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Internet Bookwatch

Volume 22, Number 12 December 2012 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Christmas Shelf Environmental Studies Shelf
Money/Finance Shelf Computer Shelf Interior Design Shelf
Art Shelf Fashion Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Needlecraft Shelf Technology Shelf Law/Justice Shelf
Business Shelf Christian Studies Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Cookbook Shelf Education Shelf Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Social Issues Shelf Audiobook Shelf Music CD Shelf
Library DVD Shelf Military Shelf Gardening Shelf
Photography Shelf Health/Medical Shelf Psychology Shelf
Science Shelf Mathematics Shelf American History Shelf
World History Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf Fiction Shelf
Travel Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Biography Shelf Literary Studies Shelf Political Science Shelf
Music Shelf Parenting Shelf Sports Shelf
Crafts Shelf Buddhist Studies Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf
Civil War Shelf Memoir Shelf Hobby Shelf
Automotive Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Poetry Shelf
Jobs/Career Shelf Nautical Shelf Gaming Shelf
Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf Self-Help Shelf Humor Shelf
Criminology Shelf Native American Studies Shelf Architecture Shelf
Holocaust Studies Shelf Autism Shelf Aviation Shelf
Library Science Shelf Language Studies Shelf Philosophy Shelf
Economic Studies Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf Calendar Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

Prosperity Far Distant
Charles M. Wiltse, author
Michael J. Birkner, editor
Ohio University Press
The Ridges, Building 19
Athens, OH 45701
9780821419984 $29.95 www.ohioswallow.com

Prosperity Far Distant: The Journal of an American Farmer, 1933-1934 is the keenly written day-to-day journal of Charles M. Wiltse, a man who worked on his parents' farm in Ohio for a year during the Great Depression. Wiltse had a sharp intellect and an intensely critical mind; along with his honest-to-humorous renditions of events such as coaxing a cow to get into a hobble and give up her milk, he also writes biting deconstructions of the government's relief policies. "Federal relief has created another problem here, too. For the CWA jobs pay more than agricultural labor. Consequently, every farm laborer in the region has quit his job and gone to work on the relief projects, making it impossible to get any work done for a wage the average farmer can pay. The CWA projects are most of them useless, too; but then, on the theory of the Department of Agriculture, so is farming useless." A brief, editorial summary of Wiltse's life and works after he left the farm rounds out this fascinating lens and firsthand testimony of the plight of small farmers in the Great Depression, and the haphazard efforts of the government to help them (such as buying and distributing eggs in areas where almost everyone owned their own chicken - which meant the needy would happily accepted the eggs, but only to sell them for cash). Highly recommended for lay readers and scholars alike, as well as for public and college library collections of Great Depression testimonials.

Good Urbanism
Nan Ellin
Island Press
2000 M St NW Suite 650
Washington, DC 20036
9781610913744, $35.00, www.islandpress.org

Urban planning takes into account many factors, and can set up the city for failure or success equally well. "Good Urbanism: Six Steps to Creating Prosperous Places" is an urban planning guide as Nan Ellin outlines how urban planning can best plot a city and prepare it for economic prosperity for all of its residents, analyzing many common tactics and using real world examples all throughout and understanding the potential of one's city. "Good Urbanism" is a strong addition to any collection focusing on urban planning and policy, much recommended.

Cries of Crisis
Robert B. Hackey
University of Nevada Press
Mail Stop 0166
Reno, NV, 89557-0166
9780874178890, $34.95, www.unpress.nevada.edu

The overuse of anything will cause the public become desensitized to it. "Cries of Crisis: Rethinking the Health Care Debate" discusses the problems surrounding the current health care debate, as he believes the idea of a persistent healthcare crisis has hurt the rationality of the debate, and has lost sight of many of the problems that lie at the roots of the problem, and is hurting the push for better reform. Offering a very different perspective on healthcare issues, "Cries of Crisis" is a strong addition to any social issues debate collection, much recommended.

Deaf-Blind Reality
Scott M. Stoffell, editor
Gallaudet University Press
800 Florida Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002-3695
9781563685354, $49.95, http://gupress.gallaudet.edu

For most, what they see and hear is there reality. But what if you lacked the ability to do either? "Deaf-Blind Reality: Living the Life" discusses the life's challenges of those who are both deaf and blind, left experiencing life without the two senses one most relies on in life. Scott M. Stoffell presents an enlightening study of life for these people, touching on the lives of many throughout the world and the unique difficulties they faced. "Deaf-Blind Reality" provides much to think about, and a core addition to any collection focusing on deafness or blindness in everyday life.

Arms Full of Love
Delilah
Harlequin
225 Duncan Mill Road
Don Mills, Ontario, Canada, M3B 3K9
9780373892617, $13.95, www.eharlequin.com

ARMS FULL OF LOVE: INSPIRING TRUE STORIES THAT CELEBRATE THE GIFT OF FAMILY provides a fine collection of heartfelt listener stories combined with Delilah's own experiences, and comes form a radio show host where her listeners share their most personal experiences of love, hardship and family. From her experiences with her family growing up and today as a single mother of twelve, this uses family experiences to show how family is an intrinsic part of the human experience, and will prove a pick for any library looking for heart-warming accounts of family love.

Giving with Confidence
Colburn Wilbur & Fred Setterberg
Heyday Books
PO Box 9145
Berkeley, CA 94709
9781597142045, $22.50, www.heydaybooks.com

Charity is noble, but even the most noble of acts can be done stupidly. "Giving with Confidence: A Guide to Savvy Philanthropy" is a guide to giving to charity and supporting worthy causes with one's money. Authors Colburn Wilbur & Fred Setterberg advise those with the funds to give about how to get the best results. Because it takes more than good intentions to actually do good, "Giving with Confidence" is a "must-have" for personal finance and economics collections, highly recommended.

Raising the Bar
Pam Williams & Jim Eber
Wilmor Publishing Corporation
100-2023 West 4th Ave., Vancouver, BC Canada
c/o Chelsea Green Publishing Company (distribution)
85 North Main Street, Suite 120
White River Junction, VT 05001
9780969192121 $19.95 hc www.chelseagreen.com
9780969192138 $9.95 Kindle www.amazon.com

Raising the Bar: The Future of Fine Chocolate is not a cookbook, but rather an extraordinary and informative journey about the history and preparation of gourmet chocolate, up to the present day and beyond. A broad swath of experts in the history and creation of fine dessert pleasure have contributed their wisdom to Pam Williams & Jim Eber's thoroughly accessible confectionary chronicle. Raising the Bar is (almost) as enjoyable to read as the act of savoring the very chocolate it speaks of, and especially recommended for curious chocolate fanciers, or as a complement to holiday chocolate gift-giving.

The Enchanted Truth
Kym Petrie
Greenleaf Book Group Press
PO Box 91869
Austin, TX 78709
9781608323685, $14.95, www.greenleafbookgroup.com

We're told we're princesses as children, and then we become anything but. "The Enchanted Truth: A Modern-Day Fairy Tale for Grown-Up Girls" is the story of a princess who grows tired of waiting for the white steed and wants to take charge of their own destiny. With powerful wisdom for the modern woman who wants greater success out of their life in romance and in general, "The Enchanted Truth" is a humorous yet poignant parable, highly recommended especially for women of all ages

Finding Meaning Facing Fears
Jerrold Lee Shapiro
Impact Publishers
PO Box 6016
Atascadero, CA 93423-6016
9781886230965, $17.95, www.impactpublishers.com

As we head through the middle ages of our life, we don't need to prepare for death, but get ready to live longer. "Through the Gateway of the Heart" is a spiritual guide for those who want to live the second stages of their life. Author Jerrold Lee Shapiro touches on facing that fiftieth year and how to make of the best of the second half of one's life. "Through the Gateway of the Heart" is an inspirational and much recommended addition to self-help and motivational collections focusing on dealing with aging.

Paladin Press
7077 Winchester Circle
Boulder, CO 80301
www.paladin-press.com

As evidenced by the widespread, multi-state devastation by Hurricane Sandy, anyone can wake up one day to find that the civilized world around them has suddenly vanished and sheer survival is something that must be sought with all the resources we can muster. Paladin Press, a premier publisher of self-defense and martial arts books, has also produced three outstanding instruction manuals on how to survive after catastrophes by they man-made or the consequences of natural disasters. "31 Days to Survival: A Complete Plan for Emergency Preparedness" (9781610046480, $18.00) by M. D. Creekmore is a 158 page compendium that offers a 31 day, step-by-step approach to outfit a family to survive a disaster through the creation of a rotating canned food shelf and pantry; acquire the right kind of firearms for foraging and defense; assembling a first aid and dental kit; make a water filter; every day and 72-hour supply kits; construct traps for fish and small game; collect seeds and gardening tools; identify allies, and a great deal more. "Dirt-Cheap Survival Retreat" (9781581607475, $15.00) by M. D. Creekmore is an 82 page instructional booklet that focuses upon housing, waste disposal, water resources, security, and other matters of survival oriented lodging, including finding suitable land, purchasing and securing a trailer, alternative power sources, and more. "Live Off The Land In The City And Country" (9781581605426, $30.00) by Ragnar Benson is a 263 page guide showcasing classically traditional 'tricks, tips and techniques' with illustrative photos and diagrams covering everything from energy supplies, to equipment, to caching vital materials, to firearms, to hunting game animals. Of special note are the chapters devoted to 'Edible Plants and Gardening'; 'Tanning Skins the Indian Way'; and 'Practical Domestic Animals'. Informed, informative, practical, and thoroughly 'user friendly', all three of these outstanding instruction guides form the nucleus of resource and reference information for surviving any and all catastrophic events.


The Christmas Shelf

The Christmas Star
Ace Collins
Abingdon Press
PO Box 801, Nashville, TN 37202
The B&B Media Group (publicity)
www.tbbmedia.com
9781426714689 $14.99 www.abingdonpress.com

The Christmas Star is a heartwarming holiday novel for all ages. In World War II, Robert Reed made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, leaving behind his widow and son. Every Christmas, Marge Reed uses the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously bestowed on her beloved husband to ornament the family Christmas tree. But to young Jimmy Reed, the star-shaped medal only symbolizes the loss of his father. Everything changes when one of Robert's fellow soldiers, and a mysterious letter found in a Bible, help Jimmy better understand the meaning of the price his father paid, putting into perspective not only the star on the Christmas tree but also the events of the very first Christmas. A reflective story of learning to accept, heal, and know joy once more, The Christmas Star is beautiful and highly recommended.

The Christmas Pony
Melody Carlson
www.melodycarlson.com
Revell
c/o Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.revellbooks.com
9780800719272 $15.99 www.bakerbooks.com

Award-winning author Melody Carlson continues her own holiday tradition of crafting quality Christmas stories with The Christmas Pony, a brief novel of faith and joy that will appeal to readers of all ages. Set in the Christmas season of 1937 - when the Great Depression made day-to-day survival a hardship - The Christmas Pony tells of eight-year-old Lucy Turnbull, who dreams of having a pony of her very own. Times are tough, and she knows that the only guests her family can afford to keep at their boarding house are those with money up front. But then a most intriguing pair of individuals approaches; could they make Lucy's Christmas wish come true? A heartwarming story perfect for browsing while curled up with cocoa during the winter season, The Christmas Pony is highly recommended.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Herschel Island Qikiqtaryuk
Christopher R. Burn
University of Calgary Press
2500 University Drive, N.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
9780988000919, $41.95, www.uofcpress.com

Hidden in the near north holds a diverse bit of nature. "Herschel Island Qikiqtaryuk: A Natural and Cultural History of Yukon's Arctic Island" is a study of this island in Canada's Yukon territory and the unsung of its diverse wildlife and flora. Presented in full color in its entirety, Christopher R. Burn leads a stuff of authors to present a compilation that covers its human history as well as natural history. "Herschel Island Qikiqtaryuk" is a core addition to any natural history or environmental collection, highly recommended reading.

The Quest
Daniel Yergin
Penguin Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor
NY, NY 10014
9780143121947, $20.00, www.penguin.com

The New York Times best-selling THE QUEST: ENERGY, SECURITY, AND THE REMAKING OF THE MODERN WORLD achieved status as one of the 100 'notable books' in 2011: now it's been revised and updated to reflect the latest information and shows how energy issues drive global political and economic change. Here are inside stories and issues revolving around coal, electricity and natural gas, explaining how climate change became an issue and reviewing the decisions and options that hold importance for the future. The result is a powerful key to understanding not just energy usage and predictions, but how these forces operate in our world.


The Money/Finance Shelf

Multilateral Banks and the Development Process
Vinod Thomas & Xubei Luo
Transaction Publishers
Rutgers University
35 Berrue Circle
Piscataway, NJ 08854-8042
9781412847674, $49.95, www.transactionpub.com

The world is growing smaller, and there is more trade than ever, but there are things to tread carefully when expanding business. "Multilateral Banks and the Development Process: Vital Links in the Results Chain" discusses the role of multilateral banks in the development of international finance. Critically analyzing the challenges facing these banks in their pursuit of international challenges, measuring potential and results, avoiding potential pitfalls and bad information, the importance of timing, and much more, "Multilateral Banks and the Development Process" is a core addition to anyone trying to better understand international finance and the importance of multilateral banks for potential prosperity, highly recommended.

Estate and Financial Planning for People Living with COPD
Martin M. Shenkman
Demos Medical Publishing
11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10036
9781936303342, $21.95, www.demosmedpub.com

A disease that worsens over time requires planning to better cope with. "Estate and Financial Planning for People Living with COPD" is a legal advisory guide for those with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, a serious medical condition that increases in intensity over one's lifetime). Martin M. Shenkman offers insight on how to best plan one's finances for living with these disease, as well as being prepared for when the worst may come. "Estate and Financial Planning for People Living with COPD" is a wise read for those who want to best prepare themselves or a loved one for everything that may come.

Giving With Confidence
Colburn Wilbur and Fred Setterberg
Heyday Books
PO Box 9145, Berkeley, CA 94709
9781597142045, $22.50, www.heydaybooks.com

GIVING WITH CONFIDENCE: A GUIDE TO SAVVY PHILANTHROPY provides a thoughtful and fine guide to how to give money away and reflects decades of experience in the philanthropy world. Individuals and businesses alike will learn how to donate more effectively, whether it be to a charity or a foundation, and will learn how to access if programs are producing desired results and how donators can see the most from their contributions. A 'must' for any general lending collection, this provides the nuts and bolts of giving more effectively.

The Newest Story of O
Daniel K. Berman
CreateSpace
100 Enterprise Way, Suite A200
Scotts Valley, CA 95066
www.neweststory.com www.createspace.com
9781477609330, $19.95, www.amazon.com

The Newest Story of O: How to Legally Pay 0% Interest on the Money You Owe & Eliminate Your Debt in a Fraction of the Time -- Secrets to Making the Credit System Work in Your Favor offers a powerful series of connections between debt management and personal credit, and offers a solid survey that considers - and dispels - many common myths about debt and credit while explaining credit history, credit scores, and how this impacts a consumer's ability to take advantage of financial benefits. Can you be refused emergency medical treatment because of your credit score? Why does only 1% interest on a 30-year fixed home loan result in a huge amount of total interest paid over the life of a loan? Chapters explain credit profiles, tricks and tips, and pairs personal experience with research to offer the first consumer handbook to draw connections between credit improvement and debt minimization in a recommendation for any general collection appealing to consumers.

The Dark Knight Manual
Brandon T. Snider
Insight Editions
PO Box 3088, San Rafael, CA 94912
9781608871049, $40.00, www.insighteditions.com

The Dark Knight Manual offers a narrowed and in-depth focus on the Batman created by Christopher Nolen, includes removable documents which may not lend to library circulation but are perfect for Batman collectors, and provides an in-depth coverage of Batman's tools and technology. From the high-tech functions of his cowl to the contents of his utility belt, this provides key sketches, diagrams, notes and more, and is a top gift recommendation for avid Batman and Bruce Wayne fans who just can't get enough.


The Computer Shelf

O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein, Hwy N.
Sebastopol, CA 95472-2811
www.oreilly.com

Tony Parisi's WebGL UP And RUNNING: BUILDING 3D GRAPHICS FOR THE WEB (9781449323578, $36.99) offers a quick introduction to WebGL, the new 3D standard for rendering on the Web. Web developers will learn a fine set of development and production concepts based on using the JavaScript 3D engine Three.js. From the basics of 3D concepts and how they appear on the web to using the open source library and understanding graphics rendering, animation and more, this is a key acquisition for any serious web developer. Chris Vander Mey's SHIPPING GREATNESS: PRACTICAL LESSONS ON BUILDING AND LAUNCHING OUTSTANDING SOFTWARE, LEARNED ON THE JOB AT GOOGLE AND AMAZON (9781449336578, $19.99) is a key to understanding the shipping process used by the best teams at Google and Amazon, showing how to program, create product, manage its engineering, and ship the right product quickly. It comes from lessons the author learned as a manager at Amazon and Google and covers everything form building metrics to spot problems to communicating clearly: business and software collections will find it a top pick! Jennifer Murphy's DEVELOPING WITH GOOGLE+ (9781449312268, $18.99) follows the progress of a fictional company, Baking Disasters, as it incorporates all the features of the Google+ platform, and is an outstanding survey packed with concrete examples and hands-on projects. Learn to take advantage of Google+ social plug-ins and more as you learn the basics of such functions as changing a blog into a social web application and creating custom plug-ins. Any beginning to work with Google+ and its features will find this the perfect starting point. Kord Davis works with Doug Patterson on ETHICS OF BIG DATA (9781449311797, $19.99), a fine survey telling organizational data managers how to review data-handling practices and create consistent positions on an organization's use of big data. From developing plans to close gaps between values and practices to identifying privacy and identity concerns, this provides methods and techniques to help a business engage in productive ethical inquiry and is a top recommendation for any data manager or database administrator. Kate Eyler-Werve and Virginia Carlson's CIVIC APPS COMPETITION HANDBOOK (9781449322649, $9.99) provides a fine guide to organizing a 'civil apps' competition and is based largely on the authors' own experiences planning and managing Apps for Metro Chicago. From setting and meeting goals and evaluating them to being selective with public datasets and determining participation strengths, this is a fine pick for any planning or organizing such an event! Jan Goyvaerts and Steven Levithan's REGULAR EXPRESSIONS COOKBOOK, 2ND EDITION (9781449319434, $49.99) packs in over 140 proven recipes teaching all the basic skills to solve a range of real-world problems. This revised edition covers regular expressions used by C#, Java, Perl, PHP and more, showing how to use code listings to implement regular expressions, discussing how these differ between languages, and teaching how to parse source code and process log files. The result is a solid pick recommended for any comprehensive computer shelf. Also recommended is Dave Taylor's LEARNING UNIX FOR OS X MOUNTAIN LION (9781449332310, $19.99), a fine survey for Mac OS and Unix users which teaches Max users how to tap into the strengths of the Unix system. From making changes to a Mac's filesystem and directories to using Unix's commands to locate files and run multiple Unix programs at the same time, this is a fine choice for any Mac programmer's library. Dani Nordin's DRUPAL FOR DESIGNERS (9781449325046, $39.99) is a pick for any web development holding and represents a compilation of three shorter guides: PLANNING DRUPAL PROJECTS, DESIGN AND PROTOTYPING FOR DRUPAL, and DRUPAL DEVELOPMENT TRICKS FOR DESIGNERS. From managing Drupal's markup and code generated by the Views module to learning the basics of GIT and setting up a Drupal development atmosphere to work with other designers, this is for any already familiar with HTML and CSS who want a key to absorbing Drupal into the mix. Jennifer Neiderst Robbins' LEARNING WEB DESIGN: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO HTML, CSS, JAVASCRIPT, AND WEB GRAPHICS (9781449319274, $49.99) provides a 4th updated edition for any who would learn how to build web pages without benefit of prior experience. All the basics of how the Web works and how web pages operate within this environment teaches the latest best practices, web-building techniques, and reinforces such learning using exercises, quizzes and real-world applications. From building HTML pages with text, links and images to making pages display well on mobile devices, this is packed with important step-by-step approaches to success. THINK PYTHON by Allen B. Downey (9781449330729, $39.99) is for any who want to start learning to program, and recommends Python as the perfect place for a beginner. Chapters offer step-by-step coverage of basic programming concepts, offer progressive foundations of knowledge that include exercises and tests that assure knowledge is sound before moving to the next level, and cover everything from working with files and databases to debugging. It's the perfect starting point for beginning programmers. Addy Osmani's LEARNING JAVASCRIPT DESIGN PATTERNS (9781449331818, $34.99) teaches how to apply both classical and modern design patterns to the language of JavaScript, and tells how to keep JavaScript code manageable and up to date using the latest best practices. From learning the structure of design patterns to using different options for writing modular code, this is a top recommendation for any who would improve their JavaScript coding. DEVELOPING WEB APPLICATIONS WITH HASKELL AND YESOD by Michael Snoyman (9781449316976, $34.99) deserves ongoing recommendation as a fine basic reference for any computer collection appealing to web programmers. It uses several real-world, specific examples to show how Haskell and Yesod functions, showing how to create a production-quality web application that includes a blog, a wiki, and many more advanced functions. A 'must' for any web programming collection.

Joomla! (Templates)
Angie Radtke
Addison Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.mcp.com
9780321827319, $39.99, www.informit.com/aw

Joomla! (Templates) is a top pick for any web development collection strong in Joomla guides, and covers all aspects of Joomla websites and their customization with template design. It comes from a Joomla expert who presents keys to everything from usability and CSS to HTML5, offering guidelines to changing a Joomla site's look and using JavaScript to enhance templates and sites. The result is guide for any professional web designer and developer and for nonpros with some background in site development, packed with code and keys to successful website applications.

CompTIA A+ Certification, eighth edition
Mike Meyers
McGraw-Hill
Two Penn Plaza, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10121-2298
9780071795128, $60.00, www.mhprofessional.com

The eighth updated edition of CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Guide has been completely revised for exams 220-801 and 220-802, and is a complete coverage that can be used as either a study guide for the exam or as a reference for the job. It's written by the leading expert on CompTIA A+ training and packs in chapters of learning objectives, facts, exam tips, practice questions, and detailed explanations. From installing and configuring hard drives to troubleshooting common PC issues and installing wired and wireless networks, this is packed with keys to success, and a 'must' for any contemplating studying for the exam.

Artificial Intelligence in the 21st Century
Stephen Lucci and Danny Kopec
Mercury Learning
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
9781936420230, $99.95, www.merclearning.com

Artificial Intelligence in the 21st Century is a fine college-level advanced text for computer collections strong in AI science and technology, and provides a technical yet accessible survey of the foundations of AI theory and applications. Color images, human interest boxes, and numerous examples accompany discussions of machine learning, video game applications, genetic algorithms, natural language processing and much more. From production and expert systems to neural nets, this covers both basics and advanced topics key to any understanding of modern AI.


The Interior Design Shelf

Junk Genius
Juliette Goggin and Stacy Sirk
Cico Books
c/o Ryland Peters & Small
20-21 Jockey's Fields, London WC1R 4BW
9781908170835, $29.95, www.cicoboks.com

'Repurposing' turns junk into gems, and often results in artistic and unique home decor items that make for fine gifts. JUNK GENIUS: STYLISH WAYS TO REPURPOSE EVERYDAY OBJECTS, WITH OVER 80 PROJECTS AND IDEAS provides a fine key to locating and using these objects in the home, and is a pick for interior designers and craftsmen alike. From wooden drawer pulls to easy lace glass tealights and a patchwork mirror, it's packed with color photos and home enhancement projects that turn 'junk' into 'art'. A 'must' for any home decor library and crafts collection!

Country
Jasper Conran
Conran
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781840916089, $19.99, www.octopusbooksusa.com

COUNTRY goes beyond most books focused on lifestyles or home design and provides a fine survey of country life, from houses and people to traditions and the author's own experiences. From seasonal changes to interior and exterior details, Country documents life lived in the modern English countryside and pairs photos with Jasper Conran's poetic words to capture the feel and sentiments of English country style and living. A fine guide for any seeking a celebration of the country way of life!


The Art Shelf

Renaissance Intarsia
Luca Trevisan, editor
Abbeville Press
137 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013
www.abbeville.com
9780789211262, $125.00, www.amazon.com

An intarisa is a decorative or pictorial mosaic of inlaid wood or sometimes ivory of a style developed in the Italian Renaissance and used esp on wooden wall panels. Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by academician and Vento art expert Luca Trevisan, "Renaissance Intarsia: Masterpieces of Wood Inlay" is a 256 page coffee table art book comprised of eleven erudite articles by experts in the history of wood inlay artworks and showcase the very best the artists and craftsmen of the Italian Renaissance had to offer. Beautifully photographed by Luca Sassi and expertly translated from Italian into English by Marguerite Shore, "Renaissance Intarsia" is as informed and informative as it is an exquisitely presented representative, 'museum quality' collection of what is all to often considered a 'minor' art form. Combining impressive scholarship with equally impressive visual images, "Renaissance Intarsia" is an enthusiastically recommended addition to community, and academic library Art History reference collections, and supplemental reading lists for students of Italian renaissance art.

Chinese Lacquerware in The National Museum of Denmark
Joan Hornby
The National Museum of Denmark
c/o International Specialized Book Services (distribution)
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, OR 97213
9788776021450 $48.50 www.isbs.com

Chinese Lacquerware in The National Museum of Denmark is a visually stunning softcover artbook, packed cover to cover with full-color photography of historic Chinese art objects displayed at The National Museum of Denmark. The extensive text, accessible to lay readers yet providing an expert level of detail, provides meticulous descriptions of the artworks and their context in China's storied history. Truly the next best thing to traveling to Denmark to feast one's eyes upon the delicately created Chinese boxes, bowls, furnishings, and much more, Chinese Lacquerware in The National Museum of Denmark is highly recommended especially for college library artbook collections.

Liberatore: Le Donne
Tanino Liberatore
Eurotica
c/o Independent Publishers Group
814 North Franklin St., Chicago, IL 60610
www.ipgbook.com
9781561637133, $39.99, www.amazon.com

A 168 page compendium dedicated to the female form, "Liberatore: Le Donne" showcases the undeniable talents of the Italian artist Tanino Liberatore. This coffee table art book offers a wealth of both full color, as well as black-and-white images of the female form and attitudes that range from the classic to the pornographic. Superbly reproduced drawings, sketches, and paintings, "Liberatore: Le Donne" is highly recommended for personal and academic library Art History reference collections, but would not be suitable for community library art book collections due to the mature nature of the materials comprising it.

An Art Lover's Guide to Florence
Judith Testa
Northern Illinois University Press
2280 Bethany Road
DeKalb, IL 60115
9780875806808, $22.50, www.niupress.niu.edu

The Renaissance made Florence a lightning rod for many artists to come to. "An Art Lover's Guide to Florence" delves into the deep history of the Italian city in which so much art was created in a short period, and Judith Testa offers a scholarly take on why Florence invited such an artistic revolution upon itself. Offering much to ponder on many of the trends that started in the region, the people behind the trends, as well as a history of the city, delving into its faith, politics, scandal, and everything else. "An Art Lover's Guide to Florence" is a strong addition to art history collections.

Canadian Folk Art To 1950
John A. Fleming & Michael J. Rowan
University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1
www.uap.ualberta.ca
97808886405562, $45.00, www.amazon.com

Folk art encompasses art produced from an indigenous culture or by peasants or other laboring tradespeople. In contrast to fine art, folk art is primarily utilitarian and decorative rather than purely aesthetic. Folk Art is characterized by a naive style, in which traditional rules of proportion and perspective are not employed. As a phenomenon that can chronicle a move towards civilization yet rapidly diminish with modernity, industrialization, or outside influence, the nature of folk art is specific to its particular culture. The varied geographical and temporal prevalence and diversity of folk art make it difficult to describe as a whole, though some patterns have been demonstrated. The collaborative work of John A. Fleming (Professor Emeritus, Department of French and the Centre for Comparative Literature, University of Toronto) and Canadian antiques dealer Michael J. Rowan, "Canadian Folk Art To 1950" is a 520 page compendium beautifully showcasing museum quality examples of folk art by Canadian artists and craftsmen. Each example is presented in a full color photograph taken by James A. Chambers and is accompanied by a succinct descriptive comment. A superbly presented overview that is informed and informative, this coffee table paperback edition of "Canadian Folk Art To 1950" is highly recommended for personal Folk Art Book collections. Specifically recommended for community and academic libraries Art History collections, "Canadian Folk Art To 1950" is also available in a hardcover edition (9780888646309, $75.00).

Mid-Century Modern
Judith Miller
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781845336936, $39.99, www.amazon.com

Mid-Century modern is an architectural, interior, product and graphic design that generally describes mid-20th century developments in modern design, architecture, and urban development from roughly 1933 to 1965. The term, employed as a style descriptor as early as the mid-1950s, was reaffirmed in 1983 by Cara Greenberg in the title of her book, Mid-Century Modern: Furniture of the 1950s (Random House), celebrating the style which is now recognized by scholars and museums worldwide as a significant design movement. "s Mid Century Modern: Living With Mid-Century Modern Design" by antiques and collectibles expert Judith Miller is a superbly illustrated, 256 page compendium showcasing selectively representative items from the 1940s to the 1960s, ranging from furniture, ceramics, and glass, to metalware, textiles, and interior design. Enhanced with a roster of significant designers, an extensive list of resources, and a comprehensive index, "Miller's Mid Century Modern" is informed, informative, and will prove to be a highly prized and enduringly valued addition to personal, professional, and academic library 20th Century Art History collections.

BIS Publishers
Het Sieraad, Postjesweg 1
1057 DT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
www.bispublishers.nl

THE STONE TWINS AND GERT DUNBAR'S LOGO R.I.P. (9789063692902, $19.95) offers up a compact study of classic business logo designs, and celebrates logos from a range of endeavors. Many are considered icons or international design classics, while others are short-lived: all disappeared and are no longer used to signify a brand or idea. LOGO R.I.P. documents the rise and fall of business branding, cultural identification, and more. Some fifty color photos and obituaries are written and photographed by the Stone twins in a revised, updated classic highly recommended for arts and business holdings alike. Moniek Paus' GRADUATION GUIDE FOR DESIGN STUDENTS (9789063692865, $19.00) is a top recommendation for any arts collection appealing to design students and is specifically tailored for their most stressful years in college: their final semester. Design advice, ways to make graduation less stressful and more successful, and practical advice presented as double-spread posters with text makes this a most accessible, practical survey filled with important and specific insights key to the graduate design student's final year.

