|
Book
Reviews,
Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers |
Home / Wisconsin Bookwatch |
Wisconsin Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Fill'er Up
Jim Draeger & Mark Speltz
Wisconsin Historical Society Press
816 State Street, Madison, WI 53575
9780870203930, $29.95, www.wisconsinhistory.org
The automobile was as much an integral aspect of Wisconsin's economic and cultural evolution
as it was for the rest of the country. Co-authored by Wisconsin historians Jim Draeger and Mark
Speltz, "Fill'er Up: The Glory Days Of Wisconsin Gas Stations" celebrates one of the key
institutions responsible for the success of the automobile in the Badger State. Beginning with an
informed and informative introduction and historical overview entitled 'Wisconsin Gas Stations:
Tracing Their Evolution', "Fill'er Up" showcases fifty-nine representative stations in Wisconsin's
western eastern, northern, and central regions. The informative text is superbly enhanced with
both historical black-and-white photos, as well as full-color photos of those original stations as
they exist today. Featuring an appendix providing a map of station locations, a section of notes,
and a comprehensive index, "Fill'er Up" is a unique, entertaining, and fascinating examination of
the cultural and economic history of the Wisconsin gas station, making it a welcome and
enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, school, and community Wisconsin History
reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
The Transition Handbook
Rob Hopkins
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
PO Box 428, White River Junction, VT 05001-0428
9781900322188, $24.95, www.chelseagreen.com
All elements of the American political spectrum now agree on the importance of getting America
off its dependence on foreign oil. Fueling this agreement is a collective awareness of the
deleterious impact fossil fuels have upon the environment, the crippling impact of high fuel
prices upon the American economy, as well as the national security implications of being so
dependant upon the occasionally hostile foreign nations supplying our oil imports. Rob Hopkins
draws upon his many years as a teacher of permaculture and natural building in "The Transition
Handbook: From Oil Dependency To Local Resilience" to write a seminal instruction manual on
just how communities can go about growing their own food, generating their own power,
building their own houses using local resources and materials -- thereby reducing the need for
imported oil to fuel their economies and activities, while at the same time keeping money in the
local area and strengthening the local economy and fostering local prosperity. Enhanced with
References, Resources, an Index, "The Transition Handbook" offers a thoroughly 'reader
friendly', informed and informative text laced with figures and 'Tools of Transition'
commentaries on everything from making the most of public events to designing productive
meetings. Simply stated, 'The Transition Handbook" is a critical important contribution to the
growing body of Environmental Studies literature and a 'must read' for environmental activists,
city administrators, and governmental policy makers.
Scrapbooks
Jessica Helfand
Yale University Press
PO Box 209040, New Haven, CT 06520-9040
Goldberg McDuffie Communications (publicity)
www.thedailyscrapbook.com
9780300126358, $45.00, http://yalepress.yale.edu
Scrapbooking has become a popular and widespread activity for those who wish to create
commemorative collection which is usually themed based and showcasing a particular life, event,
or subject. In "Scrapbooks: An American History", academician and design expert Jessica
Helfand as written and compiled a fascinating and seminal history of the scrapbook as a cultural
phenomena from the late 19th and early 20th centuries down to the present day. Identifying
notable scrapbookers ranging from Zelda Fitzgerald to Lillian Hellman to Anne Sexton,
"Scrapbooks" draws from Jessica Helfand's own personal collection of more than 200 scrapbooks
that collective span more than one hundred years of American history. "Scrapbooks" also covers
the techniques and tools of scrapbook making, many of which are still applicable to create unique
scrapbooks without the use of pre-fabricated materials such as those readily available in any craft
store today. Profusely and colorfully illustrated throughout, "Scrapbooks" is a work of impressive
and articular scholarship, making it an enthusiastically recommended addition to academic and
community libraries, as well as informed and informative reading for anyone who has engaged in
scrapbooks for themselves or a loved one.
The Archaeology Shelf
Skeletal Biology and Bioarchaeology of the Northwestern Plains
George W. Gill & Rick L. Weathermon, editors
University of Utah Press
1795 East South Campus Drive, #101, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9402
9780874809282, $50.00 www.uofupress.com 1-800-773-6672
Skeletal Biology and Bioarchaeology of the Northwestern Plains is a compendium of scholarly
and scientific essays by diverse authors, concerning what the human bones found in America's
northwestern plains have to tell us about the prehistory and early history of the people who lived
there. Most of the presented essays were originally part of a symposium at the Plains
Anthropological Conference in Oklahoma City in 2003; the topics discussed range from
paelopathology, dental pathology and human osteology to the customs of prehistoric Native
American burials as compared to burials of the pioneer era and burials of Indian War-era
casualties. Black-and-white photographs illustrate this seminal compendium, enhanced with an
index for ease of use and a list of references cited for further study. Highly recommended.
Epigraphy and the Greek Historian
Craig Cooper, editor
University of Toronto Press
10 St. Mary Street, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4Y 2W8
9780802090690, $75.00 www.utppublishing.com 1-800-565-9523
Epigraphy and the Greek Historian is an anthology of essays examining how epigraphy, the study
of inscriptions found on ancient artifacts such as stones, coins, and statues in order to extrapolate
and corroborate historical data, has served scholars in the reconstruction of Greek history.
Divided into two parts, one covering Athens and the other about the wider Greek world,
individual essays include "Drakonian Procedure", "The Slave-Names of IG i3 and the Ideology of
Slavery at Athens", "Rescuing Local History: Epigraphy and the Island of Thera", and much
more. Extensive notes, tables, and indexes supplement this excellent contribution to the study of
ancient Greek history, highly recommended especially for college library collections.
The Environmental Studies Shelf
The Little Green Handbook
Ruth Cullen
Peter Pauper Press, Inc.
202 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601
9781593598297, $9.95, www.peterpauper.com
Concern for the environment is now universal with hundreds of thousands of people altering their
lifestyles to more eco-friendly behaviors. The principles of 'reduce, reuse and recycle' are
widespread and becoming embedded in community policies and federal standards affecting the
home, office, garden, travel, consumerism-based shopping, art and architecture. In "The Little
Green Handbook", environmental activist Ruth Cullen has compiled 145 simple, easy, practical,
and effective steps that anyone can use for the benefit of preserving and improving the
environment upon which all live depends. From such elemental ideas as scraping plates before
loading them into dishwashers and taking shorter showers in order to conserve water, to turning
off lights when leaving rooms and setting timers for outdoor lighting of driveways and walkways
to conserve energy, to using e-mail instead of snail-mail to conserve energy and paper, to joining
a farmer's cooperative, using cloth shopping bags and diapers, to supporting 'green business',
"The Little Green Handbook" is packed from first page to last with solid recommendations fully
explained. As with all the Peter Pauper Press 'Little Book' titles, "The Little Green Handbook" is
spiral bound to lay out flat, comes with a handy elastic band place holder, and is only 4-1/4 x
5-3/4 inches in size making it, quite literary, able to fit into a pocket. Simply stated, "The Little
Green Handbook" is an ideal and highly recommended, environmentally conscious gift.
Liberty Hyde Bailey: Essential Agrarian and Environmental Writings
Zachary Michael Jack, editor
Cornell University Press
512 East State Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
9780801447099, $29.95 www.cornellpress.cornell.edu 1-800-666-2211
Edited by Zachary Michael Jack (Assistant Professor of English, North Central College), Liberty
Hyde Bailey: Essential Agrarian and Environmental Writings is an anthology of essays by
horticulturalist and botanist Liberty Hyde Bailey (1858-1954), a premier voice of his era known
for helping make nature study a popular subject in U.S. classrooms, lobbying for women's rights
on and off the farm, and supporting President Theodore Roosevelt's landmark conservation
efforts. The essays discuss matters of workmanship, conscience, education, community, nature,
the farm, poetics, and more. From "The Democratic Basis of Agriculture" to "The Fundamental
Question in American Country Life" (namely, "How is one to make country life what it is
capable of?") to "The Keeping of the Beautiful Earth", Liberty Hyde Bailey: Essential Agrarian
and Environmental Writings is as thought-provoking today as it was when each essay was first
penned. Highly recommended, particularly for college library Environmental Studies
collections.
The Buddhist Studies Shelf
Yantra Yoga
Chogyal Namkhai Norbu
Snow Lion Publications
PO Box 6483, Ithaca, NY 14851
9781559393089, $34.95 www.SnowLionPub.com 1-800-950-0313
Written by Dzogchen and Tantra master Chogyal Namkhai Norbu, Yantra Yoga: The Tibetan
Yoga of Movement is an in-depth study of Yantra Yoga, the Buddhism-influenced line of yoga in
parallel to the Hathayoga of Hindu tradition. This system of poses, body movements, breathing
exercises, and visualization, currently found in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism in relation to the
Anuttaratantras, is described in depth with a number of black-and-white photographs and
diagrams serving as visual aid to anyone interesting in learning and performing Yantra Yoga. An
extensive commentary of the oral instruction of Tibetan yogins and siddhas of the twentieth
century, Yantra Yoga is an enthusiastically recommended addition to Tibetan Buddhism studies
shelves.
Brilliant Moon: The Autobiography of Dilgo Khyentse
Michael Tweed, editor
Ani Jinba Palmo, translator and compiler
Shambhala Publications, Inc.
Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-4544
9781590302842, $35.00 www.shambhala.com 1-800-733-3000
Brilliant Moon: The Autobiography of Dilgo Khyentse is a compilation of anecdotes, stories, and
recollections from the friends, family, and students of Buddhist meditation master and scholar
Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Half of Brilliant Moon consists of Dilgo Khyentse's early life story
told in his own words; the other half draws testimony from his wife, grandson, and spiritual heir,
as well as such notable figures as the Queen Mother of Bhutan and many more. Enhanced with a
handful of black-and-white photographs, extensive notes, a glossary, and a bibliography, Brilliant
Moon is a welcome addition to Buddhist studies shelves strong in biographies of spiritual
leaders.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Ghosthunting Virginia
Michael J. Varhola
Clerisy Press
c/o Menasha Ridge Press
2204 - 1st Avenue South, Suite 102, Birmingham, AL 35233
9781578603275, $14.95 www.menasharidge.com 1-888-60-HIKES
Ghosthunting Virginia explores thirty legendary haunted sites in the state of Virginia, including
the District of Columbia. From the Poe Museum, which is located near where Edgar Allen Poe
lived and worked and is reputedly haunted by ghosts, to Ford's Theatre, subject to strange
occurrences ever since President Lincoln was assassinated there, to cemeteries, battlefields, and
much more, Ghosthunting Virginia is as enjoyable for armchair travelers to read as it is a useful
tour destination guide for occult lovers. A scattering of black-and-white photographs illustrate
this user-friendly compendium.
The Native American Shelf
Plains Apache Ethnobotany
Julia A. Jordan
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806139685, $34.95 www.oupress.com 1-800-627-7377
Research anthropologist Julia A. Jordan presents Plains Apache Ethnobotany, an in-depth study
and reference of how the Plains Apache native people of North America used more than 110
plant species in food, medicine, and rituals, and material culture. Traditionally a hunter-gathering
tribe that engaged in trade with its neighbors, the Apache's abiding connection with wild plants is
exhaustively documented through fieldwork and interviews conducted with elders of the
Oklahoma Apache Tribe in the mid-1960s. The text is studious yet accessible to readers of all
backgrounds. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this thoroughly comprehensive
reference and resource, highly recommended for ethnobotany and Apache tribe Native American
studies collections.
