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Internet Bookwatch

Volume 18, Number 6 June 2008 Home | IBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Fiction Shelf Parenting Shelf
Business Shelf Theatre/Cinema Shelf Education Shelf
Photography Shelf Poetry Shelf Christian Studies Shelf
Judicial Studies Shelf Literary Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf
World History Shelf Biography Shelf American History Shelf
Self-Help Shelf International Studies Shelf Music Shelf
Economics Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf Social Issues Shelf
Environmental Studies Shelf Cookbook Shelf Travel Shelf
Science Shelf Anthropology Shelf Art Shelf
Woodworking Shelf Women's Studies Shelf Needlecraft Shelf
Human Sexuality Shelf Criminology Shelf Gaming Shelf
Pets/Wildlife Shelf Crafts Shelf Civil War Shelf
Psychology Shelf Journalism Shelf Architecture Shelf
Sports Shelf Military Shelf Jobs/Careers Shelf
Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Religion/Spirituality Shelf Hunting/Fishing Shelf Computer Shelf
Money/Finance Shelf Antiques/Collectibles Shelf Political Science Shelf
Genealogy Shelf Native American Shelf Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Nautical Shelf Interior Design Shelf Gardening Shelf
Metaphysical Studies Shelf Buddhist Studies Shelf Library Science Shelf
Writing/Publishing Shelf Library DVD Shelf Library CD Music Shelf
Holocaust Studies Shelf    


Reviewer's Choice

The Samurai Swordsman
Stephen Turnbull
Tuttle Publishing
364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, Vermont 05759-9436
9784805309568, $44.95, www.tuttlepublishing.com

The Samurai – in modern society, it's a shallow shell of what it formerly was – exaggeratedly awesome warriors capable of sundering tanks in two with there swords. But who were the real Samurai? "The Samurai Swordsman: Master of War" is an examination of the true Samurai, who dominated Japan during its feudal era, much like Knights once dominated Europe. Going deep into the nature of Samurai as complex individuals and not just swords with legs, it looks at everything – the Samurai statesman, the Samurai artist, and more. Enhanced with full color paintings throughout, "The Samurai Swordsman: Master of War" is highly recommended for community library history and art collections and for anyone who has always had a fascination with this warrior caste.

China's Sacred Sites
Nan Shunxun & Beverly Foit Albert
Himalyan Institute Press
952 Bethany Turnpike, Honesdale, PA 18431-4194
9780893892623, $49.95, www.himalayaninstitute.org

One of the oldest and greatest civilizations of the world – China. "China's Sacred Sites" is a comprehensive and complete listing of sacred areas to Buddhism, Confucianism, and other major Chinese religions, along with the sites' history and breathtaking full-color photography. Composed in a greatly accessible format, "China's Sacred Sites" is a must for fans of Chinese history, armchair travelers, and photography buffs alike, and would do well to find itself in any community library collection.

Harmony in Healing
James J. Garber
Transaction Publishers
Rutgers University, 35 Berrue Circle, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8042
9781412806923, $34.95 www.transactionpub.com 1-888-999-6778

Astronomer James J. Garber presents Harmony in Healing: The Theoretical Basis of Ancient and Medieval Medicine, a unique examination of the link between medicine, astronomy, and cosmology, from the era of the Greeks to the modern day. Harmony in Healing pays particular attention to the theoretical baseline of the ancient principle of universal harmony, and its role in helping humanity's efforts to resist disease. Cosmological principles have played a key role in the theory and practice of medicine throughout history, sometimes obscuring human understanding of more accurate models such as modern disease theory, but often leading the way in the spirit of scientific and medical inquisition. "Galen's theory of anatomy and physiology was easily assimilated into a Christian context because he held that God had created each part of the human body for a specific purpose. His was a teleological system utilizing Aristotle's fourth (final) cause. Galen was a pagan who, at one point, criticized Christians for not thinking rationally. This apparently did not put off Christian writers - Galen's works survived without criticism for 1,500 years." A fascinating look at how mankind's understanding of medicine and healing evolved over millennia.

The Book of IQ Tests
Philip J. Carter & Kenneth A. Russell
Sterling Press
387 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016
9781402757358, $5.95, www.sterlingpublishing.com

Claiming one is smarter than another can only be backed up with an IQ test – and "The Book of IQ Tests: 25 Self-Scoring Quizzes To Sharpen Your Mind" is here to help these frivolous disputes with twenty five self-scoring quizzes for fun and self-evaluation of one's own mental abilities. Covering all aspects of the typical IQ test, "The Book of IQ Tests: 25 Self-Scoring Quizzes to Sharpen Your Mind" is highly recommended to community library collections of fun and games books.

Critter Control
Larry Grupp
Paladin Press
7077 Winchester Circle, Boulder, CO 80301
9781581606515, $34.95, www.paladin-press.com

The world is not inhabited solely by humans – and some humans live closer to the neighbors in the world than others. "Critter Control: A Homeowner's Guide to Getting Rid of Rodents, Deer, Bears, Foxes, Skunks, Birds, Snakes, and Other Pests" is a guide for those who happen to live very close to their inconsiderate animal neighbors who commonly find them invading their own homes. Countless suggestions to manage these pests themselves without seeking professional help – when to simply remove the threat, and when to take a more violent approach. "Critter Control: A Homeowner's Guide to Getting Rid of Rodents, Deer, Bears, Foxes, Skunks, Birds, Snakes, and Other Pests" is essential to any who seem to have to deal with these problems on a everyday basis.

The Public Record Research Tips Book
Michael Sankey
Facts on Demand Press
PO Box 27869, Tempe, AZ 85285
9781889150505, $19.95, www.brbpub.com

Public Records – they are there, and that is the extent of one's convenience with them. "The Public Record Research Tips Book: Insider Information for Effective Public Record Research" is a complete and comprehensive guide to expertly searching the government's public records files – covering all aspects of it. Court Record Databases, Criminal Records, Government lists, websites that aren't entirely obvious to use, and a glossary of terms that commonly occur. "The Public Record Research Tips Book: Insider Information for Effective Public Record Research" is highly recommended to community library business collections and for anyone who has to search these records often.

Women Astronomers
Mabel Armstrong
Stone Pine Press
c/o Beagle Bay Books
14120 Saddlebow Dr., Reno, NV, 89511
9780972892957, $16.95, www.beaglebay.com

Over five thousand years ago, ancient Babylonian priestesses correctly anticipated solar eclipses and arrivals of comets. "Women Astronomers: Reaching for the Stars" is a part of Stone Pine Presses' Discovering Women in Science Series, and outlines how the fairer sex has made significant contributions to the science of astronomy, focusing on the past hundred years with references to such ancient contributions such as the Babylonian priestesses above. Author Mabel Armstrong, a teacher of science for over a quarter of a century, speaks of her own obstacles in the field and gives advice to other aspiring female astronomers. "Women Astronomers: Reaching for the Stars" is highly recommended for women's studies and science shelves everywhere and for any girl astronomer-to-be.

Nureyev
Howard Brown
Phaidon Press
180 Varick Press, 14th Floor, New York, New York 10014
9780714848655, $29.95, www.phaidon.com

From a small town in the then Soviet Union came one of the greatest male dancers the world has ever known, Rudolf Nureyev. "Nureyev" is a massive coffee-table sized biography of this great ballet artist, filled with nearly two hundred black and white but beautifully captured images of his countless performances over the decades, to play out as a unique telling of this brilliant artist's life. Highly recommended as a great gift to any ballet enthusiast and can find a place in any community library collection on dance.

Simpsonology
Tim Delaney
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591025597, $18.95 www.prometheusbooks.com

Sociologist Tim Delaney considers the Simpsons sitcom and the ways it affects and reflects American culture. For over 15 years The Simpsons have covered American culture, from customs and oddities to politics and family dynamics. This draws important links between sociology and Simpsons plots and approaches, making it a perfect choice for any college-level library strong in sociology and American culture.

Every Landlord's Property Protection Guide
Ron Leshnower, Attorney
Nolo Press
950 Parker, Berkeley, CA 94710
1413307000, $29.99 www.nolo.com

If you've invested in rental property then it's an investment you don't want to lose – and won't, with the aid of Every Landlord's Property Protection Guide, a survey of everything from obtaining the right kind of insurance to lowering crime risk, avoiding personal injury lawsuits, and more. Real stories of landlords who learned the hard way make for an important map of the land mines and their potential locations.

Hubert's Freaks
Gregory Gibson
Harcourt Inc.
9780151012336, $24.00 www.harcourtbooks.com

An outstanding novel packed with unusual twists and turns, HUBERT'S FREAKS revolves around obsessive antiques dealer and treasure hunter Bob Langmuir, who uncovers unique prints by the legendary Diane Arbus, in the process discovering a new side of not only artist Arbus but the 'weird America' she captured in film. His survey of antiques, freak show exhibits, and more evolves into a catchy road show of discovery in a novel packed with adventure, and highly recommended as a fine leisure read.

The Wisconsin Lawn Guide
Melinda Myers
Cool Springs Press
101 Forrest Crossing Blvd., Suite 100, Franklin, TN 37064
9781591864257, $12.95 www.coolspringspress.net

Lawns are deemed an essential element for any home landscaping design. The types of grass that flourish best in Wisconsin's horticultural zone, varied soil conditions, and climate are superbly presented in depth and detail by horticulturist, gardener, and lawn specialist Melinda Myers in "The Wisconsin Lawn Guide", a 159-page compendium of information, advice, commentary, and resources. Featuring the best grass varieties to be employed in a Wisconsin environment, "The Wisconsin Lawn Guide" also features a maintenance schedule for a well kept lawn, detailed and illustrated explanations of methods for planning new lawns, renovating existing lawns, dealing with commonly encountered lawn problems ranging from weeds and diseases to insect pests, the role of fertilizers, watering, and mowing. Enthusiastically recommended for personal, professional, agricultural school, and community library collections in the Badger State, "The Wisconsin Lawn Guide" should be considered a 'must read' for anyone charged with the responsibility of lawn care for a Wisconsin property, be it urban, suburban, or rural.


The Fiction Shelf

Remittance Man
Michael Worsnip
University of Kwazulu-natal Press
Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
Email: books@ukzn.ac.za
International Specialized Book Services (distrubutor)
920 NE 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR, 87213-3786
9781869141158, $24.95, www.ukznpress.co.za

To not be accepted by one's own family – because you are of a darker complexion than they are – a truly terrifying thought for most Americans, but for South Africans, it's a sad truth. "Remittance Man" follows Bertie King, shunned by his family, as he tries to deal with life under a national government which makes American racism look like nothing. It's a story, that although fiction, is sadly remnant of many South Africans' true stories. "Remittance Man" is deftly written and highly recommended to literary fiction shelves everywhere.

The Region of Lost Names
Fred Arroyo
The University of Arizona Press
355 S. Euclid Avenue, Suite 103 Tucson, AZ 85719
9780816526574, $15.95, www.uapress.arizona.edu

A strange occurrence – coming upon a self-epiphany while thousands of miles away from what it's about. It's what strikes Ernest & Magdalene in "The Region of Lost Names". On separate trips, the two discover their true thoughts about their families and begin to think about them- and the past mistakes of their parents. Faced with this thought, they turn to repair the mistakes of the past in this deftly written tale of a family dealing with itself. "The Region of Lost Names" is highly recommended and a top pick for community library fiction collections.

To The Death
Patrick Robinson
Vanguard Press
387 Park Avenue South, Floor 12, New York, New York, 10016
9781593154769, $25.95, www.tothedeath.com

A terrorist's bomb explodes in Logan airport – Admiral Arnold Morgan must hunt down those responsible. "To The Death" is a fast paced political thriller from New York Times Best Selling Author Patrick Robinson, and this is his finale to his much acclaimed Admiral Morgan series. In a plot to foil his own assassination, he must travel all over the world in this deftly written thriller, sure to please his legions of fans. "To The Death" is a must for community library thriller collections.

Silence of Stone
AnnaMarie Beckel
Breakwater Books Limited
PO Box 2188, 100 Water Street, St. John's, NL AIC 6E6
1550812432, $16.95, www.breakwater.nf.net

How much are some people willing to sacrifice in the name of love? "Silence of Stone" follows Marguerite de Roberval as she is abandoned with her lover, a French soldier, and her servant on an isolated island near Newfoundland. The three, dumped their due to Marguerite's love must overcome the elementals to survive, and seek revenge on the man who put her there in the first place. "Silence of Stone" has some historical accounts it is based on, making it highly recommended to community library historical fiction collections with a nod to romance.

Mortal Shield
Thomas A. Taylor
Southeast Missouri State University
MS 2650, One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
9780979871412, $19.00, www6.semo.edu/universitypress

A cult has goals. Some of them are harmless- some of them are self-destructive, but some of them still have far more sinister plots. "Mortal Shield" is the tale of one of these cults, planning on eliminating the governor – and the governor's protectors know of this. The governor and his family, however, just want a normal life without agents blocking them every step of the way . "Mortal Shield" is a grand conflict of three groups of people with very different goals and how all of their intentions clash in an incredibly interesting tale with no clear outcome - "Mortal Shield" is highly recommended for any thriller fan and any library collection collecting them.

Edith and the Mysterious Stranger
Linda Weaver Clarke
Bedside Books
c/o American Book Publishing
PO Box 65624, Salt Lake City, Utah 84165
9781589824690, $22.00, www.lindaweaverclarke.com

A stressful life on top of a child that is due into one's life soon – it could be a breaking point. "Edith and the Mysterious Stranger" is Edith's story, as she moves across the globe to care for Melinda who is with child – a child who might not make it. But letters start to arrive from the far west – where Edith once called home. The stranger's thoughts intrigue Edith in this deftly written historical fiction novel with a blend of romance. "Edith and The Mysterious Stranger" is well deserving of a place in community library historical fiction collections.

The Winged and Garlanded Nike
S.G. Scott
Regent Press
2747 Regent Street, Berkeley, CA 94705
9781587901430, $22.00, www.regentpress.net

Through the 1840s, the California Gold Rush was in full force. Through the 1950s, the lesser known defense rush went into full force. "The Winged and Garlanded Nike" is a novel linking the two rushes of financial stages of money flowing out and into California. Taking a hard critical look at the era from both its height of 1955 and its aftermath thirty one years later in 1986, with a thought provoking parody on the era. Deftly written, "The Winged and Garlanded Nike" is highly recommended for community library collections dedicated to literary fiction.

The Collar and the Bracelet
Yahya Taher Abdullah
The American University in Cairo Press
420 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018
International Publishers Marketing
PO Box 605, Herndon, VA 20175-0605
9789774161452, $17.95, www.aucpress.com

One can always get a look into the culture of its people by looking to its modern stories. "The Collar and the Bracelet: Modern Arabic Stories" is a compilation of short stories by noted Arabic author Yahya Taher Abdullah. Deftly translated by Samah Selim, it tells the story of the village of Karnark, and the trials and tribulations they face through the format of a series of short stories. "The Collar and the Bracelet: Modern Arabic Stories" is highly recommended to community library collections focusing on world fiction.

West of 16W
Mark Slomiany
Outskirts Press
10940 S. Parker Rd. - 515, Parker, Colorado 80134
9781432703110, $12.95, www.outskirtspress.com

The road, a truly intangible place – yet a place many turn to for inspiration. "West of 16W" is Mark's story of traveling the road in search of inspiration to make himself a better writer, to write something truly magnificent and to make himself famous. His personal desires clash with his family, he seeks out love, but somehow he has to get through the gauntlet of life to make it through. A top pick for community library literary fiction collections and for anyone who has a life of uncertainty ahead of them.

This Life, This Death
Michael P. Graham
Outskirts Press
10940 S. Parker Rd – 515, Parker CO 80134
9781432719449, $13.95, www.outskirtspress.com

Peace – to have all that one wanted and to have nothing to disturb it. In "This Life, This Death", David Bridgeman thought he had attained it – only to be brought into another hostile conflict where he finds his former friend dead in a mysterious crash and an overly ambitious corrupt government agent plotting against his home country – Bridgeman must train new comrades to face off against this growing threat in this gripping novel of adventure sure to keep readers reading until it's all over. "This Life, This Death" is a must for community library fiction collections.

The Road from La Cueva
Sheila Ortego
Sunstone Press
PO Box 2321, 239 Johnson Street, Santa Fe, NM 87504
Stray Dog Media
905 Don Miguel Place, Santa Fe, NM 87505
9780865345881, $26.95, www.sunstonepress.com

A problem many people face in life – the continuing security of the way things are – or the leap for a much better existence. "The Road From La Cueva" is Ana Howland's problem of facing this – a sheltered life as a housewife under a controlling husband, or her affair with a man who seems to truly love and respect her – but would lead to problems in itself. Ana must overcome these problems and somehow find a resolution – deftly told by Sheila Ortego. "The Road from La Cueva" is highly recommended to romance fans and community library collections catering to the genre.

Come Get Some
Nane Quartay
Strebor Books International
PO Box 6505, Largo, MD 20792
Atria Books News
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9781593091767, $13.00, www.streborbooks.com

The sad reality of growing up – and everyone faces different, yet similar challenges. "Come Get Some" is a look into the high school lives of urban black youth, filled with conflict – morality stops being black and white, sexual innocence is no more, and faced with the fact that some people hate them for something as frivolous as the color of their skin. Deftly written, "Come Get Some" is a harsh look at the real world that these young men and women face, highly recommended to community library urban fiction collections and for any who want something to relate to in their books.

When The Leaves Stop Falling
Kelly Moran
Lulu
860 Aviation Parkway, Suite 300, Morrisonville, NC, 27560
9781430324751, $17.99, www.lulu.com

Four lives start down their old roads, and seem to be on a collision course to intertwine once more. "When The Leaves Stop Falling" is their story – Serena seems to be on a course to a morbid outcome, Jake is conflicting with the return of his ex, Courtney deals with the horrible abuse she had experienced earlier in life, and Austin deals with the return of his sister – while having the optimistic look up of who she's bringing with her. "When The Leaves Stop Falling" is a deftly written story, sure to be a great addition to community library literary fiction collections.

Snapping the String
Robert Paul Blumenstein
Outskirts Press
10940 S. Parker Rd. - 515, Parker, CO 80134
9781432715205, $15.95, www.outskirtspress.com

The thought of one's parents both dying is enough to put some people in the crazy house – but being accused of their murders is just too much. "Snapping the String" is the story of Peyton Costello being committed after his accusation of his parents murder – the string of horrific events leaves his sanity dangling by a thread. He tries to use that thread to pull himself back into reality, lest he mind breaks and stays broken forever. "Snapping the String" is a deftly written psychological thriller leaving readers glued to the page wondering what will happen next – highly recommended for community library collections dedicated to them.

Childsong
Thor Polson
Athena Press
Queen's House, 2 Holly Road, Twickenham, TW1 4EG, UK
9781844017317, $9.95, www.athenapress.com

Is the current generation of youngsters set for self-destruction? "Childsong" is the tale of a group of friends hailing in a small college in the Midwestern United States where they face the terrifying truth of adulthood where they must learn to survive and cope with the most terrifying lesson they will learn of all – that the world is not all about them. "Childsong" is a well written coming of age novel with a deft criticism of the current generation, a top pick for any community library fiction collections.

Sassy
Valerie A. Howard
Lulu
860 Aviation Parkway, Suite 300, Morrisville, NC 27560
9781435708679, $19.95, www.lulu.com

There is a certain satisfaction is watching someone get their comeuppance after being an intolerable hussy – but what about the intolerable hussy's feelings? "Sassy" is the story of Cecilia Richards, the intolerable hussy in question, whose life starts to fall apart when she is left by her boyfriend, her girlfriends want nothing to do with her any longer, and her job begins to fall apart. Cecilia tries to set her life straight and reflects on how she has acted so wrongly over the years - "Sassy" is highly recommended to community library collections focusing on Chick Lit and for fans of the genre.

Spooky Action at a Distance
Tom Noyes
Dufour Editions
PO Box 7, Chester Spring, PA 19425
9780802313461, $14.95, www.dufoureditions.com

Weighing the weight of life – not something that obviously makes for a good story, but Tom Noyes makes it so in "Spooky Action at a Distance". Stories that follow truly human characters as they deal with the common problems of life, such as the death of a father and the relationship with his son, a boy struggling with illiteracy, the suicide of a loved one – all things that everyday people may deal with, but all written intriguingly to glue readers to the page. "Spooky Action at a Distance" is deftly written and highly recommended.


The Parenting Shelf

The Rules of Parenting
Richard Templar
FT Press
1 Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
9780137132591, $16.99, www.ftpress.com

Parenting – is it a natural instinct or is it learned? "The Rules of Parenting: A Personal Code for Raising Happy, Confident Children" is a guide to help those instincts or naturally gained knowledge along, promoting 100 easy to follow rules for parents to make their kids happy, the most instinctual desire of all parents. It also promotes the fact that rules, at times, are meant to be broken and that parenting is not a science, but an art. "The Rules of Parenting: A Personal Code for Raising Happy, Confident Children" is a top pick for any parent not a hundred percent sure of their abilities and for community library parenting collections.

No More Meltdowns
Jed Baker
Future Horizons
721 W. Abram Street, Arlington, TX 76013
9781932565621, $14.95, www.FHautism.com

All children are prone to fits and temper tantrums – but it may be worse for children with autism. "No More Meltdowns: Positive Strategies for Managing and Preventing Out-Of-Control Behavior" is a complete and comprehensive parenting guide for parents of autistic children to manage their offspring's meltdowns, be they in public or in the privacy of one's own home. With tips on managing one's own emotions, calming one's child, why it occurs, and tips to prevent future problems, "No More Meltdowns: Positive Strategies for Managing and Preventing Out-Of-Control Behavior" is highly recommended for community library parenting collections.

Oops!
Alan Katz
McElderry Books
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
141690204X, $17.99 www.simonsays.com

Edward Koren provides funny drawings to enhance the zany antics in OOPS!, a hilarious poetic survey sure to interest adults and kids alike. From a Santa who rides in a motorhome going 50 miles an hour to a child's innovative response to 'turn off that TV!', OOPS! Packs in fun observations of a different side of life, and is a fine pick for any advanced elementary to middle school library and many a household where parents revere poetry.

Does Your Baby Have Autism?
Osnat Teitelbaum and Philip Teitelbaum, Ph.D.
SquareOne Publishers
115 Herricks Road, Garden City Park, NY 11040
9780757002403, $17.95 www.squareonepublishers.com

This new system for detecting the earliest signs of autism – in a baby – offers a brand new theory and comes from a husband/wife team who have worked for nearly two decades to develop ways of detecting signs of potential autism in a child. By expanding patterns of sitting, crawling and walking and comparing them with those of children later definitively diagnosed, they present both general information about autism's causes and progression and a survey of tests the parents can easily conduct to help define and identify early autism onset with respect to their children.

Best Things Fathers Do
Will Glennon
Conari Press
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950
9781573243551, $14.95, www.redwheelweiser.com

It used to be that it was enough for Dad to provide for his family and that was all – but the modern era fathers are more involved than ever. "Best Things Fathers Do: Ideas and Advice From Real World Dads" is a complete and comprehensive guide for new fathers who want to be the best parent they can be to their children, raising self esteem and giving them a brighter outlook for their future. Countless essays with the experience of other fathers are sure to leave an imprint - "Best Things Fathers Do: Ideas and Advice from Real World Dads" is deftly compiled and highly recommended for community library collections for parenting.

Humanism for Parents
Sean P. Curley
Lulu
860 Aviation Parkway, Suite 300, Morrisonville, NC 27560
9781430314257, $12.95, www.lulu.com

It's wrong to assume that a child brought up without religion is doomed to be immoral and evil, yet many assume it as such. "Humanism for Parents: Parenting without Religion" is a complete and comprehensive guide for parents of agnostic and atheist faiths(or lack of) and want to raise their child without religion. Focusing on the philosophy of humanism as a replacement for religion, it seeks to give parents advice for teaching their children morality and ethics their own way. "Humanism for Parents: Parenting Without Religion" is a highly recommended book for any non-religious parent who wants to stay that way.

The Grieving Garden
Suzanne Redfern & Susan K. Gilbert
Hampton Roads Publishing Company
1125 Stoney Ridge Road, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
9781571745811, $16.95, www.thegreivinggarden.com

The death of one's child – a crushing event no matter their age. "The Grieving Garden: Living with the Death of a Child" is a compilation of twenty two parents sharing their stories of tragic events, ranging from car accidents to suicide – and the process that they all must go through. Discovering the tragic event, seeking support from others, and finding hope after it all, all are discussed in "The Grieving Garden: Living with the Death of a Child", making it highly recommended for any parent seeking similar support for themselves.

What Angry Kids Need
Jennifer Anne Brown & Pam Provonsha Hopkins
Parenting Press
11065 Fifth Avenue NE, Suite F, Seattle, WA 98125
9781884734847, $14.95, www.parentingpress.com

The temper tantrum in a public place – something all parents have learned to fear and loathe. "What Angry Kids Need: Parenting Your Angry Child Without Going Mad" is a complete and comprehensive guide to assist parents with their kids' temper flareups and how to calm them back down while improving the parent-child bond – and teaching children better anger management skills and pointing out the line where you should seek professional help. "What Angry Kids Need: Parenting Your Angry Child Without Going Mad" is a must for any parent who fears their child's tantrums may be a problem and for community library parenting collections.

Understanding Your Child's Puzzling Behavior
Steven E. Curtis
Lifespan Press
PO Box 11704, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Booth Media Group (publicity)
1386 Nightshade Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011
9780979498206, $14.95, www.lifespanpress.com

At what point do you seek professional help when a child is acting, by his parent's standards, weird? "Understanding Your Child's Puzzling Behavior: A Guide for Parents of Children with Behavioral, Social, and Learning Challenges" is a parent's guide to understanding a child's strange behavior and whether they should intervene or it is simply another kind of normal. Suggesting that parents never go for short term solutions, how to look at why the child acts the way they act, and when is the line to seek psychiatric assistance? "Understanding Your Child's Puzzling Behavior: A Guide for Parents of Child with Behavioral, Social, and Learning Challenges" is essential for any concerned parent who doesn't get their child's behavior and for community library parenting collections.


