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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
The Little Big Book of Life
Welcome Books
6 West 18 Street, New York, NY 10011
9781599620992, $24.95, www.welcomebooks.com
Life both humorous and tragic, and it takes a little bit everything to even remotely begin to
understand. "The Little Big Book of Life" is an anthology of random wit, wisdom, fiction, poetry,
songs, and much more as Welcome Books puts together a book that presents a grand slew of
questions for readers to approach with a lot of thought and idea for life. "The Little Big Book of
Life" is a fine compilation with a little bit of everything that should find a good place in any
general collection.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Uncovering the Logic of English
Denise Eide
PediaLearning
10800 Lyndale Avenue South, Suite. 181, Minneapolis, MN 55420-5687
9781936706006, $20.00
Literacy is what led the common people out of serfdom and into enlightenment. "Uncovering the
Logic of English: A Common-Sense Solution to America's Literacy Crisis" is a guide to
understanding the complex language of English which often seems quite overwhelming to early
learners and can lead to reductions in literacy. Hoping to serve as a rulebook for English and
explain the anomalies that are rife within the language, "Uncovering the Logic of English" is a
thoughtful guide for anyone who wants to understand language better or is looking for advice to
help them teach it.
The Biography Shelf
Harriet Tubman
James A. McGowan & William C. Kashatus
ABC CLIO
130 Cremona Drive, Santa Barbara, CA
9780313348815, $35.00, www.abc-clio.com
Harriet Tubman dared to fight for freedom when she was looked down for both her gender and
race. "Harriet Tubman" follows the life story of this exceptional individual who dared to make a
difference. From her assistance of radical abolitionist John Brown and the Harpers Ferry raid to
her lesser known role as a crusader of women's rights later in life, her life story is explained
comprehensively to gain a better understanding of what spurned her to rise above her station and
become an American Icon. "Harriet Tubman" is a solid addition to any community library
biography collection, enthusiastically recommended.
Bloody Bill Longley
Rick Miller
University of North Texas
1155 Union Circle #311336, Denton, TX 76203-5017
9781574413052, $29.95, www.unt.edu.untpress
With the potency of firearms, being called an experienced gunfighter is more of a compliment than it seems. "Bloody Bill Longley: The Mythology of a Gunfighter" traces the history of one William Preston Longley and how the quiet youth turned into one of the most infamous outlaws in all of Texas. Following his Christian upbringing and how he embraced the dark side of the law and his vicious battles throughout the region, "Bloody Bill Longley" is an exciting biography about one of the most infamous individuals of the Old American West.
The Self-Help Shelf
Defusing Angry People
Kevin Fauteux
New Horizon Press
PO Box 669, Far Hills, NJ 07931
9780882823492, $14.95, www.newhorizonpressbooks.com
Anger is an irrational emotion, but it can be dealt with. "Defusing Angry People: Practical Tools
for Handing Bullying, Threats, and Violence" is a thoughtful guide for those who want to better
deal with the anger and frustration that we all deal with in everyday life. Understanding how to
cool people off can be applied in everyday life and can lead to a much better environment for all
involved. "Defusing Angry People" is a very useful and very highly recommended guide for
anyone who deals with people - which is to say, everyone.
The Buddhist Studies Shelf
A Practice of Padmasambhava
Shechen Gyaltsap & Rinchen Dargye
Snow Lion Publishing
605 West State Street, PO Box 6483, Ithaca, NY 14850
9781559393621, $19.95, www.snowlionpub.com
Contentment seems like a neutral status but it can mean truly everything. "A Practice of
Padmasambhava: Essential Instructions on the Path to Awakening" is a collection of spiritual
musings from Shechen Gyaltsap IV & Richen Dargye as they offer readers much to think about
on the subject of Tibetian Buddhism and the search for the awakening and enlightenment that
falls behind it all. Drawing on much thought and history, "A Practice of Padmasambhava" is an
excellent source with plenty of spirituality.
The Environmental Studies Shelf
Climate Culture Change
Timothy B. Leduc
University of Ottawa Press
542 King Edward Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5
9780776607504, $29.95, www.press.uottawa.ca
The snowy fields of Canada are more than a harsh land, they are home. "Climate Culture Change:
Inuit and Western Dialogues with a Warming North" discusses the reality of climate change and
its debates as Timothy Leduc, a professor of Environmental studies, brings a dual approach to a
shifting planet. Bringing people into an environmental picture, Leduc shows that this is not
simply a threat to the plants and animals to the world, it can change humanity itself. "Climate
Culture Change" is an excellent addition to any social issues or environmental studies
collection.
Crop Wild Relatives
Danny Hunter & Vernon Hollywood, editor
Earthscan
c/o Stylus Publishing
PO box 605, Herndon, VA 20172-0605
9781849711791, $49.95, www.earthscan.co.uk
Nature doesn't adhere to man's demands, no matter how much control man has called over it.
"Crop Wild Relatives: A Manual of IN SITU Conservation" analyzes this natural phenomenon
and how it can be used effectively in agricultural situations and how understanding why it
happens and how it happens can be an important avenue for maintaining biodiversity and
sustainable farming for the future. Drawing on research from across the globe, the Americas,
Asia, and much more. A must for any student of modern agricultural science, "Crop Wild
Relatives" is a strongly recommended addition to any community or college library
collection.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Slow Death by Rubber Duck
Rick Smith & Bruce Lourie
Counterpoint
1919 Fifth, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781582437026, $15.95, www.counterpoint.com
Everything is out to kill you. "Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday
Things" looks a the toxicity of the world around us and seeks to ask about what the impact of
these events are on our health and how can we reduce these threats. Focusing on seven common
substances that play a major role in our health and how to better control them, "Slow Death by
Rubber Duck" provides a much needed expose at the chemical threats of everyday life.
Miracles are Made
Lynette Louise
Robert D. Reed Publishers
PO Box 1992, Bandon, OR 97411
9781934759493, $17.95, www.rdrpublishers.com
Autism with the right conditioning can be merely a handicap, not the handicap of life. "Miracles
are Made: A Real-Life Guide to Autism" is a memoir from Lynette Louise who reflects on
raising many children in the Autism spectrum herself. She states how she feels parents can help
their children become independent and self-reliant individuals in spite of their autism and she
applies her professional expertise well. "Miracles are Made" is full of fine wisdom on autism,
highly recommended.
AIDS, Behavior, and Culture
Edward C. Green & Allison Herling Ruark
Left Coast Press
1630 N. Main Street, #400, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
9781598744798, $29.95, www.lcoastpress.com
AIDS is truly a unique epidemic. "AIDS, Behavior, and Culture: Understanding Evidence-Based
Prevention" is a discussion of HIV prevention in today's world, hoping to zero in one what works
in stopping the spread of the virus. Authors Edward Green and Allison Ruark hold that behavior
is the best avenue for controlling the virus, encouraging wise avoidance of promiscuity, wiser
choice of sexual partners, and battling the blight of drugs. With criticisms of some other
approaches and an analysis of the the history of prevention, "AIDS, Behavior, and Culture" is a
fascinating read with many thoughtful ideas on how the Western world can best battle this
disease.
The Science/Technology Shelf
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, eighth edition
National Research Council of the National Academies
500 5th St NW, Department 285, Washington, DC 20055
9780309154000, $19.95, www.national-academies.org
Animals are an invaluable tool of research, but ethics are something that must be remembered
when using them. "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals" is a text going over in
great details about the rules and regulations that a laboratory must understand and realize when
using animals for science. From using them effectively to get good results, keeping and caring for
them, veterinary care, and additionally chapters on planets, the minds at the National Academies
compile an excellent resource. "Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals" is a must for
any scientific institution which deals with animals.
Mastering Lean Product Development
Ronald Mascitelli
Technology Perspectives
PO Box 8539, Northridge, CA 91327
9780966269741, $49.95, www.design-for-lean.com
Bloated projects have much wasted resources which is wasted money. "Mastering Lean Product
Development: A Practical, Event-Driven Process for Maximizing Speed, Profits, and Quality" is
a guide to streamlining the development process to save time and money on many fronts. From
selecting a project to pursue well, making the most of one's limited resources, understanding
what the customers and market want, maintaining quality while keeping costs down and much
more, Ronald Mascitelli draws on his experience with product management with Boeing, Adidas,
Volvo and other large companies to layout the fundamentals of success. "Mastering Lean Product
Development" is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to slim down their business for
efficiency.
Visions of the Multiverse
Steven Manly
New Page
c/o Career Press
220 West Parkway, Unit 12, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
9781601631299, $15.99, www.newpagebooks.com
Is this reality the only one? "Visions of the Multiverse: Do Parallel Realities Exist? Is Our
Universe One of Many?" seeks to ask the questions of multiple universes, evidence of their
existence, and further explaining the theories involved. With a certain science, Dr. Steven Manly
takes an approach to a high level of astrological physics to ask these questions and try to find the
truth behind this giant picture of the universe and how there may be so much more than what we
see. Discussing a wide array of deep scientific concepts in an easy to follow manner, "Visions of
the Multiverse" is a choice collection with plenty to entice those with a certain fascination for science.
The iPod Touch
Christopher Breen
Creative Edge
c/o Pearson
1249 Eighth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9780321741288, $14.99, www.peachpit.com
The iPod has evolved from an mp3 player into something much more. "The iPod Touch: Pocket
Guide" is a guide to understanding the finer details on what this little device is truly capable off
at a higher level. From using it as a pocket-sized computer, finding useful and fun apps, video
phone use, syncing with your desktops and laptops, and much more, "The iPod Touch" is a
highly useful and highly recommended guide for anyone trying to get the most out of the
device.
Virtual Words
Jonathon Keats
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9780195398540, $19.95, www.oup.com
The internet has spurred a whole new wave of jargon, and it may be forming faster than anyone
can keep up with. "Virtual Words: Language on the Edge of Science and Technology" delves into
the story behind some of the terms that are spinning out of modern science and technology that
were unheard of even a few years ago. Telling the story of what these terms mean and where they
come from, and where they are going, Jonathon Keats provides a highly fascinating study of the
speed of technology and how it is shaping our language and our world. "Virtual Words" is a fine
read on modern technology and how to understand its own language.
The Travel Shelf
Frommer's Belize
Eliot Greenspan
Wiley
222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923
9780470887707, $19.99, www.frommers.com
Latin America has much to captivate the imagination, but what makes Belize special?
"Frommer's Belize" is another entry in a tourist guide for those who want to see what Belize has
to offer would be travelers who want to experience the unique brand of culture, tourism, and
more that Belize has. Packed cover to cover with useful information on activities, lodging, and
food, "Frommer's Belize" is a fine travel guide, not to be missed for those considering Belize for
their next trip.
The Music Shelf
The Miracle of Music
Romel Joseph
Friends of Music Education for Haiti
2817 NW 168th Terrace, Miami Gardens, FL 33056
9780976984702, $18.95, www.friendsofmusiceducation.org
Music is culture, and culture is a unifying aspect of a society. "The Miracle of Music" is an
inspirational story of how Romel Joseph's love of music saved his life and be believes it can save the
life of others as well. Trapped inside his music school, he kept his courage until he was rescued
by embracing his passion until rescue came. The proceeds of the book will be donated to the
Haiti Performing Arts Center. "The Miracle of Music" comes with much devotion and is highly
recommended.
The Enraged Accompanist's Guide to the Perfect Audition
Andrew Gerle
Applause
c/o Hal Leonard
33 Plymouth Street, Suite 302, Montclair, NJ 07042
9781423497059, $16.95, www.applausepub.com
A little music can go far in helping a vocal performance, but some things are simply beyond
helping. "The Enraged Accompanist's Guide to the Perfect Audition" is a musical memoir and
guide from Andrew Gerle as he sits on the pianist's bench and sits through the torture of would
be singers. With advice on how to make the most of your audition and work with your
accompanist to make for the best presentation possible, "The Enraged Accompanist's Guide to
the Perfect Audition" is a wise and recommended read for aspiring singers, highly
recommended.
