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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 9, Number 3 March 2014 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Cookbook Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Christian Studies Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Biography Shelf
American History Shelf World History Shelf Photography Shelf
Fishing Shelf Education Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Gaming Shelf Travel Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Graphic Novel Shelf Audiobook Shelf DVD Shelf
Military Shelf Homeowner's Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Business Shelf Agriculture Shelf Civil War Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

Wisconsin's Flying Trees in World War II
Sara Witter Connor
The History Press
645 Meeting Street, Suite 200
Charleston, SC 29403
9781626193505 $24.99 www.historypress.net

Wisconsin's Flying Trees in World War II is a historical examination of one of Wisconsin's valuable roles serving the nation in World War II. The Badger State was a forest-rich resource during that era, and its trees provided the critical material to create aircraft in the Allied aerial campaign - aircraft such as CG-4A battle-ready gliders, known for their stealth and silence, which brought the 82nd and 101st Airborne into the European Theater as needed. Wisconsin's Flying Trees in World War II tells the true stories of the pilots, inventors, factory workers, and the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, who all pushed themselves to help win a world war with paper, wood, and glue. Highly recommended, especially for Wisconsin history shelves!


The Cookbook Shelf

The New Chicago Diner Cookbook
Jo A. Kaucher, et al.
Agate Midway
c/o Agate Publishing
1328 Greenleaf Street, Evanston, IL 60202
www.agatepublishing.com
9781572841543, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Compiled by Jo A. Kaucher with the assistance of Kat Berry and The Chicago Diner Crew, "The New Chicago Diner Cookbook: Meat-Free Recipes from America's Veggie Diner" is an elegantly illustrated, 180 page compendium comprised of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, nutritious, 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes. With dishes ranging from Savory Tomato Tartlets; Arugula Salad with Cranberries and Pear; Spicy Potato Soup; and Pistachio-Crusted Tofu with Porcini Bread Pudding; to Spinach Turnovers; Spaghetti Squash; Raw Orange-Ginger Cheezecake; and Chocolate Ganache, "The New Chicago Diner Cookbook: Meat-Free Recipes from America's Veggie Diner" is an impressive culinary anthology that is highly recommended for personal, family, professional, and community library vegetarian cookbook collections. It should be noted that ""The New Chicago Diner Cookbook: Meat-Free Recipes from America's Veggie Diner" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Yankee Magazine's Lost And Vintage Recipes
Amy Traverso, et al.
The Countryman Press
43 Lincoln Corners Way/P.O. Box 748
Woodstock, Vermont 05091
www.countrymanpress.com
971581571813, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Compiled by editorial staff of Yankee Magazine in general, and culinary expert Amy Traverso in particular, "Yankee Magazine's Lost And Vintage Recipes" is a beautifully and profusely illustrated, 192 page compendium of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying recipes from our culinary past. The recipes themselves are organized into Appetizers, Soups and Salads, Vegetable Entries and Sides, Meat and Seafood Entries, Breakfasts and Breads, Desserts and Sweets, as well as Preserves and Sauces. Of special interest is the section devoted to Beverages. From Chestnut Soup with Bacon; Glazed Orange-Scented Parsnips; Sour Cream Coffee Cake; and Vermont Apple-Cider Doughnuts; to Blackberry Cobbler; Pumpkin Cream Cheese Roll; Grape Catsup; and One-Week Ginger Beer, these 'time lost' dishes will grace any family meal and celebratory dining occasion. Also available in a paperback edition (9781581572582, $16.95), "Yankee Magazine's Lost And Vintage Recipes" is passionately recommended and an enduringly popular addition to personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Greek Revival From The Garden
Patricia Moore-Pastides
University of South Carolina Press
718 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29208
www.sc.edu/uscpress
9781611171907, $27.95, www.amazon.com

Compiled and written by Patricia Moore-Pastides, "Greek Revival from the Garden: Growing and Cooking for Life" is a beautifully illustrated, 160 page compendium showcasing a wide range of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, kitchen cook friendly, 'garden fresh' recipes. But more than that, "Greek Revival from the Garden: Growing and Cooking for Life" also provides novice kitchen cooks with gardening advice, basic kitchen safety, kitchen equipment, cooking method tips, and even anecdotal comments from cooking class participants. The fifty recipes range from an Oven-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes with Balsamic Vinegar and Lemon-Thyme Confetti; to Sauteed Greens with Garlic over Pasta; to Parsleyed Meatballs in Cinnamony Tomato Sauce; to a Tabbouleh with herbs, Dried Fruit, and Nuts. Informed and an extraordinary source of culinary inspiration, "Greek Revival from the Garden: Growing and Cooking for Life" is very highly recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that 'Greek Revival from the Garden: Growing and Cooking for Life" is also available in a Kindle edition ($15.49).

Wild Flavors
Didi Emmons
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
85 North Main Street, Suite 120
White River Junction, VT 05001
www.chelseagreen.com
9781603585187, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Compiled with commentary by culinary enthusiast Didi Emmons, "Wild Flavors: One Chef's Transformative Year Cooking from Eva's Farm" is a 320 page compendium showcasing 46 herbs, greens, and edible 'weeds' that their uses in creating 150 outstanding recipes that are as diverse as they are 'kitchen cook friendly'. Of special note is Emmons' commentaries that accompany each recipe. The dishes themselves range from Goosefoot Pancakes; Stinging Nettle Soup; Raspberry Rose Milkshake; and Salad of Chervil, Apples, Walnuts, Quinoa, and Onion; to Spaghetti Squash with Lentils and Sage; Fried Duck Egg on Rye Berry Hash; Tarragon Millet Tempeh Cakes; Rosemary-Ginger Minestrone; and Cafe Cocoa's Apricot Sage Cookies. Nicely illustrated with color photos of the plants, "Wild Flavors: One Chef's Transformative Year Cooking from Eva's Farm" is a unique and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Wild Flavors: One Chef's Transformative Year Cooking from Eva's Farm" is also available in a hardcover edition (9781603582858, $34.95).

