and community library Needlecraft reference collections.


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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