 |
Book
Reviews,
Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers |
| Home / Library Bookwatch |
Library Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Signing Their Rights Away
Denise Kiernan and Joseph D'Agnese
Quirk Books
215 Church Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781594745201 $19.95 quirkbooks.com
Flaunting a dust jacket that can be unfolded into a replica of the U.S. Constitution, Signing Their
Rights Away: The Fame and Misfortune of the Men Who Signed the United States Constitution
is an extraordinary compilation of 39 compact biographies of the men who signed the
Constitution. What is truly impressive is that these men were flawed mortals, beset with
conflicting goals, quirks, and personal problems - Hugh Williamson believed in aliens; Robert
Morris was incarcerated; alcohol addiction destroyed Thomas Mifflin; and Jonathan Dayton stole
$18,000 from Congress (a staggering fortune at the time)! Yet for all their imperfections, they
were able to set aside their differences, compromise, and create a living document that served as
the foundation for a strong and enduring nation. An extraordinarily fascinating study of
America's lesser-known founding fathers alongside the more well-known ones, Signing Their
Rights Today is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended contribution to public and college
library shelves.
Between the Two Rivers, second edition
Aida Kouyoumjian
Coffee Town Press
PO Box 70515, Seattle, WA 98127
9781603811118, $18.95, www.coffeetownpress.com
To escape death, one will go to any length. "Between the Two Rivers: A Story of the Armenian
Genocide" is an updated biography of two Armenian sisters as they try to escape genocide in
Iraq. Selling dung and working as servants, they struggle to find their place in the world and may
find it in working with other survivors to remember their legacy. The updated edition includes
more photographs and a relevant map, "Between the Two Rivers" is an excellent addition to any
collection with a focus on the Armenian genocide.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Challenging and Emerging Conditions in Emergency Medicine
Arvind Vankat, editor
Wiley-Blackwell
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
9780470655009, $84.95, www.wiley.com
When every second matters, bureaucracy needs to be shoved aside. "Challenging and Emerging
Conditions in Emergency Medicine" discusses the important issues that emerge in serious issues
that have life and death connotations on the line for it all. As the population ages, and new
techniques emerge in medical science, and conditions lead to multiple emergency treatments as
people live with heart disease, obesity, and other long term conditions. Discussing evaluation and
diagnosis with essays from many long term emergency physicians and more, "Challenging and
Emerging Conditions in Emergency Medicine" is a vital discussion of this very important aspect
of modern medicine and the high complexity in this incredibly vital situations.
The Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder
Stephanie Marohn
Hampton Roads Publishing Company
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
9781571746566, $16.95, www.redwheelweiser.com
Bipolar disorder can be controlled, but it can prove quite difficult. "The Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder" is a guide to living with bipolar disorder. Stephanie Marohn encourages readers to learn what triggers episodes and how to learn to avoid them, gain a balance of mind and avoiding situations that would escalate one into a situation. "The Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder" is a thoughtful read, and a great gift to anyone who has been recently diagnosed or is searching for new ways to combat it.
Addiction Essentials
Carlton K. Erickson
W. W. Norton
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393706154, $19.95, www.wwnorton.com
Fighting addiction is the first step in finding health and happiness for many people. "Addiction
Essentials: The Go-To Guide for Clinicians and Patients" discusses the first steps to battle
addiction, a process that needs the help of doctors, patients, and their families. Discussing the
many addictions, focusing primarily on drugs both narcotic and prescription, "Addiction
Essentials" is a fine assortment that should be considered for anyone fighting their own
addictions or seeking to be a bastion of support in another's fight.
Facing the Cognitive Challenges of Multiple Sclerosis
Jeffrey N. Gingold
Demos Health
11 W. 42nd Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10036
9781936303205, $19.95, www.demoshealth.com
When the mind is under fire, people are at their most vulnerable. "Facing the Cognitive
Challenges of Multiple Sclerosis" is a study from Jeffrey N. Gingold, who presents an updated
study on the cognitive difficulties that come with multiple sclerosis. An updated second edition,
he discusses many principles and challenges that surround those with such ailments. "Facing with
Cognitive Challenges of Multiple Sclerosis" is a scholarly and powerful read that presents the
very human face of the disease, how it can be fought, and ultimately finding something of a
cure.
The Theatre/Cinema Shelf
Film and The American Moral Vision of Nature
Ronald B. Tobias
Michigan State University Press
1405 S. Harrison Rd., Ste. 24
East Lansing, MI 48823-5245
9781611860016, $39.95, www.msupress.msu.edu
Where has film shaped the American opinion of nature? "Film and the American Moral Vision of
Nature: Theodore Roosevelt to Walt Disney" discusses the portrayal of nature and American
attitudes towards it though the ages. Tracing American conservation back to Theodore Roosevelt
and the impact he made that still resounds today, which has become America's quest to conquer
nature. An intriguing analysis and the underlying roots and subtexts of it all, "Film and the
American Moral Vision of Nature" proves an excellent study of man, nature, and America,
highly recommended to any community library collection focused on studying any of those
subjects.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Henry VIII: Wolfman
A. E. Moorat
Pegasus Books
80 Broad Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10004
9781605981987, $15.95, www.pegasusbooks.us
Henry the VIII was a man larger than life, and no mere human existence is enough. "Henry VIII:
Wolfman" is a unique spin of the man's life, adding a bit of beast to the man who already had the
bloodlust to be so. A. E. Moorat previously wrote 'Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter' and now
brings a paranormal touch to royalty once more with Tudor England. "Henry VIII" is a fast paced
and fun read that should prove hard to put down.
Dangerous Waters
Juliet E. McKenna
Solaris
1525 Hulse Road, Unit 1
Pt. Pleasant, NJ 08742
9781907519963, $7.99, www.solarisbooks.com
The rule of profit trumps all other rule. "Dangerous Waters" is a story of intrigue. The Caladhrian
Coast is besieged by corsairs, in a land where they are ruled by a wizard yet magic is banned for
warfare. When one of the wizards is plying his trade against the ban in the name of gold, the
corsair's assault is relentless and lives are being destroyed. It will take a few dedicated
individuals to save the land from plunder, but time is ticking. "Dangerous Waters" is an excellent
spin of fantasy and intrigue, highly recommended.
The Library Science Shelf
Zotero
Jason Puckett
ACRL
c/o American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
9780838985892, $36.00, www.ala.org
New technology can make your job easier, but only if you can understand it. "Zotero: A Guide
for Librarians, Researchers and Educators" is a guide to the Zotero tool for bibliography
management. An open source project, the Zotero project contains much of what librarians need
to do to keep on top of a business that all too easily gets out of hand due to sheer volume. A
perfect introductory for the librarian hoping to use the program, "Zotero" is a resource that
shouldn't be overlooked.
Libraries and Society
David Baker & Wendy Evans
Chandos Publishing
c/o Neal Schuman
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038
9781843341314, $80.00, www.chandospublishing.com
With the rise of the internet and the information age, the place of the library in changes.
"Libraries and Society: Role, Responsibility, and Future in an Age of Change" discusses the role
of the library in a time where books aren't as valuable as they once were. From changing reading
habits for youths, changing research habits, and much more. The librarian too, has changed, from
mere tender of books to active player of education. Compiled by experts of libraries and their use
in professional librarian David Baker and Head of Library at the University Colleges of
Plymouth, St. Mark, and St. John Wendy Evans. "Libraries and Society" has plenty of sage
wisdom and makes for a very much recommended read.
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
How to Write & Publish a Scientific Paper, seventh edition
Robert A. Day & Barbara Gastel
ABC-CLIO
130 Cremona Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9780313931972, $29.95, www.abc-clio.com
You may have the best science, but there are hoops to jump through to get your work known.
"How to Write & Publish a Scientific Paper" follows Robert A. Day & Barbara Gastel as they
walks readers through the ins and outs of scientific paper publishing. A crucial step in a scientific
career, Day & Gastel offer much wisdom in cutting through the red tape to avoid missteps,
ethics, presenting your work, and the accepted scientific writing style. "How to Write & Publish a
Scientific Paper" is a strongly recommended addition to any novice and aspiring person of
science's personal library collection.
The Political Science Shelf
The Podium, The Pulpit, And The Republicans
Frederick Stecker
Praeger Publishers
c/o ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
Gulotta Communications (publicity)
341 Lexington Street, Newton, MA 02466
www.abc-clio.com
9780313382505, $44.95, www.amazon.com
Despite the concept of a separation between church and state, religion continues to be an integral
aspect of American politics whether referenced as a 'moral majority' or a 'tea party movement'.
