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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
The Complete Guide to Preventing Foreclosure on Your Home
Martha Maeda & Maurcia DeLean Houck
Atlantic Publishing Group
1405 SW 6th Ave. Ocala, FL 34471-0640
9781601382306, $24.95, www.atlantic-pub.com
Foreclosure is something many people live in constant fear of. "The Complete Guide to Preventing Foreclosure on Your Home: Legal Secrets to Beat Foreclosure and Protect Your Home Now" is a guide for these unfortunate individuals who want to fight the banks and do the best they can to not lose their home. Martha Maeda & Maurcia DeLean Houck provide much insight in how readers can use the law to stave off foreclosure and buy themselves as much time as possible. "The Complete Guide to Preventing Foreclosure on your Home" is a choice pick that everyone with foreclosure looming ahead should have on hand.
The Library Science Shelf
Developing an Outstanding Core Collection, second edition
Carol Alabaster
American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
9780838910405, $60.00, www.alastore.ala.org
There are some things that all libraries should have. "Developing an Outstanding Core
Collection" is a guide for defining what are the must haves for your library and defining what is
significant enough to warrant it. In an updated second edition, Carol Alabaster gives librarians
tips and advice on what they need to know to decide what has to be bought now and what can
wait for a later time. With chapters on defining what is core, updating what needs to be
considered core, and enhanced with plenty of references and citations, "Developing an
Outstanding Core Collection" is a reference every librarian should have on hand.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
Navigating The Rough Waters Of Today's Publishing World
Marcia Meier
Quill Driver Books
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
www.quilldriverbooks.com
9781884995583, $14.95, www.amazon.com
Marcia Meier draws upon her many years of experience and expertise as a journalist, published
author, skilled poet, educator, and former director of the Santa Barbara Writers Conference in
"Navigating the Rough Waters of Today's Publishing World: Critical Advice for Writers from
Industry Insiders", a 130-page compendium of practical, 'real-world' advice, insight, commentary,
and instruction for writers seeking publication in today's increasingly volatile, rapidly evolving,
and fiercely competitive publishing industry. Drawing upon her contacts in the publishing world,
aspiring authors will benefit from the observations of 'The Writer' magazine publisher Elfrieda
Abbe, literary agents Paul Fedorko and Jeff Herman, 'RedRoom.com founder Ivory Madison, and
self-publishing icon Dan Poynter. Of special note are the chapters devoted to the issues of
self-publishing, freelancing writing, websites and blogging, and the new social media tools of
Facebook, MySpace, and Tweeting. Enhanced with a glossary, bibliographies on the craft of
writing, book marketing, a resource listing of writer conferences and retreats, as well as web sites
of specific value for writers, "Navigating the Rough Waters of Today's Publishing World:
Critical Advice for Writers from Industry Insiders" should be considered mandatory reading for
anyone and all aspiring authors seeking to become successful professionals.
POD for Profit
Aaron Shepard
Shepard Publications
PO Box 280, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
9780938497462, $16.00, www.newselfpublishing.com
The advent of desktop computer word processing software meant that anyone who could type
could create a manuscript for whatever their version of 'The Great American Novel' or
non-fiction block buster might be. Next came converting that manuscript into a published book --
long the nearly exclusive province of traditional publishers, technological progress in the form of
'publish on demand' or 'POD' publishers came into existence to meet the demand of
self-publishing authors who lacked the expertise to accomplish this task but who could simply
write a check to someone who could. The trick was how to make a financial profit on that capital
investment. "POD for Profit" is clearly written and very nicely organized instructional guide from
Aaron Shepard wherein he uses his own experience and expertise in the field to help others learn
how to print and publish their own material through print on demand organizations, and not only
get their material out there, but prove it to be a profitable move. "POD for Profit" is a choice and
very highly recommended read for anyone considering printing on demand as their publishing
option.
The Library DVD Shelf
Imagine This
PBS
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
www.ssapr.com www.ImagineThisTheMusical.com
9781608832170 $18.98 CD
9781608832163 $24.99 DVD
The profound new musical "Imagine This" (115 min.) is now available on DVD, and its
soundtrack is available on CD. Set in the Warsaw Ghetto of Poland in the bleak year 1942,
"Imagine This" follows a group of actors who seek to keep the dream of resistance and hope alive
by performing the epic tale of "Masada", an ancient Judean mountain where a small band of
rebels dared to hold back 10,000 Roman soldiers. The DVD of "Imagine This" records a
memorable live performance from London's West End; special features include bonus songs
"Salome's Lament" and "No More", printable educational materials, and a 35-minute panel
discussion including cast members, the show's director, and Holocaust scholar Thane
Rosenbaum. The CD of "Imagine This" contains virtually the entire soundtrack, vividly
performed. Both are excellently performed, and deserve inclusion in the libraries of anyone who
enjoys the power of a profound and serious musical. Also highly recommended from PBS are the
documentaries "My Lai" (9781608832101, $24.99, 90 min.) and "Art & Copy" (9781608832255,
$24.99).
PBS
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
www.ssapr.com
Two new episodes of the award-winning science documentary "NOVA", originally broadcast on
public television, are now available on DVD. "The Pluto Files" (9781608832040, $24.99, 56
min.) is based on Neil deGrasse Tyson's book of the same name, and features a commentary from
Tyson himself. "The Pluto Files" explains the controversy about Pluto, and why the American
Museum of Natural History's Hayden Planetarium ceased to call Pluto a planet. Yet the concept
of Pluto as a planet has captured so many hearts and minds - why is Pluto so cherished in the
public's imagination? Could more Pluto-like celestial bodies exist within the Kuiper belt?
"Extreme Cave Diving" (9781608832019, $24.99, 56 min.) features Dr. Kenny Broad as a guide
to underwater caves that formed during the last ice age. With the aid of climatologists,
paleontologists, and anthropologists, Broad guides the viewer in an extraordinary tour of some of
the most remote, mysterious, and little-explored places left upon the earth. Both DVDs are
superb additions to any school or public library collections, and enthusiastically recommended
for their fascinating presentation as well as for their educational value.
Crystal Productions
PO Box 2159, Glenview, IL 60025-6159
www.crystalproductions.com 1-800-255-8629
Handcrafts expert Peggy Flores presents two more instructional DVD titles designed to teach
viewers of all skill and experience levels how to make beautiful objects. "Creating Fiber
Weavings and Baskets" (9781562906528, $29.95) reveals how to make yarn weavings with
nothing more elaborate than a cardboard or coat hanger loom. Step-by-step demonstrations of the
basic weaving process, as well as how coiling rope wrapped with yarn can shape practical
baskets, make "Creating Fiber Weavings and Baskets" amazingly easy to follow, given the
elaborate, colorful, and practical finished products. "Wire Sculpture" (9781562906542, $29.95)
instructs viewers in the elements of line, space, and shape as well as the use of tools to cut and
bend wire, when creating three-dimensional wire art. Demonstrations and examples abound in
this amazing guideline to superlatively blending one's skill and creativity. Both DVDs are
excellent additions to any art classroom's library, and choice picks for budding artists seeking to
experiment in a variety of media.
Tapped
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547
1594589399 $295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com
An award-winning documentary on DVD from the producers of "Who Killed the Electric Car?",
Tapped explores the dark side of the bottled water industry. Human beings need clean drinking
water to live. It is legal in some states for gigantic bottled water companies to suck public tap
water sources dry (even when shortages force residents to ration water) then repackage and resell
it at a gigantic markup - with infinitely less regulatory oversight than there is for tap water (and
bottled water sold in the same state as it is pumped is virtually unregulated) - but is it ethical? Is
the plastic used to create the water bottles truly safe for humans to put in their mouths? Perhaps
worst of all is America's catastrophic overall failure to recycle plastic water bottles, resulting in
an avalanche of non-biodegradable waste being pitched into landfills, or even straight into the
ocean, where plastic bottles form a large part of a floating ocean garbage mound hundreds of
square miles large. The bottle deposit laws of some states have been a proven, highly effective
method to promote recycling - but because it incurs a minor expense the enormously profitable
bottled water industry (an expense otherwise borne by everyone who has to cope with improperly
disposed plastic bottle), corporations fight such legislative measures tooth and nail. Corporate
control over public water supply, and corporate refusal to help shoulder the burden of recycling
the mounds of plastic trash that are the byproducts of its profit, can only be combated by political
activism - ordinary citizens getting involved and laying claim to their water rights, as well as
their rights to a clean environment. A must-see, highly recommended documentary guaranteed to
make viewers think twice before paying through the nose for what is essentially bottled (and
smartly advertised) tap water. 75 and 54 minute versions of Tapped are available on the same
DVD. Two more highly recommended documentaries from Bullfrog Films are Megamall
(159458916X, $295.00) and Dirt! The Movie (1594589402, $295.00).
Liberty Fund, Inc.
8335 Allison Pointe Trail, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46250-1684
www.libertyfund.org 1-800-955-8335
Liberty Fund presents two excellent DVD additions to their "Intellectual Potrait Series". "A
Conversation with Forrest McDonald" (9780865978225, $22.00) presents the candid words of an
expert historian known for his writings on the American founding period, including "We The
People: The Economic Origins of the Constitution", which challenged the long-held theory
proposed by Charles A. Beard. Forrest McDonald speaks on his perception of the American
republic, the role of the Presidency, the current state of the Bill of Rights, how economics,
politics and history continue to interleave with one another today, and much more. "A
Conversation with Steve Pejovich" (9780865978218, $22.00) presents the expert and widely
published economics professor, author of numerous books including "Economics Performance:
The Case for Common Law". Pejovich talks about his life, shaped in the beginning by struggling
to survive under the Nazis, and then the Communists, and how moving to and living in the
United States transformed how he saw the world. The values of "life, liberty, and happiness", and
the interplay of economic freedom, cultural vibrancy, and quality of life, are all topics of
discussion in this superb profile. Both are insightful, scholarly, and worthy additions to public
and college library DVD collections.