American Indian
National Society for American Indian Elderly
Gold Street Press
c/o Weldon Owen, Inc.
814 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
9781934533123, $50.00, www.weldonowen.com
Native American cultures are neither monolithically homogenous nor simplistic. They are richly
diverse and sophisticated. In "American Indian" we are presented with a kaleidoscopic wealth of
knowledgeable and profusely illustrated essays ranging from the Steve Wilson's informative
introduction ('The Knowledge Preservation Project'), through Nephi Craig's 'Harvests of Land
and Sea', to Iris HeavyRunner-Pretty Paint's 'Songs to the Spirits', to George Charles 'Bounty of
the Elders. The eight informed and informative essays cover foodways, cooking, medicine and
health, feasts and festivals, music and movement, art and craft, beauty in utility, and shared
wisdom. enhanced with a 'Map of featured Tribes' (including the Creek, Cherokee, Apache,
Navajo, Potawatomi, Crow, Cheyenne, Blackfeet, Pawnee, and Yup'ik); author and expert
reviewer biographies, bibliography, and index, "American Indian" is an impressively and
recommended work that is an essential addition to community and academic library Native
American Studies reference collections, as well as highly recommended to non-specialist general
readers with an interest in the diversity and history of Native American cultures.
The Women's Studies Shelf
Shapers of the Great Debate on Women's Rights
Joyce Duncan
Greenwood Publishing Group
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9780313338694, $75.00 www.greenwood.com 1-800-225-5800
Part of the "Shapers of the Great American Debates" series, Shapers of the Great Debate on
Women's Rights: A Biographical Dictionary is a collection of brief yet information-dense
biographical portrayals of pivotal speakers on the issues of women's rights from the 1800's to the
present day. The first part especially focuses upon the once contentious issue of women's
suffrage; the section about speakers who lived in the 1900's and represented "second-wave" and
"third-wave" feminism covers a much wider range of issues. "In 1993, Ginsburg was appointed
to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton, where she revitalized the court's interest in
women's rights, including calling hostile work environments a type of sex discrimination under
Title VII. She was noted as being principled, diligent, and the author of scholarly, balanced
opinions." An excellent quick reference and resource, especially for women's studies
shelves.
The Biography Shelf
Samuel Adams: A Life
Ira Stoll
The Free Press
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9780743299114, $28.00 www.simonsays.com 1-800-223-2336
Written by veteran journalist and managing editor of "The New York Sun" Ira Stoll, Samuel
Adams: A Life is an in-depth biography of one of America's founding fathers, Samuel Adams.
Adams helped stir up the Boston Tea Party (though he did not participate in it), denounced
"taxation without representation" as a newspaper editor, and after the Revolution he worked in
politics, eventually serving as elected governor of Massachusetts. Notes, a bibliography, and an
index round out this eminently readable biography balancing what is known about Adams
personal and religious life with his historic contribution to early American independence and
politics. Samuel Adams: A Life is highly recommended for public and college library collections
alike.
Wild Bill Hickok & Calamity Jane
James D. McLaird
South Dakota State Historical Society Press
900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SC 57501-2217
9780977795598, $12.95 www.sdshspress.com
Written by James D. McLaird (professor emeritus of history at Dakota Wesleyan University),
Wild Bill Hickok & Calamity Jane is a biographical examination of the legendary relationship
between two Wild West wanderers whose behavior wavered along the fine line between
law-abiding and outlaw. Though Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane were in together in the city
of Deadwood for only a few weeks, their exploits have become the stuff of tall tales and folklore.
In Wild Bill Hickok & Calamity Jane, McLaird also examines the impact that writers and the city
of Deadwood itself had on the legacy of this infamous couple. Their subsequent burial next to
one another in Mount Moria Cemetery would cement their star quality status, and immortalize
them in pop culture mythology. A fascinating read for anyone who wants to learn about how the
daring real-life deeds (and misdeeds) of Wild Bill Hickok & Calamity Jane were destined to
grow beyond imagination through the telling.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Medieval Christianity
Daniel E. Bornstein, editor
Denis R. Janz, general editor
Augsburg Fortress Publishers
100 Fifth Street, Suite 600, Minneapolis, MN 55402-1210
9780800634148, $35.00 www.augsburgbooks.com 1-800-328-4648
Volume 4 of "A People's History of Christianity" series, Medieval Christianity is an in-depth
scrutiny of the religion and institution of Christianity from the fall of Rome and the conversion of
the Germanic tribes to the beginning of the Reformation. Drawing upon primary sources ranging
from handbooks, sermons, and confessional manuals to illuminated manuscripts and altarpieces,
Medieval Christianity probes te nuances of medieval Christian art, architecture, devotional
practices, pilgrimages, relics, heresies, revivals, crusades, programs, and much more. "The
medieval church's age-old campaign against clerical incontinence... had a salutary effect,
allowing it to block the process by which priestly dynasties threatened to privatize churches and
treat church property as familial patrimony. In so doing, the church without any doubt assured its
own survival as an independent institution within a society that was being feudalized." A
scholarly and thoughtful account, accessible to readers of all backgrounds and enhanced with a
handful of black-and-white illustrations as well as color plates, Medieval Christianity bears the
highest recommendation for public and college library religious reference shelves, along with the
rest of "A People's History of Christianity" series.
Big Picture of the Bible - Old Testament
Lorna Daniels Nichols
Winepress Publishing Group
1730 Railroad Street, Enumclaw, WA 98022
9781579219291, $24.95 www.winepressgroup.com
Big Picture of the Bible - Old Testament is a consumable study guide of Old Testament Bible
stories presented in an easy-to-follow, bulleted format. "Review Questions" and "Personal
Reflections" sections offer questions such as "Who fought the Battle of Jericho and how?" and
"What spiritual growth lessons did you learn from the period of the Judges?" and blank lines for
the user to write down their answers. A handful of maps and color illustrations, appendices, and a
glossary round out this user-friendly resource for persons of faith.
Macarius Of Jerusalem
Abraham Terian
St. Vladimir's Seminary Press
575 Scarsdale, Road, Crestwood, NY 10707-1699
9780881413236, $30.00, www.svspress.com
Ante-Nicenean Fathers refers to the Christian leaders and theologians that came immediately
after the generation of the original apostles and their acolytes. Macarisu Of Jerusalem, who lived
and worked in the 4th Century A.D. was one of these influential men who were to shape the
course of the Christian movement during the increasingly oppressive activities of the Roman
Empire which finally ended with Emperor Constantin's 'Edict of Milan' in A.D. 313 which
legalized and legitimized the Christian Church throughout the empire. We have only a relative
scattering of letters and other writings to document the struggle of these early church fathers, but
one such surviving document has now been translated with an informed and informative
introduction and commentary by Abraham Terian and published by the St. Vladimir's Seminary
Press as "Macarius Of Jerusalem: Letter To The Armenians, A.D. 335". An significant and
critically important contribution to 4th Century Christian Studies, "Macarius Of Jerusalem" is an
academically impressive model of meticulous and painstaking scholarship, and presents a
seminal body of informed and informative work that is solidly recommended for personal,
pastoral, academic, and seminary Christian History reference collections and supplemental
reading lists.
The American History Shelf
The Forgotten History Of America
Cormac O'Brien
Fair Winds Press
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
18705 Lake Drive East, Chanhassen, MN 55317
www.quaysidepublishinggroup.com
9781592332991, $19.99, 1-800-328-0590
There is so much more than is taught in public school American history classes or published in
traditional American history textbooks. That is why "The Forgotten History Of America:
Little-Known Conflicts Of Lasting Importance From The Earliest Colonists To The Eve Of The
Revolution" by historian Cormac O'Brien is such an important contribution to personal,
community, and academic library American History reference collections and supplemental
reading lists. The focus on the often overlooked events that shaped the course of American
political life and helped to create the country that we all live in today. For example, it was not
Jamestown or Plymouth that holds the honor of being the first European settlement in America,
but rather the Spanish town of St. Augustine in Florida. While George Washington was indeed
an exemplary leader of the newly emergent United States of America, while a young office in the
it was an incident he created in the Pennslyvania woods in 1754 that set of an international
conflict that came to be called the French & Indian War. These stories and more are the subject
of an informed, informative, and iconoclastic history of our country. Nicely enhanced by a
profusion of color illustrations throughout, "The Forgotten History Of America" is especially
recommended for school and community library American History reference collections and
non-specialist general readers with an interest in knowing 'the rest of the story' of America's past
that was to prove so influential in creating its present.
Mud Blood and Gold
Rand Richards
Heritage House Publishers
PO Box 194242, San Francisco, CA 94119
9781879367067, $25.95 www.heritagehousesf.com
Mud Blood and Gold: San Francisco in 1849 is a historical chronicle of how the (in)famous Gold
Rush affected the California city of San Francisco, especially at the peak of the gold frenzy.
Drawing upon eyewitness accounts and official records, historian Rand Richards meticulously
reconstructs San Francisco of over a century and a half ago, offering a vivid picture of what daily
life must have been like. From the overriding ambition to get rich that drove all the comers, to
how the most successful of San Francisco's wealthy actually amassed their gold (such as
merchants who traded in coveted goods, and real estate speculators) to the corruption that ran
rampant among city officials and the explosion of greed-fueled violence, gambling, and
prostitution, Mud Blood and Gold is as colorfully descriptive as it is informative and analytical.
A welcome contribution to San Francisco history shelves.
The South Dakota State Capitol
Marshall Damgaard
South Dakota State Historical Society Press
900 Governors Drive, Pierre, SC 57501-2217
9780979894022, $29.95, www.sdshspress.com
In celebration of the centennial anniversary of Pierre, the state capitol of South Dakota, Marshall
Damgaard and the South Dakota State Historical Society Press have collaborated to publish "The
South Dakota State Capitol: The First Century", a superbly illustrated historical overview from
its founding down to the present day. Informed and informative, "The South Dakota State
Capitol" is an information packed compendium that is enhanced with the inclusion of an
Appendix, a Bibliography, and an Index. The fourth volume in the South Dakota State Historical
Society Press 'Historical Preservation Series', "The South Dakota State Capitol" is a core addition
to all South Dakota historical society, community and school library reference collections, and
would serve as a model template for similar historical studies of other state capitals as well.
Speaking Through The Aspens
J. Mallea-Olaetxe
University of Nevada Press
Mail Stop 0166, Reno, NV, 89557-0166
www.unpress.nevada.edu
9780874177626, $29.95, 1-877-682-6657
Carving names, dates, phrases, figures and symbols into trees is probably as old as the human
race itself. Today in the 'Basque country' of California and Nevada, the ubiquitous aspen tree is
occasionally found to have been subjected to mysterious carvings called 'arborglyphs', often
featuring human and animal figures and with words or symbols in several languages. In
"Speaking Through The Aspens: Basque Tree Carvings In California And Nevada", J.
