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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Food And Famine In The 21st Century
William A. Dando, editor
ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
9781598847307, $189.00, www.amazon.com
Famine has been the bane of the human race from the origins of humanity down to the present
day. Indeed, more people have died of famine than all the wars recorded history. "Food and
Famine in the 21st Century" is a two volume, 744-page compendium knowledgeably compiled
and deftly edited by academician William A. Dando (Distinguished Professor of Geography,
Indiana State University) that provides a comprehensive and detailed study of food and famine
issues around the world today. Volume 1 focuses on an overview of 50 topics and issues relating
to recorded famines from 4000 BCE to 2100 CE. Of special note is a perspective on the rise of
agriculture. Volume 2 presents ten particularly representative and destructive famine case studies
and the basis for predictions of famines occurring in the 21st Century and beyond. An impressive
work of meticulous scholarship of the highest order, "Food and Famine in the 21st Century" is
especially recommended for both community and academic library Geography, World Cultures,
and Geopolitics reference collections.
Power Questions
Andrew Sobel & Jerold Panas
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street
Malden, MA 02148
9781118119631, $22.95, www.wiley.com
Questions get answers, and to get the best answers you need the best questions. "Power
Questions: Build Relationships, Win New Business, and Influence Others" is an inspirational
read from Andrew Sobel & Jerold Panas as they encourage readers to embrace the power of
inquisition and how to better get the idea of what you and your co-workers, friends, and even
loved ones want out of life. Through motivating oneself and others, "Power Questions" is a
strongly recommended pick for anyone who wants to keep theirs and those around them's
curiosity and drive strong.
No War for Oil
Ivan Eland
The Independent Institute
100 Swan Way
Oakland, CA 94621-1428
9781598130461, $18.95, www.independent.org
There is a cost for many things that is not measured in dollars and cents. "No War for Oil: U. S.
Dependency and the Middle East" discusses the conflicts surrounding oil and petroleum and how
they have crafted twentieth century foreign policy and are well on the way to crafting twenty first
century policy as well. The human price for this commodity is high, and Ivan Eland explains how
humanity must get away from it all to get things done. "No War for Oil" is a strongly
recommended read for social and international issues collections.
The Literary Studies Shelf
Milton And Homer
Gregory Machacek
Duquesne University Press
600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15282
www.dupress.duq.edu
9780820704470, $58.00, www.amazon.com
Although separated in time by millennia and by cultures, the poets Homer and Milton both
shared an ability to use poetry to speak indelibly to the imaginations, aspirations, fears, hopes,
and dreams of each generation that followed their own. They have also been the subjects of
whole libraries of literary analysis and commentary. What's unique about "Milton And Homer:
Written to Aftertimes" by Gregory Machacek (Professor of English, Marist College,
Poughkeepsie, New York) is an insightful and detailed examination of the way Homer's work
influenced John Milton and offering a synchronic framework that will allow the reader to
appreciate how reading Homer enables a deeper and richer understanding of Milton's equally epic
works. "Milton And Homer: Written to Aftertimes" is a masterwork of impeccable and original
scholarship, making it a highly recommended and core addition to academic library reference
collections.
Michael Moorcock: London Peculiar and Other Nonfiction
Michael Moorcock & Allan Kausch, editors
PM Press
PO Box 23912, Oakland, CA 94623
9781604864908, $23.95, www.pmpress.org
Michael Moorcock is one of the best writers of the twentieth century, but his skill is not just in
fantasy and science fiction. "Michael Moorcock: London Peculiar and Other Nonfiction" is a
collection of the man's writings on many topics related to writing and everything else. An
intriguing look into the mind and the workings of a man responsible for many fantasy and
science fiction worlds, "Michael Moorcock" is an essential addition to any literary and current
events collection of writing, highly recommended.
The Wisdom of Naguib Mahfouz
Aleya Serour, editor
American University in Cairo Press
420 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10018-2729
9789774164958, $19.95, www.aucpress.com
A love of writing begets a love of reading which begets a love of knowledge. "The Wisdom of
Naguib Mahfouz: From the Works of the Nobel Laureate" is a compilation of the writings from
the international renown Egyptian thinker and philosopher Naguib Mahfouz, a man with dozens
of novels and other works, attaining the Nobel Prize for literature in 1988. Presenting excepts of
novels, his poetry, among his other writings, editor Aleya Serour presents a fine assortment of
literary work, and makes "The Wisdom of Naguib Mahfouz" a strong addition to any community
and college literary studies collection.
Resurrection from the Underground: Feodor Dostoevsky
Rene Girard
Michigan State University Press
1405 South Harrison Road, Suite 25
East Lansing, MI 48823-5245
9781611860375, $24.95, www.msupress.msu.edu
Drawing ourselves away from the world can give a more complete reflection on it. "Resurrection
from the Underground: Feodor Dostovsky" discusses the work of Dostovksy, the Russian author
who was known for his unique world view that presents a fascinating look into the human
condition. Excellently translated and discussed by Professor Rene Girard, "Resurrection from the
Underground" is a strong addition to any international community and college philosophy
collection, highly recommended.
The History of a Slave, updated edition
Paul E. Lovejoy, editor
Markus Wiener Publishers
231 Nassau Street
Princeton, NJ 08542
9781558765542, $24.95, www.markuswiener.com
Slavery is an evil not yet purged completely from the world. "The History of a Slave" is a
republishing of H. H. Johnston's fictional telling drawn from true accounts of a slave brought
throughout Africa and facing cruelty from many sources and witnessing countless acts inflicted
on others. Paul Lovejoy presents this updated edition with additional information, annotations,
and discussion on historical significance, as well as the original illustrations. "The History of a
Slave" is a must read literary piece that focuses on one of humanity's greatest evils.
The Adventures of Roderick Random
Tobias Smollett
University of Georgia Press
330 Research Drive
Athens, GA, 30602-4901
9780820321653, $89.95, www.ugapress.org
Most people in the seventeenth century were born and died in the same village. "The Adventures
of Roderick Random" is Tobias Smollett's literary classic following Mr. Random as he travels
the world through many professions and continents to experience the world on a bigger scale.
Through war, love, peace, and more, Roderick's tales present a unique perspective on the issues
of the day, imperialism, slavery, war, money, and high society. A reprinting of a literary classic
that reflects on its place in the history of literature, "The Adventures of Roderick Random" is an
excellent addition to any community library collection of eighteenth century literature.
The Art Shelf
Abraham Manievich
Alan Pensler and Mimi Ginsberg
Hudson Hills Press
PO Box 205
74-2 Union Street
Manchester, VT 05254
9781555953454 $60.00 www.hudsonhills.com
Abraham Manievich is an artbook showcasing the striking paintings of Ukrainian-born Jewish
artist Abraham Manievich, who immigrated to America in 1921 and contributed to the American
Modernism artistic movement. Manievich's works often use color to define shape, and apply the
power of simplicity to carry the weight of their imagery. A lengthy biographical essay introduces
the reader to Manievich's history and the context of his creations, but most of the book is devoted
to full-color reproductions of Manievich's masterpieces, many of which are currently part of
private collections. Extensive notes and a timeline of major events in Manievich's life round out
this absolute "must-have" for admirers of Manievich's work.
How the West Was Drawn
Linda L. Osmundson
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street
Gretna, LA 70053-2246
9781455615063, $16.99, www.pelicanpub.com
The iconic artwork of a rough and romantic era was done by a man who didn't call it home.
"How the West Was Drawn: Frederic Remington's Art" delves into the work of the New York
artist who through fascination, devotion, and travel, captured the spirit of the area with his art. A
study of his techniques and his symbolism, "How the West Was Drawn" should strongly be
considered for any student of art who wants to examine the work of one of the best of his
era.
The Cookbook Shelf
The Kitchen Diva's Diabetic Cookbook
Angela Shelf Medearis
Andrews & McMeel
1130 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449402396 $24.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com
The Kitchen Diva's Diabetic Cookbook is packed cover-to-cover with easy-to-follow instructions
for delicious, healthy recipes. Although designed especially for people working to keep their
diabetes under control, these sumptuous dishes are a marvelous addition to any health- and
flavor-conscious gourmet! From "Quick Black Bean Breakfast Tacos" to "Garlic Flank Steak",
"Cheesy Broccoli and Noodles", "Pumpkin-Nut Bars" and much more, these delicacies will
enliven the nutritious culinary repertoires of aspiring chefs. Basic carbohydrate/fat/sodium/etc.
information concerning each dish, color photographs, and an index round out this superb
collection.
Skinny Ms. Slow Cooker
Tiffany McCauley and Gale Compton, authors
Quail Ridge Press
P. O. Box 123, Brandon, MS 39043
9781934193761, $24.95, www.quailridge.com
Just when the winter is looming long and wearisome, "Skinny Ms. Slow Cooker: Natural Recipes
for a Healthy Lifestyle" brings a fresh and fabulous assortment of healthy recipes for slow cooker
comfort food lovers. Collected and presented by a talented pair of women who are committed to
promoting a healthy life style through eating unprocessed foods including vegetables and whole
grains, eating healthy foods in correct (smaller) portions, keeping active, and eating more foods
the way your great grandmother ate. Here are a variety slow cooker recipes for beverages,
appetizers, breakfast, stews and soups, pasta and grains, beans and vegetables, poultry, meat and
seafood, and desserts. Instructions are simple and brief, ingredients are listed first and are readily
obtainable, and nutritional information for each recipe per serving is presented in a green sidebar
which is easily spotted. Color photos of different recipes are mouthwatering, but the proof is in
the pudding literally. This reviewer's two favorites so far are Sweet Potato Custard Oatmeal (p.
60), and Chicken Enchiladas Verde (p. 156). It is certain that even more culinary joy awaits the
determined slow cooker fan who might just decide to cook their way through all 211 pages of
recipes. Additional basic information about modern slow cookers is added at the end as is
additional basic recipe information. "Skinny Ms. Slow Cooker, Natural Recipes for a Healthy
Lifestyle" is a retro-flavored cookbook whose time has definitely arrived.
New Orleans Classic Brunches
Kit Wohl
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053
9781589808409, $16.95, www.pelicanpub.com
"New Orleans Classic Brunches: Recipes from Favorite Restaurants" is a beautiful color photo
illustrated brunch recipe collection from favorite restaurants in New Orleans, "The Big Easy."
