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The Bookwatch

Volume 2, Number 8 August 2007 Home | BW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice American History Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Travel Shelf Cookbook Shelf Architecture Shelf
Sports Shelf Gardening Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Military Shelf Poetry Shelf Education Shelf
World History Shelf Art Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Biography Shelf Christian Studies Shelf Fiction Shelf
Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf Computer Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Business Shelf  


Reviewer's Choice

Running With the Devil
Kerrie Droban
Lyons Press
Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9781592289769, $24.95 www.lyonspress.com

Sonny Barger once boasted the Hells Angels would never be infiltrated - but the ATF sting proved him wrong, with undercover agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives penetrating the mystique and clan. The author's access to confidential information allows her to follow ATF special agent Joseph Slatalla as he originates the idea and injects an ATF agent named Bird into the Hells Angels chapter. Bird's work would lead to the arrest of 50 people and seizure of some 650 guns: RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL: THE TRUE STORY OF THE ATF'S INFILTRATION OF THE HELLS ANGELS tells how in a riveting account which reads with the drama of fiction and will mesmerize general-interest readers at the public library level.

When She Was White
Judith Stone
Miramax Books
99 Hudson street, 5th Floor, New York NY 10013
Hyperion Books, distributor
77 West 66th Street, NY, NY 10023-6298
0786868988, $23.95 www.miramax.com www.hyperionbooks.com 1-800-759-0190

When Sandra Laing was born in 1955 to a pro-apartheid Afrikaner couple in South Africa she was registered as a white child – but upon entering a white boarding school, was persecuted by students and teachers because of her brown skin. Her parents believed an interracial union back in their family history was to blame, but neighbors thought Mrs. Laing had committed adultery with a black man and the entire family was shunned. She was reclassified as 'coloured', her parents fought the South African courts to reverse the determination, then as a teen Sandra eloped – with a black man – and her parents disowned her. WHEN SHE WAS WHITE: THE TRUE STORY OF A FAMILY DIVIDED BY RACE crosses back and forth along discrimination lines and is riveting. Impossible to put down, it will enhance any general-interest lending library and is an emotionally charged, highly recommended pick


The American History Shelf

American Windmills: An Album of Historic Photographs
T. Lindsay Baker
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
0806138025, $34.95 www.oupress.com 1-800-627-7377

Any collection strong in early American history will find plenty to admire in AMERICAN WINDMILLS, by an expert historian on windmill who's been writing about wind-power history for a decade. His coverage here gathers historic images captured by professional windmiller B.H. Burdick and from corporate archives of windmill manufacturers, so it goes far beyond the usual light travelogue approach to cover the entire country's windmill production. Photos show wind machines in use and in manufacture and provide a fine survey which could have been equally well profiled in our Photography Shelf area, but which is recommended here as a top pick for any comprehensive collection strong in early American history.

Splendid Failure
Michael W. Fitzgerald
Ivan R. Dee
1332 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60622-2694
1566637341, $26.00 www.ivanrdee.com

SPLENDID FAILURE: POSTWAR RECONSTRUCTION IN THE AMERICAN SOUTH is a pick recommended for any college-level collection strong in American Civil War history in general and Southern history in particular. It analyzes and surveys the role of the Radical Republication Reconstruction policies which followed the war with particular attention to the role they played in the overthrow of their own program, offering a different interpretation of Reconstruction and the struggle for civil liberties in the South. An excellent survey evolves which offers depth and detail especially suitable for classroom debate and discussion.

Prohibition: 13 Years That Changed America
Edward Behr
Arcade Publishing
116 John Street, #2810, New York, NY 10038
1559703916, $14.99 www.arcadepub.com 1-800-759-0190

Any high school or public library collection strong in American social history needs Prohibition: 13 Years That Changed America: it charts the days of prohibition, the moonshine, speakeasies and druggist businesses which evolved ways around it, and bootleggers alike, blending biography and social history with an entertaining analysis of the roots of Prohibition and its effects on American culture even to modern times. An excellent guide for any collection strong in American history or medicine.

Robert Moses and the Modern City: The Transformation of New York
Hilary Ballon and Kenneth T. Jackson, Editors
W.W. Norton
500 – 5th Avenue, New York NY 10010
0393732061, $50.00 www.wwnorton.com

Robert Moses saw himself on a rescue mission to save New York City from obsolescence and decline, devising a vast building program aimed to modernize the entire city and expand its attractions to the middle class. ROBERT MOSES AND THE MODERN CITY examines this entire process, survey his works, how they shaped New York City, and how they were injected into the city's culture. Seven short essays by leading scholars of urban history accompany new photos in this first in-depth survey of his building program. Any collection strong in American architectural or urban history in general or New York images and history in particular must have this, which is deserving of repeated, ongoing recommended.

Classic American Diners
Don Preziosi
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
0764326104, $39.95 www.schifferbooks.com

The classic American diner is an image embodying American culture, and here matchcovers and postcards which captured these images and were giveaway promotional items are presented in a collection which could've been featured in our Collector's Corner, but deserves a spot here for artistic and historical significance. Over 400 examples in color are included, along with a history of the diners and details on postcards and period matchcovers. Perfect for both collector's libraries and for art and American history holdings.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Wolf Empire
Scott Ian Barry
Lyons Press
246 Goose Lane, Guilford, CT 06437
9781599210537, $29.95 www.lyonspress.com 1-800-836-0510

WOLF EMPIRE: AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF A SPECIES comes from an award-winning photographer who captures gorgeous wolf scenes in black and white – many of his works printed here for the first time. He's spent over three decades observing and photographing wolves and researching them, so WOLF EMPIRE is more than a season or two of shots, but a lifetime of experience, highly recommended for any collection strong in natural history or nature photography alike.

Farm Dogs
Carol Davis & Norvia Behling
Voyageur Press
380 Jackson Street Suite 200, Saint Paul MN 55101-3885
9780760328019, $19.95 www.voyageurpress.com

FARM DOGS: A CELEBRATION OF THE FARM'S HARDEST WORKER celebrates all kinds of farm dogs, from sheep herding breeds and shepherds to farm companions. Color photos throughout accompany text which considers dog training, roles in farm work, and memoirs of notable farm dogs. A fine leisure read especially recommended for any rural public lending library.

