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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 5, Number 6 June 2010 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Anthropology Shelf Biography Shelf
Christian Studies Shelf Poetry Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf
World History Shelf Social Issues Shelf Photography Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Political Science Shelf Music Shelf
Fiction Shelf Self-Help Shelf Travel Shelf
Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Buddhist Studies Shelf
Education Shelf Business Shelf Money/Finance Shelf
Pets/Wildlife Shelf Automotive Shelf International Studies Shelf
Parenting Shelf Environmental Studies Shelf Language Studies Shelf
Psychology Shelf Computer Shelf Cookbook Shelf
Crafts Shelf Architecture Shelf Art Shelf
Large Print Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf Mathematics Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

Milwaukee Television History
Dick Golembiewski
Marquette University Press
Box 3141, Milwaukee, WI 53201-3141
www.marquette.edu/mupress
9780874620559, $47.00, www.amazon.com

What is not generally known is that Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was the first applicant to receive a commercial broadcast television license from the Federal Communications Commission in 1938. It was Milwaukee television that had the first female program direct and the firms female news director in a major television market. Milwaukee was also the city in which the VHF vs UHF controversy broke out in the 1950s. Milwaukee was also a pivotal site for the development of an educational TV station (WMVS-TV) and the first to regularly telecast in color. It was Milwaukee's own WMVT that was chosen as the site of the first long-distance test of a digital over-the-air signal in a technological evolution that was to ultimate replace analog television with digital television throughout the country. "Milwaukee Television History: The Analog Years" is a profusely illustrated 510-page compendium that showcases the complete and definitive history of Milwaukee's contributions to the television industry and culture. Of special note is the chapter dedicated to 'Low-Power, Class-A and Translator Stations'. Enhanced with a profusion of anecdotal stories and quotations from on-air talent, engineers, and station managers, "Milwaukee Television History: The Analog Years" is a unique and core addition to both academic and community library collections, as well as a recommended reading for anyone with an interest in Milwaukee history in general, and the history of American television broadcasting in particular.

Fundamentals of Game Development
Heather Maxwell Chandler & Rafael Chandler
Jones & Bartlett Learning
40 Tall Pine Drive, Sudbury, MA 01776
9780763778958, $69.95, www.jblearning.com

Everyone wants to make games, but few remember that the fundamentals are the first step. "Fundamentals of Game Development" is a guide to the major concepts of game design, the building blocks in which all games are constructed and made. Designed so that readers with no previous experience can understand, the book focuses on the concepts rather than the code, and covers everything from the pitch of the game to voiceover work and localization. "Fundamentals of Game Development" is a must for anyone who wants to get into or understand the field of making video games.


The Anthropology Shelf

Adam's Tongue
Derek Bickerton
Hill and Wang
18 West 18th Street, new York, NY 10011
9780809016471, $16.00, www.fsgbooks.com

How did mankind evolve from grunting at one another to having thousands of different languages across the globe? "Adam's Tongue: How Humans Made Language, How Language Made Humans" is a discussion of the origins of language, casting an investigative eye onto the animal kingdom and how they communicate with one another. Composed with formal knowledge but an informal flare, "Adam's Tongue" is a fascinating read on language which will captivate anyone intrigued with how humans became what they are today.


The Biography Shelf

Iona Dreaming
Clare Cooper Marcus
Nicolas Hays, Inc.
PO Box 540206, Lake Worth, FL 33454-0206
9780892541577, $21.95, www.nicolashays.com

A long score of history and a natural beauty can truly make a place a spiritual experience. "Iona Dreaming: The Healing Power of Place" is a collection of reflections from Clare Cooper Marcus as she speaks of her time she spent on the Scottish Island of Iona and what it aught her about her life and how it can help others bring new insight into theirs as well. "Iona Dreaming" is a thoughtful and spiritual read, a solid addition to any spirituality or memoir collection.

North of Iskut
Tor Forsberg
Caitlin Press
8100 Alderwood Road, Halfmoon Bay, BC V0N 1Y1, Canada
9781894759427, $24.95, www.caitlinpress.com

Life in the northern forests is an acquired taste. "North of Iskut: Grizzlies, Bannock, and Adventure" is a collection of memoirs from Tor Forsberg as she reflects on her decision to travel into the Yukon in her twenties and why since then she hasn't looked back, pursuing both her art and her survival skills. A fascinating and insightful read of northern life, "North of Iskut" is a choice pick for memoir collections.

Just Don't Call Me Ma'am
Anna Mitchael
Seal Press
38 Everett St, Suite 75, Allston, MA 02134
9781580053167, $15.95, www.sealpress.com

The charming southern bell isn't what a lot of Southern women see themselves as. "Just Don't Call Me Ma'am: How I Ditched the South, Forgot My Manners, and Managed to Survive My Twenties with Most of My Dignity Still Intact" is a memoir of Anna Mitchael who left her southern goddess lifestyle for something far different in life. A tale of small town girl going into the big city and having fun with it, "Just Don't Call Me Ma'am" is an entertaining and thoughtful memoir many readers will relish.

Spectator In Hell
Colin Rushton
Pelican
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LO 70053
9781589807952, $18.95, www.pelicanpub.com

For those who viewed it, it altered their outlook on life forever. "Spectator in Hell: A British Soldier's Story of Imprisonment in Auschwitz" is a memoir from Arthur Dodd as studied by Colin Ruston. Taken prisoner by the Nazis in 1942, Dodd saw the true horrors of the Nazi regime, and tells his first person account of a prisoner of war in one of the most notorious places in history. "Spectator in Hell" is a strongly recommended addition to any World War II memoir collection.

Out of Step
Jane Murray Heimlich
Orange Frazer Books
PO Box 214, Wilmington, OH 45177
9781933197661, $24.95

With the right idea and common sense, becoming a successful business man was a realized dream for many immigrants. "Out of Step" is a unique memoir from Jane Murray Heimlich. Telling the story of her father and how he came to this country and made his fortune with a mail order business using dance steps, she provides a unique picture of her father and what it is like to be the daughter of an immigrant success story, as well as the wife of a surgeon whose name is used in saving lives - Dr. Henry Heimlich. Entertaining and thought provoking, "Out of Step" is a treasure trove of memories shared, a highly recommended pick.

My Dream of Stars
Anousheh Ansari & Homer Hickam
Palgrave Macmillan
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
Allen Media Strategies (publicity)
12019 Trossack Road, herndon, VA 20170
9780230619937, $25.00, www.palgrave.com

From a land that did not expect anything of her, she became the first Iranian woman in space. "My Dream of Stars: From Daughter of Iran to Space Pioneer" is a biographical memoir from Anousheh Ansari, as she tells her life story from growing up in the chaos of Iran during its revolutions, to how she found her way to American soil, making her American dream come true, and so much more. She is not only an astronaut, but also a successful businesswoman. "My Dream of Stars" is a choice pick for readers seeking a truly inspirational story.