Gluten-Free Pasta
Robin Asbell
Running Press
2300 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-4371
www.runningpress.com
9780762449675, $20.00, www.amazon.com

Gluten (from Latin gluten, "glue") is a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat and related grain species, including barley and rye. Gluten gives elasticity to dough, helping it rise and keep its shape and often gives the final product a chewy texture. Gluten has proven to be hazardous to the health of anyone who is allergic to it. Knowledgeably compiled by food writer and professional chef Robin Asbell, "Gluten-Free Pasta: More than 100 Fast and Flavorful Recipes with Low- and No-Carb Options" is a 216 page compendium showcasing more than one hundred palate pleasing, appetite satisfying recipes for gluten free dishes that would grace any dining occasion from modest family meals to elegant celebratory dining. The dishes range from Crispy Noodle Cakes with Peas and Orange-Miso Tofu; Avocado, Fresh Mozzarella, and Peach Pasta Salad; Spicy Fusilli and Escarole with Yellow Squash; and Chicken Pad Thai with Cilantro and Lime; to Sausage and Spicy Red Sauce Lasagna; Roasted Vegetable Egg Crepe Cannelloni with Chevre; Gnocchi-Veggie Gratin with Aged Cheddar; and Cajun Crab, Greens, and Noodle Soup. Nicely illustrated with occasional full color photography of finished dishes, "Gluten-Free Pasta: More than 100 Fast and Flavorful Recipes with Low- and No-Carb Options" is strongly recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

The New Southern Table
Brys Stephens
Fair Winds Press
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55401-1721
Dalyn Miller Public Relations
www.quaysidepublishinggroup.com
9781592335855, $21.99, www.amazon.com

In "New Southern Table: Classic Ingredients Revisited", foodwriter, photographer, and fifth-generation southerner Brys Stephens has compiled a 200 page, lushly illustrated compendium comprised of simply outstanding recipes for elegant dishes that would grace and enhanced any and all dining occasions. Ranging from Squash Tempura with Soy Dipping Sauce; Saffron Chicken and Rice with Golden Beets; Chocolate and Sea Salt Peanut Brittle; and Herb Grilled Bison Rib Eyes with Onion, Tomato, and Fig Chutney; to Peach Ginger Smoothie; Grilled Shrimp and Watermelon kebabs with Lime Cream and Basil; Pizza with Figs, Country ham, and Mustard Greens; and Purple Hull Pea Tabouleh, all of these "The New Southern Table" culinary creations are deftly presented with clear step-by-step directions making them all 'kitchen cook friendly' and enthusiastically recommended for personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections.

Patissier
Emmanuel Mollis
UWA Publishing
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, OR 97213
www.isbs.com
9781742584966, $55.00, www.amazon.com

A patissier is a pastry chef, skilled in the making of pastries, desserts, breads and other baked goods, positioned as a station chef in a professional kitchen. The pastry chef is often in charge of the dessert menu, which besides traditional desserts, may include dessert wines, specialty dessert beverages, and gourmet cheese platters. "Patissier" by professional pastry chef Emmanuel Mollis is a beautifully and profusely illustrated, 288 page compendium showcasing a culinary wealth of French pastry dishes suitable for all dining occasions. Each recipe is clearly presented with a full color photograph of the finished dish, a list of ingredients, and thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly', step-by-step instructions. An elegant and superbly presented, "Patissier" is enthusiastically recommended for personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

15 Natural Remedies For Migraine Headaches
Jay S. Cohen
Square One Publishers
115 Herricks Road, Garden City Park, NY 11040
www.squareonepublishers.com
9780757003585, $7.95, www.amazon.com

Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent moderate to severe headaches often in association with a number of autonomic nervous system symptoms. Typically the headache affects one half of the head, is pulsating in nature, and lasting from 2 to 72 hours. Associated symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, or smell. The pain is generally made worse by physical activity. Up to one-third of people with migraine headaches perceive an aura: a transient visual, sensory, language, or motor disturbance which signals that the headache will soon occur. Occasionally an aura can occur with little or no headache following it. Migraines are believed to be due to a mixture of environmental and genetic factors. About two-thirds of cases run in families. Changing hormone levels may also play a role, as migraines affect slightly more boys than girls before puberty, but about two to three times more women than men. The risk of migraines usually decreases during pregnancy. The exact mechanisms of migraine are not known. It is, however, believed to be a neurovascular disorder. The primary theory is related to increased excitability of the cerebral cortex and abnormal control of pain neurons in the trigeminal nucleus of the brainstem. "15 Natural Remedies for Migraine Headaches: Using Natural Supplements, Nutrition & Alternative Therapies to Better Manage Migraine Pain" by psychopharmacology expert Dr. Jay S. Cohen is a compact, 196 page paperback providing migraine headache sufferers fifteen alternative, documented, relatively inexpensive, and practical natural remedies that can be readily applied by anyone. Each of these fifteen natural treatment approaches is appropriate for children as well as adults. "15 Natural Remedies for Migraine Headaches: Using Natural Supplements, Nutrition & Alternative Therapies to Better Manage Migraine Pain" is strongly recommended for migraine sufferers. It should be noted that "15 Natural Remedies for Migraine Headaches: Using Natural Supplements, Nutrition & Alternative Therapies to Better Manage Migraine Pain" is also available in a Kindle edition ($6.80).


The Christian Studies Shelf

Inspiration From Pope Francis
Jorge Mario Bergoglio
Pauline Books & Media
50 Saint Paul's Avenue, Boston, MA 02130-3433
www.pauline.org
9780819837226, $9.95, www.amazon.com

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio (17 December 1936) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis is the 266th and current Pope of the Catholic Church, in which capacity he is Bishop of Rome and absolute Sovereign of the Vatican City State. He worked briefly as a chemical technician and nightclub bouncer before entering the seminary. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1969, and from 1973 to 1979 was Argentina's Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus. He became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, and was created a Cardinal in 2001. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, the subsequent papal conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor on 13 March. He chose his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi and is the first Jesuit Pope, the first Pope from the Americas, the first Pope from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European Pope since Pope Gregory III in 741, 1272 years earlier. From the beginning of his papacy he has made a very popular impression on both Catholics and non-Catholics around the world. Compiled by Jorge Mario Bergoglio, "Inspiration From Pope Francis" is a 160 page compendium comprised of more than ten years worth of homilies written while Pope Francis was an archbishop, cardinal, and finally as Pope. Along with a brief biography, the topics are organized thematically. "Inspiration From Pope Francis" should be considered mandatory reading by all Catholics and will prove of immense interest and illumination to non-Catholics as well.

Old Testament Today
John H. Walton & Andrew E. Hill
Zondervan Academic
c/o Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
www.zondervan.com
9780310498209, $44.99, www.amazon.com

The Old Testament is the Christian term for the Hebrew Bible, a collection of religious writings by ancient Israelites that form the first section of the Christian Bible, to which were added a second collection of writings referred to as the New Testament. The books included in the Old Testament canon varies markedly between Christian denominations; Protestants accept only the books of the official Jewish Hebrew Bible canon as their Old Testament but divide it into 39 books, while Catholics, the Eastern Orthodox, Coptic and Ethiopian churches accept a considerably larger collection of writings in their Old Testament canon. The Old Testament was compiled and edited by various men over a period of centuries, with many scholars concluding that the Hebrew canon that was destined to become the Old Testament of the Christian communities was solidified by about the 3rd century BC. Now in a thoroughly updated and significantly expanded second edition by John H. Walton and Andrew E. Hill (both of whom are professors of Old Testament studies at Wheaton College in Illinois), "Old Testament Today: A Journey from Ancient Context to Contemporary Relevance" is a 480 page compendium that provides students and non-specialist general readers with an informed and informative historical and theological analytically descriptive and historical overview of the books of the Protestant version of the Old Testament, as well as the relevance the Old Testament has for contemporary Christian faith, practice, and application. Enhanced throughout with the addition of illustrations, maps, scriptural quotations, charts, and full color photography, "Old Testament Today" is an impressive and 'reader friendly' work of impeccable scholarship, giving it the highest recommendation possible for personal, family, school, seminary, academic, and community library collections.

