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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 4, Number 1 January 2009 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Philosophy Shelf Psychology Shelf
Library DVD Shelf Architecture Shelf Dance Shelf
Military Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Money/Finance Shelf
Poetry Shelf Cookbook Shelf Education Shelf
Travel Shelf Economics Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Jobs/Careers Shelf American History Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Needlecraft Shelf Native American Shelf Photography Shelf
Biography Shelf Environmental Studies Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf
International Studies Shelf Women's Studies Shelf Sports Shelf
Self-Help Shelf Theatre/Cinema Shelf Gardening Shelf
Criminology Shelf Science Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Pets/Wildlife Shelf Fiction Shelf World History Shelf
Literary Shelf Business Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice

This Water Goes North
Dennis Weidemann
Manitenahk Books
2633 Granite Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711
9780979685200, $21.95, www.thiswatergoesnorth.com

Few people have the gall to drop everything in the name of adventure. "This Water Goes North" is the story of a group of friends who dared to travel well over a thousand miles in nothing more than beat up boats and their wits. From Iowa to the Hudson bay, the story reads like an adventure novel, but is a true-life story, which makes it all the more intriguing, and may inspire readers to take a few risks themselves in the name of adventure. "The Water Goes North" is very much recommended, enthralling reading.

A Fair Chance in the Race of Life
Brian H. Greenwald and John Vickrey Van Cleve, editors
Gallaudet University Press
800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002-3695
9781563683954, $34.95 http://gupress.gallaudet.edu 1-800-621-2736

Edited by historians Brian H. Greenwald and John Vickrey Van Cleve, A Fair Chance in the Race of Life: The Role of Gallaudet University in Deaf History is an anthology of essays by learned authors scrutinizing the 150+ year history of Gallaudet University, a singularly prominent institution of deaf culture and learning. Individual essays include "The Women of Kendall Green: Coeducation at Gallaudet 1860-1910", "The Struggle to Educate Black Deaf Schoolchildren in Washington, D.C.", "A Fair Chance in the Race of Life: Thoughts on the 150th Anniversary of the Founding of the Columbia Institution", and many more. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this amazing look at Gallaudet's contributions to history, as well as the turbulence of cultural and equality issues that affected him as surely as the rest of the nation. Especially recommended reading for anyone intrigued by the history and evolution of deaf culture.


The Philosophy Shelf

A Beginner's Guide to Philosophy
Dominique Janicaud
Pegasus Books
45 Wall Street, Suite 1021, New York, NY 10005
9781605980010, $18.95 www.pegasusbooks.com 1-800-272-0945

French philosopher Dominique Janicaud presents A Beginner's Guide to Philosophy, which introduces readers to the basics of Western philosophy. From the stylings of pre-Socratic thinkers to the work of Plato and Aristotle, to an overview of more modern philosophers such as Descartes, Nietzsche, Kant, and Hegel, A Beginner's Guide to Philosophy touches upon the quandaries that have hounded thinkers throughout history: the existence of God, the meaning of life, human nature, and the question of what true freedom is. "If not all acts are free in the same way, should freedom itself depend on the degree of enlightenment it brings? Or is every man essentially free in so far as he is a man? If this is the case, we must not simply identify the capacity for being free with the enactment of freedom. We still don't know how freedom can be made concrete in the world." Accessible to readers of all backgrounds, A Beginner's Guide to Philosophy is a superb primary text perfect for self-directed study.

In Praise of the Common
Cesare Casarino & Antonio Negri
University of Minnesota Press
111 Third Avenue South, Suite 290, Minneapolis, MN 55401-2520
9780816647439, $24.95 www.upress.umn.edu

"In Praise of the Common" began as a conversation between Marxist political philosopher and intellectual Antonio Negri and literary critic Cesare Casarino. It evolved into the most complete review of Negri's work published. Included are five dialogue exchanges discussing how Negri's thoughts and philosophy grew and changed over the decades, as well as two essays by Casarino that examine Negri's most recent work and contrast it with the work of other prominent thinkers. "Today, there is nothing marginal about poverty - which is why the harder they try to ghettoize it, the more impossible they find it to do so. This is poverty in exodus: this is a poverty, for example, that escaped from the Third World and entered the First World, but was then reimpoverished and once again 'third-worldized' in the First World, etc. The point is that as the poor go through this series of movements, passages, and transformations, they always carry along with them - in their minds and bodies - not only the tools that will enable them to work wherever they go but also the capacity to resist." An excellent addition to philosophical studies shelves, that does not shy away from modern, hot-button global issues.


The Psychology Shelf

Conquering Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Victoria Lemle Beckner & John B. Arden
Fair Winds Press
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
100 Cummings Center, Suite 406-L, Beverly, MA 01915
9781592333097, $16.99, www.fairwindspress.com

Letting one's life be controlled by one traumatic event is no way to live. "Conquering Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: The Newest Techniques for Overcoming Symptoms, Regaining Hope, and Getting Your Life Back" is a guide for the afflicted in dealing with the anxieties related to such things so that they can get their life back on track. With much advice on improving one's mood, building supportive relationships, and getting over the event, "Conquering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" is an excellent pick for those who don't want to be defined by an event.

Jung Uncorked Book Three
Daryl Sharp
Inner City Books
Box 1271, Station Q, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4T 2P4
9781894574242, $25.00 www.innercitybooks.net 1-416-927-0355

The third volume in Zurich-trained analyst Daryl Sharp's ongoing series dedicated to analyzing the writings and legacy of legendary psychologist Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961), Jung Uncorked Book Three presents additional essays and analyses of Jung's Collected Works volumes 1 to 9i. Though these are the same volumes that book one of the series covered, Jung Uncorked Book Three offers additional insights from a conservative or "classical" Jungian's perspective. "The guiding principle is this: Be the one through whom you wish to influence others. Mere talk is hollow. There is no trick, however artful, by which this simple truth can be evaded in the long run. The fact of being convinced, and not the things we are convinced of - that is what has always, and at all times, worked a change in others." An excellent supplementary addition to reference shelves pertaining to the history and philosophical foundations of psychology in general, and Jung's works in particular, especially recommended (along with Jung Uncorked Book One and Book Two) as a companion to Jung's Collected Works.


The Library DVD Shelf

WALL-E Classroom Edition
Disney Educational Productions
114 Fifth Avenue, 14th floor, New York, NY 10011
$49.95 www.DisneyEducation.com 1-800-759-0190

WALL-E Classroom Edition is a special classroom edition of Disney/Pixar's latest computer-animated feature film, which includes public performance rights, a printable teacher's guide, and exclusive bonus features created to reinforce educational concepts. The movie itself stars the charming WALL-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class), a humble robot with a powerful message about the importance of being a responsible steward of the environment. Educational themes present in the DVD include a look at the effects of gravity on the human body, both in earth and space, and an amazing examination of modern day robots. A delightful presentation that shows rather than tells its story, WALL-E Classroom Edition rated G for General Audiences, and is suitable for science and nature students from kindergarten on up. 98 minutes, color.