They Never Renewed
Tom Nichols
The BZ/Rights Stuff, Inc.
2350 Broadway, Suite 224, New York, NY 10024
9781884286063, $299.00, www.ThePublicDomainSite.com
In collaboration with Tom Nichols, "They Never Renewed: Songs You Never Dreamed Were in
the Public Domain" from The BZ/Rights Stuff is a collection of 96 songs written in the 50's and
60's that are in the public domain in the United States due to failed renewal of copyrights. The
book includes audio soundlinks so each song can be heard as well as information about the
composer and performer(s) of the song. Sheet music is available from BZ/Rights Stuff for most
of the songs. "They Never Renewed" is thoroughly researched and documented by a report from
the U.S. Copyright Office. Some song titles include: Time Is On My Side by the Innovations,
Pineapple Princess by Annette Funicello, Walk Right Back by Chet Atkins, Little Bitty Pretty
One by Frankie Avalon, Rockin' Robin by Joanie Bartels, Pink Shoe Laces by the Chordettes,
Over and Over by Chris Knight with Maureen McCormick, Love Is Strange by Susan Raye with
Buck Owens, and many more. Songs are arranged alphabetically by title with composer,
performers, and audio links. A further listing is arranged alphabetically by performer's name(s).
A handy introduction teaches the reader to use Public Domain information in the book correctly.
"They Never Renewed" song titles are also available in CD.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Ghost Birds
Stephen Lyn Bales
University of Tennessee Press
293 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0325
9781572337176, $29.95, www.utpress.org
As time passes, many species may meet their end. "Ghost Birds: Jim Tanner and the Quest of the
Ivory-billed Woodpecker 1935-1941" tells the story of Jim Tanner and his quest to find the rare
bird that had not yet been documented. In the modern day, Stephen Lyn Bales leads a trip to
catch the bird before time has its way and the species dies off, who may be a victim of their own
rarity, the target of specimen hunting. A fascinating journey into the adventures of America and
its wide array of birds, "Ghost Birds" is an excellent addition to any nature connection.
A Field Guide to Coastal Fishes
Val Kells and Kent Carpenter
The John Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9780801898389, $25.00, www.press.jhu.edu
The ocean's bounty has proven fruitful all along the Atlantic Ocean. "A Field Guide to Coastal
Fishes: From Maine to Texas" is a resource detailing the wildlife that dwells in the coastal waters
from the Northeast down into the Gulf of Mexico. A text with a full color illustration of every
fish complete with information about each, where to find it, and other useful references, Val
Kells uses his science expertise well in this volume. "A Filed Guide to Coastal Fishes" is a
resource that shouldn't be overlooked for any student of marine life.
The Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Monastic Observances
Thomas Merton
Cistercian Publications
c/o Liturgical Press
2427 Bond St, University Park, IL 60484
9780879070250, $32.95, www.litpress.org
The deep thought and theory of years past that came from the world's monasteries still has much
value. "Monastic Observances: Initiation into the Monastic Tradition 5" is a study of famed
theologian Thomas Merton's work and study of the monastic day, drawing on his personal
journals giving much credence and thought to the development and evolution of theology in these
liturgical colleges of Cistercian life. Thoughtful and edited and compiled masterfully by Patrick
F. O'Connell, "Monastic Observances" is a solid addition to any theology collection.
Divine Transcendence and the Culture of Change
David H. Hopper
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
2140 Oak Industrial Drive NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
9780802865052, $35.00, www.eerdmans.com
Thought begets greater thought. "Divine Transcendence and the Culture of Change" analyzes the
relation of the Protestant Reformation in the greater view of history and how it spurned the
evolution of thought, into the Enlightenment and into our modern information age. Looking at
the place in faith in this shift as a whole, David H. Hopper presents a thoughtful analysis of the
changing attitudes towards faith and the meaning of being closer to God. "Divine Transcendence
and the Culture of Change" is a core addition to any Christian and Religious philosophy
collection, enthusiastically recommended.
The Library Science Shelf
Decision-Making in the Absence of Certainty
S. David Mash
Association of College & Research libraries
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
9780838985717, $38.00, www.ala.org/acrl
Sometimes you don't have all the facts. "Decision-Making in the Absence of Certainty: A Study
in the Context of Technology and the Construction of the 21st Century Academic Library" is a
guide for librarians to assist them in their pursuit of answering questions they may not have all
the information they wish to have to answer. For librarians, this often means gambling the
limited resource of money in what to order, how to expand their librarian, and much more. While
it's not an ideal situation, it occurs and one must fill in the knowledge they don't have with
knowledge. "Decision-Making in the Absence of Certainty" is something to be very much
considered for library science resource collections.
Book Crush
Nancy Pearl
Sasquatch Books
119 South Main Street, Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98104
9781570615009, $16.95, www.sasquatchbooks.com
Finding the right book for your mood and interests is vital to fostering a passion for reading.
"Book Crush: For Kids and Teens" is as guide for librarians and teachers in helping children find
books that interest them as librarian Nancy Pearl draws on her own experience with over one
thousand recommendations in plenty of lists to help kids find something that will get them
reading for hours. "Book Crush" is a strong pick for any librarian or educator who wants to foster
a greater love of reading in children.
From Lending to Learning
Ronan O'Beirne
Chandos Publishing
c/o Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038-4512
9781843343882, $75.00, www.chandospublishing.com
Expansion can be a very good thing, but very tough to manage. "From Lending to Learning: The
Development and Extension of Public Libraries" discusses how to expand one's library services
to best meet the educational needs of their communities. Author Ronan O'Beirne discusses the
importance of libraries rising to these needs and how to best meet them, and the role of the
library in helping the community meet their own challenges in teaching them what they need to
know, be it for a career, personal interest, or gaining citizenship. With an extra chapter looking to
the future of these practices, "From Lending to Learning" is a vital resource for any librarian who
realizes the libraries role in public education.
The Education Shelf
Breaking Free
Allison Zmuda
ASCD
1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
9781416610915, $26.95, www.ascd.org
With anything there is a sea of misinformation to slog through. "Breaking Free From Myths
about Teaching and Learning: Innovation as an Engine for Student Success" is a guide to cutting
to the truth to find the best educational methods that can be done in today's schools. Allsion
Zmuda uses her own experiences with the primary goal of dispelling the constant flow of
misinformation that goes all over in today's academia. From focusing a learning environment,
creating good lesson plans, and much more, Zmuda creates something to be considered by any
teacher. "Breaking Free from Myths About Teaching and Learning" a solid resource and addition
to any educational collection for teachers.
Reflecting Children's Lives
Deb Curtis & Margie Carter
Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court, St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
9781605540399, $34.95, www.redleafpress.org
The children should be the focus in any early childhood educational setting. "Reflecting
Children's Lives: A Handbook for Planning Your Child-Centered Curriculum" is an educational
guide aimed at pre-school and earlier educators who are in charge of helping these students get a
head start on their education. From simple understanding of the world around them to literacy,
Deb Curtis and Margie Carter use their combined experience to help other educators understand
early development along. "Reflecting Children's Lives" is a strongly recommended addition to
any community and library collection focusing on early education.
Boys in Poverty
Ruby K. Payne & Paul D. Slocumb
Solution-Tree
555 North Morton Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
9781935542223, $24.95, www.solution-tree.com
What drives so many youths to abandon their education? "Boys in Poverty: A Framework for
Understanding Dropout" looks at the reasoning behind nearly a third of American youths not
graduating high school. Authors Ruby Payne and Paul Slocumb research the causes of this
epidemic, trying to find the reasons why America's educational values fall so much. From social
issues, to problems with the school and much more, "Boys in Poverty" is a fascinating read with
much to enlighten and educate with.
Safe & Healthy Secondary Schools
Susan Lamke
Boys Town Press
14100 Crawford St., Boys Town, NE 68010
9781934490112, $24.95, www.boystownpress.org
The click between child and adult comes quicker than one thinks. "Safe & Healthy Secondary
Schools" explores the importance of a good and safe learning environment in modern public
schools and how to attain such a status. Pre-teens and teenagers are hit with a swath of emotions
and needs brought on by adulthood and when school adds to their problems, it can lead to a lack
of interest in educational and academic endeavors. "Safe & Healthy Secondary Schools" is an
excellent read with plenty of useful information, highly recommended.
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
William E. Becker & Moya L. Andrews
Indiana University Press
601 N. Morton Street, Bloomington, IN 47404-3797
9780253222909, $21.95, www.iupress.indiana.edu
Even educators must continue to learn in order to make the most of their careers. "The
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Contributions of Research
Universities" is a study and collection of scholarship on higher learning compiled by William E.
Becker and Moya L. Andrews touching on the many topics of scholarly research and what it
brings to improving the educational experience of all those involved. A thoughtful read with
plenty of wisdom for those in charge of running such programs at their schools, "The Scholarship
of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education" is a fine resource, solidly recommended.
The American History Shelf
Groping Toward Democracy
Priscilla A. Dowden-White
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65201
9780826219008 $44.95 www.umsystem.edu/upress
Groping Toward Democracy: African American Social Welfare Reofrm in St. Louis 1910-1949
examines the roots of modern civil rights that present-day Americans all too often take for
granted. Decades prior to the 1960's, African-American social reformers in St. Louis, Missouri
were struggling to fundamentally transform a dominant culture that considered them to be
second-class citizens. Groping Toward Democracy focuses on the local community organizing
campaigns that social welfare reformers struggled to push, in an era of severe racial segregation.
An extensively researched study, Groping Toward Democracy is especially recommended for
college and public library American History shelves.
Black Robes & Buckskin
Catharine Randall
Fordham University Press
University Box L, 2546 Belmont Ave, Bronx, NY 10458
9780823232628, $35.00, www.fordham.edu
The Jesuits thought through their contact, they would enrich the lives of the native peoples of the
Americas. "Black Robes & Buckskin: A Selection from the Jesuit Relations" chronicles some of
the document produced by these missionaries who made their efforts in the seventeenth century
in what now is New England and Canada. This volume provides an intriguing mix of history and
mission, telling a story of how the Native peoples of the Americas both embraced and resisted
the missionaries goals. "Black Robes & Buckskin: A Selection from the Jesuit Relations" is a
solid addition to any general and Christian history collection.
A Prehistory of Ordinary People
Monica L. Smith
The University of Arizona Press
355 S. Euclid Avenue, Suite 103, Tucson, AZ 85719
9780816526956, $35.00, www.uapress.arizona.edu
Mankind has had a long way to the dominant creature it is today. "A Prehistory of Ordinary
People" delves deep into history to find the stories of the people who moved through their lives
all those years ago through discarded objects and other evidence of their existence, drawing
connections that still remain strong from thousands of years ago up to the modern day. Drawing
on much research with plenty of interesting facts and history, "A Prehistory of Ordinary People"
is an excellent addition to any history collection focusing on ancient history.
The World History Shelf
Agnes Warner and the Nursing Sisters of the Great War
Shawna M. Quinn
Goose Lane
Suite 330, 500 Beaverbrook Court, Fredricton, NB Canada, E3B 5X4
9780864926333, $16.95, www.gooselane.com
The urgency of war impresses much on you quickly. "Agnes Warner and the Nursing Sisters of
the Great War" reflects on many women of faith who sought to join the cause of the Canadian
army by nursing on the many fronts of the war and seeing great devastation and harm all around
them. Drawn on many historical accounts, she presents the story of Warner and her associates to
emphasize that bravery and service knows no gender, only dedication. "Agnes Warner and the
Nursing Sisters of the Great War" is an excellent addition to any military history collection.