Blackwell Publishing
Box 570, Ames, IA 50010-0570
www.blackwellprofessional.com

Kathleen P. Freeman's VETERINARY CYTOLOGY; DOG, CAT, HORSE AND COW (9781840760712, $49.99) covers an increasingly popular hands-on diagnostic procedures for the vet and adds to the Self-Assessment Colour Review series. Over 150 clinical cytological cases are presented randomly, paired with over two hundred photomicrographs in color, and appear as self-assessment questions and answers. Discussions of patterns and problems offer practicing and training vets plenty of case history examples for study. David G. Baker edits FLYNN'S PARASITES OF LABORATORY ANIMALS, 2ND EDITION (9780813812021, $149.99), an excellent college-level reference for advanced students of veterinary science. From the biology of the protozoa to parasites of rabbits and hamsters, mice and birds, reptiles to dogs, cats and even sheep, edits FLYNN'S PARASITES OF LABORATORY ANIMALS offers up extensive chapters packed with black and white photos, tables and charts, diagnosis, hosts, lifestyle, and pathologic effects, and more. Harry W. Scott and Ronald McLaughlin's FELINE ORTHOPEDICS (9781840760569, $189.99) is a basic text on the topic which fills a gap in veterinary information, since most books on the topic focus primarily on dogs. This text focuses on cats and provides a series of stepping stones of knowledge on diseases, conditions, traumas, and repairs. From fractures of the leg and skull to neuromuscular disorders, chapters survey clinical diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options and more, adding color photos and illustration throughout. Perfect for the vet student planning a focus on cats. The 4th updated edition of BSAVA TEXTBOOK OF VETERINARY NURSING edited by Dick Lane, Barbara Cooper and Lynn Turner (9780905214894, $109.99) provides a text based on the latest veterinary science research and options. Formerly Jones's Animal Nursing, this text will make a perfect classroom assignment for college-level courses: it covers both exotic and small mammal care, expands sections on clinical nutrition and alternative therapies, includes a stand-alone chapter on animal dentistry, and discusses both communication and treatments including standard models of veterinary nursing procedures. Charts and color sidebars of detail make for a quick at-a-glance reference, as well. Chris Seymour and Tanya Duke edit BSAVA MANUAL OF CANINE AND FELINE ANAESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA (9780905214986, $149.99) is for veterinary students and practicing surgeons alike, and offers up a new edition covering the basics of pharmacology and anaesthetic management. From different choices in anesthesia – inhalants, intravenous – to physiology and pathology involved in canine and feline pain management, it's a reference practicing vets and vet students alike will find invaluable. Catherine McGowan, Lesley Goff and Narelle Stubbs edit ANIMAL PHYSIOTHERAPY: ASSESSMENT, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF ANIMALS (9781405131957, $69.99), for physiotherapists involved with animals and looking to treat companion and performance animals. From different therapy techniques and approaches to dog and even equine management to handling common ailments such as lameness and hip problems, everything from diagnosis and testing to physiotherapy techniques for different animals are covered. The second revised, expanded edition of Frans C. Stades, et.al.'s OPTHALMOLOGY FOR THE VETERINARY PRACTITIONER (9783899930115, $129.99) completely revises and expands a survey suitable for both students and general veterinary practitioners, offering details on diagnosis and treatment of common eye diseases in small animals. From syndromes and problems such as obstructed tear ducts to diagnosis and therapy options, OPTHALMOLOGY FOR THE VETERINARY PRACTITIONER is not only a recommended pick for college-level students and collections, but should be in the reference library of any practicing vet. These are 'must have' references for any detailed college-level collection and many a practicing vet or lab scientist working with animals.


The Travel Shelf

Irreverent Guide to Washington D.C., 6th edition
Tom Price & Susan Crites Price
Wiley Publishing, Inc
111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
0470047291, $13.99 www.frommers.com

Now in an updated sixth edition, Irreverent Guide to Washington D.C. is a travel and tourism guide that cuts through useless promotion to give the straight scoop on Washington D.C.'s attractions, accommodations, dining, shopping, night life, and much more. Maps, memorials, directions, radio stations, tip recommendations, an index for quick lookup, and much more fill this no-nonsense, accessible and easy-to-read guide. Of especial interest is the "You Probably Didn't Know" section filled with advice about how the locals handle things - from the strict efficiency with which parking violations are prosecuted to the D.C. etiquette of standing only on the right side of an escalator so that those who wish to walk may climb up the left side. A "must-have" for anyone visiting D.C., whether for business or pleasure.

Atlantic Coastal Beaches
William J. Neal, Orrin H. Pilkey, Joseph Kelley
Mountain Press Publishing
P.O. Box 2399, Missoula, MT 59806
0878425349, $20.00 www.mountain-press.com

Any heading for the East Coast and interested in beaches will welcome ATLANTIC COASTAL BEACHES: A GUIDE TO RIPPLES, DUNES, AND OTHER NATURAL FEATURES OF THE SEASHORE. General readers receive a strong blend of geology and natural history along with tips on identifying physical features, making this a strong pick not just for travel collections, but for libraries specializing in Atlantic coast geology.

Hillside Letters A to Z
Evelyn Corning
Mountain Press Publishing Company
Box 2399, Missoula, MT 59806
0878425330, $20.00 www.mountainpress.com

There are hundreds of letters which have been carved into mountains across the country overlooking towns and schools from Arizona to the East Coast, and HILLSIDE LETTERS A TO Z: A GUIDE TO HOMETOWN LANDMARKS charts these letters, exploring the origins, customs and meaning of mountain landmarks. Color photos of the letters accompany lively local history perfect for travelers who are interested in local oddities and local history.


The Cookbook Shelf

Kitchen Con: Writing on the Restaurant Racket
Trevor White
Arcade Publishing
116 John Street, #2810, New York, NY 10038
9781559708340, $25.00 www.arcadepub.com 1-800-759-0190

Any interested in the trials and tribulations of kitchen personnel and who enjoy their restaurant insights served with a healthy dose of humor will find KITCHEN CON both revealing and fun. Trevor White is himself a food critic and here writes an expose of the world of diving out, providing an insider's view of how restaurants rip off customers, how to best book a reservation in an overly popular restaurant typically booked months in advance, and how to understand the industry and restaurant critiques as a whole. Encounters with professionals pepper insights on restaurant operations in a perfect choice for any general interest lending library strong in humor and culinary exposes.

30-Minute Asian Meals
Marie Wilson
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9416
0804836922, $18.95 www.tuttlepublishing.com

Asian food is often noted for its involved time preparation which keeps many a home cook from experimenting with it – but with 30-MINUTE ASIAN MEALS in hand, you can put together an Asian dinner as quickly as any other cuisine. The cooking strategy is based on how long it takes to prepare rice – so the entire dish is ready at the same time. From quick preparation tips to a range of dishes from across Asia, from China to Thailand and Indonesia, chapters pack in maps, black and white photos, and easy instructions perfect for newcomers to Asian cuisine.

Gold Rush Grub
Ann Chandonnet
University of Alaska Press
Box 756240, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6240
188996395X, $24.95 www.uaf.edu/uapress

GOLD RUSH GRUB: FROM TURPENTINE STEW TO HOOCHINOO is recommended for two types of collections: those strong in early Western pioneer history, and those strong in regional American cookbooks. The latter should also realize many recipes from these pioneers rely on wild game ingredients – and that there's a heavy dose of gold rush history here, which sets it a cut above your normal recipe-oriented cookbook. From stewed porcupine to miner's meals and home remedies, GOLD RUSH GRUB offers recipes and insights paired with historic photos to recreate the atmosphere of early Gold Rush days.


