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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 9, Number 4 April 2014 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Business Shelf Music Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Biography Shelf
American History Shelf World History Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Woodworking Shelf Art Shelf Gaming Shelf
Christian Studies Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Gun Shelf
Travel Shelf Computer Shelf Architecture Shelf
Education Shelf Audiobook Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Self-Help Shelf Music CD Shelf DVD Shelf
Crafts Shelf Nautical Shelf Memoir Shelf
Photography Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

Soar! Follow Your Dreams
June Cotner
Andrews & McMeel
1130 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449449728 $12.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Soar! Follow Your Dreams is a pocket-sized hardcover brimming with enlightening and inspirational anecdotes from writers, celebrities, and successful public figures. Each passage is brief, yet all of them have a common theme of bravely and joyfully making the most of one's life. Soar! can be experienced in short bursts or all at once, and makes an excellent giftbook. "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Sand, Smoke, Current
Robert Vander Lugt
Wiseblood Books
PO Box 11612, Milwaukee, WI 53211-0612
9780615893259 $12.00 www.wisebloodbooks.com

Award-winning author Robert Vander Lugt presents Sand Smoke, Current, an anthology of short stories set in the Midwest, a land known for its long winters punctuated by brief, vibrant bursts of spring, summer, and autumn. Populated with ordinary, salt-of-the-earth people who grapple with both common, practical problems and the far-reaching big questions, Sand, Smoke, Current has a lyrical, muse-like quality to its everyday for the everyman narratives. Highly recommended.


The Business Shelf

Deduct It!: Lower Your Small Business Taxes, tenth edition
Stephen Fishman, J.D.
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
www.nolo.com
9781413319217, $34.99, www.amazon.com

Every small business enterprise must deal with the issue of local, state, and federal taxes. Now in a newly revised and completely updated tenth edition, "Deduct It!: Lower Your Small Business Taxes" by tax expert Stephen Fishman is a superbly well organized and presented, 544 page, 'user friendly' instruction manual covering every aspect of small business taxation including deductions for start-up and operating expenses; travel, meals and entertainment; home offices (including new IRS rules); health care; equipment and inventory, and so much more. Offering a wealth of information, tips, strategies, legal forms, and FAQs, "Deduct It!: Lower Your Small Business Taxes" should be considered essential reading and an invaluable reference for all small business owners and entrepreneurs! Very highly recommended for community library Business & Finance reference collections, it should be noted that "Deduct It!: Lower Your Small Business Taxes" is also available in a Kindle edition ($19.24).

Tilt
Niraj Dawar
Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
http://hbr.org/books
9781422187173, $28.00, www.amazon.com

"Tilt: Shifting Your Strategy from Products to Customers" by Niraj Dawar (Professor of Marketing, Ivey Business School, Canada & Hong Kong) is a 240 page compendium of practical information designed to enable business managers to profit in today's volatile and highly competitive market place whether it is local, regional, national, or international. Of special relevance is are the chapters devoted to 'Busting Myths in the Marketplace Wars'; 'Understanding Why Downstream Competitive Advantage is Sustainable'; and 'Tilting Your Strategy and Organization'. Informed and informative, practical and 'real world' oriented, enhanced with extensive Notes and a comprehensive Index, "Tilt: Shifting Your Strategy from Products to Customers" is a highly recommended addition to corporate, community, and academic library Business Management reference collections and should be considered mandatory reading for anyone with a managerial responsibility for customer relations and policy planning.


The Music Shelf

Black Metal
Dayal Patterson
Feral House
PO Box 39910, Los Angeles, CA 90039
www.feralhouse.com
9781936239757, $27.95, www.amazon.com

Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw (lo-fi) recording and unconventional song structures. During the 1980s, several thrash metal and death metal bands formed a prototype for black metal. This so-called "first wave" included bands such as Venom, Bathory, Hellhammer and Celtic Frost. A "second wave" arose in the early 1990s, spearheaded by Norwegian bands such as Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone, Immortal and Emperor. The early Norwegian black metal scene developed the style of their forebears into a distinct genre. Norwegian-inspired black metal scenes emerged throughout Europe and North America, although some other scenes developed their own styles with no connection to the Norwegian one. Initially a synonym for "Satanic metal", black metal is often met with hostility from mainstream culture. Many artists express extreme anti-Christian and misanthropic views, and several of the genre's "second wave" pioneers have been convicted for church burnings and murder. There is also a small neo-Nazi movement within black metal, although most fans and prominent artists shun Nazism and oppose its influence on black metal. "Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult" by Dayal Patterson is a 600 page compendium that provides an impressively detailed and exhaustive history of this movement in pop culture music by drawing upon an impressive number of interviews with the bands and performers most associated with it. Profusely illustrated throughout, "Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult" is very strongly recommended as an important and seminal contribution to personal, community, academic library 20th Century Music History reference collections in general, and Heavy Metal/Black Metal Studies supplemental reading lists in particular. It should be noted that "Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult" is also available in a Kindle edition ($15.49).


The Cookbook Shelf

The Farmstead Egg Guide & Cookbook
Terry Golson
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
www.hmhpub.com
9781118627952, $19.99, www.amazon.com

A combination poultry guide and recipe collection, "The Farmstead Egg Guide & Cookbook" is a beautifully illustrated, 192 page compendium providing the reader with expert advice and commentary on selecting, feeding, and caring for egg-laying hens. The one hundred egg recipes range from breakfast dishes of scrambled eggs and omelets, to elegant dishes for dining that includes quiches, puddings, pies, tarts, savory and sweet souffles. Of special note is the section devoted to making homemade mayonnaise and sauces. "The Farmstead Egg Guide & Cookbook" is superbly organized and presented, making it an ideal and highly recommended addition to personal, family, and community library collections. It should be noted that "The Farmstead Egg Guide & Cookbook" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Get Cooking!
Rachel Harkham & Doni Zasloff Thomas
Behrman House Inc.
11 Edison Place, Springfield, NJ 07081
www.behrmanhouse.com
9780874419481, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Spiral bound with a hard cover, "Get Cooking: A Jewish American Family Cookbook" is the collaborative effort of Rachel Harkham and Doni Zasloff Thomas who showcase more than 80 wonderful recipes for dishes that would grace any dining occasion from simple family meals to fine dining occasions. These culinary creations range from a Fig-Apple Salad with honey Vinaigrette; to Jelly Donut Miracle Muffincakes; to Caramel French Toast; to the The Jewish Deli Burger. Both simple and elegant, as well as beautifully illustrated throughout, "Get Cooking: A Jewish American Family Cookbook" is enhanced with the inclusion of a CD and a very highly recommended addition to family cookbook collections.