The Birth of Classical Europe
Simon Price & Peter Thonemann
Viking
c/o Penguin Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780670022472, $35.00, www.penguin.com
Greece and Rome have left a stronger legacy than they could have possibly known. "The Birth of
Classical Europe: A History from Troy to Augustine" traces the history of the ancient people of
the Mediterranean in hopes of gaining a better understanding on how it still holds strong in the
modern era. The history traces back to the Aegean world, nearly four thousand years ago as the
culture began to evolve through the ages, ending its focus on the time period when the great
Roman Empire began to wear down. "The Birth of Classical Europe" is a fascinating study and
an excellent addition to any ancient and classical history collection.
The Anatomy of a Moment
Javier Cercas
Bloomsbury
175 Fifth Avenue, suite 300, New York, NY 10010
9781608194919, $18.00, www.bloosmburyusa.com
Stability and peace seemed so foreign to Spain for so long. "The Anatomy of a Moment:
Thirty-Five Minutes in History and Imagination" seeks to analyze a time over thirty five minutes
in February of 1981. Spain sought to elect a new prime minister, and through force, several
individuals sought to compel Spain down the route of dictatorship and violence. Javier Cercas
hopes to offer a thoughtful dissection of this event and draws well on history. "The Anatomy of a
Moment" is a strongly recommended read for any with taste for recent Spanish history.
The Jamestown Experiment
Tony Williams
Sourcebooks
1935 Brookdale Rd, Suite 139, Naperville, IL 60563
9781402243530, $15.99, www.sourcebooks.com
Thrill and adventure are enough for some people to drop everything and commit to months on
the ocean. "The Jamestown Experiment: The Remarkable Story of The Enterprising Colony and
the Unexpected Results That Shaped America" tells the story of the first permanent English
settlement in America and what it meant for those who dared cross the ocean to live somewhere
no Englishman had ever before. Tony Williams speaks on the many tragedies that led to truly
terrible things that led them to think a colony in America was hopeless, to the few triumphs that
led to believe that success was very possible. "The Jamestown Experiment" is a fine read of
history and early European American encounters.
Physician to the Fleet
Brian Vale & Griffith Edwards
Boydell Press
668 Mt Hope Ave, Rochester, NY 14620
9781843836049, $99.00, www.boydellandbrewer.com
The power of general health was vastly underplayed until one man played it for war. "Physician
to the Fleet: The Life and Times of Thomas Trotter 1760-1832" looks at this student of the
Enlightenment and how his study of medicine with this rising philosophy made him a hero in his
own right as he served the Royal Navy as a physician. Through his practice and improving the
force's health, he is credited with helping the British Navy of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth
century being the fearful force that it was. Naval Historian Brian Vale and Medical Historian
Griffith Edwards come together to produce this volume to speak on both sides of Trotter's
illustrious practice. Chapters speak on his personal history, his education, and his rise through the
Naval medicinal ranks. Enhanced with indexes and bibliographies, "Physician to the Fleet" is a
core addition to any history collection with a focus on medicine or military.
The Literary Shelf
Federman's Fictions
Jeffrey R. Di Leo, editor
State University of New York Press
PO Box 960, Herndon, VA 20172-0960
9781438433813, $80.00, www.sunypress.edu
A storied life leads to storied fiction. "Federman's Fictions: Innovation, Theory, Holocaust"
chronicles the long and storied writing career of Ramond Federman, a French-American writer
who throughout the twentieth century, he wrote extensively about the Holocaust, scholarship,
among other academic pursuits. Jeffrey D. DiLeo and his collaborators come together, however,
to analyze the man's many contributions to literature, serving as a pioneer of meta-fiction and
postmodern literature. His work provides a good study of the evolution of twentieth century
fiction, and "Federman's Fiction" is a scholarly and well thought out compendium of literary
criticism.
The Way Home
James McVey
The University of Utah Press
295 South, 1500 East, Suite 5400, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
9781607810339, $19.95, www.UofUpress.com
Through the wilderness and experiencing life without the privilege of home, your eyes open to the world. "The Way Home" is a spiritual memoir of James McVey, as he reflects on his own back country experience and what it has taught him on the many aspects of the world and the human experience. From psychology to environmentalism, McVey offers many essays and presents much food for thought. "The Way Home" is a fine collection of opinions and ideas, highly recommended.
Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind: A Bestseller's Odyssey from Atlanta to Hollywood
Ellen F. Brown & John Wiley, Jr.
Taylor Trade
c/o Rowman & Littlefield
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781589795679, $26.95, www.rlpgtrade.com
A beat up manuscript that was viewed as unfinished quickly became a cultural icon. "Margaret
Mitchell's Gone with the Wind: A Bestseller's Odyssey from Atlanta to Hollywood" tells the
story of both 'Gone with the Wind' and its author Margaret Mitchell. An enigma of her
contemporaries, people for years have wondered how the novel came into being and how it
cached on so hotly, as well as what was the intent of the author during the story's dramatic almost
cliffhanger ending. A fascinating exploration of literature, culture, and film, "Margaret Mitchell's
Gone with the Wind: A Bestseller's Odyssey from Atlanta to Hollywood" is a fine read and
highly recommended.
The Political Science Shelf
A Letter to America
David Boren
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806142029, $9.95, www.oupress.com
America is broken in so many ways that many are at a loss on how to fix it. "A Letter to
America" is David Boren, Rhodes Scholar and Academic leader, views on how America has lost
its way and how we can find our way back. Placing the blame on out of control spending in
political campaigns, vicious political partisanship, the weakening of the Middle Class, and
modernizing our system for the twenty first century, Boren speaks candidly and has many good
ideas. "A Letter to America" is a thoughtful read and solid addition to any political
collection.
International Studies Shelf
Memory Ireland
Oona Frawley
Syracuse University Press
621 Skytop Road, Suite 110, Syracuse, NY 13244-5290
9780815632504, $34.95, www.syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu
Ireland has proven to be a very unique study of history in recent years. "Memory Ireland: History
and Modernity" looks at the cultural memory of Ireland, a land that has very strong religious
conflict and racial tension in the past centuries. Editor Oona Frawley brings together many of the
thinkers and scholars of history and analyzes the cultural memory of the nation throughout its
history, looking into its prehistory and culture and how it remains strong through conquest,
globalization, and other factors which make that history and ancient culture seem lost. "Memory
Ireland" is a fascinating angle to look at the Irish people and their history, highly
recommended.
The Gardening Shelf
Designing with Grasses
Neil Lucas
Timber Press
The Hasletine Building, 133 SW Second Avenue, Suite 450, Portland, OR 97204-3527
9780881929836, $34.95, www.timberpress.co.uk
Grass is usually dismissed as a weed, but grass can prove as an excellent assists in any garden.
"Designing with Grasses" is a guide to using grass to the fullest, breaking down the many types
of grass and their not so obvious uses. Nearing five hundred different types, author Neil Lucas
does well in educating readers about their virtues, requirements and well. Extra chapters include
working in limited space, and working throughout the year through the harsher months. Packed
with full color photos, "Designing with Grasses" is a must for anyone who wants to dispel the
myth of the weed.
Eco-yards
Laureen Rama
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0
9780865716827, $19.95, www.newsociety.com
Landscaping can do more than just look pretty, it can be an environmentally positive design
choice. "Eco-Yards: Simple Steps to Earth-Friendly Landscapes" is a guide on how to make
gardening more ecologically friendly. With tips on these design principles, growing vegetables,
making the middle ground between aesthetics and good for the environment and making it more
self-sustainable, "Eco-Yards" is a must for any gardener or landscaper who wants to work with
the environment instead of against it.
The Business Shelf
Social and Behavioral Research and the Internet
Marcel Das, Peter Ester, & Lars Kaczmirek
Routledge
c/o Taylor & Francis Group
270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9781848728172, $47.95, www.researchmethodsarena.com
The internet has provided an unusual symbol of culture in recent years. "Social and Behavioral
Research and the Internet: Advances in Applied Methods and Research Strategies" looks at how
to use the internet for business and research to understand the trends of people and the internet.
Tracing real world examples and drawing the lessons learned throughout, detailing the details of
internet research, going above basic applications, and making the most of the information that
has been gathered. Designed as a practical guide for the many aspects of business that would
make use of it, "Social and Behavioral Research and the Internet" is a very useful resource and
solid addition to any community library technology collection.
The Essential Advantage
Paul Leinwand & Cesare Mainardi
Harvard Business Review Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
9781422136515, $29.95, www.hbr.org
Not every strategy works for everyone. "The Essential Advantage: How to Win With a
Capabilities-Driven Strategy" is a guide to zeroing in on your company's advantage and using it
to win your chosen market. Drawing on existing success stories, the authors give advice on
finding what your business can do that others cannot, playing the market well, finding
opportunities, and organizing one's company well. With an excellent breakdown on these many
topics, "The Essential Advantage" should be required reading for anyone who wants to make
their business grow and flourish and wants to understand that not every route to success is the
same.
Customer Worthy
Michael R. Hoffman
Paramount Market Publishing
950 Danby Road, Suite 136, Ithaca, NY 14850
9780981986913, $49.95, www.paramountbooks.com
The customers drive any business, and knowing what they want is the key to success. "Customer
Worthy: Why and How Everyone in Your Organization Must Think Like a Customer" is a
marketing guide that comes with the wisdom that business must be driven by what the customer
wants and how this fact must drive the business on every level. Michael Hoffman provides
insight on how to reach these objectives and attract customers more easily by understanding their
concerns on the topics of privacy, needs, pricing, and face to face contact. "Customer Worthy" is
a sage business guide any marketing professional should consider.
The Nautical Shelf
Understanding Boat Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Systems
John C. Payne
Sheridan House
145 Palisade Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
9781574093018, $16.95, www.sheridanhouse.com
On a long trip, one must understand the need for certain systems to make life liveable on their
boat. "Understanding Boat Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Systems" is a guide to
understanding the technical side of preparing one's boat for a longer trip that has facilities to
make the trip liveable and comfortable. Drawing on much of author John Payne's technical
expertise, "Understanding Boat Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Systems" is a must for anyone
preparing their ship to be a home at sea. Also recommended is Payne's volume on boat
electricity, "Understanding Boat DC Electrical Equipment" (9781574093018, $16.95), as Payne
explains what needs to be done to have safe and effective electricity at sea.
The Cookbook Shelf
Cooking Close to Home
Diane Imrie & Richard Jarmusz
Chelsea Green
PO Box 428, White River Junction, VT 05001
9781603583343, $34.95, www.chelseagreen.com
Reducing the travel time of your food is a great way to help the environment. "Cooking Close to
Home: A Year of Seasonal Recipes" is collection of recipes dedicated to local cooking, cooking
with the goals of using as many local ingredients as possible to reduce the environmental load of
travel. Presented in full color with plenty of delectable recipes, of many sorts, vegetable and meat
based. With additional info on the benefits of local cuisine, "Cooking Close to Home" is a
cookbook for the environmental thinker, very highly recommended.
Gluten-Free on a Shoestring
Nicole Hunn
Da Capo Press
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02142
9780738214238, $19.00, www.dacapopress.com
Gluten can cause health problems for some individuals and it can often prove hard to avoid.
"Gluten-Free on a Shoestring: 125 Easy Recipes for Eating Well on the Cheap" is a guide for the
gluten intolerant too open up their cooking options to save a great deal of money, on the range of
dinner dishes like pot pies, pizzas, even sweets like chocolate chip cookies. With plenty of
wisdom and easy instructions, "Gluten-Free on a Shoestring" is a must for any gluten intolerant
health conscious cook with not a lot of money to go around.
