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California Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Life: It Is What It Is
Lisa Sugarman
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
978149479130, $16.49, www.itiswhatitiscolumn.wordpress.com
Life: It Is What It Is comes from the long-time columnist for GateHouse Media, and considers
the importance of accepting imperfection and controlling how we react to life. It comes from an
author and columnist who offers a collection of her columns that analyze what life is and how to
understand and accept its unpredictability, and it creates a lively dialogue of the ups and downs
of living that will resonate with quite a wide audience. If it's an involving survey about life and
its processes that is desired, Lisa Sugarman holds the key to an excellent presentation with much
food for thought.
Beauty Rules
Bobbi Brown
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
www.chroniclebooks.com
9781452112756, $19.95, www.chroniclebooks.com
Beauty Rules comes from a world-famous makeup artist and offers a beauty bible for teens and
twenty-somethings, and packs in hundreds of photos of girls (not models) who have successfully
used Brown's techniques. Makeovers are presented in step-by-step techniques that come from top
stylist and offer keys to getting the most from makeup and beauty routines. Packed with color
and specifics for all styles and races, Beauty Rules is a top recommendation for any collection
catering to teens and young adult women.
How to Make Your Baby an Internet Celebrity
Rick Chillot with Dustin Fenstermacher
Quirk Books
215 Church Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
9781594747397, $12.95, www.quirkbooks.com
How to Make Your Baby an Internet Celebrity pairs Fenstermacher's photos with a
tongue-in-cheek guide to how parents can capitalize on their baby's charm for success. Help them
crawl down the path to fame by identifying an infant's major attributes, linking this to a character
type, than making a video the world can enjoy! It's zany, it's fun, and it's an entertaining read for
parents able to see the humor in impossible scenarios and suggestions.
The Philosophy Shelf
Liveright Publishing
c/o W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
www.wwnorton.com
Two new additions to the Liveright Classics series by Alan Ryan are recommended for readers
interested in political philosophy, and offer new books by Ryan that synthesize the thoughts of
major political philosophers with contemporary concerns. Each book offers key excerpts from
each philosopher, new introductions by Ryan placing them in contemporary perspective, and fine
historical background paired with social and political analysis. ON MARX: REVOLUTIONARY
AND UTOPIAN (9780871407931, $14.95) and ON TOCQUEVILLE: DEMOCRACY AND
AMERICA (9780871407047, $14.95) each are top picks for any studying social and political
philosophy.
The Gun Shelf
Double Action
Ulrich Schwab
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764346309, $39.99, www.schifferbooks.com
DOUBLE ACTION: CLASSIC REVOLVERS FOR TARGET SHOOTING, HUNTING AND
SECURITY describes a range of revolvers and documents their history, technology and how they
shoot. Double action revolves are those where the trigger cocks and drops the hammer. They're
favored by bodyguards and security personnel, are quick to reload, and offer hunters high caliber
shooting options. The result is a powerful survey packed with color photos throughout and all the
technical information needed to purchase or compare double action revolvers.
The Military Shelf
Sgt. Reckless: America's War Horse
Robin Hutton
Regnery Publishing, Inc.
One Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001
9781621572633, $27.99, www.regneryhistory.com
Military, animal and history holdings alike will appreciate this fine story of a horse who was a
marine - a small "Mongolian mare" who came from racing stock and who became a war hero and
a combat marine, even earning sergeant's stripes before she retired. If this sounds familiar, it's
because Reckless was recognized in 1997 by Life magazine as one of the country's greatest war
heroes. Robin Hunter is behind much of this horse's recognition: determined not to let history
die, her book profiles the reckless courage of the horse in the process of military history and use,
and is an engrossing pick for any collection.
The Photography Shelf
Astrophotography
Thierry Legault
Rocky Nook
802 East Cota Street, 3rd Floor, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
9781937538439, $39.95, www.rockynook.com
Astrophotography covers all the basics of taking pictures of the stars and comes from a
world-renowned astrophotographer who teaches all the basics, from purchasing the most useful
equipment and accessories to setting up different kinds of cameras and telescopes. Learn how to
calculate shooting parameters, photograph faint galaxies and planets, locate images and fix
defects common to astrophotography, and capture images of the sun itself. There's no
photography book quite like this, which traverses the boundaries of space, science, and
photography to provide all levels of photographer specific tips for capturing the best
astrophotos!
Leica M Typ 240: The Expanded Guide
David Taylor
Ammonite Press
c/o Lightening Publications
9781781450390, $19.95, www.ammonitepress.com
That there's a need for a handbook beyond the basic user's manual for the Leica M Typ 240 is
testimony not to the user's guide's failings, but to the camera's many advanced possibilities - and
Leica M Typ 240: The Expanded Guide meets these questions with tips from a professional
photographer who tells how to gain the most from the digital camera. From creating a
photographic 'story' using the Leica to understanding lens properties, assessing flash accessories,
using filters and understanding lens vulnerability to fungus in humid climates, this covers all the
basics a Leica user needs to know to get the most from the camera, and is especially
recommended for new users.
Set the Scene
Tracy Dorr
Amherst Media
175 Rano Street, Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14207-2176
9781608956975, $27.95, www.amherstmedia.com
Props can enhance portraits, especially if used creatively, and can accomplish everything from
enhancing the posing process to providing viewers with a more personalized picture. This survey
discusses different kinds of props, how to make choices for individual and group poses on
location or in a studio, and covers the basics of choosing props for babies, kids, teens and adults.
Techniques and images from a range of photographers lends to an inspiring survey that keeps
budgets in mind while offering a range of opportunities for expanding portrait possibilities and
branding a photographer's style.
The Audiobook Shelf
The Directive
Matthew Quirk
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9781611137019, $30.00, www.hachetteaudio.com
THE DIRECTIVE is narrated by Jay Snyder, whose evocative voice has earned him acting
credits on Broadway, TV, and theater and film, and offers a gripping narrative documenting the
Ford family and a brother who is dragged into a big heist: robbing the Federal reserve Bank of
New York of its biggest secret. Espionage, intrigue, and action creates a powerful survey that's
vivid and memorable.
A Shiver of Light
Laurel K. Hamilton
Penguin Audio
c/o The Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9781611762808, $39.95, www.penguin.com
A Shiver of Light receives a fine, spirited reading by Charlotte Hill, who brings to life a new
Merry Gentry novel revolving around the first faerie princess born on American soil. This
princess is also an ex-private detective, having become pregnant with triplets, and nobles of all
courts are courting her and her men as they lie in exile in the Western Lands of Los Angeles -
because she's descended from fertility goddesses. In particular, a dangerous king is trying to
seduce her, has raped her, and is pursuing visitation rights through the human courts. Talk about
a convoluted web of fantasy! But it all comes together in a logical manner; particularly in its
audio format, enhanced by Charlotte Hill's professional background in film, television and stage.
Any who love fantasies will find this a winning story!
Top Secret Twenty-One
Janet Evanovich
Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780385366809, $32.00, www.randomhouseaudio.com
Top Secret Twenty-One provides a new Stephanie Plum novel, pairs the story with a lively
narration by Lorelei King in an unabridged production, and creates a winning story about bounty
hunter Stephanie's new case involving a used-car dealer who jumps bail. As dead bodies mount,
Stephanie finds herself doing things she really doesn't want to do, in order to solve impossible
cases with a minimum number of murders. Add an assassination plot and further personal
mysteries and you have a vivid listen that comes to life under actress and award-winning narrator
Lorelei King's hand.
