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Volume 22, Number 1 January 2012 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Self-Help Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Social Issues Shelf Fiction Shelf American History Shelf
World History Shelf Gardening Shelf Travel Shelf
Religion/Spirituality Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Art Shelf
Poetry Shelf Memoir Shelf Business Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Crafts Shelf Photography Shelf
Judaic Studies Shelf Jobs/Careers Shelf Relationship Shelf
Needlecraft Shelf Sports Shelf Railroading Shelf
Human Sexuality Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Literary Studies Shelf
Gaming Shelf Architecture Shelf Computer Shelf
Parenting Shelf Philosophy Shelf Education Shelf
Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf Wine/Liquor Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Audiobook Shelf Library Music CD Shelf DVD Shelf
Hunting/Fishing Shelf Interior Design Shelf Civil War Shelf
Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf Cookbook Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Economic Studies Shelf Science Shelf Language Studies Shelf
Military Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf Autism Shelf
Large Print Shelf Anthropology Shelf International Studies Shelf
Money/Finance Shelf Archaeology Shelf Native American Studies Shelf
Criminology Shelf Reference Shelf Geology Shelf
Agriculture Shelf Mathematics Shelf Library Science Shelf
Law/Justice Shelf Political Science Shelf Library DVD Shelf
Biography Shelf Nautical Shelf Psychology Shelf
Journalism Shelf Music Shelf Technology Shelf
Women's Studies Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

When Disaster Strikes
Matthew Stein
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
PO Box 428
White River Junction, VT 05001-0428
9781603583220, $24.95, www.chelseagreen.com

Disaster will come, it can't always be avoided. "When Disaster Strikes: A Comprehensive Guide for Emergency Planning and Crisis Survival" is a guide from Matthew Stein as he walks readers through the basics of being prepared for the worst that life can strike with. Preparation is one's first defense against these events, and knowing basic first aid and survival techniques can be the difference between life and death. "When Disaster Strikes" is an excellent pick for anyone who doesn't want to be caught off guard by nature or other events rearing their ugly heads.

Green Card Stories
Sandra Amrhein, author, Ariana Lindquist, photography
Umbrage Editions
111 Front Street, Suite 208
Brooklyn, NY 11201
9781884167553, $40.00, www.umbragebooks.com

The path towards citizenship is often a difficult one. "Green Card Stories" seeks to share the stories of many immigrants, as they tell of why, how, and their experiences in trying to come to America and become a citizen. Immigration has been a hot topic for many years, with the debate seeming unending. These immigrants come from wide walks of life, trying to find something better, fleeing awfulness, stories of adoption, and much more, "Green Card Stories" proves to be heart warming, tragic, and triumphant all under the same cover, very much recommended.

Yoga: Philosophy for Everyone
Liz Stillwaggon Swan, editor
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
9780470658802 $19.95 www.wiley.com

Certified yoga instructor and philosopher Liz Stillwaggon Swan has edited Yoga: Philosophy for Everyone, an anthology of essays by a diversity of authors discussing the fitness, spiritual, psychological and personal benefits of the practice of yoga. Individual writings include "How Yoga Won the West", "Balance in Yoga and Aristotle", "Yoga and Ethics: The Importance of Practice", and many more. Yoga: Philosophy for Everyone has as much to say on the subject of philosophy as it does on the practice of yoga, yet is accessibly written for readers and yoga practitioners of all backgrounds. "...to say that all yoga practitioners ought not to drink alcohol or be vegetarians is counterproductive, as it precludes such practitioners from pursuing yogic virtue through their own life journey. Moreover, it fails to recognize the diversity of the yoga community. What may be right for one yogi may not be right for another: becoming a vegetarian, ceasing to drink alcohol and coffee, or taking a personal vow of pacifism, charity, or anti-materialism is not necessarily morally required."

Leisure Enhancement, fourth edition
Michael J. Leitner & Sara F. Leitner
Sagamore Publishing Company
1807 North Federal Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
9781571676481, $69.95, www.sagamorepub.com

Good leisure is key to a good life. "Leisure Enhancement" is the fourth edition of Michael & Sara Leitner's guides to embracing leisure time and making it truly worthy time, advocating fitness and health, as well furthering oneself, as well as relaxing well. With plenty of practical advice on making leisure more than wasted time, "Leisure Enhancement" is a fine pick and very much recommended for any who is finding their leisure anything but relaxing.

The Time Approach to Grief Support
Edmund Ng
WinePress Publishing
1730 Railroad St.
Enumclaw, WA 98022
9781606150733, $18.99, www.timeapproachtogrief.com

Grief affects us all differently. "The Time Approach to Grief Support: An Easy Technique for Every Christian" is a guide to grief from Edmund Ng, grief therapist, who advises readers that grief takes time, takes communication, and finding a way to understand it all. Stating that through time and thought, one can over come it all well, "The Time Approach to Grief Support" is an excellent and much recommended pick for community library Christian studies collections.

Five Chiefs
John Paul Stevens
Little, Brown
c/o Hachette Publishing Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-0010
9780316199803, $24.99, www.littlebrown.com

FIVE CHIEFS: A SUPREME COURT MEMOIR offers a fine survey of Justice Steven's decades on the Supreme Court. He was the third longest-serving justice in American history, and here provides both a history of significant cases and people with insights on the works and approaches of different chief justices over the decades. Any collection strong in political and legal system insights will find this a winning memoir.

The Cult of Lego
John Baichtal and Joe Meno
No Starch Press
38 Ringold Street, San Francisco, CO 94103-4403
9781593273910, $39.95, www.nostarch.com

The Cult of Lego provides a fine coffee table guide and offers a fun illustrated survey of the LEGO community and its creations. Discussions of fans and builders from all walks of life accompany photos of amazing LEGO creations, from a life-sized Stegosaurus to a robotic, giant chess set. Color pages packed with pictures and facts don't hold project directions but do hold plenty of LEGO history and insights, and any crafts collection will find it a fine and popular addition to a LEGO project guide.

GAAP 2012
Steven M. Bragg
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9780470923962, $99.99, www.wiley.com

GAAP 2012 is a fine pick for accounting collections and offers an in-depth survey of the basic accounting principles covered in the GAAP exam. This surveys the single set of codified GAAP and provides complete coverage of its many levels, surveying its applications using real-world examples and illustrations. If only one guide to the GAAP was to be selected, it should be this!

Death and Oil
Brad Matsen
Pantheon Books
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780307378811, $25.95, www.pantheonbooks.com

DEATH AND OIL: A TRUE STORY OF THE PIPER ALPHA DISASTER ON THE NORTH SEA is the first account of the oil rig disaster that began in 1988, when explosions created an inferno that burned for weeks and killed 162 men. The author spoke with survivors and their families, rescue teams, and other witnesses to investigate the disaster, and DEATH AND OIL is the result, analyzing the disaster's roots and lasting effects. High drama and many insights keep this riveting for any general-interest reader.

Suicide of a Superpower
Patrick J. Buchanan
Thomas Dunne Books
c/o St. Martin's Press
175 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010-7848
9780312579975, $27.99, www.thomasdunnebooks.com

SUICIDE OF A SUPERPOWER: WILL AMERICA SURVIVE TO 2025 offers a fine survey of new politics and America's accelerating decline in the 21st century. This breakdown is attributed to three historic changes; the waning of Christianity, the moral and social collapse that has followed, and the coming death of the white tribe of the Founding Fathers that created the nation. Modern America is loaded with debt and toxic politics: this documents a dangerous drive for equality over freedom and the increasing splintering of all levels of American society, and is a powerful documentation of the areas where America is failing. Political and social issues collections alike must have this!

How Carrots Won the Trojan War
Rebecca Rupp
Storey
210 Mass MoCa Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781603429689, $14.95, www.storey.com

How Carrots Won the Trojan War: Curious (but True) Stories of Common Vegetables covers the legends and traditions associated with over twenty popular vegetables, pairing history with food lore in a fun survey that includes such trivia facts as how the beet got its name, a 1600s court obsession with green pea eating, and the rise and fall of the melon in Europe. Fun, whimsical stories make for education and entertaining reading!

Science Ink
Carl Zimmer and Mary Roach
Sterling Publishing
397 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016-8810
9781402783609, $24.95, www.sterlingpublishing.com

Science Ink: Tattoos of the Science Obsessed comes from a science journalist who used his blog to ask his fellow scientists and science enthusiasts about their unusual science tattoos. He received a stream of tattoo images along with personal stories about the designs - and SCIENCE INK showcases over 300 tattoos from different science disciplines. Each tattoo example is used as a starting point for discussion, exploring the science behind the image and the observations and passions of science lovers around the world. General interest, arts and science holdings alike will find this enlightening.

Advanced Thai Yoga Massage
Kam Thye Chow
Healing Arts Press
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
9781594774270, $24.95, www.innertraditions.com

Advanced Thai Yoga Massage comes from one of the first Thai yoga practitioners in North America who has taught Thai massage in Asia and the U.S. alike. Here he provides step-by-step photos for over 50 advanced Thai yoga massage postures, offers color illustrations of sen lines, and links massage techniques to particular ailments. Each treatment plan offers a customized one-hour Thai yoga massage posture flow in this outstanding choice for any healing or new age collection.


The Self-Help Shelf

Change Anything
Kerry Patterson, et.al.
Business Plus
c/o Hachette Publishing Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-0010
9780446573917, $26.99, www.hachettebookgroup.com

CHANGE ANYTHING; THE NEW SCIENCE OF PERSONAL SUCCESS charts six sources of influence that affect our daily decisions, explaining what they are and how they can be 'tweaked' to work in one's favor. This is more than another business guide: it shows how these influences will affect everything from business to personal life and relationships, and details findings from case studies of thousands who have used these techniques to identify and eliminate negative habits and responses. A 'must' for any who would consider vast changes.

Beyond Boundaries
Dr. John Townsend
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49530
9780310330493, $24.99, www.zondervan.com

BEYOND BOUNDARIES: LEARNING TO TRUST AGAIN IN RELATIONSHIPS compliments a title BOUNDARIES that taught biblical guidelines for establishing healthy relationships. This guide tells how to move past relationship issues to experience love again, and comes from a relationship expert to considers why boundaries are important for intimacy and how to re-establish a boundary after it's been broken. Any collection strong in relationships needs this - spirituality as well as general holdings.

Giving 2.0
Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen
Jossey-Bass
989 Market Street, 5th floor
San Francisco, CA 94103-1741
9781118119402, $25.95, www.josseybass.com

GIVING 2.0: TRANSFORM YOUR GIVING AND OUR WORLD focuses on philanthropy: not that of big business, but of ordinary people. There are many new ways to give - via technology, collaboration and business pursuits - and GIVING 2.0 focuses on these new avenues for success, showing how individuals can move into proactive realms in their personal and business lives. It's based on the author's experience as a philanthropist and educator, and shares key strategies for making the most of giving. General and inspirational collections will find this an accessible, popular pick.

Stunned by Grief
Judy Brizendine
BennettKnepp Publishing
PO Box 296
Lake Forest, CA 92609
9780983168812 $18.95 www.BennettKnepp.com

Stunned by Grief: Remapping Your Life When Loss Changes Everything is a serious-minded self-help book that reaches out to any who are devastated by the loss of a loved one. Faith in God is a strong component of author (and widow) Judy Brizendine's approach to slowly recovering and reorienting one's life, but there are also a plethora of more mundane and practical tips, on everything from conquering one's fear to learning to embrace solitude to the tremendous power of thoughts. A separate, consumable companion volume, Stunned by Grief Journal (9780983168805, $16.95) encourages grievers to write down reflections and offers Bible verses to ponder while working through one's pain. Stunned by Grief is highly recommended especially for Christian readers struggling with personal trauma.

Overcoming the Nevers
Teri Johnson
Advantage Publishers Group
PO Box 1090
Poway, CA 92074-1090
9781599322513, $14.99, www.pgw.com

Doubt is the biggest wall to success. "Overcoming the Nevers: by Gardening Your Life and Nurturing Seeds of Truth" is a guide to conquering negativity in one's life, and beating anxiety. One success can plant the seeds for another, and Teri Johnson comes with a positive message to help readers out of the hole of hopelessness. "Overcoming the Nevers" is a strongly recommended addition to any motivational collection.

The Life Coaching Connection
Steve Chandler
Robert D. Reed Publishers
PO Box 1992, Bandon, OR 97411
9781934759547, $14.95, www.rdrpublishers.com

A charged spirit is a great thing. "The Life Coaching Connection: How Coaching Changes Lives" discusses the impact of life coaching and how it can motivate and change lives for the better. Explaining the discipline and concepts, "The Life Coaching Connection" is a powerful read for those who are consider bringing a life coach into their life and want to make a greater difference through it all.

The Gifted One
Dr. Andy McCabe
Hay House, Inc.
PO Box 5100
Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100
9781452500454, $17.95, www.hayhouse.com

We all have talents, finding and using them is key to making one's life a success. "The Gifted One: The Journey Begins" is an motivational read from Dr. Andy McCabe, a psychologist of Special Education in New Jersey. Drawing from this experience, he applies his wisdom to anyone at any age and encourages them to find something truly worthy in life, making "The Gifted One" inspired and thoughtful, not to be overlooked.

Where Will You Go From Here?
Valorie Burton
Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group
12265 Oracle Boulevard, Suite 200
Colorado Springs, CO 80921
9780307729767, $14.99, www.waterbrookpress.com

Nothing ever goes as planned, which is why you plan for that. "Where Will You Go From Here?: Moving Forward When Life Doesn't Go As Planned" is an inspirational read from Valorie Burton who grants inspirational support through suggesting five important commitments of life, strategies for dealing with failure, and how to live practically and translate that to success. "Where Will You Go From Here?" is an excellent pick for those seeking practicality out of their lives.

Troubling Dreams
Sadie E. Strick
New Horizon Press
PO Box 669, Far Hills, NJ 07931-0669
9780882823669, $14.95, www.newhorizonpressbooks.com

Our dreams are a unique stew of our psyche. "Troubling Dreams: Unlocking the Door to Self-Awareness" is a discussion of dreams and their influence on our lives from Sadie E. Strick, who seeks to explain the impact that dreams have on our lives. Although Strick focuses on the psychology of women, the discussion applies to anyone in many ways, in understanding life's pressures and society and their impact on our lives. "Troubling Dreams" is a fine pick for anyone seeking to understand their mind and what it's trying to tell them.


The Christian Studies Shelf

The Other Face of God
Mary Jo Leddy
Orbis Books
PO Box 308, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0308
9781570759109, $20.00, www.orbisbooks.com

THE OTHER FACE OF GOD: WHEN THE STRANGER CALLS US HOME is from a woman who lives with refugees at Romero House, a temporary shelter in Toronto, and who presents her insights on Christ and the church. Examples of refugees who came through extraordinary circumstances to survive offer fine religious and spiritual connections between Christianity and social issues in this powerful survey for any Christian library.

Teaching and Christian Practices
David I. Smith & James K.A. Smith, editors
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
9780802866851 $27.00 www.eerdmans.com

Teaching and Christian Practices: Reshaping Faith & Learning collects essays by distinguished university professors, discussing how historic Christian practices have effected their curriculum strategies. Specific writings include "Reading Practices and Christian Pedagogy: Enacting Charity with Texts", "From Tourists to Pilgrims: Christian Practices and the First-Year Experience", "Christian Practices and Technical Courses: Making Integral Connections" and more. A thoughtful resource for examining the harmonious and potentially beneficial side of the co-existence between faith and pedagogy, Teaching and Christian Practices is especially recommended for the libraries of religious schools and colleges.

Lutheranism 101
Scot A. Kinnaman and Laura L. Lane, editors
Concordia Publishing House
3558 South Jefferson Avenue
Saint Louis, MO 63118-3968
9780758625052, $19.99, www.cph.org

Lutheranism has the distinction as the original protestant faith, but what was Luther's teachings really about? "Lutheranism 101" is a Christian reference for those who want to gain a better understanding of Lutheranism and what the church stands for. Telling the history of the faith, what differentiates it from other Christian sects, and much more, "Lutheranism 101" provides an excellent, easy to read, and fun study of the faith, a choice addition to any Christian studies collection.

Grace Notes
Brian Doyle
ACTA Publications
4848 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60640
9780879464349, $14.95, www.actapublications.com

The Catholic Church is more than Latin and funny hats. "Grace Notes" is a collection of thirty seven short stories by Brian Doyle, granting a vivid image of the modern Catholic, who lives his life while revering their faith. Poignant and honest, Doyle's stories seek to give understanding of modern Catholicism and what it means to their followers. "Grace Notes" is a solid addition to any Christian literary collection.

Answer to Common Questions About Jesus
H. Wayne House & Timothy J. Demy
Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
9780825426544, $10.99, www.kregelpublications.com

Christ is the central figure surrounding Christianity, but even among Christians, some thins aren't universally understood. "Answer to Common Questions About Jesus" is a guide to Biblical studies from H. Wayne House & Timothy Demy as they guide readers through what they need to know about the role of Jesus in not only Christianity, but other faiths and his role in secular history. Scholarly and thoughtful from non-evangelical source, "Answer to Common Questions about Jesus" is a top pick for those who want to understand the faith from an academic standpoint.

Gospel
JD Greear
B&H Publishing Group
127 Ninth Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37234-0143
9781433673122, $14.99, www.bhpublishinggroup.com

Love is a major virtue of Christianity, but too much love has been given to the self. "Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary" is JD Greear's call to a return to gospel-driven faith, calling for love of others, for Christianity to live for the community, and not for himself, being critical of many of the actions of modern churches, stating the message of the gospel has fallen aside in favor of other goals. "Gospel" is worth considering for any pastor who believes the message is being lost.

Missional Spirituality
Roger Helland & Leonard Hjalmarson
InterVarsity Press
PO Box 1400
Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426
9780830838073, $16.00, www.ivpress.com

Spreading one's faith can be done in a daily manner. "Missional Spirituality: Embodying God's Love from the Inside Out" is a guide to living as a Christian outside of the Church, stating that the house of God does not end at the temple doors, is the entire world. Inspired and thoughtful amongst the world and for life, "Missional Spirituality" is inspired reading for any Christian seeking wisdom on spreading their faith beyond Sunday.

Be The Second Coming
Hopes Ive Mauran
Balboa Press
c/o Hay House
PO Box 5100
Carlsbad, CA 92018-5100
97814525536620, $13.95, www.hayhouse.com

There is more to faith than belief. "Be the Second Coming: Guidebook to the Embodiment of the Christ Within: A Personal Journey, Our Collective Destiny" is an inspirational read from Hopes Ive Mauran, as she advises readers on finding their spirit for finding Christ's teachings and being more like him in life. With wisdom and wit to help readers find their way, "Be the Second Coming" is an insightful and much recommended read, not to be overlooked for Christian readers.


The Social Issues Shelf

The Folly of Fools
Robert Trivers
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780465027552, $28.00, www.basicbooks.com

THE FOLLY OF FOOLS: THE LOGIC OF DECEIT AND SELF-DECEPTION IN HUMAN LIFE argues that self-deception evolved from overall deception as a device to lie to ourselves so our lies to others are more convincing and believable. We lie to others to help us survive. Nearly forty years of research into animal and human behavior and social psychology lends to a fine survey of the science of deceit suitable for psychology and social issues collections alike.

Humanize
Jamie Notter and Maddie Grant
Que
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0789741121, $24.99, www.quepublishing.com

HUMANIZE: HOW PEOPLE-CENTRIC ORGANIZATIONS SUCCEED IN A SOCIAL WORLD goes beyond most books covering social media marketing approaches to consider how social media can affect the structure, management and approaches of organizations and societies. While the focus is on changing a business organization, this deserves a far wider audience in its discussions of how social media changes behavior, influences success, and affects humanity itself. College-level business and social issues collections will find the detailed discussion involving.

How
Dov Seidman
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118106372, $27.95, www.wiley.com

HOW: WHY HOW WE DO ANYTHING MEANS EVERYTHING appears in an updated, expanded edition with a new preface by its author and a new foreword by President Bill Clinton, and offers a call to action by individuals and organizations. Society has become hyper-connected and with it comes new behavioral requirements. HOW discusses these requirements, considering steps for how to reshape behavior, leadership, and values. The power of HOW is illustrated in case histories from countries and systems around the world, making this a top survey highly recommended for any social or political issues collection.

Toward a Better Life
Peter Morton Coan
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616143947, $26.00, www.prometheusbooks.com

TOWARD A BETTER LIFE: AMERICA'S NEW IMMIGRANTS IN THEIR OWN WORDS - FROM ELLIS ISLAND TO THE PRESENT provides a fine oral history collecting the true stories of immigrants told in their own words, and spans over a hundred years of the American immigrant experience. The book is arranged by decades so readers can easily locate accounts of special interest, with the first part covering the Ellis Island era and the second part America's new immigrants up to modern times. A range of immigrant experiences makes this a winning presentation.

Disability Through The Life Course
Tamar Heller and Sarah Parker Harris
Gary L. Albrecht, series editor
Sage Publications
2455 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
9781412987677 $75.00 www.sagereferenceonline.com

Part of the eight-volume "Disability: Key Issues and Future Directions" reference series, Disability Through The Life Course is a scholarly resource especially for undergraduate students, but also accessible to lay readers. Disability Through The Life Courses focuses on how disability issues affect all stages of life - not simply confining its analysis to childhood, adulthood, or old age like a great deal of disability-related literature does. A reference work first and foremost, Disability Through The Life Course includes biographies of notable contributors in the field of study; annotated data, statistics, tables, and graphs; an annotated list of organizations and associations; a chronology of critical historical events in the field of disability studies; and much more. Like the rest of the "Disability: Key Issues and Future Directions" series, Disability Through The Life Course is especially recommended for undergraduate and vocational reference shelves in the libraries of colleges that seek to train students for careers in the field.

Tortured Science
Dianne Quigley, Amy Lowman, & Steve Wing
Baywood Publishing Company
26 Austin Avenue, PO Box 337
Amityville, NY 11701
9780895037770, $64.95, www.baywood.com

The cost of great power is measured more than in dollars. "Tortured Science: Health Studies, Ethics, and Nuclear Weapons in the United States" discusses the hazards that many workers have faced working with nuclear weapons in recent history. Many ethicist come together to discuss this concern, and the concerns surrounding denial, suppression, and other actions used to keep outcries against these dangers under the radar. Calling for reform within the military industrial complex and within scientific research, "Tortured Science" brings another very strong concern about nuclear war and power, highly recommended.

The Cuban Five
Mary-Alice Waters and Others
Pathfinder Press
PO Box 162767, Atlanta, GA 30321-2767
9781604880380, $5.00, www.pathfinderpress.com

Justice is sometimes too inconvenient. "The Cuban Five" discusses the case of these five Cubans who were wrongfully charged with conspiracy charges and put behind bars with the key thrown away. Drawn from the pages of the Militant, this case and the call of corruption lodged against it are explored through articles with black and white photography throughout. For those who wish to learn more about miscarriages of justice, "The Cuban Five" is an excellent start to learning about the case.

John Brown Still Lives!
R. Blakeslee Gilpin
The University of North Carolina Press
116 S. Boundary St., Chapel Hill, NC 27514-3808
9780807835012, $30.00, www.uncpress.edu

Equality is a worthy cause, and one that must still be fought for to this day. "John Brown Still Lives!: America's Long Reckoning with Violence, Equality, & Change" discusses how the principles of radical abolitionist John Brown still ring true in the modern day, leaving a legacy that calls for a greater push towards equality and facing the sins of the past head on. Showing where Brown's influence lives in today's writing, "John Brown Still Lives!" is a choice pick for any social issues community library collection, enthusiastically recommended.


The Fiction Shelf

Cemetery Girl
David Bell
New American Library
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9780451234674, $14.00, www.penguin.com

Cemetery Girl offers a missing person story that's gripping and evocative and tells of a girl who is kidnapped as a pre-teen, vanishing from her perfect home without a trace. The perfect couple's life dissolves as years go by, when after four years their daughter is found alive. But she's now sixteen, refuses to testify against her captor, and refuses to talk about her captivity. Her father's personal investigation into the situation will change all their lives in this gripping saga.

Four for a Quarter: Fictions
Michael Martone
University of Alabama Press
Box 870380, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0380
1573661635, $16.50, www.uapress.ua.edu

Four for a Quarter: Fictions comes from a professor of creative writing and uses the number four to create stories of compelling and diverse plots. Four sections with each divided into four vignettes provide pieces that 'pop' with color, surreal descriptions, and striking plots that blend in 'four' forces with strong characterization. Any collection strong in literary short stories will find this a fine selection.

Leonardo
Curtis Bill Pepper
Alan C. Hood & Company, Inc.
PO Box 775, Chambersburg, PA 17201
9780911469363, $35.00, www.hoodbooks.com

What went through the mind of a man centuries ahead of his time? "Leonardo: A Biographical Novel" discusses this enigmatic figure of history, tracing his own path to his artistry and brilliance scarred by own demons and a world that hated him for what he truly was. Tracing his unique habits, and his role in the tumultuous courts of the renaissance, "Leonardo" is a strongly recommended pick for any general fiction collection and for those who want to be entertained while understanding one of history's greatest minds and souls.

Dead Man's Brand
Norbert Davis
Black Dog Books
1115 Pine Meadows Ct.
Normal, IL 61761-5432
9781884449147, $22.95, www.blackdogbooks.net

Justice doesn't come easy when the corruption runs deep as hell. "Dead Man's Brand and Other Tales of the Old West" is a collection of stories of justice and what passes for it in the old west, as many struggle to put together their places and ideas throughout it all. For those who have developed a love on these settings of lawlessness where men try to deal with the truth behind it all, "Dead Man's Brand and Other Tales of the Old West" is an excellent and much recommended pick, not to be missed.

Higher Ground
James Nolan
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
PO Box 40831
Lafayette, LA 70504
9781935754060, $20.00, www.ulpress.org

The brutality of life is entertaining as it is depressing. "Higher Ground" is a novel from James Nolan set in a post-Hurricane devastated New Orleans as people try to put their lives back together. Channeling the noir genre strongly, Nolan creates the stories of countless characters and their own struggles for survival such as grandmothers resorting to drug dealing, stories of romance, murder accusations turned on accusers, and more, "Higher Ground" is an insightful read, much recommended for community library general fiction collections.

Seven Views of the Same Landscape
Esther Tusquets
Host Publications
1000 East 7th Street, Suite 201
Austin, TX 78702
9780924047893, $30.00, www.hostpublications.com

As Spain settles down, its youth still lives in uncertainty. "Seven Views of the Same Landscape" is a collection of short stories from Esther Tusquets, expertly translated from the original Spanish by Barbara F. Ichiishi. Tusquets presents seven short stories of youth growing up in Spain after the civil war, coping with the scars of a war they did not fight, and the meaning of becoming a woman, with an uncertain future. "Seven Views of the Same Landscape" is an insightful and enlightening collection of fiction.

Lions of the Sun
Harry Sidebottom
The Overlook Press
141 Wooster Street
New York, NY 10012
9781590203514, $24.95, www.overlookpress.com

Although millions live in the empire, it only takes one man to save it. "Lion of the Sun: Warrior of Rome" is a historical novel of Classical Rome. On the verge of collapse due to corruption from within, the Roman Emperor may be forced to bow to the king of the Barbarians. As it seems the empire is doomed to crumble, Ballista seeks to rise up and save his country and rout those who would do it harm. A riveting novel of epic adventure, "Lion of the Sun" is a read that will prove hard to put down once picked up.

Creatures Here Below
O. H. Bennett
Bolden
c/o Agate Publishing
1501 Madison Street
Evanston, IL 60202
9781932841626, $15.00, www.agatepublishing.com

Adulthood often comes at some way too fast. "Creatures Here Below" is a novel of family and the struggles to keep it together when faced with the realities of life. Mason, a boy becoming a young man, struggles with being the man of his family with his mostly absent father. As his mother tries to keep it all together, taking on boarders. Mason is barraged by the influence of his father's brief presence, the struggles, and the arrival of what may be love. "Creatures Here Below" is a moving and poignant coming of age novel, very much recommended.

Nowhere Else To Go
Judith Kirscht
Florida Academic Press
PO Box 357425, Gainesville, FL 32635
9781890357306, $29.95, www.amazon.com

As racial tensions rise, one can feel split by the factions that form. "Nowhere Else to Go" is a novel of high school and racial tensions after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Cassie struggles to cope with the changes of her world and seeks to understand the plight of both sides, but it proves all too difficult. "Nowhere Else to Go" is a thoughtful look at the road to segregation in America.

Unpossible and Other
Daryl Gregory
Fairwood Press
21528 105th Street Court East
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
97819338466309, $16.99, www.fairwoodpress.com

No matter what our origin may be, we try to push ourselves forward. "Unpossible and Other Stories" is a collection of short fiction from Darl Gregory, who presents many stories that touch on many genres of the imagination with characters to match, with a uniting element of humanity. "Unpossible and Other Stories" is a fascinating collection that includes two never before published stories from Gregory, very much recommended reading.

Girls in Trouble
Douglas Light
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429
Amherst, MA 01004
9781558499232, $24.95, www.umass.edu/umpress

Serenity is not permanent, as something will shake your peace sooner than later. "Girls in Trouble" is a collection of short stories from Douglas Light, who focuses on many young girls becoming women in the harshest of situations. From being forgotten to violence to horrendous accidents, these events threaten to end our lives and destroy others, along with stories of fighting destiny and perhaps embracing it. "Girls in Trouble" is a fine and thoughtful collection of fiction, very much recommended.

Timber Wolf
Caroline Pignat
Red Deer Press
195 Allstate Parkway
Markham, ON Canada L3R 4T8
9780889954595, $12.95, www.fitzhenry.ca

The call of adventure is strong, but the cost can be high as well. "Timber Wolf" follows Jack Byrne as he goes into the wild north woods seeking excitement. But in the process he finds that life in the woods is not all that it's cracked up to be, and he may have gotten more than he bargained for. With a wolf on his trail, he will have to act fast to survive on his own in the harshness of the northwoods. "Timber Wolf" is a riveting and recommended read for general fiction collections.

A Song in My Heart
Roma Calatayud-Stocks
Beaver's Pond Press
7104 Ohms Lane, Suite 101
Edina, MN 55439
9781592983957, $34.95, www.BeaversPondPress.com

Blessed with fortune, we are still faced with many choices which could change our lives. "A Song in My Heart" follows Alejandra Stanford, as she pursues her dream of becoming a composer, and in her journey, goes off to see the world and everything it has to offer along the way. But in her travels, she finds her options of romance leave her confused in which way to go. A tale of history, music, art, and romance, "A Song in My Heart" is a fine novel, a first in a trilogy to look out for.

Don't Call Me Hero
Ray Villareal
Pinata Books
c/o Arte Publico Press
452 Cullen Performance Hall
Houston, TX 77204-2004
9781558857117, $10.95, www.artepublicopress.com

The price of fame is one sometimes we don't want to pay. "Don't Call Me Hero" is the story of Rawly Sanchez, who in an act of goodness, saves a woman from a flooded creek. His heroism is caught on tape, and the acclaim he gets he soon realizes is superficial. A story of coping with the pressures of sudden fame and finding one's own peace, "Don't Call Me Hero" is a fine and much recommended read.

96 Hours
Georgia Beers
Bywater Books
PO Box 3671
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
9781932859843, $14.95, www.bywaterbooks.com

Tragedy may lead to something new. "96 Hours" is a unique romance, as two women from very different avenues of life find themselves brought together first in friendship as the tragedies of 9/11 strike America and leave them together in a storm of emotion. As their concerns for the country and their people morph, they find that they have a lot more in common then they could ever imagine, bringing them ever closer. "96 Hours" is a fine choice for those seeking a drama and lesbian romance, much recommended.