New Orleans' Best Ethnic Restaurants
Ann Benoit
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
www.pelicanpub.com
9781455618316, $35.00, www.amazon.com

New Orleans is as famous for its diversified cuisine as it is for its jazz and blues music. Compiled with commentary by photographer and culinary enthusiast Ann Benoit, "New Orleans' Best Ethnic Restaurants" is a celebration of dishes drawn from some of the finest restaurants New Orleans has to offer. A cornucopia of ethnic recipes ranging from Grilled Lamb Chiops (Tatoush); Loaded Brazilian Burger (Barzailian Market & Cafe); Twice-Cooked Steaming Fajitas (George's Mexican Restaurant); and Western Special Sesame Chicken (Five Happiness); to Tuna Tataki (Megumi Japanese Cuisine); Pho Doc Biet Combination Five Beef Soup (Pho Tau Bay Vietnamese Cuisine); Filet of Beef La Provence (La Provence); and Sicilian Pistachio Gelatto (Angelo Borchato's Gelateria). Beautifully illustrated throughout with Ann Benoits full color photography, this 224 page compendium offers a rainbow of ethnic culinary creations that will grace any dining occasion and is enthusiastically recommended for personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Sally's Baking Addiction
Sally McKenney
Race Point Publishing
c/o Book Sales, Inc.
276 Fifth Avenue, Suite 206, NY, NY 10001
Dalyn Miller Public Relations (publicity)
9781937994341, $25.00, www.amazon.com

Compiled with commentary and gorgeously illustrated throughout in full color by food blogger and culinary expert Sally McKenney, "Sally's Baking Addiction: Irresistible Cupcakes, Cookies, and Desserts for Your Sweet Tooth Fix" is a 176 page compendium of some of the best 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes for palate pleasing and appetite satisfying dishes that would grace any the desert portion of any dining occasion from a pleasant family meal to an elegant dining event. The recipes range from a Brown Sugar Glazed Apple Bread; to Mint Chocolate Fudge Brownies; to a Sweet Peach Pie; to Cinnamon-Sugar Soft Pretzels; to Blueberry Almond Oat Squares. Enthusiastically recommended for personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted that "Sally's Baking Addiction: Irresistible Cupcakes, Cookies, and Desserts for Your Sweet Tooth Fix" is also available in a Kindle edition ($14.75).

Away From The Kitchen
Dawn Blume Hawkes
She Writes Press
1563 Solano Avenue, #546, Berkeley, CA 94707
The Lisa Ekus Group (publicity)
9781938314360, $28.95, www.amazon.com

Compiled by Dawn Blume Hawkes, "Away from the Kitchen" is a 304 page compendium of personal stories, menus, recipes, and insider tips from a roster of twelve professional chefs from around the country. Beautifully illustrated throughout with full color photography, the recipes range from Steel-Cut Oatmeal Souffle with Ginger-Infused Maple Syrup; Kumquat-Ginger Marmalade; Turkish Pistachio Katmer with Clotted Cream and Rose Petal Jam; Grilled Sottocenere Sandwich with Soft Scrambled Eggs; and Roasted Lamb with Caramelized Fennel, Fennel Confit, and Favas; to Brochettes of Scallops with Cranberries, Bay Leaf, and Orange, with Cranberry-Safferon Aioli; Molded Sushi with Unagi and Spicy Crab; Wild Striped Bass Plaki with Sweet-and-Sour Vegetable Broth; and White Chocolate-Almond Cocoa. A unique and highly prized addition to personal and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted that "Away from the Kitchen" is also available in a Kindle edition ($7.96).

The Book Of Icing, Frosting & Fondant Skills
Shelly Baker
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788
www.barronseduc.com
9781438003443, $24.99, www.amazon.com

For those not familiar with the term, Fondant is one of several kinds of edible icing-like substances used to decorate or sculpt pastries. The word, in French, means "melting", coming from the same root as "foundry" in English. "The Book Of Icing, Frosting & Fondant Skills" by professional cake designer Shelly Baker is a profusely illustrated, 288 page culinary instruction manual that showcases a variety of cake recipes along with how to pre4p and decorate them. "The Book Of Icing, Frosting & Fondant Skills" covers spectrum of frosting techniques, along with instructions for creating details such as cake toppers and gumpaste flowers. "The Book Of Icing, Frosting & Fondant Skills" provides more than fifty easy create projects ranging from multi-tiered cakes, to elegant cupcakes, to cake pops, and a great deal more! Of special note is the advisory commentary on essential cake decoration tools, materials, and troubleshooting tips. "The Book Of Icing, Frosting & Fondant Skills" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, professional, and community library specialty cookbook collections.

The Paleo Foodie Cookbook
Arsy Vartanian & Amy Kubal
Page Street Publishing
27 Congress Street, Suite 103, Salem, MA 01970
www.pagestreetpublishing.com
Trina Kay Organization (publicity)
9781624140482, $28.00, www.amazon.com

"The Paleo Foodie Cookbook: 120 Food Lover's Recipes for Healthy, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free and Delicious Meals" is a 240 page compendium showcasing an impressive roster of superbly presented dishes that would grace any dining occasion from simple family meals to elegant celebratory events. The dishes range from Creamy Bacon-Wrapped Dates; Sweet Potato Salmon Cakes; Sun Dried Tomato and Fennel Braised Short Ribs; Balsamic Rosemary Roasted Chicken and Yams; and Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint Pesto; to Spicy Watermelon and Mint Salad; Garlic Soup with Broccoli Rabe and Poached Eggs; Pepper and Carrot Puree; Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta; and Curried Chicken and Butternut Squash Soup. Of special interest are the recipes for Homemade Coconut Milk and Homemade Ketchup. Each recipe also features a 'Chef's Tip' that novice kitchen cooks will find invaluable. Thoroughly 'user friendly' throughout, "The Paleo Foodie Cookbook: 120 Food Lover's Recipes for Healthy, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free and Delicious Meals" is a highly recommended addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections!