The Music Shelf
Behind the Boards II
Jake Brown
Hal Leonard Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing
33 Plymouth St, Suite 302, Montclair, NJ 07042
9781480350601, $24.99, www.halleonardbooks.com
Behind the Boards II: The Making of Rock 'n Roll's Greatest Records Revealed considers the
inner workings of legendary rock music songs, combining interviews and narration to provide a
history and survey of these classic recordings. The first volume of this series represented the first
rock-record producer's anthology of its kind and considered studio sound recording experiences:
this sequel uses the same format to examine more legendary rock songs by the Beatles, Billy Idol,
Survivor, Foo Fighters and more, and comes from a music biographer whose approach is packed
with insights and revelations.
The Youngs
Jesse Fink
St. Martins Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9781250053831, $25.99, www.stmartins.com
THE YOUNGS: THE BROTHERS WHO BUILT AC/DC is a top recommendation for any who
have an affection for the rock group and considers the brothers Malcolm, George and Angus
Young who created a unique sound when they fostered the group into success. Now, there are
plenty of books about the group on the market, but this offers a unique view of the trio and uses
some 11 classic songs to reveal the mechanics of how their creation worked. The result is an
engrossing, refreshing guide highly recommended for not just AC/DC fans, but any follower of
rock music history.
Burning Britain
Ian Glasper
PM Press
PO Box 23912, Oakland, CA 94623
9781604867480, $24.95, www.pmpress.org
Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk 1980-1984 discusses the reality of being a teen punk
rocker in Thatcher's Britain, which resulted in a powerful and defiant blend of sounds that
brought the 1970s to an end and defied the meaning and traditions of punk rock. What emerged
was a harder and faster form of punk that solidified punk rock as its own style from 1980-1984,
and this history covers Britain and its punk movements region by region, focusing on bands and
record labels and considering influences on the genre. The result is a 'must' for any interested in
the history and culture of punk rock and its effects on British and world rock music.
Southbound
Scott B. Bomar
Backbeat Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing
33 Plymouth St, Suite 302, Montclair, NJ 07042
9781480355194, $29.99, www.backbeatbooks.com
Southbound: An Illustrated History of Southern Rock details the birth and evolution of Southern
rock, from its blues and soul roots to how country music and rock joined forces to reach beyond
the regional South to the rest of the world. It's a pick for any popular music history holding and
presents a fine collection of insights as Bomar follows the genre's many influences, from social
changes and cultural insight to individual and band legacies that continue to this day. From
stereotypes of Southern culture to the golden era of the 1970s, this lively history will reach all
kinds of readers interested in a range of rock music styles.
Let's Talk About Love, new edition
Carl Wilson
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781441166777, $19.95, www.bloomsbury.com
Any collection strong in music and sound studies who want a series of discussions relating music
to pop culture will find Let's Talk About Love: Why Other People Have Such Bad Taste a vivid
exploration of how music moves the world. From big pop stars and class influences on musical
tastes to how producers and artists shine and how they battle images of conformity in the process
of creating something new, this is a fine collection of essays by a range of commentators, packed
in a new, expanded edition recommended for any interested in music's connections to social
issues and cultural change.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Knitting Rugs
Nola A. Heidbreder and Linda Pietz
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
9780811712514, $21.95, www.stackpolebooks.com
Knitting Rugs: 39 Traditional, Contemporary, Innovative Designs includes a variety of rugs
made from a range of knitting methods from I-cord to recycled materials, and covers everything
from knitting to dyeing and applique. Patterns come from sisters who provide all the patterns and
designs needed to knit nearly forty original rugs, and come with not only step-by-step knitter's
directions, but good-sized color photos of completed results. Any who learn to knit rugs will find
this a winning presentation.
Here Comes Winter
Jeanne Large and Shelley Wicks
Martingale & Company
19021 Avenue NE, Bothell, WA 98011
9781604683714, $26.99, www.shopmartingale.com
Here Comes Winter: Quilted Projects to Warm Your Home offers a range of decorative projects
designed with winter themes in mind, and tells how to make a home cozy with pillows, wall
hangings, lap quilts and more. Wintertime motifs include holiday themes, snow, and more, while
projects based on applique and earthy colors create fun blends of snowflakes, reindeer, and
snowmen, among others. The result is a creative, engaging survey highly recommended for any
needleworker looking for winter projects!
Crewel Intentions
Hazel Blomkamp
Search Press USA
1338 Ross Street, Petaluma, CA 94954-1117
9781782211068, $29.95, www.searchpress.com
Crewel Intentions: Fresh Ideas for Jacobean Embroidery uses step-by-step instructions and color
photos to explore the basics of working with a Jacobean shape, and shows how to use different
threads, beads and crystals to embroider a range of deigns. Techniques utilize crewel embroidery
stitches and blend them with other styles and needlework methods to create patterns that fill the
Jacobean shapes with designs. From materials to close-ups of crewel creations, this is a lovely
survey packed with specific instructions needleworkers will appreciate.
Sewing School Basics
Jane Bolsover
Cico Books
c/o Ryland Peters & Small
519 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10012
9781782490890, $24.95, www.rylandpeters.com
Sewing School Basics offers a complete sewing course for beginners on making clothes and
home furnishings, and uses 12 workshops to teach all the sewing skills needed. Each workshop
ends with a step-by-step project applying skills presented in the workshops, and each workshop
focuses on creating clothes and home furnishings. From full-size paper patterns for clothing and
home decor to color photos of finished projects, this packs in a treasure trove of materials and is
a fine pick for any who not only want to learn basic sewing skills, but apply them.
The Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Einstein God & The Bible
Ray Comfort
WND Books
9781936488179, $22.95, www.wndbooks.com
Einstein God & The Bible is not just another book about Einstein, but instead focuses on his
belief in the divine and comes form an author who delves into exactly what Einstein believed and
areas where the Bible and science are complimentary. It delves into the principles Einstein said
came from Judaic and Christian roots, it considers the power of belief and why Einstein would
abandon the beliefs of his ancestors, and it makes an important case for spiritual science that
examines basic concepts of atheist thinking and how they fail. Any Christian with affection for
Einstein and science will find this an absorbing read.
Tastes of the Divine
Michelle Noss Roberts
Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Avenue University Box L
Bronx, NY 10458-5172
9780823257393, $28.00, www.fordhampress.com
Tastes of the Divine: Hindu and Christian Theologies of Emotion is recommended for new age
and spirituality collections alike and blends discussion of aesthetic experience with theological
insights perfect for college-level students of religious study. Chapters discuss the three emotions
of peace, love, and fury and offer examples from Christian and Hindu texts and tales considering
how emotion is constructed in Christian liturgy. The result is a strong addition to comparative
theology texts and collections.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Joan Chittister: Essential Writings
Mary Lou Kownacki and Mary Hembrow Snyder
Orbis Books
Box 302, Maryknoll NY 10545-0302
9781626980914, $22.00, www.orbisbooks.com
Joan Chittister: Essential Writings joins others in the publisher's 'Modern Spiritual Masters'
series, and tells of a Benedictine nun who is one of the most popular religious voices in modern
times. She's talked about social issues along with God, has considered different themes of
spiritual belief and social justice, and represents a powerful religious thinker. This survey pairs
biography with examination of her works, and is a powerful compendium for who would explore
Chittister's beliefs and observations of life and God alike. Christian collections will find it an
important, absorbing read.
