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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 10, Number 2 February 2015 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Crafts Shelf Poetry Shelf
Christian Studies Shelf Graphic Novel Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Music CD Shelf DVD Shelf Photography Shelf
Theatre/Cinema Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Aviation Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Fishing Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Religion/Spirituality Shelf Business Shelf Travel Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Biography Shelf World History Shelf
Criminology Shelf Philosophy Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Fiction Shelf Gaming Shelf Agriculture Shelf
Political Science Shelf Money/Finance Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice

A House Of Prayer For All People
Frederick Quinn
Morehouse Publishing
c/o Church Publishing Incorporated
1637 Beechwood Ave #1, Louisville KY 40204
www.churchpublishing.org
9780819229243, $28.00, 224pp, www.amazon.com

The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington, operated under the more familiar name of Washington National Cathedral, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of Neo-Gothic design closely modeled on English Gothic style of the late fourteenth century, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in the United States, and the highest as well as the fourth-tallest structure in Washington, D.C. The cathedral is the seat of both the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori, and the Bishop of the Diocese of Washington, Mariann Edgar Budde. In 2009, nearly 400,000 visitors toured the structure. Average attendance at Sunday services in 2009 was 1,667, the highest of all domestic parishes in the Episcopal Church that year. "A House of Prayer for all People: A History of Washington National Cathedral" by Fredrick Quinn provides a definitive history of Washington National Cathedral from its inception to the modern day, focusing finally on the episcopacy of Bishop John T. Walker, who died in the fall of 1989. Informed informative, and highly recommended reading, "A House of Prayer for all People: A History of Washington National Cathedral" is enhanced with the inclusion of an eight page 'Washington National Cathedral Chronology'; a three page Bibliography; and a sixteen page Index.

Healing Sources
Sophie Benge, et al.
Prestel Publishing
900 Broadway, Suite 603, New York, NY 10003
www.prestel-usa.com
9783791353944, $65.00, www.amazon.com

A spa is a location where mineral-rich spring water (and sometimes sea water) is used to give medicinal baths. Spa towns or spa resorts (including hot springs resorts) typically offer various health treatments, which are also known as balneotherapy. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are especially widespread in Europe and Japan. Day spas are also quite popular, and offer various personal care treatments. Compiled with expert commentary by the team of Sophie Benge, Alla Sokolova, Christian Banfield, and Helen Abraham, "Healing Sources: Spas and Wellbeing from the Baltic to the Black Sea" is a profusely and beautifully illustrated, 192 page compendium showcasing the histories and features of spas and saunas throughout twelve European countries. A simply fascinating read from beginning to end, "Healing Sources: Spas and Wellbeing from the Baltic to the Black Sea" is exceptionally well written, organized, presented, informed and informative, making it an ideal and highly recommended addition to personal, community, and academic library collections.

Daughters, Dads, and the Path Through Grief
Donna H. DiCello, Psy.D. and Lorraine Mangione, Ph.D.
Impact Publishers
PO Box 6016, Atascadero, CA 93423-6016
9781886230958 $19.95 www.impactpublishers.com

Daughters, Dads, and the Path Through Grief: Tales from Italian America gathers the true stories of Italian-American daughters and their journey to reconciliation with the loss of their fathers. The strong bond of the Italian family permeates these resonating sagas of love, adaptation, and transformation, with emphasis on the father-daughter bond. Heatfelt and profound, Daughters, Dads, and the Path Through Grief tells of milestone steps on the lifetime journey. Unforgettable and highly recommended.

Kinds of Winter
Dave Olesen
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5
9781771121316 $19.99 wlupress.wlu.ca

Kinds of Winter: Four Solo Journeys by Dogteam in Canada's Northwest Territories is the story of a career sled dog racer who set out to fulfill his lifelong dream. Author Dave Olesen steered his dogs and sled on extended trips far away from his remote Northwest Territories homestead, followed by a return journey home. Over the course of four years he made four trips, one for each cardinal compass direction. Kinds of Winter offers his reflections on these lonely yet thrilling travels, from the practical considerations of looking after his dogs to the majestic beauty of the land, to tearing apart commonly believed myths and cliches about dogsledding or bush country life. A vivid "armchair traveler" experience like no other, Kinds of Winter is highly recommended.


The Crafts Shelf

Beautiful Bracelets By Hand
Jade Gedeon
Page Street Publishing
27 Congress Street, Suite 103, Salem, MA 01970
http://www.pagestreetpublishing.com
Trina Kaye Organization
9781624140907, $21.99, www.amazon.com

Jade Gedeon is the owner of We Dream in Colour, and in "Beautiful Bracelets By Hand: Seventy Five One-of-a-Kind Baubles, Bangles and Other Wrist Adornments You Can Make At Home" draws upon her many years of experience and expertise to provide a superbly illustrated, 224 page instructional guide to seventy-five designs for making do-it-yourself bracelets. The clear and methodical instructions will allow even the most novice bracelet maker to turn out superbly crafted results. Thoroughly 'user friendly' throughout, "Beautiful Bracelets By Hand" is truly extraordinary and highly recommended for personal and community library Crafts instructional reference collections. It should be noted that "Beautiful Bracelets By Hand" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).


The Poetry Shelf

Storm Toward Morning
Malachi Black
Copper Canyon Press
PO Box 271, Port Townsend, WA 98368
www.coppercanyonpress.org
9781556594724, $16.00, www.amazon.com

"Storm Toward Morning" is a 96 page compendium providing a debut showcasing the existential poetry of Malachi Black. Articulate, insightful, intimate, universal, these are free verse poems that impact the imagination and the emotions of the reader with an enduring imprint that will linger long after the verses are read and "Storm Toward Morning" is placed back upon the shelf. 'Rain': again, and on a day / you meant to spend // in other ways than tracing / veins of it descend // the duty plate glass / of a window by the bed. // Try to make a friend / of anything you can // that's kind enough to give / back what you lend // to its reflection; / tomorrow yo will // love yourself again.


The Christian Studies Shelf

The History of the National Encuentros
Mario J. Paredes
Paulist Press
997 MacArthur Boulevard
Mahwah, NJ 07430
9780809149056 $27.95 www.paulistpress.com

Fifty years after the end of the Second Vatican Council, The History of the National Encuentros: Hispanic Americans in the One Catholic Church is a studious examination and celebration of the Catholic Church's efforts to welcome and integrate a growing Hispanic American constituency. In the early 70's, Catholic bishops of the United States worked together to figure out how to better serve and integrate Hispanic American members; their methodology of "see, judge, and act" formed the base of a consultation model that would come to be known as National Encuentros ("Encounters"). Each encuentro suggested recommendations to bishops and the diocesan church. The ultimate result was the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry, as developed and approved by the USCCB. The fifth encuentro is currently scheduled to take place in the summer of 2016. Written in a serious-minded yet reader-friendly style, The History of the National Encuentros details the history, logistics, ideas, practices, and ongoing efforts of this movement, and is especially recommended for college and church library Christian Studies shelves.

A Little Daily Wisdom from the Early Church
Edited by Bernard Bangley
Paraclete Press
PO Box 1568, Orleans, MA 02653
9781612615776 $18.99 www.paracletepress.com

A Little Daily Wisdom from the Early Church is a compact book filled with 365 readings by and about early Christians - those who lived and practiced in the first few centuries after Christ walked the Earth. Each page has a biblical quote, a moral or parable from the lives of early Christians, and a bolded statement condensing the parable's meaning. Filled cover to cover with inspirational quotes, A Little Daily Wisdom from the Early Church a useful resource for deepening one's relationship with God, one day at a time. "Amma Syncletica said, 'Anger is not good. If you become angry, do not allow it to remain with you all day.'"

