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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Transnational Frontiers
Emily C. Burns
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
www.oupress.com
9780806160030, $45.00, HC, 248pp, www.amazon.com
"Transnational Frontiers: The American West in France" by Emily C. Burns (Assistant Professor
of Art History at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama) is a lavishly illustrated visual history that
shows how American artists, writers, and tourists traveling to France exported the dominant
frontier narrative that presupposed manifest destiny -- and how Native American performers with
Buffalo Bill's Wild West and other traveling groups challenged that view. Many French artists
and illustrators plied this imagery as well. At the 1900 World's Fair in Paris, sculptures of
American cowboys conjured a dynamic and adventurous West, while portraits of American
Indians on vases evoked an indigenous people frozen in primitivity. At the same time,
representations of Lakota performers, as well as the performers themselves, deftly negotiated the
politics of American Indian assimilation and sought alternative spaces abroad. For French artists
and enthusiasts, the West served as a fulcrum for the construction of an American cultural
identity, offering a chance to debate ideas of primitivism and masculinity that bolstered their own
colonialist discourses. By examining this process, Professor Burns reveals the interconnections
between American western art and Franco-American artistic exchange between 1865 and 1915.
Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout, "Transnational Frontiers" is an extraordinary
work of outstanding scholarship that is expertly written, organized and presented, making it ideal
for academia and non-specialist general readers alike. Certain to be an enduringly appreciated
contribution to personal, community, and academic library collections, "Transnational Frontiers"
is deservedly and unreservedly recommended.
Every Landlord's Legal Guide, 14th edition
Marcia Stewart & Janet Portman
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
www.nolo.com
9781413325171, $44.99, PB, 504pp, www.amazon.com
Every landlord must comply with local and state laws governing the rental of properties.
Specifically designed for the non-specialist general reader and now in a completely updated and
expanded 14th edition, "Every Landlord's Legal Guide" by the team of Marcia Stewart and Janet
Portman, provides all the legal forms and state rules every landlord and property manager needs
to keep up with the law and make money as a residential landlord. From move-in to move-out,
"Every Landlord's Legal Guide" offers reliable and practical help with legal, financial, and
day-to-day issues. With "Every Landlord's Legal Guide" landlords will avoid hassles and
headaches, legal fees and lawsuits. "Every Landlord's Legal Guide" will prove invaluable in:
screening and choosing tenants; preparing leases and rental agreements; avoiding discrimination,
invasion of privacy, personal injury, and other lawsuits; hiring a property manager; keeping up
with repairs and maintenance; making security deposit deductions; handling broken leases;
learning how to terminate a tenancy for nonpayment of rent or other lease violations; restricting
tenants from renting their place on Airbnb; and dealing with bedbugs, mold, and lead
hazards. Of special note is the inclusion of a new discussion of how to deal with the aftermath of a
tenant's death. Complete with downloadable forms, and unreservedly recommended for
community library collections, "Every Landlord's Legal Guide" is an essential instructional
reference. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Every Landlord's Legal Guide" is
also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.99).
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Big Cats In The Wild
Joe McDonald
Amherst Media, Inc.
PO Box 538, Buffalo, NY 14213
www.amherstmedia.com
9781682033241, $24.95, PB, 128pp, www.amazon.com
Joe and Mary Ann McDonald have traveled the world for over thirty years, creating incredible
images of breathtaking places and the incredible creatures that inhabit them. In "Big Cats In The
Wild: A Visual Essay of Lions, Jaguars, Leopards, Pumas, and More", they have collaborated in
collecting and showcasing more than two hundred of their favorite images of big cats from
around the globe ranging from the majestic lions of Africa, to the powerful jaguars of South
America, to the elusive tigers of Asia. The McDonald's also share the stories behind the images,
taking their readers alongside them through some of the most remote parts of the world and into
the cultures and traditions of the people living in the midst of big cats. "Big Cats In The Wild"
will have a very special appeal for the wild animal lover, the armchair traveler, and anyone else
obsessed with the ancestry of the small cat in their living room!. While very highly recommended
for community library Pets/Wildlife collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that
"Big Cats In The Wild" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $19.95).
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Why Healthcare Costs So Much
David G. Brown, MD
Orange Frazer Press
PO Box 214, Wilmington, OH 45177
www.orangefrazer.com
9781939710833, $14.95, PB, 194pp, www.amazon.com
All Americans are currently wrestling with such questions as; Why does healthcare cost so
much? What can we do to reduce the cost? Why is the cost of health insurance so high? What is
the effect of pharmaceutical drugs in increasing costs? Does preventative medicine reduce the
cost of care? Do Medicare Cost Reduction Programs actually significantly reduce the cost of
Medicare? Do Workplace Wellness Programs work? What is the role of medical technology in
healthcare costs? What is the effect on hospitals (and the patients they take care of) by increasing
costs? What about Medicaid? How can the soaring costs of Medicaid be restrained but patients
receive the care they should have? How do costs affect the other two aspects of
healthcare--access and quality? What is the quality of healthcare in the U.S. and single payer
systems? What system should the American people choose? Is healthcare reform achievable
through the free market system? These are the questions we as Americans must find answers too
if Healthcare Reform will prove to be not only effective, but possible! "Why Healthcare Costs So
Much: How Do We Bring Down the Cost of Care?" by board certified pulmonologist Dr. David
G. Brown shows why healthcare prices have gone up and how they can be reduced. Dr. Brown
informatively examines the various healthcare plans, including the present healthcare system, and
reveals how healthcare reform can be effectively be achieved. Thoroughly 'reader friendly' in
organization and presentation, "Why Healthcare Costs So Much" is a timely and 'real world
practical' contribution to our current and on-going national dialogue over reforming our health
system so that health care is a universal human right and not a financially based privileged for
those with incomes large enough to afford it under the present system.
The Inside Scoop on Informed Choice
Diane Hall
Health Professions Press
PO Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
www.healthpropress.com
9781938870767, $64.99, Spiral Bound, 220pp, www.amazon.com
Medical and health administrators, nurses, dietary managers, or dietitians, all have a role to play
in supporting a patient's right to make personal food choices (while also meeting regulatory
guidelines and reducing professional liability). "The Inside Scoop on Informed Choice: A
Step-by-Step Guide for Personalizing Diets in Long-Term Care" by registered dietitian and
licensed nursing home administrator Diane Hall (who is an expert consultant and nationally
recognized speaker on culture change and dining standards in long-term care) is an instructional
guide for creating person-centered meal plans in long-term care settings. This user-friendly
resource is filled from cover to cover with pragmatic tips and guidelines as well as time-saving
forms for planning and delivering individualized meals to meet dining preferences. "The Inside
Scoop on Informed Choice" also debunks common myths and misinformation about special
diets, restricted diets, doctor's orders, and federal regulations. A definitive guide to providing the
tools and explanations for truly individualizing of institutionally provided food services, "The
Inside Scoop on Informed Choice" also features sample forms and guidelines, assessment tools,
quizzes, QAPI-based dining solutions, as well as available CEUs, -- making it an invaluable and
unreservedly recommended addition to professional, hospital, residential care facilities, college,
and university library Health Care Management collections.
The Education Shelf
Best Practices in Professional Learning and Teacher Preparation in Gifted Education
Angela M. Novak & Christine L. Weber, editors
Prufrock Press
PO Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813
www.prufrock.com
9781618217721, $65.00, PB, 250pp, www.amazon.com
All too often, school district teacher in-service education programs do not adequately train
classroom teachers in how to meet the needs of gifted and talented students in the regular
classroom curriculums. Practitioners and researchers agree that time and energy should be spent
on training teachers in how to address the needs of gifted and talented students, both within the
regular classroom and in specialized programs. "Best Practices in Professional Learning and
Teacher Preparation in Gifted Education: Methods and Strategies for Gifted Professional
Development" is the first volume of a three-book series that acknowledges this need and provides
specific strategies for professional development in a variety of settings using various methods.
Drawing on both literature in the field and research-based best practices in professional learning,
this series provides the reader with a foundation for designing and implementing effective
professional development experiences for educators working with gifted learners. "An
Introduction to Professional Learning Strategies" focuses on a variety of techniques and methods
in professional development. From reflection practices, to using case studies, to incorporating
technology, this exceptionally well written, organized and presented instructional reference
provide specific tools and resources to consider when delivering effective professional
development related to this specific population of learners. Simply stated, "Best Practices in
Professional Learning and Teacher Preparation in Gifted Education: Methods and Strategies for
Gifted Professional Development" is an essential and core addition to school district, college, and
community library Teacher Educations collections and supplemental studies lists.
Unstuck
Bryan Goodwin, et al.
ASCD
1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
9781416625902, $29.95, PB, 235pp, www.amazon.com
When it comes to educating children, good ideas, the best intentions, and a stirring vision aren't
enough to effect change in public schools. The collaborative work of Bryan Goodwin (resident
and CEO of McREL International), Dale Lewis (Senior Director of Research, Evaluation, and
Technical Assistance at McREL International), Kris Rouleau (Senior Director of Learning
Services and Innovation at McREL International), and Tonia Gibson (a McREL International
project consultant) "Unstuck: How Curiosity, Peer Coaching, and Teaming Can Change Your
School" offers a road map to help schools change from the inside out instead of the top down.
Inside-out approaches are designed to encourage schools to become more innovative and
entrepreneurial, finding better ways to help students learn and pursue their own intellectual
passions and talents while also maintaining a healthy skepticism and reliance on data to make
sure new approaches and ideas are working. This process involves seven steps: starting with
moral purpose, unleashing curiosity, building on bright spots, peer coaching toward precision,
leading from the inside out, and moving the goal posts. "Unstuck" is offers 'real world practical'
tips, real-life examples, and the next steps will help educational policy makers and leaders get
from where they are now to where they want to be. While very highly recommended for school
district, college, and university library Contemporary Education Policy collections and
supplemental studies lists, it should be noted that "Unstuck" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $28.45).