Grilled To Perfection
Andy Husbands, et al.
Page Street Publishing
27 Congress Street, Suite 103, Salem, MA 01970
www.pagestreetpublishing.com
Trina Kay Organization (publicity)
9781624140426, $21.99, www.amazon.com

The collaborative work of barbecue experts Andy Husbands and Chris Hart, as well as food and travel writer Andrea Pyenson, "Grill to Perfection: Two Champion Pit Masters' Recipes and Techniques for Unforgettable Backyard Grilling" is a beautifully illustrated, 192 page compendium of great grilling recipes that is especially useful for the novice with its grilling method instructions, commentary on grilling tools, and practical advice on building a two-zone fire in a gas grill. Outstanding recipes range from Tamari-Glazed Steak with Sweet-and-Spicy Rice; Curried Chicken Tenderloins with Coconut and Papaya Salad; Jerk Ribs with Guava Glaze and Grilled Bananas; and Wood-Rosted Pork Tenderloin with Grilled Bruschetta and Pork Butter Spread; Grill-Roasted Ginger clams with Sake and Scallions; and Grilled trout Stuffed with Fresh Herb Salad. Any meal will prove especially palate pleasing and appetite satisfying with Husband and Hart's Charred Spring Vegetables; Sweet Onion Corn Cakes; and Pumpkin Bread in a Can with Chocolate Sea Salt Butter! Enthusiastically recommended for personal and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted that "Grill to Perfection: Two Champion Pit Masters' Recipes and Techniques for Unforgettable Backyard Grilling" is also available in a Kindle edition ($8.89).


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Governmental UFO Files
Kevin D. Randle
Visible Ink Press
4331 Joy Road, #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
KT Public Relations (publicity)
www.visibleinkpress.com
9781578594771, $19.95, www.amazon.com

An unidentified flying object, or UFO, in its most general definition, is any apparent anomaly in the sky that is not identifiable as a known object or phenomenon. Such anomalies may later be identified, but depending on the evidence or lack of evidence, such an identification may not be possible generally leaving the anomaly unexplained. While stories of unexplained apparitions have been told since antiquity, the term "UFO" (or "UFOB") was officially created in 1953 by the United States Air Force (USAF) to serve as a catch-all for all such reports. It was stated that a "UFOB" was "any airborne object which by performance, aerodynamic characteristics, or unusual features, does not conform to any presently known aircraft or missile type, or which cannot be positively identified as a familiar object." As originally defined, the term was restricted to those fraction of cases which remained unidentified after investigation, with USAF interest being for potential national security reasons and/or "technical aspects." During the late 1940s and through the 1950s, UFOs were often referred to popularly as "flying saucers" or "flying discs". The term UFO became more widespread during the 1950s, at first in technical literature, but later in popular use. UFOs garnered considerable interest during the Cold War, an era associated with a heightened concern for national security. "The Government UFO Files: The Conspiracy of Cover-Up" by Kevin D. Randle is a 368 page compendium that provides interested readers with a detailed and documented and analytical history of the UFO drawn from numerous governmental and military sources including the FBI, CIA, FAA, NASA, and the U.S. Army. A seminal work of extraordinary value, "The Government UFO Files: The Conspiracy of Cover-Up" is a very highly recommended addition for personal, community, and academic library UFO Studies reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.


The Biography Shelf

Olivier
Philip Ziegler
Quercus Publishing
31 West 57th Street, 6th floor, NY, NY 10019-3400
c/o Random House Trade Group (dist.)
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com
9781623650421, $35.00, www.amazon.com

Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OM (22 May 1907 - 11 July 1989) was an English actor, director, and producer. Olivier is generally considered to have been one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. "Olivier" by Philip Ziegler is a 352 page biography showcasing the life and achievements of a complex, magnetic, dedicated, competitive, talented, brilliant, yet flawed man. Informed, informative, exceptionally well written, "Olivier" is very highly recommended reading for his legions of fans and would make an enduringly popular addition to community library 20th Century Biography collections.

Mrs. Earp
Sherry Monahan
Two Dot
c/o The Globe Pequot Press
246 Goose Lane, Suite 200
Guilford, CT 06437
9780762788354 $16.95 www.globepequot.com

Western Writers of America president Sherry Monahan presents Mrs. Earp: The Wives and Lovers of the Earp Brothers, an examination of the lives and history of the women intimately connected to the famous Earp Brothers, who are well-known for their historic adventures in the American West. Wyatt, Virgil, and Morgan remain household names to this day; the lesser-known James and Warren, as well as their half-brother Newton are occasionally discussed in the context of American history. Now, the biographies of the women who loved and/or married these men are collected into a single volume. A handful of black-and-white photographs, endnotes, and an index round out this superb addition to histories and biographies about the Old West.


The American History Shelf

Merchants of Independence
William Patrick O'Brien
Truman State University Press
100 East Normal Street
Kirksville, MO 63501-4221
9781612480909 $34.95 pbk.
9781612480916 $27.99 ebook http://tsup.truman.edu

Merchants of Independence: International Trade on the Santa Fe Trail 1827-1860 is a close scrutiny of the role that the frontier town of Independence, Missouri played in international commerce between America and Mexico, as part of the Santa Fe Trail. As a nexus of commerce, Independence was unusually diverse; home to Native Americans, Anglos, Latinos, Jews, Irish, slaves, and free blacks. Economics and logistics prompted people from dramatically different cultures to cooperate and learn from one another. An extraordinary, well-researched glimpse into a key trade hub in the years leading up to the Civil War, Merchants of Independence is a welcome addition to American and Missouri state history collections.