The Architecture Shelf

Remodel: Great Home Makeovers from Connecticut to California
Matthew Schoenherr with Linda Mason Hunter & Wendy Jordan
Taunton Press
Box 5507, Newton, CT 06470-5507
9781561589241, $21.95 www.taunton.com

In hardcover REMODEL was titled HOUSE TRANSFORMED: this paperback edition represents the fourth in a series of books produced in conjunction with the American Institute of Architects and Taunton, and provides homeowners with over two hundred color photos to accompany seven basic tips on successfully remodeling, from understanding regional and property site pros and cons to designing with compatibility and safety in mind, and budgeting. From lifestyle assessments to picking the optimum remodel plans, REMODEL is for any who would undertake a project, and selects 18 houses across the country that have been remodeled by America's leading residential architects.

Classical Swedish Architecture & Interiors
Johan Cederlund
W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
0393731723, $60.00 www.wwnorton.com 1-800-233-4830

Any college-level holding specializing in world architectural history should have Classical Swedish Architecture & Interiors as part of its collection: art historian John Cederlund covers the foundations of Swedish architecture and interiors and covers the major sites and representations of Swedish style, from stoves to architecture for the monarchy. An excellent acquisition any library serious about world architectural styles will want.


The Sports Shelf

Golf's Three Noble Truths
James Ragonnet
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
1577315804, $19.95 www.newworldlibrary.com

James Ragonnet has spent three decades analyzing the game of golf, so any collection strong in golfing history will find his GOLF'S THREE NOBLE TRUTHS: THE FINE ART OF PLAYING AWAKE a fine addition, applying classic teachings of the Buddha to the game. Also recommended for new age and spirituality collections, GOLF'S THREE NOBLE TRUTHS is featured here under sports because sports collections will find it to be a different kind of addition – and something beyond the ordinary. Golfers can best grow their sport by 'playing awake' and utilizing methods and awareness exercises from Buddhist notions. Avid players will want to consider this alternative thought on improving their game.

Canada's Bridge Warriors; Eric Murray and Sami Kehlea
Roy Hughes
Master Point Press
331 Douglas Avenue, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5M 1H2
1897106211, $23.95 www.masterpointpress.com

Eric Murray and Sami Kehela are two of the most successful bridge pair Canada's ever produced, and their biography is revealed for the first time in a survey of some thirty years of triumphs and tricky plays. Collections catering to neo-pro bridge players as well as bridge enthusiasts will relish the account of a different era of bridge challenges, when Canadians had to beat top U.S. players in North American pairs trials. A perfect, lively survey any who play bridge will appreciate.

Charging the Net
Cecil Harris and Larryette Kyle-DeBose
Ivan R. Dee
1332 North Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60622-2694
1566637147, $26.95 www.ivanrdee.com

CHARGING THE NET: A HISTORY OF BLACKS IN TENNIS provides a fine survey of the major black figures in tennis who forced the sport to integrate. Personal interviews and in-depth research details the challenges blacks faced in entering professional status in the tennis world, with chapters surveying the achievements of individuals, teams, and organizations alike. This is a top pick not just for sports libraries, but for any general-interest collection strong in integration issues and sports. Its lively presentation blends civil rights issues with tennis sports world insights.


The Gardening Shelf

Organic Farming (Everything You Need to Know)
Peter V. Fossel
Voyageur Press
c/o MBI Publishing Company
380 Jackson Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101
0760324697, $24.95 www.voyageurpress.com

From vegetables and livestock to converting from conventional farming methods and obtaining organic certification, ORGANIC FARMING packs in details for small farmers on the basics of organic farming, from initial principles and pros and cons to making money from the decision to change over. Even different equipment, such as tractors and tillers, is covered in the process of describing farming in general and organic methods in particular, making this a pick for any rural library and any interested in more than just organic home vegetable gardening.

Guerrilla Gardening: A Manualfesto
David Tracey
New Society Publishers
Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1XO Canada
9780865715837, $19.95 www.newsociety.com

Guerrilla gardeners have a habit of taking vacant lots and public spaces and turning them into gardens, with or without permission – and this provides a basic guide to greening cities with such a strategy. From locating cheap or free plants and seeds and getting soil conditions up to par to planning to bring back birds and knowing when to ask permission versus when to seek forgiveness after the fact, GUERRILLA GARDENING is a guide any urban public lending library will find appealing and different.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Positively Postcards
Bonnie Sabel and Lous-Hilippe O'Donnell
Martingale Company
20205 – 114th Avenue NE, Woodinville, WA 98072-8478
9781564777324, $24.95 www.martingale-pub.com

More so than oversized pictures or quilts, postcard-sized quilted keepsakes lend to display and use and POSITIVELY POSTCARDS: QUILTED KEEPSAKES TO SAVE OR SEND offers a range of 4x6 'mini-greetings' which can be done in an evening. From picking a novelty fabric and developing themes with photos to embellishing them with stitching, ribbons, yarns and beads, POSITIVELY POSTCARDS offers a whole new range of quilting projects and will prove a unique, popular pick for quilters and quilting libraries.

American Quilter's Society
Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
www.americanquilter.com

The new QUILT ART 2008 ENGAGEMENT CALENDAR (9781574329261, $12.95) is on the market and makes for a perfect engagement planning gift for avid quilters. Each week-long period is presented with plenty of room for write-ins and a facing full-page quilt sample in full color, with a color sidebar of detail on the piece's origins, creation, and size. A complete month view occupies a second sidebar on the bottom of each page, making for especially easy reference when setting dates. OH WOW! THE MINIATURE QUILTS AND THEIR MAKERS AT THE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN QUILTER'S SOCIETY (9781574329315, $24.95) is organized by quilter and provides a full page color reproduction of the winning miniature quilt accompanied by an author biography. Both are fine presentations quilters will appreciate.

One-Skein Wonders
Judith Durant, Editor
Storey Publishers
210 Mass MoCa Way, North Adams, MA 01247
1580176453, $18.95 www.storey.com

Knitters have a passion for yarn and often collect skeins for projects to find just the right colors: ONE-SKEIN WONDERS comes from over 60 yarn shops across the country who contribute over a hundred patterns, each using only a small amount of yarn to accomplish projects. From a scrunchie hat and beaded bag to a poncho and tea cozy, ONE-SKEIN WONDERS is packed with excellent, easy projects which rely on a minimum of yarn for completion.