The Classic Recipes Series features excellent regional cuisine, and New Orleans provides some
of the riches examples of this specialty. Dietary and cultural influences include Spanish, French,
British, African, and Caribbean cuisine and culture. This makes for a fantastic mix of palate
popping flavors, best tried in person, but available through kitchen efforts of the sophisticated,
well read armchair traveler. Kit Wohl's fabulous photography and accompanying notes of interest
about different recipes' origins make the offerings of "New Orleans Classic Brunches" even more
irresistible. Here we have recipes for Chef Dooky Chase's Eggs New Orleans (with crab meat
imperial), chef Alex Harwell's Eggs, Biscuits & Sausage Gravy, and Chef Leah Chase's Breakfast
Shrimp & Baked Cheese Grits, accompanied by a beautiful photo of Chef Leah Chase along with
a thumbnail biography. There are also recipes for chef Michelle McRaney's Gumbo Ya-Ya, Chef
Tory McPhail's Huckleberry Pancakes, and Linda Ellerbee's Skillet Cornbread. All recipes are
clearly explained, with a serving total and list of ingredients first followed by instructions. Each
recipe comes from a famous brunch restaurant in New Orleans, taking the reader on a culinary
tour of that fabled city's best brunch offerings. Special or signature cocktails or drink recipes are
also featured in sidebars from featured restaurants. Required standard components are collected
in illustrated recipes at the end, such as roux, remoulade sauce, fresh bouquet garni, chocolate
sauce, Hollandaise sauce, candied pecans, etc. "New Orleans Classic Brunches" closes with a
beautiful photo of the clasped hands of fabulous chef and great grandmother, Leah Chase. No
one who owns a copy of "New Orleans Classic Brunches" will be disappointed; it is the stuff of
heaven on earth.
Cooking Vegan
Vesanto Melina & Joseph Forest
The Book Publishing Company
PO Box 99
Summertown, TN 38483
9781570672675, $19.95, www.thefarm.org/businesses/bpc.html
Vegan cooking is a good way to embrace greater health on many levels. "Cooking Vegan:
Healthful, Delicious, and Easy" is a guide to embracing the vegan cooking style and diet from
Vesanto Melina and Joseph Forest, who provide plenty of tips and tricks to eating a healthy diet
vegan style at any point in their lives. With recipes for any taste, "Cooking Vegan" is a strong
and recommended pick for anyone who wants to embrace a much healthier future for
themselves.
Let Them Eat Vegan!
Dreena Burton
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center
Cambridge, MA 02142
9780738215617, $20.00, www.perseusbooksgroup.com
The potential of Vegan cooking is vast, and an excellent choice for health or ethical reasons. "Let
Them Eat Vegan!: 200 Deliciously Satisfying Plant-Powered Recipes for the Whole Family" is a
compilation of vegan recipes from Dreena Burton, whose vast experience with the vegan avenue
of cooking continues with this latest volume. These recipes are varied and designed for any
occasion and bring out the full potential of vegan staples. "Let them Eat Vegan!" is a strong pick
for any Vegan cook looking for new dishes and new ideas.
HELP! There's a Stove in My Kitchen!
Annabel Frere
Struik
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor
New York, NY 10019
9781770079373, $19.95, www.randomstruik.co.za
Cooking is easy they say, until the entire house burns down. "Help!: There's a Stove in my
Kitchen" is a guide for simple and effective meals for any time of day and any diet. Annabel
Frere walks readers through the basics of cooking and how to make many simple favorites like
Chicken Noodle Soup, Lasagna, Stroganoff, and Chicken Pie. "Help!: There's a Stove in My
Kitchen" is packed cover to cover with full color photos and easy to follow instructions, strongly
recommended as an introductory cookbook.
The Speedy Sneaky Chef
Missy Chase Lapine
Running Press
2300 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-4371
9780762443291, $20.00, www.runningpress.com
Speed and Health don't have to be opposed to one another. "The Speedy Sneaky Chef: Quick,
Healthy Fixes for Your Family's Favorite Packaged Foods" is a cookbook that takes many
prepackaged products, adds a touch of innovation to produce something delicious & healthy, sure
to please the picky tastebuds all parents often face. "The Speedy Sneaky Chef" is a strong pick
for cookbook collections and on the shelves of busy cooks.
The Theatre/Cinema Shelf
The Actor as Storyteller
Bruce Miller
Limelight Editions
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing
33 Plymouth St, Suite 302
Montclair, NJ 07042
9780879103866, $24.99, www.halleonardbooks.com
Acting is to tell a story by being. "The Actor as Storyteller: An Introduction to Acting" is a guide
to those who want to embrace the stage to unleash their inner storyteller. Bruce Miller, professor
and director of acting programs at the college level, presents tips and tricks for aspiring actors
who want to get improve their technique and do something special on stage. "The Actor as
Storyteller" is a strong pick for theatre collections and other assortments dedicated to the
arts.
Film Editing
Christopher Llewellyn Reed
Mercury Books
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166
9781936420100, $41.95, www.internationalpubmarket.com
Editing is how a filmmaker applies their finishing touches to their artwork. "Film Editing:
Theory and Practice" is a guide to the many topics of film editing. From cutting out the
unnecessary, how to consider one's genre and purpose, production values, the programs to use,
and much more. Christopher Llewellyn Reed uses his expertise in Film and the Arts to advise
readers on what to consider no matter what kind of film they are producing. "Film Editing" is a
scholarly insight to editing, much recommended to both student filmmakers and amateur
enthusiasts.
Revisioning Europe
Jerry White
University of Calgary Press
2500 University Drive, N.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
9781552385500, $34.95, www.uofcpress.com
Good film is like any other media, it presents questions and provokes thought. "Revisioning
Europe: The Films of John Berger & Alain Tanner" focuses on the work of these two thinkers
who have produced works that discuss Europe and its own brand of radicalism and liberalism.
With ideas that further discuss the Enlightenment of thought, "Revisioning Europe" is a
fascinating discussion for viewers of European film and its impact on the international debates of
politics and human rights.
The Social Issues Shelf
Compassion, Inc.
Mara Einstein
University of California Press
2120 Berkeley Way
Berkeley, CA 94720
9780520266520 $29.95 www.ucpress.edu
Compassion, Inc.: How Corporate America Blurs the Line Between What We Buy, Who We
Are, and Those We Help is a stinging indictment of the negative effects of marrying charitable
giving to commerce. How could donating a little money to a worthy charity with every purchase
made be a bad? Studies are cited to show that corporations exploit the absolute minimum of
donations for maximum revenue, often to the point of misleading consumers about how much
they actually give. "Marketable" charities tend to overtake less marketable ones in the public eye
(case in point - for all the many "pink" products that raise funds for breast cancer, there are fewer
that aid research in heart disease, a larger killer of women, and none that benefit prostate cancer
research). A charity dependent on corporate largess is much less likely to "rock the boat" by
defying or being critical of the corporation in any way. Worst of all, when consumers feel they
have contributed sufficient donations through shopping, they are less likely to donate to charity
directly, resulting in decreased funds for charity overall! "...marketing makes celebrities more
important than the social causes they are touting... caring - real, true caring - becomes secondary
to product sales... Thus, promotion-based - no, market-based - compassion lulls us into believing
that we are being socially responsible, when the sad fact is that we are abdicating our social
responsibilities to the market." An alarming wake-up call to rethink our charitable values before
they are completely lost to corporatism, Compassion, Inc. is worthy of the highest
recommendation.
#TweetSmart
J. S. McDougall
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein, Hwy N.
Sebastopol, CA 95472-2811
9781449309114, $19.99, www.oreilly.com
Wisdom doesn't need to be elaborate to get the message across. "#TweetSmart: 25 Twitter
Projects to Help You Build Your Community" is a guide from J. S. McDougall who advises
readers on how to help their business or community using the social media juggernaut of Twitter.
From photos to old school marketing techniques and much more, "#TweetSmart" is a wise and
much recommended read, not to be missed for social issues collections.
A Leadership Guide for Today's Disabilities Organizations
Robert L. Schalock & Miguel Angel Verdugo
Brookes Publishing Company
PO Box 10624
Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
9781598571813, $44.95, www.brookespublishing.com
People with disabilities deserve representation that is worthy as well. "A Leadership Guide for
Today's Disabilities Organizations: Overcoming Challenges and Making Change Happen"
discusses how to more successfully campaign for the benefits of the disabled by using more
modern thinking styles and appealing to them. With ideas for innovation, success, and more, "A
Leadership Guide for Today's Disabilities Organizations" is a strong pick for anyone whose
career is representing those with disabilities and assuring they get their fair chance in life.
The Business Shelf
Records Management and Knowledge Mobilisation
Stephen Harries
Chandos Publishing
c/o Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004
New York, NY 10038-4512
9781843346531, $90.00, www.neal-schuman.com
A mastery of information can prove all the more vital for today's world where knowledge proves
to be everything. "Records Management and Knowledge Mobilisation: A Handbook for
Regulation, Innovation and Transformation" explores the importance of records management can
help public sector businesses thrive. Stephen Harries, an accomplished business consultant,
advises managers on just why keeping the books in order is so important, the modern economic
environment, legal purposes, and much more. Chapters include detailed analysis on the protocol
for many types of public businesses and how to maximize efficiency on any level. With a great
deal of figures to more accurately illustrate the knowledge within, "Records Management and
Knowledge Mobilisation" is a core addition to any business and administration management
collection for college and professional libraries.
The Zen of Social Media Marketing
Shama Hyder Kabani
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, STE 400
Dallas, TX 75204
9781936661633, $16.95, www.benbellabooks.com
Word of mouth is the most natural of advertising. "The Zen of Social Media Marketing: An
Easier Way to Build Credibility, Generate Buzz, and Increase Revenue" is a guide from Shama
Hyder Kabani to embracing social media to spread the word of their product, understanding how
it works, and using it with efficiency. With tips specific to Facebook, Twitter, Google+,
Groupon, and much more, "The Zen of Social Media Marketing" is up to date for 2012 and is a
much recommended pick for any publicist or marketer.
Follow That Customer!
Egbert Jan Vel Bel, Ed Sander, & Alan Weber
Racom Communications
150 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 2800
Chicago, IL 60601
978933199269, $39.95, www.racombooks.com
Where there's demand, there's a market. "Follow That Customer!: The Event-Driven Marketing
Handbook" is a guide to predicting the market and having the products that customers will seek
for many years to come. Authors Egbert Jan vel Bel, Ed Sander, & Alan Weber discuss Event
Driven Marketing, and how to jump onto the next revolution of marketing. Quicker response
rates leads to greater to success, and the experts present much technical info to make this so.
"Follow That Customer!" is a much recommended pick for community library business studies
collections.
The Memoir Shelf
Truth be Told
Larry King
Weinstein Books
345 Hudson Street, 13th floor
New York, NY 10014
9781602861305, $25.00, www.weinsteinbooks.com
Sitting across the most interesting people in world certainly leaves you with your own stories as
well. "Truth Be Told: Off the Record About Favorite Guests, Memorable Moments, Funniest
Jokes, and a Half Century of Asking Questions" is a memoir from Larry King, as he shares his
tales of being show business for decades, dealing actors, musicians, politicians, and much more
on his show, asking questions and getting answers. "Truth Be Told" is a strong pick for any fan
of Larry King's work who wants perspective on what's the result of a life spent nightly.
The American History Shelf
Babysitter
Miriam Forman-Brunell
New York University Press
838 Broadway, 3rd floor
New York, NY 10003
9780814728956, $25.00, www.nyupress.org
Babysitting has been an icon of teenage girl culture for decades, having roots in centuries of
human history. "Babysitter: An American History" is a delve into the history of the babysitter,
proving to be the first job for many young American girls. A part of culture, the babysitter has
often been the plot element in many pieces of fiction, from literature aimed at teen girls to horror
movies. "Babysitter" is an excellent look at teenage girl youth culture in recent decades, a much
recommended read.