Pavel Florensky
Avril Pyman
Continuum Books
80 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
9781441187000, $29.95, www.continuumbooks.com

Brilliance doesn't need to be told it's brilliant. "Pavel Florensky: A Quiet Genius, The Tragic and Extraordinary Life of Russia's Unknown Da Vinci" looks into the life of Pavel Florensky, man who has retrospectively compared to Leonardo Da Vinci as one of History's greatest minds. A man of many professions, he placed his thoughts into everything from the priesthood to physics, engineering, mathematics, and philosophy. A renaissance man after the fact, Avril Pyman paints a complete picture of this truly unique man. "Pavel Florensky" is a top pick for biographical collections.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Jesus of Nazareth
Paul Verhoeven
Seven Stories
140 Watts Street, New York, NY 10013
9781583229057, $23.95, www.sevenstories.com

Jesus was more than a figure who has attracted the worship of a billion people - he was a man. "Jesus of Nazareth" is a take on Jesus placing him in the shoes that everyone has walked, the shoes of a human being. Stating that Jesus, regardless of the spiritual connotations and miracles, was a man who wanted to change the world for the better, and through these desires acted not only as a spiritual leader, but a politician. "Jesus of Nazareth" is a compelling read that will grip readers regardless of their religious beliefs.

The Healing Christ
Robert Winterhalter
Ozark Mountain Publishing
PO Box 754, Huntsville, AR 72740
9781886940697, $14.00, www.ozarkmt.com

The acts of Christ are things of legend, but could these legends be true? "The Healing Christ" is a metaphysical look at the work of Chris, and how his acts all those acts in biblical times may be true when the ideas of metaphysics are applied. A fascinating and insightful approach to the life of Christ, "The Healing Christ" is a read that shouldn't be missed for Christians with an interest in the metaphysical.

The Naked Anabaptist
Stuart Murray
Herald Press
616 Walnut Avenue, Scottsdale, PA 15683-1999
9780836195170, $13.99, www.heraldpress.com

Anabaptism commonly finds itself among the culture of the Amish or Mennonites, leaving many spectators confused to its true nature. "The Naked Anabaptist: The Bare Essentials of a Radical Faith" discuss this tradition and its true values for the world to see and judge, and perhaps inspire others to follow. From history to modern practices and worship, "The Naked Anabaptist" is a fine addition to any religious studies collection.

Against All Gods
Phillip E. Johnson
Inter Varsity Press
PO Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426
9780830837380, $15.00, www.ivpress.com

In railing against faith, some atheists become the very thing they speak out against. "Against All Gods: What's Right and Wrong about the New Atheism" discusses the modern atheist movement, bringing forth a scholarly debate and how many atheists are hurting the cause arguing with weak or false information, putting religion to the stake a bit too harshly. "Against All Gods" is a fascinating read, and a top pick for any intrigued with the modern religious debate.

A 30 Day Retreat
William C. Mills
Paulist Press
997 Macarthur Blvd. Mahwah, NJ 07430
9780809146420, $16.95, www.paulistpress.com

The spirit isn't possessed of endless energy; it needs a rest now and again. "A 30 Day Retreat: A Personal Guide to Spiritual Renewal" helps readers understand how to use scripture and to fully embrace one's faith, allowing one to return to one's everyday life with an increased sense of purpose and drive. "A 30 Day Retreat" may be just what some Christians need to empower their lives.

Salvation and Sovereignty
Kenneth Keathley
B & H Publishing Group
127 Ninth Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37234-0143
9780805431988, $24.99, www.BHacademic.com

Free will can have its place in God's world. "Salvation and Sovereignty: A Molinist Approach" is a discussion of faith as Kenneth Keathley places the Calvinist principles that state God has control of all things in the world, and discusses it against Molinism, a doctrine that believes God controls the world, but humanity has free will and control of their own destiny. Discussing faith from multiple directions and with much to think about, "Salvation and Sovereignty" is a top pick and very highly recommended read.

Grief
Melissa M. Kelley
Fortress Press
PO Box 59304, Minneapolis, MN 55459-0304
9780800696610, $20.00, www.fortresspress.com

Coping with loss is the challenge many ministers must help their congregation with. "Grief: Contemporary Theory and the Practice of Ministry" is a collection of thoughts and ideas on the role of the minister in helping grievers find hope and find God at the time they need him the most. Thoughtful and acknowledging of modern issues facing many worshipers, "Grief" is a choice pick for any minister who wants to improve their actions when dealing with these issues.

Heart of the Christian Life
Benedict XVI
Ignatius Press
PO Box 1339, Fort Collins, CO 80522
9781586174323, $14.95, www.ignatius.com

The Eucharist is a major aspect of Catholicism, and Pope Benedict XVI has written much on the matter regarding it. "Heart of the Christian Life: Thoughts on Holy Mass" is a collection of the Pope's writings on the subject, composed throughout his life as Joseph Ratzinger to his position as pope. High spirituality and very driven writing, Catholics who want their faith spurred by words would do well in acquiring "Heart of Christian Life", a solid addition to Catholic and Christian collections.


The Poetry Shelf

Unsettled Accounts
Will Wells
Ohio University Press
The Ridges, Building 19, Athens, OH 45701
www.ohiou.edu/oupress
9780821419045, $14.95, www.ohioswallow.com

Many different people, no matter who they are, prove to be teachers all the same. "Unsettled Accounts" is a collection of poetry from Will Wells as he comes to readers with an array of wisdom and wit as he reflects on the vastly different people of the world. Intriguing work, "Unsettled Accounts" is a worthy addition to any poetry collection. "Feuds": In the faded parlors of Tirolo's two best houses,/the widows still duel at their pianos./Something like Schubert turns the swallows/into notation, circling unresolved./Slugs tryst listlessly to the answering strains of Chopin, waltzing at dirge tempo./High on an outcrop, a castello shakes/its crenelated fist at the tower one ridge over./Stinging nettles defend the granite walls./At each arrow loop, the quick salamander/or the scorpion with barbed tail flexed,/a Gabbiano warrior in chain mail./Under them, the Adige runs to meet its lover,/Isarco, and on to Verona where lovers die.

The Lesser Tragedy of Death
Cristina Garcia
Black Goat
c/o Akashic Books
PO Box 1456, New York, NY 10009
9781936070015, $15.95, www.akashicbooks.com

Death for many, is not viewed as the worst thing that can happen. "The Lesser Tragedy of Death" is a collection of poems from Cristina Garcia, a teacher author of countless previous novels. Her work focuses on the disgraces of life and how many fall into it, trying desperately to recover their status in life. "The Lesser Tragedy of Death" is a fine collection that shouldn't be ignored. "Brain": Halved walnut halved/again/dusted with gunpowder.//Right lobe courts conceit, a flaunting evil./Its motto: Nothing in nature says no.//The left lobe labors, motto-less, in the day-to-day hard light./Nothing rhythmical is permitted.//This contest was rigged from the beginning.