Lent with Pope Francis
Edited by Donna Giaimo, PSP
Pauline Books & Media
50 St. Pauls Avenue, Boston, MA 02130
0819845728 $7.95 www.pauline.org

Lent with Pope Francis is a daily companion to the holy season of Lent, featuring passages from Scripture, selections from Pope Francis' homilies and speeches, questions for personal reflection, and concluding prayers. "The joy of the Gospel is not just any joy. It consists in knowing one is welcomed and loved by God. As the Prophet Isaiah reminds us... God is he who comes to save us and who seeks to help, especially those who are fearful of heart. His coming among us strengthens us, makes us steadfast, gives us courage... However great our limitations and dismay, we are not allowed to be sluggish and vacillating when faced with difficulty and our own weakness..." Lent with Pope Francis is highly recommended as an inspirational resource for meditation, contemplation, and deepened worship.

A New Heaven and a New Earth
J. Richard Middleton
Baker Academy
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 East Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
9780801048685, $26.99, www.amazon.com

Eschatology is that part of Christian theology concerned with the final events of history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity. This concept is commonly referred to as the "end of the world" or "end time". "A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology" by J. Richard Middleton (Professor of Biblical Worldview and Exegesis, Northeastern Seminary and Adjunct Professor of Theology, Roberts Wesleyan College) is a 336 page treatise organized and presented in five major parts: From Creation to Eschaton; Holistic Salvation in the Old Testament; The New Testament's Vision of Cosmic Renewal; Problem Texts for Holistic Eschatology; The Ethics of the Kingdom. Enhanced with the inclusion of an informative introduction, figures and tables, an appendix (Whatever Happened to the New Earth?); a thirty page Subject Index; and a fifteen page Scripture Index, "A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology" is a model of Biblical scholarship making it very instructive reading and highly recommended for personal, seminary, community and academic library Christian Studies collections. It should be noted that "A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology" is also available in a Kindle edition ($14.57).


The Graphic Novel Shelf

Jaco the Galactic Patrolman
Akira Toriyama
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200
San Francisco CA 94103
9781421566306 $9.99 www.viz.com

Jaco he Galactic Patrolman is a black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) prequel to Akira Toriyama's fantastically popular "Dragon Ball" and "Dragon Ball Z" sagas. Unlike those long-running series, Jaco the Galactic Patrolman is a self-contained adventure, and the primary characters are Jaco and the humans he more or less befriends. (A short bonus story after the conclusion gives readers a glimpse of Dragon Ball hero Goku's origins.) When a spaceflight accident forces elite alien peacekeeper Jaco to crash-land on Earth, he arrives on nearly-deserted island. The island's sole resident is Omori, an elderly curmudgeon of an engineer. Omori reluctantly agrees to fix Jaco's spacecraft, if only to keep the proud, vain, and easily irritated Jaco from getting frustrated enough to use his doomsday device - a weapon capable of exterminating all humans on Earth! "'Hey... you're not going to accidentally activate the capsule that will wipe out all humans, are you?' 'No need to worry. I have only made that mistake once before.' 'Once before...? And it killed off all the people of that planet?' 'Of course. My boss was really angry at me.'" When Jaco rescues an intelligent, strong-willed young woman from a gang of thugs (accidentally roughing up a policeman and earning the wrath of the law in the process), the race to restore his ship becomes even more hectic! A fine blend of sci-fi, action, and silliness, Jaco the Galactic Patrolman is a "must-read" for fans of Akira Toriyama's work.

Assassination Classroom 1
Yusei Matsui
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200
San Francisco CA 94103
9781421576077 $9.99 www.viz.com

Assassination Classroom 1 is the debut volume of a shonen manga (Japanese comics aimed at a male young adult audience) series with a bizarre premise. "Teach", a mysterious, tentacled thing, has threatened the Earth with annihilation at the end of one year, and his superior speed and alien(?) biology make him resistant to virtually every form of weaponry. Yet the one thing it wants to do is teach a high school class - building their confidence, helping them bolster their weaknesses, and training them to become assassins capable of killing him before he destroys the Earth! Or is that truly his motive? It's hard to guess, Teach's desire to thoroughly educate the languishing, bullied, at-risk students of class 3-E seems quite sincere. The students of 3-E are each struggling with their own problems - Karma keeps getting suspended for fighting, and Okuda excels at chemistry but struggles with every other academic subject as well as basic social skills. Can they find a way to kill their seemingly immortal teacher? The rocket-fire start to an action-packed yet surreal manga series, Assassination Classroom deserves to be a sleeper hit!

From the New World 7
Story by Yusuke Kishi
Art by Toru Oikawa
Vertical, Inc.
451 Park Avenue South, 7th floor
New York, NY 10016
9781941220535 $10.95 www.vertical-inc.com

From the New World 7 is the concluding volume of a black-and-white manga (Japanese comics) adaptation of a sci-fi novel about interspecies struggles for survival. In the distant future, humans have the highest status, akin to gods. Beneath them are the sapient mole rat race; whether the mole rats are servants, slaves, or subordinate neighbors is a judgment call. Composed of eusocial mammals, the mole rat society is organized into hives dominated by queens, and the rivalry between queens has prevented a united mole rat uprising - until recently. The mole rat Squealer has somehow united the hives, and backed by the power of a psychic human "Messiah", he threatens genocide upon the human race! Only a few survivors can stand against him, but the Messiah seems unstoppable. Squealer's doomsday weapon appears to be a human psychic, but all human psychics are psychologically and biologically encoded from birth to automatically die if they kill their own species. Yet this psychic can and will kill other humans without remorse, regret, or triggering its own shame-death code! Can Squealer be stopped? Is there any hope for humanity's survival, or the survival of the mole rat people, when horrific war and humans born with psychic powers both present a deadly threat? Action-packed yet character-driven, From the New World 7 is the satisfying conclusion to a suspenseful and thought-provoking saga. Highly recommended, but suggested for readers ages 16+ due to violence and mature content.


The Audiobook Shelf

Fear the Darkness
Becky Masterman, author
Read by Suzanne Toren
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427239563 $39.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Fear the Darkness is the unabridged audiobook rendition of a tense thriller. Ex-FBI Agent Brigid Quinn wants to leave the soul-crushing horrors of her job behind, and build a new life in Tucson with her husband and friends, while working as a private investigator. But Brigid's seventeen-year-old niece is a handful, and a little too keen on dissecting local wildlife, and Brigid's case investigating the death of a local couple's son uncovers dangerous questions. The threat of murder gradually becomes omnipresent in this edge-of-one's-seat whodunnit, superbly performed by Suzanne Toren and especially recommended for fans of the genre. 10 CDs, 12.5 hours.

Lost & Found
Brooke Davis, author
Read by Nigel Carrington, Nicolette McKenzie, and Helen Walsh
Penguin Audio
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9781611763904 $35.00 http://us.penguingroup.com

Lost & Found: A Novel is the unabridged audiobook version of author Brooke Davis' debut novel about a most unlikely trio. Millie Bird is seven years old, and abandoned in a department store by her grieving mother; Agatha Pantha is eighty-two, rigid in her ways, and has been adamantly uncommunicative since she was widowed seven years ago; and Karl the Touch Typist is eighty-seven, and has recently escaped from the nursing home to which he was committed after the loss of his wife. Together, the threesome set out to find Millie's mother, and the journey will teach them that old age isn't the end of life, children can be wise, and sometimes it's okay - even important - to feel sad. An emotional, character-driven adventure, Lost & Found is highly recommended. 6 CDs, 7 1/2 hours.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Rocket Raccoon & Groot Steal The Galaxy
Dan Abnett, et al.
Graphic Audio
4940 Hampden Lane, Suite 300, Bethesda, MD 20814
9781628511161, $19.99, www.graphicaudio.net

Fans of the Marvel Universe are going to love this one! "Guardians of the Galaxy: Rocket Raccoon & Groot Steal The Galaxy" by Dan Abnett has been superbly adapted to a radio theatre format by Graphic Audio. Featuring an exceptionally talented cast of more than two dozen, and directed by Scott McCormick, "Guardians of the Galaxy: Rocket Raccoon & Groot Steal The Galaxy" is impressively enhanced by sound effects and music, and with flawless production values. The result is a rollicking great listening experience for this science fiction action/adventure satire. Narrated by an android recorder (Number 127), we are treated to just about each and every chapter ending with a truly cliffhanger angst. Our heroes are beset by a bewildering variety of opponents ranging from the brutal Badoons, to the elite fighting forces of the Kree Empire, to the Nova Corps, to a seemingly indestructible corporate mercenary. Even one of Rocket Raccoon and Groot's team-mates seems to be up to no good! A non-stop roller coaster ride of an adventure, "Guardians of the Galaxy: Rocket Raccoon & Groot Steal The Galaxy" is pure entertainment that is without letup from beginning to end! Very highly recommended for personal and community library audio book collections, "Guardians of the Galaxy: Rocket Raccoon & Groot Steal The Galaxy" features a running time of six hours spread out over 6 CDs.