Washed in the Blood
Lisa Alther
Mercer University
1400 Coleman Avenue
Macon, GA 31207-0001
9780881462579, $26.00, www.mupress.org

The lost colony of Roanoke left a legacy of people of two races, whose presence was felt for years to come. "Washed in the Blood" is a novel of the sixteenth century, and the impacts of the families in the south eastern future United States. As love and spites of love gone wrong all surround them, the truth about family and the past all too often begins to emerge and threatens the balance between it all. Daniel Hunter, a Quaker who is uncertain of his ancestry, serves as the centerpiece for this unique story. "Washed in the Blood" is a riveting story of historical drama, very much worth recommended reading.

Jingo Fever
Stephanie Golighly Lowden
Crickhollow Books
3147 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53207
9781933987163, $13.95, www.crickhollowbooks.com

Pride in one's country is not a bad thing, but used incorrectly it can cause much pain to your fellow countrymen. "Jingo Fever" is a novel following a young German American girl as anti-German fever rages following World War I. The girl copes with the hatred she hears in her Northern Wisconsin hometown, struggling to find friendship in spite of her German-American heritage. "Jingo Fever" is a fine historical novel that will ring well with youthful readers who are struggling to find their place and friends as well.

Poor Banished Children
Fiorella De Maria
Ignatius Press
PO Box 1339
Fort Collins, CO 80522
9781586176327, $19.95, www.ignatius.com

Free will and drive are virtues that are not always welcomed. "Poor Banished Children" is a historical novel from Fiorella De Maria, as she presents the tale of Warda, a young girl turned woman who refuses to be pushed aside into submission due to her gender. As she proceeds through life, she finds herself continually spurned, tortured, and put through many endeavors, finding some way to survive in a cruel world. "Poor Banished Children" is a riveting read of the human drive to live and find life worth living.

A Stranger's Gift
Anna Schmidt
Barbour Publishing
P.O. Box 719
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
9781616262341, $12.99, www.barbourbooks.com

Kindness can sometimes be hard to swallow. "A Stranger's Gift" is a Christian romance, telling of strong spirited Hester Detlef, who has clashed with tradition many times. As outsider John Steiner is driven into the Amish community by disaster, Hester is the first to offer to help, but John is hesitant to join a community he doesn't understand. "A Stranger's Gift" is an enticing and much recommended pick for those looking for Christian fiction with a bit of romance stirred in.


The American History Shelf

Ten Tea Parties
Joseph Cummins
Quirk Books
215 Church Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781594745607 $18.95 quirkbooks.com

The historical impact of the Boston Tea Party is well-known - but it was not the only rebellion of its kind. Ten Tea Parties: Patriotic Protests That History Forgot chronicles the lesser-known Tea Party rebellions, such as the Philadelphia Tea Party of December 1773, the York, Maine Tea Party of September 1774, the Wilmington, North Carolina Tea Party of March 1775, and more. Historian Joseph Cummins chronicles fierce American resistance to taxation without representation, which led to staggering financial lossses for the great trading companies of the era. Ten Tea Parties is a highly recommended addition to college and public library American History shelves, as it clarifies in extensive and accessible detail the turbulent times leading up to the American Revolution.

Dearborn Inn
Jennifer Czerwick Ganem
Arcadia Publishing
420 Wando Park Blvd.
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
9780738582702 $21.99 www.arcadiapublishing.com

Part of the Images of America series, Dearborn Inn combines a reader-friendly historical chronicle featuring vintage black-and-white photography of the Dearborn Inn, a building designed by architect Albert Kahn under the close supervision of celebrated inventor Henry Ford. Ford's genius vision stretched beyond his more well-known inspirations behind the American automobile and the assembly line; he also pioneered the modern hotel in the Dearborn Inn. The text chronicles not only the inn's early years but also the modern renovations that have revitalized it to compete in today's world as a well as serve as an unforgettable historic testimony. Highly recommended, especially to any fascinated by America's historic and trailblazing institutions.

Illinois
Gerald A. Danzer
University of Illinois Press
1325 South Oak Street
Champaign, IL 61820-6975
9780252032882, $39.95, www.press.uillinois.edu

Illinois' fertile lands have proven to be a draw for countless millennia. "Illinois: A History in Pictures" chronicles the long history of the state from its prehistoric first inhabitants up until the modern goliath of society that houses Chicago. Comprehensive in its coverage, chapters cover the many periods and aspects of the state. Discussing its geology and place in the Ice Age, its settlement by the Native people of the Americas, the arrival of Europeans, and the turbulent social conflicts since then, the photographs, charts, and illustrations provide an intriguing and far reaching picture of the state's history. "Illinois" is a strongly recommended pick for community and library history collections, especially on those who want a focus on the state.


The World History Shelf

Pirate: The Golden Age
A. Konstam & D. Rickman
Osprey Publishing
4402 - 23rd Street, Suite 219
Long Island City, NY 11101-5058
9781849084970, $18.95, www.ospreypublishing.com

Pirate: The Golden Age is a fine choice for any collection strong in pirate accounts, and provides a narrowed survey of a decade in the early 18th century when piracy was at its height. The authors consider the myths surrounding piracy and present what pirate life and appearance was really like during this period of time, packing black and white and color illustrations into a lively coverage suitable for any collection where pirate history is of interest.

Armies of Heaven
Jay Rubenstein
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
9780465019298, $29.99, www.basicbooks.com

ARMIES OF HEAVEN: THE FIRST CRUSADE AND THE QUEST FOR APOCALYPSE comes from a medieval historian whose research in European archives results in a new assessment of the motivations of the First Crusaders and their religious definitions and motivations. It considers the purposes and drives o religious warfare and draws important connections between the First Crusade and its underlying religious beliefs. All kinds of collections, from religious history to history holdings, will consider this scholarly assessment a fine contribution to the literature on the Crusades.

Contentious Liberties
Gale L. Kenny
University of Georgia Press
330 Research Drive
Athens, GA, 30602-4901
9780820340456 $24.95 www.ugapress.org

Contentious Liberties: American Abolitionists in Post-Emancipation Jamaica, 1834-1866 is a studious examination of the Oberlin College mission to Jamaica, began in the 1830s. This far-seeing missionary undertaking was meant to use emancipation in the British West Indies as a positive example to support the cause of American abolitionists, by showing that freed African slaves could be productive members of society. But this core mission became complicated white missionaries encountered the liberated black Jamaicans' reluctance to adopt Victorian societal norms pertaining to gender, family, and religion. A fascinating, in-depth account of conflicts between disparate cultures in the 1800's, Contentious Liberties is highly recommended as an excellent pick for international history shelves.

The Expert Cook in Enlightenment France
Sean Takats
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421402833 $60.00 www.press.jhu.edu

The Expert Cook in Enlightenment France is a close examination of not only the cuisine of eighteenth-century France, but of the men and women who created it, seeking to earn their place in society as culinary professionals. Drawing upon sources ranging from printed cookbooks and medical texts to building plans and commercial advertisements, author Sean Takats (assistant professor of history, George Mason University) brings a fascinating portrayal of what it was like to live and work amid the gourmet high culture of hundreds of years ago. A handful of black-and-white illustrations enhance this fascinating and unique historical portrayal, thoroughly accessible to lay gourmands and scholars alike.

Apollo & Vulcan
Guido Guerzoni
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25
East Lansing, MI 48823-5245
www.msupress.msu.edu
9781611860061, $54.95, www.amazon.com

In addition to esthetic values, art has always had a commercial aspect to it that was reflective on marketplace values of quality, quantify, supply, and demand. In "Apollo & Vulcan: The Art Markets Of Italy" covers the economics of art as evidenced by the art markets of major Italian cities from 1400 to 1700 C.E. Author and academician Guido Guerzoni (a specialist in economic and social history, Cultural Management, Universia Bocconi, Milan, Italy) draws upon more than fifteen years of meticulous and seminal research and offers informed and informative analysis of the diverse art markets of that era for paintings and sculptures, along with such factors as the psychology of consumption as it relates to works of art, geographical areas of distinction, institutional typologies, and more. Presented in seven primary chapters, "Apollo & Vulcan" is enhanced with copious footnotes, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive index, making it very strongly recommended for academic library Art History and Italian History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

The Arabs
Heinz Halm
Markus Wiener Publishers
231 Nassau Street
Princeton, NJ 08542
9781558765467, $28.95, www.markuswiener.com

The rise of the Arabs in the first Millennia AD has had influence that continues to the modern day. "The Arabs: A Short History" discusses the impact of the Arabic nations and peoples throughout history, ranging back to pre-Islam to the modern uprisings all throughout. For those with a strong interest in history and want to see the origins and progressions of these people, "The Arabs" is an excellent starter point that will encourage readers to go further with their studies.

Hearts and Minds
Dan Azoulay
University of Calgary Press
2500 University Drive, N.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
9781552385203 $34.95 www.uofcpress.com

Hearts and Minds: Canadian Romance at the Dawn of the Modern Era, 1900-1930 explores a different side of Canadian history: the transformation of romance, both from an idealistic and from a practical viewpoint, as the post-Victorian era replaced traditional romantic values with ones shaped by modern-day problems. Drawing upon over 20,000 letters, especially in the "correspondence columns" of two leading periodicals of the time, Montreal's "Family Herald and Weekly Star" and Winnipeg's "Western Home Monthly", Hearts and Minds explores how romance changed for Canadians in a world dramatically transformed by immigration, urbanization, industrialization, western settlement, the fallout of a devastating world war, and a cultural revolution in the definition of morals and manners. Excerpts from etiquette manuals, scholarly studies of courtship during the era, and a selection of soldier's letters and diaries covering the war years rounds out the source material that Hearts and Minds meticulously analyzes. An extraordinary study of how human beings adapted the very structure of their interpersonal relationships, Hearts and Minds is an excellent and worthy addition to Canadian and World History shelves.

Leadership & Purpose
Andrew M. Thomson
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5
9781554584321, $29.95, wlupress.wlu.ca

For one hundred years, Wilfrid Laurier University has been a major player in Canada's academic scene. "Leadership & Purpose: A History of Wilfrid Laurier University" details the history of the institution which started as the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary of Canada with a mere four students and single professor. From its religious roots, it has grown into something beyond what people ever expected, with thousands of students passing through annually. "Leadership & Purpose" is a fine addition to any history collections with a focus on the rise of academia and universities.

Caring and Compassion
Darlene Southwell
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219
Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0
9781550175608, $29.95, www.harbourpublishing.com

For compassion, these women of faith drove through all odds to make a difference. "Caring and Compassion: A History of the Sisters of St. Ann in Health Care in British Columbia" tells the story of the Catholic Congregation of Sisters of St. Ann, led by Bishop Modeste Demers, as they rose to the need of a hospital at Fort Victoria in the middle of the nineteenth century. With a drive of faith and human kindness, their work is renown throughout British Columbia, and is still revered to this day, as one health facility honoring their legacy remains. "Caring and Compassion" is a fine pick for community and library history and Christian studies collections.


The Gardening Shelf

The Resilient Gardener
Carol Deppe
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
PO Box 428, White River Junction, VT 05001-0428
9781603580311, $29.95, www.chelseagreen.com

The Resilient Gardener: Food Production and Self-Reliance in Uncertain Times presents a fine survey including five crops most needed to survive, from potatoes and corn to beans and eggs. Unlike most guides it presents gardening techniques that take into account health problems, financial issues, and special dietary needs, consider climate change's effect on gardening, and tells how to garden with little to no irrigation and even with a bad back. Any general lending collection will find this a fine perspective!

Vertical Vegetables & Fruit
Rhonda Massingham Hart
Storey
210 Mass MoCA Way
North Adams, MA 01247
9781603429986, $16.95, www.storey.com

Space is at a premium horizontally, so let's go vertical. "Vertical Vegetables & Fruit: Creative Gardening Techniques for Growing Up in Small Spaces" is a guide to embracing this non-traditional growing strategy. Encouraging making plants work with you to grow and create a gardening plan that stacks up and maximizes one's space, getting the most amount of growing space possible. With plenty of full color illustrations and step by step instructions on how to get vertical growing working, "Vertical Vegetables & Fruit" is a strong pick for anyone who wants to increase the amount they grow even when they don't seem to have the space to do so.

Writing the Garden
Elizabeth Barlow Rogers
David R. Godine
Fifteen Court Square, Suite 320
Boston, MA 02108
9781567924404, $27.95, www.godine.com

The plants that we keep near us have inspired us to understand them and what they can do for us. "Writing the Garden: A Literary Conversation Across Two Centuries" discusses writings of gardening and such from many authors of renown over the pat two hundred years, with a philosophical and thoughtful outlook of the history of man and his gardens. These writers were not professional gardeners or landscapers, but instead wrote in love of their work, bringing a certain devotion to the writing. "Writing the Garden" is an excellent pick for those who want to understand the garden and its purpose to the lives of many.


The Travel Shelf

The Inca Trail, fourth edition
Alexander Stewart
Trailblazer Publications
info@trailbazer-guides.com
9781905864157, $22.95, www.trailblazer-guides.com

THE INCA TRAIL: CUSCO & MACHU PICCHU offers a wide range of treks in a revised fourth edition that includes a variety of hiking options from two days to three weeks. Some 40 hiking maps show times, camping places and places of interest while accompanying cultural insights, tips on restaurants and health, and keys to languages make this a powerful planner and take-along tote for any planning a hiking trip to the region.

Great Journeys
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
9781742205892, $39.99, www.lonelyplanet.com

GREAT JOURNEYS appears in an oversized hardcover - unusual for an independent travel guide publisher who primarily publishes take-along totes - and is a celebration of some 70 of the greatest world journeys. Each route includes reviews of the route past and present, includes shortcuts and detours, provides a bibliography for armchair reading, and comes packed with color photos and candid assessment of the route's special attractions. From Norway's fjords to sailing the Nile, this is packed with accounts that make you want to just pack up and go, and is a top pick for any travel collection.

Great Journeys
Lonely Planet
150 Linden Street
Oakland CA 94607
9781742205892, $39.99, www.lonelyplanet.com

The destination is overrated, the journey is where the memories come. "Great Journeys: Travel the World's Most Spectacular Routes" is a unique travel guide from Lonely Planet, this time focusing on the pathways of the world. From wonders of the world like the Great Wall of China, cultural landmarks like Machu Picchu, to railways and historic highways, each entry has information on the route with plenty of full color photographs and diagrams. "Great Journeys" is a choice pick that shouldn't be overlooked by those who find great joy in traveling.

Treasures of the Panhandle
Brian R. Rucker
University Press of Florida
University of Florida
15 Northwest 15th Street
Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
9780813037608 $29.95 www.upf.com

Brian R. Rucker (Professor of History, Penascola State College) presents Treasures of the Panhandle: A Journey through West Florida, an extraordinary guide to little-known historical sites, state parks, and natural wonders to be found in the panhandle area of Florida. County by county, Treasures of the Panhandle offers lavish description that prospective visitors and armchair travelers alike will savor, as well as a wealth of black-and-white photographs and an inset section of gorgeous color plates. The appendices are filled with contact addresses and websites for the featured locations, ideal for any reader seeking more information. Treasures of the Panhandle lives up to its title and is enthusiastically recommended to Florida natives who may not be aware of all the oft-overlooked wonders within their home state as well as to prospective vacationers.

Air Travel Handbook
Dan Poynter
Para Publishing
PO Box 8206
Santa Barbara, CA 93118-8206
9781568601502, $14.95, www.parapublishing.com

Air travel can be hectic and stressful, making the phobias surrounding it seem all the more justified. "Air Travel Handbook: Tips, Tricks, & Secrets on Flying" discusses on how to make one's next trip through the skies more effective. From spending less money to get where you want to go, understanding the language of the skies, and get more enjoyment out of it, "Air Travel Handbook" is an excellent and much recommended pick for those taking that trip to airport soon.

Exploring Wild South Florida, fourth edition
Susan D. Jewell
Pineapple Press
PO Box 3889, Sarasota, FL 34230
9781561645008, $16.95, www.pineapplepress.com

The biodiversity of southern Florida is truly a sight to behold. "Exploring Wild South Florida" is the fourth edition of the blend of nature and travel guide as Susan D. Jewell walks readers through the countless parks and natural attractions that lurk all throughout the southern tip of the state. With entries on many parks, with black and white photography used throughout, "Exploring Wild South Florida" is a choice pick for anyone with a strong interest in sampling the many natural sights around the state.

The Hula
Jerry Hopkins & Rebecca Kamili'ia Erikson
Bess Press
3565 Harding Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii
9781573063128, $34.95, www.besspress.com

It took Hawaii a bit of time to gain its renown as the vacation destination of the world. "The Hula" discusses the Hula, the presentation of traditional Hawaiian culture to the world, tracing the dance's history from prehistoric legend towards the modern day, where a second renaissance of sorts struck the dance and returned it to its people who have forgotten it in the recent tumultuous century. Packed cover to cover with color photographs and presenting a complete and comprehensive discussion of the dance and the culture behind it, "The Hula" is not to be overlooked for those seeking a coffee table book with a Hawaiian flavor or a strong addition to community library travel, dance, and culture collections.

The Big Thicket Guidebook
Lorraine G. Bonney
University of North Texas Press
PO Box 311336
Denton, TX 76203-1336
9781574413182, $29.95, www.unt.edu/untpress

Texas, despite its always changing allegiances, has always remained loyal to Texas. "The Big Thicket Guidebook: Exploring the Backroads and History of Southeast Texas" is a focus on this region of Texas and its chaotic history, from geological history of the region, the native peoples, to arrival of Spanish missionaries, to the animals that now call the region home. An intriguing and comprehensive study of a region with a long history that is both human and natural, "The Big Thicket Guidebook" is a top pick to any natural and American history collection.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Religion & Human Rights
John Witte, Jr. and M. Christian Green, editors
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016-4314
9780199733446 $29.95 www.oup.com/us

Religion & Human Rights: An Introduction is an anthology of scholarly essays by learned authors about the complicated relationship between different religions and universal human rights. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and indigenous religions have all been implicated in repressing human rights as well as supporting human rights. Yet perhaps the most valuable role of all religions is their affirmation of human dignity, and the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions. Other qualities such as shame, respect, restraint, and regret are also inextricably tied to religious beliefs, and crucial human rights. Individual essays include "Keeping Faith: Reconciling Women's Human Rights and Religion", "The Phases and Functions of Freedom of Conscience", "Religion and Children's Rights", and much more. An invaluable addition to religious studies and world history shelves, Religion & Human Rights is highly recommended especially for college library collections.

Beyond the Mushroom Cloud
Yuki Miyamoto
Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Avenue
University Box L
Bronx, NY 10458-5172
9780823240517 $26.00 www.fordhampress.com

Yuki Miyamoto (Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, DePaul University) presents Beyond the Mushroom Cloud: Commemoration, Religion, and Responsibility After Hiroshima, a thoughtful and scholarly examination of how the Japanese populace remembers and memorializes the loss of so many of its citizens from the 1945 bombings at the close of World War II. True Pure Land Buddhism was the most established religious group in Hiroshima; they came to view the bombing in terms of karma, and the wheel of suffering that bound all people, while the much smaller Roman Catholic population viewed the terrible causalities in terms of sin and sacrifice. Of particular interest is the chapter entitled "Women in Atomic Bomb Narratives: Hagiography, Alterity, and Non-Nomological Ethics". Beyond the Mushroom Cloud is a welcome addition to modern Japanese Religious Studies shelves.

Parley P. Pratt and the Making of Mormonism
Edited with contributions by Gregory K. Armstrong, Matthew J. Grow, and Dennis J. Siler
The Arthur H. Clark Company
2800 Venture Drive
Norman, OK 73069
9780870624018 $45.00 www.ahclark.com

Parley P. Pratt and the Making of Mormonism is an anthology of scholarly historical essays concerning the life and religious legacy of Parley P. Pratt, who joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830, and was murdered in 1857 by the estranged husband of his twelfth wife. Pratt's contributions greatly shaped Mormon theology and identity, including his poetry, apologetics, and autobiography. Parley P. Pratt and the Making of Mormonism includes writings examining what, if any, role that Pratt's murder had in instigating the Mountain Meadows Massacre (noting that historical evidence suggesting that Pratt's murder caused the massacre is quite lacking), Pratt's influence on Mormon print culture, the family life of Pratt (notable given his extensive plural marriage), and much more. An excellent contribution to religious history and studies shelves, Parley P. Pratt and the Making of Mormonism is highly recommended for public and college libraries.

Playing with Shadows
Polly Aird, Jeff Nichols, and Will Bagley, editors
The Arthur H. Clark Company
2800 Venture Drive
Norman, OK 73069
9780870623806 $45.00 www.ahclark.com

Volume 13 in the "Kingdom in the West: The Mormons and the American Frontier" series, Playing with Shadows: Voices of Dissent in the Mormon West is a compendium of primary testimonies from four individuals to left the Mormon faith: George Armstrong Hicks, Charles Derry, Ann Gordge, and Brigham Young Hampton. Termed "apostates" by Mormon founder Brigham Young and other Latter-day Saint leaders, these dissenters' words offer a different, disaffected perspective of the religion in the 1800's. Biographical portrayals of each dissenter as well as relevant newspaper articles, personal letters, journals, and sermons offer historical context to these reasoned oppositions to the Mormon creed. An excellent scholarly resource studying an oft-neglected side to the early history of the Mormon faith - that is, measured resistance to and disillusionment with it - Playing with Shadows is highly recommended especially for college library Religious Studies shelves, as is the rest of the "Kingdoms in the West" series.

Miracle on Second Avenue
Mukunda Goswami
Torchlight Publishing
PO Box 52
Badger, CA 93603
9780981727349, $24.95, www.torchlight.com

To spread a message is a noble goal, but it is not easy. "Miracle on Second Avenue: Hare Krishna Arrives in New York, San Francisco, and London 1966-1969" discusses the journey of one devoted swami, Bhaktivedanta, sought to spread the philosophy and spirituality of the Hare Krishan. Autor Mukunda Goswami, relays his tale of meeting the elder early in adulthood, and helping him establish the first Krishna temple in the Western world. "Miracle on Second Avenue" is a powerful read for those trying to understand the philosophy and purpose of the Krishna brand of spirituality.

Science and Eastern Orthodoxy
Efthymios Nicolaidis, author
Susan Emanuel, translator
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421402987 $55.00 www.press.jhu.edu

Science and Eastern Orthodoxy From the Greek Fathers to the Age of Globalization is a scholarly analysis of the historical interplay between science and Christian Orthodoxy, the official church of the Eastern Roman Empire. Covering a time period from the fourth century to the increasingly globalized modern era, Science and Eastern Orthodoxy postulates that the conflicts between the practice of science and the faith of Greek Orthodoxy were not strictly "science versus Christianity" but rather an ecclesiastical clash of ideas with effects that rippled across civilization. Chapters address how political debates could turn scientific; the repercussions of the empire's fall on the dynamic between science and the Orthodoxy; the role science played in the Greek Enlightenment; science and religion in the modern Greek state; and much more. Science and Eastern Orthodoxy is an excellent contribution to college library world history and religious studies shelves.

Spirit of Faith: The Oneness of Religion
Baha'i Publishing
415 Linden Avenue
Wilmette, IL 60091-2844
9781931847810 $12.00 www.BahaiBooksUSA.com

The second book in the "Spirit of Faith" series, Spirit of Faith: The Oneness of Religion explores the Bahai written perspective on such deep spiritual topics as the oneness of God, the oneness of humankind, the promise of world peace, and more. Brief, numbered passages from the writings of Bahaullah (founder of the faith), the writings of the Bab, and the writings of Abdul-Baha comprise this collection; the nuggets of thoughtful reflection can be contemplated individually, or absorbed as whole. For example, one of the passages by Bahaullah reads, "Religion bestoweth upon man the most precious of all gifts, offereth the cup of prosperity, imparteth eternal life, and showereth imperishable benefits upon mankind." A moving, emotional, and humble anthology of inspirational pieces, Spirit of Faith: The Oneness of Religion bears a positive message for readers of all faiths and backgrounds. Highly recommended.

Redeeming the Southern Family
Scott Stephan
University of Georgia Press
330 Research Drive
Athens, GA, 30602-4901
9780820339801 $24.95 www.ugapress.org

Scott Stephan (associate professor of history, Ball State University) offers his theory that evangelicalism brought women in the pre-Civil War South power and influence in Redeeming the Southern Family: Evangelical Women & Domestic Devotion in the Antebellum South. Although evangelicalism often constrained women of the era in strict household functions, the value of those functions had an empowering effect in earning community respect - from aiding in childbirth to consecrating newborn children to looking after the dying. Chapters draw upon a wealth of research to paint a vivid picture of courtship, evangelical marriages, child rearing, and other crucial aspects of life in the antebellum South, revealing the role that evangelical faith had to play in women's responses to daily challenges. "Childbirth and child rearing thus formed the cornerstone of women's moral and spiritual authority within and beyond the southern home. Women claimed that the physical and spiritual trials of childbirth enriched their devotion to God, and if they survived, they simultaneously gave thanks to God and pledged their children to the ranks of the disciples." Redeeming the Southern Family is an excellent contribution to religious studies, women's studies, and American history shelves.

Called to Unite Knowledge &Vital Piety
Michael G. Cartwright and Merle D. Strege, editors
University of Indianapolis Press
1400 E. Hanna Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46227
9781880938799 $29.95 www.uindy.edu/universitypress

Called to Unite Knowledge & Vital Piety: Indiana's Wesleyan-Related Universities is an anthology of essays by diverse and learned authors exploring the role of Christianity and its Wesleyan and Holiness traditions in the founding, evolution, and continued mission of seven of Indiana's private universities. Individual essays include "Who Do We Think We Are? Wesleyans on the University Stage in the 21st Century", "Change and Challenge at DePauw University from 1837 to the Present", "Place and Higher Education in the Holiness Tradition", and more. Inviting further scholarly discussion on the Wesleyan legacy for higher education in the twenty-first century, Called to Unite Knowledge & Vital Piety lives up to its title and is an excellent choice for theological discussion with an eye to practical modern necessities.

A Spiritual Evolution
Nikki Pattillo
Ozark Mountain Publishing
PO Box 754, Huntsville, AR 72740
978188694022, $14.00, www.ozarkmt.com

Looking into our spirit and embracing is the key to letting one's soul flourish. "A Spiritual Evolution" is an inspirational and spiritual guide from Nikki Pattillo states that we are all spirits, going through our human lives and letting it shape us. With charged words to find one's spirit and drive oneself forward, "A Spiritual Evolution" is a choice pick with plenty to embrace for any follower of new age spirituality.

Hitler's Theology
Rainer Bucher
Continuum International Publishing Group
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 704
New York, NY 10038
9781441141798, $34.95, www.continuumbooks.com

It's hard to understand the actions of Hitler as anything but madness. "Hitler's Theology: A Study in Religion" seeks to try to understand faith and religion behind the writings and speeches of Adolf Hitler, who used mentions of God and faith within his rallies of the German people and as fuel to push towards his atrocities. Seeking to gain an even handed understanding of Hitler's methods and use of faith within his campaigns, "Hitler's Theology" is a scholarly look into history and the abuse of religion towards cruelty.

The Intimate Life
Judith Blackstone
Sounds True Audio
413 South Arthur Avenue
Louisville, CO 80027
9781604075625, $16.95, www.soundstrue.com

Knowing oneself can lead to much joy out of life. "The Intimate Life: Awakening to the Spiritual Essence in Yourself and Others" is an inspirational and thoughtful read from clinical psychotherapist Judith Blackstone as she explores consciousness, what drives us, our connections to others, and our sexuality, and managing all these forces to take control of one's life. "The Intimate Life" is an excellent pick for those who want to create a better grasp on their lives and find their love, for themselves, for others, and for life.

The Hidden Levels of the Mind
Douglas Taylor
Swedenborg Publishers
320 North Church Street
West Chester, PA 19380
9780877853404, $12.95, www.swedenborg.com

Understanding the mind is key to understanding faith. "The Hidden Levels of the Mind" is a philosophical and spiritual discussion of the theories of scientist visionary Emanuel Swedenborg and what has been built off his work. Douglas Taylor writes on what he believes is a crucial aspects of Swedenborg's worse and how to better understand the complexities of his theological theory. "The Hidden Levels of the Mind" is a must for anyone who thinks deeply about the mind and soul and the life behind it.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Dog Training Bible
Andrea Arden
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY 11788
9780764164330, $18.99, www.barronseduc.com

Training a dog can be a taxing endeavor, but the results may end up very much worth it. "Dog Training Bible" is a comprehensive reference from Andrea Arden as she presents plenty of knowledge on how to train your dog, from the very necessary house training, to more known commands, correcting problem behavior, and making the dog more sociable to not only humans but other animals that may be around the house as well. "Dog Training Bible" is a strong pick for anyone who is inviting a dog into their lives and wants a more harmonious relationship.

Cat Calls
Jeanne Adlon and Susan Logan
Square One Publishers
115 Herricks Road
Garden City Park, NY 11040
9780757003448 $14.95 www.squareonepublishers.com

Experience cat sitter Jeanne Adlon and Cat Fancy magazine editor Susan Logan present Cat Calls, an anthology of true stories from Jeanne's daily efforts to look after her charges regardless of rain, shine, or winter storms. Heartwarming anecdotes blend with practical tips on caring for cats, including feeding them, keeping a sanitary litterbox, dealing with misbehavior, and more. "To trim your cat's nails, use nail clippers specifically designed for cats. Because a cat's nails are round, human nail clippers can crush their claws." The heart of Cat Calls are the stories of playful, adventurous, recalcitrant, excited, needy, or just plain curious cats, which will delight ailurophiles everywhere.

The Healthy Bird Cookbook
Robin Deutsch
T.F.H. Publications
1 TFH Plaza, Third & Union Avenue
Neptune City, NJ 07753
9780793807161, $15.95, www.tfh.com

Good nutrition isn't something that should be exclusive to humanity. "The Healthy Bird Cookbook: A Lifesaving Nutritional Guide and Recipe Collection" is a pet cookbook from Robin Deutsch as she presents ways to keep birds healthy, how to prepare them and given them to birds, and recipes that are good for humans as well. Presented in full color with plenty of types from breads to vegetables to even pizzas, "The Healthy Bird Cookbook" is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to prepare a healthy treat for their favorite bird.

Puppy Problems? No Problem!
Brenda Aloff
Dogwise Publishing
403 South Mission St., Wenatchee, WA 98801
9781617810510, $39.95, www.dogwisepublishing.com

Puppy Problems? No Problem comes with a companion DVD and provides a fine primer based on the author's 20 years of experience working with problem dogs as a professional pet behavior consultant. Dog training basics take each problem behavior pattern and how to adjust it using positive reinforcement and shared experiences. The accompanying DVD shows exactly how this is accomplished, making this a top pick for any holding strong in dog training options.

Canine Reproduction, third edition
Phyllis Holst, MS, DVM
Alpine Publications
38262 Linan Rd, Crawford, CO 81415
9781577791140, $24.95, www.alpinepub.com

The third updated edition of Canine Reproduction: The Breeder's Guide is a 'must have' for any dog breeder's collection. It represents a title hat has for over thirty years been an industry 'bible', now appearing in a more affordable softcover edition and featuring color photos and the latest vet research on dog reproduction. The author is a vet who is also a breeder: her background lends to an expert survey of breeding stock, timing, whelping, and illnesses and is a top reference.

Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
www.wiley.com

Wiley's veterinary titles are outstanding references for both vets and college-level student holdings and these latest publications are top recommendations. June A. Boon's VETERINARY ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY (9780813823850, $149.99) appears in a fully revised second updated edition to provide an in-depth reference to the ultrasound of the heart. It comes from a leading expert in veterinary echocardiography and covers all the basics of obtaining and interpreting diagnostic echocardiograms in domestic species. This update includes new advances in mapping, imaging, and related technologies, making it a fine reference. Tobias Schwartz and Jimmy Saunders edit VETERINARY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (9780813817477, $149.99), an illustrated guide for practicing vets interested in incorporating computed tomography into their practices. Contributions by specialists from twelve countries offer a range of expert tips in the first title to describe the technology, methodology, interpretation principles and CT features of different diseases for most species. Blackwell's FIVE-MINUTE VETERINARY CONSULT: CANINE AND FELINE, 5TH EDITION (9780813807638, $99.99) by Larry P. Tilley and Francis W.K. Smith Jr. appears in a completely revised updated fifth edition to provide a quick reference on diseases of dogs and caps. Over 300 specialists cover over 800 specific disorders with new topics and revised topics keeping this a current A-Z vet's reference. All are top picks for practicing professionals and libraries catering to vet students.


