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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 5, Number 7 July 2010 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf Philosophy Shelf
American History Shelf Education Shelf Biography Shelf
Fiction Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Environmental Studies Shelf
World History Shelf Self-Help Shelf Travel Shelf
Civil War Shelf Real Estate Shelf International Studies Shelf
Military Shelf Photography Shelf Literary Shelf
Christian Studies Shelf Buddhist Studies Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Journalism Shelf Economics Shelf Women's Studies Shelf
Pets/Wildlife Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Poetry Shelf
Political Science Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf
Art Shelf Science Shelf Aviation Shelf
Judicial Studies Shelf Music Shelf Business Shelf
Native American Shelf Library Science Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Social Issues Shelf Parenting Shelf Nautical Shelf
Antiques/Collectibles Shelf Gaming Shelf Interior Design Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Language Studies Shelf Wisconsin Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

Handy Dad
Todd Davis
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
9780811869584 $24.95 www.chroniclebooks.com

Handy Dad: 25 Awesome Projects for Dads and Kids is a user-friendly compendium of construction projects that dads (or moms, uncles/aunts, grandparents, or anyone else!) can create to promote quality playtime activities with children. From a backyard rope swing, to a bird feeder, a tree house, a half-pipe, or even a tie-dye shirt, the ideas range from toys that promote physical activity to delightful personal keepsakes. (Not all of the projects involve woodworking, although many do.) Older children can even participate in the joy of building something with one's own hands, under close supervision of course. Each project listing spells out the needed tools and materials and where to find them, along with step-by-step instructions. Full color photographs illustrate this wonderful guide to tapping into one's creativity to spend quality time with children. The perfect antidote to a world oversaturated with television and video games, Handy Dad is highly recommended.

Tree Top
David H. Stratton
WSU Press
PO Box 645910, Pullman, WA 99164-5910
9780874223064 $29.95 www.wsupress.wsu.edu

Tree Top: Creating a Fruit Revolution is a detailed history of the "Tree Top Inc." apple juice business. Founded in the mid-twentieth century to utilize lower-grade leftover apples that would otherwise go to waste, Tree Top discovered new means of processing apples, new apple products, and weathered fat and lean harvest seasons alike. Illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs Tree Top: Creating a Fruit Revolution is an absorbing success story, accessible and engaging to readers of all backgrounds.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Shaking the Money Tree
Morrie Warshawski
Michael Wiese Productions
3940 Laurel Canyon Blvd. -- Suite 1111, Studio City, CA 91604
9781932907667, $26.95, www.mwap.com

If you have a vision, if you are persuasive, you can get the money. "Shaking the Money Tree: The Art of Getting Grants and Donations for Film and Video Projects" is the guide for searching for grants and fundraising for one's many endeavors in film. For student film makers, these funds are an invaluable resource and an absolute must to have to accomplish one's goals. "Shaking the Money Tree" is a must have reference for the aspiring filmmaker on a budget.


The Philosophy Shelf

The Present State of Scholarship in the History of Rhetoric
Lynee Lewis Gaillet, editor
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Blvd., Columbia, MO 65202
9780826218933, $24.95, www.umsystem.edu

Thinking is a science all in itself. "The Present State of Scholarship in the History of Rhetoric: A Twenty-First Century Guide" delves into the evolution of rhetoric in recent years, focusing on the past century and the effect of rapid globalization and the rise of women have had on the effect of thinking and communicating ideas around the globe. A scholarly analysis of modern rhetoric, where it came from and where it's going, "The Present State of Scholarship in the History of Rhetoric" is a very highly recommended addition to community and college philosophical studies collections.


The American History Shelf

Picturing Hemingway's Michigan
Michael R. Federspiel
Painted Turtle Books
c/o Wayne State University Press
4809 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201-1309
http://wsupress.wayne.edu
9780814334478, $39.95, www.amazon.com

Ernest Hemingway is an iconic American novelist. What is not so well known is that he was also a gifted short story writer who occasionally sought contemplative refuge and inspiration from the northern reaches of Michigan's Little Traverse Bay area in the early 1900s when the region was evolving from a rural lumbering country into a popular vacationing tourist destination. "Picturing Hemingway's Michigan" is a 200-page compendium of archival period photographs, captions and commentary compiled, organized, written and presented by Michael R. Federspiel (Professor of History, Central Michigan University). An expert in the life and work of Ernest Hemingway, Professor Federspiel approaches this project with impressive credentials as the president of the Michigan Hemingway Society and the general editor of the Hemingway Letters Project. Combining vintage Hemingway family photos with excerpts from Hemingway's writings, "Picturing Hemingway's Michigan" is an exemplary and unique approach to regional American history and a highly recommended addition to academic and community library collections, as well as inherently fascinating, informed and informative reading for students and fans of Ernest Hemingway's work.

Decoration Day in the Mountains
Alan Jabbour & Karen Singer Jabbour
University of North Carolina Press
116 South Boundary Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-3808
9780807833971 $35.00 www.uncpress.unc.edu 1-800-848-6224

Decoration Day in the Mountains: Traditions of Cemetery Decoration in the Southern Appalachians is an in-depth study of a cultural tradition established in the American Upland South, from North Carolina to the Ozarks. Folklorist Alan Jabbour explores the commemoration of "Decoration Day", a late spring or summer undertaking that consists of cleaning a community cemetery, ornamenting it with flowers, presenting a religious service in the cemetery, and sharing a meal on the grounds. The tradition of Decoration Day appears to have originated before the Civil War and Memorial Day. Decoration Day in the Mountains explores the history, expression, and purpose of this somber remembrance of the dead, illustrated with black-and-white and full color photographs. A captivating, thoughtful, well-researched and detailed analysis.

The Day Our World Changed
John B. Bowles, editor
Ice Cube Books
205 N. Front Street, North Liberty, IO 52317
9781888160116, $19.95, www.icecubepress.com

To go to world with the world is an event that many hope never has to be experienced again. "The Day Our World Changed: December 7, 1941" is a collection of stories from primary students across the country, stating what they were doing when the world changed, and the United States entered World War II, an event still strongly felt even today, generations later. "The Day Our World Changed" is a fascinating and insightful read, and a grade-A addition to history collections.

The Revolutionary Paul Revere
Joel J. Miller
Thomas Nelson
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists
8716 Mopac, Suite 330, Austin, TX 78759
9781595550743, $14.99, www.thomasnelson.com

Paul Revere did so much more for the country than ride a horse. "The Revolutionary Paul Revere" looks at the man behind the ride and how Paul Revere was a bigger figure in the American revolutionary than his warning of war. From the protests before the war to ratifying the constitution to his other wartime endeavors, "The Revolutionary Paul Revere" is a choice pick for anyone who wants to know the true story of Paul Revere.

Down Country
Lucy R. Lippard
Museum of New Mexico Press
PO Box 2087, Santa Fe, NM 87504
9780890135662, $50.00, www.mnmpress.org

This area of desert has been the place for much history for over five hundred years. "Down Country: The Tano of the Galisteo Basi, 1250-1782" is a history of the region, telling the tale of the Tano Indians and how history moved forward as the Europeans came into the picture and how the region changed, and failed to change over the centuries. Considered one of the richest archeological sites in America, readers will find a good deal of history linking pre-European America to today. "Down Country" is a solid reference and historical text that would do well in any American history collection.

Memories of the Southern Civil Rights Movement
Danny Lyon
Twin Palms Publishers
54 1/2 East San Francisco Street, Santa, Fe, NM 87501
9781931885881, $60.00, www.twinpalms.com

Equality doesn't come overnight. "Memories of the Southern Civil Rights Movement" is a collection of words and photographs from Danny Lyon as he chronicles the Civil Rights movement as it occurred in the Southern states, where much of America's black population lived, and perhaps the strongest resistance was viewed. Vividly describing these events with quality black and white photography accompanying the words, Lyons gives readers a sample of how the movement was different in southern America, and makes the read prove to be very educational. "Memories of the Southern Civil Rights Movement" is a solid addition to any history and photography collection, especially those with a focus on racial issues and the civil rights movement.

Bright Boys
Tom Green
AK Peters
5 Commonwealth Road, Suite 2C, Natick, MA 01760
9781568814766, $39.00, www.akpeters.com

The twentieth century had untold growth and advancement in technology. "Bright Boys" tells the story of one group of individuals who were driven to push these ideas further and spurred the technological development of the nation following World War II. Working with next to nothing in Cambridge, Massachusetts, these college students brought forth the beginning of many of today's technical ideas. "Bright Boys" is a riveting read of technological history, highly recommended.


The Education Shelf

Best Practices for the Inclusive Classroom
Richard T. Boon & Vicky G. Spencer
Prufrock Press
5926 Balcones Drive, Suite 220, Austin, TX 78731
9781593634063, $39.95, www.prufrock.com

No one likes being the outsider. "Best Practices for the Inclusive Classroom: Scientifically Based Strategies for Success" is a guide for inclusivity in schools, and how to cross racial, cultural, and skill boundaries that leave students feel left out, and in some cases exacerbating existing problems. Written by a staff of experienced educational professionals, Richard T. Boon and Vicky G. Spencer present an invaluable resource for educational professionals and teachers on many levels. "Best Practices for the Inclusive Classroom" is a core reference for any educational studies collection.

Challenging Units for Gifted Learners - Language Arts
Kenneth J. Smith, Ph.D.
Prufrock Press
PO Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813
9781593634216 $19.95 www.prufrock.com 1-800-998-2208

Challenging Units for Gifted Learners: Teaching the Way Gifted Students Think - Language Arts is a supplemental resource designed for language arts educators of gifted students in grades 6-8. The suggested writing projects are designed to help challenge students to reach their full potential in problem-solving, character building, and story creation. From studying Freud's psychoanalytic theory and applying it to the analysis of a classic novel, to learning how to build vivid, lifelike characters when writing mysteries, to writing nature poetry, the suggested curriculum ideas are broken down into step-by-step individual lessons. An excellent educational guide, highly recommended.