Thames and Hudson
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com

Patrick Mauries's JEWELRY BY CHANEL (9780500516287, $95.00) provides a compendium of jewelry designs by a woman who spent her life creating lovely works of art, and is based on archival research and interviews with Chanel's colleagues and others involved in her life and career. Classic jewelry images blend with new photos to make for an inspirational account of her signature style and her many contributions to jewelry-making and style. Any jewelry history holding will find this to be a definitive survey, packed with color and stunning images. Mathieu Lommen edits THE BOOK OF BOOKS: 500 YEARS OF GRAPHIC INNOVATION (9780500515914, $65.00) and provides a fine visual history of books representing changes to some five hundred years of Western book design. Any with an interest in book design evolution will find this begins in 1471 with an edition printed by Nicholas Jenson in Venice, and ends in 2010 with a design by Irma Boom. From reference books to art books, picture books and collector's paperbacks, the wide range of coverage sets this apart from any other consideration and makes it a pick for graphic design, arts and collector's libraries alike. Olivier Dupon's THE NEW JEWELERS (9780500516294, $45.00) profiles the works of new and established jewelry designers alike, covering a variety of their work and showcasing all kinds of jewelry with color photos displaying both finished products and artists at work. All kinds of jewelry are represented in this survey, which includes global designs and designers and offers a wide-ranging history suitable for any arts holding strong in jewelry-making and global trends. Frances Borzello's THE NAKED NUDE (9780500238929, $45.00) packs in over 130 illustrations - 116 in color - to provide a fine survey contrasting different types of nude art. Kenneth Clark's classic THE NUDE: A STUDY IN IDEAL FORM is contrasted with today's raw depictions which provide more provocative poses and different perspectives of nudity. Borzello here explores the changing role of the nude in 20th and 21st century art, examining the works of a number of international artists and providing a fine lacing of critical text and color illustrations throughout. Any arts library will find this a winner.

A Mine of Beauty
Linda S. Ferbe, et.al.
Hudson Hills
3556 Main Street, Manchester, VT 05254
9781555953829, $40.00, www.hudsonhills.com

A Mine Of Beauty: Landscapes By William Trost Richards offers a catalog of his watercolors, recently gifted to Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, and appears concurrently to accompany a traveling show of the same name. Watercolors and oils represent Richards' view of nature and its many scenes, offering accompanying critical insights and ideas on the pre-Raphaelite painter and providing a fine survey of history of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Philadelphia landscape painting and Richards' influences and place in it. Any arts collection strong in landscape artistry will find this a powerful gathering.

Artists' Textiles 1940-1976
Geoff Rayner, et.al.
ACC Editions
6 West 18th Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10011
Sandy Lane, Old Martlesham, Woodbridge
Suffolk, United Kingdom, IP12 4SD
www.accdistribution.com
9781851496297, $49.95, www.americancollectorsclub.com

Artists' Textiles 1940-1976 surveys the history and evolution of the textile as an art form, which actually is a newer collaboration of effort between artists and textile developers, and is a key acquisition for any arts collection strong in textile history. Some two hundred color images accompany a historical and artistic survey of textiles as an art form in Britain and America, following individual artists and the movement as a whole and providing color examples of textile development throughout. It's a fine recommendation for any textile history library.


The Fashion Shelf

Conran
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue
New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com

New editions of the Design Museum's 'Fifty Fashion Looks That Changed the World' arts series offers any arts collection strong in fashion a lovely era-by-era showcase of fashion looks that reflected each decade. Paula Reed's THE FIFTIES (9781840916034, $20.00) gathers fashions and models from Marilyn Monroe to Christian Dior and charts the rise of teen styles and other trends, THE SIXTIES (9781840916014, $20.00) surveys sixties looks from peasants to moon girls and features Audrey Hepburn, Julie Christie and other movie greats whose looks influenced the fashion world, and Paula Reed's THE SEVENTIES (9781840916058, $20.00) charts the rise of punk, bell bottoms and more, along with the movies and actresses who displayed the evolving styles. The result packs in photos and fine fashion images, and is a top pick for any arts collection strong in fashion design.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Zooland
Irus Braverman
Stanford University Press
1450 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304-1124
9780804783583, $24.95, www.sup.org

Zoos can provide a valuable service to society, but the pursuit of profit has their own drawbacks. "Zooland: The Institution of Captivity" explores the modern state of the zoo, as forces within the community paint two very different pictures: The zoo has a preserver and educator on the topic of wildlife, and zoo as the carnival, exploiting animals for profit. With sixty interviews with many people voicing their ideas on the topic. "Zooland" is scholarly and much recommended addition to any wildlife and social issues collection.

Medieval Pets
Kathleen Walker-Meikle
Boydell Press
c/o Boydell & Brewer
668 Mount Hope Avenue
Rochester, NY 14620-2731
9781843837589 $45.00 www.boydellandbrewer.com

Medieval Pets is an exceptional survey of domestic medieval era animals as pets (that is, animals that did not just serve as food, beasts of burden, or assistance for hunters). Dogs, cats, monkeys, squirrels, and even parrots were kept for the pleasure of their companionship; Medieval Pets surveys what art and literature tells us of how pets were once acquired, kept, fed, exercised, and displayed, and even some problems that arose from these cherished animals! A handful of black-and-white illustrations, notes, a bibliography, and an index round out this thoughtfully researched and solidly presented study. Medieval pets is highly recommended especially for college library collections, but ordinary pet lovers may also be curious to browse and learn how the roles their beloved companion animals played throughout medieval history!

Dogs on Wheels
Norm Mort
RAC
c/o Hubble & Hattie
9781845843793, $19.95, www.rac.co.uk

Animal lovers have to hit the road too sometimes. "Dogs on Wheels: Traveling with Your Canine Companion" is an advice guide for the pet-loving traveler who wants to bring their dog along with them on those long car trips. From choosing the right vehicle to picking the right gadgets to caring for your dog on those long trips, "Dogs on Wheels" is a must for any often traveling dog lover, highly recommended.

Swimming with Dolphins, Tracking Gorillas
Ian Wood
Bradt
c/o The Globe Pequot Press
246 Goose Lane, Suite 200
Guilford, CT 06437
9781841624044, $24.99, www.globepequot.com

The animals of our world are curious creatures, although elusive at times. "Swimming with Dolphins, Tracking Gorillas: How to Have the World's Best Wildlife Encounters" is a guide for the animal loving world traveler as Ian Wood advises readers on how to find wildlife experiences throughout the world, be it from safaris, seeing penguins, or the titular activities as well. Presented in full color with countless photographs throughout, "Swimming with Dolphins, Tracking Gorillas" is a guide not to be overlooked for those who want the most out of their nature expeditions.

For the Love of Dogs
Animal Rescue League of Iowa Inc.
Landauer Publishing
3100 NW 101st Street, Suite A
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
9781935726128, $24.95, www.landauercorp.com

For the Love of Dogs: A Hands-On Journey is culled from knowledge the ARL staff has gained caring for and training thousands of dogs of all sizes, and covers everything from puppy development and training a dog to teaching a dog self-control and solving common problems. The ARL trainers use only positive reinforcement techniques to train behaviors: their techniques are packed into over two hundred pages of information and advice, and accompanied by dog-and-puppy training videos and rescue stories any new dog owner will relish.

Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell

Suzanne Easton's Practical VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING (9780470656488, $59.99) provides a key guide to the various diagnostic imaging modalities used in veterinary practice, moving from basic math principles to discussions of equipment and pairing line diagrams and photos with self-assessment questions in each chapter. Students and veterinary nurses alike receive a handy reference to everything needed to know about diagnostic imaging in veterinary practice, including the basic principles of physics: all accompanied by illustrations key to understanding. Jamie M. Burkitt Creedon and Harold Davis edit ADVANCED MONITORING AND PROCEDURES FOR SMALL ANIMAL EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE (9780813813370, $129.99), which deserves ongoing recommendation and mention as simply an outstanding practical reference providing hands-on information key to vets and technicians working in the field. A Team of vets offer step-by-step protocols for performing advanced emergency and critical care procedures and monitoring, organizing chapters by body system for quick reference and providing general overviews and basics followed by specific troubleshooting, instructions and emergency procedures. Any vet student or staff member needs this reference close at hand! Also recommended for immediate reference is Timothy B. Hackett and Elisa M. Mazzaferro's VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE PROCEDURES (9780470958551, $59.99) appears in its second updated edition to provide a step-by-step guide to key emergency and critical care procedures encountered in general and specialty practice. The second edition includes several new procedures, two new chapters covering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and more, and packs in hints to make the account useful in a veterinary setting. From protocols for common emergency techniques to procedures information, this is supported by video clips online and makes for an outstanding survey. Mary Anna Thrall, et.al.'s VETERINARY HEMATOLOGY AND CLINICAL CHEMISTRY, 2ND EDITION (9780813810270, $99.99) offers a key to understanding veterinary laboratory diagnostic techniques and interpretation and covers hematology and chemistry for a range of species to include fish, amphibians and birds. This second edition includes many revisions and additions, from new chapters on molecular diagnostics of hematologic malignancies to updates in advancements on diagnostic technology and revisions to data interpretation. Both elementary basics and advanced laboratory techniques are covered in a guide that offers over seventy case studies to help readers understanding the entire laboratory process, making for a top recommendation for veterinary reference collections. CANINE AND FELINE DERMATOLOGY DRUG HANDBOOK by Sandra N. Koch, et.al. (9781405198967, $69.99) provides a solid vet's reference summarizing dermatological drugs for dogs and cats, and is a 'must' both for a practicing vet's office and for students at the college level. It provides chapters covering systemic and topical dermatological agents, specific conditions and the latest drugs used to treat the diseases, and lists oral, injectable and topical drugs alphabetically for quick reference. The use of both American and European trade names makes this a winning choice. Douglas M. Macintire, et.al.'s MANUAL OF SMALL ANIMAL EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE (9780813824734, $89.99) provides the second updated edition of a classic vet's desk reference covering common emergencies in small animals. From injuries and wound management to new chapters on revisions to treatment protocols and expanded toxicology information, this reflects the latest science and discoveries and is a 'must' emergency vet's reference, arranged in quick consultation format for fast lookup. Linda Merrill's SMALL ANIMAL INTERNAL MEDICINE FOR VETERINARY TECHNICIANS AND NURSES (9780813821641, $79.99) deserves ongoing recommendation as a basic reference - the first written - for the veterinary technician. Chapters cover everything from diagnostic testing to evaluating clinical signs, and includes reviews of nursing requirements for a wide range of conditions. All are top picks for any vet's practice.


The Needlecraft Shelf

The Twelve Knits of Christmas
Fiona Goble, author
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
9781449411312 $19.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com

"The Twelve Knits of Christmas" presents a knitter's craft in creating characters from the 12 Days of Christmas traditional holiday song. Here are twelve complete, easy to follow patterns for knitting some of the most charming lords a leaping, ladies dancing, maids a milking, and various festive birds and other characters ever seen. Complete instructions include lists of supplies needed, definitions and abbreviations, and clear instructions with diagrams and illustrations for the basic skills of the knack of knitting. Beautiful color photos of finished projects accompany each piece. So pack up your yarn, pick out your colors, and prepare to indulge in a knitting fantasy for holiday lovers. Each cast of knitted characters is also displayed with the appropriate verse in a holiday setting that is sure to inspire and delight! Plus the book includes a folded cardboard pear tree that can be shaped without any glue, forming a perfect setting for the knitted partridge. "The Twelve Knits of Christmas" is a perfect holiday gift for either an experienced knitter or an ambitious beginner.

Colorful Quilts for Playful Kids
Janet Pittman
Landauer Publishing
3100 101st St., Ste. A, Urbandale, IA 50322
9781935726258 $24.95 www.landauerpub.com

"Colorful Quilts for Playful Kids, 14 colorful Projects with Dozens of Playful Designs to Mix & Match" is a stunning collection of appealing quilt craft projects that can be shared opportunities to pursue intergenerational bonding. Here are instructions and patterns plus extra helps for creating six uniquely bright quilts and also several other related project, including a messenger bag, drawstring toy bag, and a pillow and a pillow sham. A section on Other Things You Need to Know includes equipment and supplies, instructions for preparing, arranging, and stitching applique, and embellishing and finishing. Color photographs of zany, bright quilt creations keep attention focused and interest high, while simple step by step instructions accompanied by a sidebar listing of materials needed presents the project details from start to finish. Some of the quilts shown are titled Zany Zoo, Paisley Princess, Construction Zone, and Alphabet Puzzle, to name a few. For a fun quilting experience to be shared between generations, "Colorful Quilts for Playful Kids" meets the demand for loads of fun-filled, contented hours spent together.

Connect the Shapes Crochet Motifs
Edie Eckman
www.edieeckman.com
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way
North Adams, MA 01247
9781603429732 $19.95 www.storey.com

Spiral-bound to lay flat for easy reference, Connect the Shapes Crochet Motifs is a how-to guide illustrated with full-color photographs demonstrating the step-by-step instructions on virtually every page. Meticulous black-and-white pattern diagrams created with the precision of an architect further demystify 101 original motifs (including square-shaped, triangular, and circular motifs) ideal for intermediate to veteran crocheters to incorporate into their own creations, as well as techniques for joining them together. A handful of projects that take advantage of these beautiful motifs (including a Summer Baby Blanket, a Wedge Pillow, a Flower Garland, a Cottage Lamp Shade, and a Poet Vest) round out this excellent supplementary resource for crochet enthusiasts.

Purses Bags & Totes
Moya's Workshop
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781604600292, $22.95, www.americanquilter.com

Purses Bags & Totes tells how to make fashionable and easy purses, bags and totes for all occasions and even includes backpacks for kids and eco bags for shopping. Full-size patterns on an accompanying CD compliment step-by-step photos and color illustrations of finished products. There are many other needlework options for purses and bags, but the wide-ranging projects included here added to the different styles makes this a top pick for needlework collections and any who want a wider range of production options.

Make Your Own Quilting Designs and Patterns
Woodworth
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781604600353, $21.95, www.americanquilter.com

Make Your Own Quilting Designs and Patterns comes from an award-winning longarm quilter who here describes how to design a quilt, and covers different methods for making and marketing quilting patterns. From marking wholecloth quilts to quilting thread-painted quilts and creating homemade patterns from scratch, this is a solid pick for any avid quilter who wants to move to the next level of quilting.

Contemporary Cube Bead Designs
Virginia Jensen
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871164360, $19.95, www.kalmbach.com

Contemporary Cube Bead Designs: Stitching with Herringbone, Peyote, Ladder Stitch, and More is for stitchers and jewelry makers alike, and tells how to create designs with cube beads using a series of nearly thirty projects that teach basic stitching. Cube beads offer new takes for enthusiasts working with seed beads: chapters offer beaders explicit directions for working with different kinds of stitches and will especially appeal to jewelers and needleworkers looking for different kinds of projects.

Martingale
19021 Avenue NE
Bothell, WA 98011
www.shopmartingale.com

Jill Finley's HOME SWEET QUILT: FRESH, EASY QUILT PATTERNS FROM JILLILY STUDIO (9781604680867, $24.99) provides twelve new quilt patterns for the whole house and tells how to combine applique with traditional patchwork quilts for maximum benefit. From quilts and pillows to towels and table runners, this packs in projects easy for beginners and experts alike, packing in full-page color photos with step-by-step smaller photos outlining the entire quilt-making process. Any quilter will find this filled with original insights not to be found elsewhere! Ana Paula Rimoli's AMIGURUMI ON THE GO: 30 PATTERNS FOR CROCHETING KIDS' BAGS, BACKPACKS, AND MORE (9781604682137, $21.99) provides a collection of accessories for boys and girls and features some zany designs, from a ladybug crocheted bag to a pig backpack and a little owl purse. Materials, finished sizes, and step-by-step crochet instructions are accompanied by lovely color photos of completed projects, making for a 'must' for any who would crochet appealing kids' accessories. Christine Porter & Darra Williamson's CUDDLE ME QUICK: 11 BABY-QUILT DESIGNS (9781604681512, $24.99) is a fine title for any who would make baby quilts, and comes from quilting experts who present eleven variations. From traditional pieced quilts and tips for projects for boy or girl to quilt patterns that include detailed quilting ideas, this is a fine pick for any planning on a baby gift. Quiltmaker Magazine's EASY QUILTS FOR BEGINNERS AND BEYOND (9781604682373, $24.99) presents fourteen designs for beginners wanting to produce a quick quilting gift, and uses scraps, precuts and yardage in designs that feature batiks, polka dots and more. Photos show different color options for nearly all projects while the quilting instructions are completely illustrated and assume no prior knowledge. SKIP THE BORDERS: EASY PATTERNS FOR MODERN QUILTS by Julie Herman (9781604680812, $24.99) tells how to create modern quilts with simple designs and comes from a popular blogger and the owner of Jaybird Quilts. Fifteen easy patterns feature fine combinations of design and fabric choice and encourage newcomers to enjoy the finer art of quilting. Mimi Dietrich's BALTIMORE BLOCKS FOR BEGINNERS: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE (9781604681727, $19.99) comes from a best-selling quilting author who here teaches the foundations of producing the Baltimore block. It comes packed with illustrations and color photos throughout, offering an outstanding set of clear directions for any new to the Baltimore block quilting motif, and is a solid recommendation for quilting libraries appealing to beginners.


The Technology Shelf

Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
www.artechhouse.com

Jeffrey Nanzer's MICROWAVE AND MILLIMETER-WAVE REMOTE SENSING FOR SECURITY APPLICATIONS (9781608071722, $149.00) provides a fine resource outlining the basic principles of microwave and millimeter-wave remote sending for security applications, and provides engineers and collections catering to them with an array of designs for security and imaging systems alike. This is packed with the formulas and basics practitioners need to understand, including the basics of receiver design and discussions of interactions between electromagnetic waves with human tissues and various materials. It also explores newly developed detection techniques and packs in illustrations and over a thousand supportive equations, making this an engineer's 'must have' reference. Peter S. Hall and Yang Hao's ANTENNAS AND PROPAGATION FOR BODY-CENTRIC WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS (9781608073764, $169.00) appears in a fine updated second edition that packs in discussions of "body centric" electronic systems that will change the face of mobile computing. This offers new material on new developments from advances in physical phantom design and production and simulations to methods for simulating moving bodies. The result is an extensive update reflecting new approaches and technologies, and is a winning pick for any engineering collection strong in wireless communications technology and communications.


The Law/Justice Shelf

Legal Research, 16th edition
Attorney Stephen Elias & Editors of Nolo
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781413316186, $49.99, www.nolo.com

The 16th updated edition of LEGAL RESEARCH: HOW TO FIND & UNDERSTAND THE LAW tells how to locate key laws and cases either online or in a law library, how to draft legal memoranda, and how to make the most of the Web and a legal library to locate statutes, cases, background information and answers to specific legal issues. Chapters offer keys to organization, 'shepardizing', prioritizing, using indexes, and analyzing the effect of a case on your particular issue: in short, it outlines the basics of an attorney's research and judgment process and will help users save hundreds of dollars in attorney fees just by doing some of the legal legwork that anyone can do. Very highly recommended!


The Business Shelf

Corporate Disasters: What Went Wrong and Why
Gale
c/o Cengage Learning, Inc.
200 First Stamford Place
Stamford, CT 06902
9781414496146 $462.00 www.cengage.com

Corporate Disasters: What Went Wrong and Why is exactly what its title proclaims - a thorough post-mortem analysis of practically a hundred of the most outstanding business disasters throughout world history. Examples range from the demise of Borders bookstores (who failed to get into the ebook and online sales business quickly enough, and insisted on stocking their high-rent stores with expensive rare books long after internet bookselling made finding such books online too easy), to the fall of Circuit City (competitor Best Buy ran them out of businesses by choosing to build stores in more accessible locations, and by keeping more savvy tech support staff on hand), to broad-based market disasters such as the 1980's U.S. Savings and Loan crisis, and the late 2000's U.S. Housing Bubble and Credit crisis, to the failed AOL-Time Warner Merger, the one man whose deception and futures gambling brought down the venerable Barings Bank, and even Mark Twain's passionate yet inept efforts at business (he was notorious for becoming personally attached to products or inventions, sinking money into them long after they proved to be unpopular). Corporate Disasters is an eye-opening laundry list of money-hemorrhaging case studies and object lessons accessible to readers of all backgrounds, and an absolute "must-have" especially for School of Business college libraries, worthy of the highest recommendation. "Despite Coca-Cola's extensive beverage marketing expertise, the company did not make allowances for the cultural difference in the United Kingdom. While Americans and Canadians seemed perfectly willing to pay a premium for purified tap water in a convenient plastic bottle, the British thought the company was defrauding consumers. The price tag on Dasani, which was considerably higher than in the United States, also served to fuel outrage."

Closing Time!
Larry S. Cockerel
Maven Mark Books
c/o Henschel Haus Publishing
2625 S. Greeley St., Suite 201
Milwaukee, WI 53207
9781595981721, $16.95, www.henschelhausbooks.com

A business needs many things to succeed, and good business people present them all in a nice package. "Closing Time!: 123 Simple Strategies To Achieve Greater Sales Success" is a guide for business owners on improving their business through increasing professionalism, understanding sales, finding good prospects, and much more. "Closing Time!" is filled with plenty of practical wisdom for business, highly recommended.

How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Florist and Floral Business, second edition
Stephanie Beener & Constance H. Marse
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
1210 SW 23rd Place, Ocala, FL 34471
9781601389046, $39.95, www.atlantic-pub.com

Very few people don't like a good bouquet of flowers. "How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Florist and Floral Business " is a guide for those who love gardening and want to build a better business out of their passion, discussing the basics of the flower business with solid business models and sales plans that includes everything from calculating costs, overhead, rent, taxes, and much more. A companion CD-ROM includes all the forms in the book and a sample business plan. A "must" for anyone who wants to make a profitable business out of flowers, "How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Florist and Floral Business " is a packed with solid and much recommended practical advice for the business side of things.

LinkedIn for Business
Brian Carter
Que
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780789749680, $24.99, www.quepublishing.com

LINKEDIN FOR BUSINESS: HOW ADVERTISERS, MARKETERS, AND SALESPEOPLE GET LEADS, SALES, AND PROFITS FROM LINKEDIN provides a complete system for profiting from LinkedIn and comes from a successful social media marketer who concentrates on how to use it to promote advertising, business-to-business marketing, and more. Case studies show how innovative businesses are achieving solid results using this method, and teaches specific lessons that can be applied to the LinkedIn system, making this a fine recommendation that pairs business sales success with a LinkedIn marketing program.

Harvard Business Review Press
60 Harvard Way
Boston, MA 02163
www.hbr.org/books

Michael J. Silverstein, et.al.'s THE $10 TRILLION PRIZE: CAPTIVATING THE NEWLY AFFLUENT IN CHINA AND INDIA (9781422187050, $30.00) discusses the new consumer atmosphere in these developing countries, offering business readers insights into how to develop new customers in these two rapidly growing countries. There will be nearly a billion middle-class consumers in China and India within the next ten years - and this book provides the first in-depth documentation of their growing middle class and its need for more products and services. Any company looking for global growth will find this a solid pick! William N. Thorndike, Jr.'s THE OUTSIDERS: EIGHT UNCONVENTIONAL CEOS AND THEIR RADICALLY RATIONAL BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS (9781422162675, $27.00) is a recommendation for business managers and collections catering to them and discusses what makes a successful CEO. Here eight very different CEOs whose firms' average returns outperformed the S&P 500 by a factor of twenty provide their formulas for success, discussing the strategies and approaches that led to these exceptional successes. A fine guide for any business holding.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Why Can't We Talk?
John Backman
Skylight Paths Publishing
Sunset Farms Offices, Route 4
PO Box 237
Woodstock, VT 05091
9781594734434, $16.99, www.skylightpaths.com

With no communication, nothing can really get done. "Why Can't We Talk?" is a Christian look at bridging the gaps that start hostilities in modern life, encouraging compassion and understanding to create a dialogue on hot button issues, encouraging communication even when it seems like nothing can be accomplished. Although faith drive, the advice within speaks true to no matter what one believes, and makes "Why Can't We Talk?" an enticing and much recommended addition to self-help and Christian wisdom collections.

As I Have Loved You
John Scally
Liguori
1 Liguroi Drive, Liguori, MO 63057-9999
9780764821486, $14.99, www.liguori.org

In the ghettos of Calcutta, a touch of mercy goes a long way. "As I Have Loved You: A Conversation with Mother Teresa" is a discussion of the beloved figure Mother Theresa as John Scally presents an analysis of the famed woman's work with the poor, bringing faith to millions throughout her life. A thoughtful telling of her story, "As I Have Loved You" is a strong addition to Christian history and biography collection.

Faith and Struggle on Smokey Mountain
Bengno P. Beltran
Orbis Books
PO Box 308
Maryknoll, NY 10545-0308
9781570759758, $25.00, www.orbisbooks.com

Even when things seem grim, there are those who will not let anything stop them. "Faith and Struggle on Smokey Mountain: Hope for a Planet in Peril" explores those who call this garbage dump in the Philippines their home, who scavenge what everyone else tossed away for their everyday survival. Friar Benigno P. Beltran discusses the hardships these people face, and what he has learned from them all. "Faith and Struggle on Smokey Mountain" is a strong pick for those seeking a story of Christian life and survival against all odds.

Where to From Here?
Brian Grogan
New City Press
202 Cardinal Rd.
Hyde Park, NY 12538
9781565484528, $17.95, www.newcitypress.com

Eternal paradise, eternal torment... is there more to the Christian afterlife than these concepts? "Where to From Here?: The Christian Vision of Life After Death" discusses the ideas of the afterlife, as Father Brian Grogan discusses questions surrounding the afterlife, exploring many ideas that aren't normally presented surrounding the ideas of fate, our lives, and what ultimately lies ahead of us as human beings. "Where to From Here?" is a fascinating read and addition to Christian and spirituality collections.

Living Celibacy
Gerdenio Sonny Manuel, SJ
Paulist Press
997 MacArthur Boulevard
Mahwah, NJ 07430
9780809147847, $14.95, www.paulistpress.com

To choose celibacy is to give up much of the human experience. "Living Celibacy: Healing Pathways for Priests" discusses the celibacy that many men of the cloth face in the Catholic faith, which may often lead to many issues in psychosexual health. Discussing the meaning of the celibacy of the faith, and how these men who choose this path can cope with it, "Living Celibacy" is a powerful read for Christian readers, especially those who have taken the higher calling of the priesthood.

Green Leaves for Later Years
Emilie Griffin
Formatio
c/o InterVarsity Press
PO Box 1400
Downers Grove, IL 605151426
9780830835652, $15.00, www.ivpress.com

Clarity of thought is something that should never be underrated. "Green Leaves for Later Years: The Spiritual Path of Wisdom" is a spiritual and Christian read from Emilie Griffin as she advises readers on how to gain that wisdom that supposed to come with age but often just seems to elude us all. With plenty to ponder and activities for Bible Study groups, "Green Leaves for Later Years" is a strong pick for Christian life and spirituality collections, highly recommended.

Refocus
Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49530
9780310331766, $19.99, www.zondervan.com

REFOCUS: LIVING A LIFE THAT REFLECTS GOD'S HEART comes from the leader of Focus on the Family and encourages Christians to transcend political agendas and partisan battles and connect with each other in a different way. Our culture has become polarized and makes it difficult to spread religious insights: here are true stories and history that provide accounts of church breakthroughs based on Daly's own life and ministry, pointing out the basics of his Refocus approach to building better spiritual and social connections. Any Christian library will find it filled with insights and applications.

The Best Advice I Ever Got on Marriage
Jim Daly
Worthy Publishing
134 Franklin Road, Suite 200, Brentwood, TN 37027
9781936034499, $16.99, www.worthypublishing.com

The Best Advice I Ever Got on Marriage packs in spiritual and psychological insights from Greg Smalley, Gary Thomas, Lee Strobel, Joni Eareckson Tada and many others, outlining marital conflicts and how passages from the Bible helped smooth the road. This solid link between perception, action and spiritual advice offers tried-and-tested insights from respected couples - nearly twenty modern Christian authors, speakers and entertainers - and relates their failures and triumphs and how belief turned to wisdom. Any who cultivate a spiritual perspective on daily life will find this packed with insights, perfect for any general spirituality holding.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Luther And Calvin: Religious Revolutionaries
Charlotte Methuen
Kregel Publications
PO Box 2607, Grand Rapids, MI 49501
www.kregelpublications.com
9780745953403, $16.95, www.amazon.com

Martin Luther (10 November 1483 - 18 February 1546) was a German monk, priest, professor of theology and important figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517. His refusal to retract all of his writings at the demand of Pope Leo X in 1520 and the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms in 1521 resulted in his excommunication by the pope and condemnation as an outlaw by the Emperor. John Calvin (10 July 1509 - 27 May 1564) was an influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the system of Christian theology later called Calvinism. Originally trained as a humanist lawyer, he broke from the Roman Catholic Church around 1530. After religious tensions provoked a violent uprising against Protestants in France, Calvin fled to Basel, Switzerland, where he published the first edition of his seminal work The Institutes of the Christian Religion in 1536. "Luther and Calvin: Religious Revolutionaries" by Charlotte Methuen (Departmental Lecturer in Ecclesiastical History, University of Oxford, England) is a 192 page compendium that deftly examines the ideas of both these critically important figures within the 16th Century Protestant Reformation. Informed, informative, and thoroughly 'reader friendly', "Luther and Calvin: Religious Revolutionaries" is an ideal and highly recommended introduction to the lives and teachings of these two great men and a valued contribution to community, academic, seminary, and personal Christian Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Imperfect Spirituality
Polly Campbell
Viva Editions
2246 Sixth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710-2219
9781936740185, $15.95, www.vivaeditions.com

You don't have to be the Dalai Lama to find spiritual peace. "Imperfect Spirituality: Extraordinary Enlightenment for Ordinary People" is a spiritual guide for the not so spiritual. Polly Campbell presents how to approach the ideas of enlightenment in an everyday context, and find one's purpose and live up to one's goals in the process. "Imperfect Spirituality" is a must for those who want to have that peace they seek but can't even get the brief moment of meditation right, highly recommended.

The God Problem
Howard Bloom
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616145514, $28.00, www.prometheusbooks.com

THE GOD PROBLEM: HOW A GODLESS COSMOS CREATES offers a fine survey of how an inanimate universe contributes to spiritual meaning, and how it can create new forms of life without a Creator. Chapters consider how the cosmos creates, offering a range of historical and scientific clues to consider the nature of an inventive, driven and ambitious cosmos. Science and spirituality holdings alike will find this an intriguing survey that considers the mysticism of the universe and how a world operates if it has no God, no religion, and no spiritual insights.