The World History Shelf
The Cistercians In The Middle Ages
Janet Burton & Julie Kerr
Boydell Press
c/o Boydell & Brewer Inc
668 Mount Hope Avenue
Rochester, NY 14620-2731
www.boydellandbrewer.com
9781843836674, $45.00, www.amazon.com
One of the primary cultural aspects of medieval Christianity were the development of
monasteries and nunneries. Among the monastic orders were the Cistercians who in the 11th and
12th centuries had established Cistercians houses throughout Europe and which operated under
the Rule of St. Benedict. Usually founded in rural locations to avoid the excesses and temptations
of urban life, the Cistercian order was still able to be immensely influential and contemporary
with their times. The collaborative work of Professor Janet Burton (School of Archaeology,
History and Anthropology, University of Wales) and Dr. Julie Kerr (Honorary Research Fellow,
School of History, University of St. Andrews), "The Cistercians in the Middle Ages" provides a
242-page analytical and historical compendium on the origins and evolution of the Cistercian
Order in a diversity of aspects and factors including daily life, administration, economy,
architecture, and the relationship of its monks with the world at large. An impressive work of
seminal scholarship, "The Cistercians in the Middle Ages" is enhanced with an extensive
glossary and bibliography, an Index of Cistercian Houses, and a general index, making it a
welcome and recommended addition to academic library Religious Studies and Medieval Studies
reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
An Improbable War?
Holger Afflerbach & David Stevenson, editor
Berghahn Books
150 Broadway, Suite 812
New York, NY 10038
9780857454105, $37.95, www.berghahnbooks.com
World War I was simply the first horrible chapter in a century of conflict. "An Improbable War?:
The Outbreak of World War I and European Political Culture Before 1914" discusses the politics
of Europe leading up the first World War, the elements that led up to the boiling point of the
conflict. From complex alliances to the oppression of many peoples across Europe, history
professors and thinkers Holger Afflerbach & David Stevenson provide an insightful exploration
of this important chapter in recent history. "An Improbable War?" is an excellent and core
addition to any world history collection.
Napoleon
William R. Nester
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado, CA 95762
9781611210927, $34.95, www.savasbeatie.com
It was not force alone that granted Napoleon his empire. "Napoleon and the Art of the
Diplomacy: How War and Hubris Determined the Rise and Fall of the French Empire" discusses
Napoleon's skill with diplomacy and related tactics and how it greatly contributed to his success
for nearly two decades. Napoleon was a man who knew the arts of war well; author William R.
Nester presents a diplomatic and thoughtful exploration of a side of the general not often
discussed. "Napoleon and the Art of Diplomacy" is an excellent addition to any world history
collection.
The Poetry Shelf
The Hecht Prize Anthology: 2005-2009
Joseph Harrison, editor
The Wayweiser Press
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7
Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
9781904130468, $18.95, www.dufoureditions.com
The best of the best is what awards often seek. "The Hecht Prize Anthology: 2005-2009" is a
collection of poetry from those four years, offering the many entries into the contest, all
considered for their own originality. "The Hecht Prize Anthology" is a strongly recommended
pick for any collection seeking poetry compilations. "Against Ornamentation" by Lesley Jenike:
That one does not inlay every coffee table/with mother of pearl! Covering wood/with the stuff of
the sea denies division.//Even here, in the tiniest room, I'm apart/from you./So is braided bullion
part/from its curtain, egg tempera from the hen.//Filigreed into every door are the names
compelled to, by etching, redo/trees now bent under their carved shorthand,//a tendency to
spangle every space with angel/or cloud, as if sky's not enough or a joining of two planes, either
side the ocean.
The Education Shelf
75 Quick & Easy Solutions to Common Classroom Disruptions
Bryan Harris and Cassandra Goldberg
Eye On Education
6 Depot Way West
Larchmont, NY 10538
9781596672093 $29.95 www.eyeoneducation.com
75 Quick & Easy Solutions to Common Classroom Disruptions lives up to its title with practical
methods that teachers of all grade levels (especially early grade levels) can use to help and deal
with troublesome students . Five problem behaviors common to difficult students are identified -
"Blurting Out in Whole Group", "Side Talking", "Rude/Disrespectful Behavior", "Zoning
Out/Lack of Focus", and "Doesn't Try/Gives Up Easily"; each offered idea is recommended to
help with any one or a specific combination of these disruptive behaviors. For example, the
concept of "Chunk Tasks" - "breaking assignments and activities into smaller, more manageable
parts and providing structured directions for each part" - is proffered as a helpful tool to deal with
cases where students tend to "Zone Out" or "Give Up Easily". A superb supplementary resource,
75 Quick & Easy Solutions to Common Classroom Disruptions is an invaluable aid for
improving student success, and deserves to be readily available to every grade school
teacher.
The Special Educator's Toolkit
Cindy Golden
Brookes Publishing Company
PO Box 10624
Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
www.brookespublishing.com
9781598570977, $39.95, www.amazon.com
The education of special needs children is one of the most challenging careers any teacher can
embark upon. With "The Special Educator's Toolkit: Everything You Need to Organize, Manage,
and Monitor Your Classroom", author and educator Cindy Golden draws upon some three
decades of experience and expertise to create an instructional guide that will deftly serve
instructors of special needs children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The methodical
focus is on six fundamental areas: the learning environment; no-cost / low-cost communication
techniques and supports; teaching methods and materials; student behavioral systems; managing
the inevitable paperwork required; building successful working relationships with school staff
and parents. Of special note is the included CD-ROM featuring more than sixty printable forms
and tools ranging from an environmental planning worksheet, to a classroom expectation chart,
to group lesson plans, to home school notes, and more! Thoroughly 'user friendly', "The Special
Educator's Toolkit: Everything You Need to Organize, Manage, and Monitor Your Classroom"
should be considered indispensable for any special education novice instructor and has much of
value to recommend it to the attention of experienced special education teachers and
administrative staff as well.
Higher-Order Thinking Skills
Wendy Conklin
Shell Education
5301 Oceanus Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92649-1030
9781425808228, $24.99, www.shelleducation.com
Critical thinking skills are perhaps the most important thing students can take from their
classrooms. "Higher-Order Thinking Skills to Develop 21st Century Learners" is an educational
guide from Wendy Conklin, M.A., who discusses how teachers can inspire their students to be
more complete thinkers to face the problems that will be coming in the 21st century in many
careers. With tips on how to inspire any level, from the gifted to the struggling, as well as those
learning English, "Higher-Order Thinking Skills to Develop 21st Century Learners" is a strong
addition to educational reference collections.
Teaching Sustainability, Teaching Sustainably
Kirsten Allen Bartels & Kelly A. Parker
Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive
Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9781579227395, $29.95, www.styluspub.com
Conservation is not only for the environment alone. "Teaching Sustainability, Teaching
Sustainably" is a college educators guide to encouraging sustainability in their lesson plans, as
well as the importance of a practice that encourages good practices to help the teacher or
professor keep their soul in their educational practices for years to come. An insightful discussion
of these two vital yet related ideas that are needed for greater education in the long term,
"Teaching Sustainability, Teaching Sustainably" is a strong pick for general education
collections.
Serving Gifted Students
Susan K. Johnsen, Ph.D., Tracey N. Sulak, & Karen Rollins
Prufrock Press
PO Box 8813
Waco, TX 76714-8813
9781593638894, $29.95, www.prufrock.com
Skilled and driven students are worth going the extra mile for. "Serving Gifted Students Within
an Rtl Framework" is a guide for educators working within the American 'Response to
Intervention' model, on how to work within it to get gifted students the challenges they need to
reach their next level of success. With plenty of practical advice for teachers of gifted students,
professors of education and educational psychology come together well, making "Serving Gifted
Students Within an Rtl Framework" well worth considering for any teacher who works within
it.
Putting FACES on the Data
Lyn Sharratt & Michael Fullan
Corwin Press, Inc.
2455 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
9781452202587, $36.95, www.corwinpress.com
People are more than statistics, and they should be treated as such. "Putting FACES on the Data:
What Great Leaders Do!" is a guide to better leadership and education as Lyn Sharratt & Michael
Fullan is a guide for creating a more complete educational system, using research and knowledge
compiled over recent years to create a more successful and personal experience for teachers. A
collection of research that remembers that there are exceptions to the rule in every student,
"Putting FACES on the Data" is a must for any educator or education administrator, highly
recommended.
The Native American Studies Shelf
Waikiki Tiki
Phillip S. Roberts
The Bess Press
3565 Harding Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816
9781573063111, $22.95, www.besspress.com
The art of a culture is what presents its unique face to the world. "Waikiki Tiki: Art, History, and
Photographs" is a historical view of the Tiki, its place in Hawaiian culture and its long delve into
its unique culture and history, mostly isolated from the world for over a thousand years since its
first settlers appeared in 500 AD. "Waikiki Tiki" is presented in full color with plenty of photos
and artworks spread all throughout, enthusiastically recommended.
The Civil War
Victors in Blue
Albert Castel
University Press of Kansas
2501 West 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66049
9780700617927, $34.95, www.kansaspress.ku.edu
The brilliance of Lee alone cannot stand against the strategy the many minds of the Union.
"Victors in Blue: How Union Generals Fought the Confederates, Battled Each Other, and Won
the Civil War" discusses the generals of the Union Army, numerous and skilled, often clashed
with one another on the direction and purpose of the fight, Albert Castel presents a profile of
these leaders, the reasoning behind their victories, and presenting a scholarly dissection of union
leadership. "Victors in Blue" is a strong addition to any Civil War and American History
collection, highly recommended.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Four By Four
Joyce Armstrong Carroll
Edward E. Wilson
Libraries Unlimited
c/o ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
9781598849509, $25.00, www.amazon.com
Most authors begin their writing careers while in school. Indeed, one of the primary purposes of
public (and private) education is to teach students how to write effectively from crafting essays to
creating reports. "Four by Four: Practical Methods for Writing Persuasively" is a 100-page
instructional guide organized into four major sections devoted to historical influences with
respect to writing persuasively; the basics of the persuasive essay; practical steps essential to
writing effectively; and four cardinal patterns for teaching students to write persuasively. "Four
by Four: Practical Methods for Writing Persuasively" should be considered mandatory reading
for anyone charged with the responsibility of teaching students writing skills at any and all grade
levels, as well as instructive value for anyone seeking to craft effective presentations utilizing the
written word.