Touching Evil: The Complete Collection
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598284393 $79.99 www.acornmedia.com
Touching Evil: The Complete Collection gathers the award-winning British drama following the
Organized and Serial Crime unit. As Detective Inspector Dave Creegan recuperates from a
gunshot wound to the head, his personal life is in tatters, but he retains genius-level insight into
the workings of the criminal mind. He becomes a crucial member of a highly skilled team of
detectives that dedicate themselves to tracking and stopping the deadliest serial killers,
psychopaths, and pedophiles of Britain. The Organized and Serial Crime unit relies on advanced
police techniques, while Creegan prefers to fall back upon his instincts; together they will need
every tool at their disposal to fight worst depredations of monsters in human flesh. Featuring a
top-quality cast and gripping writing, Touching Evil is strongly recommended for fans of crime
drama. It should be noted that Touching Evil contains violence, nudity, and disturbing images;
this is not a DVD collection for the faint of heart. 8 episodes on 5 discs, 13 hours, 4:3 full screen,
SDH subtitles.
The Real Story: Escape from Alcatraz
Smithsonian Networks
Infinity Entertainment Group
c/o Greenleaf & Associates (publicity)
vicki@greenleafandassociates.com
$12.98 smithsonianchannel.com
The Real Story: Escape from Alcatraz is a documentary originally shown on the Smithsonian
Channel, about the daring escape of three convicted bank robbers from the infamous Alcatraz
prison on June 11, 1962. When they were discovered to be missing, a massive attempt was
launched to track them down, to no avail. Did they find freedom? Or did they lose their lives in
an ultimately doomed attempt to flee their isolated prison? The Real Story: Escape from Alcatraz
lives up to its title through interviews with people ranging from Darwin Coon, the inmate who
assisted the escapees, to the wardens who realized they were missing, to the FBI agents assigned
to track them down. Exciting and dramatic, The Real Story: Escape from Alcatraz is a worthy
addition to public library DVD shelves. PG, 47 min. Also highly recommended from
Smithsonian Networks is the DVD "Soul of a People: Writing America's Story" ($19.98, PG, 92
min.)
You Really Got Me: The Story of The Kinks
MVD Entertainment Group
PO Box 280, Oaks, PA 19456
$18.95 www.MVDvisual.com 1-800-888-0486
You Really Got Me: The Story of The Kinks is a rousing DVD collection of footage from The
Kinks, one of few British bands that has been commercially successful in America. Covering the
band's career from the sixties to the nineties, You Really Got Me includes highlights from the
band's greatest moments on stage; their most beloved songs; and comments from band members
including Ray Davies, Dave Davies, and Mick Avory. "You Really Got Me" deserves the highest
recommendation to fellow music lovers from all walks of life. 87 minutes, colour and black &
white.
World Class HiRail Layouts Part One
TM Books & Video
PO Box 279, New Buffalo, MI 49117
9781932291940 $19.95 www.tmbv.com 1-800-892-2822
World Class HiRail Layouts Part One is a DVD tour of the latest trend in O gauge layout
building, focusing on three of the finest model railroads currently available to be seen. First is the
largest model train exhibit in America, the New Jersey Hi-Railers' 185 X 45-foot layout
operating 38 trains against museum quality scenery. Then it's off to the Train Masters of
Babylon, including 3,000 square-feet of mainlines, subways, sidings and ten-foot trestle bridge
painstakingly made to perfectly mimic an engineering landmark. Finally the viewer sees the
Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers' layout, which spans 28 square miles of track and showcases
engines with diesel and steam power. This extraordinary tour of model railroads lovingly crafted
with impeccable detail is sure to provide devoted hobbyists with catalysts of inspiration. World
Class HiRail Layouts Part One lives up to its title as a thoroughly enjoyable treasury, highly
recommended for model railroad enthusiasts. 60 minutes.
Do It Yourself Natural FaceLift With Debbie Dawson
Debbie Dawson
411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$19.95 www.411videoinfo.com www.Doityourselfnaturalfacelift.com
Certified personal fitness trainer Debbie Dawson presents Do It Yourself Natural FaceLift With
Debbie Dawson, a simple guide to improving the appearance of one's face and neck without
resorting to expensive (and hazardous!) plastic surgery. The muscles of the face and neck can be
exercised like any other part of the body, becoming firmer and more toned, promoting blood flow
and collagen production. Do It Yourself Natural FaceLift is not only for those who wish to avoid
a facelift, but also for those who have had one before and are struggling with ill effects, as well
as those who are coping with Bell's Palsy. An easy-to-use instructional, with benefits that can
quickly be felt in return for practicing its exercises for as little as twenty minutes a day - no
injections, fillers, weights, glovers, or other gimmicks involved!
Raffles
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598283891 $59.99 www.acornmedia.com
Raffles: The Complete Collection is the four-disc DVD set collecting the entire television
adaptation of the roguish adventures of Raffles (a character originally created by E.W. Hornung,
brother-in-law of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle). By day, A.J. Raffles (played by Anthony Valentine)
is a championship cricketer and gentleman of leisure; but when he isn't in the public eye, he
pursues is other passion - surreptitiously plundering the fortunes of the wealthy! In addition to his
extraordinary expertise with accents and disguises, Raffles also has the assistance of his easily
perplexed friend "Bunny" Manders (played by Christopher Strauli). Their weaving through
oft-deadly predicaments between a rock, a hard place, and the persistently hostile efforts of
Inspector Mackenzie (played by Victor Carin) makes for a grand adventure. Raffles consists of
fourteen episodes, including the never-before-released pilot episode, as well as a biography of
author E.W. Hornung and production notes. An absolute treat for anyone who loves British
drama! 4 DVDs, 726 min., 4:3 full screen, color. Also highly recommended for fans of British
drama is the PBS series "Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill" (9781598284140, $49.99, 361 min.)
an award-winning miniseries about the life of an extraordinary American woman and her
contribution to history.
Forever Young
John Humble
411 Video Information
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
$24.95 www.411videoinfo.com www.humblefitness.net
Forever Young is a nutrition, exercise, and general wellness guide for viewers over 50 who seek
to keep themselves in optimal physical condition. John Humble, an expert personal trainer of 35
years' experience, presents a "Fountain of Youth" prescription for healthy living to combat
common ailments among those over 50. Medical advice from guest experts enhance the four-step
program, based around the key of "It is not about you" - that it's important stay healthy not only
for one's own sake, but also for the sake of friends, family, and loved ones. The four keystones to
better health and better living are resistance training (not bodybuilding, but a form of exercise
that can be easily performed with low cost resistance bands), cardio training, good nutrition
(especially lean meat, vegetables, fruits and nuts), and one thing more (the viewer is asked to
take in the beginning of the DVD and the first three elements before learning about and focusing
on the fourth). An excellent guide to staying young in body as well as young at heart, Forever
Young lives up to its title and is a highly recommended addition to DVD wellness libraries. 70
minutes.
Offensive Basketball Moves
Marty Schupak
Youth Sports Club
9 Florence Court, Valley Cottage, New York 10989
9780978945183 $24.95 www.YouthSportsClub.com
Marty Schupak, an expert in Physical Education and a youth sports coach of 21 years' experience,
presents Offensive Basketball Moves, an instructional DVD for basketball players of all ages.
Step-by-step instructions reveal how to teach and practice a wide variety of basketball moves,
including the jab step, shot fakes, power dribble, hesitation move, form shooting, fade away
shooting, pivot moves, shoulder shimmy, and much more. A superb teaching and reference guide
ideal for enhancing skills, whether for coaching a youth league or even self-improvement in
private basketball games one plays for fun, Offensive Basketball Moves deserves the highest
recommendation for its quality presentation and ease of use. 34 minutes.
Schlessinger Media
7 East Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096-0580
www.schlessinger.com www.LibraryVideo.com 1-800-843-3620
Schlessinger's "Holidays for Children" ($29.95 each) DVD series spotlights special days of the
year set aside to remember, honor, and celebrate. These installments, suitable for young people in
grades K-4, are part of an educational 26-volume set ideal for classroom viewing. "Columbus
Day" (9781417109432, 12 min.) reminds viewers of the extraordinary contributions of
Christopher Columbus to European science, knowledge, and prosperity - as well as the
tremendous toll his expeditions took upon the native peoples living within the landmass he
discovered. Offering a balanced viewpoint, including reflections from a descendant of the Taino
(one of the first native people whom Columbus encountered), "Columbus Day" is an invaluable
and educational resource that encourages viewers to think for themselves rather than blindly
accept positive or negative propaganda about this holiday. "Constitution Day" (9781417109449,
12 min.) emphasizes the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship, and even includes a
field trip to the National Constitution Center. "Earth Day" (9781417109456, 12 min.) not only
traces the history of Earth Day since its inception in 1970 as the idea of U.S. Senator Gaylord
Nelson, but also encourages its celebration through recycling, composting, planting trees, and
doing whatever one can do to conserve energy and natural resources. "The 100th Day of School"
(9781417109425, 12 min.) encourages young people to think about the number 100 - from
counting to 100 to pondering how drastically society has changed in the last 100 years, to what
can be accomplished in 100 seconds, to imagining what one might buy with $100. The result is a
bright and cheerful way to commemorate progress through the school year. All four DVDs are
closed captioned and sold with limited public performance rights to be shown to any group in a
school, public library, prison or military base without further written permission.
Roads to Memphis
PBS Home Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1730, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
9781608832118 $24.99 www.shopPBS.org
Part of the "American Experience" PBS DVD series, Roads to Memphis: The Assassination of
Martin Luther King, Jr. is a compelling documentary on DVD from Emmy Award-winning
director Stephen Ives. Portraying the setting, historical events, and societal forces in motion up to
the fateful day when James Earl Ray killed the widely beloved Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Road
to Memphis features testimony from people close to King as well as the officials who took part in
Ray's capture and prosecution, and a guest appearance by Hampton sides, the award-winning
author of a forthcoming book about the assassination ("Hellhound on His Trail: The Stalking of
martin Luther King, Jr. and the International Hunt for His Assassin"). An extraordinarily vivid
saga of true-life bloodshed and its repercussions, Roads to Memphis is powerful, unforgettable,
and a choice pick for public library DVD collections. 90 minutes, widescreen, closed captioned.