Behold
Nicki Jackowska
Arts Councl England
c/o Dufour Edition
PO box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781904634850, $22.95

Poetry not only helps a reader understand, it helps the writer understand. "Behold" is the seventh collection of poetry from Nicki Jackowska, as she presents he own brand of middle class English poetry, unique to the world. "Behold" is a thoughtful and thought provoking read that shouldn't be missed. "Hold" : I bring a sound from the high slopes/bell against loss, those mountain-keepers/held by a rope of far-off notes/tethered to shepherds, hill-farms/or one lone caller here, drawing you in.//And your eyes grow wide, staring into me and out beyond us both/to a wide, wide world uncharted yet/cupped by this hollow beat on metal/mountain-goat's familiar, echo deep-song.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Crash Course in Jewish History
Ken Spiro
Targum Press
22700 W. Eleven Mile Rd., Southfield, MI 48034
9781568715322, $31.99, www.targum.com

Judaism is one of the oldest religions in the world. "Crash Course in Jewish History: From Abraham to Modern Israel" is a text analyzing the history of Judaism from its earliest days, how it came to be, how it gained its followers, and how it sired the start of the Abrahamic faith. Even today, Judaism's principles are shared throughout much of the world by both Jews and non-Jews. Insightful, thought provoking and riveting reading, "Crash Course in Jewish History" is an absolute must for any library collection focusing on religious history.

King of the Jews
Norman Gelb
The Jewish Publication Society
2100 Arch Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
9780827609136, $22.00, www.jewishpub.org

Driven from their homeland, the idea of a Jewish Nation never truly died. "King of the Jews: The Origins of the Jewish Nation" delves into the idea of the Jewish nation and its leadership, spanning from biblical times to how these figures and ideas still hold powerful place in today's Israel. "King of the Jews" is a strong pick for historical selections discussing the idea of the Jewish nation and its relationship with Israel.

Who By Fire, Who By Water
Lawrence A. Hoffman
Jewish Lights
PO Box 237, Sunset Farm Offices, RT. 4, Woodstock, VT 05091
9781580234245, $24.99, www.jewishlights.com

Some things are lightning rods of controversy. Un'taneh Tokef is one of them. "Who By Fire, Who By Water" is a collection of Rabbis and other Jewish thinkers as they converge and offer their own thoughts and opinions on the controversial piece of Jewish literature and what it means in regard to the Jewish new year. For those seeking a fascinating look into one of the hotly debated topics of modern Judaism, "Who By Fire, Who By Water" is a core addition to any Judaic studies collection.


The World History Shelf

Afghanistan
David Isby
Pegasus
80 Broad Street, Fifth Floor, New York, NY 10004
9781605980829, $28.95, www.pegasusbooks.us

Afghanistan has been anything but a pure success story for American forces. "Afghanistan: Graveyard of Empires, a New History of the Borderland" is a recent history of the chaos in Afghanistan and the tumultuous nature of the region, and how America seems to be falling into the same rut other nations have faced in trying to occupy and control the region. Looking at history and the problems that face modern Afghanistan outside problematic forces, "Afghanistan" is an insightful read for anyone who wants to understand the problems America faces in the country.

Robin Hood
John Paul Davis
Peter Owen Publishers
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9780720613391, $29.95, www.peterowen.com

All folk lore has basis in reality, but who was the real Robin Hood? "Robin Hood: the Unknown Templar" looks at the possible reality that paints Robin Hood as a member of the Knights Templar, the famous religious order of knights in the middle ages. But how did he become known as the freedom loving outlaw of the Crusades period? "Robin Hood: The Unknown Templar" is a fascinating study of the legend of Robin Hood and who the man truly was.

Anarchism and the City
Chris Ealham
AK Press
674-A 23rd Street, Oakland, CA 94612
9781849350129, $20.00, www.akpress.org

Spain has had quite the decline from a super power of the colonial era. "Anarchism and the City: Revolution and Counter-Revolution in Barcelona 1898-1937" examines the political turmoil that Spain faced spanning from the time of the Spanish-American War to the early grumblings of World War II. Focusing on Barcelona, one of Spain's largest cities, Chris Ealham paints a picture of a country in turmoil well. "Anarchism and the City" is a strong addition to any history collection.

Against All Hope
Hermann Langbein
Paragon House
1925 Oakcrest Avenue, Suite 7, St. Paul, MN 55113
9781557788825, $24.95, www.paragonhouse.com

While some endure and hope for the best, there were those who fought. "Against All Hope: Resistance in the Nazi Concentration Camps: 1938-1945" tells the story of the Jews who resisted their oppressors even in hopeless situations where they were unarmed against the German forces holding them captive. Hermann Langbein tells his own story of standing up in the final days of the war in the notorious camp of Auschwitz, and how he and others he knew made their stand even in hopeless situations. "Against All Hope" is a fascinating and uplifting read that shouldn't be missed by history readers.


The Social Issues Shelf

Pastimes
Ruth V. Russell
Sagamore Publishing
804 North Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61820
9781571675453, $74.95, www.sagamorepub.com

Everyone has a favorite way to spend their time. "Pastimes: The Context of Contemporary Leisure" discusses pastimes and how America spends their free time and their bigger impact on the world around them. From explaining the importance of having fun, its value to society, how history has dictated leisure throughout the ages, differences around the world, and so much more. "Pastimes" is a scholarly look at leisurely and an intriguing and fascinating read.


The Photography Shelf

Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography
NK Guy
RockyNook
26 West Mission Street, Ste 3, Santa Barbara, CA 93111-2432
9781933952444, $44.95, www.rockynook.com

Some things can't wait for a good picture. "Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography" discusses flash photography with the Canon EOS, and its many features which can help would be photographers get that instant picture they want. Covering every feature and technique one can use with the equipment to make vivid and natural pictures, NK Guy gives full advice on everything from preparation to doing it on the fly. "Mastering Canon EOS Flash Photography" is an insightful and very useful photography manual, enthusiastically recommended.

Nature: Art And Structure
Mara K. Fuhrmann
H. F. Ullmann
c/o Langenscheidt Publishing Group
15 Tyger River Drive, Duncan, SC 29334
www.langenscheidt.com
9780841611023, $49.99, www.amazon.com

With its tri-lingual (English, German, French) captions, "Nature: Art And Structure" showcases both a national panorama of natural phenomena and the German photographer Mara K. Fuhrmann's impressive skills in capturing their images. From the tiny subject of a white cottongrass blossom in a Netherlands wetland, to the UNESCO world heritage site Goreme Valley landscape; to a two-page photograph of a gorge canyon in Provence, France, "Nature: Art And Structure" is a truly impressive and memorable 215-page excursion of the beauty and wonder and natural artistry of the flora and fauna that the forces of nature have sculpted unassisted and unhindered by the hand of man. "Nature: Art And Structure" is highly recommended for both personal and academic library Photography collections, and would make a particularly excellent choice as a community library Memorial Fund acquisition.

The Underwater Photographer, third edition
Martin Edge
Focal Press
30 Corporate Drive, Suite 400, Burlington, MA 01803
9780240521640, $39.95, www.focalpress.com

Vivid underwater pictures have much that attracts viewers. "The Underwater Photographer" is the third edition of Martin Edge's advisory guide as she hopes to get readers started in this complex yet rewarding field. From suitable cameras for the job, the right filters, preparations for shots, rookie starting advice, and more. Serving as both a how to guide and a quick reference for veteran water photographers, Edge applies his work well, making "The Underwater Photographer" an invaluable resource for the field.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-Existing Diabetes
Cheryl Alkon
Demos Health
11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10036
9781932603323, $18.95, www.demoshealth.com

Diabetes presents many new challenges, especially in pregnancy. "Balancing Pregnancy with pre-Existing Diabetes: Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby" is a guide to dealing with pregnancy as a diabetic and the issues one will face as a diabetic mother. From planning the pregnancy, to the dealing with the many stages to facing the unfortunate of miscarriages and the success of birth, "Balancing Pregnancy with Pre-Existing Diabetes" is an informative and highly useful pick which shouldn't be missed.