Meeting Students Where They Live
Richard L. Curwin
ASCD
1703 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
9781416609568, $23.95, www.ascd.org

Motivation is the first step in any great education. "Meeting Students Where They Live: Motivation in Urban Schools" is a discussion of how to get urban students, usually the ones hardest to get to stay and school in succeed, with sky-high drop out rates among other issues. Richard Curwin urges school leaders not to antagonize these students, but instead invite them and encourage them, to get them to embrace education willingly instead of by force. "Meeting Students Where They Live" is a thought provoking and highly useful read for any inner city school teacher who wants to reach out to their students and keep them in the classroom.

The Insider's Guide to High School
Tim Healey & Alex Carter
Vandamere Press
PO Box 149, St. Petersburg, FL 33731
9780918339737, $19.95

High School is the first step in the rest of one's life. "The Insider's Guide to High School: A Parent's Handbook for the Ninth Grade Year" is a guide for parents who want to do everything they can to help their student have the tools they need to succeed in high school so they can launch themselves to better careers and college. The Freshmen year in high school is a major key to these successes, and "The Insider's Guide to High School" proves an invaluable resource.

The Little Green Math Book
Brandon Royal
Maven Publishing
4520 Manilla Road SE, Calgary, AL Canada T2G 4B7
9781897393505, $19.95, www.mavenpublishing.com

Good math skills never go to waste. "The Little Green Math Book: 30 Powerful Principles for Building Math and Numeracy Skills" is a guide filled with simple and endlessly useful facts and techniques involving mathematics to help readers gain a greater mastery of the countless math problems they will face in life even if they don't realize they are math problems. "The Little Green Math Book" is a fine collection of information, and an invaluable resource. Also in the same series is "The Little Gold Grammar Book" (9781897393307, $19.95), which looks into the main uses of grammar.

AP
Philip M. Sadler & Collaborators
Harvard Education Press
8 Story Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
9781934742556, $29.95, www.harvard.edu

To be placed above one's average age level provides an array of strengths and weaknesses. "AP: A Critical Examination of the Advanced Placement Program" discusses Advanced Placement programs in modern High School programs and the problems that can come with it. Philip M. Sadler and his staff craft a collection of essays analyzing the details of Advanced Placement programs, showing where it has succeeded and failed in its existence and offers ideas to better it in regards to preparing students for higher education. "AP" is a strong addition to any educational studies collection, highly recommended.

Teach Like a Champion
Doug Lemov
Jossey-Bass
c/o Wiley Trade Group
989 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-1741
9780470550472, $27.95, www.josseybass.com

The first step for a great student is a great teacher. "Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College" is a guide for teachers who want to hone their techniques to give themselves and their students the best educational experiences that they can give and receive. With plenty of advice and resources, Doug Lemov uses his expertise as president of School Performance at New York State University and many levels of education. "Teach Like a Champion" is a guide that shouldn't be overlooked for any teacher who wants to keep improving.


The Biography Shelf

Monika K. Hellwig
Dolores R. Lecky & Kathleen Dolphin
Litugical Press
St. John's Abbey, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
9780814656969, $19.95, www.litpress.org

Home is a place vastly underrated by much of society. "Monika K. Hellwig: The People's Theologian" looks at the thoughts and opinions of Monika Hellwig, a philosopher with much impact on the second half of the twentieth century, urging the people she worked with in charity and in academia on the importance of home and finding a place to call as such. "Monika K. Hellwig" is a solid addition to biography and philosophy collections, highly recommended.

Tiger Woods, second edition
Lawrence J. Londino
Greenwood Press
c/o ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
9780313380501, $35.00, www.amazon.com

Tiger Woods is an icon of golfing whose celebrity status and recent personal problems have been the subject of innumerable newspaper and magazines articles, as well as fodder for news broadcasters and late night comedians. Now in an updated and expanded second edition, "Tiger Woods: A Biography" by Lawrence J. Londino continues presenting his professional accomplishments such as winning 71 PGA tournaments and being named the PGA Tour 'Player of the Year' ten times. He is also currently the career money list leader in professional golf. Of special note are Woods' philanthropic contributions which include the Tiger Woods Foundation, the Tiger Woods Learning Center, and (in honor of his father) the Earl Woods Scholarship Program. Mandatory reading for all Tiger Woods fans, this impressively detailed, 232-page biography also offers a brief overview of broadcasting and sports, and the relationship between professional athletes and their financial sponsors, making it an ideal and very highly recommended addition for school and community library American Biography collections.

Buffalo Bill: Scout, Showman, Visionary
Steve Friesen
Fulcrum Publishing
4690 Table Mountain Drive, Suite 100, Golden, Colorado 80403
9781555917197 $22.95 www.fulcrum-books.com 1-800-992-2908

Illustrated with black-and-white and color photographs throughout (including many photos of Buffalo Bill's personal artifacts), Buffalo Bill: Scout, Showman, Visionary is a captivating, reader-friendly biography of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody. Buffalo Bill experienced a wealth of adventure on the American frontier, from buffalo hunts to involvement in American Indian clashes and conflicts over slavery. He established his legacy in American history and popular culture with his "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" show, which he deliberately made as authentic as could be by hiring real cowboys and American Indians to perform for his worldwide audiences. A superb treasury and giftbook for Old West aficionados, Buffalo Bill: Scout, Showman, Visionary is highly recommended.

Louis Armstrong
David Stricklin
Ivan R. Dee
1332 North Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60642-2694
9781566638364, $26.00, www.ivanrdee.com

The twentieth century was a time with greats strides in American music. "Louis Armstrong: The Soundtrack of the American Experience" looks into the work of Louis Armstrong, but also his work for the African American community as well. A remarkable individual and an icon of Jazz whose influence can be heard in many genres. An icon in artistic creativity and what it can do for its medium as well as society, "Louis Armstrong" is a strong addition to any musical biography collection.

Acing Depression
Cliff Richey
New Chapter Press
1175 York Ave., Suite #3S , New York, NY 10065
9780942257663, $19.95, www.newchaptermedia.com

Depression can bring champions down, but it's beatable. "Acing Depression: A Tennis Champion's Toughest Match" is a combination memoir and inspirational guide from Cliff Richey, national Tennis Champion in 1970. Known for his bad temper, he states that his outward aggression was a mask for his own clinical depression and through his writing, he states how he beats it and how he wants others to beat it as well. "Acing Depression" is a choice pick for anyone fighting their own depression.

No, it is Not in My Head
Nicole Hemmenway
Morgan James
1225 Franklin Ave., STE 325, Garden City, NY 11530-1693
9781600376993, $19.95, www.morganjamespublishing.com

There is nothing more terrifying than not knowing what's wrong with you. "No, It is Not in My Head: The Journey of a Chronic Pain Survivor from Wheelchair to Marathon" is a memoir of Nicole Hemmenway as she tells her tale of trying to overcome chronic agony in her life and how she was unable to truly figure out what was ailing her, as her chronic pain led her to being unable to live her life. Recovery seemed impossible, but she fought through it, making "No, It is Not in My Head" a riveting and uplifting tale, not to be missed.


The Fiction Shelf

Secret Graces
Kathryn Magendie
Bell Bridge Books
PO Box 67, Smyrna, GA 30533
9780984325696, $19.65, www.kathrynmagendie.com

Family is something you can never shake, and must face problems with together. "Secret Graces" tells the story of Vee, as she faces the shattered remains of the hopes and dreams of several generations of her family, while facing her own life and problems along the way. "Secret Graces" is a riveting read that will ring quite well and true with many readers, and give them much comfort in relevance, reminding them they aren't alone.

Touch
Adania Shibli
Clockroot Books
c/o Interlink
46 Crosby Street, Northampton, MA 01060
9781566568074, $13.00, www.clockrootbooks.com

When you live in a persistent warzone, every day is a new challenge. "Touch" is a novella following a young girl in modern Palestine, as she faces life's challenges as he world continues to rage on around her. From the simple processes of life to the constant tragedies, "Touch" proves to be a fascinating and insightful novella, not to be missed.

Uncharted Journey
Harold G. Ross
Sunflower University Press
1531 Yuma, PO Box 1009, Manhattan, KS 66505
0897452771, $4.95

Out on one's own for the first time is always a sobering experience. "Uncharted Journey" tells the story of a young man faced with being out in the world in the Old West armed with only his wits and faith, uprooted from his serene and idealistic life. A coming of age tale of facing and overcoming adversity, "Uncharted Journey" is an adventurous read that shouldn't be missed.

Blood Oath
Christopher Fansworth
Putnam
c/o Penguin Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
Goldberg McDuffie Communications (publicity)
444 Madison Avenue, Suite 3300, New York, NY 10022
9780399156359, $24.95

Humanity is a threat to itself, but it doesn't mean it's the only threat. "Blood Oath" tells the story of ambitious white house staffer Zach Barrows as he discovers that something has been sworn to the Presidential staff for over a century, The President's vampire, Nathaniel Cade. Cade is tasked with protecting the American public from a more intimidating threat of the supernatural, who lives unaware through his efforts. "Blood Oath" is a fun supernatural fantasy that entertains readers well with its setting and characters.

Waking Up
Joe Traum
Cambridge House Press
c/o Sterling & Rosss
115 W. 29th St. New York, NY 10001
9780982139127, $14.95, www.camhousepress.com

Losing a child is a devastating event none want to ever have to face. "Waking Up "tells the story of the downward spiral of Michael Hayes, faced with the murder of his eleven year old son and the challenges that spiraled out from this event. Becoming entangled with the search for the truth, his life falls apart, and he finds himself losing far more than his son. "Waking Up" is a riveting thriller, sure to entertain many a reader.