Writing Books For Fun, Fame, & Fortune
Rik Feeney
Richardson Publishing
PO Box 162115
Altamonte Springs, FL 32716
www.PublishingSuccessOnline.com
9781935683155, $14.95, www.amazon.com
Never before in the history of publishing has it been easier for aspiring authors to turn their
manuscripts into finished books. Never before in the history of publishing has it been more
difficult for authors to compete for attention in the ever volatile and changing marketplace for
their books. That's why Rik Feeney's "Writing Books For Fun, Fame, & Fortune" will be
especially welcome reading for aspiring authors regardless of whether they intend to produce
fiction or non-fiction. "Writing Books For Fun, Fame, & Fortune" is a concise, succinct,
practical, 'real world', 144-page compendium with chapters dedicated writing a nonfiction book;
dealing with chapter summaries and introductions; creating book summaries and introductions;
'front matter' and 'back matter'; alternative ways in which to write a book; editing; the critical
importance of book titles with respect to marketing successfully; tracking a book's development,
and more! Enhanced with a list of publishing options; a glossary; resources and resource links
(including Online Publishing), "Writing Books For Fun, Fame, & Fortune" is informed,
informative, thoroughly 'user friendly', and highly recommended to the attention of anyone
seeking to launch their career as an author of books whether for a general or a specialized
readership.
Something Startling Happens
Todd Klick
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111
Studio City, CA 91604
9781615930593, $24.95, www.mwp.com
The art of writing is filled with plenty of pitfalls. "Something Startling Happens: The 120 Story
Beats Every Writer needs to Know" is a guide for writers on how to create a more gripping and
enticing story that won't be easy to put away. These tips are applicable to any medium, as Todd
Klick presents the events that evolve the story well and keep readers glued to the story.
"Something Startling Happens" is filled cover to cover with examples from award winning films,
and how to adapt their essence to one's own story.
Women on Poetry
Caroll Smallwood, Colleen S. Harris & Cynthia Brackett-Vincent, editors
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611
Jefferson NC 28640
9780786463923, $45.00, www.mcfarlandpub.com
Being a poet is easy, being a professional is not so much. "Women on Poetry: Writing, Revising,
Publishing, and Teaching" is a collection of advice and wisdom for aspiring lady poets, who are
pursuing the medium to express themselves, and pursuing their own dreams. From getting
published, teaching the history of women's poetry, and just general knowledge on the craft. The
essays and pieces come a wide assortment of established female poets who share their own
experiences on the way. "Women on Poetry" is a strongly recommended pick for any poetry
hopeful.
The Holocaust Studies Shelf
Judgment Before Nuremberg
Greg Dawson
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street,5th Floor
New York, NY 10004
9781605982908, $27.95, www.pegasusbooks.com
Justice for what happened in Nazi Germany is not something that looked like it could be
achieved, but the nature of the world is to try anyway. "Judgment Before Nuremberg: The
Holocaust in the Ukraine and the First Nazi War Crimes Trial" delves into the aftermath of
genocide, as Greg Dawson presents a lesser known historical event. While the war still raged,
three Nazi officers were captured and tried for their crimes in the Ukraine, where many Jews and
other Ukrainians lost their lives. The death sentence received by the Nazis there is forgotten in
the larger story of the Holocaust, but Dawson tells this forgotten story well. "Judgment Before
Nuremberg" is a strong addition to any World War II or Holocaust history collection, very much
recommended reading.
The Architecture Shelf
Service-Learning in Design and Planning
Tom Angotti, Cheryl Doble, Paula Horrigan, editors
New Village Press
PO Box 3049
Oakland, CA 94609
9781613320013, $19.95, www.newvillagepress.net
More people understanding how it all works means more people can help bring it all together.
"Service-Learning in Design and Planning: Educating at the Boundaries" seeks to expand the
knowledge of urban planning and architecture within communities, studying elements from
around the world and how they can be applied locally and lead to a more inclusive plan for the
communities of tomorrow. "Service-Learning in Design and Planning" is an informative and
much recommended read for those who want to understand the importance of a communities
wishes in preparing for its future.
The Photography Shelf
The Lewis & Clark Trail
Richard Mack, photographer
Quiet Light Publishing
2331 Hartzell Street, Evanston, IL 60201
9780975395400, $65.00, www.amazon.com
The Lewis and Clark exploration of the unknown west at the behest of a fledgling American
government was a true landmark adventure that was to pave the wave for the massive migrations
that were to ultimately create the boundaries and borders of the United States as we know them
today. Using quotes and citations from the journals kept by the expedition, photographer Richard
Mack has retraced their route and with 248 full color image showcase the beauty and the majesty
of the lands they traveled through in the 256 pages of "The Lewis & Clark Trail". A perfect
visual supplement to reading any of the established volumes of history with respect to the Lewis
and Clark expedition, "The Lewis & Clark Trail" is especially recommended for personal,
school, and community library American History and American Photography collections. Also
very highly recommended from Quiet Light Publishing for both their quality and their subject
matter are two other volumes of superbly produced photography: Richard Mack's "Great Smokey
Mountain National Park" (97809755395424, $65.00) and Stephen Azzato's "Their Love Of
Music" (9780975395431, $65.00).
Serengeti: The Eternal Beginning
Boyd Norton
Fulcrum Publishing
4690 Table Mountain Drive, Suite 100
Golden, Colorado 80403
9781555915933, $35.00, www.fulcrum-books.com
The deepest heart of Africa has a beauty which is constantly under fire. "Serengeti: The Eternal
Beginning" is a collection of nature photography, as well as educational guide to the regions of
these great plains and forests. One of the ten great natural wonders of the world, Boyd Norton
proves to be an excellent guide and teacher. High quality full color photography throughout,
"Serengeti" is a strong pick for any nature lover's coffee table, and for community library nature
photography collections.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Why Millions Died
George H. Scherr
University Press of America
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200
Lanham, MD 20706
9780761855552 $26.95 www.univpress.com
Why Millions Died Before the War on Infectious Diseases is a keenly whetted study of the
atrociously slow evolution and acceptance of the germ theory of disease. Members of the
scientific community and the church pulpits alike fought against those who advanced the theory
of infectious organisms, resulting in decades of delays in implementing vaccines and
antimicrobial substances, delays that literally caused millions of deaths. Written in plain terms
accessible to lay readers and scholars alike, Why Millions Died expressly focuses on less than a
dozen individuals who worked against the current of the times to advance germ theory and its
practical implications... from the dedicated Italian scientist Agostino Bassi, to Pasteur, who used
Bassi's research yet committed fraud when he falsely claimed to have developed a vaccine for
anthrax. A pristine example of humanity's stubbornness running contrary to its own self-interest,
Why Millions Died is an excellent addition to public and college library medical history shelves,
and especially crucial in the wake of modern-day anti-vaccination movements with no
peer-reviewed scientific backing to support them. Highly recommended.
Relieving Pain In America
Institute of Medicine
National Academies Press
500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
www.nap.edu
9780309214841, $59.95, www.amazon.com
Today more than one hundred million Americans find themselves having to live with chronic
pain in their daily lives. The result is a national cost to the American economy of at least $635
billion dollars in medical treatments and lost productivity. The federal government authorized the
2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which mandated the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) to direct the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to examining the prevalence of
pain as an on-going public health problem and concern. Out of this mandate came "Relieving
Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention, Care, Education, and Research", a
382-page compendium providing an analytic summary defining the national problem of chronic
pain, and offering an integrated approach to chronic pain factors including successful treatment
strategies, medical management practices, and pain prevention. A seminal work of medical
research and scholarship, "Relieving Pain in America: A Blueprint for Transforming Prevention,
Care, Education, and Research" is to be considered a core addition to academic library Health &
Medicine reference collections, and is especially recommended to the attention of medical
professionals and providers, health and medicine agencies, associations, educators, and patient
advocacy groups.
Living Well with Mitochondrial Disease
Cristy Balcells
Woodbine House
6510 Bells Mill Road
Bethesda, MD 20817
9781601130148, $24.95, www.woodbinehouse.com
Mitochondrial diseases cover a wide range of biological disorders, and may be more common
than one would think. "Living Well with Mitochondrial Disease: A Handbook for Patients,
Parents, and Families" is a discussion of the disorder, what the symptoms may be, understanding
when to seek a diagnosis, the genetics, how to deal with the symptoms and the pursuit of
treatments. Mitochondrial disease may be present instead of misdiagnoses of cerebral palsy,
autism, chronic fatigue syndrome among others. For those seeking a second opinion, "Living
Well with Mitochondrial Disease" is a strong addition to any health reference collection.
A Woman's Guide to Muscle and Strength
Irene Lewis-McCormick
Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 5076
Champaign, IL 61820-5076
9780736090353, $19.95, www.HumanKinetics.com
Women often fear the gym, and that fear can put a damp in overall health. "A Woman's Guide to
Muscle and Strength: Programs you need for the Body you want" is a women's health reference
from Irene Lewis-McCormick who presents the lifting programs that are designed for women,
who often find themselves following programs designed for men and wonder why it doesn't
work. With explanations of exercises and practical advice for maximizing it, "A Woman's Guide
to Muscle and Strength" is a strong addition to any woman's personal health collection, as well as
community library health and fitness collections.
The Hypothyroid Diet
Kevin Dobryzynski, D. N.
Morgan James Publishing
4410 E Claiborne Square, Suite 334
Hampton VA 23666-2071
9781614480303, $17.95, www.morganjamespublishing.com
Health has many paths to take, finding the one for you is key. "The Hypothyroid Diet: Lose
Weight and Beat Fatigue in 21 Days" is a guide to diagnosing and understanding hypothyroidism,
and how to embrace a healthier life with it and reclaim their life from the symptoms of weight
gain and chronic fatigue. With plenty of practical advice and resources to help readers, "The
Hypothyroid Diet" is a strongly recommended pick for those who think they may be facing the
disorder.
The Science Shelf
A Cultural History of Physics
Karoly Simonyi
CRC Press
Suite 300
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW
Boca Raton, FL 33487
9781568813295 $59.00 www.crcpress.com
Hungarian scientist and educator Karoly Simonyi presents A Cultural History of Physics, a
coffee-table book that bridges worldwide human history worldwide and the evolution and
application of the scientific method across generations, and civilizations. From the first
gleamings of science and philosophy in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece, to outstanding
contributions of Arab science, to the revival of science the West during the Enlightenment, and
physics in the twentieth century, A Cultural History of Physics takes the reader on an immensely
detailed and thoughtful tour. A Cultural History of Physics meticulously explains the specifics of
its many examples, and it's packed cover to cover with charts, graphs, and diagrams illustrating
key physics discoveries and how they revolutionized the world. A working knowledge of algebra
or basic calculus will aid the reader in fully understanding specific examples, but the broader
picture of human history transformed by science is thoroughly accessible to lay readers. Highly
recommended, especially for college and public library science shelves.
Biotechnology and Innovation Systems
Bo Goransson and Carl Magnus Palsson, editors
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court
Northampton, MA 01060-3815
9781781001387 $185.00 www.e-elgar.com
Biotechnology and Innovation Systems: The Role of Public Policy is an anthology of essays by a
diversity of expert scholars examining how policies toward public research institutions, such as
universities, affect innovations in the development and adaptation of biotechnology worldwide
(although none of the essays directly focus upon North America). Individual writings include
"Linkages between bio-innovation, knowledge production and policy in Uruguay",
"Biotechnology in Mozambique: present situation and future trends", "Biotechnology transfer
and application in China: background and case study", "Biotechnology in Germany", and much
more. Exhaustively researched, Biotechnology and Innovation Systems features a plethora of
black-and-white charts and graphs to support its points. A user-friendly index rounds out this
forward-thinking study of the role public policy and government can play in shaping the
biotechnological expertise of the future.