Nordic Walking for Total Fitness
Suzanne Nottingham & Alexandra Jurasin
Human Kinetics
PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
9780736081788, $19.95, www.humankinetics.com

Walking is healthy exercise in itself, but throwing some technique into it can enhance it. "Nordic Walking for Total Fitness: Your Path to a Lean, Strong, and Fit Physique" is a guide to Nordic walking and its many health benefits. Outlining six workouts that one can use to enhance one's health, each with different focuses,. With plenty of tips for tweaking one's routine for better form and execution, "Nordic Walking for Total Fitness" is an ideal pick for those who want to add more vigor to health walks.

Health Care Meltdown
C. Rocky White
Alan C. Hood & Company
PO Box 775, Chambersburg, PA 17201
9780911469301, $15.00, www.hoodbooks.com

Nothing is perfect, but our health care system is one of the furthest things from it. "Health Care Meltdown: Confronting the Myths and Fixing Our Failing System" offers Robert H. LeBow, a physician in his own right, as he offers his own piece of mind to the many problems today's health care system faces, such as millions being uninsured, the rising cost of simply getting sick, and how it's destroying lives across the country. Suggesting his own ideas for solutions, "Health Care Meltdown" is a choice pick for those seeking another voice in the health care debate.

The Core Concepts of Occupational Therapy
Jennifer Creek
Jessica Kingsley Publisher
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849050074, $36.95, www.jkp.com

It isn't healthy to recover from an injury doing nothing. "The Core Concepts of Occupational Therapy: A Dynamic Framework for Practice" is a guide to the concepts and nuances of occupational therapy, stating how such tasks can do wonders for helping individuals recover from injury. Discussing how to pick the right occupational therapy for the problem, motivation, performance and creation, and so much more, "The Core Concepts of Occupational Therapy" belongs in any health collection focusing on more specialized healing techniques.

Rethinking Nutrition
Susan Nitzke & Collaborators
Redleaf Press
10 Yorktron Court, St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
9781605540313, $27.95, www.redleafpress.com

A well fed child is a happy child and a healthy child. "Rethinking Nutrition: Connecting Science and Practice in Early Childhood Settings" discusses pediatric diet and its importance in childhood development. Early childhood diet is highly vital in patterning eating habits for the future, and as well as giving a child everything they need to grow to their fullest physical and mental potential. "Rethinking Nutrition" is a fascinating read, well worth adding to any health studies collection.


The Political Science Shelf

A Presidency in Peril
Robert Kuttner
Chelsea Green
PO Box 428, White River Junction, VT 05001
9781603582704, $25.00, www.chelseagreen.com

Promises can prove hard to keep when the realities of power settle in. "A Presidency in Peril: The Inside Story of Obama's Promise, Wall Street's Power, and the Struggle to Control Our Economic Future" puts an eye onto the Obama Presidency as Robert Kuttner offers a through analysis of Barack Obama's first year in office. Even handed, he's critical of Obama's failures but still shows there is hope in his remaining years as the President settles into office. "A Presidency in Peril" is an enlightening and riveting read sure to please.


The Music Shelf

House of Hits
Andy Bradley & Roger Wood
University of Texas Press
PO Box 7819, Austin, TX 78713-7819
9780292719194, $34.95, www.utexaspress.com

One of the biggest capitals of music in America got started due to a zoning law oversight. "House of Hits: The Story of Houston's Gold Star/Sugarhill Recording Studios" tells the story of how after the end of World War II, this small recording studio grew and became a juggernaut of music, bringing many hits and musical legends, such as Willie Nelson, into the American lime light. An in-depth history traces its history from the 1950s to the modern era where it sponsors acts like Destiny's Child. "House of Hits" is a fascinating piece of Texan music history, highly recommended. Also for Texan music fans is "Texas Tornado: The Times & Music of Doug Sahm" (9780292721968, $24.95, www.utexaspress.com), a look at the career and early death of Doug Sahm, a contemporary of Bob Dylan.


The Fiction Shelf

Sing
Lisa T. Bergren
David C. Cook
c/o Cook Communications
4040 Lee Vance View, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
9781434767073, $14.99, www.davidccook.com

When life goes sour, a return to family may be all you have to stay afloat. "Sing" tells a story of three different lives of the St. Clair family in the later half of the nineteenth century. One faces a harsh winter of Colorado, another faces the scams and subterfuge of Paris, and yet another loses his boxing career to be forced to work on a ship. With no where to turn, they start on the long journey home, hoping family will deliver them from the crisis they face. "Sing" is a top pick and very highly recommended read.

Gasoline
Quim Monzo
Open Letter
Lattimore Hall 411, Rochester, NY 14627
9781934824184, $14.95, www.openletterbooks.org

Nothing takes one's steam quicker than being replaced. "Gasoline" is the tale of Heribert, a man grappling with his own artistic block and loss of love for life. Uncaring for his family, for his life, for anything, he watches as another individual by the name of Humbert takes over everything he does, doing it better. A fascinating read of the decline of a great mind and the rise of another, "Gasoline" is a choice and very highly recommended read that shouldn't be missed.

The Roosevelt Gambit
G. B. Eubanks
Lightning Source
9780982553800, $25.95, www.rooseveltgambit.com

The wrong doers of the world often cooperate, creating a tangled web that good men must untangle. "The Roosevelt Gambit" is a historical novel set in the early twentieth century as Leighton Hanshaw finds in his hands a web of issues that endanger the lives of his president, his country, the world itself, and himself as well. "The Roosevelt Gambit" is an exciting action and adventure read for fans of historical fiction.

The Second Trial
Rosemarie Boll
Second Story Press
20 Maud Street, Suite 401, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
9781897187722, $11.95, www.secondstorypress.ca

A life shattering event forces changes that no child wants. "The Second Trial" tells the story of Danny McMillan as he tries to come to terms with his radically changed life after a horrible act of his father against his mother. Forced to relocate to a new life, Danny finds it hard to adapt, and the temptation to rebel is so very strong. "The Second Trial" is a read of a child finding it hard to adapt to a new world, which many young readers may find relation to. Highly recommended.

With One Foot in the Butterfly Farm
L. D. Brodsky
Time Being Books
10411 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63131
9781568091297, $14.95

It's a bit hard to go through life and not lose your mind a little. "With One Foot in the Butterfly Farm" is a collection of short fiction with absurd twists from L.D. Brodsky as he tells tale of workplace shenanigans, the duty that drives us through life, and the things you face simply living in one's home. Funny yet poignant, "With One Foot in the Butterfly Farm" is a choice pick for humorous fiction collections.

Feeding Mrs. Moskowitz & The Caregiver
Barbara Pokras and Fran Pokras Yariv
Syracuse University Press
621 Skytop Road, Suite 110, Syracuse, NY 13244-5290
9780815609780, $19.95, www.syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu

The elderly have quite a bit of wisdom, and often you'll get it whether you want it or not. "Feeding Mrs. Moskowitz & the Caregiver" is a pair of two novellas focusing on the topic of the elderly and their interactions with the people around them. 'Feeding Mrs. Moskowitz' is the story of the titular elderly lady and her encounters with a girl rapidly approaching middle age. 'The Caregiver' tells the tale of a caregiver and her job at an assisted living facility. "Feeding Mrs. Moskowitz & The Caregiver" is an enticing read that shouldn't be missed.