Julian of Norwich
Annotation by Mary C. Earle
Skylight Paths Publishing
Sunset Farms Offices, Route 4
PO Box 237
Woodstock, VT 05091
9781594735134 $16.99 www.skylightpaths.com

Julian of Norwich: Selections from Revelations of Divine Love - Annotated & Explained presents excerpts from "Revelations of Divine Love", a classic spiritual text by the fourteenth-century English Mystic Julian of Norwich, well known for her timeless reflections on the Christian faith. Each page of excerpts is paired with a page of annotations by Episcopal priest Mary C. Earle, interpreting Norwich's revelations in terms more accessible to modern lay readers of all backgrounds. An excellent introduction to "Revelations of Divine Love", Julian of Norwich is especially recommended for church library collections and as a starting resource for amateur theologians.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Why We Remain Jews
Vladimir Tsesis, MD
Academy Chicago Publishers
363 West Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60610
www.academychicago.com
9780897337175, $19.95, www.amazon.com

In "Why We Remain Jews", Dr. Vladimir Tsesis candidly describes his personal transformation from religious ignorance to strong belief in the Jewish religion. Dr. Tsesis assigns a special place to the proof of his conclusion that religion and science (especially in light of recent discoveries) are not in opposition, but are in complete harmony and supplementing, not excluding, each other. In the spirit of ecumenism Dr. Tsesis persuasively advocates the coexistence of different religions -- all of which share the common objective of the physical, emotional, and spiritual survival of the human race. The unifying theme of "Why We Remain Jew" is the beauty of the Jewish religion and a coherent explanation for both Jews and non-Jews to why adherence to Judaism is so tenacious, especially in the realities of the 20th and now the 21st centuries, making it a very highly recommended for students of Judaism, members of the Jewish community, as well as both community and academic library Judaic Studies collections. It should be noted that "Why We Remain Jews" is also available in a hardcover edition (9780897337328, $32.50).

The Prophetic Law
Sandor Goodhart
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25
East Lansing, MI 48823-5245
www.msupress.msu.edu
9781611861242, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Rene Girard (born December 25, 1923) is a French historian, literary critic, and philosopher of social science. His work belongs to the tradition of anthropological philosophy. He is the author of nearly thirty books (see below), in which he developed the ideas of: mimetic desire: all of our desires are borrowed from other people; mimetic rivalry: all conflict originates in mimetic desire; the scapegoat mechanism is the origin of sacrifice and the foundation of human culture, and religion was necessary in human evolution to control the violence that can come from mimetic rivalry; the Bible reveals the three previous ideas and denounces the scapegoat mechanism. Girard's writings cover many areas. Although the reception of his work is different in each of these areas, there is a growing body of secondary literature that uses his hypotheses and ideas in the areas of literary criticism, critical theory, anthropology, theology, psychology, mythology, sociology, economics, cultural studies, and philosophy. "The Prophetic Law: Essays in Judaism, Girardianism, Literary Studies, and the Ethical" by Sandor Goodhart (Professor of English and Jewish Studies, Purdue University) is a 342 page compendium comprised of twelve erudite and scholarly essays organized into four thematic sections: Dialogue Among Girardians; Girardian Reading and the Scriptural; Girardian Reading and the Literary; Girardian and the Ethical. As informed and informative as they are thoughtful and thought-provoking, this anthology of essays should be considered a "must" for students of the life and work of Rene Girard and an important contribution to academic library Contemporary Philosophy collections. It should be noted that "The Prophetic Law: Essays in Judaism, Girardianism, Literary Studies, and the Ethical" is also available in a Kindle edition ($12.60).


The Biography Shelf

Rudolf Laban: Man Of Theatre
Valerie Preston-Dunlop
Dance Books
c/o Princeton Book Company
614 Route 130, Highstown, NJ 08520
www.dancehorizons.com
9781852731670, $34.95, www.amazon.com

Rudolf von Laban (15 December 1879 - 1 July 1958) was a dance artist and theorist, notable as one of the pioneers of modern dance in Europe. His work laid the foundations for Laban Movement Analysis, Labanotation (Kinetography Laban), other more specific developments in dance notation and the evolution of many varieties of Laban Movement Study. He is considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of dance and fencing. "Rudolf Laban: Man of Theatre" by Valerie Preston-Dunlop is a 192 page compendium presenting a descriptive analysis of the author's recreations of four of Laban's dance theater pieces from the 1920s (Swinging Temple; Suite; Nacht; and Green Clowns). "Rudolf Laban: Man of Theatre" begins with an informative opening chapter on Rudolf Laban's history and culture. Profusely illustrated with black-and-white photography, and enhanced with the inclusion of an extensive bibliography and comprehensive index, "Rudolf Laban: Man of Theatre" is a seminal work and strongly recommended for academic library reference collections and supplemental reading lists for students of the history of dance.

Sinner's Creed
Scott Stapp
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
www.tyndale.com
9781414364575, $15.99, www.amazon.com

Scott Alan Stapp (born August 8, 1973) is an American musician and singer-songwriter. He is also the lead vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Creed, of which he is a founding member. His debut solo album, The Great Divide, was released in 2005. His second album, Proof of Life, was released on November 5, 2013. Stapp has received several accolades, including a Grammy Award for Creed's song "With Arms Wide Open" and numerous RIAA certifications. In 2006, Hit Parader ranked Stapp as the 68th greatest heavy metal vocalist of all time. "Sinner's Creed" is his uncensored and impressively candid autobiography. Raised by an abusive stepfather, Scott was always aware of God's presence, but it wasn't until years later, amid a life punctuated by sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll that Scott began to feel a need for God in his life. During Creed's decade of dominance and in the years following the band's breakup, Scott struggled with drugs and alcohol, which led not only to a divorce, but also to a much-publicized suicide attempt in 2006. Now clean, sober, and in the midst of a highly successful solo career, Scott has finally come full circle - a turnaround he credits to his renewed relationship with Jesus Christ. An inspiring personal saga, "Sinner's Creed" is very highly recommended reading. It should be noted that "Sinner's Creed" is also available in a hardcover edition (9781414364568, $24.99), an unabridged audio book edition (Christian Audio, 9781610454858, $26.98), and a Kindle edition ($9.99).