The Fiction Shelf
The Bookshop of Yesterdays
Amy Meyerson
Park Row Books
195 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10007
http://www.parkrowbooks.com
9780778319849, $22.99, HC, 368pp, www.amazon.com
Miranda Brooks grew up in the stacks of her eccentric Uncle Billy's bookstore, solving the
inventive scavenger hunts he created just for her. But on Miranda's twelfth birthday, Billy has a
mysterious falling-out with her mother and suddenly disappears from Miranda's life. She doesn't
hear from him again until sixteen years later when she receives unexpected news: Billy has died
and left her Prospero Books, which is teetering on bankruptcy -- and one final scavenger hunt.
When Miranda returns home to Los Angeles and to Prospero Books (now as its owner) she finds
clues that Billy has hidden for her inside novels on the store's shelves, in locked drawers of his
apartment upstairs, in the name of the store itself. Miranda becomes determined to save Prospero
Books and to solve Billy's last scavenger hunt. She soon finds herself drawn into a journey where
she meets people from Billy's past, people whose stories reveal a history that Miranda's mother
has kept hidden -- and the terrible secret that tore her family apart. All the more impressive when
considering that is it author Amy Meyerson's debut as a novelist, "The Bookshop of Yesterdays"
is an extraordinary read from cover to cover and will have special appeal to bibliophiles who
enjoy browsing through neighborhood bookstores and have toyed with the idea of having one of
their own! While very highly and unreservedly recommended for community library
Contemporary General Fiction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "The
Bookshop of Yesterdays" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99) and as a
complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781538516553, $39.99, CD).
The Moving of the Water: Stories
David Lloyd
Excelsior Editions
c/o State University of New York Press
State University Plaza, Albany, NY 12246-0001
www.sunypress.edu
9781438472287, $19.95, PB, 162pp, www.amazon.com
Anchored in the community of first-, second-, and third-generation Welsh Americans in Utica,
New York, during the 1960s, the seventeen short stories comprising David Lloyd's "The Moving
of the Water" deftly delve into universal concerns: identity, home, religion, language, culture,
belonging, personal and national histories, mortality. Unflinching in their portrayal of the
traumas and conflicts of fictional Welsh Americans, these are expertly crafted stories that
embrace multiple communities and diverse experiences in linked, innovative narratives: soldiers
fighting in World War I and in Vietnam, the criminal underworld, the poignant struggles of
children and adults caught between old and new worlds. The complexly damaged characters of
these surprising and affecting stories seek transformation and revelation, healing and
regeneration: a sometimes traumatic "moving of the water". Entertaining, thought-provoking,
original, and inherently fascinating, "The Moving of the Water: Stories" is an especially
recommended addition to personal reading lists, as well as community and academic library
Contemporary Literary Fiction collections.
A Final Shoot-Out
J. D. Kincaid
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444836295, $20.99, PB, Large Print, 240pp, www.amazon.com
When Abe Fletcher is released from prison (his father having called in a favor from the Judge so
that Abe would get 10 years instead of the hangman's noose for the killing of a harmless and
none-too-bright man), he's anxious to reclaim his inheritance in the form of a beautiful and
flourishing ranch. At the same time, bank robbers Red Ned Davis and Hank Jolley are fleeing
from a botched bank robbery and holed up with Jolley's cousin, Vic Morgan. After a chance
encounter between Abe and Vic, the outlaws agree to help Abe regain his inheritance by
assassinating his father and brother. However, their plans go awry due to the unexpected
intervention of a seductive saloon singer, Arizona Audrey, and the famous Kentuckian
gunfighter, Jack Stone. With "A Final Shoot-Out" J. D. Kincaid continues to showcase his
genuine mastery of the genre with a compelling page-turner of a read that is very highly
recommended for community library Western Fiction collections, as well as the personal reading
lists of dedicated western fans who will appreciate this large print edition from the Linford
Western Library series.
The Life She Left Behind
Jessica Blair
Magna Large Print
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9780750545662, $35.50, HC, Large Print, 330pp, www.amazon.com
As a young widow, Glenda McKinley is torn between remaining at her beloved estate in the
Scottish Highlands, and following the plans her deceased husband made to go to America. When
the family doctor suggests her daughter Caitlin's health would improve by moving, the family
prepare to go to Colorado. This is a blow to Ros, the eldest girl, who has fallen in love with
Clive, son of their estate manager. But for her sister's sake, she agrees to try life on her uncle's
cattle ranch. When a gentle cowboy falls for Glenda, she is inclined to stay, but Ros yearns to go
back. Can they ever find true happiness? A wonderfully entertaining and deftly crafted romance
novel, this large print edition of "The Life She Left Behind" by Jessica Blair is certain to be an
immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library collections, and is unreservedly
recommended for the personal reading lists of dedicated historical romance fans who would
benefit from a large print format.
The Man From Jerusalem
Jack Martin
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444836301, $20.99, PB, 224pp, www.amazon.com
Day after day, the sun does its utmost to roast the very land upon which the dilapidated town of
Jerusalem sits. Johnny Jerusalem is returning home to the town of his namesake. He'd left years
ago, but no sooner is he back than the little money he was left by the man who took him in when
he was abandoned as a baby, has been stolen from him during a bank robbery. He sets out with in
the company of young gunslinger to find the culprits who have wronged him - but there's a posse
behind them, bandits ahead of them, and a war band of Indians to deal with. Soon the bullets are
flying, men are dying, and the stolen money can't be found! Another original western by a master
of the genre, Jack Martin's "The Man From Jerusalem" features many a plot twist and a
thoroughly surprising finale, making this large print edition strongly recommended for personal
reading lists and community library Western Fiction collections.
Back From Boot Hill
Colin Bainbridge
Linford Western Library
c/o Ulverscroft Large Print (USA), Inc.
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
www.ulverscroftusa.com
9781444827507, $20.99, PB, www.amazon.com
After finding himself inside a coffin on the way to Boot Hill, Clay Tulane, still in possession of
his guns, wants answers. Whilst local townsfolk Miss Winona and the boy Pocket help him piece
together the story of how he got there, Tulane finds himself drawn into a violent struggle against
local landowner Marsden Rockwell and his Bar Nothing outfit, who want to take over the
neighboring Bar L. As tension mounts, the search for the truth throws up many more questions
and leads to a series of confrontations including one with a professional hired gunman and
professional killer by the name of Spade. "Back From Boot Hill" by Colin Bainbridge is another
original and deftly crafted western novel by a true master of the genre and this large print edition
from the Linford Western Library is very highly recommended for personal reading lists and
community library collections.
The Cattle Drive
Ethan J. Wolfe
Five Star Books
10 Water Street, Suite 310, Waterville, ME 04901
http://gale.cengage.com/fivestar
9781432838638, $25.95, HC, 251pp, www.amazon.com
Michael and Michele Dunn, twelve-year-old twins, are wealthy orphans living with their socialite
businesswoman aunt, Angela Dunn, in Chicago. Angela is too committed to running the family
business to raise the twins and she makes arrangements with the Illinois Detective Agency to
send them to California to live with distant relatives. The detective agency is run by the son of its
founder, Frank Miller. He contracts to take the twins to California and they leave with a team of
his men. On the journey, the twins overhear a plot by Miller to kidnap them and hold them for a
very high ransom demand. At a water stop near Medicine Bow in Wyoming, the twins jump the
train and run away into the night. An original and entertainingly riveting read from first page to
last, "The Cattle Drive" by Ethan J. Wolfe is another deftly crafted western novel by a master of
the genre. While very highly recommended, especially for community library collections, it
should be noted for the personal reading lists of Ethan Wolfe fans that "The Cattle Drive" is also
available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Cottage by the Sea
Debbie Macomber
Ballantine Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouse.com
9780399181252, $27.00, HC, 352pp, www.amazon.com
Annie Marlow has been through the worst. Rocked by tragedy, she heads to the one place that
makes her happy: Oceanside in the Pacific Northwest, the destination of many family vacations
when Annie was a teenager. Once there, Annie begins to restore her broken spirit, thanks in part
to the folks she meets: a local painter, Keaton, whose large frame is equal to his big heart -- and
who helps Annie fix up her rental cottage by the sea; Mellie, the reclusive, prickly landlord
Annie is determined to befriend; and Britt, a teenager with a terrible secret. But it is Keaton to
whom Annie feels most drawn. His quiet, peaceful nature offers her both comfort and reprieve
from her grief, and the two begin to grow closer. Then events threaten to undo the idyll Annie
has come to enjoy. And when the opportunity of a lifetime lands in her lap, she is torn between
the excitement of a new journey toward success and the safe and secure arms of the haven (and
the man) she's come to call home. Annie finds that the surest way to fix what is damaged within
is to help others rise above their pain and find a way to heal. "Cottage by the Sea" is a thoroughly
entertaining and heartwarming tale by a master storyteller and one of Debbie Macomber's best
novels to date! While strongly and unreservedly recommended for community library collections
where it will become and immediate and enduringly popular addition, it should be noted for
personal reading lists that "Cottage by the Sea' is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$13.99).