Also highly recommended is the award-winning PBS DVD presenting the next chapter of
history, "A Ripple of Hope" (9781608832064, $24.99, 60 min., widescreen, closed captioned)
chronicling the inspirational speech presidential candidate Robert Kennedy's subsequently dared
to deliver to inner city Indianapolis despite the very real threat of violence, for riots and arson
scarred America in the wake of King's murder.
The American History Shelf
The Nauvoo Legion in Illinois
Richard E. Bennett, et al.
The Arthur H. Clark Company
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780870623820 $39.95 www.ahclark.com
The collaborative effort of Richard E. Bennett, Susan Easton Black, and Donald Q. Cannon, The
Nauvoo Legion in Illinois: A History of the Mormon Militia 1841-1846 is a solid study of the
Nauvoo Legion - a city militia assembled by America's Mormon population in response to
experiencing persecution, violence, and forcible expulsion. One of the largest and most feared of
America's militias of the era, The Nauvoo Legion was effectively led by Mormon prophet Joseph
Smith - and its power caused concern among non-Mormons, culminating in the killing of Smith
and his brother. The Nauvoo's charter was revoked, yet it was re-constituted after the Mormon
migration to Utah. A superbly researched and presented account, The Nauvoo Legion in Illinois
draws upon recently discovered archival material to paint an accurate historical picture of the
citizen soldiers who served and the undertakings of their militia. An invaluable contribution to
American and to Mormon history shelves, The Nauvoo Legion in Illinois is the definitive
resource of the origins, undertakings, and perceptions of the Nauvoo Legion and highly
recommended especially for college library shelves.
Uptown Downtown in Old Charleston
Louis D. Rubin, Jr.
University of South Carolina Press
718 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29208
9781570039096 $29.95 www.sc.edu/uscpress 1-800-768-2500
Uptown Downtown in Old Charleston: Sketches and Stories is a collection that draws upon the
author's personal experience in his native Charleston along with a vivid dose of imaginative
insight and storytelling gifts. The result is a wonderfully picturesque narrative anthology that
brings the Charleston of yesteryear to life. A blissfully evocative anthology of short stories,
Uptown Downtown in Old Charleston flows smoothly, and renders its characters with warmth
and heart as they go about their daily lives. Highly recommended.
Hope and History
Vincent Harding
Orbis Books
Price Bldg, Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545
9781570758577, $16.00, www.orbisbooks.com
In the past fifty years America has went from not even allowing black people in certain
restaurants to electing the first black President. "Hope and History: Why We Must Share the
Story of the Movement" tells the story of the civil rights movement of the past half century told
through the eyes of Professor Vincent Harding, a man who has worked much with studying the
movement. A great stride, Harding does well in painting the picture of a rapidly changing world.
"Hope and History: Why We Must Share the Story of the Movement" is a choice addition to any
history of black studies collection.
The Dead End Kids of St. Louis
Bonnie Stepenoff
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65201
9780826218889 $29.95 www.umsystem.edu/upress
Professor of History Bonnie Stepenoff The Dead End Kids of St. Louis: Homeless Boys and the
People Who Tried to Save Them" is a historical study of the "lost" boys and young men who
eked out a living on the streets of St. Louis from the late nineteenth century to the mid twentieth
century. In that era, for a homeless young man, violence was a serious threat - loosely organized
bands of youths were known to wander about the tenement districts and cause trouble.
Sometimes gangs of boys took shelter in the system of caves beneath the city for weeks or
months. A handful of black-and-white photographs enhance this accounting of how difficult it
was to survive and mature under such circumstances - though the majority of these "lost boys"
ultimately grew up to live more or less normal lives, sometimes their childhood experiences left
them with permanent emotional scars. Chapters also cover the efforts of private philanthropy as
well as public policy to aid these boys; some measures were effective, some did little good, and
some were even counterproductive. A fascinating portrayal of a serious social issue in St. Louis'
history, carefully researched and studiously presented, The Dead End Kids of St. Louis is an
excellent addition to college library American History and Social Issues shelves.
Texas and Texans in the Great War
Ralph A. Wooster
State House Press
PO Box 818, Buffalo Gap, TX 79508
9781933337371 $24.95 www.mcwhiney.org/press
Military historian Ralph A. Wooster presents Texas and Texans in the Great War, a scholarly
accounting of the contribution Texans made during World War I. 200,000 Texans served in the
American armed forces, and more than 5,000 Texans in uniform perished during the course of
the war. Texas and Texans in the Great War covers not only the efforts of Texan soldiers, but life
on the Texan home front, the influence Texans had on France (and that France had on Texans),
and the repercussions of victory and peace. A handful of black-and-white photographs and
diagrams illustrate this excellent addition to Texas military history shelves.
The Red Corner
Verlaine Stoner McDonald
Montana Historical Society Press
225 N. Roberts, PO Box 201201, Helena, MT 59620-1201
9780975919675 $16.95 montanahistoricalsociety.org
The Red Corner: The Rise and Fall of Communism in Northeastern Montana is the true story of
how Sheridan County of Montana became a successful, virtually Communist community during
the 1920s and early 1930s. Sheridan County used to have a government run primarily by
Communists, a Communist youth camp, and an official newspaper of the American Communist
Party, the "Producers News". Communist influence declined in the 30's, and in time residents
came to view Sheridan County's Communist days as a mark of shame. Author and professor
Verlaine Stoner McDonald reconstitutes history from newspaper accounts, oral testimonies, FBI
reports, and internal Communist Party files in The Red Corner, creating a thoroughly accessible
encapsulation of the Sheridan County Communist movement's evolution, effects, and legacy. The
result is an excellent addition to college library and Montana history shelves.
The Randolph Women & Their Men
Ruth Doumlele
Book Publishers Network
PO Box 2256, Bothell, WA 98041
Barbara Kindness, Publicist
PO Box 1754, Edmonds, WA 98020
9781935359258 $19.95 www.bookpublishersnetwork.com
Historian Ruth Doumlele presents The Randolph Women & Their Men, an exceptional, expertly
researched portrait of the upper class elite of the post-Revolution American South. Though
particular focus is given to the Randolphs, the elite, influential leaders with whom they interacted
- including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Madison - are also observed here, with
strict attention paid to historical records. The Randolph Women & Their Men offers a uniquely
up-close and personal glimpse into the daily lives of America's wealthy aristocracy of the past -
including their scandals of incest, betrayal, and love that was not returned. Organized
chronologically by year and broken into brief segments that peer into events surrounding the cast
of real-life Americans, The Randolph Women & Their Men is further supplemented by end
notes, a bibliography, and an index for ease of use. An enjoyable read for pleasure as well as for
study into how America's upper crust used to live their daily lives, The Randolph Women &
Their Men is highly recommended.
With Musket & Tomahawk
Michael O. Logusz
Casemate Publishers
908 Darby Road, Havertown, PA19083
9781935149002 $32.95 www.casematepublishing.com
With Musket & Tomahawk: The Saratoga Campaign and the Wilderness War of 1777 is an
in-depth, military analysis of a crucial turning point in the American Revolutionary War. In 1777
British leaders devised a three-pronged assault intended to separate New England from the rest of
the fledgling, would-be nation of America, along the divider of the Hudson River. The results
would have been devastating had England's forces succeeded; yet the offensive campaign med
severe resistance from rifleman who knew the wild, heavily wooded land and rallied to defend
their nation. A handful of black-and-white maps and diagrams accompany the detailed text, in
this enthralling study that brings military history to life for readers of all backgrounds. Highly
recommended, especially for college libraries and military history shelves.
The Library CD Music Shelf
Footsteps in Africa Soundtrack: Nomadic Remix
Joshua Jacobs
KiahKeya Productions
c/o FlipSwitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$TBA (CD) $8.99 (MP3) www.flipswitchPR.com www.amazon.com
Footsteps in Africa Soundtrack: Nomadic Remix is the re-imagined CD soundtrack of the
feature-length documentary film "Footsteps in Africa", about the culture and life of the Tuareg
desert communities of Africa. Footsteps in Africa Soundtrack: Nomadic Remix is instrumental
save for the blended vocalizations of throat singer Benno Klandt, who gives voice to the hidden
intensity of the desert. A profound reflection of the bonds of community, and the stringent
demands of desert life, Footsteps in Africa Soundtrack: Nomadic Remix also gives back to the
very people whose culture made it possible: fifteen percent of all profits from the remixed album
will be channeled to support clean water projects. An extraordinary contribution to international
music collections, highly recommended. The tracks are "Mariama" (5:41), "Tea Dimm's New
Brew" (5:39), "Mariama" (5:22), "Red Ladies Tent Jam" (6:35), "Tuareg Goosi Jam in Tent"
(7:34), "Open" (4:38), "Hyena the PsyAmazigh Remix" (4:50), "Ahheahedon Tuareg Women's
Jam" (4:54), "Tuareg Goosi Jam in Tent" (5::34), "Ahheahedon Tuareg Women's Jam" (3:28),
and "End Titles" (3:27).
Business Class Refugees
Kartick and Gotam
EarthSync
c/o FlipSwitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$16.98 www.flipswitchPR.com
Business Class Refugees is an instrumental "electro-folk" album from the Israeli duo of Kartick
and Gotam. Some songs are grounded in traditional melodies, scales, and beats of India, yet all of
them are blended with original flair. The theme of the album's title refers to the musician's
experience when one day, in a Singapore airport, they were stranded without a visa or a flight to
board - associating with those who had little, or were wrenched from their roots, the two
continued work on their music from their laptops and over wireless connections regardless.
