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Internet Bookwatch

Volume 20, Number 7 July 2010 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Cookbook Shelf Biography Shelf
Business Shelf Jobs/Careers Shelf Sports Shelf
Religion/Spirituality Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Judicial Studies Shelf Music Shelf Military Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Buddhist Studies Shelf Women's Studies Shelf
Nautical Shelf Science Shelf Environmental Studies Shelf
Antiques/Collectibles Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf International Studies Shelf
Native American Shelf Philosophy Shelf Education Shelf
Psychology Shelf Photography Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Fiction Shelf Audiobook Shelf Travel Shelf
Pets/Wildlife Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf
Computer Shelf Social Issues Shelf Crafts Shelf
Homeowner's Shelf Architecture Shelf Library DVD Shelf
Library Music CD Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Poetry Shelf Gaming Shelf Self-Help Shelf
Hunting/Fishing Shelf American History Shelf Black Studies Shelf
Art Shelf Library Science Shelf Gardening Shelf
Railroading Shelf Interior Design Shelf Literary Shelf
Parenting Shelf Genealogy Shelf Money/Finance Shelf
Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf World History Shelf Civil War Shelf
Real Estate Shelf Journalism Shelf Economics Shelf
Political Science Shelf Aviation Shelf Language Studies Shelf
Wisconsin Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

Handy Dad
Todd Davis
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
9780811869584 $24.95 www.chroniclebooks.com

Handy Dad: 25 Awesome Projects for Dads and Kids is a user-friendly compendium of construction projects that dads (or moms, uncles/aunts, grandparents, or anyone else!) can create to promote quality playtime activities with children. From a backyard rope swing, to a bird feeder, a tree house, a half-pipe, or even a tie-dye shirt, the ideas range from toys that promote physical activity to delightful personal keepsakes. (Not all of the projects involve woodworking, although many do.) Older children can even participate in the joy of building something with one's own hands, under close supervision of course. Each project listing spells out the needed tools and materials and where to find them, along with step-by-step instructions. Full color photographs illustrate this wonderful guide to tapping into one's creativity to spend quality time with children. The perfect antidote to a world oversaturated with television and video games, Handy Dad is highly recommended.

Tree Top
David H. Stratton
WSU Press
PO Box 645910, Pullman, WA 99164-5910
9780874223064 $29.95 www.wsupress.wsu.edu

Tree Top: Creating a Fruit Revolution is a detailed history of the "Tree Top Inc." apple juice business. Founded in the mid-twentieth century to utilize lower-grade leftover apples that would otherwise go to waste, Tree Top discovered new means of processing apples, new apple products, and weathered fat and lean harvest seasons alike. Illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs Tree Top: Creating a Fruit Revolution is an absorbing success story, accessible and engaging to readers of all backgrounds.

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

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

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

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

She Bets Her Life
Mary Sojourner
Seal Press
1700 - 4th St., Berkeley CA 94710
9781580052986, $17.95 www.sealpress.com

SHE BETS HER LIFE: A TRUE STORY OF GAMBLING ADDICTION comes from an NPR commentator and pioneer in women's mental health counseling and shares her own struggle - and that of others in her support group - with gambling addiction. From how her addiction progressed to how women handle this common addiction, this is an important title for any general collection.

Us
Lisa Oz
Free Press
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9781439123928, $26.00 www.simonandschuster.com

US: TRANSFORMING OURSELVES AND THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT MATTER MOST comes from the author of YOU: THE OWNER'S MANUAL and provides an exploration of three key relationships: with self, others, and the Divine. It draws on ancient traditions, thinking, and personal insights to provide keys to changing one's relationships and self. A fine pick for any general collection interested in self-transformative processes.

Geek Dad
Ken Denmead
Gotham Books
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9781592405527, $17.00 www.penguin.com

GEEK DAD: AWESOMELY GEEKY PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR DADS AND KIDS TO SHARE is a winning title that provides parents with imaginative activities. Selections from the author's GeekDad Blog and new creations blend for a book showing parents such tricks as how to build a lamp entirely out of LEGO bricks and CDs, and how to design electric origami. The projects are diverse, and amazing! All invite parent/child participation and interaction throughout the play and construction process.

The Sunbonnet: An American Icon in Texas
Rebecca Jumper Matheson
Texas Tech University Press
Box 41037, Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
9780896726659, $29.95 www.ttup.ttu.edu

Deserving of ongoing mention for both regional American and art and women's studies libraries at the college level is The Sunbonnet: An American Icon in Texas, a study packed with oral histories and primary source images of sunbonnets from American collections. This is the first book-length study focusing on the 20th century and why this dress accessory persisted after it passed from fashion. Chapters provide a centerfold of color photos and plenty of quotes from literature and historical resources.

Weisenheimer
Mark Oppenheimer
Free Press
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9781439128640, $25.00 www.simonandschuster.com

If you've ever met a child who talks like an adult - and who is a know-it-all - then you've met a 'weisenheimer' - who like the author was both blessed and cursed with talent and knowledge beyond his years. This memoir comes from a New York Times columnist who revisits his childhood trials until he eventually found a place which appreciated his verbal skills. His story will intrigue and attract a wide general audience, making this a top pick for any general lending library.

Alternative Energy
Brian C. Black and Richard Flarend
Greenwood Press
c/o ABC-CLIO
130 Cremona Drive, Santa Barbara, CA
9780313344848, $55.00 www.abc-clio.com

Alternative Energy joins others in the 'Historical Guides to Controversial Issues in America' series, and is designed to provide students with report and debate arguments in a sourcebook covering the problems and promise of alternative fuels. It comes from an associate professor in history and environmental studies and it explores debates over alternative energy that have gathered force in this century.

Twelve By Twelve
William Powers
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
9781577318972, $14.95 www.newworldlibrary.com

TWELVE BY TWELVE: A ONE-ROOM CABIN OFF THE GRID & BEYOND THE AMERICAN DREAM is a top pick for environmental collections as well as general lending libraries. It provides the memoir of a successful physician who chooses to live in a small cabin without running water or electricity - and represents activist writer William Powers' visit to Dr. Jackie Benton in rural North Carolina. An outstanding account offers inspiration!

Food Styling
Delores Custer
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional/Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9780470080191, $75.00 www.wiley.com

FOOD STYLING: THE ART OF PREPARING FOOD FOR THE CAMERA is an outstanding presentation providing professional chefs and photographers with the definitive food photo reference in the field. From how to set up shots and choose equipment to tested techniques for extraordinary food shots, this is based on the author's thirty years of experience styling food for advertising, magazine, books and film, and is packed with details on special effects, working with professionals, creating alluring food scenes, and more. A unique 'must' for any college-level culinary or photography collection.


The Cookbook Shelf

The Boreal Gourmet
Michele Genest
Harbour Publishing
Box 219, Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0
www.harbourpublishing.com
9781550174755, $26.95, www.amazon.com

In "The Boreal Gourmet: Adventures in Northern Cooking", food columnist and experienced chef Michele Genest has compiled an impressive 224-page compendium of recipes featuring ingredients found in the northern climate and culinary culture of Alaska. Superbly illustrated throughout, the dishes range from The Chocolate Claim Cranberry Chutney; Pine and Macadamia Nut Baklava with Spruce Tip Syrup; Fresh Turnip, Red Pepper and Raspberry Salad; and Wrapped, Roasted Caribou with Demi-glace; to Potato-Apple Latkes with Smoked Salmon and Wasabi Cere Fraiche; Sourdough English Muffins without Yeast; Moose Lake Lasagna in a Pot; and Dall Sheep with Preserved Lemon, Olives and Prunes. With dishes that will please any gourmet palates and satisfy any appetite, the ingredient lists and step-by-step preparation instructions will enable even the most novice kitchen cook to produce professional 5-Star quality fare for any and all dining occasions.

100-Day Pantry
Jan Jackson
Horizon Publishers
c/o Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South, Springville, UT 84663
www.cedarfort.com
9780882909691, $13.99, www.amazon.com

In preparation for times of economic uncertainty, one of the best things a family can do to position itself to endure is to create a two-year supply of basic ingredients to keep themselves well fed. That's why Jan Jackson's "100-day Pantry: 100 Quick and Easy Gourmet Meals" fills a unique niche in family cookbook collections. Featured are more than 125 thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes based on ingredients that can be stored in the pantry for up to two years. Of special note is the wealth of practical advice on rotating pantry supplies for maximum efficiency with respect to preventing wasted food. The 'family sized' recipes range from Chicken Tetrazzini; Italian Bean Soup; and Creamy Beefy Casserole; to Tomato Chili Stew; Creamed Carrots with Bacon; and Hammy Mac & Cheese. Of special note is the final section of this 192-page compendium of solid advice and 'good eats' are the 'Tips & Tricks' on a variety of subjects such as vacation-ready recipes, optimal pantry organization, and dehydrated food sources, making "100-day Pantry: 100 Quick and Easy Gourmet Meals" an invaluable and enthusiastically recommended addition to all cookbook and emergency preparedness reference collections.

United Cakes Of America
Warren Brown
Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
115 West 18th Street, 6th floor, New York, NY 10011
www.abramsbooks.com
9781584798392, $29.95, www.amazon.com

If every there was an example of culinary patriotism, it's Warren Brown's "United Cakes of America: Recipes Celebrating Every State". This superbly illustrated, 224-page compendium of superbly presented recipes showcases pound cakes, butter cakes, sponge cakes, cupcakes, frostings, fillings, and meringues. There's a cake for and from all fifty states of the Union. These bakery masterpieces range from Whoopie Pie; Angel Food Cake; Tennessee Mountain Stack Cake; and Rice Krispies Treats; to Bundt Cake; Apple Cake; Jalapeno Cheddar Cheesecake; and Huckleberry Scones. Enhanced with an informative 'Baker Overview', a list of sources, conversion charts, and an index, the recipes themselves are arranged regionally. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly', "United Cakes of America: Recipes Celebrating Every State" is a unique and highly recommended addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chronicle Books
680 - 2nd St., San Francisco CA 94107
www.chroniclebooks.com

Ray "Dr. BBQ" Lampe's Ribs, Chops, Steaks & Wings (9780811868266, $19.95) pairs fine color photos by Leigh Beisch with fine recipes for delicious barbecue meats. From the basics on how to light a grill to using smoking chips and pairing them with meats and using indoor grills, this moves easily from basic grilling to recipes more complicated, such as Pork Chops with Peach Salsa. The author has been grilling professionally for over twenty years, and his dishes are winners! Pim Techamuanvivit's THE FOODIE HANDBOOK: THE (ALMOST) DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO GASTRONOMY (9780811868532, $24.95) provides an outstanding survey of what's happening in the food world, pairing recipes and anecdotes with tips on how to create intense flavors. From what works and doesn't to twists on traditional fare, this is a fine survey any culinary collection will welcome.

Gordon Ramsay's Family Fare
Gordon Ramsay
Key Porter
6 Adalaide St., 10th Floor, Toronto Ontario M5C 1H6 Canada
9781554702220, $25.00 www.keyporter.com

GORDON RAMSAY'S FAMILY FARE comes from a top-rated chef and TV personality who features over twenty menus to bring family together over the dinner table. Every menu receives full color photos, alternative recipes and menu suggestions, and such fast, easy dishes as Iced Berries with White Chocolate Sauce: a snap to put together. Libraries will find the famous name of Gordon Ramsay lends this a special draw.

Gibbs Smith
Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
www.gibbs-smith.com

Any reader who would learn how to cook with a pizza oven will find Andrea Magnaini's The Art of Wood Fired Cooking (1423606531, $19.99) a key acquisition. It offers detailed information on the wood burning oven, keys to perfect firing and food, recipes, and color photos throughout to bring it all together. The author's spent 20 years as a cook and teacher, perfecting these dishes: it shows, each is appealing, clearly explained, and easy for wood stove owners to reproduce, making this a pick for any culinary collection. Barbara Beery's PINK PRINCESS CUPCAKES (1423607384, $14.99) is directed to ages 6 and older and offers creative ideas for princess-themed desserts - but shouldn't be limited to a children's cookbook collection. It pairs bright color photos with some excellent tips on how to put together a theme cupcake presentation perfect for a child's party or gathering, and provides parents with some very fine decorating ideas.

Steak
Mark Schatzker
Viking Press
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9780670021819, $25.95 www.penguin.com

STEAK: ONE MAN'S SEARCH FOR THE WORLD'S TASTIEST PIECE OF BEEF offers a culinary adventure pairing the author's affection for steak with a history of beef production, steak cooking, and a search for the 'best'. From his journey to a Texas steak-judging contest to a visit to a French cave to view paintings of an extinct wild cattle, this is an outstanding culinary exploration perfect for any general cooking library.

Skinny Italian
Teresa Giudice with Heather MacLean
Hyperion Books
77 West 66th Street, New York, NY 10023-6298
9781401310356, $19.99 www.hyperionbooks.com

Skinny Italian: Eat It and Enjoy It - Live La Bella Vita and Look Great, Too shows home cooks how to prepare classic Italian cuisine that doesn't break the bank. Along with dozens of recipes, SKINNY ITALIAN packs in details on dishes that aren't loaded with fat, from Swordfish with Capers and Lemon to a light Homemade Limoncello. Color photos abound in a fine pick for any lending library.


The Biography Shelf

Monika K. Hellwig
Dolores R. Lecky & Kathleen Dolphin
Litugical Press
St. John's Abbey, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
9780814656969, $19.95, www.litpress.org

Home is a place vastly underrated by much of society. "Monika K. Hellwig: The People's Theologian" looks at the thoughts and opinions of Monika Hellwig, a philosopher with much impact on the second half of the twentieth century, urging the people she worked with in charity and in academia on the importance of home and finding a place to call as such. "Monika K. Hellwig" is a solid addition to biography and philosophy collections, highly recommended.

Tiger Woods, second edition
Lawrence J. Londino
Greenwood Press
c/o ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
9780313380501, $35.00, www.amazon.com

Tiger Woods is an icon of golfing whose celebrity status and recent personal problems have been the subject of innumerable newspaper and magazines articles, as well as fodder for news broadcasters and late night comedians. Now in an updated and expanded second edition, "Tiger Woods: A Biography" by Lawrence J. Londino continues presenting his professional accomplishments such as winning 71 PGA tournaments and being named the PGA Tour 'Player of the Year' ten times. He is also currently the career money list leader in professional golf. Of special note are Woods' philanthropic contributions which include the Tiger Woods Foundation, the Tiger Woods Learning Center, and (in honor of his father) the Earl Woods Scholarship Program. Mandatory reading for all Tiger Woods fans, this impressively detailed, 232-page biography also offers a brief overview of broadcasting and sports, and the relationship between professional athletes and their financial sponsors, making it an ideal and very highly recommended addition for school and community library American Biography collections.

Buffalo Bill: Scout, Showman, Visionary
Steve Friesen
Fulcrum Publishing
4690 Table Mountain Drive, Suite 100, Golden, Colorado 80403
9781555917197 $22.95 www.fulcrum-books.com 1-800-992-2908

Illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs throughout (including many photos of Buffalo Bill's personal artifacts), Buffalo Bill: Scout, Showman, Visionary is a captivating, reader-friendly biography of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody. Buffalo Bill experienced a wealth of adventure on the American frontier, from buffalo hunts to involvement in American Indian clashes and conflicts over slavery. He established his legacy in American history and popular culture with his "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" show, which he deliberately made as authentic as could be by hiring real cowboys and American Indians to perform for his worldwide audiences. A superb treasury and giftbook for Old West aficionados, Buffalo Bill: Scout, Showman, Visionary is highly recommended.

Louis Armstrong
David Stricklin
Ivan R. Dee
1332 North Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60642-2694
9781566638364, $26.00, www.ivanrdee.com

The twentieth century was a time with greats strides in American music. "Louis Armstrong: The Soundtrack of the American Experience" looks into the work of Louis Armstrong, but also his work for the African American community as well. A remarkable individual and an icon of Jazz whose influence can be heard in many genres. An icon in artistic creativity and what it can do for its medium as well as society, "Louis Armstrong" is a strong addition to any musical biography collection.

Acing Depression
Cliff Richey
New Chapter Press
1175 York Ave., Suite #3S , New York, NY 10065
9780942257663, $19.95, www.newchaptermedia.com

Depression can bring champions down, but it's beatable. "Acing Depression: A Tennis Champion's Toughest Match" is a combination memoir and inspirational guide from Cliff Richey, national Tennis Champion in 1970. Known for his bad temper, he states that his outward aggression was a mask for his own clinical depression and through his writing, he states how he beats it and how he wants others to beat it as well. "Acing Depression" is a choice pick for anyone fighting their own depression.

No, it is Not in My Head
Nicole Hemmenway
Morgan James
1225 Franklin Ave., STE 325, Garden City, NY 11530-1693
9781600376993, $19.95, www.morganjamespublishing.com

There is nothing more terrifying than not knowing what's wrong with you. "No, It is Not in My Head: The Journey of a Chronic Pain Survivor from Wheelchair to Marathon" is a memoir of Nicole Hemmenway as she tells her tale of trying to overcome chronic agony in her life and how she was unable to truly figure out what was ailing her, as her chronic pain led her to being unable to live her life. Recovery seemed impossible, but she fought through it, making "No, It is Not in My Head" a riveting and uplifting tale, not to be missed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Devoted
Dick Hoyt with Don Yaeger
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780306818325, $22.95 www.dacapopress.com

DEVOTED: THE STORY OF A FATHER'S LOVE FOR HIS SON begins with a father's nightmare: a baby's diagnosis of cerebral palsy with quadriplegia that gave his parents no hope for a normal life. The Hoyts never considered doing anything other than raising his son with as many opportunities as he could handle - and DEVOTED tells of a perspective that led father and son to recently run in their 28th Boston Marathon. A powerful story of devotion and faith evolves, perfect for general lending libraries.

A Special Mother
Anne Ford with John-Richard Thompson
Newmarket Press
18 E. 48th St., New York NY 10017
9781557048523, $16.95 www.newmarketpress.com

A Special Mother: Getting Through the Early Days of a Child's Diagnosis of Learning Disabilities and Related Disorders comes from a mother who has raised a child with severe learning disabilities, and has become an advocate for children with learning disabilities. Her book guides parents through the entire process of realization, from diagnosis to handling disorders, and covers the basics of what parents can effectively accomplish through education, advocacy, and caring for the entire family's psychological needs. General lending libraries will find this a fine acquisition.

The Bedwetter
Sarah Silverman
Harper
c/o HarperCollins
10 E. 53rd St., New York NY 10022-5299
9780061856433, $25.99 www.harpercollins.com

The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee tells of Sarah Silverman's long-time dream to make people laugh - and her writing gig at Saturday Night Live and other experiences. After much struggle in the comedy industry her show The Sarah Silverman Program has become a hit - and THE BEDWETTER chronicles this rise to fame and her growing up in a series of autobiographical essays perfect for any general lending library.

Ernest Thompson Seton
David L. Witt
Gibbs Smith
Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
9781423603917, $40.00 www.gibbs-smith.com

Ernest Thompson Seton: The Life and Legacy of an Artist and Conservationist tells of the life of a man who became one of the first great wildlife conservationists in America. He invited the realistic animal story genre, he established foundations for the sciences of animal behavior and ecology, and his works reached millions. Color illustrations throughout provide powerful examples of these works and their lasting impact, making this a 'must' for both art and ecology collections alike.