The Economic Studies Shelf
Managing Capital Flows
Masahiro Kawai and Mario B. Lamberte
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court, Northampton, MA 01060-3815
9781848447875 $185.00 www.e-elgar.com 1-800-390-3149
Masahiro Kawai (Dean and CEO of the Asian Development Bank Institute) and Mario B.
Lamberte (Director of Research at the Asian Development Bank Institute, Japan) present
Managing Capital Flows: The Search for a Framework, an anthology of advanced economic
studies and essays written by a variety of learned authors. Assembled especially to help
policymakers design a framework to oversee capital flows in a manner that promotes
macroeconomic and financial sector stability, Managing Capital Flows examines both national
and regional policies, with a particular eye on exchange rate management. Individual essays
include general perspective papers such as "Central banks and capital flows", "Managing recent
hot money inflows in Asia", or "Crises, capital controls and financial integration"; there are also
essays that particularly focus on the nations of China, India, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Managing Capital Flows is an
invaluable contribution to international economic studies shelves and highly recommended
especially for college library collections and economic policymakers' reading lists.
The World
Goran Therborn
Polity
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
9780745643441, $19.95, www.politybooks.com
Russia, China, Japan, India, the term 'the western world' is now only talking about half of the
major players on the planet. "The World: A Beginner's Guide" is an analysis of the growing
globalization of the world where the power of cultural progression, money, and ideas is spread
throughout the world and how in the coming decades, the social picture of the world and what
happens in life will be much like anything seen before. "The World" is a fascinating read on the
shifting picture of the world, highly recommended.
Interventionism
Ludwig Von Mises
Liberty Fund
8335 Allison Pointe Trail, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46250-1684
9780865977396, $12.00, www.libertyfund.org
To understand economics, you have to understand people. "Interventionism: An Economic
Analysis" looks at the work of Ludwig Von Mises, an Austrian Economist who has gained
renown among his peers even with his teachings that went against mainstream economic theory.
Stating that economy must be free or controlled and not something in between, his thoughts,
while not popular, have proven quite thoughtful and prove to be required reading for blossoming
economists. "Interventionism" is a thoughtful study and solid addition to any community library
economics collection.
The Poetry Shelf
Never the Whole Story
Anita Skeen
Michigan State University Press
1405 S. Harrison Rd., Ste. 25, East Lansing, MI 48823-5245
9781611860030, $16.95, www.msupress.msu.edu
It's hard to see the picture as a whole, with so many angles. "Never the Whole Story" is an
anthology of poetry from Anita Skeen who reflects on the times of our life we may have not seen
and offers new wisdom to face it, and discusses our perceptions of life as people. "Never the
Whole Story" is a choice collection of work, solidly recommended. "This Time in Virginia": I've
come out to the gazebo to watch/the full moon rise above the staggered roofs/of the barn.
Another state, another moon,/and yet another train clatters along nearby tracks./A train can do it
every time -- bring up loss/like an image in developing fluid--/the clank of absence ever present
in its passing./You said last week we would soon watch/the same moon from different
landscapes,/plugged into its light from separate/ sockets, and so I flip the switch,/ my darkness
coming hours before yours, /leaving on the porch light/as I turn in to bed.
At the Bureau of Divine Music
Michael Heffernan
Wayne State University Press
4809 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201-1309
9780814335109, $15.95, www.wsupress.wayne.edu
A poetry teacher who has spread his love throughout the world, Michael Heffernan brings readers
his ninth anthology of work, "At the Bureau of Divine Music" as he presents his own study of the
world's sound and music, speaking with a certain elegance and entertainment of verse. "At the
Bureau of Divine Music" is an excellent addition to any poetry collection. "Campanile": This
radical inquiry into things/beneath or far outside the look of them/invites a lapidary stratagem/to
stop the eyes and heart from wanderings/beyond where they can reach. Extended wings/or not,
one bird is maddened to have come/close to the downswing something keeps him from,/then lifts
him noiseless back where his mate sings voluptuary offerings a gust/of wind beats into blather.
What is left/raggedly replicates what it all meant/before the lights cam eon and the sky went:/two
pigeons backed up crazy and bereft/to huddle in the cold as creatures must.
Rust or Go Missing
Lily Brown
Cleveland State University Poetry Center
2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-2214
9781880834916, $15.95, www.csuohio.edu/poetrycenter
Prolific poet Lily Brown brings readers another fine collection with "Rust or Go Missing" speaks
with a certain power as Brown discusses the world around us and asks many questions on the
concept of consciousness and applies her learned expertise excellently. "Rust or Go Missing" is a
fine volume, very highly recommended. "What Was Cannot be Taken": The blue jay is near/the
trail is tense/and blows apart.//Brown spot above/his tail, below/his wings, mumbles.//He won't
work for blue jay.//The blue bird is/blessed with ignorance./Night words are lost by day.
The Anthropology Shelf
Sports & Recreation
Harvey H. Jackson
The University of North Carolina Press
116 S. Boundary St., Chapel Hill, NC 27514-3808
9780807871737, $22.95, www.uncpress.unc.edu
American culture is not simply one three thousand mile wide scope of the same type of people.
"Sports & Recreation" is volume 16 into the New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture, delving into
the unique culture that is the American South and their pastimes. From NASCAR and football, to
how the people in particular pass their time, it's a fine study of a people through what they do
when their off the clock. A fascinating work of anthropology and American studies, "Sports &
Recreation" is a choice addition to any community library collection focusing on those
subjects.
Religious Revival in the Tibetan Borderlands
Koen Wellens
University of Washington Press
PO Box 50096, Seattle, WA 98145
9780295990699, $30.00, www.washington.edu/uwpress
The Cultural Revolution sought to destroy much of China's traditional faiths. "Religious Revival
in the Tibetan Borderlands: The Premi of Southwest China" investigates the recovery of China's
faith and their rediscovery of their ancient history. Formal Tibetan Buddhism in the Premi people
tied in well with their culture and provides a thoughtful anthropological study. This study looks
in the change of culture as a whole in the area as China departs from its hardcore ideology.
"Religious Revival in Tibetan Borderlands" is a must for any collection focusing on anthropology
and international faith.
The Criminology Shelf
Dark Logic
Robert Mandel
Stanford Security Studies
1450 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1124
9780804769938, $24.95, www.sup.org
Crime has gone worldwide long ago. "Dark Logic: Transnational Criminal Tactics and Global
Security" discusses the rising threat of international organized crime and how it is a growing
threat to the world as a whole. Looking at the history and how it rose from a mild annoyance to
powers that can threaten legitimate states. These threats can still be fought and must be for the
sake of international security. "Dark Logic" is an urgent read about the threat to peace that often
doesn't get enough attention.
Blood Legacy
James Pylant
Jacobus Books
PO Box 1587, Stephenville, TX 76401
9780962274695, $15.95, www.jacobusbooks.com
It's easy for life to collapse into a flurry of murder and betrayal. "Blood Legacy: The True Story
of the Snow Axe Murders" tells the story of Samantha, a woman who proves a central connection
to an out of control history surrounding her. From hits to lynchings, to black widows of women,
this chronicle proves endlessly intriguing of the dark side of human nature and murder. "Blood
Legacy" is a well put together history of these events, highly recommended.
Rehabilitating Sexual Offenders
William L. Marshall, Liam E. Marshall, Geris A. Serran, and Matt D. O'Brien
American Psychology Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
9781433809422, $69.95, www.apa.org
How do you set someone who has committed a terrible atrocity on another? "Rehabilitating
Sexual Offenders: A Strength-Based Approach" discusses the current problems with
rehabilitating these individuals and how some of the previous solutions have done more harm
than good. Looking at why these crimes are committed and criticizing the many routes that have
been taken to try to right these individuals into a more acceptable member of society as well as
extensive research into the Rockwood Psychological Services program, the book provides much
scholarly insight into criminal psychology and the massive challenge that comes with preventing
future tragedies. "Rehabilitating Sexual Offenders" is a strong addition to any psychology
collection with an extra recommendation to criminology collections.
The Fiction Shelf
Another Burning Kingdom
Robert Vivian
University of Nebraska Press
1111 Lincoln Mall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0630
9780803211070, $13.95, www.bisonbooks.com
The calmness of the plains hides the storm of life that is lived there. "Another Burning Kingdom"
is a thoughtful drama following Lem Purchase as he returns home to face life and problems he
left behind, facing his troubled brother who he must stop from making a terrible mistake and
place his own broken life together as well. "Another Burning Kingdom" is an excellent read that
shouldn't be overlooked.
The Calligrapher's Secret
Rafik Schami
Interlink Books
46 Crosby Street, Northampton, MA 01060
9781566568302, $20.00, www.interlinkbooks.com
The simplest rebellion can be taken as the greatest rebellion. "The Calligrapher's Secret" follows
Hamid Farsi, devoted artist of the discipline of Calligraphy. Feeling limited by the Arabic
language, he seeks to forward it, and working within a secret society, he finds that advancing the
Arabic script comes with unforeseen consequences, as well as facing the challenges of love
outside his faith. "The Calligrapher's Secret" is a thoughtful read that will entertain readers as
well as present much to ponder.
Secret Signs
T. J. Waters
Gallaudet University Press
11030 S. Langley Ave., Chicago, IL 60628
9781563684739, $19.95, www.gupress.gallaudet.edu
Hear no evil does not mean evil is not there. "Secret Signs" is a murder thriller set in the Deaf
culture surrounding Washington DC. Amy Kellen finds that her late husband's world was filled
with plenty of corruption. In her work, she finds much to worry about her, and much to love. But
when murder enters the picture, she has to settle these issues and quickly. "Secret Signs" is a
remarkable and fun read and is very highly recommended.
The Military Shelf
Splendid Service
Orlan J. Svingen
Washington State University Press
Pullman, WA 99164-5910
9780874222869, $29.95, www.wsupress.wsu.edu
In a more chaotic time, a state militia was still something needed to keep the peace. "Splendid
Service: The Montana National Guard, 1867-2006" traces the history of this prideful and old
organization which has provided assistance to every major conflict throughout the twentieth
century. Orlan J. Svingen traces the history of this group from their formation to keep the state
safe from the still wild Native tribes in 1867, to the modern era, where it still plays a role.
"Splendid Service" is a thoughtful collection of military history for any American history
collection.
The Social Issues Shelf
Fostering Nation?
Veronica Strong-Boag
Wilfird Laurier University Press
75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON Canada N2L 3C5
9781554582549, $85.00, www.wlupress.wlu.ca
Youths are in greater need of protection than anyone else. "Fostering Nation?: Canada Confronts
Its History of Childhood Disadvantage" is another entry into the Studies in Childhood and Family
in Canada, as they discusses the needs of failings of Canada's systems and how it has improved
and failed to improve throughout Canada's existence. Not only facing Canadians of European
descent, professor and author Veronica Strong-Boag discusses the particular challenges faced by
Aborginal Canadians and how the health of a nations children can be strongly connected to the
health of its neighborhoods and communities. With additional discussion on the welfare of
mothers, the role of foster parents, state institutions and much more, "Fostering Nation?" is a
fascinating and scholarly study on child welfare in Canada, a must for any social issues collection
focusing on Canada.
Decentring Work
Heather Mair, Susan M. Arai, & Donald G. Reid, editors
University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 1N4
9781552385005, $34.95, www.uofcpress.com
Why is our existence determined by our careers? "Decentring Work: Critical Perspectives on
Leisure, Social Policy, and Human Development" discusses the social construct of employment
and its relationship with creating our own self-worth. The authors present ideas on the
marginalization of some people in society through their work, and presents ideas of what leisure
could tell us instead about these people of the world. With an analysis relating to race, gender,
disability and more, "Decentring Work" is a scholarly study on employment and the pedestal it
rests on in the Western world.