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
A Murder for the Books
Victoria Gilbert
Crooked Lane Books
2 Park Avenue, 10th floor, New York, NY 10016
www.crookedlanebooks.com
9781683314394, $26.99, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Fleeing a disastrous love affair, university librarian Amy Webber moves in with her aunt in a
quiet, historic mountain town in Virginia. She quickly busies herself with managing a charming
public library that requires all her attention with its severe lack of funds and overabundance of
eccentric patrons. The last thing she needs is a new, available neighbor whose charm lures her
into trouble. Dancer-turned-teacher and choreographer Richard Muir inherited the farmhouse
next door from his great-uncle, Paul Dassin. But town folklore claims the house's original owner
was poisoned by his wife, who was an outsider. It quickly became water under the bridge, until
she vanished after her sensational 1925 murder trial. Determined to clear the name of the woman
his great-uncle loved, Richard implores Amy to help him investigate the case. Amy is skeptical
until their research raises questions about the culpability of the town's leading families...
including her own. When inexplicable murders plunge the quiet town into chaos, Amy and
Richard must crack open the books to reveal a cruel conspiracy and lay a turbulent past to rest,
Written by a true master of the genre, "A Murder for the Books", the first installment of author
and librarian Victoria Gilbert's new 'Blue Ridge Library' mystery series. While unreservedly and
enthusiastically recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be
noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that "A Murder for the Books" is
also available in a paperback edition (9781683316077, $15.99) and in an inexpensive digital
book format (Kindle, $1.99).
Buried in Books
Kate Carlisle
Berkley Books
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10014
www.penguin.com
9780451477743, $25.00, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.com
Brooklyn is a young woman who has everything covered. She's triple-checked her wedding to-do
list, and everything is on track for the upcoming ceremony with the love of her life, security
expert Derek Stone. Not everyone has been as lucky in love as Brooklyn. Her old college
roommates Heather and Sara lost touch twelve years ago when Sara stole Heather's boyfriend.
Brooklyn was caught in the middle and hasn't seen her former besties since their falling-out.
When they both show up at her surprise bridal shower, Brooklyn is sure drama will ensue. But
she's touched when the women seem willing to sort out their differences and gift her rare copies
of The Three Musketeers and The Red Fairy Book. Brooklyn's pre-wedding calm is shattered
when one of her formerly feuding friends is found murdered and Brooklyn determines that one of
the rare books is a forgery. She can't help but wonder if the victim played a part in this fraud, or if
she was targeted because she discovered the scam. With a killer and con artist on the loose,
Brooklyn and Derek (with the unsolicited help of their meddling mothers) must catch the culprit
before their big day turns into a big mess! Another carefully crafted gem of a novel by a true
master of the genre, Kate Carlisle's "Buried in Books" is an inherently engaging read from cover
to cover, and one that will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to all
community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists
of dedicated mystery buffs (and bibliophiles!) that "Buried in Books" is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $12.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Media,
9781974900749, $29.99, CD).
April in Paris, 1921
Tessa Lunney
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10004
www.pegasusbooks.com
9781681777757, $25.95, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Paris in 1921 is the city of freedom, where hatless and footloose Kiki Button can drink
champagne and dance until dawn. She works as a gossip columnist, partying with the rich and
famous, the bohemian and strange, using every moment to create a new woman from the ashes of
her war-worn self. While on the modeling dais, Picasso gives her a job: to find his wife's portrait,
which has gone mysteriously missing. That same night, her spymaster from the war contacts her -
-- she has to find a double agent or face jail. Through parties, whisky, and seductive informants,
Kiki uses her knowledge of Paris from the Great War to connect the clues. Set over the course of
one springtime week, "April in Paris, 1921" is a deftly crafted mystery that combines artistic
gossip with interwar political history through witty banter, steamy scenes, and fast action. A
compelling and entertaining read from cover to cover, Tessa Lunney's "April in Paris, 1921" will
prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library
Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated
mystery buffs that "April in Paris, 1921" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$12.99).
Murder at the Mansion
Sheila Connolly
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250135865, $26.99, HC, 336pp, www.amazon.com
Katherine Hamilton's goal in high school was to escape from her dead-end hometown of
Asheboro, Maryland. Fifteen years later she's got a degree in hospitality management and a great
job at a high-end boutique hotel in Baltimore. Until, that is, the hotel is acquired by a chain, and
she's laid off. When Kate's high school best friend calls with a mysterious invitation to come talk
with the town leaders of Asheboro, she agrees to make the trip, curious about where this new
opportunity might lead. Once Kate arrives, the town council members reveal that their town is on
the verge of going bankrupt, and they've decided that Kate's skills and knowledge make her the
perfect person to cure all their ills. The town has used its last available funds to buy the huge
Victorian mansion just outside of town, hoping to use it to attract some of the tourists who travel
to visit the nearby Civil War battle sites. Kate has less-than-fond memories of the mansion, for
personal reasons, but to make matters worse, the only person who has presented a possible
alternate plan is Cordelia Walker -- Kate's high school nemesis. But a few days later, while
touring the mansion, Kate stumbles over a body -- and it's none other than Cordelia. Kate finds
herself juggling the murder investigation and her growing fascination with the old house, which
itself is full of long-hidden mysteries. Kate must clear her name and save her town -- before she
ends up in hot water. Another superbly crafted mystery by a master of the genre, "Murder at the
Mansion" is one of author Sheila Connolly's 'Victorian Village' series and unreservedly
recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs in general, and Sheila Connolly fans in
particular, that "Murder at the Mansion" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$13.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Tantor Audio, 9781541465572, $29.99,
CD).
Like to Die
David Housewright
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250094537, $26.99, HC, 320pp, www.amazon.com
Once a police detective in St. Paul, Minnesota, Rushmore McKenzie has become an unlikely
millionaire and an occasional unlicensed private investigator, doing favors for friends. The favor,
this time, is for a friend of a friend -- Erin Peterson, a local business person and owner of a
growing food company called Salsa Girl. Someone seems to have a beef with her: the outside
locks on her factory having been systematically filled with superglue. But for some reason, Erin
doesn't want to report this harassment to the police. As a favor to his poker buddy and hockey
teammate Ian, McKenzie agrees to stop by and chat with Erin. At first Erin denies there's
anything going on and then, when the harassment escalates and threatens her business, she also
asks for McKenzie's help. The further McKenzie digs into the situation, the more complicated
(and deadly) it becomes. And somewhere, in the middle of it all, is Erin, playing all sides against
the middle, leading McKenzie to wonder if you ever really know who your friends are. Author
David Housewright has won the Edgar Award and is the three-time winner of the Minnesota
Book Award for his crime fiction, including his simply outstanding Twin Cities P.I. Mac
McKenzie series of which "Like to Die" is just the latest addition. While "Like to Die" is
unreservedly recommended for community library Mystery/Suspense collections, it should be
noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated mystery buffs that it is also available in a digital
book format (Kindle, $12.99).
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Uncharted
Kevin J. Anderson & Sarah A. Hoyt
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
www.baen.com
9781481483230, $25.00, HC, 272pp, www.amazon.com
After Halley's Comet was destroyed in a magical battle in 1759, the backlash separated the entire
New World from the Old in an event known as The Sundering. Now isolated from the rest of the
globe, America has become a very different place, where magic works and history has been
changed forever. Now It is 1803 and young Meriwether Lewis, footloose and intrigued, goes to
hear a lecture in St. Louis by the venerated old wizard Benjamin Franklin. Franklin's talk is
disrupted by the attack of a winged fire-breathing beast, much like legends from Lewis's own
Welsh heritage. In the aftermath, Franklin tells the young man that he knows of a great, growing
evil that lurks in the uncharted Arcane Territories west of the Mississippi. Using his own vast
fortune, Franklin commissions Lewis and his own talented partner William Clark to embark on a
remarkable voyage of exploration, to meet and document the indigenous tribes, to find a route all
the way to the Pacific Ocean (and perhaps beyond the magical veil to Europe again) and to stop
the growing evil that is filling the American West. For while the Sundering separated the rest of
the world and granted the original colonists unexpected magical gifts, sorcery inspired by native
legends has also been ignited. And the Arcane Territories may hold unparalleled dangers for the
expedition, both natural and magical. Accompanied by the brilliant shape-shifting sorceress
Sacajawea, Lewis and Clark set off on an unparalleled adventure across a landscape that no
European has ever seen. Set in an 'alternate history' of an Arcane America, "Uncharted" is a
simply riveting and compelling read from first page to last. With more fantasy plot twists and
turns than a Cony Island roller coaster, "Uncharted" will prove to be an immediate and
enduringly popular addition to community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections. It
should be noted for the legions of Kevin J. Anderson fans that "Uncharted" is also available in a
digital book format (Kindle, $7.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Brilliance
Audio, 9781978647565, $14.99, MP3 CD).
The Literary Studies Shelf
Fox
Dubravka Ugresic, author
Ellen Elias Bursac & David Williams - translators
Open Letter Books
c/o University of Rochester
Lattimore Hall 411, Box 270082, Rochester, NY 14627
www.openletterbooks.org
9781940953762, $16.95, PB, 320pp, www.amazon.com
"Fox" by Dubravka Ugresic (who in 2016 was awarded the Neustadt International Prize for
Literature for her body of work) is the story of literary footnotes and "minor" characters --
unnoticed people propelled into timelessness through the biographies and novels of others. With
Ugresic's characteristic wit, "Fox" takes us from Russia to Japan, through Balkan minefields and
American road trips, and from the 1920s to the present, as it explores the power of storytelling
and literary invention, betrayal, and the randomness of human lives. Aptly translated into English
for an American readership by the collaborative efforts of Ellen Elias Bursac and David
Williams, "Fox" is unreservedly recommended for both community and academic library
Contemporary Literary Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Fox"
is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $8.98).
