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Internet Bookwatch

Volume 23, Number 9 September 2013 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Audiobook Shelf Psychology Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Technology Shelf Autism Shelf
Genealogy Shelf American History Shelf World History Shelf
Photography Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Business Shelf
Fashion Shelf Art Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Military Shelf Needlecraft Shelf Woodworking Shelf
Railroading Shelf Cookbook Shelf Botany Shelf
Science Shelf Computer Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Fiction Shelf Self-Help Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Political Science Shelf Education Shelf Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Gardening Shelf Humor Shelf Antiques/Collectors Shelf
Writing/Publishing Shelf Sports Shelf Automotive Shelf
Travel Shelf Poetry Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Martial Arts Shelf Theatre/Cinema Shelf Biography Shelf
Music CD Shelf Library DVD Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Economic Studies Shelf Mathematics Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Language Studies Shelf Architecture Shelf Native American Studies Shelf
Music Shelf International Studies Shelf Civil War Shelf
Holocaust Studies Shelf Calendar Shelf Wisconsin Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

What Should Think Tanks Do?
Andrew Selee
Stanford Briefs
c/o Stanford University Press
1450 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304-1124
www.sup.org
9780804787987, $12.99, www.amazon.com

A policy institute or "think tank" is an academic, governmental, or business organization that performs research and advocacy concerning topics such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, technology, and culture. Most policy institutes are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax exempt status. Other think tanks are funded by governments, advocacy groups, or businesses, or derive revenue from consulting or research work related to their projects. "What Should Think Tanks Do?: A Strategic Guide to Policy Impact" is a succinct 128 page instructional compendium in which academician Andrew Selee distills his interviews with members of some of the most influential think tanks and provides specific and practical strategies for setting policy oriented goals and the molding of public opinion in support of them. "What Should Think Tanks Do?: A Strategic Guide to Policy Impact" should be considered mandatory reading for anyone that is a part of a think tank operation be it governmental, NGO, academic, or corporate. It should also be noted that "What Should Think Tanks Do?: A Strategic Guide to Policy Impact" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Reveal Your Detroit
Bradford Frost
Wayne State University Press
4809 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201-1309
http://wsupress.wayne.edu
9780814339633, $24.95, www.amazon.com

The news out of Detroit this past year has been unrelentingly grim. A city in bankruptcy, white flight, crumbling infrastructure, epidemic unemployment, and a host of other exacerbated urban ills. Yet there are rays of light coming out of all that doom and gloom. One such is "Reveal Your Detroit: An Intimate Look at a Great American City" by Bradford Frost (Detroit Revitalization Fellow and special Assistant for Community and Economic Development at the Detroit Institute of Arts). This 184 page compendium showcasing full color photographs focusing on Detroit's assets and praiseworthy features are coupled with informative explanatory and informational captions and commentary texts documenting the urban transformation of a still great American city. A genuine and informative pleasure to simple browse through the pages, "Reveal Your Detroit" is not only highly recommended reading, but would serve as an excellent template and example for similar works for other American cities undergoing their own renaissance and resurrection into the 21st Century.

Seal Press
1700 - 4th Street
Berkeley, California 94710
www.sealpress.com

REPLACEMENT CHILD: A MEMOIR by Judy L. Mandel (9781580054768, $16.00) provides a riveting story of tragedy, recovery, and a family's decision to bring a new child into the world to replace another killed in a horrifying accident, and is a top recommendation for any interested in family interactions, death, and recovery. Author Judy Mandel was the "replacement child" born into a grieving family who kept secret the tragedy that changed all their lives. It was only as an adult that she discovered the logic behind her existence - and recognized the patterns of struggle that were weaved into her life as she became caretaker for her older sister, whose severe burns from the accident impacted her life. The patterns of tragedy, hope, recovery become evident in this powerful survey, highly recommended for any biography collection. Quite different and also recommended - especially for humor collections - is standup comedian Ophira Eisenberg's SCREW EVERYONE: SLEEPING MY WAY TO MONOGAMY, which gathers the author's many dating experiences and offers a fun reflection of what happens when one 'says yes' to everything and everyone. Promiscuity is examined in a hilarious examination of boundaries and sexual evolution, offering up a rollicking account that is good for both reflection and side-splitting laughter.


The Audiobook Shelf

The Color Master: Stories
Aimee Bender, author
Read by a selection of narrators
Books on Tape
400 Hahn, Westminster, MD 21157
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com
9780804148467 $40.00 www.booksontape.com

The Color Master: Stories is the unabridged audiobook production of Aimee Bender's anthology with a view askew of love, sex, and family relationships, transcending genres from the contemporary to the fantastic. In one story, a woman who engages in a prostitution fantasy with her husband can no longer find satisfaction in the sex life she used to have; in another, an unattractive woman marries and ogre, and has to decide whether to leave him after he accidentally (allegedly) devours their children; in yet another, a group of tailors strive to perfectly replicate the shifting colors of the sun, moon, and sky. A diversity of narrators bring Bender's tales to vivid life, in this unique and eclectic anthology that invites extensive reflection. Highly recommended. 6 CDs, 7 1/2 hours.

In Times of Fading Light
Eugen Ruge, author
Anthea Bell, translator
Simon Vance, narrator
Highbridge Audio Books
201 Sixth Street SE, Suite 220
Minneapolis, MN 55414
9781622312283 $34.95 www.highbridgeaudio.com

Winner of the 2011 German Book Prize, In Times of Fading Light is the unabridged audiobook rendition of Eugene Ruge's novel about a family at the crossroads of 20th century power struggles, particularly the end of communism in East Germany. Weaving back and forth through the decades, In Times of Fading Light tells of Alexander Umnitzer, whose grandparents were forced to live in exile from their homeland for a time, and whose father suffered in the gulag for ten years because he dared to criticize the Soviet power structure. Alexander himself has contracted terminal cancer, and reflects upon the political struggles that cast a shadow over his family - a shadow that he only wanted to escape from. Thoughtful and reflective, In Times of Fading Light is highly recommended for both personal and public library audiobook fiction collections. 10 CDs, 11 3/4 hours.

Return to Oakpine: A Novel
Ron Carlson, author
David Aaron Baker, narrator
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781470341985 $92.75 www.recordedbooks.com

Return to Oakpine: A Novel is the unabridged audiobook rendition of Ron Carlson's saga set in the small town of Oakpine, Wyoming. In the late 1960's, four young men performed formed a makeshift band; one of them, Jimmy, departed Oakpine after losing his brother to sudden tragedy. He became a well-known novelist, but in 1999, he returns to Oakpine because he is dying. Two of his bandmates, Craig and Frank, stayed in the small town all these years; the fourth bandmate, Mason, has become a high-profile lawyer, returning to Oakpine only to oversee the repair and sale of his childhood home. There's no time like the present to get the band back together, if only for a timeless, transient moment before the currents of life and death sweep everything away once more. Poignant, profound, and wistful, Return to Oakpine is a thought-provoking experience, superbly performed by talented narrator David Aaron Baker. 8 CDs, 9.5 hours.

The Kill List
Frederick Forsyth, author
George Guidall, narrator
Penguin Audio
c/o The Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
9781611762136 $39.95 http://us.penguingroup.com

The Kill List is the unabridged audiobook edition of a high-stakes thriller novel about the War on Terror. The Technical Operations Support Activity, or TOSA, is the unassumingly-named U.S. governmental department whose job is to hunt down and kill terrorists named on a document called The Kill List. One of TOSA's finest is an Arabic-speaking Marine known as the Tracker. But one target consistently eludes him: a ruthless terrorist known as the Preacher, whose signature MO is to radicalize young Muslims living abroad and goad them into becoming assassinations. When the Preacher's schemes take the life of the Tracker's father, a retired Marine general, the Trackers duty turns intensely personal, leading him on a worldwide manhunt. end, The Kill List is intense to the very end, highly recommended for fans of action and suspense. 7 CDs, 8.5 hours.

Night Film
Marisha Pessl, author
Jake Weber, narrator
Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 5th floor
New York, NY 10019
9780307932655 $50.00 www.randomhouse.com

Night Film is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of prize-winning author Marisha Pessl's thriller novel of murder and treachery. When a beautiful young woman is discovered dead in an abandoned Manhattan warehouse, her death is at first ruled a suicide - but expert investigative journalist Scott McGrath knows too much about the victim's father to just let the matter go. Her father is Stanislas Cordova, a reclusive figure known for his cult horror films, and the last time McGrath tried to learn about Cordova's twisted world, the fallout cost McGrath his marriage and nearly extinguished his career. Justice hangs by a trembling thread in this grim search for truth amid the trappings of commercialized silver screen violence, suspenseful to the very end. Bonus content includes an interactive .pdf file (requires Adobe Reader on one's PC), and additional content especially for smartphone or tablet devices. 19 CDs, 23 hours.

Safe in His Arms
Vicki Lewis Thompson, author
Arika Rapson, narrator
Tantor Media, Inc.
2 Business Park Road, Unit 2
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
9781452613482 $19.99 www.tantor.com

Part of the popular "Perfect Man" series by award-winning author Vicki Lewis Thompson, Safe in His Arms is the unabridged audiobook performance of a passionate romance novella with mature themes. Valerie Wolitzky suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, stemming from a deadly incident at a concert hall when fire sparked a human stampede that nearly killed her. When she crosses paths with Adam Templeton, a billionaire rancher recovering from the fallout of his failed marriage, at first he seems like a dream come true... but both Valerie and Adam carry deep emotional scars. Can she learn to trust a man again, and can he move past the emotional heartbreak of his divorce? A warm and sensuous story, Safe in His Arms is sure to please connoisseurs of erotic romance. 2 CDs, 2.5 hours.

Justice for Sara
Erica Spindler, author
Tavia Gilbert, narrator
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427230751 $39.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

Justice for Sara is the unabridged audiobook rendition of Erica Spindler's suspenseful novel about a woman wrongfully accused of the brutal murder of her sister. Katherine McCall was a defiant seventeen-year-old when her sister was murdered; she was tried and found innocent of the crime. But not everyone believed the verdict, forcing Kat to go into hiding. Ten years later, an anonymous letter asks her, "What about justice for Sara?", a question she cannot ignore. She returns to her Louisiana home town in search of the truth... but her sister's murderer is determined to keep the past buried at any cost! Is justice worth fighting for, if the cost is Kat's life? Justice for Sara is gripping to the very end, and sure to prove a popular pick for public library audiobook mystery collections. 8 CDs, 10 hours.

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

The late L. Ron Hubbard was a master of pretty much every literary genre that the golden age of pulp magazines had to offer their avid readers. Now Galaxy Press is taking those Hubbard tales and turning them into full fledged 'theatre of the mind' experiences with their sound and music effect enhanced, multicast performances, flawlessly produced audio books. Originally published in the September 1935 issue of 'Top-Notch', Hubbard's "The Sky Devil" (audio: 9781592123292, $12.95; paperback 9781592124015, $9.95; 2 hours; 2 CDs) is an aviation action/adventure yarn and includes two short action/adventure stories: "Buckley Plays A Hunch" and "Medals For Mahoney". First published in the July 1938 issue of 'Western Yarns', Hubbard's "King of the Gunmen" (audio: 9781592123483, $12.95; paperback: 9781592124022, $9.95; 2 hours, 2 CDs) is a terrific western yarn of feuding cattlemen and sheepherders and includes the western short story "The No-Gun Gunhawk". Appearing in the October 1938 issue of 'Five-Novels Monthly', Hubbard's "The Lieutenant Takes the Sky" (audio: 9781592123018, $12.95; paperback: 9781592123018, $9.95; 2 hours, 2 CDs) is action/adventure at its very best -- perhaps one of Hubbard's finest novels. All three of these outstanding recordings are enthusiastically recommended for both personal and community library audio book collections.

Rich Dad: Run Your Own Corporation
Garrett Sutton, Esq.
Highbridge Audio Books
201 Sixth Street SE, Suite 220
Minneapolis, MN 55414
9781619697379, $24.98, www.highbridgeaudio.com

Rich Dad: Run Your Own Corporation is the companion audiobook to the best-selling book START YOUR OWN CORPORATION and follows three teams of entrepreneurs through their first five years in business. These stories are used as examples for listeners who receive details on how to begin a successful corporation, from setting up a corporate identity separate from a sole proprietorship's liabilities to handling audits, accounting, and employees. The author is an attorney, author of many other 'Rich Dad' series titles, and conducts seminars and classes on business management and financial planning. This audio will enhance any business listener and is recommended for any library catering to businessmen who enjoy self-help audios!

Brilliance Audio
c/o Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887
Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com

Larry Julian's God is MY CEO: FOLLOWING GOD'S PRINCIPLES IN A BOTTOM-LINE WORLD (9781469257426, $19.99) is performed by Tim Parks, who lends a studied and clear voice to this top-selling business book that offers a business plan based on Biblical principles. Its principles will appeal to all kinds of business ventures, from managers and executives to those self-employed, and it provides an excellent survey of how to meld business with spiritual pursuits. All this comes to life in an appealing audio package perfect for any business audio listener. Rachel Reiland's GET ME OUT OF HERE (9781469280479, $19.99) is performed by Mazhan Marno, who lends a powerful voice to this account of struggles with and recovery from borderline personality disorder. The 29-year-old accountant, wife and mother learned of her diagnosis upon discharge fro ma hospital psychiatric ward. It was the explanation for many puzzling behaviors and self-destructive actions - and it reveals the inner world of the mentally ill and their relationships with the world. Therapy helped her overcome much of her condition, making GET ME OUT OF HERE an inspirational read for any coping with similar mental afflictions.

Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017-0010
www.hachetteaudio.com

James Patterson and Howard Roughan's SECOND HONEYMOON (9781611130508, $34.98) receives a lively dual narration by Jay Snyder and Ellen Archer and provides a gripping novel of intrigue that comes to life in audio. What would you do if you faced your wife's killer - forgive, or get even? Second Honeymoon is all about this choice when newlyweds face a murderer on their honeymoon and FBI special agent John O'Hara becomes involved - even with a history of his own wife's brutal murder only a few years earlier. His murder investigation will raise specters of his own gruesome experience in this gripping murder mystery thriller. Michael Connelly's ANGELS FLIGHT (9781619699823, $24.98) receives a fine reading by Los Angeles-based actor Peter Giles, whose smooth and dramatic voice enhances the audio drama of an activist attorney killed in a little L.A. trolley called Angels Flight. Normally investigator Harry Bosch wouldn't be involved outside of his Hollywood base; but this case is special. It involves numerous enemies, a complicated scenario, and a plot that threatens the entire city - just as Harry's year-old Vegas marriage is unraveling. High drama and tense action make this a thriller. Elin Hilderbrand's BEAUTIFUL DAY (9781607885252, $34.98) receives a spirited reading by TV and theater actress Therese Plummer, who provides the perfect accompaniment to the story of a summer wedding and the problems it brings to two families. Jenna has planned her wedding according to specific wishes from her late mother and the Nantucket wedding theoretically should untied two families - but unresolved problems in the families could bring problems to the two newlyweds. From scandals to broken hearts, BEAUTIFUL DAY threatens storms that make for spirited, involving listening recommended for any general fiction reader. Marcia Clark's KILLER AMBITION (9781619696341, $29.98) receives a lively reading by January LaVoy, a New York-based voice, stage and television actress who has performed extensively. Her lively voice lends drama and excitement to the story of a teen's murder and Special Trials DA Rachel Knight's investigation of the case. When she probes deeper, she finds various circumstances link to her own life experiences - and expose many underlying influences of deceit, deception, and theft. Her journey to find the killer will take all of her strength and cleverness in this engrossing saga.


The Psychology Shelf

Origins of Neuro Linguistic Programming
John Grinder & Frank Pucelik, editors
Crown House Publishing
6 Trowbridge Drive Suite 5
Bethel, CT 06801
www.crownhousepublishing.com
9781845908584, $29.95, www.amazon.com

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is an approach to communication, personal development, and psychotherapy created in the 1970s by Richard Bandler and John Grinder. They posited a connection between the neurological processes ("neuro"), language ("linguistic") and behavioural patterns learned through experience ("programming") and that these can be changed to achieve specific goals in life. Bandler and Grinder claim that the skills of exceptional people can be "modeled" using NLP methodology, then those skills can be acquired by anyone. Bandler and Grinder also assert that NLP can successfully treat psychological problems such as phobias, depression, habit disorder, psychosomatic illnesses, and learning disorders. NLP has been adopted by some hypnotherapists and in seminars marketed to business and government. "Origins of Neuro Linguistic Programming" is a 288 page compendium comprised of a series of original papers on NPL. Informed, informative, "Origins of Neuro Linguistic Programming" is an impressive body of seminal scholarship and an important contribution to professional and academic library Psychology Studies reference collections in general, and NPL Studies in particular. It should be noted that "Origins of Neuro Linguistic Programming" is also available in a Kindle edition ($20.99).

Managing Your Depression
Susan J. Noonan, MD, MPH
Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421409474, $14.95, www.press.jhu.edu

Managing Your Depression: What You Can Do to Feel Better comes from a physician who personally suffers from depression, and uses expertise and personal background to provide a guide for any who suffer from it. From discussions of diet, nutrition and exercise to avoiding isolation, this is designed to be an easy read for depressed people having difficulty focusing, and includes cognitive exercises, daily worksheets, and more. From defining a baseline of depression to charting moods and preventing relapses, this workbook is a top pick for any depression sufferer!


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Natural Posture for Pain-Free Living
Kathleen Porter
Healing Arts Press
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street
Rochester, VT 05767
9781620550991 $21.95 www.innertraditions.com

Kathleen Porter, director of the Center for Natural Alignment in Portland, Oregon, applies her expertise to Natural Posture for Pain-Free Living: The Practice of Mindful Alignment, a thorough guide to improving one's posture in ways that ensure the bones, not the muscles, support the bulk of the body's weight. Guidelines for daily activities including sitting, walking, sleeping, and safe yoga practice fill this user-friendly reference and resource. This helps the practitioner ease chronic muscle tension, combats chronic neck/shoulder/back pain, and improve everyday life. Color photographs enhance this thoroughly accessible guide, highly recommended to readers of all walks of life.

The Sugar Detox
Brooke Alpert, MS, RD, CDN and Patricia Farris, MD, FAAD
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738216416, $24.99, www.dacapopress.com

THE SUGAR DETOX: LOSE WEIGHT, FEEL GREAT, AND LOOK YEARS YOUNGER provides readers with a one-month plan designed to wean off sugar cravings, beginning with a three-day Sugar Fix of no sugar at all accompanied by three days of skin treatments. Then a four-week schedule of menu plans, recipes, and information on foods to eat and avoid follows with keys to not just eliminating sugar from a diet, but incorporating the changes that will encourage long-time release from sugar reliance. Any collection strong on diets and health needs this program!

Energy Medicine Technologies
Finley Eversole, PhD, Editor
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
9781620551028, $18.95, www.innertraditions.com

Energy Medicine Technologies: Ozone Healing, Microcrystals, Frequency Therapy, and the Future of Health is a recommended pick for alternative health and new age collections alike, and provides a powerful survey of inexpensive alternatives to conventional medicine that have been suppressed by the pharmaceutical companies intent on expensive profits. Some of the most revolutionary (and still widely unknown) discoveries in health and energy medicine are compiled here under one cover, edited by Dr. Eversole, and explore different therapies that combat electromagnetic fields and environmental toxins - including emotional challenges. The result is a fine survey highly recommended for any holding strong in alternative therapies.


The Technology Shelf

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

Bill Meehan's GIS FOR ENHANCED ELECTRIC UTILITY PERFORMANCE (9781608075591, $143.00) describes how geospatial technology in GIS systems can help improve various facets of the electric utility business, and offers keys to understanding what GIS is today and what it holds for the future. From cloud computing to smart mobile devices, this identifies the technical details of a GIS 'smart' electronic system and provides information on how it works under real-world settings. The result is a top pick for any electronics reference collection. Also recommended is Volume II of Lotfollah Shafai, et.al.'s HANDBOOK OF REFLECTOR ANTENNAS AND FEED SYSTEMS: FEED SYSTEMS (9781608075171), which provides a fine addition to the in-depth collection covering modern reflector antennas and feed sources. Chapters come from experts in each aspect of feed systems and are filled with basic math techniques, insights on electricity and antennas, and include many examples to outline basic aspects of feed design. The result is a basic recommendation that joins other volumes in the series for any working with reflector antennas and feeds.

