 |
Book
Reviews,
Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers |
| Home / Internet
Bookwatch |
Internet Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
The Art of Harry Potter
HarperDesign
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
195 Broadway New York, New York 10007
978006280754 $75.00 www.harpercollins.com
Featuring visually stunning concept art, storyboard illustrations, vivid paintings and more, The
Art of Harry Potter: The Definitive Art Collection of the Magical Film Franchise is a coffee-table
hardcover artbook showcasing the immense creativity involved in bringing J. K. Rowling's
classic young adult fantasy novels to the silver screen. Aside from a brief introduction and
various descriptive captions, The Art of Harry Potter is entirely devoted to mesmerizing
illustrations of dragons (including the notorious Hungarian Horntail), mythical beasts, Hogwarts
faculty and classrooms, wizard wands, close-ups of pages from the Daily Prophet, libraries
brimming with magical books, and much more. The Art of Harry Potter is a "must-browse" for
connoisseurs of the movies or the books, and makes an excellent holiday gift! Highly
recommended.
Cows, Cobs & Corner Shops
Megan Hayes
Y Lolfa
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, 124 Byers Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.dufoureditions.com
9781784615260, $18.00, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
"Cows, Cobs & Corner Shops" is a bilingual (English/Welsh) and illustrated history by Megan
Hayes that showcases how the Welsh have, over the centuries, been of crucial importance in
supplying milk to the population of London. Starting with the influence of the drovers who took
their cattle from rural Wales to the city, "Cows, Cobs & Corner Shops" moves on to describe the
establishment of many dairies and corner shops which, open all hours, provided fresh milk to the
growing metropolis. A unique and specialized history that is as inherently fascinating a read as it
is impressively informed and informative, "Cows, Cobs & Corner Shops" is unreservedly
recommended, especially for community, college, and university library British History
collections.
The Practice of Mindful Yoga
Hannah Moss
Leaping Hare Press
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartoknows.com
9781782405696, $12.99, HC, 144pp, www.amazon.com
Most people have heard of yoga, even if they've never stepped onto a yoga mat themselves. But
what is the true meaning of yoga and how can we bring more awareness into our yoga practice?
"The Practice of Mindful Yoga" by Hannah Moss (a life-long yoga practitioner, and a Thai yoga
massage therapist) explores the connection between yoga and mindfulness, offering practical
exercises to help both beginners and experienced practitioners live a more mindful life both on
and off the mat. Through insightful ideas and personal anecdotes, Moss explains the ways in
which mindfulness is fundamental to yoga and how the breath becomes a bridge between the
two. She invites the reader to join her on an inspiring journey of self-discovery and conscious
awareness through the enriching practice of mindful yoga. As informative as it is inspiring, "The
Practice of Mindful Yoga" is very highly recommended for community library collections, and is
useful reading for anyone considering or practicing the art and science of yoga. It should be noted
for personal reading lists that "The Practice of Mindful Yoga" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $10.52).
Lincoln and the Natural Environment
James Tackach
Southern Illinois University Press
1915 University Press Drive
SIUC Mail Code 6806, Carbondale, IL 62901
www.siupress.com
9780809336982, $24.95, HC, 160pp, www.amazon.com
"Lincoln and the Natural Environment" is groundbreaking environmental biography of Abraham
Lincoln by James Tackach (Professor of English at Roger Williams University and the President
of the Lincoln Group of Boston) in which he maps out Lincoln's lifelong relationship with the
natural world from his birth and boyhood on Midwestern farms through his political career and
presidency dealing with the effects of the Industrial Revolution and the Civil War. As
commander in chief during the Civil War, President Lincoln approved a strategy that included
significant infrastructure and environmental damage. In the South, where most of the battles
occurred, Union troops burned cities and towns and destroyed plantations, farms, and natural
landscapes. In "Lincoln and the Natural Environment" (the latest volume in the outstanding
Southern Illinois University Press 'Concise Lincoln Library' series), Professor Tackach argues
that, midway through his presidency, Lincoln seemed to sense that postwar Reconstruction would
have to be spiritual, political, economic, and environmental in order to heal the nation's wounds.
He signed the Morrill Act, creating the land-grant colleges, and the environmentally progressive
Yosemite Grant Act, which preserved thousands of acres of forest in California. The first scholar
to thoroughly investigate Lincoln's lifelong relationship with the natural environment, Professor
Tackach paints Lincoln's personal and professional life against the backdrop of
nineteenth-century American environmental history, issues, and writers, providing insights into
contemporary environmental issues. Impressively informative and exceptionally well organized
and presented, "Lincoln and the Natural Environment" is a unique biographical study and
essential addition to community and academic library Abraham Lincoln collections. It should be
noted for personal reading lists that "Lincoln and the Natural Environment" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $17.27).
Coca Wine
Aymon de Lestrange
Park Street Press
www.parkstpress.com
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
www.innertraditions.com
9781620557846, $40.00 amazon.com
Coca Wine: Angelo Mariani's Miraculous Elixir and the Birth of American Advertising provides
a historic tribute to the infused wine and advertising campaigns that would lead to the creation of
Coca Cola, and provides a lively story liberally embellished with vintage photos throughout that
is a 'must' not just for popular history collections, but for advertising history and culinary readers.
The history of Coca Cola has been done before; but the broader history of coca products in the
late 19th century in Europe and the U.S. and the tonic wines that evolved from medicinal
purposes to popular consumption makes for a story that is unique and engrossing. Mariani's
approach to marketing his product fostered in the age of modern advertising, so media collections
will also find this book revealing.
Spectacle
Mark Thiessen, Photographer
National Geographic
9781426219689, $40.00, www.nationalgeographic.com/books
Some collections might place Spectacle: Rare and Astonishing Photographs in the arts section,
but it's reviewed here so that science and nature readers don't miss the range of lovely photos
devoted to capturing the rare beauty of nature, from animals to environment. Some 200 full-page
color photos concentrate on capturing drama and color in all kinds of ways, from species
migrations to remote environments, gardens, animals, and even other cultures. Many of the
displays are two-page productions, while others add quotes to compliment the stunning visuals,
as in Thich Nhat Hanh's "For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon
our views about them." This quote is juxtaposed by a lovely full-page image of a Chilean
scorpion in full display. The result is a gorgeous display of wonders that deserves a place on
coffee tables, in arts holdings strong in photography, and in science and nature collections
alike.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Writing the TV Drama Series, fourth edition
Pamela Douglas
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
www.mwp.com
9781615932931, $29.95, PB, 310pp, www.amazon.com
Now in a newly revised, expanded, and updated fourth edition "Writing the TV Drama Series:
How to Succeed as a Professional Writer in TV" features the very latest information, insights,
and advice on writing for television drams drawn from major writers and producers. A complete
instructional resource and reference for anyone who wants to write and produce for a television
drama series or create an original series of their own, as well as a curriculum textbook for
teachers in screenwriting classes and workshops, "Writing the TV Drama Series" offers practical
industry information and artistic encouragement. Both a nuts-and-bolts instructional and an
example illustrated inspiration, "Writing the TV Drama Series" leads readers presents
provocatively thoughtful and thought-provoking issues and possibilities about the interface
between traditional TV and the emerging streaming technologies. Exceptionally well written,
organized and presented, "Writing the TV Drama Series" will prove to be a critically important
addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing
collections in general, and television screenwriting supplemental studies reading lists in
particular.
Short-Form Creative Writing
H. K. Hummel & Stephanie Lenox
Bloomsbury Academia
c/o Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com
9781350019898, $102.00, HC, 368pp, www.amazon.com
"Short-Form Creative Writing: A Writer's Guide and Anthology" by H. K. Hummel (Assistant
Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock) and Stephanie Lenox
(who is an instructional editor for Chemeketa Press at Chemeketa Community College) is a
complete introduction to the art and craft of extremely compressed works of imaginative
literature. Aspiring writers are introduced to both traditional and innovative approaches to the
short form and demonstrate how it possesses structure, logic, and coherence while
simultaneously resisting expectations. With discussion questions, writing prompts, flash
interviews, and illustrated key concepts, "Short-Form Creative Writing covers: Prose poetry;
Flash fiction; Micro memoirs; Lyric essays; Cross-genre/hybrid writing; and so much more.
"Short-Form Creative Writing" also includes an anthology, offers inspiring examples of
short-form writing in all of the styles covered, and also includes illustrative work by Charles
Baudelaire, Italo Calvino, Lydia Davis, Grant Faulkner, Ilya Kaminsky, Jamaica Kincaid, and a
great many others. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community, college, and
university library Literary Studies and Writing/Publishing collections, it should be noted for the
personal reading lists of students and aspiring writers that "Short-Form Creative Writing" is also
available in a paperback edition (9781350019881, $33.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$30.55).
How to Write Well
Tim De Lisle, author
Jolyon Connell, editor
Connell Publishing
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartoknows.com
9781911187905, $14.99, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Even in the age of computers and social media, writing matters. We all do it, admiring it when
it's done well. It doesn't just express us; it represents us. We write to connect with other people --
to make them laugh, or cry, or think. We also write to work out what we think ourselves: there's
nothing like it for concentrating the mind. So what's the secret of a stylish essay, or story, or
email? How do you make your sentences sparkle? "How to Write Well is a slim volume by Tim
De Lisle, a leading editor who is also a pop critic and sportswriter. In "How to Write Well" Tim
shows how much fun can be enjoyed with the act of writing. Packed from cover to cover with
good, simple advice that includes: be clear, be concise, be vivid, be organized, "How to Write
Well" explains the secrets of good writing, and along the way showcases quotes for dozens of
great lines ranging from the plays of Shakespeare to the journalism of Caitlin Moran. Very highly
recommended for personal and community library Writing/Publishing instructional reference
collections, all aspiring writers would be well advised to spend a couple of hours with "How to
Write Well". That way they will learn things that will help them in their literary work for years to
come.
The Social Issues Shelf
Legal Marijuana
Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III & Mickey P. McGee
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476673097, $39.95, PB, 283pp, www.amazon.com
The legalization of marijuana has spread rapidly throughout the United States, from just a
handful of states ten years ago to now more than half, as well as the nation's capital. In Canada, it
is legal to use and distribute nationally. Thousands of cities and towns are following suit.
Legalization seems to be a win-win proposition. With people who use cannabis for health and
recreation are served, business is brisk, and many governments welcome the much-needed boost
in tax revenue. But not everyone thinks so -- especially on the federal level under the Trump
administration. The rapid pace of legalization has spurred debate among citizens, cities, states
and the federal government. Collaborative compiled and co-edited by the team of Joaquin Jay
Gonzalez III (who is the Mayor George Christopher Professor of Public Administration at
Golden Gate University) and Mickey P. McGee (who is an Associate Professor of Public
Administration at the Golden Gate University), "Legal Marijuana: Perspectives on Public
Benefits, Risks and Policy Approaches" is collection of erudite essays by experts who
collectively explain the benefits and concerns, the policies and actions, and the future of this
controversial issue. Exceptionally well organized and presented, "Legal Marijuana" deserves as
wide a readership as possible, making it an unreservedly recommended addition to community,
college, and university library collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of
political activists, governmental policy makers, students, academia, and non-specialist general
readers with an interest in the subject that "Legal Marijuana" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $19.99).
American Presidents, Deportations, and Human Rights Violations
Bill Ong Hing
Cambridge University Press
One Liberty Plaza, Fl. 20, New York, NY 10006
www.cambridge.org
9781108472289, $105.00, HC, 250pp, www.amazon.com
There is no mor controversial social or political issue in our national discourse today than that of
immigration. In the last four presidential and midterm elections, immigration was a defining
issue. Immigration not only involves government policies but also the human rights of millions
of people. "American Presidents, Deportations, and Human Rights Violations: From Carter to
Trump" by Bill Ong Hing (University of San Francisco) studies how recent immigration policies
in the United States developed during the Obama administration and are now being expanded in
the first months of the Trump presidency. Documenting the harsh treatment of immigrants over
the past twenty years, Professor Hing shows how mass detention and deportation of immigrants,
from Clinton's two terms and the Bush administration, have escalated even higher. With such
actions as forcibly separating young (including infants and toddlers) children from their parents
and concentration camps for teenagers in an Arizona desert, "American Presidents, Deportations,
and Human Rights Violations" questions what price the United States is willing to pay for such
harsh immigration policies in terms of our national values, and the impact on the lives of the
millions of immigrants who deserve the full protection of universal human rights obligations. A
timely and invaluable contribution to our national discussion on immigration issues, "American
Presidents, Deportations, and Human Rights Violations" should have as wide a readership as
possible. While unreservedly recommended as a critically important addition to community,
college, and university library collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of
students, academia, governmental policy makers, social activists, and non-specialist general
readers with an interest in the subject that "American Presidents, Deportations, and Human
Rights Violations" is also available in a paperback edition (9781108459211, $32.99) and in a
digital book format (eTextbook, $26.00).
The Education Shelf
Building Together
Fiona Stewart
Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court, St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
www.redleafpress.org
9781605545943, $39.95, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com
"Building Together: Collaborative Leadership in Early Childhood Systems" by Fiona Stewart
(who is the Program Director of the Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles, a network partnership
of the child care resource and referral, and alternative payment agencies across the county) is a
journey focused on the leadership necessary for today's early childhood education system
building. "Building Together" provides a kind of road map to what effective leaders do, how they
do it, and the leadership necessary to work towards collaborative systems level change. "Building
Together" includes a wealth of information on the leadership skills, styles and competencies
necessary to address today's challenges and opportunities in the field of early childhood
education. It also includes how to put leadership skills and knowledge into action to work
towards sustainable system planning, implementation, and continuous improvement. Included are
success stories from professionals in the field as well as examples from Fiona Stewart's own
leadership work. Provides all the leadership information needed for both emerging and
experienced leaders, "Building Together" is unreservedly recommended for both college and
university library Education Administration collections and supplemental studies lists. It should
be noted for the personal reading lists of education students and policy makers that "Building
Together" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $27.50).
Developing Creativity in the Classroom
Todd Kettler, et al.
Prufrock Press
PO Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813
www.prufrock.com
9781618218049, $39.95, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
The collaborative work of Todd Kettler (Associate Professor of Educational Psychology, School
of Education, Baylor University), Kristen N. Lamb (Research Associate, Robinson Center of
Young Scholars, University of Washington), and Dianna R. Muller (Assistant Professor of
Psychology, School of Arts & Humanities, Navajo Technical University), "Developing Creativity
in the Classroom" morphs the typical classroom into the exceptional classroom with user-friendly
strategies and methods for the modern teacher. "Developing Creativity in the Classroom"
provides teachers with practical classroom strategies built upon current research and empirical
evidence in the field of creativity. The creative pedagogy described in "Developing Creativity in
the Classroom" builds on the premise that deep learning and thinking creatively are intertwined.
Creative thinking is woven throughout the instructional plan, and creativity is no longer
considered the embellishment at the culmination of learning. Specifically, thinking creatively
intensifies learning. "Developing Creativity in the Classroom" not only transforms the classroom
but also transforms the minds and practices of both teachers and students alike. Enhanced for the
reader with the inclusion of an informative Introduction (Creativity: Problem Solving and
Innovation: 21st-Century Imperatives), thirty-eight pages of References, and a five page Index,
"Developing Creativity in the Classroom" will prove to ben an enduringly welcome and valued
addition to school district in-service training curriculums, as well as college and university
library Teacher Education collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
Making Global Learning Universal
Hilary Landorf, Stephanie Doscher, Jaffus Hardrick
Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
www.styluspub.com
9781620363591, $125.00, HC, 290pp, www.amazon.com
While there is wide consensus in higher education that global learning is essential for all
students' success, there are few models of how to achieve this goal. "Making Global Learning
Universal: Promoting Inclusion and Success for All Students" by the team of Hilary Landorf
(Executive Director of the Office of Global Learning Initiatives at Florida International
University); Stephanie Doscher (Director of the Office of Global Learning Initiatives, Forida
International University); and Jaffus Hardrick (Interim President of Florida Memorial University)
specifically addresses this issue by: Offering a model to make global learning universal;
Providing a definition of global learning that incorporates diversity, collaboration, and problem
solving as essential components; Describing effective leadership for implementation consistent
with the attributes of global learning; Illustrating integrative, high-impact global learning
strategies within the access pipeline, students' coursework, and co-curricular activities;
Presenting practical strategies for global learning professional development, student learning
assessment, and program evaluation; Promoting inclusive excellence through universal global
learning. Enhanced for academia with the inclusion of an eight page listing of References and a
twelve page Index, "Making Global Learning Universal" is an invaluable and unreservedly
recommended addition to college and university library Contemporary Issues in Education
collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-
specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Making Global Learning Universal"
is also available in a paperback edition (9781620363607, $32.50) and in a digital book format
(Kindle, $25.99).
Substance of Fire
Claire Millikin
2Leaf Press
PO Box 4378, Grand Central Station, NY, NY 10163-4378
www.2leafpress.org
9781940939681, $29.99, PB, 198pp, www.amazon.com
"Substance of Fire: Gender and Race in the College Classroom" by poet and scholar Claire
Millikin brings readers inside the four-year college experience, unfolding multiple perspectives
and voices. A multi-genre book,"Substance of Fire" deftly explores how race and gender function
within the privilege of the four-year college classroom. Additional contributions are drawn from
recent graduates and current faculty, who interrogate the forces of sexism and racism from the
various perspectives of gay, straight, biracial, white, African American, and Latino writers and
artists. How does being a female professor differ from being a male professor? How does being a
lesbian student make a difference in terms of accessing a professor's time, attention, and respect?
How does having dark skin or a non-Anglo last name impact a student's freedom to pursue
different majors? These and more questions are examined in "The Substance of Fire". Gender
and race can ignite, causing pain in the college setting. "Substance of Fire" goes to the heart and
core of this enduring problem. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Substance
of Fire" will prove to be an extraordinary and valued addition to college and university library
Educational Studies collections, as well as the personal reading lists of academia, administrators,
and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.
The Science Shelf
18 Miles
Christopher Dewdney
ECW Press
www.ecwpress.com
9781770413467, $17.99, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com
We live at the bottom of an ocean of air -- 5,200 million tons, to be exact. It sounds like a lot, but
Earth's atmosphere is smeared onto its surface in an alarmingly thin layer -- 99 percent contained
within 18 miles. Yet, within this fragile margin lies a magnificent realm which is at once
gorgeous, terrifying, capricious, and elusive. In "18 Miles: The Epic Drama of Our Atmosphere
and Its Weather", and with his keen eye for identifying and uniting seemingly unrelated events,
author Chris Dewdney reveals to the invisible rivers in the sky that affect how our weather works
and the structure of clouds and storms and seasons, the roller coaster of climate. Dewdney also
details the history of weather forecasting and introduces the eccentric and determined pioneers of
science and observation whose efforts gave us the understanding of weather we have today. "18
Miles" is a kaleidoscopic and fact-filled journey that is both an evocative metaphor and a
physical reality. From the roaring hurricane winds of Katrina to the frozen oceans of Snowball
Earth, "18 Miles" gives readers a long overdue look at the very air we breathe and how human
activity is affecting it. Impressively informative, exceptionally well written, organized and
presented, "18 Miles" is a critically important and unreservedly recommended addition to
community and academic library Contemporary Science collections in general, and
atmosphere/environmental studies lists in particular. It should be noted for the personal reading
lists of students, academia, environmental activists, and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the subject that "18 Miles" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99)
and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance Audio, 9781721376735, $14.99, MP3
CD).
Your Place in the Universe
Paul M. Sutter
Prometheus Books
9781633884724, $24.00, www.prometheusbooks.com
Your Place in the Universe: Understanding Our Big, Messy Existence is basically a primer on
astrophysics for lay readers with little science background, and comes from a cosmologist who
uses a light, conversational style to impart the basics of the latest theories and findings in physics
and cosmology. From understanding dark energy and matter and the Earth's presence in the
Milky Way galaxy to speculations about the nature of reality and other universes, Your Place in
the Universe succeeds in explaining and exploring cosmology and employs a lively tone that
invites a broad audience to understand the latest science ideas.
Mountain Press
www.mountain-press.com
$18.00 each
Two statewide coverages on local geology provide geological histories that lend well to either
take-along travel totes or science study, and are especially recommended picks for Indiana or
Wisconsin library holdings. The Indiana Geological and Water Survey's Indiana Rocks! A Guide
to Geologic Sites in the Hoosier State (9780878426874) covers the state's geologic history
through a survey of 50 of the most significant sites in Indiana. Maps, science, color photos of
museums, fields, and parks, and discussions survey each location's noteworthy geologic
evidence. Scott Spoolman's Wisconsin Rocks! A Guide to Geologic Sites in the Badger State
(9780878426898) hand-picks 52 of the best geologic sites in the state, organizes them into five
regions, and focuses on publicly-accessible parks and natural regions. From glacial evidence of
the past to a puzzling area that was never under ice despite its proximity to massive ice sheets in
the Pleistocene Epoch, Wisconsin Rocks! offers a treasure trove of areas, each accompanied by
color photos, charts, and intense descriptions of visual evidence and geologic history. Both are
particularly accessible to lay audiences and require no prior familiarity with geology in order to
prove lively and enlightening.