Which Fork Do I Use?
Learning ZoneXPress
PO Box 1022, Owatonna, MN 55060
157175704X, $49.95 www.learningzoneexpress.com 1-888-455-7003

Which Fork Do I Use? is an educational DVD about formal etiquette, designed for viewers in sixth grade and up. An etiquette expert gives students basic advice about good manners suitable for use on a date, a job interview, or any special occasion. An excellent supplement for home economics classroom education, highly recommended for both school and public library collections. 22 minutes, closed captioned, teaching materials included.


The Architecture Shelf

From Control to Design
Tomoko Sakamoto, editor
Actar D
575 Prospect Street, Lakewood, NJ 08701
8496540790, $39.95

Good designs are from an understanding and mastery of many different disciplines. "From Control to Design: Parametric/Algorithmic Architecture" takes an examination of the Parametric and Algorithmic design styles along without architectural practices and explains them fully. A solid companion to any student of architecture's studies, "From Control to Design" is a strong choice.

The Infrastructural City
Kazys Varnelis, editor
Actar D
158 Lafayette Street, 5th floor, New York, NY 10013
9788496954250, $42.00 www.actar.com

The Infrastructural City: Networked Ecologies in Los Angeles is a collection of photography, essays, and maps that examines infrastructure as a means of mapping place in the city and affecting change through architecture. Using the problems of Los Angeles as a focal point, since Los Angeles is a city where the infrastructure can no longer support is plans and has necessarily appropriated architecture to serve its purpose, The Infrastructural City spells out key transformations in the city and alerts prospective architects to potential dilemmas. "Like the freeways before them, wireless networks hold out the promise to spatially liberate the citizen by connecting the city without undermining the autonomy of the individual citizen... However, this new infrastructure is no longer a part of a regional plan; rather it is carved out by private corporations competing for market share. These are commercial enterprises, which by their very nature are competitive yet redundant." A worthy compendium of invaluable theoretical and practical concepts, and a highly recommended contribution to college and professional architectural studies libraries.


The Dance Shelf

Ballet Beginnings for Children
Rosemary Boross
Princeton Book Company
614 Route 130 Highstown, NJ 08520
9780871272898, $24.95, www.dancehorizons.com

Ballet can prove to be a great way to get exercise and learn coordination at any age, especially as young children. "Ballet Beginnings for Children: Pre-School Movement Fundamentals for Ages 3 and 4" is a guide for both parents and ballet instructors who deal with children. Formed from a master with many years of experience, Rosemary Boross imparts her wisdom onto readers and lays forth many proven teaching strategy. Enhanced with two CDs with music geared toward the age group doing ballet dancing, "Ballet Beginnings for Children" is a solid manual, recommended for any instructor.

New Dance
Doris Humphrey
Princeton Book Company
614 Route 130, Hightstown, NJ 08520
9780871273079, $24.95 www.dancehorizons.com

New Dance: Writings on Modern Dance is an anthology of essays, lectures, and notes revealing the muse behind the choreography created by modern dance founder Doris Humphrey (1895-1958). Including notes made before and during the creation of forty-one of her dances, and even an interview in which Humphrey speaks her own mind, New Dance is an invaluable glimpse into her contributions to the evolution of an art form. "[Q:] 'What is your opinion of pantomime and dramatic action as sources for dance movement?' DH: 'I think both are wonderful as long as they are translated into movement, the danger being, of course, that the transition remains incomplete. Done by a master, I like pantomime.'" A worthy and highly recommended addition to modern dance history and reference shelves.


The Military Shelf

Attack Transport
Kenneth H. Goldman
University Press of Florida
University of Florida, 15 Northwest 15th Street, Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
9780813032740, $29.00 www.upf.com 1-800-226-3822

Attack Transport: USS Charles Carroll in World War II is the true story of the USS Charles Carroll, a ship that the US Navy took command of on August 13, 1942 through the Maritime Act. Originally built to carry passengers and cargo through Gulf of Mexico trade routes to South America, the USS Charles Carroll (a.k.a. "Lady Chuck") became an important part of the war effort, including offensive maneuvers such as the landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy. Written by the son of one of the USS Charles Carroll's junior officers (a man who saved many important historical documents, invasion maps, convoy position orders, enemy force assessments, and more primary resources useful for conducting research), Attack Transport is enhanced with a handful of black-and-white photographs and an enthusiastically recommended to World War II naval history shelves.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Astrology of Self-Discovery
Tracy Marks
Ibis Press
c/o Red Wheel, Weiser, & Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
9780892541362, $18.95, www.redwheelweiser.com

The stars have been guiding humankind throughout its history. "The Astrology of Self-Discovery: An In-Depth Exploration of the Potentials Revealed in Your Birth Chart" is a new and revised edition of the famed volume on astrology. Explaining the beliefs laid out within them and how they can be used to explore one's inner nature and possibly plot out one's future in order to better prepare them, it's a solid primer on the subject that starting readers will find hard to beat. "The Astrology of Self-Discovery" is the ideal manual on astrology.

Darwin's Mistake
Dr. Hans J. Zillmer
Frontier Publishing
c/o Adventures Unlimited Press
PO Box 74, Kempton, IL 60946
193188207X, $19.95 www.adventuresunlimitedpress.com 1-815-253-6390

Darwin's Mistake postulates radical hypotheses - that Darwin's theory of evolution was ultimately false; dinosaurs and humans once co-existed; and the Earth's crust is relatively young. A handful of black-and-white illustrations enhance this shocking account, which draws upon the author's own participation in multiple excavations and assorted recent findings that appear to support claims that flatly contradict the latest modern scientific theory. "There is evidence that at one time in the past, there was one unified language in the world. My theory could solve this mystery: One original people created by gods would also have shared one language. After all living spaces were colonized, the languages went on to develop independently from each other... The Bible's depiction of the building of the Tower of Babel, an illustration of experienced language confusion, fits into this concept." Darwin's Mistake is ultimately not just about propounding theories, but also about learning to think critically of the established scientific community's claims - for example, "microevolution" is acknowledged to possibly exist, but "macroevolution", or gigantic changes such as the development of the ability of flight or the ability to breathe air instead of water, remain largely unexplained. A surprisingly thoughtful read, recommended for anyone interested in taking a closer, skeptical look at common (and esoteric) beliefs about natural history.


