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Library Bookwatch

Volume 10, Number 10 October 2015 Home | LBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Economic Studies Shelf Writing/Publishing Shelf
Psychology Shelf Fiction Shelf Cookbook Shelf
Language Studies Shelf Graphic Novel Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Library CD Shelf Library DVD Shelf Photography Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Science Shelf Environmental Studies Shelf
Music Shelf Biography Shelf Education Shelf
Astronomy Shelf Military Shelf Civil War Shelf
Technology Shelf Humor Shelf Literary Studies Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

The Metromaniacs
David Ives
Smith & Kraus Publishers
177 Lyme Road, Lyme NH 03755-6610
www.smithandkraus.com
9781575258225, $11.95, 97pp, www.amazon.com

Mistaken identity, misplaced ardor and a right or true love ensures in "The Metromaniacs", David Ives's adaptation of the classic 1738 French farce. Would-be poet Damis has fallen for the works of a mysterious Breton poetess, not knowing she is really his host, middle-aged gentlemen Francalou. Meanwhile, Francalou's daughter Lucille has fallen for the works of Damis, but mistakes Damis's friend, the dashing and unpoetic Dorante, for Damis. A world premiere translation and adaptations, Ives's presentation of Alexis Piron's "The Metromaniacs" once again applies his brilliant sense of comedic timing to a lost classic. "The Metromaniacs" is a very highly recommended addition to community theatre and community library collections.


The Economic Studies Shelf

Introducing Social Stratification
Kasturi Dasgupta
Lynne Rienner Publishers
1800 30th Street, Suite 314
Boulder, CO 80301
9781626371835 $35.00 www.rienner.com

Introducing Social Stratification: The Causes and Consequences of Inequality is a studious, systematic, data-driven analysis at ongoing economic inequality in the United States. A worrisome and ongoing American trend is stifling of social mobility, to the extent that the income of a child's parents is a strong indicator of how well the child will do for himself or herself in adulthood. Introducing Social Stratification discusses how inequality shapes life chances, how globalization has intensified inequality, how the gradual death of unions has helped keep wages suppressed, why education is no longer as effective in equalizing opportunity as it used to be, and possible ways to improve the system for all Americans - such as reining in the political power of "big money" and adopting successful aspects of the European societal model. "Conservatives have successfully rallied the masses using this platform of traditional values, which rejects abortion rights, gay rights, the teaching of evolution, gun control, taxes, and big government... However, once conservatives are elected to office, they typically drop their focus on these cultural issues and immediately turn their attention to an economic regimen of stopping increases to the minimum wage, blocking extensions of unemployment benefits, rolling back workplace standards, endorsing financial deregulation, supporting privatization of schools, busting unions, cutting corporate taxes, and then sequestering budgets so that Head Start, food stamps, education, and Medicare can be further slashed." Persuasive and thought-provoking, Introducing Social Stratification is "must-read" for anyone concerned about the widening gap between the rich and the poor.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Slay the Dragon: Writing Great Video Games
Robert Denton Bryant & Keith Giglio
Michael Wiese Productions
12400 Ventura Blvd., #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
www.mwp.com
9781615932290, $24.95, 232pp, www.amazon.com

Video games are a multibillion-dollar industry. Writing video games is substantially unlike writing for any other forum, format, or medium. The collaborative work of video game writing experts Robert Bryant and Keith Giglio, "Slay the Dragon: Writing Great Video Games" will enable even the most novice of aspiring video game writers to understand the challenges and offer creative solutions to writing for a medium where the audience not only demands a great story, but to be a driving force within it. Aimed at traditional writers who want to learn interactive narrative as well as game creators who want to tell better, more emotionally involving stories, "Slay the Dragon" is comprised of informed and informative discussions, as well as self-paced exercises covering such topics as: the "no-act" structure of video games; writing great game characters; making game play emotionally meaningful; and bringing the game world alive. Thoroughly 'user friendly' in both content and tone, "Slay the Dragon" is very highly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Gaming and Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections. It should be noted that "Slay the Dragon" is also available in a Kindle edition ($17.67).

Stop Talking & Start Publishing Your Book
Terrance Zepke
Safari Publishing
www.safaripublishing.net
9780990765356, $12.95, 140pp, www.amazon.com

In just 144 page, Terrance Zepke lays out everything an aspiring author needs to know about the business of book publishing including copyrights, DRM, filing taxes, distributors, book covers, aggregators, query letters, book proposals, DBAs, book pricing, EINs, LLCNs, trade discounts, Bowker, ISBNs, worldwide and territory rights, offset printing, and much more. Impressively 'user friendly' in organized and presentation, "Stop Talking & Start Publishing Your Book" is enhanced with the inclusion of a twenty-seven listing of Resources & Inspiration, and a six page Index. A very practical introduction to book publishing, "Stop Talking & Start Publishing Your Book" is enthusiastically recommended for all aspiring authors seeking to have their manuscripts become books, and their books brought to the positive attention of an intended readership. It should be noted that "Stop Talking & Start Publishing Your Book" is also available in a Kindle edition ($4.99).