Business Class Refugees is a celebration of using modern technological and musical flair to
resurrect and transform ancient classics for the latest generation. An emotionally moving album
that pays tribute to desert cultures of the past, present, and future, Business Class Refugees is
highly recommended. The tracks are "Bonjour" (4:46), "Tamil Bossa" (5:10), "Boye Boye"
(5:18), "Heer" (4:13), "Shiva Sheva" (6:26), "Door Open Door" (5:46), "Vellai Thaamarai"
(3:37), "Supreme Chaos" (4:35), "Rututu" (4:19), and "Hear Comes the Funk" (5:50).
Liber
Oswin Chin Behilia
Otrabanda Records
c/o Burnside Distribution
6635 N. Baltimore Ave., Suite 285, Portland, OR 97203
$19.49 www.otrabandarecords.com
Caribbean troubadour Oswin Chin Behilia lends his dulcet voice (singing in his native language)
to Liber, an album that blends folk, Curacoan tradition, and awareness of modern social issues as
well as their historical roots. A smooth-flowing album featuring captivating rhythms and guitar
tones in addition to Behilia's passionate singing, Liber is an acoustic gem to be treasured. The
tracks are "Zikinza" (7:26), "Buta la Pasta" (5:37), "Si Abo No T'ei" (4:28), "Den Bo Kushina"
(3:29), "Sokete" (3:42), "Liber" (2:02), "Ata Toni" (5:04), "Korupshon" (5:09), "Pasku Bashi"
(2:41), "Di Malu En Peor" (3:02), "Sigi Traha e Bom" (7:26). 46 min.
Unconditional: Round Dance Songs
Wayne Silas, Jr.
Canyon Records Productions
3131 West Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85017
$15.98 www.canyonrecords.com 1-800-268-1141
Menominee/Oneida singer and songmaker Wayne Silas, Jr. applies his years of experience with
Pow-Wow drum groups to "Unconditional Round Dance Songs", Silas' debut solo Round Dance
recording (with performances from Joe Syrette, Edmond Tate Nevaquaya, Jeremy Dearly, Nitanis
"Kit" Landry", and Arianne Sheka). A profound collection that touches upon the powers of love,
dreams, emotion, and opening oneself to a higher power, Unconditional: Round Dance Songs
speaks directly to the listener's heart and soul. The tracks are "Made in Heaven" (4:27), "It's On
Tonight" (4:50), "Let's Do the Math" (4:56), "Bread Crumbs" (3:10), "Butterflies" (4:35), "One
of a Kind" (2:42), "Candy" (4:04), "Around Tha World" (4:46), "For Tha First Time" (3:56),
"Sour & Sweet" (2:57), "Dreaming" (4:25), "Sweet Luv Tunes" (4:45), and "Superman" (3:42).
54 min. Also highly recommended is the round dance beat album "As the Rez Turns" by
Pipestone ($15.98, 53 min.)
En Couleurs
Feufollet Records
c/o FlipSwitch (publicity)
PO Box 2207, Bloomington, IN 47404-2207
$TBA www.flipswitchPR.com www.feufollet.net
En Couleurs is the latest album from the band Feufollet, known for its original takes on Cajun
style music. The song draw from Cajun tradition, without being strictly limited to fixed
conventions. Though the Cajun instrument base of accordion, guitar, and fiddle make for a solid
foundation, the composition, chords, and even inclusion of elements such an autoharp are vividly
distinctive. En Couleurs is an absolute "must-have" for anyone who enjoys Cajun music, and a
highly recommended addition to international music shelves. The tracks are "Au Fondu Lac"
(3:10), "Vert" (0:26), "Des Promesses" (2:59), "La Berceuse du Vieux Voyageur" (3:05), "Si T'as
Fini Avec Moi" (3:52), "Violet" (0:29), "Ouvre La Porte" (3:23), "Assis Dans La Fenetre de Ma
Chambre" (1:40), "Les Jours Sont Longs" (4:43), "Valse du Vacher" (3:34), "La Valse de Gene
Billeaudeaux" (1:56), "A Saint-Martin" (3:44), "Mon Tour Va Venir" (3:33), "Bleu" (1:46),
"Toujours en Mouvement" (3:22), and "Rouge" (0:48).
La Difference
Salif Keita
Decca Label Group
jodie.thomas@umusic.com
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2, Bloomington, IN 47404
$16.98 www.rockpaperscissors.biz
La Difference is the latest album by Afro-pop singer Salif Keita. The albino son of two black
African parents, Keita is in a unique position to appreciate and vigorously spread the virtues of
tolerance and the value of celebrating differences. Shunned for his albinism in his native Mali
while growing up, he traveled abroad to the Ivory Coast, Paris, London, and New York to
advance his talent for composing and performing music, at last successfully returning to Mali as
an accomplished and internationally known music artist. La Difference is particularly dedicated
to fellow albinos in Africa, who must struggle to survive and fulfill their dreams amid severe
cultural prejudice; other themes emerge as well, such as a cautionary warning about the
ecological harm humanity is wreaking on Africa in the song "Ekolo d'Amour". To fulfill the
primary purpose of La Difference, Keita has pledged that all profits from this album will fund his
foundation to help albino Africans, "Salif Keita pour les Albinos". An extraordinary, rhythmic
blend of traditional and modern cultures expressed in soul-stirring music, La Difference is highly
recommended.
The Judicial Studies Shelf
The Philadelphia Report
Honorable Lynne Abraham, District Attorney
Cherry Hill Publishing
24344 Del Amo Road, Ramona, CA 92065
www.CherryHillPublishing.com
9780984375929 $19.95 unabridged MP3 CD
9780984375912 $29.95 abridged audio CD
9780984375936 $39.95 unabridged audio CD
The Philadelphia Report is the audiobook presentation of Philadelphia Investigating Grand Jury's
2005 report concerning the Catholic clergy's sexual abuse of minors in the Archdiocese of
Philadelphia. The investigation, led by District Attorney Lynne Abraham, stretched over four
years and involved scrutiny of over 60 abusing priests as well as church cover-ups that spanned
decades. Narrated by a group of voice professionals, and featuring a foreword by report co-author
and professor of law Marci A. Hamilton, The Philadelphia Report is disturbing because it is true
- and because it reveals a tremendous wrong saturated in the fabric of modern American society.
The Philadelphia Report is available in three versions: an unabridged one on two MP3 CDs (with
an accompanying CD of .pdf documents), an abridged audio CD version, and an unabridged
audio CD version. A "must-have" for college libraries with a focus on criminal law and
justice.
The Philosophy Shelf
The Philosophy of Richard Rorty
Richard Rorty
Open Court Publishing Company
70 East Lake Street, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60601
9780812696417 $89.95 www.opencourtbooks.com 1-800-815-2280
Volume XXXII in "The Library of Living Philosophers" series, The Philosophy of Richard Rorty
is an outstanding compendium consisting of 29 critical essays by analytical philosopher Richard
Rorty, as well as his intellectual autobiography, his replies to those who critique him, and a Rorty
bibliography. From sharp criticism of the weaknesses of conventional methods of philosophy
(especially the excess of preoccupation with questions of the foundation and representation of
knowledge), to the invaluable role of pragmatism in everything from surveying language to as an
invaluable tool to perpetuate democracy, and much more, The Philosophy of Richard Rorty is a
welcome contribution to ongoing intellectual debate. The Philosophy of Richard Rorty is solidly
organized and presented, a superb addition to philosophy shelves and a welcome contribution to
college libraries.
The Civil War Shelf
Forgotten Black Soldiers Who Served in White Regiments During the Civil War
Juanita Patience Moss
Heritage Books
100 Railroad Avenue, Suite 104, Westminster, MD 21157-4826
9780788446474, $21.00, www.heritagebooks.com
Segregation was the rule of the Union and Confederate forces, but rules were not always
followed. "Forgotten Black Soldiers Who Served in White Regiments During the Civil War" is
author Juanita Patience Moss's investigation of these soldiers who served in white regiments
going against the standard policy. Moss also discusses southern white people who fought for the
Union in spite of being in Confederate lands. "Forgotten Black Soldiers" is a choice pick for any
military history collection with a focus on the civil war.
Thunder on the River
Daniel L. Schafer
University Press of Florida
15 Northwest 15th St., Gainesville, FL 32611
9780813034195 $29.95 www.upf.com
Daniel L. Schafer (distinguished Professor Emeritus of History, University of North Florida)
presents Thunder on the River: The Civil War in Northeast Florida, a well-researched and solidly
presented accounting of how the American Civil War impacted Florida. From the forces that
pushed Florida to battle on behalf of the South (including widespread of the black population
among Florida's whites), to the three times Union forces claimed Jacksonville and then
abandoned it - followed by a fourth attempt in which Jacksonville was used to stage an
ill-advised Union invasion of interior Florida - to the use of underwater mines against the U.S.
Navy along the St. Johns, Thunder on the River vividly captures the turbulent events of history.
Accessible to lay readers and historians alike, Thunder on the River is a superb addition to
American Civil War collections and college library reference shelves.
Those Damned Black Hats!
Lance J. Herdegen
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
9781932714838 $19.95 www.savasbeatie.com
Award-winning journalist and author Lance J. Herdegen presents Those Damned Black Hats! The Iron Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign, the first book-length historical accounting of the Iron Brigade (an all-Western outfit that served the Union entirely in the Eastern Theater during the American Civil War) during the summer of 1863, particularly the "four long hours" of Gettysburg that all but destroyed them. The Iron Brigade, distinguished by their unique black Hardee Hats from Brawner's Farm, came to be known as "those damned Black Hats" by their opponents. Illustrated with a handful of vintage black-and-white photographs, Those Damned Black Hats! is in-depth, meticulously researched and solidly presented, and an exceptional contribution to Civil War studies shelves. The Army Historical Foundation met for its Twelfth Annual Members Meeting on June 14th, 2009, at Mount Vernon, the estate of George Washington, and bestowed the The Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Award for Operational / Battle History, 2008 upon Those Damned Black Hats!
