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Internet Bookwatch

Volume 12, Number 4 April 2002 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Business Shelf Metaphysical Shelf
Psychology Shelf American History Shelf Black Studies Shelf
Artbook Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Nature/Environment Shelf Computer Shelf World History Shelf
Theatre/Cinema Shelf Gardening Shelf Graphic Novel Shelf
Musicbook Shelf Christian Studies Shelf Sports/Athletics Shelf
Health/Medicine Shelf Cookbook Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Needlecraft Shelf Literary Shelf Fantasy/Sci-Fi Shelf
Fiction Shelf Audiobook Shelf Biography Shelf
Martial Arts Shelf Library Science Shelf Library Video/DVD Shelf
Buddhist Studies Shelf Military Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Railroading Shelf Human Sexuality Shelf Economics Shelf
Civil War Studies Shelf Parenting Shelf Archaeology Shelf
Library CD Music Shelf Nautical Shelf Travel Shelf
Philosophy Shelf Games/Hobbies Shelf Poetry Shelf
Education Shelf International Studies Shelf Self-Help Shelf
Photography Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Architecture Shelf



Reviewer's Choice

The Quotable "I Love Lucy"
Tom Watson
MetroBooks
c/o Friedman/Fairfax Publishers
15 West 26th Street, NY, NY 10010
1586632884 $9.98 metrobooks.com

With its informative introduction by Tom Watson, The Quotable "I Love Lucy" is a wonderfully presented, memorable volume filled with a superb selection of the best moments and wittiest verbal gags of a truly classic television show that has become an icon of American popular culture from the 1950s down to the present day (thanks to perpetual reruns on Nick At Night). Black-and-white photographs of the unforgettable Lucy and Ricky Ricardo spice up this hilarious selection of classic vignette quotes and mini-scenes. The Quotable "I Love Lucy" is a welcome giftbook for fans of one of the greatest comedy series of all time and a "must" for all Lucy fans everywhere!

Puzzlers' Tribute
David Wolfe & Tom Rodgers, editors
A. K. Peters
63 South Ave., Natick, MA 01760
1568811217 $35.00 www.akpeters.com

Collaboratively edited by David Wolfe and Tom Rodgers, Puzzlers' Tribute: A Feast For The Mind is an amazing compilation of classic brain teasers collected from all walks of science, mathematics, and verbal riddles to test the reader's thinking skills to their highest degree. Each puzzle is not only proffered, but comes with a detailed explanation as to the true nature of the problem, as well as a step-by-step solution. Highly recommended for mathematicians, magicians, and puzzle enthusiasts, Puzzlers' Tribute is amazing, varied, challenging, and fun leisure reading guaranteed to give its readers an itch for pencil and paper to work the problems out for themselves!

Coming Clean
Schar Ward
Book Peddlers
15245 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka, MN 55345
0916773876 $9.95 bookpeddlers.com

Schar Ward's Coming Clean: Dirty Little Secrets From A Professional Housecleaner is a no-nonsense, highly practical guide to learning how to clean one's own house faster, better, and with the least amount of effort. Written by a professional housecleaner with many years of personal experience, Coming Clean covers kids' rooms, bathrooms, polishing, proper cleaning supplies and equipment and much more. A unique compendium of "how to" tips, tricks, techniques, and strategies, Coming Clean is recommended for anyone wanting to keep their house clean without exhausting themselves.

Sexuality, Curiosity, Fear, and the Arts
Milton D. Heifetz
Peter Lang Publishing
Jupiterstrasse 15, Postfach 277, CH-3000, Bern 15, Switzerland
0820452319 $49.95 www.peterlang.net

Sexuality, Curiosity, Fear, And The Arts: Biology Of Aesthetics by Milton D. Heifetz (Clinical Professor of neurosurgery, University of Southern California) is a scholarly analysis of the biological components of the classical arts such as music or painting. Human emotion and its psychological defense mechanisms play a critical role in interpretation of art; the meaning of that role and how it affects the creation, value, and future of art is discussed in fine detail in this college-level treatise. A unique and strongly recommended study of the complex interaction between art and humanity, Sexuality, Curiosity, Fear, And The Arts is a strongly recommended addition to academic reference collections and supplemental reading lists for students of the psychology, aesthetics, and philosophy of the arts.

An Aran Keening
Andrew McNeillie
The University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711
0299176002 $24.95 1-800-621-2736

An Aran Keening is the personal and compelling memoir of Andrew McNeillie, a man who traveled to the Aran Islands off the Atlantic coast of Ireland and stayed there for eleven months. McNeillie is clearly filled with admiration for a land of profound natural beauty and an appreciative people who work hard to maintain their traditions and culture from one generation to the next. Unique, superbly written, highly recommended and rewarding reading, An Aran Keening is a book of considerable insight and justifiable reverence.

Mystery Shopping
James Poynter
Leromi Publishing
P.O. Box 40484, Denver, Colorado 80204
0971358540 $50.00 www.amazon.com

Now in a revised, updated and expanded fourth edition, Mystery Shopping: Get Paid To Shop is a straightforward, thorough, practical, user friendly guide to vocation of "mystery shopping" - getting paid to shop in order to help a company keep its quality control high and feedback accurate. From getting reimbursed for free goods, gas, car repairs, nights in hotels, clothing, gourmet meals and more to invaluable advice for founding your own mystery shopping company or employing mystery shoppers of your own, Mystery Shopping covers the basics, ins and outs, pitfalls and perks of this exciting and potentially lucrative niche. Written by a mystery shopper who drew upon his more than ten years of experience, Jim Poynter's Mystery Shopping is a fascinating, useful, lucrative guide, step-by-step instructional guide that will literally pay for itself many, many times over!

Unconventional Means
Anne Richardson Williams
In Circle Press
2616 Barton Ave., Nashville, TN 37212
0970239106 $18.95 1-877-509-3487

Unconventional Means: The Dream Down Under is a unique and moving work drawing upon Australian Aboriginal stories incorporated and integrated into her own original writing by Lorraine Mafi-Williams. The text is deftly presented and engaging. Williams prose stir is a singularly unforgettable read. Unconventional Means is highly recommended, entertaining, and thought-provoking reading.

A Gathering Of Fugitives
Diana Anhalt
Archer Books
P.O. Box 1254, Santa Maria, CA 93456
1931122032 $15.00 www.amazon.com

A Gathering Of Fugitives: American Political Expatriates In Mexico 1948-1965 by Diana Anhalt is a solid reference and historical narrative about a group of Americans (ranging from Spanish Civil War veterans, Communist Party organizers, Hollywood activists, and other post-World War II political dissidents) who went through political exile and expatriation in Mexico for a variety of different reasons. Their individual and community struggles to adapt, political clashes, along with the personal stories of some who returned to America are all covered in-depth in this most remarkable and recommended study.

Mythological Europe Revisited
Fons Elders, editor
VUB University Press
c/o Independent Publishers Group
814 North Franklin St., Chicago, IL 60610
9054872829 $20.00 www.ipgbook.com

Effectively edited and enhanced with an informative introduction and epilogue by Fons Elders (Professor in the Theory of Worldviews, University for Humanist Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands), Mythological Europe Revisited: Humanism and the Third Millennium III is a scholarly, college-level analysis of European mythological themes through a variety of eleven essays by a series of distinguished authors range from "Promethean Passion," to "Hermes and Papageno," to "Venus and Liberty". An eclectic and diverse collection, filled with intense philosophical commentaries, Mythological Europe Revisted is a very welcome addition to any mythology studies supplemental reading list or academic reference collection.

Voice From The Mountains
Anthony Caponi
Ruminator Books
1648 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105
188691351X $27.00 ruminator.com

Voice From The Mountains by sculptor and educator Anthony Caponi is a personal memoir of a remote village in the Apennines Mountains of central Italy, where Caponi spent his boyhood in the 1920s. Traditions handed down through the centuries and pride in the heart of day-to-day living mark the reflections and remembrances. Black-and-white photographs add an extra touch to this powerful account, which is written largely in an unusual style that strongly resembles free-verse poetry. Voice From The Mountains is a unique and superbly presented memoir.

Allworth Press
10 East 23rd St. #510, NY, NY 10010
1-800-491-2808

Graphic designers and their clients will appreciate Liane Sebastian's text Digital Design Business Practices (1-58115-086-5, $29.95), which defines the responsibilities, expectations and procedures for all involved in producing and managing creative design projects. From ownership issues and working with various types of production groups to creative group management, this is a nuts-and-bolts coverage of essential business practices for electronic design professionals. DK Holland edits Design Issues (202-7, $21.95), presenting over thirty essays varying in subject from corporate branding and ethics of the profession to the context of design in culture. Thoughts on graphic design's responsibilities and impact are well presented. Roz Goldfarb's Careers By Design (205-1, $19.95) provides an excellent set of tips for professional success. Headhunter Goldfarb reveals the criteria for judging expertise and reveals marketing opportunities throughout the industry. Monona Rossol's Artist's Complete Health And Safety Guide (204-3, $24.95) appears in its third updated edition to cover the latest information and research on artist health, from hazardous materials to using safety equipment. Government regulations are included in the discussion. Tad Crawford's Business & Legal Forms For Photographers, 3rd Edition (206-X, $29.95) is a form-filled book which may not prove appropriate for library lending, but which makes an excellent reference and includes the forms on CD-ROM for consumer use. Over thirty forms cover various types of contracts, collaborative efforts, stock agency agreements, and other professional situations. All are excellent, lasting titles for art library reference collections

Scrolling Forward
David Levy
Arcade Publishing
141 Fifth Avenue, 8th Fl., NY, NY 10010
1-55970-553-1 $24.95 1-800-759-0190

Scrolling Forward is a very fine survey of the changing relationships between ordinary objects in this case, documents and modern digital influences. Writing, etiquette, and reading habits are being questioned and changed by new technologies and practices: this examines documents of all kinds, considering what is likely to change and what is/should be preserved in the Internet Age. A fascinating survey of the future of documents and their meaning.

Ivan R. Dee
1332 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60622
1-800-462-6420

David Pryce-Jones' interpretation of Arab societies Closed Circle (1-56663-440-7, $16.95) provides fine observations of Arab circles and definitions which helps to explore underlying attitudes in a culture defined by tribal and religious traditions. Chapters consider issues which motivate the Arabs and provide an examination of how Arab societies work: is recommended reading for any college-level student of modern Arab events. Christopher Clausen's Faded Mosaic (425-3, $14.95) examines the emergence of post-cultural America, where cultural norms have lost power over public and private behavior patterns, promoting individualism and confrontation. Chapters consider the changing meaning of cultural influence and how American and immigrant cultural identity has vanished.



The Business Shelf

Small Business Primer: How To Buy, Sell & Evaluate A Business
Samuel S. Tuttle, CCIM
streetsmartbooks, LLC
P.O. Box 2, Middletown, DE 19709-0002
0970946600 $95.00 streetsmartbooks.com

Small Business Primer: How To Buy, Sell & Evaluate A Business is a seminar by Samuel S. Tuttle, CCIM offered in an easily accessible book form for the non-specialist, general reader. This superbly presented "how to" manual is filled with cogently presented, step-by-step instructions to improve one's negotiating and decision-making skills, including how to evaluate and size up a business to buy or sell, and the risks and rewards that come with such transactions. A practical, go-get-em book with a useful message easily absorbed by readers of all experience levels, Small Business Primer is a thorough, comprehensive, highly recommended selection of first-class financial wisdom specific to the assessment, acquisition, and profitable disposal of any business regardless of its nature, size, or complexity.

Exporting To Canada
Gerhard W. Kautz
Self-Counsel Press
1704 N. State St., Bellingham, WA 98225
1551803399 $14.95 1-877-877-6490

Exporting To Canada: A Guide For American Countries by Gerhard Kautz (president of GWEM Systems Limited, a Canad-based international marketing consulting company doing business in more than forty countries) is a no-nonsense, practical primer for expanding one's business market to international dimensions with a maximum of profit and a minimum of difficulty. Chapters cover how Canadian business culture differs from that of the U.S., the metric system, the North American Free Trade Agreement, consumer profiles, intellectual property protection in Canada and much, much more. Exporting To Canada is an excellent and recommended basic business primer for anyone considering going international - especially in this modern century with auction sites and sales for the Internet that make doing business with another nation only a mouse click away!

Smart Services
Deborah Sawyer
Information Today
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055-8750
0-910965-56-0 $29.95 1-800-300-9868

Smart Services gathers competitive information strategies, solutions and success stories for service businesses, revealing the many forms of competition in service businesses and covering everything from customer origin and government competition to locating intelligence about people. An excellent survey of business models and changes.

Internet Prophets
Mary Diffley
Information Today
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055-8750
0-910965-55-2 $29.95 1-800-300-9868

Innovative business ideas for the internet range from products to services and provide advice which will enable executives to conduct more business successfully on the web. Internet Prophets is the first to assess proven e-commerce strategies, matching techniques with budgets of large and small companies alike and presenting 'Internet Prophets' for four different budget ranges. Covers both strategies and marketing costs; rich in specifics.

Why Russia?
C. David Gleason
Fish Creek Publishing
P.O. Box 871007, Wasilla, AK 99687
0970943849 $14.95 www.amazon.com

Why Russia? A Nostalgic Old World Adventure is the personal story of communications and engineering management expert C. David Gleason, who journeyed from his home in Alaska to gain financing for a satellite earth station in Russia. His personal adventure is replete with amazing and sometimes dangerous characters, Why Russia? is an incredible, "stranger than fiction" story, and a truly fascinating look at how a different and varied culture perceives life in America. Highly recommended reading for those with an interest in contemporary Russian culture, economic, and political transformation, black and white photographs pepper this most extraordinary and highly recommended entrepreneurial memoir.

Each Human Spirit
Art Bobrowitz
Opal Creek Press
1675 Fir Street South, Salem, OR 97302
1931105030 $17.95 1-866-375-9015

Each Human Spirit: The Transformation Of The American Workplace by management consultant and leadership instructor Art Bobrowitz is a new and insightful look at methods and management techniques to increase workplace productivity by harnessing the power of the human spirit, rather than stifling it. From curtailing management behaviors that inhibit good results to accountability and putting the customer first, the various individual chapters of Each Human Spirit cover a broad range of necessary and vital issues to optimum corporate functionality. Each Human Spirit is very highly recommended reading for corporate managers, supervisors, and human resources directors.

When Teams Work Best
Frank LaFasto & Carl Larson
Sage Publications
Crane Creek Communications (publicity)
2455 Teller Rd, Thousand Oaks CA 91320
0761923667 $24.95 www.sagepub.com

When Teams Work Best: 6,000 Team Members And Leaders Tell What It Takes To Succeed by Frank LaFasto (Senior Vice President of Organization Effectiveness for Cardinal health, Inc.) and Carl Larson (Professor of Human Communication, University of Denver) is a practical, "user friendly" guide to the harnessing the power of cooperation and teamwork for increased productivity and effectiveness. Individual chapters address what makes a good team member, what makes a good leader, problem solving methodologies, and how to best promote confidence and trust. When Teams Work Best is very highly recommended for anyone charged with the corporate responsibility for cultivating business group work skills!

Successful Selling Made E-Z
Gerard I. Nierenberg
Made E-Z Products
384 South Military Trail, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
1563825139 $14.95 www.MadeE-Z.com

Successful Selling Made E-Z by professional speaker and seminar leader Gerard I. Nierenberg is a straightforward, no-nonsense entrepreneurial guide to improving one's skills at negotiation, spotting the no-sale client who merely steals time and information, and skills specific to real estate sales, company sales or free agent sales as well as more broad principles. A superbly presented, practical, motivationally oriented guide, Successful Selling Made E-Z is written for readers of all ages and business savvy levels. Enthusiastically recommended to anyone who must earn their own living, Successful Selling Made E-Z is also for those readers who do not sell as a trade, but would greatly benefit in their personal, domestic, and social activities through the application of the useful negotiation principles presented in Successful Selling Made E-Z!

A Practical Guide To Call Center Technology
Andrew J. Waite
CMP Books
6600 Silacci Way, Gilroy, CA 95020
1578200946 $34.95 1-800-500-6875

A Practical Guide To Call Center Technology: Select The Right Systems For Total Customer Satisfaction by telecommunications expert Andrew J. Waite is a highly informational book for businesspeople who need to set up a telephone system to handle customer orders, complains, and other important matters. Fielding long-distance calls from any number of people for good business is no small feat, and chapters from this guide address such diverse issues as basic connection and setup, typical switching systems, the value of an ACD (Automatic Call Distributor) system, and much more. A glossary at the back helps readers unfamiliar with the terminology catch up quickly. A Practical Guide To Call Center Technology comes with three ready to use RFPs (Request for Proposals) which can be downloaded at www.cmpbooks.com/waite with purchase of the book. A solid, fact-filled, and highly useful guide for anyone who needs to launch an effective and efficient call center -- and keep it running smoothly!



The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Herbal Magick
Gerina Dunwich
New Pages Books
Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
1564145751 $14.99 www.amazon.com

Gerina Dunwich's Herbal Magick is a modern witch's indispensable guide to the world of herbs provides an excellent survey of plants and their particular relationship to the world of magic. Beginners as well as advanced students of witchcraft will find Herbal Magick filled with precise instructions on using herbs to summon spirits, weave spells, and make charms. An intriguing collection of mystical applications for modern herbs.

The Sweet Breathing Of Plants
Linda Hogan & Brenda Peterson, editors
North Point Press
19 Union Square West, NY, NY 10003
086547625X $14.00 www.amazon.com

Collaboratively edited by Linda Hogan and Brenda Peterson, The Sweet Breathing Of Plants is a gentle and remarkable collections of singularly unique essays about the relationship between women and plants, interdependent upon one another for life since prehistory. From "The Language of Flowers" to "The Flooded Forest," each individual treatise significantly contributes an unusual and memorable insight to the wondrous whole in this spiritually moving and deeply meaningful metaphysical anthology.

The Orion Prophecy
Patrick Geryl & Gino Ratinckx
Adventures Unlimited Press
One Adventure Place, Kempton, IL 60946
http://www.adventuresunlimitedpress.com
0932813917 $16.95 1-815-253-6390

The Orion Prophecy: Will The World Be Destroyed In 2012? is a reckoning for the future. Embodying predictions of a cataclysmic magnetic field reversal and worldwide catastrophe that trace their origins back to the Maya and the Egyptians, The Orion Prophecy is a dark and chilling warning of dangers in the future. Of special note are the references to the lost wisdom and technology of Atlantis, which is thoughtfully discussed at length for the invaluable hope it offers to the future. The Orion Prophecy is an invaluable and strongly recommended addition to metaphysical studies reading lists and reference collections.

Your Love Life & Reincarnation
Stephen Petullo
MetaPublishing
3741 NE 163rd Street, #314, North Miami Beach, FL 33160
0971386757 $17.95 www.amazon.com

Stephen Petullo's Your Love Life & Reincarnation: Why The Past Is Affecting Your Present And How To Fix It is a holistic, metaphysical self-help guide to improving one's love life through understanding karma, past lives, and reincarnation. Individual chapters address matters ranging from the benefits of regression therapy, to how past lives influence sexual orientation, to the overwhelming importance of forgiveness. A quite powerful and transcendental guide, Your Love Life & Reincarnation is strongly recommend addition to metaphysical studies and human relationship reading lists and reference collections.

Anthroposophy And Astrology
Elisabeth Vreede
Anthroposophic Press
400 Main St, Great Barrington, MA 01230
0880104902 $30.00 anthropress.org

Ably translated by Ronald Koetzsch and Anne Riegel from the original Dutch, Anthroposophy And Astrology: The Astronomical Letters Of Elisabeth Vreede is a fascinating collection of monthly subscription "letters" by Elisabeth Vreede, Ph.D. (1879-1943), a close student of Rudolf Steiner. Ms. Vreede's writings look at astronomy and classical astrology through the lens of spiritual science, and also contemplate the role of astrology in modern society. From heavenly bodies to human souls, the unified thoughts of Ms. Vreede make for a most intriguing study, particularly for faithful astrology followers. Anthroposophy And Astrology is a unique and invaluable addition to metaphysical studies reading lists and reference collections.

A Practical Guide To Qabalistic Symbolism
Gareth Knight
Red Wheel/Weiser, L.L.C.
368 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210
1578632471 $34.95 1-800-423-7087

A Practical Guide To Qabalistic Symbolism by author and modern occultist Gareth Knight is a comprehensive reference, encompassing Volume 1: On the Spheres of the Tree of Life and Volume 2: On the Paths and the Tarot, showcasing the power of Magick and the applications of Qabalah. Diagrams, tables, black-and-white illustrations and extensively annotated explanations help lead readers through the fascinating, sometimes conflicting and hidden meanings of the skill, art, and practice of Qabalah in this most thorough guide. Highly recommended for serious students of the Qabalah, magick, and metaphysics.

New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
1-800-972-6657

Gawain's practical guidelines for living a rich spiritual daily life are presented in Developing Intuition (1-57731-186-8, $12.95), which explores how individuals can learn from honing their intuitive skills. This is her first new title in several years and provide important exercises which demonstrate how to improve and develop an intuitive ability. Joseph Campbell's Inner Reaches Of Outer Space (1-57731-209-0, $20.00) returns an older classic to print: this was the last book completed before his death and appears in a fine new edition. Topics were compiled from a series of lectures he delivered in San Francisco and explore links between new Space Age theories, metaphysics and mythology. Christina Baldwin's Seven Whispers (192-2, $17.00) tells how to listen to one's inner spirit voice. Seven phrases (whispers) are used to inspire inner dialogue about what is really important in life. Her examination blends first-person experience with philosophy & spirituality.

Abraham
Judi Sutherland & Larry Sutherland
Additive Creations, Inc.
P.O. Box 1081, Fort Worth, TX 76101
0962524107 $17.95 www.amazon.com

Abraham: The Initiator On Spirit, Will And Ego by Judi Sutherland and her husband Larry Sutherland is the fascinating story of a woman's psychic experience and transcendental contact with a spiritual being who identified himself as Abraham. The result of their communication, including answers to some of the deepest human mysteries of experience and explorations into the nature of the Will, the Self, and God, are all recorded in this compelling testimonial. Most of Abraham: The Initiator On Spirit, Will And Ego is presented in a question-and-answer format, with Abraham's wisdom in sharp relief. A riveting metaphysical treatise on the oldest and greatest questions of existence, Abraham: The Initiator On Sprit, Will And Ego is strongly recommended reading for students of metaphysics, psychic phenomena, and channeling.

The Wonders: Let's All Get Well Soon
Rene Gaudette, et al.
The Wonders Press
Cate Cummings (publicity)
8361 - 11th Line, R.R. #2, Thornton, ON, Canada, L0L 2N0
1894802012 $16.95 www.amazon.com

The Wonders: Let's All Get Well Soon is an informative, challenging, and iconoclastic exploration of health perspectives written by Rene Gaudette with Maggie McGuffin-Gaudette, and edited by Lee Anne Nicholson. It is a channeled work of metaphysical commentary on emotional, spiritual, and especially physical health, filled with forcefully argued reasoning on the value of pure spring water, the true nature of aging and how to lessen its effects, the dangers of electromagnetic fields and much more. Highly recommended for students of metaphysics, channeling, and alternative medicine, The Wonders: Let's All Get Well Soon is a thought provoking presentation of important ideas for cleaner living and better health.