Drenched
Marisa Matarazzo
Soft Skull Press
c/o Counterpoint
2117 Fourth Street, Suite D, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781593762711, $14.95, www.softskull.com

Love and lust know no boundaries for many. "Drenched: Stories of Love and Other Deliriums" is a collection of short fiction from Marisa Matarazzo as she puts together a collection of tales blending the sensual and the fantastic. Her stories tell real facts of love and the many questions asked as people face it and throughout it. Riveting and thought provoking reading, "Drenched" is a choice pick for any fiction collection.

The Adventures of Glinda Gale
J. A. Holst
TV Acres Books
1965 Broadway Street, Stockport, OH 43787
9780979413322, $15.95, www.tvarces.com

The knowledge of Oz doesn't simply die with Dorothy. "The Adventures of Glinda Gale: A Reimagining of the Wizard of Oz" presents a new take on the story of Oz, as through Dorothy's daughter Glinda, J.A. Holst presents a deeper exploration of L. Frank Baum's original Wizard of Oz story, presenting many different takes on the elements of the story, answering questions never answered in the original work. "The Adventures of Glinda Gale" is a solid addition to any fiction collection and for anyone looking for a twist on Oz.

The Druid Isle
Ellen Evert Hopman
Llewellyn Worldwide
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125-2989
9780738719566, $18.95, www.llewellyn.com

The nature of the Druids is mysterious to outsiders, and therefore it was sought to be destroyed. "The Druid Isle" is a novel following Aife and Lucius, two individuals who find themselves on the Druid Isle, in the third century AD. Faced with the coming Roman army, Ellen Evert Hopman tells a story of the Celts and druids that is riveting, intriguing, and steeped in Celtic history. "The Druid Isle" is a top pick for any fiction collection focusing on spiritual and new age elements.


The Self-Help Shelf

Happiness Genes
James D. Baird & Laurie Nadel
New Page Books
3 Tice Road, PO Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
9781601631053, $15.99, www.newpagebooks.com

Why are some people just happier than others? "Happiness Genes: Unlock the Positive Potential Hidden in Your DNA" discusses happiness genes and the roles one's genetic makeup can play in one's overall well-being and happiness. Stating that happiness is controllable by controlling one's emotions which are different for different people, James D. Baird and Laurie Nadel give readers a 28-day long program to unlock the happiness within. "Happiness Genes" is a fascinating look into happiness and depression, very highly recommended.

Improve Your Communication Skills, revised second edition
Alan Barker
Kogan Page
1210 Ingram Dr Chambersbrug, PA 17101-2987
9780749460365, $14.95, www.koganpage.com

Strong communication is needed to get anything started. "Improve Your Communication Skills" is a revised second edition of Alan Barker's guide to improving one's communication skills. Whether one is giving a speech, writing a formal letter, or just holding a conversation, communication is one unavoidable facet of life that can always be improved upon for a better future. "Improve Your Communication Skills" is a strong pick for any who want to convey their ideas more effectively.


The Travel Shelf

England
Insight Guides
36-36 33rd Street, 4th Floor, Long Island City, NY 11106
9789812820662, $24.99

So much history is concentrated in the capital of the United Kingdom, that experiencing it all can prove difficult. "England" is another guide from Insight Guides to best help travelers get the full experience that comes with a trip to England, and its many attractions. Focusing on the non-London attractions the country can offer, it presents much else one can experience outside the city and the wonderful sights and natural beauty the country and its long history hold. "England" is a choice and solidly recommended pick that shouldn't be missed for any prospective traveler.

Speak the Culture Italy
Thorogood
c/o Stylus Publishing
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20194
1854186280, $24.95, www.speaktheculture.net

There's more to Italy than a bunch of gods and Spaghetti. "Speak the Culture: Italy" is a crash course in Italian culture in Thorogood's Speak the Culture series, giving a deeper insight into the substance of the Italian people than simply their language. From their historical icons to their modern pop culture, "Speak the Culture" is an insightful read for anyone who wants a better grasp of Italian culture or who wants to visit the country without the big glowing neon tourist sign over their head.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Acting for Love & Money
Paul G. Gleason & Gavin Levy
Meriwether Publishing Ltd.
PO Box 7710, Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7710
9781566081672, $19.95

Acting is a passion for many, but it often fails to pay the bills. "Acting for Love & Money: Connecting the Craft to the Industry" is a guide to how to become an actor who lives doing what he loves and actually gets paid for their talents. With tips on getting that first break, settling for something that may not be ideal but puts food on the table, making friends, nailing that audition, and so much more, "Acting for Love & Money" is a choice pick for the actor who wants to act, not bus tables.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Swedenborg, Mesmer, & the Mind/Body Connection
John S. Haller Jt.
Swendenborg Foundation
320 North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380
9780877853305, $29.95, www.swedenborg.com

Medicine can go further than simply alleviating a problem. "Swedenborg, Mesmer, & the Mind/Body Connection: The Roots of Contemporary Medicine" delves into the philosophies and practices developed by Swedenborg and Mesmer as they developed their ideas of complementary medicine, and alternative practices such as spiritual healing, psychic ideas, and other ideas that have evolved into today's new age and alternative medicine. "Swedenborg, Mesmer, & the Mind/Body Connection" is a riveting read of the pioneers of this train of medicine thought.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

Zen Women
Grace Schireson
Wisdom Publications
199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144
9780861714759, $16.95, www.wisdompubs.org

Buddhism is, much like many world religions, male dominated. "Zen Women: Beyond Tea Ladies, Iron Maidens, and Macho masters" is an exploration of women in regards to the Buddhist faith. From early women who embraced Buddhism and how their adherence differed from the men, the early nuns of Buddhism, and how the women of today follow the faith, "Zen Women" is insightful and answers many questions, a top pick for any woman with an interest in Buddhism, or anyone with a general interest in the philosophy.


The Education Shelf

Enhancing RTI
Douglas Fisher & Nancy Frey
ASCD
1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
9781416609872, $26.95, www.ascd.org

It's best to help kids who are falling behind before they fall behind. "Enhancing RTI: How to Ensure Success with Effective Classroom Instruction & Intervention" is a discussion of RTI - Response to Intervention programs as Douglas Fisher & Nancy Frey urge readers to help struggling learners by tailoring curriculums to better enable those who are lagging to catch up. "Enhancing RTI" is a thoughtful and scholarly look at helping slower learners, and a top pick for educational collections.

US Citizen, Yes
Ronna Magy
Heinle Cengage Learning
25 Thomson Place, Boston, A 02210-1202
9781424095995, $24.95, www.elt.heinle.com

The American Dream, the right and legal way. "US Citizen, Yes, Preparing for Citizenship" is a guide for immigrants who are trying to gain United States Citizenship through the American citizenship tests that are given to question an immigrant's ability to assimilate and participate in American society. With many practice tests to prepare, and information about activities to pursue as well as a helpful audio CD, "US Citizen, Yes" is a must for anyone who is embracing citizenship through the paperwork.