The American History Shelf

Necessary Courage
Lowell J. Soike
University of Iowa Press
100 Kuhl House
119 West Park Road
Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
9781609381936 $24.95 www.uiowapress.org

In the early 1850s and 1860s, Iowa was the westernmost free state bordering a slave state. Necessary Courage: Iowa's Underground Railroad in the Struggle Against Slavery examines Iowa's role as an antislavery bastion, as conflict over America's "peculiar institution" moved westward. Historian Lowell J. Soike has collected little-known tales of desperate runaway slaves brave Iowans, and the Underground Railroad that spirited slaves to freedom. Serving the Underground Railroad was literally life-threatening - people who helped escaped slaves could be arrested, attacked, or killed by the authorities, by slavecatchers, or by pro-slavery neighbors. Extensive notes supplement this historical chronicle; though its true-life stories are presented with the meticulous precision of a scholar, they are more tense, exciting, and heartbreaking than any novel. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library American History shelves.

The Sagebrush State
Michael W. Bowers
University of Nevada Press
Mail Stop 0166, Reno, NV, 89557-0166
www.unpress.nevada.edu
9780874179231, $21.95, www.amazon.com

Nevada is the 7th most extensive, the 35th most populous, and the 9th least densely populated of the 50 United States. Nearly three-quarters of Nevada's people live in Clark County, which contains the Las Vegas - Paradise metropolitan area where the state's three largest incorporated cities are located. Nevada's capital is Carson City. Nevada is officially known as the "Silver State" due to the importance of silver to its history and economy. It is known as the "Sagebrush State" because of the native eponymous plant. Nevada is largely desert and semiarid, with much of it located within the Great Basin. Areas south of the Great Basin are located within the Mojave Desert, while Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada lie on the western edge. Approximately 86% of the state's land is owned by various jurisdictions of the U.S. federal government, both civilian and military. Now in an updated and significantly expanded fourth edition, "The Sagebrush State: Nevada's History, Government, and Politics" by Michael W. Bowers (Professor of Political Science and Public law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas) is a 312 page compendium providing an analytical overview of the state from its inception down to the present day. A seminal work of impressively detailed and documented scholarship, "The Sagebrush State: Nevada's History, Government, and Politics" is very highly recommended and instructive reading for students of Nevadan history and would make an important contribution to academic library American History and Political Science reference collections. It should be noted that "The Sagebrush State: Nevada's History, Government, and Politics" is also available in a Kindle edition ($13.88).


The World History Shelf

Medieval Mysteries
Karen Ralls
IBIS
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
665 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
www.redwheelweiser.com
9780892541720, $22.95, www.amazon.com

Europe's 'High Middle Ages' ranged from 1100 to 1300 A.D. and was a time of legend, folklore, superstition, myth, and cultural/religious symbolism that governed the beliefs and behaviors of the populace from the most impoverished peasant to the most opulent of the royalty. Compiled and written by medieval historian Karen Ralls (who served as the Deputy Curator of Art at the Rosslyn Chapel from 1996 to 2001), "Medieval Mysteries: A Guide to History, Lore, Places and Symbolism" is a beautifully illustrated, 304 page, compendium that showcases a series of medieval groups and beliefs that range from the Knights Templar; Mary Magdalene; The Black Madonna; The Holy Grail; and the Cathars; to Medieval Guilds; heretics and heresy; the Troubadours; King Arthur; and the Rosslyn Chapel. Enhanced with two appendices, substantial endnotes, an impressive bibliography and list of recommended readings, and a comprehensive index, ""Medieval Mysteries: A Guide to History, Lore, Places and Symbolism" is a seminal work of outstanding scholarship, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, and very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Medieval Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists. It should be noted that ""Medieval Mysteries: A Guide to History, Lore, Places and Symbolism" is also available in a Kindle edition ($11.99).


The Photography Shelf

Road to Seeing
Dan Winters
New Riders
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.newriders.com
9780321886392, $79.99, www.amazon.com

"Road To Seeing" is a massively impressive, 696 page compendium comprised of award winning photojournalist Dan Winter's black-and-white, duotone, and full color photographs. The images are enhanced with Winter's own accompanying and informative commentary, including observations concerning key moments in his career as a photographer and including both personal photographic projects and his portraiture work. Superbly documented and with flawless reproduction values, "Road To Seeing" should be considered a "must" for all who aspiring to become professional photographers themselves, as well as providing keen insights into the life and work of master photographer Dan Winters himself. Simply stated, "Road To Seeing" is an important and highly recommended contribution to personal, professional, and academic library Photography Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Images From The Arsenal Of Democracy
Charles K. Hyde
Painted Turtle
c/o Wayne State University Press
4809 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201-1309
http://wsupress.wayne.edu
9780814339817, $34.99, www.amazon.com

Compiled with informative captions by Charles K. Hyde, "Images From The Arsenal Of Democracy" is a 312 page compendium of almost three hundred black-and-white period photographs of World War II era Detroit factory workers and assembly lines creating the machines of war for America's military. Organized thematically, the chapters comprising these historic and photographically documented years of 1940-1945, include: "Preparing for War before Pearl Harbor"; "Planning Defense Production after Pearl Harbor"; "Aircraft Engines and Propellers"; "Aircraft Components and Complete Aircraft"; "Tanks and Other Armored Vehicles"; "Jeeps, Trucks, and Amphibious Vehicles"; "Guns, Shells, Bullets, and Other War Goods"; "The New Workers"; and "Celebrating the Production Achievements." An impressive, unique, and documented body of work, "Images From The Arsenal Of Democracy" is very highly recommended as a core addition to 20th Century American Photography and 20th Century American History reference collections and supplemental reading lists. It should be noted that "Images From The Arsenal Of Democracy" is also available in a Kindle edition ($24.99).


The Fishing Shelf

Fly-Fishing's Final Frontier
Geoff Bernardo
Frank Amato Publications
PO Box 82112, Portland, OR 97282
www.amatobooks.com
9781571885036, $65.00, www.amazon.com

Fly fishing is an angling method in which an artificial "fly" is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly or "lure" requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting. Fly fishermen use hand tied flies that resemble natural invertebrates or other food organisms, or "lures" to provoke the fish to strike. "Fly-Fishing's Final Frontier: Specialty Fly Patterns and Fishing Techniques for North America's Alternate Species" by Geoff Bernardo is a beautifully and profusely illustrated, 292 page compendium that covers fly fishing techniques and fly patterns that would be appropriate and successful with more species of freshwater fish than the usual trout, chart and salmon -- all of whom are dwindling in numbers as a result of environmental issues and decreasing budgets for fish hatcheries around the country. Informed and informative, "Fly-Fishing's Final Frontier: Specialty Fly Patterns and Fishing Techniques for North America's Alternate Species" will make an outstanding addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library reference collections and supplemental reading lists for fly-fishing enthusiasts.