Christian evangelical identification has been (and continues to be) a particular staple within the
Republican party. That's why "The Podium, the Pulpit, and the Republicans: How Presidential
Candidates Use Religious Language in American Political Debate" by Episcopal minister
Frederick Stecker is so timely and such a valued contribution to the growing body of literature
concerning the impact and influence of religion upon American politics, politicians, and political
movements. This 275-page compendium has an especial focus on politicians competing for their
party's presidential nomination for the presidency -- and then in the general election
campaigning. "The Podium, The Pulpit, And The Republicans" covers the rise and influence of
the new 'Religious Right', the use of fear arising from religious issues (anti-gay, anti-abortion,
anti-Muslim, etc), and the party conventions. Of special note is the chapter on the 2008
presidential debates and the presidential election. Enhanced with extensive notes, a bibliography,
and an index, "The Podium, The Pulpit, And The Republicans" is informed, informative,
thoughtful, thought-provoking, and directly relevant to today's national presidential politics,
making it a highly recommended addition for academic and community library reference
collections, as well as supplemental reading lists for American Political Science
curriculums.
The Congressional Budget Office
Philip G. Joyce
Georgetown University Press
3240 Prospect Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007
9781589017573, $29.95, www.press.georgetown.edu
The national budget has entered hard into the current political debate. "The Congressional
Budget Office: Honest Numbers, Power, and Policymaking" discusses the role of the U. S.
Congressional Budget Office and its role in National Policymaking since 1974. The CBO, as it's
termed, has strived to become a non-partisan office, something that has been highly difficult to
maintain in recent years. "The Congressional Budget Office" is a detailed history of this
important and vital institution in this chaotic financial time, highly recommended.
Church, State, and the Crisis in American Secularism
Bruce Ledewitz
Indiana University Press
601 North Morton Street
Bloomington, IN 47404-3797
9780253356345, $29.95, www.iupress.indiana.edu
The state's stance at religion can be described as schizophrenic at best. "Church, State, and the
Crisis in American Secularism" discusses the separation of church and state in today's society.
While there is a prevalence of a majority Christian population, mottos and strong reverence for
Christian ideals, at the same time secularization may be fighting some things a bit too hard.
Author Bruce Ledewitz advocates a more balanced approach to religion in America, one that
seeks to honor the religious pluralism that truly stands behind freedom of religion. "Church,
State, and the Crisis in American Secularism" is a fascinating and scholarly read, highly
recommended.
The Relationship Shelf
The ADHD Effect on Marriage
Melissa Orlov
Specialty Press
300 N. W. 70th Ave., Suite 102
Plantation, FL 33317
9781886941977, $19.95, www.addwarehouse.com
Marriage can be hard to make last when the attention wanders. "The ADHD Effect on Marriage:
Understand and Rebuild Your Relationship in Six Steps" is a guide from Melissa Orlov on
sustaining that marriage in the long term when one or both partners has attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder, and how to remember the joy that both parties strive for. Looking at the
effects the disorder can have on matrimony, Orlov speaks well on a subject not often mentioned.
"The ADHD Effect on Marriage" is a powerful and very much recommended read.
The Islamic Studies Shelf
Velvet Jihad
Faegheh Shirazi
University Press of Florida
15 Northwest Street, Gainesville, FL 32611-2079
9780813037301, $29.95, www.upf.com
Discontent can stand strong, even when it isn't vocal. "Velvet Jihad: Muslim Women's Quiet
Resistance to Islamic Fundamentalism" analyzes how Muslim women have been fighting in their
own way against the wave of Islamic fundamentalism that has taken strongly in much of the
Arabic World. She states that women battle their own oppression strongly and for quite some
time, and that their struggles are not to be ignored. "Velvet Jihad" is an intriguing dual study of
women's and Islamic studies, highly recommended.
On the Other: A Muslim View
Rusmir Mahmutcehajic
Fordham University Press
University Box L, 2546 Belmont Ave, Bronx
New York, NY 10458
9780823231119, $45.00, www.fordhampress.com
Islam is on the rise throughout Europe. "On the Other: A Muslim View" discusses Islam in
modern Europe. Examining the Qur'an's views on people of other faith, how it is practiced in the
modern world, and its place in today's religious debate. Stating that its bigotry and racism
towards Judaism and other faiths is grossly exaggerated, he argues against the reactionary politics
in it all, and presents solid study and evidence backing up his position. "On the Other" is a
strongly recommended read for any community and college library Islamic studies and social
issues collections.
The Poetry Shelf
Sparrow Tree
Gwyneth Lewis
Bloodaxe Books
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9781852248994, $21.95, www.dufoureditions.com
Nature inspires wonder in us, and we turn that wonder on its head all too often. "Sparrow Tree"
is a collection of nature poetry from Gwyneth Lewis. Speaking on her love of birds and spinning
it into something unique, "Sparrow Tree" speaks profoundly to any bird watcher, highly
recommended for poetry collections. "Splinter": In years to come, they will lodge in his heart./I
won't be me/with a sterilized pin/dislodging dashes of wooden rain/Aslant in his sole./He says it
doesn't hurt,/I don't believe him. One fragment's stubborn./Dig deeper. If I were a mosquito/I'd
anesthetize his novice skin/Before each stab. And then I'd suck/with more conviction and no less
zeal/Than Helen, mother Constantine,/Who scoured the length and breadth of Christendom/For a
piece of the real cross./Got It! Kiss his reliquary skin.
New and Selected Poems
Michael Foley
The Black Staff Press
c/o DuFour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Springs, PA 19425
9780856408625, $29.95, www.blackstaffpress.com
Wit, wisdom, and a little rhythm are all you need to embrace poetry. "New and Selected Poems"
is a wide reaching collection of poetry from acclaimed Irish poet Michael Foley. A compilation
of some of his best over three decades of work and providing a wide ranging assortment of
history and culture of the modern son of Ireland, "New and Selected Poems" is a must for any
international poetry collection. "Disturbances of Autumn": Are the trains heavier... or the house
jumpier?/At night floors tremble, panes rattle, bookcases quake./Again now. To the window. Too
late.//Above the track, crushed cans and thickets of weeds,/Pale imperfect growth framed by
involuntary loss-/A gibbous moon among the half-bare trees.
The Blood from my Roots
Alafuele M. Kalala
Dorrance Publishing
701 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
9781434909268, $10.00, www.dorrancebookstore.com
The plague of war grows ever stronger in Africa. "The Blood from my Roots" is a call from
Congo native Alafuele M. Kalala as he looks into the tragedy of Africa, a land tearing itself apart
with war and corruption. In the format of a long poem, he goes with spirituality and passion for
his native lands to rebuild their society together. "The Blood from my Roots" is a work of love
and hope, recommended reading.
The Education Shelf
The American Public School Teacher
Darrel Drury & Justin Baer
Harvard Education Press
8 Story Street, 1st Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138
9781934742914, $34.95, www.harvardeducationpress.com
Education isn't what it used to be. "The American Public School Teacher: Past, Present, and
Future" analyzes the role of the public school teacher in modern times. Many thinkers come
together and discuss the modern role of the teacher and where our society is going with them, the
wishes of the parents, the wishes of the teachers, unions, and much more. Scholarly and
insightful, "The American Public School Teacher" addresses many of today's educational
problems and offers much to ponder for the future of our schools.
Multicultured Gifted Education, second edition
Donna Y. Ford
Prufrock Press
5926 Balcones Drive, Suite 220
Austin, TX 78731
9781593636999, $45.00, www.prufrock.com
Multiculturalism is becoming a major reality in today's world. "Multicultured Gifted Education"
is a guide to facing the cultural aspects of education and the changing demographics in today's
education. In higher education for gifted and talented students, there are certain barriers of
culture that may put minority students at a disadvantage, and conquering them can lead to a more
harmonious class experience. Donna Y. Ford is a professor of Education and human
development, and uses her expertise to tackle many issues that come in today's diverse
classrooms. "Multicultured Gifted Education" is a strongly recommended pick for any
educational leader, highly recommended.
Battling Boredom
Bryan Harris
Eye on Education
6 Depot Way West, Larchmont, NY 10538
9781596671669, $29.95, www.eyeoneducation.com
You aren't in a classroom to be bored, you're there to be educated. "Battling Boredom: 99
Strategies to Spark Student Engagement" is an educational guide from Bryan Harris as he
encourages teachers and educators to drag their students to care about their lesson and making it
more fun for everyone involved. From music to thought exercises to games to building into the
web, "Battling Boredom" is a strongly recommended pick for any educator who doesn't want to
delve into boredom.