Sewer Processes, second edition
Thorkild Hvitved-Jacobsen, et.al.
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33487
9781439881774, $129.95 www.crcpress.com

The second updated edition of SEWER PROCESSES: MICROBIAL AND CHEMICAL PROCESS ENGINEERING OF SEWER NETWORKS provides a fine technical guide suitable for any environmental engineering collection and provides a comprehensive, updated approach to wastewater engineering that incorporates the latest developments. Solved illustrative case studies accompany discussions ranging from assessments of compounds and chemical reactions in sewer settings to anaerobic sewer processes and methods for sewer processing models. Charts, diagrams, and calculations throughout make this a top pick for any student of environmental engineering and many working in the field.

Managing Electronic Records
Robert F. Smallwood
Wiley
c/o Wiley Professional Trade Group
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9781118218297, $175.00, www.wiley.com

Professionals and students alike will find Managing Electronic Records: Methods, Best Practices, and Technologies to be a key acquisition packed with details for managing business records of all kinds, and provides tools to mitigate the risks and enjoy the benefits of electronic records. Best practices and new technologies are covered in a title that handles everything from archiving and organizing company records to developing policies to streamline workflow while implementing an ERM system with such capabilities. Diagrams, charts, analysis, and gray sidebars of information throughout make for a highly recommended survey for any collection strong in either business document management in general or electronic records challenges in particular.


The Autism Shelf

Feeding Your Child with Autism
Mark J. Palmieri & Kristen M. Powers
Woodbine House
6510 Bells Mill Road, Bethesda, MD 20817
www.woodbinehouse.com
9781606130124, $21.95, www.amazon.com

Having a strong genetic basis, Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and verbal and non-verbal communication, and by restricted, repetitive or stereotyped 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. "Feeding Your Child with Autism: A Family-Centered Guide to Meeting the Challenges" by Mark J. Palmieri and Kristen M. Powers (who are Co-Directors of the Feeding Clinic at the Center for Children with Special Needs, Glastonbury, Connecticut), is a succinct 150 page compendium focusing on treating feeding issues associated with autistic children. Based on case studies, "Feeding Your Child with Autism" is packed with proven problem-solving strategies with respect to developing a treatment plan that will result in the autistic child having a lifelong healthy diet and eating habits. Very strongly recommended for professional, family, and community library Autism reference collections, it should also be noted that "Feeding Your Child with Autism" is also available in a Kindle edition ($16.68).

Asperger's Syndrome Workplace Survival Guide
Barbara Bissonnette
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849059435, $22.95, www.jkp.com

Asperger's Syndrome Workplace Survival Guide provides a powerful guide to thriving in the workplace for any who have AS. It provides realistic strategies for working with employers and colleagues both individually and as part of a team, teaches how to manage projects and resolve common problems, and considers how AS interacts with typical workforce demands. Any who struggle to maintain employment will find this a powerful pick that takes AS routines and challenges and deftly shows how to turn a potential liability into a workplace asset in a pick for business and health holdings alike.


The Genealogy Shelf

Family Names and Their Story
Sebaine Baring-Gould
Clearfield Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 260
Baltimore, MD 21211
9780806300238, $37.50, www.genealogical.com

Family Names and Their Story is a pick for any genealogical researcher looking at the history and evolution of family names, and deserves ongoing recommendation as a mainstay for such a collection. Chapters discuss everything from totemism and names to changes of Anglo-Saxon names, names influenced by place, and even early French names. Of course, this isn't a definitive reference to all family names - that would encompass far more time and pages than an ordinary book could handle. What it does do is provide a historical coverage of the evolution of basic Anglo-Saxon and French name origins, considering such issues as nobility, battles, and more. Originally printed in 1968, this paperback reprint offers much to general history holdings.

Evidence Explained, second edition
Elizabeth Shown Mills
Genealogical Publishing Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 260
Baltimore, MD 21211
9780806318066, $59.95, www.genealogical.com

Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace appears in its second updated edition to update the 2007 original appearance and add new details on how to locate and cite from history sources. From new models for electronic sources from blogs to websites to traditional citations for genealogical referencing, this handbook is directed to genealogists but offers much wider-reaching instruction and assessments on citing history resources. Students, genealogists, and any involved in historical research will find this a specific, important guide that serves as a style manual for all kinds of historical referencing and publishing purposes.


The American History Shelf

Bright Light City
Larry Gragg
University Press of Kansas
2501 West 15th Street, Lawrence, KS 66049
www.kansaspress.ku.edu
9780700619030, $34.95, www.amazon.com

"Bright Light City: Las Vegas in Popular Culture" by Larry Gragg (Curator's Teaching Professor of history and Chair of the Department of History and Political Science, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri) is a 368 page compendium showcasing Las Vegas, Nevada, a unique American city that has been an icon in American popular culture. Professor Gragg draws upon hundreds of films, tv shows, novels, and journal articles to present a seminal work of truly impressive scholarship in related the story of the famous and the infamous that developed and populated the city and occupied the imagination of the country from the 1940s down to the present day. Of special note is Professor Gragg's concluding commentary 'The Ultimate Attraction of Las Vegas' and his afterword ''The Intellectuals' Images of Las Vegas'. Enhanced with the inclusion of extensive notes, a bibliographical essay, and a comprehensive index, "Bright Light City: Las Vegas in Popular Culture" is a unique and valued contribution that is most especially recommended for academic library American History and American Pop Culture reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

The Supper Club
Dave Hoekstra
Chicago Review Press
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
www.chicagoreviewpress.com
9781613743683, $29.95, www.amazon.com

A supper club, traditionally, refers to a dining establishment that also functions as a social club. The term may describe different establishments depending on the region, but in general, supper clubs tend to present themselves as having a high-class image, even if the price is affordable to all. In the U.S., a supper club is a dining establishment generally found in the Upper Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Iowa. These establishments typically are located on the edge of town in rural areas. They were traditionally thought of as a "destination" where patrons would go to spend the whole evening, from cocktail hour to enjoying night club style entertainment after dinner. They typically feature a casual and relaxed atmosphere. "The Supper Club Book: A Celebration of a Midwest Tradition" by Dave Hoekstra is a 304 page compendium showcasing twenty-four outstanding examples of Midwestern supper clubs ranging from Turk's Inn and Sultan Room (Hayward, Wisconsin), to The Lighthouse Inn Supper club (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), to The Peak Supper Club (Clitherall, Minnesota). Profusely illustrated throughout, the supper clubs are organized into five major categories: The Roots; Supper Clubs with Shtick; Wacky-Named Supper Clubs; Traditionals; and The Future. Enhanced with an informative postscript (Tribute to Supper Clubs Gone By) and the inclusion of a listing of supper clubs by state, "The Supper Club Book: A Celebration of a Midwest Tradition" is informed, informative, a "must" for supper club enthusiasts, and would make an enduringly popular addition to community library collections.

Blackbeard's Last Fight
Angus Konstam
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B
Long Island City, NY 11101
9781780961958, $18.95, www.ospreypublishing.com

Blackbeard's Last Fight: Pirate Hunting in North Carolina 1718 provides a detailed analysis of the greatest raids in pirate history and charts the problems of piracy in the Caribbean and how the notorious image of Blackbeard nearly halted North America's maritime trade. It was rumors of his intent to set up a base off North Carolina which prompted the governor of Virginia to go after both him and pirates as a whole, and this documents the largest anti-piracy raid of its times. Artwork, maps, first-hand accounts from source material, and lively dialogue make this a winner for history, military and general-interest holdings alike!


The World History Shelf

The Holy Roman Empire, Reconsidered
Jason Philip Coy, et al.
Berghahn Books
20 Jay Street, Suite 512
Brooklyn, NY 11201
www.berghahnbooks.com
9781782380894, $34.95, www.amazon.com

The Holy Roman Empire was a complex, multi-ethnic political union of territories in Central Europe existing from 962 to 1806, when Francis II (the last Holy Roman Emperor) abdicated and dissolved the Empire in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars. The collaborative editorial effort of Jason Philip Coy (Associate Professor of history, College of Charleston, South Carolina), Benjamin Marschke (Associate Professor of History, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California), and David Warren Sabean (Henry J. Bruman Professor of German History, University of California - Los Angeles), "The Holy Roman Empire, Reconsidered" is a 348 page compendium comprised of fourteen original essays and scholarly articles focusing on the significance of the Holy Roman Empire in the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries. The result is a meticulous reappraisal of the Holy Roman Empire in its early modern period. Informed and informative, "The Holy Roman Empire, Reconsidered" is a seminal work and strongly recommended for academic library European History reference collections in general, and Holy Roman Empire Studies supplemental reading lists in particular.

Glacier's Historic Hotels & Chalets: View with a Room
Ray Djuff and Chris Morrison, authors
Farcountry Press
P.O. Box 5630, Helena, MT 59604
9781560375562, $$19.95, www.farcountrypress.com

"View With a Room" is an illustrated history of the many beautiful hotels and chalets of Glacier Park and Waterton International Peace Park (in Canada). Included are illustrated chapters on the early history and building of Glacier Park Lodge, Two Medicine Chalets, Cut Bank Chalets, St. Mary Chalets, Goint-to -the-Sun Chalets, Many Glacier Hotel, Granite Park Chalets, Prince of Wales Hotel, Sperry Chalets, Lake McDonald Lodge, and Belton Chalets. Opened to an eager American tourist public by the Great Northern Railways, the many beautiful chalets and hotels of Glacier display a dazzling panorama of views and tourist experiences over the years. Historic photos of building efforts and past versions of the rustic lodge experience make "View With a Room" both a memorable and stunning contribution to the history of Glacier National Park. Maps, advertisements, illustrations, and ephemera tinted in authentic aging colors add authentic touches to the collection. A selected bibliography completes this comprehensive history and overview of the beautiful historic hotels and chalets of Glacier.

Ancient Treasures
Brian Haughton
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
220 West Parkway, Unit 12
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
9781601632494, $16.99, www.newpagebooks.com

ANCIENT TREASURES; THE DISCOVERY OF LOST HOARDS, SUNKEN SHIPS, BURIED VAULTS, AND OTHER LONG-FORGOTTEN ARTIFACTS provides a lovely collection of archaeological investigations and history perfect for general-interest reading. It comes from a renowned European investigator and archaeologist and documents some of the most famous treasure finds of our times, from Roman and Viking wealth buried for safekeeping and discovered by metal detectors to Spanish treasure wrecks in the sea. Any interested in the history and uncovering of archaeological treasure will find this a lively, involving history.


The Photography Shelf

The Arctic Regions
William Bradford
David R. Godine, Publisher
PO Box 450, Jaffrey, NH 03452
www.godine.com
9781567924510, $49.95, www.amazon.com

Originally published in 1873, this new and elegant Godine edition of "The Arctic Regions: Illustrated with Photographs Taken on an Art Expedition to Greenland" wonderfully showcases the historic duo tone photography of a 19th century polar expedition. Superbly reproduced photographs are provided with William Bradford's original captioning. This superbly produced Godine edition is enhanced with the inclusion of an informed and informative introduction by polar historian Russell A. Potter making it an impressive addition to community and academic library Photography and 19th century Arctic Exploration Studies reference collections.

The Digital Print
Jeff Schewe
Peachpit Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9780321908452 $49.99 www.peachpit.com

The Digital Print: Preparing Images in Lightroom and Photoshop for Printing is a user-friendly, step-by-step manual for digital and film photographers of all skill and experience levels. Award-winning professional advertising photographer Jeff Schewe walks the reader through using Lightroom or Photoshop to optimize images, printer basics, color management, tips for proofing, and much more. Computer screenshots and full-color images throughout illustrate the no-nonsense techniques and recommendations, in this "must-have" for professional and aspiring photographers.

Adobe Photoshop CC for Photographers
Martin Evening
Focal Press
c/o Elsevier/Butterworth Heinemann
3251 Riverport Lane
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
www.focalpress.com www.elsevier.com
9780415711753, $54.95, www.amazon.com

Adobe Photoshop is a graphics editing program developed and published by Adobe Systems. "Adobe Photoshop CC for Photographers: A professional image editor's guide to the creative use of Photoshop for the Macintosh and PC" by professional photographer and Adobe Photoshop expert Martin Evening is an 816 page instructional compendium that will enable even the most novice of Adobe Photoshop users to produce work on a sophisticated professional level. A complete and detailed course of instruction under one cover, "Adobe Photoshop CC for Photographers" offers a wealth of expert tips, tricks and techniques for enhancing work flow. Profusely illustrated with examples and 750 full color images, "Adobe Photoshop CC for Photographers" is thoroughly 'user friendly' and a strongly recommended instructional for beginners and holds a great deal of enduring value as a professional reference for even the more experienced Adobe Photoshop user. Of special note is the accompanying website featuring sample images, tutorial videos, and additional 'bonus' chapters. It should also be noted that "Adobe Photoshop CC for Photographers" is available in a Kindle edition ($33.69).

Nikon Speedlight Handbook
Stephanie Zettl
Amherst Media
175 Rano Street, Suite 200
Buffalo, NY 14207-2176
9781608954513, $34.95, www.amherstmedia.com

Nikon Speedlight Handbook: Flash Techniques for Digital Photographers teaches the basics of understanding light and exposure, shutter speed, and all the settings and functions of the Nikon Speedlight, and is a fine pick for any who would make the most from Nikon Speedlights. From modifying a Speedlight for refined results to flash shooting modes, this covers all the basics of light management and is a 'must' for any owner of the Nikon Speedlight.

The Conquest of Everest
George Lowe and Huw Lewis-Jones
Thames & Hudson
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500544235, $39.95, www.thamesandhudsonusa.com

The Conquest of Everest: Original Photographs from the Legendary First Ascent features over a hundred sixty illustrations in color and in black and white, is published to mark the 60th anniversary of the conquest of Mt. Everest in 1953, and uses original photos and rare materials to capture the ascent. Author George Lowe is a New Zealand mountaineer and photographer: his work reveals the dramas and personal struggles of all involved in the process, while accompanying dialogue documents earlier climbing attempts and the experiences of other mountaineers. Having a photographer who is also a mountaineer lends to a collection that goes beyond the usual reporter focus to capture the experience itself, with landscapes and portraits blending with action shots for a powerful documentation. Photography and mountaineering history holdings will find this an amazing documentation of an amazing era.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Ace Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com

Charles Stross' NEPTUNE'S BROOD (9780425256770, $25.95) is set in the year 7000 A.D. when the human species is extinct - for the fourth time. The First Church of the Fragile is trying to insure humanity's survival by spreading their remains to the stars - and metahuman Krina is part of this journey when pirates capture her ship to interrupt her search for her sister. Add an assassin and underlying forces ready to change the universe and assure humanity is never revived and you have a powerful plot packed with engrossing twists and turns. Anthony Ryan's BLOOD SONG (9780425267691, $27.95) provides a fine Raven's Shadow story, telling of a child raised to be a warrior and deprived of his birthright to be a battle Lord for the Empire. But as he grows up with different training he comes to understand that his future will be quite different from his father's - and involves a mission that could alter the world. Political encounters, battles, and swift action makes this a winning story.


The Business Shelf

Return on Sustainability
Kevin Wilhelm
FT Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.ftpress.com
9780133445503, $34.99, www.amazon.com

Once the subject of ideologically driven controversy, climate change is now a commonly accepted reality. "Return on Sustainability: How Business Can Increase Profitability and Address Climate Change in an Uncertain Economy" by Kevin Wilhelm (CEO of Sustainable Business Consulting) is a 240 page guide for business owners and managers on how to take advantage of 'going green' in their operations and policies. Packed from cover to cover with practical, tested, up-to-date information on addressing climate change challenges from the perspective of business, "Return on Sustainability" is thoroughly 'reader friendly'. Of special note are the sections devoted to 'Policy, Regulation & Carbon' and 'The Market: Demanding Action'. Enhanced with the inclusion of five appendices (Equator Principles Financial Institutions; United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment; Comparison of Businesses Across Various Sustainability Rankings 2007; CSR Standards & Certifications; and Interview & Text Box References), "Return on Sustainability" should be considered as mandatory reading for entrepreneurs and corporate officers, as well as an invaluable addition to community and academic library Business Studies and Environmental Studies reference collections.

Delegation & Supervision
Brian Tracy
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
www.amacombooks.org
9780814433140, $9.95, www.amazon.com

To negotiate is to bargain and typically includes accommodation and compromise between two or more parties. Successful negotiation is both an art and a science. It is also a responsibility often delegated to a representative and supervised by those in higher authority within a corporate structure. "Delegation & Supervision" is a 313 page pocket-sized compendium in The Brian Tracy Success Library series, packed with practical, 'real world' information and commentary showcasing twenty-one ways to boost employee performance and productivity; define and assign work; create goals and standards; assign particular skill sets to job requirements; monitor and control projects with minimal effort; evoke active participation and feedback; and more. Of special note is the information on freeing-up time for high level tasks that cannot be delegated. Informed, informative, and thoroughly 'user friendly', "Delegation & Supervision" is a quick and easy read, and will be treasured as an enduringly useful reference. It should also be noted that "Delegation & Supervision" is also available in a Kindle edition ($3.79). Also highly recommended is its companion book in The Brian Tracy Success Library, "Negotiation" (9780814433188, $9.95 print / $3.79 Kindle).

The 30 Day MBA, third edition
Colin Barrow
Kogan Page USA
1518 Walnut Street, Suite 1100
Philadelphia, PA 19102
www.koganpageusa.com
0749469900, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Now in a newly updated and expanded third edition, "The 30 Day MBA: Your Fast Track Guide to Business Success" by academician and business expert Colin Barrow is a 336 page compendium composed of sound, practical, 'user friendly' information drawn from twelve core disciplines of business ranging from economics and finance to business law and marketing. "The 30 Day MBA" will enable even the most novice of entrepreneurs and business managers to create their own Management information Resource Centre; deal with operating overseas; understand and navigate the global financial market; become familiar with the advances in operational management tools, techniques, behavior, finance and accounting. Of special note is the chapter devoted to 'Ethics and Social Responsibility'. Highly recommended for personal, professional, academic, corporate, and community library business instructional reference collections, it should also be noted that "The 30 Day MBA" is available in a Kindle edition ($14.74).

Business Strategies and Management for Sustainability
Robert Constanza, et al.
Berkshire Publishing Group
120-122 Castle Street
Great Barrington, MA 01230-1506
www.berkshirepublishing.com
9781614729648, $29.95, www.amazon.com

Climate change and other environmental issues create financial opportunities for businesses able to identify and implement adaptive strategies for both short term and long term goals. "Business Strategies and Management for Sustainability" is a 140 page compendium comprised of information distilled from the second volume of the 'Berkshire Encyclopedia of Sustainablity' and provides an informed and informative perspective on how a green economy can be created and sustained. Highly recommended for anyone involved with business management planning and decision making, "Business Strategies and Management for Sustainability" is also ideal for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in how businesses can accommodate, adapt to, and promote sound environmental tactics ranging from risk management, to renewable energy, to giving preference to local resources, and a great deal more. "Business Strategies and Management for Sustainability" is especially appropriate as a classroom curriculum text and would make an excellent addition to school and community library instructional reference collections.

Present Yourself
Kit Seeborg & Andrea Meyer's
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein, Hwy N.
Sebastopol, CA 95472-2811
9781449342364, $24.99, www.oreilly.com

PRESENT YOURSELF: USING SLIDESHARE TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS is all about sharing content and growing a business using SlideShare. While this is also a top pick for any computer or software reference library, PRESENT YOURSELF is reviewed here for its much wider-ranging applications to overall business objectives from using the latest technologies for visual strength in a business application to promoting a company or brand, collaborating with colleagues online, and using SlideShare to plan and provide more effective event presentations. A 'must' for any who would use this versatile program to maximum advantage!