The American History Shelf
One Room
Gail L. Jenner
TwoDot
9781493036684, $22.00, www.globepequot.com
One Room: Schools and Schoolteachers in the Pioneer West will reach history and education
readers alike as it considers the evolution of the West's one-room school houses, gathering stories
of classrooms, students, and teachers from a number of archives. Vintage black and white photos
liberally capture the atmosphere and stories of these one-room schools, while text explores their
founders, teachers, and specific schoolhouse history. The result is an outstanding survey that is
lively, accessible, and the perfect choice for any collection strong in histories of the American
West.
The World History Shelf
Among the Wolves of Court
Lauren Mackay
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com
9781788310437 $25.00 amazon.com
Although the tragic tale Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII and mother of the future
Queen Elizabeth I, is well-known, the unfortunate fates of her father Thomas and her brother
George are often left as footnotes to Henry VIII's violent reign. Thomas was one of Henry's most
skilled and experienced ambassadors, while George was a talented courtier with high prospects.
Among the Wolves of Court: The Untold Story of Thomas and George Boleyn tells of how
Anne's downfall destroyed both men, ultimately costing their careers and in George's case, his
life. Notes, a bibliography, and an index enhance this historical chronicle of cruelty, intrigue, and
betrayal. Among the Wolves of Court is a welcome contribution to public library British History
collections and personal reading lists.
Citadel of the Saxons
Rory Naismith
I. B. Tauris Publishers
www.ibtauris.com
9781788312226, $30.00, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Rory Naismith is Lecturer in Medieval British History
at King's College London. His earlier books include Money and Power in Anglo-Saxon England
(2012), which in 2013 won the Best First Book Prize of the International Society of
Anglo-Saxonists. In "Citadel of the Saxons: The Rise of Early London" he draws upon his
impressive history of research and his exhaustive expertise to chart what happened to the Roman
city of Londinium after the collapse of Roman civilization in fourth-century Britannia as a
cultural and political darkness fell over the former province. Villas crumbled to ruin; vital
commodities became scarce; cities decayed; and Londinium was all but abandoned. Yet
memories of its greatness endured like the moss and bindweed which now ensnared its toppled
columns and pilasters. By the 600s a new settlement, Lundenwic, was established on the banks of
the River Thames by enterprising traders who braved the North Sea in their precarious small
boats. The history of the city's phoenix-like resurrection, as it was transformed from an empty
shell into a court of kings, is still virtually unknown. "Citadel of the Saxons" vividly evokes the
forgotten Lundenwic and the later fortress on the Thames (Lundenburgh) of desperate Saxon
defenders who retreated inside their Roman walls to stand fast against menacing Viking
incursions. Recalling the lost cities which laid the foundations of today's metropolis, "Citadel of
the Saxons" tells the stirring story of how Londinium was reborn, against all odds, as a bulwark
against the Danes and pivotal English citadel, as well as how Anglo-Saxon London rose to
become the most important town in England, as well as a vital stronghold in later campaigns
against the Normans in 1066. An essential, impressively informative, and core addition to
personal reading lists, as well as community, college, and university library Medieval Studies
collections, "Citadel of the Saxons" is a non-fiction history that reads as smoothly as the most
well crafted novel.
The Roman Legionaries: Soldiers of Empire
Simon Elliott
Casemate
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781612006116, $12.95, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com
The might of Rome rested on the back of its legions; the superbly trained and equipped fighting
force with which the imperial Roman army conquered, subdued and ruled an empire for
centuries. The legionary soldier served for 20 years, was rigorously trained, highly equipped, and
motivated by pay, bonuses and a strong sense of identity and camaraderie. Legionaries wore full
body-armor, carried a shield which could be used defensively to form a shield wall or a tortoise,
or it could be used offensively to punch at opponents and throw them off-balance in
close-quarters fighting, as well as two javelins, a sword, and a dagger. In battle they hurled their
javelins and then immediately drew their swords and charged to close combat with the enemy.
They were the finest heavy infantrymen of antiquity. "The Roman Legionaries: Soldiers of
Empire" by archaeologist, historian and leading aerospace journalist Simon Elliot is a concise,
informative, and entertaining history of the Roman legionary covering their history from the age
of Augustus through the heyday of the Roman Empire. Topics featured include training, tactics,
weapons, the men themselves, life on and off the battlefield as well as significant triumphs and
disasters in the great battles of the era. Featuring black-and-white illustrations, "The Roman
Legionaries: Soldiers of Empire" is impressively well written, engagingly informative, and
unreservedly recommended for community and academic library Roman History collections. It
should be noted for the personal reading lists of students and non-specialist general readers with
an interest in the subject that "The Roman Legionaries: Soldiers of Empire" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $7.95).
The Devil's Cup
Stewart Lee Allen
Soho Press
853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
www.sohopress.com
9781641290104, $16.00, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "The Devil's Cup: A History of the World According to Coffee", author Stewart
Lee Allen treks three-quarters of the way around the world on a caffeinated quest to answer such
profound questions as: Did the advent of coffee give birth to an enlightened western civilization?
Is coffee the substance that drives history? From the cliff hanging villages of Southern Yemen,
where coffee beans were first cultivated eight hundred years ago, to a cavernous coffeehouse in
Calcutta (the drinking spot for two of India's Nobel Prize winners), and ranging from Parisian
salons and cafes where the French Revolution was born, to the roadside diners and chain
restaurants of the good ol' USA, where something resembling brown water passes for coffee,
"The Devil's Cup" documents and demonstrates that the world was addicted to this universally
popular beverage and whoever denies the power of coffee (namely those tea drinkers!) do so at
their own peril. As informed and informative as it is engagingly written and inherently
fascinating, "The Devil's Cup" is expressly recommended for both community and academic
library collections where it will most certainly be an immediately and enduringly popular
acquisition. It should be noted for personal reading lists of all dedicated coffee enthusiasts that
"The Devil's Cup" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Rhine
Ben Coates
Nicholas Brealey Publishing
9781473062179, $19.95, www.nicholasbrealey.com
The Rhine: Following Europe's Greatest River from Amsterdam to the Alps comes from an
author who lived along a major channel of the Rhine for five years, exploring its history, byways,
and the impact the river's had on European history, peoples, and events. This blends the author's
travels with history, but is reviewed here because anyone interested in European history should
appreciate this viewpoint of how a major river has impacted human development throughout the
centuries.
The Civil War Shelf
Ironclad Captains of the Civil War
Myron J. Smith, Jr.
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476666365, $75.00, PB, 262pp, www.amazon.com
From 1861 to 1865, the American Civil War saw numerous technological innovations in warfare
-- and chief among them was the invention of the ironclad warship. Based on the Official
Records, biographical works, ship and operations histories, newspapers and other sources,
"Ironclad Captains of the Civil War" by Myron J. Smith, Jr. (who is an Emeritus Library Director
and Professor at Tusculum University, Greeneville, Tennesse) is a chronicle of the lives of 158
ironclad captains, both North and South, who were charged with outfitting and commanding
these then-revolutionary vessels in combat. Each individual biography includes (where known)
birth and death information, pre- and post-war career, and details about ships served upon or
commanded. A unique and very special contribution to the growing library of American Civil
War History & Literature, "Ironclad Captains of the Civil War" is an extraordinary and very
highly recommended addition to community and academic library American Civil War
collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of
students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Ironclad Captains of the Civil War" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$39.99).
The Fiction Shelf
Down Along the Piney: Ozarks Stories
John Mort
University of Notre Dame Press
310 Flanner Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556
www.undpress.nd.edu
9780268104054, $50.00, HC, 210pp, www.amazon.com
"Down Along the Piney: Ozarks Stories" is John Mort's fourth short-story collection and winner
of the Richard Sullivan Prize in Short Fiction. With settings in Florida, California, Mexico,
Chicago, the Texas Panhandle, and, of course, the Ozarks themselves, "Down Along the Piney"
is comprised of thirteen stories that collectively portray the unsung, amusing, brutal, forever
hopeful lives of ordinary people. Mort chronicles the struggles of "flyover" people who live not
just in the Midwest, but anywhere you can find a farm, small town, or river winding through
forested hills. These iconoclastic, deftly crafted, and inherently engaging short stories reveal the
author's impressive narrative driven storytelling skills. While very highly recommended for both
community and academic library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted
for personal reading lists that "Down Along the Piney" is also available in a paperback edition
(9780268104061, $20.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Miss Royal's Mules
Irene Bennett Brown
Five Star Books
10 Water Street, Suite 310, Waterville, ME 04901
http://gale.cengage.com/fivestar
9781432838553, $25.95, HC, 235pp, www.amazon.com
In 1900 a steadfast and feisty young woman, Jocelyn Belle Royal, joins a mule drive to earn back
her Flint Hills farm in Kansas which she had lost to the bank. Entanglements over the mules,
outlaws, women's suffrage, and a disagreement over the governor's mansion, test her mettle to the
limit. Still, Jocelyn can't give up if 'home' will ever again be more than a few belongings tied in a
shawl, all that she owns! A deftly crafted and unfailingly entertaining read from beginning to
end, "Miss Royal's Mules" is a literary treasure by author Irene Bennett Brown, a novelist with a
genuine flair for originality and narrative driven storytelling. While unreservedly and especially
recommended for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Miss Royal's Mules" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$7.99).
Apache Springs
Frank Leslie
Five Star Books
10 Water Street, Suite 310, Waterville, ME 04901
http://gale.cengage.com/fivestar
9781432847135, $25.95, HC, 374pp, www.amazon.com
"Apache Springs" is comprised of two riveting stories featuring the half-breed wanderer, Yakima
Henry. In "Bloody Arizona", four strangers ride into Apache Springs and shoot the marshal while
Yakima is locked up. Now the marshal's wife Julia convinces Yakima to wear her husband's
badge and take on the kill-crazy, vengeance-hungry Rebel Wilkes, who wants to destroy the town
as well as his former lover, Julia. In "Wildcat of the Sierra Estrada", Apache Springs is
flourishing after gold was discovered in the surrounding mountains. But with wealth comes
trouble, and Yakima is about to have his fill, not the least of which is a canyon filled with lost
Jesuit gold that fortune-hunters are willing to kill for, and the love triangle he becomes involved
in with Julia and Emma, the two beautiful Kosgrove daughters. If the gold-hunters don't kill
Yakima, the love hunters (and their none too happy father!) just might! "Apache Springs" is
another terrifically entertaining read from author Frank Leslie and very highly recommended,
especially for community library Western Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal
reading lists of all dedicated western buffs that "Apache Springs" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Megan's Song
H. Lee Pratt
Five Star Books
10 Water Street, Suite 310, Waterville, ME 04901
http://gale.cengage.com/fivestar
9781432847067, $25.95, HC, 369pp, www.amazon.com
Megan's voice is liquid gold. She dreams of becoming a star and leaving her miserable life in
Jackson, Wyoming. Then Megan accidently stumbles upon a dangerous secret -- it is during the
height of prohibition and her in-laws are selling whiskey from their dude ranch. Fears are
amplified when a rumor spreads of a prohibition agent coming to town. A movie crew, which
includes her celebrity sister, come to shoot in the pristine scenery. There is an instant attraction
between Megan and the director. Whilst filming in the back country, a sudden, massive landslide
kills some of the crew and traps others. The survivors must work together, but greed, selfishness
and paranoia set in. If Megan manages to survive, does she possess the strength to demand a
happier life? As a novelist, author H. Lee Pratt has an impressive flair for narrative storytelling
that brings life to her characters and an ability to rivet her reader's full attention throughout
"Megan's Song". While very highly recommended, especially for community library General
Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Megan's Song" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Penhaligon's Pride
Terry Nixon
Magna Large Print Books
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9780750546553, $35.50, HC, Large Print, 396pp, www.amazon.com
It's 1910. Anna Garvey and her daughter are still running the Tin Streamer's Arms in
Caernoweth, Cornwall, and it finally seems like she has left her tumultuous history behind in
Ireland. Meanwhile Freya Penhaligon has blossomed and is now the object of increasing
affection of Hugh, the elder son of the wealthy Batten family. After the dramatic events of the
previous months, it feels like everything is finally getting back to normal. But when Anna
inadvertently reveals something she shouldn't, she finds herself at the centre of a blackmail plot
and it seems like the past she longed to escape is coming back to haunt her. An enormously
entertaining and deftly crafted novel from first page to last, this large print edition of
"Penhaligon's Pride" by Terry Nixon is certain to be an enduringly popular addition to personal
reading lists for British Romance fans and community library collections!
The Deadly Shadow
Paul Bedford
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444838206, $20.99, PB, Large Print, 264pp, www.amazon.com
In the winter of 1888, a gang of 15 outlaws led by notorious desperado Taw Johnson arrives at a
small ranch near the town of Chinook. Cathy Clemens is recently married, but temporarily alone
on the ranch, and Johnson makes the fateful decision to carry her off. When her husband John
Clemens returns, he swears vengeance and sets off in pursuit, coldly picking the men off one by
one. Against all the odds, the impressionable Cathy finds herself attracted to Johnson - and ever
more alienated by her husband's unrelentingly cruel behavior. Rarely is a western novel so
inherently riveting, laced with so many unexpected twists and turns, and resulting is such an
stunningly unexpected conclusion. Very highly recommended for community library Western
Fiction collections, if dedicated western buffs have only time for one book, make it Paul
Bedford's "The Deadly Shadow" -- a deftly crafted novel that will linger in the mind and memory
long after the book itself has been finished and set back upon the shelf.
The Siege Of Morton's Cross
K. S. Stanley
Linford Western Library
Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444838251, $20.99, PB, Large Print, 304pp, www.amazon.com
The town leaders of Morton's Cross are awaiting with trepidation the imminent release of Dan
McCleery from prison. It is common knowledge that McCleery and his gang of outlaws will want
to exact revenge on the townsfolk for incarcerating him five years earlier. But in planning to
survive what could become an ugly siege, the town's leaders start falling out with each other. In
desperation, they hire bounty hunter Todd McFarlane. For McFarlane to outwit the slippery
McCleery, however, the leaders must first step up and face their demons. "The Siege Of Morton's
Cross" is another deftly crafted western novel by a master of the genre. While very highly
recommended, especially for community library Western Fiction collections, this large print
edition is a 'must read' for all dedicated fans of western action/adventure tales.
Pards Of Buffalo Bill
Tom Curry
Sagebrush Large Print Westerns
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781785415579, $29.99, PB, Large Print, 180pp, www.amazon.com
The Sioux are on the warpath. But when Jim Barringer finds his father murdered and scalped on
the prairie there is a distinctive boot mark near the body, along with a shod hoofmark a cork still
smelling of whisky, and empty cartridge shells with a distinctive markings. Seems white men
killed him, and are trying to pin it on the Sioux. In finding and avenging his father Jim has the
help of his friends, the Rio Kid and Buffalo Bill Cody. In "Pards Of Buffalo Bill" author and
novelist Tom Curry has an interesting storytelling knack for language and dialogue that fully
captures the sense of the Old West Frontier. Featuring non-stop action in the form of gun battles,
Indian attacks, and sinister attempts to exploit the new railroad being built through the territory,
"Pards Of Buffalo Bill" is an inherently entertaining read, and in this large print edition can be
unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Western Fiction
collections.
Sugar Land
Tammy Lynne Stoner
Red Hen Press
P.O. Box 40820 Pasadena, CA 91114
www.redhen.org
9781597096270, $16.95, PB, 344pp, www.amazon.com
It's 1923 in Midland, Texas, when Miss Dara falls in love with her best friend -- who also
happens to be a girl. Terrified, Miss Dara takes a job at the Imperial State Prison Farm for men.
Once there, she befriends inmate and soon-to-be legendary blues singer Lead Belly, who sings
his way out but only after he makes her promise to free herself from her own prison. "Sugar
Land" is a triumphant, beautiful novel by Tammy Lynne Stoner about the heart's refusal to be
denied what the heart wants. All the more impressive when considering that "Sugar Land" is
Tammy Lynne Stoner's debut as an author, this inherently engaging and deftly crafted novel is an
especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community library Literary Fiction
collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Sugar Land" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance
Audio, 9781978649064, $15.99, MP3 CD).
Aya Dane
Mhani Alaoui
Interlink Publishing Group
46 Crosby Street, Northampton, MA 01060-1804
www.interlinkbooks.com
9781623719685, $15.00, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Deftly written by novelist Mhani Alaoui, "Aya Dane" is the inherently interesting story of a
woman who creates mixed media paintings and writes a diary in her studio above a strange, old
Cambridge townhouse. There Aya lives alone, having left her childhood home in Tangiers.
Though she has carved a name for herself in the art world, she allows herself just one close
relationship, to an intimate companion named David. One day, Aya receives a letter from a
powerful, enigmatic patron, an invitation to submit her ultimate work to his collection. If he
deems it worthy, he promises, her art will live on forever. Aya finds herself unable to resist the
mysterious invitation, and challenge. But as she begins to work on the commissioned painting,
from her top-floor perch, the streets of Tangiers reappear to her. Their white-and-blue walls,
purple bougainvillea, sweetness and sorrow bring back to life people and events she thought shed
left behind. Aya becomes haunted by forgotten scenes, only to discover that she herself is being
painted, on a canvas from which it seems impossible to escape. An engaging, entertaining,
thought-provoking read, "Aya Dane" is unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, and
most especially for community, college, and university library Contemporary Literary Fiction
collections.
The Dogs of Christmas
W. Bruce Cameron
Forge
9781250203633, $11.99, www.tor-forge.com
The Dogs of Christmas returns a classic novel to a new format that holds a new afterward. Josh is
suddenly responsible for an abandoned dog and a box of puppies, and when he reaches out for
help, he meets a woman who teaches him how to care in more ways than one. But with
Christmas around the corner, Josh finds himself surprisingly loathe to give up any of the puppies
he's bonded with, even if this decision threatens his evolving relationship with Kerri. This warm
story of holiday spirit arrived too late for Christmas mention but should be a year-round
recommendation for any animal lover who loves a poignant, good read.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Murder, She Wrote: Manuscript for Murder
Jessica Fletcher & Jon Land
Berkley Prime Crime
9780451489302, $25.00, www.penguinrandomhouse.com
Murder, She Wrote: Manuscript for Murder adds the forty-eighth book to the series as Jessica
Fletcher enters into another crime investigation when a manuscript falls into her hands. What
begins as a puzzler provided by her publisher evolves into a murder investigation when he's
found dead and Jessica sets out to prove his innocence even as the FBI investigates his financial
affairs. The manuscript which began all this has vanished, and Jessica's search for the truth leads
her to high levels of Washington, D.C. power as she seeks a manuscript, a murderer, and a reason
for redemption. Murder enthusiasts, whether prior fans of the ongoing series or newcomers, will
find this stand-alone story engaging and engrossing.
Newcomer
Keigo Higashino
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250067869, $27.99, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Detective Kyochiro Kaga of the Tokyo Police Department has just been transferred to a new
precinct in the Nihonbashi area of Tokyo. Newly arrived, but with a great deal of experience,
Kaga is promptly assigned to the team investigating the murder of a woman. But the more he
investigates, the greater number of potential suspects emerges. It isn't long before it seems nearly
all the people living and working in the business district of Nihonbashi have a motive for murder.
To prevent the murderer from eluding justice, Kaga must unravel all the secrets surrounding a
complicated life. Buried somewhere in the woman's past, in her family history, and the last few
days of her life is the clue that will lead to the murderer. An impressively crafted and simply
riveting mystery of a read from beginning to end, "Newcomer' is the perfect introduction to all
dedicated mystery/suspense fans to novelist Keigo Higashino's genuine flair for originality and
mastery of the crime fiction genre. While very highly recommended for community library
Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Newcomer" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Overkilt
Kaitlyn Dunnett
Kensington
c/o Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street, Floor 21, New York, NY 10018-2522
www.kensingtonbooks.com
9781496712622, $26.00, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com
While Liss preps the Scottish Emporium for November's inevitable shopping rush, other local
businesses aren't half as lucky. Year after year, her father-in-law's rustic hotel can barely turn a
profit during the stretch between autumn's peak and ski season. Except this time, Mr. Ruskin
realizes that the recipe for success lies in enticing an untapped niche clientele -- childless couples
desperate for a holiday away from family! The unusual marketing tactic has everyone in
Moosetookalook talking. Unfortunately, it also inspires a scathing social media campaign aimed
at persuading tourists to boycott the hotel for affronting family values. Liss dismisses the bad
publicity as being totally "overkilt"-- until angry mobs fill the streets, the troublemaker who
started it all turns up dead, and her loved ones are suspected of murder. With so much at stake,
Liss can't possibly follow police orders to stay out of the investigation. There's just one wee
problem: saving her own clan could mean sending a friend or two behind bars. Now (partly
helped, partly hindered by her difficult mother) Liss must digest a slew of unsettling clues and
catch the real killer or else everything she's ever been thankful for may vanish before her eyes.