The Civil War Shelf
A Little Short of Boats, revised edition
James A. Morgan, III
Savas Beatie
PO Box 4527
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
9781611210668 $29.95 www.savasbeatie.com
Military historian James A. Morgan III presents A Little Short of Boats: The Battles of Ball's
Bluff & Edwards Ferry, October 22-22, 1861, now in a newly revised and expanded hardcover
edition. A Little Short of Boats tells the true story of a tremendous disaster that befell four federal
regiments at Ball's Bluff and Edwards Ferry. The Northern troops were caught on largely open
ground, poorly organized, and with their backs to the river as the Southern infantry attacked; after
twelve hours of fighting the North suffered one of its greatest defeats in the war, and sitting
United States senator Col. Edward D. Baker (one of Abraham Lincoln's good friends) was killed.
A Little Short of Boats examines the entire military engagement in meticulous, heavily
researched detail, and is an excellent addition to Civil War military history shelves and college
library collections.
Stuart's Tarheels
Chris J. Hartley
McFarland
PO Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28640
9780786463640, $55.00, www.mcfarlandpub.com
Through the American Civil War, the Calvary charge was something very much to be feared.
"Stuart's Tarheels: James B. Gordon and His North Carolina Cavalry in the Civil War, second
edition" speaks of the cavalry of Brigadier General James Byron Gordon. A landowner,
politician, and businessman, he rose through the ranks of the confederacy and become a legend of
the fight in himself, but was not without controversy. A comprehensive and scholarly coverage of
his life and career, "Stuart's Tarheels" is a core addition to any community or college American
Civil War history collection, enthusiastically recommended.
The American History Shelf
The Fall and Recapture of Detroit in the War of 1812
Anthony J. Yanik
Wayne State University Press
The Leonard N. Simons Building
4809 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201-1309
9780814335987 $24.95 http://wsupress.wayne.edu
The Fall and Recapture of Detroit in the War of 1812: In Defense of William Hull is a
meticulously researched account of Brigadier General William Hull's doomed 1812 campaign,
which ultimately caused the surrender of Detroit and the British Army's triumph over the North
Western Army. Hull was court-martialed for cowardice and sentenced to death for his failure; he
is the only commanding general given such a harsh punishment in American military history, and
his name is disparaged to this day. Author Anthony J. Yanik (winner of the Michigan Historical
Society's State History Award) examines Hull's surrender and his claim that the choice was made
on humanitarian grounds, starting with a snapshot of the causes of the War of 1812 as well as
daily life in the frontier settlement of Detroit. Studying Hull's service closely, especially the
failed invasion of Canada that led to his predicament, Yanik reconstructs the evidence
surrounding Hull's defense and offers strong reason to question the validity of the verdict. A
chronology of Hull's Detroit campaign and appendices of historical writings and speeches round
out this excellent contribution to American military history shelves.
A Young Dutchman Views Post-Civil War America
Claude August Crommelin, author
Augustus J. Veenendaal, Jr., translator
Indiana University Press
601 North Morton Street
Bloomington, IN 47404-3797
9780253356093 $29.95 www.iupress.indiana.edu
Now available in English for the first time, A Young Dutchman Views Post-Civil War America
is the personal journal of a Claude Augustus Crommelin, whose travels in the post-Civil War
United States spanned New York, the Middle Atlantic States, the Upper Mississippi Valley, and
the battered South. His sharp eye for detail and influential family connections lead to an
impressive level of insight and observation, in this excellent outsider's viewpoint of American
people, politics, culture, and society. Highly recommended as a valuable primary source for
public and college library American History collections.
Battle Weapons on the American Revolution
George C. Neumann
Mowbray
54 E. School Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895
1931464499, $39.99, www.gunandswordcollector.com
America has had the technological edge in many of its wars, but not its first war. "Battle
Weapons of the American Revolution" looks at the weapons used on both sides of America's first
war. A time where a soldier could not rely on their rifle alone, George C. Neumann presents
pictures of rifles, pistols, swords, and even pole arms used by all sides of the conflict, including
the French, Hessian mercenaries, among others. "Battle Weapons of the American Revolution" is
an intriguing study of the weapons of America's struggle for independence.
The World History Shelf
The Benedictines In The Middle Ages
James G. Clark
Boydell Press
c/o Boydell & Brewer Inc
668 Mount Hope Avenue
Rochester, NY 14620-2731
www.boydellandbrewer.com
9781843836230, $50.00, www.amazon.com
The monastic orders during the period of Europe's 'Dark Ages' were pretty much the sole
repositories of literacy as well as bastions of Christianity and social order. One of the most
popular, numerous, widespread, and influential of these monastic orders were the Benedictines, a
religious movement based on 6th Century rules originally laid down by Benedict of Nursia
(c.480-c.547). "The Benedictines In The Middle Ages" is a 352-page compendium researched
and written by academician James G. Clark (Department of History, University of Bristol,
England) that provides an historical overview of the history over the past eleven centuries.
Enhanced with the inclusion of illustrations and maps, an impressive bibliography, and a
comprehensive index, "The Benedictines In The Middle Ages" is a work of impeccable and
original scholarship with special attention to the organization, economy, environment, and
cultural/political influence of this iconic religious order. "The Benedictines In The Middle Ages"
is an especially recommended and seminal contribution to academic library World History,
European History, Catholic History, and Medieval Studies reference collections and
supplemental reading lists.
Happyland
Curtis R. McManus
University of Calgary Press
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AL Canada T2N 1N4
9781552385241, $34.95, www.uofcpress.com
With failing crops, a great many people are in peril. "Happyland: A History of the "Dirty
Thirties" in Saskatchewan 1914-1937" discusses the crisis faced by Saskatchewan from 1914 to
1937 where devastating droughts caused untold agricultural damage, shifting people from their
farms in search of something to survive with. An important study of this very important period of
Canadian history and how it hold a major impact on the Canadian peoples. "Happyland" is a vital
addition to any Canadian or World History collection, highly recommended.
The Portuguese
Barry Hatton
Interlink Books
46 Crosby Street, Northampton, MA 01060-1804
9781566568449, $15.00, www.interlinkbooks.com
Portugal is often forgotten when talking about Europe's great powers. "The Portuguese: A
Modern History" speaks on the history of this strip of land to the west of Spain and its impact on
the modern world. With a language that is widely spoken around the world, the small country has
had an eventful history tells the unique history of the country which has included coups, an
unusual relationship with its only neighbor in Spain, and its role in the cold war. "The
Portuguese" is a fascinating study of a major yet relatively quiet in international affairs, highly
recommended.
Elvis Romero and Fiesta de Santa Fe
Andrew Leo Lovato
Museum of New Mexico
1312 Basehart Road SE
Albuquerque NM 87106-4363
9780890135327, $22.50, www.state.nm.us
People embrace the festival, even if they are not entirely sure of its history. "Elvis Romero and
Fiesta de Santa Fe featuring Zozobra's Great Escape" is a study of history from Andrew Leo
Lovato about this annual festival that has been celebrated for three hundred years,
commemorating the reconquest of New Mexico by Don Diego de Vargas. Although this concept
in root likely means little to the now American state, the Fiesta lives on as a unique festival of
Hispanic heritage. Also contained is the culturally influenced tale of 'Zozobra's Great Escape'
following the adventures of Elvis Romero and his cousin Pepa as they embark on a great rescue.
"Elvis Romero and Fiesta de Santa Fe" is an excellent study of culture and history, highly
recommended for community library collections.
The Biography Shelf
My Work is That of Conservation
Mark D. Hersey
University of Georgia Press
330 Research Drive
Athens, GA, 30602-4901
9780820338705 $24.95 www.ugapress.org
My Work is That of Conservation: An Environmental Biography of George Washington Carver
is an in-depth study of the oft-misunderstood African-American scientist and environmentalist,
who dedicated his life to improving the lot of impoverished farmers in the Black Belt, among
others. Covering the life of Carver (1864-1943) from his Missouri and Kansas childhood to his
education at Iowa Agricultural College, to his dismay at how poor conservation methods had
stripped the soil of its ability to yield. The institutionalized racism of the era was yet another
barrier Carter had to deal with in his mission to help his fellow human beings become better
stewards of the earth; his work would force him to reconsider his own view of scientific
agriculture even as his strived to teach a more balanced and long-term view to others. My Work
is That of Conservation is a quintessential addition to college and public library American
biography collections, and worthy of the highest recommendation.
Shooting from the Lip
Donald Loren Hardy
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive
Norman, OK 73069
9780806142111 $26.95 www.oupress.com
Shooting from the Lip: The Life of Senator Al Simpson is a biography that draws directly from
the extensive, nineteen-volume journal that Senator Alan K. Simpson of Wyoming elected to
keep shortly before he was elected to the post of majority whip. Colorful anecdotes and
testimony of those who knew the senator best supports this excellent reconstruction of a
strong-willed leader. Al Simpson himself gave Donald Loren Hardy full editorial control and a
mandate to tell the complete, unvarnished truth. Shooting from the Lip especially scrutinizes
Simpson's role in critical events such as the Iran-Contra scandal. Al Simpson's charisma,
expertise, and talent for using humor as well as reason to drive home a point distinguish his
political career. Shooting from the Lip is an excellent and engaging true story and a welcome
addition to college and public library political biography shelves.