The Money/Finance Shelf

The Personal Bankruptcy Toolkit
Daniel Sitarz, attorney-at-law
Nova Publishing Company
1103 West College St., Carbondale, IL 62901
National Book Network (distributor)
4501 Forbes Blvd. Ste. 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781892949424, $29.95 www.novapublishing.com

The Personal Bankruptcy Toolkit is a straightforward, easy-to-use guide to filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which enables a person cancel debts and keep a significant portion of their property, without retaining an expensive lawyer. Chapter 7 is also known as "liquidation bankruptcy"; it involves declaring all of one's assets to the court and allowing a bankruptcy trustee to take possession of one's non-exempt property and use it to pay off one's creditors as much as possible. (Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, which allows people with regular income to pay off their secured debts over a timeframe, is an option for those with a steady income who want to be sure of keeping their house or other property tied to a secured debt). The Personal Bankruptcy Toolkit notes that if Bankruptcy Court determines that a debtor's income level is sufficient to pay off their debts, then the debtor may be involuntarily forced to file for Chapter 13 instead of Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The Personal Bankruptcy Toolkit is specifically geared to Chapter 7, and is packed cover to cover with official federal bankruptcy forms, approved credit counseling agencies (beware common scams!), approved debtor education agencies, warnings of common pitfalls, definitions of important terms, and much more. An accompanying Windows and Mac compatible CD-ROM with PDF files of the forms rounds out this user-friendly, easy-to-follow guide. An absolute "must-have" for anyone considering or filing for Chapter 7 protection.


The Poetry Shelf

Twenty One Sonnets
Gabriel Fitzmaurice, author
Brenda Fitzmaurice, illustrator
Salmon Poetry
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9781903392683, $23.95 www.dufoureditions.com 1-800-869-5677

Irish teacher, author, and poet Gabriel Fitzmaurice presents Twenty One Sonnets, an anthology of rhyming poetry in the classical format. Black-and-white illustrations by Brenda Fitzmaurice enhance this thoughtful, fluid anthology. "Dad": A man before his time, he cooked and sewed, / Took care of me - and Mammy in her bed, / Stayed in by night and never hit the road. / I remember well the morning she was dead / (I'd been living up in Arklow - my first job, / I hit the road in patches coming home), / He came down from her room, began to sob / "Oh Gabriel, Gabriel, Mam is gone". / He held me and I told him not to cry / (I loved her too, but thought this not the place - / I went up to her room, cried softly "Why?" / Then touched her head quite stiffly, no embrace). / Now when the New Man poses with his kid, / I think of all the things my father did.

The New North
Chris Agee, editor
Wake Forest University Press
PO Box 7333, Winston-Salem, NC 27109
9781930630352, $19.95, www.wfu.edu/wfupress

Blending the contemporary and the classic, "The New North: Contemporary Poetry from Northern Ireland" attempts to paint a vivid picture through verse of Northern Ireland, its politics, its people, and of course, its poetry. Succeeding in its mission with excellent work, "The New North" is a must for anyone who wants to better understand the country. "Skeffingtons" by Damian Smyth: "Or Skivvitons, as our own talking had it,/the ospidal, antiticks, turmits, loo-warm tea,/step-leathers, grewhouns and the vit,/a universe took shape with every estimate.//These words were like jerkins worn inside out:/still working for their keep and doing well, with scars and stitches, nips and tucks,/swapping the big world's pattern for their own.

Mixturao
Tato Laviera
Arte Publico
University of Houston, 452 Cullen Performance Hall, Houston, TX 77204-2004
9781558855243, $12.95, www.artpublicopress.com

America has no official language, and has never had one. "Mixturao: And Other Poems" is Tato Laviera's fifth collection of poetry. This volume is dedicated to celebrating the diverse and complex compilation that is America and its own unique language, which although still primarily English, embraces Spanish and other languages as times go by. "Mixturao" entertains as well as invokes thought in readers, recommended.

Miscreants
James Hoch
W.W. Norton
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393333107, $14.95, www.wwnorton.com

With much acclaim and wide publication, James Hoch brings readers his second anthology of poetry with "Miscreants". Focusing on the concept of the outsider and his many faces, he also embraces the classics fondly. "Miscreants" is a unique look into the common villain of society, whose rarely truly as such. "Crop Circle": As if checking his own/sobriety, my father, stepping//heel-toe, measured out/a tetherball court in the center//of the yard, then, leaning/on a ladder, hammered//a metal pole in the ground/with the blunt side of an axe.

Acting Lessons
John Lehman
Parallel Press
372 Memorial Library, 728 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
9781934795040, $10.00 http://parallelpress.library.wisc.edu 1-800-636-0071

Acting Lessons is a flat-spined poetry chapbook by magazine publisher and "Wisconsin People & Ideas" poetry editor John Lehman. Written in a unique style that resembles stream-of-consciousness prose more than lyrical poetry, Acting Lessons analyzes the nuances of everyday life with a discerning eye. A thoughtful work, sure to induce the reader to ponder its musings at length. "'Two Years Later: I'm playing a trombone in my college / marching band. It's after the half-time / show and I'm trying to reach my brother / on a cell phone. I frantically search / for his number. It isn't listed under my / contacts nor in an address book (which / I also happen to have). I'm supposed / to meet him somewhere, but I'm here / instead. The crowd is on its feet cheering. / Then I wake up and remember he is dead."


The Cookbook Shelf

Fresh from the Garden Cookbook
Ann Lovejoy, author
Robin Bachtler Cushman, photographs
Sasquatch Books
119 South Main Street, Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98104-2555
157061427X, $22.95 www.sasquatchbooks.com 1-800-775-0817

Featuring eye-catching color photography, Fresh from the Garden Cookbook is a compendium of recipes by organic gardener Ann Lovejoy, filled with more than 100 ideas for using up bountiful harvests from one's garden (or from local farmer's markets)! Recipes are classified by the season of the ingredients used, and include delicacies ranging from Savory Acorn Squash in winter to Shrimp and Pea Stir-Fry in spring, Fresh Tomato Pie in summer, and Ginger Pork with Pears in the fall. Step-by-step instructions make Fresh from the Garden Cookbook easy to use, and enthusiastically recommended for anyone interested in making the most out of what they grow.

Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-to-Be
Natalie Bovis-Nelsen
The Globe Pequot Press
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9781599214542, $16.95 www.globepequot.com 1-800-243-0495

Illustrated with color photography sure to whet one's thirst, Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-to-Be is a most remarkable guide to mixing delicious non-alcoholic drinks, perfect not only for pregnant (or soon-to-be pregnant!) women, but also for anyone who prefers their cocktails without intoxicants. Preggatinis are not the same as syrupy, so-called "mocktails"; they are composed of freshly squeezed juices, fresh fruit or vegetables, herbs, and homemade syrups, and thus usually feature nutrition as well as great taste! Best of all, there are "de-virginize" options for these drinks, perfect for dads, nonpregnant friends, and anyone else interested in enjoying a preggatini with an extra kick. From "Berry Cherry Blossom" to "Hot Buttered Mum's Rum" and "Pomegranate Cooler", these drinks are sure to delight the palate of all tasters. Highly recommended, especially as a baby shower gift.


The Education Shelf

Instruction and Assessment for Struggling Writers
Gary A. Troia, editor
The Guilford Press
72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012
9781593859923, $48.00 www.guilford.com 1-800-365-7006

Instruction and Assessment for Struggling Writers: Evidence-Based Practices is an anthology of essays by learned authors about the challenges of helping students in grades K-12 who have difficulties with writing. Essays include "Self-Efficacy and Procrastination in the Writing of Students with Learning Disabilities", "Connecting Reading and Writing Instruction for Struggling Learners", "Teaching Composition to Students with Learning Disabilities: Scientifically Supported Recommendations", and more. An index rounds out this scholarly resource of strategies, research, and practical experience in helping students who find writing skills a challenge to learn.

Unlock the Mystery to Math
RJ Toftness
RJ Publishing
554 N. Mariposa Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90004
9780982146903, $18.95

Unlock the Mystery to Math: Discover Why You Failed in Math is an educational self-help books for students age eight to eighty who are struggling with mathematics. During the author's years of tutoring children, teenagers, and adults, he encountered a recurring problem with lack of familiarity with the basics of math. The basics haven even been systematically removed from textbooks since the mid-1960s - but mathematics requires knowledge of the basics as a foundation to more advanced study. Unlock the Mystery to Math walks the readers through a solid understanding of the basics, with tips and tricks to get a better handle on this often challenging subject. Chapters cover arithmetic (including fractions and decimals) and the fundamentals of algebra, geometry, calculus and more. With special attention paid to helping readers learn precisely where they failed in math and how to remedy their grades, Unlock the Mystery to Math is a solid primer presented in an informal, easy-to-understand writing style. Simple black-and-white illustrations and diagrams pepper this superb primer enthusiastically recommended for public school libraries and as an aid to tutors, as well as private use among individuals seeking to improve their performance in math.

Everywhere All the Time
Matt Hern
AK Press
674-A 23rd Street, Oakland, CA 94612-1163
9781904859833, $17.95, www.akpress.org

Public education can be a wonderful thing, if it's done right . . . "Everywhere All the Time: A New Deschooling Reader" sets out to offer readers and parents alternatives to the traditional public education system and its problems. Scholarly dissecting modern education and what it does wrong, it does not leave any established alternative, such as private or home-schooling, completely untouched in its criticism. "Everywhere All the Time" is well worth reading for anyone who questions the value of modern education.

Academic Cultures
Sean P. Murphy
Modern Language Association
26 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10004-1789
9781603290012, $37.50, www.mla.org

Teaching is not a one-size fits all thing. Many educators do their job in many different ways. "Academic Cultures: Professional Preparation and the Teaching Life" takes a widespread look at education and the very different applications of it at vastly different levels. With stories ranging from the opinions of a PhD teaching a public high school class, teaching in rural areas, finding one's voice when one is not quite senior enough to be immediately respected, and much more, it's a wide sampling of many voices of Academia. Enhanced with a bibliography and index, "Academic Cultures" is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the mind of an educator.


The Travel Shelf

Camino Footsteps
Kim and Malcolm Wells
Fremantle Press
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213
9781921361258, $35.00 www.isbs.com 1-800-944-6190

Illustrated with stunning color photography on almost every page, Camino Footsteps: Reflections on a Journey to Santiago de Compostela is an eye-catching travelogue of one couple's journey along the ancient path from St. Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, also known as the Way of St. James, which has been traversed by tens of thousands of pilgrims since medieval times. Camino Footsteps reflects upon the rich history of the architecture and the wonderfully beautiful landscapes along the way, as well as the spiritual aspects of this ancient and revered pilgrimage. A "must-have" for armchair travelers, Camino Footsteps is surely the next best thing to making the voyage in person.

Alyson Books
245 West 17th Street, Suite 1200, New York, NY 10011
www.alyson.com

"The Out Traveler" magazine presents a new travel guide series, created to be "the standard in gay travel" - compact, paperback guides written specifically with the interests of the LGBT community in mind. "The Out Traveler: Hawaii" (9781593500733, $15.95) addresses such questions as "Do gay guys surf?", warns against common faux pas such as constantly referring to gay people as "mahu" (the word is commonly used to refer to local men in drag, who may not be gay), and includes a fascinating history of how same-sex relationships have been an integral part of native Hawaiian culture for centuries. "The Out Traveler: New York City" (9781593500665, $15.95) gives a brief summary of the history of gay culture NYC as well as lists of well-known annual LGBT events and much more. Both guides are packed with information on nightlife, institutions with gay-friendly ratings, gay (and non-gay) activities, helpful websites, comprehensive maps, and just about everything that anyone who is LGBT could find useful. A "must-have" series for any LGBT traveler, whether on business or pleasure - though heterosexual travelers are sure to find them fascinating and informative as well.


The Economics Shelf

Knowledge, Organizational Evolution, and Market Creation
Gita Sud de Surie
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court, Northampton, MA 01060-3815
9781847204561, $115.00 www.e-elgar.com 1-800-390-3149

Gita Sud de Surie (Assistant Professor in the School of Business, Adelphi University) presents Knowledge, Organizational Evolution, and Market Creation: The Globalization of Indian Firms from Steel to Software, a scholarly examination of the remarkable emergency of Indian multinational businesses. Comparing firms in the "old economy" (steel-making, manufacturing, automotive components, and heavy machinery) to institutions of the "new economy" (software, biotechnology, etc.), Knowledge, Organization, and Market Creation in an astute study that especially focuses upon the invaluable qualities of entrepreneurship and distributed innovation. "Indian firms also adopted a pragmatic approach and used real options heuristics to expand the scale of their operations in incremental steps by creating knowledge components that could be exchanged for complementary resources and capabilities. As Indian biotechnology and software firms gained international recognition, entrepreneurship acquired legitimacy, thus helping to create an environment that nurtures and stimulates entrepreneurial capabilities. Exhaustively researched, and featuring appendices packed with additional tables and statistics of hard data, Knowledge, Organizational Evolution, and Market Creation is especially recommended for college library business and economic studies shelves.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

Bleach Official Character Book Souls
Tite Kubo
Viz Communications Inc.
295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
9781421520537, $14.99 www.viz.com 1-800-394-3042

Printed right-to-left (in order to keep the integrity of its "unflipped art") and in black-and-white (with a handful of color pages and a bonus set of color stickers and mini-poster), Bleach Official Character Book Souls is not a graphic novel per se, but rather a companion volume to the action-packed, wildly popular "Bleach" manga and anime series about "Soul Reapers", guardians who escort human souls to their destination, battle evil spirits, and maintain balance in the spirit realm. Packed with exhaustive information on the characters, storyline summaries of "Bleach" volumes 1-21, a bonus manga story, the original "Bleach" one shot, and an interview with Tite Kubo, Bleach Official Character Book Souls is a "must-have" for any serious collector of the series and the perfect catch-up guide for anyone just getting into the latest "Bleach" manga or anime episodes.