The latest addition to author Kaitlyn Dunnet's simply outstanding 'Lisa macCrimmon Scottish
Mystery' series, "Overkilt" is a wonderfully riveting and unfailingly entertaining read from first
page to last. While certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community
library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of all
dedicated mystery buffs that "Overkilt" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$12.99).
One Taste Too Many
Debra H. Goldstein
Kensington
c/o Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street, Floor 21, New York, NY 10018-2522
www.kensingtonbooks.com
9781496719478, $7.99, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Married at eighteen, divorced at twenty eight, Sarah Blair reluctantly swaps her luxury lifestyle
for a cramped studio apartment and a law firm receptionist job in the tired hometown she never
left. With nothing much to show for the last decade but her feisty Siamese cat, RahRah, and
some clumsy domestic skills, she's the polar opposite of her bubbly twin, Emily -- an ambitious
chef determined to take her culinary ambitions to the top at a local gourmet restaurant. Sarah
knew starting over would be messy. But things fall apart completely when her ex drops dead,
seemingly poisoned by Emily's award-winning rhubarb crisp. Now, with RahRah wanted by the
woman who broke up her marriage and Emily wanted by the police for murder, Sarah needs to
figure out the right recipe to crack the case before time runs out. Unfortunately, for a gal whose
idea of good china is floral paper plates, catching the real killer and living to tell about it could
mean facing a fate worse than death -- being in the kitchen! A splendidly crafted mystery from
beginning to end by an author who is a master of the genre, Debra Goldstein's "One Taste Too
Many" is unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It
should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs that "One Taste Too
Many" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Scrublands
Chris Hammer
Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com
9781501196744, $26.99, HC, 384pp, www.amazon.com
Riversend is an isolated rural community afflicted by an endless drought, and where a young
priest does the unthinkable, killing five parishioners before being taken down himself. A year
later, accompanied by his own demons from war-time reporting, journalist Martin Scarsden
arrives in Riversend. His assignment is simple: describe how the townspeople are coping as the
anniversary of their tragedy approaches. But as Martin meets the locals and hears their version of
events, he begins to realize that the accepted wisdom assuming the priest was a pedophile whose
imminent exposure was the catalyst for the shooting (a theory established through an
award-winning investigation by Martin's own newspaper) may be wrong. Just as Martin believes
he's making headway, a new development rocks the town. The bodies of two German
backpackers (missing since the time of the church shootings) are discovered in a dam in the
scrublands, deserted backwoods marked by forest fires. As the media flocks to the scene, Martin
finds himself thrown into a whole new mystery. What was the real reason behind the priest's
shooting spree? And how does it connect to the backpacker murders, if at all? Martin struggles to
uncover the town's dark secrets, putting his job, his mental state, and his life at risk as more and
more strange happenings escalate around him. A riveting page-turning thriller of a read from
beginning to end, "Scrublands" by Chris Hammer is an especially recommended addition to
community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Scrublands" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
In Too Deep
Lynn H. Blackburn
Revell
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.revellbooks.com
9780800735517, $29.99, HC, 348pp, www.amazon.com
When the Carrington dive team discovers an encrypted laptop with connection to an open murder
case, detective Adam Campbell turns to the only person he can trust -- but what they find may
require a choice between loyalty and the truth. A deftly crafted and inherently riveting read
throughout, "In Too Deep" by Lynn Blackburn is a genuinely extraordinary novel by an author
who is an established master of the genre. While unreservedly recommended for community
library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "In Too
Deep" is also available in a paperback edition (9780800729295, $15.99) and in a digital book
format (Kindle, $10.33).
Burden of Proof
DiAnn Mills
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
www.tyndale.com
9781496427045, $24.99, HC, 416pp, www.amazon.com
Reeling from a negotiation gone wrong, FBI Special Agent April Ramos is caught off guard
when a frazzled young woman shoves a crying baby into her arms, then disappears. Worry for the
child's safety quickly turns to fear when a man claiming to be the girl's father abducts them at
gunpoint. April puts her hostage negotiation skills to use to learn more about who she's dealing
with: Jason Snyder, a fugitive accused of murder. As Jason spins a tall tale about being framed
for the killing of his business partner, April must sort through his claims to find the truth. A truth
that becomes all the more evident after April overhears a conversation between Jason and the
local sheriff and realizes something more sinister may be happening in their small town of Sweet
Briar, Texas. But aligning herself with a known fugitive to uncover the burden of proof could
cost April her job -- or worse, her life and the lives of other innocent people! Taking her readers
on a veritable rollercoaster ride of unexpected plot twists and turns, "Burden of Proof" is an
inherently riveting read from beginning to end. While very highly recommended, especially for
community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists
of dedicated suspense/thriller buffs that DiAnn Mills' "Burden of Proof" is also available in a
paperback edition (9781496427052, $14.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.84).
Evil Things
Katja Ivar
Bitter Lemon Press
www.bitterlemonpress.com
9781912242092, $14.95, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Hella Mauzer was the first ever woman Inspector in the Helsinki Homicide Unit. But her
superiors deemed her too 'emotional' for the job and had her reassigned. Now, two years later,
she is working in Lapland for the Ivalo police department under Chief Inspector Jarvi, a man
more interested in criminal statistics and his social life than police work. They receive a letter
from Irja Waltari, a priest's wife from the village of Kaarmela on the Soviet border, informing
them of the disappearance of Erno Jokinen, a local. Hella jumps at the chance to investigate.
Jarvi does not think that a crime is involved. After all, people disappear all the time in the snows
of Finland. When she arrives, Hella stays the village priest and his wife, who have taken in
Erno's grandson who refuses to tell anyone his grandfather's secret. A body is then discovered in
the forest and she realizes that she was right; a crime has been committed. A murder. But what
Hella doesn't know, is that the small village of Kaarmela is harbouring another crime, a crime so
evil, it is beyond anything any of them could have ever imagined. "Evil Things" is the debut
novel in author Katja Ivar's new 'Hella Mauzer Crime Series'. An impressive example of Nordic
noir, "Evil Things" is an historic thriller set during the Cold War. While very highly
recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the
personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Evil Things" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.85).
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
The Magnificent Wilf
Gordon R. Dickson
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
www.baen.com
9781481483636, $16.00, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
We are not alone in the galaxy. And extra-solar civilization has come calling. Now, Tom Parent,
his linguist wife Lucy, and their Great Dane Rex must travel the stars as ambassadors of Earth.
Their mission: to prove Humanity deserves to be considered equal to the scores of established
alien cultures. Earth's acceptance hinges on building good relationships with these aliens, and the
genteel Parents seem the perfect candidates for wooing extra-terrestrials. Of course, they'll have
to tread carefully among these brave new worlds that have such creatures in them! Soon what
starts as a straight-forward goodwill tour is complicated when Lucy is mistaken for a Wilf (a
lifeform that manipulates others toward moral behavior) and Tom accidentally joins a galactic
council when he sits in the wrong chair. On top of that, their faithful hound Rex starts talking.
And maybe it's best if we don't mention the singing gelatin-mold-like alien they have to rescue
from becoming dessert. Long out of print and now re-released in a trade paperback edition for a
new generation of enthusiastic science fiction fans, "The Magnificent Wilf" is a novel by the
legendary science fiction author Gordon R. Dickson. While an absolute 'must' for community
library Science Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The
Magnificent Wilf" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.99).
The Changeling's Daughter
R. Chris Reeder
Black Rose Writing
PO Box 1540, Castroville, TX 78009
www.blackrosewriting.com
9781684331819, $20.95, PB, 305pp, www.amazon.com
Unusual things have been happening to Brynn McAwber. A strange little man keeps showing up
at her door. She's being watched by a mysterious woman with a sword strapped to her back. And
her body keeps...disappearing! When Brynn discovers the terrible truth about herself and her
family, she embarks on a perilous quest, which takes her far from Indiana, far from the world she
knows, into the Land of Annwfyn, home of brownies and bwbachods, xanas and zephyrs, goblins
and gods. "The Changeling's Daughter" is the story of a girl who finds out she's supposed to be
the villain, but decides to be the hero anyway! A impressively crafted and unique fantasy novel
by an author with a genuine flair for originality, deftly crafted characters, and narrative driven
storytelling, "The Changeling's Daughter" is an extraordinarily entertaining read and would prove
to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Contemporary Fantasy
Fiction collections.
Mythicals
Dennis Meredith
Glyphus
9781939118295 (Print), $16.95
9781939118301 (Kindle), $2.99 www.glyphus.com
Imagine being dead drunk and stumbling into what appears to be a winged fairy. Obviously a
drunken delusion, right? Now take that encounter and lead it to a revelation that creatures of
myth are actually real (vampires, fairies, trolls and more) and that they may have extraterrestrial
origins. That's the foundation of this fantasy, which goes beyond a drunk's inadvertent discovery
of the blurred boundaries between legend and truth. But where other stories might let this
discovery take top billing, Dennis Meredith goes a step further in outlining how and why these
creatures are on the planet, and the real nature of their combined threat. Sci-fi and fairytale
formats join forces with these thriller elements to make for a fast-paced and involving mystery
that begins with Jack's close encounter, explores his slow realization that his encounter was not a
drunken fantasy, but actually real, and leads to truths that only Jack can reveal to a skeptical
world much in need of salvation. Mythicals is very highly recommended for its original, creative
approach to fantasy and one reporter's ultimate dilemma.
The Art Shelf
A New Way of Seeing
Kelly Grovier
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500239636, $50.00, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
From a carved mammoth tusk (ca. 40,000 BCE) to Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights (1505 -
1510) to Duchamp's Fountain (1917), a remarkable lexicon of astonishing imagery has imprinted
itself onto the cultural consciousness of the past 40,000 years. In "A New Way of Seeing: The
History of Art in 57 Works", poet, historian, and cultural critic Kelly Grovier devotes himself to
illuminating these and more than fifty other seminal works in this radical new history of art.
Stepping away from biography, style, and the chronology of "isms" that preoccupies most of art
history, "A New Way of Seeing" invites a new interaction with art, one in which we learn from
the artworks and not just about them. Grovier identifies that part of the artwork that bridges the
divide between art and life and elevates its value beyond the visual to the vital. "A New Way of
Seeing" challenges the sensibility that conceives of artists as brands and the works they create as
nothing more than material commodities to hoard, hide, and flip for profit. Lavishly illustrated
with many of the most breathtaking and enduring artworks ever created, "A New Way of Seeing"
casts fresh light on these famous works by daring to isolate a single, and often overlooked, detail
responsible for its greatness and power to move. Visually enhanced with the inclusion of 200
color illustrations, making it a critically important and unreservedly recommended addition to
personal, community and academic library Art History collections, "A New Way of Seeing" is an
extraordinary history of art and one that will have immense appeal to both academia and non-
specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.
Fantastic Worlds
Ed Leimbacher
Insight Editions
PO Box 3088, San Rafael, CA 94912
www.insighteditions.com
9781608878659, $75.00, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com
William Stout is an American fantasy artist and illustrator with a specialization in
paleontological art. From his cult movie posters to his epic paleoart, "Fantastic Worlds: The Art
of William Stout" celebrates his life and work in the format of a stunning monograph that
features his most iconic imagery from the multitalented muralist, illustrator, and designer. In this
beautifully illustrated pages Stout fans can relive the life and career of their favorite artist. Very
highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Contemporary American
Art & Artists collections, "Fantastic Worlds" provides readers an in-depth understanding of how
Stout developed as an artist and is an ideal informational resource for fans to commemorate and
appreciate the extraordinary work of a truly one-of-a-kind artist fantasy artist.
Pavement Chalk Artist, third edition
Julian Beever
Firefly Books Ltd.
50 Staples Avenue, Unit 1, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada L4B 0A7
www.fireflybooks.com
9781770851597, $29.95, HC, 128pp, www.amazon.com
"Pavement Chalk Artist: The Three-Dimensional Drawings of Julian Beever" includes a fabulous
selection of Beever's most intriguing anamorphic and seemingly 3-D drawings. Each one is
accompanied by a description of the techniques he used and the challenges he overcame. These
photographs record the development of his unusual skill and understanding of perspective.
Readers can see how his art progresses and matures as he takes on commissioned works and a
wealth of original, inventive subjects in locations worldwide. The photographs tell the story,
giving readers both an understanding of the principles of this 3-D art form and the pleasure of
sharing the scenes that passerby once enjoyed before these unique works disappeared forever.
Now published in a newly revised and expanded third edition, "Pavement Chalk Artist" includes
16 additional pages of Beever's most recent art. While very highly recommended, especially for
community and academic library Contemporary American Art collections, it should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Pavement Chalk Artist" is also available in a paperback edition
(9780228100775, $19.95).
Colorways: Acrylic Animals
Megan Wells
Walter Foster
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartoknows.com
9781633226142, $19.99, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Megan Wells is an artist, author, and instructor living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Previously a
high-school art teacher, Megan now runs her hand-lettering and illustration studio, Makewells,
full time. In "Colorways: Acrylic Animals" she draws upon her years of experience and expertise
to provide aspiring artists with a wealth of tips, techniques, and step-by-step lessons for learning
to paint whimsical artwork in vibrant acrylic. Each step-by-step project comprising "Colorways:
Acrylic Animals" shows not only how to capture an animal's likeness, but also how to use color
to create magical, other-worldly, and whimsical paintings. Aspiring artists will also learn how to
use acrylic paint to add texture and fanciful flourishes, like florals and collage, to their glorious
animal subjects. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in tone, commentary, instructions, organization and
presentation, "Colorways: Acrylic Animals" is highly recommended for personal and community
library art instructional reference collections and would well serve as an art class curriculum
supplemental studies textbook.
The Cookbook Shelf
Diabetes Quick-Fix with Magic Foods
Robert A. Barnett, et al.
Reader's Digest Trade Publishing
44 South Broadway, White Plains, NY 10601
www.rdtradepublishing.com
9781621454045, $19.99, PB, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Diabetes is an ailments endured by more than 100 millions Americans today. For diabetics, blood
sugar levels regularly soar and crash, creating such damage to physical health that if not dealt
with could prove lethal. The good news is that by eating the right foods, diabetics can help
control their blood sugar, keep hunger at bay, and still feel satisfied longer. "Diabetes Quick-Fix
with Magic Foods: Balance Your Blood Sugar to Lose Weight and Supercharge Your Energy!" is
based on nutrition science, but designed for non-specialist general readers who just want to know
what to eat. "Diabetes Quick-Fix with Magic Foods" showcases 57 'magic foods' that can help
the diabetic move their diet into sugar-friendly territory. Add just one of these showcased magic
foods to the plate, and diabetics can see results right away, such as: Barley instead of white rice
(thanks to barley's significant stash of soluble fiber it will slash the effect of excess blood sugar
by almost 70%) -- try Mushroom-Barley Pilaf; Add avocados to your diet (avocado contains fats
that actually improve insulin sensitivity) with a Turkey and Bean Chili with Avocado Salsa;
Berries, from ruby red strawberries to mid-night blue blueberries, are magic for your blood sugar
because they are full of fiber, which keeps blood sugar low, and antioxidants, which benefit
every cell in your body -- so try Cherry-Raspberry Crumble; Pasta, although high in carbs, if
cooked al dente and served with a topping containing vegetables, beans, chicken, garlic, and
onions, could get many magic foods on one plate and still keep blood sugar levels in a medium
range -- so try Macaroni and Cheese with Spinach; Cinnamon and vinegar are "secret
ingredients" that can significantly lower your blood sugar response to any meal -- sotry cinnamon
in Moroccan Spiced Carrots or vinegar in Flank Steak with Balsamic Sauce. Featuring more than
125 recipes, meal makeovers, meal plans, and cooking tips making it incredibly simple to get
more of the 57 magic foods onto your plate, "Diabetes Quick-Fix with Magic Foods" will make
meals will taste delicious and, in addition, they will rein in insulin resistance, offload dangerous
belly fat, reverse pre-diabetes, and help heal diabetes while feeling more fully charged and ready
to embrace life every day. Also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99), "Diabetes
Quick-Fix with Magic Foods" is unreservedly recommended and should be considered an
essential addition to the personal cookbook collections of any family with diabetic members, as
well as community library contemporary cookbook collections.
A Whole New Way to Eat
Vladia Cobrdova
Murdoch Books
www.murdochbooks.co.uk
9781743368985, $28.99, PB, 248pp, www.amazon.com
Covering breakfast, drinks, dips & spreads, salads, soups, lunch, dinner, snacks and sweets "A
Whole New Way to Eat" by Vladia Cobrdova (a nutritionist, recipe developer and Wellness
Ambassador for About Life -- Australia's largest wholefoods retail chain) has every realm of
eating and drinking covered to get you through the week and introducing a diverse range of foods
into your diet. Breakfast inspiration comes in the form of recipes like kohlrabi and sweet potato
rosti with maple bacon and lime avocado paired with a salted almond butter smoothie and chia
and date porridge; lunch comes with recipes like crispy coconut chicken; and main meal ideas
include dishes of lamb-stuffed eggplant with lemon & white bean tahini mash and seafood and
black rice paella. There's even sweet treats and snacks to keep you going, from hazelnut and
ginger chocolate fudge bark to carrot & zucchini cake with ricotta frosting. With inspirational
recipes that are suitable for vegans, paleo and vegetarians, "A Whole New Way to Eat" ensures
that everyone is welcome at the table with truly delicious food that just happens to be good for
you. Beautifully illustrated with full color photography, and featuring throughly 'kitchen cook
friendly' recipes for everything from a Silky Baobab Smoothie; Tumeric & Lime Coconut Baked
Snapper; Clean & Green Soup; and Shepherd's Pie with Lentils; to Lemon & Thyme Cranola;
Vannila & Maple Gut-Healing Marshmallows; Matcha Ice Cream; and Quinoa Scones, "A
Whole New Way to Eat" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to
personal, family, and community library vegetarian cookbook collections. While also avalable in
a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99), it is interesting to note that each of the more than 135
recipes are listed as to whether they are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, or paleo.
Fallout: The Vault Dweller's Official Cookbook
Victoria Rosenthal
Insight Editions
PO Box 3088, San Rafael, CA 94912
www.insighteditions.com
9781683833970, $35.00, HC, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Based on the irradiated delicacies of the world of Bethesda Entertainment's Fallout, this
Vault-Tec - approved cookbook provides fans of the award-winning series with recipes inspired
by their favorite Fallout foods. Whip up tasty versions of the Mirelurk egg omelette, throw some
deathclaw meat on the grill, and re-create BlamCo Mac & Cheese with "Fallout: The Vault
Dweller's Official Cookbook" by Victoria Rosenthal who launched her blog, Pixelated
Provisions, in 2012 to combine her lifelong passions for video games and food by recreating
consumables found in many of her favorite games. With recipes ranging from Sugar-Bombed
Carrots; Tato Soup; and Saddle Up Salisbury Steak; to Birthday Cake; Nuka-Cola Float; and
Mississippi Quantum Pie, "Fallout: The Vault Dweller's Official Cookbook" will prove to be a
unique and enduringly popular addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook
collections!
Poh Bakes 100 Greats
Poh Ling Yeow
Murdoch Books
www.murdochbooks.co.uk
9781743367490, $28.99, PB, 244pp, www.amazon.com
"Poh Bakes 100 Greats" is comprised of Poh Ling Yeow's must-have recipes that have been tried
and perfected over her years of baking experience both as a TV personality and as the owner of
her cafe and bakery Jamface. Starting with 'Savoury Stunners', 'Bake Sale Beauties' and 'French
fundamentals', recipes span beef stout pie with blue cheese crust and rosemary olive oil crackers
to rhubarb and spiced orange brulee and orange kisses with cream centres. 'Sweet Pies and
Tantalising Tarts' contain scrumptious recipes for blueberry bakewell tart; 'Oldies but Goodies'
has mouth-watering pecan cinnamon scrolls; and 'Thrills and Frills' has exactly what it says on
the tin, from Poh's Magic Rainbow Pinata Birthday Cake to her lemon meringue cloud cake.
Finally, by following her thoroughly kitchen cook friendly recipes even the most novice of family
cooks can now branch out with Poh's Black Forest crepe cake in her chapter on 'Adventure
Bakes'; get the perfect bake every time with the recipe for silken pear cake; and read-up on your
'Must-Knows' from ganaches and yogurt mascarpone cream to rum custard and lemon curd.
Certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library cookbook
collections, it should be noted for the personal culinary cookbook shelf that "Poh Bakes 100
Greats" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
New Pizza
Stefano Manfredi
Murdoch Books
www.murdochbooks.co.uk
9781743368886, $26.99, HC, 248pp, www.amazon.com
Pizza is one of America's most popular dishes, especially featuring Cheese, Pepperoni and
Sausage as the reliable and most often ordered varieties. But now Stefano Manfredi's new
cookbook compendium, "New Pizza", takes one of the world's favorite fast food back to its
origins as a deliciously healthy and simple meal for everyone to enjoy. In America pizza comes
in many styles - thin, thick, crisp, chewy, round, square, a meter or more in length, filled, fried or
sweet - and the quality of the pizza is defined by the quality of the flour, dough and toppings.