Dennis Brain
Stephen Gamble & William Lynch
University of North Texas Press
1155 Union Circle #311336
Denton, TX 76203-5017
9781574413076, $29.95, www.unt.edu
When you find your calling, you can do great things with it. "Dennis Brain: A Life in Music"
tells the life story of Dennis Brain. Born in 1921, in his short four decades of life he served in the
military and was quite known for revolutionizing the horn in ways not before seen. Stephen
Gamble and William Lynch write of his work and his time in the National Symphony Orchestra.
"Dennis Brain: A Life in Music" is a strongly recommended pick for any biographical and music
collection, highly recommended.
The Real Luther
Franz Posset
Concordia Publishing House
3558 South Jefferson Ave
St. Louis, MO 63118-3968
9780758626851, $39.99, www.cph.org
Martin Luther is known for pinning his grievances with the Catholic church to a door, but what
else is behind the man? "The Real Luther: A Friar at Erfurt & Wittenberg" seeks to explain this
Catholic turned into father of the Reformation. A man who turned to religion later in life, his
story is one of an outsider coming in, immersing themselves in faith, and seeing the corruption
within. "The Real Luther" is an intriguing study of perhaps one of the most important friars in
history.
The Photography Shelf
Pinhole Cameras
Chris Keeny
Princeton Architectural Press
37 East Seventh Street, New York, NY 10003
9781568989891, $18.95, www.papress.com
With time and ingenuity, you can create a camera out of almost anything. "Pinhole Cameras: A
Do-It-Yourself Guide" is a guide to making a camera out of almost anything and capturing
images with them. A guide to fun home made projects that can become almost an art form all in
itself, he encourages readers to embrace doing things the wrong way and to create art from those
mistakes. "Pinhole Cameras" is an excellent pick for anyone with a do-it-yourself spirit looking
for something different.
The Social Issues Shelf
Homeland Security
Giorgio Franceschetti & Marina Grossi
Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
9781608071067, $89.00, www.artechhouse.com
The balance of liberty and security is one that will be stressing thinkers for many decades to
come. "Homeland Security: Threats, Countermeasures, and Privacy Issues" discusses this debate
by presenting a breakdown of the topics at hand. Within, full chapters are dedicated to the
importance of privacy issues, health crises, tracking dangerous materials, and to what extent
urban surveillance should truly go. Many security thinkers come together in this compilation and
discussion, broken down into the many serious issues of international security, including the
blurry line that lies between the role of the police and the role of the military. "Homeland
Security" is a very much recommended volume for any international issues collection, not to be
missed.
Child Welfare, second edition
Kathleen Kufeldt & Brad McKenzie
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Wilfrid Laurier University
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5
9781554583300, $54.95, www.wlupress.wlu,ca
To leave a child without aid is cruel. "Child Welfare: Connecting Research, Policy, and Practice"
is the second edition that discusses children who are involved in Child welfare services and their
families who are in need. Written by professors of sociology and social work in New Brunswick
and Manitoba in Kathleen Kufeldt & Brad McKenzie, the target subject matter is Canada, but
many of the principles apply well in international discussions of child welfare. Included in the
second edition are concerns of Indigenous children in Canada, and what has been done to help
families in greater need. "Child Welfare" is a must for any collection discussing Canada's social
welfare programs in the present and their future.
On Rabbits, Morality, Etc.
Walter Murdoch
International Specialized Book Services
920 NE 58th Ave., Suite 300
Portland, OR 97213-3786
9781742582757, $29.95, www.isbs.com
Thought is our way of filtering through life's questions and challenges. "On Rabbits, Morality,
Etc" is a collection of essays from Walter Murdoch as he speaks clearly and frankly of life and its
many challenges. Encouraging greater social discourse of life and providing many ideas, the
Professor of English at the University of Western Australia provides a profound and thoughtful
read that shouldn't be missed. For social issues collections and collections of essays, "On
Rabbits, Morality, Etc." is a core addition.
The Law/Justice Shelf
The People's Lawyer
Albert Ruben
Monthly Review Press
146 W 29th St, Suite 6W, New York, NY 10001
9781583672372, $17.95, www.monthlyreview.org
The Constitution can prove to be quite a nuisance, so there are those who would simply ignore it.
"The People's Lawyer: The Center for Constitutional Rights and the Fight for Social Justice,
From Civil Rights to Guantanamo" focuses on the progressive organization and how they have
been faced off against the Justice Department and White House in regards to the abuses of the
government towards its prisoners. Albert Ruben states this uphill struggle is a battle must be
fought as a reminder that there are no situations where the document's provisions for due process
and civil rights are to be ignored. "The People's Lawyer" is an important read about how there are
still those who would fight for the bill of rights.
The Religion/Spirituality Shelf
The Wisdom Teachings Of Harish Johari On The Mahabharata
Wil Geraets
Destiny Books
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781594773792, $16.95, www.amazon.com
The late Harish Johari (1934-1999) dedicated his life to the scholarly study of India's
'Mahabharata' and its insights over a wide range of topics ranging from Hindu philosophy to
cosmic consciousness. In "The Wisdom Teachings Of Harish Johari On The Mahabharata", Will
Geraets draws upon his many years as a student of Harish Johari to ably compile and deftly
edited his teacher and mentor's teachings, interpretations, commentaries, and insights into the
Mahabharata, its universal wisdom well adapted for contemporary readers. Informed and
informative, this 256-page, thoroughly 'reader friendly' compendium is enhanced with the
inclusion of an "Epilogue: Mahabharata and the Game of Life", a comprehensive index, a
succinct two-page biographical sketch of Harish Johari, and a biographical listing of published
works by Harish Johari. "The Wisdom Teachings Of Harish Johari On The Mahabharata" is a
very strongly recommended, core addition to personal and academic library collections on
Hinduism and Indian Philosophy in general, and the works of Harish Johari in particular.
Spiritual Writings
John Howard Yoder
Orbis Books
Price Bldg, Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545
9781570759352, $20.00, www.orbisbooks.com
Violence is the failure of negotiation. "Spiritual Writings" is a collection of spiritual writings
from John Howard Yoder, a Mennonite theologian whose work is revered over a decade past his
death. Paul Martens & Jenny Howell select some of his most important writings and add their
own introductions to his work to give readers a better understanding of the man's work. A core
read of Mennonite faith and philosophy, "Spiritual Writings" is a strong addition to any religious
collection.
The Heron Dance Book of Love and Gratitude
Roderick MacIver
North Atlantic Books
PO Box 12327, Berkeley, CA 94712
9781556439551, $16.95, www.northatlanticbooks.com
Knowledge is eternal. "The Heron Dance Book of Love and Gratitude" is an assortment of
writings compiled and illustrated to by Roderick MacIver. Presented in full color, he uses art to
accentuate the works of everyone from Helen Keller, Walt Whitman, to Albert Einstein. Sure to
appeal to the mind and soul, "The Heron Dance Book of Love and Gratitude" is an excellent
addition to any art or spirituality collection.
The Dance Shelf
Dance Medicine
Judith R. Peterson
Princeton Book Company
514 Route 130, Highstown, NJ 08520
9780871273536, $29.95, www.dancehorizons.com
Dancing can turn more sour than you know. "Dance Medicine: Head to Toe" is a guide to
keeping health through dancing while avoiding the injuries that unknowingly may come with it.
Muscle health, bone health, sores, and much more, Judith R. Peterson gives advice that can keep
one dancing for a long time to come. "Dance Medicine" is a strongly recommended pick for any
dancer who doesn't want to be one wrong move away from an injury.
The Military Shelf
In a Strange Land
Alexander Barnes
Schiffer Military History
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764337611, $79.99, www.schifferbooks.com
Ensuring peace can often be a difficult and arduous process. "In a Strange Land: The American Occupation of Germany - 1918-1923" traces the American occupation of Germany after World War I. World War I served as America's first foray into the conflicts of Europe, and this proved to be a culture shock of sorts for many American soldiers who would later take the knowledge they gained to become famed leaders in World War II. Chapters present a comprehensive coverage of the period with heavy usage of photographs covering the men, the machines, the architecture of the period. Additionally, many scans of historical documents add in to combine a vivid picture of the occupation through the eyes of the soldier and the German people. "In a Strange Land" is a fine read that should very much be considered for coffee table books selections or American military history collections.
