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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 4, Number 2 February 2009 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Parenting Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf
Biography Shelf Social Issues Shelf Education Shelf
Fiction Shelf Theatre/Cinema Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Genealogy Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf Sports Shelf
Travel Shelf Music Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Poetry Shelf Money/Finance Shelf Political Science Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Christian Studies Shelf Business Shelf
World History Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Psychology Shelf
Criminology Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf
Economics Shelf Photography Shelf Philosophy Shelf
Gardening Shelf Military Shelf Language Studies Shelf
Gerontology Studies Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

Madison
Zane Williams
Wisconsin Historical Society Press
816 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
9780978948702, $24.95, www.wisconsinhistory.org

Madison is the capital of the 'Badger State', the home city of the University of Wisconsin network, a place of culture, art, literature, architecture, athletics, and community that makes it a very special part of the Wisconsin landscape. Now all these and more are memorialized a collection of full color images by Zane Williams in "Madison", a newly published volume of outstanding photography published by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press. Showcasing Madison's people and places, this is a superbly produced and highly recommended addition to personal and Wisconsin community library collections.

The Last Man To Live The Real American Dream
Randy Rossi
Nightengale Press
10936 N. Port Washington Road, Suite 206, Mequon, WI 53092
www.nightengalepress.com
1933449659, $15.95, www.amazon.com

'The American Dream' comes in as many variations as there are Americans who aspire to live their own definitions of 'the good life'. Randal C. Rossi is the son of an Italian immigrant father and a mother who was one of the 'Daughters of the American Revolution'. His memoir takes the reader along a true 'rags to riches' story that began on a farm and lead him to associate with members of the White House and the Pentagon. From a nigh shift laborer at a foundry to becoming the Group President of an international corporation with hundreds of employees and millions of dollars in annual sales, Randy Rossi experienced, embodies, and represents why America has become a beacon for men and women around the world seeking to improve their lives and the prospects for their children for personal fulfillment and success. Much of the economic landscape has changed and evolved with the passing of time and the introduction of new technologies, customs, and events both domestic and international, but the message of "The Last Man To Live The Real American Dream" remains constant -- American Dreams live on and it is possible for anyone to achieve their own aspirations with hard work, a little luck, and a whole lot of perseverance. Highly recommended reading that is as informed and informative as it is inspiring and inspirational.

The Book of Non-Electric Lighting
Tim Matson
The Countryman Press
PO Box 748, Woodstock, VT 05091
9780881507942, $13.95, www.countrymanpress.com

A backup plan or for style, having non-electric lighting available is a good idea. "The Book of Non-Electric Lighting: The Classic Guide to Safe Use of Candles, Fuel Lamps, Lanterns, Gaslights, & Fire-View Stoves" is a guide to safely using non-electric lighting for light, style, or energy conservation. Firelight can add a certain romantic and historic air to one's life, and "The Book of Non-Electric Lighting" is a complete and comprehensive guide to using it effectively.

The Wisdom of Generosity
William J. Jackson
Baylor University
One Bear Place #97363, Baylor University Press, Waco, TX 76798-7363
9781602580596, $34.95, www.baylorpress.com

Americans so often are depicted as greedy, stingy, among other traits, which couldn't be further from the truth. "The Wisdom of Generosity: A Reader in American Philanthropy" takes a look at the kinder side of the American spirit, and the love for giving and generosity embedded in its very culture. Giving many examples of American generosity and collecting the wide samples of poems, proverbs, fables, and other stories about the American generosity, "The Wisdom of Generosity" is a vivid picture of the America that is rarely seen in today's media.

The Lady's Strategem
Frances Grimble, editor
Lavolta Press
20 Meadowbrook Drive, San Francisco, California 94132
9780963651778, $75.00 415-566-6259

The Lady's Strategem: A Repository of 1820s Directions for the Toilet, Mantua-Making, Stay-Making, Millinery & Etiquette is an omnibus anthology of early nineteenth century cultural instructions for women, edited for modern-day readers' ease of comprehension by Frances Grimble. In that era, women were expected to be absolutely agreeable, and to adhere meticulously to societal conventions concerning appearance, dress, hygiene, and proper behavior. (Readers are warned not to try the recipes for homemade cosmetics, such as one Oriental Rusma depilatory that included arsenic in its ingredients). Historical periods and locations given especial coverage include the fur trade era, colonial Canada, the American Federal Period, and more. A handful of black-and-white illustrations enhance this solid primary source, especially recommended to anyone seeking to study or depict the lives of women nearly two hundred years ago, such as film and theatre costumers or historical and romance novelists.


The Parenting Shelf

Video Games & Your Kids
Hilarie Cash & Kim McDaniel
Issues Press
c/o Idyll Arbor
39129 264th Ave SE, Enumclaw, WA 98022
9781930461055, $18.00, www.idyllarbor.com

Moderation is key to all things, including video games. "Video Games & Your Kids: How Parents Stay in Control" is a parent's guide to the world of video games for children for their parents. Discussing age appropriateness, how much a parent should allow their children to play video games in general, it also discusses problems children may have already, like existing addictions to online games. "Video Games & Your Kids" is a solid choice for parents of young gamers.

Multiple Bles8ings
Jon & Kate Gosselin & Beth Carson
Zondervan
5300 Patterson Avenue, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530
9780310289029, $19.99, www.zondervan.com

The wonders of modern science. "Multiple Bles8ings: Surviving to Thriving with Twins and Sextuplets" is the story of Jon & Kate Gosselin, stars of TLC's "Jon and Kate plus 8". Chronicling their story through their rough time conceiving, to what they call a miracle and work of God when they gave birth to eight children in the span of three years, a set of twins then sextuplets. Covering the first two and most hectic years of their lives of parents of eight, "Multiple Bles8ings" is an interesting look into a modern day large family.

Late, Lost, and Unprepared
Joyce Cooper-Kahn & Laurie Dietzel
Woodbine House
6510 Bells Mill Rd., Bethesda, MD 20817
9781890627843, $19.95

Attention Deficit Disorders are abundant in many children, but how to deal with them? "Late, Lost, and Unprepared: A Parents' Guide to Helping Children with Executive Functioning" is a guide for parents when dealing with a child who suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder or related disorders, with some advice even dealing with severities such as autism. Focusing both on the short and long term, "Late, Lost, and Unprepared" is a manual that parents need for their special needs child.

Raising a Gifted Child
Carol Fertig
Prufrock Press
PO Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813
9781593633448, $16.95, www.prufrock.com

One could have all the talent in the world, but if it isn't nurtured, it'll go to waste. "Raising a Gifted Child: A Parenting Success Handbook" is a guide to parents who want to give their talented children all the tools they need to maximize their potential for the future. Just like those with learning disabilities, the other extreme need special care to assist them, and "Raising a Gifted Child" should be in the bookshelf of every parent of a gifted child.

The Busy Mom's Guide to a Happy, Organized Home
Kathy Peel
Picket Fence Press
c/o Tyndale House
Maggierowe@tyndale.com
9781414316192, $16.99, www.tyndale.com

To have a career and a mother is to have two full time jobs - how do you pull off such a balancing act? "The Busy Mom's Guide to a Happy, Organized Home: Fast Solutions to Hundreds of Everyday Dilemmas" is designed to be the working mother's bible for dealing with the endless complexities of their life. Divided into categories such as food, finances, chores, and event not-so daily events such as holidays and birthdays, "The Busy Mom's Guide to a Happy, Organized Home" is a strong consideration to any dual breadwinner/single parent who faces these challenges.

Forever Lily
Beth Nonte Russell
Touchstone
Rockefeller Center, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
Andrew E. Freedman
9127 Thrasher Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069
9780743292979, $14.00, www.simonsays.com

Adoption is a tough journey in itself, but when from China, it adds another element. "Forever Lily: An Unexpected Mother's Journey to Adoption in China" tells her story of traveling to China initially to give a friend of hers support in her own decision for adoption. As her friend begins to have second thoughts, Beth looks towards to the forgotten child and takes her as her own. Detailing this emotional journey, "Forever Lily" is a solid read for anyone considering international adoption.

Pea in a Pod
Linda Goldberg
SquareOne Publishers
115 Herricks Road, Garden City Park, NY 11040
9780757001819, $17.95, www.squareonepublishers.com

Motherhood is something the majority of women will experience at some point. "Peas in a Pod: Your Complete Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, & Beyond" is a complete and comprehensive reference for mothers who want to best take care of their children and have all the knowledge they need at their disposal. Frequently asked questions, advice on breast-feeding, immunizations, and more, "Peas in a Pod" is packed with color photos and a solid choice for any would-be informed mother to be.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

The I Love to Write Book
Mary Lane Kamberg
Crickhollow Books
3147 S. Pennslyvania Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207
9781933987057, $16.95, www.lovetowritebook.org

A love for writing is something to be nurtured. "The I Love to Write Book: Ideas & Tips for Young Writes" is a collection of tips, tricks, and advice for young writers. Whether they want to make a career out of their craft or just better hone their hobby, Kamberg gives the knowledge and lessons needed to improve a young writer's craft for any purpose. Fiction, non-fiction, letters, poetry, or short stories are all covered, making "The I Love to Write Book" an ideal gift for the young potential author in one's life.


The Biography Shelf

Six Tycoons
Wyn Derbyshire
Spiramus Press Ltd.
102 Blandford Street, London W1U 8AG, United Kingdom
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213
9781904905844, $36.95 www.isbs.com 1-800-944-6190

Lawyer Wyn Derbyshire shares his fascination with major figures of financial history in Six Tycoons, a biography that traces the lives and influence of six profoundly wealthy Americans: John Jacob Astor, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, and Joseph P. Kennedy. Their successes (and their major mistakes!) offer valuable life lessons, and American history might have turned out quite differently if not for their impact. A handful of black-and-white plates illustrate this fascinating anthology of life stories of the rich and famous.