Sydney's award-winning pizza maestro will show even the most novice of kitchen cooks how to
use wholewheat flour, fresh toppings and tried-and-tested methods to create the healthiest,
tastiest pizza this side of Naples. An impressive culinary compendium, each showcased pizza is
accompanied by a full color and mouth-watering photograph. Of special note are the illustrated
instructions for shaping basic dough into a base for a pizza which precedes recipes for a Roman-
style pizza dough basic and a Roman-style pizza dough mixed wheat. With pizza recipes ranging
from Gorgonzola, Potato and Radicchio; to Roman Pizza with Roast Duck, Chestnuts, and
Mushrooms; to Roman Pizza with Zucchini Trifolati; to Roman Pizza with Broccoli, Marinated
Anchovies and Capers; even the most dedicated of pizza lovers will discover exciting new ways
to enjoy a pizza. While certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to personal,
family, professional, and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted that "New
Pizza" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Economic Studies Shelf
International Monetary Reform
John Williamson
Routledge
711 - 3rd Avenue, Floor 8, New York, NY 10017-9209
www.routledge.com
9781857438055, $155.00, HC, 152pp, www.amazon.com
John Williamson was, for the greater part of his career (1981-2012), a Senior Fellow at the
Peterson Institute for International Economics, USA. Before that he was an academic at the
Universities of York and Warwick in the United Kingdom and Pontif-cia Universidade Catolica
do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, interrupted by spells at the UK Treasury (1968-70) and the
International Monetary Fund (1972-74). He was also a Visiting Professor at the London School
of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Princeton University, USA, and took
leave of absence from the Peterson Institute to serve as Chief Economist in the World Bank from
1996-99. His publications have mostly concerned international monetary economics, although he
also achieved a certain notoriety in 1989 for inventing the phrase 'Washington Consensus'. In
"International Monetary Reform: A Specific Set Of Proposals", Williamson draws upon his years
of research, experience, and expertise to examine and analyze the workings of the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) and suggests how the international monetary system could, through
changes to the IMF, be reshaped and reformed. Individual chapters examine the Palais-Royal
report, explain how the IMF could be granted unlimited bailout powers to confront a global
crisis, propose an exchange-rate based mechanism by which the international community could
discipline excessive imbalances, examine alternative possibilities for the supply of future
reserves, advocate 'enthronement of the Special Drawing Right', and discuss the obstacles in the
way of such an ambitious reform agenda. Exceptionally well organized and presented, informed
and informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "International Monetary Reform" is
unreservedly recommended as a valued contribution to our on-going national dialogue, and for
both community, governmental, and academic library Contemporary Economics collections and
supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia,
economists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "International
Monetary Reform" is also available in a paperback edition (9781138386396, $53.95) and in a
digital book format (Kindle, $38.16).
The Bankrupting of America
William Salomone, Jr.
Dorrance Publishing Company
585 Alpha Drive, Suite 103, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.dorrancepublishing.com
9781480992313, $25.00, HC, 238pp, www.amazon.com
William Salomone, Jr. is a retired businessman and financial executive -- basically a numbers
guy. He previously did not pay much attention to national politics. He was happy living the
American Dream with his wife of 50 years and his son. However, in 2014, he retired and decided
to look into the reported national debt in trillions of dollars and the financial strength of the
government entity that was to be sending him Social Security checks. After his research, he was
stunned and alarmed. It became his strong belief that if a private company reflected the same
financial statement as the U.S. government, that company would be bankrupt and out of business.
In the pages of "The Bankrupting of America" Salomone deftly explores America's unimaginable
national debt -- a debt so large and growing so fast it may never be repaid. "The Bankrupting of
American also addresses such economically relevant issues of illegal immigration and terrorism,
along with suggestions of improving life for Americans. Exceptionally well written, organized
and presented, "The Bankrupting of America" is impressively informed and informative, making
it an ideal and highly recommended addition to community, college, and university library
Contemporary Social Issues collections in general, and Modern Economics supplemental studies
reading lists in particular.
Monetary Policy in an Uncertain World
Edited by James A. Dorn
Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001-5403
www.cato.org
9781948647144 $19.95 pbk / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Monetary Policy in an Uncertain World: Ten Years After the Crisis is an anthology of essays by a
diversity of learned scholars of economics discussing repercussions from America's reaction to
the Great Recession of 2008, which may have narrowly averted another Great Depression.
Examining the Fed's exit strategy and normalization after the economic stimulus, as well as
presenting arguments for a rules-based monetary policy on both a domestic and international
level, Monetary Policy in an Uncertain World informed and informative, seeking to analyze the
most valuable lessons and grievous mistakes from the crisis in hopes of advancing prospects that
will better prepare for the future. Individual writings include "Learning the Right Lessons from
the Financial Crisis", "Liquidity Risk after the Crisis", "Exit Strategies from Monetary Expansion
and Financial Repression", "Priorities on the Path to Normalization", "Reforming the Rules that
Govern the Fed", "Some Thoughts on International Monetary Policy Coordination", and much
more. Monetary Policy in an Uncertain World is a welcome contribution to public and college
library Economic Studies shelves, highly recommended.
The Gardening Shelf
Herbs and Spices: Self-Sufficiency
Linda Gray
Lifestyle Books
Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781847737755, $9.99, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Some herbs grow vigorously, some are tender and need special growing conditions, some are
annuals, some perennials, some you can grow indoors, all can be grown in pots or directly into
the ground. There are also certain species, such as chillies, that can be grown in temperate
climates. "Herbs and Spices: Self-Sufficiency" by Linda Gray (a home and garden expert and
runs her own very successful gardening website and publishes a monthly e-zine) is clear and
concise directory of herbs and spices provides all the essential information to help you grow a
selection of these flavor-enhancing foods in small or large spaces. Ideas for which herbs and
spices go best with which foods also accompany each description, so that you can really enliven
your repertoire of recipes. Beautifully illustrated throughout, thoroughly 'user friendly', compact
and expertly organized, "Herbs and Spices: Self-Sufficiency" is unreservedly recommended for
as a personal informational resource and community library collection Gardening reference
collections.
Container Gardener's Handbook
Frances Tophill
CompanionHouse Books
c/o Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781620083307, $19.99, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com
Now with "Container Gardener's Handbook: Pots, Techniques, and Projects to Transform Any
Space" even the most novice of aspiring gardeners can add greenery to their homes by utilizing
overlooked pots to their full potential and transform a garden -- even when all they have to work
with is a modest balcony, a small square of patio, or just a windowsill. "Container Gardener's
Handbook" covers a range of different planting schemes and types of container, from urns and
troughs to chimney stacks and hanging baskets. A reliable source of expert advice on what to
grow, ranging from bonsais, bulbs and bamboos to tumbling and creeping plants and flowers,
aspiring gardeners will learn how to make a living wall, a pond in a metal trough, or even your
own homemade containers. Featured in the "Container Gardener's Handbook" are: 41 inspired
projects for creative and sustainable container gardens; How to use containers to bring nature to
the most inhospitable and smallest of spaces; Choosing the right size, shape and materials for
containers; How to pair plants and pots, upcycle existing items, and create personalized
containers; Advice on drainage, compost, additives, fertilizers, mulch, feeding, watering,
deadheading, and more. Showcasing creative ideas and step-by-step instructions with bright and
informative photography, the profusely illustrated Container Gardener's Handbook" is thoroughly
'user friendly in organization and presentation, making it an ideal and highly recommended
addition to personal and community library Gardening instructional reference collections.
The Architecture Shelf
Patterson: Houses of Aotearoa
Andrew Patterson
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500022191, $75.00, HC, 252pp, www.amazon.com
In Maori culture, architecture is approached as a construction of beliefs: a building must emulate
and amplify personalities, hopes, and aspirations, becoming a physical expression of those who
inhabit it. These ideas and others are the inspirations behind the design projects of New Zealand
architect Andrew Patterson, who has been designing houses and civic projects in the country for
over thirty years. Now in the illustrated pages of "Patterson: Houses of Aotearoa" he showcases
fourteen of his recent houses, offering both an overview of the spectacular homes and a
photographic journey through New Zealand from stunning seascape retreats to mountain cabins.
Each house reveals how Patterson's architecture responds to the region's breathtaking landscape -
- telling the story of the country's cultural history and creating a sense of place and belonging.
"Patterson: Houses of Aotearoa" is interspersed with thematic sections that present Patterson's
key influences, such as the culture and lifestyles of New Zealand, and Maori architecture, art, and
mythology. A unique and inherently fascinating read that is enhanced with the inclusion of more
than 200 beautifully photographed images, "Patterson: Houses of Aotearoa" will prove to be an
immediate and enduringly popular addition to personal, professional, community, and academic
library Contemporary Architecture collections and supplemental studies lists.
Hawkins\Brown: It's Your Building
Hugh Pearman, introduction
Merrell Publishers
8755 Lookout Mountain Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046
www.merrellpublishers.com
9781858946689, $65.00, HC, 208pp, www.amazon.com
The award-winning architectural practice Hawkins\Brown, founded in 1988, is well-known for
its thoughtful, innovative, and sustainable new buildings and refurbishments of all types. The
practice prides itself on bringing a fresh and collaborative approach, creating places that are
well-made, well-used, and well-loved. Featuring an informative introduction by architectural
journalist Hugh Pearman, "Hawkins\Brown: It's Your Building" examines 14 of its projects in
detail, interspersed with essays on various themes by members of the practice. "Hawkins\Brown:
It's Your Building" includes the founding, history, and approach of Hawkins\Brown, based on
personal interviews with the practice's two founding principals, Roger Hawkins and Russell
Brown. Profusely and impressively illustrated throughout, "Hawkins\Brown: It's Your Building"
is the extraordinary story of an extraordinary architectural firm and will prove to be a welcome
and enduringly popular addition to professional, corporate, community, and academic library
Contemporary Architecture collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
The Private Gardens of SMI Landscape Architecture
Jorge Sanchez, editor
Merrell Publishers
8755 Lookout Mountain Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046
www.merrellpublishers.com
9781858946726, $70.00, HC, 208pp, www.amazon.com
The garden design firm of SMI Landscape Architecture is known for its estate master planning,
its public gardens and streetscapes, and its thoughtful private gardens for clients across the
United States, particularly in Florida, and in the Bahamas. The firm's philosophy incorporates a
"botanic garden" approach with exotic planting and elements of classical European design to
create beautiful, usable spaces, and it is also known for its preservation and restoration of old
landscapes. Compiled and edited by Jorge Sanchez, "The Private Gardens of SMI Landscape
Architecture" showcases 15 new gardens that presents the range of the firm's work. Each client
has different requirements, and so each garden turns out differently - but each shows the firm's
hallmarks of lush planting, luxurious garden "rooms," and immaculate hardscaping. A stunningly
beautiful and profusely illustrated volume, "The Private Gardens of SMI Landscape
Architecture" is impressively informative, a delight to browse through, and an effective source
for inspiration, making it an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
professional, community, college, and university library Landscape Architecture collections and
supplemental studies reading lists.
The New Cottage
Katie Hutchison
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
www.taunton.com
9781641550130, $34.95, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
"The New Cottage: Inspiration for America's Favorite Home" by Katie Hutchison (an architect
with over 23 years of experience in residential design) deftly explores how the traditional cottage
is changing and evolving to suit living today. Even in the face of technology's expanding scope
and speed, and the resulting nearly ubiquitous reach of social media, today's new cottage appeals
to our increasing need to balance transience and durability, togetherness and solitude, the high
tech and the home spun. "The New Cottage" showcases ten design strategies that characterize
captivating cottages are introduced. Also included are 25 case study examples revealing today's
updated take on the classic cottage, with visual icons throughout to serve as a reminder of which
strategies are in use where. Beautifully and profusely illustrated with full color photography
throughout making it of particular interest and value to academia and non-specialist general
readers alike, "The New Cottage" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition
to professional, community, college, and university library Contemporary Architecture
collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
The Needlecraft Shelf
A Beginner's Guide to Quilting
Christine Mann
Familius
1254 Commerce Way, Sanger, CA 93657
www.familius.com
9781641700337, $24.99, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Christine Mann is the co-founder of the popular website newquilter.com and founder of the
Quilter's Diary blog and New Quilters blog. In the pages of "A Beginner's Guide to Quilting" she
has drawn upon her years of experience and expertise to craft an ideal and unreservedly
recommended instruction manual and guide for the non-specialist general reader who would like
to learn the basics of quilting. Packed from cover to cover with illustrative full-color photographs
and a wealth of creative inspiration, every detail of "A Beginner's Guide to Quilting" features
step-by-step instructions in a lay-flat spiral binding that is designed specifically with the
beginning quilter in mind. Readers will also find a brief history of quilting and helpful guides on
cutting and coordinating colors, plus delightful extras like templates and quick-reference guides
in the back pocket of this book. Even better, each book comes with a pack of 4 quilt labels so
even the most novice beginner can proudly stitch their very own labels onto their first quilted
creation!
Knitting for Little Sweethearts
Hanne Andreassen Hjelmas & Torunn Steinsland
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764356278, $28.99, HC, 168pp, www.amazon.com
Hanne Andreassen Hjelmas and Torunn Steinsland are a photographer and designer duo,
mothers, and the founders of the wildly successful blog and webshop KlompeLOMPE. Since
their launch in Norway, these charming designs and knitted garments are now loved worldwide.
In "Knitting for Little Sweethearts" they draws upon their years of experience and expertise to
present and showcase 60 patterns for adorable knitted clothing designs. Nature inspired and with
a sweetly casual appeal, these patterns are mostly for boys and girls aged one to six, but there are
some charming pieces for adults, and for babies too. Needlecrafters can choose from comfortable
creations like cowls, shorts, Rough and Tumble Pants, jackets, mittens, a ballet skirt, and of
course several of the perfectly-crafted caps and hats that led to KlompeLOMPE's fame. Color and
yarn alternatives are included for most patterns, along with a handy difficulty rating: most
patterns are at level 2. Needlecrafters wanting to make a quick and easy project should look for
level 1. For those having aspirations for something a little more challenging should go to level 3.
Profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout, "Knitting for Little Sweethearts" will prove a
welcome and enduringly popular addition to personal and community library Contemporary
Needlecraft instructional reference collections.
Crocheted Birds
Vanessa Mooncie
The GMC Group
www.thegmcgroup.com
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784944582, $22.95, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com
Featuring 10 gorgeous projects, all with stunning photographs and detailed charts, "Crocheted
Birds: A Flock of Feathered Friends to Make" is a beautifully illustrated bird lovers'
needlecrafting instructional collection that: Includes extensive techniques section; Suitable for all
skill levels; Featuring 10 projects for adorable crocheted birds; with hand-drawn charts that
presents pattern projects that include the blackbird, wren and robin. Of special note are the
intricate charts included with the patterns to help aspiring needlecrafters to make our feathered
friends come to life! While very highly recommended for community library Needlecrafting
instructional reference collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Crocheted
Birds" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Knitted Safari
Sarah Keen
The GMC Group
www.thegmcgroup.com
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784944018, $19.95, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Sarah Keen works as a freelance pattern designer and finds calculating rows and stitches
challenging, but fascinating. She is experienced in designing knitted toys for children and also
enjoys writing patterns for charity. In the pages of "Knitted Safari: A Collection of Exotic Knits
to Make", is packed from cover to cover with fabulous safari animals to knit, as well as a jeep to
take go on the imaginary adventure of a lifetime. Inside you will find everything you need to
know to knit creatures that will entertain children for hours. "Knitted Safari" showcases do-it-yourself knitting projects for 25 safari animals and a jeep. Included are a techniques section
suitable for novice knitters who would like to make elephants, lions, a rhino, leopard, buffalo,
flamingos, chimps, a zebra, hippos and anteater. Profusely illustrated throughout, "Knitted
Safari" will prove to be a fun and welcome addition to personal and community library
Needlecraft instructional reference collections. It should be noted that "Knitted Safari" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Scrap Happy Quilts from Georgia Bonesteel
Georgia Bonesteel
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764356322, $29.99, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Georgia Bonesteel, as host of the long-running PBS series Lap Quilting, launched an entire
generation into the craft of quilting. She has served as President of the International Quilt
Association and was inducted into the Quilters Hall of Fame, among many other honors. In
"Scrap Happy Quilts from Georgia Bonesteel" she draws upon her years of experience and
expertise to share updated methods for making 25 classic quilt patterns using only whatever
fabrics are on hand. A kind how-to memoir showcasing 25 do-it-yourself quilting projects, with
"Scrap Happy Quilts from Georgia Bonesteel" employs a unique sewing system that starts with
fabric strips set in a magazine. Aspiring quilters will also enjoy funny stories, surprising
moments, and personal lessons Georgia has learned through her decades of trailblazing in the
quilting world, and get an entertaining glimpse into her home and studio. "Scrap Happy Quilts
from Georgia Bonesteel" is recommended for all levels of quilters and includes pattern
templates.
The Best of Buttermilk Basin
Stacy West
Martingale & Company
9781604689532, $26.99, www.shopmartingale.com
The Best of Buttermilk Basin: A Bevy of Cotton and Wool Quilted Projects shows how to join
wool, cotton, and embellishments to move between vintage and folk art influences typical of the
Buttermilk basin style, and creates a crafts guide that includes home embellishments from
pillows and mats to rugs and small quilts. From specific instructions on how to applique wool to
lovely full-page color photos throughout, The Best of Buttermilk Basin provides a satisfying
range of colors particularly suitable for Fall and winter decorating, and will appeal to any quilter
looking to expand quilt creations beyond the comforter approach.
The Sports Shelf
The Happy Runner
David Roche & Megan Roche, MD
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61820-5076
www.HumanKinetics.com
9781492567646, $24.95, PB, 232pp, www.amazon.com
Following a "some work, all play" approach, "The Happy Runner: Love the Process, Get Faster,
Run Longer", introduces the three commandments of happy running and teaches aspiring runners
how to balance the effort of their running with the simple joy of the activity. "The Happy
Runner" teaches how to run fast, run long, and stay healthy with proven training methods. It also
includes real stories from professional and recreational athletes who have had personal
breakthroughs as they learned to love the process of running. With "The Happy Runner' runners
will be able to understand how to adapt their running based on their personal lifestyle and goals
as well as avoid setbacks from injury. Finally, runners will also develop a self-belief and make
positivity their default setting so they can reach their personal and professional goals. Whether
battling burnout, or returning after an injury, or are new to running and want to enjoy a 5K or an
ultramarathon, the science-based training guidance in "The Happy Runner" will help to run
faster, go longer, and live stronger. Also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.34), it
should be noted that there is a CE exam available. For certified professionals, a companion
continuing education exam can be completed after reading this book. The Happy Runner Online
CE Exam may be purchased separately or as part of The Happy Runner With CE Exam, a
package that includes both the book and the exam. Simply stated, "The Happy Runner" is
unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community library collections, as well as a
textbook for highschool and college track team Physical Education Department curriculums.
Wrestling Tough, second edition
Mike Chapman
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61820-5076
www.HumanKinetics.com
9781492567912, $23.95, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Now in an updated and revised second edition, "Wrestling Tough" by Mike Chapman, (widely
known for his unique expertise, analysis, and insight into the great sport of wrestling) explores
the attacking mind-set and the importance of psyching up for competition. Readers will: Gain
perspective on the increasing popularity of the sport among women and girls and how female
participants are proving their toughness on the mat at all levels; Examine the rise and importance
of funk-style wrestling, through which an individual's personality is allowed (and encouraged) to
shine; Glimpse the key moments in the careers of many great wrestlers and the training methods
they used to break through barriers and achieve ultimate success. "Wrestling Tough" also features
stories, insights, and coaching philosophies from legendary coaches and wrestlers such as Cael
Sanderson, Dan Gable, Lee Kemp, John Smith, Tom Brands, and Steve Fraser, and even coaches
from other sports such as basketball's John Wooden and football's Vince Lombardi. These stories
will captivate wrestlers, coaches, and fans of wrestling alike. Simply stated, "Wrestling Tough"
provides the information and insights necessary to the development of the mental fortitude to win
and dominate on the mat. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and illustrated presentation,
"Wrestling Tough" is unreservedly recommended for personal, school, and community library
Sports & Athletic collections in general, and Wrestling supplemental studies reading lists in
particular.
The Theatre/Cinema Shelf
The Comic Hero's Journey
Steve Kaplan
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
www.mwp.com
9781615932870 $26.95 pbk / $17.40 Kindle amazon.com
"The Hero's Journey" for dramatic films is well known, but what of the protagonist of a comedy
film? The Comic Hero's Journey: Serious Story Structure for Fabulously Funny Films examines
the transformative journey of the protagonist in a comedy, with particular attention paid to the
differences between a comedy-film story structure and the dramatic Hero's Journey. Individual
chapters discuss characters in comedy, the catalyst of a comedic narrative, building toward a
madcap race to the finish, and more. A wealth of examples, including excerpts from iconic
comedy film scripts, rounds out this welcome and thought-provoking contribution to college and
public library Theatre/Cinema collections.