The Maryland Campaign of September 1862 Volume 1: South Mountain
Ezra A. Carman
Thomas G. Clemens, editor
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
9781932714814 $37.50 www.savasbeatie.com
The Maryland Campaign of September 1862 Volume 1: South Mountain presents the historical
manuscript originally assembled by Ezra A. Carman, once a colonel of the 13th New Jersey
Infantry during the American Civil War, and later appointed as the "Historical Expert" to the
Antietam Battlefield Board in 1894. Now rendered in a new edition, edited by Dr. Thomas G.
Clemens (a historian with particular expertise in the Maryland Campaign), The Maryland
Campaign of September 1862 Volume 1 is an exhaustive accounting, originally assembled from
the testimonies of hundreds of veterans, as well as thousands of letters and maps. An extensive
introduction familiarizes the reader with the origins and importance of the manuscript, as well as
the research and presentation processes that Carman used. The Maryland Campaign of
September 1862 is an excellent addition to college library and Civil War reference shelves,
deserving the highest recommendation.
The Military Shelf
Dogface Soldier
Wilson A. Heefner
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65201
9780826218827 $34.95 www.umsystem.edu/upress
Dogface Soldier: The Life of General Lucian K. Truscott, Jr. is a solid, in-depth biography of an
exemplary American military leader, who President Eisenhower valued as second only to Patton,
and who took over Patton's command from October 8, 1945 to April of 1946. Truscott pioneered
new combat training methods such as the so-called "Truscott Trot", played a critical role in
winning key battles in North Africa, Sicily, Anzio, and Southern France, and was highly
respected by officers and "dogfaces" (rank-and-file soldiers) alike. Dogface Soldier reveals the
civilian and military education, family, and friends that shaped Truscott's life, his military genius
and expertise, and his service after the war - especially his efforts to improve living conditions
for displaced Jews to remove Nazis from positions of power, and his involvement in the trials of
German war criminals. An excellent addition to military biography shelves, public and college
library reference shelves, Dogface Soldier is accessible to lay readers and historians alike and
very highly recommended.
The Biography Shelf
Freeing Charles
Scott Christianson
University of Illinois Press
1325 South Oak Street, Champaign, IL 61820-6975
9780252076886 $24.95 www.press.uillinois.edu
Freeing Charles: The Struggle to Free a Slave on the Eve of the Civil War is an extraordinary
chronicle of escaped slave Charles Nalle of Culpeper, Virginia, who was freed through force by
Harriet Tubman and others. Freeing Charles portrays how he escaped through the Underground
Railroad shortly before the American Civil War, and his encounters in the North. The entire
incident involved one of the most severe anti-slavery riots outside of Harpers Ferry. Freeing
Charles is more than a dry historical rendition; author Scott Christianson also portrays the slavery
culture in Virginia, and the political and psychological forces driving Charles' dramatic true
story. A snapshot of the borderline between rule of law and violent opposition to the culture of
slavery, Freeing Charles is as captivating to read as it is scholarly and historical. Highly
recommended.
The Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Housekeeping for the Soul
Sandra Carrington-Smith
O Books
c/o National Book Network
PO Box 62188, Baltimore, MD 21264-2188
9781846942815, $22.95, www.o-books.net
A clear soul is just as important as a clear mind. "Housekeeping for the Soul: A Practical Guide
to Restoring Your Inner Sanctuary" is a self-help guide from Sandra Carrington-Smith, who
urges readers to manage the culture of Chaos in their lives, and keep their soul clear so that they
may best deal with life's crises while unencumbered with the woes. "Housekeeping for the Soul"
is a fine addition to any self-help or spirituality collections.
Who Stole My Soul?
Vishwa Prakash
Synergy Books
PO Box 80107, Austin, TX 78758
Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists (publicity)
8716 Mopac Suite 330, Austin, TX 78759
9780982314050, $19.95, www.whostolemysoul.com
You can easily lose your soul to the devils of the world if you're not careful. "Who Stole My
Soul?: A Dialogue with the Devil On the Meaning of Life" is a combination of memoir and
spirituality tale as Vishwa Prakash offers his own viewpoints on the soul and how you can lose it
and leave yourself a soulless husk wondering why your life is so unfulfilled. Encouraging readers
to find their own souls, "Who Stole My Soul?" is a choice pick for spirituality readers and should
not be missed.
To Be and How to Be
Peggy Rubin
Quest Books
c/o The Theosophical Publishing House
PO Box 270, Wheaton, IL 60189-0270
9780835608534 $16.95 www.questbooks.net 1-800-669-9425
Classical and Shakespearean actress Peggy Rubin presents To Be and How to Be: Transforming
Your Life Through Sacred Theatre, a spiritual self-help guide to using the nine powers of the
theater to empower oneself, explore the sacred stage, and pursue one's dreams. The nine powers
of the theater are the Powers of Incarnation, Story, Now!, Place, Expression, Point of View,
Conflict, Audience and Celebration. Chapters reveal how the metaphor of the play can lend new
insight into the ups and downs of both earthly and spiritual life. "Once we understand that the
breaking of molecular bonds is an essential part of the experiment of life, it becomes easier to
recognize that breakups in the larger, outer world can also be necessary and held within the
Power of Celebration." An invaluable guide, filled with exercises to revitalize the way one looks
at oneself and the world.
The Social Issues Shelf
Europe 2030
Daniel Benjamin, editor
Brookings Institution Press
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036
9780815702801, $18.95, www.brookings.edu
Twenty years from now, will the European Union be looked at as a positive force for Europe?
"Europe 2030" looks at the member nations of the European Union 20 years from now. Chapters
cover the rapidly changing landscape of modern times, the European Union's status as a global
player, its search for new members, and the development of Islam. "Europe 2030" is a choice
pick for anyone who wants a glimpse of Europe's future.
Hopes and Prospects
Noam Chomsky
Haymarket Books
PO Box 180165, Chicago, IL 60618
9781931859967 $16.00 www.haymarketbooks.org 1-773-583-7884
For forty years, Noam Chomsky's erudite insights into politics and language have proved to be an
invaluable contribution to ongoing social reflection. Hopes and Prospects is Chomsky's latest
work, warning readers about the latest risks and challenges facing America and humankind
during the early twenty-first century. Chapters address the growing divide between America's
North and South, American exceptionalism (which still has a strong hold in the era of President
Barack Obama), the morass of problems (to put it lightly) with Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S.-Israeli
aggression toward Gaza, the controversial governmental bailouts - and suggestions to improve
the future, as well as reflections on positive developments such as democratic movements in
Latin America and global solidarity efforts. Thought-provoking, measured, and grounded in
rationality, Hopes and Prospects is strongly recommended as a vital nexus for social debate over
vitally pressing national and global issues.
New World of Indigenous Resistance
Noam Chomsky, et. al.
Lois Meyer & Benjamin Maldonado Alvarado, editors
City Lights Publishers
261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133
9780872865334 $18.95 www.citylights.com
Linguist and human rights advocate Noam Chomsky and more than twenty scholars, activists,
and educators of North and South America present New World of Indigenous Resistance, a
thoughtful collection of writings concerning the difficult choices indigenous societies have faced,
and continue to face, in a changing post-colonial world. Protecting indigenous community
customs has, in some cases, led to the rejection of state-provided education - but is this truly a
beneficial trade-off? How can tolerance be promoted while holding on to the values of communal
rituals, language, traditions, and learning practices? Is it possible to retain the most distinctive
and valuable aspects of a traditional culture in the wake of the overwhelming forces of
globalization? Individual essays include "Indigenous Peoples Contesting State Nationalism and
Corporate Globalism", "The Path of Decolonization", "U.S. Imperialism and the Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples", and much more. Two direct interviews with Chomsky
enhance this articulate examination of challenges facing indigenous peoples today, including a
positive viewpoint of means by which indigenous cultures can resist total assimilation, endure
and spread hope. Highly recommended.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Axis of the World
Igor Witkowski
Adventures Unlimited Press
1 Adventure Place, Kempton, IL 60946
9781931882811, $18.95, www.adventuresunlimitedpress.com
American history didn't begin in 1492, but millennium ago. "Axis of the World" is a
metaphysical delve into American history, searching for the earliest known start of the American
Indians and the other people of the Americas. Easter Island, lost lands, origins of the American
Indians, cities advanced past their time and more, "Axis of the World" is a fascinating read that
will entertain both history and metaphysical readers.
Crash: When UFOs Fall from the Sky
Kevin D. Randle, Ph.D.
New Page Books
c/o Career Press Inc.
PO Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
9781601631008 $16.99 NewPageBooks.com
UFO investigator and retired lieutenant colonel Kevin D. Randle presents Crash: When UFOs
Fall from the Sky, a collection of research reports of alien spaceship crashes from 1947 and
earlier to 2009. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this thoughtful, updated
compendium of paranormal evidence and theory, which suggests possible solutions to some of
the longest running enigmas about the possibility of extraterrestrial influence. From eyewitness
testimony to paper trails to ongoing controversies, Crash: When UFOs Fall from the Sky is an
invaluable compendium for anyone interested in learning about evidence of UFOs, and a
welcome addition to paranormal studies shelves.
The Christian Studies Shelf
The Catholic Family Connections Bible
Saint Mary's Press
702 Terrace Heights, Winona, MN 55987-1318
9781599820882, $26.95, www.smp.org
Faith is not a solitary thing. "The Catholic Family Connections Bible: Pray It, Study It, Live It" is
a guide for Christians who want to bring the word of God to their family. Saint Mary's Press
brings this resource ton how to use the Bible to encourage faith in one's family every day, with
plenty of activities that include the whole family and enlighten them on biblical history and
virtues. "The Catholic Family Connections Bible" is a choice and enticing read that serves as a
top notch reference for Catholic families.
Meeting God in Quiet Places
F. LaGard Smith
Vision Video
PO Box 540, Worcester, PA 19490-0540
$19.99 www.visionvideo.com 1-800-523-0226
Meeting God in Quiet Places is a beautiful DVD that pairs the reverent and tranquil narration of
American author F. LaGard Smith with captivating glimpses of England's countryside and an
evocative soundtrack. The result is a series of seven short films that bring to life the pleasant and
fulfilling atmosphere of summer and winter England. The simple parables blend with the tranquil
footage into a soulful whole. A truly spiritual experience, Meeting God in Quiet Places is an
unforgettable island of peace amid the chaotic bedlam of day-to-day life. Also highly
recommended from Vision Video are "Psalms Alive with Billy Angel: Part 1" ($19.99) and
"Speaking the Truth in Love to Muslims: A Bible Study for Christians" ($19.99).