Mallea-Olaetxe (an independent scholar and researcher at the Center for Basque Studies at the
University of Nevada, Reno) has compiled an historical overview and representative examples of
arborglyphs and provides as a context an introduction to the lives of Basque sheepherders in the
America West. Enhanced with 94 black-and-white photographs and line drawings, "Speaking
Through The Aspens" is a seminal work of original scholarship and a strongly recommended
addition to community and academic library Basque Studies and American Western History
Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
Arcadia Publishing
420 Wando Park Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
www.arcadiapublishing.com, 1-888-313-2665
Photography makes the past come alive and enhances any simple history of a community. Such is
the basic premise of Arcadia Publishing's outstanding 'Images of America' series. Each volume in
this photography oriented history showcases a specific American town, its people, its buildings,
notable events, and evolution as a community. Heather D. Ferguson's "Arkansas City"
(9780738552408, $19.99) began as a Kansas border town to Indian Territory, grew to be a major
trade hub and transportation center, and is particularly noted for the Cherokee Strip Land Rush of
September 16, 1893. The collaborative work of Katherine Mansfield Tassini, Douglas B.
Rauschenberger, and the Historical Society of Haddonfield, "Haddonfield" (9780738556741,
$19.99) was founded in 1701 as a place for Quakers and others to live and worship in freedom in
New Jersey and played an important role in the Revolutionary War and is today a suburb noted
for its residential and educational resources. "Hemet" (9780738558462, $19.99) by members of
the Hemet Area Museum Association is located in California's San Jacinto Valley and the
product of two 19th Century real estate developers. Originally a farm town, Hemet is now a
retirement center and bedroom suburb of 150,000 people. "Big Stone Gap" (9780738553931,
$19.99) by Sharon B. Weing features one of Virginia's towns that began with the coal fields of
the 1880s, and became a prosperous municipality with its railroads, hotels, businesses and
cultural events. A change of pace from the town histories, Tracey Gold Bennett and Nizam B.
Ali's "Ben's Chili Bowl: 50 years of A Washington, D.C. Landmark" (9780738554242, $19.99)
showcases a Washington D.C.-based business enterprise that opened as a hot dog and chili shop
on U Street and became a renowned restaurant in the heart of the nation's capital. A characteristic
of each and every one of these highly recommended 'Images of America' titles is that they are profusely
illustrated with photographic images serving as perfect enhancements for the informed and
informative historical texts that relate the histories that make these cited towns and cities (and
restaurant) so notable additions to regional American History collections.
The Irish Americans
Jay P. Dolan
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781596914193, $30.00 www.bloomsbury.com
Jay P. Dolan (Professor Emeritus of History, University of Notre Dame) presents The Irish
Americans: A History, a narrative examination of Irish-Americans. "The Irish Americans" covers
the saga of Irish-American immigrants and their descendants from the American colonial era to
the historical potato famine that spurred an exodus of millions of poor immigrants, to rise of Irish
political power and the election of John F. Kennedy as President of the United States, to the end
of the twentieth century in the year 2000. "For those Irish who rode the economic escalator up to
middle-class respectability, a move to the suburbs generally followed. But more was involved
than just an increase in income. A decisive influence was the migration of blacks and Hispanics
into the old Irish neighborhoods... The Irish were too numerous and too complex a group to be
identified with only one side of the controversy. Many were conservative bigots, hurling epithets
at King and his supporters; many were numbered among the liberal activists marching shoulder
to shoulder with King. The same type of division present in Chicago was true in Philadelphia and
other cities where the migration of blacks into old immigrant neighborhoods led to racial
confrontation... a study done in the 1980s by the sociologist Andrew M. Greeley concluded that a
majority of the Irish 'have been more sympathetic to integration' than other Catholic ethnics as
well as all Protestants during the 1970s." A fascinating, account that academicians and lay
readers alike can enjoy, The Irish Americans: A History is an especially welcome addition to
public and college library shelves.
The First 100 Years
C.W. Guthrie
Farcountry Press
PO Box 5630, Helena, MT 59604
9781560373360, $39.95 www.farcountrypress.com 1-800-821-3874
Part American History chronicle, part photography compendium, The First 100 Years is a
remarkably in-depth survey of the history of Glacier National Park from 1900 to 2000. Featuring
more than 200 vintage black-and-white or stunning full color photographs, The First 100 Years
also has detailed text chronicling the park's astonishing and colorful history. A chronology,
bibliography, and index round out this captivating volume, highly recommended especially for
public library collections due to its wealth of historical information balancing quality
photographs on virtually every page.
The Science Shelf
Geology of Utah's Rivers
William T. Parry
University of Utah Press
1795 East South Campus Drive, #101, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9402
9780874809336, $19.95 www.uofupress.com 1-800-773-6672
William T. Parry (professor emeritus of geology and geophysics, University of Utah) presents
Geology of Utah's Rivers, a thoughtful, in-depth guide to Utah's rivers including black-and-white
shaded relief and geologic maps. From the natural history of the rivers, to comments on the
historical exploration that discovered them, to the development of the stunning scenery that can
be found nearby, Geology of Utah's Rivers is sure to appeal to geology enthusiasts of all
backgrounds, from amateur hobbyists to experts interested in a fresh look at Utah's evolving
landscape. A welcome addition to public library geology collections, and an excellent giftbook
for any enthusiast of Utah's natural beauty!
Researching Children's Experiences
Melissa Freeman & Sandra Mathison
Guilford Publications, Inc.
72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012
9781593859954, $30.00, www.guilford.com
Basic research skills are a fundamental part of all scientific endeavors, but most especially
crucial to the social sciences which can be particularly sensitive to distortion through effectively
solicited data. Co-authored by Melissa Freeman (Assistant Professor of Qualitative Research
Methodologies in the College of Education, University of Georgia) and Sandra Mathison
(Professor of Education at the University of British Columbia), "Research Children's
Experiences" focuses specifically on research methods and approaches to planning and
implementing research projects with children and youth using a social constructivist perspective.
A wealth of illustrative examples are provided with respect to eliciting life experiences of diverse
youth. Such varied data-collection methods as drawing, photography, the Internet, games,
interviewing, focus groups, the use of journals, and direct observation are covered, as are
strategies for fostering active contributions from children as part of the research process. Of
special note are the attention paid to consent and ethical issues, as well as the role of parents,
teachers and school personnel, and other community members in the research process. Enhanced
with the inclusion of end-of-chapter questions and exercises to insure comprehension of covered
materials, a reference section, and an index make "Researching Children's Experiences" an
essential and recommended addition as a curriculum text and a core addition to professional and
academic library reference shelves and supplemental reading lists.
The Philosophy Shelf
The Philosophy of Human Nature
Howard P. Kainz
Open Court Publishing Company
70 East Lake Street, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60601
9780812696196, $29.95 www.opencourtbooks.com 1-800-815-2280
Howard P. Kainz (Professor Emeritus, Department of Philosophy at Marquette University in
Milwaukee) presents The Philosophy of Human Nature, a thoughtful, in-depth reflection upon
the philosophical controversies concerning the definition and purpose of human nature. From
whether human beings are (or can become) free, to whether human instincts differ from animal
instincts, to whether human personality traits and intelligence can truly be inherited, and more,
The Philosophy of Human Nature tackles age old conundrums with the professionalism of a
trained philosopher. At the same time, The Philosophy of Human Nature avoids bogging itself
down in needless obfuscation, remaining accessible even to readers who do not have extensive
training in philosophy. "Karl Marx, as is well known, analyzed patterns of exploitation taking
place in nineteenth-century capitalist systems. In his early philosophical works, he makes an
interesting socio-political application of gender dynamics. According to Marx, the male attitude
toward females offers us the best indication of their general attitude toward nature, the
environment, society in general, and the lower classes in particular. If males take women as
objects to be exploited, Marx argued, they tend to have the same attitude toward the
environment, the lower classes, and so forth... Communism, unfortunately, was not spectacularly
successful in eliminating female exploitation; but Marx's general observation about attitude
patterns may be worth considering." Highly recommended, especially for college library
collections.
Heidegger: A (Very) Critical Introduction
S.J. McGrath
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
2140 Oak Industrial Drive, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
9780802860071, $16.00 www.eerdmans.com 1-800-253-7521
Heidegger: A (Very) Critical Introduction is, as its title suggests, a highly skeptical discussion of
ideas attributed to philosopher Martin Heidegger (1889-1976). Sticking to the neologisms
Heidegger himself used rather than take the "analytic" tack of swapping more commonly used
philosophical terms for Heidegger's precise words, Heidegger: A (Very) Critical Introduction
notes that Heidegger frequently ignored ethical, political, and theological criticisms of ontology,
embodying a common flaw in logical thinking that is to accept fundamental issues (in
Heidegger's case, ethical-political and theological issues) as conclusively proven when they are
not. An scholarly text suitable for college library collections and intermediate to advanced
philosophy students, Heidegger: A (Very) Critical Introduction is especially recommended for its
willingness to challenge complex concepts even as it familiarizes the reader with their
intricacies.
Philosophy Looks at Chess
Benjamin Hale, editor
Open Court Publishing Company
70 East Lake Street, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60601
9780812696332, $19.95 www.opencourtbooks.com 1-800-815-2280
Philosophy Looks at Chess is an anthology of twelve essays by expert philosophers, each of
which critically examines fascinating (and sometimes playful) philosophical questions that draw
upon chess as a reference point, metaphor, or source of inspiration. Among the topics discussed
at length are "Do chess players think in words?", "Is chess really a game?", "Does chess explain
how a benevolent God might exist in a world permeated by evil?", and "Is Garry Kasparov a
cyborg?". "The moves chess players make during chess games are in large part determined by the
threats they see to the aspects of the game they choose to value most. For example, chess players
who place the highest value on their queen would be less likely to sacrifice that piece for
attacking chances or mating possibilities. Just as players who value their pawn structure would be
less likely to accept an open file as a compensatory justification for double pawns. These
dispositions are in large part related to narratives we play by in a game, or the myths that we
believe determine the 'right moves'." A highly intellectual discussion that philosophers and chess
players of all experience levels can enjoy.
The Gaming Shelf
Starting Out: The C3 Sicilian
John Emms
Everyman Chess
c/o The Globe Pequot Press
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9781857445701, $24.95 www.everymanchess.com 1-800-243-0495
Written by chess Grandmaster and coach John Emms, who has captained the English Team at
two Chess Olympiads, Starting Out: The C3 Sicilian is an in-depth guide to how White can
counter one of Black's most widely used defenses to 1 e4. Meticulously laying out the reasoning
behind different moves and the core ideas driving them, Starting Out: The C3 Sicilian is packed
cover to cover with diagrams and sample games to illustrate its points. Enthusiastically
recommended as a supplementary resource for intermediate to expert chess players interested in
fine-tuning their skill.
Dead Reign
Kevin Siembieda, et al.
Palladium Books
39074 Webb Court, Westland, MI 48185-7606
9781574571400, $22.95, www.palladiumbooks.com
Traditional role-play gaming as pioneered by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books is an
enduringly popular pastime, even in this era of computerized gaming. Combine the fun of fantasy
roleplay with the popularity of zombies and you have "Dead Reign" which has been written and
designed by roleplay expert Siembieda with the assistance of Josh Hilden and Joshua Sanford.
