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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Exotic Gems
Renee Newman
International Jewelry Publications
560 W. Main St., Suite C-200, Alhambra, CA 91801
9780929975429, $19.95, www.reneenewman.com
The rarest gems can be the most beautiful. "Exotic Gems" is a guide to the many rare gems
around the world that have their own attraction. With tips on identifying these rare gems, where
they come from and how did they form, the mythology behind them, and how to buy them
without getting burned, Renee Newman gives reads a complete and comprehensive guide to these
gems, making "Exotic Gems" a choice and very highly recommended pick.
Webster's New Explorer Student Dictionary, third edition
Merriam-Webster Editors
Federal Street Press
25-13 Old Kings Highway North, #277, Darien, CT 06820
www.federalstreetpress.com
9781596950863, $12.98, www.amazon.com
Now in a fully updated and significantly expanded third edition, "Webster's New Explorer
Student Dictionary" is an 816-page compendium comprising some 37,000 definitions; 346
highlighted Synonym and Word History paragraphs; 19,000 word use examples; and 400 detailed
illustrations. Of special note are the 'homework' help sections that include Basic English
Grammar, Guide to Punctuation, and Geographical Names. Featuring hundreds of new
definitions of words commonly in current use by young people, the "Webster's New Explorer
Student Dictionary" is an ideal addition for personal, school, and community library reference
collections. Also very highly recommended are four other Federal Street Press titles: "Webster's
Dictionary for Students: 3rd Edition" (9781596950931, $3.99); "Webster's Thesaurus for
Students: 3rd Edition" (9781596950948, $3.99); and "Webster's Dictionary for Students: Special
Encyclopedic Edition, 3rd Edition" (9781596950955, $4.49).
The Needlecraft Shelf
Vintage Knits
Kim Hargreaves, et al.
Trafalgar Square Publishing
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05033
Independent Publishers Group (distributor)
814 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
www.trafalgarbooks.com
9781570764585, $24.95, www.amazon.com
Showcasing the contributions of eight expert knitters, "Vintage Knits: 30 Knitting Designs from
Rowan for Women and Men" offers aspiring needlecrafters with a series of beautifully illustrated
knitting projects for jackets, sweaters and wraps. Complete with charts and diagrams, each
project is thoroughly 'user friendly', offering step-by-step instructions that will enable even the
novice beginner to produce quality garment. These classic designs draw their inspiration from the
fashions of the 1940s through the 1960s and cover garments for both men and women, adapted
for modern physiques and life-styles. An outstanding, 138-page compilation of knitting projects,
"Vintage Knits" is wholeheartedly recommended for personal and community library needlecraft
instructional reference collections.
The Art Shelf
Imaginative Realism
James Gurney
Andrews & McMeel
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
www.andrewsmcmeel.com
9780740785504, $24.99, www.amazon.com
In "Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn't Exist", James Gurney (author and
illustrator of 'Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time') draws upon his many years of experience and
expertise to teach aspiring fantasy artists how to bring to their work an element of believability,
drama, and practical imagination regardless of whether the subject for the artistic endeavor is a
dinosaur, a lost kingdom, an extraterrestrial world, or fairyland fantasy. The focus in on
techniques and begins with an informative survey of imaginative paintings beginning with the
Renaissance and going on through to the Golden Age of American illustration. With an emphasis
on the necessity for attention to such details as architecture and anatomy, "Imaginative Realism"
is an invaluable and highly recommended instruction guide for anyone wanting to create images
suitable for books, magazines, calendars, video games, films, toys, and gallery quality wall
art.
Masters: Earthenware
Matthias Ostermann, curator
Lark Books
c/o Sterling Publishing Company
387 Park Avenue South, NY, NY 10016-8810
www.sterlingpublishing.com
9781600592935, $24.95, www.amazon.com
Earthernware is the oldest known form of ceramic. Showcasing the work of thirty-eight master
level potters, "Masters: Earthenware" compiled by late ceramist Matthias Osterman is newest
addition to the impressive Lark Books 'Masters' series and features simply outstanding examples
of functional, sculptural, and figurative pieces of earthenware art. Each artist is represented by
twelve to fourteen examples of their best work enhanced with commentary from the artists on
their own development and artistic philosophy. The artists themselves range from Mariono
Moretti; to Terry Siebert; to Patti Warashina; to Woody Hughes. An informative and informative,
superbly illustrated, 318-page compendium, "Masters: Earthenware" is a core addition to
personal, professional, academic, and community library reference collections.
Art Of The Middle East
Saeb Egner
Merrell Publishers
38 High Ave., 4th fl, Nyack, NY 10960
60 Cycle Media (publicity)
38 High Avenue, #1, Nyack, NY 10960
www.merrellpublishers.com
9781858945002, $69.95, www.amazon.com
Showcasing the work of more than two hundred contemporary artists, "Art of the Middle East:
Modern and Contemporary Art of the Arab World and Iran" is a superbly illustrated, 384-page
compendium expertly compiled by Saeb Egner who provides an informative introduction and
afterword to this coffee-table style art book that impressively covers diverse areas of Middle
Eastern artistic contributions organized into chapters dedicated to Scared Scripture; Literature,
Music and Performance; Politics, Conflict and War; History and Identity; Portraiture and the
Body; Nature and the Land. Enhanced with succinct biographies of the featured artists, a
bibliography of suggested additional readings, notes and an index, "Art Of The Middle East" is a
seminal work, the product of exhaustive and meticulous research, and a strongly recommended
acquisition for both academic and community library reference collections, as well as the
supplemental reading lists of non-specialist general readers with an interest in contemporary
Middle Eastern arts and artists.
The Dono Code
Wouter Welling & Helena Spanjaard
KIT Publishers
c/o Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
www.styluspub.com
9789460220524, $29.95, www.amazon.com
Heri Dono is an Indonesian arts whose paintings and sculptures are known for their commentary
on the politics, culture, and social issues of his homeland. In "The Dono Code: Installations,
Sculptures, Paintings", Wouter Welling (Curator of Contemporary Art, Africa Museum, Berg en
Dal) and Indonesian history and art expert Helena Spanjaard, expertly collaborate to present two
informed and informative interpretive essays on Dona's art within the context of contemporary
Indonesian society. This superbly illustrated biography of the artist and his work is enhanced
with an insightful discussion with him. A seminal contribution, "The Dono Code: Installations,
Sculptures, Paintings" is very highly recommended for personal and academic library
Contemporary International Art History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
Gardens In Perpetual Bloom
Nancy Keeler
MFA Publications
c/o Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
www.mfa-publications.org
9780878467495, $24.95, www.amazon.com
In 1735, Carl Linnaeus was the first to classify plants and arrange them within a descriptive
framework. Books of annotated flower drawings were developed primarily for the purposes of
aiding herbalists in their identification and uses. By the 1800s, botanical publications effectively
transitions from the province of the amateur hobbyist to the arena of botanical science.
Comprised of 136 pages of superb, full color illustrations accompanied by an informed and
informative text, "Gardens In Perpetual Bloom: Botanical Illustration in Europe and American
1600-1850" provides a historical survey of the subject. Impressively showcasing 110 prints and
drawings, "Gardens in Perpetual Blooms" is an elegant and very highly recommended addition to
personal, professional, academic, and community library Botanical Reference collections and
supplemental reading lists.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Blessed Art Thou
Michael O'Neill McGrath
Richard N. Fragomeni
World Library Publications
3708 River Road, Suite 400, Franklin Park, IL 60131-2158
www.wlpmusic.com
1584591773, $39.95, www.amazon.com
Combining Michael McGrath's ethereal and lovely acrylic paint on watercolor paper artworks
with Richard Fragomeni's beautiful prayers, "Blessed Art Thou: Mother, Lady, Mystic, Queen" is
a superlative celebration of the loving and reverent names for Mary, the mother of Christ. The
twenty memorably impressive images comprising this coffee-table style book make it an inspired
and inspiring assist for readers seeking contemplation and reflection. Highly recommended, "
"Blessed Art Thou: Mother, Lady, Mystic, Queen" will prove to be a welcome addition to
personal reading lists and church library collections.
The Development of the Liturgical Reform
Nicola Giampietro
Roman Catholic Books
PO Box 2286, Fort Collins, CO 80522
9781934888124, $33.75, www.booksforcatholics.com
Reform is something that must happen ever so often to keep something relevant. "The
Development of the Liturgical Reform: As Seen By Cardinal Ferdinando Antonelli" Is one
Cardinal's reflection of the recent reform in the middle of the twentieth century as much changes
in the church occurred over this period, providing much insight to the men of the church during
this time. Insightful and educational, anyone intrigued by the inner workings of the Roman
Catholic Church should consider "The Development of Liturgical Reform", a solid addition to
any Catholicism collection.
The New Outreach
Sandra S. Swan
Church Publishing Incorporated
445 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016
www.churchpublishing.org
9780898696448, $24.00, www.amazon.com
Recruiting congregational support for church programs and projects is a core responsibility for
the leadership of any Christian community -- and those charged with the responsibility for the
success of any and all such advocacy and charitable enterprises. That's why "The NEW Outreach:
Doing Good the Better Way: An ABC Planning Guide" is such a valuable instructional reference
and manual. Drawing from her many years of experience as a senior-level executive in the field
of international relief, economic and social development, and management (and the retired
president of Episcopal Relief and Development), Sandra S. Swan has created a workbook that
covers every aspect form initial approaches, through the basics of conducting, documentation,
and evaluation. Of special note is the provision of a thematically appropriate bibliography.
Thoroughly 'user friendly' and 'real-world practical' in all respects, "The New Outreach" is very
highly recommended for personal and congregational library reference collections.
The Architecture Shelf
The Architecture Of Bart Prince, revised edition
Christopher Curtis Mead
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
www.wwnorton.com
9780393733129, $39.95, www.amazon.com
Now in a newly revised and expanded edition, "The Architecture of Bart Prince: A Pragmatics of
Place" knowledgeably compiled and deftly written by Christopher Mead (Professor of
Architecture and Art History, University of new Mexico) showcases the architectural career,
contributions, and achievements to modern architecture by Bart Prince. The illustrated focus is
on fifteen houses designed by Prince. A seminal contribution, "The Architecture of Bart Prince:
A Pragmatics of Place" is strongly recommended for personal, professional, and academic library
Contemporary American Architectural Studies reference collections and supplemental reading
lists.
The Cookbook Shelf
Justin Wilson's Easy Cookin'
Justin Wilson
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
www.pelicanpub.com
9781589807907, $25.00, www.amazon.com
Louisiana cooking offers one of our country's most distinctive and popular regional cuisines.
Perfectly capturing this culinary treasure of mouth-watering dishes, "Justin Wilson's Easy
Cookin'" is a 244-page compendium of truly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes ranging from
breakfast to dinner, appetizers to deserts. Of special note is the use of flavored salts and powders,
avoiding the time consuming necessity of peeling and chopping onions, celery, and garlic. From
an Eggplant Appetizer, to Chicken a la Creole, to a Broccoli and Ham Casserole, to Hominy and
Mushrooms, to a Peanut Butter-Blueberry Cobbler, these are gourmet quality, 'down home style',
palate pleasing, appetite satisfying dishes that would grace any table for any occasion. Of special
note is the chapter dedicated to sauces and featuring two different tartar sauces, three barbecue
sauces (including one for diabetics), and basting sauces. Truly living up to its title, "Justin
Wilson's Easy Cookin'" will prove to be a welcome and popular addition to personal and
community cookbook collections alike!