19 Stars of Indiana
Michael S. Maurer
Indiana University Press
601 North Morton Street, Bloomington, IN 47404-3797
9780253353290, $24.95 www.iupress.indiana.edu 1-800-842-6796

Columnist and former Indiana Secretary of Commerce Michael S. Maurer presents 19 Stars of Indiana: Exceptional Hoosier Women, an anthology of biographical portraits of some of Indiana's best and brightest female citizens. From entrepreneurial philanthropist Christel DeHaan to golf sensation Nancy Shepherd Fitzgerald to Sandy Sasso, the second woman in the United States to become a rabbi, each of the talented individuals profiled has given her all to pursue her chosen passion. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this inspirational collection, especially recommended for school and public library collections.

Senator Howard Cannon of Nevada
Michael Vernetti
University of Nevada Press
Mail Stop 0166, Reno, NV, 89557-0166
9780874177619, $34.95 www.unpress.nevada.edu 1-877-682-6657

Written by former journalist and U.S. Senate aide Michael Vernetti, Senator Howard Cannon of Nevada: A Biography chronicles the life and political career of Howard Cannon, who represented Nevada in the U.S. Senate from 1958 to 1982 and earned a reputation for productivity and influence. A man who believed in the virtue of hard work rather than excessive vanity or self-promotion, Cannon's work on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and the Armed Services Committee brought about sweeping changes in the air travel industry - such as deregulation and increased support for national military preparedness. A handful of black-and-white photographs and information garnered from dozens of interviews with Cannon's associates distinguish this solid biographical account of a respectable American leader.

John Beargrease
Daniel Lancaster
Holy Cow! Press
PO Box 3170, Mount Royal Station, Duluth, Minnesota 55803
9780977945887, $14.95 www.holycowpress.org

John Beargrease: Legend of Minnesota's North Shore is the first comprehensive biography of John Beargrease (1858-1910), the son of an Anishinabe chief, who brought mail by dog sled to pioneer communities on Minnesota's Lake Superior shore line. His dedication to the job was so great that the annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon was named in his honor. A handful of black-and-white photographs enhance this solid biography of a true outdoorsman, and presents a picturesque glimpse into the earliest settlements of Minnesota's North Shore. Highly recommended.

The Making of a Southerner
Christopher Phillips
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65201
9780826218254, $19.95 www.umsystem.edu/upress 1-800-828-1894

The Making of a Southerner: William Barclay Napton's Private Civil War is the biography of William Barclay Napton (1808-1883), an editor, lawyer, and state supreme court justice who lived in Missouri. A former resident of New Jersey who became the owner or trustee of nearly fifty slaves, and one of the most articulate pro-slavery idealogues of the nation, Napton's transition makes for an intriguing case study of the process of "southernization". During the Civil War, Napton lost family and property in defense of Southern ideals. Notes, a bibliography, and an index round out this fascinating true story of complete cultural realignment.

Black Pearls
Sascha Feinstein
Eastern Washington University Press
534 E. Spokane Falls Blvd., Suite 203, Spokane, WA 99202
9781597660471, $23.95, www.ewupress.ewu.edu

All arts are entangled and intertwined, and Sascha Feinstein has learned this well. "Black Pearls: Improvisations on a Lost Year" is jazz musician and poet Sascha Feinstein's take on jazz improvisations in the form of essays, invoking emotion and heart through his writing. Focusing on the loss of his mother to cancer so many years ago, "Black Pearls: Improvisations on a Lost Year" is a charming and motivating read, solidly recommended.

Brian Mulroney Memoirs
Brian Mulroney
Douglas Gibson Books
c/o McClelland & Stweart
75Sherbourne Street, Toronto, ON M5A 2P9
9780771065361, $50.00, www.mcclelland.com

Becoming Prime Minister of Canada is no small feat. "Brian Mulroney Memoirs" are the official memoirs of the eighteenth Canadian Prime Minister, serving from 1984 until 1993. Raised in Quebec, Mulroney lead a long and eventful life, one filled with activism throughout his career and going into his involvement in politics. Covered in detail are his years during his tenure in office as Prime Minister, having a strong partnership with the Reagan administration. The scope of his memoirs ends with his time in office, with a little aftermath of how Mulroney now spends his life, retired from politics. "Brian Mulroney Memoirs" is a riveting read, an absolute must addition to community library biography and memoirs collections, especially those focused on important public figures.

The Simple Life
Wanda E. Brunstetter
Barbour Publishing
PO Box 719, Uhrichvilles, OH 44683
9781602602205, $16.95, www.barbourbooks.com

Electricity, skyscrapers, and automobiles are all vastly overrated. "The Simple Life: Devotional Thoughts from Amish Country" is a collection of the simple wisdom used by the Amish people. Brunstetter is not Amish herself, but became fascinated with the culture when visiting her in laws within the community. With sixty meditations, Brunstetter draws a picture of a simpler life to be embraced by all. "The Simple Life" preaches a solid message that complexity is not always the best.

Unsanctioned Voice
Bruce Ramsey
Caxton Press
312 Main Street, Caldwell, ID 83605
9780870044656, $17.95, www.caxtonpress.com

They say dissent is the voice of America, and if so, Garet Garett was a true patriot. "Unsanctioned Voice: Garet Garrett, Journalist of the Old Right" tells the story of this persistent opponent to both the Franklin Roosevelt and Truman administrations, but never losing his cool to mudslinging, as so many of today's journalists degrade to. Telling the story of his life and how Garrett's life and practices should be a model for the modern pundit, "Unsanctioned Voice" is a strong choice for biography collections of any sort.

Siren's Feast
Nancy Mehagian
Cielo Press
12400 Ventura Blvd., #733, Studio City, CA 91604
9780979930508, $22.00, www.sirensfeast.com

Food isn't necessarily seen as rebellious, but it can be just as anyone else. "Siren's Feast: An Edible Odyssey" is the story of Nancy Mehagian, an Armenian woman narrowing escaping the notorious genocides against her people. Living a wild life, she's served as a restauranteur, cabaret dancer, and turned herself into a nutritionist. Although a vegetarian, there is plenty of meat in Mehagian's story, making "Siren's Feast" a strong choice for readers interested in a riveting biography.

Incognegro
Frank B. Wilderson
South End Press
7 Brookline Street, Suite 1, Cambridge, MA 02139
9780896087835, $18.00, www.southendpress.org

Racism doesn't die a sudden death. It's a concept that's tough, vengeful, and bitter. "Incognegro: A Memoir of Exile and Apartheid" is a story of race and the shifting attitudes of two countries. Frank B. Wilderson has in his life lived in two countries notorious for its cruel treatment of some of its own citizens solely for the color of their skin - The United States and South Africa. Drawing his ideas and views, Wilderson constructs a very highly readable piece of work, that will enlighten as well as entertain. Written as a response to Nelson Mandela "Incognegro" is a pivotal piece of writing for those studying race in today's world.

Packing Inferno
Tyler E. Boudreau
Feral House
1240 W Sims Way #124, Port Townsend WA 98368
9781932595321, $16.95, www.deeperthanwars.blogspot.com

The rigorous training, the endless stress, the life of a soldier is never an easy one. "Packing Inferno: The Unmaking of a Marine" is an ordeal that is so often swept under the rug when talking about the conditions soldiers live in. Tyler Boudreau served a dozen years in the Marine Corps, and it seems most of his scars from that time are mental ones. When he was discharged, his life was left in disarray, and "Packing Inferno" is his story, a riveting and invaluable read for anyone who wants to understand the mind of a veteran.


The Social Issues Shelf

Realizing Social Justice
Maureen E. Kenny, et al.
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242
9781433804113, $69.95 www.apa.org/books 1-800-368-5777

Collaboratively edited by the team of Maureen E. Kenny, Arthur M. Horne, Pamela Orpinas, and Le'Roy E. Reese, Realizing Social Justice: The Challenge of Preventive Interventions is an anthology of scholarly essays by learned authors addressing a practical social need - how to prevent societal harm in everything from bullying to bad eating habits to dysfunctional family relationships or even violence. Writings include "Prevention: Ethics, Responsibility, and Commitment to Public Well-Being", "Fostering a Healthy Climate of Diversity", "Development of a Positive School Climate", and much more. A wealth of extensive and oft-cited research backs these thoughtful and serious contributions, in this volume meant to serve as a practical foundation for improving the quality of people's lives. Highly recommended, especially for academic and public library collections, but also for anyone in the teaching, counseling, social service, law enforcement, or psychology professions.

Race and Human Rights
Curtis Stokes, editor
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25 Manly Miles Building, East Lansing, MI 48823-5202
9780870137501, $29.95, www.msupress.msu.edu

Although there have been great strides, there is still much to improve upon. "Race and Human Rights" is a collection of essays discussing race and its relation to human rights. Africa and Iraq are major focus points, but the standards of domestic rights in the United States are not left undiscussed. With genocides, bombings, and other horrific atrocities still happening throughout the world, human rights are more than ever a serious issue. "Race and Human Rights" is scholarly and educational reading, a strong choice for discussion groups.

Stealth Jihad
Robert Spencer
Regnery
1 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001
9781596985568, $27.95

Violence is not the only way to get things done, and even the bad guys know this. "Stealth Jihad: How Radical Islam is Subverting America without Guns or Bombs" is about the enemy that America rarely hears about, the Islamic extremists who use more enlightened means to get their radical messages across in American society, wrongfully flying their colors as civil rights activists, subverting the War on Terror, and more. "Stealth Jihad" is intriguing and utterly interesting reading, a solid recommendation.

50 Facts That Should Change the USA
Stephen Fender
Disinformation
163 3rd Avenue, Suite 108, New York, NY 10003
9781932857863, $15.95, www.disinfo.com

Some facts aren't obvious and are downright shocking when one learns of them. "50 Facts That Should Change the USA" is a collection of these facts. Each fact has an explanation backing it up. The facts range from bizarre, such as nearly three million Americans claiming alien abductions, to the sad state of America's public education when compared to private education. "50 Facts That Should Change the USA" is educational and eye opening, and is a solid pick for the reader who wants to know the true state of America.