Writing for the Green Light
Scott Kirkpatrick
Focal Press
c/o Taylor & Francis Group
8th Floor, 711 3rd Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA
www.focalpress.com
9781138016460, $29.95, 202pp, www.amazon.com

Scott Kirkpatrick is the Director of Distribution for MarVista Entertainment, a Los Angeles based production and distribution company that produces original Lifetime and SyFy channel films, co-produces TV movies with Disney and Nickelodeon, and has managed international TV deals on major franchises including Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Digimon, and Julius Jr. Scott has also produced and directed TV series and feature films including Eye for an Eye, Muslims in America, and Roadside Massacre. In "Writing for the Green Light: How to Make Your Script the One Hollywood Notices" Kirkpatrick shows the novice playwright just how to craft their screenplay so that it will sell. Aspiring playwrights will find out what Hollywood script readers, producers, and studio executives want in a screenplay (and why) from someone who's been there, as well as discover what it takes to begin a lasting career as a screenwriter. Peppered with interviews from established professionals, "Writing for the Green Light: How to Make Your Script the One Hollywood Notices" will provide playwrights a sharp competitive edge by showcasing dozens of everyday events that go on at the studios but are rarely if ever discussed in most screen writing books. With his behind-the-scenes perspective, Scott Kirkpatrick shows you why the system works the way it does and how you can use its unwritten rules to your advantage. He answers such questions as: Who actually reads your script?; How do you pique the interest of studios and decision makers?; What do agents, producers, and production companies need in a script?; How much is a script worth?; What are the best genres for new writers and why?; What are real steps you can take to 'break in' to television writing?; How do you best present or pitch a project without looking desperate?; How do you negotiate a contract without an agent?; How do you exude confidence and seal your first deal?. Simply stated, "Writing for the Green Light" is a "must read" and a "must have" addition to all personal, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections. It should be noted that "Writing for the Green Light" is also available in a Kindle edition ($28.45).

The Handy English Grammar Answer Book
Christine A. Hult, Ph.D.
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Road #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
9781578595204 $21.95 www.visibleinkpress.com

The Handy English Grammar Answer Book is a straightforward, accessible guide to the fundamental English grammar, including punctuation advice, insights into writing, analysis of the different parts of a sentence, organizing a well-argued essay, and much more. Created to be accessible to speakers and writers of all ages, The Handy English Grammar Answer Book is especially valuable for high school and college students, and professionals in almost all fields of work. In today's knowledge-based economy, more and more good-paying jobs require solid writing skills! Highly recommended for public and college library as well as personal reference collections.


The Psychology Shelf

Understanding OCD
Leslie J. Shapiro
Praeger Publishers
c/o ABC-CLIO
PO Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
c/o Gulotta Communications (publicity)
www.abc-clio.com
9781440832116, $48.00, 203pp, www.amazon.com

Leslie J. Shapiro is considered to be one of the most experienced and successful therapists in the country for treatment-resistant obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In "Understanding OCD: Skills to Control the Conscience and Outsmart Obsessive Compulsive Disorder" she draws upon her many years of experience and expertise to deftly explain OCD, the OCD treatments available, and the skills needed to overcome and outsmart OCD. "Understanding OCD" includes a list of normal "bad" thoughts versus obsessions; features tests to rate one's guilt, scrupulosity, and OCD; examines the ways in which guilt is an interfering factor in OCD treatment and recovery; and covers effective strategies for controlling the conscience-related aspects of the disease. Impressively well written, exceptionally well organized, and deftly presented, "Understanding OCD" is highly recommended for professional and academic library Psychology/Psychiatry instructional reference collections. For personal reading lists it should be noted that "Understanding OCD" is also available in a Kindle edition ($36.96).


The Fiction Shelf

The Trees Beneath Us
Darren R. Leo
Stark House Press
1315 H Street, Eureka, CA 95501
www.starkhousepress.com
9781933586731, $15.95, 172pp, www.amazon.com

Although a work of fiction, "The Trees Beneath Us" by Darren R. Leo deftly touches upon a universal themes of self-discovery, love, and loss in a most realistic manner -- all in the form of one man's decision to take a grueling trek down the famed Appalachian Trail. Author Darren R. Leo manifests an impressive roster of storytelling skills that includes originality, wit and wisdom, the development of a complex character, and the creation of an absorbing read from beginning to end. This is the kind of novel that will linger in the reader's mind and memory long after the book itself is finished and set back upon the shelf. "The Trees Beneath Us" is very highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community and academic library Literary Fiction collections.


The Cookbook Shelf

Kitchen Gypsy
Joanne Weir
Oxmoor House
PO Box 361095, Des Moines, IA 50336-1095
www.timeincbooks.com
9780848746032, $35.00, 288pp, www.amazon.com

The author of seventeen previous cookbooks, Joanne Weir is a James Beard Award-winning cookbook author, international cooking teacher and chef. In her award-winning PBS series, "Joanne Weir's Cooking Class," "Joanne Weir's Cooking Confidence" and her new series "Joanne Weir Gets Fresh". Once again she brings her experience and expertise to bear in "Kitchen Gypsy: Recipes and Stories from a Lifelong Romance with Food". Beautifully illustrated in full color throughout, the thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes range from Chicken Legs Stuffed with Blue Cheese and Walnuts; Rhubarb Crostata with Chestnut Honey Ice Cream; Salmon with Cucumber and Mint Fettuccine; Farmers' Market Risotto with Squash Blossoms; and Lavender Lime Souffle; to Moroccan-Style Lamb Burgers with Cucumber-Ginger Yogurt; Spiced Papas Bravas with Avocado Crema; Oaxacan Chocolate Milk Shakes; Sparkling Rose Petal Sorbet; and Friday-Night Potato Pancakes. Of special note are all the inherently interesting little commentaries throughout. "Kitchen Gypsy" is guaranteed to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, professional, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Kitchen Gypsy" is also available in a Kindle edition ($18.29).

100 Recipes
America's Test Kitchen
17 Station Street, Brookline, MA 02445
www.americastestkitchen.com
9781940352015, $40.00, www.amazon.com

Each individual recipe comprising "100 Recipes" has been tested, written, and edited by the test cooks, editors, food scientists, tasters, and cookware specialists at America's Test Kitchen, a 2,500-square-foot kitchen located just outside Boston. Beautifully and profusely illustrated throughout, this 368 page compendium of thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes showcases nutritious and delicious dishes that range from Stir Fried Beef and Brocoli with Oyster Sauce; Sweet and Tangy Barbecued Chicken; Skillet Meaty Lasagna; and Best Vegetarian Chili; to Creamy Parmesan Polenta; Pork and Cabbage Potstickers; and Italian Almond Cake. Every recipe includes serving size information, an ingredients list, and clear step-by-step instructions. "100 Recipes" will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, professional, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "100 Recipes" is also available in a Kindle edition ($21.00).