The Frugal Foodie Cookbook
Lara Starr & Lynette Shirk
Viva Editions
c/o Cleis Press
PO Box 14697, San Francisco, CA 94114
www.cleispress.com
9781573443630, $15.95, www.amazon.com
Being on a tight budget does not preclude eating well. Not when you have access to Lara Starr
and Lynette Shirk's "The Frugal Foodie Cookbook: Waste-Not Recipes for the Wise Cook", a
216-page compendium of information and recipes covering inexpensive meals including
appetizers, snacks, entrees, desserts, and beverages. Thoroughly 'user friendly' and highly
portable, anyone on a restricted financial income will want to pay special attention to the recipes
comprised in such iconic chapters as Bankable Breakfasts; Lunch for Less, and Dinner on a
Dime,. With recipes ranging from Scampi without Skimping; Peanut Butter Picassos; and Lentil
Burgers; to Kaleidoscope Popcorn; Ice Cream Sandwiches; and a Mushroom and Goat Cheese
Pizza, "The Frugal Foodie Cookbook: Waste-Not Recipes for the Wise Cook" will enable anyone
to prepare gourmet quality meals on a working class budget.
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen
Yan Wang, et al.
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
Eleven Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780738213255, $19.95, www.amazon.com
The use of foods and herbs to prevent and cure human ailments has a more than three thousand
year history in Eastern healing arts. "Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East
for Health, Healing, and Long Life" is the collaborative work of Yuan Wang (Pacific College of
Oriental Medicine); Warren Sheir (licensed acupuncturist and herbalist); and writer/editor Mika
Ono. This 352-page compendium of basic information on the use of 'superfoods' such as goji
berries, also includes an overview of traditional Chinese medicine, herbs, and food therapy;
details on one hundred specifically Asian ingredients; and healing recipes for everything from
fatigue and menopause, to high cholesterol and diabetes. Of special note is the section of colored
photographs of Asian plants. With thoroughly 'user friendly' recipes ranging from Black Sesame
Asparagus; Steadying Spinach Egg Drop Soup; Silver-Wrapped Fish with Tangerine Sauce; and
Five-Spice Lamb Skewers; to Healing Lily Bulb Congee; Ginger Black Tea; Shiitake-Astragalus
Vegetable Stock; and Creamy Umeboshi Dressing, "Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes
from the East for Health, Healing, and Long Life" is a highly recommended and core reference
addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Cookbook and Alternative
Medicine collections.
Cakes To Celebrate Love And Life
Callie Maritz & Mari-Louis Guy
Struik Lifestyle
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
www.internationalpubmarket.com
9781770077836, $23.95, www.amazon.com
International in is scope, "Cakes To Celebrate Love And Life" by the brother and sister team of
Callie Maritz and Mari-Louis Guy showcases superbly illustrated and thoroughly 'kitchen cook
friendly' recipes for spectacular pastries the include cake classics and 'new wave' creations, to
cupcakes and wedding cakes. Now any home kitchen can be made into a do-it-yourself boutique
bakery with truly elegant desserts ranging from a Boston Cream Pie; Pomegranate Glaze Cake;
Summer Berry Cake; and Coconut Ice; to Peppermint Chocolate Cupcakes; Pavlova Roulade;
Beetroot and Blueberry Cake; and a White Wedding Cake. Clearly living up to its title, "Cakes
To Celebrate Love And Life" will prove a popular addition to personal, professional, family, and
community library cookbook collections!
The Louisiana Seafood Bible: Crawfish
Jerald Horst & Glenda Horst
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
www.pelicanpub.com
9781589807693, $25.00, www.amazon.com
Cajun country has always enjoyed a well deserved reputation when it comes to seafood in
general, and crawfish-based dishes in particular. In "The Louisiana Seafood Bible: Crawfish", a
224-page, superbly illustrated compendium of 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes compiled by the
husband and wife team of Jerald and Glenda Horst, also provides readers with an informed and
informative essay on the history of the Louisiana seafood industry from its origins in the 1800s
down to the problems and conditions confronting commercial fishing in the opening decades of
the twenty-first century. Of special note is the wealth of information specific to crawfish as a
species and the basic instructions concerning their handling and preparation. The recipes
themselves range from Marinated Crawfish with Ginger; Corkern's Crawfish Cornbread;
Crawfish Steak Sauce; and Crawfish Ragout; to Crawfish Medallions; Chinese Crawfish;
Crawfish-Squash Dressing; and Microwave Crawfish Scampi. "The Louisiana Seafood Bible:
Crawfish" is an ideal and highly commended addition to personal, professional, and community
library cookbook collections -- and an absolute must for any and all crawfishing cuisine
enthusiasts!
The Photography Shelf
Captured By The Light
David A. Ziser
New Riders
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.mcp.com
9780321646873, $54.99, www.amazon.com
The art and science of taking the perfect wedding photo is the focus of wedding photography
expert David A. Ziser's 312-page, superbly illustrated instructional manual "Captured by the
Light: The Essential Guide to Creating Extraordinary Wedding". The aspiring photographer will
learn how to make every member of the wedding party, but especially the bride and groom, look
their best. "Captured by the Light" covers ever aspect of the process from exposure methods, to
every aspect of lighting, to the use of a flash, to framing, and more! Entire chapters are devoted
to the cameras, the photographing the consecutive stages of the wedding, to the final
presentation. Informed and informative, "Captured by the Light" is thoroughly 'user friendly' and
strongly recommended for personal, professional, and community library Photography reference
and resource collections.
Pilgrim Eye
David Halpern
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
www.oupress.com
9780978816506, $50.00, www.amazon.com
From the use of Kodachrome film in 1936 down to the digital photography of today, David
Halpern has been an avid and talented photographer using a camera the way a painter uses his
brush and canvas to create memorable and enduring images. Now 128 of those images, some in
black-and-white, others in full color, along with an accompanying commentary comprise
"Pilgrim Eye", a 168-page tribute to his photographic work and legacy. Enhanced with an
informed and informative Foreword by journalist, photographer, and freelance writer Bill Sontag,
"Pilgrim Eye" is an especially recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and
community library American Photography reference collections and supplemental reading
lists.
Mongolia: Land Of The Deer Stone
Elaine Ling
Lodima Press
PO Box 367, Revere, PA 18953
9781888899573, $98.00, www.lodimapress.com
It was during the 13th Century that the Mongol hordes under Genghis Khan carved out one of the
largest empires the world has ever known. Now in the opening decades of the 21st Century,
Mongols are not only nomadic herdsmen following in the traditions of their ancestors, they are to
be found in villages and cities, particularly the capital of Ulaanbaatar. "Mongolia: Land Of The
Deer Stone" is a 180-page, coffee-table book of black-and-white photographs taken by Elaine
Ling during her extensive travels in Mongolia from 2002 through 2008. Her goal during five
expeditions was to photography the 'ovoos', shamanist stone markers found scattered across the
vast Mongolian deserts. Of special note is the informed and informative introduction by Alison
Devine Nordstrom to this volume of immensely impressive images. Enhanced with scholarly
essays with respect to the Mongolian nomads and their stone markers by William W. Fitzhugh,
and an essay on the role of Buddhism in Mongol culture by Thurbten Konchog Norbu,
"Mongolia: Land Of The Deer Stone" is a seminal and highly recommended addition to academic
library reference collections.
Fictions
Anthony Goicolea
Twin Palms Publishers
PO Box 10229, Santa Fe, NM 87504
www.twinpalms.com
9781931885737, $75.00, www.amazon.com
Anthony Goicolea's third volume of photographs, "Fictions" is a 188-page coffee-table book of
distinctive images drawn from boys engaged in a variety of often obscure activities and rituals. A
fascinating browse, these are full color images that are as engaging as they are intriguing,
provoking the reader to thoughtful speculation and imaginative reflection. A 'must' for Anthony
Goicolea fans, "Fictions" is a highly recommended addition to personal, professional, and
academic library Photography & Art collections. Also highly recommended for those new to
Anthony Goicolea's work is "Drawings" (9781931885409, $50.00) featuring his early work and
published in 2005 and "Anthony Goicolea" (9781931885119, $60.00) published in 2003.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Writing About Dance
Wendy R. Oliver
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61820-5076
www.HumanKinetics.com
9780736076104, $29.95, www.amazon.com
From classical ballet to street corner brake dancing, the art of the dance comes in a seemingly
endless variety with new forms being invented (or rediscovered) by each new generation. Writing
about dance is a specialized field with its own particular demands. That's why "Writing About
Dance" by Wendy Oliver (Professor of Dance and Women's Studies at Providence College) is
such an invaluable instructional guide and reference, especially for the novice in the field.
Professor Oliver draws upon her many years of experience and expertise to offer practical
strategies for developing critical thinking skills when it comes to assessing, understanding,
interpreting, and communicating about any form, type, or category of dance. Providing fourteen
writing assignments; approaches to creating effective dance critiques, essays, and research
papers, "Writing About Dance" is an ideal textbook for formal academic curriculums, as well as
a thoroughly 'user friendly' guide for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in writing
coherently with respect to dance appreciation. Of special note are the many checklists that will
aid in writers organizing their writings on and about dance. Enhanced with an appendix that will
provide 'real world' assistance with crafting dance critiques, "Writing About Dance" is a very
highly recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library
collections.
Scientific Publishing
Hans E. Roosendaal, et al.
Chandos Publishing
c/o Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038-4512
9781843344902, $95.00, www.neal-schuman.com
"Scientific Publishing: From Vanity To Strategy" is an informed and informative examination of
diverse business models associated with scientific publishing, and how they relate to the
processes of scientific research and development. "Scientific Publishing" assesses how these
models advance or impede the growth of human knowledge. Of special note is the impact of the
computer and web-driven digital information environment upon access to scientific data and
analysis with respect to publishing. Enhanced throughout with tables and figures, and featuring
extensive references and a comprehensive index, "Scientific Publishing" is especially
commended to the attention of the publishing community, as well as an invaluable addition to
personal, professional, academic, and community library reference collections.
How To Write About The Media Today
Raul Damacio Tovares & Alla V. Tovares
Greenwood Press
c/o ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
9780313375194, $35.00, www.amazon.com
Mass media has become every more complex and fragmented with the advent of technological
innovations, so that where once radio and television news were the main sources of information
for the general public, now there is everything from cable news and social networks, to blogs and
instant messaging. The latest addition to the outstanding 'Writing Today' series from Greenwood
Press, "How To Write About The Media Today", the collaborative project of Raul D. Tovares
(Associate Professor, Department of Communications, Trinity University, Washington, DC) and
Alla V. Tovares (Assistant Professor, Department of English, Howard University, Washington,
DC), is a comprehensive instructional manual and guide for aspiring writers for all of these
media forms and formats and includes doing research, preparing reports and papers, making
presentations, and more. From a step-by-step process for selecting topics to securing and utilizing
information resources, "How To Write About The Media Today" is an ideal introduction for
novice journalists, very highly recommended as a textbook for Journalism curriculums, and an
invaluable reference for non-specialist general readers wanting to utilize internet opportunities
for expressing their opinions and research on the social, cultural, political, and economic issues
of the day.
The Biography Shelf
At Home Abroad
Nancy Henderson-James
Plain View Press
PO Box 42255, Austin, TX 78704
912 Shepherd Street, Durham, NC 27701 (author)
9780911051674, $18.95, www.amazon.com
When war and massive civil unrest broke out in Angola, Africa, fifteen-year old Nancy
Henderson-James was uprooted from her home, her friends, and the culture she had grown to
love. Her life was complicated by abusive father who served as a Protestant missionary, a man
who was as incompetent at parenting as he was gifted professionally. "At Home Abroad: An
American Girl in Africa" is an engagingly written 244-page autobiography that provides insights
into an unusual childhood, a personal memoir that is inspired and inspiring, while showcasing a
culture, a people, and a time that will be unfamiliar to a great many readers. A compelling and
complex story on so many levels, "At Home Abroad" will prove a popular addition to community
library collections, and is especially recommended for personal reading lists.