The Audiobook Shelf
Altar of Eden
James Rollins, author
Paula Christensen, narrator
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781440752377 $102.75 www.recordedbooks.com 1-800-638-1304
Altar of Eden is the unabridged audiobook rendition of James Rollins' stand-alone thriller.
Louisiana veterinarian Lorna Polk has discovered a destroyed fishing trawler, with no crew,
carrying the oddest medley of bizarre animals. The creatures have been tampered with
genetically, and look like no other animals on Earth - plus they appear to have an extraordinary
level of intelligence. And one of the animals appears to be missing. Altar of Eden weaves a
cautionary tale with exciting suspense, building to a tense climax about the deadly consequences
when human beings dare to supplant the will of Nature. Highly recommended. 9 CDs, 11.75
hours.
Union of the Snake
Jason Marc Harris and Birke Duncan
Privately Published
0971058261 $11.50
Union of the Snake is a radio play on CD following two young anthropologists in the depths of
the Florida Everglades. They came to examine the yearly snake worship ceremony of the
little-known Chazichentee tribe; what they discover is far more horrifying. A vile,
soul-destroying plot ensnares them, and they must find a way to fight back or be devoured by an
all-consuming evil. Superbly performed, Union of the Snake is a thrilling adventure, sure to keep
the listener on the edge of his or her seat until the very end.
The Jobs/Careers Shelf
The Ex-Offender's 30/30 Job Solution
Neil P. McNulty & Ronald L. Krannich
Impact Publications
9104 Manassas Drive, Suite N, Manassas Park, VA 20111
9781570232879, $9.95, www.exoffenderrentry.com
After you've served your time, it can prove difficult to rejoin the workforce in a meaningful way.
"The Ex-Offender's 30/30 Job Solution: Your Lifeboat Guide to Re-Entry Success" is a guide for
ex-offenders who are forced to start from scratch with no support. These ex-offenders have
special challenges involving probation and parole, on top of the challenges that come with the
reserved nature of employers and ex-offenders. "The Ex-Offenders 30/30 Job Solution" is an
enlightening and highly useful read for those who want to put their life back on the right
track.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
4-H Guide
Tammie Rogers
Voyageur Press
400 First Avenue North, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401
9780760336298, $18.99, www.voyageurpress.com
You can always teach a dog new tricks, no matter the age. "4-H Guide: Dog Training & Dog
Tricks" is a guide for would be dog trainers who want to train their dogs to behave better and
teach them more than a few new tricks. With many ideas for new methods and plenty of tips how
to manage the different breeds of dogs, "Dog Training and Dog Tricks" is an invaluable tool
which shouldn't be underrated for dog owners and their beloved pets.
Horse Tales from Heaven
Rebecca E. Ondov
Harvest House
990 Owen Loop North, Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
9780736927581, $12.99, www.harvesthousepublishers.com
It's not just a hobby, it's a way of life. "Horse Tales from Heaven: Reflections Along the Trail
with God" is a memoir of Rebecca E. Ondov as she reflects on her time in the west and how
during time as a wilderness ranger, her bond with God never faded and remained with her as she
faced the many challenges of her profession. With many stories sure to entertain the lover of
adventure and horses, "Horse Tales from Heaven" is a top pick and very highly recommended
read.
The Poetry Shelf
wild horses
Rob McLennan
The University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1
9780888645357, $19.95, www.uap.com
With countless works published under his name, Rob McLennan brings readers "wild horses". The Ottawa native uses his endless expertise in the field of writing to craft moving and lyrical verse which will bring much in unique perspective for readers. Fascinating and well thought out, "wild horses" is a core addition to poetry collections. "wild horses": she, says get a horse & go out/where the foothills//if any else sunlight in, given//by the side an hour lost, the blue/shifting sands of the northern lights//if spirited, to speak at a time/across one hundred & fortieth//twenty minute north where need/& in the wrong//direction.
Painted Fire
Maria Luisa Spaziani
Chelsea Editions
PO Box 125, Cooper Station, New York, NY 10276-0125
9780972527187, $20.00, www.chelseaeditionsbooks.org
Mastery of language as an art form is not about how many words you can use. "Painted Fire" is a
collection of poems from Italian poet Maria Lusia Spazianai, chronicling over fifty years of her
work, expertly translated by Lynne Lawner. Regarded as one of the greatest living Italian poets,
Spaziani's work is well presented in "Painted Fire" is a choice collection for world poetry lovers.
"Reality": Reality is pure perception./We look at life in a mirror/beyond an often transparent
theater curtain.//Underneath is life. Occasionally we see it/take the shape of an abandoned
farmhouse in the night/which lightning suddenly renders visible.
The Self-Help Shelf
Broke is Beautiful
Laura Lee
Running Press
2500 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
9780762438952, $12.95, www.runningpress.com
Money doesn't buy happiness, so you can get it on the cheap. "Broke is Beautiful: Living and
Loving the Cash-Strapped Life" is a guide to living a cool life where money isn't the king, but
how you live your life in spite of your poverty is. Laura Lee gives readers a good array of
thoughts and wisdom and makes for a very entertaining and fun read. "Broke is Beautiful" is a
choice and highly recommended read which shouldn't be missed for those who want to live well
when they got nothing in the wallet.
Struck by Living
Julie K. Hersh
Brown Books Publishing Group
16200 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 170, Dallas, TX 75248
9781934812631, $19.95, www.brownbooks.com
Depression is a problem plaguing many Americans, but it is defeatable. "Struck by Living: From
Depression to Hope" is a self-help memoir from Julie K. Hersh as she tells her own story of
fighting back from crippling depression, a problem that has plagued her family for generations,
and how she fought off her suicidal tendencies to reclaim her soul. With plenty to help other
people fighting their own depression, "Struck by Living" is a choice and highly recommended
read.
The Fiction Shelf
Life of a Star
Jane Unrue
Burning Deck
71 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence, RI 02906
Small Press Distribution
1341 Seventh St., Berkeley, CA 94710
9781936194001, $14.00, www.spdbooks.org
Love is such a sweet thing that many spend their lives searching for it, but never truly obtaining
it. "Life of a Star" tells the story of one such woman whose journey brings her through journeys
of her body, and journeys of her mind. Jane Unrue creates a truly riveting novel that brings new
perspective on the woman's search for love, and so much more. "Life of a Star" is a top pick for
literary fiction collections.
Somewhere to Belong
Judith Miller
Bethany House
11400 Hampshire Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55438
9780764206429, $14.99, www.bethanyhouse.com
Sheltered from the world in her village, happiness seems uncertain. "Somewhere to Belong" tells
the story of Johanna Ilg, a woman of Main Amana, a Christian village with its own unique way.
When a new girl arrives in her town from the city of Chicago, she finds her view of the world
tipped upside down, being brought to new experiences from Berta. "Somewhere to Belong" is a
fascinating and thoughtful read, highly recommended.
Breathing, In Dust
Tim Z. Hernandez
Texas Tech University Press
PO Box 41037, Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
9780896726727, $26.95, www.ttupress.org
The world never seems bright when everything around you is so dark. "Breathing, In Dust" is the
story of Tlaloc, a seventeen year old facing the challenges of his life in California's agricultural
land and all of the unique and unfortunate characters that seem to compose it. Loc faces his life
and tells his story, one of people trying to make their way and facing the failures of life along the
way, dragging Loc down as he tries to make a better life for himself. "Breathing, In Dust" is a top
pick for literary fiction collections focusing on the southwest.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Frost Moon
Anthony Francis
Bell Bridge Books
PO Box 300921, Memphis, TN 38130
9780984325689, $14.95, www.belbridgebooks.com
When the police find themselves outclassed, they call on the elite for help. "Frost Moon: Book
One of the Skindancer Series" is set in a contemporary world of Magic. Dakota Frost is the best
magical tattoo artist in Atlanta, and when a serial killer guns for tattoo magic users, and the
police baffled, Dakota finds herself diving deeper into the magical underworld of Atlanta. "Frost
Moon" is a choice and fascinating pick that shouldn't be overlooked for fantasy readers.
With Folded Hands... And Searching Mind
Jack Williamson
Haffner Press
5005 Crooks Road, Suite 35, Royal Oak, MI 48073-1239
9781893887374, $40.00, www.amazon.com
Jack Williamson was a grand master of the science fiction genre. His original tales ranged from
full length novels to the short stories. The seventh volume in the outstanding Haffner Press series
of Jack Williamson's writings, "With Folded Hands... And Searching Mind, The Collected
Stories of Jack Williamson" is a 544-page compendium showcasing fifteen of his short stories
original published in the science fiction magazines of the 1940s and 50s and range from
"Backlash" (Astounding Science Fiction, August '41); "Conscience, LTD." (Unknown, August
'43); and "Cold Front Coming" (Blue Book, June '45); to "The Moon and Mr. Wick" (Comet,
Summer '50); "Hocus-Pocus Universe" (Science Stories, October '53); and "Beans" (The
Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, November '58). Enhanced with an informative
'Foreword' by science fiction author Robert Silverberg, and an 'Afterword' by Jack Williams, this
superbly organized and presented collection of short stories is a highly recommended addition to
community library Science Fiction collection -- and an absolutely 'must read' for the legions of
Jack Williamson fans. Those dedicated fans would also do well to visit the Haffner Press web
site at www.haffnerpress.com for a complete listing of all of their "Golden Age" of science
fiction authors, including the previous six volumes comprising their Jack Williamson series.
The Business Shelf
Smart Pricing
Jagmohan Raju & Z. John Zhang
Wharton School Publishing
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
9780131494183, $34.99, www.whartonsp.com
A price tag determines your profit, availability and can attract or push away prospective buyers.