The Cookbook Shelf

Unbelievably Gluten-Free!
Anne Byrn
CakeMixDoctor.com
Workman Publishing Company
225 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014-4381
9780761171683 $18.95 www.workman.com

Well-known for her appearance on TV and radio cooking shows, Anne Byrn (a.k.a. the "Cake Mix Doctor") presents Unbelievably Gluten-Free!, a collection of 128 delicious gluten-free recipes, including tasty gluten-removed variants for everything from pies to spaghetti, pizza, and angel-food cake! Colorful photographs intersperse the step-by-step instructions for creating delectable dishes "you never thought you'd be able to eat again", with an introductory section featuring tips, tricks, and techniques for keeping a gluten-free pantry. Sample recipes include "Sweet Cornmeal Waffles with Mashed Banana and Chocolate Chips", "Crab Fritters with Spicy Mayonnaise", "New Orleans Red Beans and Rice", "Best Caesar Salad with Gluten-Free Croutons", and much more. The result is a "must-have" cookbook for anyone whose digestive system does not tolerate gluten well, whether due to a genetic condition, recovery from illness, or other factors. Best of all, many of the recipe recommendations - such as suggestions for gluten-free pastry mixes or other staple substitutes - can be adapted by aspiring chefs to create their own gluten-free delicacies! Highly recommended.

Summer Days & Balmy Nights
Ryland Peters & Small
c/o Macmillan
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.macmillan.com
9781849752077 $27.95 www.rylandpeters.com

Summer Days & Balmy Nights is a gorgeous, hardcover cookbook featuring over 160 Mediterranean-themed recipes and ideas perfect for entertaining guests during the summer. Full-color photography on virtually every page brings to life such sumptuous dishes as Caponata, Spicy Pasta Salad with Tuna and Feta, Stuffed Picnic Loaf (packed with barbecued vegetables, pesto, and goat cheese), Spinach and Cheese Pie, Barbecued Fish Bathed in Oregano and Lemon, Vanilla Gelato with Hot Cherry Sauce, and much more. The easy-to-follow instructions (often with recommended variations) make Summer Days & Balmy Nights a choice pick for cooks of all skill and experience levels. Highly recommended especially for any connoisseur of fine Mediterranean dining!

Rob Feenie's Casual Classics
Rob Feenie
Douglas & McIntyre
2323 Quebec Street, Suite 201
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5T 4S7
9781553658733 $27.95 www.douglas-mcintyre.com

Rob Feenie's Casual Classics is a cookbook treasury of casual fine dining recipes, featuring dishes that are healthful, relatively easy to prepare, and satisfying to cultures palates. Creations include "Spot Prawn and Avocado BLT Sandwich", "Quinoa, Green Gean and Tomato Salad", "Butternut Squash and Fava Bean Farfalle", "Riviera-Herbed Leg of Lamb with Roasted Shallots and Sauteed Spinach", "Cheddar Cheese Apple Pie", and much more. A selection of color photographs and user-friendly, step-by-step instructions make preparing top quality cuisine simple for aspiring chefs of all skill and experience levels. Rob Feenie's Casual Classics is highly recommended, whether for spicing up one's everyday kitchen meals or preparing fine food for holiday guests!

The New Ukrainian Cookbook
Annette Ogrodnik Corona, author
Laurette Kovary, illustrator
Hippocrene Books, Inc.
171 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
9780781812870 $29.95 www.hippocrenebooks.com

The New Ukrainian Cookbook gathers over 225 traditional and modern recipes from the Ukraine. In addition to the simple, step-by-step preparation instructions, The New Ukrainian Cookbook features tidbits and tips for serving each dish. Recipes for Ukrainian Milk Soup with Rice, Warm Asparagus with Vinaigrette, Roast Loin of Pork Stuffed with Apples and Cherries, Chicken Kyiv, Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Trout, Chocolate Cherry Almond Torte, and much more. Side notes on Ukrainian cultural traditions offer additional context to this rich and flavorful cuisine compendium, highly recommended especially for international-themed cookbook shelves!

Happy Herbivore Abroad
Lindsay S. Nixon
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, STE 400
Dallas, TX 75204
happyherbivore.com
9781937856045 $19.95 www.benbellabooks.com

Happy Herbivore Abroad: A Travelogue & Over 135 Fat-Free & Low-Fat Vegan Recipes From Around The World is packed cover to cover with healthy vegan dishes made with easy-to-find ingredients. A multicultural polyglot of delectable delights, Happy Herbivore Abroad includes recipes such as Cassoulet (France), Aloo Gobi (a potato and cauliflower dish from India), Orange Teriyaki Rice (Thailand), Tofu Feta (Greece), Cajun Stuffed Mushrooms (USA), and much more. Happy Herbivore Abroad complements its recipes with engaging anecdotes from author Lindsay S. Nixon's tours abroad, and color photography of scenic locations as well as sensational delicacies. Highly recommended especially for vegans, and anyone else interested in experiencing multicultural variety!

Farmstand Favorites Cookbook
Hatherleigh Press
Anna Krusinski, editor
c/o The Hatherleigh Foundation
5-22 46th Ave, Ste 200
Long Island City, NY 11101
www.hatherleighpress.com
9781578264209, $16.50, www.amazon.com

With an informative foreword by Avis Richards and superb photography by Catarina Astrom, "Farmstand Favorites Cookbook" is a compendium of more than 300 recipes deftly compiled and edited by Anna Krusinki for the purpose of encouraging family cooks to take advantage of their local farmer's markets when planning all manner of meals. Nicely organized to include recipes suitable for breakfast, diverse soups, assorted salads, various fish and seafood entrees, an impressive number of meat and poultry entrees, a superb selection of vegetarian dishes, side dishes, breads, and deserts, "Farmstand Favorites Cookbook" is particularly 'kitchen cook friendly' with respect to ingredient lists and preparatory instructions. Of special note are the sections devoted to beverages and to 'Sauces, Dips & Preserves'. Enhanced with an extensive resources lists and a very useful index, "Farmstand Favorites Cookbook" is an extraordinary addition to personal and community library cookbook collections.

Dishing Up Washington
Jess Thomson
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way
North Adams, MA 01247
www.storey.com
9781612120287, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Jess Thomson draws upon her many years of experience and expertise as a food writer and cookbook author to compile "Dishing Up Washington", a cookbook showcasing the cuisines of Washington State. This 288 page, beautifully illustrated compendium of 150 authentic regional recipes offer dishes ranging from Marinated Goat Cheese with Honey and Hazelnuts; Roasted Squash with Maple-Cumin Caramel; Seared Duck with White Beans, Fresh Figs, and Huckleberry Gastrique; to Pork Chops with Stone Fruit Salsa; Creamy Razor Clam Linguine with parsley and Chives; and Ten Minute Yogurt Cake. Of special note is the chapter devoted to recipes for 'Snacks, Drinks & Put-Ups'. Offering a veritable cornucopia of 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes, "Dishing Up Washington" will prove to be a valued addition to personal and community library cookbook collections.

The I Love Trader Joe's Vegetarian Cookbook
Kris Holechek Peters
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440
Berkeley CA 94703-3440
9781612431093 $17.95 www.ulyssespress.com

The I Love Trader Joe's Vegetarian Cookbook is an excellent choice for vegetarians and vegans alike, since its many recipes include tips, tricks, and techniques to make the dishes strictly vegan if desired. Created especially to take advantage of ingredients provided by Trader Joe's (a well-known chain of one-stop shops ideal for stocking a healthy kitchen), The I Love Trader Joe's Vegetarian Cookbook includes such delights as "Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes", "Three Bean Salad", "Tuscan Tomato Soup", "BBQ Bowl" (featuring roasted brussel sprouts and BBQ sauced & roasted garbanzo beans), "Cashew Nibble Cookies", and much more. Full color photos intersperse these easy-to-follow recipes with user-friendly instructions and simple grocery shopping lists. Even meat-eaters are sure to find a plethora of culinary delights in this "must-have" for the casual cuisine kitchen!

The Amish Family Cookbook
Jerry & Tina Eicher
Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North
Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
9780736943772 $14.99

Spiral-bound to lay flat or wrap around for easy reference in the kitchen, The Amish Family Cookbook is a collection of time-tested kitchen recipes from Amish society, enhanced with choice bits of Amish wisdom and humor, and even featuring a few dishes from author Jerry Eicher's beloved novels. Featuring excellent food ideal for sharing at family gatherings or holiday celebrations as well as everyday favorites, the dishes include "Apple Cream Cheese Bundt Cake", "Maple Glazed Chicken Wings", "Spanish Rice with Venison", "Seven Layer Salad", "Cheesy Potato Soup", "Maple Oat Batter Bread" and much more. Highly recommended especially for anyone who truly loves venerable classic culinary delights!

Field to Feast
Pam Brandon, Katie farmand, & Heather McPherson
University Press of Florida
University of Florida, 15 Northwest 15th Street
Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
9780813042282 $28.00 www.upf.com

Field to Feast: Recipes Celebrating Florida Farmers, Chefs, and Artisans lives up to its title as a sumptuous anthology of recipes that take advantage of the freshest farm products Florida has to offer! Full-color photographs (many of which prominently feature the ripe products of dedicated Florida agriculture) and anecdotes from farmers and top-of-the-line chefs pepper these easy-to-follow directions for creations ranging from "Goat's Milk Panna Cotta with Arugula" to "Creamy Wild Mushroom Soup", "Zucchini Carpaccio", "Pecan Pralines with Dark chocolate and Sel Gris", "Mema's Guava Roll", and much more. Field to Feast blends the beauty of a coffee table books and the mouth-watering goodness of a tried-and-tested recipe book into a wonderful whole, and is an excellent pick for gourmets and aspiring chefs of all skill and experience levels.

Salt, Sugar, Smoke
Diana Henry
Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue
New York NY 10017
9781845336752, $29.99, www.octopusbooksusa.com

Preservation is a valuable tool for those who produce their own food, but it can also be part of the cooking process. "Salt, Sugar, Smoke: How to Preserve Fruit, Vegetables, Meat, and Fish" is a guide to advanced home preservation techniques as Diana Henry suggests on to can, cure, smoke, and much more. With hundreds of recipes, Henry provides ideas that anyone can master, pushing preservation from a technique of necessity to a cooking technique all its own. With easy to follow recipes such as melon, lime, and ginger jam, hot oak-smoked salmon, eastern pickled ginger, and color photography throughout, "Salt, Sugar, Smoke" is a strong pick for anyone who wants a great introduction to food preservation. Also from Octopus Books is "Cox, Cookies & Cake" (9781845337155, $19.99) a full color cookbook and sweets decoration guide with a spicy edge, focusing on recipes such as Cheeky Cupcakes, Black Forest Soft Cookies, Bunny Cupcakes, and much more for plenty of original ideas.

Raw Magic
Kate Magic
Process Media
1240 W Sims Way #124
Port Townsend, WA 98368
9781934170373, $22.95, www.processmediainc.com

Raw food has plenty to offer the adventurous and nutritious eater. "Raw Magic: Superfoods for Superpeople" is a raw foods cookbook from Kate Magic as she offers ways to create dishes and meals that shun cooking, creatively using spices, fruits, vegetables, and grains into delectable dishes. For anyone looking for a new style or see what raw foods is about, "Raw Magic" is a full color delve into getting the most out of raw 'cooking', enthusiastically recommended.

Pop.O.Licious Cake Pops
Joey Dellino with Tony Dellino
Peter Pauper Press, Inc.
202 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601
9781441310187 $10.95 www.peterpauper.com

Pop.O.Licious Cake Pops is a spiral-bound, pocket-sized specialty cookbook packed with easy-to-follow instructions for creating tasty, colorful, and whimsically designed cake pops - an excellent and memorable treat especially for birthday or holiday parties! From mouth-watering chocolate and peanut butter morsels on a stick, to artfully created characters that will dazzle and delight young children, Pop.O.Licious Cake Pops lives up to its title with instructions to craft cherry pie pops, pops in the shape of spiders, dreidels, leprechauns, polar bears, sports balls, or margaritas, cheesecake pops, and much more. Helpful tips, tricks, and techniques, as well as a wealth of color photographs supplement the enumerated instructions of Pop.O.Licious Cake Pops. Highly recommended as a creative and delightful alternative to cupcakes - as well as a fun way to enjoy delicious cake in modestly bite-sized portions!

300 Best Bread Machine Recipes
Donna Washburn & Heather Butt, authors
Robert Rose Inc.
120 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 1E2
9780778802440 $24.95 www.robertrose.ca

Here is a stunning collection of 300 excellent, creative bread machine recipes by Canadian food stylists and coauthors Donna Washburn and Heather Butt, also known for their best sellers, "250 Gluten-Free Favorites" and "125 Best Gluten -Free Bread Machine Recipes." A chapter titled The Basics in Four Sizes gives adaptations for a 1.5 lb (70 g) loaf, a 2 lb (1 kg) loaf, or the larger 2 paddle machines that make 2.5 lb (1.25 g) and 3 lb (1.5 kg) loaves. Recipes are given in both standard and metric measurements for complete accessibility. These recipes represent the cream of the bread machine crop, with wonderful combinations like Sweet Potato Pecan Bread, Wild Rice and Cranberry Loaf, Carrot Cornbread, Banana Cracked Wheat Loaf, Maple Banana Flaxseed Bread, or Autumn Pumpkin Seed Bread. There are also recipes for classics and often requested favorites, like Irish Barm Bread, Sourdough Pumpernickel Raisin Bread, or Crusty Italian Bread and Country French Stick. For Thanksgiving, why not try New England Maple Leaf Walnut Loaf or another hearth bread such as Settler's Cracked Wheat Braid? In the chapter titled Rolls by the Basketful, some wonderful recipes for rolls include Double Cheese Dill Rolls with Dijon Mustard Glaze, Multigrain Bow Knots, and Saffron Currant Bath Buns with Lemon Glaze. Handy tips and variations for recipes are located in sidebars next to each recipe. Some recipes are complete main dishes, like Turkey-Filled Cheese Braid, Sausage-Stuffed Stromboli, or New Orleans-Style Muffaletta, a truly delectable specialty Tex-Mex muffaletta stuffed with chicken, Monterey Jack, peppers, tomato, and garlic, and seasoned with balsamic and herb vinaigrette. Clearly there is no stone left unturned to provide tasty new bread machine treats by these talented chefs and home economists. For sheer decadence, try the Black Forest Loaf, with brandy, honey, chocolate chips, and dried cherries added; or the Hazelnut Chocolate Bread, or the Sour Cherry Almond Kuchen, or the Hazelnut Plum Ladder Loaf, not to mention the Springtime Rhubarb Crunch Coffee Cake, all recipes found in the chapter titled Dessert, Anyone? If anyone is dying to try new, fresh approaches to using their wonderful bread machine, this is the cookbook to buy. Additional helps are found in the introductory chapter with information about the recipes, the bread machine pantry, bread machine features, hints of successful bread machine baking, and trouble shooting. There are also three glossaries at the end for equipment, ingredients, and techniques. "300 Best Bread Machine Recipes" will be the home bread maker's new best friend, resulting in contented, healthy families and friends filled with delicious results of these fantastic recipes.

D.I.Y. Cookbook
America's Test Kitchen
9781836493081, $26.95, www.cookscountry.com

D.I.Y. COOKBOOK offers a new cookbook from America's Test Kichen that provides a step-by-step coverage of over 100 favorite D.I.Y. kitchen projects from start to finish. From corn chips and ketchup to making cheese and smoking bacon, this focuses on core ingredients that can be produced at home with better results. Each recipe has been tested by the Test Kitchen and refined for maximum results, making this a top pick for any cook's collection.

The Big Book of Cookies
Betty Crocker
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118177426, $19.99, www.wiley.com

The Big Book of Cookies is a comprehensive collection of the best cookies in the Betty Crocker collection and packs in nearly two hundred easy appealing recipes that can be made from scratch or from a Betty Crocker mix. Fueled by the traditional and trustworthy Betty Crocker brand, these pack in a range of flavors and variations and offer everything from cookies for kids to alternatives for holiday treats, adding over 100 color photos of finished products plus step-by-step photos for baking and decorating. The result is a fine guide highly recommended for any cookie cookbook collection!

True Food
Andrew Weil, MD and Sam Fox, with Michael Stebner
Little, Brown & Company
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
www.hachettebookgroup.com
9780316129611, $29.99, www.littlebrown.com

TRUE FOOD: SEASONAL, SUSTAINABLE, SIMPLE, PURE packs in over a hundred recipes from True Food Kitchen in Phoenix: dishes from a diner noted for its delicious and healthy fare. True Food now has six locations across the country, and these dishes cover everything from breakfast to pasta, meats, desserts and more. From Curried Cauliflower Soup to a noodle-seafood blend from Spain, Seafood Fideo, this pairs full-page color photos with recipes that promote healthy eating and pack a punch. At-home cooks and collections catering to them will find this an outstanding pick!

Latin Evolution
Jose Garces with April White
Lake Isle Press
2095 Broadway Suite 301, New York, NY 10023
9781891105371, $38.00, www.lakeislepress.com

LATIN EVOLUTION is chef Jose Garces' debut collection of recipes which blends recipes from around the world inspired from the Basque region of Spain, Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, and the beach restaurants of Ecuador. Delicious dishes such as Calamari Linguini with Sweet Onion Cream and Diver Scallops and Roasted Chicken Breast With Poblano Cornbread, Charred Pineapple, and Red Chile Sauce are loaded with gourmet flavor, unusual combinations and Latin influences, and represent some of the best of Chef Garces' repertoire.

The Great Meat Cookbook
Bruce Aidells with Anne-Marie Ramo
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, NY, NY 10003
9780547241418, $40.00, www.hmhpub.com

The Great Meat Cookbook: Everything You Need to Know to Buy and Cook Today's Meat is the item of choice to buy if it's only one meat cookbook you want in your collection. The author published The Complete Meat Cookbook decades ago - since then, meat cookery has changed dramatically. Between the focus on affordable meats and the emergence of 'pasture-raised', 'heirloom' and 'organic' meats, this revision offers a definitive new guide for new meat cooks and covers everything from the differences in terminology to how to choose and cook different cuts. Hundreds of color photos illustrate individual cuts of meat, while sidebars of information and user-friendly recipes make it a snap to put a roast on the table or locate underutilized cuts of meats that are affordable picks for a family. Highly recommended for any home cook looking for a guide to today's meats.

Now Eat This! Italian
Rocco DiSpirito
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, NY, NY 10017
www.hachettebookgroup.com
9780446584517, $26.99, www.hbgusa.com

NOW EAT THIS! ITALIAN: FAVORITE DISHES FROM THE REAL MAMAS OF ITALY - ALL UNDER 350 CALORIES is Italian homestyle cooking with a twist: an emphasis on classic Italian recipes re-done to lower calories and fat and emphasize flavor. Pastas, sauces, and desserts are profiled in a classic cookbook packed with full-page close-up color photos of completed dishes and commentary on the cooks who inspired them. From Lemon Pasta with Shrimp to Black Bass Acqua Pazza, this is a top recommendation for any Italian food lover who has long wanted healthier yet authentic variations on the theme.

The Red Hot Chile Cookbook
Dan May
Ryland Peters & Small
20-21 Jockey's Fields
London England WC1R 4BW
9781849752244, $24.95, www.rylandpeters.com

THE RED HOT CHILE COOKBOOK: FABULOUSLY FIERY RECIPES FOR CHILE FANS pairs lovely color photos by Peter Cassidy with recipes celebrating a range of different chilies and varieties, and offers ideas for chili-enhanced dishes ranging from soups and salads to sauces. Each recipe comes with recommendations for specific kinds of chiles to use, and is loaded with color photos of both the pepper and the finished dish. Any who would experiment with chile cookery will find this an appealing, fun guide!

Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
www.andrewsmcmeel.com

COMFORT ME WITH OFFAL: RUTH BOURDAIN'S GUIDE TO GASTRONOMY (9781449427481, $19.99) provides a fine parody of foodies and the world of gourmet eatery, with subjects widely ranging from everything from the importance of celebrity chef hairstyles and the orgasmic potential of chocolate to preparing for a vegan apocalypse and undertaking 'gastro-yoga' with Rick Bayless. You have to be a culinary fan to get many of the references; so this is reviewed here for its special recommendation for any food-oriented collection. Spicy humor at its best! Judith Fertig's I LOVE CINNAMON ROLLS! (9781449120697, $19.99) features some fifty recipes for all kinds of rolls, from Coffee-Maple Glazed Cinnamon Rolls to No-Knead Pumpkin Pull-Aparts, and is a fine pick for cinnamon roll fans who want an entire cookbook of variations on the theme. It's packed with color photos and a host of different approaches to cinnamon roll cookery, making for an outstanding gathering of appealing desserts that move far beyond the classic roll!


The Education Shelf

Common Core Standards
Susan Ryan & Dana Frazee
ASCD
1703 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
9781416614616, $17.95, www.ascd.org

A standard is what we hold our students to strive for. "Common Core Standards: For High School English Language Arts" discusses the 'Common Core' set of standards and how teachers and educational administrators can help their students better grasp the curriculum of high school English by discussing what literacy means on the high school level, covering reading, writing, speaking, listening, and general language skills. "Common Core Standards" is a must for educators and administrators who want to help their school and students meet the Common Core Standards, filled cover to cover with practical advice and useful research.

Math Sense
Christine Moynihan
Stenhouse Publishers
477 Congress Street, Suite 4B
Portland, ME 04101-3451
9781571109422, $25.00, www.stenhouse.com

Mathematics are a vital aspect of general education. "Math Sense: The Look, Sound, and Feel of Effective Instruction" is an educational advisory from Christine Moynihan as she advises readers on how to better improve their educational processes, advising on how to improve the process for students, outlining the educational process on many levels. Designed for self-assessment for teachers and easy to follow metrics and advice, "Math Sense" is a strong recommendation to those who want to emphasize effective math education.

Smarter Budgets, Smarter Schools
Nathan Levenson
Harvard Education Press
8 Story Street, 1st floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
9781612501383, $29.95, www.harvardeducationpress.org

Schools are having to get by with less and less in recent years. "Smarter Budgets, Smarter Schools: How to Survive and Thrive in Tight Times" is a guide for the teacher and school administrator who still wants the best for the students even as the money supply shrinks further for the school. Nathan Levenson takes stories of schools doing their best through the worst of times and increasing their schools productivity and potential, with plenty of ideas that many readers would not have even thought of. "Smarter Budgets, Smarter Schools" is a strong addition to education management and teacher's reference collections, highly recommended.

An Extraordinary School
Sara James, editor
Australian Council for Educational Research
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 NE 58th Ave. Suite 300
Portland, OR 97213-3786
9781742860121, $29.95, www.isbs.com

Special education is about reaching the minds of those who may not learn the same way as most students. "An Extraordinary School: Re-Modelling Special Education" explores how to improve the practice of special education, focusing on one particular Australian school that has exceeded expectations for special education, the Port Philip Specialist School. Sara James compiles an editorial on special education from many writers with a strong focus on Port Phillips, scholarly takes that should be considered for special education worldwide, Australia or not. "An Extraordinary School" is a core addition to any educational studies collection, especially those with a focus on special education.

Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
www.corwin.com

Howard M. Knoff's SCHOOL DISCIPLINE, CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT, & STUDENT SELF-MANAGEMENT (978141293968, $41.95) offers a blended approach to Positive Behavioral Supports and Interventions and is based on Project ACHIEVE, a nationally recognized model of school improvement. Educators will find this provides a step-by-step assessment of the processes, practices and applications of the system, offering keys to adopting a school wide discipline program that teaches students about social problem-solving and conflict resolution. Joan Franklin Smutny, et.al.'s DISCOVERING AND DEVELOPING TALENTS IN SPANISH-SPEAKING STUDENTS (9781412996365, $36.95) tells how to identify strengths in Spanish-speaking students, and is a special pick for any education collection strong in bilingual challenges. It comes packed with strategies and materials teachers can use to enhance instruction and assessment alike, includes case histories and examples of successful communication approaches, and provides inspirational stories from adults who overcame language barriers. Packed with keys to success, it's a winning pick for a wide range of educators: both are fine picks for any education library! Howard M. Knoff's SCHOOL DISCIPLINE, CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT, & STUDENT SELF-MANAGEMENT: A PBS IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE (9781412993968, $41.95) provides an integrated approach to Positive Behavioral Supports and interventions, and will help teachers dealing with students who act out or shut down due to emotional or academic issues. It's based on a nationally recognized model of school effectiveness and continuous improvement, and shows how to construct and implement a schoolwide discipline program, teach students interpersonal skills, and help staff and community handle such students: principals in particular will find this a powerful survey which includes classroom charts, implementation steps, worksheets and more. Dean T. Spaulding and Gail Smith's INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES AND THE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM: A GUIDE FOR SCHOOL-BUILDING IMPROVEMENT (9781452226385, $31.95) provides a fine school improvement program teaching instructional coaches how to blend theory and practice to show how coaches can help teachers improve their practice. It addresses the common problems of such coaches and leadership teams as they assess classrooms and situations, offering journal entries based on real-world experiences and shows how to reach out to resistant teachers and adapt data into information for the entire team. Any collection strong in coaching training will find this specific and useful. Harvey F. Silver, et.al.'s MATH TOOLS GRADES 3-12, 2ND EDITION (9781452261393, $38.95) appears in its second updated edition to show math teachers how to create more engaged students while keeping to common core and differentiation standards. A set of Common Core-aligned tools and techniques covers everything from lesson design to math-specific learning styles and teaches better ways to work with all students, reaching out to a range of comprehension levels. Reproducibles and learning-style charts offer teachers all the tools needed to teach math more effectively. Andy Hargreaves and Dennis Shirley's THE GLOBAL FOURTH WAY: THE QUEST FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE (9781412987868, $27.95) provides a sequel to The Fourth Way and draws upon new research that challenges educational leaders and teachers to employ proven strategies to enhance student learning and achievement. Success stories from diverse systems around the world are gathered in a new vision for education aimed at blending best practices to school development. Luanna H. Meyer and Ian M. Evans' THE TEACHER'S GUIDE TO RESTORATIVE CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE (9781412998611, $36.95) tells how to build a positive, accountable classroom environment using restorative discipline processes, and provides a step-by-step approach to introducing it to a classroom. From peer support and group problem solving among students to partnering with families and the community, this provides a wide-reaching assessment of techniques proven successful. Education collections will find these to be fine additions! Joseph F. Murphy's Homeschooling in America: Capturing and Assessing the Movement (9781452205236, $34.95) details the birth and rise of the homeschooling movement in this country, from a small fringe movement only a few decades ago to its popular rise and modern growth. It describes not only homeschoolers and their families, but their approaches to education and considers instructional approaches, academic outcome, and social issues raised by modern homeschooling. Any interested in homeschooling's history will find this a fine and comprehensive overview. Lynn Schrum, et.al.'s EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES FOR LEADING 21ST CENTURY SCHOOLS (9781412997294, $34.95) deserves ongoing recommendation for its powerful set of inspiring educational tips from award-winning schools, and is a companion to the best-selling book Leading 21st Century Schools. Any education holding seeing popularity with this predecessor will find here even more keys to using evidence-based strategies in leadership efforts, with real-world examples offering concrete applications ideas. Thomas McCann, et.al.'s TEACHING MATTERS MOST: A SCHOOL LEADER'S GUIDE TO IMPROVING CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION (9781452205106, $34.95) offers a clear, three-step process to cover exactly what great teaching looks like and how it can be translated to a classroom environment, and is a recommendation for any teacher who would blend some of these real-world tips into their own classroom management strategies. Chapters will appeal both to principals who can use this to involve faculty in discussions of good teaching approaches and educators who can directly apply these principles to their own styles.

Cracking the AP Chemistry Exam
The Princeton Review
c/o Random House Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780307944887, $18.99, www.randomhouse.com/princetonreview

The 2013 edition of Cracking the AP Chemistry Exam pairs two full-length practice tests with detailed explanations of basic AP chemistry concepts, and is a solid study guide for any taking the test. It includes tables, charts and diagrams, it includes new strategies which reflect modifications to the AP scoring approach, and it succeeds in mirroring actual AP test questions and approaches, making this the study guide of choice for any planning to take the chemistry exam.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

American Flyer Pocket Price Guide 1946-2013
Roger Carp, Editor
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
9780897785457, $15.95, www.kalmbachbooks.com

Greenberg's Guides: American Flyer Pocket Price Guide 1946-2013 provides a 2013 edition of a valuable resource for S gauge toy train values, newly updated in its 28th edition to feature well over four hundred variations of the American Flyer train and its accessories. 1,500 prices have been revised and the pocket guide features the latest Lionel products in American models and S-Helper Service trains, making this a handy 'must' for any searching for vintage or newer items in garage sales or secondhand shops.

Krause Publications
c/o F+W Media
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
www.krausebooks.com, www.shopnumismaster.com

George S. Cuhaj and William Brandimore's 31st edition of the STANDARD CATALOG OF UNITED STATES PAPER MONEY (9781440230875, $31.99) packs in the latest market prices, over 10,000 small images - some 750 in color - and provides a quick reference for everything from small notes and small size currency to national gold bank notes, interest-bearing notes, and much more. Chapters pair short descriptions with these images and the latest vetted values, and cover values in up to four conditions for all kinds of currency and notes, including those of the Philippines under U.S. administration, encased postage stamps, and military payment certificates. Collectors will consider this a top reference. David C. Harper edits 2013 NORTH AMERICAN COINS & PRICES (9781440230844, $21.99), which appears in its 22nd updated edition to provide the latest updated prices for the world's best-selling U.S., Canadian and Mexican coins. Small black and white illustrations accompany the latest values in a coin collector's bible organized by country, denomination and date of issue. Highly recommended, this new edition features extensive revisions to the Mexico listings and new issues from the Royal Canadian Mint.