The Business Shelf

Custom Surveys Within Your Budget
Brian Cooper and Maria Philips
Paramount Market Publishing
950 Danby Road, Suite 136, Ithaca, NY 14850
9780981986937, $34.95, www.paramountbooks.com

Knowledge is power, and in sales, knowing about who you're selling to is the knowledge you need. "Custom Surveys Within Your Budget: Maximizing Profits Through Effective Online Research Design" is a guide to creating complete and comprehensive surveys that are customized to serve one's business fully and effectively for its own market. The internet is a valuable information tool for this, and Brian Cooper and Maria Philips demonstrate these ideas effectively, making "Custom Surveys Within Your Budget" a top pick for businesses that need research but may have trouble affording it.

India
Richard R. Gesteland & Mary C. Gesteland
Copenhagen Business School Press
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 NE 58th Ave. Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213-3786
9788763002226, $47.00, www.isbs.com

Every culture has its own rules and traditions. "India: Cross-Cultural Business Behavior" is a guide for business people who want to do business with India and want to avoid the tricky and deceptive woes that often come with the territory when crossing into business with nations foreign to one's own. For anyone planning on bringing their own business venture into India, "India: Cross-Cultural Business Behavior" is a fine source of business and cultural knowledge.

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

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

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

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

Reflections on Management
Watt S. Humphrey with William R. Thomas
Addison-Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
032171153X, $34.99 www.informit/com/seiseries

Reflections on Management: How to Manage Your Software Projects, Your Teams, Your Boss, and Yourself provides new project managers with specific advice on how to manage projects and teams alike. Chapters pack in positive gems that reflect on motivators, noticing team interactions, and more, and provide a positive survey for any software project engineer or management team. A top pick for business and computer collections alike!

Anywhere
Emily Nagle Green
McGraw-Hill
2 Penn Plaza, 23rd Floor, New York NY 10121
0071635149, $27.95 www.mhprofessional.com

ANYWHERE: HOW GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY IS REVOLUTIONIZING THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS provides important business keys to a new era where all people and things are connected at all times. In the Anywhere economy, location will be much less important than global branding - and ANYWHERE discusses how this might be achieved, and the opportunities and challenges of global connectivity. Any business library needs this.

Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
www.bkconnection.com 1-800-929-2929

Elizabeth Doty's THE COMPROMISE TRAP (9781576755761, $17.95) provides readers with a fine survey that offers insight into rules that undermine personal integrity. Six personal foundations for maintaining core values are presented along with fifty firsthand accounts of compromise in business environments, making for an outstanding survey business managers will relish. Andrea Batista Schlesinger's THE DEATH OF WHY? THE DECLINE OF QUESTIONING AND THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY (9781576755853, $16.95) profiles individuals and businesses that support the practice of inquiry in society. Questions have power and value, and debates won't conclude with successful answers - but society has been geared to expect this. THE DEATH OF WHY considers alternatives and analyzes the underlying importance of the practice of inquiry.

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

Robert F. Brands with Martin J. Kleinman's ROBERT'S RULES OF INNOVATION: A 10-STEP PROGRAM FOR CORPORATE SURVIVAL (9780470596999, $34.95) details decades of collective experience contributed by Robert Brands and his network of experts. It provides a new set of 'rules' for innovation, covering principles for inspiring, managing risk, encouraging forward thinking, and accepting new ideas. Any business library strong in innovative thinking needs this set of new guidelines for change. Christine S. Richard's CONFIDENCE GAME; HOW A HEDGE FUND MANAGER CALLED WALL STREET'S BLUFF (9780470648278, $27.95) tells of the co-founder of a hedge fund firm whose six-year campaign to warn that the bond insurance business was endangered earned him the brand of a fraud by Wall Street. Bill Ackman's contrarian bet would wager on the collapse of one of the highest-rated companies on Wall Street - and would predict the resulting credit crisis. Business libraries will find this absorbing, fascinating reading!

Rethinking the MBA
Srikant M. Datar, et al.
Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
9781422131640, $39.95 www.hbr.org/books

The collaborative work of Srikant M. Datar, David A. Garvin, and Patrick G. Cullen, RETHINKING THE MBA: BUSINESS EDUCATION AT A CROSSROADS examines the current state of business education, which once guaranteed access to lucrative careers with the best firms. That has all changed - and the MBA degree is no longer a guarantee for success. RETHINKING THE MBA considers what has changed, why, and three broad trends shaping business education today. It's a 'must' for any serious business library.

Green Economics
Molly Scott Cato
Earthscan
c/o Stylus Publishing
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9781844075713, $38.95 www.earthscan.com

Green Economics: An Introduction to Theory, Policy and Practice provides college-level business and ecology collections with a fine survey introducing green economics perspectives and its effect on taxation, welfare, money, economic development and more. Different schools of critical thought about green economics are presented along with examples of effective green policies already being implemented around the world. A fine reader for any college-level class in world economics and ecology.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Technical Analysis
Jan Arps
Alpha Publications
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9781592579013, $21.95 www.idiotsguides.com

Learn to use market trends to best advantage through a guide that shows how to analyze market swings and create strategies for investment! Here are jargon-free explanations of terms and topics along with examples of technical analysis in real-life market scenarios, making this a fine pick for both business and general lending libraries. An accompanying CD of figures and charts illustrating these patterns makes for a fine supplement!


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

How to Use the Internet to Get Your Next Job
Janet Nagle
Atlantic Publishing
1405 SW 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471-1825
9781601382399, $21.95 www.atlantic-pub.com

How to Use the Internet to Get Your Next Job tells how to apply for and get at the top of job lists using the Internet. It explores everything from online job searching and career alternatives to how to conduct an effective search, from handling online applications and resumes to developing job sit profiles. A top pick for any general collection!

Green Collar Jobs
Scott M. Dietche
Praeger
c/o ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9780313380143, $34.95 www.abc-clio.com

Green Collar Jobs: Environmental Careers for the 21st Century offers a survey of green jobs and green career paths, offering a reference to help students and job seekers find the latest job resources and information on environmental careers. From discussions of green jobs from environmental, economic and political perspectives to surveys of alternative energy and green building, as well as global job opportunities, this is a 'must' for any career library.


The Sports Shelf

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

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

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

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

Gridiron Leadership
Evan H. Offstein, et al.
Praeger
c/o ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9780313378171 $34.95 www.abc-clio.com

The collaborative work of Evan H. Offstein, Jason M. Morwick, and Scott W. Griffith, Gridiron Leadership: Winning Strategies and Breakthrough Tactics provides a fine survey of sports leadership strategies and breakthrough learning, teaching leadership lessons through the stories and experience of the gridiron. Real moments from football serve as metaphors for change and management lessons and draw on decades of experience of the authors and training in 'gridiron management' concepts. Sports and business collections alike will relish this.

Doubleday
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.doubleday.com

David Feherty's THE POWER OF POSITIVE IDIOCY: A COLLECTION OF RANTS AND RAVES (9780385530736, $26.95) comes from a Golf Magazine columnist and CBS sports commentator and offers a fine collection of fun, positive observations from his columns. An original essay, pieces from Golf Magazine columns, readers' letters and more make for a fun, recommended survey for any general-interest sports collection. Also recommended for any general sports collection is Rick Reilly's SPORTS FROM HELL: MY SEARCH FOR THE WORLD'S DUMBEST COMPETITION (9780385514385, $26.00) comes from an ESPN columnist seeking to cover something new. His criteria for something different was sports 'the dumber, the better'. His planet-wide search for such sports - which are actual sports, not stunts - results in a hilarious collection.

Rivals
David K. Wiggins & R. Pierre Rodgers, Eds.
The University of Arkansas Press
McIlroy House, 201 Ozark Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72701
1557289212, $29.95 http://www.uapress.com

RIVALS: LEGENDARY MATCHUPS THAT MADE SPORTS HISTORY offers sixteen original essays that cover influential and famous rivalries from a range of sports, from golf and boxing to basketball, tennis, ice skating and more. The essays focus on equally matched opponents that are different in race and culture and political ideology and religion, and consider competitive advantage and how opponents ignite passion for more than competition. It's a top pick any sports history library will relish!

Human Kinetics
Box 5976, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
www.humankinetics.com

Brad Schoenfeld, CSCS, CPT's Women's Home Workout Bible: A Better Body for Every Budget (0736078282, $19.95) comes from a personal trainer who shares his secrets of how to set up a personal gym for as little as, $100 and how to blend nearly two hundred exercises into a routine for a fine home workout. From establishing fitness goals and a schedule to budgeting, this offers 12 four-week programs for conditioning, sculpting, and cardio workouts, offering tips and answering questions. Women will find this a key acquisition essential for any home gym setup. Judy Patterson Wright's SOCIAL DANCE STEPS TO SUCCESS, 2ND EDITION (0736045058, $23.95) comes with a CD, appears in an updated edition, and provides step-by-step instruction for eight popular dance styles from swing and cha-cha to polka and tango. Each new step represents a fine transition from the prior one, and each step receives explanation of importance and technique. The disc features music for each style, for practice. Dance collections will relish this! David Sandler's FUNDAMENTAL WEIGHT TRAINING: 102 EXERCISE TO START TRAINING (0736082808, $16.95) provides a survey of the basics of weight training, using over 100 exercises paired with photo demonstrations and step-by-step descriptions. From stretching routines and steps to developing your own program, this provides an easy program for strengthening and toning.

101 Baseball Places to See Before You Strike Out
Josh Pahigian
The Lyons Press
246 Goose Lane, Guilford, CT 06437
9781599218847, $18.95 www.lyonspress.com

101 Baseball Places to See Before You Strike Out reviews the very best baseball places, from the Ted Williams Museum to Babe Ruth's gravesite and dozens of landmarks representing baseball highlights. The blend of travel tips and baseball moments offers a fine survey of history and existing tourist destinations baseball fans will relish.

Veloce Publishing
Veloice House, Parkway Farm Business Park,
Middle Farm Way, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3AR, England
www.veloce.co.uk www.amazon.com

Derek Lawson's FORMULA 5000 MOTOR RACING... BACK THEN... AND BACK NOW (9781845842161, $79.95) provides a finely illustrated, classic account of the history and culture of Formula 5000, which celebrated its 40th Anniversary in Europe last year. Here is a chronology of all its championships and a finely researched history probing the cars and their drivers in a rare documentation highly recommended for any motorsports library! Roy Smith's ALPINE & RENAULT: THE SPORTS PROTOTYPES V. 1: 1963-1969 (9781845841911, $69.95) offers the first volume in a survey of the Alpine and Renault sports prototypes developed and tested as the team's first models. Interviews with those involved in competition supplement discussions of successes and failures, all packed with fine photos.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Why Does God Let it Happen?
Bruce Henderson
Chrysalis Books
c/o Swedenborg Foundation Publishers
320 North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380
9780877853329, $11.95, www.swedenborg.com

Much of the doubt of God in the world lies in the evils and horror of tragedies in the world. "Why Does God Let It Happen?" is a spiritual and religious guide that hopes to answer that question to why evil continues to have such a powerful presence in the world, and why is there seemingly a lack of intervention from God. Thoughtful and spirit lifting, "Why Does God Let It Happen?" is a fine addition to any spirituality collection.

An Illustrated Introduction to Taoism
Jean C. Cooper
World Wisdom
PO Box 2682, Bloomington, IN 47402-2682
9781935493167, $24.95, www.worldwisdom.com

Taoism is not a religion of divinity and gods, but of wisdom. "An Illustrated Introduction to Taoism: The Wisdom of the Sages" tells the story of Taoism, serving as an enlightening introduction for readers who want to better understand the stories behind the faith which began in China, how it began, its key figures, and how it is revered today. Taoism is not a religion like any other in the world, making "An Illustrated Introduction to Taoism" a solid and very highly recommended read.

Your Quest for a Spiritual Life
Michelle Corrigan
O Books
c/o National Book Network
PO Box 62188, Baltimore, MD 21264-2188
9781846942952, $14.95, www.o-books.com

Spiritual purity always seems to be just out of reach. "Your Quest for a Spiritual Life: Based on Pantanjali's Yoga Sutras" is a study of said Yoga sutras and wow they can help those seeking spiritual guidance and levity in their lives. Helping one down to their own enlightenment in life, Michelle Corrigan does well in helping readers understand the nuances of Patanjali. "Your Quest for a Spiritual Life" is a choice pick for any spirituality reader, highly recommended.

The Workplace and Spirituality
Joan Marques, Satinder Dhiman, & Richard King
Sky Lights Path
Sunset Farm Offices, Route 4, PO BOx 237, Woodstock, VT 05091
9781594732607, $29.99, www.skylightpaths.com

Just because you're on the clock doesn't mean your faith is. "The Workplace and Spirituality: New Perspectives on Research and Practice" delves into the workplace and how keeping touch with one's faith and spirituality can lead to a more fulfilling place in life that doesn't drain one's soul away and leave one hating one's job and hating one's life. Many thinkers of many different faiths converge and advise readers on how to keep their chin up and their spirits high by remembering their faith. "The Workplace and Spirituality" is a fine read and top pick for any religious person who has begun to dread the office.

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

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

Belief: Readings on the Reason for Faith
Francis S. Collins
HarperOne
c/o HarperCollins
10 E. 53rd St., New York NY 10022
9780061787348, $19.99 www.harperone.com

Belief: Readings on the Reason for Faith provides readings selected by Francis Collins, author of THE LANGUAGE OF GOD. It examines the nature and possibilities of faith and belief, gathering under one cover essays that examine faith from an intellectual perspective. Any seeking clarity on the debate between reason and faith will find this an engrossing collection.

The Covenant of the Torch
Rev. Abraham Park, D.Min, DD
Periplus
364 Innovation Dr., North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
9780794606312, $24.95 www.periplus.com

THE COVENANT OF THE TORCH: A FORGOTTEN ENCOUNTER IN THE HISTORY OF THE EXODUS AND WILDERNESS JOURNEY offers an in-depth study of the people and events in genesis, offering a study of God's work of redemption through the Exodus. A map of all 42 camps in the wilderness, an answer to the prophecy that Abraham's descendants will return to Canaan, and an analysis of genealogy charts lends to a scholarly theological survey recommended for any Christianity study group.

Made for Goodness
Desmond Tutu & Mpho Tutu
HarperOne
c/o HarperCollins
10 E. 53rd St., New York NY 10022
9780061706592, $25.99 www.harperone.com

MADE FOR GOODNESS AND WHY THIS MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE offers a fine survey written by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daughter, and offers keys to longer-range thinking about 'goodness' based on his personal spirituality. Stories of his own life and memories from his work contribute to a powerful inspirational read highly recommended for any spirituality library.

Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
www.zondervan.com

Any who has ever 'stumbled' in faith will find John Ortberg's KNOW DOUBT (9780310325031, $12.99) a candid book based on the author's own struggle with spiritual doubt. His survey of belief, unbelief, and the resurrection of faith at its deepest levels makes for an outstanding contemplative reflection perfect for any spirituality library. Churches struggling with issues of diversity and ethnic representation will welcome Mark Deymaz and Harry Li's ETHNIC BLENDS: MIXING DIVERSITY INTO YOUR LOCAL CHURCH (9780310321231, $18.99). It covers common obstacles churches face in trying to blend in different ethnicities, and provides paths for a church to become a healthy, multi-ethnic representation of faith. The authors are multi-ethnic church pioneers with a track record in addressing and successfully handling barriers to church growth, making this an authoritative church reference.

The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails
John W. Loftus, Editor
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2119
9781616141684, $21.00 www.prometheusbooks.com

The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails provides a fine anthology of recent criticisms aimed at Christian belief and is edited by a former evangelical minister, expanding on ideas introduced in Loftus's first book. It defends his theory of 'outsider's test of faith' and argues that believers should apply the same skeptical standards to their faith as they use to evaluate others. A fine survey of Christian concepts and critical insights evolves.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

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

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

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

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

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

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

Andrews McMeel
1130 Walnut St, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman provide two fine Zits comic strip collections about the wayward teen, and is a pick for any fan of Zits or any parent. JEREMY & DAD: A ZITS TRIBUTE-ISH TO FATHERS AND SONS (0740791559, $16.99) packs in black and white and color cartoon strips, all focusing on the relationship between Jeremy and his father. It's an outstanding Father's Day tribute - and a perfect gift for any father. A ZITS GUIDE TO LIVING WITH YOUR TEENAGER (9780740791680, $9.99) offers the first owner's manual for parents with teens, and will make a hilarious gift for any struggling with their teen's attitude. A single color comic adorns each page. Darby Conley's TREASURY OF THE LOST LITTER BOX (0740793357, $16.99) provides a fine 'Get Fuzzy' comic series about a conniving cat and a good-natured dog who address life's questions. Mostly black and white and some color panels pack a satisfying collection!

Forget Sorrow: An Ancestral Tale
Belle Yang
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393068344, $23.95 www.wwnorton.com

Forget Sorrow: An Ancestral Tale offers a fine graphic memoir, entering the graphic novel field for the first time to share her personal story. She began drawing her memoir during a dark time when she was forced to confine herself to her parents' home to avoid an abusive ex-boyfriend-turned stalker. Her involvement in her family's stories and her changes between old world Chinese parental roots and modern Chinese-American lifestyle makes for an involving graphic novel memoir perfect for graphic novel and Asian-American collections alike.


The Needlecraft Shelf

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

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

Think Outside the Sox
Knitter's Magazine
XRX Books
PO Box 1525, Sioux Falls, SD 57101
9781933064185, $24.95 www.knittingUniverse.com

Think Outside the Sox: 60+ Winning Designs from the Knitter's Magazine Contest offers a fine collection of creative socks from award-winning designs, showcasing over 60 winning designs form the publisher's international knitting contest. Charts, diagrams, and more provide detailed photos and an excellent how-to guide for any who would produce different kinds of socks. Any needlework library must have this!

Amazing Ways to Use Circles & Rays
Renae Haddadin
American Quilter's Society
Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781574326604, $26.95 www.AmericanQuilter.com

Amazing Ways to Use Circles & Rays tells how to draft complicated designs using circles and rays, showing how to draw some circles, divide them into wedges, and connect points for quilts in award-winning styles. A CD with patterns for 7 projects offer different sizes in a 'whole process' method for sewing sections easily. Needlework libraries will find this an excellent choice.


The Judicial Studies Shelf

Living Trusts for Everyone
Ronald Farrington Sharp
Allworth Press
10 East 23rd Street, Suite 510, New York, NY 10010
9781581156744, $14.95, www.allworth.com

A will is not for everyone, and has many of its own pitfalls. "Living Trusts for Everyone: Why a Will is not the Way to Avoid Probate, Protect Heirs, and Settle Estates" is a discussion of wills and trusts, as author Ronald Farrington Sharp hopes to enlighten readers on the dangers of a will and what many people do not understand about them. Urging people to embrace trusts to make sure their next of kin gets what you leave behind. "Living Trusts for Everyone" is a strong pick for any worried about what happens after they're gone.

But They Didn't Read Me My Rights!
Michael D. Cicchini, JD and Amy B. Kushner, Ph.D.
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2119
9781616141660, $19.00 www.prometheusbooks.com

But They Didn't Read Me My Rights! Myths, Oddities, and Lies About Our Legal System is a 'must' for any general lending library where legal rights are of concern. It considers common fallacies about how our legal system operates, covering such basic issues as how and when police are required to read rights, and revealing many circumstances where police can even interrogate without revealing rights. A fine pick for any general lending library!


The Music Shelf

Return of the King
Gillian G. Gaar
Jawbone
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781906002282, $19.95, www.jawbonepress.com

A legend of music requires a legendary comeback. "Return of the King: Elvis Presley's Great Comeback" tells of the story of the fall of Elvis Presley, becoming overexposed and being a shell of his former greatness. But not one to fade away quietly, the king of Rock and Roll returned to form with a major television special and recording some of his greatest hits. "Return of the King" is a choice pick for those who want insight into a lesser talked about part of Elvis's career, or just for Elvis fans in general.