Simply In Season
Mary Beth Lind & Cathleen Hockman-Wert
Herald Press
1251 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
www.heraldpress.com
9780836199123, $24.99, 384pp, www.amazon.com

Now newly released in a tenth anniversary edition, "Simply In Season" is the collaborative work of dietitian and nutritional consultant Mary Beth Lind and journalist/avid farmers market shopper Cathleen Hockman-Wert. This beautifully illustrated, 384 page culinary compendium showcases recipes that emphasize the use of fresh, local foods. Seasonally organized (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and a concluding section for All Seasons), the palate pleasing, appetite satisfying dishes range from Sugared Asparagus; Greek Tomato Salad; Slow Cooker Enchiladas; and Butternut Harvest Stew; to Apple Lentil Salad; Easy Homemade Sauerkraut; Chunky Crunchy Granola; and Scandinavian Sweet Soup. A truly impressive assembly of thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes, "Simply In Season" is as much fun to browse through as it is simple and easy to plan seasonally appropriate meals with, giving it the highest possible recommendation for personal, family, and community library cookbook collections. It should be noted that "Simply In Season" is also available in a paperback addition (9780836199130, $19.99).

The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook: Volume 2
America's Test Kitchen
17 Station Street, Brookline, MA 02445
www.americastestkitchen.com
www.howcanitbeglutenfree.com
9781936493982, $26.95, 328pp, www.amazon.com

The second volume of America's Test Kitchen "The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook" features some 190 all-new landmark recipes, including more than seventy-five dairy-free recipes, along with an emphasis on a new whole-grain flour blend. The nutritious and delicious, kitchen cook friendly recipes range from Whole Grain Waffles; Rainbow Quinoa Pilaf; Batter Fried Fish; and Flourless Nut and Seed Loaf; to Rosemary Focaccia; Linzer Cookies; Coconut Cream Pie; and New York Style Cheesecake. From breakfast treats, to comfort food, to main meal entres, to simply wonderful desserts, "The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook: Volume 2" is certain to be an enduringly popular addition to personal, family, and community library collections. It should be noted that this second volume in the "The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook" series is also available in a Kindle edition ($16.49).


The Language Studies Shelf

Lectiones Memorabiles
Marianthe Colakis & Yasuko Taoka
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers
1570 Baskin Road, Mundelein, IL 60060
www.bolchazy.com www.amazon.com

The premier source for Latin language studies curriculum materials and publications, Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers now presented a two volume compendium comprised of excerpts from classic Latin literature. Volume 1 (9780865168299, $20.59, 341pp) by academician author of numerous pedagogical materials Marianthe Colakis is comprised of selections from Catullus, Cicero, Livy, Ovid, Propertius, Tibullus, and Vergil. Volume 2 (9780865168305, $20.59, 157pp) by Yasuko Taoka (Associate Professor of Classics, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale) features selections taken from Horace, Lucretius, Seneca, Suetonius, and Tacitus. Ideal for Latin language studies curriculums, "Lectiones Memorabiles: Volumes 1 & 2" are very highly recommended for academic library Latin instructional reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.

Grammatica: Latin Grammar Lessons for 4th-8th Grades
Kristin Tracy
Pieces of Learning
1990 Market Road, Marion, IL 62959
9781632790422, $14.95, 168pp, www.piecesoflearning.com

"Grammatica" is specifically designed to give late elementary/early middle school students an age-appropriate overview of the structure of the Latin language, basic Latin grammatical concepts, and Latin vocabulary. "Grammatica" is separated into a Teacher's Section and 6 Student Chapters. The Teacher's Section includes Notes to the Teacher, Optional Student Checklists, Answer Keys for Student Chapters, Exams, and Answer Keys for the Exams. The student chapters are broken down as follows:

Chapter 1: Nouns, action verbs, word order, transitive sentences, and diagrams
Chapter 2: Intransitive Sentences
Chapter 3: Coordinating Conjunctions, gapping, and asyndeton
Chapter 4: Noun cases, five declensions, and dictionary work
Chapter 5: Four genders and nominative/accusative forms of neuter nouns
Chapter 6: Personal pronouns and personal endings.

Spiral bound making it able to lay flat upon the desk or table, "Grammatica" is an ideal Latin Studies curriculum workbook for students in grandes 4 through 8.


The Graphic Novel Shelf

Democracy
Alecos Papadatos, Abraham Kawa, and Annie Di Donna
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781608197194 $27.00 www.bloomsbury.com

Democracy is a full-color historical graphic novel about the inception of the political concept democracy ("government of the people") in the Greek city-state of Athens, roughly 500 years before the birth of Christ. Some elements of the story are creative license, notably the fictional main character and his closest associates, all of whom are ordinary people of Athens caught up in the tides of change. Yet Democracy makes every effort to accurately portray the daily life and culture of ancient Greece, as well as historical events and major figures of the era. An extensive afterword teaches the reader more about what history has recorded of the time, including controversies about some of the era's biggest players (even today, historians disagree whether the legendary "father of democracy" Cleisthenes was a selfless reformer, a manipulative opportunist, or somewhere in between). Democracy chronicles political assassinations and brutal power struggles. Cleisthenes was himself the maternal grandson of a former tyrant of Athens, and exiled for years; yet his reforms were shocking and unprecedented in how they shifted power away from a handful of the wealthiest families and toward the male, non-slave general population. This new form of government did not come easily to Athens; it had to be earned with blood, when Cleisthenes' political opponents attempted to subjugate Athens to the rival city-state of Sparta, primarily to enrich their own wealth and power. The superb storytelling makes ancient history come alive; Democracy is as fascinating and entertaining as it is educational, and highly recommended especially for public library graphic novel collections.