The Social Issues Shelf

Urban Sustainability
Igor Vojnovic, editor
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25
East Lansing, MI 48823-5245
www.msupress.msu.edu
9781611860559, $74.95, www.amazon.com

Urban: of, pertaining to, or designating a city or town, living in a city, characteristic of or accustomed to cities. Sustainability: the ability to be sustained, supported, upheld, or confirmed, the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance. Compiled and edited by Igor Vojnovic (Associate Professor of Geography and Urban and Regional Planning, Michigan State University), "Urban Sustainability: A Global Perspective" is a 714 page compendium comprised of twenty-five major articles contributed experts in urban environmental issues from around the world. This multinational anthology ranges from Igor Vojnovic's 'Advancing toward Urban Sustainability: The Pursuit of Equality'; to Michael Pacione's 'Urban Sustainability in the United Kingdom'. With more than half the Earth's population now living in urban areas (and that percentile increases every decade), ", "Urban Sustainability: A Global Perspective" offers an impressive and seminal body of scholarship that will prove to be a core addition to academic library 21st Century Urban Developmental Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Globalization of Communes
Yaacov Oved
Transaction Publishers
Rutgers University
35 Berrue Circle
Piscataway, NJ 08854-8042
9781412849487, $49.95, www.transactionpub.com

To live for the greater good of the community is something that has been lost in the world's transition to cities. "Globalization of Communes" is study of global communes over a sixty year period following the second world war. Yaacov Oved presents an intriguing study of many commune projects, drawing from secular sources, new age driven communities, religious places, as well as a measure of their success and failure in the ongoing and successful bigger picture. A scholarly and fascinating look at the concept of the commune around the world, "Globalization of Communes: 1950-2010" is a must for anyone who wants to better understand cooperative living in a more impersonal world.

Aging and the Art of Living
Jan Baars
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421406460, $60.00, www.press.jhu.edu

Aging and the Art of Living compares and contrasts the works of modern thinkers to show how people in the classical period had a better idea of the provisional nature of living, which led to philosophical and religious ideas on living and wisdom that contrast sharply with modern society's ideas on aging. Jan Baars argues that living longer doesn't necessarily mean living better - and that there's been a loss of respect for the aging process that has placed emphasis on health issues over the accumulation of wisdom and new skills. Any college-level collection strong in aging and social insights on the process will find this a thought-provoking discussion.

After Tocqueville
Chilton Williamson Jr.
ISI Books
3901 Centerville Road, Wilmington, DE 19807-1938
1610170229, $27.95, www.isibooks.org

AFTER TOCQUEVILLE: THE PROMISE AND FAILURE OF DEMOCRACY offers a critical view of the future of democracy that belies the positive assessment of democratic institutions and processes around the world, challenging the popular notion that the spread of democracy after the fall of communism was inevitable. Changes in ideologies and aspects of 21st century life are charted in a guide that considers what is democracy, how systems in small-scale societies adapt to a globalized world, and whether Western countries are really more free after two centuries of democratic process. Any political studies collection strong in discussions of the nature and possibilities of democratic systems in the world will find this filled with a satisfying blend of history and insights.

Fatal Invention
Dorothy Roberts
The New Press
38 Green Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10013
9781595588340, $19.95, www.thenewpress.com

Fatal Invention: How Science, Politics, and Big Business Re-Create Race in the Twenty-first Century was named one of the ten best black nonfiction books of 2011 by AFRO.com, and is here presented in paperback to reach new audiences with its hard-hitting analysis of race, science and politics. It comes from a legal scholar and social critic who considers how an archaic concept of belief underlies - and undermines - perceptions of race and equality, and it hones in on and exposes the misguided beliefs involved in the basic biological concept of race itself. A 'must' for any civil rights or social issues holdings.

The Better Angels of Our Nature
Steven Pinker
Penguin Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10014
9780143122012, $20.00, www.penguin.com

The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined offers a blend of psychology and social insights to explore the nature and history of violence and the influences that pull humans away from violent tendencies. Despite the news, war, crime and overall violence has actually been in decline over long stretches of history: this offers an in-depth probe of influences on both violence and perceptions of it in modern society, exploring how the world is actually becoming more enlightened. Human sacrifice, torture and slavery have been largely abolished in today's world: this charts a course of history that holds positive perspectives on the future, and is a pick for general libraries as well as college-level sociology and criminal history collections.

Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue
Boulder, CO 80301
www.westviewpress.com

Jack Donnelly's fourth updated edition of INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS (9780813345017, $37.00) focuses on the domestic politics of human rights and links this to the overall theory of international human rights, offering in-depth examination of human rights violations and completely reorganizing a section covering multilateral, bilateral and transnational action for better understanding. A new focus on international reactions to human rights violations in China adds to an updated volume perfect for college-level collections strong in international politics and social issues. John M. Headley's THE PROBLEM WITH MULTICULTURALISM: THE UNIQUENESS AND UNIVERSALITY OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION (9781412847629, $39.95) provides college-level sociology and cultural studies collections with a powerful survey representing decades of the author's studies and writings on Western Christendom's changes, and is a solid pick for any studying the history of multiculturalist thought. Chapters develop a foundation of Western civilization history, then apply it to multiculturalism issues and evolution worldwide in a scholarly study recommended for any multicultural studies collection. Robert Traer's DOING ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS, 2ND EDITION (9780813347417, $40.00) offers a fine college-level survey covering applied ethics - as applied to environmental issues. Philosophy blends with issues of environmental justice, religious and secular insights, ecology activists and more to provide a fine guide for students to analyze the latest key issues and developments in environmental conservation. Science and sociology collections alike will find this a winner!


The Audiobook Shelf

At the Mountains of Madness
H.P. Lovecraft, author
William Roberts, narrator
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28
Franklin, TN 37064
9781843795940 $28.98 www.naxosaudiobooks.com

At the Mountains of Madness is an unabridged audiobook rendition of H.P. Lovecraft's classic tale of horror and suspense, read by veteran actor William Roberts and enhanced with classical music. First published by the American magazine "Astounding Stories" in 1936, At the Mountains of Madness is set amid the remote Antarctic, and tells of the sinister discoveries a hapless team of explorers find, when they are far removed from any hope of outside aid. An imaginative and spine-chilling tale, as unsettling today as it was the better part of a century ago, At the Mountains of Madness is highly recommended especially for public library audiobook collections, and a "must-have" for fans of H.P. Lovecraft's mythos-inspiring works. 4 CDs, 5 hours 3 min.

The Marseille Caper
Peter Mayle, author
Robin Sachs, narrator
Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 8th floor
New York, NY 10019
9780449013380 $30.00 www.randomhouse.com

The Marseille Caper is an unabridged audiobook adaptation of the riotous sequel to "The Vintage Caper" by French author Peter Mayle (recipient of the Legion d'Honneur for his cultural contributions). Sam the infiltration expert has just achieved an exceptional mission blending in among the French elite to secure a stolen collection of priceless wine; now, one of the wealthy patrons he previously deceived lures him with the prospect of a new job in Marseille, a land known for its palate-pleasing food and wine. Yet layers of intrigue coat this offer, and Sam quickly finds himself at the crux of a real-estate scandal, caught between gangsters and predatory developers. A dangerous game quickly unfolds, in this suave and witty story of deception matched with high adventure. 5 CDs, 6 hours.

Jane: The Woman Who Loved Tarzan
Robin Maxwell
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781455884933, $29.99, www.amazon.com

Edgar Rice Burroughs created a modern day legend of mythic proportions when he wrote "Tarzan of the Apes" whose central character, a feral child raised by "apes" was to fire the public imagination and result in an entire series of books regaling stories of a white man who lived in the jungles of Africa. The Tarzan novels were the source of a great many films, television shows, and comic books over the last seven decades. Now, under the auspices of the Edgar Rice Burroughs foundation, Robin Maxwell has brought new life into the franchise with "Jane: The Woman Who Loved Tarzan", a superbly crafted novel retelling a familiar story with a whole new twist -- from the perspective of Jane Porter. In this portrayal, Jane is now shrinking violet or helpless damsel in distress, but an intelligent, headstrong, active participant in an action/adventure pageant. Of special note is Robin Maxwell apparently drawing upon some classic fan fiction and commentary interpreting the "apes" among whom Tarzan was to come of age being in fact a hominid link in the Darwinian chain that lead to modern humans. A romping good read and a "must" for the legions of Burroughs fans in general, and Tarzan enthusiasts in particular, this flawless produced and narrated audio book edition of "Jane: The Woman Who Loved Tarzan" will prove to be a welcome addition to the Burroughs legacy and an enduringly popular addition to personal and community library audio book collections!

Political Suicide
Michael Palmer, author
Robert Petkoff, narrator
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
www.michaelpalmerbooks.com
9781427229038 $39.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Political Suicide is the audiobook rendition of a tautly suspenseful murder mystery laced with intrigue. Dr. Lou Welcome receives a panicked call from his longtime friend, the "society doc" Gary McHugh, who has recently awoken to suspicious circumstances - rousted from an alcoholic blackout in a wrecked car, after visiting a patient found shot to death. But the patient was the profoundly powerful Chairman of the house Armed Services Committee, and the machinations behind his death are far deeper than meets the eye. The more Welcome investigates, the more convinced he is that McHugh's plight is only the tip of a ruthless conspiracy that could tear apart national security and leave America open to attack! A supreme blend of medical suspense and high intrigue, Political Suicide is highly recommended, especially as a popular lending pick for public library audiobook collections.

Ghost Story
Peter Straub
Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
9781455830176, $29.99, www.brillianceaudio.com

GHOST STORY is performed by Buck Schirner who lends a passionate and professional stage voice to the engrossing story of four aging men in a terror-stricken small town whose youth has returned to literally haunt them. Murder and supernatural retribution are the themes of a powerful account highly recommended for any audio collection strong in supernatural thrillers.

Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
www.hachetteaudio.com

Joel Osteen's I DECLARE: 31 PROMISES TO SPEAK OVER YOUR LIFE (9781611132335, $23.98) is narrated by the author and provides a set of powerful blessings in Scripture encouraging listeners to make a declaration a day for a month. From acknowledging God's blessings over life to getting through the day and declaring a legacy of faith, this is packed with easy admonitions and spiritual reflections Christians will find inspirational. Joyce Meyer's CHANGE YOUR WORDS, CHANGE YOUR LIFE: UNDERSTANDING THE POWER OF EVERY WORD YOU SPEAK (9781619691940, $26.98) offers a fine survey of the impact of words and provides dozens of scripture verses supporting insights on words that convey thoughts and vehicles in a healthy, healing way. Joyce Meyer is a leading Bible teacher and here pairs her religious insights with a basic communication primer recommended for any who would use religious support to improve overall daily communication and life. J.K. Rowling's THE CASUAL VACANCY (9781619695009, $44.98) receives a vivid reading by Tom Hollander, an experienced stage and screen star with many credits to his name, who brings to life this story of small town controversy when one of its members dies and the empty seat he leaves on the parish council becomes a bone of contention threatening civil war. Entwined relationships and discoveries keep THE CASUAL VACANCY a fast-paced story that comes to life in audio format. Kevin Powers' THE YELLOW BIRDS (9781519690325, $26.98) features the award-winning voice of veteran audiobook narrator Holter Graham, and is written by a veteran of the war in Iraq as it provides a strong story of friendship and loss in Iraq. Here a young private and a teen private cling to life during a bloody battle for an Iraq city, experiences the traumas of fatigue, battle, and constant danger on all sides. Their friendship will help them both survive impossible situations in this riveting story. Christopher Hitchens' MORTALITY (9781619691889, $22.98) documents the evolution of his ordeal battling esophageal cancer, during which he refused religion and here describes the ailment's torments, evolution, and how disease changes our relationship to the world. Veteran narrator Simon Prebble's voice brings this account to life, adding tense drama to an already-powerful story of facing mortality with eyes wide open. Jamie Freveletti's THE JANUS REPRISAL (9781619691865, $29.98) comes from one of Robert Ludlum's scenarios but is written by another, offering a new 'covert-one' novel in which an operative at a conference finds the hotel the object of a deadly terrorist attack. Covert-one is the U.S. president's own clandestine group, used as a last resort for global threats - and the hotel's bloodbath is only the beginning of a gripping series of encounters. Jeff Woodman, a seven-time audio award winner, provides the gripping voice to engrossing thriller, recommended for any audio collection strong in powerful thriller novels. OUR SARAH: MADE IN ALASKA by Chuck Heath Sr. and Chuck Heath Jr. (9781611132199, $29.98) is narrated by the authors and provides a personal portrait of Sarah Palin by her father and brother. A .pdf file of photos accompanies a rich survey of Sarah's life, from her childhood and coming of age to her family history and values. It's an intimate collection of memories and insights perfect for any audio collection strong in politics and biographies. James Patterson and Marshall Karp's NYPD RED (9781611137101, $34.98) receives a fine dual narration by Edoardo Ballerini and Jay Snider, both actors and winning voices, who bring to life this account of a detective who works with a beautiful new partner to hunt a deranged psychopathic killer. It's up to special task force NYPD Red to find the killer - and to stop chaos that is involving all of New York in a dangerous game. Any audio collection strong in thrillers will relish this audio. Nelson DeMille's THE PANTHER (9781619691803, $29.98) is narrated by Scott Brick and provides a fine abridgement of a best-selling thriller centered around an Anti-Terrorist Task Force agent and his FBI agent wife, who become involved in a mission involving a high-ranking Al Qaeda operative known as The Panther who has eluded authorities for a long time. Soon the two realize they have been chosen as bait in the hunt - and find themselves stuck between two deadly forces in a battle against terrorists. Dr. David Jeremiah's GOD LOVES YOU: HE ALWAYS HAS - HE ALWAYS WILL (9781619692244, $29.98) provides a fine survey examining the most basic definition of God found in the Bible - God is love - and showing what it means to have God's love in your life. From believing in the face of adversity to understanding examples of his love, this outlines many different circumstances involving God's affection and is a pick for any spirituality holding. John C. Maxwell's THE 15 INVALUABLE LAWS OF GROWTH (9781607885184, $26.98) offers the third in Maxwell's Laws series and focuses on growth, offering keys to developing yourself for maximum potential realization. It's packed with specific insights and exercises key to self improvement, and in audio the words and their impact are even more compelling. Any collection seeing popularity with his prior books and audios should consider this a 'must have' addition.

Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 8th floor
New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouseaudio.com

Lee Child's new Jack Reacher novel A WANTED MAN (9780307749604, $45.00) is narrated by veteran reader Dick Hill, who has received numerous audio awards, and thus springs to life in audio format. Four people in a car hope to make Chicago by morning, leaving behind them a mysterious death that's quickly hushed up by the FBI. Jack Reacher just wants a ride to Virginia - but soon finds himself on a journey to Hell in this riveting drama, packed with twists and turns. Gretchen Rubin's HAPPIER AT HOME (9780449014387, $40.00) provides a fine narration by Kathe Mazur, who has worked extensively as an actress and has recorded over a hundred audiobooks. Her evocative voice powers a fine autobiography by Gretchen Rubin who felt homesick in her own home, seduced by an unrealized love for home itself, leaving her on a journey to identify what she wants from her home. HAPPIER AT HOME identifies and reviews all the elements that make for a better home environment - and is a pick for any general lending library.


The Music CD Shelf

La Jardinera
Silvana Kane
www.silvanakane.com
Six Degrees Records
PO Box 411347, San Francisco, CA 94141-1347
c/o Press Junkie PR (publicity)
PO Box 156914, San Francisco, CA 94115
www.sixdegreesrecord.com
$TBA CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com

La Jardinera is the solo debut album of Silvana Kane, well known as the Juno nominated vocalist of the Global Pop ensemble Pacifika. In La Jardinera, Kane recreates the songs of great Latin American singers and composers (including Chabuca Granda, Mercedes Sosa and Violeta Parra) into rapturous ballads. Kane also provides two original songs for her wonderfully mellifluous album, which features the captivating natural poetry of Spanish lyrics. A wonderful pick for international music collections, La Jardinera is highly recommended. The tracks are "Cardo o Ceniza" (4:00), "Como La Cigarra" (2:54), "Cruces" (3:42), "Duerme Negrito" (2:23), "La Jardinera" (3:03), "Yo Vendo Unos Ojos Negros" (3:47), "Soy Pan Soy Paz Soy Mas" (4:12), "Todo Cambia" (4:17), "Yo Vengo a Ofrecer Mi Corazon" (3:46), "Vida Llena" (5:37).

Dub to the Bone
Super Hi-Fi
Electric Cowbell Records
c/o Press Junkie PR
PO Box 156914
San Francisco, CA 94115
$TBA http://electric-cowbell.com

Dub to the Bone is the debut album of Super Hi-Fi, a Brookly, New York-based band featuring original "Afro-Dub" rhythms. Dual trombones accentuate the bass playing of songwriter and producer Ezra Gale, producing vivid music balancing modern and retro sensibilities. A thrilling Afrobeat immersion from beginning to end, Dub to the Bone is a smashing start to what will hopefully become Hi-Fi's storied career! The tracks are "Washingtonian", "Tri Tro Tro (Beverly Road All-Stars Remix)", "Neolithic", "We Will Begin Again (DJ Trainwreck Remix)", "Q Street (Subatomic Sound System Remix)", "Tri Tro Tro", "Public Option (Prince Poplo Dub)", and "Single Payer (Victor Rice Remix, Pt. 1)".


The Library DVD Shelf

You've Been Trumped
A film by Anthony Baxter
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
1937772403 $295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com

Licensed for public performance, "You've Been Trumped" is an eye-opening documentary about the controversial conflict between American "celebrity tycoon" Donald Trump and the ordinary Scottish people he sought to muscle out of his way. In his quest to build "the greatest golf course in the world", as well as a 450-room hotel and 1,500 luxury homes, Trump purchased hundreds of acres on the northeast coast of Scotland. But the territory he marked for development was environmentally sensitive and of special scientific interest; construction threatened to destroy a natural ecology as unique as the Amazonian rainforest. Some local residents would not sell their land to Trump. In response, Trump publically disparaged their ordinary farms as "slum-like", and suggested that the people who refused him "lived like pigs"; some local residents had their water supply cut off for days on end; others were threatened with lawsuits, or served exorbitant bills for fences that the Trump development operation erected; and independent journalist Anthony Baxter was assaulted and arrested by police while filming the ongoing development. Trump's operation pushed for "compulsory purchase orders" (a.k.a. eminent domain seizure) to force local residents off their land; Trump also railed against the proposed construction of an offshore windfarm, threatening to abandon the hotel's construction in retaliation. You've Been Trumped is very much a David and Goliath story, absolutely fascinating and presented with a wry sense of humor, perhaps best exemplified by its glimpse of an inspired, anti-Trump art show! Highly recommended. 95 min., SDH captions.

Shattered Sky
A film by Steve Dorst and Dan Evans
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
1937772373 $250.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com

Licensed for public performance, Shattered Sky: The Battle for Energy, Economy, and Environment is a documentary about how America led the world in responding to a potential catastrophe. Thirty years ago, scientists discovered a growing hole in the ozone layer that protects the Earth from the sun's rays, and attributed the problem to CFCs in our atmosphere - chemical products that were common in spray cans, refrigerators, air conditioning, and more. A titanic clash between vested commercial interests versus the welfare of humanity as a whole ensued. America eventually prohibited CFCs, yet other nations continued to use them. It was America that pushed the hardest for worldwide change, working to alter human behavior on a global level. Shattered Sky is enlightening, educational, and also thought- provoking in its comparisons between the ozone crisis and modern problems such as the deleterious side effects of America's modern-day dependence on coal for 50% of its electricity (one can hardly speak of "clean coal" when no matter how coal is burned, mining operations alone cause immense ecological destruction and contamination). Highly recommended. 60 min., subtitles.

Prenatal & Early Childhood Nutrition
Melissa Halas-Liang, R.D.
Learning ZoneXpress
667 East Vine Street
Owatonna, MN 55060
$79.95 www.learningzonexpress.com

Registered Dietitian Melissa Halas-Liang presents Prenatal & Early Childhood Nutrition, an educational DVD for adults as well as young people in grade six and up, about the special nutritional needs of pregnant and breastfeeding women. Topics include important food safety practices and foods that should be avoided, ideal snacks and meals, to what degree one should consume extra calories, and much more. Due to its invaluable, scientifically vetted information for expecting mothers, Prenatal & Early Childhood Nutrition is a resource worthy of the highest recommendation for both high school and community library connections. Printable teaching materials are available at www.learningzoneexpress.com/worksheets to enhance instruction. 25 minutes.

Do You Have What It Takes? Fashion Design Careers
Learning ZoneXpress
667 East Vine Street
Owatonna, MN 55060
$79.95 www.learningzonexpress.com

Do You Have What It Takes? Fashion Design Careers is a DVD for all ages surveying the basics of what's required to work in the fashion design industry. Featuring straight-talk interviews with young designers, an overview of the challenges and practical problems of fashion design, tales of where designers get their inspiration and why they love their jobs, and more, Do You Have What It Takes? lives up to its title. Do You Have What It Takes? is especially recommended for high school and public library educational DVD collections. Printable teaching materials are available at www.learningzoneexpress.com/worksheets to enhance instruction. 25 minutes.

Fish & Bears On Alaska's Alagnak River
Bennet Watt HD Productions, Inc.
13021 - 244 Avenue SE
Issaquah, WA 98027
$19.95 www.Bennett-Watt.com

Part of the high-definition "Fly Fishing Adventure" DVD series Fish & Bears On Alaska's Alagnak River is an incredible taste of the outdoor experience at one of Alaska's most popular fly fishing destinations. Shot in gorgeous high-definition, Fish & Bears On Alaska's Alagnak River reveals the thrill of fishing for grayling, chum, king, sockeye, and rainbow. Grizzly bears are a common sight, and the salmon fresh from the ocean sport striking, vivid colors. Highly recommended especially for fishing enthusiasts, Fish & Bears On Alaska's Alagnak river is the next best thing to traveling across America to fish from the Alagnak in person! 71 min.

Discoveries... America National Parks series
Bennet Watt HD Productions, Inc.
13021 - 244 Avenue SE
Issaquah, WA 98027
$24.95 each www.Bennett-Watt.com

Two new DVDs in the Discoveries... America National Parks series take the viewer on a glorious, high-definition tour of scenic views and wildlife activity. "Alaska's Katmai, Lake Clark & Alagnak" (9781604901689, 50 min.) shows Katmai's special platforms for observing brown bears as they hunt for food; Lake Clark's streams and active volcanoes; and the popular pastime of fly-in fishing at Alagnak wild river. "Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley & Other National Park Service Units" (9781604901658, 50 min.) explores Ohio's one and only national park, including its marshland hosting beavers, turtles, herons, and amphibians; its stunning Brandywine Falls and Tinker's Creek Gorge; and the Greenfield Berry Farm, a triumph of sustainable agriculture. Both panoramic DVDs are absolutely captivating to behold, and the next best thing to visiting these beautiful national parks in person. Highly recommended, especially for public library DVD collections. Both programs are also available in Blu-ray format.

Lillie
Starring Francesca Annis
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598288766 $49.99 www.acornonline.com

As seen on "Masterpiece Theatre", Lillie is an excellent dramatization on DVD about the extraordinary life of actress, royal courtesan, and boundary-breaking woman Lillie Langtry (1853-1929), a soul so independent that she paid her first husband to keep his distance. Though she lived in an era that frowned upon assertiveness in women, she dared to pose for celebrity endorsements, handled her own business affairs, and openly took lovers among the upper crust of Europe, including the married (and well-known philanderer) Prince of Wales. The complex and extraordinary life of a person whose talents in stage and in high society earned her lasting popular adoration, Lillie is an unforgettable viewing experience, graced by the BAFTA-winning, critically acclaimed performance of Francesca Annis. Bonus features include an essay about Lillie Langtry's lasting effects on popular culture, and cast filmographies. 13 episodes on 4 DVDs, 672 min., full screen, closed-captioned.

Midsomer Murders, set 21
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598288957 $49.99 DVD / $59.99 Blu-ray www.acornonline.com

Available as either a DVD or as a Blu-ray collection, Set 21 of the Midsomer Murders DVD series continues this contemporary British murder mystery series, set in the quiet villages of Midsomer County and inspired by the novels of Caroline Graham. Detective Chief Inspector John Barnaby (played by Neil Dudgeon) and his capable partner Detective Sergeant Ben Jones (played by Jason Hughes) have four dark new cases to solve in this intrepid collection. "Death in the Slow Lane" is about a show for classic cars that turns into a venue for violence; "Dark Secrets" reveals the corruption behind the sudden death of a social services worker; "Echoes of the Dead" is about the team's effort to end a string of copycat murders; and "The Oblong Murders" has the Jones go undercover to shed light on the manipulations of a new age cult. All four are devious, character-driven, and enthusiastically recommended for fans of British mysteries! (It should be noted that Midsomer Murders set 21 is not suitable for children, as some episodes do contain nudity and disturbing images). 372 min., widescreen, SDH subtitles, 4 DVDs (or 2 Blu-ray discs).

Trade of Innocents
Monterey Media Inc.
566 St. Charles Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-3901
9781569946695 $26.95 www.montereymedia.com

Winner of "Best of the Fest" at the Breckenridge Festival of Film, Trade of Innocents is a dark movie about the sordid world of human trafficking, and the sexual exploitation of young girls and children. In modern-day South East Asia, Alex Becker fights to bring justice to predators who enslave children, while his wife volunteers her aid to an aftercare shelter designed to help rescued victims. But one trafficker eludes Alex's elite team, and takes his wife hostage along with a seven-year-old girl! Taut and edge-of-seat suspenseful, Trade of Innocents unforgettably illuminates the everyday horror of human evil. 91 min. plus bonus features (including "behind the scenes", "one family's story", and actor John Billingsley's thoughts about his role), closed-captioned, widescreen, rated PG-13.

Dr. Lisa: Yoga Blast
Dr. Lisa Masterson and Elise Joan
Acacia
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
9781598289480 $16.99 www.acacialifestyle.com

Dr. Lisa Masterson, practicing physician and cohost of the Emmy-award winning TV show "The Doctors", demonstrates invaluable yoga exercises with the aid of her certified trainer Elise Joan, in Dr. Lisa: Yoga Blast. Three twenty-minute, low-impact workouts encourage flexibility and fitness. Accessible to viewers of all ages, backgrounds and lifestyles, Dr. Lisa: Yoga Blast includes strength exercises, body stretches, and even elements of cardio conditioning for a total-body workout. No equipment is needed other than a simple mat and chair to fully benefit from this excellent, user-friendly fitness DVD. 63 min., widescreen.

Anchor Bay Entertainment
2401 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 200
Troy, MI 48084-3304
www.anchorbayentertainment.com
www.collagevideo.com.fordummies
www.amazon.com

Three new DVDs are highly recommended picks for any exerciser looking to do cardio routines at home. Joining others in the '10 Minute Solution' series is TIGHTEN & TONE PILATES (013132548692, $16.98), lead by Pilates instructor Lara Hudson who has over 15 years experience in the industry. Classic and proven Pilates routines are spiced with ballet toning techniques and a Pilates band to increase the effectiveness of each exercise. Five 10-minute sessions here can fit into even the busiest lifestyle. '10 Minute Solution' also offers CARDIO HIP HOP (013132548791, $14.98) consisting of five ten-minute complete workouts and featuring dance star and actress Heather Graham, who has appeared on 'Dancing With the Stars' and other shows. Hip hop basics are taught and then dance routines are built around them. DANCE OFF THE INCHES: LATIN CARDIO PARTY (013132578699, $14.98) provides Latin dances led by Emily Naim with choreography by Jennifer Galardi, and provides high intensity workouts based on sexy and fun Latin moves. Three Latin routines, cumbia, reggaeton and samba, are taught in a fine series of dance workouts that teach the basics of learning the moves at both a slow and fast pace. All are fine picks for any at-home exerciser who would follow the DVD instructions.


The Military Shelf

Agent Orange
Edwin A. Martni
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
www.umass.edu/umpress/
9781558499751, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Agent Orange is the combination of the code names for Herbicide Orange (HO) and Agent LNX, one of the herbicides and defoliants used by the U.S. military as part of its chemical warfare program, Operation Ranch Hand, during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1971. Vietnam estimates 400,000 people were killed or maimed, and 500,000 children born with birth defects as a result of its use. The Red Cross of Vietnam estimates that up to 1 million people are disabled or have health problems due to Agent Orange. "Agent Orange: History, Science, And The Politics Of Uncertainty" is a 328 page compendium by Edwin A. Martini (Associate Professor of History, Western Michigan University) that provides the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the use and impact of the American military's use of this biological weapon during the course of the Vietnam War. Enhanced with extensive notes and a comprehensive index, "Agent Orange" is informed, informative, and a seminal study recommended for academic library collections and the personal reading lists for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.

Cataclysm
Herman S. Wolk
University of North Texas Press
PO Box 311336, Denton, TX 76203-1336
www.unt.edu/untpress
9781574414738, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold (June 25, 1886 - January 15, 1950) was an American general officer holding the grades of General of the Army and later General of the Air Force. Arnold was an aviation pioneer, Chief of the Air Corps (1938 - 1941), Commanding General of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, the only Air Force general to hold five-star rank, and the only person to hold a five-star rank in two different U.S. military services. "Cataclysm: General Hap Arnold and the Defeat of Japan" by Herman S. Wolk (Senior Historian, U.S. Airforce) is a 344 page compendium that focuses upon Arnold's crucial contributions in organizing the strategic bombing campaigns against Japan that were to so weaken the enemy that he thought the use of the atomic bombing runs in 1945 were not necessary to ultimately defeat Imperial Japan. A masterpiece of military history, "Cataclysm: General Hap Arnold and the Defeat of Japan" is a seminal contribution to the growing library of World War II literature and should be considered an essential acquisition for academic library 20th Century Military Biography reference collections.

Athenia Torpedoed
Francis M. Carroll
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road
Annapolis, MD 21402
9781591141488, $29.95, www.navalinstitute.org

An attack on a civilian ship brought a rude awakening to the start of World War II. "Athenia Torpedoed: The U-Boat Attack that Ignited the Battle of the Atlantic" discusses the conflict and attack on the British ship that carried many citizens of the English speaking world at the time, looking at the impact of the attack and struggle of the survivors to escape death by U-boat. "Athenia Torpedoed" is a riveting chronicle of this important and tragic event that start the naval hostilities in the most violent conflict of the twentieth century.

Viper Pilot
Dan Hampton
William Morrow
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street,l New York, NY 10022-5299
www.williammorrow.com
9780062130358, $27.99, www.harpercollins.com

VIPER PILOT: A MEMOIR OF AIR COMBAT shares the story of a decorated F-16 fighter pilot and tells of his experience with the elite Wild Weasels from 1986 to 2006, whose mission was to take out surface-to-air missile sites. His experiences in the Iraq invasion, Kosovo conflict and first Gulf War would lead to riveting experiences that ranged from evading heat-seeking missiles to being wounded in a terrorist attack and escorting a Delta airliner to the ground during 9/11. Gripping, true action makes this an outstanding winning account of not just one war or one experience, but a series of them lending to the making of a decorated fighter pilot: a special recommendation for aviation and military collections alike.