The Actor Uncovered
Michael Howard
Allworth Press
www.allworth.com
c/o Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781621535492, $24.99, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Michael Howard has been a major force in American theater for more than seven decades. After
studying with Sanford Meisner in the 1940s and Lee Strasberg in his private classes and in the
Actors Studio in the 1950s, Howard enjoyed an acting career that led him to work with such
American luminaries as Clifford Odets and Uta Hagen before moving on to direct and teach. He
served as the first artistic director of Atlanta's Alliance Theater and later on the faculties of
Julliard and Yale University. A teacher for more than fifty years in the studio he founded,
Michael Howard Studios, he has been and continues to be a trainer of actors who have achieved
international recognition. In "The Actor Uncovered" he draws upon his years of experience and
expertise to provide aspiring actors insights about the process and craft of acting that is at once
intensely personal and relatable by others. "The Actor Uncovered" covers such topics as:
Techniques, styles, and methods in a changing society; Relaxation, concentration, and the breath;
The relationships among actor, director, and writer; Memory; On camera versus on stage; and
Obstacles. A truly extraordinary blend of personal memoir and instructional text, "The Actor
Uncovered" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community and academic library
"Theatre Arts" collections and supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of theatre students, professional actors, and non-specialist general readers
with an interest in the subject that "The Actor Uncovered" is also available in a paperback edition
(9781621536369, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.71).
The Actor's Complete Shakespeare Sonnet Bible
Martin Jago
Smith & Kraus Publishers
177 Lyme Road, Lyme NH 03755-6610
www.smithandkraus.com
9781575259307, $21.95, PB, 399pp, www.amazon.com
An expert with respect to the works of Shakespeare, Martin Jago is an Interdisciplinary Theatre
Director from Great Britain with a passion for classical plays, contemporary plays, and new
writing. Drawing upon his years of experience and expertise, he has organized "The Actor's
Complete Shakespeare Sonnet Bible" in two parts: the first includes all one hundred and fifty
four of Shakespeare's Sonnets with side-by-side contemporary version of the text; the second part
uses a handful of sonnets to explore a hundred and one acting games, voice exercises and speech
workouts for actors. The aim is to provide actors a practical, book-in-hand guide to The Sonnets,
the nuts and bolts of iambic pentameter and a workbook of techniques, tips and know-how that
the actor can apply to everything he or she does from the classical to contemporary. Intended for
theatre directors, educators, coaches, "The Actor's Complete Shakespeare Sonnet Bible" is an
extraordinary body of work that would be an excellent textbook for a Shakespearian Studies
curriculum. Exceptionally well organized and presented, "The Actor's Complete Shakespeare
Sonnet Bible" is very highly recommended for personal, community library, community theatre,
and academic library Theatrical Studies collections in general, and Shakespearian supplemental
studies reading list in particular.
Project Planning for the Stage
Rich Dionne
Southern Illinois University Press
1915 University Press Drive, SIUC Mail Code 6806, Carbondale, IL 62901
www.siupress.com
9780809336890, $35.00, PB, 200pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "Project Planning for the Stage: Tools and Techniques for Managing
Extraordinary Performances", Rich Dionne (Assistant Professor and Faculty Technical Director
in the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance at Purdue University)
reframes theatre production as a project and provides essential tools for understanding and
managing it efficiently, whether it be a stage play, an opera, a dance piece, or other performance
that requires the collaboration of the artists and artisans creating the visual and aural landscape
for it. Deftly organized into four major sections (Productions as Projects; Planning the Project;
Executing and Managing the Project; Closing Out the Project), "Project Planning for the Stage "
is a complete and comprehensive course of instruction and very highly recommended for
community theatre, community library, college and university library Theatrical Production
collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of technical directors, costume shop
managers, master electricians, properties masters, video supervisors, and theatrical production
planners that "Project Planning for the Stage" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$31.59).
The Biography Shelf
Napoleon: A Life
Adam Zamoyski
Basic Books
www.basicbooks.com
c/o Perseus Books Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780465055937, $40.00, HC, 784pp, www.amazon.com
The story of Napoleon has been written many times. In some versions, he is a military genius, in
others a war-obsessed tyrant. Here, in "Napoleon: A Life", historian and biographer Adam
Zamoyski cuts through the mythology and explains Napoleon against the background of the
European Enlightenment, and what he was himself seeking to achieve. This most famous of men
is also the most hidden of men, and in "Napoleon: A Life", Zamoyski deftly dives deeper than
any previous biographer to find him. Beautifully written by an author with a genuine flair for
narrative storytelling and documented with scholarly precision so that it brilliantly sets Napoleon
within his European context, this 784 page biography is unreservedly recommended for
community, college, and university library collections. It should be noted for the personal reading
lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Napoleon: A Life" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.99) and as a complete
and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781549148163, $60.00, CD).
Sergeant York
Alvin York, author
Tom Skeyhill, editor
Racehorse Publishing
c/o Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781631582820, $16.99, PB, 352pp, www.amazon.com
On October 8th, 1918, amid the last of the Allies attempts to the Germans, Sergeant Alvin York
of Tennessee found himself and his platoon of only seventeen men trapped in the thick of heavy
machine gun fire. Rather than retreating or calling upon the artillery to take out the nest,
sharpshooter York single-handedly took out twenty-five Germans, dropping them one-by-one,
and captured many more. This is only one of the many tales of York's famed heroism, which
were heralded as some of the most impressive battle stories in history of modern warfare. Deftly
edited by Tom Skeyhill, "Sergeant York: His Own Life Story and War Diary" is comprised of
York's war diaries which offer up-close snapshots of his fabled military career. Long out of print
but included in this new paperback edition of a classic work are new forewords written by York's
son and grandson, which provide both personal and historical recollections of their predecessor.
In the pages of "Sergeant York" military buffs will learn about the fascinating life of a true
American World War I hero. While very highly recommended for both community and academic
library 20th Century American Biography and 20th Century Military History collections, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Sergeant York" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $11.01).
Flying with the Fifteenth Air Force
Tom Faulkner, author
Edited by David L. Snead
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
www.untpress.unt.edu
9781574417319 $29.95 hc / $19.19 Kindle amazon.com
Flying with the Fifteenth Air Force: A B-24 Pilot's Missions from Italy During World War II is
the in-depth, biographical memoir of author Tom Faulkner, a B-24 pilot who served as a member
of the 15th Air force of the U.S. Army Air Forces out of the San Giovanni airfield during World
War II. His missions took him to Hungary, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Yugoslavia. In Flying
with the Fifteenth Air Force, the reader gets an insider's view of the final months of the war,
enriched with extensive annotations and corroboration provided by editor David L. Snead. Flying
with the Fifteenth Air Force is a welcome addition to public library military biography
collections and personal reading lists, highly recommended.
Don Shula
Carlo DeVito
Sports Publishing
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New Yokr, NY 10018
www.sportspubbooks.com
9781683582335 $26.99 hc / $14.74 Kindle amazon.com
Don Shula: A Biography of the Winningest Coach in NFL History is the true-life story of
legendary pro football coach Don Shula (b. 1930), who has led teams to victory in the Super
Bowl six times. In the course of his career, Shula won more games (328) than any other coach in
NFL history, and earned a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997. Don Shula: A
Biography of the Winningest Coach in NFL History primarily focuses upon Shula's enormously
successful career in football, including his time coaching the Baltimore Colts, and the public feud
with star quarterback Johnny Unitas and owner Carroll Rosenbloom that motivated him to leave
the Colts and become the coach of the Miami Dolphins. Endnotes and a select biography enhance
this "must-read" for American football history enthusiats. Don Shula: A Biography of the
Winningest Coach in NFL History is engaging, insightful, and highly recommended.
Sam Goudsmit and the Hunt for Hitler's Atom Bomb
Martijn Van Calmthout
Prometheus Books
9781533884502, $24.00, www.prometheusbooks.com
Sam Goudsmit and the Hunt for Hitler's Atom Bomb is the first biography in English of the
Dutch-American physicist whose discoveries led to international attention when he published his
paper on the property of electronic spin in atomic science. When the Nazis invaded the
Netherlands, Goudsmit was eventually recruited by the Allies to search for evidence of German
atom bomb development. His team eventually found such evidence, but the devastating effects of
the war on his family (his parents were deported to Auschwitz and didn't survive the war) were to
change his life and affect his work and recognition. This book returns Goudsmit and his work to
the prominence it deserves in both world history and scientific circles, and should be in not just
autobiography but World War II history and science holdings alike.
Playboy's Hugh Hefner: Empire of Skin
Darwin Porter & Danforth Prince
Blood Moon Productions
9781936003594, $34.95, www.bloodmoonproductions.com
Readers must throw out any preconceived notions about what a Hefner biography would look
like in order to consider the multifaceted approach of Playboy's Hugh Hefner: Empire of Skin
because it toes the line between a gossip piece and a broader inspection of Hefner's authority. It
should also be mentioned that this is no light piece. Over five hundred pages of facts about
Hefner are culled from some 50 years of research from a former bureau chief and entertainment
reporter at the Miami Herald. Playboy's Hugh Hefner contains a satisfying blend of factual
reporting and discussions of affairs, Playboy politics, and Hefner's psyche, motivations,
influences, and ambitions. Black and white photos of people, places, and memorabilia abound,
complimenting and breaking up text and providing a fine visual embellishment to interviews and
Hefner's own perceptions of himself. The result is spicy, revealing, fact-based, and compelling:
the kind of reveal read that appears weighty and daunting, but proves to be accessible, involving,
and hard to put down.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
Supers (Book One)
Frederic Maupome and Dawid
Top Shelf Productions
www.topshelfcomix.com
c/o IDW Publishing
www.idwpublishing.com
9781603094399 $14.99 amazon.com
Supers (Book One): A Little Star Past Cassiopeia is a full-color graphic novel about a trio of
super-powered illegal immigrants - from another planet! Matt, Lily, and Benji were abandoned
on planet Earth at a young age, and they don't dare use their powers in public for fear of their
secret becoming known. Everyday life is hard, and starting at a new school poses additional
challenges. How does one deal with a violent bully when basic self-defense could give away
one's super-speed? A captivating browse for readers of all ages, Supers (Book One) is
enthusiastically recommended for both public library and personal graphic novel collections.
Skip to the End
Jeremy Holt, author
Alex Diotto, illustrator
Insight Comics
https://insightcomics.com
c/o Insight Editions
PO Box 3088, San Rafael, CA 94912
www.insighteditions.com
9781683834397, $24.99, HC, 112pp, www.amazon.com
The bass player of a breakout '90s punk band, Jonny falls apart when his band mate and best
friend Kirk commits suicide. Twenty years later he struggles with heroin addiction, lost in the
songs they created and desperate to relive the past, when he discovers that he can -- literally.
With the aid of a mysterious guitar, Jonny begins to make trips back in time, searching for the
roots of Kirk's unraveling. At Nar-Anon meetings and in conversations with his sponsor Emily,
he starts to cope with the events that led to Kirk's death. But by the time Jonny realizes that his
visits can't change the present, he might be too addicted to stop. An original and deftly crafted
graphic novel by the team of author Jeremy Holt and illustrator Alex Diotto, "Skip to the End" is
the engaging story of bassist-turned-junkie Jonny Wells -- a man who is addicted to his past, and
the only way to deal with it is through the music he makes. While very highly recommended for
community library Graphic Novel collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that
"Skip to the End" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99).
Assassin's Creed: Conspiracies
Guillaume Dorison, author
Jean-Baptiste Hostache, illustrator
c/o Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781785867194, $16.99, PB, 104pp, www.amazon.com
Eddie Gorm is the boss of the docks and his only obsession is to run his small business. For this,
the docker does not shrink from anything: diversion of military rations, traffic of alcohol and
settling of account in the district of the East End. The war? The Nazis? This is the problem of
others. Except that when death knocks on his door, he has no choice: only man to save the world
from atomic horror, Eddie finds himself propelled despite himself in the midst of a millennial
conflict between the Order of Templars and the Brotherhood of Assassins. The latest addition to
an iconic graphic novel series that blends science fiction, history, mystery and suspense,
"Assassin's Creed: Conspiracies" is an extraordinarily engaging read and will prove to be a
favored and popular addition to personal and community library graphic novel collections. It
should be noted that "Assassin's Creed: Conspiracies" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $4.49).
The Prisoner: Shattered Visage
Dean Motter & Mark Askwith
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781785862885, $24.99, PB, 112pp, www.amazon.com
Set twenty years after the final episode of the iconic television series, "The Prisoner: Shattered
Visage" follows former secret agent Alice Drake as she is shipwrecked on the shores of the
Village and encounters an aged Number Six, who is still locked into a decades-old conflict with
his old nemesis Number Two for the future of the now long deserted spy village. Meanwhile,
back in London conflicting intelligence agencies fight to gain control of the intelligence mine
that is The Village, and the deadly secret lying at its very core. This trade paperback edition
includes a two-page text piece that explained the surreal final episode, "Fall Out" as a
drug-induced hallucination. Original, dramatic, inherently fascinating, "The Prisoner: Shattered
Village" is a wonderful treat for the legions of fans of "The Prisoner" television show and will
prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Graphic Novel
collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Prisoner: Shattered Village" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.37).
Millennium: The Girl Who Danced with Death
Sylvain Runberg, author
Belen Ortega, illustrator
Hard Case Crime
c/o Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781785866937, $22.99, PB, www.amazon.com
Lisbeth Salander returns in "Millennium: The Girl Who Danced with Death", a gripping new
story written Sylvian Runger and based on a series of best-seller novels by Steig Larsson in a
graphic novel format. This time around, Lisbeth is preparing to hack a gigantic data centre and
expose the Swedish secret service's secret files. Unfortunately, nothing is simple, and Lisbeth
once again finds herself in need of Mickael Blomkvist's help when her friend Trinity is
kidnapped. In a world of conspiracy and mistrust, their investigation soon leads them to the
obscure group known only as 'Sparta'. A gem of the suspense thriller genre, "Millennium: The
Girl Who Danced with Death" is an extraordinary read from beginning to end and will prove to
be a welcome addition to community library Graphic Novel collections. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Millennium: The Girl Who Danced with Death" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Tank Girl Color Classics Book One
Alan Martin, author
Jamie Hewlett, illustrator
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781785866753, $24.99, HC, www.amazon.com
A definitive anthology of Tank Girl collecting classic stories from the original creators of this
iconic character, author Alan Martin and illustrator Jamie Hewlett, "Tank Girl Color Classics
Book One" is comprised of Tank Girl stories published in 1998 through 1990 and follow her first
load of crazy, wild antics that captured the hearts of readers everywhere, then shot them to
oblivion (by accident of course)! With all new coloring, "Tank Girl Color Classics Book One" is
a 'must' for the legions of Tank Girl fans and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to
community library Graphic Novel collections.
Dirty Old Tank Girl
Alan Martin, author
Brett Parson, illustrator
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781785869822, $24.99, PB, www.amazon.com
The third Tank Girl graphic novel omnibus, "Dirty Old Tank Girl" offers a double whammy of
wonderfully wild and whacked out Tank Girl adventures drawn straight from the pages of two
stories: Carioca and Skidmarks. In Carioca (written by Tank Girl co-creator Alan Martin with
artwork by the legendary Mick McMahon) our lethal heroine is rudely snubbed on a TV game
show, she plots the death of the vulgar host in question unwittingly releasing the vengeance of
his embittered wife and a gang of highly trained assassins as a result! In Skidmarks (drawn by
Rufus Dayglo), Tank Girl sets off on an illegal cross-continental race in a bid to win enough
money for an incredibly expensive operation to bring her best friend Barney out of a
skateboard-accident induced coma. While very highly recommended, especially for community
library graphic novel collections, it should be noted for all Tank Girl fans that "Dirty Old Tank
Girl" is also available in a digital book form (Kindle, $24.99).
Mermaid Project
Leo & Corine Jamar, illustrators
Fred Simon, illustrator
Cinebook Ltd.
www.cinebook.com
c/o National Book Network (dist.)
www.nbnbooks.com
9781849184021, $11.95, PB, 50pp, www.amazon.com
Inspector Romane Pennac is the only white woman in her station. The world has suffered
devastating wars and ecological disasters, and the old powers of Europe and America are now the
third world. Amidst it all, it is to this young woman, now a member of a discriminated-against
minority, that a couple of devastated parents turn. A mysterious letter has just announced that the
body of their daughter, recently deceased in New York, is missing from her coffin. Set in Paris
and New York at end of the 21st century, "Mermaid Project" is the first volume in a five book
graphic novel series by the team of author Leo and illustrator Corine Jamar and the artwork of
Fred Simon. Original, entertaining, deftly scripted and engagingly illustrated, "Mermaid Project"
is especially recommended for community library graphic novel collections. It should be noted
for the personal reading lists of science fiction fans that "Mermaid Project" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Black Mars
Andre Franquin, author
Batem, illustrator
Yann, contributor
Cinebook Ltd.
www.cinebook.com
c/o National Book Network (dist.)
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.nbnbooks.com
9781849184182, $11.95, PB, 48pp, www.amazon.com
Off the coast of Palombia, a freighter is at anchor, immobilized by mysterious engine trouble. It
is transporting the Zabaglione Circus and its main attraction: a black Marsupilami! When the
animal escapes thanks to a kind clown, he finds himself in the middle of a jungle he has never
known. And as if helping out this clumsy newcomer wasn't enough for the local Marsupilami
family, they also have to face the march of progress, as a highway is built through their home!
Andre Franquin was as important and influential throughout his career as Herge, moulding and
training dozens of artists through his long years at Spirou magazine. Creator of the Marsupilami
and of Gomer Goof, he was in charge of Spirou & Fantasio for 20 years. Yann is known for his
ferocious humour and his enduring cynicism; he's one of the most essential writers of the comics
scene, with over 50 series under his belt. A Belgian artist and colourist, Batem was chosen by
Franquin to illustrate the solo adventures of his favourite animal, the Marsupilami. The third
volume of Marsupliami graphic novel series, "Black Mars" is a wonderfully entertaining read
from beginning to end. While unreservedly recommended for community library Graphic Novel
collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Black Mars" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $5.99).
The Audiobook Shelf
The First Conspiracy
Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch, authors
Read by Scott Brick
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781427299185 $39.99 www.macmillanaudio.com
Featuring a bonus interview with authors Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch, The First Conspiracy:
The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington is the unabridged audiobook rendition of a shocking
true story from American history that reads like a thriller. In 1776, an elite group of soldiers was
selected to be George Washington's bodyguards. But there were traitors among them, who along
with the Governor of New York (William Tryon) and Mayor David Mathews, concocted a deadly
plot to eliminate George Washington. A riveting glimpse into just how fragile and tenuous
America's beginning as a nation truly was, The First Conspiracy is highly recommended for
public library and personal audiobook collections. 9 CDs, 11 hours. It should be noted that The
First Conspiracy is also available in hardcover format from Flatiron Books (9781250130334,
$29.99) and in a Kindle edition ($14.99).
Reconstruction: A Concise History
Allen C. Guelzo, author
Read by Bob Souer
Tantor Media, Inc.
6 Business Park Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
9781630153991 $29.99 https://tantor.com
Reconstruction: A Concise History is the unabridged audiobook rendition of an accessible,
reader-friendly history of the post-Civil War Reconstruction era of America. The Reconstruction
era is well-known for its failures (the rise of segregation and Jim Crow, and entrenched Southern
resistance toward a Northern free-labor economy), but its successes are also worth noting (the
Civil Rights Act, ratification of the fourteenth and fifteenth Constitutional Amendments, and the
avoidance of a renewed Civil War). Smoothly narrated by voice professional Bob Souer,
Reconstruction: A Concise History is enlightening, fascinating, and highly recommended
especially for public library and personal audiobook collections. 4 CDs, 4.5 hours.
Ghost Stories
Charles Dickens, author
Read by David Timson
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28, Franklin, TN 37064
9781781981740 $81.98 www.naxosaudiobooks.com
Ghost Stories is an audiobook rendition of fifteen classic ghost stories written by Charles
Dickens, showcasing his versatile talents in the realm of supernatural horror. Vividly performed
by BBC Radio Drama veteran David Timson, these Gothic tales include "The Signalman", "The
Haunted Man", "Ghost's Bargain", "The Portrait-Painter's Story", "Captain Murderer and the
Devil's Bargain", "A Christmas Carol", "The Baron of Grogzwig" from "The Pickwick Papers",
and "The Ghost in the Bride's Chamber", a novella co-written with Wilkie Collins. Ghost Stories
is a treasure for connoisseurs of the genre in general and Dickens' classic fiction in particular,
highly recommended for both personal and public library audiobook collections. 14 CDs, 16
hours 20 min. 25 sec.
Belichick
Ian O'Connor, author
Narrated by Brian Hutchison
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
www.recordedbooks.com
9781980013211 $TBA
Belichick is the unabridged audiobook biography of enormously successful and starkly
controversial National Football League coach Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England
Patriots, who has led the team to five Super Bowl championships. This biography focuses
expressly on Belichick's lifetime involvement in football, from watching college games as a kid
with his father, to orchestrating Super Bowl-winning game plans as a defensive coordinator for
the Giants, to his historic career coaching the New England Patriots. Here are tales of the people
Belichick met and worked with, from team owners to football players. Based on extensive
research and a wealth of interviews, Belichick is a "must" for sports scholars and Patriots fans
alike. 17 CDs, 21.25 hours.