Quilter's Block-A-Day Calendar
Debby Kratovil
Martingale & Company
20205 - 144th Avenue, NE, Woodinville, WA 98072-8478
9781564777461, $19.95 www.martingale.com 1-800-426-3126

366 blocks for every day of the year include traditional, seasonal and holiday quilts in pages packed with full-color detail and cutting keys and a spiral binding to keep it all useful and together throughout the year. This is a fine quilter's desk calendar blending the practicality of a block calendar with the inspiration of a quilter's guide. A wonderful pairing perfect for 2008!


The Military Shelf

A Military History of India and South Asia
Daniel P. Marston and Chandar S. Sundaram
Praeger Publishing
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06681
0275985709, $49.95 www.praeger.com

South Asia's geography and politics is of key interest to the developing nations, and so A Military History of India and South Asia From the East India Company to the Nuclear Era should be on the shelves of any college-level collection, whether it be military or civilian in nature. Collections also strong in Asian history and culture will find this history important: it surveys the region since 1700, covering major conflicts, ideological and social differences, military encounters, and more. Experts contribute chapters strongly supported by source materials and research.

The Memoirs of Field-Marshal Kesselring
Kenneth Macksey
Zenith Press
c/o MBI Publishing Company
Galtier Plaza, Suite 200, 380 Jackson Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-3885
9781853677281, $24.95 www.greenhillbooks.com

Field-Marshal Albert Kesselring was one of Germany's top military strategists who commanded air fleets during the invasion of France and Battle of Britain. This edition of his memoirs blends in introductions from James Holland and Kenneth Macksey which surveys Kesselring's background and effects, providing a fine survey to the focus of Kesselring, who details both military background and his involvement in World War II – including the war's end and his subsequent trial. Any collection seeking source material and definitive first-person exposes will want this.

The Spanish Civil War
Paul Preston
W.W. Norton
500 – 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393329872, $16.95 www.wwnorton.com

Paul Preston is one of the world's foremost historians of Spanish history, so his focus THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR: REACTION, REVOLUTION, AND REVENGE is an essential acquisition for any military history library, appearing in a revised, expanded paperback to recount the major milestones and struggles of the era. It's a classic work and deserves a place not only in specialty military history collections, but in any general lending library strong in Spanish history and culture.

Diary of a Dead Officer
Arthur Graeme West
Greenhill Books
c/o MBI Publishing Company
380 Jackson Street Suite 200, St. Paul MN 55101-3885
9781853677298, $29.95 www.mbipublishing.com 1-800-458-0454

THE DIARY OF A DEAD OFFICER comes from a boy who enlisted as a private in January 1915 to fight the Great Warm keeping a diary which reflected his abhorrence of army life and the very beliefs and politics which led him to war. It first appeared posthumously in 1917 and brings together all his private writings, including his poems, to provide readers with a hard-hitting World War I account and anti-war read perfect for any military collection dealing in World War I memoirs.

Greenhill Books/MBI
c/o MBI Publishing Company
380 Jackson Street Suite 200, St. Paul MN 55101-3885
www.mbipublishing.com

Ross Cowan's FOR THE GLORY OF ROME: A HISTORY OF WARRIORS AND WARFARE (9781853677335, $39.95) provides a survey of the Roman warrior, an analysis of strategy and campaigns, and a survey of the role of single combat in battle. College-level and in-depth collections strong in ancient military history will appreciate the depth of analysis here, which examines individuals and warriors, from their techniques to their motivations in defending the Roman Empire with their lives. Ken Delve's THE STORY OF THE SPITFIRE: AN OPERATIONAL AND COMBAT HISTORY (9781853677250, $39.95) uses official source material and first-hand accounts to survey the Spitfire's history and development, examining its fighting capability and tactics of the pilots who flew it. Official evaluations, reports, and technical specs join with the memories of Spitfire pilots to provide insights into this aircraft's career, problems, and performance. The focus on its importance in military circles makes for a fine reference.

Berry Benson's Civil War Book
Susan Williams Benson, Editor
University of Georgia Press
330 Research Drive, Athens, GA 30602-4901
9780820329437, $18.95 www.ugapress.org

BERRY BENSON'S CIVIL WAR BOOK: MEMOIRS OF A CONFEDERATE SCOUT AND SHARPSHOOTER appears in a new paperback edition and tells of one sharpshooter Berry Benson, who saw most of the action between the first shot fired in the Civil War and the surrender of Lee's army. His account of his soldier's life and battlefield experiences brings to live the Civil War's history and politics and makes it a powerful pick for any library strong in Civil War memoirs and first-hand accounts.

To Be a Paratrooper
Gregory Mast and Hans Halberstadt
Zenith Press
c/o MBI Publishing
380 Jackson Street Suite 200, St. Paul MN 55101-3885
0760330468, $21.95 www.mbipublishing.com

What does it take to jump into a hostile environment? Plenty of books provide overviews of military jobs, but few discuss the work of the paratrooper, and TO BE A PARATROOPER surveys everything from parachute training to operating in a paratrooper force. Chapters surveying the physical and mental training and requirements pack color photos with discussions of equipment and work, making this a perfect pick for any military library focusing on military jobs.

The Armed Forces Officer
U.S. Department of Defense
Potomac Books Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Dr. Dulles, VA 20166
9781597971676, $14.95 www.potomacbooksinc.com

This 2007 edition of a classic adds to a series of books of the same title, written by a journalist and historian who wrote the first book at the behest of Gen. George C. Marshall, who believed all officers needed to base professional commitments on a common moral-ethical foundation, presented here. Any military or public library strong in officer inspiration needs THE ARMED FORCES OFFICER: it updates scenarios to modern times, covers everything from accountability issues to honor, respect and duty concerns, and it surveys training routines and strategies across the board. An invaluable, meaningful reference.

Encyclopedia of Elite Forces in the Second World War
Michael E. Haskew
Amber Books Ltd.
Bradley's Close, 74-77 White Lion Street, London N19PF, UK
9781905704279 $34.95 www.mberbooks.co.uk

From paratroops and commandos to rangers, this A-Z reference to elite forces of the second world war is a top pick for any serious military collection looking beyond the general overview of troops and battles. The best units from all the major combatant countries are included from both European and Pacific theatres of war in a survey arranged by nation and covering troops and squadrons on all sides. 'Elite' status is determined by performance, not just assigned status alone.


The Poetry Shelf

The Geometry of Loneliness
Lee Passarella
David Robert Books
PO Box 541106, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1106
1933456396, $17.00 www.davidrobertbooks.com

Academician, writer, literary editor, and an award winning poet, Lee Passarella is a master of the prose poem and able to create word images that impact on both the imagination and the emotions of his reader. Enthusiastically recommended reading for anyone who appreciates well-crafted examples of lyrical prose that evokes images as effective as they are unexpected, "The Geometry of Loneliness" will prove to be a very rewarding read. 'Auto-da-fe': Cruel as the grave/you said of jealousy/that night you were even crueler,/when I came to you still/in the winding sheet. And you,/bringing resurrection like a trial,/like the fireball Jesus rides on/in the Bruenwald Resurrection:/you ask more of the faithful/than any god would ask,/a savior/like an inquisition, a Christ of napalm,/killing villages to save them,/and I your converted jew,/your reclaimed good.


