 |
Book
Reviews,
Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers |
| Home / Internet
Bookwatch |
Internet Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Left to Their Own Devices
Julie M. Albright
Prometheus Books
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633884441, $24.00
Left to Their Own Devices: How Digital Natives are Reshaping the American Dream is an
intriguing study of the changing habits, values, and norms of modern young people who were
raised with social media and smartphones, and comes from a digital sociologist who considers
how these young technology users are being distanced from traditional social structures. As she
considers the pros and cons of the habits and focus of new technology and children raised in this
environment of promise and rapid change, readers receive a powerful survey of not just
psychological and social changes, but their potential impact for humanity as a whole. Anyone
interested in the increasing impact of digital focus on modern media users will find this a
powerful discussion of forces that could ultimate change the face of America.
U.S. Immigration Made Easy, 19th edition
Iliona Bray, J.D. & Richard Link, attorney
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
www.nolo.com
9781413325959, $44.99, PB, 696pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Comprehensive, authoritative, thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and
presentation, and now in a fully updated and expanded 19th edition, "U.S. Immigration Made
Easy" is essential to help anyone get a visa, green card, or other immigration status.
"U.S. Immigration Made Easy" addresses such issues as: Determining whether you and your
family qualify for a short-term visa, permanent U.S. residence, or protection from deportation;
How to obtain, fill out, and submit the necessary forms and documents; Insider tips on dealing
with bureaucratic officials, delays, and denials; Strategies for overcoming low income and other
immigration barriers; How to select the right attorney.
"U.S. Immigration Made Easy" also provides detailed descriptions of application processes and
helps you avoid traps that might destroy your chances. Of special note is the inclusion of an
immigration eligibility self-quiz, which helps to match a person's background and skills to a
likely category of visa or green card.
"U.S. Immigration Made Easy" even covers the recent legal and fee changes including the Trump
administration's efforts to end TPS for various countries and to end DACA.
Critique: An absolutely essential addition to every community, college, and university library
Emigration & Immigration collection in the country, it should be noted for personal reading lists
that this new and expanded 19th edition of "U.S. Immigration Made Easy" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $22.07).
Author in Chief
Michael B. Costanzo
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476675701, $39.95, PB, 246pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: With the publication of his Personal Memoirs in 1885, Ulysses S. Grant established
what is today known as the presidential memoir. Every U.S. president since Benjamin Harrison
has written one and many have turned to other forms of writing, as well.
"Author in Chief: The Presidents as Writers from Washington to Trump" by Michael B.
Costanzo covers the history of these presidential literary works including autobiographies,
diaries, political manifestos, speeches, fiction and poetry. All of which were authored by U.S.
presidents and published prior to, during or after their terms.
The writing was easy for some, harder for others, with varying success, from literary comebacks
and bestsellers to false starts and failures.
Critique: A unique, informative, and inherently fascinating read from cover to cover, "Author in
Chief: The Presidents as Writers from Washington to Trump" will prove to be of special and
particular interest to academia and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.
While unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library collections, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Author in Chief" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Vinyl Frontier
Jonathan Scott
Bloomsbury Sigma
c/o Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781472956132 $28.00 hc / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Synopsis: In 1977, a team led by the great Carl Sagan was put together to create a record that
would travel to the stars on the back of NASA's Voyager probe. They were responsible for
creating a playlist of music, sounds and pictures that would represent not just humanity, but
would also paint a picture of Earth for any future alien races that may come into contact with the
probe. The Vinyl Frontier tells the whole story of how the record was created, from when NASA
first proposed the idea to Carl to when they were finally able watch the Golden Record rocket off
into space on Voyager.
The final playlist contains music written and performed by well-known names such as Bach,
Beethoven, Glenn Gould, Chuck Berry and Blind Willie Johnson, as well as music from China,
India and more remote cultures such as a community in Small Malaita in the Solomon Islands. It
also contained a message of peace from US president Jimmy Carter, a variety of scientific figures
and dimensions, and instructions on how to use it for a variety of alien lifeforms. Each song,
sound and picture that made the final cut onto the record has a story to tell.
Through interviews with all of the key players involved with the record, this book pieces together
the whole story of the Golden Record. It addresses the myth that the Beatles were left off of the
record because of copyright reasons and will include new information about US president Jimmy
Carter's role in the record, as well as many other fascinating insights that have never been
reported before. It also tells the love story between Carl Sagan and the project's creative director
Ann Druyan that flourishes as the record is being created.
Critique: The Vinyl Frontier: The Story of the Voyager Golden Record is an extraordinary
chronicle of a monumentally ambitious project - to create a representation of human culture that
would be sent to the stars. Here also is a portrait of the key people driving the project, including
the team leader, the scientific and polymath genius Carl Sagan. Extensively researched, yet
thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds, The Story of the Voyager Golden Record is
highly recommended especially for public library collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that The Story of the Voyager Golden Record is also available in a Kindle edition
($9.99).
Settlin'
Muriel Simms
Wisconsin Historical Society Press
816 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
www.wisconsinhistory.org
9780870208850, $18.95, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Only a fraction of what is known about Madison's earliest African American settlers
and the vibrant and cohesive communities they formed has been preserved in traditional sources.
The rest is contained in the hearts and minds of their descendants.
Seeing a pressing need to preserve these experiences, lifelong Madison resident Muriel Simms
collected the stories of twenty-five African Americans whose families arrived, survived, and
thrived here in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. While some struggled to find
work, housing, and acceptance, they describe a supportive and enterprising community that
formed churches, businesses, and social clubs -- and frequently came together in the face of
adversity and conflict.
Critique: Deftly drawing upon original sources and showcasing an impressive roster of oral
histories, "Settlin': Stories of Madison's Early African American Families" provides a brief but
succinctly informative history of African American settlement in Madison, Wisconsin. Enhanced
for academia with the inclusion of two appendices, four pages of Notes, and a five page Index,
"Settlin': Stories of Madison's Early African American Families" is a unique and unreservedly
recommended addition to community and academic library Black History & Wisconsin History
collections and supplemental studies curriculums. It should be noted for the personal reading list
of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Settlin': Stories of Madison's Early African American Families" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Muriel Simms is a lifelong Madison resident and longtime educator in the
Madison Metropolitan School District. She received her doctorate from the University of
Wisconsin-Madison in 2002 and serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Doctoral Program in
Educational Leadership at Edgewood College.
The Big Book of Knives
Oliver Lang
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764357398, $39.99, HC, 216pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The knife is a staple in every household and long considered one of mankind's most
important tools. Despite our long history, in today's fast-paced world many no longer know how
to recognize a good knife or the characteristics which define one. "The Big Book of Knives:
Everything about Mankind's Most Important Tool" details the differences between types of
knives, the characteristics a capable knife must have, the different locking systems for folding
knives, and more!
Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout, "The Big Book of Knives: Everything about
Mankind's Most Important Tool" is a veritable encyclopedia of meticulously detailed information
that is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation. Comprehensive and aptly
serving an exhaustively informed source that includes a twelve page Glossary, and a 'The
Ingredients of Steel' five page listing, "The Book of Knives" is especially and unreservedly
recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library
collections.
Memorable Encounters
John Nott
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781526751157, $39.95, HC, 216pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: During his varied career John Nott has encountered numerous interesting people, some
household names and others well-known in their field. In "Memorable Encounters" he has
selected twenty individuals to discuss and reflect on their contribution.
His seventeen years as an MP, latterly as a Cabinet Minister, brought him into contact with
leading politicians, including Enoch Powell, Margaret Thatcher and Norman Tebbit. While
defense Secretary during the Falklands War he worked closely with Admiral Lewin and General
Bramall. As a young officer he served with the 2nd Gurkhas and, through a profile of
Humbahadur Thapa, he describes his experiences with these stalwart soldiers.
Nott's principal career was in the City and he describes the role Siegmund Warburg played in his
life.
To add variety and spice, Nott also includes personalities whom he came across during his
education, farming in Cornwall and pursuing his interest in fishing. Additionally he describes his
friendship with impressive characters including Ted Hughes, the Poet Laureate, and Martin Rees,
the Astronomer Royal. Robin Day, whose interview he famously walked out of, features as does
Nigel Farage.
Critique: An interesting live lived out in interesting times among interesting company,
"Memorable Encounters" is a deftly written, inherently fascinating and impressively informative
memoir that is unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library
Contemporary Biography and 20th Century British Politics collections. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Memorable Encounters" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $20.95).
Editorial Note: Sir John Nott entered parliament at the 1966 General Election as MP for St Ives,
a seat he represented for the next seventeen years. He also served as a Treasury Minister in the
Heath government, and sat in Margaret Thatcher's first cabinet, initially as Trade Secretary and
then as Defence Secretary. Sir John and his wife Miloska now live and farm in Cornwall
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
How to Self-Publish Your Book
Jan Yager
Square One Publishers
115 Herricks Road, Garden City Park, NY 11040
www.squareonepublishers.com
9780757004650, $19.95, PB, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: For the past few decades that saw that the increasing consolidation of established
publishers was resulting in fewer and fewer access opportunities for the publication books by
unknown or midlist authors. That self-publishing was the only viable alternative for an aspiring
authors wanting to be published and have what they'd written reach the general reading
public.
Part One of "How to Self-Publish Your Book: A Complete Guide to Writing, Editing, Marketing
& Selling Your Own Book" is divided into three parts and covers the initial manuscript
preparation -- setting your goals, writing, sequencing, editing, and proofing, as well as creating a
business plan for your book's eventual release.
Part Two focuses on the actual production of a book. It explains the importance of cover and
interior design, what you need to know about producing physical books and e-books, and how to
turn your title into an audiobook.
Part Three provides key information on how to market and sell a book -- subjects that are crucial
to a title's success, but of which most writers have very little understanding.
Also included is a valuable resource section that guides the aspiring author to websites which
offer essential information on self-publishing service providers, including complete
self-publishing companies as well as freelance editors, proofreaders, printers, distributors,
marketers, and publicists.
The fact is that any book's chance of success starts at its origin, not with the finished product.
However you choose to produce your book, whether through a self-publishing company or
through separate services, "How to Self-Publish Your Book" by Jan Yager is a complete road
map to becoming a successfully self-published author.
Critique: It should be noted that in the pages of "How to Self-Publish Your Book" that the
Midwest Book Review is positively cited (pages 168-169) as a recommended resource for the
self-published author. That said, this is one of the most comprehensive, practical, and 'user
friendly' how-to instructional guides available today on the subject of self-publishing. Of special
note is the inclusion of a six page Glossary, and a five page Index. Candidly, if you only have the
time or budget for one 'how to' book on the subject, then you would be well served as an aspiring
but unknown author seeking publication to give "How to Self-Publish Your Book" a careful
reading. That will save you time, money, and the avoidance of common mistakes. Simply stated,
"How to Self-Publish Your Book" is unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and
academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections.
Editorial Note: Dr. Jan Yager received her M.A. in criminal justice from Goddard College, and a
Ph.D. in sociology from the City University of New York Graduate Center. Beginning at the age
23, she began her publishing career first working at Macmillan Publishing Company, and then at
Grove Press working directly under the company's founder, Barney Rosset. There she learned to
do everything from selling foreign and subsidiary rights to acquisitions, publicity, and sales. Jan's
life has been all about writing and publishing books. She is the author of more than 40 books
published by such major houses as Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, Scribner, Wiley,
and Doubleday, as well as self-published by her own company, Hannacroix Creek Books, Inc.
Dr. Yager's award-winning titles include Foreign Rights and Wrongs; Effective Business and
Nonfiction Writing; Career Opportunities in the Publishing Industry (with Fred Yager); Business
Protocol; Victims; When Friendship Hurts (translated into 29 languages); Friendshifts; The
Pretty One (a novel); Untimely Death (a novel, with Fred Yager); The Quiet Dog (illustrated by
Mitzi Lyman); Work Less, Do More; Put More Time on Your Side; and others.
The Education Shelf
Connecting Through Talk
David K. Dickinson & Ann B. Morse
Brookes Publishing Company
PO Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
www.brookespublishing.com
9781681252315, $34.95, PB, 264pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: How do responsive adult-child interactions influence early language development?
How do a child's language skills develop in tandem with social-emotional development,
executive function, and literacy? What are effective ways to help parents support their child's
development? Uncover the answers to these questions in this fascinating book, which draws on
current research to examine connections between language, social-emotional, and literacy
development and profiles effective programs that support this development.
"Connecting Through Talk: Nurturing Children's Development With Language" by the team of
David K. Dickinson and Ann B. Morse addresses these questions with a research-based
examination of multiple facets of early childhood development and examine how each one is
linked to language development.
Readers will explore critical topics such as: How the brain develops in the first years of life; Why
parent-child attachment is fundamental to early development; How executive function skills
affect academic achievement and social success; What responsive and language-rich parent-child
exchanges look like and how they support multiple developmental areas; How children begin to
understand symbols, establish joint attention, and develop a theory of mind: How children learn
the building blocks of language and literacy, from phonology to pragmatics; What role
socioeconomic factors play in early development and intervention; Which guiding principles
professionals should follow for effective intervention; Which economic arguments support early
development.
Building on this foundational knowledge, "Connecting Through Talk provides snapshots of more
than a dozen programs that support language and literacy development by coaching parents and
providing books for young children. Readers will learn how these programs promote thoughtful,
responsive adult-child interactions and expand children's access to books, and be presented with
brief summaries of the research that demonstrates the success of each program.
Essential reading for researchers, administrators, and educators, "Connecting Through Talk" is a
synthesis of science and practical guidance that will help to foster foundational language skills
and nurture the healthy development of every young child.
Critique: Impressively researched, exceptionally well written, deftly organized and presented,
"Connecting Through Talk: Nurturing Children's Development With Language" is a seminal
body of meticulous scholarship. While unreservedly recommended as a core addition to
community, school district, college, and university library Child Development, Education,
collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of education students, academia, and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Connecting Through Talk" is
also available in a digital book format (eTextbook, $28.73).
Editorial Note: David K. Dickinson, Ed.D., is the Associate Dean for Research and Strategic
Initiatives and holds the Margaret Cowan Chair of Education, Peabody College of Education,
Vanderbilt University. He received his doctorate from Harvard University's Graduate School of
Education after teaching elementary school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania while earning his
masters degree at Temple University. For over 30 years, he has studied early language and
literacy development among children from low-income backgrounds. Using observational and
intervention research, he has sought to understand factors that foster short- and long-term
development of language and reading comprehension and to improve the quality of support
children receive. He has co-authored the widely used preschool curriculum, Opening the World
of Learning (OWL), co-authored three volumes of The Handbook of Early Literacy Research, as
well as authoring or co-authoring over 100 peer review articles and spoken to practitioner and
research audiences around the world.
Ann B. Morse earned her master's in education with a focus in early childhood from Lesley
University. For over 30 years, she has worked on behalf of young children from low-income
backgrounds and their families. Through the Head Start National Training and Technical
Assistance Network, she provided professional development to programs related to supporting
children with disabilities and enhancing literacy skills. She coached Pre-K teachers to enhance
children's language and literacy skills through intervention research projects at Vanderbilt
University. She was a contributing author of the language and literacy-based curriculum,
Opening the World of Learning (OWL).
Integrating Worlds
Scott D. Carpenter, Helena Kaufman, Malene Torp
Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
www.styluspub.com
9781620360019, $32.50, PB, 198pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: While off-campus study (both study abroad or study away) occupies a marginal
position on most campuses, it has the almost unique capacity to bring together a high
concentration of high-impact educational practices. When we combine global learning with
collaborative work, shared intellectual pursuits, learning communities, and more, these practices
reinforce each other, exerting a multiplier effect that can potentially result in the most intense
learning experience our students will have. It can energize and inspire them for the work they
will continue to undertake on their home campus.
It thus becomes crucial for us to identify or design high-quality programs that will achieve these
goals. Moreover, we need to reimagine off-campus study as an integrated portion of the
undergraduate arc -- one that begins well before our students depart and continues long after they
return. In this way, we help them understand the interconnectedness not only of the world, but
also of their own education.
At the same time, the three authors of "Integrating Worlds: How Off-Campus Study Can
Transform Undergraduate Education" recognize material constraints and educational imperatives.
Off-campus study costs money; its complexity makes it difficult to assess; it overlaps
increasingly with internships and civic engagement; and by its nature, it is more subject to
external forces than the on-campus experience. In careful, practical ways Integrating Worlds
advances suggestions for dealing with these issues.
"Integrating Worlds" urges educators to go beyond the episodic ways we currently link
on-campus curricula to off-campus experience. While of interest to specialists in international or
intercultural education, it speaks most directly to faculty, deans and provosts -- many of whom
may have little (or dated) experience of study abroad and who thus feel unprepared to address
this issue of pressing importance. As our disciplines and institutions face the complexities of a
rapidly changing world, "Integrating Worlds" seeks to fuel the necessary conversations.
Critique: A critically important, impressively informative, articulate and thought-provoking
study, "Integrating Worlds: How Off-Campus Study Can Transform Undergraduate Education" is
unreservedly recommended for college and university library Educational Studies collections and
supplemental curriculum lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of education
students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Integrating Worlds" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99).
Editorial Note: Scott D. Carpenter is Professor of French and the Library Arts at Carleton
College; Director of Cross-Cultural Studies, and the Founding Director of Carleton's Center for
Global and Regional Studies. Helena Kaufman is the Director of Off-Campus Studies and
Lecturer in Latin American Studies at Carleton Colege. Malene Torp is the Executive Director of
DIS-Study Abroad in Scandinavia (Copenhagen) for American students in Europe.
The Aspiring Principal
Baruti K. Kafele
ASCD
1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
www.ascd.org
9781416627647, $19.95, PB, 113pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In "The Aspiring Principal: 50 Critical Questions for New and Future School Leaders",
school leadership expert Baruti Kafele presents reflective questions aimed at assisting both new
and aspiring school leaders as they work to become effective school leaders and consider making
a leap to a leadership position, respectively. This book will help aspiring principals determine
whether "The Principal" is truly who they want to be and help new principals grow and thrive in
the principalship.
Of special note is that "The Aspiring Principal" contains an entire chapter devoted to preparing
for the school administrator job interview.
Urban educator Kafele infuses this instructional reference from beginning to end with succinct
advice on everything from remaining focused on the principal's number one priority (student
achievement), to addressing maintenance concerns, managing budget allocations, and ensuring
that the school's website puts the school in the best possible light.
Critique: With the help of "The Aspiring Principal" both the neophyte school administrator and
experienced building principals can increase the likelihood that their tenure as a principal will be
a successful, beneficial, and healthful one for themselves, their faculty, and above all, their
students -- making it an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to college and university
library Education Administration collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should
be noted that "The Aspiring Principal" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$16.70).
Advancing Formative Assessment in Every Classroom, second edition
Connie M. Moss & Susan M. Brookhart
ASCD
1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
www.ascd.org
9781416626695, $28.95, PB, 186pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Formative assessment is one of the best ways to increase student learning and enhance
teacher quality. But effective formative assessment is not part of most classrooms, largely
because teachers misunderstand what it is and don't have the necessary skills to implement
it.
Now in a fully updated and expanded second edition, "Advancing Formative Assessment in
Every Classroom: A Guide for Instructional Leaders" is a practical and effective guide for school
leaders that defines formative assessment as an active, continual process in which teachers and
students work together (every day, every minute) to gather evidence of learning, always keeping
in mind three guiding questions: Where am I going? Where am I now? What strategy or
strategies can help me get to where I need to go?
Using specific examples based on their extensive work with teachers, "Advancing Formative
Assessment in Every Classroom: A Guide for Instructional Leaders: provides: Strategic talking
points and conversation starters to address common misconceptions about formative assessment;
Practical classroom strategies to share with teachers that cultivate students as self-regulated,
assessment-capable learners; Ways to model the elements of formative assessment in
conversations with teachers about their professional learning; "What if" scenarios and advice for
how to deal with them; Questions for reflection to gauge understanding and progress.
Critique: Exceptionally well written and presented, "Advancing Formative Assessment in Every
Classroom: A Guide for Instructional Leaders" is an essential and unreservedly recommended
core addition to school district, college, and university library Teacher Education instructional
reference collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of teachers and school administrators that "Advancing Formative
Assessment in Every Classroom: A Guide for Instructional Leaders" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $27.99).
A Meaningful Mess
Andi McNair
Prufrock Press
PO Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813
www.prufrock.com
9781618218414, $24.95, PB, 175pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: As a teacher, how do you organize what may seem like a chaotic mess into a classroom
that empowers students to engage with content and pursue their passions? "A Meaningful Mess:
A Teacher's Guide to Student-Driven Classrooms, Authentic Learning, Student Empowerment,
and Keeping It All Together Without Losing Your Mind" by Andi McNair offers suggestions and
specific tools that can be used to engage this generation of students in meaningful, relevant, and
student-driven learning experiences -- even if things in the classroom may get messy, both
literally and figuratively.
Such strategies and tools include Genius Hour, Makerspaces, flexible learning spaces,
meaningful technology, global learning experiences, critical and creative thinking, collaboration,
and reflection. Packed with relevant evidence and research, "A Meaningful Mess" is specifically
intended to help classroom teachers understand why traditional teaching strategies are no longer
working and what they can do to engage and empower this generation of learners.
Critique: Packed from cover to cover with useful, real-world practical ideas, suggestions,
insightful commentaries, all designed to bring useful order out of the inherent stresses and strains
of today's education system at the classroom level, "A Meaningful Mess: A Teacher's Guide to
Student-Driven Classrooms, Authentic Learning, Student Empowerment, and Keeping It All
Together Without Losing Your Mind" is unreservedly recommended for school district, college,
and university library Teacher Education collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It
should be noted for the personal reading lists of education students, teachers, school
administrators, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "A
Meaningful Mess" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.52).
Editorial Note: Andi McNair believes that if what we are teaching is not meaningful for students,
it's a waste of time. She was recently named one of the Top People to Watch in Education in
2016 by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences. Andi currently teaches gifted students in
Waco, TX.
Unschooled
Kerry McDonald
Chicago Review Press
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
www.chicagoreviewpress.com
9781641600637, $18.99, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Education has become synonymous with conventional schooling, but it doesn't have to
be. As schooling becomes increasingly standardized and test driven, occupying more of
childhood than ever before, parents and educators are questioning the role of schooling in
society. Many are now exploring and creating alternatives.
In a compelling narrative that introduces historical and contemporary research on self-directed
education, "Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional
Classroom" by Kerry McDonald also spotlights how a diverse group of individuals and
organizations are evolving an old schooling model of education.
These innovators challenge the myth that children need to be taught in order to learn. They are
parents who saw firsthand how schooling can dull children's natural curiosity and exuberance and
others who decided early on to enable their children to learn without school. They are educators
who left public school classrooms discuss launching self-directed learning centers to allow young
people's innate learning instincts to flourish, and entrepreneurs exploring their disillusionment
with the teach-and-test approach of traditional schooling.
Critique: Of special and relevant interest to home schooling parents and progressive educators,
"Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom" is
an impressively informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking study. While very highly
recommended for community, school district, college, and university library Contemporary
Educational Theory collections and supplemental studies lists, it should be noted for parents,
teachers, education policy makers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that "Unschooled" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99) and as a
complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Media, 9781974947980, $29.99, CD)
The Science Shelf
Flight Science
L.S. Mayboudi
Mercury Learning
www.merclearning.com
9781683922155, $59.95
Flight Science: Mathematics, Techniques, Sensibility introduces college-level math and science
students to the applications of these disciplines in aviation technology, and is recommended as a
basic acquisition for any college-level collection strong in these disciplines and in aviation
science. It's designed to be used in two ways: as a survey of basic concepts and as a reference
filled with examples and case studies that offer real-world solutions to common problems. Those
entering the aviation industry who seek to gain their flight licenses or who want more
background in technology will find it an excellent survey that combines history with science,
packing visual charts and graphics into the bigger picture.
Roadside Geology of Tennessee
Marcy B. Davis
Mountain Press Publishing Company
PO Box 2399, Missoula, MT 59806
www.mountain-press.com
9780878426911, $26.00, PB, 400pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Tennessee, extending 500 diagonal miles between Bristol and Memphis, cuts across
numerous rock types ranging from the deformed gneiss of the Blue Ridge along the North
Carolina border to the young sediments exposed in the Chickasaw Bluffs that rise 100 feet above
the Mississippi River floodplain.
The state's more than 1 billion years of geologic history includes continental collisions that built
enormous mountains and rifting forces that almost split the ancient continent apart. The geologic
processes are still at work in Tennessee, with sinkholes claiming land in areas of limestone,
rivers eroding sediment and shifting channels, and some of North America's largest earthquakes
occurring every 500 years on the ancient rift faults near Reelfoot Lake.
"Roadside Geology of Tennessee" by Marcy B. Davis includes the unusual meteor impact sites
on the Highland Rim of Middle Tennessee, the world-famous fossils in the Coon Creek
Formation, and the source of saltpeter used for gunpowder in the Civil War. An extensive section
on Great Smoky Mountains National Park includes guides to nine roads, some extending in to
North Carolina.
With "Roadside Geology of Tennessee" as a guide, anyone can now explore the geologic
significance of many of the state's natural and historic sties such as Cumberland Gap National
Historic Park, Harpeth River State Park, Dunbar Cave State Natural Area, and Chickamauga and
Chattanooga National Military Park.
Critique: As impressively informed as it is accessibly organized and presented, "Roadside
Geology of Tennessee" is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community,
college, and university library American Geology collections and supplemental curriculum
studies reading lists.
Editorial Note: Marcy B. Davis earned an MS in geology at the University of Texas in Austin in
2001. She currently works as a research scientist associate at the University of Texas Institute for
Geophysics, supporting field science teams working in such far-flung regions of the world as
Antarctica, Greenland, New Zealand, the Arctic and Caribbean Oceans, and the western and
southern United States. Marcy is also a prolific science writer with contributions to Polar Field
Resources Field Notes as well as to the Earth and Sky radio series. While researching her family
history, Marcy traveled the back roads of Tennessee and became fascinated with the state's
geology.
The International Studies Shelf
Voices of Latin America
Edited by Tom Gatehouse
Monthly Review Press
134 W. 29th Street, Suite 706, New York, NY 10001
www.monthlyreview.org
9781583677971 $32.00 pbk / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Synopsis: These are uncertain times in Latin America. Popular faith in democracy has been
shaken; traditional political parties and institutions are stagnating, and there is a growing
right-wing extremism overtaking some governments. Yet, in recent years, autonomous social
movements have multiplied and thrived. This book presents voices of these movement
protagonists themselves, as they describe the major issues, conflicts, and campaigns for social
justice in Latin America today. Latin America Bureau, a London-based, independent organization
providing news and analysis on the region, spoke to people from fourteen countries, from
Mexico to the Southern Cone.
The book captures the voices indigenous activists, fighting oil drilling in their homelands;
mothers from favelas seeking justice for their children killed by police; opponents of large-scale
mining projects; independent journalists working, at great personal risk, to expose corruption and
human rights violations; women and LGBT people confronting violence and discrimination; and
students demanding their right to a free, universal and high-quality education system. Though
their locations and causes are disparate, these people and their movements share learning and
activism, and their cooperation helps to link the movements across national borders. Voices of
Latin America is essential reading for students, travelers, journalists - anyone with an interest in
social justice movements in Latin America.
Critique: Voices of Latin America: Social Movements and the New Activism examines social
efforts to enact cultural change and push for justice, even though popular faith in democracy and
traditional institutions has eroded. Here are the true of stories of indigenous activists resisting
oil drilling; mothers whose children were killed by police; LGBT people resisting violence and
discrimination; and much more. Astute, eye-opening, and potentially offering a ray of hope amid
disturbing and troubled times, Voices of Latin America is highly recommended especially for
public and college library International Studies collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that Voices of Latin America is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).
Moscow Rules
Keir Giles
Brookings Institution Press
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036-2188
www.brookings.edu
9780815735748, $34.99, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: From Moscow, the world looks different. It is through understanding how Russia sees
the world (and its place in it) that the West can best meet the Russian challenge.
Russia and the West are like neighbors who never seem able to understand each other. A major
reason, Keir Giles (a senior expert on Russia at Britain's prestigious Chatham House) argues in
"Moscow Rules: What Drives Russia to Confront the West ", is that Western leaders tend to
think that Russia should act as a "rational" Western nation -- even though Russian leaders for
centuries have thought and acted based on their country's much different history and
traditions.
Russia, through Western eyes, is unpredictable and irrational, when in fact its leaders from the
czars to Putin almost always act in their own very predictable and rational ways. For Western
leaders to try to engage with Russia without attempting to understand how Russians look at the
world is a recipe for repeated disappointment and frequent crises.
"Moscow Rules" describes how Russian leaders have used consistent doctrinal and strategic
approaches to the rest of the world. These approaches may seem deeply alien in the West, but
understanding them is essential for successful engagement with Moscow. "Moscow Rules"
argues that understanding how Moscow's leaders think (not just Vladimir Putin but his
predecessors and eventual successors) will help their counterparts in the West develop a less
crisis-prone and more productive relationship with Russia.
Critique: A timely critique and history of political and international relations between Russia and
the Western nations, "Moscow Rules: What Drives Russia to Confront the West" is a critically
important analysis that is an outstanding contribution to our present on-going crisis with respect
to Russia's sabotage efforts in American elections. While very highly recommended for both
community and academic library Contemporary Russian & International Studies collections, it
should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, governmental policy makers,
and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Moscow Rules" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.39).
Editorial Note: Keir Giles' work has appeared in a wide range of academic and military
publications across Europe and in North America, and he is a regular contributor and
commentator on Russian affairs for international print and broadcast media. He is a Senior
Consulting Fellow at the UK's Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), and also
works with the Conflict Studies Research Centre (CSRC), a group of deep subject matter experts
on Eurasian security formerly attached to the British Ministry of Defence. He is a regular
contributor to research projects on Russian security issues in the U.S., UK and Europe.
The Environmental Studies Shelf
Surviving Global Warming
Roger A. Sedjo
Prometheus Books
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633885288, $24.00
Surviving Global Warming: Why Eliminating Greenhouse Gases Isn't Enough maintains that the
planet will still experience major climate-driven changes and damage long after greenhouse
gasses are reduced, and makes a strong case for a different plan based on adaptation. He focuses
on several areas where environmental damage could be severe, from coastal human abodes
facing rising sea levels to future declines in agricultural output and increased natural catastrophes
fostered by climate change. The result is a strong survey that pairs adaptive recommendations
with a survey of geo-engineering techniques, all designed to help the human race survive what is
to come.
50 Ways to Help the Planet
Sian Berry
Kyle Books
c/o Octopus Publishing
http://www.kylebooks.com
9780857835147, $9.99
50 Ways to Help the Planet: Easy Ways to Live a Sustainable Life shows ecology-minded readers
how they can feel more empowered by their efforts by making positive, easy changes at home.
It's not recommended for those already immersed in sustainable action so much as the concerned
reader who wants to get started, but has no idea of how to adjust their lifestyle to help change the
world without a hard impact on their lives. From choosing to walk to school (and walking more,
in general) to addressing food waste, this is an easy primer that provides starting points anyone
can use.
The Heart of the Lakes
Dave Dempsey
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25, East Lansing, MI 48823-5245
http://msupress.org
9781948314046 $19.95 amazon.com
Synopsis: The water corridor that defines southeast Michigan sits at the heart of the world's
largest freshwater ecosystem, the Great Lakes. Over forty-three trillion gallons of water a year
flow through the Detroit River, providing a natural conduit for everything from fish migration to
the movement of cargo-bearing one thousand-foot freighters, and a defining sense of place. But
in both government policies and individual practices, the freshwater at the heart of the lakes was
long neglected and sometimes abused. Today southeast Michigan enjoys an opportunity to learn
from that history and put freshwater at the center of a prosperous and sustainable future. Joining
this journey downriver in place and time, from Port Huron to Monroe, from the 1600s to the
present, provides insight and hope for the region's water-based renaissance.
Critique: A handful of color photographs illustrates this studious scrutiny of the history and
possible future of the water corridor that flows through the Detroit River - the heart of the world's
largest freshwater ecosystem that is the Great Lakes. Chronicling the toll that American settlers
have taken upon the water system from the 1600s to the present day, The Heart of the Lakes
explores progressive and practical options for a future of sustainable water usage. Thoroughly
accessible to readers of all backgrounds, The Heart of the Lakes is highly recommended
especially for public and college library Environmental Studies collections.
Independent Assessment of Science and Technology for the Department of Energy's Defense
Environmental Cleanup Program
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Division on Earth and Life
Studies
National Academies Press
500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
www.nap.edu
9780309487757 $65.00 pbk / $54.99 Kindle amazon.com
Synopsis: The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2017 contained a request for a
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine review and assessment of science
and technology development efforts within the Department of Energy's Office of Environmental
Management (DOE-EM). This technical report is the result of the review and presents findings
and recommendations.
Critique: True to its title, Independent Assessment of Science and Technology for the
Department of Energy's Defense Environmental Cleanup Program is a scholarly review of the
Department of Energy's efforts to identify and select technologies to develop for use in
environmental cleanup programs. A technical resource written by experts, for professionals in the
field, Independent Assessment of Science and Technology for the Department of Energy's
Defense Environmental Cleanup Program is a welcome addition to college and university library
environmental studies shelves. It should be noted for personal reading lists that Independent
Assessment of Science and Technology for the Department of Energy's Defense Environmental
Cleanup Program is also available in a Kindle edition ($54.99).
Climate Generation
Lorna Gold
New City Press
202 Cardinal Rd., Hyde Park, NY 12538
www.newcitypress.com
9781565486768, $14.95, PB, 172pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In the pages of Lorna Gold's "Climate Generation: Awakening to Our Children's
Future" readers will join a mother discovering the reality of climate change and how she can
protect her children and their world.
Environmentalist Lorna Gold's personal journey brings hope for effective communal action
involving different generations. Gold issues a clarion call to take immediate action on climate
change or risk bequeathing a stark legacy to future generations. Lorna shares her personal journey
in coming to understand what climate change means to her both as an activist and as a mother
who is fearful for her children's prospects in a world that hovers on the brink of destruction.
Rather than simply lament the grave situation facing our planet, however, "Climate Generation"
offers the reader hope and a manifesto for change.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Climate Generation: Awakening
to Our Children's Future" is a unique and seminal contribution to the growing body of
environmental protection and reclamation literature and should be a part of every community and
academic library collection. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of environmentally
concerned parents, dedicated environmental activists, and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the subject, that "Climate Generation" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Lorna Gold currently works as Policy and Advocacy Manager with the Irish
Catholic Agency for International Development, Tr›caire. Before joining Tr›caire, she received a
Ph.D. in Economic Geography from the University of Glasgow and worked in the Department of
Politics in the University of York. She writes extensively on global economic and social
development, with a particular focus on the contribution of Christian social thought in addressing
the challenges of ethical globalization.
The Biography Shelf
Marie Marvingt, Fiancee of Danger
Rosalie Maggio
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476675503, $39.95, PB, 310pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Marie Marvingt (1875-1963) set the world's first women's aviation records, won the
only gold medal for outstanding performance in all sports, invented the airplane ambulance, was
the first female bomber pilot in history, fought in World War I disguised as a man, took part in
the Resistance of World War II, was the first to survive crossing the English Channel in a
balloon, worked all her life as a journalist, spent years in North Africa and invented metal
skis.
Her life story was so unusually rich in exploits and accomplishments that some dismissed it as a
hoax.
"Marie Marvingt, Fiancee of Danger: First Female Bomber Pilot, World-Class Athlete and
Inventor of the Air Ambulance" by Rosalie Maggio is biography that explores the life of "the
most incredible woman since Joan of Arc" and investigates the reasons she has been
forgotten.
Known as the "fiancee of danger", she was the model for the silent film series The Perils of
Pauline.
Critique: An extraordinary woman with extraordinary accomplishments, "Marie Marvingt,
Fiancee of Danger" is a deftly written and inherently fascinating account. Enhanced for academia
with the inclusion of a four page Chronology, thirty-eight pages of Notes, a thirty-two page
Bibliography, and a two page Index, "Marie Marvingt, Fiancee of Danger" is unreservedly
recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and academic library Women's
History and American Biography collections.