Girls of Paper and Fire
Natasha Ngan
Hachette Audio
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104
www.HachetteAudio.com
9781478992691, $24.99, CD, www.amazon.com
Lei is a member of the Paper caste, the lowest and most persecuted class of people in Ikhara. She
lives in a remote village with her father, where the decade-old trauma of watching her mother
snatched by royal guards for an unknown fate still haunts her. Now, the guards are back, and this
time, it's Lei they're after - the girl with the golden eyes whose rumored beauty has piqued the
king's interest. Over weeks of training in the opulent but oppressive palace, Lei and eight other
girls learn the skills and charm that befit a king's consort. There, she does the unthinkable -- she
falls in love with another of the Paper Girls. Her forbidden romance is a direct affront to the
Beast King, resulting in Lei becoming enmeshed with an explosive plot that threatens her world's
entire way of life. Lei, still the wide-eyed country girl at heart, must decide how far she's willing
to go for justice and revenge. Dramatically narrated by Allison Hiroto (who does full justice to
Natasha Ngan's richly textured fantasy), "Girls of Paper and Fire" is a complete and unabridged
audio book and one that is unreservedly recommended for fantasy fiction fans and community
library collections.
Grumpuss: 15th Anniversary Audio Theater Edition
Written and performed by Travis Edward Pike
Otherworld Cottage Industries
$TBA https://grumpuss.com
Grumpuss: 15th Anniversary Audio Theater Edition (79 min. 9 sec.) is a two-CD set rendering
Travis Edward Pike's award-winning "Grumpuss" epic fantasy poem into audio "theater of the
mind". This is the original 1998 studio recording of "Grumpuss", read aloud by the author and
rescued from archives, remastered with fresh recordings of Pike's original music, enhanced with
sound effects. What, may you ask, is a Grumpuss? It's a legendary beast similar to a ferocious
cat, "With tremendous paws and gigantic claws, and jaws that can crush armor flat!" Grumpuss:
15th Anniversary Audio Theater Edition is a treat for fantasy connoisseurs, a welcome addition
to public library audiobook collections, and makes an excellent gift. Also highly recommended is
Travis Edward Pike's Grumpuss 20th Anniversary Platinum Edition (1 hour, 38 min.), the DVD
adaptation of the Grumpuss saga.
Hachette Audio
www.hachetteaudio.com
Four new audio releases are top, recommended picks for listeners looking for the juxtaposition of
quality narrators and involving premises. Joel Osteen's Next Level Thinking: 10 Powerful
Thoughts for a Successful and Abundant Life (9781549141157, $30.00) is read by the author,
whose voice perfectly promotes his powerful plan to recognize the route God has destined for
each person. Tips on how to overcome negativity to rise to God's plan make for a spirited blend
of inspiration and religious contemplation. Michael Savage's Stop Mass Hysteria: America's
Insanity from the Salem Witch Trials to the Trump Witch Hunt (9781549142611, $30.00) is read
by Barry Baer, who lends a clear, revealing voice to this survey of mass hysteria as evidenced by
the Left's response to changing American values. Readers on both sides of the political fence
receive a thought-provoking blend of historical scenarios surrounding collective insanity and
insights into the definition, circumstances, and tactics of mass hysteria and those who manipulate
it for social and political gain. Joe Ide's Wrecked (9781549173929, $35.00) is read by Sullivan
Jones, who brings to life the story of Isaiah Quintabe ('IQ'), a notorious young investigator who
lives in the limelight of adversity and fame. The case of a young painter who wants to locate a
missing mother would seem opposite of IQ's usual cases; but his involvement in the case takes
some unexpected turns in keeping with his notorious nose for trouble in this engrossing story.
Kerri Maniscalco's Escaping from Houdini (9781478995975, $30.00) is narrated by Nicola
Barber, who brings to life a vivid story of magic, investigation, and a young escape artist in a
luxury voyage turned nightmare when travelers begin showing up dead. The Midnight Carnival
somehow holds the key to deeper, darker troubles and a killer's dark efforts in an audio story
that's hard to stop listening to. Michael Connelly's Dark Sacred Night (9781549142314, $40.00)
is narrated by Christine Lakin and Titus Welliver, who bring to life this Ballard and Bosch
thriller about a detective drawn to a case that leads to her empathy. The unsolved murder of a
teen who was tossed in the trash leads her to search for her killer, with two detectives forming a
new bond as the case leads to unexpected conclusions. M.R. Carey's Someone Like Me
(9781549168765, $35.00) is narrated by Robin Miles, who adds tension and life to this story of
mother Liz, who seeks to build a loving home for her two kids even as darkness inside her builds
up a dangerous alter ego. When that persona gets loose, trouble emerges in a tense story of action
and danger. Philip Norman's Slowhand: The Life and Music of Eric Clapton (9781478922636,
$35.00) includes a .pdf of photos and is narrated by Peter Coates as it follows the life and times
of a rock and roll icon. Clapton's music, career, tragedies and achievements are all embraced in a
vivid story that comes to special life in audio format.
The Library CD Shelf
Serenity III
Michael Kollwitz
www.MichaelKollwitz.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Serenity III: More Peaceful Music on the Chapman Stick is music artist Michael Kollwitz's third
CD of relaxing music created on the unique, uncommon stringed instrument created by Emmett
Chapman, and known as The Chapman Stick (R) (more info about this marvelous instrument can
be found on www.stick.com or on Wikipedia - it's classified as part of the guitar family, and
known for its ability to play base lines, melody lines, chords or textures). Mellifluous and
soothing, Serenity III is a treasure to experience and makes an excellent gift to connoisseurs of
extraordinary instrumental compositions. Highly recommended. The tracks are "Cloud Number
Eleven", "Soft Forest", "Tell Me Why", "Wherever It Leads", "Gift Of Peace", "Smooth Sailing",
"Sunday Morning", "Contemplation", "Winding Down", "Crystal Caverns", "Playful Curiosity",
"Forgive and Forget", "Have a Good One", "On The Lake", "Secret Cargo", and "Good Night
Sleep Tight".
You're the One
Brian Hagen
bharts.net
Privately Published
$TBA amazon.com
You're the One is a new age solo piano album by music artist Brian Hagen, featuring a blend of
original compositions and beloved classic pieces. All songs share a common theme about the
profound effects of love. You're the One is beautiful, liberating, and makes an excellent gift to
show a loved one how special they are. The track list (with Hagen's original creations marked by
asterisks) is "You're the One" *, "By the Limpid Stream, Friedrich Burgmuller Opus 100, No. 7",
"Nocturne, Alexander Borodin theme from String Quartet #2" (arrangement by Brian Hagen),
"Contemplation, Felix Mendelssohn Opus 30, No. 1, Andante Espressivo", "Diabelli Sonatina,
Diabelli Opus 168, no. 4, movement II: Andantino", "Fantasie, Anton Bruckner WAB 118",
"Lonesome Road" *, "Beethoven Sonatina, Ludwig Van Beethoven" "Afternoon Waltz" *, "Let It
Flow" *, "Now and Forever" *, "Autumn Afternoon Homecoming" *, "Kleine Studie, Robert
Schumann Opus 68, No. 14", and "Sunflower" *.
Reality of Dreams
Dulce Joya
http://dulcejoya.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $7.99 MP3 amazon.com
The debut solo piano collections of pianist and composer Dulce Joya, Reality of Dreams is a
musical journey through the boundaries of imagination. Wondrous and captivating, Reality of
Dreams is an inspirational work of beauty and a choice pick for solo piano connoisseurs, highly
recommended. The tracks are "Romantic Power", "Call of the King", "Lights and Shadows",
"Sad Moments", "Magical Ride", "Pride of Love", "Shadows of my Soul", "Stormchild", "Winter
Dreams", "Bleeding Heart", "Fallen Angel", and "Goodbye".
If It's Love
Kelly Hafner
Smoky Jazz Records
$TBA www.kellyhafner.com
If It's Love is the debut studio album of Austin-based R&B soul singer snd songwriter Kelly
Hafner. With the aid of band members Sam Diaz (guitar), Daniela Pennycook (violin), and
variety of other talented musicians, If It's Love is a powerful, moving collection original pieces
about human emotions, and connections formed with friends, lovers, oneself, and the light of the
divine. If It's Love is a treasure worthy of sharing as a gift, highly recommended. The tracks are
"If it's Love", "Dreams", "Keep on Hanging On", "Things are Changin'", "Lifted", "No Time",
"Summergirl", "On My Mind", "Give Light", and "Angel".
Looking for Utopia
David R. Peoples
Bluesilhouettes Music
bluesilhouettes.com
$TBA CD / $8.99 MP3 amazon.com
Bluesilhouettes (a.k.a. David R. Peoples) presents Looking for Utopia, an original
jazz/world/new age fusion album that transcends genres. The music encapsulates the timeless
quest for utopia, and features collaborative contributions from South African slide flutist Carina
Bruwer and Berlin cellist Natasha Jaffe. The result is a resplendently creative and inspirational
soundscape, highly recommended. The tracks are "The Valley of Hidden Treasures", "Peach
Blossom Spring", "Moondreams on Crystal Roses", "Dance of the Flickering Fire", "Looking for
Utopia", "City of Golden Lights", "Crystal Skies", "Solitariety", "Glass Flower City", "Glass
Butterflies", "Hidden City at Crying Rock", and "Take Me to Elysian Fields".
On the Other Side
Cathy Oakes
www.CathyOakesSoloPiano.com
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
On the Other Side is an album of original new age piano compositions with additional
instrumentation by music artist Cathy Oakes, her first album after a five-year hiatus. The
seventeen songs contemplate the emotional milestones of life, whether they are joyful or
heartrending. On the Other Side is also a tribute to faith, and knowing that one day we will be
reunited with loved ones who have passed on. On the Other Side is heartwarming, memorable,
and highly recommended. The tracks are "Hymn for Peace", "From This Day", "Echoes of Time",
"Home with Annie", "Kessia's Waltz", "Puddle Dance", "Flight of a Princess", "Lullaby from
Afar", "Just Us", "Midnight Tide", "Sienna's Dream", "Ripples on the Water", "Remnant Tears",
"Heal Me", "Beloved Promise", "Be Still My Soul", and "On the Other Side".
Waiting's End
KeithTim Anderson
www.keithtim.com
Kamsongs Music
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Waiting's End: Solo Piano Vol. 1 is the debut new age, solo piano album by singer/songwriter
KeithTim Anderson. Eleven tracks of music created to promote tranquility, harmony, and inner
quietude offer a soothing gift to ease mental tensions, especially after a long day. Waiting's End
is a choice pick for connoisseurs of meditative solo piano, highly recommended. The tracks are
"Autumn Rain", "Here With You", "Hope Again", "Last Goodbye", "Long Age", "Photographs",
"Remember When", "Rest Awhile", "Someday", "Somewhere Out There", and "Waiting's
End."
And If You Will Come To Me
Idan Raichel
www.idanraichelproject.com
Cumbancha
$TBA www.cumbancha.com
Israeli music artist Idan Raichel presents And If You Will Come To Me, an original album
recorded from his journey and explorations during a solo break from "The Idan Raichel Project"
band. Guest contributions from music artists Raichel met in Japan, Bulgaria, and Israel are
smoothly incorporated into this whirlwind, emotional tour of a creative journey. Passionate and
vibrant, And If You Will Come to Me is an extraordinary, international sound experience, highly
recommended. The physical CD booklet includes English translations of all song lyrics. The
English translations of the tracks are "Spinning Wheel", "A Love Like This" feat. Zehava Ben,
"And If You Will Come To Me", "The Eternity That Was Lost" feat. Danay Suarez, "In The
Beginning", "Why Do We Deserve It" feat. Berry Sakharof, "My Friends", "You Are Not Left On
Your Own", "Let's Meet", "And If You Will Come To Me" [piano version].
The Library DVD Shelf
Quiet Heroes
First Run Features
630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036
$24.95 www.firstrunfeatures.com
Quiet Heroes is a DVD documentary about two women who defied the culture of their city to aid
the sick. Salt Lake City, Utah, was a terrible place to contract HIV/AIDS in the 80's and early
90's; the Mormon religious monoculture ostracized those who were sick, and the religion's push
to wed gay men to women led to marital transmissions of HIV, when gay men had secret affairs
and passed HIV on to their wives. For years, there were no doctors in the Salt Lake City area
willing to treat HIV patients - other than two women, Dr. Kristen Ries and her partner (in
medicine and in life) Maggie Snyder. Quiet Heroes is the story of their courageous fight to help
the sick and infected, especially during a time when no one else in their area would. Highly
recommended, particularly for public library DVD collections. 68 min.
Olancho
A film by Chris Valdes & Ted Griswold
First Run Features
630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036
$24.95 www.firstrunfeatures.com
Olancho is a documentary on DVD about musicians in Olancho, the most lawless and dangerous
province of Honduras. In Olancho, the drug trade is entrenched and run by vicious cartels. A
group of musicians finds economic opportunity in performing for crime-bosses. Their songs
lionize the very people whose drug trafficking and other crimes have all but turned Honduras into
a failed state, and who sometimes threaten to kill the musicians' loved ones. Do these musicians
have any choice other than to sing the praises of the drug lords who hold so much power?
Olancho is terrifying, thought-provoking, and highly recommended especially for public library
documentary collections. 70 min.
Travis Edward Pike's Grumpuss 20th Anniversary Platinum Edition
Travis Edward Pike
Otherworld Cottage Industries
otherworldcottageindustries.com
$19.95 https://grumpuss.com
Travis Edward Pike's Grumpuss 20th Anniversary Platinum Edition (1 hour, 38 min.) is the
award-winning DVD of Pike's beloved narrative poem "Grumpuss" transformed into an epic film
performance. What exactly is a Grumpuss? It's a mythological beast that resembles an ill-
tempered cat, "With tremendous paws and gigantic claws, and jaws that can crush armor flat!" A
treasure sure to delight connoisseurs of classic British fantasy by authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien,
Lewis Carroll, and C.S. Lewis, Travis Edward Pike's Grumpuss 20th Anniversary Platinum
Edition is a choice pick for family movie night and public library collections, and makes a
memorable gift. Bonus features include "Tarvis Edward Pike World Premiere Documentary", and
three slideshows about the making of Grumpuss. Also highly recommended is the 2-CD set
"Travis Edward Pike's Grumpuss: The 15th Anniversary Audio Theater Edition" (79 min. 9 sec.),
which allows one to listen to the marvelous adventure as a radio play.
The Environmental Studies Shelf
Life After Carbon
Peter Plastrik & John Cleveland
Island Press
2000 M St NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20036
www.islandpress.org
9781610918497, $35.00, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Life After Carbon presents the new ideas that are replacing the pillars of the modern-city model,
converting climate disaster into urban opportunity, and shaping the next transformation of cities
worldwide. It will inspire anyone who cares about the future of our cities, and help them to map a
sustainable path forward. In "Life After Carbon: The Next Global Transformation of Cities",
urban sustainability consultants Pete Plastrik and John Cleveland assemble a global pattern of
urban re-invention in the form of stories drawn from 25 "innovation lab" cities across the globe
ranging from Copenhagen to Melbourne. A city innovation lab is the entire city -- a complex,
messy, real urban world where innovations must work. It is a city in which government, business,
and community leaders take to heart the challenge of climate change and converge on the radical
changes that are necessary. They free down towns areas from cars, turn buildings into
renewable-energy power plants, re-nature entire neighborhoods, incubate growing numbers of
clean-energy and smart-tech companies, convert waste to energy, and much more. "Life After
Carbon" showcases four transformational ideas are driving urban climate innovation around the
world, in practice, not just in theory: carbon-free advantage, efficient abundance, nature's
benefits, and adaptive futures. And these ideas are thriving in markets, professions, consumer
trends, community movements, and "higher" levels of government that enable cities. Thoughtful
and thought-provoking, inspired and inspiring, impressively presented and enhanced with the
inclusion of forty-four pages of Notes and a sixteen page index, "Life After Carbon" is a critically
important and unreservedly recommended addition to community, college, and university library
Contemporary Environmental Studies collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists
of students, academia, environmental activists, governmental policy makers, and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject that "Life After Carbon" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $19.24) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance
Audio, 9781721333424, $19.99, MP3 CD).
Ecology and Recovery of Eastern Old-Growth Forests
Andrew M. Brton & William S. Keeton
Island Press
2000 M Street NW, Suite 650, Washington, DC 20036
www.islandpress.org
9781610918893, $80.00, HC, 360pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In "Ecology and Recovery of Eastern Old-Growth Forests" professional forest
ecologists William Keeton and Andrew Barton bring together a study that breaks new ground in
our understanding of ecological systems and their importance for forest resilience in an age of
rapid environmental change. This deftly edited volume comprised of 15 erudite contributions by
experts in their fields covers a broad geographic canvas, from eastern Canada and the Upper
Great Lakes states to the deep South. "Ecology and Recovery of Eastern Old-Growth Forests"
deftly examines at a wide diversity of ecosystems, including spruce-fir, northern deciduous,
southern Appalachian deciduous, southern swamp hardwoods, and longleaf pine. The individual
chapters are authored by leading old-growth experts examining topics of contemporary forest
ecology including forest structure and dynamics, below-ground soil processes, biological
diversity, differences between historical and modern forests, carbon and climate change
mitigation, management of old growth, and more. "Ecology and Recovery of Eastern Old-Growth
Forests" is a thoughtfully informative treatise that broadly communicates important new
discoveries to scientists, land managers, and students and breathes fresh life into the hope for
sensible, effective management of old-growth stands in eastern forests. While very highly
recommended, especially for community, college, and university library Forest and Rainforest
ecosystems and habitats collections and supplemental studies lists, it should be noted for the
personal reading lists of students, academia, ecologists, eco-activists, forest managers,
government policy makers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Ecology and Recovery of Eastern Old-Growth Forests" is also available in a paperback edition
(9781610918909, $40.00) and in a digital book format (eTextbook, $35.04).
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Keepers of the Wolves
Richard P. Thiel
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor, Madison, WI 53711-2059
9780299320744, $22.95, PB, 264pp, www.uwpress.wisc.edu
It was 1978, and gray wolves had been extinct in Wisconsin for twenty years. Still, there were
rumors from the state's northwestern counties that they had returned. Dick Thiel, then a college
student with a passion for wolves, was determined to find out. Now in a revised and updated
second edition "Keepers of the Wolves" is his engrossing account of tracking and protecting the
recovery of wolves in Wisconsin. Thiel (team chairman for Wisconsin's wolf recovery plan in the
late 1980s and later managed the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center in Babcock, Wisconsin. He is
active with the Timber Wolf Information Network and the International Wolf Center. He is the
author of The Timber Wolf in Wisconsin and coeditor of Wild Wolves We Have Known)
conveys the wonder, frustrations, humor, and everyday hard work of field biologists, including
the political and public relations pitfalls they regularly face. This new second edition brings
Thiel's story into the twenty-first century, recounting his work monitoring wolves as they spread
to central Wisconsin, conflicts of wolves with landowners and recreationalists, changes in state
and federal policies, the establishment of a state wolf-hunting season in 2012, and Thiel's
forecast for the future of wolves in Wisconsin. Of special note for academia is the inclusion of 6
maps, 3 figures and 1 table. An extraordinary subject that is expertly presented, "Keepers of the
Wolves" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional,
community, college, and university library collections for Environmental Conservation
collections in general, and Wolf Biology supplemental studies reading lists in particular.
The Library Science Shelf
Information Rights for Records Managers
Rachael Maguire
Facet Publishing
www.facetpublishing.co.uk
9781783302444, $291.53 HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Local, state and federal governmental records managers have tended to find themselves given the
responsibility for managing requests under the Freedom of Information (FOI) and Data
Protection Acts (DPA), without necessarily having training and/or an academic background in
legal studies. Specifically written and intended for librarians and information managers without a
legal background, "Information Rights for Records Managers" offers a complete and
comprehensive course of instruction that is a fully up to date, accessible, a comprehensive guide
to information rights, including coverage of the new General Data Protection Regulations
(GDPR), so that the guidance practitioners can provide is as fully informed as possible.
"Information Rights for Records Managers" covers: Responding to FOI requests, including
exemptions, internal reviews and benchmarking; Coverage of DPA and GDPR regulations,
where the differences lie and what the implications are for professionals operating under the acts;
Personal data requests and enquiries under GDPR; Working with the European Information
Regulations (EIR) and where the differences lie with FOI; A discussion of the two strands of
records management and information rights work and how the two interact in daily work;
Practical case studies from a range of organizations and institutions to demonstrate practice.
"Information Rights for Records Managers" is a critically important and applicably useful
reading instructional resource for all professionals in the public and private sectors who have
responsibility for information rights, particularly around FOI and DPA. While unreservedly
recommended for governmental, college, and university Library Science collections and
supplemental studies reading lists, it should be noted for students, academia, librarians, and
professional records managers that "Information Rights for Records Managers" is also available
in a paperback edition (9781783302444, $82.96).