The World History Shelf

Sir Thomas Herbert: Travels in Africa, Persia, and Asia the Great
John Butler, editor
ACMRS
Arizona State University
PO Box 874402, Tempe, AZ 85287-4402
http://acmrs.org/publications
9780866984751, $120.00, www.amazon.com

Expertly edited by academician and biographer John Butler, "Sir Thomas Herbert: Travels in Africa, Persia, and Asia the Great" was first published in 1677 and describes Herbert's travels from 1627 to 1630 as a member of Sir Dodmore Cotton's embassy to Shah Abbas I, to India, Persia, parts of African, and the Middle East. Complete and unabridged, this new edition is significantly enhanced with the inclusion of copious footnotes, an extensive bibliography, and an appendix. "Sir Thomas Herbert: Travels in Africa, Persia, and Asia the Great" is an important and strongly recommended addition to academic library 17th Century British History collections.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Dog Food Logic
Linda P. Case, M.S.
Dogwise Publishing
403 South Mission Street, Wenatchee WA 98801
www.dogwisepublishing.com
9781617811388, $19.95, www.amazon.com

It is incumbent upon all dog owners to provide their canine companions with balanced and nutritious dog food. Because most dog owners acquire their dog food from supermarket shelves, they are confronted with a wide variety of brands and types. "Dog Food Logic: Making Smart Decisions for Your Dog in an Age of Too Many Choices" by Linda P. Case is a 248 page compendium that will provide dog owners with a complete understanding of what dog food marketers do to influence dog owners, how to read dog food ingredients and label information, and most of all, how to determine what your particular canine companion would require in his or her food dish! Informed, informative, and thoroughly 'user friendly' throughout, "Dog Food Logic: Making Smart Decisions for Your Dog in an Age of Too Many Choices" is highly recommended for personal and community library Pets/Wildlife reference collections.


The Woodworking Shelf

Art of Chainsaw Carving, second edition
Jessie Groeschen
Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N.
East Petersburg, PA 17520
9781565238404 $24.99 www.FoxChapelPublishing.com

Now in an updated second edition, Art of Chainsaw Carving: Insights and Inspiration from Top Carvers Around the World gathers brief biographical portraits and lavish photographic galleries of eye-opening, chainsaw-sculpted woodworks. Breathtakingly vibrant renditions of people, animals, even scenes of high action fill this captivating showcase from cover to cover. A little background information about chainsaw woodcarving, step-by-step instructions for chainsaw power carving a chair, and more enrich Art of Chainsaw Carving, but it's primarily a showcase artbook, not a history or how-to manual. Highly recommended.

Complete Starter Guide To Whittling
Woodcarving Illustrated
Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781565238428, $12.99, www.amazon.com

All you need to whittle is a knife, a piece of wood, and a bit of leisure time. Drawn from the pages of Woodcarving Illustrated magazine by its editorial board, "Complete Starter Guide to Whittling: 24 Easy Projects You Can Make in a Weekend" showcases a series of easy-to-make whittling projects. Each of the twenty-four projects comes with 'user friendly' instructions enhanced with 'how-to' photos and ready-to-carve patterns. The projects themselves range from hand-made toys, to useful gifts for any and all occasions, to fun displays. Of special note are whittling techniques for twigs and branches; the four basic knife cuts for whittling; what to look for when selecting a knife for whittling; and how to safely sharpen a whittling knife. Informed informative, and a whole lot of fun, the "Complete Starter Guide to Whittling: 24 Easy Projects You Can Make in a Weekend" is enthusiastically recommended!


The Art Shelf

Decades: An Expanded Context for Western American Art, 1900-1940
Contributions by Charles C. Eldredge, Betsy Fahlman, Randall R. Griffey and Ron Tyler
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive
Norman, OK 73069
9780914738893 $10.95 www.oupress.com

The ninth volume of the Western Passages series exploring western American art throughout history, Decades: An Expanded Context for Western American Art, 1900-1940 presents four detailed essays from expert art historians, alongside black-and-white and color reproductions of notable American artworks. In the 1900-1940 era covered by this volume, the Civil War was generations past, and American West had been fully settled. The idea that the Western frontier was passing into legend affected artists strongly, as did the rise of industrialization, automobile tourism, economic depression, and the violence of worldwide war. Like previous volumes, Decades 1900-1940 is a balance of scholarly research, accessible, reader-friendly language, and striking, emblematic artworks, highly recommended especially for public and college library art history collections.

Collect Raindrops: The Seasons Gathered
Nikki McClure
Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
115 West 18th Street, 6th floor
New York, NY 10011
9781419711671 $24.95 www.abramsbooks.com

Collect Raindrops: The Seasons Gathered is a reissue of artist Nikki McClure's 2007 monograph of her paper cut artworks, featuring sixty-four brand new artworks. Categorized by season, the stark, bold images portray plants, animals, and people amid the splendor of nature's innate cycles, each portrait embodying the concept of its title. (For example, the "Collect Raindrops" picture shows two girls in swimwear approaching a showering summer sprinkler.) No text commentary intersperses the monograph; McClure's artwork speaks for itself, in this vivid, extraordinary, and highly recommended addition to personal and public library art shelves.

Contemporary Artists of the Southwest
E. Ashley Rooney & Julie Sasse
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
978074345432, $45.00, www.amazon.com

Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout with superbly produced color images, "Contemporary Artists of the Southwest" is an impressive, 240 page compendium compiled with expert commentary by E. Ashley Rooney with the assistance of Julie Sasse. Informed and informative, "Contemporary Artists of the Southwest" showcases artists and their work according to their geographic location in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Of special note is a five page listing of where the individual artists are located, an extensive list of Resources, and a comprehensive Index. Excellent production values and expert captioning of every reproduced painting, "Contemporary Artists of the Southwest" is especially recommended for personal, community, and academic library American Art History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

From Realism to Abstraction
Adrianna A. Davies
University of Calgary Press
2500 University Drive, N.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
www.uofcpress.com
9781552387092, $51.95, www.amazon.com

The late John Benjamin Taylor (1917-1970), known as Jack to his family and friends, was a significant and influential member of the Banif and western Canada community of artists. "From Realism to Abstraction: The Art of J. B. Taylor" by Adrianna A. Davies is a 150 page compendium of beautifully reproduced artwork and informative commentary that showcases the life and artistic accomplishments of one of Canada's gifted artists. Enhanced with the inclusion of a select bibliography, a chronology, and a roster of his exhibitions, as well as extensive notes and a comprehensive index, "From Realism to Abstraction: The Art of J. B. Taylor" will prove a welcome and enduringly popular addition to personal and academic library 20th Century Canadian Artists reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Gaming Shelf

Power Hold'em Strategy
Daniel Negreanu
Cardoza Publishing
5473 South Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89119
www.cardozapub.com
9781580422048, $34.95, www.amazon.com

Just as Cardoza Publishing is widely known as the premier publisher of poker instruction books, Daniel Negreanu is widely recognized as one of the best professional poker players at tournament and cash game tables today. Negreanu is a true poker world 'superstar' who has won multiple World Series of Poker tournament bracelets and has amassed more than twelve million dollars in career tournament winnings. "Power Hold'em Strategy" is a 504 page compendium in which Negreanu draws upon his many years of experience and expertise to present a complete course of instruction covering all aspects of no-limit hold'em. An essential read for novice players wanting to succeed in tournament competitions, "Power Hold'em Strategy" will also prove to be an invaluable reference for even the more experienced no limit hold'em player. Superbly organized and presented, thoroughly accessible and exceptionally well written, "Power Hold'em Strategy" is a critically important addition to personal reading lists and community library Gaming reference collections. Simply stated, if you only have time for one 'how to' book on No Limit Hold'em, then make it Daniel Negreanu's "Power Hold'em Strategy".