The Courageous Princess: The Unremembered Lands
Rod Espinoza
Dark Horse Comics
10956 SE Main Street, Milwaukie, OR 97222
9781616557232 $19.99 hc / $15.12 Kindle www.darkhorse.com

The second hardcover graphic novel of a trilogy, The Courageous Princess: The Unremembered Lands continues the story of the good-hearted Princess Mabelrose. Kidnaped from her home by a dragon, Mabelrose has successfully escaped her captor and freed the people of Leptia from an oppressive tyrant. Now, she embarks on the long journey home. Her father, King Jeryk, has begun his own quest to rescue her, enlisting the aid of a small group of talented and princes and adventurers. But an invading army of giants has waylaid them, and now they are the ones in need of rescue! Fantasy and drama intertwine in this exciting, original fairy tale. The Courageous Princess is suitable for all ages, and especially recommended for public and school library graphic novel collections. Also highly recommended is the first volume, "The Courageous Princess: Beyond the Hundred Kingdoms" (9781616557225, $19.99 hc / $9.99 Kindle), and the third volume "The Courageous Princess: The Dragon Queen" (9781616557249, $19.99 hc / $10.65 Kindle) is forthcoming.

Master Keaton 3
Naoki Urasawa, Hokusei Katsushika, and Takashi Nagasaki
Viz Media LLC
1355 Market Street, Suite 200
San Francisco CA 94103
9781421575926 $19.99 www.viz.com

Presented with its artwork in its original "unflipped" right-to-left state, Master Keaton 3 is the third black-and-white manga (Japanese graphic novel) chronicling the adventures of Taichi Hiraga Keaton, the son of a Japanese zoologist and a wealthy English noblewoman. Keaton himself is multitalented; he excelled as a survival skills instructor in the military, and now works as a hybrid of private investigator and diplomat for an insurance company. His greatest struggle is trying figure out just what he wants to do with his life - his job is dangerous yet pays remarkably little; his marriage ended in divorce; and his relationship with his young adult daughter fluctuates between cordial and rocky. Master Keaton uses a (mostly) self-contained episodic storytelling style, which makes volume 3 an accessible jumping-on point for readers new to the series. In volume 3, Keaton must negotiate the safety of a hostage held by greedy kidnappers; defuse a deadly bomb with help from a surprising source; help a childhood rival turned police detective identify a ruthless murderer; and much more. A fine blend of intense action, character-based drama, intrigue, and human interest, the Master Keaton series is highly recommended. Master Keaton is recommended for older teen and adult readers due to some scenes of violence.


The Audiobook Shelf

In This Together
Ann Romney
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427267672 $29.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

In This Together: My Story is the unabridged audiobook rendition of the memoir of Ann Romney, former First Lady of Massachusetts (her governor husband Mitt Romney is also well- known for his unsuccessful presidential campaign) and global ambassador of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Ann met her future husband Mitt Romney when both were teenagers, and much of their life was filled with blessings: five healthy sons, wealth, and a happy household. Then in 1998, Ann was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; no therapies or treatments could aid her. Mitt told her that they would face the disease's challenge as a team. Ann, a caregiver all her life, had to face the reality of becoming a care receiver. Candid and personal, In This Together is a powerful true story about confronting bad news head-on, as well as Ann's journey from patient to advocate for people worldwide afflicted with debilitating neurological diseases. Highly recommended. 6 CDs, 7.5 hours.

Never Enough
Michael D'Antonio, author
Read by Eric Pollins
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427274458 $39.99 www.macmillanaudio.com

A member of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team of journalists from "Newsday", Michael D'Antonio presents Never Enough: Donald Trump and the Pursuit of Success an unabridged audiobook about the meteoric rise of Donald Trump amid Republican party jockeying for the 2015 Presidential nomination. Never Enough is a stark biography that portrays Trump as a man with an insatiable appetite for wealth, attention, power, and conquest, and who views himself as decidedly superior to all (or at least, the vast majority of) other human beings. D'Antonio draws upon interviews with Trump and many of his family members, including all of his adult children, to form a vivid picture of both Trump the pugnacious and outspoken American icon, and Trump the mortal man, whose life has been marked by stormy romances and the relentless pursuit of power. Never Enough also examines how Trump's political rise is symptomatic of how modern American politics have become more and more heavily influenced by money - will all of America's highest governmental offices eventually be the exclusive domain of the super-rich? Highly recommended. 13 CDs, 16.5 hours.

Bastards: A Memoir
Mary Anna King, author
Read by Christina Delaine
Highbridge Audio Books
270 Skip Jack Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781622319459 $29.99 www.highbridgeaudio.com

Bastards: A Memoir is the unabridged audiobook presentation of a coming-of-age memoir. Author Mary Anna King was a young girl named Mary Hall in the early 1980's, born to poor California parents who were ultimately incapable of raising any of their own children. After Mary's father walked out on the family, a commune of mothers in a low-income housing complex raised her for a time; eventually, Mary's loving but overwhelmed mother sent her to Oklahoma to be raised with her maternal grandparents, who were also raising her younger sister Rebecca. In time Mary is legally adopted by her own grandparents - an unusual situation that makes her mother her sister, and her brother her nephew. Her sisters begin to reconnect with her when she is in college, beginning a piece-by-piece family reunion. Alternately humorous and poignant, Bastards: A Memoir is about rediscovering one's family and one's center, and is highly recommended. 8 hours, 7 CDs.

Lord Jim
Joseph Conrad
Read by Ric Jerrom
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28
Franklin, TN 37064
www.naxosaudiobooks.com
9781843798842, $73.98 CD / $48.00 digital

Part of Naxos' "Complete Classics" line of unabridged audiobooks, Lord Jim is a novel about pride, self-delusion, and the stumbling search for redemption. Jim is the first mate on a small steamer in the Pacific. When the ship hits floating wreckage and sinks, Jim and crew abandon it, saving their own lives but abandoning hundreds of ethnic travelers to a watery grave. Jim's ruthless actions are exposed by the court, leading to a journey that takes him to a remote, exotic locale where he is revered as Lord Jim ("Tuan Jim"). Evocative and insightful, Lord Jim is a thinking person's novel, highly recommended especially for public and college library audiobook collections. 12 CDs, 15 hours 34 min.