The Business Shelf

Family Wars
Grant Gordon & Nigel Nicholson
Kogan Page
525 South 4th Street, #241, Philadelphia PA 19147
9780749446307, $37.50, www.kogan-page.co.uk

Family businesses should be stress free – if anyone can get along it can be family, right? "Family Wars: Classic Conflicts in Family Business and How to Deal With Them" realizes that even families can have conflicts, and they can do far more damage than a conflict between two unrelated people. Seeking to give advice that will keep families staying together while keeping the business profitable, it's an ideal guide for any family business who doesn't want to let money get in between people and their devotion to family. "Family Wars: Classic Conflicts in Family Business and How to Deal With Them" is highly recommended for community library collections dedicated to business.

2011
Richard Laermer
McGraw-Hill
2 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10121
9780071497275, $25.95, www.mhprofessional.com

What's the difference between a trend and a fad? It's Richard Laermer's job to know in "2011: Trendspotting for the Next Decade". Looking at the commercial industry of thinking of things before uttering the line "I Wish I Thought of That", he gives advice on how to look at the world like a marketer and spot trends before they come up so one can be on the bandwagon before everyone else. A seminal and scholarly look at the ways of marketing, "2011: Trendspotting for the Next Decade" is a top pick for community library business collections.

Effective Publications Management
Cathy Connor Lips
Allworth Press
10 East 23rd Street, New York NY 10010
1581154860, $29.95 www.allworth.com

Both college-level courses on business management and graphic design and any library featuring references on graphic design publications management will appreciate this primer which discusses project stages, key players, provides examples from the industry, and more! From determining publication image and message to creating proposals, assembling a team, managing research and budgets and selecting a printer, this is packed with essential, important tips for publication success.

Brand Rejuvenation
Jean-Marc Lehu
Kogan Page
120 Pentonville Road, London N19JN, United Kingdom
9780749451462, $35.00, www.kogan-page.co.uk

The name of a brand is something that carries a lot of power in society – when someone mentions something such as Sony, many images come to the people due to the association they have developed with that brand. "Brand Rejuvenation: How to Protect, Strengthen, & Add Value to Your Brand to Prevent it From Ageing" is a guide for those in charge of a brand to develop their brands to keep them in the game in the modern world. It gives advice to note when your brand is in need of rejuvenation, how to adjust it effectively, and to prevent the problems before they happen. "Brand Rejuvenation: How to Protect, Strengthen, & Add Value to Your Brand to Prevent it From Ageing" is essential for business collections and for anyone in charge of the future of a brand.

Managing Online Forums
Patrick O'Keefe
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019-7420
081440197X, $24.00 www.amacombooks.org

MANAGING ONLINE FORUMS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO CREATE AND RUN SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY DISCUSSION BOARDS is the first book to cover everything an administrator needs to know to launch and run a community forum. From understanding forum software and the basics of developing a safe environment for people to share their thoughts to either creating a community or taking over an existing one, MANAGING ONLINE FORUMS is a key business tool recommended for business and public libraries alike.

How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Construction Company
Tanya R. Davis
Atlantic Publishing Group
1405 SW 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
9781601380173, $39.95 www.atlantic-pub.com

Starting even the smallest construction company can be most profitable: it's an industry always in demand, and unaffected by changing technology – and still is a rapidly growing field. That said, How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Construction Company shows how to make the most of such a venture, covering all the basics on opening such a business, including sample business forms, discussions of leases and contracts, and more. Any considering starting their own construction firm needs these guidelines to avoid common pitfalls.

Stimulated!
Andrew Pek and Jeannine McGlade
Greenleaf Book Group Press
4425 Mo Pac South, Suite 600, Austin, TX 78735
Booth Media Group (publicity)
1386 Nightshade Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011
9781929774500, $21.95, www.gbgpress.com

Creativity – something that used to be ignored in the business world, but now is a necessity. Stimulated! Habits to Spark Your Creative Genius at Work is a guide to get those now required juices flowing and get everything one needs to make the most of their time. Focusing on the details of how to draw inspiration from the world, making a proper environment to facilitate one's thoughts, committing oneself, learning from one's failures, and most importantly, learning to have fun with one's job, Stimulated! is ideal for anyone in a field calling for creativity. Highly recommended for community library business collections.

Take the Cold Out of Cold Calling
Sam Richter
Adams Business & Professional
c/o Beaver Pond Press
7104 Ohms Lane, Suite 101, Edina, MN 55439
1592982093, $34.95, www.beaverpondpress.com

Going in cold – knowing nothing about your perspective client. As they say, Knowledge is power – and having no knowledge is having no power. "Take the Cold Out of Cold Calling: Web Search Secrets for the Inside Info on Companies, Industries, and People" is a guide for using the internet as a powerful tool to gain knowledge of clients in advance – and see what they want and what they are looking for, to better apply one's company to appeal to the most clients possible. "Take the Cold Out of Cold Calling: Web Search Secrets for the Inside Info on Companies, Industries, and People" is a must for any business looking to attract more clients and for community library business collections.

Business Letters for the Construction Industry
Andrew Atkinson
BNI Building News
990 Park Center Drive, Ste E, Vista, CA 92081
Craftsman Book Company
6058 Corte Del Cedro, Carlsbad, CA 92009
9781557016096, $59.95, www.craftsman-book.com

Saying the right thing to get the right things is an invaluable asset to the construction industry, where the right things are needed to get the job done. "Business Letters for the Construction Industry: A Guide to Construction Communications" is a complete and comprehensive guide to writing letters for the business industry complete with over one hundred examples to use to get the job done. Covering letterheads, designs, record keeping tips, and more, it's enhanced with a glossary, index, and a bonus CD-ROM containing all of the example letters in Microsoft Word document format. "Business Letters for the Construction Industry: A Guide to Construction Communications" is a must for construction administrators and a good addition to community library business collections.

Adrenaline Junkies and Template Zombies
Tom Demarco & Collaborators of Principals of the Atlantic Systems Guild
Dorset House Publishing
353 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014
9780932633675, $41.95, www.dorsethouse.com

What makes a project successful or doomed – loved or hated? Those are the questions "Adrenaline Junkies and Template Zombies: Understanding Patterns of Project Behavior" hopes to answer, looking critically at the archetypes of people and engineers that people constantly fall into, whether they know they are or not. Not afraid to take a humorous look at it all, it's a comprehensive guide that offers an example of what is a good and bad behavior coming from team members in management of a project. "Adrenaline Junkies and Template Zombies: Understanding Patterns of Project Behavior" is highly recommended to anyone in charge of a group project and for community library business collections.

Groundswell
Charlene Li & Josh Bernoff
Harvard Business Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
9781422125007, $29.95, www.groundswell.forrester.com

No longer Is mass media only an outlet for those with money and corporations – with social sites such as Myspace, Youtube, and Wikipedia, the public has far more say against the corporate media. "Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies" is a guide on how companies can view this new surge of media not as a threat to their power, but an opportunity for greater success. Twenty five examples are laid out in this valuable guide, making "Groundswell: Winning in a World Transformed by Social Technologies" highly recommended for all businesses initially fearful of the Internet as a marketing tool.

Leadership
Sue Roberts and Jennifer Rowley
Facet Publishing
7 Ridgemount Street, London, WC1E 7AE
info@facetpublishing.co.uk
Neal-Schuman Publishers Inc.
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038
9781856046091, $115.00, www.facetpublishing.co.uk

Leadership skills are a flat out requirement to anyone who wants to be successful over the challenges in life. "Leadership: The Challenge for the Information Profession" focuses on the information profession and how leadership is very much required in this success to lead the companies peddling this information to success. Tackling everything one needs to know about the business, challenges, one's own leadership skills, innovation, strategy, and being influential among other vital aspects, "Leadership: The Challenge for the Information Profession" is a top pick for anyone who sees themselves in this position and for community library business collections.

The Granularity of Growth
Patrick Viguerie, Sven Smit, & Mehrdad Baghai
Wiley Publishers
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Jane Weisman Public Relations, Inc. (publicity)
322 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1702, New York, NY 10001
9780470270202, $45.00, www.wiley.com

Growth is something every company needs – but how to do it efficiently? "The Granularity of Growth: How to Identify the Sources of Growth and Drive Enduring Company Performance" is an examination of growth, and a handbook for businesses that seek to do it. Analyzing companies' plans to increase their size, power, and potential profit along with tips for improvement, The Granularity of Growth leaves no stone unturned and no aspect to pure chance. An essential acquisition for business leaders and community library collections.

Information Security Management Handbook
Harold F. Tipton, CISSP and Micki Krause, CISSP
Taylor & Francis Group
270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
0849374952, $159.95 www.garlandscience.com 1-800-634-7064

Now in its sixth updated edition, Information Security Management Handbook is an in-depth reference for business executives and professionals as well as a technical resource for information management experts. Essays written by a diversity of expert authors cover complex issues of information security management: the latest laws and regulations designed to force corporations to strengthen their ethics policies, risk assessments, metrics, disaster recovery, and much more. From the many different types and uses of cryptography, to effective implementation of physical security from guard personnel to closed-circuit television, to security in computer architecture, to telecommunications and network security, Information Security Management Handbook lives up to its title. An extensive glossary and index round out this massive reference, featuring over three thousand pages of expertise distilled in terms accessible to lay readers and professionals alike. "Password cracking would include cryptographic and brute-force attacks against password files, applying massive amounts of computer power to overwhelm the cryptographic protection of the passwords, typically in a remote or offline mode. Password guessing would include users attempting to guess the passwords to specific accounts, based on analysis and conjecture, and would typically be conducted through the password interface in an online mode. Password disclosure would include users sharing password credentials, or writing down passwords such that they are discoverable by an attacker." An absolute "must-have" for information security professionals, and anyone else responsible for ensuring that trade secrets stay secret!


The Theatre/Cinema Shelf

Fantastic Female Filmmakers
Suzanne Simoni
Second Story Press
20 Maud Street, Ste 401, Toronto, ON M5V 2M5
9781897187364, $10.95, www.orcabook.com

Stephen Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas – the profession of film making seems to be a male dominated one, but there are women out there. "Fantastic Female Filmmakers" is a look at these women, who have been heavily involved in this industry even since the early days of the 1900s. Breaking through the sexist walls holding them back, they have become a major part of the film world and have made some fantastic films. "Fantastic Female Filmmakers" is highly recommended to both collections on film and community library women's studies shelves.

Indiana Jones Off the Beaten Path
George Beahm
Hampton Roads Publishing Company, Inc.
1125 Stoney Ridge Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22902-8719
9781571745583, $15.95, www.hrpub.com

With the upcoming release of the newest movie, Indiana Jones has found himself back in the mainstream once more. "Indiana Jones Off the Beaten Path: An Unofficial Expedition" is a completely unauthorized handbook taking a complete look at the series and the phenomena behind it, with a focus on the reality that inspired the series of movies, visiting the real locations depicted in the movie. Enhanced with black and white photos, illustrations, and more. "Indiana Jones Off the Beaten Path: An Unofficial Expedition" is the perfect gift for any fanatic for the series, and a nice addition to community library collections dedicated to cinema.

Romancing The A-List
Christopher Keane
Michael Wiese Productions
3940 Laurel Canyon Bl. #1111
9781932907407, $18.95, www.mwp.com

A big star can sell a movie much more than any other aspect – someone may be a fan of Hugh Jackman, but few would be fans of David Hayter, the screenwriter responsible for one Jackman's big films in 'X-Men'. "Romancing the A-List: Writing the Script The Big Stars Want to Make" is a complete and comprehensive guide to attracting those big stars to your screenplay, for that star support in getting the script writer's movie made – and to assure it will get the attention it deserves. Deftly composed and a must for wannabe screen writers, "Romancing the A-List: Writing the Script the Big Stars Want to Make" is highly recommended for writing collections, as well as professional, academic, and community library collections dedicated to film making.


The Education Shelf

Get Organized!
Frank Buck
Eye on Education
6 Depot Way West, Larchmont, NY 10538
9781596670723, $29.95, www.eyeoneducation.com

Successful scheduling is a hallmark of a successful and productive classroom. "Get Organized!: Time Management for School Leaders" is a complete and comprehensive guide for education professionals to maximize the value of their time and spend it wisely. Citing the tips as easy to execute and easier to follow, "Get Organized!: Time Management for School Leaders" should be considered by every school leader and for community library education collections.

Creating Welcoming Schools
JoBeth Allen
Teachers College Press
1234 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027
International Reading Association
PO Box 8139, Newark, DE 19714-8139
9780807747896, $23.95, www.tcpress.com www.reading.org

A school should be like a second home to a child. To help make it so, "Creating Welcoming Schools: A Practical Guide to Home-School Partnerships with Diverse Families" is a comprehensive resource that shows how diverse families and the schools that their children attend can form partnerships that enhance student learning. It goes far and above the call of duty giving its readers tips on fun ways for educators and families to explore rich heritages, create honest dialogue at school conferences, assist in working together for a more democratic society and so much more. "Creating Welcoming Schools: A Practical Guide to Home-School Partnerships with Diverse Families" is highly recommended for any library catering to educators and parents of school age children.

QGE = A: Quality Generic Education is the Answer
Win Straube
University Press of America
c/o Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group (dist.)
4501 Forbes Blvd., Suite 200, Lanham, MD 20706
9780761837718, $36.00 www.univpress.com 1-800-462-6420

Education is more than just a seasonal political football for aspiring politicians. It is the foundation for a prosperous, free and democratic nation. A new education system for obtaining the best education at the lowest possible cost - "QGE = A: Quality Generic Education is the Answer" is a proposition for a revolutionary new way to educate our children. Author Win Straube has quite the mind for new solutions as an inventor, scientist, and engineer, to connect everyone to the best educators for any given subject in the world. "QGE = A: Quality Generic Education is the Answer" is something that all educators should read and consider and carries our highest recommendations to community library education shelves.

Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
www.corwinpress.com

Richard J. Hazler's HELPING IN THE HALLWAYS: EXPANDING YOUR INFLUENCE POTENTIAL (9781412956086, $27.95) offers a revised edition referencing the ASCA National Model and discussing NCLB as it provides expanded sections on strategies for encounters, experiences from teachers, students and administrators, tips on self-assessment activities, and chapters covering adult motivators as well. From limiting overwhelming feelings and identifying individual needs to evaluating hallway relationships, HELPING IN THE HALLWAYS is an excellent pick for education libraries, especially those catering to administrators. John T. Guthrie edits ENGAGING ADOLESCENTS IN READING (9781412953351, $32.95) is an outstanding survey pairing examples of teaching methods with classroom-tested activities, demonstrations and surveys of how to guide students with meaningful assignments encouraging reading. From tapping into adolescent social natures through group activities to building proficiency in those with reading problems, ENGAGING ADOLESCENTS IN READING is an outstanding set of tips for overcoming reluctance in readers. LITERACY IN THE DIGITAL AGE by R.W. Burniske (9781412957465, $28.95) is an important, key exploration of how teachers can help students become good online communicators. From using language tactfully and evaluating web sites for validity to practicing etiquette on the Net, LITERACY IN THE DIGITAL AGE is packed with tips all educator libraries need. The third updated edition of Renee Rosenblum-Lowden and Felicia Lowden Kimmel's YOU HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL – YOU'RE THE TEACHER! (9781412951227, $28.95) packs in many important tips on classroom management challenges, from avoiding confrontation and building student confidence to working with parents and getting students to stay on task. All are common concerns: what's new here are new approaches and strategies to make the teacher's job easier. Stella Erbes' WHAT TEACHERS SHOULD KNOW BUT TEXTBOOKS DON'T SHOW (9781412950688, $25.95) blends research with tips on the most challenging moments new teachers face in their classrooms, showing how to create a positive learning environment, handle students and families alike, and how to meet professional objectives. New teachers in particular will find it a clear, concise indicator of common problems and their solutions. Leah M. Melbert's INFORMAL LEARNING AND FIELD TRIPS (9781412949804, $28.95) helps educators by providing learner-centered activities and guidelines for corresponding classroom activities from field trips. The focus allows for an excellent set of interrelated lesson plans using field trips as a foundation for exploring new experiences. The fifth updated edition of Ernest W. Brewer and Charles M. Achilles' FINDING FUNDS: GRANTWRITING FROM START TO FINISH (9781412960007, $39.95) provides over 120 newly researched web sites to help grant seekers locate and narrow the focus on successful government, foundation and private grants. From writing proposals to implementing programs, this in-depth survey is a 'must' not only for administrators and educators, but for any who would locate grants to fund projects. Amy Schwed and Janice Melichar-Utter's BRAIN-FRIENDLY STUDY STRATEGIES GRADES 2-8: HOW TEACHERS CAN HELP STUDENTS LEARN (9781412961059, $55.95) covers everything from reinforcing memory using the latest research about brain development to visualizing thoughts and problem-solving solutions. It's an outstanding set of keys to understanding learning challenges and successes, and is an important key for teachers of grades 2-8 who wish for more effective learning strategies for the classroom. Charles J. Russo and Allan G. Osborne Jr.'s ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS & SCHOOL-BASED CASES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW (9781412927048, $43.95) is a top pick not just for college-level education collections, but for law libraries dealing in special education as well. This case-based desk reference gathers concepts from leading special education cases and provides excerpts from selected legal decisions to help educators understand special challenges in special ed law. The result is an important desk reference any school teaching special education needs. Julie Silva Spitzer and Cheryl D. Roddick's SUCCEEDING AT TEACHING MATHEMATICS K-6 (9781412927659, $27.95) helps new educators handle classroom math challenges through positive examples of how to develop a strategy and effective teaching methods for math. From contrasting and understanding a range of strategy options to assessing strategy effectiveness, SUCCEEDING AT TEACHING MATHEMATICS is an important key to success. Mary K. Tallant-Runnels and Ann C. Candler-Lotven's ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS FOR GIFTED STUDENTS: A RESOURCE BOOK FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS (9781412959117, $28.95) is a key resource perfect for any who would understand academic competitions for grades K-12. From their impact and potential problems to selecting events to match student strengths, ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS appears in a second, updated edition to make a case for matching academic contests to the needs of special students. John Barell's WHY ARE SCHOOL BUSES ALWAYS YELLOW? TEACHING FOR INQUIRY, PRE K-5 (9781412957335, $33.95) surveys methods for challenging young learners, inviting them to develop inquiry and critical thinking skills in all children. Chapters outline the inquiry process and discuss its importance in classroom management, surveying successes through real classroom examples perfect for teacher applications. Timothy G. Green, Abbie Brown and LeAnne Robinson's MAKING THE MOST OF THE WEB IN YOUR CLASSROOM (9781412915748, $27.95) should be a mainstay of any serious teacher's library: it tells how to translate internet technology into classroom applications, from designing web sites to helping students develop their own internet-based projects, whether it be a blog, locating web activities, or assessing information. Festus E. Obiakor's 100 MULTICULTURAL PROVERBS: INSPIRATIONAL AFFIRMATIONS FOR EDUCATORS (9781412957809, $21.95) gathers sayings from different countries, tribes and religions: proverbs which have had a historical impact on the building of communities and worlds. Teachers and administrators will find it a fine collection useful as a starting point for explorations from other cultures. Paul G. Young's PROMOTING POSITIVE BEHAVIORS: AN ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL'S GUIDE TO STRUCTURING THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT (9781412953047, $25.95) is directed to practicing school principals and administrators, and is an excellent choice for educator libraries teaching administrative duties. It offers examples from the author's experience as a successful elementary school principal and offers tips for overall school and student management, from field trips and assemblies to daily schedules and handling student and teacher expectations. Roger Pierangelo and George Giuliani's CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES FOR STUDENTS WITH ADHD (9781412917889, $25.95) provides special education professionals with an excellent concrete set of guidelines for working with ADHD students. From medical and legal requirements in defining and handling ADHD to specific instructional strategies, this is a winner.

Meeting the Needs of Students and Families from Poverty
Tania N. Thomas-Presswood & Donald Presswood
Paul H Brookes Publishing Co.
PO Box 10624, Baltimore, Maryland 21285-0624
9781557668677, $29.95, www.brookespublishing.com

Poverty affects far more than just a child's home life – it has a profound effect on their schooling as well. "Meeting the Needs of Students and Families from Poverty: A Handbook for School and Mental Health Professionals" is a comprehensive guide to how to deal with children from these unfortunate households – dealing with the problems that inevitably occur that simply would not with the more fortunate children. Telling when an educator should intervene in the child's life and when they should stay off, with a special focus on those families who treat English as a second language, "Meeting the Needs of Students and Families from Poverty: A Handbook for School and Mental Health Professionals" is thoroughly researched, and well-compiled, a must have for educators in areas where this is a problem – and for community library education shelves.

Web Literacy for Educators
Alan November
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
9781412958431, $24.95, www.corwinpress.com

The internet is a powerful tool in today's world, and for education especially – but some teachers, despite decades of wisdom and experience, are clueless still about this invention of the past twenty years. "Web Literacy for Educators" is a comprehensive guide for those types of educators who are a product of the last generation and have not taken to the internet like fish to water. Authored by Internet Technology Expert Alan November, Web Literacy for Educators addresses everything an educator needs to know in this modern era to make use of the internet for a better curriculum and how to address the problems it brings such as plagiarism. Enhanced with a glossary and index, "Web Literacy for Educators" is a must for any slow adopter of the web who values their status as an educator, and for community library education collections.

Negotiating the Special Education Maze
Winifred Anderson, Stephen Chitwood, Deidre Hayden, & Cherie Takemoto
Woodbine House
6510 Bells Mill Rd. Bethesda, MD 20817
9781890627461, $21.95, www.woodbinehouse.com

Special Education can be a difficult thing to manage for parents – and it isn't because there's no one to help them. "Negotiating the Special Education Maze: A Guide for Parents & Teachers" is a guide to the strange problem of simply having too many options available to them. Covering each of the services available and specifying which kind of kinds are available to each of the types of ailments that would require special education, as well as looks as other alternative outlooks towards special needs children,. "Negotiating the Special Education Maze: A Guide for Parents & Teachers" is a complete and comprehensive guide for parents and teachers of special needs children and for community library education collections.

Mathematics Explorations
David B. Spangler
Good Year Books
PO Box 91858, Tucson, AZ 85752-1858
9781596471382, $24.95, www.goodyearbooks.com

Getting children excited about math is one of the hardest things for an educator to do – but "Mathematics Explorations: Detective Style Activities for the Real World" is here to help. Attempting to make math fun by using real world examples of where it will become useful in their lives using the angle of being a private investigator and detective, kids will learn how to understand math of many levels much better as they work to solve the mysteries put forth into this book. A deftly written and fun way to teach children their commonly most hated subject, "Mathematics Exploration: Detective Style Activities for the Real World" is highly recommended for school and community library education collections everywhere.

Special Needs Advocacy Resource Book
Rich Weinfeld & Michelle Davis
Prufock Press Inc.
5926 Balcones Drive, Suite 220, Austin, Texas 78731
9781593633097, $19.95, www.prufock.com

Most schools are not equipped to deal with the special educational needs of many children – and "Special Needs Advocacy Resource Book: What You Can do Now to Advocate For Your Exceptional Child's Education" is a handbook for both educators and parents to help them do everything they need to ensure that every child receives the proper education they need. With a complete and comprehensive guide to help parents and educators navigate the bureaucracy of the modern education system, and covering all topics that could come up in the process, "Special Needs Advocacy Resource Book: What You Can do Now to Advocate For Your Exceptional Child's Education" is highly recommended for community library education collections, and for anyone concerned about there child's special educational needs.

The Cluster Grouping Handbook
Susan Winebrenner & Dina Brulles
Free Spirit Publishing
217 Fifth Avenue North, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1299
9781575422794, $34.95, www.freespirit.com

Students who are not challenged become bored and uninterested in the subject they're studying – they need to be challenged in some way. "The Cluster Grouping Handbook: How to Challenge Gifted Students and Improve Achievement for All" is a deftly compiled guide to doing just that. Seeking to improve all student's improvements but focusing on those who are especially gifted, and the challenges that come for educators in keeping them interested and nurturing their talents. Enhanced with a bonus CD-ROM, "The Cluster Grouping Handbook: How to Challenge Gifted Students and Improve Achievement for All" should be considered by all educational professionals and community library education collections.


The Photography Shelf

On Feathered Wings
Richard Ettlinger
Abrams
115 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011
9780810995253, $40.00, www.abramsbooks.com

Birds are one of the more beautiful and majestic creatures of the world – and "On Feathered Wings: Birds of Flight" is a beautiful and majestic compilation of full color photographs, shot from breath taking angles, truly amazing the viewer with the adept skills of the photographer. With nearly two hundred of these awesome images, "On Feathered Wings: Birds of Flight" is a top pick for community library collections for photography and a great coffee table book for whoever loves birds.

Sanctum
Robert Stivers, photography
Eugenia Parry, essay
Twin Palms Publishers (distributor)
54 1/2 East San Francisco Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501
1931885575, $65.00 www.twinpalms.com 1-505-988-5717

Sanctum is a collection of visionary photography by artist Robert Stivers, often given a unique twist through differing applications of focus. Featuring forty-one four-color plates and a thoughtful essay by Eugenia Parry, Sanctum explores topics ranging from the human figure to a conglomeration of bees to stark landscape in its search to express the unending themes of human emotion driving the endless cycle of death and rebirth. A marvelous and welcome addition to artistic photography collections.

Photography
Anne Havinga, Karen Haas, and Nancy Keeler
MFA Publications
c/o Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
9780878466764, $22.50 www.mfa-publications.org

The latest volume in the MFA Highlights series, Photography features over one hundred gorgeous color and duotone photographs from the Museum of Fine Arts' collection. An in-depth essay following the aesthetic and technical history of photography as an art form introduces the connoisseur to the wonderfully diverse and beautiful selection. Photographs by a wide range of classic masters, from pioneers Eugene Cuevlier and Charles Marville to modern-day artists such as Hiroshi Sugimoto and Loretta Lux, distinguish this unquestionably captivating sampling. Highly recommended for photography shelves, and a true pleasure to page through - especially for anyone who can't easily reach the Museum of Fine Arts in person.