Letters Through The Veil
Loryn "Solana" Walton
Solstar
411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 320987, Cocoa Beach, FL 32932-0987
0967977908 $12.95 www.amazon.com

Letters Through The Veil by Loryn "Solana" Walton is the heartfelt, personal testimony of a woman's communication with her beloved husband after his death. A book deeply reverent of God and of the sacredness of the human spirit, Letters Through The Veil is a warm and enlightening memoir that guides the reader to look within and beyond internal blockades to a happier life. Powerful reading to enrich the soul, Letters Through The Veil is highly recommended and rewarding reading for students of metaphysics and the mysteries of love and life after death.



The Psychology Shelf

Surviving Manic Depression
E. Fuller Torrey MD, Michael Knable, D.O.
Basic Books
10 E. 53rd St., New York NY 10022
0-465-08663-2 $28.00 1-800-242-7737

Bipolar disorders's risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options are surveyed in a title which covers the historical treatment of the disorder, its special challenges, and the related problems which can affect individuals. From an assessment of drugs newly on the market to further references on websites and video, Surviving Manic Depression covers the latest findings on manic depression's causes and treatment.

The Emergence Of Consciousness
Thane Malabar
Herus Publishing
P.O. Box 801, Tesuque, NM 87574-801
0971046719 $19.95 www.amazon.com

The Emergence Of Consciousness: A New Framework For Self-Knowledge by scientist, author, and inventor Thane Malabar strives to fulfil the ancient Socratic wisdom conceptualized in the immortal words, "Know thyself." Drawing upon the study of a wide range of scientific disciplines from neuroscience and psychology to computer science, linguistics, and more, The Emergence Of Consciousness divides the essence of consciousness into four major domains: that of Species, Self, Attention, and Human Relationships. A fascinating study of an issue difficult to analyze directly yet fundamental to all human beings The Emergence Of Consciousness is very highly recommended reading for students of neuroscience, psychology, computer science, linguistics, as well as the non-specialist reader with an interest in the psychological processes of acquiring self-knowledge.

Unveiling Depression In Women
Archibald Hart & Catherine Hart Weber
Fleming H. Revell/Baker Book House
Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
0800757491 $12.99 www.amazon.com

Unveiling Depression In Women: A Practical Guide To Understanding And Overcoming Depression by licenced psychologists Catherine Hart Weber and Archibald Hart is a serious guide written expressly to be easily understood by the non-specialist general reader. This informative highly recommended work deals specifically with understanding the unfortunate phenomenon of depression as it specifically presents itself in women. Individual chapters address causes of depression, getting help, and strategies for improving one's life when suffering from depression or if a loved one suffers from depression. Unveiling Depression In Women is an ideal book for anyone who suffers from chronic or clinical depression, and those who love them.



The American History Shelf

Land As Far As the Eye Can See
Donald Warrin & Geoffrey L. Gomes
Arthur H. Clark Company
P.O. Box 14707, Spokane, WA 99214
0870623060 $39.50 1-800-842-9286

Land As Far As The Eye Can See: Portuguese In The Old West by Donald Warrin (Professor Emeritus, California State University, Hayward, Department of Modern Languages and Literature) and Geoffrey L. Gomes (History and Political science, Chabot College, Hayward) is a superbly presented, comprehensive, academic history of the men and women of Portugal who helped settle the American West frontier. Black-and-white photographs and illustrations add a visual finishing touch to the carefully researched biographies of individual Portuguese immigrants, set in the context of broader historical, social, and national trends. Land As Far As The Eye Can See is a fascinating study of a unique portion of the American West's history, particularly the often-overlooked states of Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Arizona, Idaho, and New Mexico. A first-rate reference and fascinating reading material for anyone with a scholarly interest in the Old West, Land As Far As The Eye Can See is recommended for Western American History studies supplemental reading lists and reference collections.

Pox Americana
Elizabeth Fenn
Hill & Wang/Farrar, Straus, Giroux
19 Union Square West, NY NY 10003
0-8090-7820-1 $25.00 1-888-330-8477

The great smallpox epidemic of 1775-82 is covered in a survey which reveals not only the spread of the disease, but how it made an impact on the Revolutionary War's outcome and how it affected the lives of everyone in North America. In linking the progress of the disease to social and political changes in climate, Pox Americana provides a riveting history as well as a health survey of infectious disease in society.

America The Beautiful
Lynn Sherr
Public Affairs
250 W. 57th St., #1321, NY, NY 10107
1586480855 $25.00 publicaffairsbooks.com

America The Beautiful: The Stirring True Story Behind Our Nation's Favorite Song by journalist and author Lynn Sherr, is an historical account of a patriotic American classic and recommended for both school and community library American history collections. Individual chapters delve into the history of the original poem, the music that made the song, the meaning of the anthem and the legacy of this patriotic work. Filled with color photographs, reproductions of primary sources and a fascinating wealth of lore, America The Beautiful is an amazing, exciting and intriguing history of the song that defines the United States.

America And The World
Jolyon P. Girard
Greenwood Press
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
0313312923 $55.00 greenwood.com

America And The World by Professor Jolyon P. Girard (Department of History and Political Science, Cabrini College, Radnor, Pennsylvania) is a superbly presented, student resource guide filled with facts and information on thirteen separate and crucial events in the history of America's foreign relations. From the Monroe Doctrine to Joseph McCarthy and the Red Scare to the Reagan-Gorbachev Summit in Reykjavik that marked the end of the Cold War, each event is critically offered with exhaustive research perfect for student debates and research papers. A first-rate supplementary text for those studying America's effect upon international history, America And The World is a highly recommended addition to academic library American history reference collections.

1001 Things Everyone Should Know About Irish American History
Edward O'Donnell
Broadway Books
1540 Broadway, New York NY 10036
0767906861 $15.95 1-800-726-0600

Irish immigrants have played central roles in defining the American character and identity, sharing their history and resources for generations. 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About Irish American Historys provides lively, concise surveys of Irish-American experiences, including both ancient Irish history and religion to modern surveys of Irish lives. A historical timeline format by topic allows readers quick and easy access to Irish facts, biographies of notable figures, and events.



The Black Studies Shelf

Black Jacks
W. Jeffrey Bolster
Harvard University Press
79 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
0-674-07627-3 $14.95 1-800-448-2242

Bolster, a mariner and historian, provides a coverage of the history of black seafaring in the age of sail and reveals the role black sailors played in America. Chapters hold many nearly-forgotten facts gleaned from source materials, providing important keys to understanding Afro-American contributions to exploration.

Black And Free
Alan Abrams, editor
Doubting Thomas Publishing
P.O. Box 132, Sylvania, OH 43560
0971430306 $29.95 http://www.doubtingthomasbooks.net

Black And Free: The Free Negro In America, 1830 is, in its own words, "A Commentary on Carter Woodson's 'Free Negro Heads of Families in the United States in 1830." The overwhelming majority of this book (296 pages) is not a standard history book but rather a reprint of a historical primary source - originally published over 170 years ago - listing name after name of free black heads of families, their ages, and the number of people in their family. Black And Free is essentially a genealogical listing useful for tracing ancestors; for not every African-American was a slave before the Civil War. A lengthy introduction tells the reader more about the main reference, its history, and the current events of the times surrounding its initial publication. Black And Free is a unique and strongly recommended addition to Black Studies and genealogical library reference collections.



The Artbook Shelf

Eugene Delacroix
Jean Stewart, editor & translator
MFA Publications
295 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
0878466320 $19.95 www.mfa.org

Eugene Delacroix: Selected Letters 1813-1863 is a broad anthology spanning decades of personal correspondence of one of the foremost French Romantic artists. Black-and-white renditions of Delacroix's art illustrate the highly literate and fascinating pages of Delacroix's thoughts, ably edited and translated by Jean Stewart. Eugene Delacroix Selected Letters 1813-1863 is enhanced for the contemporary reader with an informative, extensive introduction by John Russell, and very highly recommended for academic reference collections and anyone with a keen interest in Delacroix's art and a dedicated desire to learn more about the man behind the masterpieces.

Arnold Roth: Free Lance
Lucy Shelton Caswell, editor
Fantagraphics Books
7563 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
1560974389 $22.95 1-800-657-1100

Arnold Roth, Free Lance: A Fifty Year Retrospective is a full color gallery of wild cartooning, by the occasionally twisted, always tongue-in-cheek ironic and amazingly humorous pen of Arnold Roth. From raunchy burlesque takes on the history of sex to parodies of history and modern society, Arnold Roth, Free Lance covers a wide sweep of human experience and is as much an art gallery as it is a book of cartoons. A "must" for his legions of fans, Arnold Roth, Free Lance will admirably serve to introduce his amazing and memorable talent to a whole new generation.

Gauguin
Britt Salvesen
The Art Institute Of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60603
0810967391, $19.95, 1-312-443-3600

Paul Gauguin was at the heart of the Post-Impressionist movement with his lush, colorful artworks revolutionizing modern painting a the turn of the 19th Century. Largely self-taught in a diversity of media including oil painting, printmaking, and ceramics, Gauguin came to his career as a Parisian artist relatively late in life, and went on to paint subjects drawn from where he would live ranging from Brittany and Martinique, to Tahiti, and the Marquesas islands. In Gauguin, art expert Britt Salvesen drew from research developed by Douglas W. Druick and Peter Kort Zegers, enhanced with 79 superbly presented illustrations of which 52 are in color and 27 are duotone. Gauguin is a very highly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library art history reading lists and reference collections in general, as well as being strongly commended to students of the life and work of Paul Gauguin in particular.

Anselm Kiefer
Christoph Ransmayr, essayist
Hatje Cantz Publishers
c/o Distributed Art Publishers
155 Sixth Ave., 2nd fl., NY, NY 10013
3775711252 $45.00 1-800-338-2665

Anselm Kiefer: The Seven Heavenly Palaces 1973-2001 is a truly impressive volume showcasing Anselm Kiefer's paintings in full color. An essay by Christoph Ransmayr and contributions by three others offer insightful commentary on the period pieces, but the principle focus of Anselm Kiefer: The Seven Heavenly Palaces 1973-2001 is upon the art itself. Enthusiastically recommended for personal, art school, and community library art reference and history collections, Anselm Kiefer: The Seven Heavenly Palaces 1973-2001 is a high-quality gallery book filled with earthy architectural paintings and resounding emotion and spirit.

Paintings Of The Southwest
Arnold Skolnick, editor
University of New Mexico Press
1720 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-1591
0826328431 $19.95 1-800-249-7737

Paintings Of The Southwest compiled and capably edited by Arnold Skolnic is a gorgeous, full-color art book filled with rich and emotional landscapes from southwestern America, as well as some portraits of the people who call this splendid land home. Works from a wide variety of artists are presented, often with a brief quote from the artist that is relevant to the heart and soul of his or her creation. Enhanced with a thoughtful introduction by independent art historian and curator Suzan Campbell, Paintings Of The Southwest overall is an informative, engaging book of art showcasing the sweeping strokes of memorable works by gifted artists on every page and admirably succeeds in capturing the land's natural spirit. Also very highly recommended are Arnold Skolnick's previous two volumes of artwork, Paintings Of Maine (Clarkson Potter, 0517582295, $9.00) and Paintings Of California (University of California Press, 0520211847, $17.95).

Earth Transformed
Wu Tung
MFA Publications
4650 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115
0878464778 $40.00 www.mfa.org

Earth Transformed: Chinese Ceramics In The Museum Of Fine Arts, Boston by Wu Tung (Matsutaro Shoriki Curator of Asian Art and Head of the Department of the Art of Asia, Oceania, and Africa) is a gorgeous, coffee-table art book filled cover to cover with more than two hundred beautiful color photographs of seventy-nine smooth, elegant, picturesque and varied examples of the art of Chinese Ceramics throughout a 5000 year history. From decorative pottery to Buddhist sculptures, each ceramic is displayed with a detailed aside informing the reader about its origin and contextual meaning. A wondrous and beautiful book of three dimensional works of art, Earth Transformed is an enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library ceramic art and art history reference collections.



The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

The Complete Idiot's Guide To Understanding Buddhism
Gary Gach & Michael Wenger
Alpha Books
c/o Pearson Technology Group
201 West 103rd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46290
0028641701 $18.95 pearsonptg.com

An articulate, accessible, comprehensive, "reader friendly survey of Buddhism, The Complete Idiot's Guide To Understanding Buddhism is presented from the perspective of a pragmatic American Buddhism. Diverse schools of Buddhism are surveyed and described including Vipassana, Zen, Pure Land, and Tibetan. Buddhism is also presented within diverse religious and philosophical contexts such as Christianity, Judaism, human relations, work, food, arts, and the social/political/environment issues of the modern world. The rules for living a Buddhist lifestyle (including meditation) are clear, complete, and comprehensive. In addition to the philosophies of Buddhism, the reader is also presented with cogent information on Buddhist films, environmental concerns from a Buddhist perspective, Buddhist celebrations, and more. The Complete Idiot's Guide To Understanding Buddhism is an ideal introduction and highly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as school, and community library interfaith reference collections.

Sufism
A.J. Arberry
Dover Publications
31 E. 2nd St., Mineola, NY 11501
0-486-41958-4 $7.95 1-800-223-3130

Sufism presents a survey of the mystics of Islam, republishing a work which appeared in London in 1950, providing insights into various aspects of Sufism and considering the lives of its mystics. An excellent introduction to both the founders of Sufism and its basic foundations.

America's Religions
Peter W. Williams
University of Illinois Press
1325 South Oak St., Champaign, IL 61820
0252066820 $29.95 press.uillinois.edu

America's Religions: From Their Origins To The Twenty-First Century by Peter W. Williams (Distinguished Professor of Comparative Religions and American Studies, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio) is a massive, comprehensive, meticulous study of the religious movements that have shaped the United States and ranges from Native American religions and early European colonization era communities of faith to the religious modernism and pluralism of the twentieth century. Divided into fifty-five chapters, the scholarly narrative path traces a long road across centuries of human belief. America's Religions is a fascinating read and a sweeping historical analysis which is very highly recommended for History Of Religion supplemental reading lists and reference collections.

Fossils & Faith
Nathan Aviezer
KTAV Publishing House
900 Jefferson St., Hoboken, NJ 07030
0881256072 $24.95 www.ktav.com

Fossils & Faith: Understanding Torah And Science by Nathan Aviezer (Professor of Physics, Bar-llan University, Israel) is a thoughtful, serious, scholarly analysis of the books of the Bible and the evidence of modern science, and endeavors to show that accepting the truth of God does not mean that one must discard rational thinking. A profound study of both evidence and theology, persuasively argued and with an especial emphasis on the importance of the Torah, Fossils & Faith is a dichotomy between practices filled with meaningful ideas that bear reading for people of all religious faiths. Fossils & Faith is highly recommended reading for students of the complexities and interrelationships of science and religion, of the interactions between God and his creation.

Saints In Babylon
Kenric F. Ward
1st Books Library
2511 West 3rd St, Bloomington, IN 47404
0759658064 $17.95 www.amazon.com

Saints In Babylon: Mormons And Las Vegas by Kenneth Ward is a truly riveting account of the Mormon community that thrives in the heartland of America's legalized gambling. This is the true story of how a ethically strict, theological-based temperant and anti-gambling oriented Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints established itself and then found ways to earn revenue off of gambling and the self-indulgent pleasures that Las Vegas commercializes and markets to everyone and anyone with the money to play makes for amazing and riveting reading. Saints In Babylon is a unique contribution to the study of contemporary Mormon history.

The Mandaeans
Edmondo Lupieri
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
255 Jefferson Avenue S.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
080283924X $25.00 www.eerdmans.com

The Mandaeans: The Last Gnostics by Edmondo Lupieri (Professor of Christian History, University of Udine, Italy) is a comprehensive and informative introduction to Mandaeanism, a branch of Gnosticism that has survived the last sixteen centuries Christian and Islamic suppression in Iran and Iraq down to the present day. From their history traceable back to the Italian monk Ricoldo da Montecroce, to their legends, customs, ideals, and texts, The Mandaeans: The Last Gnostics is a solid and scholarly core reference and offers a wealth of invaluable lore about a unique faith and a special way of life. The Mandaeans is thorough, meticulously presented and fascinating study.

God's Two Books
Kenneth J. Howell
University of Notre Dame Press
310 Flanner Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556
0268010455 $39.95 1-800-621-2736

God's Two Books: Copernican Cosmology And Biblical Interpretation In Early Modern Science by Kenneth J. Howell (Director of the John Henry Newman Institute of Catholic Thought and Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana) is a compelling, scholarly study of the upset that cosmic scientific discoveries had upon theological views starting in the 16th and 17th centuries. In an attempt to reconcile seemingly widely disparate views, God's Two Books introduces the idea of "convergent realism" to incorporate both empirical and theological points of view into a holistic understanding of the universe. A fascinating treatise, meticulously researched in its science, its history, and its scripture, God's Two Books is strongly recommended reading for those who have found their minds divided between disparate extremes in the question of universal origin and cosmological future.

Religion That Harms, Religion That Heals
Celia M. Murray Dunn
Crimson Light Books
110 West Ninth Street, #695, Wilmington, DE 19801
0971135444 $27.95 1-866-378-5551

Religion That Harms, Religion That Heals: Celebrating The Power Of The Human Spirit By Celia M. Murray Dunn is an incisive, no-holds-barred look at the true natures of religious belief, both benign and brutal. Religions espouse love and peace, yet they also bring so-called holy wars and inhumanity. Religion That Harms, Religion That Heals studies the weaknesses of organized religion and how they can all too easily fall prey from within to human vices. At the same time, Religion that Harms, Religion that Heals is not a one-sided attack because it also recognizes the positive qualities of religion and spirituality, and brings the reader on a journey to better make sense of both the physical and metaphysical world. Religion That Harms, Religion That Heals is very highly recommended for students of religion and human history.

The Serpent Symbol In The Ancient Near East
Leslie S. Wilson
University Press of America
4720 Boston Way, Lanham, MD 20706
0761821244 $47.00 1-301-459-3366

The Serpent Symbol In The Ancient Near East: Nahash And Asherah - Death, Life, And Healing by Leslie S. Wilson is the a ground breaking study of the origins of the serpent symbol, from its appearance in Mesopotamia to Egypt, Classical Greece, Carthage, and much more. The appearance of the serpent in the Hebrew Bible is given especial focus, and certain Biblical passages are listed in the original Hebrew and then meticulously translated to better help the reader better understand the nature of the symbol and its use in holy text. A strongly recommended addition to Judaic Studies and Antiquarian Studies supplemental reading lists and academic reference collections, The Serpent Symbol In The Ancient Near East is a truly fascinating and seminal study, carefully researched and documented, revealing the true story behind the common symbolic figure many of us see every day in ordinary life.



The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Complete Price Guide To Watches 2002
Cooksey Shugart
Collector Books
Box 3147, Cleveland, TN 37320-3147
1574322915 $29.95 1-800-626-5420

Don't anticipate a colorful display here: the clear small watch photos are all in black and white, but there are over 10,000 price changes reflected in this latest updated edition of Complete Price Guide To Watches 2002, which is justifably considered to be a watch collector's 'Bible with its almost two thousand pages listing over 10,300 watches. Collectors will find Complete Price Guide To Watches 2002 an invaluable, indispensable guide.



The Nature/Environment Shelf

The Voice Of The Earth
Theodore Roszak
Phanes Press
P.O. Box 6114, Grand Rapids, MI 49516
1890482803 $19.95 www.phanes.com

The Voice Of The Earth: An Exploration Of Ecopsychology by Theodore Roszak is a compelling and thoughtful exploration of the interconnection between psychology, ecology, science, and nature. Individual chapters address such issues as the true essence of mother earth/Gaia, Psychology vs. Cosmology vs. Ecology, and much more in this serious transcendental address of clashing ideologies of the planet we know best. The Voice Of The Earth is strongly recommended for readers with an interest in the philosophy of nature and the impact of human psychology upon the ecological environmental.

The National Environmental Policy Act
Matthew Lindstrom & Zachary A. Smith
Texas A&M University Press
Drawer C, College Station, TX 77843
1585441252 $34.95 www.amazon.com

The National Environmental Policy Act: Judicial Misconstruction, Legislative Indifference, & Executive Neglect by Matthew J. Lindstrom (Assistant Professor, Political Science Department and Environmental Studies Program, Siena College, Loudonville, New York) and Zachary A. Smith (Professor, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona) is a detailed and scholarly analysis of the ramifications of The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) federal law signed by President Nixon more than thirty years ago. Individual chapters of this definitive treatise address NEPA's origins, goals, implementation, and how modern-day courts have vastly limited its powers with possibly detrimental effects upon America's environment. Strongly recommended for professional and academic environmental studies reference collections, The National Environmental Policy Act is a thorough and accessible study for anyone looking to learn more about the nature of the NEPA law and its effect upon the United States from its inception down to the present day.

The New Economy Of Nature
Gretchen C. Daily & Katherine Ellison
Island Press
1718 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20009
1559639458 $25.00 www.amazon.com

The New Economy Of Nature: The Quest To Make Conservation Profitable by Gretchen C. Daily (Bing Interdisciplinary Research Scientist, Stanford University) and Katherine Ellison (investigative journalist and foreign correspondent, Knight Riddler Newspapers) is a selection of international spotlights on how the legal sanction of fining those who despoil the environment and rewarding those who preserve it makes good sense for both business and conservation. From a New York watershed to Costa Rica and Australia, these true-life anecdotes pave the way for a better world and a better future. The New Economy Of Nature is highly recommended reading for environmental activists, natural resources protection governmental agencies, state and federal lawmakers, as well as practical minded businesspeople and conservationists!

Streams: Their Ecology And Life
Colbert E. Cushing & J. David Allan
Academic Press
525 B Street, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495
0120503409 $49.95 www.amazon.com

Collaborative written by ecologists Colbert E. Cushing (Colorado State University) and J. David Allen (University of Michigan), Streams: Their Ecology And Life is a superbly presented field guide packed with beautiful color photography, sketches, charts, graphs, and an authoritative text introducing readers of all backgrounds to the diverse, rich and fascinating splendor of streams and the chains of natural life that form around them. From the different types of rivers to the variety of different creatures that inhabit them and the surrounding area - birds, fish, crustaceans, amphibians, insects and more - Streams: Their Ecology And Life is packed cover to cover with an incredible amount of solid information and highly recommended for personal, school, and community library environmental studies and reference collections.



The Computer Shelf

The Book Of VB .NET
Matthew MacDonald
No Starch Press
555 De Haro St., Suite 250, San Francisco, CA 94107
1886411824 $39.95 www.nostarch.com

The Book Of VB .NET: .Net Insight for VB Developers by author, educator, and MCSD developer Matthew MacDonald is a comprehensive, handy, and highly practical resource for Visual Basic programmers seeking to create everything from Internet applications to highly sophisticated Windows operating system programs. Individual chapters cover VB .NET basics, object-oriented programming, printing, XML, threading, web services, and much more. Sample code and step-by-step instructions effectively illustrated with computer screenshots all contribute to the goal of an easy-to-use guide to help anyone develop first-class applications with .NET. The Book Of VB .NET is an excellent resource for VB .NET programmers of all skill levels.