The Political Science Shelf
The Law of Good People
Yuval Feldman
Cambridge University Press
One Liberty Plaza, Fl. 20, New York, NY 10006
www.cambridge.org
9781107137103, $110.00, HC, 254pp, www.amazon.com
Currently, the dominant enforcement paradigm is based on the idea that states deal with 'bad
people' (or those pursuing their own self-interests at public expense) with laws that exact a price
for misbehavior through sanctions and punishment. At the same time, by contrast, behavioral
ethics posits that 'good people' are guided by cognitive processes and biases that enable them to
bend the laws within the confines of their conscience. In "The Law of Good People: Challenging
States' Ability to Regulate Human Behavior", Yuval Feldman (The Mori Lazarof Professor of
Legal Research at Bar-Ilan University Faculty of Law) analyzes these paradigms and provides a
broad theoretical and empirical comparison of traditional and non-traditional enforcement
mechanisms to advance our understanding of how states can better deal with misdeeds
committed by normative citizens blinded by cognitive biases regarding their own ethicality. By
bridging the gap between new findings of behavioral ethics and traditional methods used to
modify behavior, Professor Feldman proposes a 'law of good people' that should be read by
scholars and policymakers around the world. A work of simply brilliant scholarship, "The Law of
Good People" is a fully engaging, thought-provoking, informed and informative study that is
unreservedly recommended for community and academic library Political Science, Judicial, and
Contemporary Sociology collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for
students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Law of Good
People" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $66.49).
New York City Politics: Governing Gotham, second edition
Bruce F. Berg
Rutgers University Press
106 Somerset St., 3rd Floor, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
http://rutgerspress.rutgers.edu
9780813586670, $110.00, HC, 358pp, www.amazon.com
Most political consultants and experts consider economic development to be the dominant factor
influencing urban politics. They point to the importance of the finance and real estate industries,
the need to improve the tax base, and the push to create jobs. In a newly updated and revised
second edition of "New York City Politics: Governing Gotham" by Bruce F. Berg (Professor of
Political Science at Fordham University) maintains that there are three forces which are equally
important in explaining New York City politics: economic development; the city's relationships
with the state and federal governments, which influence taxation, revenue and public policy
responsibilities; and New York City's racial and ethnic diversity, resulting in demands for more
equitable representation and greater equity in the delivery of public goods and services. "New
York City Politics" focuses on the impact of these three forces on the governance of New York
City's political system including the need to promote democratic accountability, service delivery
equity, as well as the maintenance of civil harmony. This second edition fully updates the
discussion with the inclusions of examples from the Bloomberg and de Blasio administrations, as
well as current public policy issues including infrastructure, housing and homelessness, land use
regulations, and education. A definitive, thoughtful, and thought-provoking work of exceptional
scholarship, "New York City Politics" is unreservedly recommended for community and
academic library Contemporary Political Science collections. It should be noted for the personal
reading lists of political science students, political activists, and non-specialist general readers
with an interest in the subject that "New York City Politics" is also available in a paperback
edition (9780813586663, $33.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $24.97).
The Travel Shelf
Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan
Amy Chavez, author
Jun Hazuki, illustrator
Stone Bridge Press
1393 Solano Avenue, Suite C, Albany CA 94706
www.stonebridge.com
9781611720433, $12.95, PB, 144pp, www.amazon.com
"Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan: Do It Right and Be Polite!" is a thoroughly 'user
friendly' guide for businessmen and vacationers to the common courtesy, acceptable behaviors,
and expected manners that are essential for any visitor to Japan. The Japanese people are
unfailingly polite and will never tell you if you've crossed the line. But by knowing how to act in
every situation you'll gain the respect of your hosts and in the end get even better service and
enjoyment during your travels. Covered here are all the essentials such as travel, greetings, and
dining -- plus subtle niceties like tone of voice, body language, cell phone usage, city vs. country
styles, and attire (and what to do about your tattoos!). Amy Chavez is a 25-year resident of Japan
and a tourist adviser who lives on the fabled Inland Sea. She draws upon her experience and
expertise in knowing just what foreign visitors need and in the illustrated pages of "Amy's Guide
to Best Behavior in Japan" delivers that information in a smart, compact, and delightfully
illustrated package for quick use and reference, making it unreservedly recommended for
personal, professional, and community library travel-oriented instructional reference
collections.
The Biography Shelf
The Wonderful Mr Willughby
Tim Birkhead
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.bloomsbury.com
9781408878484, $27.00, HC, 368pp, www.amazon.com
Francis Willughby (22 November 1635 - 3 July 1672) lived and thrived in the midst of the
rapidly accelerating scientific revolution of the seventeenth century. Traveling with his
Cambridge tutor John Ray, they decided to overhaul the whole of natural history by imposing
order on its messiness and complexity. It was exhilarating, exacting, and exhausting work. Yet
before their first book, "Ornithology", could be completed, Willughby died in 1672. Since then,
Ray's reputation has grown, obscuring that of his collaborator. Now, for the first time,
Willughby's story and genius are given the attention they deserve in "The Wonderful Mr
Willughby: The First True Ornithologist" by Tim Birkhead (a Fellow of the Royal Society of
London and a professor at the University of Sheffield where he teaches animal behavior and the
history of science). In his too-short life, Francis Willughby helped found the Royal Society,
differentiated birds through identification of their distinguishing features, and asked questions
that were, in some cases, centuries ahead of their time. His discoveries and his approach to his
work continue to be relevant (and revelatory) today. Professor Birkhead describes and celebrates
how Willughby's endeavors set a standard for the way birds (and indeed the whole of natural
history) should be studied. Rich with glorious detail, The Wonderful Mr Willughby is at once a
fascinating insight into a thrilling period of scientific history and an authoritative, lively
biography of one of its legendary pioneers. An inherently fascinating and impressively
informative biography, "The Wonderful Mr Willughby" is an especially recommended addition
to community and academic library biography collections. It should be noted for the personal
reading lists of ornithology students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the
subject that "The Wonderful Mr Willughby" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$14.74).
Bowie's Piano Man
Mike Garson
Backbeat Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
33 Plymouth Street, Suite 302, Montclair, NJ 07042-2677
www.halleonard.com
9781617136931, $24.99, PB, 304pp, www.amazon.com
David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 - 10 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie,
was an English singer-songwriter and actor. Pianist Mike Garson was Bowie's most frequent
musician, on record and onstage throughout Bowie's life. They played over a thousand shows
together between 1972 and 2004, and Garson is featured on over 20 of Bowie's albums. Written
by Clifford Slapper (who was a fellow pianist who also played for Bowie, working closely with
him on his last-ever television appearance), and now in a fully revised and newly updated
edition, "Bowie's Piano Man: The Life of Mike Garson" is the biography of Mike Garson and
explores the special relationship between Garson and Bowie, beginning with the extraordinary
story of how Garson went overnight from playing in tiny jazz clubs to touring the world on arena
rock tours with Bowie after one short phone call and audition. A noted master of jazz, classical,
and other genres, Garson has composed thousands of original works and has taught countless
students, acting as mentor to many. "Bowie's Piano Man" explores his roots and childhood in
Brooklyn, his ongoing strong presence in the jazz world, and his collaborations with a huge range
of other artists in addition to Bowie. Touring and recording with the Smashing Pumpkins and
Nine Inch Nails are given in-depth attention, as is his approach to teaching and creating music.
Explored in detail in particular is his commitment to improvisation as a form of composition, a
manifestation of his more general dedication to living in the moment and always moving forward
a trait he shared with Bowie. An inherently interesting and impressively informative read,
"Bowie's Piano Man" is unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as
community and academic library Contemporary American Biography collections.
The Cookbook Shelf
Go Dairy Free
Alisa Fleming
BenBella Books
10300 N. Central Expressway, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75204
www.benbellabooks.com
9781944648916, $19.95, PB, 515pp, www.amazon.com
"Go Dairy Free" by Alisa Fleming (the founder of GoDairyFree.org, the leading online magazine
and website for dairy-free living) provides a wealth of practical information for those needing to
change their diet. A complete guide and cookbook "Go Dairy Free' is a compendium of more
than 250 delicious dairy-free recipes focusing on naturally rich and delicious whole foods, with
numerous options to satisfy those dairy cravings. It is a comprehensive guide to dairy substitutes
explaining how to purchase, use, and make your own alternatives for butter, cheese, cream, milk,
and much more; provides essential grocery shopping information from identifying suspect
ingredients and label-reading assistance to money-saving tips. Of special note is a detailed
chapter on calcium to identify naturally mineral-rich foods beyond dairy, the best supplements,
and other keys to bone health; an in-depth health section outlining the signs and symptoms of
dairy-related illnesses and addressing questions around protein, fat, and other nutrients in the
dairy-free transition. "Go Dairy Free" has everyday living tips with suggestions for restaurant
dining, travel, celebrations, and other social situations; infant milk allergy checklists that describe
indicators and solutions for babies and young children with milk allergies or intolerances; as well
as food allergy- and vegan-friendly resources, including recipe indexes to quickly find gluten-free
and other top food allergy-friendly options and fully tested plant-based options for every recipe.
Comprehensive, exceptionally well organized, 'real world practical', "Go Dairy Free" is
unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community cookbook collections.