The Soddyssey
Batton Lash
Exhibit A Press
4657 Cajon Way, San Diego, CA 92115
9780981551906, $17.95, www.exhibitapress.com

Swamp Monsters have legal troubles too. "The Soddyssey: And Other Tales of Supernatural Law" delves into the one thing effective against all supernatural creatures, at least in these regards, lawyers. Laugh out loud funny, it's a reprint of several issues of the comic book series 'Wolff & Byrd', a legal team specializing in the supernatural. A new spin on both horror, fantasy, and the courtroom drama, "The Soddyssey" is an enthusiastically recommended pick for humor and graphic novel fans.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

We Hug in the Hallways Here
Roger Wenschlag
Beaver's Pond Press
7104 Ohms Lane, Suite 101, Edina, MN 55439
9781592982622, $19.95 www.BeaversPondPress.com 1-952-829-8818

We Hug in the Hallways Here is a guide to finding the right company culture to suit one's needs - or learning how to adjust to the organizational culture one is currently in. We Hug in the Hallways Here breaks down work-related styles and personalities into four basic types: the "high D" which emphasizes rising to meet new challenges, the "high I" which does best when cooperating with people who are enthusiastic and interactive, the "high S" who prioritize calm and effective cooperation, and the "high C" who puts extra importance on weighing pros and cons to make the right decision before acting. Above all, We Hug in the Hallways Here recommends learning to be adaptable, since no work environment is likely to purely require only one of the four types. A valuable guide and resource for anyone in or about to enter today's complex and challenging career world.


The American History Shelf

Whitewater: The People, Their Stories, & The History
Carol M. Anderson
Western Reflections Publishing Company
PO Box 1149, Lake City, CO 81235
9781932738698, $45.00 www.westernreflectionspub.com 970-994-0110

Whitewater: The People, Their Stories, & The History is a historical chronicle and tribute of the Whitewater community in Mesa County, Colorado, first settled in 1882. Covering the early 1880's through the 1950s, Whitewater combines historical data, vintage black-and-white photographs, memorable stories of community residents, and more into a picturesque glimpse into everyday Whitewater life, with particular interest paid to the stories of prominent local families. At its heart an anthology of primary sources and firsthand testimonies supporting the overall historical narrative, Whitewater: The People, Their Stories, & The History is a welcome addition to American West history shelves.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

What Helped Me Get Through
Julie K. Silver, editor
American Cancer Society
250 Williams Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303-1002
Media Buzz (publicity)
62 Atherton Road, Brookline, MA 02446
1604430044, $17.95, www.cancer.org

Cancer is nothing one can get through without learning a valuable life lesson. "What Helped Get Me Through: Cancer Survivors Share Wisdom and Hope" is a collection of wit and wisdom from those who have defeated one of life's greatest challenges in cancer. With advice ranging from the most devastating diagnosis, to the long, grueling fight one must face, to final recovery and much more, "What Helped Get Me Through" is an absolute must for anyone facing this monster or have relatives who have to fight the fight.

The Food-Mood Connection
Gary Null
Seven Stories Press
140 Watts Street, New York, NY 10013
9781583227886, $24.95, www.sevenstories.com

You are what you eat applies to more than physical fitness. "The Food-Mood Connection: Nutritional and Environmental Approaches to Mental Health and Physical Wellbeing" is a book discussing the possibility that many mental disorders are strongly affected by what the afflicted eat in their day to day lives. Explaining that the nutrition and chemicals brought into the body cause many different reactions and changes throughout, it's a theory based in science and applicable to one's everyday life. "The Food-Mood Connection" is something to consider when trying to increase one's overall mental and physical health.

Natural Flexibility
Charles Kenny, MD
Hatherleigh Press
5-22 46th Avenue, Suite 200, Long Island City, NY 11101
9781578262847, $16.95 www.hatherleighpress.com 1-800-528-2550

Dr. Charles Kenny presents Natural Flexibility: The New Risk-Free Alternative to Stretching, a guide to exercises designed to increase flexibility in a safer manner than traditional stretching, which carries risk of injury. Also included are exercises for rehabilitation from injury, neck and back pain, enhancing specific sports and fitness activities, and a special section designed expressly for trainers, coaches, physical therapists, physicians, and health professionals. Black-and-white photographs illustrate the steps of each exercise or routine, all of which can be done in the privacy of one's home with no special equipment. A "must-have" addition to the shelf of anyone enjoying the benefits of an active lifestyle.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Carry Alongs
Carrie A. Sullivan
Krause Publications
700 East State Street, Iola, WI 54990-0001
9780896896567, $19.99 www.fwpublications.com 1-800-726-9966

Carry Alongs: 15 Crochet Handbags & Purses for Every Occasion is a step-by-step guide to crafting contemporary carryalls, drawstring designs, shoulder bags, and evening purses. Featuring projects ranging in required skill from beginner to advanced, as well as schematics and measurements for each handbag, Carry Alongs is a solid guide for crafting professional-quality projects. Full color illustrations and diagrams throughout make Carry Alongs easy to use. Highly recommended for any needlecrafter interested in creating beautiful and practical gifts.


The Native American Shelf

Finding Chief Kamiakin
Richard D. Scheuerman and Michael O. Finley, authors
John Clement, photography
WSU Press
PO Box 645910, Pullman, WA 99164-5910
9780874222975, $34.95 www.wsupress.wsu.edu 1-800-354-7360

Finding Chief Kamiakin: The Life and Legacy of a Northwest Patriot is the true-life story of Chief Kamiakin (1800-1877), a Native American leader of the Yakama, Palouse, and Klickitat tribes of the Columbia Plateau. He would experience the cataclysmic influx of waves of white settlers, forever changing the way his people lived; he may be best known for reluctantly signing the Yakima Treaty of 1855. Yet he retained the will to oppose threats to his people's freedom and traditional ways. Black-and-white and a handful of beautiful color photographs illustrate this gorgeous and in-depth biographical account, sure to intrigue scholars and lay readers alike. A welcome addition to Native American biography and history shelves.