Water Transport in Brick, Stone and Concrete, second edition
Christopher Hall & William D. Hoff
CRC Press
Suite 300
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW
Boca Raton, FL 33487
Taylor & Francis Group
270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9780415564670, $159.84, www.amazon.com www.crcpress.com
The collaborative work of Christopher Hall (Senior Professorial Fellow, School of Engineering,
University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom) and William D. Hoff (Emeritus Professor of
Construction Technology and Science, School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering,
University of Manchester, United Kingdom), "Water Transport in Brick, Stone and Concrete" is
a 392-page compendium focused on the engineering physics and materials science involved with
transporting water utilizing conduits made of brick, stone, and concrete. Now in an expanded and
updated second edition, "Water Transport in Brick, Stone and Concrete" includes new material
relevant to the study of evaporation-driven moisture dynamics of built structures. Enhanced with
a profusion of figures and tables, four appendices, a bibliography, and an index, "Water
Transport in Brick, Stone and Concrete" is comprehensive, informed and informative, making it
ideal as both a text book and as a continuing reference work for engineering students
professionals, as well as a highly recommended and core addition to professional and academic
library instructional reference collections.
NASA: Space Flight Research and Pioneering Developments
Hans-Jurgen Beckr
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road
Atglen, PA 19310
9780764338793, $39.99, www.schifferbooks.com
Space is what a child dreams about at one point or another in their young lives. "NASA: Space
Flight Research and Pioneering Developments" discusses the projects of high end aviation and
space exploration projects put forth by the world leader in space flight. Presented in full color,
Hans-Jurgen Beckr shows the reality of these awe-inspiring projects which shatter the sound
barrier and inspire a whole new dream for anyone to aspire to. "NASA" is a strong photographic
reference as well as an excellent choice for coffee table book collections.
The Botany Shelf
Plant Reintroduction in a Changing Climate
Joyce Maschinski & Kristin E. Haskins, editors
Island Press
1718 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 300
Washington, DC 20009-1148
9781597268318, $50.00, www.islandpress.org
Climate change leads to near extinction to once thriving species, plant and animal alike. "Plant
Reintroduction in a Changing Climate: Promises and Perils" discusses this conservation effort
and how some ecologists are pushing for restoration of plants to ecosystems where they once
flourished. But this action isn't so simple, facing many problems with food chains and
competition from other aspects of the domain of nature. Scholarly and in depth, Joyce
Maschinski & Kristin E. Haskins provide an intellectual and thoughtful break down of these
concepts and how it is gradually becoming more viable. A solid and core addition for science and
environmental collections, "Plant Reintroduction in a Changing Climate" is not to be
overlooked.
The Psychology Shelf
The Self and Perspective Taking
Louse McHugh, PhD & Ian Stewart, PhD
Context Press
c/o New Harbinger Press
5674 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
9781572249950, $69.95, www.newharbinger.com
Placing oneself in the shoes of another is often a difficult endeavor. "The Self and Perspective
Taking: Contribution and Applications from Modern Behavioral Science" is a psychology
discussion from many thinkers, as they offer views of how we view ourselves and others, and the
place in the greater psyche. With many fascinating ideas, the writings within are designed to
provide perspective for psychologists dealing with patients with autism, schizophrenia and other
mental disorders. Describing the self, perspective, and mindfulness, many thinkers come together
to contribute. "The Self and Perspective Taking" is a worthy addition to any psychological
reference shelf, recommended.
Record Keeping in Psychotherapy and Counseling, second edition
Ellen T. Luepker
Routledge
270 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
9780415892612, $34.95, www.routledge.com
Every business has books, including the business of people. "Record Keeping in Psychotherapy
and Counseling: Protecting Confidentiality and the Professional Relationship" is a guide to the
business side of things from Ellen T. Luepker who advises readers on how to better manage their
psychotherapy career's business side, and how to best live up to one's clients on the business end
of the profession, which can be used to work around the most tight lipped psychologist. "Record
Keeping in Psychotherapy and Counseling" is a strongly recommended pick for any psychologist
who wants to better manage their business end of their job.
The Economic Studies Shelf
American Health Economy Illustrated
Christopher J. Conover
American Enterprise Institute
1150 - 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
9780844772028 $19.95 www.aei.org
Professional research scholar Christopher J. Conover presents American Health Economy
Illustrated, a plain-terms discussion of the costs, relative effectiveness, employment, tax burden,
and more of the health-care industry in the American economy. Color graphs on practically every
other page illustrate the straightforward conclusions drawn directly from aggregate data. "The
relationship between savings and health spending is not nearly as tight at the cross-national level
as it is within the United States over time. Although the nation that has the lowest share of GDP
devoted to health spending also has the highest savings rate (Japan), the nation that has the
next-lowest health spending also has a savings rate almost identical to that of the United States
(the UK)." Although deliberately written to provide a grounded, factual base for the ongoing
economic debate about American health care in general and Obamacare in particular, American
Health Economy Illustrated eschews politics to focuses squarely on facts - the most accurate
possible picture that statistics can give, with detailed explanations of the statistics' limitations as
well as the unknown quantities for which there is no currently available statistical data. This
neutral, information-oriented approach makes American Health Economy Illustrated an absolute
"must-have" especially for college library economics collections and the personal shelves of any
policymaker involved in the health care budget.
Managing the Fiscal Metropolis
Rebecca M. Hendrick
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
9781589017764, $34.95, www.press.georgetown.edu
As cities grow, the lines between one city and another become blurry. "Managing the Fiscal
Metropolis: The Financial Policies, Practices, and Health of Suburban Municipalities" is a
comprehensive discussion of the finances and politics that are becoming a growing issue as
metropolises grow and consume one another. Focusing on Chicago, whose suburbs have been
growing over the past twenty years, Rebecca M. Hendrick breaks down these issues and how it
will affect the financial future of communities, the suburbs, and more. "Managing the Fiscal
Metropolis" is a much recommended pick for any social issues, political science, or economics
community and college library collection.
The Philosophy Shelf
Shows About Nothing
Thomas S. Hibbs
Baylor University Press
One Bear Place, #97363
Waco, TX 76798-7363
9781602583788, $24.95, www.baylorpress.com
Nothingness seems to be a more and more popular topic as the something has no value. "Shows
About Nothing: Nihilism in Popular Culture" discusses the prominence of Nihilistic topics in
today's media, it presents the ideas of Nietzsche and how it has infiltrated many films and
television shows, as characters may be faced with decisions that may wander them down the road
to nothingness. "Shows About Nothing" offers an intriguing debate of good, evil, how it matters
and matters no longer, a strongly recommended addition to any philosophy or popular culture
reference collection.
The Biography Shelf
Michele Obama
Alma Halbert Bond
Greenwood Press
c/o ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
9780313381041, $37.00, www.amazon.com
Michele Obama is so much more than a First Lady of the country through courtesy of being
married to a president. "Michele Obama: A Biography" by psychoanalyst and biographer Alma
H. Bond is a 166-page personal history of a woman of color who worked hard and long to
become an accomplished professional in her own right, a devoted wife and mother of two girls,
and an advocate for causes that she believes ranging from her husband's presidency to helping the
country deal with chronic obesity. Informed and informative, "Michele Obama: A Biography" is
enthusiastically recommended for school and community library American Biography
collections, and should be considered 'must reading' for Michele's legions of admirers and
supporters.
The First Ladies Fact Book
Bill Harris
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
151 West 19th Street
New York, NY 10011
9781579128913, $19.95, www.workman.com
Few first ladies settle for their place in history simply being the president's wife. "The First
Ladies Fact Book: The Childhoods, Courtships, Marriages, Campaigns, Accomplishments, and
Legacies of Every First Lady from Martha Washington to Michelle Obama" is a massive and
comprehensive guide following the life stories of the women who brought a feminine touch to
the White House, and in recent years, began championing causes all their own. With photographs
and illustrations throughout, Bill Harris presents an intriguing delve into history of tradition and
traditions broken, and an endlessly fascinating read. "The First Ladies Fact Book" is a strong pick
for any reference collection touching on history and powerful women.
The Library Science Shelf
True Stories Of Censorship Battles In America's Libraries
Valerie Nye & Kathy Barco
ALA Editions
c/o American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
www.alastore.ala.org
9780838911303, $50.00, www.amazon.com
There are basically two types of censorship operating in America's school and community library
systems. The first is obvious and blatant. It is when outside groups petition library boards and
political authorities to remove targeted books from library collections. Such demands are usually
based on religious or political objections. The second form of censorship is far more subtle and
difficult to identify from the outside. It is the phenomena of 'self-censorship' on the part of library
staff. Often in response to a perceived problem of anticipated adverse public relations or personal
bias. Compiled and co-edited by the team of Valerie Nye and Kathy Barco, "True Stories Of
Censorship Battles In America's Libraries" is a 176-page compendium of erudite articles
contributed by an impressive roster of knowledgeable contributors showcasing case examples of
censorship and the issues associated with them. The result is an impressive work of considerable
and diverse scholarship making "True Stories Of Censorship Battles In America's Libraries"
mandatory reading for library professionals, as well as free speech advocates and library patrons
with an interest in library related censorship issues.
Evaluating and Measuring the Value, Use and Impact of Digital Collections
Lorna M. Hughes, editor
Facet Publishing
c/o Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004
New York, NY 10038-4512
9781856047203 $115.00 www.neal-schuman.com
Evaluating and Measuring the Value, Use and Impact of Digital Collections is an anthology of
essays by expert librarians, archivists, and scholars cross-examining the use of digital collections,
particularly when digital technology is used to preserve scholarly and cultural heritage materials.
Individual writings scrutinize means to ensure the quality, longevity, and productive use of
digital collections, among other issues. Sample essays include "User needs in digitization",
"Improving sustainability of publicly funded digital resources, "The digital museum", and more.
An exhaustive list of references for further reading and an index round out this
thought-provoking, cutting-edge discourse tackling an increasingly important part of library,
archival, and reference systems in the modern Information Age. Highly recommended, especially
for professionals in the field.
No Shelf Required 2
Sue Polanka
ALA Editions
50 East Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611
9780838911457, $65.00, www.alastore.ala.org
Many have decried e-books as the death of libraries, but only for those who won't evolve with the
times. "No Shelf Required 2: Use and Management of Electronic Books" is a librarian's guide to
e-books and their rising impact on paper based book and those who read them. Sue Polanka
advises readers how to better embrace them for their libraries and work them into their standard
collection. Comprehensive and scholarly, "No Shelf Required 2" is a strongly recommended read
for any librarians reference collection.