C# Tips & Techniques
Charles Wright
Osborne/McGraw-Hill
2600 Tenth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
0072193794 $49.99 1-800-722-4726

Now anyone can start using the powerful C# programming language and .NET platform immediately to develop and deploy enterprise-level solutions with the assistance of Charles Wright's "user friendly" C# Tips & Techniques. Apply C# constructs to existing applications, or build programs quickly from scratch. Incorporating key features from C++ and Visual Basic, C# is a distinct object-oriented language designed to provide both powerful solutions and high productivity. Filled with hundreds of ready-to-run solutions readers can use to build Web services and Windows applications, this guide helps users leverage the power of Microsoft's .NET environment. C# Tips & Techniques is an essential, highly recommended resource and reference to an impressive wealth of specific instructions to answer questions, inform, and help program more effectively. 626 pages

Modeling in LightWave
Shamms Mortier
Charles River Media
20 Downer Avenue, Suite 3, Hingham, Massachusetts 02043
1584500344 $49.95 charlesriver.com

Modeling In LightWave by expert graphics professional Shamms Mortier is a comprehensive, completely user-friendly manual focused specifically on LightWave, a favorite 3D application software of film and television industries. Individual chapters cover the basics of LightWave modeling, backdrops, displacement mapping, modeling with particles, using FireMouth for pyrotechnics and much, much more. A thorough guide and deftly written to be of use to readers of all experience levels, Modeling In LightWave is filled with black-and-white screen shots to help convey its step-by-step instructions. Modeling in LightWave is a superb reference for everyone who works with this widely used software. A bonus Windows/Mac CD-ROM with LightWave animations, images, models, projects, scenes, textures, and demos is included.

Building Scalable And High Performance Java Web Applications Using J2EE Technology
Greg Barish
Addison Wesley
c/o Pearson Education
201 West 103rd Street. Indianapolis, IN 46290
0201729563 $44.99 www.aw.com/cseng/

Building Scalable And High Performance Java Web Applications Using J2EE Technology by Greg Barish (professional consultant specializing in the design and architecture for scalable and high-performance Web applications) is a definitive, superbly presented, step-by-step programming guide for web designers who already have experience in the basics of Java. From assorted methods for effective HTTP Client/Server Communication to proper request processing with J2EE to using Java Beans to build application servers, the methodology for functional J2EE coding is all mapped out with concise and clear guides. Lines of sample code help to clearly illustrate the principles being presented, and an accompanying CD-ROM (which requires a Windows-based operating system to run) is filled with useful source code from the chapters of this textbook. Building Scalable And High Performance Java Web Applications Using J2EE Technology is strongly recommended for all web application designers using Java and J2EE.

Hot Text: Web Writing That Works
Jonathan Price & Lisa Price
New Riders
c/o Pearson Technology Group
201 W. 103rd St, Indianapolis, IN 46290
0735711518 $40.00 www.newriders.com

Collaboratively written by webmaster experts Jonathan and Lisa Price, Hot Text: Web Writing That Works presents easy to understand style guidelines based on quantitative research and practitioner lore about what works on the Web, what flops, and what looks like leftover newsprint. A highly recommended "how to" manual for anyone charged with the responsibility of building an effective, practical corporate or entreprenurial website Hot Text: Web Writing That Works shows how to apply those guidelines to many common Internet genres such as customer assistance, product descriptions, distance learning, marketing emails, or webzines. 528 pages.

Windows 2000 Performance Guide
Mark Friedman & Odysseas Pentakalos
O'Reilly & Associates
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
1565924665 $44.95 www.oreilly.com

Windows 2000 Performance Guide by computer experts Mark Friedman and Odysseas Pentakalos is a comprehensive, "user friendly" reference specifically designed for system administrators. Individual chapters cover processor performance, optimizing applications, multiprocessing, file caches, internet server performance and much more. Solid, closely researched, and illustrated with numerous examples using black-and-white photographs of computer screens to clearly outline the next step to be taken, Windows 2000 Performance Guide is a solid, comprehensive, and enthusiastically recommended core reference title for anyone who depends on Windows 2000 to get the job done.

Maya: Visual Quickstart Guide
Danny Riddell & Andrew S. Britt
Peachpit Press
1249 Eighth St., Berkeley, CA 94710
0201771381 $21.99 1-800-283-9444

Maya: Visual Quickstart Guide by web design experts and educators Danny Riddell and Andrew Britt is a superbly presented introductory and intermediate level reference for programmers who need to learn the basics of Maya quickly. Filled with "do it yourself" step-by-step instructions and black-and-white screenshots, Maya: Visual Quickstart Guide seeks to presents its information directly to the eyes as well as with words. Chapters cover creating text, templates, polygons and surface modeling, animation, creating light effects and much more. Readers will especially appreciate its usefulness for quickly and easily looking up practical information. A recommended core reference for Maya programmers and graphical artists of all skill levels, Maya: Visual Quickstart Guide is direct, simple, and easy to follow.

Special Edition Using XSLT
Michael Floyd
Que Publishing
c/o Pearson Technology Group
201 W. 103rd St, Indianapolis, IN 46290
0789725053 $39.99 www.mcp.com
User Level: Beginning - Intermediate

Michael Floyd's Special Edition Using XSLT starts with an informative and accessible overview clearly explaining how XSLT fits into the bigger picture of the Extensible Stylesheet Language, and the differences between XSLT and XSL-FO. Special Edition Using XSLT then demonstrates practical examples of XSL transformations from XML to a variety of other useful formats including HTML, PDF, SVG and others. Later chapters discuss developer techniques for implementing XSLT within dynamic web environments including ASP and JSP. Flyod also covers debugging techniques and how XSLT relates to .NET. Highly recommended for beginning to intermediate level users, Special Edition Using XSLT then concludes with a useful reference section including detailed coverage of XSLT, XPath and XSL-FO. 480 pages.

Sams Teach Yourself Object Oriented Programming with Visual Basic.NET in 21 Days
Richard J. Simon
Sams Publishing
c/o Pearson Technology Group
201 W. 103rd St, Indianapolis, IN 46290
0672321491 $39.99 www.mcp.com

Sams Teach Yourself Object Oriented Programming with Visual Basic.NET in 21 Days by progamming expert Richard Simon is specifically focused on mastering the basic concepts as well as teaching beginning to intermediate level users how to apply OOP concepts in the new version of Visual Basic. The reader is not expected to have any mastery of a given OOP language. In fact, the stress of having to learn the syntax of an OOP language, without first having a strong conceptual foundation about the OOP paradigm, often prevents the programmer from doing effective Object Oriented Programming at the language level. Still, it should be recognized that a beginner's knowledge of the Visual Basic language undeniably helpful. Highly recommended for anyone needing a basic, practical, "user friendly" introduction. 432 pages.



The World History Shelf

How To Write The History Of The New World
Jorge Canizares-Esguerra
Stanford University Press
521 Lomita Mall, Stanford, CA 94305
0804740844 $55.00 1-800-872-7423

Written by Jorge Canizares-Esguerra (Assistant Professor of History , State University of New York, Buffalo, New York), How To Write The History Of The New World: Histories, Epistemologies, and Identities in the Eighteenth-Century Atlantic World is a scholarly, college-level work discussing the evolving interpretation of history, including the changing European perceptions of the reliability of indigenous sources concerning the history of the New World, 18th century patriotism in Spain and its consequences, and exactly who was it who became Enlightened during the Enlightenment? A profound, thoroughly researched, persuasively argued, seminal text about the nuances of history and its perception over 200 years ago, How To Write The History Of The New World is very highly recommended reading for students of western hemispheric history and a core addition to academic reference collections.



The Theatre/Cinema Shelf

A Hundred Years Of Japanese Film
Donald Richie
Kodansha America
575 Lexington Avenue, NY, NY 10022
477002682X $30.00 1-800-451-7556

Written by Donald Richie (who was cited as "the dean of Japan's art critics" by Time magazine), A Hundred Years Of Japanese Film: A Concise History, With A Selective Guide To Videos And DVDs is a selective yet richly detailed history of great Japanese films, generously illustrated with black-and-white photographs. A Hundred Years of Japanese Film focuses primarily on live-action movies, with only a brief look at Japanese documentaries and animated movies. For a scholarly, thoughtful, in-depth analysis on just about every classic Japanese movie, as well as a meaningful overview about the genre as a whole, A Hundred Years Of Japanese Film is clearly and justifiably the principle reference to consult!

Plays Five
Josh Meissner
Ordinary Press
1217 Hickson Drive, Ennismore, Ontario, Canada, K0L 1T0
0919740359 $20.00

Plays Five is a selection of five stage performance plays by master playwright Josh Meissner: The Broken X Trilogy, This Lane Ends (A Millennial Intermezzo), and Circa Coming. The each of the plays utilize ancient metaphorical themes to deal with modern issues, and the modern-day street language spoken by many characters adds a strong touch of realism to the settings. A remarkable and intriguing playwright showcase, Plays Five is a recommended addition to any theatrical department, community theatre, theatre buff and/or playwright collection.

Body Blows
Tim Miller
The University of Wisconsin Press
1930 Monroe St., Madison, WI 53711
0299176843 $16.95 www.amazon.com

Body Blows: Six Performances by seasoned performer Tim Miller is an impressive selection of dynamic, vivid, performance plays drawing heavily upon the author's life as a homosexual man in a society that at best distrusts, at worst condemns gay and lesbian relationships. The personal, solo performances contain explicit and engaging language about human sexuality, ethics, and the specter of death in this vividly compelling series of singularly powerful monologues. Body Blows is a welcome and highly recommended addition to professional and academic theatrical reference collections.

Grammar Of The Film Language
Daniel Arijon
Silman-James Press
1181 Angelo Dr., Beverly Hills CA 90210
187950507X $24.95 www.amazon.com

Grammar Of The Film Language by professional screenwriter, film editor, and director Daniel Arijon is a comprehensive, thorough, "user friendly" guide to the assorted visual narrative techniques used in professional filmmaking. From the basics of placing players and cameras in the right positions to sequencing patterns, clearly explained with the help of more than 1,500 black-and-white illustrations. A strongly recommended addition to film school reference library collections, Grammar Of The Film Language is a core practical reference for anyone with an interest in filmmaking, or who just wants to know more about what makes the craft of shooting movies and TV shows tick!

Dakota Epic
Bill Markley
Writer's Showcase/iUniverse
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
0595195210 $13.95 www.amazon.com

Enhanced with black and white illustrations by Jim Hatzell, Dakota Epic: Experiences Of A Reenactor During The Filming Of Dances With Wolves is Bill Markley's fascinating, first-hand, personal account of what went on behind the scenes of the award-winning 1990 movie Dances With Wolves. This is the revealing viewpoint of a hard-working extra who kept a journal during the filming of what was to become an acclaimed and successful major Hollywood movie. Sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, always fascinating, Dakota Epic is a superb, up-close scrutiny of the trials, tribulations, and successes of a great move and highly recommended reading for film buffs, aspiring actors, and anyone who sat in a darkened theatre and got completely caught up in the Kevin Costner's award-winning epic film.



The Gardening Shelf

War On Weeds In The Prairie West
Clinton L. Evans
University of Calgary Press
2500 University Dr. NW, Calgery, Alberta Canada T2N 1N4
1552380297 $TBA 1-800-565-3770

This Canadian-specific book is recommended for collections which focus heavily on environmental issues and Western flora: it spans four centuries of weed history and focuses on the evolution of the relationship between people and weeds in western Canada. From the initial arrival of weeds from English seed to legislation against weeds and weed biology, War On Weeds In The Prairie West examines issues of the prairie west and the history of weed management in an unparalleled study.

Timber Press
133 SW 2nd Avenue, #450
Portland, OR 97204

Two fine gardener's growing guides provide colorful , practical guides to growing and using attractive flowering plants in the garden. Geoff Stebbings' Irises (0-88192-519-5, $19.95) begins with a history of iris growing, classification and cultivation, moving to listings of popular groups, hybridizing, and popular iris choices. Graham Rice & Elizabeth Strangman's Hellebores (517-9, $19.95) provides a basic guide to the botany and cultivation of these spring flowers, with chapters providing good coverage on varieties and planting needs. Both are excellent primers, especially for beginning gardeners.



The Graphic Novel Shelf

Video Girl Ai Vol. 4: Off-Line
Masakazu Katsura
Viz Communications
Box 77010, San Francisco, CA 94107
1569317151 $15.95 www.viz.com

Video Girl Ai Vol. 4: Off-Line continues Katsura's romantical triangle/square/pentagon saga with a hint of cyber sci-fi and a thoughtful, serious undertone concerning the fragility of human hearts and emotions. Certain mature themes about human sexuality briefly appear in this graphic novel, which is intended for a wide age range but not for very young children. The formerly "Dateless" protagonist Yota has met a flesh-and-blood young woman who is very interested in him - yet Ai Amano is still around, attending his school, with nearly all her memories of being a "video girl" seemingly erased. The unknowing Ai may have only another month of life left to her, but Yota's human girlfriend doesn't know that! A new rival in love appears, plus Moemi suddenly returns... but neither of these two are as dangerous as Ai's creator, who is most displeased about the "flaws" appearing in his work! Those followers of Katsura's humanistic saga who have watched the animated adaptation of Video Girl Ai should not pass up Video Girl Ai Vol. 4: Off-Line, because the original manga takes the story into a much different and deeper direction than the anime, which roughly corresponds to volumes 1-3 only. Video Girl Ai is enthusiastically recommended.

NBM
555 8th Ave. #1202, NY, NY 10018
http://www.nbmpublishing.com

Three fine art and graphic art titles will appeal to fans of graphic art and the graphic novel genre. Rick Geary compiles and illustrates A Treasury Of Victorian Murder (1-56163-309-7, $8.95), returning to print a classic which has long been out of print and which follows the same format as others. This culls three obscure murders from the newspapers of the day and embellishes them with intriguing graphic representation. Boris Lopez's Just Bloomed (257-0, $11.95) provides the artist's black and white and color drawings of nude young women. The sketches and art will prove particularly revealing to any who aspire to producing realistic nudes. The Art Of Irvin Bomb (305-4, $14.95) blends startling photos with line drawings pin-ups with a nasty edge and uncanny realism. Very different, memorable works.



The Musicbook Shelf

Voice Of The Blues
Jim O'Neal & Amy Van Singel
Routledge
29 West 35th St., NY, NY 10001-2299
0-415-93654-3 $24.95 1-800-634-7064

Voice Of The Blues gathers many lengthy interviews with pioneering bluesmen under one cover, revealing their life and times and an unusual participation in a dialogue over the history and directions of the blues music genre. These interviews first appeared in the pages of Living Blues magazine and here have been reprinted for the first time in book form.

Music In Medieval Manuscripts
Nicolas Bell
University of Toronto Press
10 St. Mary Street, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4Y 2W8
080208432X $19.95 1-800-565-9523

Music In Medieval Manuscripts by Nicolas Bell (Curator of Music Manuscripts at the British Library) is a wondrously illustrated, full-color history of music writing from the earliest surviving recorded works through the fifteenth century. Pages printed on glossy paper show amazing photographs of ancient musical scripts, while the scholarly text meticulously explains the evolution of musical notation rounded out with amazing facts and figures. At 64 pages, Music In Medieval Manuscripts is a brief yet information dense and esthetically gorgeous book, that both music history students and connoisseurs will find immensely fascinating, informative and satisfying.

More Jazz Guitar Chords And Accompaniment
Yoichi Arakawa
Six Strings Music Publishing
P.O. Box 7718, Torrance, CA 90504-9118
1891370081 $15.95 1-800-431-7187

Jazz guitar expert Yoichi Arakawa's More Jazz Guitar Chords And Accompaniment: A Complete And Comprehensive Guide To Advancing Your Jazz Guitar-Playing Sills is a very practical and straightforward manual for serious guitarists. The introduction teaches the beginning player about scale degrees and how to read a chord diagram, but the majority of the book focuses directly on the chord diagrams themselves, with both verbal and musical notation, from Major 6 and Minor 6 to Dominant 7#9. Drop Voicing, Comping, and Chord Synonyms and Substitutions are all covered in detail in this first rate guide for improving one's guitarl musical skills. Also highly recommended is Yoichi Arakawa's predecessor volume, Jazz Guitar Chords And Accompaniment (1891370073, $15.95).



The Christian Studies Shelf

When a Woman Prays
Tina L. Miller
Obadiah Press
607 N. Cleveland St., Merrill, WI 54452
0971326614 $15.95 obadiahpress.com

When A Woman Prays by freelance writer and motivational speaker Tina L. Miller is a heartfelt and inspiring spiritual guide for women earnestly seeking to be closer to God and His infinite love. Individual chapters cogently discuss the search for forgiveness, the life-affirming importance of faith, and the soul-filled value of learning to truly listen. Highly recommended reading for those with an interest in an enhanced personal spirituality and personal relationship with God, When A Woman Prays offers meaningful wisdom for Christian women everywhere, and a great deal to think about.

Body Symbolism In The Bible
Thomas Staubli & Silvia Schroer
The Liturgical Press
Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
0814659543 $39.95 1-800-858-5450

Body Symbolism In The Bible by biblical scholars and specialists Thomas Staubli and Silvia Schroer is a scholarly, college-level study of the body parts used as symbol and metaphor in the old testament. Enlivened with numerous color photographs of ancient artifacts, individual chapters cover theological anthropology, with various sections focusing on specific body parts and their recurring Biblical mention, including feet, eyes, ears, heart, throat, and more. A fascinating and exhaustively researched study, Body Symbolism In The Bible is a strongly recommended addition to academic Biblical Studies supplemental reading lists and reference collections.

Reading Thomas Merton
John Laughlin, Ph.D.
Xlibris
436 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
0738854298 $21.99 www.amazon.com

Reading Thomas Merton: A Guide To His Life And Work by John Laughlin (International Thomas Merton Society and Cistercian Lay Contemplatives) is a scholarly, meticulous, involved, and informative examination and survey of Thomas Merton and his literary work. Part I focuses on Merton's life in detail, and Part II is a complete, annotated bibliography of nearly all of his writings. From listings of Merton-related web sites to the best places to find Merton's books to key quotes from Merton's works, Reading Thomas Merton is an invaluable and essential reference for students of Merton's thought and writings.

Of Earth And Sky
Thomas Becknell, compiler
Augsburg Fortress
PO Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440
0806642602 $15.99 augsburgfortress.org

Of Earth And Sky: Spiritual Lessons From Nature is an inspirational book collecting carefully chosen selections from over eighty of the world's most gifted writers to best present the seven great virtues: Prudence, Fortitude, Temperance, Justice, Faith, Hope, and Charity. Gentle, powerful, filled with deep insights and perfectly complemented by the soft black-and-white sketches that intersperse its anecdotes. Deftly compiled and presented by Thomas Becknell (Professor of English, Bethel College, St. Paul, Minnesota), Of Earth And Sky is a profoundly spiritual, deeply satisfying, highly recommended book.

Saints For Every Occasion
Thomas J. Craughwell
C. D. Stampley Enterprises
P.O. Box 33172, Charlotte, NC 28233
1580870597 $19.95 1-800-280-6631

Saints For Every Occasion: 101 Of Heaven's Most Powerful Patrons by Catholic commentator and author Thomas J. Craughwell tells the fascinating, compelling, and inspiring stories of Catholicism's patron saints, with special attention to their aspects and relevance today. Each canonized individual is presented with a brief but memorable summary of their lives, to aid those seeking the right words for prayer in the medley of problems faced in this complex world. Highly recommended for personal, seminary, and parish library reference collections, Saints For Every Occasion is a thoughtful, serious, expansive reference that makes for intent browsing in times of inner turmoil.

Practicing Your Path
Holly W. Whitcomb
Innisfree Press
136 Roumfort Rd., Philadelphia PA 19119
1880913534 $15.95 InnisfreePress.com

Practicing Your Path: A Book Of Retreats For An Intentional Life by Holly W. Whitcomb (pastor and clergy woman, United Church of Christ) is a deeply spiritual book filled with contemplative methods for opening oneself to deeper thoughts and making room in one's life for God. Designed as a companion and guidebook for those who wish to engage in a spiritual retreat, either by themselves or with a group, Practicing Your Path is a direct and meaningful guidebook filled with step-by-step suggestions and meditations. Practicing Your Path is very highly recommended for anyone with a serious interest in experiencing and benefiting from an intensely personal and meaningful spiritual retreat.

Mystics & Miracles
Bert Ghezzi
Loyola Press
DeChant Huges (publicity)
3441 N. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
0829417729 $19.95 www.amazon.com

Mystics & Miracles: True Stories Of Lives Touched By God by Bert Ghezzi Bert Ghezzi provides a scholarly focus upon the lives of twenty-four people of diverse personalities and backgrounds who have each known a special closeness to God through a greater wisdom in the mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ. Individual chapters recount the great miracles of male and female saints of history, from the healing touch of St. Martin de Porres (1579-1639) to the divine voices that made St. Joan of Arc (1412-31) change history. Mystics & Miracles is a wondrously spiritual, uplifting, inspiring volume, and enthusiastically recommended reading for students of Christianity and Christian history.

A History Of Christian Education
John L. Elias
Krieger Publishing Company
P.O. Box 9542, Melbourne, FL 32902
1575241501 $34.50 1-800-724-0025

A History Of Christian Education: Protestant, Catholic, And Orthodox Perspectives by John L. Elias (Professor of Religion and Education, Fordham University Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education) is a scholarly and meticulous examination of major events and their consequences in the history of Christian education. Individual chapters range from Christian education in Medieval times and before, through Renaissance Humanism, the Enlightenment, and modern-day Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Christian Education particularly in the United States. A fascinating, superbly presented, well-written study, A History Of Christian Education is very highly recommended for Christian education and historical studies reference collections.

The Case Against Q
Mark Goodacre
Trinity Press
P.O. Box 1321, Harrisburg, PA 17105
1563383349 $30.00 www.amazon.com

The Case Against Q: Studies In Markan Priority And Synoptic Problem By Mark Goodacre (Lecturer in New Testament, Department of Theology, University of Birmingham, England) is a crucial and scholarly study of the relationship between the Biblical figures of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The "Q" hypothesis claims that Matthew and Luke referred to another source as well as Mark. That source, now lost, is called "Q." The Case Against Q is a meticulously researched, well-reasoned, carefully documented, cautious analysis and criticism of the Q hypothesis. A fascinating in-depth look at Synoptic relationships, The Case Against Q is a seminal and highly recommended addition to Biblical studies reading lists and reference collections.

Prophecy Paradox
Lynn Louise Schuldt
Son Mountain Press
Box 273254, Concord, CA 94527-3254
0964781611 $18.95 www.amazon.com

Now in a revised and updated second edition, Prophecy Paradox: The Case For A First Century End Time by author, Roman Empire expert, and Bible prophecy research specialist Lynn Schuldt is a comprehensive, candid, unflinching examination at the true meaning of Biblical prophecies, how they have been fulfilled, the true nature of millenniums, and even the phenomena of the Antichrist. Prophecy Paradox takes the radical view that the return of Christ happened during the first century of the common era, and that the New Testament prophecies related "End Times" have already come to pass, rather than lying in wait to predict the future. A carefully documented and persuasively argued interpretation, Prophecy Paradox is a singularly fascinating, compelling, and iconoclastic Biblical study.



The Sports/Athletics Shelf

Texas Football Trilogy
Mitchell Krugel
Sports Publishing
804 North Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820
1582615039 $9.95 www.amazon.com

Texas Football Trilogy: A Season In The Lone Star State by Mitchell Krugel (Sports Editor, "The Bergen Record", Hackensack, New Jersey) is a comprehensive, informative look of the popular American sport of football in a state where the people take their team sports seriously. From an overview of the history of football to modern-day teams, celebrated coaches and the emphatic football season of 1998, Texas Football Trilogy is enhanced with a 16-page photo insert and a text filled with a wealth of information, lore, and fascinating details for football fans.