I, Benjamin
Theodore Enslin
McPheron & Company
PO Box 1126, Kingston, NY 12402
9780929701905, $10.00, www.mcphersonco.com

There are many choices and routes through life and few of them are ever clear. "I, Benjamin" is the story of a traveler with unique abilities, and the choices he makes as he encounters others like him along his journey. Faced with the unknown, Author Theodore Enslin hopes to discuss our choices and the unknown thoroughly in his writing. "I, Benjamin" is a poignant and recommended read.

The Accordionist's Son
Bernardo Atxaga
Graywolf Press
250 Third Avenue North, Suite 600, Minneapolis, MN 55401
9781555975555, $15.00, www.graywolfpress.org

A little reflection can make it all become clearer. "The Accordionist's Son" is a fictionalized memoir as author Bernado Atxaga tells the story of David Imaz, an aging man remembering his life as he comes from a s mall village in the Basque Country to his modern life in a California Ranch. A story spanning centuries with a focus on the Spanish Civil War, "The Accordionist's Son" proves to be a poignant and thoughtful read, not to be missed.

Recovering Apollo 8
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Golden Gryphon
3002 Perkins Road, Urbana, IL 61802
9781930846623, $24.95, www.goldengryphon.com

So many possibilities, so many results. "Recovering Apollo 8: And Other Stories" is a collection of science fiction from Kristine Kathryn Rusch, as she presents her brand of alternate history science fiction, telling tales of what could have been in the past and today, analyzing our world through it while being highly entertaining. "Recovering Apollo 8" is a choice and highly recommended pick that shouldn't be missed by sci-fi readers.

Riddles of Belief and Love
Lin Zhe
Dog Ear Publishing
4010 W. 86th Street, Ste H, Indianapolis, IN 46268
9781608442843, $23.95, www.dogearpublishing.net

The last hundred years of Chinese history have been some of the most tumultuous times in history. "Riddles of Belief and Love" is a novel that takes place in a special place. Author Lin Zhe draws her own personal history to tell a story of a typical Chinese family as they face the Chinese civil wars, World War II, and trying to find their identity under the Cultural Revolution, and how they remember the constants through it all - home and family. "Riddles of Belief and Love" is a choice read for literary fiction collections, highly recommended.

The Bradbury Report
Steven Polansky
Weinstein Books
345 Hudson Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10014
9781602861220, $24.95, www.weinsteinbooks.com

With new technology comes new moral issues. "The Bradbury Report" tells the tale of America in 2071, where a widow approaching elderly status finds himself drawn into the world of cloning and its moral objections. In America, every living person has a clone to serve as parts in its health system, but there lies a deeper concern when these clones can be sapient, real beings, as human as the people they're cloned from. "The Bradbury Report" asks a lot of questions and proves to be a riveting thriller.

This House, This Town
Robert Hamblin
Southeast Missouri State University Press
MS 2650, One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
9780982248959, $12.00

A bit of history can be relished and lived in. "This House, This Town: One Couple's Love Affair with An Old House and a Historic Town" is a memoir from Robert Hamblin, discussing how he and his wife restored an old Victorian era house and found their home with it, and the surrounding town. Arguing for the importance of historic preservation in today's rapidly modernizing world, "This House, This Town" is a choice and very highly recommended read.

The Singer's Gun
Emily St. John Mandel
Unbridled Books
2000 Wadsworth Boulevard, #195, Lakewood, CO 80214
9781936071647, $24.95, www.unbridledbooks.com

Family is family, no matter how corrupt they are. "The Singer's Gun" is a novel of Anton Waker, a man surrounded by criminals who only wants to find his own life. But family doesn't forget, and Anton finds that it's hard to leave the family business behind, no matter how hard he wants to try. "The Singer's Gun" is a riveting and exciting read, well worth considering for crime fiction readers.

Kyra Kyralina
Panait Istrati
Talisman House
PO Box 896, Greenfield, MA 01302
9781584980759, $16.94

Much insight of the time can be gained through a novel, and "Kyra Kyralina" is no different. Written in the 1920s by Panait Istrati, Christopher Sawyer-Laucanno translate this Romanian work which gave rise in Eastern Europe to the Modernist writing of the time, also providing a literary picture of a Romania separated from the Ottoman Empire. "Kyra Kyralina" is a historic and valuable read for any literary fiction collection.

Empty Mile
Matthew Stokoe
Akashic Books
PO Box 1456, New York, NY 10009
9781936070121, $16.95, www.akashicbooks.com

Sometimes just maintaining the status quo is a challenge all in itself. "Empty Mile" tells the story of Johnny Richardson, who wants to right an old wrong. He soon learns small town America can be more deadly than any big city as he becomes embroiled in the town's politics, all while trying to protect who he loves and solving that old problem. "Empty Mile" is a choice read that shouldn't be overlooked by crime fiction fans.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Women and Men in Communal Prayer
Daniel Sperber & Collaborators
JOFA
c/o KTAV
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
9781602801523, $24.95, www.ktav.com

Communal prayer is a tradition that is very important to Judaic societies. "Women and Men in Communal Prayer: Halakhic Perspectives" analyzes communal prayer in traditional orthodox Judaism and its relation to Gender issues in these societies. Traditionally communal prayer is separated by gender, and Rabbi Daniel Sperber and other thinkers provide an analysis and discussion of these principles. A vital read for those concerned with Jewish social issues, or as an outsider seeking insight on Orthodox culture, "Women and Men in Communal Prayer is a solidly recommended pick that shouldn't be missed.

To Remain A Jew
Rabbi Yitzchak Zilber
Feldheim
c/o Stuart Schnee PR
stu@stuaertschnee.com
9781598265248, $26.99, www.amazon.com

"To Remain A Jew" is the autobiography of Rabbi Yitzchak Zilber and portrays in candid detail his life as a Jewish rabbi in Communist Russia. Despite tremendous pressures and persecutions (including imprisonment and the threat of death), Rabbi Zilber remained a principle and influential figure in the kiruv movement and an inspiration to his fellow Jews in both the Soviet Union and Eretz Yisrael. Enhanced with period photographs, replete with insightful and engaging anecdotes, this 509-page compendium of the life and times of a most remarkable man (ably translated into English from the original Russian and Hebrew editions) is enthusiastically recommended reading and a core addition to personal, academic, and community library Judaic Studies and Judaic Biography collections.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Forests for People
Anne M. Larson & Collaborators, editors
Earthscan
1616 P Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
Stylus Publishing, Inc. (distributor)
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
www.styluspub.com
9781844079186, $39.95, www.earthscan.co.uk

Forests are nature, and nature belongs to everyone. "Forests for People: Community Rights and Forest Tenure Reform" discusses forests and their place in the legal debate, delving into the debate between private and public land and how the land of the forests has been managed. Forests are not only nature habitats, but resources, which has increased the debate further. "Forests for People" is a choice and solidly recommended pick for anyone intrigued by the forest debate.

Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land
Steven I. Apfelbaum & Alan Haney
Island Press
1718 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20009-1148
9781597265720, $30.00, www.islandpress.org

Ecological recovery are what many places need to recover their natural beauty. "Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land" is a guide to restoring ecological areas where urbanization has caused environmental decay. With chapters discussing many types of areas from plains to forests, and step by step plans to tracking progress, "Restoring Ecological Health to Your Land" proves to be a powerful reference and guide, highly recommended to any in charge of overseeing such projects for its comprehensive collection of tips and advice.

Wind Power Basics
Dan Chrias
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0, Canada
9780865716179, $12.95, www.newsociety.com

The winds will never stop, making it an ideal power source. "Wind Power Basics" discusses the essentials of wind power, and how it is growing and taking its place in the world as a major provider of electricity around the world. Dan Chrias describes how it works, how it is harvested, and outlines how one can create their own personal wind power source. For those intrigued by wind power, "Wind Power Basics" is a top pick.

Energy for Keeps
Marilyn Nemzer, Deborah Page, & Anna Carter
Energy Education Group
c/o PixyJack Press
PO Box 149, Masonville, CO 80541
9780974476551, $24.95, www.energyforkeeps.org

We're hooked on electricity, but we need to find a better source for it all. "Energy for Keeps: Creating Clean Electricity from Renewable Resources" discusses possible new sources of power for the world, that are constantly and consistently renewable unlike depletable energy such as coal. Hoping to inform everything from students to politicians and beyond, Energy Education Group provides a fascinating and thoughtful read that has plenty to educate readers about. "Energy for Keeps" is a fine addition to any environmental studies collection.


The World History Shelf

Constantine
Paul Stephenson
Overlook Press
141 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012
9781590203248, $30.00, www.overlookpress.com

The man who did more for Christianity than perhaps anyone other than Jesus. "Constantine: Roman Emperor, Christian Victor" looks at the man who brought Christianity to widespread faith throughout the Roman Empire, and who united an Empire divided. Constantine reunited the western Roman Empire and converted to Christianity, ending its persecution in the Empire. From there, it exploded to the religion of the Western world it is today. "Constantine" is a solid addition to any history collection, very highly recommended.

Pressing the Fight
Greg Barnhisel & Catherine Turner, editors
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
9781558497368, $39.95, www.umass.edu.edu

The pen is mightier than the sword is a commonly used proverb for a reason. "Pressing the Fight: Print, Propaganda, and the Cold War" delves into the importance of propaganda in this clash of superpowers and ideology. On both sides of the fence, propaganda was used heavily to keep people believing for their system of choice and to sway countries that were in between, pushing the western values of both America and Russia all over the world. A fascinating collection of insight, "Pressing the Fight" is a vital pick for any who want to understand the value and importance of propaganda.

Bosnia
Tony Fabijancic
The University of Alberta Press
Ring Hous 2, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada, Canafa T6G 2E1
9780888645197, $29.95, www.uap.ualberta.com

The past century has been filled with tumultuous times for the nation of Bosnia. "Bosnia: In the Footsteps of Gavrilo Princip" looks at the history of Bosnia, using the model of the assassin of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Gavrilo Princip. What drove him to start a war that claimed countless lives and how his actions are still felt to this day as Bosnia struggles to find its own national identity and place in the world. "Bosnia" is a riveting and educational read, not to be missed.