101 Popular Three Chord Easy Favorites For Piano
Jonathon Robbins & Tony Santorella
Santorella Publications, Ltd.
13 Pleasant Avenue, Danvers, MA 01923
www.santorellapublication.com
TS204, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Arranged by Jonathon Robbins and edited by Tony Santorella, "101 Popular Three Chord Easy Favorites For Piano" is an impressive and inexpensive compendium of songs adapted for the piano. The individual pieces include ceremonial and party songs, Christmas songs and carols, classical pieces, Stephen Foster tunes, popular jazz standards, elegant wedding classics, patriotic songs and marches, American folk songs, ethnic folk songs, ballads, sacred hymns, and familiar vocal standards. From Amazing Grace; Silent Night, Beautiful Dreamer, and Sweet Rosie O'Grady, to Scarborough Fair, My Wild Irish Rose, Happy Birthday, Alexander's Ragtime Band, and Silver Threads Among The Gold, there are songs for every occasion. "101 Popular Three Chord Easy Favorites For Piano" is an ideal and highly recommended instruction book for those learning to play the piano, as well as a thoroughly 'player friendly' compendium for piano player based entertainment for social gatherings of all kinds.

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

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

Shine Your Face
Mr. SomethingSomething
World Records
www.mrsomethingsomething.com
CD, $18.00 WorldRecords@gmail.com

Shine Your Face may be billed as dance hall music, but its Dixieland jazz influence is more pronounced than its dance beats - and will satisfy collections strong in African jazz structures. The Toronto-based band has encouraged a new genre reflecting their style: Dancefloor Activism. Several of the band's musicians have visited Nigeria and Ghana regularly, and the African influence is subtle but embedded in jazz stylings. Song lyrics call for social engagement and political and spiritual responses - but it's the jazz audience who will appreciate the underlying beat in Mr. SomethingSomething's SHINE YOUR FACE, a recommendation for African jazz collections.

Punk Slash! Musicals
David Laderman
University of Texas Press
Box 7819, Austin TX 78713-7819
9780292721708, $50.00 www.utexaspress.com

PUNK SLASH! MUSICALS is the first book to consider punk narrative films and British and American punk rock musicals produced from the mid-70s to the mid-1980s. These films represent a break from classic Hollywood and pop music genres, and the idea of 'slip-sync' and changing performances is here chronicled in an excellent blend of music, punk and film history perfect for any music library.


The Military Shelf

For Self and Country
Rick Eilert
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
9781591142331, $21.95, www.nip.org

There are few things tougher than coming back from the brink of death. "For Self and Country: For the Wounded in Vietnam the Journey Home Took More Courage Than Going into Battle" is a memoir from Rick Eilert as he reflects on spending his young adulthood first in Vietnam the in military hospitals, trying to recover from his life threatening injuries, and the relationships he found along the way. "For Self and Country" is a remarkable memoir, highly recommended.

Samurai!
Saburo Sakai
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
www.navalinstitute.org
9781591147558, $24.95, www.amazon.com

The late Saburo Sakai enlisted in the Japanese Navy at sixteen in 1932, ultimately logging 3,700 flight hours during the war, fought in some of the famous air battles of the Pacific Theatre, reportedly shooting down sixty-four Allied planes, and flying a crippled Zero almost 600 miles to safety while partially paralyzed and nearly blind from multiple wounds. "Samurai!" is memoir and stands as an invaluable first-hand, eye-witness account of Japanese air force pilots with respect to the battles they fought and died in. Sakai himself was a veteran survivor of more than two hundred dogfights. An invaluable contribution to the growing body of World War II literature, "Samurai!" is an informed and informative read, making it an especially recommended addition to academic and community library 20th Century Military Studies reference collections and personal reading lists.

Zenith Press
400 1st Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55401
www.zenithpress.com

Bruce Gamble's FORTRESS RABAUL: THE BATTLE FOR THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC, JANUARY 1942-APRIL 1943 (9780760323502, $28.00) describes the events that contributed to the development of Rabaul, on the tip of New Britain, into a military complex. Rabaul was a fortress of operations and served as the foundation for new offensives by the Japanese: this account delves into the island's transformation and uses key Japanese and Allied resources to detail events. Any World War II military library must have this in-depth account. Michael Green and James D. Brown's WAR STORIES OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE (9780760336670, $28.00) offers stories of the land battle that made the American GI an enduring World War II icon. It covers the series of battles known as the Battle of the Bulge, but it's not just another history of the battle, but a story of the period of time using first-person stories of all kinds of Americans who fought. A top military history reference.

Introducing... The Sky Blazers
Jack Jacobson
Potomac Books Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Dr., Dulles, VA 20166-2012
9781597972857, $26.95 www.potomacbooksinc.com

Introducing... The Sky Blazers: The Adventures of a Special Band of Troops That Entertained the Allied Forces During World War II tells of the author and his friend, amateur entertainers with no thought of joining the military - until Pearl Harbor hit. Their decision to enlist led to their performances for fellow soldiers to boost morale - and the creation of the first Combat Special Services Entertainment Unit, putting on shows for weary Allied forces. The story of the Sky Blazers makes for an outstanding survey suitable for military and music collections alike.

Osprey Publishing
44-02 - 23rd St., Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com

Mikhail Maslov's Polikarpov I-15, I-16 and I-153 Aces (9781846039812, $22.95) joins others in the Osprey Aircraft of the Aces series, covering the world's first mass-produced fighters produced for World War I battle. This history follows the plane's development as it be came the mainstay of the Soviet air fighter force. Good-sized color photos and vintage black and white shots make this a winner for any military aviation library. Robert Forczyk's ERICH VON MANSTEIN (9781846034657, $18.95) covers the background and battlefield experiences of one of the greatest commanders in history. He was one of the most successful German commanders of World War II - this military survey of his strategies deserves a place in any military library. Also recommended for any collection analyzing leadership and strategy is Gregory Fermont-Barnes' NAPOLEON BONAPARTE (9781846034589, $18.95), provides a survey of the background, strategies and tactics of one of the greatest commanders in history. Plenty of books survey Napoleon's life: this provides a military account of his martial career and analyzes and assesses his roles. Michael Lynch's THE CHINESE CIVIL WAR: 1945-49 (9781841766713, $17.95) joins others in the 'essential histories' series offering cultural as well as tactical and political analysis of major historic wars. This and David Nicolle's OTTOMAN FORTIFICATIONS 1300-1710 (9781846035036, $18.95) are top picks for any library strong in early military history and analysis.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Real Irish Ghost Stories
Paul Fennell
Currach Press
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781856079860, $27.95, www.dufoureditions.com

Ghosts dwell on front of the paranormal, questioning many people about what lies beyond. "Real Irish Ghost Stories" is a collection of stories of ghosts throughout Ireland and how they have taken their place in the thought and life of many throughout the region, looking at their potential reality. "Real Irish Ghost Stories" is a collection that shouldn't be missed for those fascinated by the paranormal.

The Lost Art of Enochian Magic
Joh DeSalvo
Destiny Books
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781594773440, $16.95, www.amazon.com

Dedicated students of metaphysical studies will recognize John Dee as an iconic figure. In "The Lost Art of Enochian Magic: Angels, Invocations, and the Secrets Revealed to Dr. John Dee", John DeSalvo (current director of the Great Pyramid of Giza Research Association) offers a 232-page informative guide to John Dee's angelic magic, including practical instructions for performing Enochian magic meditations. This body of magic is named after the biblical prophet Enoch and was given to John Dee by angels in the 16th century. "The Lost Art of Enochian Magic" traces the history of magic beginning with the Akadians and the Egyptians, through the Greco-Roman cultures, and down to the present day. Of special note are the insights into how magic has influenced the religious beliefs and practices of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christian, Islam). Enhanced with the inclusion of a CD featuring Enochian calls demonstrating the correction pronunciation to be used when practicing Enochian rituals, "The Lost Art of Enochian Magic" will prove to be an invaluable and greatly appreciated addition to personal and academic library Metaphysical Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

The Power of Purpose, second edition
Richard J. Leider
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery St., Suite 650, San Francisco CA 94104-2916
9781605095233, $17.95 www.bkconnection.com

The Power of Purpose: Find Meaning, Live Longer, Better appears in a second revised, expanded edition twenty-five years after its first edition, rethinking the classic, offering new stories and practices, and revising chapters. The result is a complete revamp of the original and a perfect recommendation for collections with aging editions that have seen much popularity.

The Science of Making Things Happen
Kim Marcille Romaner
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
9781577318538, $14.95 www.newworldlibrary.com

The Science of Making Things Happen: Turn Any Possibility Into Reality offers an inspirational personal growth guide by a speaker and entrepreneur who has spent years researching the latest advancements in science and technology. Here she applies little-known scientific discoveries that can be applied to accomplish dreams, showing how to change life through better acknowledging a universe designed to turn possibilities into realities. Science and new age thought blend in a satisfying, excellent survey.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

For All Living Beings
Hsing Yun
Buddha's Light Publishing
3456 S. Glenmark Drive, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745
9781932293401, $15.95, www.blpusa.com

A clear mind and conscience is worth all the money in the world. "For All Living Beings: A Guide to Buddhist Practice" is an introductory to the practices of Buddhism, as Venerable Master Hsing Yun hopes to guide people into understanding the details of Buddhism and what it can do for what's life in their own personal searches for wisdom and enlightenment. "For All Living Beings" is a choice pick for anyone who wants to gain a greater understanding of Buddhism.

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

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

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

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

The Adornment of the Middle Way
Shantarakshita
Translated by Padmakara Group
Shambhala
300 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02115
9781590304198, $29.95 www.shambhala.com

The Adornment of the Middle Way: Shantarakshita's Madhyamakalankara with Commentary by Jamgon Mipham is a pick for any collection strong in Buddhism. It pairs scholarly commentary by Mipham, who re-presented Shantarakshita to the world, with the abbot's own philosophy, and together the tow make for a powerful examination of Madhyamaka perfect for any scholarly Buddhist studies library.


The Women's Studies Shelf

Women of True Grit
Edie Hand & Tina Savas
Canterbury House Publishing
225 Harmon Rd., Vilas, NC 28692-9369
9780982539606, $24.95, www.womenoftruegrit.com

There's nothing stopping a woman from succeeding in the world except her own determination. "Women of True Grit: Intimate, Informative, Inspirational" is a collection of anecdotes and stories as Edie Hand and Tina Savas share stories of countless women in very different walks of life telling their story of how they got to the top. These women succeed in industries from everywhere from Comedy and Music, to military and legal careers. "Women of True Grit" is a choice read that shouldn't be missed by any woman starting their own career with success in their eyes.

Women's Movements in the Global Era
Amrita Basu, Editor
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813344447, $48.00 www.westviewpress.com

Women's Movements in the Global Era: The Power of Local Feminisms reviews the growth, pros and cons of local women's movements around the world, with special focus on Third World nations. It provides comparative data for all the movements from a local perspective, offering articles filled with first-hand observations and knowledge and juxtaposing the experiences and issues of women around the world. A 'must' for any college-level women's studies collection.

Best of Covered Wagon Women V. 2
Kenneth L. Holmes, Editor
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Dr, Norman, OK 73069
9780806141046, $19.95 www.oupress.com

Best of Covered Wagon Women V. 2: Emigrant Girls on the Overland Trails offers letters and diaries of women on the overland trails in the mid- to late 19th century, presenting eleven selections from the multivolume Covered Wagon Women in an anthology far more accessible to women's studies collections. These first-person trail accounts were penned by women in their teens who traveled west: their perspectives and insights make for an invaluable historical record key to any women's history collection.


The Nautical Shelf

Foul Bottoms
John Quirk
Sheridan House
145 Palisade Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
9781574092950, $14.95, www.sheridanhouse.com

Nothing is without its downfalls, and boats are no different. "Foul Bottoms: The Pitfalls of Boating and How to enjoy Them" is a collection of stories of the fun and not so fun of boating, as author John Quirk presents a book of text and art illustrating his stories, giving readers a fun and humorous romp through the challenges of recreational boating. From the coast to Africa, "Foul Bottoms" is a choice and very fun read, highly recommended.

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

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

A Captain's Duty
Richard Phillips with Stephen Talty
Hyperion Books
77 West 66th Street, New York, NY 10023-6298
9781401323806, $25.99 www.hyperionbooks.com

A CAPTAIN'S DUTY: SOMALI PIRATES, NAVY SEALS, AND DANGEROUS DAYS AT SEA shares details of events leading to the author's harrowing ordeal when armed Somali pirates boarded the cargo ship that was carrying food for the World Food Program. The pirates weren't expecting a fight - or Captain Phillips offering himself as hostage in exchange for his crew's safety. The news coverage which resulted brought the pirating problem to the public eye, but this memoir offers the 'behind the scenes' story and is a pick for nautical and general collections alike.

Sheridan House
145 Palisade St., Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
www.sheridanhouse.com

Ed Mapes's READY TO SAIL! A CAPTAIN'S GUIDE TO BOAT INSPECTION AND REPAIRS - PREPARATIONS OF BOAT AND CREW FOR OFFSHORE PASSAGEMAKING (9781574092714, $29.95) provides a key to getting prepared to sail, from assessing the steering system and engines to shipboard amenities, tackle, safety issues, and more. This second updated edition goers over the boat thoroughly but doesn't depend on technical jargon, making this a fine guide to any who need to inspect and fit a boat for bluewater sailing. Donald Launer's THE GALLEY: HOW THINGS WORK (9781574092882, $17.95) provides a fine survey that's NOT a cookbook. It's all about the structure of a boat galley: the equipment, how it works, types of plumbing, refrigeration, marina water connections, and more. Any nautical library must have this, a satisfying practical nautical title.


The Science Shelf

The Purpose-Guided Universe
Bernard Haisch
New Page Books
3 Tice Road, PO Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
9781601631220, $19.95, www.newpagebooks.com

A Christian and a man of science are not things that have to be conflicting. "The Purpose-Guided Universe: Believing in Einstein, Darwin, and God" is a fascinating meeting of science and religion, as Dr. Bernard Haisch gives his own thoughts on intelligent design, stating that minds like Einstein and Darwin can be correct while still believing in God. Thoughtful and with a lot to ponder, "The Purpose-Guided Universe" is a choice collection, very highly recommended.

Surrounded by Science
Marilyn Fenichel & Heidi A. Schwingruber
The National Academies
Lockbox 285, Washington, DC 20055
9780309136747, $24.95, www.national-academies.org

Science is a subject easy to make fun if the teacher is smart and creative about it. "Surrounded by Science: Learning Science in Informal Environments" is a guide for teachers who want to help immerse their students environments that encourage greater learning of science, stating that there are countless avenues such as zoos, science centers, aquariums, and more, but other, less obvious avenues as well. "Surrounded by Science" is a strong pick for any teacher who wants to impart their love for science on their students.

Security vs. Access
LeAnne K. Robinson, Abbie H. Brown, & Tim D. Green
ISTE
180 West 8th Ave., Suite 300, Eugene, OR 97401
9781564842640, $29.95, www.iste.org

Students aren't the most trustworthy of technology users. "Security vs. Access: Balancing Safety and Productivity in the Digital School" discusses technology in modern schools and the balance that must be attained as security against inappropriate and malicious websites must be attained but freedom to use the internet must be reached as technology and education grow closer and closer. A strongly recommended read for any school administrator in charge of the school's technology resources, "Security vs. Access" is a valuable and much needed discussion.

The Lego Mindstorms
Laurens Valk
No Starch Press
38 Ringold Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
9781593272111, $29.95, www.nostarch.com

Legos have gone far in the past few decades. "The Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 Discovery Book: A Beginner's Guide to Building and Programming Robots" is a guide to the programs and technological pursuits of Lego's newest Mindstorms toys that have been provoking the creativity of young builders. These tools have limitless potential and provide many challenges, and Laurens Valk gives plenty of tips on using the programs to its fullest. "The Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 Discovery Book" is a valuable resource sure to entertain and inform hobbyists.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Eerie Silence
Paul Davies
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
222 Berkeley St., Boston MA 02116
9780547133249, $27.00 www.hmhbooks.com

The Eerie Silence: Renewing Our Search for Alien Intelligence explains why, after fifty years of searching the universe for signs of intelligent life, we have nothing to show for it. Is SETI a waste of money and time - or does the silence mean new investment is needed in new search technologies? Paul Davies maintains the search is being done wrong - and that the scope needs to be enlarged, not cut back. Astronomy and general lending libraries will find this an absorbing discussion.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Forests for People
Anne M. Larson & Collaborators, editors
Earthscan
1616 P Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
Stylus Publishing, Inc. (distributor)
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
www.styluspub.com
9781844079186, $39.95, www.earthscan.co.uk

Forests are nature, and nature belongs to everyone. "Forests for People: Community Rights and Forest Tenure Reform" discusses forests and their place in the legal debate, delving into the debate between private and public land and how the land of the forests has been managed. Forests are not only nature habitats, but resources, which has increased the debate further. "Forests for People" is a choice and solidly recommended pick for anyone intrigued by the forest debate.

Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land
Steven I. Apfelbaum & Alan Haney
Island Press
1718 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20009-1148
9781597265720, $30.00, www.islandpress.org

Ecological recovery are what many places need to recover their natural beauty. "Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land" is a guide to restoring ecological areas where urbanization has caused environmental decay. With chapters discussing many types of areas from plains to forests, and step by step plans to tracking progress, "Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land" proves to be a powerful reference and guide, highly recommended to any in charge of overseeing such projects for its comprehensive collection of tips and advice.

Wind Power Basics
Dan Chrias
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0, Canada
9780865716179, $12.95, www.newsociety.com

The winds will never stop, making it an ideal power source. "Wind Power Basics" discusses the essentials of wind power, and how it is growing and taking its place in the world as a major provider of electricity around the world. Dan Chrias describes how it works, how it is harvested, and outlines how one can create their own personal wind power source. For those intrigued by wind power, "Wind Power Basics" is a top pick.

Energy for Keeps
Marilyn Nemzer, Deborah Page, & Anna Carter
Energy Education Group
c/o PixyJack Press
PO Box 149, Masonville, CO 80541
9780974476551, $24.95, www.energyforkeeps.org

We're hooked on electricity, but we need to find a better source for it all. "Energy for Keeps: Creating Clean Electricity from Renewable Resources" discusses possible new sources of power for the world, that are constantly and consistently renewable unlike depletable energy such as coal. Hoping to inform everything from students to politicians and beyond, Energy Education Group provides a fascinating and thoughtful read that has plenty to educate readers about. "Energy for Keeps" is a fine addition to any environmental studies collection.

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

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

Climate Change, second edition
A. Barrie Pittock
Earthscan
c/o Stylus Publishing
22883 Quicksilver Dr., Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9781844076482, $31.95 www.styluspub.com

The second updated edition of CLIMATE CHANGE: THE SCIENCE, IMPACTS AND SOLUTIONS presents all sides of the arguments about the science and possible remedies of climate change, considering the latest analysis of climate change including new research and observations and offering new material on investments in large-scale renewables and smaller-scale activities. The combination of science and social impact makes this a recommendation for a range of college-level collections.