Osprey Publishing
4402 - 23rd Street, Suite 219
Long Island City, NY 11101-5058
www.ospreypublishing.com

Mark Stille's SANTA CRUZ 1942: CARRIER DUEL IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC (9781849086059, $21.95) provides a fine history of the carrier battle of 1942 and tells how the Japanese carrier force was not destroyed at Midway, but was rebuilt in time to join the Guadalcanal campaign. The battle of Santa Cruz involved a standoff between two American carriers and four Japanese carriers, the Americans were defeated, and the Japanese suffered heavy losses that limited their victory and ultimately resulted in Santa Cruz being the last time during the war that the Japanese carrier force was able to confront the U.S. Navy on equal ground. Vintage photos accompany illustrations by Howard Gerrard in a powerful presentation recommended for any World War II collection. David Nicolle's EUROPEAN MEDIEVAL TACTICS (2): NEW INFANTRY, NEW WEAPONS 1260-1500 (9781849087391, $18.95) provides a fine history of military forces and techniques of early warfare and represents the second part of the author's study of tactical changes during a thousand years of European history; so belongs in the holdings of any interested in methods armies use to achieve tactical advantage. It's a powerful survey including illustrations throughout by Adam Hook, and is especially recommended for any collection seeing popularity with his first volume. Peter Davies' REPUBLIC F-105 THUNDERCHIEF (9781780961736, $18.95) tells of the fastest, most successful strike fighter of the Cold War designed to delivery nuclear weapons at low altitudes, and is a fine pick for any military aircraft reference collection. It considers the history of the craft's development, its missions and deployments, and its campaigns during the Vietnam war, and comes packed with black and white and color photos throughout. Alessio Cavatore and Rick Priestley's BOLT ACTION: WORLD WAR II WARGAMES RULES (9781780960869, $34.95) provides all the rules needed to bring the battles of World War II to a tabletop game, and is a pick for any who would re-enact army encounters. Force selection is versatile and allows players to build the kind of army that lends to a particular style of play, while everything from determining the size of the game to handling artillery and action is accompanied by color photos. Discussions of team and strategy make-up make this a real winner. Wargamers will also appreciate EMPERORS AND EAGLES (9781849089302, $34.95), which holds a French Revolution setting and provides a companion for FIELD OF GLORY NAPOLEONIC. Readers of this predecessor will find the sequel gives players all the details needed to recreate the French Revolutionary wars and document the rise of Napoleon, making for a powerful, provocative wargaming strategy reference. Martyn Chorlton's ALLISON-ENGINED P-51 MUSTANG (9781780961514, $18.95) offers aircraft fans and military collections a fine, specific focus on the Allison-engined variants that preceded the Merlin engine, and provides full color artwork and illustrations to survey the Allison Mustang's service. From service in the RAF to America, this provides an excellent, detailed guide suitable for any military aircraft fan. Ryan Noppen's AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN BATTLESHIPS 1914-18 (9781849086882, $17.95) covers the design and history of warfare machinery and considers the Austria-Hungarian empire and its navy. In the 1890s it built a formidable fleet: this history tells how, and follows the battleships during the first world war, surveying all five classes in service at the time and providing fine artwork throughout. Rene Chartrand's OLDEST ALLIES: ALCANTARA 1809 (9781849085885, $18.95) provides a detailed survey of the raiding parties that occupied Alcantara in 1809, becoming one of the most successful anti-French operations in history. It provides an illustrated survey of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion's raids and counter-raids which successfully isolated three French corps for months, and documents the culminating battle of Alcantara for any who seek an in-depth naval history. Philip Haythornthwaite's BORODINO 1812: NAPOLEON'S GREAT GAMBLE (9781849086967, $21.95) tells of the most important battle of Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812, and covers the entire campaign from his initial entry into Russia through his retreat. The battle of Borodino is the focal point and is covered in its entirety, including illustrations throughout and packing in fine detail for any student of the times. Andrew Wiest's THE BOYS OF '67: CHARLIE COMPANY'S WAR IN VIETNAM (9781780962023, $25.95) documents the experiences of the 9th Infantry Division, reactivated as part of the military build up during the Vietnam War, and provides a personal story of the men of Charlie Company and their camaraderie. These men trained and were deployed together: their story isn't just about fighting experiences - though of course these are part of the account - it's about underlying truths about the war in Vietnam, horrors of battle, and personal associations throughout. As such it's a powerful Vietnam testimony that's a 'must' for any military collection! J. Kenneth Eward's US MARINE INFANTRY COMBAT UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT 2000-12 (9781849087995, $18.95) provides a fine history of military forces and equipment of war, focusing on the U.S. Marine Infantry combat uniforms of 200-12 and its changing appearance and advancements in combat camouflage clothing. From body armor developments to new commercial items, this identifies and explains many new uniform developments and provides color photos throughout.


The Gardening Shelf

Earth Perfect?
Vannette Giesecke & Naomi Jacobs
Black Dog Publishing
10a Acton Street
London, England, WC1X 9NG
9781907317750, $39.95, www.blackdogonline.com

To some, the idea of the garden of Eden was the best possible state of the planet. "Earth Perfect?: Nature Utopia and the Garden" discusses the place of humanity in concept of a more perfect garden, exploring many gardens throughout the world that have been crafted to bring the garden to the next stage of perfection. With color photography and art throughout, many philosophical, social, and political topics are discussed all throughout. "Earth Perfect?" is a scholarly and insightful take on the garden for those who love nature or simply want a more perfect understanding of why gardens.

Rosemary Verey
Barbara Paul Robinson
David R. Godine, Publisher
PO Box 450, Jaffrey, NH 03452
9781567924503, $30.00, www.godine.com

ROSEMARY VEREY: THE LIFE & LESSONS OF A LEGENDARY GARDENER could've been reviewed in our biography section, but is featured here because no avid gardener or collection catering to them should miss this. Verey was self-taught and embraced gardening late in life, and wrote her first book at age 62. She was known for taking inspiration from large public gardens and translating this to smaller-scale home gardens, and her own garden at Barnsley House became a stop for horticulturalists touring Britain. Surprisingly, this is the first biography of Verey to see print, making it a 'must' for any collection appealing to gardeners.

Hydroponic Food Production, seventh edition
Howard M. Resh
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33487
9781439878675, $59.95, www.crcpress.com

Hydroponic Food Production: A Definitive Guidebook for the Advanced Home Gardener and the Commercial Hydroponic Grower appears in its seventh updated edition to gather the latest science and technology surrounding hydroponics, and is a recommendation for any advanced gardening collection strong in home or commercial hydroponics or agriculture. This edition has been completely revised and expanded in an update that follows many new developments in the field since the publication of the prior 2001 edition. From how to set up a basic hydroponic operation to understanding plant physiology and calculating nutrient formulations, this is a key pick for any concerned with implement soilless gardening.


The Photography Shelf

North of Twelfth Street
Tom Dempster
South Dakota State Historical Society Press
900 Governors Drive
Pierre, SC 57501-2217
9780984650514, $34.95, www.sdshspress.com

There is a charm to the smaller towns of the Great Plains states that doesn't reside elsewhere. "North of Twelfth Street: The Changing Face of Sioux Falls Neighborhoods" is a photographic study of the South Dakotan town and its unique style and architecture that photographer Tom Dempster, a life long resident and lover of his hometown, captures beautifully in glossy full color all throughout. From the architecture to the natural beauty that serves as the backdrop, "North of Twelfth Street" is an excellent choice for coffee table book collections, not to be missed.

West Coast
David Freese
George F. Thompson Publishing
c/o International Publishers Marketing
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
9781938086045, $60.00, www.gftbooks.com

There's a natural serene beauty that the Western side of North America carries, unique to it and it alone. "West Coast: Bering to Baja" is a collection of photography focusing on the western coast of the continent, from the frost touched coastlines and forests of Alaska to the sun and sand of California, using sepia tone to set a mood all throughout the coast with high quality photography all throughout. For those who want to experience much of North America's natural beauty, "West Coast: Bering to Baja" is a much recommended pick not to be overlooked.

The Lens
NK Guy
Rocky Nook
802 East Cota Street, 3rd Floor
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
9781933952970, $44.95, www.rockynook.com

The camera's eye to the world, a quality lens can take a camera far. "The Lens: A Practical Guide for the Creative Photographer" is a photography advisory guide from NK Guy, who advises potential artistic photographers on how to buy the best lens for their DSLR camera, stating that the most basic lens out of the box is not always the best one for their needs. Evaluating many types of lens and how to best pick the one for one's own goals, also informing readers on how to pick lens in the future. "The Lens" is a fine addition to any photographer's reference collection, with full color images used all throughout the book.

Sixty Tips for Creative iPhone Photography
Martina Holmberg
Rocky Nook
802 East Cota Street, 3rd Floor
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
9781937538125, $24.95, www.rockynook.com

Sixty Tips for Creative iPhone Photography provides a powerful survey of some sixty tips that cover everything from shooting and editing photos using iPhone features to third-party apps for creating artistic images, and uses full-page color photos throughout to illustrate each tip. Two guest galleries showcase iPhone photos from two professional photographers while the keys to using third-party apps and shooting photos and videos go beyond the 'how to produce snapshots' realm to cover artistic approaches to the medium. Any photographer serious about making the most of the iPhone environment must have this!

Photoshop Elements 11: The Missing Manual
Barbara Brundage
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein, Hwy N.
Sebastopol, CA 95472-2811
9781449316136, $44.99, www.oreilly.com

Photoshop Elements 11: The Missing Manual covers both Windows and Mac versions and provides a fine guide to Photoshop Elements 11, outlining the basics needed to import, organize and make quick fixes. From sharing photos and making art from text to customizing Elements and retouching images, this is packed with step-by-step keys to working with Elements, and is a basic reference that should be given to any new user of Photoshop Elements 11. The color photo examples of polished, finished results are outstanding.


The Health/Medical Shelf

Dr. Ruth's Guide for the Alzheimer's Care Giver
Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer
Quill Driver Books
2006 South Mary
Fresno, CA 93721
9781610351355, $16.95, www.quilldriverbooks.com

Alzheimer's is a terrible disease to cope with, for both the person losing their mind and the people caring for them. "Dr. Ruth's Guide for the Alzheimer's Care Giver" is a guide from renown therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, who advises the millions of Americans who are caring for loved ones with this relationship destroying disease. Encouraging caregivers to remember they are not an island and that there is help to help them cope, she presents plenty of practical advice and is not to be overlooked. "Dr. Ruth's Guide for the Alzheimer's Care Giver" is a strong addition to any caregiver's reference collection, highly recommended.

How to Live to 110
Brian Kirby & Tim Kirby
Metro
c/o Independent Publishers Group
814 North Franklin Street
Chicago, IL 60610
9781843584004, $15.95, www.ipgbook.com

A healthy long life is achievable...as long as you remember healthy part of that line. "How to Live to 110: Your Comprehensive Guide to a Healthy Life" is a health advisory guide from Brian & Tim Kirby as they advise on how to live one's life by keeping good solid health for one's long term, staying healthy to prepare against cancer, keep the mind clear, keeping in shape, and preparing one's body for the long haul of health. "How to Live to 110" is a strong addition to health and wellness collections, not to be missed.

Patient Care Case Law
George D. Pozgar
Jones & Bartlett Publishers
40 Tall Pine Drive, Sudbury, MA 01776
9781449604585, $77.95, www.jblearning.com

Patient Care Case Law: Ethics, Regulation, and Compliance supplies students and practicing healthcare professionals with case studies covering the legal and ethical issues of their field, considering key components of patient and professional rights and responsibilities under the law and providing a wide range of case studies organized around the patient's encounters with the health system from admittance to discharge. From diagnosis and treatment to follow-up care, this accompanies examples with quotes from laws, offers discussion questions for each case, and makes for a particularly strong addition to any healthcare or legal medical library.


The Psychology Shelf

Augmentative & Alternative Communication, fourth edition
David R. Beukelman & Pat Mirenda
Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company
Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
www.brookespublishing.com
9781598571967, $84.99, www.amazon.com

The collaborative work of Professor David R. Beukelman (Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, University of Nebraska-Lincoln) and Professor Pat Mirenda (Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology and Special Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada), "Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Supporting Children and Adults with Complex Communication Needs" is a 616 page compendium providing a comprehensive and detailed introduction to processes, interventions, and technologies designed to help students, clients, and patients with their daily communication deficits, handicaps and problems including the improvement of literacy skills, assessments and interventions that would be culturally appropriate and effective, individually designed vocabulary selections, advancements in technological innovations and devices, supporting and promoting social competence, language learning and development, and so much more. Now in a fully updated and expanded fourth edition, "Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Supporting Children and Adults with Complex Communication Needs" directly supports the improvement of people with specific developmental disabilities and acquired disabilities affecting their communication abilities. Enhanced with a new literacy chapter, helpful end-of-chapter study questions, and a current resource section, "Augmentative and Alternative Communication: Supporting Children and Adults with Complex Communication Needs" is ideal for use as a curriculum textbook and is especially recommended for inclusion into professional and academic library Communications Disorders reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Transcending Dementia
Linda Levine Madori
Health Professions Press
Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
www.healthpropress.com
9781932529722, $42.95, www.amazon.com

Dementia is a psychiatric term describing a severe impairment or loss of intellectual capacity and personality integration, due to the loss of or damage to neurons in the brain. "Transcending Dementia Through TTAP: A New Psychology of Art, Brain, and Cognition" by certified art and recreation therapist Linda Levine Madori, is a 264 page instruction manual on the 'TTAP Method' of addressing dementia through stimulating and integrating multiple regions of the human brain; providing an enhanced quality of life for dementia patients; promoting positive self-esteem and social participation of dementia patients; alleviating depression in dementia patients; improving memory and the use of language with respect to dementia patients. Enhanced with five appendices, an extensive list of references, and a comprehensive index, "Transcending Dementia Through TTAP: A New Psychology of Art, Brain, and Cognition" is strongly recommended reading for anyone working with dementia patients and a seminal contribution to medical school and academic library Psychiatric Studies reference collections.

New Harbinger
5674 Shattuck Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609
www.newharbinger.com

Jennifer Taitz, PsyD's END EMOTIONAL EATING: USING DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY SKILLS TO COPE WITH DIFFICULT EMOTIONS AND DEVELOP A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP TO FOOD (9781608821211, $17.95) offers skills based on using behavior therapy to reduce emotional eating patterns. New research indicates that this therapy can have wide-ranging benefits to improve anyone's ability to handle out-of-control emotions: readers learn how to recognize and acknowledge their food cravings without following through on them, and receive a fine key to understanding emotional eating's connection to psychological disorders, such as numbing feelings with food. It's a fine pick for any trying to handle emotional eating patterns. Henry Emmons, MD, et.al.'s THE CHEMISTRY OF JOY WORKBOOK (9781608822256, $21.95) provides a fine self-help guide to rediscovering joy and rebalancing one's body, showing how to manage emotional crises and how to tap into inner wisdom and self-acceptance. Any who feel their natural resilience has been sapped will find this workbook offers exercises to rebuilding positive energy chemistry, making it a fine pick for mental health and general-interest holdings alike.

Borderline Personality Disorder and the Conversational Model: A Clinician's Manual
Russell Meares
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393707830, $29.95, www.wwnorton.com

Borderline Personality Disorder and the Conversational Model: A Clinician's Manual offers one of the most important clinical assessments to the treatment of borderline pathology that has appeared in quite some time, providing a companion manual to Meares's A DISSOCIATION MODEL OF BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER and providing physicians with a therapy that has proven successful in treating patients, the Conversational Model. It blends data from the fields of neurophysicology, child development, trauma studies, linguistics and more and provides clinicians a clear path to helping patients recover a sense of self. A 'must' for any psychology collection, this will prove a basic reference on the subject for years to come.


The Science Shelf

Electric System Operations
Mani Vadari
Artech House
685 Canton Street
Norwood, MA 02062
9781608075492 $99.00 www.artechhouse.com

Dr. Subramanian ("Mani") Vadari, president and founder of the technology and management consulting company Modern Grid Solutions, presents Electric System Operations: Evolving to the Modern Grid, a thoughtful resource concerning how utility and electric systems can best serve the needs of the population. Chapters provide an introduction to power systems, the effects of deregulation on system operations, the impact that the "smart" or "modern" grid has had on system operations, the nuts and bolts of a control center, types of energy management systems and outage management systems, system operator training simulators, and much more. Electric Systems Operations is written especially for professionals who work in utility or support electrical utilities with services or solutions, but the methodical, step-by-step progression of the text will also edify those with limited experience who need a broader grasp of the problems associated with electrical services. Highly recommended especially for college libraries, students, and practitioners in the field of system operations.

Geology Underfoot
Lon Abbott & Terri Cook
Mountain Press Publishing Company
PO Box 2399
Missoula, MT 59806
9780878425952, $24.00, www.mountain-press.com

Geology is the story of the earth, a story that takes millions of years. "Geology Underfoot: Along Colorado's Front Range" is a geological look into the deep history of Colorado's numerous ranges, analyzing many sites throughout, and using earth science and geology to reveal how these mountains came to be and how to best and more completely understand it. "Geology Underfoot" is a strong recommendation to earth science and reference collections.

The Secrets of Triangles
Alfred S. Posamentier and Ingmar Lehmann
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616145873, $26.00, www.prometheusbooks.com

The Secrets of Triangles: A Mathematical Journey comes form two veteran math educators who here explore relationships between triangles, approaches to making them, and keys to using triangles to solve problems. The lines and points associated with the triangle contain relationships that led to understanding of other basic math concepts, and this exploration of the triangle's geometrical properties provides lay readers an entertaining survey that uses the triangle to explain various geometry and math concepts. Any science or math holding, especially those catering to lay readers, will find this a winner!

Louder Than Words
Benjamin K. Bergen
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780465028290, $27.99, www.basicbooks.com

LOUDER THAN WORDS: THE NEW SCIENCE OF HOW THE MIND MAKES MEANING argues that there are inherent skills in all humans to create meaning - and that understanding how language and the mind make this meaning is key to understanding the world. Bergen offers up a history of the science of meaning, its social interactions and capabilities, and its influence on life. It uses the author's own studies to provide a way to measure meaning - and it provides behavioral and thought experiments that help outline how the mind understands words and meaning. Any collection strong in cognitive science will find this a winner!

The Rocks Don't Lie
David R. Montgomery
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393082395, $26.95, www.wwnorton.com

The Rocks Don't Lie: A Geologist Investigates Noah's Flood tells of a geologist who, upon hearing of a great flood in Tibet, began examining the world's flood stories, and used works by historians, theologians and scientists to consider the geological foundations supporting the idea of a global flood. His survey goes beyond religious, social or scientific realms to consider how these stories of disasters become reflected in scientific and social circles, and how their accounts are passed down and changed over the centuries. Illustrations and maps accompanying an intriguing approach linking geology to perspectives on human history, making this a pick for science and religious holdings alike.


The Mathematics Shelf

Mathematical Expeditions: Exploring Word Problems across the Ages
Frank J. Swetz
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421404387, $30.00, www.press.jhu.edu

Mathematical Expeditions: Exploring Word Problems across the Ages comes from a mathematics educator who gathers hundreds of word problems from around the world to provide a fun introduction to the concept of math and its applications. Some five hundred culturally and historically diverse word problems are chosen to teach students from middle school through college levels, but this book should reach far beyond the school library setting to involve general-interest readers interested in puzzles, history, and mathematics, and is thus reviewed here for its recommendation for all kinds of collections.


The American History Shelf

The War Of 1812
Bud Hannings
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9780786463855, $145.00, www.amazon.com

The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States and those of the British Empire. The United States declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions brought about by Britain's ongoing war with France, the impressment of American merchant sailors into the Royal Navy, British support of American Indian tribes against American expansion, outrage over insults to national honour after humiliations on the high seas, and possible American desire to annex Canada. Tied down in Europe until 1814, the British at first used defensive strategy, repelling multiple American invasions of the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada. However, the Americans gained control over Lake Erie in 1813, seized parts of western Ontario, and ended the prospect of an Indian confederacy and an independent Indian state in the Midwest under British sponsorship. In the Southwest, General Andrew Jackson destroyed the military strength of the Creek nation at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814. With the defeat of Napoleon in 1814 on April 6, the British adopted a more aggressive strategy, sending in three large invasion armies. The British victory at the Battle of Bladensburg in August 1814 allowed them to capture and burn Washington, D.C. American victories in September 1814 and January 1815 repulsed all three British invasions in New York, Baltimore and New Orleans.
The war was fought in three principal theatres. Firstly, at sea, warships and privateers of both sides attacked each other's merchant ships, while the British blockaded the Atlantic coast of the U.S. and mounted large-scale raids in the later stages of the war. Secondly, both land and naval battles were fought on the American - Canadian frontier, which ran along the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence River. Thirdly, the American South and Gulf Coast also saw major land battles in which the American forces defeated Britain's Indian allies and repulsed a British invasion force at New Orleans. Both sides invaded each other's territory, but these invasions were unsuccessful or temporary. At the end of the war, both sides occupied parts of the other's land, but these areas were restored by the Treaty of Ghent. "The War of 1812: A Complete Chronology with Biographies of 63 General Officers" by military historian Bud Hannings is a 399 page history of the conflict enhanced with five appendices, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive index. A scholastic masterpiece of military history, "The War of 1812: A Complete Chronology with Biographies of 63 General Officers" is a highly recommended, core addition to school, community, and academic library 19th Century American History and 19th Century Military History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Benedict Arnold in the Company of Heroes
Arthur S. Lefkowitz
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
9781611211115 $29.95 www.savasbeatie.com

Award-winning history writer Arthur S. Lefkowitz presents Benedict Arnold in the Company of Heroes, a historical chronicle of Colonel Benedict Arnold and his brave company of troops in the early years of the American Revolution. In December 1775, Arnold joined with General Richard Montgomery in an attempt to capture Quebec. Montgomery was slain by cannon fire, and his men retreated, yet Arnold and his company continued to battle even after Arnold was wounded. The Canadian invasion failed, and Arnold's men were held in prison for some time; eventually many of them survived the hardship and continued to fight bravely for independence. Benedict Arnold in the Company of Heroes is detailed account that lauds the courage and heroism of Arnold's men - who, Lefkowitz argues, were immensely inspired by Arnold himself. A testimony to Arnold's charisma and patriotism before the historical events that would ultimately brand him as a traitor to the fledgling nation of America, Benedict Arnold in the Company of Heroes is an excellent addition to military history and public library shelves.

To Secure The Blessings Of Liberty
Gouverneur Morris
J. Jackson Barlow, editor
Liberty Fund, Inc.
8335 Allison Pointe Trail
Indianapolis, IN 46250
www.libertyfund.org
9780865978355, $14.50, www.amazon.com

Gouverneur Morris (January 31, 1752 - November 6, 1816) was an American statesman, a Founding Father of the United States, and a native of New York City who represented Pennsylvania in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. He was a signatory to the Articles of Confederation. Morris was also an author of large sections of the Constitution of the United States and one of its signers. He is widely credited as the author of the document's preamble, and has been called the "Penman of the Constitution". In an era when most Americans thought of themselves as citizens of their respective states, Morris advanced the idea of being a citizen of a single union of states. Painstakingly compiled and deftly edited by J. Jackson Barlow (Charles A. Dana Professor of Politics, Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania), "To Secure the Blessings of Liberty: Selected Writings of Gouverneur Morris" is 744 page compendium chronologically comprised of Morris' most significant writings, drawn from public letters, documents, as well as both published and unpublished speeches. The result is a seminal work that will prove to be an enduringly valued addition to academic library American History and American Political Science reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

History Of Mennonites in Virginia 1727-1900
Harry Anthony Brunk
Vision Publishers
PO Box 190, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
www.vision-publishers.com
9781932676309, $34.99, www.amazon.com

The Mennonites are a Protestant group based around the church communities of the Christian Anabaptist denominations named after Menno Simons (1496 - 1561) of Friesland (a part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation), who, through his writings, articulated and thereby formalized the teachings of earlier Swiss founders. The teachings of the Mennonites were founded on their belief in both the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ, which they held to with great conviction despite persecution by the various Roman Catholic and Protestant states. Rather than fight, the majority survived by fleeing to neighboring states where ruling families were tolerant of their radical belief in believer's baptism. Over the years, Mennonites have become known as one of the historic peace churches because of their commitment to pacifism (opposition to war and violence). Compiled and written by harry Anthony Brunk (Associate Professor of history, Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, Virginia), "History of Mennonites in Virginia 1727-1900" is a 554 page compendium presenting the history of Mennonite communities and churches from their beginnings in 1727 down through the end of the 20th Century. Beginning with the early Mennonite settlements in Virginia, this impressively detailed history provides a chronological presentation of evolution of the Mennonite churches and key persons within those churches covering everything from the creation of Sunday Schools, to the development of church music, to the organizing of missionary endeavors, and more. Enhanced with extensive references and notations, as well as a comprehensive index, and originally published in 1959 and faithfully brought back into print for a new generation of readers by Vision Publishers, "History Of Mennonites in Virginia 1727-1900" continues to be a seminal work and an important contribution to academic library American History and American Religious Studies reference collections.

Ohio Canal Era
Harry N. Scheiber
Ohio University Press
The Ridges, Building 19
Athens, OH 45701
9780821419793, $34.95, www.ohioswallow.com

As the country expanded westward, America's waterways grew vitally important. "Ohio Canal Era: A Case Study of Government and the Economy, 1820-1861" draws on the history surrounding Ohio's canals during America's developing years, focusing on the period before the American Civil War and how the public agencies and public works surrounding Ohio's waterways allowed for much success and prosperity throughout the era, providing a case study of economics and infrastructure. "Ohio Canal Era" is much to consider for American history collections with a nod to collections focusing on policy discussions as well.

Whitman Encyclopedia of U.S. Paper Money
Q. David Bowers
Whitman Publishing
4001 Helton Drive
Florence, Alabama, 35630
9780794827021, $69.95, www.whitman.com

Paper money has had a storied history for itself, and American money is no different. "Whitman Encyclopedia of U. S. Paper Money" follows the country's two hundred and thirty plus year history covering the developments in currency and its design and what was held behind many of the decisions in its creation and development. Covering everything from continental currency in the late eighteenth century to the modern era. With plenty of images and a guide to the rarity of many of these bills, "Whitman Encyclopedia of U. S. Paper Money" is a must for any currency enthusiast or those curious about the evolution of American money.

The Reckoning
Peter R. Rose
Texas Tech University Press
PO Box 41037
Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
9780896727694, $34.95, www.ttupress.org

Order is not an easy thing to achieve. "The Reckoning: The Triumph of Order on the Texas Outlaw Frontier" discusses the drive against the lawless Kimble County where bandits and raiders plagued the region in the years following the American Civil War. Peter R. Rose tells the story and the battle against Texas Rangers who eventually brought order to the region. A true life tale of old west law and order, "The Reckoning" is a strong addition to Texas history collections and tales of true crime.

Boon Island
Andrew Vietze & Stephen Erickson
The Globe Pequot Press
246 Goose Lane, Suite 200
Guilford, CT 06437
9780762777525, $16.95, www.globepequot.com

Desperate times make people... desperate. "Boon Island: A True Story of Mutiny, Shipwreck, and Cannibalism" tells the story of Captain John Deane and his rookie team as they sent sail, only to fall horribly off course and end up on Boon Island, off the coast of Maine. One disaster gave way to another, and their story holds many mysteries that are not certain in the modern day. "Boon Island" is a must for history collections focusing on the age of the seas, much recommended.


The World History Shelf

Professor Risley and the Imperial Japanese Troupe
Frederik L. Schodt
Stone Bridge Press
PO Box 8208
Berkeley, CA 94707
9781611720099, $35.00, www.stonebridge.com

Only a mere century and decades ago, what lied beyond a countries borders was an uncertain mystery. "Professor Risley and the Imperial Japanese Troupe" chronicles the introduction of Japan to the western world, in the most unlikely of circumstance - the circus. Telling the story of 'Professor' Richard Risley Carlisle who brought the western circus to the Japanese shores during the country's break from isolation. And in return, many Japanese put their own spin on the performance...and broke out to the rest of the world. An intriguing look at international relations, culture, the circus, and its effects on the modern day, "Professor Risley" is a must for anyone seeking an original and offbeat take on history, highly recommended.

Childhood Pleasures
Donna R. Barnes
Syracuse University Press
621 Skytop Road, Suite 110
Syracuse, NY 13244-5290
www.SyracuseUniversityPress.syr.edu
9780815610021, $29.95, www.amazon.com

"Childhood Pleasures: Dutch Children in the Seventeenth Century" by Donna R. Barnes (Professor of Education, Hofstra University, Long Island, New York) is a beautifully illustrated, 184 page history of what it was like and what it meant to be a child in Holland in the 1600s. Of special note are the articles 'Children's Playful Pleasures' by Donna R. Barnes and 'Edible Pleasures' by Peter G. Rose. Enhanced with period recipes, a selective bibliography, and a comprehensive index, "Childhood Pleasures" is informed, informative, and a seminal work of enduring value for academic library 17th Century European Historical Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Echoes Across Seymour
Janet Pavlik, Desmond Smith & Eileen Smith
Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219
Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0
9781550175882 $39.95 www.harbourpublishing.com

Members of the Deep Cove Heritage Society present Echoes Across Seymour, a historical survey of the eastern communities of North Vancouver, Canada, replete with captivating, full-color photography (as well as some black-and-white archival photographs). Accessible to readers of all backgrounds, Echoes Across Seymour is an incredible tour through time, covering everything from environmental and natural history to park and recreation outlets, flourishing neighborhoods, community clubs and institutions, the lives of notable individuals, even sprinkles of poetry. Echoes Across Seymour is the next best thing to personally visiting these vibrant lands and the charming people who call them home, highly recommended especially as a quality giftbook.

Moore Street
Barry Kennerk
Mercier Press
9781856359962, $37.95, www.mercierpress.ie

The market is where many people make their living, commerce forming the bedrock of any economy. "Moore Street: The Story of Dublin's Market District" discusses the history of this major avenue in the city of Dublin, its history from a personal standpoint, its marketplace, and the historical events that it hosted, from uprisings giving way to war and much more. With a focus on the twentieth century, Barry Kennerk shares personal stories of many on the market, and the icons that anyone who uses the road knows in their heart. "Moore Street" is a must for any Irish history collection focusing on its people and cultural landmarks.