SS Atlantic
Greg Cochkanoff
Goose Lane
330-500 Beaverbrook Court, Fredericton, NB Canada E3B 5X4
9780864925282, $19.95, www.gooselane.com

The Atlantic is a treacherous ocean, and there's no shortage of disasters on it through the centuries. "SS Atlantic: The White Star Line's First Disaster at Sea" tells the story of the SS Atlantic, an ocean liner which sank into the sea almost half a century before the famed RMS Titanic. With hundreds dead, its disaster should not be completely forgotten, overshadowed by its fellow shipwreck. "SS Atlantic" is a strong addition to any history collection focusing on the seas.

Hidden and Triumphant
Irana Yazykova
Paraclete Press
PO Box 1568, Orleans, MA 02653
9781557255648, $26.99, www.paracletepress.com

The rise of Stalin and Communism did untold damage to the modern presence of Russian history. "Hidden and Triumphant: The Underground Struggle to Save Russian Iconography" tells of those who dared to defy the state and preserve what made them Russian, protecting Church relics, and other icons of Russian history as they were being purged throughout the era. "Hidden and Triumphant" is an intriguing and educational read about those who opposed a state without history.


The Self-Help Shelf

How to Deal with Stress
Stephen Palmer & Cary Cooper
Kogan Page
525 South 4th Street, #241, Philadelphia, PA 19147
9780749460396, $14.95, www.koganpage.com

Stress management is the make or break thing for many things in life. "How to Deal with Stress" is a guide for dealing with stress in better ways through life and its many aspects, such as dealing with others and being a more assertive figure in life and in business. Keeping control of one's self is an invaluable tool in life and is a core principle to success, making "How to Deal with Stress" a solid and very important guide that shouldn't be missed.

The Widower's Toolbox
Gerald J. Schaefer
New Horizon Press
PO Box 669, Far Hills, NJ 07931
9780882823454, $14.95, www.newhorizonpressbooks.com

It can be hard to start over but it's not impossible. "The Widower's Toolbox: Repairing Your Life After Losing Your Spouse" is a guide for the recent widower who is devastated at their loss and unsure of how to recover. Gerald Schaefer & Tom Bekkers bring their own thoughts and experiences from their own tragedies, to help other men facing the loss of the love of their lives. "The Widower's Toolbox" is a strong choice for any man trying to move on.


The Travel Shelf

Off the Beaten Path
Norman D. Watt
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219, Madeira Park, BC V0N 2H0, Canada
9781550174793, $21.95, www.harbourpublishing.com

Canada has much to offer the wilderness lover, in particular the forests around Vancouver, British Columbia. "Off the Beaten Path: A Hiking Guide to Vancouver's North Shore" serves as a guide for hikers who want to find the best trails to experience if they are living in or planning to visit the region of Vancouver's North Shore. For anyone who loves nature walks and hikes, Norman Watt spares no detail in arming readers with the knowledge they need to find it. "Off the Beaten Path" is a top pick and very highly recommended.

Dolomites Trekking
Henry Stedman
Trailblazer
The Old Manse, Tower Road, Hindhead, Surrey, GU26 6SU, UK
www.trailblazer-guides.com
The Globe Pequot Press (distributor)
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
www.globepequot.com
9781873756836, $22.95, www.amazon.com

A British publisher, Trailblazer specializes in compact travel guides. "Dolomites Trekking: Alta Via 1 & Alta Via 2, Plus Short Treks" is a 174-page compilation of practical information essential for planning successful trips to the Italian Dolomites, including some historical and cultural background, as well as a full color guide to the flora and fauna of the Dolomite region. Of special note are the detailed street plans and recommendations of where to stay, where to eat, what to see when visiting the communities of Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dobbiaco, Belluno, Bressanone, and Feltre. Enhanced with the inclusion of an exceedingly useful Italian language section, "Dolomites Trekking" is thoroughly 'user friendly' and highly portable. Also strongly recommended for personal and community library Travel Guide reference collections are five other new titles from Trailblaser: "Corsica Trekking GR20" (9781873756980, $18.95); "Trekking In The Pyrenees" (9781873756829, $19.95); "The Walker's Haute Route" (9781905864099, $22.95); "Tour du Mont Blanc" (9781905864126, $22.95); and "Scottish Highlands: The Hillwalking Guide" (9781905864218, $21.95).

South America
Stephan Kueffner
Insight Guides
c/o Langenscheidt Publishing Group
15 Tyger River Drive, Duncan, SC 29334
www.langenscheidt.com
9789812821652, $24.99, www.amazon.com

South America's ancient past and contemporary economies make it a super destination for recreational and business travelers. Now in a newly expanded and updated edition, Insight Guides' "South America" is a 424-page compendium packed solid from cover to cover with information and suggestions that will prove invaluable in selecting and planning an itinerary to any and all of the countries comprising South America. Superbly illustrated throughout with hundreds of color photographs, enhanced with insightful commentaries from local writers on the people, the history, and the culture of South American countries, featuring 'Best of South America' highlights and 'Editor's Choice' recommendations, replete with practical travel tips, and furnished with full-color maps that are cross-referenced to the densely informative and 'user friendly' text, all combine to make "South America" the premier and enthusiastically recommended choice for anyone seeking to travel anywhere in South America for any reason and for any length of stay.

Boat Camping Haida Gwaii
Neil Frazer
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219 Madeira Park, BC V0H 2H0 Canada
9781550174878, $29.95, www.harbourpublishing.com

Boating is an adventure in itself, and Haida Gwaii has much to offer the adventurer. "Boat Camping Haida Gwaii: A Small-Vessel Guide" is a reference to prepare those who want to go on a boat trip into the archipelago, a remote destination that seemed to be designed for kayakers and small vessel boaters. With maps, tips, history, and so much more information to inform about the area, "Boat Camping Haida Gwaii" is a resource that shouldn't be missed for the boat lover.


The Civil War Shelf

Sickles at Gettysburg
James A. Hessler
Savas Beatie
c/o Casemate (distributor)
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
9781932714845, $22.95, www.savasbeatie.com

No one in the Civil War was a saint, but some were further from sainthood than others. "Sickles at Gettysburg: The Controversial Civil War General Who Committed Murder, Abandoned Little Round Top, and Declared Himself the Hero of Gettysburg" delves into the history of this unusual historical figure who got away with murder, gained command of an army without military experience, and turned heads during the era. An intriguing look at a strange case in US history, "Sickles at Gettysburg" is not a read to be missed.

Confederate General In The Western Theater
Lawrence Lee Hewitt & Arthur W. Bergeron Jr., eds.
The University of Tennessee Press
293 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0325
www.utpress.org
9781572336995, $45.95, www.amazon.com

The second volume in the outstanding University of Tennessee Press series 'The Western Theater in the Civil War', "Confederate General In The Western Theater", under the collaborative editorship of Lawrence Lee Hewitt (Professor of History Emeritus, Southeastern Louisiana University) and Arthur W. Bergeron Jr. (former Reference Historian with the United States Army Military History Institute), is a 296-page compendium comprised of ten informed and informative articles focusing on the experiences and contributions of Confederate generals in the western theater of the American civil war. Among these are included George B. Crittenden, Alfred J. Vaughan Jr.; and John Bell Hood. Profusely enhanced with figures and maps, as well as an appendix, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive index, "Confederate General In The Western Theater" is an impressive body of seminal scholarship and highly recommended for personal and academic library American Civil War Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists. Also strongly endorsed is the first volume of "Confederate Generals In The Western Theater: Volume 1: Classic Essays on American's Civil War" (9781572337008, $45.95).


The Real Estate Shelf

The Complete Landlord & Property Manager's Legal Survival Kit
Diana Brodman Summers
Sphinx Publishing
c/o Sourcebooks, Inc.
Naperville Office, PO Box 4410, Naperville, IL 60567-4410
9781572487109, $24.99, www.sphnixlegal.com

It seems unavoidable that one will eventually find some sort of legal conflict with their property. "The Complete Landlord and Property Manager's Legal Survival Kit" is a guide for landlords who want to be prepared for the inevitable legal problems that comes with the land they own. Stating how to protect their investments, write clear contracts, dealing with evictions and collecting payment owed among other issues that seem to plague the land owner who is renting their property. "The Complete Landlord and Property Manager's Legal Survival Kit" is a resource that should be on hand for any property manager.


The International Studies Shelf

The Long Partition
Vazira Fazila-Yacoobali Zamindar
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street, New York, NY 10023-7015
9780231138475, $27.50, www.cup.columbia.edu

The political boundaries of modern Asia are radically different than those of one hundred years ago. "The Long Partition: And the Making of Modern South Asia: Refugees, Boundaries, Histories" Is an overview of the modern states of Asia and how they became what they are today. A tale of independence, ancient racial and religious tensions, European interventions, refugees, and more, author Zamindar provides a fascinating narrative of Southern Asia in the twentieth century with an educational and thoughtful read. "The Long Partition" is a core addition to any history collection focusing on Asia.


The Military Shelf

For Self and Country
Rick Eilert
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
9781591142331, $21.95, www.nip.org

There are few things tougher than coming back from the brink of death. "For Self and Country: For the Wounded in Vietnam the Journey Home Took More Courage Than Going into Battle" is a memoir from Rick Eilert as he reflects on spending his young adulthood first in Vietnam the in military hospitals, trying to recover from his life threatening injuries, and the relationships he found along the way. "For Self and Country" is a remarkable memoir, highly recommended.