The Education Shelf

Nolo Press
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
www.nolo.com

The 5th updated edition of Attorney Lawrence M. Siegel's THE COMPLETE IEP GUIDE: HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR YOUR SPECIAL ED CHILD (1413305105, $34.99) provides the latest legal information on how parents can work with the school system to develop an Individualized Education Program. There's lots of steps and paperwork to developing such a strategy, but with the help of this guide, parents learn eligibility rules, options, tailoring the IEP for a child's abilities and needs, and more. A 'must' reference for any concerned special education child or for any library catering to parents. The third updated edition of Attorney Lawrence M. Siegel's NOLO'S IEP GUIDE: LEARNING DISABILITIES (1413305121, $29.99) is a more general reference which offers the latest legal information needed to identify a learning disability, understand a child's rights and options, develop cases for school administrators, and more. As a companion volume to THE COMPLETE IEP GUIDE, it offers an entirely updated revision reflecting major changes to the Individuals With Disabilities Act and the entire IEP process, and is an invaluable special education parent's guide. Attorney Janet Portman and Marcia Stewart's RENTER'S RIGHTS: THE BASICS (141330575X, $24.99) skips legal lingo in favor of a standard updated coverage pairing legal information with typical renter issues, from paying rents and understanding security deposits to negotiating leases, handling roommates and added names, and dealing with landlords over maintenance issues. A 'must' for any renter, landlord, or general-interest library reference collection.


The World History Shelf

Encyclopedia of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars
Gregory Fremont-Barnes, Editor
ABC-CLIO
Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
1851096469, $285.00 www.abc-clio.com

Encyclopedia of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars: A Political, Social and Military History is a top pick for any high school to college-level collection where the French Revolution or Napoleonic Wars are taught: it packs in over 800 A-Z references on these wars, with articles from over 90 contributors from North America and across Europe including academics and independent historians alike. Source documents total over 50,000 words and range from studies to firsthand accounts of battles, key military and political writings and papers, and treaties, while nearly a hundred black and white illustrations and over sixty maps tie all together. The three-volume set packs in facts about the interconnectedness of Napoleon's rule and the Revolutionary years in France which preceded his rise to power: in combining the two related events, students receive a much clearer set of insights into the politics and history of France's changes, making this an excellent set for any collection also strong in French history and culture.


The Art Shelf

The Art of Placemaking
Ronald Lee Fleming
Merrell Publishing
49 West 24th Street, 8th Floor, New York NY 10010
185894371X, $49.95 www.merrellpublishers.com

THE ART OF PLACEMAKING: INTERPRETING COMMUNITY THROUGH PUBLIC ART AND URBAN DESIGN is a pick for any college-level art or urban issues library and for professionals interested in public art and urban affairs. It's an exploration of works within the public imagination and explores trends in public art, from 'mural towns' and street furniture to public areas arts, documenting two decades of public arts projects from around the country. Color photos throughout feature the projects while descriptions survey interactions with public agencies, officials, and decision-makers in the process of bringing art into the public eye and making design choices.

Art & Reform
Nonie Gadsden
MFA Publications
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston MA 02115
9780878467167, $24.95 www.mfa-publications.org

ART & REFORM: SARA GALNER, THE SATURDAY EVENING GIRLS, AND THE PAUL REVERE POTTERY charts arts and crafts and pottery movements alike, surveying museum holdings in both black and white and color and supplementing identifying descriptions with an introduction explaining the work celebrates a fine gift made by Dr. David Bloom and friends of over a hundred ceramics from the Paul Revere Pottery of the Saturday Evening Girls Club of Boston. This volume offers not only a catalog, but a rare opportunity to understand the revitalization of the Arts and Crafts movement and its contributions: art libraries at the college level will welcome it.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Infamous Eve
May Sinclair, Ph.D.
Wheatmark, Inc.
610 East Delano Street, Suite 104, Tucson, AZ 85705
9781587367151 $24.95

Written by May Sinclair, Ph.D., Infamous Eve: A History is an eye-opening look at the rarely-contemplated sides of biblical story about Eve and the garden of Eden. Chapters discuss the bible's authors; differences in manuscript versions; why the creature that enticed Eve is represented as a snake; the stories about Adam's first wife, Lilith, who demanded equality; whether Eve as described in Genesis was foolish or malevolent; and whether the concept of all humanity as being descended from one woman is truly compatible with what modern genetics and biology have to say. A thoughtful, analytical-minded re-examination of the classic Garden of Eden parable, highly recommended.

Harper SanFrancisco
353 Sacramento Street, #500, San Francisco, CA 94111-3653
www.harpercollins.com 1-800-272-7737

John Shelby Spong's JESUS FOR THE NON RELIGIOUS (9780060762070, $24.95) tells of one Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a young German theologian who sketched a vision of 'religionless Christianity'. John Spong here revives Bonhoeffer's radical ideas to provide a new possible perspective on Christian beliefs: a Jesus for the non-religious. Be prepared for a challenge to traditional understanding of Jesus history and faith – and for a title which is perfect for discussion among Christian and Jewish believers alike. A top pick for any serious religious collection. Stephen Prothero's RELIGIOUS LITERACY: WHAT EVERY AMERICAN NEEDS TO KNOW – AND DOESN'T (9780060846701, $24.95) points out that the U.S. is a nation of terrible religious illiteracy: a huge percentage of Americans know relatively nothing about the Bible or other religions. Yet politics and social issue decisions continue to be made on the basis of religious beliefs. Religion scholar Stephen Prothero says there is a need to return to teaching religion in the public schools, and RELIGIOUS LITERACY addresses this and related issues, considering the core concepts of the world's major religions and their basic differences. Perfect for understanding the roots of religious belief and its connections to social issues.