Harvard Business Review Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
www.hbsp.harvard.edu

Daniel Isenberg's Worthless, Impossible, and Stupid: How Contrarian Entrepreneurs Create and Capture Extraordinary Value (9781422186985, $27.00) comes from a global business expert who provides a new way of approaching business building using the lessons learned from a worldwide group of fellow entrepreneurs. It offers case histories of how individuals from around the world perceived hidden values and used that perception to develop and promote products and services people didn't initially want, and provides an assessment of the creative mindset involved in the process. By including non-Western perspectives, this book goes beyond the usual focus to provide practical insight and progressive ideas any can use in their own business, making this a top pick for any entrepreneur interested in global thinking processes. True Story by Ty Montague (9781422170687, $27.00) provides insights into modern methods of marketing a business: methods that go beyond the traditional approach of telling a brand's story and provide keys to incorporating the brand in actions instead. Storytellers are on the way out: doers, on the other hand, are on the way in, creating products and services which use action over advertising. Chapters here come from the founder of a growth consultancy collective and offer a framework for making this change. Chapters discuss critical elements to 'storydoing' and provide invaluable and real-world tested solutions to common obstacles to success. Any who would create a better brand will find this a key to success.

How Cool Brands Stay Hot, second edition
Joeri Van den Bergh and Mattias Behrer
Kogan Page USA
1518 Walnut Street, Suite 1100
Philadelphia, PA 19102
9780749468040, $29.95, www.koganpage.com

How Cool Brands Stay Hot: Branding to Generation Y, provides a fine revised, updated second edition revealing what drives members of generation Y and how businesses can market to them. It's based on five years of in-depth new research that provides invaluable keys to Generation Y psychology and behavior patterns, and teaches entrepreneurs how to connect to this new generation to make branding and marketing strategies specific to their needs. New case studies, interviews with global marketing executives, and more make for a powerful collection of 'best practices' and new ideas.

The Empress Has No Clothes
Joyce Roche and Alexander Kopelman
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781609946364, $18.95, www.bkconnection.com

The Empress Has No Clothes: Conquering Self-Doubt to Embrace Success comes from the first Afro-American Vice President of Avon Products who began with modest circumstances and evolved to earn an Ivy league MBA and high-level executive positions. Despite her obvious achievements Roche felt like a fraud and was filled with self-doubt. Her review of "the imposter syndrome" and her lifelong struggles to conquer self-doubt provides a fine collection of coping strategies suitable to self-help and business collections alike. Any who would learn about the syndrome and how to overcome it will welcome this refreshing, candid real-world guide by one who has more than "been there and done that."


The Fashion Shelf

The King of Style
Michael Bush
Insight Editions
PO Box 3088, San Rafael, CA 94912
www.insighteditions.com
9781608871513, $45.00, www.amazon.com

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer-songwriter, dancer, businessman and philanthropist. Despite controversial aspects of his personal life Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of the twentieth century. His contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades. "The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson" by Michael Bush is a 216 page, profusely illustrated compendium showcasing the costumes and clothing of Michael Jackson. Of special note are the full color photographs of Jackson's performance in some of his most unique and flamboyant performances. With Michael Bush's informed and informative commentary supporting this superbly produced photographic collection of amazing costumes, "The King of Style" is enthusiastically recommended to the legions of Michael Jackson fans and would be an enduringly popular addition to academic and community library Fashion History reference collections.

Hippie Chic
Lauren D. Whitley
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
9780878467952, $25.00, www.mfa.org/publications

Hippie Chic celebrates hippie street fashion and explores the late 1960s fashion trends that came with the hippies of the era, and is a pick for both fashion arts holdings and those concerned with the culture and image of the times. Hippie chic trends are covered in five chapters that document its evolution and provide lovely photos and discussions of designs and how they affected fashion trends and popular culture alike. Gorgeous full-page color photos accompany discussions of designers who built up on the fad to create flowing, colorful clothing. The result is an artistic and cultural expose perfect for any collection strong in either street fashion trends or cultural change.


The Art Shelf

Grayson Perry, second edition
Jacky Klein
Thames & Hudson
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500290804, $39.99, www.thamesandhudsonusa.com

GRAYSON PERRY appears in its second edition to pack in over three hundred seventy illustrations (most in full color) and a discussion of an artist's themes and approaches to the art. This monograph has been revised and updated to expand discussions of his themes and approaches, offering a new chapter that considers Perry's interests and famous works, and an analysis of his major tapestry cycle. Perry's fame lies in a range of arts, from prints, sculpture and drawings to ceramics: GRAYSON PERRY documents all his abilities and provides lovely color coverage throughout. Any arts library will welcome this detailed survey.

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

J.L. Locher introduces THE MAGIC OF M.C. ESCHER (9780500290736, $31.95), which packs in nearly four hundred color illustrates - over three hundred in color - and includes 12 gatefold pages as it provides a fine collection of Escher's visual art, from his woodcuts and drawings to his lithographs. Quotes from the artist himself compliment his works and create a cinematic result which captures the evolution of his artistic process. This succeeds in capturing the strengths of his vision and his attention to detail, providing a truly magical collection highly recommended for any Escher fan and any general art holding looking for more Escher representation. Erin B. Coe, Bruce Robertson and Gwendolyn Owens' MODERN NATURE: GEORGIA O'KEEFFE AND LAKE GEORGE (9780500093740, $40.00) is packed with a hundred illustrations - some seventy-five in full color - and is published to accompany a traveling exhibition portraying the works she created during her sojourns summering at Lake George in upstate New York. While the pieces she produced during these times are less known than her New Mexico desert scenery, they represent a range of botanical and panoramic landscapes and abstractions produced during a period of change and achievement, and are accompanied by essays by three O'Keeffe experts who consider the impact of these summers on her work as a whole. Any collection or viewer strong in O'Keeffe works and inspiration will find this a 'must have' addition to any definitive arts holding.

Visual Contrast
Timothy Rundle and Polly Wreford
Ryland Peters & Small
519 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10012
9781849753609, $40.00, www.rylandpeters.com

VISUAL CONTRAST is a recommendation for arts and home and garden collections alike, and documents the finer art of display and arrangement as they are displayed in and contribute to a home. Chapters consider the basics of space, display, and design as they consider different uses of space and alternative display methods that lend to interior representations. They also emphasize the visual contrast between space and display which is key to achieving a balanced look in the home. The result is a powerful presentation highly recommended for any arts or interior design and home idea collection.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Proverbs
Katherine M. Hayes
The Liturgical Press
St. John's Abbey, PO Box 7500
Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
www.litpress.org
9780814628522, $14.95, www.amazon.com

The 18th volume in the outstanding Liturgical Press 'New Collegeville Bible Commentary' series, "Proverbs" by Katherine M. Hayes is a 120 page compendium of instructive commentary explaining the writings found in the Old Testament 'Book of Proverbs'. After an informed and informative Prologue and Introduction, "Proverbs" goes on to present chapters on The Proverbs of Solomon; Sayings of the Wise; Other Sayings of the Wise; Other Proverbs of Solomon; The Words of Agur; and The Words of Lemuel. An ideal study text, "Proverbs" also features Review Aids and Discussion Topics. Of special note is the concluding Index of Citations from the 'Catechism of the Catholic Church'. An impressive work of significant scholarship, "Proverbs" is very highly recommended and informative reading and a valued addition to personal Biblical Studies reading lists and academic library reference collections.

Reflections from Rome
Monsignor Richard R. Soseman
Roman Catholic Books
PO Box 2286, Fort Collins, CO 80522-2286
www.booksforcatholics.com
9781934888599, $17.95, www.amazon.com

Faith is more than just a theological abstraction. It is a living force applicable to our ordinary daily life as well as extraordinary events in our lives. "Reflections from Rome: Practical Thoughts on Faith and Family" by Monsignor Richard R. Soseman is a 254 page compendium comprised of brief meditations, informative essays, and thoughtful reflections on the processes of applying personal faith to whatever life situations or dilemmas may present themselves. Inspired and inspiring, "Reflections from Rome: Practical Thoughts on Faith and Family" is especially recommended for Christians seeking to explore and enhance the possibilities and values of faith in daily life.

Baker Books
c/o Baker Publishing Group
6030 E Fulton, Ada, MI 49301
www.bakeracademic.com

Walter A. Elwell and Robert Y. Yarbrough's ENCOUNTERING THE NEW TESTAMENT: A HISTORICAL AND THEOLOGICAL SURVEY (9780801039645, $49.99) appears in its third updated edition to provide a readable survey from two experienced classroom teachers. From maps and charts in full color to boxes featuring key issues and chapter outlines for discussion, this provides students and professors with plenty of opportunities for discussion, all updated in a third edition. Students receive resources that include flash cards, self quizzes and chapter summaries while professors receive guidance on classroom activities and instruction. The result is an outstanding account highly recommended for any teaching or studying the New Testament. Leighann McCoy's A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO HEARING GOD'S VOICE (9780764210945, $13.99) comes from a popular speaker who maintains that God is always speaking, albeit sometimes very softly. The challenge lies in learning this voice and what it means. Personal stories, biblical narratives, and insights show how God is active in every woman's life - and they provide examples of this activity and how to hear his voice. Inspiration blends with revealing spiritual insights women will find enlightening and easy to understand.

Christianity and the Political Order
Kenneth R. Himes
Orbis Books
PO Box 308, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0308
9781626980280, $40.00, www.orbisbooks.com

Christianity and the Political Order: Conflict, Cooptation and Cooperation joins others in the 'Theology in Global Perspective' series, and provides a fine scholarly assessment of the political realm and Christianity. Himes considers that political decisions should be ultimately guided by the teachings of Jesus, and considers the evolving relationship between Christianity and politics from the teachings of the Old and New Testaments through the ages to modern times. From issues of church involvement in political processes to issues of human rights around the world, this offers insights for any considering the evolving relationship between Christianity and social justice.

Crossway Books
1300 Crescent Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
www.crossway.org

John MacArthur's THE GLORY OF HEAVEN: THE TRUTH ABOUT HEAVEN, ANGELS, AND ETERNAL LIFE (9781433538681, $22.99) is for any who want an in-depth, narrowed focus on what the Bible says about heaven, and discusses the biblical truth God has given about heaven versus other sources and ideas. Many people are making up alternative visions of what heaven is: this returns attention to the Biblical passages that support ideas of heaven, its purpose, and its various incarnations and facets. The result is a Bible-oriented analysis that lends well to any Christian reference collection. Alastair Begg and Sinclair B. Ferguson's NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES (9781433537752, $19.99) refers to Jesus Christ, who has been given the 'name above all names' and the right to reign - and yet, most aren't able to properly grasp just what this means to their lives. Two pastor authors use decades of combined experience and thought to consider seven key aspects of Jesus' ministry. From his role as conqueror and prophet to his incarnation as the son of man and God alike, this links scripture to an analysis of the character and focus of Christ in a fine survey any Christian reader will find accessible and thought-provoking.

A Sense of the Sacred
James Monti
Ignatius Press
PO Box 1339, Fort Collins, CO 80522
9781586172831, $34.95, www.ignatius.com

A Sense of the Sacred: Roman Catholic Worship in the Middle Ages provides an in-depth exploration and explanation of medieval liturgical celebrations, prays and hymns used in the Middle Ages, and is a fine pick for any Christian collection interested in the early history of worship. Chapters come from a historian who has done exhaustive research on medieval liturgical manuscripts and writings: chapters analyze prayers, hymns and rubrics used in the Middle Ages and provide fine discussions of sacred celebrations from across Europe; especially the liturgical texts of medieval Spain. The result is a top pick for any Christian scholarly collection.

Christian Ethics
Victor Lee Austin
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9780567032201, $19.95, www.bloomsbury.com

CHRISTIAN ETHICS: A GUIDE FOR THE PERPLEXED provides a fine approach to Christian ethics and reviews the Christian moral life, using many Biblical references to chart the evolution and meaning of Christian thoughts on justice, how to succeed as a human being, and more. Philosophy and theology blend in a fine story packed with insights and perfect for collections strong in scholarly assessments of Christian belief based on a blend of analysis and Biblical passages.

Evangelical Catholicism
George Weigel
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780465027682, $27.99, www.basicbooks.com

Evangelical Catholicism: Deep Reform in the 21st-Century Church provides readers with a powerful assessment of the evangelical label in Christian thinking, and provides a fine account of the re-evangelicalization of the West and the differences between traditional church approaches of the past and the core of Evangelical Catholicism. It discusses reformed-based evangelization, considers the options and impacts of these Catholic reforms, and integrates the overall process into the whole of Christian thinking and belief. The result is a powerful guide, highly recommended for any Catholic or Christian collection.


The Military Shelf

Arsenal of Democracy
Charles K. Hyde
Wayne State University Press
The Leonard N. Simons Building
4809 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201-1309
9780814339510 $39.95 http://wsupress.wayne.edu

Arsenal of Democracy: The American Automobile Industry in World War II is a scholarly examination of how the American automobile industry converted from civilian to military production during World War II, playing a key role in the America's and the Allies' eventual victory. Heavily researched and scrupulously presented, Arsenal of Democracy studies how former car factories were used to create aircraft engines and propellers, tanks and other armored vehicles, jeeps, trucks, amphibious vehicles, guns, shells, bullets, and more. Extensive notes and an index round out this excellent addition to military and World War II history shelves.

A-10 Thunderbolt II Units of Operation: Enduring Freedom
Gary Wetzel
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B
Long Island City, NY 11101
9781780963044, $22.95, www.ospreypublishing.com

A-10 Thunderbolt II Units of Operation: Enduring Freedom 2002-07 provides a fine survey of the A-10 Thunderbolt II's action during Enduring Freedom, detailing five years of its service from 2002-2007 and featuring first-hand combat accounts and photography from all involved. Artwork and photos in striking color accompany a technical discussion of the units, from their makeup and evolution to the missions and pilots who flew them, making this a fine selection for aviation and military history holdings alike!

Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B
Long Island City, NY 11101
www.ospreypublishing.com

Angus Konstam's SALERNO 1943: THE ALLIES INVADE SOUTHERN ITALY (9781780962498, $21.95) covers the invasion force that landed in Salerno only a dozen miles from Naples. The ten-day battle there was eventually decided in favor of the Allies, and this uses documentary records plus eyewitness accounts from all sides to recreate the battle hour by hour. Vintage black and white photos accompany color illustrations by Steve Noon and memoirs to make for a thorough documentation of a battle that has long been neglected by both sides, making this a fine pick for any World War II military history collection. Raffaele D'Amato & Andrea Salimbeti's EARLY AEGEAN WARRIOR 5000-1450 BC (9781780968582, $18.95) provides a fine coverage of the daily lives of early Aegean warriors in ancient Greece, and is a pick for both military history collections and those specializing in ancient Greek history and culture. This title focuses on military developments of the mainland and islands of Greece from the beginning of the Bronze Age. Color illustrations by Giuseppe Rava accompany to make for a detailed, in-depth coverage perfect for those looking for specifics on early military campaigns. Peter Simkins, Geoffrey Jukes and Michael Hickey's THE FIRST WORLD WAR: THE WAR TO END ALL WARS (9781782002802, $30.00) provides a detailed, in-depth history covering the basics of the First World War, with a focus on how its techniques and radical strategies changed the face of warfare. From mass slaughters previously thought impossible to global involvements and conflicts, this covers battles across lands and details all the differences that set this first world war apart from any previous human conflict. The result is a powerful assessment that's a 'must' for any military history collection.


The Needlecraft Shelf

C&T Publishing
1651 Challenge Drive
Concord, CA 94520-5206
www.ctpub.com

Sherri McConnell's A QUILTING LIFE: CREATING A HANDMADE HOME 19 PROJECTS (9781607056591, $24.95) teaches the basics of using modern fabrics to make pillows, table runners and larger quilts, and offers ideas for designs that make for gifts and keepsake heirlooms alike. Color photos of finished needlework projects accompany step-by-step diagrams and assembly patterns, while at-a-glance sidebars covering materials and cutting allow needleworkers to gauge the complexity of each project. With its diverse selection of fabrics and designs, A Quilting Life is a fine pick for any quilter looking to produce family-oriented keepsake results. Susan Maw and Sally Bell's SEW A BACKYARD ADVENTURE (9781607056676, $29.95) tells how to create a range of projects from finger puppets to teepees, hats, backpacks and more - all of which lend to camping out in a backyard setting. These are whimsical, fun creations that pair step-by-step instructions with template patterns and plenty of ideas for bright, whimsical backyard stories and adventures. Any sewing for children will find this a fun collection of whimsical ideas.

Skirt-A-Day Sewing
Nicole Smith
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way
North Adams, MA 01247
9781603429740, $19.95, www.storey.com

Skirt-A-Day Sewing: Create 28 Skirts for a Unique Look Every Day takes four classic skirt styles - warp, straight, flared and high-waisted - and shows how to make custom patterns to create seven variations for each skirt. The sum is some 28 unique creations, teaching the basics of sewing, finishing, and even creating one's own patterns. The result goes beyond simple skirt-making and delves into the basics of creating unusual patterns and working with skirts to get the maximum results from a few simple ideas.

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

Mary H. Bonnette and Jo Lynne Murchland's PAINTBOX KNITS: MORE THAN 30 DESIGNS FOR KIDS (9781564773364, $19.99) provides a fine set of small patterns that blend colors and motifs kills will find attractive and fun to wear. Over 30 projects range from cardigans and tunics to pants, jackets and more. Many are suitable for girls or boys, and each design incorporates generous proportions to accommodate rapidly-growing children. From tips for child sizing to blocking, finishing, knitting and more, this creates fun and innovative twists on standards and provides knitters with many fun options. Eileen Wright's MORE TWIST-AND-TURN BARGELLO QUILTS (9781604682595, $24.99) teaches bargello projects that range in size from a bed runner to full-size quilts and pillowcases, teaching Wright's quilt-by-number technique in the process, and providing projects that appeal to beginners and advanced quilters alike. Full-page patterns accompany color photos and step-by-step instructions on cutting slices, making fabric strips, and more. The result is a powerful collection of quilt patterns that are geometrically and visually unique, and perfect for quilters looking for something different.


The Woodworking Shelf

Woodcarving Magic
Bjarne Jespersen
Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
9781565235236, $19.95, www.foxchapelpublishing.com

WOODCARVING MAGIC: HOW TO TRANSFORM A SINGLE BLOCK OF WOOD INTO IMPOSSIBLE SHAPES provides nearly thirty projects for carving various geometric designs and is a 'must' for any woodcarver who wants more than the usual carving project involving furniture or animals. From choosing wood and selecting tools to creating amazing objects with interconnected parts, this is packed with color photos and step-by-step insights on the entire process, and is a 'must' for wood carvers who are looking for something different and 'out of the box' in the way of carving and shaping wood.


The Railroading Shelf

Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53186
www.kalmbach.com

Two beading titles are top picks for beaders looking for something different, and offer specific projects perfect for building skills. Irina Miech's IRINA'S METAL CLAY COLLECTION FOR BEADERS: A MASTER INSTRUCTOR'S FAVORITE PROJECTS (9780871167842, $19.95) features lay-flat pages for easy use and three exciting new projects in a collection designed to teach basic skills that mimic metalworking results. Beginner through advanced levels are covered, projects present easy step-by-step photos and accompanying directions, and all are supported by clear close-up images that leave nothing to guess at. Bead&Button Magazine's CREATIVE BEADING V. 8 (9780871167682, $29.95) provides lovely projects form many jewelry artists and demonstrates a wide range of beading techniques and stitches. All projects have been tested by the editors and include step-by-step instructions and both full-page and small color photos and illustrations. These two fine titles should be considered mainstays adding to and enhancing any crafter's collection!


The Cookbook Shelf

Get Your Family Eating Right!
Lynn Fredericks and Mercedes Sanchez, M.S., R.D.
Fair Winds Press
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55401-1721
www.quaysidepublishinggroup.com
9781592335503 $21.99 www.fairwindspress.com

Lynn Fredericks and registered dietician Mercedes Sanchez present Get Your Family Eating Right!, a cookbook created especially for parents trying to plan and provide their kids with healthy meals, as well as teach them good eating habits. Recipes are arranged in a 30-day plan for transitioning to a more healthful lifestyle, and interspersed with helpful advice. Full-color photography rounds out this excellent, easy-to-use resource, sorely needed in a modern era when parents need to take a stand against endless mealtime distractions and a deluge of high-sugar, low-nutrition processed foods. "Place a slip of paper that says 'New Item: Thumbs Up/Down?' in your child's lunch box when you give her something new to try. Kids love to offer feedback." Highly recommended!