The Art Shelf

Art Deco Postcards
Patricia Bayer
Thames & Hudson
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500238882, $27.95, www.thamesandhudsonusa.com

ART DECO POSTCARDS provides a fine collection of postcards from the 1920s to the 40s, following the art deco movement's influence on apartment buildings, airports, and all kinds of structures. Well-known and celebrated buildings appear alongside lesser-known facades and interiors, with some postcards depicting structures no longer among us. A pop-out-and-keep facsimile section includes detachable reproductions of the cards. While this won't be a lending library's choice, it will be an item of choice for any artist with a passion for art deco style.

Typography Sketchbooks
Steven Heller and Lita Talarico
Princeton Architectural Press
37 East 7th Street, New York, NY 10003
9781616890377, $55.00, www.papress.com

Typography is key to visual communication and this collection offers private sketchbooks from more than ninety leading designers and typographers to illustrate this point. Steven Heller and Lita Talarico select these letters for feature, which include works by Milton Glaser, Erik Spiekermann, Carlos Seguras, and more. The writings offer insights on typography as a whole and are intended for those interested in type choices and their effects on the message.

Celebrating the American Spirit
Christopher B. Crosman, et.al.
Hudson Hills Press
PO Box 205, 74-2 Union Street, Manchester, VT 05254
9781555953713, $60.00, www.hudsonhills.com

Celebrating the American Spirit: Masterworks from Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is the first publication to document the Arkansas museum's holdings and is packed with full-page color illustrations of key pieces. The Museum is a powerful new art museum packed with masterpieces collected by Wal-Mart heiress Alice Walton. It places major works on exhibit in a small town - something that has raised a furor in the city-centered art world - and CELEBRATING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT is its inaugural exhibition. Any who can't visit in person will find this a treasure trove of American classic examples, well suited for any serious collection of American masterpieces!

Design by Nature
Maggie Macnab
New Riders
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0321747763, $44.99, www.newriders.com

Design by Nature: Using Universal Forms and Principles in Design surveys nature and its creations and offers a design and computer-oriented connection between nature's designs and human efforts. It considers relationships between design and art, showing how to blend nature's patterns and shapes into design purposes and how to understand design elements and their interrelationships. Chapters offer black and white and color examples of these universal forms, cover everything from logo design to color, and make for an outstanding survey recommended for any designer's library.

Parallel Park
Marylyn Dintenfass
Hudson Hills Press
PO Box 205
74-2 Union Street
Manchester, VT 05254
9781555953461, $50.00, www.hudsonhills.com

Artistic ambition can speak volumes. "Parallel Park" delves into the major project of Marylyn Dintenfass who crafted a 30,000 square foot frieze out of scavenged materials to create a massive monument of creativity and endeavor. Through inspiration, her work on this project is compiled in full color throughout the volume to help readers gain a comprehensive understanding of the scale and scope of the project. "Parallel Park" is a choice pick of coffee table books, and a worthy addition to any art collection.


The Poetry Shelf

Evensong
Ingrid Wendt
Truman State University Press
100 East Normal Street
Kirksville, MO 63501-4221
9781935503934, $15.95, http://tsup.truman.edu

We solve problems and find solutions, and these little victories carry us through life. "Evensong" is a collection of poetry from Ingrid Wendt, a life long follower of the arts. Through her works, she presents a positive image of the world that realizes it's not perfect. "Evensong" is a fine assortment of verse, very much recommended reading. "Fan Letter from the Fourth Grade": You're big, he says./He says He didn't know/that first day of class my poems/were published, the fact/I'd written a book. He says, Would you like some candy?/and his hand works out of his jeans/pocket a lavender heart, its edges/worn down like chalk by who/knows how many washings: Hot Stuff,/Cool Cat, Ask Me, May I, whatever/words that were anyway only for fun, erased.

The Rest of the Voyage
Bernard Noel
Graywolf Press
250 Third Avenue North, Suite 600
Minneapolis, MN 55401
9781555976002, $16.00, www.graywolfpress.org

With world renown, Bernard Noel strives to earn his acclaim. "The Rest of the Voyage" is another collection of poetry from man of literature, poet laureate of France Bernard Noel. Elena Rivera, known for many famed translations of poetry, expertly worked with Noel to bring this volume to English readers. For any international poetry collection, "The Rest of the Voyage" is a choice and much recommended addition. "Nowhere 1": no one placed their hands on the nape of my neck/so this way this absence doesn't have a face/it is simply there like a cold sensation/a reminder of that perfect solitude.

The Scientific Method
Mary Alexandra Agner
Parallel Press
372 Memorial Library
728 State Street
Madison, WI 53575
9781934795286 $TBA http://parallelpress.library.wisc.edu

The Scientific Method is a chapbook of free-verse poetry by author and scientific thinker Mary Alexandra Agner, whose accomplishments include inverting a light curve from Pluto's atmosphere and modeling a low-density residuum in the Earth's upper mantle. Her writing reflects the essence of those who use science to learn more about the world about them: a driven inquisitiveness, a strong sense of exploration, and admiration for the pioneers whose efforts bolster the eternal ongoing quest for knowledge. Highly recommended. "The Scientific Method": You're welcome to burn it: / unhook it, pull it overhead, / let your breasts slap together / as you toss it on the fire. / The idea doesn't go away. / Observe: need underwire? / Hypothesize: pull in instead / of holding up? The test: / a bodice tight around the torso. / The Scientific Bra supports you / bungee-jumping DNA, snowboarding / through a cyclotron. / Undress when appropriate but stuff a spare / inside your little black bag."

Secret Wounds
Richard M. Berlin
BkMk Press
5101 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110
9781886157811, $14.95, www.umsystem.edu/upress

With a unique yet intriguing way of looking at the world, Richard Berlin has made much delight with his poetic styles. "Secret Wounds" looks at the wounds we all bear through our lives and our pursuits in life, he discusses how we hide them from the world. "Secret Wounds" is an excellent addition to any poetry collection, highly recommended. "If I Were a Painter": I would paint you the indigo band of blue/on the horizon, the slick strands of kelp/floating in the cove, lichen on the rocks,/lovage in the seaside garden, and sunlight/at dawn glinting off a gull's white back./If I were a painter you might love me/like the night the terns gathered in the bay/and the sun set through a sea of coral clouds./I would apint over the days I hurt you,/though I know you would say there is nothing/more I can do to color your love for me,/our marriage like an oil-on-canvas, nailed/to an outside wall, the frame warped by sun/and rain, the colors still vibrant, still true.

Confer
Ahren Warner
Bloodaxe Books
DuFour Edtions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781852249144, $21.95, www.dufouredtions.com

London and Paris are full of history, and everything also carries untold amounts of it. "Confer" is a collection of poetry from Ahren Warner, as he recalls his journeys through the world and what he has learned in those travels. Thoughtful and recommended reading from a youthful poet, "Confer" is an excellent pick, not to be overlooked. "Grimsby": An old dock town/where the last sailor is long drowned/and the boats rot, creaking//like gravel-throated cancer patients/singing canticles, croaking/polyp-splintered, khoomei peans.

The Essential Brenden Kennelly
Brenden Kennelly
Wake Forest University Press
PO Box 7333
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
9781930630574, $15.95, www.wfu.edu/wfupress

Nothing will get better if it doesn't know what's wrong. "The Essential Brenden Kennelly" is a collection of poetry from named poet, whose work with satire and commentary has earned him quite the renown of the western world. Expertly compiled with a CD of poetry readings by Kennelly, "The Essential Brenden Kennelly" proves to be quite essential to any contemporary poetry collection. "Birthmark": 'A gentleman of the troop of the Boyles/Dropped in and cut griskins or collops/Of Williams Stewart alive;/Stuffing fire-coals into his mouth/He ripped up his belly/Wrapped his entrails about his neck./It was grisly to see/And yet in all this chopping of Mr. Stewart/I was struck by one quiet detail/As people sometimes are/In the midst of howling scenes;/A birthmark on his left breast/Shaped like a broken star.'

Mad for Meat
Kevin Simmonds
Salmon Poetry
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7
Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9781907056826, $21.95, www.dufoureditions.com

There is more to hot dog competitions than a monument to gluttony. "Mad for Meat" is a collection of poetry from Kevin Simmonds, who writes of a wide array of subjects as a musician and man of San Francisco. With many views and many unique ways of presenting them, "Mad for Meat" is a fine read that shouldn't be overlooked by community library poetry collections. "Deliverance": Big black booming bloom/a man/fanning the blistering rod/His voice and us still passing through/the opened sea.

Hunter's Log
Timothy Murphy
Dakota Institute Press
2576 8th South West, PO Box 607
Washburn, ND 58577
9780983405900, $14.95, www.fortmandan.com

Through calm and sanity, we can gain a clear view of it all. "Hunter's Log" is a collection of poetry from Timothy Murphy, who writes of the calm nature that he often sees out of life, as a hunter and man of the land. With serenity and time to think, his poems carry a mellow, poignant vibe. "Hunter's Log" is a fine pick, not to be overlooked, highly recommended. "Elegy for Diktynna": Go if you must, and swim/the dim waters of Acheron/for Actaeon.//When my engraved grouse gun/passes to someone else's son,/I'll whistle "Come."

The Whole Shebang
Suzanne Rhodenbaugh
Word Press
PO Box 541106
Cincinnati, OH 45254-1106
9781936370160, $18.99, www.word-press.com

Poetry is a story of style and metaphor. "The Whole Shebang" is a collection of narrative poetry from Suzanne Rhodenbaugh who uses her experience and devotion to her craft, and presents poems that will keep readers reading. "The Whole Shebang" is a fine assortment of poetry and knowledge, very much recommended reading. "The Strange First King I Knew": The Florida sun leeched out the green/It bleached what blue was given./To be on the blank hot streets at noon/was to take the sun, out of ignorance./So what I loved in Florida was dark.//There were pines outside our windows,/and palmettos giving back a straw scent./We'd painted our room dark gold./His black hair fell in his face./His left shoulder twitched as he danced./He pranced around in lace-- my own.//What I loved in Florida was dark./In electric green of dusk/I watched in fear and awe/the thunderstorms of Odessa,/that place on earth most hit.

The Seasons of the Soul
Hermann Hesse
North Atlantic Books
2526 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA 94704-2607
9781583943137, $17.95, www.northatlanticbooks.com

Throughout the first half of the twentieth century, Hermann Hesse proved a force of German literature. "The Seasons of the Soul: The Poetic Guidance and Spiritual Wisdom of Hermann Hesse" discusses the works of Hesse, known for many novels and his work with mythology. A thoughtful work of literature, "The Seasons of the Soul" is a strong pick for any world literary studies and poetry collection. "Proverb": You must become brother and sister/to each and every thing/so that they flow through you/dissolving every difference/between what belongs to you and others.//No star, no leaf shall fall--/you fall with them--/to rise again/in every new beginning.


The Memoir Shelf

Frozen Teardrop
Lucinda Ruh
Select Books
1 Union Square West
Suite 909, New York, NY 10003
9781590792131, $17.95, www.selectbooks.com

Art and athleticism, figure skating isn't as easy as strapping on some blades. "Frozen Teardrop: The Tragedy and Triumph of Figure Skating's Queen of Spin" is a memoir from famed champion figure skater Lucinda Ruh who shares her story. Stating that her drive to success led her to making great sacrifices to her personal life, threatening her health and psyche, her story is one of the common price of drive to succeed above and beyond what is expected. "Frozen Teardrop" is a choice pick for community and library sports and biography collections.

Raised by the Church
Edward Rohs & Judith Estrine
Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Avenue
University Box L
Bronx, NY 10458-5172
9780823240227, $22.95, www.fordhampress.com

To be forgotten and spurned by one's parents is a cruel way to start life. "Raised by the Church: Growing Up in New York City's Catholic Orphanages" is a combination memoir and study from Edward Rohs, a young man who found his childhood in the care of the sisters of Mercy, a Catholic orphanage system in Brooklyn, New York, following World War II. Rising above his rough beginnings, he writes of what he remembers of others plight, and how he cared it going into the secular world and an origin that was not typically normal. "Raised by the Church" is a dedicated memoir about the struggles of growing up an outcast, even under the kindness of charity, much recommended.

Destined for Disease
Courtney Chambers
Balboa Press
c/o Hay House
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
9781452535487, $13.95, www.hayhouse.com

Stress and negativity will poison you. "Destined for Disease" is the memoir of Courtney Chambers, who writes how she bottled up the negative emotions in her life and how it bombarded her with chronic health conditions and lead her to a very unhealthy state of mind. "Destined for Disease" is a strong advisory of how what we think is only in our head can cause us such pain.

Dance of the Electric Hummingbird
Patricia Walker
Rainbow Ridge Books
140 Rainbow Ridge Road
Faber, VA 22938
Square One Publishers
115 Herricks Road
Garden City Park, NY 11040
9780984495573, $17.95, www.bajarockpat.com

The life of a housewife is not completely compatible with that of a rock star. "Dance of the Electric Hummingbird" is a unique and spiritual memoir from Patricia Walker as she relays her experience that a rock concert and how it changed her life. Describing her unique and spiritual journey and how an encounter with rock star Sammy Hagar changed her life, "Dance of the Electric Hummingbird" is a uniquely spiritual read that goes where few other spiritual books have gone.

Doctrine of Injustice
Keith R. Caldwell
Ascot Media Group
PO Box 133032
The Woodlands, TX 77393
9780984646302, $19.95, www.supremecourtcorruption.com

Corruption runs deep within today's government, perhaps most shockingly in the judicial branch. "Doctrine of Injustice" is a memoir of politics and corruption through the views of Keith R. Caldwell who has worked on many high levels of government, stating he has seen the corruption of the government strongly perhaps when it comes to money and the IRS. Presenting his findings and offering some unique spins of how money runs so much, "Doctrine of Injustice" is worth considering for political discussion collections.

Back to Bizkaia
Vince J. Juaristi
University of Nevada Press
Mail Stop 0166
Reno, NV, 89557-0166
9780874178593, $21.95, www.unpress.nevada.edu

From where we once were, we forget where we came from. "Back to Bizkaia: A Basque-American Memoir" is a memoir of Joe Juaristi and his son Vince, organizing a trip with the two of them back to a reunion with their family, regaining a respect for it and a respect for life. Touching on the roots of Basque country and the American west, "Back to Bizkaia" is a fine tale of an immigrant revisiting their motherland of Spain.

The Lonesome Lowdown Long-Gone Outbound Scootertrash Blues
Mark Tiger Edmonds
Livingston Press
University of West Alabama
Station 22
Livingston, AL 35470
9781604890839, $21.00, www.livingstonpress.uwa.edu

The live for the road is to be on a constant journey. "The Lonesome Lowdown Long-Gone Outbound Scootertash Blues" is a memoir from Mark Tiger Edmonds, as he discusses his own tales, presenting a unique view of Americana from a man who has seen a lot of it, and has gathered many stories from those who he has met. For those looking for stories of life in America and on the road, "The Lonesome Lowdown Long-Gone Outbound Scootertrash Blues" is an insightful and original read, very much recommended.


The Business Shelf

Emotional Branding
Marc Gobe
Allworth Press
10 East 23rd Street, Suite 510, New York, NY 10010
9781581156720, $19.95, www.allworth.com

Emotional Branding: The New Paradigm for Connecting Brands to People appears in a revised, updated edition to provide new insights on connecting brands to new generations through the web and social media's powers. An extensive update was required for the original popular concept because of the emergence of consumer empowerment tools which hardly existed when the book was first published in 2001. The book invented the term and concept and sparked the interest of new generations of brand strategists and designers, changing businesses and marketing objectives and approaches alike: this latest edition will do the same and should be in every business holding!

Zero to 100,000
Sarah-Jayne Gratton & Dean Anthony Gratton
Que
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0789748002, $19.99, www.quepublishing.com

Zero to 100,000: Social Media Tips and Tricks for Small Business provides a fine marketing guide that offers details and examples for finding 100,000 new friends and customers using social media. It provides a low-cost social media plan for finding and connecting with them, with chapters surveying connections between communities and building an effective online presence. Any business involved in social media networking needs this!

The Ad-Free Brand
Chris Grams
Que
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0789748029, $24.99, www.quepublishing.com

THE AD-FREE BRAND: SECRETS TO BUILDING SUCCESSFUL BRANDS IN A DIGITAL WORLD is not just for computer collections but for any business library strong in web marketing. It draws on the author's experience helping build Red Hat's global brand and offers a host of modern digital strategies and tools to provide new ways to communicate and spread the word about a brand. The sections on avoiding common mistakes and the step-by-step guide to the entire brand positioning process make this a winning survey of how to develop, prototype, and solidify a brand position.

Free Marketing
Jim Cockrum
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118034712, $24.95, www.wiley.com

FREE MARKETING: 101 LOW AND NO-COST WAYS TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE & OFF provides over 100 marketing ideas for small business owners on a budget, and deserves a spot in any business collection. It uses a range of techniques, from creating compelling content to attract customers to creating marketing videos, using eBay for publicity, and understanding and making the most of smart phone trends. A 'must' for any serious small business.

Effective Time Management
Lothar Seiwert and Holger Woeltje
Microsoft Press
c/o O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein, Hwy N.
Sebastopol, CA 95472-2811
9780735660045, $29.99, www.microsoft.com/mspress

EFFECTIVE TIME MANAGEMENT: USING MICROSOFT OUTLOOK TO ORGANIZE YOUR WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE could have been featured in our Computer Shelf section but is reviewed here for its wider-ranging importance to business applications. It goes beyond the basics of organizing email and tells how to apply Outlook filters to manage tasks, how to plan personal and worklife, and using Outlook with Microsoft OneNote to set goals. Businesses will find this packed with real-world examples for applications!

Decision Management Systems
James Taylor
IBM Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0132884380, $29.99, www.ibmpressbooks.com

DECISION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO USING BUSINESS RULES AND PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS provides a fine guide to blending operational and analytic approaches to create business systems that are more agile and adaptive. Case studies tell how to combine techniques to improve customer experiences and reduce fraud, offering insights on the entire Decision Management System process and how it can transform business setup. From implementing decision services to monitoring them, this is a top pick for any business holding.

Business for Aspies
Ashley Stanford
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market St #400, Philadelphia PA 19106
9781849058452, $19.95, www.jkp.com

Business for Aspies: 42 Best Practices for Using Asperger Syndrome Traits at Work Successfully could have been reviewed in our Health Shelf section, but is featured here for its fine focus on current business practices and how Asperger individuals can use their strengths in the workplace. Chapters survey how Asperger traits operate in a typical workplace, offering keys to many challenges from pay raises to team meetings and career advancements. A powerful pick for any Asperger adult who wants details on how to handle the working world - and for employers who hire them - makes this a dual recommendation for business and health collections alike.

Decision Management Systems
James Taylor
IBM Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780132884389 $29.99 www.mcp.com

James Taylor (CEO of Decision Management Solutions) presents Decision Management Systems: A Practical Guide to Using Business Rules and Predictive Analysis, a guide to improving decision making processes within one's business or corporation with the goal of improving responses to immediate problems, therefore providing better customer service, reducing fraud, managing risk more effectively, and promoting flexibility and growth. Chapters explore how to build robust and sustainable decision-making processes, as well as how to anticipate common obstacles. "Assigning optimal actions in this way works well for fixed sets of known customers. What it does not always do is suggest an optimal action for an unknown, new customer. One way to resolve this is to add the optimal action to the customer data set you have and then apply a decision tree-building algorithm to this data using a predictive analytic workbench. You can then mathematically build a decision tree that predicts who will get which action - a set of customer characteristics selects a branch in the tree that assigns a specific action to the customer." Business leaders responsible for personnel, customer service, or other areas requiring responsive, context-sensitive decision-making will find Decision Management Systems invaluable.

Business Networking and Sex (Not What You Think)
Ivan Misner, Hazel M. Walker, & Frank J. De Raffele
Entrepreneur Press
c/o The McGraw Hill Companies
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10121-2298
9781599184241, $21.95, www.entrepreneurpress.com

Even in business, the signals we send can sometimes not connect. "Business Networking and Sex (Not What You Think)" discusses gender issues for business leaders and how to more effectively communicate across them. The authors discuss how this can sometimes be an issue, even when romance is not on our minds, due to the nature of men and women's approaches to business can sometimes be different. Networking is a powerful tool for success, and "Business Networking and Sex" will make sure those in charge of landing those deals don't let a silly thing like sex get in the way.

For Immediate Release
Ronn Torossian
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, STE 400
Dallas, TX 75204
9781936661169, $24.95, www.benbellabooks.com

Public relations have gained remarkable power in the modern day. "For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results with Game-Changing Public Relations" is a guide to better public relations for one's business. Ronn Torossian is a CEO of one of the top 25 public relations firms in America, who advises readers to control their company's image, communicate with other companies well, and create a positive connection to your clients and your employees for greater success. "For Immediate Release" is a fine pick for business reference collections, and for anyone who wants to understand why PR is so important.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Ancient Alien Question
Philip Coppens
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
PO Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
9781601631985, $19.99, www.newpagebooks.com

Did ancient aliens change the course of history? The new book THE ANCIENT ALIEN QUESTION: A NEW INQUIRY INTO THE EXISTENCE, EVIDENCE, AND INFLUENCE OF ANCIENT VISITORS offers proof that our ancestors were technologically advanced and that they interacted with non-humans. From a new explanation of the pyramids to crystal skulls and art depicting alien figures, this is based on new archaeological evidence and research and is a pick for any new age collection, featuring a foreword by Erich von Daniken to round out its offerings.

The Power of the Sacred Name
V. Raghavan
World Wisdom
1501 East Hillside Drive, Bloomington, IN 47401
9781935493969, $22.95, www.worldwisdom.com

The Power of the Sacred Name: Indian Spirituality Inspired by Mantras is edited by William J. Jackson and offers analysis and insights into the practice of repeating or singing a sacred name. This practice is shared by Christian, Buddhist, Hindu and other religions and this collection of writings by an Indian scholar considers the tradition in India. Any collection strong in Indian religions and chanting will find this an involving survey.

Monsters in America
W. Scott Poole
Baylor University Press
One Bear Place #97364
Waco, TX 76798-7363
9781602583146, $29.95, www.monstersinamerica.com

What lies unknown to us is what most fascinates us. "Monsters in America: Our Historical Obsession with the Hideous and the Haunting" discusses the history of monsters and creatures in America, and the legend they have built up, describing their routes in long standing social anxieties of race, sexuality, and religion. From aliens to science gone wrong to the undead, to flat out monsters, "Monsters in America" is a fine pick for those curious about the myths and legends that America has built up in its over two hundred year history, with much insight into their origins.

Cotton Bales, Goatmen, & Witches
Bradley T. Turner
TSTC Publishing
3801 Campus Drive, Waco, TX 76705
9781936603077, $34.95, www.publishing.tstc.edu

Legends can grow into so much more swiftly. "Cotton Bales, Goatmen, & Witches: Legends from the Heart of Texas" discusses the folklore surrounding Texas, discussing these mysteries which live on even in the face of science and the internet. With photography and stories abound, Bradley T. Turner provides the collection of legends as Mark Burdine presents the photography. For those fascinated by local legend and what it means, "Cotton Bales, Goatmen, & Witches" is a fine assortment and coffee table book, very much recommended.

The Ultimate Dictionary of Dream Language
Briceida Ryan
Hampton Roads Publishing Company
65 Parker St., Ste. 7
Newburyport, MA 01950
9781571746719, $29.95, www.hrpub.com

The symbolism of our subconscious is very strong. "The Ultimate Dictionary of Dream Language" is a guide from Briceida Ryan as she discusses the symbols within our dreams and what our minds are trying to tell us, the interpretations of what's going on within our lives, and how to use them to gain insight into what we truly want out of lives. "The Ultimate Dictionary of Dream Language" is an excellent pick for community and library spirituality and metaphysical collections, and has enough casual interest to be an excellent pick for coffee table pieces.

The Ancient Alien Question
Philip CoppensLaurie Kelly-Pye
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
PO Box 687
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
9781601631985, $19.99, www.newpagebooks.com

In our deep history, could beings from far off planets have played a hand in our evolution? "The Ancient Alien Question: A New Inquiry Into the Existence, Evidence, and Influence of Ancient Visitors" discusses the potential of alien visitors who may have visited ancient humanity and influenced the construction of ancient marvels. Discussing crystal skulls, the meanings behind ancient mysteries, and much more, Philip Coppens presents his evidence for a much more metaphysical pre-history for humanity. "The Ancient Alien Question" is worth considering for followers of metaphysical ideas and seeking an alternative history read.


The Crafts Shelf

Creative Chain Mail Jewelry
Compiled by Erica Swanson
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871164216, $19.95, www.kalmbachbooks.com

Creative Chain Mail Jewelry offers a range of projects for any jewelry worker used to jump rings, and features nearly thirty projects from the pages of Art Jewelry and Bead&Button magazines. Here are weaves from around the world, step-by-step photos supporting their creations, and fine photography and illustrations leaving nothing to question. A fine pick for any jewelry-making holding!

Goldwork
Hazel Everett
Search Press USA
1338 Ross Street, Petaluma, CA 94954-1117
9781844486267, $29.95, www.searchpress.com

GOLDWORK: TECHNIQUES, PROJECTS AND PURE INSPIRATION comes from a fine goldwork embroiderer who uses traditional methods in modern project for amazing results. Step-by-step surveys of her coverage and techniques include color photos throughout and examples of the author's own work. Embroiders and textile artists receive a range of projects, from jewelry and decorated boxes to pillows and three-dimensional insects. Needleworkers and general crafts collections must have this unique survey, which is reviewed in this category for its wider interest to crafters.

Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
www.kalmbachstore.com

Beads&Button Magazine Publishers' STITCH WORKSHOP: RIGHT-ANGLE WEAVE (9780871164551, $17.95) provides an outstanding guide for beginners especially, surveying the craft of right-angle weave and how it can be used in various projects. The projects presented are all packed with color photos, arranged by difficulty level for step-by-step learning, and come with complete materials lists to make for a highly recommended crafts project acquisition. Cindy Thomas Pankopf's MAKING METAL CLAY JEWELRY: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GET STARTED (9780871164315, $21.95) provides a fine key to understanding what metal clay is and how to work with it. From supplies and tools to techniques and some 20 jewelry projects for all skills levels, this shows how to create all kinds of projects from stone-setting to forming. The many step-by-step color photo embellishments makes instruction a snap! Those who would embark try their hand at model railroading will find no better starting place than Jeff Wilson's INTRODUCTION TO MODEL RAILROADING (9780890247921, $19.95). It tells how to begin a scale model railroading project, reviewing the hobby as a whole and offering keys to getting started, from planning a layout to building scenery and structures. The keys to selecting locomotives and creating track and layout are specific and easy and will lend to the first-timer's interest and pleasure. Also recommended for this audience is Tony Koester's MODEL RAILROADING FROM PROTOTYPE TO LAYOUT: HOW TO USE FULL-SIZE RAILROADS FOR INFORMATION AND INSPIRATION (9780890247976, $21.95). It tells how to build a model railroad based on real railroads, from selecting a prototype to model to using basic prototype principles in the entire process. James K. Wechsler's BUILDING AND DETAILING REALISTIC SHERMAN TANKS (9780890247891, $21.95) provides a guide to modeling the Sherman tank and reviews nearly 50 Sherman tank models as it provides hobbyists with a progressive survey of construction projects. From handling tracks and guns to 48 models, this surveys gun tanks from around the world and teaches how to incorporate them into a hobby scenario.

Steampunk Gear, Gadgets and Gizmos
Thomas Willeford
McGraw-Hill Professional
1221 Avenue of Americas, 45th Floor, New York NY
0071762361, $25.00, www.mhprofessional.com

Steampunk Gear, Gadgets and Gizmos offers a color guide focusing on the author's own secrets of making Steampunk gadgets, and is packed with DIY projects not to be found elsewhere, as it offers his own unique devices that can be produced on a budget. 'Lord Featherstone' shares his skills, tools, and techniques for producing everything from calibrated gauges and field generators to an armored pith helmet. Any crafter interested in producing steampunk 'artifacts' for fairs and events or personal use will find this the 'crafts bible' of steampunk, adding a different dimension to any crafts library.

The New Artisans
Oliver Dupon
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500515853, $45.00, www.thamesandhudsonusa.com

When something is made by hand, it carries a certain legend and touch that cannot be reproduced by machines. "The New Artisans" discusses the renaissance of hand crafting in today's world, as Oliver Dupon shows the creation of many objects in many crafts, from art and creating jewelry, to carpentry and metalwork. With more than 800 full color photographs scattered throughout to show the results of this labor, "The New Artisans" is a fine pick for those who have developed a romance with the ways of human craftsmanship.

A Bounty of Bead + Wire Earrings
Nathalie Mornu
Sterling Publishing Company
387 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016-8810
9781454700180, $19.95, www.sterlingpublishing.com

With some baubles and some wire, the possibilities are quite endless. "A Bounty of Bead + Wire Earrings: 50 Fun, Fast Jewelry Projects" is an excellent guide for those who have embraced do it yourself jewelry. Each of the fifty designs are explained step by step with full color photographs, presenting the fundamentals of their crafting to create this unique and colorful ideas. Of use for even experienced do-it-yourselfers for inspiration, "A Bounty of Bead + Wire Earrings" is an excellent pick, not to be overlooked.

Irina's Inspirations for Jewelry
Irina Miech
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871164025, $21.95, www.kalmbachbooks.com

Something created from one's own design is truly one's own. "Irina's Inspiration for Jewelry: From the Exotic to the Everyday" is a guide for do it yourself jewelry enthusiasts as Irina Miech presents many ideas for readers to adopt and adapt for their own creations. Presented in full color and complete with materials lists to get readers started, as well as tips on how to creatively make variations and more, "Irina's Inspiration for Jewelry" is an excellent and much recommended pick for anyone with a do it yourself drive for their own fashions.


The Photography Shelf

The Art of Photographic Lighting
Eib Eibelshaeuser
Rocky Nook
26 West Mission Street, Suite 3
Santa Barbara, CA 93102
9781933952758, $44.95, www.rockynook.com

The Art of Photographic Lighting teaches how light and shadow can be used to compose photos, and offers a series of exercises and keys to a variety of lighting tools. From using light in classic paintings to directional lighting, this provides discussion of all kinds of light properties and shows how light and shadow affects photos. Black and white, duotone and color photos illustrate the results of different lighting choices, offering contrasts and different images.

Studio Lighting Unplugged
Rod and Robin Deutschmann
Amherst Media
Box 586, Buffalo NY 14226
9781608952694, $34.95, www.amherstmedia.com

Studio Lighting Unplugged: Small Flash Techniques for Digital Photographers offers a fine survey of small flash units and their selection and applications, and is a pick for any who would better understand studio lighting and its creative manipulation. Chapters tell how to create a studio anywhere in the house and how to apply lighting techniques to different photography
endeavors. From special effects to testing new skills presented herein, this is a pick for any aspiring photographer!

A Turbulent Lens
Virna Haffer
Tacoma Art Museum
1701 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98402
University of Washington Press
PO Box 50096, Seattle, WA 98145-5096
9780924335327, $19.95, www.washington.edu

Photography was once viewed as not art, but that was before artists got a hold of it. "A Turbulent Lens: The Photographic Art of Virna Haffer" discusses the artistic work of Haffer, who throughout the middle of the twentieth century gained some renown to bringing an artistic touch to her photography, presenting a new angle on many topics, and catching sides to humanity rarely seen. Packed cover to cover with her classical black and white work, "A Turbulent Lens" is a choice and core addition to community library photography collections.