Roll Away the Stone
Fred Taylor
Information International
PO Box 79, Great Falls, VA 22066
9781882480159, $15.95, www.isquare.com

Children have no control of how they grow up, which is why care for children is at the forefront of many's minds. Now in a newly expanded and updated second edition, "Roll Away the Stone: Saving America's Children" is a book describing the organization known as 'For Love of Children', a company founded by Fred Taylor and that he served as head of until earlier this decade. Discussing poverty and calling for community action cross the country, "For Love of Children" is a solid choice for those who want to make a difference in their communities.

Smack
Eric C. Schneider
University of Pennsylvania Press
3905 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4011
9780812241167, $39.95, www.upenn.edu/pennpress

"Smack: Heroin and the American City" tells the story of heroin in America and its influence in the world of underworld narcotics. Filled with personal research and interviews with experts as well as former users, "Smack" traces the drug's long history and tells the intriguing story of the city drug. To anyone intrigued by the history of heroin in America, "Smack" is worth the read.

Human Intelligence, Countererrorism, & Nationalistic Leadership
Gary Berntsen
Potomac Books
PO Box 960, Herndon, VA 20172-0960
9781597972543, $19.95, www.potomacbooksinc.com

Knowledge is power, but knowledge is a power that's hard to use well. "Human Intelligence, Counterterrorism, & National Leadership: A Practical Guide" serves as an open letter of sorts to the next leader of the free world on dealing with the many problems America faces in coming years. Pulling no punches, Berntsen discusses the war on terror with great deal, its policies, its leaders, and the political parties, and criticizes both a great deal. Educated and scholarly reading on America's problems when it comes to dealing with terror, "Human Intelligence, Counterterrorism, & National Leadership" is very much recommended reading.

Child, Victim, Soldier
Donald H. Dunson
Orbis Books
Walsh Building, PO Box 308, Maryknoll, New York, NY 10545-0308
9781570757990, $16.00, www.hdptcar.net

A person must be eighteen years of age to join the United States Military. Not all countries have such enlightened policies. "Child, Victim, Soldier: The Loss of Innocence in Uganda" is the story of children such as Sunday Obote. Donald Dunson has done much research to bring American eyes onto the dark truth that they so often ignore, a civil war that engulfs Uganda that makes America's own look like a sunny picnic in a grassy meadow. A seven-year-old child is kidnaped and trained to kill, serving as a soldier. This horrible story happens far more often than one would imagine, and "Child, Victim, Soldier" speaks for the voices that America ignores.


The Education Shelf

Good Choice!
Tony Stead
Stenhouse Publishers
PO Box 11020, Portland, ME 04104-7020
9781571107329, $22.50, www.stenhouse.com

Books broaden the imagination and enhance the mind, but so few kids read of their own free will. "Good Choice!: Supporting Independent Reading and Response K-6" is a guide for inspiring literacy in elementary school children and encouraging reading on a child's free time by giving them choices that will entertain them and inspire them to find books appropriate for them to gain a life long love of reading. "Good Choice!" is a must for any librarian or language arts teacher caring for their students' literacy.

Group Rules!
Sherry Henig
Brenner Publishing
37 Lent Drive, Plainview, NY 11803
Concierge Marketing, Inc. (publicity)
13518 L Street, Omaha, NE 68137
9780977720354, $12.95

Getting along with others is an invaluable life skill. "Group Rules: The Social Skills and Ground Rules for Children's Groups" is a guide for encouraging good group manners in young children. Promoting thirteen rules on good social group etiquette. Targeted at elementary school children, it's an ideal acquisition for their teachers who want to inspire fundamental life skills. "Group Rules" executes its purpose excellently.

Finding the Right Texts
Elfrieda H. Hiebert & Misty Sailors
The Guilford Press
72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012
9781593858858, $30.00, www.guilford.com

What kind of reading materials does one suggest to someone who can't read? "Finding the Right Texts: What Works for Beginning and Struggling Readers" is a librarian's handbook for dealing with young and struggling readers who are just getting started in the massive and complex world of the English written language. Highlighting the value of certain books when educating someone learning how to read, it discusses the varying stages in the process and when it's appropriate to push a reader to a higher level. "Finding the Right Texts" is an educator and librarian's best friend on the subject of novice readers.


The Fiction Shelf

No Price Too Great
Lee Solomon
Dog Ear Publishing
4010 W. 86th Street, Ste H, Indianapolis, IN 46268
9781598588408, $19.95 www.dogearpublishing.net

No Price Too Great is a novel based on a true story, about a love that transcended culture and ethnicity. A Chinese businesswoman and an American lawyer, each from dramatically different backgrounds, meet and fall in love - together they must face titanic obstacles while trying to integrate their respective dreams into the dream of a unified family. A compelling story about confronting challenges, cultural values dissonance, and what it truly means to fall in love, No Price Too Great is enthralling from first page to last.

The Butcher of Penetang
Betsy Trumpener
Caitlin Press
8100 Alderwood Road, Halfmoon Bay, V0N 1Y1, Canada
9781894759304, $17.95, www.caitlin-press.com

The real world doesn't wear kid gloves. "The Butcher of Penetang" is no-holds barred short fiction from Betsy Trumpener. Her stories draw realistic, if brutal pictures of society, ranging from the tragic of a child lost in a bad part of town, to a robber whose weapon of choice is something found in most women's purses. Edgy, yet human and moving, "The Butcher of Penetang" is an enthralling collection of short fiction, highly recommended.

Tengu
John Donohue
YMAA Fiction
PO Box 480, Wolfeboro, NH 03894
9781594391255, $22.95, www.ymaa.com

Western society has changed much of the world, and not all thinks it's for the better. "Tengu" is the story of Connor Burke, a martial arts expert working with US Army Special forces. When murders start go down with no leads in their battle with Al-Qaeda terrorists, they soon realize that traditional terrorist methods aren't being used. Burke is lead to believe they are faced with an Asian splinter group, lead by an enigmatic master martial artist who only goes by one name - Tengu. "Tengu" reads like an action thriller spliced with a kung fu movie, riveting reading for thriller novel fans.

Waltzing Cowboys
Sarah Collins Honenberger
Cedar Creek Publishing
448 Middle Farms Trace, Bremo Bluff, VA 23022
9780979020568, $15.95, www.readhonenberger.com

It's never too late to form something special. "Waltzing Cowboys" tells the story of an old cowboy who begins to understand his own mortality and fix his life's wrongs, starting with the son he never met who lives across the country. A tale filled with interesting characters, "Waltzing Cowboys" is an intriguing read and a drama of humanity.

Alone
Alan K. Garinger
Indiana Historical Society Press
450 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269
9780871952677, $7.95, www.indianahistory.org

Traveling isn't as interesting as it used to be. "Alone: The Journey of the Boy Sims" tells the story Joshua Sim, a boy serving a survey crew constructing a road in Michigan. When he loses the ink supply, he must travel for more supplies and the novel details his journey, one filled with the strange characters of the nineteenth century from native Americans to runaway slaves. A intriguing novel of adventure, "Alone" is well worth the time.

Words & Flesh
Carmen Firan
Talisman House
PO Box 3157, Jersey City, NJ 07303-3157
9781584980605, $17.95, www.amazon.com

A woman of the world and prolific author of fiction and poetry, "Words & Flesh" is a collection of short fiction from Carmen Firan, a native of Romania who immigrated to New York less than a decade ago. Her stories reflect on her challenges growing up in an oppressive soviet country to shifting towards the freedom of America. A poignant picture, "Words & Flesh" is a fine collection of short fiction that gives a view of America from another angle.

Just Another Mzungu Passing Through
Jim Bowen
Parthian
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781905762330, $21.95, www.dufoureditons.com

Modern Africa is something very hard to understand. "Just Another Mzungu Passing Through" is the debut novel of Jim Bowen, and takes place in a place so often forgotten by American society, modern Africa. Griff just wants a normal life as a teacher, but the chaos of Nairobi, Africa, won't let him. A vivid picture of modern Africa, "Just Another Mzungu Passing Through" is an enthusiastically recommended read as a grand work of fiction.

Cell Block Five
Fadhil al-Azzawi
The American University in Cairo Press
420 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018
International Publishers Marketing, Inc.
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
9789774161421, $17.95, www.aucpress.com

The Koran has little description of hell, but some of its believers are spared from experiencing it. "Cell Block Five" is an English translation of the novel. First written in 1971, it's heralded as the first novel exploring the Iraqi prisons, following Aziz, a man ripped from life and is held for being a political prisoner. Touching on human nature's tendency towards cruelty and slightly upbeat all the same, "Cell Block Five" is international fiction that rings true nearly forty years later.

The Curse of Eve
Liliana Blum
Host Publications
277 Broadway, Suite 210, New York, NY 10007
9780924047534, $25.00, www.hostpublications.com

There's no such thing as an absolute. "The Curse of Eve: And Other Stories" is a collection of stories from Mexican writer Liliana Blum as she tells the story of many women and their stories which change them greatly in ways they would have never thought. The loss of innocence, creative creation of art, Ron Jeremy, and streaking virgins are all topics leading to an unusual and appealing blend of topics. Expertly translated by Toshiya Kamei, "The Curse of Eve" is utterly fascinating reading.

The Jumping Off Place
Marian Hurd McNeely
South Dakota State
c/o Historical Society Press
900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SD 57501
9780979894046, $15.95, www.sdshpress.com

Winter used to be a yearly challenge before heating systems made it easy. "The Jumping Off Place" is a story of the harsh times of South Dakota at the turn of the twentieth century. Dick, Phil, Becky, and Joan are trying to settle to make their lives, and only have months before winter is upon them to make things really rough on them. If the wrath of nature wasn't enough, there are those who want their land for themselves and will go to great measures to make it so. "The Jumping Off Place" is an intriguing read, entertaining while offering a glimpse of a time long past.