The Judaic Studies Shelf
God Laughed
Hershey H. Friedman and Linda Weiser Friedman
Transaction Publishers
10 Corporate Place South, Piscataway, NJ 08854
9781412853767, $54.95, www.transactionpub.com
GOD LAUGHED: SOURCES OF JEWISH HUMOR provides college-level readers of Jewish,
religious and comedy studies with an academic examination of the history and evolution of
Jewish humor from religious texts. It cites the Hebrew Bible, and Talmud, and the Midrash in the
course of identifying humor in these writings, instances of irony, and examples of early humor
and how they relate to contemporary Jewish culture and jokes. Added into the mix are references
to modern television shows and a focus on the original sources of modern Jewish humor, making
for a fine survey for a wide range of readers and collections.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
The Gentle Way of the Heart
Anders Nilsson
Nordic Light Books
9780989274609, $14.95, www.gentleway.me
The Gentle Way of the Heart comes from an unusual perspective: that of a scientist who is
concerned with emotional and spiritual transformation. New age collections will find this an
excellent survey that discusses everything form the nature of reality to understanding the
importance of love connections in mankind's world. It uses metaphors to describe spiritual ideas,
it cements these ideas with exercises designed for self-discovery, and it is all about confronting
and overcoming limiting forces in the world. The result is an inspirational spiritual and self-help
read especially recommended for new age followers.
Intuition and Your Sun Sign
Bernie Ashman
Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
9780738738949, $18.99, www.llewellyn.com
Intuition and Your Sun Sign: Practical Methods to Unlock Your Potential offers a different way
to hone intuition and blend in astrological guidance into your life, and comes from an astrologer
who helps readers with no prior experience achieve better understanding of intuitive potential.
Chapters offer exercises and insights on the process and show how to use a blend of astrology
and intuition to achieve better relationships, handle emotional blocks, and facilitate better
physical and mental health. The result is a fine account recommended for any new age collection;
particularly those with works on astrology and its applications to improving everyday life.
The Technology Shelf
Electronic Warfare Receivers and Receiving Systems
Richard A. Poisel
Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
9781608078417, $179.00, www.artechhouse.com
Electronic Warfare Receivers and Receiving Systems discusses one of the core units of electronic
warfare intercept systems, and is recommended for technical engineering and military collections
alike. System design engineers receive techniques for design and development of EW receivers
for both modern and older modulation formats, with detailed design information included in
discussions of design goals and system management. Formulas, charts and graphics, discussions
of frequencies, filtering and mixing are an intrinsic part of engineering discussions and references
specific to electronic warfare receiving systems, while discussions of converters and sampling
processes offer many satisfying specifics.
The Automotive Shelf
How to Restore Your C3 Corvette: 1968-1982
Walt Thurn
CarTech
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
9781613250372, $29.95, www.cartechbooks.com
How to Restore Your C3 Corvette: 1968-1982 provides a fine survey of the Corvette and outlines
the basics of what's needed to restore cars thirty years or older. These vehicles often need major
work, so your typical car repair title is not the item of choice for them. This book is: it covers all
stages of the complete restoration process from disassembly to inspection and reassembly, and
covers hands-on techniques by arranging them in logical components. Chapters cover
suspension, engine, interior, body, and all the major systems of a Corvette in a guide that is a
'must' for any involved in the overhaul of a C3 Corvette.
The Education Shelf
How to Write An Exceptional Thesis or Dissertation
J.S. Graustein
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
1405 S.W. 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
9781601386038, $24.95, www.atlantic-pub.com
Any looking to ace graduate schools will find the thesis or dissertation is often the major
stepping stone that leads to success, or the major roadblock that leads to failure - and How to
Write An Exceptional Thesis or Dissertation is designed to teach the basics with a step-by-step
guide that moves from proposing a project to its successful completion. Chapters tell how to
create a study and writing schedule that will retain focus and offers the tips of published
academic writers and researchers who impart keys to success. Any looking for grad school
success will find this an important step to overcoming common obstacles to achieve graduate
status.
Numbers & Stories
Rita C. Janes and Elizabeth L. Strong
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
9781483330945, $38.95, www.corwin.com
Numbers & Stories: Using Children's Literature to Teach Young Children Number Sense comes
from authors who are educators in math and language arts, who blend together the Common Core
Math and ELA standards for a survey blending children's literature with mathematical learning
objectives. Some 22 interactive, research-based tools come with instructor suggestions,
problem-solving pointers, and discussions questions teachers and students will benefit from,
children's work pages and summaries offer learning resources, engagement opportunities, and
read-aloud suggestions. The result is a survey packed with ideas for any educator who would
combine math and literature educational pursuits in line with Common Core objectives.
Building the Better Teacher
Elizabeth Green
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393081596, $27.95, www.wwnorton.com
Building the Better Teacher: How Teaching Works (and How to Teach it to Everyone) discusses
the exceptional teacher: one who changes lives in the course of educating. Many have had such a
mentor and being a great teacher is the ideal of many - but what makes a teacher great, and can
this be learned? Chapters come from a former principal who studies the nation's best teachers for
insights on what makes them great. Discussions of what happens in a classroom offer pointers for
other educators' processes and pinpoints what differentiates the 'great' teacher from an ordinary
educator, leading to a recommendation for any teaching collection.
MCAT Subject Review: Complete Set
The Princeton Review
c/o Random House Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780804126328, $119.99, www.princetonreview.com
MCAT Subject Review: Complete Set is a comprehensive, in-depth set of six books revised for
2015 test standards and packed into a slipcase. Each book offers proven techniques from test
experts, full-length practice tests both in the book and in accompanying online practice sessions,
and complete coverage of every subject in the MCAT. The books included here are
PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY REVIEW, PHYSICS AND MATH REVIEW, ORGANIC
CHEMISTRY REVIEW, GENERAL CHEMISTRY REVIEW, BIOLOGY AND
BIOCHEMISTRY REVIEW, and CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND REASONING SKILLS
REVIEW. This is a virtual treasure trove of tests and information: with it, users can analyze
approaches, test their skills levels, and hone techniques that will ultimately prove successful at
winning not just one of the subjects, but the entire MCAT. Having all these guides under one
cover will make for an accessible study set unparalleled in its scope and presentation, and a 'must'
for MCAT takers and collections catering to them.
A Freshman Survival Guide for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Haley Moss
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Inc.
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849059848, $19.95, www.jkp.com
A Freshman Survival Guide for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders covers the
basics of higher education challenges for those on the autism spectrum and comes from a
university student with high-functioning autism. Her tips and advice to surviving one's freshman
year of college coves the basics but is especially strong in its assessment of new social situations
and their special challenges for autistic students. From dealing with the disability office and
getting to know your RA to understanding the differences between high school and college
exams and the different ways to treat them, this is a 'must' for any autistic student who would
succeed in college.
Connecting Animals and Children
Patty Born Selly
Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court, St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
9781605541563, $24.95, www.redleafpress.org
Connecting Animals and Children in Early Childhood considers why - and how - children should
interact with real animals at an early stage of childhood, and identifies the kinds of learning that
comes from animal/child relationships. Images of animals already permeate young lives, from
media to toys; but this book considers why real animals are preferred, and outlines the benefits
and impact of animals on a child's interpersonal development and social skills. From how to
bring animals into a classroom to finding the right kind of pet and understanding how it will
bring experience to the very young, this is filled with resources and ideas for connecting animals
with even the youngest child.