Civilization has ended as we know it with the emergence of the undead. There is no government,
no army, no television or internet. The cities have gone dark and zombies are everywhere. "Dead
Reign" players are provided with a complete gaming universe that includes six apocalyptic
character classes; sen types of zombies (plus the Half-Living); background information on
zombies, 'Death Cults', random tables, a wealth of adventure ideas, all combining to make a
complete role-playing game that will provide hours (and even days) of non-repetitious gaming
fun. Enhanced with occasional black-and-white illustrations and 'Quick Find Tables', "Dead
Reign" is a welcome addition to personal role-play gaming collections. Also very highly
recommended from Palladium Books are "Beyond The Supernatural" and "Nightbane" dark
fantasy role play games.
Canada Crosswords
Barbara Olson & Dave Macleod
Nightwood Editions
c/o Harbour Publishing
PO Box 219, Madeira Park, BC, Canada, V0N 2H0
9780889712256, $12.95, www.harbourpublishing.com
Crossword puzzles have been a popular form of entertainment for generations. Co-created by
crossword puzzle enthusiasts Barbara Olson and Dave Macleod, "Canada Crosswords" offers 75
Canadian themed daily-sized crossword puzzles that will offer hours of engaging fun and
intellectual challenges. Featuring tricky wordplay that will test the ability of the crossword puzzle
enthusiast to 'think outside the box'. Remember when totally stumped -- the answers are in the
back. But no cheating now! "Canada Crosswords" is enthusiastically recommended for all
crossword puzzle fans -- and not just those from Canada!
The Graphic Novel Shelf
Watching the Watchmen
Dave Gibbons, Chip Kidd, and Mike Essl
Titan Books
readerfeedback@titanemail.com
9781848560413, $39.95 www.titanbooks.com
Co-creator Dave Gibbons presents Watching the Watchmen, a treasure trove of previously
unpublished, behind-the-scenes source material for the classic superhero deconstruction graphic
novel Watchmen. Extensive black-and-white and color images of roughs and layouts, concept art
and more make up the bulk of Watching the Watchmen; a small amount of text enhances this
in-depth experience. An absolute "must-have" for anyone who considers Watchmen a beloved
classic or a work of genius, and wants to know more about the process that brought it to life.
The Complete Peanuts 1969-1970
Charles Schulz
Fantagraphics Books
7563 Lake City Way, NE, Seattle, WA 98115
9781560978275, $28.99 www.fantagraphics.com 1-800-657-1100
The Complete Peanuts 1969-1970 is the latest in a compendium that seeks to present Charles
Schulz's classic Peanuts comic strip as never before - complete and unabridged! Featuring an
introduction by Mo Willems, the latest volume gives Woodstock a name for the first time, shows
Snoopy's ultimately disastrous stint as the Head Beagle, chronicles Charlie Brown's heartbreak
when the little red-haired girl moves away, offers a fascinating extended glimpse into the text of
Snoopy's "It was a dark and stormy night" novel, and much more. One sequence particularly
reflective of the stormy 1960s shows poor Snoopy caught in the middle of a riot with tear gas at
the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm! A "must-have" for collectors of Charles Schulz's work, highly
recommended.
The Prince of Heroes Chapter 1
Rod Espinosa
Antarctic Press
7272 Wurzbach Suite #204, San Antonio, Texas 78240
9780980125504, $9.95 www.antarctic-press.com www.princeofheroes.com
The Prince of Heroes Chapter 1 is the first graphic novel in a full-color, space opera series in the
tradition of Star Wars. A young boy discovers that his legacy gives him birthright to a
galaxy-spanning kingdom, but only if he can remain alive long enough to claim it! He dares to
make a stand against those who would tyrannize the weak, culminating in a battle against a
chaotically malevolent Baron and his martial arts expert sister, (with an amusingly indecent
finale!) Recommended for readers age 13 and up due to violence and mild nudity, The Prince of
Heroes Chapter 1 is a wonderfully entertaining, adventure of action, drama, and simple
good-versus-evil that leaves the reader eager for more.
The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
The Twilight Zone
Martin Grams, Jr.
OTR Publishing
PO Box 252, Churchville, MD 21028
9780970331090, $49.95, www.amazon.com
When it debuted in October 1959 on CBS television, Rod Serling's science fiction and fantasy
show 'The Twilight Zone' became a part of America's popular culture and continues to this day to
be an enduringly popular classic of the Golden Age of television, brought back to new
generations of viewers in what seems like perpetual reruns. This seminal and groundbreaking
series has influenced Hollywood producers, screenwriters, directors, actors, comics books,
magazines, and even major motion pictures. Now in "The Twilight Zone: Unlocking The Door
To A Television Classic" Martin Grams has compiled and written a 798-page history of the
show, including a detailed episode guide for all five seasons. Of special note are the appendices
providing Production Notes and a bibliography of Twilight Zone books, comic books, and station
list. Enhanced for the reader with a comprehensive Index, "The Twilight Zone" is highly
recommended for community and academic library Television History and American Popular
Culture reference collections, and a 'must' for the legions of Twilight Zone fans.
You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story
Richard Schickel & George Perry, author
Running Press
2300 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-4371
9780762434183, $50.00 www.runningpress.com 1-800-345-5359
Featuring a foreword by Clint Eastwood, You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story is
the jam-packed, coffee-table book history of the media giant Warner Bros. Studios, from the
decisions that made them stand out from competitors such as MGM, Paramount, and 20th
Century Fox, to the shift that had Warner Bros. create grittier and more socially conscious
movies during Hollywood's golden era, to what Warner Bros. stands for in today's multi-media
conglomerates. Filled with black-and-white and color photographs, movie stills and posters, and
more on virtually every page, You Must Remember This balances the wealth of illustrations with
a deep and thoughtful analysis, accessible to lay readers yet sure to be appreciated by film studies
students and scholars as well. Highly recommended.
The Music Shelf
Janos Starker, King of Cellists
Joyce Geeting
CMP Publishing
1409 Kuehner Drive, Suite 4, Simi Valley, CA 93063
9780975473405, $24.95, www.joycegeeting.com
A legendary figure in the music world, Janos Starker was so gifted a cellist that at the age of
twelve he was teaching five students to play the instrument. He went on to enjoy a phenomenal
recording career with a productive output unrivaled in his field to this very day. In "Janos
Starker, King of Cellists" musician, author, and former Starker student Joyce Geeting has written
an informed and informative biography of the man and his music. Covering his formative years
as a young student, then as a budding professional, and finally his mature career as a teacher,
concert artist and recording artist, "Janos Starker" also includes a chapter of Starker's cartoons
and anecdotal stories about him by some of his students. Enhanced with a an accompanying CD,
a Coda, Starkers recordings available on Amazon.com and on iTunes; a bibliography, a
'Chronology of Events', and a 'user friendly' index, "Janos Starker" is a seminal work and
recommended for personal and academic library Music History & Performer reference
collections and supplemental reading lists. Indeed, "Janos Starker, King of Cellists" would well
serve as a template for similar biographies of other outstanding musicians.
So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star
Christopher Hjort
Jawbone Press
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94708
c/o Publishers Group West (distribution)
1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781906002152, $29.95 www.jawbonepress.com www.pgw.com 1-800-788-3123
So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star is a thorough account of the rock group The Byrds,
which chronicles the band's life and music, from their worldwide hit "Mr. Tambourine Man" in
1965 to their final concert in 1973. A text-heavy account interspersed with occasional
black-and-white period photographs (and print memorabilia!), So You Want To Be A Rock 'n'
Roll Star draws upon eyewitness accounts, press reports, concert reviews, set lists, tour dates, gig
locations, record releases, reviews and more to put together its day-to-day narrative. A worthy
treasury, highly recommended for fans for the Byrds.
The Hunting/Fishing Shelf
Tying Terrestrials for Super Fishing
C. Boyd Pfeiffer
The Countryman Press
PO Box 478, Woodstock, VT 05091
9780881507638, $29.95 www.countrymanpress.com 1-800-245-4151
Featuring step-by-step instructions, with each step illustrated by a different, full-color
photograph, Tying Terrestrials for Super Fishing is an in-depth guide to creating and tying
top-quality fishing lures. Techniques for crafting flies that resemble bait ranging from ants and
termites to beetles and jassids to grasshoppers, bees, inchworms, and more are all covered, as
well general advice on tools and materials, and even a some experience-tested fishing tips. The
next best thing to personally receiving lessons from a fly-tying master, Tying Terrestrials for
Super Fishing is enthusiastically recommended for fly fishers everywhere - the step-by-step
photography is quite novice-friendly, and even veterans are sure to learn a trick or two!
The Photography Shelf
Of Woods and Water
Ron Leonetti and Christopher Jordan
Indiana University Press
601 North Morton Street, Bloomington, IN 47404-3797
9780253352767, $34.95 www.iupress.indiana.edu 1-800-842-6796
Photographers Ron Leonetti and Christopher Jordan present Of Woods and Water: A
Photographic Journey across Michigan, a coffee table photography compendium displaying more
than 100 breathtaking, full-color images of forests, prairies, savannas, wetlands, the shorelines of
the four Great Lakes, and terrain crossing the Upper Peninsula. One particularly striking image
shows a singularly beautiful, cloudy sunset over Lake Michigan in Duck Lake State Park. A
minimal amount of text describes and frames these timeless glimpses of nature's beauty. Of
Woods and Water unquestionably lives up to its title, and is an absolute must-have for nature
photography enthusiasts. Highly recommended.
Wisdom
Andrew Zuckerman
Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
115 West 18th Street, 6th floor, New York, NY 10011
9780810983595, $50.00 www.abramsbooks.com 1-800-759-0190
Crafted by multiple award-winning photographer and filmmaker Andrew Zuckerman, Wisdom is
a coffee-table compendium of fifty original, black-and-white portraits of the world's leading
writers, artists, designers, actors, politicians, musicians, and religious and business leaders.
Among the people features are Clint Eastwood, Jane Goodall, Billie Jean King, Henry Kissinger,
Nelson Mandela, Andrew Wyeth, and many more. All individuals are in their elder years, have
dedicated much of their lives to their craft or service. The photographic portraits for each include
a full page headshot and a bodyshot, and the text includes inspirational quotations and insightful
essays from these renowned figures, such as Kris Kristofferson's statement "The heart is what
matters most of all." An excellent addition to photography collections that celebrate humanity,
enhanced with an accompanying documentary DVD.
The Travel Shelf
The Road Atlas 2009: Deluxe Midsize
Rand McNally & Company
8255 North Central Park, Skokie, IL 60076
9780528942075, $9.95, www.randmcnally.com
Rand McNally is a premier publisher of road atlases and maps. One of their latest and most
'traveler friendly' is the 'Deluxe Midsized' edition of "The Road Atlas 2009" which is a spiral
bound compendium of state and province maps, as well as a definitive collection of North
American City Guides. More than just pages of maps, "The Road Atlas 2009" features selected
attractions, recommended shopping opportunities, and useful visitor information resources.
Thoroughly 'user friendly', "The Road Atlas 2009" covers all of the major metropolitan areas of
the United States and Canada, is enhanced with a 'Map Legend', border crossing information,
tourism contacts, even a mileage chart. All this and more makes "The Road Atlas 2009" a very
highly recommended reference for personal and community library map and travel guide
collections.