The Christian Studies Shelf

The CEB Study Bible
Joel B. Green, General Editor
Common English Bible
c/o A Larry Ross Communications
9781609260286, $54.95, www.amazon.com

The Common English Bible (CEB) is an English translation of the Bible, including the deuterocanonical books or apocrypha included in Catholic Church and Orthodox Church canons. The English used is intended to be at "a comfortable level for over half of all English readers," hence the name "Common English". The translation was begun in late 2008 and was finished in 2011. "The CEB Study Bible" is a 2240 page study guide that provides students of the Bible with the Common English bible translation is a single-column format; features more than 1000 pages of detailed book introductions, outlines, notes, and commentaries from biblical academicians; is enhanced with full-color illustrations, in addition to photographs, maps, and charts; provides hundreds of thousands of cross references, and a concordance; is enriched with more than 300 indexed sidebar and general articles on specific biblical topics; is graced with twenty-one full-color maps designed by National Geographic; and is fully indexed. An impressive work of enduring value, "The CEB Study Bible" is especially recommended for personal, seminary, church, academic, and community library Christian Studies and Biblical Studies reference collections and supplemental study lists.

Against The Tide
John L. Allen, Jr.
Liguori Publications
One Liguori Drive, Liguori, MO 63057-9999
www.liguori.org
9780764825163, $5.99, www.amazon.com

Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 17 December 1936) is the 266th and current Pope of the Catholic Church, in which capacity he is Bishop of Rome and absolute Sovereign of the Vatican City State. One year ago, when Pope Francis was elected Pope, he inherited a church in the throws of international and far reaching scandals ranging from the priestly abuse of children, to financial corruption, to the role of nuns with respect to dealing with family planning issues; to the decreasing numbers of young men studying for the priesthood, to ecclesiastical clashes within the church hierarchy, and a great deal more. Within this past year Pope Francis has provided a beacon of inspiration and renewed confidence in the papacy that hasn't been seen in centuries. "Against the Tide: The Radical Leadership of Pope Francis" is a 64 page pamphlet by John L. Allen, Jr. that provides a succinct and informative summary of how Pope Francis has approached his responsibilities and the changes of attitude he has engendered with his positions, his preaching, his outreach, and his symbolic gestures. Simply stated, "Against the Tide: The Radical Leadership of Pope Francis" is highly recommended reading for all Catholics and will prove of immense interest to non-Catholics whom Pope Francis has impressed.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

We Called Him Rabbi Abraham
Edited with introductions by Gary Phillip Zola
Southern Illinois University Press
1915 University Press Drive
SIUC Mail Code 6806
Carbondale, IL 62901
9780809332922 $49.50 www.siupress.com

We Called Him Rabbi Abraham: Lincoln and American Jewry, A Documentary History is a repository of little-known primary source documents about the connections and interactions that President Abraham Lincoln and America's Jewish population. From his response to the Jewish chaplain controversy (not to mention a political movement that sought to declare the U.S. a Christian nation by amending the Constitution), to Lincoln's revocation of General Ulysses S. Grant's infamous order to expel all Jewish citizens (men, women, and children) from the Military Department of the Mississippi, to how Lincoln was memorialized among Jews and respected as a moral compass, and much more. Hebrew Union College professor Gary Phillip Zola provides enlightening context to each document, making We Called Him Rabbi Abraham thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library collections.

Judaism Examined
Moshe Sokol
Academic Studies Press
28 Monfern Avenue, Brighton, MA 02135
www.academicstudiespress.com
9781618111654, $85.00, www.amazon.com

Judaism is the religion, philosophy and way of life of the Jewish people. Judaism is a monotheistic religion, with its foundational text, the Torah, and supplemental oral tradition represented by later texts such as the Mishnah and the Talmud. Judaism is considered by religious Jews to be the expression of the covenant relationship God established with the Children of Israel. Judaism includes a wide corpus of texts, practices, theological positions, and forms of organization. "Judaism Examined: Essays in Jewish Philosophy and Ethics" is a 520 page compendium comprised of essays written by Rabbi Moshe Sokol (Dean of the Laner College for Men in Kew Gardens Hills, Professor of Philosophy, and a member of the Touro College Graduate Faculty of Jewish Studies) and organized into five major sections: Living a Jewish Life; Autonomy, Freedom, and Tolerance; Topics in Applied Jewish Ethics and Philosophy; Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik; and Interpreting Jewish Texts. Enhanced with the inclusion of a Citations Index and a General Index, "Judaism Examined: Essays in Jewish Philosophy and Ethics" is a model of meticulous scholarship that is both thoughtful and thought-provoking. Erudite and articulate, "Judaism Examined: Essays in Jewish Philosophy and Ethics" is very highly recommended for personal and academic Judaic Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Gun Shelf

Arming For The Apocalypse
James Ballou
Paladin Press
7077 Winchester Circle, Boulder, CO 80301
www.paladin-press.com
9781610047616, $20.00, www.amazon.com

Every country, kingdom, and empire in recorded human history has ultimately foundered and fallen, leaving its people in a condition of dire consequence, anarchy, and lawlessness as the framework of their society and culture collapsed around them. Sooner or later, that same fate awaits the United States and its citizenry. That's why every survivalist should have their own copy of "Arming for the Apocalypse: Assembling Your Survival Arsenal.....While You Still Can". Author and survival expert James Ballou lays out five basic questions that must be addressed in selecting a weapon; how the enterprising survivalist can extract reliable service from older and less expensive firearms; what gear and tools are required to service and repair weapons at home; the types of ammunition to consider when easily accessible sources expire; the role of multicaliber guns, backup guns, and alternative weapons in survival planning. Of special note is the instructive commentary on practical modifications that can be made on guns to make them workable in a post-apocalypse scenario. Profusely illustrated throughout with black-and-white photography, informed and informative, and appropriate for experienced gun owners and non-specialist general readers alike, "Arming for the Apocalypse: Assembling Your Survival Arsenal.....While You Still Can" is critically important and highly recommended.