Samurai!
Saburo Sakai
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
www.navalinstitute.org
9781591147558, $24.95, www.amazon.com

The late Saburo Sakai enlisted in the Japanese Navy at sixteen in 1932, ultimately logging 3,700 flight hours during the war, fought in some of the famous air battles of the Pacific Theatre, reportedly shooting down sixty-four Allied planes, and flying a crippled Zero almost 600 miles to safety while partially paralyzed and nearly blind from multiple wounds. "Samurai!" is memoir and stands as an invaluable first-hand, eye-witness account of Japanese air force pilots with respect to the battles they fought and died in. Sakai himself was a veteran survivor of more than two hundred dogfights. An invaluable contribution to the growing body of World War II literature, "Samurai!" is an informed and informative read, making it an especially recommended addition to academic and community library 20th Century Military Studies reference collections and personal reading lists.


The Photography Shelf

Making A Family Home
Shannon Honeybloom
Steiner Books
610 Main Street, Suite 1, Great Barrington, MA 01230
9780880107020, $20.00, www.steinerbooks.com

Home is something truly intangible yet also truly profound. "Making a Family Home" is a collection of photography as author Shannon Bloom, along with the assistance of professional photographer Skip Hunt, team up to show an idealistic and charming picture of home, the home Honeybloom has created. With plenty of thoughtful photography, "Making a Family Home" is a treasure not to be missed.

Canyon Wilderness of the Southwest
Jon Ortner
Welcome Books
6 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011
9781599620794, $18.95

Nature has its own paintbrush, and the canyons of the southwestern United States are proof of this. "Canyon Wilderness of the Southwest" is a collection of photography of deserts, wilderness, canyons and more, as Jon Ortner shows how gorgeous the Southwest can be with full color photography, with very high quality showing the natural detail of it all. For any fascinated with desert photography, "Canyon Wilderness" is a top pick for any such collection.

Crop Circles: Art in the Landscape
Lucy Pringle
Frances Lincoln, Ltd.
4 Torriano Mews, Torriano Avenue, London NW5 2RZ
c/o Perseus Distribution
193 Edwards Drive, Jackson, TN 38301-7716
9780711230927 $19.95 www.franceslincoln.com

Crop Circles: Art in the Landscape is a breathtaking compendium of aerial photography of exquisite crop circle designs. Collected by master photographer Lucy Pringle, Crop Circles: Art in the Landscape lives up to its title. There is next to no text other than brief captions for the photographs - the gorgeous, full-page images speak entirely for themselves. The crop circle designs from the south of England are intricate, captivating, and dazzle the eyes.

Arches National Park
Grant Collier
Collier Publishing
451 Wrigth St. #15, Lakewood, CO 80228
9780976921882, $12.95, www.collierpublishing.com

Beauty is no stranger to the desert. "Arches National Park" is a collection of full color photographs of Arches National Park, looking at these occurrences in nature displayed in full color photographs, shown in relation to reflections, a night filled with a starry sky, and so much more, giving the eyes much to feast on and enjoy. "Arches National Park" is a fine pick and a read that shouldn't be missed.

Chicago
Thomas J. O'Gorman
Thunder Bay Books
10350 Barnes Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121
9781607100096, 19.95, www.thunderbaybooks.com

Chicago, the crossroads of America, has changed much in its hundreds of years of existence. "Chicago: From the Air Then and Now" is a collection of photography detailing the changes in Chicago's history, comparing many locations in Chicago and how they have changed over the past century. Each page contains a black and white photo from the 1920s set opposite to the full color photo of modern Chicago. For anyone who loves the Second City, "Chicago from the Air: Then and Now" is a choice coffee table book.

Jordi Bernado: Very Very Bad News
Gabriel Bauret & Jordi Bernado
Actar D
158 Lafayette Street, 5th floor, New York, NY 10013
www.actar.com
849595107X, $22.95, www.amazon.com

"Jordi Bernado: Very Very Bad News" is a 200-page compendium showcasing the urban photography of Jordi Bernado. Featuring an informed and informative essay by Gabriel Bauret on the photographer and his work, the subject matter in "Jordi Bernado: Very Very Bad News" features images taken from the shanty towns of Brazil, Barcelona peep shows, the beaches of Cape Town and Sydney beaches, Detroit's inner city, the ruins of Bucharest, and the strange subterranean world of Nagoya. An impressive and memorable body of work, "Jordi Bernado: Very Very Bad News" is recommended for personal and academic library Photography Studies reference collections.


The Literary Shelf

Thrillers: 100 Must Reads
David Morrell & Hank Wagner, editors
Oceanview
595 Bay Isles Road, 120-G, Longboat Key, FL 34228
9781933515564, $27.95, www.oceanviewpub.com

A good thriller tries to bring the reader to more. "Thrillers: 100 Must Reads: Today's Best Thriller Writers On One Hundred Classics of the Genre" is a collection of modern thriller writers weighing in on the countless classics of the genre to decide what are the cornerstones of the genre, the books that shouldn't be missed by anyone with an interest in the genre. From the early 'Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde' to the modern works of writers such as R. L. Stine. "Thrillers: 100 Must Reads" is a resource for any thriller fan looking for what to read next.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Jesus
Tricia McCannon
Hampton Roads
65 Parker Street, Unit 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
9781571746078, $22.95, www.hrpub.com

The missing years of Christ are up for much debate in history. "Jesus: The Explosive Story of the 30 Lost Years and the Ancient Mystery Religions" looks at the potential expanded legacy of Jesus of Nazareth and how he could have had spiritual impact on many religions throughout Europe and Asia before he began his more well known tale in Palestine. Records from countless sources are speculated upon and makes "Jesus" a riveting and thought provoking tale that shouldn't be overlooked.

The Apostolic Fathers
Moody Classics
Moody Publishers
820 N. LaSalle Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60610
9780802456595, $8.99, www.moodypublishers.com

There are certain works that shape the foundation of a faith. "The Apostolic Fathers" is a collection of post-gospel works in early Christianity, all of which having important impact on Christian thought. From the last recorded words of a pastor, martyrs, to simply church discipline, "The Apostolic Fathers" is a fascinating and insightful collection that shouldn't be missed.

Real World Parents
Mark Matlock
Zondervan
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
9780310669364, $12.99, www.realwordparents.com

Not everything is picturebook simple. "Real World Parents: Christian Parenting for Families Living in the Real World" is a guide for parents who want to cope with the challenges of life but still remain good Christians themselves while raising their children to be the same. With plenty of thought and wisdom from expert Mark Matlock, "Real World Parents' is a treasure trove of knowledge that shouldn't be passed up.

Becoming Orthodox
Peter Gillquist
Conciliar Press
PO Box 76, Ben Lomond, CA 95005-0076
9781936270002, $16.95, www.conciliarpress.com

Faith has splintered many ways since Christ preached over two thousand years ago. "Becoming Orthodox: A Journey to the Ancient Christian Faith" discusses the Modern Eastern Orthodox Church and how many Protestants found their faith renewed in embracing the oldest sect of Christianity. The values of this sect have been all too easily ignored through the ages - values such as responsibility, and placing God above all else. The Orthodox doctrine remains constant. "Becoming Orthodox" is a riveting and thoughtful look at the faith and its place in modern religion.

Christianity, Climate Change, and Sustainable Living
Nick Spencer, Robert White, & Virginia Vroblesky
Hendrickson Publishers
PO Box 3473, Peabody, MA 01961-3473
9781598562293, $16.95

Christianity and environmentalism can coexist just fine. "Christianity, Climate Change, and Sustainable Living" brings the three concepts, the former not commonly found with the later two under one banner of study as the three authors craft a thoughtful analysis of global warming and climate change and what it means to be a Christian and being environmentally wise. "Christianity, Climate Change, and Sustainable Living" is a solid combo of knowledge, a top pick.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

For All Living Beings
Hsing Yun
Buddha's Light Publishing
3456 S. Glenmark Drive, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745
9781932293401, $15.95, www.blpusa.com

A clear mind and conscience is worth all the money in the world. "For All Living Beings: A Guide to Buddhist Practice" is an introductory to the practices of Buddhism, as Venerable Master Hsing Yun hopes to guide people into understanding the details of Buddhism and what it can do for what's life in their own personal searches for wisdom and enlightenment. "For All Living Beings" is a choice pick for anyone who wants to gain a greater understanding of Buddhism.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Why Does God Let it Happen?
Bruce Henderson
Chrysalis Books
c/o Swedenborg Foundation Publishers
320 North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380
9780877853329, $11.95, www.swedenborg.com

Much of the doubt of God in the world lies in the evils and horror of tragedies in the world. "Why Does God Let It Happen?" is a spiritual and religious guide that hopes to answer that question to why evil continues to have such a powerful presence in the world, and why is there seemingly a lack of intervention from God. Thoughtful and spirit lifting, "Why Does God Let It Happen?" is a fine addition to any spirituality collection.

An Illustrated Introduction to Taoism
Jean C. Cooper
World Wisdom
PO Box 2682, Bloomington, IN 47402-2682
9781935493167, $24.95, www.worldwisdom.com

Taoism is not a religion of divinity and gods, but of wisdom. "An Illustrated Introduction to Taoism: The Wisdom of the Sages" tells the story of Taoism, serving as an enlightening introduction for readers who want to better understand the stories behind the faith which began in China, how it began, its key figures, and how it is revered today. Taoism is not a religion like any other in the world, making "An Illustrated Introduction to Taoism" a solid and very highly recommended read.

Your Quest for a Spiritual Life
Michelle Corrigan
O Books
c/o National Book Network
PO Box 62188, Baltimore, MD 21264-2188
9781846942952, $14.95, www.o-books.com

Spiritual purity always seems to be just out of reach. "Your Quest for a Spiritual Life: Based on Pantanjali's Yoga Sutras" is a study of said Yoga sutras and wow they can help those seeking spiritual guidance and levity in their lives. Helping one down to their own enlightenment in life, Michelle Corrigan does well in helping readers understand the nuances of Patanjali. "Your Quest for a Spiritual Life" is a choice pick for any spirituality reader, highly recommended.