Demon Cycle: The Daylight War: Vols. 1 & 2
Peter V. Brett, et al.
Graphic Audio
4940 Hampden Lane, Suite 300, Bethesda, MD 20814
www.graphicaudio.net
Volume 1: 9781599509815, $19.99
Volume 2: 9781599509822, $19.99

"The Daylight War" is the third in Peter V. Brett's outstanding fantasy action/adventure Demon Cycle series. The first two novels are "The Warded Man" and "The Desert Spear". On the night of the new moon, the demons rise in force, seeking the deaths of two men, both of whom have the potential to become the fabled Deliverer, the man prophesied to reunite the scattered remnants of humanity in a final push to destroy the demon corelings once and for all. Arlen Bales was once an ordinary man, but now he has become something more -- the Warded Man, tattooed with eldritch wards so powerful they make him a match for any demon. Arlen denies he is the Deliverer at every turn, but the more he tries to be one with the common folk, the more fervently they believe. Many would follow him, but Arlen's path threatens to lead to a dark place he alone can travel to, and from which there may be no returning. The only one with hope of keeping Arlen in the world of men, or joining him in his descent into the world of demons, is Renna Tanner, a fierce young woman in danger of losing herself to the power of demon magic. Ahmann Jardir has forged the warlike desert tribes of Krasia into a demon-killing army and proclaimed himself Shar'Dama Ka, the Deliverer. He carries ancient weapons - a spear and a crown - that give credence to his claim, and already vast swaths of the green lands bow to his control. But Jardir did not come to power on his own. His rise was engineered by his First Wife, Inevera, a cunning and powerful priestess whose formidable demon bone magic gives her the ability to glimpse the future. Inevera's motives and past are shrouded in mystery, and even Jardir does not entirely trust her. Once Arlen and Jardir were as close as brothers. Now they are the bitterest of rivals. As humanity's enemies rise, the only two men capable of defeating them are divided against each other by the most deadly demons of all -- those lurking in the human heart. The Graphic Audio two volume, 14 CD, 14 hour, multicast, technically flawless production truly brings the story to life in the mind's eye of the listener and truly lives up to the Graphic Audio slogan 'A Movie In Your Mind'. The deft inclusion of digital sound effects and music is especially impressive, making this two volume audio book production very highly recommended as a solid entertainment from beginning to end.

Burning Dawn
Gena Showalter, author
Max Bellmore, narrator
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781490641188 $123.75 www.recordedbooks.com

Burning Dawn: Angels of the Dark is the unabridged audiobook rendition of a sensual dark fantasy novel with a revenge-driven hero. Thane is a winged warrior who has lost his memory; held as a slave, he gains his freedom with the help of a female captive, Elin Vale. Thane turns his bloodlust against his former captors without mercy. Lustful passion also blossoms between Thane and Elin, but Elin hides a dark secret within her own bloodline. Intense and vivid, Burning Dawn is a thrilling, erotically charged saga enthusiastically recommended to fans of the genre, and of author Gena Showalter's previous "Angels of the Dark" novels.

The Honeymoon Effect
Bruce H. Lipton, Ph.D.
Read by Bruce Lipton and Margaret Horton
Sounds True Audio
413 South Arthur Avenue
Louisville, CO 80027
9781622031924 $29.95 www.soundstrue.com

The Honeymoon Effect is the unabridged audiobook rendition of biologist Bruce H. Lipton's insights into a more robust life. Lipton describes the "Honeymoon Effect" as a sense of intense joy, passion, energy, and drive - the feeling that one can't wait to greet the dawn of a new day, as often experienced during the honeymoon period after marriage. Lipton explains that the honeymoon effect is not due to chance or a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but rather a personal creation, and that individuals can learn to embrace that feeling in their everyday lives. Touching upon the roles of quantum physics ("good vibrations"), biochemistry, and psychology in sustaining loving relationships, The Honeymoon Effect is a powerful tool for improving the quality of one's life, and highly recommended. 4 CDs, 4 hours 9 min.


The Music CD Shelf

Kingston City
New Kingston
Easy Star Records
PO Box 1069, Cooper Station, New York, NY 10276
c/o Press Junkie PR
www.easystar.com
$11.99 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com

The third full-length album of New York City-based reggae band New Kingston, Kingston City features twelve songs, guest contributions from members of Tribal Seeds, Hawaiian singer-songwriter Kimie Miner, Sister Carol, The Wailing Souls, and the late, great reggae performer Sugar Minott. Vivacious and enriching, Kingston City captures the essence of celebrating every day together as a family. Highly recommended, especially for connoisseurs of the genre! The tracks are "Today", "Mystery Babylon", "Who Tell Them", "Can't Stop A Man", "Honorable", "You Are Mine", "Good Luck Charm", "Protect Me", "Certain Girls", "Key To Life", "I Believe in Me", and "Conquer Dem".

Aquarian Dream
Composed and performed by Carmen Rubino
Produced by John Barcelona and Carmen Rubino
Riga Records, Inc.
c/o The Creative Service Company (publicity)
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
$15.95 CD plus download at www.carmenrubino.com
$8.99 MP3 at www.amazon.com

Aquarian Dream is a sweeping, instrumental new age album. The songs, all original compositions by Carmen Rubino, transform piano, electric keyboard, and a medley of supporting instruments (flute, harp, French horn, percussion, and more) into a symphonic odyssey. Wistful and wonderful, Aquarian Dream makes an excellent gifts to connoisseurs of expansive music that enriches the imagination. Highly recommended! The tracks are "Transcendence" (3:19), "Infinite Hearts Desire" (9:54), "Tears of Joy" (2:29), "Spirit Of Our Reflection" (5:44), "Perfect Harmony" (8:48), "Christmas Wish" (3:11), "In Our Place" (3:48), "How I Love You" (5:41), "Father" (12:15), "Sweet Angel Return" (2:39), "Sacred Vows" (2:39), and "Aquarian Dream" (13:18).

Summon the Wind
Timothy Wenzel
www.timothywenzel.com
Privately Published
c/o The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
$12.97 CD / $9.99 download www.cdbaby.com

New Age keyboardist Timothy Wenzel presents Summon the Wind, an original, instrumental album inspired by the flowing primal forces of nature. A transcendental experience that encourages one to ponder the mysteries of the surrounding world, Summon the Wind sweeps the listener away in a breathtaking, wondrous journey. The tracks are "Still the Wind" (4:11), "Elven Dance" (4:55), "Peace to My Lady" (4:30), "All That Might Have Been" (4:23), "Mariner's Lament" (3:59), "Crystal Man" (4:19), "The Photograph" (4:41), "Tesla's Dream" (4:11), "Whirlwind" (3:37), "Edge of the World" (3:00), "Awaken" (4:07), and "Summon the Wind" (7:28).


The DVD Shelf

Hooked on Fly Tying series
With Chris Helm
Bennet Watt HD Productions, Inc.
13021 - 244 Avenue SE
Issaquah, WA 98027
$24.95 each www.Bennett-Watt.com

Award-winning fisherman and fly tier Chris Helm presents the Hooked on Fly Tying high-definition DVD series, designed especially to teach fellow fishermen of all skill and experience levels how to craft professional-quality fish lures. "Signature Invincible Mouse" (9781934682982, 138 min.) is a detailed, step-by-step guide to Helm's signature creation, the "deer hair mouse" fly. "Moorish Mouse, Bomber & Hazel" (9781934682993, 130 min.) reveals how to craft three different lures. Both DVDs have meticulous materials lists, and close-up photography with four cameras to reveal every nuance of the crafting process. Avid fly fishers should not pass up these "hands-on" treasuries!