Programmed To Run
Thomas S. Miller, Ph.D.
Human Kinetics
Box 5076, Champaign, IL 61825-5076
0736037497 $17.95 humankinetics.com

Programmed To Run: A Biomechanical And Psychological System For Peak Running Efficiency by athletic coach and sports performance enhancement expert Thomas S. Miller is a thorough and practical guide to running faster and longer with less effort, by improving one's stride mechanics and mental focus for optimum personal performance. A superb manual for self-teaching good running technique, Programmed to Run covers everything from proper breathing to training the proper competitive mind-set for a good race. Programmed To Run is very highly recommended reading for everyone who regularly enjoys the activity of running, whether for active leisure, personal fitness, or in sports competition.

We Only Played Home Games
Leonard "Oakie" Brumm
Brumm Enterprises
P.O. Box 352, Oak Creek, WI 53154
1552129047 $9.95 http://www.wisconsinhockeynews.com

We Only Played Home Games: Wacky, Raunchy, Humorous Stories Of Sports And Other Events In Michigan's Maximum Security Prison by Leonard "Oakie" Brumm is not a book for the faint-hearted. We Only Played Home Games is replete with sometimes disturbing, sometimes darkly humorous, sometimes outrageous anecdotes, about a warden who used team sports to sublimate inmate dissention - or in other words, get the prisoners to focus on something other than escaping or tearing each other apart. We Only Played Home Games is fascinating, informative, unique, and reveals traditional sports and life in prison in a much different light than can be found in typical prison memoirs or traditional penology studies.



The Health/Medicine Shelf

DASH Diet For Hypertension
Thomas Moore, MD
The Free Press
1230 Ave. of Americas, NY, NY 10020
0-7432-0295-3 $25.00 1-800-223-2336

Dr. Thomas Moore's DASH Diet For Hypertension poses a drug-free, scientifically proven method of reducing blood pressure and is based on two large clinical trials documenting dietary approaches to controlling hypertension. A team of doctors explores how the DASH diet system works, from choices in fruits, vegetables and low-fat diary products to the right serving portion and the influence of exercise.

Illegal Drugs
Paul M. Gahlinger, M.D., Ph.D.
Sagebrush Press
225 - 10th Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
0970313012 $29.95 sagebrushpress.com

Illegal Drugs: A Complete Guide To Their History, Chemistry, Use And Abuse by Dr. Paul M. Gahlinger (Professor of Medicine, University of Utah) is a comprehensive, easily accessed encyclopedia of basic information surveying the vast variety of addictive, incapacitating, and/or deadly chemicals that have plagued human societies. From opiates to amphetamines, anti-drug laws and drug testing to legal psychoactive drugs such as alcohol, Illegal Drugs provides a wealth of information in a direct and easy-to-look-up matter, further aided by the extensive index. Written in terms the non-specialist general reader can easily understand Illegal Drugs is as complete and thorough a reference as one can find without consulting college-level textbooks or professional medical references. Highly recommended for personal, professional, academic, health agency, and community library pharmaceutical reference collections.

The Antibiotic Paradox
Stuart B. Levy, MD
Perseus Books Group
Eleven Cambridge Center
Cambridge, MA 02142
0-7382-0440-4 $17.50 1-800-242-7737

The Antibiotic Paradox appears in a newly revised second edition to update information on the misuse of antibiotics in general and Cipro in particular, linking new mutations of bacterial resistance to the overuse of Cipro and other important antibiotics. Resistance can lead to disease outbreaks: The Antibiotic Paradox examines the build-up of new antibiotic-resistant bacteria and examines medical and social trends in treatment options.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome And The Mindbodyspirit Connection
William B. Salt II, M.D.
Neil F. Neimark, M.D.
Parkview Publishing
Box 09784, Columbus, OH 43209-0784
0965703851 $19.95 1-888-599-6464

Collaboratively written by digestive disorder specialists Dr. William Salt and Dr. Neil Neimark, and now available in a fully revised and updated new edition, Irritable Bowel Syndrome And The MindBodySpirit Connection is an invaluable, hope-giving, practical, non-specialist general reader friendly guide offering seven specific steps to improving one's quality of life and health when living with a functional bowel disorder, Crohn's Disease or colitis. Individual chapters focus on using the power of emotional and psychological attitude as well as more traditionally important habits of proper diet, exercise, water drinking etc. A thoughtful and attentive book and an excellent supplement to a doctor's care, Irritable Bowel Syndrome And The MindBodySpirit Connection, with its practical and whole mind and body approach to maintaining good health, is important even to those who are fortunate enough to have compliantly regular bowels. A very highly recommended addition to personal and community library personal healthy and medical reference collections.

Feeling Good For Life
Marcos Salazar, B.A., CPT, JGSI
Writers Club Press/iUniverse.com
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
0595207820 $16.95 www.amazon.com

Feeling Good For Life by psychologist and certified personal trainer Marcos Salazar offers the reader a diet and exercise system for significantly improved health and demonstrably better muscle tone that will substantially help to overcome the darkness of depression and enjoy life to the fullest. Individual chapters address the benefits of incorporating aerobics, weight training, proper nutrition, and much more into one's life. An excellent and thoughtful guide to personal improvement, Feeling Good For Life is recommended reading for anyone seeking to improve their physical and mental well being.

The Hearing Healthcare Practitioner's Handbook
Paul Popp & Gregg Hackett
North American Institute for Auditory Practices
Rayve Productions, dist.
PO Box 726, Windsor, CA 95492
0971538506 $75.00 rayveproductions.com

Collaboratively written by auditory prosthetics specialists and practitioners Paul Popp and Gregg Hacket, The Hearing Healthcare Practitioner's Handbook: A Guide To The Successful Treatment Of Hearing Loss With Auditory Prosthetics is a thorough, comprehensive presentation on virtually all forms of hearing loss and their treatment, from auditory rehabilitation to assistive listening devices and the laws that govern them. A wealth of solid, no-nonsense information marks this first-class reference, and strongly highly recommended for the hearing health care practitioner as well as the non-specialist general reader who has experienced hearing problems and wants to learn more about what causes them and what can be done.



The Cookbook Shelf

Mom's Big Book Of Baking
Lauren Chattman
Harvard Common Press
535 Albany St., Boston, MA 02118
1-55832-194-2 $16.95 1-888-657-3755

From Raspberry Cheesecake bars to cookies, s'mores and brownies, Mom's Big Book Of Baking is jam packed with kid-friendly desserts and over two hundred recipes for mainstays which can appeal equally to family members, bake sale needs and potluck gatherings. The classics will appeal to cooks seeking relatively foolproof presentation dishes.

Polish Country Kitchen Cookbook
Sophie Hodorowicz Knab
Hippocrene Books
171 Madison Ave., New York NY 10016
0781808820 $24.95 1-718-454-2366

This new Polish cookbook blends recipes for favorite Polish foods with the history and culture which created them, using a seasonal arrangement to explore Polish life and how food traditions evolved. Recipes have been adapted for American kitchens but retain their authentic roots, while plenty of Polish cultural insights make for inviting leisure browsing by more than just the cook.

Butterscotch Lover's Cookbook
Diana Dalsass
Buttercup Press
321 Rutland Ave., Teaneck, NJ 07666
0970967772 $17.95 www.amazon.com

A "must" for anyone who enjoys the taste of butterscotch in their candy, cookies, ice cream, or puddings, Diana Dalsass' Butterscotch Lover's Cookbook will be an instant favorite! Showcasing more than sixty easy-to-make recipes ranging from Butterscotch-Pecan Tassies; Butter Brittle Bread Pudding; Butterscotch S'Mores; and Butterscotch-Graham Cake; to Easy Butterscotch Fudge; Butterscotch Truffles; Butterscotch Shortbread; and Butterscotch Chip Cookies, the Butterscotch Lover's Cookbook with its mouth-watering, full color photography of what to expect will prove an indispensable addition to any dedicated butterscotch connoisseur's culinary reference shelf.

Pam Cooks
Pam Collacott
Creative Bound Inc.
c/o Trillum Cooking School
RR #2, No. Gower, ON, Canada K0A 2T0
0921165706 $14.95 www.amazon.com

Pam Cooks: Favourite Recipes From The Trillium Cooking School showcases the culinary talents of Pam Collacott, who hosts a regular cooking segment on Ottawa's CJOH-TV "News at Noon". This outstanding collection of recipes ranges from Jalapeno Tortilla Pinwheels, Smoked Salmon Omelet for Two, Light Asparagus Vichyssoise, and Turkey Shepherd's Pie, to Baked Sea Bass with Tomatoes, Wheat Berry Vegetable Salad, Maple Pecan Tarts, and Low-Fat Strawberry Trifle. Pam Cooks will prove to be a popular and welcome addition to any kitchen cookbook collection!

Vegetarian Cooking Around The World
Alison Behnke, compiler
First Avenue Editions
c/o The Lerner Publishing Group
241 First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1607
0822505142 $7.95 1-800-328-4929

Now in a completely revised, expanded, and updated edition, Alison Behnke's Cooking Around The World is and international tour-de-force of delicious ethnic recipes, including wonderfully delicious low-fat dishes. After an informative introduction on vegetarianism around the world, vegetarian nutrition, holidays and festivals, and planning the menu, aspiring kitchen chefs are treated to sound advice about cooking safety, utensils, terms, special ingredients, low-fat cooking tips, and a metric conversion chart. From Stuffed Tomatoes with Feta Cheese, Potato-and-Leek Soup, and Curried Chickpeas, to Bulgur Salad, Mango with Cinnamon, and Passover Matzo Layer Cake, Vegetarian Cooking Around The World is a superb addition to any vegetarian kitchen cookbook collection -- especially for young cooks still learning their way around meal time preparations.

Quick Desserts
Cyndi Duncan & Georgie Patrick
C & G Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 5199, Greeley, CO 80634-0103
0970025319 $14.95 www.amazon.com

Collectively compiled by Cyndi Duncan and Georgie Patrick, Quick Deserts is a wonderful assortment of more than 150 mouth-watering desserts that would complement any meal or celebratory occasion. From Sour Cream Coffee Cake, Cappuccino Pudding Parfaits, Carrot-Pineapple Cake, and Boysenberry Dessert, to Patchwork Ice Cream Pie, Cherry Meringue Treats, Decorated Grape Clusters, and Cracker Pie, Quick Desserts offers unusual, easy-to-make treats that will turn even the most ordinary of family dining into something truly special!

Gluten-Free Baking
Rebecca Reilly
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, NY, NY 10020
0-684-87252-8 $27.50 1-800-223-2336

Over 100 recipes for baked goods for gluten-intolerant dieters presents a wealth of information for those who struggle to balance the desire for baked goods with an allergy to gluten. Recipes call for different types of flours, from almond flour and potato starch to flax meal: usually all that's needed is access to a good health food store to successfully reproduce these baked goods.

The Spicy Camp Cookbook
M. Timothy O'Keefe
Menasha Ridge Press
Globe Pequot Press, dist.
700 South 28th Street, Suite 206, Birmingham, AL 35233
089732188X $12.95 1-800-962-0973

One of the highlights of outdoor recreation is eating around the campfire. Timothy O'Keefe's The Spicy Camp Cookbook is a wonderful compendium of delicious and easy to prepare recipes especially suited to just such occasions. From Greek-Style Meatballs; Dogs on a Stick; and London Broil with Mustard Marinade; to Spicy Oriental Baked Chicken; Sour Cream French Apple Cobbler; and Spicy Popcorn, The Spicy Camp Cookbook will soon become a camping out favorite! In addition to the wealth of recipes, O'Keefe has included invaluable suggestions on repackaging food to save on weight and space; advice on how to plan meals; an Equivalent Measure and Conversion Chart; as well as a thorough and "user friendly" index. If you are going camping, whether on foot, horseback, canoe, or RV, begin your trip planning by browsing through The Spicy Camp Cookbook!

Fine Wine In Food
Patricia Ballard
The Wine Appreciation Guild
c/o Howell Press
1713-2D Allied Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22903
0932664563 $9.95 1-800-868-4512

Fine Wine In Food is an impressive collection of mouth-watering, home-cooking recipes involving the utilization of great and notable wines, from Zinfandel Meatballs, Artichokes Stuffed with Creamed Spinach, and Mussel Soup, to Great Aunt Mary's Cranberry and Walnut Chicken, Patti's Filet Mignons, and Raspberry Chocolate Mousse. A delectable selection for the cultured gourmet, offering dishes that chefs of all skill levels can easily craft to perfection, Fine Wine In Food is a first-rate recipe book and recommended for any culinary and wine connoisseur cookbook shelf.

New England Cooking
Claire Hopley
Berkshire House Publishers/NBN, dist.
480 Pleasant St., Suite 5, Lee, MA 01238
158157052X $24.95 1-800-321-8526

New England Cooking: Seasons & Celebrations is a wonderful compilation of outstanding dishes that draw from a distinctive regional culinary tradition. The very chapters headings conjure up images of gustatory delight: First Harvests; The Wanderers' Return; Spring Holidays; Beside the Sea; Berry Season; Shakes & Gardeners; Heritage Days; Harvest Festivals; Wine, Beer & Cider in New England; Thanksgiving; Party Time; Cold Weather Fun; and Once A Year. From Smoked Scallop Crostini with Radish Butter; Peppered Tuna with Sweet Potato Puree; Nantucket Portuguese Bread; and Pumpkin Chiffon Pie with a Gingernut Crust; to Muireann Glenmullen's Cranberry-Nut Soda Bread; Apple-Raisin Hand Pies; Cider-Baked Winter Vegetables; and Indian Pudding, New England Cooking offers superb recipes that will please any palate and satisfy any appetite.

Salsa Recipes
Golden West Publishers
4113 N. Longview, Phoenix, AZ 85014
1885590253, $4.95 1-800-658-5830

One of the outstanding "Simply Sensational" pocket-book sized cookbook series from Golden West Publishers, Salsa Recipes showcases a culinary wealth featuring what has become one of America's most popular condiments. From Salsa de Chile Verde, Enchilada Sauce with Cheese, and Avocado Sauce, to Quick Salsa for Two, Taco Salsa, and Cilantro Salsa, Salsa Recipes will quickly prove to be a family chef favorite! Also highly recommended in the economical and spiral bound "Simply Sensational" series are Chili Recipes (188559027X, $4.95); Barbecue Recipes (1885590261, $4.95); and Mexican Recipes (1885590288, $4.95).



The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Looking For Chet Baker
Bill Moody
Walker & Company
435 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
0802733689 $24.95 www.amazon.com

Jazz pianist Evan Horne is drawn into the life and death of musician Chet Baker in this story of an investigator who tries to get away from his career on a trip to London for a gig. When he discovers his fellow musician and hero has disappeared, and Chet Baker's paperwork becomes the only clue to his whereabouts. Fast, involving intrigue with a twist.

Broken Hearts
Bob Levy
Sunstone Press
P.O. Box 2321, Santa Fe, NM 87504-2321
0865343128 $24.95 1-800-243-5644

Bob Levy's Broken Hearts is a gripping psychological thriller about a serial killer who targets women and leaves their bodies in old theaters, with makeup applies to make resemble a silver screen star of the fifties. Decades ago, the original killer with this twisted method of operation was electrocuted for his crime, yet now a new spree pattern has emerged - an ordinary copycat? Or something much more sinister? Broken Hearts is a tense, engaging story that is especially good for putting chills down the reader's spine!

The 9th Man
Dorien Grey
GLB Publishers
Box 78212, San Francisco, CA 94107
1879194783 $14.95 www.glbpubs.com

The 9th Man is a compelling mystery novel of the Dick Hardesty series. Hardesty is a homosexual private investigator trying to earn a living in a trade that's rough on all genders and all sexual orientations. Hardesty is hired to find a murderer; as the body count rises, he realizes he's on the trail of a serial killer who is apparently being ignored by the police because all of the victims are gay. Enthusiastically recommended for all mystery fans, The 9th Man is a tense, contemplative, superbly crafted reading.

Stormy Desires
Victoria M. Brunk-St. Christopher
Creative Works Publishing
4197 Fulton Dr., N.W. Canton, OH 44718
1930693540 $13.95 cwp-books.com

Stormy Desires by Victoria M. Brunk-St. Christopher is a steamy and sensual mystery introducing Private Investigator Analiese Charmaine Electra Montgomery (a.k.a. ACE) and her lover, Attorney Lina Sato. When a small rural town in Indiana leads to scandal and deadly tragedy, family and love are put to the test as ACE must uncover the twisted scheme and its culprit! Stormy Desires is enthusiastically recommended as an engaging, suspense-filled, contemporary mystery.

The Body From Ipanema
J. R. Ripley
Long Wind Publishing
2208 River Branch Dr, Ft Pierce FL 34981
1892695081 $22.95 LongWindPub.com

Set in the festive Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, The Body From Ipanema: A Tony Kozol Mystery by J.R. Ripley is an exciting, tangled web of criss-crossing motivations and cold-blooded murder. Protagonist Tony Kozol is back, this time working for a beautiful and sensational Latin pop singer. But the streets of Ipanema have muggers too - and one of them, after mugging Tony, mysteriously turns up with a cut throat. This is only the start of a whirlwind chain of events to lure Tony in ever deeper into a dark and wild urban maze of deadly human motives, in this gripping mystery. Also very highly recommended are the earlier novels in the Tony Kozol mystery series: Stiff In The Freezer (1892339048, $19.95); Skulls Of Sedona (0373263902, $5.57); and Lost In Austin (0373264178, $5.99).

Devil's Brew
Keith Spence
Shadow Line Press
PO Box 1106, Kinston, NC 28503
0971287503 $24.95 shadowlinepress.com

Devil's Brew is the debut novel of Keith Spence and presents the reader with a deadly thrill ride of a read. Devil's Brew is about a CIA agent facing a life sentence for murder - unless he helps them locate a missing operative, who happens to be the woman he loved but could not marry. Filled with twists and turns, betrayal, intrigue, double-dealing and high-stakes action, Devil's Brew is a compelling spy story that turns leisure reading into pure excitement!



The Needlecraft Shelf

C&T Publishing
Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549
1-800-284-1114

These new arrivals from C&T provide an excellent range of projects. Applique designers who want to learn how to use machine applique techniques will appreciate Harriet Hargrave's Mastering Machine Applique (1-57120-136-X, $29.95). This appears in its second edition updating a classic how-to manual with new tricks and tips, and new processes and products which have appeared on the market since her original publication. Easy exercises allow for a smooth learning of the step-by-step techniques. Jean Ray Laury's Fabric Stamping Handbook (130-0, $24.95) provides a complete guide to stamp printing on fabric. Users may choose either commercial stamps or those which can be created: materials, supplies, and resources for locating them all are given along with instructions for sample projects. Alex Anderson's Kids Start Quilting (141-6, $14.95) shows how to teach children the introductory basics of quilting using seven fun projects which kids can enjoy. Pillows, wall hangings and quilts are among the projects which use simple designs to help kids learn the basics. Kathy Sandbach's Show Me How To Machine Quilt (128-9, $17.95) presents five simple quilt projects designed to teach the foundations of machine quilting. Each project receives simple instructions and even teaches how the user can design their own quilts. Ruth McDowell's Pieced Vegetables (140-8, $27.95) uses piecing techniques to make garden vegetables come to life in quilt form. Over twenty vegetables, many with versatile designs and piecing, cover basic veggies from broccoli and carrots to lettuce and onions. Diagrams, templates, and color photos abound. All are excellent, basic guides packed with new ideas for quilt enthusiasts at all levels.

Quilts For Wilderness Kids Of All Ages
Debbie Field
Landauer Books
12251 Maffitt Road, Cumming, IA 50061
1890621323 $19.95 www.amazon.com

Quilts For Wilderness Kids Of All Ages needlecraft and quilting expert Debbie Field is a thoroughly charming array of simple, practical, easy-to-follow, wilderness themed quilting patterns and applique templates. From the Bear Hugs Pillow to the Wolf Pack Quilt and the Woodlands ABCs Quilt, the patterns are each soothing, colorful, inventive, and make for wonderful finished quilts superb for home use or gift giving. The instructions are so simple and straightforward that quilters of all ages and skill levels can understand and follow them without difficulty. Quilts For Wilderness Kids Of All Ages is enthusiastically recommended for quilting enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.

American Quilter's Society
Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
http://www.aqsquilt.com

Two excellent new quilting books will appeal to any who enjoy quilting and sewing projects. Book six of the Dear Helen' quilting series is Helen's Copy & Use (1-57432-790-9, $25.95), offering almost three hundred designs, diagrams, and reversed patterns in a variety of sizes. The quilting patterns continue a mixture of patterns and will delight aspiring quilters. Alice Kolb's Sew Crazy (783-6, $24.95) covers decorative threads and stitches which may be used with machine embroidery. From different types of machine stitches to projects such as pillows and vests, this explores all possibilities.

Lavolta Press
20 Meadowbrook Drive, San Francisco, CA 94132
1-415-566-6259 www.lavoltapress.com

Lavolta Press is a specialty publisher showcasing the impressive expertise of needlecrafter and vintage clothing expert Frances Grimble who offers an invaluable, specific focus on vintage clothing patterns ideal for both professional costumer designers and "do it yourself" needlecraft enthusiasts. After A Fashion: How To Reproduce, Restore, And Wear Vintage Styles (0963651730, $38.00) is a complete, comprehensive, "user friendly, and profusely illustrated guide for making patterns utilizing a variety of resources, as well as mending and altering vintage clothing. After A Fashion is an especially recommended reference for local community theater production companies. Reconstruction Era Fashions: 350 Sewing, Needlework, & Millinery Patterns 1867-1868 (0963651749, $45.00) offers a wealth patterns accompanied by a text that is wonderfully enhanced with 609 illustrations as it presents a comprehensive selections of women's styles for a post-Civil War era of American fashions. Needlecrafters, dress makers, and costume designers are provided with a wealth of sewing patterns for day dresses, evening dresses, accessories, outer wear, lingerie, corsets, crinolines, bridal wear, riding, and bathing. The Edwardian Modiste: 85 Authentic Patterns With Instructions, Fashion Plates, And Period Sewing Techniques (0963651714, $42.00) offers superbly presented patterns enhanced with 91 fashion plates taken from the 1905 American Garment Cuter Instruction and Diagram Books, as well as from issues of the quarterly periodical, American Modiste during the years 1907 to 1909. In addition to fabric suggestions and sewing techniques for Edwardian era women's fashions, there are instructions for ladies' tailoring and a substantial glossary of fabric names and dressmakers' terms. The Voice Of Fashion: 79 Turn-Of-The Century Patterns With Instructions and Fashion Plates (0963651722, $42.00) draws from fourteen contemporary magazines published from 1900 to 1906 to present wonderful vintage dress patterns complete with sewing instructions andfashion plates. Each of these four volumes, deftly edited by Frances Grimble, is a unique compilaton of vintage needlecrafter and an enduring source of inspiration for anyone in the field of vintage clothing and period costuming. But it is the acquisition of the complete four volume series that has the highest recommendation, especially for professional costume designers, vintage clothing collectors and dealers, and academic fashion history reference collections.

Christian Dior
Esmeralda de Rethy , Jean-Louis Perreau
The Vendome Press
1370 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2600 New York, NY 10019
086565249X $60.00 www.amazon.com

Christian Dior: The Early Years 1947-1957 by Esmeralda de Rethy (daughter of Princess Liliane of Belgium who was one of Christian Dior's very first clients) and fashion historian Jean-Louis Perreau is an incredible, superbly illustrated and informative coffee table book providing a vivid fashion record perfectly capturing the founding of an empire of style in the post-World War II decade. Full-page photographs, some color, some black and white, many nearly half a century old, adorn the pages along with Dior's original sketches and commentary. The text traces the travails, efforts, and world-class achievements in clothing, style, and love of life in this high society treasury. Christian Dior is very highly recommended reading for students of 20th Century fashion history in general, and the influential contributions of Christian Dior in particular.