Equitrekking
Darley Newman
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
www.chroniclebooks.com
9780811865272, $27.50, 1-800-722-6657
Before the coming of the automobile, the only way to travel the trails, roads, and countryside was
by horse -- either astride a horse or in a wagon hauled by them. With the coming of 'the horseless
carriage', these equine companions became relegated to recreational uses on ranches. But the
public's love affair with the horse has never gone away. Published as a companion to the PBS
television series 'Equitrekking' is a superbly illustrated compendium of some of the world's best
horse riding destinations ranging from the romantic coast of Ireland, to the wilderness of
southern Spain, to the wine country of California, to the rugged back country of Colorado, and
more! The informative and engaging text by Darley Newman is liberally illustrated throughout
with the color photography of Chip Ward. The result is "Equitrekking: Travel Adventures On
Horseback", a compendium of places that will inspire a whole new generation to the adventure of
horseback riding as a means of touring and experiences truly memorable reaches of the world
both at home and abroad.
Arlington National Cemetery
James Edward Peters
Woodbine House
6510 Bells Mill Road, Bethesda, MD 20817
9781890627928, $19.95 www.woodbinehouse.com 1-800-843-7323
Now in its third newly revised edition, Arlington National Cemetery is a thorough guide to
America's shrine upholding the highest respect in memory of the astronauts, actors, writers, and
Supreme Court justices among its 300,000 honored dead. Chapters discuss Arlington's history up
to the present day, the American patriots and noted heroes buried there, major monuments and
memorials including living memorials (a.k.a. tree dedications), and a handy visitor's guide.
Appendices and an index round out this superb guide for any traveler seeking to visit and pay his
respects to these hallowed burial grounds.
A Natural History Guide To Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Donald W. Linzey
The University of Tennessee Press
293 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0325
9781572336124, $22.00, www.utpress.org, 1-800-621-2736
One of the country's loveliest protected wildlife and wilderness preserves, the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park is located in the southern Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee and
North Carolina. It is a prized travel destination and provides habitat to more than 100,000 species
of plants and animals. "A Natural History Guide To Great Smoky Mountains National Park" by
wildlife biologist and ecologist Donald W. Linzey (Professor of Biology at Wytheville
community College, Wytheville, Virginia) is a superbly illustrated 292-page compendium of
information providing readers with a history and environmental survey of what this national park
has to offer. Drawing upon his more than fifty years of experience and expertise as a naturalist
dedicated to every aspect of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Professor Linzey
provides eleven tables ranging from such issues as the park's geological time line, to new species
recorded in the park from 2000-2007, to bird-banding from Tremont and Purchase Knob. An
informed and informative text comprehensively covering the park's flora and fauna is enhanced
with the inclusion of a wealth of full color photography. With the inclusion of four appendices,
extensive Notes, a Selected Bibliography, and an Index, "A Natural History Guide To Great
Smoky Mountains National Park" is a work of seminal scholarship and highly recommended for
professional and academic library reference collections, as well as the non-specialist general
reader with an interest in visiting the Great Smoky Mountains national park.
The Architecture Shelf
From Control to Design
Michael Meredith, et. al.
Actar D
158 Lafayette Street, 5th floor, New York, NY 10013
8496540790, $39.95 www.actar.com
Created with contributions from a wealth of experts and featuring a conversation between
architecture writer Sanford Kwinter and GNUFORM studio co-founder Jason Payne, Control to
Design: Parametric/Algorithmic Architecture is a thoughtful presentation of six independent
practices that each engage in current applications of parametric and algorithmic design
techniques in architectural production. A step well beyond the first generation of digital modeling
techniques, parametric and algorithmic architectural design may well be the future of
architectural practice - but what precisely do they offer the discipline, and what are their
weaknesses? Extensive black-and-white photography and diagrams, as well as some color
photographs, illustrate this fascinating look at the cutting edge of a modern industry. An absolute
"must-have" for anyone striving to keep abreast of current challenges in the field.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Falcons of North America
Kate Davis, author
Rob Palmer and Nick Dunlop, photography
Mountain Press Publishing Company
PO Box 2399, Missoula, Montana 59806
9780878425532, $22.00 www.mountain-press.com 1-800-234-5308
Written by avian raptor enthusiast and environmental educator Kate Davis, Falcons of North
America is not a typical avian field guide; it gives an in-depth profile and analysis of six North
American falcon species, including the results of research that has never been previously
published in a single volume. Printed on high-quality paper and illustrated with stunningly
beautiful, full-color photography on almost every page, Falcons of North America is sure to
appeal to bird lovers of all backgrounds, not just conservationists and avian biologists. "...for
nearly all raptor species, there is a noticeable size difference between the sexes, with the females
being larger. This is called reverse size sexual dimorphism (RSSD)... Researchers have struggled
to explain RSSD in raptors, and several hypotheses have been proposed. Perhaps the most
accepted theory is that a larger female can lay a larger egg, and subsequently guard the nest and
fend off predators, as most of the incubation and brooding duties fall on her." The six species
discussed are American Kestrel, Merlin, Aplomado Falcon, Prairie Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, and
Gyrfalcon, along with an extensive general discussion of falcons from morphology and
physiology to their behavior, feeding, nesting, and breeding habits, to their relationship with
humans. Highly recommended, and an absolute "must-have" for falcon enthusiasts of all
backgrounds.
The Astronomy Shelf
The Handy Astronomy Answer Book
Charles Liu
Visible Ink
43311 Joy Rd. #414, Canton, MU 48187-2075
9781578591930, $21.95, www.visibleink.com
Everyone who has ever stared deep into space has always asked many questions that they couldn't
find the answer to. "The Handy Astronomy Answer Book" is a collection of questions and
answers involving the great universe that lies beyond our atmosphere. Everything, ranging from
the fundamentals of the subject to the deep discussion of the formation of life in the universe is
explained, enhanced with full color photographs of relevant concepts. "The Handy Astronomy
Answer Book" is a solid recommendation to anyone who is in love with what lies beyond the
Earth.
Observing The Night Sky With Binoculars
Stephen James O'Meara
Cambridge University Press
32 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013-2473
9780521721707, $34.99, www.cambridge.org
Throughout recorded time, and judging by such pre-historical sites as Stonehenge, the night sky
with its wheeling starry canopy has been an enduring source of interest for ground level human
observation. Even in this modern age of astronomical observatories and Hubble Space
Telescopes, there is a great deal of pleasure to be taken from simply observing the ever changing
night sky through the various seasons of the year with a simple pair of binoculars. That's where
Stephen James O'Meara's "Observing The Night Sky With Binoculars: A Simple Guide To The
Heavens" comes in. Especially appropriate and recommended for novice stargazers, "Observing
The Night Sky With Binoculars" features informative anecdotes about the stars and
constellations, guides the beginning stargazer in locating and identifying the brightest stars in
each constellation, colorful stars, double or multiple stars, star clusters and asterisms, nebulae,
galaxies, variable stars, and so much more. Profusely illustrated with black-and-white images,
"Observing The Night Sky With Binoculars" is specifically recommended to amateur
astronomers as an excellent instruction guide to enjoying the wonders of the heavens from
backyards to mountain tops.
The Black Studies Shelf
History Of The Mosaic Templars Of America
A. E. Bush & P. L. Dorman, editors
The University of Arkansas Press
McIlroy House, 201 Ozark Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72701
1557288828, $24.95, www.uapress.com, 1-800-626-0090
The darkest days of America's post-Civil War era of segregation saw the emergence in the
southern states of black institutions created to provide the African-American populace with
services and opportunities denied them by the racist white majorities in their communities. The
'Mosaic Templars of America' was one such institution that was founded in Little Rock,
Arkansas in the late 18th Century by two former slaves. It was an organization that provided
illness, death, and burial insurance when those services were not available through traditional and
white-owned companies and organizations. The Mosaic Templars operations expanded by 1900
to also include an insurance company, a building and loan association, a publishing company, a
business college, a nursing school, and a hospital. But 1905 the Templars had expanded their
number of chapters or 'Lodges' across Arkansas and had a membership roster in the thousands.
When the Templars opened a new headquarters building in 1913 it was no less than Booker T.
Washington who delivered the dedication speech. In the 1920s, the Templars had grown to found
chapters in twenty-six states and six foreign countries. But the coming of the Great Depression of
the 1930s had a traumatic effect on the Templar organization and, due to economic hardships that
beset the entire nation but which were felt even harder in the African-American communities, the
chapters closed and the Templars ceased operating their companies. Today only a single chapter
located in the Barbados remains active. The original Little Rock headquarters building burned
down in 2005 but is scheduled to be rebuilt and house the New Mosaic Templar's Cultural Center
in the fall of 2008. To commemorate this unique organization and to celebrate the new cultural
center, the University of Arkansas Press has reissued a photomechanical copy of the original
1924 edition of "History Of The Mosaic Templars Of America". This long out of print history is
a highly recommended and welcome addition to academic library Black Studies reference
collections and especially appropriate for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in the
history and development of segregation era African-American institutions and organizations.
The Fiction Shelf
Galaxy Press
7051 Hollywood Blvd, Suite 200, Hollywood, CA 90028
www.galaxypress.com, www.goldenagestories.com
Before he became an icon of the Scientology movement, L. Ron Hubbard was a working writer
whose popular stories appeared in many of the pulp magazines of the 1930s and 1940s. Now
Galaxy Press is bringing those tales of fantasy, adventure, mystery, westerns, and romance back
into print in their 'Stories from the Golden Age' series. "Orders Is Orders" (9781592122950,
$9.95) is the story of Marin Gunnery Sergeant James Mitchell and Private First Class Spivits
who are called upon to make a 200-mile trek to bring an anti-cholera serum to a remote
American consulate in Shunkien, China against impossible odds and the risk of their very lives.
"Danger In The Dark" (9781592123674, $9.95) finds that when Billy Newman purchases a South
Sea island he finds it to be haunted by the giant shark-god Tadamona who is bent on destroying
the entire island and everyone on it -- including Billy! L. Ron Hubbard was a master storyteller
and Galaxy Press is to be congratulated for bringing this vibrant and entertaining stories back in
print as 'time lost' classics and the enjoyment of a whole new generation of appreciative
readers.
The Education Shelf
Teaching The Story
Carol Baldwin
Maupin House Publishing
PO Box 90148, Gainesville, FL 32607
9781934338353, $23.95, www.maupinhouse.com
Teaching a child to read and write is one of the fundamental missions of any private or public
school. Now in a newly revised and expanded second edition, "Teaching The Story: Fiction
Writing In Grades 4-8" features twenty new lessons, each of which infuse technology into the
writing process. Ideal for use with reluctant writers by including wikis, digital media, podcasts,
and other electronic media resources, "Teaching The Story" offers a compendium of 'classroom
friendly' mini-lessons to teach children critical craft elements of writing short fiction, employing
critical-thinking skills, and transfer those skills into informational writing, as well as writing in
the genres of science fiction, fantasy, history, sports, and mystery. Enhanced with the inclusion of
a CD with more than 70 reproducibles and customizable transparency masters, student written
samples, and a how-to reference guide on implementing technology in the classroom setting,
"Teaching The Story" is a strongly recommended addition to professional and curriculum
supplement writing instruction reference materials collections.
Teaching Reading Sourcebook
Bill Honig, et al.