Jack Bruce
Harry Shapiro
Jawbone
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781906002268, $19.95, www.jawbonepress.com
It isn't all about fame. "Jack Bruce: Composing Himself" tells the tale of one of the less
commercially successful members of Cream, but artistically successful none the less, Jack Bruce.
His career has remained strong as he has continued to push the envelope, living for the music and
not the fame. The hits and misses of his life lead to a truly unique rock and roll, and Harry
Shapiro does well in telling his tale. "Jack Bruce" is a treasure trove of rock and roll legend,
highly recommended.
The Mormon Passage Of George D. Watt
Ronald G. Watt
Utah State University Press
7800 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322
www.USUPress.org
9780874217568, $39.95, www.amazon.com
Under its founder, Joseph Smith, and continuing through his immediate successors Brigham
Young and John Taylor, the Mormon Church was a culture that provided opportunity for upward
mobility for its adherents, especially new converts from Northern Europe. This was made
possible by the diversity of social origins comprising the first generation; its members ranged
from frontiersmen and farmers, to craftsmen and merchants, to preachers and social engineers.
This phenomena is particularly well showcased in the superbly written biography of George D.
Watt, a British convert who taught himself the then newly created Pitman shorthand and became
an able and sought after chronicler. He was also the creator of Deseret Alphabet, and the chief
recorder of the sermons of the Mormon leaders that became the content of the "Journal of
Discourses", an invaluable historical resource for subsequent generations of scholars and
historians. Additionally, Watt authored significant works ranging from horticulture to
spiritualism. A parting of the ways with Brigham Young was to inflict social isolation and
poverty, but Watt continued to exert his own independence of thought in his writings and
personal philosophy. "Mormon Passage of George D. Watt: First British Convert, Scribe for
Zion" by biographer Ronald G. Watt is both a fascinating and detailed personal story, but also a
seminal contribution to 19th century American History and a highly recommended addition for
academic and community library collections.
Talk Thai
Ira Sukrungruang
Missouri University Press
2910 LeMone Blvd., Columbia, MO 65202
9780826218896, $24.95, www.press.umsystem.edu
The melting pot can sometimes take its time melting things. "Talk Thai: The Adventures of
Buddhist Boy" tells the story of Ira Sukrungruang, a Thai-American who grew up to Thai
immigrants in America. His home was very Thai, and he brings forth a story of trying to balance
his home culture and the very different culture that surrounded it. "Talk Thai" is a fascinating
read, well worth adding to any memoir collection.
The Psychology Shelf
Talking About Sexual Assault
Sarah E. Ullman
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242
www.apa.org/books
9781433807411, $69.95, www.amazon.com
Often compounding the physical and psychological trauma of a sexual assault is the subsequent
reaction towards the victim by law enforcement authorities, spouses, friends, and even family.
That's why "Talking About Sexual Assault: Society's Response to Survivors" by Sarah E. Ullman
(Professor of Criminology, Law and Justice, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois) is such a
critically important contribution. Informed and informative, "Talking About Sexual Assault"
addresses how assaulted women reveal their experience, how people respond when informed by
these women, the factors influences those responses, and the effect these responses have on the
assaulted women. Of special note is that "Talking About Sexual Assault" includes the social
context of rape and the implications for response drawn from broader social norms and attitudes
about sexual assaults. Perspectives are drawn from survivors of sexual assaults, as well as their
family, friends and intimate partners, as well as providers of support including therapists,
advocates, and others. Concluding with recommendations for further research, treatment options,
and interventions, "Talking About Sexual Assault" is very strongly recommended for
professional, academic, and community library reference collections, and should be considered
mandatory reading and study for anyone charged with the responsibility of working with a victim
of sexual assault, including social workers, counselors, police, health care workers, advocates,
policy makers, and researchers in the field.
The Science Shelf
A First Course In Computational Physics, second edition
Paul L. DeVries & Javier E. Hasbun
Jones & Bartlett Publishers
40 Tall Pine Drive, Sudbury, MA 01776
www.jbpub.com
9780763773144, $105.95, www.amazon.com
Basic physics is essential in the rapidly advancing fields of computer-based computations and
engineering. Understanding how numerical methods are to be employed as problem solving
techniques in physics is the underlying goal of "A First Course In Computational Physics", a
448-page textbook specifically designed for students by Paul L. DeVries (Miami University) and
Javier E. Hasbun (University of West Georgia). After a deftly presented introduction, individual
chapters focus on Functions and Roots; Interpolation and Approximation; Numerical Integration;
Ordinary Differential Equations; Fourier Analysis; and Partial Differential Equations. Now in a
newly updated and expanded second edition, and enhanced for the student with an accompanying
CD, an appendix, and an index, "A First Course In Computational Physics" is an ideal and highly
recommended curriculum textbook.
The Great Pheromone Myth
Richard L. Doty
John Hopkins University Press
2715 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
9780801893476, $65.00, www.press.jhu.edu
Scent is a very powerful sense for mammals, but how powerful is it really? "The Great
Pheromone Myth" discusses pheromones and how science has no real argument for their place
and power in mammalian behavior. Defining pheromones, stating how their different from other
animal types, the release of pheromones for animals and humanity, Richard L. Doty creates a
complete and comprehensive study of the subject and states much on the subject and how they
affect society on many different levels. "The Great Pheromone Myth" is an ideal addition to any
community or college library science collection.
The Military Shelf
The United States Army: A Chronology, 1775 to the Present
John C. Fredriksen
ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
9781598843446, $85.00, www.amazon.com
It took an American army to create the United States of America, and in every decade that
followed, it took the American Army to secure the continued our national existence and
expansion. Expansion in both territory and political influence. Now the history of the American
army has been succinctly laid out in "The United States Army: A Chronology, 1775 to the
Present" from its very beginnings down to the present day by historian and author John C.
Fredriksen. Of special note is the late 20th century transition of the Army from a combination of
career soldiers and draftees, to a completely volunteer force. Presented in a detailed
chronological format, "The United States Army" covers the highlights of the army's wartime and
peacetime performance. Included in this superbly compiled and written history are such issues as
the army's military schools, pay scales, creation of a general staff, and the development of its
auxiliaries, including the National Guard and Army Reserve systems, Special Forces, Army
Aviation, and more. Informed and informative, "The United States Army" is a highly
recommended addition to both academic and community library American Military History
reference collections, and ideal for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in the history
and development of the American army.
Tin Can Man
E. J. Jernigan
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
www.navalinstitute.org
9781591144243, $18.95, www.amazon.com
It was with their introduction in World War II that destroyer class ships were originally referred
to by the men who manned them as 'tin cans'. "Tin Can Man" by E. J. Jernigan is the personal
story of an enlisted man who served aboard the USS Saufley during the war. It provides readers
with insights into what it was like to live, work, fight, and die aboard these ships. A superbly
written 206-page memoir, "Tin Can Man" is especially informative and recommended reading
for military history buffs in general, and academic library 20th Century Naval History reference
collections in particular.
The Music Shelf
The Music Of Luigi Dallapiccola
Raymond Fearn
University of Rochester Press
668 Mt. Hope Ave., Rochester, NY 14472
www.urpress.com
9781580463478, $34.95, www.amazon.com
The late Italian composer Luigi Dallapiccola (1904-1975), wrote several operas and a substantial
number of works for the human voice both solo and in choral productions. The newest addition
to the outstanding 'Eastman Studies in Music' series from the University of Rochester Press, "The
Music of Luigi Dallapiccola" is the first English language biography of the man, his music, and
his compositional contributions to reintroducing past traditions of Italian music to contemporary
audiences. Superbly written, this 324-page compendium reveals an impressive attention to detail
and the highest standards of academic scholarship in presenting and documenting the
contributions and accomplishments of Luigi Dallapiccolla. "The Music of Luigi Dallapiccola" is
a core addition to academic library 20th Century Music History reference collections and
supplemental reading lists.
The Library Science Shelf
Librarians Serving Diverse Populations
Lori Mestre
Association of College & Research Libraries
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
9780838985120, $54.00, www.ala.org
Different people want different things out of their libraries. "Librarians Serving Diverse
Populations: Challenges and Opportunities" looks into what a librarian in a racially diverse area
must face in order to make an all accommodating library for all possible patrons. Defining what a
multicultural librarian is, how one can choose their employees to better serve, training one's staff
against these challenges, curriculum, and more, Lori Mestre and her staff provide an intellectual
and highly fulfilling guide to make an understanding and useful library. "Libraries Serving
Diverse Populations" is a must for any librarian in these increasingly common conditions.
The Complete Library Trustee Handbook
Sally Gardner Reed and Jillian Kalonick
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038-4512
9781555706876 $55.00 www.neal-schuman.com 1-866-672-6657
Sally Gardner Reed (executive director of the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates,
Friends and Foundations) and former public library director Jillian Kalonick present The
Complete Library Trustee Handbook, a solid guide to help library trustees in their efforts to
procure resources that the library most needs to serve its community. From a clear discussion of
fiduciary responsibilities, to examples of conflict of interest and ethics statements, to templates
for developing board bylaws, recommendations for fundraising and advocacy, the relationship
between trustee and library director, important distinctions between the board's role and the
library director's role, how to create and implement realistic plans and goal-setting, and much
more, The Complete Library Trustee Handbook lives up to its title. An absolute "must-have" for
library trustees; even those who have served for years will encounter a wealth of valuable ideas,
insights, and recommendations in this highly accessible and serviceable guide.
Booktalking With Teens
Kristine Mahood
Libraries Unlimited
c/o ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
9781591587149, $45.00, www.amazon.com
One of the primary responsibilities of librarians, whether the setting be a school or a community
library, is to talk knowledgeable and encouragingly about books to their adolescent students and
teenage patrons. The newest addition to the Libraries Unlimited outstanding 'Libraries Unlimited
Professional Guides for Young Adult Librarians Series', "Booktalking with Teens" by Kristine
Mahood (Teen Services Librarian, Timberland Regional Library District, Washington state) is a
200-page instructional manual and guide that will enable librarians to ably communicate with
teens about books by evoking information from them concerning the reading habits and
experiences; create effective booktalk programs for teens; coaching booktalk performances; and
a great deal more. Enhanced with an appendix, a listing of selected resources, and a
comprehensive index, "Booktalking With Teens" should be considered mandatory reading for
any librarian charged with responsibilities for involving adolescent readers with school or
community library resources, as well as a core addition to an academic library's Library Science
curriculum reference collection.
The International Studies Shelf
Border Culture
Ilan Stavans, editor
Greenwood Press
c/o ABC-CLIO
PO Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
9780313358203, $55.00, www.amazon.com
Historically speaking, the border separating Mexico from the United States has been fluid,
permeable, and a source of contention that has ranged from mile annoyance to overt hostility
over the past two centuries. It has also been the setting for cultural, political, and socio-economic
conditions that are unique to the area as two distinct cultures (including language) and conflicted,
merged, and evolved. "Border Culture" (the newest addition to the impressive Greenwood Press
series 'The Ilan Stavans Library of Latino Civilization', deftly compiled and knowledgeably
edited by Illan Stavans focuses on the border region and is organized into two major sections.
The first being a collection of informed and informative essays dealing with life on the border,
the second providing a series a historic and literary accounts on living in 'La Frontera'. A sturdily
bound, 168-page work of seminal scholarship and highly recommended for academic and
community library American History and International Studies reference collections, "Border
Culture" is enhanced with a selected bibliography, and a comprehensive index. Obviously
suitable as a curriculum supplement text book, "Border Culture" is also very appropriate for the
non-specialist general reader with an interest in contemporary Mexican/American border
issues.