The Art Shelf
Artful Adornments
Yvonne J. Markowitz
MFA Boston
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
9780878467686, $55.00, www.mfa.org
Jewelry is just another canvas for expression. "Artful Adornments: Jewelry from the Museum of
Fine Arts, Boston" traces some of the most magnificent works of jewelry based art throughout
history. From the art of the ancient Egyptians uncovered to twentieth century styles and
everything in between, it also speaks on the culture behind them, on how that many designs were
not strictly for aesthetic purposes, but instead have the superstition of magic behind them. "Artful
Adornments" is a fine pick for any fan of historic jewelry, packed cover to cover with full color
photographs.
The Audiobook Shelf
The Prince
Niccolo Machiavelli, author
Nigel Carrington, narrator
Naxos of America, Inc.
1810 Columbia Avenue, Suite 28
Franklin, TN 37064
9781843794592 $22.98 www.naxosaudiobooks.com
Smoothly narrated by actor and former BBC Radio Drama Company member Nigel Carrington,
The Prince is a classic treatise of power and rulership originally penned in 1532. Author Niccolo
Machiavelli lived in an era when Italy was under the control of rulers vying for power, and
answering to the control of the Medici family; Machiavelli wrote a practical and realist-centric
approach to governing well and holding on to monarchical power. The Prince advocates
judicious, but not wanton use of both benevolent and ruthless means - including cruelty, trickery,
or even state-sponsored terrorism - with the implicit assumption that the skilled use of such
methods is preferable to the human suffering brought by rebellion, civil war, invasion, or
incompetent rulership. The Prince has been such an influential compendium for the past five
centuries that the author's last name has become synonymous with evil ("Machiavellian"), though
such a condemnation may well be unfair given the war-prone era in which he lived. This
audiobook rendition of The Prince is an invaluable classic, highly recommended especially for
public library collections. 3 CDs, 3 hours 12 min.
Three Sisters
Anton Chekhov
L.A. Theatre Works
681 Venice Boulevard
Venice, CA 90291
9781580818223 $25.95 www.latw.org
Three Sisters is the full-cast audio CD rendition of Anton Chekhov's classic play, first performed
in 1901. Expert actors and actresses bring this saga of three cultured sisters who grew up amid
the excitement of Moscow, but were then forced to live in the rural backwater country of Russia.
Their father's passing kindles a keen yearning for each of them to return to the city and the hustle
of a fast-paced, exciting life. A superb and vivid production of a timeless parable of desire, Three
Sisters is highly recommended. 2 CDs, 122 min.
Victory and Honor
W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV, authors
Scott Brick, narrator
Penguin Audio
c/o The Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
9781611760309 $39.95 http://us.penguingroup.com
The unabridged audiobook adaptation of one of W.E.B. Griffin's immensely popular "Honor
Bound" series of World War II historical spy novels, Victory and Honor opens shortly after
Hitler's suicide - which is only the beginning of new trials and tribulations for Cletus Frade and
his associates in the OSS. Now they are at the crossroads, as the FBI seeks to appropriate OSS
agents and assets, and the shadow of Joe Stalin threatens to spark a new world war. Frade's latest
mission puts everyone's lives on the line, in this tautly written and expertly performed work of
suspense. 8 CDs, 10 hours.
Only Time Will Tell
Jeffrey Archer, author
Roger Allam and Emelia Fox, narrators
Macmillan Audio
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315
New York, NY 10010
9781427211460 $39.99 www.macmillanaudio.com
The audiobook rendition of the first novel in "The Clifton Chronicles" series, Only Time Will
Tell follows a resolute family across the span of generations and the breadth of oceans. Opening
in the 1920's, Only Time Will Tell begins with Harry Clifton, a young man on the threshold of
adulthood, who never knew his deceased father but has just learned that everything he knew
about the man may no longer be what it seems. As the narrative continues to the outbreak of the
Second World War, Harry must decide whether to go to Oxford or serve in the navy opposing
Hitler's Germany. An extraordinary, sweeping saga, Only Time Will Tell is an excellent addition
to audiobook fiction collections.
Luka and the Fire of Life
Salman Rushdie, author
Lyndam Gregory, narrator
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781440752315 $77.75 www.recordedbooks.com
The sequel to "Haroun and the Sea of Stories", Luka and the Fire of Life is the audiobook
rendition of Salman Rushdie's novel following Haroun's young brother Luka, who is striving to
save his father against all odds. Luka's father, the legendary storyteller, has fallen into a deep
sleep; the only way to wake him puts Luka on a mystic journey to the Magic World to seize the
eternally burning Fire of Life. Luka and his companions face one terrible trial after another, and
cross the perilous land of the Badly Behaved Gods, all to reach the Fire that will decide their
destinies. An extraordinary, fantastic adventure of love and tests of character, Luka and the Fire
of Life is highly recommended. 7 CDs, 7 3/4 hours.
The Graduate
Adapted & originally directed by Terry Johnson
Based on the novel by Charles Webb
and the screenplay by Calder Willingham & Buck Henry
L.A. Theatre Works
681 Venice Boulevard
Venice, CA 90291
158081820X $25.95 www.latw.org
Based on the novel by Charles Webb and the screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry,
The Graduate is a full-cast audiobook presentation of the Broadway stage adaptation of a classic.
When a college graduate returns home with his diploma in hand, he flounders in search of a
career and falls prey to the seductive Mrs. Robinson, wife of his father's business partner. But it
is Mrs. Robinson's daughter that captures his heart, in this wry story of love, lust, and wrestling
with difficult choices for one's future.
The Library CD Shelf
Further Definitions of the Days of Awe
The Afro-Semitic Experience
With cantors Jack Mendelson, Erik Contzius, Lisa Arbisser, & Daniel Mendelson
Reckless DC Music
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
$13.07 www.rockpaperscissors.biz
Old-school cantor group The Afro-Semitic Experience lives up to their name in their new album,
Further Definitions of the Days of Awe, a celebration of cantorial music highlighted with
elements of jazz, Latin, Afrobeat and soul. An exciting, cathartic intermingling of rhythms and
cultures, Further Definitions of the Days of Awe is spiritual music that calls the heart to dance,
and express joy in life and love. Faith, worship, and zeal make Further Definitions of the Days of
Awe and unforgettable listening experience that invigorates the soul. Highly recommended.
Grannen
Frigg
Privately Published
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
$TBA www.rockpaperscissors.biz
Grannen is an album of by the band Frigg that dares to defy modern stereotypes of Finnish music
as slow-paced, moody and melancholy. Tapping into the spirit of upbeat Finish songs from
before World War II, Grannen is a music CD of the joy and merriment to be found amid Nordic
traditions. Energetic and creative throughout, Grannen is a welcome contribution to international
music CD collections. The tracks are "Potatisvals" (2:05), "Rajrajraj" (3:23), "Maple Cake Farm"
(4:34), "Verna" (3:54), "Grannen" (5:24), "Bussen" (4:05), "Amurin Tiikeri" (4:49), "Patana
Sunset / Holokyn Kolokyn" (7:43), and "Jepuan Marssi" (3:55).
The Library DVD Shelf
The Flaw
Directed by David Sington
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
1594588708 $295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com
The Flaw is a sobering documentary about the roots of the recent economic crisis that has
wracked America, and through a ripple effect, the world. The bursting of the housing bubble -
which popped when subprime mortgage-backed securities collapsed - is of course scrutinized in
fine detail. But an underlying and less-considered root of the problem is: what happens when the
rich get richer, while the middle class and the poor stagnate? Since the 1970's American wages
have, on average, barely kept pace with inflation, leading to an ever-increasing concentration of
wealth among the very top percentile. But wealthy individuals don't fuel economic demand by
buying goods - they only need to spend a small percentage of their income on food, shelter, and
similar items (even if the goods they buy for this purpose are luxurious). The bulk of the income
of the wealthiest members of society is spent on assets - items intended for resale such as real
estate, stocks, or precious metals. Assets are resistant to the standard laws of supply and demand;
unlike ordinary consumable items such as food or video games, when the price of an asset goes
up, demand for it sharply increases (everyone wants to get in on the "hot" property and make
money), and when the price of an asset goes down, demand for it sharply decreases (everyone
wants to get out of the market immediately when there's blood in the water). Thus, increased
concentration of wealth among a very few leads to greater volatility in asset-driven markets,
while supply and demand-driven consumer markets enter a recession because the people who buy
ordinary goods have less money to spend on them. No special economic background is needed to
fully absorb the stark picture painted by The Flaw, a thoughtful and absolutely invaluable
documentary worthy of the highest recommendation, that deserves to be on the DVD shelves of
every public and college library in the nation. 82 minutes, SDH captions.