A Tear at the Edge of Creation
Marcelo Gleiser
Free Press
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9781439108321, $25.00 www.simonandschuster.com

Physicist Marcelo Gleiser provides a fine survey of cutting edge science based on his discovers that led him to a new understanding of the nature of humanity. All life - intelligence in particular - is a precious accident, and our presence here has no meaning outside of itself, though it does have meaning... this is the concept in A TEAR AT THE EDGE OF CREATION: A RADICAL NEW VISION FOR LIFE IN AN IMPERFECT UNIVERSE, which overturns twenty-five centuries of Western thinking arguing that a quest for a 'unified theory of everything' is basically misguided. General and science libraries will relish this.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Comic Book Price Guide 2010
Maggie Thompson, et al.
Krause Publications
c/o F+W Media
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
www.krausebooks.com
9781440213991, $19.99, www.amazon.com

As a collectible, comic books have seen a steady rise in value over the past 70+ years and, even given the inevitable market place ups and downs, as an investment property, comics have performed more reliably than the stock market. Every category of collectible requires an authoritative, detailed, and up-to-date guide to values. For comic books that guide is the Krause Publications edition of the "Comic Book Price Guide 2010", an 800-page compendium featuring more than 150,000 listings; 3,000 photos; and reliably expert pricing. The individual comics are presented alphabetically by title. Of special note is a photo grading guide to help dealers and collectors to evaluation a comic's physical condition accurately with respect to its value as a collectible. All this and more makes the "Comic Book Price Guide 2010" an indispensable reference for collectors and dealers -- and a core addition to community library Antiques/Collectibles reference collections.

Mint Condition
Dave Jamieson
Atlantic Monthly Press
841 Broadway, New York NY 10003
9780802119391, $25.00 www.goveatlantic.com

MINT CONDITION: HOW BASEBALL CARDS BECAME AN AMERICAN OBSESSION is a 'must' history for collector and sports libraries alike, offering insights not just into card values, but the business of card marketing strategies that grew the baseball card and other industries. From the years after the Civil War to how the cards helped gum and candy makers survive the Depression, this is a fascinating social history general lending libraries will relish.

Collectible Movie Posters
Jim Halperin and Hector Cantu, Editors
Whitman Publishing
3101 Clairmont Rd, Suite C, Atlanta, GA 30329
9780794831424, $19.95 www.whitmanbooks.com

Collectible Movie Posters is an outstanding guide for any collecting or film library, surveying the top 100 collectible movie posters and packing in over 200 color illustrations of such posters. Rare movie posters have skyrocketed in value, and this documents their history and desirability. Photos and the latest auction prices compliment history to make this a winning presentation.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

A Witch in Time
Madelyn Alt
Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9780425232613, $23.95 www.penguin.com

A WITCH IN TIME offers a satisfying new series blending witchcraft with mystery. Here Maggie has just left a job at a mystical antiques shop for a date, when she learns her sister has given birth to twins. A teen found dead that night leads to dangerous associations in this outstanding mystery, highly recommended for any library where mystery and supernatural titles are of interest.

Under Heaven
Guy Gavriel Kay
ROC Books
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9780451463302, $26.95 www.penguin.com

Under Heaven offers a fantasy novel inspired by Tang Dynasty China in the 8th century, and tells of Shen Tai., who digs graves by day and hears the ghosts of the buried by night. His gift brings danger and intrigue when others hear of the honor he does the dead - and seeks to use his talents for their own purposes. A vivid story of ghostly encounters evolves in a fast-paced historical fantasy perfect for general fantasy collections.

Golden Gryphon
3002 Perkins Rd., Urbana, IL 61802
www.goldengryphon.com

Mike Resnick's DREAMWISH BEASTS AND SHARKS (1930846606, $24.95) is packed with Mike Resnick's classic twists and turns of plot, from a futuristic safari that ends with an unexpected twist to humor involving unicorns and vampires, or a Tarzan-like British lord in Africa who is actually hiding from creditors. Fine twists of plot! George Zebrowski's EMPTIES (1930846592, $24.95) is a recommendation for both fantasy and mystery libraries alike. When impossible things begin to happen to a seasoned police detective, it brings magic and mystery in this fine survey of Detective Benek's great challenge. Both are top picks for general and fantasy lending libraries.

Arkham House
PO Box 546, Sauk City, WI 53583
www.arkhamhouse.com

James Robert Smith and Stephen Mark Rainey edit EVERMORE (9780870541858, $34.95), a collection where some fifteen writers examine Edgar Allan Poe from different perspectives. From a review of the poet's life to a survey of his creations and legacy, this offers an outstanding legacy to Poe's atmosphere and works, and is a pick for any Poe collection or fantasy library. John D. Harvey's THE CLEANSING (0870541811, $32.95) tells the story of a violent American Indian wolf god who comes to earth to involve freelance journalist Savannah in an investigation of a rampaging wolf pack's intelligence. The two clash in a gripping saga highly recommended for any horror or fantasy collection.


The International Studies Shelf

The Long Partition
Vazira Fazila-Yacoobali Zamindar
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street, New York, NY 10023-7015
9780231138475, $27.50, www.cup.columbia.edu

The political boundaries of modern Asia are radically different than those of one hundred years ago. "The Long Partition: And the Making of Modern South Asia: Refugees, Boundaries, Histories" Is an overview of the modern states of Asia and how they became what they are today. A tale of independence, ancient racial and religious tensions, European interventions, refugees, and more, author Zamindar provides a fascinating narrative of Southern Asia in the twentieth century with an educational and thoughtful read. "The Long Partition" is a core addition to any history collection focusing on Asia.

Westview Press
2465 Center Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
www.westviewpress.com

Ronald M. Schneider's COMPARATIVE LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS (9780813344621, $42.00) comes from a professor of political science and a prior author of many other books on Latin American politics, and is a key resource for any college-level collection seeking a comparative approach to Latin American politics and institutions. Crucial periods of dynamic change are outlined in an overview of selected Latin American counties and their changing challenges, documenting transition periods, political rule, crisis and recovery alike. David S. Sorenson edits INTERPRETING THE MIDDLE EAST: ESSENTIAL THEMES (9780813344409, $49.00) and gathers writings by noted authorities who provide a survey seeking a unified understanding of the modern Middle East. An organization by themes of the region offers history, insights into changing population patterns, social and economic development, and experts who write specifically for this collection. College-level libraries will find it a winner. John Haskell's CONGRESS IN CONTEXT (9780813344126, $45.00) is a pick for any college level collection strong in American political process. It offers a review of Congress and its policymaking process, offering a view of Congress as one link in an interconnected system and considering the three key roles of Congress within the federal government (authorizing processes, funding activities, and supervising). J. Martin Rochester's FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (9780813344188, $50.00) explores international relations topics and offers new ideas on how globalization and other modern trends are affecting these issues. The history and present nature of such international political connections are analyzed using the latest academic scholarship to challenge readers to think critically about modern international relationships.


The Native American Shelf

American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee
Kevin Hillstrom & Laurie Collier Hillstrom
Omnigraphics
PO Box 31-1640, Detroit, MI 48241-1640
9780780811294, $49.00, www.omnigraphics.com

Perhaps the blackest moment in American history, "Defining Moments: American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee" delves into the history of America's early relations as a sovereign nation, its relation with its native peoples, and how they forced them out west, causing countless death and tragedy along the way. From massacres, to legislation causing more issues, and how the ancestors of these oppressed people have found their own way in life in the modern day. "Defining Moments: American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee" is a remarkable and highly recommended addition to American history collections, especially those with a nod to Native American studies.

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

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

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

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

Chief Loco: Apache Peacemaker
Bud Shapard
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806140476, $34.95 www.oupress.com

CHIEF LOCO: APACHE PEACEMAKER is a fine biography recommended highly for any college-level Native American studies collection. It provides a biography of an important but overlooked chief and details the Apache wars and the tribe's experience, using Loco's long leadership as a foundation point for considering how he handled tragic developments and threats to his people. His quest for peace and handling of dangerous U.S. government policies makes for an engrossing survey key to understanding Apache history.


The Philosophy Shelf

The Present State of Scholarship in the History of Rhetoric
Lynee Lewis Gaillet, editor
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Blvd., Columbia, MO 65202
9780826218933, $24.95, www.umsystem.edu

Thinking is a science all in itself. "The Present State of Scholarship in the History of Rhetoric: A Twenty-First Century Guide" delves into the evolution of rhetoric in recent years, focusing on the past century and the effect of rapid globalization and the rise of women have had on the effect of thinking and communicating ideas around the globe. A scholarly analysis of modern rhetoric, where it came from and where it's going, "The Present State of Scholarship in the History of Rhetoric" is a very highly recommended addition to community and college philosophical studies collections.

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

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

Philosophy: An Innovative Introduction
Michael Boylan and Charles Johnson
Westview Press
2456 Central Ave, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813344485, $50.00 www.westviewpress.com

Philosophy: An Innovative Introduction is a fine pick for any college-level library strong in philosophy analysis. It uses short stories by Michael Boylan and Charles Johnson - two writers who have combined philosophy and fiction in their works - and offers both modern and historical connections to philosophy along with narrative exercises inviting readers to create their own blend of philosophy and fiction.

Ockham Explained: From Razor to Rebellion
Rondo Keele
Open Court Books
70 East Lake St. #300, Chicago, IL 60601
9780812696509, $19.95 www.opencourtbooks.com

Ockham Explained: From Razor to Rebellion tells of a group of 1328 Franciscans who steal the official seal of the Franciscan Order and one William of Ockham, who had a new approach to the concept of church-state separation. His philosophy would change his world - and this survey of Ockham's ideas is key for philosophy and history collections alike.


The Education Shelf

Best Practices for the Inclusive Classroom
Richard T. Boon & Vicky G. Spencer
Prufrock Press
5926 Balcones Drive, Suite 220, Austin, TX 78731
9781593634063, $39.95, www.prufrock.com

No one likes being the outsider. "Best Practices for the Inclusive Classroom: Scientifically Based Strategies for Success" is a guide for inclusivity in schools, and how to cross racial, cultural, and skill boundaries that leave students feel left out, and in some cases exacerbating existing problems. Written by a staff of experienced educational professionals, Richard T. Boon and Vicky G. Spencer present an invaluable resource for educational professionals and teachers on many levels. "Best Practices for the Inclusive Classroom" is a core reference for any educational studies collection.

Challenging Units for Gifted Learners - Language Arts
Kenneth J. Smith, Ph.D.
Prufrock Press
PO Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813
9781593634216 $19.95 www.prufrock.com 1-800-998-2208

Challenging Units for Gifted Learners: Teaching the Way Gifted Students Think - Language Arts is a supplemental resource designed for language arts educators of gifted students in grades 6-8. The suggested writing projects are designed to help challenge students to reach their full potential in problem-solving, character building, and story creation. From studying Freud's psychoanalytic theory and applying it to the analysis of a classic novel, to learning how to build vivid, lifelike characters when writing mysteries, to writing nature poetry, the suggested curriculum ideas are broken down into step-by-step individual lessons. An excellent educational guide, highly recommended.

Meeting Students Where They Live
Richard L. Curwin
ASCD
1703 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
9781416609568, $23.95, www.ascd.org

Motivation is the first step in any great education. "Meeting Students Where They Live: Motivation in Urban Schools" is a discussion of how to get urban students, usually the ones hardest to get to stay and school in succeed, with sky-high drop out rates among other issues. Richard Curwin urges school leaders not to antagonize these students, but instead invite them and encourage them, to get them to embrace education willingly instead of by force. "Meeting Students Where They Live" is a thought provoking and highly useful read for any inner city school teacher who wants to reach out to their students and keep them in the classroom.

The Insider's Guide to High School
Tim Healey & Alex Carter
Vandamere Press
PO Box 149, St. Petersburg, FL 33731
9780918339737, $19.95

High School is the first step in the rest of one's life. "The Insider's Guide to High School: A Parent's Handbook for the Ninth Grade Year" is a guide for parents who want to do everything they can to help their student have the tools they need to succeed in high school so they can launch themselves to better careers and college. The Freshmen year in high school is a major key to these successes, and "The Insider's Guide to High School" proves an invaluable resource.

The Little Green Math Book
Brandon Royal
Maven Publishing
4520 Manilla Road SE, Calgary, AL Canada T2G 4B7
9781897393505, $19.95, www.mavenpublishing.com

Good math skills never go to waste. "The Little Green Math Book: 30 Powerful Principles for Building Math and Numeracy Skills" is a guide filled with simple and endlessly useful facts and techniques involving mathematics to help readers gain a greater mastery of the countless math problems they will face in life even if they don't realize they are math problems. "The Little Green Math Book" is a fine collection of information, and an invaluable resource. Also in the same series is "The Little Gold Grammar Book" (9781897393307, $19.95), which looks into the main uses of grammar.

AP
Philip M. Sadler & Collaborators
Harvard Education Press
8 Story Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
9781934742556, $29.95, www.harvard.edu

To be placed above one's average age level provides an array of strengths and weaknesses. "AP: A Critical Examination of the Advanced Placement Program" discusses Advanced Placement programs in modern High School programs and the problems that can come with it. Philip M. Sadler and his staff craft a collection of essays analyzing the details of Advanced Placement programs, showing where it has succeeded and failed in its existence and offers ideas to better it in regards to preparing students for higher education. "AP" is a strong addition to any educational studies collection, highly recommended.

Teach Like a Champion
Doug Lemov
Jossey-Bass
c/o Wiley Trade Group
989 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-1741
9780470550472, $27.95, www.josseybass.com

The first step for a great student is a great teacher. "Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College" is a guide for teachers who want to hone their techniques to give themselves and their students the best educational experiences that they can give and receive. With plenty of advice and resources, Doug Lemov uses his expertise as president of School Performance at New York State University and many levels of education. "Teach Like a Champion" is a guide that shouldn't be overlooked for any teacher who wants to keep improving.

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

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

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

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

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

Rita A. Moore and Victoria N. Seeger's BUILDING CLASSROOM READING COMMUNITIES (9781412968010, $28.95) helps teachers build a successful approach for motivating students as individual readers, showing how RMA can be used to develop student comprehension by analyzing miscues and discussing retellings. It's a set of interactive discussion techniques used in Socratic Circles which can be extended into the classroom and is a pick for any education collection. Teachers will also relish Catherine Collier's RTI FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS: MORE THAN 200 INSTRUCTIONAL INTERVENTIONS (9781412971621, $38.95), packed with important keys based on TRI models that identify specific learning disabilities in English-speaking students. This focuses on applying RTI models to students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and is organized by the tiers of RTI using specific interventions to assess student issues at all levels. Sharon Adelman Reyes and Tatyana Kleyn's TEACHING IN 2 LANGUAGES (9781412978026, $33.95) provides an outstanding survey of bilingual education programs and focuses on teachers' daily experiences, presenting classroom-ready strategies and tools for content-teaching across the curriculum. Stories from the field show how solutions were applied to challenges, and make for a top choice in bilingual education solutions. Marc Prensky's TEACHING DIGITAL NATIVES: PARTNERING FOR REAL LEARNING (9781412975414, $33.95) offers a different focus on teaching and learning, showing how digitally literate students can draw on their skills to streamline research, analysis and presentation through multiple media. Teachers provide guidance, administrators support the process school wide, and technology becomes a key to new skills in this guide that offers concrete classroom plans over ideology. DATA ENHANCED LEADERSHIP by Alan M. Blankstein, Paul D. Houston and Robert W. Cole (9781412949347, $25.95) offers key ideas on how the informed use of data can translate into effective school leadership. Many experts contribute to a survey blending research, practice and new ideas to help readers determine how to foster staff development, creative thinking, and better student achievement. The second updated edition of M.C. Gore's INCLUSION STRATEGIES FOR SECONDARY CLASSROOMS: KEYS FOR STRUGGLING LEARNERS (9781412975445, $35.95) provides an updated guide that identifies blocks to learning and provides keys to unlock learning barriers for adolescents with learning challenges. All ideas have been field-tested and are based on research: this edition provides an analysis of instructional tools and their applications, and makes for a fine approach that can be blended into everyday inclusive classrooms. Daniel L. Duke's DIFFERENTIATING SCHOOL LEADERSHIP: FACING THE CHALLENGES OF PRACTICE (9781412970501, $28.95) provides keys to diagnosing a school's critical challenges in leadership, offering chapters that pinpoint causes of school decline and how to prevent them. From turning around a low-performing school to designing a new school and creating improvements that work, this is a guide any educator's library needs. Edward J. Thomas and John R. Brunsting's STYLES & STRATEGIES FOR TEACHING MIDDLE SCHOOL MATHEMATICS: 21 TECHNIQUES FOR DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT (9781412968331, $35.95) gives teachers tools to making mathematics instruction more effective by engaging learners. Research-based strategies offer insights on four different math learning styles - Mastery, Understanding, Self-Expressive, and Interpersonal - and presents classroom-tested techniques for imparting these strategies using step-by-step directions and examples. Donna M. Burns' WHEN KIDS ARE GRIEVING: ADDRESSING GRIEF AND LOSS IN SCHOOL (9781412974905, $25.95) offers a fine key to helping kids handle grief and loss in healthy ways. Charts, quotes, activities, case studies and more offer strategies to help kids affected by death, divorce, violence, and more, and shows teachers how to respond to grief expressed by children and adolescents. A fine resource for any lending library catering to teachers or parents. Judith Irvin, Julie Meltzer and others provide TAKING THE LEAD ON ADOLESCENT LITERACY: ACTION STEPS FOR SCHOOLWISE SUCCESS (9781412979801, $35.95), a fine survey for grades 4-12. Here is a planning process for new literacy that offers 56 rubrics that can be implemented to encourage literacy across content areas and literary culture. The second updated edition of Donna Walker Tileston's WHAT EVERY TEACHER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT STUDENT MOTIVATION (9781412971768, $22.95) comes packed with practices for motivating even the most reluctant K-12 students. It uses the latest brain research paired with new insights on relationships between culture and student motivation, and offers many strategies on how students can begin and finish a task. Randi Stone's MORE BEST PRACTICES FOR ELEMENTARY CLASSROOMS: WHAT AWARD-WINNING TEACHERS DO (9781412963466, $33.95) deserves ongoing recommendation for any elementary teacher's collection. It showcases best practices from award-winning elementary teachers, is a sequel to Stone's prior BEST CLASSROOM PRACTICES, and is packed with details of teaching strategies and innovative lessons and activities. Grad L. Flick's MANAGING ADHD IN THE K-8 CLASSROOM: A TEACHER'S GUIDE (9781412969109, $35.95) helps teachers understand students with ADHD and comes from a clinical psychologist who provides behavioral intervention strategies for handling behavior and other issues of ADHD. From making classroom changes to promoting appropriate behaviors, this provides many important keys. Ann C. Barbour's LEARNING AT HOME PREK-3: HOMEWORK ACTIVITIES THAT ENGAGE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (9781412963282, $28.95) tells how to create a strong home-school connection using family activities to support the entire learning process. From using a child's experiences to support learning to including shared family projects and games, this covers a range of key topics. Pat Mora's ZING! SEVEN CREATIVITY PRACTICES FOR EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS (9781412978392, $23.95) provides a guide of seven powerful practices for personal creativity. Each of these seven offers parallel exercises for both teachers and students, helping educators and students alike harness their creative energies.

Metaphors & Analogies
Rick Wormeli
Stenhouse Publishers
477 Congress Street, Suite 4B, Portland, ME 04101-3451
9781571107589, $23.00 www.stenhouse.com

METAPHORS & ANALOGIES encourages students to think more independently by using metaphors and analogies to foster growth in all areas of education. Teachers are encouraged to blend metaphor into discussions no matter what the topic, and receive 'power tools' for all grade levels showing how to help students bridge ideas between concrete and abstract methods of thought. It's a fine survey any educator's library needs.

Performance-Based Assessment for Middle and High School Physical Education
Jacalyn Lea Lund and Mary Fortman Kirk
Human Kinetics
Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
9780736083607, $33.43 www.hkusa.com

Performance-Based Assessment for Middle and High School Physical Education teaches how to develop assessments that help students work together with teachers to enhance physical education abilities. From how to provide effective feedback to students to using unit plans for both team and individual sports and creating rubrics for use in the process, chapters are rich in development keys and include a CD-ROM with assessments and forms for further use.