Normalizing Japan
Andrew L. Oros
Stanford University Press
1450 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1124
www.sup.org
9780804770668, $24.95, www.amazon.com
Their defeat at the hands of allied forces at the end of World War II brought dramatic changes in
the politics and culture of Japan. One of the biggest changes was the abandonment of militarism
as a driving social philosophy and a national security that was to be based upon cooperation with
the American missile defense strategies of the Cold War era. The newest addition to the Stanford
University Press 'Studies in Asian Security' series, "Normalizing Japan: Politics, Identity, and the
Evolution of Security Practice" by Andrew L. Oros (Associate Professor of Political Science and
International Studies, Washington College, Chestertown, Maryland) is a 304-page study that
focuses upon the contemporary misgivings that Japan might be considering further national
defense policy changes such as those already established such as their recent establishment of a
Ministry of Defense and deployment of Japanese military elements to Iraq. A model of academic
research, "Normalizing Japan" is enhanced with seven major appendices, extensive notes, a
29-page bibliography, and a comprehensive index, making it an invaluable and strongly
recommended addition to academic library Contemporary International Studies reference
collections in general, and Japanese Governmental Studies reading lists in particular.
The Pen and the Sword
David Barsamian
Haymarket Books
PO Box 180165, Chicago, IL 60618
9781931859950 $15.00 www.haymarketbooks.org
The Pen and the Sword: Conversations with Edward Said collects five interviews with
Palestinian author and critic Edward Said (1935-2003), conducted by David Barsamian, director
of Alternative Radio. Ranging in subject from Said's literary scholarship, to "Orientalism", to
music and popular culture, to the crimes of the Israeli occupation and the troubling direction in
which PLO leadership took the Palestinian liberation movement during 1987-94 (as well as the
pivotal need for greater understanding of the conflict today), The Pen and the Sword is insightful
and invaluable reading. Highly recommended, especially for international literary scholarship
collections and anyone searching for testimonies about the big picture of the Palestinian-Israeli
conflict.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
The Encyclopedia Of Energy Medicine
Linnie Thoms & Carrie Obry
Fairview Press
2450 Riverside Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55454
www.fairviewpress.org
9781577492375, $24.95, www.amazon.com
Alternative medicine is increasingly part of a traditional medical paradigm. "The Encyclopedia
Of Energy Medicine", written and compiled by certified Healing touch practitioner and instructor
Linnie Thomas, and expertly edited by Llewellyn Worldwide editor Carrie Obry, is an impressive
568-page compendium providing readers with the history and utilization of a variety of energies
utilized as complementary medicines with respect to illnesses and injuries. Presented in an
encyclopedic format organized into four major sections (Eastern, Western, Spiritual, and
Shamanic), "The Encyclopedia Of Energy Medicine" covers an impressive and comprehensive
roster of treatments ranging from Acupressure; Thought Field Therapy; CranioSacral Therapy;
and Advanced Integrative Therapy; to Attunement Therapy; Noetic Field Therapy; Healing
Sounds; and Melody Crystal Healing. Informed, informative, comprehensive, and thoroughly
'reader friendly', "The Encyclopedia Of Energy Medicine" is very highly recommended for
personal, professional, academic, and community library Health & Medicine reference
collections.
Bringing Down High Blood Pressure
Chad Rhoden
Rowman & Littlefield
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20766
9781590771594, $22.95, www.rlpgtrade.com
A high blood pressure is a sign of many things, but most importantly, ill health. "Bringing Down
High Blood Pressure" is a complete and comprehensive health guide for those who are dealing
with high blood pressure and want to bring down its many ill effects. A very common disease in
America, the expertise of Chad Rhoden and Sarah Wiley Schien, both masters of their fields,
provide much to help readers do what they can so that they can manage their own disease instead
of it managing them. "Bringing Down High Blood Pressure" is a choice pick for general health
collections.
Tyler's Herbs Of Choice, third edition
Dennis V. C. Awang
CRC Press
Suite 300, 6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Boca Raton, FL 33487
www.crcpress.com
9780789028099, $89.95, www.amazon.com
From paleolithic times down to the modern age, herbs have been the fundamental basis for
balms, salves, and internal medications for human ills, aliments, physical injuries, and mental
traumas. Now in a thoroughly updated and expanded third edition, "Tyler's Herbs of Choice: The
Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals" by Canadian author, academician and medical researcher
Dr. Dennis V. C. Awang, is a 296-page guide to the medical properties and usages of herbs.
Beginning with a thorough overview of the basic principles involved, "Tyler's Herbs Of Choice"
is superbly organized and presented with chapters focused thematically appropriate herbs with
respect to problems involving the digestive system problems; the kidney, urinary tract, and
prostate; respiratory tract; cardiovascular system; nervous system; endocrine and metabolic
issues; arthritic and musculoskeletal disorders; skin, mucous membranes, and gingiva;
performance and immune deficiencies. Of special note are the subsections on herbs and cancer
(including the unproven anticancer herbs including apricot pits, Pau d'Arco, and Mistletoe).
enhanced with extensive references, and appendix on 'The herbal regulatory system.', and a
comprehensive index, "Tyler's Herbs Of Choice" is a core addition to any and all professional
and academic library medical and herbal reference collection.
The Woodworking Shelf
How To Choose & Use Bench Planes and Scrapers
John English
Linden Publishing
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721-9875
www.woodworkerslibrary.com
9781933502298, $24.95, www.amazon.com
The latest woodworking instructional reference from Linden Publishing, "How To Choose & Use
Bench Planes and Scrapers" by professional cabinet maker John English is a 120-page
compendium focused on the proper selection and maintenance of those indispensable
woodworking tools, the plane and the scraper. With superbly illustrated, step-by-step
instructions, "How To Choose & use Bench Planes and Scrapers" is ideal for the novice
woodworker and an invaluable refresher for the experienced craftsman. From grinding a primary
bevel, to honing a secondary bevel, to testing for sharpness, "How To Choose & use Bench
Planes and Scrapers" is as practical as it is 'user friendly, and an invaluable addition to personal,
professional, academic, and community library woodworking reference collections.
The Gardening Shelf
Garden Wisdom & Know-How
Rodale Gardening Book Editors
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
151 West 19th Street, New York, NY 10011
www.workman.com
9781579128371, $19.95, www.amazon.com
Compiled by freelance book editor Judy Pray, "Garden Wisdom and Know-How: Everything
You Need to Know to Plant, Grow, and Harvest" is a large, 480-page, coffee-table reference
book that covers every aspect of gardening from soil preparation, to plant selection, to insect and
pest control, to flower arranging, to cooking with herbs. Enhanced throughout with a profusion of
charts, lists, diagrams, and illustrations, "Garden Wisdom & Know-How" is an amazing and
practical compendium of special projects ranging from creating outdoor rooms and making a
barrel composter, to building a moth trap, to making a portable trellis. Densely packed from
cover to cover with information, ideas, examples, and gardening resources, "Garden Wisdom &
Know-How" is an ideal instructional reference guide for novice gardeners and experienced
professionals alike. No community library gardening reference collections can be considered
complete without the addition of "Garden Wisdom and Know-How: Everything You Need to
Know to Plant, Grow, and Harvest"!
The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Flea Market Trader, seventeenth edition
Collector Books
PO Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002-3009
www.collectorbooks.com
9781574325829, $15.95, www.amazon.com
Now in a newly updated and expanded seventeenth edition enhanced with full color illustrations,
the "Flea Market Trader" continues to be an invaluable, practical, 'user friendly', and highly
portable reference for flea market and garage sale buyers and sellers. Listing literally thousands
of items along with their current estimated values, the "Flea Market Trader" is an indispensable
guide for amateurs and professionals alike. Whether assessing the value of miscellaneous items
retrieved from attics and basements, or doing 'on-the-spot' evaluations and price comparisons
while wandering the marketplace or yard sale, the "Flea Market Trader" is a reliable,
comprehensive, and highly recommended resource.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
The Weiser Field Guide To Cryptozoology
Deena West Budd
Weiser Books
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950-4600
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781578634507, $14.95, www.amazon.com
Cryptozoology is the study of mythic and legendary creatures. The term was originated by French
zoologist Bernard Heuvelman in the 1950s. "The Weiser Field Guide to Cryptozoology:
Werewolves, Dragons, Skyfish, Lizard Men, and Other Fascinating Creatures Real and
Mysterious" is a 192-page compendium providing a brief history of cryptozoology and a wealth
of descriptive information on creatures ranging from Mongolian Death Worms; Frogmen of
Loveland; and Shadow People; to Dragons; the New Jersey Devil; and Werewolves. Informed
and informative, "The Weiser Field Guide to Cryptozoology: Werewolves, Dragons, Skyfish,
Lizard Men, and Other Fascinating Creatures Real and Mysterious" is a highly recommended
addition to personal, academic, and community library Metaphysical Studies reference
collections and supplemental reading lists.
The Fiction Shelf
The Hidden Dance, large print edition
Susan Wooldridge
ISIS Large Print
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9780753184943, $32.50, www.amazon.com
In 1933, aboard the luxury liner SS Etoile, Lily Sutton seeks to leave behind a failed marriage
and start her life over again in America. Of limited financial means (and to avoid attracting
unwanted attention), Lilly is in steerage. A new friend helps, especially when an old enemy
appears. Now Lilly finds that she must protect herself and those she loves while journeying on to
that hoped for 'new beginning'. "The Hidden Dance" is a skillfully written, thoroughly engaging,
and ultimately satisfying novel by a talented writer. This large print edition is particularly
appropriate for, and recommended to, community library LP fiction collections.
Prisoners
Burt Zollo
Academy Chicago Publishers
363 West Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60654
0897335155, $16.95, www.academychicago.com
Rough conditions make for strange bedfellows. "Prisoners" tells of Sergeant Sandy Delman, an
American Jew faced with guarding a POW camp in rural France. Finding guarding anti-Semitic
Germans difficult, he ends up in conflicts with the powers that be. But when supplies run low for
all the people at the camp, both soldier and prisoner, a unique and strange plan is hatched.
"Prisoners" is a unique take on World War II novels and a fascinating read.
The Children of Mother Glory
CM Harris
Spinsters Ink
PO Box 242, Midway, FL 32343
9781935226109, $14.95, www.spinstersink.com
Traditional religion has always found itself at odds with the flows of progress. "The Children of
Mother Glory" tells of Glory Potter, a matriarch in the town of Gulliver where her sons and
daughters face their inner conflicts that put them against the other people of their town and
themselves. A woman who was brought up in traditional small town America and has her own
splintered religious sect, the matriarch faces the many LGBT issues that enter her life, as well as
her own deep seated attractions. "The Children of Mother Glory" is a riveting tale that sends its
message well.
Lift
Kelly Corrigan
Voice
c/o Hyperion
114 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011
9781401341244, $16.99, www.everywomansvoice.com
There's no such thing as an easy way through life. "Lift" is a collection of true and inspirational
stories from Kelly Corrigan, who encourages readers to use these stories to help them through
their tough times in life, and reminds readers no one is invulnerable and no one is perfect. Simple
and uplifting tales, "Lift" is a choice pick for anyone who wants to understand love and that it's
always there for them.
From Away
David Carkeet
The Overlook Press
141 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012
9781590203040, $25.95, www.overlookpress.com
Cleverness is something more dangerous than most let on. "From Away" tells the story of Denny
Braintree, a man who finds himself in Vermont. Mistaken for a missing person, he takes the
identity, and soon finds that his real persona is wanted as a murder suspect. Denny, faced with
maintaining his facade to keep his freedom, finds that solving a mystery as someone else isn't the
easiest thing in the world. "From Away" is an original and riveting tale, and a choice pick for
fiction collections.