The Travel Shelf

Italy
Cristian Bonetto, et al.
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
www.lonelyplanet.com
9781742207292, $27.99, www.amazon.com

For several decades now, Lonely Planet has been and continues to be a premier publisher of travel guides. One of their latest is a country guide to Italy. This 960 page compendium is packed from beginning to end with practical, useable, invaluable information for planning itineraries from simple day trips to elaborate multi week excursions. A cornucopia of local information that will easily enable the most novice traveler to uncover 'hidden travel gems', this outstanding edition of "Italy" features a pull-out map of Rome, a Vatican Guide, up-to-date information on Pompeii, and even a Chianti wine tour. Superbly presented and thoroughly 'user friendly', no one should be without their very own copy of Italy when setting out to enjoy the sights, cuisine, countryside, and annual events of Italy today! It should be noted that "Italy" is also available in a Kindle edition ($15.39).


The Computer Shelf

Windows 8.1 for Dummies
Andy Rathbone
For Dummies
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.dummies.com
9781118821213, $24.9, www.amazon.com

Windows 8.1 is an update of the Windows 8 operating system. First unveiled and released as a public beta in June 2013, it was released to manufacturing on August 27, 2013, and reached general availability on October 17, 2013, almost a year after the retail release of its predecessor. Windows 8.1 is available as a free update for existing Windows 8 and Windows RT users via Windows Store, but unlike the service packs of previous versions of Windows, it is not distributed through Windows Update, and users who obtained 8 outside of retail copies or pre-loaded installations (i.e. volume licensing) must obtain 8.1 through new installation media from their respective subscription or enterprise channel. According to Microsoft's software life cycle policies, installation of Windows 8.1 is required to maintain access to Windows 8's mainstream support after January 12, 2016. "Windows 8.1 For Dummies" by Windows operating system expert Andy Rathbone is a 432 page instruction manual that will enable Windows 8.1 users to launch apps from the Start screen; send e-mail and link to social media accounts; create music playlists, watch videos, and organize photos; troubleshoot commonly encountered problems; customize the desktop, user accounts, hardware and gadget settings; and more. Also available in a Kindle edition ($8.99), "Windows 8.1 For Dummies" is thoroughly 'user friendly' from first page to last, and an invaluable reference guide for Windows 8.1 users.

The Book Of F#
Dave Fancher
No Starch Press
38 Ringold Street, San Francisco, CO 94103-4403
www.nostarch.com
9781593275525, $44.95, www.amazon.com

"The Book of F#: Breaking Free with Managed Functional Programming" by software developer Dave Fancher is a 312 page instruction manual on utilizing F# to successfully create succinct, reliable, and predictable computer code. Those new to F# will learn how to use currying, partial application, and delegation; streamline type creation and safety with record types and discriminated unions; the role of collection types and modules for handling data sets effectively; the use of pattern matching to decompose complex types; make software more responsive; and a great deal more. Informed, informative, and thoroughly 'user friendly' in both content and presentation, "The Book of F#: Breaking Free with Managed Functional Programming" is very highly recommended for personal, professional, academic, and community library Computer Science instructional and reference collections. It should be noted that "The Book of F#: Breaking Free with Managed Functional Programming" is also available in a Kindle edition ($28.76).


The Architecture Shelf

Building for 21st Century Science
Paul Nurse, Mike Crosbie, John Tooze
Artifice
c/o Lakewood Art & Architecture
406 Wyckoff Mills Road, East Windsor, NJ 08520
9781908967312, $49.95, www.amazon.com

The collaborative work of Paul Nurse, Mike Crosbie, and John Tooze, "Building for 21st Century Science: Mitchell J Giurgola Architects" is a profusely and beautifully illustrated, 192 page compendium showcasing six major architectural structures with informative commentary. Of special note is the section 'Selected laboratory Renovations' presenting architectural design projects at Barnard College, Columbia university, the Columbia University Medical Center, the SUNY University at Buffalo, and Stony Brook University. Enhanced with the inclusion of a project timeline, and descriptive information about the firm of Mitchell J. Giurgola Architects, "Building for 21st Century Science" is especially recommended for professional and academic library Architectural Studies reference collections and architecture student supplemental reading lists.


The Education Shelf

A Work Of Heart
Janet Louise Conlin
Crystal Productions
1812 Johns Drive, Glenview, IL 60025-1581
CP7241, $31.95, www.crystalproductions.com

Created and compiled by Janet Louise Conlin, "A Work Of Heart: A Year Of 1st Grade Art Lessons" is a spiral bound, 80 page compendium comprised of twenty-one art lessons specifically designed to be integrated with a variety of elementary school curriculum standards for art instruction. The simple text is enhanced with pictures, with each lessons presented with step-by-step instructions. Enhanced with goals, lists of materials and supplies, discussion topics, and assessment tips for classroom teachers, "A Work Of Heart: A Year Of 1st Grade Art Lessons" is highly recommended as a curriculum supplement and would be ideal for use by home schooling parents as well.


The Audiobook Shelf

The Thousand Names
Django Wexler
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
C02663, $123.75, www.recordedbooks.com

The first volume of author Django Wexler's 'The Shadow Campaigns' trilogy, "The Thousand Names" is a superbly produced, 22.25 hour, 18 disc, unabridged audio book production deftly narrated by the multi-voiced talents of Richard Poe. The story follows Winter Ihernglass, a rank and file soldier whose secret is that she is female in a man's world, and Captain Marcus d'Ivore, commander of the Vordani empire's colonial garrison populated by men as a form of punishment or demotion. With the arrival of a new commander, Colonel Janus bet Vhalnich, along with a host of fresh-faced and inexperienced troops, the adventure begin. The battles are cliff-hanger thrillers, the enemy one of religious fanaticism, the ancient powers of an ancient land prove to be all too real. A superbly crafted story brought vividly to life in a true 'theatre of the mind' experience that is the proven hallmark of Record Books productions, "The Thousand Names" is very highly recommended and will leave listeners looking eagerly toward the next installment of 'The Shadow Campaigns' trilogy. It should be noted that "The Thousand Names" is also available in an eAudio edition (Z06671, $109.00) and a Playaway edition (522548, $67.75).