Born of Defiance
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
www.macmillanaudio.com
9781427262066, $39.99, www.amazon.com

Born a genealogical and cultural outcast, Talyn Batur has spent the whole of his life fighting against the prejudice of his people. An Andarion without a father is not something anyone wants to be. But when his companion Felisha's brother draws him into a plot against the Andarion crown, he finds himself torn between the loyalty to their planetary government that his mother has beaten into him and his own beliefs of justice and right. Now, he must decide for himself to remain a pawn of their government or to defy everything and everyone he's ever known to stand up to tyranny. It's a gamble that will either save his life or end it. And when old enemies align with new ones, it's more than just his own life at risk. And more than just his home world that will end should he fail. "Born of Defiance" is an original and exceptionally well written science fiction action/adventure novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon. With flawless production values, this Macmillan unabridged audio book edition is superbly narrated by Fred Berman and very highly recommended for both personal and community library science fiction audio book collections. 11 CDs, 13.5 Hours.

Utah Blaine
Louis L'Amour
Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10019
www.randomhouseaudio.com
9780804192491, $30.00, www.amazon.com

Utah Blaine broke out of jail and headed north out of Mexico with nothing but the clothes on his back. Then he found new trouble struggling at the end of a noose - and stepped in just in time to save the life of a Texas rancher. The would-be executioners were the rancher's own men, looking to steal his land. Now Utah has a unique proposition: Have the wealthy Texan play dead, introduce himself as the spread's new foreman, and take care of the outlaws one by one. The wage to fight another man's war? A hundred a month plus expenses. The cost of falling in love while he earns that wage? It wasn't exactly part of the original agreement, but Utah will soon find out unless the bad guys get to him first. "Utah Blaine" is another action-packed western novel classic by the legendary Louis L'Amour. Complete and unabridged, this highly recommended audio book edition is very capably narrated by Craig Klein and certain to be an enduringly popular addition to personal and community library audio book collections. (5 CDs, 6 Hours).


The Library CD Shelf

The Shackleton Experience
Karl Schmaltz
Privately Published
$10.00 www.shackletonexperience.com

The creation of 19-year-old music prodigy Karl Schmaltz, The Shackleton Experience is a unique blend of music and spoken-word storytelling, reliving Sir Ernest Shackleton's effort to cross the Antarctic continent from sea to sea aboard the ship "Endurance". Inviting the listener to relive the crunch of plowing through ice blocks, exhaustive trekking across seemingly endless snow, and surviving dire peril, The Shackleton Experience is evocative, original, and highly recommended. The tracks are "Men Wanted", "Into the Weddell Sea", "Winter Months", "Ocean Camps", "Escape from the Ice", "The Boat Journey", "Across South Georgia", and "The Rescue".

Illumination of the Heart
Deuter
New Earth Records
www.NewEarthRecords.com
c/o Sounds True
413 South Arthur Avenue, Louisville, CO 80027
www.soundstrue.com
$13.99 CD / $9.49 MP3 www.amazon.com

Created by prolific New Age musician Deuter (widely considered one of the founding fathers of the genre since the release of his first album in 1971), Illumination of the Heart is an instrumental album of spiritual music featuring flute, keyboards, cello, piano, guitar, and soft vocals. Evoking emotion and reflection on the interconnectedness of all life, Illumination of the Heart is a sublime diffusion of conscious awareness, and an excellent choice for relaxation, meditation, or life therapy. Highly recommended! The tracks are "Matamua" (9:48), "Moon and Earth" (6:28), "Tonglen" (7:38), "Stern an Stern" (6:50), "Coucher de Lune" (4:46), "Schein Und Widerschein" (9:26), "Desert Dream Green" (7:37), and "Mericoeur" (8:23), 61 min.

Lights of Laniakea
Kathy Sanborn
That Other Label
$8.99 CD / $9.49 MP3 www.amazon.com

Lights of Laniakea is the seventh album by composer, singer, producer, and American Songwriting Awards Winner Kathy Sanborn. Eight of her songs have English lyrics; three others features haunting, wordless vocalizations. The fluid beauty of Lights of Laniakea hearkens to its inspiration, a recently mapped supercluster in space containing our galaxy, dubbed Laniakea (meaning "Immeasurable Heaven") by astronomers. An enchanting, cross-cultural audio experience, Lights of Laniakea is rapturously radiant. The tracks are "Star Catcher" (5:42), "Follow the Light" (5:28), "Soul Dancing" (5:28), "Someday" (4:57), "Little Candle" (6:05), "Lani Heaven" (5:53), "Immeasurable Sky" (4:57), "The Stuff of Stars" (6:03), "Abundant Love" (5:44), "Akea" (5:02), "Seeds of Hope" (4:37), and "Fantasy" (6:24).


The Library DVD Shelf

Statue of Liberty & New York City
Bennett Watt HD Productions, Inc.
13021 - 244 Avenue SE
Issaquah, WA 98027
9781604901801 $24.95 www.Bennett-Watt.com

Part of the "Discoveries... America National Parks" series of documentary/travel video essays (available in both DVD and Blu-ray format), Statue of Liberty & New York City is magnificent tour of historical and recreational sites in New York, including the Statue of Liberty National Monument, Ellis Island, Grant's Tomb National Memorial, Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace Home National Historic Site, 9/11 Memorial, and much more. Beautiful footage and enlightening background information make Statue of Liberty & New York City the next best thing to visiting these evocative places in person. Highly recommended, especially for public library DVD collections. 50 min.