Francis: The Saint of Assisi
Joan Mueller
New City Press
202 Cardinal Rd., Hyde Park, NY 12538
9781565483323, $19.95, www.newcitypress.com
The story of Saint Francis Assisi is a key piece of Catholic history. "Francis: The Saint of Assisi"
is Joan Mueller taking the pen of dramatic fiction to tell the story of Saint Francis of Assisi, to
bring his story into her interpretation of his life. The story of Francis and Clare rings true and
proves an enlightening and informative, as well as entertaining read throughout. "Francis: the
Saint of Assisi" is a top pick for historical fiction readers.
The World History Shelf
Calendar of the Letter of Pierre De Cros
Daniel Williman
Medieval & Renaissance Texts & Studies
Arizona State University
PO Box 872508, Tempe, AZ 85287-2508
www.asu.edu/clas/acmrs/publications
9780866984041, $59.00, www.amazon.com
Deftly and knowledgeably edited by Daniel Williman (Professor Emeritus of Latin and History,
Binghamton University), "Calendar of the Letter of Pierre De Cros, Chamberlain to Pope
Gregory XI (1371-1378)" is a seminal correspondence collection providing invaluable insights
into the Pope most credited with the Church of Rome's acquisition of wealth. Now ably
translated into English, and enhanced with genealogy charts, an extensive bibliography, a
comprehensive index, and an accompanying CD-ROM, "Calendar of the Letter of Pierre De Cros" is a
strongly recommended addition to academic library European Medieval Studies and Roman
Catholic Papal History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
The Last Crusaders
Barnaby Rogerson
The Overlook Press
141 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012
9781590202869, $35.00, www.overlookpress.com
A central city for many religions, Jerusalem and its surrounding land drove many wars. "The Last
Crusaders: The Hundred-Year Battle for the Center of the World" discusses the era where Europe
led itself into the Islamic world on multiple occasions to try to reclaim the Holy Land. Battles
through North Africa, battles through the Mediterranean Sea, Barnaby Rogerson presents an
utterly fascinating history of the era stating how the Crusades bridged feudal Europe with modern
history and still have strong implications on today's world. "The Last Crusader" is a choice pick
and solidly recommended read, not to be missed for history collections.
The Civil War Shelf
Consigned Indifference
Ron V. Killian
Heritage Books
100 Railroad Ave, Suite 104, Westminster, Maryland 21157-4826
www.heritagebooks.com
9780788445163, $35.00, www.amazon.com
There were almost one thousands men who achieved the rank of general during the American
Civil War. Six of the more obscure but still quite significant of those men are showcased in
"Consigned Indifference: The Military Careers of Six Civil War Generals with Tenuous Fame", a
428-page historical compendium focused upon Union generals Charles P. Stone; Charles Smith
Hamilton; George Stoneman; Charles Garrison Harker; and Confederate generals Lloyd
Tilghman and Evander McIvor Law. The informed and informative text is nicely enhanced with a
number of historical illustrations. Of special note is the opening chapter presentation on Civil
War era generalship as perceived and conducted by both the North and the South. A seminal
work of enduring value for Civil War Studies, "Consigned Indifference" is very highly
recommended for personal, academic, and community library collections.
The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Anne Steelyard: The Garden of Emptiness
Barbara Hambly, et al.
Penny Farthing Press
2000 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. South, Suite 550, Houston, TX 77042
9780984214303, $14.95, www.amazon.com
"Anne Steelyard and The Garden of Emptiness, Act II: The Gate of Dreams and Starlight" is the
second volume of adventures starring Anne Steelyard, a very independent minded young woman
whose is determined to break away from the social strictures of a dominating father and British
society to live life on her own terms. An amateur archaeologist in the years just preceding World
War I, Anne is caught up in Middle Eastern intrigue as she helps the British intelligence service
in finding out what the Turks and the Germans are up to, as well as trying to locate a long lost
city of antiquity. A kind of female 'Lawrence of Arabia' combined with the feminine equivalent
of an 'Indiana Jones', Anne's action/adventure saga is spiced with the mystical and magical.
"Anne Steelyard and The Garden of Emptiness, Act II: The Gate of Dreams and Starlight" is a
thoroughly entertaining graphic novel read that will leave Barbara Hambly's fans looking eagerly
toward the next thrilling installment!
The Audiobook Shelf
Monty Moudlyn
Birke R. Duncan
Northwest Folklore
PO Box 253, Poulsbo, WA 98370
0971058253, $11.50, www.amazon.com
Monty Moudlyn is a man with a mission. He means to bring peace to the world by the simple
human gesture of the hug and founding a universal peace organization called 'The Hug Brigade'.
Now his 'autobiography' is presented in a vivid dramatization in Birke Duncan's "Monty
Moudlyn, Founder of the Hug Brigade", a superbly written and acted CD audio theatre
production. The character and story are based upon short stories Ducan has written and which
were published in such obscure periodicals as 'A Very Small Magazine' and 'The Ecphorizer: A
Mensa Magazine of Literature & Ideas'. This audio production is a thoroughly engaging 'theater
of the mind' experience and highly recommended for personal leisure time listening and
community library audio book collections.
Third Girl
Agatha Christie, author
Hugh Fraser, narrator
BBC Audiobooks America
42 Whitecap Drive, North Kingstown, RI 02852-7445
9781602839113 $29.95 www.BBCAudiobooksAmerica.com
Third Girl: A Hercule Poirot Mystery is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of one of Agatha
Christie's classic mystery novels. Three single girls are roommates in London; one is a secretary,
one is an artist, and the third - who seeks help from Poirot - disappears, convinced that she is a
murderer. Poirot finds and ocean of malign rumors, but uncovering hard evidence to determine
whether the third girl is truthful, false, or deluded will take all his skill and determination. A
gripping story of intrigue all the way through, skillfully narrated by Hugh Fraser (who played
Captain Hastings, Poirot's assistant in the television adaptation of Poirot's mysteries broadcasted
by A&E and PBS), Third Girl is an absolute must-have for Agatha Christie's many devotees. 6
CDs, 7 hours.
Scriptural Meditations For the Divine Mercy Chaplet
ACTA Publications
5559 West Howard Street, Skokie, IL 60077
9780879464219 $14.95 www.actapublications.com 1-800-397-2282
Based on the booklet "Scriptural Meditations" by Lucas J. Amato S.F.O., Scriptural Meditations
For the Divine Mercy Chaplet is an audio CD of some of the most widely embraced Catholic
devotions, voiced by both male and female narrators, and accompanied by brief passages from
Scripture meant to inspire meditation on divine mysteries. A brief history of each devotion as
well as basic instructions concerning how to pray it are included. Original music by Sheldon
Cohen adds a beautiful touch to this audio CD, highly recommended to practicing Catholics
everywhere. 1 CD, 23 minutes.
Death at Victoria Dock
Kerry Greenwood, author
Stephanie Daniel, narrator
Bolinda Publishing
186 S Long Swamp Rd, Jackson, ME 04921
9781921415814 $63.95 www.bolinda.com
Death at Victoria Dock is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of the fourth mystery following
the brilliant and seductive Phryne Fisher. When a young man with a pierced ear and blue tattoo
dies in front of her, she vows to uncover who killed him and why - a search that will take her to
tattoo parlours, pubs, spiritualist halls, meetings with Anarchists, and more. A tangled web of
intrigue unfolds in this extraordinary mystery. Smoothly narrated by expert actress Stephanie
Daniel, Death at Victoria Dock is a treat for fans of the genre, and highly recommended. 5 CDs,
6 hours 30 minutes, tracks every 3 minutes for easy bookmarking.
The Library DVD Shelf
The Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries
Dorothy L. Sayers
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
$49.99 www.acornmedia.com www.amazon.com
A British aristocrat with a penchant for deductive reasoning, Lord Peter Wimsey was the creation
of master mystery writer Dorothy L. Sayers. Now the Acorn Media Group has compiled two
feature-length BBC adaptions of her novels in "The Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries: Set 1".
'Clouds of Witness' finds Lord Peter confronted with the murder of his future brother-in-law and
the man accused of it is his Lord Peter's brother, Gerald Wimsey. 'The Unpleasantness at the
Bellona Club' has Lord Peter being called upon to determine 'whodunnit' and why when a
member of the exclusive Bellona Club dies on the same day as his sister meets her own death.
Featuring the usual impeccable levels of production values, these BBC productions have been
superbly packaged as a 3-disc DVD boxed set with total running time of 398 minutes, and
include extras such as interviews with Ian Carmichael, production notes, SDH subtitles, and a
biography of Dorothy L. Sayers. "The Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries" will prove to be a welcome
and popular addition to community library DVD collections, and an absolute 'must' for the
legions of Dorothy L. Sayers' mystery loving fans.
Building Alaska
PBS
c/o SSA Public Relations (publicity)
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
9781608831630 $24.99 www.ssapr.com
"Building Alaska" (87 min., widescreen, closed captioned) is an extraordinary DVD documentary
about the grand engineering projects that shaped the state of Alaska. From the great railroads and
highways constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, to the invasion of Alaska by the
Japanese during World War II, to the repercussions of the biggest earthquake ever to hit North
America, "Building Alaska" reveals how monumental events of history transformed the state
forever. Educational as well as entertaining, Building Alaska is a worthy addition to public and
school library DVD shelves. Also highly recommended is the PBS documentary "Benjamin
Latrobe: America's First Architect" (9781608831937, $24.99, widescreen, closed
captioned).
Secrets: Landing and Keeping a Job
Learning ZoneXPress
PO Box 1022, Owatonna, MN 55060
$49.95 www.learningzoneexpress.com 1-888-455-7003
"Secrets: Landing and Keeping a Job" (24 min. grades 9-adult, closed captioned) is a brief,
educational DVD about the value of "transferable skills" in today's ever-changing economic
market. These are lifelong skills that can be used at any job, and include communication skills,
problem solving skills, and the capacity for teamwork. An invaluable and instructive resource
enhanced by included teaching materials, Secrets Landing and Keeping a Job is very strongly
recommended especially for school and public library collections, particularly given current
tough economic times. Another excellent choice from Learning ZoneXpress is "Sew Green:
Recycle Repurpose ReStyle" (38 min., grades 7-adult, English subtitles), a wonderful DVD guide
to using unconventional materials to create practical and delightful handicrafts such as a fused
plastic messenger bag or a cell phone/MP3 player from old jeans.
Kundalini Yoga Meditation for Beginners & Beyond
Ana Brett & Ravi Singh
411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
188694296X $15.95 www.411videoinfo.com www.raviana.com
"A List" fitness teachers Ana Brett and Ravi Singh, whose clients have included Olympic athletes
and celebrities such as Madonna, present "Kundalini Yoga Meditation for Beginners & Beyond"
(2 hours), a guide offering twelve meditation segments as a relaxing and invigorating
complement to their more active fitness DVDs. Simple, step-by-step instructions for calming
one's mind, controlling one's breathing, and exploring the benefits of tranquility and respite from
information overload that meditation can bring. A great introduction to the benefits of
meditation, Kundalini Yoga Meditation for Beginners & Beyond is a top pick for viewers of all
backgrounds. Also highly recommended are Ana & Ravi's new exercise DVDs focusing on the
physical benefits of Kundalini Yoga: "Kundalini Yoga Solar Power All-In-One Workout"
(1886942943, $15.95, 80 min.) and "Kundalini Yoga Transformer All-In-One Workout"
(1886942951, $15.95, 90 min.).