The Workplace and Spirituality
Joan Marques, Satinder Dhiman, & Richard King
Sky Lights Path
Sunset Farm Offices, Route 4, PO BOx 237, Woodstock, VT 05091
9781594732607, $29.99, www.skylightpaths.com

Just because you're on the clock doesn't mean your faith is. "The Workplace and Spirituality: New Perspectives on Research and Practice" delves into the workplace and how keeping touch with one's faith and spirituality can lead to a more fulfilling place in life that doesn't drain one's soul away and leave one hating one's job and hating one's life. Many thinkers of many different faiths converge and advise readers on how to keep their chin up and their spirits high by remembering their faith. "The Workplace and Spirituality" is a fine read and top pick for any religious person who has begun to dread the office.


The Journalism Shelf

Fearless Female Journalists
Joy Crysdale
Second Story Press
20 Maud Street, Suite 401, Toronto, ON M5V 2M5
9781897187715, $10.95, www.secondstorypress.ca

The urge to find the truth is not for the boys alone. "Fearless Female Journalists" discusses a few women who dared to push the limits of journalism in their respective fields. From TV legends like Katie Couric, to early abolitionists, to the tragedy of Anna Politkovskaya, Joy Crysdale shows a picture of women who aspired to make a difference. "Fearless Female Journalists" is a strong and highly recommended read that shouldn't be missed by any young woman with journalistic aspirations.


The Economics Shelf

The Minimum Wage Revisited In The Enlarged EU
Daniel Vaughan-Whitehead
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court, Northampton, MA 01060-3815
www.e-elgar.com
9781849800150, $160.00, www.amazon.com

The European Union arose in the latter part of the 20th Century as an economic body. Knowledgeably compiled and expertly edited by Daniel Vaughan-Whitehead (Senior Adviser, Responsible for Wage Polices, at the ILO in the Conditions for Work and Employment Programme, Geneva, Switzerland) "The Minimum Wage Revisited In The Enlarged EU" is a 544-page compendium of fifteen informed and informative articles from experts focusing on the implications and impacts of minimum wage policies and practices by member nations ranging from Bulgaria, France, and Hungary, to Germany, Poland, Greece, and others. Of special note is the concluding contribution by Seyhan Erdogdu on 'Turkey: Minimum wage in tension between economic and social concerns'. A body of impressive and insightful scholarship, "The Minimum Wage Revisited In The Enlarged EU" is strongly recommended as a seminal addition to academic library Economic Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Just Give Money to the Poor
Joseph Hanlon, et al.
Kumarian Press
c/o Stylus Publishing
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166
9781565493339, $24.95, www.kpbooks.com

The simplest of ideas can still hold much value. The collaborative work of Joseph Hanlon, Armando Barrientos, and David Hulme, "Just Give Money to the Poor: The Development Revolution from the Global South" discusses this revolutionary concept and how some developing countries are simply granting the poor money and watching how they use that money wisely, for education and for businesses to sustain the money they are given. Debating the problems and values of such a simple plan, "Just Give Money to the Poor" is a scholarly and thoughtful read that shouldn't be missed.


The Women's Studies Shelf

Women of True Grit
Edie Hand & Tina Savas
Canterbury House Publishing
225 Harmon Rd., Vilas, NC 28692-9369
9780982539606, $24.95, www.womenoftruegrit.com

There's nothing stopping a woman from succeeding in the world except her own determination. "Women of True Grit: Intimate, Informative, Inspirational" is a collection of anecdotes and stories as Edie Hand and Tina Savas share stories of countless women in very different walks of life telling their story of how they got to the top. These women succeed in industries from everywhere from Comedy and Music, to military and legal careers. "Women of True Grit" is a choice read that shouldn't be missed by any woman starting their own career with success in their eyes.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

The Trick is in the Training
Stephanie J. Taunton & Cheryle S. Smith
Barrons
250 Wireless Boulevard, Happauge, NY 11788
9780764142116, $9.99, www.barronseduc.com

Tricks are a fun way to bond with your dog. "The Trick is in Training: Dozens of Fun Tricks to Teach Your Dog" is a collection tips and ideas on how to train one's dogs from the most basic of commands from sit and stay, to more complex commands such as balance tricks, kisses, among others. For any dog lover who wants to do more with their canine, "The Trick is in the Training" is a solid resource, recommended.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

My Lovely Executioner & Agreement to Kill
Peter Rabe
Stark House
2200 O Street, Eureka, CA 95501
9781933586113, $19.95, www.starkhousepress.com

A good thriller never ages. "My Lovely Executioner & Agreement to Kill" is a two-pack of thrillers from famed writer Peter Rabe, who wrote these novels in the era of paperback originals, providing two exciting stories which will keep readers on the edge of their seats. "My Lovely Executioner & Agreement to Kill" is quite the value for those who can't get enough of thrillers and enjoy darn good stories.

Rolling Thunder
Chris Grabenstein
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10004
9781605980898, $25.00, www.pegasusbooks.us

Faced with the evils of the world, a friend is all you have in finding justice. "Rolling Thunder" is a mystery following John Ceepak and his partner Danny Boyle as they try to find who is responsible for the mysterious deaths of a senior citizen and a young woman. Their investigative skills will be tested as Chris Grabenstein brings readers on a fun mystery ride, making "Rolling Thunder" a choice pick.


The Poetry Shelf

Stray Home
Amy M. Clark
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
9781574412802, $12.95, www.unt.edu/untpress

No one is all that different from one another. "Stray Home" is a collection of poetry from educated and thoughtful poet Amy M. Clark who brings her readers a collection of poetry focusing on the similar experiences everyone faces, the challenges and how they overcome them. "Stray Home" is a thoughtful and choice read that shouldn't be missed by poetry lovers. "Shell Pink Clock": Perfectly round. Thin gold/hands chart its public face./Cut-glass lamp, teardrop chain./And a flat, black skipping stone.//Objects of her bedside, arranged/from before. Stone of hope, lamp of mercy, clock of love./One year more. Hard bare floor.

Spear-Fishing on the Chatanika
John Morgan
Salmon Poetry
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781907056246, $19.95, www.salmonpoetry.com

The man of Alaska has seen and done many things most others wouldn't even think of. "Spear-Fishing on the Chatanika" is a collection of poetry from John Morgan as he presents over forty years of his work and thought. Award winning work, "Spear-Fishing on the Chatanika" is a thoughtful and recommended collection. "The End": One gray animal walked to the edge of morning./The moon was behind it and the road/wound north, an infinite hill./And as there was simply no reason to proceed/with the project it had set out on days before, it sat down.//Eyes/are all I see of its gray face/staring into the morning/chilled past all desire/having at last come to the end.


The Political Science Shelf

The Case for Socialism
Alan Maass
Haymarket Books
4015 N. Rockwell, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60618
9781608460731, $12.00, www.haymarketbooks.org

With so much evil in the world, keeping the hands of government off almost seems cruel. "The Case for Socialism" discusses socialism and proposes an argument to why it may not be such a bad idea for the world as a whole, stating that socialism can coexist with ideas of equality and democracy, as well as liberty, stating that many capitalist ideas have placed profit as king as people suffer. "The Case for Socialism" is a thoughtful and thought provoking read many political readers will relish.

The Blueprint
Adam Scharager & Rob Witwer
Fulcrum Publishing
4690 Table Mountain Drive, Suite 100, Golden, CO 80403
9781936218004, $15.95, www.speakerscornerbooks.com

The political landscape of America is changing, and it may not be for reasons obvious. "The Blueprint: How the Democrats Won Colorado: And Why Republicans Everywhere Should Care" delves into progressive politics and why Democrats across the country are starting to take power, and how republicans may be at fault for their own loss of power. "The Blueprint" is a fascinating case study on the shifting nature of politics on the whole in America.

The Politics of Genocide
Edward S. Herman & David Peterson
Monthly Review Press
146 West 29th Street, Suite 6W, New York, NY 10001
9781583672129, $12.95, www.monthlyreview.org

There are few atrocities greater than genocide, but why does it so often go ignored? "The Politics of Genocide" delves into recent Genocides and why it has been used more often for political gain than anything else. This analysis asks many questions and provides many examples and discussion about various recent genocides from Darfur to Kosovo to even events like those that often happen in Israel's relations with Palestine. "The Politics of Genocide" is a fine addition to any political studies collection.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Real Irish Ghost Stories
Paul Fennell
Currach Press
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781856079860, $27.95, www.dufoureditions.com

Ghosts dwell on front of the paranormal, questioning many people about what lies beyond. "Real Irish Ghost Stories" is a collection of stories of ghosts throughout Ireland and how they have taken their place in the thought and life of many throughout the region, looking at their potential reality. "Real Irish Ghost Stories" is a collection that shouldn't be missed for those fascinated by the paranormal.

The Lost Art of Enochian Magic
Joh DeSalvo
Destiny Books
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781594773440, $16.95, www.amazon.com

Dedicated students of metaphysical studies will recognize John Dee as an iconic figure. In "The Lost Art of Enochian Magic: Angels, Invocations, and the Secrets Revealed to Dr. John Dee", John DeSalvo (current director of the Great Pyramid of Giza Research Association) offers a 232-page informative guide to John Dee's angelic magic, including practical instructions for performing Enochian magic meditations. This body of magic is named after the biblical prophet Enoch and was given to John Dee by angels in the 16th century. "The Lost Art of Enochian Magic" traces the history of magic beginning with the Akadians and the Egyptians, through the Greco-Roman cultures, and down to the present day. Of special note are the insights into how magic has influenced the religious beliefs and practices of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christian, Islam). Enhanced with the inclusion of a CD featuring Enochian calls demonstrating the correction pronunciation to be used when practicing Enochian rituals, "The Lost Art of Enochian Magic" will prove to be an invaluable and greatly appreciated addition to personal and academic library Metaphysical Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Writing Yourself
John Killick & Myra Schneider
Continuum
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 704, New York, NY 10038
9781847062529, $21.95, www.continuumbooks.com

A little piece of you is in everything you write, so you may as well relish it. "Writing Yourself: Transforming Personal Material" is a guide and discussion to transforming one's own personal writing into useful subject matter for multiple uses to the more obvious application of memoir to the more creative applications in mediums such as poetry and novels. "Writing Yourself" is filled with creative ideas and thoughts, making for a thoughtful resource for many writers.