In Don's Montana Kitchen
Don Doig
Lulu Publishing
3101 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27607-5436
www.lulu.com
9781483484891, $15.95, PB, 204pp, www.amazon.com
"In Don's Montana Kitchen: Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Gourmet Cooking From the Edge of the
Wilderness" presents innovative approaches to gluten-free and dairy-free gourmet cooking. If
food and cooking have long been important in your life, it can be a daunting task to cook tasty,
interesting food when you can no longer eat many of the mainstays of modern or classic French
cooking, which involve gluten and dairy. It was for Don Doig. The trick has been to come up
with gluten-free, dairy-free food which is also interesting and delicious. Many of the recipes also
incorporate oriental influences, especially Chinese regional, Thai, and Indian. Much of this
cookbook was developed using wild game. If game is not available, where the recipes call for
game, you can use these recipes for grass-fed beef or lamb. Many of these recipes revolve around
sauces, whether incorporated into the dish as it cooks, or as a stand-alone sauce added to meats
once they are cooked. "In Don's Montana Kitchen" makes it easy to substitute different meats. A
complete course of culinary instruction combined with a wealth of palate-pleasing, appetite-
satisfying, kitchen cook friendly recipes, "In Don's Montana Kitchen" is a very special and
unique addition recommended for personal, professional, and community library cookbook
collections.
Fix, Freeze, Feast, second edition
Kati Neville & Lindsay Ahrens
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
www.storey.com
9781612129280, $18.95, PB, 256pp, www.amazon.com
Now in a newly updated and expanded second edition that showcases 150 'kitchen cook friendly'
recipes, "Fix, Freeze, Feast: The Delicious, Money-Saving Way to Feed Your Family; Stock
Your Freezer with Ready-to-Cook Meals" anyone can create great tasting, nutritious meals that
don't break the bank or a time-stressed daily schedule. Cook one recipe in bulk and stock a
freezer with three nights of nutritious and delicious homemade dinners for the family. Updated
recipes incorporate plenty of fresh, seasonal produce, along with bulk grains and beans. From
Asparagus and Potato Frittata; Lemon Blueberry Strata; Tomato Basil Soup; and Berry-Roasted
Chicken; to Garlic Studded Pork Loin; Shrimp Curry; Green Beans with Gorgonzola-Pecan
Butter; and Five-Spice Cookies"Fix, Freeze, Feast" is inspiring to browse through and plan
menus with and will prove to be an enduringly popular and appreciated addition to personal,
family, and community library cookbook collections.
The Military Shelf
A Subaltern's Lament
Harry Turner
Pen & Sword Books
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
9781526723673, $34.95, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Vienna 1954, nine years after the end of World War II and the victorious allies occupy the whole
of Austria, newly commissioned national serviceman and Fulham boy, Rory Trenchard, joins his
regiment, The Hambleshires, in Vienna at the very height of the Cold War. At nineteen he finds
himself not only learning the tough art of soldiering alongside his platoon of Battle hardened
Korean War veterans but is also exposed to the political machinations that exist between Britain
and her Allies. Vienna in 1954 is a dangerous place and in addition to honing his skills as a
warrior he is trusted to act as a go-between when a senior KGB officer plans to defect to the
west. He also falls in and out of love with an American girl and faces the choice of either just
completing two years national service, or becoming a regular officer. An usual and inherently
fascinating memoir that is impressively well written, organized and presented, "A Subaltern's
Lament" is a very highly recommended addition to community and academic library 20th
Century Military Biography & Memoir collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists
that "A Subaltern's Lament" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).
Seven at Santa Cruz
Ted Edwards
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
www.nip.org
9781682472873, $29.95, HC, 304pp, www.amazon.com
Ted Edwards is an historian whose oral history work with World War II aviators and other
veterans of twentieth-century war is driven by a desire to understand the events via firsthand
account. In the pages of "Seven at Santa Cruz: The Life of Fighter Ace Stanley "Swede" Vejtasa"
he has written yet another riveting military biography that details how Stanley "Swede" Vejtasa
became a World War II naval hero. During the Battle of the Coral Sea, Swede flew an SBD
Dauntless dive-bomber and helped sink Shoho, the first aircraft carrier lost by Japan in World
War II. The next day, in that same Dauntless, he took off from USS Yorktown and out-flew and
out-gunned three Japanese Zeros, making him the only dive bomber pilot to be awarded Navy
Crosses for both bombing and aerial combat. Months later, the day before the Battle of Santa
Cruz, Swede was flying an F4F Wildcat fighter off USS Enterprise and had no recourse but to
follow orders he knew to be insane. He and his squadron mates flew their predictably empty
search legs and beyond, only to discover upon their return to Point Option in the dark, that
Enterprise was nowhere to be found. Incredibly, Swede located the oil slick he had noticed
seeping from Enterprise during a morning combat air patrol and was able to track it back to the
carrier. After their harrowing return, during the Battle of Santa Cruz, the fate of Enterprise, and
by extension Guadalcanal, lay in the hands of that same Swede Vejtasa. He responded by
single-handedly downing an unprecedented two Japanese dive bombers and five torpedo
bombers attacking the carrier. Skipper Jimmy Flatley recognized that in all likelihood, Swede
had saved Enterprise from destruction, and he recommended Swede for the Medal of Honor. A
deftly crafted and simply riveting read from first page to last, "Seven at Santa Cruz" will prove to
be a welcome and valued addition to the growing body of World War II historical biographies
and memoirs for personal, community, and academic library collections.
The Gardening Shelf
Stylish Succulents
Tokiiro
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9780804850957, $16.99, HC, 96pp, www.amazon.com
Colorful and hardy succulents are perfect for creating Japanese-style Bonsai and Ikebana
arrangements. Yoshinobu and Tomomi Kondo, collectively known as TOKIIRO, are garden and
green interior designers, authors, exhibitors, holders of workshops and purveyors of beautiful
gardening containers. Their atelier in Tokyo offers a wealth of ideas for adding succulents to your
living space. In "Stylish Succulents: Japanese Inspired Container Gardens for Small Spaces" they
draw upon their very special expertise and years of experience to create a unique guide showing
just how to make inexpensive projects with a Japanese aesthetic that will appeal to everyone
from interior designers, to small space enthusiasts, to avid gardeners. Beautifully illustrated
throughout, "Stylish Succulents" carefully explains every showcased design by using detailed
step-by-step photos on: How to choose succulents and containers to match your personal space
and mood; How to utilize empty wall spaces to make dramatic hanging planters; How to make a
lovely wreath for the holidays; How to create thoughtful and inexpensive gifts for friends and
family. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Stylish Succulents" is
unreservedly recommended and certain to become an enduringly popular addition to personal,
professional, community, and academic library Gardening instructional reference collections. It
should be noted that "Stylish Succulents" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$16.14).
The World History Shelf
A Concise History of Sunnis and Shi'is
John McHugo
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
www.press.georgetown.edu
9781626165878, $29.95, PB, 352pp, www.amazon.com
The 1,400-year-old schism between Sunnis and Shi'is is currently reflected in the destructive
struggle for hegemony between Saudi Arabia and Iran -- with no apparent end in sight. But how
did this conflict begin, and why is it now the focus of so much attention? Charting the history of
Islam from the death of the Prophet Muhammad to the present day, in "A Concise History of
Sunnis and Shi'is", John McHugo (an Honorary Senior Fellow at the Centre for Syrian Studies at
the University of St. Andrews) describes the conflicts that raged over the succession to the
Prophet, how Sunnism and Shi'ism evolved as different sects during the Abbasid caliphate, and
how the rivalry between the Sunni Ottomans and Shi'i Safavids ensured that the split would
continue into the modern age. In recent decades, this centuries-old divide has acquired a new
toxicity that has resulted in violence across the Arab world and other Muslim countries.
Definitive, insightful, informative, and exceptionally well organized and presented, "A Concise
History of Sunnis and Shi'is" is a thoroughly 'reader friendly' and essential guide to understanding
the genesis, development, and manipulation of the schism that for far too many people has come
to define Islam and the Muslim world. "A Concise History of Sunnis and Shi'is" is an
extraordinary history that is enhanced with the inclusion of twelve pages of Notes, an eight page
Bibliography, a two page listing of Sources and Further Reading, and a fourteen page Index.
While an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to both community and academic
library Islamic Studies collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students,
academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "A Concise
History of Sunnis and Shi'is" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $25.24).
The Graphic Novel Shelf
Delilah Dirk and the Pillars of Hercules
Tony Cliff
First Second
175 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10010
www.firstsecondbooks.com
9781626728042 $17.99 amazon.com
Delilah Dirk and the Pillars of Hercules is the third full-color graphic novel in the Delilah Dirk
series, featuring a swashbuckling 19th-century heroine reminiscent of Indiana Jones! Each
graphic novel in the series tells a standalone saga of high adventure, bravery, and derring-do. In
Delilah Dirk and the Pillars of Hercules, Delilah and her loyal companion Selim have ventured
into central Asia. When Delilah finds an artifact with a possible clue to the legendary third pillar
of Hercules, it kicks off an archaeological race against a ruthless enemy and a team-up with
Delilah's most unlikely ally - Jason Merrick, the man who framed her for espionage! Although
Delilah Dirk and the Pillars of Hercules is crafted especially for young adults age 12-18,
adventure connoisseurs of all ages will thoroughly enjoy its fast-paced action, character-driven
intrigue, and courageous heroine. Delilah Dirk and the Pillars of Hercules is a treasure for public
library, school library, and personal graphic novel collections! Also highly recommended are the
previous graphic novels in the series, "Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant"
(9781596438132, $17.99) and "Delilah Dirk and the King's Schilling" (9781626721555,
$17.99).