Final Thoughts
John Thomas Grant
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road
Atglen, PA 19310
9780764339103, $34.99, www.schifferbooks.com

Death plagues us with its uncertainty. "Final Thoughts: Eternal Beauty in Stone" is collection of photography and proverb as John Thomas Grant uses artistic photography to capture various pieces of art and dedication all throughout. In full color, he presents photography that captures a certain bit of soul, with a touch of wisdom to go along with it. "Final Thoughts" is a choice and excellent pick for anyone who is seeking a coffee table book that brings a serenity and thought to the issue of death, highly recommended.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Israel and the Dead Seas Scrolls
Edmund Wilson
Transaction Publishers
Rutgers University
35 Berrue Circle
Piscataway, NJ 08854-8042
9781412842488, $34.95, www.transactionpub.com

Ancient knowledge is quite precious to historians. "Israel and the Dead Seas Scrolls" is an analysis of these documents found in a ten year period after World War II which offered new and fresh light on Christianity and Judaism. Edmund Wilson provides a level minded investigation of the scrolls and their contents and gives readers a clear understanding of their importance and their impact to all scholars, religious and secular alike. "Israel and the Dead Sea Scrolls" is a strong addition to community and college library religious studies collections.

Teachings: In-depth Reflections on the Parshah
Rabbi Asher Brander
Mosaica Press
info@mosaicapress.com
c/o Stuart Schnee PR
stu@stuartschnee.com
Nachal Micha 11/10, Beit Shemesh, Israel
9780981497495 $24.95 www.mosaicapress.com

Rabbi Asher Brander, who has taught in Yeshiva High Schools for more than twenty years, presents Teachings: In-depth Reflections on the Parshah, an English-language core curriculum of the classic Jewish study hall (the Beit Midrash). Though scholarly and serious-minded, Teachings is deliberately presented in terms accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Rabbi Asher Brander prompts the reader to think about difficult questions and conundrums through his lessons, in a solid resource designed to prompt practical as well as theological debates and discussions. Highly recommended, especially for college library Judaic Studies shelves, but also for readers of all backgrounds seeking to better understand and interpret the Torah.

Recalling the Covenant
Moshe Shamah
KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306-6316
9781602801844, $59.50, www.ktav.com

The Judaic faith is one that should always be questioned by its followers for much of their lives. "Recalling the Covenant: A Contemporary Commentary on the Five Books of the Torah" is a collection of commentaries discusses debates within the holy texts. Cautious of the rise of modern religious fundamentalism, the writers within stay true to Jewish tradition while also remaining true to modern scholarship. The religious scholars within present an intriguing breakdown of modern Jewish philosophy and what it means to many readers of the text. "Recalling the Covenant" is a strongly recommended read for any community or college Judaic and Religious studies collections.

Journey to Heaven
Leila Leah Bronner
Urim Publications
c/o Lambda Publishers
527 Empire Blvd.
Brooklyn, NY 11225
9789655240474, $25.95, www.urimpublications.com

Both Islam and Christianity speak in depth about the after-life, but Judaism is strangely silent. "Journey to Heaven: Exploring Jewish Views of the Afterlife" is a meeting of many Jewish theologians as they talk about the destination of the soul and fate of the being after death, which traditional Jewish texts do not speak upon. Combing through the writings of many Jewish writers throughout the ages, "Journey to Heaven" is a fascinating view for any religious thinker or religious scholar of any faith, enthusiastically recommended.

The Torah Revolution
Reuven Hammer
Jewish Lights Publishing
PO Box 237
Woodstock, VT 05091
9781580234573, $24.99, www.jewishlights.com

The Torah has more than faith for those who understand it. "The Torah Revolution: Fourteen Truths That Changed the World" is a discussion of the Torah from Rabbi Dr. Reuven Hammer, who discusses the many principles that are within the Torah, what the Torah states about humanity and the evils of the world that must be fought against. With additional thoughts on environmentalism, good will, and much more, "The Torah Revolution" is worth reading for any with an interest in philosophy, even if you are not a practitioner of the Jewish faith.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

Dynamite Resume
Susan Tropez
Dorrance Publishing
701 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
9781434911025, $10.00, www.dorrancebookstore.com

Your resume is often your first impression to a potential employer. "Dynamite Resume: Your Calling Card to Success" discusses how to create a more excellent resume that will lead to the next step of the hiring process. From correct formatting, what to outline and emphasize and much more, Susan Tropez presents much to consider when writing one's resume. "Dynamite Resume" is much recommended.


The Relationship Shelf

When Love Stumbles
Randi Gunther
New Harbinger Press
5674 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
9781572249936, $17.95, www.newharbinger.com

No love stays perfect forever. "When Love Stumbles: How to Rediscover Love, Trust, & Fulfillment in Your Relationship" is a guide to those who have lost sight of the joy and prosperity that brought them to their relationship in the first place. Going over the eight common factors that go with losing the passion, Randi Gunther advises couples to find that common ground and work together to make both of their lives better. "When Love Stumbles" is a powerful and much recommended read for community library relationship collections.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders
Rebecca Yaker & Patricia Hoskins
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way
North Adams, MA 01247
9781603425865, $29.95, www.storey.com

A needlecrafter's delight and compiled by the team of needlecraft experts Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins, "Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders" is a fully illustrated, 416-page compendium of 101 diverse sewing projects with the single universal of using only one yard of fabric. Superbly presented and thoroughly 'user friendly' instructions lay out every single design. Spiral bound to lay out flat, "Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders" also has a 'Pattern Pieces' section. The fabrics employed range from cottons, knits, voiles, corduroy, and fleece, to flannel, home dec, oilcloth, and wool. Of special note is the introductory chapter focused on 'Fabric Fundamentals' and laying out basic instructions for sewing. Each chapter is devoted to a specific fabric and begins with a 'Fabric Facts' section specific to that particular fabric. "Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders" will make a prized and highly recommended addition to any personal needlecrafter's instructional reference collection.

Fresh from the Garden
Dodi Lee Poulsen
Landauer Corporation
3100 NW 101st Street, Suite A
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
9781935726111, $24.95, www.landauercorp.com

The garden represents life and vibrancy, something many wish to inspire in design. "Fresh from the Garden" is a needleworker's guide to creating many garden-inspired patterns and transforming them to many projects, such as bags, quilts, aprons, tablecloths, and much more. With eighty full color pages of information and inspiration, "Fresh from the Garden" is an inspirational and much recommended pick for those quilters looking for new ideas.

Socktopus
Alice Yu
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street
Newtown, CT 06470
9781600854101, $19.95, www.taunton.com

Your feet are just another avenue of expression. "Socktopus: 17 Pairs of Socks to Knit and Show Off" is a guide for devoted needle-workers who want to create comfortable and fashionable socks for themselves or their friends and loved ones. With full color photographs and step by step instructions, Alice Yu presents a comprehensive guide to creating these designs or using them as inspiration for one's own. "Socktopus" is a must for anyone who wants to turn their knitting hobby to footwear.

Knitting with Peruvian Yarns
Jane Ellison
Trafalgar Square Publishing
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05033
9781570764769, $24.95, www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com

Knitting with Peruvian Yarns: 25 Soft Sweaters and Accessories in Alpaca, Llama, merino and Silk provides knitting directions for everything from sweaters and jackets to tunics and mittens, and is a pick for any knitter who would learn to work with Peruvian yarns. Patterns look complicated but are actually achievable by any who know how to knit. Over twenty original hand-knit projects aren't to be seen elsewhere.

American Quilter's Society
Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
www.americanquilter.com

Kimberly Einmo's JELLY ROLL QUILT MAGIC (9781604600001, $26.95) offers some twelve projects using precuts or fabrics from a stash and offer streamlined cutting instructions, shopping lists, and plans for quickly using these precuts to maximum advantage. The focus is on creating different patterns and projects from these fabrics and projects: tips for success and a shipping schedule offer ideas on projects suitable for classes and individual use alike. Color photos of finished projects completes the presentation. Margie Engel's SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED: MIXED TECHNIQUE QUILTS (9781604600087, $26.95) teaches the basics of mixing and assembling eight quilts using a pre-printed panel, blending applique with piecing, and offer large-scale fabrics and photos to make wall hangings, quilts, and more. Patterns, bright color photos and clear step-by-step directions make this a fine winner for any needleworker seeking to blend different quilting styles.

Lark Books
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016
www.larkcrafts.com

Linda P. Schapper's THE COMPLETE BOOK OF CROCHET STITCH DESIGNS (9781454701378, $17.95) presents a 'bible' of crochet stitches with 500 patterns covering all the basics of making lace, faux knitting, and more. Diagrams and close-up color photos teach these designs, which embrace both classic and original patterns, and include a handy pictorial index for quick reference to a stitch. The good-sized color photos of each stitch allows for quick comprehension of its applications and construction, making this a pick for any needlework collection appealing to crocheters at all levels. Cheryl Owen's THE BOOK OF BAGS (9781454703266, $18.95) teaches the basics of producing 30 bags, from clutches to daily purses and beach bags, and provides step-by-step easy projects. This includes close-ups of sewing machine stitching, folding and ironing edges, and embellishments. Any who would sew a bag for any purpose will find this packed with colorful examples and satisfyingly easy projects lending to even beginner success.


The Sports Shelf

The Victor's Crown
David Potter
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016-4314
9780199842759, $24.95, www.oup.com/us

Competition is natural to mankind, and has been a focus of the masses for centuries. "The Victor's Crown: A History of Ancient Sport from Homer to Byzantium" is an analysis of the long history of sport, with a focus on the classical world. From the invention of the Olympics to the Gladiatorial battles, he provides connections to the modern day of boxing and wrestling, who call their roots back to these events. A study that delves deeper into the human desire to compete, "The Victor's Crown" is an excellent addition to any world history collection that has a focus on sport or the classical world.

Tennis Skills & Drills
Joey Rive & Scott C. Williams
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076
Champaign, IL 61820-5076
9780736083089, $24.95, www.HumanKinetics.com

Tennis is a fast paced and exhilarating game. "Tennis Skills & Drills" is a guide for those who want to improve their tennis game for greater success, discussing the fundamentals of the game and working on them and applying them to more creative strategies. With strategies for singles plays, doubles play, and over one hundred practice drills to increase one's own versatility, "Tennis Skills & Drills" is a choice pick for any aspiring tennis player, highly recommended.

The Ecstasy of Defeat
The Onion
Hyperion Books
77 West 66th Street, New York, NY 10023-6298
9781401310721, $21.99, www.hyperionbooks.com

The Ecstasy of Defeat: Sports Reporting at its Finest by the Editors of The Onion provides a wide-ranging overview of the sports world and offers tongue-in-cheek reporting of events which are hilarious accounts perfect for sports fans and sports and humor collections alike. From an article on 'Pilgrims Depart for America to escape Horrible Oppression of Soccer' to 'Motocrosser Quits After Learning Physics' and 'NBC Analyst Mike Holmgren Crawls Under Desk After Seeing Own Shadow', these document moments of fictional fun and outrageous imitations of life.

Rider Fitness: Body & Brain
Eckart Meyners
Trafalgar Square Press
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road
North Pomfret, VT 05033
9781570764820, $29.95, www.trafalgarsquarepress.com

Rider Fitness: Body & Brain: 180 Anytime, Anywhere Exercises provides a fine series of exercises to enhance range of motion, motor control, balance and more, and is a 'must' for any horse rider who wants a series of exercises specifically geared to horses. Riders receive workout routines and warm-ups that can be done both on the ground and on horseback, and will welcome the color photos and clear step-by-step line drawings that leave nothing to imagination.

War Room
Michael Holley
IT Books
10 East 53rd St., New York NY 10022-5299
9780062082398, $25.99, www.youritlist.com

WAR ROOM: THE LEGACY OF BILL BELICHICK AND THE ART OF BUILDING THE PERFECT TEAM is for any collection strong in NFL football history and culture, and probes behind the scenes of three NFL teams and into the minds of Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots, among others. Belichick has guided the Patriots to three Super Bowl wins and eight division titles: WAR ROOM documents the process of building the perfect team, going behind the scenes of three NFL teams to trace the career paths of three top coaches and their special winning strategies.

Flying Through the Clouds
Jim Russi
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen, PA 19310
9780764338618, $45.00, www.schifferbooks.com

Flying Through the Clouds captures, in full-page, full color, the surf photography of author Jim Russi, who has been photographing surfers for decades. Nearly two hundred images from around the world accompany text of stories of different surfing encounters. This powerful presentation captures action shots and provides insights on the sport of surfing as well, making it a pick for photography, arts and sports collections alike.

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

Richard Ray and Jeff Konin's 4th updated edition of MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN ATHLETIC TRAINING (9780736077385, $74.00) provides a winning survey to help current and future athletic trainers handle common management issues. Case studies teach students theories of administration and how it affects professional training purposes, with this fourth revised edition providing extensive updates and new information emphasizing evidence-based medicine and advances in patient charting, cultural awareness, marketing sports medicine and more. Any collection strong in advanced sports medicine concerns must have this in-depth reference! Luis Columna and Lauren Lieberman's PROMOTING LANGUAGE THROUGH PHYSICAL EDUCATION: USING SIGN LANGUAGE AND SPANISH TO ENGAGE EVERYONE (9780736094511, $29.00) comes with a DVD-ROM with sign language and a Spanish video library, plus 27 reproducibles and offers tools to help teachers promote language development using games and activities for students from elementary grades through high school. These can be blended into regular physical education curricula and are key instructions for any physical education teacher's reference library. Jared W. Coburn and Moh H. Malek, Editors' NSCA'S ESSENTIALS OF PERSONAL TRAINING, 2ND EDITION (0736084150, $89.00) is a fine resource for personal training guidance and focuses on designing safe, goal-specific training programs for speed, strength, and more. Over 200 color photos accompany step-by-step technique instructions, offering readers keys to designing a specific exercise program for all ages and abilities. Over 120 chapter questions can help prepare for the NSCA exam for trainers.


The Railroading Shelf

Electro-Motive
Brian Solomon
Voyageur
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55401
9780760340073, $45.00, www.voyageurpress.com

With new technology comes a new generation of creations. "Electro-Motive: E-Units and F-Units: The Illustrated History of North America's Favorite Locomotives" focuses on this specific generation of trains, known for their introduction in the 1930s and major advancement of diesel technology. Packed cover to cover with both black and white and color photography all throughout, showing these trains int heir heyday and their stoic stand against time, all across the country. "Electro-Motive" is a fine pick for any train lover's coffee table and for community library railroading collections.


The Human Sexuality Shelf

Intimate Relationships and Sexual Health
Catherine Davis & Melissa Dubie
AAPC Publishing
PO Box 23173
Shawnee Mission, KS 66283-0173
9781934575888, $27.95, www.aapcpublishing.net

Intimacy and good health are closely bound together. "Intimate Relationships & Sexual Health" discusses health concerns when teaching teenagers coming into their sexual feelings as well as autistic adults with high enough functioning to pursue sexuality. A comprehensive text, many subjects such as how to best start the curriculum in this topic that is often hard to approach, anatomy, reproductive health concerns, working with your partner, STI concerns, and much more. With a CD with even more resources to use, "Intimate Relationships & Sexual Health" is a must for anyone tasked for this tough yet vitally important topic to teach.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Zero Day
David Baldacci
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9780446573016, $27.99, www.hachettebookgroup.com

Zero Day introduces a new thriller centered around one combat veteran John Puller, an Army investigator who is investigating a brutal murder in Virginia when he meets a complicated small town co-investigator. What seems a small-town affair spirals into a possible conspiracy with implications for the world in a tense, riveting thriller powered by strong protagonists and a cat-and-mouse plot that just won't quit. Any collection seeing interest in Baldacci's signature thrillers will relish this!

Behind the Seams
Betty Hechtman
Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780425241424, $24.95, www.penguin.com

BEHIND THE SEAMS: A CROCHET MYSTERY is a special pick for needlework and mystery holdings alike, and offers a fun blend of crochet and mystery. Molly and her crochet group find a coveted spotlight moment turns into murder when coffee is served with poisoned sweetener. The crochet club must add sleuthing to their repertoire of skills but as they probe deeper into the murder, it becomes obvious the killer is set to strike again. Fine tension makes this a winner!

Mercury's Rise
Ann Parker
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Avenue #103, Scottsdale AZ 8251
9781590589618, $24.95, www.poisonedpenpress.com

MERCURY'S RISE provides a fine Silver Rush mystery set in the mining town of Leadville, Colorado in the 1800s. Here Inez travels to a summer retreat via stage coach with her friend - only to find their journey in peril when their coach mate dies. Is it a weak heart, or is it murder? It's up to Inez to investigate, uncovering spa tourism dangers and killing claims in the process. Fast action and a historical setting make for a vivid thriller suitable for any mystery reader.

Fever Dream
Dennis Palumbo
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave., #103
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
9781590589595, $14.95, www.poisonedpenpress.com

When a bank is robbed, the biggest concern may not be about the money lost. "Fever Dream" is a mystery following police psychologist Daniel Rinaldi as he becomes entwined in treating a sole survivor of a back robbery gone wrong. But as he digs deeper, he becomes more involved in the case and finds that the case may be linked in corruption that is deep within the state. "Fever Dream" is a riveting mystery that blends psychology and intrigue all throughout.

Picture of Lies
C. C. Harison
Gale Cengage Learning
27500 Drake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48331
9781432825065, $25.95, www.gale.cengage.com

One failure can lead one to obsessively assure it'll never happen again. "Pictures of Lies" is a novel following Investigative journalist Keegan Thomas who is coping with losing her own to a kidnapping. Driven to try to find other lost children who are lost to unsolved mysteries, it becomes her obsession and she finds herself on a working vacation among the Navajo people. She learns that her latest case goes deep and past generations, and that corruption can go very high. "Pictures of Lies" is a choice and thoughtful read for general fiction collections.

Paradise Walk
Mary Malloy
Leapfrog Press
PO Box 2110
Teaticket, MA 02536
9781935248217, $15.95, www.leapfrogpress.com

How true were Chaucer's stories, how close were they to real events? "Paradise Walk" is a historical mystery surrounding the writings of Chaucer and particularly the Wife of Bath. From the conspiracies of Henry the VIII, the legends of King Arthur, Mary Malloy blends many icons of English literature and mythology together for an intriguing story that plays with many creative ideas. "Paradise Walk" is an excellent read, very much recommended for community library collections.

Murder in Argeles
D-L Nelson
Five Star
c/o Gale Cengage Learning
316 East Eisenhower, Suite 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
9781432825515 $25.95 gale.cengage.com

Murder in Argeles is an enthralling mystery set in Southern France. When linguistically fluent history buff and technical writer Annie Young comes to visit a widely beloved priest friend Pere Yves, she finds him murdered - and then his corpse disappears during her call to summon the police! Further complicating matters is that Young's ex-boyfriend is Police Chief Roger Perrin, a man with whom she shared a loving relationship before his frequent assignments in distant lands led to their breakup. Although she gets along well with his daughter Gaelle, she resists being drawn back into his life - but such problems seem less and less important as another murder surfaces, and a stalker threatens Annie's life. A riveting novel of suspense, romance, and intrigue, Murder in Argeles is a treasure for mystery buffs and highly recommended.

The Complex
Donald W. Tucker
Dog Ear Publishing
4010 W. 86th Street, Ste H
Indianapolis, IN 46268
9781457504709, $15.99, www.dogearpublishing.net

The Secret Service is most known for protecting the president, but their duties go beyond that. "The Complex" is a thriller following Secret Service agent Wesley Charles as he takes it upon himself to work with the DEA and local authorities as a great conspiracy begins to ring out through the region. But he has to work through a corrupt bureaucracy and deal with an enemy who has no problem killing them without them even knowing who it is. "The Complex" is a riveting read for those who love spy and detective thrillers alike, highly recommended.

Car Tag
H. Lee Barnes
Virginia Avenue Press
PO Box 1582
Reno, NV 89505
9780984423248, $16.00, www.thenevadareview.com

One mistake may shatter a family. "Car Tag" is a dramatic novel following the fallout from the killing of a police officer by a young man. Over the next nine years, Drew Debecki crusades to try to save his brother from death row, going to various extent to do so. In his journey, he must remind himself of the memory of his brother in order to rescue him from his certain doom. "Car Tag" is a thoughtful novel of family and mystery, recommended.

Thorns on Roses
Randy Rawls
L&L Dream-Spell
c/o Maryglenn McCombs
2817 West End Avenue, Suite 126-274, Nashville, TN 37203 (publicity)
9781603183758, $14.95, www.lldreamspell.com

Vigilantism is a crime, but one that is often hard to condemn. "Thorns on Roses" is the tale of vengeance from Randy Rawls, as he tells the story private investigation Tom Jeffries who after an atrocity by the titular gang, he drives himself to end all of them. But the law begins to catch onto his methods...leaving his options for vengeance growing more and more limited. "Thorns on Roses" is a riveting crime thriller of personal justice in the face of the law as written.


The Literary Studies Shelf

Disciplining Girls
Joe Sutliff Sanders
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421403182, $60.00, www.press.jhu.edu

Annie, Pollyanna, the orphan girl has quite the place in American literary culture. "Disciplining Girls: Understanding the Origins of the Classic Orphan Girl Story" discusses the roots of these stories, as Joe Sutliff Sanders presents a fascinating discussion of how children should be raised and the gender roles of young girls, and what society expected of them throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A dual study of American literature and history, "Disciplining Girls" is an excellent pick for community and college library collections.

Women's Power in Late Medieval Romance
Amy N. Vines
D.S. Brewer
c/o Boydell & Brewer Inc
668 Mount Hope Avenue
Rochester, NY 14620-2731
9781843842750 $95.00 www.boydellandbrewer.com

Part of the "Studies in Medieval Romance" series, Women's Power in Late Medieval Romance is a scholarly examination of the cultural and social power of women in the Middle Ages through their portrayals in literature of the era. Author Amy N. Vines (Assistant Professor in the Dept. of English, University of North Carolina at Greensboro) studies the influence wielded by female characters in intellectual, chivalric, and socio-political network contexts, keeping in mind that women of the day learned from and emulated their portrayals in fiction, among other educational sources. Of especial interest are the literary portrayals of intelligent or wealthy women, and how they applied these assets in a medieval system throughly grounded in the concept of patronage. Specific medieval romances examined in-depth include "Troilus and Criseyde", "Amoryus and Cleopes", "Partonope of Blois", and "Sir Launfal". Meticulous, nuanced, and thoughtful, Women's Power in Late Medieval Romance is especially recommended for college library literary and women's studies shelves.

Indian Angles
Mary Ellis Gibson
Ohio University Press
The Ridges, Building 19
Athens, OH 45701
9780821419410, $39.95, www.ohioswallow.com

Poetry has more use than being flowery language. "Indian Angles: English Verse in Colonial India from Jones to Tagore" analyzes literature from English-occupied India to provide insight on the literary community of the era, as Mary Ellis Gibson argues that poetry was the dominant form of writing in English India until 1860. Discussing this poetry and their work, she provides an intriguing history of divergent writing styles, as Indian English writers were astray from their European based cousins. "Indian Angles" is a strong pick for any literary studies and history collection, highly recommended.

Jose Carlos Mariategui: An Anthology
Jose Carlos Mariategui
Monthly Review Press
146 West 29th Street, Suite 6W
New York, NY 10001
9781583672457, $29.95, www.monthlyreview.org

An idea begets more ideas. "Jose Carlos Mariategui: An Anthology" is a collection of writings from Jose Carlos Mariategui, who earned prominence for his prolific writings on Marxism throughout the first half of the twentieth century, writing from Mexico and advocating his ideas for the future of his country. Expertly translated from the original Spanish by Harry E. Vanden & Marc Becker, Mariategui's writings are of interest to anyone seeking Marxist philosophy from around the world. "Jose Carlos Mariategui: An Anthology" is a choice pick for community and library political studies collections.

Sylvia Plath and the Mythology of Women Readers
Janet Badia
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429
Amherst, MA 01004
9781558498969 $24.95 www.umass.edu/umpress

Sylvia Plath and the Mythology of Women Readers examines how media and popular culture portray female readers of Sylvia Plath's poetry and works. Movies, television series, novels, poems, and even media reports have consistently made unflattering portrayals of Plath's readers as misguided young women who obsess over Plath almost obliviously. Author Janet Badia (associate professor and director of women's studies, Indiana University - Purdue University at Fort Wayne) examines how the collective media perception of Plath's readers has been shaped, from the public reception of Plath's writing to the Hughes family's management of Plath's literary estate, to editorials and fan tributes about Plath and more. Of especial interest is how the undercurrent of the mythology and unsupported generalizations about Plath's readers ties into the misogynistic backlash against feminism. Sylvia Plath and the Mythology of Women Readers is an excellent addition to college library literary studies shelves.

How Do I Begin?
Hmong American Writers' Circle
Heyday Books
PO Box 9145
Berkeley, CA 94709
9781597141505, $16.95, www.heydaybooks.com

Although not well known to most, the Hmong people, who natively hail from Asia, have mad their voice heard in the American literary scene. "How Do I Begin?: A Hmong American Literary Anthology" compiles works from Hmong American writers who present their experiences of coming to America, a people who have not often been heard and is sought to bring their story to the world. A fine assortment of writings to grant an excellent introspective into a people who have their own plight in their homeland and in travels through the world, "How Do I Begin?" is a must for any world fiction collection that seeks to gain a more expansive voice from immigrants.


The Gaming Shelf

Understanding Chess Middlegames
John Nunn
Publicity Department
Gambit Books
info@gambitbooks.com
9781906454272 $24.95 www.gambitbooks.com

Three-time World Chess Solving Champion John Nunn presents Understanding Chess Middlegames, an excellent midgame strategy guide for intermediate to expert chess players. The middlegame is where the outcome of the chess match is usually decided; chapters examine the nuances of positional play, how to determine the circumstances in which certain pieces are more valuable than others, methods that can be used to corner the enemy king, and much more. Each lesson is illustrated with two point-by-point game examples, in this detailed and technical resource ideal for dramatically improving one's gameplay. Highly recommended.

Information Dynamics in Virtual Worlds
Woody Evans
Chandos Publishing
c/o Neal-Schuman Publishers (distribution)
100 William Street, Suite 2004
New York, NY 10038-4512
9781843346418 $80.00 www.neal-schuman.com

Written especially for designers and programmers of computer or video games, Information Dynamics in Virtual Worlds: Gaming and Beyond examines how to process amalgamates of information about virtual realms, particularly game worlds such as "Second Life", "EVE Online", or "Runescape". Chapters address the complexities of mapping virtual worlds, how information services can be practiced in virtual worlds, the experience of spending time in virtual worlds, and much more. "...there will always be games and distractions, however social, geolocative, or integrated into other aspects of your life they become... But in their ability to connect us to others in the fields of our own imaginations, games and virtual worlds empower us beyond anything a ticket to ride on Virgin Galactic can offer. When the virtual and the Real become consciously integrated and purposefully (maybe self-effacingly) self-aware, our clients and patrons will have something perhaps more precious than good search technique or searing knowledge of advanced query syntax. They'll have the power to create worlds within worlds, and to create new worlds out of old ones." A studious compilation of information professional tips, tricks, and techniques as well as a repository of insight for anyone seeking to possibly turn a profit off gathering and making accessible the raw data from online virtual worlds, Information Dynamics in Virtual Worlds lives up to its title and is an excellent complementary resource for game design, virtual world programming, and information studies shelves.

The United States Chess Championship 1845-2011
Andy Soltis
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9780786465286, $45.00, www.amazon.com

Now in a newly updated and expanded third edition, "The United States Chess Championship 1845-2011" offers a detailed chronological record of championship matches beginning with the first matches played out in 1845 to matches concluded in 2011. Reflecting a history of singular games, "The United States Chess Championship 1845-2011" is enhanced with the inclusion of a U.S. Championship Summary; Individual Records; Opening Index; ECO Openings Index; and a General Index, making this 286-page compendium deftly compiled and edited by Andy Soltis a highly recommended and core addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Chess Book reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

A First Book of Bridge Problems
Patrick O'Connor
Master Point Press
331 Douglas Ave.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5M 1H2
9781897106839, $15.95, www.masterpointpress.com

The strategy to bridge isn't always apparent, but the good player can always know the value of the next move. "A First Book of Bridge Problems" is a collection of challenges and problems for the driven bridge player who wants to greatly improve their strategies for their next real game. Explaining the problems and the courses of actions that spring from it, "A First Book of Bridge Problems" is a must for anyone who wants to start taking their game to the professional level.

The Gambit Book of Instructive Chess Puzzles
Graham Burgess
Gambit Books
info@gambitbooks.com
9781906454289, $16.95, www.gambitbooks.com

Chess is a competitive puzzle, trying to solve your opponent before he solves you. "The Gambit Book of Instructive Chess Puzzles" is a guide to improving one's chess game by gaining a greater mastery over the game of chess by being faced with many scenarios and encouraged to find solutions and work through it all. With provided solutions that explain how they work and how to apply them to a standard game, "The Gambit Book of Instructive Chess Puzzles" is an excellent assortment for any player who wants an edge on their next game.

Halo: The Art of Building Worlds
Titan Books
144 Southwark Street, London SE1 OUP, UK
9780857685629, $29.95, www.titanbooks.com

Halo: The Art of Building Worlds offers a fine visual celebration of the Halo alien world's art, and is a pick for both science fiction and gaming collections. It reviews some ten years of game art and traces the evolution of the Halo world and its characters. Familiarity with Halo is required, but any avid Halo gamer will consider this a 'must', packed with fine descriptions of characters to accompany the oversized, color photo presentation.


The Architecture Shelf

Architecture and Violence
Bechir Kenzari, Editor
Actar D
c/o ActarBirkhauser Distribution
151 Grand Street, 5th floor, New York, NY 10013
97884392861736, $29.95, www.actarbirkhauser.com

Architecture and Violence provides a fine survey of modern architectural theory and relationships between such architecture and violent events. It considers propaganda exhibitions, suburban residential complexes, concentration camps and more, offering a history of both physical structures and their connections to violence. Fine discussions of the social, political and artistic impact of architectural choices and design concepts make this a highly recommended, powerful recommendation for any college-level architectural collection.

Open Design Now
Bas Van Abel, et.al.
BIS Publishers
bis@bispublishers.nl
9789063692599, $39.00, www.bispublishers.nl

OPEN DESIGN NOW: WHY DESIGN CANNOT REMAIN EXCLUSIVE is the first in-depth treatment on open design and provides the tools to understand how open design offers new opportunities for professional designers. Articles on all aspects of open design are supported by case studies in a title covering everything from design literacy to participatory design and collaborative design effort.

Old Buildings, New Designs
Charles Bloszies
Princeton Architectural Press
37 East 7th Street, New York, NY 10003
9781616890353, $24.95, www.papress.com

Old Buildings, New Designs: Architectural Transformations features nineteen innovative case studies of built work by an international list of architects and reveals the issues of working with architecture involved in aging construction. From new aesthetics and blending new and old looks to environmental interventions to preserve buildings, this offers an intriguing survey of specific structures and their challenges and is a 'must' for any architecture collection.

Embedded Commissioning of Building Systems
Omer Akin
Artech House
685 Canton Street
Norwood, MA 02062
9781608071470 $129.00 www.artechhouse.com

Omer Akin (professor of the School of Architecture, Carnegie Mellon University) presents Embedded Commissioning of Building Systems an extensive, technical resource written especially for professionals. Chapters focus on the conundrum of devising architecture that serves the modern world's needs - needs driven by ever-expanding energy costs and the necessity of being environmentally friendly. Discussing a wealth of the latest developments including embedded commissioning as a means to evaluating one's construction plans, using the latest scanners for cost-effective modeling, communication protocols and data accessibility, just-in-time technology, and much more, Embedded Commissioning of Building Systems is an absolute must for any architectural design professional seeking to stay current with the latest digital, informational, and practical trends in the field.