The Literary Shelf

How They Shine
Katherine Vande Brake
Mercer University Press
6316 Peake Road, Macon, GA 31210
0865547211 $39.95 1-800-634-2378

How They Shine: Melungeon Characters In The Fiction Of Appalachia by Katherine Vande Brake (Associate Professor of English, King College, Bristol, Tennessee) is the first critical study of Melungeon characters in written fiction. Focusing on the wealth of Melungeon culture and how the Melungeon people have been viewed through the ages, particularly through the eyes of writers who identify them with the virgin Appalachian ridges before European colonization, How They Shine is an ground breaking, seminal, scholarly analysis that takes apart stereotypes and delves into the heart of human perception. How They Shine is a remarkable, informative, superbly presented and persuasive literary account.

Edinburgh: Picturesque Notes
Robert Louis Stevenson
Pallas Athene/Trafalgar Square
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
1-873249-76-2 $13.95 1-800-423-4525

Edinburgh: Picturesque Notes is a vividly written piece which could easily have been featured in our travel section but is presented here for its literary value as a passionate survey of famed British novelist Robert Louis Stevenson's birthplace. His notes include history and social insights as well as commentary and bring Edinburgh alive.

Cambridge Companion To Australian Literature
Elizabeth Webby, Editor
Cambridge University Press
40 W. 20th St., NY, NY 10011-4211
0-521-65843-8 $20.00 1-800-872-7423

This specialized coverage may find a place primarily in collections strong in Australian writing, but any such collection will find the Cambridge Companion To Australian Literature to be an invaluable compendium blending Australian poetry, fiction, biography, and drama from the last two centuries. Contributors analyze classics, trends, and significant historical and literary influences, providing an important survey of Australian writings. Essential college-level reading for any serious and dedicated course in Australian literature.

As American As Mom, Baseball, And Apple Pie
Linda J. Holland-Toll
Popular Press
Bowling Green, Ohio 43403
0879728523 $29.95 1-800-515-5118

As American As Mom, Baseball, And Apple Pie: The Construction Of Community In Contemporary American Horror Fiction by Linda J. Holland-Toll (American Literature and Genre Studies, Newberry College, South Carolina) is a fascinating critique and analysis of a popular American literary genre. Drawing from a survey of fifty contemporary novels, As American as Mom, Baseball and Apple Pie looks closely at the recurring community types and demonstrate distortions of commonly accepted mores as the abused privilege of an oligarchical few. Persuasively argued, tying a fascinating common theme to a widely enjoyed category of popular fiction, As American As Mom, Baseball, And Apple Pie is so acutely close to the mark that it grants a deeper insight into the horror fiction of today and tomorrow.

Flotsam & Jetsam
Aidan Higgins
Dalkey Archive Press
ISU Campus Box 4241, Normal, IL 61790-4241
1564783162 $15.95 www.amazon.com

Flotsam & Jetsam: Selected Fiction And Prose is an anthology of writings by award winning author Aidan Higgins, one of the most respected Irish writers of the century. In the style and tradition of great men such as James Joyce and Samuel Beckett, Flotsam & Jetsam contains a varied, savory sampling of vibrant, expressive stories with profound ambience and meaning. Flotsam & Jetsam is enthusiastically recommended reading for students of Irish literature in general, and fans of Aidan Higgins stories in particular.

New Selected Poems By Marya Zaturenska
Robert Phillips, editor
Syracuse University Press
1600 Jamesville Ave., Syracuse NY 13210
0815607172, $24.95, 1-800-365-8929

Marya Zaturenska was a major American poet in the early decades of the 20th century. Her work was hallmarked by a traditional lyric grace and penchant for artifice that led to her work being considered old fashioned and out of style by many of her literary peers, yet won her the 1937 Pulitzer Prize. She was 36 years old at the time. Now under the deft editorship of Robert Phillips who has also provided an informative introduction, New Selected Poems By Marya Zaturenska presents a gifted poetry to a new generation of readers and students of American literature and poetry. I Know An Island: I know an island, pale in the green sea/Where the Atlantic waves grow lost in mist,/Of delicate violet and pure amethyst,/Where the gray sea gulls rise monotonously.//Green, green the shoreline, rises cool and green,/Small purpling hills archaic and serene/Through lingering rains that fall deep, endlessly.//Step on this greenest, softest, dreamiest turf/To breathe the mystery this isle presents/And you shall hear the sound of violence/Subdued and hostile as the rising surf.//Saints, heroes, kings, and martyrs, waxed and waned/In this their ancient seat, gray-toned yet wild/In haggard beauty, subtle as a child,/How many times adored, subdued, profaned. Also strongly recommended for academic reference collections is The Diaries Of Marya Zaturenska 1938-1944 (0815607148, $29.95) edited by Mary Beth Hinton and enhanced with an introduction and biographical notes by Patrick Gregory.



The Fantasy/Sci-Fi Shelf

Drinking Midnight Wine
Simon R. Green
ROC
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014
0-451-45867-2 $14.00 1-800-847-5515

Toby is a local bookstore clerk until he follows a beautiful woman through a rainstorm and into another world. From that point on he encounters Death, serpents, bad trolls and all manner of oddities which ultimately challenge him to rethink his world and life. A strong fantasy world.

Synners
Pat Cadigan
Four Walls Eight Windows
39 West 14th St. #503, NY, NY 10011
1-56858-185-8 $13.95 www.4w8w.com

The line between technology and humans is very slim in a future where an online hardcore of individuals who live in a virtual world invite individuals to change. Anticipate complexity, depth, and a world not too far removed from present times, where a future society becomes hooked on technology, even for its identity.

Ace Books
375 Hudson St., New York NY 10014

Robert Metzger's Picoverse (0-441-00899-2, $22.95) will delight readers who have long wanted sold hard science fiction with its focus on physics challenges and concepts. A funding cut on a fusion power project leads to a startling discovery, and a scientist newly determined to use her new discovery to create new universes. Solid characterization and action keep this story hopping. Orson Scott Card edits Maserpieces (00864-X, $24.95), gathering the best science fiction stories of the last century - no mean feat considering the efforts of such notables as Arthur C. Clarke, Poul Anderson, Asimov, Bradbury, and others all of whom are represented here. Anticipate a diverse collection of riveting stories. Elizabeth Ann Scarborough's Channeling Cleopatra (00897-6, $21.95) tells of an ambitious project to locate Cleopatra's last resting place in order to transfer her cellular memory from DNA. But Leda and her father aren't the only ones searching for Cleopatra, and an exciting race for treasure and discovery begins.

A Journey To Distant Mountains
Jill Dobson
Univ. of Queensland Press/ISBS, dist.
5824 N.E. Hassalo St., Portland OR 97213
0702232270 $16.95 1-800-944-6190

Jill Dobson's A Journey To Distant Mountains is a "high fantasy" about the princess Atlanta, who longs for the adventures recorded legend, yet her modern-day city is all but destroyed by war and the glories of her dreams have dwindled to laments of the descendants of castaways. Princess Atlanta refuses an arranged marriage and sheltered life to follow the calling of her heart, finds an unlikely friend, and travels into a world on the edge of chaos. A compelling novel of destiny and embracing one's true nature, A Journey To Distant Mountains is a true literary epic and highly recommended for fantasy enthusiasts.

Science Fiction From Wells To Heinlein
Leon Stover
McFarland & Company
Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28640
0786412194 $45.00 1-800-253-2187

Science Fiction From Wells To Heinlein by Leon Stover (Professor Emeritus, Illinois Institute of Technology and editor of "The Annotated H.G. Wells", an eight-volume literary series) is an impressive survey dedicated to presenting the evolution of the science fiction genre during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Focusing heavily on the contributions of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, John Campbell and Robert Heinlein, Science Fiction From Wells To Heinlein also examines closely the common themes of period sci-fi such as rebellious robots, dinosaurs, and utopia/dystopia as well as scrutinizing the differences and cross-influences of British vs. American sci-fi. Science Fiction From Wells To Heinlein is an amazing overview of a genre during its classic era, and highly recommended to science fiction enthusiasts wanting to find out more about the history of their favorite literature.

The Roar Of The Huntids
Rose Rosetree
Women's Intuition Worldwide
P.O. Box 1605, Sterling, VA 20167-1605
0965114554 $22.95 Rose-Rosetree.com

Dedicated to "those who believe there could be higher praise for a woman than to say, 'Did you lose weight?'", The Roar Of The Huntids is a superbly written feminist science fiction saga set in the near future of 2020. When strange insects of suspicious origin threaten the survival of the world, a wife and mother suddenly blessed or cursed with empathic powers must take drastic steps for the future of humanity. A dark yet thought-provoking cautionary tale, extraordinarily fascinating from cover to cover.

Eragon
Christopher Paolini
Paolini International
0966621336 $22.95 www.factsource.com

Eragon by science fiction and fantasy enthusiast Christopher Palini is a vigorously written high fantasy epic of Eragon, a young man armed with a mythic red sword, accompanied by a beautiful dragon companion named Saphira, and the recipient of Brom's old storyteller wisdom. Our hero is drawn into a complex, interwoven saga of a fantastic land with a cruel and ruthless king. Legacies etched in stars and dreams guide his steps in this enchanting adventure. Eragon is highly recommended for dedicated fantasy enthusiasts.

Golden Gryphon Press
3002 Perkins Rd., Urbana, IL 61802
http://www.goldengryphon.com/

These two books of Claremont Tales by Richard Lupoff are fine blends of mystery and science fiction and will delight an audience interested in diversity, whether it be pure horror in the Lovecraft style or a whodunnit in the Holmes manner. Claremont Tales (1-930846-00-2, $23.95) ranges from an unexpected side-result of eternal life to the short story of a man and a monster. Claremont Tales II (07-X, $23.95) ranges from a Japanese detective trapped in a Jovian cave to a guilty computer scientist whose images turn into frightening realities. Treasure the unexpected: such is the talent of Lupoff's collections.

Plastic Surgeon
Sylvia Snyder
Writers Club Press/iUniverse.com
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
059519365X $15.95 www.amazon.com

Plastic Surgeon by novelist Sylvia Snyder is a compelling science fiction thriller about a mentally unbalanced plastic surgeon, obsessed with "perfection," who is caught up in an incredible escapade that teaches him more about the value of uniqueness and imperfection. A captivating, fantastic read recommended to SciFi buffs, Plastic Surgeon is a truly memorable "what if" style adventure story that could easily become a technologically feasible, medical science based, social issue of the 21st century.

Spirit Of Independence
Keith Rommel
Barclay Books
Phenix & Phenix (publicity)
6161 51st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33715
1931402078 $14.95 barclaybooks.com

The first and debut volume of the "Spirit Chronicles" series, Spirit Of Independence by Keith Rommel is a fascinating allegorical fantasy novel of Travis Winter, a man who falls in battle during World War II and then learns he has been chosen as a celestial knight in the ancient war between Heaven and Hell. Yet when the Devil himself makes a plea to Travis, begging only to be heard, Travis learns that there is much more to the ancient cosmic feud than what appears. Though he distrusts the Devil's plea, he must set out on a personal quest to learn more about what drives the afterlife into such violent conflict, and what can possibly be done about it, in this incredible, powerful story of questing for truth and redemption in worlds both within and beyond mortal reckoning. Spirit Of Independence is very highly recommended for fantasy buff reading lists and community library fantasy collections.

The Wildlife Of Star Wars
Terryl Whitlatch & Bob Carrau
Chronicle Books
85 Second St., San Francisco, CA 94105
0811828697 $40.00 chroniclebooks.com

The collaborative effort of Star Wars experts Terryl Whitlatch and Bob Carrau, The Wildlife Of Star Wars: A Field Guide is an incredible treasure trove supplement and companion to the Star Wars movies, books, and comic book sagas. Filled with wondrous color illustrations on almost every single page, it treats the indigenous and exotic wildlife of alien worlds as a scholastic journal, making note of unusual animal features for the discerning Star Wars connoisseur. A grand and elaborate coffee table book, The Wildlife Of Star Wars is very highly recommended for Star Wars fans and science fiction enthusiasts who enjoy a good extraterrestrial bestiary.



The Fiction Shelf

Flint Spears
Will James
Mountain Press
Box 2399, Missoula, MT 59806-2399
0-87842-449-0 $15.00 1-800-234-5308

Flint wants to be the best cowboy on the rodeo circuit, and this classic Will James western tells the story of a young man determined to try. Flint Spears first appeared in 1938 and this superb reprint will introduce Will james to a whole new genertion of readers!

Moses In Sinai
Simone Zelitch
Black Heron Press
P.O. Box 95676, Seattle, WA 98145
0930773594 $23.95 www.amazon.com

Written by award wining novelist Simone Zelitch, Moses In Sinai is a compelling story with its roots in the Bible, The Arabian Nights, Jewish legend, and the wonders of history. Men and women serve different Gods; Moses serves a God of justice, an Egyptian priest serves a God of ritual, and a witch served a God of murder. An overwhelming saga with profound impact, Moses in Sinai is also the story of a God with limits, hopes, dreams, and disappointment in the hearts of people. Moses In Sinai is very highly recommended and rewarding reading.

Diamonds In The Sand
Laurel Benson
Paros Press
1551 Larimer St, #1301 Denver CO 80202
0970209339 $16.95 parospress.com

Laurel Benson's Diamonds In The Sand is a thoughtfully written historical novel set among the Midway Atoll islands in the Pacific Ocean. It the story of seven people who have gathered upon the atoll for very different reasons, from the need to make peace with bitter memories of World War II to searching for precious diamonds to seeking a fresh start on life. Diamonds In The Sand is a complex, interwoven, fascinating tale immersed in the heart of its sunny tropical setting.

Cat Tracks
Gordon Aalborg
Delphi Books
P.O. Box 6435, Lee's Summit, MO 64064
0966339762 $14.95 www.amazon.com

Gordon Aalborg's Cat Tracks is a unique and thoroughly engaging novel about the life and daily struggle for survival of a feral Australian cat, as wild in heart and spirit as the lions of Africa. Though often despised as an inimical predator to Australian wildlife, feral cats do not lead easy lives themselves, as Cat Tracks testifies. Cat Tracks is a most fascinating and rewarding read for cat lovers everywhere, compelling us to follow the journey and hardships of its feline protagonist to the very end.

On The Way To Woodstock
Elizabeth Warren & Sheri Davenport
Sisyphus Press
1309 West Albion Avenue, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60626
0971264805 $14.00 www.amazon.com

Collaboratively written by Elizabeth Warren and Sheri Davenport, On The Way To Woodstock is a compelling novel about two college friends who survived the tumult of the 60s and 70s. Years later, one has reached the end of her life, leaving behind a daughter who searches for answers about herself. Reflecting the struggles of the anti-Vietnam War movement and the women's movement, On The Way To Woodstock is an entertaining story that transcends generations and a moving. A heartfelt read not to be put down.

Prisoner Of Paradise
Sinhue Noriega
Xlibiris
436 Walnut Street, 11th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106
0738840548 $21.99 www.amazon.com

Based on the author's personal encounters with occult practices in South America, Prisoner Of Paradise is the compelling novel of an unfortunate man under too much pressure, who ill-advisedly receives a curse. As disaster befalls him on every side, he must necessarily follow the lead of mysterious poems left on his door. Love, treachery, destructive impulses, and more lie in wait in this fascinating and recommended tale riddled with twists and turns.

The Stone Woman
Tariq Ali
Verso
180 Varick Street, NY, NY 10014-4606
1859843646 $12.00 www.versobooks.com

The Stone Woman is the third book of writer and filmmaker Tariq Ali's "Islam Quintet". Emotional, lyrical prose is the hallmark of this superbly crafted novel, which presents daily life under Islam as well as conflict and challenges. Also highly recommended are Tariq Ali's previous books in the "Islam Quintet", Shadows Of The Pomegranate Tree (0860916766, $15.00) and The Book Of Saladin (1859842313, $15.00).

The Plains Of Madness
Tom Moore
Tomcod Press
8 Renews Street, St. John's, NF, Canada A1E 3R8
0969896212 $19.95 www.amazon.com

Winner of the Inaugural Percy James Award, Tom Moore's The Plains Of Madness is a superbly written novel set in the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Quebec, drawing parallels between the birth of a nation centuries before the present day and the plagued identity of history teacher searching for his humanity and meaning. An absorbing trip through time, history, and the recesses of the human soul, The Plains Of Madness is a most unique and satisfying read. Also highly recommended are Tom Moore's previous novels Good-Bye Momma (Breakwater Books, 0919948189, $6.95) and Angels Crying (Tomcod Press, 0969896204, $16.95).

Tentacles Of God
Archie
Voice of India Press
273 3rd 'A' Main, 8th Block, Koramangala, Bangalore, 560 095
No ISBN $TBA Ph: 5711526

Tentacles Of God by Archie (the pen name of Dr. N. Bhaskara Acharya) is an intriguing social novel of two protagonists traveling down very different walks of life, and the sometimes beneficial, sometimes malevolent interactions human civilization has upon their struggles and with their primordial human instincts. Flavorfully detailed, wryly wrought and compellingly told, Tentacles Of God is a uniquely transcendental reading experience.

Nelson's Run
Peter Bacho
Willowgate Press
P.O. Box 6529, Holliston, MA 01746
1930008023 $12.95 willowgatepress.com

Nelson's Run by novelist Peter Bacho is a tongue-in-cheek satire about the protagonist Nelson, a man who, in his fervent desire to escape work or long-term relationships for the heady pleasures of hedonism, finds himself inexorably drawn between conflicting paths and two very attractive tango dancers on the war-stricken Philippine island of Samar. Sexy, funny, but also a darkly twisted work of compelling fiction, Nelson's Run is an engaging ride full of sharp edges and sudden turns.

Labyrinth: A Mythic Journey
Rainer Neumann
eBookstand Books
P.O. Box 7670, Auburn, CA 95604
1589090748 $18.95 ebookstand.com

Labyrinth: A Mythic Journey by Rainer Neumann is a fully engaging novel of two brothers journeying among different worlds and states of existence in search of self-definition. A unique narrative style starts and stops, dropping in on characters at discretely different times and places, with past reinterpreted as present in a refreshing break from the standard linear-in-time narrative. Filled with magic, discovery, revelation and the majestic reaches of the human spirit, Labyrinth: A Magic Journey is a unique and unforgettable saga.

Triopia
Bryan Richards
Word Wright International
Phenix & Phenix (publicity)
P.O. Box 1785, Georgetown, TX 78627
0971383278 $18.95 www.bookpros.com

Triopia And The Burden Of Excess by Bryan Richards is a coming-of-age novel (based largely on the author's own real life experiences) about spiritual conflict, personal doubt, and human transcendence. A dedicated missionary for the Mormon Church comes to a crossroads in his life while studying Judaism and Islam, and must weigh the values of group orthodoxy and individuality hand in hand. A compelling, serious, superbly crafted parable, Triopia is very highly recommended reading.

Taking Rosie's Arm
Wil A. Emerson
Five Star Books
PO Box 403, Unity, ME 04988
0786238852 $25.95 1-800-223-1244

Taking Rosie's Arm is the riveting story of 27 year old Taylor Thomas and her journey from emotional defeat to a profound sense of personal joy to her self and those she comes to love. When Taylor finds herself embroiled with the consequences of bad decisions and family members with problems even greater than her own, she becomes involved with 79 year old Rosie MacIntosh. The two women form a friendship to help Carolyn (a middle-aged woman debilitated by disease and depression) and the in the process Taylor learns invaluable lessons of compassion, wisdom, and love. Very highly recommended reading, Taking Rosie's Arm is a superbly crafted novel from first page to last!

Beyond Conception
L.J. Sellers
Xlibris
436 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
1401033245 $22.99 www.amazon.com

Beyond Conception by novelist L.J. Sellers is a powerful, highly recommended and cautionary tale about the dark side of fertility science. When two different childless women (one unable to find Mr. Right, the other unable to conceive at all) decide to have babies via fertility clinic instead of more traditional routes events spiral out of control in cycles of mounting tragedy. From first page to last, Beyond Conception is a gripping look at how modern science can bring out the sordid aspects of human nature.

Angels Prostate Fall
Marshall Terry
Southern Methodist University Press
P.O. Box 750415, Dallas, TX 75275-0415
0870744631 $19.95 1-800-826-8911

Angels Prostate Fall by author and essayist Marshall Terry is the engaging and thoughtful novel of an aging professor whose world gets turned around when he is diagnosed with prostate cancer. Confronting the ordeal with inner strength and the the loving support of his wife, family, and friends, he learns more about himself and the journey that is life. Recommended reading to bolster the spirit, Angels Prostate Fall is a meaningful, gentle, and powerful story.

Call To Glory
Michael J. Gilhuly & Marilyn Gilhuly
1st Books Library
Phenix & Phenix (publicity)
2511 West 3rd St, Bloomington, IN 47404
0759630410 $24.95 1-800-839-8640

Call To Glory: The Life And Times Of A Texas Ranger collaborative written by Michael and Marilyn Gilhuly is an emphatic, gripping historical fiction novel of bravery, heroism, sacrifice, and a proud way of life. Three brothers must fight, first in the civil war and later putting on the silver badge of a Ranger to protect the innocent against the perils of the frontier. Call To Glory is an exciting Texas western from first page to last!

A Bloodline Of Kings
Thomas Sundell
Crow Woods Publishing
P.O. Box 7049, Evanston, IL 60204
0966587189 $28.50 www.amazon.com

Thomas Sundell's A Bloodline Of Kings is a superbly crafted historical fiction novel set in the fourth century B.C., and is the story of Philip of Macedon, who in many ways forever altered the world of the Greeks and set the stage for his legendary son Alexander. A riveting book of rivalry and kingship vs. Athenian democracy, A Bloodline Of Kings is filled with conflict from between two men to between disparate ways of life. A fascinating and involving novel that absorbs the reader into the clash of culture past, A Bloodline Of Kings is highly recommended reading from beginning to end!

No-Count-Charlie
Willie Gaffer
Wesoomi Publishing
P.O. Box 656, Ortonville, MI 48462
0965373258 $24.95 wesoomi.com

Set on Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, Willie Fagger's No-Count-Charlie is the compelling novel of a man who grows up in a dysfunctional family, with a bullying father and an overcompensating mother who brings about an Oedipal fixation in the protagonist. When his mother falls ill with terminal cancer, the stress of caring for her weighs heavily upon him, especially since his natural inclination when confronted by strife is to run and hide. No-Count-Charlie is an exceptionally well presented tale about the warps of a disjointed human spirit, and the tumultuous journey that brings one to the coming of age. A most fascinating human drama, No-Count-Charlie is highly recommended and rewarding reading.



The Audiobook Shelf

Too Dead To Swing
Hal Glatzer & Hannah Dobryn
Audio Playwrights
1421 Oak Street, San Francisco CA 94117-2117
0970214707 $29.95 www.amazon.com

A full Broadway cast performs this vintage 1940s mystery which lends high drama and action to the story of a musician who joins a female Swing band on tour in California, only to face murder. Add a set of Swing songs performed by Ann Hampton Callaway and you have a multi-faceted production with high drama and action.