Four Sisters: Enid
Malika Ferdjoukh, author
Cati Baur, illustrator
IDW Publishing
2765 Truxton Road, San Diego, CA 92106
www.idwpublishing.com
9781684051960, $19.99, PB, 160pp, www.amazon.com
Enid, age 9, is outgoing, with a great sense of humor; Hortense, age 11, is shy and likes to be
alone; Bettina, age 14, is good-hearted but temperamental; Genevieve, age 16, is passionate
about cooking and boxing. The oldest daughter, Charlie, struggles to care for her sisters in the
wake of the accident that took the lives of their parents This, the first volume of the "Four
Sisters" graphic novel series, is narrated by youngest sister Enid and takes place in autumn. A
free spirit, she enjoys wandering alone and talking to animals and anything she meets. Her best
friend Gulliver is, like her, offbeat and creative. When Enid begins hearing ghost-like screams,
the two friends embark on a scary adventure. These sisters are not perfect and they may not
always get along, but in times of need, they can always count on one another. A blend of coming
of age stories with a supernatural (in the form of ghosts), "Four Sisters: Enid" is a original, deftly
scripted, entertaining, and inherently fascinating read from cover to cover and very highly
recommended for personal and community library Graphic Novel collections. It should be noted
that "Four Sisters: Enid" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.59).
The Audiobook Shelf
My Days: Happy and Otherwise
Marion Ross
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com
9781543613933, $29.99, CD, www.amazon.com
Before she was affectionately known to millions as "Mrs. C.," Marion Ross began her career as a
Paramount starlet who went on to appear in nearly every major TV series of the 1950s and 1960s
-- including Love, American Style, in a failed pilot that was recycled as an episode in that
popular television series. That was when she donned an apron that would cinch her career. Soon
after came the fateful phone call from producer Garry Marshall that made her an "overnight"
success, and changed her life . In this warm and candid memoir, filled with loving recollections
from the award-winning Happy Days team Marion shares what it was like to be a starry-eyed
young girl with dreams in poor, rural Minnesota, and the resilience, sacrifices, and determination
it took to make them come true. She recalls her early years in the business, being in the company
of such luminaries as Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, and Noel Coward, yet always feeling the
Hollywood outsider -- a painful invisibility that mirrored her own childhood. She reveals the
absolute joys of playing a wife and mother on TV, and the struggles of maintaining those roles in
real life. But among Ross's most heart-rending recollections are those of finally finding a
soulmate late in her life -- another secret hope of hers made true well beyond her expectations.
Funny, poignant, and revealing (and featuring Garry Marshall's final illuminating interview) as
well as a touching foreword from her "TV son" Ron Howard, and a conversation with her
real-life son and daughter, Marion Ross's personal story is one of inspiration, persistence, and
gratitude. A flawlessly produced audio book production, "My Days: Happy and Otherwise" is an
extraordinary and certain to be enormously popular addition to community library collections and
should be considered a 'must' for the legions of Happy Days fans. (9 CDs, 11 Hours, 9
Minutes).
The Library CD Shelf
Peaceful Being
Richard Noll
www.richardnoll.com
Singing Heart Productions
$13.99 CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Peaceful Being is an instrumental album that lives up to its title, as a selection of eight soothing,
meditative songs. The first solo album by masterful music artist Richard Noll, Peaceful Being
features alto and tenor recorders, an electronic wind instrument (the EWI 4000s), and electronic
keyboards. Peaceful Being is a choice pick to ease away stress and spark one's imagination,
highly recommended. The tracks are "Calling the Rain", "Grace", "Peaceful Being", "Early
Spring", "Nightfall", "Open Heart", "Inner Journey", and "Invocation".
Encounters of the Beautiful Kind
Rachel LaFond
rachellafond.com
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $10.89 MP3 amazon.com
Encounters of the Beautiful Kind is an original, solo piano album inspired by the feelings of
adjusting to life in a new country. The crescendos reflect the human will to adapt, while
emulating the sublime joy of every moment. Encounters of the Beautiful Kind is a treasure,
highly recommended for connoisseurs of neo-classical and new age music. The tracks are
"Luminous", "Your Beauty Calls Me", "Heart Full Of Memories", "Tears For Catalunya", "You
Will Conquer This Shadow", "Love's Labour's Never Lost", "The Questions Your Heart Asks",
"Don't Cry Calvin", "Unrestrained Joy", "Shout To The Sun", and "A Knight's Journey."
Epilogue: A Tribute to John Duffey
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
www.folkways.si.edu
$16.98 CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Epilogue: A Tribute to John Duffey is an album in honor of musician John Duffey, a.k.a. "The
Father of Modern Bluegrass", whose contributions to the bands The Country Gentlemen and The
Seldom Scene helped evolve the genre from regional Appalachian music to a rich, sophisticated
sound that appealed to fans worldwide. Great musicians of the bluegrass community, including
Sam Bush, John Cowan, Bela Fleck, Bruce Molsky, Tim O'Brien, Don Rigsby, and more come
together in an all-star celebration of Duffey's profound contributions to the genre. Epilogue: A
Tribute to John Duffey is a treasure for bluegrass connoisseurs, and highly recommended for
both personal and public library music collections. The tracks are "Sad and Lonesome Day", "If
That's the Way You Feel", "If I Were a Carpenter", "Lonesome River", "Sunrise", "Going to the
Races", "Some Old Day", "Girl from the North Country", "He Was a Friend of Mine", "Poor
Ellen Smith", "Reason For Being", "Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow", "Chim-Chim-Cher-Ee",
"Cold Wind a Blowin'", "Christmas Time Back Home", and "Bringing Mary Home".
Beyond Our Dreams
Anita Aysola
Privately Published
$TBA www.anitaaysola.com
Beyond Our Dreams is an album by Indian-born, Michigan-raised, Atlanta-based singer and
songwriter Anita Aysola, who has a talent for fusing Hindustani classical and Western classical
and jazz music into her own unique songs that hybridize the best of both worlds. Original and
captivating, Beyond Our Dreams is a treasure for multicultural fusion music collections, highly
recommended! The tracks are "America", "Long Way Home", "Bet On Us", "Beyond Our
Dreams", and "Tourist in Every Town".
Eve
Aine Minogue
www.minogue.com
Little Miller Records
$17.99 CD / digital amazon.com
Eve is a beautiful album of original music written and composed by award-winning singer and
songwriter Aine Minogue, showcasing her extraordinary skill and talent playing the Celtic harp,
accompanied by her stirring vocals and fellow musicians Eugene Friesen on cello and strings;
Jon Evans on bass, keyboards, percussion, guitar, and mandolin; Seamus Egan on Irish whistles;
Billy Novick on clarinet; and Alistair Halliday on harmony vocals. The songs are intended to
reflect the many different interpretations of Eve, the first woman. The result is as wondrous as a
starry sky, and highly recommended for personal and public library music collections.
The Library DVD Shelf
Chen Tai Chi for Beginners
Chenhan Yang
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480, Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
$29.95 www.ymaa.com
Tai chi master Chenhan Yang presents Chen Tai Chi for Beginners, a step-by-step DVD tutorial
to Tai chi chuan, a type of meditation while in motion with a long and storied history, intertwined
with Chinese martial arts. Chen Tai Chi is one of the most popular tai chi styles, practiced by
millions of people worldwide. Chen Tai Chi for Beginners features instructions with
demonstrations visible from the front, the rear, and multiple angles. The whole-body movements
are low-impact, and thoroughly accessible for viewers of all fitness levels. Chen Tai Chi for
Beginners is a choice pick for public library and personal DVD health and fitness collections
alike, highly recommended. 170 min.
Qi Gong for Headaches
Lee Holden
YMAA Publications
PO Box 480, Wolfeboro, NH 03894-0480
$29.95 www.ymaa.com
"Qi Gong for Headaches" (36 min.) is an instructional DVD that shows viewers of all skill and
experience levels how to engage in the ancient physical movement practice of Qi Gong to ease
tension and improve the flow of circulation in the head, neck, and shoulders, the better to prevent
and ease headaches without reaching for a pill bottle. Qi Gong teacher Lee Holden demonstrates
simple movements against a beautiful natural background, in this excellent, user-friendly guide
perfect for enriching one's quality of life. Also highly recommended is Lee Holden's DVD "Qi
Gong for High Blood Pressure" (44 min.) which demonstrates Qi Gong exercises ideal for
promoting relaxation and tranquility, and reducing the stress that contributes to high blood
pressure.
The Agriculture Shelf
Compendium of Rice Diseases and Pests, second edition
Richard D. Cartwright, et al.
APS Press
3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121
www.shopapspress.org
9780890545881, $199.00, PB, 121pp, www.amazon.com
Now in a fully updated and expanded second edition, "The Compendium of Rice Diseases and
Pests" was specifically developed to help agricultural professionals and academics obtain the
latest information on the management of diseases, insect pests, and abiotic disorders of the vitally
important crop to American agriculture -- Rice. Published more than 25 years after the first
edition, this new full-color update presents the major shifts in rice cultivation, including the more
extensive use of hybrid rice, herbicide resistance, new biotechnologies and fungicides, the
continued shrinkage of genetic diversity, and more intense cultural management systems.
Profusely illustrated throughout, this newly revised edition is exceptionally well organized and
presented, making it an imperatively important addition to professional, community, corporate,
academic, and governmental library Agriculture/Horticulture instructional reference collections
in general, and rice growing supplemental studies reading lists in particular.
Compendium of Alfalfa Diseases and Pests, third edition
Deborah A. Samac, Landon H. Rhodes, William O. Lamp
APS Press
3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121
www.shopapspress.org
9780890544464, $129.00, PB, 152pp, www.amazon.com
Collaboratively written and co-edited by the team of Deborah A. Samac, Landon H. Rhodes, and
William O. Lamp, this newly updated and expanded third edition of "The Compendium of
Alfalfa Diseases and Pests" is the most comprehensive diagnostic reference guide to date on the
many diseases and insect pests of one of our most important forage crops -- Alfalfa. This
easy-to-use instructional guide and manual includes comprehensive diagnostic and management
information on nearly 50 infectious diseases, non-infectious diseases, insect pests, and abiotic
conditions (like herbicide injury). "The Compendium of Alfalfa Diseases and Pests" is an
essential illustrated reference for researchers and practitioners worldwide. Extension scientists,
consultants, field staff, growers, plant pathologists, entomologists, as well as technical staff
members in laboratories, diagnostic clinics, and regulatory agencies will find "The Compendium
of Alfalfa Diseases and Pests" reliably helpful, especially for identifying and managing alfalfa
pests and disorders. While unreservedly recommended for professional, community, academic,
and governmental Agricultural & Horticultural instructional reference collections, it should be
note for personal reading lists that "Compendium of Alfalfa Diseases and Pests" is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $116.10).