George Gently Series 7
Starring Martin Shaw, Lee Ingleby, and Lisa McGrillis
Acorn Media
c/o RLJ Entertainment
9781621724384 $59.99 DVD and Blu-ray, www.acornonline.com

Available in both DVD and Blu-ray formats, George Gently Series 7 collects four all-new, feature-length mysteries featuring Detective Chief Inspector George Gently (played by Martin Shaw), who strives to keep the peace and catch criminals in North East of England during the socially turbulent 1960's. Gently works with Detective Sergeant John Bacchus (played by Lee Ingleby) and Constable Rachel Coles (played by Lisa McGrillis) to solve crimes of violence, as cultural, economic, and social revolutions transform the world around them. Yet Gently and Bacchus each harbor their own dark secrets, which could potentially bring them disgrace and destroy their careers! Bonus features include interviews with star Martin Shaw and guest actors Jim Moir and Lesley Nicol. George Gently Series 7 is a "must-have" for connoisseurs of dramatic British mysteries! 4 mysteries on 4 discs, 371 min. plus bonus, widescreen, SDH subtitles.


The Photography Shelf

Ernst Haas: On Set
Ernst Haas, photographer
Steidl
c/o Distributed Art Publishers
155 Sixth Avenue, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10013-1507
www.artbook.com
9783869305875, $268.00, www.amazon.com

Ernst Haas (March 2, 1921 - September 12, 1986) was a photojournalist and a pioneering color photographer. During his 40-year career, the Austrian-born artist bridged the gap between photojournalism and the use of photography as a medium for expression and creativity. In addition to his prolific coverage of events around the globe after World War II, Haas was an early innovator in color photography. His images were widely disseminated by magazines like Life and Vogue and, in 1962, were the subject of the first single-artist exhibition of color photography at New York's Museum of Modern Art. "Ernst Haas: On Set" is a 287 page coffee table book impressively showcasing theatrical and cinematic photographic images taken by Ernst Haas on filming locations. Beginning with in an informative Introduction and two informed Essays ('Ernst Haas: On Set' by John P. Jacob and 'Ernst Haas: Moving Pictures' by Walter Moser), "Ernst Haas: On Set" covers twenty-three major films ranging from The Third Man (1949), to West Side Story (1961), to Little Big Man (1970), to Quest for Fire (1981). The photography includes both color and black-and-white images. an impressive body of work, "Ernst Haas: On Set" is very highly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Photography and Cinematic History reference collections.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Molecular Approaches to Reproductive and Newborn Medicine
Diana W. Bianchi & Errol R. Norwitz, editors
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
500 Sunnyside Boulevard, Woodbury NY 11797-2924
www.cshlpress.com
9781621820895, $135.00, 300pp, www.amazon.com

Compiled and co-edited by Diana W. Bianchi (Tufts University School of Medicine) and Errol R. Norwitz (Tufts University School of Medicine), "Molecular Approaches to Reproductive and Newborn Medicine" is a collection of scholarly articles written by experts in the field of reproductive medicine and newborn medical care. This collection from the Cold Spring Harbor 'Perspectives in Medicine' reviews our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in conception, pregnancy, labor, and birth, and how molecular techniques are being applied to reproductive and perinatal health. The contributors discuss the gene expression profiles and epigenetic characteristics of sperm, the ovary, the endometrium, and the placenta, as well as the molecules involved in feto-maternal communication, including various endocrine, vascular, and immune factors. They also consider how we can harness this knowledge to improve fertility, conception rates, and embryo implantation success, leading to healthy, full-term pregnancies. The contributors also review innovative technologies to diagnose genetic disorders at the fetal and neonatal stages and the social and ethical dilemmas these pose. "Molecular Approaches to Reproductive and Newborn Medicine" is an indispensable reference for all scientists and physicians interested in deepening our understanding of human reproductive biology and improving our chances of having healthy children, making it a critically important addition to academic library and medical school reference collections and reproductive medicine supplemental studies reading lists.

Alcoholism Sourcebook, fourth edition
Omnigraphics, Inc.
Keith Jones, editor
155 W. Congress, Suite 200, Detroit, MI 48226
www.omnigraphics.com
9780780813755, $95.00, www.amazon.com

Now in a fully updated and significantly expanded fourth edition, "Alcoholism Sourcebook" is a 600 page compendium of basic consumer health information about the use and abuse of alcohol, psychological and medical factors associated with alcoholism, the role of family history and environmental influences with respect to alcoholism, facts and statistics, prevention strategies and risk factors, recovery and coping strategies and therapies, and so much more. Enhanced with the inclusion of a directory of support groups for alcohol related concerns, as well as a glossary of terms related to alcoholism, "Alcoholism Sourcebook" is a very highly recommended and core addition to personal, medical clinic, counseling center, community, and academic library Alcoholism Studies reference collections.


The Science Shelf

The Sociology of Deviance, second edition
Robert J. Franzese
Charles C. Thomas, Publisher
2600 South First Street, Springfield, IL 62704
9780398090791, $64.95, 398pp, www.ccthomas.com

Now in a revised and expanded second edition, "Sociology of Deviance: Differences, Tradition, and Stigma" by Robert J. Franzese is dedicated to a sociological analysis of deviance, a term reframed to imply differences. Deviance is approached from the outset as meaning differences: differences in attitudes, behaviors, lifestyles, and values of people. The terms 'deviance' or 'deviant behavior' are understood as labels themselves and are used sparingly. 'Tradition' means traditional topics are covered such as suicide, mental disorders and physical disabilities, addictions and substance abuse and use, criminal behaviors, and sexual behaviors and differences. 'Stigma' is a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one's reputation. "The Sociology of Deviance" is an exemplary work of impressively accessible scholarship organized and presented in three major section: Background (The Nature of Deviance; Studying Deviance); Theories (An Overview of and Introduction to Sociological Theories of Deviance; Anomie and Structural Theories Extended - Strain Theories; Control Theories; Societal Reaction and Other Social Processes Theories; Conflict and Feminist Theories); Substantive Areas (Suicide; Criminal Behaviors; Addictions and the Use and Abuse of Substances; Sexual Behaviors and Differences; Elite and Power Deviance). enhanced with a eighteen pages of References; a six page Name Index; and a twenty-five page Subject Index, "The Sociology of Deviance" is strongly recommended as a core contribution to professional and academic library Sociology, Psychology, and Psychiatry reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