Oasis Audio
289 S. Main Pl., Carol Stream, IL 60188
$22.99 Each 1-800-323-2500

Two titles in the Zion Covenant series by Bodie Thoene promise listeners a fine story. Narrator Aimee Lilly, long experienced in radio drama, lends life to the first title Vienna Prelude (1-58926000-7), set in pre-World War II Austria and telling of a Jewish violinist's conflicts as Nazism approaches, her real identity is hidden with an alias, and her Jewish friends fall into danger. A plot to overthrow Hitler involves her in further danger and romance. Prague Counterpoint (001-5) continues the story: Elisa and her two young boys face danger from Hitler's forces in this second book of the historical series. Both are captivating. Steve and Valerie Bell's Raising Kids In Really Scary Times (059-7, $7.99) tells parents how to equip kids morally and spiritually for the dangers of the world. The focus on building a child's faith and courage makes for an excellent guide. Nabeel Jabbour's Many Faces Of Islam (058-9, $7.99) outlines the basic ideas of the Muslim people and faith, explaining how to distinguish between Muslims and the fanatic Islamic sect and how to understand common terms. An excellent introduction to Muslim religion for lay listeners.

Blackstone Audio
Box 969, Ashland, OR 97520
1-800-729-2665

These fine new audio cds receive unabridged presentation, exceptional narrators, and durable plastic cases lending to library circulation. Elizabeth Speare's classic Calico Captive (0-7861-0644-0, $40.00) will captivate a wide audience with its story of a 1754 youngster captured by Indians. From a possible life of slavery she is sold to a Canadian family and introduced to an unexpected life of fashion and luxury. C.M. Herbert's narration brings this story alive. Ross MacDonald's Underground Man (9680-7, $56.00) receives Tom Parker's vivid style as it tells of a mysterious fire and a missing child. As murder and a maze of motives emerges, Archer's investigative skills are pushed to the test and Parker's narrative skills meet the challenge. Nagio Marsh's Spinsters In Jeopardy (9677-7, $64.00) receives Nadia May's spirited rendition as it presents a fine mystery revolving around an English spinster. An inspector observes a murder and a jet-set cult's involvement which hits too close to home in this lively mystery, packed with twists and turns. Elizabeth Peters' Lion In The Valley (9643-2, $80.00) presents an Amelia Peabody Egyptian mystery spiced with Susan O'Malley's strong style and presentation. A buried pyramid, a moonlight abduction, and an expedition haunted by death again brings Amelia face to face with her arch nemesis in this spellbinding saga. Charles Sheffield's Transcendence (9676-9, $64.00) receives Geoffrey Howard's smooth and strong style as it presents Book Three of The Heritage Universe'. The search for a legendary alien race involves Darya Lang and treasure hunters in a race that eliminates other races based on religious belief. Fine tension builds: familiarity with the prior books in the series is recommended.

Random House Audio Books
1540 Broadway, 15th fl., NY, NY 10036
1-800-726-0600

Two fine unabridged audio cd packages are highly recommended picks for listeners who want the convenience of the audio cd format packaged with an unabridged narration. John Grisham's Summons (0-553-71463-5, $39.95) receives Michael Beck's strong style as it tells of a law professor newly single, whose ailing judge father summons the family heirs home to discuss details of his estate. The sudden death of the patriarch exposes a dangerous family secret. Danielle Steel's Cottage (71465-1, $31.95) receives David Garrison's warm reading as it tells of a broke old man who must sell his beloved home of forty years. His new tenants are facing problems of their own in this account of struggles and connections. Both are fine leisure listens.

Highbridge Company
1000 Westgate Dr., St. Paul, MN 55114
1-800-847-5515

This publisher's excellent, varied audio packages promises something for every listening, and these are some top picks of their latest releases. Old Time Radio Westerns (1-56511-579-1, $18.95) is particularly exciting: four audio broadcasts of old-time radio Westerns include Lone Ranger, Six Shooter, Treasure Of The Sierra Madre and Shane in their original old-style high drama. Various narrators and dual narrations shared by the actors make for a fine set any Western fan will relish. Modern listeners of radio will recognize the name in Charles Osgood's More Of See You On The Radio (590-2, $11.95): Osgood is an excellent social commentator who remarks on everything from science and social issues to golf balls and an atomic pen. His wry humor and observations shine in audio as well as on radio. Alai's Red Poppies appears in both abridged cassette form read by Ping Wu (527-9, $34.95) and abridged on cd (528-7): it's the story of the wealthy Maiqi family, a Han Chinese wife, and a life in 1930s Tibet. A feud between two families comes alive under Wu's smooth rendition. Clay McLeod Chapman's short stories in Rest Area receive both unabridged cd feature (532-5, $29.95) and cassette feature (531-7, $26.95) as they provide a series of dark domestic horror stories; from a man who returns to a rest stop where his daughter disappeared years ago to a lonely old woman who calms a rabid fox with her stories. All are involving, satisfying listens.

New Millennium Audio
301 N. Canon Drive, #214
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
1-310-785-2180

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1-59007-009-7, $18.00) presents the original 1818 classic performed by Julie Harris and receiving a fine spirited, chilling narrative exploration. The classic returns to new life under Harris' skilled reading and will involve both old fans and newcomers alike. Henry James' Portrait Of A Lady (023-2, $25.00) is performed by Nina Foch and enjoys an abridged presentation as it tells of a young American orphan who receives an inheritance from her uncle and is deceived by a charming young man. Samuel Butler's translation of Homer's Odyssey (001-1, $25.00) comes to life under the voice of Roger Rees, whose talented British voice brings the lilting epic poem to life. James Thurber's Thirteen Clocks (025-9, $15.00) is performed by Edward Woodward whose television background lends to a spirited account of a castle where time stands still at ten minutes to five. Burt Reynolds' acting skills translate well to audio format as he tackles Herman Melville's classic Moby Dick (022-4, $25.00). His familiar voice brings to life this epic of Captain Ahab's battle with a mighty whale. David Warner's performance of Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe (007-0, $25.00) is not to be missed: his acting background enables him to impart drama and tension to this story of a Crusader who returns home to reclaim his denied inheritance. Gaston Leroux's Phantom Of The Opera (031-3, $18.00) enjoys Christopher Cazenove's British acting skills as it tells of a mysterious opera ghost who haunts a majestic Paris opera.

Time Warner Audiobooks
1271 Ave. of the Americas, NY NY 10020
1-800-759-0190

Two new features from this audio publisher provide both leisure and practical choices. Tim Green's Fourth Perimeter (1-58621-207-9, $24.98) tells of Kurt Ford, a former SS agent now an entrepreneur with a SS son assigned to guard the President. When his son is murdered, Kurt vows to find the killer. Actor Ron Perlman spices the tension. Lenny Laskowiski's Ten Days To More Confident Public Speaking (263-X, $18.98) provides a Princeton Language Institute primer on overcoming nervousness and establishing audience connections. From writing the speech to delivering polished results, this is packed with sage advice.

Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
1-800-854-7859

Six new leisure listens are highly recommended picks for discriminating audio enthusiasts. Mary Kay Andrews' Savannah Blues (1-58788-792-4, $24.95) receives Susan Ericksen's fine experienced voice as it tells of a woman's divorce and a series of dirty deals which cause ongoing problems. Nevada Barr's Hunting Season (003-9, $24.95) receives veteran Joyce Bean's smooth style as it tells of Anna's investigation into a murder in a major tourist area. Tom Cockey's Hearse Case Scenario (796-7, $24.95) receives Bruce Reizen's talented, multi-faceted voice and style as it provides an unusual undertaker-detective scenario. A second murder attempt succeeds and friend Lucy is the suspect in the case. Loren Estleman's Sinister Heights (976-5, $19.95) receives John Kenneth's calm and clear rendition as it tells of Walker's investigation into a rich old lady's family of would-be millionaires. Anne Perry's Southampton Row (915-3, $24.95) benefits from Michael Page's extensive recording experience as it presents another Thomas and Charlotte Pitt novel, this revolving around a general election and a bitter struggle for one crucial London seat. George Pelecanos' Hell To Pay (960-9, $19.95) receives Richard Allen's warm and striking voice as it tells of two PIs hired to locate a teen runaway now working as a prostitute. All are exceptionally strong thrillers.

Clipper Audio/Recorded Books
270 Skipjack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
1-800-638-1304

These eight new arrivals provide strong unabridged recordings of fast-paced novels and mysteries, and are recommended picks for lending libraries seeking durable packaging and name brand authors. Matthew Kneale's English Passengers (1-84197-258-4, $126.00) is set in 1857: 15 cassettes of this unabridged Whitbread Book award winner are narrated by a cast of veteran narrators who bring to life the story. Reverend Wilson has left England to prove the truth of the Bible, convinced he'll locate the real Garden of Eden in Tasmania. But his ship is filled with smugglers and their underlying purpose will put his beliefs to the test. Ellis Peters' Summer Of The Danes (1671-5, $63.00) presents yet another Brother Cadfael mystery, with veteran Patrick Tull's smooth and experienced voice polishing the tension in this tale of a journey which takes the brother into a territorial conflict between two brothers. Ian Rankin's The Falls (277-0, $102.00) receives Samuel Gillies' warm and moving narrative style as it tells of a missing student, a tiny coffin, and an intriguing Internet case challenging the skills of Inspector Rebus. Judith Culter's Will Power (278-9, $63.00) pairs Patricia Gallimore's lively style with the story of a feisty investigator who wants an accused man proved innocent. The crime leads to murder in short time. Deborah Crombie's Leave The Grave Green (252-5, $63.00) presents Christopher Kay's warm and involving voice as it tells of a Scotland Yard team's investigation of a well-known musician's death. The same family has experienced other murders in the past, they discover. Ann Granger's Murder Among Us (290-8, $63.00) receives Judith Boyd's fine style as it tells of an ambitious hotelier who seeks to convert a hall into a country hotel. A lively opening day is marred by murder, involving two inspectors in a sobering crime scene. Amanda Brookfield's Alice Alone (313-0, $52.00) receives Gerri Halligan's smooth, compelling narrative style as it tells of Alice who faces new problems when her children leave home ad she discovers she doesn't really love her husband. Humor and insights accompany her personal search for meaning. Graham Lord's Dick Francis: A Racing Life (154-5, $92.00) is not a novel, but is reviewed here for its interest to any who enjoy Francis' spirited horse racing mysteries. Lord is Francis' long-time friend and best suited to explore his life: Christopher Kay provides the compelling narration for this biographical exploration. All are excellent, involving accounts.

Audio Partners Publishing
1133 High Street, Auburn, CA 95603
http://www.audiopartners.com

Fans of Rex Stout's brand of fine Nero Wolfe mysteries won't want to miss the latest audio narrated by veteran Micahel Prichard, If Death Ever Slept (1-57270-252-4, $24.95). Here the orchid-growing genius and his sidekick Archie face a million's anger with a daughter-in-law. Family members have enjoyed sparring, but murder is going a step too far_Alister Mcgrath reads his own In The Beginning (249-4, $24.95), a discussion of how the King James version of the Bible changed a nation and its culture. The version originally appeared in 1611 and has influenced all English-speaking culture with its inspirational form and style: this tells the story of the version's production.



The Biography Shelf

Just For A Thrill
James L. Dickerson
Cooper Square Press
150 Fifth Avenue, Suite 817, New York, NY 10011
0815411952 $26.95 1-800-462-6420

Just For A Thrill: Lil Hardin Armstrong, First Lady Of Jazz by James L. Dickerson is the energetic, informative and compelling biography of Lillian "Lil" Hardin (1898-1971), one of the most sought-after female jazz pianists in Chicago in her day and the wife of Louis Armstrong until their divorce in 1938. Lil Hardin's impressive musical career, trailblazing achievements and exciting love of music are all recorded in this first-class biography. Just For A Thrill is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended contribution to the growing library of biographies and memoirs of the men and women who significantly contributed to the development of jazz -- America's unique contribution to the world of music.

Mark Twain: An Illustrated Biography
Geoffrey Ward, et.al.
Knopf
280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
0-375-40561-5 $40.00 1-800-726-0600

Mark Twain: An Illustrated Biography is an informative survey of Twain's life which gathers material from a variety of published and unpublished sources, from his novels and lectures to his letters and photos. Students and fans of Twain thus receive much more illustration than in competing titles, in the form of vintage photos and color ads and drawings, along with a lively biographical sketch surveying Twain's life and times. Highly recommended; much more accessible than most.

One Dream, Two Loves
Cynthia Marino
Dancove Publishing
5286 Poinciana Circle, New Port Richey, FL 34653
0970517637 $14.95 www.amazon.com

Cynthia Marino's One Dream, Two Loves is a deeply personal and entrancing memoir of a woman's whirlwind and wondrous life filled with romance and travels between in America and Israel. Emotional, romantic, filled with hope and the courage of a lifelong journey, One Dream, Two Loves is a singularly heartfelt story of passion and remembrance. The finely crafted, vivid and evocative writing style makes One Dream, Two Loves an autobiographical work well worthy recommendation.

Gold Bars Silver Wings
Onofiro J. Andrews
Niffy Publishing
15 Jane Lane, Bristol, RI 02809
0971438811 $14.95 1-800-771-1288

Gold Bars Silver Wings: One Man's Journey - The Early Years is Onofiro Andrews' intensely personal memoir about coping with depression, dark memories, and the inner abyss of despair to emerge and transform oneself. Written entirely from the author's memory, Gold Bars Silver Wings draws upon his years of service in the Air Force to give a crucial, compelling account of living knowing that mechanical failure can be as deadly as any enemy. A very personal and involving book, Gold Bars Silver Wings is highly recommended for anyone struggling with their own self-transformation.

Kiss Me Again
Bruce Kellner
Turtle Point Press
103 Hog Hill Rd., Chappaqua, NY 10514
1885586248 $16.95 turtlepoint.com

Kiss Me Again: An Invitation To A Group Of Noble Dames by Bruce Kellner (Emeritus Professor of English, Millersville University, Pennsylvania) is a personal memoir that features a series of frank, thoughtful, sometimes glamours and sometimes ironic portraits of women who were grand in spirit, and whom Professor Kellner had the wonderful opportunity to meet. Included are wonderful and engaging personal vignettes of women ranging from Alice B. Toklas, Fania Marinoff, and Mary Alice Hadley, to Fritzi Scheff, Vassar Miller, and Nina Balaban. Kiss Me Again is an uplifting, vibrant, and highly recommended read.

How It Really Was
Patricia Hunter Gray
Writers Club Press/iUniverse.com
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
0595163769 $14.95 www.amazon.com

How It Really Was: A Memoir of "The Greatest Generation" by Patricia Hunter Gray is her personal account of her life's adventures, beginning with growing up in a small Indiana town during the Depression era, where her family was as hard-hit by bad times as everywhere else. Patricia enjoyed travel a great deal, going from one end America to the other, and then eventually traveling around the globe. A most thoughtfully written and engaging autobiography, How It Really Was is a truly wonderful account of varied people, events, and places in a restless, yet highly enjoyable lifetime.

Pele: His Life And Times
Harry Harris
Welcome Rain Publishers
23 West 26th St., New York, NY 10010
1566492238 $25.00 www.amazon.com

Pele: His Life And Times by Harry Harris (chief soccer correspondent of the London periodical "Mirror") is a first-rate, penetrating look at the world famous superstar athlete and the "Black Pearl" of championship soccer. From the soccer star's birth in Brazil 1940 to his unbelieveable triple set of World Cup championships to daily and family life, Pele: His Life And Times looks at everything that went into the making of a truly amazing sports figure and more. Pele: His Life And Times is a superbly presented and highly recommended sports biography and a "must" for the legions of Pele fans.

Abraham Lincoln
Wayne C. Temple
Mayhaven Publishing
P.O. Box 557, Mahomet, IL 61853
1878044362 $29.95 www.amazon.com

Abraham Lincoln: From Skeptic To Prophet by Wayne C. Temple (historian and former editor of the "Lincoln Herald") is a uniquely comprehensive study of an often-overlooked aspect of the man who saw the United States of America through the turmoil of the Civil War. This scholarly and seminal treatise focuses in-depth specifically upon President Lincoln's religious views. Extremely heavily researched, filled with references to primary sources and black-and-white photographs of portraits, places, and documented evidence, Abraham Lincoln From Skeptic to Prophet leaves no stone unturned in its search to uncover precisely what Lincoln believed during the different phases of his life. Abraham Lincoln: From Skeptic To Prophet is an impressive work and a "must-read" for anyone studying the life, times, and personality of Abraham Lincoln.

The Twentieth-Century Lady
Donald E. Seymour
Talent Discovery Press
3900 W. Brown Deer Road, Suite 110, Milwaukee, WI 53209
0964753235 $24.95 www.amazon.com

Written by her husband, The Twentieth-Century Lady: Donna Lou Seymour's Contribution To Save Our World is a warm, amazing, inspiring and well crafted biography of a sparkling and determined woman's lifelong dream to improve life for all. Yearning to do something more for humanity, Donna Lou Seymour lived, loved, and contributed to the search for non-violent solutions to the problems of resolving strife and ending terrorism with peace making methodologies to help people everywhere tap their potential to the fullest. Very icely illustrated with black-and-white photographs, The Twentieth-Century Lady is a sweeping life narrative and a highly spiritual and emotional read from cover to cover.



The Martial Arts Shelf

Bushido
Inazo Nitobe
Kodansha International
575 Lexington Ave., NY, NY 10022
4770027311 $19.00 www.amazon.com

Bushido: The Soul Of Japan, A Classic Essay On Samurai Ethics by educator, cultural interpreter, and League of Nations Under-Secretary-General Inazo Nitobe (1862-1933) is the reprint of a historic and respected work originally published in 1900. Nitobe discusses the Japanese concept of "bushido", also known as "the way of a warrior" as an ethical and meaningful system which emphasizes honor, loyalty, courage, and benevolence. Nitobe's classic treatise then contemplates the future of this martial and ethical discipline. Very strongly recommended reading for students of Japanese cultural history and the martial arts, Bushido: The Soul Of Japan is a powerful presentation and a moving book with ideas as relevant today as they were 100 years ago.



The Library Science Shelf

Teens.library
Linda W. Braun
American Library Association
50 East Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611
0838908241 $28.00 www.amazon.com

Teens.library: Developing Internet Services For Young Adults by educational technology consultant and library science specialist Linda W. Braun is a "user friendly" primer to help developers and operators of library websites and services to incorporate content and technology which will specifically appeal and prove useful to teenagers in an era when computer literacy is fast becoming required education, as useful and practical as the more traditional reading, writing, and 'rhythmetic. Individual chapters cover website customization, maintenance tips, how to test one's work effectively and more. Teens.library is very highly recommended for youth services librarians, school library media specialists, and community librarians seeking to develop service programs and resources for teens.



The Library Video/DVD Shelf

D.O.A.
Bridgestone Multimedia
c/o Alpha Omega Publications
300 North McKemy Avenue, Chandler, AZ 84226-2618
1563715368 $12.95 1-800-523-0988

One of the outstanding Bridgestone Media's "Film Noir Classics" series, D.O.A. is the superbly produced 1950s black & white suspense thriller starring Edmond O'Brien, Pamela Britton, Luther Adler, Beverly Garland, Neville Brand, and directed by Rudolph Mate. When small-town accountant Frank Bigelow comes to San Francisco for a bit of fun before settling down with his fiancee and secretary, he wakes up after a night on the town to find that he's been lethally poisoned with a "luminous toxin" with no known antidote. With less that a week to live, Bigelow embarks on a frantic race against time to discover who has assassinated him -- and why! Filmed on location in Los Angeles and San Francisco, D.O.A. is as riveting, entertaining and highly recommended a film today as it was when first released more than 50 years ago. Send for the free Alpha Omega/Bridgestone Media catalog for a complete listing of home videos.

Going My Way
Universal Studios Home Video
10 Universal City Plaza, Suite 700, Universal City, CA 91608
#55038 $9.98 www.amazon.com

The winner of seven Academy Awards (including Best Picture) in 1945, Going My Way is justifiable accounted to be a true American classic. This outstanding musical starred a roster of wonderful actors including Bing Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald, Frank McHugh, Gene Lockhart, and Metropolitan Opera star Rise Stevens. The family story is one of two Catholic priests who are at odds over how to reach out to the neighborhood's juvenile delinquents and tough kids. But when things start to change for the better, the whole neighborhood comes together with the Church as the center of its social reformation. One of the outstanding "Universal Cinema Classics" titles, Going My Way is an inexpensive and welcome addition to any personal, school, or community library movie video collection!

Salute To Vienna
Steeplechase
411 Video Information (publicity)
660 S. Figueroa St., Suite 1950, Los Angeles, CA 90017
#20043 $29.95 1-213-244-1441

Salute To Vienna: Strauss/Gershwin Gala is a superbly presented, full color, 104 minute concert that was recorded live at the Gold Hall in Musikverein, Vienna and featured the Vienna Choir Boys, the Boys Choir of Harlem, and seamlessly performed with the Strauss Festival Orchestra under the joint conductorship of Peter Guth of Vienna and john Morris Russell of the United States. Salute To Vienna: Strauss/Gershwin Gala is a unique and fully engaging musical experience and would make an immensely popular addition to any personal, school or community library music video collection.



The Buddhist Studies Shelf

Blue Cliff Record
David Rothenberg
Codhill Press
1 Arden Lane, New Paltz, NY 12561
1930337035 $15.95 www.amazon.com

Blue Cliff Record: Zen Echoes by David Rothenberg (poet, philosopher, musician, and Contributing Editor to "Parabola" magazine) is a selection of one hundred classic Zen Buddhist koans originating in a 12th century Zen manuscript. Ancient, poetic ponderings meant to stimulate insight and deeper awareness fill this treasure store, aptly and meaningfully translated into English. "Take my hand and come circle the One Certain Mountain/We'll sadden ourselves not to death, but to life." Blue Cliff Record is a highly recommended addition to Buddhist Studies reading lists and reference collections.

Heart Drops Of Dharmakaya
Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen
Snow Lion Publications
P.O. Box 6843, Ithaca, NY 14851
1559391723 $16.95 www.amazon.com

Written by Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen (a Tibetan monk who lived in the 19th and 20th centuries) and enhanced for a western readership with an informative commentary by Lopon Tenzin Namdak, Heart Drops Of Dharmakaya is a complete Dzogchen meditation manual for the Tibetan religious way that is known as Bon. Written in the direct, personal, and meaningful style of instructor to student, Heart Drops Of Dharmakaya also features a commentary by Lopon Tenzin Namdak, a master of Dzogchen who was responsible for translating this holy work into English. Heart Drops Of Dharmakaya is enthusiastically recommended reading for advanced students of Tibetan Buddhism and its meditation practices.



The Military Shelf

American Naval History: A Guide
Paolo E. Coletta
The Scarecrow Press
4720 Boston Way, Lanham, MD 20706
0810833026 $140.00 www.amazon.com

Now in a revised and updated second edition, American Naval History: A Guide by academician and Naval Reservist Paolo E. Coletta is a very special type of nautical reference. Its entire contents are devoted to listing the titles, authors, publishers, page count and very brief (no more than a single phrase) summary of books, articles, and other reference sources, all dealing with the history of the American Navy from the 1600s to the present day. American Naval History: A Guide is an excellent and highly recommended addition to academic library reference resources, with its entries arranged by era and complete with an index for easy reference.

Island Victory
S. L. A. Marshall
Bison Books
c/o University of Nebraska Press
233 North 8th St., Lincoln, NE 68588
0803282729 $22.00 nebraskapress.unl.edu

Island Victory: The Battle Of Kwajalein Atoll by Brigadier General S.L.A. Marshall (1900-1977) is a rare primary historical source, written by at-the-time Lieutenant Colonel S. L. A. Marshall at the time of the deadly Pacific fight in World War II. Marshall was a veteran of WW I who would later serve in Korea and Vietnam and become a brigadier general. When the Seventh Infantry Division battled the Japanese across Kwajalein Atoll in February 1944, Marshall was given the official task of creating a written record of the battle. In order to be as accurate as possible, he brought front-line soldiers to a group interview and taped their conversations in order to get as clear an idea as possible. Written accounts of war simply do not get any closer to the actions and feelings of those were there. Island Victory is a highly recommended, "must-read" book for those who study eye-witness WW II accounts, and a core title contribution to World War II studies academic reference collections.