Fuksas: Building
Ramon Pratt, editor
Actar D
c/o ActarBirkhauser Distribution
151 Grand Street, 5th floor, NY, NY 10013
9788492861781, $59.95, www.actar-d.com

An architect of international renown, Massimilaiano Fuksas brings to his projects a descriptively unique artistry that has propelled him into being acknowledged as one of the leading architects of our day. Compiled by Ramon Pratt, "Fuksas: Building" is an impressive 520-page compendium showcasing a full color photographic record of Fuksas' architectural works and their composite elements ranging from housing projects, to commercial buildings, to church structures, to international airports, and so much more. Enhanced with informed and informative interviews, "Fuksas: Building" is a substantial monograph of the architects' impressive and diverse contributions, making it an enthusiastically recommended, core addition to professional and academic library 20th Century Architectural Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Newfoundland Modern
Robert Mellin
McGill-Queen's University Press
3430 McTavish Street
Montreal, QC, Canada, H3A 1X9
9780773539020, $59.95, www.mqup.ca

The style of Newfoundland has changed in recent years. "Newfoundland Modern" is an analysis of the evolution of the province's architecture, and its changes over the past fifty years. As modern as the rest of the western world while maintaining the rustic feel that Newfoundland has become known for. Discussing the design principles furthered by Frederick A. Colbourne and Angus J. Campbell, it shows how their ideas have shaped residences and public buildings throughout the region. "Newfoundland Modern" is packed cover to cover with full color photographs and diagrams, making for a strongly recommended pick for any interested in architecture in addition to community and college library architectural studies collections.


The Computer Shelf

Official Cert Guide: CCNA Voice 640-461
Jeremy Cioara, CCIE, and Michael Valentine
Cisco Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
1587204177, $49.99, www.ciscopress.com

Official Cert Guide: CCNA Voice 640-461 provides a Cisco exam study guide for the CCNA Voice ICOMM exam. It comes from trainers and senior consultants who review concepts, material, and the basics of the test. Organized test preparation chapters cover all techniques, with quizzes opening each chapter and testing knowledge. CCNA VOICE deserves ongoing recognition as the item of choice for any exam taker.

Java Performance
Charlie Hunt & Binu John
Addison Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0137142528, $59.99, www.informit.com/aw

Java Performance joins others in 'The Java Series' and teaches the latest Oracle and third-party tools for measuring performance in various hardware and operating system scenarios. It provides tried-and-tested tips and tricks, teaches how to construct experiments identifying maximum optimization and results, and covers all the basic of Java interactions with standard and multitiered applications and Web tasks. Any who want to use the Java Hotspot VM and Java applications to better efficiency will find this a 'must' addition to any serious Java programming collection.

Using Microsoft OneNote 2010
Michael C. Oldenburg
Que
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0789742926, $24.99, www.quepublishing.com

Using Microsoft OneNote 2010 includes over 3 hours of video access online and teaches the basics of various tasks that can be achieved using OneNote. The step-by-step tutorials come with the free web edition and every USING book, making this book a top pick that reinforces its screen shots and examples with video tutorials and real-world applications. From using tables to organize to restoring notes from a backup, this is an outstanding series of practical lessons for any OneNote learner!

CEH Certified Ethical Hacker Exam Guide
Matt Walker
McGraw-Hill Professional
1221 Avenue of Americas, 45th Floor, New York NY
0071772294, $50.00, www.mhprofessional.com

CEH Certified Ethical Hacker Exam Guide comes from an IT security expert who covers the CEH exam and provides keys to improved test scores through coverage of objectives, practice exam questions, and detailed answers. It's designed to help users pass the exam with ease and considers everything from Trojans and viruses to wireless hacking and penetrating testing. Its information goes beyond exam-takers however: any IT professional interested in computer security will find it of interest, packed with keys to understanding different approaches to security.

Sams Teach Yourself Java in 24 Hours
Rogers Cadenhead
Sams
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0672335751, $34.99, www.informit.com/sams

Sams Teach Yourself Java in 24 Hours appears in its 6th updated edition offering 24 lessons of one hour or less in an easy step-by-step approach to Java applications. Color screenshots and examples accompany these instructions for visual impact, include quizzes and exercises at the end of each chapter to reinforce comprehension, and provide tips and tricks for making the most of Java. Any would-be Java programmer will find this a top choice for self-study and comprehension.

Mac OS X Lion: The Missing Manual
David Pogue
O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Hwy North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
9781449397494, $34.99, www.oreilly.com

Mac OS X Lion: The Missing Manual covers Mac OS X 10.7 and iCloud and is packed with details on Lion, an iPad Mac application. Over 250 new features are packed into discussions of all its features and shortcuts, offering plenty of details moving from the basics to advanced functions. From iCloud and Launchpad to The App Store, this covers all the basics powering OS X Lion and is a top recommendation for any Mac Lion user who wants to get the most out of the system in an easy manner!

MCPD Exam Ref: Exam 70-519
Tony Northrup
Microsoft Press
c/o O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein, Hwy N., Sebastopol, CA 95472-2811
9780735657267, $39.99, www.microsoft.com/mspress

MCPD Exam Ref: Exam 70-519 is designed for experienced, MCTS-certified professionals who are ready to move to the next level of certification, and focuses on the critical-thinking design requirements for making this move to the MCPD level. From designing applications and tailoring user experiences to considering exam objectives and methods of testing, this is a 'must' for any who would take the exam and get the most from it!

A Bug Hunter's Diary
Tobias Klein
No Starch Press
38 Ringold Street, San Francisco, CO 94103-4403
9781593273859, $39.95, www.nostarch.com

A BUG HUNTER'S DIARY: A GUIDED TOUR THROUGH THE WILDS OF SOFTWARE SECURITY follows security expert Tobias Klein as he tracks down and exploits bugs in well-known software from Apple and other manufacturers. Even the Mac OS X kernel is not invulnerable to compromise: this book teaches techniques to identify bugs, shows how bugs are exploited, and shows how to develop code that verifies security flaws. Any computer IT pro involved in security needs this lively discourse packed with real-world examples!

Murach's Java Programming, fourth edition
Joel Murach
Murach
4340 N. Knoll Ave.
Fresno, CA 93722
9781890774653, $57.50, www.murach.com

Java is widely used throughout the internet, and mastering it has grown more important than ever for web development. "Murach's Java Programming, fourth edition" is a complete and updated guide with the quality one has grown to expect from Murach's computer and technology books. Throughout, readers are guided through how to create Java-based applications, understand the full capabilities of the most recent Java release, creating full functional user interfaces, and polishing one's product so it comes out professional, presentable, and more than meeting its purpose. "Murach's Java Programming" is a strong addition to anyone who seeks a programming reference guide or wants to get started with the platform.


The Parenting Shelf

14 Ways to Protect Your Baby from SIDS
Rachel Y. Moon, M.D. and Farn R. Hauck, M.D., M.S.
Parenting Press
PO Box 75267
Seattle, WA 98125
978193690303030 $9.95 www.parentingpress.com

14 Ways to Protect Your Baby from SIDS: Safe Sleep Advice from the Experts is a practical guide to protecting one's child by expert medical doctors Rachel Y. Moon, M.D. and Farn R. Hauck, M.D., M.S. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is a dangerous threat to newborn infants, who are physically weak and less able to wake up or move their bodies if they are breathing in too little oxygen and too much carbon dioxide while sleeping. Tips range from the importance of giving one's baby "tummy time" every day - that is, time when the infant is on their stomach while awake and supervised (both these details are extremely important!) so that they develop their muscles and learn to lift their heads - to never having a baby sleep in adult beds or cribs that don't meet safety standards, to offering the baby a pacifier at sleep time (statistics have shown that this reduces the risk of SIDS). An extremely easy-to-follow guide, 14 Ways to Protect Your Baby from SIDS deserves the absolute highest recommendation for both parents and public libraries, as its straightforward tips, tricks, and techniques will literally save lives.

What a Son Needs From His Dad
Michael A. O'Donnell
Baker Publishing Group
6030 E Fulton
Ada, MI 49301
9780764209697, $9.99, www.bethanyhouse.com

A good example can make the world. "What a Son Needs from His Dad: How a Man Prepares His Sons for Life" discusses fatherhood through the Christian perspective, advising fathers that good values comes from example and talking to your children, encouraging them to instill good ethics through life and how to deal with the world through friendship and romance. "What a Son Needs from His Dad" is a strongly recommended read for any Christian father.


The Philosophy Shelf

Taking Charge On Responsibility and Personal Identity
Manuel Cruz
Continuum International Publishing Group
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 704
New York, NY 10038
9781441147394 $29.95 www.continuumbooks.com

Manuel Cruz (Professor of Contemporary Philosophy, University of Barcelona, Spain) presents Taking Charge On Responsibility and Personal Identity exploring driving forces behind thorny political, national, and personal dilemmas. In the modern world where behaviors once considered hedonistic or even nihilistic are becoming more and more incorporated into society - even commercialized - how are individuals and communities, even whole nations, to properly take responsibility for the greater freedoms of liberalization? To what degree should questionable behaviors be tolerated, or is even the word "tolerance" an excessively patronizing way to refer to the necessity of co-existing with different belief and values systems? What does it mean to express remorse, atonement, or even reparations for collective guilt over national or war crimes? "...I would venture to argue that, rather than to any gesture of one's own, guilt is related to unease over the fact that evil exists... One of the conclusions that can be drawn from all this is that the expression of 'collective responsibility' can only be understood as the way in which subjects take part or join in a design accepted by the group, and make it their own as a collective design insofar as they recognize its scope. The same thing happens with supposed collective guilt. The only thing that might be acceptable... would be common reparation for the damage caused, but not sanction and much less punishment." College libraries and advanced students and scholars of philosophy, especially political philosophy, will find Taking Charge a thoughtful, meticulous, and extensive discourse.

The Nature of Good & Evil
Samuel P. Oliner
Paragon House
1925 Oakcrest Avenue, Suite 7, Saint Paul, MN 55113-2619
9781557788962, $24.95, www.paragonhouse.com

What leads us to wantonly cause suffering of others? "The Nature of Good & Evil: Understanding the Many Acts of Moral and Immoral Behavior" is a discussion of what pulls humanity to do both sides of the coin. From simply following the ideas of society, understanding what causes people to do bad things, the cost of good, and why heroes are always important, "The Nature of Good & Evil" is a thoughtful look at the question that we all ask when people do monstrous things.

Suicide: The Philosophical Dimensions
Michael Cholbi
Broadview Press
2215 Kenmore Road
Buffalo, NY 14207
9781551119052 $24.95 www.broadviewpress.com

Suicide: The Philosophical Dimensions is a scholarly examination of the phenomenon of suicide, as applied through the strict methodology of a philosopher. Chapters explore the moral impermissibility or permissibility of suicide, the question of whether suicide can be a duty, suicide prevention and intervention, the costs, benefits, and ethical issues of assisted suicide, and more. "My worry is that those who think suicide needs no moral justification do not take seriously enough the fact that suicide is a species of killing, and insofar as killing is in general a serious moral wrong, it needs a compelling justification." Highly recommended as an excellent addition to college library philosophy shelves.

Well Begun Is Only Half Done
Vasileios Syros, editor
ACMRS
Arizona State University
Box 874402, Tempe, AZ 85287-4402
9780866984362, $58.00, www.amazon.com

Among Aristotle's contribution to western culture were his political ideas. In "Well Begun Is Only Half Done: Tracing Aristotle's Political Ideas in Medieval Arabic, Syriac, Byzantine, and Jewish Sources", academician and historian Vasileios Syros (Doctor of Philosophy in Medieval and Modern History, University of Heidelberg and Ocent in Political History, University of Helsinki) has compiled an outstanding collection of eight informed and informative essays by leading scholars focusing on Aristotle's political ideas as adopted, adapted, and discussed in medieval and renaissance sources. A work of seminal scholarship, "Well Begun Is Only Half Done" is a seminal, 226-page compendium that is a unique contribution to Aristotelean Studies and a core addition to academic library collections and supplementary philosophy and political science studies reading lists.

The Rolling Stones and Philosophy
Luke Dick & George A. Resich, editors
Open Court Publishing Company
70 East Lake Street, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60601
9780812697582, $19.95, www.opencourtbooks.com

With a massive discography and worldwide acclaim, the Rolling Stones have become icons of rock and roll. "The Rolling Stones and Philosophy: It's Just a Thought Away" discusses the band, the music, and their links to philosophy on a larger scale. As many scholars of both philosophy and music come together to break down the thoughts behind the lyrics, the music, and the reflections between those and the band, it offers a unique way to look at the mainstays of popular music. "The Rolling Stones and Philosophy" is another fine entry into the pop culture and philosophy series, highly recommended.


The Education Shelf

A Focus on Hope
Erik E. Morales and Frances K. Trotman
University Press of America
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200
Lanham, MD 20706
9780761852728 $18.99 www.univpress.com

Erik E. Morales (associate professor of education, New Jersey City University) and Frances K. Trotman (professor of psychology, Monmouth University) present A Focus on Hope: Fifty Resilient Students Speak, which closely examines the academic well-being of fifty different students of color across a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds. Each student came from a family of low socioeconomic status; A Focus on Hope seeks to identify the qualities in the students' environments that best aided their success, including the symbiotic and reinforcing influences of multiple positive factors. An excellent resource for educational professionals seeking to reach out to their most disadvantaged students, A Focus on Hope is sorely needed especially in the tough economic times today when education is more vital than ever to securing a stable and rewarding future. Highly recommended.

Professors Behaving Badly
John M. Braxton, Eve Proper, and Alan E. Bayer
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421402192 $45.00 www.press.jhu.edu

Professors Behaving Badly: Faculty Misconduct in Graduate Education draws upon data gathered from faculty surveys to reveal serious instances of misbehavior, or even corruption among professors - from failing to give proper credit to graduate assistants who research or co-author projects, to refusing to allow their students to give differing viewpoints, to simply being unavailable when their students need them. Guidelines for identifying and avoiding misconduct are presented, all within the context of the graduate school environment - from the socialization process and role models to administering a disciplinary code of ethics. Tools for monitoring and evaluating the behavior of graduate teachers are also provided, in this practical, serious-minded reference and resource that no campus administrator or supervisor should be without. Highly recommended.

Getting It Done
Karin Chenoweth & Christina Theokas
Harvard Education Press
8 Story Street, 1st floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
www.harvardeducationpress.org
9781612501017, $26.95, www.amazon.com

A key element in the success or failure of an inner-city school is the leadership it has access too. The collaborative work of Karin Chenoweth (writer-in-residence at The Education Trust) and Christina Theokas (Director of Research at The Education Trust), "Getting It Done: Leading Academic Success in Unexpected Schools" is a 232-page compendium that focuses specifically on those qualities of leadership that have led to success in high-poverty and high-minority schools with respect to student achievement. Addressing leadership issues ranging from instructional and staff development responsibilities, to creating social climates and cultures conducive to learning, to managing outside relationship, and so much more, "Getting It Done: Leading Academic Success in Unexpected Schools" will prove invaluable reading for principles, superintendents, and anyone else charged with a leadership responsibility or role in a K-12 school setting.

Teaching Critical Thinking
Terry Roberts & Laura Billings
Eye On Education
6 Depot Way West
Larchmont, NY 10538
9781596672086, $29.95, www.eyeoneducation.com

Critical thinking is a criminally underrated skill. "Teaching Critical Thinking: Using Seminars for 21st Century Literacy" is a discussion for educators who want to use a seminar approach for inspiring critical thinking in their students, including how to more effectively plan them and gain a greater understanding of them all as a whole. Focusing on the philosophy of the Paideia seminar for curriculum, "Teaching Critical Thinking" is a strongly recommended pick for any educator who is struggling to find a good way to pass this invaluable skill onto their students.

Art Activities
Crystal Productions
PO Box 1277, Capinteria, CA 93013
9781562906627, $24.95, www.crystalproductions.com

Art is creativity, no matter the medium. "Art Activities: With Paper, Clay, Fibers, and Printmaking: Using Masterworks as Inspiration" discusses the many artistic endeavors that can be done with countless materials, aimed at educators and others who want to spread artistic traits, presenting ideas on how to work with materials for many projects. Presented in full color and advocating reproduction for materials, "Art Activities" is a must for any art educator.

Math Exchanges
Kassia Omohundro Wedekind
Stenhouse Publishers
Box 11020, Portland, ME 04104-7020
9781571108265, $24.00, www.stenhouse.com

Math Exchanges: Guiding Young Mathematicians in Small Group Meetings presents the concept of small group instruction as a regular approach to teaching math, showing how 'math exchanges' can create short, small focused groups for maximum benefit. Math teachers receive keys to creating self-directed small groups and learn how such groups can be of maximum benefit within the overall classroom structure.

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

Dr. Matt McClure, et.al.'s GETTING IT RIGHT: ALIGNING TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES FOR MEASURABLE STUDENT RESULTS (9781412982375, $29.95) is designed to help teachers, leaders and decision makers understand the basics of technology planning, showing how to address state and local standards and how to improve student test scores. From staff development to integrating technology with teaching and learning goals, GETTING IT RIGHT offers a key survey for any serious educator's collection. Richard E. Mayer's How Not to Be a Terrible School Board Member: Lessons for School Administrators and Board Members (9781412997935, $26.95) offers case studies and stories that describe real-world, typical behaviors of school board members and how they work against a positive collaborative result. Chapters reflect the author's observation of common mistakes he's seen in his own years as a board member, providing specific examples and keys to better interactions. A fine survey for any educator's reference library! Lee Ann Jung and Thomas R. Guskey's GRADING EXCEPTIONAL AND STRUGGLING LEARNERS (9781412988339, $25.00) is a pick for any teacher reference collection and offer keys to grading exceptional students fairly. This includes those with disabilities, English learners, and those involved in RTI. Chapters provide a basic framework for assigning accurate grades and teach a five-step standards-based grading model. A 'must' for any educator's library. Lee Crockett, Ian Jukes and Andrew Churches' LITERACY IS NOT ENOUGH: 21ST-CENTURY FLUENCIES FOR THE DIGITAL AGE (9781412987806, $34.95) identifies and explains in detail the skills sets involved in fluency, different types of modern digital fluencies, and how students can develop such fluency. From lesson plans to supplementing traditional curriculum and standards, this offers teachers tools for evaluating these fluencies and correcting deficiencies. Very highly recommended for any educator's collection! Gayle H. Gregory and Amy Burkman's DIFFERENTIATED LITERACY STRATEGIES FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS GRADES K-6 (9781412996488, $36.95) provides a fine survey of grade-specific literacy strategies for teachers, offering a focus on grades K-6. Proven tools for differentiating instruction provide keys to applying functional literacy, content-area literacy, technological literacy and innovative literacy. Over 100 planning models, rubrics, and checklists will delight teachers.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Inception and Philosophy
Thorsten Botz-Bornstein, Editor
Open Court Books
70 East Lake St., Suite 300, Chicago IL 60601
9780812697330, $19.95, www.opencourtbooks.com

Inception and Philosophy: Ideas to Die For adds another to the Popular Culture and Philosophy series and offers a rich analysis of the film Inception. Over twenty modern philosophers probe the movie for its underlying philosophy and assessments, considering its many ideas, impact, and delivery systems. Viewers of Inception with a special interest in philosophical analysis and insights will find this a powerful link between film and philosophical ideals.

Voice and Speech Training in the New Millennium
Nancy Saklad
Applause Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York, NY 10010
9781617740589, $19.99, www.applausebooks.com

Voice and Speech Training in the New Millennium: Conversations with Master Teachers is a fine recommendation for any student actor and collections catering to them. It offers specific tools for breathing, relaxing, and transforming results into effective acting techniques, and comes from interviews with over twenty modern vocal masters who offer their coaching techniques and proven successes. A 'must' for any actor's reference collection.

Writing the TV Drama Series, third edition
Pamela Douglas
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd. #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
9781615930586, $26.95, www.mwp.com

The third updated edition of Writing the TV Drama Series is a 'must' for any collection strong in screenwriting and creative writing, and provides a comprehensive writer's guide to the genre that ads an updated section on Procedural Dramas, new interviews with a network president and writers, adds a new chapter on 'Dramedy', and more. With all these changes keeping it up to date, Writing the TV Drama Series continues a powerful pick!

The Heir Apparent
Jean-Francois Regnard
Smith and Kraus
177 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755
9781575258096, $11.99, www.smithandkraus.com

Money does strange things to people. "The Heir Apparent" is an adaption of the 1708 novel from Jean-Francois Regnard, adapted by David Ives for the modern theatre. A story of trying to get in the graces of a rich uncle for a piece of the family fortune, the play stays timeless and proves a worthy production in the modern day, as Ives adaption proves to be an excellent script for directors who are looking for something new for their troupe to play or for those who simply enjoy scripts. "The Heir Apparent" is an excellent addition to any community library theatre collection.

Soldiers, Rebels, and Drifters
Nir Cohen
Wayne State University Press
The Leonard N. Simons Building
4809 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201-1309
9780814334782 $27.95 http://wsupress.wayne.edu

Soldiers, Rebels, and Drifters: Gay Representation in Israeli Cinema is a scholarly, in-depth study of how gay characters and gay identity has been portrayed in Israeli cinema since the late 1970s. Chapters include "Melodrama, Decadence, and Death in Amos Guttman's Cinema", "Gay Men and the Establishment in the Films of Eytan Fox", "Real Lives: New Israeli Nonfiction Gay Cinema", and more. A handful of black-and-white photographs, notes, a filmography, bibliography, and index round out this well-reasoned, critical analysis, especially recommended for Media Studies shelves.


The Wine/Liquor Shelf

Artisan Beer
Gary Monterosso
Burford Books
101 East State St. #301, Ithaca, NY 14850
9781580801683, $16.95, www.burfordbooks.com

Good beer is appreciated the world over. "Artisan Beer: A Complete Guide to Savoring the World's Finest Beers" is a guide for the beer lover on finding the best beers of the world, the beer made with care and personal touches the world over. Far beyond the giant packs of cans, Gary Monterosso guides readers through to find the best beers on the world, organized by their unique qualities. For those who love beer beyond its alcohol content, "Artisan Beer" is a fine pick for those who want to open themselves to a whole new world of hops.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Me, My Cells, and I
Dave Ames
Sentient Publications
1113 Spruce Street, Boulder, CO 80302
9781591811732, $18.95, www.sentientpublications.com

ME, MY CELLS, AND I: A SURVIVOR'S SERIOUSLY FUNNY GUIDE TO THE SCIENCE OF CANCER comes from an author who was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, and who read hundreds of research papers, books, and consulted with ten doctors on the topic - all of which predicted a 20 percent survival rate. He tells here what worked for him, the science and health concerns of his treatments, and the various choices he made by considering treatment effects on his cells' ability to use oxygen.

Our Bodies, Ourselves
Boston Women's Health Book Collective
Touchstone
c/o Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl.
New York, NY 10020
1439190666, $26.00, www.simonandschuster.com

Our Bodies, Ourselves provides an updated edition to a title which has proved a 'bible' reference to women's health for over four decades, offering a 40th anniversary edition that has completely revised and updated all material. From changes in the healthcare system affecting women to environmental health risks, body image concerns from media stereotyping, and more, this offers key information about everything from birth control to gender identity and is a 'must' for any general library strong in women's health.

What Makes a Good Nurse
Derek Sellman
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market St. #400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781843109327, $34.95, www.jkp.com

WHAT MAKES A GOOD NURSE: WHY THE VIRTUES ARE IMPORTANT FOR NURSES considers nursing values and how they are being challenged by modern requirements of providing care. Helping individuals through the traumas of illness is difficult to quantify: this offers a case for re-establishing insights on the foundations of nursing and offers a survey of these values and how they play roles in nursing. Any nursing student and libraries catering to nursing professionals needs this!

W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
www.wwnorton.com

Joshua Cody's [SIC]: A MEMOIR (9780393081060, $24.95) is both a cancer memoir, a story of survival, and a funny and moving autobiography about the author's life and struggles. It provides facsimile pages of the personal journals that inspired his book, reflecting on the nature of a cancer diagnosis, its effects, treatments, and more. Literary allusion, health references, and a range of topics combine to provide an outstanding memoir highly recommended for any health and biography collection. Kevin T. Kalikow, MD's KIDS ON MEDS: UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MOST COMMONLY PRESCRIBED PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS (9780393706376, $27.95) is a recommendation for any serious psychology or psychotherapy collection and provides the latest details on commonly-prescribed psychiatric medications for kids. From ADHD to bipolar, this goes beyond most medication focuses on side effects and drug interactions to discuss the disorder symptoms, various clinical approaches, and common side effects rated by relative seriousness. From lab tests to indicators, this is much more accessible and in-depth than most covering the topic!

8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder
Carolyn Costin & Gwen Schubert Grabb
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393706956, $19.95, www.wwnorton.com

8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder: Effective Strategies form Therapeutic practice and Personal Experience represents a dual effort between a therapist and her former patient who offer a personal narrative of an eating disorder and full recovery from it. From clinical experience to the entire recovery process and therapy, 8 Keys to Recovery from an Eating Disorder provides a winning survey and coincides with a nationwide film tour promoting the release of 'America the Beautiful II'. A positive 'must' for any collection strong in eating disorders.

Trauma
Dr. James Cole
St. Martin's Press
175 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
031255222X, $25.99, www.stmartins.com

TRAUMA: MY LIFE AS AN EMERGENCY SURGEON offers a fine account of his life spent on the battlefield and in emergency rooms and charts incredible trauma room experiences from civilian and armed forces encounters alike. From a boy's attempted suicide by crossbow to a woman shot 30 times, this offers many insights on trauma room treatments and radical health issues and is a pick for any health collection.

The Power of Neurodiversity
Thomas Armstrong, PhD
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge MA 02142
9780738215242, $16.00, www.dacapopress.com

The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Differently Wired Brain provides evidence about the positive features of mental conditions traditionally viewed as negative, from bipolar disorder and depression to autism and ADHD. It charts the special powers that accompany these conditions, from creativity and entrepreneurial skills to other assets, and posits the need to use a new neurodiversity model to embrace both assets and problems in mental health and strengths. Employer, parents and other receive concrete strategies to making the most of a neurodiverse brain, from career options to assistive technologies. Any psychology holding needs this!

What Doesn't Kill Us
Stephen Joseph, PhD
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
9780465019410, $26.99, www.basicbooks.com

What Doesn't Kill Us: The New Psychology of Posttraumatic Growth offers a new theory of trauma and shows how trauma can be a catalyst for positive change and growth, if treated properly. It comes from one who has made his career in 'positive psychology' - some twenty years of working with trauma survivors - and offers case histories of numerous people who have overcome trauma and made a difference in their lives. Any psychology holding or inspirational collection will find this filled with positive examples!

Meeting the Leadership Challenge in Long-Term Care
David Farrell, Cathie Brady, and Barbara Frank
Health Professions Press
PO Box 10624
Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
9781932529708 $48.95 www.healthpropress.com

Licensed nursing home administrator David Farrell and long-term care experts Cathie Brady and Barbara Frank present Meeting the Leadership Challenge in Long-Term Care: What You Do Matters, a studious guide written especially for administrators, directors, managers and leaders of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Chapters address challenges such as how to stabilize staffing (reducing money spent on expensive turnover); increase satisfaction among staff, residents, and family; improve problem solving skills in one's staff through effective leadership; and much more. "You need to start by attracting people with the right character traits and skill set. Character traits are far more important than skills, as skills can be learned." An excellent, grounded resource for industry professionals with managerial responsibilities, Meeting the Leadership Challenge in Long-Term Care deserves a place on the bookshelf of every nursing home or long-term care facility's administrator.

101 Questions & Answers About Hypertension
William Manger & Norman Kaplan
Hunter House
Hunter House Publishers
PO Box 2914
Alameda, CA 94501-2914
9780897935715, $16.95, www.hunterhouse.com

Chronic stress can quickly turn to greater health problems. "101 Questions & Answers About Hypertension" is a guide to fighting off high blood pressure for a longer and healthier life. From pursuing a better diet, talking to one's doctor about proper medications, avoiding bad habits that can exacerbate problems, and much more. A strongly recommended read for those who feel they may be at risk for cardiovascular disease, "101 Questions & Answers About Hypertension" is a fine addition to any community library health collection.

50 Plus One
Michael Carney & Heather Z Hutchins
Eric Dobby Publishing
Kelly Spann
Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive
Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9781933766270, $24.95, www.styluspub.com

A long life isn't worth living unless it is good. "50 Plus One: Medical Breakthroughs That may Help You Live Better" discusses recent advances of medical science, as Michael Carney and Heather Hutchins list recent advances of science and how they can help patients live longer and better lives without pain. From the products of controversial science, fighting addiction, the truth about alternative medicines, to cosmetic surgeries, "50 Plus One" is a fine read and strongly recommended for those who want to know how modern medicine can help them.

Multiple Sclerosis, fifth edition
Rosalind C. Kalb
Demos Medical Publishing
11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10036
9781936303168, $24.95, www.demosmedpub.com

Multiple Sclerosis can shut lives down. "Multiple Sclerosis: The Questions You Have, the Answers You Need" discusses multiple sclerosis and how to face it as one who has been recently diagnosed with the disorder. From the current drug therapies, exercises, dealing with side issues that come with the disorders, and warnings about alternative medicines, Rosalind C. Kalb, vice president of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) provides an excellent and much useful reference. An updated fifth edition, "Multiple Sclerosis" is a fine pick for health collections focusing on problems that most commonly affect seniors.

At Risk
Rafael Prez-Escamilla & Hugo Melgar-Quinonez
Arte Publico Press
University of Houston
452 Cullen Performance Hall
Houston, TX 77204-2004
9781558857087, $25.95, www.artepublicopress.com

Poverty kills, in a slow and crippling way. "At Risk: Latino Children's Health" discusses the impact of poverty on the life of children, in particular, Latino children who have higher instances of poverty throughout America. Offering insight to what many Latino and other poverty stricken Americans are facing, and how it is spelling out long term issues and disease, and the way things are going now, things will only get worse. "At Risk: Latino Children's Health" is a cautious and much needed investigation of health issues in today's America.

Sitting Kills
Joan Vernikos
Quill Driver Books
2006 South Mary Street
Fresno, CA 93721
9781610350181, $14.95, www.quilldriverbooks.com

Getting the blood flowing alone can do wonders. "Sitting Kills, Moving Heals: How Simple Everyday Movement Will Prevent Pain, Illness, and Early Death -- and Exercise Alone Won't" advocates more movement in life, no matter what one does for a living. Drawing upon her work with astronauts, author and NASA life coach Joan Vernikos argues that not moving through gravity is likened to staying in zero G, and rapid aging effects can go with it. "Sitting Kills, Moving Heals" is a unique look how to pursue greater health, very much recommended.

Breakthrough
Shea Vaughn
Health Communications, Inc.
3201 SW 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190
9780757315930, $16.95, www.hcibooks.com

If the weight of the world is pressing down on you, that can't be healthy. "Breakthrough: The 5 Living Principles to Defeat Stress, Look Great, & Find Total Well-Being" is a guide to finding greater health and wellness in our life, no matter our age. Stating that good health depends heavily on the mind set, she advises finding wellness through improving management of life. Encouraging many activities and exercises such as martial arts and ballet to find a sense of self and soul, "Breakthrough" is a fine pick and very much recommended addition for health and self-help collections.