The Art Shelf

100% Photoshop
Steve Caplin
Focal Press
30 Corporate Drive, Suite 400, Burlington, MA 01803
9780240814254, $39.95, www.focalpress.com

Photoshop doesn't need photos to do its work. "100% Photoshop: Create Stunning Artwork Without Using Any Photographs" is a guide to making artwork completely from scratch using Adobe Photoshop to its fullest extent, with no photographs or other source materials. Detailing a step by step process that will allow the artist to use photoshop as an easel rather than just an editing program, there are no shortage of tricks that will help readers gain a greater mastery of the program, no matter what they are planning to use it for. "100% Photoshop" is a unique and very highly recommended tool for any artist.


The Science Shelf

The Purpose-Guided Universe
Bernard Haisch
New Page Books
3 Tice Road, PO Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
9781601631220, $19.95, www.newpagebooks.com

A Christian and a man of science are not things that have to be conflicting. "The Purpose-Guided Universe: Believing in Einstein, Darwin, and God" is a fascinating meeting of science and religion, as Dr. Bernard Haisch gives his own thoughts on intelligent design, stating that minds like Einstein and Darwin can be correct while still believing in God. Thoughtful and with a lot to ponder, "The Purpose-Guided Universe" is a choice collection, very highly recommended.

Surrounded by Science
Marilyn Fenichel & Heidi A. Schwingruber
The National Academies
Lockbox 285, Washington, DC 20055
9780309136747, $24.95, www.national-academies.org

Science is a subject easy to make fun if the teacher is smart and creative about it. "Surrounded by Science: Learning Science in Informal Environments" is a guide for teachers who want to help immerse their students environments that encourage greater learning of science, stating that there are countless avenues such as zoos, science centers, aquariums, and more, but other, less obvious avenues as well. "Surrounded by Science" is a strong pick for any teacher who wants to impart their love for science on their students.

Security vs. Access
LeAnne K. Robinson, Abbie H. Brown, & Tim D. Green
ISTE
180 West 8th Ave., Suite 300, Eugene, OR 97401
9781564842640, $29.95, www.iste.org

Students aren't the most trustworthy of technology users. "Security vs. Access: Balancing Safety and Productivity in the Digital School" discusses technology in modern schools and the balance that must be attained as security against inappropriate and malicious websites must be attained but freedom to use the internet must be reached as technology and education grow closer and closer. A strongly recommended read for any school administrator in charge of the school's technology resources, "Security vs. Access" is a valuable and much needed discussion.

The Lego Mindstorms
Laurens Valk
No Starch Press
38 Ringold Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
9781593272111, $29.95, www.nostarch.com

Legos have gone far in the past few decades. "The Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 Discovery Book: A Beginner's Guide to Building and Programming Robots" is a guide to the programs and technological pursuits of Lego's newest Mindstorms toys that have been provoking the creativity of young builders. These tools have limitless potential and provide many challenges, and Laurens Valk gives plenty of tips on using the programs to its fullest. "The Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 Discovery Book" is a valuable resource sure to entertain and inform hobbyists.


The Aviation Shelf

From Props to Jets
Jon Proctor, Mike Machat, Craig Kodera
Speciality Press
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
9781580071468, $29.95, www.specialitypress.com

Jets have become the standard craft of choice for commercial aviation, but this was not always so. "From Props to Jets: Commercial Aviation's Transition to the Jet Age 1952-1962" tells the story of how Jet planes became the standard and why they overcame the more classical propeller driven aircraft. With plenty of technical information as well as full color photographs, and more, any lover of aircraft will find much to enjoy. "From Props to Jets" is a choice collection that any aviation lover will relish.


The Judicial Studies Shelf

Living Trusts for Everyone
Ronald Farrington Sharp
Allworth Press
10 East 23rd Street, Suite 510, New York, NY 10010
9781581156744, $14.95, www.allworth.com

A will is not for everyone, and has many of its own pitfalls. "Living Trusts for Everyone: Why a Will is not the Way to Avoid Probate, Protect Heirs, and Settle Estates" is a discussion of wills and trusts, as author Ronald Farrington Sharp hopes to enlighten readers on the dangers of a will and what many people do not understand about them. Urging people to embrace trusts to make sure their next of kin gets what you leave behind. "Living Trusts for Everyone" is a strong pick for any worried about what happens after they're gone.


The Music Shelf

Return of the King
Gillian G. Gaar
Jawbone
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781906002282, $19.95, www.jawbonepress.com

A legend of music requires a legendary comeback. "Return of the King: Elvis Presley's Great Comeback" tells of the story of the fall of Elvis Presley, becoming overexposed and being a shell of his former greatness. But not one to fade away quietly, the king of Rock and Roll returned to form with a major television special and recording some of his greatest hits. "Return of the King" is a choice pick for those who want insight into a lesser talked about part of Elvis's career, or just for Elvis fans in general.

101 Popular Three Chord Easy Favorites For Piano
Jonathon Robbins & Tony Santorella
Santorella Publications, Ltd.
13 Pleasant Avenue, Danvers, MA 01923
www.santorellapublication.com
TS204, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Arranged by Jonathon Robbins and edited by Tony Santorella, "101 Popular Three Chord Easy Favorites For Piano" is an impressive and inexpensive compendium of songs adapted for the piano. The individual pieces include ceremonial and party songs, Christmas songs and carols, classical pieces, Stephen Foster tunes, popular jazz standards, elegant wedding classics, patriotic songs and marches, American folk songs, ethnic folk songs, ballads, sacred hymns, and familiar vocal standards. From Amazing Grace; Silent Night, Beautiful Dreamer, and Sweet Rosie O'Grady, to Scarborough Fair, My Wild Irish Rose, Happy Birthday, Alexander's Ragtime Band, and Silver Threads Among The Gold, there are songs for every occasion. "101 Popular Three Chord Easy Favorites For Piano" is an ideal and highly recommended instruction book for those learning to play the piano, as well as a thoroughly 'player friendly' compendium for piano player based entertainment for social gatherings of all kinds.


The Business Shelf

Custom Surveys Within Your Budget
Brian Cooper and Maria Philips
Paramount Market Publishing
950 Danby Road, Suite 136, Ithaca, NY 14850
9780981986937, $34.95, www.paramountbooks.com

Knowledge is power, and in sales, knowing about who you're selling to is the knowledge you need. "Custom Surveys Within Your Budget: Maximizing Profits Through Effective Online Research Design" is a guide to creating complete and comprehensive surveys that are customized to serve one's business fully and effectively for its own market. The internet is a valuable information tool for this, and Brian Cooper and Maria Philips demonstrate these ideas effectively, making "Custom Surveys Within Your Budget" a top pick for businesses that need research but may have trouble affording it.

India
Richard R. Gesteland & Mary C. Gesteland
Copenhagen Business School Press
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 NE 58th Ave. Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213-3786
9788763002226, $47.00, www.isbs.com

Every culture has its own rules and traditions. "India: Cross-Cultural Business Behavior" is a guide for business people who want to do business with India and want to avoid the tricky and deceptive woes that often come with the territory when crossing into business with nations foreign to one's own. For anyone planning on bringing their own business venture into India, "India: Cross-Cultural Business Behavior" is a fine source of business and cultural knowledge.


The Native American Shelf

American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee
Kevin Hillstrom & Laurie Collier Hillstrom
Omnigraphics
PO Box 31-1640, Detroit, MI 48241-1640
9780780811294, $49.00, www.omnigraphics.com

Perhaps the blackest moment in American history, "Defining Moments: American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee" delves into the history of America's early relations as a sovereign nation, its relation with its native peoples, and how they forced them out west, causing countless death and tragedy along the way. From massacres, to legislation causing more issues, and how the ancestors of these oppressed people have found their own way in life in the modern day. "Defining Moments: American Indian Removal and the Trail to Wounded Knee" is a remarkable and highly recommended addition to American history collections, especially those with a nod to Native American studies.


The Library Science Shelf

Developing Library Leaders
Robert D. Stueart & Maureen Sullivan
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038
9781555707255, $75.00, www.neal-schuman.com

Leadership in a library is not so different as leadership in other places, but there are still differences. "Developing Library Leaders" is a reference for librarians who want to impart the spirit of leadership into their employees and help them run their library more strongly and effectively. Outlining what the role of a leader is, how a leader should form teams and inspire others, and more, Robert D. Stueart and Maureen Sullivan do well in helping administrators help form a fine force under their own leadership that will create a positive experience, for both employees and library patrons. "Developing Library Leaders" is a choice text, core to any library science collection.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Skinny is Overrated
Danielle Milano
Synergy Books
PO Box 30071, Austin, TX 78755
Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists
8716 Mopac Suite 330, Austin, TX 87859
9780984235834, $14.95, www.skinnyisoverrated.com

Being as skinny as a toothpick isn't a realistic or even a desirable goal for many women. "Skinny is Overrated: The Real Woman's Guide to health and Happiness at Any Size" is a guide to healthy bodies that comes with the realistic qualifier that all women are not meant to be the same size, and finding what size you are meant to be is the key to happy and healthy life. "Skinny is Overrated" is an uplifting and positive read that shouldn't be missed by dieters.


The Social Issues Shelf

Terrorizing Ourselves
Benjamin H. Friedman, Jim Harper, and Christopher A. Prebel
Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20001
9781935308300, $24.95, www.cato.org

Terrorism has become a hot button issue, and there are no shortage of ideas how to fix it. America just may be using the wrong ones. "Terrorizing Ourselves: Why U.S. Counter-terrorism Policy is Failing and How to Fix It" comes at readers with a scholarly discussion of how America is failing against the terrorists, letting them win by letting them succeed in their methods, by creating a culture of fear. Encouraging confidence to replace the fear, "Terrorizing Ourselves" gives readers many thoughtful ideas to counter terror and hope for minimizing the efforts of terror.