Pogue's War
Forrest C. Pogue
The University Press of Kentucky
663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40508-4008
0813122163 $29.95 1-800-839-6855

Forrest C. Pogue was the first historian of D-Day and documented "up-close and personal" the most gristly and significant clashes of World War II including Omaha Beach, the Huertgen Forest, Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge. He kept his notes and interviews in a series of battered journals, hoping one day to publish his own wartime observations. Many years later, Franklin D. Anderson (Forrest Pogue's nephew by marriage) transcribed those journal entries as Pogue's War: Diaries Of A WWII Combat Historian and in doing so, has made a unique and welcome contribution to the growing library of World War II eye-witness literature. As a combat historian, Pogue lived with the infantrymen and interviewed them only days after they had engaged in life-and-death battles with the enemy. The result was one of the most vivid "windows-in-time" perspectives available to World War II buffs and students of 20th Century American military history.

The Independence Light Aircraft Carriers
Andrew Faltum
The Nautical & Aviation Publishing Co.
1250 Fairmont Ave Mt Pleasant SC 29464
1877853623 $34.95 nauticalaviation.com

The Independence Light Aircraft Carriers by naval aviation and aircraft carrier enthusiast Andrew Faltum is a detailed and comprehensive look at the Independence-class light carriers, built in World War II, which gave a significant contribution to victory in the Pacific. Black-and-white maps and photographs illustrate the fine analysis of these great ships and how they were used at a critical turning point in American military history. A welcome contribution to the growing library of naval history, The Independence Light Aircraft Carriers, rich with its close and accurate inspection of a singularly amazing vessel type, is especially recommended for students of the nautical history of World War II.

From Boston To Berlin
Christopher E. Mauriello, Roland J. Regan Jr.
Purdue University Press
1207 South Campus Courts - E, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1207
1557532265 $29.95 thepress.purdue.edu

From Boston To Berlin: A Journey Through World War II In Images And Words by Christopher E. Mauriello (Assistant Professor of History, Salem State College, Salem, Massachusetts) and Roland J. Regan Jr. (Adjunct Professor at Harvard University, Suffolk University, and Salem State College) is a powerful, emotional look at the war that forever changed every nation in the world. A small portion of the book is devoted to an overview of major events in WW II, to refresh the lay reader's memory. Black-and-white photographs and letters from people on the front lines comprise the overwhelming majority of From Boston to Berlin, adding a personal touch to the life-and-death struggles on D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, and much more. A poignant memorial book, From Boston To Berlin is a highly recommended contribution to the growing body of World War II literature.

Ireland And The Second World War
Brian Girvin & Geoffrey Roberts, editors
Four Courts Press/ISBS, dist.
5824 N.E. Hassalo Street, Portland, Oregon 97213-3644
1851824979 $25.00 www.amazon.com

Collaboratively edited by Brian Girvin and Geoffrey Roberts, Ireland And The Second World War: Politics, Society And Remembrance is an impressive and scholarly selection of critical essays focusing on the role of Ireland in World War II. From its stance of neutrality to the oral history of Irish volunteers to widespread censorship and Irish workers in Britain, this college-level analysis of the details of the Irish nation's history in a global war that was to forever changed the world, Ireland And The Second World War is compelling, fascinating, informed, reasoned, articulate, and superb addition to 20th Century Irish history and to World War II reference collections.



The Social Issues Shelf

Domicide
J. Douglas Porteous & Sandra E. Smith
McGill-Queen's University Press
3430 McTavish Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 1X9
0773522581 $22.95 www.amazon.com

Domicide: The Global Destruction Of Home, collaboratively written by J. Douglas Porteous (Professor of Geography, University of Victoria, British Columbia) and Sandra E. Smith (Adjunct Assistant Professor of Geography, University of Victoria, British Columbia), is a compelling study of the razing of people's homes, through motives that range from persecution for ethnicity or religious beliefs, to building disrepair, to an ostensible need for a new highway or airport. Individual chapters address the true nature of this occurrence and its devastating consequences, and discuss possible solutions to wholesale home destruction. A sober and fascinating account, Domicide is a compelling addition to Urban Studies reading lists and contemporary social issues reference collections.

In Bad Company
Mark S. Hamm
Northeastern University Press
PO Box 116, Boston, MA 02117
1555534929 $26.95 1-800-666-2211

In Bad Company: America's Terrorist Underground by Mark S. Hamm (Professor of Criminology, Indiana State University) is a timely, ground breaking, seminal work of impressive scholarship and expertise. Professor Hamm carefuly and meticulously presents an informative survey of one of the most important and potentially lethal American clandestine paramilitary underground organizations -- The Aryan Republican Army (ARA). This was the group associated with Timothy McVeigh and embraces a violent neo-Nazi subculture that compels domestic terrorist activities and attacks against their fellow Americans. In Bad Company presents a complete history of the ARA, including the troubled life histories of its founders, profiles of "foot soldiers" in the movement, the role of the White Supremacy movement and Christian identity in support of a range of criminal acts ranging from tax evasion to assassination. In Bad Company is essential reading for students of domestic terrorism and is as timely as today's newspaper headlines.

Visions Of Hope
William A. Berkan, ACSW, CISW
Millennial Mind Publishing
2389 South, 300 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
1930586612 $19.95 www.amazon.com

Assembled and edited by social worker and child abuse survivor William A. Berkan, Visions Of Hope: Stories Of Victory Over Child Abuse is compelling collection of true stories of people who have survived unthinkable physical and/or sexual abuse as children, and who learned to transform their lives and overcome their pasts. The stories alternate with powerful and meaningful asides about the nature of child abuse, what it is, how it harms young psyches and how its damage does not have to define a survivor's life. Visions Of Hope is very highly recommended reading for students of the psychological dynamics of child abuse and for anyone struggling to recover from having been a physically and/or emotionally abused child.

Death By "Gun Control"
Aaron Zelman & Richard W. Stevens
Mazel Freedom Press
P.O. Box 270014, Hartford, WI 53027
0964230461 $12.95 www.jpfo.org

Collaboratively written by Aaron Zelman (Executive Director of Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership) and Richard W. Stevens (Attorney at Law), Death By "Gun Control": The Human Cost Of Victim Disarmament by is a compelling, persuasive, legal and social argument against governmental restrictions on private citizen's right to bear arms. Death By "Gun Control" draws upon numerous examples from nations around the world ranging from Cambodia and China to England and Zimbabwe, as it presents real world illustrations of how a government that systematically disarms its populace could be on the road to genocide. Some religious Judeo-Christian principles are discussed with regard to firearms, but Death By "Gun Control" is essentially a very carefully researched, cautionary warning of very real social dangers. Death By "Gun Control" is an important and timely contribution to the current national debate over gun control and the necessity for an armed self defense on the part of a citizenry under threat at home and abroad.

Macroshift
Ervin Laszlo
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery St., Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
1576751635 $24.95 bkconnection.com

Macroshift: Navigating The Transformation To A Sustainable World by Ervin Laszlo (Science Director, International Peace University, Berlin, Germany) is a powerful and revealing look at the rapid pace of globalization and the profound shifts it has cause in the world economy and ecology. Laszlo projects and details two possible futures - the "Breakdown", where overly polarized wealth causes the supreme stratification of society and the world culture drifts toward anarchy, and the "Breakthrough", where humanity transforms itself into a new era of world prosperity. Macroshift is a ground breaking, fascinating, challenging examination of the past, present, and future of a rapidly modernizing world.

Elusive Innocence
Dean Tong
Huntington House Publishers
P.O. Box 53788, Lafayette, LA 70505
1563841908 $15.99 www.amazon.com

Expertly written by Dean Tong (family rights activist and forensic consultant specializing in child abuse, domestic violence, and child custody cases), Elusive Innocence: Survival Guide For The Falsely Accused is a straightforward, no-nonsense guide to defending oneself against false charges of child abuse in divorce and child custody battles. Sadly, fallacious abuse accusations are all too common when emotions run deep and bitter; Elusive Innocence takes a close, hard look at such situations, how they occur, the similarities between instances and how parents involved in a dispute can protect themselves, all the while retaining a keen understanding of the importance recognizing when sexual abuse is a real and present threat. Elusive Innocence is very highly recommended reading for anyone caught up in an unjustified accusation of child abuse.

Cloning The Buddha
Richard Heinberg
Quest Books
c/o The Theosophical Publishing House
P.O. Box 270, Wheaton, IL 60189-0270
0835607720 $24.95 www.amazon.com

Written by Richard Heinberg (journalist, essayist, lecturer, and publisher of "MuseLetter"), Cloning The Buddha: The Moral Impact Of Biotechnology is a serious and thoughtful ethical study of the divisive issues arising from modern biotechnology. Starting with the successful cloning of the sheep Dolly in 1997 and stretching through a wide spectrum of possibilities, such as cloning organs for surgery or ending infertility, Heinberg showcases all of the major issues that are involved in today's national policy debates. However, Cloning The Buddha also asks if the seemingly "beyond natural" powers of science are putting our lives and souls at risk. Drawing upon the latest plant and animal research, as well as featuring interviews with religious leaders and a thorough moral analysis, Cloning The Buddha makes for compelling reading for modern times fraught with both discovery and peril -- and is strongly recommended reading for students and the non-specialist general reader with an interest in ethics, morality, science, and biotechnology.



The Railroading Shelf

Texas Trains
Richard K. Troxell
Republic of Texas Press
2320 Los Rios Blvd., Plano, TX 75074
1556228813 $18.95 www.amazon.com

Texas Trains by Texas railroading enthusiast Richard Troxell is wonderful collection of history, stories and trivia on and about railroading in Texas. Troxell traveled 11,802 miles of Texas railroad track in researching and writing this superbly crafted compendium that ranges from train wrecks to railroad towns, from steam engines to train robbers, and offers welcome advice as to where you can go to see historic trains today. A special feature of Texas Trains is its unique treasure hunt; there is a 14k gold "Missing Train" buried somewhere in Texas, and clues to its location lie hidden within the book! Texas Trains is an exciting and enjoyable read for railroad lovers and Texas history buffs.



The Human Sexuality Shelf

Making Love Again
Virginia and Keith Laken
Ant Hill Press
c/o North Star Publications
Meryl L. Moss Media (publicity)
Box 227, East Sandwich, MA 02537-0227
0965506789 $24.95 anthillpress.com

Making Love Again: Hope For Couples Facing Loss Of Sexual Intimacy by communications consultant Virginia Laken and Corporate executive Keith Laken is a serious, and highly personal account of a couple's struggle with impotence. Addressing the true meaning for, and need of, human sexuality between loving partners as a place to cultivate mutual physical pleasure and emotional closeness, Making Love Again raises crucial issues relevant to all sexually involved couples. Making Love Again is highly recommended and informative reading, especially for men and women confronted by and trying to deal with sexual dysfunction issues within the context of their marital relationships.



The Economics Shelf

The Anticompetitive Impact of Regulation
Giuliano Amato & Laraine L. Laudati
Edward Elgar Publishing
136 West Street, #202, Northampton, MA 01060
1840646772 $110.00 www.amazon.com

Collaboratively edited by Giuliano Amato (External Professor, European University Institute, Florence, Italy, and Global Law Professor, NYU Law School) and Laraine L. Laudati (Legal Counsel, European Commission and Senior Research Fellow, European University Institute, Florence, Italy), The Anticompetitive Impact Of Regulation is a scholarly, college-level text discussing the profound impacts of governmental regulation on both competitive and non-competitive industries. Institutions that regulate or reform businesses and their undeniably powerful role in Australia, Spain, and more places are among the central topics analyzed in this compilation of assorted essays by a wide range of learned authors. A multifaceted analysis of an issue crucial to global industries today, The Anticompetitive Impact Of Regulation is an invaluable contribution and a highly recommended addition to academic reference collections.



The Civil War Studies Shelf

Charles Dahlgren Of Natchez
Herschel Gower
Brassey's
22841 Quicksilver Dr., Dulles, VA 20166
1574883941 $26.95 www.amazon.com

Charles Dahlgren Of Natchez: The Civil War And Dynastic Decline by Herschel Gower (Professor Emeritus of English and American Literature, Vanderbilt University) is the true-life biography of Charles Dahlgren, an energetic Northerner with ambition both during and after the American Civil War. Pitted against his brother when the nation of America tore itself apart, Dahlgren sought to found a dynasty in the south but endured crushing losses in battle. His turbulent life and times make for fascinating reading in this carefully researched, up close and personal account. Charles Dahlgren Of Natchez is a superbly presented work of meticulous scholarship and is especially recommended to students of the post-Civil War era of reconstruction.

Four Years With The Iron Brigade
Lance Herdegen & Sherry Murphy, eds.
Da Capo Press/Perseus Books Group
11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
0306811197 $27.50 1-800-255-1514

Collaboratively edited by Lance Herdegen (Director of the Institute of Civil War Studies, Carroll College, Waukesha, Wisconsin) and Sherry Murphy (great-great granddaughter of William Royal Ray) Four Years With The Iron Brigade: The Civil War Journal Of William Ray, Company F, Seventh Wisconsin Volunteers is a powerful, personal testimonial of America's deadliest war as seen from a fighting unit thrust in the core of strife and horror. Drawn from a series of nineteen personal journals kept by Ray and begun just two days before he was to leave for the battlefield frontlines in 1861, this remarkable account offers an eye-witness depiction ranging from the daily boredom of camp life to the ravages of disease, shortages of food and clothing, and the gruelling bloodshed of battle. Four Years With The Iron Brigade is both a testimonial to the power of the human spirit to endure and as close a look at what war is truly like as is possible to find without putting oneself in physical danger. Four Years With The Iron Brigade is a very highly recommended addition to the growing number of primary source histories for Civil War Studies reading lists and academic reference collections.



The Parenting Shelf

Family Matters
Roni Jay
Parenting Press
P.O. Box 75267, Seattle, WA 98125-0267
1884734731 $13.95 ParentingPress.com

Roni Jay's Family Matters: Parenting Tips From The Business World is a serious, highly practical-minded guide and advisory for parents from a business point of view - a perspective well worth investigating, for when it comes to building cooperations and teamwork, negotiating, and managing interpersonal relations, both families and businesses have a lot in common. Packed with tips, tricks, and techniques for keeping control while teaching kids to be more responsible, Family Matters is wonderfully illustrated with Peaco Todd's lively cartoons and an excellent supplementary resource for personal reading lists and community parenting reference collections.

The Gift Of A.D.D.
MaryEllen Jirak
Great Beginnings
PO Box 597004-472 , S.F., CA 94159
0970889321 $24.95 gr8beginnings.com

The Gift Of A.D.D.: Shattering Labels & Changing Expectations For Parents And Teachers by Mary Ellen, herself an educator and the parent of an Attention Deficit Disorder child, is a comprehensive guide and practical sourcebook for parents and teachers of children with Attention Defecit Disorder. Arguing that the symptoms of A.D.D. (such as selective attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity) are merely outward signs to help identify the learning disorder, The Gift of A.D.D. focuses on how to best achieve a balance that will help young people with A.D.D. flourish to achieve their true potential. Individual chapters address the limits of drug therapy, methods of instilling discipline without creating an excess of frustration, teaching solutions for all grades through high school and beyond, and much more in this first-class sourcebook for everyone who has to work with an A.D.D. child. If you parent or teach and A.D.D. child, then give a careful reading to The Gift of A.D.D.

Child Custody
Kenneth M. Dimick & Janice M. Dimick
Resource Publications
160 East Virigina #290, San Jose, CA 95112-5876
0893905488 $21.95 www.amazon.com

Written by professional marriage and family therapists Kenneth and Janice Dimick, Child Custody: Achieving A Parenting Partnership is a practical, helpful and straightforward guide written for the non-specialist general reader who is going through the difficulties of a divorce where there are children involved. The focus is upon the American legal divorce system and how the standard proceedings tend to leave mothers without sufficient funds and fathers without sufficient access to their children. Child Custody explores methods by which parenting partnership can be achieved, allowing a couple to work together to raise children even though they no longer live together. Child Custody is very highly recommended, essential reading for anyone contemplating our caught up in a divorce action with child custody issues and concerns.

I Can Do That With My Kid!
Rhonda Kehlbeck, Ph.D.
All My Heart Press
13736 Ashridge Drive, Dallas, TX 75240
0971458308 $15.95 1-866-298-4861

I Can Do That With My Kid!: Family Activities To Encourage Reading, Writing, Communication And Positive Self-Esteem In Children! by educator Rhonda Kehlbeck is a "parent friendly" book filled with family activities designed to help them build reading, writing, and communication skills in their children, as well as help their children gain and enhance their academic skill based self-esteem. From keeping a journal to brain games to mealtime fun, I Can Do That With My Kid! offers a wealth of practical, cost-effective activities to enliven one's time and help young people learn more about the world around them. Highly recommended for any parent seeking to augment or improve their child's learning skills, I Can Do That With My Kid! is particularly recommended to home-schooling parents, as well as foster parents and residential center based care givers.

Little Language For Little Ones
Laura Dyer
Little Language
P.O. Box 161, LaVergne, TN 37086
097184092X $12.95 littlelanguage.com

Written by communication disorders and speech-language pathologist Laura Dyer, Little Language For Little Ones is a immensely practical guide for parents young children ages birth through 5 years to help develop their children's speech through professional techniques and music. Simple, step-by-step techniques and resourceful guidelines abound to encouraging and nurturing verbal skills. Companion "Little Language" songs can also be obtained separately on CD ($14.95) or cassette ($9.95). Little Language For Little Ones is an excellent, useful, and practical reference for parents as well as a superb gift for baby showers or toddler birthdays.



The Archaeology Shelf

Getty Trust Publications
1200 Getty Center Drive, #500, Los Angeles, CA 90049-1682
1-310-440-6795 www.getty.edu

Getty Trust Publications, the publishing arm of the world famous J. Paul Getty Museum, has launched a four volume series showcasing the art and artifacts of the time-lost Roman city of Pompeii which was buried intact by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Ernesto De Carolis' Gods And Heroes In Pompeii (0892366303, $24.95) showcases the frescoes of elaborate villas in a richly illustrated survey of Rome's heavenly and heroic pantheons. The informative, beautifully enhanced text surveys the general characteristics of Pompeian painting and its specific visual treatments of ancient gods and heroes. Annamaria Ciarallo's Gardens Of Pompeii (089236629X, $24.95) focuses on the use of plants by the inhabitants of Pompeii in every sphere of daily life for food, textiles, cosmetics, esthetics, and healing. Antonio d'Ambrosio's Women And Beauty In Pompeii (0892366311, $24.95) provides a unique exploration of the nature of female beauty as defined in ancient Rome through depictions of both female goddesses and human women in Pompeian art. Informative discussions and examples are provided for such considerations as hygiene, cosmetics, coiffure, perfume, jewelry, and women's clothing. Antonio Varone's Eroticism In Pompeii (0892366281, $24.95) reflects the conspicuous cultural complexities of Roman antiquity and is discovered to be the opposite of merely crude expressions of human sexuality. Although each volume is available separately, the strongest recommendation is that both academic and community library collections acquire the complete four volume series for their archaeology and Roman history reference collections.



The Library CD Music Shelf

Seed Of Life
Radmilla Coy
Canyon Records
3131 West Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85017
CR-6345, $15.98 1-800-268-1141

Radmilla Coy's Seed Of Life is a superlatively, highly recommended collection of traditional and patriotic songs of the Navajo drawn from her matrilineal heritage and northern Arizona Navajo reservation homeland. The pieces comprising Seed Of Life include: Child to Young Woman (0:33); God Bless America (3:41); The Return Home (3:14); The Proposal and The Promise (3:29); The Cycle of Life (3:48); Corn Grinding Song (2:59); Sibling's Pets (3:02); Song and Dance Romance (3:06); Grandmother (4:02); America the Beautiful (2:26); and the title song, Seed of Life (3:30).



The Nautical Shelf

Offshore Sailing
Bill Seifert with Daniel Spurr
International Marine/McGraw-Hill
P.O. Box 220, Camden, ME 04843
0071374248 $27.95 1-800-262-4729

Offshore Sailing: 200 Essential Passagemaking Tips by yachting expert Bill Seifert is a highly practical guidebook, written by a veteran sailor with 30 years of experience and 100,000 offshore miles to his credit. From boat design and safety, including electrical components and mechanical systems, to navigation to at-sea cooking tips, Offshore Sailing has tips, tricks, and techniques for sailors of all skill levels. Written in a warm, friendly, personable manner yet packed with critical and professional know-how, and with the assistance of Daniel Spurr (editor of "Practical Sailor" for twelve years), Seifert's Offshore Sailing is truly a first-rate, "user friendly", core reference for any sailing person's library.



The Travel Shelf

The Encyclopedia Of Cheap Travel
Terrance Zepke
Infinity Publishing.com
KSB Promotions (publicity)
519 West Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041-1413
0741408414 $19.95 1-877-289-6225

The Encyclopedia Of Cheap Travel by travel industry specialist and expert Terrance Zepke is a refreshingly practical vacationer's reference resource and guide. From getting the best deals on tours, airline tickets, cruises, and accommodations to 50 ways to travel free or even for payment, The Encyclopedia Of Cheap Travel is a wealth of useful, money-saving lore for the tourist on a budget. Highly recommended to thrift-minded travelers everywhere, The Encyclopedia Of Cheap Travel will also prove itself to be an invaluable resource for business travelers on increasingly restrictive corporate resources as well.

Explore The Virgin Islands
Harry S. Pariser
Manatee Press
PO Box 225001, San Francisco, CA 94122
1893643530 $17.95 www.amazon.com

Now in a newly updated fifth edition, Explore The Virgin Islands by veteran travel expert and author Harry S. Pariser is a compact, versatile, illustrated, and "user friendly" guide to making the most of one's stay in the tropical paradise locals of the Virgin Islands. Individual chapters cover the attractions of each island, as well as the basics of history, government, sailing, sports, and practical concerns for an unforgettable visit to a singularly beautiful land. Packed with street maps, website addresses, flora/fauna information, history, and much more, Explore The Virgin Islands is highly recommended. Online updates are available at http://www.exploreavirgin.com. If you are planning a trip to the Virgin Islands, begin by browsing through the pages of Explore The Virgin Islands!



The Philosophy Shelf

A Passion For Ideas
Heinrich v. Pierer & Bolko v. Oetinger
Purdue University Press
1207 South Campus Courts - E, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1207
1557532095 $24.95 .thepress.purdue.edu

Collaboratively edited by Heinrich V. Pierer (President and CEO of Kraftwerk Union AG) and Bolko V. Oetinger (Senior Vice President, The Boston Consulting Group), A Passion For Ideas: How Innovators Create The New And Shape Our World is an impressive and superbly presented anthology of interviews and commentaries focusing on the concept of how new ideas are actually generated. A wide range of twenty-seven notable thinkers informatively present their carefully articulated thoughts on the creative process and what it really means. Highly recommended reading for students and non-specialist general readers with an interest in technological innovation and the creative process, A Passion For Ideas is a fascinating, seminal volume, offering a insightful glimpse into the struggling recesses of the psyche.