Dr. David Murray
Benjamin Duke
Rutgers University Press
106 Somerset St., 3rd Floor, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
http://rutgerspress.rutgers.edu
9780813594972, $69.95, HC, 426pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Dr. David Murray: Superintendent of Education in the Empire of Japan, 1873-1879"
by Benjamin Duke (who is Professor Emeritus of International Christian University in Tokyo,
Japan, where he was chairman of the graduate faculty of education.) is the first biography in
English of an uncommon American who was a professor of mathematics at Rutgers College, and
who was appointed by the Japanese government as Superintendent of Education in the Empire of
Japan in 1873.
The founding of the Gakusei (the first public school system launched in Japan) marks the
beginning of modern education in Japan, accommodating all children of elementary school age.
Murray's unwavering commitment to its success renders him an educational pioneer in Japan in
the modern world.
Professor Duke has compiled this comprehensive biography of David Murray to showcase
Murray's work, both in assisting around 100 samurai students in their studies at Rutgers, and in
his unprecedented role in early Japanese-American relations. This fascinating biography
uncovers a little-known link between Rutgers University and Japan, and it is the only study to
conclude that Rutgers made a greater contribution to the development of modern education in the
early Meiji Era than any other non-Japanese college or university in the world.
Critique: A seminal work of meticulous and detailed scholarship, "Dr. David Murray:
Superintendent of Education in the Empire of Japan, 1873-1879" is an inherently fascinating
story from beginning to end. Enhanced for academia with the inclusion of two pages of Notes
and a six page Index, "Dr. David Murray: Superintendent of Education in the Empire of Japan,
1873-1879" is a unique and esspecially recommended addition to community and academic
library American Biography collections in general, and Japanese Education History supplemental
studies reading lists in particular.
A Life Beyond Reason: A Father's Memoir
Chris Gabbard
Beacon Press
24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210
www.beacon.org
9780807060575, $24.95, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Before becoming a father, Chris Gabbard was a fast-track academic finishing his
doctoral dissertation at Stanford. A disciple of Enlightenment thinkers, he was a devotee of
reason, believed in the reliability of science, and lived by the dictum that an unexamined life is
not worth living. That is, until his son August was born.
Despite his faith that modern medicine would not fail him, August was born with a severe
traumatic brain injury as a likely result of medical error and lived as a spastic quadriplegic who
was cortically blind, profoundly cognitively impaired, and nonverbal.
While Gabbard tried to uncover what went wrong during the birth and adjusted to his new role
raising a child with multiple disabilities, he began to rethink his commitment to Enlightenment
thinkers -- who would have concluded that his son was doomed to a life of suffering. But August
was a happy child who brought joy to just about everyone he met in his 14 years of life -- and
opened up Gabbard's capacity to love.
Considering the philosophy question of who is deserving of humanity, Chris would come to
understand that his son is undeniably a person deserving of life.
Critique: A candidly written, thoughtful and thought-provoking memoir, "A Life Beyond
Reason" is an extraordinary personal story with universal implications. A inherently interesting
read from first page to last, "A Life Beyond Reason" is unreservedly recommended for both
community and academic library Contemporary American Biography collections. It should be
noted for personal reading lists that "A Life Beyond Reason" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $15.99).
Dream of the Water Children
Frederick D. Kakinami Cloyd
2Leaf Press
PO Box 4378, Grand Central Station, New York, NY, 10163-4378
www.2leafpress.org
9781940939285, $24.99, PB, 476pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Born to an African American father and Japanese mother, Frederick D. Kakinami
Cloyd is the narrator of "Dream of the Water Children: Memory and Mourning in the Black
Pacific". His autobiography that reveals him finding himself not only to be a marginalized person
by virtue of his heritage, but often a cultural drifter, as well. Indeed, both his family and his
society treat Frederick as if he doesn't entirely belong to any world.
"Dream of the Water Children" deftly explores the specific contours of Japanese and African
American cultures, as well as the broader experience of biracial and multicultural identity. To tell
his story, Frederick incorporates photographs and Japanese writing, history, and memory to
convey both rich personal experience and significant historical detail.
Bringing together vivid memories with a perceptive cultural eye, "Dream of the Water Children"
brings readers closer to a biracial experience, opening up our understanding of the cultural
richness and social challenges people from diverse backgrounds face.
Critique: Impressively candid, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Dream of the Water Children"
is presented in a spare narrative of clear poetic prose. The result is a compelling memoir that is at
once intensely personal and touching upon a universal humanity. Exceptional, engaging,
informative, and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as both
community and academic library Contemporary Biography collections, "Dream of the Water
Children" is one of those books that will linger in the mind and memory long after it is finished
and set back upon the shelf.
Solitude & Company
Silvana Paternostro
Seven Stories Press
140 Watts Street, New York, NY 10013
www.sevenstories.com
9781609808969, $26.95, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Solitude & Company: The Life of Gabriel Garcia Marquez Told with Help from His
Friends, Family, Fans, Arguers, Fellow Pranksters, Drunks, and a Few Respectable Souls" by
Silvana Paternostro deftly recounts the life of a boy from the provinces who decided to become a
writer. Essentially "Solitude & Company" is the biographical story of how little Gabito became
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and of how Gabriel Garcia Marquez survived his own
self-creation.
Critique: Occasionally illustrated with historic black-and-white photo images, "Solitude &
Company" is enhanced with the inclusion of an informative prologue (One Hundred Years of
Solitude), and a six page listing of Notes on the Most Important Voices'. A deftly crafted,
impressively informative, and inherently fascinating read, "Solitude & Company" is an
extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community and academic library
biography collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Solitude & Company" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio
book (HighBridge Audio, 9781684413164, $39.99, CD).
The Military Shelf
Meuse-Argonne Diary
William M. Wright, author
Robert H. Ferrell, editor
University of Missouri Press
113 Heinkel Bldg., 201 S. 7th Street, Columbia, MO 65211
www.umsystem.edu/upress
9780826221919, $22.95, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: During America's participation in World War I, 1917-1918, only a single commander
of a division, William M. Wright, is known to have kept a diary. In it, General Wright relates his
two-month experience at St. Mihiel and especially the Meuse-Argonne, the largest and most
costly battle in American history.
In the Meuse-Argonne, the Eighty-ninth Division, made up of 28,000 draftees from Missouri and
Kansas and under Wright's command, was one of the two American point divisions beginning
November 1, 1918, when the U.S. First Army forced the German defenders back to the Meuse
River and helped end World War I as the main German railway line for the entire Western Front
came under American artillery fire.
It was a great moment, and Wright was at the center of it.
With the publication of "Meuse-Argonne Diary: A Division Commander in World War I", editor
Robert Ferrell skillfully supplements the diary with his own narrative, making use of pertinent
manuscripts, notably a memoir by one of Wright's infantry regiment commanders.
The diary shows the exacting attention that was necessary to keep such a large, unwieldy mass of
men in motion. It also shows how the work of the two infantry brigadiers and of the two
supporting artillery brigades required the closest attention. Meuse-Argonne Diary, a unique
account of, among other things, a singular moment in the Great War in which American troops
ensured victory, will fascinate anyone interested in military history in general and World War I in
particular.
Critique: A unique, informative, and at times riveting read, "Meuse-Argonne Diary: A Division
Commander in World War I" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to
personal, community, and academic library World War I History collections and supplemental
studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and military buffs that "Meuse-Argonne
Diary: A Division Commander in World War I" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $21.80).
Editorial Note: Robert H. Ferrell is Professor Emeritus of History at Indiana University. He is the
author or editor of numerous books, including A Youth in the Meuse-Argonne: A Memoir, 1917-
1918 by William S. Triplet; Harry S. Truman: A Life; and The Dying President: Franklin D.
Roosevelt, 1944-1945, all available from the University of Missouri Press.
Special Operations in Norway
Ian Herrington
I. B. Tauris Publishers
www.ibtauris.com
9781788312622, $115.00, HC, 392pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Between 1940 and 1945, Britain's Special Operations Executive (SOE) carried out
sabotage and organised resistance across occupied Europe. Over 5 years, SOE sent over 500
agents into Norway to carry out a range of operations from sabotage and assassination to attempts
to organise an underground guerrilla army.
"Special Operations in Norway: SOE and Resistance in World War II" by Ian Herrington (who is
a retired higher education professional who worked latterly at Hertfordshire University and
whose book is based on his PhD from De Montfort University) is the first multi-archival,
international academic analysis of SOE's policy and operations in Norway and the influences that
shaped them, challenging previous interpretations of the relationship between this organisation
and both the Norwegian authorities and the Milorg resistance movement.
Critique: An impressive work of meticulous and exhaustive research, "Special Operations in
Norway: SOE and Resistance in World War II" is an extraordinarily informed and informative
study that will prove to be a welcome addition to the growing library of World War II histories.
Enhanced for academia with the inclusion of three appendices, seventy pages of Notes, an
eighteen page Bibliography, and a seven page Index, "Special Operations in Norway" is
unreservedly recommended for community and academic library World War II collections and
supplemental studies curriculums. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students,
academia, and military buffs that "Special Operations in Norway" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $103.50).
Valley of the Shadow
Kevin Boylan & Luc Olivier
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B, Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
9781472824370,$30.00, HC, 368pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Struggling to reassert control over their Indochinese colonies after World War II, the
French established a huge air-land base in the valley of Dien Bien Phu. But when the opposing
Vietnamese People's Army (VPA) began massing its forces against the base in late 1953, French
commanders seized the opportunity to draw their elusive enemy into a decisive set-piece
battle.
Defending a series of fortified positions which were reliant upon a single airstrip (and later, risky
and inaccurate airdrops) for reinforcement and resupply, the French troops quickly discovered
that they had underestimated their enemy. In 56 days of costly close-quarters fighting, the VPA
slowly dislodged the French from one strongpoint after another by developing novel tactics and
accomplishing incredible feats of engineering.
Drawing upon Vietnamese-language sources never previously employed in Western accounts of
the siege, "Valley of the Shadow: The Siege of Dien Bien Phu" by Kevin Boylan and Luc Olivier
is a dramatic re-telling of the climactic battle of the First Indochina War, the conflict that saw the
French expelled from their former colony and set the stage for the "American War" in
Vietnam.
Critique: An impressively researched and extraordinarily detailed battlefield history, "Valley of
the Shadow: The Siege of Dien Bien Phu" is enhanced for academia with the inclusion of
Illustrations, Maps, Tables, a ten page Bibliography, twenty-two pages of Appendices, forty-one
pages of End Notes, and a twelve page Index. While very highly recommended as a core addition
to 21st Century Military History collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of
students, academia, and dedicated military history buffs that "Valley of the Shadow" is also
available in a paperback edition (9781472824417, $21.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$12.60).
Editorial Note: Kevin Boylan is a professor of history at Emmanuel College in Boston,
Massachusetts. From 1995 to 2005, he was employed by the Pentagon as a defense analyst for the
US Defense Department and the US Army Staff. Boylan returned to academia in 2005, teaching
first at the University of Maine, Augusta, and then at a variety of colleges and universities in
Connecticut and Wisconsin before moving to Boston. In October 2014, his groundbreaking
article on the topic of Viet Minh artillery at Dien Bien Phu was published in the Journal of
Military History, and won the Society of Military History's Moncado Prize in 2015.
France, Luc Olivier served in the French Army as a second lieutenant and platoon commander.
He also has an extensive background in IT consulting and is presently the managing director of a
French-Hungarian IT company. He has designed a dozen commercial wargames (including two
on Dien Bien Phu) which have been published in magazines including Vae Victis and Battles
Magazine. Living in Paris, France, he has also written and published many articles on historical
military topics over the last 20 years.
Pilgrim Days
Alastair Mackenzie
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B, Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com
9781472833181, $25.00, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: If there was ever anyone who went a little further, a little beyond as a soldier, it was
Alastair MacKenzie. In a military career spanning 30 years, MacKenzie served uniquely with the
New Zealand Army in Vietnam, the British Parachute Regiment, the British Special Air Service
(SAS), the South African Defense Force's famed ParaBats, the Sultan of Oman's Special Forces,
and a host of private security agencies and defense contractors. MacKenzie lived the soldier's life
to the full as he journeyed "the Golden Road to Samarkand."
"Pilgrim Days: From Vietnam to the SAS" is extraordinary and extraordinary military biography
that vividly documents, (and in a detail that stuns), as Mackenzie showcases the experience of
infantry combat in Vietnam, life with the Paras, the tempo of selection for UK Special Forces,
covert SAS operations in South Armagh and SAS Counter Terrorist training on the UK
mainland, vehicle-mounted Pathfinder Brigade insertions into Angola, and maritime
counter-terrorism work in Oman.
Critique: Nicely illustrated with a special section of photographs, "Pilgrim Days: From Vietnam
to the SAS" is an impressively written, exceptionally informative, and inherently riveting read
that is unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library Military History &
Biography collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of all military buffs that
"Pilgrim Days" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Alastair MacKenzie comes from a military family of long standing and he served
as a para-trained platoon commander for 12 months with the New Zealand infantry on combat
operations in South Vietnam and in the special forces of South Africa, Oman and the UK, where
for four years he was troop commander in the 22nd Special Air Service Regiment. After his
retirement as a full-time Army officer he enjoyed a successful commercial career with Royal
Ordnance and British Aerospace before moving to consultancy roles. In civilian life he retained
an involvement with the Territorial Army as an SAS officer and retired with the rank of
lieutenant colonel in 2001. He obtained his PhD in politics in 2005 and is the author of works
including "Special Force: The Untold Story of 22nd Special Air Service Regiment (SAS)" and
"The Sounds Soldiers' Memorial--Stories of the Fallen".
Left for Dead at Nijmegen
Marcus A. Nannini
Casemate Publishers
1940 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083
www.casematepublishers.com
9781612006963, $32.95, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Left for Dead at Nijmegen" vividly recalls the larger-than-life experiences of an
American paratrooper, Gene Metcalfe, who served in the 82nd Airborne during WWII.
This personal military memoir covers his recruitment into the military at Camp Grant to his
training with the 501st Paratroop Infantry Regiment at Camp Toccoa. It wasn't until D-Day itself
that he first arrived in England to join the 508th PIR.
When Metcalfe boarded the C-47 which would drop him at Groesbeek Heights, just outside of
Nijmegen, Holland, he was handed a box of twelve dozen condoms by an overconfident British
lieutenant. He was to be among the first to jump into what should have been a picture-book
meadow, free of German troops. Instead, it was defended by three German antiaircraft cannon
emplacements.
As he jumped into a hail of bullets and exploding shells he watched his plane roll over and
plummet into the ground. It was at that moment he realized the condoms had either been a bad
joke or the planners of Operation Market Garden had seriously underestimated German
resistance. Gene was listed as KIA and left for dead by his patrol, who presumed the worst when
they saw his injuries from a shell explosion.
The rest of his story is equally gripping, as he became a POW held outside Munich, being moved
between various camps ridden with disease and a severely undernourished population.
Eventually, after making an escape attempt and being captured within sight of the snow-capped
Swiss mountains, his camp was liberated by American troops in April 1945.
Critique: "Left for Dead at Nijmegen: The True Story of an American Paratrooper in World War
II" is an extraordinary and simply riveting memoir that will prove to be an immediate and
enduringly valued addition to both community and academic library World War II Military
History & Biography collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Left for Dead
at Nijmegen" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.95).
The Fiction Shelf
The Ash Family
Molly Dektar
Simon and Schuster
www.simonandschuster.com
9781501144868, $26.00
The Ash Family tells of teen Berie, who is slated to begin college in Virginia when she decides to
abandon this long-held dream to run away. When she meets a man named Bay and his
commitment to the Ash Family, she learns about connections she'd never dreamed possible,
becomes captivated, and moves to the farm that is cemented by ideals of living off the land and
in an idyllic world away from the society she's been raised to believe in. A powerful story of
ideals, adjustments, and very different worlds evolves in a story suitable for young adult to adult
readers.
History. A Mess.
Sigrun Palsdottir
Open Letter Books
c/o University of Rochester
Lattimore Hall 411, Box 270082, Rochester, NY 14627
www.openletterbooks.org
9781940953984, $13.95, PB, 120pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: While studying a seventeenth-century diary, a student uncovers information about the
first documented professional female artist. This discovery promises to change her academic
career, and life in general -- until she realizes that her "discovery" was nothing more than two
pages stuck together. At this point there's no going back though, and she goes to great lengths to
hide her mistake -- undermining her sanity in the process.
Critique: "History, A Mess." by Sigrun Palsdottir is deftly crafted satirical novel that's funny,
colorful, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and inherently entertaining while also raising basic
questions about truth, research, and the very nature of belief. Ably translated from Icelandic into
English for the benefit of an American readership by Professor Lytton Smith (SUNY Geneseo),
"History. A Mess." is strongly and unreservedly recommended for both community and academic
library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists
that "History. A Mess." is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95).
When the Music Stopped
Beryl Matthews
Magna Large Print
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9780750547048, $35.50, HC, Large Print, 324pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Set in London in 1910, "When the Music Stopped" by Beryl Mathews is the story of
two twins, Lester and Lillia Holdsworth, who are destined for the stage. Lester is a brilliant
pianist; Lillia a magnificent opera singer. But their cruel father has other ideas for their
future.
Lester is sent to a military academy, while Lillia must marry Lord Dalton -- a pompous friend of
her father's looking for a young wife to give him an heir.
Their plans to defy their father's wishes are put on hold when war breaks out. Lester flies planes
for the Royal Flying Corps and Lillia trains as a nurse. They wait (like the rest of Europe) for the
war to end and the music to start again.
Critique: A wonderfully entertaining and deftly crafted novel by an author with an impressive
flair for the kind of narrative storytelling that grips the reader's rapt attention from beginning to
end, this large print edition of Beryl Matthew's "When the Music Stopped" is an especially
recommended addition to personal reading lists and community library General Fiction
collections.
The Fireball Brothers
M. David Hornbuckle
Livingston Press
University of West Alabama, Station 22, Livingston, AL 35470
www.livingstonpress.uwa.edu
9781604892284, $24.95, HC, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In 1959, two brothers in Alabama are swimming in a pond when a fireball hits the
water and they become fused together. When a New Orleans doctor claims he can help, they
travel throughout the Southeast playing music. What they discover is as astonishing as their
condition.
Critique: With "The Fireball Brothers", author M. David Hornbuckle has created an original,
deftly crafted, thoroughly entertaining, and impressively informative trek through the American
South that includes race relations, jazz, rock and roll, con-artists, the Red Scare, and the just
blooming space race. While very highly recommended, especially for community and academic
library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists
that "The Fireball Brothers" is also available in a paperback edition (9781604892277,
$16.95).
Editorial Note: M. David Hornbuckle lives in Birmingham, Alabama where he teaches English at
the local university. Over the years, his career has included journalism, technical writing, and bee
farming. He is also a musician, most known for his former bands PopCanon and the M. David
Hornbuckle Dixieland Space Orchestra. In addition, Hornbuckle is the founding editor of Steel
Toe Review: A Journal of Southern Arts and Literature. "The Fireball Brothers" is his third
book.
The Island
Ragnar Jonasson
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250193377, $27.99, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In the Autumn of 1987, a young couple on a romantic trip in the Westfjords holiday --
a trip that gets an unexpected ending and has catastrophic consequences.
Ten years later a small group of friends go for a weekend in an old hunting lodge in Elli aey. A
place completely cut off from the outside world, to reconnect. But one of them isn't going to
make it out alive. And Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdottir is determined to find the truth
in the darkness.
Critique: "The Island" is the second title in author Ragnar Jonasson's new suspense thriller series
featuring Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdottir of the Reykjavik Police department. Another
deftly crafted and inherently riveting read from a master of the genre, "The Island" will prove to
be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library collections. It should be
noted for personal reading lists that "The Island" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Macmillan Audio,
9781250224002, $39.99, CD).
Shirtless Men Drink Free
Dwaine Rieves
Tupelo Press
www.tupelopress.org
9781946507044, $16.95, PB, 338pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In a vision above her mother's deathbed, Doctor Jane Beekman sees her dying mother's
soul--a soul struggling with a decision, some undone task, something in this world too noble to
leave. The sight was brief, but surely a lesson. The lingering question -- Why? -- prompts a shift
in the doctor's priorities.
For in this election year Jane must do what her mother, an aspiring social activist, would have
done. Soon, Jane is deep in the world of Georgia politics, working to make sure her dynamic
young brother-in-law Jackson Beekman is elected the next governor, regardless of what the soul
of the candidate's dead father or that of his living brother (Jane's husband) might want done.
Indeed, it is a mother's persistence and a father's legacy that will ultimately turn one Beekman
brother against the other, a struggle with moral consequences that may extend far beyond
Georgia.
Set amidst 2004's polarizing election fears ranging from immigrants and job takeovers, to
terrorists in waiting, to the homosexual and outsider agendas, "Shirtless Men Drink Free" makes
vivid the human soul's struggle in a world bedeviled by desire and the fears that leave us all
asking -- Why?
Critique: A deftly crafted novel by an author with a genuine flair for originality and a
distinctively reader engaging narrative style of storytelling, Dwaine Rieves' "Shirtless Men Drink
Free" is an especially timely and unreservedly recommended addition to community library
Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that
"Shirtless Men Drink Free" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.69).
Crow
Amy Spurway
Goose Lane Editions
www.gooselane.com
9781773100234, $22.95, PB, 312pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: When Stacey Fortune is diagnosed with three highly unpredictable and inoperable
brain tumours, she abandons the crumbling glamour of her life in Toronto for her mother Effie's
scruffy trailer in rural Cape Breton. Back home, she's known as Crow, and everybody suspects
that her family is cursed.
With her future all but sealed, Crow decides to go down in a blaze of unforgettable glory by
writing a memoir that will raise eyebrows and drop jaws. She'll dig up "the dirt" on her family
tree, including the supposed curse, and uncover the truth about her mysterious father, who
disappeared a month before she was born.
But first, Crow must contend with an eclectic assortment of characters, including her gossipy
Aunt Peggy, hedonistic party-pal Char, homebound best friend Allie, and high-school flame
Willy. She'll also have to figure out how to live with her mother and how to muddle through the
unsettling visual disturbances that are becoming more and more vivid each day.
Critique: All the more impressive when considering that "Crow" is author Amy Spurway's debut
as a novelist, this original and deftly crafted story has more unexpected twists and unanticipated
turns that a Disneyland roller coaster. With a distinctive and reader engaging narrative
storytelling style, Amy Spurway's "Crow" is an inherently riveting read from cover to cover and
will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library
Contemporary General Fiction collections and personal summer reading lists. Witty, energetic,
and crackling with sharp Cape Breton humour, Crow is a story of big twists, big personalities,
big drama, and even bigger heart.
Priscilla: The Life of an Early Christian
Ben Witherington III
IVP Academic
c/o InterVarsity Press
PO Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426
www.ivpress.com
9780830852482, $20.00, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Who was Priscilla is one of the relatively few women who are named in the New
Testament. Readers of the Bible may know her as the wife of Aquila, Paul's coworker, or
someone who explained baptism to Apollos.
Biblical references to Priscilla spark questions: Why is she mentioned before her husband? Does
the mention of her instruction of Apollos mean that women taught in the church? What is her
story? In "Priscilla: The Life of an Early Christian", Ben Witherington deftly addresses these
questions and more.
In this work of historical fiction, Priscilla looks back on her long life and remembers the ways
she has participated in the early church. Her journey has taken her to Ephesus, Corinth, and
Rome, and she's partnered with Paul and others along the way. Priscilla's story makes the
first-century world come alive and helps readers connect the events and correspondence in
different New Testament books. Witherington ably combines biblical scholarship and
imaginative storytelling to give readers a vivid picture of an important New Testament
character.
Critique: An inherently entertaining, thoughtful and thought-provoking historical novel that will
hold the readers rapt attention from beginning to end, "Priscilla: The Life of an Early Christian"
is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to personal reading lists and community
library collections. It should be noted that "Priscilla: The Life of an Early Christian" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.55) and as a complete and unabridged audio book
(Tantor Audio, 9781515943761, $29.99, CD).
Starvation Shore
Laura Waterman
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor, Madison, WI 53711-2059
www.uwpress.wisc.edu
9780299323400, $27.95, HC, 416pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In the summer of 1881, the twenty-five men of the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition
watched their ship sail for home from Discovery Harbor, just 500 miles from the North
Pole.
Commanded by the ambitious yet underqualified Adolphus W. Greely, this crew represented the
first U.S. attempt to engage in scientific study of the Arctic. The frigid landscape offered the
promise of great adventure and unknown dangers. It was an expedition Greely eagerly anticipated
long before it began. Standing there on that sunny summer afternoon, no one could have known
how much would go wrong.
Drawing upon historic records, diaries, and letters of the men who inhabited the makeshift shelter
they called Camp Clay, In "Starvation Shore" author Laura Waterman painstakingly portrays in a
deftly crafted work of fiction the true story of polar explorers fighting for their lives and their
sanity under dehumanizing conditions. The result is a truly gripping, tragic tale of hunger, fear,
and hope as told through the eyes of men at their worst and most desperate moments.
Critique: Based on an historical incident and told with an impressively distinctive narrative
storytelling style that will grip the reader's rapt attention from first page to last, "Starvation
Shore" is certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community and
academic library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Starvation Shore" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$11.99).
You Will Be Safe Here
Damian Barr
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com
9781635573510, $27.00, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: It is the height of the second Boer War in 1901 South Africa. Sarah van der Watt and
her six-year-old son Fred are forced from their home on Mulberry Farm. As the polite British
invaders welcome them to Bloemfontein Concentration Camp they promise Sarah and Fred that
they will be safe there.
One hundred and thirteen years later in2014, Sixteen-year-old Willem is an outsider. Hoping he
will become the man she wants him to be, his Ma and her boyfriend force Willem to attend the
New Dawn Safari Training Camp where they are proud to make men out of boys. They promise
that he will be safe there.
Inspired by real events, "You Will Be Safe here" is a novel that deftly uncovers the hidden
colonial history of South Africa and reveals a dark contemporary cultural counterpart.
Critique: "You Will Be Safe Here" showcases author Damian Ban's genuine gift for narrative
storytelling and ability to hold the reader's total attention from cover to cover. While very highly
recommended, especially for community library General Fiction collections, it should be noted
for personal reading lists that "You Will Be Safe Here" is also available in a digital book format
Kindle, $16.81).
Editorial Note: Living in Brighton, England, Damian Barr is the author of the memoir "Maggie &
Me", which the Sunday Times named Memoir of the Year. He is Literary Ambassador for the
Savoy in London where he hosts his Literary Salon (also carried as a podcast on British Airways
and recently featured in Vanity Fair). He is also the Literary Editor of the Soho House group and
appears regularly on BBC Radio 4. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and
was 2013's Stonewall Writer of the Year.
Truth, by Omission
Daniel Beamish
Blackstone Publishing
31 Mistletoe Road, Ashland, OR 97520
www.BlackstoneAudio.com
9781982544775, $25.99, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.colm
Synopsis: After surviving a desperate childhood of lawlessness and violence, Alfred Olyontombo
makes his way to a refugee camp while Rwanda's genocide rages behind him. His knowledge of
local languages catches the attention of an idealistic young doctor who opens the door to a whole
new life for Alfred. Seizing the chance, he moves forward, embracing the American dream and
becoming a respected physician married to a successful lawyer in Colorado.
However, his new life comes to a screeching halt when the transgressions of his youth come back
to haunt him.
With his future hanging in the balance, Alfred is forced to face the misdeeds and the nemesis he
had hoped time had buried forever. But is it too late for the truth to matter? And which version of
the truth can save him?
Critique: A deftly crafted and emotionally-wrenching saga played out on three continents and
over four decades, "Truth, by Omission" showcases author Daniel Beamish's genuine flair for
originality and being able to seamlessly intertwine factual events of recent times in Africa with a
compelling set of contemporary fictional circumstances and truly memorable characters. While
unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Truth, by Omission" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio,
9781982544270, $19.95 CD).
A Job You Mostly Won't Know How to Do
Pete Fromm
Counterpoint Press
1919 Fifth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710-1916
www.counterpointpress.com
9781640091771, $26.00, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: For young couple Taz and Marnie, their fixer-upper is the symbol of their new life
together: a work in progress, the beginning of something grand, all the more so when they learn a
baby is on her way. But the blueprint for the perfect life eludes Taz when Marnie dies in
childbirth, plummeting the taciturn carpenter headfirst into the new, strange world of fatherhood
alone, a landscape of contradictions, of great joy and sorrow -- a job no one can be fully prepared
for!
Critique: "A Job You Mostly Won't Know How to Do" by Pete Fromm returns is deftly crafted
novel about love, family tragedy, resiliency, and second chances. An thought-provoking and
unfailingly entertaining read from cover to cover, "A Job You Mostly Won't Know How to Do"
is unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library Contemporary Literary
Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "A Job You Mostly Won't
Know How to Do" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.33) and as a complete
and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781982683153, $29.95, MP3 CD).
The Road Home
Richard Paul Evans
Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl., New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com
9781501111822, $21.99, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Chicago celebrity and pitchman Charles James is supposed to be dead. Everyone
believes he was killed in a fiery plane crash, a flight he narrowly missed. But thanks to that
remarkable twist of fate, he's very much alive and ready for a second chance at life and love.
Escaping death has brought Charles some clarity: the money, the fame, the expensive cars; none
of it brought him true joy or peace. The last time he was truly happy was when he was married to
his ex-wife Monica, before their relationship was destroyed by his ambition and greed.
In the exciting and provocative 'Broken Road' trilogy by Richard Paul Evans that began with
"The Broken Road" and "The Forgotten Road", Charles is still on his pilgrimage across the
iconic Route 66 in "The Road Home". He intends to finish his trek from Amarillo to Santa
Monica, despite learning that his ex-wife is now planning to marry another man. With the initial
reason for his trip in jeopardy, he still has lessons to learn along the way before he discovers (and
arrives at) his true destination.
Critique: An absorbing and entertaining read from cover to cover, "The Road Home" continues
to reflect author Richard Paul Evans' genuine flair for originality and a distinctively reader
engaging narrative storytelling style. While unreservedly recommended for community library
Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The
Road Home" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99) and as a complete and
unabridged audio book (Simon & Schuster Audio, 9781508279105, $29.99, CD).
Elizabeth of Bohemia
David Elias
ECW Press
www.ecwpress.com
9781770414631, $16.95, PB, 360pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In October of 1612, King James I is looking to expand England's influence in Europe,
especially among the Protestants. He invites Prince Frederic of the Palatinate to London and
offers him his 16-year-old daughter Elizabeth's hand in marriage.
The fierce and intelligent Elizabeth moves to Heidelberg Castle, Frederic's ancestral home, where
she is favored with whatever she desires, and the couple begins their family. Amid much turmoil,
the Hapsburg emperor is weakened, and with help from Bohemian rebels, Frederic takes over
royal duties in Prague. Thus, Elizabeth becomes the Queen of Bohemia.
But their reign is brief. Within the year, Catholic Europe unites to take back the Hapsburg throne.
Defeated at the Battle of White Mountain, Frederic, Elizabeth, and their children are forced into
exile for a much-reduced life in The Hague. Despite tumultuous seasons of separation and
heartache, the Winter Queen makes every effort to keep her family intact.
Critique: This deftly crated historical novel by David Elias includes such contemporary figures
such as Shakespeare and Descartes as it dramatically recreates intrigue and conflict between
17th-century England and the other European nations. It is interesting to note that although a
novel, it is historical fact that Elizabeth's children would include Rupert of the Rhine and Sophia
of Hanover, from whom the Hanoverian line descended down to the present Queen Elizabeth II.
A wonderfully scripted and entertaining read from cover to cover, "Elizabeth of Bohemia" is
certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Historical
Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Elizabeth of Bohemia" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
The Tinderbox
Beverly Lewis
Bethany House Publishers
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton Road, Ada, MI 49301
www.bethanyhouse.com
9780764233098, $22.99, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: On the day before her Amish parents' twentieth wedding anniversary,
nineteen-year-old Sylvia Miller stumbles across the key to the old brass tinderbox her father
keeps in his Lancaster County watch repair shop. Piqued by curiosity, Sylvia unlocks the
cherished heirloom, not realizing that what she is about to discover will splinter apart her happy
life.
Once Sylvia overcomes her shock, she confronts her father about the contents of the box. To her
amazement, the respected convert to the Old Order admits that he is not fit to be a member of the
Hickory Hollow Amish church -- in fact, he never was.
Burdened by the weight of his deception, Earnest Miller reveals the details about his past to
Sylvia -- and to his wife, Rhoda. The long-kept secret alters everything for the close-knit family,
and when word of Earnest's deceit reaches others in the community, the truth pits Amish
neighbors against one another and threatens to dry up Earnest's livelihood -- as well as to break
up Sylvia's engagement to the preacher's grandson.
Can the Millers find a way forward through the turmoil to a place of forgiveness and
acceptance?
Critique: Yet another deftly crafted gem of a novel by Beverly Lewis, "The Tinderbox" is an
inherently riveting and thoroughly entertaining read from cover to cover. While especially
recommended for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be
noted for personal reading lists that "The Tinderbox" is also available in a paperback edition
(9780764232831, $15.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.42).
Clio Rising
Paula Martinac
Bywater Books
P.O. Box 3671, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106-3671
www.bywaterbooks.com
9781612941479, $16.95, PB, 310pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In 1983 Livvie Bliss decides to leave western North Carolina for New York City.
Armed with a degree in English and a small cushion of cash from a favorite aunt, her goal is to
launch a career in publishing, -- but also to live openly as a lesbian. A rough start makes Livvie
think she should give up and head home, but then a new friend helps her land a job at a literary
agency run by the formidable Bea Winston.
Bea hopes Livvie's Southern charm and boyish good looks will help her bond with one of the
agency's most illustrious clients -- the cranky Modernist writer Clio Hartt, an octogenarian
recluse who accomplished just one great novel. When Livvie becomes Clio's girl Friday and
companion, the plan looks like it's working: The two connect around their shared western North
Carolina heritage, and their rapport gives Clio support and inspiration to think about publishing
again.
But something isn't quite right with Clio's writing. And as Livvie learns more about Clio's
romantic relationship with playwright Flora Haynes, uncomfortable parallels emerge between
Livvie's own circle of friends and the drama-filled world of expatriate artists in Paris in the
1920s. In Clio's final days, the writer shares a secret that could upend Livvie's life -- and the
literary establishment.
Critique: A deftly crafted and impressively erudite novel by an author with a genuine flair for
originality and an exceptionally effective and reader engaging narrative storytelling style, "Clio
Rising" by Paula Martinac is a truly extraordinary and very highly recommended addition to both
community and academic library Contemporary Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted
for personal reading lists that "Clio Rising" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
Becoming Us
Robin Jones Gunn
Multnomah Books
c/o Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group
12265 Oracle Blvd., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com
9780735290754, $14.99, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Five young women, including beloved such author Robin Gunn characters such as
Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen, gather for a simple Christmas party and soon become unlikely
best friends. Told from the viewpoint of Emily, a timid young mom going through a difficult
season of life, the regular gatherings provide the much needed community she's longed for.
As the women begin sharing their life stories in "Becoming Us" they are endeared to each other
and find ways to challenge, encourage, and help each other become the nurturing mothers they
wished they'd had when they were growing up. They see themselves as Haven Makers and unite
to be remembered for what they do and not for what was done to them.
Critique: Another deftly crafted gem of a novel by accomplished author Robin Jones Gunn,
"Becoming Us" is certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community
library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists
of the legions of Robin Gunn fans that "Becoming Us" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $11.99). Of special interest for librarians is that "Becoming Us" is also available in a
large print edition (Thorndike Press, 9781432864804, $32.99, 432pp, Library Binding).
Smitten by the Brit
Melonie Johnson
St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.stmartins.com
9781250193056, $7.99, PB, 384pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: English professor Bonnie Blythe expects her life to play out like her favorite novels,
especially now that her long-term boyfriend has finally proposed. So when a shocking discovery
leads Bonnie to end her engagement, she decides to close the book on love. But the plot thickens
when a brand-new character enters the scene -- and quickens Bonnie's heart.