The Crafts Shelf
Ridiculously Simple Furniture Projects
Spike Carlsen
Linden Publishing
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
9781610350044, $19.95, www.lindenpub.com
Not everyone is a prodigy of carpentry, but that shouldn't stop them from indulging in the
practice. "Ridiculously Simple Furniture Projects" is a do-it-yourself guide for crafting simple yet
useful and stylish projects that can be constructed by anyone with the resources and dedication to
get it done. From shelves, containers, chairs, even mirrors, Spike Carlsen uses his extensive work
with wood to advise and encourage readers to pursue this endeavor. "Ridiculously Simple
Furniture Projects" is a must for anyone who wants to break into hobby carpentry.
Creating Glass Beads
Jeri L. Warhaftig
Lark Crafts
c/o Sterling
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016-8810
9781600595820, $24.95, www.larkcrafts.com
The little things create a sum of personality. "Creating Glass Beads: A New Workshop to Expand
Your Beginner Skills and Develop Your Artistic Voice" is a guide to forging one's own glass
beads with plenty of opportunity for artistic expression and color. With plenty of simple
procedures from Jeri L. Warhaftig, she hopes to help readers embrace their inner artist and create
something special and uniquely them. "Creating Glass Beads" is a fun read that shouldn't be
passed up by those who love their own spin on jewelry.
The Photography Shelf
Descendants
Norman Mauskopf
Twin Palms Publishers
54 1/2 East San Francisco Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501
9781931885928, $60.00, www.twinpalms.com
A crossroads of the American Southwest and the nation of Mexico, there is much to observe and
learn to understand surrounding New Mexico. "Descendants" is a collection of photography
surrounding Northern New Mexico focused on the people and their culture in the rolling deserts
and badlands of the region. In a tasteful black and white, the photos look at the people, their
graffiti art, and the problems that face them. "Descendants" is a thoughtful collection of
photography that will prove difficult to put down.
The Homeowner's Shelf
A Practical Guide to Turfgrass Fungicides
Richard Latin
APS Press
3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121
9780890543924, $139.95, www.shopapspress.com
Healthy grass must be cared for, but too often some treatments lead to greater problems. "A
Practical Guide to Turfgrass Fungicides" is a text on the importance and details surrounding
fungicides in dealing with the care of turfgrass. Chapters discuss the fundamentals that must be
known about fungicides, how they work, what has been done to improve performance, the
chemical reactions between the grass and fungicides, regulations, and the many varieties and
types and choosing the right one for the job. With many useful charts, graphs, and illustrations, as
well as indexes and appendices for ease of use, "A Practical Guide to Turfgrass Fungicides" is a
core resource for any landscaper.
Condos
Patrick Hohman
Hohman
3044 Bardstown Road, No. 196, Louisville, KY 40205-3020
9780982234501, $39.95, www.condohoainfo.com
The Condominium have always served as an investment for many. "Condos: Townhomes and
Home Owner Associations" is a guide to succeeding with one's condominium investment. With
wisdom on protecting the value of the property around your home, keeping it up to snuff with
good maintenance, and evaluating long term investments. From good relations with tenants and
other board members, Patrick Hohman guides readers to the many actions they can take to
improve it, outlining how much it will cost and how effective it is. "Condos" is a must for anyone
with a strong investment in these buildings.
The Sports Shelf
Fundamentals of Athletic Training, third edition
Lorin A. Cartwright & William A. Pitney
Human Kinetics
PO Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
9780736083737, $69.00, www.humankinetics.com
Good training leads to good performance and while not risking injury. "Fundamentals of Athletic
Training" discusses the basic facts of athletic training as well as the obstacles that will appear. A
knowledgeable text, the book discusses how to treat injuries quickly, avoiding compound
situations, cultural concerns, keeping equipment up to safety standards, dealing with pre-existing
injuries and disabilities, and much more. Presented in full color with plenty of informative
photographs and diagrams throughout, as well as the option of a useful CD-ROM program,
"Fundamentals of Athletic Training" is a useful textbook and resource which should be
considered by any athletic trainer.
Remembering Fenway Park
Harvey Frommer
Stewart Tabori & Chang
c/o Abrams
115 West 18th Street, new York, NY 10011
9781584798521, $45.00, www.stcbooks.com
The green monster has earned quite the reputation in Fenway Park's long history. "Remembering
Fenway Park: An Oral and Narrative History of the Home of the Boston Red Sox" looks at the
stadium's long and famous history, opening in 1912 and becoming an American icon in the
decades since. Focusing on the players, staff, and others who have gained the Boston Red Sox
their fame in their home stadium and much more, "Remembering Fenway Park" is a remarkable
trip down memory lane and a must pick for sports fan's coffee tables and community library
sports and photography collections.
The Art Shelf
Van Eyck to Durer
Till Holger Borchert
Thames & Hudson
c/o W.W. Norton
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10100
9780500238837, $75.00, www.wwnorton.com
As the renaissance stirred in Europe, there were those revolutionizing the paint and canvas for
centuries to come. "Van Eyck to Durer: The Influence of Early Netherlandish Painting on
European Art: 1430-1530" shows how these two individuals did much to further western
European art for centuries to come with their realistic style. By analyzing their own history and
what spurred them in the progress of the arts in these lands, Till Holger Borchert presents a
scholarly delve into the history of art, presented mostly in full color of both painting and
sculpture. "Van Eyck to Durer" is a scholarly work that is a strongly recommended addition to
community and college library art collections.
Frank Vining Smith
James A. Craig
Hudson Hills Press
PO Box 205, 3556 Main Street, Manchester, VT 05254
9781555953294, $65.00, www.hudsonhills.com
Seafaring ships always had quite a bit of majesty to them. "Frank Vining Smith: Maritime
Painting in the 20th Century" looks at the work of Smith, with a focus on his naval vessel
painting but also with a look at his other work as well. Presented in full color, author James A.
Craig presents a dedicated study of his work and history. Smith used his art to express his
patriotism throughout the two world wars, and the social problems that stormed his country
during that era. A master of the impressionist style, "Frank Vining Smith" is a compendium of art
that would do very well on coffee tables or in community library art collections.
The Reference Shelf
The U. S. Motor Vehicle Reference Book 2011
Michael L. Sankey, editor
BRB Publications
PO Box 27869, Tempe, AZ 85285
9781879792975, $14.95, www.mvrdecoder.com
Motor vehicular law is complex and can be quite overwhelming to understand at times. "The U. S. Motor Vehicle Reference Book 2011: The National Guide to State Drive and Vehicle Licensing Regulations" is a text filled with the laws, rules, and regulations that govern America's roads and the differences of these laws on a state to state level. From the many different levels of licensing to the specifics of safety laws, "The U.S. Motor Vehicle Reference Book 2011" is very useful and very highly recommended reference.
The Judicial Studies Shelf
Patent, Copyright, & Trademark
Richard Stim
Nolo
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781413312003, $44.99, www.nolo.com
Ownership of an idea is more valuable than one knows. "Patent, Copyright, & Trademark: An
Intellectual Property Desk Reference" is a guide to the law surrounding patent and copyrights so
that they can be more easily understood. A legal guide by Richard Stim, an attorney focusing on
intellectual property, "Patent, Copyright & Trademark" goes over the many details one must
know when navigating this legal minefield. From the amount of time patents are active, to your
rights when defending your own intellectual property, to the specifics of applying for and
defending a patent, "Patent, Copyright, & Trademark" is a legal resource for any business who
thrives on their ideas and wants to defend their livelihood.
The Martial Arts Shelf
Bagua
Wang Shujin
Blue Snake Books
c/o North Atlantic Books
PO Box 12327, Berkeley, CA 94712
9781583942451, $16.95, www.bluesnakebooks.com
To easily flow is a discipline many martial arts have embraced. "Bagua: Swimming Body Palms"
is a guide to practice of Swimming body palms, furthered by master Wang Shujin discussing how
to use the practice more effectively and enter the focused mind that the exercises help one
embrace. With plenty of diagrams to help the train of thought and practice, "Bagua" is a top pick
for martial arts collections, very highly recommended.
The Civil War Shelf
Cobb's Legion Calvary
Harriet Bey Mesic
McFarland
PO Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28640
9780786464326, $38.00, www.mcfarlandpub.com
To win a battle is history, to become a feared and powerful force is legendary. "Cobb's Legion
Calvary: A History and Roster of the Ninth Georgia Volunteers in the Civil War" is an analysis
of this military unit in which fifteen hundred men passed through and fought for their beliefs in
the civil war, earning renown on either side of the conflict. Harriet Bey Mesic pays tribute to her
great grandfather as well as the other men who served in this unit by telling their story in quite
the comprehensive manner. "Cobb's Legion Calvary" is a thoughtful and solidly recommended
read, not to be missed.
Language Studies Shelf
Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar
Qin Xue Herzberg & Larry Herzberg
Stone Bridge Press
PO Box 8208, Berkeley, CA 94707
9781933330891, $12.95, www.stonebrdige.com
With over a billion speakers, knowing Chinese can be quite the useful skill. "Basic Patterns of
Chinese Grammar: A Student's Guide to Correct Structure sand Common Errors" is an
introductory guide to the Chinese language to help those who want to learn the language get their
start in the most basic of phrasing. From basic word classification, the tricky aspects of the
language, and much more, "Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar" is a must for any with an
interest in the language or just starting out in their education.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
The Collected Short Works of Poul Anderson
Poul Anderson
NESFA Press
PO Box 809, Framingham, MA 01701
9781886778948, $29.00
Poul Anderson has earned quite the renown in the genre of science fiction, and has amassed quite
the collection of work. "The Collected Short Works of Poul Anderson: Volume 4: Admiralty" is
a collection of his award winning short work, comprising of twenty three short stories touching
his wide array of settings. With musings from the author on his works both long and short, "The
Collected Short Works of Poul Anderson" is a vital addition to any short fiction collection
focusing on science fiction for any fan of Anderson's work.
The Psychology Shelf
Willful Blindness
Margaret Heffernan
Walker & Company
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9780802719980, $26.00, www.walkerbooks.com
Ignorance is a bliss that is indulged in all too often. "Willful Blindness: Why We Ignore the
Obvious at Our Peril" is a psychological look at why we so often ignore the dangers that loom
over our heads. Through pride and powerlessness, we often ignore things we cannot change or
that impede us from doing what we want to do. Encouraging readers to meet this blindness in our
lives, Margaret Heffernan states the power of positive change and action in the many aspects of
our lives comes at first conquering our instinctual subconscious. "Willful Blindness" is an
excellent addition to any community library psychology collection.
The Islamic Studies Shelf
Islamophobia
Stephen Sheehi
Clarity Press
Ste. 469, 3277 Roswell Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
9780932863676, $16.95, www.claritypress.com
It is easy to fear what is not understood. "Islamophobia: The Ideological Campaign Against
Muslims" discusses the rampant fear aimed at Islam in modern America where it seems all too
easy to exchange the words Muslim and Terrorist. Stephen Sheehi analyzes the history behind
this widespread sentiment and where it's going in the future. "Islamophobia" is an intriguing
breakdown of the challenges of American culture, highly recommended.