London's Last True Scoundrel
Christina Brooke, author
Elizabeth Wiley, narrator
Tantor Media, Inc.
2 Business Park Road, Unit 2
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
9781494500511 $42.99 www.tantor.com

Book 1 in Christina Brooke's Westruthers series, London's Last True Scoundrel is the unabridged audiobook of a steamy hot love affair. When the carefree, roguish, and death-defying Jonathon Westruther, Earl of Davenport, crosses paths with a straight-as-an-arrow schoolteacher Miss Hilary deVere, he can't stop thinking about her. His past may put her in danger, but she will take almost any risk to escape living with her uncouth brothers. She believes that her desire to find a proper, respectable husband immunizes her against Westruther's rakish charms... or does it? A sensuous story of temptation and the drive to succeed despite the restraints of a stratifies society, London's Last True Scoundrel is a savory treat for connoisseurs of erotic romance. 9 CDs, 11 hours.

Destroyer Angel
Nevada Barr, author
Barbara Rosenblat, narrator
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427235480 $39.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Destroyer Angel is the unabridged audiobook rendition of the latest novel in Nevada Barr's award-winning mystery series starring U.S. Park Services ranger Anna Pigeon. When Anna goes on an autumn camping trip in the Iron Range of upstate Minnesota with her friends and their teenage daughters, the experience turns perilous when heavily armed thugs take the others captive. On her own, Anna has only two days to achieve a rescue before her kidnapped friends are executed or flown out of the country. Destroyer Angel keeps the listener on the edge of their seat to the very end! 9 CDs, 11.5 hours.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Embroidery & Patchwork Revisited
Janice Vaine
Landauer Corporation
3100 NW 101st Street, Suite A
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
9781935726517 $27.95 www.landauercorp.com

Embroidery & Patchwork Revisited: An Illustrated Guide to Hand Stitching uses color photographs and extensively detailed, step-by-step line diagrams to teach 19 basic stitches, which can be applied to practice projects, patterns for blocks, stitch combinations, and embroidery motifs. A user-friendly instructional guide designed expressly for needlecrafters of all skill and experience levels, Embroidery & Patchwork Revisited is a wonderful repository of inspiration, ideas drawn from classic quits and time-honored hand embroidery, and creative flair. Highly recommended!

New Fangled Piecing: Faster & Easier
Cathy Busch
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
www.americanquilter.com
9781604601084, $24.95, www.amazon.com

A quilt is a type of blanket, traditionally composed of 3 layers of fiber: a woven cloth top, a layer of batting or wadding and a woven back, combined using the technique of quilting. A quilt is distinguishable from other types of blankets because it is pieced together with several pieces of cloth. "Quilting" refers to the technique of joining at least two fabric layers by stitches or ties. In most cases, two fabric layers surround a middle layer of batting (cotton, polyester, silk, wool or combinations of fibers) which is a lighter, insulating layer. The most decorative fabric surface is called the "top", and is the design focus. A single piece of fabric (a "wholecloth quilt") may be used as the top, or the top may be "pieced" from smaller fabric pieces. Sewing together smaller pieces of fabric into a larger patchwork "block" of fabric creates the basic unit. "New Fangled Piecing: Faster & Easier" is a 96 page instructional compendium provides four simple strategies to speed up the piecing process in a whole new way and cut down on how long it takes to sew the quilt top so you can have more time to either quilt the top or piece another one. Needlecrafters can utilize 13 different construction techniques to make replacement units to speed the sewing along and make any or all of the eleven fun quilt projects showcased in "New Fangled Piecing: Faster & Easier" -- or simply take these new tools and find their own piecing bliss. Informed, informative, and thoroughly 'user friendly' from beginning to end, "New Fangled Piecing: Faster & Easier" is very highly recommended for personal and community library Needlecraft reference collections.


The Self-Help Shelf

People Tools
Alan C. Fox
Select Books/Midpoint
1 Union Square West, Suite 909, New York City, NY 10003
c/o Jane Wesman Public Relations, Inc. (publicity)
322 Eighth Ave., Suite 1702, New York, NY 10001
9781590791424 $16.95 www.selectbooks.com

People Tools: 54 Strategies for Building Relationships, Creating Joy, and Embracing Prosperity is a self-help guide focusing on how to build, maintain, and improve interpersonal relationships in one's life. Instead of traditional chapters, People Tools presents its 54 recommendations individually, offering a few pages to clarify each with examples. For instance, People Tool #22 is "The Four C's" for dealing with difficult and urgent problems - Confess (admit there is a serious problem), Climb (learn as much information to help with the problem as you can), Contact (ask for help), and Commit (dedicate oneself to a course of action to improve the situation). Accessible and easy-to-follow, People Tools is an invaluable repertoire of wisdom applicable to all walks of life.


The Music CD Shelf

The Spirit Speaks
The Jones Family Singers
Arts + Labor
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221
Austin, TX 78748
$9.98 www.amazon.com

The Jones Family Singers are a gospel group whose music is as graceful as the faith. Their new album, The Spirit Speaks, is rich creation of fervent songs from the soul, powerful and emotionally moving. A treasury of love and joy, The Spirit Speaks is highly recommended. The tracks are "Down On Me", "Going Home", "Bones in the Valley", "Made up my Mind", "Leaning on You", "I am", "You Woke Me up this Morning", "Preacher man", "Through it all", and "Try Jesus".

Whatsnext?
Mehmet Ali Sanlikol
Privately Published
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
www.rockpaperscissors.biz
$TBA www.amazon.com

Whatsnext? is a jazz album by Turkey-born composer Mehmet Sanlikol, who fuses elements of world music with the rich heritage of jazz, and synthesizer flair. The result is a standout creation that reflects Sanlikol's passion for bold experimentation with music's mystery. Whatsnext? is intriguing, soul-sweeping, and highly recommended! The tracks are "What's next?", "Better Stay Home", "A Violet Longing", "Palindrome", "On the edge of the extreme possible", "The Blue Soul of Turkoromero", "Kozan March", "N.O.H.A.", and "Gone crazy: a noir fantasy".