Critical Government Documents on the Environment
Don Philpott
Bernan Press
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9781598887471 $50.00 hc
9781598887488 $49.99 ebook www.bernan.com

Part of the informative and non-partisan "Critical Government Documents" series, Critical Government Documents on the Environment presents arguments for and against leading environmental issues of the present day. All material is from published sources, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human Services, the White House, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, and more. Topics discussed include global warming, greenhouse gases, the Keystone Pipeline, mining, water/air/marine pollution, renewable energy, and more. Critical Government Documents on the Environment does not seek to advocate any individual position or offer new science, but rather collects information to enable the reader to make their own, carefully evaluated judgement. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library Environmental Studies collections.


The Music Shelf

Music Theory For Beginners
R. Ryan Endris, author
Joe Lee, illustrator
For Beginners LLC
155 Main Street, Suite 211, Danbury, CT 06810
Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari (distribution)
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781939994462, $15.95, www.forbeginnersbooks.com

"Music Theory for Beginners" presents in spare, witty, condensed chapters the basics of music theory for the untutored in five chapters and 115 pages. Richly illustrated with comic black and white drawings, "Music Theory for Beginners" is an ideal text manual for anyone wanting to become fluent in reading and understanding music notation, for purposes of composition or performance or enjoyment. Part of the For Beginners series, "Music Theory for Beginners" presents a step by step introduction to the complex components of music theory, using comic black and white illustrations to exemplify and enlighten with humor and charm. It is a great self educational manual for motivated and untrained music lover. Chapters unfold on rhythm (beat, tempo, meter), musical notation, scales and keys, intervals and harmony, and putting music theory into practice. The use of shaded sidebars presents exciting supplemental information, such as composer bio-profiles, (Richard Wagner, Arnold Schoenberg, more) and musical concepts or types of music (such as blues). A pair of comic caricatures of Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Elvis and others peps up dialogue and narrative and helps lock down reader attention. An Epilogue, Glossary, and Further Reading resource list complete this succinct, elegant mini- music theory manual for beginners, compacting a large amount of useful information into a clear, user friendly reader format.


The Biography Shelf

Henry Clay: America's Greatest Statesman
Harlow Giles Unger
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Book Group
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1500, New York, NY 10107
9780306823916 $25.99 www.perseusbooksgroup.com

Henry Clay: America's Greatest Statesman is the biography Henry Clay (1777-1852), a statesman who served America for over fifty years. He was the youngest-ever speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; a crusader against the corruption and slavery; an inspiring hero to President Abraham Lincoln; and a survivor of great personal tragedy, including ill health and the death of his daughters. His support of the abolition movement very likely cost him the presidential election on four occasions. Yet to this day, he is best known as "The Great Compromiser", a man who pulled the young nation back from the brink of civil war with delicately balanced compromises on five separate, historic occasions (in 1820, 1821, 1833, 1836, and 1850). Though the American Civil War ultimately erupted after Clay's passing, his efforts held America together long enough for strong economic, political, and social ties to grow, to the point that separation became unthinkable. Notes, a bibliography, and an index round out this meticulously researched, reader-friendly life story of a truly remarkable politician. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library biography collections.

Brummett Echohawk
Kristin M. Youngbull
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive
Norman, OK 73069
9780806148267 $24.95 www.oupress.com

Brummett Echohawk: Pawnee Thunderbird and Artist is the first book-length biography of World War II hero, painter, writer, humorist, and actor Brummett Echohawk. A member of the Pawnee tribe of Native Americans, Echohawk served on the European battlefields of World War II, counted coup as his grandfather had done during the Indian wars of the previous century, and drew combat sketches as well as portraits of Allied and enemy soldiers, some of which appeared in the "Detroit Free Press" in 1944. After the war, and without support from the GI Bill, Echohawk studies at the Art Institute of Chicago for three years and secured work as a staff artist for multiple Chicago newspapers. Eight of Echohawk's paintings are reproduced in full color in this thoughtful, detailed, and candid life story. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library biography and Native American studies shelves.


The Education Shelf

Finding Your U
Katrin Muir Lau and Judith Widener Muir
Bright Sky Press
2365 Rice Blvd., Suite 202, Houston, TX 77005
9781939055989 $19.95 www.brightskypress.com

Written by professional college counselors, Finding Your U: Navigating the College Admission Process distills thirty years' of wisdom in the field, hundreds of college campus visits, and uncountable conversations with college deans and reps into an accessible, user-friendly guide to understanding the ecomplex process of choosing a university best suited to one's needs, and earning admission. College applicants learn about how colleges decide who gets in (from standardized tests to winning essays to letters of recommendation), options to pursue when deciding on a possible degree, the process of applying for financial assistance, and much more. "In your communications with the school, avoid being inappropriate. Use conventional grammar and spelling, not what is used in texts and social media. Double-check grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Make sure your email address is appropriate. It may feel like a casual email, but it will become a permanent part of your life." A "must-have" for every high school student contemplating a college education - which is more essential than ever for earning a living wage in today's economy.


The Astronomy Shelf

The Astronomy Bible
Heather Couper & Nigel Henbest
Firefly Books Ltd.
50 Staples Avenue, Unit 1
Richmond Hill, ON, Canada L4B 0A7
9781770854826 $19.95 www.fireflybooks.com

Featuring striking, full-color photography of stars and planets and throughout, The Astronomy Bible: The Definitive Guide to the Night Sky and the Universe is a compact-sized, comprehensive guide to this ancient science. Chapters discuss the long history of humankind's observation of the sun, the moon, constellations, planets, comets, and more. Reference pages (including a list of forthcoming eclipses for the next five years) and an index round out this fascinating resource, thoroughly accessible to novice and veteran stargazers alike. Highly recommended.