The Education Shelf

The Best Value Colleges
Robert Franek, et al.
The Princeton Review
c/o Random House Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
www.PrincetonReview.com
9780804124478, $21.99, www.amazon.com

The cost of a college education has been rising significantly faster than the rate of inflation. Attending a university as either an undergraduate or as a graduate students has never been more expensive in the history of our country than it is today -- and threatens to be even more expensive in the years to come. That is what this newly updated and significantly expanded fourteenth edition of "The Best Value Colleges, 2014 Edition: The 150 Best-Buy Schools and What It Takes to Get In" will prove to be an invaluable resource for parents and students. Packed with practical and detailed information from cover to cover, "The Best Value Colleges: 2014 Edition" showcases 75 private and 75 public schools that are considered the most economical in terms of their tuition costs and the quality of education provided. Enhanced further with information on nine tuition-free schools, "The Best Value Colleges: 2014 Edition" should be considered a mandatory acquisition by parents of graduating seniors, high school guidance counselors, and community library reference collections. It should be noted that "The Best Value Colleges: 2014 Edition" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).


The Needlecraft Shelf

Four Seasons Of Cross-Stitch By House-Mouse Designs
Annie's
306 East parr Road, Berne, IN 46711
9781573673624, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Cross-stitch is a popular form of counted-thread embroidery in which X-shaped stitches in a tiled, raster-like pattern are used to form a picture. The stitcher counts the threads in each direction so that the stitches are of uniform size and appearance. This form of cross-stitch is also called counted cross-stitch in order to distinguish it from other forms of cross-stitch. Sometimes cross-stitch is done on designs printed on the fabric (stamped cross-stitch); the stitcher simply stitches over the printed pattern. "Four Seasons Of Cross-Stitch By House-Mouse Designs" is a 48 page compendium showcasing fourteen cross-stitching designs celebrating happy (albeit mischievous) mice. The needlecraft instructions are clearly organized and deftly presented. The fourteen projects are thoroughly 'user friendly' and will enable even the most novice of needlecrafters to successfully turn out charming work that would be ideal for gift-giving and as family heirlooms to be passed down from generation to generation. "Four Seasons Of Cross-Stitch By House-Mouse Designs" is enthusiastically recommended!


The Gaming Shelf

Beat The Slots
Marten Jensen
Cardoza Publishing
5473 South Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89119
www.cardozapub.com
9781580420631, $9.95, www.amazon.com

A slot machine is a casino gambling machine with three or more reels which spin when a button is pushed. Slot machines are also known as one-armed bandits because they were originally operated by a lever on the side of the machine (the arm) instead of a button on the front panel, and because of their ability to leave the gamer penniless (bandit). Many modern machines still have a legacy lever in addition to the button. Modern slot machines include a currency detector that validates the money inserted to play. The machine pays off based on patterns of symbols visible on the front of the machine when it stops. Advancing computer technology has resulted in many variations on the slot machine concept. Slot machines are the most popular gambling method in casinos and constitute about 70 percent of the average US casino's income. "Beat the Slots" by casino gambling expert Marten Jensen is a 144 page compendium of practical information and useable advice for winning money at slots. Of special note is the chapter devoted to Video Poker (bonus games, banking games, multi-game machines). "Beat The Slots" is an essential and invaluable read for anyone hoping to win out over a casino slot machine.


The Travel Shelf

Discover Australia
Charles Rawlings-Way, et al.
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
www.lonelyplanet.com
9781742205601, $27.99, www.amazon.com

No one makes better and more 'user friendly' travel guides than Lonely Planet Publications. "Discover Australia" is one of their newest titles and should be considered a "must" for anyone planning a trip or creating a travel itinerary to Australia. Profusely illustrated and expertly organized, "Discover Australia" is a 400 page compendium packed from cover to cover with useful, practical, and detailed information. Along with suggestions of what to see and do in various towns, cities, and country sides of Australia, "Discover Australia" offers succinct sections devoted to Family Travel; Aboriginal Australia; Food & Wine, Sport; and more. Of special note is the 'Survival Guide' section that covers everything from customs regulations, Gay and Lesbian travelers, internet access, and travelers with disabilities, to discount cards, climate, public holidays, and visas. Comprehensive, practical, informed and informative, "Discover Australia" is an essential reference for getting the most out of a visit to Australia for business or pleasure!


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Leave Tomorrow Behind
Judy Clemens
www.judyclemens.com
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave., #103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
c/o Maryglenn McCombs (publicity)
2817 West End Avenue, Suite 126-274, Nashville, TN 37203
www.maryglenn.com
9781464202049 $14.95 www.poisonedpenpress.com

A new Stella Crown mystery by Judy Clemens (a past president of "Sisters in Crime"), Leave Tomorrow Behind follows dairy farmer/biker Stella struggling with an empty bank account, a sick fiance, and brutal summer heat. Stella's life takes a turn for the worse when the corpse of a local country star turns up dead at Stella's calf barn exhibit during a county fair. Relentlessly scrutinized by cops and entertainers alike, Stella decides that at least nudging law enforcement in the right direction might be what she needs to get her ordinary life back in time for her wedding! A tangled story of suspense featuring a strong female protagonist, Leave Tomorrow Behind is a treat for fans of the genre.


The Graphic Novel Shelf

The Undertaking of Lily Chen
Danica Novgorodoff
First Second
175 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10010
9781596435865 $29.99 www.firstsecondbooks.com

The Undertaking of Lily Chen is a color graphic novel about homicide, despair, and love. In modern-day China, family is paramount - so when Deshi Li accidentally kills his older brother in a brawl, he fears not only the wrath of the law, but also the scorn of his grieving parents. They command Deshi to find a deceased young woman, so that his brother may be married in the afterlife. Deshi hires an unscrupulous grave robber to aid his morbid task... but they fail to find any suitable dead bodies. Deshi sets eyes on the very-much-alive Lily Chen, the willful teenage daughter of an impoverished family. Lily rebels against her protective father's desire to make her marry a venal but wealthy creditor, and runs away with Deshi. Is she fleeing one bleak destiny only to run headfirst into the cold embrace of the grave? Will Deshi resort to murder most foul to appease his family? The minimalist artwork complements the stark nature of this dramatic and deadly story, suspenseful to the very end.