The Biography Shelf

Memoir of an Alcoholic American Spy
Allen Anderson
Arbor Books
19 Spear Road, Suite 301, Ramsey, NJ 07446
9780977187096, $14.95 www.amazon.com

Written by a former field case officer with the Clandestine Services of the CIA, Memoir of an Alcoholic American Spy is a gripping true-life memoir of how the demons of alcoholism and the neglect of the CIA nearly killed him. While working in Paris, he experienced frequent blackouts, and once tried to kill himself in CIA headquarters, revolver in hand, but passed out before he could pull the trigger. In addition to moments of spine-tingling suspense and dangerous professional confrontations, Memoirs of an Alcoholic American Spy also recounts the author's long road to sobriety, followed by a new career of helping other addicts. An utterly compelling read from cover to cover, yet also disturbing in its revelation of the lack of oversight the CIA has had, and may still have, over its agents.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Consider Jesus
Donald R. Jacobs
Herald Press
616 Walnut Avenue, Scottsdale, PA 15683-1999
9780836193480, $19.99 www.heraldpress.com 1-800-759-4447

Written by former missionary to Africa Donald R. Jacobs, Consider Jesus: Daily Reflections on the Books of Hebrews offers a different mediation for each day of the year derived from passages of the Book of Hebrews in the New Testament. Each insight is several paragraphs long, connected to a key Book of Hebrews quote, and concludes its insightful message with a simple free-verse poem. "Atheists are convinced that nothing will remain. They wager everything on that. Life is meaningless, they claim... Hebrews tells us, 'Once more I shake not only the earth, but also the heavens... so that what cannot be shaken may remain.' (12:26-27) God is the eternal reality. All else will perish. I want to build my life on what will remain." Highly recommended for Christians of all denominations as a source of daily inspiration and spiritual renewal.


The Fiction Shelf

Dead Bang
Robert E. Bailey
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Inc.
4501 Forbes Boulevard Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
1590771095, $21.95 www.rowman.com

Private Detective Art Hardin's encounter with an Islamic terrorist group using a family friend to smuggle money into the country involves him in much more than the usual investigation in DEAD BANG, a hard-hitting novel following Art's increasing, complex involvement in a terrorist plot of revenge. It's the latest in a celebrated Art Hardin mystery series and goes far beyond the usual mystery, combining espionage, intrigue, and thriller elements into the detective formula. Perfect for discriminating mystery collections in public library holdings.

The Wind from the East
Almudena Grandes
Seven Stories
140 Watts Street, New York NY 10013
9781583227466, $27.95 www.sevenstories.com

Sara Morales was given up at birth to be raised by her wealthy godmother, and at sixteen is forced to return to live with her estranged parents in poverty. At the same time, Juan and Damian are brothers in love with the same woman – one suspected of murdering his younger brother in a jealous rage. When Sara and Juan meet on their separate escapes to a small village, romance and healing evolve in this warm novel of change, perfect for lending libraries seeking literary fiction.

The Last Blue Mile
Kim Ponders
HarperCollins
10 East 53rd Street, New York NY 10022-5299
9780060847067, $24.95 www.harpercollins.com

Author Kim Ponders served in active duty in the Air Force during the first Gulf War and was one of the first female aviators in American history to fly in a war zone, so the setting and protagonist in her novel THE LAST BLUE MILE are strikingly realistic portrayals. Teen Brook Searcy is a freshman at the Air Force Academy trying to survive in a male-dominated military structure when a cheating scandal involves her and General John Waller. Their search for truth – and her place in academy life – join their lives in a similar pursuit for justice in this fast-paced novel.

Millions of Women Are Waiting to Meet You
Sean Thomas
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Publishing Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
0306815486, $24.00 www.dacapopress.com

Author Sean Thomas was single, nearly forty, and determined to meet the woman of his dreams when he was asked by a men's magazine to try Internet dating for a year and write honestly about his experiences. Millions of Women Are Waiting to Meet You is the funny and painful story of his mishaps and encounters with the world of online dating, from women fixated on their pets to one who ended up stalking him. Also included within the memoir – besides a healthy dose of humor and self-examination – are insights on male sexuality and relationship insights that are both poignant and revealing. A fine 'must' for any single readers, and for any who have wondered about the rigors of Internet dating.

Lincoln and the American Manifesto
Allen Jayne
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591025023, $28.00 www.prometheusbooks.com

College-level holdings strong in early American political history and social biography would do well to consider Lincoln and the American Manifesto: unlike most coverages its focus is on the moral principles that influenced his thinking, with historian Allen Jayne arguing that Lincoln regarded the Declaration of Independence as the greatest embodiment of American principles. Lincoln's moral perspective and his influence on creating the beliefs and ideals of the American union makes for absorbing discussions perfect for classroom debate and college-level study.

Socrates: A Life Examined
Luis E. Navia
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591025016, $28.00 www.prometheusbooks.com

Philosopher Luis E. Navia provides a fine biography of Socrates and reviews his philosophy in a title perfect for either advanced high school grades entering into basic philosophy studies, or college-level collections. It provides a critical, documented study of the major ancient sources about Socrates, blends in new research and critical analysis of his ideas and concepts, and considers Socrates in light of his times, history and culture. The result is a wider-ranging study than most, combining the best elements of biography with philosophical analysis and review.

On Royalty
Jeremy Paxman
Public Affairs
250 West 57th Street, Suite 1321, New York NY 10107
1586484915, $26.95 www.publicaffairsbooks.com

The UK bestseller ON ROYALTY; A VERY POLITE INQUIRY INTO SOME STRANGELY RELATED FAMILIES provides a lively survey of the royal families, examining the history, strange lineage, and unusual associations of kings and queens. Paxman has had tea with Diana at Buckingham Palace, and other encounters with royalty across Europe: here are not only exposes of royal behind-the-scenes relationships, but cultural and political explorations of different royal lines around the world. A wonderfully lively expose evolves perfect for both history collections and for general-interest readers of biography and royalty.

The Extreme Makeover of Hillary Rodham Clinton
Bay Buchanan
Regnery Publishing
One Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20001
9781596985070, $27.95 www.regnery.com

Hillary Clinton has always been a dedicated liberal, until positioning herself for her 2008 presidential race. Now she's changed her beliefs to become more modern and relevant – and is being packaged as a centrist with the help of liberal media. THE EXTREME MAKEOVER OF HILLARY (RODHAM) CLINTON charts this process, revealing the foundations of her politics and her changes. Author Ray Buchanan's critical eye considers her personal and professional life alike, as well as her background as a lawyer and feminist, to reveal her underlying motivations, pros and cons. Any interested in Hillary Clinton will find this critical biographical survey thought-provoking.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Baen Books
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
www.baen.com