The Photography Shelf

Fullmoon
Darren Almond, photographer
Hans Werner Holzwarth, editor
TASCHEN America
107 Greene Street, New York, NY 10012
www.taschen.com
9783836546614, $69.99, 400pp, www.amazon.com

"Fullmoon" showcases 260 photographs taken by British artist Darren Almond. These impressive images features landscapes from around the globe, all taken under the particular light of a full moon. With the shutter kept open for over a quarter of an hour, rivers, meadows, mountains, and seashores are illuminated almost like daybreak, but the atmosphere is different: a mild glow emanates even from the shadows, star-lines cross the sky, and water blankets the earth like a misty froth. The enhanced moonlight infuses the landscapes with a sense of the surreal or the sublime, and with haunting ideas of time, nature and beauty. The series photographic images circles around the possibility of Romantic themes today: majestic American mountains, austere Arctic ice fields, picturesque rocks by the seashore in Japan, and, most intimately viewed, the nature of Britain. "Fullmoon" covers all parts of Darren Almond's series of moonlit images from the turn of the century up until today. "Fullmoon" is enhanced with the inclusion of an introduction by Sheena Wagstaff (Head of the Modern and Contemporary Art Department of the Metropolitan Museum in New York), and an in-depth essay by writer and critic Brian Dillon. A unique and impressive volume, "Fullmoon" is highly recommended for personal and academic library Photographic Studies collections and would be an enduringly popular Memorial Fund acquisition selection for community libraries.


The Theatre/Cinema Shelf

Francis Ford Coppola
Jeff Menne
University of Illinois Press
1325 South Oak Street, Champaign, IL 61820-6975
www.press.uillinois.edu
9780252080371, $22.00, www.amazon.com

Francis Ford Coppola (born April 7, 1939) is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. He was part of the New Hollywood wave of film making. In 1970, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay as co-writer, with Edmund H. North, of Patton (1970). His directorial prominence was cemented with the release in 1972 of The Godfather, a film which revolutionized movie-making in the gangster genre, earning praise from both critics and the public before winning three Academy Awards, including his second Oscar (Best Adapted Screenplay, with Mario Puzo), Best Picture, and his first nomination for Best Director. He followed with The Godfather Part II in 1974, which became the first sequel to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Coppola is one of only eight filmmakers to win two Palme d'Or awards. The newest addition the University of Illinois Press series 'Contemporary Film Directors', "Francis Ford Coppola" by Jeff Menne (Assistant Professor of Screen Studies and English, Oklahoma State University) is a 168 page compendium presenting and analyzing Coppola's directorial career. Enhanced with a six page Interview With Francis Ford Coppola; a twelve page Filmography; a four page Bibliography, and a twenty-three page Index, "Francis Ford Coppola" is a critically important and highly recommended for academic library and film school American Cinema reference collections and supplemental reading lists. It should be noted that "Francis Ford Coppola" is also available in a hardcover edition (9780252038822, $75.00, 176pp) and a Kindle edition ($9.99).


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss
Russell Friedman, Cole James, and John W. James
Taylor Trade Publishing
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
c/o Booth Media Group, Inc. (publicity)
9781630760144 $14.95 www.rowman.com

Written by the trio who run The Grief Recovery Institute in Los Angeles, The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss is a straightforward and sympathetic self-help guide written especially for pet owners who feel crippling sadness after the passing of a faithful companion. Chapters address common myths about grief that can impede recovery, and walk the reader through a straightforward process designed to help them work through their feelings and their relationship with a beloved animal. Practical as well as emotional considerations are also kept strongly in mind. "Caution: Throughout the United States, Great Britain, and other countries, there are local rules and regulations regarding the scattering of ashes. Please make sure that you don't break any of those laws. With the use of online searches, you can easily find out what, if any, restrictions there might be." The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss is an excellent choice for personal use, or as a gift for a friend or family member who has recently lost a cherished pet.

Journey With The Loon
David C. Evers & Kate M. Taylor
Willow Creek Press
PO Box 147, Minocqua WI 54548
www.willowcreekpress.com
9781623434168, $27.95, www.amazon.com

Loons are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Eurasia. All living species of loons are members of the genus Gavia, family Gaviidae and order Gaviiformes. Co-written by Biodiversity Research Institute environmentalists and aviary experts David C. Evers and Kate M. Taylor, "Journey with the Loon" is an informed and informative 141 page compendium comprised of expert commentaries enhanced with the inclusion of truly beautiful photography by Ginger Poleschook and Daniel Poleschook Jr. A truly fascinating read from beginning to end, "Journey With The Loon" is enthusiastically recommended for community and academic Pets/Wildlife reference collections in general, and to the attention of the non-specialist general reader with an interest in, and appreciation for, the life cycle of the loon. It should be noted that "Journey With The Loon" is enhanced with the inclusion of an accompanying DVD.


The Aviation Shelf

Hump Pilot
Nedda R. Thomas
History Publishing Company, LLC
PO Box 700, 15 Heyhoe Woods Road
Palisades, New York 10964-0700
9781940773209 $18.95 www.historypublishingco.com

Hump Pilot: Defying Death Flying the Himalayas During World War II is the true-life memoir of Ned Thomas, an American pilot who participated in the largely forgotten Hump War. The task of Thomas and aviators like him: to fly over the fierce and deadly Himalaya Mountains (the "Hump"), in order to support all Asian Allied military operations. A handful of black-and-white photographs, notes, and an index enhance this candid testimony, bringing to life the thrills and threats of death while flying at extraordinary altitudes. Highly recommended for aviation and military history collections!

Seaplanes Along the Inside Passage
Gerry Bruder
Alaska Northwest Books
c/o Graphic Arts Books
PO Box 56118, Portland, OR 97238-6118
9780882409580 $17.99 www.graphicartsbooks.com

Seaplanes Along the Inside Passage: The Highs and Lows of a Modern Bush Pilot is the true-life memoir of an East Coast journalist turned Alaska bush pilot. Having accrued nearly twenty-four thousand hours of experience as a commercial seaplane pilot, author Gerry Bruder shares the highlights (and darkest moments) of his career. From abrupt engine failure while airborne, to ferrying a diverse array of passengers, to surviving flights in dangerous weather conditions, is a tell-it-like-it-is inside story of aviation life. Highly recommended. "What's the most stressful flight for a professional seaplane pilot? It's not being slammed and jerked and wrenched so hard in a gale you think the wings might come off. It's not having miles and miles to go while a passenger's vomit dribbles down the back of your shirt. It's not flubbing a vital checkride, or getting trapped by fog in a mountain pass, or having a broken cockpit heater on a ten-degree January morning. None of these. The most stressful flight is riding back to base as a passenger with another company pilot after you've seriously damaged your own aircraft in a blunder."

Thunder Over The Reich
Wolfgang Wolienweber
Crecy Publishing
c/o Specialty Press
99 Spring Street, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10012
www.specialtypress.com
9781902109398, $49.95, 192pp, www.amazon.com

"Thunder Over the Reich: Flying the Luftwaffe's He162 Jet Fighter" by Wolfgang Wolienweber is an informed and informative military history of the Germany Luftwaffe and an important inside account not just of the revolutionary He162, but also the changing fortunes of the Luftwaffe airforce. This 192 page compendium is profusely illustrated, exceptionally well written, informed and informative. Enhanced with the inclusion of five appendices, a listing of Sources and Picture Credits, and a useful Index, "Thunder Over the Reich: Flying the Luftwaffe's He162 Jet Fighter" is a seminal contribution and strongly recommended for personal, community, and academic library World War II military history reference collections in general, and supplemental reading lists for 20th Century Military Aviation History studies in particular.