Something Happened
Greg Logsted
Simon Pulse
c/o Simon & Schuster
100 Front Street, Riverside, NJ 08075
9781416950783, $8.99, www.simonsaysteen.com

When the hormones of puberty hit, every teenage boy fantasizes it, but what if it happens? "Something Happened" tells the story of Billy Romero and his teacher, Miss Gate. Billy, spurned by peers and family alike, soon finds comfort in his new teacher. Miss Gate shows much interest in Billy, to the point where it becomes questionable of Miss Gate's true motives. "Something Happened" is a riveting story of scandalous behavior, something that happens all too often in today's headlines.

Seasons of the Heart
Janette Oke
Bethany House
11400 Hampshire Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55438
9780764206535, $19.99, www.bethanyhouse.com

With nearly three million copies sold, Janette Oke's famed series have their numbers speak for them. "Seasons of the Heart" is an omnibus edition of four best-selling novels under one cover for a budget price. 'Once Upon a Summer', 'The Winds of Autumn', 'Winter is not Forever', and 'Springs Gentle Promise', are all included in this comprehensive volume following Josh Jones as he begins to face the rough road of life. "Seasons of the Heart" is an ideal pick for one interested in the series who wants to dive right in.

The Richest Season
Maryann McFadden
Hyperion
77 West 66th Street, New York, NY 10023-6298
Gulotta Communications (publicity)
341 Lexington Street, Newton, MA 02466
9781401322700, $22.95, www.hyperionbooks.com

Sometimes the harshness of life builds up and drastic action is the result. "The Richest Season" tells of housewife Joanna Harrison. Mother of adult children and wife to a neglectful husband, she flees her past life to start over. Finding work and companionship with a widow named Grace, the two forge a friendship. The story is not just about Joanna, as the family she left behind suddenly realize life is a lot less sweet without her. "The Richest Season" is a story of love and friendship, and how sometimes a drastic action isn't the best.

Something Very Wild
Mary Zelinsky
Gale Cengage Learning
P.O. Box 6904, Florence, KY 41022-6904
9781594147197, $25.95, www.cengage.com

Everyone has something hidden in their past. "Something Very Wild" is a fast paced thriller set in New Orleans's French quarter. Chloe Golden, three time college drop out starts to find her new life, as well as love. Things don't stay good for her as secrets of her own past as well as her new friends and potentials lovers start to leak out and stir up a vortex of trouble. The FBI, art thieves, con-artists, and more are all the subjects in Zelinsky's exciting thriller, "Something Very Wild."

Two Kinds of Time
Graham Peck
University of Washington Press
PO Box 50096, Seattle, WA 98145-5096
9780295988528, $28.95, www.washington.edu/uwpress

China has been a vault of culture for millennia, yet some of its history is tremendously disheartening. "Two Kinds of Time" is a large memoir from Graham Peck about his time spent in China during one of its darkest times, with a focus on the era of World War II, where a Civil War was halted to resist the invasion of the Imperialistic Japanese. Serving the US army at the time, "Two Kinds of Time" is an extensive chronicle, a highly recommended snapshot of this period.

Lunch with Lenin
Deborah Ellis
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
311 Washington Street, Brighton, MA 02135
9781554551057, $14.95, www.fitzhenry.ca

The world has a large and vast sample of people, and they in turn have a large and vast sample of stories. "Lunch with Lenin: And Other Stories" is a short story anthology from Deborah Ellis. Her stories take the fact of life and are set in a wide variety of locales with people with very different motives. From scraping by a living by any means necessary to recreational drug use to the production of said drugs far away, "Lunch with Lenin" is a series of stories, only loosely related, but riveting reading nonetheless.

Subprime Factor
Jeffrey D. Schlaman
Synergy Books
PO Box 80107, Austin, TX 78758
Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists (publicity)
2100 Kramer Lane, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78758
9780981546254, $12.95, www.synergybooks.net

The pursuit of the almighty dollar is a driving action that makes some people willing to kill. "Subprime Factor" is a novel that sings well in this time of economic crisis. Doug Boyd is an honest man, and when his employer threatens his integrity when it comes to the company's accounting, he refuses. When Doug takes a vacation, he soon finds himself on the bad side of a hit man. With only his friends on his side, Doug must take down an economic conspiracy and find someway to set the world's finances right. "Subprime Factor" is a timely and riveting novel, recommended.


The Theatre/Cinema Shelf

Directing Theater 101
Wilma Marcus Chandler
Smith and Kraus
177 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755
9781575255835, $16.95, www.smithandkraus.com

A good director can enhance performers, and a bad one can bring them down. "Directing Theater 101: 10 Steps to Successful Productions" is a guide for new directors who are just starting out in the world of leading an acting troupe during stage performances. A definitive how to guide, it covers the many things a director must realize when leading their troupe, and that a clueless and visionless director is just asking for disaster. "Directing Theater 101" is the new director's best friend.

Defying Gravity
Carol De Giere
Applause Theatre & Cinema Books
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York, NY 10010
9781557837455, $24.95, www.applausepub.com

A legend in musical theatre, few careers can compare to Stephen Schwartz. "Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz from Godspell to Wicked" tells of the man's career who has spanned dozens of successful plays and movies, some of which are huge blockbuster Disney hits like "Pocahontas". Supported by the man himself, De Giere covers the man's entire career with words from those who know him and have worked on him throughout. Enhanced with notes from Schwartz on his own work, "Defying Gravity" is a must read for musical theatre historians, be they professional or amateur.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Esoteric Healing
Alan Hopking
Blue Dolphin Publishing
PO Box 8, Nevada City, CA 95959
1577331109, $25.00, www.bluedolphinpublishing.com

What is Esoteric Healing? "Esoteric Healing: A Practical Guide Based on the Teachings of the Tibetan in the Works of Alice A. Bailey" is a guide to the many complexities and spiritual advice of Esoteric healing. Focusing on the human spirit, arguing that a healthy spirit is the first step to a healthy body, "Esoteric Healing" elaborates greatly on the processes of the practice, covering everything one would need to know about the subject. "Esoteric Healing" is a must for anyone who is mildly curious about the subject.


The Genealogy Shelf

Basics of Genealogy Reference
Jack Simpson
Libraries Unlimited
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9781591585145, $40.00, www.lu.com

Tracing one's roots can be one of the more fulfilling things to do with one's time. "Basics of Genealogy Reference: A Librarian's Guide" is aimed at those who control the most effective of a genealogist's resources: the library. Managing these resources and helping one's patrons is the job of many a librarian, and it's a task that can seem quite overwhelming at times. Everything a librarian needs to give their patrons everything, "Basics of Genealogy Reference" is a must for the modern librarian.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Refuse to Regain
Barbara Berkeley, M.D.
Quill Driver Books
2006 S. Mary St. Fresno, CA 93721
1884956939, $24.95, www.quilldriverbooks.com

Losing weight is easy. Keeping it off is hard. "Refuse to Regain!: 12 Tough Rules to Maintain the Body You've Earned!" is a guide to keeping lost weight off, the bane of many diets and lifestyle changes. A staggeringly high amount of people who lose weight just put it back on, a number that may be nearly as high as 90%. Berkeley gives age advice for readers to be apart of the successful 10 percent and keep on losing and keep the body they've grown to love. "Refuse to Regain!" is well worth the purchase, highly recommended to any dieter or those who are aiming to lose weight.

Clinical Manual of Drug Interaction Principles for Medical Practice
Gary H. Wynn & collaborators
American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.
1000 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209-3901
9781585622962, $55.00, www.appi.org

The wrong mixture of over the counter drugs can be fatal, and doctors and pharmacists must be aware of these lethal combos. "Clinical Manual of Drug Interaction Principles for Medical Practice" is a scholarly work discussing this very real possibility that can be prevented with the right research and foresight. With the hundreds upon hundreds of new drugs entering the market every year, the research into this subject is now invaluable, as it could save thousands of lives. Filled with complete and comprehensive and up to date research on drug interaction, "Clinical Manual of Drug Interaction Principles" is strongly recommended for community and college library medicine collections.

Epilepsy 199 Answers
Andrew N. Wilner
Demos Health
386 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016
9781932603354, $19.95, www.demosmedpub.com

Epilepsy is a condition that must be managed lest it be a true problem. Now in a newly expanded and updated third edition, "Epilepsy 199 Answers: A Doctor's Responds to his Patient's Questions" is a reference on epilepsy comprised in the question and answer form on 199 questions. With much advice discussing how diet, surgery, therapy, and more can affect one's epilepsy, "Epilepsy 199 Answers" is a must for anyone with epilepsy or has a family member with it, and wants to be armed with knowledge.

Youth Physical and Sedentary Behavior
Alan L. Smith & Stuart J.H. Biddle
Human Kinetics
1607 N. Market Street, PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
9780736065092, $69.00, www.humankinetics.com

The rising rates of obesity in today's world has many experts looking to the lifestyles of America's children. "Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior: Challenges and Solutions" is a scholarly examination of a health dilemma facing today's children. Identifying the problem, discussing its causes in great depth, Smith and Biddle also present many solutions to help the physical fitness of modern children. With advice aimed at professionals, covering related issues such as childhood diabetes, "Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior" is an absolute must for any charged in finding a solution, and a top pick for community library health collections.

Yoga Exercises for Teens
Helen Purperhart
Hunter House
PO Box 2914, 1515 1/2 Park Street, Alameda, CA 94501
9780897935036, $14.95, www.hunterhouse.com

Yoga shouldn't be dismissed as nonsense, as it has real physical benefits. "Yoga Exercises for Teens: Developing a Calmer Mind and a Stronger Body" pitches the exercise of yoga at teens to help them deal with the rocky and rough life they face. Stress reduction, weight loss, and overall fitness are all proven benefits one can gain through yoga, and "Yoga Exercises for Teens" is an ideal gift for the health conscious teenager.