The Military Shelf

Torch: North Africa and the Allied Path to Victory
Vincent P. O'Hara
Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
9781612518237 $49.95 hc / $31.10 Kindle www.nip.org

Torch: North Africa and the Allied Path to Victory is an in-depth, scholarly analysis of a critical aspect of World War II. Operation Torch was the first combined Allied offensive, a British- American invasion of French North Africa during the North African campaign, starting in November of 1942. The reasoning behind the operation was to aid Russia by creating a new front in the battle, and to move American troops into the war against Germany. To this day, historians debate whether Operation Torch improved the Allies' standing in the war, or whether it prolonged the war by wasting Allied soldiers and resources. Torch: North Africa and the Allied Path to Victory scrutinizes the operation's five landings (Port Lyautey, Fedala, and Safi in Morocco, and Oran and Algiers in Algeria), as well as air and ground actions. The operation's context within the World War II as a whole, as well as the French perspective, are also considered at length. Notes, a bibliography, and an index round out this studious and welcome addition to public and college library military history shelves.


The Civil War Shelf

Civil War Nurse Narratives 1863-1870
Daneen Wardrop
University of Iowa Press
100 Kuhl House, 119 West Park Road
Iowa City, IA 52242-1000
9781609383671 $55.00 www.uiowapress.org

Daneen Wardrop (Professor of English, Western Michigan University) presents Civil War Nurse Narratives 1863-1870, a close analysis of the first wave of autobiographical narratives written by northern female nurses, and published both during and shortly after the American Civil War. The scrutinized writings include those of Louisa May Alcott, Elvira Powers, Julia Wheelock, and more. These true-life stories are notable for their realistic reporting of medicine on the battlefield. Although they generally avoided discussions of military strategy or Congressional politics, these Civil War nurse narratives did challenge widespread and entrenched prejudices about gender, culture, race, and class. Civil War Nurse Narratives 1863-1870 is a welcome and highly recommended addition to public and college library Civil War shelves.


The Technology Shelf

Geo Power
Donal Blaise Lloyd
PixyJack Press
PO Box 149, Masonville, CO 80541
www.PixyJackPress.com
9781936555581, $19.95, 208pp, www.amazon.com

Geothermal energy is thermal energy generated and stored in the Earth. Thermal energy is the energy that determines the temperature of matter. The geothermal energy of the Earth's crust originates from the original formation of the planet and from radioactive decay of materials. The geothermal gradient, which is the difference in temperature between the core of the planet and its surface, drives a continuous conduction of thermal energy in the form of heat from the core to the surface. "Geo Power: Stay Warm, Keep Cool and Save Money with Geothermal Heating & Cooling" is an impressively informed and informative work explaining why ground-source heat pumps (GHPs) are the best choice for heating and cooling new or existing homes in any climate and how this reliable, silent, non-polluting way of extracting free energy from the earth saves money year after year. Ideal for homeowners, anyone training for the geothermal industry, and home-building partners (including architects, builders, lenders, inspectors), "Geo Power" goes over various GHP system options and why installing a geothermal system is a smart investment. "Geo Power" goes one step further and provides insights into the simple science of this proven heat-pump technology. "Geo Power" is very highly recommended for non-specialist general readers with an interest in the application geothermal power, as well as a critically important contribution to both community and academic library Alternative Energy reference collections in general, and Geothermal Power supplemental studies lists in particular.


The Humor Shelf

King of the Comics
Stephan Pastis
www.pearlscomic.com
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449458287 $14.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com

King of the Comics: A Pearls Before Swine Collection is an anthology of newspaper comic strips from the popular, if notoriously uncouth "Pearls Before Swine" series. Daily strips are in their original black-and-white, while Sunday strips are reproduced in full color. Comic creator Stephan Pastis is notable for his self-depreciating humor (taken to extremes whenever his author avatar joins the anthropomorphic cast), savage predator-prey jokes, and shaggy dog stories culminating in extravagant puns. For example, a Sunday strip in which Superintendent Cali and his doe lawyer Allie warn Goat that he's about to be evicted because his building is fragile and has been listed for sale culminates in "'Super Cali... Fragile? List it?!' 'Expect Allie.' 'Doe, shush!'" (Then Rat tells Pastis' author avatar, "Mary Poppins asked me to kick your @#@"). Other slightly offensive yet hilariously funny material includes lemmings that cry "Wheeee" when they leap to their deaths (one strip admits that lemming suicide is a myth perpetuated by a 1960's Disney documentary), a penguin-devouring polar bear bizarrely out of place in the Antarctic, and an absurdly prideful skin-tight-suit cyclist. The laughs come fast and furious, in this spare-no-sensibilities collection!


The Literary Studies Shelf

The Beat Generation FAQ
Rich Weidman
Backbeat Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group
33 Plymouth Street, Suite 302
Montclair, NJ 07042-2677
9781617136016 $19.99 www.halleonard.com

Part of a series of pop culture "FAQ" titles from Backbeat Books, The Beat Generation FAQ: All That's Left To Know About The Angleheaded Hipsters examines a literary movement that arose as counterculture to the stifling repressions and conformity that saturated post World War II life in the United States. Beat Generation writers embraced controversy; works such as "Naked Lunch" and "Howl" led to obscenity trials, while Jack Kerouac's 1957 novel "On the Road" became notorious for allegedly corrupting the nation's youth. The literature Beat writers often featured an organic use of language, and expressions of spontaneity evocative of improvisational jazz music. A diversity of authors and their classic literary works are profiled. A timeline, bibliography, and index round out this excellent addition to literary studies shelves.


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