Twenty-Dollar, Twenty-Minute Meals for 4 People
Caroline Wright
Workman Publishing Company
225 Varick Street
New York, NY 10014-4381
9780761174936 $12.95 www.workman.com

Culinary professional Caroline Wright presents Twenty-Dollar, Twenty-Minute Meals for 4 People, a cookbook resource written especially for busy and budget-tapped families. Each recipe utilizes healthy ingredients and easy-to-learn cooking techniques. The ingredients of each recipe are highlighted in yellow for ease of identification and use, and every dish is illustrated with a full-color, full-page photograph. Sample offerings include "Grilled Asparagus + Sliced Potato Salad with Anchovy Butter", "Lentis with Turkey Sausage + Fried Sage", "Spicy Mussel Soup", and much more. Twenty-Dollar, Twenty-Minute Meals for 4 People makes an excellent gift or a useful personal meal-planning resource. Highly recommended!

Simply Allergy-Free
Elizabeth Gordon, author
Melani Bauman and Lorna Palmer, photographers
The Lyons Press
246 Goose Lane
Guilford, CT 06437
9780762786183 $24.95 www.lyonspress.com

Elizabeth Gorden, owner of the allergen-free bakery Betsy & Claude Baking Co., presents Simply Allergy-Free: Quick and Tasty Recipes for Every Night of the Week, a collection of delicious, nutritious recipes, all of which are 100% free of gluten, dairy, soy, nut, or egg ingredients. Sample dishes include Poached Salmon, Risotto with Roasted Squash and Sage, Warm Chickpea Salad with Cilantro and Lemon, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Apple Crumble, and much more. A brief where-to-shop guideline for obtaining allergen-free ingredients and a recipe index round out this excellent resource of sumptuous dishes. A "must-have" for anyone seeking to avoid allergens in their own homemade food, or in dishes cooked for a loved one! Also highly recommended is Gordon's previous compendium, "The Complete Allergy-Free Comfort Foods Cookbook".

Great German Recipes
Lynn Hattery-Beyer, collector
Miriam Canter, et. al., editors
Penfield Books
215 Brown Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52245
97819320443501, $8.95, www.penfieldbooks.com

"Great German Recipes" is a handy, recipe card size, spiral bound ethnic cookbook with information about German folk art designs, German American sites, German words, table blessings, and traditions, and also German menu suggestions, plus recipes for beverages, salads, soups, breads, main course dishes, vegetables and cakes and desserts. Exciting German recipes include May Wine, dandelion salad, warm potato salad, liver dumplings in broth, pretzels, round steak casserole, Weiner Schnitzel (breaded veal cutlet), Black Forest asparagus, Oma's apple dumplings, rhubarb cream pie, kuchen, Bavarian cream, and more. This handy German recipe collection presents tried and true German recipes in simple format, with easily obtained ingredients. Further ethnic touches are present in the black and white decorative folk designs and calligraphy and the German folk lore anecdotes. "Great German Recipes" is a useful, representative cookbook collection of German-American classic cuisine. Also very highly recommended from this series are two additional collections: "Dutch Style Recipes" (9781932043372, $7.95), and "Recipes of Old Mexico" (9781932043433, $7.95).

Put 'Em Up! Fruit
Sherri Brooks Vinton
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way
North Adams, MA 01247
www.storey.com
9781612120249, $19.95, www.amazon.com

In tight economic times, one of the best money-saving approaches to a food budget is home canning. The problem for most housewives today is that while canning was a well known kitchen skill in the days of their great-grandmothers, it is a culinary expertise that has failed to be passed down to most of today's generation of family cooks. That's why "Put 'em Up! Fruit: A Preserving Guide & Cookbook: Creative Ways to Put 'em Up, Tasty Ways to Use 'em Up" by Sherri Brooks Vinton will prove to be an extraordinarily valued contribution to family cookbook collections. This profusely illustrated, 288 page compendium is comprised of canning instructions and eighty recipes for bottling and serving all manner of seasonal fruits throughout the course of an entire year. Of special note are the recipes for making Homemade Vinegar and Wine Jelly. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly', "Put 'Em Up! Fruit" is enthusiastically recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Put 'Em Up! Fruit" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

The No-Cook, No-Bake Cookbook
Matt Kadey
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440, Berkeley CA 94703-3440
www.ulyssespress.com
9781612431895, $15.95, www.amazon.com

Sometimes it's just to hot to fire up the kitchen stove and cook something for the family. That's when "The No-Cook, No-Bake Cookbook" will truly come into its own! This beautifully illustrated, 160 page compendium showcasing 101 delicious and nutritious recipes guaranteed to please any palate and satisfy any appetite. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly', the recipes range from Creamy Banana Oatmeal with Coffee Plum Compote; Marinated Mushroom Salad; Shrimp Tacos with Tomatillo Black Bean Salsa; and Sunflower tomato Pate Nori Rolls; to Salmon Mango Ceviche; Tex-Mex Chipotle Beans; Raspberry Mint Frozen Yogurt; and Pineapple Carpaccio with Pomegranate and Ginger Water. "The No-Cook, No-Bake Cookbook" is very highly recommended and distinctive addition to any personal, family, and community library cookbook collection. It should also be noted that "The No-Cook, No-Bake Cookbook" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Saporito!: Daniela & Stefania
Daniela Pirone & Stefania Muscara
UWA Publishing
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, OR 97213
www.isbs.com
9781742585055, $34.99, www.amazon.com

Beautifully illustrated throughout with the color photography of Craig Kinder, "Saporito!: Daniela & Stefania" is a 276 page compendium comprised of recipes gathered by Daniela Pirone and Stefania Muscara, two friends who share a passion for great culinary achievements. The palate pleasing, appetite satisfying recipes range from stuffed zucchini flowers withe three cheeses (Fiori di zucchini imbottiti); to spaghetti with clams (Spaghetti con le vongole); to simple grilled lamb chops with balsamic and mint dressing (Costolette d'agnello sulla brace con balsamic e menta); to biscotti filled with fruit mince (Panzerotti di frutta). There are delicious dishes for every dining occasion. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly', "Saporito!: Daniela & Stefania" is as much fun to simply browse through as it is to plan meals with. Highly recommended for personal and community library cookbook collections, "Saporito!: Daniela & Stefania" will prove an enduringly popular culinary reference and resource.

Mennonite Girls Can Cook
Julie Klassen, et al.
Herald Press
c/o MennoMedia
1251 Virginia Avenue
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
www.heraldpress.com
9780836195538, $24.99, www.amazon.com

Wonderfully illustrated throughout in full color, "Mennonite Girls Can Cook" is a 208 page compendium of superbly presented recipes compiled by a team of ten Mennonite women to showcase and celebrate Mennonite culinary traditions and accomplishments. From Ham and Egg Cups; Berry-Filled Scones; Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes; and Savory Pot Roast with Roasted Vegetables; to Coconut Prawns; Gooey Walnut Rolls; and Summer Fruit Pies, "Mennonite Girls Can Cook" recipes come complete with 'kitchen cook friendly', step-by-step instructions along with little commentaries and cooking tips. Of special note are the 'Who's Cooking' pages providing an interesting introduction to the Mennonite women whose recipes are featured. As delightful to simply browse through as it is to prepare from, "Mennonite Girls Can Cook" is enthusiastically recommended for both personal and community library Cookbook collections.

Mennonite Girls Can Cook: Celebrations
Anneliese Friesen and Judy Wiebe
Herald Press
1251 Virginia Avenue
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
www.MennoMedia.org
9780836196757 $29.99 www.heraldpress.com

Lavishly illustrated with full-color photographs throughout, Mennonite Girls Can Cook: Celebrations features a wealth of recipes meant especially to commemorate joyous occasions, from marriage or the birth of a child to campfire adventures to holiday gatherings and much more. Vignettes drawn from Mennonite culture interlace with the step-by-step recipes, and a set of hosting tips, suggestions for gluten-free cooking, and an index round out this superb treasury. Recipes include Walnut Meringue Crescents, Cream Puff Swans, Stuffed Sweet Mini-Peppers, Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, Vegetarian Lasagna Roll-Ups, German Country-Fried Steak Dinner, and much more. A treasury of time- and taste-tested goodness! Also highly recommended for cooks of all skill and experience levels is the previous cookbook by the same authors, "Mennonite Girls Can Cook" (9780836195538, $24.99).

Harbor Fish Market
Nick Alfiero, Rian Alfiero, & Kathleen Alfiero
Down East Books
PO Box 679
Camden, ME 04843
9781608932450 $29.99 www.downeastbooks.com

Harbor Fish Market: Seafood Recipes from Maine lives up to its title with a smorgasbord of delicious recipes from the Alfiero family, who have run the Harbor Fish Market at Portland's Custom House Wharf for four decades. Color photographs illustrate such culinary delights as "Lobster Stew", "Fried Soft-Shell Crabs", "Baked Haddock with Maine Shrimp Sauce", "Linguine with Calamari in Red Sauce", "Swordfish Steaks with Ginger and Soy", "Truffle Scallops with Greens" and much more. An introduction packed with tips, tricks and techniques for cooking lobster, preparing clams, filleting fish step-by-step, and more make Harbor Fish Market extremely user-friendly even for novice seafood cooks. Highly recommended!

Nutella: The 30 Best Recipes
Ferrero U.S.A.
Jacquie Small LLP
c/o Dalyn Miller Public Relations
9781909342163 $10.95 www.amazon.com

Also available as an ebook, Nutella: The 30 Best Recipes is a specialized cookbook featuring thirty snacks and desserts involving Nutella (R), the versatile, delicious, and trademarked brand of chocolate-hazelnut spread. Delightful offerings include "Mini Coconut and Nutella Palmiers", "Banana and Nutella Tartlets", "Nutella Meringues", "Nutella Macaroons", and much more, each illustrated with a full-color photograph. A novelty binding makes this inexpensive and savory cookbook resemble a Nutella jar! Nutella: The 30 Best Recipes is an excellent gift for dessert gourmet cooks of all skill and experience levels, and is especially divine source of ideas for memorable appetizers to serve at social gatherings or holiday parties.

The Big Book of Pies & Tarts
Betty Crocker
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
www.hmhpub.com
9781118432167, $19.99, www.amazon.com

Of course 'Betty Crocker' is not a specific person but an American corporate house brand. Still, it's one associated for decades with excellence when it comes to cookbooks and the latest to arrive, "The Big Book of Pies & Tarts" is no exception to this long and distinguished record of culinary publications. Enhanced with more than one hundred full color photographs of completed dishes, "The Big Book of Pies & Tarts" is a 336 page compendium showcasing more than 200 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes for pies and tarts that would grace any meal, please any palate, and satisfy any hunger. Of special note is the practical instruction in the basics of making pie pastries in the beginning and the metric conversion guide at the end. The recipes themselves are organized into five major sections: Fruit Pies; Creamy & Chilled Pies; Tarts & Mini Pies; Holiday Pies; and Savory Pies. Enthusiastically recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections, it should be noted that "The Big Book of Pies & Tarts" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

100 Grilling Recipes You Can't Live Without
Cheryl Jamison & Bill Jamison
Harvard Common Press
535 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118
www.harvardcommonpress.com
9781558328013, $16.95, www.amazon.com

"100 Grilling Recipes You Can't Live Without" is a 272 page compendium packed cover to cover with one hundred truly outstanding instructional recipes for grilling outdoors. Beginning with practical tips and commentary on the grilling process including time and temperature, gas vs. charcoal, grates, tools, and controlling flare-ups, "100 Grilling Recipes You Can't Live Without: A Lifelong Companion" fully lives to the promise of its title with a profusion of recipes ranging from Fire-Roasted Oysters with Tabasco Vinaigrette; Fried Onion Flatbread; All-American Backyard Burgers; Flame-Kissed Chile Rellenos; and Stephan Pyles' Texas Rib-Eye; to Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Country Ham; Herb-Roasted Rotisserie Chicken; Dry-Rubbed Tuna Steaks; Louisiana Barbecued Shrimp; and Grilled French Fries. Of special note is an entire chapter devoted to grilled deserts. Thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly', "100 Grilling Recipes You Can't Live Without: A Lifelong Companion" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "100 Grilling Recipes You Can't Live Without: A Lifelong Companion" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

The Honey Connoisseur
C. Marina Marchese & Kim Flottum
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
151 West 19th Street, New York, NY 10011
www.workman.com
9781579129293, $26.95, www.amazon.com

Honey is as versatile and varied as wine, cheese, coffee, or chocolate. Now homemakers once restricted to corporately bottled and massed produced supermarket brand honey can acquire and appreciate artisan honeys readily found in such places as farmer's markets and specialty food stores. The collaborative effort of Marina Marchese and Kim Flottum, "The Honey Connoisseur: Selecting, Tasting, and Pairing Honey, With a Guide to More Than 30 Varietals" is a 208 page instructional guide for identifying and utilizing more than thirty different kinds of honey. Of special note is the background information on how honey differences and distinctions are the result of bee pollination of differing plants, as well as variations in soil, weather conditions, and other natural influences. A complete course of instruction under one cover, "The Honey Connoisseur" is very highly recommended for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should also be noted that "The Honey Connoisseur" is available in a Kindle edition ($12.99).

Chocolat
Eric Lanlard
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781845337889, $24.99, www.octopuspublishing.com

CHOCOLAT: SEDUCTIVE RECIPES FOR BAKED GOODS, DESSERTS, TRUFFLES, AND OTHER TREATS comes from an award-winning author who hares over 100 of his favorite recipes for chocolate. He was a young patisserie chef who trained as an apprentice chocolatier, and has been fascinated with chocolate's history as well as its use in foods. This provides an overview, discusses basic handling methods, and features a range of chocolate treats. The heart of the book, however, lies in Eric Lanlard's unique recipes what pair more familiar dishes such as brownies with unusual variations such as an Apricot and Chocolate Charlotte, Chocolate and Chestnut Truffle Cakes, and Lapsang Souchong Pralines. The result is an outstanding presentation, highly recommended for any who want a blend of traditional and unusual chocolate dessert fare.

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

The little 'Leon' cookbooks presented by Conran Octopus stem from the healthy UK restaurant chain LEON and provide four small editions packed with appealing recipes. They stand out both individually and as a set, collecting easy recipes for good food that is healthy and adding humor and a fun presentation to 64 pages complimented by color photos and illustrations. LEON BREAKFAST & BRUNCH (9781840916348, $9.99) outlines fast and healthy recipes from wheat-free pancakes to a Breakfast Banana Split, SMOOTHIES, JUICES & COCKTAILS (9781840916317, $9.99) outlines healthy breakfast and all-day smoothies made from fruits and vegetables, BROWNIES, BARS & MUFFINS (9781840916331, $9.99) details wheat-, dairy- and sugar-free options for traditional muffins and brownies, and SOUPS SALADS & SNACKS (9781840916324, $9.99) offers recipes for energy-producing sandwiches and soups and salads. All are top picks individually or together, and make lovely gift ideas for any cook interested in healthy fare.

Where Chefs Eat
Joe Warwick
Phaidon Press
180 Varick Street, 14th floor
New York, NY 10014
9780714865416, $19.95, www.phaidon.com

WHERE CHEFS EAT is the ultimate restaurant guide for fans of good food, and presents a collection of over 400 of the world's best chefs and the places they go to for good food. Addresses, telephone numbers, maps and reviews accompany quotes from the chefs themselves, including information on credit card acceptance, price range, reservation policy and more. The book itself is weighty - over six hundred pages - but the result is a powerful collection highly recommended for any who love to travel and eat. Oh, and all budget levels are included: we're not talking only high-class, expensive establishments here!

The True History of Chocolate, third edition
Sophie D. and Michael D. Coe
Thames & Hudson
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
9780500290682, $22.95, www.thamesandhudsonusa.com

The True History of Chocolate appears in its third updated edition to provide a fine survey of chocolate and its history, which began some 4,000 years ago in the jungles of Mexico and Central America with the chocolate tree and the evolution of a process to change its bitter seeds into chocolate. New photos and revisions throughout provide keys to chocolate's evolution and introduction around the world, including a new chapter on a Guatemalan chocolate producer, and makes for a fine coverage highly recommended for any interested in a definitive story of chocolate's evolution.

The FastDiet Cookbook
Mimi Spencer with Dr. Sarah Schenker
Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9781476749860, $19.99, www.simonandschuster.com

The FastDiet Cookbook provides a fine companion volume to the best-selling The FastDiet, a plan featured on Good Morning America, Rachael Ray, and more, and provides over a hundred low-calorie recipes to support making The FastDiet a lifestyle change. The FastDiet, for those new to the idea, advocates that it's possible to lose weight while eating normally five days a week: just cut back calories for two non-consecutive days: 500 calories for women, 600 for men. Recipes provided here are designed to fill you up and keep hunger from happening - and none are more than 500 calories. From stocking the pantry to cooking tips, The FastDiet Cookbook provides an outstanding plan for any dieter enthusiastic about the concept.


The Botany Shelf

Australian Rainforest Fruits
Wendy Cooper
Csiro Publishing
c/o Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive
Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9780643197847, $59.95, www.styluspub.com

Australian Rainforest Fruits: A Field Guide offers a lovely guide to fruiting plants found in Australia's eastern rainforests, and is a recommendation for any world botany collection strong in plants in general and Australian flora and fauna in particular. Lovely artwork by natural history artist William T. Cooper accompanies botanical descriptions of some 500 of the most common fruiting plants found in Australia's eastern rainforests. While this is a very specific coverage, it will also prove essential to any comprehensive collection, accompanying each species description with a leaf drawing, distribution map, and identification keys. A 'must' for any involved in Australian flora.


The Science Shelf

The Handy Astronomy Answer Book
Charles Liu
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Road, #414
Canton, MI 48187-2075
www.visibleinkpress.com
9781578594191, $21.95, www.amazon.com

Now in a newly updated and expanded third edition, "The Handy Astronomy Answer Book" by Charles Liu (Professor of Astrophysics, City University of New York's College of Staten Island) is a superbly organized, profusely illustrated, 352 page compendium of historical and scientific information on all aspects of astronomy. Nicely presented in chapters dealing with Astronomy Fundamentals; The Universe; Galaxies; Stars; The Solar System; Earth and the Moon; Space Programs; Astronomy Today; Exploring the Solar Systems; and Life in the Universe, "The Handy Astronomy Answer Book" provides a wealth of up to date information that is thoroughly 'reader friendly'. Informed and informative, "The Handy Astronomy Answer Book" is strongly recommended for personal, school, and community library Astronomy Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists. It should also be noted the "The Handy Astronomy Answer Book" is available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).

Dreamland
David K. Randall
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393345865, $15.95, www.wwnorton.com

DREAMLAND: ADVENTURES IN THE STRANGE SCIENCE OF SLEEP documents journalist David K. Randall's own experiences with sleep disorders, his encounters with sleep therapists who tried to help him, and his investigations into the biology of sleep and cutting edge research on the topic. The result is DREAMLAND, considering the science of sleep, experiments with sleep, and new research into its importance and science. Psychology, research, and cultural observation blend in a fine account recommended for science and health holdings alike!


The Computer Shelf

Classic Game Design
Franz Lanzinger
Mercury Learning
www.merclearning.com
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166
9781937585976 $49.95 www.internationalpubmarket.com

Suitable for classroom use or self-teaching, Classic Game Design: From Pong to Pac-Man with Unity is an instructional guide to using the Unity software tool to create games in a similar style to the classic arcade titles "Pong", "Breakout", "Space Invaders", "Scramble", and "Pac-Man". A companion DVD (and website) have all of the source code, art, and sound sources. Meticulous text illustrated with full color computer screenshots teach the user how to learn from the elegance of these old school games, and start creating one's own work. Dozens of exercises, recommendation, and the occasional historical anecdote from Atari coin-op programmers round out this treasury for anyone who wants to sharpen their game-making skills!

Mac Hacks
Chris Seibold
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein, Hwy N.
Sebastopol, CA 95472-2811
9781449325589, $24.99, www.oreilly.com

MAC HACKS: TIPS & TOOLS FOR UNLOCKING THE POWER OF OS X is a pick for any collection strong in Apple technology and teaches how to take control of a Mac system. Hacks in this book go beyond surface customization processes, showing how to tweak system preferences, mount drives, and how to work with files and underlying root systems. The result is a powerful collection of tips, tools and techniques for any OS X user who would go beyond simple Mac customization processes to change how the system itself operates.