The Photography Shelf

Twilight Visions in Egypt's Nile Delta
Ann Parker, photography
Muhammad Afifi Matar, text
Ferial J. Ghazoul, translator
The American University in Cairo Press
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
9789774161865, $39.95 www.aucpress.com 1-800-758-3756

Award-winning American photographer Ann Parker presents Twilight Visions in Egypt's Nile Delta, a stunningly beautiful compendium of silhouette images of people, vehicles, and animals following their daily routine along a road passing through a typical village in the modern-day Egyptian Nile Delta. A glimpse of tradition amid one of the oldest farming areas of the world, the images range from a tractor plodding along to a woman escorting her daughter and carrying a basket on her head, to a young goat suckling at its mother's teat. The images of Twilight Visions in Egypt's Nile Delta have no captions, but accompanying autobiographical essays by poet Muhammad Afifi Matar, who was born and grew up in a similar Delta village, add depth and insight into these beautiful images. A wondrous and standout addition to photography shelves, highly recommended.


The Biography Shelf

Smart Blonde
Stephen Miller
Omnibus Press
c/o Music Sales Corporation
257 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010
9781846097607, $19.95, www.omnibuspress.com

Blonde has rarely ever equaled smarts. "Smart Blonde" is a brand-new biography of the legendary singer and business woman. The Nashville belle made her fortune and fame all by herself, despite looking like her IQ was about the same as her shoe size. A remarkable story of a woman who has it all, brains, beauty, and fortune, and how she made it to the point solely by her own merits and no place else. Touching on the singer's personal life, relationships, "Smart Blonde" is a dissection of what drives Mrs. Parton through her life.

From a Gnat to an Eagle
Nathan Rutstein
Baha'i Publishing
415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091
9781931847469, $18.00, www.books.bahai.us

Not many would throw down the bat in order to fight for equality. "From a Gnat to an Eagle: The Story of Nathan Rutstein" tells of someone who just that. Pegged to be a potential Major League Baseball player, Nathan Rutstein had little previous exposure to academia before he entered college on a baseball scholarship. Choosing eventually instead to become a lawyer and campaign for civil rights, rooting his beliefs in the Baha'i faith. "From a Gnat to an Eagle" is solidly recommended reading, saying you never know what you may end up doing.

You Are Not Forgotten
Evelyn Grubb & Carol Jose
Vandamere Press
PO Box 149, St. Petersburg, FL 33731
9780918339713, $27.95, www.vandamere.com

As lost soldier's numbers grow higher and higher, it grows ever easier to forget about the people and only think of them as statistics. "You Are Not Forgotten: A Family's Quest for Truth and the Founding of the National League of Families" chronicles the story of one war widow who spent more than eight years unsure of the status of her dear husband. The event led her to found the National League of Families, a group for the families of soldiers. With a foreword from famed diplomat Henry Kissinger, "You Are Not Forgotten" is well worth reading.

The Elfish Gene
Mark Barrowcliffe
Soho Press
853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
9781569475225, $25.00, www.sohopress.com

Geeks, nerds, dweebs . . . today they rule the world, but what truly lies in the past for these kids who girls didn't want to be anywhere near? "The Elfish Gene: Dungeons, Dragons, and Growing Up Strange" is the memoir of someone who was in no way the cool kid, someone who instead of doing normal things like defacing public property or having teen pregnancy scares, spent his hours believing he was an elf who went around stabbing dwarves in the face. Detailing the life of a D&D nerd, it's a picture to be looked at from the other side, revealing that only minor differences separate one type of nerd from another. "The Elfish Gene" is riveting reading, an excellent pick for memoir collections.

Game Widow
Wendy Kays
Synergy Books
PO Box 80107, Austin, TX 78758
Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists
2100 Kramer Lane, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78758 (publicity)
9781934454268, $14.95, www.synergybooks.net

Video games can be much fun, but too much of anything is a bad thing. "Game Widow" draws on the stories of spouses whose relationships have taken quite the beating due to the others excessive gaming habits. With much advice for neglected spouses who are dealing with either relationships broken beyond repair or having hope for recovery, "Game Widow" is support that many women need when it feels like they've been thrown aside for a video game.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Stop Global Warming
Laurie David
Fulcrum Publishing
4690 Table Mountain Drive, Suite 100, Golden, CO 80403
9781555916992, $12.95, www.fulcrumbooks.com

Global Warming has far worse implications than simply one or two degrees warmer throughout the year. Now in a newly updated and expanded edition, "Stop Global Warming: The Solution is You!" is a call for everyday people to become bigger and more contributing activists in everyday life. Inspiring grassroots action and what everyone can do to push environmentalism to the bigger issue it is supposed to be, Laurie David lays out why in simple and profound prose. "Stop Global Warming" is a must for anyone who wants to be a part of the solution.

The Holy Earth
L.H. Bailey
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25 Manly Miles Building, East Lansing, MI 48823-5202
9780870138324, $14.95, www.msupress.msu.edu

Environmentalism is not a thing exclusive to the second half of the twentieth and twenty-first century. Even at the turn of the century, people sensed something wrong. "The Holy Earth" takes a look at one of the loudest yet relatively unknown voices of early environmentalism in Liberty Hyde Bailey. Touching on his early writings and words, it's intriguing to see one of the first environmentalist minds in action. "The Holy Earth" is much recommended to any environmentalist who appreciates his cause's history.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Illegally Dead
Joan Donaldson-Yarmey
Sumach Press
1415 Bathurst Street #202, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5R 3H8
9781894549745, $16.95, www.sumachpress.com

You would think dead bodies would be something easy to avoid. "Illegally Dead" follows travel writer Elizabeth Oliver who is hot on the trails of a new article when she by happenstance finds a skeleton in a septic tank. Bad habits die hard as she soon finds herself once more doing more research on the subject than she ought to be doing. "Illegally Dead" follows her amateur detective-esque ways as she cracks the case in this riveting mystery.


The International Studies Shelf

Iran's Long Reach
Suzanne Maloney
United States Institute of Peace Press
1200 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
9781601270337, $14.95, www.usip.org

As scary as it is, much of the Muslim world looks to Iran for leadership much as much of the Western world looks to the United States. "Iran's Long Reach: Iran as a Pivotal State in the Muslim World" is an honest and frank examination of Iran's political system and its high influence on the world of Islam. More importantly, it studies what it means for today's America and how Iraq's foreign policy is quickly making it a major power regardless of its intents on the world stage. "Iran's Long Reach" is a must for anyone who wants to fully understand Iran.