With his brilliant blue eyes, sexy accent, and irresistible charm, Theo Wharton is like a romantic
hero straight out of a Jane Austen novel. When fate places Bonnie in England for a summer
(conveniently close to Theo) she realizes a hot friends-with-benefits fling is exactly what she
needs to start a fresh chapter.
Just as Bonnie begins to believe she's falling in love, an eye-opening revelation into Theo's life
makes Bonnie feel like she's wandered into one of her favorite books. Will Bonnie have the
courage to risk her heart and turn the page with the dashing Brit to find her true happy ending
after all?
Critique: A wonderfully entertaining read from cover to cover by an author with a complete
master of the modern romance genre, Melonie Johnson's "Smitten by the Brit" will prove to be an
immediate and enduringly popular addition to personal reading lists and community library
Romance Fiction collections.
The Wonder of Lost Causes
Nick Trout
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
195 Broadway New York, New York 10007
www.harpercollins.com
9780062884305, $26.99, HC, 464pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Dr. Kate Blunt will do anything for her son, Jasper. Well, almost anything. Since
Jasper has the incurable lung disease cystic fibrosis, Kate's always told him he couldn't get a dog.
It's a tough call, but she's a single mom taking care of a kid who fights for every breath he
takes.
The daily medical routine that keeps Jasper alive is complicated enough. Worse still, Kate's
personal resolve runs contrary to her work as the veterinarian in charge of a Cape Cod animal
shelter, where she is on a mission to find forever homes for dogs in desperate need.
The scarred, mistreated wreck of a dog that turns up doesn't stand a chance. Named Whistler, he's
too old, too ugly. But the dog forms an instantaneous bond with Jasper. Whistler never makes a
sound, yet he speaks to Jasper in a myriad of mysterious ways. The clock's ticking, the dog's
future hangs in the balance, and Jasper would do anything to find him a home; but Whistler has
chosen them for a reason!
Critique: A heartfelt and deftly crafted read from beginning to end, "The Wonder of Lost Causes"
deftly showcases author Nick Trout's distinctive flair for originality and a narrative storytelling
style the engages the reader's fully entertained attention from beginning to end. While very highly
recommended, especially for community library Contemporary General Fiction collections, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Wonder of Lost Causes" is available in a
paperback edition (9780062747945, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
The Woman in Black
Erik Tarloff
Rare Bird Books
453 S. Spring Street, Suite 302, Los Angels, CA 90013
www.rarebirdbooks.com
9781947856974, $27.00, HC, 280pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Chance Hardwick, the star of the breakout film Plains and Hills, is widely considered
the greatest, most charismatic young movie actor of the postwar generation. However, his
meteoric rise to fame and his tragic demise have remained an inexplicable puzzle to all who
knew him, as well as to his millions of fans around the world.
But all these years later, famed producer and film historian Gordon Frost has gathered Chance's
family, friends, lovers, and colleagues (all the people who loved and loathed him) to tell his story
and try to come to terms with the elusive, unknowable figure who continues to haunt their lives.
The oral history he's pieced together uncovers the secret life of one of America's premier talents.
From Chance's humble Midwestern beginnings, to his time in New York as an acting student,
and finally his turn as a Hollywood icon, all the pieces fit together -- or so it would seem.
But who is Chance Hardwick really? And moreover, who is the mysterious woman watching
over his grave each year on the anniversary of his death?
Critique: An inherently engaging and thoroughly entertaining novel by an author with a genuine
and impressive flair for original and distinctive narrative storytelling, "The Woman in Black" by
Erik Tarloff will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community and academic library
Contemporary Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The
Woman in Black" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
In Another Life
C. C. Hunter
Wednesday Books
c/o St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.stmartins.com
9781250312273, $18.99, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Chloe was three years old when she became Chloe Holden, but her adoption didn't scar
her, and she's had a great life. Now, fourteen years later, her loving parents' marriage has fallen
apart and her mom has moved them to Joyful, Texas. Starting twelfth grade as the new kid at
school, everything Chloe loved about her life is gone. And feelings of deja vu from her early
childhood start haunting her.
When Chloe meets Cash Colton she feels drawn to him, as though they're kindred spirits. Until
Cash tells her the real reason he sought her out: Chloe looks exactly like the daughter his foster
parents lost years ago, and he's determined to figure out the truth.
As Chloe and Cash delve deeper into her adoption, the more things don't add up, and the more
strange things start happening. Why is Chloe's adoption a secret that people would kill for?
Critique: A riveting gem of a read from first page to last, "In Another Life" is a deftly crafted
novel by an author with an impressive flair for originality and a distinctive, reader engaging
narrative storytelling style. While very highly recommended, especially for community library
Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be note for personal reading lists that "In
Another Life" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
A Palm Beach Wife
Susannah Marren
St. Martin's Griffin
c/o St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.stmartins.com
9781250088918, $29.99, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Amid the glamour and galas and parties of Palm Beach, Faith knows that image often
counts as much if not more than reality. She glides effortlessly among the highest of the high
society so perfectly that you would never suspect she wasn't born to this. But it wasn't always so;
though she hides it well, Faith has fought hard for the wonderful life she has, for her loving,
successful husband, for her daughter's future.
In this town of secrets and gossip and rumors, Faith has kept a desperate grip on everything she
holds so dear, built from so little. And yet even she (the only one who knows just how far she has
to fall) never suspects from which direction, or how many directions all at once, betrayal will
come.
Critique: A superbly crafted and thoroughly entertaining read from first page to last, "A Palm
Beach Wife" showcases author Susannah Marren's impressive storytelling skills and flair for
deftly woven narratives. While very highly recommended, especially for community library
Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "A
Palm Beach Wife" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Moments We Forget
Beth K. Vogt
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
www.tyndale.com
9781496427281, $24.99, HC, 448pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Jillian Thatcher has spent most of her life playing the family peacemaker, caught in the
middle between her driven, talented older sister and her younger, spotlight-stealing twin sisters.
Then on the night of her engagement party, a cancer diagnosis threatens to once again steal her
chance to shine.
Now, Jillian's on the road to recovery after finally finishing chemo and radiation, but residual
effects of the treatment keep her from reclaiming her life as she'd hoped. And just when her
dreams might be falling into place, a life-altering revelation from her husband sends her reeling
again.
Will Jillian ever achieve her own dreams, or will she always be "just Jillian," the less-than
Thatcher sister? Can she count on her sisters as she tries to step into a stronger place, or are they
stuck in their childhood roles forever?
Critique: A superbly written novel by an author with a definitive flair for originality, the creation
of memorable characters, and the deftly crafting of a throughly reader engaging storyline from
first page to last, "Moments We Forget" is unreservedly recommended for community library
Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that
"Moments We Forget" is also available in a paperback edition (9781496427298, $15.99) and in a
digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
The Gardener of Eden
David Downie
Pegasus Books
148 West 37th Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.pegasusbooks.com
9781643130040, $25.95, HC, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: A mysterious beachcomber appears one day on the coastal bluffs near the small town
of Carverville, a place whose best days are long behind it. Who is he, and why has he returned
after nearly forty years?
Carverville's prodigal son, James, serendipitously finds work at a gentrified motel, but his
homecoming soon takes a sinister turn when he and a local teenager make a gruesome discovery
on the beach. It forces him to reckon with the ghosts of his past -- and the dangers of the present.
Rumors, distrust, and conspiracies spread among the townsfolk, all of them seemingly trapped in
their claustrophobic and isolated world. But is there something more sinister at work here than
the mere fear of outsiders?
Critique: David Downie's "The Gardener of Eden" is a deftly crafted and engagingly entertaining
novel about redemption, revenge, justice, love, and the eroding price of secrecy as a man and a
community grapple with tortured pasts and a frightening future. While certain to be an enduringly
appreciated addition to community library Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should
be noted for personal reading lists that "The Gardener of Eden" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $12.99).
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
The Rationing
Charles Wheelan
W.W. Norton
www.wwnorton.com
9781324001485, $26.95
The Rationing is an absorbing novel about a pathogen that sparks a plague in America. Unlike
other books about contagions, this one has a medical cure; but the nation's supplies of it aren't
adequate, forcing the White House to ration the medicine and decide who will get it. A blend of
surprising satire and fun dialogue is unexpectedly satisfying as the story considers political
involvements in life-or-death medical issues and the influence of foreign nations who have those
reserves at a steep cost. Charles Wheelan's involving focus on diplomatic and political
cat-and-mouse games proves avid, engrossing, and hard to put down: a satisfying adjunct to the
common approach to medical crises novels.
Dark Site
Patrick Lee
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250030795, $27.99, HC, 400pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: On an otherwise normal morning, former Special Forces operative Sam Dryden is the
target of an unsuccessful attempted abduction. Using his attacker's cellphone, he learns that
another person, a woman named Danica Ellis, is also being targeted. Dryden arrives just in time
to save Danica from the assault team sent after her. But neither of them recognize the other, or
have any idea why they are being targeted. The only clue is a heavily redacted, official-looking
document given to Danica by her stepfather before he was killed.
Dryden immediately recognizes it as a "scrub file." A scrub file is a record of what a subject
knew before their memories were chemically destroyed. The redacted document refers to
witnesses to a secret military site in Ashland, Iowa in 1989. Both Dryden and Danica Ellis lived
in Ashland in 1989, when they were both twelve years old, though neither of them has any
memory of the other.
Switching back and forth between the present day, when Dryden and Danica try to elude the
forces that are after them, and the past in Ashland, Iowa, when both were twelve, making a
discovery that forever changed their lives, this latest Sam Dryden novel proves yet again that
Patrick Lee is one of the most original, compelling thriller writers today.
Critique: A simply riveting read from first page to last, Patrick Lee's "Dark Site" is the author's
third title in his Sam Dryden series. An impressively crafted and original thriller by a master of
the genre, and highly recommended, especially for community library collections, it should be
noted for personal reading lists that "Dark Site" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$14.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Macmillan Audio, 9781427272508,
$50.99, CD).
Claws of the Cat
Susan Spann
Seventh Street Books
c/o Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633885448, $15.95, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: When in May of 1564 a samurai is brutally murdered in a Kyoto teahouse, master ninja
Hiro has no desire to get involved. But the beautiful entertainer accused of the crime enlists the
help of Father Mateo, the Portuguese Jesuit Hiro is sworn to protect, leaving the master shinobi
with just three days to find the killer in order to save the girl and the priest from execution.
The investigation plunges Hiro and Father Mateo into the dangerous waters of Kyoto's floating
world, where they learn that everyone from the elusive teahouse owner to the dead man's
dishonored brother has a motive to keep the samurai's death a mystery. A rare murder weapon
favored by ninja assassins, a female samurai warrior, and a hidden affair leave Hiro with too
many suspects and far too little time.
Worse, the ninja's investigation uncovers a host of secrets that threaten not only Father Mateo
and the teahouse, but the very future of Japan.
Critique: Now in a paperback edition, "Claws of the Cat" by Susan Spann is an extraordinary
mystery that is deftly set in feudal Japan and a part of her Hiro Hattori series of mystery novels.
A simply riveting and exceptionally entertaining read from cover to cover, "Claws of the Cat"
will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to both the personal reading lists of dedicated
mystery buffs and community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted that
"Claws of the Cat" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Susan Spann is the 2015 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' Writer of the Year and
the author of six other novels in the Shinobi Mystery series: Blade of the Samurai, Flask of the
Drunken Master, The Ninja's Daughter, Betrayal at Iga, Trial on Mount Koya, and Ghost of the
Bamboo Road. She has a degree in Asian Studies and a lifelong love of Japanese history and
culture.
Throw Me to the Wolves
Patrick McGuiness
www.patrickmcguinness.org.uk
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com
9781620401514, $27.00, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In the aftermath of Brexit, the body of a young woman is found by the river Thames,
and a neighbor, a retired teacher from Chapleton College, is arrested. An eccentric
loner-intellectual, shy, a fastidious dresser with expensive tastes-he is the perfect candidate for a
media monstering.
In custody he is interviewed by two detectives: the circumspect Ander, and his workaday foil,
Gary. Ander is particularly watchful now, because the man across the table is someone he
knows-someone he hasn't seen in nearly thirty years. Determined to salvage the truth as ex-pupils
and colleagues line up against the accused, he must face a story from decades back, from his own
time as a Chapleton student, at the peak of anti-Irish sentiment.
With the momentum of classic crime fiction, "Throw Me to the Wolves" follows two mysteries --
one unfolding in the media-saturated present, and the other bubbling up from the abusive past of
the 1980s English school system.
Critique: Written by an author with an impressive flair for originality and a reader engaging
narrative storytelling style, Patrick McGuiness' "Throw Me to the Wolves" is an inherently
riveting read that is laced with a dark humor, rending it a compulsively entertaining novel from
beginning to end. While unreservedly recommended for community library Contemporary
General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Throw Me to the
Wolves" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.92).
Editorial Note: Patrick McGuinness is a professor of French and comparative literature at Oxford
University. His first novel, The Last Hundred Days, was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize,
and his memoir, Other People's Countries won the Duff Cooper Prize and was shortlisted for the
PEN/Ackerley Prize. McGuinness lives in Oxford and Caernarfon, Wales. His author website is
www.patrickmcguinness.org.uk.
Murder with Cinnamon Scones
Karen Rose Smith
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street, Floor 21, New York, NY 10018-2522
www.kensingtonbooks.com
9781617739620, $7.99, PB, 544pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: As local merchants unite to attract tourists for a much anticipated weekend quilting
event, business is sure to spill over into eateries like Daisy's Tea Garden. Gorgeous craftwork is
hanging everywhere - but among the quilts, potholders, and placemats, one gallery owner is
wrapped up in some dangerous affairs . . .
Reese Masemer had been dating one of Daisy's employees, Tessa, an artist, though their last
interaction was as strained as a cup of loose leaf tea. Now Reese has been found dead near a
covered bridge where Tessa's been practicing her sketches. She's the obvious suspect, but Daisy's
learning that there were some major secrets in Reese's background, and several of his
relationships were infused with resentment. To save Tessa, she'll have to find out who's tainted
this quaint little town with murder .
Critique: Another deftly crafted gem of a mystery from a true master of the genre, "Murder with
Cinnamon Scones" by Karen Rose Smith is a riveting and entertaining read from first page to last
and unreservedly recommended for both community library Mystery/Suspense collections and
the personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs.
The Jean Harlow Bombshell
Mollie Cox Bryan
Midnight Ink
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125-2989
www.midnightinkbooks.com
9780738758695, $15.99, PB, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Justine Turner is a world-famous biographer of Hollywood stars. She's also Charlotte
Donovan's overbearing boss. So it comes as no surprise to Charlotte when Justine requests an
emergency meeting related to her latest in-progress biography. It is a surprise, though, when
Justine up and dies before their urgent discussion can begin.
In the wake of such a tragedy, all Charlotte wants to do is finish the Jean Harlow biography that
Justine had started. Instead, she finds herself in grave danger - stalked both online and in person
by a drop-dead Jean Harlow look-alike. Together with police sergeant Den Brophy, Charlotte
uncovers shocking revelations. But will these revelations be enough to catch the killer?
Critique: Another deftly crafted gem of a mystery novel by a gifted master of the genre, "The
Jean Harlow Bombshell" showcases author Mollie Cox Bryan's originality and distinctive, reader
engaging, narrative storytelling style. While certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular
addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal
reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs that "The Jean Harlow Bombshell" is also available in
a digital book format (Kindle, $10.44).
Editorial Note: Mollie Cox Bryan is the author of the Cora Crafts Mysteries and the Cumberland
Creek Mysteries. Her books have been selected as finalists for an Agatha Award and a Daphne
du Maurier Award and as a Top 10 Beach Reads by Woman's World. She has also been
short-listed for the Virginia Library People's Choice Award. Mollie is distantly related to Jean
Harlow!
Rag and Bone
Joe Clifford
Oceanview Publishing
1620 Main Street, Suite 11, Sarasota, FL 34236
www.oceanviewpub.com
9781608093267, $26.95, HC, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Having spent ten months on the run after he was framed for the murder of an
estate-clearing associate, handyman Jay Porter returns to his hometown of Ashton, New
Hampshire. During his time as a fugitive, he searched for a hard drive -- evidence that would put
his longtime nemeses Adam and Michael Lombardi behind bars. But he came up empty
handed.
Now he has nothing. No hard drive, no hope. He hasn't spoken to his ex-wife and son in almost a
year and he's broke. With his reputation tarnished and employment opportunities nonexistent, Jay
takes a charity assignment from old friend/flame Alison Rodgers and learns of a fire at Alison's
former rehab farm.
Jay is convinced that the Lombardis started a fire as a scare tactic to pressure Alison to sell. As
Jay begins to look into the origins of the fire, he hopes he will finally be able to put away his
enemies. But he soon discovers that evil isn't so easy to define, and that sometimes we need to
take the law into our own hands if we want justice.
Critique: Another deftly crafted novel and an inherently riveting read from beginning to end, by
an author with a genuine gift for originality, deftly scripted characters, and a distinctive narrative
storytelling style, "Rag and Bone" by Joe Clifford will prove to be an immediate and enduringly
popular addition to community library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists
that "Rag and Bone" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.95).
RED Hotel
Gary Grossman & Ed Fuller
Beaufort Books
27 West 20th Street, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10011
www.beaufortbooks.com
9780825308901, $26.95, HC, 532pp, www.amazon.cpom
Synopsis: When a bomb rips the facade off the Kensington Hotel in Tokyo, dozens are killed and
injured while one man walks calmly away from the wreckage, a coy smile playing on his
lips.
Former Army intelligence officer Dan Reilly, now an international hotel executive with high
level access to the CIA, makes it his mission to track him down. He begins a jet-setting search
for answers as the clock ticks down to a climactic event that threatens NATO and the very
security of member nations.
Reilly begins mining old contacts and resources in an effort to delve deeper into the motive
behind these attacks, and fast. Through his connections he learns that the Tokyo bomber is not
acting alone. But the organization behind the perpetrator is not who they expect.
Facilitated by the official government from a fearsome global superpower, the implications and
reasons for these attacks are well beyond anything Reilly or his sources in the CIA and State
Department could have imagined, and point not to random acts of terror, but calculated acts of
war. RED Hotel is an incredibly timely globe-trotting thriller that's fiction on the edge of
reality.
Critique: In an inherently riveting plot that could well be ripped from tomorrow's newspaper
headlines, "RED Hotel" showcases the effective collaboration between co-authors Gary
Grossman and Ed Fuller. While especially and unreservedly recommended for community library
Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "RED
Hotel" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.49) and as a complete and
unabridged audio book (Brilliance Audio, 9781978691605, $14.99, CD)
Whispers in the Wind
Veronica Giolli
Pace Press
c/o Linden Publishing
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721-9875
www.woodworkerslibrary.com
9781610353298, $14.95, PB, 226pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: When fraud investigator Sunny Davis returns to her childhood home (an Indian
reservation in Nevada), for her best friend Gina's funeral, and she finds that nothing is what it
seems.
Sunny can't believe that Gina would shoot herself in front of her young children. Gina's family is
disengaged and evasive. And when Sunny receives a psychic vision of Gina's brutal death and
senses that Gina's spirit is contacting her, she becomes determined to find the truth.
Sunny's investigation leads her deep into a complex mystery, her tribal culture's spiritual beliefs,
and the secrets that tore apart Gina's family and threaten her own.
Critique: In "Whispers in the Wind", author Veronica Giolli has deftly crafted a smart and tough
investigator who solves cases with equal parts deductive logic, psychic perception and spiritual
intuition, in a story that portrays grief, courage, and compelling insights into Native American
families.
A unique and inherently riveting read from first page to last, "Whispers in the Wind" will prove
to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense
collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs that
"Whispers in the Wind" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.19).
Editorial Note: Veronica Giolli's mystery stories have previously appeared in The Poison Pen.
She was a founding member of Writers of the Purple Sage Publishing Consortium in Reno,
Nevada. While living on a reservation Giolli acquired firsthand knowledge of tribal customs and
spiritual practices. This in part provided the inspiration to write Whispers in the Wind.
Have Your Ticket Punched by Frank James
Fedora Amis
Five Star Publishing
10 Water Street, Suite 310, Waterville, ME 04901
http://gale.cengage.com/fivestar
9781432851927, $25.95, HC, 311pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: After the Civil War, Frank and Jesse James earned fame as the most notorious robbers
of banks and trains who ever lived. When Jesse died in 1882 Frank went straight. November of
1898 found him punching tickets in a St. Louis theatre.
Against this backdrop, journalist Jemima "Jemmy" McBustle investigates the death of a
handsome athletic fellow. She chases leads through the boxing clubs and illegal bouts of 1898 St.
Louis.
Clues lure her across the city on a frantic chase from theatre to department store to the city jail to
the grand Jewish fair. She even explores the seedy world of patent medicine makers who
flourished in the years before the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 clamped down on the opiate
trade.
Critique: Another deftly crafted 'whodunnit' Victorian era mystery by a master of the genre,
Fedora Amis' "Have Your Ticket Punched by Frank James" is the second title in the outstanding
'Jemmy McBustle' series and will prove to be an extraordinary and enduringly popular addition to
community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists
of all truly dedicated mystery buffs who enjoy their novels to have more twists and turns than a
Disney Land roller coaster that "Have Your Ticket Punched by Frank James" is also available in
a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Chocolate a la Murder
Kirsten Weiss
Midnight Ink
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125-2989
www.midnightinkbooks.com
9780738757131, $15.99, PB, 312pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: It's Wine and Chocolate Days in San Benedetto, and paranormal museum owner
Maddie Kosloski has sweet dreams about her new Magic of Chocolate exhibit. Her latest
attraction is a haunted Mexican whisk called a molinillo that rattles if someone lies.
When Maddie visits the town's new boutique chocolate shop, she finds one of the owners dead
and covered in melted cocoa. Maddie's determined to catch the killer, and she soon uncovers
deadly dealings in the world of artisan chocolate. But the deception surrounding those dealings
are enough to make the molinillo rattle all night. Will Maddie have to temper her passion for
sleuthing before a killer makes her fate bittersweet?
Critique: A simply riveting read with more unexpected twists and unanticipated turns than a
Disney Land roller coaster, "Chocolate a la Murder" is author Kirsten Weiss' latest 'whodunnit'
mystery. Certain to be an enduringly popular addition to all community library Mystery/Suspense
collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that
"Chocolate a la Murder" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.59).
Read on Arrival
Nora Page
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781643850030, $26.99, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Septuagenarian librarian Cleo Watkins believes in gracious manners, sweet tea, and
justice - library justice. For over forty years, Cleo has tried every trick in the book to get
delinquent patron Dixie Huddleston to return the most overdue volume in Catalpa Springs,
Georgia. When Dixie says she'll finally relinquish the book, Cleo is shocked. She's even more
startled by the reason: superstitious Dixie says she's seen the signs: she's about to die and is
setting her affairs in order.
Cleo dismisses Dixie's ominous omens... until she and her gentleman friend, Henry Lafayette,
arrive at Dixie's home to find her dead. Cleo suspects murder. The police agree but promptly list
Cleo among the likely culprits. To clear her good name and deliver justice, Cleo uses her
librarian skills to investigate, with Henry and her trusty bookmobile cat, Rhett Butler, at her
side.
However, the killer has opened a new chapter of terror. Death threats appear around town, and
residents start seeing bad luck everywhere, including in Cleo and her beloved bookmobile Words
on Wheels. With her bookmobile and legacy on the line, Cleo accelerates her sleuthing. Suspects
and clues stack up, but so does the danger. Another death is coming due, and Cleo fears the killer
may be about to turn the final page on someone she loves most.
Critique: The second title in the 'Bookmobile Mystery' series by Nora Page, "Read on Arrival" is
a deftly crafted and terrifically entertaining 'whodunnit' page-turner of novel that will prove to be
an impressively popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should
be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Read on Arrival" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.69).
A Deadly Feast
Lucy Burdette
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781683319696, $26.99, HC, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Thanksgiving is nearly here, and Key West food critic Hayley Snow has just one more
assignment to put to bed for Key Zest magazine before she gets to celebrate with her family and
her police officer fiance, Nathan Bransford. Then, just days later, wedding bells will ring - if
death doesn't toll first.
The sweet potatoes and stuffing will have to wait when Hayley picks up a distraught phone call
from her friend, Analise Smith. On the last stop of a seafood tasting tour run by Analise, one of
the customers collapsed -- dead. With the police on the verge of shutting down the tour (and
ruining Analise's business) Hayley can hardly refuse her friend's entreaties to investigate.
As if wedding jitters and family strife weren't enough for Hayley to worry about, there's crusty
pastry chef Martha Hubbard, whose key lime pie may have been the murder weapon - but did she
poison her own pie or was she framed? As the hours to Turkey Day tick away, the pressure
cooker is on for Hayley to serve up the culprit on a silver platter!
Critique: "A Deadly Feast", is author Lucy Burdette's taste-tempting ninth title in her outstanding
'Key West Food Critic' mystery series and includes recipes along with a plot that has more twists
and turns than an Atlantic hurricane. While especially recommended for all community library
Mystery/Suspense collections, dedicated mystery buffs should be aware for their own personal
reading lists that "A Deadly Feast" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.99) and
as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781982628918, $29.95, MP3
CD).
Assaulted Caramel
Amanda Flower
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street, Floor 21, New York, NY 10018-2522
www.kensingtonbooks.com
9781496706393, $7.99, PB, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Bailey King is living the sweet life as assistant chocolatier at world-famous JP
Chocolates in New York City. But just when Bailey's up for a life-changing promotion, her
grandmother calls with news that her grandfather's heart condition has worsened. Bailey rushes to
Harvest, Ohio, where her grandparents still run Swissmen Sweets, the Amish candy shop where
she was first introduced to delicious fudge, truffles, and other assorted delights.
She finds her grandfather is doing better than she feared. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for
a local English developer, whom Bailey finds dead in the candy shop kitchen -- with Jebediah
King's chocolate knife buried in his chest.
Now the police are sweet on her grandfather as the prime suspect. Despite the sincere efforts of a
yummy deputy with chocolate-brown eyes, Bailey takes it on herself to clear Jebediah. But as a
cunning killer tries to fudge the truth, Bailey may be headed straight into a whole batch of
trouble!
Critique: Another true gem of a 'whodunnit' novel that launches author Amanda Flower's new
Amish Candy Shop Mystery series, "Assaulted Caramel" is a riveting page-turner of a read with
more twists and turns that a carnival roller coaster. An absolute 'must' addition to the personal
reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs, "Assaulted Caramel" is an especially recommended
addition to community library Contemporary Mystery/Suspense collections.
A Murderous Malady
Christine Trent
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781683319290, $26.99, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The London summer of 1854 is drawing to a close when a deadly outbreak of cholera
grips the city. Florence Nightingale is back on the scene marshaling her nurses to help treat
countless suffering patients at Middlesex Hospital as the disease tears through the Soho slums.
But beyond the dangers of the disease, something even more evil is seeping through the ailing
streets of London.
It begins with an attack on the carriage of Florence's friend, Elizabeth Herbert, wife to Secretary
at War Sidney Herbert. Florence survives, but her coachman does not. Within hours, Sidney's
valet stumbles into the hospital, mutters a few cryptic words about the attack, and promptly dies
from cholera. Frantic that an assassin is stalking his wife, Sidney enlists Florence's help, who
accepts but has little to go on save for the valet's last words and a curious set of dice in his jacket
pocket. Soon, the suspects are piling up faster than cholera victims, as there seems to be no end
to the number of people who bear a grudge against the Herbert household.
Now, Florence finds herself in a race against time -- not only to save the victims of a lethal
disease, but to foil a murderer with a disturbingly sinister goal!
Critique: A superbly crafted mystery novel by a master of the genre, Christine Trent's "A
Murderous Malady" is a terrifically entertaining read from first page to last. While very highly
recommended and certain to be an enduringly popular addition to community library
Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated
mystery buffs that "A Murderous Malady" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$10.69) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781982628833,
$29.95, MP3 CD).
Dead Man's Mistress
David Housewright
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250212153, $26.99, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Louise Wykoff is arguably the most recognizable woman living in Minnesota, known
for her presence in over one hundred paintings by the late and brilliant Randolph McInnis.
Louise, known better as "That Wykoff Woman", was just a young apprentice when her intimate
representation and the fact of the McInnis's marriage caused rumors to fly -- and Louise to hide
away for decades.
All of McInnis's paintings are in museums or known private collections, until Louise confesses to
having three more that no one has ever heard of -- and now they've been stolen!
Rushmore McKenzie, an occasional unlicensed private investigator, agrees to look into the theft.
As he investigates, following clues that appear far too straightforward, he finds himself on the
wrong side of the bars wondering if the trail might be deeper and darker than he's been led to
believe.
Hours away from St. Paul, deep in the nature of Grand Marais, the truth seems murkier - and
deadlier -- than usual.
Critique: A deftly crafted gem of a mystery, "Dead Man's Mistress" by David Housewright is a
riveting and entertaining read from first page to last. With more plot twists and turns than a
Disney Land roller coaster, "Dead Man's Mistress" will prove to be an enduringly popular
addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal
reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs that "Dead Man's Mistress" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
Murder from Scratch
Leslie Karst
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781683319535, $26.99, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Santa Cruz restaurateur Sally Solari's life is already boiling over as she deals with irate
cooks and other staffing issues at the busy Gauguin restaurant. The rainy December weather isn't
cooling things down, either. So she's steamed when her dad persuades her to take in Evelyn, her
estranged blind cousin whose mother has just died of a drug overdose.
But Evelyn proves to be lots of fun and she's a terrific cook. Back at the house she'd shared with
her mom, Evelyn's heightened sense of touch tells her that various objects (a bottle of cranberry
juice, her grandfather's jazz records) are out of place. She and her mom always kept things in the
same place so Evelyn could find them. So she suspects that her mother's death was neither
accident nor suicide, no matter what the police believe.
The cousins' sleuthing takes Sally and Evelyn into the world of macho commercial kitchens, and
the cutthroat competitiveness that can flame up between chefs. In Leslie Karst's scrumptious
fourth Sally Solari mystery, Sally will have to chop a long list of suspects down to size or end up
getting burned.
Critique: Another riveting 'whodunnit' novel by a master of the genre, Leslie Karst's "Murder
from Scratch" is a solidly crafted and unfailingly entertaining read from cover to cover. While
highly recommended for all community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted
for the 'don't miss this!' personal read lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "Murder from Scratch"
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $10.69).
The Dead of Achill Island
Betsy Draine & Michael Hinden
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor, Madison, WI 53711-2059
www.uwpress.wisc.edu
9780299323806, $24.95, HC, 216pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Art historian Nora Barnes and her husband, Toby Sandler, are visiting West Ireland for
a family reunion when during a morning walk through a deserted village on Achill Island, Nora
stumbles upon a body -- it's her notorious uncle Bert. When a clue singles out her mother as the
likely suspect, Nora and Toby are on the case to clear her name.
Whether in a barroom brawl or the sauna of a swingers' club, Toby has Nora's back. As they
search, the dead of Achill seem to speak from graveyards, ruined churches, and megalithic
tombs. A second murder makes it all the more difficult to connect the dots. And when Nora and
Toby become the next targets, their own survival is at stake!
Critique: A deftly crafted novel by two erudite masters of the genre, "The Dead of Achill Island"
by the writing team of Betsy Draine and Michael Hinden is a genuine page-turner of a novel that
will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library
Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of all dedicated
mystery buffs that "The Dead of Achill Island" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$11.99).
Paper Son
S. J. Rozan
Pegasus Books
148 West 37th Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10018
www.pegasusbooks.com
9781643131290, $25.95, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The Most Southern Place on Earth: is what they call the Mississippi Delta. But it's not
a place that Lydia Chin, an American-born Chinese private detective from Chinatown, NYC,
ever thought she'd have reason to go. But when her mother tells her a cousin Lydia didn't know
she had is in jail in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and that Lydia has to rush down south and get him
out, Lydia finds herself rolling down Highway 61 with Bill Smith, her partner, behind the
wheel.
From the river levees to the refinement of Oxford, from old cotton gins to new computer scams,
Lydia soon finds that nothing in Mississippi is as she expected it to be. Including her cousin's
legal troubles -- or possibly even his innocence. Can she uncover the truth in a place more
foreign to her than any she's ever seen?
Critique: An impressively original, exceptionally compelling, deftly crafted, and thoroughly
entertaining read from first page to last, "Paper Son" showcases author S. J. Rozan's literary
talents and master of the mystery/suspense genre complete with more unexpected plot twists and
turns than a Disney Land roller coaster. While unreservedly and enthusiastically recommended,
especially for community library collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of
all dedicated mystery buffs that "Paper Son" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$12.99).
Blade of the Samurai
Susan Spann
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250027054, $26.99, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In June, 1565, master ninja Hiro Hattori receives a pre-dawn visit from Kazu, a fellow
shinobi working undercover at the shogunate. Hours before, the shogun''s cousin, Saburo, was
stabbed to death in the shogun's palace. The murder weapon: Kazu's personal dagger. Kazu says
he's innocent, and begs for Hiro's help, but his story gives Hiro reason to doubt the young
shinobi's claims.
When the shogun summons Hiro and Father Mateo, the Portuguese Jesuit priest under Hiro's
protection, to find the killer, Hiro finds himself forced to choose between friendship and personal
honor.
The investigation reveals a plot to assassinate the shogun and overthrow the ruling Ashikaga
clan. With Lord Oda's enemy forces approaching Kyoto, and the murderer poised to strike again,
Hiro must use his assassin's skills to reveal the killer's identity and protect the shogun at any
cost.
Kazu, now trapped in the city, still refuses to explain his whereabouts at the time of the murder.
But a suspicious shogunate maid, Saburo's wife, and the shogun's stable master also had reasons
to want Saburo dead. With the shogun demanding the murderer's head before Lord Oda reaches
the city, Hiro and Father Mateo must produce the killer in time -- or die in his place.
Critique: Attention all dedicated mystery buffs, if you only have time for one novel then make it
"Blade of the Samurai" by Susan Spann. A deftly crafted and multilayered historical mystery set
in sixteenth-century Japan, "Blade of the Samurai" has more unexpected plot twists and turns
than a Disney Land roller coaster. While certain to be an enduringly popular addition to
community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists
that "Blade of the Samurai" is also available in a paperback edition (Seventh Street Books,
9781633885462, $15.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
A Shattered Lens
Layton Green
Seventh Street Books
c/o Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633885387, $15.95, PB, 344pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Annalise Stephens Blue has plans to become a world-famous filmmaker. As she begins
filming an expose of her small town called Night Lives, she uncovers more than she bargained
for: on the very first night of filming, she stumbles upon a murder in the woods, and flees the
scene steps ahead of the killer.
Detective Joe "Preach" Everson is called to investigate. The victim, David Stratton, is the town's
golden boy and high school quarterback. A modern version of what Preach used to be. Not only
that, the boy's mother is Claire Lourdis, a beautiful divorcee who Preach fell for in high
school--as well as the main suspect in her son's murder.
As Preach delves into the secrets lurking beneath the surface of the town and searches for the
missing girl who may have witnessed the crime, he must put his own feelings aside and pursue
the answer to a terrible question: is a mother capable of murdering her own child?
Critique: Another deftly crafted gem of a mystery novel by an author with a distinctive narrative
storytelling style that engages the reader's rapt attention from first page to last, Layton Green's
latest Detective Peach novel, "A Shattered Lens" is unreservedly recommended, especially for
community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists
of all dedicated mystery buffs that "A Shattered Lens" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
The Knowledge
Martha Grimes
Atlantic Monthly Press
c/o Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
154 West 14th Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10011
www.groveatlantic.com
9780802128010, $26.00, HC, 368pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Robbie Parsons is one of London's finest, a black cab driver who knows every street,
every theater, every landmark in the city by heart. In his backseat is a man with a gun in his hand
-- a man who brazenly committed a crime in front of the Artemis Club, a rarefied art
gallery-cum-casino, then jumped in and ordered Parsons to drive. As the criminal eventually
escapes to Nairobi, Detective Superintendent Richard Jury comes across the case in the Saturday
paper.
Two days previously, Jury had met and instantly connected with one of the victims of the crime,
a professor of astrophysics at Columbia and an expert gambler. Feeling personally affronted, Jury
soon enlists Melrose Plant, Marshall Trueblood, and his whole gang of merry characters to
contend with a case that takes unexpected turns into Tanzanian gem mines, a closed casino in
Reno, Nevada, and a pub that only London's black cabbies, those who have "the knowledge," can
find.