Zaida Ben-Yusuf: New York Portrait Photographer
Frank H. Goodyear III
Merrell Publishing
740 Broadway, Suite 1202, New York, NY 10003
1858944392, $59.95 www.merrellpublishers.com

In the early 20th century Zaida Ben-Yusuf was one of the most active photographers in New York City, creating many artistic and moving photos of major figures of her time as well as unusual self-portraits. This is the only in-depth study of her photography, pairing a catalog of her works – some 100 images – with a history and biographical survey linking Ben-Yusuf to her times and art. Any serious art library strong in American photography history must have this.

Understanding Shutter Speed
Bryan Peterson
Amphoto Books
c/o Watson Guptill Publications
770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003-9535
9780817463014, $24.95 www.wgpub.com 1-800-451-1741

Professional photographer and instructor Bryan Peterson presents Understanding Shutter Speed: Creative Action and Low-Light Photography Beyond 1/125 Second is a handbook for intermediate to advanced photographers, focusing specifically upon the challenge of photographing subjects in motion or at low light levels. Full-color photographic examples illustrate the tips, tricks, and techniques for capturing top-quality images, while the straightforward text imparts a lifetime of expert wisdom in clear and concise terms. "You will always attain the fastest possible shutter speed at any given ISO when you use the largest possible lens opening, and you will be able to attain the slowest possible shutter speed at any given ISO by using the smallest possible lens opening... That well-known cotton candy effect you can get with [waterfall shots] doesn't start until you use apertures of f/16 or f/22." Enthusiastically recommended for expert or professional photographers seeking to refine their camera work.

Plantations & Historic Homes Of New Orleans
Laura McElroy
Voyageur Press
380 Jackson Street, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55101
9780760329740, $25.95 www.mbipublishing.com 1-800-458-0454

In 2005 New Orleans was devastated by Hurricane Katerina. Fortunately, many of the city's most treasured and historically important homes and mansions were spared from the French Quarter and Garden District to Uptown, Marigny, and Bayou St. John. Professional photographer Laura McElroy has created a superbly beautiful photographic guide to the best of these surviving architectural wonders, complete with their impressive columns, beautiful balconies, spacious verandas, impressive parlors, and even the historic servant quarters. Enhanced with an informed and informative text by Jan Arrigo providing context for the photographs, "Plantations & Historic Homes Of New Orleans" is highly recommended browsing, especially for students of architecture in general and devotees of New Orleans historic buildings in particular.

Luminous Mountains
Tim Palmer
Heyday Books
PO Box 9145, Berkeley, CA 94709
9781597140775, $19.95, www.heydaybooks.com

The beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains – something that doesn't get old to just stare at, even in photographic form. "Luminous Mountains: The Sierra Nevada of California" is a compilation of well over one hundred and thirty five photographs of the beautiful mountain range in various states of day, displaying a different type of beauty through each time of a day. An ideal coffee table book for lovers of beautiful scenery, "Luminous Mountains: The Sierra Nevada of California" is ideal for any community library collection focusing on nature photography.

Cadillac
Robert J. Headrick
Iconografix
PO Box 446, Hudson, WI 54016
9781583882122, $34.95, www.iconografxinc.com

The Tailfin – the relic of the fifties and what was cool during those years. "Cadillac: The Tailfin Years" is a coffee table book of photography for those who don't want to accept that time has passed and still find the tailfins cool. Filled cover to cover with full color photos and countless information on each of the models of Cadillac's during that era, it is the ideal gift for lovers of old vehicles, making "Cadillac: The Tailfin Years" highly recommended to community library photography and automotive history collections.

Time Wearing Out Memory
Steve Gross & Susan Daley
W.W. Norton and Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393066449, $49.95, www.wwnorton.com

Time marches on, but some cling to the past. "Time Wearing Out Memory: Schoharie County" is a look through countless black and white photographs through the history of a small rural county in the state of New York. The poignant photos serve as reminders to the American past and an inspiration for the future of the American dream, making "Time Wearing Out Memory: Schoharie County" a highly recommended addition to community library photography collections and anyone seeking a poignant coffee table book.


The Poetry Shelf

Separating the Seas
Kobus Moolman
University of KwaZulu-Natal Press
Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
E-Mail: Books@ukzn.ac.za
International Specialized Book Services (distributor)
920 NE 58th Ave, Suite 300, Portland OR 97213-3786
9781869141240, $24.95, www.ukznpress.co.za

Accomplished author and Experienced Poet Kobus Moolman returns with his collection "Separating the Seas" that truthfully likens itself to the painting concept of abstract art. Honestly thoughtful and thought provoking poetry filled with beautiful, vivid imagery, "Separating the Seas" is a top pick for collectors of poetry, indeed. Still Life: Winter Evening: Blue window/with bare tree.//Single night/Mounted on gravity.//Weightless wings of stillness/Flood the repetitive floor.

Rising, Falling, Hovering
C.D. Wright
Copper Canyon Press
PO Box 271, Port Townsend, Washington 98368
9781556592737, $22.00 www.coppercanyonpress.org

Rising, Falling, Hovering is a hardcover anthology of free-verse poetry by professor of English and award-winning poet C.D. Wright. Individual poems range from brief to the 53-page title poem. Rising, Falling, Hovering criticizes the undeniable weaknesses of modern American culture, including immersion in materialistic consumerism, isolation through seemingly endless war, racism against immigrants, urban violence, and deteriorating infrastructure. Yet amid the morass and flaws of human life, nature offers solace. A thoughtful and singularly eloquent balance of social consciousness and appreciation for the wonders beyond human engineering. "Like the Hour of Our Perfection": Whereas before things were all immanence, / now were they all valence / in the breathing world where we met. / Who presented initial shyness. / Who disheveled the light at the threshold. / With a look of near-adolescence, so one did not know / if he also slept with the men. / And the ledge of a hip when / seen first from behind, a voice, an outline.

Mister Martini
Richard Carr
University of North Texas Press
PO Box 311336, Denton, TX 76203-1336
9781574412420, $12.95, www.unt.edu/untpress

A good poem can be compared to a good drink – both will leave you with good taste, both will leave with something to reflect on, and both will leave you the slightest bit intoxicated. "Mister Martini" follows this analogy and reflects upon the relationship between father and son, the journey from youth to facing death, all written in a beautiful style by prolific poet Richard Carr. "Mister Martini" is a grand acquisition for any community library poetry collection and for lovers of poetry as a whole – highly recommended. Organ: He wanted his eyes cryogenically preserved/in separate tanks,//his friends among the organ farmers, untrustworthy and powerful.//Martini displayed in a bell jar, the hollow pupiled olive, whitening with age.

Easy Marks
Gail White
David Robert Books
PO Box 541106, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1106
9781934999066, $17.00, www.davidrobertbooks.com

In every generation from the dawn of recorded civilization, poets have drawn upon their contemporary observations and experiences for their inspiration. "Easy Marks" by Gail White is an apt and highly recommended example of a poet using the means of rhyme and meter to examine the foibles, eccentricities, complexities, frustrations, and embedded wisdoms of contemporary life today. Crackpots: i have a friend who wants to restore the Czar./Seriously. As if this burst of love/would turn the empty streets of Petersburg/into a set for Boris Godunov.//He thinks a royalist Russia would delight/In festivals, would never drop the bomb./And you can find him on the Internet/at getaczar.com.//How to protect my friend, who might have been/a national treasure once, almost a saint?/I only wish there were an NEA/with grants for the incorrigibly quaint,//or Shelters for the Harmlessly Obsessed/(unworldly, therefore not completely sane)./Without its nest, the Great or Common Crackpot/may never breed again.

Reflections from the Heart
Larry Gudith
Vantage Press
419 Park Ave. South, New York, NY 10016
9780533157709, $18.95, www.vantagepress.com

Love – everyone seeks it in some form or another. "Reflections of the Heart" is the devotional creation of Larry Gudith, and explores the aspects of love and everything it does for people, and what it does to them when it is lost. A heartfelt anthology, "Reflections of the Heart" is highly recommended for community library collections dedicated to poetry. Every Time: Every time your fingers found mine/my heart races ... Every time my hand/ has touched your beautiful face my soul/has soared.//Every time our bodies have unite I know/we're living complete oneness and total/love.//For every time we have touched is imprinted/ deep within my heart and forever etched in/ my soul.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Angels A to Z
Evelyn Dorothy Oliver & James R. Lewis
Visible Ink Press
43311 Joy Road #414, Canton, MI 48187-2075
9781578592128, $24.95, kae_tienstra@ktpublicrelations.com

Angels are of great interest to many a Christian, and "Angels A to Z" is a complete and comprehensive look at all of them throughout history, covering their history, origins, and more – and it's not just limited to the angels of Christianity, touching on Islamic and Nordic angels as well. Also discussing angels' relevance in common pop culture – books, movies, TV, and more – "Angels A to Z" is a top pick for angel lovers and highly recommended for community library religion collections.

Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church
Bishop Geoffrey Robinson
Liturgical Press
PO Box 7500, Collegeville, MN 56321-7500
9780814618653, $24.95, www.litpress.org

The scandals of pedophile Priests have done untold damage to the Catholic Church, and "Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church: Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus" seeks to address the issue directly. Criticizing the church's abuse of power and looking to the Bible to offer a new approach to the church's stance on sexual morality, Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church strives to focus on the people and to be forgiving of their flaws. Calling for a gradual reformation of the Catholic church, "Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church: Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus" is highly recommended for community library collections concerning Catholicism.

Everlasting Dominion
Eugene H. Merrill
B&H Publishing Group
127 Ninth Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37234-0143
9780805440263, $39.99 www.bhpublishinggroup.com 1-800-251-3225

Eugene H. Merrill (Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, Souther Baptist Theological Seminary) presents Everlasting Dominion: Theology of the Old Testament, an exhaustively researched theology of the Old Testament grounded in his decades of study and teaching. Viewing Scripture as the authoritative Word of God, Everlasting Dominion strives to clarify the wonders of the text for readers of all backgrounds. Chapters discuss "The Autobiography of God" as it were (including such concepts as the omnipotence, omniscience, and eternality of God), "The Works of God", "The Creation of Mankind", "The Fall of Mankind", "The Redemption of Mankind", God's connection to Israel, the theology of the prophets, the theology of the psalms, and much more. "...how can wisdom be found? It originates in the Lord, of course, and is revealed in Torah, the cultus, and creation; but how is it mediated or applied at a practical, day-to-day level? Proverbs provides a threefold answer: (1) through parental instruction, (2) through divine discipline, and (3) through the monarchy, God's earthly extension of kingdom rule... One of the stated purposes of the book of Proverbs was to facilitate the attainment of 'wisdom and discipline (musar)' and the acquisition of a 'disciplined and prudent life (musar haskel)'." A thoughtful, in-depth study of Scripture from a vantage firmly grounded in unwavering faith, highly recommended for Bible study groups.

A Short World History of Christianity
Robert Bruce Mullin
WJK Books
100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202-1396
Presbyterian Publishing Corp
341 Great Circle Rd, Nashville, TN 37228-1703
9780664226862, $29.95, www.wjkbooks.com

There is no force that has had a greater impact on the world than Christianity – and "A Short World History of Christianity" is an examination of the religion's impact as a whole throughout the ages. Starting with the birth of Jesus, it covers the over two millennia that follow, discussing each of the following major topics that the religion has done to change the world. "A Short World History of Christianity" is a must for both world history collections and Christian studies shelves.

The Soul of Prince Caspian
Gene Veith
David C Cook
4050 Lee Vance View Colorado Springs, CO 80918
9780781445283, $12.99, www.davidccook.com

The Chronicles of Narnia has little veiling of its Christian roots- and author Gene Veith claims that the sequel 'Prince Caspian' has parallels to our world as well. "The Soul of Prince Caspian: Exploring Spiritual Truth in the Land of Narnia" is a look at the spiritual and religious elements found in Narnia and how they reflect into the real world, focusing on the forgotten faith that seems to go with so many lapsed American Christians. "The Soul of Prince Caspian: Exploring Spiritual Truth in the Land of Narnia" is a deftly written and through examination of faith, and highly recommended to community library Christianity collections and for fans of the franchise as well.

Reframing Your Ministry
Anthony J. Headley
Evangel Publishing House
2000 Evangel Way, PO Box 189, Nappanee, Indiana 46550
9781928915973, $16.99, www.evangelpublishing.com

Even being a messenger of God can be a job with burnout. "Reframing Your Ministry: Balancing Professional Responsibilities & Personal Needs" is a complete and comprehensive guide for anyone who is in charge of a church and wants to keep their enthusiasm for their job up – and not face the intolerable result known as burnout that dwells over them so quickly. With tips for keeping one's own spirits up as well as the spirits of others, and ideal ministry models suggested throughout, "Reframing Your Ministry: Balancing Professional Responsibilities & Personal Needs" is highly recommended for community library Christian studies collections and for any church leader.

The Arrogance of Nations
Neil Elliott
Fortress Press
c/o Augsburg Fortress Publishers
100 Fifth Street, Suite 600, Minneapolis, MN 55402-1210
9780800638443, $29.00 www.augsburgbooks.com 1-800-328-4648

Written by Neil Elliott (adjunct faculty member in Biblical Studies, Metropolitan State University) The Arrogance of Nations: Reading Romans in the Shadow of Empire is an interpretation of the Biblical text Romans that dares to divest itself from older interpretations of Paul's theology of law and gospel. In addition, The Arrogance of Nations traces surprising parallels between ancient Roman ideology and the contemporary Western world. Refuting modern attempts to frame Paul's letter in terms of noncorporeal spirituality, The Arrogance of Nations places Paul's letter firmly in the context of Roman imperial ideology. Interpreting the letter as a confrontation between Paul and the arrogance of the Roman empire, as well as the temptation implicit in the power that gives rise to such pride, The Arrogance of Nations is a welcome addition to biblical studies shelves.3

Poets on the Psalms
Lynn Domina, editor
Trinity University Press
1 Trinity Place, San Antonio, Texas, 78212-7200
9781595340481, $19.95, www.trinity.edu/tupress

The Bible has inspired more art, literature, and other creative endeavors more than any other single thing in history. "Poets on the Psalms" focuses on the Psalms, with countless poets speaking out on countless Psalms, discussing them with vivid imagery and examining why this ancient wisdom still holds some ground in the modern era. Although some poetry is included, the book is mainly poets speaking in essay form. Deftly compiled, "Poets on the Psalms" is highly recommended to community library poetry collections with a focus on religion.

Holy Sex!
Gregory K. Popcak
Crossroad Publishing Company
16 Penn Plaza, 481 Eight Avenue, Suite 1550, New York, NY 10001
B&B Media Group (publicity)
109 South Main Street, Corsicana, TX 75110
9780824524715, $14.95, www.tbbmedia.com

Missionary – is that truly the start and end to the sexuality of catholic bed rooms? "Holy Sex!: A Catholic Guide to Toe-Curling, Mind-Blowing, Infallible Loving" claims not, discussing what many Catholics never discuss – the acts in the bedroom. Showing that having fun in the bedroom does not mean that one must be a sinful deviant, its lessons are sure to brighten the lives of any catholic couple, be they newlywed or decades old. "Holy Sex!: A Catholic Guide to Toe-Curling, Mind-Blowing, Infallible Loving" deserves a place in both human sexuality and Catholic studies collection as it offers something for any follower of either – highly recommended.

Excuse Me, Your God is Waiting
Michelle Epiphany Prosser
Hampton Roads Publishing Company Inc.
1125 Stoney Ridge Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902
9781571745521, $15.95, www.hrpub.com

For many Christians, God has taken a backseat to their lives, but "Excuse Me, Your God is Waiting" is here to help them fix this spiritual problem and to introduce God into each part of life, be it in solving their problems, celebrating, or just getting through the day and looking towards the next. Promoting a better life and spiritual happiness through a more complete oneness with God, "Excuse Me, Your God is Waiting" is a must for Christian studies collections and for anyone who thinks they can improve their life if their bond with God were greater.


The Judicial Studies Shelf

Getting Permission
Richard Stim
Nolo
950 Parker St., Berkeley, CA 94710
9781413305180, $34.99, www.nolo.com

Copyright law has become a matter of serious concern in recent years – so how do you use anything without getting sued? "Getting Permission: How to License & Clear Copyrighted Materials Online and Off" is a guide for anyone in a business situation where they will have to use someone else's creative license for their own. The guide covers the permission process, public domain issues, finding the copyright holder to get permission, fair use, and other issues that often crop up in this field. Enhanced with a CD-ROM which compiles the information in an easy to search format, "Getting Permission: How to License & Clear Copyrighted Materials Online and Off" is highly recommended to any business who often use other company's copyrights, and community library business collections.

Science for Lawyers
Eric York Drogin, editor
American Bar Association
321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60610
9781590319260, $129.95 www.ababooks.org 1-800-285-2221

Published by the American Bar Association, Science for Lawyers is a textbook-style anthology of essays written by experts in the field, each discussing a different discipline of science as it applies to members of the legal profession: ballistics, biology, chemistry, computer forensics, dentistry, engineering, environmental science, genetics, linguistics, medicine, physics, psychology, and statistics. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this straightforward introduction to what every lawyer needs to know. "Currently, lawyers and judges are finding many applications for linguistic concepts and theory. Since language itself is a central component of both legal writing (such as in trademarks and contacts) and criminal prosecutions involving police interrogations, court proceedings, and prison interactions, linguistic analysis is increasingly becoming a useful tool in legal fields." The clear, pragmatic text is ideal for quickly grasping the general basics of each science as well as its applications in the modern judicial system. An enthusiastically recommended reference for lawyers, paralegals, judges, and anyone in the court industry who doesn't already have multiple science degrees.


The Literary Shelf

Bloom's Guides: The Stranger
Harold Bloom, editor
Bloom's Literary Criticism
c/o Infobase Publishing
132 West 31st Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10001
www.infobasepublishing.com
9780791098295, $30.00 1-800-322-8755

A worthy contribution to the excellent Bloom's Guides series, Bloom's Guides: The Stranger is a comprehensive reading and study guide for students and lay readers alike of Albert Camus' classic existential novel "The Stranger", about a man who almost involuntarily commits an unprovoked murder, yet is unable to explain why he did it, let alone fake remorse. He is ultimately condemned not for the crime itself, but for his failure to express hypocrisy over it; he is unable to immerse himself in the physical and emotional absurdities of daily existence that demand thousands of little lies and great lies from every member of human society. Bloom's Guide: The Stranger features a strong emphasis on summary and analysis, walking the reader step by step through the nuances of this complex yet insightful work of Western literature. Additional enhancements include "The Story Behind the Story", which describes the conditions under which The Stranger was written, a biographical sketch of the author, a descriptive list of characters, and an annotated bibliography. Enthusiastically recommended especially for anyone studying "The Stranger" as part of a literary course or thesis.

Exile's Poet
Mahmoud Darwish
Olive Branch Press
c/o Interlink Books
46 Crosby Street, Northampton, MA, 01060-1804
9781566566643, $25.00, www.interlinkbooks.com

Arguably the most important Palestinian poet of our time, Mahmoud Darwish appears for the first time in English in "Exile's Poet", deftly edited by professors of modern Arabic culture and comparative literatures respectively Hala Khamis Nassar & Najat Rahman it offers a critical appraisal of Darwish's work as well, from his earliest works to his later work, filled with connections between myth, lyric, prose, and history among other things. The Editors bring in editorials on the future of poetry, roles of the modern poet, heritage and more. Highly recommended to poetry fans who want an in depth look from another place in the world.

Notebooks 1951-59
Albert Camus
Ivan R. Dee
1332 North Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60622-2694
1566637759, $27.50 www.ivanrdee.com

College-level collections strong on Camus will find this a special acquisition presenting the notebooks withheld in France for some 29 years after his death, appearing for the first time in English. The first two volumes of his notebooks began simply but this concluding volume was written over the last nine years that he lived, and reads more intimately, like a diary. From his travels to his observations about life and politics, this concludes a fine expose of Camus' life and thoughts and is a 'must' for any college-level collection strong in Camus, particularly those who have his previous earlier notebooks.

Writes of Passage
Paula Deitz, Editor
Ivan R. Dee
1332 North Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60622-2694
1566637813, $27.50 www.ivanrdee.com

WRITES OF PASSAGE: COMING OF AGE STORIES AND MEMOIRS culls over twenty top stories from the last twenty-five years of The Hudson Review, juxtaposing emerging new writers with seasoned veterans from Wendell Berry to Tennessee Williams and presenting works which were first selected for their excellence, and only secondarily for their unifying genre. Any interested in coming of age literature will be pleased to find these stories under one cover.

The Newbery and Caldecott Awards 2008 Edition
Association for Library Service to Children
American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
9780838935743, $19.00, www.ala.org

Two of the most prestigious awards that a children's book author can receive – The Newbery and Caldecott awards. "The Newbery and Caldecott Awards 2008 Edition: A Guide to the Medal and Honor Books" is a comprehensive guide to the annual awards for children's book, stretching back nearly a century to 1922 and the conception of the Newbery award – and it covers both the winners and the honorable mentions for each of those years. A must have for anyone who wants to seek out the very best in children's literature through the years, "The Newbery and Caldecott Awards 2008 Edition: A Guide to the Medal and Honor Books" is highly recommended for community library literature collections.

Home Words
Mavis Reimer, editor
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5
9781554580163, $85.00, www.wlupress.wlu.ca

Children's literature – one of its purposes is to have the values of a nation available to children in book form. "Home Words: Discourses of Children's Literature in Canada" is an examination of modern Canadian children's literature and the value of the messages and themes they teach, and how they reflect on Canadians of different racial backgrounds. Complete with history, bibliographies, essays, and biographical criticism, "Home Words: Discourses of Children's Literature in Canada" is a top pick for community library literary criticism collections.

The Poetry Life
Baron Wormser
CavanKerry Press
6 Horizon Road No. 2901, Fort Lee, New Jersey, 07024
9781933880051, $18.00, cavankerry@optonline.net

The life of the poet has vastly changed over the centuries, from the starving artist of a bard of Shakespeare's time to the struggling artist of the modern era – the financial success has failed to change, but the lifestyle has. "The Poetry Life: Ten Stories" is a look at poets and poetry through the ages and how it has shifted in prominence and importance. Witty, insightful, and somewhat depressing at the same time, "The Poetry Life: Ten Stories" is deftly composed and highly recommended to any poet or poetry lover and for community library literature collections.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Winter Haven
Athol Dickson
Bethany House
1140 Hampshire Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
9780764201646, $18.99, www.bethanyhouse.com

Thirty years she has been separated from her brother – and now he's dead. "Winter Haven" is Vera's story of uncovering the mysteries of her brother, his death, and why he seemingly had not aged a single day in any of the three decades of separation. Further standing in her way of understanding are the dark mysteries of Winter Haven, a small island off the coast of Maine. Vera digs to find the truth in this intriguing suspense novel, sure to keep readers reading, and a must for community library fiction collections.

The Rhyme Killers
Judy Gooden with Naomi Helterbran
Outskirts Press
10940 S. Parker Rd. - 515, Parker, Colorado 80134
9781432708009, $14.95, www.outskirtspress.com

A killer with a bizarre signature style and a bizarre pattern never seen before. "The Rhyme Killers" tells of Philadelphia's top homicide detective in Katie Knight with her partner Avis Rent quest to hunt down this strange murderer with his unforeseeable tactics, she also must deal with a misogynistic old police chief who wants to return the department back to an all-male force like it used to be. With an ending no one will see coming, "The Rhyme Killers" is a deftly written mystery and sure to appeal to mystery fans everywhere.

The Secret Hangman
Peter Lovesey
Soho Press
853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
9781569474884, $13.00, www.sohopress.com

Some people dedicate themselves to their job as a part of grieving for their loss – Detective Peter Diamond is one of these. In "The Secret Hangman", Diamond is hot on the trail of a serial killer, who disgustingly hangs his victims in gore-ridden fashion. This is hard enough, but someone seems to be on his trail as well – and their intentions are not as crystal clear as he would like them to be. Deftly written, "The Secret Hangman" is a top pick for mystery fans and community library collections catering to the genre alike.


The World History Shelf

Fairs, Markets & the Itinerant Book Trade
Robin Myers, Michael Harris, and Giles Mandelbrote, editors
Oak Knoll Press
310 Delaware Street, New Castle, DE 19720-5038
9781584562009, $47.50 www.oakknoll.com 1-800-996-2556

Fairs, Markets & the Itinerant Book Trade is an anthology of essays by learned authors discussing the ways in which the open-air book trade, as seen in book fairs, traveling peddlers and itinerant printers, affected the culture of Europe from the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries. Fairs, Markets & the Itinerant Book Trade includes essays such as "The Book Trade in Public Spaces: London Street Booksellers 1690-1850", "Itinerant Booksellers, Printers, and Peddlers in Sixteenth-Century Spain and Portugal", "Watching the Peddler's Movements: Itinerant Distribution in the Urban Netherlands" and much more. A thoughtful and scholarly examination of the transformative power of books and book distribution.

To Be a Roman
Margaret A. Brucia & Gregory N. Daugherty
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers
1000 Brown St., Unit 101, Wauconda, IL 60084
9780865166332, $25.00, www.bolchazy.com

Rome – the single greatest influence upon western civilization. "To Be a Roman: Topics in Roman Culture" is a complete and comprehensive guide to what's usually glossed over about this great civilization – the day to day life of its citizens. Touching on the family life, the religious rituals, the homes in which they lived, and the cities they called there own, both Rome and its other cities – and so much more. The perfect resource for anyone who wants a more complete understanding of the Roman culture, "To Be a Roman: Topics in Roman Culture" is a must have for them and community library reference collections.

Grand Opportunity
Timothy G. McMahon
Syracuse University Press
1600 Jamesville Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210
www.SyracuseUniversityPress.syr.edu
9780815631842, $22.95 1-800-365-8929

Timothy G. McMahon (Assistant Professor of History, Marquette University) presents Grand Opportunity: The Gaelic Revival and Irish Society, 1893-1910, an in-depth study of the role that the Gaelic cultural revival played in transforming Ireland's national identity during the turn of the past century. Members of the Gaelic League had a reverberating effect upon Irish culture and literature through their determination to preserve Irish as a spoken language and artistic medium. Drawing upon press and police reports as well as census data and local directories, Grand Opportunity assembles the first comprehensive profile of League membership, and excerpts primary testimonies to put forward a convincing case. Recommended for college library shelves and especially for students and scholars of Irish history.