Arena Press
c/o Academic Therapy Publications
20 Commercial Boulevard, Novato, CA 94949-6191
9781571284570, $69.00, www.atpub.com
Reading is a fundamental skill that is the foundation for academic achievement and 'real-world'
success. Now in a significantly updated, revised and expanded second addition, "Teaching
Reading Sources continues to be a core instruction manual for classroom teachers and
administrators charged with the creation and implementation of reading instruction curriculums.
A part of the 'Core Literacy Library', "Teaching Reading Sourcebook" begins with an
introductory overview to assessing reading levels and instruction, then comprehensively
addresses the issues of word structure (both English and Spanish); print awareness; letter
knowledge; and phonemic awareness. The section focusing on decoding and word study includes
chapters on phonics, irregular word reading, and multisyllabic word reading. Additional sections
address reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Of special note is the section
'Comprehensive Reading Model' offering a three-tier model of instruction. Enhanced with the
inclusion of sample tests, activity masters, and teaching charts, "Teaching Reading Sourcebook"
also features a 'Connect to Theory Answer Key', extensive references, and a comprehensive
index. With this new edition providing reproducible activity masters and sample lesson models,
"Teaching Reading Sourcebook" is a strongly recommended addition to professional, school
district, and academic library Reading Instruction reference collections.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Knit One Below
Elise Duvekot
XRX Books
PO Box 1525, Sioux Falls, SD 57101
9781933064130, $19.95, www.knittinguniverse.com
Knitting clothing for family and friends is a time-honored activity. In "Knit One Below",
needlecraft expert Elise Duvekot focuses on showing aspiring knitters how to combine colors,
weights, fibers, and types of yarn into versatile fabrics suitable for a divers series of step-by-step
illustrated projects ranging from vests, jackets, and sweaters, to shawls, scarves, socks, and more.
Each project is rated as to level of difficulty (beginners, intermediate), and full-color photographs
by Alexis Zenakis of the finished garment. Even the most novice needlecrafter will quickly
master the k1b stitch and each of the more than 36 designs, providing a basis to go on and create
their own unique patterns and garments. "Knit One Below" is a welcome and highly
recommended addition community library needlecraft reference collections in general and to
personal knitting instruction in particular.
The Cookbook Shelf
New Orleans Classic Appetizers
Kit Wohl
Pelican Publishing Company
1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, LA 70053-2246
9781589806122, $15.95, www.pelicanpub.com
What separates an ordinary dining occasion into a truly elegant dinner party is the inclusion of
hors d'oeuvres. What makes any celebratory occasion at home uniquely special is the quality of
the appetizers served to family and guests. That's where Kit Wohl's "New Orleans Classic
Appetizers" with her 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes for fifty mouth-watering, palate pleasing,
appetite sparking appetizers and hors d'oeuvres comes in. Featuring a range of delightful
delicacies ranging from Remoulade's Crab Cakes with Creole-Mustard Sauce; P&J Oyster
Company's Oysters Bienville; Bistro Daisy's Crab Meat and Roasted-Garlic Aioli over Roasted
Beets with Chives and Croutons; and Chief Greg Reggio's Redfish on the Half Shell with Dill
Sauce; to La Cote Brasserie's Satsuma-Marinated Duck with Mango Relish and Satsuma
Vinaigrette; Gene Bourg's Lamb Lollipops with Pecan-Mint Pesto; Cafe Giovanni's Prosciutto
and Creole Cream Cheese Puffs; and Cochon's Barbecued Pork Ribs, "New Orleans Classic
Appetizers" lives up to the culinary reputation of one of cuisine capitals of America. Beautifully
and profusely illustrated throughout with full-color photography, "New Orleans Classic
Appetizers" is enthusiastically recommended for personal, professional, and community library
specialty cookbook reference collections.
Gluten-Free Baking Classics
Annalise G. Roberts
Agate Publishing
1501 Madison Street, Evanston, IL 60202
9781572840997, $17.95, www.agatepublishing.com
Today in America there are approximately three million people who are allergic to wheat, having
a condition diagnosed as 'Celiac Disease'. These are people who must avoid the consumption of
gluten and therefore all traditional wheat-based baked goods from breads, to muffins, to cakes, to
even the simple donut. Now in a significantly revised and expanded second edition, "Gluten-Free
Baking Classics" by Annalise G. Roberts offers a culinary wealth of 'kitchen cook friendly',
delicious, gluten-free baked goods that will result in cakes and muffins, pies and tart shells,
cookies and brownies, pizza crusts and sandwich breads, pancakes and pastas that are as light, as
flavorful, and as filling as those made with wheat. Of special note are the 'Chef's Notes' providing
tips and advice throughout. Enhanced with the inclusion of an introduction to gluten free baking,
a section listing measurements and equivalents, and a comprehensive index, the recipes range
from such classics as Cinnamon Rolls; Buttermilk Biscuits; Gingerbread; and Chocolate
Doughnuts; to more exotic fare as Hazelnut Biscotti; Savory Crepes; Babka (Ukrainian Style);
and Golden Italian Bread with Raisins and Fennel. "Gluten-Free Baking Classics" is a welcome
addition to community library cookbook collections in general, and the family cookbook shelves
of anyone having to deal with Celiac Disease for themselves or a loved one.
The Anti-Cancer Cookbook
Julia B. Greer, MD, MPH
Sunrise River Press
39966 Grand Avenue, North Beach, MN 55056
www.sunriseriverpress.com
9780962481499, $19.95, 1-800-895-4585
It has long been known and clinically demonstrated that food has a direct link to health, and that
some foods are not only nutritious for the human body, they are also medical and remedial. In
"The Anti-Cancer Cookbook: How To Cut Your Risk With the Most Powerful, Cancer-Fighting
Foods", Dr. Julia B. Greer has compiled more than 200 specific recipes featuring ingredients that
have a particular relevance for fighting various forms of cancer. The step-by-step instructions for
each individual recipe are in accordance with cooking methods that protect the anti-cancer
properties of the ingredients. Of special note is the cogent, practical, 'real-world' advice for
making healthy menu choices when dining out. From Chilled Apple Oatmeal; Red Pepper
Hummus; Maple-Pecan Broccoli; and Newport Beach Turkey Pasta Salad; to Portobello Tofu
Tacos; Mahi Mahi with Citrus Sauces and Black Beans; Spice-Rubbed Filet Mignon with Grilled
Tomatoes; and Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Zucchini Brownies, "The Anti-Cancer Cookbook" is a
veritable cornucopia of dishes suitable for every dining occasion and highly recommended for
anyone having to prepare meals with cancer prevention and treatment in mind.
Seaweed, Salmon, And Manzanita Cider
Margaret Dubin & Sara-Larus Tolley
Heyday Books
PO Box 9145, Berkeley, CA 94709
9781597140782, $21.95, www.heydaybooks.com
California's aborigines, like all Native Americans, took complete advantage of every edible
resource Mother Nature could provide them. "Seaweed, Salmon, And Manzanita Cider: A
California Indian Feast" is a meticulously researched and impressively presented collection of
authentic Californian aboriginal cuisine based on the local foods available to them. Included in
this beautifully illustrated cookbook collection are recipes involving fish, shellfish, meats,
vegetables, fruits, edible flowers, nuts, seeds, and acorns. The collaborative work of Margaret
Dubin and Sara-Larus Tolley, "Seaweed, Salmon, And Manzanita Cider" showcases step-by-step
instructions enabling any kitchen cook to produces palate pleasing and appetite satisfying Native
American recipes ranging from Barbecued Clams; Rabbit Liver with Watercress; and Roasted
Agave Hearts; to Sweet Elder Jelly; Fried Yucca Petals; and Pine Nut Soup. Of special note are
the extensively informed and informative commentaries and background information about the
tribes, their habitats, histories and cultures. Profusely illustrated throughout, "Seaweed, Salmon,
And Manzanita Cider" is a unique addition to any family or community cookbook collections, as
is also very highly recommended for academic Native American Studies reference collections
and non-specialist general readers with an interest in Native American cultures.
Gaia's Kitchen
Julia Ponsonby
Green Books
c/o The Countryman Press
PO Box 478, Woodstock, VT 05091
www.countrymanpress.com
9781900322256, $25.95, 1-800-245-4151
Vegetarian culinary traditions are as varied and diverse as the climates and geographies from
which they originate around the world. Now in a newly revised and significantly updated edition
"Gaia's Kitchen: Vegetarian Recipes For Family & Community" features a culinary wealth of
delicious vegetarian dishes that range from the simple to the complex, the classic to the exotic.
Compiled by Julia Ponsonby with the assistance of friends at Schumacher College, "Gaia's
Kitchen" showcases vegetarian recipes from the Mediterranean, as well as California, Mexico,
and India. Of special note is the commentary concerning nutritional issues, special diets, and the
ecological ramifications of food production. With thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' recipes
ranging from Leek and Potato Soup; Broccoli & Red Pepper Quiche; No Frills Macaroni Cheese;
and Tricolor Rice; to Fennel & Chicory Salad with Orange; Mushroom & Cream Cheese Spread;
Pears Poached in White Wine & Blackcurrant; and Julia's Chocolate Cake, "Gaia's Kitchen" is a
veritable compendium of nutritious, delicious, natural foods that will please both vegetarian and
non-vegetarian palates alike!
The Railroading Shelf
Chicago Stations & Trains: Photo Archives
John Kelly
Iconografix
PO Box 446, Hudson, WI 54016
9781583882160, $29.95, www.iconografixinc.com
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Chicago was the rail center hub of the United
States and boasted some of the finest railroad stations anywhere in the country. Compiled by
railroad history enthusiast John Kelly, "Chicago Stations & Trains: Photo Archives" is a 128
page compendium showcasing 136 captioned black-and-white archival images showcasing
Chicago's six major railroad stations and the trains that served them. Each of these stations was
unique in its architecture. Enhanced with maps, station drawings, travel brochures, and even
promotional advertising, "Chicago Stations & Trains: Photo Archives" is a seminal contribution
to the growing library of railroading historical reference material and an enthusiastically
recommended addition to personal, community and academic library Railroading History
collections.
Building A Ready-To-Run Model Railroad
Jeff Wilson
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53186
www.kalmbachbooks.com
9780890247402, $19.95, 1-800-533-6644
Model railroading is an enduringly popular hobby and pastime. Kalmbach Publishing is a
premier publisher of instructional reference books for the model railroading enthusiast and one of
their newest titles is Jeff Wilson's "Building A Ready-To-Run Model Railroad" which is a
compilation of illustrated, step-by-step instructions specifically designed to enable the novice
model railroad builder to create simple benchwork and design a track plan; create scenery with
grass, trees, and more; assemble structure kits; add such realistic embellishments as roads, signs,
and vehicles; select trains and get them quickly operational for a full-bodied model railroading
experience. With the emphasis on utilizing 'off-the-shelf' components for a quick and easy layout,
and featuring a thoroughly 'user friendly' text illustrated with more than 200 photos and
diagrams, "Building A Ready-To-Run Model Railroad" is the perfect introduction for anyone
wanting to engage in this entertaining hobby.