The Psychology Shelf

Practical Behavior Management Solutions for Children and Teens With Autism
Linda Miller
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market St, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849050388, $39.95 www.jkp.com

Practical Behavior Management Solutions for Children and Teens With Autism provides educators and parents with keys to understanding challenging behaviors, answering common questions and providing practical solutions that work. From framework for behavior intervention founded on prevention to identifying root causes of behavior issues and planning an intervention, this offers an in-depth, key discussion for any education library.

Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market St, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.jkp.com

Kim Aumann and Angie Hart's HELPING CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX NEEDS BOUNCE BACK: RESILIENT THERAPY FOR PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS (9781843109488, $19.95) provides an important survey of Resilient Therapy, a new way of strengthening kids with complex needs. Parents receive exercises, worksheets, and the latest research as it applies to everyday situations in this important guide. Deborah M. Plummer's HELPING CHILDREN TO COPE WITH CHANGE, STRESS, AND ANXIETY: A PHOTOCOPIABLE ACTIVITIES BOOK (9781843109600, $29.95) is perfect for schools and teachers working with kids ages 7 and older. It offers a fully photocopiable set of activities with illustrations by Alice Harper, and combines theory with games and activities designed to help kids manage their emotions. A fine pick for any teacher's collection.


The Photography Shelf

Making A Family Home
Shannon Honeybloom
Steiner Books
610 Main Street, Suite 1, Great Barrington, MA 01230
9780880107020, $20.00, www.steinerbooks.com

Home is something truly intangible yet also truly profound. "Making a Family Home" is a collection of photography as author Shannon Bloom, along with the assistance of professional photographer Skip Hunt, team up to show an idealistic and charming picture of home, the home Honeybloom has created. With plenty of thoughtful photography, "Making a Family Home" is a treasure not to be missed.

Canyon Wilderness of the Southwest
Jon Ortner
Welcome Books
6 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011
9781599620794, $18.95

Nature has its own paintbrush, and the canyons of the southwestern United States are proof of this. "Canyon Wilderness of the Southwest" is a collection of photography of deserts, wilderness, canyons and more, as Jon Ortner shows how gorgeous the Southwest can be with full color photography, with very high quality showing the natural detail of it all. For any fascinated with desert photography, "Canyon Wilderness" is a top pick for any such collection.

Crop Circles: Art in the Landscape
Lucy Pringle
Frances Lincoln, Ltd.
4 Torriano Mews, Torriano Avenue, London NW5 2RZ
c/o Perseus Distribution
193 Edwards Drive, Jackson, TN 38301-7716
9780711230927 $19.95 www.franceslincoln.com

Crop Circles: Art in the Landscape is a breathtaking compendium of aerial photography of exquisite crop circle designs. Collected by master photographer Lucy Pringle, Crop Circles: Art in the Landscape lives up to its title. There is next to no text other than brief captions for the photographs - the gorgeous, full-page images speak entirely for themselves. The crop circle designs from the south of England are intricate, captivating, and dazzle the eyes.

Arches National Park
Grant Collier
Collier Publishing
451 Wrigth St. #15, Lakewood, CO 80228
9780976921882, $12.95, www.collierpublishing.com

Beauty is no stranger to the desert. "Arches National Park" is a collection of full color photographs of Arches National Park, looking at these occurrences in nature displayed in full color photographs, shown in relation to reflections, a night filled with a starry sky, and so much more, giving the eyes much to feast on and enjoy. "Arches National Park" is a fine pick and a read that shouldn't be missed.

Chicago
Thomas J. O'Gorman
Thunder Bay Books
10350 Barnes Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121
9781607100096, 19.95, www.thunderbaybooks.com

Chicago, the crossroads of America, has changed much in its hundreds of years of existence. "Chicago: From the Air Then and Now" is a collection of photography detailing the changes in Chicago's history, comparing many locations in Chicago and how they have changed over the past century. Each page contains a black and white photo from the 1920s set opposite to the full color photo of modern Chicago. For anyone who loves the Second City, "Chicago from the Air: Then and Now" is a choice coffee table book.

Jordi Bernado: Very Very Bad News
Gabriel Bauret & Jordi Bernado
Actar D
158 Lafayette Street, 5th floor, New York, NY 10013
www.actar.com
849595107X, $22.95, www.amazon.com

"Jordi Bernado: Very Very Bad News" is a 200-page compendium showcasing the urban photography of Jordi Bernado. Featuring an informed and informative essay by Gabriel Bauret on the photographer and his work, the subject matter in "Jordi Bernado: Very Very Bad News" features images taken from the shanty towns of Brazil, Barcelona peep shows, the beaches of Cape Town and Sydney beaches, Detroit's inner city, the ruins of Bucharest, and the strange subterranean world of Nagoya. An impressive and memorable body of work, "Jordi Bernado: Very Very Bad News" is recommended for personal and academic library Photography Studies reference collections.

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

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

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

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

Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography
NK Guy
Rocky Nook
26 West Mission St., Suite 3, Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2432
9781933952444, $44.95 www.rockynook.com

Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography covers automatic flash technology that has changed the nature of photography. This offers a survey of everything from Canon's Speedlite flash system to off-camera portable flash units and studio lighting techniques, covering both the basics of flash metering to key concepts of EOS gear and usage. The inclusion of non-dedicated, off-camera flash makes for a unique coverage key to any photography library.

Focal Press
30 Corporate Drive Suite 400, Burlington, MA 01803
www.focalpress.com

Louis Benjamin's The Naked and the Lens: A Guide for Nude Photography (9780240811598, $34.95) tells how to achieve professional results, covering everything from lighting to direction, finding models, legal issues, and more. From the technicalities of working with RAW capture methods to selective focus and hot shoe flash techniques, The Naked and the Lens is a 'must' for any photography library. Also a top pick is the second updated edition of Ctein's DIGITAL RESTORATION FROM START TO FINISH (9780240812083, $39.95), a guide to working with faded, damaged prints or films. It tells how to make a range of corrections, how to hand-tint photos, repair problems in texture and lighting, and even erase mildew spots and eliminate pixel problems. A fine specific guide any digital photographer needs! Mark Galer's ADOBE PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 8 MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE (9780240521831, $44.95) comes with a comprehensive DVD and packs in over seven hours of movie tutorials, sample images, a stock photo gallery and more to teach digital photographers the basics of Photoshop Elements 8. Step-by-step projects impart the basics of superior approaches to the program, making this a 'must' for any serious Photoshop collection. Leslie Alsheimer and Bryan O'Neil Hughes' BLACK AND WHITE IN PHOTOSHOP CS4 AND PHOTOSHOP LIGHTROOM (9780240521596, $39.95) is a 'must' for any digital photography reference library including Photoshop guides. It's written by photographers who are themselves internally renowned and published, and offers in-depth coverage of workflow, new recipes for black and white conversion, and a new chapter on image editing using Lightroom. An outstanding survey!


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

My Lovely Executioner & Agreement to Kill
Peter Rabe
Stark House
2200 O Street, Eureka, CA 95501
9781933586113, $19.95, www.starkhousepress.com

A good thriller never ages. "My Lovely Executioner & Agreement to Kill" is a two-pack of thrillers from famed writer Peter Rabe, who wrote these novels in the era of paperback originals, providing two exciting stories which will keep readers on the edge of their seats. "My Lovely Executioner & Agreement to Kill" is quite the value for those who can't get enough of thrillers and enjoy darn good stories.

Rolling Thunder
Chris Grabenstein
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10004
9781605980898, $25.00, www.pegasusbooks.us

Faced with the evils of the world, a friend is all you have in finding justice. "Rolling Thunder" is a mystery following John Ceepak and his partner Danny Boyle as they try to find who is responsible for the mysterious deaths of a senior citizen and a young woman. Their investigative skills will be tested as Chris Grabenstein brings readers on a fun mystery ride, making "Rolling Thunder" a choice pick.

Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Avenue Suite 103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
www.poisonedpenpress.com

Gary Reed & Eric Mayer's EIGHT FOR ETERNITY (9781590587027, $24.95) provides a fine Jon the Lord Chamberlain mystery set in 532, when mobs rule Constantinople and one John, Chamberlain to Emperor Justinian, must find those seeking to dethrone his leader. His investigation leads to a web of intrigue and violence in a fine historical, political mystery perfect for any mystery collection. Martin Edwards' THE SERPENT POOL (9781590585931, $24.95) tells of a 7-year-old murder/suicide drowning case that comes to light again when it's re-opened by DCI Hannah of the Cold Case Squad. A problem serpent and new cause to doubt her partner, leads Hannah into danger in this riveting thriller. Frederick Ramsay's PREDATORS (9781590586846, $24.95) tells of one Leo, the CEO of Earth Global who travels to Botswana, a country rich in resources his company and the U.S. government covet. Pursued by corporate danger, Leo's search for peace pairs with a maneater's stalking of the savannah, bringing the two on a collision course. A fine story of intrigue and mystery evolves.

Obsidian
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com

Karen E. Olson's PRETTY IN INK (9780451229625, $6.99) provides a fine Tattoo Shop Mystery, telling of the owner of one of Vegas's hottest tattoo shops who sleuths in her spare time. An opening night of litter ends in disaster in this thriller. Gail Oust's TILL DICE DO US PART (9780451229427, $6.99) TELLS OF Claudia, who returns from Vegas with a new husband - until he's killed in a heated exchange. It's up to the Bunco Babes to solve the mystery in this fine story!

The Little Death
P.J. Parrish
Pocket Books
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
9781416525899, $7.99 www.simonandschuster.com

The Little Death blends sex and death and tells of a South Florida detective who is plunged into a dangerous homicide case, helping the prime suspect - an aging male walker - establish his innocence in what appears to be a cut-and-dried case. A fine saga evolves in a read recommended for mystery and thriller readers alike.


The Fiction Shelf

Secret Graces
Kathryn Magendie
Bell Bridge Books
PO Box 67, Smyrna, GA 30533
9780984325696, $19.65, www.kathrynmagendie.com

Family is something you can never shake, and must face problems with together. "Secret Graces" tells the story of Vee, as she faces the shattered remains of the hopes and dreams of several generations of her family, while facing her own life and problems along the way. "Secret Graces" is a riveting read that will ring quite well and true with many readers, and give them much comfort in relevance, reminding them they aren't alone.

Touch
Adania Shibli
Clockroot Books
c/o Interlink
46 Crosby Street, Northampton, MA 01060
9781566568074, $13.00, www.clockrootbooks.com

When you live in a persistent warzone, every day is a new challenge. "Touch" is a novella following a young girl in modern Palestine, as she faces life's challenges as he world continues to rage on around her. From the simple processes of life to the constant tragedies, "Touch" proves to be a fascinating and insightful novella, not to be missed.

Uncharted Journey
Harold G. Ross
Sunflower University Press
1531 Yuma, PO Box 1009, Manhattan, KS 66505
0897452771, $4.95

Out on one's own for the first time is always a sobering experience. "Uncharted Journey" tells the story of a young man faced with being out in the world in the Old West armed with only his wits and faith, uprooted from his serene and idealistic life. A coming of age tale of facing and overcoming adversity, "Uncharted Journey" is an adventurous read that shouldn't be missed.

Blood Oath
Christopher Fansworth
Putnam
c/o Penguin Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
Goldberg McDuffie Communications (publicity)
444 Madison Avenue, Suite 3300, New York, NY 10022
9780399156359, $24.95

Humanity is a threat to itself, but it doesn't mean it's the only threat. "Blood Oath" tells the story of ambitious white house staffer Zach Barrows as he discovers that something has been sworn to the Presidential staff for over a century, The President's vampire, Nathaniel Cade. Cade is tasked with protecting the American public from a more intimidating threat of the supernatural, who lives unaware through his efforts. "Blood Oath" is a fun supernatural fantasy that entertains readers well with its setting and characters.

Waking Up
Joe Traum
Cambridge House Press
c/o Sterling & Rosss
115 W. 29th St. New York, NY 10001
9780982139127, $14.95, www.camhousepress.com

Losing a child is a devastating event none want to ever have to face. "Waking Up "tells the story of the downward spiral of Michael Hayes, faced with the murder of his eleven year old son and the challenges that spiraled out from this event. Becoming entangled with the search for the truth, his life falls apart, and he finds himself losing far more than his son. "Waking Up" is a riveting thriller, sure to entertain many a reader.

I, Benjamin
Theodore Enslin
McPheron & Company
PO Box 1126, Kingston, NY 12402
9780929701905, $10.00, www.mcphersonco.com

There are many choices and routes through life and few of them are ever clear. "I, Benjamin" is the story of a traveler with unique abilities, and the choices he makes as he encounters others like him along his journey. Faced with the unknown, Author Theodore Enslin hopes to discuss our choices and the unknown thoroughly in his writing. "I, Benjamin" is a poignant and recommended read.

The Accordionist's Son
Bernardo Atxaga
Graywolf Press
250 Third Avenue North, Suite 600, Minneapolis, MN 55401
9781555975555, $15.00, www.graywolfpress.org

A little reflection can make it all become clearer. "The Accordionist's Son" is a fictionalized memoir as author Bernado Atxaga tells the story of David Imaz, an aging man remembering his life as he comes from a s mall village in the Basque Country to his modern life in a California Ranch. A story spanning centuries with a focus on the Spanish Civil War, "The Accordionist's Son" proves to be a poignant and thoughtful read, not to be missed.

Recovering Apollo 8
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Golden Gryphon
3002 Perkins Road, Urbana, IL 61802
9781930846623, $24.95, www.goldengryphon.com

So many possibilities, so many results. "Recovering Apollo 8: And Other Stories" is a collection of science fiction from Kristine Kathryn Rusch, as she presents her brand of alternate history science fiction, telling tales of what could have been in the past and today, analyzing our world through it while being highly entertaining. "Recovering Apollo 8" is a choice and highly recommended pick that shouldn't be missed by sci-fi readers.

Riddles of Belief and Love
Lin Zhe
Dog Ear Publishing
4010 W. 86th Street, Ste H, Indianapolis, IN 46268
9781608442843, $23.95, www.dogearpublishing.net

The last hundred years of Chinese history have been some of the most tumultuous times in history. "Riddles of Belief and Love" is a novel that takes place in a special place. Author Lin Zhe draws her own personal history to tell a story of a typical Chinese family as they face the Chinese civil wars, World War II, and trying to find their identity under the Cultural Revolution, and how they remember the constants through it all - home and family. "Riddles of Belief and Love" is a choice read for literary fiction collections, highly recommended.

The Bradbury Report
Steven Polansky
Weinstein Books
345 Hudson Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10014
9781602861220, $24.95, www.weinsteinbooks.com

With new technology comes new moral issues. "The Bradbury Report" tells the tale of America in 2071, where a widow approaching elderly status finds himself drawn into the world of cloning and its moral objections. In America, every living person has a clone to serve as parts in its health system, but there lies a deeper concern when these clones can be sapient, real beings, as human as the people they're cloned from. "The Bradbury Report" asks a lot of questions and proves to be a riveting thriller.

This House, This Town
Robert Hamblin
Southeast Missouri State University Press
MS 2650, One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
9780982248959, $12.00

A bit of history can be relished and lived in. "This House, This Town: One Couple's Love Affair with An Old House and a Historic Town" is a memoir from Robert Hamblin, discussing how he and his wife restored an old Victorian era house and found their home with it, and the surrounding town. Arguing for the importance of historic preservation in today's rapidly modernizing world, "This House, This Town" is a choice and very highly recommended read.

The Singer's Gun
Emily St. John Mandel
Unbridled Books
2000 Wadsworth Boulevard, #195, Lakewood, CO 80214
9781936071647, $24.95, www.unbridledbooks.com

Family is family, no matter how corrupt they are. "The Singer's Gun" is a novel of Anton Waker, a man surrounded by criminals who only wants to find his own life. But family doesn't forget, and Anton finds that it's hard to leave the family business behind, no matter how hard he wants to try. "The Singer's Gun" is a riveting and exciting read, well worth considering for crime fiction readers.

Kyra Kyralina
Panait Istrati
Talisman House
PO Box 896, Greenfield, MA 01302
9781584980759, $16.94

Much insight of the time can be gained through a novel, and "Kyra Kyralina" is no different. Written in the 1920s by Panait Istrati, Christopher Sawyer-Laucanno translate this Romanian work which gave rise in Eastern Europe to the Modernist writing of the time, also providing a literary picture of a Romania separated from the Ottoman Empire. "Kyra Kyralina" is a historic and valuable read for any literary fiction collection.

Empty Mile
Matthew Stokoe
Akashic Books
PO Box 1456, New York, NY 10009
9781936070121, $16.95, www.akashicbooks.com

Sometimes just maintaining the status quo is a challenge all in itself. "Empty Mile" tells the story of Johnny Richardson, who wants to right an old wrong. He soon learns small town America can be more deadly than any big city as he becomes embroiled in the town's politics, all while trying to protect who he loves and solving that old problem. "Empty Mile" is a choice read that shouldn't be overlooked by crime fiction fans.

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

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

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

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

Moon Spinners
Sally Goldenbaum
Plume
c/o Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014-3658
9780451229885, $23.95 www.penguin.com

MOON SPINNERS provides a fine new Seaside Knitters mystery - the third in the series - and provides a fine summer read for knitters as it tells of the Seaside Knitters' new project - helping their friend open a cafe. When car accident reeks of murder, the Knitters spring into action in this fine story, recommended for any mystery library.

Tell-All
Chuck Palahnluk
Doubleday
c/o Random House
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780385526357, $24.95 www.doubleday.com

TELL-ALL is set in old Hollywood and offers a novel from the perspective of one Hazie Coogan, who for decades has tended to one Katherine Kenton. When a gentleman caller woos her, Hazie fears danger when she discovers she's already written a celebrity memoir - foretelling Miss Kathie's death in a coming musical. A fine story of intrigue and Hollywood drama evolves, perfect for any general lending library.