Loving Life
Craig Biddle
Glen Allen Press
P.O. Box 5274, Glen Allen, VA 23058
0971373701 $12.95 www.amazon.com

Loving Life: The Morality Of Self-Interest And The Facts That Support It by Craig Biddle is a challenging, informative, thoughtful treatise about the true meaning of ethics. Putting forth that morality does not come from God, social convention, personal opinion, or limiting oneself to what is culturally accepted, but rather embodied in reason, logic, cause and effect, and understanding the importance and value of human life and happiness. Loving Life is a fresh voice of reason about truly living well and pursuing happiness within ethical bounds that are righteous for the best reason of all - because they are rationally constructed out of respect and love for all other human beings. Loving Life is very highly recommended reading for both students of ethics and morality, as well as the non-specialist general readers with an interest in philosophy.



The Games/Hobbies Shelf

Basic Model Railroad Track Plans
Kent Johnson, editor
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187
0890246130 $14.95 kalmbachbooks.com

Basic Model Railroad Track Plans: Small Starter Layouts You Can Build is a superbly presented collection of detailed plans and layouts for amazing and vibrant finished results. From models of St. Paul Central to Valley Forge Central, these scaled-down railway s reflect locations across America. The informal and practical text offers useful tips for dedicated hobbyists and color illustrations combined with detailed three-dimensional diagrams help to clearly explain the methodology of construction. Basic Model Railroad Tarck Plans is an excellent and recommended resource book for model railroaders.

Video Games
Arthur Asa Berger
Transaction Publishers
35 Berrue Circle, Piscataway, NJ 08854
0765809133 $19.95 1-888-999-6778

Video Games: A Popular Culture Phenomenon is a scholarly and critical look at video and computer games as a literary, artistic, and entertainment genre, with the same potentials for classic storytelling and educational use as books, films, and other media. Of course, video and computer games also have notorious potential for cliches, sensationalized violence, or possibly even pornography, just as books, magazines, and movies do. Video Games is a most carefully researched and critical essay, not looking to pass judgement but rather to inform, disseminate and theorize about the relationship of video games to narratives, to culture as a whole, and to biology, psychology and sociology. The individual video games of Myst, Riven, Tomb Raider, and Half-Life in particular are scrutinized in this compelling, sensible, and fascinating treatise on a subject rarely given proper academic scrutiny. Video Games is highly recommended students of American popular culture, as well as for all non-specialist general readers who are video game lovers with an interest in learning and thinking a bit more about the true nature of their passion.

The Rifter #17
Wayne Smith, editor
Palladium Books
12455 Universal Drive, Taylor, MI 48180
1574570706 $7.95 palladiumbooks.com

The Rifter #17: Sourcebook And Guide To The Palladium Megaverse is the latest and superbly presented volume in the guidebook series showcasing the Palladium role-playing worlds for both Game Masters and players. A sourcebook offering a wealth of lore for role-gamers interested in the action-filled, exotic, and highly adaptable Palladium universe, it offers a dazzling selection of abilities to flesh out characters, adventures and plot hooks, and fully realized NPCs. The Rifter #17 is as fascinating to browse through, as it is to plan an role gaming adventure from!



The Poetry Shelf

Christ In The Pizza Place
Clyde Rose
Jesperson Publishing
39 James Lane, St. John's, NF Canada A1E 3H3
0921692943 $14.95 www.amazon.com

Christ In The Pizza Place by educator and poet Clyde Rose is a collection of unique and original poetry drawn from an eclectic variety of topics both everyday and extraordinary. The expressive staccato free verse conjures up scenes of life, struggle, lucklessness and hope in this fine selection. Poet's Daughter: A great lovely sun/came rising over/the St. John's morning sky//Your father sat singing/with your mother/in lovely harmony//and I sat like a dumb stranger/wondering what other blessings/besides your beauty/that this day held.

An Honest Answer
Ginger Andrews
Story Line Press
P.O. Box 1240, Ashland, OR 97520-0055
1885266782 $12.95 www.amazon.com

An Honest Answer is an intense, personal collection of original free-verse poetry by Ginger Andrews. The thoughtful and vividly expressed ideas combined with the impressionistic language have rightfully earned An Honest Answer the 12 Annual Nicholas Roerich Poetry Prize. An Honest Answer is a first-class read for poetry buffs. ReClassified: WWII took just about any man,/but Dad couldn't see to good/out of one eye, was blind in the other,/had high blood pressure/three kids and a wife.//They bused him/from Jefferson Barracks in Saint Louis/back home to Gideon/where he worked at a box factory/making just enough money to feed his family/and keep a roof over our heads,//and where some folks called him/a 4-F son of a bitch.

Second Home
Randy Blasing
Copper Beech Press
PO Box 2578, Providence, RI 02906
0914278797 $12.00 www.amazon.com

The poetry of Randy Blasing is as memorable as it is personal, as skillfully crafted as it is evocative. Second Home is a compilation that will admirably serve to introduce poetry enthusiasts to a truly gifted talent. Change Of Life: My friend the player vows he's written off/meaningless sex--i.e., sex without love--/but at a certain age all lovemaking/becomes an end in itself, not the means/to somebody's end, with no point beyond/the feeling of two souls conjoined to try/& give each other pleasure without end.//Since cutting to the payoff means letting/the future call the shots, as in the past,/the only way of staying in the present/moment remains to use the rhythm method/&draw out time by putting off the climax,/much as working the ins & outs of syntax/slows my progress toward the bottom line.

Jazz Fan Looks Back
Jayne Cortez
Hanging Loose Press
231 Wyckoff Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217
1931236097 $14.00 www.amazon.com

Jazz Fan Looks Back is a collection of Jayne Cortez's unique, original free-verse poetry with a jazz theme. The rhythmic, lyrical verses make for perfect reading while listening jazz music. A splendid and emotional poetry book is written and especially recommended for those who prefer poetry with a beat. The Revolutionary Orchestra: I used to sleep/in houses of/flattened steel drum barrels/and wake up between/bulldozer blades/they labeled me/Queen of Impermanence/until I stomped on Apartheid/in the Grand Apartheid Ballroom/with Jacob Morenga &/Revolutionary Orchestra of Namibia playing Free Jazz/We knew how to darken airs of superiority/Sink the fascist system in its frenzy/& celebrate victory/in consolidated mines while/drinking rio tinto zinc wine/& dancing dances called/Subversive Entertainment Act 3/and Bullet Hole of Censorship Finished.

Dedications
Tina Jeffries
Infinty Publishing.com
519 West Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041-1413
0741408236 $9.95 www.amazon.com

Dedications is a slender (53 pages) volume of simply outstanding verse and introduces the poetry of Tina Jeffries in an impressive collection of intensely personal, often humorous, occasionally edgy work. Nectarious Ecstasy: Cotton candy my dreams/Chocolate dip the hopes/Sprinkle the words/Over the gingerbread man/Come alive in caramel/Inhale in cinnamon/Taste in peanut butter/The courage of passion/As the popcorn of life/Is in full bloom/Savor the moment/In red Licorice/The sweet smell of victory/Can now be toasted/Now drink the sparkly/In the winners cup.

Too Bright To See & Alma
Linda Gregg
Graywolf Press
2402 University Av Saint Paul MN 55114
1555973574 $15.00 graywolfpress.org

Linda Gregg's Too Bright To See & Alma is a lyrical, emotional volume of free-verse poetry ranging across the depths of human experience. The stanzas comprising the poems all tie into the common theme/protagonism of Alma, her husband, her relationship to nature, and the world around her. A moving, illuminating saga filled with thought and love for life. Saying Good-Bye To The Dead: I walk on the dirt roads being my father./Between tobacco fields empty in February/except for the wooden stakes and the wires./The earth is spongy after the rains/which washed the snow away. Dogs bark/near the houses around the fields./Mountains beyond that. I clap my hands/in the air over my head, four times./Turn on one foot around with my arms lifted./Stop and look at the sky fast and hard./Then walk to the bakery and buy day-old/sweet rolls to eat in my room at the hotel.

The Nudes Of God
James Barfoot
NewSouth Books
P.O. Box 1588, Montgomery, AL 36102
1588380289 $22.00 www.amazon.com

The Nudes Of God is a collection of powerful, evocative free-verse poetry by James Barfoot, and much of which deals with mature themes and subject matter. Each of the one-page poems deftly conjures up an impressive and memorable visual, rhythmic, and sensory image in this one-of-a-kind volume. Barbie: Supporting the nobody dies today/The afternoon should be as crystal clear/And simple as this morning's atmosphere/Supposing there's no infidelity/The trees should spread their friendly limbs like fans/Open indiscriminately to breeze/Supposing there's no crushing of the heart/The curbs along the road should turn us home/Away from Moses' desert wanderings/Supposing that she walks out of her clothes/And like a perfect plastic model goes/Each shadow balanced by an angled light/To show us she's not plastic after all/Supposing that she's not and doesn't die.



The Education Shelf

Adults in College
Wanda Schindley, Ph.D.
Dallas Publishing
Box 1144, Mt. Pleasant, TX 75456-1144
0912011599 $22.95 www.amazon.com

Adults In College: A Survival Guide For Nontraditional Students by educator and author Wanda Schindley is a serious, practical book for anyone aspiring to complete his or her academic degree. Individual chapters address how to cope with the anxieties of being an adult surrounded by recent high school graduates, the paperwork process of enrollment, balancing school with a job and children, how to effectively study and survive exams, how to write a research paper without wasting time and effort, and much more. A first-rate guide, Adults In College is packed with very useful information and is especially recommended for college students returning to academia after an extended absence for military, family, or business purposes.

Reasearching Issues
Maity Schrecengost
Upstart Books
Box 800, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0800
1579500560 $8.95 1-800-448-4887

Written expressly for middle school students, Researching Issues is a short, simple, straight-to-the-point, 40 page guide to chosing a topic to research, finding references and resources, taking notes, and putting one's research into a properly organized paper. The text is clear and unambiguous, taking into account both traditional references and the expanding information frontier of the Internet. Researching Issues is quite confidently recommended as first-class self-study guide and supplement for young people of middle school age, as well as ideal for home schooling parents who want to help teach their child how to look things up and find things out.

Contextual Teaching And Learning
Elaine B. Johnson
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Rd, Thousand Oaks CA 91320
0761978658 $27.95 www.amazon.com

Written for professional educators yet comprehensible and practical in its presentation toward non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject matter, Contextual Teaching And Learning by education and business consultant Elaine B. Johnson (Executive Director of MBM Associates) is a solid, definitive guide to what "Contextual Teaching And Learning" (CTL) is and how it can enable teachers from grade school through university levels help students achieve academic excellence. Filled with examples of CTL's success, strategies to best apply CTL, and a thorough outline of the basics and history of CTL, Contextual Teaching And Learning is a welcome and invaluable addition to professional and academic teacher education supplemental reading lists and reference collections.

Discipline Without Stress, Punishments Or Rewards
Marvin Marshall
Piper Press
P.O. Box 2227, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
0970060610 $39.95 www.amazon.com

Discipline Without Stress, Punishments Or Rewards: How Teachers And Parents Promote Responsibility & Learning by education and child development specialist Marvin Marshall is a highly positive guide for teachers and parents seeking to helping young people learn without putting overwhelming pressure upon them in the process. Introducing a system to help parents foster accountability and positive life skills, chapters of Discipline Without Stress, Punishments Or Rewards set forth very practical ideas in a reasonable, rational text easily accessible to lay readers. Discipline Without Stress, Punishments Or Rewards is first rate and thoughtful book, highly recommended to teachers and parents of children at all grade levels from preschool through high school.

Noa's Ark
David Schwarzer
Heinemann/Reed Elsevier
361 Hanover Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
0325002797 $12.00 heinemann.com

Noa's Ark: One Child's Voyage Into Multiliteracy by David Schwarzer (Assistant Professor, Multilingual Studies, University of Texas, Austin) is both anecdotal and world-encompassing as it deals with Noa, who is a young, multilingual (English/Hebrew/Spanish), female first grader, in a study focusing on her placement within a traditional English/Spanish bilingual classroom. Her journey and learning experience show the possibilities and benefits of multilingual education, as well as the complex yet rewarding developments of acquiring multiliteracy. An intriguing and fascinating case study, Noa's Ark is a welcome and recommended addition to bilingual and multilingual studies reading lists and reference collections.

A+ Notes For Algebra
Rong Yang
A+ Notes Learning Center
2211 Graham Avenue, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
0965435288 $19.50 www.amazon.com

Now in a revised third edition, A+ Notes For Algebra: With Trigonometry And Probability is a core reference of step-by-step instructions intended expressly for algebra students, whether high school teenagers or adults seeking to learn the basics of abstract mathematics. From fractional expressions to analytic geometry to matrices, statistics, and trigonometric applications, A+ Notes for Algebra presents comprehensive notes combined with numerous examples and step-by-step problem solving guides. A superb, first-class reference, not just for people who have difficulty taking notes or the misfortune of studying under an unskilled lecturer, A+ Notes For Algebra is also meant for note-takers who like to compare their work with an exemplary baseline and thus drive the crucial material even deeper into memory. With 5,000 examples and exercises ranging from the simple to the complex, A+ Notes For Algebra is especially recommended for those preparing to take the SAT, ACT, or NTE/Praxis academic achievement tests.



The International Studies Shelf

The Mission
Joseph B. Atkins, editor
Iowa State University Press
2121 State Ave., Ames, IA 50014-8300
0813821886 $54.99 1-800-862-6657

The Mission: Journalism, Ethics And The World edited by Joseph B. Atkins (Associate Professor of Journalism, University of Mississippi) is an impressive compilation of contributors offering the reader a straightforward, scholarly, and insightful look at the role of journalists to preserve, protect, and disseminate truthful information in different nations about the globe. From muckraking in Latin America to the presses of India and Japan, The Mission offers a meaningful and informative glimpse into the practical lives and difficulties of copywriters in a host of varied cultures. Fascinating reading and highly recommended for anyone curious about international journalistic practices, The Mission is a core addition Journalism Studies and International Studies supplemental reading lists and academic reference collections.

Extreme Islam
Adam Parfrey, editor
Feral House
PO Box 13067, Los Angeles, Ca 90013
0922915784, $16.00 feralhouse.com

Deftly edited by Adam Parfrey, Extreme Islam: Anti-American Propaganda Of Muslim Fundamentalism is a timely and much needed contribution to the current national dialogue brought about by the events of 9/11 and the presidentially declared war against Islamic terrorism networks. Extreme Islam is an informative and alarming compilation of primary sources drawn from Muslim fundamentalism including fatwas, interviews, essays, political cartoons, paintings, poems, and stories graphically and textually showcasing the messianic context of Islam that advocates the complete destruction of all ideological enemies -- including the "Great Satan" of secularism, the United States of America. Also included are original documents of Christian and Jewish fundamentalism and a remarkable and little-known plot to destroy al-Aqsa (one of Islam's holiest shrines) for the specific purpose of fomenting world war and the coming of the Apocalypse. Extreme Islam is strongly recommended reading for students of International Studies in general, and the nature of contemporary political terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism in particular.

The Sino-American Friendship As Tradition And Challenge
M. Cristina Zaccarini
Lehigh University Press
c/o Associated University Press
440 Forsgate Dr., Cranbury, NJ 08512
093422370X $41.50 www.amazon.com

The Sino-American Friendship As Tradition and Challenge: Dr. Ailie Gale In China 1908-1950 by Dr. M. Cristina Zaccarini (History Professor, Adelphi University) focuses on the writings of Dr. Ailie Gale, an American female missionary and hospital administrator, and her erudite, up-close comparison and contrast between nations from the perspective of one who has lived in both worlds. Her beliefs in duty and service to God, spiritual equality between genders, and the efforts of her medical service are all brought to vivid life on the page, as are her forceful opposition to a patriarchal hierarchy and the subordination of women that she saw all too heavily inlaid within the traditional Chinese cultures around her. The Sino-American Friendship As Tradition And Challenge is highly recommended for international studies and 20th century Chinese history curriculum supplemental reading lists and academic reference collections.



The Self-Help Shelf

The Love You Deserve
Dr. Scott Peck & Shannon Peck
Lifepath Publishing
P.O. Box 830, Solana Beach, CA 92075
0965997677 $13.95 www.amazon.com

The Love You Deserve: A Spiritual Guide To Genuine Love by the husband and wife team of Scott and Shannon Peck is an uplifting, "user friendly", self-help guide to finding and maintaining a healthy, loving relationship. Individual chapters explore the importance of loving oneself, equality and balance, listening to the heart, and upholding one another's dreams in a committed couple. The Love You Deserve is a gentle, thoughtful, emotional and practical book which is especially recommended for readers seeking to improve and enhance their personal relationships and spirituality.

Naikan
Gregg Krech
Stone Bridge Press
P.O. Box 8208, Berkeley, CA 94707
1880656639 $14.95 www.amazon.com

Naikan: Gratitude, Grace, And The Japanese Art Of Self-Reflection by Gregg Krech (Executive Director, ToDo Institute, Middlebury, Vermont) is an accessible, "reader friendly" guide to the spiritual art of mental composure and cleansing through an ancient tradition of harmony and balance. Individual chapters address the nature of Naikan, and its practice and usefulness in everyday life. Offering simple exercises that the reader can do to train himself or herself in this healing and revealing way of deeper understanding, Naikan is a fascinating and meaningful guide, and highly recommended reading for anyone seeking to improve themselves in general, and their emotional well-being in particular.

The Delicate Balance
Gina Fenske & Kate McGrath
Trianthus House
P.O. Box 2276, Littleton, CO 80161
0963890506 $13.75 www.amazon.com

Written by Gina Fenske with the assistance of Kate McGrath, The Delicate Balance is a wonderfully written book designed to help change the reader's life, and guide the reader to a happier, more meaningful, loving and God-centered existence in this world. Individual chapters address such dark and brutal realities as the Columbine tragedy, the true understanding of God's personal love, the way of hope and self-betterment, and much more. A thoughtful and inspirational book, The Delicate Balance is very highly recommended for personal self-help, self-improvement reading lists and reference collections.

The Undefended Self
Susan Thesenga
Pathwork Press
P.O. Box 6010, Charlottesville, VA 22906
0961477776 $19.95 www.pathwork.org

Now in a newly revised and updated third edition, The Undefended Self: Living The Pathwork by teacher, therapist, lecturer and author Susan Thesenga is a practical and meaningful self-help guide that elaborates highly on the ancient wisdom of Socrates: "Know Thyself." From understanding and transforming the needs and desires of the lower self, mask self, and higher self to following a new spiritual path, The Undefended Self is a journey through the positive and negative sides of human nature toward a plateau of greater acceptance, self-esteem, and happiness. Especially recommended reading for readers aspiring toward their own enduring and personal transformation.



The Photography Shelf

The Painter's House
Kishin Shinoyama, photography
Gero von Boehm, essayist
teNeues Publishing Company
16 West 22 St., New York, NY 10010
3823854720 $25.00 www.amazon.com

The Painter's House: Balthus At The Grand Chalet is a beautiful, full-color assemblage of photographs by Kishin Shinoyama depicting daily life at the Swiss timber house of the great artist Balthus. The Painter's House features a brief but informative essay, "A World in Suspension: Balthus - The Last Tempter in Art" by Gero von Boehm, but the majority of the book consists of a series of grandly presented, full-page photographs capturing life, joy, and wonder for all to see. The Painter's House is a very highly recommended volume for connoisseur's of Balthus' work who wish to see of the artist and his daily life.



The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Manual Of Exotic Pets
Anna Meredith & Sharon Redrobe, editors
Iowa State University Press
2121 South State Ave., Ames, IA 50010
0905214471 $94.99 1-800-862-6657

Now in a newly updated and expanded fourth edition, the Manual Of Exotic Pets now includes fancy pigs and U. S. pets. More than twenty knowledgeable experts drawn from the United Kingdom and the United States offer informative contributions that take a problem-solving approach to exotic pet diseases. Key features include new chapters on clinical anatomy and imaging; tables of fluid, nutritional and supportive therapy, and normal blood/urine values; a comprehensive formulary for each chapter; and a text significantly enhanced with full-color illustrations. An essential, highly recommended reference work for veterinarians and breeders, the Manual Of Exotic Pets includes mammalian anatomy and imaging; rats and mice; hamsters; gerbils; chipmunks; guinea-pigs; chinchillas; rabbits; ferrets; U.S. pets; fancy pigs; primates; avian anatomy and imaging; cage and aviary birds; pigeons; birds of prey; reptile and amphibian anatomy and imaging; tortoises and turtles; lizards; snakes; amphibians; ornamental fish; invertebrates; and relevant exotic pet legislation.

Buffalo: Sacred & Sacrificed
Grant MacEwan
Red Deer Press
PMB 128, 4500 Witmer Industrial Estates, Niagara Falls, NY 14305-1386
0969935501 $14.95 reddeerpress.com

Buffalo: Sacred & Sacrificed by historian, animal husbandry expert, and environmentalist Grant MacEwan is a comprehensive survey and compelling examination spanning centuries at a wild species of animal whose very existence was nearly eliminated by the expanse of New World colonialism. From the buffalo's ecology, to its unique place in Native American history and lore, to its modern-day existence relegated to a role on ranches and farms, Buffalo: Sacred And Sacrificed covers just about everything there is to know about this majestic beast, and how human beings have interacted with it across changing times. A superb reference, printed on heavy glossy stock paper and illustrated with black-and-white photographs and sketches, Buffalo: Sacred & Sacrificed is an enthusiastically recommended addition to school and community library wildlife reference collections.

Early Southwest Ornithologists 1528-1900
Dan L. Fischer
The University of Arizona Press
355 S. Euclid, Ste. 103, Tucson AZ 85719
0816521492 $45.00 uapress.arizona.edu

Early Southwest Ornithologists 1528-1900 by Dan L. Fischer is a fascinating history of the study of birds and the ecology of the American southwest, influenced as the science was by more practical matters such as the Mexican-American War. An expansive bibliography and selection of maps help chart the course of compiled ornithology over the centuries. Overall, Early Southwest Ornithologists 1528-1900 is a fact-filled sourcebook, and very highly recommended reading for anyone with a keen interest in American Southwest birds and those who have studied them.

Firefly Books
4 Daybreak Lane, Westport, CT 06880
1-800-387-5085

Two fine underwater fish guides will appeal to those with a special interest in oceans and fishes. John Dawes' Complete Encyclopedia Of The Freshwater Aquarium (1-55297-544-4, $40.00) provides a fine reference for the hobbyist, offering everything from basic instructions on aquarium set-up and population to recommended plants and a colorful A-Z directory of available species. This comprehensive hobbyist's guide is especially recommended for public library reference collections. More than 200 maps and charts of the ocean floor are included in World Atlas Of The Oceans (585-1, $50.00), an outstanding cartographical achievement which packs reference maps of the ocean into an oversized, colorful book. Again, reference collections will find this an excellent, lasting addition.



The Architecture Shelf

Waddesdon Manor
Michael Hall
Harry N. Abrams
115 West 18th St., New York, NY 10011
0810932393 $65.00 www.amazon.com

Waddesdon Manor: The Heritage Of A Rothschild House is a gorgeous coffee table book, filled cover to cover with fabulous full-color photographs depicting an extraordinary house in the English countryside near London and its 125-year history. Showcasing romantic gardens, a superb private wine cellar, a wondrous aviary and much, much more, Waddesdon Manor is an incredible tour through culture, time, architecture, and interior design. The detailed text, drawing from previously unpublished research, memoirs, family and retainer reminiscences, takes the reader on a step by step tour through rooms and eras alike in this classical volume recommended for students of architectural history.

Literacy and libraries are the first lines of defense against an imprisonment of the mind.


James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com


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