The Women's Studies Shelf

Your Truest Self
Janice Lynne Lundy
Sorin Books
c/o Ave Maria Press
PO Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0428
9781933495125, $18.95, www.sorinbooks.com

What are you, really? "Your Truest Self: Embracing the Woman You Are Meant to Be" is a guide for women to finding their true purpose in life to empower themselves for dealing with everything that's thrown at them. Offering advice and spiritual guidance from personal experience and wisdom from many mentors she's had, she passes on the sage knowledge to the reader in fine fashion. "Your Truest Self" is very much recommended reading for any woman who wants to embrace their spirituality more fully.


The Sports Shelf

Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook
Nancy Clark
Human Kinetics
1607 North Market Street, PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
9780736074155, $19.95, www.humankenetics.com

High activity lives call for high activity diets. Now in a newly expanded and updated fourth edition, "Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook: The #1 Nutrition Resource for Active People" is a health guide for those, who at first glance, wouldn't seem to need it. Highly active people need more energy to get through their days, or face malnutrition, exhaustion, and high stress just like anybody else when they don't eat enough for their activities. With much advice on doing the right amount and not eating to excess, "Nancy Clark's Sports Nutritional Guidebook" is a definite consideration for those who do more than sit on the couch all day.

The Graphical Player 2009
John Burnson & writers from "Heater" magazine
ACTA Publications
5559 West Howard Street, Skokie, IL 60077
9780879463724, $21.95 www.actapublications.com 1-800-397-2282

The Graphical Player 2009 is a stunning compendium of statistical information about nine hundred major and minor league baseball players - in the form of black-and-white graphs! Each page is crammed full of black-and-white visual statistics about four players, punctuated with a very brief text summary of the player's performance. Compiled by John Burnson and his crew from the weekly baseball magazine "Heater", Graphical Player displays three years of daily trends, highlighted with Graphical Organizations that give an overview of where each team stands and where it's going. A treasury for the hardest of hardcore baseball plans, especially anyone who enjoys fantasy baseball leagues as a hobby.


The Self-Help Shelf

Positive Directions
John Ryder
Morgan James
1225 Franklin Avenue, Suite 325, Garden City, NY 11530-1693
9781600373657, $27.95, www.morganjamespublishing.com

Stress is all in your head, so your head should be able to manage it, right? "Positive Directions: Shifting Polarities to Escape Stress and Increase Happiness" is a guide to positive thinking to help people increase their contentment in life simply by thinking much more positively and for the future. Saying that continued pessimism spreads to more aspects of life, and that many studies show that optimists live longer, "Positive Directions" is the positive vibe that many need to succeed in everyday life.

Fly Away Fear
Elaine Iljon Foreman & Lucas Van Gerwen
Karnac Books
c/o Stylus Publishing
PO Box 605, Herdon, VA 20172-0605
9781855755802, $19.95, www.karnacbooks.com

Being thousands of miles in the air is a scary thought . . . but it's entirely manufactured. "Fly Away Fear: Overcoming Your Fear of Flying" is a collection of tips and advice on overcoming this common, understandable, but illogical fear. Flying is statistically the safest way to travel, and Foreman & Gerwen offers many tips for overcoming one's illogical fear and embracing this fast and safe way of traversing the globe. "Fly Away Fear" is a solid and recommended read for those who don't want to fear aviation anymore.


The Theatre/Cinema Shelf

The Soul of Screen Writing
Keith Cunningham
Continuum
80 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
9780826428691, $29.95, www.continuum-books.com

The difference between a good movie and a great movie is effort and soul. "The Soul of Screen Writing: On Writing, Dramatic Truth, and Knowing Yourself" is a guide for improving one's screenplay by infusing the core of the story and its characters with the human voice and enthusiasm that takes a movie into legendary status. Advising against the formulaic writing many screen writers fall into, "The Soul of Screen Writing" is motivating and highly recommended reading for any aspiring screen writer.

Harmony + Dissent
R. Bruce Elder
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada, N2L 3C5
9781554580286, $85.00, www.wlupress.wlu.ca

Films can do much more than just entertain. "Harmony + Dissent: Film and Avant-garde Art Movements in the Early Twentieth Century" is a scholarly examination of the first half of the twentieth century and its films, focusing on the philosophical, spiritual, and political ideals presented in these early films which the new technology of moving pictures and used them as a vehicle for their messages. From the occult to the advancement of technology, many ideas were advanced. Enhanced with appendixes, indexes, and professional opinions, "Harmony + Dissent" is a solid acquisition for community and college library film collections.


The Gardening Shelf

Defiant Gardens
Kenneth I. Helphand
Trinity University Press
1 Trinity Place, San Antonio, TX 78212-7200
9781595340450, $29.95, www.trinity.edu/tupress

Death and misery all around, but there are things to remind us that there is always hope. "Defiant Gardens: Making Gardens in Wartime" are stories of people, who in spite of their terrible surroundings, build gardens in places where one would least expect. With stories telling of Jewish couples building gardens in the ghettos of Germany, French soldiers sowing gardens outside the trenches, and even modern American soldiers offering Baghdad plant life, "Defiant Gardens" is a moving tale that history buff and gardening enthusiast alike will enjoy.


The Criminology Shelf

History & Crime
Barry S. Godfrey, Paul Lawrence, & Chris A. Williams
Sage Publications
2455 Teller Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
9781412920803, $39.95, www.sagepublications.com

Crime has been around as long as society has and people have been policing it in their own ways ever since. "History & Crime: Key Approaches to Criminology" takes a look at the long rivalry between crime and those who combat it. The history spans the ages and covers the statistics and everything from white-collar crime to prisons and explains the changes each has made as time has marched on. Enhanced with glossaries, indexes, and more.


The Science Shelf

The Migration of Ideas
Roberto Scazzieri & Raffaella Simili
Science History Publications
c/o Watson Publishing International
PO Box 1240, Sagamore Beach, MA 02562-1240
9780881353976, $40.00, www.shpusa.com

How do ideas gather and become greater ideas? "The Migration of Ideas" takes a scholarly look at the most important aspect of scientific advancement. Ideas and innovation and how they move between people and advance current technology and create new technology is the focus, and insights to what facilities and what hampers flow of ideas throughout the war, such things as the internet or censorship. "The Migration of Ideas" is intriguing reading about the many factors that affect the world's progress in the field of technology.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Well Seasoned Living Winter
Vicki Kessler
ACTA Publications
5559 W. Howard Street, Skokie, IL 60077-2621
9780879463588, $19.95, www.actapublications.com

Winter, although a time of seclusion, cold, and death in much of nature, can be a time of growth nonetheless for people. "Well Seasoned Living Winter: A Guided Journal for Increasing Your Enjoyment of Everyday Life" is a combination poetry and photography book encouraging people to take their yearly lives and reflect upon them during the cold season of the year. With many philosophical questions and space for people to weigh their answers, "Well Seasoned Living Winter" is a worthwhile buy for anyone who wants to measure the mental worth of their year.