Addison Wesley
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.informit.com/aw

W. Richard Stevens and Stephen A. Rago's third updated edition of ADVANCED PROGRAMMING IN THE UNIX ENVIRONMENT (9780321637734, $69.99) is a highly recommended 'must have' reference for any collection strong in Linux programming and UNIX systems, and packs in over seventy new interfaces, removing most obsolete interfaces and updating examples tested in four modern platforms: Solaris 10, Mac OS X v. 10.6.8, FreeBSD 8.0 and Ubuntu v. 12.04. Examples throughout demonstrate all the concepts and include over ten thousand lines of downloadable source code, while functions are demonstrated using complete programs that illustrate all factors. Exercises, format options, and plenty of code examples makes this a fine reference promising lasting, repeat consultation. Tom DeMarco & Timothy Lister's PEOPLEWARE: PRODUCTIVE PROJECTS AND TEAMS (9780321934116, $39.99) appears in its third edition to provide a fine enhancement of a best-selling title on software management. Six new chapters have been added to this new edition, with the rest seeing extensive updates to help it match the objectives and perspectives of modern development challenges. From discussions of leadership changes and pathologies to discussions of teams made up of different generations and insights into how tools can hinder as well as help, chapters discuss everything from turnover to challenging the corporate norm, and provide the basics of what makes a good software management team more effective. Marc Wandschneider's LEARNING NODE.JS: A HANDS-ON GUIDE TO BUILDING WEB APPLICATIONS IN JAVASCRIPT (9780321910578, $39.99) provides web programmers with a fine guide to getting up and running fast with Node.js apps, and covers the basics of blending JavaScript code with the Node.js platform. This primer begins with the basics of installing and running Node.js, discusses its versions, and shows how to write an app. Later chapters cover advanced technical information from performing common web server tasks to deploying Node.js apps on Unix, OS X or Windows servers. The result is a wide-ranging survey highly recommended for any Node.js user; especially newcomers who want an easy lesson book for building knowledge based on real-world applications. William Van Hecke's LEARNING IOS DESIGN: A HANDS-ON GUIDE FOR PROGRAMMERS AND DESIGNERS (9780321887498, $44.99) is for any Mac programmer involved in iOS applications development and explains what design means and why effective app design matters. Based on this initial assessment, he builds a set of design basics that serve as building blocks and steps for exploring the basics of better app design. From making better user interfaces to handling issues of versatility and flexibility, this is a powerful user's guide highly recommended for any who would develop between Mac app designs.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

The Flinch Factor
Michael A. Kahn
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave., #103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
9781464201400, $24.95, www.poisonedpenpress.com

THE FLINCH FACTOR provides a new Rachel Gold mystery revolving around attorney Rachel, here fighting a powerful developer intent on bulldozing a blue-collar neighborhood to replace its homes with a gated community. To complicate matters, Rachel's case will appear before a wacky judge who is totally unpredictable, and her other client is the sister of a murdered heartthrob who is convinced her brother's death is foul play. In a series of surprising moves the two cases take some unexpected turns, contributing to a mystery which is filled with fine moments and unusual twists of plot.

Not the Killing Type
Lorna Barrett
Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780425252222, $25.95, www.penguin.com

NOT THE KILLING TYPE provides a fine 'Booktown' mystery as it revolves around a charged New Hampshire election process, the murder of a small business owner active in a small town's political arena, and Tricia's unwitting involvement helping her sister clear her name in the process. From small business pursuits to small town politics, the action becomes vivid and unforgettable with many satisfying twists and turns mystery readers will relish.

A Killing at Cotton Hill
Terry Shames
Seventh Street Books
c/o Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616147990, $15.95, www.prometheusbooks.com

Chief of police Dora lives in a small Texas down and is also the town drunk - so when she's murdered, it's up to former police chief Samuel Craddock to investigate - and what he finds is way too many suspects who have had confrontations with Dora in the past. As he searches for a cunning killer, he uncovers much of the underlying currents of small town personalities and secrets - and finds he may also be in danger if he probes too deeply into what may evolve to be an interconnected set of dangers. Mystery writing at its best - and recommended for any mystery collection!


The Fiction Shelf

Light of the World
James Lee Burke
Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl.
New York, NY 10020
9781476710761, $27.99, www.simonandschuster.com

Light of the World provides a new Dave Robicheaux novel and is set in summertime in Montana, which provides a potential vacation for Louisiana Sheriff's Detective Dave Robicheaux. A potentially-peaceful retreat turns into something sinister when an arrow attack on a train and a rodeo clown with a dark past draw Dave and his best friend, ex-cop Clete, into a search for a dangerous convicted serial killer. Great tension and high drama lends to a gripping novel packed with twists and turns and exquisite characterization recommended for any novel or mystery collection.


The Self-Help Shelf

Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder
Blaise Aguirre, MD and Gillian Galen, PsyD
New Harbinger Press
5674 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
9781608825653 $16.95 www.newharbinger.com

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a personality disorder marked by impulsivity and instability; stable interpersonal relationships and self-imagery are particularly difficult for sufferers to cultivate. Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder: Relieve Your Suffering Using the Core Skill of Dialectical Behavior Therapy lives up to its title with invaluable advice for controlling the symptoms of one's own Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), or coping with BPD in friends and loved ones. The key to improvement is the practice of mindfulness - learning to pay attention to the nature of one's own thinking. Mindfulness has been a technique practiced by followers of Buddhism for millennia, but Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder is primarily a secular and practical self-help guide. "In Buddhist philosophy the act and skill of realizing that you are not isolated, but instead are intimately connected to everything, is fundamental. Building your capacity to observe your connectedness will help liberate you from the trap of believing what your mind has created, including the trap of emptiness." Highly recommended; even those who do not suffer from BPD but are often beset by the intrusion of unwanted types of thoughts will find Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder invaluable.

The Five Seasons
Joseph Cardillo
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
220 West Parkway, Unit 12, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
Warick & Associates (publicity)
18340 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, CA 95476
www.newpagebooks.com
9781601632586, $14.99, www.amazon.com

We live in a world of environmental, technological, cultural, emotional and familial stress. All we have to do is watch the evening news and stress is certain to impose itself upon us. "The Five Seasons: Tap Into Nature's Secrets for Health, Happiness, and Harmony" by holistic psychologist Joseph Cardillo is a 224 page instructional guide to making changing the way we live that are as natural as they are practical in dealing with the inevitable stresses of our lives. Readers will learn how to boost alertness, relieve boredom, increase relaxation, identify beneficial conflict, deal with other people, manage mood swings and depression, enhance decision-making abilities, maintain health and increase physical strength. But perhaps most importantly, nurture the spirit and live lives of creativity. Deftly written and presented, "The Five Seasons" is very highly recommended and would make an enduringly popular addition to community library Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections. It should be noted that "The Five Seasons" is also available in a Kindle edition ($10.09).

The Good Life Lab
Wendy Jehanara Tremayne
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way
North Adams, MA 01247
9781612121017, $18.95, www.storey.com

THE GOOD LIFE LAB: RADICAL EXPERIMENTS IN HANDS-ON LIVING could have appeared in a variety of columns, from 'Home and Garden' to 'Inspirational', but is reviewed here for its wide-ranging and inspirational story of how one couple left high-pressure careers in New York City to move to rural New Mexico where they embarked on a homemade, self-sufficient lifestyle. They looked for a life less involved with material wealth and simpler in structure - a life where they consumed less and created more. THE GOOD LIFE LAB charts their journey and is a lovely inspirational back-to-the-land read for any who would follow in their footsteps.

The Five Seasons
Dr. Joseph Cardillo
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
220 West Parkway, Unit 12
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
9781601632586, $14.99, www.newpagebooks.com

The Five Seasons: Tap Into Nature's Secrets for Health, Happiness, and Harmony provides a fine mind-body guide form a popular therapist and teacher in the field, and is based on the five universal seasons from traditional Chinese medicine and Western psychology. It teaches how to change the way one processes nature's energies to change life, and shows how to differentiate beneficial from harmful conflict, fight off depression, and increase physical strength. The result is a pick for health and new age collections alike.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

When the Dragon Wore the Crown
Don Cerow
Ibis Press
c/o Nicolas-Hays, Inc.
PO Box 540206, Lake Worth, FL 33454-0206
Red Wheel/Weiser (distribution)
665 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
www.redwheelweiser.com
9780892542055 $26.95 www.ibispress.net

Astrologer Don Cerow presents When the Dragon Wore the Crown - Center and Circle (also available as an ebook, 9780892545940), a survey of astrology over a period of over six thousand years (7000 BC to 200 AD), with particular emphasis on the role of the constellation Draco, and its role in mythology amid various human cultures as well as in the zodiac, celestial navigation, and farming. Full color photography on virtually every page illustrates this gorgeous tour of archaeology, astronomy, cultural evolution, and human history. "The Pleiades are among the oldest stars to be mentioned in astronomical literature, possibly first appearing in Chinese annals of 2357 BC. They were once described as clusters of golden bees or flying pigeons. Later in China they became the Seven Sisters of Industry, and were worshipped by girls and young women to whom they were believed to relate." Supplementing the historical world tour are original theories about the transcendent meaning of Draco as part of a greater whole, including an empirical concept of a Center in the Circle, where the Serpent is located. Astrology buffs will especially enjoy browsing When the Dragon Wore the Crown from cover to cover.

The Shaman's Toolkit
Sandra Ingerman
Weiser Publishers
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
65 Parker Avenue, Suite 7
Newburyport, MA 01950
9781578635443, $16.95, www.amazon.com

Shamanism is a practice that involves a practitioner reaching altered states of consciousness in order to encounter and interact with the spirit world. A shaman is a person regarded as having access to, and influence in, the world of benevolent and malevolent spirits, who typically enters into a trance state during a ritual, and practices divination and healing. "The Shaman's Toolkit: Ancient Tools for Shaping the Life and World You Want to Live In" by shaman expert Sandra Ingerman is a 176 page compendium focused on informing her readers about how they may heal past and present injuries to their inner lives, break thorough imposed limitations on their potential, and help shape their personal worlds through ancient and time-tested shamanic principles. "The Shaman's Toolkit: Ancient Tools for Shaping the Life and World You Want to Live In" shows how to release creative blocks, support core beliefs, transform grief and disappointments, make changes in themselves and the world around them. As informed and informative as it is thoughtful and thought-provoking, "The Shaman's Toolkit: Ancient Tools for Shaping the Life and World You Want to Live In" is thoroughly 'reader friendly' in style, content and tone, making it highly recommended for personal and community library self-help and metaphysical studies collections. It should also be noted that "The Shaman's Toolkit: Ancient Tools for Shaping the Life and World You Want to Live In" is available in a Kindle edition ($9.32).

The Nazi Occult
Kenneth Hite
Osprey Publishing
4301 21st St, Suite 220B, Long Island City, NY 11101
9781780965987, $17.95, www.ospreyadventuresbooks.com

The Nazi Occult provides a complete history of Nazi occult programs and occult experts who delved into ancient lore seeking lost secrets of power. From experiments with zero-point energy to quests for the Ark of the Covenant, this documents both occult pursuits and the shadow war fought in the last days of the Reich as Hitler's followers deployed flying saucers to try to save the Nazis' final Antarctic base. For years Allied governments tried to keep this information secret: this survey uses photography and artwork reconstructions to consider the secret beliefs of the war, and provides a fine survey recommended for new age and military holdings alike.


The Political Science Shelf

Wrapped in the Flag
Claire Conner
Beacon Press
25 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108-2892
9780807077504 $25.95 www.beacon.org

Established in 1958, the John Birch Society is an ultraconservative, far right political organization, which staunchly opposed abortion rights, gay rights, gun control labor unions, environmental protections, immigrant rights, social and welfare programs, the United Nations, etc. The John Birch Society is perhaps best known for its zealous anti-communism and its fanatical support of the infamous Joe McCarthy (whose indiscriminate, unjustified accusations of Communist sympathizing destroyed countless people's careers). Wrapped in the Flag: A Personal History of the Radical Right is the true-life testimony of Claire Conner, daughter to two of the John Birch Society's earliest members. She grew up surrounded by passionate Birchers, and was forced to join the society at age thirteen. She witnessed her father's fierce speeches attacking the U.N.; she was expected to write letters denouncing "socialist medicine" after school; and her parents held regular meetings to recruit members to resist the "war on Christmas" or "potentially poisonous" water fluoridation. Her testimony offers a ground-level view of the extreme far right in day-to-day action, making Wrapped in the Flag an excellent choice for public and college library Political Science shelves.

America's Way Back
Donald J. Devine
ISI Books
3901 Centerville Road
Wilmington, DE 19807-1938
1610170636, $29.95, www.isibooks.org

AMERICA'S WAY BACK: RECLAIMING FREEDOM, TRADITION, AND CONSTITUTION is all about evolving social and political values in modern America, and posits the idea that progressivism has corrupted modern political thinking in both parties. Many attempts at correction have failed, and yet government systems insist on following the same paths using the same techniques calling for more spending and bigger government. This analyzes the basics of freedom and tradition inherent in modern conservatism, explaining the flexibility of the American political structure and how this flexibility may be used to achieve greater results. Any political studies collection needs this.


The Education Shelf

Graphic Novels and Comics in the Classroom
Carrye Kay Syma and Robert G. Weiner, editors
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611
Jefferson NC 28640
9780786459131 $45.00 www.mcfarlandpub.com

Graphic Novels and Comics in the Classroom is an anthology of essays by learned educators about the value of sequential art as a teaching tool in all levels of education, from elementary school to college. Writings include "Using Graphic Novels to Teach Dystopian Literature", "Manga, the Atomic Bomb and the Challenges of Teaching Historical Atrocity: Keiji Nakazawa's Barefoot Gen", "Sequential Art for Qualitative Research", "Comics in the Adult English as a Second Language Classroom", and much more. A handful of black-and-white illustrations (mostly the occasional comic page) and an index round out this forward-thinking contribution to understanding the value of comics and graphic novels as educational literary material.

Evaluating America's Teachers
W. James Popham
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
9781452260853, $27.95, www.corwin.com

Evaluating America's Teachers: Mission Possible? provides a fine collection examining evaluation policies and strategies, and is a pick for any concerned with policymaking and school leadership. Many teacher evaluation systems fall short of their goals and actually harm the learning environment rather than helping students and teachers succeed. This provides a step-by-step assessment of strategies and their pros and cons, pointing out the fallacies of the inferences tests provide and documenting betters paths of assessment. Judgments, evaluations and resulting decisions are all analyzed in a title highly recommended for any education collection!

Learning from the Bumps in the Road
Holly Elissa Bruno, MA JD, et.al.
Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court, St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
9781605542065, $29.95, www.redleafpress.org

Learning from the Bumps in the Road: Insights from Early Education Leaders describes various 'bumps' that those working in early care and education encounter every day, and provides cautionary tales and plenty of food for thought for any involved in early education. It packs in personal stories, reflections, ideas, and encouragement for all kinds of leadership and education issues revolving around young children and their families, with contributions from educators ranging from how laws help or harm multicultural efforts to love/hate relationships with technology, assessing child development, and developing personal and professional connections. A 'must' for any early childhood collection!


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

March: Book One
John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, & Nate Powell
Top Shelf Productions
PO Box 15125
Portland, OR 97293-5125
9781603093002 $14.95 www.topshelfcomix.com

March: Book One is the first in a trilogy of black-and-white graphic novels chronicling the life and efforts of Congressman John Lewis, a major participant of the civil rights movement, who put his freedom and his life on the line to help make a difference. Framed by scenes of the modern-day Congressman Lewis telling visiting children what it was like to grow up in the racially segregated American South, March: Book One shows young Lewis caring for chickens, dreaming of becoming a preacher, and defying his parents (who demanded his help on their farm during certain months) to attend school. Lewis grew up with the omnipresent specter of racism, even the threat of violence, and the college he wanted to attend the most denied him because of the color of his skin. It was his exposure to Martin Luther King Jr.'s teachings, which were themselves based on Gandhi's principles of nonviolence, that showed him "the way out" - the path to a better America. He trained in nonviolence workshops, participated in peaceful sit-ins protesting segregated lunch counters, and was arrested and jailed repeatedly. An extraordinary true-life comic biography, March: Book One encapsulates a crucial period of transformation in American history, and is worthy of the highest recommendation especially for public and school library graphic novel collections.

Battling Boy
Paul Pope
First Second
175 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10010
9781596431454 $15.99 www.firstsecondbooks.com

Battling Boy is a full-color graphic novel by Paul Pope, the acclaimed author and illustrator of "Batman: Year 100", "Heavy Liquid", and "100%". Dark, gritty, and full of both action and trauma, Battling Boy takes place in Arcopolis, a city besieged by nightmarish monsters. No one knows where they come from, but they revel in dragging away and devouring children. They thwart ordinary mortals at every turn, disappearing into the shadows in the blink of an eye; only the genius vigilante Haggard West has had any success in standing up to them. But when the monsters lay a lethal trap for West, who will be Arcopolis' salvation? West's only daughter trains hard, yet has few leads to identify the monsters. Then a twelve-year-old demigod arrives from another world, sent to protect the people as a test of character. But Battling Boy's animal-totem powers are strictly limited! He doesn't have all the answers; he's not even sure what the right questions are, and he can't protect the victims by himself. Grim and moderately violent, Battling Boy is a serious-minded deconstruction of what it might really be like to walk a mile in the shoes of a preteen superhero. Highly recommended, and hopefully the first in a graphic novel series!

TwoMorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Drive
Raleigh, NC 27614
www.twomorrows.com

Roy Thomas and Bill Schelly's THE BEST OF ALTER EGO: VOLUME 2 (9781605490489, $19.95) provides a fine sequel to Alter Ego: The Best of the Legendary Comics Fanzine and gathers more illustrations from original issues plus undiscovered works from all 11 original issues published between 1961 and 1978. Here are new industry revelations about the fanzine, vintage articles about a range of characters from Blackhawk to the Justice League of America, and rarely-seen comics stories by Joe Kubert and others, some collected here for the first time. Add a rare interview with Jean Giraud and many special illustrated sections and you have a top pick for any definitive comics history collection. Richard Arndt's STAR REACH COMPANION (9781605490519, $27.95) provides a complete history and bibliography of the 1970s independent comic Star reach, and is a pick for any who know of this comic and its wide-ranging influence across the genres of graphic novels and comic art. A range of creators and artists are featured with works in black and white with some partial color, including detailed historical coverage and interviews conducted by author Richard Arndt. Full stories from Star Reach and its sister magazine Imagine provides a lovely survey while a Cody Starbuck story by Howard Chaykin is presented for the first time in its original, intended version. All of this makes for a definitive guide and a 'must' for any collection strong in independent comics history.


The Gardening Shelf

Heavenly Hydrangeas
Joan Harrison
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764344190, $29.99, www.schifferbooks.com

Heavenly Hydrangeas: A Practical Guide for the Home Gardener is for any home gardener who wants an in-depth focus on the hydrangea, and comes packed with color photo examples throughout as it discusses basic selection, planting, care and cultivation, and propagation. Over 250 color photos display flowers and varieties while discussions on gardening challenges particular to the hydrangea will delight gardeners who want specifics, not generalities. With its many insights on the plant, Heavenly Hydrangeas will greatly enhance any botany or home gardening library.

Container Gardening
Royal Horticultural Society
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.octopusbooksusa.com
9781845337186, $19.99, www.octopusbooks.com

Container Gardening deserves ongoing mention as a fine guide offering keys to creating attractive pots and plants for all types of gardens from patios to porches, and covers over five hundred species and varieties of container plants best for edible, ornamental and long-term planning. From avoiding common pitfalls in container gardening to step by step instructions, this covers all the basics of container design and money-saving ideas, and is a top recommendation for any gardener's collection.


The Humor Shelf

Simon's Cat vs. the World
Simon Tofield
Akashic Books
PO Box 1456
New York, NY 10009
9781617751882 $15.95 www.akashicbooks.com

Featuring the lovable, mischievous, fluffy white feline star of the extraordinarily popular YouTube cartoon series, Simon's Cat vs. the World is a full-color compendium of cartoons. Each gag fills an entire page with a whimsical illustration, and each shows Simon's Cat defying something different - for example, "Simon's Cat vs. the ant's nest" shows Simon's Cat holding a magnifying glass over an anthill - but flying, swarming ants surround him in a frenzy (to the delight of some nearby ant-snacking birds)! A delightfully funny collection, Simon's Cat vs. the World makes an excellent giftbook for cat lovers everywhere. Also highly recommended are the previous Simon's Cat cartoon books, including "Simon's Cat", "Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos", "Simon's Cat: Beyond the Fence", and "Simon's Cat: Feed Me!".