Boomercise
David Pargman
Fitness Information Technology
c/o West Virginia University
262 Coliseum, WVU-CPASS
PO Box 6116, Morgantown, WV 26506-6116
9781935412328, $16.95, www.fitinfotech.com

Exercise is key to making a long life good. "Boomercise: Exercising As You Age" is a guide to better health and fitness for those entering the elderly state of their lives, as is the case with much of the modern baby boomer generation. Stating that keeping on top of fitness will lead to greater quality of life for years to come, "Boomercise" is an excellent pick for those seeking an age specific guide to improve their overall health.


The Audiobook Shelf

Death Benefit
Robin Cook, author
George Guidall, narrator
Penguin Audio
c/o The Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
9781611760194 $39.95 http://us.penguingroup.com

Death Benefit is the unabridged audiobook adapatation of a fast-paced thriller about the literally cutthroat side of the insurance industry. From a mysterious tragedy derailing research efforts into creating replacement organs for terminally ill patients, to former Wall Street geniuses who apply their ruthless talent to analyze data and securitize policies on the aged and infirm, Death Benefit tracks multiple forces conspiring to literally profit off of death. Caught in the middle are medical student Pia Grazdani and her infatuated classmate George Wilsom, as deaths mount and the stakes grow ever higher. Death Benefit keeps the reader on the edge of their seat to the very end. 10 CDs, 11 hours.

Love in a Nutshell
Janet Evanovich & Dorien Kelly
www.evanovich.com
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427214966 $29.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Love in a Nutshell is the audiobook adaptation of a wry romance novel. Newly single Kate Appleton is desperate for a job, but the only one she can land is questionable at best. Matt Culhane wants Kate to spy on his brewery employees, and root out which one is sabotaging his company. But her task is easier said than done, especially since she hates beer, no one will let down their guard around her, and she finds herself falling in love with her boss! Even the threat of a killer can't undercut the growing attraction between Kate and Matt in this playful romance. 6 CDs, 6.5 hours.

Death Comes to Pemberley
P.D. James, author
Rosalyn Landor, narrator
Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 8th floor
New York, NY 10019
9780449011157 $40.00 www.randomhouse.com

Death Comes to Pemberley is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of International Crime Writing Hall of Fame member P.D. James' sequel to Jane Austin's classic novel "Pride and Prejudice". In 1803, six years after Elizabeth and Darcy settled down to live on Darcy's estate, a terrible murder on the eve of the autumnal ball begins a dark and tangled mystery. Veteran television actress Rosalyn Landor lends her narrative talents to this riveting historical fiction whodunnit, highly recommended especially for public library audiobook collections.

Micro
Michael Crichton and Richard Preston, authors
www.michaelcrichton.com
John Bedford Lloyd, narrator
Harper Audio
10 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022-5299
9780060873080 $39.99 www.harpercollins.com

"Jurassic Park" author and "ER" co-creator Michael Crichton and award-winning science writer Richard Preston present Micro, the unabridged audiobook adaptation of their thriller about the perils of cutting-edge technology. Seven graduate students are recruited by a microbiology start-up, sent to a remote laboratory in Hawaii, and promised the opportunity to experience new discoveries. What they encounter is a hideous trap, and an insidious threat that pursues them through the wilderness. It will take all their physical and mental resources as well as their knowledge of nature to even have a chance of survival, let alone the ability to uncover the whole truth. Death can come in small but utterly lethal packages, in this tautly written novel superbly performed by John Bedford Lloyd. Highly recommended, especially for public library audiobook collections. 12 CDs, 14 hours.

Women in Blue or Gray
Written and told by Jim Weiss
Greathall Productions, Inc.
PO Box 5061
Charlottesville, VA 22905-5061
9781882513635 $14.95 www.greathall.com

Award-winning audio storyteller Jim Weiss presents Women in Blue or Gray: True Stories from Both Sides of the American Civil War is a down-to-earth recounting of the exploits of notable women during the Civil War. The women profiled include Sarah and Angelina Grimke, Lottie and Ginnie Moon, Anna Ella Carroll, Sallie Tompkins, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, and Harriet Tubman. An involving, family-friendly anthology, Women in Blue or Gray is highly recommended especially for public library audiobook collections. 1 CD, 73 min.

Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28
Franklin, TN 37064
www.naxosaudiobooks.com

Naxos is a premier publisher of both abridged and unabridged audio books with a very large catalog of titles with more being added every month. They are especially known for their productions of literary classics include to the massive unabridged collections of the works of T. H. White whose most well-known effort is the Arthurian novel "The Once And Future King" (Unabridged, NAX90112, $152.98, 29 CDs, 33 hours 03 minutes). Continuing his Arthurian tales with "The Witch In The Wood & The Ill-Made Night" (Unabridged, NAX86912, $67.98, 12 CDs. 13 hours 06 minutes) and "The Candle In The Wind & The Book Of Merlyn" (Unabridged, NA988012, $59.98, 9 CDs, 10 hours, 16 minutes) these superbly produced and technically flawless recordings are brought vividly to life by the gifted narrative talents of Neville Jason. These stories reveal the iconic characters of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, Merlyn, Lancelot, Mordred, and all the famed (and occasionally infamous) members of the Knights of the Round Table in their complexity and entirety from youth to old age. Providing the rapt listener with a true 'theatre of the mind' experience, these two complete and unabridged audio book productions are certain to be enduringly popular additions to personal, academic, and community library collections. Also very highly recommended is Naxos audio book edition T. H. White's final Arthurian novel as dramatically narrated by Neville Jason, "The Sword In The Stone", which is available in both an Abridged (NA387412, $22.98, 3 CDs, 3 hours 52 minutes) and an Unabridged (NA885312, $54.98, 8 CDs, 9 hours 41 minutes) edition.

Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-0010
www.hachetteaudio.com

James Patterson's KILL ALEX CROSS (9781611139693, $39.98) features a fine dual narration by Andre Braugher and Zach Grenier, who bring to life another detective Alex Cross mystery. Here Alex is facing the kidnapping of the president's son and daughter - an impossible crime - and is being kept on the edges of the investigation by unknown forces. Add a danger to the DC water supply and you have a swift-paced plot that will captivate newcomers and old fans of the Alex Cross series. David Baldacci's ZERO DAY (9781607885764, $39.98) features a fine narration by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy, who bring to life the story of a combat vet and military investigator whose new case involves a remote rural West Virginia town where a family has been slaughtered. Deceptions and shock make for a case nearly impossible to crack in this satisfying thriller, recommended for any general lending library.

Random House Audio
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 8th floor, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouseaudio.com

Condoleeza Rice's NO HIGHER HONOR (9780307966971, $60.00) is read by Condoleeza Rice herself and provides her memoir of Washington years, making it a top pick for audio collections strong in either politics or autobiography. It describes the events of 9/11, efforts to keep America safe, and offers new details of behind-the-scenes debates over policy and procedure. The specific insights into her role as crisis manager are particularly revealing and unique, making this more than a personal memoir as it documents affairs of diplomacy, warfare and world interactions. Highly recommended! Also a top pick is Diane Keaton's self-read THEN AGAIN (9780307934017, $35.00), which also appears as an unabridged audio and which provides a memoir about her mother and herself. Her mother kept over eighty journals in which she wrote about her life, and Diane sorted through them to provide a dual memoir of her experiences and those of her mom. A lovely tribute, this will appeal to any general lending library.


The Library Music CD Shelf

My Life
Sia Tolno
Africa Nostra
c/o FlipSwitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207
Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$18.74 www.flipswitchPR.com

International music sensation Sia Tolno, whose roots lie in war-torn Sierra Leone, presents My Life, an album that condemns political corruption, the disrespect of women, and other evils while celebrating the joys of music and remembering shared festivities from her former home. A mixture of Afropop, elements of soul and rock, and the gravitas of traditional instruments, My Life resurrects a love of music that even warfare cannot exterminate, and is a superb addition to international music collections. The tracks are "Blamah Blamah" (3:50), "Odju Watcha" (4:31), "Di Ya Leh" (4:13), "Malaya" (3:41), "Polli Polli" (4:28), "Aya Ye" (3:30), "Ayiboh" (4:14), "Blind Samaritan" (3:51), "Kongossa" (5:28), "Tonia" (5:11), "Toumah Toumah" (4:37), and "Shame Upon U" (4:59).

My Lifelong Love
Georgia Stitt
www.GeorgiaStitt.com
Sh-K-Boom Records
c/o Miller Wright & Associates, Inc. (publicity)
1650 Broadway, Suite 1210
New York, NY 10019
$17.72 www.sh-k-boom.com www.millerwright.com

Award-winning composer and lyricist Georgia Stitt presents My Lifelong Love, a passionate album of thirteen of her original songs performed by an eclectic variety of popular singers. The songs share a common theme of love, from first love, to love long since lost, the soul-stirring love of great music, love for the next generation, and the importance of loving oneself. A refreshing and achingly beautiful musical experience, My Lifelong Love is highly recommended. The tracks are "Not Yet" (performed by Heidi Blickenstaff), "My Lifelong Love" (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), "Sing Me a Happy Song" (Shoshana Bean), "Sonnet 29" (Brian D'Arcy James), "The Wanting of You" (Susan Egan), "Communication" (Laura Osnes), "At This Turn in the Road Again" (Christopher Jackson), "A Very Short Song" (Laura Osnes), "If I Could" (Michael Arden), "Invested in You" (Jessica Molaskey & John Pizzarelli), "More of My Mother" (Kate Baldwin), "Kites and Children" (Anika Noni Rose) and "Love After Love" (Michael McElroy).

Brazilian Beat
Putumayo World Music
411 Lafayette St., 4th floor, NY, NY 10003
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
$12.93 www.rockpaperscissors.biz

Brazilian Beat is an enthusiastic anthology album, featuring music ranging from Afro-Brazilian rhythm to retro samba soul and bossa nova vocalizations. The songs are from a diverse array of artists, and brimming with the exhilarating joy of life. Highly recommended! The tracks are "Tamy", "Bruna Caram", "Macros Valle", "Brazilian Groove Band", "Monica da Silva", "BungaLove", "Fino Coletivo", "Brazuka Fina", "Roge", "Tita Lima", and "Marcello".

12.25
Kyle Pederson
kylepederson.com
c/o The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
$20.58 www.thecreativeservicecompany.com

Expert pianist Kyle Pederson presents 12.25, an album of classic Christmas hymns played as new solo piano arrangements. Recorded on a Yamaha acoustic grand piano in a church in Burnsville, 12.25 captures the beauty of the holiday season, while reworking the music in subtle new ways to delight the ear. The result is a treasure to listen to, brimming with spiritual reverence that deserves to be appreciated year round. The tracks are "O Come O Come Emmanuel", "Silent Night", "O Come All Ye Faithful", "In the Bleak Midwinter", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "Infant Holy", "Do You Hear What I Hear", "Gabriel's Message", "O Holy Night", "Lo How a Rose", and "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear".


The DVD Shelf

USS Franklin: Honor Restored
Janson Media
88 Semmens Road
Harrington Park, NJ 07640
9781568394136 $24.95 www.janson.com

USS Franklin: Honor Restored is an extraordinary documentary about the USS Franklin and her crew. The USS Franklin served the American Navy proudly during World War II, earning the moniker of "The Ship That Wouldn't Die"; but in March of 1945, an enemy dive-bomber attack started a chain reaction as the USS Franklin's own bombs began to tear the ship apart with explosions. The resulting combat at sea and rescue became tarnished when surviving crew members were charged with desertion. A gripping, powerful film, USS Franklin: Honor Restored is especially recommended for naval military history collections and public library DVD shelves. 72 min.


The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

Skeena Steelhead
R. S. Hooton
Frank Amato Publications
PO Box 82112, Portland, OR 97282
9781571884749, $34.95, www.amatobooks.com

In Canada's vast freshwater lakes, lies a famed game fish. "Skeena Steelhead: Unknown Past, Uncertain Future" discusses this species of steelhead fish, which came to attention in recent years. But as commercial overfishing struck the lakes, the future of this species seems uncertain and ultimately may not end well for their future prosperity. Encouraging those who treasure this fish to get involved and save the steelhead for future generations. A conservation guide from the perspective of the fishermen, "Skeena Steelhead" is an excellent and choice pick for environmental, hunting and fishing collections, very much recommended.


The Interior Design Shelf

Shabby Chic
Rachel Ashwell
Cico Books
trade@macmillan.co.uk
9781907563591, $35.00, www.cicobooks.com

RACHEL ASHWELL SHABBY CHIC: INSPIRATIONS AND BEAUTIFUL SPACES provides home and garden holdings with a fine tour of the author's perspectives on interior design and style. Various locations across America and Eland offer examples of her interior designs and the style known as Shabby Chic, showcasing the results of two decades of design. The lovely displays offer variety and insights into the style and purposes of shabby chic.

Studio Spaces
Better Homes & Gardens
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
9781118074992, $22.99, www.wiley.com

Our surroundings are our inspiration, and bland white walls aren't very inspiring. "Studio Spaces: Projects, Inspiration, & Ideas for Your Creative Place" is a guide from the idea people at Better Homes and Gardens for turning one's creative space into something truly special and worth going to get one's ideas down and done. With plenty of full color photos and advice on organization and other factors to take into mind when planning one's thinking office, "Studio Spaces" is an excellent pick that belongs in every interior design collection.


The Civil War Shelf

Demon of the Lost Cause
Wesley Moody
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard
Columbia, MO 65201
9780826219459 $30.00 www.umsystem.edu/upress

Demon of the Lost Cause: Sherman and Civil War History is a close study of the myths, misinterpretations, and historical reality surrounding Union General William Tecumseh Sherman during the American Civil War. Shortly after the South's defeat, Sherman was accused of being a Southern sympathizer, and for this reason became more popular in the recovering South than in the North. Thirty years later, he was demonized for enacting brutal warfare tactics that cost civilian lives and massive property destruction, particularly in his infamous "March to the Sea". "Lost Cause" pro-Confederacy historians especially emphasized this narrative, framing Sherman as a war criminal. Demon of the Lost Cause draws upon newspaper accounts, Sherman's letters and memories, biographies of Sherman and other historical sources to construct as accurate a picture as possible about Sherman's wartime actions. Just how severe were his alleged atrocities, and to what degree did different proponents - from Lost Cause historians to pro-Union historians to Sherman himself - control his narrative? A critical and balanced account that strives to evaluate the truth above all, Demon of the Lost Cause is highly recommended especially for public and college library Civil War shelves.

Gettysburg's Forgotten Calvary Actions
Eric J. Wittenberg
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado, CA 95762
9781611210705, $17.95, www.savasbeatie.com

As firearms take precedence in warfare, the cavalry has fallen by the wayside. "Gettysburg's Forgotten Calvary Actions" discusses the great Calvary charges that turned the tide of battle during the extended conflict at Gettysburg. Chronicling the men behind these daring moves, their locations with GPS coordinates, as well as photographs pointing to the conflict in the modern Gettysburg fields. "Gettysburg's Forgotten Calvary Actions" is an excellent pick for any fan of civil war history, highly recommended.

A Strange Engine of War
John W. Lamb
The Chesapeake Book Company
112 Elmhurst Road
Baltimore, MD 21210
9780982304921 $12.50

Independent scholar and historian John W. Lamb presents A Strange Engine of War: The "Winans" Steam Gun and the Civil War in Maryland, a study of the impact that a technological weapon of mass destruction had on the American Civil War. Examining its inception, its construction, and the dubious attitude that soldiers had toward it - though it was capable of firing 300 round per minute, its potential for friendly fire was disastrously high. Also present is the true story of Ross Winans, the pro-Southern Baltimore industrialist who was mistakenly credited with creating the gun, and who was briefly imprisoned for this. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this fascinating addition to Civil War shelves with a focus on Maryland.

Price's Lost Campaign
Mark A. Lause
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard
Columbia, MO 65201
9780826219497 $29.95 www.umsystem.edu/upress

Price's Lost Campaign: The 1864 Invasion of Missouri is an in-depth study of a final, determined push made by the Confederates during the American Civil War. In the fall of 1864, General Sterling Price led tens of thousands armed men into the Shenandoah Valley, Tennessee and Missouri. His Union opponents didn't meet him until he had marched 1,500 miles - the Union tried to downplay the significance of his campaign by terming it a "raid" instead. Written in terms accessible to readers of all backgrounds, Price's Lost Campaign is a fascinating close examination of the details of these closing deadly days of the war, and a worthy addition to public and college library Civil War reference shelves.

The Story Of My Campaign
Thomas Bahde, editor
Northern Illinois University Press
2280 Bethany Road, DeKalb, IL 60115
www.niupress.niu.edu
9780875804415, $35.00, www.amazon.com

The American Civil War continues to be a fascinating period of American history that has been and continues to be investigated and reconstructed by new generations of scholars, Civil War Re-enactors, and students of 19th Century American history. Now from Northern Illinois University Press and deftly edited by historian and Civil War expert Thomas Blade, "The Story of My Campaign: The Civil War Memoir of Captain Francis T. Moore, Second Illinois Cavalry" is the newest addition to the growing body of Civil War literature. Francis Moore was 23 when the war broke out and enlisted into the Union forces that would involve him in fighting against Confederate guerillas in Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. This memoir presents a compelling and first-hand chronicle of small-scale and irregular warfare which is enhanced by his personal accounts of daily life in the military. "The Story of My Campaign: The Civil War Memoir of Captain Francis T. Moore, Second Illinois Cavalry" is an compelling, informative, and strongly recommended addition to academic library Civil War Studies collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

African-American Classics
Tom Pomplun and Lance Tooks, editors
Eureka Productions
8778 Oak Grove Road
Mount Horeb, WI 53572
9780982563045 $17.95 www.graphicclassics.com

Volume 22 of the "Graphic Classics" series, African-American Classics is a graphic novel anthology adapting almost two dozen great literary short stories and poems by some of America's earliest black writers, including W.E.B. DuBois, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, and many more. The stories selected do not shy away from troubling, complex, or life-threatening matters, but are overall suitable for readers ages 12 to adult. Each story is vividly adapted in full color by a different artist with a unique style complementing the work. The result is a solid, reader-friendly introduction to African-American literary heritage, worthy of the highest recommendation especially for public and school library collections.

Salvatore Volume 2: An Eventful Crossing
Nicolas De Crecy
NBM Publishing
40 Exchange Place, Suite 1308
New York, NY 10005-2742
9781561636136 $14.99 www.nbmpublishing.com

Salvatore Volume 2: An Eventful Crossing continues the masterfully translated, English-language adaptation of a French comic saga that uses anthropomorphic characters and muted color artwork to spin the saga of a canine mechanic in search of his beloved companion. His chosen vehicle is a bizarre device, piloted with the aid of a tiny human who may as well be his pet. But one distraction after another besets him on his journey, not the least being a cute hitchhiker! Meanwhile, Madame Amadine continues the search for her lost piglet Frank, encountering an arrogant detective, while the rest of her offspring seek to make a not-so-honest living through a phony "organic" cafe and market. The absurdities mount in this wry, whimsical tale, distinctly reminiscent of the classic novella "The Wind in the Willows". Highly recommended. (Volume 2 of the English translation actually collects volumes 3 and 4 of the original French version).

Dawn of the Bunny Suicides
Andy Riley
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
9781452104980, $12.95, www.chroniclebooks.com

Dawn of the Bunny Suicides is a fine pick for any humor collection and particularly for those seeing prior enthusiasm for the other 'bunny suicide' cartoons. Black and white, dark humor drawings illustrate all the various unusual ways the cartoon bunny can meet its demise, offering a hilarious presentation for any cartoon, comics or humor holding.

Larry in Wonderland
Stephan Pastis
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449408176, $12.99, www.andrewsmcmeel.com

LARRY IN WONDERLAND provides a fine Pearls Before Swine cartoon collection packed with color and black and white panels from the popular strip. Duck, goat, pig, evil rat, and of course the loveable, hungry and demented crocodiles eternally after their 'zeeba' neighbor make for a hilarious collection recommended for prior fans and newcomers alike. This collection has the added benefit of providing strips even avid fans may have missed.

Never Bite Anything That Bites Back
Jim Toomey
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449407995, $12.99, www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Never Bite Anything That Bites Back gathers nearly a year's worth of the Sherman's Lagoon column, syndicated in over 250 newspapers in 30 countries, and is a choice for any collection strong in cartoon titles. Sherman the shark and his underwater friends comment on their world, life in general, and the mysterious lives of the 'white apes' that live in the world above theirs. From Shark X-Games to anticipation of a swimmer that won't obey the 'no swimming' signs, this is a hilarious gathering of black and white and color panels.


The Cookbook Shelf

Veggiyana: The Dharma Of Cooking
Sandra Garson
World Wisdom
1501 East Hillside Drive
Bloomington, IN 47401
www.worldwisdom.com
9780861716364, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Showcasing 108 recipes derived from vegetarian dishes from diverse cultures and countries around the world, "Veggiyana: The Dharma Of Cooking" is a 360-page compendium of elegant recipes that encompass salads, main dishes, and even desserts. Very nicely organized and presented, the recipes are grouped according to how they are prepared: in a salad bowl, on the back burner of a stove, in a frying pan, or boiled in water. Of special note is the chapter on 'Dhal Bhat: Components for a Vegetarian Meal'. The recipes range from Sesame Broccoli; Maghreb Couscous with Seven Vegetables; and Turkish Pumpkin Pancakes; to Fragrant Split Pea Soup with Fresh Peas; Maine Autumn Risotto; and Rhubarb Ginger Chutney. Offering a culinary wealth of delicious and nutritious dining ideas, "Veggiyana: The Dharma Of Cooking" is enthusiastically recommended for personal, family, and community library vegetarian cookbook collections!

The French Slow Cooker
Michele Scicolone, author
Alan Richardson, photography
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10003
9780547508047 $22.00 www.hmhpub.com

Beautiful full color, full page photography of sumptuous dishes peppers The French Slow Cooker, a guide to creating French repasts with a tool that even novices can master quickly. Cooking teacher Michele Scicolone walks the reader through recipes ranging from Chicken Bouillabaisse to Slow-Cooked Salmon with Lemon and Green Olives, French Potato Salad, Moroccan Vegetable Couscous, Apricot French Bread Pudding, and many more. An extensive introduction that teaches cooks of all skill and experience levels how to effectively and safely use a slow cooker rounds out this excellent contribution to gourmet cookbook shelves.

Simply Thai Cooking, third edition
Wandee Young & Byron Ayanoglu
Robert Rose, Inc.
120 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 800
Toronto, ON M4P 1E2
9780778802822 $19.95 www.robertrose.ca

Now in an updated third edition featuring 32 full color, full page photographs, Simply Thai Cooking is a wonderful compendium of authentic Thai recipes, as presented by restaurant entrepreneur Wandee Young and celebrity chef Byron Ayanoglu. A broad variety of spicy and flavorful dishes are covered, including Lemon-Chicken Soup, Thai Pineapple Fried Rice, Thai Shrimp-Cakes, Protein Tofu and Bamboo Shoots in Hot Sauce, Thai Banana Fritters, and many more - over 100 in all. A brief introduction familiarizing cooks of all backgrounds with the basics of Thai cuisine rounds out this excellent, easy-to-use resource especially recommended for international cookbook collections.

Rice & Curry
S.H. Fernando Jr., author
Susan Now, photographer
Hippocrene Books, Inc.
171 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
9780781812733 $19.95 www.hippocrenebooks.com

Full color photography enriches Rice & Curry: Sri Lankan Home Cooking, a sumptuous cookbook detailing how to create traditional Sri Lankan dishes, and flavorful variants thereof. Curry, rice, and chutney dishes figure prominently! An extensive introduction even offers a brief primer concerning travel in Sri Lanka, as well as detailed portrayal of Sri Lankan spices/ingredients and how to use them in cooking. The dishes include Mulligatawny (a hearty South Indian soup), Lamb/Mutton Curry, Mango Chutney, Caramel Pudding, and more. Rice & Curry is a wonderful, user-friendly addition to international cookbook collections.

Ramen To The Rescue
Jessica Harlan
Ulysses Press
Box 3440, Berkeley CA 94703-3440
www.ulyssespress.com
9781569759905, $12.95, www.amazon.com

Ramen noodles has long been a mainstay of financially stressed college students. In "Ramen To The Rescue", Jessica Harlan has compiled more than one hundred creative, nutritious, and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes that elevate this inexpensive, humble, dried noodle into a culinary wealth of dishes that range from the 'tried and true' to the ethnically exotic. With recipes ranging from a Spinach-Ramen Breakfast Bowl; to Spaetzle-Style Ramen Noodles; to Ramen with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella; to Ramen Noodle Pudding, "Ramen To The Rescue" will prove to be a timely and much appreciated addition to any personal, family, or community library cookbook collection!

Sunday
Mallory Saleson
Spearhead
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166
9780864865298 $16.95 www.internationalpubmarket.com

Featuring full color, full page photographs of all its sumptuous dishes, Sunday is a cookbook packed cover-to-cover of savory courses so rich, so memorable, they are best served on the weekends, when friends and family members have more time to sit down and truly relish the experience! Many (but not all) of the proffered dishes are hearty main courses with meat, such as Lamb and Pepper Casserole, Veal and Pork Loaf, and Roast Marinated Spatchcock Chicken, but others are worthy side courses such as Roast Tomatoes, Peppers Provencal, Ratatouille, or Caprese Salad. A handful of cooking tips rounds out this wonderful resource of quality cuisine, highly recommended.

101 Soups, Salads & Sandwiches
Gooseberry Patch
2500 Farmers Dr., #110
Columbus, Ohio 43235
9781612810331 $14.95 www.gooseberrypatch.com

Featuring spiral binding for ease of use, glossy, high-quality paper resistant to light food or drink spills, and beautiful full color photography on every page, 101 Soups, Salads & Sandwiches lives up to its title with a plethora of mouth-watering dishes simple enough for cooks of all skill and experience levels to prepare, yet worthy of pleasing a gourmet! From Pepper Jack-Crab Bisque to Mustard & Thyme Potato Salad, Hot & Sweet Coleslaw, Party-Time Lasagna Buns and more, the recipes offer savory new twists on classic favorites. Highly recommended!

Cakebread, Puddings & Pie
Callie Maritz & Mari-Louis Guy
Struik Lifestyle
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor
New York, NY 10019
9781770078529 $25.00 www.randomstruik.co.za www.randomhouse.com

Featuring astonishingly beautiful full color photography of every recipe, Cakebread, Puddings & Pie lives up to its title with recipes of gourmet-quality desserts. From Mulberry Almond Cream to Caramelized Onion Tart, Peanut Butter Silk Pie, Hertzoggies (a South African cookie), Apple Cakes and more, the recipes often evoke South African dessert traditions but will appeal most enthusiastically to diners of all cultural backgrounds. Most of the recipes are easy-to-follow regardless of one's personal skill and experience at crafting desserts that will be remembered with gusto long after they are enjoyed. Highly recommended, especially for cultured cookbook collections!

The Keto Cookbook
Dawn Marie Martenz & Laura Cramp
Demos Health
c/o Demos Medical Publishing
11 West 42nd St., 15th Fl., NY, NY 10036
www.health.com
9781936303236, $29.95, www.amazon.com

First developed about eighty years ago, the 'ketogenic' diet is high in fats and low in carbohydrates. This enables the body to burn fat rather than store it up, making it an effective food-based diet. "The Keto Cookbook" is the collaborative work of Dawn Marie Martenz (the mother of a child with Dravet's syndrome necessitating a ketogenic diet) and Laura Cramp (a Registered Nurse and Dietician working at the Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC) and showcases 96 tested and approved recipes based on keto diet protocols. Enhanced with a section of full color photographs of finished dishes, "The Keto Cookbook" is enhanced with the addition of practical, 'real world' suggestion and techniques for living on a ketogenic diet and life style at home and elsewhere. Of special note are the sample forms for the Transportation Security Administration, Schools and Daycare Centers, Emergency Rooms, and primary physicians. With recipes ranging from Cinnamon Vanilla Egg Custard; Savory Turkey Hash; and Clam Chowder; to PBJ Cookies; Tacos; and Cinnamon Sugar Pecans, "The Keto Cookbook" verifies that anyone on a ketogenic diet can still have meals that would please any palate and satisfy any appetite.

Easy Does It Winners & Favorites
Patty Roper
Quail Ridge Press
PO Box 123, Brandon, MS 39043
9781934193693, $24.95, www.quailridge.com

Knowledgeably compiled and deftly presented by Patty Roper, "Easy Does It Winners & Favorites" is a compendium of superbly crafted recipes providing a distinctively southern flavor. Enhanced with more than 100 full color photographs of finished dishes, the 300+ recipes range from Mock Mint Julips; Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Pecans; Portobello Pesto Bacon Pizza with Artichokes and Parmesan; and Heirloom Tomato Pie; to Morning Glory Muffins; White Chocolate Pound Cake; Caramel Brownies; Eggplant Crosini; and Roasted Red Pepper Hummus. "Easy Does It Winners & Favorites" will easily prove to be a favorite addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Danish Cooking And Baking Traditions
Arthur L. Meyer
Hippocrene Books, Inc.
171 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
www.hippocrenebooks.com
9780781812627, $32.00, www.amazon.com

Hippocrene Books is a premier publisher of ethnic cookbooks drawn from the culinary traditions of communities and cultures around the world. Their latest effort is Arthur L. Meyer's "Danish Cooking And Baking Traditions", a 220-page compendium showcasing more than 170 recipes, each providing clear and easy, step-by-step, 'kitchen cook friendly' preparatory instructions. More than just a simple collection of authentic recipes, "Danish Cooking And Baking Traditions" is enhanced with an informed and informative introduction to the history and development of Danish cuisine. Of special note are the 45 recipes for outstanding Danish desserts and sweets. From Buttermilk Soup; Salted Herring with Cream; Danish Ham with Madeira Sauce; and Gingered Beets; to Cinnamon Sauce; Old-Fashioned Danish Black Bread; Danish Donuts; and Danish Short Bread, there are palate pleasing, appetite satisfying recipes for all formal and informal dining occasions, making "Danish Cooking And Baking Traditions" highly recommended for personal, family, and community library Ethnic Cookbook collections.

Life's Little Cookbook series
Joan Bestwick
Avery Color Studios
511 D. Avenue, Gwinn, MI 49841
$11.95 each www.averycolorstudios.com

Five softcover cookbooks by talented chef Joan Bestwick each offer 101 delicious and healthy recipes to prepare fruits and vegetables in dishes ranging from jams to breads, salads, dips, desserts, and much more. They are "Life's Little Rhubarb Cookbook" (1892384000), "Life's Little Zucchini Cookbook" (0932212948), "Life's Little Berry Cookbook" (1892384051), "Life's Little Peaches, Pears, Plums & Prunes Cookbook" (1892384116), and "Life's Little Apple Cookbook" (1892384221). Each cookbook series is packed with easy-to-follow recipes that fit neatly onto a single page, rounded out with a handful of general tips for preparing its titular ingredient and an index for easy reference. A great way to include healthy ingredients in family meal planning, the Life's Little Cookbook series is a marvelous and highly recommended addition to any cookbook collection.

The Silver Spoon New Edition
Phaidon Press
180 Varick Street, 14th floor, New York, NY 10014
9780714862569, $49.95, www.phaidon.com

The Silver Spoon New Edition offers an outstanding update of the most successful Italian cookbook in decades, packing in over 2,000 recipes compiled from different Italian regions by gourmet experts. This new edition updates recipes, adds 400 new photos and new recipes from chefs, and provides new basic information on how to set an Italian table, different foods of different regions, and chef's menus. A 'must' for any collection strong in definitive and exhaustive Italian cookbooks.

Eleven Madison Park
Daniel Humm and Will Guidara
Little, Brown
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9780316098519, $50.00, www.hachettebookgroup.com

Eleven Madison Park: The Cookbook packs in seasonal dishes to accompany the story of the popular restaurant's rise, and pairs lovely color photos by Francesco Tonelli with dishes that can easily be duplicated at home. From an illustrated timeline of the restaurant and a map of its layout to job descriptions of the staff and recipes created by the team, ELEVEN MADISON PARK offers fresh ingredients and flavors for home cooks willing to handle foi gras, black truffles and other gourmet ingredients. Any collection catering to gourmets needs this!