The Audiobook Shelf

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com

Amitav Ghosh's THE GLASS PALACE (1441834885, $34.99) receives a fine performance by Simon Vance, an Audiofile Golden Voice, who spices the story set in Burma during the British invasion of 1885 and telling of Rajkumar, a poor boy who creates an empire in the Burmese teak forest, only to find politics interferes with love and his life. A fine story of personal and political struggles evolves. Jack Campbell's THE LOST FLEET: FEARLESS (1441806490, $29.99) is military science fiction at its best: it receives Christian Rummel's fine recording voice and tells of the Alliance fleet, outnumbered by its enemies and led by a legendary captain. It's trying to return home - but its commander is convinced an ambush awaits them. Cat-and-mouse survival games evolve. Andrew Vachss has two novels on audio which are highly recommended picks for collections seeking mystery and detective crime writing. STREGA (1441821031, $29.99) receives veteran narrator Phil Gigante's warm voice and tells of a private eye with a new client who wants Burke to find an obscene photograph - a simple request that will take him into the underground world of humanity, risking his life and sanity in the process. BLUE BELLE (1441820914, $29.99) also receives Phil's fine voice, powering another Burke detective story - this telling of a search for the infamous Ghost Van that is killing teen prostitutes. Two gripping adventures come to life here. David Rollins' HARD RAIN (1423332628, $36.99) is an outstanding thriller on audio and receives an exceptional performance by Mel Foster as it tells of a special agent who needs to figure out a gruesome murder involving a conspiracy. Any listener who enjoys mystery and espionage fiction will relish the complex turns of this story! Stephen King's DANSE MACABRE (1441831053, $29.99) receives William Dufris' fine voice, fueled by an audiobook career as a narrator and producer in London, that brings to life this set of insights into what makes readers and moviegoers hungry for fear. King's review of the entire horror genre makes for an outstanding account key to any who would understand King's approach. Christine Feehan's BURNING WILD (1441815228, $29.99) receives a fine performance by Jeffrey Cummings, an actor with twenty years of experience, who spices a fine story returning the Leopard People to attention. Bred by parents for his leopard-shifting abilities, billionaire Jake has spent his life without love - until romance changes his world. A fine story of passion and interspecies affection evolves. Joy Fielding's THE WILD ZONE (1423362683, $36.99) receives a fine performance by Jeffrey Cummings, a stage actor with twenty years of experience, and tells of two brothers and a South Beach bar, the Wild Zone, whose seduction of a mysterious looking young woman will lead to an abusive husband and danger. A gripping story of terror and danger evolves. Anne Perry's THE SHEEN ON THE SILK (144182488X, $32.99) receives a fine performance by Angela Dawe, an actor and improviser who lends a passionate, smooth voice to spice this historical novel set in 13th-century Constantinople, where Anna's mission is to prove her twin brother is innocent of conspiracy. Her journey takes her into the underworld of society where she uses her skills as a physician to unearth the real story. A gripping tale evolves. Dean Koontz's THE MASK (1441817220, $38.99) receives Natalie Ross's stage acting background and native Texan influences which enhances the story of a teen who appears in the middle of traffic on a busy day with no family and no memories. A couple drawn to her discover that her violent nightmares indicate a frightening evil force at work in this gripping thriller. P.J. Tracy's SHOOT TO KILL (142333678X, $29.99) receives veteran narrator Buck Schirner's professional, polished voice as it tells of Minneapolis detectives drawn to a Mississippi River death and aided by the Monkeewrench crew - computer geeks who help out on puzzling crimes. A fine thriller comes to life in audio. Lori Lansens's THE WIFE'S TALE (1441817468, $29.99) receives a fine performance by Justine Eyre, an award-winning narrator and classically trained actress who lends a fine voice to this story of Mary, who on the eve of her silver wedding anniversary discovers her husband has gone missing. Her search for him will take her away from her comfort zone and into new worlds in this riveting story. Bret Easton Ellis' AMERICAN PSYCHO (1441806296, $29.99) receives Pablo Schreiber's Tony award-winning performance as it tells of Patrick Bateman, who moves in trendy youth circles in 1980s Manhattan, earning a fortune on Wall Street by day while spending his nights in the underworld of society. A fine story of horror evolves with unexpected twists and turns perfect for audio listeners. Lyndsay Sands' TALL, DARK & HUNGRY (1441818057, $29.99) receives Jeffrey Cummings' fine voice, with over twenty years of acting experience, as it tells of Terri, who has come from England to help plan her cousin's wedding. Her encounters with a singing, dancing Dracula and romance makes for an outstanding story. William Martin's CITY OF DREAMS (1423385004, $38.99) receives a fine performance by Phil Gigante, an experienced audio performer who has narrated over 70 audio books. It tells of a missing box and a message to Peter Fallon to save America - a message from a Wall Street bigwig. The invitation becomes a deadly race against time in this thriller. Iris Johansen's EIGHT DAYS TO LIVE (1423329422, $36.99) receives Broadway actress Jennifer Van Dyck's fine performance and tells of eight days that will take her on a journey from Paris to Scotland as a painting of a chilling face draws attention of a deadly cult. A fine Eve Duncan forensics thriller evolves. Amanda Quick's BURNING LAMP (1423389743, $34.99) receives a fine narration by Annie Flosnik, an actress with numerous stage and TV credits, and is Book Two of the Dreamlight Trilogy. Here a legendary curse and a missing lamp come together when an inherited lamp leads to powers - and madness. Michael Pollan's SECOND NATURE: A GARDENER'S EDUCATION (1441834559, $29.99) receives a fine performance by the author and offers a gardening/environmental manifesto, offering a survey of human outdoors activities and reconsiderations of human/nature interactions. Humor and passion blend in a survey especially recommended for gardening and environmental audio libraries. Linwood Barclay's NEVER LOOK AWAY (1441804218, $29.99) receives a fine reading by actor Jeffrey Cummings, who spices a thriller about a man's life falling apart. A disappearance and a shocking turn of events leads a father on a desperate mission in this outstanding survey. Elizabeth Moon's SHEEPFARMER'S DAUGHTER (1441851178, $29.99) provides a fine performance by on- and off-Broadway actress Jennifer Van Dyck, and presents Book 1 o the 'Deed of Paksenarrion' drama about a headstrong sheep farmer's daughter who dreams of becoming a magical heroine - and achieves her goal when she runs away to join the army. Her deeds will change her world in this introductory saga. Andre Norton's WEB OF THE WITCH WORLD (1441814132, $24.99) receives a fine performance by Nick Podehl, who has narrated many a young adult story and who here lends a smooth voice to this continuing saga of the Kolder threat to Simon and the witches he's sworn to protect. A vivid fantasy, this is a top pick for prior Witch World fans in particular. Greg Iles' SPANDAU PHOENIX (1441811524, $39.99) receives veteran narrator Dick Hill's moving Golden Voice reading and provides the tense narrative telling of a buried Nazi secret that comes to life - The Spandau Diary. From its attraction to numerous intelligence agencies around the world to a lovely woman kidnapped for it, this provides a suspense listen that just won't quit! Stephen J. Cannell's THE PALLBEARERS (1423374339, $34.99) receives a fine performance by Scott Brick, an actor and writer who has performed on film, TV and radio and who spices the story of Detective Shane Scully, who must revisit his childhood to find out who murdered his mentor and father figure. His return to old, painful memories tests his strength and ability to find a puzzling murderer.

Turbulence
Giles Foden
Clipper Audio
c/o Recorded Books
270 Skipjack Rd., Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781407452258, $51.95 www.recordedbooks.com

TURBULENCE receives an excellent narration by Sean Barrett and as it tells the outstanding story of D-day landings and weather effects on their success. A team of Allied scientists charged with predicting weather on the English Channel finds they are charged with predicting weather for the war - an impossible five days ahead - in this fine military thriller.

Penguin Audio
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com

Stephen King's CUJO (9780142427859, $39.95) receives a fine narration by Lorna Raver, named one of AudioFile Magazine's best voices of the year, who captures well this tense thriller revolving around a friendly dog turned dangerous. More than just a savage dog, this tells of a supernatural threat to a small town that takes the form of an evil beast. Highly recommended. Also a fine pick is Peter Hedges' THE HEIGHTS (9780143145318, $29.95), which enjoys a multi-voiced narration by the author, Amy Ryan and Alison Pill in a fine multi-faceted story. Humor and a pointed observation of life make for a fine audio about a popular history teacher in an exclusive private school in New York and a mysterious wealthy woman's world. Twists and turns of plot make this a satisfying listen. Stuart Woods' LUCID INTERVALS (9780142427729, $29.95) is narrated by actor Tony Roberts, who has appeared on Broadway stage and in films and twice been a Tony nominee. His seasoned voice brings to life the fine story of Stone Barrington and his former cop partner who faces very different challenges by clients who take him into worlds he's never seen. Trouble follows him from his Manhattan townhouse to his summer home in Maine, complicating his life in this riveting drama. Dave Barry's I'LL MATURE WHEN I'M DEAD: DAVE BARRY'S AMAZING TALES OF ADULTHOOD (9780142427774, $29.95) offers a hilarious audio listen by a humorist who has wide fame. The focus is on adulthood and its pitfalls - and offers eighteen hilarious, new and never-published pieces (except for one) that covers everything from fatherhood to self image and more. General libraries will find this a popular lend. Another top pick for general audio libraries is Stephen King's IT (9780142427873, $59.95). It receives an outstanding narration by Steven Weber, who made his film debut in 1984 and has acted in numerous films and TV series, and it is set in the small down of Derry, where kids stumble on horror and as grown-ups have gained success and happiness in the world - only to find the evil force draws them back to Derry for a final confrontation. An outstanding, tense thriller comes to vivid life in audio.

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

James Patterson and Maxine Paetro's THE 9TH JUDGMENT (9781607881797, $39.98) is narrated by Carolyn McCormick, who provides a fine voice backed by extensive film and TV experience to the story of Detective Lindsay Boxer, who chases a jewel thief and a murderous movie star and struggles with romance with her partner Rich at the same time. A crime spree sends them both in a tailspin in this gripping saga. Ted Dekker's THE BRIDE COLLECTOR (9781507881872, $34.98) receives John Glover's fine Broadway background and voice, which spices the story of a killer intent on killing only the most beautiful women - for love. The FBI is thwarted - and special agent Brad Raines, who has hunted The Bridge Collector from crime scene to crime scene, finds himself seeking help from a fine young woman who struggles with psychosis in this gripping thriller. Scott Turow's PRESUMED INNOCENT (9781607883760, $29.98) receives actor Edward Herrmann's impressive voice and career experience and comes to life in audio. Here a beautiful lawyer's brutal murder involves an assistant prosecutor who was also more than a colleague, and a fellow prosecutor who is convinced Rusty is guilty of murdering her. A vivid story of crime and innocence comes to life. James Patterson and Richard Dilallo's ALEX CROSS'S TRIAL (9781607881896, $19.98) receives a fine narration by Dylan Baker, an actor and director involved in many feature films, who lends a fine voice to the story of Alex Cross, separated from his family and immersed in a family story that passes to his children in the form of a novel. A lawyer fighting racism is drawn to a town where the Ku Klux Klan is reviving in this vivid story of murder, love, and heroism. Joyce Meyer's EAT THE COOKIE, BUY THE SHOES (9781607881858, $24.98) imparts the basics of how to practice discipline without becoming overly regimented. Joyce Meyer tells us why indulgence is an important part of any disciplined action - and covers spiritual ground in showing how God commands celebration in everyday living. A fine listen for any Christian reader. Herman Wouk's THE LANGUAGE GOD TALKS: ON SCIENCE AND RELIGION (9781607881810, $26.98) offers a fine blend of science and spirituality in a survey of his life, memories, and the role science and religion played in his life. Fans of Wouk's writings and those interested in the interplay between science and religion will find this an important, moving listen perfect for general and spiritual audio libraries alike! Samuel A. Culbert and Lawrence Rout's GET RID OF THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW! HOW COMPANIES CAN STOP INTIMIDATING, START MANAGING - AND FOCUS ON WHAT REALLY MATTERS (9780446556057, $24.99) comes from an award-winning author and a senior Wall Street Journal editor, and provides an audio that exposes the performance review as a cruel, wasteful practice reflecting on mindless management and workplace angst. It doesn't just advocate abolishment - it uses years of the author's experience to tell just what to put in its place.


The Travel Shelf

Off the Beaten Path
Norman D. Watt
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219, Madeira Park, BC V0N 2H0, Canada
9781550174793, $21.95, www.harbourpublishing.com

Canada has much to offer the wilderness lover, in particular the forests around Vancouver, British Columbia. "Off the Beaten Path: A Hiking Guide to Vancouver's North Shore" serves as a guide for hikers who want to find the best trails to experience if they are living in or planning to visit the region of Vancouver's North Shore. For anyone who loves nature walks and hikes, Norman Watt spares no detail in arming readers with the knowledge they need to find it. "Off the Beaten Path" is a top pick and very highly recommended.

Dolomites Trekking
Henry Stedman
Trailblazer
The Old Manse, Tower Road, Hindhead, Surrey, GU26 6SU, UK
www.trailblazer-guides.com
The Globe Pequot Press (distributor)
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
www.globepequot.com
9781873756836, $22.95, www.amazon.com

A British publisher, Trailblazer specializes in compact travel guides. "Dolomites Trekking: Alta Via 1 & Alta Via 2, Plus Short Treks" is a 174-page compilation of practical information essential for planning successful trips to the Italian Dolomites, including some historical and cultural background, as well as a full color guide to the flora and fauna of the Dolomite region. Of special note are the detailed street plans and recommendations of where to stay, where to eat, what to see when visiting the communities of Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dobbiaco, Belluno, Bressanone, and Feltre. Enhanced with the inclusion of an exceedingly useful Italian language section, "Dolomites Trekking" is thoroughly 'user friendly' and highly portable. Also strongly recommended for personal and community library Travel Guide reference collections are five other new titles from Trailblaser: "Corsica Trekking GR20" (9781873756980, $18.95); "Trekking In The Pyrenees" (9781873756829, $19.95); "The Walker's Haute Route" (9781905864099, $22.95); "Tour du Mont Blanc" (9781905864126, $22.95); and "Scottish Highlands: The Hillwalking Guide" (9781905864218, $21.95).

South America
Stephan Kueffner
Insight Guides
c/o Langenscheidt Publishing Group
15 Tyger River Drive, Duncan, SC 29334
www.langenscheidt.com
9789812821652, $24.99, www.amazon.com

South America's ancient past and contemporary economies make it a super destination for recreational and business travelers. Now in a newly expanded and updated edition, Insight Guides' "South America" is a 424-page compendium packed solid from cover to cover with information and suggestions that will prove invaluable in selecting and planning an itinerary to any and all of the countries comprising South America. Superbly illustrated throughout with hundreds of color photographs, enhanced with insightful commentaries from local writers on the people, the history, and the culture of South American countries, featuring 'Best of South America' highlights and 'Editor's Choice' recommendations, replete with practical travel tips, and furnished with full-color maps that are cross-referenced to the densely informative and 'user friendly' text, all combine to make "South America" the premier and enthusiastically recommended choice for anyone seeking to travel anywhere in South America for any reason and for any length of stay.

Boat Camping Haida Gwaii
Neil Frazer
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219 Madeira Park, BC V0H 2H0 Canada
9781550174878, $29.95, www.harbourpublishing.com

Boating is an adventure in itself, and Haida Gwaii has much to offer the adventurer. "Boat Camping Haida Gwaii: A Small-Vessel Guide" is a reference to prepare those who want to go on a boat trip into the archipelago, a remote destination that seemed to be designed for kayakers and small vessel boaters. With maps, tips, history, and so much more information to inform about the area, "Boat Camping Haida Gwaii" is a resource that shouldn't be missed for the boat lover.

Peru, seventh edition
Carolina Miranda, et.al.
Lonely Planet
150 Linden St., Oakland, CA 94607
9781741790146, $23.99 www.lonelyplanet.com

PERU is a fine 'must' for any independent traveler planning an itinerary and journey to the country. This seventh edition updates all the information of where to go, sleep, eat, and what to do in the country and is packed with practice advice throughout. Over ninety maps are well detailed and make this a top pick as a take-along tote!


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

The Trick is in the Training
Stephanie J. Taunton & Cheryle S. Smith
Barrons
250 Wireless Boulevard, Happauge, NY 11788
9780764142116, $9.99, www.barronseduc.com

Tricks are a fun way to bond with your dog. "The Trick is in Training: Dozens of Fun Tricks to Teach Your Dog" is a collection tips and ideas on how to train one's dogs from the most basic of commands from sit and stay, to more complex commands such as balance tricks, kisses, among others. For any dog lover who wants to do more with their canine, "The Trick is in the Training" is a solid resource, recommended.

Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets, new edition
Patricia Schenck
Wiley/Blackwell
10475 Crosspoint Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46256
9780813801193, $49.99 www.wiley.com

Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets provides a fine introduction to nutrition of the healthy dog and cat and offers discussion of medical disorders that can be managed through diet. From feeding puppies and kittens or pregnant animals to handling the nutritional needs of performance dogs, this new edition has been completely rewritten for the latest nutritional recommendations and is a 'must' for not only vet libraries, but general collections and pet owner reference.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Skinny is Overrated
Danielle Milano
Synergy Books
PO Box 30071, Austin, TX 78755
Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists
8716 Mopac Suite 330, Austin, TX 87859
9780984235834, $14.95, www.skinnyisoverrated.com

Being as skinny as a toothpick isn't a realistic or even a desirable goal for many women. "Skinny is Overrated: The Real Woman's Guide to health and Happiness at Any Size" is a guide to healthy bodies that comes with the realistic qualifier that all women are not meant to be the same size, and finding what size you are meant to be is the key to happy and healthy life. "Skinny is Overrated" is an uplifting and positive read that shouldn't be missed by dieters.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 N. Charles St. Baltimore, MD 21218
www.press.jhu.edu

Donald A. Barr MD, PhD's Questioning the Premedical Paradigm: Enhancing Diversity in the Medical Profession after the Flexner Report (9780801894169, $50.00) considers the history and problems involved in using the premedical formula developed more than a century ago to select students for training as modern physicians. Premedical standards actually have proved poor indicators of clinical competency: this book offers a history and review of these standards and offers new insights for change. College-level medical libraries should have this. Philip S. Mehler, MD and Arnold E. Andersen, MD's EATING DISORDERS: A GUIDE TO MEDICAL CARE AND COMPLICATIONS (0801893690, $30.00) appears in its second updated edition to cover the special challenges eating disorders impart to clinicians treating them. Both physical and mental health are considered in this identification of common medical complications and their treatment. Case studies and treatment options supplement a resource list and chapters on nutritional rehabilitation.

Schwartz's Principles of Surgery, ninth edition
F. Charles Brunicardi, et.al.
McGraw-Hill
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Fl, NY, NY 10121-2298
007154769X, $179.00 www.mcgraw-hill.com

The ninth updated edition of Schwartz's Principles of Surgery is a text no college-level health professional collection should be without: it packs nearly 2,000 pages of reference material from the world's foremost practitioners and instructors and covers basic scientific principles from cells to molecular surgery to clinical diagnosis. New to this update are color designs, two new chapters covering graduate medical core competencies and ethic s issues at end of life, surveys of evidence-based medicine, more diagnostic algorithms, and even a companion DVD of surgical video clips.

This Is Why You're Fat
Jackie Warner
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9780446548601, $24.99 www.hbgusa.com

THIS IS WHY YOU'RE FAT (AND HOW TO GET THIN FOREVER) comes from a fitness guru who offers three main reasons why everyone is overweight - and how to drop pound easily. From a two-week jump-start which helps add food into a diet to allowing cheating after 5 days clean - this provides a very different weight loss perspective and is a pick for any who would exercise less and with more effectiveness. General libraries will find this a popular pick.

The Dao of Neuroscience
C. Alexander Simpkins & Annellen M. Simpkins
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393705973, $36.00 www.wwnorton.com

The Dao of Neuroscience: Combining Eastern and Western Principles for Optimal Therapeutic Change offers a fine survey blending neuroscience's latest brain research with new approaches to mind-brain-body changes. Dao is an ancient Eastern methods for exploring and change - and here it combines with brain research to explore the brain's optimal ways of functioning and how to encourage its processes for positive results. Both general and health collections will find this a fine survey.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Women and Men in Communal Prayer
Daniel Sperber & Collaborators
JOFA
c/o KTAV
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
9781602801523, $24.95, www.ktav.com

Communal prayer is a tradition that is very important to Judaic societies. "Women and Men in Communal Prayer: Halakhic Perspectives" analyzes communal prayer in traditional orthodox Judaism and its relation to Gender issues in these societies. Traditionally communal prayer is separated by gender, and Rabbi Daniel Sperber and other thinkers provide an analysis and discussion of these principles. A vital read for those concerned with Jewish social issues, or as an outsider seeking insight on Orthodox culture, "Women and Men in Communal Prayer is a solidly recommended pick that shouldn't be missed.