There Was A Country
Chinua Achebe
Penguin Press
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10014
9781594204821, $27.95, www.penguin.com

THERE WAS A COUNTRY combines an autobiography with an account of the Nigerian civil war - also known as the Biafran War of 1967-70 - and tells of a conflict that had a terrible impact on Chinua Achebe's people. Achebe took the Biafran side in the conflict and became a roving cultural ambassador to his country, then spent the next forty years in the U.S., silent about the events that changed his nation and his life. THERE WAS A COUNTRY breaks this silence and charts Nigeria's history along with his own upbringing in the country, and is a key acquisition for any who would understand modern African events.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

3 Steps to Hell
Arnold Hano
Stark House Press
1315 H Street
Eureka, CA 95501
9781933586502, $23.95, www.starkhousepress.com

The edge of the old pulp novels hasn't been matched with much of the modern style. "3 Steps to Hell: So I'm a Heel/Flint/The Big Out" is an omnibus collection of three of Arnold Hano's writings as he wrote as Mike Heller and Gil Dodge to compile these stories that focused on the darkside of humanity, touching on the corruption in us all, creating thrillers that kept the pages turning. "3 Steps to Hell" is an excellent compilation, not to be overlooked for fans of old school noir.

Twice a False Messiah
Daniel Gabriel
Florida Academic Press
PO Box 357425, Gainesville, FL 32635
9781890357368, $24.95, www.amazon.com

With war in the distance, truth may be out of reach. "Twice a False Messiah" is a novel set in Egypt, 1978. Looking for the religious origins of the Abrahamic faiths, it casts the Israel/Egypt conflicts as a backdrop of a religious war. Intriguing and spinning a certain tale, "Twice a False Messiah" is a must for those seeking a thriller and intrigue novel, very much recommended reading.

Boston Noir
Dennis Lehane, Mary Cotton, & Jaime Clarke, editors
Akashic Books
PO Box 1456
New York, NY 10009
9781617751370, $15.95, www.akashicbooks.com

The noir genre can capture the gritty image of many cities, that most fiction would gloss over. "Boston Noir 2" is the second collection of short noir fiction, as Dennis Lehane, Mary Cotton, & Jaime Clark compile stories that capture the essence of the old city and its many sights and sounds, using the city's history as a backdrop to these gritty tales. "Boston Noir 2" is a strong addition to any short mystery collection, enthusiastically recommended.

The Casual Vacancy
J.K. Rowling
Little, Brown
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
www.hachettebookgroup.com
9780316228534, $35.00, www.littlebrown.com

The Casual Vacancy is set in a small community and opens with the death of Barry, in his early forties, which shocks the idyllic English town. What seems like a placid, gentle town on the outside is really a fa‡ade mired in social and political controversy underneath - and with the sudden death of parish councilman Barry a whole new underbelly is exposed which involves war, revolution, and an election packed with puzzling twists and turns. Highly recommended for any who enjoy politically charged novels about local areas.

Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com

Laura Childs's POSTCARDS FROM THE DEAD (97804252758, $25.95) is set in New Orleans which is in the middle of another Mardi Gras celebration when murder strikes at a party. It's up to a scrapbooking sleuth to catch the killer amidst the chaos and strangers that flock the town during the season - but shop owner Carmela has no experience in sleuthing. Nonetheless, someone is leaving strange postcards at her shop, signed by the dead woman - and it's up to Carmela and her friend to find the killer in this inviting, engrossing reference recommended for any solid mystery holding. Margaret Coel's BUFFALO BILL'S DEAD NOW: A WIND RIVER MYSTERY (9780425252710, $25.95) is especially recommended for prior fans of the Wind River mystery series and begins with the theft of regalia worn by an Arapaho chief in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. The cartons containing the relics were empty on arrival, leading Indian artifact collector Trevor to maintain they must've been stolen en route. When he's found murdered, however, it's up to Vicki and Father John to find the killer - which involves opening up new wounds in a blood feud between two Arapaho families. An excellent mystery, this is a pick for any general collection.

The Chocolate Moose Motive
JoAnna Carl
Obsidian Mystery
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780451238023, $22.95, www.penguin.com

The Chocolate Moose Motive provides chocolate fans with a fine chocolate-laced mystery revolving around a free-spirited employee with a troubled past. Lee Woodyard's newest hire is Sissy, granddaughter of the town's only remaining hippie. Last winter Sissy's husband was found shot to death and Sissy was the suspect even with her ironclad alibi. But now Sissy's greatest critic is found dead - and it's up to Lee to prove her employee innocent in this absorbing thriller, perfect for any mystery holding.

The Hiding Place
David Bell
NAL Trade
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780451237965, $15.00, www.penguin.com

THE HIDING PLACE tells of one Justin Manning, a boy who was murdered twenty-five years earlier, and whose killer has just been released from prison in the small southwestern town of Dove Point. Local detective Frank is concerned he may have put the wrong man in prison - and begins re-considering the case, questioning witnesses again and re-opening the case against Justin Manning. The answers he will uncover will change not only Justin's life but will challenge the entire community in this engrossing story of murder and redemption.


The Fiction Shelf

The Blue Kind
Kathryn Born
Switchgrass Books
c/o Northern Illinois University Press
2280 Bethany Road, DeKalb, IL 60115
www.niupress.niu.edu
9780875806822, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Deftly written by Kathryn Born "The Blue Kind", is 184 page dystopian drug-fantasy set in the apocalyptic debris of an all but unrecognizable American city. In the wake of Drug War II, all the soldiers have become dealers and all the women have become collateral for the intoxicants they both peddle and pop like Skittles. A powerful new drug is rumored to top them all, one that will fix everything wrong with Alison's life, but one that is cooked and sold by her fiercest adversary: a dealer who threatens to destroy her entire world. Highly recommended for community library collections and personal reading lists, a superbly crafted plot and memorable characters make "The Blue Kind" a thoroughly compelling read from first page to last -- and will leave the reader looking forward to Kathryn Born's next literary venture.

Ghost Town
Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson with Tim Waggoner
Gallery Books
c/o Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl.
New York, NY 10020
9781451613827, $15.00, www.simonandschuster.com

GHOST TOWN provides a fine novel from the authors of Ghost Hunting and introduces the setting of Exeter, the 'most haunted town in America' thanks to a flood that introduced an army of ghosts to the town decades ago. Three ghost trackers attend a conference during Exeter's spookiest week of the year, which sparks a series of mysterious killings that point to the involvement of a spirit. The team must stop the paranormal killings - but the spirit of an old friend may be on the line in this powerful supernatural tale, recommended for any supernatural mystery or fantasy collection.

Resident Evil: Retribution
John Shirley
Titan Books
144 Southwark Street, London SE1 OUP, UK
9781781163153, $7.99, www.titanbooks.com

Resident Evil: Retribution is a horror film adapted into an official tie-in novel and offers the fifth installment in the successful RESIDENT EVIL film empire. Here Alice is battling against the resident Umbrella Corporation and the undead, expanding on the zombie apocalypse theme and adding more details to round out the horror theme. Fans of the prior RESIDENT EVIL novels will find this a smooth and satisfying continuation of a theme. Highly recommended for any prior collection seeing popularity in John Shirley's gripping action series!

In Sunlight and in Shadow
Mark Helprin
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10003
9780547819235, $28.00, www.hmhpub.com

In Sunlight and in Shadow is set in 1946 and tells of one Harry Copeland, who has returned after fighting the 82nd Airborne from North Africa to find his new position in the family business isn't satisfying. One day he spots a lovely woman on the ferry, and falls in love instantly, to find she feels the same despite her engagement to a much older man. Their romance will involve New York society and beyond and provides a sweeping epic of emotion and color which will be hard to put down - and which is highly recommended for any collection strong in contemporary literary novels.

Jackson Hole Journey
Linda Jacobs
Camel Press
PO Box 70515, Seattle, WA 98127
978160381910, $15.95, www.camelpress.com

In the chaotic environment of the old west, one would think they wouldn't have time to deal with the petty hatred of race. "Jackson Hole Journey" is a drama and adventure of the west following many individuals surrounding the town of Jackson Hole. A lost and talented woman chef tries to earn her way through life, but is swept up in a world of people facing doubt from the world around them and race may tear the town apart as natural disaster looms as well. "Jackson Hole Journey" is a riveting read that should prove hard to put down.

Death My Own Way
Michael S. A. Graziano
Leapfrog Press
PO Box 505, Fredonia, NY 14063
9781935248330, $13.95, www.leapfrogpress.com

Life is but a few moments in the grander scheme of things, but every moment needs to be cherished. "Death My Own Way" is a novel from Michael S. Al. Graziano telling the story of a man faced with his own mortality, and with nothing to lose, and how he tries to piece the hours he has left, baring his soul and everything else to the world. In those hours, he lives a life ultimately worth living. "Death My Own Way" is a choice pick for literary fiction collections, much recommended.

Renato the Painter
Eugene Mirabelli
McPherson & Company
PO Box 1126
Kingston, NY 12401
0929701968, $25.00, www.mcphersonco.com

We have our passions, and we so desperately want to be recognized for our passion. "Renato the Painter" is a novel following aging Renato Stillamare as he seeks for one last shot at glory as an artist, a painter as his world seems to pass him by as he grows older and older. Rushing to get his worked noticed and dealing with his own family going on, "Renato the Painter" is a novel that resonates well with many a reader, much recommended and not to be missed.

Hot Times in Panama
Frank Babb
Wheatmark
1760 East River Road, Suite 145
Tucson, Arizona 85718
9781604947137, $9.95, www.wheatmark.com

The loves of youth never leave us, and the flame never dies. "Hot Times in Panama: What Would You Do to Serve Your Country?" is a novel following Frank Blake, a Korean War veteran entering into a CIC unit in Panama. A chance meeting gives him a glance at a girl who he doesn't see for decades, but never forgets her. As they may meet again, their romance is against a backdrop of corruption and cruelty in every direction. "Hot Times in Panama" is a strong addition to collections focusing on espionage and intrigue fiction.

Mister Malone
Weldon Payne
Florida Academic Press
PO Box 357425, Gainesville, FL 32635
9781890357399, $22.95, www.floridaacademicpress.com

As the country is in the pits, too many of its citizens suffer as well. "Mister Malone" is a story of the Great Depression and the struggles of Americans to get by with their lives without losing their souls and still trying to be better human beings in a time where it's far too easy to go a sour route. "Mister Malone" is a strong pick for those seeking a poignant tale of Depression Era America, recommended.

Centerville
Karen Osborn
Vandalia Press
c/o West Virginia University Press
PO Box 6295, Morgantown, WV 26506
9781935978640, $16.99, www.wvupress.com

A quiet town where nothing happens often can't cope when something does happen. "Centerville" is the story of a 1960s Midwestern town dealing with the sudden bombing of a drugstore and the fallout from the era. Exploring the civil rights era through the perspective of a small town and an awakening for one youth as well as everyone else, "Centerville" is an insightful and much recommended addition to historical and literary fiction collections.

Men Beware Women
Gwen Thompson
Miami University Press
356 Bachelor Hal, Oxford, OH 45046
9781881163510, $15.00, www.muohio.edu

Love can set us off the course of our dreams. "Men Beware Women" is a novel following Malcolm, aspiring student of Shakespeare. Meeting with Emma, he becomes enraptured, and when she goes off for some obscure play in New York, he's tempted to follow, but his tutors warn against him doing something so reckless. In pursuit of a happy ending, Malcolm has to learn that maybe things don't turn out so much like the famed bard wrote them. "Men Beware Women" is a strong pick for contemporary fiction collections, highly recommended.

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

Galaxy Press is the premier publisher of the literary works of L. Ron Hubbard from the golden age of pulp magazines. Although Hubbard was a superb story teller in just about every possible fiction genre, he was a particular master of the western. One such example is "Gunman's Tally" (9781592122752, $9.95) featuring Bill Gates, a relaxed and easy going rancher who, through pure luck, manages to kill an experienced gunman who had murdered Bill's brother and ultimately defeat the greedy land baron George Barton. This outstanding short story was originally published in the November 1937 issue of 'All Western Magazine'. This Galaxy Press paperback edition of "Gunman's Tally" is enhanced with the inclusion of another Hubbard western short story 'Ruin at Rio Piedras', a foreward regarding the writing career of L. Ron Hubbard as part of the 'golden age' of the pulp magazine publishing, a glossary of western terms, and a bibliography of Hubbard stories available through Galaxy Press. Also very highly recommended is the multi-cast, unabridged, 2 hour, audio book edition of "Gunman's Tally" (9781592123780, $12.95).


The Travel Shelf

Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street
Oakland CA 94607
www.lonelyplanet.com

Timothy Hornyak & Rebecca Milner's TOKYO (9781742200408, $21.99) packs in destination-oriented details for any planning on visiting the city, covering over a hundred of its best restaurants, museums and galleries, and adding nearly twenty color maps plus a pull-out map. These are detailed listings filled with sidebars of information, color photos and more, and make for an outstanding city guide that should be a take-along tote for any heading to Tokyo. Josephine Quintero's DUBAI & ABU DHABI (9781742200224, $21.99) packs in reviews of bars, restaurants and more, and pairs cultural and area histories with sidebars of specific local information for at-a-glance surveys perfect for destination visitors to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. From hiring your own car for longer excursions outside the areas to local knowledge, this packs in keys to local trips and is a top reference for any bound for Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Carolyn McCarthy, et.al.'s CHILE & EASTER ISLAND (9781741795837, $25.99) packs in travel details to the islands and makes for a fine coverage packing in the basics of how to get around within and between Chile and Easter Island. Sidebars of information accompany small maps and specifics on where to eat and what to do, making for the perfect take-along travel planner. Dean Starnes, et.al.'s FIJI (9781741796971, $19.99) is for any destination-oriented traveler to the country and packs in nearly forty maps to cover over three hundred islands. Blue sidebars of information offer quick, at-a-glance coverage of everything from cultural rituals to back roads destinations worthy of going off the beaten path, while keys to travel throughout the Fiji islands provide fine insights for any who would journey on their own. Jenny Walker's JORDAN (9781741796711, $24.99) appears in its eighth updated edition to cover major Biblical sites, lesser-known cultural interactions and opportunities, and much more, and is a pick for any planning a trip to the country. The usual maps and candid assessments of places to go and things to see are accompanied by opportunities unique to Jordan, making this a fine item of choice for the independent visitor. Celestine Brash and Jean-Bernard Carillet's TAHITI & FRENCH POLYNESIA (9781741796926, $22.99) packs in maps, keys to dive sites, and discussions of the various islands and their options, and is a fine pick for any planning to travel to the islands. It's filled with both common tourist destinations and offbeat locales, and includes all the maps, comments and keys to making a successful trip from a notoriously expensive region. Any budget-minded, independent traveler needs this.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Daughter of the Sword
Steve Bein
Roc
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780451464774, $16.00, www.penguin.com

Daughter of the Sword: A Novel of the Fated Blades provides a fine fantasy telling of one Mariko Oshiro, the only female detective on the Tokyo police force who is assigned not to a high-stakes drug investigation, but a property theft that turns out to be only an attempted theft. What seems like a boring case turns into a quagmire of twists and turns as Mariko finds the intended heist involves an ancient samurai sword rumored to possess magical qualities, and finds herself immersed in learning how to handle the sword and a dangerous curse associated with it. Any fantasy holding which includes a healthy dose of mystery and detective atmosphere will find this a thrilling read.

1635: The Papal Stakes
Eric Flint and Charles E. Gannon
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
9781451638394, $25.00, www.baen.com

1635: The Papal Stakes is set in 1635 in spring - where uptimer Frank Stone and his pregnant downtime wife are in the clutches of would-be Pope Cardinal Borgia, with the real Pope on the run. Religious assassins, power politics, murder and more lead to dangerous encounters, special rescue teams, and more in a swashbuckling alternate history/timeslip novel packed with thrills and action. A 'must' for any collection that's seen popularity with the prior 1635 timeslip scenarios, this winning story offers yet another twist on the topic.

The Martian War
Kevin J. Anderson
Titan Books
144 Southwark Street, London SE1 OUP, UK
97801781161722, $12.95, www.titanbooks.com

The Martian War provides a new take on H.G. Wells' classic WAR OF THE WORLDS and considers what would happen if that account proved not to be fiction, and if Wells actually witnessed something that spurred him to write his novel as not science fiction, but a warning of coming doom. THE MARTIAN WAR focuses on Wells and his companions who, in the wake of the first Martian assault, have united with scientists - including the Invisible Man - to seek a weapon that will stop the invasion. Their journey will take them literally out of this world in a powerful recommendation for any collection.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

World of Warcraft: Pearl of Pandaria
Micky Nelson, author
Sean Galloway, illustrator
DC Comics
1700 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9781401226992 $24.99 www.worldofwarcraft.com

World of Warcraft: Pearl of Pandaria is a beautifully illustrated, full-color graphic novel showcasing the adventures of the high-spirited young Pandaren woman Li-Li, whose wanderlust pushes her to search the world of Azeroth for her legendary uncle, Chen Stormsnout. Though Li-Li is trained in basic physical and mystical self-defense, her stay-at-home father knows that Azeroth is a deadly place, which is why he sends the dour Earth master Bo to protect her. Bo and Li-Li follow in Chen's footsteps from continent to content, visiting lands as diverse as the raucous port town Booty Bay, the dwarven city of Ironforge in the throes of the alcohol-fueled Brewfest holiday, desolate high elf ruins dating back to the Sundering, and much more. But Pandaren (a race that strongly resembles anthropomorphic pandas) are a rare curiosity even among the many diverse creatures of Azeroth; Li-Li and Bo quickly attract the most dangerous sort of attention, including the battle hunger of Rahjak, a fel orc ferocious enough to single-handedly slaughter a small army! Pearl of Pandaria is printed and designed in a horizontal format, and its flowing, eye-friendly artwork takes full advantage of the spacious pages to maximum effect. No previous familiarity with the popular World of Warcraft multiplayer role-playing game is required to thoroughly enjoy this grand fantasy adventure! Also highly recommended is "World of Warcraft: Curse of the Worgen" (9781401234454, $16.99), a darker story set in a different corner of Azeroth. Curse of the Worgen follows a razor-minded investigator in the city of Gilneas, which is besieged by the merciless Forsaken undead from without, and the machinations of a murderous werewolf cult from within!

Abelard
Renaud Dillies & Regis Hautiere
Comics Lit
c/o NBM Publishing
160 Broadway, Ste. 700, East Wing
New York, NY 10038
9781561637010 $22.99 www.nbmpublishing.com

Abelard is a hardcover graphic novel, brought to life with earthy colors, about the journey of a most unlikely pair. Set in a world that resembles ours in the early 1900's (except that instead of people, the nations are populated by anthropomorphic creatures), the story follows a young bird (flightless) bird Abelard, whose dreams stretch the boundaries of reality. To catch the moon and win the heart of a special girl, he sets out for America, where he has heard it is possible to fly. Along the way he befriends the much more serious and down-to-earth bear Gaston. The narrative walks a fine line between outlandish fancy and cold reality, as Abelard learns the hard way that some of his fellow creatures are violent, selfish, and brutal. Yet the pessimistic Gaston also has a valuable lesson to learn - that despite the crushing hardship of the world he lives in, sometimes even the craziest of dreamers can be right. A soul-searching experience from beginning to end, Abelard is highly recommended especially for adults and older teens.

Dark Horse Comics, Inc.
10956 SE Main Street
Milwaukie, OR 97222
www.darkhorse.com

ARCHIE VOLUME SIX (9781595829153, $49.99) is a fine collection and adds to an ongoing archive series, gathering all of the Archie stories from Archie Comics #19-22 and Pep Comics #57-58. Some two hundred pages pack in ongoing adventures of Archie, Betty and Veronica and the rest of the cast, providing gorgeous bright artwork and even including a bonus story featuring a cast of MLJ Magazine's early characters. The result is a powerful, highly recommended graphic novel collection suitable for any Archie fan or graphic novel history collection. The board-book format usually is limited to beginning readers, but it's a durable and striking choice for adult graphic novels readers and Steve Niles and Scott Morse's CRIMINAL MACABRE: THE IRON SPIRIT (9781595829757, $19.99) is thus a top pick for any looking for a riveting story packaged in an unusual, durable binding. Monster hunter Cal McDonald investigates a creepy subterranean military base where mad-science experiments were conducted on US soldiers when a haunted veteran enlists his aid in this engrossing saga, which is impossible to put down and an original 'must' for any graphic novel holding.

Complete Guide to Figure Drawing for Comics and Graphic Novels
Daniel Cooney
Barrons
250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788
9781438000985, $24.99, www.barronseduc.com

Complete Guide to Figure Drawing for Comics and Graphic Novels comes from the creator and illustrator of the assassin series, Valentine, and more, and is a pick for any who want to draw for comic books or graphic novels. It teaches the basics of how to pose and photograph models, how to use these photos as a reference for finished drawings, and covers the basics of cartooning composition, characters, and more. From handling backgrounds to working with dialogues and creating consistent, winning art, this is a 'must' for any aspiring cartoonist.

Comics Sketchbooks
Steven Heller
Thames and Hudson
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500289945, $44.95, www.thamesandhudsonusa.com

Comics Sketchbooks features work from the private notebooks of over eighty of the world's best artists, from Bill Griffith and Matt Madden to R. Crumb and Seth. Brief biographies accompany full-page, full-color sketches and cartoon renditions to capture the private lives and creations of some of the best comic artists of our time, making this a top pick for any comprehensive comics and cartoons collection.

Andrews McMeel
1130 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
www.andrewsmcmeel.com

Stephan Pastis' BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOTTA DRAW A COVER WITH YOUR LEFT HAND (9781449410230, $12.99) provides a fine new Pearls Before Swine collection which pairs black and white and color strips from the popular syndicated series. From Rat's intention on running for political office to Zebra and the crew, this gathers a host of clever panels and is especially recommended for prior fans who may miss some of the syndicated panels. Pastis' PEARLS FREAKS OUT (9781449423025, $16.99) gathers over two years of comic strips and commentary from their creator and offers keys to understanding their hidden meaning. Once again, black and white and color panels are provided in a fine gathering selecting some of the best, most memorable Pearls for any collection catering to either prior fans or fans of Gary Larsen's style.


The Biography Shelf

Alice Paul: Equality for Women
Christine Lunardini
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
www.westviewpress.com
9780813347615, $20.00, www.amazon.com

Alice Stokes Paul (January 11, 1885 - July 9, 1977) was an American suffragist and activist. Along with Lucy Burns and others, she led a successful campaign for women's suffrage that resulted in the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920 that politically emancipated women by giving them the right to vote. The latest addition to the outstanding Westview Press 'Lives of American Women' series, "Alice Paul: Equality For Women" by academician and women's history expert Christine Lunardini is a 216 page biographical history showcasing the life and struggle of Alice Paul as an 19th Century suffragette that included imprisonment (including solitary confinement), a hunger strike resulting in forced feeding at the hands of agents of the United States government, and her ultimate triumph when, along with a legion of others, her work and suffering was to result in women being able to vote in local, state, and federal elections. An inherently fascinating biography of a truly remarkable women, "Alice Paul" is a superbly written account and highly recommended for academic library Women's Studies and Political Science Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Charles Dickens In Love
Robert T. Garnett
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street,5th Floor, NY, NY 10004
www.pegasusbooks.com
9781605983950, $29.95, www.amazon.com

Charles John Huffam Dickens (7 February 1812 - 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic who is generally regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian period and the creator of some of the world's most memorable fictional characters. During his lifetime Dickens's works enjoyed unprecedented popularity and fame, and by the twentieth century his literary genius was fully recognized by critics and scholars. His novels and short stories continue to enjoy an enduring popularity among the general reading public. "Charles Dickens in Love" by Robert T. Garnett (Professor of English, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) is a 256 page compendium the focuses upon one of the mysteries of Dickens live -- why was an obscure woman by the name of Ellen Ternan the first person named in the great man's will. A unique and scholarly contribution to the growing library of Dickinsian literary studies and literature, "Charles Dickens In Love" is a superbly crafted literary biography that, enhanced with the inclusion on extensive source notes, a selective bibliography, and a comprehensive index, is highly recommended and insightful reading for all students of Dickens' writings and an enduringly valuable addition to both community and academic library collections.

A Yankee In De Valera's Ireland
Paul Bew, editor
Royal Irish Academy
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, OR 97213
www.isbs.com
9781908996053, $30.00, www.amazon.com

David Gray (1870 - 1968) was best known as the United States Ambassador to Ireland from 15 April 1940 until 28 June 1947. His official title was 'Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary' and his official residence was Florida. In his own words, his appointment to the Ambassadorship was "nepotic", as he was First Lady's Eleanor Roosevelt's uncle through marriage. Gray was the Ambassador through most of the Second World War and the start of the Cold War. He led American efforts to convince Ireland to enter the war on the side of the Allies. His performance was such that Eamon de Valera sought repeatedly to have Gray replaced by another ambassador, especially after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Deftly compiled and edited by Paul Bew from Gray's personal papers, diary entries, letters, and recorded conversations with Eamon de Valera, "A Yankee in de Valera's Ireland: The Memoir Of David Gray" is a 384 page biographical compendium revealing a truly remarkable man who lived in truly remarkable times. Informed and informative, "A Yankee in de Valera's Ireland" is a fascinating read from cover to cover and highly recommended for academic library 20th Century Biographical Studies and 20th Century American Political Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Madam Chairman
Suzanne O'Dea
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard
Columbia, MO 65201
9780826219954, $35.00, www.umsystem.edu/upress

Nixon's shady dealings hurt the face of the Republican party, but it was salvaged by one dedicated woman taking the reins. "Madam Chairman: Mary Louise Smith and the Republican Revival After Watergate" is a biography of Smith, who is to date the only female RNC chairman in history. After Watergate tarnished Nixon and the Republican party by proxy, Smith helped save the party's face, invented newer strategies for electoral success, and remained loyal even as the party changed without her. "Madam Chairman" is an insightful exploration of Republican party history and those who have made it work.

Lincoln's Forgotten Friend Leonard Swett
Robert S. Eckley
Southern Illinois University Press
1915 University Press Drive
SIUC Mail Code 6806
Carbondale, IL 62901
9780809332052 $34.95 www.siupress.com

Lincoln's Forgotten Friend Leonard Swett is a scholarly and thoughtful biography of Leonard Swett (1825-1889), an attorney who became a loyal friend of Abraham Lincoln long before Lincoln was elected President. Although Lincoln never appointed Swett to an official governmental position, Swett had free access to the White House and often served Lincoln as an unofficial advisor so sounding board. After Lincoln's assassination, Swett continued his legal career; perhaps his most notable case involved the trial of the Haymarket anarchists. Swett's behind-the-scenes role in Lincoln's public and personal life has often been overlooked by historians; author Robert S. Eckley suspects this is because Swett never held a governmental office, and further surmises that Lincoln never appointed Swett to such because doing so might jeopardize their friendship. Enriched with notes, a bibliography, an index, primary source documentation of Swett's public speeches and the like, Lincoln's Forgotten Friend Leonard Swett is an excellent contribution to public and college library biography shelves, highly recommended.

Lincoln and Medicine
Glenna R. Schroeder-Lein
Southern Illinois University Press
1915 University Press Drive
SIUC Mail Code 6806
Carbondale, IL 62901
9780809331949 $19.95 www.siupress.com

Lincoln and Medicine examines the medical history and health issues of America's sixteenth president, noting controversies about his life that engage debate up to the present day. From allegations that Lincoln was homosexual, to psychoanalysis of his deep depressions, the accidents and bouts of illness that he struggled with during the earlier years of his life, and even the actions taken by the first responders when Lincoln was shot in Ford's Theatre (which prolonged Lincoln's life for nine hours), Lincoln and Medicine is a fascinating history accessible to readers of all backgrounds. The health and medical problems of Lincoln's family are also discussed, particularly the alleged insanity of his wife, and her commitment to Bellevue Place Sanitarium. Down-to-earth writing style and keen attention to detail make Lincoln and Medicine a choice pick for public and college library collections. Also highly recommended is "Lincoln as Hero" (9780809332175, $19.95) by Frank J. Williams, a thoughtful examination of how Abraham Lincoln personified and upheld the foundational and heroic values of American society.

Ingrid Bergman
David Smit
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9780786472260, $35.00, www.amazon.com

Ingrid Bergman (29 August 1915 - 29 August 1982) was a Swedish actress who starred in a variety of European and American films. She won three Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, and the Tony Award for Best Actress. She is ranked as the fourth greatest female star of American cinema of all time by the American Film Institute. "Ingrid Bergman: The Life, Career and Public Image" by David Smith (Professor of English, Kansas State University) is a 252 page descriptive and analytically biographical study of Ingrid Bergman film career, including her personal and professional issues ranging from loving her children but continually leaving them to perform in her films, to loathing the media's intrusions into her life but able to charm them nonetheless. "Ingrid Bergman: The Life, Career and Public Image" offers a fascinating, informed and informative perspective on the life and times of a true Hollywood Legend and a welcome contribution to community and academic library Cinematography Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

The Patience Of Pearl
Daniel B. Shea
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard
Columbia, MO 65201
www.umsystem.edu/upress
9780826219893, $60.00, www.amazon.com

Patience Worth was allegedly a spirit contacted by Pearl Lenore Curran (February 15, 1883 - December 4, 1937). This symbiotic relationship produced several novels, poetry and prose which Pearl Curran claimed was delivered to her through channeling the spirit, Patience Worth. "The Patience Of Pearl: Spiritualism And Authorship In The Writings Of Pearl Curran" by Daniel B. Shea (Professor Emeritus of English, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri) is a 296 page compendium focused upon a now obscure but in her time popular writer whose claims as a kind of literary medium with only a 9th grade education was able to produce a biblical novel and a Victorian novel. Professor Shea's comprehensive history and analysis of her life (during the course of which she had three husbands and a child whom she adopted at the command of her spirit advisor) and her work serve admirably to resurrect her from obscurity and reintroduce her to a new generation of readers. A masterpiece of seminal scholarship, "The Patience Of Pearl" is an especially recommended addition to academic library Women's Studies, American Biographies, and American Women's Literary History Studies" reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Robert Wise: Shadowlands
Wes. D. Gehring
Indiana Historical Society Press
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269
9780871952967, $24.95, www.indianahistory.org

A life lived in dedication to a hobby is a life lived well. "Robert Wise: Shadowlands" tells the story of Indiana filmmaker Robert Wise, who got his start working on Citizen Kane, giving him some unique chops for the rest of his career, making anything and everything appealing to him, doing everything from comedy, horror, and much more. "Robert Wise: Shadowlands" is a dedicated biography from film historian Wes D. Gehring, and is a solid and choice read, not to be missed for film and film history junkies.