The Library Catalog as Social Space
Laurel Tarulli
Libraries Unlimited
c/o ABC-CLIO
PO Box 1911
Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9781598846294, $40.00, www.abc-clio.com
The rise of social media has turned almost everything into a community. "The Library Catalog as
Social Space: Promoting Patron Driven Collections, Online Communities, and Enhanced
Reference, and Readers' Services" discusses the role of library catalogs and their evolution in
today's future-driven world. A reference for librarians looking to expand their online catalogs and
embracing t he concepts of social media for a more comprehensive reading of one's patrons, "The
Library Catalog as Social Space" is a strong addition to any library science reference collection
that is focusing on the future of libraries.
Read On... Graphic Novels
Abby Alpert
Libraries Unlimited
c/o ABC-CLIO
PO Box 1911
Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9781591588252 $30.00 www.abc-clio.com
Part of the "Read On..." series designed to help public libraries select books for their collection
that will appeal to a broad range of personal tastes, Read On... Graphic Novels offers more than
500 original entries describing different graphic novels ideal for library collections. Organized
into 70 thematic lists, Read On... Graphic Novels is an excellent, user-friendly tool for selecting
visual literature - including graphic novels that have won prestigious honors such as National
Book Awards or MacArthur Grants - that can boost circulation and help encourage young and old
patrons alike to improve their literacy. Fiction and nonfiction graphic novels are
well-represented, including the wildly popular category of manga (Japanese graphic novels).
Highly recommended.
The Self-Help Shelf
Anger Management for Everyone
Raymond Chip Tafrate & Howard Kassinove
Impact Publishers
PO Box 6016
Atascadero, CA 93423-6016
9781886230835, $17.95, www.impactpublishers.com
Anger can easily consume one's life, but it's natural, so it must be controlled. "Anger
Management for Everyone: Seven Proven Ways to Control Anger and Live a Happier Life" is
motivational guide from psychologists Raymond Chip Tafrate & Howard Kassinove suggest
ways for readers to better manage their anger, and reduce the damage it can do to their
relationships. Stating how to vent well, manage one's emotions and put it forward so they can
attain greater success, "Anger Management for Everyone" is a choice addition for self-help and
inspirational collections, recommended.
The Religion/Spirituality Shelf
The Handy Religion Answer Book
John Renard
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Road #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
9781578593798, $21.95, www.visibleinkpress.com
To ask questions is to get closer to understanding. "The Handy Religion Answer Book" is a
collection of questions and answers about many questions about the faiths of the world, both
Eastern and Western. John Renard applies his extensive studies in religion to grant a more
complete understanding of religions and their intersections with one another. "The Handy
Religion Answer Book" is a strongly recommended addition to community library religious
studies collections.
The Buddhist Studies Shelf
The Magic of Awareness
Anam Thubten
Snow Lion Publications
PO Box 6483
Ithaca, NY 14851
9781559393928 $16.95 www.SnowLionPub.com
Anam Thubten, a lifelong practitioner of Nyingma tradition Buddism and the spiritual
advisor/Dharma teacher for the Dharmata Foundation, presents The Magic of Awareness, a
spiritual text about liberating one's mind and consciousness, awakening to one's true nature,
gaining freedom from desires and fears, and rediscovering love and bliss in existence. "There is
nothing to be discovered as ultimate truth beyond pure consciousness. That's all there is. Every
other notion of truth is simply an elaboration of ideas and concepts. Pure consciousness is not the
effect of any cause. If it were the effect of a cause, it would simply be another ordinary thing with
a beginning and an end. It is present in each of us, and it is not bound by time or space. It is free
from everything and it is present in everyone at this very moment. It is the ground of our being,
and who we are in the ultimate sense." Although The Magic of Awareness deals with
transcendental matters, the plain-terms language renders its message accessible to readers of all
faiths and backgrounds. Highly recommended for any reader interested in better understanding
and learning about Buddhism, particularly Nyingma Buddhism.
Breathing Through the Whole Body
Will Johnson
Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street
Rochester, VT 05767
9781594774348, $12.95, www.innertraditions.com
The spiritual teachings of the Buddha is a whole being focus. "Breathing Through the Whole
Body: The Buddha's Instructions on Integrating Mind, Body, and Breath" is guide to spirituality
and Buddhism as Will Johnson encourages readers to put together their whole spirit and gain a
more complete control over their mind, emotions, and body. With exercises both physical,
mental, and spirituality, "Breathing Through the Whole Body" is a strongly recommended pick
for spirituality and Buddhist studies collections.
The Fiction Shelf
Twelfth & Race
Eric Goodman
University of Nebraska Press
233 North 8th Street
Lincoln, Nebraska, 68588-0255
9780803239807, $18.95, www.nebraskapress.unl.edu
Romance often cares not for the complexities of race. "Twelfth & Race" follows the unusual
romance of approaching middle age Richard Allan Gordon and his entry into the mother and
daughter coupling of LaTisha & Jada, where Jada bears his last name through unusual
circumstances. The meeting of Richard and LaTisha meets backlash from society as a Jewish
man and an African-American woman, facing the racism that still lives on in today's world.
"Twelfth & Race" is a strongly recommended pick for general fiction collections.
Gravel Road series
L.B. Tillit
Saddleback Publishing Inc.
3120 Pullman Street
Cosa Mesa, CA 92626-4564
Smith Publicity
1930 E. Marlton Pike, Suite I-46
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
$8.95 each www.sdlback.com www.smithpublicity.com
Three hard-hitting novels in the "Gravel Road" series by L.B. Tillit, a veteran teacher of at-risk
children, offer vivid stories of inner city young adults struggling to not only survive, but also
forge a path to the future. "Unchained" (9781616517922) follows TJ, the son of a recovering
drug addict, who is returning to live with his newly clean mother. But his mother lives in a
neighborhood crawling with gangs and violence, and TJ's own past associating with criminals
quickly comes back to haunt him. "Edge of Ready" (9781616517786) tells of the pressures
mounting on a young woman trying to get good marks in school like her mother wants, but
between the jobs she has to work for enough money to get by and the need to look after her baby
brother Benny, she's pulled in too many directions - and that is before the devastation of a
horrific rape. "2 Days" (9781616517939) is about sixteen-year-old Neema, a young woman
whose rocky relationship with her mother and her mother's questionable boyfriend sends her out
to the streets for two days. Neema decides to crash with her boyfriend - a decision with
repercussions that will change her life forever. All three novels are powerful coming-of-age tales
that teenagers and adults alike can appreciate, and highly recommended.
The Agriculture Shelf
Keeping the Farm in Your Family
Mark R. Alvig & David P. Buss
Adams Business & Professional
c/o Beaver's Pond Press
7108 Ohms Lane
Edina, MN 55439
9781592982257, $19.95, www.BeaversPondPress.com
The family owned farm seems to be a fading memory, as the megafarm seems to be the name of
the game. "Keeping the Farm in Your Family: What you Need to Know" is a guide for farmers
and other estate owners on how to keep their prized possessions and keep it going the one who
you want it to, navigating the legal minefield that has popped up. "Keeping the Farm in Your
Family" is a strongly recommended pick for those who want to better manage their farm's and
their family's future.
The International Studies Shelf
Come from the Shadows
Terry Glavin
Douglas & McIntyre
2323 Quebeck Street, Suite 201
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5T 4S7
9781553657828 $26.95 www.douglas-mcintyre.com
Come from the Shadows: The Long and Lonely Struggle for Peace in Afghanistan is an
impassioned examination of the war in Afghanistan, primarily focusing on the difficult
experience of the Afghan people. Award-winning author Terry Glavin (co-founder of the
Canada-Afghanistan Solidarity Committee) harshly challenges antiwar claims, portraying the
Afghans not as the enraged victims of a military seizure, but rather as courageous people trying
desperately to survive and grateful for international aid against the brutally repressive Taliban.
Glavin gives distorted portrayals of Afghan in the West the label of "Absuristan", asking sharply
why current policy is leaning toward reconciliation with the Taliban when they have established
themselves as championing misogyny and tyranny. Extensive notes, an appendix, and an index
round out this strong warning against abandoning Afghan to the most reactionary and ruthless
forces threatening it.
When More is Less
Astri Suhrke
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street
New York, NY 10023-7015
9780231702720, $25.00, http://cup.columbia.edu
Peace in Afghanistan has been a very stressful process. "When More is Less: The International
Project in Afghanistan" analyzes the struggles that America and the western invention have had
in rebuilding Afghanistan after the reign of the Taliban. Astri Suhrke argues that the heavy
handed methods used by the west are causing more problems than they solve, and that a lighter
hand could help Afghanistan much more. "When More is Less" is a strongly recommended
addition to the international issues debate.
Cocaine, Death Squads, & the War on Terror
Oliver Villar & Drew Cottle
Monthly Review Press
146 West 29th Street, Suite 6W
New York, NY 10001
9781583672518, $16.95, www.monthlyreview.org
Drugs and terror are quite cooperative, but could America be perpetuating their own problems?
"Cocaine, Death Squads, & the War on Terror" discusses the relations between America and
Columbia, where foreign aid to Columbia has been fueling a state controlled by its cocaine crops,
increasing terror against the Columbian people and their neighbors. Looking at these underlying
politics, Oliver Villar and Drew Cottle, international thinkers offer a critique of the cruel
undertones of America's war on drugs and war on terror. "Cocaine, Death Squads, & the War of
Terror" is a crucial yet strongly recommended read on international policy.
The Christian Studies Shelf
The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization
George Thomas Kurian, editor
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
www.wiley.com
9781405157629, $553.41, www.amazon.com
A four volume, 2790 page, encyclopedic history of Christianity from its beginnings with the life
and teachings of Jesus, through the apostolic period, the evolution and legitimization of the
Christian movement through the first three centuries, to the continued expansion and
fragmentation of the first millennia, through the great schisms of the western and eastern
churches, to Protestant reformations, down to the present day diversity of a truly global religion,
"The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization" (ably compiled and edited by George Thomas
Kurian, President of the Encyclopedia Society and editor of sixty reference works of which
twenty-seven are encyclopedias) is the definitive reference work on the total history of the
Christian movement. More than 1,420 informed and informative entries contributed by more than
350 scholars from more than twenty-four countries, provide an up-to-date descriptive and
analytical history that will prove to be of immense value to both academia and the non-specialist
general reader with an interest in Christian History. "The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization"
is a core addition that is fundamental to any personal, professional, academic, or community
library Christian Studies reference book collection. It should also be noted that an online edition
is available at the Wiley Online Library at www.encyclopediaofchristiancivilization.com
A Quick Overview of the Bible
Douglas A. Jacoby
Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North
Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
9780736944243, $12.99, www.harvesthousepublishers.com
The Bible is not a single book, but a compilation of many. "A Quick Overview of the Bible:
Understanding How All the Pieces Fit Together" discusses how gain a more comprehensive
understanding of the Bible by understanding how the many books come together. The various
book so of the Bible were written hundreds of years apart in many languages, so understanding
Genesis is not the same as understanding Revelations. "A Quick Overview of the Bible" is a
strong pick as an introductory to any Bible student, be they professional or amateur.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
The Last Justice
Anthony J. Franze
Sterling & Ross Publishers
c/o Sterling Publishing Company
387 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016-8810
9780982139189, $24.95, www.sterlingpublishing.com
With six members of the nation's highest court dead, people can be quick to point fingers. "The
Last Justice" is the story of the fallout from such an event, as Solicitor General Jefferson
McKenna is granted charge of the investigation, the political battle over replacements suddenly
has McKenna in the sights of the guilty. To prove his innocence, he has to find the deeper
corruption within, that leaks through Washington D.C. and around the world. "The Last Justice"
is a fine and much recommended pick, not to be missed.