Crystal Productions
PO Box 2159, Glenview, IL 60025-6159
www.crystalproductions.com 1-800-255-8629
The multi-talented (to the extent of deserving to be called a Renaissance woman) artist Peggy
Flores and Crystal Productions present four new instructional crafts DVDs offering
recommendations for creative, hands-on projects accessible to viewers of all skill and experience
levels. "Making Books" (9781562906191, $29.95, 25 min.) offers techniques for creating books
with simple stitch binding, accordion books, and even pop up books for everything from note
taking and diaries to sketches. "Printmaking: Basic Techniques" (9781562906061, $29.95, 26
min.) gives a demonstration of relief printing with flat cardboard, Styrofoam, and string which
can be glued onto cardboard, painted, and inked. Another simple printing method revealed
involves creating images through carving on vinyl blocks, instructing viewers in the use of tools
such as brayers, bench hooks, and carving tools. "Junk Sculpture" (9781562906177, $29.95, 23
min.) shows how one can use anything from discarded boxes and paper tubes to plastic
containers, egg cartons, and more to create art - animals, figurines, and other delightful objects. A
simple how-to instructional, "Junk Sculpture" is especially ideal for kids. "Creating Cultural Art"
(9781562906085, $29.95, 27 min.) demonstrates a wide variety of art forms involving
indigenous materials - and how these unique styles can be re-imagined using readily accessible
materials such as crayons, paint, markers, and pencil. Creations inspired by traditional bark
painting, tapa cloths, Celtic knots and designs, and much more make for an enlightening and
enriching experience. All four DVDs are very highly recommended especially for school library
collections and hands-on art education shelves.
Thunderheads: A Daredevil Quest into the Eye of the Storm
Smithsonian Networks & Infinity Entertainment Group
Greenleaf & Associates (publicity)
vicki@greenleafandassociates.com
$9.98 www.smithsonianchannel.com
Thunderheads: A Daredevil Quest into the Eye of the Storm is an exciting DVD following a bold
group of scientists, researchers, and best-of-the-best pilots, equipped with state-of-the-art
devices, in their quest to understand the role thunderstorms play in worldwide climate change
and global warming. 250 experts put together I.C.E. (the International Cloud Experiment) and
ventured to Darwin, Australia to study "Hector", one of Earth's largest thunderstorms. Their
search for knowledge put them at odds with grapefruit-sized hail, microbursts, mechanical
troubles, and the enigma of "gravity waves". An inexpensive yet extraordinary documentary,
highly recommended especially for public library DVD collections. 47 minutes.
Vision Video
PO Box 540, Worcester, PA 19490-0540
www.visionvideo.com 1-800-523-0226
Vision Video is a premiere providers of inexpensive but flawlessly produced DVDs that are
particularly appropriate for personal, congregational, and community library collections. Four of
their newest titles are especially recommended for Christian viewers. "The Call To Business"
(501355D, $19.99, 105 minutes) is a documentary that focuses on how businesses can and
should be conducted in accordance with sound biblical principles and consists of eleven 'stand
alone' secessions addressing key issues ranging from 'Can church and business combine?' to 'Is
there real Biblical evidence for God's interest in business?'. "Saving Face: Matt Kern's Journey
from Indictment to Redemption" (501352D, $19.99, 80 minutes) is that story of a young man
who, along with two friends, stole a care and in the process, one of them shot and killed the
driver. For his part in the crime Matt was sentenced to 60 years in prison. It was while in
Florida's DeSoto Correctional Institute that Matt (the youngest male among 1,100 men) suffered
brutally, and during it all, was able to experience a spiritual awakening that would change his
life. "Long Run Back" (501356D, $24.99, 52 minutes) is the story of a young woman reentering
society after serving 11 years in prison and facing the difficulties and prejudices that commonly
confront ex-offenders. Also documented is how mental illness often complicates coming to terms
with the outside world for someone released from institutional care. "In Spite of Darkness: A
Spiritual Encounter with Auschwitz" (501358D, $19.99, 74 minutes) was filmed throughout
seven days documenting an interfaith retreat held at the infamous Nazi concentration camp of
Auschwitz-Birkenau where more than one million people were systematically murdered. The
focus in on five members of the retreat including a Rabbi, an atheist, and a Catholic priest, as
they address their own responsibilities with respect to the legacy of the Holocaust and how it
should be regarded by current and future generations. The production values of these
documentaries is uniformly excellent, the subject matter deftly handled and presented, making
each of them an inspired and inspiring experience that will be truly memorable in the minds and
hearts of the viewers.
Bulletproof Salesman
Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker
First Run Features
630 Ninth Avenue, Suite 1213, New York, NY 10036
$24.95 www.firstrunfeatures.com
Bulletproof Salesman is a wryly dark documentary about the work of Fidelis Cloer, a
self-described war profiteer, who has supplied kings, presidents, and dictators with
top-of-the-line armored vehicles. When the US invaded Iraq, he pounced on the business
opportunity brought about by chaos and violence, yet as the war ran on, Improved Explosive
Devices (IEDs) became more widely used against his creations. Fidelis became involved in an
arms race against insurgents who matched more powerful and sophisticated explosives against
his stronger and more expensive armored vehicles. Bulletproof Salesman is ultimately an utterly
striking narrative, absolutely unforgettable and highly recommended. 70 minutes.
Belly Beautiful Workout, Volume 1
Patricia Friberg
411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$19.95 www.411videoinfo.com www.bellybeautifulworkout.com
Belly Beautiful Workout, Volume 1: Prenatal Fitness for a Beautiful Pregnancy is a fitness DVD
offering an exercise program designed to be safe and healthy for women of all fitness levels, and
in all trimesters of pregnancy - the program's benefits are sure to invigorize women before and
after pregnancy, as well. Combining Pilates, sculpting, stretches, and relaxation techniques, Belly
Beautiful Workout does not requires expensive equipment, although a simple stability ball and a
foot resistance band are recommended. Professional fitness instructor Patricia Friberg hosts this
user-friendly guide to personal fitness, perfect for strengthening one's endurance, reduce stress,
and improve mood prior to the big due day. Highly recommended, especially as a baby shower
gift! 67 minutes.
Killer Subs in Pearl Harbor
PBS Home Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
9781608831845 $24.99 www.shopPBS.org
Killer Subs in Pearl Harbor is an episode of the award-winning educational documentary series
NOVA, re-examining what science and history have to tell us about critical attack on Pearl
Harbor that prompted America's involvement in World War II. When the USS Arizona sank,
more than 1,000 crew members lost their lives; it was the greatest single loss in American naval
history. But the recent discovery of a group of Japanese midget subs in and around Pearl Harbor
raises questions about what really happened that fateful day. NOVA follows a team of experts to
the sea's floor in search of clues - could a mini-sub with a two-person crew have managed to
enter Pearl Harbor and fire torpedoes at the USS Arizona? Other evidence gathered includes
aerial photos taking by Japanese aircraft, and testimonials from U.S. and Japanese veterans. An
enthralling look into the critical role these tiny yet deadly mini-subs might have played in world
history, highly recommended. 56 minutes, widescreen. Also commended to history buffs and
public library collections are the PBS documentaries "The Bombing of Germany"
(9781608831838, $24.99, 60 minutes, widescreen), and "Building Pharaoh's Ship"
(9781608831876, $24.99, 56 minutes, widescreen).
Ezra Jack Keats: His Life and Art
Weston Woods Studios
143 Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06851
054521758X $39.95 www.scholastic.com/westonwoods 1-800-290-7531
Intended for viewers ages 8 to adult, Ezra Jack Keats: His Life and Art is a documentary
presenting an interview with the acclaimed author and illustrator of beloved children's books. An
additional segment titled "The Art of People and Place" gathers children's book scholars from
around the world discussing the value of Keats' work, and messages that transcend their
immediate era. An absorbing and illuminating portrait of this talented children's book creator,
Ezra Jack Keats: His Life and Art is an excellent choice for anyone nostalgic about Keats' stories
and curious to learn more about the man who wrote them. 22 minutes, live action.
Travel with Kids: Ireland
Equator Creative Media
c/o Janson Media
88 Semmens Road, Harrington Park, NJ 07640
9781568393512 $17.98 www.janson.com
Travel with Kids: Ireland is a great DVD both for those seriously contemplating a family visit to
Ireland and for armchair families who just want to vicariously enjoy a savory taste of the
experience. Following the Roberts family as they explore the storied history and culture of
Ireland, Travel with Kids: Ireland includes scenes of climbing Blarney Castle, dancing to
traditional Irish music, viewing the world's tallest sea cliffs, and much more. Travel hints and tips
include suggestions for great accommodations (even staying in a real castle!), transportation, and
activities. A bonus "Ireland At Home" section with language, crafts and recipe suggestions
rounds out this useful travel prep guide and loving tribute to all things Irish. Highly
recommended.
This Emotional Life
PBS Home Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
9781608831661 $34.99 www.shopPBS.org
How can human beings improve the quality and fulfillment of their lives? "This Emotional Life:
In Search of Ourselves... and Happiness" is a 3-DVD set revealing the latest scientific research
alongside perspectives of ordinary people and even the wisdom of celebrities such as Chevy
Chase, Larry David, Katie Couric and more. Disc 1, "Family, Friends & Lovers" reveals why
social relationships are so important to our emotional well-being, and how they can best be
maintained; disc 2, "Facing our Fears" explores the important role that negative emotions play
and how they can be kept in check; and disc 3, "Rethinking Happiness", explores what really
makes us happy, and how we can better focus on what is truly important to us. An amazingly
insightful documentary, highly recommended especially for public library DVD shelves. Other
excellent and educational recent releases from PBS Home Video include "The Antarctica
Challenge: A Global Warning" ($24.99, 52 minutes) and "Wyatt Earp" ($24.99, 60
minutes).
Let's Make Money
Erwin Wagenhofer
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547
1594589224 $295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com
Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize of the Sundance Film Festival and licensed for public
performance, Let's Make Money is an educational DVD that questions the social justice of the
current world financial system. The World Bank influences an economic system in which the
developed and Western world consumes a massive proportion of the undeveloped world's
resources. What does it mean to truly be an ethical investor, and how can compassion for one's
fellow human beings be effectively incorporated into the desire to make one's money work? A
thought-provoking portrayal of the hands-on hard work that ordinary people do worldwide with a
strong message to think twice when choosing which investments to fund, Let's Make Money is an
excellent choice for showing to viewers in grades 10 and up, as well as for college library DVD
shelves. 107 minutes, SDH captions.
10 Minute Solution Ultimate Boot Camp
Jessica Smith
Anchor Bay Entertainment
2401 West Big Beaver road, Suite 200, Troy, MI 48084-3304
$14.98 www.anchorbayentertainment.com www.jessicasmith.tv
Hosted by certified wellness coach and fitness expert Jessica Smith, 10 Minute Solution Ultimate
Boot Camp is an excellent workout DVD for anyone with variable schedules or very little free
time. Featuring different five boot camp routines, each of which is just ten minutes long, 10
Minute Solution Ultimate Boot Camp allows the viewer to mix and match individual workouts to
their taste. A set of dumbbells and a mat or towel are the only equipment recommended for use
with the segments, which consist of the cardio-intense "Fat Fighting Skills & Drills", "Ultimate
Upper Body Training", "Ultimate Lower Body Training", "Ultimate Total Body Training", and
"Six Pack Ab Attack". An excellent and easy-to-use contribution to fitness DVD libraries
everywhere. 57 minutes.