Secret Agent Moscow
Jennifer Jigour
www.jenniferjigour.com
Privately Published
c/o Smith Publicity
1930 E Marlton Pike, Suite I-46
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
9781940656373 $29.95 www.secretagentmoscow.com

A full-color graphic novel drawn in a vibrant yet edgy style reminiscent of underground comix, Secret Agent Moscow: Part One - Goodbye, Natasha threads the memories of a former Women Airforce Service Pilot of World War II, beginning with 1949 San Francisco. Yearning to be with the one person she loved and lost, Natasha is isolated and alienated, in an era where gay and lesbian people are commonly scorned, beaten, arrested, or imprisoned. She is accused of being a sexual deviant, and coerced into a "secret mission" to find an agent gone missing in Moscow. The pressures of having to hide her own identity, both as a person and as a spy, threaten to unravel her mind; her search paints a historical perspective of what it was like to be L.G.B.T. in the postwar world. Entrancing, mysterious, and heartfelt, Secret Agent Moscow is recommended for older readers due to some nudity and mature content. Part two of the Secret Agent Moscow is forthcoming - the sooner the better!


The Audiobook Shelf

Brown Dog
Jim Harrison, author
Read by Bronson Pinchot, Ray Porter, and Lloyd James
Blackstone Audiobooks
PO Box 969
Ashland, OR 97520
9781482952728 $39.95 www.BlackstoneAudio.com

Now in an unabridged audiobook rendition, Brown Dog collects all of author Jim Harrison's novellas about Brown Dog - a hedonistic, reckless, unlucky but plucky Michigan Indian. Stories follow his exploits as he just barely ekes out a living while pursuing his triple passions of food, drink, and women; searches for an alleged Native activist who stole his bearskin; adopts two Native children and flees the authorities before returning across the Canadian border in the cover of a rock band tour bus, and more. Will Brown Dog ever achieve stability, family, or redemption for his heedless ways? A grand tour through the eyes of a complex character, Brown Dog is especially recommended for public library audiobook collections.

Baseball Forever!
From the Miley Collection
Jason Turbow, editor
Bob Costas, narrator
AudioGo
9780792791409 $19.95 www.audiogo.com

Baseball Forever! is an audiobook compilation of some of the greatest highlights in baseball history from the Miley Collection. Originally spoken live on radio by the top sports broadcasters of the day, Baseball Forever! is filled with amazing feats such as Carl Hubbell striking out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx and Joe Cronin (in that order); Bill Mazeroski' homer; the Shot Heard 'round the World; and much more. Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster Bob Costas guides the listener through baseball history with his smooth narrative, in this superb treasury for sports enthusiasts and sports historians alike. 4 CDs, 4 1/2 hours.

We're Alive: A Story of Survival, The Third Season
Wayland Productions
c/o Blackstone Audiobooks
PO Box 969
Ashland, OR 97520
9781482909951 $105.00 www.BlackstoneAudio.com

Named "Best of 2012" on iTunes, We're Alive: A Story of Survival, The Third Season is the library edition of a radio play audiobook chronicling the brutal and hazardous fallout from a zombie apocalypse. Brought to life with a full-cast performance and chilling sound effects, the saga follows a band of survivors struggling to create and fortify a sanctuary from the flesh-eating undead. But zombies are far from the only monsters in a barren hellscape, where far too many human beings no longer constrain themselves with a conscience! Exciting, terrifying, and sure to be a popular library lend, the We're Alive series is highly recommended. 12 CDs, 11 1/2 hours.

The Hanging Garden
Ian Rankin, author
Performed by Michael Page
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887
Grand Haven, MI 49417
9781480523791 $14.99 www.brillianceaudio.com

The Hanging Garden is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of the ninth book in the Inspector Rebus series. Organized crime is descending upon Scotland, perpetuating the evils of drugs, extortion, and forced prostitution. Stalwart policeman Rebus is in the thick of fighting back, as well as pursuing a lead on an elderly Nazi alleged to have murdered an entire French village. But Rebus' battle against crime turns viciously personal when his own daughter becomes a casualty of the gang wars. A story of revenge, violence, and fighting back against a menace that lacks the barest shred of a conscience, The Hanging Garden is an edge-of-one's-seat thriller that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy! 10 CDs, 11 hours 25 min.

Be Careful What You Wish For
Jeffrey Archer
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427239365 $39.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Be Careful What You Wish For is the unabridged audiobook rendition of a new novel in the "Clifton Chronicles" saga of the wealthy yet sometimes troubled Clifton family. Set in the 1960's era., the story begins with Harry Clifton and his wife Emma rushing to the hospital, not knowing whether their son Sebastian is dead or alive. Meanwhile, Ross Buchanan's forced resignation from the Barrington Shipping Company leaves open a power vacuum - and if the wrong person is maneuvered to replace him, the entire Barrington family firm could be devoured from within! A skillfully woven interpersonal saga, Be Careful What You Wish For is a "must-read" for anyone following the multi-tiered family tale, and an attention-grabbing jumping-on point for anyone brand new to the series. Highly recommended. 9 CDs, 11 1/2 hours.

From the Dead
Mark Billingham, author
Paul Thornley, narrator
Highbridge Audio Books
201 Sixth Street SE, Suite 220
Minneapolis, MN 55414
9781622312849 $34.95 www.highbridgeaudio.com

From the Dead: A Tom Thorne Novel is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of an intense mystery-thriller. Donna Langford was convicted of conspiracy to murder her husband, and served ten years in prison, but just before her release, she received an anonymous letter with a photography of her husband - apparently, he is alive and well. Detective Inspector Tom Thorne of London's Metropolitan Police becomes embroiled in a case of deception, intrigue, and manipulation; can any justice be salvaged from the wreckage of a lost decade? Exciting to the very end, From the Dead is especially recommended for connoisseurs of quality crime writing. 10 CDs, 11 1/2 hours.

Galaxy Press
7051 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 200
Hollywood, CA 90028
www.galaxypress.com

L. Ron Hubbard was a master storyteller during the 'Golden Age' of pulp magazine fiction. Galaxy Press is dedicated to keeping Hubbard's impressive roster of short stories and novels in print for the enjoyment of new generations of appreciative readers. What may be less well known is that Galaxy Press is also producing multicast performances of Hubbard's stories complete with music and sound effects. The result is a true 'theatre of the mind' experience for listeners. One of their outstanding titles showcasing Hubbard's mastery of the action/adventure genre is the novel "The Headhunters" (9781592122882, $9.95) inch which adventurer Tom Christian must deal with the murderous Punjo Charlie and his tribe of headhunters in the jungles of the Solomon Islands. There is gold and a girl as the ultimate goal with true 'cliff-hanger' suspense in this unabridged, two hour, two CD audio book edition. Also very highly recommended, "Hell's Legionnaire" (9781592122622, $9.95) offers two more hours of CD audio book adventure comprised of three of Hubbard's action-packed short stories: 'The Squad That Never Came Back'; 'The Barbarians', and the title piece, 'Hell's Legionnaire'. Solid entertainment with flawless production values, both of these terrific audio masterpieces are enthusiastically recommended for personal and community library audio book collections.