Critique: The latest little gem of a mystery in author Martha Grimes' Richard Jury mystery series,
"The Knowledge" is a riveting great read from cover to cover. A deftly crafted novel with more
plot twists and turns than a Disney Land roller coaster, "The Knowledge" is unreservedly
recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of all dedicated mystery buffs that "The Knowledge" is also available in a
paperback edition (Grove Press, 9780802129253, $16.00) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$10.45).
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Star Trek Next Generation: Available Light
Dayton Ward
Gallery Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
www.simonandschuster.com
9781982113278, $16.00
Star Trek Next Generation: Available Light outlines the dilemma faced by Captain Jean-Luc
Picard when a covert organization is exposed and scandal embraces not only them but officers
including admirals and Picard himself. Political intrigue and space adventure blend in an
absorbing story highly recommended for any prior Star Trek enthusiast.
Timestorm
Gordon R. Dickson
Baen
www.baen.com
9781481483919, $16.00
Timestorm takes place after a time storm devastates Earth and destroys much of humanity. Three
survivors join forces to stop the devastation and uncover the nature of the time storm, but
unbeknownst to them, the storm is destroying not just the planet, but the whole universe. These
three may be the only force that can stop it. A fine story emerges that will particularly delight
fans of hard sci-fi.
The Amateurs
Liz Harmer
http://www.lizharmer.com
Vintage Canada
c/o Penguin Random House
www.penguinrandomhouse.ca
9780345811257, $15.50
Readers of post-apocalyptic fiction who are interested in an original story set in the near future
will find The Amateurs a satisfying blend of romance and apocalyptic disaster as a space-time
Port leads not just to the past or future, but to dilemmas nobody could have imagined. Too many
are not returning from these new worlds, and as the population plummets and the grid fails, artist
Marie maintains faith that her lover, one of those who have vanished, will someday return to her.
This moving, different story is hard to put down.
The Gordian Protocol
David Weber & Jacob Holo
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
www.baen.com
9781481483964, $27.00, HC, 512pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Doctor Benjamin Schroder was far from a man of action. In fact, he was a history
teacher (Chairman of the Castle Rock University history department) and if his life wasn't
perfect, it was close. Until, that is the discussion of his star student Elzbieta Abramowski's
dissertation on Operation Oz, the Pacific Allies' invasion of Vladivostok, staged through
occupied Japan to meet their Imperial German allies, was brutally interrupted.
The psychotic episode that turned his entire world upside down struck with absolutely no
warning, and it was more terrifying than anything he should have been able to imagine, leaving
him with a complete, incredibly detailed set of false, nightmare "memories". Not just of his own
life, but of an entire, ghastly world in which Operation Oz had never happened. In which millions
of helpless civilians had been systematically slaughtered in "extermination camps" that were
horrific beyond belief. In which there was still a Soviet Union. In which the Chinese Communists
had succeeded, the Korean Peninsula had been permanently divided, thousands of nuclear
warheads had spread their deadly threat across the entire Earth, and the Middle East was a
festering sore of bloodshed, fanaticism, and terrorism.
The knowledge that those false memories had come from somewhere inside his own psyche was
terrible, but with the help of Commander Abramowski, a highly decorated Navy fighter pilot
who'd been forced to deal with her own PTSD after crippling combat wounds invalided her out
of service, he's put his life back together. With Elzbieta's support, he's learned to deal with the
nightmares, to recognize that they are only nightmares that can't (and won't) be permitted to rule
his life.
Until, that is, a lunatic named Raibert Kaminski knocks on his door one afternoon with an
impossible and horrifying story about alternate realities, time travel, temporal knots, and more
than a dozen doomed universes which must inevitably die if the temporal storm front rushing
towards the distant future isn't stopped. He has to be lying, of course. Or completely insane. But
what if he's not a madman after all? What if he's actually telling the truth?
That possibility is the most terrifying thing of all. Because if he is, the false memories aren't false
after all, and that other world is just as real as the one Schroder has always known. And if that's
true, Benjamin Schroder is about to become the greatest mass murderer in human history,
because he has to choose. Whether he acts or refuses to act, Benjamin Schroder is the one man
who will decide which universe lives and which dies, along with every star system, every galaxy
(and every single human being ) in it -- including the woman he's discovered he loves more than
life itself!
Critique: A successful collaboration between the legendary science fiction author David Weber
and writer, gamer, hobbyist, and engineer Jacob Holo, "The Gordon Protocol" is a deftly crafted
and riveting great read from cover to cover. While unreservedly recommended for community
library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of
all dedicated science fiction fans that "The Gordon Protocol" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $7.39).
Radicalized
Cory Doctorow
Tor Books
c/o Tor/Forge Books
120 Broadway, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10271
www.tor-forge.com
9781250228581, $26.99, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Radicalized" is a timely collection consisting of four SF novellas by Cory Doctorow
that are connected by social, technological, and economic visions of today and what America
could be in the near, near future.
Unauthorized Bread is a tale of immigration, the toxicity of economic and technological
stratification, and the young and downtrodden fighting against all odds to survive and
prosper.
In Model Minority, a Superman-like figure attempts to rectify the corruption of the police forces
he long erroneously thought protected the defenseless...only to find his efforts adversely affecting
their victims.
Radicalized is a story of a darkweb-enforced violent uprising against insurance companies told
from the perspective of a man desperate to secure funding for an experimental drug that could
cure his wife's terminal cancer.
The fourth story, Masque of the Red Death, harkens back to Doctorow's Walkaway, taking on
issues of survivalism versus community.
Critique: Inherently engaging and deftly crafted science fiction 'what if' stories that have their
seeds in today's newspaper headlines and contemporary social issues ranging from the effects of
everything from financial inequality, the health insurance industry, the militarization of the
civilian police, and more, "Radicalized" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular
addition to community library Science Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal
reading lists of dedicated science fiction fans that "Radicalized" is also available in a paperback
edition (9781250229250, $16.99), and in a digital book format (Kindle, $13.99).
The Western Fiction Shelf
Death Came Calling
Adam Smith
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444839463, $20.99, PB, Large Print, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Sheriff Ray Cairney is sure something untoward is going on in Bristow, and that Curtis
Waring, bank manager and town council leader, is behind it. The arrival of two gunslingers and
the subsequent turn of events convince Cairney his hunch was right - but how to prove it? Those
involved are rich and powerful, and he is just one man. That, however, won't stop him. The brutal
murder of an entire family gives Cairney the evidence he will need to bring justice to Bristow -
but it will be a long, hard, lethal journey.
Critique: Once again with "Death Came Calling", author Adam Smith has deftly crafted an
original and riveting read that will hold special appeal to all dedicated western action/adventure
fans. This large print edition from the Linford Western Library will prove to be an immediate and
enduringly popular addition to personal reading lists and community library collections alike --
and leave Adam Smith's fully entertained readers looking eagerly toward his next thrilling, gun-
blazing western!
Pirates Of The Desert
C. J. Sommers
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444840469, $20.99, PB, Large Print, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The locals call the sand dunes of the Arizona Territory southland a white ocean. One
man, Barney Shivers, carries the comparison a little further when he orders his men to attack any
freight shipping that he does not control, and steal the goods on board -- just in the fashion of sea
borne pirates would a ship. But one little old lady, Lolly Amos, objects to the resulting corruption
that increases the price of sugar! So she contracts her nephew, Captain Parthenon Downs of the
Arizona rangers, to fight back and take down these land pirates and whoever is behind them.
Downs eagerly takes on the challenge -- but little does he realize that his decision will draw him
into a war against two bands of competing pirates!
Critique: Author C. J. Sommers is a master of the western action/adventure genre and with
"Pirates Of The Desert" has deftly crafted another riveting read with more plot twists than a
Disney Land roller coaster. This large print edition of "Pirates Of The Desert" is unreservedly
and enthusiastically recommended for the personal reading lists of dedicated western fans and the
Western Fiction collections of community libraries everywhere!
Friends Call Me Bat
Paul Colt
Five Star Publishing
10 Water Street, Suite 310, Waterville, ME 04901
http://gale.cengage.com/fivestar
9781432855017, $25.95, HC, 237pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: William Barclay "Bat" Masterson lived a truly extraordinary life that would become
legendary to succeeding generations. If the stories about him weren't true, no one would believe
it. Bat Masterson lived the West when the West was wild. But his true significance in Western
history remains largely unknown to days western fans.
His story includes encounters some of the West's most deadly gunfighters and dangerous
desperados. He counted among his friends a veritable "Who's Who" in old West history. He
ultimately walked away from his Western adventures to live out the last twenty years of his life
as a sportswriter for a New York daily newspaper.
A work of fiction solidly grounded in historical fact, "Friends Call Me Bat" by Paul Colt is his
story and those of his friends as he might have told them -- complete with an otherworldly twist
at the end!
Critique: A terrifically entertaining and deftly crafted western novel by an author with a genuine
gift for originality and a reader engaging narrative storytelling style, "Friends Call Me Bat" by
Paul Colt will prove to be an immediate and exceptionally popular addition to community library
Western Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Friends Call Me
Bat" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Run Masked
Jake Douglas
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444840117, $20.99, PB, Large Print, 248pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Brock Chase and Jake Cash are neighbors and friends, helping each other 'prove up'
their homesteads on time. There are plenty of others like them in Cannon Valley, except for the
fact that the areas of land belonging to each of the men are coveted by a murderous sheriff when
a gold nugget is found by Brock. The trouble begins when Brock calls out the sheriff's card shark
brother for cheating at cards and proves to be a little faster on the draw, killing the crooked
gambler. Framed for murder, first Brock and then Jake must start running with a 'shoot on sight'
order issued by the sheriff to his posse. It becomes a case of run, run and run some more, to stay
one step ahead and trying to correct the slander that threatens to lose them their claims -- and
their lives!
Critique: A straight forward western by a gifted writer, "Run Masked" will hold the reader's rapt
attention right up to the final page -- but leaving him with the wish that author Jake Douglas had
gone a couple of chapters further before ending the novel as he did. Still, "Run Masked" is a
great read and this large print edition is highly recommended for personal reading lists and
community library western fiction collections.
Hell Paso
Matt Cole
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444840100, $20.99, PB, Large Print, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Morgan Latimer is a drifter, riding through the West trying to escape his past, and
especially trouble. During his travels, he is forced to take shelter in a cave as a massive dirt storm
plunges him into darkness. After it passes, Latimer overhears a scuffle breaking out between a
man and a woman at a nearby creek. Not one to sit back and watch a woman be assaulted, he
intervenes - and immediately realizes he has found the trouble he was trying to avoid -- and that
trouble includes an attempted shotgun wedding, a lethal feud between to hostile family clans, and
a sinister force in the background determined to keep the feud going until an obscure goal is
reached.
Critique: Another gem of an original and entertaining western by a past master of the genre, this
large print edition of Matt Cole's "Hell Paso" is very highly recommended for personal reading
lists and community library collections alike.
Sixgun Doom
Bradford Scott
Sagebrush Large Print
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781785416798, $29.99, PB, Large Print, 186pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In "Sixgun Doom" by Bradford Scott we findTexas Ranger Walt Slade (who is also
known south of the border as El Halcon -- the Hawk) rides into the troubled town of El Paso to
aid the local sheriff in halting a series of savage raids by a gang leader with an uncanny ability to
slip away unscathed from any gunfighting scrap. Can Slade with the aid of the sheriff and his
deputies, and Slade's own knife-wielding Mexican sidekick bring peace to the land and justice to
the outlaws and their diabolical leader?
Critique: A solidly entertaining western with the flavor of those old 1940s westerns with such
heroes as Lash Larue, Hoppalong Cassidy, and Tex Riter, "Sixgun Doom" by Bradford Scott in
this thoroughly 'reader friendly' large print edition is unreservedly recommended for both
personal reading lists and community library Western Fiction collections.
The Architecture Shelf
Balkrishna Doshi: Architecture for the People
Khushnu Hoof, et al.
Vitra Design Museum
c/o Distributed Art Publishers
155 Sixth Avenue, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10013-1507
www.artbook.com
9783945852316, $85.00, HC, 400pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Balkrishna Doshi is one of India's most influential architects, renowned for his
harmonious designs that merge the formal language of classical modernism with Indian building
traditions and local craft skills. Always designed with a sensitivity to the social, environmental
and economic conditions of a given commission or site, Doshi's architecture honors the past
while at the same time accommodating the rapidly changing conditions and needs of modern
India.
Doshi has designed more than 100 buildings (educational and cultural institutions, public
buildings, private residences and low-income housing projects among them) and has taught
scores of students over the course of his 60-year career, a career distinguished by a sense of
responsibility and dedication to the country and communities he has served.
"Balkrishna Doshi: Architecture for the People" presents the first comprehensive survey of this
groundbreaking architect's oeuvre in over 20 years. With a complete overview of all of Doshi's
projects, it provides insights into the inspiration behind his work and the background to his
projects through essays written by outstanding experts in the field.
This richly illustrated, coffee-table sized volume is further supplemented by an interview with the
architect, an illustrated biography and new photographs that document the impressive timeliness
of the Indian master's buildings.
Critique: Offering a wealth of expertly organized and presented information, commentary, and
images, "Balkrishna Doshi: Architecture for the People" is impressively organized and presented.
Showcasing a remarkable body of work, this extensive and instructive study if unreservedly
recommended for personal, professional, corporate, community, and academic library
Contemporary Architecture collections and supplemental studies lists.
Editorial Note: Balkrishna Doshi (born 1927) began his architecture studies in 1947 before
working with Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn in Chandigarh and Ahmedabad. He founded his own
practice, Vastu Shilpa Consultants, in 1956, combining the lessons he learned from this earlier
generation of architects with an understanding of Indian architectural traditions. In 2018, Doshi
became the first-ever Indian winner of the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize.
The Library Science Shelf
Practical Knowledge and Information Management
Katharine Schopflin & Matt Walsh
Facet Publishing
www.facetpublishing.co.uk
9781783303366, $178.07, HC, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Practical Knowledge and Information Management" by Katharine Schopflin and
matt Walsh provides a practical guide to implementing knowledge and information initiatives in
the workplace. Drawing on case studies from practitioners in a range of different work
environments, it outlines best practice, pitfalls and advice on a range of topics, including making
the business case, audits, establishing communities of practice, building knowledge bases and
knowledge capture.
Many workplaces have moved from providing research support to knowledge services. "Practical
Knowledge and Information Management" will help librarians and information managers provide
those services, to improve existing techniques for knowledge sharing and capture and to help
transition from the more traditional library model.
The individual chapters are based on case studies drawn from across the knowledge management
community in the UK, Ireland and North America. Although not an edited collection, "Practical
Knowledge and Information Management" draws on contributions from workplaces in both the
public and private sectors, including law, finance, Government, non-profit, academic and
business.
"Practical Knowledge and Information Management" will be useful reading for information
professionals with responsibility for knowledge and information management activity and will
suit both experienced professionals, those new to the area, and students on relevant courses/new
professionals looking to increase their knowledge.
Critique: Exceptionally well organized and presented, impressively informative and enhanced
with the inclusion of an Afterword (The Future of Knowledge and Information Management),
"Practical Knowledge and Information Management" is an extraordinary and unreservedly
recommended addition to professional, community, corporate, college, and university Library
Science & Information Management collections and supplemental studies curriculum reading
lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academics, librarians, corporate
data managers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Practical
Knowledge and Information Management" is also available in a paperback edition
(9781783303359, $94.99).
Editorial Note: Katharine Schopflin is an information professional with more than 20 years'
experience. She has worked in sectors ranging from media to government and in a range of
information and knowledge management roles. She teaches regularly on MA LIS courses and
publishes regularly in both trade and academic journals. She is the editor of A Handbook for
Media Librarians and author of A Handbook for Corporate Information Professionals.
Matt Walsh is Global Knowledge Manager at Pearson. With 16 years' experience as knowledge
and information management professional, Matt has worked in a variety of different
organizations including public and private sector to deliver successful KM and IM solutions.
The American History Shelf
Wyatt Earp & Bat Masterson: Lawmen of the Legendary West
Bill Markley
TwoDot
www.rowman.com
9781493035670, $16.95
Wyatt Earp & Bat Masterson: Lawmen of the Legendary West is a contrast in history and
considers which lawman did the most to tame the West. It blends biography with historical
events and comes from an author who has long been a researcher of Western lore and affairs. As
chapters outline and contrast each lawman and his lasting impact, they consider US marshal and
law enforcement positions, duties and challenges, relationships with locals and Native Americans
alike, and the investigations conducted by Wyatt and Bat in the course of fulfilling their duties.
The result is more than a contrast in personalities: it's a close consideration of the historical
impact of two men and their role as law enforcers and provides American history readers with a
solid inspection.
Strange, Amazing, and Funny Events that Happened During the Revolutionary War
Jack Darrell Crowder
Clearfield
c/o Genealogical Publishing Company
www.genealogical.com
9780806358833, $30.00
Strange, Amazing, and Funny Events that Happened During the Revolutionary War is highly
recommended for history buffs who already have a basic familiarity with the era, but who want a
quirky set of insights based on a kind of history that doesn't usually make the history books.
From events at the Battle of Black Mingo in which an attempted surprise was thwarted by the
noisy hooves of horses crossing a bridge to a commoner spy, Sally Salter, who entered the
enemy's camp during battle with a basket of eggs to sell, taking inventory of the Tory camp
during the Battle of Tory Hole. Even avid researchers of the times will appreciate the attention to
details often omitted from the annals of American history in this accessible, appealing
collection.
Civic Pioneers
Gretchen Dykstra
www.gretchendykstra.com
Wise Ink Creative Publishing
807 Broadway St. NE, Suite 46, Minneapolis, MN 55413
https://wiseink.com
9781634892087, $16.95, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: At the turn of the 20th century, when industrialization, urbanization, and immigration
were radically changing the face of America, an activist government was taking root across the
nation. Innovative public servants fought to meet the needs of ordinary people who didn't have
access to the benefits afforded by wealth and power.
From a lonely champion of Native American children in Oklahoma to a postal
clerk-turned-police chief in Berkeley, "Civic Pioneers: Local Stories from a Changing America
1895-1915" by Gretchen Dykstra (who has worked in and around local government for more than
twenty years in New York City, growing to respect people who devote their professional lives to
the everyday needs of ordinary people) tells the dramatic tales of how these individuals, both
heroic and flawed, shaped the country for generations to come.
Critique: A unique approach to American political history, an unabashed salute to the men and
women who worked as dedicated public servants for the benefit of their communities and the
nation as a whole, and a work of fact that reads with all the narrative smoothness of a fiction
novel, "Civic Pioneers: Local Stories from a Changing America 1895-1915" is an informative
and inherently engaging read from cover to cover. Meticulously researched, impressively written,
exceptionally well organized and presented, "Civic Pioneers" will prove to be an immediate and
enduringly popular addition to both community and academic library American History
collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of
students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Civic
Pioneers" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.99).
Brigham Young and the Expansion of the Mormon Faith
Thomas G. Alexander
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
www.oupress.com
9780806162775, $29.95, HC, 416pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: As president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Utah's first
territorial governor, Brigham Young (1801-77) shaped a religion, a migration, and the American
West. He led the Saints to Utah, guided the establishment of 350 settlements, and inspired the
Mormons as they weathered unimaginable trials and hardships. Although he generally succeeded,
some decisions, especially those regarding the Mormon Reformation and the Black Hawk War,
were less than sound.
"Brigham Young and the Expansion of the Mormon Faith" is a new biography by historian
Thomas G. Alexander (who is Lemuel Hardison Redd Jr. Professor Emeritus of Western
American History at Brigham Young University) that draws on a lifetime of research to provide
an evenhanded view of Young and his leadership.
Following the murder in 1844 of church founder Joseph Smith, Young bore a heavy
responsibility: ensuring the survival and expansion of the church and its people. Alexander
focuses on Young's leadership, his financial dealings, his relations with non-Mormons, his
families, and his own deep religious conviction.
"Brigham Young and the Expansion of the Mormon Faith" addresses such controversial issues as
the practice of polygamy (Young himself had fifty-five wives), relations and conflicts between
Mormons and Indians, and the circumstances and aftermath of the horrific events of Mountain
Meadows in 1857. Although Young might have done better, Alexander argues that he bore no
direct responsibility for the tragedy.
Young relied on the counsel of his associates, and at times, the Mormon people pushed back to
prevent him from implementing changes. In some cases, such as polygamy and the doctrine of
blood atonement, the church leadership eventually rejected his views. Yet on the whole, Brigham
Young emerges as a multifaceted human figure, and as a prophet revered by millions of LDS
members, an inspired leader who successfully led his people to a distant land where their
community expanded and flourished.
Critique: A meticulously detailed and documented historical studies of Brigham Young and his
influence on American history as the leader of the Mormon migration and colonization of the
west, "Brigham Young and the Expansion of the Mormon Faith" by Professor Thomas G.
Alexander is an extraordinary volume that is unreservedly recommended for both community and
academic library 19th Century American History, Mormon History, and 19th Century American
Biography collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in
the subject that "Brigham Young and the Expansion of the Mormon Faith" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $19.04).
The Frontier Army
R. Eli Paul, editor
South Dakota Historical Society Press
900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SC 57501-2217
https://www.sdhspress.com
9781941813218, $29.95, HC, 184pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Romanticized scenes of heroic soldiers fighting on the vast plains are strewn
throughout early chronicles of the old frontier army. Such interpretations rarely convey the
complex truth or reality of the day-to-day existence of the soldiers or of the American Indians on
whose land the battles took place. As new documents surface, coupled with increased digital
access for scholars, in-depth examinations of the army's role during this time in United States
history are moving forward.
Under the direction of editor R. Eli Paul, contributors to "The Frontier Army: Episodes from
Dakota and the West" present new primary sources and fresh interpretations of the Regular Army
in the West in fitting tribute to the careers of Thomas R. Buecker and John D. ( Jack )
McDermott. Centering on military conflicts and postings around present-day South Dakota and
in the Black Hills between 1854 and 1890, the contributors highlight the diverse experiences of
those associated with the American frontier army and the people they fought on the Great
Plains.
Observations formed by studying personal letters, recorded memories, and contemporary
monuments provide an analysis of how the army and its soldiers are remembered today.
Firsthand accounts give previously ignored groups a voice, and readers learn more about
lesser-known actors foot soldiers, minorities, and others on the periphery of popular history.
Individually, the essays bring much needed context to this era; together, they present a more
complete picture of those confronted with and involved in the nineteenth-century mission of
expansion and control.
Critique: A seminal and outstanding work of collaborative scholarship that includes a listing of
the contributors and their credentials, as well as a ten page Index, "The Frontier Army: Episodes
from Dakota and the West" is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to both
community and academic library 19th Century American History collections and supplemental
studies reading lists.
The Civil War Shelf
The Most Desperate Acts of Gallantry
Daniel T. Davis
Savas Beatie
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611214116 $14.95 pbk. amazon.com
Synopsis: On June 25, 1876, Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer led the 7th U.S. Cavalry into the
valley of the Little Bighorn. By sunset, Custer and five of his companies lay dead - killed in
battle against Sioux and Cheyenne warriors.
Through the passage of time, Custer's last fight has come to overshadow the rest of his military
career, which had its brilliant beginning in the American Civil War.
Plucked from obscurity by Maj. Gen. George McClellan, Custer served as a staff officer through
the early stages of the war. His star began to rise in late June, 1863, when he catapulted several
grades to brigadier general and was given brigade command. Shortly thereafter, at Gettysburg
and Buckland Mills, he led his men - the Wolverines - in some of the heaviest cavalry fighting of
the Eastern Theater.
At Yellow Tavern, Custer's assault broke the enemy line, and one of his troopers mortally
wounded the legendary Confederate cavalryman, J.E.B. Stuart. At Trevilian Station, his brigade
was nearly destroyed. At Third Winchester, he participated in an epic cavalry charge. Elevated to
lead the Third Cavalry Division, Custer played a major role at Tom's Brook and, later, at
Appomattox, which ultimately led to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia.
Historian Daniel T. Davis, a long-time student of George Custer, has spent countless hours
walking and studying the battlefields where Custer fought in Virginia, Maryland, and
Pennsylvania. In The Most Desperate Acts of Gallantry, he chronicles the Civil War experiences
of one of the most recognized individuals to emerge from that tragic chapter in American
history.
Critique: The Most Desperate Acts of Gallantry: George A. Custer in the Civil War is a scholarly
examination of Custer's military service during the American Civil War, a phase of his life that is
nowhere near as well-known in the public consciousness as his notorious end at Little Bighorn.
Researched with scholarly precision, yet thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds, The
Most Desperate Acts of Gallantry chronicles Custer's meteoric rise in rank, and the valiant
assaults he led. A wealth of black-and-white photographs enrich this seminal contribution to
public and library Civil War shelves, highly recommended.
The Civil War from Its Origins to Reconstruction
James S. Pula
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476674117, $49.95, PB, 334pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The period of Sectionalism, Civil War and Reconstruction was the most traumatic era
in American history. The outcome changed the foundations of the nation, with effects still felt
today.
While most Civil War histories focus on specific topics (military history, economics, politics)
"The Civil War from Its Origins to Reconstruction" by James S. Pula presents the narrative as it
unfolded against a broader historical background. Drawing on direct quotations from actual
participants, Professor Pula provides an interpretive overview of the issues and events that
divided and then devastated the United States.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The Civil War from Its Origins to
Reconstruction" provides an impressive overview of the American Civil War. Of special note is
the final chapter on 'The Legacy of Sectionalism, Civil War and Reconstruction'. Enhanced with
ten pages of Chapter Notes, a four page Bibliography, and a five page Index, "The Civil War
from Its Origins to Reconstruction" is a strongly recommended addition to the personal reading
lists of dedicated Civil War History buffs, as well as community, college, and university library
American Civil War collections.
Editorial Note: James S. Pula is a Professor of History at Purdue University Northwest and editor
of Gettysburg Magazine. He is the author of numerous books, his work has been honored with
the Mieczyslaw Haiman Award for sustained scholarly contributions to Polish American history
and culture, he has received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Council for
Polish Culture, and has been awarded three Oskar Halecki Prizes for various books, and the
Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, among others.
British Blockade Runners in the American Civil War
Joseph McKenna
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476676791, $49.95, PB, 217pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Perhaps more than all the campaigns of the Union armies, it was the Union naval
blockade which, covering all major Southern ports along 3,500 miles of coastline for the duration
of the war, was key to bringing down the Confederacy. The daring exploits of Confederate
blockade runners are well known with many of them being British citizens operating out of
neutral ports such as Nassau, Havana and Bermuda.
Focusing on British involvement in the war, "British Blockade Runners in the American Civil
War" by Joseph McKenna (who is a former senior assistant librarian in the Central Library,
Birmingham, England) is history names the overseas bankers and manufacturers who, in critical
need of cotton and other Confederate exports, financed and equipped the fast little ships that ran
the blockade. The author attempts to disentangle the names and aliases of the captains (many of
whom were Royal Navy officers on temporary leave) and tells their stories in their own
words.
Critique: A unique and exceptionally informative contribution to the growing library of
American Civil War histories, "British Blockade Runners in the American Civil War" is an
information packed and nicely illustrated study that is unreservedly recommended for personal,
community, college, and university library American Civil War collections and supplemental
curriculum studies reading lists.
The Vicksburg Assaults, May 19-22, 1863
Steven E. Woodsworth & Charles D. Grear, editors
Southern Illinois University Press
1915 University Press Drive, SIUC Mail Code 6806, Carbondale, IL 62901
www.siupress.com
9780809337194, $29.50, HC, 136pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: After a series of victories through Mississippi early in the spring of 1863, General
Ulysses S. Grant's Army of the Tennessee had reached the critical point in its campaign to
capture Vicksburg. Taking the city on the hill would allow the Union to control the Mississippi
River and would divide the Confederacy in half. Confederate morale was low, and a Union
victory in the war appeared close before the start of Grant's assault against General John C.
Pemberton's Army of Mississippi.
But due to difficult terrain, strong defenses, and uncoordinated movements, the quick triumph
Grant desired was unattainable. On the afternoon of May 19, with little rest, preparation, or
reconnaissance, Union forces charged the Confederate lines only to be repulsed. A respite
between the assaults allowed both sides to reinforce their positions. Early on May 22 the Union
artillery sought to soften the stronghold's defenses before the general attack, but despite the
Union forces' preparation, the fighting proved even more disorganized and vicious. Again Grant
failed to move Pemberton. Not wanting to risk more soldiers in a third attack, Grant conceded to
the necessity of laying siege. Confederate morale climbed as the Southerners realized they had
held their ground against an overwhelming force.
In "The Vicksburg Assaults, May 19-22, 1863", the editorial team of Steven E. Woodworth and
Charles D. Grear have assembled five captivating essays that examine Grant's unsuccessful
assaults against Confederate defensive lines around Vicksburg. Ranging from military to social
history, the essays further historical debates on prominent topics, such as the reactions of
Midwesterners to the first failures of Grant's Vicksburg campaign. Two essays from opposing
sides analyze the controversial decisions surrounding the Railroad Redoubt, the site of the
bloodiest fighting on May 22. Another investigates how the tenacity of Texan reinforcements
forced Union soldiers to abandon their gains.
Peppered with first-hand observations and bolstered by an impressive depth of research, this
anthology is an invitingly written account and comprehensive assessment. By zeroing in on the
two assaults, the contributors offer essential clarity and understanding of these important events
within the larger scope of the Civil War's Vicksburg Campaign.
Critique: Certain to be an enduringly valued and appreciated contribution to the growing library
of American Civil War histories, "The Vicksburg Assaults, May 19-22, 1863" is an extraordinary
and exceptionally well presented compendium of five erudite and informative studies that are
further enhanced for academia with illustrations, a listing of the contributors and their
credentials, and a four page index, making it a critically essential and core addition to the
personal reading lists of Civil War buffs, as well as both community and academic American
Civil War collections and supplemental studies curriculums.
Editorial Note: Steven E. Woodworth, a professor of history at Texas Christian University, is the
author or editor of more than thirty books, including This Great Struggle: America's Civil War,
Nothing but Victory: The Army of the Tennessee, 1861-1865, and Jefferson Davis and His
Generals: The Failure of Confederate Command in the West. He is a co-editor of the Civil War
Campaigns in the West series.
Charles D. Grear, a professor of history at Central Texas College, is the author or editor of eight
books, including The Tennessee Campaign of 1864, Why Texans Fought in the Civil War, and
The House Divided: America in the Era of the Civil War & Reconstruction. He is a co-editor of
the Civil War Campaigns in the West series.
Civil War Myths and Legends
Michael R. Bradley
The Globe Pequot Press
246 Goose Lane, Suite 200, Guilford, CT 06437
www.globepequot.com
9781493039760, $18.95, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In the pages of this newly updated and expanded second edition of "Civil War Myths
and Legends: The True Stories behind History's Mysteries" by Michael R. Bradley (who is a
professor, he is a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Southern Historical Association,
American Association of University Professors, and the Society for Military History) readers will
learn of the American Civil War's most eerie occurrences, spooky events, unsolved mysteries,
and myths and legends related and debunked.
From the legend of the Yankee "human shield" behind Nathan Bedford Forrest's saddle, to the
unexplained sinking of the Hunley, "Civil War Myths and Legends", and so much more makes
civil war history a fascinating study as it pulls back the curtain on some of the most fascinating
and compelling stories of the war that almost tore America apart.
Critique: Offering a unique and impressively informative approach to Civil War studies, "Civil
War Myths and Legends: The True Stories behind History's Mysteries" will prove to be an
enduringly popular and valued addition to personal, community, college, and university library
American Civil War collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists -- and should be on the
'must read' lists for every dedicated Civil War history buff!
The Judicial Studies Shelf
Common Law and Natural Law in America
Andrew Forsyth
Cambridge University Press
One Liberty Plaza, Fl. 20, New York, NY 10006
www.cambridge.org
9781108476973, $110.00, HC, 168pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Common Law that body of law derived from judicial decisions of courts and similar
tribunals. Natural Law is a philosophy asserting that certain rights are inherent by virtue of
human nature, endowed by nature, God, or some other transcendent source, and that these can be
understood universally through human reason
Speaking to today's flourishing conversations on both law, morality, and religion, and the
religious foundations of law, politics, and society in America, "Common Law and Natural Law in
America: From the Puritans to the Legal Realists" by Andrew Forsyth (Lecturer in the
Department of Religious Studies, Yale University) is an ambitious re-assessment of the varied
American interactions of 'common law' and 'natural law'.
"Common Law and Natural Law in America" offers a counter-narrative to the dominant story of
common law and natural law by drawing widely from theological and philosophical accounts of
natural law, as well as primary and secondary work in legal and intellectual history. With
consequences for today's natural-law proponents and critics alike, Professor Forsyth deftly
explores the thought of the Puritans, Revolutionary Americans, and seminal legal figures
including William Blackstone, Joseph Story, Christopher Columbus Langdell, Oliver Wendell
Holmes, and the legal realists.
Critique: An inherently fascinating and impressively informative work of remarkably detailed
and documented scholarship, "Common Law and Natural Law in America: From the Puritans to
the Legal Realists" is an extraordinary and very highly recommended addition to community,
college, and university library Judicial History Studies collections and supplemental curriculum
lists. For the personal reading lists of students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with
an interest in the subject it should be noted that Common Law and Natural Law in America" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $88.00).
The Death of the Rule of Law
Paul Singh
Science Literacy Books
www.scienceliteracybooks.com
9781949454079, $65.95, HC, 424pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: A companion to Dr. Paul Singh's "Guilty at Gunpoint" (9781949454062, $74.95 HC;
9780997054187, $24.95 PB; $14.67 Kindle, 326pp), "The Death of the Rule of Law" is a case
study for law students interested in pursuing Criminal Law. It provides a candid look at what
future lawyers will be facing in the real world of criminal justice.
A 'must read' for anyone wanting to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes, as well as
those interested in the point of view on the part of the defendant, and most especially anyone
wearing rose-colored glasses when it comes to our criminal justice system.
"The Death of the Rule of Law" provides a wealth of specific exhibits with irrefutable evidence
to prove Dr. Singh's claims -- and cites various laws and books by top-level insiders to show how
laws were broken by corrupt prosecutors whose only objective was to further their careers.
Critique: A seminal and critically important study, "The Death of the Rule of Law" is
unreservedly recommended as a core addition to community, college, university, graduate law
school, and prison Contemporary Judicial & Criminology Studies collections and supplement
curriculum reading lists. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of law students,
academia, social activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"The Death of the Rule of Law" is also available in a paperback edition (978-0997054194,
$22.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.65).
Editorial Note: Paul Singh is a biochemist, mathematician, surgeon-physician, a Urogynecologis,
and the founder and president of Singh Global initiatives, a philanthropic organization that
promotes health and science education worldwide. His lifelong passion is bringing scientific
literacy to the public for the benefit of humanity and alleviating suffering caused by poverty,
disease, and incurable illnesses. He is the co-author of "Discovering Our World" and the author
of "The Great Illusion" and "The Seduction of Religion".
The Agriculture Shelf
Holistic Management Handbook
Jody Butterfield, Sam Bingham, Allan Savory
Island Press
2000 M St NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20036
www.islandpress.org
9781610919760, $35.00, PB, 264pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Holistic management is a systems-thinking approach developed by biologist Allan
Savory to restore the world's grassland soils and minimize the damaging effects of climate
change and desertification on humans and the natural world. This newly updated and expanded
third edition of "Holistic Management Handbook: Regenerating Your Land and Growing Your
Profits" was deftly crafted under the direction of Savory's longtime collaborator Jody Butterfield,
and is key to developing a comprehensive holistic land plan based on Savory's principles that will
help you to restore health to your land and ensure a stable, sustainable livelihood from its
bounty.
"Holistic Management Handbook" accessibly explains the planning procedures described in
Holistic Management, and offers step-by-step instructions for running a ranch or farm using a
holistic management approach. Butterfield and her coauthors describe how to use the handbook
in conjunction with the textbook to tailor a management plan for your unique combination of
land, livestock, and finances. Their mantra is "plan, monitor, control, and replan." Using a
four-part approach, the authors walk readers through basic concepts and techniques, help them
put a plan onto paper, monitor the results, and adjust the details as needed. Appendixes provide
updated worksheets, checklists, planning and monitoring forms, and detailed examples of typical
scenarios a user might encounter. The handbook includes a comprehensive glossary of
terms.