This Little Light
Michael O'Neill McGrath
Orbis Books
Walsh Bldg, PO Box 308, Maryknoll, NY 10545
9781570757914, $20.00, www.orbisbooks.com

Lessons in spirituality are best learned from the wise. "This Little Light: Lessons in Living from Sister Thea Bowman" consists of lessons from one whom many regard as a very inspiring and powerful woman. Thea Bowman stood against many, many obstacles, but through it all, her faith helped her endure anything and everything. "This Little Light" is a story that anyone who believes in God can learn a lot from.

Jewish Christian Dialogue
Alan L. Berger & David Patterson
Paragon House
1925 Oakcrest Avenue, Suite 7, St. Paul, MN 55113-2619
9781557788566, $19.95, www.paragonhouse.com

If any two major religions in the world are more fundamentally alike than any other, they're Christianity and Judaism. But even they are very different. "Jewish Christian Dialogue: Drawing Honey From the Rock" is a scholarly examination of the modern day relationship between the two religions, including their long and storied history. Discussing the issues one by one and tackling everything from the Holocaust to the Passion of the Christ, "Jewish Christian Dialogue" is highly thought provoking and a must read for any theologian, amateur or professional.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Dog: Pure Awareness
Margot Lasher
Twilight Times Books
PO Box 3340, Kingsport, TN 37664
9781606191378, $16.95

Could dogs be modern humanities link to the spirituality of nature that they've long since lost? "Dog: Pure Awareness" argues that dogs, not affected by human culture in their own minds, have a pure spirituality that humans use to link themselves to a more untainted understanding of the real world. Looking at dogs as true members of a family and some people's best friends, "Dog: Pure Awareness" takes a unique and riveting study of master and pet and offers much food for thought.

Dogs
Desmond Morris
Trafalgar Square Books
PO Box 257, North Pomfret, VT 05053
9781570764103, $29.95, www.tralfalgarbooks.com

Dogs come in so many shapes in sizes, that keeping track of them all is a difficult endeavor indeed. "Dogs: The Ultimate Dictionary of Over 1,000 Dog Breeds" covers the countlessly diverse canine species and the details that separate them from one another. Dividing them by type and breed, each entry details each breed's description, traditional purpose, and many entries are accompanied by a simple black and white sketch of the hound. "Dogs" is an ideal reference for anyone whose job revolves around the canine, or for any dog lover who values his or her knowledge of man's best friend.


The Fiction Shelf

Aurora Crossing
Karl H. Schlesier
Texas Tech University Press
PO Box 41037, Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
9780896726369, $27.95, www.ttup.ttu.edu

The gods of most cultures are never straight with humanity. "Aurora Crossing" is a novel set in the nineteenth century, following a tribe of the Nez Perce, particularly one John Seton. Drawn into a vicious war, he soon begins to ponder the future of his culture and their legacy at the same time. Offering a native American perspective of one of America's darkest acts against its own people, "Aurora Crossing" is very much highly recommended reading for anyone intrigued by native American culture.

Sawney Beane
Frieda Gates
Cambridge House Press
c/o Sterling & Ross Publishers
115 W. 29th St., 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001
9780981453606, $14.95, www.camhousepress.com

Sometimes legends can be true. However, this also means the scary stories one reads as a child can also be so. "Sawney Beane: The Abduction of Elspeth Cumming" takes off the legend of the Sawney Beane clan in Scotland, and tells the story of Elspeth Cumming as she is kidnapped by the ragged band of thugs and held against her well. A historical fiction account of her endeavor, her story is riveting reading, as "Sawney Beane" is sure to keep its readers glued to the pages.


The World History Shelf

Victoria Underfoot
Brenda Clark, Nicole Kilburn, & Nick Russell, editors
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219, Madeira Park, BC, V0N 2H0, Canada
9781550174199, $24.95, www.harbourpublishing.com

History sits beneath everyone, but only a few have the guts to explore it. "Victoria Underfoot: Excavating a City's Secrets" looks at the city of Victoria in British Columbia and its excavators, people who would typically not be expected to be seen in an urban area, still dwelled in the modern day. History such as rum runners, centuries old gardens and homes give a picture to the yet unrecorded history of the grand fathers and great grandfathers of today's people. "Victoria Underfoot" is a must for anyone who views a century ago as interesting as a millennium ago.

Mennonite Women in Canada
Marlene Epp
University of Manitoba Press
c/o University of Michigan Press
1405 South Harrison Rd., Rm 25 East Lansinh, MI 48823-5245
9780887557064, $26.95, www.umanitoba.ca/uofmpress

The Mennonites are for, whatever reasons, viewed as strange by their neighboring cultures. But it doesn't mean they don't contribute greatly to society. "Mennonite Women in Canada: A History" takes a scholarly examination of these people and what they have brought to the Canadian people and have altered the course of Canadian history. Covering over two hundred years, drawing parallels to the advancement of secular women's rights, and much more, "Mennonite Women in Canada" is an ideal piece of history focusing on this under-recognized group.


The Literary Shelf

Hunger and Thirst
Nancy Cary
San Diego City Works Press
c/o Sunbelt Publications
1256 Fayette Street, El Cajon, CA 92020
9780981602042, $12.95, www.cityworkspress.org

What fuels humanity is often ignored, but should be celebrated like anything else. "Hunger and Thirst: Food Literature" is a collection of essays, short fiction, and poetry dedicated to food and drink and how these two subjects, done daily but rarely discussed, drive the world around us and deftly impact the world. "Hunger and Thirst" is riveting and entertaining using a literally everyday subject matter, making for a solid read indeed.


The Business Shelf

5 Steps to Expert
Paul G. Schempp
Davies-Black Publishing.
1055 Joaquin Road, 2nd Floor, Mountain View, CA 94043
9780891061144, $22.95, www.5stepstoexpert.com

Natural prodigies are rare, but one doesn't need to be one to be an expert. "5 Steps to Expert: How to Go from Business Novice to Elite Performer" is a guide to learning and mastering one's business from being a beginner all the way to the mastery of one's craft. Outlining the many parts on the road to mastery, and how to wisely apply it, "5 Steps to Expert" is a must for any businessman who is just starting out in an unfamiliar field.


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


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