The Intolerant Gourmet
Barbara Kafka
Artisan
225 Varick St., New York NY 10014-4381
9781579653941, $29.95, www.artisanbooks.com

THE INTOLERANT GOURMET: GLORIOUS FOOD WITHOUT GLUTEN & LACTOSE is more than another baking book: it provides a range of recipes that tell how to produce crispiness without breading or four coatings, creaminess without dairy, and more, and comes from an award-winning American food expert. Chapters pack in over 300 original recipes for all meals - not just baked goods - and offer the rare pleasure of addressing gluten and lactose intolerance under one cover. Recipes for the entire family accompany photos and fine culinary insights suitable for any general lending library.

Vegan Holiday Kitchen
Nava Atlas
Sterling Publishing
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016-8810
9781402780059, $24.95, www.sterlingpublishing.com

VEGAN HOLIDAY KITCHEN provides a fine cookbook that arrived too late for the holidays but is still worthy of acquisition by any interested in Vegan cuisine. Over 200 recipes for all occasions are profiled in a gathering that covers not just Christmas but Thanksgiving, Hannukah and more. From Cashew Chocolate Mousse Pie to Vegetable Pot Pie, these dishes are packed with flavor and color!

400 Calorie Fix Cookbook
Liz Vaccariello, et al.
Rodale Press, Inc.
400 South Tenth Street, Emmaus, PA 18098-0099
9781605293288, $27.99, www.rodale.com

The collaborative work of Liz Vaccariello with Mindy Hermann, RD and the Prevention magazine editors, 400 Calorie Fix Cookbook: 400 All-New, Simply Satisfying Meals teaches how to make better nutrition decisions and offers a range of details on these choices. It teaches what proteins go best with which fruits and veggies, provides classic recipes lightened up such as New England Lobster Roll or Middle Eastern Pitza, and is packed with appealing dishes dieters will love and the entire family can eat. A fine dieter's delight, this will be an attraction in any lending library.

Pasta By Design
George L. Legendre
Thames and Hudson
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500515808, $29.95, www.thamesandhudsonusa.com

Pasta By Design provides a fine blend of culinary and art survey offering photos of the hidden mathematical beauty of pasta's geometric shapes. Over ninety forms of pasta are displayed through commissioned photos that accompany math descriptions of shapes and drawings that focus on the special attributes of various forms of pasta. Culinary advice on cooking these forms accompany an artistic presentation suitable for arts and culinary holdings alike.

Running Press
2300 Chestnut St., Philadelphia PA 19103
www.runningpress.com

Zach Golden's WHAT THE F*@# SHOULD I MAKE FOR DINNER?: THE ANSWERS TO LIFE'S EVERYDAY QUESTION (IN 50 F*@#ING RECIPES) (9780762441778, $15.00) offers hardcover spiral binding lending to lay-flat and shelving use and is a top pick from a Brooklyn man who was going broke from eating out, yet puzzled about cooking. He registered the domain WRFSIMFD hoping for easy recipe ideas, his website went viral, and two years later he offers the results: a cookbook for the kitchen-challenged, especially men. Some fifty recipes offer a wide range of dishes that sound complicated but are very easy - complete with explicative narration. Any cookbook collection catering to men will find this unusual and fun. CHOCLATIQUE: 150 SIMPLY ELEGANT DESSERTS by Ed Engoron with Mary Goodbody (9780762439645, $27.00) is an outstanding cookbook with a different; it promotes easily-made ganache as the basis for a range of chocolate desserts. The author's studies of chocolate cookery embraces world cuisines and this collection is based on just five chocolate ganaches that can be quickly made and kept in the fridge for months. It's more than just a collection of ganache recipes, too: the author's own innovations have produced Chocolate Salami, Chocolate Dumplings, and more!

Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com

Better Homes & Gardens' VERY MERRY COOKIES (9781118016039, $19.99) is intended as a make-and-give holiday title but missed our holiday section: that doesn't mean it doesn't serve attention as a year-round addition to any general lending library. It offers easily-followed recipes for all kinds of bars, drop cookies, and more, is packed with color photos, and provides baking tips that assure perfect results. It's a top pick for any holiday baker who wants to give cookies as gifts. Better Homes & Gardens' DIABETIC LIVING DIABETES WHAT TO EAT (9781118006894, $24.99) offers simple recipes and details on what people with diabetes can consume. Color photos, a spiral-bound book with tabbed recipe sections, nutrition for each dish and tips on cooking smart make this a winning survey of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack dishes. The inclusion of slow-cooker recipes, drinks and desserts with plenty of practical advice makes this a top pick suitable for any collection catering to diabetics and their special needs. Jackie Mills, RD's 1,000 DIABETES RECIPES (9780470407448, $35.00) is packed with recipes for the entire family and provides the latest in the 1,000 Recipes series. These dishes cover all kinds of meals and accompany nutrition details and cooking tips with carb exchanges and all the keys to cooking for diabetics, from updated comfort foods and ethnic cuisines. Diabetics and those cooking for them will relish the variety! Janice Kollar's THE BUTCH BAKERY COOKBOOK (9780470930885, $19.99) offers an outstanding collection of cupcakes and packs in some thirty original recipes not to be found elsewhere. These aren't your usual sweets: they're made with bacon, pepper and more, and add a decidedly male touch to the cupcake idea. Of course there are plenty of innovative sweet cupcakes too - such as a coffee, Kahlua chocolate cupcake with coffee frosting. Any seeking truly innovative creations will relish these! Edward G. Leonard, CMC's MODERN BUFFETS: BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS (9780470484661) provides a fine guide to creating a modern buffet, and comes from a Certified Master Chef who outlines recipes, techniques and ideas suitable for commercial use. Aesthetics accompany practical keys to a successful buffet setup, covering many aspects of commercial production and pairing advice with over 150 photo examples. Students studying catering or buffet service will find this packed with important considerations for a buffet set-up's success!


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Wolf Among the Stars
Steve White
Baen Books
Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
9781451637540, $25.00, www.baen.com

Wolf Among the Stars presents a near-future Earth which is facing galactic intrigue and war. Captain Andrew Roark, an officer trained in war, joins with a man who opposes his rulers but wants to see change rather than devastation. They uncover a conspiracy to control Earth, the secret to overcoming the conspiracy, and find themselves immersed in a battle neither wants in this fast-paced military science fiction piece.

The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow
Cory Doctorow
PM Press
P.O. Box 23912, Oakland, CA 94623
9781604864045, $12.00, www.pmpress.org

The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow provides a fine story of a trans-human teen of the future who battles strange worlds and social mores to meet the girl of his dreams - a girl who represents a choice between true love and immortality. Included along with the story is a live transcription of his address to the 2010 World Science Fiction Convention presenting his charged case for open-source information and art, and an international Outspoken Interview skyped from around the world. Any Doctorow collection will welcome this!

The Restoration Game
Ken MacLeod
Pyr
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616145255, $16.00, www.pyrsf.com

The Restoration Game takes place in the realm of a virtual online game, where revolutionaries can safely meet. Lucy works for a start-up games company in Edinburgh and her project, inspired by her grandmother's folk tale, will involve not only revolutionaries and espionage but will test the boundaries of fantasy and a long-buried family secret. Any collection strong in science fiction and intrigue will find this a fast-paced winner.

A Fighting Chance
William C. Dietz
Ace Books
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson St. New York NY 10014
9780441020720, $24.95, www.penguin.com

A Fighting Chance provides a fine novel of the Legion of the Damned and is a pick for any serious military science fiction collection. It offers a conclusion to the saga begun in prior books and tells of a universe where earth has fallen against aliens and where all left must band together in a last effort to prevent annihilation. Major Antonio Santana is called upon to head the mission against one of the alien installations, but his encounter with the planet's civil war will change the face of the entire conflict.

Inheritance
Christopher Paolini
Knopf
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780375856112, $27.99, www.aaknopf.com

INHERITANCE is Book 4 in the Inheritance Cycle and while it's intended for young adult fantasy fans, it's being featured here so adults don't miss it. It concludes the Inheritance cycle so collections should have the prior books in the series to find satisfactory purchase with this conclusion. The series began eight years ago with the publication of Eragon and has achieved global fame, so INHERITANCE will reach quite a few collections and audiences, continuing the complex story of a dragon, a poor farm boy, and the fate of civilization. It's a complex, wonderful read and shouldn't be limited to young adult audiences alone!

Tomorrow's War
Ambush Alley Games
Osprey Publishing
4402 - 23rd Street, Suite 219
Long Island City, NY 11101-5058
9781849085311, $34.95, www.ospreypublishing.com

Tomorrow's War: Science Fiction Wargaming Rules is recommended for military and science fiction shelves alike and surveys the miniatures wargame Tomorrow's War. Its focus on military conflicts hundreds of years into the future accounts for advanced robotics, anti-gravity vehicles, advanced battle suits, and more, offering insights into strategies and tactics that rely on the Force on Force rules as a basis for future engagement. This rulebook offers a detailed 'future history' and campaign system to individual battles can be keyed to the ongoing story. A 'must' for any collection involved in war games or science fiction military scenarios!

Rescue at Inspiration Point
Kate McLachlan
Quest
4700 Hwy 365, Suite A, PO Box 210
Port Arthur, TX 77642
9781619290051, $16.95, www.regalcrest.biz

Time is a delicate thing, and those who use it must understand that. "Rescue at Inspiration Point" is a time travel spin on the thriller, as a group of hostage negotiators try to save one of their own, taken hostage at a prison. Bennie returns to 1974 to learn more about the perpetrator, but breaks the rule to not get involved. The second in the Rip Van Dyke time travel series, "Rescue at Inspiration Point" explores many ideas, making for an original take on mystery and time travel.

World of Warcraft: Wolfheart
Richard A. Knaak
Gallery Books
c/o Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl.
New York, NY 10020
9781451605754 $26.00 www.simonandschuster.com

World of Warcraft: Wolfheart is the latest fantasy novel in a long-running series set in the lands of the immensely popular "World of Warcraft" massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Focusing on the internal strife within the Alliance faction, Wolfheart follows night elf leaders Malfurion Stormrage and Tyrande Whisperwind as they work to induct the proud and fierce worgen of Gilneas - humans transformed into werewolf shapeshifters, who only recently regained control over their feral nature - into the Alliance. But the king of Stormwind, Varian Wrynn, staunchly opposes siding with the worgen, because years ago during the Scourge invasion, they deliberately isolated themselves when the Alliance most needed their help. Strife among the night elves and the Alliance as a whole is further stirred as the ancient, magic-wielding caste of the Highborne returns to the night elves, and the eldest night elves, immortal for an eon, begin to show the ravages of old age. When a Highborne is found murdered, finding and bringing justice to the powerful and wily killer - Maiev Shadowsong, former jailor of the dread demon Illidan - proves to be a daunting task. With so many fractures threatening to rend the Alliance apart, does it have any hope of holding its own in the brutal, ongoing war with the bloodthirsty Horde and its remorseless warchief, Garrosh Hellscream? An exciting novel of intrigue, bloodshed, and valor, World of Warcraft: Wolfheart is an excellent introduction to the game's rich, evolving lore for fantasy aficionados of all backgrounds, and especially recommended for fans of the game.


The Economic Studies Shelf

Economics, eighth edition
William Boyes & Michael Melvin
South-Western Collection Publishers
c/o Cengage Learning, Inc.
200 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902
9781439038697, $254.95, www.cengage.com

Now in a fully updated and expanded eighth edition, "Economics" continues to be an ideal introductory textbook covering all aspects of the subject. The collaborative work of academicians and economists William Boyes (Arizona State University) and Michael Melvin (Arizona State University and Barclays Global Investors), "Economics" is an 804-page compendium that covers macroeconomic basics, macroeconomic policy, product market basics, resource markets, public sector and market economy issues, as well as issues with respect to international trade and finance. Beginning with an explanation of why the study of economics is critically important, to such contemporary issues as the 2008 financial collapse leading to the present national and global problems of unemployment and inflation, to Keynesian, monetarist, and other economic perspectives, to the classic considerations of supply and demand, to labor and capital markets, to the relationship of governmental policies and income distribution, "Economics" presents an informed and informative text that is 'reader friendly' and comprehensive, making it ideal and highly recommended for academic curriculums and community library Economic Studies collections.


The Science Shelf

Mycophilia
Eugenia Bone
Rodale Press
400 South Tenth Street, Emmaus, PA 18098-0099
9781605294070, $25.99, www.rodale.com

Mycophilia: Revelations from the Weird World of Mushrooms comes from a food writer who explores the mushroom as both a food ingredient and a health additive. It blends science, nature, memoir and culinary and health insights under one cover and also considers the world of fellow mycophiles and their fascination with mushrooms. From festivals around the world to the author's experiences with hallucinogenic mushrooms, this covers a range of mushroom insights and facts and makes for a lively survey perfect for a range of holdings, from science collections to those involved in gardening, nature or culinary exposes.

World in the Balance
Robert P. Crease
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393072983, $26.95, www.wwnorton.com

WORLD IN THE BALANCE: THE HISTORIC QUEST FOR AN ABSOLUTE SYSTEM OF MEASUREMENT provides a fine history of metrology, the scientific study of measurement, and charts the rise of the metric system and its rise around the globe. From the meaning of measurement to the paradox of the metroscope, this offers a fine survey covering world measurement and its ongoing changes and uses. Science and general libraries will find this lively and appealing!

Drive and Curiosity
Istvan Hargittai
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst NY 14228-2197
9781616144685, $26.00, www.prometheusbooks.com

DRIVE AND CURIOSITY: WHAT FUELS THE PASSION FOR SCIENCE examines the career of fifteen scientists who achieved some of the most notable discoveries of the last century. Dr. Hargittai was personally acquainted with all but two of them, and here provides a rich perspective on the history and progression of modern science based on their personalities and achievements. The focus actually reveals the underlying influences on their discoveries, from motivations to circumstances, and makes for an outstanding survey recommended for any college-level science history holding.

Growth and Replication of Living Organisms
Yuri K. Shestopaloff
AKVY Press
61 Danby Ave
North York, ON M3H 2J4
9780987778505, $39.95, www.akvypress.com

Reproduction is how life continues to exist throughout the centuries. "Growth and Replication of Living Organisms" is another entry of scientific research and theory from Yuri Shestopaloff, who continues from his previous volumes on the laws that govern life. Stating that biology, like physics, follows a strict set of laws, he demonstrates this statement with an elaboration of the principles with many examples. A core addition to college library collections that focus on biology, Shestopaloff grants a comprehensive and scholarly breakdown of the principles of this science, making "Growth and Replication of Living Organisms" a text not to be passed over.

The Manga Guide to Biochemistry
Masaharu Takemura, Kikuyaro, & Office Sawa
No Starch Press
555 DeHaro Street, #250
San Francisco, CO 94107
9781593272760, $24.95, www.nostarch.com

Giant eyes, giant robots, a solid and scholarly introduction to biochemistry. These go together. "The Manga Guide to Biochemistry" is an original way to help inspire young readers with a taste for anime and Japanese style cartoons to get into biochemistry. Weaving the scientific information plainly into the story, as it follows Kumi as she learns how to juggle her diet by understanding just how the human body ultimately works. "The Manga Guide to Biochemistry" is an excellent pick for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of biochemistry in a fun way, or educators who want to make it a bit more appealing to their students.


The Language Studies Shelf

The Cherokee Syllabary
Ellen Cushman
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive
Norman, OK 73069
9780806142203 $34.95 www.oupress.com

Written to be accessible to linguists and lay readers alike, The Cherokee Syllabary: Writing the People's Perseverance chronicles the history of a modern writing system for the Cherokee language, first created in 1821 by a Cherokee metalworker named Sequoyah. Sequoyah's invention was not the same as an English alphabet, but rather a syllabary that transcribed spoken Cherokee syllables as well as Cherokee meanings. Author Ellen Cushman (Associated Professor of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures, Michigan State University) argues that Sequoyah did not base his syllabary in English, a language he was not fluent in and may have deliberately avoided, but called his writing system an alphabet because he expected that Western linguists would automatically discount and discredit any writing system not declared to be an alphabet. The Cherokee Syllabary scrutinizes the syllabary's design and usage in script and print as well as its usage through history, and is an excellent contribution to both language studies and Native American studies shelves.

Reading The Gospel Of St. Mark In Greek
Norbert H. O. Duckwitz
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers
1570 Baskin Road, Mundelein, IL 60060
9780865167766, $19.00, www.bolchazy.com

Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers is a premier publisher of works in Greek and Latin. There newest publication is "Reading The Gospel Of St. Mark In Greek: A Beginning", by Norbert H. O. Duckwitz (Professor of Classics, Brigham Young University). A 333-page work, "Reading The Gospel Of St. Mark In Greek" presents the entire text of New Testament 'Gospel of Mark' in biblical Greek, presenting students of Greek an original text to read and translate, thus honing their linguistic skills. "Reading The Gospel Of St. Mark In Greek" is enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of running vocabulary and notes; an introduction to the Greek alphabet, pronunciation, cases, tenses, and moods; a grammatical appendix; and an extensive glossary. Of special note is the 'same-page' layout enables rapid reading, comprehension, and retention, making "Reading The Gospel Of St. Mark In Greek" a very highly recommended and enduringly popular addition to personal, professional, theological, and academic library Greek Language Studies collections.


The Military Shelf

A Revolution in Military Adaptation
Chad C. Serena
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
9781589017832 $26.95 www.press.georgetown.edu

National security analyst and specialist in issues pertaining to the US Army Chad C. Serena presents A Revolution in Military Adaptation: The US Army in the Iraq War, an insider's view of the extremely long and complicated road from transforming military success into political and strategic victory - a transition the US Army was initially unable to achieve. To adapt, the US Army was forced to revolutionize how it supported and conducted its operations. Serena's testimony of what worked, what failed, and the lessons that can be drawn is absolutely indispensable reading for military strategists and policymakers as well as public and college library military studies shelves, and worthy of the highest recommendation.

Marigold: The Lost Chance for Peace in Vietnam
James G. Hershberg
Stanford University Press
1450 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304-1124
9780804778848 $39.50 www.sup.org

James G. Hershberg (Associate Professor of History and International Affairs, George Washington University) presents Marigold: The Lost Chance for Peace in Vietnam, an exhaustively documented, scholarly, and critical assessment of the secret and ultimately failed Polish-Italian peace initiative, codenamed "Marigold", that sought bring a peaceful end to the Vietnam War. Conventional wisdom postulates that Marigold was doomed from the beginning; Poland didn't have the authority to arrange direct talks, and neither Hanoi nor Washington were ready to negotiate. Marigold: The Lost Chance for Peace in Vietnam questions these assumptions, drawing upon recently revealed communist sources to reveal that Warsaw was authorized by Hanoi to initiate direct contact - yet any chance for an early peaceful resolution was dashed when President Johnson's administration chose to bomb Hanoi at a critical junction. It would be another two years before Washington would negotiate with Hanoi at all, and seven years before the end of the Vietnam War. A thoughtful and well-reasoned study, Marigold: The Lost Chance for Peace in Vietnam is highly recommended especially for American military history shelves.

World War II At Sea
Spencer C. Tucker, editor
ABC-CLIO
PO Box 1911
Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9781598844573, $189.00, www.abc-clio.com

"World War II At Sea" is a two volume, 751-page compendium that has been knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by military historian and academician Spencer C. Tucker. For more than just another naval history, "World War II At Sea" is a comprehensive, scholarly, superbly organized, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' guide to significant naval engagements between Allied and Axis naval forces around the world in what was a truly global conflict combined with detailed descriptive analysis of the changes in naval forces through war-time advancements in technology, ordinance, military innovations, strategies and tactics. Informed and informative, "World War II At Sea" is to be considered a core addition to personal, academic, and community library Military History reference collections in general, and World War II Naval History supplemental reading lists in particular.

Nelson's Refuge
Jason R. Musteen
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road
Annapolis, MD 21402
9781591145455, $29.95, www.navalinstitute.org

The Strait of Gibraltar was exceedingly important in the time where ships were the powerhouses of commerce. "Nelson's Refuge: Gibraltar in the Age of Napoleon, discusses Britain's control over this very important strait during the chaotic time of Napoleon and his wars of conquest. A strategic naval point, Britain put many of its resources into reinforcing the region, making it a vital point in recruiting Spain against Napoleon. "Nelson's Refuge" is an excellent addition to any world history collection focusing on great battles and campaigns.

The United States Coast Guard and National Defense
Thomas P. Ostrom
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611
Jefferson NC 28640
9780786464807, $39.95, www.mcfarlandpub.com

The United States boasts two massive coasts, and their defense takes much effort to maintain. "The United States Coast and National Defense: A History from World War I to the Present" discusses the role of the coast guard for national defense in the past hundred years. Not just the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, they also must defend the great Lakes, and have been deployed to international coasts involving American interests. "The United States Coast and National Defensive" discusses this group's long history and importance in American history, often forgotten alongside the other branches of America's military.

Westmoreland
Lewis Sorley
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10003
9780547518268, $30.00, www.hmhpub.com

WESTMORELAND: THE GENERAL WHO LOST VIETNAM provides a fine memoir by a man who was First Captain of his West Point class, fought in World War II and Korea, and ultimately led the war effort in Vietnam. This memoir considers his life, why Vietnam was lost, how he failed in the situation - and why understanding Westmoreland is key to understanding events in Vietnam as a whole. Chapters survey his entire life, consider omissions in the general's own memoirs, and reveals the truth about his actions in Vietnam, making this a 'must' for any military collection strong in Vietnam history.

Seal Target Geronimo
Chuck Pfarrer
St. Martin's Press
175 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
9781250006356, $25.99, www.stmartins.com

SEAL Target Geronimo: The Inside Story of the Mission to Kill Osama bin Laden is based on the author's in-depth research and discussions with his former colleagues and is the only account based on the experiences of the SEAL team involved in the assault. He explores how they studied bin Laden, details earlier SEAL missions, and tells the real story pinpointing major differences between White House accounts and reality. A powerful survey, this is a 'must' for any collection strong in terrorism analysis or military history.

Osprey Publishing
4402 - 23rd Street, Suite 219
Long Island City, NY 11101-5058
www.ospreypublishing.com

Gordon L. Rottman's VIETNAM GUN TRUCKS (9781849083553, $17.95) provides a fine survey of the 'gun trucks' that were one of the military's offensive strategies during the war, providing a close inspection of the trucks, their strategies, and concepts of using the trucks to support heavier weapons. From their development to their deployment, VIETNAM GUN TRUCKS provides an outstanding coverage recommended for any military collection strong in Vietnam history. Eric Hammel's ALWAYS FAITHFUL: U.S. MARINES IN WORLD WAR II COMBAT, THE 100 BEST PHOTOS (9781849085380, $40.00) comes from a military history author who has numerous books and articles to his name and who offers a visual and historical chronicle of Marines during World War II. The unique images herein provides a pictorial history, selecting the top 100 images from the author's private archives: so don't expect to see common images that appear widely elsewhere. It's a fine celebration for any Marine or World War II holding. Robert Jones' KNIGHT: THE WARRIOR AND WORLD OF CHIVALRY (9781849083126, $29.95) provides a detailed history of the knight and his chivalric code and role, using first-hand accounts from knights to accompany vivid accounts of battles and military strategies. It's a powerful guide that goes beyond military might to consider the codes that governed knights and their choices, and with its many illustrations is a top pick for any interested in knights and their history.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

The Good of the Novel
Liam McIlvanney and Ray Ryan, editors
Continuum International Publishing Group
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 704
New York, NY 10038
9781441182876 $19.95 www.continuumbooks.com

The Good of the Novel is an anthology of specially commissioned essays by learned authors exploring the essence of a novel - what truly distinguishes this literary art form from drama or poetry? What invaluable lessons, emotions, and truths are best portrayed through the novel's format? And in the era of the Internet, when anyone with a keyboard can and will distribute their option, what is role is a literary critic to play? The specific works of notable authors are discussed at length, including "Atonement" by Ian McEwan, "Hotel du Lac" by Anita Brookner, "Intimacy" by Hanif Kureishi, and more. A thoughtful, honest, and strenuous critique of the literary medium itself as much as of individual novels, The Good of the Novel is an excellent choice for literary studies shelves, as well as a supplemental resource for aspiring writers seeking to better understand the gravitas of their craft.

The College Student's Guide To Writing A Great Research Paper
Erika Eby
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
1405 S.W. 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
9781601386052, $24.95, www.atlantic-pub.com

Part of every college student's experience is the repeated necessity of writing research papers. "The College Student's Guide To Writing A Great Research Paper: 101 Easy Tips & Tricks To Make Your Work Stand Out" by Erika Eby is a 288-page compendium of practical advice, insightful commentary, and 'real world' instructions on the art, science and craft of writing effective research papers beginning with an informed discussion on just what a research paper is and what should be discovered before even starting one. Next is cogent advice on how to get started with a research project; then developing a thesis statement; doing the actual research; organizing and outlining the sourced information comprising the paper; avoiding plagiarism and proper citing methods; writing the introduction, body and conclusion of a research paper; formatting and page referencing; and finally the proofing and editing of the paper. Enhanced with sample research papers, helpful internet links, a glossary, a bibliography, and a comprehensive index, "The College Student's Guide To Writing A Great Research Paper" is of special and indispensable value for all college students regardless of their particular majors. It would also prove invaluable for anyone doing research for publications outside of academia as well and therefor highly recommend for personal and community library Writing/Publishing reference collections and supplemental reading lists as well.

Writing And Selling Articles For Profit
L. Perry Wilbur
Piccadilly Books, Ltd.
PO Box 25203, Colorado Springs, CO 80936
www.piccadillybooks.com
9780941599917, $15.95, www.amazon.com

In "Writing And Selling Articles For Profit", L. Perry Wilbur draws upon his years of experience and expertise as the author of 31 books and the sale of more than 5,000 freelanced articles (resulting his winning five George Washington Honor Awards from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge) to develop a compact 175-page compendium of tips, tricks and techniques for making money by writing and selling articles on any subject. Included are informed and informative instructions on picking marketable topics, turning ideas into saleable articles, writing effective query letters to prospective publishers, working with editors, getting paid, acquiring the rights to photos, marketing articles abroad, and so much more! Of special note is the instructive advice on avoiding common pitfalls as a writer of articles for publication. Covering all aspects from initial research to the finished copy, "Writing And Selling Articles For Profit" will prove an invaluable and thoroughly 'user friendly' addition to aspiring and practicing writers seeking to earn a living by and from their written work.


The Autism Shelf

Jumpstarting Communication Skills in Children with Autism
Mary Jane Weiss
Woodbine House
6510 Bells Mill Road
Bethesda, MD 20817
9781890627706, $21.95, www.woodbinehouse.com

Good communication shouldn't be overlooked, especially when dealing with Autism. "Jumpstarting Communication Skills in Children with Autism: A Parent's guide to Applied Verbal Behavior" is a guide to better understanding Autism from Mary Jane Weiss, who advises parents in how to teach their autistic children to better communicate with others and how to get around their possible deficiencies that stem from their autism. "Jumpstarting Communication Skills in Children with Autism" is a fine pick for community library Autism and parenting collections.


The Large Print Shelf

Vengeance Rides the River
Hugh Martin
Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230
West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
9781444807615, $20.99, www.ulverscroftusa.com

For vengeance, any hated of killing gets pushed aside. "Vengeance Rides the River" is an old west tale of vengeance and revenge from Hugh Martin, telling of Dave Lockheart, his murdered wife, and how it brings him to do things he never fought capable of, leaving violence and death is his wake. In the process, he may soon learn that vengeance and justice are not one in the same. "Vengeance Rides the River" is a riveting tale that fans of westerns will adore.


The Anthropology Shelf

Gwich'in Athabascan Implements
Thomas A. O'Brien
University of Alaska Press
PO Box 756240
Fairbanks, AK 99775-6240
9781602231443, $45.00, www.uaf.edu/uapress

Ancient tools offer an intriguing picture of the beginnings of human ingenuity. "Gwich'in Athabascan Implements: History, Manufacture, and Usage According to Reverend David Salmon" discusses the artifacts that have been uncovered in recent years in regards to the Athabascan people. Of immense interest to archeologists and anthropologists, many black and white photographs and sketches throughout discuss the creation, use, and purpose of many of these tools. Immensely interesting and insightful, "Gwich'in Athabascan Implements" is a core addition to any world history and anthropology collection.


The International Studies Shelf

Come From the Shadows
Terry Glavin
Douglas & McIntyre
2323 Quebeck Street, Suite 201
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5T 4S7
9781553657828, $26.95, www.douglas-mcintyre.com

Afghanistan was once a peaceful and prosperous country, but that was decades ago. "Come From the Shadows" discusses the present and future of the Afghani people who have been at a long series of wars with the Soviet Union, the Taliban, and the United States. An intriguing case study of a people of many which have always only known conflict, and who strongly yearn for peace and independence for many years to come. "Come From the Shadows" is a strongly recommended study of the Afghani people and their attempts to determine their lot in life.

Egypt, the Arabs, and the World
Hani Shukrallah
American University in Cairo Press
420 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10018-2729
9789774164866, $27.95, www.aucpress.com

In the coming years, Egypt is faced with the challenge of reforming the Arabic world, or letting the theocratic nature of it continue on. "Egypt, the Arabs, and the World" discusses history in the making, following the Egyptian revolution and other risings in the termed Arab Spring of 2011. Discusses the potential of democracy in the west, author Hani Shukrallah also discusses the perceptions of the west and their impact on the proceedings in this tumultuous period. "Egypt, the Arabs, and the World" is a scholarly and much needed break down of this curious period of history, very much recommended reading.

Fatal Faultlines
Irfan Husain
Arc Manor Publishers
PO Box 10339
Rockville, MD 20849-0339
9781604504781, $19.99, www.arcmanor.com

Why is America so hated around the world? "Fatal Faultlines: Pakistan, Islam, and the West" discusses the relations around the world that has put America at odds with the rest of the world. The United States hands out billions in foreign aid, yet many countries view America as a great evil. Discussing the reasons behind of this, shifting the blame onto many parties, author Irfan Husain provides a thoughtful and much recommended read for community and library international issues and politics collections, making "Fatal Faultlines" a strong, top pick for understanding the international scene in general.


The Money/Finance Shelf

Technical Analysis
Jacinta Chan
Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780273751335, $49.99, www.pearson.com

Knowledge is the centerpiece of success for many traders. "Technical Analysis: How to Trade like Professional" is a guide to better trading and advice from Jacinta Chan, who advises readers on how to understand the market, learn it, and use it to make wise purchases and trades to create one's own fortune and get one's money working for them. From learning one's information, understanding it, the golden ratio, market psychology and more, Chan uses her experiences and success as an equity and futures broker to help would be traders break into the market. "Technical Analysis" is a must for anyone who wants to learn how to truly play the market.


The Archaeology Shelf

The Medieval Horse And Its Equipment
John Clark
Boydell Press
c/o Boydell & Brewer Inc
668 Mount Hope Avenue
Rochester, NY 14620-2731
www.boydellandbrewer.com
9781843836797, $34.95, www.amazon.com

The horse was a valuable component of the Medieval world whether as a beast of burden drawing carts or plowing fields, or as an instrument of war for knights, or as a sign of wealth on the part of the aristocracy. We depend on archaeology to help illuminate the medieval world and as a seminal work of impeccable scholarship, "The Medieval Horse And Its Equipment" by John Clark (a distinguished medieval scholar and former Senior Curator at the Museum of London) this newly updated and expanded second edition is an illustrated, 202-page compendium organizing and presenting what archaeology has provided in terms of our understanding of how the horse and its accouterments was integrated into medieval society. Of special note are the details of medieval horse size based on skeletal remains. Informed and informative, "The Medieval Horse And Its Equipment" is an especially recommended addition to personal, professional, and academic library Archaeological Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

French Colonial Archaeology
Kenneth G. Kelly & Meredith D. Hardy
University Press of Florida
University of Florida
15 Northwest 15th Street
Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
9780813036809, $74.95, www.upf.com

The relics of colonialism still lurk about modern culture. "French Colonial Archaeology in the Southeast and Caribbean" looks over what was left behind along the east coast of the United states and the Caribbean, where the traditional French culture was imposed and is still strongly felt in modern culture, blended with other European influences throughout. The archeology in question is both literal and metaphorical, and proves to be an interesting dig of cultural, religious, architectural, culinary, and many other influences and how they contrast through our world. "French Colonial Archaeology in the Southeast and Caribbean" is a fine pick, much recommended for history, archaeology, and anthropology collections.