The Cookbook Shelf

Whole Body Reboot
Manuel Villacorta, M.S., R.D. with Sarah Koszyk, M.A., R.D.
Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190
9780757318214 $18.95 www.hcibooks.com

Registered Dietitians Manuel Villacorta and Sarah Koszyk present Whole Body Reboot: The Peruvian Superfoods Diet to Detoxify, Energize, and Supercharge Fat Loss, a recipe book focusing on 21 Peruvian foods such as avocados, sweet potatoes, beans, papaya, and quinoa that are well known for their phenomenal health benefits. Illustrated with full-color photography throughout, Whole Body Reboot is a cookbook that also functions as a meal-planning resource. The suggested nutrition program begins with a five-day optional smoothie reboot, followed by Peruvian-inspired meals that can be mixed or matched. Whole Body Reboot is adaptable to vegetarian, vegan, omnivorous, or gluten-free lifestyles, and is an excellent, user-friendly resource to healthy eating for weight loss and improved overall wellness.

Comfort
Carolyn Caldicott, author
Chris Caldicott, photographer
Frances Lincoln Publishers
74-77 White Lion Street
Islington, London, N1 9PF
9780711234918 $14.99 www.franceslincoln.com

Featuring a wealth of full-color photography, Comfort: Recipes to Warm the Heart and Feed the Soul is a cookbook that lives up to its title. Dishes such as "Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Egg Muffins with Herby Creme Fraiche", "Chicken and Mango Coconut Curry", "Cinnamon Spiced Butternut Squash Soup with Cheesy Crouton Topping", "Plump Devonshire Scones" and more make sumptuous meals that will lift one's spirits on a blustery day. Packed with a wealth of kitchen-friendly tips, tricks, and techniques, Comfort also makes an excellent giftbook for cooks of all skill and experience levels. Highly recommended!

The Science of Skinny Cookbook
Dee McCaffrey, CDC
Lifelong Books
c/o Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500
New York, NY 10107
9780738217208 $17.99 www.perseusbooksgroup.com

The Science of Skinny Cookbook is a compendium of healthy recipes from Dee McCaffrey, founder of Processed-Free America, a nutrition education non-profit. McCaffrey was once a professional organic chemist, who had an epiphany when she realized that some of the potentially dangerous substances she worked with every day appeared on the labels of packaged and processed food. The Science of Skinny Cookbook promotes healthy nutrition through avoiding processed food as much as reasonably possible, offering processed-ingredient-free dishes for the whole family. From "outside-the-cereal-box-breakfasts" such as Red Pepper Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust, to Creamy Cashew Ranch Dressing, Veggie Egg Fried Rice, to Grain-Free Nutty Peanut Butter Cookies, and more, these dishes are not meant to be a "diet", but rather a healthy new way of eating and living. A wealth of kitchen cooking tips, tricks, techniques, and substitutions for common processed foods/garnishes/condiments enrich this excellent, user-friendly cookbook. Also highly recommended is McCaffrey's previous book, "The Science of Skinny".

Delicious Mornings
Dina Foglio Crowell
Front Table Books
c/o Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South
Springville, Utah 84663
9781462114603 $18.99 www.cedarfort.com

Full-color photography graces Delicious Mornings: Comforting Breakfasts Baked from Scratch, a cookbook for anyone interested in enjoying a hearty morning meal. Many of the recipes will also prove popular favorites at holiday or birthday celebrations! The dishes include "Cream Scones with Raspberry Sauce", "Baked Italian-Style Cheesy Grits", "Omelet Stuffed Peppers", "Pecan Pie Pancakes" and much more. A wealth of helpful cooking tips ("Flip the pancake when bubbles start to form on top, and the bottom edges are lightly golden brown. Do not press your pancakes while cooking.") and an index round out this resource that can transform breakfast into the most sumptuous meal of the day!

The Complete Low-Carb Cookbook
George Stella
Quail Ridge Press
PO Box 123, Brandon, MS 39043
www.quailridge.com
9781934193969, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Low-carbohydrate diets or 'low-carb' diets are dietary programs that restrict carbohydrate consumption, often for the treatment of obesity or diabetes. Foods high in easily digestible carbohydrates (e.g., sugar, bread, pasta) are limited or replaced with foods containing a higher percentage of fats and moderate protein (e.g., meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, cheese, nuts, and seeds) and other foods low in carbohydrates (e.g., most salad vegetables), although other vegetables and fruits (especially berries) are often allowed. The amount of carbohydrate allowed varies with different low-carbohydrate diets. The term "low-carbohydrate diet" is generally applied to diets that restrict carbohydrates to less than 20% of caloric intake, but can also refer to diets that simply restrict or limit carbohydrates to less than recommended proportions (generally less than 45% of total energy coming from carbohydrates). Low-carbohydrate diets are used to treat or prevent some chronic diseases and conditions, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Compiled and presented by culinary expert George Stella, "The Complete Low-Carb Cookbook" is a very nicely illustrated, 224 page compendium showcasing an impressive diversity of 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes for low-carb diets. The dishes range from Cinnamon Bun Minute Muffins; Scalloped Squash Casserole with Ham; Italian Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms; and Smothered Chicken Cordon Bleu; to Pepper Steak Stir Fry; Tilapia Veracruz; Pizza-Style Zucchini; and Baked Meringue Cookies. All recipes are 'no sugar added' and 'wheat-free'. "The Complete Low-Carb Cookbook" is enthusiastically recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. Also very highly commended for low-carb dietary menus from Quail Ridge Press is "George Stella's Still Livin' Low Carb: A Lifetime of Low Carb Recipes" (9781938879128, $24.95, 224pp).

The Performance Paleo Cookbook
Stephanie Gaudreau
Page Street Publishing
27 Congress Street, Suite 103, Salem, MA 01970
9781624141010, $21.99, www.amazon.com

A critically important component to athletic performance is the diet of that the athlete consumes. The human body requires the proper combination of nutrients (fats, proteins, vitamins, etc.) for peak performance demands and for recovery from injury or illness. Following a Paleo-based diet with smart modifications for training is the best way to maximize any workout so that the athlete can get stronger and raise their performance levels. Compiled with informative commentaries by Stephanie Gaudreau, "The Performance Paleo Cookbook: Recipes for Training Harder, Getting Stronger and Gaining the Competitive Edge" is a profusely illustrated, 224 page compendium showcasing recipes in full compliance with a Paleo-based diet. The dishes range from Sweet and Spicy Oven-Baked Jerky; Salmon Cakes with Capers and Dill; Honey Garlic Lemon Chicken Wings; Baked Yuca Fries; and Plantain Biscuits; to Summer Salad with Salt and Pepper Shrimp; Caramelized Brussel Sprouts with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts; Comforting Creamy Broccoli Soup; Baked Coconut Chocolate Apples; and Avocado Tomatillo Salsa. An exceptional culinary compendium, "The Performance Paleo Cookbook: Recipes for Training Harder, Getting Stronger and Gaining the Competitive Edge" is especially recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "The Performance Paleo Cookbook: Recipes for Training Harder, Getting Stronger and Gaining the Competitive Edge" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

30-Minute Paleo Meals
Melissa Petitto, R.D.
Race Point Publishing
www.racepointpub.com
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400
Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
9781937994549 $25.00 www.quartous.com

Talented cook and registered dietician Melissa Petitto presents 30-Minute Paleo Meals, a resource of over 100 gluten-free recipes that are easy to make, and compatible with the "Paleo" diet and lifestyle (which encourages the consumption of a wide range of nutritious foods similar to what ancient hunter-gatherer humans once ate). A wealth of full-color photographs illustrate delectible delights such as "Baby Spinach Salad with Roasted Tomatoes, Asparagus & Prosciutto", "Pan-Seared Lamb Chops with Pomegranate Glaze", "Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower", "Thai Chicken Skewers with Satay Sauce", "Orange-Almond Coconut Macaroons" and much more. Highly recommended for cookbook shelves everywhere; one doesn't need to be on the Paleo diet to appreciate these kitchen cook-friendly taste sensations!