Futureworld
Thomas Blondet
http://thomasblondet.com
Rhythm & Culture Music
www.rhythmandculture.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221
Austin, TX 78748
$16.81 CD / $9.49 MP3 www.amazon.com

The debut album of DJ and producer Thomas Blondet, Futureworld is a rhythmic, pulsating album that draws upon Jamaican and Indian musical traditions, with smooth Spansih vocals and melodies that owe inspiration to the Middle East. Eclectic, adventurous, and uniquely organic, Futureworld is a choice pick for connoisseurs seeking to broaden their musical palate. The tracks are "Chan Ve", "Un Amor", "Check One", "Dil Da Jani", "Beyond the Balkans", "Tu Va Partir", "Curry Flava", "Savo Vodo", "In This World", "Dil Da Jani (Reprise)", "Supreme (Dub)", "Son of Fakir", and "In This World (Dub)".


The DVD Shelf

Tracie Long Longevity Series
Tracie Long
Shelter Island
c/o TDC Entertainment
220 East 23rd Street, Suite 405, New York, NY 10010
c/o Damore Public Relations
$14.98 each http://shelterisland.net

Tracie Long Longevity Series is a trio fitness DVDs created to help boost strength, improve endurance, and have fun while doing it! Fitness expert Tracy Long guides the viewer through easy-to-follow routines in all three DVDs. "Step Forward" (9781939517197) is works on one's leg muscles from varying angles and speeds, culminated with four minutes of leg conditioning. "Defining Shape" (9781939517173) features strength training exercises that move both the upper and lower body, designed to burn more calories than activities that isolate specific muscle groups. "Staying Power" (9781939517180) employs an inexpensive medicine ball in its high-energy cardio, with a particular drive to improve the hips, rear, and thighs. All three are superb additions to any fitness library, individually or as a set!


The Crafts Shelf

Organic Wire and Metal Jewelry
Beth L. Martin and Eva M. Sherman
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871167040 $21.99 www.kalmbachbooks.com

Organic Wire and Metal Jewelry: Stunning Pieces Made with Sea Glass, Stones, and Crystals is a practical crafting book for intermediate to advanced metalworkers and wireworkers, revealing how to create beautiful, distinctive jewelry from relatively inexpensive materials and tools. A wealth of full-color photographs demonstrate the step-by-step instructions to metalworking techniques such as coiling, drilling, stamping, riveting, texturing, making spirals and loops, and more. The readers is invited to put his or her skills to the test in 25 trendy designs, each with two variations, for a total of fifty suggested projects. Extravagant waterspout earrings, charm bracelets, rings with a natural flourish, and more are among the colorful handmade wonders suggested in this excellent and thoroughly accessible craftbook.

Small Beads Big Jewelry
Jean Power
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY 11788
9781438003511 $21.99 www.barronseduc.com

Small Beads Big Jewelry: 30 Unique Pieces To Make is a hands-on guide for intermediate to advanced beadweavers to creating distinctive, unique pieces of three-dimensional jewelry from a multitude of tiny beads. The projects are grouped by the style of technique used to weave the little beads together (including peyote stitch, ladder stitch, spiral rope, and more). Full-color photographs and step-by-step diagrams illustrate how to create a Dagger Bangle (crafted from spiky "dagger beads"), Rivoli Medals Necklace, Owl Earrings (this technique can be adapted to craft any other type of bead caricature), multipurpose pendants/charms/ornaments, and more. Highly recommended, especially for crafters and hobbyists.


The Nautical Shelf

Captain W.W. Withenbury's 1838-1842 Red River Reminiscences
Edited and annotated by Jacques D. Bagur
University of North Texas Press
PO Box 311336
Denton, TX 76203-1336
9781574415476 $32.95 www.unt.edu/untpress

Captain W.W. Withenbury's 1838-1842 Red River Reminiscences is an annotated selection of letters by 1800's river boat captain W. W. Withenbury. Ten included maps enable the reader to follow the movements of the boats even as Withenbury gives his vivid descriptions, beautifully capturing the close of the steamboat era. As much a primary testimony of nautical history as it is a correspondence memoir, Captain W.W. Withenbury's 1838-1842 Red River Reminiscences is highly recommended especially for college library collections.


The Memoir Shelf

Rows of Memory
Saul Sanchez
University of Iowa Press
100 Kuhl House
119 West Park Road
Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
9781609382339 $21.00 www.uiowapress.org

Rows of Memory: Journeys of a Migrant Sugar-Beet Worker is the true-life memoir of Saul Sanchez, born to a family of migrant workers. At age eight, Sanchez began helping his family tend to agricultural crops - they regularly traveled across America, picking oranges, apples, cucumbers, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, and more. They often encountered racism, and lived a life of de facto segregation, surviving on razor-thin wages. Saul's long work hours cut into the time he spent at school, yet he dedicated himself to succeeding academically. He went to college with his family's blessing, graduated in 1967, and became a teacher. Rows of Memory is an unforgettable glimpse into daily life among Latinos who labored to bring cheap food to all of America, and the steep demands of modern industrial agriculture. Highly recommended.


The Photography Shelf

Remembering John F. Kennedy
Philip Bigler
Vandamere Press
PO Box 149
St. Petersburg, FL 33731
9780918339782 $7.95 www.vandamere.com

Remembering John F. Kennedy: The New Frontier and the Nation's Capital gathers 70 vintage, black-and-white historical photographs commemorating John Kennedy, from his first election to the U.S. Congress in 1946 to this time as President to the nationwide grief and shock following his assassination. A brief amount of text places the photographs in full context, telling the story of Kennedy's life, political career, and legacy. For example, the caption for one photograph reads, "President John F. Kennedy and Vice President London B. Johnson watch the inaugural parade from the presidential reviewing stand. Johnson had been the Senate Majority Leader during Kennedy's term in Congress. He was given a place on the ticket to appeal to southern voters [...] Still, the personal relationship between the two men was often strained and distant." Chapter overviews further summarize Kennedy's life and works, in this historic tribute to a beloved leader who changed the world during his brief yet energetic life. Highly recommended, especially for public library and photography collections.


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Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
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Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
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http://www.midwestbookreview.com


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