The Fire & the Word
Gloria Munoz Ramirez
City Lights Publishers
261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133
9780872864887, $16.95 www.citylights.com

Black-and-white photographs and sketches on virtually every other page enhance The Fire & the Word: A History of the Zapatista Movement, a chronicle of the modern social movement in Mexico that had its origins in 1983 and became known to the world at large in 1994, in protest of globalization, corporate neoliberalism, the North American Free Trade Agreement and consequent end of Mexican crop subsidies (since Mexican crops were no longer able to financially compete with machine-driven American agribusiness), and other issues. Though the Zapatista Movement had its roots in communities of indigenous and Mayan decent, its precepts of equality (including equality for women), democracy, liberty, justice, independence, housing, health, education, and peace extend to all Mexicans. After the movement's 1994 uprising was put down by the Mexican military, the movement transformed its methodology from armed resistance to making use of the internet to garner support among nongovernmental organizations and solidarity groups. First-person testimonies are intermeshed with the historical narrative, offering a view of this revolutionary movement (not a political party, since its ideology forbids its members from running for elected office per se) that evenly blends scholarly and humanitarian perspectives. Highly recommended for college library shelves, and anyone researching the roots, direction, and future of the Zapatista movement.

Cio's Daughters
Lynette Felber, editor
University of Delaware Press
2010 Eastpark Blvd, Cranbury, NJ 08512
9780874139815, $54.50, www2.lib.udel.edu/udpress

History, for most of its existence, has been written by men – but not from any lack of trying by women. "Cio's Daughters: British Women Making History 1790-1899" tells of how lady novelists, despite being snubbed by the exclusively male historical societies of the time. Through thinly veiled fiction and other clever techniques, these women let their voices be heard, and now are being studied by modern historians, and this book is an examination of these wise women's histories. "Cio's Daughters: British Women Making History 1790-1899" is highly recommended for anyone seeking a perspective of British history from the fairer sex and for community library collections for this type of reference.


The Biography Shelf

Chicago Assassin
Richard J. Shmelter
Cumberland House Publishing
431 Harding Industrial Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37211
9781581826180, $24.95 www.cumberlandhouse.com 1-888-439-2665

American Crime Writers League member Richard J. Shmelter presents Chicago Assassin: The Life and Legend of "Machine Gun" Jack McGurn and the Chicago Beer Wars of the Roaring Twenties, a fascinating biography set amidst the gangland violence that wracked Chicago during the Prohibition era. Chronicling the life of Vincenzo Gibaldi, who took the name "Jack McGurn" along with the sport of boxing, Chicago Assassin tells how McGurn's father and stepfather were murdered by mobsters, and how his revenge attracted the attention of the notorious Al Capone, who invited McGurn to join the organization. McGurn built a terrible reputation as Chicago's most feared gangster assassin, and may even have helped plan the infamous St. Valentine's Day massacre. He killed more than twenty people during Chicago's Beer Wars, yet was eventually spurned by the Organization he worked for, and murdered Capone's orders. A striking true crime saga, meticulously researched and providing a singularly vibrant picture of the seedy underworld that sprang up to seize advantage of the Prohibition era.

Just Call Me Mike
Mike Farrell
RDV Books
c/o Akashic Books
PO Box 1456, New York, NY 1009
9781933354484, $16.95, www.akashicbooks.com

Activists come from all walks of life – even from old television shows. "Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist" is the life story of one Mike Farrell as he tells his tale of coming up into the profession of acting and landing a role in the hit series M.A.S.H., to becoming a writer and producer, to becoming an anti-Death Penalty activist. A charming story that states life has no foretold direction, "Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist" is highly recommended to community library collections dedicated to biography.

Rabies Mom
Pat Caroll & Jack McGowan
Arbor Books
19 Spear Road, Suite 301, Ramsey, NJ 07446
9780980110609, $15.99, www.rabiesmom.com

Watching one's children die as they stand by powerless – one of the most horrifying thoughts to any parent. "Rabies Mom" is Pat Caroll's story of watching as his daughter Shannon died from a rabies infection as he mother did nothing – and her neglect ultimately ended up in her death. He tells his tragic story revealing that it is not always the wisest response for the legal system to default to the mother in areas of child custody. "Rabies Mom" is a deftly composed warning to custody battles and those determining it, and community library memoir collections.

Alexander Collie
Gwen Chessell
University of Western Australia Press
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 NE 58th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97213
9780980296532, $35.95, www.isbs.com

Too often Australia's development is written off as a bunch of British prisoners sent there for punishment – when in fact there were some notable individuals in its history. "Alexander Collie: Colonial Surgeon, Naturalist, and Explorer" is a look at one of those notable individuals, Alexander Collie, a renown scientist from Scotland who did much to help the colony in its early days and helped establish it for future generations. A complete look at a oft-forgotten individual, "Alexander Collie: Colonial Surgeon, Naturalist, and Explorer" is highly recommended for community library biography collections.

A Missouri Railroad Pioneer
Joel P. Rhodes
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65201
9780826217981, $39.95 www.umsystem.edu/upress 1-800-828-1894

Joel P. Rhodes (Associate Professor of History, Southeast Missouri State University) presents A Missouri Railroad Pioneer: The Life of Louis Houck, an extensively researched biography of business entrepreneur and self-taught railroader Louis Houck, who not only built an enterprise, but also brought art, culture, and formal education to all social classes. Though A Missouri Railroad Pioneer is at its heart an engaging glimpse into the life of a turn-of-the-century tycoon, railroad enthusiasts are sure to enjoy the insights into the evolution of America's railroad system. Written in plain terms for lay readers and historians alike, A Missouri Railroad Pioneer is a welcome addition to biography shelves.

The Line from Here to There
Rosanna Taylor Herndon
Texas Tech University Press
PO Box 41037, Lubbock, TX 79409-1037
9780896726307, $24.95 www.ttup.ttu.edu 1-800-832-4042

The Line from Here to There: A Storyteller's Scottish West Texas collects eighteen true stories from generations of Scottish West Texans. Some tales are about the ancestors of author and award-winning storyteller Rosanna Taylor Herndon; others are about extended family and friends of the Herndon family. All are steeped in the unique brand of West Texan regional culture that celebrates determination and the will to meet all challenges. Especially recommended for Western lovers who tire of fiction and are excited by true tales of American character.

Where the Ox Does Not Plow
Manuel Pena
University of New Mexico Press
MSC04 2820, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
9780826344212, $24.95 www.unmpress.com 1-800-249-7737

Where the Ox Does Not Plow: A Mexican American Ballad is an autobiographical ethnography, collecting twenty-six episodes of award-winning author Manuel Pena's life journey from penniless migrant worker to successful academic and anthropologist. Pena reflects on problems and issues connected to the marginalized state of Mexicans and other Latinos in the United States. Vignettes of conflict between ethnicities, the difficulty of integrating into American society, family closeness, love, shock, and survival, Where the Ox Does Not Plow is a resoundingly authentic account of a rich and varied life, illustrated with a dozen black-and-white photographs.

Memoirs of a Runaway
Michael Kennon
Outskirts Press
10940 S. Parker Rd – 515, Parker CO 80134
9781432719913, $10.95, www.outskirtspress.com

What makes a child flee home and opt to live on the streets in a state of homelessness? "Memoirs of a Runaway: A Story of Hope" is a combination of two true stories, author Michael Kennon's time as a teenage runaway, and his interview with a thirteen year old girl who has followed down a similar path filled with sex, drugs, and violence. Although downtrodden in theme, the book lives up to its subtitle and offers some hope that there is light at the end of the darkest of tunnels. "Memoirs of a Runaway: A Story of Hope" is a deftly compiled and highly recommended set of stories, a top pick for community library memoir shelves and for any who want to empathize with this tortured souls.

A Biographical Dictionary of People in Engineering
Carl W. Hall
Purdue University Press
30 Amberwood Parkway, PO Box 388, Ashland, OH, 44805
9781557534590, $79.95, www.purdue.edu

The people who have pushed science forward over the years usually go long without fanfare or even mention, and "A Biographical Dictionary of People in Engineering: From Earliest Records to 2000" is a comprehensive reference on engineers throughout the modern era, outlining their lifespan and accomplishments and other facts of note. Hundreds of engineers are covered, and it is enhanced with appendixes and a pack in CD-ROM. "A Biographical Dictionary of People in Engineering: From Earliest Records to 2000" is a must for college library reference collections.

Clark
Vicki Clark
Arbor Books Inc.
244 Madison Avenue, #254, New York, NY 10016
9780979411885, $9.95, www.arborbooks.com

The most tragic of occurrences – the loss of one's youngest child. "Clark" is the memoir of a mother struck with the horrible grief of the death of her son in a car accident at the age of nineteen. With little other consolation, she turns to a journal to pour out the monsoon of emotions that have overcome her. This book is a compilation of her feelings as she has no where else to pour her feelings and how she had to overcome them to deal with her life – which despite the tragedy, she still had to live. "Clark" is a must have for any grieving parent looking for a story to relate to and for community library memoir collections.


The American History Shelf

Long Branch in the Golden Age
Sharon Hazard
History Press
18 Percy St., Charleston, SC 29403
9781596292161, $19.99, ww.historypress.net

The vacation spot of choice for seven US Presidents – Long Branch, New Jersey. "Long Branch in the Golden Age: Tales of Fascinating and Famous People" is a historical look at this region and its past, filled with much of the figures of American history, casinos, hotel ballrooms, and so much more. One could say you can get a good look at the who's who in the history of the United States by examining Long Branch. "Long Branch in the Golden Age: Tales of Fascinating and Famous People" is a top pick for community library American history collections.

The Revolutionary Writings of Alexander Hamilton
Richard B. Vernier, editor
Liberty Fund Inc.
8335 Allison Pointe Trail, Suite 300, Indianapolis, 46250-1684
9780865977068, $12.00, kbeach@libertyfund.org

A look into one of the minds that shaped this very country over two hundred years ago – that is what "The Revolutionary Writings of Alexander Hamilton" brings to the table. An examination of his viewpoints as his work is compiled into this books, one can get the idea of what one of the country's founding fathers wished his country to be. "The Revolutionary Writings of Alexander Hamilton" is a deftly compiled set of work, highly recommended to American history collections.

The Pacificus-Helvidius Debates of 1793-1794
Alexander Hamilton (Pacificus) and James Madison (Helvidius)
Morton J. Frisch, editor
Liberty Fund, Inc.
8335 Allison Pointe Trail, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46250-1684
9780865976887, $17.00 www.libertyfund.org 1-800-955-8335

Edited and with an introduction by Morton J. Frisch (Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Northern Illinois University), The Pacificus-Helvidius Debates of 1793-1794 collects the landmark debates between founding American figures Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. Pacificus) and James Madison (a.k.a. Helvidius) about the proper roles of America's executive and legislative branches in the area of foreign policy. Hamilton was a proponent of strong executive control over foreign policy, while Madison countered with the charge that Washington's Neutrality Proclamation of 1793 would impede the Senate's ability to make war. The Pacificus-Helvidius Debates of 1793-1794 collects all of the pertinent original documents involved in these landmark debates, including Washington's Neutrality Proclamation, the full text of the Pacificus and Helvidius letters, Jefferson's letter to Madison requesting him to respond to Hamilton, and Hamilton's Americanus letters, written as a final response to Madison's rebuttal. A scholarly presentation of a classic primary source of American history, worthy of the highest recommendation for college and public library reference collections.

A Pocketful of History
Jim Noles
Da Capo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
Eleven Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
9780306815782, $25.00 www.perseusbooksgroup.com 1-800-242-7737

Written by attorney Jim Noles, A Pocketful of History: Four Hundred Years of America - One State Quarter at a Time is a treasury for history trivia buffs and coin collectors alike, as it relates how each of the fifty commemorative state quarters celebrates American history. There are fifty chapters; each one begins with a magnified, black-and-white rendition of a different state's unique quarter design, followed by the story behind the design and historical vignettes aplenty. Written in a reader-friendly narrative style, A Pocketful of History is the perfect companion book for state quarter collectors everywhere.

The United Symbolism of America
Robert Hieronimus
New Page Books
c/o The Career Press
3 Tice Road, PO Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
Warwick Associates (publicity)
17470 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, California 95476
9781601630018, $17.99, www.newpagebooks.com

Symbolism – each and every day everyone is exposed to it and it's inescapable – it's one of the things the United States of America was founded on. "The United Symbolism of America: Deciphering Hidden Meanings in America's Most Familiar Art, Architecture, and Logos" is an examination of the rampant symbolism that is entrenched in all of America's culture, focusing mainly on the monuments of historical significance – and why they are monuments of historical significance. "The United Symbolism of America: Deciphering Hidden Meanings in America's Most Familiar Art, Architecture, and Logos" is highly recommended for community library history collections and for any who want a bit of unconventional insight on our nation's history and design.

A Picturesque Situation: Mackinac Before Photography 1615-1860
Brian Leigh Dunnigan
Wayne State University Press
4809 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201-1309
9780814332146, $75.00 http://wsupress.wayne.edu 1-800-978-7323

A Picturesque Situation: Mackinac Before Photography 1615-1860 is a massive, exhaustively researched history of the Straits of Mackinac, one of the first settled regions of Michigan and the primary route to Lake Michigan and the Mississippi Valley. Splendidly illustrated throughout with colorful maps, vintage artwork renditions of the land and portraits of notable historic figures, architectural plans from the era, and much more, A Picturesque Situation is a richly detailed resource, captivating to simply page through and thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Highly recommended for public library collections, history shelves, and anyone interested in the cornucopia of stories behind this crossroads of frontier America.

Twenty First Century Gateways
Audrey Singer, Susan W. Hardwick, & Caroline B. Brettel, editors
Brookings Institution Press
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036
9780815779278, $26.95, www.brookings.edu

Ellis Island – the cause of such a diverse European-descended population in New York City – but the new wave of immigrants aren't entering America from any one place. "Twenty First Century Gateways: Immigrant Incorporation in Suburban America" states that this generation of immigrants are spreading all over the country, and not just in high density urban areas such as major cities like New York and Los Angeles. With the lack of Federal law, many states and local governments are taking immigration into their own hands as immigrants find their way to out of the way cities you wouldn't expect to find them in such as St. Paul, Minnesota. An examination of the issue as a whole, pulling no punches and completely weighing both sides of the debate, "Twenty First Century Gateways: Immigrant Incorporation in Suburban America" is highly recommended for community library collections on social issues.

Pioneer Press
PO Box 216, Carson City, NV 89702-0216
1-775-888-9867

World War II veteran Charles L. Convis presents two volumes in the "True Tales of the Old West" series, a delight for Western connoisseurs due to their meticulous research and engaging narration. "Californios in the Old West" (9781892156259, $11.95) is a collection of short tales about second and third generation Spanish-Americans living in what is now California, prior to the 1830s. Not only do the tales give fascinating glimpses into the lives of individuals dedicated to survival in harsh territory, they reveal how 'Californio' life changed after the state became "Americanized". "Visitors View the Old West" (9781892156266, $11.95) presents short tales out of the lives of individuals who witnessed the Old West with their own eyes, including Rudyard Kipling, George Simpson, and Catherine Weldon (a widow who met Sitting Bull in person), and many more. Both are a treat for anyone with a keen interest in the Old West; the stories are pure fun to read, whether a few at a time or all at once.

Horses That Buck
Margot Kahn
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806139128, $24.95 www.oupress.com 1-800-627-7377

Horses That Buck: The Story of Champion Bronc Rider Bill Smith is a carefully researched and engagingly presented biography of champion saddle bronc rider Bill Smith, who loved the wildness of horses that fought against being ridden. He broke more than a few bones following his passion, earning no less than thirteen trips to the national finals. When he was facing retirement in his thirties, he met schoolteacher and cowgirl Carole O'Rourke on the national rodeo circuit, and together they bought their own land upon which to raise horses. Gathering information from interviews, experience, and historical records, Margot Kahn gives an up close and personal look at the rodeo circuit in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and offers a captivating portrait of a man who truly embodied the spirit of the western frontier long after the west was won.


The Self-Help Shelf

Living Deeply
Institute of Noetic Sciences
Noetic Books
c/o New Harbinger Publications
5674 Shattuck Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609
9781572245334, $16.95, www.newharbinger.com

How does one make oneself change for the better? "Living Deeply: The Art & Science of Transformation in Everyday Life" is a complete and comprehensive guide to how to change one's self, drawing from science, and countless philosophies and religions such as Christianity, modern day spirituality, others such as Native American cosmology and so much more. "Living Deeply: The Art & Science of Transformation in Everyday Life" is highly recommended for community library self-help collections.

What I've Learned Since I Knew it All
Paul Meier & Todd Clements
Tyndale House
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
9781414312811, $17.99, toddstarowitz@tyndale.com

Happiness in life – the simplest of things, yet so hard to achieve. "What I've Learned Since I Knew It All: 12 Secrets to Living a Satisfied Life" covers a few little truths in life which if one acknowledges their life becomes so much easier – and with that, happiness can come. The truths include the fairness of life, marriage, friends, addictions, and adulthood – among others. "What I've Learned Since I Knew It All: 12 Secrets to Living a Satisfied Life" is a well composed look at life, highly recommended to community library self-help collections.

Mirrors for Men
Justin O'Brien
Yes International Publishers
1317 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105-2602
9780936663302, $12.00, www.yespublishers.com

Men so often put forth a tough front where they shun the assistance of others – a bad move claims "Mirrors for Men: A Journal for Reflection". Seeking to help men discover their self worth, their skills, and who they are as a person and when to seek out the assistance of others, the book serves as a guide to personal growth, a guide to make its readers better men and most importantly, better people. "Mirrors for Men: A Journal for Reflection" is highly recommended for community library self-help collections and for any men who wish to better themselves.

Love Without Hurt
Steven Stosny, Ph.D.
Lifelong Books/DaCapo Press
c/o Perseus Books Group
Eleven Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
1600940730, $16.95 www.dacapopress.com

Any who are in an abusing, hurtful relationship can end the pain and rebuild a loving environment with Dr. Steven Stosny's explanation of different indicators of relationship abuse, how to take action to change the relationship, and how to use his CompassionPower program for self-healing techniques for both individual recovery and changing a willing partner. Plenty of books have covered the basics of abuse patterns and advocated 'getting out': LOVE WITHOUT HURT: TURN YOUR RESENTFUL, ANGRY OR EMOTIONALLY ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP INTO A COMPASSIONATE, LOVING ONE takes a different approach and is a 'must' for any general-interest library interested in self-help health and mental health books.

I Hate Conflict!
Lee Raffel
McGraw Hill
2 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10121
9780071484893, $16.95, www.mhprofessional.com

Very few people in the world enjoy getting in fierce arguments with their fellow man – and "I Hate Conflict!: Seven Steps to Resolving Differences with Anyone in Your Life" understands this completely. Offering many options to help people resolve their issues and strengthen their relationships with others, it's an ideal guide to anyone who wants a more peaceful resolution to their conflicts. "I Hate Conflict! Seven Steps to Resolving Differences with Anyone in Your Life" is highly recommended to community library self-help collections.

What Should I Say?
Shelly Burke, RN
Xulon Press
2180 West State Road 434, Suite 2140, Longwood, FL 32779
Shelmar Publications
42887 G. G. Road Genoa, NE 68840
9781602666825, $14.95, www.shellyburke.com

It happens all to often. One goes and speaks, and then blurts out something they shouldn't – they are shunned by their audience for their accidental blurb. "What Should I Say?: The Right (and Wrong!) Words and Deeds for Life's Sticky, Tricky, Uncomfortable Situations" is a guide to keeping one's tongue straight and not saying something that would make others think less of them – advice on instilling confidence in oneself so that they may instill confidence in others. Deftly written and researched, "What Should I Say?: The Right (and Wrong!) Words and Deeds for Life's Sticky, Tricky, Uncomfortable Situations" is highly recommended for anyone who has said the wrong thing before.

Sacred Grief
Leslee Tessmann
Loving Healing Press
5145 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
9781932690538, $17.95, www.sacredgrief.com

The most devastating thing in anyone's life – the death of a close loved one. "Sacred Grief: Exploring a New Dimension to Grief" is an examination of the long term psychological effects of the grieving process and if there's more to it than most people seem to see as they go through the process, an extra element that can help readers recover from their loss much quicker. "Sacred Grief: Exploring a New Dimension to Grief" is highly recommended to anyone looking deep into the effects of grief and for community library self-help collections.


The International Studies Shelf

Kenya's Quest for Democracy
Makau Mutua
Lynne Reinner Publishers
1800 30th St. Suite 314, Boulder, CO 80301-1026
9781588265906, $65.00, www.reinner.com

Democracy is spreading on its own across the globe. "Kenya's Quest for Democracy: Taming Leviathan" is a look at the African nation's own struggle to move into the first world, overcoming its own past political turmoil which proves to make democratization difficult. Looking at what must be done to make Kenyan Democracy a reality, "Kenya's Quest for Democracy: Taming Leviathan" is enhanced with a glossary, bibliography, indexes, and more, making it highly recommended to any community library world politics collection.

Road from Ar Mamadi
Camilo Mejia
Haymarket Books
PO Box 180165, Chicago, IL 60618
9781931859530, $16.00, www.haymarketbooks.org

Conscientious Objector status is suppose to exclude one from military service – but what if you're already in the military? "Road from Ar Mamadi: The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia" tells this story as a veteran of the war has enough of it, and requests discharge – only to be marked as a deserter and imprisoned. Now free, Mejia tells his story and urges Americans to support an end to what he calls an unjust war in Iraq. A chilling first person perspective not often heard, "Road from Ar Mamadi: The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia"is a top pick for any community library collection focusing on current events.

Howling in Mesopotamia
Haider Ala Hamoudi
Beaufort Books
publicity@beaufortbooks.com
Rose Carrano Public Relations (publicity)
151 W 19 Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10011
9780825305481, $24.95, www.beaufortbooks.com

The War in Iraq rages on – but the rebuilding has already begun. "Howling in Mesopotamia: An Iraqi-American Memoir" is the story of one Haider Ala Hamoudi, one who has dedicated his life and well being to restoring the country he loves. He tells his story of rebuilding and how the events of these past few years have changed his life and the lives of the people around him. A different look at the Iraq conflict, "Howling in Mesopotamia: An Iraqi-American Memoir" is highly recommended to community library current events shelves.


The Music Shelf

The Opera Companion
George Martin
Amadeus Press
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York, NY 10010
9781574671681, $19.95, www.amadeuspress.com

The ultimate guide for opera lovers, whether they be hardcore or casual, is here. "The Opera Companion" is a complete and comprehensive guide to nearly fifty of the most commonly performed operas in America, complete with synopses, descriptions of music, composers, and so much more. Examining each opera with great scrutiny, it keeps in touch that some of its readers may not be as well versed as the most devoted of opera fans. "The Opera Companion" is a must for any opera fanatic or anyone looking to get into the art form.

Bravo Fortissimo Glenn Gould
Helen Mesaros M.D.
American Literary Press
8019 Belair Rd. Suite 10, Baltimore, Maryland 21236
9781561679850, $34.95, www.americanliterarypress.com

Many performers have the talent to master their instrument and to play it well – but very few carry with them the magical power of charisma alongside that talent. "Bravo Fortissimo Glenn Gould: The Mind of a Canadian Virtuoso" is a look at, agreed to by many pianist critics, the most influential Canadian piano player in history and the power he held over crowds during his performances and the quirky and eccentric behavior that followed him off the stage. A thoroughly well researched biography and psychological examination of a mad genius to the classical music world, "Bravo Fortissimo Glenn Gould: The Mind of a Canadian Virtuoso" is a must for any collection looking at music and the people who perform it.


The Economics Shelf

Forgive Us Our Debts
Andrew L. Yarrow
Yale University Press
302 Temple Street, PO Box 209040, New Haven, CT 06520-9040
9780300123531, $25.00, www.yalebooks.com

Debt affects us all – even if we carry none of it personally. "Forgive Us Our Debts: The Intergenerational Dangers of Fiscal Irresponsibility" is a look at the raging national debt and the upcoming crises that are sure to spill out from it in coming years. Examining the upcoming doomsday scenarios facing social security and Medicare, it touches optimistically on the possibility of a much brighter American future for its finances. "Forgive Us Our Debts: The Intergenerational Dangers of Fiscal Irresponsibility" is a scholarly volume, essential for college collections focusing on economics.

Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development
Rinaldo Brau, Alessandro Lanza, & Stefano Usai
Edward Elgar Publishing
9 Dewey Court, Northampton, MA 01060, USA
9781847206503, $135.00, www.e-elgar.com

Tourism is a great source of income for any country – but it can have negative impacts as well. "Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development: Macroeconomic Models and Empirical Methods" is an exceptionally well informed and meticulous scholarly analysis of the source of tourism as both a boon to and a bane upon the economies of developing nations. Stating numerous suggestions and methods to control the impact of this valuable source of national income, with cogently expressed general commentaries on the issue as a whole, "Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development: Macroeconomic and Empirical Methods" is highly recommended for college library collections and personal reading lists on the subject of International Economics in general, and the economic impact of tourism in particular.

Crunch
Jared Bernstein
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781576754771, $26.95, www.bkcurrents.com

Anyone can get a firm handle on the concept of economics claims "Crunch: Why Do I Feel So Squeezed (and Other Unsolved Economic Mysteries)". Speaking in plain terms, cutting away the misleading euphemisms and jargon that the modern media goes on and on with, author Jared Bernstein explains everything one would want to about America's current economic status, and makes it clear that it's all really about choices and that there is no clear cut right answer to make all the problems go away. "Crunch: Why Do I Feel So Squeezed (And Other Unsolved Economic Mysteries" is highly recommended to community library economics shelves and for anyone who wants to fully understand economics without a four year college course in the subject.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Overcoming Back and Neck Pain
Lisa Morrone
Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North, Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
9780736921688, $12.99, www.harvesthousepublishers.com

So often those with an illness ignore common sense - "Overcoming Back and Neck Pain" is a complete and comprehensive guide to giving people the common sense advice they need so they can get off the endless stream of medication and treatments. Teaching concepts such as posture, targeting muscles, healthy movement, and increasing one's natural healing, "Overcoming Back and Neck Pain" is a top pick for community library health collections and anyone who has tried everything with little result.