The Business Shelf

Your Career Game
Nathan Bennett & Stephen A. Miles
Stanford Business Books
1450 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1124
9780804756280, $24.95, www.sup.org

You're playing a game whether you know it or not. "Your Career Game: How Game Theory Can Help You Achieve Your Professional Goals" is a guide to navigating the challenges of one's career, and how treating it like the competition it is can give one a leg up in the long run. Playing a meta game with the other people out for one's job (and after landing the job!) can do much for one's career success. "Your Career Game" is a top pick with a wealth of sage advice.


The Money/Finance Shelf

House Investor's Manual
Lambert Munz
Dog Ear Publishing
4010 W. 86th Street, Ste H, Indianapolis, IN 46268
9781608443390, $17.95, www.dogearpublishing.net

It's disheartening to buy something and have its value plummet. "House Investor's Manual: Buying Rules: Ignored, Unknown, or Untold" is an investor's guide to successful buying on the real estate market to avoid the poisoning purchases that lurk around every corner for the investor. Lambert Munz gives solid advice on how to feast instead of famine, and anyone breaking into the investment game should consider "House Investor's Manual."


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Say Goodbye to the Cuckoo
Michael McCarthy
Ivan R. Dee
c/o Rowman & Littlefield
1332 North Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60642
9781566638562, $26.95, www.ivanrdee.com

There's more to birds and the weather than them flying south for the winter. "Say Goodbye to the Cuckoo: Migratory Birds and the Impending Ecological Catastrophe" analyzes the decline in migration in birds, stating that with the recent ecological changes, fewer birds are traveling north and southwards than ever before. Declaring that this decline may have serious implications and mourning the loss of culture that comes with these birds, "Say Goodbye to the Cuckoo" is a riveting analysis of birds, their migratory habits, and the ecological problems that modern America faces.

In Search Of The African Wild Dog
Roger & Pat De La Harpe
Sunbird Publishers Ltd.
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Dr., Dulles, VA 20166
www.internationalpubmarket.com
9781919938110, $46.00, www.amazon.com

Once a common feature of the African landscape, the African wild dog, a species that is more than three million years old, is now in very real danger of extinction. Because of its unique genetic make-up, the African wild dog is unable to crossbreed with any other canine species. The collaborative project of South African photographers Roger and pat De La Harpe, "In Search of the African Wild Dog" is a superbly illustrated, 160-page, coffee table book showcasing the African wild dog in its native habitat. This outstanding compendium of color photographs reveals the environment of this unique animal in five informative geographically based sections: South Africa; North West Bushveld; Zululand; Limpopo Valley; and the Greater Kruger national Park. There overall numbers having dwindled down from millions to an estimated three to four thousand (with only five hundred of that number in South Africa), "In Search of the African Wild Dog" is a very highly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Endangered Wildlife reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Automotive Shelf

Electric and Hybrid Cars, second edition
Curtis D. Anderson & Judy Anderson
McFarland
PO Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28640
9780786433018, $45/00, www.mcfarlandpub.com

The energy source of the future will not be fossil fuels, but what will it be? "Electric and Hybrid Cars: A History" is the second edition of the history of cars under alternative fuel sources have been making their way from fringe science to being accepted as the mainstream and an icon of the environmentally conscious. Electric cars have been around for decades, and their promotion has changed over the decades, and what the future holds. "Electric and Hybrid Cars" is a fascinating look at the history of alternative cars, a top pick for any automotive history collection.


The International Studies Shelf

The Constitution of Vietnam
Mark Sidel
Hart Publishing
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 NE 58th Ave. Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213-3786
9781841137391, $42.00, www.hartpub.co.uk

One improves one's own government by looking around the world for new thoughts and ideas. "The Constitution of Vietnam: A Contextual Analysis" analyzes how the constitution for Vietnam has taken hold in the later half of the twentieth century. After World War II and through the Cold War with many full blown wars throughout the past fifty years, it has led to many revisions and changes, providing a unique model of administration. Covering its history decade by decade, "The Constitution of Vietnam" proves to be a fascinating and very highly recommended read, an ideal addition to any law or history collections.


The Parenting Shelf

Contemporary Fathering
Brid Featherstone
The Policy Press
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 NE 58th Ave. Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213-3786
9781861349873, $34.95, www.policypress.org.uk

The meaning of being a father has changed over the years. "Contemporary Fathering: Theory, Policy, and Practice" is a guide to what it means to be a father in the twenty first century. The value of a father has been discussed by many psychologists and Brid Featherstone does well in outlining the many thoughts and details that surround the father, and uses a feminist perspective that highlights why the father is still important in today's era of single parents. "Contemporary Fathering" is a strong pick with many thoughtful ideas for readers, highly recommended.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Beyond Naturalness
David N. Cole & Laurie Yung, editor
Island Press
1718 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20009
9781597265096, $35.00, www.islandpress.org

The world is more rapidly changing now than ever before. "Beyond Naturalness: Rethinking Park and Wilderness Stewardship in an Era of Rapid Change" is an analysis of the current park systems of the United States and how they could stand to be updated in today's world of high technology and new and rising threats to the natural world. With chapters on climate change, understanding it in regards to parks, and much more, "Beyond Naturalness" is a fine resource for anyone concerned with the status of today's natural parks throughout the world.


The Language Studies Shelf

Word Catcher
Phil Cousineau
Viva Editions
2246 Sixth St., Berkeley, CA 94710
9781573444002, $15.95, www.vivaeditions.com

The lexicon expands throughout history, but few know the stories behind the words. "Word Catcher: An Odyssey Into the World of Weird and Wonderful Words" delves into the English language and tries to find the history behind the names and common phrases we udder every day and how they came to be. From countries being founded on utterances, to the interbreeding with other languages that impact the world over, Phil Consuineau brings readers quite the riveting and fun read. "Word Catcher" is a solid addition to any trivia collection.


The Psychology Shelf

Welcome to the Jungle
Hilary Smith
Red Wheel, Weiser, Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 1950
9781573244725, $14.95, www.redwheelweiser.com

Once driven, determined, the next subdued and melancholy. "Welcome to the Jungle: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bipolar But Were Too Freaked Out to Ask" is a guide for non-sufferers who want to best understand bipolar disorder and the baggage and challenges that come along with it. Hilary Smith presents thoughts and answers to even help those faced with the disorder but are unsure of the effects of their medication, insurance woes, and much more. "Welcome to the Jungle" is a powerful resource, not to be missed.


The Computer Shelf

Lining Up Data
Margaret M. Maher
ESRI Press
380 New York St., Redlands, CA 92373-8100
9781589482494, $24.95

Presenting it in a simplistic and easy to use way, map data can deliver facts quickly and efficiently. "Lining Up Data in ArcGIS: A Guide to Map Projections" is a guide to understanding the program ArcGIS and what it can do for making the maps one needs. With step by step instructions assisted by full color photographs and diagrams, Margaret M. Maher presents a complete and comprehensive guide to help users of the program master it. "Lining Up Data in ArcGIS" is a top pick for any computer and technology collection focusing on data programs.