Dave Freer's A MANKIND WITCH (1416521151, $7.99) tells of one Manfred and his Icelandic bodyguard who journey into a world of trolls and ice to find a magic pagan relic. Add a stubborn princess believed to be a witch and murderess and a captured pirate and you have solid, fast-paced adventure. John Ringo and Tom Kratman's WATCH ON THE RHINE (1416521208, $7.99) tells of evil invaders – the Posleen, a space-conquering horde with an insatiable appetite for aliens – and allies of Earth who give earthlings the rejuvenation key to limitless warriors to battle them. Whether this technology is friend or foe will be told in a desperate battle in this fast-paced adventure. Harry Turtledove edits ALTERNATE GENERALS III (1416521143, $7.99), which provides a series of alternate reality stories recreating history as it could have been had decisive battles and encounters been different. Any fan of alternate history science fiction will find this an excellent collection. Martin Scott's THRAXAS AND THE SORCERERS (1416521240, $6.99) joins others in the Thraxas series and will best be appreciated by prior fans. Here winter has come to Turai and Thraxas is hired to go undercover at the Sorcerers' Guild elections to be sure the right man is elected. Politics becomes complex and envelopes his life in this riveting adventure. David Drake's THE WAY TO GLORY (1416521062, $7.99) tells of one Lt. Daniel Leary who also has problems with politics when a paranoid officer above him begins to execute those who are out of hand. Add a conspiracy, spies and anarchy and you have a fine political scenario. Travis S. Taylor's QUANTUM CONNECTION (1416521003, $7.99) provides a sequel to WARP SPEED and is a recommended pick for prior fans. Steven is a computer whiz in college when a swarm of huge meteors falls across the world, killing his friends and family. A new world is created – and Steven becomes privy to the information that this new order also includes a new war. David Weber's OLD SOLDIERS (1416521046, $7.99) tells of one Captain Trevor, the sole survivors of a battle – and a Bolo companion who also has survived the destruction of his own unit. The doctors have put them both back together – yet healing remains, and the two must serve again, together, against impossible odds in this fast-paced military fantasy. Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill edit BEDLAM'S EDGE (1416521100, $7.99), a top pick for fantasy readers. It's a volume of new urban fantasy containing works by the best modern writers of the genre, from Eric Flint to Diana Paxson, and presents a series of adventures, from a desperate search for a bottle in which a powerful and dangerous djinn is trapped to an alternate fantasy history in which the faeries become involved in America's Civil War. Powerful characterization and to-quality writing make this a distinguished collection which stands out from the crowd of fantasy anthologies on the market.

The Founding
Dan Abnett
BL Publishing
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
1844163695, $11.99 www.blacklibrary.com

This Warhammer 40,000 omnibus gathers the novels FIRST AND ONLY, GHOSTMAKER, NECROPOLIS and the short story IN REMEMBRANCE under one cover, providing a seamless set of interrelated stories surrounding the chaotic Sabbat system, where the Imperial Guard faces invasion by heretical forces. Schemes, plots, subplots and a displaced army vie for control in a military science fiction series of scenarios certain to satisfy any reader of military science fiction.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Opening the Ark of the Covenant
Frank Joseph & Laura Beaudoin
New Page Books
Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
156414903X, $17.99 www.newpagebooks.com

OPENING THE ARK OF THE COVENANT: THE SECRET POWER OF THE ANCIENTS, THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR CONNECTION, AND THE SEARCH FOR THE HOLY GRAIL will reach both new age and mainstream spirituality holdings, comes from the editor-in-chief of the popular science magazine Ancient America and a co-author with direct ancestors connected to the Crusader kings in the 12th and 13th centuries, and provides worldwide research into the Ark's disappearance which proves its facts. An engrossing analysis of Ark representations and documents evolves.

The Tao of Equus
Linda Kohanov
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
1577314204, $15.95 www.newworldlibrary.com

Author Linda Kohanov awakened to the spiritual presence of horses and here blends her personal anecdotes with her research into horse healing, mythology and communication to make for a fine survey of interest to horse fans and new age readers and collections alike. THE TAO OF EQUUS: A WOMAN'S JOURNEY OF HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION THROUGH THE WAY OF THE HORSE offers a fine read with plenty of insightful connections between horses and new age spirituality. New age libraries in particular will find it an appealing pick, especially for collections strong in human/animal surveys.

Drugs of the Dreaming
Gianluca Toro & Benjamin Thomas
Park Street Press
c/o Inner Tradition
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
159477174X, $12.95 www.parkstreetpress.com

New age collections strong in health and drug and dreaming properties will find DRUGS OF THE DREAMING: ONEIROGENS: SALVIA DIVINORUM AND OTHER DREAM-ENHANCING PLANTS to be an essential acquisition. It details the properties and actions of selected 'dream allies', including ethnobotanical profiles for over thirty of these plants. Both historical usage and spiritual applications make for a fine survey.


The Computer Shelf

OSPF and IS-IS: Choosing an IGP for Large-Scale Networks
Jeff Doyle
Addison-Wesley
One Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
0321168798, $54.99 www.awprofessional.com

Any advanced computer library collection specializing in programmer guides for network designers will want OSPF and IS-IS: Choosing an IGP for Large-Scale Networks: it covers large-scale systems operating in the real world and is organized to help network engineers and architects compare OSPF and IS-IS. From understanding message types and improving scalability to designing large-scale networks for maximum security, OSPF AND IS-IS is a top pick for any in-depth computer library seeking lasting references.

Core Memory
John Alderman and Mark Richards
Chronicle Books
85 – 2nd Street, Sixth Floor, San Francisco CA 94105
0811854426, $35.00 www.chroniclebooks.com

CORE MEMORY: A VISUAL SURVEY OF VINTAGE COMPUTERS offers entries which document the history of computing – and some of the strange machines which rise and fall over five decades of the industry's growth. From old and large IBM room-sized systems to Minuteman missile control units, each selected vintage computer receives a full-page color photo and facing page of detail on its history and development. Mark Richards's color photos at times occupy several facing pages of detail. Any collection considering itself comprehensive in computer history needs CORE MEMORY.

Broadband Network Architectures
Chris Hellberg, Dylan Greene, and Truman Boyes
Prentice Hall
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0132300575, $59.99 www.prenhallprofessional.com www.pearsoned.com 1-800-428-5331

Broadband Network Architectures: Designing and Deploying Triple-Play Services provides a detailed introduction to next-generation triple-play services, components and business connectivity, covering everything from protocols and strategies for blending BNGs into networks to choosing access protocols and handling IP addressing. Any college-level computer library strong in network design needs BROADBAND NETWORK ARCHITECTURES, which addresses the latest field-tested industry best practices and trends.

Flash CS3: The Missing Manual
E.A. Vander Veer & Chris Grover
Pogue Press
c/o O'Reilly Publishing
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
0596510446, $34.99 www.oreilly.com

Flash CS3: The Missing Manual by is the perfect title for collections strong in web design and development; particularly those catering to Flash users. It covers the basics of animation, from how to create movement between images using special Flash tools to adding integrative and interactive functions, color and video to liven the results, and creating smooth transitions between Flash works. This book should've come in the box with Flash: since it didn't, it's essential for any Flash programmer and any library catering to them.