Managing Health Services and Organizations and Systems
Beaufort B. Longest & Kurt Darr
Health Professions Press
PO Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
9781932529357, $119.95, www.healthpropress.com

When the management of a health facility is botched, people can die. "Managing Health Services Organizations and Systems" is the newly expanded and updated fifth edition, continuing its well-earned reputation for being a complete and comprehensive manual for health care facility management. Discussing healthcare in the modern United States, its long and storied history, and the vast variety of different organizations throughout. Business models are required to efficiently run a medical facility, and the book outlines many solid models depending on a particular facility's speciality or goal. It also discusses personnel, ranging from the janitorial staff to corporate executive officers. Other chapters include the development of hospital technology, the law and the many challenges the field faces in it, basic finance, and many more. Enhanced with indexes, glossaries, acronym guides, and much more, "Managing Health Services Organizations and Systems" is an absolute essential to any health organization and for community library collections catering to hospital administration.


The Sports Shelf

The Bill James Handbook 2009
Brandon Webb
ACTA Sports
5559 W. Howard Street, Skokie, IL 60077
9780879463670, $23.95, www.actasports.com

It's all about the numbers. "The Bill James Handbook 2009" is a complete and comprehensive reference covering all the players involved in the 2008 Season of Major League Baseball. Every position and every player is covered, with more statistics than one could ever need or want to know, ranging from the preseason all the way to the postseason. Anyone who takes their baseball number crunching seriously, be it for hobby or fantasy sports leagues, needs "The Bill James Handbook 2009".


The Travel Shelf

Hidden Florida Keys & Everglades
Anne Boese
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440, Berkeley, CA 94703-3440
9781569756430, $15.95, www.ulyssespress.com

An ecosystem like no other. "Hidden Florida Keys & Everglades" is a guide to exploring Florida's endangered natural treasure in the Everglades. Crocodiles, manatees, all call themselves home here at the southernmost tip of continental America. Not stopping at just the natural attraction, Boese discusses the restaurants, lodgings, and culture one can experience from the people of the Keys as well. "Hidden Florida Keys & Everglades" is a must to anyone considering a vacation to the area.

Your Guide to the Grand Canyon
Tom Vail & Collaborators
Master Books
PO Box 726, Green Forest, AR 72638
9780890515013, $14.99, www.masterbooks.net

"Your Guide to the Grand Canyon: A Different Perspective" relates the long and storied history of one of the biggest natural attractions in the world. Also examining the scientific and potentially religious matter of the Grand Canyon's origins, "Your Guide to the Grand Canyon" is filled with full color photographs, quick facts, and intellectual discussion. "Your Guide to the Grand Canyon" is a must for any with a strong interest in Arizona's treasure.


The Music Shelf

The Grove Book of Opera Singers
Laura Macy, editor
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9780195337655, $39.95, www.oup.com

Although not as popular as it once was, opera still has its diehard followers. "The Grove Book of Opera Singers" is a must have reference for them, chronicling countless major opera stars from throughout history, both living and dead. Each entry has lifespans, nationality, the singer's octave, notable roles, and much more. Enhanced with illustrations and portraits, "The Grove Book of Opera Singers" is a must have selection for any interested in opera, essentially recommended.

Million Dollar Les Paul
Tony Bacon
Jawbone Press
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94708
9781906002145, $19.95, www.jawbonepress.com

In the second half of the twentieth century, no musical phenomena could compare to Rock and Roll, and for many of its creators, the Les Paul was the electric guitar of choice. "Million Dollar Les Paul: In Search of the Most Valuable Guitar in the World" is the story of this legendary instrument and its long history, to today when famous guitars used by legends such as Jimmy Paige go for hundreds of thousands of dollars. An intriguing and utterly fascinating discussion of one of the biggest pieces of Rock History, "Million Dollar Les Paul" is a strong choice for any Rock and Roll historian.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Borders: The Basics & Beyond
Jill Reber
Landauer Corporation
3100 NW 101st Street, Suite A, Urbandale, Iowa 50322
9780980068894, $27.95 www.landauercorp.com 1-800-557-2144

A hardcover book with a spiral binding enabling it to lay flat for easy reference, Borders: The Basics & Beyond is the latest in the award-winning "basics & beyond" series. Borders: The Basics & Beyond focuses on border designs, and how to create borders with eye-catching color and contrast. Featuring twelve projects and dozens of suggested border designs, Borders: The Basics & Beyond is a superb mix-and-match resource for quilters of all skill and experience levels. Full-color photography of each of the step-by-step instructions makes Borders: The Basics & Beyond extremely easy and helpful to use. Highly recommended.

Knitting for Good
Betsy Greer
Trumpeter
c/o Shambhala
300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
9781590305898, $14.00, www.shambhala.com

A knitting needle can be a tool for change as much as an AK-47 can be. "Knitting for Good!: A Guide to Creating Personal, Social, and Political Change, Stitch by Stitch" is a guide for people who like knitting and activism to combine their interest and use their talents to send their message throughout the world. Slowing down a culture, protesting, showing support can all be done in its special way with a little ingenuity. "Knitting for Good!" is a socially-active knitter's best friend.


The Poetry Shelf

Photographing Eden
Jason Gray
Ohio University Press
19 Circle Drive, Athens, OH 45701
9780821418369, $12.95 www.ohiou.edu/oupress 1-800-621-2736

Award-winning poet Jason Gray presents Photographing Eden, his latest collection of brief, free-verse poems featuring creative metaphors that offer an unparalleled insight into the current state of the world. Moments of passion and contemplation intertwine in this uniquely keen collection of whetted insight. "The Snow Leopard In the Metro Toronto Zoo": He pads on grassy banks behind a fence, / with measured paces slow and tense. // Beyond his cage his thoughts are sharp and white; / he lives a compelled anchorite. // A solid ghost gone blind with all the green, / he waits and waits to be unseen.

To Sit Beside A Bird Is Infinite Enough
David Hayman
Parallel Press
372 Memorial Library, 728 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
9781893311978, $10.00 http://parallelpress.library.wisc.edu 1-800-636-0071

Poet, scholar, and teacher David Hayman presents To Sit Beside a Bird Is Infinite Enough, a chapbook of brief, free-verse poems that reflect the author's years of devotion to his craft of words. Vignettes of daily life and moments of inspiration pepper the thoughtful insights of this contemplative collection, which can be savored a little bit at a time or all at once. "Ecology": Sunny morning on the trail / Abruptly, ahead as usual, / She stopped, stooped, pointed, / Shouted, "Look, Daddy! / It's a fly's nest!" / Indeed, and a fresh one too. / No need to disabuse her. / Bright eyes, a nature lover, / She turned and held my hand. / Then, softly, I told her.

The Rising and the Rain
John Straley
University of Alaska Press
PO Box 756240, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6240
9781602230330, $19.95, www.uaf.edu/uapress

Writing for well over two decades, John Straley is not lacking in experience. "The Rising and the Rain" is his entry into the world of poetry. He focuses on his home, southeastern Alaska and brings his sharp wit and sharp mind to the table offering glimpses of his life and surroundings through verse. "The Rising and the Rain" is a fine work, recommended. "After Simone Weil": Like a confused lover/I waited for you/on the wrong corner,/looking at my watch, each moment/confirming our missed appointment.//The unsubstantial business of the world,/the empty buses and garbage trucks, whirled like mists/around my immovable heart.//I imagined you waiting for me/somewhere/holding steadfast in your faith./Not Calling the police,/not wanting me/to appear foolish.//"How you must love me, " I thought,/"to make us both wait so long."

Grace
Dana Yost
Spoon River Poetry Press
PO Box 6, Granite Falls, MN 56241
0944024580, $10.00

Dana Yost has spent thirty years trying to find peace as journalist. "Grace" is his first book of poetry, aimed at this never-ending desire to find peace in a world that almost seems to shun the very concept. "Grace" is full of poignant views, and may help readers find their own peace. "After-Attack": Fire-pit ash,/scraped, rinsed,/but ever more filthy.

Perspective Would Have Us
Erica Carpenter
Burning Deck
71 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence, RI 02906
Small Press Distribution (distribution)
1341 Seventh St., Berkeley, CA 94710
1886224765, $14.00, www.burningdeck.com

With chapbooks and other publications to her name, Erica Carpenter makes her full fledged poetry book debut with "Perspective Would Have Us". A worldwide traveler, Carpenter has seen much, and shows it with her free-verse poetry. "Perspective Would Have Us" is a delightful read, recommended. "Phoenix Replies": till joys cease/and woe/puts out fires/and frost comforts.

An Aquarium
Jeffrey Yang
Graywolf Press
2402 University Avenue, Suite 203, St. Paul, MN 55114
9781555975135, $15.00, www.graywolfpress.com

A man who has made a career out of working with poetry, "An Aquarium" is a chapbook of poetry from translator and poet Jeffrey Yang. Using the vehicle of fish, Yang's poetry translates its goal well, providing excellent verse. "An Aquarium" is worth the investment for poetry fans. "Remora": R is for Remora, for: 'The mightiest power/does not always prevail. A ship/may be detained by a small remora',/quotes Borges of Diego de Saavedra Fajardo's/Political Emblems (1640).

Beyond Time
Larry Christianson
North Star Press of St. Cloud, Inc.
PO Box 451, St. Cloud, MN 56302
9780878392926, $9.95, www.northstarpress.com

Things don't have to be complicated to just be bliss. "Beyond Time: Poems from North of the Tension Line" is Larry Christianson's third anthology of poetry, focusing on the simplicities of life, giving a charming folk wisdom on many aspects of life. Charming, entertaining, and thoughtful, "Beyond Time" is a fine chapbook of poems. "Tomorrow River": Tomorrow River. /Running swiftly/through sorrow soothing,/pin healing/as water gently/flows-//Winding slowly/along memory banks,/landmark moments/of yesterday-/Merging streams/of meaning/all along/the boundary/of today.