To Remain A Jew
Rabbi Yitzchak Zilber
Feldheim
c/o Stuart Schnee PR
stu@stuaertschnee.com
9781598265248, $26.99, www.amazon.com

"To Remain A Jew" is the autobiography of Rabbi Yitzchak Zilber and portrays in candid detail his life as a Jewish rabbi in Communist Russia. Despite tremendous pressures and persecutions (including imprisonment and the threat of death), Rabbi Zilber remained a principle and influential figure in the kiruv movement and an inspiration to his fellow Jews in both the Soviet Union and Eretz Yisrael. Enhanced with period photographs, replete with insightful and engaging anecdotes, this 509-page compendium of the life and times of a most remarkable man (ably translated into English from the original Russian and Hebrew editions) is enthusiastically recommended reading and a core addition to personal, academic, and community library Judaic Studies and Judaic Biography collections.

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

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

Secrets of a Jewish Mother
Jill Zarin, Lisa Wexler and Gloria Kamen
Dutton
c/o Penguin Putnam
375 Hudson Street, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10014-3657
9780525951797, $25.95 www.penguin.com

Secrets of a Jewish Mother: Real Advice, Real Stories, Real Love comes from a Jewish mother who offers a clear 'guide to life' and comes from a star of a hit TV series who teams up with her sister and mother to show readers how to be clear about what you want, and how to stand up for self and family. Their tips cover all aspects of life issues and will appeal both to Judaic studies and general collections alike.


The Computer Shelf

The Art of Assembly Language, second edition
Randall Hyde
No Starch Press
555 DeHaro Street, #250, San Francisco CA 94107
9781593272074, $59.95 www.nostarch.com

The second updated edition of The Art of Assembly Language offers the latest tips on how to edit, compile and run HLA programs, and has been updated to reflect recent changes to HLA and to support Linux, Mac OS X and more. It's a key guide to learning this low-level language, blending theory with application tips and discussing everything from constants to input routines and stack references. It's a 'bible' of study information key to any computer learner's library, packed with everything you need to know about assembly language programming.

iPhone Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide
Joe Conway & Aaron Hillegass
Big Nerd Ranch
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780321706249, $49.99 www.bignerdranch.com

iPhone Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide offers beginning iPhone developers a fine survey based on the Big Nerd ranch's popular iPhone Bootc amp class. It covers all the basics for developing applications for the iPhone, iPad, and iTouch, teaching programming concepts and their applications using a sample application to build, or one to enhance from a previous chapter. From creating dynamic interfaces to mapping services and navigating applications, this reviews all the basics!

O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Hwy North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
www.oreilly.com

Nicholas C. Zakas's High Performance JavaScript (9780596802790, $34.99) is a pick for any library strong in web development. It teaches the basics of identifying problem code, using optimization techniques, streamlining programming efforts, and more, offering a focus on high performance routines. Any programmer's collection needs this! Alasdair Allan's LEARNING IPHONE PROGRAMMING (9780596806439, $29.99) offers keys for iPhone and mobile programmers, presenting an easily-followed guide for building several sample applications using Xcode tools and the Objective-C programming language. Learn how to build a data-entry interface and how to store data received with a guide specific to iPhone programming needs: a guide recommended for any programmer's collection.

The Business of IT
Robert Ryan and Tim Raducha-Grace
IBM Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0137000618, $39.99 www.ibmpressbooks.com

THE BUSINESS OF IT: HOW TO IMPROVE SERVICE AND LOWER COSTS is a fine pick for any information technology professional interested in improving services and gaining more value from IT. Connections between IT and business concerns are explored in a survey using the authors' experience consulting with leading IT organizations. This is deserving of ongoing recommendation for either business or IT professional collections.

Fancy Form Design
Jina Bolton, Tim Connell, Derek Featherstone
Sitepoint
48 Cambridge St., Collingwood, Victoria, Australia 3066
9780980576849, $34.95 www.sitepoint.com

Fancy Form Design tells how to integrate a stylish form on a web site and shows how to create web forms that are both functional and works of art compatible across all major browsers. Web site designers will appreciate the fine survey of code, style, and JavaScript forms and will find the many examples packed with keys to working with better forms.


The Social Issues Shelf

Terrorizing Ourselves
Benjamin H. Friedman, Jim Harper, and Christopher A. Prebel
Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20001
9781935308300, $24.95, www.cato.org

Terrorism has become a hot button issue, and there are no shortage of ideas how to fix it. America just may be using the wrong ones. "Terrorizing Ourselves: Why U.S. Counter-terrorism Policy is Failing and How to Fix It" comes at readers with a scholarly discussion of how America is failing against the terrorists, letting them win by letting them succeed in their methods, by creating a culture of fear. Encouraging confidence to replace the fear, "Terrorizing Ourselves" gives readers many thoughtful ideas to counter terror and hope for minimizing the efforts of terror.

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

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

The World According to Twitter
David Pogue
Black Dog & Leventhal
151 W. 19th St., New York NY 10011
9781579128272, $12.95 www.blackdogandleventhal.com

The World According to Twitter comes from a personal technology columnist who has posed a different Twitter question each night - and here shares the humor and insights of Twitter responses. From making up a concept for a doomed TV show to finishing questions such as 'you know the honeymoon's over when...', this makes for delightful, fun reading!

The Power of Pull
John Hagel III, John Seely Brown, Lang Davison
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780465019359, $27.50 www.basicbooks.com

The Power of Pull: How Small Moves, Smartly Made, Can Set Big Things in Motion analyzes the big shift occurring in our world today, explaining what it will take to handle these shifts. The forces reshaping the world go beyond common headlines: stories and examples from around the world show how 'pull' can be used systematically to shape serendipity, and discusses new ways to drive more rapid performance improvement on new platforms for achieving goals. Business and social issues collections alike will relish this.

Intrinsic Motivation at Work, second edition
Kenneth W. Thomas
Berrett-Koehler
235 Montgomery St., Suite 650, San Francisco CA 94104-2916
9781576755679, $24.95 www.bkconnection.com

The second updated edition of Intrinsic Motivation at Work is a winner: it's based on research and theory alike and uses the latest findings to identify the key to employee engagement - intrinsic motivation. Only rewards derived from work results themselves count in this scenario, which explains the fundamentals. This second edition has been revised and updated with an expanded section on how leaders can identify their own intrinsic rewards.

In Pursuit of Silence
George Prochnik
Doubleday
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780385528887, $26.00 www.doubleday.com

In Pursuit of Silence: Listening for Meaning in a World of Noise provides an excellent exploration of the meaning of noise and silence in our modern world, arguing that it's not possible to lower volume in society - but that ore experiences of silence interrupting daily routines and noise is needed. Prochnik calls for "more spaces in which we can interrupt our general experience of noise" - and investigates communities and places where this space has been created. It's a fascinating survey any college-level or general lending library will appreciate.


The Crafts Shelf

Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
www.kalmbachbooks.com

Patricia Kimle's Perfectly Paired: Designing Jewelry with Polymer and Metal Clays (9780871162946, $21.95) comes from an artist who offers a range of tips, from drawing color from polymer clay to working with metal clay, soldering, and making jewelry. Tool kits recommended for use in each medium accompany twenty projects that range from pendants and necklaces to bracelets and pins. Crafts collections will also appreciate Bead&Button Magazine Publishers' YOUR SEED BEAD STYLE: ACCENTS, EMBELLISHMENTS, ADORNMENTS (9780871162847, $17.95), which provides nearly thirty editor-tested projects using seed beads. A range of materials and styles and color variation options make for a fine set of step-by-step instructions and fine how-to photos perfect for beginners. Also perfect for beginners is Karin Buckingham's ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS GUIDE: STRINGING BEADED JEWELRY (9780871162991, $21.95). It provides keys to stringing beads and uses the same close-up, step-by-step model for showing how to produce necklaces through easy projects that highlight progressive skills. Anna Elizabeth Draeger's CRYSTAL BRILLIANCE: MAKING DESIGNER JEWELRY WITH CRYSTAL BEADS (9780871162953, $21.95) provides a fine survey including step-by-step instructions for creating crystal jewelry. Chapters feature projects including bracelets and necklaces and tips on other projects, offering beginners keys to using crystal beads. Model railroaders will relish the specifics in the second volume of Mike Polsgrove with David Popp's DCC PROJECTS & APPLICATIONS (9780890247747, $19.95), a fine guide that tells how to get the most from DCC systems, which allows modelers to control multiple trains anywhere on a layout. Hands-on tips and advice specific to such a system provide everything from troubleshooting ideas to program decoders, a wiring layout, and more. Bernard Kempinski's MODEL RAILROADER'S GUIDE TO STEEL MILLS (9780890247518, $21.95) tells how to add a realistic steel mill to a model railroad layout, showing how to model a steel mill operation, plan a layout in HO and N scales, and more. The focus is on ironmaking and steelmaking processes and includes mill structures, supporting railroads, track planning ideas, and building techniques. Any rail hobbyist will welcome this.


The Homeowner's Shelf

Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for Your Home, third edition
Dan Ramsey with David Hughes
Alpha
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
9781615640010, $19.95 www.idiotsguides.com

The third updated edition of Complete Idiot's Guide to Solar Power for Your Home is a winner, offering an in-depth survey of the solar power industry and the latest solar products for a home. Homeowners receive instructions on several simple solar power projects you can complete on your own, along with tips on buying solar systems, components, and locating a reliable installer. Any homeowner's collection needs this.

Taunton Press
Box 5507, Newtown, CT 06470-5506
www.taunton.com

Eric Corey Freed and Kevin Daum's GREEN SENSE FOR THE HOME: RATING THE REAL PAYOFF FROM 50 GREEN HOME PROJECTS (9781600851551, $21.95) provides an analysis of some fifty green home projects and comes from two experts who provide different perspectives on their value. Eric represents the Greenies and shows why a project is good for home and environment; Kevin represents affordability and practicality, and discusses project costs and pitfalls. The two working together provide a powerful homeowner's assessment guide. The fourth updated edition of Rex Cauldwell's WIRING A HOUSE (9781600852619, $24.95) has been revised and expanded and is both builder-tested and code approved. It first appeared in 1996: this edition offers he latest details on backup generators, GFCIs, and room-by-room wiring specs. 'Handy' homeowners need this latest coverage, and general lending libraries will find it a fine addition. David Johnston and Scott Gibson's TOWARD A ZERO ENERGY HOME (9781600851438, $24.95) provides a key to creating a home that produces as much energy as it consumes. Design and construction of energy-efficient homes focuses on new construction and 12 houses specially built for zero energy living: it's a pick for any homeowner's library - particularly those featuring new construction options - will want. Also key to homeowner shelves is Jeff Jewitt's SPRAY FINISHING MADE SIMPLE (9781600850929, $24.95), which comes with a fine DVD featuring pro demonstrations of the basics. From choosing the right equipment and spray systems to the spray properties of different kinds of finishes, this is an outstanding, clear reference packed with color visual insights throughout.


The Architecture Shelf

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

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

Havana Revisited: An Architectural Heritage
Cathryn Griffith
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Ave., New York NY 10110
9780393732849, $49.95 www.wwnorton.com

Havana Revisited: An Architectural Heritage is a 'must' for any library strong in either Cuban history and art or world architectural heritage in general. It covers the history, preservation and present uses of Havana's most important buildings, offering chapters filled with color photos and insights on Havana's evolving architectural heritage.


The Library DVD Shelf

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


The Library Music CD Shelf

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

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

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

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


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Writing Yourself
John Killick & Myra Schneider
Continuum
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 704, New York, NY 10038
9781847062529, $21.95, www.continuumbooks.com

A little piece of you is in everything you write, so you may as well relish it. "Writing Yourself: Transforming Personal Material" is a guide and discussion to transforming one's own personal writing into useful subject matter for multiple uses to the more obvious application of memoir to the more creative applications in mediums such as poetry and novels. "Writing Yourself" is filled with creative ideas and thoughts, making for a thoughtful resource for many writers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


The Christian Studies Shelf

Jesus
Tricia McCannon
Hampton Roads
65 Parker Street, Unit 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
9781571746078, $22.95, www.hrpub.com

The missing years of Christ are up for much debate in history. "Jesus: The Explosive Story of the 30 Lost Years and the Ancient Mystery Religions" looks at the potential expanded legacy of Jesus of Nazareth and how he could have had spiritual impact on many religions throughout Europe and Asia before he began his more well known tale in Palestine. Records from countless sources are speculated upon and makes "Jesus" a riveting and thought provoking tale that shouldn't be overlooked.

The Apostolic Fathers
Moody Classics
Moody Publishers
820 N. LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60610
9780802456595, $8.99, www.moodypublishers.com

There are certain works that shape the foundation of a faith. "The Apostolic Fathers" is a collection of post-gospel works in early Christianity, all of which having important impact on Christian thought. From the last recorded words of a pastor, martyrs, to simply church discipline, "The Apostolic Fathers" is a fascinating and insightful collection that shouldn't be missed.

Real World Parents
Mark Matlock
Zondervan
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
9780310669364, $12.99, www.realwordparents.com

Not everything is picturebook simple. "Real World Parents: Christian Parenting for Families Living in the Real World" is a guide for parents who want to cope with the challenges of life but still remain good Christians themselves while raising their children to be the same. With plenty of thought and wisdom from expert Mark Matlock, "Real World Parents' is a treasure trove of knowledge that shouldn't be passed up.

Becoming Orthodox
Peter Gillquist
Conciliar Press
PO Box 76, Ben Lomond, CA 95005-0076
9781936270002, $16.95, www.conciliarpress.com

Faith has splintered many ways since Christ preached over two thousand years ago. "Becoming Orthodox: A Journey to the Ancient Christian Faith" discusses the Modern Eastern Orthodox Church and how many Protestants found their faith renewed in embracing the oldest sect of Christianity. The values of this sect have been all too easily ignored through the ages - values such as responsibility, and placing God above all else. The Orthodox doctrine remains constant. "Becoming Orthodox" is a riveting and thoughtful look at the faith and its place in modern religion.

Christianity, Climate Change, and Sustainable Living
Nick Spencer, Robert White, & Virginia Vroblesky
Hendrickson Publishers
PO Box 3473, Peabody, MA 01961-3473
9781598562293, $16.95

Christianity and environmentalism can coexist just fine. "Christianity, Climate Change, and Sustainable Living" brings the three concepts, the former not commonly found with the later two under one banner of study as the three authors craft a thoughtful analysis of global warming and climate change and what it means to be a Christian and being environmentally wise. "Christianity, Climate Change, and Sustainable Living" is a solid combo of knowledge, a top pick.

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

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

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

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


The Poetry Shelf

Stray Home
Amy M. Clark
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
9781574412802, $12.95, www.unt.edu/untpress

No one is all that different from one another. "Stray Home" is a collection of poetry from educated and thoughtful poet Amy M. Clark who brings her readers a collection of poetry focusing on the similar experiences everyone faces, the challenges and how they overcome them. "Stray Home" is a thoughtful and choice read that shouldn't be missed by poetry lovers. "Shell Pink Clock": Perfectly round. Thin gold/hands chart its public face./Cut-glass lamp, teardrop chain./And a flat, black skipping stone.//Objects of her bedside, arranged/from before. Stone of hope, lamp of mercy, clock of love./One year more. Hard bare floor.

Spear-Fishing on the Chatanika
John Morgan
Salmon Poetry
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781907056246, $19.95, www.salmonpoetry.com

The man of Alaska has seen and done many things most others wouldn't even think of. "Spear-Fishing on the Chatanika" is a collection of poetry from John Morgan as he presents over forty years of his work and thought. Award winning work, "Spear-Fishing on the Chatanika" is a thoughtful and recommended collection. "The End": One gray animal walked to the edge of morning./The moon was behind it and the road/wound north, an infinite hill./And as there was simply no reason to proceed/with the project it had set out on days before, it sat down.//Eyes/are all I see of its gray face/staring into the morning/chilled past all desire/having at last come to the end.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


The Gaming Shelf

Nunn's Chess Endings: Volume 1
John Nunn
Gambit Books
info@gambitbooks.com
www.gambitbooks.com
9781906454210, $29.95, www.amazon.com

This first volume in a major two volume set, "Nunn's Chess Endings" by chess grandmaster John Nunn is a 320-page compendium covering in extensive detail pawn endings, queen endings and minor-piece endings. Chess enthusiasts will be able to benefit form Nunn's particular expertise and experience with respect to playing out standard end games, finding the right methods in tricky real-life practical situations, including those that vary from idealized forms covered by traditional end game manuals. "Nunn's Chess Endings" identifies new and important motifs which occur repeatedly in over-the-board play; features tactical elements; corrects previous analysis; emphasizes end games susceptible to concrete analysis; is specifically designed to assist the over-the-board player and avoids composed or artificial positions; cogently presents ideas underlying analysis with respect to end game play and strategies. Definitive, comprehensive, and thoroughly 'user friendly', "Nunn's Chess Endings" is a strongly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Chess reference collections and supplemental reading lists. Dedicated chess enthusiasts should visit the Gambit Books web site at www.gambitbooks.com for a complete listing of their impressive roster of chess instruction titles.

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

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

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

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


The Self-Help Shelf

How to Deal with Stress
Stephen Palmer & Cary Cooper
Kogan Page
525 South 4th Street, #241, Philadelphia, PA 19147
9780749460396, $14.95, www.koganpage.com

Stress management is the make or break thing for many things in life. "How to Deal with Stress" is a guide for dealing with stress in better ways through life and its many aspects, such as dealing with others and being a more assertive figure in life and in business. Keeping control of one's self is an invaluable tool in life and is a core principle to success, making "How to Deal with Stress" a solid and very important guide that shouldn't be missed.

The Widower's Toolbox
Gerald J. Schaefer
New Horizon Press
PO Box 669, Far Hills, NJ 07931
9780882823454, $14.95, www.newhorizonpressbooks.com

It can be hard to start over but it's not impossible. "The Widower's Toolbox: Repairing Your Life After Losing Your Spouse" is a guide for the recent widower who is devastated at their loss and unsure of how to recover. Gerald Schaefer & Tom Bekkers bring their own thoughts and experiences from their own tragedies, to help other men facing the loss of the love of their lives. "The Widower's Toolbox" is a strong choice for any man trying to move on.

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

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


The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

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

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


The American History Shelf

Picturing Hemingway's Michigan
Michael R. Federspiel
Painted Turtle Books
c/o Wayne State University Press
4809 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201-1309
http://wsupress.wayne.edu
9780814334478, $39.95, www.amazon.com

Ernest Hemingway is an iconic American novelist. What is not so well known is that he was also a gifted short story writer who occasionally sought contemplative refuge and inspiration from the northern reaches of Michigan's Little Traverse Bay area in the early 1900s when the region was evolving from a rural lumbering country into a popular vacationing tourist destination. "Picturing Hemingway's Michigan" is a 200-page compendium of archival period photographs, captions and commentary compiled, organized, written and presented by Michael R. Federspiel (Professor of History, Central Michigan University). An expert in the life and work of Ernest Hemingway, Professor Federspiel approaches this project with impressive credentials as the president of the Michigan Hemingway Society and the general editor of the Hemingway Letters Project. Combining vintage Hemingway family photos with excerpts from Hemingway's writings, "Picturing Hemingway's Michigan" is an exemplary and unique approach to regional American history and a highly recommended addition to academic and community library collections, as well as inherently fascinating, informed and informative reading for students and fans of Ernest Hemingway's work.

Decoration Day in the Mountains
Alan Jabbour & Karen Singer Jabbour
University of North Carolina Press
116 South Boundary Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-3808
9780807833971 $35.00 www.uncpress.unc.edu 1-800-848-6224

Decoration Day in the Mountains: Traditions of Cemetery Decoration in the Southern Appalachians is an in-depth study of a cultural tradition established in the American Upland South, from North Carolina to the Ozarks. Folklorist Alan Jabbour explores the commemoration of "Decoration Day", a late spring or summer undertaking that consists of cleaning a community cemetery, ornamenting it with flowers, presenting a religious service in the cemetery, and sharing a meal on the grounds. The tradition of Decoration Day appears to have originated before the Civil War and Memorial Day. Decoration Day in the Mountains explores the history, expression, and purpose of this somber remembrance of the dead, illustrated with black-and-white and full color photographs. A captivating, thoughtful, well-researched and detailed analysis.