Critique: Unreservedly recommended for personal, community, corporate, college, and university
library Agriculture, Agronomy, Soil Science, and Environmental Engineering collections and
supplemental studies lists, "Holistic Management Handbook" will prove to be of special and
practical interest for the personal reading lists of ranchers, farmers, pastoralists, social
entrepreneurs, government agencies, and NGOs working to address global environmental
degradation.
Editorial Note: Jody Butterfield is a former journalist specializing in agriculture and the
environment. She is a cofounder of the Savory Institute. Sam Bingham, a Savory Network
Accredited Educator, is the author of five books and numerous articles on the land and the people
who make a living from it. Allan Savory is a former wildlife biologist and farmer who conceived
of and developed Holistic Management. He is a cofounder and President of the Savory
Institute.
The Political Science Shelf
Voting for Us
Joshua A. Douglas
Prometheus Books
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633885103, $18.00
Voting for Us: How to Take Back Our Elections and Change the Future of Voting is just the
ticket for these troubled times: a call to action to support a better democratic process by rejecting
ennui and hopelessness and replacing it with an approach that returns the power of the vote to the
American public. The author is a professor at the University of Kentucky College of Law,
interested in constitutional voting rights, and has written a case book of law stories about election
laws in the past. This book supplements the prior effort by focusing on an approach that blends
historical precedent with new ideas on how to foster American voting rights and return a feeling
of empowerment to the process. No political issues collection should be without this book, which
also should be an intrinsic part of any American high school student's political debate
materials.
The Great Lie
F. Flagg Taylor IV
ISI Books
3901 Centerville Road, Wilmington, DE 19807-1938
www.isibooks.org
9781935191360, $30.00, PB, 698pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Totalitarianism was the dominant phenomenon of the twentieth century and lead
directly to two world wars and the subsequent 'Cold War'. Deeply troubling questions endure
regarding the nature of such tyrannical regimes: What enabled human beings to carry out such
horrific crimes against their fellow man? What does the endurance of Communism reveal about
human liberty? Why did human beings suffer rule by ideological lies for so long, and what kept
them open to the truth? What are we to make of the relationship between totalitarianism and the
foundational principles of democratic modernity?
Some of the greatest minds of the twentieth century sought answers to these haunting questions.
Now, for the first time ever, their incisive and profound reflections on totalitarianism have been
brought together in one volume. Compiled and edited by Flagg Taylor (Assistant Professor of
government at Skidmore College) "The Great Lie: Classic and Recent Appraisals of Ideology and
Totalitarianism" showcases the insights of such giants as Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Vaclav Havel,
Hannah Arendt, Eric Voegelin, Czeslaw Milosz, Leo Strauss, and Raymond Aron, along with
neglected but important thinkers such as Waldemar Gurian, Aurel Kolnai, Leszek Kolakowski,
Pierre Manent, Claude Lefort, and Chantal Delsol. The thirty-six brilliant essays comprising
volume collectively illuminate the very nature of totalitarian regimes, and the monstrous ideology
that is their defining feature.
"The Great Lie" allows readers to make sense of political evil and how it can attract so many
people into its ideological fold. This is not a matter of mere academic interest in an age when we
confront totalitarianism in such regimes as North Korea and Cuba -- and, arguably, in radical
Islamist movements and the current American presidency.
Critique: An impressive body of meticulously presented scholarship that is as exceptionally
informed and informative as it is insightful, thoughtful and thought provoking, "The Great Lie:
Classic and Recent Appraisals of Ideology and Totalitarianism" is a particularly timely and
valued contribution to our on-going national dialogue with respect to the survival of our
American style democracy against authoritarian and totalitarian movements at home and abroad.
Enhanced for academia with the inclusion of sixteen pages of Notes, a three page listing of
Sources and Permissions, a five page listing of the contributors and their credentials, and a fifteen
page Index, "The Great Lie" is unreservedly recommended for both community and academic
library Political Science & History collections, as well as the personal reading lists of students,
political scientists, political reform activists, governmental policy makers, and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject.
Women of Westminster
Rachel Reeves
I. B. Tauris Publishers
www.ibtauris.com
9781788312202, $27.00, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In 1919 Nancy Astor was elected as the Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton,
becoming the first woman MP to take her seat in the House of Commons. Her achievement was
all the more remarkable given that women (and even then only some women) had only been
entitled to vote for just over a year.
In the past 100 years, a total of 491 women have been elected to Parliament. Yet it was not until
2016 that the total number of women ever elected surpassed the number of male MPs in a single
parliament.
The achievements of these political pioneers have been remarkable -- Britain has now had two
female Prime Ministers and women MPs have made significant strides in fighting for gender
equality from the earliest suffrage campaigns to Barbara Castle's fight for equal pay to Harriet
Harman's recent legislation on the gender pay gap.
Yet the stories of so many women MPs have too often been overlooked in political histories. In
"Women of Westminster: The MPs who Changed Politics", Rachel Reeves brings forgotten MPs
out of the shadows and looks at the many battles fought by the female British MPs from 1919 to
2019.
Critique: Now even more timely with the resignation of Theresa May from the post of Britain's
Prime Minister, "Women of Westminster: The MPs who Changed Politics" is an extraordinary
and unreservedly recommended addition to both community and academic library British
Political Science and 20th Century Women's History collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Women of Westminster" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$23.09) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance Audio, 978-1799700951,
$14.99, CD).
Divided Politics, Divided Nation
Darrell M. West
Brookings Institution Press
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036-2188
www.brookings.edu
9780815736912, $24.99, HC, 234pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The United States is caught in a partisan hyperconflict that divides politicians,
communities -- and even families. Politicians from the president to state and local office-holders
play to strongly-held beliefs and sometimes even pour fuel on the resulting inferno. This
polarization has become so intense that many people no longer trust anyone from a differing
perspective.
Drawing on his personal story of growing up as a fundamentalist Christian on a dairy farm in
rural Ohio, then as an academic in the heart of the liberal East Coast establishment, Darrell West
(Vice President and Director of Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution in Washington,
DC) analyzes the economic, cultural, and political aspects of polarization in "Divided Politics,
Divided Nation: Hyperconflict in the Trump Era". He takes advantage of his experiences inside
both conservative and liberal camps to explain the views of each side and offer insights into why
each is angry with the other.
West argues that societal tensions have metastasized into a dangerous tribalism that seriously
threatens U.S. democracy. Unless people can bridge these divisions and forge a new path
forward, it will be impossible to work together, maintain a functioning democracy, and solve the
country's pressing policy problems.
Critique: A valued, insightful, thoughtful and thought-provoking contribution to our current and
on-going political discussion with respect to the polarization of the electorate and its implications
for the survival of our American style democracy, "Divided Politics, Divided Nation:
Hyperconflict in the Trump Era" should be considered a very high priority addition to both
community and academic library Contemporary Political Science collections and supplemental
studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, political activists, and non-specialist
general readers with an interest in the subject that "Divided Politics, Divided Nation:
Hyperconflict in the Trump Era" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $2.99).
War and the Rogue Presidency
Ivan Eland
The Independent Institute
100 Swan Way, Oakland, CA 94621-1428
www.independent.org
9781598133226, $27.95, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In "War and the Rogue Presidency: Restoring the Republic after Congressional
Failure", Ivan Eland shows that almost immediately after the nation's founding, starting with the
first presidency of George Washington, the executive's role in defense and foreign policy began
expanding past what the framers of the Constitution had envisioned.
The Constitution enshrined Congress as the dominant branch of government, giving Congress,
not the President, most of the powers in defense and foreign policy. "War and the Rogue
Presidency" is comprehensive study that shows how the presidential aggrandizement of greater
powers has only been possible because of congressional abdication. However, this expansion of
the executive's role was still relatively contained until the Cold War when undeclared, permanent
war became ongoing policy, and then the post-9/11 war on terror dramatically expanded the
President's role. Such expansion has had deleterious effects on U.S. foreign policy abroad, as
well as a major erosion of the republic, its security at home, and the liberties of American
citizens.
"War and the Rogue Presidency" provides an in-depth examination of the history of the
congressional-executive tug-of-war over U.S. security policy and why reclaiming constitutional
standards is essential to restore both an effective national defense and civil and economic
liberties. To get Congress to do that, Dr. Eland presents ways in which internal congressional
incentives could be changed to provide motivation for legislative push-back.
As a result, "War and the Rogue Presidency" suggests important actions Congress could take for
such a push-back along with other reforms that would effectively rein in the rogue
presidency.
Critique: A timely and extraordinary contribution to the current on-going national discussion
over separation of powers with respect to our Federal government, "War and the Rogue
Presidency: Restoring the Republic after Congressional Failure" is a critically important and
unreservedly recommended addition to both community and academic library Contemporary
Political Science collections -- as well as a 'must read' study for political activists and non-
specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.
The Art Shelf
Calligraphy and Lettering: A Maker's Guide
Victoria & Albert Museum
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500294307, $29.95, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Located in London, England, the Victoria and Albert Museum is the world's leading
museum of art, design, and performance, housing a permanent collection of over 2.3 million
objects that span over 5,000 years of human creativity.
Calligraphy (along with brush lettering, sign writing, and the chalkboard) is undergoing a surge
in popularity. Examples of beautiful lettering and penmanship are all around us, and all over
Instagram, depicted on book covers, posters, and invitations.
Perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about calligraphy and lettering, this practical
introduction showcases many examples from the Victoria and Albert Museum's massive
collection, and will offer a new understanding and appreciation of letterforms.
Detailed instructions, complete with sample alphabets, lead you through the essentials of classic
styles such as Gothic and Italic lettering, on to vintage- inspired sign writing and chalkboard
design and even into the elegant, image-led worlds of illuminated capitals and zoomorphic
calligraphy. Projects include a handmade booklet, banner, menu, gift tags, a monogram rubber
stamp, greetings cards, and more.
Lettering often has a decorative as well as informative function, and with Calligraphy and
Lettering and a bit of practice, it is possible for anyone to elevate their message, whatever it may
be, into a personalized piece of art.
Critique: Beautifully illustrated, deftly organized, and thoroughly 'user friendly' in presentation
and style, "Calligraphy and Lettering: A Maker's Guide" is an ideal introduction for the novice
and will have continuing value as an instructional reference for experienced calligraphers. The
perfection 'how to' instructional guide, "Calligraphy and Lettering: A Maker's Guide" is
unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library
Calligraphy and Hand-Lettering reference collections.
The Graphic Flower
Michael B. Emery & Iriwn Richman
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764357268, $34.99, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "The Graphic Flower: Ray Flowers and Roses in American Art and Culture" by the
collaborative team of Michael B. Emery (who the site administrator of Cornwall Iron Furnace)
and Irwin Richman (who works with the Landis Valley Associates, a private group dedicated to
forwarding the aims of the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum) beautifully showcases
America's favorite flora -- the homey ray flowers, a tribe featuring daisies, sunflowers,
chrysanthemums, dahlias, coneflowers, and black-eyed-Susans, combined with the elegant,
multifaceted rose.
Critique: Profusely illustrated with images drawn from seed packets, advertising, period photos,
as well as American and European works of art, "The Graphic Flower" is a compendium of
memorable images are combined with an informed and informative commentary on the history
and romance of America's favorite flowers. Offering a beautifully illuminated and impressively
illuminating experience for the reader, "The Graphic Flower is unreservedly recommended as an
addition to personal, community, and academic library collections.
Watercolor Pencil Guide and Workbook
Madison R. Smolsky
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764357367, $19.99, PB, 80pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: With Madison Smolsky's "Watercolor Pencil Guide and Workbook" aspiring artists
will discover their artistic talents with this guide to practicing and expanding their watercolor
pencil techniques. For beginners as well as experienced artists wanting to explore a new medium,
"Watercolor Pencil Guide and Workbook" includes an introduction that covers the basics,
explains techniques, and offers tips and tricks to help you achieve your visions. The 62 full-page
outline drawings also allow learners to practice the techniques of their choice, including
gradients; shading; color theory; techniques using salt, coffee grounds, alcohol, and sugar water;
and dry brushing. Of special note is that when printed on watercolor paper, the images can be
removed from the book for painting and framing. The images comprising "Watercolor Pencil
Guide and Workbook" cover a variety of themes, including animals, seasons, nautical motifs,
food, faces, and many others.
Critique: Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Watercolor Pencil Guide
and Workbook" is an ideal textbook for beginning art classes and will prove to be a prized and
popular addition to personal, community, and art school library collections.
Draw 62 Magical Creatures and Make Them Cute
Keegyum Kim
Quarry Books
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartous.com
9781631596827, $19.99, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In "Draw 62 Magical Creatures and Make Them Cute: Step-by-Step Drawing for
Characters and Personality For Artists, Cartoonists, and Doodlers", Heegyum Kim takes aspiring
artists and cartoonists on a magical journey to expand their character-building skills as she shows
how to draw each creature, from simple shapes to identifying marks, and then shares several
other options for varying a design.
Aspiring artist and cartoonists will be able to change the view, the character's posture, their
features, or their expression as well as use the open spaces throughout this book to create their
own fantastic variations of each one.
Whether it's a gremlin, a gargoyle, a hobgoblin, or unicorn aspiring artists and cartoonists will be
inspired by the fascinating characters of this collection. Fresh, modern, and unexpected, there is
not a more enjoyable way to practice graphic illustrations and expand imaginations.
Critique: Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Draw 62 Magical
Creatures and Make Them Cute: Step-by-Step Drawing for Characters and Personality *For
Artists, Cartoonists, and Doodlers" is an ideal art instruction guide and manual that is
unreservedly recommended for personal and community library collections, as well as an art
school curriculum supplemental studies textbook.
Editorial Note: Heegyum Kim is a professional graphic designer and illustrator. She holds a
Master of Science in Communication Design from Pratt Institute and is the author of two
illustrated books featuring Mr. Fox, the charming and humorous character whose activities and
musings drive her popular Instagram account and make her followers giggle, as do a menagerie
of other delightful animal friends. She is also the author and illustrator behind the Draw 62 series
of books, which provide step-by-step instructions for drawing different types of cute characters.
Those who are interested can follow her drawing adventures on her web site at:
www.instagram.com/hee_cookingdiary
The Technology Shelf
3D Printing: An Introduction
Stephanie Torta and Jonathan Torta
Mercury Learning
www.merclearning.com
9781683922094, $49.95
3D Printing: An Introduction provides all levels of learners with a basic overview of 3D printing
technology in various industries, examining printers, software, and different applications. Color
examples and illustrations accompany instructions for setting up a 3D printer, understanding
common problems, applying basic 3D print principles to various projects, and understanding
basic technology and design specifics. From various kinds of 3D printers and their pros and cons
to completing a first print job and modifying settings, this book blends technical savvy with
practical real-world applications and reinforces all with an accompanying companion disc of files
in common formats. The result is a basic primer especially recommended for those with some
basic computer savvy who want to get up to speed in the 3D environment.
NASA Mission AS-506 Apollo 11 Owners' Workshop Manual
Christopher Riley & Philip Dolling
Haynes Publishing UK
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartoknows.com
9781785215926, $36.95, HC, 216pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: On 20 July 1969, US astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men
to walk on the moon. "NASA Mission AS-506 Apollo 11 Owners' Workshop Manual" is the
illustrated story of the Apollo 11 mission and the 'space hardware' that made it all possible. This
exceptionally informative manual looks at the evolution and design of the mighty Saturn V
rocket, the Command and Service Modules, and the Lunar Module. The manual also describes
the space suits worn by the crew and their special life support and communications systems.
Interested readers will learn about how the Apollo 11 mission was flown - from launch
procedures to 'flying' the Saturn V and the 'LEM', and from moon walking to the earth re-entry
procedure.
Critique: This new edition of the "NASA Mission AS-506 Apollo 11 Owners' Workshop
Manual" celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing and is unreservedly
recommended for personal, community, and academic library collections.
Practical ESM Analysis
Sue Robertson
Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
www.artechhouse.com
9781630815288, $143.00, HC, 328pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Sue Robertson is a defense consultant with more than 20 years of experience in ESM
analysis and system optimization. In "Practical ESM Analysis" she draws upon her decades of
experience and expertise to provide an authoritative resource for students and technicians
involved with electronic warfare with a complete instructional textbook that considers radar
parameters and how they affect ESM systems.
"Practical ESM Analysis" describes the ESM environment, including types of radar, pulse
density, the latest radar developments and how they will be seen by ESM systems. Different
types of ESM systems are described, with methods of calculation of Direction of Arrival (DOA)
of pulses.
Conventional wisdom about RF scan strategies for narrow-band receivers will be challenged and
new methods (proven to be effective in trials) will be proposed. "Practical ESM Analysis" also
describes ESM Antenna separation, which plays a significant part in the generation of DOA
errors, with examples of the effects for different situations.
Critique: Expertly organized and presented, "Practical ESM Analysis" is an comprehensive and
unreservedly recommended textbook and should be considered a core addition to college and
university library Electronic Warfare collection and supplemental studies curriculum lists. It
should be noted for students, academia, corporate ESM engineers, that "Practical ESM Analysis"
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $135.85).
Lithium-Ion Battery Failures in Consumer Electronics
Ashish Arora, et al.
Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
www.artechhouse.com
9781630816032, $139.00, HC, 238pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The collaborative work of lithium battery experts Ashish Arora, Sneha Arun Lele,
Noshirwan Medora, and Shukri Souri, "Lithium-Ion Battery Failures in Consumer Electronics" is
comprehensive resource that specifically caters to system designers who are looking to
incorporate lithium ion (li-ion) batteries in their applications.
Detailed discussion of the various system considerations that must be addressed at the design
stage to reduce the risk of failures in the field is presented. "Lithium-Ion Battery Failures in
Consumer Electronics" also includes technical details of all state-of-the-art Li-on energy storage
subsystems and their requirements, and provides a system designer a single resource detailing all
of the common issues navigated when using Li-ion batteries to reduce the risk of field
failures.
Further more, "Lithium-Ion Battery Failures in Consumer Electronics" details the various
industry standards that are applicable to the subsystems of Li-ion energy storage systems and
how the requirements of these standards may impact the design of their system.
Checklists are included to help readers evaluate their own battery system designs and identify
gaps in the designs that increase the risk of field failures. "Lithium-Ion Battery Failures in
Consumer Electronics" is packed with numerous examples of issues that have caused field
failures and how a proper design/assembly process could have reduced the risk of these
failures.
Critique: A complete and ideal textbook on the subject, "Lithium-Ion Battery Failures in
Consumer Electronics" is enhanced with the inclusion of a ten page Glossary, a two page listing
of the authors and their credentials, and a three page Index, and a two page listing of recent
Artech House titles in the field of Power Engineering. Expertly and professionally organized and
presented, "Lithium-Ion Battery Failures in Consumer Electronics" is unreservedly recommended
for corporate, college and university library Lithium Battery technology collections and
supplemental studies reading lists.
The LGBT Studies Shelf
Accidentally Gay
Lucky Bradley & Wolsey Bradley
Riverdale Avenue Books
www.riverdaleavebooks.com
9781626014961, $19.99, PB, 210pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: When Lucky Bradley married his wife 25 years ago, he had the happily ever after he'd
always wanted. Then, 20 years into their marriage, he found himself in a same sex marriage, as
his wife transitioned from wife to husband.
When Wolsey married Lucky, he never thought he could be his true self. After 20 years, he took
a chance, and transitioned female to male. To his joy, his husband accepted him, and was his
biggest cheerleader throughout the process. But most of all, he loved him throughout the arduous
physical and emotional process.
True love wins out as they both explain what this meant for them and their relationship in
Accidentally Gay, the blog that chronicled the day-by-day transformation of this happily married
couple.
Some love stories do have happy endings.
Critique: "Accidentally Gay: The True Love Story When a Wife Becomes a Husband" is an
extraordinary story of two extraordinary people and unreservedly recommended reading for all
members of the gay and straight community. While especially commended for community and
academic library LGBT collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that
"Accidentally Gay" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Sports Shelf
Climbing Manual
Nigel Shepherd
Haynes Publishing UK
c/o Haynes North America
www.revdex.com/reviews/haynes-north-america/995922
9781785212611, $19.95, PB, 172pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: From getting started with equipment, clothing, fitness and basic skills through to
advanced techniques and coping with tricky situations, "Climbing Manual: The essential guide to
rock climbing - Getting started - Techniques - Knots - Safety - Protection - Abseiling" is manual
that is packed with practical and illustrated step-by-step sequences and inspirational photography,
making it the perfect guide for the novice or intermediate climber.
The Haynes Climbing Manual is a thoroughly modern introduction to this growing adventure
sport, written by by Nigel Sheherd who is an experienced mountain guide, photographer and
author.
Critique: Immensely practical, comprehensive, informed and informative, and unreservedly
recommended for personal, community, and academic library collections, Nigel Sheperd's
"Climbing Manual" is a complete and thoroughly 'user friendly' course of instruction that should
be considered as mandatory reading for anyone wanting to engage in the physically demanding
and potentially dangerous sport of mountain climbing.
Editorial Note: Nigel Shepherd began climbing aged 11 in Wales and became a qualified
International Mountain Guide in 1979. Since then he has pioneered climbs in the UK, New
Zealand, North America and Greenland, and continues to work in all aspects of mountaineering
in many parts of the world. He has written several books and many magazine articles, and his
photography has been published in The Independent, The Times and the Daily Telegraph, as well
as outdoor magazines and manufacturers' brochures.
Jai Alai
Paula E. Morton
University of New Mexico Press
MSC05 3185, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM 87131-0001
www.unmpress.com
9780826355492, $19.95, PB, 176pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In the pages of "Jai Alai: A Cultural History of the Fastest Game in the World",
independent journalist and the author, Paula Morton provides a fun, concise introduction to jai
alai, a fast-paced ball game with ancient roots that is admired by fans for the sport's power and
spectacle. Cesta punta, as the game is known in its Basque homeland, became a phenomenon
during the twentieth century as organized jai alai spread from Spain into the Caribbean, Latin
America, the United States, and Asia.
"Jai Alai: A Cultural History of the Fastest Game in the World" deftly outlines the multifaceted
history of the sport, from its beginnings in Basque country to its North American "unveiling" at
the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Centennial Exposition and World's Fair and to its rise and fall in
popularity in the United States.
Guest essays and historic photographs offer extensive insight into the sport's fascinating history.
Morton further explores the players and venues, providing a carefully crafted and thoroughly
researched look into jai alai. Sports lovers and cultural history enthusiasts will marvel at the
sport's unique history and reach.
Critique: An impressive combination of sports history and cultural study, "Jai Alai: A Cultural
History of the Fastest Game in the World" is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition
to both community and academic library collections. It should be noted for the personal reading
lists of all dedicated Jai Alai enthusiasts that this outstanding and thoroughly 'reader friendly'
study is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Music Shelf
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's 50-Year Quest
Robert McParland
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476674896, $35.00, PB, 194pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, with their distinct vocal harmonies, blending of rock,
jazz, folk, and blues, and political and social activism, have remained one of the most enduring
musical acts of the 1960s.
"Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's 50-Year Quest: Music to Change the World" by Robert
McParland (who is a professor of English at Felician University in Rutherford, New Jersey and
whose popular music writings include publications on The Beatles, The Who, U2, Bruce
Springsteen, John Fogerty, Paul Simon, and American lyricists) examines their songs and
themes, which continue to resonate with contemporary listeners, and argues that Crosby, Stills,
Nash, and Young reflect part of the broader story of American culture.
This appreciative study deftly contextualizes their work within the political climate of the late
1960s, and makes the case that the values and concerns expressed in their music thread through
the American experience today.
Critique: An inherently fascinating, impressively informative, exceptionally well organized and
presented study, "Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's 50-Year Quest: Music to Change the World"
is unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library American Music History
collections in general, and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young supplemental studies reading lists in
particular. It should be noted for the legions of their fans that "Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's
50-Year Quest: Music to Change the World" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes
Jon Burlingame, et al.
Verlag fur moderne Kunst
c/o Distributed Art Publishers
155 Sixth Avenue, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10013-1507
www.artbook.com
9783903269323, $35.00, PB, 248pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Once reserved for children's comic books, newspaper comic strips, and Saturday
morning radio programs, the Super Hero has become mainstream for an adult audience thanks to
television, movies, and graphic novels -- and the aging of the Babyboom Generation. One of the
pioneering sources for the creation and popularization of the Super Hero is Marvel Comics under
the management of the now legendary Stan Lee.
Marvel Comics and Marvel Studio Films are not only the enduring voices of the Super Heroes
themselves, but also the diverse visions of Marvel's writers, artists, actors and filmmakers.
Accompanying an exhibition at Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture, "Marvel: Universe of Super
Heroes" features legendary comic creators, up-and-coming talent, editors, executives, artists,
actors and show-runners, along with articles about the history and power of the Marvel fans, with
stories that stretch our conceptions of heroes, whether through personal history, fandom or
fashion. Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes features dozens of images of the creation and
realization in both the comics and films of some of the biggest stars of the Marvel Universe,
including Black Panther, Captain America, Spiderman, Ms. Marvel and the Hulk, as well as
in-depth photographs of the exhibition itself.
Featuring in "Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes" are interviews with and articles by some of the
stars and legends who created the Marvel Universe, including Marvel founder Stan Lee; author
of Rise of the Black Panther Evan Narcisse; the actor Clark Gregg, who embodied Phil Coulson
in countless MCU films; Ms. Marvel creator G. Willow Wilson; and Marvel's Chief Creative
Officer and former Editor-in-Chief, Joe Quesada; as well as many others.
Critique: Simply stated, "Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes" is unreservedly recommended for
the legions of Super Hero fans in general, and the Marvel Universe of Super Heros in particular.
Indeed, "Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly
popular addition to personal and community library collections, as well as college and university
library Contemporary American Popular Culture collections.
King Shaka: Zulu Legend
Luke W. Molver
Catalyst Press/Story Press Africa
www.catalystpress.org
9781946498939 $16.95 pbk / $14.95 Kindle amazon.com
Synopsis: Shaka has fought his brother to the death for rulership of the Zulu. Now king of the
southern chiefdoms, Shaka seeks to uplift his people, consolidate alliances, and expand the reach
of his power. But challenges both external and internal threaten his rule. A rogue military unit
exacts revenge on its enemies. Land-hungry Europeans arrive and ingratiate themselves with
Shaka, even while plotting their own path to power. And closer to home, Shaka's own brothers
conspire in secret.
Critique: King Shaka: Zulu Legend is a full-color graphic novel about the Zulu monarch Shaka
(c. 1787-1828), one of the most influential leaders of the Zulu people of Africa. King Shaka:
Zulu Legend is a work of historical fiction, using artistic license to interpret the actions of
historical figures. Even so, King Shaka: Zulu Legend stays as close as reasonably possible to
what is empirically known about Shaka, his allies, his rivals, and his enemies, in spite of limited,
incomplete, and often biased primary sources from the era. An extensive "The Story Continues"
postscript teaches the reader more about Zulu history and culture from Shaka's time. King Shaka:
Zulu Legend is an exciting read about a strong-willed ruler who faced enormous challenges, and
thoroughly engrossing from cover to cover. Highly recommended, as is the previous graphic
novel in this two-part series, "Shaka Rising" (9781946498984, $16.99 pbk). It should be noted
for personal reading lists that both "Shaka Rising" and "King Shaka: Zulu Legend" are available
in Kindle editions.
Four Sisters Vol. 2 Hortense
Written and illustrated by Cati Baur
Colors by Elodie Balandras
Based on the novel by Malika Ferdjoukh
Euro Comics
c/o IDW Publishing
www.idwpublishing.com
9781684054336 $19.99 amazon.com
Synopsis: Since the deaths of their parents, Hortense and her sisters have been on their own. But,
although their parents are gone, their spirits can still visit.
Winter arrives, and, as the world is buried in snow, Hortense buries her life in books. She
wonders what she will become: A character in her favorite series? A surgeon of incurable
diseases who can help her new friend Muguette? Or perhaps an actress? But to go on stage,
Hortense would have to overcome her shyness, which seems unlikely for a girl who'd rather write
in her diary than express her feelings out loud. It's in her diary where she exposes her innermost
thoughts and shares the ups and downs of her teenage life.
Critique: The second color graphic novel novel about four sisters who have lost their parents,
Hortense is about the titular eleven-year-old girl with a fondness for books. She writes in her
diary and dreams about the future, but she's painfully shy, and her new friend Muguette suffers
from a terrible disease. A wistful and at times heartwrenching saga of growing up, taking on hard
responsibilities, the fate of unwanted kittens, and more, Hortense is a choice pick for personal
and public library graphic novel collections. Also highly recommended is the first graphic novel
in the series, Four Sisters Vol. 1 Enid (9781684051960, $19.99).
The Chronicles Of Corum: The King Of Swords
Michael Moorcock, et al.
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781782763277, $24.99, HC, 112pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In this volume of Michael Moorcock's epic sword & sorcery epic, the old races have
perished. Across the fifteen planes of reality, the ceaseless struggle between Law and Chaos
continues. Corum, the Prince in the Scarlet Robe, has destroyed two of the company of Chaos,
but Mabelode the Faceless will not see his actions go unpunished. Now the Eternal Champion
must call upon the power of other incarnations (Elric, and Erekose) and travel to the last five
planes to defeat the King of the Swords. At stake: not only the balance of forces at the crux of
existence, but also a personal vendetta, since the captain of the enemy army is the same Mabden
who slaughtered Corum's family!
Critique: Beautifully adapted to a graphic novel format by the team of Mike Baron, Mark
Shawnblum, and illustrated by Ken Hooper, this Titan Comics edition of "The Chronicles Of
Corum: The King Of Swords" is unreservedly recommended for community library Graphic
Novel collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of the legions of Michael
Moorcock fans that "The Chronicles Of Corum: The King Of Swords" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $15.67).
Ryuko, volume 1
Eldo Yoshimizu
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781787730946 $14.99 pbk / $14.24 Kindle amazon.com
Synopsis: From creator Eldo Yoshimizu comes a stunning manga which tells the tale of Ryuko, a
fierce woman of the Yakuza thirsty for revenge.
Ryuko is a hard-hitting, motorcycle-riding, high ranking member of the Japanese mafia stationed
in the Middle-East. After a fierce battle with the government, she becomes embroiled with the
Chinese and an unknown terrorist organization. Everyone has their own agenda, but it becomes
personal for Ryuko when her mother is kidnapped and she was forced to kill her father. What is
the right thing to do in this morally complicated situation?
Ryuko has a choice to make, but it's tough when good and evil appear to be two sides of the same
coin...
Critique: Suggested for mature readers, Ryuko volume 1 is a black-and-white manga (Japanese
graphic novel) that tells the shocking, violent story of a woman of the Yakuza (Japanese
organized crime), and the difficulty choices she is forced to make in morally ambiguous
situations. Flashing between the present and the past, the fallout of a violent civil war in a foreign
country and the gritty streets of modern Japan, Ryuko is an utterly enthralling crime drama,
highly recommended to connoisseurs of the genre. It should be noted for personal reading lists
that Ryuko is also available in a Kindle edition ($14.24).
Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor
Jody Houser, author
Rachel Stott, illustrator
Enrica Angiolini, illustrator
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781785866760, $16.99, PB, 112pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: There is a cosmic villain who is compelling time travelers of different species to loot
and steal for him all along the time/space continuum. It's a situation that only the Doctor (with
the help of her traveling companions) can deal with.
Bursting straight out of her hit new television adventures, this first collection of the Thirteenth
Doctor's comic book tales is a scorchingly fresh incarnation that takes the decades long running
Dr. Who television series (and its graphic novel adventures) where no Doctor has gone
before!
Facing off against vile villains and misunderstood monsters in flavors both human and alien, the
now female incarnation of the Doctor and her friends must push the limits of time and space,
confronting evils deliberate and accidental all throughout history - and uncovering secrets
long-hidden and wonders never-seen along the way!
Critique; Superbly illustrated by the artistic talents of Rachel Stott and Enrica Angiolin, this
debut graphic novel story by Jody Houser is a 'must read' for the legions of Doctor Who fans.
Certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to personal and community library
graphic novel collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Doctor Who: The
Thirteenth Doctor" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.01).
Monster
Enki Bilal
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781785868733, $49.99, HC, 53pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Now available in English for the first time, The Monster tetralogy is influential creator
Enki Bilal's most personal work. The story follows Nike, Leyla, and Amir - three orphans born
days apart, in the same bed, amidst the bombs of Sarajevo (Bilal's homeland) during the war of
Yugoslavia in 1993.
The lives of the three spiral off on different trajectories before bringing them together once more.
Collecting the entire four-part story under one cover in this massive coffee-table sized graphic
novel edition, "Monster" includes: The Dormant Monster, December 32, Rendez-vous in Paris,
and Quatre?
Critique: An inherently fascinating read from cover to cover, "Monster" is unreservedly
recommended and is certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community
and academic library graphic novel collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that
"Monster" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.87).
Breakneck
Duane Swierczynski, author
Simone Guglielmini, illustrator
Titan Comics
https://titan-comics.com
9781785864612, $16.99, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: During an angry confrontation at two-bit motel, mild-mannered consultant Joe
Hayward is thrown headfirst into the middle of a frightening terrorist plot to bring Philadelphia to
its knees. With only two hours to thwart the attack, Joe is going to need all the help he can get --
including that of his wife's lover who turns out to be a federal agent caught up in an
espionage/counter-espionage exercise gone lethally wrong!
Critique: A page turner of a read with more unexpected plot twists and turns than a Coney Island
roller coaster, "Breakneck" is an especially recommended addition to personal and community
graphic novel collections for mature readers, and the personal reading lists of dedicated suspense
thriller enthusiasts.
The David
Raoul Cauvin, author
Willy Lambil, illustrator
Cinebook Ltd.
www.cinebook.com
c/o National Book Network (dist.)
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
www.nbnbooks.com
9781849184304, $11.95, PB, 48pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Even as the Civile War sea blockade by the Union Navy slowly strangles the South,
the picket ships begin to mysteriously blow up one after another. Lincoln, worried that the war
could stretch on too long if the Rebels are resupplied, orders that the Confederates' secret weapon
be identified. That means sending spies to Charleston, though, in the heart of the enemy's
territory. And the two unlucky fools the brass entrusts with such a dangerous mission are the ever
reluctant and danger adverse corporal Blutch and his ever encouraging Sergeant.
Critique: The twelfth title in Cinebooks' graphic novel series 'The Bluecoats' series by the team of
author Raoul Cauvin and illustrator Willy Lambil. A wildly funny and thoroughly entertaining
story of the Civil War misadventures of a less-than-daring duo, "The David" is unreservedly
recommended for all dedicated graphic novel fans and community library graphic novel
collections.
The Audiobook Shelf
Hachette Audio
www.hachetteaudio.com
Five new audio releases provide listeners with an excellent blend of narration and story line, and
are recommended for anyone interested in superior productions. Samara Ahmed's Internment
(9781549148767, $25.00) is narrated by Sonella Nankani, who provides a fine flair for capturing
this story of teen rebellion, citizen relocation, and a perceived Muslim threat to America. Forced
into an internment camp for Muslim Americans, Layla and her parents struggle to lead a
revolution that may have no hope. The setting of a near-future United States makes for a chilling,
too-possible saga. David Baldacci's Redemption (9781478999249, $40.00) is narrated by Kyf
Brewer and Orlagh Cassidy and tells of Decker, who is visiting his home town in Ohio when he's
approached by a convicted murder: the first man Decker put in prison. The man has an unusual
request: can Decker race against time to fill it? Victoria Osteen's Exceptional You! 7 Ways to
Live Encouraged, Empowered, and Intentional (9781549175466, $30.00) is narrated by the
author and asks readers to consider their unique value and develop the talent God provided. This
blend of personal stories and biblical teachings shows how to make the most of God-given
talents and live a better, more productive life based on them. Jean Chatzky's Women With
Money: The Judgment-Free Guide to Creating the Joyful, Less Stressed, Purposeful (and, yes,
Rich) Life You Deserve (9781478995913, $35.00) receives a powerful narration by the author, a
Today Show financial expert, and explores not just the basic principles of money management,
but how women can identify what they want from money. Too many women aren't comfortable
about money choices and money management. This book comes from a series of discussions and
conversations and delves into not just economics, but behavioral changes and considerations that
open doors to better financial planning. William Campbell edits How to Do Things: A Timeless
Guide to a Simpler Life (9781549171437, $30.00), which teaches back-to-basics skills that range
from handling poison ivy to smoking and curing meats and making cheese. The focus on basic
skills that lead to the ideal of a simpler life makes for a survey that combines a surprising edge of
humor with a survey of self-reliance principles and basic skills that can lead to not just an easier
life, but one better lived. All are excellent leisure listener choices.