The Hat
Selima Hill
Bloodaxe Books
c/o Dufour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781852248062, $7.95, www.dufoureditions.com

Knowing who one is something without price. "The Hat" is a poetry collection from Selima Hill, her verse focusing on personal identity and how one identifies himself. The influences of society are strong, with everyone else not being honest with who they are. "The Hat" is poignant and amusing, strong reading for poetry lovers. "Peonies": She never sees the darkness of dark peonies/without the sense of being small and vigilant/coming quietly back to her again.

She Had Some Horses
Joy Harjo
WW Norton
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393334210, $13.95, www.wwnorton.com

A reissue of a classic anthology of poetry, "She Had Some Horses" is a fine work from experienced poet and woman of the world Joy Harjo. Focusing on the subject of womanhood and the woman's place in society, "She Had Some Horses" is an enjoyable work of poetry, perfect for feminist reads. "Connection": A hawk touches down/the humming earth before Miami,/Oklahoma./You Old Shawnee, I think/of your rugged ways/the slick-floored bars and whiskey/sour nights when the softer heart/comes part./The Spokane you roam isn't City of the Angels/but another kind of wilderness./You speed in a Ford truck and it's five/in the morning, the suns and dogs/only ones up/and you go home to red earth/when you see a hawk/crossing wires/touching down.

Time & Memory
William S. Trout
American Literary Press
8019 Belair Rd., Suite 10, Baltimore, MD 21236
1934696196, $12.95, www.americanliterarypress.com

Memory is a long, vast, and complicated thing. "Time & Memory" is an anthology of poems from William S. Trout. Focusing on the concept of memory and drawing on Trout's own, be it from his own raw thoughts or inspired by older writings, photographs, or other reminders of the past, "Time & Memory" is an intriguing look at how memory affects us all. "Diary - 1879": The summer fields of ninety years gone by/Murmur with clover bees, and billow with amber/Wheat, white oats, and pale green, silvery/Timothy. Meadowlarks from the furrow/Of the late fallow will flutter to the gun-shot/Soon, and the fat groundhog, lumbering/To reach his hillside burrow, will not shut/The dark eye, which must glaze. Blackberries, vining/At the wood's edge, smell of wine . . . And over the rise/Of the walnut hill, a child's eyes grow wise.


The Money/Finance Shelf

Pooling Money
Yasuyuki Fuchita & Robert E. Litan
Brookings Institution Press
PO Box 50370, Baltimore, MD 21211-4370
9780815729853, $24.95, www.brookings.edu

Solid investment is always the key to becoming comfortably wealthy. "Pooling Money: The Future of Mutual Funds" is the wise investor's guide to the modern mutual fund and using them wisely. Discussing the present nature and the future of the system for investors, it touches upon American issues as well as international banking such as Europe and Japan. Scholarly reading from the Brookings Institution, "Pooling Money" is a must for any mutual fund user.


The Political Science Shelf

Veeps: Profiles in Insignificance
Bill Kelter & Wayne Shellabarger
Top Shelf Productions
PO Box 15125, Portland, OR 97293-5125
9781603090032, $19.95 www.topshelfcomix.com

Veeps: Profiles in Insignificance is a wild collection of completely true anecdotes about American Vice Presidents throughout history. Some of the tales are shockingly bizarre or extraordinary; others lead one to wonder how such an individual ever came to be a front-runner for public office. From the veep who such a drunkard he could not serve out his whole term, to stories of egomaniacs, rogues, cowards, bigots, and ambition-driven power brokers, Veeps: Profiles of Insignificance is sure to raise eyebrows. Black-and-white pictures, a list of online resources, and an index round out this at times uproarious collection of glimpses into the lives of Americans who were ever one step behind the duty of commander-in-chief.

Political Tourism and Its Texts
Maureen Moynagh
University of Toronto Press
2250 Military Rd, Tonawanda, NY 14150
0802098452, $55.00, www.utpublsihing.com

Political struggles rage on throughout the world, and there are those who seek to be closer to better understand them. "Political Tourism and Its Texts" is a look at political tourism and those who go around the world and experience upheavals and revolutions for themselves. Drawing from the travel writing of travelers, writers, and revolutionaries such as Christopher Isherwood, Ernesto Che Guevara, and Maureen Moynagh, it brings a vivid variety of perspectives of those who were driven to the front lines of social change. Invaluable information for any who want to see a more personal account of these figures of change, "Political Tourism and Its Texts" is a worthwhile read, recommended for community library and college level history and political science collections alike.

America's Second Crusade
William Henry Chamberlin
Amagi
c/o Liberty Fund
8555 Allison Pointe Trail, Suite 500, Indianapolis, IN 46250-1684
9780865977075, $10.00, www.libertyfund.org

Almost as tumultuous as the war itself, the postwar was no time for peace. "America's Second Crusade" is a reprint of William Henry Chamberlin's critically applauded book from after the end of World War II about the United States, Soviet Russia, and the United Kingdom's plans for peace following the massive world wide conflict. Critical of the concessions made to the soviets, "America's Second Crusade" is a window to the politics of the time, and a thought provoking read, recommended.

Emerging Powers in Global Governance
Andrew F. Cooper & Agata Antkiewicz, editors
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Co-published with the Centre for International Global Governance (CIGI)
75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada, N2L 3C5
9781554580576, $39.95, www.wlupress.wlu.ca

The days of the cold war are over, and there has been a considerable shift in the balance of power. "Emerging Powers in Global Governance: Lessons from the Heiligendamm Process" is a scholarly look at international politics today. Countries like Mexico, India, Brazil, and especially China yield great influence in international governance challenges traditionally handled by the G8. Editors Cooper and Antkiewicz and contributors elaborate on the co-operation agreement from the 2007 summit. Complete and comprehensive, "Emerging Powers in Global Governance" is an educational read on today's world.


The Cookbook Shelf

Best of the Best Fast & Fabulous Party Foods and Appetizers
Gwen McKee and Barbara Moseley
Quail Ridge Press
PO Box 123, Brandon, MS 39043
9781934193204, $16.95 www.quailridge.com 1-800-343-1583

Spiral bound to lay flat for easy reference, Best of the Best Fast & Fabulous Party Foods and Appetizers is a cookbook jam-packed with recipes perfect for all types of parties and gatherings. Four hundred recipes comprising twenty-four full party menus form the core of this incredibly useful and easy-to-follow cookbook. Best of the Best Fast & Fabulous Party Foods and Appetizers is further enhanced with hundreds of hints and suggestions for enhancing its preparations, and special sections on Quick Fixes (food that can be prepared in minutes) and Fun Foods (taste treats with an amusing appearance especially sure to delight younger folk) allow for extra flexibility. Recipes range from Pecan Cheese Wafers to Porto Mushroom Fries, Gingered Shrimp Kabobs, Zucchini Stix Dippers, and much more. Highly recommended for anyone seeking to liven up their gatherings with unforgettably good snacks!

Healthy South Indian Cooking
Alamelu Vairavan and Patricia Marquardt
Hippocrene Books, Inc.
171 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9780781811897, $32.00 www.hippocrenebooks.com 1-212-685-4371

Now in a newly expanded edition enhanced with forty new recipes and offering over one hundred vegetarian delicacies, Healthy South Indian Cooking remains a flavorful staple of any international or vegetarian cuisine library. An introductory section walks the reader through the spices and basics of South Indian cooking, and the recipes range from soups and rasam to chutneys and salads to sambhar, kulambu, dias, and more. A brief section of nonvegetarian dishes such as Chettinad Chicken Chops rounds out this easy-to-use cooking compendium, enhanced with a scattering of color photographs.

Cookies To Die For!
Bev Shaffer
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
9781589806108, $26.95 www.pelicanpub.com 1-800-843-1724

Cookies To Die For! The Complete Guide For Cookie Lovers is a tasty recipe collection that (almost) lives up to its title. The tasty delights within include recipes for Luscious Linzer Cookies, Cocoa Walnut Brownie Cookies, Baby White Chocolate Strips, Orange Butter Cookies, and much more. Mouth-watering color photographs illustrate some of the delights; all have easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions that will turn cooks of all skill and experience levels into expert cookie creators. Highly recommended for anyone who loves to indulge.

Add Another Place Setting
Junior League of Northwestern Arkansas
Favorite Recipes Press
PO Box 305142, Nashville, Tennessee 37230
9780979076909, $26.95

The Junior League of Northwestern Arkansas presents Add Another Place Setting is a hardcover compendium of widely beloved Southern food recipes (with the occasional bit of regional influence for extra pizzaz)! Step-by-step instructions and the occasional color photograph show readers how to create such delectable delights as Shrimp Scampi, Tortellini Soup, Sweet and Savory Broccoli Salad, Plum Chicken with Couscous, and much more. A sumptuous compendium of popular favorite dishes worthy of serving to guests at holidays or celebrations.

Heirloom Beans
Steve Sando and Vanessa Darrington
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
9780811860697, $22.95 www.chroniclebooks.com 1-800-722-6657

Beautifully illustrated with full color photographs, Heirloom Beans is a cookbook packed with nearly ninety recipes for the heirloom bean - though substitutes are offered so that enterprising cooks can try them out with whatever types of beans are available at the local store. From appetizers to soups, stews, chilies, salads, side dishes, main dishes, and casseroles, Heirloom Beans is filled cover to cover with delicious and nutritious creations - as well as an introductory section filled with tips about buying, storing, and using basic cooking techniques on beans. A "must-have" for anyone who loves bean dishes.