Information Resource Description
Philip Hider
Alpha Publishing House
c/o Facet Publishing
www.facetpublishing.co.uk
9780838912010, $103.00, PB, 220pp, www.amazon.com
"Information Resource Description: Creating and Managing Metadata" by Philip Hider (who is
the Head of the School of Information Studies and a Professor of Library and Information
Management at Charles Sturt University, Australia) serves as a basic primer on information and
knowledge organization, with particular reference to digital environments. It introduces the
conventions and standards of contemporary document description, and the principles and trends
of professional practice. Employing the unifying mechanism of the semantic web and the
resource description framework, Professor Hider integrates the various traditions and practices of
information and knowledge organization. Uniquely, he covers both the domain-specific traditions
and practices and the practices of the metadata movement through a single lens that of resource
description in the broadest, semantic web sense. This approach more readily accommodates
coverage of the new RDA: Resource Description and Access standard, which aims to move
library cataloging into the center of the semantic web. "Information Resource Description covers:
Information resource attributes; Metadata for information retrieval; Metadata sources and quality;
Economics and management of metadata; Knowledge organization systems; The semantic web;
Books and e-books, and websites and audiovisual resources; Business and government
documents: Learning resources; The field of information/knowledge organization. Exceptionally
well organized and presented, "Information Resource Description" would well serve as a
curriculum text and should be a part of every college and university's Library Science collection
and supplemental studies reading lists.
The Military Shelf
Post-Feminist War
Mary Douglas Vavrus
Rutgers University Press
106 Somerset St., 3rd Floor, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
http://rutgerspress.rutgers.edu
9780813576817 $28.95 pbk / $23.38 Kindle amazon.com
Post-Feminist War: Women in the Media-Military-Industrial Complex scrutinizes the
relationship between women, the American military, and the media in contemporary times.
Chapters analyze four aspects of this dynamic - women who marry members of the media-
military-industrial complex; mothers connected to the complex; female soldiers who serve; and
the horrifying reality of sexual assault in the military, as well as the media's failings when
reporting on sexual assault. In particular, the media's reluctance to hold American military
culture responsible for tolerating rape (instead, the media usually chooses to limit blame
individual rapists) is discussed, among other salient and disturbing points. Post-Feminist War is a
"must-read" contribution to both military and journalism shelves, highly recommended for
college and public library collections. It should also be noted for personal reading lists that Post-
Feminist War is available in a Kindle edition ($23.38).
Landing on the Edge of Eternity
Robert Kershaw
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10004
www.pegasusbooks.com
9781681778662, $27.95, HC, 416pp, www.amazon.com
Robert Kershaw joined the Parachute Regiment in 1973 and went on to command the 10th
Parachute Battalion. His active service included several tours in Northern Ireland, the First Gulf
War, and Bosnia. After retiring from the British Army as a full Colonel, he became an author of
military history and a battlefield tour guide. Living in England, Kershaw has written twelve
books published in Great Britain and has participated in numerous National Geographic and
History Channel documentaries. In "Landing on the Edge of Eternity: Twenty-Four Hours at
Omaha Beach" Kershaw shares stories of humanity, resilience, and dark humor; of comradeship
and a gritty patriotism holding beleaguered men together in an extremely hazardous military
engagement. Illustrated with 24 pages of maps and a number of black-and-white historical
photographs, "Landing on the Edge of Eternity" is a dramatic historical ride through an
amphibious landing that looked as though it might never succeed. An absolute 'must have'
addition to community and academic library World War II Military History Collections and
supplemental studies lists, it should be noted for students, academia, military buffs, and non-
specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Landing on the Edge of Eternity" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.16).
Genius Weapons
Louis A. Del Monte
Prometheus Books
9781633884526, $19.00, www.prometheusbooks.com
Genius Weapons: Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Weaponry, and the Future of Warfare
explores the added possibilities of artificial intelligence in military and battlefield scenarios, and
comes from an award-winning physicist, inventor, and business leader whose patients and
technology developments are used by major companies. His engineering background lends
authority to a discussion that considers the development, control, deployment and moral, ethical
and military challenges in using autonomous weapons, and his book contrasts departures between
how modern military weapons operate and the possibilities of these new 'genius weapons'. The
result is a hard-hitting examination that should be on the shelves of any military collection.
The Political Science Shelf
Primary Politics
Elaine C. Kamarck
Brookings Institution Press
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036-2188
www.brookings.edu
9780815735274, $21.99, PB, 251pp, www.amazon.com
In "Primary Politics: Everything You Need to Know about How America Nominates Its
Presidential Candidates", Elaine Kamarck (Senior Fellow in the Governance Studies Program at
Brookings and the Founding Director of the Center for Effective Public Management) explains
how the presidential nomination process became the often baffling system we have today,
including the "robot rule". The focus of Professor Kamarck is the largely untold story of how
presidential candidates since the early 1970s have sought to alter the rules in their favor and how
their failures and successes have led to even more change. She describes how candidates have
sought to manipulate the sequencing of primaries to their advantage and how Iowa and New
Hampshire came to dominate the system. Professor Kamarck also analyzes the rules that are used
to translate votes into delegates, paying special attention to the Democrats' twenty-year fight over
proportional representation and some of its arcana. Drawing on meticulous research, interviews
with key figures in both parties, and years of experience, "Primary Politics" deftly explores one
of the most important questions in American politics -- how we narrow the list of presidential
candidates every four years. The 2020 presidential primaries are on the horizon and this fully
updated third edition of "Primary Politics" will once again prove to be an indispensable guide to
understanding the modern nominating system that gave the American electorate a choice between
Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton in 2016. While especially and unreservedly recommended for
community, college, and university library Political Science collections and supplemental studies
lists, it should be noted for students, academia, political activists, and non-specialist general
readers with an interest in the subject that "Primary Politics" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $9.99).
You Shook Me All Campaign Long
Eric T. Kasper & Benjamin Schoening, editors
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
www.untpress.unt.edu
9781574417340, $29.95, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
From the revolutionary war down to the present day, music has been an integral part of American
politics. Collaborative compiled and co-edited by Eric T. Kasper (Associate Professor of Political
Science at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) and Benjamin S.L. Schoening (Associate
Professor of Music at the University of North Georgia), "You Shook Me All Campaign Long:
Music in the 2016 Presidential Election and Beyond" is comprised of ten erudite and insightful
contributions by experts in their fields as they collectively place the music used in 2016 in an
historical perspective before examining musical messaging, strategy, and parody of the selected
music itself. "You Shook Me All Campaign Long" ultimately explores causality: how do music
and musicians affect presidential elections, and how do politicians and campaigns affect music
and musicians? The contributors explain this interaction from various perspectives, with
methodological approaches from several fields, including political science, legal studies,
musicology, cultural studies, rhetorical studies, and communications and journalism. "You
Shook Me All Campaign Long" will help the reader understand music in the 2016 election to
realize how music will be relevant in 2020 and beyond. Impressive informative, expertly
organized and presented, featuring a complete listing of the contributors and their credentials,
"You Shook Me All Campaign Long" is a unique and very highly recommended addition to
community and academic library Contemporary Political Science collections and supplemental
studies reading lists of political activists and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject.
The Railroading Shelf
Iron Road West
Derek Hayes
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219, Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0
www.harbourpublishing.com
9781550178388, $44.95, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
The Canadian province of British Columbia wouldn't exist without the railway. The province was
brought into the Canadian Confederation in 1871 in exchange for the promise of a
transcontinental line to the West Coast. It was the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in
1886 that set off economic development in the province, created the city of Vancouver and
spurred others to build competing lines. In "Iron Road West: An Illustrated History of British
Columbia's Railways", Derek Hayes (who is a geographer by training with a passion for old maps
and what they can reveal about the past) charts the development of the province through its
railway lines, using a wealth of photographs and other visuals to show how rails were laid
through the wild terrain that characterized much of British Columbia. As railways revolutionized
the province, they inevitably incited fierce competition and personal hatreds, creating an exciting
frontier-like environment that Hayes describes in vivid detail. Profusely and beautifully
illustrated throughout, "Iron Road West" also covers the emergence of the modern freight railway
in British Columbia, including fully automated and computerized trains. Of special note is an
extensive section that details the Canadian railway legacy, including preserved railways,
locomotives and facilities that can still be visited today by railroading enthusiasts. Certain to be
an immediate and enduringly popular addition to personal, community, and academic library
collections, "Iron Road West" is a 'must read history' for all dedicated railroad fans!
The Music Shelf
The Blues Muse
Emily Ruth Rutter
The University of Alabama Press
PO Box 870380, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0380
www.uapress.ua.edu
9780817319946, $49.95, HC, 232pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In "The Blues Muse: Race, Gender, and Musical Celebrity in American Poetry", author
Emily Ruth Rutter (Assistant Professor of English at Ball State University) focuses on five key
blues musicians and singers -- Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Robert
Johnson, and Lead Belly. Professor Rutter deftly traces the ways in which these artists and their
personas have been invoked and developed throughout American poetry. "The Blues Muse" is an
impressively informative, exceptionally detailed, scholarly study that spans nearly one hundred
years of literary and musical history ranging from the New Negro Renaissance to the present.
"The Blues Muse" not only examines blues musicians as literary touchstones or poetic devices,
but also investigates the relationship between poetic constructions of blues icons and shifting
discourses of race and gender. Professor Rutter's expert analysis is clear, compelling, and rich in
critical assessments of these writers' portraits of the musical artists, attending to their strategies
and oversights. While very highly recommended for community, college, and university library
American Music History collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students,
academia, and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in the subject that "The Blues
Muse" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $47.45).
The Reference Shelf
The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2019
Sarah Janssen
World Almanac
c/o Infobase Publishing
132 West 31st Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10001
www.infobasepublishing.com
9781600572203, $36.95, HC, 1008pp, www.amazon.com
Special features for this new edition of "The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2019" includes:
The World at a Glance (providing a quick look at the surprising stats and curious facts that define
the changing world and includes a sneak peek at upcoming milestone celebrity birthdays in
2019); Statistical Spotlight (highlighting statistics relevant to the biggest stories of the year);
2018 Election Results; Statistics on crime rates for all major U.S. cities, U.S. trade and
immigration policies, 2018 tax cuts, DACA recipients, mobile app and tech usage, student loan
debt, income inequality, and so much more! Exceptionally well organized and presents, "The
World Almanac and Book of Facts 2019" is an essential addition to school and community
library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The World Almanac and
Book of Facts 2019" is also available in a paperback edition (9781600572227, $14.99) and in a
digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
The Genealogy Shelf
Tracing Your Roman Catholic Ancestors
Stuart A. Raymond
Pen & Sword Books
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
c/o Casemate (distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
9781526716682, $26.95, PB, 232pp, www.amazon.com
"Tracing Your Roman Catholic Ancestors: A Guide for Family and Local Historians" by Stuart
Raymond (who was formerly librarian of the Yorkshire Archaeological Society and an
experienced family and local historian, as well as an expert on the history of wills and local
records) is the ideal handbook for readers and researchers who are keen to find out about their
Roman Catholic ancestors and for anyone who wants an introduction to Roman Catholic history
in general. Stuart Raymond provides a brief historical account covering the Roman Catholics
from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries, then goes on to identify the available sources,
explaining their strengths and weaknesses. His accessible and authoritative book will be an
essential source of insight and reference for anyone who is starting to explore this fascinating
subject. The Catholic church's structure is described, as are the various repositories where
relevant archives and books can be found. Chapters are devoted to specific sources and what they
can reveal about the church and those who were members of it. Exceptionally well organized and
presented, "Tracing Your Roman Catholic Ancestors" is a unique and extraordinary instruction
manual, guide and history that is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional,
community, college, and university library Genealogy collections and supplemental studies
lists.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Surrounded by Love
Murray Bodo, OFM
Franciscan Media
28 West Liberty Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
https://info.franciscanmedia.org
9781632532374, $15.99, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com
In the pages of "Surrounded by Love: Seven Teachings of St. Francis", Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM,
(a Franciscan priest and a member of the Franciscan Academy) brings to life seven teachings
from the life and writings of St. Francis of Assisi in the prayerful, lyrical style his readers will
recognize. These seven teachings are both a way and a destination, the way being transformation
and the destination being the love of God. St Francis invites us to go on a journey from love
through love into love. Inspired and inspiring, "Surrounded by Love" is an extraordinary and life-
affirming read from beginning to end, making it unreservedly recommended for the personal
reading lists of all Catholics and admirers of Francis of Assisi. It should be noted that
"Surrounded by Love" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Prophet and Pilgrim of Peace
Pope St. Paul VI
New City Press
202 Cardinal Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538
www.newcitypress.com
9781565486737, $16.95, HC, 112pp, www.amazon.com
Paul VI consistently sought to bring out the best in people and the Roman Catholic Church. He
assumed the risks of allowing others to exercise initiative and discretion in their ministries. He
facilitated, encouraged, and empowered. If you want to tap into the wisdom of a profound and
influential thinker and holy man then you are in the right place. "Prophet and Pilgrim of Peace" is
a compilation of 99 sayings by Paul VI. Appreciative readers can wrestle with the insights and
exhortations of Pope St. Paul VI and by Giving them time to germinate, allow them to percolate
within. Inspired and inspiring, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Prophet and Pilgrim of Peace"
is unreservedly recommended for all members of the Catholic faith. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Prophet and Pilgrim of Peace" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Priestly Blessing
Stephen J. Rossetti
Ave Maria Press
PO Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556
www.avemariapress.com
9781594718472, $16.95, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
In "The Priestly Blessing: Rediscovering the Gift", Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti (who is a priest of
the Diocese of Syracuse and a Catholic speaker, educator, psychologist, and retreat leader) forges
a renewed theology of priestly blessing, encouraging his brother priests to embrace the habit of
blessing people, objects, and events. In this provocative and inspirational volume he shows how
the blessing is integral to the identity of priests and crucial to the spiritual wellbeing of all the
faithful. "The Priestly Blessing" will also helps priests reflect on what saints and mystics have
taught about blessing as a vital activity of the Church, and outlines connections between Catholic
sacramental theology, the practice of priestly blessing, and the Catholic understanding of creation
that helps make sense of priests blessing objects and animals. While unreservedly recommended
for seminary, parish, college, and university library Catholic Studies collections, it should be
noted for the personal reading lists of seminary students, novice and veteran priests, and non-
specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Priestly Blessing" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.72).
Winning the Battle for Your Mind, Will and Emotions
Robert Hotchkin
Chosen Books
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
9780800798871, $14.99, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
The most important battle Christians face is the battle for their mind, will, and emotions. Why?
Because it greatly determines how much of God and his kingdom they will experience while they
are on earth. The thoughts entertained, the words spoken, and the choices made shape and
influence not only our personal reality, but all of creation. The enemies of Christianity love to
highlight temporary challenges; poke at feelings and stir up fear, frustration, doubt, and self-pity;
and get us mired in murmuring and complaining. Yet the Bible shows us that all of heaven is
available to us right now. In "Winning the Battle for Your Mind, Will and Emotions" by Robert
Hotchin (a speaker, author, media host, and one of the core leaders of Patricia King Ministries),
readers will discover the secret of Colossians: the incredible power of Christ in them. That when
they learn how to access God's ever-present power and goodness, feelings and fears will no
longer control them. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Winning the Battle
for Your Mind, Will and Emotions" is an extraordinarily inspiring read that is unreservedly
recommended to the attention of all Christians regardless of denominational affiliation. It should
be noted for personal reading lists that "Winning the Battle for Your Mind, Will and Emotions"
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.87).
The Great Reckoning
Stephen Mattson
Herald Press
P.O. Box 866, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
www.heraldpress.com
9781513803418, $29.99, HC, 216pp, www.amazon.com
What do Christians do when the church looks nothing like Jesus? Many followers of Jesus feel
disillusioned by a broken religion -- one that loves political power, promises prosperity, and
feeds on fear. We are desperately trying to rationalize how a loving God can be connected to
unloving churches, institutions, and people. We can no longer deny that our version of
Christianity is not just imperfect but has been coopted to inflict violence, racism, abuse, hate, and
even death. The question before many Christians is no longer how their faith can survive within a
secular culture. It's how their faith can survive Christianity itself. In "The Great Reckoning:
Surviving a Christianity That Looks Nothing Like Christ", Stephen Mattson (who graduated from
Moody Bible Institute, served as a youth pastor, and now works at University of
Northwestern--St. Paul) writes out of the rubble of the failed American faith. But instead of
doomsaying or casting aspersions, Mattson offers hope for seekers looking for inspiration, solace
for Christians fed up with an unsatisfying religion, and clarity for those sifting through the
remains. "The Great Reckoning" is a clear-eyed yet tender critique of where we've gone wrong,
and a guide away from the culture wars and toward the life of Jesus. A timely treatise for our
troubled times (for example, as when Evangelical leaders knowingly supported self-
acknowledged sexual predator and serial adulterer Donald J. Trump bid for the presidency of the
United States in the expectation of his willingness to appoint socially conservative judges to the
Supreme Court), "The Great Reckoning" is very highly recommended reading for all members of
the Christian community regardless of their denominational affiliation. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "The Great Reckoning" is also available in a paperback edition
(9781513803401, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
Wisdom from Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI, author
Mary Leonora Wilson, compiler
Pauline Books & Media
50 St. Paul's Avenue, Boston, MA 02130-3433
9780819883773, $8.95, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
On the occasion of Pope Paul VI's canonization, and deftly compiled by Mary Leonora Wilson,
"Wisdom from Pope Paul VI" is a pocket-size volume that provides Catholic readers with an
introduction to this often-misunderstood pope whose words and actions have proven to be bold
and prophetic for those who wish to follow the way of the Lord. Taken from a wide array of his
talks, "Wisdom from Pope Paul VI" highlights what it means to be a disciple today. "Wisdom
from Pope Paul VI" also includes a wonderful collection of prayers from the new saint, as well as
original prayers from the compiler paired with each meditation, and a brief contemporary
biography. While unreservedly recommended to the attention of all members of the Catholic
community, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of seminary students, clergy, and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Wisdom from Pope Paul VI" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.50).
Woke Church
Eric Mason
Moody Publishers
820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610
www.moodypublishers.com
9780802416988, $14.99, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
The prophets of old were not easy to listen to because they did not flatter. They did not cajole.
They spoke hard words that often chafed and unsettled their listeners. Like the Old Testament
prophets, and more recent prophetic voices like Frederick Douglass, in the pages of "Woke
Church: An Urgent Call for Christians in America to Confront Racism and Injustice", Eric
Mason (the founder and pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, PA) calls the evangelical
church to a much-needed reckoning. In a time when many feel confused, complacent, or even
angry, he challenges the church to: Be Aware - to understand that the issue of justice is not a
black issue, it's a kingdom issue. To learn how the history of racism in America and in the church
has tainted our witness to a watching world; Be Redemptive - to grieve and lament what we have
lost and to regain our prophetic voice, calling the church to remember our gospel imperative to
promote justice and mercy; Be Active - to move beyond polite, safe conversations about
reconciliation and begin to set things aright for our soon-coming King, who will be looking for a
"Woke Church". While unreservedly recommended reading for clergy, seminary students, and all
members of the Christian community regardless of denominational affiliations, it should be noted
for personal reading lists that "Woke Church" is also available in an inexpensive digital book
format (Kindle, $1.99).
Reading Genesis Well
C. John Collins
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
www.zondervan.com
9780310598572, $36.99, PB, 336pp, www.amazon.com
What does it mean to be a good reader of Genesis 1-11? What does it mean to take these ancient
stories seriously and how does that relate to taking them literally? Can we even take any of this
material seriously? "Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in
Genesis 1-11" by C. John Collins (Professor of Old Testament at Covenant Theological
Seminary, University of Liverpool -- and Chair of the Old Testament translation committee for
the English Standard Version) answers these questions and more, promoting a responsible
conversation about how science and biblical faith relate by developing a rigorous approach to
interpreting the Bible, especially those texts that come into play in science and faith discussions.
Professor Collins appropriates literary and linguistic insights from C. S. Lewis and builds on
them using ideas from modern linguistics, such as lexical semantics, discourse analysis, and
sociolinguistics. "Reading Genesis Well" is an erudite and insightful study that will help the
readers to evaluate to what extent it is proper to say that the Bible writers held a "primitive"
picture of the world, and what function their portrayal of the world and its contents had in
shaping the community. A welcome and highly recommended addition to community, seminary,
college, and university library Biblical Studies collections and supplemental curriculum studies,
it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, clergy, and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject that "Reading Genesis Well" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $24.99).