That's Not Funny, That's Sick
Ellin Stein
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
978039307409, $27.95, www.wwnorton.com

That's Not Funny, That's Sick: The National Lampoon and the Comedy Insurgents Who Captured the Mainstream comes from a journalist who uses firsthand interviews with key people involved in comedy to document the National Lampoon's rise from a university humor magazine to a national publication with wide-reaching influence on the nature and presentation of comedy as a whole. From the personalities involved in the Lampoon's original creation to its evolution into a revolutionary cultural icon of criticism and observation, this provides a powerful account highly recommended for any interested in comedy.


The Antiques/Collectors Shelf

American Silver Eagles, second edition
John M. Mercanti
Whitman Publishing
4001 Helton Drive, Florence, Alabama 35630
9780794840303, $29.95, www.whitmanbooks.com

The second updated edition of AMERICAN SILVER EAGLES: A GUIDE TO THE U.S. BULLION COIN PROGRAM provides a fine survey of a popular coin collected by many from investors to numismatist, and offers a fine survey by the designer or the coin's reverse who has nearly forty years of experience working in the U.S. mint. Joined by Michael Standish a professional coin grader, he provides a wealth of technical information covering the artistic, historical and current facets of the silver eagle coin in a fine gathering covering the U.S. mint's coins and sets of 2012 and 2013. Updated pricing information and details on other issues add to a new appendix to make this a winning and exceptional survey for any coin collector.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Shakespeare for Screenwriters
J.M. Evenson
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111
Studio City, CA 91604
9781615931415, $19.95, www.mwp.com

Shakespeare for Screenwriters uses wisdom and writings from The Bard to provide a powerful template of success considering how Shakespeare created compelling character that have intrigued audiences for centuries. It's the first book to use Shakespeare's works to consider the basics of screenwriting success, examining stories, characters and scenes and providing commentary on everything from untried heroes struggling to succeed against all odds to creating exceptional settings. Any film or drama writing looking to learn from a 'master' could do no better than this guide.


The Sports Shelf

Marathons of the World
Hugh Jones and Alexander James
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY 11788
9780764166099 $24.99 www.barronseduc.com

Featuring full-color photography throughout, Marathons of the World is a gorgeous world tour of marathon courses, including China's The Great Wall Marathon and 26-mile runs in Barcelona, Rio de Janeiro, Reykjavik, Loch Ness, Pares, the North Pole, Istanbul and much more. Each marathon course has expert analysis, and useful tips especially for training or practicing marathon runners. Armchair travelers who might not be up to the immense rigors of participating in a marathon will also find Marathons of the World the next best thing to being there! Highly recommended.

The ACC Basketball Book of Fame
Dan Collins
John F. Blair, Publisher
1406 Plaza Drive
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
9780895876065 $26.95 www.blairpub.com

Veteran sports columnist Dan Collins presents The ACC Basketball Book of Fame, the first ever effort to compile a Hall of Fame for ACC basketball tournaments. Collins uses a meticulous methodology, assigning numerical values to All-ACC voting as well as other awards. The ACC Basketball Book of Fame is also filled with brief but enlightening player profiles, amusing anecdotes, fascinating trivia, a solid history of the ACC conference, and a black-and-white photograph of virtually every profiled player on the court. Basketball fans are sure to enjoy The ACC Basketball Book of Fame from cover to cover - especially if their devotion to the sport extends to creating fantasy basketball leagues!

Tales From First Base
Brad Engel & Wayne Stewart
Potomac Books, Inc.
c/o University of Nebraska Press
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166-2012
www.potomacbooksinc.com
9781597978453, $22.95, www.amazon.com

Baseball is a thoroughly American sport played everywhere from backlots, to school athletic fields, to major league stadiums. "Tales from First Base: The Best, Funniest, and Slickest First Basemen Ever" by baseball enthusiasts and sports journalists Brad Engel and Wayne Stewart is 152 page compendium comprised of famous (and occasionally infamous) but always humorous incidents and personalities associated with events focused upon playing first base. The stories related are true, the incidents reported really happened, and the result is what must be considered mandatory for anyone who has ever stood and cheered a first base play. Drawing upon numerous interviews with journalists, players, and fans, "Tales From First Base" is a tremendous read that is very highly recommended and would make an enduringly popular addition for school and community collections. It should also be noted that "Tales From First Base" is available in a Kindle edition ($13.77).

Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076
Champaign, IL 61820-5076
www.humankinetics.com

Ian Jeffreys, DEVELOPING SPEED (9780736083288, $19.95) joins others in the 'Sport Performance' series and comes from eight of the top National Strength and Conditioning Association experts who turn their attention to developing superior speed in any sport. It helps readers assess their current abilities and needs, offering techniques and tips key to increasing athletic speed and providing a resource any can use to reach a speed-oriented goal. From sport- specific drills to sequencing, preparation and coaching points, this offers a fine array of techniques and applications any sports participant will find compelling! Kimberly Mueller and Josh Hingst's THE ATHLETE'S GUIDE TO SPORTS SUPPLEMENTS (9780736093699, $18.95) provides quick answers to common questions about sports supplements and comes from sports nutrition and supplement experts who consider over a hundred of the most popular supplements on the market today. Each entry covers performance benefits, research studies, dosage recommendations, and adverse reactions. The research section provides in-depth information on dosages, human data and double-blind studies, and more. The result is a powerful survey highly recommended for any athletic or health collection.


The Automotive Shelf

Ford Differentials
Joseph Palazzolo
CarTech Inc.
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
9781613250389, $24.95, www.cartechbooks.com

Ford Differentials: How to Rebuild the 8.8 and 9-inch deserves ongoing mention and recommendation as a practical addition to any collection focusing on rebuilding cars in general and the Ford in particular. One might initially think these differentials to be highly specialized: in fact, they were some of the most popular differentials on the market, and were widely used in vehicles ranging from rods and muscle cars to race cars. This Workbench book provides step-by-step directions for rebuilding, with illustrations and photos throughout accompanying details on the best gear and choices during the rebuild process. No automotive collection should be without this invaluable reference.

Camaro & Firebird Performance Projects
Jeff Tann
CarTech
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
9781613250143, $29.95, www.cartechbooks.com

Camaro & Firebird Performance Projects 1970-1981 offers a compilation of projects that range from performing engine swaps and installing upgraded systems to handling chassis, suspension and electrical components, and teaches how to take a basic stock, second-generation Camaro or Firebird and transform it into a fast muscle car. Chapters are packed with step-by-step color photos throughout and explain all the basics of installations and upgrades. From assessments of OEM options to discussions of performance enhancements, this is a top pick for any gearhead owner of the Camaro or Firebird.


The Travel Shelf

Discover Great Britain
David Else
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
www.lonelyplanet.com
9781742201139, $24.99, www.amazon.com

Great Britain with all of its history, cultural and economic resources has long been a premier destination for vacationers and business travelers alike. Lonely Planet Publications is a premier publisher of travel guides for those same vacationers and business travelers and their latest is "Lonely Planet Discover Great Britain", a compact 432 page instructive tour guide showcasing highlights, an invaluable resource in crafting itineraries, draws upon local experts for their 'insider knowledge', and features a pull-out map. Profusely illustrated in full color throughout, "Lonely Planet Discover Great Britain" is informed, informative, "user friendly", and very highly recommended for anyone traveling to Great Britain for either business or pleasure. It should be noted that "Lonely Planet Discover Great Britain" is also available in a Kindle edition ($13.99).


The Poetry Shelf

Starship Tahiti
Brandon Dean Lamson
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
www.umass.edu/umpress
9781625340092, $15.95, www.amazon.com

An academician by trade, Brandon Dean Lamson (Assistant Professor of English, Bethany College) is also an established poet with several of his poems being published to an appreciative reception. Winner of the Juniper Prize for poetry, the 72 page compendium "Starship Tahiti" is Lamson's debut poetry collection. Lamson's poetry is free verse and elegant. Deftly crafted works of prose poetry that evoke feelings and images that are universal in their appeal and unique in their substance. "Starship Tahiti" is enthusiastically recommended reading for anyone and everyone that appreciates the impact and influence that poetry can have upon the mind, the imagination, and the human condition.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Pilgrimage--The Sacred Art
Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook
Skylight Paths Publishing
PO Box 237, Woodstock, VT 05091
www.skylightpaths.com
9781594734724, $16.99, www.amazon.com

A physical pilgrimage is defined as a journey to a shrine or other sacred place undertaken to gain divine aid, or as an act of thanksgiving or penance, or to demonstrate devotion. A spiritual pilgrimage is a kind of journey within the mind and spirit towards a metaphysical goal or aspiration. It is the combining of these two concepts of pilgrimage that is embodied in Dr. Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook's "Pilgrimage--The Sacred Art: Journey to the Center of the Heart", a 176 page deftly written compendium that provides the reader with an insightful perspective that integrates spirituality, practice, spiritual formation, psychology, world religions and historical resources with respect to the evolution of religious pilgrimages and the formation of holy site destinations. Informed, informative, inspired, inspiring, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Pilgrimage--The Sacred Art" is a highly rewarding read and strongly recommended for personal and community library Religion/Spirituality reference collections and supplemental reading lists. It should also be noted that "Pilgrimage--The Sacred Art" is available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).


The Martial Arts Shelf

Taekwondo Black Belt Poomsae
Richard Chun & Doug Cook
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480, Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
www.ymaa.com
9781594392641, $18.95, www.amazon.com

Taekwondo is a martial art originating in Korea. It combines combat and self-defense techniques with sport and exercise. In 1989, taekwondo was the world's most popular martial art. The collaborative work of Richard Chun (9th Dan and one of the highest ranked masters of taekwondo in the world) and Doug Cook (6th Dan and a 2006 inductee into the Budo International Martial Arts Hall of Fame), "Taekwondo Black Belt Poomsae: Original Koryo and Koryo" is a profusely illustrated, 192 page instruction manual that provides the reader with an historical overview as well as a philosophy framework, technical elements for learning the basics, detailed instruction for becoming proficient in Koryo, as well as learning Original Koryo. Of special note are the motion charts and stepping patterns, making "Taekwondo Black Belt Poomsae" thoroughly 'user friendly' and highly recommended for personal, dojo, and community libraries Martial Arts instructional reference collections as a complete course of study under one cover.


The Theatre/Cinema Shelf

Alfred Hitchcock's Moviemaking Master Class
Tony Lee Moral
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111
Studio City, CA 91604
www.mwp.com
9781615931378, $26.95, www.amazon.com

Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE (13 August 1899 - 29 April 1980) was an English film director and producer who pioneered many movie making techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. Over a career spanning more than half a century, Hitchcock fashioned for himself a distinctive and recognizable directorial style pioneering the use of a camera made to move in a way that mimics a person's gaze, forcing viewers to engage in a form of voyeurism. He framed shots to maximize anxiety, fear, or empathy, and used innovative film editing. Hitchcock is a legendary film director whose techniques are succinctly explained in "Alfred Hitchcock's Moviemaking Master Class", a 240 page instruction compendium created by award winning documentary film maker Tony Lee Moral. This superbly 'user friendly' instructional guide begins with the basics of creating and pitching a film idea. This is followed by chapters on writing the screenplay, pre-production activities, working with actors, the use of cameras, post-production film cutting, and the utilization of sound and music to enhance the cinema. Of special note is the concluding chapter Don't Worry - It's Only A Movie which is packed with practical advice for neophyte directs on how to conduct themselves on and off the set. Enhanced with the inclusion of an Alfred Hitchock Filmography, a List of Directors Influenced by Hitchcock, a Bibliography & References section, "Alfred Hitchcock's Moviemaking Master Class" is strongly recommended for academic library Cinematic Studies reference collections, and is essential reading for anyone aspiring to direct a feature film either as an independent or for a studio.


The Biography Shelf

Edwin Booth
Arthur W. Bloom
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
9780786472895, $55.00, www.amazon.com

Edwin Thomas Booth (November 13, 1833 - June 7, 1893) was a famous 19th-century American actor who toured throughout America and the major capitals of Europe, performing Shakespearean plays. In 1869 he founded Booth's Theatre in New York, a spectacular theatre that was quite modern for its time. Some theatrical historians consider him the greatest American actor, and the greatest Hamlet, of the 19th century. However, his achievements are often overshadowed by his relationship with his brother, John Wilkes Booth, the man who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Compiled with commentary by academician Arthur W. Bloom, "Edwin Booth: A Biography and Performance History" is a 360 page detailed compendium showcasing Booth's extensive performance history that spanned more than 30 years. Of special note are the inclusion of reviews and other supplementary materials. Organized chronologically and enhanced with occasional illustrations, "Edwin Booth: A Biography and Performance History" is a work of impressive biographical scholarship and a strongly recommended addition to academic library American Theatrical History reference collections in general, and the supplemental reading lists for students of Booth's personal and theatrical accomplishments in particular. It should also be noted that "Edwin Booth: A Biography and Performance History" is also available in a Kindle edition ($21.59).

Delta Fragments
John O. Hodges
The University of Tennessee Press
293 Communications Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-0325
9781572335707 $34.95 www.utpress.org

Delta Fragments: The Recollections of a Sharecropper's Son is the autobiographical writings of John Oliver, the son of black sharecroppers who attended segregated schools in Mississippi during the 1950's and 60's, and eventually left the area to earn multiple degrees and become a tenured professor. Arrayed in brief yet illuminating segments, Delta Fragments portrays the town of Greenwood half a century ago, memories of his friends and family, how he first met his biological father at age 19, and his perspective of the civil rights movement. Delta Fragments tells of racism, systemic wrongs, and the human anger sparked from such ills, but also calls for togetherness - to push for justice through open dialogue, inclusion, and the promotion of tolerance. At once both reflective and visionary, Delta Fragments is both a personal memoir an invaluable perspective of America's evolution through tumultuous times, and offers insight into how society can become more just and fair in the future.


The Music CD Shelf

Mzansi
Wouter Kellerman
www.wouterkellerman.com
Kellerman Music
c/o The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
$TBA CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com

South African flutist Wouter Kellerman (winner of the 2011 South African Music Award, the nation's highest musical honor) presents Mzansi, a cross-cultural album that draws upon influences worldwide - from Sengalese traditions to Celtic and South African music. The result is an enlivening, mind-expanding fusion, enhanced with singing in several different African languages and occasional wordless vocals. Uniquely expressive and adventurous, Mzansi is a treasure worthy of public library and internationally themed music collections. The tracks are "African Hornpipes", "Malaika", "Khokho", "Mama Tembu", "Cape Flats", "After Hours", "N'jarinu Garab", "Fire Drill", "Samami", "Mzansi", "Sylvia", "In The Moment", and "Miniamba".

Hawai'i '13
The Green
Easy Star Records
PO Box 1069, Cooper Station
New York, NY 10276
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221
Austin, TX 78748
www.easystar.com
$12.00 CD / $9.99 MP3 www.amazon.com

The Green has created their third studio album, Hawai'i '13, which draws upon the essence of reggae, soul, and R&B to give a lively, musical glimpse into Hawaiian daily life. As part of Hawaii's thriving and closely interconnected music scene, The Green share a pure-hearted love of their homeland, which shines through these unforgettable and emotionally moving songs. Highly recommended, especially as a souvenir of Hawaiian visits - or as a taste of home for Hawaiians living abroad. The tracks are "He Mele No Ku'u Hawai'i" (1:21), "Even Before" (5:02), "Good One" (3:24), "Something About It" (3:56), "Power in the Words" (4:38), "Good Vibe Killah" (4:26), "Chocolates & Roses" (5:03), "Hold Me Tight" (3:34), "Striking Up a Love" (4:01), "Take Me On" (3:22), "Forgive Me" (3:45), "Count to 3" (4:05), "Stand & Rise" (4:26), "Always & Forever" (4:33), and "Hawai'i Aloha" (1:53).

Three-Mountain Pass
Van-Anh Vanessa Vo
Innova
www.innova.mu
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
www.rockpaperscissors.biz
$15.00 www.vananhvo.com

Vietnamese instrumentalist and composer Van-Anh Vanessa Vo reveals her prodigious talent in Three-Mountain Pass, an extraordinarily beautiful album in which she plays the 16-string danTranh (a type of zither with moveable bridges and the ability to produce pitch-bending tones). Some songs have lyrics in Vietnamese; other draw upon history, such as the title track "Three-Mountain Pass" that incorporates an arrangement of a classic poem by 18th century female poet Ho XuanHuong. Three-Mountain Pass speaks especially to women, in songs with a message of empowerment. A striking and wondrous showcase, Three-Mountain Pass is highly recommended especially for international and public library music collections. The tracks are "Vong Co" (8:27), "Gnossienne No. 3" (4:49), "Three-Mountain Pass" (9:28), "Green River Delta" (4:41), "Mourning" (4:43), "The Legend" (6:41), and "Go Hunting" (6:24).

Brasslands: A Motion Picutre Soundtrack
www.brasslands.com
Evergreene Music
450 West 31st Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10001-4608
$12.00 CD / $10.00 digital www.evergreenemusic.com

Available both as a digital album with an iTunes booklet and as a Digipak CD with a 16-page booklet, Brasslands: A Motion Picutre Soundtrack collects the music from the acclaimed film Brasslands, showcasing the best of Balkan brass music. The lively, energetic songs have a binding quality that transcend the horrendous ethnic strife that has plagued the region, offering a call to unity, joy, and solidarity. Among the many contributors are some of Serbia's most famous trumpet performers: Roma musician Dejan Avdic, three-time Guca champion Demiran Cerimovic, and "trumpet master" Dejan Petrovic. Anyone who has ever enjoyed a rousing brass band performance will find Brasslands a "must-have" for their personal music collections! The tracks are "Brasslands", "Demiranov Cocek", "Boki", "Gradinom Cvece Cvetalo", "Riffcloud", "Sheherzada", "Mouser", "Dom Fantom", "Reger Cocek", "Squirrels, Squirrels, Squirrels", "Alo Mange Liloro", and "Sukrjin".

Travel in the Shadows
Marla Fibish & Bruce Victor
Noctambule Music
www.noctambulemusic.com
c/o Zach Hudson PR
$16.50 CD / $9.99 MP3 www.marlafibish.com

Travel in the Shadows is a soul-stirring blend of original music and classic poetry by Service (author of "Ballads of a Bohemian"), Theodore Roethke, Pablo Neruda, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and Edna St. Vincent Millay. Performed by San Francisco talents Marla Fibish and Bruce Victor, who go by the team name "Noctambule", Travel in Shadows brings time-tested lyrics to fresh new life through the stirrings of guitars, mandolin, mandola, bouzouki, button accordion, and much more. An extraordinary new way to relive transcendent moments of time, poetry, and human history, Travel in the Shadows is highly recommended especially for connoisseurs of musical storytelling. A beautiful lyric booklet is included. The tracks are "Insomnia" (5:46), "Noctambule" (4:54), "Madam I'm a Darlin'" (6:12), "Travel in the Shadows" (6:35), "Waltz for Danae" (5:26), "The Bohemian Dreams" (5:02), "A Suddenness of Trees" (4:46), "Lost" (6:54), "Captain Chalupa" (2:35), "The Sisters" (6:20), "The Bohemian Dreams (Les Reves Continuent)" (4:36), and "Recuerdo" (3:36).

Transformation
Sherry Finzer & Darin Mahoney
www.sherryfinzer.com
www.darinmahoney.com
Heart Dance Records
c/o The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
$13.99 CD / $9.99 MP3 www.amazon.com

Flute and acoustic guitar duo Sherry Finzer and Darin Mahoney present Transformation, a vibrant music album with an uplifting message of personal growth and change for the better. A smattering of synthesizer embellishes the songs, which highlight the haunting beauty of the flute in tandem with the rolling flow of the guitar. A treasury that brings comfort even as it inspires the listener to reach for greater personal heights, Transformation is an exceptional pick for new age connoisseurs. The tracks are "Alger St." (5:08), "Confused" (7:16), "Reflection" (5:20), "Early Spring" (6:54), "Joplin" (5:20), "White Sky In November" (4:40), "Jane's Song" (7:00), and "The Door" (5:54). 47 min., 32 sec.