The Library CD Shelf
Culture Kin
Real Vocal String Quartet
www.rvsq.com
Flower Note Records
$15.00 CD / $9.99 download https://store.cdbaby.com
California ensemble Real Vocal String Quartet presents Culture Kin, their fourth album. The
songs transcend cultures, combining the talents of Irene Sazer on violin, Sumaia Jackson on the
fiddle, David Tangney on the cello, and Sam Shuhan on the string bass. Although vocals are
present, the heart and soul of the original compositions are cultural collaborations between string
music artists of different backgrounds and affinities. A unique treasure of talent and creativity,
Culture Kin is highly recommended for personal and public library music collections. The tracks
are "Woui Le M'en Fe", "Seasons Song", "Bright Sun, Shade of a Tree", "For Choro", "Holding
an Eye", "Ananta", "Exist", "Aurora", and "Improvisation #3".
Sound Currents
Tom Moore and Sherry Finzer
Heart Dance Records
www.heartdancerecords.com
$10.41 CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Sound Currents is an original, instrumental new age music album featuring peaceful, relaxing
music to soothe the mind and spirit, and create an environment conducive to meditation and
healing. The beautiful music reflects the moving currents of life itself, in this treasure highly
recommended for personal and public library collections. The tracks are "A Sound Traveler's
Dream", "Following the Current", "Canyon Echoes", "Star Trails", "Timeless Flow", "Night
Tides", "Midnight Mystique", "This Side of Silence", and "Theta Waves".
Our People
Gerry Gibbs and Thrasher People Band
Whaling City Sound
www.whalingcitysound.com
$16.99 CD / $8.99 MP3 amazon.com
Our People is the twelfth album of multi-instrumentalist and composer Gerry Gibbs, who
combines his talent with five skilled multi-instrumentalists, two of whom are party of Thrasher
People Band. A nineteen-part suite crafted in tribute to many different cultures worldwide, Our
People embraces a vibrant diversity of styles and cultural heritages. The result is a wondrous
celebration of diversity, highly recommended especially for personal and public library world
music collections! The tracks are "The Calm Before the Storm", "The Journey Begins", "Music
from the Universe", "Our People", "Dance of the Freedom People", "The Streets", "Oh Yeah!",
"Boys Sent to Die", "Messengers on the Run", "Chick Corea", "Friends Before We Were Friends
(Part 1)", "Friends Before We Were Friends (Part 2)", "Flying on the Wings of a Fantasy",
"Volkswagens, Peace Signs & Dashiki's", "Mike & Lenny", "Thrasher Peoples Blues",
"Memories of Home", "The Final Message", and "Tune In! We Return You Back to Your
Reality".
A Heritage of Faith
Cathy Oakes
www.cathyoakes.com
Higher Level Media
www.higherlevel.media
$12.97 CD / $9.99 download https://store.cdbaby.com
A Heritage of Faith is a new age piano album with additional enrichment with orchestrated synth
pads of strings and vocalizations. All songs are public domain religious hymns, arranged and
performed by music artist Cathy Oakes. A beautiful work of abiding love, A Heritage of Faith is
highly recommended for personal and church library music collections. The tracks are "In the
Garden", "Amazing Grace - Grace Greater Than Our Sin", "Sweet Hour of Prayer", "We Gather
Together - Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing", "I Am Thine, O Lord", "His Eye Is On the
Sparrow", "He Leadeth Me - Oh Blessed Thought", "Near the Cross - The Old Rugged Cross",
"'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus", "My Jesus, I Love Thee", "Blessed Assurance", "He Hideth My
Soul", "I Need Thee Every Hour", "What A Friend We Have in Jesus", "It Is Well With My Soul
- Be Still My Soul" and "Hymn of Thanks".
Even the Sparrow
Kelly Hunt
www.kellyhuntmusic.com
Rare Bird Records
$10.00 CD / $9.49 digital amazon.com
Even the Sparrow is an album featuring music artist Kelly Hunt's talent for tenor banjo. Her
songs are masterful works of storytelling as well as music, bringing alive emotions and eras from
American history. Even the Sparrow is a "must" for connoisseurs of tenor banjo, highly
recommended. The tracks are "Across the Great Divide", "Even the Sparrow", "Back to Dixie",
"Men of Blue & Grey", "Sunshine Long Overdue", "Fingernail Moon", "Delta Blues", "Bird
Song", "Nothin' On My Mind", "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?", "How Long", and
"Gloryland".
Summoning the Muse
Incendio
incendioband.com
Red Pyramid Publishing
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Summoning the Muse is a new album of original music by Latin-based world-fusion band
Incendio. Showcasing Incendio's captivating guitar melodies, dazzling arrangements, and
charged performances, Summoning the Muse is an energizing listening experience, highly
recommended especially for connoisseurs of the genre! The tracks are "Monte Carlo", "Rumba
Poderosa", "Running", "Dog Mountain", "Don't Pretend", "Blue Bolero", "Morning in Maui",
"First Hill", "At Dawn We Ride", "High Tide", "Limitless", and "Amazon River
Hometown".
Mystic Messages
Brooks & Day
www.brooksandday.com
Daybrook Records
$TBA CD / $8.91 MP3 amazon.com
Mystic Messages is the debut album of Brooks & Day, featuring Ben Brooks on flute and
keyboards, and Peter Day on guitar and keyboards. Ambient, thoughtful, and moving, Mystic
Messages ranges in theme from gentle relaxation to vibrant global fusion. Reflecting the facets of
everyday life in its soundscape, Mystic Messages is highly recommended and Brooks & Day is a
musical duo to keep one's eye on! The tracks are "Sacred City", "A Song for My Father",
"Forgiveness", "Mystic Message", "Esquisse", "Secrets of the Lotus", "Hopeland", "Soaring", and
"No Regrets".
The Library DVD Shelf
Guilty Until Proven Guilty
A documentary by Harry Moses
First Run Features
630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036
www.guiltyuntilprovenguiltyfilm.com
$19.95 www.firstrunfeatures.com
Guilty Until Proven Guilty is an award-winning documentary about the harsh realities of
America's criminal justice system, especially when the accused is poor or a person of color. This
is the true story of Tim Conerly, a young African-American man who was arrested for armed
robbery in New Orleans. Though he says he did not commit the crime, his lack of resources and
the laggard system forced him to spend two years in jail before giving him a perilous choice:
plead guilty and serve five more years of a seven-year sentence for the alleged offense, or go to
trial and risk being sentenced for up to 198 years if convicted. Disturbing, thought-provoking,
and spotlighting the inherent injustices in the American system, Guilty Until Proven Guilty is
highly recommended especially for public and college library documentary collections. 53
min.
Blood
Starring Adrian Dunbar
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
www.acornonline.com
$39.99 DVD or Blu-ray
Available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, Blood is a dark, six-episode drama starring BAFTA
nominee Adrian Dunbar as a father who may or may not have committed a terrible crime. When
the aloof Cat Hogan (played by Carolina Main) returns home after the sudden death of her
mother, she finds that details of the alleged accident don't hold up to scrutiny. Her father is a
well-respected doctor, but she has distrusted him ever since a traumatic incident in her childhood.
Was he involved in her mother's death, or is Cat being a troublemaker like her siblings claim?
Long-buried secrets come to light in this complex, character-driven psychological thriller. Highly
recommended, especially for connoisseurs of the genre. Bonus materials include cast and crew
interviews (17 min.) and a behind-the-scenes featurette (8 min.). 2 Blu-ray discs or 2 DVDs, 288
min. plus bonus, SDH subtitles.
Delicious, series 3
Starring Dawn French, Emilia Fox, & Iain Glen
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$34.99 www.acornonline.com
Delicious, series 3 is a British television drama about food, love, infidelity, and scandal. At the
luxurious Penrose Hotel, the late Leo Vincent (played by Iain Glen) observes from beyond the
grave as his ex-wife Gina (Dawn French) and widow Sam (Emilia Fox) work to keep business
running. In series, the pair have (mostly) settled their differences - until an extraordinarily
handsome restaurateur (Vincent Regan) with a reputation for appropriating smaller businesses
turns his rapacious eyes toward Penrose Hotel. Sultry, witty, and utterly delectable, Delicious,
series 3 adds the perfect ganache to personal or public library DVD collections. Bonus material
includes a 13 min. behind-the-scenes featurette. 4 episodes on one DVD, 185 min., SDH
subtitles.
Patrick Melrose
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch
Based on the novels by Edward St Aubyn
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
www.us.RLJEntertainment.com
$39.99 DVD or Blu-ray www.acornonline.com
Winner the 2019 BAFTA Awards for Best Mini-Series and Best Leading Actor, as well as five
Emmy nominations, Patrick Melrose is a dramatic miniseries laced with black humor, based on
the novels by Edward St Aubyn. Patrick Melrose (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) is an
English aristocrat whose life is riven with childhood trauma inflicted by an abusive father, a
neglectful mother, and heroin addiction. Melrose's struggle to remain drug-free and support his
family is an uphill battle. A riveting miniseries featuring stellar performances, Patrick Melrose is
available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, and is highly recommended especially for
connoisseurs of the genre. Bonus materials include a behind-the-scenes featurette (5 min.) and a
36-page booklet of cast and crew interviews. 2 DVDs or 2 Blu-ray discs, 5 episodes, 302 min.
plus bonus, SDH subtitles.
The Economic Studies Shelf
Bankruptcy
Joseph Spooner
Cambridge University Press
One Liberty Plaza, Fl. 20, New York, NY 10006
www.cambridge.org
9781107166943, $110.00, HC, 306pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: A decade after the Global Financial Crisis and Great Recession, developed economies
continue to struggle under excessive household debt. While exacerbating inequality and political
unrest, this debt (when combined with wage stagnation and a shrinking welfare state) has played
a key role in maintaining economic growth and allowing households faced with rising costs of
living to make ends meet.
In "Bankruptcy: The Case for Relief in an Economy of Debt", Professor Joseph Spooner
examines this economic model and finds it increasingly unsustainable. In a call to action to
reduce debt burden, he turns to bankruptcy law, which is uniquely situated as a mechanism of
social insurance against the risks of a debt-dependent economy.
Critique: A comprehensive study that is of vital interest in understanding the problem of
consumer debt and how best to address it, "Bankruptcy: The Case for Relief in an Economy of
Debt" is an outstanding work of meticulous, seminal, and detailed scholarship that is
unreservedly recommended for college and university library Contemporary Economics
collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of students, academia, corporate
executives, governmental policy makers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that "Bankruptcy: The Case for Relief in an Economy of Debt" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $88.00).
Editorial Note: Joseph Spooner is an Assistant Professor at the London School of Economics and
Political Science Law Department. He researches issues of law, policy and politics relating to
household debt and over-indebtedness. He has worked on the World Bank's Report on the
Treatment of the Insolvency of Natural Persons (2013) and the Law Reform Commission of
Ireland's project on personal debt management (2010-12). He has published articles on the law
and politics of bankruptcy and household debt in leading journals including the Journal of Law
and Society and Modern Law Review.
The Language Studies Shelf
The Latin of Science
Marcelo Epstein & Ruth Spivak
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers
1570 Baskin Road, Mundelein, IL 60060
9780865168602, $29.00, PB, 395pp, www.bolchazy.com
Synopsis: The collaborative work of Marcelo Epstein and Ruth Spivak, "The Latin of Science"
offers a unique text that provides students and linguists with a firsthand experience of what was
for centuries the universal language of science -- Latin.
An historical survey sets the context for Latin selections drawn from seventeen authors
(Agricola, Alberti, Alhazen, Bacon, Copernicus, de Soto, Euclid, Faventinus, Galvani, Harvey,
Isidore of Seville, Kepler, Leibniz, Libavius, Maimonides, Newton, Oresme, Pliny the Elder,
Seneca, Vitruvius) who wrote in Latin and three whose works were translated into Latin. This
anthology of twenty-two science readings in Latin covers eight subject areas (Architecture and
Engineering, Astronomy and Rational Mechanics, Chemistry, Economics, General Knowledge,
Mathematics, Medicine, and Optics).
Of special note is a brief but informative essay introducing each author while vocabulary, syntax,
and contextual notes facilitate reading the Latin passages. Images present the Latin selections as
their original readers would have experienced them.
Critique: A unique and invaluable contribution to the growing library of Latin Language
instructional references and textbooks, "The Latin of Science" is a deftly organized and
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and
university library Latin Studies and Science History collections and supplemental curriculum
reading lists.
The Genealogy Shelf
Tracing Your Potteries Ancestors
Michael Sharpe
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781526701275, $29.95, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Michael Sharpe is a professional genealogist, writer and lecturer who specializes in the
local and family history of Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. He is a member of the
Society of Genealogists, Midland Ancestors, and other family and local history societies. He has
authored several books on family history including "Family Matters: A History of Genealogy"
and "Tracing Your Birmingham Ancestors", and is frequently in demand as a lecturer and
speaker.
In "Tracing Your Potteries Ancestors: A Guide for Family & Local Historians", he introduces
readers to the wealth of information available to those wishing to trace their North Staffordshire
roots and provides fascinating insights into the history of this part of the Midlands -- which was
for so long dominated by the pottery industry.
The six pottery towns Tunstall, Burslem, Hanley, Stoke, Fenton and Longton are at the heart of
the story presented in "Tracing Your Potteries Ancestors", a handbook that is an essential guide
for anyone researching the life of an individual or family connected with the area, bringing
together all the relevant local and national archives for the first time.
In a series of short information-packed chapters "Tracing Your Potteries Ancestors" describes the
lives and experiences of ordinary people in this most extraordinary of landscapes. It charts the
transition of the Six Towns from scattered farming communities to a thriving industrial
conurbation. The living conditions of the urban poor, health and welfare, the influence of religion
and migration, education, leisure pursuits, and the traumatic experience of war are all explored,
and the many different archives and sources that are open to family history researchers are
explained.
Critique: Impressively researched, expertly written, deftly organized and presented, "Tracing
Your Potteries Ancestors: A Guide for Family & Local Historians" is an extraordinarily
informative and thoroughly 'reader friendly' resource that is unreservedly recommended for
personal, community, and academic library Genealogy instructional reference collections &
British History supplemental studies reading lists.
The Cookbook Shelf
10-A-Day the Easy Way
James Wong
Mitchell Beazley
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784724764, $29.99
10-A-Day the Easy Way: Fuss-Free Recipes & Simple Science to Transform Your Health
focuses on small changes to daily diets that can lead past the health idea of five-a-day portions of
fruit and veggies and upwards to 10-a-day. James Wong gathers almost a hundred recipes that are
enhanced by more fruits and vegetables in each traditional dish. A collection of one-pan risottos,
for example, contain five times more veggies than rice, yet maintains the texture and taste of the
traditional risotto approach. Add vivid color photos for a powerful, lovely title that will lead the
way to healthier eating choices.
Bazaar
Sabrina Ghayour
Mitchell Beazley
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781784725754, $34.99
Bazaar: Vibrant Vegetarian Recipes emphasizes dishes from the East which are spicy and filled
with fresh ingredients, creating a vegetarian approach that is as much about ethnic flavors as it is
about meatless cooking. From a comfort food Corn, Potato & Cheddar Chowder and a Moroccan
Roast Vegetable Bastilla which can be made from leftover roasted vegetables, this cookbook
excels in dishes which need no meaty embellishment to prove hearty and appealing. The color
photos are another big plus that invites vegetarian and non-vegetarians to imbibe.
Bento Power
Sara Kiyo Popowa
Kyle Books
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9780857835680, $22.99
Bento Power: Brilliantly Balanced Lunchbox Recipes pairs an emphasis on plant-based foods
with the author's Japanese roots and a formula emphasizing 5 colors and 5 flavors in the
traditional bento box lunch, creating a series of lunch treats that are mostly vegan, gluten-free,
vegetarian fare. Lovely color photos accompany ideas for using the bento box display to
optimum advantage, whether it's for lunch or breakfast on the go, as with a Breakfast Granola
Crumble which can be paired with cashew cream or berries for an attractive display and
appealing presentation. A Summer Fruits Bento arranges a variety of midsummer fresh produce
in an attractive box, while Popowa thinks out of the box (as it were) by including bento-style
presentations in jars and bowls, as well. Vegan and natural foods collections will find the variety
and ideas original and appealing.
Skinny Southern
Lara Lyn Carter
Familius
1254 Commerce Way, Sanger, CA 93657
www.familius.com
9781641701082, $29.99, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: America's uniquely delicious comfort food just got healthy! The recipes comprising the
"Skinny Southern" cookbook don't just "lighten up" Southern food, they offer gluten-free and
paleo options as well. It's the Southern cuisine at it's very finest.
With 90 reinvented Southern Classic entrees such as truffle and rosemary chicken, or grilled
lamb with sweet onion sauce; even the most novice of kitchen cooks can successfully dabble
with the citrus vinaigrette; sample the seafood gumbo, the quinoa salad, or the spaghetti squash
with pecan truffle oil and herbs.
Private chef and Emmy-Award winner, Lara Lyn Carter is considered Georgia's go-to authority
on Southern entertaining. With "Skinny Southern" she has showcases healthy, clean cooking, as
well as sharing her vast experience and array of healthy Southern recipes.
Critique: "Skinny Southern" is an original, groundbreaking compendium of palate pleasing,
appetite satisfying, health-conscious, and profusely illustrated cookbook that is unreservedly
recommended for personal, professional, family, and community library collections.
Editorial Note: Lara Lyn Carter has her first Emmy win in the category of On Camera Talent for
hosting "Thyme for Sharing with Lara Lyn Carter", which she also created and produced. It aired
as part of Georgia Public Broadcasting's summer cooking line-up and received excellent ratings
and praise. The show was nominated for four Emmys in the categories of: lighting; photography;
director; and on camera talent. In addition, Lara Lyn created and hosted "Savor the Good Life"
with Raycom Media's WALB, the NBC and ABC affiliate in Southwest Georgia, for three
years.
Naturally Sweet Baking
Sebastian Keitel and Carolin Strothe
DK Publishing, Inc.
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.dk.com
9781465483959 $17.99 pbk / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Synopsis: The healthy recipes for these beautiful baked goods cut down on sugar or cut it out
altogether, thanks to the imaginative use of natural ingredients. As a bonus, many of the recipes
are also gluten-free and dairy-free.
Discover how to bake more than 70 delicious low-sugar and sugar-free recipes, including
healthier versions of favorites such as carrot cake, muffins, gingerbread, and hot cross buns.
Every recipe tempts with a stunning photo of the finished cake or baked good.
The recipes contain little or no processed sugar, instead relying on easy-to-source sugar
substitutes and natural sugar alternatives, such as honey and seasonal produce. Foraged edible
flowers adorn decadent chocolate muffins, and freshly picked berries peek out from between the
layers of beautiful cakes, creating a feast for the eyes, too.
Written by Carolin Strothe--cook, food stylist, and author of the award-winning blog Frau
Herzblut--and her husband, Sebastian Keitel, the book explains the benefits of a low-sugar diet
and debunks the myth that healthy baking must come with a compromise. Carolin includes a
seasonal calendar to help you choose the best ingredients; basic recipes for pantry essentials such
as applesauce and cashew icing; and tips to help you elevate the look of your creations using
natural colorings. With Naturally Sweet Baking, you can cook and enjoy treats without a sugar
overload.
Critique: Illustrated with striking color photography of its mouth-watering creations, Naturally
Sweet Baking is filled low-sugar and sugar-free recipes, offering a healthier alternative for bakers
who love to craft sweet treats. From Apple Waffles (which happen to be vegan - the recipe uses a
plant-based milk such as almond milk), to Beet Bundt Cake (made with fruity pear and poppy
seeds), to Blackberry Swiss Roll (with light cream and fresh berries) and much more, Naturally
Sweet Baking is a treasure for culinary connoisseurs, and also makes an excellent giftbook.
Highly recommended! It should be noted for personal reading lists that Naturally Sweet Baking is
also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).
Dairy Free: Recipes & Preparation
Angela Litzinger
Flame Tree Publishing
https://www.flametreepublishing.com
9781787552814, $24.99, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Dairy Free: Recipes & Preparation" by Angela Litzinger is ideal for anyone who is
lactose intolerant, has a milk allergy, or are just trying a dairy-free diet. There is an enormous
selection of varied and delicious dairy product free recipes.
"Dairy Free: Recipes & Preparation" also presents useful information about dairy and the lactose
enzyme, the benefits of going dairy-free, and how to make the transition to a dairy free diet, as
well as key foods to avoid, naturally-dairy-free foods and great substitutes, along with tools and
techniques.
Methods are provided to make your own staples such as plant- and nut-based milks, cheeses,
yogurt, spreads and creams, and a wealth of tempting recipes are included, for everything from
Sauces, Dips & Dressings to Comforting Mains to Baking & Desserts and more. Of special note
are the recipes for making Rice Milk Pancakes, Cheesy Broccoli Soup, Pizza with Peppers &
'Ricotta', and Perfect Cupcakes with Buttercream. The accessible text by Litzinger (an expert in
dairy-free living) is accompanied by gorgeous, inspirational photography.
Critique: Beautifully organized and presented, "Dairy Free: Recipes & Preparation" is certain to
be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to personal, family, professional, and
community library cookbook collections.
Editorial Note: Angela Litzinger is an expert in gluten- and dairy-free recipe development and
living. She teaches food preservation and allergen-free cooking classes, contributes articles and
recipes to numerous publications, and speaks to local and national organizations about the
gluten-free diet and other important allergy issues. Angela documents her family's allergen-free
journey on www.angelaskitchen.com.
The Mermaid Cookbook
Alix Carey
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
www.andrewsmcmeel.com
9781449497392 $14.99 hc / $9.99 Kindle amazon.com
Synopsis: Make a splash and be the mermaid you always wanted to be with this beautiful,
magical cookbook. Think Mermania meets Hello Kitty Cupcake!
The mysteries of the deep come to light in this delightful cookbook packed with pearls and
sparkles. From a Sandcastle Cake and Turtle Doughnuts to Jam Clams and Treasure Trifle, fulfill
all your dreams of becoming a mermaid. Or at least eating like one. Color photographs are paired
with easy-to-follow recipes. Besides various desserts (cupcakes, celebration cakes, cookies, and
bars and bites), the cookbook also includes party food (i.e. Crispy Starfish Churros), breakfast
(i.e. Mermaid Toast), and drinks (i.e. Seaplendid Smoothie) sections. Each recipe also shows
estimated time to make and difficulty rating.
Critique: Featuring sumptuous, full-color photography of its dishes, The Mermaid Cookbook is a
delightful recipe book of treats that resemble undersea works of art. From "wave cake" with
frosting that resembles ocean waves, to "turtle waffles" created with a banana to resemble a sea
turtle, to "fish doughnuts" that resemble brightly colored tropical fish and more, The Mermaid
Cookbooks is filled with surprises perfect for serving at parties, or simply brightening anyone's
day. Highly recommended!
The Food in Jars Kitchen
Marisa McClellan
Running Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.runningpress.com
9780762492466, $24.00, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Marisa McClellan is a full time food writer and cooking teacher, and has been
blogging about canning, pickling, and preserving on her blog Food in Jars (three times nominated
by Saveur magazine for a Best Food Blog award) since 2009. She has published three books
about canning.
Now in "The Food in Jars Kitchen: 140 Ways to Cook, Bake, Plate, and Share Your Homemade
Pantry", she draws upon her years of experience and expertise to showcase how a pantry full of
homemade jams, jellies, salsas, and pickles can do a whole lot more than accompany toast. That
they can add bold bursts of flavor to home cooking!
The recipes compiled in "The Food in Jars Kitchen" cookbook range from a Blank Slate White
Bean Spread, to a Strawberry Basil Pizza, to Classic Buttery Thumprints, to a Goat Cheese and
Savory Jam Tart, to Quick Cucumber Pickles.
With chapters focusing on great ways to use preserves throughout the day and for every meal,
family cooks aren't required to have a specific preserve on hand to work in order to make this
cookbook flexible and easy to use for both experienced and novice canners.
Critique: Beautifully illustrated throughout, "The Food in Jars Kitchen: 140 Ways to Cook, Bake,
Plate, and Share Your Homemade Pantry" will prove to be a very special and impressively
unique addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be
noted that "The Food in Jars Kitchen" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$12.99).
Healthy Electric Smoker Cookbook
Robyn Lindars
Alpha
c/o DK Publishing, Inc.
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.dk.com
9781465483690 $19.99 pbk / $12.99 Kindle amazon.com
Synopsis: With an electric smoker and Healthy Electric Smoker Cookbook, you can confidently
smoke just about anything and enjoy many advantages over traditional smoking methods.
More convenient - Precise temperature control means you don't need to spend hours tweaking
temperature, adding wood, and tending to the smoker.
Less cost - Conventional smokers require a significant amount of wood to produce consistent
smoke and heat over long periods of time, but electric smokers use a very small amount of wood,
which is used for flavoring and not as the energy source.
Smaller footprint - Electric smokers take up significantly less space and produce much less ash
than traditional smokers.
From happy hour, to entree, to dessert, use any brand of electric smoker to wow your family and
neighbors with smoke flavor without building a smokehouse in your backyard. Plus, no
unnecessary carbs and processed ingredients needed, making many recipes paleo-friendly and
lower carb. Smoke your own Old Fashioned, chipotle cherry beef jerky, pork belly burnt ends,
Jamaican jerk chicken, or campfire s'mores cheesecake. Sure, you can wait and watch your ribs
slowly tenderize if you want, but you can also go do your yard work while your electric appliance
turns out the most perfectly smoked and traditionally flavored barbecue you've ever created.
Critique: An electric smoker allows one to create authentic smoked flavor with greater ease of
use than traditional pit smokers. Healthy Electric Smoker Cookbook is packed with 100 recipes
designed to take advantage of what an electric smoker has to offer. From Chipotle Cherry Beef
Jerky to Chinese Five-Spice Duck, Smoked Salmon & Goat Cheese Frittata, Smoked Pineapple
Upside-Down Cake and much more, Healthy Electric Smoker Cookbook is a treasure trove of
mouth-watering delights, illustrated with full-color photographs. A "must-have" for anyone who
owns an electric smoker, Healthy Electric Smoker Cookbook is also available in a Kindle edition
($12.99).
The Campfire Cookbook
Viola Lex and Nico Stanitzok
DK Publishing, Inc.
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.dk.com
9781465483966 $17.99 pbk / $8.99 Kindle amazon.com
Synopsis: Chef Nico Stanitzok and lifelong camper Viola Lex have teamed up to create more
than 80 sweet and savory camping recipes. Alongside traditional campfire favorites such as BBQ
chicken, grilled corn on the cob, and kebab skewers, you'll find recipes for breads, grilled
Camembert, pancakes, and even chocolate cakes baked inside oranges. The eclectic mix of
recipes will satisfy the more adventurous outdoor cook, while the step-by-step instructions and
mouthwatering photography make the recipes easy to follow and suitable for those new to
outdoor cooking.
Each recipe has a symbol that tells you which is the best way to cook the dish, be it an open fire,
grill, or camping stove. Cook up glorious feasts regardless of whether you're at a festival, in an
RV on the open road, wilderness or primitive camping out on the trail, "glamping," or simply
campfire cooking on a picnic at the beach. As well as outdoor cooking hacks and tips, you'll find
checklists of camping essentials and basic recipes for camping must-haves such as BBQ sauce,
ketchup, and dukkah, and even a fun questionnaire to help you decide what kind of camper you
are. The Campfire Cookbook is the ultimate cookbook for open-air cooks who love to
explore.
Critique: The Campfire Cookbook: 80 Imaginative Recipes for Cooking Outdoors lives up to its
title with a wealth of adventurous, flavorful dishes that can be cooked over a campfire. Illustrated
with full-color photography, The Campfire Cookbook includes such outdoors delicacies as Pan-
Fried Sausage and Leek with Potatoes; BBQ Chicken in Orange Marinade; Eggless Pancakes;
Grilled Garden Vegetables; and much more. Tips, tricks, and techniques for bringing along one's
pantry and cooking in the great outdoors round out this treasure for camping and culinary
enthusiasts. Highly recommended! It should be noted for personal reading lists that The Campfire
Cookbook is also available in a Kindle edition ($8.99).
Waste Not, Want Not Kosher Cookbook
Yaffa Fruchter
Urim Publications
c/o KTAV Publishing House
527 Empire Boulevard, Brooklyn, New York 11225
www.UrimPublications.com
9781602803367, $29.95, HC, 152pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In "Waste Not, Want Not Kosher Cookbook: Creative Ways to Serve Yesterday's
Meal", author and kosher cooking expert Yaffa Fruchter promotes a unique and exciting
approach to making leftovers new again in palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, kosher dishes
suitable for any and all dining occasions.
Boasting a collection of over 120 beautifully illustrated and innovative recipes, "Waste Not,
Want Not Kosher Cookbook" is culinary compendium that offers a comprehensive guide of the
best, safest, and most delicious ways to use what's on hand and eat well for kosher households.
To curb her own food-waster's guilt, Yaffa developed creative ways of using available
ingredients to produce excellent new dishes that will change the way you look at last night's
meals -- including 30 recipes that use cooked chicken, 15 that use bread and challah, and so
much more!
Critique: A unique and superbly organized cookbook that is inspiring to plan kosher menus and
meals using leftovers, "Waste Not, Want Not Kosher Cookbook" is an extraordinary and
unreservedly recommended addition to personal, family, and community library ethnic cookbook
collections.
Editorial Note: A consummate ''balabusta'' (homemaker), Yaffa Fruchter has been cooking from a
young age. With experience running an upscale restaurant to cooking for her growing family in
New York, Yaffa has been honing her skills for decades. Those who are interested can access a
lot more information about her cookbooks at
https://www.jewishpress.com/author/yaffa-fruchter
The Automotive Shelf
The Jeep: Second World War
Lance Cole
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781526746511, $22.95, PB, 64pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The Second World War Jeep was one of the most famous and influential military
vehicles of all time, and over 600,000 were produced. It served with all the Allied forces during
the war on every front and it has been the inspiration behind the design of light, versatile, rugged
military and civilian vehicles ever since. "The Jeep: Second World War" by Lance Cole is, the
first volume in new Pen & Sword's LandCraft series and traces the design, development and
manufacturing history of the Jeep and describes its operational role within the Allied armies.
A selection of archive photographs showing the Jeep in service in European and Pacific
campaigns gives a graphic impression of how adaptable the Jeep was and records the variety of
equipment it could carry. "The Jeep: Second World War" is also an excellent source for the
modeler, providing details of available kits, together with specially commissioned color profiles
recording how the Jeeps used by different units and armies appeared.
Critique: Profusely illustrated, impressively informative, exceptionally well organized and
presented, "The Jeep: Second World War" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended
addition to community and academic library Automotive History & American Military History
collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of military buffs and model making
enthusiasts that "The Jeep: Second World War" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$11.02).
Editorial Note: Lance Cole has been an automotive and aviation writer for over 25 years and is
internationally published and syndicated. A former Sir William Lyons Scholar, and national press
columnist, Lance is the author of over a dozen books and is also a trained designer, photographer
and illustrator. His passion for design led him to Bugatti and many years attending Prescott's
action. The evocative photos in this book truly capture Lance's passion for all things Bugatti.
Ford Bronco
Todd Zuercher
CarTech Inc.
838 Lake Street South, Forest Lake, MN 55025
www.cartechbooks.com
9781613254141, $42.95, HC, 191pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: GIs returning after World War II created an entirely new automotive market niche
when they bought surplus Jeeps and began exploring the rugged backcountry of the American
West. This burgeoning market segment, which eventually became known as sport utility vehicles
(SUVs), numbered about 40,000 units per year with offerings from Jeep, Scout, Toyota, and
Land Rover. In 1966, Ford entered the fray with its Bronco, offering increased refinement, more
power, and an innovative coil-spring front suspension. The Bronco caught on quickly and soon
established a reputation as a solid backcountry performer. In Baja, the legendary
accomplishments of racers such as Parnelli Jones, Rod Hall, and Bill Stroppe further cemented
the bobtail's reputation for toughness.
Ford moved upstream with the introduction of the larger Bronco for 1978, witnessing a huge
increase in sales for the second-generation trucks. The Twin Traction Beam front end was
introduced in the third generation, and further refinements including more aerodynamic styling,
greater luxury, and more powerful fuel-injected engines came on board in the generations that
followed. Through it all, the Bronco retained its reputation as a tough, versatile, and comfortable
rig, both on and off the paved road. With the reintroduction of the Bronco for 2020, Ford is
producing a vehicle for a whole new generation of enthusiasts that looks to bring modern styling
and performance to the market while building on the 30-year heritage of the first five generations
of the Bronco so dearly loved by their owners.
From the development process and details of the first trucks through the 1996 models, in "Ford
Bronco: A History of Ford's Legendary 4X4" Todd Zuercher shares technical details, rarely seen
photos, and highlights of significant models along with the stories of those people whose lives
have been intertwined with the Bronco for many years. This specialized Ford automotive history
will have new information for everyone and will be a must-have for longtime enthusiasts and
new owners alike!
Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout, informatively detailed, exceptionally well organized
and presented, "Ford Bronco: A History of Ford's Legendary 4X4" is unreservedly recommended
for personal, community, and academic library American Automotive History collections in
general, and Ford Bronco fans in particular.
Formula 1 - The Knowledge
David Hayhoe
Veloce Publishing Ltd.
www.veloce.co.uk
9781787112377, $85.00, HC, 544pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Now in a newly updated and expanded second edition, "Formula 1 - The Knowledge"
by David Hayhoe continues to be a groundbreaking volume specifically dedicated to F1 records
and trivia, which proved hugely popular with F1 enthusiasts and fans of racing statistics.
Featuring up-to-date stats, and an extended narrative including many amusing, and some serious,
stories from the history of F1, "Formula 1 - The Knowledge" offers performance records of every
driver, every car constructor, and every engine make to have taken part, a detailed insight into the
variety of qualifying procedures throughout the years, a summary of regulation changes since
1950 and a quick reference guide to every Grand Prix result.
The performances are analyzed by nationality, youngest/oldest, fastest/slowest, consecutive wins,
poles, most wins at different circuits, and lots more. It's not just focused on drivers and cars, but
circuits, engines and tires too.
A comprehensive photographic section depicts the changing scene of Formula 1 since its
inception in 1950.
Critique: Exhaustively researched, featuring a significant section of color photographs,
exceptionally well organized and thoroughly 'user friendly' in presentation, "Formula 1 - The
Knowledge "an invaluable and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional,
community, and academic library Formula 1 automotive racing reference collections.
Editorial Note: David Hayhoe developed a Formula 1 database and has written and contributed to
numerous Formula 1 books, media guides, magazines and newspapers since the 1980s. His first
book was the Grand Prix Data Book in 1989 (published by Haynes), followed by three further
editions. It led to being invited to be the statistician for the prestigious Autocourse Grand Prix
annual in 1991, a position he has held ever since. In 2016 he self-published the first edition of his
latest venture, Formula 1 The Knowledge. This was well-received globally and has led to more
ideas to make the second edition even more comprehensive.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Office Dogs: The Manual
Stephanie Rousseau
Hubble & Hattie
www.hubbleandhattie.com
9781787113817, $12.99, PB, 80pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Office Dogs: The Manual" is the ideal guide to having dogs in the workplace. As the
popularity of bringing our canine companions to the office continues to grow, the many benefits
for employers are increasingly recognised. Meanwhile, a new generation of employees are
prioritizing their dog's needs more than ever before.