Medical Infrared Imaging
Dr. Nicholas A. Diakides and Dr. Joseph D. Bronzino
CRC Press
c/o Taylor & Francis Group
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
0849390273, $89.95 www.crcpress.com 1-800-272-7737

Edited by the inventor of the MedATR concept that engendered the first IR-CAD enabling early detection of breast cancer, Medical Infrared Imaging is an in-depth, state-of-the science textbook for students and biomedical engineering professionals alike. Chapters cover the recent history of modern medical advances that make medical applications of infrared imaging possible; the physics and physiological basis of thermal imaging; the latest concepts of the practice including dynamic thermal imaging, thermal tomography, and the most cutting-edge processing techniques for the early detection of breast cancer; and much more. A superbly researched and presented resource that spares no detail exploring the nuances a lifesaving technology.

Western Herbs According to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Thomas Avery Garran
Healing Arts Press
c/o Inner Traditions
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
159477191X, $50.00 www.healingartspress.com

Western Herbs According to Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Practitioner's Guide offers up some 58 monographs, illustrated with color photos, of herbs commonly used by Western herbalists. Each herb is grouped by the basic categorization for medicinals in Chinese medicine, with writings dealing with functions, dosage, preparation and contraindications. Any herbal medicine collection must have this in-depth index of Chinese formulas applied to Western herbs.

There is a Cure for Diabetes
Gabriel Cousens, MD
North Atlantic Books
2526 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94110
9781556436918, $19.95, www.northatlanticbooks.com

Almost a third of the United States population is either suffering from Diabetes or are in severe danger. "There is a Cure for Diabetes: The Tree of Life 21-Day+ Program" counters that grim fact with a shining light of optimism, with a three week plan that can assist with reversing type-II diabetes regardless of the history of the patient. A lifestyle change is all that's needed claims MD and author Gabriel Cousens – and "There is a Cure for Diabetes: The Tree of Life 21-Day+ Program" is highly recommended for this and for anyone who fears diabetes, and for community library health collections.

The Lifestyle Fitness Program
Debi Silber
Morgan James Publishing, LLC
1225 Franklin Ave. Suite 325, Garden City, NY 11530-1693
9781600374265, $17.95 www.morganjamespublishing.com

Registered Dietitian, Certified Personal Trainer, and Whole Health Coach Debi Silber (a.k.a. "The Mojo Coach") presents The Lifestyle Fitness Program: A Six Part Plan So Every Mom Can Look, Feel and Live Her Best, a guide to looking and feeling one's best written especially for mothers, yet packed cover to cover with practical information for readers of all backgrounds. The Lifestyle Fitness Program includes guidelines for getting back on track with proper nutrition, physical fitness, emotional stability, stress control, forming and maintaining healthy relationships, and a keeping positive spiritual influence in one's life. "Mindful speaking... involves a few keyings that many people find difficult to do. The first is taking responsibility. That means saying 'I' instead of 'you.' For example, instead of saying 'You made me so angry' you say 'I feel angry.' You're not blaming, you're explaining how you feel." A sensibly written, easy-to-follow guide filled with practical advice for a healthier, happier life.

The Hidden Dangers of Soy
Dianne Gregg
Outskirts Press
10940 S. Parker Rd, 515, Parker, Colorado 80134
9781432717025, $17.95, www.outskirtspress.com

Soy – the commonly promoted substitute for numerous fatty foods to improve the health and well being of its consumers – but like Olestra before it, could it have a dark side? "The Hidden Dangers of Soy" is a look at the oft unspoken downsides to the product of soy – including potential weight gain, the potential allergic reactions, among others. A truthfully and deftly written look at what some promote as a miracle food, "The Hidden Dangers of Soy" is highly recommended for community library health collections and for anyone who is suspicious of the soy bean.

Health Care Operations Management
James R. Langabeer II
Jones and Bartlett Publishers
40 Tall Pine Drive, Sudbury, MA 01776
9780763750510, $79.95, www.jbpub.com

Hospitals – a place for health care and healing. "Health Care Operations Management: A Quantitative Approach to Business and Logistics" however, recognizes that hospitals are organizations that employ hundreds of people that are trying to make ends meet – just like every other business out there. A complete and comprehensive guide that covers the business principals that hospitals should follow, and how to manage everything well so that the hospital can provide the best care possible in the most economic way possible. Enhanced with a glossary and indexes, "Health Care Operations Management: A Quantitative Approach to Business and Logistics" is highly recommended to anyone who's in charge of administrating a hospital and community library business shelves.


The Social Issues Shelf

Managing Teen Anger and Violence
William Fleeman
Impact Publications
9104 Manassas Drive Suite N. Manassas Park, VA 20111-5211
1570232768, $19.95 www.impactpublications.com

Teens have learned to manage their anger through the innovative Pathways to Peace program, and this book provides a series of personal stories and vignettes key to understanding anger addiction, violent behavior patterns, and the addiction and recovery process. Angry teens can be a danger to themselves, their families and those around them, so understanding the program that can change their behaviors is important. This can be used as both a self-directed guide and as a training manual for the Pathways to Peace programs and will reach any working with teens.

The Tragedy of American Compassion
Marvin Olasky
Crossway
1300 Crescent Street, Wheaton, IL, 60187
9781433501104, $27.00, www.crossway.org

Does the way that America does charity actually makes things worse? Now in a special fifteenth anniversary edition, "The Tragedy of American Compassion" is a scholarly and meticulous examination of the American welfare system and how it may be making America's poor poorer and giving them even less chance of recovery. With fifteen years since the previous edition, author Marvin Olasky re-examines it all – and sees if in that time and some welfare reform has made the system work any better- his evaluations are intriguing indeed. "The Tragedy of America Compassion" is a must for social issues shelves and for anyone who wants an honest look at the American welfare system.


The Environmental Studies Shelf

The Mysterious Receding Seas
Richard Guy
Xlibris
International Plaza II, Suite 340, Philadelphia, PA 19113-1513
9781413439915, $19.99, www.xlibris.com

Sometimes something can be so unbelievably subtle it can't possibly be noticed. "The Mysterious Receding Seas" claims that the oceans and seas of the world are receding – but their progress is so subtle that no one in history has taken note of it until now. Examining this strange phenomena, author Richard Guy talks of how it has affected the world through the generations. An interesting and intriguing read, "The Mysterious Receding Seas" is a top pick for any environmental studies collection with a focus on history.

Everglades
Anne Ake
Pineapple Press
PO Box 3889, Sarasota, Florida, 34230
9781561644100, $19.95, www.pineapplepress.com

The Florida Everglades is a one-of-a-kind ecosystem found in the United States. "Everglades: An Ecosystem Facing Choices and Challenges" is an examination of the Everglades, and the plant and animal life exclusive to the region – all of which are in danger, and facing potential extinction if the world continues going the way it has. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan is looked at as well, but could it be too little too late? "Everglades: An Ecosystem Facing Choices and Challenges" is deftly compiled and highly recommended to community library environmental collections.

Climate Solutions
Peter Barnes
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
PO Box 428, White River Junction, VT 05001-0428
9781603580052, $9.95 www.chelseagreen.com 1-800-639-4099

The threat of global warming looms over us everyday and millions wonder why the government does nothing. "Climate Solutions: A Citizen's Guide" seeks to tackle these subjects thoroughly and effectively and outlines current bad climate policies and explains why they are in fact, labeled as bad. "Climate Solutions: A Citizen's Guide" strips the spin away and states in plain and simple English the meaning of all of this environmental jargon and lays out an effective plan to battle global warming alongside an efficient and fair economy. "Climate Solutions: A Citizen's Guide" is highly recommended to general interest readers with a care for the environment everywhere and for social issues community library collections.

Deserts
Michael Allaby
Facts on File
c/o Infobase Publishing
132 West 31st Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10001
9780816059294, $70.00, www.factsonfile.com

Deserts – viewed as most as an inhospitable wasteland to be avoided. Its appearance is deceiving however, as the desert in fact is an ecosystem where thousands of plants and animals live, survive, and thrive. "Deserts", part of a series on ecosystems, is in a revised edition covering everything about the desert – its plant life, its wildlife, and its value to the world as a whole (an eye-opening note to the previously ignorant). "Deserts" is a must for any educational shelf dedicated to teaching their readers about the environment or for anyone who's misunderstanding the purpose of the dry, arid plains of sand.

Trespassing Dirt Stories & Field Notes
Janet Kauffman
Wayne State University Press
4809 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201-1309
9780814333747, $18.95, www.wsupress.wayne.edu

The classic free range farm that is so happily depicted in children's books is not how the majority of modern farming is done – it is instead done much like a factory, and there may be some effect upon it, which "Trespassing Dirt Stories and Field Notes" looks to examine, combining essays and short fiction to discuss these farms, which while producing great amounts of meat and diary products, have other less obvious penalties to the environment. "Trespassing Dirt Stories and Field Notes" is highly recommended for anyone concerned about animal rights and a good pick for any community library environmental studies shelf.

American Earth
Bill McKibben, editor
The Library of America
14 East 60th Street, New York, NY 10022
9781598530209, $40.00, www.americanearth.org

Environmental concerns are not a strictly recent development – it has been heavily discussed ever since the writings of Henry David Thoreau. "American Earth: Environmental Writing Since Thoreau" is a complete and comprehensive collection of writing covering scholarly essays and writings throughout history addressing the concerns of America, and how America should manage its relationship with the planet it sits on. Enhanced with a foreword from former Vice President and avid Environmentalist Al Gore, "American Earth: Environmental Writing Since Thoreau" is highly recommended to environmental studies collections focusing on college level discussion.


The Cookbook Shelf

The Lebanese Cookbook
Hussien Dekmak
Hippocrene Books
171 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10016
9780781812085, $29.95 www.hippocrenebooks.com

From standard falafel and humus to stuffed cabbage leaves and roast leg of lamb, THE LEBANESE COOKBOOK gathers traditional Lebanese fare often tossed into more general Middle Eastern cookbooks and makes it easy to locate classic dishes. Add full-page color photos and food which are easy for American cooks to duplicate and you have an appealing blend of eye candy and practical international presentation perfect for any lending library strong in international cuisine.

Robin to the Rescue
Robin Miller
Taunton Press
Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06470-5506
9781600850042, $18.95 www.taunton.com

ROBIN TO THE RESCUE: QUICK & SIMPLE RECIPES FOR DELICIOUS HOME COOKING comes from a TV Food Network kitchen strategist and bestselling author who offers 200 new, home-cooked recipes which are fast and easy. Organized by course and main ingredient, recipes here excel in 5 ingredients or less, yet many flavorful innovations. From Asian Pork Kebabs with Apricot Mayonnaise to Seared Chicken with Merlot and Raspberry Sauce, these are surprisingly quick gourmet delights with a fine centerfold of color photos for added attraction.

Tofu Cookery, 25th anniversary edition
Louise Hagler
The Book Publishing Company
PO Box 99, Summertown, TN 38483
www.thefarm.org/businesses/bpc.html
9781570672200, $21.95 1-800-695-2241

Food writer, food stylist, and traveling culinary teacher Louise Hagler now offers her classic Tofu Cookery in a revised 25th anniversary edition; all recipes are updated for modern nutritional standards, with reduced quantities of more healthful fats and less salt. New recipes have been added to complement old favorites. From Walnut-Olive Dip to Barbecued Tofu, Focaccia with Tofu, Chinese Sweet-and-Sour Balls, and much more, these tofu dishes are undeniably appetizing - just seeing the full-color photography is enough to make one's mouth water! Highly recommended for tofu connoisseurs everywhere.

Dishing Up Vermont
Tracey Medeiros, author
Scott Dorrance, photographer
Storey Publishing
210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
9781603420259, $19.95 www.storey.com 1-800-827-8673

Dishing Up Vermont: 145 Authentic Recipes from the Green Mountain State is a compilation that unquestionably lives up to its title. Food writer and Tracey Medeiros, whose recipes have formerly appeared in "Bon Appetit", "Cooking Light", "Eating Well", and "Hampton Roads", offers easy-to-follow instructions for preparing tasty delights such as "Vermont-Style Hush Puppies", "Grilled Marinated Venison Loin", "Grilled Maple-marinated Portobello Mushrooms", "Butternut Squash Ravioli with Apples and Pears", and much more. Full-color photography and an assortment of Vermont food and eatery anecdotes round out this wonderful culinary tour de force.

Vegan Inspiration
Todd Dacey with Jia Patton
Blue Dolphin Publishing
PO Box 8, Nevada City, CA 95959-0008
www.bluedolphinpublishing.com
9781577332169, $22.95 1-800-643-0765

Vegan Chef Todd Dacey along with cooking teacher Jia Patton present Vegan Inspiration: Whole Food Recipes for Life, a compilation of healthful vegan recipes from a wide variety of cultures and culinary styles. In addition to the mouth-watering recipes such as "Cranberry Apple Walnut Salad", "Coconut Rice", "Creamy Carrot Yam Soup", and "Tahini Sesame Cookies", Vegan Inspiration also describes the advantages of vegan, organic, raw, and detox diets at length. "For soy-free diets, soaked nuts, crystal salt, and Umeboshi vinegar may be substituted for soy products in many recipes. For transition diets, the protein sources in recipes may be adjusted." A glossary of ingredients and terms rounds out this spiral-bound cookbook, enthusiastically recommended for vegan kitchens everywhere.

Eating Well For A Healthy Heart Cookbook
Philip A. Ades, M.D.
The Countryman Press
PO Box 478, Woodstock, VT 05091
9780881507249, $24.95 www.countrymanpress.com 1-800-245-4151

So much of heart disease is self-inflicted through destructive life style choices such as poor diet, smoking, and lack of exercise. So it follows that through a proper diet, the avoidance of tobacco smoke, and a program of reasonable daily exercise the prospect of heart disease can be minimalized -- even for those with a family history of genetic predisposition to cardio-vascular problems. That is the basic foundation underlying cardiologist Philip Ades' "Eating Well For A Healthy Heart Cookbook" which was written with the assistance of the editorial staff of 'Eating Well' magazine. Through the 150 recipes compiled in this thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' compendium of delicious and nutritious dishes suitable for any dining occasion, the risk of heart attack by be reduced by fifty percent, along with the lowering of both blood pressure and cholesterol. The first five chapters are devoted to providing up-to-date information on having a healthy heart. Then the beautifully illustrated, gourmet quality recipes run the gamut from Lebanese Fattoush Salad with Grilled Chicken; Lentil & Almond Burgers; Grilled tuna with Olive Relish; and Roast-Pork with Sweet Onion-Rhubarb Sauce; to Eating Well Waffles; Eating Well's Pepperoni Pizza; Crispy Fish Sandwich with Pineapple Slaw; and Dark Fudgy Brownies. Each recipes notes the calorie count, along with fat, cholesterol, carbohydrate, protein, fiber, sodium, potassium information, cooking time and more. Scattered strategically throughout are 'Heart-Healthy' and 'Shopping' tips. The "Eating Well For A Healthy Heart Cookbook" is an ideal addition to both personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Cakes for All Occasions
Geraldine Kidwell
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764329043, $24.95, www.schifferbooks.com

Cake is a food of celebration – there is bound to be one at every birthday party, at every wedding, and countless other occasions. "Cake for All Occasions" is a guide to the delicious pastry and how to make oddly specific cakes for countless celebratory occasions or just for the fun of it all. Countless specialty cakes are outlined with chronological instructions and over three hundred photographs covering this guide, perfect for any novice baker. "Cake for All Occasions" is a must for anyone in charge of a celebratory cake and not sure of what to do and for community library cookbook collections.

Mayan Cuisine
Daniel Hoyer
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton, Utah 84041
9781423601319, $34.95, www.gibbs-smith.com

A food rich in flavor to begin with, but taking on the best traits of other traditions of cuisine – Spanish, French, Asian, Caribbean, and so many more – it's one way to describe the food of the Maya. "Mayan Cuisine: Recipes From the Yucatan Region" is a look at the delectable food of the Mayan people, with step by step guides and full color photos to help one emulate the authentic Mayan flavor in their own kitchen. With Dishes like: Meat-and-Rice Stuffed Leaves, Tamale Pie, Yucatan Breakfast Sausages, and more, "Mayan Cuisine: Recipes From the Yucatan Region" is a must for any ethnic cookbook shelf or for anyone looking for a different taste to sink their teeth into.


The Travel Shelf

Beijing
Streetwise Guide
Foreign Languages Press
24 Baiwanzhuang Road, Beijing, 100037, China
China Books & Periodicals, Inc. (distributor)
360 Swift Ave, Suite 48, South San Francisco, CA 94080
9787119046211, $16.95, www.chinabooks.com

Beijing is the capital of modern China and the first city a tourist will visit when they want to visit the cultural storm that is China. "Beijing: Streetwise Guide" is a complete and comprehensive guide for anyone who wants to experience China without it turning into a massive mis-communication headache. With money saving tips, time saving tips, and more – complete with maps and a multilingual picture guide for Chinese food menus so you don't accidentally order something you'd have rather not. "Beijing: Streetwise Guide" is highly recommended for anyone planning a trip to Beijing and community library travel collections.

Hamburger America
George Motz
Running Press
2300 Chestnut Street Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA 19103
9780762431021, $19.95, www.runningpress.com

More American than Pizza and the Hot Dog, is the Hamburger. "Hamburger America: A State-by-State Guide to 100 Great Burger Joints" is a guide to finding the simply the best burger one could find in any corner of the country in any state of the union. Covering these burger joints who have stood strong against the juggernauts of McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendy's, on the sheer quality of their food alone. Enhanced with a full color map reflecting the locations of these burger joints across the nation and a accompanying DVD, "Hamburger America: A State-by-State Guide to 100 Great Burger Joints" is highly recommended for any lover of the hamburger who also loves traveling.


The Science Shelf

Quantum Shift in the Global Brain
Ervin Laszlo
Inner Traditions
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
9781594772337, $14.95 www.innertraditions.com

Our world is in Macroshift and modern reality is challenging us to adjust to new, rapid changes. QUANTUM SHIFT IN THE GLOBAL BRAIN discusses these changes, presenting a different kind of guidance to the changes science and discovery are introducing to individuals and society alike. Science shifts are here related to worldview and values shifts, with chapters discussing the maximum code, manifest reality and more. Any college-level collection strong in either science or sociology will find this intriguing.

Why Science?
James Trefil
NSTA Press
c/o Teachers College Press
PO Box 30, 82 Winter Sport Lane, Williston, VT 05495
9780807748305, $19.95, www.tcpress.com

Is a scientific education needed to fully understand the world even for the lay? "Why Science?" is a call for America to increase their scientific literacy for a more perfect union – saying understanding of the fundamentals of science – natural selection, electricity, magnetism, and others – are necessary to understanding the very principles of modern society. "Why Science?" is a must for any community library science, social issues, or education shelf.

Nanotechnology in Biology and Medicine
Tuan Vo-Dinh, editor
CRC Press
c/o Taylor & Francis Group
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
9780849329494, $149.95 www.crcpress.com 1-800-272-7737

Nanotechnology in Biology and Medicine: Methods, Devices, and Applications is an in-depth assembly of essays concerning the practice of nanotechnology in life sciences. Individual writings include "Nanopore Methods for DNA Detection and Sequencing", "Engineering Gene Circuits: Foundations and Applications", "Nanotechnologies in Adult Stem Cell Research", and much more. "Considerable effort has been made to develop biocompatible scaffolds for tissue engineering. The principle for the design of tissue-engineering scaffolds remains clear: the scaffold should mimic the structure and biological function of the native extracellular matrix (ECM) as much as possible, both in chemical composition and physical structure." Black-and-white diagrams and photographs enhance this highly detailed resource recommended for professionals in the field - the better to stay abreast of the latest developments! - as well as for students and educators.

Bang!
Brian May, Patrick Moore, & Chris Lintott
The John Hopkins University Press
2715 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
9780801889851, $29.95, www.press.jhu.edu

The Universe has exploded, and has been expanding and expanding for nearly fourteen billion years. "Bang!: The Complete History of the Universe" is the tale of this explosion that is completely responsible for the book itself- and everything around it that humanity holds dear. It even looks into the future, where everything will be engulfed by a Red Giant Sun billions of years from now, through time in this pull no punches look at the universe, its history, and everything about it. "Bang! The Complete History of the Universe" is highly recommended for community library astronomy collections and for anyone who wants a unbiased look at the universe itself.

NASA
Michael Gorn
Merrell Publishers
60 Cycle Media, 38 High Avenue, Office Suite #1, Nyack, NY 10960
9781858944272, $29.95, www.60cyclemedia.com

For fifty years, NASA has been exploring humanity's true final frontier – space. "NASA: The Complete Illustrated History" covers its complete history, from even before there was a NASA – its roots as The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. A through telling of NASA's stories, complete with beautiful black and white photographs in the early years to full color photographs of the later years. "NASA: The Complete Illustrated History" is a top pick for any fan of awe-inspiring photographs and astronautical history.


The Anthropology Shelf

Bisj-poles
Pauline van der Zee
KIT Publishers
Mauritskade 63, PO Box 95001, 1090 HA Amsterdam, The Netherlands, publishers@kit.nl
9789068324785, $45.00, www.kit.nl/publishers

Not everyone views a big slab of stone as a proper memorial to their departed loved ones. "Bisj-poles: Sculptures from the Rain Forest" a look at the death rituals of the Asmat, an aboriginal culture living in New Guinea, with a focus on their grave markers – beautiful wood carvings called 'Bisj-poles'. Also touching on the Asmat people as a whole and not just the art itself but what it all means, "Bisj-poles: Sculptures from the Rain Forest" is a highly recommended pick for both anthropology and photography shelves everywhere.


The Art Shelf

Notable Acquisitions
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60603-6404
97808655592254, $16.95, www.artic.edu/aic

One of the finest museums of art in the United States, "Notable Acquisitions" is a look at the Art Institute of Chicago's newest and greatest additions to their collections in the years of 2006 and 2007. Covering a broad range of artistic creations, and not just the contemporary – a good amount of attention is focused on the ancient and historical. Paintings, Sculptures, and other mediums are shown here, few are left out, making "Notable Acquisition" highly recommended for any community library art book collections.

The Symmetries of Things
John H. Conway, Heidi Burgiel, & Chaim Goodman-Strauss
AK Peters
888 Worcester Street, Suite 230, Wellesley, MA 02482
9781568812205, $69.00, www.akpeters.com

One of the most base concepts of art – symmetry. "The Symmetries of Things" is a guide to this most basic concept showing that even the most basic of things can be beautiful – and addresses why the simplest of patterns mesmerize humankind and the psychological and mathematical importance of symmetry in one's every day life. "The Symmetries of Things" is an intriguing book from first page to last, highly recommended to the many collections that should welcome it.

Brushes & Bayonets
Lucinda Gosling
Osprey Publishing
443 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
9781846030956, $34.95 www.ospreypublishing.com

Over 200 illustrations taken from the archives of the Illustrated London News covers a range of newspaper and magazine images, from strip cartoons and line drawings to sketches and paintings. While this could've been featured in our Military Shelf section, as military history holdings will surely find it an attraction, it's also highly recommended for art libraries strong in military art history, and for any collection strong in World War II archives.

Visual Communication in Digital Design
Ji Yong Park
YoungJin.com
3F Mapo Tower Building 418-1 Mapo-dong, Mapo-gu 121-734 Korea
9788931434347, $29.99 www.amazon.com

VISUAL COMMUNICATION IN DIGITAL DESIGN surveys the role of the designer in interpreting visual designs using tools and elements that will reach target audiences. Chapters are especially strong in covering cultural ideas and influences in the perception of color, effects, and shapes, offering plenty of details juxtaposing traditional design concerns with cultural and social impact. Any college-level design library needs this, which comes packed with color photos examples throughout.

How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer
Debbie Millman
Allworth
10 East 23rd Street, New York NY 10010
1581154968, $24.95 www.allworth.com

Insights into how world-famous graphic designers come up with winning designs make for an outstanding collection of lively interviews revealing best thought and practice in the world of design. Over twenty designers reveal their designs, outlining how a love of design developed, influenced their lives, and how it translated into a passion for producing better graphic design results. Any library covering graphic design simply must have this, whether it be at the college arts level or the general-interest lending library.

MFA Publications
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
www.mfa-publicatons.org

Sarah Schroth and Ronni Baer's EL GRECO TO VELAZQUEZ: ART DURING THE REIGN OF PHILIP III (9780878467266, $40.00) is an excellent period piece for any art library covering art history. From interactions between nobles and artists to the social, political and artistic climate of the times, chapters juxtapose art examples in full color with in-depth discussions revealing the evolution of portraiture, development of religious images in art, and more. Jeannine Falino and Gerald W.R. Ward edit SILVER OF THE AMERICAS, 1600-2000: AMERICAN SILVER IN THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON (9780878467211, $100.00), packing in over 1,000 reproductions in a catalog which updates Kathryn Buhler's 1972 tome. All the American silver to enter the MFA's collection after 1972 are included, making for a powerful presentation packing in nearly 700 objects in over 400 entries. Perfect for dedicated art libraries strong in American jewelry history.

Fra Angelico
Diane Cole Ahl
Phaidon Press
180 Varick Street, 14th floor, New York, NY 10014
9780714848303, $39.95 www.phaidon.com

Fra Angelico is a captivating showcase of the classical creations of Fra Giovanni de Fiesole (c. 1390/95-1455), one of the great painters of the early Italian Renaissance, especially known for his Christian artwork. Nearly 200 full color illustrations take the reader on a wondrous tour of Angelico's beautiful expressions of faith, while the text spares no detail in chronicling Angelico's life, inspiration, and legacy to later masters including Raphael, the Nazarenes, and the Symbolists. A classical art lover's treasury, enthusiastically recommended for public library and private artbook collections.

Visions of Frisco
Walter Medeiros, editor
Regent Press
2747 Regent Street, Berkeley, CA 94705
9781587901409, $39.95, www.regentpress.net

The pencil drawings that so litter historical 19th century newspapers – they were many more drawings like that, and not all of them were suitable for newspapers. "Visions of Frisco: By Satty" is a pictorial history of San Francisco in the 1800s by technical artist Satty, a researcher and artist who fell in love with the style in the 1960s and looked back into history for artistic inspiration, who gives his viewers a look into the past with his realistic pencil drawings, making this coffee table book an artistic walk through the century which will both captivate and enlighten its readers to how life in San Francisco in the 19th century really was. "Visions of Frisco: By Satty" is highly recommended for community library art collections and anyone with an interest in San Francisco history.