The DVD Shelf

Under Capricorn
Based on the novel by Helen Simpson
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
9781621721383 $39.99 www.acornonline.com

Based on a popular novel by author Helen Simpson Under Capricorn, is an extraordinary saga set in 1831 Australia. Filmed on location in Australia, and first seen on the A&E channel, Under Capricorn follows Irishman Charles Adare (played by Peter Cousens) in search of his fortune, who becomes entangled in the lavish world of wealthy land baron Samson Flusky (John Hallam). Flusky's wife Lady Henrietta (Lisa Harrow) is not mentally well, and Flusky hopes Adare can ease her out of her melancholy. But Henrietta's erratic behavior is a mask for a dark and savage secret. An increasingly poisonous environment of greed, jealousy, passion, and guilt threatens to crush both Henrietta and Adare, in this dramatic glimpse of the dark side of the human condition. A "must-have" for connoisseurs of quality British drama! 2 episodes on 2 DVDs, fullscreen, not rated (contains nudity).

Poise Fit & Fierce: Take Back Your Core
Dr. Teri Jory
Poise Productions
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
www.411videoinfo.com
$19.95 www.poisefitproductions.com

Fitness and life coach Dr. Teri Jori presents Poise Fit & Fierce: Take Back Your Core, a workout DVD created especially to help tone the abdominals and sculpt the body. Poise Fit & Fierce consists of three sections: one for power sculpting the arms and back, one for strengthening the legs, and one for working abdominal muscles (also the pelvic floor)! Poise Fit & Fierce is an excellent workout viewers of both genders and all backgrounds, though Dr. Teri Jory is especially dedicated to helping breast cancer survivors achieve better quality of life through exercise, and a portion of the proceeds from Poise Fit & Fierce will be donated to Breast Cancer foundations. No expensive equipment is needed to take full advantage of Poise Fit & Fierce, an excellent addition to any fitness DVD collection!

Get Extremely Ripped! & Chiseled
With Jari Love
www.jarilove.com
Privately Published
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$14.99 www.411videoinfo.com

Shot in high definition, Get Extremely Ripped! & Chiseled is a fitness DVD focused on challenging and strengthening one's muscles. Certified personal trainer Jari Love leads this excellent program for both male and female fitness enthusiasts. No expensive equipment is required, though 3-8 pound handheld dumbbells and something to use as a step are recommended. Divided into a 30-minute upper body workout and a 30-minute lower-body workout, Get Extremely Ripped! & Chiseled targets each individual muscle group with specific weight-training exercises. An excellent choice for anyone looking to improve their overall health, strength, and muscle mass! 80 min., widescreen.

Joint Locks
Rory Miller
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480
Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
9781594392627 $29.95 www.ymaa.com

Martial arts and physical combat expert Rory Miller, with aid from his students, presents Joint Locks: Learn to Improvise Joint Locks Under Pressure, an instructional DVD about one of the most difficult yet effective means of immobilizing opponents. Miller demonstrates a teaching method involving a principle-based approach, which even beginners can use to improvise joint locks with as little as one hour of training. Miller emphasizes that joint locks are not a primary self-defense technique; when one is in a deadly conflict, a higher level of force is justified and often necessary for survival. But for those who earn a living controlling violent people with a minimum of injury, joint locks can be an invaluable occupational tool. Joint Locks is a clear, accessible, and welcome addition to martial arts DVD shelves. 60 min.

TM Books & Video
PO Box 9228
Michigan City, IN 46361
www.tmbv.com

Model railroad enthusiasts will thrill to three full-color DVDs from TM Books & Video. "Ticket To Ride" ($9.99, 52 min., a McComas/Stachler Production) is an installment of the 17-part award-winning "I Love Toy Trains" series. Featuring vintage diesels at the Illinois Railway Museum, a real Shay compared to the Lionel model of a Shay, the 999 steamer that set a world speed record, and more, "Ticket To Ride" is a bargain bonanza for trainspotters and hobby enthusiasts alike. "Railroads on Parade" ($14.99, 53 min.) is an extraordinary video tour of multiple railroad and model train exhibits, including a 5000 square-foot model railroad display in Pottersville, NY, complete with a striking replica of an art deco train station. Other showcased sites include the 1939 World's Fair Exhibit, the NYC Subway Exhibit, Prince Edward Island Exhibit, and much more! Toy Train Revue 1 ($19.99, 90 min.) kicks off an exciting video magazine all about toy trains. Inspired by TM's previous "Toy Train Revue" magazine from the 1990's, "Toy Train Revue 1" is packed with all-new material, including three expertly staged layouts, military and space toys from Lionel, a demonstration of controlling Lionel trains with an iPad, and much more. In addition to DVD format, "Toy Train Revue 1" and future issues are also available as a stream or a download. All three DVDs are a family-friendly treat, especially for trainspotters and model railroad enthusiasts!


The Military Shelf

The Morenci Marines
Kyle Longley
University Press of Kansas
2501 West 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66049
9780700619344 $34.95 www.kansaspress.ku.edu

The Morenci Marines: A Tale of Small Town America and the Vietnam War offers the close-up-and-personal true stories of nine Marines from the Arizona mining community of Morenci, all of whom served fresh out of high school. Not only does The Morenci Marines cover their severe training and their deadly battles in the Vietnam jungle; it also reflects on the troubles that plagued their coal-mine hometown. The townspeople supported the war effort with patriotic fervor, even though the Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation to demanded that the government put down a union strike that allegedly "undermined the war effort". A handful of vintage black-and-white photographs, extensive notes, a bibliography and an index round out this welcome contribution to collections focusing on a small town American history and the Vietnam War.