The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Jeff Smith
Eric Nolen-Weathington
TwoMorrows
10407 Bedfordtown Dr., Raleigh, NC 27614
9781605490243, $15.95, www.twomorrows.com
Jeff Smith went from no one to the modern face of comics. "Jeff Smith" is volume 25 in the Modern Masters series as they look at the 'Bone' creator's rise to prominence that gained him a bit of following and has earned him many accolades and opportunities with not only his own original work but with DC Comic's Shazam! Series. "Jeff Smith" is a fascinating study of those who continue to make their work in comics count, presented with plenty of artwork both black and white and full color.
The Needlecraft Shelf
The Art of Elegant Hand Embroidery
Janice Vaine
Landauer Publishing
3100 101st St., Ste. A, Urbandale, IA 50322
9781935726029, $34.95
Embroidery is adding something special to your project without changing it. "The Art of Elegant
Hand Embroidery: Embellishment and Applique" is a guide to the uses of embroidery in one's
work, as Janice Vaine educates readers on how to get started and comes at them with no shortage
of exquisite techniques in many shapes, sizes, and complexity, with plenty of examples.
Complete with a DVD with even more patterns, "The Art of Elegant Hand Embroidery" is a must
for any crafts driven person who wants to add something special to their work.
The Audiobook Shelf
Steam Dreamers of Inverness Part Two
ZBS Foundation
174 North River Road, Fort Edward, NJ 12828
1931654506 $22.50 www.zbs.org 1-800-662-3345
The audiobook Steam Dreamers of Inverness Part Two re-invokes the incredible magic of a
mysterious Victorian slide projector. By applying the projector to a photo of a zeppelin called
"The Illuminato", Jack, Mojo and Claudine find themselves on a new adventure, amid floating
islands in the sky. When the zeppelin stops on a jungle island to repair damage from a sudden
storm, hidden dangers gradually reveal themselves - the jungle itself appears to be alive and have
its own plans for our intrepid heroes. Also highly recommended is the first installment of this
creative and fantastic adventure series, "Steam Dreamers of Inverness Part One" (1931654494,
$22.50).
March in Country
E.E. Knight, author
Christian Rummel, performer
Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
9781441868084 $29.99 www.brillianceaudio.com
Enhanced with an exclusive introduction read by the author, March in Country: A Novel of the
Vampire Earth is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of author E.E. Knight's continuing
chronicle of savage conflict raging across America. The war to seize the territory between the
Ohio River and Tennessee is on, and the remnants of the resistance struggle to survive in
Kentucky hill country while the powerful Kurian vampires seize their tactical advantage. Major
David Valentine must undertake a desperate journey to get help before the Kurian Order stakes a
permanent Kentucky claim - but the repelling the Kurian Order will cost a literal blood price.
Actor Christian Rummel vividly brings this harrowing saga of a dark alternate world to life
through his exceptional performance. Highly recommended. 8 CDs, 9 hours 45 min.
The Night Season
Chelsea Cain, author
Christina Delaine, narrator
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781427211507 $34.99 www.macmillanaudio.com
The dramatic, unabridged adaptation of the fourth in a series of mystery thriller novels featuring
police detective Archie Sheridan, The Night follows Sheridan and reporter Susan Ward, as they
become drawn to the trail of lurking serial killer - and a murder mystery that could stretch back
as far as six decades. A suspenseful story of buried secrets and the tales that long-dead men can
tell, The Night Season comes alive from Christina Delaine's stellar narrative performance. Highly
recommended for anyone who enjoys listening to a good, spine-chilling mystery. 7 CDs, 9
hours.
Shakespeare's Trollop
Charlaine Harris, author
Julia Gibson, narrator
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781440745645 $72.75 www.recordedbooks.com 1-800-638-1304
The unabridged audiobook adaptation of book four of the Lily Bard mysteries by Anthony Award
winner Charlaine Harris, Shakespeare's Trollop brings alive the story of cleaning lady and karate
practitioner Lily Bard. When Bard finds the violated body of one of her clients - the promiscuous
Deedra Dean - she discreetly protects Deedra's mother from some of the more compromising
photographs and videos, and then personally sets out to learn who committed the crime and why.
Lily's search also brings forth painful memories from her own past. Shakespeare's Trollop is a
dark and captivating audiobook, highly recommended especially for mystery buffs. 6 CDs, 7
hours.
The Neil Simon Collection
Neil Simon
L.A. Theatre Works
681 Venice Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291
9781580817899 $119.95 www.latw.org 1-800-708-8863
The Neil Simon Collection is an audiobook anthology of ten classic Neil Simon plays, superbly
performed by full casts of masterful actors. The result is an excellent presentation of theater that
comes alive in the mind. A high-quality recording and an absolute "must-have" for fans of Neil
Simon's work, The Neil Simon Collection is especially recommended for public and college
library audiobook shelves. The plays presented are "Barefoot in the Park", "Plaza Suite",
"California Suite", "Brighton Beach Memoirs", "Broadway Bound", "The Odd Couple", "The
Prisoner of Second Avenue", "Chapter Two", "Biloxi Blues", and "Lost in Yonkers". 20 CDs,
960 min., also available in a downloadable version (9781580817905).
Deep Down True
Juliette Fay, author
Robynn Rodriguez, narrator
Blackstone Audiobooks
PO Box 969, Ashland, OR 97520
9781441788405 $118.00 www.BlackstoneAudio.com 1-800-729-2665
Deep Down True is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of award-winning author Juliette Fay's
novel about navigating the difficult twists and turns of daily life. Dana Stellgarten has recently
been divorced; taking care of her children on a tight budget and looking after her goth teenage
niece demand most of her time and attention, leaving precious little to look for love after the loss
of a marriage. Her unexpected friendship with the local town's "queen bee" is destined to change
her outlook on life, and her fellow humans, even though the harsh judgment of modern society
can be as arbitrary and punishing as that of high school cliques. Deep Down True is ultimately a
heartwarming and refreshing novel, and a choice pick for public library audiobook collections.
Also highly recommended from Blackstone Audiobooks is "Townie: A Memoir"
(9781441781567, $109.00, 12 CDs, 14 1/2 hours) by Andre Dubus III.
As the Earth Turns Silver
Alison Wong, author
Heather Bolton, narrator
Bolinda Publishing
186 S Long Swamp Rd., Jackson, ME 04921
9781742149080 $77.95 www.bolinda.com
As the Earth Turns Silver is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of Alison Wong's
award-winning romantic novel about love that transcends cultures. The year is 1905, and the
brothers Yung and Shun work hard as greengrocers, sending money to their families back in
China. Meanwhile, the widow Katherine McKechnie struggles to raise her son and makes ends
meet. A chance meeting between Yung and Katherine begins a bond that Katherine's son refuses
to tolerate. Superbly performed by actress Heather Bolton, As the Earth Turns Silver is an
emotional and unforgettable listening experience. 6 CDs, 7 hours 40 min. Also published by
Bolinda is the highly recommended audiobook adaptation of "Through the Looking Glass and
What Alice Found There" (9781742850603, $54.95, 3 CDs, 3 hours 39 min.) read by Miriam
Margolyes.
The Importance of Being Earnest
Directed by Michael Hackett
Starring Charles Busch, James Marsters, and Matthew Wolf
L.A. Theatre Works
681 Venice Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291
1580815898 $25.95 www.latw.org 1-800-708-8863
The Importance of Being Earnest is the full-cast audiobook production of Oscar Wilde's famous
final play about Victorian courtship and manners. Best friends Jack and Algernon are both
courting women who believe their names are Ernest, the most confidence-inspiring name there is.
The Importance of Being Earnest is witty, spares no barbs in its razor-sharp satire, and offers a
hilarious send-up of human pride and its many pastiches. Vibrantly brought to life by expert
theatrical performers, The Importance of Being Earnest is the best way to experience Wilde's
play short of obtaining a front-row seat, and is highly recommended. 2 CDs, 118 min.
The Library CD Shelf
Electric Moroccoland/So Below
Club d'Elf
Face Pelt Records
Rock Paper Scissors
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2, Bloomington, IN 47404
$TBA www.rockpaperscissors.biz
Rotating-member musical group Club d'Elf has created a new two-CD set: Electric
Moroccoland/So Below. The first disc of the medley draws upon Morocco's deep musical
heritage, and performer Rivard's expertise in the three-stringed, camel-skinned, base-reminiscent
musical instrument called a sintir. The second disc blends elements of funk, dub, and free jazz in
an exciting new approach to the trance genre. Electric Moroccoland/So Below is an
extraordinary, crowning musical achievement and enthusiastically recommended for both private
and public library music CD collections. The tracks are "Overture" (2:15), "Sand (for mark)"
(5:45), "Ghir Khoudouni" (7:08), "Madrecita" (6:44), "Sunshine Of Your Love" (5:46),
"Scorpionic" (8:44), "Mogador" (5:15), "Bendir Done That" (3:26), "Berber Song" (5:40), "Sidi
Rabi" (7:39), "Ambib" (5:09), "Instar" (5:38), and "Rope on Fire" (5:49) for Electric
Moroccoland; "Gettin' Squinty" (5:20), "Middle Pillar" (7:59), "So Below" (11:08), "Salvia"
(6:53), "I Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down" (7:03), "Trace Meeting pt. 1" (6:22), "Trace
Meeting pt. 2" (2:38), "As Above" (5:35), "End of Firpo" (7:38), "Pharaoh" (7:41), "Propeller"
(4:45), and "Taint Too" (4:26).
Mysterious Duality: Just Me
Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh
Earthsync
c/o Flipswitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$15.97 www.flipswitchPR.com
Mysterious Duality: Just Me is a music CD featuring Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh's masterful
performances of India's national instrument, the stringed veena. Mysterious Duality is not a solo
album; Kumaresh worked with a recording studio engineer to combine and align the strains she
played on the two dozen veenas she owned, in search of just the right blend of sound. The result
is a well-crafted masterpiece worthy of the highest recommendation for public library and private
international music CD collections. The tracks are "Mysterious Duality" (8:20), "Strings With No
Ends" (12:08), "Wandering In Dimensions" (12:20), and "Waiting At Dusk" (9:54).
The Folk EP
Sara Banleigh
Privately Published
c/o FlipSwitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$8.00 www.sarabanleigh.com
The debut album of piano-based folk singer Sara Banleigh, The Folk EP offers Sara's unique
interpretations of five traditional English, Scottish, and Irish folk songs, each of which is several
hundred years old. Love, murder, and death figure prominently in these ballads, which include a
song about a young women who gives her maidenhood to her first love, only to be driven to
suicide when he cheats on her; and songs where the title character is sentenced to death by
hanging for committing a capital crime. A profoundly moving piece of musical history as well as
a captivating performance, The Folk EP is highly recommended. The tracks are "Railroad Boy",
"Mary Hamilton", "Geordie", "All My Trials", and "Fhear A Bhata".
The Shape of Things
Josh Johnston
www.joshjohnston.com
Recorded, mixed & mastered by Brian Masterson
Shandon Records
c/o The Creative Service Company (publicity)
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
$20.67 myspace.com/creativeservicecompany www.shandonrecords.com
The Shape of Things is an album of grand piano music, played solo by Irish musician Josh
Johnston. Though an undercurrent of the album evokes Irish tradition, the music also has
improvisational elements akin to jazz, as well as influence from folk and pop. An absorbing and
emotional delve into the original soundscapes of a brilliantly creative mind, The Shape of Things
is enthusiastically recommended to piano music lovers everywhere. The tracks are "Peace
(Nightsong 1)" (3:53), "FVX" (3:24), "Atlantic" (3:53), "Nightsong 2" (4:12), "Missed Her On
The Road" (4:44), "Guest" (2:57), "Nightsong 3" (2:59), "Asylum Harbour" (4:13), "The Late
Train" (3:38), "Nightsong 4" (2:49), "A Light In The Dark Of Night" (3:38), "Cimiez" (4:49), and
"Saving a Life" (4:29).