O'Reilly Publishing
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
www.oreilly.com

Collections strong in web services and web development will find Leonard Richardson & Sam Ruby's RESTFUL WEB SERVICES (0596529260, $39.99) an important guide to connecting web functions with everyday technologies everyone uses. REST is an architectural style that drives the web, and RESTFUL WEB SERVICES introduces ROA and the roles that govern design of RESTFUL web services. Advanced computer libraries catering to programmers need this expose which surveys functions and real-world applications, including common problems and solutions. Michael Fitzgerald's LEARNING RUBY (0596529864, $34.99) is the perfect programmer's guide to learning the Ruby programming language, and should be a basic reference for any library strong in computer programming resources. From the basic features of Ruby and how to use regular expressions to using operators, arrays, and modules, LEARNING RUBY is perfect for learning: each chapter concludes with review questions, making it the perfect 'course in a book' as well as a basic computer library reference.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Cancer Survivorship Sourcebook
Karen Bellenir
Omnigraphics
615 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226
9780780809857, $78.00 www.omnigraphics.com

Joining others in the comprehensive consumer Health Reference Series is the first edition of CANCER SURVIVORSHIP SOURCEBOOK, a guide to cancer survival from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up. Psychosocial management, patient and family education, and supportive care is also reviewed in chapters which examine both early and late treatment options in different kinds of cancer, both adult and childhood onsets. An excellent, basic reference.

Genetic Roulette
Jeffrey M. Smith
YES! Books
Box 469, Fairfield, IA 52556
9780972966528, $27.95 www.chelseagreen.com

GENETIC ROULETTE: THE DOCUMENTED HEALTH RISKS OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS is a recommended pick for college-level health libraries: it covers everything from genetic transfer issues and risks for children and newborns to safety-related assumptions that have been proven wrong, signs of toxic reactions, and more. Packed with charts, FDA review information, details on regulatory issues and industry studies, and overall health concerns, GENETIC ROULETTE is a unique reference not to be missed.

Romancing Opiates
Theodore Dalrymple
Encounter Books
900 Broadway, Suite 400, New York NY 10003-1239
1594030871, $21.95 www.encounterbooks.com

ROMANCING OPIATES: PHARMACOLOGICAL LIES AND THE ADDICTION BUREAUCRACY analyzes the psychology of heroin addiction – and refutes many common ideas in the process. How? It maintains heroin is not highly addictive, withdrawal from it isn't medically serious, and addicts don't become criminals to feed their habit – but it is a moral or spiritual problem. Dr. Dalrymple's experience as a prison doctor and psychiatrist in a large general hospital in a British slum backs his contentions: food for thought for any college level health collection.

Pushed
Jennifer Block
Lifelong Books/DaCapo Press
c/o Perseus Publishing Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
0738210730, $26.00 www.dacapopress.com

PUSHED: THE PAINFUL TRUTH ABOUT CHILDBIRTH AND MODERN MATERNITY CARE provides an overview of maternity care in America, comes from a former editor at Ms. Magazine, and reports on the experiences of women across the country. Among the shocking revelations: over half of women who give birth in the U.S. are given drugs to induce or speed up labor, and alternatives to traditional care can be both unaffordable and even illegal. The health, psychology and economics of maternity care in the U.S. receives a fine overview perfect for any serious college-level health or social science collection.

Happy Accidents
Morton A. Meyers, MD
Arcade Publishing
116 John Street, #2810, New York, NY 10038
1559708190, $29.95 www.arcadepub.com 1-800-759-0190

HAPPY ACCIDENTS: SERENDIPITY IN MODERN MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS tells of happy accidental discoveries in the world of science, documenting events and also providing insights into how these accidents came to be realized as beneficial. It's this perspective which makes HAPPY ACCIDENTS a highly recommended pick not just for general interest lending libraries, but for college-level collections strong in health science. Learning to recognize and assess unexpected and accidental results for their possible lessons and benefits is key to any researcher's success: the author draws on both personal experience and research and interviews with winners of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and other awards to document this process of discovery.


The Business Shelf

Encore
Marc Freedman
Public Affairs
250 West 57th Street Suite 1321, New York NY 10217
1586484834, $24.95 www.publicaffairsbooks.com

ENCORE: FINDING WORK THAT MATTERS IN THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE tells of those who left corporate and other careers to find more meaningful work – something which is becoming a social trend businesses need to take note of. ENCORE tells the stories of 'encore career' pioneers who are not content nor rich enough to retire: they are locating second careers late in life which calls for new work and more meaning – and their numbers hold the key to a new social and business transformation movement, so any serious business library and public libraries catering to business professionals needs ENCORE as part of their collection.

Manage It!
Johanna Rothman
Pragmatic Programmers
c/o Dave Thomas
P.O. Box 293325, Lewisville, TX 75029-3325
0978739248, $34.95 www.pragmaticprogrammer.com

Plenty of books promise project management skills and most contain concrete, practical information – especially when it's applied on a case-by-case basis meeting certain conditions rather as a global strategy for everything. This book is for software managers but also for business managers who would understand the special applications and methods for building and managing projects. From using life cycles and creating a fine team to managing meetings and multiple projects and goals, MANAGE IT! YOUR GUIDE TO MODERN, PRAGMATIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT is a highly recommended acquisition for any business library.

Dragons At Your Door
Ming Zeng & Peter J. Williamson
Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
9781422102084, $29.95 www.hbspress.org

DRAGONS AT YOUR DOOR: HOW CHINESE COST INNOVATION IS DISRUPTING GLOBAL COMPETITION discusses China's rapid integration into the global economy and its wide-ranging ramifications for world competition and strategy. College-level business courses will find this an excellent survey of how the emergence of China as a business force will fundamentally change the global economy and its alliances over the next decade. Business owners and any interested in global politics and economics must have this analysis.

The Chicago School
Johan Van Overtveldt
B2
c/o Agate Publishing Inc.
1501 Madison Street, Evanston, IL 60202
1932841148, $35.00 www.agatepublishing.com

Any college-level library dedicated to economic studies and business history will find THE CHICAGO SCHOOL: HOW THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO ASSEMBLED THE THINKERS WHO REVOLUTIONIZED ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS a fine pick, offering a detailed story of how a new university far from academic and cultural centers developed a group of thinkers whose works changed global economics and politics over the past thirty years. This focus on Chicago School thinkers and movers highlights both the school's importance and its strategies in developing leaders within the economic and business worlds, making it a special pick both for Chicago and business libraries at the college level.

The eBay Seller's Tax and Legal Answer Book
Cliff Ennico
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019-7420
081447425X, $19.95 www.amacombooks.org

If eBay is your major sales outlet and you have little business experience beyond it, you need The eBay Seller's Tax and Legal Answer Book, which packs in everything from what taxes need to be paid and what to deduct to protecting yourself when buying inventory and resolving seller-buyer disputes. Chapters address common problems with an eye to their legal and tax ramifications, come with sample forms, checklists and contracts, and provide clear instructions on communication processes with all entities, making this a 'must' for eBay sellers and for any general-interest public library catering to eBay sellers.


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Midwest Book Review
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