The Computer Shelf
Practical SQL
Anthony DeBarros
No Starch Press
245 - 8th Street, San Francisco, CO 94103-3910
www.nostarch.com
9781593278274, $39.95, PB, 392pp, www.amazon.com
SQL (Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and
designed for managing data held in a relational database management system, or for stream
processing in a relational data stream management system. "Practical SQL: A Beginner's Guide
to Storytelling with Data" covers the fundamentals of databases and the SQL language, then
build skills by analyzing data from the U.S. Census and other federal and state government
agencies. With exercises and real-world examples in each chapter, "Practical SQL" will prove to
be an invaluable instruction guide for those who have never programmed before by providing
them with all the tools necessary to build powerful databases and access information quickly and
efficiently including: Creating databases and related tables using their own data; Defining the
right data types for their information; Aggregating, sorting, and filtering data to find patterns;
Using basic math and advanced statistical functions; Identifying errors in data and clean them up;
Importing and exporting data using delimited text files; Writing queries for geographic
information systems (GIS); Creating advanced queries and automate tasks. Comprehensive and
thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Practical SQL" is an extraordinary
and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library
Computer Science collections in general, and SQL supplemental studies reading lists in
particular. It should be noted for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in
the subject that "Practical SQL" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $23.99).
The Woodworking Shelf
Finishing Techniques for Wood Crafters
Lora S. Irish
Fox Chapel Publishing Company
1970 Broad Street N., East Petersburg, PA 17520
www.FoxChapelPublishing.com
9781565239296, $17.99, PB, 152pp, www.amazon.com
Lora S. Irish is an internationally known artist and a frequent contributor to Woodcarving
Illustrated and Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts magazines. In "Finishing Techniques for
Wood Crafters: Essential Methods with Acrylics, Oils, and More" she draws upon her years of
experience and expertise to show wood workers how to create flawless finishes for their wood
working projects each and every time using a wide array of beautiful acrylic paint techniques and
oil staining/antiquing methods. "Finishing Techniques for Wood Crafters" presents all the basics
of painting and staining any woodcarving, pyrography, or gourd project. In addition to Lori's
expert advice on tools and supplies, she also explains beautiful techniques for bringing out the
texture and character of wood, with easy-to-follow instructions and workshop photographs that
illustrate every step. Sample projects throughout the book demonstrate specific techniques
including the application of a vintage finish to a chip carved fish; creating realistic skin tones on
a wood spirit cane topper; enhancing a Celtic knot dragon with an interesting stone effect; and
more. Once wood workers master these artistic techniques they can go on to mix and match them
to add pop to any wood working project. "Finishing Techniques for Wood Crafters" will prove to
be an especially popular addition to personal, professional, community, and technical college
woodworking instructional reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
The Architecture Shelf
Hanok: The Korean House
Nani Park, author
Robert J. Fouser, author
Jongkeun Lee, photographer
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436
www.tuttlepublishing.com
9780804850469, $15.99, HC, 176pp, www.amazon.com
Profusely illustrated throughout and featuring the informative commentary by Korean culture
experts Nani Park and Robert J. Fouser, "Hanok: The Korean House" provides new insights on
the stylish traditional Korean homes that are experiencing a resurgence of popularity in Seoul
today. While the exteriors of these houses are indistinguishable from traditional hanok built
decades ago, the insides have entirely changed and adapted with the times. Korea is a nation that
has radically transformed itself in recent decades, yet amidst the glass-and-steel skyscrapers and
luxury apartments, the Korean design of the hanok still survives and plays a surprisingly
important role. "Hanok: The Korean House" showcases 12 very special hanok that have been
selected to reflect the Korea of today and is a very special and impressively informed and
informative contribution to personal, professional, community, and academic library
Contemporary Architecture collections and supplemental studies lists. It should be noted for the
personal reading lists of architecture students, academia, working architects, and non-specialists
general readers with an interest in the subject that "Hanok: The Korean House" is also available
in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.19).
The Judicial Studies Shelf
Demystifying the Big House
Katherine A. Foss, editor
Southern Illinois University Press
1915 University Press Drive
SIUC Mail Code 6806, Carbondale, IL 62901
www.siupress.com
9780809336579, $38.00, PB, 366pp, www.amazon.com
Compiled and edited by Katherine A. Foss (Associate Professor in the School of Journalism at
Middle Tennessee State University), the essays comprising "Demystifying the Big House:
Exploring Prison Experience and Media Representations" illustrate how shows such as 'Orange Is
the New Black' and 'Oz' impact the public's perception of crime rates, the criminal justice system,
and imprisonment. The contributors look at prison wives on reality television series, portrayals of
death row, breastfeeding while in prison, transgender prisoners, and black masculinity. They also
examine the ways in which media messages ignore an individual's struggle against an all too
frequently biased system and instead dehumanize the incarcerated as violent and overwhelmingly
masculine. Together these essays argue media reform is necessary for penal reform, proposing
that more accurate media representations of prison life could improve public support for
programs dealing with poverty, abuse, and drug addiction -- factors that increase the likelihood of
criminal activity and incarceration. An exception body of simply outstanding scholarship and
contemporary relevance, "Demystifying the Big House" is unreservedly recommended for college
and university library Cultural Studies, Feminist Studies, Queer Studies, African American
Studies, Media Studies, Penal Studies, Contemporary Sociology, and Penal Psychology
collections and supplemental reading lists for students, academia, and non-specialist general
readers with an interest in any of these subject areas.
Understanding the Age of Transitional Justice
Nanci Adler, editor
Rutgers University Press
http://rutgerspress.rutgers.edu
9780813597775, $99.95, HC, 258pp, www.amazon.com
Since the 1980s, an array of legal and non-legal practices (often referred to as Transitional
Justice) has been developed to support post-repressive, post-authoritarian, and post-conflict
societies in dealing with their traumatic past. Compiled and edited by Nanci Adler (Professor of
Memory, History, and Transitional Justice at the University of Amsterdam and Program Director
of Genocide Studies at the NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies, Royal
Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences), the contributors to "Understanding the Age of
Transitional Justice: Crimes, Courts, Commissions, and Chronicling", deftly analyze the
processes, products, and efficacy of a number of transitional justice mechanisms and look at how
genocide, mass political violence, and historical injustices are being institutionally addressed.
They invite readers to speculate on what the transcripts produced by these institutions tell us
about the past and the present, calling attention to the influence of implicit history conveyed in
the narratives that have gained an audience through international criminal tribunals, trials, and
truth commissions. Professor Adler has gathered leading specialists to scrutinize the responses to
and effects of violent pasts that provide new perspectives for understanding and applying
transitional justice mechanisms in an effort to stop the recycling of old repressions into new ones.
With an extraordinary and impressively informative body of seminal scholarship by experts in
the subject of transitional justice that is unreservedly recommended for both community and
academic library collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of students,
academia, social activists, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that
"Understanding the Age of Transitional Justice" is also available in a paperback edition
(9780813597768, $34.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $34.95).
The Music Shelf
Bluegrass, Newgrass, Old-Time, and Americana Music
Craig Harris
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
www.pelicanpub.com
9781455624010, $24.95, PB, 400pp, www.amazon.com
Craig Harris is the author of several books on roots music, American Indian music, and the Band.
He has performed with Melanie, Rod MacDonald, Jonathan Edwards, Rick Danko, and the Gaea
Star Band, with whom he co-hosts a weekly radio show. Harris taught music in public and
charter schools before launching his award-winning Drum Away the Blues program. In the pages
of "Bluegrass, Newgrass, Old-Time, and Americana Music", and based on exclusive interviews
with over 120 groundbreaking musicians, Harris has crafted what feels like the first truly
comprehensive history of bluegrass. His research and never-before-seen photos make his study a
new authority on the music genre's strongest influencers. Arranged chronologically from Bill
Monroe in 1927 to the Earls of Leicester today, highlights also include entertaining facts and
anecdotes about Flatt & Scruggs, Del McCoury, Doc Watson, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and
more. With "Bluegrass, Newgrass, Old-Time, and Americana Music", non-specialist general
readers and mountain-music buffs alike will come away with a rich understanding of the roots
and evolution of this uniquely American sound. While an especially and unreservedly
recommended for both community and academic library American Music History collections, it
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Bluegrass, Newgrass, Old-Time, and Americana
Music" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.95).
Fare Thee Well
Joel Selvin, author
Pamela Turley, contributor
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780306903052, $27.00, HC, 288pp, www.amazon.com
The Grateful Dead rose to greatness under the inspired leadership of guitarist Jerry Garcia, but
the band very nearly died along with him. When Garcia passed away suddenly in August of 1995,
the remaining band members experienced full crises of confidence and identity. So long defined
by Garcia's vision for the group, the surviving "Core Four," as they came to be called, were
reduced to conflicting agendas, strained relationships, and catastrophic business decisions that
would leave the iconic band in utter disarray. Wrestling with how best to define their living
legacy, the band made many attempts at restructuring, but it would take twenty years before
relationships were mended enough for the Grateful Dead as fans remembered them to once again
take the stage. Music journalist Joel Selvin was there for much of the turmoil following Garcia's
death, and in "Fare Thee Well: The Final Chapter of the Grateful Dead's Long, Strange Trip" he
offers a behind-the-scenes account of the ebbs and flows that occurred during the ensuing two
decades. The final chapter of the band's history has never before been explored in such detail.