Team-Based Learning
Larry K. Michaelsen, et.al., Editors
Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9781579220860, $27.50, www.styluspub.com
Team-Based Learning: A Transformative Use of Small Groups in College Teaching covers
teaching strategies that transform classrooms, and introduces team-based teaching methods
usually applicable to lower grades into the college environment. Its ability to streamline teaching
processes and increase student learning at the college level has been proven time and again, and
this book describes the strategies involved in taking small-group learning into larger classrooms.
Chapters discuss how to do so for maximum collaboration, critical thinking and knowledge, and
offer college-level teachers a set of instructions on everything from group assignments for
interdisciplinary pursuits to developing group processes that encourage individual member
participation. This is recommended for any college-level teacher interested in the mechanics of
employing team teaching methods.
The Science Shelf
Gene Jockeys
Nicholas Rasmussen
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421413402, $35.00, www.press.jhu.edu
The biotech business emerged in the 1970s and 1980s when molecular biology and business
pursuits joined, and it's been a profitable association ever since. Gene Jockeys is one of the few
to offer an in-depth survey of the biotech projects that have led to big drugs and medical
advancements in this country, and also differs from your usual science examination in using
corporate documents from patent litigation to accompany interviews with biologists who worked
to foster research that ultimately proved drug industry advancements. From the marriage of two
different sectors to what the biotech enterprise means to science and business alike, this provides
an engrossing blend of technical survey and business history recommended for science and
business collections alike!
Blue Mind
Wallace J. Nichols
Little, Brown & Company
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780316252089, $27.00, www.hbgusa.com
BLUE MIND offers general-interest science readers an involving survey of how water acts upon
one's psyche to stimulate positive chemical reactions, and comes from a marine biologist and
conservationist who combines psychology, biology, neuroscience and ecosystem analysis with
personal stories from a range of scientists, artists and beyond to consider how water and water
analogies lead to positive human growth. Embracing one's 'blue mind' allows for greater energy
and positive results: this book straddles the line between science and psychology and is a fine
survey for any general collection.
It Started With Copernicus
Keith Parsons
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616149291, $19.95, www.prometheusbooks.com
It Started With Copernicus: Vital Questions about Science tackles a range of questions about
science's objectivity and scientific theories, and offers a blend of philosophy and science
recommended for college-level students of either discipline. From how science handles skeptics
to when and how it crosses the line into religion, chapters offer a synthesis of complicated ideas
and easy language. The result is an accessible collection of scientific controversies and
considerations especially recommended for college classroom discussion and debate.
Water & Wastewater Infrastructure
Frank R. Spellman
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
9781466517851, $129.95, www.crcpress.com
Water & Wastewater Infrastructure: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability is a recommendation
for college-level reference collections in science and nature which are strong in environmental
engineering, and describes various water and wastewater treatment approaches and what it means
for sustainable energy in the area. Chapters provide case studies of facilities that have used
technology to reduce their environmental impact, and point out various alternative power options
and sustainable and renewable energy sources for treating wastewater. From conservation
measures and analysis to special wastewater and water challenges, this surveys the extent of the
industry's challenges and approaches to water and wastewater management, and is key for any
collection strong in environmental engineering applications.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Off the Leash
Matthew Gilbert
St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9781250014221, $24.99, www.stmartins.com
OFF THE LEASH: A YEAR AT THE DOG PARK considers the dog park, its subculture, and
the dog park folk who gather at Amory Park in Boston. In the course of describing his own
change from an indoor couch potato to a dog park person, this celebrates the culture and feel of
dog owners and how dog park life can lead to friendships and even romance. Any with an
affection for dogs or their handlers will find this a fine blend of autobiography, animal insights,
and humor and will appreciate the evolving insights on dogs and their owners.
Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Small Mammal, second edition
Barbara L. Oglesbee
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
9780813820187, $99.99, www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell
The second updated edition of Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Small Mammal
gathers all the latest information on diseases commonly seen in small exotic mammals, and is a
'must' for vet students and practicing clinicians alike. It provides the latest details on the
diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases, adds new sections on chinchillas, guinea
pigs, and rodents, and pairs 100 new topics with updates to any old topics, especially in the ferret
and rabbit areas. An alphabetical arrangement lends to quick and easy vet reference, while keys
to medicines, appropriate health and nursing care, patient monitoring and disease prevention, and
possible complications rounds out information in a key coverage highly recommended for any
veterinary science holding.
A Wolf Called Romeo
Nick Jans
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
9780547858197, $26.00, www.hmhco.com
A Wolf Called Romeo provides a powerful account of a lone black wolf Romeo and his six-year
friendship with author Nick Jans in Alaska, and makes for an outstanding survey of an unusual
friendship between a predator and a human. Romeo returned again and again, earned the entire
town's trust despite a rocky beginning laden with suspicion, and even came to play with the
town's pets. Any reader interested in natural history stories of uncommon friendships between
human and wild animal will find this a moving, compelling story!
Owls
David Tipling and Jari Peltomaki
Evans Mitchell Books
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-0010
www.hbgusa.com
9781901268621, $16.95, www.embooks.co.uk
OWLS joins others in the 'Wildlife Monographs' series of photo wildlife books and gathers
together a fine collection of owl photos of all kinds. Owls in flight, perching, close-ups of eyes
and stature and in action pair with chapters of observations and natural history notes. It's the
full-page visuals that make this an exceptional blend of facts and images, widely accessible by
any with an affinity for owls. Other owl books pack in details, but the artistic photos carry this
survey.
The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Hell With the Lid Blown Off
Donis Casey
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave., #103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
9781464202988, $24.95, www.poisonedpenpress.com
Hell With the Lid Blown Off provides a powerful mystery centered around family and
community and is set in the summer of 1916, when a twister changes the town and kills one
Jubal, a small-town gossip with a vicious tongue. One would think this would end trouble - but
it's only beginning when it's discovered that Jubal was already dead before the storm, and that
murder may have been involved. Sheriff Tucker has his hands full uncovering the perp in this
fast-paced, involving drama.
Queen of Hearts
Rhys Bowen
Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10014
9780425260364, $25.95, www.penguin.com
QUEEN OF HEARTS provides another Royal Spyness mystery in which Georgie is
accompanying her mother to Reno for a quick divorce - only to become involved in an
investigation of a jewel thief and in a murder. When she's literally left holding the bag, Lady
Georgiana finds all her skills challenged in one of the most demanding investigations of her
career. A multi-faceted mystery, this profile of Hollywood and high society intrigue will delight
any mystery reader.
The Fiction Shelf
The Sixth Extinction
James Rollins
HarperCollins
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780061784811, $27.99, www.harpercollins.com
THE SIXTH EXTINCTION begins with high drama: a remote military research station's distress
call ends with the command to 'kill us all' - and when rescuers from a neighboring base arrive,
they discover that not only is everyone dead, but every living thing within fifty miles, down to
bacteria, has been destroyed - and it's spreading. It's up to Commander Gray Pierce and Sigma to
research the clues that lie in the world's distant past, revolve around an ancient continent, and
reveal a new world threat that's slowly coming to life. Can Sigma stop the extinction of all
mankind? An engrossing read packed with twists and powerful characters makes for a top
recommendation for readers who enjoy blends of thrillers and apocalyptic stories.