The Parenting Shelf

Beyond Divorce Casualties
Douglas Darnall
Taylor Trade
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781589794153, $16.95, www.rlpgtrade.com

The marriage may end, but the family doesn't have to. "Beyond Divorce Casualties" discusses those most severely affected by divorce: the children. With plenty of advice on how to bring back the feeling of family when all seems lost, author Douglas Darnall encourages parents to keep working together for the sake of their children if nothing else. "Beyond Divorce Casualties" is a thoughtful read with valuable advice.


The Nautical Shelf

Foul Bottoms
John Quirk
Sheridan House
145 Palisade Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
9781574092950, $14.95, www.sheridanhouse.com

Nothing is without its downfalls, and boats are no different. "Foul Bottoms: The Pitfalls of Boating and How to enjoy Them" is a collection of stories of the fun and not so fun of boating, as author John Quirk presents a book of text and art illustrating his stories, giving readers a fun and humorous romp through the challenges of recreational boating. From the coast to Africa, "Foul Bottoms" is a choice and very fun read, highly recommended.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Comic Book Price Guide 2010
Maggie Thompson, et al.
Krause Publications
c/o F+W Media
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
www.krausebooks.com
9781440213991, $19.99, www.amazon.com

As a collectible, comic books have seen a steady rise in value over the past 70+ years and, even given the inevitable market place ups and downs, as an investment property, comics have performed more reliably than the stock market. Every category of collectible requires an authoritative, detailed, and up-to-date guide to values. For comic books that guide is the Krause Publications edition of the "Comic Book Price Guide 2010", an 800-page compendium featuring more than 150,000 listings; 3,000 photos; and reliably expert pricing. The individual comics are presented alphabetically by title. Of special note is a photo grading guide to help dealers and collectors to evaluation a comic's physical condition accurately with respect to its value as a collectible. All this and more makes the "Comic Book Price Guide 2010" an indispensable reference for collectors and dealers -- and a core addition to community library Antiques/Collectibles reference collections.


The Gaming Shelf

Nunn's Chess Endings: Volume 1
John Nunn
Gambit Books
info@gambitbooks.com
www.gambitbooks.com
9781906454210, $29.95, www.amazon.com

This first volume in a major two volume set, "Nunn's Chess Endings" by chess grandmaster John Nunn is a 320-page compendium covering in extensive detail pawn endings, queen endings and minor-piece endings. Chess enthusiasts will be able to benefit form Nunn's particular expertise and experience with respect to playing out standard end games, finding the right methods in tricky real-life practical situations, including those that vary from idealized forms covered by traditional end game manuals. "Nunn's Chess Endings" identifies new and important motifs which occur repeatedly in over-the-board play; features tactical elements; corrects previous analysis; emphasizes end games susceptible to concrete analysis; is specifically designed to assist the over-the-board player and avoids composed or artificial positions; cogently presents ideas underlying analysis with respect to end game play and strategies. Definitive, comprehensive, and thoroughly 'user friendly', "Nunn's Chess Endings" is a strongly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Chess reference collections and supplemental reading lists. Dedicated chess enthusiasts should visit the Gambit Books web site at www.gambitbooks.com for a complete listing of their impressive roster of chess instruction titles.


The Interior Design Shelf

Fireplaces
Holger Reiners
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764334900, $34.99, www.amazon.com

For millennia, the fireplace served as a dwelling's source of heat for everything from cooking meals to warming rooms. With the coming of the 20th century central heating and electrical appliances supplanted the basic necessity of a fireplace in the American home. Fireplaces became objects of interior design primarily serving ornamental and esthetic functions. "Fireplaces: Modern Designs -- Traditional Forms" by Holger Reiners is a 160-page compendium showcasing new fireplace architectural designs ranging from the rustic to the futuristic. Far more than a beautifully illustrated collection of superbly designed fireplaces, "Fireplaces: Modern Designs -- Traditional Forms" covers every aspect of a working fireplace including location, hearth, flue, air intake, proportions, construction materials, and fuels. An informed, informative, and simply fascinating browse, "Fireplaces: Modern Designs -- Traditional Forms" is an enthusiastically recommended addition to academic and community library Interior Design reference collections and non-specialist supplemental reading list for anyone searching for fireplace design ideas and inspirations.


The Cookbook Shelf

The Boreal Gourmet
Michele Genest
Harbour Publishing
Box 219, Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0
www.harbourpublishing.com
9781550174755, $26.95, www.amazon.com

In "The Boreal Gourmet: Adventures in Northern Cooking", food columnist and experienced chef Michele Genest has compiled an impressive 224-page compendium of recipes featuring ingredients found in the northern climate and culinary culture of Alaska. Superbly illustrated throughout, the dishes range from The Chocolate Claim Cranberry Chutney; Pine and Macadamia Nut Baklava with Spruce Tip Syrup; Fresh Turnip, Red Pepper and Raspberry Salad; and Wrapped, Roasted Caribou with Demi-glace; to Potato-Apple Latkes with Smoked Salmon and Wasabi Cere Fraiche; Sourdough English Muffins without Yeast; Moose Lake Lasagna in a Pot; and Dall Sheep with Preserved Lemon, Olives and Prunes. With dishes that will please any gourmet palates and satisfy any appetite, the ingredient lists and step-by-step preparation instructions will enable even the most novice kitchen cook to produce professional 5-Star quality fare for any and all dining occasions.

100-Day Pantry
Jan Jackson
Horizon Publishers
c/o Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South, Springville, UT 84663
www.cedarfort.com
9780882909691, $13.99, www.amazon.com

In preparation for times of economic uncertainty, one of the best things a family can do to position itself to endure is to create a two-year supply of basic ingredients to keep themselves well fed. That's why Jan Jackson's "100-day Pantry: 100 Quick and Easy Gourmet Meals" fills a unique niche in family cookbook collections. Featured are more than 125 thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes based on ingredients that can be stored in the pantry for up to two years. Of special note is the wealth of practical advice on rotating pantry supplies for maximum efficiency with respect to preventing wasted food. The 'family sized' recipes range from Chicken Tetrazzini; Italian Bean Soup; and Creamy Beefy Casserole; to Tomato Chili Stew; Creamed Carrots with Bacon; and Hammy Mac & Cheese. Of special note is the final section of this 192-page compendium of solid advice and 'good eats' are the 'Tips & Tricks' on a variety of subjects such as vacation-ready recipes, optimal pantry organization, and dehydrated food sources, making "100-day Pantry: 100 Quick and Easy Gourmet Meals" an invaluable and enthusiastically recommended addition to all cookbook and emergency preparedness reference collections.

United Cakes Of America
Warren Brown
Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
115 West 18th Street, 6th floor, New York, NY 10011
www.abramsbooks.com
9781584798392, $29.95, www.amazon.com

If every there was an example of culinary patriotism, it's Warren Brown's "United Cakes of America: Recipes Celebrating Every State". This superbly illustrated, 224-page compendium of superbly presented recipes showcases pound cakes, butter cakes, sponge cakes, cupcakes, frostings, fillings, and meringues. There's a cake for and from all fifty states of the Union. These bakery masterpieces range from Whoopie Pie; Angel Food Cake; Tennessee Mountain Stack Cake; and Rice Krispies Treats; to Bundt Cake; Apple Cake; Jalapeno Cheddar Cheesecake; and Huckleberry Scones. Enhanced with an informative 'Baker Overview', a list of sources, conversion charts, and an index, the recipes themselves are arranged regionally. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly', "United Cakes of America: Recipes Celebrating Every State" is a unique and highly recommended addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections!


The Language Studies Shelf

601 French Verbs
Anne-Catherine Aubert
Berlitz Publishing
c/o Langenscheidt Publishing Group
PO Box 979, Spring House, PA 19477
www.langenscheidt.com
9789812688163, $15.99, www.amazon.com

Berlitz has long been a premier publisher of language study textbooks and bilingual linguistic guides. Compiled and presented by the team of Anne-Catherine Aubert (Professor of French Language, Princeton University); and linguists Lori Langer de Ramirez, Nicky Agate, Sophie Bizard, Matthew Mergen, and Madaline Turran, "601 French Verbs" is a 734-page compendium presenting 601 of the most important French verges in all tenses. Enhanced for students with the inclusion of helpful tips on remembering verbs; 75 'must know' verbs marked for quick look-up; and highlighted verb endings for easy reference, "601 French Verbs" is an ideal textbook for French language studies and highly recommended for personal, academic, and community library Language Studies reference collections. Also very highly recommended from Berlitz Publishing is "601 Italian Verbs" (9789812688170, $15.99).


The Wisconsin Shelf

Green Travel Guide To Southern Wisconsin
Pat Dillon & Lynne Diebel
Wisconsin Historical Society Press
816 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
www.wisconsinhistory.org
9780299235444, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Southern Wisconsin has always had a lot to offer the day-tripper, weekender, and vacationer. The collaborative work of Pat Dillon and Lynne Diebel, "Green Travel Guide to Southern Wisconsin: Environmentally and Socially Responsible Travel" takes a unique approach to visiting and traveling through the southern region of the Badger State. The emphasis is on environmentally friendly restaurants, lodgings, shops, and activities. This 200-page compendium of information and advice is an ideal and thoroughly 'user friendly' guide for planning any kind of excursion whether it's a night out or an extended vacation. From peaceful inns that sponsor workshops of topics ranging from cheesemaking to sustainability; to local markets selling local produce; to small-scale farmers that welcome traveler visits, this superbly organized, detailed and presented travel guide is an excellent resource. Enhanced with the inclusion of 22 black-and-white photographs and 3 maps, "Green Travel Guide to Southern Wisconsin: Environmentally and Socially Responsible Travel" is enthusiastically recommended for personal, family, and community library reference collections.


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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