Recipes from Historic California
Linda & Steve Bauer
Taylor Trade Publishing
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781589793484, $24.95, www.rlpgtrade.com

Although part of America, California has a good deal of state-exclusive culture. "Recipes from Historic California: A Restaurant Guide and Cookbook" is an exploration of California's culinary culture. The recipes of historic restaurants serving food one won't be able to find anywhere else in the state are spotlighted. "Recipes from Historic California" is a delicious sample of California, and something that the adventurous eater and cook will relish.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Jesus
Michael Keene
Lion Access Guides
c/o Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607, Grand Rapids, MI 49501
9780825478222, $12.95 www.kregelpublications.com 1-800-733-2607

The Lion Access Guide series now features a new volume titled Jesus, and detailing what history and the Bible have to say about the founding figure of Christianity. Written by theology expert and veteran teacher Michael Keene, this compact guide to Jesus Christ includes captivating color photography on almost every page, and user-friendly text accessible to readers of all backgrounds. The result is a "must-read" for any lay reader curious to learn more about the Messiah. "John's Gospel assumes that Jesus was crucified outside the city walls of Jerusalem, since this was in accordance with both Roman and Jewish law. The traditional site of the crucifixion, Golgotha or Calvary, was first identified in the fourth century and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built on the spot. No one, however, is completely sure about the true location of Golgotha."

From Age to Age
Edward Foley
The Liturgical Press
St. John's Abbey, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
9780814630785, $29.95 www.litpress.org 1-800-858-5450

Professor of Liturgy and Music Edward Foley presents From Age: How Christians Have Celebrated the Eucharist, an in-depth historical study of the Christian Eucharist from its Jewish roots to its practice in the modern day. Scattered black-and-white images illustrate the thoughtful and scholarly text, which discusses the theology of each age of history as well as the cultural contexts that affected the Eucharist. Now in a newly revised and expanded edition, From Age to Age is the definitive reference and resource for anyone studying this venerable tradition of Christian worship.

Springs of Living Water
David S. Young
Herald Press
616 Walnut Avenue, Scottsdale, PA 15683-1999
9780836194111, $16.99, www.heraldpress.com

Congregations will fall apart without the right care. "Springs of Living Water: Christ-Centered Church Renewal" is a nondenominational Christian guide to improving the church experience at one's local church. Offering tips to improve the congregation's spirit and faith in Jesus and therefore inspire faith in others, "Springs of Living Water" is a must read for anyone who cares deeply for their church and congregation.

Transforming Disciples
Linda L. Grenz
Church Publishing
445 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9780898695984, $16.00, www.churchpublishing.org

Church is a place where people can grow as people. "Transforming Disciples" is another entry the transformations series, a series aimed at Episcopal ministers who want to make their congregations be as fulfilling as possible, both spiritually and as members of the community. Discipleship is discussed in this volume, offering pastors advice on turning their normal congregation members into religiously educated disciples of the church. "Transforming Disciples" is a solid read for any Episcopal Pastor trying to make their church better.

Survival or Prophecy?
Patrick Hart, editor
Cistercian Publications
c/o The Liturgical Press
St. John's Abbey, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
9780879070175, $21.95, www.cistercianpublications.org www.litpress.org

When two people with expert knowledge speak, it is truly a sight. "Survival or Prophecy?: The Correspondence of Jean Leclercq and Thomas Merton" is the correspondence between two religious experts, a Benedictine monk and a Cistercian Monk, one French the other American. For over two decades, they deeply discussed the world of religion, from defining monkhood to countless religious discussion involving the nature of Christianity as a whole. Enlightening and fascinating, "Survival or Prophecy?" is a must for any professional or non specialist general reader with an interest in Christian debates.

Salvation on the Small Screen?
Nadia Bolz-Weber
Seabury Books
445 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9781596270862, $17.00, www.seaburybooks.org

What's Christian about Christian TV? "Salvation on the Small Screen?: 24 Hours of Christian Television" is the results of a social experiment from Nadia Bolz-Weber about her one straight day of being a couch potato, exposing herself to an unhealthy dose of Christian programming. Witty and insightful, Weber draws insights from herself and those who just happen to stop by to endure her torture alongside her. Not to be confused as an indictment of Christianity, but instead Christian Television, "Salvation on the Small Screen?" is a unique and humorous work that may surprise you.


The Business Shelf

Everything I Know About Business I Learned at McDonald's
Paul Facella
McGrawHill
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10121-2298
C.S. Lewis & Co. Publicists
196 Van Dale Road, Woodstock, NY 12498
9780071601412, $24.95, www.mhprofessional.com

McDonald's is a brand name synonymous with fast food, a corporation that is expanded globally. Is there a better corporate role model? "Everything I Know About Business I Learned at McDonald's: The 7 Leadership Principles that Drive Break Out Success" is an examination of the McDonald's corporation, its success, and the invaluable lessons that business should draw from the company and how it has handled itself in the past fifty years and then some of its existence. From how it expanded and changed itself in the international market, to how it treats its franchises, and more, "Everything I Know About Business I Learned at McDonald's" uses something familiar to all Americans to teach a solid lesson of business.

The New Boardroom Leaders
Ralph D. Ward
Praeger Publishers
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9780313353000, $44.95, www.praeger.com

The traditional business measure of today's business is no longer the way it's done. "The New Boardroom Leaders: How Today's Corporate Boards are Taking Charge" talks about the shift from totalitarian businesses where it used to be that one man held all of the power, to today's companies where the power is scattered through various parts of the business. Independent power is a thing of the past, as Ward explains how this new, more complex system has drastically changed the corporate world, in some ways for the worse, and in some ways for the better. An absolute must for anyone who wants to stay on top of the living being that is the modern corporation, "The New Boardroom Leaders" is a strongly recommended pick for executives and community library business collections.

The Charismatic Organization
Shirley Sagawa & Deborah Jospin
Jossey-Bass
c/o John Wiley & Sons
989 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-1741
9780470195468, $34.95, www.josseybass.com

Nonprofit organizations will struggle and fail if no one cares. "The Charismatic Organization: 8 Ways to Grow a Nonprofit That Builds Buzz, Delights Donors, and Energizes Employees" is a guide for nonprofit businesses to get notice and accomplish their mission more efficiently in today's star-powered world. Sagawa and Jospin are successful consultants to countless businesses which have done well, and "The Charismatic Organization" is a collection of their wisdom condensed in an easily accessed and usable reference that is essential for nonprofit businesses.

Rock to Riches
Andrew Chapman and Lee Silber
Capital Books
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166
9781933102658, $16.95, www.capital-books.com

Just because you wear leather pants three sizes too small, have more groupies than actual friends, and view four o'clock in the morning as an early bed time does not mean you don't have good business sense. "Rock to Riches: Build Your Business the Rock & Roll Way" takes a look at some of America's wildest businessmen, the icons of rock and roll. Hoping to teach business in an innovative way that many readers will find easy to relate to, it draws on real examples of how the biggest names in music are more than talented - they also do good business. "Rock to Riches" is well worth the read for anyone who needs to know business but finds most business books as simply too lame to hold their interest.


The World History Shelf

War, Judgment, and Memory in the Basque Borderlands, 1914-1945
Sandra Ott
University of Nevada Press
MS 0166, Reno, NV 89557-0166
9780874177381, $39.95, www.unpress.nevada.edu

War is the ultimate challenge for a culture. "War, Judgment, and the Memory of the Basque Borderlands: 1914-1945" tells of the Basque region in southwestern France as they dealt with the fallout from the conflicts of World War I and World War II, and the Spanish Civil War. From the first conflicts, the Basque region faced challenges, only getting worse as Spanish refugees, the fall of France to the Nazi Regime, the first half of the twentieth century was the farthest thing from peace that the region ever knew. Drawn from first and second hand sources such as classified and declassified documents alike, "War, Judgment, and the Memory of the Basque Borderlands" is a solid and intriguing read about the effects of constant war.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

The Complete Book of Hummingbirds
Tony Tilford
Thunder Bay Press
c/o Advanced Marketing Group
13475 Danielson Street, Suite 140, Poway, CA 92064-8850
9781592239672, $18.95 www.thunderbaybooks.com 1-800-788-3123

Illustrated with stunningly beautiful photography throughout, The Complete Book of Hummingbirds is a detailed guide to well-known species of hummingbirds found throughout the Americas, from Tierra del Fuego to Alaska. An introductory section teaches readers about the life cycle of these tiny yet brilliantly plumaged birds, which are heavily dependent on sugary nectar for their survival; of especial interest are the careful instructions for feeding hummingbirds in one's backyard (for example, the sugary feed mixture needs to be changed near-daily to prevent spoilage). The bulk of the text consists of one-page summaries of individual species, each accompanied by a crystal-clear photographic image. One doesn't have to be an avid birdwatcher to enjoy The Complete Book of Hummingbirds, which is highly recommended to individual readers and public library collections alike.

Saved
Karin Winegar
Da Capo
c/o Perseus Books
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780738212760, $25.95, www.dacoppress.com

The bond between pet and owner is a unique one not found elsewhere. "Saved: Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform" is a compilation of stories about animals who have been rescued from the brink of death and adopted into loving homes. Focusing on the human, feline, canine, and such emotional impact on all of the parties involved in this story, it's a heart-warming tale that pet owners will absolutely adore, and will make pet owners out of previously unconverted readers. "Saved" is inspirational, highly recommended.


The Psychology Shelf

Mind is a Myth
U. G. Krishnamurti
Sentient Publications
113 Spruce St., Boulder, CO 80302
9781591810650, $16.95, www.sentientpublications.com

Free will - its very existence is debated, but how does this apply to religion? "Mind is a Myth: Disquieting Conversations with the Man Called U.G." is a skeptical manual on the debate offering one learned man's ideas on the matter. A true scholar in the field of spirituality who has studded both eastern and western religions heavily, Krishnamurti's ideas are utterly fascinating and inspiring, making "Mind is a Myth" is a strong pick for nonspecialist general readers with an interest in spirituality.