The Crafts Shelf
Finding Style
Irina Miech
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
9781627000581, $21.99, www.kalmbachbooks.com
Irina Meich is a jewelry designer who uses the latest new components in her works, and Finding
Style is all about showcasing these components in nearly thirty projects accessible to
jewelry-making novices and those with some experience. From metal buttons, beach stones,
metal working and tassels to bezels and rivoli settings, this title covers all kinds of processes and
how they work in projects for earrings, bracelets and necklaces, and includes the latest
jewelry-making products. The result is a survey filled with insights and highly recommended,
especially for those with some background who want to learn to work with the latest materials.
Color photos abound.
The Art Shelf
Pastels Unleashed
Margaret Evans
Search Press USA
1338 Ross Street, Petaluma, CA 94954-1117
9781844489084, $24.95, www.searchpress.com
Pastels Unleashed comes from an author who uses innovative techniques with pastels, from wet
to dry techniques, to get the most from the medium, and is a pick for artists already working in
pastels who want more advanced direction to using them for greater results. It comes with
step-by-step projects, innovative techniques for pastel usage, and is packed with color photo
examples of the steps involved and the finished results. Any artist working in pastels will find
this a winning survey!
Oil Painting with the Masters
Cindy Salaski
North Light Books
c/o F+W Media
700 East State Street, Iola WI 54945
9781440329937, $29.99, www.artistsnetwork.com
Oil Painting with the Masters: Essential Techniques From Today's Top Artists shares ten
step-by-step painting demos by award-winning master artists who cover exceptional oil-painting
techniques and give advice on everything from composition to brushwork and special effects.
Work from these artists is featured in a lovely gallery of images while discussions for artists of
every skill level discuss how to achieve polished, professional results from the oil medium. From
traditional approaches to new innovations, this is packed with ideas for oil painters of all
levels.
The Computer Shelf
Google Search Secrets
Christa Burns and Michael P. Sauers
Neal-Shuman Publishers
c/o American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
9781555709235, www.alastore.ala.org
Google Search Secrets offers a range of ideas on how Google specifically and web searching in
general may be conducted more efficiently, and is recommended for users of Google. From better
images and even weather maps from Google maps and webcams layers to searching blogs, using
Google Scholar, and handling search results and tools for Google video and books, this considers
both basic and advanced search techniques users and libraries will find valuable to locating even
more precise information online. The result is a fine survey packed with precise examples and
covering aspects of Google that searchers typically may not have used before, and is
recommended for any computer reference collection.
The Social Issues Shelf
The Murder of the Middle Class
Wayne Allyn Root
Regnery Publishing
300 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
9781621572213, $27.99, www.regnery.com
The Murder of the Middle Class: How to Save Yourself and Your Family from the Criminal
Conspiracy of the Century considers the dire warnings that the American economy is falling
apart, from the rising number of people on welfare to the lack of savings and the falling credit
ratings of typical American families and businesses alike - and then it points out changes that can
be made to a scenario where Americans are becoming more dependent on the government.
Intended as both an expose of government conspiracy at the highest levels and as a call to action,
this offers solutions to save American capitalism, based on middle class strength, and is a fine
account for any interested in American social class changes and challenges.
Extracted
Ugo Bardi
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
85 North Main Street, Suite 120, White River Junction, VT 05001
9781603585415, $24.95, www.chelseagreen.com
EXTRACTED: HOW THE QUEST FOR MINERAL WEALTH IS PLUNDERING THE
PLANET provides a powerful survey about mineral depletion and comes from a scientist who
provides a history of how minerals formed empires, prompted wars and the rise of civilization,
and the influences that led to their use today. It considers mining developments, mining's effects
on the environment, and explores changes minerals have brought to the world even as it all is
changing. The result is a powerful survey of mineral history, rights, and social issues
recommended for a wide range of collections.
Unruly Places
Alastair Bonnett
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
9780544101579, $25.00, www.hmhco.com
Unruly Places: Lost Spaces, Secret Cities, and other Inscrutable Geographies explores the most
offbeat places on the planet - but it's not a travelogue, as one might expect. Instead it's a
discussion of social geography and incorporates cartography, anthropology, social observation
and travel to focus on improvised settlements, inaccessible zones and more, from abandoned
platforms citizens claim as independent nations to how a patchwork city straddled national
borders. It's all about reinvention and new definitions of geographical, social and political
boundaries, and this discussion creates a powerful consideration for general-interest reader and
social issues students alike.
The Digital Mystique
Sarah Granger
Seal Press
1700 - 4th Street, Berkeley, California 94710
9781580055147, $17.00, www.sealpress.com
The Digital Mystique: How the Culture of Connectivity Can Empower Your Life-Online and off
comes from a social technology expert who explores the effects of increased connectivity among
people. Her book focuses on how this connectivity and availability affects everyday lives and
considers the positive effects of such connections, blending personal experiences, statistics, and
insights into how individual thrive through social media, mobile devices, and more. Digital
worlds can either be used to detriment or benefit: it's refreshing to note a title that outlines all the
positive choices involved in connectivity.
The Cookbook Shelf
Flavors of the Middle East
Ghillie Basan
Ryland Peters & Small
519 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10012
9781849755375, $27.95, www.rylandpeters.com
Flavors of the Middle East: Spiced and Aromatic Recipes from the Ancient Lands is a
recommendation for readers new to Middle Eastern foods and culture, and provides a pairing of
lovely color photos with recipes for such traditional dishes and ingredients as Lemons Preserved
in Salt, Lamb and Apricot Tagine with Ras el Hanut spice, and Fish Cakes with Apricots,
Sunflower Seeds and Cinnamon. A delicious array of inviting flavors and spices permeate a
collection filled with easy dishes that only require access to a good spice collection for successful
completion.
Sunday Casseroles
Betty Rosbottom
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
9781452121208, $24.95, www.chroniclebooks.com
Sunday Casseroles should be in the collections of any who look for main-course cookbooks
passed with ideas for providing effortless Sunday dishes, and goes beyond the usual idea of a
'casserole' to probe new approaches to main-dish suppers. From Individual Broccoli and
Cauliflower Cheddar Gratins and Caraway Noodle Casserole with Black Forest Ham, Carrots,
and Peas to Turkey Cutlets Baked in Gruyere and Onions, dishes are packed with flavor and
innovative ideas and are anything but your usual cookbook of casseroles. They require a
minimum of preparation and are suitable picks for the entire family, making this a highly
recommended cookbook.
Marshmallows
Tim Kinnaird
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788
9781438004235, $17.99, www.barronseduc.com
MARSHMALLOWS: 100 MOUTHWATERING MARSHMALLOW TREATS is a lovely
expansion on the idea of the traditional marshmallow, adding a host of flavor combinations and
innovative techniques for making marshmallows flavored with green tea, pumpkin pie, espresso,
and more. There are stuffed Lemon Curd Vanilla Marshmallows, PBJ Marshmallows, and
unusual combinations such as a White Chocolate and Cardamom Marshmallow Mousse. Pack
color photos throughout and you have a delicious, wonderful cookbook.
Charcuteria: The Soul of Spain
Jeffrey Weiss
Surrey Books
c/o Agate Publishing
1328 Greenleaf Street, Evanston, IL 60202
9781572841529, $39.95, www.agatepublishing.com
Charcuteria: The Soul of Spain is about a world-class cuisine that has, until now, not received a
definitive coverage. This book offers an in-depth survey of authentic Spanish meat-curing
techniques, pairing some 100 traditional Spanish recipes with lovely photos, step-by-step
directions, and recipes that are prefaced by the author's own observations and experiences of the
process. From Lomo Adobado, a dry cured pork loin in a casing done plancha-style, to a Chorizo
Fresco that comes in various incarnations, these dishes offer a range of insights on Spanish meat
and fish preparation and is a 'must' for any interested in world meat preparation in general and
Spanish cuisine in particular.