The Cookbook Shelf

Passover Lite Kosher Cookbook
Gail Ashkanazi-Hankin
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster St., Gretna, LA 70053-2246
www.pelicanpub.com
9781589804982, $17.95, www.amazon.com

The Passover meal is a culinary tradition that presents something of a challenge to the health-conscious kitchen cook. That's why the "Passover Lite Kosher Cookbook" by Gail Ashkanazi-Hankin is such a welcome addition to family and community cookbook collections. Showcasing low-fat and low-cholesterol dishes suitable for the eight days of the Jewish holiday of Passover, the recipes range from Sweet Orange Matzah Brie; Cucumber Radish Salad; Smoked Whitefish Frittada; and Vegetable Pizza; to Broccoli Knishes; Candied Sweet Potato Tzimmes; Miniature Passover Bagels; and a No-Cholesterol Chocolate Chiffon Cake. While the focus is on appropriate dishes to serve as part of Passover meals, these are nutritious, delicious, and easy-to-prepare soups, salads, entrees, and desserts that would be well received at the family dining table any time of the year!

New Orleans Kitchens
Stacey Meyer & Troy Gilbert
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton UT 84041
www.gibbs-smith.com
9781423610014, $30.00, www.amazon.com

New Orleans enjoys a culinary legacy that includes its Spanish, Cajun, African-American, Native American, and French roots. Collaboratively compiled and presented by native New Orleans fine food enthusiasts Stacey Meyer and Troy Gilbert, "New Orleans Kitchens: Recipes from the Big Easy Best Restaurants" showcases 216-pages of dishes selected from the menus of the very best restaurants that this Louisiana community has to offer. Ranging from Proscuitto and Melon Salad with Ricotta Salata; Louisiana Blue Crab Cakes with Mango Ancho and Chipotle Chutney; Lobster Bisque; and Lady Cream Pea, Andouille Sausage and Kale Soup; to Sauteed Catfish with Louisiana Shrimp and Jalapeno Slaw; and Braised Greens with Bacon and Onion, each recipe is 'kitchen cook friendly' with complete lists of ingredients and easy-to-follow instruction. Superbly enhanced with paintings and color photography throughout, "New Orleans Kitchens: Recipes from the Big Easy Best Restaurants" will prove to be an especially welcome and popular addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections!

Eating Local
Janet Fletcher & Sur La Table
Andrews & McMeel
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
www.andrewsmcmeel.com
9780740791444, $35.00, www.amazon.com

Local farmer's markets have grown increasingly popular and accessible with those who want the freshest seasonal ingredients at the lowest possible 'carbon footprint' possible. "Eating Local: The Cookbook Inspired by America's Farmers" by cook book author Janet Fletcher (in cooperation with the successful Californian restaurant Sur La Table) is a 320-page compendium packed with thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes utilizing farm-fresh seasonal ingredients found in local community farmer's markets. Profusely and beautifully illustrated throughout with color photography, the recipes range from Grilled Eggplant Cannelloni with Ricotta and Prosciutto; to Pickled Yellow Wax Benas with Fresh Dill; to Home-Dried Tomatoes in Herbed Olive Oil; Skillet-Cooked Creamer Potatoes with Rosemary; to Peach and Boysenberry Cobbler. Of special note are the succinct introductions to showcase farms representing the kind of 'family farm' agriculture that is the source of what local farmer's markets have to offer grateful communities, making "Eating Local: The Cookbook Inspired by America's Farmers" a particularly appropriate and highly recommended addition to personal and public library cookbook collections.

Simple And Genuine
Mamma Agata
Privately Published
www.mammaagata.com
9788890464508, Euros 35.00, www.amazon.com

A profusely and beautifully illustrated 223-page compendium of authentic Italian family culinary recipes, "Simple And Genuine" showcases the meal-time magic of traditional Italian fare coming out of Mamma Agata's lifetime of kitchen cooking for her family and friends. Combining simplicity with elegance, the recipes range from Parmigiana de melanzane (Eggplant Parmigiana); to Pasta con broccoli e formaggio affumicato (Broccoli and Smoked Cheese Pasta; to Arrosto de maiale (Roasted Pork Loin); to Pizza fritta (Fried Pizza). A veritable cornucopia of meal time menu items that will please any palate and satisfy any appetite, "Simple And Genuine" truly lives up to the promise of its title and is especially recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

1001 Low-Carb Recipes
Dana Carpender
Fair Winds Press
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1721
www.quaysidepublishinggroup.com
9781592334148, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Low-carb cooking expert and the author of seven Low-Carb cookbooks, Dana Carpender has compiled 1001 of her very best low-carb recipes laid out with complete listings of ingredients and 'kitchen cook friendly' step-by-step preparation instructions. The result is a 576-page cookbook that will prove to be a never ending source of culinary inspiration for anyone seeking low-carb meals that will please even the most gourmet of palates and satisfy even the most demanding of appetites. From Warm Brie with Sticky Nuts; Sunflower Parmesan Crackers; Italian Sausage Soup; and Fried Brussels Sprouts; to Slow Cooker Chicken Guadeloupe; Maple-Glazed Corned Beef with Vegetables; Cranberry Barbecue Sauce; and Cocoa-Peanut Logs, "1001 Low-Carb Recipes: Hundreds of Delicious Recipes from Dinner to Dessert That Let You Live Your Low-Carb Lifestyle and Never Look Back" truly lives up to the promise of its title and is an enthusiastically recommended as an inexpensive and expansive addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections!


The Crafts Shelf

Easy Beading: Volume 6
BeadStyle Magazine Editors
Publicity Department
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
www.kalmbachbooks.com
9780871162915, $29.95, www.amazon.com

Taken from the pages of BeadStyle Magazine, this is the sixth volume in the Easy Beading series and features 248 beading projects, each with clear, 'user friendly', step-by-step illustrated instructions. These projects are organized and grouped into the categories of Gemstones; Crystals; Metal and Chain; Mixed Media; Pearls; Glass and Ceramic. Enhanced with a Beader's Glossary' and a basic guide to beading techniques for novice beaders, "Easy Beading: Volume 6" is strongly recommended for personal, professional, and community library instructional reference collections. Also very highly recommended are the five other volumes in this outstanding series: "Easy Beading: The Best Projects from the First Year of BeadStyle Magazine" (9780871162175, $29.95); "Easy Beading, Volume 2: The Best Projects from the Second Year of BeadStyle Magazine" (9780871162267, $29.95); "Easy Beading, Volume 3" (9780871162410, $29.95); "Easy Beading, Vol. 4: The Best Projects from the Fourth Year of BeadStyle Magazine" (9780871162632, $29.95); and "Easy Beading Volume 5" (9780871162885, $29.95).