Skycatcher
10 Ft. Ganja Plant
Reachout International Records, Inc.
540 President St. Ste 2H
Brooklyn, NY 11215
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221
Austin, TX 78748
www.roir-usa.com
$TBA CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com

Reggae sensation band 10 Ft. Ganja Plant presents Skycatcher, their latest album of old school rhythm infusion, rooted in the late 70's Jamaican musical tradition. Evocative and pure in its celebration of reggae's joyous essence, Skycatcher is a "must-have" for fans of the genre, highly recommended. The tracks are "In the Garden", "It's True", "Collect the Trophy", "Sounding Zone", "State of Man", "Skycatcher", "Where Do You Want To Be", "Hypocrites in Town", "Sometimes We Play", and "Sing and Dance".

Sonic Mandala
Go: Organic Orchestra
Composed & conducted by Adam Rudolph
Meta Records
metarecords.com
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
www.rockpaperscissors.biz
$TBA CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com

Composer and percussionist Adam Rudolph presents Sonic Mandala, a master sculpture of sound and harmony, performed by thirty-three musicians of Go: Organic Orchestra. An instrumental symphony that flows naturally through each of its twelve parts, Sonic Mandala evokes the spiritual and universal properties of its title. An extraordinary soundscape, incorporating traditions from East Indian music to jazz to the Japanese noh-kan flute to Mali hunter's harp and bamboo trumpet and much more, Sonic Mandala is a transcendental listening experience, highly recommended.

Nashaz
Composed by Brian Prunka
Ziryab Records
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
$TBA www.rockpaperscissors.biz

Nashaz is the eponymous debut CD of songs performed by the New York group Nashaz, and composed by Brian Prunka. A vibrant fusion of Arabic music and jazz, Nashaz is at times mysterious, at times racing, always fresh and adventurous. Fans of jazz and Arabic music alike will appreciate the ever-changing depths of Nashaz. Highly recommended, especially for international and multicultural music collections. The tracks are "Hijaz Nashaz" (9:33), "Khartoum" (7;44), "Andalus" (8:54), "Qassabiji's Nightmare" (7:13), "City of Sand" (6:36), "Jurjinah" (9:32), "Al-Ghayb" (8:17), and "'Ajam" (5:45).

Deep Theta 2.0
Steven Halpern
www.StevenHalpern.com
Inner Peace Music
c/o The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
$14.98 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com

Part of the "Brainwave Entertainment" series by Grammy-nominated composer and recording artist Steven Halpern, Deep Theta 2.0 is an instrumental album combining Rhodes electric piano, synthesizers, Japanese shakuhachi and Indian bansuri bamboo flutes into a smoothly enriching experience conducive to meditation. Composed and created to at the optimal frequency (4 Hertz) of the brain state connected to deeper meditation, improved healing, and creativity, Deep Theta 2.0 is an excellent choice to accompany the practices of yoga, Zen, or simple relaxation. Also highly recommended for mindful listening are Halpern's other holistic albums, "Deep Alpha 2.0" and "Chakra Suite".

Canyon Records Productions
3131 West Clarendon Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85017
www.canyonrecords.com

Canyon Records continues its laudable tradition of bringing authentic Native American music to the public with three new albums on CD. "Save Me a Lead" (65 min. 20 sec.) by Young Spirit gathers Cree Round Dance songs directly from the 2013 gathering of Alberta Cree peoples, featuring the very best Northern Drum and Hand Drum singers. "Charity" (58 min. 5 sec.) by Kevin Yazzie is the final gathering of recordings created to honor the guiding principles of the Native American Church: Faith, Hope, Love, and Charity. "Loyalty to the Drum" (47 min. 44 sec.) by Grammy-nominees Northern Cree is an anthology of songs recorded live in the annual Rocky Boy Pow-Wow. All are choice picks for multicultural music collections, and highly recommended for anyone interested in listening Native American music traditions cherished through the centuries, right up to the modern day.


The Library DVD Shelf

Sleepless Epidemic
Based on the book by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, Ed.D.
www.parentchildhelp.com
Learning ZoneXpress
667 East Vine Street
Owatonna, MN 55060
$79.95 www.learningzonexpress.com

Based in part on the insightful book "Sleepless in America" by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, Ed.D, Sleepless Epidemic is an educational DVD suitable for viewers of all ages, from grade schoolers and preteens to adults. Sleepless Epidemic reveals how not getting enough sleep can impair one's physical health and academic performance. Sleeplessness is linked to higher rates of obesity, stress, accidents, and more; young people who get the proper amount of sleep improve how well they do in school and in athletics. Printable teaching materials are available online at www.learningzoneexpress.com/worksheets to help impress these valuable tips, tricks, and techniques for ensuring a restful night. Sleepless Night is highly recommended especially for public and school library DVD collections, as well as educational viewing during homeroom. 32 min., closed-captioned.

Shadows of Liberty
Docfactory & Jean-Philippe Tremblay
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
www.shadowsofliberty.org
$295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com

Licensed for public performance, Shadows of Liberty is a documentary that reveals just how great an influence that corporations and the bottom line have one of America's most fundamental pillars of democracy: its news media. A rash of media mergers has concentrated national journalism in the hands of fewer and fewer power brokers, and the American public pays the price of censorship. The erosion of journalism's integrity is scrutinized via case studies, from the suppression of controversial news reports, to the tragic suicide of a dedicated muckraking journalism, to the for-profit agenda of the television show "To Catch a Predator" and how it distorted local police efforts. A sober look at today's very precarious situation, Shadows of Liberty is highly recommended especially for public and school library collections. 93 min. (a 53 min. version is also present on the same DVD), SDH captions.

Cocaine Unwrapped
Directed and Produced by Rachel Seifert
Dartmouth Films
c/o Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
193777256X $295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com

Cocaine Unwrapped: The Real Price of Cocaine is a harrowing documentary about the high tolls of cocaine and the war on drugs. From coca farmers to cocaine factories, drug mules, drug dealers, and law enforcement on the streets, cocaine's economic cycle inflicts tremendous violence, addiction, and suffering. But do the American drug wars really stem the narcotic deluge? Or do they simply escalate the price of drugs, thereby increasing the lucrative profit margin of globalized criminals? What alternatives are there to the current stalemate of death? Featuring front-line drug war testimony, exclusive access to Latin American political leaders, and interviews with drug czars, Cocaine Unwrapped challenges viewers to rethink American anti-drug policies, if only because the current status quo is unforgivably brutal and ineffective. Highly recommended, especially for high school, public, and college library DVD collections. 83 min., SDH captions.

Time Team: The Team's Favorite Digs
Athena
c/o Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598289442 $59.99 www.acornonline.com

British actor, comedian, and historian Tony Robinson (known for his role in the dark comedy "Blackadder") leads the Time Team of archaeologists in Time Team: The Team's Favorite Digs, an eye-opening, true-life documentary about how archaeologists work to unearth secrets about past civilizations and reconstruct history. From determining whether a treasury of historic artifacts is genuine or a hoax, to zip-lining to an offshore rock that humans once called home centuries ago, to investigating a World War II crash site in France and much more, Time Team is an amazing glimpse into the hard work, science, deductions and discoveries that fuel the discipline of archaeology. Time Team: The Team's Favorite Digs is the first North American DVD release of eight episodes, each showcasing the Time Team's efforts against a different challenge. Bonus features include the Time Team's first episode and two follow-up episodes, plus a sixteen-page viewer's guide. Time Team: The Team's Favorite Digs is an excellent and educational pick for both school and public library DVD collections, highly recommended. 3 DVDs, 407 min. plus bonus, fullscreen, SDH subtitles.

This Is Martin Bonner
Paul Eenhoorn & Richmond Arquette
Monterey Media Inc.
566 St. Charles Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-3901
9781569943700 $26.95 www.montereymedia.com

Winner of an award at the Sundance film festival, among many other honors, This Is Martin Bonner is an original movie about two men struggling to find their road in life. Martin Bonner has recently endured bankruptcy; he works as a volunteer helping prisoners adjust to freedom. Travis Holloway is a flat-broke prisoner, recently released, trying to make ends meet and re-adjust to an unforgiving world. The two develop an unlikely friendship, but when Travis betrays Martin's trust, the consequences are devastating. A thought-provoking story about human flaws and frailties, carried by strong performances in both lead roles, This Is Martin Bonner is highly recommended. R rating (for some language and brief sexuality), closed captioned, 83 min.

Brainwave
Athena Learning
c/o Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781621720140 $59.99 www.acornonline.com

Originally filmed for display on the internet, Brainwave is a documentary series now available on DVD, featuring the testimonies of celebrities (including actors, musicians, comedians, choreographers, filmmakers, artists, and authors) and cutting-edge neuroscientists in a bid to better understand just how the human mind works. The machinations of mental mysteries and human emotions are explored at length in conversational episodes such as "The Science of Rage: Lewis Black and Robert Allan" and "Creativity and the Dreaming Brain: Amy Tan and Deirdre Barrett". Fascinating and educational, Brainwave is thoroughly enlightening - you'll never think the same way about thinking again! Highly recommended, especially for public and college library DVD collections (some coarse language is present, but not nudity or violence). 10 episodes on 3 DVDs, 562 min., full screen (ep. 1-7) and widescreen (ep. 8-10), SDH subtitles.

Blandings, series 1
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781621720829 $39.99 www.acornonline.com

At last available on DVD in North America, Blandings Series 1 collects the full first season of the modern-day BBC television adaptation of the delightfully crazed and witty stories by P.G. Wodehouse (the last televised adaptation of Wodehouse's Blandings Castle stories was in the 1960's). Clarence Emsworth is allegedly the master of the worn-down Blandings Castle, and his loyal Butler Beach seems to have his back, but one silly mix-up after another distracts him from his heartfelt desire - quality time with his beloved prize pig, the Empress. His authoritarian sister, his brainless son, and one quirky guest after another conspire to turn his country lifestyle into a bizarre pseudo-carnival, in this hilarious tongue-in-cheek comedy (with some moderate sexual references). Highly recommended. 6 episodes on 2 DVDs, SDH subtitles, 182 min.

The Rose of Versailles Part 1
Based on the manga by Riyoko Ikeda
Right Stuf, Inc.
PO Box 680
Grimes, IA 50111
1570327483 $49.99 www.rightstuf.com

The Rose of Versailles Part 1 is a four-DVD collection of the first twenty episodes of the anime (Japanese animation) television series based on the shojo manga (Japanese comics) by Riyoko Ikeda. Set during the twilight of the French monarchy, The Rose of Versailles follows Oscar, the daughter of General Jarjayes, given a man's name and raised as a boy to protect her family's noble standing. Oscar grows up to become a skilled duelist and marksman at a tender age, and earns an appointment to Commander of the French Royal Guards. Her duty: to protect Marie Antoinette, bride-to-be of French prince and future king Louis-Auguste. Yet the naive Marie has enemies at every turn, some seeking to chip away at her reputation, others to take her life! An enthralling drama, The Rose of Versailles is an absolute "must-have" for fans of shojo anime, highly recommended. 4 DVDs, 480 min., Japanese language with English subtitles.

Arthritis Rx
Created by Vijay Vad, MD
Acacia
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 650
Silver Spring, MD 20910
9781621721055 $19.99 www.acacialifestyle.com

Sports Medicine expert Vijay Vad, MD has created Arthritis Rx, a DVD workout program created especially for people of all fitness levels and walks of life who suffer from arthritis. The workouts draw from yoga and pilates, and are designed to improve mobility, reduce pain, and lessen personal dependence on medication. Veteran yoga instructor Stephanie Culen guides the viewer through the workouts, which are offered at three levels of intensity as suited to the viewer's personal needs. Every exercise has an accompanying step-by-step tutorial, in this excellent reference and resource. Arthritis Rx cannot substitute for the care of a trained medical professional, but makes an excellent fitness and flexibility routine, and is highly recommended as both a preventative and a treatment especially for anyone with problematic arthritis or chronic joint pain.

Walk it Off in 30 Days
Leslie Sansone
Anchor Bay Entertainment
2401 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 200
Troy, MI 48084-3304
c/o Fit PR
www.walkathome.com
$14.98 www.anchorbayentertainment.com

Walk it Off in 30 Days is a fitness DVD created especially for busy people in today's fast-paced world. Fitness expert Leslie Sansone offers the viewer their choice of two 30-minute workouts on one DVD: a "Burn 30 Workout" consisting of calorie-burn cardio, and a "Firm 30 Workout" consisting of steady strength training. Neither workout requires equipment, though inexpensive weights (light hand weights for the cardio, moderate weight dumbbells for the strength training) can enhance the experience. Leslie recommends the Burn 30 program on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and the Firm 30 program on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, but the viewer is free to set their own personal schedule. Walk it Off in 30 Days is user-friendly, accessible to viewers of all skill, experience, and fitness levels; its cardio program resembles a "power walk" event that gradually builds up to a solid exercise experience. Walk it Off in 30 Days is highly recommended especially as an excellent way for sedentary people to get started with a regular fitness regimen. 64 min.

Baby on Board: Pre-Natal Yoga
Peggy Hall & Melinda Ferreira
www.PeggyHall.com
Yoga for Surfers
www.babyonboardyoga.com
c/o 411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$29.95 www.411videoinfo.com

Certified yoga instructor and mind/body wellness guru Peggy Hall presents Baby on Board: Pre-Natal Yoga, a DVD workout designed especially for expecting mothers. Divided into a 25-minute "energizing sequence" of yoga poses to promote muscular strength, a 25-minute "soothing sequence" to calm the mind and spirit, and a medley of bonus features (including "Why Do Yoga During Pregnancy", "Yoga Breathing To Ease Discomfort", and more), Baby on Board: Pre-Natal Yoga is easy to use and makes an excellent baby shower gift! Also highly recommended is "Baby on Board: Post-Natal Yoga" for new mothers looking to improve and maintain their strength, suppleness, and figure. 70 min., no regional coding.

John Wesley: The Man and His Mission
Presented by Keith Garner
A Wesley Mission Production
c/o Vision Video
P.O. Box 540
Worcester, PA 19490
$19.99 www.visionvideo.com

John Wesley: The Man and His Mission is a DVD documentary about John Wesley (1703-1791), known for his pivotal role in founding the Methodist movement, along with his brother Charles Wesley. His work and message, which he spread by open-air preaching, also influenced the development of the Holiness movement and Pentecostalism. He opposed Calvinism and the doctrine of predestination, and championed the idea that the Christian faithful could become sanctified and transformed by God, and come to know Jesus Christ personally. He worked for social justice, reforms in poverty relief, prison reform, and the furtherance of education. Hosted by Keith Garner, an expert on Wesley's life and legacy, John Wesley: The Man and His Mission is an inspiration to Christians and principled humanitarians of all faiths, highly recommended especially for public library and church DVD collections. Bonus features include an interactive timeline and sample Wesley sermons delivered by Keith Garner. 55 min., coded for all regions.

Annika Bengtzon, Crime Reporter
Based on the novels by Liza Marklund
MHz Networks
8101A Lee Highway
Falls Church, VA. 22042
www.mhznetworks.org

Annika Bengtzon, Crime Reporter is a darkly thrilling television series on DVD, based on the popular crime novels by Liza Marklund. Annika is a journalist beset by pressures from her demanding job, her shaky marriage, and her responsibilities to her two children. She won't shy away from learning the truth behind gruesome crimes, and she won't back down from colleagues or criminals, but at times the greatest sacrifice seems to be her personal life. Annika Bengtzon, Crime Reporter Episodes 1-3 (SKU-16744, $39.95) has the shows "Nobel's Last Will", in which Annika witnesses a brazen murder at the Nobel Prize Banquet; "Prime Time", in which Annika's best friend is among the suspects of the murder of a prominent TV host; and "Studio Sex", when the murder of a stripper and a political scandal bring Annika ill memories and inner turmoil. Annika Bengtzon, Crime Reporter Episodes 4-6 (SKU-16745, $39.95) has the shows "The Red Wolf", Annika uncovers the terrorist and government connections to the murder of a journalist; "Lifetime", in which Annika searches for the truth behind a case in which a police officer is accused of murdering her husband; and "A Place in the Sun", in which Annika investigates the killing of a Swedish family, a crime that ties into the brutal drug trade. An intense, realistic and gripping series, Annika Bengtzon, Crime Reporter is a choice pick for connoisseurs of criminal drama.

Detective Inspector Irene Huss series
Based on the novels by Helene Tursten
MHz Networks
8101A Lee Highway
Falls Church, VA. 22042
$39.95 each www.mhznetworks.org

MHz Networks continues to release the finest international mysteries on DVD in North America with the Detective Inspector Irene Huss series, movie-length Swedish shows based on the crime fiction of popular author Helen Tursten. Irene Huss is a tough woman - a former European ju-jitsu champion, wife to a supportive husband, mother of two teenage daughters, and a Detective Inspector attached to the Violent Crimes Unit in Gothenburg. Her job is harrowing and regularly pits her against monsters in human guise, from serial killers to criminal masterminds to sociopathic young women. "Detective Inspector Irene Huss: Episodes 7-9" ($39.95, 3 DVDs, 581 min.) features "The Hidden Watcher", in which Irene must track down a serial killer from the bodies he has buried in a forgotten field; "The Treacherous Net", in which a brutal murderer uses internet chat rooms to lure young women into his sadistic clutches; and "The Man with the Small Face", in which the injury of an unidentified girl and the vehicular hit-and-run on a retired policeman just might be linked. "Detective Inspector Irene Huss: Episodes 10-12" ($39.95, 3 DVDs, 581 min.) has the episodes "Ring of Silence", in which the raped and murdered body of a young man points to a local trendy nightclub visited by Irene's daughter; "Protected by Shadows", in which a motorcycle gang with connections attempts to bomb the restaurant owned by Irene's husband; and "The Hunted Witness", in which no one can identify the body of a young woman, foud dead wearing someone else's wedding ring. The Detective Inspector Irene Huss series is a choice pick for connoisseurs of gritty, serious crime drama. (All episodes are in Swedish with English subtitles).

Foyle's War Set 7
Starring Michael Kitchen
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598289923 $49.99 www.acornonline.com

Foyle's War Set 7 collects on DVD three featuring-length mysteries centered upon London DCS Christopher Foyle (played by Michael Kitchen), retired from police work, and all but forced to serve Britain's secret intelligence. The year is 1946, and though World War II is over, the Cold War has just begun. The three mysteries, which will also be showcased on PBS, are "The Eternity Ring", in which Foyle investigates a Russin spy ring; "The Cage", in which the deaths of multiple Russian defectors lead Foyle to a hidden military facility; and "Sunflower", in which Foyle must unravel the perpetrator of assassination attempts against an ex-Nazi defector that the MI5 has been charged to protect. Almost two hours of bonus features round out this engrossing period piece, including a recap of sets 1-6, four behind-the-scenes featurettes, introductions by Foyle's writer and creator Anthony Horowitz, and a photo gallery. Highly recommended, especially for fans of British mysteries! 3 DVDs, 274 min. plus bonus, widescreen, SDH subtitles.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Lend Me An Ear
Martha Hoffman
Dogwise Publishing
403 South Mission Street
Wenatchee WA 98801
www.dogwisepublishing.com
9781617811210, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Just as there are 'Seeing Eye' dogs that help the visually impaired, so that are 'Hearing Ear' dogs that aid the hearing impaired. In "Lend Me an Ear: Temperament, Selection and Training of the Hearing Ear Dog", author Martha Hoffman draws from her more than twenty-five years of experience as the training director for the Hearing Dog Program to write a 220 page compendium on how to select and train an effecting hearing ear dog. Offering thoroughly 'reader friendly' explanations of the complex temperament of the perfect Hearing Dog; texting methods to select shelter dogs for their Hearing Dog potential; as well as dog-friendly training methods for teaching a dog to be alert to sounds in behalf of their human companion, "Lend Me an Ear: Temperament, Selection and Training of the Hearing Ear Dog" can well be considered the 'bible' on the subject of this specialized animal companion. With the highest of recommendations, "Lend Me an Ear: Temperament, Selection and Training of the Hearing Ear Dog" should be part of every professional and community library Pets/Wildlife instructional reference collection. It should be noted that "Lend Me an Ear: Temperament, Selection and Training of the Hearing Ear Dog" is also available in a Kindle edition ($14.99).