The Criminology Shelf

Wicked Intentions
Kevin Flynn
New Horizon Press
PO Box 669, Far Hills, NJ 07931
9780882823416, $24.95, www.newhorizonpressbooks.com

Murder can have such a pretty face. "Wicked Intentions: The Sheila LaBarre Murders" tells the true story of a truly twisted individual. Sheila LaBarre was a charming lady, who few thought poorly of. When a charred corpse was found on her farm, it led to the discovery that she was a murderous seductress. A real-life tale looking like it was ripped out of a horror movie, "Wicked Intentions" is an ideal read for true crime and horror readers alike for its chronicle of a truly sadistic woman.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

The Mantram Handbook
Eknath Easwaran
Nilgiri
PO Box 256, 3600 Tomales Road, Tomales, CA 94971
9781586380281, $14.95, www.nilgiripress.org

A mantra is something that can prove invaluable. "The Mantram Handbook: A Practical Guide to Choosing Your Mantram & Calming you Mind" is a guide to Mantrams, more commonly referred to as mantras. With much sage advice and wisdom, Easwaran hopes to give readers the spirituality they need to craft their own mantra, one that will refresh them and prepare them for the challenges of everyday life. "The Mantram Handbook" is a must for anyone who wants to learn the power of the mantram.

Yoga and the Luminous
Christopher Key Chapple
State University of New York Press
c/o CUP Services
750 Cascadilla Street, PO B ox 6525, Ithaca, NY 14851
9780791474761, $21.95, www.sunypress.edu

The principles of Yoga can be taken and well applied to many aspects of life. "Yoga and the Luminous" is an exploration of yoga from Christopher Key Chapple explaining how Yoga can be woven into the fabric of people's everyday lives. Included alongside Chapple's own musings is a complete translated of Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, the most fundamental of texts on Yoga philosophy. Anyone with an interest in Yoga must consider "Yoga and the Luminous" as a starter guide.

The Light of Ten Thousand Suns
Swami Veda Bharati
Yes International Publishers
1317 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105-2602
9780936663203, $15.00

Certain wisdom can bring undeniable light to one's life. "The Light of Ten Thousand Suns" is a book of wisdom and spirituality from Swami Veda Bharati, a renowned philosopher and Sanskrit scholar. A master of his craft, he shows it well, and seeks to inspire much in his readers to find their true selves and what they need to make the most of their life. "The Light of Ten Thousands Suns" is a solid recommendation to spirituality readers everywhere.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

New Age Judaism
Celia E. Rothenberg & Anne Vallely
Vallentine Mitchell
920 NE 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213-3786
9780853038603, $27.95, www.vmbooks.com

Religion changes right alongside of life. "New Age Judaism" takes a wide reaching look at the recent revolutions in Judaism. Yoga, modern music, Buddhism, meditations are all things that have begun to influence modern Jews and have changed their way of worship, while staying true to their base faith. Filled with new and intriguing ways to express one's faith, "New Age Judaism" is a must for the modern, yet still highly religious, Jew.


The Economics Shelf

Japanese Investment in the World Economy
Roger Farrell
Edward Elgar Publishing
William Pratt House, 9 Dewey Court, Northampton, MA 01060
9781840642582, $215.00, www.e-elgar.com

The second largest economy in the world. "Japanese Investment in the World Economy: A Study of Strategic Themes in the Internalization of Japanese Industry" takes a look at Japan, the financial superpower in the modern world. Such a powerful economy in such small space has its own demands, and it answers those demands by going out on the world stage. Foreign Direct Investment is the main concept discussed within the book, discussing Japan pouring money into everything ranging from renewable energy to lumber. It also discusses Japan's personal way of doing things and retaining control, how it exploited past economic booms, and how they are changing world wide investment on the whole. Enhanced with indexes, appendixes, and editorial opinions on the subject, "Japanese Investment in the World Economy" is a complete and comprehensive scholarly reference, ideal for college and community library economics collections.


The Photography Shelf

Sirens of Chrome
Margery Krevsky
Momentum Books
2145 Crooks Rd., Ste. 208, Troy, MI 48084
9781879094840, $24.95 www.momentumbooks.com

Sirens of Chrome: The Enduring Allure of Auto Show Models is an exceptional photography collection of vintage black-and-white and color photographs and posters used to advertise and sell cars - especially images involving attractive women! Each two-page spread features a photograph on the right, and a brief description of the history behind the image on the left; one of the more extraordinary shows an auto model posing with a lion, mere moments before the animal attacked her and had to be pried off by its handlers. A revealing visual glimpse into the history of auto advertising, Sirens of Chrome is sure to prove mesmerizing to automotive buffs of all types and backgrounds.

20th-Century Retailing in Downtown Detroit
Michael Hauser and Marianne Weldon
Arcadia Publishing
420 Wando Park Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
9780738561905, $21.99 www.arcadiapublishing.com 1-888-313-2665

Part of the enthralling "Images of America" photography series, 20th-Century Retailing in Downtown Detroit is a collection of historic black-and-white photographs capturing the development of Detroit's commerce sector, including the rise and fall of Woodward Avenue as a hot spot for retail storefronts, restaurants, and service businesses. Brief, expository captions enhance the images garnered from the Central Business District Foundation bring to life the hustle and bustle of decades past. A wonderful image collection equally suitable for library collections or casual readers curious about the human face of commerce in twentieth century Detroit.


The Philosophy Shelf

Cynics
William Desmond
University of California Press
2120 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94720
9780520258617, $18.95 www.ucpress.edu

Written by William Desmond (Lecturer in Philosophy, National University of Ireland, Maynooth), Cynics is a straightforward introductory text about the philosophical movement that was the ancient Cynics. Despite what their name has come to mean in the modern day, the Cynic philosophers had a surprisingly generous outlook on human nature. They believed that by simplifying one's life by giving up unneeded desires, possessions, and ideals, and by living in the moment, human beings could restore their innate goodness and happiness. An excellent textbook for any student of the Cynic movement, from lay readers to philosophy majors, Cynics not only draws upon historical evidence but also offers a variety of interpretations and perspectives for a balanced, well-rounded review of this ancient movement.

On Pain
Ernst Junger, author
David C. Durst, translation and introduction
Telos Publishing
c/o Fitzhenry & Whiteside, LTD
311 Washington Street, Brighton, MA 02135-3303
9780914386407, $19.95 www.telos.co.uk 1-800-387-9776

First written and published in 1934, On Pain is controversial and literary prize-winning German veteran Ernst Junger's philosophical treatise that gives astonishing insight into not only German society a year after Hitler's rise to power, but also into similarly destructive societal ideologies, such as those espoused by terrorists. In "On Pain", Junger devalues the liberal emphasis on such things as liberty, security, ease, and comfort, suggesting that the measure of manhood lies in one's ability to endure pain, suffering, and sacrifice. Junger forecasts a new type of man, fearless of pain, with a virtually sociopathic ability to treat themselves and others harshly, combined with the evolution of ever stronger war weapons, who would be destined to bring about the atrocities of World War II. A chilling glimpse into the heart of the cult of courage, death, and murder that was overtaking Nazi Germany, "On Pain" deserves to be studied under the principle of knowing one's enemy. It should be noted that the author himself would later (in 1939) write an allegorical novel criticizing Hitler's regime.


The Gardening Shelf

Texas Public Gardens
Elvin McDonald, author
Photography by Kevin Vandivier and Earl Nottingham
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
9781589805675, $35.00 www.pelicanpub.com 1-800-843-1724

Texas Public Gardens is a captivatingly beautiful coffee table book, filled with lavish color photography of public gardens in Texas. A handful of brief essays educate readers about the histories of each garden, but the real draw here is the exceptional imagery - from close-ups of flowers to panoramic scenes of trees and natural byways, to a perfect shot of a frog in mid-jump. Highly recommended, especially for anyone who loves the beauty of nature.


The Military Shelf

The Canadian Battlefields in Italy
Eric McGeer and Terry Copp with Matt Symes
The Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies (LCMSDS)
Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave. W., Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5 Canada
9780978344153, $28.00 www.canadianmilitaryhistory.com

Illustrated with black-and-white photographs throughout, The Canadian Battlefields in Italy: Sicily & Southern Italy is the latest in a Canadian military history series published by The Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies. The Canadian Battlefields in Italy closely examines the locations where Canadians fought and died to help liberate Italy from fascism in World War II, with particular focus on the island of Sicily. Written to appeal to lay readers and military historians alike, The Canadian Battlefields in Italy is a well-researched and captivating addition to Canadian military history shelves.


The Language Studies Shelf

Japanese Alphabet
Gabriele Mandel
Abbeville Press
137 Varick Street, Suite 504, New York, NY 10019-1105
9780789209597, $29.95 www.abbeville.com 1-800-343-4499

Japanese Alphabet: The 48 Essential Characters is an in-depth guide to all the characters (kana) of the Japanese alphabet, presented in both their hiragana and katakana versions. Visual, step-by-step diagrams clearly indicate the proper stroke order when writing; also present are glimpses of each character in a variety of different typeface fonts. A thoughtful historical introduction to these beautiful and functional written letters rounds out this welcome addition to Japanese language studies shelves.


The Gerontology Studies Shelf

Leisure and Aging
Francis A. McGuire, Rosangela K. Boyd, & Raymond E. Tedrick
Sagamore Publishing Company
804 North Neil Street, #100, Champaign, IL 61824
9781571675484, $59.95 www.sagamorepub.com 1-800-327-5557

Now in an updated fourth edition, Leisure and Aging : Ulyssean Living in Later Life is a surprisingly scholarly examination of how leisure can contribute positively to the later years of one's lifespan. Chapters discuss theoretical perspectives on aging, psychological aging, ways to enhance the leisure experience, leisure and recreation in long-term care, and much more. A thoughtful, in-depth study supported by careful research, especially recommended for health care reference libraries. "Facilities may need to be designed to compensate for limited mobility of the resident. The use of one level in facilities, if at all possible, is recommended. If that is not possible, an elevator may be needed for residents to use programs and facilities on the second floor. Thresholds into rooms should be eliminated to facilitate movement by wheelchairs. Good lighting in corridors and over any existing steps is important in reducing accidental falls. Handrails in traveled areas and in bathtubs are useful prosthetic devices. Slippery surfaces and loose rugs should be avoided."


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Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
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Oregon, WI 53575-1129
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