The Mathematics Shelf
International Press of Boston
PO Box 43502, Sommerville, MA 02143
www.intlpress.com www.amazon.com
The need for 'student friendly' instructional texts in the field of mathematics is essential to the
continued advancement of science in general, and the technologies upon which our 21st century
are based. Now a joint publishing project of the International Press of Boston in cooperation with
the Higher Education press of China, undergraduate and graduate level curriculums have access
to a simply outstanding series of eight such instructional texts focused on updating the cutting
edge of advances in mathematics entitled the 'Advanced Lectures in Mathematics' (ALM). The
series consists of "Superstring Theory" (9781571461315, $45.00) comprised of lectures given by
leading researchers (including Stephen Hawking and Edward Witten) on the subject;
"Asymptotic Theory in Probability and Statistics with Applications" (9781571461698, $9.95)
presenting eighteen papers organized into three major sections - limit theorems, statistics and
applications, mathematical finance and insurance; "Computational Conformal Geometry"
(9781571461711, $89.00) presenting succinct introductions to both its theoretical foundations
and the practical applications; "Variational Principles for Discrete Surfaces" (9781571461728,
$42.00); surveying among other thematically appropriate subjects, current research in the
geometry of polyhedral surfaces with applications to computer graphics; "Fourth International
Congress of Chinese Mathematicians" (publication pending); "Geometry, Analysis and Topology
of Discrete Groups" (9781571461261, $8.95) featuring fifteen papers focusing on helping
graduate students and researchers with the structures and applications of discrete subgroups of
Lie groups and locally symmetric spaces; "Handbook of Geometric Analysis No. 1"
(9781571461308, $97.00) presenting papers on various aspects of geometric analysis; "Recent
Developments in Algebra and Related Areas" (9781571461353, $58.00) comprised of fifteen
papers delivered at the International conference on Algebra and Related Areas held at Tsinghua
University, Beijing, China in August 2007. Although each volume is available individually,
academic library reference collections should acquire the set in its entirety as seminal
contributions to the field of higher mathematics for the benefit of the faculties and students they
serve.
The Automotive Shelf
Yenko
Bob McClurg
CarTech
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
www.cartechbooks.com
9781932494853, $39.95, www.amazon.com
Iconic machines from a time when American automotive manufactures were dominate, 'muscle
cars' continue to be extraordinarily popular, and none more so than those sporting distinctive
Yenko stripes and badges. An impressive roster of Chevrolet cars, beginning with Stinger
Corvairs and continuing through to the turbocharged Camaro and Vega, received the Yenko
treatment that was created and fostered by Don Yenko. Car enthusiasts Bob McClurg has
compiled and written an informed and informative 207-page compendium of superbly illustrated
information on the life and work of Don Yenko in "Yenko: The Man, the Machines, the Legend"
based on interviews with Yenko family members, former employees, friends and associates. The
result is an impressive biography that will appeal to all muscle car enthusiasts in general, and
Yenko fans in particular.
The Language Studies Shelf
The Key To Kanji
Noriko Kurosawa Williams
Cheng & Tsui Company
25 West St., Boston, MA 02111-1213
www.cheng-tsui.com
9780887277368, $29.99, www.amazon.com
Specifically designed to be a 'user friendly' reference for students of Kanji from novice beginners
to graduate school students, "The Key to Kanji: A Visual History of 1100 Characters" by Noriko
Kurosawa Williams is founded on her etymological research. The result is an impressive
compendium of eleven hundred essential kanji, each with an illustrated entry accompanied by a
succinct summary in English explaining the evolution of its written form and meaning from
ancient to modern times. It should also be noted that these kanji images are also provided with
on- and kun- pronunciations, a section header in a traditional kanji dictionary, a clear stroke order
illustration, and sample words that are useful for learners. An essential instructional reference,
"The Key To Kanji" is a core addition to academic library and curriculum language studies
reference collections, and ideal for personal use by anyone seeking to master kanji.
The Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Toying With God
Nikki Bado-Fralick & Rebecca Sachs Norris
Baylor University Press
One Bear Place, #97363, Waco, TX 76798-7363
www.baylorpress.com
9781602581814, $24.95, www.amazon.com
Every world religion is impacted by popular culture and the economic advantages as well as
theological instructional values of games, dolls, and toys based on them. Now this previously
overlooked subject is the focus on "Toying with God: The World of Religious Games and Dolls",
the collaborative work of Nikki Bado-Fralick (Associate Professor and Director of the Religious
Studies Program, Iowa State University) and Rebecca Sachs Norris (Associate Professor and
Chair of Religious and Theological Studies, Merrimack College). A work of original and seminal
scholarship, "Toying With God" is a 210-page, informed and informative compendium providing
a historical and analytical survey of the role games, toys, and dolls play within the context of a
religious culture, including the underlying commercial implications for those that produce them.
Enhanced with a profusion of notes, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive index,
"Toying With God" is a unique and recommended addition for academic and community library
Religious Studies and Popular Culture reference collections and personal reading lists.
The American History Shelf
John F. Kennedy: World Leader
Stephen G. Rabe
Potomac Books, Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166-2012
9781597971485 $22.50 www.potomacbooksinc.com 1-800-775-2518
Stephen G. Rabe (Arts and Humanities Chair, University of Texas at Dallas) presents John F.
Kennedy: World Leader, an extraordinary study of Kennedy's efforts to literally change the
world. Kennedy not only prevented the horrifying specter of nuclear war; he launched major
economic development programs for Latin America, India, and Egypt; dispatched Peace Corps
volunteers worldwide; attempted to mediate the Arab-Israeli dispute; and began (for the first time
in America's history) to develop a policy for Africa. Kennedy literally considered himself a
foreign policy president, and it was his task to maintain the delicate balance of threat of force,
good diplomacy, and solid judgment in his elected task. Of particular interest is the speculation
of whether Kennedy might have been able to usher detente with the Soviet Union years before it
happened, had he not been assassinated. A fascinating analysis and a worthy contribution to
American History and presidential studies shelves, highly recommended.
Not In My Neighborhood
Antero Pietila
Ivan R. Dee, Inc. Publisher
1332 North Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60622-2632
9781566638432 $28.95 www.ivanrdee.com 1-800-462-6420
Not In My Neighborhood: How Bigotry Shaped a Great American City is a revealing expose
about how bigotry and residential segregation impacted Baltimore's development - as well as that
of America at large, using Baltimore as a mirror to reflect national trends. From how public
discrimination shifted to focus especially upon African-Americans and Jews in the late
nineteenth century onward, to the racially biased housing policies enacted by the Federal Housing
Administration up to the 1960s, to the consequences of white flight after World War II, and
much more, Not In My Neighborhood examines the overall paradigm of human behavior and its
deleterious consequences resounding up to the present day and beyond. A sharply critical,
exhaustively researched, and absolutely invaluable analysis, Not In My Neighborhood is the most
important kind of history book - the history that must be studied so that its mistakes are not
repeated (and that so solutions to difficult problems can be worked upon for the future)! Highly
recommended.
The Folktale/Folklore Shelf
Georgia Through Its Folktales
Michael Berman and Ketevan Kalandadze
O-Books
c/o National Book Network
4270 Boston Way, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781846942792 $24.95 www.nbnbooks.com 1-800-462-6420
Georgia Through Its Folktales gathers a smorgasbord of classic folktales from the Republic of
Georgia, many of which have never been translated into English before. A handful of
black-and-white illustrations enhance this treasury of classic, fantastic stories which reveal a
glimpse into the minds of the men and women who call Georgia home - such as the reworking of
Genesis into a story that suggests the Georgians were last in line when God gave them land, so
God gave them his garden - the small yet fertile and heavenly patch of land that is Georgia. A
wondrous collection, deserving of the highest recommendation especially for library folktale
shelves.
The Buddhist Studies Shelf
A Complete Guide to the Buddhist Path
Khenchen Konchog Gyaltshen, author
Khenmo Trinlay Chodron
Snow Lion Publications
PO Box 6483, Ithaca, NY 14851
9781559393423 $25.95 www.SnowLionPub.com 1-800-950-0313
A Complete Guide to the Buddhist Path lives up to its title by presenting the methods that
Buddhism offers for improving the quality of one's life in plain terms accessible to readers of all
backgrounds. Constructed around the core of "The Jewel Treasury of Advice", a classic Buddhist
text created by Drikung Bhande Dharmaradza (1704-1754), A Complete History of the Buddhist
path is invaluable to any seeking to better follow, understand, and practice the Buddha's
teachings in everyday life. Highly recommended.
The Library Music CD Shelf
Al Doblar La Esquina
Tito Gonzalez y Su Son De Cuba
FlipSwitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$19.99 www.flipswitchPR.com
Al Doblar La Esquina is the music CD album of Cuban-American musician Tito Gonzalez and
an all-cabbie son band, whose determination and talent reflect their lifelong love of music despite
(or perhaps because of?) the long hours each member had to put into working for a living. Poetic
lyrics, tremendous skill with the tres (a guitar-like Cuban instrument), and more fill this
wonderful contribution to international music shelves. An immersed parable within the original
songs hearkens to the importance of committing to and following one's dream. Highly
recommended, especially to anyone who loves stylings of traditional Cuban music. The tracks are
"Busco a alguien" (4:35), "Para componer un son" (4:11), "Aquel viejo amor" (5:31), "Al doblar
la esquina" (4:44), "Cancion para Bonnie" (2:25), "Fiesta en el barrio" (2:56), "Cuando tu te
fuistes" (3:10), "Cana tabaco y ron" (6:16), "La despidida" (2:43), "Quiero gozar" (3:40), and
"Evocacion" (3:39).
Riverboat Soul
Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three
Free Dirt Records
c/o Trade Root Music Group, LLC
PO Box 11451, Takoma Park, MD 20913
$16.99 www.freedirtrecords.com www.traderootmusic.com www.pokeylafarge.net
Riverboat Soul is a music CD tribute to the ragtime and jug bands of the Mississippi River and
Missouri culture. Performed on instruments ranging from the guitar, gitjo, kazoo and harmonica
to upright bass, slide guitar, fiddle, and more, Riverboat Souls' performers capture the plucky
spirit of bands in the days of yore and is sure to delight anyone who enjoys catchy
brewed-from-scratch songs. A pure treat for fans of the genre, Riverboat Soul is highly
recommended. The tracks are "La La Blues", "Claude Jones", "Won't Make Love at All", "Hard
Times Come and Go", "Two-Faced Tom", "You Don't Want Me", "Sweet Potato Blues", "Bag of
Bones", "In the Graveyard Now", "Migraines and Heartpains", "Old Black Dog", and "Daffodil
Blues".
My Name is Khan
Sony Music
c/o FlipSwitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$9.98 www.mynameiskhanthefilm.com www.flipswitchPR.com
My Name is Khan is the music CD soundtrack of the genre-defying Bollywood (India's
Hollywood) movie of the same title. Unlike most Bollywood movies, the movie "My Name is
Khan" is drama that forgoes the usual elaborate dance numbers of the Bollywood industry in
order to use its music to illustrate its at times tragic, at times inspirational story of a loving
Muslim couple in America. After the catastrophe of the September 11th attacks, the love of the
hero's life is so devastated that she leaves him; to win her back, he goes on a journey across
America. The soundtrack reflects the perseverance and dedication of true love, as well as the
desire to educate, uplift, and transform human understanding. An emotionally moving
background score that perfectly complements a soulful drama about sparking transformations,
My Name is Khan is highly recommended especially for fans of the movie, and features a wealth
of bonus tracks (plus a video theatric trailer playable on one's PC)!