Paleo Smoothies
Alan Roettinger
Healthy Living Publications
c/o Book Publishing Company
PO Box 99, Summertown, TN 38483
www.bookpubco.com
9781570673160, $5.95, www.amazon.com

A smoothie is a blended and sometimes sweetened beverage made from fresh fruit (fruit smoothie), vegetables and in special cases can contain chocolate or peanut butter. In addition to fruit, many smoothies include crushed ice, frozen fruit, honey or contain syrup and ice ingredients. They have a milkshake-like consistency that is thicker than slush drinks. They can also contain milk, yogurt or ice cream. Smoothies are often marketed to health-conscious people, and some restaurants offer add-ins such as soy milk, whey powder, green tea, herbal supplements, or nutritional supplement mixes. Compiled by Alan Roettinger "Paleo Smoothies" is a 48 page compendium comprised of quick and easy smoothie recipes that are in full compliance with the increasingly popular 'paleo' diet approach to nutrition and health. The recipes range from a Pineapple-Coconut Smoothie; to Chocolate, Almond, Fig, and Fennel Smoothie; to a Ginger-Pear Smoothie; to a Strawberry, Orange, and Kiwi Smoothie, to so many, many more. "Paleo Smoothies" is very highly recommended to health conscious, smoothie loving, personal cookbook collections. Also very highly recommended from Healthy Living Publications are is a companion smoothie recipe collection: Robert Oser's "Refreshing Fruit and Vegetable Smoothies" (9781570673153, $5.95, 48pp). Also to be commended is Steve Meyerowitz's "Improve Digestion with Food Combining" (9781570673184, $5.95, 48pp). It should be noted that all three of these Healthy Living Publications titles are available in a Kindle edition ($4.99 each).

One Dirty Bowl: Fast Desserts, Faster Cleanup
Christina Dymock
Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South, Springville, Utah 84663
www.cedarfort.com
9781462114016, $18.99, www.amazon.com

Compiled with commentary and instructions by culinary expert Christina Dymock, "One Dirty Bowl: Fast Desserts, Faster Cleanup" is a 136 page compendium comprised of recipes for desserts that can be made in the home kitchen with only a single bowl being used in their preparation. Nicely illustrated, the recipes range from Best-Ever Chocolate Fudge Lemon Brownies; Peanut Butter Love Bars; Honey Caramels; and Turtle Bites; to Moist Chocolate Cake; White Chocolate Almond Poppy Seed Cake; Cheesecake Sundaes; Peach Cobbler; and Blender Pumpkin Pie. Also available in a Kindle edition ($7.99), "One Dirty Bowl: Fast Desserts, Faster Cleanup" is a pleasure to browse through, ideal for menu planning ideas, and highly recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

The Bacon Lover's Cookbook
Christina Dymock
Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South, Springville, Utah 84663
www.cedarfort.com
9781462115198, $16.99, www.amazon.com

It's more than just a commercial slogan -- everything really does taste better with bacon! Compiled by Christina Dymock, "The Bacon Lover's Cookbook" is a beautifully illustrated, 112 page compendium showcasing palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, kitchen cook friendly dishes that are enhanced with the inclusion of bacon. These outstanding recipes range from Inside-Out Egg Muffins; Toasted Bacon and Salami Sandwich; Brown Sugar Barbecue Bacon Burgers; and Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza; to Bacon-Wrapped Tomatoes; Bacon Onion Artisan Bread; Bacon and Caramel-Dipped Apples; and Bacon Truffles. Enhanced with opening instructions on 'Methods for Cooking Bacon'; 'Tips for Cooking Bacon'; and 'Other Bacon Know-How', "The Bacon Lover's Cookbook" is ideal for the novice cook and has a wealth of culinary ideas for even the more experienced kitchen chef. Also available in a Kindle edition ($6.99), "The Bacon Lover's Cookbook" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections.


The Fishing Shelf

Flyfisher's Guide to Eastern Trophy Tailwaters
Tom Gilmore
Wilderness Adventures Press, Inc.
45 Buckskin Road, Belgrade, MT 59714
www.wildadvpress.com
9781940239057, $29.95, www.amazon.com

Tailwater refers to waters located immediately downstream from a hydraulic structure, such as a dam (excluding minimum release such as for fish water), bridge or culvert. Tailwater can refer to a type of fishery. Tailwater fisheries may be created at the outflow from large dams, where the size of the reservoir creates a steep temperature gradient, with colder water stored at the bottom of the reservoir near the outlet. The constant cold-water flow provided by the reservoir's outflow, coupled with the generally silt-free nature of the outflow, creates ideal water conditions for cold-water fish such as trout in environments that ordinarily might not support a robust trout population. Compiled with informative commentary by Tom Gilmore, "Flyfisher's Guide to Eastern Trophy Tailwaters" is a profusely illustrated, 300 page compendium showcasing forty truly great trout waters organized into three major sections: New England Tailwaters; Mid-Atlantic States; and Southeastern States. Informed and informative, "Flyfisher's Guide to Eastern Trophy Tailwaters" is strongly recommended as an invaluable addition to personal and community library Hunting/Fishing reference collections. It should be noted that "Flyfisher's Guide to Eastern Trophy Tailwaters" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).


The Needlecraft Shelf

Lovely Letters
Annie Stauffer
Annie's
P.O. Box 8000, Big Sandy, TX 75755
www.anniescatalog.com
9781573676540, $17.99, www.amazon.com

Personalization or monogramming has been used on embroideries for centuries. From linens and clothing to baby items and household goods, putting one's initial or initials on something imparts a unique classic style. Add a single letter for personalization or a traditional three-letter monogram to items like hand towels, photo albums, or pillows. Personalize shirts, scarves, bookmarks, or tote bags. "Lovely Letters" features nine alphabets that are perfect for adding a personal touch to nearly anything. The alphabets are divided into three categories: Clean & Classic, Elegant & Exquisite, and Fun & Funky, each of which features three alphabets with letters that can be easily combined to create names or words. The colors can be altered and the fabrics changed to create projects that are functional, beautiful, and one of a kind. The alphabets here range from simple, clean lines to fanciful letters made of flowers. There are classic bordered letters and whimsical letters made with bright colors. The finishing on every project is simple, with easy-to-follow instructions addressed step by step in the Finishing chapter. Such creations will be treasured for years to come. Practical, 'user friendly', and a lot of fun, "Lovely Letters: 9 Cross-Stitch Alphabets & Monograms" is enthusiastically recommended for personal, professional, and community library Needlecraft instructional reference collections.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Polishing the Mirror
Ram Dass with Rameshwar Das
ramdass.org
Sounds True
413 South Arthur Avenue
Louisville, CO 80027
9781622033805 $16.95 www.soundstrue.com

Polishing the Mirror: How to Live from Your Spiritual Heart is an spirituality guide for readers of all faiths. Chapters address the importance of living in the moment, the meaning of karma, aging gracefully, conscious living and conscious dying, meditation, the harsh reality of suffering, and much more. "In conventional Western medicine, people can now decide for themselves, in collaboration with their doctor, how much pain medication they need. It turns out that when people know that they have control over their pain, they need a lot less medication, because often pain is actually made worse by the fear of pain." Inspirational, accessible to people of all backgrounds, and filled with enduring wisdom, Polishing the Mirror is highly recommended.