The Raptors of Iowa
James F. Landenberger, et al.
University of Iowa Press
119 West Park Road
Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
www.uiowapress.org
9781609381660, $29.95, www.amazon.com

"The Raptors of Iowa" is a 188 page compendium showcasing thirty-two of James F. Landenberger's superb full color paintings of Iowa's bird life ranging from the American Kestrel, to the Snowy Owl, to the Swallow-Tailed Kite, to the American Bald Eagle. The late James F. Landenberger (1938-2003) was a wild life painter of a caliber equal to the legendary John James Audubon. This impressive collection of his work (each full page picture has an accompanying information caption on the opposing page) is enhanced with informed and informative essays contributed by Jon Stravers (Driftless Area Coordinator for the national Audubon Society's Mississippi River Initiative); avian ecologist Bruce Ehrshman (Wildlife Diversity Program, Iowa Department of Natural Resource); and Rich Patterson (Director of the Indian Creek Nature Center). Superbly produced, "The Raptors of Iowa" is very highly recommended for personal bird watcher reading lists, academic library Avian Studies reference collections, and community library Pets/Wildlife collections. It should be noted that "The Raptors of Iowa" is also available in a Kindle edition ($16.17).

California Condors in the Pacific Northwest
Jesse D'Elia & Susan M. Haig
Oregon State University Press
121 The Valley Library, Corvallis, OR 97331
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/press
9780870717000, $19.95, www.amazon.com

The California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is a New World vulture, the largest North American land bird. This condor became extinct in the wild in 1987 (all remaining wild individuals were captured) but has been reintroduced to northern Arizona and southern Utah (including the Grand Canyon area and Zion National Park), coastal mountains of central and southern California, and northern Baja California. The condor is a scavenger and eats large amounts of carrion. It is one of the world's longest-living birds, with a life span of up to 60 years. The collaborative work of fish and wildlife biologist Jesse D'Elia (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon) and wildlife ecologist Susan M. Haig (USGS Forest & Rangeland Ecosuystem Science Center, Oregon State University), "California Condors in the Pacific Northwest" is a 184 page compendium incorporating contemporary research studies and findings, plus more than eighty detailed historical accounts of human encounters with the California Condor. A deftly composed work of impressive scholarship and research, and enhanced with occasional illustrations by Ram Papish, "California Condors in the Pacific Northwest" is a strongly recommend addition to professional and academic library Contemporary Wildlife Studies reference collections in general, and California Condor studies supplemental reading lists in particular.

The Maine Coon Cat
Liza Gardner Walsh
Down East Books
PO Box 679
Camden, ME 04843
9781608932504 $16.95 www.downeastbooks.com

Featuring striking, full color photography on almost every page, The Maine Coon Cat is a delightful introduction to the second most popular breed of cat (after Persians). Chapters reconstruct the little-known history of this heavyset feline, stories of rescuing or living with Maine Coons, Maine Coons in literature, tips for caring for a Maine Coon, and perhaps most importantly, how to ensure that one's prospective pet comes from a responsible, registered breeder who cares about the animals, and not a "backyard breeder" who eschews animal welfare for a quick profit. "Noting where the kittens are being raised is important. If they are housed in a part of the house with only the mother cat, this would sound an alarm for proper socialization. Also, if there are more than two or three litters at one time, it might be more of a kitten mill than a quality breeder who is going to devote a lot of time to their cats." Highly recommended, especially for casual cat fanciers!


The Economic Studies Shelf

Capitalism and Democracy: A Fragile Alliance
Theo van de Klundert
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court
Northampton, MA 01060-3815
www.e-elgar.com
9781781956151, $120.00, www.amazon.com

Capitalism is an economic system in which capital assets are privately owned and items are brought to market for profit. In a capitalist economy, the parties to a transaction determine the prices at which assets, goods, and services are exchanged. Central elements of capitalism include capital accumulation, competitive markets and wage labor. Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens participate equally (either directly or through elected representatives) in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. It encompasses social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination. The latest addition to Edward Elgar Publishing's outstanding New Horizons in Institutional and Evolutionary Economics series, "Capitalism and Democracy: A Fragile Alliance" by academician Theo van de Klundert (Tilburg University, The Netherlands) is a 240 page compendium that provides an analytical history and overview the interdependent and fluctuating interplay between economics and politics in established and developing nations. A masterpiece of seminal scholarship, informed and informative, "Capitalism and Democracy: A Fragile Alliance" is strongly recommended reading and a core addition to academic library International Economics and Political Science Studies reference collections.


The Mathematics Shelf

Statistical Techniques for Forensic Accounting
Saurav K. Dutta
FT Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.ftpress.com
970133133813, $89.99, www.amazon.com

Forensic accounting, forensic accountancy or financial forensics is the specialty practice area of accountancy that describes engagements that result from actual or anticipated disputes or litigation. "Forensic" means "suitable for use in a court of law", and it is to that standard and potential outcome that forensic accountants generally have to work. Forensic accountants, also referred to as forensic auditors or investigative auditors, often have to give expert evidence at the eventual trial. All of the larger accounting firms, as well as many medium-sized and boutique firms, as well as various Police and Government agencies have specialist forensic accounting departments. Within these groups, there may be further sub-specializations: some forensic accountants may, for example, just specialize in insurance claims, personal injury claims, fraud, construction, or royalty audits. "Statistical Techniques for Forensic Accounting: Understanding the Theory and Application of Data Analysis" by Saurav K. Dutta (Associate Professor, Department of Accounting, Business Law, and Taxation, University of Albany, New York), is a 288 page compendium focused on the mathematical underpinnings of forensic accounting. A seminal work of great value, especially for accountants and accounting students, "Statistical Techniques for Forensic Accounting: Understanding the Theory and Application of Data Analysis" is strongly recommended as a core text for academic library reference collections. It should also be noted that "Statistical Techniques for Forensic Accounting: Understanding the Theory and Application of Data Analysis" is also available in a Kindle edition ($41.03).


The Social Issues Shelf

Not a Choice, Not a Job
Janice G. Raymond
Potomac Books, Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166-2012
9781612346267 $29.95 www.potomacbooksinc.com

Not a Choice, Not a Job: Exposing the Myths about Prostitution and the Global Sex Trade is a pointed criticism of the many apologists for the sex trade, and takes a well-researched stand against efforts to legalize or decriminalize prostitution. Author Janice G. Raymond (professor emeritus of women's studies and medical ethics, University of Massachusetts at Amherst), offers strong counter-arguments, grounded in empirical evidence, to libertarian claims that prostitution is just "sex work", and should be treated like any other "job". Raymond observes that in nations where the sex industry has been legalized/decriminalized, brutal violence against prostitutes and human trafficking in slave-like conditions does not decrease - instead, the police and legal forces lose valuable tools to use against pimps and brothels that rape, imprison, and torture women. When prostitution is legalized - as in the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, or parts of Nevada in the U.S. - it simply cannot be sufficiently regulated to prevent abuse, murders, human trafficking, unwanted pregnancy, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, etc. Furthermore, legalized prostitution often results in families pushing their daughters into the sex-for-sale industry at young ages, in order to capitalize on their bodies with tacit legal and therefore societal approval. "There are those who would ask us to speak only about the violation of trafficking and not about prostitution as violence against women. But sex tafficking is globalized prostitution. Globalization of the world economy also means globalization of sex industries. The links between domestic prostitution industries and international trafficking networks are critical to the expansion of the sex industry". Extensively researched and persuasively argued, Not a Choice, Not a Job is a desperately needed voice speaking out for the rights and dignity of women and girls worldwide, worthy of the highest recommendation.

Viral Hate
Abraham H. Foxman & Christopher Wolf
Palgrave Macmillan
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10001
www.palgrave-usa.com
9780230342170, $27.00, www.amazon.com

The internet is a powerful source of both information and misinformation. It facilitates all manner of communications as never before in the history of mankind. It is also easier than at any previous era of time to spread hostility, vicious rumor, exhortations to violence, and all manner of hate speech. "Viral Hate: Containing Its Spread on the Internet" by Abraham H. Foxman (former national director of the Anti-Defamation League) and Christopher Wolf (national chair of the Anti-Defamation League Civil Rights Committee) is a 256 page compendium specifically dealing with identifying the presence and consequences of internet facilitated hate speech and what can and should be done about it. Of special note is the chapter on 'Promoting Civility and Reducing Hate on the Internet'. Superbly written, organized and presented, enhanced with the inclusion of six thematically appropriate appendices, featuring extensive notes, and providing a comprehensive index, "Viral Hate: Containing Its Spread on the Internet" should be in the core collections of ever highschool, college, and community library in the country -- and mandatory reading for anyone concerned with the social, cultural, political, and physical consequences of unrestrained internet hate speech. It should also be noted that "Viral Hate: Containing Its Spread on the Internet" is available in a Kindle edition ($11.04).


The Language Studies Shelf

Latin Synonyms for Language Lovers: A Select Thesaurus
Christine E. Meyer
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers
1570 Baskin Road, Mundelein, IL 60060
09780865167940, $29.00, www.amazon.com

In "Latin Synonyms for Language Lovers: A Select Thesaurus", author and highschool Latin instructor Christine E. Meyer has compiled an impressive 280 page compendium offering word listings of Latin synonyms grouped by English definitions and parts of speech, with each individual entry offering multiple Latin vocabulary options thereby enabling students to select and differentiate between similar words. This skill allows those students to utilize Latin as a living language. Enhanced with twenty-two images, an appendix of Latin expressions, and two indices, "Latin Synonyms for Language Lovers: A Select Thesaurus" is thoroughly "user friendly" and very strongly recommended as a core supplemental addition to Latin Language Studies curriculum materials. It should be noted that Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers is a premier publisher of instructional materials for Latin Language Studies and have an extensive roster of their publications on their web site at www.bolchazy.com.


The Architecture Shelf

Rafael Moneo: International Portfolio 1985-2012
Edition Axel Menges
c/o National Book Network
4270 Boston Way, Suite 200
Lanham, MD 20706
9783936681567 $89.00 www.nbnbooks.com

Rafael Moneo: International Portfolio 1985-2012 is a black-and-white photographic showcase of the architectural creations of Rafael Moneo, focusing entirely on the works that Moneo designed for locations outside of his home country of Spain. There is a minimal amount of scholarly text scrutinizing the unique challenges faced by an architect adapting to cultural norms and expectations outside of his native culture, but the bulk of Rafael Moneo: International Portfolio 1985-2012 is devoted to visual imagery, from sketches and plans to full-page showcases of the completed buildings in day-to-day use. An excellent addition to college library Architecture shelves!

American Ski Resort
Margaret Supplee Smith
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive
Norman, OK 73069
9780806142951 $45.00 www.oupress.com

Featuring copious black-and-white and color photography throughout, American Ski Resort is an oversized hardcover examining the history and evolution of ski resorts in North America, with an especial focus on the architecture of such institutions. Chapters touch upon the first specialized skiing destinations, vacation homes, regional variations, skiing's environmental impact, resort housing and much more. An extensive, scholarly text, American Ski Resort is especially recommended for college library Architecture shelves. "Sewage was one of skiing's biggest problems. The thin rocky soil at high altitudes could not handle the wastewater and sewage generated by tens thousand skiers in a weekend. Botan Hubert Vogelmann of the University of Vermont warned that unless subsequent development took their fragile nature into consideration, the Green Mountains would become a tundra. He established the '2,500-foot rule': above that elevation a mountain had very little capacity to absorb water, sewage, or heavy use."

Rural Modern
Russell Abraham
The Images Publishing Group
c/o ACC Distribution
6 West 18th Street, Suite 4B, NY, NY 10011
9781864704877, $60.00, www.amazon.com

Simply stated, architecture is art when done creatively and imaginatively. Compiled with edited by Russell Abraham, "Rural Modern" is a 240 page compendium showcasing architectural projects by such notable architects as Min Day, Carter Burton, Turnbuill, Griffin, Haesloop, Olson Kundig, and an impressive roster of others. Enhanced with some 200 full color photographs supporting informed and informative commentaries ranging from Carter Burton's 'A new voice in Southern Modernism', to Will Bruder's 'Genius in the Desert', "Rural Modern" is a welcome and strongly recommended contribution to professional and academic library Contemporary Architectural Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.


The Native American Studies Shelf

Algic Researches
Henry Rowe Schoolcraft
Clearfield Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 260
Baltimore, MD 21211
www.genealogical.com
9780806313528, $48.60, www.amazon.com

"Algic Researches : Comprising Inquiries Respecting the Mental Characteristics of the North American Indians. Indian Tales and Legends: Volumes I & II" was originally published in 1839 to wide popular acclaim -- and has been out of print and considered a rare book ever since. Now the Clearfield Company (a premier publisher of genealogical literature) has brought this literary treasure back into print for the benefit of new generations of readers and students of Native American culture and folklore. This flawless photomechanically reproduced Clearfield Company edition is enhanced with an informed and informative new introduction by William K. McNeil (The Ozark Folk Center) and is a 510 page compendium of authentic Native American folk tales, legends, stories, and myths. A welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to community and academic library Native American Studies reference collections, "Algic Researches" will prove particularly interesting for non-specialist general readers with an interest in Native American 'tales and legends'.

Tears Of Repentance
Julius H. Rubin
University of Nebraska Press
233 North 8th Street
Lincoln, Nebraska, 68588-0255
www.nebraskapress.unl.edu
9780803243552, $75.00, www.amazon.com

The conversion of Native Americans to Christianity was of particular concern to colonial era New England Protestants. "Tears of Repentance: Christian Indian Identity and Community in Colonial Southern New England" by Julius H. Rubin (Professor of Sociology, University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, Connecticut) is a 424 page compendium that provides a fresh perspective on Protestant missionaries to the neighboring tribes and how the Christianized natives lived, experienced, and practiced their new faith. Of particular interest is how the perception of the converted natives were effected by the 'Great Awakening' revivals that swept through southern New England during the 18th century. An impressive work of original and seminal scholarship, "Tears of Repentance: Christian Indian Identity and Community in Colonial Southern New England" is a valued contribution to academic library Native American Studies and American Colonial History Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists. It should be noted that "Tears of Repentance: Christian Indian Identity and Community in Colonial Southern New England" is also available in a Kindle edition ($60.00).


The Music Shelf

Mendelssohn's Instrumental Music: Structure and Style
Erez Rapoport
Pendragon Press
PO Box 190, Hillsdale, NY 12529
www.pendragonpress.com
9781576472118, $48.00, www.amazon.com

Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (3 February 1809 - 4 November 1847), generally known in English-speaking countries, as Felix Mendelssohn, was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period. His essentially conservative musical tastes, set him apart from many of his more adventurous 19th Century musical contemporaries such as Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner and Hector Berlioz. The Leipzig Conservatoire (now the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig), which he founded, became a bastion of this anti-radical outlook. Mendelssohn wrote symphonies, concerti, oratorios, piano music and chamber music. His best-known works include his Overture and incidental music for A Midsummer Night's Dream, the Italian Symphony, the Scottish Symphony, the overture The Hebrides, his mature Violin Concerto, and his String Octet. After a long period of relative denigration due to changing musical tastes and anti-Semitism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, his creative originality has now been recognized and re-evaluated. He is now among the most popular composers of the Romantic era. "Mendelssohn's Instrumental Music: Structure and Style" by music theorist and teacher Erez Rapoport (1959-2009) is the 18th volume in the outstanding Pendragon Press 'Harmonologia:Studies in Music Theory' series and is a 182 page compendium providing a sophisticated, informed and informative analysis of Mendelssohn's particular compositional style of instrumental music. A work of impressive scholarship, "Mendelssohn's Instrumental Music: Structure and Style" is a seminal contribution to the study of Felix Mendelssohn and a core addition to professional and academic library 19th Century Classical Music reference collections.


The International Studies Shelf

Civil Society In China
Karla W. Simon
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10016-4314
www.oup.com/us
9780199765898, $75.00, www.amazon.com

From its earliest conception, China has been a major political, cultural, and economic force in Asia. Within the time frame of the 20th Century and down to the present day, China has also become a significant global influence. "Civil Society in China: The Legal Framework from Ancient Times to the "New Reform Era" by Karla W. Simon (Professor of Law at the Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America) is a 560 page compendium providing a detailed historical overview of China's law codes and the judicial system that enforced them. Of special note is the Dynastic Overview that Professor Simon provides, as well as the background information on the Revolution and its impact on China's legal systems. Enhanced with the inclusion of two appendices, and extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive index, "Civil Society in China: The Legal Framework from Ancient Times to the "New Reform Era" is an impressive body of seminal scholarship and is strongly recommended as a core addition to academic and governmental library International Studies holdings in general, and China Studies reference collections in particular.


The Civil War Shelf

John Bell Hood
Stephen M. Hood
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
www.savasbeatie.com
9781611211405, $32.95, www.amazon.com

John Bell Hood (June 1 1831 - August 30, 1879) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. Hood had a reputation for bravery and aggressiveness that sometimes bordered on recklessness. Arguably one of the best brigade and division commanders in the Confederate States Army, Hood became increasingly ineffective as he was promoted to lead larger, independent commands late in the war, and his career was marred by his decisive defeats leading an army in the Atlanta Campaign and the Franklin-Nashville Campaign. "John Bell Hood: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of a Confederate General" by Stephen M. Hood (a descendent of General Hood) is a 336 page biographical compendium that offers a wealth of information on General Hood's once controversial contributions to the Confederate campaigns against Union forces. Enhanced with historical maps and photos, "John Bell Hood: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of a Confederate General" also features three appendices, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive index. A deftly written and ably presented work of impressive and seminal research, "John Bell Hood: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of a Confederate General" is a very highly recommended addition to academic library Civil War Studies reference collections. It should also be noted that "John Bell Hood: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of a Confederate General" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).


The Holocaust Studies Shelf

Fight On
Bernard L. Kahan
Cable Publishing
14090 East Keinenen Road, Brule, WI 54820
www.cablepublishing.com
9781934980644, $24.95, www.amazon.com

Born the son of a Jew in what became Hitler's Germany, Bernard Kahan saw his best friend join the Nazi party and turn on him. This was a precursor omen of what life was going to be like if he stayed in Germany. Moving to America and joining the American army, he found himself at war's end once again in his hometown of Munich looking at the rubble that had been the street upon which he had lived and the apartment in which his family had dwelt. Told with the assistance of Neil Kahn, this first hand account is a riveting read. A deftly written and valued contribution to the growing library of World War II era biographies, "Fight On: A GI's Odyssey Back To Nazi Germany" should be a core addition to community and academic library collections, and is very highly recommended reading for non-specialist general readers with an interest in personal stories of what combat was like a child growing up within cycling distance of the Dachau Concentration Camp to combat life and death for front line soldiers.


The Calendar Shelf

American Quilter's Society 2014 Wall Calendar
American Quilter's Society
PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781604601022, $12.95, www.americanquilter.com

American Quilter's Society 2014 Wall Calendar provides a lively wall calendar perfect for any who love quilting and want to see full-color inspirations on their walls. Thirteen lovely quilts were selected from the winners of the 2013 AQS quilt week in Kentucky and are here provided in a large-format, 12 x 24" wall calendar perfect for displaying them. A lovely gift for any quilter, this includes good-sized boxes for easy notes.


The Wisconsin Shelf

Wisconsin Supper Clubs
Ron Faiola
Midway
c/o Agate Publishing, Inc.
1328 Greenleaf St.
Evanston, IL 60202
9781572841420 $35.00 agatepublishing.com

Filled with dazzling color photography on virtually every page, Wisconsin Supper Clubs: An Old-Fashioned Experience is a coffee table book spotlighting the traditional supper clubs that have become part of Wisconsin's culture over the course of decades. Many of these supper clubs were designed expressly as places to socialized as well as share quality food. The text is filled with vignettes of quirk and history, and the professional-quality photographs are the next best thing to visiting the showcased supper clubs in person. Wisconsin Supper Clubs is a joy to browse, and makes an excellent Wisconsin vacation souvenir or giftbook!


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


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