The Day Our World Changed
John B. Bowles, editor
Ice Cube Books
205 N. Front Street, North Liberty, IO 52317
9781888160116, $19.95, www.icecubepress.com

To go to world with the world is an event that many hope never has to be experienced again. "The Day Our World Changed: December 7, 1941" is a collection of stories from primary students across the country, stating what they were doing when the world changed, and the United States entered World War II, an event still strongly felt even today, generations later. "The Day Our World Changed" is a fascinating and insightful read, and a grade-A addition to history collections.

The Revolutionary Paul Revere
Joel J. Miller
Thomas Nelson
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists
8716 Mopac, Suite 330, Austin, TX 78759
9781595550743, $14.99, www.thomasnelson.com

Paul Revere did so much more for the country than ride a horse. "The Revolutionary Paul Revere" looks at the man behind the ride and how Paul Revere was a bigger figure in the American revolutionary than his warning of war. From the protests before the war to ratifying the constitution to his other wartime endeavors, "The Revolutionary Paul Revere" is a choice pick for anyone who wants to know the true story of Paul Revere.

Down Country
Lucy R. Lippard
Museum of New Mexico Press
PO Box 2087, Santa Fe, NM 87504
9780890135662, $50.00, www.mnmpress.org

This area of desert has been the place for much history for over five hundred years. "Down Country: The Tano of the Galisteo Basi, 1250-1782" is a history of the region, telling the tale of the Tano Indians and how history moved forward as the Europeans came into the picture and how the region changed, and failed to change over the centuries. Considered one of the richest archeological sites in America, readers will find a good deal of history linking pre-European America to today. "Down Country" is a solid reference and historical text that would do well in any American history collection.

Memories of the Southern Civil Rights Movement
Danny Lyon
Twin Palms Publishers
54 1/2 East San Francisco Street, Santa, Fe, NM 87501
9781931885881, $60.00, www.twinpalms.com

Equality doesn't come overnight. "Memories of the Southern Civil Rights Movement" is a collection of words and photographs from Danny Lyon as he chronicles the Civil Rights movement as it occurred in the Southern states, where much of America's black population lived, and perhaps the strongest resistance was viewed. Vividly describing these events with quality black and white photography accompanying the words, Lyons gives readers a sample of how the movement was different in southern America, and makes the read prove to be very educational. "Memories of the Southern Civil Rights Movement" is a solid addition to any history and photography collection, especially those with a focus on racial issues and the civil rights movement.

Bright Boys
Tom Green
AK Peters
5 Commonwealth Road, Suite 2C, Natick, MA 01760
9781568814766, $39.00, www.akpeters.com

The twentieth century had untold growth and advancement in technology. "Bright Boys" tells the story of one group of individuals who were driven to push these ideas further and spurred the technological development of the nation following World War II. Working with next to nothing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, these college students brought forth the beginning of many of today's technical ideas. "Bright Boys" is a riveting read of technological history, highly recommended.

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

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

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

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


The Black Studies Shelf

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

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


The Art Shelf

100% Photoshop
Steve Caplin
Focal Press
30 Corporate Drive, Suite 400, Burlington, MA 01803
9780240814254, $39.95, www.focalpress.com

Photoshop doesn't need photos to do its work. "100% Photoshop: Create Stunning Artwork Without Using Any Photographs" is a guide to making artwork completely from scratch using Adobe Photoshop to its fullest extent, with no photographs or other source materials. Detailing a step by step process that will allow the artist to use photoshop as an easel rather than just an editing program, there are no shortage of tricks that will help readers gain a greater mastery of the program, no matter what they are planning to use it for. "100% Photoshop" is a unique and very highly recommended tool for any artist.

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

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


The Library Science Shelf

Developing Library Leaders
Robert D. Stueart & Maureen Sullivan
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038
9781555707255, $75.00, www.neal-schuman.com

Leadership in a library is not so different as leadership in other places, but there are still differences. "Developing Library Leaders" is a reference for librarians who want to impart the spirit of leadership into their employees and help them run their library more strongly and effectively. Outlining what the role of a leader is, how a leader should form teams and inspire others, and more, Robert D. Stueart and Maureen Sullivan do well in helping administrators help form a fine force under their own leadership that will create a positive experience, for both employees and library patrons. "Developing Library Leaders" is a choice text, core to any library science collection.

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

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

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

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


The Gardening Shelf

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

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

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

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


The Railroading Shelf

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

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


The Interior Design Shelf

Fireplaces
Holger Reiners
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764334900, $34.99, www.amazon.com

For millennia, the fireplace served as a dwelling's source of heat for everything from cooking meals to warming rooms. With the coming of the 20th century central heating and electrical appliances supplanted the basic necessity of a fireplace in the American home. Fireplaces became objects of interior design primarily serving ornamental and esthetic functions. "Fireplaces: Modern Designs -- Traditional Forms" by Holger Reiners is a 160-page compendium showcasing new fireplace architectural designs ranging from the rustic to the futuristic. Far more than a beautifully illustrated collection of superbly designed fireplaces, "Fireplaces: Modern Designs -- Traditional Forms" covers every aspect of a working fireplace including location, hearth, flue, air intake, proportions, construction materials, and fuels. An informed, informative, and simply fascinating browse, "Fireplaces: Modern Designs -- Traditional Forms" is an enthusiastically recommended addition to academic and community library Interior Design reference collections and non-specialist supplemental reading list for anyone searching for fireplace design ideas and inspirations.

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

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


The Literary Shelf

Thrillers: 100 Must Reads
David Morrell & Hank Wagner, editors
Oceanview
595 Bay Isles Road, 120-G, Longboat Key, FL 34228
9781933515564, $27.95, www.oceanviewpub.com

A good thriller tries to bring the reader to more. "Thrillers: 100 Must Reads: Today's Best Thriller Writers On One Hundred Classics of the Genre" is a collection of modern thriller writers weighing in on the countless classics of the genre to decide what are the cornerstones of the genre, the books that shouldn't be missed by anyone with an interest in the genre. From the early 'Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde' to the modern works of writers such as R. L. Stine. "Thrillers: 100 Must Reads" is a resource for any thriller fan looking for what to read next.

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

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


The Parenting Shelf

Beyond Divorce Casualties
Douglas Darnall
Taylor Trade
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781589794153, $16.95, www.rlpgtrade.com

The marriage may end, but the family doesn't have to. "Beyond Divorce Casualties" discusses those most severely affected by divorce: the children. With plenty of advice on how to bring back the feeling of family when all seems lost, author Douglas Darnall encourages parents to keep working together for the sake of their children if nothing else. "Beyond Divorce Casualties" is a thoughtful read with valuable advice.

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

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

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

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


The Genealogy Shelf

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

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


The Money/Finance Shelf

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

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

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

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


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Shaking the Money Tree
Morrie Warshawski
Michael Wiese Productions
3940 Laurel Canyon Blvd. -- Suite 1111, Studio City, CA 91604
9781932907667, $26.95, www.mwap.com

If you have a vision, if you are persuasive, you can get the money. "Shaking the Money Tree: The Art of Getting Grants and Donations for Film and Video Projects" is the guide for searching for grants and fundraising for one's many endeavors in film. For student film makers, these funds are an invaluable resource and an absolute must to have to accomplish one's goals. "Shaking the Money Tree" is a must have reference for the aspiring filmmaker on a budget.


The World History Shelf

Constantine
Paul Stephenson
Overlook Press
141 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012
9781590203248, $30.00, www.overlookpress.com

The man who did more for Christianity than perhaps anyone other than Jesus. "Constantine: Roman Emperor, Christian Victor" looks at the man who brought Christianity to widespread faith throughout the Roman Empire, and who united an Empire divided. Constantine reunited the western Roman Empire and converted to Christianity, ending its persecution in the Empire. From there, it exploded to the religion of the Western world it is today. "Constantine" is a solid addition to any history collection, very highly recommended.

Pressing the Fight
Greg Barnhisel & Catherine Turner, editors
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
9781558497368, $39.95, www.umass.edu.edu

The pen is mightier than the sword is a commonly used proverb for a reason. "Pressing the Fight: Print, Propaganda, and the Cold War" delves into the importance of propaganda in this clash of superpowers and ideology. On both sides of the fence, propaganda was used heavily to keep people believing for their system of choice and to sway countries that were in between, pushing the western values of both America and Russia all over the world. A fascinating collection of insight, "Pressing the Fight" is a vital pick for any who want to understand the value and importance of propaganda.

Bosnia
Tony Fabijancic
The University of Alberta Press
Ring Hous 2, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada, Canafa T6G 2E1
9780888645197, $29.95, www.uap.ualberta.com

The past century has been filled with tumultuous times for the nation of Bosnia. "Bosnia: In the Footsteps of Gavrilo Princip" looks at the history of Bosnia, using the model of the assassin of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Gavrilo Princip. What drove him to start a war that claimed countless lives and how his actions are still felt to this day as Bosnia struggles to find its own national identity and place in the world. "Bosnia" is a riveting and educational read, not to be missed.

SS Atlantic
Greg Cochkanoff
Goose Lane
330-500 Beaverbrook Court, Fredericton, NB Canada E3B 5X4
9780864925282, $19.95, www.gooselane.com

The Atlantic is a treacherous ocean, and there's no shortage of disasters on it through the centuries. "SS Atlantic: The White Star Line's First Disaster at Sea" tells the story of the SS Atlantic, an ocean liner which sank into the sea almost half a century before the famed RMS Titanic. With hundreds dead, its disaster should not be completely forgotten, overshadowed by its fellow shipwreck. "SS Atlantic" is a strong addition to any history collection focusing on the seas.

Hidden and Triumphant
Irana Yazykova
Paraclete Press
PO Box 1568, Orleans, MA 02653
9781557255648, $26.99, www.paracletepress.com

The rise of Stalin and Communism did untold damage to the modern presence of Russian history. "Hidden and Triumphant: The Underground Struggle to Save Russian Iconography" tells of those who dared to defy the state and preserve what made them Russian, protecting Church relics, and other icons of Russian history as they were being purged throughout the era. "Hidden and Triumphant" is an intriguing and educational read about those who opposed a state without history.


The Civil War Shelf

Sickles at Gettysburg
James A. Hessler
Savas Beatie
c/o Casemate (distributor)
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
9781932714845, $22.95, www.savasbeatie.com

No one in the Civil War was a saint, but some were further from sainthood than others. "Sickles at Gettysburg: The Controversial Civil War General Who Committed Murder, Abandoned Little Round Top, and Declared Himself the Hero of Gettysburg" delves into the history of this unusual historical figure who got away with murder, gained command of an army without military experience, and turned heads during the era. An intriguing look at a strange case in US history, "Sickles at Gettysburg" is not a read to be missed.

Confederate General In The Western Theater
Lawrence Lee Hewitt & Arthur W. Bergeron Jr., eds.
The University of Tennessee Press
293 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0325
www.utpress.org
9781572336995, $45.95, www.amazon.com

The second volume in the outstanding University of Tennessee Press series 'The Western Theater in the Civil War', "Confederate General In The Western Theater", under the collaborative editorship of Lawrence Lee Hewitt (Professor of History Emeritus, Southeastern Louisiana University) and Arthur W. Bergeron Jr. (former Reference Historian with the United States Army Military History Institute), is a 296-page compendium comprised of ten informed and informative articles focusing on the experiences and contributions of Confederate generals in the western theater of the American civil war. Among these are included George B. Crittenden, Alfred J. Vaughan Jr.; and John Bell Hood. Profusely enhanced with figures and maps, as well as an appendix, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive index, "Confederate General In The Western Theater" is an impressive body of seminal scholarship and highly recommended for personal and academic library American Civil War Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists. Also strongly endorsed is the first volume of "Confederate Generals In The Western Theater: Volume 1: Classic Essays on American's Civil War" (9781572337008, $45.95).


The Real Estate Shelf

The Complete Landlord & Property Manager's Legal Survival Kit
Diana Brodman Summers
Sphinx Publishing
c/o Sourcebooks, Inc.
Naperville Office, PO Box 4410, Naperville, IL 60567-4410
9781572487109, $24.99, www.sphnixlegal.com

It seems unavoidable that one will eventually find some sort of legal conflict with their property. "The Complete Landlord and Property Manager's Legal Survival Kit" is a guide for landlords who want to be prepared for the inevitable legal problems that comes with the land they own. Stating how to protect their investments, write clear contracts, dealing with evictions and collecting payment owed among other issues that seem to plague the land owner who is renting their property. "The Complete Landlord and Property Manager's Legal Survival Kit" is a resource that should be on hand for any property manager.


The Journalism Shelf

Fearless Female Journalists
Joy Crysdale
Second Story Press
20 Maud Street, Suite 401, Toronto, ON M5V 2M5
9781897187715, $10.95, www.secondstorypress.ca

The urge to find the truth is not for the boys alone. "Fearless Female Journalists" discusses a few women who dared to push the limits of journalism in their respective fields. From TV legends like Katie Couric, to early abolitionists, to the tragedy of Anna Politkovskaya, Joy Crysdale shows a picture of women who aspired to make a difference. "Fearless Female Journalists" is a strong and highly recommended read that shouldn't be missed by any young woman with journalistic aspirations.


The Economics Shelf

The Minimum Wage Revisited In The Enlarged EU
Daniel Vaughan-Whitehead
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court, Northampton, MA 01060-3815
www.e-elgar.com
9781849800150, $160.00, www.amazon.com

The European Union arose in the latter part of the 20th Century as an economic body. Knowledgeably compiled and expertly edited by Daniel Vaughan-Whitehead (Senior Adviser, Responsible for Wage Polices, at the ILO in the Conditions for Work and Employment Programme, Geneva, Switzerland) "The Minimum Wage Revisited In The Enlarged EU" is a 544-page compendium of fifteen informed and informative articles from experts focusing on the implications and impacts of minimum wage policies and practices by member nations ranging from Bulgaria, France, and Hungary, to Germany, Poland, Greece, and others. Of special note is the concluding contribution by Seyhan Erdogdu on 'Turkey: Minimum wage in tension between economic and social concerns'. A body of impressive and insightful scholarship, "The Minimum Wage Revisited In The Enlarged EU" is strongly recommended as a seminal addition to academic library Economic Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Just Give Money to the Poor
Joseph Hanlon, et al.
Kumarian Press
c/o Stylus Publishing
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166
9781565493339, $24.95, www.kpbooks.com

The simplest of ideas can still hold much value. The collaborative work of Joseph Hanlon, Armando Barrientos, and David Hulme, "Just Give Money to the Poor: The Development Revolution from the Global South" discusses this revolutionary concept and how some developing countries are simply granting the poor money and watching how they use that money wisely, for education and for businesses to sustain the money they are given. Debating the problems and values of such a simple plan, "Just Give Money to the Poor" is a scholarly and thoughtful read that shouldn't be missed.


The Political Science Shelf

The Case for Socialism
Alan Maass
Haymarket Books
4015 N. Rockwell, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60618
9781608460731, $12.00, www.haymarketbooks.org

With so much evil in the world, keeping the hands of government off almost seems cruel. "The Case for Socialism" discusses socialism and proposes an argument to why it may not be such a bad idea for the world as a whole, stating that socialism can coexist with ideas of equality and democracy, as well as liberty, stating that many capitalist ideas have placed profit as king as people suffer. "The Case for Socialism" is a thoughtful and thought provoking read many political readers will relish.

The Blueprint
Adam Scharager & Rob Witwer
Fulcrum Publishing
4690 Table Mountain Drive, Suite 100, Golden, CO 80403
9781936218004, $15.95, www.speakerscornerbooks.com

The political landscape of America is changing, and it may not be for reasons obvious. "The Blueprint: How the Democrats Won Colorado: And Why Republicans Everywhere Should Care" delves into progressive politics and why Democrats across the country are starting to take power, and how republicans may be at fault for their own loss of power. "The Blueprint" is a fascinating case study on the shifting nature of politics on the whole in America.

The Politics of Genocide
Edward S. Herman & David Peterson
Monthly Review Press
146 West 29th Street, Suite 6W, New York, NY 10001
9781583672129, $12.95, www.monthlyreview.org

There are few atrocities greater than genocide, but why does it so often go ignored? "The Politics of Genocide" delves into recent Genocides and why it has been used more often for political gain than anything else. This analysis asks many questions and provides many examples and discussion about various recent genocides from Darfur to Kosovo to even events like those that often happen in Israel's relations with Palestine. "The Politics of Genocide" is a fine addition to any political studies collection.


The Aviation Shelf

From Props to Jets
Jon Proctor, Mike Machat, Craig Kodera
Speciality Press
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
9781580071468, $29.95, www.specialitypress.com

Jets have become the standard craft of choice for commercial aviation, but this was not always so. "From Props to Jets: Commercial Aviation's Transition to the Jet Age 1952-1962" tells the story of how Jet planes became the standard and why they overcame the more classical propeller driven aircraft. With plenty of technical information as well as full color photographs, and more, any lover of aircraft will find much to enjoy. "From Props to Jets" is a choice collection that any aviation lover will relish.


The Language Studies Shelf

601 French Verbs
Anne-Catherine Aubert
Berlitz Publishing
c/o Langenscheidt Publishing Group
PO Box 979, Spring House, PA 19477
www.langenscheidt.com
9789812688163, $15.99, www.amazon.com

Berlitz has long been a premier publisher of language study textbooks and bilingual linguistic guides. Compiled and presented by the team of Anne-Catherine Aubert (Professor of French Language, Princeton University); and linguists Lori Langer de Ramirez, Nicky Agate, Sophie Bizard, Matthew Mergen, and Madaline Turran, "601 French Verbs" is a 734-page compendium presenting 601 of the most important French verges in all tenses. Enhanced for students with the inclusion of helpful tips on remembering verbs; 75 'must know' verbs marked for quick look-up; and highlighted verb endings for easy reference, "601 French Verbs" is an ideal textbook for French language studies and highly recommended for personal, academic, and community library Language Studies reference collections. Also very highly recommended from Berlitz Publishing is "601 Italian Verbs" (9789812688170, $15.99).


The Wisconsin Shelf

Green Travel Guide To Southern Wisconsin
Pat Dillon & Lynne Diebel
Wisconsin Historical Society Press
816 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
www.wisconsinhistory.org
9780299235444, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Southern Wisconsin has always had a lot to offer the day-tripper, weekender, and vacationer. The collaborative work of Pat Dillon and Lynne Diebel, "Green Travel Guide to Southern Wisconsin: Environmentally and Socially Responsible Travel" takes a unique approach to visiting and traveling through the southern region of the Badger State. The emphasis is on environmentally friendly restaurants, lodgings, shops, and activities. This 200-page compendium of information and advice is an ideal and thoroughly 'user friendly' guide for planning any kind of excursion whether it's a night out or an extended vacation. From peaceful inns that sponsor workshops of topics ranging from cheesemaking to sustainability; to local markets selling local produce; to small-scale farmers that welcome traveler visits, this superbly organized, detailed and presented travel guide is an excellent resource. Enhanced with the inclusion of 22 black-and-white photographs and 3 maps, "Green Travel Guide to Southern Wisconsin: Environmentally and Socially Responsible Travel" is enthusiastically recommended for personal, family, and community library reference collections.


James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


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