Written by a specialist dog behaviourist Stephanie Rousseau, "Office Dogs: The Manual" offers a
unique insight into how to integrate your dog into office life, making the arrangement work for
all involved: the employer, the employee, and perhaps most importantly, the dog! Uniquely,
"Office Dogs: The Manual" considers the dog's perspective on office life, whilst also providing
plenty of practical advice for making your dog's time in the office a success. It takes you through
the entire process, from gaining the support of your colleagues to policy considerations for the
employer.
With helpful, ready-to-use materials for the office included within, and real-life case studies of
workplace dog success stories throughout, "Office Dogs: The Manual" is the ultimate essential
reading for anyone involved with office dogs including owners, employers, those who work with
dogs professionally, and those who are simply lucky enough to share their office with a dog!
Critique: Profusely illustrated, exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Office
Dogs: The Manual" is a 'must read' choice for anyone with a canine companion that they would
like to take to work with them be it on special occasion or permanently.
Editorial Note: Stephanie Rousseau is an Irish dog trainer currently residing in Dublin, having
previously worked extensively with dogs in London. She is passionate about dog behavior, and
over the past few years has developed a particular interest in facilitating dogs in the human
workplace. Steph takes an holistic view in her work with dogs, prioritizing their needs foremost.
She has completed Turid Rugaas's IDTE, and currently sits on the board of the Pet Dog Trainers
of Europe (PDTE), and is its country representative for Ireland. Outside of her work, she enjoys
looking after her two dogs, a Greyhound called Fia and an ex-laboratory Beagle cross called
Ferdia.
The Religion/Spirituality Shelf
40 Questions About Calvinism
Shawn D. Wright
Kregel Academic
c/o Kregel Publications
2450 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
www.kregel.com
9780825442315, $24.99, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In "40 Questions About Calvinism", Shawn Wright (who is the Professor of Church
History at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Pastor at the Clifton Baptist Church
in Louisville, Kentucky) tackles many issues about the theological system known as
Calvinism.
Taking an irenic approach, Professor Wright explains the key doctrines while also contrasting
them with Arminianism. The accessible format allows readers to easily look up topics they're
most interested in, including: What is the difference between Calvinism and the Reformed
tradition?; Does God love all people?; What is predestination?; Did Jesus die for the sins of the
whole world?; Can people resist the Holy Spirit?; Do Calvinists practice evangelism and
missions?
For Calvinists or those seeking to understand Calvinism better, "40 Questions About Calvinism"
helps readers understand the key terms, issues, and debates of this highly influential theological
viewpoint.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "40 Questions About Calvinism"
is an ideal and thoroughly 'reader friendly' introduction to Calvinism and an unreservedly
recommended addition to personal reading lists, as well as church, community and academic
library Christian Studies collections.
The Business Shelf
Play Nice
Brigitte Gawenda Kimichik, JD, author
J. R. Tomlinson, author
Brown Books Publishing Group
16250 Knoll Trail Drive, Suite 205, Dallas, TX 75248
www.BrownBooks.com
9781612542904, $15.95, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: As a direct result of the #MeToo movement, one of today's most hotly discussed topics
is sexual harassment in the workplace: what it looks like, how to prevent it, and what to do about
it.
So many people don't realize that they have been victims of sexual harassment or that they have a
right to speak up and demand different treatment. Many don't realize that they are committing it,
thanks certain behaviors being dismissed, forgiven, or ignored for many years when they should
have been corrected long ago.
In "Play Nice: Playground Rules for Respect in the Workplace", Brigitte Gawenda Kimichik and
and J.R Tomlinson take things back to basics by applying the rules we all learned on the
playground to the modern-day workplace, thus making clear to everyone what is and what isn't
OK.
"Play Nice: Playground Rules for Respect in the Workplace" was specifically written to be a 'real
world' practical and indispensable resource for empowering those who wish to reassert their
boundaries, as well as teaching allies how to help in bringing awareness and reform with respect
to gender equality, gender equity, and gender respect in the workplace.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Play Nice: Playground Rules for
Respect in the Workplace" is a timely and critically important contribution to our current and on-
going national dialogue over how to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace.
Editorial Note: Brigitte Kimichik retired in 2015 from the practice of law with over thirty years'
experience as a commercial real estate finance partner of the law firm of Andrews Kurth LLP,
now Hunton Andrews Kurth. She received her JD in 1986 from Southern Methodist University
Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas, and her BBA with Honors from the McCombs School
of Business at The University of Texas in 1983 after only two and a half years, where she was a
member of the Dean's List and the Golden Key Honor Society. Brigitte was on the board of
Wednesday's Child Benefit Corporation from 1993 to 1997 and received the Most Powerful &
Influential Women of Texas Award in 2012 from the National Diversity Council.
Beginning her career as a financial consultant with Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, earning
her Series 7, 63, and 22 licenses after earning a BBA in finance and investments from Texas
Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, JR Tomlinson has over twenty-nine years' expertise in the
commercial real estate and strategic alignment of corporate real estate operations for companies.
She manages numerous multimillion-dollar complex transactions for Fortune clients in North
America such as Ecolab, Nalco Company LLC, Huitt-Zollars, Jack in the Box, Distribution
International, and One Vision Solutions. Awards for her skills and broad-based experience as one
of the best in her field include the Dallas Power Broker Award by D Magazine, The US Green
Council Building Award, and The Notable Women of Texas Award. JR is currently an executive
managing director with Newmark Knight Frank.
Bleed a Creed
Matt Carcieri
Paramount Market Publishing, Inc.
274 North Goodman Street, STE D-214, Rochester, NY 14607
www.paramountbooks.com
9781941688625, $30.00, HC, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In the history of business, like a glacier reshaping the contours of commerce, purpose
has fundamentally changed the discipline of management, the experience of employees, the fruits
of capitalism -- and the future of the world.
The businesses that are embracing this shift are experiencing greater success. According to recent
studies, 80% of companies that over-perform on revenue growth link everything they do to
purpose, and brands with a purpose have outperformed the stock market by 120%. Other studies
show that Millennials are five times more likely to stay with a company when they have a strong
connection to its purpose; and consumers are more likely to advocate for a brand based on its
stand rather than its product features.
But for the majority of companies and brands, the promise of purpose is not their reality. That's
because their purpose is a platitude; it doesn't represent a heartfelt devotion that's authentic to the
DNA of the enterprise. And more often than not, leaders haven't taken the actions that are
required for it to penetrate the mechanics of the business.
"Bleed a Creed: How to Create and Activate a Powerful Brand Purpose" is navigational
guidebook by Matt Carcieri in which he helps entrepreneurs and business managers to overcome
the "purpose challenge": the challenge of finding a true devotion and embedding it within their
own organization, brand and operations.
Critique: Accessibly organized and presented, "Bleed a Creed: How to Create and Activate a
Powerful Brand Purpose" is an extraordinary and 'real world practical' instructional guide and
manual that will prove to be an invaluable and enduringly appreciated addition to corporate,
community, and academic library Business Management collections and supplemental
curriculum study lists. It should be noted for business students, academia, entrepreneurs, and
corporate managers that "Bleed a Creed: How to Create and Activate a Powerful Brand Purpose"
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Brand Hacks
Emmanuel Probst
Paramount Market Publishing, Inc.
274 North Goodman Street, STE D-214, Rochester, NY 14607
www.paramountbooks.com
9781941688540, $26.00, PB, 230pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Every year, brands spend over $560 billion (and counting) to convince us to buy their
products. Yet, as consumers we have become insensitive to most advertising. We easily forget
brands and may switch to another product on a whim. But there are ways for brands to break this
cycle.
Brands that succeed are the ones that help us find meaning. In this process, the brands become
meaningful in and of themselves. "Brand Hacks: How to Build Brands by Fulfilling the Human
Quest for Meaning" by Emmanuel Probst takes entrepreneurs and business managers on an
exploratory journey, revealing why most advertising campaigns fail and examining the personal,
social, and cultural meanings that successful brands bring to consumers' everyday lives.
Supported by in-depth research in consumer psychology, interviews with industry-leading
marketers, and case studies of meaningful brands, both big and small, "Brand Hacks" will show
just how to use simple brand hacks to create and grow brands that deliver meaning even with a
limited budget.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Brand Hacks: How to Build
Brands by Fulfilling the Human Quest for Meaning" is a complete course of instruction on how
branding works within local, regional, national, and international markets. 'Real world practical'
in scope and approach, "Brand Hacks" should be considered essential reading for anyone charged
with a corporate responsibility for promoting their company's services or products in a volatile
and competitive market. While unreservedly recommended for community, corporate, and
academic library Business Management collections and supplemental curriculum lists, it should
be noted for students, academia, entrepreneurs, business managers, and non-specialist general
readers with an interest in the subject that "Brand Hacks" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: At Kantar, Dr. Probst supports numerous Fortune 500 companies by providing
them with a full understanding of their customer's journey. This encompasses brand awareness to
purchase and recommendation, leading to greater insights on the consumer within it. His clients
span across a wide range of industries, including consumer package goods, retail, financial
services, advertising agencies and media outlets. He also teaches Consumer Market Research at
the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), and writes about consumer psychology for
numerous publications. Dr. Probst holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of Hull,
United Kingdom and a Doctorate in Consumer Psychology from the University of Nottingham
Trent, United Kingdom.
Innovation Capital
Jeff Dyer, Nathan Furr, Curtis Lefrandt
Harvard Business Review Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
http://hbr.org/books
9781633696525, $32.00, HC, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Great leaders of innovation know that creativity is not enough. They succeed not only
on the basis of their ideas, but because they have the vision, reputation, and networks to win the
backing needed to commercialize them. It turns out that this quality -- called "innovation capital"
-- is measurably more important for innovation than just being creative.
Jeff Dyer, Nathan Furr, Curtis Lefrandt have spent decades studying how people get great ideas
(the subject of The Innovator's DNA) and how people test and develop those ideas (explored in
The Innovator's Method). Now with "Innovation Capital: How to Compete and Win Like the
World's Most Innovative Leader" they share what they've learned from a multipronged research
program designed to determine how people compete for, and obtain, resources to launch new
ideas including : How you can build a personal reputation for innovation; What techniques you
can use to amplify your innovation capital; How you can garner attention for your ideas and
projects and persuade audiences to support them; What it means to provide visionary leadership
and how you can achieve it
Featuring interviews with the superstars of innovation like Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Elon Musk
(Tesla), Marc Benioff (Salesforce), Indra Nooyi (PepsiCo), and Shantanu Narayen (Adobe),
"Innovation Capital" will help you position yourself and your ideas to compete for attention and
resources so that you can launch innovations with impact.
Critique: A 'must read' selection for anyone seeking to become a successful entrepreneur,
corporate executive, or business investor, "Innovation Capital: How to Compete--and Win--Like
the World's Most Innovative Leader" is further enhanced with the inclusion of an appendix (How
We Rank the World's Most Innovative Leaders), ten pages of Notes, and a ten page Index. While
a very strongly and unreservedly recommended addition to community, corporate, and academic
library Business Management collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be
noted for personal reading lists that "Innovation Capital" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $19.66).
Sales Truth
Mike Weinberg
HarperCollins Leadership
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
195 Broadway, New York, New York 10007
www.harpercollins.com
9781595557223, $27.99, HC, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In "Sales Truth: Debunk the Myths. Apply Powerful Principles. Win More New
Sales", sales consultant, coach, speaker, and author, Mike Weinberg offers a blunt wake-up call
to salespeople and sales leaders on how to get past the noise and nonsense, so you can start
winning more New Sales.
Weinberg asserts that: Many of these so-called sales experts lack clients, credibility, and a track
record of helping sellers achieve breakthrough results; The number of "likes" a sales
improvement article receives is often inversely proportional to its accuracy or helpfulness to the
typical seller or sales team.
What has worked exceedingly well in sales and sales management for the past couple of decades
is still the (not so) secret to sales success today, and "Sales Truth" showcases these accessible,
simple truths and best practices that will drive the results sales results desired.
In "Sales Truth" Weinberg brings sanity back to the sales effectiveness table by sharing proven
strategies that he sees working firsthand across sales teams in a myriad of industries around the
globe. By applying Weinberg's proven, powerful principles to help anyone to master the
fundamentals of professional selling and create more new sales opportunities than he or she ever
believed possible.
Critique: Impressively informed and informative, exceptionally well written, and thoroughly 'user
friendly' in organization and presentation. "Sales Truth: Debunk the Myths. Apply Powerful
Principles. Win More New Sales." should be considered a mandatory read by anyone seeking
success in corporate sales. While highly recommended for corporate, community, and academic
library Business Management collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Sales
Truth" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete and
unabridged audio book (Brilliance Audio, 9781799709763, $32.99, CD).
The Greenhouse Approach
Chitra Anand
The Dundurn Group
www.dundurn.com
9781459742857, $22.99, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Intrapreneurship, which harnesses the entrepreneurial drive within an existing
organization to foster new ideas and creative thinking, gives companies the problem-solving edge
to succeed in an ever-changing world. To stay on top, companies need to empower all their
employees (including their rebels, their trend spotters, their communicators, their researchers) to
find and implement new ways of operating.
Chitra Anand is an award-winning communications and marketing executive with over twenty
years' experience in the technology industry. She has spent time as the head of communications
for Microsoft Canada, director of marketing at Telus Corporation, and director of operations at
OpenText.
In "The Greenhouse Approach: Cultivating Intrapreneurship in Companies and Organizations",
Chitra shows how companies and organizations can use creative thinking to reimagine current
norms and structures and develop a culture of intrapreneurship, equipping them with the tools to
anticipate and adapt to change.
Critique: As inspiring in concept as it is real world practical application, "The Greenhouse
Approach" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, corporate,
community, and academic library Business Management collections. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "The Greenhouse Approach" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $11.99).
The Social Issues Shelf
The Coffeehouse Resistance
Sarina Prabasi
Green Writers Press
c/o Trafalgar Square Books
PO Box 257, North Pomfret, VT 05053
www.trafalgarbooks.com
9781732854031, $19.95, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Writing as a mother, immigrant, new American, coffeehouse owner, and international
nonprofit leader, "The Coffeehouse Resistance: Brewing Hope in Desperate Times" is Sarina
Prabasi's personal story that deftly weaves between Nepal, Ethiopia, and the United States.
When Prabasi and her husband move from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to New York City with their
young daughter in 2011, they start a thriving coffee business, grow their family, and are living
their American Dream. After the 2016 election, they are suddenly unsure about their new
home.
Reclaiming the tradition of coffee houses throughout history, their coffeehouses became a hub
for local organizing and action. Moving from despair to hope, "The Coffeehouse Resistance" is a
true story that is ultimately about building community, claiming home, and fighting for our
dreams against a fostered resurgence of bigotry and racism.
Critique: A timely, funny, and poignant contribution to our on-going national debates on the
nature of our country and the attacks on democracy by those currently in power, "The
Coffeehouse Resistance" is an impressively written combination of a coming-to-America story, a
lyrical crafted, memoir, and an activist's call to action. While unreservedly recommended for
both community and academic library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists
that "The Coffeehouse Resistance" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$11.99).
The Parenting Shelf
ParentShift
Linda Hatfield, Ty Hatfield, Wendy Thomas Russell
Brown Paper Press
https://www.brownpaperpress.com
9781941932100, $24.99, PB, 330pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "ParentShift: Ten Universal Truths That Will Change the Way You Raise Your Kids"
by the team of develompent experts Linda Hatfield, Ty Hatfield, and journalist Wendy Thomas
Russell, is extraordinarily instructive guidebook that offers an effective new approach to raising
confident, healthy, whole human beings, from toddler to teen. Groundbreaking in both its scope
and methodology, "ParentShift" challenges some of our most popular disciplinary tools
(including punishments, threats, bribery, and rewards) all of which the science of child
psychology has shown actually sabotage so many of the long-term goals parents have for their
kids. "ParentShift" dismantles the pervasive myths that have given rise to these tactics and
introduce a method designed to solve virtually any household challenge while honoring children's
emotional needs, preserving the parent-child relationship and strengthening each child's
self-esteem.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "ParentShift" is impressively 'user
friendly' for the non-specialist general reader and unreservedly recommended for personal,
community, and academic library Parenting instructional reference collections. It should be noted
for parents that "ParentShift" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
The Literary Studies Shelf
Hamlet Made Simple and Other Essays
David P. Gontar
New English Review Press
PO Box 158397, Nashville, Tennessee 37215
www.newenglishreview.org
9780985439491, $28.95, PB, 428pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Hamlet Made Simple and Other Essays" by David P. Gontar (Adjunct Professor of
English and Philosophy at Inner Mongolia University in China) presents the most compelling and
original reading of Hamlet since A.C. Bradley. Professor Gontar dispenses once and for all with
the psychoanalytic interpretation of the play; explains the actual meaning of the Oedipus myth;
provides the "smoking gun" which establishes Shakespeare's true identity; explodes the fable of
Shakespeare's appearance; and in the process of correcting misreadings of Shakespeare's poetry
and drama offers vital insights and indispensable guidance on how this challenging writer can be
fairly and productively approached today.
Critique: Hamlet Made Simple and Other Essays is a welcome work of scholarship offering a fresh perspective of Shakespeare's classic plays for the twenty-first century. The essays scrutinize not only "Hamlet", but also "King Lear", "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar", and Shakespeare's comedies and tragedies as a whole. Individual writings include "Crown of Horns: Male Self- Betrayal in Shakespeare", "An Islamic Reading of King Henry IV", "Speeches of Love in Shakespeare", and much more. Inspiring, thoughtful, and daring to break new ground, Hamlet Made Simple and Other Essays is a choice pick for public and college library Literary Studies collections, along with author David Gontar's "Unreading Shakespeare" (9781943003006, $34.95). It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Hamlet Made Simple and Other Essays" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.95).
The Self-Help Shelf
Simple Truths
Kent Nerburn
New World Library
www.newworldlibrary.com
9781608686179, $14.00
Simple Truths: Clear and Gentle Guidance on the Big Issues in Life blends self-help advice with
spiritual wisdom from many different sources as it reflects on life issues and handling life
challenges, and is recommended for any reader experiencing difficult times. From understanding
the difference between loneliness and solitude and the value in cultivating separation to achieve
clarity and strength to differences between metaphysical thinking and pragmatic approaches to
life in a partnership, this cultivates many outstanding truths that will particularly appeal to
thinking readers with an interest in spiritual reflection and self-help approaches to life
changes.
Nearing Ninety
Judith Viorst
Simon & Schuster
www.simonandschuster.com
9781501197086, $17.00
Judith Viorst is well known for her humorous approach to and descriptions of life, but in Nearing
Ninety (and other comedies of late life), she does an outstanding job of exploring the challenges
of aging, blending a blend of comedic inspection with a self-help edge. These are presented in the
form of poems which share everyday life in succinct free verse accessible even to those with little
affection for or experience with poetry in their lives. It's a hard-hitting reflective piece suitable
for humor and self-help holdings alike.
The Answer Is Energy
Jarrad Hewett
https://jarradhewett.com
Morgan James Publishing
11815 Fountain Way, Suite 300, Newport News, VA 23606-4448
www.morganjamespublishing.com
9781642791587, $16.95, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: When someone's energy is in alignment with their true intention of being healthier,
happier, and more productive, great empowerment and life changing transformation occurs. On a
thirty-day personalized journey as laid out in the pages of "The Answer Is Energy: A Thirty-Day
Guide to Creating Your Ideal Life, Embracing True Abundance, and Knowing Your Worth From
Within", Jarrad Hewett (who is a multi-dimensional energy expert), shows his readers just how
energy creates with thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.
"The Answer Is Energy" teaches readers how to quickly shift into a paradigm of ease, bliss, love,
abundance, and tranquility, while helping them to seize their best life by showing them how to
not let their inner programming and the worn-out stories of their past crowd out their dreams and
aspirations. People are continually looking for solutions "out there" and forget that they have all
the magnificent resources and tools inside themselves to catapult their life into the stratosphere
by tapping into their own abundant source of energy.
Critique: Exceptional in organization and presentation, "The Answer Is Energy: A Thirty-Day
Guide to Creating Your Ideal Life, Embracing True Abundance, and Knowing Your Worth From
Within" is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal and community library
Self-Help/Self-Improvement instructional reference collections. Of special note is that "The
Answer Is Energy" is also available for personal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle,
$7.39).
Editorial Note: Jarrad Hewett is a Multi-Dimensional Energy Expert, the Founder of the
Quantum Technology Frequency Method, the author of "Love, Life, God and The Gospel of
You", as well as the co-author of "The Big E - Everything is Energy". Jarrad's in-depth energy
work has led to a devoted client list featuring some of the biggest, and most well-known names
in the Self-Help and Spiritual Movements, as well as numerous radio and television show
appearances. He can also be heard on CMT, HGTV, DIY, and the Disney Channel.
The Radiant Midnight
Melissa Maimone
Harvest House Publishers
2975 Chad Drive, Eugene, Oregon 97408
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
9780736976473, $15.99, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Specifically written for anyone who has ever suffered with depression, sadness, or the
feeling that they just can't seem to get it together, who wonders if they could ever view their
deepest wounds in a different light, "The Radiant Midnight" by Melissa Maimone is an
extraordinary and unique self-help manual and guide with a distinctively Christian
perspective.
Through candid storytelling, biblical truth, honest lament, and unexpected humor, "The Radiant
Midnight" is a bold refusal to simplify the experience of suffering by moving too quickly to try to
relieve it. With questions to guide you and practical suggestions to lead you through dark
moments, author Melissa Maimone takes you on a journey of surrender, suffering, rest, and
restoration as it encourages and comforts you in whatever struggle you face.
The message of "The Radiant Midnight" is fueled by the passionate belief that not only will God
lead you out of darkness, He will be fully and beautifully present within it. You can find deep
contentment in painful circumstances and discover a profound intimacy with a compassionate,
tender God who is with you in every moment -- in each hope-filled dawn and every radiant
midnight.
Critique: A life changing, life-enhancing, thought-provoking, inspired and inspiring read from
cover to cover, "The Radiant Midnight" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended
addition to personal and community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections, it should be
noted for personal reading lists that it is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$14.01).
Living a Life of Harmony
Darren Cockburn
Findhorn Press
https://www.findhornpress.com
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781620558904, $16.99, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Living a Life of Harmony: Seven Guidelines for Cultivating Peace and Kindness" by
Darren Cockburn showcases 7 simple yet powerful guidelines that provide a compass for
navigating life harmoniously, cultivating a peaceful mind, and spreading kindness. These 7
guidelines provide for living a life of harmony and peace based on existing guidance from
Buddhism, Yoga, and other great teachings, integrated and updated for the modern world.
"Living a Life of Harmony" also explains how to implement the guidelines in daily life on a
practical basis, supported by real-life examples and practices and illustrates in-depth how and
why each of these guidelines hold value and how they provide a set of tools to help us deal with
life's ups and downs more skillfully, mindfully, and compassionately.
Critique: A life changing, quality of life enhancing, and thoroughly 'user friendly' instructional
guide, "Living a Life of Harmony: Seven Guidelines for Cultivating Peace and Kindness" is
especially and highly recommended for personal and community library Self-Help/Self-
Improvement collections in general, and Spirituality & Mindfulness reading lists in particular. It
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Living a Life of Harmony" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $10.99).
From Suffering to Peace
Mark Coleman
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
www.newworldlibrary.com
9781608686032, $18.95, PB, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one's attention to experiences
occurring in the present moment, which one can develop through the practice of meditation and
through other training. (Wikipedia)
Mindfulness as a meditative practice is to be found in everything ranging from medicine to the
military. In "From Suffering to Peace: The True Promise of Mindfulness" Mark Coleman (who
has studied and taught mindfulness meditation for decades) deftly draws on his knowledge to not
only clarify what mindfulness truly means but also reveal the depth and potential of this ancient
discipline.
Weaving together contemporary applications with practices in use for millennia, Coleman's
approach empowers us to engage with and transform the inevitable stress and pain of life, so we
can discover genuine peace -- in the body, heart, mind, and wider world. While profound and
multilayered, the mindfulness teachings Coleman shares have proved effective in a wide variety
of settings. "From Suffering to Peace" will help readers of all kinds access and benefit from the
"true promise of mindfulness".
Critique: Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "From Suffering to Peace:
The True Promise of Mindfulness" is an ideal introduction to the subject and is unreservedly
recommended for both community and academic library Self-Help/Self-Improvement
instructional reference collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "From
Suffering to Peace" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.12).
The Christian Studies Shelf
An Uncommon Guide to Retirement
Jeff Haanen
Moody Publishers
820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610
www.moodypublishers.com
9780802418920, $14.99, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: People talk about retirement like it's supposed to be an endless vacation. But what if,
like the majority of those facing retirement, you can't afford such a luxury? Or, what if you just
want something more from retirement?
Some advocate for no retirement at all. But you've worked for decades and a rest and reprieve do
sound appealing. What should you do? Does God have a purpose for your retirement?
As Jeff Haanen reveals in "An Uncommon Guide to Retirement: Finding God's Purpose for the
Next Season of Life" the answer is 'Yes, He does'.
Learn how to discern what it is by taking an uncommon approach as Jeff looks biblically and
practically at the need for rest and purpose in retirement and shows how to: Take a sabbatical rest
in early retirement; Listen to God's voice for their calling in retirement; Rethink "work" in
retirement; Understand family systems and leaving a legacy.
The ultimate message of "An Uncommon Guide to Retirement" is that planning retirement
doesn't have to be distressing. Anyone can retire in a way that's God-honoring, purpose-filled,
restful, and truly biblical.
Critique: Offering a solidly Christian and bible-based perspective, "An Uncommon Guide to
Retirement: Finding God's Purpose for the Next Season of Life" is as informative and thoughtful
as it is inspired and inspiring. While very highly recommended to all members of the Christian
community regardless of denominational affiliations, it should be noted for personal reading lists
that "An Uncommon Guide to Retirement" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
Editorial Note: Jeff Haanen (B.A., Valparaiso University; M. Div., Denver Seminary) is the
Founder and Executive Director of Denver Institute for Faith & Work, an educational nonprofit
that explores issues of faith, work, calling and culture. Jeff is a regular contributor to Christianity
Today and has written numerous articles on finance, character, work, and calling. He is a
nationally recognized voice on the intersection between faith and work.
Praying Our Way Toward Wholeness
Tracy O'Sullivan, O.CARM
Twenty-Third Publications
1 Montauk Ave #200, New London, CT 06320
www.23rdpublications.com
9781627854467, $12.95, PB, 112pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Fr. Tracy O Sullivan, a Carmelite priest with over 40 years experience as a pastor. He
has authored other books on prayer and spirituality and writes a blog. He worked for several
years at a parish in El Salvador.
One of the best ways to encounter Jesus, says Fr. O'Sullivan, is unswerving commitment to deep
personal prayer. And in this simple and elegant guide, "Praying Our Way Toward Wholeness: A
Step-by-Step Guide to Daily Prayer", he shows us step by step the path to such life-changing
prayer as practiced in the Carmelite tradition.
The Carmelite tradition is a special roadmap created by some of the great saints and Doctors of
the Church. It is a call for beginners, a lift for those on the way, and an awesome guide for those
approaching home. One thing we all share is that we need to take the next step.
Wherever you are on the spiritual path, the wisdom you will find in "Praying Our Way Toward
Wholeness will help you discover what is next for you in walking with Jesus in prayer.
Critique: Inspired and inspiring, "Praying Our Way Toward Wholeness: A Step-by-Step Guide to
Daily Prayer" is an extraordinary and highly recommended addition to personal reading lists for
all members of the Catholic community, as well as an invaluable acquisition for church and
seminary Christian Spirituality & Prayer collections.
Romans Disarmed
Sylvia c. Keesmaat & Brian J. Walsh
Brazos Press
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
www.brazospress.com
9781587434426, $49.99, HC, 416pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Globalization. Homelessness. Ecological and economic crisis. Conflicts over sexuality.
Violence. These crisis-level issues may seem unique to our times, but Paul's Letter to the Romans
has something to say to all of them.
Following their successful "Colossians Remixed", in the pages of "Romans Disarmed: Resisting
Empire, Demanding Justice", Sylvia Keesmaat and Brian Walsh unpack the meaning of Romans
for its original context and for today. The authors demonstrate how Romans disarms the political,
economic, and cultural power of the Roman Empire and how this ancient letter offers hope in
today's crisis-laden world.
"Romans Disarmed" helps readers enter the world of ancient Rome and see how Paul's most
radical letter transforms the lives of the marginalized then and now. Intentionally avoiding
abstract debates about Paul's theology, Keesmaat and Walsh move back and forth between the
present and the past as they explore themes of home, economic justice, creation care, the violence
of the state, sexuality, and Indigenous reconciliation. They show how Romans engages with the
lived reality of those who suffer from injustice, both in the first century and in the midst of our
own imperial realities.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented for the benefit of clergy, academia,
and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject, "Romans Disarmed: Resisting
Empire, Demanding Justice" is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended study of Paul's
Letters to the Romans for all members of the Christian community. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Romans Disarmed: Resisting Empire, Demanding Justice" is also
available in a paperback edition (978-1587432842, $26.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$21.59).
Editorial Note: Sylvia C. Keesmaat (DPhil, University of Oxford) is adjunct professor of biblical
studies at Trinity College and Wycliffe College in Toronto, Ontario, and biblical scholar in
residence at St. James Anglican Church in Fenelon Falls. She is the author of "Paul and His
Story: (Re)Interpreting the Exodus Tradition" and editor of "The Advent of Justice".
Brian J. Walsh (PhD, McGill University) serves as a Christian Reformed campus minister at the
University of Toronto and is an adjunct professor of theology at Trinity College and Wycliffe
College in Toronto, Ontario. He has written numerous books, including "Kicking at the
Darkness: Bruce Cockburn and the Christian Imagination".
Living on a solar-powered permaculture farm in Cameron, Ontario, Sylvia Keesmaat and Brian
Walsh are co-authors of "Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire" (IVP Academic,
9780830827381, $24.00, PB, 256pp).
Galatians
Cardinal Albert Vanhoy, author
Peter S. Williamson, author
Baker Academic
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
9780801049729, $21.99, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Galatians" is the latest addition to the Baker Academic 'Catholic Commentary on
Sacred Scripture' series. In this volume of scriptural commentary, Cardinal Albert Vanhoy and
Peter S. Williamsson are two esteemed scholars who knowledgeably interpret Galatians from
within the living tradition of the Church.
Relating Galatians to Christian life today for faithful Catholics, this study is supplemented by
features specifically designed to help pastoral ministers, lay readers, and New Testament students
understand the Bible more deeply and use it more effectively.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, deftly organized, accessibly presented, "Galatians" highly
recommended to the attention of all members of the Catholic community, and is an extraordinary
and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, church, community, academic, and
seminary library collections and New Testament studies reading lists.
The God Who Sees
Karen Gonzalez
www.Karen-Gonzalez.com
Herald Press
P.O. Box 866, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
www.heraldpress.com
9781513804132, $29.99, HC, 232pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Featuring an informative Foreword by Sandra van Opstal, "The God Who Sees:
Immigrants, the Bible, and the Journey to Belong" by immigration advocate Karen Gonzalez, is a
riveting and true story of seeking safety in another land -- including a gripping journey of loss,
alienation, and belonging.
In "The God Who Sees", Karen recounts her own family's migration from the instability of
Guatemala to making a new life in Los Angeles and the suburbs of south Florida. In the midst of
language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and the tremendous pressure to assimilate,
Gonzalez encounters Christ through a campus ministry program and begins to follow him.
Here, too, is the sweeping epic of immigrants and refugees in Scripture. Abraham, Hagar, Joseph,
Ruth: these intrepid heroes of the faith cross borders and seek refuge. As witnesses to God's
liberating power, they name the God they see at work, and they become grafted onto God's
family tree.
The underlying message of "The God Who Sees" is that it is every Christian's duty to find
resources for welcoming immigrants in their community and speak out against an outdated
immigration system so badly in need of reform, to find the power of Jesus, himself a refugee
Savior who calls us to become citizens in a country that not of this world.
Critique: A powerful advocacy for all Christians to come to the aid of 'the stranger within the
gate', "The God Who Sees: Immigrants, the Bible, and the Journey to Belong" is extraordinarily
timely and unreservedly recommended reading for all members of the Christian community
regardless of denominational affiliations. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "The
God Who Sees" is also available in a paperback edition (9781513804125, $16.99) and in a digital
book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Karen Gonzalez is a speaker, writer, and immigrant advocate who works as
director of human resources for World Relief. An immigrant from Guatemala, Gonzalez studied
at Fuller Theological Seminary. She has worked in the nonprofit world for more than ten years
and is a former public school teacher. Gonzalez has written about spiritual formation, Latinx
identity, race, gender, the Enneagram, and immigration. Her work has been published in
Sojourners, Christ and Pop Culture, Faithfully Magazine, Mutuality Magazine, The Mudroom,
and The Salt Collective. Those who are interested can connect with her at
www.Karen-Gonzalez.com.
The Assurance of Salvation
Robert A. Peterson
Zondervan Academic
c/o Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
www.zondervan.com
9780310516323, $16.99, PB, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: For years, Robert A. Peterson taught about the assurance of salvation in seminary and
Sunday school classrooms. He was concerned, however, to find that some people, for a variety of
reasons, were unable to grasp the certainty of their salvation. In "The Assurance of Salvation:
Biblical Hope for Our Struggles" Professor Peterson identifies these "troublers" of assurance and
provides the remedy to diffuse insecurity.
Professor Peterson asserts that difficult backgrounds and experiences, intellectual doubts, tender
consciences, habitual sins, and overconfidence that people face are the enemies of assurance.
Through a competent handling of the Bible, he explains that by embracing three gifts from God
(His Word, His Spirit, and His work in our lives) those who struggle with insecurity are able to
personally experience the freedom of God's assurance.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The Assurance of Salvation" is
an inspired and inspiring read that is as impressively articulate as it is insightfully informative.
While very highly recommended to the attention of all members of the Christian community, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that "The Assurance of Salvation" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance
Audio, 9781978671010, $21.99, CD).
Editorial Note: Robert A. Peterson was professor of systematic theology at Covenant Theological
Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He is author or editor of twenty books, including Salvation
Accomplished by the Son: The Work of Christ (Crossway, 2012), Our Secure Salvation:
Preservation and Apostasy (P&R Publishing, 2009), and, coedited with Christopher Morgan, Hell
Under Fire (Zondervan, 2004).
Holy Noticing
Charles Stone
Moody Publishers
820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610
www.moodypublishers.com
9780802418579, $14.99, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Holy Noticing: The Bible, Your Brain, and the Mindful Space Between Moments" by
Charles Stone was written from a Christian perspective for those who want to feel more present
and connected to those you love. Who want to be able to listen without thinking the whole time
of what you're going to say next. Who want to feel less distracted, less busy, and more whole.
Who spend their distracted lives longing to get to the next, better moment and fail to notice the
present one.
"Holy Noticing" shows how to: Become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, and
environment; Recognize Christ's presence in the moment; Reduce personal stress by developing
the ability to focus on God and people rather than tasks.
Critique: As inspired and inspiring as it is real world practical in scope and application, "Holy
Noticing: The Bible, Your Brain, and the Mindful Space Between Moments" is unreservedly
recommended reading for all members of the Christian community. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Holy Noticing" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$9.99).
Editorial Note: Dr. Charles Stone (M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, D.Min.,
Trinity Evangelical Divinity Seminary) has served for 37 years in ministry, 24 of those years as a
senior pastor. He currently pastors West Park Church in London, Ontario, Canada, a
multicultural congregation with over 1,000 attendees. He founded StoneWell Ministries to serve
pastors and churches through coaching and consulting. Many of his articles have been featured in
magazines such as Outreach, Leadership Journal, REV, New Man, and In Touch and his blog
posts have appeared on sites such as Pastors.com, SermonCentral.com, ChurchCentral.com, and
Churchleaders.com.
Loving Your Neighbour in an Age of Religious Conflict
James Walters
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Inc.
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.jkp.com
9781785925634, $24.99, PB, 168pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Loving Your Neighbour in an Age of Religious Conflict" by James Walters (a priest
in the Church of England, the Director of the LSE Faith Centre and a Senior Lecturer in Practice
at the London School of Economics) offers a fresh perspective on religious difference by setting
local challenges within the global picture, and exploring the meaning of religious resurgence for
Western secularist ideas. Theory and practical engagement are combined in an imaginative
Christian approach to responding to religious difference, without resorting to relativism.