Inside The Lionel Trains Fun Factory
Robert J. Osterhoff
Project Roar Publishing
PO Box 599, Winfield, IL 60190
9781933600055, $34.95, www.projectroar.com
Few toys are of such an iconic force for nostalgia as the Lionel model train. Lionel train expert
Robert J. Osterhoff draws upon his many years of research and expertise to present a superbly
illustrated and definitively informative history of the Lionel model train company and its
enduringly popular toy train creations that were to thrill children (and adults!) here at home and
around the world. It's not widely known that the Lionel company was one of America's first mass
market manufacturing factories. Osterhoff lays out the origins and early years of the company in
the first of four major parts comprising "Inside The Lionel Trains Fun Factory" in 'Building the
Fun Factories'. Part II covers 'New Opportunities & Diversification', Part III features 'Lionelers &
Their Inventiveness', and Part V is a compilation of appendices detailing Lionel Factor
Departments; Timeline of Major Lionel Fun Factories; and Lionel Patents. Enhanced with a
bibliography and an index, "Inside The Lionel Trains Fun Factory" is a model of meticulous
scholarship, thoroughly 'reader friendly', and a welcome addition to personal, community, and
academic library American Popular Culture History collections in general, and the supplemental
reading lists of all model railroading enthusiasts in particular.
The Military Shelf
Tanks
Michael Green
Zenith Books
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
400 Fist Avenue North, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401
9780760333518, $14.99, www.mbipublishing.com
From its original introduction to European battlefields in World War I, down to the present day,
the tank has been an integral part of armored warfare. In "Tanks", Michael Green (with the
assistance of James D. Brown and Christophe Vallier) has written a beautifully illustrated and
informative history of the evolution of tank design from its earliest incarnations to modern
productions. Among the tanks featured in dramatic detail are the American M4 Sherman and
M48 Patton; the American M1 Abrams; the German Panther and German Tiger E; the Russian
T34 and T55; the Russian T72; the British Centurion; the French AMX-13; and the Israeli
Merkava III. Enhanced with 208 color photographs and 52 b/w photos, "Tanks" packs its 192
pages with solid information organized into chapters showcasing British, French; German;
American and Russian Tanks. Of special note is the concluding chapter on 'Tanks from Other
Nations'. "Tanks" is a welcome and highly recommended addition to personal, academic, and
community library Military History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
Introduction To Communication Electronic Warfare Systems
Richard A. Poisel
Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
9781596934528, $149.00, www.artechhouse.com
Today wars are fought with more than guns, tanks, and bombs. They are also fought with
computer chips, electronics, telecommunications, and satellites. Now in a newly updated and
significantly expanded second edition, "Introduction To Communication Electronic Warfare
Systems" by Richard A. Poisel (Senior Engineering Fellow at Raytheon Missile Systems,
Tucson, Arizona and formerly the Chief Scientist at the U.S. Army Research, Development and
Engineering Command, Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate at Fort Monmouth,
New Jersey), is the definitive textbook on the engineering aspects of communications electronic
warfare systems. This newly revised edition is enhanced with the inclusion of a chapter on
jamming performance over fading channels and is supported with more than seven hundred
equations. Covering such diverse issues as the components, systems, and operations of electronic
warfare systems; modern direction finders for communication signals; hyperbolic emitter
location technologies; geolocation of low probability of intercept/antijam targets; and expert
commentary concerning the future direction of communication electronic warfare systems,
"Introduction To Communication Electronic Warfare Systems" is an essential and core addition
to professional and academic library Military Science, and Contemporary Electronics reference
collections and course studies reading lists.
Pepys's Navy
J. David Davies
Seaforth
c/o Naval Institute Press
291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402
9781848320147, $74.95, www.navalinstitute.org
It was during the mid- to late-1600s that Britain's navy became the basis for what would develop
as a world-wide empire upon which 'the sun would did not set'. J. David Davies is Britain's
leading naval historian and an expert on British 17th Century navy, it composition, leaders, ships,
and deployments. He draws from his decades of research to write "Pepys's Navy: Ships, Men &
Warfare 1649-1689", a comprehensive and meticulous history that begins when the 'Fleet Royal'
was brought under Parliamentary control during the civil wars through to the accession of
William and Mary to the throne of England in 1689 and the conclusion of the naval-based war
with the Dutch. Every element of the British navy is addressed from its administration, ship
types, shipbuilding, and naval recruitment, to its crews, seamanship, gunnery, shipboard life,
dockyards, and bases. Of special note are the three major wars fought against the Dutch in the
Channel and the North Sea during this forty year time span. A seminal work of superb and
painstaking scholarship, "Pepys's Navy" is profusely embellished with both color and
black-and-white illustrations, a list of abbreviations, notes, appendix, a bibliography, and an
index. "Pepys's Navy" is a core addition to personal, community, and academic library Naval
History reference collections.
The Money/Finance Shelf
The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map To True Riches
Jeff Yeager
Broadway Books
1745 Broadway, New York, NY, 10036
9780767926959, $12.95, www.broadwaybooks.com
Times are hard and only going to get harder as we plunge deeper and deeper into recession. But
even in prosperous times it well becomes us to be careful with our money, to live frugally, and
with the right kind of attitude and knowledge base, to live well, to enjoy life, and to accomplish
both our personal and our professional goals within the budgetary limits of our resources both
financial and otherwise. That's where "The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map To True Riches",
Jeff Yeager's compendium of information, advice, suggestions, and resources will come in handy
for the non-specialist general reader seeking to enjoy life more while spending less. Everything
has a cost -- but you'd be surprised how many times that cost is negotiable. True value is
measured in more than price tags, it's also a factor in having access to the resources required for
having a successful life -- and what resources are irrelevant to obtaining a working, workable,
and customized definition of 'The Good Life'. "The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map To True
Riches" is replete with thoughtful and thought-provoking commentaries, lists and exercises for
money-management, financial alternatives, and low-cost/no-cost activities accessible to us all.
Simply stated, "The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map To True Riches" is an inspired and
inspiring volume of things to consider and things to do to live better on less --
especially when the general economy is in decline.
The Economics Shelf
Does North America Exist?
Stephen Clarkson
University of Toronto Press
10 St. Mary Street, Suite 700
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4Y 2W8
9780802096531, $29.95, www.utppublishing.com
The 'North American Free Trade Agreement' and the American reaction to the Islamic
fundamentalist attach of September 11, 2001 were to affect the relationship of the United States,
Canada, and Mexico in ways that were previously unheard of an unimaginable. "Does North
America Exist?: Governing The Continent After NAFTA And 9/11" by academician and scholar
Stephen Clarkson is a seminal body of exhaustive scholarship specifically addressing the
question of North America as a political and economic entity that is currently in the process of
becoming a tri-part economically integrated trading block -- and the forces striving to prevent it
on the grounds of national protectionism, immigration and national security issues, and political
identity. "Does North America Exist?" addresses such cogent factors as institutional and judicial
implications, water and environmental protection concerns, the role of corporations, capital
markets, intellectual copyrights, border security, and national defense. Thoughtful and
thought-provoking, a model of seminal scholarship, and a well documented body of original
research, "Does North America Exist?" is a highly recommended addition to personal, corporate,
governmental, academic, and community library 20th Century Economics and Political Science
studies collections in general, and NAFTA reference/supplemental reading lists in
particular.
The Islamic Studies Shelf
Understanding Islam
Idris Tawfiq
Olive Branch Press
c/o Interlink Publishing Group
46 Crosby Street, Northampton, MA 01060-1804
9781566567206, $10.00, www.interlinkbooks.com
With approximately 1.4 billion worshipers making it the second largest religious group in the
world today, Islam is a diverse, complex, often misunderstood faith. "Understanding Islam: A
Primer" is a basic introduction and exploration of the Islamic faith from the perspective of Idris
Tawfiq, a Roman Catholic priest who is also an accomplished Muslim scholar. Readers are
presented with cogent and descriptive explanations of Islam's core beliefs and tenets, the role of
Islam as a religion in an increasingly secular world, and which offers spiritual enlightenment and
tolerance rather than a source of conflict and oppression as is far too commonly construed from
today's geopolitics and newspaper headlines. A highly portable pocket-sized body of impeccable
scholarship, "Understanding Islam" is especially appropriate for the non-specialist general reader
wanting a better understanding and grasp of Islamic principles, tenets and beliefs as they would
apply to today's issues, controversies, politics, international relations, and news stories.
Contemporary Muslim Apocalyptic Literature
David Cook
Syracuse University Press
1600 Jamesville Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13244-5160
0815631952, $19.95, www.syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu
You can tell much about a culture through its literature. "Contemporary Muslim Apocalyptic
Literature" is a scholarly examination of the modern Islamic view of the apocalypse and how it
applies to today's touchy and tricky ground involving the religion. Looking at the sources, the
influences, the impact on society, and the messages of the literature on modern Islamic society,
"Contemporary Muslim Apocalyptic Literature" is a solid way to help understand a culture that
needs understanding in today's shrinking world.
The Judicial Studies Shelf
Avoiding Legal Liability
John Sample
Krieger Publishing Company
PO Box 9542, Melbourne, FL 32902-9542
www.krieger-publishing.com
1575242737, $49.50, 1-800-724-0025
Providing any form of service or product to the general public must always take into
consideration issues of liability should members of that public take issue with what was proffered
with respect to matters of health, safety, and associated or unforeseen consequences. The simple
fact is that a successful law suit can break a company or devastate an individual. In "Avoiding
Legal Liability For Adult Educators, Human Resources Developers And Instructional Designers",
John Sample draws upon his thirty years of experience and expertise as a consultant, educator,
and administrator in human resource management, training and development to provide a
comprehensive, practical, real-world instruction manual on protecting an organization and its
employees from legal liability lawsuits. "Avoiding Legal Liability" covers such cogent issues as
liability and the training/development enterprise, equal employment opportunity and related
liability, occupational safety and health related liability, negligence avoidance training and
related liability, adventure training and New Age related experiential learning liability,
intellectual property (copyright & trade secretes) liability issues, corporate ethics and the federal
sentencing guidelines. A core addition to personal, professional, organizational, academic, and
community library Judicial Studies & Practices reference collections and supplemental reading
lists, "Avoiding Legal Liability" is enhanced with the additional inclusion of a number of
appendices which include a glossary of basic legal terms, summaries of relevant federal statues,
federal and state requirements or harassment prevention training, OSHA general industry training
requirements, as well safety and workplace violence training resources. Also included is a
supervisory audit of training related liability, checklists for compliance with the TEACH Act and
the Fair use Privilege for Educators. There is an example of a 'Permission Request' letter,
guidelines for copyright registration, and examples of non-disclosure agreements for training
materials, a trade secrets agreement, and a non-compete agreement. With the addition of both a
Reference and an Index section, "Avoiding Legal Liability" is also the perfect textbook for MBA
and Education Department curriculums as well.
The Sports Shelf
Favre: His Twenty Greatest Games
Doug Moe
Trails Books
c/o Big Earth Publishing
145 North Commercial Street, Suite 100, Neenah, WI 54956
9781934553039, $18.95 www.bigearthpublishing.com 1-800-258-5830
Written by "Capital Times" and "Wisconsin State Journal" newspaper columnist Doug Moe,
Favre: His Twenty Greatest Games is a tribute to the triumphs of Wisconsin's most famous
football quarterback. From the highlights of the "Packers' New Glory Era" to Favre's
record-breaking 2007 season, Favre is filled with play-by-play recollections of football
excitement. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this must-have for any
dyed-in-the-wool Favre fan.