The Architecture Shelf

Lilian J. Rice
Diane Y. Welch
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
www.schifferbooks.com
9780764334566, $49.99, www.amazon.com

In 1923 Lilian J. Rice was provided the opportunity to design and develop Rancho Santa Fe -- a planned upper-class Southern California community. She was so successful that it launched her architectural career designed and building homes for some of the best known entertainers and movie stars of the era. "Lilian J. Rice: Architect of Rancho Santa Fe, California" by biographer and historian Diane Y. Welch is a 224-page beautifully illustrated compendium showcasing the architectural accomplishments of a truly gifted architect with an impressive roster of discerning patrons. Profusely illustrated with 394 captioned illustrations, "Lilian J. Rice: Architect of Rancho Santa Fe, California" includes floor plans, architectural renderings, and superbly reproduced full color photography. Informed and informative, "Lilian J. Rice: Architect of Rancho Santa Fe, California" is a fitting and highly recommended addition to professional, academic, and community library American Architectural History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Art Shelf

The Complete Graphics of Eyvind Earle, third edition
Eyvind Earle Publishing
2150 Garden Road, Bldg. B-8, Monterey, CA 93940
www.eyvindearle.com/Books.aspx
9780965058735, $150.00

The late Eyvind Earle was an American artist whose craftsmanship and skill produced museum quality artworks. He was also a gifted poet and writer. Long out of print and now presented in a new third edition, "The Complete Graphics of Eyvind Earle" is the first of a two volume set showcasing the man, his work, and his career. This 360-page compendium superbly presents 160 full color images of his artwork and is enhanced with the inclusion of an autobiography, as well as samples and examples of his writings and poems. Of special note is the chronology provided of his remarkable careers. An ideal introduction to the life and accomplishments of Eyvind Earle, "The Complete Graphics of Eyvind Earle" is a superbly crafted and produced publication that is strongly recommended for professional, academic, and community library American Art History reference collections. Also highly recommended for such collections are four other volumes encompassing the work of this remarkable and diversely talented artist: "The Complete Graphics of Eyvind Earle: Volume II"; "The Complete Christmas Card Art of Eyvind Earle"; "Horizon Bound on a Bicycle: The Autobiography of Eyvind Earle"; and "The Poems of Eyvind Earle" -- all of which are available on the Eyvind Earle Publishing web site at www.eyvindearle.com/Books.aspx

Ancient Egyptian Art
Alice Cartocci
The American University in Cairo Press
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
www.aucpress.com
9789774163234, $39.95, www.amazon.com

The artists and craftsmen of ancient Egypt produced enduring works of exquisite beauty. The level of their artistry was known and appreciated by their contemporaries for a span covering some four thousand years from the ivory combs of Predynastic Eygpt, to the distinctive statuary of the Old Kingdom, to the impressive tomb paintings of the New Kingdom, to the painted portraits and jewelry surviving from the Egypt of the Ptolemaic and Roman eras. "Ancient Egyptian Art: Visual Encyclopedia" is a profusely and superbly illustrated 352-page compendium providing a chronologically oriented antiquarian art history of Egypt, replete with examples drawn from museum collections from around the world. Informed and informative, "Ancient Egyptian Art: Visual Encyclopedia" is enhanced with succinct introductions and surveys of the distinctive eras comprising Egyptian history, major archaeological achievements; a chronology, and a glossary. A seminal work of impressive scholarship and remarkable beauty, "Ancient Egyptian Art: Visual Encyclopedia" is an ideal and highly prized addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Art History and Egyptology reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

The Goude Touch
Jean-Paul Goude
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500514863, $65.00, www.amazon.com

Jean-Paul Goude was an artist who created images to sell products for the Parisian department store 'Galeries Lafayette'. "The Goude Touch: A Ten-Year Campaign for Galeries Lafayette" is a 224-page, richly and profusely illustrated compendium showcasing his unorthodox images and features more than one hundred working documents that include preliminary sketches, drawings, and final images -- including ones that were featured in billboard advertising. Innovative, iconoclastic, and a creatively gifted artist with a sense of humor, "The Goude Touch" is an ideal introduction to the artist and the best of his work, making it a highly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Contemporary Art History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Large Print Shelf

Rifle Pass
Max Brand
Sagebrush
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9780753185087, $27.99, www.amazon.com

Classic Max Brand adventure yarns set in the Old West, "Rifle Pass: A Western Trio" showcases three of his best short stories this large print edition. 'Nighthawk Trail' features one of the most dangerous men in the west in his search to find the great horse Nighthawk. 'The Vamp's Bandit' has rowdy ranch hand Bob Nelson graduating to stage holdup's and being wanted by the law. 'Rifle Pass' has an aging sheriff trying to get his shiftless son to prove himself by appointing the young man a deputy and sending him after the outlaw Harry Sanford. Roaring good reads, all three of these short stories are gems of western adventure, making "Rifle Pass: A Western Trio" an ideal and enthusiastically recommended addition to community library Large Print fiction collections. Also very highly recommended for these collections are two new westerns from Sagebrush: Ray Hogan's "The Searching Guns" (9780753185094, $28.64) and Francis W. Hilton's "The Long Rope" (9780753185100, $27.99).


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

The Legacy
Andrew McGinn & David Neitzke
Gauthier Publications
Box 806241, Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080
9780982081266, $10.95, www.amazon.com

The collaborative work of author Andrew McGinn and illustrator David Neitzke, "The Legacy" is the story of a young man of artistic talent being saddled with the unwanted responsibility of continuing his successful cartoonist father's newspaper comic strip, thwarting his own ambitions of being a graphic novelist. A rollicking good read from beginning to end, "The Legacy" is thoroughly entertaining and carries an all to familiar message of what happens when parental expectations are foisted upon a most reluctant 'next generation'. Highly recommended for both personal and community library graphic novel collections, "The Legacy" is witty, poignant, and a terrific read!


The Mathematics Shelf

Surveys in Differential Geometry: Volume 14
Lizhen Ji, et al.
International Press of Boston
PO Box 43502, Sommerville, MA 02143
http://intlpress.com
9781571461407, $85.00, www.amazon.com

Deftly compiled and edited by the academic editorial team of Lizhen Ji (University of Michigan), Scott A. Wolpert (University of Maryland), and Shing-Tung Yau (Harvard University), "Surveys in Differential Geometry: Volume 14, Geometry of Riemann surfaces and their moduli spaces" is a collection of lectures delivered at the 2009 JDG conference. Comprising this 418-page compendium are Divisors in the moduli spaces of curves (Enrico Arbarello and Maurizio Cornalba); Stability phenomena in the topology of moduli spaces (Ralph L. Cohen); Birational aspects of the geometry of Mg (Gavril Farkas); The universal Whitham hierarchy and the geometry of the moduli space of pointed Riemann surfaces (Samuel Grushevsky and Igor Krichever); Brill-Noether theory (Joe Harris); GL+2(R)-orbit closures via topological splittings (Pascal Hubert, Erwan Lanneau, and Martin Moller); Harmonic mappings and moduli spaces of Riemann surfaces (Jurgen Jost and Shing Tung Yau); Algebraic structures on the topology of moduli spaces of curves and maps (Y.-P. Lee and R. Vakil); Recent development on the geometry of the Teichmuller and moduli spaces of Riemann surfaces (Kefeng Liu, Xiaofeng Sun, and Shing-Tung Yau); The universal properties of Teichmuller spaces (Vladimir Markovic and Dragomir Saric); Geometry of Teichmuller space with the Teichmuller metric (Howard Masur); GIT constructions of moduli spaces of stable curves and maps (Ian Morrison); Riemann surfaces, integrable hierarchies, and singularity theory (Yongbin Ruan). "Surveys in Differential Geometry: Volume 14, Geometry of Riemann surfaces and their moduli spaces" is an invaluable core addition to academic library Advanced Mathematics resource and reference collections and supplemental study lists in the specific field of Riemann Geometry.


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