Culminating in the landmark tour bearing the same name, "Fare Thee Well" charts the arduous
journey from Garcia's passing all the way up to the uneasy agreement between the Core Four that
led to the series of shows celebrating the band's fiftieth anniversary and finally allowing for a
proper, and joyous, sendoff of the group revered by so many. An absolute 'must read' for the
legions of dedicated Grateful Dead fans, "Fare Thee Well" will prove to be a popular and
appreciated addition to both community and academic library Contemporary American Music
History collections in general, and Grateful Dead supplemental studies lists in particular. It
should be noted for personal reading lists that "Fare Thee Well" is also available in a digital book
format (Kindle, $17.99).
The Language Studies Shelf
Ireland as Gaeilge
Olga Balaeva
Orpen Press
c/o Dufour Editions, Inc.
PO Box 7, 124 Byers Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425-0007
www.dufoureditions.com
9781786050410, $24.00, PB, 150pp, www.amazon.com
Exceptionally well organized and presented, "Ireland as Gaeilge: A User-Friendly Guide to the
Irish Language" is an effective, efficient, and 'real world practical way for tourists, businessmen,
and general travelers to Ireland can negotiate the non-English elements of the Irish language in
terms of signage and conversation. "Ireland as Gaeilge" is specifically intended to promote the
Irish Language outside Ireland in a popular and engaging way, to get more people interested in
and aware of this important aspect of Irish culture often overlooked by the tourism industry.
Impressively informative and a pleasure to simply browse through, "Ireland as Gaelige" is an
especially and unreservedly recommended addition to both community and academic library
Language Studies collections. It should be noted for anyone anticipating traveling to Ireland that
"Ireland as Gaelige" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).
Three Abecedaria
Jeremiah Reedy, author
Mary Ann Reedy, illustrator
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers
1570 Baskin Road, Mundelein, IL 60060
9780865168565, $12.00, PB, 122pp, www.bolchazy.com
"Three Abecedaria: An Alphabetical Approach to Vocabulary" by academician Jeremiah Reedy
aims to equip readers to become logophiles (lovers of words) by introducing them to the world of
etymology. Reedy shares his own "logophilia" with readers as he leads them meandering through
the world of words. Most abecedaria are for small children -- "A is for apple; B is for ball; C is
for cat," etc. "Three Abecedaria" are for high school students (especially juniors and seniors) who
may want to increase their vocabularies -- "A is for Apocalypticism; B is for Benediction; C is
for Cogito ergo sum," etc. The abecedaria are organized by language: Words Derived from
Greek, Words Derived from Latin, and Words Derived from Latin Phrases. Each featured
abecedarium highlights English words derived from Latin or Greek, provides etymological
explanations, and explores related English derivatives from the same roots. "Three Abecedaria"
is a unique and very special contribution that is unreservedly recommended for personal,
highschool, community, and college library Latin Language collections and supplemental studies
reading lists.
The Psychology Shelf
Feminist Therapy, second edition
Laura S. Brown
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242
www.apa.org/books
9781433829116, $34.95, PB, 188pp, www.amazon.com
Laura S. Brown received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology in 1977 from Southern
Illinois University at Carbondale and has been in practice as a clinician and forensic psychologist
in Seattle since 1979. In this newly updated and revised second edition of "Feminist Therapy" she
reviews the history, theory, empirical basis, and practice of feminist therapy, a groundbreaking
approach that not only listens to, but privileges, the voices and experiences of those who have
been defined as "other" by dominant cultures. Feminist therapy has evolved significantly from its
early days. Originally it functioned primarily as a corrective against the sexist approaches of the
era, whereas now it has become a sophisticated, postmodern, technically integrative model of
practice that uses the analysis of gender, social location, and power as a primary strategy for
comprehending human difficulties. Feminist therapy is no longer just for women -- it has grown
to encompass work with women, men, children, families, and larger systems. New to this edition
is an updated discussion of the sociopolitical environment for women and other marginalized
groups, updated research, and more inclusive terminology and discussion of transgender and
nonbinary individuals. A part of the American Psychological Association's 'Theories of
Psychotherapy' series, "Feminist Therapy" is an especially and unreservedly recommended
addition to professional, community, and academic library Psychology & Counseling collections
and supplemental studies reading lists.
The Civil War Shelf
The 96th Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Civil War
David A. Ward
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611, Jefferson NC 28640
https://mcfarlandbooks.com
9781476668512, $39.95, PB, 343pp, www.amazon.com
The 96th Pennsylvania Volunteers infantry regiment was formed in 1861 with its ranks filled by
nearly 1,200 Irish and German immigrants from Schuylkill County responding to Lincoln's call
for troops. The men saw action for three years with the Army of the Potomac's VI Corps,
participating in engagements at Gaines' Mill, Crampton's Gap, Salem Church and Spotsylvania.
Drawing on letters, diaries, memoirs and other accounts, "The 96th Pennsylvania Volunteers in
the Civil War" by David A. Ward (founder of the Connecticut Civil War Round Table) is a
comprehensive history that definitively documents their combat service from the point of view of
the rank-and-file soldier, along with their views on the war, slavery, emancipation and politics. A
unique and impressively informative contribution to the growing library of American Civil War
histories, "Connecticut Civil War Round Table" is unreservedly recommended for personal,
community, and academic library collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of
students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The
96th Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Civil War" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle,
$19.99).
The Jobs/Careers Shelf
Careers for the Criminal Justice Major
Tomas C. Mijares
Charles C. Thomas, Publisher
2600 South First Street, Springfield, IL 62704
http://www.ccthomas.com
9780398092108, $29.95, PB, 148pp, www.amazon.com
"Careers for the Criminal Justice Major " by Tomas C. Jijares specifically and comprehensively
addresses the proper preparation for careers in criminal justice. Due to rapid and continuous
changes in technology and overall society, students entering the field of criminal justice
employment will be expected to adjust to changes in their line of work. "Careers for the Criminal
Justice Major" describes the realistic descriptions of the various entry-level positions that are
offered, and practical information is provided to maximize efficiency in the selection of
academic courses that will improve a student's likelihood of success during the application
process. The major topics covered include: A Short History of Criminal Justice as an Academic
Study; The Nature of Professions; Electives that Will Help; The Importance of an Internship;
Disqualifiers and What to Avoid During College Years; Stereotypes and Misperceptions in
Criminal Justice Employment; Careers in Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Private Security;
Graduate School and Law School; Realistic Alternatives; Networking, Looking for Employment
Leads, and References; Preparing for Testing and the Interview; Preparing for Transfers to
Specialized Units and Promotions; and the Roles of Nontraditional Students, Minorities, and
Women in Criminal Justice. The names of state law enforcement training councils, federal law
enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies, state regulatory agencies, federal regulatory
agencies, and criminal justice professional associations are contained in the Appendices to assist
students and faculty members. A valuable resource is especially designed to assist college
students majoring in criminal justice, police academics, and law enforcement professionals,
"Careers for the Criminal Justice Major" is a unique, extraordinary, practical, informative
instructional reference and guide that is unreservedly recommended for community, college, and
university library Jobs/Careers collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of
students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "Careers for the
Criminal Justice Major" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $29.95).
The LGBT Studies Shelf
Trans Like Me
C. N. Lester
Seal Press
c/o Hachette Book Group
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104
9781580057851, $16.99, PB, 240pp, www.amazon.com
In "Trans Like Me: Conversations for All of Us", C. N. Lester (LGBT activist, musician, writer,
and co-founder of the first national queer youth organization in the UK, ) takes the reader on a
measured, thoughtful, intelligent yet approachable tour through the most important and
high-profile narratives around the trans community, turning them inside out and examining
where we really are in terms of progress. From the impact of the media's wording in covering
trans people and issues, to the way parenting gender variant children is portrayed, Lester brings
their charged personal narrative to every topic and expertly lays out the work left to be done.
"Trans Like Me" deftly explores the ways that we are all defined by ideas of gender (whether we
live as he, she, or they) and how we can strive for authenticity in a world that forces limiting
labels. A timely, informative, and valued contribution to the national dialogue about the gay
community in general, and Trans in particular, "Trans Like Me" is unreservedly recommended
for both community and academic library LGBT collections. It should be noted for personal
reading lists that "Trans Like Me" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and
as a complete and unabridged audio book (Tantor Audio, 9781977366894, $24.99, CD).
The Holocaust Studies Shelf
How Hitler Was Made
Cory Taylor
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
www.prometheusbooks.com
9781633884359, $25.00, HC, 295pp, www.amazon.com
"How Hitler Was Made: Germany and the Rise of the Perfect Nazi" by documentary maker Cory
Taylor is the detailed story of how an obscure agitator on the political fringes of
early-20th-century Germany rose to become the supreme leader of the "Third Reich". The
focuses is on Hitler's formative period immediately following the conclusion of World War I
which would launch an unintended era of political unrest and violent conflict, when forces on
both the left and right were engaged in a desperate power struggle. Among the competing groups
was a highly sophisticated network of ethnic chauvinists that discovered Hitler and groomed him
into the leader he became. Based on archival research in Germany, England, and the US, "How
Hitler Was Made" is striking narrative revealing how the manipulation of facts and the use of
propaganda helped an obscure, embittered malcontent to gain political legitimacy, which led to
dictatorial power over a nation. While very highly recommended for both community and
academic library collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "How Hitler Was
Made" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).
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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