Classical Painting Atelier
Juliette Aristides
Watson-Guptill Publications
770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
9780823006588, $35.00, www.watsonguptill.com

The Atelier method of art education is to take a master artist and have them instruct a student artist – the method has produced some of the greatest artists the world has ever seen and as such, some of the greatest works of art as well. "Classical Painting Atelier: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Studio Practice" is an attempt to emulate this artistic practice in book from as author and artist Juliette Aristides seeks to pass on her skill and wisdom to her readers by going over distinct techniques and practices lesson by lesson. A book of essential advice for any painter, "Classical Painting Atelier: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Studio Practice" is highly recommended to community library collections catering to art.


The Woodworking Shelf

The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking
James Krenov
Linden Publishing
2006 S. Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
9781933502090, $21.95, www.lindenpub.com

Some people just call it furniture – author and craftsman James Krenov, however, believes it be an art form. "The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking" is a guide to turn what's nothing more than storage space to some into a work of art that can be appreciated for something far more than just a place to put things. Going over everything readers need to make a masterpiece of a cabinet, such as wood quality, good hinges, and more, "The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking" leaves nothing to guesswork, making it highly recommended to any woodworking enthusiast and community library woodworking shelves.


The Women's Studies Shelf

Born in the Big Rains
Fadumo Korn
The Feminist Press
The Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5406, New York, NY 10016
9781558615786, $15.95, www.feministpress.org

The horrors of female circumcision – something long since banned in the Western world, it is still practiced in many African Countries. "Born in the Big Rains: A Memoir of Somalia and Survival" is author and feminist Fadumo Korn's story of nearly dying to the barbaric practice and her rise to becoming a spokesman against the practice. A harsh and much needed criticism against the atrocity of female genital mutilation, "Born in the Big Rains: A Memoir of Somalia and Survival" has the highest recommendation to community library women's studies collections as a bastion against this cruelty that far too many young girls in the world have been exposed to.

From Eve to Dawn
Marilyn French
The Feminist Press
365 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5406, New York, NY 10016
9781558615656, $19.95, www.feministpress.org

Fifty percent of the population from the emergence of humanity has been women – surely, they have done something worth writing about. "From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World" is a complete history spanning from prehistory forward on the state of womankind through the ages. A deftly researched look at the contributions to civilization of the fairer sex in law, society, war, and numerous other topics. Any feminist reader who wants an uplifting look at their gender's contributions to the world, "From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World" is the book for them. Also available is volume two of the series, of the same title. (9781558615670, $19.95).

Women in the American West
Laura E. Woodworth-Ney
ABC-CLIO
PO Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
9781598840506, $65.00 www.abc-clio.com 1-800-368-6868

Part of the Cultures in the American West series, Women in the American West is a scholarly textbook surveying the role women had on the development and history of the western United States. Covering the early nineteenth century to the present day, Women of the American West discusses women's mobility, home life, wage labor, immigration, marriage, political participation, involvement in domestic and foreign wars, and more. Black-and-white illustrations enhance this carefully researched text, especially recommended for college courses, independent research, and anyone curious to learn more about the oft-overlooked fair sex's role in Western American history. Highly recommended for both academic and community library reference collections.

Women in Iraq
Yasmin Husein Al-Jawaheri, Ph.D.
Lynne Rienner Publishers
1800 30th Street, Suite 314, Boulder, CO 80301
9781588265746, $23.50 www.rienner.com

Iraqi-born woman scholar and writer Yasmin Husein Al-Jawaheri, Ph.D. presents Women in Iraq: The Gender Impact of International Sanctions, an in-depth study of how the United Nations' sanctions of Iraq affected Iraqi women's lives. Beginning with a historical review of women in Iraq from 1970 through 1990, Women in Iraq draws heavily on research and statistics concerning Iraqi women's employment, the deleterious consequences for female education under the UN sanctions, how economic sanctions affected gender relations within the family, shifts in marriage trends (including a comeback for polygamy given the increasingly desperate times), the threat of crime against women who were alone for any reason, and much more. The ultimate conclusion is inescapable: "The UN's sanctions injured the very same people it claimed to help, but the suffering of the weakest - women and children - under these measures was unique." A cautionary tale of the utterly destructive and harmful effects of a supposedly nonviolent measure taken against a nation.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Coast to Coast in Punch Needle
Landauer Books
3100 101st Street, Urbandale, IA, 50322
9780979371141, $21.95, www.landauerbooks.com

One way to celebrate one's pride for the fifty states of the union – needlecraft. "Coast to Coast in Punch Needle: The 50 States, State Flowers, Birds, & Trees" is a complete and comprehensive guide to creating needlecraft patterns dedicated to each of the fifty states, with information involving each state's official nickname, motto, tree, bird, and flower. Enhanced with full color photos, "Coast to Coast in Punch Needle: The 50 States, State Flowers, Birds, & Trees" is deftly composed and highly recommended to community library needlecraft collections.

Martingale & Company
20205 – 144th Avenue NE, Woodinville, WA 98072-8478
www.martingale-pub.com

Nancy Mahoney's RIBBON STAR QUILTS (9781564777935, $16.95) offers five quilts with traditional-style blocks enhanced with woven ribbon illusions, and builds ideas upon these for more ribbon quilting projects. Numerous full-sized and small color photos supplement easy how-to directions offering plenty of ideas and flexibility for changes and embellishments. Dawn E. Navarro's COPY CAT QUILTS (9781564777812, $19.95) offers easy directions for a popular cat pattern which was first published in the 1980s. Kitties on quilts, pillows and wall hangings embellish pages of step-by-step details including color photos as well as written text, making it quick and easy to produce cat quilts that work well. Mary M. Covey's FOLLOW-THE-LINE QUILTING DESIGNS V. 3: FULL-SIZE PATTERNS FOR BLOCKS AND BORDERS (9781564778178, $24.95) is not so much a book as a box of patterns for tracing, transferring and stitching, presented in full size for easy use. Twenty new pattern groups including designs for blocks, borders and setting triangles and can be used on a regular home sewing machine or by hand alike – as well as on a long-arm quilting machine for professionals. An outstanding, flexible guide.

Things I Learned From Knitting Whether I Wanted to Or Not
Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Storey Publishing
210 MassMoca Way, North Adams, MA 02147
9781603420624, $10.95 www.storey.com

Knitter fanatic Stephanie Pearl-McPhee always has too many projects on needles, and here celebrates her knitting passion in a series of admonitions and adages perfect for knitters who 'have everything' in the way of instructionals. From pairings of feelings about yarn to boyfriends to descriptions of patterns of risk, this funny yet pointed collection is the perfect gift for any who love to knit, and a fine addition to collections catering to them.

Picture Yourself Felting Your Knitting
Sarah E. White
Course Technology Cengage Learning
25 Thomson Place, Boston, MA 02210
9781598634853, $24.99, www.courseptr.com

The fabric of felt can be one that's far more pleasing than that of wool – however it requires a bit more skill than normal knitting. "Picture Yourself Felting Your Knitting: Step-by-Step Instruction for Perfectly Felted Crafts" is a guide to assist knitting enthusiasts everywhere in the practice of felting their work. Enhanced with easily executed step-by-step guides and full color photos, it's the complete and comprehensive guide on felting. "Picture Yourself Felting Your Knitting: Step-by-Step Instruction for Perfectly Felted Crafts" is a must for anyone looking into getting into the art of felting and for community library needlecraft collections.


The Human Sexuality Shelf

The Loving Dominant
John and Libby Warren
Greenery Press
4200 Park Blvd. Pmb 420, Oakland, CA 94602
1890159727, $16.95, www.greenerypress.com

To submit your body and life to another – no, this isn't a religious thing. This is a few people's ideas of romance. Now in a new and updated edition for the new millennium, "The Loving Dominant" is a guide to the BDSM (a short hand way of abbreviating the life style meaning Bondage, Discipline, Submission, and Masochism) for any reader too timid to vocally ask the questions about the lifestyle which is more kind and loving than it seems to the people involved. Covering advice to make the best of the lifestyle to all, and with advice on toy-construction and photography, "The Loving Dominant" is an ideal addition to any human sexuality shelf and for any alternative lifestyle collection.


The Criminology Shelf

Women Street Hustlers
Barbara A. Rockell
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
9781433803338, $69.95, www.apa.org

Rates of crime among women have increased exponentially in the past decade, increasing far more than crime rates among their male counterparts. "Women Street Hustlers: Who They Are and How They Survive" is a look at these women – who they are and what has drove them into the criminal underworld of drugs, violence, and prostitution. Could It be events of an early age driving these women onto the streets – and how they develop survival instincts – street smarts. "Women Street Hustlers: Who They Are and How They Survive" is a must for any social issues or criminology collection.

Running With Dillinger
Edward Butts
The Dundurn Group
3 Church Street, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
9781550026832, $24.99, www.dundurn.com

No one thinks of Canada and thinks of Outlaws – it may be a testament to the country, but it would be wrong to say they are without them. "Running with Dillinger: The Story of Red Hamilton and Other Forgotten Canadian Outlaws" is the follow up to "The Desperate Ones: Forgotten Canadian Outlaws" - a look at the darker side of Canada, those who made their living opposing the law enforcement and through nefarious means. Of particular note to those who must have a link to American crime in their Canadian crime book is Red Hamilton – a long time member of the Dillinger gang, and notorious gangster in his own right. "Running with Dillinger: The Story of Red Hamilton and Other Forgotten Canadian Outlaws" is a must for any Canadian history collection who wants a look at Canada's famous lawbreakers and hoodlums – and for anyone who wants to see the Maple Leaf in a different light.

Skeletons in the Closet
Tobin T. Buhk and Stephen D. Cohle, MD
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591026037, $27.95 www.prometheusbooks.com

Skeletons in the Closet: Stories from the County Morgue covers puzzling forensic mysteries culled from a range of co-author Stephen Cohle's cases as medical examiner for Kent County, Michigan: his accounts will appeal to a broad audience, from health and criminal justice studies college-level libraries to public lending libraries. Over twenty riveting, real-life stories offers a forensic mystery and twist, making for a striking collection.

Serial Killers and Sadistic Murderers Up Close and Personal
Jack Levin
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591025764, $25.95 www.prometheusbooks.com

After twenty-five years of probing serial murders, interviewing killers and their families, neighbors, and surviving victims, author Jack Levin has become an expert on the topic – and here translates his expertise to a series of lessons identifying the mind of these killers and how their murders occur. Any college-level collection strong in enforcement books will find this an invaluable tool to understanding the psychology and activities of these killers.

A Mind For Murder
Noreen Renier
Hampton Roads
1125 Stoney Ridge Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902
9781571745736, $16.95, www.hrpub.com

What is a police psychic really? Is it just fodder for TV shows for dramatic purposes? "A Mind for Murder: The Real-Life Files of a Psychic Investigator" is the look at the bizarre profession through the eyes of Court TV's Noreen Renier, formerly a skeptic of psychics herself. She speaks on what exactly they do, how they are treated in the world of law enforcement, while telling entertaining stories of her own such as her involvement with the infamous Laci Peterson case. "A Mind for Murder: The Real-Life Files of a Psychic Investigator" is highly recommended to community library true crime collections and all interested in the world of the police psychic.


The Gaming Shelf

According to Doyle
Doyle Brunson
Cardoza Publishing
PO Box 1500, Cooper Station, New York, NY 10276
9781580422208, $14.95, www.cardozapub.com

The adventures of an old poker world champion – a look into the old days. "According to Doyle" is the story of Doyle Brunson, a 16-time World Series of Poker Champion. While providing excellent Poker throughout, "According to Doyle" focuses on Doyle's travels through the world of professional poker playing – a world filled with strange and interesting people, questionable adventures, his climb to the top of the world, and so much more. A deftly written memoir and guide for poker fans, "According to Doyle" deserves a place in any gaming or memoir collection.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

The Yorkshire Terrier
Janice Biniok
Eldorado Ink
PO Box 100097, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
9781932904260, $32.95 www.eldoradoink.com 1-800-783-6767

Part of the "Our Best Friends" series about caring for one's beloved canine companions, The Yorkshire Terrier covers everything a Yorkshire terrier owner needs to know about feeding, grooming, exercising, housetraining, and keeping one's Yorkshire terrier safe from puppyhood to old age (in dog years). Chapters also discuss the importance of selecting the right veterinarian, legal responsibilities of dog ownership, advice for competing in dog shows and dog sports, and much more. Approximately fifty color photographs enhance this solid and accessible manual, ideal for teenaged and adult pet owners alike. Highly recommended for dog lovers in general and especially for prospective Yorkshire terrier owners. Other titles in the excellent "Our Best Friends" series include "The Boxer" (9781932904192), "Caring for Your Mutt" (9781932904208), "The German Shepherd" (9781932904215), "The Golden Retriever" (9781932904222), "The Labrador Retriever" (9781932904239), "The Poodle" (9781932904246), and "The Shih Tzu" (9781932904253).

HUP!
James B. Spencer
Alpine Publications
PO Box 7027, Loveland, CO 80537
157779043X, $24.95, No Web Address Given

Dog lovers, more specifically Cocker Spaniel lovers, rejoice. "HUP! Training Flushing Spaniels The American Way" is a complete and comprehensive guide for lovers of dogs and those who want to acquire one. Covering all aspects one needs to get started and more importantly how to make both dog and owner happy, it's the ideal training guide for anyone looking to get started. "HUP! Training Flushing Spaniels The American Way" is a grade-A pick for dog fans, and community library pets/wildlife collections in general.

Saltwater Aquarium Fishes
Ashley Ward
TFH Publications
One TFH Plaza, Third and Union Avenues, Neptune City, NJ 07753
9780793806621, $19.95, www.tfh.com

So often Humanity dismisses fish as stupid creatures who only think of survival. "Saltwater Aquarium Fishes: Understanding Behavior for Successful Fish Keeping" is an examination of the common household saltwater fish kept in modern home aquariums – and their instinctual roots in the coral reefs, which act as virtual cities for the scores of fish species found there. Claiming you can learn a lot about how to care about fish by understanding them, "Saltwater Aquarium Fishes: Understanding Behavior for Successful Fish Keeping" is a top pick for any aquarium keeper or community library pets collection.

Horses of the Storm
Ky Evan Mortensen
Eclipse Press
3102 Beaumont Centre Circle, Lexington, KY 40591-9003
9781581501858, $19.95, www.eclipsepress.com

Hurricane Katrina devastated countless human lives, but the stranded pets and other animals left in New Orleans are rarely mentioned. "Horses of the Storm: The Incredible Rescue of Katrina's Horses" is the story of the efforts of countless veterinarians and volunteers and their attempts to rescue the pets and animals who were in threat of losing their lives to the disaster. A Touching and inspirational throughout, "Horses of the Storm: The Incredible Rescue of Katrina's Horses" is highly recommended for community library pets collections and as a real treat for animal lovers.

Mountain Goats
Marco Festa-Bianchet and Steeve D. Cote
Island Press
1718 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 300, Washington D.C., 20009-1148
9781597261715, $45.00, www.islandpress.com

A product of sixteen years of tracking of over three hundred marked mountain goats, "Mountain Goats: Ecology, Behavior, and Conversation of an Alpine Ungulate" is the first educated and scholarly assessment of the ecology and behavior of mountain goats. The long years of study pay off, tackling every bit of the goat's lives, including their reproductive strategies and population dynamics. It also reads into their sensitivity to human disturbance and uses it to examine and develop excellent conservation strategies. An invaluable source for ecologists and wildlife conservationists, "Mountain Goats: Ecology, Behavior, and Conservation of an Alpine Ungulate" is highly recommended for community libraries with a focus on wildlife everywhere.

The Encyclopedia of Birds
Facts on File
132 West 31st Street, New York NY 10001
9780816059041, $425.00 www.factsonfile.com

This 6-volume reference ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIRDS will provide an excellent, comprehensive reference for a range of libraries, from middle schools through high school levels and many a public lending library. It offers over 1,000 color photos of birds in the wild, includes diagrams and drawings, and discusses habitats, physical features, breeding, behavior and more. The blend of striking, lovely color photos and drawings and detailed natural history make it an exceptional student reference.

The War on Bugs
Will Allen
Chelsea Green Publishing
Box 428, White River Junction, VT 05001
9781933392462, $35.00 www.chelseagreen.com

THE WAR ON BUGS reveals the chemical companies' marketing campaigns that have pushed toxic pesticides and fertilizers on farmers for over 150 years. From the packaging and promoting of toxic wastes as 'miracle' answers to insect infestations to how chemical weapons manufacturers sought to expand their products into the world market by billing them as pesticide answers, THE WAR ON BUGS juxtaposes two centuries' worth of ads with documentation of chemical company actions and farmer reactions alike. Both general-interest lending libraries and those specializing in conservation issues will find this intriguing.

Dogs: 101 Adorable Breeds
Rachael Hale
Andrews & McMeel
4520 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111
9780740773426, $24.99 www.andrewsmcmeel.com 1-800-851-8923

Dogs: 101 Adorable Breeds is a photographic showcase for dog breed lovers. Each two-page spread features a striking, professional-quality photograph of a breed of dog on one page, and a brief amount of text concerning the breed's history, disposition, and appearance. Dogs: 101 Adorable Breeds is not a comprehensive guide to caring for one's pet, but rather a brilliantly assembled tribute to man's best friend in all his beautiful glory. A wonderful coffee-table giftbook highly recommended for dog lovers everywhere.


The Crafts Shelf

Get Your Sparkle On
Lindsay Cain with Sarah B. Weir
Chronicle Books
85 Second Street, San Francisco CA 94105
0811852407, $19.95 www.chroniclebooks.com

Learn how to create and wear gems and jewelry with a crafts guide which pairs full-page color photos with step-by-step 'how to' instructions. Rachel Stone's illustrations make it simple to produce earrings, necklaces, and designer-quality items, with a focus on value, fashion trends, and history adding in a level which rises Get Your Sparkle On above most crafting books. Public libraries will find it an attraction.

Metal Clay Beyond the Basics
Carol A. Babineau
Kalmbach Publishing
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 43186
9780871162502, $19.95 www.beadandcraftbooks.com

Metal clay can produce fantastic jewelry results, and METAL CLAY BEYOND THE BASICS shows how to get these results with 24 projects in five jewelry categories covered in step-by-step written instructions and photos. There are even directions on how to blend metal clay with other materials, from ceramics to gemstones. An outstanding survey evolves.

Picture Yourself Creating Metal Clay Jewelry
Tammy Powley
Cengage Learning
27500 Drake Road, Farmington Hills, Mi 48331-3535
9781598635065, $29.99 www.cengage.com 1-248-699-8543

Teacher and jewelry crafter Tammy Powley presents Creating Metal Clay Jewelry, a step-by-step guide to creating one's own unique jewelry designs from metal clay components. Chapters discuss how to create original metal clay necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more. Readers will learn how to roll, cut, fire and finish metal clay into beads and charms; 14 projects with variations will help novices get their feet wet in the joy of three-dimensional art. Full color photographs illustrate the methodical instructions, and a bonus DVD with two additional projects rounds out this great guide for jewelry hobbyists of all backgrounds and experience levels.


The Civil War Shelf

Troubled State
Gari Carter
Truman State University Press
100 East Normal Street, Kirksville, MO 63501-4221
9781931112741, $34.95 http://tsup.truman.edu 1-800-916-6802

Troubled State: Civil War Journals of Franklin Archibald Dick is a collection of private journals written by Franklin Archibald Dick, a St. Louis attorney, Union officer, and provost marshal general. Assiduously assembled by Franklin Dick's great-great-granddaughter Gari Carter, Troubled State offers a firsthand view of historical events such as the early Camp Jackson incident (during which he was Captain Lyon's assistant adjutant general). Dick was concerned about the slow progression and horrendous cost of the civil war; witnessing the divided city of St. Louis broke his heart, and journals reflect his progression from optimism to grave doubts about the future. Thoughtfully annotated and supplemented with brief biographies as well as a family genealogy and bibliography, Troubled State is a welcome addition to Civil War primary source shelves.

Civil War Museum Treasures
Kenneth D. Alford
McFarland & Company
Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28640
9780786431861, $35.00, www.mcfarlandpub.com

Twenty one states and the District of Columbia all have Civil War Memorabilia stashed away in their Museums, and "Civil War Museum Treasures: Outstanding Artifacts and the Stories Behind Them" is here to show readers the best of the best of these items and the long, storied tales behind them. A state for state guide of relics, packed with invaluable and intriguing history behind each, and enhanced with nearly 200 photographs, appendixes, bibliography, and indexes. "Civil War Museum Treasures: Outstanding Artifacts and the Stories Behind Them" is highly recommended to all civil war history buffs and community library civil war collections.

Southerners at Rest
Chris L. Ferguson
Angle Valley Press
PO Box 4098, Winchester, VA 22604
9780971195042, $34.95 www.AngleValleyPress.com

Compiled by Confederate records expert Chris L. Ferguson, Southerners at Rest: Confederate Dead at Hollywood Cemetery is a straightforward list of the roster of Confederate soldiers buried in Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery. The original 1869 list of the buried is riddled with inaccuracies; Ferguson has sifted through countless archival documents to piece together a definitive and thoroughly accurate reference. Arranged in alphabetical order by last name, the entries consists of the name, regiment, date of birth (when known), date of death, section, and plot of each individual, as well as a brief side comment on how they died or the reference consulted to garner information about them. A selection of black-and-white photographic portraits of the individuals and a select bibliography round out this welcome contribution civil war and genealogy reference shelves.


The Psychology Shelf

Working With Parents of Noncompliant Children
Mark D. Shriver & Keith D. Allen
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
9781433803444, $59.95, www.apa.org

Behavior problems with children are always a touchy subject for many, having to face the parents if they do something to offend them. "Working with Parents of Noncompliant Children: A Guide to Evidence-Based Parent Training for Practitioners and Students" is a guide for training parents to better deal with their children and their behavioral and attitude problems that so often come up. Teaching valuable techniques for any psychologist or other professional, and enhanced with appendixes, bibliographies, and more, "Working with Parents of Noncompliant Children: A Guide to Evidence-Based Parent Training for Practitioners and Students" is a must for community library psychology collections.

Mindworks
Anne Linden
Crown House Publishing Limited
6 Trowbridge Drive, Ste. 5, Bethel, CT 06801
9781845900861, $24.95, www.chpus.com

Everyone has the ability, says "Mindworks: An Introduction to NLP – The Secrets of Your Mind Revealed". It just needs to be unlocked and brought forward to the front of one's mind. NLP focuses on the concept that the human brain is a sort of computer, and that it can be programmed how one wants it to be – to bring the most out of one's thoughts. An intriguing and informative book from first page to last, "Mindworks: An Introduction to NLP – The Secrets of Your Mind Revealed" is highly recommended for community library psychology collections.

Promises, Oaths, and Vows
Herbert J. Schlesinger
The Analytic Press
10 Industrial Avenue, Suite 3, Mahwah, NJ 07430-2284
9780881634549, $49.95 www.analyticpress.com

Expert psychoanalytic clinician and educator Herbert J. Schlesinger presents Promises, Oaths, and Vows: On the Psychology of Promising, a thoughtful psychological study of a crucial lynchpin to modern civil society - that most people will do what they say they will do, and live up to their explicit or implicit promises. What emotional and cognitive developments occur in a child to make him or her capable of making and keeping promises? What forces compel individuals to keep a promise made with "good" intentions when there is no longer any practical reason to do so? Garnering information from sources ranging from literature on moral development in children, to psychotherapy of a patient who made and regularly broke unnecessary promises, and offering special insight for analysis in selecting which "promising" patients are most likely to benefit from treatment, Promises, Oaths, and Vows is highly recommended as a welcome addition to the body of research scrutinizing how the human minds work. "Unmodified psychoanalysis is a fine tool for helping patients to deal with self-deception but it is poorly equipped to deal with persons who intend consciously to deceive others. One tends to take for granted honesty and essential morality in those who come to us for help."

Transcending Self-Interest
Heidi A. Wayment and Jack J. Bauer, editors
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242
9781433803406, $79.95 www.apa.org/books 1-800-368-5777

In the past decades, social scientists have observed rising selfishness and callousness among Americans. Transcending Self-Interest: Psychological Explorations of the Quiet Ego is an anthology of essays by learned psychologists discussing the problems of egocentrism, and ways in which egocentrism can be overcome. The theories and research point toward two important considerations: balancing the needs of the self with others, and cultivating such traits as compassion, non-defensive self-awareness, and independent self-identity. Individual essays include "The Lure of the Noisy Ego: Narcissism as a Social Trap", "Collective Angst: How Threats to the Future Vitality of the Ingroup Shape Intergroup Emotion", "Homonegativity and the Lesbian Self: Portraits of the Ego as Either Transcender or Occluder of Negative Social Stereotypes", and much more. A welcome addition to modern sociology and psychology shelves, deserving applause and recognition for its scientific focus on what is all too commonly regarded as a spiritual social problem.


The Journalism Shelf

The Political Economy of the Media
Robert W. McChesney
Monthly Review Press
146 West 29th Street, Suite 6W, New York, NY 10001
www.monthlyreview.org
9781583671610, $19.95 1-800-670-9499

Robert W. McChesney (Professor in the Department of Communication, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) presents The Political Economy of the Media: Enduring Issues, Emerging Dilemmas, a sharply worded critique of how journalism has decayed in today's modern, overly commercialized culture. On the bright side, an emerging media reform movement has arrived in response to the degraded ability of the modern media to be a watchdog for democracy and consumers. An in-depth social treatise concerning the crucial role the media plays in human society worldwide, The Political Economy of the Media is highly recommended especially for college library collections, as well as political science and media studies scholars.


The Architecture Shelf

Verb Crisis
Mario Ballesteros, et. al. editors
Actar
Roca i Batlle, 2-4 08023 Barcelona, Spain
9788496540972, $42.00 www.actar.com office@actar.com

The latest in the avant-garde Verb series, Verb Crisis explores potential architectural solutions to the problems of an increasingly dense and interdependent world. Offering a diverse assortment of projects and investigations complemented with full color photography, essays, and exclusive interviews with experts in architecture, urban planning, and environmental, economic, or global affairs, Verb Crisis reveals how social needs can transform the effective structure and function of quality architecture. An excellent testimony to experimentation with a purpose, especially recommended as a source of inspiration to professional and aspiring architects preparing to build for the unique challenges of the twenty-first century.