Music of Miles Davis 1967-1975
Gerry Gibbs and the Electric Thrasher Orchestra
Whaling City Sound
c/o Mixed Media
20 Lockmere Road, Cranston, RI 02910
$18.98 www.mixedmediapromo.com www.whalingcitysound.com
Music of Miles Davis 1967-1975 is an instrumental compendium of 26 selections from 16 classic
songs by the legendary Miles Davis, as performed by Gerry Gibbs and the Electric Thrasher
Orchestra - pianists Andy Langham and Rob Hardt, bassists Brandon Rivas and Essiet Okon,
guitarist Mike Hoffman, and many more contributors. The result is an extraordinary and
passionate tribute, encapsulating the grandeur of music that a team of dedicated and talented
performers have made their own. A lively and grandiose CD, sure to bring an upbeat tone to any
music library, Music of Miles Davis 1967-1975 is highly recommended. The tracks are
"Nefertiti", "Sorcerer", "In a Silent Way", "Bitches Brew" (the name of Gibbs' original orchestra),
"The Complete Bitches Brew Sessions", "Live Evil", "Miles Davis at Fillmore", "Black Beauty -
Live at Fillmore West", "Big Fun", "In Concert: Live at Philharmonic Hall", "A Tribute to Jack
Johnson", "Get Up With It", "Dark Magus", "Circle in the Round" and "The Cellar Door
Sessons".
Aurora
Avishai Cohen
EMI
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2, Bloomington, IN 47404
$27.98 www.rockpaperscissors.biz
Aurora is an album by Israeli bassist Avishai Cohen, whose recordings blend his instrumental
talent with his powerful voice singing in Hebrew and Ladino (the Spanish-based language of the
Sephardic Jewish tradition). Though Aurora is jazz at its heart, it reaches out to other musical
genres and traditions. The result is an uplifting, visionary fusion worthy of the highest
recommendation for music lovers intrigued by new experiences. Aurora is an enhanced CD; it
also contains interviews, photos, and video of Avishai, accessible by inserting the CD in one's
computer. The tracks are "Morenika" (4:33), "Interlude in C# Minor" (0:59), "El Hatzipor"
(6:04), "Leolam" (3:30), "Winter Song" (4:59), "It's Been So Long" (5:17), "Alon Basela" (4:05),
"Still" (3:35), "Shir Preda" (4:02), "Aurora" (4:23), "Alfonsina y el Mar" (4:29), "Noches Noches
/ La Luz" (7:20).
Relentless
Thunder Hill
Canyon Records Productions
3131 West Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85017
$15.98 www.canyonrecords.com 1-800-268-1141
Relentless is the latest music CD album from Thunder Hill bringing the drum and song legacies
of the Southern Plains Native American Pow-Wow tradition to listeners of all walks of life.
Recorded live in Thunder Hill's home state of Oklahoma, Relentless is the next best thing to
experiencing a Pow-Wow in person, and encapsulates the legendary and enduring spirit of
traditional Southern Plains culture. The tracks are "Grand Entry" (6:29), "Victory Song" (4:45),
"Round Dance" (3:21), "Round Dance" (3:07), "Honor Song" (7:00), "Song for Mahpiya to
'Bubba' Campos" (7:18), "Intertribal" (3:39), "Intertribal" (7:30), "Intertribal" (4:43), "Contest
Song" (3:39), "Honor Song" (6:33), and "Contest Song" (4:59). Also highly recommended from
Canyon Records Productions are "Zephyr: Peyote Songs of the Native American Church" by
Chillon Paddock and "Hope: Harmonized Peyote Songs of the Native American Church" by
Kevin Yazzie.
Neotropical Nocturnes
Jorge Strunz
Selva, Inc.
c/o FlipSwitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$17.99 www.strunzandfarah.com
Neotropical Nocturnes is a music CD chiefly inspired by tropical Latin America. Master of the
Spanish guitar Jorge Strunz (who happens to be one half of the acclaimed guitar duo Strunz &
Farah) brings together a tribute to the music of his roots, crafted with minimal accompaniment.
The result is a treat for anyone who loves acoustic guitar, evoking Latin American tradition
performed with Strunz's uniquely magical touch. Highly recommended. The tracks are "Tocar la
Noche" (4:43), "Velvet Midnight" (5:45), "De Alicia" (5:15), "Idilios" (5:54), "Teatro del
Tiempo" (4:35), "La Finca" (3:51), "Zambriya" (4:29), "Cielo Playero" (4:20), "Los Temporales"
(4:36), and "Cadenitas" (3:41).
Radiant Sky
Scott August
Cedar Mesa Music
PO Box 691522, West Hollywood, CA 90069
c/o The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
$15.99 www.cedarmesa.com
Award-winning musician Scott August, best known for his skill and talent in playing the Native
American wood flute, presents Radiant Sky, a beautifully relaxing album promoting
contemplation and reverence of the sacred spirit within us all. Traditional flutes combined with
gentle pianos, soft guitar playing, and a medley of exotic instruments crafting delicate harmony
make for a wondrous experience. The perfect choice for listening to while meditating, or simply
unwinding after a long day, Radiant Sky is highly recommended, particularly to fans of new age
music. The tracks are "Calling the Sun" (3:33), "New Horizons" (6:25), "Arc of Dreams" (6:41),
"River of Stars" (7:37), "Santa Fe" (6:34), "Since the Stars Fell" (4:11), "Rising from the Plateau"
(3:36), "Journey of Solace" (6:52), "A Pale Radiance" (8:09), and "Searching Beyond"
(5:31).
The Poetry Shelf
The Rising of the Ashes
Tahar Ben Jelloun
City Lights Books
261 Columbus Avenue, San Franscisco, CA 94133
9780872865266, $16.95, www.citylights.com
The violence in the middle east has touched countless people throughout the world. "The Rising
of the Ashes" is a pack of two epic poems from Tahar Ben Jelloun as he presents two narratives
that he hopes will convey the emotions and pain he feels from his perspective in the endless
chaos of the region. Riveting, heartfelt, and a bit sobering, "The Rising of the Ashes" is
masterfully translated by Tahar Ben Jelloun and makes for a strong choice for readers.
Having Cut the Sparrow's Heart
Malinda Markham
New Issues
c/o Western Michigan University
1903 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49008
9781930974890, $15.00, www.wmich.edu
Learned woman in two languages, Malinda Markham brings readers "Having Cut the Sparrow's
Heart", another book of poetry from the prolific woman writer. Drawing on her own experiences
residing in two countries, she creates deft verse, making "Having Cut the Sparrow's Heart" a true
treat. "Famous Sights of the Eastern Capital": In the painting A mystic Lion hurls its cub from
the cliff, the cub/cradles either a mirror or harp. Its eyes show no fear. The man asked/her what it
meant. She said the cliff looked familiar, the body splayed/like laughter and curved. "What carnal
knowledge," he asked,/"makes you old?"
The Gaming Shelf
Beginning Bridge
Barbara Seagrams
Master Point Press
331 Douglas Ave., Toronto, ON Canada M5M 1H2
9781897106334, $19.95, www.masterpointpress.com
Bridge is a game widely played by many, and just getting started is easier than one would think.
"Beginning Bridge" is an introductory guide to those who want to learn how to play the popular
card game, discussing the game in depth element by element. Barbara Seagram & Linda Lee
provide their own expertise from championship level play, they prove to be adept teachers.
"Beginning Bridge" is a choice pick that shouldn't be ignored for those just starting Bridge.
The Judaic Studies Shelf
Judaism: Embracing the Seeker
Harold M. Schulweis
KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
9781602801417, $18.95, www.ktav.com
Judaism is more than a religion and faith; it's the essence of many people. "Judaism: Embracing
the Seeker" is Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis's plea to his readers to fully embrace Judaism as more
than a faith and hopes to fully explain what Judaism is. Addressed to both Jews and gentiles, he
hopes readers will take this work and embrace it to truly understand Judaism and the Jewish
people. "Judaism: Embracing the Seeker" is a choice pick for those looking for answers about
one of the oldest faiths in the world.
The Parenting Shelf
The Favorite Child
Ellen Weber Libby
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2119
9781591027621, $18.00, www.prometheusbooks.com
No one likes being second best. "The Favorite Child: How a Favorite Impacts Every Family
Member for Life" looks into a commonly occurring phenomena in families and how it can have
untold effects on the psyches of all involved. Stating how favoritism starts, how it affects the
favorite, those who aren't the favorite, and those who are flat out shunned. "The Favorite Child"
is a riveting look into the relationships between parents, their children, and the sibling
rivalry.
The Self-Help Shelf
Troubled Childhood, Triumphant Life
James P. Krehbiel
New Horizon Press
PO Box 669, Far Hills, NH 07931
9780882823188, $14.95, www.newhorizonpressbooks.com
No childhood is escaped scot-free. "Troubled Childhood, Triumphant Life: Healing from the
Battle Scars of Youth" discusses tough childhoods as James P. Krehbiel presents many stories of
people succeeding and failing against their upbringing and all of its tumultuous nature. Drawing
heavily on his decade and some change of experience, he presents why some people rise above
their upbringing and some are crippled under it. "Troubled Childhood, Triumphant Life" is an
enlightening and intriguing read, not to be missed.
The Travel Shelf
Boston's French Secrets
Rhea Hollis Atwood
Images from the Past
PO Box 137, Bennington, VT 05201
1884592414, $19.95, www.imagesfromthepast.com
Boston is usually associated with Irish heritage, but there are other influences in the city as well.
"Boston's French Secrets: Guided Walks That Reveal Boston's French Heritage" discusses the
French side of Boston, looking at how French immigrants had just as strong a hand in crafting
the city as it is today as the Irish. For anyone looking for French heritage in America, "Boston's
French Secrets" is a choice and very highly recommended read which shouldn't be
overlooked.
Karen Brown's Mexico
Karen Brown
Karen Brown's Guides
PO Box 70, San Mateo, CA 94401
National Book Network (distributor)
15200 NBN Way, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214
9781933810843, $19.95, www.karenbrown.com
Mexico is a land that blends the European and the Native America, making a unique trip that
can't be replicated elsewhere. "Karen Brown's Mexico" is her guide to Mexico giving travelers a
solid travel guide that outlines lodging, attractions both tourist oriented, historical, and modern
culture related, and how to make one's own itinerary to make the most of one's time in Mexico.
"Karen Brown's Mexico" is a choice pick that shouldn't be missed by anyone planning a Mexican
vacation.
The Philosophy Shelf
An Innovative Introduction Philosophy
Michael Boylan and Charles Johnson
Westview Press
2465 Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301
9780813344485, $50.00, www.westviewpress.com
Philosophy is an art of the mind and the thought. "An Innovative Introduction Philosophy:
Fictive Narrative, Primary Texts, and Responsive Writing" is a guide for teachers who want to
teach their students philosophy with a new method constructed by two doctors of philosophy in
Michael Boylan and Charles Johnson, emphasizing the value of indirect argument through
fictional allusions, the favored process of Plato, and through presentation, as used by Martin
Luther King, Jr. A complete and comprehensive guide to Boylan and Johnson's method, "An
Innovative Introduction Philosophy" is not a guide to be missed for community and college
library philosophical education collections.
The Literary Shelf
Our Bodies, Ourselves, and the Work of Writing
Susan Wells
Stanford University Press
1450 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1124
9780804763097, $22.00, www.sup.org
Some books inspire few; a few books inspire millions. "Our Bodies, Ourselves and the Work of
Writing" looks how the 1973 book has shaped much of feminist writing since its publication,
originally intended as a primer on women's health. Since then, countless women have wielded
their pens in pursuit of improving the status of women in the world and the book's place itself in
female liberation. "Our Bodies, Ourselves, and the Work of Writing" is a fascinating and
insightful read for anyone who wants to best understand the value of this important text.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
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Oregon, WI 53575-1129
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