Life / Faith
Emanuel Swedenborg, author
George F. Dole, translator
Swedenborg Publishers
320 North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380
www.swedenborg.com
9780877854135, $6.99, www.amazon.com

Emanuel Swedenborg (29 January 1688 - 29 March 1772) was a Swedish scientist, philosopher, theologian, revelator, and mystic. He is best known for his book on the afterlife, "Heaven and Hell" (1758). Swedenborg had a prolific career as an inventor and scientist. In 1741, at age 53, he entered into a spiritual phase in which he began to experience dreams and visions, beginning on Easter weekend of 6 April 1744. This culminated in a 'spiritual awakening', in which he received revelation that he was appointed by the Lord to write "The Heavenly Doctrine to Reform Christianity". According to "The Heavenly Doctrine" the Lord had opened Swedenborg's spiritual eyes, so that from then on he could freely visit heaven and hell and talk with angels, demons and other spirits; and the Last Judgment had already occurred, in 1757. However, he tells us that at this day it is very dangerous to talk with spirits, unless a person is in true faith, and is led by the Lord. For the remaining 28 years of his life, Swedenborg wrote eighteen published theological works, and several more which were unpublished. He termed himself a "Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ" in "True Christian Religion", a work he published himself. "Life / Faith" is the latest of Swedenborg's works to be translated into English and published by the Swedenborg Foundation and is comprised of two of his short articles focusing on the subjects of faith and of life separately while acknowledging that the two are closely related. Thoughtful, inspiring, and instructional, "Life / Faith" is very highly recommended to the attention of Swedenborg enthusiasts and would be an important addition to personal and academic library collections of Swedenborg's works.


The Business Shelf

Business Rules!
Michael Sansolo
Brigantine Media
211 North Avenue, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
www.brigantinemedia.com
9781938406409, $14.95, 118pp, www.amazon.com

To be successful anyone engaged in a business enterprise of any size must know the 'rules of the road' if they hope to engage in today's volatile and competitive world. Entrepreneurs, multinational corporate CEOs, and small business owners alike will substantially benefit from Michael Sansolo's "Business Rules!" Some of the 52 rules comprising this instructive guide will prove to be unexpected such as "Fail fast and fail cheap" (Rule 14) showing the power of failure. Other rules offer new insights: "Focus on your best customers" (Rule 4) shows how Lady Gaga builds loyalty. Read one rule a week - or all 52 at once! Business Rules! is your guide to success in business. Exceptionally well written, presented, and very highly recommended reading, "Business Rules!" is one of a series of four instruction guides. The other three are "Retail Rules!" (9781938406416, $14.95); "Customer Service Rules!" (9781938406393, $14.95); and "Supermarket Rules!" (9781938406430, $14.95). Highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library business reference collections, all four of these outstanding reads are also available in Kindle editions ($8.99 each).


The Travel Shelf

Lonely Planet: Mexico, 14th edition
Written and researched by John Noble, et. al.
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
9781742208060 $29.99 www.lonelyplanet.com

Now in an updated 14th edition, Lonely Planet: Mexico is a solid travel guide, jam-packed with maps, travel tips, places to visit (including explorations of Mexico's ancient ruins), fine dining, hotels, a brief summary of Mexico's history and much more. As always, Lonely Planet's quality guides reflect the tireless research that the staff have put into investigating each location. Practical advice for business or pleasure travelers remains a signature halmark of this exceptional guide series. "If you're traveling with a baby or toddler, consider investing in deluxe buses for the extra space and comfort. Car rental and, on some routes, flying, are alternatives to buses: if you want a car with a child safety seat, the major international rental firms are the most reliable providers." A "must-have" for anyone who wants to make the most of a Mexican visit!

1001 Restaurants You Must Experience Before You Die
Jenny Linford, general editor
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788
9780764166938 $35.00 www.barronseduc.com

Featuring lush, full-color photography on virtually ever page, 1001 Restaurants You Must Experience Before You Die lives up its title as a gourmet's ultimate travelogue, or a culinary armchair traveller's dream. Every page showcases a different world-class restaurant from around the globe, with special mention given to each restaurant's specialties and accolades. An index of restaurants by name rounds out this unforgettable, world-spanning tour of the very finest feasts!


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Strange Electromagnetic Dimensions
Louis Proud
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
220 West Parkway, Unit 12, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
c/o Warwick Associates (publicity)
18340 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, California 95476
www.warwickassociates.com
9781601633279 $16.99 www.newpagebooks.com

Researcher Louis Proud, whose articles have appeared in magazines such as "New Dawn" "Paranormal", "FATE", and "Nexus", presents Strange Electromagnetic Dimensions: The Science of the Unexplainable. The central focus is on the connection between electricity and the human mind, examining evidence and case studies which imply that electric and radio wave energies are giving people psychic powers. But the transformation is a double-edged sword; even as ESP, psychokinesis, and other psychic abilities develop, physical health deteriorates. An index rounds out this fascinating and welcome addition to paranormal and metaphysical studies shelves.


The Biography Shelf

Pioneering History on Two Continents
Bruce F. Pauley
Potomac Books, Inc.
c/o University of Nebraska Press
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166-2012
9781612346960 $37.95 www.potomacbooksinc.com

Award-winning historian (known for his work studying anti-Semitism, Nazism, and totalitarianism) Bruce F. Pauley tells of both family and personal history in Pioneering History on Two Continents: An Autobiography. A true-life saga that explores the lives of Volga Germans (settlers who responded to Catherine the Great's invitation to settle the Volga River, and were beset from tremendous hardships, including treatment as second-class citizens and military conscription in spite of the original proclamation's terms), the pioneer efforts of Pauley's family in Nebraska during the late nineteenth century, and revolutions in the study of history during the second half of the twentieth century, Pioneering History on Two Continents is as much an eye-opening portrayal of history's tides as it is about one family's determination to survive. Notes and an index round out this welcome addition to biography and history collections.

A War of Shadows
W. Stanley Moss
Paul Dry Books
1700 Sansom Street, Suite 700
Philadelphia, PA 19103-5214
9781589880979 $18.95 www.pauldrybooks.com

A War of Shadows is the second memoir of author W. Stanley Moss, a former British operative whose service included the successful kidnapping of a Nazi general. Focusing on Moss' time as a World War II agent in Crete, Macedonia, and the Siamese jungle, A War of Shadows tells of intrigue, ambushes, double-cross betrayals, and crucial covert missions. Exciting and suspenseful, A War of Shadows is difficult to put down until the final page. Also highly recommended is Moss' previous military memoir, "Ill Met by Moonlight".


The World History Shelf

Members Only
Julie Tibbott
Zest Books
35 Stillman Street, Suite 121
San Francisco, CA, 94107
9781936976522 $14.99 www.zestbooks.net

Members Only: Secret Societies, Sects, and Cults - Exposed! reveals this histories of over fifty secret societies, from the centuries-old Freemasons to the Skull and Bones Society to the notorious Illuminati and the murderous Thuggees (from whom we get the modern word "thug") and more. Discussing membership requirements, famous people who have belonged to these societies, and the each society's modern-day status, Members Only is a mesmerizing browse from cover to cover. Highly recommended!


The Criminology Shelf

Accused
Brittany Ducker
New Horizon Press
PO Box 669, Far Hills, NJ 07931
9780882824840 $24.95 www.newhorizonpressbooks.com

Accused: A Heartbreaking Death and the Quest for Justice is a true crime story about murder, deception, sociopathy, and the failure of Child Protective Services. In Louisville, Kentucky, fourteen-year-old Trey Zwicker was discovered dead. Trey's stepfather, Joshua Gouker, and fifteen-year-old stepbrother, Josh Young, were accused of the crime. But were both of them responsible, or was one the unwitting pawn of the other, or was only one of the two to blame in any capacity? Accused examines the allegations, and delves into the life story and character of Young and Gouker. Mounting evidence clearly portrays the Gouker as a charismatic, manipulative sociopath, but what of Young? Though focused on a specific true crime story, Accused is highly recommended as a clarion wake-up call of an over-stressed, underfunded Child Protective Services system, staffed by far too few people to adequately oversee the children at risk in foster care. It is a system that desperately needs to be improved, better funded, and supported by sufficient social workers to handle growing caseloads, or more tragedies like the murder of Trey Zwicker will inevitably recur.