Truck Farm
Ian Cheney
Wicked Delicate Films
c/o Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
159458821X $250.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com
Truck Farm is an eye-opening documentary about modern-day urban farmers. With green roof
technology and heirloom seeds, filmmaker Ian Cheney plants a vegetable garden in the back of
his grandfather's old pickup truck! Riding the most unusual vehicle across New York, Cheney
introduces viewers to some of the most unique and original urban farms, on a quest to learn
whether New York might have the potential to feed itself. An amazing tour of positive efforts
toward sustainability, Truck Farm is as fun to watch as it is educational and highly
recommended. 48 min., SDH captions.
When China Met Africa
A film by Marc Francis and Nick Francis
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149
Oley, PA 19547
1594588236 $295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com
Licensed for public performance, When China Met Africa is an extraordinary, educational
documentary about how modern globalization changing the future of the world's most populous
nation and an entire continent. Following Mr. Liu and Mr. Li, two of thousands of Chinese
entrepreneurs who have settled across Africa to create prosperous business enterprises, as well as
the efforts of Zambia's trade minister to secure millions of dollars in Chinese investments, When
China Met Africa is an extraordinary picture of how commerce and trade has the potential to
positively influence people's lives. Highly recommended. 75 min. and 60 min. versions are
present on one DVD, with SDH captions.
Lost Empires
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598285338 $49.99 www.acornonline.com
Based on J.B. Priestley's novel, Lost Empires is a British series on DVD starring Oscar winning
actor Colin Firth (known for his work in "The King's Speech") in the role of Richard Herncastle.
In order to see the world, Herncastle becomes part of a traveling stage act run by his uncle Nick.
Enthralled by the female performers, Herncastle becomes absorbed in one love affair after
another as the group performs across Britain. Nominated for six BAFTA awards, Lost Empires is
a passionate and emotionally moving human drama set against the ominous threat of conflict
about to tear apart Europe, highly recommended. 7 episodes on 3 DVDs, 410 min., SDH
subtitles.
Changing Hearts
Questar, Inc.
307 North Michigan Ave., Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60601
9781594646621 $19.95 www.questarentertainment.com
Based on the award-winning play "Colored Eggs" by Daniel Wright, is Changing Hearts is a
movie starring Lauren Holly and Academy Award winner Faye Dunaway as two unlikely friends
who support one another in the fight against cancer. Aiding each other with conundrums ranging
from daily illness to disentangling their love lives, they share the priceless value of friendship
despite having strikingly different personalities - one is an upbeat optimist, while the other is a
glowering curmudgeon. Changing Hearts is an uplifting film and highly recommended especially
for public library DVD collections. 96 min.
The Wisdom of Faith with Huston Smith
Bill Moyers
Athena
c/o Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598285970 $49.99 www.acornonline.com
As originally broadcast on PBS, The Wisdom of Faith with Huston Smith is a two-DVD,
five-episode documentary examining evidence for Professor of Comparative Religion Huston
Smith's claim that all religions are the same at their innermost core. Examining the connections
between Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, The Wisdom of
Faith is a fresh revisiting of Huston Smith's classic treatise "The World's Religions" (first
published in 1958), offers an extraordinary level of insight. Award-winning broadcast journalist
Bill Moyers hosts this uplifting, insightful, and educational documentary enhanced with a
twelve-page viewer's guide. Highly recommended, especially for public library DVD
documentary collections. 2 DVDs, 276 min., full screen, SDH subtitles.
Terry Pratchett's Going Postal
Jon Jones, director
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
9781598286403 $39.99 DVD or Blu-ray www.acornonline.com
Available in both DVD and Blu-ray format, Terry Pratchett's Going Postal is the faithful,
fabulous, live-action movie adaptation of a witty novel set in Terry Pratchett's wildly popular
Discworld fantasy universe. Richard Coyle (known for his performance in "Lorna Doone") plays
the Moist von Lipwig, a hustler's hustler who has (almost?) perfected the art of the con - until he
is caught. The Machiavellian Patrician of Ankh-Morpork offers him a choice: turn around the
city's dysfunctional post office, or die in a most messy or painful manner. Von Lipwig not only
has to cope with the gaggle of misfits (at best) under his new employ, but also sort through
mountains of undelivered letters, and devise a more efficient way for the postal system pay for
itself - could tiny squares drawn by the amazing hand of a withdrawn master artist be of any
help? Worse still, Von Lipwig has earned the ire of the ruthless "businessman" who has taken
over the post office's primary competition (the "clacks", a burgeoning telegraph industry). It will
take every last drop of guile, charm, and smooth-talking skill in Von Lipwig's body to not only
resurrect the post office, but also defeat the "clacks" in a grand competition, and win the love of
the frigid Adora Dearheart - a shrewd woman who shows more compassion to golems than to
greedy, selfish, and stupid human beings (perhaps rightfully so). An extensive wealth of bonus
features enhance this absolute "must-have" for fans of Pratchett's work, and will prove an
immensely popular lend in public library DVD shelves! Highly recommended. 2 DVDs (or 1
Blu-ray disc), 185 min. plus 62 min. bonus, widescreen, SDH subtitles.
The Music Shelf
Beyond and Before
Paul Hegarty & Martin Halliwell
Continuum
80 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
9780826423320, $24.95, www.continuumbooks.com
To forge toward something greater is the idea behind the term progressive, and progressive rock
has taken that definition and ran with it. "Beyond and Before: Progressive Rock Since the 1960s"
follows the history of progressive music and its roots. Blending the emerging genre of rock and
roll with its parental concepts, Paul Hegarty & Martin Halliwell do well in breaking down these
roots and how it keeps marching forward, even as modern groups like Radiohead and the Mars
Volta dare to push out something different than standard popular music fare. "Beyond and
Before" is a fine study on the advancement of music, highly recommended.
Lindsay's Elements of Flute-Playing
Thomas Lindsay
Pendragon Press
PO Box 190
Hillsdale, NY 12529
9781576471814, $48.00, www.pendragonpress.com
The flute is a more versatile instrument than many let on. "Lindsay's Elements of Flute-Playing: A Study in Performance Practice" is a reprinting of Thomas Lindsay's written works on the flute in the early nineteenth century. A historical reproduction, Richard Wilson offers a contemporary commentary on the work, its lessons for flutists, and what has evolved in the nearly two hundred years since. For anyone with a strong interest in the history of music and the flute in particular, "Lindsay's Elements of Flute-Playing" proves an excellent historical reference, highly recommended for community library musical history collections.
The Business Shelf
The American Marketplace
New Strategist Publications Editors
New Strategist Publications
PO Box 242, Ithaca, NY 14851
www.newstrategist.com
9781935775270, $120.00, www.amazon.com
Now in a fully updated and significantly expanded tenth edition, "The American Marketplace:
Demographic and Spending Patterns" a 642-page compendium compiled by the editorial staff of
New Strategist Publications and draws from a wealth of governmental studies, surveys, and
source materials (included the mandated national 2010 census) providing a contemporary
population profile of the country. Enhanced with a profusion of charts, tables, and graphs, "The
Market Place" is accessible organized into eleven distinctive trends ranging from attitudes,
education, health, and housing, to income, labor force, living arrangements, and time use.
Enriched with the addition of an extensive glossary, an impressive bibliography, and a
comprehensive index, "The American Marketplace" is strongly recommended as a core addition
to personal, professional, corporate, academic, and community library Business Studies reference
collections.
The Secrets of Word-of-Mouth Marketing, second edition
George Silverman
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780814416686, $17.95, www.amacombooks.org
Even in today's world of high technology, a friend's recommendation is an advertisement that
cannot be beat. "The Secrets of Word-Of-Mouth Marketing: How to Trigger Exponential Sales
Through Runaway Word of Mouth" is a guide to spreading good word through the world for your
business. The presence of the internet and social media has spread and increased its power,
actually making this ancient marketing techniques' power even greater. With advice on making a
truly worthy word-of-mouth experience, "The Secrets of Word-of-Mouth Marketing" is an
excellent and very much recommended read, a top pick for any business leader.
Wired and Dangerous
Chip R. Bell & John R. Patterson
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781605099750, $19.95, www.bkconnection.com
The power of the consumer is vastly more different than it has ever been. "Wired and Dangerous:
How Your Customers Have Changed and What to do About It" is about dealing with a well
informed and smart customer who is adept at knowing everything and anything to get the best
deal, and will make your blunders well known to the rest of the world. More than ever, customer
service is important to deal with expertly. "Wired and Dangerous" is a guide to handling this
volatile customers well and efficiently, highly recommended.