Precious Cargo
Dave DeWitt
Counterpoint Press
1919 Fifth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710-1916
9781619023093, $28.00, www.counterpointpress.com
PRECIOUS CARGO: HOW FOODS FROM THE AMERICAS CHANGED THE WORLD
discusses the global food trade which has been around for thousands of years, and provides a fine
story of how many Western foods evolved to move around the world, create new trends, and
even save other cultures from starvation. It offers a lively yet scholarly discussion of how these
foods were transported around the world and accompanies its discussions with color images and
illustrations to make for a lively, involving culinary history. Even more compelling: it arranges
its discussions by foods and includes the botany and anthropology of New World foods, making
for a discussion that's highly recommended for any fan of culinary history.
Pitt Cue Co.: The Cookbook
Tom Adams, et.al.
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781845339074, $34.99, www.octopuspublishing.com
Pitt Cue Co.: The Cookbook comes from one of London's most popular innovations, which
began in 2011 with a food truck serving Southern US-style cuisine and slow-cooked dishes and
evolved into a full-fledged Soho restaurant. It's the first cookbook from the Pitt cue Co. and
packs in over a hundred signature recipes evolved from their restaurant, from pulled pork
shoulder to slaws and even odd-sounding ice creams such as a Sticky Bourbon & Cola Pudding.
The focus on taking Southern staples a level higher will delight any who harbor an affinity for
barbecue and innovations on Southern fare.
The Kamado Smoker & Grill
Chris Grove
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440, Berkeley CA 94703-3440
9781612433639, $24.95, www.ulyssespress.com
The Kamado Smoker & Grill does require a Kamado-style smoker to be successful, but any who
aspire to own this egg-shaped Japanese unit will be delighted to have a cookbook devoted to its
possibilities. This takes the form of over fifty tutorials that blend insights on the Kamado style of
cooking with recipes designed to produce superior results. Discussions of its ceramics, design,
vent controls and more are accompanied by dishes created for and tailored to the Kamado's
unique approach, paired with color photos along with tips for successful results.
Frenchie: New Bistro Cooking
Greg Marchand
Artisan Books
c/o Workman Publishing Company
225 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014-4381
9781579655341, $22.95, www.artisanbooks.com
Frenchie: New Bistro Cooking uses anecdotes of cooking traditional French food beginning at
age 15 to his journey through culinary school and experiences cooking around the world to
explore his education in and involvement with French cuisine, and pairs this with recipes for
seasonal creations that will delight French home cooks. It's a fine blend of his personal culinary
evolution and philosophy, French cooking techniques, and dishes infused with both the seasons
and culture of France. The result is both an inviting read and a compelling cookbook, highly
recommended for French home chefs.
Ms. American Pie
Beth Howard
Race Point Publishing
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartous.com
9781937994686, $28.00, www.racepointpublishing.com
Yet another pie cookbook, when there are already so many on the market? But Ms. American
Pie: Buttery Good Pie Recipes and Bold Tales from the American Gothic House holds something
different: it comes from a chef at California's Malibu Kitchen who has tailored pies for
celebrities. She even drove 240 pies in an RV from Iowa to Newtown, Connecticut in 2012. And
she runs the popular Pitchfork Pie Stand out of the parlor of the Iowa American Gothic house
every summer, so her devotion to pies goes far beyond the usual cook. And so does her
cookbook. Expect color photos paired with some 80 of her recipes to accompany tales of her
driving her pies coast to coast in a fun presentation for any dessert fan.
Away from the Kitchen
Dawn Blume Hawkes
She Writes Press
97811938314360, $28.95, www.shewritespress.com
Away from the Kitchen: Untold Stories, Private Menus, Guarded recipes, and Insider Tips pairs
lovely photos of chefs and foods with recipes designed to invite home cooks to the kitchen, and
shares the lives of chefs from across the country who present their stories and menus. Accounts
from both inside and outside the kitchen are culled from private interviews to consider what it
means to be a chef in a modern culinary environment. The blend of personal stories and culinary
insights and dishes makes for a colorful compendium recommended for any general
collection.
Mexican Flavors
Hugh Carpenter and Teri Sandison
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449453664, $35.00, www.andrewsmcmeel.com
MEXICAN FLAVORS: CONTEMPORARY RECIPES FROM CAMP SAN MIGUEL comes
from a cooking teacher and his photographer wife who join forces to provide recipes inspired by
his cooking school, located in the mountains north of Mexico City. If you're expecting the usual
Mexican standards, this is not it: instead, enjoy contemporary Mexican cuisine that takes
tradition and adds more than a dose of innovation with such dishes as Quesadillas with Papaya
and Brie, Cilantro Soup with Prawns, and Grilled Flatiron Steak with Tangerine Salsa. Dishes are
spicy, fresh, easy to construct, and paired with color photos throughout: what's not to love?
Recommended not for those interested in traditional fare, but for readers looking for new,
contemporary food with a Mexican influence.
The Wine Shelf
Wine and Climate Change
L.L. Johnson-Bell
Burford Books
101 East State Street, #301, Ithaca, NY 14850
www.burfordbooks.com
9781580801744, $18.95, www.burfordbooks.com
Wine and Climate Change links discussions about changing climate with insights on where
winemakers make wine and how changing weather is testing their routines and abilities. The
classic regions producing fine wines are getting hotter and the response is to adopt new ways of
producing high-quality wines to make up for these changes. From why climate is key to better
grapes to how changes affect wine and grapes, each major wine region in the world is analyzed
for trends and likely responses. The result is a fine book that will appeal to any interested in
winemaking and growing's greatest challenges.
The Agriculture Shelf
Sustainable Animal Agriculture
Ermias Kebread, Editor
Cabi
c/o Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9781780640426, $180.00, www.stylus.com
Sustainable Animal Agriculture offers an in-depth discussion of the various systems used in
agriculture and its energy use, and is a recommended pick for college-level agricultural students
who want an evaluation of the environmental considerations involved in sustainable animal
agriculture. It's a global discussion; so don't expect just regional Americana here: topics range
from animal welfare and feeding to managing manure and animal systems, and are packed with
bibliographic references for further reading. Highly recommended for any collection strong in
agriculture or its environmental impact.
Integrated Forest Gardening
Wayne Weiseman, et.al.
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
85 North Main Street, Suite 120, White River Junction, VT 05001
9781603584975, $45.00, www.chelseagreen.com
Integrated Forest Gardening: The Complete Guide to Polycultures and Plant Guilds in
Permaculture Systems follows the permaculture movement and the idea of creating 'plant guilds',
and offers the first book about these guilds, form what they are and how to design them to
developing perennial agricultural systems that thrive without expensive inputs. The guild concept
takes advantage of plant relationships to establish supportive ecosystems balancing species and
needs. This book details some fifteen such guilds and their management, and pairs discussions
with color photos throughout. The result is a comprehensive guide packed with questions,
answers, and processes recommended for any who want a clear understanding of how these
systems work.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
Genetic Syndromes and Applied Behavior Analysis
Dorothy Griffiths, et.al.
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Inc.