The Philosophy Shelf

Homeland and Philosophy
Robert Arp
Open Court Publishing Company
70 East Lake Street, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60601
9780812698572 $19.95 www.opencourtbooks.com

Part of the "Popular Culture and Philosophy" series, Homeland and Philosophy: For Your Minds Only is an anthology of essays by a diversity of learned philosophers discussing implications and ideas drawn from the popular television show "Homeland", a suspense-filled drama about terrorism, national security, and the lengths to which good people can be pushed. Individual writings include "Double Agents and Multiple Identities", "Brainwashed Brody's Freedom", "Torture By Any Other Name", "Is Terrorism in the Eye of the Beholder?", and much more. While Homeland and Philosophy applies scholarly rigor to its inquiries, its writings are particularly accessible to readers who are familiar with the series and interested in reviewing its concepts in depth. Highly recommended.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Plague Land
S.D. Sykes
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10004
9781605986739 $25.95 www.pegasusbooks.us

Set in medieval England, Plague Land: A Novel is a historical murder mystery brimming with intrigue and secrets. Oswald de Lacy, the third son of a nobleman, has lived in a monastery since age seven. He was never meant to be the Lord of Somerhill Manor, but when he turned seventeen his father and older brothers perished from the plague. His domineering mother and haughty sister are estranged at best, hostile at worst. Inexperienced and uncertain, Oswald attempts to carry out his duties as best he can, but is shocked to learn of that a young local woman was murdered. Was it the work of demonic, dog-headed men, as the village priest claims? Dismissing the wild story as nonsense, Oswald searches for the real killer, in the process uncovering sordid family secrets that could bring ruin to his name and title. Then, the body of another girl is found, with more bloodshed yet to come. Intense and intricately layered, Plague Land is a "must-read" for connoisseurs of the genre.

Dying for the Past
TJ O'Connor
Midnight Ink
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125-2989
c/o Maryglenn McCombs
9780738742069 $14.99 www.midnightinkbooks.com

Dying for the Past is a murder mystery with a twist - former detective Oliver "Tuck" Tucker is himself a ghost! Working with his wife Angela and his former police-detective partners, he searches for "the book" - a journal left behind by deceased gangster Vincent Calabrese, packed cover to cover with names of spies and other dirty secrets. As Tuck tracks down a relentless killer, he also has to figure out how to navigate the living world, when he's no longer a direct part of it! An eyebrow-raising sense of humor permeates this intricate story, enthusiastically recommended for fans of the mystery and supernatural genres.


The Fiction Shelf

The Cane Creek Regulators
Johnny D. Boggs
Gale Cengage Learning
c/o Five Star Books
10 Water Street, Suite 310
Waterville, ME 04901
http://gale.cengage.com/fivestar
9781432828523 $25.95 www.amazon.com

Spur award-winning author Johnny D. Boggs presents The Cane Creek Regulators, a historical novel set in South Carolina before the Revolutionary War. Sixteen-year-old tomboy Emily Stewart loves life in the settlement of Ninety Six, where her father Breck Stewart runs a tavern. But the land is lawless, terrorized by murderers, thieves, and robbers. The governor refuses to send the militia or establish courts or jails in the district, and even pardons five murderers. Breck finally takes the law into his own hands, forming a vigilante group called the Cane Creek Regulators. But will the Regulator's rough justice earn them convictions for treason, or a trip to the gallows? Will the ruthlessness of the regulators eclipse the cruelty of the bandits? Vivid and gripping to the very end, The Cane Creek Regulators brings to vivid life a little-known incident in South Carolina history. Highly recommended.

Death by Roses
Vivian R. Probst
SelectBooks
87 Walker Street, Suite B1, New York City, NY 10013
c/o Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc. (publicity)
9781590791486 $16.95 www.selectbooks.com

Death by Roses is a quizzically romantic comedy about love (and meddlesome instincts) that transcends life and death. In a cozy Midwestern farm community, estranged husband Art McElroy Sr. attempts to bring his wife Mae Rose a dozen roses, only to find that she has died of natural causes (while on the toilet). As for Mae Rose, her busybody spirit is restless; upon learning that she could have had a blissful marriage instead of a rocky one, she redoubles her attempts to intrude in mortal affairs (even though she is no longer mortal). Her violations of heavenly custom get her sent back to Earth, in the body of the irascible writer and horror movie director "Scary Mary". Mary is fighting two battles, one to win an Oscar and the other against terminal cancer. Can two strong-willed women's souls cooperate in a single body? Twists, turns, and complex relationships form the core of this heartwarming saga, highly recommended.


The Gaming Shelf

Minecraft Blockopedia
Alex Wiltshire
Scholastic, Inc.
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012-3999
9780545820110 $49.99 www.scholastic.com

Minecraft is an enormously popular independent video game, well-known for its "sandbox" style open world where the player can potentially build almost any structure, from castles and mansions to futuristic spaceports to iconic representations of real-world monuments and much more. Players can also interact with one another and share their buildings online, and gameplay includes multiple modes, the most basic of which forces the player to manage their supplies and build shelter as protection from zombies that wander at night. Minecraft Blockopedia is an authorized game guide published through arrangement with Mojang, the company that developed Minecraft. A deluxe, hardcover, coffee-table volume with an inset ribbon bookmark, Minecraft Blockopedia is in the shape of a hexagon; an accompanying black box protects it from dust and allows it to be placed on a bookshelf when not in use. Minecraft Blockopedia focuses on the "blocks" the make up the video game world of Minecraft. Every possible material or crafted block in the game is given several pages describing its properties and functions, along with full-color screenshots and a wealth of tips, tricks, and techniques for using that block in one's Minecraft creations. Minecraft Blockopedia packs in over 300 pages of material, and is both a useful guide for taking one's block-building imagination to the next level, and a gorgeous armchair tour of the game itself. A superb giftbook for Minecraft enthusiasts, highly recommended!


The Agriculture Shelf

Pabst Farms
John C. Eastberg
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor
Madison, WI 53711-2059
9780982381021 $49.95 www.uwpress.wisc.edu

Illustrated with a wealth of vintage black-and-white and color photography from the Pabst family's private archives, Pabst Farms: The History of a Model Farm chronicles one of the most crucial model farms in America. Today the Pabst name is known around the world for its connections to the brewing industry, but Pabst also has a strong historical connection to the history of dairy farming in Wisconsin. As captivating as it is informative, Pabst Farms is virtual trip through time, enthusiastically recommended.


The Political Science Shelf

The Occupy Movement Explained
Nicholas Smaligo
Open Court Publishing Company
70 East Lake Street, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60601
9780812698558 $21.95 www.opencourtbooks.com

Activist and Occupy movement participant Nicholas Smaligo presents The Occupy Movement Explained: From Corporate Control to Democracy, a straightforward, passionate account of the mass-movement that arose in the wake of financial malfeasance so great that it prompted a severe, world-spanning recession. Outraged by government bailouts of the very institutions that caused the implosion, demonstrators occupied Zuccotti Park in Manhattan's Wall Street financial district, among other prominent locations. As the occupy movement allegedly had no leaders, its goals were clouded by persistent myths perpetrated by the movement's opposition. The Occupy Movement Explained describes not only the aims and goals of a grassroots effort to halt America's transformation into a nation of "one dollar one vote", but also what it was like to participate, as well the movement's greatest failings and its lessons for the future. Highly recommended.


The Money/Finance Shelf

Da Vinci's Baby Boomer Survival Guide
Barbara Rockefeller & Nick J. Tate
Humanix Books
2200 NW Corporate Blvd., Suite 404
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
9781630060008 $19.95 humanixbooks.com

Da Vinci's Baby Boomer Survival Guide: Live, Prosper, and Thrive In Your Retirement offers a wealth of financial advice for the American baby boomer generation. Chapters cover how to pick the right Medicare plan, prepare will/estate/trust documents, save money on housing, the best states and cities to retire in, tax tips, retirement jobs that pay well, the most important medical tests to undergo, and much more. Accessible and reader-friendly, Da Vinci's Baby Boomer Survival Guide deserves to be read cover to cover by every baby boomer, and is a welcome addition to public library collections.


James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
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
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


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