Homes in the Heartland
Fred W. Peterson
University of Minnesota Press
111 Third Avenue South, Suite 290, Minneapolis, MN 55401-2520
9780816653539, $24.95 www.upress.umn.edu

Art history teacher Fred W. Peterson presents Homes in the Heartland: Balloon Frame Farmhouses of the Upper Midwest, the true story of the architectural phenomenon of balloon frame house construction that pervaded Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin from 1850 to 1920, which allowed settlers to establish affordable permanent frontier homes. Homes in the Heartland examines the social, economic, and aesthetic aspects of these homes, including their impact both on architectural history and on the lives of the people who lived in them. Enhanced with more than 150 black-and-white illustrations such as vintage photographs and house plans, as well as brand new preface for its paperback edition, Homes in the Heartland is a welcome addition to college library and American architectural history shelves.


The Sports Shelf

But Didn't We Have Fun?
Peter Morris
Ivan R. Dee
1332 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60622
1566637481, $27.50 www.ivanrdee.com

BUT DIDN'T WE HAVE FUN? AN INFORMAL HISTORY OF BASEBALL'S PIONEER ERA, 1843-1870 tells of a generation of mid-19th-century Americans who moved from countryside to cities and brought baseball with them. Author Peter Morris is a researcher and chronicler of baseball history: he uses primary documents to recreate a lost world and the underlying influences on the rise of baseball as a sport.


The Military Shelf

Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed
Yefim Gordon & Peter Davison
Specialty Press
99 Spring Street, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10012
9781580071062, $16.95 www.spibooks.com

Volume 45 in the WarbirdTech series, Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed is an extensively detailed examination of the titular MiG-21 lightweight air-combat fighter, manufactured in greater numbers than any other warplane since World War II. Designed to be easy to maintain, reliable in harsh environments, climb fast, and perform superlatively in close combat, the MiG-21's strengths literally made it a global success. Written by a pair of experts in aviation, Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed includes in-depth coverage of all MiG-21 upgrades and variants, information on combat and armament specifications, technical diagrams, an extensive development history, discussion of the plane's structural detail and internal production, and much more. Over 300 photographs, many of them previously unpublished, enhance this in-depth reference and resource for aviation buffs and professionals alike.

Tools of Violence
Chris McNab and Hunter Keeter
Osprey Publishing
443 Park Avenue South Suite 806, New York NY 10016
9781846032257, $24.95 www.ospreypublishing.com

TOOLS OF VIOLENCE: GUNS, TANKS AND DIRTY BOMBS surveys weapons commonly misunderstood, offering chapters of facts and dispelling myths of modern weaponry. From weapons and their effects to the realities of delivery systems, TOOLS OF VIOLENCE packs in analysis of physical, political and psychological effects of weaponry, backing up analysis with interviews with those engaged in weapons technology, from soldiers and police to researchers, weapons specialists and more. Any military library needs this unique coverage.

Worst Enemy
John Arquilla
Ivan R. Dee
1332 North Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60622-2694
1566637503, $27.50 www.ivanrdee.com

For several years now the U.S. has been making staggering expenditures on its military might – but has shown few actual signs of learning new ways of subduing terrorism and its networks. WORST ENEMY: THE RELUCTANT TRANSFORMATION OF THE AMERICAN MILITARY offers not just the usual critical insights into what has gone wrong, but offers solutions to remedy problems in American defense policies, and comes from a professor of defense analysis. As such, it's an excellent survey for any military library or any college-level collection strong in military analysis and discussion.


The Jobs/Careers Shelf

What's the Alternative?
Rachel Singer Gordon
Information Today, Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055-8750
9781573873338, $35.00, www.infotoday.com

For those with library science degrees, a job as a librarian does not have the be the only option. "What's the Alternative?: Career Options for Librarians and Info Pros" is a guide for would be librarians and ex-librarians who want to apply their skills to another career field and are not entirely sure how to get started on these new career paths. Providing countless ideas for librarians and tips abound for them to find a job they can enjoy and succeed at, "What's the Alternative?: Career Options for Librarians and Info Pros" is highly recommended for community library career collections.

What They Didn't Teach You in Graduate School
Paul Gray and David E. Drew
Stylus Publishing
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VCA 20166-2012
9781579222642, $15.95, www.styluspub.com

Life in Academia – there are some things that simply won't be taught in a class room. "What They Didn't Teach You in Graduate School: 199 Helpful Hints for success in Your Academic Career" is a guide and heartfelt attempt to teach young educators and faculty what they weren't taught in their graduate school classes. With a humorous tint, it's as entertaining as it is informative, broken down into fifteen manageable chapters complete with appendixes. "What They Didn't Teach You in Graduate School: 199 Helpful Hints for success in Your Academic Career" is a top pick for any new educator, and a dual pick for education and jobs/career collections.

The Most Important Questions to Ask on Your Next Job Interview
Kandall Blair
Atlantic Publishing Group
1405 SW 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
9781601381330, $19.95 www.atlantic-pub.com

Even if you have the perfect resume and have brushed up on interview questions, you need The Most Important Questions to Ask on Your Next Job Interview to provide an edge to what should be a 2-way dialogue. This book tells what questions to ask to determine if a job will be the right fit – not just for the prospective employer, but for the applicant.

Careers in Renewable Energy
Gregory McNamee
PixyJack Press
P.O. Box 149, Masonville, CO 80541
9780977372430, $20.00, www.pixyjackpress.com

Oil will eventually run out on our planet. It's only a matter of time – but it doesn't have to be the end of the world, no, it can be the way of the future and help readers find an exciting new career in the fields of renewable energy. "Careers in Renewable Energy: Get a Green Energy Job" is a guide to help environmentally conscious readers find a new career that will help them and help advance the concepts of Solar Energy, Geothermal Energy, Hydroelectric energy, Green Building, among other countless jobs available in renewable energy, providing countless references and resources to help readers get started. Any searching for a career in renewable energy and any public or business lending library catering to students or career changers will find specific and important this guide to clean energy opportunities across the country. From extensive lists of training facilities, schools, workshops, and professional organizations and societies to web sites and energy programs, this is the place for job seekers and career changers to begin. Expertly compiled and researched, "Careers in Renewable Energy: Get a Green Energy Job" is highly recommended for environmental studies collections with a crossover to career shelves.


The Comix/Graphic Novel Shelf

The 9/11 Report
Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon
Hill & Wang
c/o Farrar, Straus & Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003
9780809057399, $16.95 www.fsgbooks.com 1-888-330-8477

The 9/11 Report is a straightforward, full-color graphic novel adaptation of the final report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. Featuring a foreword Thomas H. Kean and Lee H. Hamilton, the Chair and Vice Chair of the 9/11 Commission, The 9/11 Report distills the report's findings concerning how the attacks happened, America's subsequent response, and the glaring weaknesses in America's security. Perhaps the most troubling part of The 9/11 is its postscript, which lists letter grades of America's actions to make itself more secure up through 2006 - most of the grades are C's, D's, and F's. "Progress in many important areas has been slow or nonexistent. While the terrorists have been learning and adapting, we have been moving at a bureaucratic crawl." A plain-terms, respectful presentation accessible to readers of all backgrounds, the 9/11 Report is recommended reading for all American citizens - and therefore a "must-have" for public library collections everywhere.

Warriors: Warrior's Return
Erin Hunter, series creator; Dan Jolley, author; James L. Barry, artist
HarperCollins Children's Books
1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019
Tokyopop
5900 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2000, Los Angeles, CA 90036
9780061252334, $6.99 www.harpercollins.com www.tokyopop.com

Recommended for readers age ten to adult, Warriors: Warriors Return is the third graphic novel adaptation of Erin Hunter's beloved saga of wild felines who eschew the way of the human-owned kitty-pet for the way of the Warrior. When proud warrior Graystripe and former kitty-pet Millie return to the ThunderClan's former territory, they find it abandoned. Graystripe fears that his former clanmates have all been killed or captured by Twolegs, but Millie prods him to search for his kin. On their journey, they meet feline friends and foes, and brave the dangers of Twolegs territory. Graystripe's own code calls for him to stay far from the Twolegs, even those that give food or offer shelter; his beliefs conflict with those of Millie, who sees no shame in using the Twolegs as needed. This conflict threatens to tear apart the fragile bond of love growing between Graystripe and Millie. Graystripe must decide to what degree he should compromise his beliefs to survive, fulfill his quest, and acknowledge the feelings for Millie stirring deep in his heart. The simple yet expressive black-and-white artwork brings this adventurous tale to vivid life. Highly recommended, especially for cat fanciers of all ages.

Connect the Polka Dots
Bill Griffith
Fantagraphics Books
7563 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
9781560977773, $18.95 www.fantagraphics.com

Bill Griffith's 'Zippy the Pinhead' comics appear in both black and white and color in CONNECT THE POLKA DOTS, providing newcomers and old fans alike with an excellent satire of commercialism and consumerism. The blend of humor and observation makes for a fun, revealing collection highly recommended for general-interest libraries strong in comic strip book collections.

Little Nothings: The Curse of the Umbrella
Lewis Trondheim
NBM
40 Exchange Place, Suite 1308, New York NY 10005
1561635235, $14.95 www.nbm.com

LITTLE NOTHINGS began as the author's near-daily blog and evolved to this collection of graphic cartoons about life, Lewis Trondheim's first collection. From poking fun at others to reflecting on the ironies and inconsistencies of life, LITTLE NOTHINGS is replete with oddities and observations, and is a fun pick.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

Back to School
Alex Pomson & Randal F. Schnoor
Wayne State University Press
4809 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, 48201-1309
9780814333839, $26.95, www.wsupress.wayne.edu

Much like many Catholics have their own schools, The Jewish people have formed schools for their own children as well. "Back to School: Jewish Day School in the Lives of Adult Jews" is a look at how these schools are designed to turn children into well educated and morally correct Jewish adults – and how parents and even non-parental adults can get involved with their local schools for events and celebration, among other things. "Back to School: Jewish Day School in the Lives of Adult Jews" is highly recommended for anyone who wants to improve the education of the leaders of tomorrow's world, especially for those of the Jewish faith.

Spiritual Activism
Avraham Weiss
Jewish Lights Publishing
PO Box 237, Sunset Farm Offices, Rt. 4, Woodstock, Vermont 05091
9781580233552, $24.99, www.jewishlights.com

Everyone wants to change the world for the better – but where to start? "Spiritual Activism: A Jewish Guide to Leadership and Repairing the World" is a complete and comprehensive guide for young Jews who want to bring there religion along as they try to make the world a better place, and grants tips on why you should, how to do it – a good cause to follow, the strategy to execute the plans, and tips on becoming a good leader, no matter who you're leading. "Spiritual Activism: A Jewish Guide to Leadership and Repairing the World" is a top pick for Judaic studies shelves and for anyone with benevolent ambition.

More Old Jewish Comedians
Drew Friedman
Fantagraphics Books
7563 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
1560979143, $16.99, www.fantagraphics.com

A voyage back into yesteryear is where author Drew Friedman is going to take his readers in "More Old Jewish Comedians". Going over known and forgotten voices back in comedy's golden era of the 1950s and 1960s, Friedman will show his readers everything there is to know about these comedians and what makes them truly great. This is a book for anyone seeking greater appreciation for the art form of stand up comedy as a whole, "More Old Jewish Comedians" is a must for all humor collections with a cross over to Judaic studies.

For the Love of Israel and the Jewish People
Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Urim Publications
PO Box 52287, Jerusalem, 91521, Israel
Lambda Publishers
3709 13th, Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11218 USA
9789655240108, $26.95, www.urimpublications.com

Is the Jewish homeland a more metaphorical concept than it seems? "For the Love of Israel and the Jewish People: Essays and Studies on Israel, Jews, and Judaism" argues that the Jews never lost Jerusalem, but took it with them as they were spread throughout the western and eastern world. Looking at the state of Israel, it examines both sides of the debate of the state's history and its roots in the Jewish faith. "For the Love of Israel and the Jewish People: essays and Studies on Israel, Jews, and Judaism" is an essential addition to any Judaic studies collection.

Laugh for God's Sake
Stanley J. Schachter
KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
9781602800182, $20.00, www.ktav.com

Being able to laugh at one's self is a sure sign of confidence. "Laugh for God's Sake: Where Jewish Humor and Jewish Ethics Meet" seeks to speak of Jewish humor and how it seems to not be exclusionary to gentiles and touches upon the very fundamental things that makes us all human. Hoping to teach readers the value of ethics as they laugh along the book, "Laugh for God's Sake: Where Jewish Humor and Jewish Ethics Meet" is a top pick for both Judaic Studies and Humor collections.

Seder Stories
Nancy Rips
Cumberland House
431 Harding Industrial Drive, Nashville, TN 37211
9781581826432, $14.95 www.cumberlandhouse.com

Passover symbolizes Jewish tradition, and stories are passed between generations in celebration. SEDER STORIES: PASSOVER THOUGHTS ON FOOD, FAMILY & FREEDOM offers over 100 Seder memories from famous writers to individuals who write about their family and friends. These are charming, fun tales perfect for family sharing. Highly recommended as a pick for any Jewish collection or home library.

Genesis and Jewish Thought
Chaim Navon
KTAV
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
9781602800007, $35.00 www.ktav.com

College-level Judaic studies collections will relish GENESIS AND JEWISH THOUGHT, an excellent exploration of Jewish religion, science, and philosophy. Chapters pack in scholarly considerations of such issues as free will, images of God, Israeli culture and more, juxtaposing Biblical text with various Judaic thinker analysis to make for a seasoned, informative survey perfect for Judaic libraries.


The Audiobook Shelf

The Man Who Loved China
Simon Winchester
Harper Audio
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780061556272, $39.95, www.harpercollins.com 1-800-242-7737

China is once again emerging as a major player in the family of nations. But certain questions have lingered with scholars and historians. Why did China, a nation which was so inventive and which experienced five thousand years of a flourishing civilization, fail to establish an industrial revolution similar to that of the west, thereby spending the decades of the 19th and 20th century mired in poverty, revolution, and instability? Joseph Needham was a respected Cambridge scholar and scientist who in 1937 fell in love with a visiting Chinese study and through his mistress became interested in her home country. By the time he died, Needham has authored seventeen volumes on China and cited by the academic community as a singular expert on Chinese history, culture, and society. "The Man Who Loved China" is the deftly written biography of a most extraordinary man and this flawlessly produced, complete and unabridged, nine hour audio book, written and read by Simon Winchester, provides an informed and informative story of an eccentric scientist whose dedication and meticulous scholarship explained the mysteries of China to the world. This superb CD audio book edition of "The Man Who Loved China" is highly recommended for personal, academic, and community library collections.

Shooting at Loons
Margaret Maron, author
C.J. Critt, narrator
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781436119788, $51.75 www.recordedbooks.com 1-800-638-1304

Edgar Award-winning author Margaret Maron presents Shooting at Loons, now in an unabridged audiobook rendition skillfully performed by actress C.J. Critt. A murder mystery set in rural North Carolina, Shooting at Loons follows Judge Deborah Knott as she is unexpectedly thrust in the center of legal and other battles between sport and commercial fishermen, not to mention old money versus new money. When Deborah discovers the body of Andy Bynum, a retired waterman respected by all, she must track down a killer amid a land where ordinary people shoot at loons, sea turtles, and sometimes even their neighbors. A suspenseful and engaging tale to the very end, featuring tracks every three minutes for easy bookmarking. 7 CDs, 7 1/4 hours.

Native Son
Richard Wright, author
Peter Francis James, narrator
Caedmon
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780061457838, $39.95 www.harpercollins.com 1-800-242-7737

Performed by Peter Francis James, Native Son is an unabridged audiobook presentation of African-American author Richard Wright's well-known tale of cultural oppression and human psychopathy. Set in 1930s Chicago, Native Son follows Bigger Thomas, a black man who has grown up amid extreme racial prejudice and persecution all his life, and matured into an utter sociopath. He commits the second-degree murder of a white woman and is eventually taken to trial for his crime; he remains completely unrepentant to the last, seething with homicidal hatred for all whites, even those who tried to treat him with compassion, and even the white lawyer who defends him. A jarring cautionary tale of how societal oppression can turn the oppressed into monsters that in turn menace their oppressors, Native Son remains an enduring work of literature. 15 CDs, 17 1/2 hours.

Practically Shameless
Alyce Barry
Practically Shameless Press
PO Box 1505, Longmont, CO 80502-1505
9780979832628, $24.95 www.PracticallyShameless.com 1-303-485-5400

Practically Shameless: How Shadow Work Helped Me Find My Voice, My Path, and My Inner Gold is the unabridged audiobook rendition of author and Shadow Work facilitator Alyce Barry's self-help guide to revitalizing one's life. Barry draws upon her personal story of overcoming depression to explain the human shadow, and the transformative power of the Shadow Work processes. Shadow Work founder Cliff Barry provides a foreword to this helpful guide to positive metamorphosis, which delves into why humans resist change so much and how to tap into one's positive inner sources. Especially recommended for anyone interested in discovering the mental and emotional benefits of shadow work. 5 CDs, 5 hours 32 min.

The Immortal Highlander
Karen Marie Moning, author
Phil Gigante, narrator
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
9781423341611, $29.95 www.brillianceaudio.com 1-800-854-7859

Read aloud by veteran theater actor Phil Gigante, The Immortal Highlander is the unabridged audiobook of Karen Marie Moning's intensely sensual fantasy novel. Adam Black is a handsome immortal possessed of nigh-insatiable desires, until a curse takes away his immortality and renders him invisible. Adam's only hope lies in the one woman who can see him: law student Gabrielle O'Callaghan, gifted with the (mis?)fortune of being able to see into both Mortal and Faery realms. A glamorous melding of magic, passion, conspiracy, and adventure, and love. 9 CDs, approx. 10 hours.

Song Yet Sung
James McBride
Penguin Audio
375 Hudson Avenue, New York NY 10014
9780143142911, $39.95 www.penguin.com

Entertainer Leslie Uggams, who started in network TV at age 6, has decades of experience on TV and Broadway. Uggams' voice translates well to audio, enlivening the story of a pre-Civil War slave breakout and a beautiful prophetic black slave who escapes only to evade an unusually dangerous pose of men. Historical events blend with a passionate tale of change and courage in an audio highly recommended for any general-interest listening collection.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Spiritual Leaders Who Changed the World
Ira Rifkin, editor
Sky Light Paths Publishing
PO Box 237, Sunset Farm Offices, Rt. 4, Woodstock, Vermont, 05091
9781594732416, $18.99, www.skylightpaths.com

Religion is one of the most influential concepts through all of history, and the people who push religion are some of the most influential individuals. "Spiritual Leaders Who Changed the World: The Essential Handbook to the Past Century of Religion" is a complete and comprehensive look at the past century and the individuals who through their words and actions have changed it greatly. From The Dalai Lama to Martin Luther King Jr., no one is left out of this scholarly writing – making "Spiritual Leaders Who Changed the World: The Essential Handbook to the Past Century of Religion" highly recommended to any community library spirituality collection or any reader seeking religion's impact on the modern world.

The Spoken Words of Spirit
Jim Fargiano
Outskirts Press
10940 S. Parker Rd. - 515, Parker, Colorado 80134
9781432720803, $15.95, www.outskirtspress.com

The world is regularly influenced by Spirits and the other side claims "The Spoken Words of Spirit: Lessons from the Other side". To improve one's life, says Author Jim Fargiano, one must learn to take cues from their influences and use them to move towards a healthier, more prosperous, and most importantly, true happiness. "The Spoken Words of Spirit: Lessons from the Other Side" is a deftly written book for those interested in the world of spirituality and community library collections dedicated to them.

Embracing The Miraculous
Deepika Avanti
Blue Dolphin Publishing
PO Box 8, Nevada City, CA 95959
9781577332114, $17.95, www.bluedolphinpublishing.com

You can be perfectly healthy in every way physically and still feel horrible – and "Embracing the Miraculous: Attaining Optimal Health on All Levels" addresses why. One needs to be both emotionally and spiritually healthy to truly be healthy alongside physical health. Author Deepika Avanti uses her amazing transformation from being someone who looked, acted, and felt like death to climbing massive mountains and feeling the best she has ever been in her entire life using the methods she outlines in "Embracing the Miraculous: Attaining Optimal Health on All Levels", making it a deftly composed and highly recommended spirituality book, highly recommended for community library collections.


The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

Spin Fishing Basics
Francis P. Pandolfi and Jono Pandolfi
Burford Books, Inc.
32 Morris Avenue, Springfield, NJ 07081
9781580801508, $12.95 www.burfordbooks.com

Spin Fishing Basics: How to Catch Fish on a Spinning Rod, Even If You've Never Fished Before is a handy guide to spin-fishing techniques for readers of all backgrounds and experience levels. Chapters cover how to select the proper rod, reel, and terminal tackle; how to put the reel on the rod, and the line on the reel; how to cast; how fast to retrieve; what bait to put on the line; how to take care of one's gear; and many more tips, tricks, and techniques. Black-and-white photographs enhance this easy-to-follow primer, especially recommended for anyone just getting into spin fishing.

Fishing Soft Baits In Saltwater
Pete Barrett
Buford Books
32 Morris Avenue, Springfield, NJ, 07081
9781580801485, $16.95, www.bufordbooks.com

The technology of lures and baits in fishing has long advanced past the worm on a string - "Fishing Soft Baits in Saltwater: A Complete Guide to Rigs, Adaption, Techniques, and More" is a complete and comprehensive guide to the newer concept of soft baits, soft plastic imitations that seem to out perform most other baits. These lures still take skill to successfully use and, and the guide to using them lies within. "Fishing Soft Baits in Saltwater: A Complete Guide to Rigs, Adaption, Techniques, and More" is essential for any aspiring soft bait fisherman, and for community library nautical collections.


The Computer Shelf

Murach's C# 2008
Joel Murach
Murach
4340 North Knoll Ave, Fresno, CA 93722
9781890774462, $52.50, www.murach.com

Learning a new programming language can prove to be highly difficult for many people, and "Murach's C# 2008" is a complete and comprehensive guide to help readers learn everything they need to know to learn how to use it, and then learn to use it to the maximum of its abilities as if they were a college graduated professional who had worked with the program for years. Leaving nothing out, "Murach's C# 2008" is highly recommended to anyone with interest in the language and for community library computer collections.


The Money/Finance Shelf

Kiplinger's Estate Planning
John Ventura, Esq.
Kaplan Publishing
1 Liberty Plaza, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10006
9781427797094, $21.95, www.kaplan.com

What happens to all of one's belongings if one is randomly and tragically killed in a bus accident? Kiplinger's Estate Planning: The Complete Guide to Wills, Trusts, and Maximizing Your Legacy is a complete and comprehensive guide to estate management, whether one carries an estate worth millions or worth less than thousand. It's a guide for anyone about how to make sure one's will is carried out when one makes a purchase of metaphorical agricultural land. Kiplinger's Estate Planning is a must for anyone worried about their friends and family and wants to leave them something when the time comes, and is also highly recommended for community library finance collections.


The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

20th Century Costume Jewelry
Katie Joe Aikins
Collector Books
PO Box 3009, Paducah, Kentucky 42002-3009
9781574325782, $24.95, www.collectorbooks.com

Jewelry can be an ideal addition to any outfit to add class, and "20th Century Costume Jewelry: Second Edition Identification & Value Guide" is a complete and comprehensive guidebook for anyone who is collecting these kinds of pieces for their own personal use or simply as a hobby. Filled cover to cover with full cover photos, descriptions of each piece, information on rarity, price, and so much more, "20th Century Costume Jewelry: Second Edition Identification & Value Guide" is a must for any hobbyist collector or community library collection catering to them.


The Political Science Shelf

Public Opinion and the Constitutional Controversy
Nathaniel Persily, & Jack Citrin, & Patrick J. Egan
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016-4314
9780195329421, $29.95, www.oup.com/us

Recently, the Supreme Court overturned a law banning gay marriage in California when the population of the state voted it into law- claiming the law was unconstitutional. "Public Opinion and the Constitutional Controversy" is an examination of this debate, and many others like it where the constitution of the United States and the wishes of its public clash – a thorough look at each controversy and the beliefs on both sides of their debates. Deftly compiled, "Public Opinion and the Constitutional Controversy" is a must for any political discussion, with a nod to community library politics collections.

Global Ethics
Thomas Pogge & Keith Horton
Paragon House
1925 Oakcrest Avenue, Suite 7, St. Paul, MN 55113-2619
9781557788702, $22.95, www.paragonhouse.com

The extent of international law is not a very strong one – most countries are governed on a code of honor – ethics. "Global Ethics: Seminal Essays" is a compilation of various essays on the subject of the ethics that the leaders of the world should follow – and how some of them do not and don't seem to be changing their ways anytime soon. Subjects such as world poverty, hunger, and tyrannical governments are the main focus, but other issues are touched on as well. "Global Ethics: Seminal Essays" is a complete and through anthology of essays from many scholarly individuals – a must for community library world politics collections.


The Genealogy Shelf

Your Living Family Tree
Gordon Burgett
Communication Unlimited
185 Shevelin Road, Novato, CA 94947
9780979629549, $15.95, www.yourlivingfamilytree.com

What if one could see video of one's great ancestor living his life 500 years ago? Most would want to see it out of curiosity, and while that is an impossibility for the modern age, one's descendants would want to view the past as well in 2508 – and it's much more possible now. "Your Living Family Tree: Keeping Your Family Together Forever Through Print, Photos, Sound, and Video" is a complete and comprehensive guide to using all of the modern 21st century technology to compose and compile a family tree like no other before it that leaves a solid mark of memory on the modern age. "Your Living Family Tree: Keeping Your Family Together Forever Through Print, Photos, Sound, and Video" is a highly recommended guide to anyone who would want to preserve the memory of their family for eons to come.