God With Us
Fundacion Ramon Pane
Loyola Press
3441 North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
www.loyolapress.com
9780829448078, $12.95, PB, 260pp, www.amazon.com
Whether at home or at church, Christians have certainly have heard about Jesus. But have they
read his story from the original source, the New Testament? Some Christians might find this
difficult and inaccessible unless they have a deep understanding of how the books of the New
Testament are organized. The four Gospels do not follow each other smoothly, and many of
Christians simply do not have resources for such background knowledge. "God With Us: The
Story of Jesus as Told by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John" by Fundacion Ramon Pane is
specifically intended for those non-specialist general readers who are hesitant to read the Bible
because of such reservations concerning their own competency to do so informatively. The most
representative passages to reconstruct the story of Jesus chronologically have been selected to
provide a biblically based biography starting with the announcement of Jesus' birth to his
resurrection. Questions for discussion and meditation are provided to help the readers to deepen
their understanding of Jesus' teachings and integrate them naturally into daily life. "God with Us"
is an open invitation to read about the acts and words of Jesus from the original source, as well as
accessibly and understandable written in modern language. While very highly recommended for
community, church, seminary, and academic library Biblical Studies collections, it should be
noted for the personal reading lists of seminary students and all members of the Christian
community that "God With Us" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.18).
Tenacious Solidarity
Walter Brueggemann
Fortress Press
P.O. Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440-1209
http://fortresspress.com
9781506447704, $29.00, PB, 619pp, www.amazon.com
Compiled and edited by Davis Hankins (Assistant Professor of Religious Studies in the
Department of Philosophy and Religion at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC),
"Tenacious Solidarity: Biblical Provocations on Race, Religion, Climate, and the Economy" is
comprised of essays and new writings from 2014 to 2018 by Walter Brueggemann (who is
William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Columbia Theological
Seminary). The individual chapters are deeply biblical while also concerned with the identities,
practices, and obligations of religious communities in contemporary contexts within the United
States. Brueggemann consistently attempts to weave the biblical texts (vested as they are with the
authority of a storyteller) into the deep contours of his readers' experiences, in order to foster a
tenacious solidarity that might overcome both the psychic numbness cultivated by a 24-hour
news cycle as well as the anxious possessiveness nurtured by so many privatized spiritualities.
Thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Tenacious Solidarity" is an impressive body of work that is
unreservedly recommended for clergy, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in biblical ethics.
The Holy Spirit
Chiara Lubich, author
Florence Gillet & Raul Silva, editors
New City Press
202 Cardinal Rd., Hyde Park, NY 12538
www.newcitypress.com
9781565486744, $14.95, PB, 112pp, www.amazon.com
Collaboratively edited by Florence Gillet and Raul Silva, in the pages of "The Holy Spirit:
Renewing the Face of the Earth" the late Chiara Lubich (1920-2008) reveals to the reader the
Holy Spirit's incomparable gifts, his joy, his strength, his consolation and to ignite the ardor of
being united with this unknown God in renewing the face of the earth. On numerous occasions
leaders of the Catholic Church have acknowledged the action of the Holy Spirit in the Focolare
Movement. In 1946 the archbishop of Trent, Carlo de Ferrari, recognized the action of the Holy
Spirit with these now famous word: Here there is the finger of God. This expression echoes the
Gospel of Luke 2 and the ninth century hymn, Come Holy Spirit, and therefore refers to the
presence of the Holy Spirit. A thoughtful and thought-provoking read that will appeal to both
clergy and lay readers within the Roman Catholic tradition, "The Holy Spirit" is unreservedly
recommended for church, seminary, college, and university library Christian Theology
collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of seminary students, clergy, and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Holy Spirit" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Photography Shelf
The Statues of Central Park
Catarina Astrom, photographer
June Eding, author
Hatherleigh Press
c/o The Hatherleigh Foundation
62545 State Highway 10, Hobart, NY 13788
www.hatherleighpress.com
9781578265411, $24.95, HC, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Catarina Astrom is photographer and journalist. Originally from Sweden, Catarina settled in New
York City where she fell in love with Central Park. Catarina hopes her photographs will inspire
others to embrace the beauty and uniqueness of New York City's Central Park. In "The Statues of
Central Park" show has produced an extraordinary photographic tribute to one of the world's
most popular recreational destinations and public spaces: the New York City's Central Park. This
is the most visited urban park in the United States, with 42 million visitors annually. This is in no
small part due to its collection of sculptures and monuments erected throughout the park. "The
Statues of Central Park" highlights and showcases these individual sculptures and monuments in
one spectacular photography collection, complete with short descriptions and commentary by
June Eding that details the interesting histories of these public art pieces. With visually stunning
photographs that capture the essence of the statues and monuments of Central Park, this superbly
organized and presented collection is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional,
community, and academic library Contemporary American Photography collections.
Joni: The Joni Mitchell Sessions
Norman Seeff
Insight Editions
PO Box 3088, San Rafael, CA 94912
www.insighteditions.com
9781683836278, $75.00, HC, 200pp, www.amazon.com
An ultimate celebration of a visionary musician and the artist who captured her spirit in iconic
images, "Joni: The Joni Mitchell Sessions" is a truly extraordinary collection of photographs of
the legendary Joni Mitchell as captured by celebrated rock-and-roll photographer Norman Seef. It
is the result of a creative partnership that has lasted for over 40 years and arises from some of
their best work together. Joni was a truly authentic subject, able to surrender herself to the art and
express herself freely within his lens. Through over a dozen sessions across more than a decade
together, the photographer captured the many facets of her personality in some of her most
famous images. Timed to release on Joni's 75th birthday, this collection of familiar and rare
imagery tracks the pair's history together through these exclusive moments captured on film. A
combination of album artwork and candid shots reveals Joni's personality in ways few have
managed to capture before or since. Featuring commentary from Seeff on the enlightenment into
his art that he gained from their sessions, this compilation is a true reflection on mutual creativity
between artist and muse. A 'must' for the legions of Joni Mitchell fans, "Joni: The Joni Mitchell
Sessions" is unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and academic library
Contemporary American Photography collections.
The Business Shelf
Sell Online Like a Creative Genius
Brainard Carey
Allworth Press
www.allworth.com
c/o Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.
307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.skyhorsepublishing.com
9781621536499, $12.99, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com
"Sell Online Like a Creative Genius: A Guide for Artists, Entrepreneurs, Inventors, and Kindred
Spirits" by Brainard Carey offers practical advice with solid 'real world' examples of how
building an online business is something any creative person can pursue. Carey draws from his
extensive experience and interviews with others to show artists and creative people how to sell
their work independently and efficiently. Readers will learn how to establish an online store,
develop a presence, promote their goods, and reach customers. Chapter topics include: Designing
a website or profile on an existing site; Effective marketing strategies; Creative ways to advertise
your product; Building your social media following; Finding new customers; Real examples of
artists and entrepreneurs who succeeded in selling their work online. With chapters divided
between practical how-tos and case studies, "Sell Online Like a Creative Genius" offers aspiring
online entrepreneurs both instructive and demonstrative lessons in making their small online
business a reality. Everyone can do it with the right tools, and Carey offers an insider's guide to
an otherwise daunting process. A complete course of instruction, "Sell Online Like a Creative
Genius" is unreservedly recommended for personal, community, college, and university library
Business Management & Entrepreneurial Studies collections. It should be noted that "Sell Online
Like a Creative Genius" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Leading Transformation
Nathan Furr, Kyle Nel, & Thomas Zoega Ramsoy
Harvard Business Review Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
http://hbr.org/books
9781633696549, $34.95, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Deftly written by Kyle Nel (CEO and cofounder of Uncommon Partners, a consulting and
training firm), Nathan Furr (Professor of Strategy and Innovation at INSEAD in Paris), and
Thomas Zoega Ramsoy (one of the leading experts on applied neuroscience and consumer
neuroscience, who is the founder and CEO of Neurons Inc, a global innovation and tech company
that helps companies, organizations, and universities put neuroscience tools and insights into
practice), "Leading Transformation: How to Take Charge of Your Company's Future" introduces
an innovative yet proven process for creating breakthrough change. Divided into three steps
(envisioning the possible, breaking down resistance, and prototyping the future) this process as
presented in "Leading Transformation" uses cutting-edge tools such as science fiction, cartoons,
rap music, artifact trails, and neuroprototypes to overcome people's inability to imagine or react
to what doesn't yet exist, override powerful habits and routines that prevent them from changing,
and create compelling narratives about the organization's future and how to get there. Showing
how these tools have been used successfully by companies such as Lowe's, Walmart, Pepsi,
IKEA, Google, Microsoft, and others, the process revealed in "Leading Transformation" gives
corporate leaders the means to transcend the human barriers that block change and lead their
organizations confidently into the future. While unreservedly recommended for corporate,
community, college, and university library Business Management collections and supplemental
studies curriculums, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Leading Transformations"
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.49).
The Woodworking Shelf
From Tree To Table
Alan Garbers
Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781565239821, $19.99, PB, 152pp, www.amazon.com
A comprehensive and profusely illustrated guide for woodworkers, "From Tree to Table: How to
Make Your Own Rustic Log Furniture" by Alan Garbers shows how to build rustic furniture
from cut timber. Featured are: 10 step-by-step projects for beds, tables, benches, coat racks,
lamps, kiva ladders, and more; Detailed, practical information on procuring and processing logs;
Sage troubleshooting advice based on years of experience; Expert guidance on all the
woodworking techniques needed to know to successfully accomplish the showcased projects.
Also covered is detailed, practical information on procuring and processing logs, with sage
troubleshooting advice based on years of experience. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization
and presentation, "From Tree to Table: How to Make Your Own Rustic Log Furniture" is a
highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community and technical college
Woodworking instructional reference collections.
Building Unique and Useful Kids' Furniture
Spike Carlsen
Linden Publishing
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721-9875
www.woodworkerslibrary.com
9781610353250, $22.95, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Spike Carlsen has been involved in the world of wood and woodworking for more than 40 years.
In "Building Unique and Useful Kids' Furniture: 24 Great Do-It-Yourself Projects" he draws
upon his experience and expertise to provide aspiring woodworkers with complete step-by-step
instructions for building 24 professionally designed one-of-a-kind children's furniture projects
that are easy to build and your kids will love. Advanced skills, specialized tools, and expensive
materials are not needed. All of these showcased projects can be built using basic tools and
materials from any home improvement store. Step-by-step instructions and color photos show,
step-by-step, exactly what to do -- and many of the projects are labeled "Kid Friendly," so
children can safely help build it, thereby developing their skills and confidence. These projects
will fill every room of the house with kids' furniture that is cleverly designed, attractive,
whimsical, safe, with timeless design that look fresh 20 years from now, giving kids a lasting
legacy to pass on to their own children. Profusely illustrated and thoroughly 'user friendly' in
organization and presentation, "Building Unique and Useful Kids' Furniture" is an ideal addition
to personal, professional, school, and community library Woodworking instructional reference
collections. It should be noted that "Building Unique and Useful Kids' Furniture" is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Routing: A Woodworker's Guide
Stuart Lawson
The GMC Group
www.thegmcgroup.com
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784944421, $22.95, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com
In woodworking, the router is an extraordinary power tool. With the right accessories, jigs and
work aids, this versatile machine can be used for virtually any woodworking task, from
smoothing surfaces and trimming edges to making joints and cutting grooves. Used correctly, a
router can transform the way you work and improve your enjoyment of the making process as a
whole. "Routing: A Woodworker's Guide" provides an in-depth guide to the equipment and how
it is used, covering topics such as basic router anatomy, cutters, accessories, safety, dust
extraction, table routing and work holding. Ultimately, the router's creative potential depends on
the jigs used. Featured projects include: large router table, housing jig, small circle jig and
end-trimming jig. Whether the reader is interested in bench woodworking and is thinking of
buying a router, or simply wants to get the most from their existing machine, "Routing: A
Woodworker's Guide" by Stuart Lawson (who as a former editor of The Router magazine, was
initially qualified as a carpenter before setting up a joinery workshop in Brighton, UK) is ideal
for both novice and experienced woodworkers alike, making it an optimally recommended
addition to personal, professional, and technical college Woodworking instructional reference
collections.
Woodland Workshop
Ben Law
The GMC Group
www.thegmcgroup.com
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784943431, $35.00, HC, 208pp, www.amazon.com
A woodland craftsman's workshop should bring immense pleasure and the tools and devices that
furnish it are unique to woodland work and have formed the heritage of woodland crafts that we
have today. In "Woodland Workshop: Tools and Devices for Woodland Craft", Ben Law (a
woodsman, craftsman, eco-builder, teacher and writer who lives and works in Prickly Nut Wood
in West Sussex, UK) explains what makes a good workshop, outlines the key tools needed, gives
information on how to sharpen them and shows us how to make an array of fascinating devices
from scratch. The projects featured in "Woodland Workshop" include: peeling jig, pole lathe,
woodsman's grip, cleaving brake; 16 step-by-step woodland device projects. Enhanced
throughout with beautiful photography and helpful illustrations, as well as a blend of historical
and practical information, "Woodland Workshop" is a foundation book for every aspiring
woodworker to use as reference. Impressively 'user friendly' in organization and presentation,
"Woodland Workshop" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
professional, community, and technical college Woodworking instructional reference
collections.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
What The Health
Kip Andersen & Keegan Kuhn
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, Ste 400, Dallas, TX 75204
www.benbellabooks.com
9781524575755, $34.99, HC, 414pp, www.amazon.com
There is a health revolution brewing. Many people know there's something terribly broken about
the industrial food, medical, and pharmaceutical systems, but they don't know what it is. It's no
wonder, because there is an intricate political and corporate apparatus in place to keep them from
finding out. People think heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are inherited, not realizing that what
they've actually inherited are the eating habits of their parents and grandparents. Lifestyle choices
like diet and (lack of) exercise are responsible for about 70 percent of deaths in this country.
Diseases that kill millions can be prevented, or even reversed. Based on their groundbreaking
document, "What The Health" by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn takes the reader on an kind of
health and medical adventure of informed discovery uncovering the lethal entwining of the food,
medical, and pharmaceutical industries with our own government, and the corporate, legislative
web designed to confuse the public and keep Americans chronically (and profitably) ill.
Deserving of as wide a readership as possible, "What The Health" should be considered an
essential and critically important addition to community and academic library Contemporary
Health & Medicine collections. It should be noted for the personal lists of non-specialist general
readers with an interest in the subject that "What The Health" is also available in a paperback
edition (9781946885524, $21.95).
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft
Storm Faerywolf
Llewellyn Publications
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
www.llewellyn.com
9780738756523, $22.99, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Storm Faerywolf is a professional author, teacher, warlock, priest, and initiate of the Faery
tradition of witchcraft. He holds the Black Wand of a Master and is the founder of the BlueRose
lineage of Faery. He is one of the founding teachers of the Black Rose school of witchcraft, and
he travels internationally teaching the magical arts. He has developed a website at
www.faerywolf.com. In "Forbidden Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft" he draws upon his years of
research, experience and expertise to create an instruction manual for dealing with ancient spirits
or demons of our own making when having to reclaim the power they have stolen. Guiding you
through enchantments, demonic rituals, divine possession, necromancy, and occultus maleficum,
Storm Faerywolf helps her readers cultivate and explore their forsaken shadows by being able to:
Summon primal underworld goddesses of the elemental powers; Walk the bone road and help
trapped spirits cross over; Become a worthy vessel for divine possession; Perform as an oracle,
speaking the wisdom of the gods on earth; Cast and break curses, the dark art of offensive magic.
While very highly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library
Metaphysical Studies collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Forbidden
Mysteries of Faery Witchcraft" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.41).
The Past Life Perspective
Ann C. Barham
Atria / Enliven Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com
9781501135736, $25.00, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
"The Past Life Perspective: Discovering Your True Nature Across Multiple Lifetimes" by Ann C.
Barham (who is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a certified regression therapist with
training in transpersonal psychology, hypnosis, therapeutic imagery, and trauma release
modalities) offers a unique, insightful, and practical look into the enormous power of past life
regression therapy to unlock a healing pathway that can help you resolve enduring personal
issues, enrich your life, and answer burning spiritual questions about your purpose on this earth.
As modern science and technology advance at overwhelming rates, many of us crave the healing
insights and feelings of eternal love that survivors of near death experiences frequently report.
Through past life therapy, everyday people are able to experience prior lifetimes all the way
through their deaths, tapping into abiding spiritual truths and answering essential questions about
human existence. Impressively informative and exceptionally well organized and presented, "The
Past Life Perspective" is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community
and academic library Metaphysical Studies collections in general, and Past Lives Regression
Therapy supplemental studies reading lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-
specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Past Life Perspective" is also
available in a paperback edition (9781982107697, $17.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$12.99).
The Humor Shelf
Laughter Totally is the Best Medicine
Reader's Digest Staff
Reader's Digest Trade Publishing
44 South Broadway, White Plains, NY 10601
www.rdtradepublishing.com
9781621454069, $9.99, PB, 216pp, www.amazon.com
The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. is a global multi-brand media company that educates,
entertains and connects audiences around the world. Humor has been a part of their publisher
brand from the very beginning. This collection is a compilation of laugh-out-loud, clean jokes,
one-liners, and other lighthearted glimpses of life -- all drawn from the Reader's Digest
magazine's most popular humor columns. Packed with more than 1,000 jokes, anecdotes, funny
things kids say, cartoons, quotes, and stories contributed by professional comedians, joke writers,
and readers of the magazine, "Laughter Totally is the Best Medicine" is a side-splitting, reader
friendly, compilation that pokes fun at the facts and foibles of daily routines, illustrating that life
is often funnier than fiction. For example: "If evolution really works, how come mothers have
only two hands? - Milton Berle; The game card said: "Name three wars." My teenage daughter's
response: "Civil War, Revolutionary War, and Star Wars."; Why do Pilgrims' pants fall down?
Because their belts are on their hats!; Check out this billion-dollar idea. A smoke detector that
shuts off when you yell, "I'm just cooking!"; Overheard in an office: Supervisor to team leader:
"So our people aren't astute enough to understand these comments on the document?" Leader:
"What does astute mean?" -- "Laughter Totally is the Best Medicine" will prove to be an
enduringly welcome and popular addition to personal and community library Humor collections.
It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Laughter Totally is the Best Medicine" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Jobs/Careers Shelf
Managing Your Professional Identity Online
Kathryn E. Linder
Stylus
9781620366691, $29.95, www.styluspub.com
Managing Your Professional Identity Online: A Guide for Faculty, Staff, and Administrators
provides higher education professionals with a solid handbook to preserving their online
identities and rights, and should be considered a 'must' for any professional concerned about
internet activity and identity. Chapters cover how and what to post appropriately, show how to
develop and update online identities, cover basic best practices and common pitfalls, and compile
an invaluable set of templates, worksheets, rubrics and materials to show professionals how to
design and support an online presence. The result is a solid set of best practices any online
professional will find key to lasting success.
The Philosophy Shelf
A Womb of One's Own: The Handmaid's Tale and Philosophy
Rachel Robison-Greene, Editor
Open Court
9780812699920, $19.95, www.opencourtbooks.com
A Womb of One's Own: The Handmaid's Tale and Philosophy is highly recommended for two
audiences: modern philosophy students and sci-fi and women's issues readers who have absorbed
the basic story of The Handmaid's Tale. These audiences will find that twenty-five philosophers
tackle underlying themes and issues in Margaret Atwood's futuristic classic, examining political,
social, philosophical, and ideological issues within the story. From understanding how women's
beliefs evolve to considering the value in a handmaid's work in this story, readers of The
Handmaid's Tale receive a treasure trove of insights to discuss, debate, and enjoy.
The Technology Shelf
Artech House
www.artechhouse.com
Two references for antenna professionals provide handbooks key to understanding the latest
concepts, best practices, and applications of antenna science to real-life situations, and should be
in any serious engineering reference holding. Kyohei Fujimoto and Koichi Ito's Antennas for
Small Mobile Terminals (9781630810955, $169.00) focuses on the design and applications of
small antenna systems for mobile terminals, covering their development, implementation, and the
needs of different communication systems. Engineers receive a primer on using small antennas in
a range of small systems, from mobile phones to radio watches, and will learn about different
types of small antennas and their applications. Charts, scanning data, and an extensive
bibliography concluding each chapter packs in technical details. The second updated edition of
Thereza M. Macnamara's Handbook of Antennas for EMC (9781630814243, $169.00) includes
contributions from John McAuley as it details a classic discussion of antennas and various
choices for EMC applications. The field is rapidly changing and so are standards, techniques,
applications and measurements. This resource reviews all these changes and provides a
compendium of data about antenna development and usage, all supported by charts, diagrams,
equations, and research.
The Computer Shelf
Computer Graphics Programming in OpenGL with Java, second edition
V. Scott Gordon and John Clevenger
Mercury Learning
9781683922193, $69.95, www.merclearning.com
The second updated edition of Computer Graphics Programming in OpenGL with Java features
new sections on soft shadows, optimization techniques, new tools, and the latest edition of
OpenGL (4.0+), and is recommended for users who want a step-by-step primer on modern 3D
graphics programming using Java. Theory and applied real-world strategies blend in a survey
accompanied by source code for all examples and discussions of all GLSL programmables.
Companion files packed with code and figures round out this invaluable primer, which is highly
recommended for self-study and OpenGL applications.
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
Copyright ©2001
Site design by Williams Writing, Editing &
Design