"Smart Pricing: How Google, Priceline, and Leading Businesses Use Pricing Innovation for
Profitability" is a guide to the art of pricing and how it can radically change how a business
markets its products. Introducing new ideas to prices beyond what is considered conventional
wisdom, "Smart Pricing" is a must for any student breaking into marketing, and serves well as a
reference text for community and college library business collections.
Damage Control
David Eddie
McClelland & Stewart
75 Sherbourne St., 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M5A 2P9
9780771030413, $29.99, www.mcclelland.com
When disaster happens, what you do next decides if it's a footnote or a great calamity. "Damage
Control: How to Tiptoe Away from the Smoking Wreckage of Your Latest Screw-Up With a
Minimum of Harm to Your Reputation" is a guide to making the least out of the worst. David
Eddie writes that no one is perfect, and the difference between a perennial screw up and someone
who isn't is how one responds to said screw ups. "Damage Control" is a choice pick for anyone
who freaks out over their real or imagined status as a screw up.
The Education Shelf
Classroom Reading Assessments
Frank Serafini
Heinemann
361 Hanover Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801-3912
9780325027128, $26.25, www.heinemann.com
Measuring reading comprehension can be of certain challenge to many teachers. "Classroom
Reading Assessment: More Efficient Ways to View and Evaluate Your Readers" is an
educational resource dedicated to helping teachers better measure how well their students are
coming along in mastering the English language and their reading comprehension. With plenty of
activities and advice, "Classroom Reading Assessment" is an invaluable tool for any reading
teacher, highly recommended.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Mental Health, Naturally
Kathi J. Kemper
American Academy of Pediatrics
814 N. Franklin St., Chicago, IL 60610
9781581103106, $19.95, www.ipgbook.com
A good mind needs a good body to be apart of. "Mental Health, Naturally: The Family Guide to
Holistic Care for a Healthy Mind and Body" is designed around helping parents help their
families keep up their mental health, and what a parent can do to encourage good mental health
throughout their lives. Exercise, good sleep habits, a good diet, and much more are what a parent
can do to keep their children happy and develop good outlooks for life. "Mental Health,
Naturally" is a choice pick for any concerned parent who wants to keep their child healthy on
multiple fronts.
The Economics Shelf
Money Assassins
Chad Viminitz
Insomniac Press
520 Princess Ave, London, ON Canada N6B 2B8
9781897178829, $19.95, www.insomniacpress.com
Saving and prudence seem to be dying values in today's world. "Money Assassins: How They
Stole Your Financial Freedom and How You Can Get it Back" is a guide for those who want to
stay out of debt and be profitable in their lives when today's world seems to be out to eliminate
anything you save and encourage spending well beyond one's means. With tips on keeping ahead
of those who want to strip you of your wealth, "Money Assassins" will prove to be a highly
valuable read.
The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
The Green Screen Handbook
Jeff Foster
Sybex
c/o Wiley Blackwell
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
9780470521076, $49.99, www.sybex.com
The green screen is a versatile technique, and can be used wonderfully, if you use it well. "The
Green Screen Handbook: Real-World Production Techniques" is a guide to the green screen and
how to use the method to its fullest power. Setting up the shot, how to make post-production
flow as smoothly as possible, troubleshooting, helping actors with an environment that's not their
yet, Jeff Foster, an expert in production does well in going all out in helping readers master the
shooting techniques of the green screen. "The Green Screen Handbook" is a choice pick and a
reference that should be on hand for anyone producing movies or television.
Epics, Spectacles, And Blockbusters
Sheldon Hall & Steve Neale
Wayne State University Press
4809 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201-1309
http://wsupress.wayne.edu
9780814330081, $34.95, www.amazon.com
The Holy Grail of the American film industry is the production of a massively financially
successful movie. Such productions are called 'blockbusters'. The collaborative work of Sheldon
Hall (Senior Lecturer, Stage and Screen Studies, Sheffield Hallam University) and Steve Neale
(Professor of English, University of Exeter), "Epics, Spectacles, and Blockbusters: A Hollywood
History" is the newest addition to Wayne State University Press' outstanding 'Contemporary Film
and Television Series'. This 363-page compendium presents a comprehensive and detailed
history of the large-scale, high-cost movie from the beginning of movie-making in the 1890s
down to the present day. The genres of such films range from comic book adaptations, to biblical
epics, to animated features, to science fiction extravaganzas, and more. Chronological organized,
the impact of technological developments on movie making is fully integrated into this superbly
written and scholarly history, making "Epics, Spectacles, And Blockbusters" an invaluable and
core addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Hollywood History &
Film reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
Before Oprah
Michael Banks
Orange Frazer Press
PO Box 214, Wilmington, OH 45177
www.orangefrazer.com
9781933197494, $24.95, www.amazon.com
Today's enduring popularity and success of female hosted television talk shows is due to a
woman by the name of Ruth Lyons. She was a pioneer in radio and television broadcasting
whose audiences in the 1960s were block-buster successes, making her justifiably considered as
being the single most influential housewife in America. Her amazing story is told in wonderful
detailed by Michael Banks in "Before Oprah: Ruth Lyons, The Woman Who Created Talk TV", a
260-page biography of a woman who, in her day, was as popular and influential as Oprah
Winfrey and Martha Stewart are in ours. Superbly written and totally engaging from first page to
last, "Before Oprah: Ruth Lyons, The Woman Who Created Talk TV" is strongly recommended
for both academic and community library 20th Century American Biography collections.
The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
The T206 Collection
Tom Zappala & Ellen Zappala
Peter E. Randall Publisher
PO Box 4726, Portsmouth, NJ 03802-4726
9781931807944, $38.00, www.amazon.com
Baseball cards have been around for almost as long as the game itself. The collaborative project
of Tom Zappala and Ellen Zappala, and with the assistance of Lou Blasi, "The T206 Collection:
The Players & Their Stories" is an impressive 224-page compendium featuring beautifully
reproduced images of the early baseball card T206 series featuring 393 players. Enhancing this
outstanding collection of 500 baseball cards, each of which is flawlessly reproduced in full color,
"The T206 Collection: The Players & Their Stories" includes succinct biographies of all the T206
players, as well as player anecdotes revealing the earliest days and evolution of baseball. Of
special note is the informed and informative chapter on baseball card grading and valuations
making "The T206 Collection: The Players & Their Stories" an especially valued and valuable
addition to both academic, and community library collections -- and an absolute 'must' for all
dedicated baseball card enthusiasts.
Complete Price Guide to Watches No. 30
Richard e. Gilbert, et al.
Tinder Box
c/o Collector Books
Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002-3009
www.collectorbooks.com
1574326430, $29.95, www.amazon.com
Long considered to be the 'bible' of antiquarian and collectible timepieces, this 2010 edition of
"Complete Price Guide to Watches" is fully updated with new price information for literally
thousands of entries. The collaborative effort of Richard E. Gilbert, Tom Engle, and Cooksey
Shugart, "Complete Price Guide to Watches No. 30" is a 1,216 page compendium listing 10,350
watches, and is enhanced with 7,850 black-and-white illustrations and covering both American
and Europe pocket watches and wrist watches. Of special note are the profusion of tips, history,
terminology, and other specialized information useful for both the dealer and the collector.
making "Complete Price Guide to Watches No. 30" a core addition to personal, professional,
academic, and community library Antiques/Collectibles reference collections.
Collecting Rocks, Gems And Minerals
Patti Polk
Krause Publications
c/o F+W Media
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
www.krausebooks.com
9781440204159, $17.99, www.amazon.com
In "Collecting Rocks, Gems & Minerals: Easy Identification - Values - Lapidary Uses", author
Patti Polk draws upon her more than twenty years as a skilled lapidary artist and gem cutting
expertise and experience to compile a profusely and beautifully illustrated, 272-page
compendium of superbly organized and presented minerals for amateur 'rockhounds' and
professional collectors alike. Each entry is enhanced with detailed information about that
particular gem or mineral's characteristics. "Collecting Rocks, Gems & Minerals: Easy
Identification - Values - Lapidary Uses" is more than a simple encyclopedic presentation of
assorted gems and minerals as Patti Polk also provides informed and informative information on
what these gems and minerals are, as well as their uses for lapidary and display. Of special note
is the entry on 'Buying and Selling Rocks, Minerals, and Gemstones'. Providing an illustrated
wealth of information and examples, "Collecting Rocks, Gems & Minerals: Easy Identification -
Values - Lapidary Uses" will proved an enduringly popular and valued addition to personal,
professional, academic, and community library reference collections.
The Cookbook Shelf
The Homestyle Amish Kitchen Cookbook
Harvest House Publishers
Georgia Varozza
990 Owen Loop North, Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
9780736928588, $14.99, www.amazon.com
The Amish community is noted for the simplicity of their family-centered and devout lifestyle.
That elegant simplicity clearly extends to their cuisine as evidenced by the recipes assembled in
"The Homestyle Amish Kitchen Cookbook: Plainly Delicious Recipes from the Simple Life", a
spiral bound 272-page compendium of thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes ranging from
Buttermilk Biscuits with Sausage Gravy; Honey Oatmeal Bread; Mennonite Stew; and Baked
Acorn Squash with Hamburger Filling; to Busy Day Ham Casserole; German Meatballs with
Sauerkraut; Amish Vanilla Pie; and Crackletop Molasses Cookies. Each recipe is clearly put
forth with a complete list of ingredients and step-by-step instructions allowing even the most
novice of kitchen cooks to successful prepare and serve this dishes which are as nutritious as they
are delicious -- and suitable for any and all dining occasions. "The Homestyle Amish Kitchen
Cookbook: Plainly Delicious Recipes from the Simple Life" is a very highly recommended
addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.
The Diet Rebel's Cookbook
Jillayne Clements & Michelle Stewart
Cedar Fort, Inc.