The Military Shelf
Find, Fix, Finish
Aki Peritz & Eric Rosenbach
Public Affairs Books
250 West 57th Street, #1321
New York, NY 10107
9781610391283, $27.99, www.publicaffairsbooks.com
Classic strategies are classic for a reason. "Find, Fix, Finish: Inside the Counter-terrorism
Campaigns That Killed Bin Laden and Devastated Al-Qaeda" discusses the evolution of US
security policy since 9-11, showing how America has evolved its tactics following a relatively
blind lash towards Afghanistan and Iraq. Stating how the strategies of Ulysses S. Grant, updated
for one hundred fifty years later has led to a revolution in striking at America's enemies, "Find,
Fix, Finish" is a strong pick for anyone who wants a better understanding of the future of military
policy in America.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Knit Your Own Cat
Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
151 West 19th St., New York, NY 10011
9781579128937, $14.95, www.amazon.com
Following the previously published, widely hailed "Knit Your Own Dog," "Knit Your Own Cat:
Easy-To-Follow Patterns for 16 Frisky Felines" by the needlecraft team of Sally Muir and Joanna
Osborne is an innovative book of adorable knitted felines of 16 famous breeds. Here is the
perfect (or "purrfect") companion hobby book for creative cat lovers who knit, or adventurous
knitters who are "owned" by cats. Complete, easy-to-follow patterns with instructions are
provided for each cat, along with beautiful color photos of finished knitted cats. A tribute to the
fabulous variety of breeds of cats, "Knit Your Own Cat" is a fantastic gift or hobbyist acquisition.
Ranging from the Abyssinian to the Persian, to the Turkish Van, these knitted cats are
unbelievably lifelike and striking in their resemblance to their living, breathing furry prototypes.
Whether created as a companion or a tribute to a departed beloved feline, these unforgettable
knitted cats are sure to be treasured by their fortunate owners.
The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf
Tropica
Tony Clapes, author
Yishan Li, illustrator
The Bess Press
3565 Harding Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816
9781573063203 $12.95 www.besspress.com
Tropica is a graphic novel set on the allegorical island of the same name, where most economic
revenue is generated through low-paying service jobs working for tourists and the military.
Although Tropica does not exist in our universe, parallels to the state of Hawaii leap to mind; the
allegory could also apply not only to other island commonwealths, but also mainland cities and
regions driven by the same economic forces, and possibly even America as a whole. Tropica's
economic model suffers from long-term problems; the island's population is under-educated and
ill-prepared for anything other than low-skilled jobs that barely keep its people above the poverty
line. As a result its population is declining, and should the flow of military and tourism
consumption ever dry up, it will spell complete disaster! The intelligent and forward-thinking
Doc Nova proposes an ambitious plan to save the future; with more education and S.T.E.M.
(Science, Technology, Education and Math) initiatives, Tropica could potentially create new
industries with higher-paying jobs that rely on brainpower rather than agriculture or hard labor,
and turn its looming economic crisis around. To achieve this end, Doc Nova teaches and enlists a
group of students to fight for a better future. But the main power brokers in the island's
government fiercely oppose changing the way things are; three groups of them feud, but all three
are so resistant to improved education that they are essentially possessed by mysterious evil
gremlins that effectively transform them into anthropomorphic pigs or wolves! The clean,
manga-style artwork perfectly complements this tale that blends elements of the fanciful and the
practical into a captivating whole. Highly recommended.
Hamakua Hero: A True Plantation Story
P.Y. Iwasaki and Berido
The Bess Press
3565 Harding Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96816
9781573063210 $12.95 www.besspress.com
Over 120 years ago, tens of thousands of Japanese men and women left their homeland to work
on the sugar plantations of Hawaii. They had to toil for long hours in severe and sometimes
life-threatening conditions, for distressingly little pay. Hamakua Hero: A True Plantation Story is
a black-and-white biographical graphic novel, about one particularly idealistic young man. Katsu
Goto resisted the injustices visited upon the plantation workers, but paid a terrible price for his
courageous actions. Vignettes of Hawaiian and Japanese history are smoothly worked into the
story, which is told with expressive, manga-style artwork. As captivating as it is educational,
Hamukua Hero is highly recommended.
The Audiobook Shelf
Between Planets
Robert A. Heinlein
Full Cast Audio
PO Box 6110, Syracuse, NY 13217
www.fullcastaudio.com
9781934180297, $45.00, www.amazon.com
The late Robert A. Heinlein (1907-1988) was acknowledge by his peers and his fans as one of the
most gifted and prolific of science fiction authors. Now the classic 1951 Heinlein SciFi yarn
"Between Planets" has been brought to life with a multicast theatrical performance flawlessly
produced by Full Cast Audio. It's the story of a young man caught up in interplanetary intrigue as
war breaks out between the human colonists of Venus against the oppressive global government
of Earth. Enhanced with original music, the 6-disc "Between Planets" has a total running time of
seven hours. Pure entertainment from beginning to end, this production of "Between Planets"
provides the listener with a total 'theatre of the mind' experience and is highly recommended for
personal, school, and community library audio book collections.
Within A Budding Grove
Marcel Proust
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28
Franklin, TN 37064
NA0097, $115.98, www.naxosaudiobooks.com
Complete and unabridged, this Naxos audio book production of "Within A Budding Grove" by
Marcel Proust is deftly and dramatically narrated by Nevill Jason. The result is 25 hours, 33
minutes of memorable entertainment. "Within A Budding Grove" is the story of a young man
dealing with his emerging sexuality, becoming involved with a group of teenaged girls, visiting a
brothel, and encountering still other young women including Rachel, Gilberte, and Albertine.
This is a transcendent 'coming of age' novel written by a master storyteller with an unusual gift
for engaging full and continuing attention from beginning to end. "Within A Budding Grove" is
very strongly recommended for college and community library audio book collections and should
be considered a "must listen" for Marcel Proust enthusiasts.
Oliver Twist
Charles Dickens
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28
Franklin, TN 37064
NA0076, $81.98, www.naxosaudiobooks.com
"Oliver Twist" is Charles Dickens' literary masterpiece that tells the story of a poor orphan boy in
19th Century England whose adventurous life will encompass tragedy and triumph. This
complete and unabridged Naxos audio book entails flawless production values which serve to
showcase Jonathan Keeble's superbly gifted narrative skills bringing all of Dickens' memorable
characters to live from Oliver's friend 'The Artful Dodger', to such shady characters of Fagin, and
humor providers like Mr. Bumble. With a total running time of 16 hours, 18 minutes on 13 CDs,
Certain to be a popular title, "Oliver Twist" should be considered a core and necessary addition
to both school and community library audio book collections.
The Eagle
Rosemary Sutcliffe
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28
Franklin, TN 37064
NA442312, $28.98, www.naxosaudiobooks.com
No one writes historical fiction better than Rosemary Sutcliffe. "The Eagle" is set in second
century Britain when all that separated 'civilization' from the barbarians was Hadrian's Wall and
the Roman Legion. In 117 AD when the 9th Legion was wiped out north of the Wall and its
Eagle symbol taken, it was a mystery as to what had happened. Twenty years later the son of the
second in command of the ill fated 9th Legion, accompanied by his dedicated friend disguise
themselves and head north to discover what had happened to his father and the 9th, and if
possible retrieve the Eagle that served as its standard. Sutcliffe's superbly crafted novel is brought
vividly to life in a true 'theatre of the mind' experience by the expert narrative skills of Charlie
Simpson. The result is pure entertainment on four CDs with a total running time of 4 hours, 32
minutes. "The Eagle" is an enthusiastically recommended addition to school and community
library audio book collections!
The Library CD Shelf
Waking from the Roots
Coyote Jump
Canyon Records Productions
3131 West Clarendon Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85017
$14.98 www.canyonrecords.com
Coyote Jump is a musically talented duo consisting of composer Colin Farish, who is skilled in
playing multiple instruments, and Native American flutist John-Carlos Perea. Together they
present Waking from the Roots, a music CD album in tribute to the indigenous peoples of
America, inspired by their ancient traditions that honor the mystery, bounty, and love of Mother
Earth. The delicate beauty of the cedar flute binds these soul-stirring songs, in a reflective and
ultimately joyous listening experience. Highly recommended. The tracks are "Lightning Drum"
(5:20), "Ohlone Waters" (4:51), "Migration" (5:54), "Coyote Jump" (5:12), "Salish Sound"
(4:02), "Midnight Moon" (5:31), "Lozen's Way" (5:19), "Prayer/Taking Flight" (7:20), and
"Invocation/Waking from the Roots" (7:50). 51 min. 47 sec.
Close Your Eyes, Love: Lullabies of the Celtic Lands
Aine Minogue
Little Miller Records
97 Bow Street
Arlington, MA 02474
$14.99 www.minogue.com www.CelticMeditationMusic.com
Close Your Eyes, Love: Lullabies of the Celtic Lands is a wonderfully dreamy album original
Celtic-style lullabies by Irish harpist and singer Aine Minogue, co-producer Scott Petito on bass
keyboards and guitar, and grammy-winning cellist Eugene Friesen. Close Your Eyes, Love is
multilingual; of its five tracks with vocals, three tracks are in English, one is in Gaelic, and one is
in Welsh. A beautifully crafted work of resonant and soothing melody, Close Your Eyes, Love is
a wonderful gift album, especially recommended for listening pleasure when one is winding
down for bed. The tracks are "Take Time To Thrive" (6:25), "William's Lullaby" (4:40),
"Slumber My Darling" (3:30), "Close Your Eyes, Love" (5:00), "Dun Do Shuil (Close Your
Eyes)" (4:50), "Mary's Lullaby" (3:00), "Gartan Mother's Lullaby" (5:51), "The Ashgrove" (2:50),
"Suo Gan (Welsh Lullaby)" (5:20), and "I am Asleep (Taimse im' Chodladh)" (4:40).