When Johnny Comes Marching Home
Anne Enslow and Ridley Enslow
Enslow Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 398, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922-0398
9780766038677 $23.93 list / $17.95 school & library www.enslow.com 1-800-398-2504
When Johnny Comes Marching Home: Music of the Civil War brings to life a variety of classic
songs that were popular during the American Civil War, with violin, guitar, banjo, mandolin,
mountain dulcimer, pennywhistle, flute, harp, cello, and vocal performances. The inset booklet
features not only the song lyrics, but summaries of the history, origin, composition and purpose
of the ballads. A soul-stirring treasury of music from a bygone era, When Johnny Comes
Marching Home is especially recommended for public library music CD collections. The tracks
are "The Battle Cry of Freedom", "The Vacant Chair", "Get Off the Track!", "The Bonnie Blue
Flag", "Weeping, Sad and Lonely", "Confederates' Polka March", "The Southern Soldier Boy",
"All Quiet Along the Potomac Tonight", "The Year of Jubilo", "Tenting on the Old Camp
Ground", "For the Dear Old Flag I Die", "Hard Times Come Again No More / Hard Tack",
"When Johnny Comes Marching Home", "Marching Through Georgia / Lament for Georgia",
"All Hail to Ulysses!", and "Battle Hymn of the Republic". 55 min. 26 sec.
Midsummer
Uwe Gronau
c/o The Creative Service Company (publicity)
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
$17.29
German musician and composer Uwe Gronau presents Midsummer, an instrumental 2-CD album
inspired by the philosophical work "Tractatus" published in 1921. Midsummer seeks to explore
human understanding of the world, and of natural forces, through the expression of music. Most
of the songs are New Age, varying in tone from uplifting to ambient to prog-rock. The first CD
features more rhythmic music, while the second CD is softer and more gently paced. The
instruments used in Midsummer range from piano to synth, drums, organ and more; there are
even a few tracks featuring exotic contributions from instruments such as the Celtic flute or the
sitar. The result is a wonderfully immersive and thought-provoking experience, highly
recommended for anyone who loves to lose themselves in instrumental music. The first CD's
tracks are "Steps in the Snow" (3:17), "Magic Forest" (3:22), "Into Clouds" (3:17), "Secret
Meeting 1" (3:15), "Message" (3:49), "Poems Like Islands" (2:48), "Royal Road" (3:15),
"Thought" (2:06), "Watching the Sound" (3:20), "Dreamt of You" (4:16), "Evening Sky" (3:07),
"Secret Meeting 2" (5:59), "It Happens" (3:24), "Silence" (3:13), "Faraway Countries" (2:55),
"Left Hand" (3:16), "Gliding Flight" (3:17), "Coming Home" (3:45), and the second CD's tracks
are "Storm Lantern" (3:09), "Big Sky Horizon" (2:43), "You Know" (2:47), "Childhood" (3:35),
"Midsummer" (3:14), "Little Luck" (2:52), "Passage" (3:03), "Rivers Bound to Sea" (3:09), "The
Messanger" (3:22), "Thinking" (2:41), "Dream Bridge" (3:39), "Garden of March" (2:35),
"Snowy Wood" (2:56), "Heaven of Falling Stars" (3:41), "By the Fireside" (2:45), "Roxy" (3:02),
and "Brave Heart" (2:57).
First Melancholy, Then the Night Stretch
Rick Cutler
New Dude Records
The Creative Service Company (publicity)
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
$19.22 www.humanrick.com
First Melancholy, Then the Night Stretch is the second original album by solo acoustic pianist
Rick Cutler, featuring elements of neo-classical, new age, and even improvisational jazz.
Superbly performed and emotionally moving, First Melancholy, Then the Night Stretch explores
echoes of memory, reflections on the grandeur of nature, and contemplation of dreams just out of
the conscious mind's reach. An extraordinary and beautiful work, highly recommended. The
tracks are "Isle of Words Forgotten" (2:43), "Gentle Nightmares" (3:00), "Charlotte's Roads
Before Her" (4:26), "Alien Landscape 1" (1:56), "Debussy" (5:06), "From Then Till Now" (4:40),
"Measuring Eternity" (2:38), "Noise (for Tony Williams)" (2:38), "Alien Landscape 2" (1:46),
"Song for Noel" (3:50), "Indian Sunset" (3:45), "A Dance" (4:35), "Hymn" (3:13), "Thank You
(for McCoy Tyner)" (3:53), "Alien Landscape 3" (2:43), "Who Needs Words" (3:25), "A Song
You've Heard Before" (4:02), and "Going Home" (4:15).
Canyon Records Productions
3131 West Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85017
www.canyonrecords.com 1-800-268-1141
Canyon Records Productions continues to enrich music CD libraries with their outstanding
offerings of traditional Native American music, and of original albums composed and brought to
life by Native American performers. In "The Gift of Life: Round Dances and Songs of the Native
Road" ($15.99, 63:56 min.), Grammy-nominated singer Randy Wood transforms his
understanding of Cree culture and the tradition of the Round Dance into a musical contemplation
of the past, present, and future. Dine singer Antonio Woody's "Old Style" ($15.69, 48:23 min.)
preserves and performs peyote songs meant to transfer strength, renewal, and inspiration to new
generations. Opie Day-Bedeau's "One Love Round Dance Songs" ($15.74, 58:48 min.) gathers
inspiration from the Ojibwe culture, featuring compelling, dulcet-toned vocals that reverberate
with the compelling rhythm of round dance culture. Cheevers Toppah delivers harmonized
church hymns of the Kiowa in "Renewed Spirit" ($15.69, 55:26 min.), an album that combines
the song structure and melodies of European-American Christian hymns with pre-Christian
Kiowa songs into an extraordinary whole that extols faith in God and the redemptive sacrifice of
His son Jesus Christ. "Breathe Deep the Dusk Fall" ($18.34, 74:58 min.) is Dine songmaker
Louie Gonnie's anthology of songs from the fireplace of the Native American Church; the
hauntingly beautiful music represents the eternal cycle of time, reflecting upon how the daily
transformation from dusk to dawn symbolizes the travels of the soul through its phases of
existence. Native American Music Award winner Gabriel Ayala and five-time Grammy nominee
Will Clipman combine elements of of classical guitar, flamenco, jazz, tango, and Native
American music in "Passion, Fire & Grace" ($15.46, 45:41 min.), an album that surges with
vigor and multicultural vibrancy. The Southern Scratch group, headed by Ron Joaquin (son of
renowned waila musician Angelo Joaquin Sr.), offers an exceptional tribute to the 50-year
musical legacy of the Joaquin family in "How Sweet the Sound" ($15.99, 48:06 min.); waila
(dance music of the Tohono O'odham of the Sonoran desert) figures prominently in this
pulse-moving album featuring saxophone, bass, bajo sexto, percussion drums, and some vocals.
All are superb contributions to international or Native American music shelves, and public
library music CD collections.
The Library DVD Shelf
The Grandfathers
Ethnographic Media
c/o The B&B Media Group Inc. (publicity)
dmorrow@tbbmedia.com
$19.95 www.EGMfilms.org www.thegrandfathers.com
The Grandfathers is the final motion-graphics documentary of a trilogy now available on DVD,
about a young man living among the stone-age Amazon tribe that slew his grandfather. The
Grandfathers is a profound story about the impact that the murder of five missionaries had on
both the killers and the families of the slain... and ultimately how the widows and children of the
men who died became the crucial part of a redemptive process that would change the lives of all
involved. The Grandfathers is a profound, moving, and unforgettable true story. Also highly
recommended are the previous two documentaries, which chronicle the events leading up to the
deaths of the missionaries: "End of the Spear" and "Beyond the Gates of Splendor". 54 min.
The Genius of Design
Athena
c/o Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598284683 $49.99 www.acornonline.com
As seen on the Smithsonian channel, The Genius of Design is a two-DVD thinpack set collecting
an educational five-part documentary about the art, science, and practical (or even wartime)
ramifications of design. The episodes are "Ghosts in the Machine", revealing how the design
process moved from the workshop to the factory and the rise of mass production; "Designs for
Living", concerning how modernism completely transformed architecture and consumer goods;
"Blueprints for War" about the demands World War II placed on designers and how design
philosophies directly impacted the outcome of war (for example, the cheaper design of Russian
tanks allowed them to be produced in numbers that would overwhelm the smaller numbers of
higher-quality but more expensive Nazi tanks); "Better Living Through Chemistry" about
design's role in the transition from wartime production to a consumer-driven economy; and
"Objects of Desire" which touches upon not only ever-changing consumer demand and the rise of
digital technology, but also the new challenge of sustainability. Biographical sketches of famous
designers and a "viewer's guide" booklet enhance this fascinating and horizon-expanding series.
2 DVDs, 242 min., SDH subtitles. Also highly recommended is the Athena documentary series
"The Cosmos: A Beginner's Guide" (9781598285758, $39.99, 169 min., 2 DVDs).
Get Extremely Ripped! Boot Camp
Jari Love
Get Ripped Inc.
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$14.99 www.411videoinfo.com www.jarilove.com
Certified personal trainer and creator of the award-winning Get Ripped fitness series Jari Love
presents Get Extremely Ripped! Boot Camp, a vigorous exercise DVD that can be set up for six
10-minute workouts or two 30-minute workouts. A high-energy program designed to be
accessible to viewers of all skill and experience levels, Get Extremely Ripped! Boot Camp is
brimming with enthusiasm, pulsing music, and core, strength, and cardio exercises. The only
needed equipment is a set of 3-8 pound dumbbells (having access to a step is optional). Get
Extremely Ripped! Boot Camp is a choice pick for any fitness DVD collection. 80 min.
Happily Ever Active
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
www.411videoinfo.com
Wife, mother, physical therapist, and certified Pilates and Yoga instructor Jillian Moriarty,
MSPT presents two excellent fitness DVDs from Happily Ever Active are ideal for moms and
moms-to-be. "Prego-fit & Fabulous" ($14.95, 40 min.) offers both prenatal and postnatal
workouts that blend elements of yoga and pilates. The only necessary equipment is a simple ball
or pillow, and the workout includes pregnancy-specific breathwork and relaxation poses.
"On-the-Move Munchkins" ($14.95, 40 min.) is a yoga and pilates DVD fitness designed for
parents and young children to follow together. An educational smattering of sign-language
learning enhances this wonderful, healthful and family-friendly workout. Both are excellent ways
to promote flexibility, well-being, and positive lifelong habits.
44 Baseball Mistakes and Corrections
Marty Schupak
Youth Sports Club
9 Florence Court, Valley Cottage, New York 10989
9780978945190 $24.95 www.YouthSportsClub.com
44 Baseball Mistakes and Corrections: Tips For Youth Baseball Coaches & Players! lives up to
its title with an in-depth study of many of the most common and persistent mistakes seen in
youth baseball games. Ideal for coaches or parents in charge of a youth baseball league (whether
recreational or competitive), 44 Baseball Mistakes and Corrections examines step-by-step how to
improve training and gameplay through basic practice principles. Video sections include "Hitting
Mistakes", "Pitching Mistakes", "Baserunning Mistakes", "Fielding Mistakes", "Coaching
Mistakes", "Equipment Mistakes", "Backing Up Mistakes", "Sliding Mistakes", and more.
Highly recommended especially for physical education instructor and public school sports DVD
libraries. 36 min.