2373 West 700 South, Springville, Utah 84663
www.cedarfort.com
9781599553610, $17.99, www.amazon.com
A healthy mind in a healthy body is the common goal of us all. The collaborative work of whole
food cooking experts Jillayne Clements and Michelle Stewart, "The Diet Rebels Cookbook:
Eating Clean and Green" is a 288-page compendium of basic information about the impact foods
have on our health, as well as pertinent information and invaluable tips on eating and cooking
healthy. Of special note is the provision of a 'Complete One-Year Food Storage List'. Thoroughly
'user friendly', "The Diet Rebels Cookbook: Eating Clean and Green" is packed with useable
instructions for everything from sprouting grains, nuts, seeds, beans, and legumes; to basic dairy
recipes, natural sweeteners, and the basics of making stocks and broths. The recipes range from a
Spinach Cranberry Salad, to Hummus Wraps, to a Vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce, to Homemade
Popcorn, to Pumpkin Cake. A veritable cornucopia of palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, easy to
prepare dishes for any and all dining occasions, "The Diet Rebels Cookbook: Eating Clean and
Green" will make a welcome and enduringly popular addition to personal, family, and
community library cookbook collections for the health conscious consumer.
Table For Two
Warren W. Caterson
Winfield & Scott Press
3501-B North Ponce de Leon Blvd., #372, St. Augustine, FL 32084
www.TableForTwoCookbooks.com
9780980156812, $16.95, www.amazon.com
Creating meals especially suited for just two people calls for a particularly specialized familiarity
with the culinary arts. That's why Warren Caterson's "Table For Two: The Cookbook For
Couples" is especially appropriate. This 272-page compendium is a cornucopia of palate
pleasing, appetite satisfying, gourmet quality recipes suitable for any two-person dining occasion
be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner. After succinctly informative opening chapters on measurements,
cooking terms, and ingredients, there are 'kitchen cook friendly', step-by-step recipes for soups,
salads, side dishes, and main entrees (including seafood, poultry, beef, pork, and lamb). Of
special note are the chapters devoted to vegetarian dishes, desserts, and what to do with leftovers!
From Fillet of Sole with Shrimp Sauce; Grilled Tuna Steak; Chicken and Mushrooms Florentine;
and Beef Burgundy; to Lamb Curry; Vegetable Biryani; Green Beans with Water Chestnuts; and
Chilled Mixed Fruit in White Whine, "Table For Two" is an outstanding recipe collection and a
welcome addition to both personal and community library cookbook shelves.
The World History Shelf
A History of the Late Medieval Siege, 1200-1500
Peter Purton
Boydell Press
c/o Boydell & Brewer Inc
668 Mount Hope Ave., Rochester, NY 14620-2731
www.boydellandbrewer.com
9781843834496, $115.00, www.amazon.com
The development of fortified castles and walled towns created a form of offensive warfare known
as the siege. Hostile forces would surround the castle or protected town and prevent anyone from
entering or leaving, and all the while trying to break down the castle's defenses or break through
the walls shielding the town from assault. Siege warfare became a focus for military
technological advances both in equipment, weaponry, and strategy. "A History of the Late
Medieval Siege, 1200-1500" by medieval fortification expert Peter Purton is a 528-page
compendium providing a detailed history from 450 A.D. to 1200 A.D. of siege warfare from the
5th century Mongol conquests in Europe and Asia, to the 13th century 'golden age' of siege
warfare sophistication, to the changes in siege warfare brought about by the introduction of gun
powder and canon in the 15th century. Enhanced with the inclusion of a useful time line, an
substantial glossary, an extensive bibliography, and a comprehensive index, "A History of the
Late Medieval Siege, 1200-1500" is an impressively informed and informative work that is
especially recommended for both academic and community library Military History reference
collections.
The Crafts Shelf
Crystal Brilliance
Anna Elizabeth Draeger
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
www.kalmbachbooks.com
9780871162953, $21.95, www.amazon.com
The making of jewelry is an increasingly popular home craft. In "Crystal Brilliance: Making
Designer Jewelry with Crystal Beads", professional jewelry designer Anna Elizabeth Draeger has
compiled a superbly organized and presented, profusely illustrated, 80-page compendium of
thirty different do-it-yourself projects utilizing the impressive brilliance and many colored hues
of Swarovski crystals. The project designs range from the Classic to the Romantic, from the
Geometric to the Organic. Thoroughly 'user friendly', "Crystal Brilliance: Making Designer
Jewelry with Crystal Beads" will enable even the most novice jewelry maker to produce elegant
pieces that suitable for any and all occasions, making it an enthusiastically recommended
addition to personal and community library Crafts & Hobbies instructional resource
collections.
The Woodworking Shelf
Civil War Woodworking
A. J. Hamler
Linden Publishing
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721-9875
www.woodworkerslibrary.com
9781933502281, $24.95, www.amazon.com
Civil War re-enactments continue to increase in popularity. A key to those re-enactments is
authenticity, not only in uniforms and equipment, but in such ancillary items as ammunition
boxes, camp tables and stools, officer field desks, tent pegs, candle lanterns, and even games.
That is what makes A. J. Hamler's "Civil War Woodworking: 17 Authentic Projects for
Woodworkers and Reenactors" such an valued and valuable instructional guide for the dedicated
woodworker and re-enactor. Each of the featured seventeen woodworking projects is superbly
illustrated with clear, concise and easy to follow instructions. Each individual project begins with
a complete description of the item, including both its overall dimensions and individual
component dimensions. Superbly illustrated throughout and thoroughly 'user friendly', the "Civil
War Woodworking: 17 Authentic Projects for Woodworkers and Reenactors" is a unique and
enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community
library Woodworking and Civil War Studies reference collections.
The Science Shelf
Chemistry With Charisma: Volumes 1 & 2
Mickey Sarquis, et al.
Terrific Science Press
Center for Chemistry Education
Miami University Middletown
4200 East University Blvd., Middletown, OH 45042
Vol. 1: 9781883822552, $21.95, www.amazon.com
Vol. 2: 9781883822569, $21.95, www.amazon.com
Collaborative designed, written and compiled by the team of Mickey Sarquis (Director, Center
for Chemistry Education & Terrific Science Programs, Miami University, Middletown, Ohio);
Lyn Hogue (Center for Chemistry Education, Miami University); Susan Hershberger (Center for
Chemistry Education, Miami University); Jerry Sarquis (Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, Miami University); and John Williams (Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, Miami University), The two volume "Chemistry With Charisma" is specially
designed for use with middle and high school science students. Volume one features twenty-four
lessons that will hold students attention in the classroom while demonstrating through
informative and interesting experiments basic principles of chemistry. Volume two is a
compilation of an addition twenty-eight lessons. Together these volumes comprise an
outstanding addition to supplement any middle or high school science class curriculum with their
illustrated, step-by-step instructions for both teacher and student. Each lesson fully complies with
National Science Education Standards, listing the relevant standards for grades 5 - 12. Also
highly recommended for home schooling, "Chemistry With Charisma: Volumes 1 & 2" will
prove to be an invaluable academic and community library instructional resource collection.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Simple Shapes, Spectacular Quilts
Kaffe Fassett
Stewart, Tabori & Chang, Inc.
c/o Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
115 West 18th Street, 6th floor, New York, NY 10011
www.abramsbooks.com
9781584798378, $35.00, www.amazon.com
In addition to their utilitarian value in keeping folks warm at night in their beds, the quilt quickly
became a means of artistic expression by the women who made them. Those utilitarian and
artistic values continue to be of importance for each new generation of quilt makers. That's why
"Kaffe Fassett's Simple Shapes Spectacular Quilts: 23 Original Quilt Designs" by quilting expert
Kaffe Fassett (a fabric designer for Rowan Patchwork and Quilting and the primary knitwear
designer for Rowan Yarns) will prove to be a popular addition to personal and community library
Needlecraft instructional reference collections. Organized into six basic shape sections (squares;
rectangles; triangles; diamonds; quarter circles; and circles), the patchwork designs are profusely
illustrated enabling even the most novice of needlecrafters to successfully reproduce them. Of
special note is the clear and accessible information provided on Basic Techniques and Templates
making "Simple Shapes, Spectacular Quilts" an invaluable resource for making spectacular quilts
out of ordinary shaped cloth patches.
The Art Shelf
How to Draw and Paint Dragons
Tom Kidd
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788
9780764143861 $21.99 www.barronseduc.com 1-800-645-3476
How to Draw and Paint Dragons is an extraordinarily beautiful self-teaching art book. Budding
artists of all skill and experience levels will learn the basics of drawing and painting, with a focus
on these legendary creatures. From researching the anatomy of natural creatures for a guideline,
to selecting one's tools and equipment (whether physical or digital media), to effectively applying
light, color and texture, to applying the power of storytelling in one's art and more, How to Draw
and Paint Dragons is filled cover to cover with invaluable information for aspiring artists
everywhere. The example illustrations are in gorgeous full color; any dragon lover will find How
to Draw and Paint Dragons a joy to page through regardless of personal artistic inclination.
Highly recommended.
Botany For The Artist
Sarah Simblet
DK Publishing, Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.dk.com
9780756652500, $40.00, www.amazon.com
An art instructor at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art, University of Oxford, and at the
Royal College of Art in London, Sarah Simblet draws upon her many years of experience and
expertise in "Botany for the Artist: An Inspirational Guide to Drawing Plants" to create a
superbly organized and presented 256-page, fully illustrated compendium of step-by-step
illustrations and instructions that will enable even the most novice of art students to produce
accurate drawings of plants ranging from roots, stems and leaves, to flowers, fruit, cones, and
seeds. Of special note is the opening chapters providing insights into the elements of such
images, as well as to the materials and basic techniques required for producing them. Thoroughly
'user friendly', "Botany for the Artist: An Inspirational Guide to Drawing Plants" is especially
recommended for personal, professional, academic, and community library Art Instruction
reference collections. Also highly recommended are two previously published art instruction
manuals by Sarah Simblet: "Sketch Book for the Artist" (9780756608163, $30.00) and "Anatomy
for the Artist" (9780789480453, $40.00).
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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