As Good As She Imagined
Roxanna Green with Jerry B. Jenkins
Worthy Publishing
134 Franklin Road, Suite 200, Brentwood, TN 37027
9781617950124, $24.99, www.worthypublishing.com

As Good As She Imagined: The Redeeming Story of the Angel of Tucson Christina-Taylor Green tells of the youngest victim of the killer who shot Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 18 others in 2011. Christina-Taylor Green wanted to become a politician and so was at the gathering when violence broke out. This chronicles her life, the aftermath of her death, and one family's grief in an outstanding chronicle recommended for spiritual and general biography holdings alike.

The Whitney I Knew
Bebe Winans with Timothy Willard
Worthy Publishing
134 Franklin Road, Suite 200, Brentwood, TN 37027
9781617950841, $19.99, www.worthypublishing.com

The Whitney I Knew provides a powerful memoir of Whitney Houston from Bebe Winans' memories of his close friend, and is a fine addition to any collection strong in soul music, musician biographies, or Whitney in particular. BeBe Winans and Whitney Houston first met in 1985: this follows their friendship up until the day he delivered the tribute at Houston's funeral. It's a personal collection celebrating her life and charts her triumphs, failures, and her ultimate defeat, and will involve and delight any Houston fan.

True Strength
Kevin Sorbo
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738216027, $16.00, www.dacapopress.com

What if you were chosen to act in a TV series that portrayed you as the strongest man in the world? And what if at the peak of your youth and physical prowess you developed a sudden medical condition that led to three strokes despite their seeming impossibility? This happened to the star of the popular TV series Hercules, when actor Kevin Sorbo's sudden crisis reduced his ability to work from 18 hour days to a few hours at a time, prompting doubles to be used and scenes written around him. His memoir goes public about his health crisis and the long physical and mental battle to recover. It's a powerful pick for any general lending library, offering a riveting blend of an insider's view of Hollywood's reaction to illness and the long road back from the brink of death.

I Am Jennie
Jennie Ketcham
Gallery Books
c/o Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl.
New York, NY 10020
9781451644760, $24.99, www.simonandschuster.com

I Am Jennie recounts the life and stormy personal world of actress Jennie Ketcham, best known for her role of Penny Flame. What was less known was her struggles with porn, addiction, and love: all of which is documented in her eye-opening and passion-filled autobiography. General-interest collections strong in accounts by media stars will find this a vivid and popular pick, detailing the life of a woman talented at shutting down her emotions off-screen. It's a fine account that any leisure reader will find moving.

The Letter: My Journey Through Love, Loss, and Life
Marie Tillman
Grand Central Publishing
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10017
9780446571456, $23.99, www.hachettebookgroup.com

The Letter: My Journey Through Love, Loss, and Life by Marie Tillman is an ongoing recommendation for any collection or individual strong in autobiographies of grief, loss and recovery, and tells of the author's loss of her husband in the course of his military service. Before he left he provided her with a letter to be opened in case of his death: later it was the words in this letter which would sustain her and aid in her journey to rebuild her life without him. Filled with insights Marie gained from the entire experience, this is an emotionally packed, positive story of recovery and is a pick for any military or general lending library.


The Literary Studies Shelf

Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Anne-Marie Beller
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9780786436675, $39.95, www.amazon.com

Mary Elizabeth Braddon (4 October 1835 - 4 February 1915) was a British Victorian era popular novelist. She is best known for her 1862 sensation novel 'Lady Audley's Secret'. The newest addition to outstanding literary studies series 'McFarland Companions to Mystery Fiction', "Mary Elizabeth Braddon: A Companion To The Mystery Fiction" is a 204 page compendium compiled and edited by academician Anne-Marie Beller (Lecturer in English at Loughborough University, United Kingdom) includes a succinct biographical history, a chronology of her career, her literary works in both chronological and alphabetical order. This is followed by encyclopedic style succinct descriptions of the people, places, concepts, and issues that were a part of her life, work, and world. Enhanced with the inclusion of an annotated bibliography and a comprehensive index, "Mary Elizabeth Braddon" will admirably serve academic library collections as a definitive reference for the study of her life, work, and contributions to 19th century mystery fiction.

Mythic Imagination
Joseph Campbell
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
www.newworldlibrary.com
9781608681532, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Joseph John Campbell (March 26, 1904 - October 30, 1987) was an American mythologist, writer and lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion. His work is vast, covering many aspects of the human experience. His philosophy is often summarized by his phrase: "Follow your bliss". But while he is best known as an academic, an erudite mythologist, and his work seminal achievements in the anthropological field of comparative religion, Campbell was also an author of short stories which have been compiled in "Mythic Imagination: Collected Short Fiction". This 288 page compendium published by New World Library is comprised of three major sections: Moonlight in Vermont; Where Moth and Rust: A Story Cycle; and Last Paradise. These are stories that are consistently entertaining. Of special note is the inclusion of an appendix - 'Strictly Platonic: The Romance of a Bookworm Who Lost His Goat and Found Himself Famous'. Enhanced with the inclusion of an impressive bibliography of Campbell's works, as well as a background biography, there is also a description of the Joseph Campbell Foundation. Simply stated, "Mythic Imagination" is a 'must read' for the legions of Campbell fans and an enduringly popular addition to community and academic library collections.

Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey
Lori Perkins, editor
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, STE 400
Dallas, TX 75204
9781937856427, $14.95, www.benbellabooks.com

'Fifty Shades of Grey' has proved to be its own little revolution in fiction. "Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey" is a collection of writers discussing the success and place in popular culture E. L. James recently famous work. Writers analyze James work as a discussion of erotica, its emergence in popular culture, the social issues that come with it, as well as its unique writing history. "Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey" is a fine literary critique of the exceedingly popular work, very much recommended reading.

Against Democracy
Simon During
Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Avenue
University Box L, Bronx, NY 10458-5172
9780823242559, $24.00, www.fordhampress.com

Against Democracy: Literary Experience in the Era of Emancipations provides a fine cultural and literary survey recommended for literature and political science holdings alike, arguing that it's important to come to new terms with the idea that pre-1945 literature was usually hostile to political democracy. Literature of the times was conservative and counter-democratic: Against Democracy blends history, political theory and literary criticism to examine the techniques of refusing democracy in literature, and the history of conservatism as it affected writers of the times, and is a pick for any college-level collection.

Fakes
David Shields and Matthew Vollmer
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393341959, $18.95, www.wwnorton.com

FAKES: AN ANTHOLOGY OF PSEUDO-INTERVIEWS, FAUX-LECTURES, QUASI-LETTERS, "FOUND" TEXTS AND OTHER FRAUDULENT ARTIFACTS comes from a cultural critic and a fiction writer who join forces to explore the effect of modern civilization on literature. In our modern world there's a constant stream of documents, forms, tweets, status updates, traffic tickets and documentation that is resulting in virtual enslavement to information. The short works of fiction in FAKES seek to provide modern readers with insights on how these forms can be subverted - and provide a fine collection of stories here defined as 'fraudulent artifacts', with each form pretending to be a form of writing but actually questions that which is supposed to be 'real'. Some of the most important novelists and essayists contribute to this collection, recommended for any college-level literature holding.


The Political Science Shelf

Golden
Jeff Coen and John Chase
Chicago Review Press
814 North Franklin Street
Chicago, IL 60610
9781569763391 $27.95 www.chicagoreviewpress.com

Golden: How Rod Blagojevich Talked Himself Out of the Governor's Office and Into Prison deconstructs the fall of Rod Blagojevich, the fortieth governor of Illinois. Accused of corruption, and caught on tape trying to horse-trade President-elect Barack Obama's US Senate seat, Blagojevich did not listen to conventional wisdom. Rather than stay quiet and fight the charges, he loudly insisted upon his innocence, appearing on every television talk show he could find. Veteran journalists Jeff Coen and John Chase have unearthed and untangled a story of graft and political corruption. Golden presents complicated political machinations in plain-facts terms, accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Highly recommended, especially for public library political science (or criminology!) shelves and to anyone interested in learning what really drove the Blagojevich scandal.

Howard Zinn Speaks
Howard Zinn
Anthony Arnove, editor
Haymarket Books
PO Box 180165, Chicago, IL 60618
www.haymarketbooks.org
9781608462599, $18.95, www.amazon.com

Howard Zinn (August 24, 1922 - January 27, 2010) was an American academic historian, author, playwright, and social activist. Before and during his tenure as a political science professor at Boston University from 1964-88 he wrote more than 20 books, which included his best-selling and influential A People's History of the United States. He wrote extensively about the civil rights and anti-war movements, as well as of the labor history of the United States. His memoir, "You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train: A Personal History of Our Times" (Beacon Press, 9780807071274, $16.00) was also the title of a 2004 documentary about Zinn's life and work. Deftly compiled by Anthony Arnove, "Howard Zinn Speaks: Collected Speeches 1963 to 2009" is a 320 page compendium comprised of twenty of Zinn's principle speeches on subjects ranging from 'Southern Influence in National Politics', to 'Academic Freedom: Collaboration and Resistance', to 'The Myth of American Exceptionalism', to 'Standing Up for Justice in the Age of Obama'. Enhanced with a bibliographic listing of Zinns published books and a comprehensive index, "Howard Zinn Speaks" is a compelling read and a highly recommended addition for personal, community, and academic library collections.

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Global Issues, second edition
Sheldon Anderson, et.al.
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813345888, $55.00, www.westviewpress.com

The second updated edition of An Interdisciplinary Approach to Global Issues is a recommendation to any college-level political issues collection strong in international studies, and explores connections across multiple disciplines, blending history, geography, politics, anthropology, economics and more. Regional chapters cover different areas of the world and provide a fine survey of global issues affecting them, while chapters reflect extensive updates to include important events over the past four years, from the global financial crisis to discussions of global population. The result is a powerful assessment perfect for any classroom discussion.


The Music Shelf

Treasures of the Golden Age
Michael O'Connor & Walter Aaron Clark, editors
Pendragon Press
PO Box 190, Hillsdale, NY 12529
www.pendragonpress.com
9781576472033, $60.00, www.amazon.com

One of academia's most prized honors is to have a compendium of essays published in one's honor. Such is the case with "Treasures of the Golden Age: Essays in Honor of Robert M. Stevenson", the latest publication in the outstanding Pendragon Press 'Festschrift' series. Robert M. Stevens -- an esteemed teacher, lauded scholar, singular composer, and gifted pianist whose contributions to musicological scholarship has well earned his place in American musical history. The collaborative editorial work of author Michael O'Connor and academician Walter Aaron Clark (Professor of Musicology at the University of California, Riverside), "Treasures of the Golden Age: Essays in Honor of Robert M. Stevenson" is a 250 page compendium comprised of thirteen erudite and informative analytical academic essays by an impressive roster of contributors organized into three major sections: Iberian Cathedral Music; The Unexpected and Reassessed; and Foreign Influences and Intersections. Of special note are the two informed and informative introductions, one each by Michael O'Connor and Walter Aaron Clark. Enhanced with a comprehensive index, "Treasures of the Golden Age: Essays in Honor of Robert M. Stevenson" will prove a welcome addition to academic library Musicology Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Rolling Stones 50x20
Chris Murray, Editor
Insight Editions
PO Box 3088, San Rafael, CA 94912
9781608871322, $34.99, www.insighteditions.com

Rolling Stones 50x20 provides an oversized, lovely edition to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Rolling Stones band, and gathers the works of some twenty world-class photographers in a chronological celebration of the Stones' career. Over eighty black and white and color photos document the band's evolutionary process, with each photographer's work accompanied by a personal essay that provides background for each image. A lovely recommendation for any Stones fan and for any music collection strong in rock music photography.

Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die
Willie Nelson
William Morrow
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
www.williammorrow.com
9780062193643, $22.99, www.harpercollins.com

Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings from the Road is for any fan of country music and collections catering to them, and presents Nelson's musings about his influences and the things that are important to his music and his life. Photos of friends and family, sidebars of information and notes, and first-person observations from on and off the road make for a fine personal collection of musings that Nelson fans will find both insightful and vivid. This joins other Nelson books in revealing some of the inner perspectives of Willie Nelson and will prove a popular lend for any country music collection.


The Parenting Shelf

The 5 Simple Truths of Raising Kids
R. Bradley Snyder
Demos Medical Publishing
11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor
New York, NY 10036
9781936303397, $16.95, www.demosmedpub.com

Parenting is quite the difficult task, but some facts are universal for us all. "The 5 Simple Truths of Raising Kids: How to Deal with Modern Problems Facing Your Tweens and Teens" is a collection of thoughtful wisdom when it comes to parenting, the facts of the matter of situations that affect all kids, no matter their era or generation. Advice for guidance and being the help they need to go through the tough transition phases of their life, "The 5 Simple Truths of Raising Kids" is a strong addition to parenting reference collections, highly recommended.

Authoritative Parenting
Robert E. Larzelere, Amanda Sheffield Morris, and Amanda W. Harrist
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
9781433812408 $59.95 www.apa.org/books

Authoritative Parenting: Synthesizing Nurturance and Discipline for Optimal Child Development is an anthology of essays by a diversity of expert psychologists concerning the practice of "authoritative parenting." Designed to be a blend of the responsive "permissive parenting" style and the disciplinarian "authoritarian parenting" style, "authoritative parenting" is a style that seeks to nurture and responds to children while simultaneously imposing a firm code of demanding discipline. The goal is to encourage high achievement, emotional adjustment, self-reliance, and social confidence in children. Individual writings include "Authoritative Parenting Revisited: History and Current Status", "Responding to Misbehavior in Young Children: How Authoritative Parents Enhance Reasoning With Firm Control", "Working With Parents of Aggressive Children: Ten Principles and the Role of Authoritative Parenting", "New Directions in Authoritative Parenting", and much more. Authoritative Parenting is an excellent resource of cutting-edge expertise especially recommended for pediatricians, teachers, tutors, and child psychologists, but parents from all walks of life and anyone who works regularly with young children can benefit from the skillful insights herein.

21 Ways to Connect with Your Kids
Kathi Lipp
Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North
Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
9780736929677, $12.99, www.harvesthousepublishers.com

A parent's bond with their children is something that should truly be treasured. "21 Ways to Connect with Your Kids" is a parenting guide from Kathi Lipp as she advises how to keep the bonds of family strong as they grow older. From planning special family events, reminding them of your love in many different ways, and establishing family, "21 Ways to Connect with Your Kids" is a fine read for parents who may be at a loss for ideas on how to make their kids feel truly blessed with their love.


The Sports Shelf

Winning Basketball Fundamentals
Lee Rose
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076
Champaign, IL 61820-5076
978145-431620, $19.95, www.HumanKinetics.com

Speed, cleverness, and talent can get you far, but you need fundamentals to pull it all together. "Winning Basketball Fundamentals" is a guide to how to better play the game to greater success. Coach Lee Rose presents a solid advisory on understanding the bread and butter of any basketball play, knowing how to put together a winning strategy for one's team. Within, diagrams of many strategies, and Rose's own Performance Rating System, which he states helps players better develop their skills for the long term. "Winning Basketball Fundamentals" is a must for sports reference collections focusing on basketball, highly recommended.


The Crafts Shelf

Tape It & Make It
Richela Fabian Morgan
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY 11788
9781438001357, $14.99, www.barronseduc.com

Tape is utterly versatile, and not just when it's of the duct tape variety. "Tape It & Make It" is a guide to stretching the uses of tape into the realm of fun, arts, and crafts as Richela Fabian Morgan brings readers plenty of ideas on expanding the most out of the duct tape with ideas from the practical bags, to the fun cat masks. "Tape It & Make It" is a strong addition to crafts and activity collections covered with full color photography throughout.

I Can Right Angle Weave
Mabeline Gidez
Lark Books
387 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016
9781454703662, $24.95, www.larkcrafts.com

Do it yourself jewelry allows you to create something that can't be duplicated. "I Can Right Angle Weave" is a comprehensive tutorial for right angle weaving for beaders who want to better incorporate this technique into their projects for better success and, allowing those still learning to gain the basics and may even show intermediate learners a thing or two on expanding their techniques. "I Can Right Angle Weave" is a strong addition to arts and crafts collection, presenting with full color photographs all throughout.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

The Lamp That Enlightens Narrow Minds
Chogyal Namkhai Norbu
North Atlantic Books
2526 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA 94704-2607
9781583944929, $15.95, www.northatlanticbooks.com

Knowledge should never fade, and writing allows us to share wisdom of the past. "The Lamp That Enlightens Narrow Minds: The Life and Times of a Realized Tibetan Master, Khyentse Chokyi Wangchug" is about a Tibetan Buddhist teacher who lived through the first half of the twentieth century. Chogyal Namkhai Norbu tells his story, sharing his teachings and life during this time of crisis throughout Tibet. "The Lamp That Enlightens Narrow Minds" is a must for those who seek to learn about major figures in Tibetan Buddhism, much recommended.

Reconciliation
Thich Nhat Hanh
Parallax Press
PO Box 7355
Berkeley, CA 94707
9781935209645, $14.95, www.parallaxpress.com

Not everyone has the perfect childhood, but it shouldn't put a damper on the rest of your life. "Reconciliation: Healing the Inner Child" is a spiritual and philosophical guide from Thich Nhat Hanh who provides much to consider when one is facing the pain of their childhood, and how to look pas the negative impacts of our youth to find our lives and live them to the ultimate fullest in the long term. Although "Reconciliation" draws upon Buddhist principles, its wisdom is intended to aid readers of all faiths and backgrounds. "Reconciliation" is an insightful and recommended addition to any inspirational and self-help collection.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Vision and Leadership
Joseph B. Soloveitchik
KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306-6316
9781602802193, $27.50, www.ktav.com

The stories of the bible are tales to follow about life and leadership, and there is much to take from it. "Vision and Leadership: Reflections on Joseph and Moses" discusses these biblical figures and their leadership from the perspective of Judaic faith, drawing on the work of the late Rabbi Soloveitchik, a revered student of the Talmud throughout the twentieth century. Exploring the biblical perspective on leadership, the search for justice, and avoiding treating others as idols, "Vision of Leadership" is enlightening and relevant reading decades after its original publication, highly recommended.


The Civil War Shelf

Letters Home to Sarah
Kevin Alderson & Patsy Alderson, editors
University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor
Madison, WI 53711-2059
9780299291204, $26.95, www.wisc.edu/wisconsinpress

At war, we are drawn far from those we hold dear, and we seek to hold any connection with them that we can. "Letters Home to Sarah: The Civil War Letters of Guy C. Taylor, 36th Wisconsin Volunteers" is a chronicle of the writings of a farmer at war who volunteered to do his part to restore the Union. Away from his wife and son, these letters are compiled to give a very personal picture of the Civil War, and the day to day struggles of the soldier and his unit, doing what they needed to do to get by, when they know their next battle may be their last. "Letters Home to Sarah" is a moving and much recommended addition to any American Civil War history collection, highly recommended.


The Memoir Shelf

Saving Each Other
Victoria Jackson & Ali Guthy
Vanguard Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
Eleven Cambridge Center
Cambridge, MA 02142
9781593157333, $25.99, www.vanguardpressbooks.com

To save one's daughter, one may be willing to sacrifice anything and everything. "Saving Each Other: A Mystery Illness, A Search for a Cure, a Mother-Daughter Love Story" tells the story of the struggles of mother Victoria and Daughter Ali as Ali is diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica, an often fatal disease that struck the girl at the age of 14. Not willing to give up on the daughter, she shares the struggles of looking for anything that could be done and finding support in others struggling with the disorder. "Saving Each Other" is a powerful read of familial love, highly recommended.

Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter
Melissa Francis
Weinstein Books
345 Hudson Street, 13th floor
New York, NY 10014
9781602861725, $26.00, www.weinsteinbooks.com

The pressure to succeed can often plague us all too far. "Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter" is the memoir of Melissa Francis, who gained renown as a child actor for her role on the Little House on the Prairie Television series. Always pushed to succeed by an overbearing mother, the pressure throughout her young life lead to personal problems as a young adult and a road to wellness that left some wounds never truly healed. "Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter" is an insightful memoir of a child actor and the pain a mother can inflict on their daughter.

Thirty Days with My Father
Christal Presley, PhD
Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190
9780757316463, $14.95, www.hcibooks.com

The Impacts of war leave devastating marks on the mind. "Thirty Days with my Father: Finding Peace from Wartime PTSD" is a memoir from Christal Presley, as she discusses her unique relationship with her father, a Vietnam veteran who was deeply scarred by his time at war. His condition led to rift in his family, and her attempts to reconnect with her father after years driven apart. A poignant look on the struggles in family life for those who experience war and the pressures of life, "Thirty Days with my Father" is an insightful and much recommended addition to memoir collections focusing on the casualties of war.

The Dog Lived
Teresa J. Rhyne
Sourcebooks Inc.
1935 Brookdale Road, #139
Naperville, IL 60563
9781402271724, $14.99, www.sourcebooks.com

When invite a dog into our lives, we expect them to stick around for awhile. But dogs, like humans, can face grim news far too early. "The Dog Lived: (and So Will I)" is a memoir from Teresa J. Rhyne as she shares the story of Seamus, her beagle who after his adoption got diagnosed with a tumor that would have doomed him. But fighting for her dog, she shares her story of his survival... and how she then faced a death sentence for herself. "The Dog Lived: (And So Will I)" is a moving read of coping with cancer, strongly recommended for pet lovers who have faced their own struggles in life.


The Hobby Shelf

The Lego's Builder's Guide, second edition
Allan Bedford
No Starch Press
38 Ringold Street
San Francisco, CO 94103-4403
9781593274412, $24.95, www.nostarch.com

A children's toy has become a phenomena solely on its sheer potential. "The Unofficial Lego's Builder's Guide" is a second edition update from Allan Bedford, containing many techniques for getting the most out of one's Lego construction. Within, he details on how to create durable models that stand up to abuse, picking the right pieces from the job, many intriguing ideas for projects from games to artwork all its own, and much more. For anyone who loves Lego, be they a child or an adult with a kid inside, "The Unofficial Lego's Builder's Guide" is a reference not to be overlooked, highly recommended.


The Automotive Shelf

Rare Finds
Jerry Heasley
CarTech Inc.
39966 Grand Avenue
North Branch, MN 55056
9781613250341, $24.95, www.cartechbooks.com

A classic car could be hidden anywhere. "Rare Finds: Mustangs & Fords" is a guide for the classic car enthusiast as Jerry Heasley discusses these hidden treasures that lurk all across America, rotting away from those who would take them in and restore them to their former glory. Heasley tells stories of these lost cars and how he undertook these restoration projects, with full color photographs all throughout describing the process. "Rare Finds" is a strong addition to any car enthusiast's collection, highly recommended.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Return Again
Georgina Cannon
Weiser Publishers
65 Parker Avenue, Suite 7
Newburyport, MA 01950
9781578635283, $16.95, www.redwheelweiser.com

For some, there spirit did not start at birth, but instead, long before. "Return Again: How to Do Your Own Past Life Regression" is a metaphysical psychological guide as Georgina Cannon advises readers on how to attune oneself with one's soul through time, beyond their simple current life, exploring the concepts of the past life, the future life, and what lies between these existences. For believers in past lives or those simply curious about the concepts, "Return Again" is well worth considering and proves very much fascinating.

Heavenly Hugs
Carla Wills-Brandon
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
220 West Parkway, Unit 12
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
9781601632302, $14.99, www.newpagebooks.com

The love of those who have passed does not fade. "Heavenly Hugs: Comfort, Support, and Hope from the Afterlife" explores the concepts of life after death, and the cases of those reporting feeling the love and blessing of their loved ones following their expiration, and the visions they have seen themselves and their loved ones. For those who want to believe in life after death, "Heavenly Hugs" is a warming and thoughtful read of metaphysical spirituality, recommended.

How to Create Sacred Water
Kathryn W. Ravenwood
Bear & Company
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street
Rochester, VT 05767
9781591431411, $16.00, www.innertraditions.com

Water, undeniably, is an understatedly important part of our existence. "How to Create Sacred Water: A Guide to Rituals and Practices" is a work of metaphysical spirituality. Author Kathryn W. Ravenwood discusses shamanistic ritual and practice on the purification of water, and its use in homeopathic healing. For followers of new age thought, she provides thought on her ideas of healing and research using this purified water and crystals. "How to Create Sacred Water" is worth considering for metaphysical spirituality and healing collections.


The Poetry Shelf

Selected Prose & Poetry Of Mikhail Kuzmin
Michael Green, editor & translator
Ardis Publishers
c/o The Overlook Press
141 Wooster Street, NY, NY 10012
www.overlookpress.com
9781468301526, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Mikhail Alekseevich Kuzmin (October 18 [O.S. October 6] 1872 - March 1, 1936) was a Russian poet, musician and novelist, a prominent contributor to the Silver Age of Russian Poetry. Compiled and translated from Russian into English by Michael Green (Professor Emeritus of Russion Literature, University of California - Irvine), "Selected Prose & Poetry Of Mikhail Kuzmin" is a 218 page compendium offering American readers a sampling of his literary work. An open homosexual, Kuzmin wrote 'Wings', the first gay-themed novel to by published in Russia in 1906. Along with this seminal novel, "Selected Prose & Poetry Of Mikhail Kuzmin" also includes a play, thirteen short stories, and two major poetic cycles. A superbly presented anthology, "Selected Prose & Poetry Of Mikhail Kuzmin" is highly recommended for academic library Russian Literature Studies reference collections and will admirably serve to introduce an American readership to an accomplished Russian author and poet.

Legend of the Walled-Up Wife
Ileana Malancioiu, author
Eilean Ni Chuilleanain, translator
Wake Forest University Press
PO Box 7333
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
9781930630611, $12.95, www.wfu.edu/wfupress

Romania has seen a harsh past few years, and artists have shared their views and pain. "Legend of the Walled-Up Wife" is a translated collection of poetry from Romanian poet Ileana Malancioiu who seeks to capture the plight of the Eastern European people with modern fables of life and the challenges facing them, taking strongly from mythology. "Legend of the Walled-Up Wife" is an insightful and recommended addition to international poetry collections, expertly translated by Eilean Ni Chuilleanain. "Game": I take my share of pebbles/And pile them in the riskiest way/And I Start to play, convinced/That anyway I will lose.//Why are you playing, then, You will ask me.//What else can I do, I will answer.//Then silently/I will continue moving/Stone after stone,/Mountain after mountain.

A Diary Of Pique 1983-1984
Carl Djerassi
Haymon Verlag
c/o University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe Street, Third Floor
Madison, WI 53711-2059
www.wisc.edu/wisconsinpress
9783852187198, $19.95, www.amazon.com

Austrian born author, chemist, and poet Carl Djerassi (born October 29, 1923. Djerassi is emeritus professor of chemistry at Stanford University. "A Diary Of Pique 1983-1984" is a 192 page, bilingual (German/English) compendium of Professor Djerassi's poetry that was initiated on May 8th, 1983 when the great love of his life, Diane Middlebrook, left him. This event precipitated an outpouring of emotion through the medium of poetry. Then Diane Middlebrook returned a year later and became his wife. Now some five years after her death, Professor Djerassi revised, partly rewrote, and then published that relatively brief outpouring of poetry. A body of poetry that is intensely personal, universally recognizable, and highly recommended for personal and community library Contemporary Poetry collections. Already? Still?: Snow on the mountain: / Already October? / Still May? // Fog over the bridge: / Already on the rise? / Still Dropping the veil? // Enamored: / Already of the rocks beneath? / Still of the facade above? // You: Already convinced? / Still Testing? // Still or already: / Still May of your life! / Already October of mine! -- Carl Djerassi

Dark Times Filled With Light
Juan Gelman, poet
Hardie St. Martin, translator
Open Letter Books
c/o University of Rochester
Lattimore Hall 411, Box 270082
Rochester, NY 14627
www.openletterbooks.org
9781934824689, $14.95, www.amazon.com

Juan Gelman (born 3 May 1930) is an Argentine poet. He has published more than twenty books of poetry since 1956. He won the Cervantes Prize in 2007, the most important in Spanish literature. His works celebrate life but are also tempered with social and political commentary and reflect his own painful experiences with the politics of his country. Ably translated from the original Spanish into English for an American readership, "Dark Times Filled with Light" is a 100 page compendium showcasing a representative selection of poetry by Juan Gelman and covers his literary works from 1956 through 1992. An outstanding body of work that is strongly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Poetry Studies collections, "Dark Times Filled with Light" will well serve the purpose of introducing an accomplished Spanish poet to an appreciative American readership.

Must a Violence
Oni Buchanan
University of Iowa Press
100 Kuhl House
119 West Park Road
Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
9781609381295, $18.00, www.uiowapress.org

Life is never steady and as peaceful as we want. "Must a Violence" is a collection of poetry from Oni Buchanan as she shares her third book of poetry as she explores the concepts of life and our battles in their many forms throughout life. A fine pick for those who want a contemporary look at poetry, "Must a Violence" is much recommended reading. "Jury Duty": But of course the limits/of our perception are so severe./I just don't understand//how I'm supposed to sit/for jury duty and that somehow/it's my duty as a flawed citizen.

Selected Poems
Moyra Donaldson
Liberties Press
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781907593529, $24.95, www.libertiespress.com

Renown in Ireland, her work has surpassed beyond talking to her homeland. "Selected Poems" is a collection of work from famed Irish poet Moyra Donaldson, whose inspired work provides a critical look at our world and our nature as the human animal. With much to ponder, "Selected Poems" is an excellent introduction to Donaldson's work and very much recommended reading. "Monumental Sculptor": When he has cut my mother's name/into the granite, McCormick,/the monumental sculptor,/ESTABLISHED SINCE 1938,/along with the invoice/sends photographs -- proof.

The Language of Coats
Deirdre Hines
New Island Poetry
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7
Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9781848401655, $24.95, www.dufoureditions.com

Through life, we see many things and gain an unusual understanding of the world around us. "The Language of Coats" is a collection of poetry from British poetry from Deirdre Hines. She brings her award winning prose and unique voice to light and makes "The Language of Coats" a simple delight to read and not to be missed for anyone who loves poetry. "Bird's Eye View": Cast the gull's cold eye/On the image of him and you./The report of wave and rock spells/A message on the strand./If he is an island marooned in your well/And you are the sea banished from land:/You will not swallow his towered bell/He will not sink his root in your soft sand./Cast the gull's cold eye/Cast the gull's cold eye...