Bo Ryan: Another Hill to Climb
Bo Ryan with Mike Lucas
KCI Sports Publishing
3340 Whiting Avenue, Suite 5, Stevens Point, WI 54481
9780979872914, $24.95 www.keisports.com
Madison "Capital Times" newspaper sports columnist Mike Lucas combines his talents with Bo
Ryan himself to present Bo Ryan: Another Hill to Climb, a sports autobiography University of
Wisconsin basketball coach well known for having surpassed 500 victories during the course of
his record. How did he earn this impressive achievement? In his life story he explains the events
and elements that shaped his coaching philosophy, and offers a wealth of insights into the world
of college team sports. "I have never made it 'us against them.' That would be counter-productive.
In no way do you gain any kind of an advantage by waging in your own mind a psychological
battle with an individual or a particular school. It clouds your vision. So I don't do it." An inset
handful of black-and-white and color photographic plates round out this testimony of how to
blaze the path to victory, in an expert coach's own words.
Phillies Photos
Mark Stang
Orange Frazer Press
PO Box 214, Wilmington, OH 45177
9781933197586, $34.95, www.orangefrazer.com
From its late 19th century origins down to the present day, professional baseball has enjoyed an
enduring popularity with local communities taking special pride in their teams. This has been
especially true with respect to the Philadelphia Phillies. In "Phillies Photos: 100 Years Of
Philadelphia Phillies Images", baseball enthusiast Mark Stang has compiled more than 245 black
and white photographs of players and managers representing the 100 years of the team's existence
from the days of Chuck Klein and Robin Roberts to the careers of Mike Schmidt and Ryan
Howard. Drawn from fourteen public and private photo archives, "Phillies Photos" celebrates the
famous and the obscure. Each player photo is accompanied by the position they played, the years
they were with the team, and a succinct biographical overview of their performance and statistics.
Of special note are the anecdotal stories Stang was able to glean from the owners, managers, and
broadcasters. "Phillies Photos" is a 'must' for all Phillies fans, and would serve as an excellent
template for similar photographic histories of other major league teams.
The Art Shelf
Moscow & St. Petersburg: 1900-1920
John E. Bowlt
The Vendome Press
1334 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021
Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (distribution)
115 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011
9780865651845, $50.00, www.abramsbooks.com
Before the domination of Communist state-sponsored and approved art with the political
ascension of the Bolsheviks, Moscow and St. Petersburg, the premier cities of Russia, were home
to vibrant, creative, and extraordinary communities of artists, architects, writers, dancers, and
musicians. "Moscow & St. Petersburg: 1900-1920 -- Art, Life & Culture Of The Russian Silver
Age" by academician and specialist in Russian art history John Bowlt (Department of Slavic
Languages and Literatures, University of Southern California, Los Angeles) is a superbly written
work of meticulous scholarship providing an informed and informative history of the artistic
personalities and achievements represented by two outstanding decades of an artistic renaissance
in a Tsarist Russia that were the last free form art movement that country was to see until the
collapse of the Soviet Union. Enhanced with the inclusion of 650 illustrations (400 of which are
in color), "Moscow & St. Petersburg: 1900-1920" also features a section of extensive notes, a
glossary of terms and abbreviations, a bibliography for further reading, and a comprehensive
index. A truly seminal work, "Moscow & St. Petersburg: 1900-1920" is especially recommended
for academic library European Art History and Russian Cultural Studies reference collections in
general, and the personal reading lists for students and non-specialist general readers with an
interest in pre-Soviet Russian contributions to the arts in particular.
Chihuly Black
Dale Chihuly
Portland Press
PO Box 70856, Seattle, WA 98127
9781576841662, $95.00, www.portlandpress.net
Art springs from the imagination of the artist and is as diverse in range, scope and composition as
the talents, life experiences, and mediums employed by them. Dale Chihuly is an artist living and
working in Washington state. "Chihuly Black" is an elegantly black leather bound, 208-page,
coffee-table compendium showcasing 138 spectacular full color photographs of the best of his
work with blown glass sculptures. For more than 30 years Dale Chihuly's work has been
recognized for its artistic merit and displayed in a number of museums and his sculptures
established in site-specific public places around the world. Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of an informed and
informative essay by Barbara Rose on the historical relevance of black works in glass and
Chihuly's influence in glass sculpture, "Chihuly Black" is a seminal work whose inclusion into
personal, professional, and academic library Art History reference collections must be considered
essential. Also very highly recommended from Portland Press is the "Chihuly Black Note Card
Set" (978157684144, $12.00) consisting of twelve note cards and envelopes.
Brilliant Strokes
Ka Bo Tsang
University of Alberta Press
Ring House 2, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E1
9781551952161, $29.95, www.uap.ualberta.ca
Chinese art is as diverse as its European and American counterparts. "Brilliant Strokes: Chinese
Paintings From The Mactaggart Art Collection" is a compilation of Chinese art compiled with
commentary by Ka Bo Tsang (Curator of Chinese Painting at the Royal Ontario Museum) to
showcase such varied techniques as 'baimiao' (plain drawing), 'shuanggou (double outlines),
gongbi (meticulous drawing), 'xieyi' (jotting down ideas), and 'mogu' (images rendered in washes
with no contours), among other Chinese painting techniques. The selected paintings span some
five hundred years, from the 15th Century to the present day. It should be noted that these
selected examples are only a fragment of the entire Chinese Art paintings that comprise the
University of Alberta's Mactaggart Art Collection. Superbly illustrated throughout, "Brilliant
Strokes" is a seminal work of scholarship that is both highly recommended for academic Art
History collections and non-specialist general readers with an interest in Chinese Art.
The Fundamentals Of Graphic Design
Gavin Ambrose & Paul Harris
Ava Publishing (UK) Ltd.
55a Chaple Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1BE, UK
annmiddlebrook@comcast.net (publicity)
9782940373826, $34.95, www.avabooks.ch
Graphic design is a fundamentally important aspect of contemporary daily life, ubiquitously
influencing commercial advertising and consumer decisions. Co-authored by professional
graphic designer Gavin Ambrose and veteran freelance writer Paul Harris, "The Fundamentals Of
Graphic Design" provides an informed and informative introduction to all the varied aspects of
the graphic design process. Beginning with a chapter defining graphic design, "The
Fundamentals Of Graphic Design" continues with graphic design influences and creative
elements; the processes comprising graphic design; the usage of graphic design with respect to
print, direct mail, informational design, packaging, screen design, and environmental design;
procuring graphic design employment through self-promotion and portfolios; and concludes with
a chapter on graphic design production processes. Enhanced for graphic design studies with an
appendix, glossary, and index, "The Fundamentals Of Graphic Design" is specifically
recommended as an introductory text for graphic design students and is a core addition to
academic library Art & Graphic Design reference collections.
The Genealogy Shelf
The Sleuth Book For Genealogists
Emily Anne Croom
Genealogical Publishing Company
3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 260, Baltimore, MD 21211
9780806317878, $34.95, www.genealogical.com
Genealogy is an enduring popular activity and the Genealogical Publishing Company is the
premiere publisher of reference, resource, and instruction materials for both amateur and
professional genealogists. In "The Sleuth Book For Genealogists", genealogist Emily Anne
Croom has compiled a thoroughly 'user friendly' compilation of advice, tips, strategies and
resources for the aspiring genealogist seeking to undertake genealogical research with respect to
their own family history and members. Designed for the complete novice, "The Sleuth Book For
Genealogists" will help them to determine their genealogical research goals, organize what they
already know or have access to, practice 'cluster genealogy' research, document their research,
and note when their specific research questions have been answered and their goals met.
Illustrated with case studies and research examples, practical steps are cogently laid out with a
wealth of tips and the occasional quotes from fictional literary detectives that are particularly apt
and germane to genealogical research. Very strongly recommended for personal and community
library Genealogy Reference collections, "The Sleuth Book For Genealogists" is ideal for
beginners and has much to offer even the more experienced genealogist.
The World History Shelf
Medieval Knights
Jose Sanchez Toledo
Andrea Press
c/o Casemate
1016 Warrior Road, Suite C, Drexel Hill, PA 19026
www.casematepublishing.com
9788496527898, $45.95, 1-610-853-9131
Today the armored knight is often romanticized in popular culture. But historically, the armored
knight was a dominant instrument of war upon the European battlefield from the early medieval
period to the coming of the English longbow, followed by gun powder fueled canon and rifles.
Jose Sanchez Toledo is an expert in the field of Classical Antiquity and the Medieval Age who in
"Medieval Knights: The Age Of Chivalry" has provided the curious reader with a superbly
illustrated and informative historical overview of the methodology, customs, battlefield strategies
and utility of the armored knight in the land wars of medieval Europe. A work of impressive
scholarship, "Medieval Knights" is a welcome addition to any community or academic library
reference collection, and especially recommended reading for students and re-enactors of
medieval warfare.
The Jobs/Careers Shelf
150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs
Laurence Shatkin, et al.
JIST Publishing
875 Montreal Way, St. Paul, MN 55102
9781593576233, $16.95, www.jist.com, 1-800-648-5478
Never was a job search resource guide so timely as the publication of "150 Best Recession-Proof
Jobs". Every day the news headlines are revealing more and more layoffs by established
corporations and business sectors. The current jobless index is at a record 6.5 and climbing
higher every quarter. "150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs" is specifically designed to be thoroughly
'user friendly'. Readers are encouraged to first browse through the 75 best job lists to find
recession-proof jobs matching their particular interest and needs. Then turn to the definitive yet
succinct job description of the particular job selected for details on earnings, growth, industry
information, tasks, educational requirements, work conditions, and more. Of special note are
such informational tidbits as the three states with the highest concentration of recession-proof
jobs being Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut; to the best recession-proof job overall being
that of a Computer Systems Analyst. Simply stated, "150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs" is a
422-page compendium of practical, real-world, job search information that should be on the
shelves of every community library and employment center in the country.
The Business Shelf
Legal Forms for Starting & Running a Small Business
Fred S. Steingold
Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
9781413307542, $29.99, www.nolo.com, 1-800-955-4775
Nolo Press is the premier publisher of do-it-yourself legal guides and resource publications
specifically designed for non-specialists. Now in a fully updated and significantly expanded fifth
edition, Nolo Press has published "Legal Forms for Starting & Running a Small Business" by
corporate law expert and attorney Fred S. Steingold in which is compiled an exhaustive
collection of professional advice, commentary and explanation for the small business
entrepreneur on how to create legal contracts, hire employees and consultants, protect trade
secrets, create non-compete agreements, prepare corporate bylaws, prepare an LLC operating
agreement, record meeting minutes, borrow and lend money, buy a business, lease commercial
space, purchase real estate, and more. "Legal Forms for Starting & Running a Small Business"
includes more than sixty relevant business forms and an accompanying CD-ROM includes all the
information and step-by-step instructions needed and necessary to completing and using the
forms correctly. As is a continuing feature of all Nolo Press titles, "Legal Forms for Starting &
Running a Small Business" is thoroughly 'user friendly' from first page to last. Also very highly
recommended is Fred Steingold's companion publication, the Nolo Press edition of "Legal Guide
For Starting & Running A Small Business" (9781413308532, $34.99).
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
Copyright ©2001
Site design by Williams Writing, Editing &
Design