The Library DVD Shelf
Capitol Crimes
Featuring Bill Moyers
Athena
c/o Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598287479 $49.99 www.acornonline.com AthenaLearning.com
Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist Bill Moyers hosts Capitol Crimes, a two-hour
PBS documentary on DVD about Jack Abramoff, one of the most notoriously corrupt lobbyists
of modern history. Abramoff used every machination possible to circumvent the law and funnel
money to crony politicians. He lied to multiple Native American tribes about how their political
contributions were being used and what they were getting from them, utilized a crooked public
relations firm that literally charged its customers ten times what its services were worth, took
money from Russian oil barons, helped enable the continued exploitation of workers in the
Marianas (who lived in subhuman conditions; female workers could be forced to have abortions)
and flagrantly broke campaign financing laws, until he was finally caught and exposed. Capitol
Crimes is not only about one man and his allies in corrupt money laundering; it reveals how
horrendously money-driven our political system has become. A bonus discussion between Bill
Moyers, author Thomas Frank (who wrote "What's the Matter with Kansas?") and
Congress-studier Norman Ornstein, recorded during the 2008 election campaigns of presidential
candidates Obama and McCain, re-examines the causes, effects, and legacy of the Abramoff
scandal and what continuing corruption means for modern America. A second, 83-min. DVD
"Buying the War" also investigates the media's role in events leading up to the 2003 invasion of
Iraq. Overall, "Capitol Crimes" is a frighteningly educational portrait of greed, corruption, and
machinations that imperil the heart of American democracy, worthy of the highest
recommendation for both public and college libraries, as well as the private DVD libraries of
concerned American citizens everywhere. 2 DVDs, 117 min. plus 196 min. bonus features, full
screen, SDH subtitles.
The City Dark
Ian Cheney
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
1937772071 $295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com
The City Dark is a thought-provoking documentary about light pollution - how the spread of
civilization and cities has flooded our skies with light. What is the price living in cities where
one is almost completely unable to see stars at night? Certainly, it becomes much more difficult
for astrophysicists to observe the night sky, and the risk increases that when an asteroid
inevitably comes into a collision course with the planet, it might not be spotted as soon as we
would hope. Light pollution has a severe negative impact on wildlife; hatching sea turtles are less
able to find the ocean before they dehydrate, and migratory birds are disoriented on their journey,
attracted to the illumination of the city that ultimately kills them when they fly directly into
buildings. Even humans suffer from excessive light exposure; light during the nighttime hours
can inhibit the production of melatonin in human skin, and potentially make people more
susceptible to cancers, particularly breast cancer (women who do "shift work" have a
dramatically higher rate of breast cancer, and this is suspected to be a cause). Is a compromise
possible? Lighting designer Herve Descottes has worked to create lights that can illuminate city
streets without blotting the stars from their sky, directed so that the light radiates only downward
where it's needed, rather than upward where it only causes problems. The City Dark is an
extraordinarily thoughtful documentary, highly recommended especially for public and school
library collections. Two versions of "The City Dark" are offered on the DVD, an 83 min. version
and an abridged 58 min. version, both with SDH subtitles.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
With Alec Guinness as George Smiley
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598287622 $59.99 Blu-ray www.acornonline.com
Based on the enduringly popular book by John le Carre, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is the classic
British drama now available in the stellar clarity of Blu-ray. Set amid the height of the Cold War,
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy follows sidelined agent George Smiley (played by the illustrious Alec
Guinness), whose mission is to uncover a mole working at the highest level of the British Secret
Intelligence Service. A wealth of bonus features enhance this classic of espionage and betrayal,
including an exclusive interview with director John Irvin, deleted scenes, an interview with John
le Carre, production notes, a glossary, and a le Carre biography and booklist. The definitive
version of a superlative British drama, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is highly recommended. 6
episodes on 2 Blu-ray discs, 324 min. plus bonus features, 1080p (some bonus 480p), fullscreen,
SDH subtitles.
Amazing Eggs
Featuring Chef Dave Christopherson
Learning ZoneXPress
PO Box 1022
Owatonna, MN 55060
$49.95 www.learningzonexpress.com
Ideal for viewers of all ages from grade 6 through adult, Amazing Eggs is an educational cooking
DVD that covers how to select, store, and prepare eggs. From what the eggshell's color means
and the nutrients that can be found in eggs, to how to store eggs, the proper temperature at which
to cook eggs, and a hands-on walkthrough of how to create a diversity of egg dishes, Amazing
Eggs lives up to its title. The recipes covered include scrambled eggs, sunny side up egg, over
easy egg, basted egg, poached egg, hollandaise sauce, omelet, strata, frittata, and quiche.
Amazing Eggs is an excellent choice for viewing in home economics classrooms, as well as a
useful reference DVD for public library collections. 21 min., closed captioned.
The Judaic Studies Shelf
We're Missing The Point
Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein
KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07306-6316
www.ktav.com
9781602802025, $25.00, www.amazon.com
To be an Orthodox Jew is to resist the manifold and ever present temptations to assimilate into
the antithetical practices, customs and culture of the larger society. "We're Missing the Point:
What's Wrong with the Orthodox Jewish Community and How to Fix It" by Rabbi Dr. Gidon
Rothstein is a 256-page compendium addressing what it means to be a Jew, to be Orthodox, to
live a God-oriented life, the role of autonomy and personal choice, and a practical, attainable,
'real-world' vision of how to keep focused on the core essentials that such a life and that such a
community of lives requires within the context of a broader pagan and secular world. From
Jewish traditions, to the necessity of prayer, to Jewish education, to the value of the spiritual and
communal value of the synagogue, "We're Missing The Point" is inspired and inspiring.
Thoroughly 'reader friendly', Rabbi Rothstein's book should be considered a core addition to
personal reading lists, as well as community and academic library "Judaic Studies" instructional
reference collections.
Studies in Rashi - Bereishit
Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson
Kehot Publication Society
291 Kingston Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213
www.kehot.com
9780826607065, $24.95, www.amazon.com
"Studies in Rashi - Bereishit" is a 422-page, bilingual (Hebrew/English), collection of twelve
informed and informative essays. Beginning in late 1964, after the passing of his mother,
Rebbetzin Chana, the Rebbe began dedicating a segment of his weekly Shabbat public gatherings
to the study of Rashi's classic biblical commentary. What soon emerged was an innovative
method for both the study and analysis of the Bible's pre-eminent commentator, and Bible study
itself. These talks continued for more than twenty-five years. Now in an impressive edition
produced by the Kehot Publication Society under the editorship of Rabbi Y. Eliezer Danzinger,
and ably translated into English by Rabbi Y. Eliezer Danzinger, "Studies in Rashi - Bereishit" is
enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of seventeen 'General Principles' which are the basis
for Rebbe's methodology in studying Rashi. Fully annotated in Hebrew and in English, "Studies
in Rashi - Bereishit" is further enhanced with an extensively detailed bibliography and a
comprehensive index, making it a very highly recommended and core addition to personal and
academic library Judaic Studies instructional reference collections and supplemental reading
lists.
The Autism Shelf
It's Raining Cats and Dogs
Michael Barton
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Inc.
400 Market Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849052832 $15.95 www.jkp.com
It's Raining Cats and Dogs is a guide to the meanings of common English metaphors, idioms,
shortened expressions, and sayings written especially for people on the autism spectrum. Each
metaphor/idiom and its meaning is complemented by a simplistic, black-and-white illustrations
of the literal implication of the words - and implication that is likely to jump into the head of any
autism spectrum individual encountering the phrase for the first time! For example, one page has
the phrase "We didn't meet eye to eye" alongside a crossed-out sketch of two eyeballs touching,
followed by the phrase's true meaning, "We didn't agree". Although It's Raining Cats and Dogs is
especially valuable for autism spectrum individuals, children and adults who are learning English
as a second language will also find it an invaluable supplementary reference and teaching tool,
particularly due to the visual reinforcement of the pictures. Highly recommended, especially for
school library collections.
The Real Estate Shelf
Fixing the Housing Market
Franklin Allen, James R. Barth, and Glenn Yago
Prentice Hall Press
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
9780137011605 $34.99 http://us.penguingroup.com
Without such things as mortgages, far too many people would be unable to own their own home;
yet too little regulation of real estate finances prompted the housing bubble and economic
meltdown of 2008. How did we get here, and in what direction should we head now? Written by
three experts in economics and real estate financing, Fixing the Housing Market: Financial
Innovations for the Future is a scholarly and serious-minded study of the history and future of
financial innovation products that make owning a home possible. Chapters cover the invention of
housing innovations from antiquity to the modern day; the benefits and risks of different
mortgage funding structures in today's economy; housing finance in emerging economies such as
Brazil, Russia, India and China; and conclusions drawn from the evidence as to which financial
innovations can provide the most stable and sustainable system for housing and real estate.
"Lesson 3: Size Matters - ... What if houses returned to the size expected by the typical U.S.
homebuyer 30 years ago?... America's total expenditures on all new homes sold over the past 30
years would have been $1.2 trillion less in today's dollars, and that savings would continue to
accrue in the future. That's before taking into account the cost of furnishing, heating, cooling, and
cleaning all that extra space... Factors such as neighborhood compactness, access to public
transit, and rates of vehicle ownership affect mortgage performance. There is a direct, statistically
significant link between longer, costlier commuting and a higher risk of default." Fixing the
Housing Market lives up to its title with practical, serious-minded, real-world ideas, and should
be required reading for real estate and economic policy professionals everywhere.
The Humor Shelf
Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year 2012 Edition
Charles Brookes, editor
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street
Gretna, LA 70053-2246
9781455616152 $14.95 www.pelicanpub.com
Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year 2012 Edition continues its tradition of collecting the most
hard-hitting political and editorial cartoons of 2011. Black-and-white cartoons from all sides of
the political spectrum are showcased, grouped by general category and prefaced by a brief
summary of important 2011 events, the better to put the cartoons in their full context. One
particularly biting cartoon shows Uncle Sam reading a history book ("DEMOCRACY: Inspired
by Ancient Greece") and wearing little more than a barrel with the word DEBT on it
("ECONOMY: Inspired by Modern Greece"). As solidly engaging as ever, Best Editorial
Cartoons of the Year is especially recommended for public library collections and personal
browsing - or even gift-giving for savvy followers of current events (although some violent
images, such as the cartoons about Osama Bin Laden's death, may be inappropriate for young
readers).
The Journalism Shelf
Covering America
Christopher B. Daly
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429
Amherst, MA 01004
9781558499119 $49.95 www.umass.edu/umpress
Award-winning author Christopher B. Daly, a veteran journalist as well as an instructor of
history and journalism at Boston University, presents Covering America: A Narrative History of
a Nation's Journalism. Covering America lives up to its title with an exhaustively researched,
scholarly, and in-depth chronicle of the art and craft of journalism in America, from 1705 to the
present day. Chapters discuss the foundations of the American Press including Ben Franklin and
his contemporaries, the rise of newspapers; how journalism covered slavery and the Civil War,
the Great Depression, World War II, and other monumental historical events; the twentieth
century rise of major media conglomerates; and much more. "Whether for-profit or not, the
institutions that engage in mass communication have been almost entirely in private hands,
separate form the government... From a small-scale shop to a factory-sized corporation to a
global conglomerate, the news business as a business has kept pace with broader trends. That
process has in turn created a recurring set of crises in which the values of journalism have come
into conflict with the values of business." A handful of vintage black-and-white photographs
illustrate this meticulous, methodical, and absolutely invaluable contribution to history and
journalism shelves, worthy of the highest recommendation especially for public and college
library collections.
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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