The Jobs/Career Shelf

The Freelancer's Bible
Sara Horowitz
Workman Publishing Company
225 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014-4381
9780761164883, $17.95, www.workman.com

When you're your own boss, you take the burden of employment onto the self. "The Freelancer's Bible: Everything You Need to Know to Have the Career of Your Dreams" is a guide for those taking the self-employment road through life and how to best deal with the pressures that can often come with such paths, dealing with the paperwork and other problems that come, and how to best enjoy the flourishes of success in one's freedom of career. "The Freelancer's Bible" has plenty of practical and sage advice for those who want to be the masters of their own destiny.

Brand You
John Purkiss & David Royston-Lee
Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780273777694, $24.99, www.mcp.com

A job interview is a sales pitch, and the product is yourself. "Brand You: Turn Your Unique Talents into a Winning Formula" is a guide to the aspiring career person on how to better build one's own brand and market oneself to employers, or bosses for promotions. Chapters also cover using social media and the internet to build one's brand and much more, for greater business success now and in the future. Packed with practical wisdom, "Brand You" is a powerful read for career, business, and motivational shelves, enthusiastically recommended.

The Careerist
Rhymer Rigby
Kogan Page USA
1518 Walnut Street, Suite 1100
Philadelphia, PA 19102
9780749465926, $19.95, www.koganpageusa.com

A career is different from the job in that it's more than a paycheck - it's a potential future. "The Careerist: Over 100 Ways to Get Ahead at Work" is a career guide from Rhymer Rigby as he advises readers on how to best further their own life's goals in their career, and make oneself invaluable as an employee and highly appealing to advancement. From going the extra mile in the career, realizing when to jump ship, knowing when to pres your boss, and dealing with setbacks, "The Careerist" is a wise and much recommended addition to any jobs or career collection.


The Nautical Shelf

Team Spirit
Brendan Hall
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781408157237, $19.95, www.bloomsbury.com

At sea, teamwork is needed to stay afloat... and when you're racing competitively, you can't spare any time. "Team Spirit: Life and Leadership on One of the World's Toughest Yacht Races" tells some of the stories behind the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - a 35,000 all around the world journey that many undertake in this race that pushes the test of endurance of countless teams looking for the glory of victory in this journey. "Team Spirit" is an enticing introspective to this event, enthusiastically recommended for nautical collections and enthusiasts.


The Gaming Shelf

Never Have I Ever
Kourtney Jason & Worm Miller
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440
Berkeley CA 94703-3440
9781612430997, $12.95, www.ulyssespress.com

We all hold secrets we want to keep from our closest friends. "Never Have I Ever: The World's Most Revealing Game" is a humorous guide and idea book for the party game gaining popularity where those playing take turns making a statement such as 'Never Have I Ever... peed in the shower'... and anyone who has done such a thing takes a drink of their beverage of choice. With plenty of humor and sparks to the get the fire started, "Never Have I Ever" is worth considering for those who want to break the dull moment at the next party.


The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf

Masters of Cinema: George Lucas
Karina Longworth
Phaidon Press
180 Varick Street, 14th floor
New York, NY 10014
9782866429041 $9.95 www.phaidon.com

Featuring full-color photography on almost every page, Masters of Cinema: George Lucas traces the career history of the legendary creator of the "Star Wars" science fiction movie series. Written to be thoroughly accessible to cinema fans of all walks of life, Masters of Cinema: George Lucas covers Lucas' professional career from his earliest creations (including a feature-length expansion of his student short, THX 1138), to "American Graffiti", the first "Star Wars" trilogy, his collaborations with Spielberg and hiatus from directing, the second "Star Wars" trilogy, and more. A chronology, filmography, and selected bibliography round out this detail-packed, behind-the-scenes cross-examination of a brilliant man's lifetime of dedication to the art of film. Masters of Cinema: George Lucas is a "must-have" for Star Wars fans, and a choice pick for public and community library cinema shelves! Also highly recommended are two other volumes in this carefully researched and gorgeously illustrated series: "Masters of Cinema: Roman Polanski" (9782866429171, $9.95) by David Ehrenstein, and "Masters of Cinema: Ethan and Joel Coen" (9782866429034, $9.95) by Ian Nathan.

Creating the Filmation Generation
Lou Scheimer
TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive
Raleigh, NC 27614
9781605490441, $29.95, www.twomorrows.com

A certain style dominated much of the 70s and 80s, and it lied behind the works of Filmation studios. "Creating the Filmation Generation" discusses Lou Scheimer and his famed studio that was responsible for many of nostalgic American's animation memories, telling the story of the Filmation story from the 1960s to the modern day, from their beginning, the personal stories of the creators and much more. A behind-the-scenes glimpse into the studio responsible for animated series about Superman, Archie, Star Trek, He-Man, and much more, "Creating the Filmation Generation" is an intriguing and image-packed history, very much worth considering.


The Self-Help Shelf

The Wisdom And Teachings Of Stephen R. Covey
Stephen R. Covey
The Free Press
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas
NY, NY 10020
www.simonsays.com
9781476725116, $18.00, www.amazon.com

The late Stephen Richards Covey (October 24, 1932 - July 16, 2012) was an American educator, author, businessman, and keynote speaker. His most popular book was "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". His other books include "First Things First"; "Principle-Centered Leadership"; "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families"; "The 8th Habit", and "The Leader In Me - How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time". He was a professor at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University at the time of his death. "The Wisdom and Teachings of Stephen R. Covey" is a 176 page compendium showcasing a profusion of his invaluable insights and aphorisms, commentaries and quotes ranging from 'Don't be seduced by your own biography.'; to 'If the ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step we take just gets us to the wrong place faster.' There is also to a selection of his favorite quotes from others - 'There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root. - Hendry David Thoreau. Enhanced with the inclusion of an extensive Reference List, "The Wisdom and Teachings of Stephen R. Covey" will prove an enduringly popular addition to personal and community library self-help reference collections and reading list.

Peak Performance Under Pressure
Bill Driscoll
Triple Nickel Press
555 North Morton Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
9780982702918, $24.95, www.triplenickelpress.com

How do those whose careers place them in situations where a wrong move means death function? "Peak Performance Under Pressure: How to Achieve Extraordinary Results Under the Most Difficult Circumstances" is an inspirational read on how to achieve a better dose of success in one's career as combat veteran and pilot Bill Driscoll presents his own tips on keeping cool in high pressure situations. "Peak Performance Under Pressure" is a powerful and inspiring read, not to be overlooked.

8 Ways to Say "I Love My Life!"
Arte Publico Press
University of Houston
4902 Gulf Fwy, Bldg 19, Rm 100
Houston, TX 77204-2004
9781558857544, $16.95, www.artepublicopress.com

A life is to be loved and enjoyed, and sometimes we need a reminder of that. "8 Ways to Say: 'I Love My Life'" is an inspirational read as eight Latina women come together and share their lives stories and how they came to love and appreciate their life in the long term, sharing stories of career success, family success, among others, all focusing on how to build up one's own self-esteem when everything else seems dedicated to breaking it down. "8 Ways to Say: 'I Love My Life'" is strongly recommended for inspirational collections and collections catering to Latina women in general.


The Humor Shelf

The Midwest: God's Gift to Planet Earth!
RAYGUN, LLC
400 East Locust
Des Moines, IA 50309
No ISBN $17.50 raygunsite.com

The proud team of RAYGUN presents The Midwest: God's Gift to Planet Earth! An Illustrated Guide to the History and Culture of the Galaxy's Most Important Region, a tongue-in-cheek view askew of Midwestern history and culture. Cartoony black-and-white sketches pepper the humorous insights into the Midwest vs. the rest of the USA. Would the Civil War have ended differently if the Midwest had seceded? Why was our beloved Midwestern President McKinley cruelly assassinated in his prime? Is the Midwest taking passive-aggressive revenge for the rest of the nation's disrespect by flooding it with agricultural byproducts and foods that promote type 2 diabetes? "The 'hollowing' of the Midwest is not as simple as it sounds. Populations are shifting, but this is not leading to a dead rural community and an active urban community across the board. Instead, hotbeds are forming. They can be in cities like Chicago, Indianapolis, or Columbus, but sometimes these hotbeds are in the rural Midwest. While the region is known as the forefront of America's industrial agriculture - biological crop experiments, massive hog confinements, cattle feedlots - it is also at the center of America's organic food movement." Oscillating between fascinating facts and witty repartee, The Midwest: God's Gift to Planet Earth! is a blast to browse, and an excellent giftbook for friends with a snarky sense of humor!

The Joke Book for People Who Think Donald Trump is a Joke
The Unknown Comic
Bear Manor Media
PO Box 1129
Duncan, OK 73534-1129
9781593932589 $14.95 www.BearManorMedia.com

The Joke Book for People Who Think Donald Trump is a Joke lives up to its title with a plethora of (justifiably?) nasty one-liners about one of America's wealthy elites who is infamous for his colossal ego and relentless narcissism. Some jokes are original; some are deliberate plays on Trump's own words; some are barbed quotes from celebrities; all prompt a chuckle and a smile at the toupee-man's expense! The Joke Book for People Who Think Donald Trump is a Joke makes a great gag gift for temporarily embarrassed millionaires, not to mention the rest of the 99%. "Donald Trump says to his wife, 'I'm thinking of going into Politics.' His wife says, 'Honestly?' Trump replies, 'Well, I don't know about that...'"


The Criminology Shelf

How They Got Away With It
Susan Will, Stephen Handleman, David C. Brotherton
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street, NY, NY 10023-7015
http://cup.columbia.edu
9780231156912, $29.50, www.amazon.com

The economic collapse of 2008 was precipitated by an horrific culmination of bad decisions, short sighted strategies, and outright white collar criminal activities. Now some five years later, none of the corporate CEOs, hedge fund managers, or stock manipulators has served a single day in jail. Indeed, those same financial moguls continue to occupy seats of financial governance and exercise high financed levers of power within and without the federal government -- especially with respect to those governmental supervisory bodies, commissions, and departments that were originally created to be 'watchdogs' over Wall Street operatives and operations. That's why "How They Got Away with It: White Collar Criminals and the Financial Meltdown", a 384 page compendium compiled and edited by the academic team of Susan Will (Assistant Professor of Sociology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice), Stephen Handleman (Director of the Center of Media, Crime and Justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice), and David C. Brotherton (Professor and Chair of Sociology, John Jay college of Criminal Justice) is such an important body of work if we are do understand how so much wrong doing could evade and avoid criminal sanctions of any kind. "How They Got Away With It" is comprised of fifteen superbly presented essays that range from Saskia Sassen's 'The Logics of Finance: Abuse of Power and Systemic Crisis'; to Gilbert Geis' 'Unaccountable External Auditors and Their Role in the Economic Meltdown'; to Justin O'Brien's 'The Facade of Enforcement: Goldman Sachs, Negotiated Prosecution, and the Politics of Blame'. Of special note are the five essays that deal with financial scandals in the United Kingdom, Holland, Portugal, Greece, and China respectively. Informed and informative, "How They Got Away With It" will prove to be exceptionally enlightening reading for anyone concerned with the possibilities of a second financial collapse modeled after the 2008 debacle, as well as those wondering why justice has not been seen to be a factor in disciplining those who brought economic disaster upon us all.

Bedside Book of Bad Girls
Michael Rutter
Farcountry Press
PO Box 5630
Helena, MT 59604
9781560374626 $14.95 www.farcountrypress.com

Author and historian Michael Rutter presents Bedside Book of Bad Girls, an anthology of brief profiles of outlaw women of the Old West. From Kate Bender, part of a serial killing "family" that robbed and murdered approximately thirty people in Kansas (including children), to Laura Bullion, who took part in a Wild Bunch train robbery, to Madam Vestal, a former Confederate spy who was the mastermind behind the Deadwood stagecoach robberies, Bedside Book of Bad Girls is packed with often shocking true tales of female criminals. Forty-two black-and-white photographs and historical images illustrate this fascinating and readily accessible compendium of utterly ruthless women.


The Native American Studies Shelf

Ledger Narratives
Colin G. Calloway, editor
Michael Paul Jordan, et al.
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806142975 $49.95 (hard cover)
9780806142982, $29.95 (paperback) www.oupress.com

"Ledger Narratives: The Plains Indian Drawings of the Lansburgh Collection at Dartmouth College" is a book cataloging and reflecting upon a stunning collection of plains Indian ledger art of over 140 drawings held by the Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College. Here are artworks created by Cheyennes, Crows, Kiowas, Lakotas, Arapaho, and other Plains peoples in the mid to late nineteenth century. Presenting the complete Lansburgh collection in full color, Ledger Narratives not only showcases this historic Plains native art form; it also presents seven analytical essays by various scholars of Native American studies on different perspectives and themes presented in the art works. Essay/chapter titles include Battles, Courting and Changing Lives, by Joyce M. Szabo, Striving for Recognition: Ledger Drawings and the Construction and Maintenance of Social Status during the Reservation Period, by Michael Paul Jordan, Illustrating Encounter: Trade Travel, and Warfare in Southern Plains Ledger Drawing, 1875-1880, by Jenny Tone-Pah-Hote, Unsettling Accounts: the Violent Economies of the Ledger, by Melanie Benson Taylor, New Geographies and Surveying Eyes: The Landscapes of Noh-hu-nah-wih (Chief Killer), by Mary Peterson Zundo, Tracing the Schoolhouse/Big House Legacy: Ledger Art and Prison Work, by Vera B. Palmer, and Reconstructing History from a Fragmented Past, by Joyce M. Szabo. This array of diverse Native American cultural experts present many fresh, intriguing ideas to inform our appreciation of the content of the ledger art works' commentary. Of course, the detailed reproductions of the drawings speak eloquently for themselves as well. Nevertheless, full knowledge of the history and conditions of creation and the lives of the artists is most enlightening and at times shocking to non-Native readers. A full understanding and appreciation of the complex history of the Plains Indian peoples during the nineteenth century greatly enhances the experience of assimilating the content of the "Ledger Narratives." To further assist this process, there is a helpful appendix listing ledger drawings in the Mark Lansburgh Collection in chronological order by artist, with original format, date, collector, binding history, medium, paper, dimensions, pagination, and collection summary specified. In summary, "Ledger Narratives" is a seminal work showcasing fine examples of an original Native art form that documents many aspects of the transition of Plains natives from pre to post invasion by an alien dominant culture.


The Architecture Shelf

The Sainsbury Laboratory
Stephen Day, John Parker, Steve Rose
Black Dog Publishing
10a Acton Street
London, England, WC1X 9NG, UK
www.blackdogonline.com
9781907317453, $29.99, www.amazon.com

The Sainsbury Laboratory is located at the Norwich Research Park (NRP) in Norwich, Norfolk, England. The Laboratory opened on the campus of the John Innes Centre in 1989 and has established a global reputation in plant and microbial science. The Sainsbury Laboratory is dedicated to daring, long-term research which will help reduce crop losses to important diseases. The Sainsbury Laboratory has research groups working on aspects of plant disease, plant disease resistance and microbial symbiosis in plants. "The Sainsbury Laboratory: Science, Architecture, Art" is the collaborative project of Stephen Day, John Parker, and Steve Rose. This 192 page compendium showcases the grounds, gardens, buildings, and architecture of this world renowned research facility. Of special note are the five major sections comprising "The Sainsbury Laboratory: Science, Architecture, Art": Steven Day's 'Understanding Plant Development'; John Parker's 'Plant science and the Origins of Cambridge University Botanic Garden'; Steve Rose's 'The Thinking Path: Reinventing the Research Laboratory'; Norman Ackroyd's 'Galapagos'; Susanna Heron's 'Henslow's Walk'; and William Pye's 'Starburst'. Enhanced with the inclusion of an accompanying CD, "The Sainsbury Laboratory: Science, Architecture, Art" is especially recommended reading by architects, landscape designers, and anyone contemplating the creation of a modern scientific research facility.


The Holocaust Studies Shelf

The Terrible Secret
Walter Laqueur
Transaction Publishers
35 Berrue Circle
Piscataway, NJ 08854-8042
www.transactionpub.com
9781412849418, $24.95, www.amazon.com

The so-called 'Final Solution' was developed by Adolph Hitler and his Nazi advisors to justify the genocide of European Jews. One of the heart breaking historical questions is why other nations, including the United States, were so slow to perceive and respond to the systematic mass murders that by the end of 1942 had already accounted for the killing of more than two and a half million Jews by means of extermination camps such as those at Chelmno, Belzec, Auschwitz, Maidanek, Sobibor, and Treblinka. That is the question addressed in "The Terrible Secret: Suppression of the Truth about Hitler's Final Solution", a 282 page compendium by Walter Laqueur (Distinguished Scholar, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, D.C.). Examining the history of personal, press, and governmental intelligence reports coming out of Europe, "The Terrible Secret" is a model of exhaustively meticulous scholarship and a seminal work that his highly recommended for academic library Holocaust Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Autism Shelf

Building Independence
Christine E. Reeve & Susan S. Kabot
AAPC Publishing
PO Box 23173
Shawnee Mission, KS 66283-0173
www.aapcpublishing.net
9781937473099, $39.95, www.amazon.com

Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. The diagnostic criteria require that symptoms become apparent before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood. It is one of three recognized disorders in the autism spectrum (ASDs), the other two being Asperger syndrome, which lacks delays in cognitive development and language, and pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (commonly abbreviated as PDD-NOS), which is diagnosed when the full set of criteria for autism or Asperger syndrome are not met. The collaborative effort of autism experts and academicians Christine E. Reeve and Susan S. Kabot, "Building Independence: How to Create and Use Structured Work Systems" is a 162 page instructional compendium organized into seven major chapters focusing on working with autistic children and students: Structured Work Systems; Components and use of Structured Work Systems; Structured Work Systems in School Settings: Curricula, IEPs, and Lesson Planning; Setting Up the System; Selecting Work Tasks; How to Teach the System; and Collecting Data. Informed, informative, 'user friendly', and enhanced with a 'Frequently Asked Questions', a listing of References, and three appendices (one of which is a collection of blank data sheets and forms), "Building Independence" is an ideal and highly recommended addition to professional and academic library Autism Educational Planning resource collections and curriculum supplemental reading lists.


The Aviation Shelf

The Flight Of The Century
Thomas Kessner
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10016-4314
www.oup.com/us
9780199931170, $17.95, www.amazon.com

Charles Augustus Lindbergh (February 4, 1902 - August 26, 1974), nicknamed Slim, Lucky Lindy, and The Lone Eagle, was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist. As a 25-year-old U.S. Air Mail pilot, Lindbergh emerged suddenly from virtual obscurity to instantaneous world fame as the result of his Orteig Prize-winning solo non-stop flight on May 20 - 21, 1927, made from Roosevelt Field located in Garden City on New York's Long Island to Le Bourget Field in Paris, France, a distance of nearly 3,600 statute miles (5,800 km), in the single-seat, single-engine purpose built Ryan monoplane Spirit of St. Louis. Lindbergh, a U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve officer, was also awarded the nation's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his historic exploit. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Lindbergh used his fame to promote the development of both commercial aviation and Air Mail services in the United States and the Americas. "The Flight of the Century: Charles Lindbergh and the Rise of American Aviation" by Thomas Kessner (Distinguished Professor of history, City University of New York Graduate Center) is a 336 page compendium that focuses upon a truly landmark achievement in the history of American aviation -- Lindbergh's May, 1927, non-stop transatlantic flight. Professor Kessner's seminal work fully explores Lindbergh's ties to business interests that backed the development of commercial aviation and the iconic pilot's work in promoting the airline industry in times of peace and war. An impressive work of detailed scholarship, "The Flight of the Century: Charles Lindbergh and the Rise of American Aviation" is recommended as a significant edition to community and academic library American History and American Aviation History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Library Science Shelf

Public Libraries And Resilient Cities
Michael Dudley
ALA Editions
50 East Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611
www.alastore.ala.org
9780838911365, $65.00, www.amazon.com

A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources (such as tax money) and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries. The first is that they are generally supported by taxes (usually local, though any level of government can and may contribute); they are governed by a board to serve the public interest; they are open to all and every community member can access the collection; they are entirely voluntary in that no one is ever forced to use the services provided; and public libraries provide basic services without charge. Public libraries an essential part of having an educated and literate population. Public Libraries also provide free services such as preschool story times to encourage early literacy, quiet study and work areas for students and professionals, or book clubs to encourage appreciation of literature in adults. Knowledgeably compiled and deftly edited by Michael Dudley (Indigenous and Urban Services Librarian, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada), "Public Libraries And Resilient Cities" is a 192 page compendium comprised of fourteen informed and informative contributions by experts in the contributions of libraries with respect to urban issues, concerns, conditions, and needs. Of special note is the Pilar Martinez article 'Engaging Communities, Making A Difference: Edmonton Public Library's Community-Led Service Philosophy'. Enhanced with a list of contributors and a useful index, "Public Libraries And Resilient Cities" is an especially recommended addition to academic library "Library Science" reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Emergency Planning and Response for Libraries, Archives and Museums
Emma Dadson
Scarecrow Press
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200
Lanham, MD 20706
9780810887565 $80.00 www.scarecrowpress.com

Emma Dadson, an expert in emergency recovery and response for libraries as well as veteran trainer in document restoration services, shares her wisdom in Emergency Planning and Response for Libraries, Archives and Museums, a "must-have" resource for professionals who work with library or museum collections and archives. Chapters offer an introduction to the concept of emergency planning, and outline invaluable precautions to prepare for potential harm or disaster. Sample case studies include the New Zealand earthquakes, the Tohoku Earthquake and subsequent tsunami of March 2011, the fire and flood recovery efforts of Norfolk County Record Office in the UK, and much more. Spelling out processes for incident control, planning recovery options, collections salvage, preventing damage to the building, writing a business continuity plan, and much more, Emergency Planning and Response for Libraries, Archives and Museums is worthy of the highest recommendation. "Air-drying of very large [water-damaged] volumes, or text blocks that are very thick, may also cause problems, as fanning open may cause physical damage to the binding owing to the bodily stress. These items should either be treated by a conservator immediately, or passed for freezing and then treated professionally."

Digital Libraries and Information Access
G. G. Chowdhury & Schubert Foo, editors
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004
New York, NY 10038-4512
9781555709143, $99.95, www.neal-schuman.com

Digital information is the wave of the future. "Digital Libraries and Information Access: Research Perspectives" discusses the implementation of digital resource libraries as many libraries and information intrigued people from all over the world come together and discuss the future of the library in many elements, including the globalization of information, interacting with other users, information available to all, intellectual property concerns, and what the future holds. Filled with scholarly insight on the topic, "Digital Libraries and Information Access" is a strongly recommended addition to this increasingly important topic for library science reference collections.

The Accidental Systems Librarian, second edition
Nicole C. Engard
Information Today, Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike
Medford, NJ 08055-8750
9781573874533, $29.50, www.infotoday.com

Libraries have expanded far beyond simple books. "The Accidental Systems Librarian" is a guide for librarians to better equip them in how to better understand the expanding library services of information on many fronts, from the internet to other electronic medias, planning ow t best manage them, and making them accessible to patrons. Insightful and recommended reading for those who have had this job thrust upon them, "The Accidental System Librarian" is a must for library science and reference collections, highly recommended.


The Language Studies Shelf

Dramatic License
Louise Ladouceur
University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1
9780888645388, $34.95, www.uap.ualberta.ca

Language translation is not simply swapping one word out for another. "Dramatic License: Translating Theatre from One Official Language to the Other in Canada" discusses the bounce between French and English throughout Canada, which holds both languages as official. Dramatic License shows the complexity that often comes with translation, and keeping the original power of the words. Studying many plays written throughout the second half of the twentieth century, "Dramatic License" is a strong addition to any language studies or theatre studies collection, highly recommended.


The Philosophy Shelf

Facing Nature
William Edelglass, James Hatley, Christian Diehm, eds.
Duquesne University Press
600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282
www.dupress.duq.edu
9780820704531, $35.00, www.amazon.com

Emmanuel Levinas (12 January 1906 - 25 December 1995) was a French philosopher and Talmudic commentator of Lithuanian Jewish origin. The collaborative work of philosophy professors William Edelglass (Philosophy & Environmental Studies Departments, Marlboro College, Brattleboro, Vermont), James Hatley (Philosophy Department, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland, Christian Diehm (Philosophy Department, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point), "Facing Nature: Levinas and Environmental Thought" is a 400 page compendium comprised of thirteen erudite contributions providing insightful analytic commentaries on Emmanuel Levinas' writings with respect to environmental issues ranging from the role of ethics, the concept of interspecies politics, climate change and the individual, and a Judaic understanding of creation with respect to approaches to environmental concerns. Enhanced with an informative introduction, copious notes, a contributors roster, and a comprehensive index, "Facing Nature" is a body of impressive scholarship, making it very highly recommended for Environmental Studies and 20th Century Philosophy Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

A Stranger's Knowledge
Xavier Marquez
Parmenides Publishing
3743 Howard Hughes Pkwy #200
Las Vegas, NV 89169
9781930972797, $47.00, www.parmenides.com

What is the role of the statesman, and what is the role of the philosopher? "A Stranger's Knowledge: Statesmanship Philosophy & Law in Plato's Statesman" discusses the work of historical philosopher Plato and his renown work Statesman. Examining the debate between the policy maker and the philosopher and the relationship, author Xavier Marquez presents an intriguing introspective and insight on the modern worldwide debates. Scholarly and insightful, "A Stranger's Knowledge" is a core addition to any political philosophy collection, very much recommended reading.

The Sacrifice of Socrates
Wm. Blake Tyrrell
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25
East Lansing, MI 48823-5245
9781611860542, $29.95, www.msupress.msu.edu

Socrates' tale is well known, but his demise does hold room for debate. "The Sacrifice of Socrates: Athens, Plato, Girard" analyzes the scenario that Socrates was cast as a scapegoat in Ancient Greek society after losing a war, sentencing the legendary thinker to death. Through the scope of Mimesis, Plato, Girard, and other thinkers and concepts, Wm. Blake Tyrrell offers more insight to the man of Socrates, who perhaps knew more about his fate than he truly let on. "The Sacrifice of Socrates" is an essential pick to philosophy and literary criticism collections.

The Undiscovered Dewey
Melvin L. Rogers
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street
New York, NY 10023-7015
9780231144872, $26.00, http://cup.columbia.edu

There are thinkers who revolutionize the way we think. "The Undiscovered Dewey: Religion, Morality, and Ethos of Democracy" is a collection of thought and essays from Melvin L. Rogers surrounding the man's work as a philosopher, theologian, and progressive voice throughout his life. Rogers discusses our search for spirituality in the modern day in regards to our democracy, the balance of power, our inner struggles, and much more. "The Undiscovered Dewey" is a scholarly take, a core addition to any modern theological and social issue debate, and for any criticism collection focusing on Mr. Dewey's writings.


The Economic Studies Shelf

China's Economic Miracle
Sumei Tang, Eliyathamby A. Selvanathan, & Saroja Selvanathan
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court
Northampton, MA 01060-3815
9780857936806 $110.00 www.e-elgar.com

China's Economic Miracle: Does FDI Matter? is a scholarly and empirical analysis of the role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in China's modern economy. Three economic and business experts pool their wisdom to analyze China's situation; their broad conclusion is that FDI did not crowd out domestic investment, but rather complemented it and spurred overall economic growth, playing a positive role in China's "economic miracle". Individual chapters focus on the relationship between FDI and tourism, FDI and regional income inequality, FDI spill-over effects on consumption habits, location determinants of FDI, and much more. Tables, graphs, and mathematic analyses are smoothly incorporated into this excellent treatise highly recommended for college libraries, graduate studies, or professional research.

Global Economics in Extraordinary Times
C Fred Bergsten & C. Randall Henning
Petersen Institute for International Economics
1750 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036-1903
9780881326628, $27.95, www.piie.com

The world grows ever smaller, making the study of economics all the more complex. "Global Economics in Extraordinary Times: Essays in Honor of John Williamson" discusses the work of experienced and renown economist John Williamson, and many of his colleagues and peers come together to discuss his work in honor of three quarters of a century of life for Williamson. Insightful and scholarly writing on his work that explores international monetary policy, its reform, and a man's impact on global economic thinking. "Global Economics in Extraordinary Times" is a must for any economics studies collections focusing on essay collections.

Foreign Aid Competition in Northeast Asia
Hyo-sook Kim & David M. Potter
Kumarian Press
c/o Stylus Publishing
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166
9781565494961, $27.50, www.kpbooks.com

Foreign aid serves to build good international bonds, but there are other benefits as well. "Foreign Aid Competition in Northeast Asia" analyzes these programs through the scope of the four countries - China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. These four have developed new takes on international aid programs, and authors and scholars Hyo-sook Kim & David M. Potter provide a world wide look at their impacts and their place in the world theater. "Foreign Aid Competition in Northeast Asia" is a strong addition to any international issues or foreign policy studies collection.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Writing Skills for Public Relations, fifth edition
John Foster
Kogan Page USA
1518 Walnut Street, Suite 1100
Philadelphia, PA 19102
9780749465438 $37.50 www.koganpageusa.com

Writing Skills for Public Relations: Style and Technique for Mainstream and Social Media is a practical-minded guide to effective communication for PR students, professionals, and anyone else who needs to represent themselves or their business. Chapters cover how to avoid boring cliches and jargon that will fly over the heads of lay readers, style and content crafting of press releases, how to use social media to maximum advantage, public speaking and speech writing, legal issues that challenge writers, and much more. "Although copyright is automatically acquired immediately a work is written (or recorded in some other form such as on tape or computer disk) and there is no formal registration as such, it is advisable to establish evidence of the completion of the work, says the Society of Authors. One way of doing this is to deposit a copy of the script with a bank and get a dated receipt for it." Writing Skils for Public Relations is an absolute "must-have" not only for those in the PR field, but also for any small business owner responsible for getting the word out on their enterprise - especially in the modern age when social media has become an inexpensive and invaluable publicity tool!


The Calendar Shelf

That Patchwork Place Quilt Calendar 2013
Martingale
19021 Avenue NE, Bothell, WA 98011
9781604681901, $16.99, www.martingale-pub.com

Quilters receive a fine wall calendar with That Patchwork Place's QUILT CALENDAR 2013, which includes a pullout instruction booklet with complete directions for each quilt, projects that can be completed using easy machine applique, pinwheels, precut designs and more, and featuring new ideas by noted quilt designers. Pair this with twelve months of gorgeous picks and you have a lovely gift choice for any avid quilter!


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


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