The Native American Studies Shelf

Treaties and Treachery
Kurt R. Nelson
Caxton Press
312 Main Street
Caldwell, ID 83605-3299
9780870044991 $18.95 www.caxtonpress.com

Treaties and Treachery: The Northwest Indians' Resistance to Conquest chronicles the violent years of conflict from 1853 and 1859, when U.S. government officials began to transform the Oregon Territory into states. Native American tribes signed treaties to protect their way of life, but soon learned bitterly that the written promises they pledged their names to had little impact on their futures. Fierce fighting ensued, with atrocities committed on both sides; ultimately, the 1850's marked the end of the traditional way of life for virtually every major Native American tribe in the Northwest. Treaties and Treachery is as much a story about the clash of cultures as it is a military chronicle, and a welcome addition to Native American history shelves.

The Plains Political Tradition
Jon K. Lauck, John E. Miller, & Donald C. Simmons
South Dakota State Historical Society Press
900 Governors Drive
Pierre, SC 57501-2217
9780982274927, $19.95, www.sdshspress.com

Local political scenes can prove to be very intriguing changes of pace from the national stage. "The Plains Political Tradition: Essays on South Dakota Political Culture" discusses the political landscape of South Dakota, discussing the debates that go on throughout the state. Dispelling the myth that the state only has rural conservatism, many writers from the state and those speaking as outsiders offer a unique analysis of a surprisingly diverse political culture. "The Plains Political Tradition" is an excellent and much recommended addition to any politics collection looking to gain insight on local and state level politics from all across the United States.


The Criminology Shelf

Identity Theft in Today's World
Megan McNally
Praeger
c/o ABC-CLIO
PO Box 1911
Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9780313375880, $48.00, www.abc-clio.com

Your identity is the most valuable thing in your possession in today's world. "Identity Theft in Today's World" is a discussion of this dangerous crime which has taken a rise in recent years. With the increases in technology and the widening of the world, fraud seems easier than ever. Discussing how the crimes are committed and how to counter them and protect an identity, "Identity Theft in Today's World" is a choice and comprehensive collection for those who are seeking to understand the crime better and defend themselves from it.


The Reference Shelf

The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2012
The World Almanac
132 West 31st Street, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10001
9781600571473, $34.95, www.worldalmanac.com

There is so much going on in the world that it is often impossible to keep on top of it all. "The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2012" is a complete and comprehensive reference of statistics, news items, and more from all around the world. From a hefty dose of sports statistics, numbers surrounding the major events of 2011, what's coming in 2012, Census information, trivia, and a collection of full color photographs throughout, "The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2012" proves to be an endlessly interesting and entertaining pick for those who want to learn about a good deal of everything.


The Geology Shelf

Roadside Geology of Yellowstone Country, second edition
William J. Fritz & Robert C. Thomas
Mountain Press Publishing Company
1301 South Third Street West, 59801
PO Box 2399, Missoula, MT 59806
9780878425815, $24.00, www.mountain-press.com

There are millions of years of history by the roadside. "Roadside Geology of Yellowstone Country, second edition" is a guide for amateur and would be geologists from William Fritz and Robert Thomas as they apply their expertise to create a reference to the countless geysers and other attractions of nature that the Yellowstone region calls its own. With more geysers than anywhere else in the world, those with a strong interest in geology would do well with "Roadside Geology of Yellowstone Country", highly recommended.


The Agriculture Shelf

Optimal Control of Greenhouse Cultivation
Gerrit van Straten, Gerard van Willigenburg, Eldert van Henten, and Rachel van Ooteghem
CRC Press
Suite 300
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW
Boca Raton, FL 33487
9781420059618 $104.95 www.crcpress.com

Optimal Control of Greenhouse Cultivation is a technical, scientific, and professional resource especially for manufacturers of technology designed to control greenhouse cultivation systems. Collecting the fruits of 30 years of research in greenhouse climate control, Optimal Control of Greenhouse Cultivation discusses incorporates advanced mathematics, engineering, and physics into its calculations and projected modeling. Chapters cover open-loop optimal control, feedback control, solar greenhouses, modeling greenhouse climate in response to control fluctuations in heating, ventilation, and other variables, and much more. An excellent resource especially for professional modelers and computer scientists in the field, Optimal Control of Greenhouse Cultivation tackles difficult agricultural planning challenges head-on and is especially recommended for graduate college library collections and agricultural science reference shelves.

Chocolate Forever
Anna Laven and Pim Pelders
Royal Tropical Institute
c/o Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive
Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9789460221033 $39.95 www.styluspub.com

Chocolate Forever: Dutch Knowledge on Sustainable Cocoa is not a cookbook of chocolate recipes, but rather a scholarly agricultural study of ways and means to sustainably harvest cocoa beans in the long term. Drawing especially on the lessons learned by Dutch agricultural professionals seeking to sustainable grow and harvest cocoa in the Netherlands, Chocolate Forever discusses means to gather, transmit, and implement knowledge as surely as the actual processes currently used, with an eye to how farmers are and should be trained in the present and future. Beautiful full color photography throughout enhances this excellent and groundbreaking promotion of long-term ecological responsibility in producing Dutch cocoa beans, with invaluable lessons applicable to a much broader range of crops and cultures. Highly recommended especially for college library agricultural studies shelves.

Cultivating a Movement
Sarah Rabkin, Irene Reti, & Ellen Farmer
University of California Santa Cruz
McHenry Library, UC Santa Cruz
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
9780972334365, $19.95, www.library.ucsc.edu

Humanity must find its sustainability on its planet for its future. "Cultivating a Movement: An Oral History of Organic Farming & Sustainable Agriculture on California's Central Coast" discusses the movement towards organic growing in central California. Many writers from different angles of the farming process come together and discuss the value of organic farming and the history of the movement and promotion of said techniques. "Cultivating a Movement" is a fine pick for any agriculture or agricultural history collection.


The Mathematics Shelf

Math for Life
Jeffrey Bennett
Roberts & Company Publishers
4950 South Yosemite Street, F2 #197
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
9781936221341, $25.00, www.roberts-publishers.com

Numbers don't really lie. "Math for Life: Crucial Ideas You Didn't Learn in School" is an exploration of the mathematics of many important issues in today's society. Numbers are everywhere and often are manipulated, and author Jeffrey Bennett seeks to explain the ins and outs of these important numbers, and how they pertain to the national debt, student loans, the energy crisis, and even where numbers don't seem to apply like party politics. "Math for Life" is an excellent read for anyone who wants to better understand many of the issues that face our world.


The Library Science Shelf

The Black Belt Librarian
Warren Graham
ALA Editions
50 East Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611
9780838911372 $45.00 www.alastore.ala.org

The Black Belt Librarian: Real-World Safety & Security is a no-nonsense practical guide to keeping a public library safe and secure while remaining open and accessible to the public. Chapters address ways in which to make the library safer, from installing a video camera system (one that shows people entering and exiting the library from a clear enough angle to identify them - vital in case a child is taken from the library), to the importance of keeping staff areas locked at all times, to basic security documentation, hiring the right quality of security personnel, and much more. Also present are tips, tricks, techniques, and guidelines for dealing positively with young patrons, defusing incidents as smoothly as possible, and determining when there is no choice but to ban a patron. "Make up a list of your numbered keys on your computer, the dates they were issued, and who obtained them. Now if a staff member loses his keys, you can immediately check to see what keys you issued him and what areas of the library have been made vulnerable; do any locks now need to be rekeyed?" Also highly recommended for librarians is "Pre- & Post-Retirement Tips for Librarians" (9780838911204, $47.00).

The ALA Book Of Library Grant Money, eighth edition
Ann Kepler, editor
ALA Editions
c/o American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
9780838910580, $175.00, www.alastore.ala.org

Now in a fully updated and expanded eighth edition, "The ALA Book Of Library Grant Money" continues to be the most authoritative reference for librarians of small, mid-sized, and large library systems to seek funding for their libraries from corporate, foundational, and governmental sources. Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by Ann Kepler, "The ALA Book Of Library Grant Money" is a 448-page, user friendly compendium of information presented alphabetically with each entry being identified by name and offering contact information, descriptions, financial summaries, grant data, lists of past grant recipients, grant-specific web site addresses. Of special note is an informed and informative introduction followed by a 'User's Guide'. Enhanced with the inclusion for four Indexes (Grantors by Total Grant Value; Grantors by State; Named Grants; and Professional Library Organization Grantors), "The ALA Book Of Library Grant Money" should be on the librarian reference shelf for all school, community, academic, corporate, and governmental libraries.

Graphic Novels in Your School Library
Jesse Karp
ALA Editions
c/o American Library Association
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
9780838910894, $50.00, www.alastore.ala.org

Graphic novels are more than thicker comic books, they're a gateway to keep young people reading. "Graphic Novels in Your School Library" is an advisory for readers who want to better embrace the graphic novel to help their school library attract more students. Better tracing the history of the medium, the many conventions behind it which share many ideas with traditional novels, the core classics and titles that should make the cornerstone of a library's collection, and their educational value. For any school librarian who seeks to keep their collection current, "Graphic Novels in Your School Library" is an excellent and practical start to helping even those who have no idea with to begin with these works.

Fairy Tale Fun!
Nancy Polette
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004
New York, NY 10038-4512
9781555707736, $59.95, www.neal-schuman.com

Fairy tales are timeless, known across generations. "Fairy Tale Fun!" discusses how librarians can use these popular tales as a basis to encourage literacy and love of reading in a new generation of readers. Nancy Polette provides a comprehensive listing of many of these fairy tales, and references the film versions of many of these, with links to many YouTube videos. Using these resources, one can present an educational, fun presentation that will inspire further reading, as well as many other fun activities. For the librarian looking to catch the eyes of children for many years to come, "Fairy Tale Fun!" is an a strong resource that shouldn't be overlooked in any librarian's reference collection.


The Law/Justice Shelf

Rebuilding Justice
Rebecca Love Kourlis & Dirk Olin
Fulcrum Publishing
4690 Table Mountain Drive, Suite 100
Golden, Colorado 80403
9781555915384, $16.95, www.fulcrum-books.com

Justice isn't for all when it costs millions of dollars. "Rebuilding Justice: Civil Courts in Jeopardy and Why You Should Care" discusses the rising costs, in time, money, and politics, that those pursuing justice face. Stating that the legal system has grown stagnant and in much need for reform. Executive Director of the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System Rebecca Love Kourlis and journalist Dirk Olin present their case of the many issues today's justice faces and what can be done to advance it, "Rebuilding Justice" is an exceedingly important and much recommended pick for community library legal studies collections.


The Political Science Shelf

Crimes Against Liberty
David Limbaugh
Regnery Publishing
One Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001
1596986247, $29.95, www.regnery.com

Crimes Against Liberty: An Indictment of President Barack Obama offers a documented case against Obama's presidency and appears in paperback with a new introduction offering close examination of Obama's politics and policies. It basically attacks his system and counters Obama's conventions. Any who would take a different look at Obama's policies will find this passionate, inflammatory and critical.

The Change I Believe In
Katrina vanden Heuvel
Nation Books
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
9781568586885, $16.99, www.nationbooks.org

The Change I Believe In: Fighting for Progress in the Age of Obama comes from The Nation's editor who considers how liberals should respond to the disappointments of the Obama administration and Republication extremism. She offers a collection of essays that flow from Obama's election and its exciting potential to changes in her perceptions in years after, considering what real change should look like and how it can be achieved. From politics to social issues, this traces the look and progress of change and is a pick for any political or social issues collection.

The Justice Cascade
Kathryn Sikkink
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393079937, $27.95, www.wwnorton.com

The Justice Cascade: How Human Rights Prosecutions are Changing World Politics tells of a general who in 1981 visited the U.S. and gave a speech rejecting the idea he could be judged for human rights violations committed as part of Argentina's military Junta. Four years later he was convicted for these crimes - and human rights trials have become a modern political tool that is changing global politics. The author's personal experience and research traces a worldwide movement from Germany to modern nations, considering the creation of the International Criminal Court and its cases. A range of college-level collections, from legal to political holdings and international civil liberties, will find this a solid piece of research.

Predicting the Unthinkable, Anticipating the Impossible
Georgie Anne Geyer
Transaction Press
Rutgers University
35 Berrue Circle, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8042
9781412814874, $39.95 www.transactionpub.com

Predicting the Unthinkable, Anticipating the Impossible: From the Fall of the Berlin Wall to America in the New Century comes from an author who outlined the probability of the collapse of Communism - in the 1980s. Her travels and interviews with top officials anticipated the conflicts that were to come. Her assessment of events leading to 9/11 and her current observation that America's smaller wars have eroded its system lends to a fine guide that explains declines, considers human nature and political systems, and warns that world changes need to be better anticipated. PREDICTING THE UNTHINKABLE shows how - and is a pick for any college-level political and social studies holding.

Libertarianism, from A to Z
Jeffrey A. Miron
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
9780465025077, $15.99, www.basicbooks.com

Libertarianism, from A to Z presents a case for libertarian policy conclusions and applies principles of these policies to a range of social and political issues, making this a fine addition to any political science library. Chapters clarify libertarian thinking by using existing and proposed government policy as a foundation for examination, considering general wide-ranging policies such as civil rights and gun control and more. A fine starting point for debate and illustration of libertarian thinking!

Disconnect
Morris P. Giorina with Samuel J. Abrams
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman OK 73069
9780806142289, $24.95, www.oupress.com

DISCONNECT: THE BREAKDOWN OF REPRESENTATION IN AMERICAN POLITICS analyzes the decline of the political center in American party politics and uses polling results and other data to consider the rift between politicians and citizens. Chapters consider the growing rift between America's leaders and its public, offering insights on paths for change along with a historical survey of how we arrived at this point. Political studies collections will find this perfect for debate and classroom discussion.

Reverse Mission
Timothy A. Byrnes
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
9781589017757 $44.95 hc
9781589017689 $26.95 pbk www.press.georgetown.edu

In 1989, the murder of six Jesuits in El Salvador sparked widespread outrage among Jesuit communities in America because the murderers were in part funded by the US Government - this was far from the only instance in which American religious missions abroad would ultimately have an effect on American foreign policy. Author Timothy A. Byrnes (professor of political science, Colgate University) offers a close study of the interplay between American religious missions abroad and efforts to lobby the government's decision-making in Reverse Mission: Transnational Religious Communities and the Making of US Foreign Policy. Chapters particularly explore the dynamic history and political repercussions of Jesuit missions in El Salvador; how American government practices in Nicaragua were swayed by the Maryknoll sisters; and the connections between Benedictine communities in Vermont and Mexico. A scholarly and serious-minded study, Reverse Mission is quite thought-provoking and a worthy addition to college library political studies or religious studies shelves.

The Craft of Political Analysis for Diplomats
Raymond F. Smith
Potomac Books
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166
9781597977296, $30.00, www.patomacbooksinc.com

As the world grows more intertwined, diplomacy may be more important than ever. "The Craft of Political Analysis for Diplomats" discusses the importance of understanding political analysis in today's world where everything is sensitive, such as the case of the state department cables from WikiLeaks. Presenting insight into the diplomatic process and communications between them all, the importance of being professional, and much more, "The Craft of Political Analysis for Diplomats" is an excellent addition to community library politics collections.


The Library DVD Shelf

Amazing Grace
Bill Moyers, host
Elena Mannes, producer and director
Athena
c/o Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598285642 $29.99 www.acornonline.com

Hosted by distinguished journalist Bill Moyers, Amazing Grace is a DVD documentary of the incredible true story behind the widely beloved hymn "Amazing Grace", written by English clergyman (and ex-slave ship captain) John Newton, and first published in 1779. The hymn's power and beauty of the hymn would earn it an enduring place in American spiritual culture. Twenty-four renditions and performances of the hymn, from singers including Johnny Cash, Judy Collins, Marion Williams, the Boys Choir of Harlem, and even prison inmates, enhance this captivating true story behind a song that has resonated in people's hearts and souls throughout the generations. Bonus features include biographies of Bill Moyers and features performers, a 54-min. portrait of folk singer and activist Pete Seeger, and a 12-page viewer's guide. Highly recommended. 80 min. plus bonus, full screen, SDH subtitles.

Hawaii: Roots of Fire
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
1937772039 $195.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com

Ideal for viewers in grades seven through college, Hawaii: Roots of Fire is an extraordinary documentary about the geology underlying the Hawaiian islands and their amazing volcanoes. From the revolutionary invention of the theory of plate tetonics, to the latest findings about the age of the Hawaiian islands and their natural history, to the potentially life-threatening efforts that cutting-edge researchers undertake to gain invaluable data, Hawaii: Roots of Fire is as educational as it is fascinating. Highly recommended especially for public and school library DVD collections. 27 min.

Poirot Series 1
Based on stories by Agatha Christie
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
www.acornonline.com
9781598287356 $49.99 Blu-ray

Now in a newly remastered rendition restored to their original U.K. broadcast order, Poirot Series 1 kicks off this "must-have" set for fans of Agatha Christie and British mysteries. Available in both a 2-disc DVD Blu-ray and 3-volume DVD renditions, Series 1 features ten full-length mysteries starring award-nominated David Suchet as the titular Belgian genius Poirot, as well as Hugh Fraser as the kindly Captain Hastings, Philip Jackson as Chief Inspector Japp, and Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon. A superbly memorable viewing experience, Poirot Series 1 brings the time, place, and very feel of Christie's novels to vivid life. Highly recommended. The episodes are "The Adventures of the Clapham Cook", "Murder in the Mews", "The Adventure of Johnnie Waverly", "Four and Twenty Blackbirds", "The Third Floor Flat", "Triangle at Rhodes", "Problem at Sea", "The Incredible Theft", "The King of Clubs", and "The Dream". 519 min., full screen, SDH subtitles.

Dr. Willoughby
Starring Joanna Lumley
Chad Campbell
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598285611 $29.99 www.acornonline.com

Dr. Willoughby is a smartly written British comedy about an aging actress stuck in a dead-end career yet fighting ferociously to hang on. Onscreen, she plays the role of compassionate surgeon Dr. Willoughby; offscreen, she is on aggressive-at-best terms with her co-stars in her daytime hospital soap opera. Her efforts to secure her diva's position range from nasty, witty repartee, to stabbing fellow actors in the back (mostly metaphorically) to threatening her producer and lying to escape a charity gig. Starring selfish, borderline sociopathic, and utterly hilarious anti-heroine, Dr. Willoughby is a biting black comedy not to be missed. 6 episodes, 144 min., widescreen, SDH subtitles.


The Biography Shelf

Running Away to Home
Jennifer Wilson
St. Martin's Press
175 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
9780312598952, $25.99, www.stmartins.com

Running Away to Home: Our Family's Journey to Croatia in Search of Who We Are, Where We Came From, and What Really Matters provides the memoir of a travel writer who made the decision to leave home - and bring her family with her. Their family lived the typical American dream in Iowa - and their lives were rushed and filled with work and school. When they lost half their savings in the stock market crash, they packed up and left to visit her family homeland in the Croatian mountain village of Mrkopalj. Her memoir goes beyond a travel or food account to probe a different world and its values in a pick for travel, food or general memoir collections.

Sal Mineo
Michael Gregg Michaud
Three Rivers Press
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780307716675, $16.00, www.threeriverspress.com

SAL MINEO: A BIOGRAPHY provides a fine survey of a creative actor who was murdered at the young age of thirty-seven. Candid interviews with Mineo's closest female and male lovers and new photos accompany a complete story of his life and interests, his rise to fame, and more, and make this a powerful and winning 'must'. The candid interviews succeed in providing a well-rounded portrait of Mineo and make for a biography that exceeds expectations. Film and biography holdings alike will appreciate the detailed focus!

Black and Blue: The Redd Foxx Story
Michael Seth Starr
Applause Books
c/o Hal Leonard
33 Plymouth St. Suite 302, Montclair, NJ 07042
9781557837547, $27.99, www.halleonard.com

Black and Blue: The Redd Foxx Story is based on the author's interviews with dozens of Foxx's friends and colleagues and provides a well-rounded view of his rise to fame in comedy and television. It surveys his career and the TV show that both brought him to the heights of his career and ultimately ruined it, and provides a fine survey of his personality and many achievements. Entertainment, film and biography collections alike will relish this!

Phillis Wheatley
Vincent Carretta
University of Georgia Press
330 Research Drive
Athens, GA, 30602-4901
9780820333380 $29.95 www.ugapress.org

Vincent Carretta (Professor of English, University of Maryland) presents Phillis Wheatley: Biography of a Genius in Bondage, a scholarly chronicle of Phillis Wheatley (1753?-1784), the first English-speaking person of African heritage to publish a book, and the second woman of any heritage to do so in America. Carretta traces what little is known of Wheatley's life and how she gained her freedom from slavery, her marriage, and how her widower fared after her untimely passing. Perhaps the most amazing aspect of Wheatley's life is her skillful orchestration of a transatlantic network to produce, market, and distribute her writing. The fascinating life story of a truly extraordinary woman (illustrated with a handful of black-and-white photographs of artistic portraits), Phillis Wheatley: Biography of a Genius in Bondage is highly recommended especially for public and college library collections.

Robert Curthose: Duke of Normandy (c. 1050-1134)
William M. Aird
Boydell Press
c/o Boydell & Brewer Inc.
668 Mount Hope Avenue
Rochester, NY 14620-2731
9781843836605 $34.98 www.boydellandbrewer.com

Robert Curthose: Duke of Normandy (c. 1050-1134) is a detailed biography of Robert Curthose, eldest son of William the Conqueror and Duke of Normandy from 1087 to 1106. Robert Curthose was twice driven into exile, defeated his father in battle, and fought to defend his duchy from his brothers William Rufus and Henry who controlled the throne of England. His involvement in the success of the First Crusade (1095-99) earned him a legendary reputation in his own time, as a chivalric hero. Biographer William Aird (Senior Lecturer in Medieval History, Cardiff University) meticulously studies the dynamics of Norman political culture and medieval rulership, as well as Robert Curthose's legacy influencing the kings of England even after Henry I incarcinated him from 1106 to his death in 1134. Of especial interest is Aird's historical study of a ruthless power-drama commonly recounted from an English perspective. Robert Curthose: Duke of Normandy is highly recommended especially for public and college library biography shelves.


The Nautical Shelf

Winter in Fireland
Nicholas Coghlan
University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1
9780888645470 $34.95 www.uap.ualberta.ca

Winter in Fireland: A Patagonian Sailing Adventure recounts the sailing journey of author Nicholas Coghlan and his wife Jenny aboard their 27-foot sailboat, Bosun Bird, from Cape Town through the winter waters of the Beagle Channel and the Strait of Magellan, dancing along edges of Tierra del Fuego (Fireland). Their adventure involved braving stormy waters, navigating channels and inlets, and encountering the whims and wonders of other cultures. Reflections on a lifelong love of sailing and incredible nautical adventures past and present fill this treasury for armchair travelers and sailing enthusiasts alike.


The Psychology Shelf

The Adolescent Brain
Valerie F. Reyna, Sandra B. Chapman, Michael R. Dougherty, and Jere Confrey, editors
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
9781433810701 $79.95 www.apa.org/books

The Adolescent Brain: Learning, Reasoning, and Decision Making is an anthology of scholarly essays by learned psychologists about the latest cutting-edge discoveries and theories concerning young people's brains and mental processes, especially with regard to processing information and making difficult judgments. Individual writings include "Representation and Transfer of Abstract Mathematical Concepts in Adolescence and Young Adulthood", "Training the Adolescent Brain: Neural Plasticity and the Acquisition of Cognitive Abilities", "Risky Behavior in Adolescents: The Role of the Developing Brain", and much more. In a modern world that demands increasing amounts of education, skills and expertise in its emerging workforce, the scientific explorations of how young people cognitively develop in The Adolescent Brain take on a stringently urgent, immediately practical value. The Adolescent Brain is highly recommended especially for college library Psychology shelves.

Supporting Development in Internationally Adopted Children
Deborah A. Hwa-Froelich
Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company
PO Box 10624
Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
9781598571912 $39.95 www.brookespublishing.com

Deborah A. Hwa-Froelich (Professor and Director of the International Adoption Clinc, Saint Louis University) presents Supporting Development in Internationally Adopted Children, a distillation of her expertise in meeting the needs of thousands of children from outside the United States who are adopted into American famlies. Chapters address common issues in physical growth, health, and motor development; cognitive development; hearing, speech and feeding development; social communication development; and much more. While parents may this resource grounded heavily in the latest research and evidence useful, Supporting Development in Internationally Adopted Children is primarily a scholarly work intended for professionals rather than lay readers. Highly recommended, especially for experts in the fields of child psychology, pediatrics, social work, therapy, and education, and more.


The Journalism Shelf

Deadline Artists
Jesse Angelo, John Avlon & Errol Louis, Editors
Overlook Press
141 Wooster St., New York NY 10012
9781590204290, $27.95, www.overlookpress.com

DEADLINE ARTISTS; AMERICA'S GREATEST NEWSPAPER COLUMNS offers columns from papers all over America and celebrates the print media's best column writing. Any interested in journalism will find this packed with the authors' picks of columns that inspired them as young journalists. The columns range from different topics to changing styles, are arranged by topic, and cover everything from politics and civil issues to humor, sports and local affairs. This diversity is appealing and makes DEADLINE ARTISTS a solid pick for journalism and writer's holdings alike!

Second Read
James Marcus and the staff of the Columbia Journalism Review, editors
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street
New York, NY 10023-7015
9780231159319 $24.50 http://cup.columbia.edu

Second Read: Writers Look Back at Classic Works of Reportage is an anthology of writings by practiced journalists examining critical works of reportage - stories that brought crucial information to ongoing public discourse and opinion. Individuals whose works are studied at length include Norman Mailer, Tom Wolfe, Rachel Carson, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and many more. Topics discussed include how reporters must question their own political assumptions to write a balanced story, the disturbing trend to substitute "truthiness" for researched facts in modern journalism, the role of a unique narrative style tempered by the risk of style overwhelming substance, and much more. Second Read is a choice addition to any Journalism Studies shelf, particularly those of college libraries, and highly recommended.


The Music Shelf

Voyageur Press
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.voyageurpress.com

Chris Welch's CLAPTON: THE ULTIMATE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY (9780760340462, $40.00) is a fine pick for any rock music collection and covers his entire career, from his work with the Yardbirds and Cream and his solo projects. He's been heavily influential for five decades, and this illustrated celebration packs in over 400 color photos, illustrations and memorabilia to accompany discussion of his life and career - including sidebars detailing his music gear. As a definitive Clapton guide, it's unparalleled and deserves a prominent place in any rock music collection. Paul Grushkin's DEAD LETTERS: THE VERY BEST GRATEFUL DEAD FAN MAIL (9780760338544, $29.99) provides a fine gathering of Dead memorabilia documenting the 'deadheads' who have dedicated their lives to the Grateful Dead. These were individuals addicted to the Dead music, going to great lengths to travel with the band and attend as many concerts as possible. Many ways they obtained tickets from going to the source - the Dead themselves - and writing for them - and this collects their letters and the personalized envelopes and artwork that indicated their passion. Any Grateful Dead fan will relish this!

Musical Cognition: A Science of Listening
Henkjan Honing
Transaction Publishers
Rutgers University
35 Berrue Circle, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8042
9781412842280, $34.95, www.transactionpub.com

Musical Cognition: A Science of Listening suggests that music is milieu where cognitive functions of perception, memory and expectation are challenged, and where listeners play an active role in translating sound to meaningful emotions. In such a scenario listening goes beyond an audible series of reactions to an integration between physical and mental structures, and recent research in psychology and neuro-cognition provides more explicit connections than in the past. Examples reflect the latest research on rhythm, pitch, style and more.


The Technology Shelf

Monopulse Principles and Techniques, second edition
Samuel M. Sherman and David K. Barton
Artech House
685 Canton St., Norwood MA 02062
9781608071746, $109.00, www.artechhouse.com

The second updated edition of Monopulse Principles and Techniques comes from experts who offer technical details on the monopulse radar, which sends additional information within a radar signal to avoid problems in signal strength. It's resistant to jamming and is the most used radar system today: this updated, expanded edition compiles the latest monopulse radar principles, techniques and adds two new chapters on countermeasures and more. Engineering and radar-specific reference holdings will find this essential for newcomer and radar engineers alike.

Artech House
685 Canton St., Norwood MA 02062
www.artechhouse.com

Kenneth Y. Jo's SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK DESIGN AND ANALYSIS (9781608071944, $149.00) is a reference for engineers in the field and in school, and offers a review of the basic concepts of satellite communications, network design and more. Discussions of a class of SATCOM networks offers considerations of satellite components, operations, and entire systems, from GEO satellites to low Earth orbiting satellites. Chapters explain uses of such networks, differences between them, and offer keys to link analysis, processing, and different hardware configurations and options. Any engineering collection will welcome this study. Francisco Saez de Adana, et.al.'s PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF ASYMPTOTIC TECHNIQUES IN ELECTROMAGNETICS (1608070638, $129.00) focuses on the uniform theory of diffraction and physical optics and applies them to real-world problem solving. The guidelines thus are far more focused on practical applications than theory, offering a resource to professionals already working in the field who need to apply their knowledge of electromagnetics to specific issues. A fine reference for any college-level or professional's collection! Also recommended for such a holding is David B. Cruickshank's MICROWAVE MATERIALS FOR WIRELESS APPLICATIONS (1608070921, $99.00), a recourse offering engineers an in-depth survey of the use of microwave magnetic materials for wireless purposes. From radio links to wireless applications, this reference for professionals describes different attributes of families of magnetic materials and surveys insertion loss, intermodulation, and more. A fine reference for any professional electronics engineer. ADVANCED FDTD METHODS: PARALLELIZATION, ACCELERATION, AND ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS by Wenhua Yu, et.al. (9781608071760, $119.00) is a pick for college-level engineering collections and focuses on the engineering applications of FDTD simulation systems. The latest developments in the science of FDTD are covered in a detailed reference that packs in over 250 illustrations, 128 equations, and a host of data processing techniques key to FDTD methods.

CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide
Sven Laurik
McGraw-Hill
c/o The McGraw Hill Companies
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10121-2298
007173919X, $70.00, www.mhprofessional.com

CTS Certified Technology Specialist Exam Guide covers all CTS exam objectives and teaches everything from developing a functional AV scope and marketing AV technologies to best practices, and comes packed with checklists, diagrams, practice exam questions, and more. It's designed to serve as both a job reference and a study guide, and is accompanied by a CD-ROM that offers one complete practice exam, am ebook and a bonus download exam. A 'must' for any taking the CTS exam!


The Women's Studies Shelf

Wicked Success in Inside Every Woman
Vickie L. Milazzo
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118100523, $21.95, www.wiley.com

Wicked Success in Inside Every Woman comes from an Inc. Top 10 Entrepreneur and considers the work and responsibilities of women in the new job market. For nearly thirty years the author has mentored thousands of women who would achieve success without the personal sacrifices business demands seem to require: WICKED SUCCESS brings her brand of personal mentoring into every reader's life and tells how to be successful without giving up your life. It's an outstanding pick for any woman who wants a better balance between work success and personal success.


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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