The Best Digital Marketing Campaigns in the World
Damian Ryan and Calvin Jones
Kogan Page
1518 Walnut Street, Suite 1100
Philadelphia, PA 19102
9780749460624, $29.95, www.koganpage.com
The power of the internet for marketing is unrivaled. "The Best Digital Marketing Campaigns in
the World" is a guide to marketing on the internet by analyzing the best for their example.
Through their success, we can deduct what is necessary to create an exceptional marketing
campaign themselves. Focuses include beverage and restaurant juggernauts to presidential
campaigns and much more, all add important understanding to the bigger picture of success and
the internet. For anyone crafting their own internet based marketing campaign, "The Best Digital
Marketing Campaigns in the World" is an excellent study in sales, a core addition to business
study collections.
The Cookbook Shelf
The First Real Kitchen Cookbook
Megan & Jill Cable
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
9780811878104, $22.95, www.chroniclesbooks.com
One look at a spice rack can quickly scare anyone off from cooking. "The First Real Kitchen
Cookbook" is an introductory guide to cooking. The recipes within present easy to follow
instructions, suggestions for substitutions, all in a full color manual. Indexed well by category,
within there is plenty to understand and embrace about cooking for any taste, for the herbivore,
carnivore, or anything else. "The First Real Kitchen Cookbook" is a strong pick for those who
want to step into the kitchen and not run away screaming when the first difficulty appears.
Vegan for Life
Jack Norris & Virginia Messina
Da Capo Press
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780738214931, $17.00, www.dacapopress.com
No meat doesn't mean your options are as limited as you think. "Vegan for Life: Everything You
Need to Know To Be Healthy and Fit on a Plant-Based Diet" is a guide to delving into a vegan
diet which abandons animal products for strictly an animal based diet. Blending recipes with
health knowledge on how to understand what needs to be done to adapt such a diet, concerns
about health, children, and much more. "Vegan for Life" is filled with everything one needs to
know to embrace the Vegan diet wholly and effectively.
Recipe Hall of Fame
Gwn McKee, Teresa Ray, & Barba Moseley
Quail Ridge Press
PO Box 123, Brandon, MS 39043
9781934193716, $24.95, www.quailridge.com
Fresh ingredients bring a vivid flavor that can't be beat. "Fresh from the Farmers Market
Cookbook: Recipe Hall of Fame" is full of recipes focused on making the most out of fresh fruits
and vegetables in the best ways. From cobblers to meat dishes to deserts, salads, jams, and so
much more, this is a simple and to the point cookbook for those who want good old fashioned
cooking that embraces the power of freshness. "Fresh from the Farmers Market Cookbook" is an
excellent pick for anyone looking for a general purpose cookbook with great and delicious
variety.
The Fiction Shelf
My Two Worlds
Sergio Chejfec
Open Letter Books
University of Rochester, Lattimore Hall Room #411
Box 270082, Rochester, NY 14627
9781934824283, $12.95, www.openletterbooks.org
A good long walk can have grand effects. "My Two Worlds" is a novel from Sergio Chejfec,
translated deftly from the original Spanish by Margaret B. Carson. A wandering fifty year old
contemplates the failure of his most recent novel by willingly getting lost in Brazil to consider
the world around him. Through his journey in a park, he gains a different understanding of the
world as a whole. "My Two Worlds" is an excellent addition to any world literature
collection.
Beyond All Measure
Dorothy Love
Thomas Nelson
PO Box 141000, Nasville, TN 37214
9781595549006, $15.99, www.thomasnelson.com
Self-reliance is something that we can't underrate. "Beyond All Measure" follows young Ada
Wentworth as she learns of her own path in life and tries to make it go her own way. Hired as a
companion to a lady, she makes her way through the post-Civil War south during the waning
days of the classical American nobility. Unwilling to easily love, Ada's path becomes more and
more unclear. "Beyond All Measure" is a fine pick that is very much worth considering, highly
recommended for historical fiction collections.
The Large Print Shelf
Spanish Range
Lee. E. Wells
Sagebrush
PO Box 1230, West Seneca, NY 14224-1230
9780753187487, $29.99, www.amazon.com
With a decade passing, it can be hard to make a heroic return. "Spanish Range" follows Blaise
Randell as he returns home after being falsely imprisoned for ten years. Aiming to regain his
property, he finds a town very different than what he left behind. With plenty of action and
adventure set in the old west with easy to read large print, "Spanish Range" is very much
recommended reading.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Classic Collection
Sasha Kagan
Taunton
63 South Main Street, PO Box 5506
Newtown, CT 06470-5506
9781600854118, $24.95, www.taunton.com
Some things never truly go out of style. "Classic Collection" is a needlework guide from Sasha
Kagan as she walks readers through the weaving of many classical designs. Kagan is known for
her fashion work for the past four decades, and she now offers knitters plenty of classic ideas to
apply themselves or modify to their own thought and design with today's processes and styles.
For those who want a timeless appeal that will be good for years to come, "Classic Collection" is
a top pick for knitting enthusiasts with a flair for good style.
The Journalism Shelf
Literary Journalism Across the Globe
John S. Bak & Bill Reynolds
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
9781558498778, $28.95, www.umass.edu
Feedback is all important in the creative process. "Literary Journalism Across the Globe:
Journalistic Traditions and Transnational Influences" discusses journalism as it applies to
literature worldwide in today's world. Journalism was once viewed as something that must be
objective, making it difficult to apply to artistic endeavors, but that has faded in recent decades.
Literary journalism is a unique and difficult to define concept, as many writers come together to
provide an intellectual breakdown of what it means and where it is going in the future. "Literary
Journalism Across the Globe" is an excellent and scholarly addition to any literary criticism
collection.
The Gardening Shelf
How to Grow Food in Your Polytunnel
Mark Gatter & Andy McKee
Chelsea Green
PO Box 428, White River Junction, VT 05001-0428
9781900322720, $19.95, www.greenbooks.co.uk
Gardening doesn't have to be a one time thing. "How to Grow Food in Your Polytunnel: All Year
Round" is a guide to year round polytunnel use, on how to get the most of growing year round to
enjoy fresh vegetables and the like all year. Mark Gatter & Andy McKee advise readers on how
to make the most of it and maximize the technology. "How to Grow Food in Your Polytunnel" is
an excellent pick for anyone who wants to go further in their gardening endeavors.
The Criminology Shelf
Unruly Women, new edition
Karlene Faith
Seven Stories Press
140 Watts Street, New York, NY 10013
9781609801373, $19.95, www.sevenstories.com
Why do we hold those who are of no threat to society? "Unruly Women: The Politics of
Confinement & Resistance" discusses women in prison and the rapid rise of imprisoned women
in the past four decades. Karlene Faith argues that many women have not committed offenses
worthy of imprisonment and that our patriarchal society and blind greed encourages the law to
throw women behind bars, leaving them open to much abuse and things that change their lives
forever. "Unruly Women" is an intriguing spin of this vital part of history, highly
recommended.
Dark Rose
Robert C. Donnelly
University of Washington Press
PO Box 50096
Seattle, WA 98145-5096
9780295991115, $22.50, www.washington.edu/uwpress
Corruption and mob ties were not solely concentrated in Vegas as America spread west. "Dark
Rose: Organized Crime and Corruption in Portland" delves into the history surrounding Portland,
Oregon after World War II. The corruption ran deep into the law enforcement, into the Teamsters
unions, and into politics. With new evidence discovered in recent years, "Dark Rose" proves to
be an intriguing and very highly recommended read for American history collections.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Kage
John Donohue
YMAA Fiction
PO Box 480, Wolfeboro, NH 03894
9781594392108, $12.95, www.ymaa.com
To keep thought suppressed, killing is nothing. "Kage: The Shadow" is a martial arts adventure
following Connor Burke as he investigates the death of a mystic in the American Southwest.
Finding the plot running deep, author John Donohue blends the martial arts tale with plenty of
mysterious intrigue for a fine and riveting read, making "Kage: The Shadow" an excellent pick
for community library general fiction collections looking for a very fun read.
A Crack in Everything
Angela Gerst
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave., Ste. 103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
9781590589441, $24.95, www.poisonedpenpress.com
When you seek adventure, more adventure than you can handle may find you. "A Crack in
Everything" follows Susan Callisto as she tries to find a new path in her career trying to pace
enjoying herself with success. Becoming a political consultant, she finds herself drawn into the
secrets of a small Massachusetts town. With old flames re-emerging, the truth will prove hard to
find and may prove ultimately deadly. "A Crack in Everything" is a riveting work of mystery,
highly recommended.