Critique: Articulate, insightfully informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Loving Your
Neighbour in an Age of Religious Conflict" is a timely and valued contribution to our socially,
culturally, and economically troubled times that have resulted in the rise of religious intolerance
and persecution. While very highly recommended reading for all members of the community it
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Loving Your Neighbour in an Age of Religious
Conflict" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.29).
Unraptured: How End Times Theology Gets It Wrong
Zack Hunt
Herald Press
P.O. Box 866, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
www.heraldpress.com
9781513804163, $29.99, HC, 255pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: As a teenager in the buckle of the Bible Belt, Zack Hunt was convinced the rapture
would happen at any moment. Being ready meant never missing church, never sinning, and
always listening to Christian radio. But when the rapture didn't happen, Hunt's tightly wound
faith began to fray. If he had been wrong about the rapture, what else about his faith might not
hold water?
Part memoir, part tour of the apocalypse, and part call to action, "Unraptured: How End Times
Theology Gets It Wrong" traces how the church's focus on escaping to heaven has it mired in
decay. Teetering on the brink of irrelevancy in a world rocked by refugee crises, climate change,
war and rumors of war, the church cannot afford to focus on the end times instead of following
Jesus in the here and now. Unraptured uses these signs of the times to help readers reorient their
understanding of the gospel around loving and caring for the least of these.
Critique: Eloquent, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Unraptured: How End Times Theology
Gets It Wrong" is an extraordinary approach to the Christian faith and the spiritual perils of
misinformed expectations. While highly recommended to the attention of all members of the
Christian community, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Unraptured" is also
available in a paperback edition (9781513804156, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle,
$8.49).
Editorial Note: Zack Hunt is a popular blogger, writer, and ordained elder in the Church of the
Nazarene. His writing on faith and politics has appeared in Huffington Post, Relevant Magazine,
and Patheos where he is a regular contributor. He has also contribute to The Boston Globe and
New York Magazine. After spending nearly a decade in ministry, Zack attended Yale Divinity
School, where he graduated with a master's degree in Christian history.
Simple Discipleship
Dana Allin
NavPress
www.navpress.com
c/o Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
www.tyndale.com
9781631467134, $15.99, PB, 208pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Within a traditional Christian perspective, discipleship can feel like a meandering
journey in that we don't know what we want, and none of the programs offered seem to get us
anywhere.
As members of the Christian community, we need something to orient ourselves, and something
to direct our steps toward a clear destination. "Simple Discipleship: Grow Your Faith, Transform
Your Community", with its companion assessment tool, offers a plan for discipleship that is
tailored to your real life and your personality, and clearly pointed in the way of Jesus.
Most discipleship resources are designed as mass productions -- efficient for touching many, but
often failing to see individuals grow in Christ. "Simple Discipleship" offers the best of both
worlds -- it is an assessment tool for your entire church, combined with an achievable,
personalized discipling strategy.
Critique: Inspired and inspiring, "Simple Discipleship: Grow Your Faith, Transform Your
Community" by Dana Allin offers the Christian reader a clear, practical, effective, and spiritually
sound approach to living a Christian life in these troubled and secular times. While highly
recommended to all members of the Christian community, it should be noted for personal reading
lists that "Simple Discipleship" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Mission Accomplished
Marty Meyer
YWAM Publishing
PO Box 55787, Seattle, WA 98155
www.ywampublishing.com
9781576589595, $14.99, PB, 201pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Mission Accomplished: Discover Your Destiny In The Mission Of Jesus" by Marty
Meyer will challenge Christian readers to find their true life-purpose by aligning their lives with
the mission of Jesus. "Mission Accomplished" is a clarion call for every believer to discover the
destiny for which they were created. It's a charge to find your purpose fulfilled by taking your
rightful place in the completion of the Great Commission.
"Mission Accomplished" is an opportunity to discover that living out Jesus' final mandate is the
key to living your life with purpose and joy. Packed from cover to cover with vibrant stories
darkness shattering advance of the Gospel. "Mission Accomplished" inspires readers to live for a
purpose beyond themselves. To discover and live a fulfilling dream growing within their hearts
and souls.
Critique: Eloquent, inspiring, motivating, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Mission
Accomplished: Discover Your Destiny In The Mission Of Jesus" is extraordinary and
unreservedly recommended to all members of the Christian community. It should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Mission Accomplished" is also available in a digital book format
(Kindle, $9.99).
Fire by Night
Melissa Florer-Bixler
Herald Press
P.O. Box 866, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
www.heraldpress.com
9781513804194, $29.99, HC, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: What do we do as Christians with the Old Testament? How do we read words written
in a world so different from ours, stories so ruthless and so filled with grace?
In "Fire by Night: Finding God in the Pages of the Old Testament", pastor Melissa Florer-Bixler
invites readers to marvel at the Old Testament. Page after page, in stories and poems and
prophecies, the Hebrew Scripture introduces us to a God who is unwieldy and uncontrollable,
common and extraordinary, and who brings both life and death. Using stories from Scripture and
from her ministry, pastor Florer-Bixler braids together the text with the sometimes ordinary,
sometimes radical grace of God. The same passages that confuse and horrify and baffle us can, if
we are paying attention, lure us closer toward God. This God has traveled with people through
cloud and fire, by day and by night, since the beginning of time.
The Old Testament is a perplexing book of profound grace, hope, and beauty. It's a book of fire.
To read the Old Testament is to draw close to God's love, which continues to burn away our
expectations and set us ablaze. This God has traveled with people through pillars of cloud and
fire, by day and by night, since the days of the exodus.
Critique: Impressively thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Fire by Night: Finding God in the
Pages of the Old Testament" is an extraordinary study that is both inspired and inspiring. While
very highly recommended to all members of the Christian community, it should be noted for the
personal reading lists of Biblical Studies students, clergy, and non-specialist general readers with
an interest in the subject that "Fire by Night" is also available in a paperback edition
(9781513804187, $16.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Restless Faith
Richard J. Mouw
Brazos Press
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.brazospress.com
9781587434334, $29.99, HC, 192pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Restless Faith: Holding Evangelical Beliefs in a World of Contested Labels" by
Richard J. Mouw (one of the most influential evangelical voices in America chronicles) explains
what his faith has meant for him over the past half century as a "restless evangelical" -- and his
way of maintaining his identity in an age when many claim the label "evangelical" has become so
politicized that it is no longer viable.
Professor Mouw candidly reflects on wrestling with traditional evangelical beliefs over the years
and shows that although his mind has changed in some ways, his core beliefs have not. He
contends that we should hold on to the legacy that has enriched evangelicalism in the past. The
Christian life in its healthiest form, according to him is always a matter of holding on to
essentials while constantly moving on along paths that we can walk in faithfulness only by
seeking the continuing guidance of the light of God's Word.
As Professor Mouw affirms the essentials of the evangelical faith, he helps a new generation see
the wisdom embodied in them.
Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Restless Faith: Holding
Evangelical Beliefs in a World of Contested Labels" is as informative and insightful as it is
inspired and inspiring. A welcome and enlightening contribution to today's on-going discussion
about the role and nature of evangelical Christianity today (especially given today's divisive
secular climate) "Restless Faith" is very highly recommended to all members of the Christian
community. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of clergy, academia, and church
members that "Restless Faith" is also available in a paperback edition (9781587433924, $19.99)
and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Editorial Note: Richard J. Mouw is a renowned author and a widely traveled speaker, a Professor
of Faith and Public Life at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he served
as president for twenty years. He has written numerous books, including Adventures in
Evangelical Civility, Uncommon Decency, Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport, and The Smell
of Sawdust.
The Judaic Studies Shelf
The Encyclopedia of Jewish Values
Nachum Amsel
Urim Publications
c/o KTAV Publishing House
527 Empire Boulevard, Brooklyn, New York 11225
www.UrimPublications.com
9781602803107, $39.95, HC, 592pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel is the director of education at the Destiny Foundation and
the author of The Jewish Encyclopedia of Moral and Ethical Issues and The Encyclopedia of
Jewish Values. With "The Encyclopedia of Jewish Values: Between Man and Man" Rabbi Amsel
provides a continuation to his widely praised "Encyclopedia of Jewish Values".
"The Encyclopedia of Jewish Values: Between Man and Man" is a deftly organized compendium
of Jewish values and ethics that deal with human interaction. The topics addressed in this work
include Jewish attitudes to leadership, business ethics, modesty with dress, self-defense, peer
pressure, family, friendships, and more.
Gleaning from the Bible and classic Jewish texts, as well as later authorities such as Maimonides,
Nachmanides, Rashi, and the Code of Jewish Law, "The Encyclopedia of Jewish Values:
Between Man and Man" is accessible to readers of many backgrounds.
"The Encyclopedia of Jewish Values: Between Man and Man" covers a veritable compendium
topics that range from: Animals - How Jews Should Relate; Antisemitism and Amalek; Business
Ethics; Civil Disobedience; Climate Change - Is It a Jewish Issue? and Drugs, Alcohol &
Marijuana - Are They Ever Permitted in Judaism?; Ethics of Torture in Judaism; Family - the
Key to Jewish and World; Redemption; Friendship; Getting Old, Being Old and Senility; to
Going Beyond What is Required: Good Idea or Obligatory?; Honesty and Cheating; Human
Dignity, Human Embarrassment, and Humiliating Oneself; Individuality and Conformity; Jewish
Happiness; Jewish Hospitality - Hachnasat Orchim; Jewish Leadership - What is It?; Universal
Healthcare (Obamacare) from the Jewish Perspective; and so much more!
Critique: Deftly organized alphabetically from Advertising to War, "The Encyclopedia of Jewish
Values: Between Man and Man" is enhanced for easier access with a five page Index and a
complete listing of Hebrew Sources. An impressively organized and presented work of
meticulous and exhaustive scholarship, "The Encyclopedia of Jewish Values: Between Man and
Man" is unreservedly recommended for personal, synagogue, community, college, and university
library Judaic Studies collections and supplemental curriculum reading lists.
Mishkan Aveilut: Where Grief Resides
Eric Weiss, editor
CCAR Press
355 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017
www.ccarpress.com
9780881233209, $7.99, PB, 170pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Grief often reweaves our lives into a different way of experiencing the world.
Compiled and edited by Eric Weiss, "Mishkan Aveilut: Where Grief Resides" is specifically and
effectively designed to complement the anchors of the Judaic tradition that contain, guide, and
support us as we familiarize ourselves with and move through our own particular terrain of
grief.
A beautiful companion to "Mishkan R'fuah: Where Healing Resides" this compendium is
comprised of readings, poems, and meditations to support the emotional and spiritual needs that
naturally arise at a time of loss. With opportunities for nourishment, contemplation, and
emotional renewal, the collection is meant to be used as a resource for spiritual leaders and
individuals alike.
Critique: Inspired and inspiring, "Mishkan Aveilut: Where Grief Resides" is an extraordinary
resource for times of trial, stress, and grief. Especially timely given the social climate in America
today that is seeing a dramatic rise in acts of anti-Semitism politically fostered by the current
presidential administration, "Mishkan Aveilut: Where Grief Resides" needs to be brought to the
attention of every member of the Judaic community. It should be noted for personal reading lists
that "Mishkan Aveilut: Where Grief Resides" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$6.99).
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
In Focus Chakra Healing
Roberta Vernon
Wellfleet Press
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartoknows.com
9781577151814, $19.99, HC, 144pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Chakras are energy centers in our bodies whose flow monitor our internal functions,
such as health, state of mind, and body functions, as well as our external environments, like
alerting us when a place feels right for us or when it makes us feel uncomfortable. However, the
six major chakras (base, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, brow, and crown) are many times
blocked or misaligned, bringing about a host of negative ailments, feelings, and emotions.
Thankfully, chakras can be corrected through various healing practices.
Common ailments addressed by Roberta Vernon's "In Focus Chakra Healing: Your Personal
Guide" include: Overeating; Digestive Disorders; Fatigue; Allergies; Emotional Stress; Physical
Stress; Headaches.
Part of the In Focus series from Wellfleet Press, "In Focus Chakra Healing" applies a modern
approach to teaching this classic body, mind, and spirit subject. As a bonus, an 18 x 24-inch
illustrated wall chart is packaged inside to give readers a quick, go-to reference guide containing
the most important information on the subject of Chakra healing for both easy practice and
retention.
Critique: Nicely illustrated with images and charts throughout, "In Focus Chakra Healing: Your
Personal Guide" is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation. While very highly
recommended as an addition to both community and academic library Metaphysical Studies and
Alternative Medicine collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students,
academics, professionals, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"In Focus Chakra Healing" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.83).
Editorial Note: In an attempt to understand others and to learn how to future-proof herself against
life's vicissitudes, Roberta Vernon began studying palmistry and various forms of fortune telling,
while also developing her own psychic gifts. She took an interest in chakra healing while
working as a palmist. Like many who have experienced deep unhappiness, she was always more
interested in healing her clients' emotional misery than their health issues. However, after
spending over four decades working with people in the mind, body, and spirit field, she
understands energy healing of all kinds, including how to mend battered and misaligned chakras,
which can help to heal common ailments.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
You Can Achieve Normal Blood Sugar
Dennis Pollock
Harvest House Publishers
2975 Chad Drive, Eugene, Oregon 97408
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
9780736975971 $13.99 pbk / $9.97 Kindle amazon.com
Synopsis: If high blood sugar is something you struggle with, chances are you've been
overwhelmed by the wealth of well-meaning information you've heard from doctors,
nutritionists, and other sources. Isn't it time to put the theories to the test and determine once and
for all how to get your numbers back to normal?
That's exactly what bestselling author Dennis Pollock did. And the results of well over 100 blood
sugar tests he conducted for this book, further backed by brand-new research and real-life stories,
will give you the answers you've been searching for.
In addition, you'll learn why, how, and when to test, the importance of reading food labels,
helpful guidelines for weight control and general nutrition, and so much more.
For the first time in your diabetic journey, you will finally be able to experience what it feels like
to know that maintaining normal blood sugar isn't just possible, it's entirely achievable.
Critique: Written to be thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds, You Can Achieve
Normal Sugar is a practical guide for people with type 2 diabetes. Chapters discuss opposing
schools of thought for managing one's diet (one view recommends a plant-based diet that restricts
or eliminates meat, the other suggests a low-carb diet that embraces meat; both schools agree that
sugary or high-carbohydrate foods are terrible for one's blood sugar); the role of exercise as a
valuable tool for cultivating good health, but not as crucially important for diabetics as
controlling one's diet; how to carefully read food labels; and much more. All conclusions are
supported by personal research with blood sugar tests, as well as research from secondary
sources. You Can Achieve Normal Blood Sugar is highly recommended for both personal and
public library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that You Can Achieve
Normal Blood Sugar is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.97).
Healing the Thyroid with Ayurveda
Marianne Teitelbauc, D.C.
Healing Arts Press
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781620557822, $16.99, PB, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: "Healing the Thyroid with Ayurveda: Natural Treatments for Hashimoto's,
Hypothyroidism, and Hyperthyroidism" is a comprehensive guide to addressing the growing
epidemic of thyroid disease from the perspective of the Ayurvedic tradition.
Author and Ayurvedic expert Marianne Teitelbauc provides details the author's successful
treatment protocols for Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism developed
over more than 30 years of Ayurvedic practice; explores the underlying causes of thyroid
malfunction, the thyroid's connections to the liver and gall bladder, and the importance of early
detection; and also includes treatments for common symptoms of thyroid disease, such as
insomnia, depression, fatigue, and osteoporosis, as well as for weight loss and hair growth.
A comprehensive guide for practitioners and those concerned with thyroid health, "Healing the
Thyroid with Ayurveda", integrates the ancient medicine of Ayurveda with modern scientific
findings to address the growing epidemic of thyroid disease.
Based on the treatment of thousands of patients, "Healing the Thyroid with Ayurveda" also
shares success stories of thyroid healing and the scientific studies that support the author's
Ayurvedic thyroid protocols. Offering an easy-to-follow yet comprehensive guide, "Healing the
Thyroid with Ayurveda" shows that optimum thyroid health as well as overall health are within
everyone's reach.
Critique: Comprehensive and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation,
"Healing the Thyroid with Ayurveda: Natural Treatments for Hashimoto's, Hypothyroidism, and
Hyperthyroidism" is a critically important and unreservedly recommended addition to personal,
community, college, and university library Alternative Medicine collections in general, and
Thyroid Treatment supplemental studies lists in particular. It should be noted for students,
academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Healing the
Thyroid with Ayurveda" is also available in a digital book format (eTextbook, $10.99).
Editorial Note: Marianne Teitelbaum, D.C., graduated summa cum laude from Palmer College of
Chiropractic in 1984. She has studied with several Ayurvedic doctors, including Stuart
Rothenberg, M.D., and Vaidya Rama Kant Mishra. The recipient of the Prana Ayushudi Award
in 2013, she lectures and writes extensively about Ayurvedic treatments for all diseases.
The Photography Shelf
Volcanic 7 Summits
Adrian Rohnfelder
teNeues Publishing
350 Seventh Avenue, Suite 301, New York, NY, 10011
https://books-teneues.us
9783961711741, $55.00, HC, 200pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Adrian Rohnfelder cycles high above the steaming rainforests in the Kilimanjaro
massif, crosses the seething heat of the Atacama Desert in Chile, and climbs the summit of
Orizaba under dramatic circumstances. He knows the no-man's-land of the Antarctic and the
spectacularly-glaciated Mount Sidley, so remote that only a handful of people have ever seen it.
"Volcanic 7 Summits" is an impressive volume of simply stunning photographic images taken by
Adrian from the peaks of some of the highest volcanoes on earth.
Critique: Extraordinary, unique, fascinating, and memorable, Adrian Rohnfelder's "Volcanic 7
Summits" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to personal,
professional, community, and academic library Contemporary Photography collections.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Crocheting Adventures with Hyperbolic Planes
Daina Taimina
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
www.crcpress.com
9781138301153, $51.95, HC, 210pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The winner of the Euler Book Prize (which is awarded by the Mathematical
Association of America) and illustrated with more than 200 full color photographs, this newly
updated and revised second edition of "Crocheting Adventures with Hyperbolic Planes" by Daina
Taimina is a non-traditional, tactile introduction to non-Euclidean geometries that also covers
early development of geometry and connections between geometry, art, nature, and sciences.
For the crafter or would-be crafter, there are detailed instructions for how to crochet various
geometric models and how to use them in explorations. New to this expanded second edition is
Daina Taimina discussion of her own adventures with the hyperbolic planes as well as the
experiences of some of her readers. This new edition also includes recent applications of
hyperbolic geometry such as medicine, architecture, fashion & quantum computing.
Critique: Enhanced with an appendix (How to Make Models), eight pages of End Note, and a one
page Bibliography, this beautifully and profusely illustrated second edition of "Crocheting
Adventures with Hyperbolic Planes" is a unique and extraordinary instructional manual and
guide that is unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic
library Needlecraft instructional reference collections. It should be noted that for dedicated
crocheting enthusiasts that "Crocheting Adventures with Hyperbolic Planes" is also available in a
digital book format (eTextbook, $38.12).
Martingale
www.shopmartingale.com
Three new arrivals are recommended picks from this quilting publisher. Kim Diehl and Jo
Morton's Simple Friendships II: 14 Fabulous Quilts from Blocks Stitched Among Friends
(9781604689792, $28.99) comes from two seasoned quilt designers who advocate projects that
can be done with the help of extra hands. Each quilt begins with a quilt block, but moves into
each designer's touch with instructions that show all levels how to create individual or group
blocks, and how to work with them to create a superior product. Quilters interested in group
projects will find this an excellent starting point. Paula Barnes and Mary Ellen Robison's Step
Back in Time (9781604689051, $27.99) shows reproduction-fabric collectors and antique-quilt
lovers how to create patterns from yesteryear, and provides thirteen designs which have their
roots in vintage approaches. Each quilt is accompanied by a true story from the 1800s, while
color photos capture both quilting history and modern-day renditions. Sidebars of detail on
specialty techniques, such as using triangles or star singles, complete the value of this appealing
time-traveling collection. Susan Ache's Countdown to Christmas: Quilts and More That Span the
Seasons (9781604689945, $25.99) features a dozen quilts for Christmas that contain motifs that
can be used not just once a year, but for much of the year. Quilting basics for making blocks,
setting triangles, assembly and finishing are included, but the focus on products that sync with
the holidays yet hold enough diversity for year-round display makes this a particularly inviting
collection of more versatile holiday projects than most.
The Woodworking Shelf
Wooden Dinky Toys
Les Neufeld
Spring House Press
www.springhousepress.com
9781940611822, $24.95, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Dinky Toys were the most popular diecast toy vehicles for children ever made and they
led the charge of metal die-cast vehicles populating many a playroom floor. In "Wooden Dinky
Toys", Les Neufeld, a professional woodworker and wooden toy expert, redesigns the favorites
of the Dinky Toy line so anyone who enjoys working with wood can make beautiful versions of
these iconic toys.
"Wooden Dinky Toys" is a DIY instructional compendium of woodworking projects that will
appeal to all skill levels. Parents or grandparents can work with children to make a favorite while
novice woodworkers will feel comfortable tackling any of the toys. Strict adherence to the
"blueprints" isn't required and all the toys can be altered to suit personal preference. Many
options are provided along the way, with suggestions for ways to customize further, that allow
crafters to put their own stamp on each toy while generating lots of ideas for the next
project.
Critique: Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Wooden Dinky Toys" is an
extraordinary and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, school, and community
library woodworking project instructional reference collections.
Editorial Note: Les Neufeld is a professional machinist and an avid woodworker. He received his
woodworking training at BCIT, and then earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees at UBC in
Vancouver, Canada. Later, as a high-school and college level teacher, he taught conventional and
CNC Machining and Metal-working, Drafting and Design, Residential House Construction and
Cabinetmaking. When his children were very young his avid woodworking interest turned to
designing and making wood toys of all sorts, shapes and sizes. So much so that he wrote three
other wooden toy books, "Tremendous Toy Trucks", "Making Toys that Teach", and "Great Big
Toy Trucks".
The Crafts Shelf
Milk Soaps
Anne-Marie Faiola
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
www.storey.com
9781635860481, $21.95, Spiral Bound, 272pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: A good soap is essential to good health hygiene and for a great many people the
making of which is also a creative exercise and personal pleasure. Handmade soap can be made
extra-special with the addition of milk! Soaps enriched with milk are creamier than those made
with water, and milk's natural oils provide skin-renewing moisture and nourishment. In "Milk
Soaps", expert soapmaker Anne-Marie Faiola demystifies the process with step-of milk types,
including cow, goat, and even camel milk, along with nut and grain milks such as almond,
coconut, hemp, rice, and more. Photographs show soapmakers of all levels how to achieve a
variety of distinctive color and shape effects, including funnels, swirls, layers, and insets.
Critique: For beginners and experts alike, "Milk Soaps" is a focused guide to making
milk-enriched soaps offers an opportunity to expand their soapmaking skills in new and exciting
ways. Spiral bound so as to be able to lay flat on the surface of a table or counter, "Milk Soaps" is
unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and academic DIY library collections. It
should be noted that "Milk Soaps" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
The Railroading Shelf
Southern Maunsell 4-4-0 Classes
David Maidment
Pen & Sword Books
c/o Casemate (distribution)
www.casematepublishers.com
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781526714695, $70.00, HC, 232pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: The newest addition to the simply outstanding Pen & Sword Locomotive Portfolio
series, "Southern Maunsell 4-4-0 Classes" by David Maidment covers the rebuilding by Richard
Maunsell of the South Eastern & Chatham Railway 'D' and 'E' 4-4-0s as 'D1' and 'E1' locomotives
with higher pressure boilers and long-travel valve events following the Churchward
principles.
"Southern Maunsell 4-4-0 Classes" also covers the SE&CR 'L' class designed by Maunsell's
predecessor, Harry Wainwright, with modifications made by Maunsell just before their delivery
in 1914. Maunsell then designed a further 2 cylinder 4-4-0, the 'L1' for the Victoria-Folkestone
80-minute expresses of the mid-1920s and finally the 3-cylinder 'V' (the 'Schools' class), his
masterpiece, for express services on all three constituent parts of the Southern Railway.
The design, construction, operations and performance of these locomotives are described and
profusely illustrated with over 300 black & white and color photos from their construction right
through to their final demise in 1962, together with an update on the three 'Schools' that have
been preserved and operate on Britain's heritage steam railways.
Critique: Profusely illustrated throughout, "Southern Maunsell 4-4-0 Classes" is an
extraordinarily informative and very highly recommended addition to community and academic
library British Railroading History collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of
dedicated railroading history buffs that "Southern Maunsell 4-4-0 Classes" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $33.60).
Editorial Note: David Maidment began his railway career in 1960 and retired from the railway
industry over twenty-two years ago. In 1996, David received an OBE for services to the railway
industry and, in 2012, he received a Life Achievement Award at the National Rail Awards. His
published works include articles on railway history, safety, practice, performance and nostalgia,
and several books including "The Great Western Eight Coupled Heavy Freight Locomotives",
"Southern Maunsell 4-4-0 Classes", and "The German Pacific Locomotive: Its Design and
Development", among other railroading history publications.
The Humor Shelf
Never!
Gerd De Ley
Hatherleigh Press
c/o The Hatherleigh Foundation
62545 State Highway 10, Hobart, NY 13788
www.hatherleighpress.com
9781578267965 $15.00 amazon.com
Synopsis: A wise man once said that "never" is a ridiculous word you should never use. Never!
contains over 750 quotes from people telling you to never do something. From the inspirational
like "Never agree to surrender your dreams" from Jesse Jackson to the comedic like "Never moon
a pit bull after sitting in A-1 sauce" from Johnny Carson. Never also has quotes we can all agree
on like "Never go to bed with someone who has no books" from John Waters and quotes that
makes you think like "Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you" from John Adams. Full of
wit and wisdom, this collection of nevers is a keeper.
Words of advice on what you should do will never be as straightforward or as helpful as what
you should never do! With hundreds of quotes from around the world, Never! collects all the
wisdom you could ever need. Remember: Never make a mistake when someone else can make it
for you!
Critique: Never! 750+ Things You Should Never Do is a compendium of witty, tongue-in-cheek,
and dubiously insightful quotes about things one should never, ever do. For example, one quote
by Marco A. Almazan is "Never contradict your boss. You could be right." and another by
Meghan Skinner is "Never name your kid 'Chastity,' because that's just asking for it." A laugh-
out-loud collection that also makes an excellent giftbook, Never! is highly recommended.
The Travel Shelf
Yosemite National Park: Adventuring with Kids
Harley and Abby McAllister
Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134-1161
www.mountaineersbooks.org
9781680511529 $16.95 amazon.com
Synopsis: Spot climbers on El Cap, hike to rushing Yosemite Falls, float in the refreshing
Merced River, visit Tuolumne's alpine meadows, take an afternoon bicycle ride around the
Valley--Yosemite has much to offer visitors, including its youngest ones. With an emphasis on
outdoor education and fun, authors Harley and Abby McAllister write with parental practicality:
kids aren't going to be excited about views, and even spouses get cranky when they're cold or
hungry.
Critique: Featuring recommendations for 3-day, 5-day, and 7-day family vacation itineraries,
Yosemite National Park: Adventuring with Kids is a "kid-tested" guide to making the most of a
trip to Yosemite National Park with children! Full-color photography on almost every page
enriches this "reader-friendly" guide to the natural wonders, wildlife, and available programs at
Yosemite (including the Junior Ranger program)! Yosemite National Park: Adventuring with
Kids is a "must" for families seeking to experience Yosemite National Park to the fullest, highly
recommended.
Hike the Parks: Redwood National & State Parks
John Soares
Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134-1161
www.mountaineersbooks.org
9781680512090 $16.95 pbk / $11.72 Kindle amazon.com
Synopsis: Hike the Parks: Redwood National & State Parks is the first in a new series of national
park hiking guides that feature an easy-to-use design, pocket-sized format, and full-color photos
and maps, with top trails detailed alongside top sights. These public lands offer a breathtaking
setting of giant trees that have survived dinosaurs by millions of years.
*38 of the best day-hiking options, from nature walks to more challenging routes
*Distance and elevation in US and metric measurements
*Information on visitors centers, campgrounds, sights, permits, fees, park facts, and more
*Resources for park "gateway towns"
*1- and 3-day itineraries for visitors
*Overview of the parks' flora and fauna
Critique: Hike the Parks: Redwood National & State Parks is a travel guide to the extraordinary
redwood parks of nothern California, which feature tall trees far older than any human. Here are
recommended, tested trails; notes on the difficulty level of hikes; GPS coordinates; tips about
local flora and fauna; full-color trail maps and much more. Hike the Parks: Redwood National &
State Parks is a "must-have" for anyone eager to see these breathtaking forests for themselves,
highly recommended. It should be noted for personal reading lists that Hike the Parks: Redwood
National & State Parks is also available in a Kindle edition ($11.72).
Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Complete Hiking Guide
Nathan Barnes and Jeremy Barnes
Mountaineers Books
1001 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98134-1161
www.mountaineersbooks.org
9781680510775 $24.95 pbk / $16.49 Kindle amazon.com
Synopsis: The lush Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington's Central Cascades contains a
plethora of trails, rugged glacier-carved mountains, and more than 700 sparkling alpine lakes and
ponds. Accessed via nearly 50 trailheads, more than 600 miles of trails offer hikers leisurely
strolls along wooded creeks, climbs up mountain passes, or lunch spots next to glassy tarns. It is
one of the most popular and beloved places for hikers in this region.
The all-new guide, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, features a wide range of hikes that vary in
difficulty, geography, and theme so that hikers of any age and skill level will find trails that fit
their taste. Easy to use, the guide includes details on overnight permits, car-camping options near
wilderness access points, detailed maps, elevation gain/ loss, and turn-by-turn mileage and
directions. Interesting historical background and natural history round out the trail
descriptions.
Critique: Alpine Lakes Wilderness: The Complete Hiking Guide is a treasure trove of trail
descriptions, suggested backpacking itineraries, driving directions, trail GPS coordinates, maps,
historical background information, permit information, and much more. A "must-have" for
anyone seeking to enjoy Washington's old-growth forests, Alpine Lakes Wilderness is easy-to-
use, informative, and brimming with full-color photographs that make it a joy to simply page
through. Highly recommended! It should be noted for personal reading lists that Alpine Lakes
Wilderness is also available in a Kindle edition ($16.49).
The Martial Arts Shelf
The Judo Advantage
Steve Scott
YMAA
www.ymaa.com
9781594396281, $18.95
The Judo Advantage: Controlling Movement with Modern Kinesiology covers all grappling
styles and provides martial arts readers with a different biomechanical perspective of traditional
judo moves. From learning the basics of biomechanics and how they apply to the sport to using it
to analyze stances, various footwork and fighting techniques, and more, some 200 photos
accompany drills and lessons which will appeal to coaches and martial arts students at all levels
of expertise.
The Criminology Shelf
Appearance Bias and Crime
Bonnie Berry, editor
Cambridge University Press
One Liberty Plaza, Fl. 20, New York, NY 10006
www.cambridge.org
9781108422314, $99.99, HC, 308pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Bonnie Berry is the Director of the Social Problems Research Group and formerly
university faculty. Her research interests include criminology, appearance bias, animal rights,
academic misconduct and ethical violations, and all measures of social inequality. She is the
author of several books and numerous scholarly journal articles. She has been awarded, among
other prizes, the Inconvenient Woman of the Year Award from the American Society of
Criminology's Women and Crime Division.
Relying on experts in criminology and sociology, and compiled/edited by Professor Berry,
"Appearance Bias and Crime" describes the role of bias against citizens based on their physical
appearance.
From the point of suspicion to the decisions to arrest, convict, sentence, and apply the death
penalty, crime control agents are influenced by the appearance of offenders; moreover, victims of
crime are held blameworthy depending on their physical appearance.
The contributing authors discuss timely topics such as Black Lives Matter, terrorism, LGBTQ
appearance, human trafficking, Indigenous appearance, the disabled, and the attractive versus
unattractive among us. Demographic traits such as race, gender, age, and social class influence
physical appearance and, thus, judgments about criminal involvement and victimization.
"Appearance Bias and Crime" collectively describes the social movements relevant to appearance
bias, recommends legislative and policy changes, offers practical advice to social control
agencies on how to reduce appearance bias, and proposes a new sub-discipline of appearance
criminology.
Critique: A body of original and seminal scholarship comprise of fifteen erudite articles,
"Appearance Bias and Crime" should be considered as an essential, core addition to college and
university library Criminology collections and supplemental curriculum lists. It should be noted
for the personal reading lists of judicial policy makers, students, academia, social activists, and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Appearance Bias and Crime" is
also available in a paperback edition (9781108432016, $39.95) and in a digital book format
(Kindle, $28.00).
Dead in the Water
Penny Farmer
Diversion Books
www.diversionbooks.com
9781635766196, $15.99, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: In 1978, two tortured corpses that were hooded, bound, and weighted down with
engine parts were found in the sea off Guatemala. Junior doctor Chris Farmer and his girlfriend,
Peta Frampton, were still clinging to life when they were thrown from the yacht they'd been
crewing.
"Dead in the Water: My Forty-Year Search for My Brother's Killer" by Penny Farmer is the
gripping account of how Chris's family worked alongside police, the FBI, and Interpol to gather
evidence against the boat's Californian skipper, Silas Duane Boston. Almost four decades later,
in 2015, Chris's sister, Penny, used Facebook to track down Boston. Following the detailed,
haunting testimony of his own two sons (who also implicated their father in a string of other
killings) Boston was finally arrested and charged with two counts of maritime murder.
A story of homicide on the high seas, "Dead in the Water" is also a tale of a family's fortitude and
diligence in tracking down a monster.
Critique: Exceptionally well written and a page turner of a fascinating read from cover to cover,
"Dead in the Water: My Forty-Year Search for My Brother's Killer" is an extraordinary and
unreservedly recommended addition to community and academic library Contemporary
Criminology collections. The stuff of which movie plots are made, it should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Dead in the Water" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$7.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781982639907,
$34.95, CD).
The Holocaust Studies Shelf
Left to the Mercy of a Rude Stream
Stanley A. Goldman
Potomac Books, Inc.
c/o University of Nebraska Press
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166-2012
www.potomacbooksinc.com
9781640120440, $27.95, HC, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Synopsis: Seven years after the death of his mother, Malka, Stanley A. Goldman traveled to
Israel to visit her best friend during the Holocaust. The best friend's daughter showed Goldman a
pamphlet she had acquired from the Israeli Holocaust Museum that documented activities of one
man's negotiations with the Nazi's interior minister and SS head, Heinrich Himmler, for the
release of the Jewish women from the concentration camp at Ravensbruck. While looking
through the pamphlet, the two discovered a picture that could have been their mothers being
released from the camp. Wanting to know the details of how they were saved, Goldman set out
on a long and difficult path to unravel the mystery.
After years of researching the pamphlet, Goldman learned that a German Jew named Norbert
Masur made a treacherous journey from the safety of Sweden back into the war zone in order to
secure the release of the Jewish women imprisoned at the Ravensbruck concentration camp.
Masur not only succeeded in his mission against all odds but he contributed to the downfall of
the Nazi hierarchy itself. "Left to the Mercy of a Rude Stream: The Bargain That Broke Adolf
Hitler and Saved My Mother" is the amazing, little-known story uncovers a piece of history about
the undermining of the Nazi regime, the women of the Holocaust, and the strained but loving
relationship between a survivor and her son.
Critique: An inherently fascinating read from cover to cover, "Left to the Mercy of a Rude
Stream: The Bargain That Broke Adolf Hitler and Saved My Mother" is an extraordinarily
informative, exceptionally well written, accessibly organized, impressively presented, and
unreservedly recommended addition to community, and academic library Holocaust Studies
collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-
specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Left to the Mercy of a Rude Stream"
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.87) and as a complete and unabridged
audio book (Tantor Audio, 9781977318831, $32.99, CD).
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
Copyright ©2001
Site design by Williams Writing, Editing &
Design