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849054515, $65.00, www.jkp.com
Genetic Syndromes and Applied Behavior Analysis: A Handbook for ABA Practitioners is
recommended to a wide audience, from health professionals and educators to parents, and links
genetics and biology with a better understanding of behavioral issues. It tells how to integrate
syndrome knowledge into ABA practice for more effective handling of children with
specific genetic syndromes, and it offers sections on genetic intellectual disability syndromes and ABA
methods as well.
Dental Herbalism
Leslie M. Alexander, PhD, RH(AHG)
Linda A. Straub-Bruce, BS Ed., RDH
Healing Arts Press
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
9781620551950, $19.95, www.innertraditions.com
There are relatively few books on the market addressing alternative dental care strategies, which
is why Dental Herbalism: Natural Therapies for the Mouth is key to understanding the
foundations of better oral health. Recipes for herbal toothpastes and rinses, teas for prevention,
and daily care insights offer the latest research on links between poor oral health and disease and
risk factors, while chapters explore proper oral hygiene for preventing problems or maintaining
implants and braces. From diet to oral health care at different stages of life, this is a powerful
survey designed for herbal-oriented users interested in improving their overall routines and oral
health.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Alien: Sea of Sorrows
James A. Moore
Titan Books
144 Southwark Street, London SE1 OUP, UK
9781783292851, $7.99, www.titanbooks.com
Alien: Sea of Sorrows offers the second book in the official trilogy: this one offering new action
in a follow-up to Alien: Out of the Shadows. It continues events, adds new twists, and appears on
the 35th anniversary of the original film Alien, which spawned such a vivid genre of horror. Any
who enjoy blends of science fiction and horror, especially those who appreciated both the
original Alien and Out of the Shadows, will find this a satisfying, involving continuation of the
theme.
The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma
Brian Herbert
Tor
c/o Tor/Forge Books
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9780765332547, $25.99, www.tor-forge.com
The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma posits a different kind of future world in which green
living has become a dictatorship and North and South America function under a single utopian
government, the Green States of America, led by Chairman Rahma. Most citizens live in packed
reservations to the land can be reverted back to nature, while the edicts of their government is
cemented by the words in The Little Green Book, which features their leader's idealistic quotes. It
may be an ecological paradise but for humans it's a nightmare, achieved through a brutal
government and a green police state that is dangerously singular in its focus. Herbert has created
a different, engrossing story line that will involve and intrigue readers interested in dystopian
novels strong in political presentation, making this a strong choice for any sci-fi collection.
Strike Three
Joy V. Smith
WolfSinger Publications
9781936099658, $12.95, www.wolfsingerpubs.com
Because of the 'hot virus', World War III's scenario is more deadly than any nuclear-powered
conflict, and the missiles fired during conflict are far more deadly than any conventional battle
could have envisioned. But the message of Strike Three isn't just about altered warfare, but
altered survival mechanisms honed by feisty protagonists who seek to start over, against all odds
and against the backdrop of an Earth devastated on many different levels. Against this scenario
are a series of vivid protagonists who battle for not just survival but a revised world - and within
their efforts to rise again will be the rudiments of a new kind of humanity. Strike Three is
exceptional reading for any who enjoy apocalyptic stories, and offers many twists and turns
unpredictable even for avid readers of end-of-world sagas.
Blood Pact
Tanya Huff
Daw Books, Inc.
c/o Penguin Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780756408497, $15.00, www.dawbooks.com
Blood Pact adds to a series begun in Blood Price in 1991 - a book that neatly established the
genre of modern urban fantasy and detective novel blends - but requires no prior familiarity with
the Blood books in order to prove compelling. This reviewer had not seen the prior books, but
readily absorbed the protagonist of feisty P.I. Vicki, who is loved by two unlikely compatriots: a
vampire and a Toronto homicide detective. As Vicki faces her mother's unexpected death, she
also faces her impossible resurrection and an investigation that becomes all too personal not only
for Vicki, but for the two contenders of her life. All must find a way to live with themselves and
each other, while battling to find the truth behind a series of reincarnations that could be a deadly
portent of science to come. Powerful protagonists, an evil doctor, and the living dead are all
bound in a mystery that succeeds on many levels, recommended for science fiction and mystery
fans alike.
The Magician's Land
Lev Grossman
Viking Books
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780670015672, $27.95, www.penguin.com
The Magician's Land concludes the 'Magicians' trilogy, is recommended for prior readers who
have awaited an end to the story begun in The Magicians and The Magician King, and provides a
powerful fantasy that is both a coming of age story and the tale of how Quentin returns to his
magic school to make a new life as a teacher even as demons catch up to him and return him to
old friends and problems. He discovers a powerful spell that could create a new magical land -
but at what cost? The saga is as gripping as its predecessors and nearly impossible to put
down.
Skin of the Wolf
Sam Cabot
Blue Rider Press
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780399162961, $26.95, www.blueriderpress.com
Skin of The Wolf continues where the prior Blood of the Lamb left off, returning to a world
where vampires walk among men and search for a peace that may be impossible. Here the
protagonists of Lamb embark on another quest; this one to capture an artifact with powers that
could destroy millions. A wolf mask holds the secret of the vampires, involves a werewolf and a
murderer, and leads to a search that will involve all the Noantri and a young Native American
detective in a desperate race against time. With a gripping story line, this is a tale that will
immerse readers of novels, thrillers, and mysteries alike.
Rescue Mode
Ben Bova
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
9781476736471, $25.00, www.baen.com
RESCUE MODE tells of the first human mission to Mars which ends with a meteoroid strike on
the ship when it's too far from home to return. The crew will be left to struggle on Mars - if they
can get there. On earth political factions are fighting about the event even as the astronauts face
the near-certainty that they'll either be first to die on another world or will die in space. This
powerful saga of endurance will please a wide audience, from those who enjoy political sci-fi to
those who like stories of survival in space. Characterization is powerful, plot is finely tuned to
make the most of conflict, and the story is hard to put down.
The Business Shelf
The Intel Trinity
Michael S. Malone
HarperCollins
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062226761, $34.99, www.harpercollins.com
The Intel Trinity: How Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore, and Andy Grove Built the World's Most
Important Company comes from a Silicon Valley journalist who considers the ups and downs of
a corporation that started in 1968 from the efforts of two semiconductor pioneers and today is
still a powerful industry force. Intel's creations changed the nature of the world with its
microprocessors and inventions - but this was despite, not because of, its corporate structure.
Chapters explore revolutionary marketing decisions, what moves made Intel an industry leader,
and why Intel today remains a miracle. The author's access to Intel's archives contributes to an
authoritative, powerful survey recommended for business and computer history readers
alike.
The Complete Guide to Running Successful Workshops & Seminars
Kristie Lorette
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
1405 S.W. 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
9781601386137, $24.95, www.atlantic-pub.com
The Complete Guide to Running Successful Workshops & Seminars offers business readers
everything they need to plan ad present a conference - even if you've never held one before.
Chapters discuss the blossoming field of seminars and involve employees, professionals and
others and show how to put together a conference that avoids common pitfalls and focuses on
success. From understanding the structural possibilities of the workshop or conference format to
creating a team of professionals who can deliver quality information to audiences, this covers all
the basics and is a key acquisition for any who would successfully oversee or conduct their own
conference or seminar.