The Buddhist Studies Shelf
Freeing the Heart & Mind
Sakya Trizin
Wisdom Publications
199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144
9780861716388, $15.95, www.wisdompubs.org
For nearly a thousand years, the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism has been teaching its own
interpretation. "Freeing the Heart & Mind: Introduction to the Buddhist Path" is the first part of
the Buddhist philosophy and spirituality from forty-first throne holder of the Sakya school, Sakya
Trizin. Discussing the four noble truths, universal compassion, and the right ideals for a
Buddhist, "Freeing the Heart & Mind" is very much worth considering for any student of Tibetan
Buddhism.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Celtic Christian Spirituality
Mary C. Earle
Skylight Paths Publishing
PO Box 237, Sunset Farm Offices, Rt.4, Woodstock, VT 05091
9781594733024, $16.99, www.skylightpaths.com
When Christianity came to Ireland, they embraced the faith with incredible vigor. "Celtic
Christian Spirituality: Essential Writings -- Annotated & Explained" discusses the faith of the
Celtic Christians and how their fervency played well into their everyday life and spirituality.
Drawing from many of their writings studied well by Mary Earle, "Celtic Christian Spirituality"
is a very much recommended read for anyone who wants to better understand the spirituality of
the Celts and their haste in embracing Christianity.
Great Christian Thinkers
Pope Benedict XVI
Fortress Press
PO Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440
9780800698515, $16.99, www.fortresspress.com
Thought is needed to keep the faith ever advancing forward. "Great Christian Thinkers from the
Early Church Through the Middle Ages" is a delve into the history of Christian thought as
current Pope Benedict XVI offers a unique perspective on the great thinkers in the past
millennium and a half of the established Christian doctrine. From students of the Apostles,
teachers, monks, and scholars all throughout the period, "Great Christian Thinkers from the Early
Church Through the Middle Ages" is a fine study from the reigning pope, a man viewed to be
quite the great thinker of theology himself.
The Judaic Studies Shelf
The Passover Haggadah
Rabbi Yosef Marcus, compiler
Kehot Publication Society
770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11213
9780826601391 $29.95
Superbly translated with original commentary by Rabbi Yosef Marcus, "The Passover Haggadah"
is ideal for family use to enhance the experience of a traditional Passover Sedare. Of special note
are the passages in the original Hebrew that accompany the English text revealing the relevancy
and timeless value of the Sedar Table. An especially beautiful edition, "The Passover Haggadah" offers an impressive volume of citations and quotations from hundreds of commentators ranging
from antiquity to the present, from the obscure to the famous. Enhanced with original artwork
and thoroughly 'user friendly, Rabbi Yosef Marcus' "The Passover Haggadah" is confidently
recommended for personal, family, and academic library Judaic Studies reference collections in
general, and Passover celebrations in particular.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
It's a Dog Not a Toaster
Diana Kerew-Shaw
Dogwise
403 South Mission Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801
9781617810374, $14.95, www.dogwise.com
Competitive Obedience sounds odd, but there can be much fun for both dog and master. "It's a
Dog, Not a Toaster: Finding Your Fun in Competitive Obedience" is a guide to this unusual
nature of competition, and how to embrace the fun even if you never have a chance. Guiding
readers through everything they need to know about the 'sport' and how to have fun with your
dog doing it, "It's a Dog, Not a Toaster" is a fine read for any pet lover looking for new fun to be
had with their beloved pet.
The Environmental Studies Shelf
The Economics Of Pollution Control
Kathleen Segerson
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court
Northampton, MA 01060-3815
www.e-elgar.com
9781848440739, $345.00, www.amazon.com
When it comes to the environment, no reform is truly free. There is always an economic aspect
that must be considered. The latest addition to the Edward Elgar Publishing's outstanding
'International Library of Critical Writings in Economics' series, "The Economics of Pollution
Control" ably compiled by Kathleen Segerson (Philip E. Austin Professor of Economics,
University of Connecticut) is a 614-page compendium that focuses specifically on the impact of
economic aspects on pollution control legislation and efforts. Organized into three main sections
of scholarly articles (Overview; The Economic Theory of Pollution Control; From Theory to
Practice: Empirical Evidence), "The Economics Of Pollution Control" is a seminal contribution
that is strongly recommended as a core addition to professional, governmental, and academic
library "Environmental Studies" reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
One Man's Planet
Stephen M. Testa
American Geological Institute
4220 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302
9780922152858, $24.95, www.agiweb.org
The environment can only take so much more of our abuse. "One Man's Planet: Earth in Today's
Political Culture" is an offbeat yet important discussion of the importance of environmental
science from Stephen M. Testa, who comes at readers with geology about the dangers of our
every day life and the threats we do to the earth and earth's threats to us. Intelligent, "One Man's
Planet" is an excellent and very much recommended read that shouldn't be overlooked.
The Graphic Novel Shelf
The Lives of Sacco & Vanzetti
Rick Geary
NBM
40 Exchange Pl., Ste. 1308, New York, NY 10005
9781561636051, $15.99, www.nbmpublishing.com
In a time of rapidly changing ideas, anarchy was one least understood. "The Lives of Sacco &
Vanzetti" traces the story of these accused murderers to try to capture their story and how they
became the scapegoats of fear against socialism and anarchy. Rick Geary uses a graphic novel
format to tell their story, and of the evidence in favor of the accused. "The Lives of Sacco &
Vanzetti" does justice to this very important part of twentieth century history.
The Homeowner's Shelf
Home Repair and Improvement
Creative Homeowner
PO Box 38
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458-0038
9781580115285, $29.95, www.creativehomeowner.com
Homes are expensive, so it's often best to simply do with the one you got. "Home Repair and
Improvement: Ultimate Guide" is a useful compilation of thought and knowledge from Creative
Homeowner as they advise readers with everything they need to know with plenty of direct do it
yourself wisdom on how to make the most of their home. Also included is a comprehensive
guide on dealing with contractors for when a job is too far out of your skill. Packed with full
color photos cover to cover, "Home Repair and Improvement" is highly useful and very much
highly recommended.
The International Studies Shelf
Contemporary Galician Cultural Studies
Kirsty Hooper & Manuel Puga Moruxa
Modern Language Association
26 Broadway, Third Floor, New York, NY 1004-1789
9781603290883, $25.00, www.mla.org
Although territorially part of Spain, Galicia is autonomously its own country. "Contemporary
Galician Cultural Studies" discusses the culture and people of this region that finds itself between
the Atlantic and the Mediterranean with strong influences from its father Spain and neighbor
Portugal. Contributing unique style to the world's arts, Kirsty Hooper and Manuel Puga Moruxa
compile as editors an intriguing and quite recommended break down of culture, as many writers
let their voice be heard. "Contemporary Galician Cultural Studies" is a strongly recommended
read for anyone who wants to know what Galicia is and understand it well.
The Psychology Shelf
Musical Cognition
Henkjan Honing
Transaction
300 McGaw Drive, Edison, NJ 08837
141284228X, $34.95, www.transactionpub.com
What distinguishes music from a meaningless jumble of sound? "Musical Cognition: A Science
of Listening" discussing the psychology of music and how our cognitive nature plays into what
music means to us as a people and why we are drawn to certain types of music. Stating that
music may be a subconscious game that we play with listening and how the many elements can
play into this theory. An intriguing study of consciousness and the things that we listen to every
day of our lives, "Musical Cognition" is a fascinating read, an excellent addition to music or
psychology community and college library collections.
Ordeal Therapy
Jay Haley
Crown House Publishing
6 Trowbridge Drive, Ste. 5, Bethel, CT 06801
9781935810056, $34.95, www.crownhousepublishing.com
The challenge of life does well in empowering people to find their way through their lives.
"Ordeal Therapy: Unusual Ways to Change Behavior" is a reprinting of the psychotherapy classic
from Jay Haley, a late professor of psychology. His wisdom as presented in this book offers a
different way of empowering people to face their challenges in life. "Ordeal Therapy" is filled
with simple yet wise wisdom for any psychotherapist or non-specialist general reader to strongly
consider, highly recommended.
The Literary Studies Shelf
Why Jane Austen?
Rachel M. Brownstein
Columbia University Press
61 West 62nd Street
New York, NY 10023-7015
9780231153904, $29.50, www.cup.columbia.edu
Why Jane Austen over other writers of high society in the nineteenth century? "Why Jane
Austen?" discusses the following of Austen in contemporary society which has produced movies,
literary discussions, even parodies. Rachel Brownstein seeks to explain the genius behind
Austen's work, how it served as a blue print of feminism while at the same time speaking clearly
about her time, and how such topics still sound true today. "Why Jane Austen?" is an intriguing
discussion of one of history's literary giantesses.
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
Copyright ©2001
Site design by Williams Writing, Editing &
Design