Pilates Super Sculpt
Tracey Mallett
traceymallett.com
c/o 411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$19.95 www.411videoinfo.com
Master Pilates Instructor Tracey Mallett presents Pilates Super Sculpt, a fitness DVD ideal for
beginning to intermediate fitness buffs, featuring Pilates exercises designed to promote core
strength and improved posture. The six sections of the fitness DVD are "Total Body Warm-up",
"Abs Series", "Oblique and Buns Sculpt", "Legs and Thigh Burn", "Total Body Challenge", and
"Flexibility"; they can be mixed or matched in any order. An inexpensive sponge or playground
ball is necessary for some of the exercises, but is the only required equipment in this
user-friendly workout program. 60 min.
The Language of Life
Bill Moyers
Athena
c/o Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598285499 $59.99 www.acornonline.com
The Language of Life is a DVD thinpack DVD documentary series in which journalist and host
Bill Moyers speaks with eighteen authors and poets, and shares the unique experience of having
them read passages aloud in front of a live audience. Robert Bly, Adrienne Rich, Gary Snyder
and many more talented individuals are profiled in this extraordinary anthology of personal
interviews and public performances, some of which have musical accompaniment by the
acclaimed Paul Winter Consort. The Language of Life lives up to its title with an exceptional
cross-section of the dimensions of life as expressed through the finest of wordsmithing, and is
highly recommended especially for bibliophiles and public library DVD collections. 3 DVDs, 8
episodes, 447 min.
Water on the Table
a film by Liz Marshall
featuring water-warrior Maude Barlow
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547
1594589798 $295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com
In July of 2010, a large majority of the United Nations voted in favor of a resolution to recognize
the human right to water and sanitation; Canada, the US, and 39 other nations abstained. Water
on the Table is a documentary on DVD capturing the powerful message of "international
water-warrior" Maude Barlow, who champions the principle that water is so invaluable and
essential that it needs to be declared a public trust and a human right. Barlow speaks out against
those who would privatize the distribution of water, or who seek to turn a substance human
beings need to live into a profitable commodity. The message of those who strongly oppose
Barlow is also presented; counterarguments include the claim that water is no different than any
other resource, or that privatizing water distribution is the better means to protect access to it.
Water on the Table is a hard-hitting look at an issue that will only become more pressing as
increasing population, desertification, climate change, and other ecological issues place human
access to water in ever-greater jeopardy. Also highly recommended is the Bullfrog Films
documentary "SoLa: Louisiana Water Stories" (1594589968, $250.00), about the connection
between humans and water in Southern Louisiana... and in the unfolding of one of the worst
manmade ecological disasters in recorded history.
Lorna Doone
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598285314 $29.99 www.acornonline.com
Lorna Doone is the DVD adaptation of R.D. Blackmore's classic saga of love, blood feud, and
revenge. In lawless 17th-century England during the Monmouth rebellion, John Ridd craves
vengeance against the Doone family that murdered his father when he was a child. Yet John has
fallen hopelessly, passionately in love with the beautiful Lorna Doone, the daughter of his
avowed enemies. Cast filmographies and a biography of R.D. Blackmore enhance this sweeping
story of passionate love and heart-wrenching tragedy, highly recommended especially for public
library and private movie collections. 87 min, full screen, SDH subtitles.
Obesity in a Bottle II: How to Pick Healthy Beverages
Learning ZoneXPress
PO Box 1022, Owatonna, MN 55060
$79.95 www.learningzoneexpress.com 1-888-455-7003
Susan Moores, MS, RD presents Obesity in a Bottle II: How to Pick Healthy Beverages (26
min.), a no-nonsense informative documentary intended for grades 9 and up, concerning the
proliferation of high-sugar, low-nutrition beverages that contribute to America's ongoing
problems with obesity and other health concerns. The program segments include "How to
Choose Healthy Beverages", "How to Choose Healthy Beverages for Kids", "How to Drink for
Weight Loss", "How to Pick the Right Drinks for Sports", and "Busting Caffeine Myths".
Printable teaching materials to accompany this invaluable and educational documentary are
available online as well. Also highly recommended is the Learning ZoneXPress educational
documentary "Cooking and Children: A Learning Activity" ($79.95, 33 min.), a useful guide
promoting healthful cooking with young people while remaining mindful of kitchen safety
concerns.
My Journey to Life
Rainer Walde
www.waeldemedia.de
Vision Video
PO Box 540, Worcester, PA 19490-0540
$19.99 www.visionvideo.com 1-800-523-0226
My Journey to Life: On the Trail of Celtic Saints is a spiritual documentary following host
Rainer Walde's exploration of ancient Christianity. From Christianity's origins in Ireland and
Britain, to the beginnings of Celtic Christianity still practiced by modern-day followers in Iona
and Northumbria, to recreations of ancient prayers and rituals, to the spiritual value of a life with
set times scheduled for solitude and Christian communion, My Journey to Life is a thoughtful
journey of the faith that has sustained human beings for generations. Highly recommended
especially for DVD libraries with a Christian spiritual focus. English and German audio tracks,
75 min. Also available from Vision Video is a choice pick for Christian families with young
people ages 8-12, "The Amy Carmichael Story" ($14.99, 30 min.), an animated adventure
following a true-life Christian heroine who devoted herself to rescuing children.
20th Century America at War with Mike Wallace
Athena
c/o Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598285574 $49.99 www.acornonline.com
Emmy and Peabody award-winning newsman Mike Wallace hosts 20th Century America at War,
a ten-episode boxed set documentary on DVD, originally shown on A&E and the History
Channel. Archival footage and the insights of journalists, military leaders, and historians enhance
this eye-opening survey of how combat evolved during the course of the twentieth century, with
especial focus on Vietnam, the Korean War, and the Gulf War. An extraordinary educational
series, 20th Century America at War with Mike Wallace is highly recommended especially for
military history buffs and public library collections. The episodes are "How We Went to War",
"Vietnam: A Soldier's Diary", "Vietnam Dilemma: Tet and the Anti-War Movement", "Portraits
of Courage: Air War in Vietnam and the Prisoner of War", "Korea: The Forgotten War",
"America's Elite Forces: A Checkered History", "Military Debacles", "The Gulf War Revisited:
The Untold Story", "A Few Good Women", and "The Changing Face of Warfare". 3 DVDs, 470
min., SDH subtitles.
Supreme 90 Day
Telebrands
Melissa-FtPR@verizon.net
B004S2YN5O, $22.99
It only takes three months to turn your life around. "Supreme 90 Day" is a system devised by John Dull
and Michelle Collier, presenting ten DVDs designed to tone and achieve greater fitness. Each
DVD focuses a particular section of the body designed to make the most of it all. All one needs
to follow the system is simple hand weights and a balance ball. For those looking for a bit of
advice on getting to that next level of fitness, "Supreme 90 Day" may be the system for
them.
Kung Fu Body Conditioning
Dr. Jwing-Ming Yang
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480, Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
9781594392085 $39.95 www.ymaa.com 1-800-669-8892
Kung Fu Body Conditioning: Traditional Training for Endurance and Power is a fitness and
martial arts DVD hosted by Dr. Jwing-Ming Yang, founder of the YMAA California Retreat
Center, a location designed especially to preserve and teach Chinese martial arts at the highest
level of practice. But Kung Fu Body Conditioning is not only for expert martial artists; fitness
and self-defense buffs of all backgrounds will benefit from the training meant to strengthen
bones, joints, and muscles. The program includes stretching, strength-training, tumbling drills,
outdoor training methods, qigong meditation, proper posture, how to practice embryonic
breathing to amplify one's martial power, and much more. Highly recommended. 240 min.
Siege
Julien Bryan
Aquila Polonica Publishing
debra@aquilapolonica.com
9781607720065 $14.95 www.AquilaPolonica.com
Siege: 1940 Academy Award-Nominated Newsreel reproduces a film that made history. In 1939,
American photojournalist Julien Bryan was the only neutral reporter to make a film record of
Nazi Germany's bombardment of Poland. Bryan survived two weeks under deadly conditions,
repeatedly risking his life to record the Nazi's violence; his film and still photos shocked the
American public, and helped motivate the nation to take a stand against Hitler's ruthless
conquest. Siege features the original, ten-minute black-and-white newsreel, meticulously
restored, plus a wealth of special features including "Prelude to War", "Blitzkrieg", "The Making
of Siege", a biography of Julien Bryan and much more. Siege is a seminal and indispensable
addition to public and college library DVD libraries, worthy of the highest recommendation.
Acacia
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 650, Silver Spring, MD 20910
www.acacialifestyle.com
Two excellent fitness DVDs from Acacia are worthy additions to any exercise buff's collection;
each requires no expensive equipment other than light hand weights and a mat. "Ageless with
Kathy Smith: Staying Strong" (9781598286168, $16.99, 60 min. plus bonus) is a workout
designed especially to combat the loss of muscle mass that naturally comes with aging. Four
mix-or-match 15-minute segments target the arms, legs, glutes, and core; a bonus
question-and-answer segment with Kathy Smith plus a 12-minute stretching segment rounds out
this superb exercise program. "Kristi Yamaguchi Power Workout" (9781598286380, $16.99, 53
min.) is hosted by Olympic gold medalist (and wife and mother!) Kristi Yamaguchi and celebrity
trainer Erin O'Brien. Designed for viewers with busy schedules, Power Workout is divided into
three ten-minute circuits plus an abs and chest segment. Both strength training and cardio
endurance elements are present in this solid and accessible exercise DVD.
Bennet-Watt HD Productions, Inc.
13021 - 244 Avenue SE, Issaquah, WA 98027
www.Bennett-Watt.com
Bennet-Watt HD Productions takes the viewer on a fantastic tour of Irish history and culture in
its Discoveries... Ireland DVD series. The fourth DVD in the series, Discoveries... Ireland:
Castles & Ancient Treasures (9781934682678, $24.95) explores Ireland's castles, abbeys, moats
and fortified houses - some from the medieval era, some ruins and passage tombs dating as far
back as 3000 B.C. An extraordinary journey to sites of legend, beautifully captured on film,
Castles & Ancient Treasures is the next best thing to seeing these historic sites in person.
Discoveries... Ireland: Music & Dance A Rich Culture (9781934682685, $24.95) focuses on the
Ireland's historic entertainment legacy, from the music festivals of Northwest Ireland to
performances at cafes to people who work to keep native Gaelic traditions and songs alive, and
much more. Both DVDs are treasure troves, and make excellent gifts for anyone feeling curious
or nostalgic about Ireland's unique gifts to the world.
The Parenting Shelf
Vaccines and Your Child
Paul A. Offit and Charlotte A. Moser
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street, New York, NY 10023-7015
9780231153072, $16.95, www.cup.columbia.edu
Vaccines have received a lot of negative press in recent years. "Vaccines and Your Child:
Separating Fact from Fiction" is an informative guide for parents to help them wade through all
the misinformation that is all over the place in regards to vaccines. Dispelling myths about
autism and other fears associated with vaccines, Paul Offit, M.D., and Charlotte Moser of the
Vaccine Education center come together to provide a great deal of useful information. "Vaccines
and Your Child" is a scholarly and much needed read for any concerned parent.
The Humor Shelf
Green Pieces: Green From the Pond Up
Drew Aquilina
Green Pieces Cartoon Studio
7904 East Chaparral Road, #A110-496, Scottsdale, AZ 85250-7210
9780983344438 $19.99 www.greenpiecesbooks.com
Featuring a foreword by Brian Walker, creator of "Hi and Lois", Green Pieces: Green From the
Pond Up is a gigantic, full-color collection of daily Green Pieces cartoon strips by Drew
Aquilina. Environmental and animal welfare issues are recurring themes amid the zany antics of
the wetlands animal cast, from a talk-tough dragonfly to a shell-waxing turtle to a raccoon who
claims "Garbage just ain't what it used to be." Playful, off-the-wall humor characterizes this
delightful anthology, which makes an excellent giftbook for anyone who enjoys a good
laugh.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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