The Tech Entrepreneur's Survival Guide
Bernd Schoner, PhD
McGraw-Hill Professional
1221 Avenue of the Americas, 45th Floor, New York, NY 10020
9780071823975, $28.00, www.mhprofessional.com
The Tech Entrepreneur's Survival Guide: How to Bootstrap Your Startup, lead Through Tough
Times, and Cash in for Success comes from an author who cofounded his own tech startup
during the dot-com bust, ran it through years of market crises and financial meltdown, and
eventually sold it to a multibillion-dollar public technology company. So he's in the perfect
position to share both knowledge and what he wished he'd know about the business of being a
tech entrepreneur. From different, predictable cycles in an evolving tech company's life to
avoiding typical problems and handling everything from initial growth to venture-capital
financing, this moves from beginning to end in discussing the basics of evolving and selling a
successful tech company, and is a 'must' for any tech entrepreneur; especially those just starting
out.
The Innovation Paradox
Tony Davila and Marc J. Epstein
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781609945534, $29.95, www.bkconnection.com
The Innovation Paradox: Why Good Businesses Kill Breakthroughs and How They Can Change
discusses major innovations that have stemmed from startups and small companies, and discuss
the process by which success is achieved through these breakthroughs. Ironically, these very
processes responsible for success often prevent larger companies from developing these same
breakthroughs. Examples from startups and long-term innovators alike draw direct connections
between corporate structure, management systems, and incentive plans and either the success or
failure of innovation efforts. Any who manage a growing business dependent on such innovative
thinking will find this a valuable guide.
Buying and Selling Information
Michael L. Bruenberg
Information Today Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055-8750
9781573874786, $49.50, www.infotoday.com
Buying and Selling Information: A Guide for Information Professionals and Salespeople to Build
Mutual Success comes from a veteran of the electronic information field who has over thirty
years experience selling information to all kinds of libraries. His tips and strategies is directed to
any sales professional interested in library customers, and pairs personal stories from both sides
with a focus on how to achieve the best outcomes from the business of selling to library and
information markets. The result is a fine collection that will attract not only salespeople but
information center managers and librarians alike.
Careers in Renewable Energy, second edition
Gregory McNamee
Pixyjack Press
PO Box 149, Masonville, CO 80541
9781936555529, $20.00, www.PixyJackPress.com
The second updated edition of Careers in Renewable Energy documents numerous job
opportunities in this rapidly-blossoming industry, from blue-collar to white-collar positions, and
shows how to build a career in everything form green building and energy management to green
transportation, alternative energy resources, and more. Similar books cover technical and
engineering opportunities, but this focus on research and development, sales positions, project
management and more along with its documentation of workshops, trade schools, and
professional associations makes it a top recommendation over any other.
Digital Branding
Daniel Rowles
Kogan Page USA
1518 Walnut Street, Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19102
9780749469955, $29.95, www.koganpageusa.com
Digital Branding: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Strategy, Tactics and Measurement
provides step-by-step insights on how to build a brand online, and explores everything from
social media and search optimization to web analytics and brand planning for campaigns and
promotions. Real-world case studies pair with examines of policies and approaches to digital
branding that embraces the basics of online etiquette, business practice and global marketing
strategies, making this a 'must' for any interested in online digital branding opportunities.
The Alliance
Reid Hoffman, Ben Casnocha and Chris Yeh
Harvard Business Review Press
c/o Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
9781625275776, $25.00, www.hbr.org/books
THE ALLIANCE: MANAGING TALENT IN THE NETWORKED AGE introduces a new,
realistic loyalty pact between employer and employee and considers the problems of the old
model of guaranteed long-term employment that no longer works in an environment of ongoing
change. The solution to the dilemmas that follow is for employers to reject thinking about
workers as either family or independent agents, but to think of them as allies, instead. This
perception allows managers to engage employees in company changes and encourages a win-win
situation for mutual benefit. Since this kind of trust has eroded in the modern workplace,
chapters show how to create this new alliance and put it to work for the benefit of all concerned,
and make for an important new approach to business environments.
Customer Experience 3.0
John A. Goodman
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780814433881, $24.95, www.amacombooks.org
Customer Experience 3.0: High-Profit Strategies in the Age of Techno Service identifies a
common problem in business management when business leaders who place a priority on using
technology to improve services add this facet to outdated processes that can't support it. From
investing specialist customer assistance with the authority to solve problems to blending
technological tools with advanced service, this offers insights on how technology can be used to
help employees and customers work together more efficiently. By identifying ways in which this
process fails, Customer Experience 3.0 offers a better formula for success in a series of winning
strategies any size business can employ.
The California Shelf
The Trouble With Gumballs
James Nelson
Rolly Bolly Press
9780615848068, $9.95, www.karmabennett.com
The Trouble With Gumballs is set in 1950s Sonoma County, California, and provides a fun blend
of memoir and entrepreneurial adventure as it tells of how his little gumball business leads to
lessons in life and business alike. The author moved to Sonoma County in 1952 with the simple
desires to write a novel and spend time for his family. An ad that promised, $100 income a
month for four hours of work sounded too good to be true in the 1950s - but it would lead to the
effort to roll a gumball empire into success, with all its concurrent challenges and often-absurd
characters. Family matters and income woes juxtapose with business insights in a fun read that
moves back and forth between the personal and hard business lessons of life - all steeped in
Sonoma County culture. A fun memoir, The Trouble with Gumballs is recommended even for
audiences who usually don't pursue business stories.
Sabato Rodia's Towers in Watts
Luisa Del Giudice, Editor
Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Avenue
University Box L, Bronx, NY 10458-5172
9780823257973, $45.00, www.fordhampress.com
Sabato Rodia's Towers in Watts: Art, Migrations, Development is recommended for
college-level studies in arts, culture, sociology, Italian-American heritage, and California history
alike; so it's a top collection of essays chronicling many aspects of Rodia's productions. The
Watts Towers were created by a single artist who worked for over three decades to 'do something
big'. His lifelong desire and achievement is now a National Historic Landmark and this collection
offers new examinations of his purposes, achievement, and influences. From the Watts Tower's
relationship to historic sites of human suffering to racial politics and the Watts Art Center, this is
a far-reaching examination that does justice to the social and cultural influences on the arts in
general and Los Angeles in particular.
California
Edan Lepucki
Little, Brown & Company
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780316250818, $26.00, www.littlebrown.com
California blends the best elements of a survival story of post-apocalypse experience with local
color as it documents Cal and Frida, who have made their home in the wilderness after leaving
the ruins of Los Angeles behind. They seem set on survival - until Frida discovers she's pregnant,
making isolation a bad choice. Their journey to a settlement that harbors its own dark secrets and
dangers amidst the aftermath of destruction makes for an engrossing story of a couple's
determination to live on in a novel replete with powerful characters and believable, stark
events.
The Rush
Edward Dolnick
Little, Brown & Company
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780316175685, $28.00, www.littlebrow.com
The Rush: America's Fevered Quest for Fortune, 1848-1853 offers a new account of those who
borrowed money, quit jobs, and followed the promise of the gold rush, and offers a collection of
first-person accounts packed with diaries and letters between husbands and wives and any with
an interest in gold. It depicts wealth and ruin, fortunes made and lost, and ideals that drove some
90,000 new citizens to the west in search of a fortune. The prospectors embarked on a frenzy that
would later lead to the state's expansion and evolution: The Rush details politics and events in a
vivid chronicle highly recommended for any California history shelf and many a general-interest
collection.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
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
Diane C. Donovan, Editor & Senior Reviewer
12424 Mill Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
phone: 1-707-795-4629
e-mail: donovan@sonic.net
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