Convair Advanced Designs II
Robert E. Bradley
Crecy Publishing
c/o Specialty Press
99 Spring Street, 3rd floor, NY, NY 10012
www.specialtypress.com
9780859791700, $39.95, www.amazon.com

In "Convair Advanced Designs II: Secret Fighters, Attack Aircraft, and Unique Concepts 1929-1973", author and aerospace history Robert E. Bradley draws upon his more than 30 years experience and expertise in working at Convair Astronautics to present a profusely illustrated, 176 page compendium packed from cover to cover descriptive illustrations, engineer drawings, sketches, artwork and photos of Convair military aircraft. Featuring an informed and informative text, "Convair Advanced Designs II: Secret Fighters, Attack Aircraft, and Unique Concepts 1929-1973" is a seminal work that is very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Aviation History and Military Aviation reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Homeowner's Shelf

Jay Shafer's DIY Book of Backyard Sheds & Tiny Houses
Jay Shafer
Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781565238169, $19.99, www.amazon.com

Whether the project is constructing a guest cottage, a writing studio, a home office, a craft workshop, or a simple personal retreat, "Jay Shafer's DIY Book of Backyard Sheds & Tiny Houses" is a profusely illustrated, 144 page manual offering ideas, blueprints and instructions that are thoroughly 'user friendly' in content and presentation. Offering a wealth of tips ranging from the use of masonry piers for stronger supports, siding with plywood, to alternative ways to attach post to beams, to the safe way to fell a tree, "Jay Shafer's DIY Book of Backyard Sheds & Tiny Houses" will prove an ideal do-it-yourself instruction manual. Nicely organized into four major sections (Committed to Less; Plans for tiny Houses and Box Bungalows; Tiny House Portfolio; How to Build a Tiny House), "Jay Shafer's DIY Book of Backyard Sheds & Tiny Houses" is very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Architectural Studies collections.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Practice Of Nada Yoga
Baird Hersey
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781620551813, $16.95, www.amazon.com

Nada yoga is an ancient Indian metaphysical system. It is both a philosophical system, a medicine, and - as the name suggests - a form of yoga. The system's theoretical and practical aspects are based on the premise that the entire cosmos and all that exists in the cosmos, including human beings, consists of sound vibrations, called nada. This concept holds that it is the sound energy in motion rather than of matter and particles which form the building blocks of the cosmos. Nada yoga is also a way to approach with reverence and respond to sound. Sound and music is in this context, something more than just the sensory properties and sources of sensuous pleasure, sound and music is considered also to play the role as a potential medium to achieve a deeper unity with both the outer and the inner cosmos. Nada yoga's use of sound vibrations and resonances are also used to pursue palliative effects on various problematic psychological and spiritual conditions. It is also employed to raise the level of awareness of the postulated energy centers called chakra. "The Practice of Nada Yoga: Meditation on the Inner Sacred Sound" by musician and yoga expert Baird Hersey is a 224 page compendium that details the teachings on nada yoga from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika with clear, step-by-step instructions to find and hear the inner sacred sound of nada; explains the 4 levels of sound through a series of practical meditation exercises; and includes instructions for a daily nada yoga meditation practice as well as ways to strengthen advanced practice. Exceptionally well written and organized, "The Practice Of Nada Yoga" is highly recommended reading for all yoga enthusiasts and practitioners. It should be noted that "The Practice Of Nada Yoga" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
179 Ludlow Street, Stamford, CT 06902
www.usgamesinc.com www.amazon.com

U.S. Games Systems is the premier publisher of tarot decks in this country. Three of their newest offerings are particular noteworthy because of their hauntingly beautiful artwork. Accompanied by a 28 page booklet compiling inspirational messages and featuring 44 oversized cards, "Magical Times Empowerment Cards" (9781572817234, $16.00) showcases the work of Jody Bergsma. "Gilded Reverie Lenormand" (9781572817548, $19.95) by Ciro Marchetti comprises 36 superbly crafted cards and a 48 page booklet of interpretations and instructions. Deftly written and stunningly illustrated by Kim Dreyer, "Conscious Spirit" (9781572817241, $16.00) features a 44 impressively imaged card collection and 44 page 'user friendly' booklet that will enable the user to plumb the depths of their consciousness. All three of these simply outstanding decks are very highly recommended. For a complete and descriptive listing of all their outstanding tarot card collections, visit the U.S. Games Systems web site at www.usgamesinc.com


The Business Shelf

The Financial Times Guide to Business Start Up 2014
Sara Williams
Publicity Department
FT Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.ftpress.com
9781292004662 $44.99 pbk. / $17.22 Kindle www.amazon.com

Also available as an ebook, The Financial Times Guide to Business Start Up 2014 is an annually updated handbook of legal, financial, and tax-related considerations, all of which are especially critical to anyone starting or running a business. Chapters also contain valuable information for adapting to the digital age, from advertising online and efficiently using social media to choosing the right information technology equipment. Although Business Start Up 2014 particularly addresses those looking to run a business in the United Kingdom or branch out in the UK market (the information on the UK's Value-Added Tax is extremely helpful for this purpose), nearly all of its general advice is directly applicable to any business worldwide. "Before you approach a designer [for one's business website, stationery, or anything else], you should have a clear idea of what you want, although you should be prepared to listen to suggestions. You should ask the designer to show you a wide range of ideas in what is called 'scamp' form, which is a very cheap way of letting you see what sort of impression the idea will give." Highly recommended.


The Agriculture Shelf

Pure Poultry
Victoria Redhed Miller
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189
Gabriola Island, BC, Canada, V0R 1X0
9780865717534 $19.95 www.newsociety.com

Pure Poultry: Living Well with Heritage Chickens, Turkeys, and Ducks is a guide especially for individuals seeking to raise lesser-known poultry breeds as part of a sustainable food system. (Commercial poultry farms generally prefer hybrids over the purebread chickens, turkeys, and ducks discussed here). Though raising heritage birds on a small-scale is unlikely to generate profit, the intangible joys of caring for a flock can be tremendous (plus all the eggs you eat). Chapters cover how to protect one's birds from weasels and other predators, accommodating broody hens, looking after baby chicks both in and out of the shell, how to cook heritage turkeys, chickens, and ducks (with sample recipes), and much more. Black-and-white and a handful of color photographs enrich this "must-have" guide for anyone considering raising purebred chickens, whether for food, for show, or as lively pets.


The Civil War Shelf

The Handy Civil War Answer Book
Samuel Willard Crompton
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Road #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
KT Public Relations
9781578594764 $21.95 www.visibleinkpress.com

The Handy Civil War Answer Book lives up to its title as a thoroughly accessible guide to the American Civil War, presented entirely in question-and-answer format. Historical study and trivia tidbits alike abound in the questions, which cover the generals, weapons, great events, tragedies, causes, social effects, and legacies of the war. "Q: 'What was the attitude, or stance, of Imperialist Russia?' A: '...In the summer of 1863, New Yorkers were surprised and pleased that a squadron of ships from the Imperial Russian Navy arrived in their harbor; the people of San Francisco soon were also paid a visit... For many years, historians believed that Czar Alexander II sent the ships in order to demonstrate his support for the Union cause. If so, this was definitely a secondary motive; his primary reason was to have his fleets at sea so that if a war began with Britain, his ships would not be bottled up in their ports.'" An index rounds out this enthusiastically recommended addition to public library collections, especially due to its ease of use.


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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