The Native American Shelf

Pagans in the Promised Land
Steven T. Newcomb
Fulcrum Publishing
4690 Table Mountain Drive, Ste. 100, Golden, CO, 80403
9781555916428, $19.95, www.fulcrumbooks.com

Is the United States policy on the Native American Indians far more based in religion than we believe? "Pagans in the Promised Land: Decoding the Doctrine of Christian Discovery" is a look at the government's relations with the native people of this country and how the treatment of the natives, non-Christian indigenously, may be part of a sub-conscious Christian doctrine that the country has been following for centuries. Intriguing information from first page to last, "Pagans in the Promised Land: Decoding the Doctrine of Christian Discovery" is deftly written and highly recommended to community library Native American studies collections.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

The Engine of Recall
Karl Schroeder
Robert J. Sawyer Books
c/o Red Deer Press
#1512, 1800 4th St. SW, Calgary, AB T2E 1E2
0889953457, $16.95, www.robertjsawyerbooks.com www.reddeerpress.com

Overwhelming circumstances – they're usually left to superheroes and the supernatural. "The Engine of Recall" is a compilation of stories about people who don't usually face these odds – the every day average Joe and Joanna. Pitting these normal humans against insurmountable odds, Schroeder's stories come off as human even in the strange foreign alien worlds that they must trudge through to get through their lives and survive. "The Engine of Recall" is a top pick for science fiction fans and community library collections catering to them.

Fall Out
Alan Stevens & Fiona Moore
Telos
61 Elgar Avenue, Tolworth, Surrey, KT5 9JP, England
9781845830182, $24.95, www.telos.co.uk

The hugely popular UK TV series "The Prisoner" now gets its own fan guide in ""Fall Out: The Unofficial & Unauthorized Guide to the Prisoner". Covering every episode in depth, going over the story concepts and themes inherent in every episode, interpreting every episode thoroughly and completely while enlightening fans of the series – making it a perfect gift for them. "Fall Out Boy: The Unofficial & Unauthorized Guide to the Prisoner" is an ideal addition to community library television collections.


The Nautical Shelf

Further Offshore
Ed Mapes
Sheridan House
145 Palisade Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY, 10522
9781574092530, $39.95, www.sheridanhouse.com

Offshore Sailing can be an exhilarating experience filled with marvelous sights - "Further Offshore: A Practical Guide for Sailors" is a complete and comprehensive guide for any sailor who wants to start this practice. Covering everything and every detail a sailor would need to know, including topics such as seaworthiness, dealing with foul weather, provisions, and so much more. Illustrated with charts throughout, "Further Offshore: A Practical Guide for Sailors" is a top pick for community library nautical collections.


The Interior Design Shelf

Smart Closet Makeovers
Cynthia Overbeck Bix
Sunset Books
80 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025
9780376011145, $14.95 www.sunset.com 1-800-643-8030

Smart Closet Makeovers is a handy, easy-to-use guide to getting the most out of one's closet space. Chapters not only give examples for efficiently storing goods, but also offer invaluable design guidelines and installation details, with suggestions for the most effective use of ready-to-assemble shelving and other closet systems. Tips specific to closets meant to store crafts, hobby items, toys, food, guest effects, clothes, gardening tools, home office supplies, and other options round out this thoroughly accessible guide. Over two hundred photos illustrate the numerous and handy examples in this "must-have" for anyone who is perpetually short on closet space!


The Gardening Shelf

Idaho Mountain Wildflowers, second edition
A. Scott Earle with Jane Lundin
James L. Reveal, consulting editor
Larkspur Books
2440 N. Bogus Basin Rd., Boise, Idaho 83702
Farcountry Press (distributor)
PO Box 5650, Helena, MT 59604
9781591520443, $19.95 www.farcountrypress.com

Now in an updated second edition, Idaho Mountain Wildflowers: A Photographic Compendium has been expanded with the addition of 225 more plants, almost doubling the size of the catalogue. Beautiful full-color photographs of every flower's entry, along with its common and scientific names, and an extensive paragraph of descriptive text, distinguish this wildflower compendium accessible to lay people and professional botanists alike. The entries are arranged in alphabetical order by scientific family for easy reference, and an index enhances this captivating, easy-to-use guide.

Perennials for Midwestern Gardens
Anthony W. Kahtz
Timber Press
133 S.W. Second Avenue, Suite 450, Portland OR 97204-3527
9780881928938, $29.95 www.timberpress.com 1-800-327-5680

Professional horticulturalist Anthony W. Kahtz presents Perennials for Midwestern Gardens: Proven Plants for the Heartland, a profile of more than 400 plants recommended for the Midwestern American climate, known for its unforgivingly hot and humid summers paired with brutally cold winters. Each entry gives the plant's common name and describes its flowers, leaves, habit, soil/sun/shade requirements, propagation, insect or disease problems, recommendations on where to use it and which plants complement it, and much more. Captivating color photography on virtually every page rounds out this superb reference for selecting garden plants that can thrive in the Midwest.

On Guerrilla Gardening
Richard Reynolds
Bloomsbury Publishing
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781596914490, $25.99 www.bloomsbury.com

On Guerrilla Gardening: A Handbook for Gardening Without Boundaries is a different kind of gardening book, describing how to use the power of gardening to beautify land one does not own - a technically illegal practice! And so those who engage in it apply tactics of Mao Tse-tung and Che Guevara to the (mostly) nonviolent acts of gardening. Cultivating plants has the potential to be an act of political defiance, yet it is a defiance meant to spread colorful blooms, fragrant smells, and happiness among neighbors rather than bloodshed or pain. Chapters cover the history of guerrilla gardening, the necessary tools, recommended courses of action (including positive propaganda tactics) and much more. A scattering of color photography enhances this eyebrow-raising gardening guide.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Finding Success in the Horoscope
Jackie Slevin M.A., C.A., NCGR
Ibis Press
c/o Nicolas-Hays
PO Box 540206, Lake Worth, FL 33454-0206
Red Wheel/Weiser (distribution)
65 Parker Street, Suite 7, Newburyport, MA 01950-4600
9780892541416, $18.95 www.nicolashays.com www.redwheelweiser.com

Dean and founder of the University of Geocosmic Studies Jackie Slevin presents Finding Success in the Horoscope: The Slevin System of Horoscope Analysis, a guide to Slevin's methodology for divining one's best career path through the revelations of the stars in the sky. The crux of the Slevin System of horoscope analysis involves determining one's skills and the best way to make those skills visible to other people. A number of black-and-white diagrams illustrate this unique procedural manual, sure to benefit horoscope diviners of all skill and experience levels. Whether learning to read the stars to point the way to further one's own career or that of another, Finding Success in the Horoscope is a solid, user-friendly manual. Highly recommended for astrology buffs.

Secret Agent 666
Richard B. Spence
Feral House
PO Box 39910, Los Angeles, CA 90039
9781932595338, $22.95 www.feralhouse.com

Enhanced with a handful of black-and-white photographs, Secret Agent 666: Aleister Crowley, British Intelligence and the Occult is a biography of Aleister Crowley, the founding father of modern-day occultism. Several other biographies have attempted to capture his life and personality; none of them have taken the in-depth look at his career as a British Intelligence agent that Secret Agent 666 has. Drawing upon documents garnered from British, American, French, and Italian archives, Secret Agent 666 reveals that Crowley played a role in the sinking of the Lusitania, a plan to overthrow the Spanish government, countermeasures against Irish and Indian nationalist conspiracies, and the 1941 flight of Rudolf Hess. Portraying Crowley as a patriotic Englishman who survived public vilification partly to conceal his purpose as a secret agent, Secret Agent 666 is a one-of-a-kind portrait, and worthy inclusion to shelves chronicling the history of occult practices.


The Buddhist Studies Shelf

A Concise Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism
John Powers
Snow Lion Publications
PO Box 6483, Ithaca, NY 14851
9781559392969, $14.95 www.SnowLionPub.com 1-800-950-0313

Indo-Tibetan philosophy and meditation theory expert John Powers presents A Concise Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, which distills his nearly six hundred-page classic "Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism" to a more accessible survey ideal for newcomers to the doctrines, practices, meditations and tantra of Tibetan Buddhism. A Concise Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism surveys the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism; walks the reader through basic Buddhist doctrines such as karma, rebirth, and dependent arising; explains the purpose and practice of tantra; and much more. A simple, solid, and highly accessible primer, distilling the most important creeds of Buddhism to their bare essentials.


The Library Science Shelf

What's The Alternative?
Rachel Singer Gordon
Information Today Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055-8750
9781573873338, $35.00 www.infotoday.com

"What's The Alternative?: Career Options For Librarians And Info Pros" deftly explores the latest trends and opportunities for librarians and information professionals, including researchers, and is a ‘must' for any college-level or business library holding strong in careers and re-careering. It surveys the options for both recent library school grads and working librarians, exploring everything from government work and entrepreneurial opportunities to working within organizations similar to libraries. An essential guide and core reference for any academic, community, or state job search center catering to library science majors.

The Quality Library
Sara Laughlin and Ray W. Wilson
ALA Editions
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
9780838909522, $55.00, www.alastore.ala.org

It's what every library fears – budget cuts. The good news is that with less money it doesn't necessarily mean that the quality of the library must decease. "The Quality Library: A Guide to Staff-Driven Improvement, Better Efficiency, and Happier Customers" is the guide librarians need to deal with the growing budget cuts they inevitably face. It grants superior advice for administrators to understand their audience better, making better financial decisions, and enhanced with indexes, glossaries, and worksheets. "The Quality Library: A Guide to Staff-Driven Improvement, Better Efficiency, and Happier Customers" is an invaluable acquisition for any library trying to make their collection the best it can be.

Instant Library Lessons: Library Celebrations
Karen A. Famer Wanamaker
Upstart Books
c/o Highsmith Inc.
PO Box 800, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0800
www.keepthestorygoing.com
9781602130081, $17.95, www.upstartbooks.com 1-800-448-4887

A library, although a traditionally quiet place, should never take its silence as a sign that it is not busy. Part of the "Instant Library Lessons" series created especially for busy librarians with no time to craft lesson plans, Instant Library Lessons: Library Celebrations is a compilation of grade-specific lessons for grades K-3 for Book Week, Read Across America, National Library Week, and a celebration of Librarians. Created by award-winning elementary school library media specialist Karen A. Farmer Wanamaker, Instant Library Lessons: Library Celebrations includes reproducible black-and-white children's worksheets and illustrated cutouts, as well as step-by-step lesson plan instructions. "Instant Library Lessons: Fall Fun" is packed cover to cover with lesson plans to give students so that when they themselves are far too busy to lay out their own plans, a backup plan always lies in wait for them. Each lesson is expertly crafted and dynamic and covers each of the holiday seasons throughout the fall season – Columbus Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and even touches on more obscure holidays such as Grandparents day. A wonderful, easy-to-use resource enthusiastically recommended for librarians who work with children, "Instant Library Lessons: Fall Fun" is a must for any librarian whose day to day life on the job is more hectic than anyone would expect.

Crash Course in Reference
Charlotte Ford
Libraries Unlimited
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9781591584636, $30.00, www.lu.com

Reference sections are an essential part of every library - "Crash Course in Reference" is a complete guidebook for librarians in keeping and maintaining a reference collection. Focusing on using resources to find the best and most efficient books on every subject, and information on finding the answer when it continues to elude one's search, "Crash Course in Reference" is a top pick for any librarian trying to make their collection the best possible.

Archiving Websites
Adrian Brown
Neal-Schuman Publishers
100 William Street, Suite 2004, New York, NY 10038-4512
1856045536, $99.95 www.neal-schuman.com 1-866-672-6657

Archiving Websites: A Practical Guide for Information Management Professionals is a guide written especially to teach librarians how to preserve an archive of selected portions of the World Wide Web for reference. Chapters cover the history of the development of web archiving; recommendations for website selection criteria; collection methods; quality assurance; cataloging and classifying websites; and much more. Author Adrian Brown applies his experience in managing a national Web-archiving program to this user-friendly resource. An utterly invaluable manual for libraries in the modern information age.

Library Research with Emergent Readers
Christa Harker & Dorette Putonti
Linworth Books
3650 Olentangy River Road, Suite 250, Columbus, OH 43214
1586832883, $39.95, www.linworth.com

Schools begin teaching at the age of 5 for a good reason – minds are most open to new, academic information at that time. "Library Research with Emergent Readers: Meeting Standards Through Collaboration" is a complete and comprehensive guide to teaching library research skills to younger readers and how to meet the standards that all modern American libraries must meet. Covering everything one would need to teach a young reader everything they need to know how to use the library to its full potential, "Library Research with Emergent Readers: Meeting Standards Through Collaboration" is highly recommended to community library science collections.


The Writing/Publishing Shelf

Save The Cat! Goes to The Movies
Blake Snyder
Michael Wiese Productions
3940 Laurel Canyon Blvd. #1111, Studio City, CA 91604
9781932907353, $24.95, www.mwp.com

Everything there is to be done has been done before in some way. "Save The Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter's Guide to Every Story Ever Told" is a guide to this strange claim to cover ten genre that the populace can't seem to get enough of, a through look at fifty of the biggest movies of the past three decades to cover everything about the modern movie script – and why originality isn't really dead when it seems to be – but it's really just taking on a new costume and appearance. Written by a Hollywood veteran with thirteen successful screenplay sales, "Save The Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter's Guide to Every Story Ever Told" is highly recommended to anyone who's trying to break into Hollywood and for community library collections on the subject of film.

How to Write a Screenplay in 10 Weeks
Marilyn Horowitz
Atlas Books
30 Amberwood Parkway, Ashland, OH 44805
9780979908910, $49.95, www.atlasbooks.com

Speed is a rare quality in artists of any sort, especially writers - "How to Write a Screenplay in 10 Weeks: A Fast & Easy Toolbox for All Writers" is a guide to improving one's writing – and being much faster as they do it. A through and complete guide to writing a first draft in less than three months, complete with a formatting manual and a writing log, "How to Write a Screenplay in 10 Weeks: A Fast & Easy Toolbox for All Writers" is a must for any writer who really wants to kick it into high gear in getting their ideas down onto paper, and highly recommended to community library writing and publishing collections.

The Best of Write Now
Danny Fingeroth
Twomorrows Publishing
10407 Bedfordtown Dr., Raleign, NC 27614
9781893905924, $19.95, www.twomorrows.com

Every comic book reader wanted to draw their own comics at some point as a child – but what do you do when that urge doesn't go away as an adult? "The Best of Write Now!: How To Interviews & Art From the Premier Publication About Comics Writing" is a compilation of, as the title says, the very best of a publication dedicated to the writers and artists of comic books and graphic novels with advice from big names such as Stan Lee, J.M. Straczynski, Neil Gaiman, and many more. If one is an aspiring artist or writer of comic books, the advice found in "The Best of Write Now!: How to Interviews & Art from the Premier Publication About Comics Writing" is essential and a great place to start, making it highly recommended for community library comics and graphic novels shelves.

The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier
Bonnie Trenga
Writer's Digest Books
c/o F&W Publications
4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236
9781582975610, $9.99, www.writersdigest.com

One can have the best grammar in the world, but if the writing is still horrible, it's going to be very technically sound horrible writing. "The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier: How to Solve the Mysteries of Weak Writing" looks at all the causes of bad writing and how to repair them and revise them. Touching on passive voice, abuse of the suffix -ing, run on sentences, and many other common accidents of writers, "The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier: How to Solve the Mysteries of Weak Writing" is an essential guide for novice writers with its unique and entertaining approach to improve themselves.

Webster's Contemporary School & Office Thesaurus
Editors of Merriam-Webster
Federal Street Press
25-13 Old Kings Highway North, #277, Darien, CT 06820
9781596950481, $7.98 www.federalstreetpress.com 1-877-886-2830

The latest trade paperback edition of Webster's Contemporary School & Office Thesaurus combines effectiveness with affordability. Featuring 150,000 synonyms and antonyms, and a brief definition (with usage in a sentence) for each entry along with a list of its synonyms and antonyms, all organized alphabetically, Webster's Contemporary School & Office Thesaurus is as easy and convenient to use as ever. A "must-have" for writer's and student's desks everywhere, particularly those who have to create compositions without immediate access to the internet.


The Library DVD Shelf

The War On Democracy
Bullfrog Films, Inc.
PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547
1594587515, $295.00 www.bullfrogfilms.com 1-800-543-3764

Recorded human history is largely an account of the unlikely rise and inevitable fall of empires. Often, as those empires were sliding into decline their citizens were not aware that their days of empire were waning. America is no exception to this historical record. "The War On Democracy" is an informed and informative documentary on the Bush administration's heavy handed imperialism declaring their anti-democratic ideologies of imposing democracy throughout the world by dubious economic and short-sighted military means. Thoughtful and thought-provoking, "The War On Democracy" is written, directed, and reported by John Pilger who incorporates his personal interviews with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, as well as some of the U.S. government officials who conducted the CIA's clandestine war in Latin America during the 1980s which proved to be a template for today's Bush-era international policies. The 94 minute DVD format includes English and Spanish language versions, a John Pilger biography, and production notes. Very highly recommended viewing for civil rights activists, political reformers, and the general public in this current political season, "The War On Democracy" is a welcome and necessary addition to academic and community library collections.

Becoming Green: Growing Environmental Awareness
WGBH Boston Video
c/o SSA Public Relations
16027 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 206, Encino, CA 91436
9781593758073, $49.95, www.ssapr.com

Becoming Green: Growing Environmental Awareness is a thinpack DVD set of environmentally themed public television programs. The thinpack consists of the NOVA episode "Car of the Future", in which the public radio "Car Talk" brothers Tom and Ray Magliozzi look at the environmental future of transportation; the NOVA episode "Solar Energy: Saved by the Sun" presenting the testimony of scientists, economists, and ordinary citizens seeking to better harness the untapped potential of the sun amid a world of rising oil prices; the NOVA and Frontline joint effort "Global Warming: What's Up with the Weather?" scrutinizing record high temperatures worldwide along with the increased frequency of drought, deadly flooding and catastrophic hurricanes; and the American Experience episode "Rachel Carson's Silent Spring", a devastating expose of the chemical industry's unregulated use of DDT (unfortunately, this is the one DVD of the set that is not closed captioned). Special features include printable materials for educators for "Solar Energy" and "Global Warming", and described video for the visually impaired in "Solar Energy" and "Car of the Future". An economical and educational collection, enthusiastically recommended for public library and private DVD collections alike. 4 DVDs, 277 min.

The British Empire In Color
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
AMP-8080, $24.99 www.acornmedia.com

There was indeed a time when the sun never set upon the globe-spanning British empire whose peak was reached under the reign of Queen Victoria. Ably narrated by Art Malik, the 20th century decline and eventual collapse of that venerable empire is superbly documented in an historical survey that is unique in that it is presented with color film taken from major archives and private collections. Presented in three major parts (The Decline of Empire; The Fall of Empire; The Aftermath of Empire), this mini-series charts Britain's empire country by country, beginning with India, justifiably considered the chief jewel in the imperial crown., "The British Empire In Color" proceeds with an informed and informative overview of both British contributions with respect to education, technology, law, and democracy to its possession, as well as the prejudice, discrimination, cultural bigotry and racism it fostered as a means of controlling its subject populations. Covering the partition of India and Pakistan, the creation of Palestine and Israel, the Suez crisis, the rise of Black Nationalism leading to the emancipation of the African colonies, the handover of Hong Kong to the Chinese, and more. Of special note is the use of personal letters and diary excerpts from both the British and their colonial subjects. Enhanced with the inclusion of a 26-minute 'making of' documentary on how the series was researched and developed, "The British Empire In Color" is a superb production and a very highly recommended addition for personal, community, and school library DVD collections in general.

Benny Golson: The Whisper Not Tour
Arkadia DVD
34 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010
DVD, $19.98, www.arkadiadvd.com

Benny Golson: The Whisper Not Tour is a DVD of the last video recorded that reunited jazz legends Benny Golson, Art Farmer, and Curtis Fuller, along with special guest Jon Hendricks. A multiple-camera video production showcasing Golson's compositional and performance talents, Benny Golson: The Whisper Not Tour includes some of Golson's most beloved classics in non-standard form, enhanced by Hendricks' dulcet voice. The performed songs include "Are You Real?", "Out of the Past", "Blues March", "I Remember Clifford", and "Whisper Not." Bonus DVD features include a Benny Golson biography and gallery, as well as bonus musical and concert performance footage. A treat for jazz enthusiasts.

The Last Ridge
Janson Media
88 Semmens Road, Harrington Park, NJ 07640
#20365, $24.95, www.janson.com

One of the most extraordinary campaigns of World War II was the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division who fought the Germans in the high mountain country of northern Italy and whose experiences went on to revolutionized mountain warfare abroad, as well as impacting winter sports after the war's end. Able narrated by Scot Simon, "The Last Ridge: The Uphill Battles Of The 10th Mountain Division" is a one-hour documentary that begins with the Army's rigorous training program where the troops lived outdoors in extreme cold for weeks at ta time, hiking with 40 kilo backpacks at altitudes over 4,000 meters. Without the support of tanks, trucks, or jeeps, these men had only their skies and what ever they could carry to pursue their missions. Informed and informative, "The Last Ridge" is enhanced for viewers with the inclusion of re-creations, eyewitness accounts, 3-D animation, German archival footage, and hitherto unpublished personal letters. This superbly produced and presented documentary concludes with accounts of the 10th Mountain Division's responsibility's today that extends to the remote corners of Afghanistan. Extensively filmed onsite in Colorado, Italy, Afghanistan, and Yugoslavia, and infused with insights from more than one hundred members of the 10th Mountain Division, "The Last Ridge" is highly recommended for community library DVD collections, and will be of particularly special interest to military history buffs.

The Best of Tamilee
MagicPlay Entertainment
28494 Westinghouse Pl, Suite 313, Santa Clarita, CA 91355-0930
411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
#5027, $14.99 www.magicplay-ent.com www.411videoinfo.com

The Best of Tamilee is quite literally a fitness DVD due to popular demand. Collecting the best of Exercise Science expert Tamilee's routines from the "Abs of Steel", "Buns of Steel" and "Arms of Steel" videos into one DVD, plus a 15-minute bonus segment from yoga master Stacy McCarthy's "Yoga Body Lean & Defined" workout, The Best of Tamilee is an exceptional tour of what targeted workout training can really do for problem areas of one's body. Each of the four 15-minute segments can be done separately or together to suit the viewer's needs, and the only exercise equipment recommended are inexpensive three-pound to five-pound hand weights. Highly recommended. 68 minutes, color.

Stacy McCarthy's Yoga Body
Stacy McCarthy
MagicPlay Entertainment
28494 Westinghouse Pl, Suite 313, Santa Clarita, CA 91355-0930
411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
www.magicplay-ent.com
9781934913011, $14.99 www.411videoinfo.com

Stacy McCarthy's Yoga Body: Lean & Defined Total Body Workout is a fitness DVD offering a yoga routine of postures designed to promote strength, flexibility, stamina, and balance. Though accessible to viewers of all backgrounds, the series of yoga poses do get progressively more difficult, in a routine designed to work the entire body and boost one's metabolism. The standing postures and leg exercises, expertly demonstrated by certified yoga teacher Stacy McCarthy, are meant to provide a genuine workout as well as an introduction to the wonderful benefits of yoga. A welcome addition to personal fitness libraries on DVD. 60 min., color.

Razor Fitness
947 Hamilton Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025
c/o 411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223, Pebble Beach, CA 93953
www.razorfitness.com www.411videoinfo.com

Internationally recognized fitness expert Tracey Mallett hosts two exercise DVDs in the "6-minute Quick Blast Method" series. Total Body Calorie Blast (RD-0519, $14.99, 66 min.) blends cardio with deep-toning techniques to strengthen one's entire body, and particularly target the core. Cardio Blasts apply interval training for raising one's heart rate, and Mind Body Blasts combine Pilates and Yoga-inspired techniques to cultivate a more shapely body. The only recommended equipment for these workouts are simple three-pound to five-pound hand weights, but perhaps the greatest advantage to Total Body Calorie Blast is its flexibility - one can do only a segment or two in the morning for quick energy, or all of them at once for a satisfyingly complete workout. Total Body Fat Burner (RD-0518, $14.99, 66 min.) focuses entirely upon concentrating maximum calorie burn in minimum time. In addition to three-pound to five-pound hand weights, an inexpensive stability ball is recommended to get the most out of these sculpting-intensive exercises. Healthy eating tips round out both DVDs, which are highly recommended as excellent, energizing resources for anyone who needs to get in shape but can't commit to spending hours at the gym every day!

The Gates
Crystal Productions
PO Box 2159, Glenview, IL 60025-6159
CP-0299, $29.95 www.crystalproductions.com 1-800-255-8629

The Gates: A Film About the Gates in Central Park, New York City is the DVD story of a unique, massive work of art. For sixteen days in February 2005, over 7,500 gates covered twenty-three miles of Central Park walkways in New York. The Gates captures for posterity the artistry, labor, and love that went into the creation of the Gates, the response from those who enjoyed them during their all-too-brief life, and their methodical disassembly. Special features include a press conference with Christo and Jeanne-Claude, the masterminds behind The Gates, as well as a photo gallery with over fifty photographs by executive producer Mark Terk. Shot in high definition (yet fully playable on normal DVD players), The Gates is a wonderful record of a truly far-reaching and inspirational art project. 30 min., widescreen, color.

Kalashnikov Rifle Gunfighting
Gabriel Saurez
Paladin Press
Gunbarrel Tech Center, 7077 Winchester Circle, Boulder, CO 80301
KRGDVD, $49.95, www.paladin-press.com

All over the world it seems, the rifle of choice seems to be the AK-47/74 series. "Kalashnikov Rifle Gunfighting: Too Simple to be Tactical" is an instructional video to teach its viewers the most basic techniques they need to know to effectively use the rifle in numerous situations and why this particular model is the rifle of choice in the modern urban battlefield. With nearly 100 minutes of instructional knowledge, "Kalashnikov Rifle Gunfighting: Too Simple to be Tactical" is a must for any gun enthusiast or community library instructional DVD collection.

The Hollywood Collection: Charlton Heston For All Seasons
Janson Media
88 Semmens Road, Harrington Park, NJ 07640
#20362, $24.95 www.janson.com

Janson Media's "Hollywood Collection" series now includes a DVD tribute to Charlton Heston, the star of over sixty movies. Charlton Heston For All Seasons pays homage to Heston's many roles, from king to slave and hero to villain, in classic Hollywood films such as "Moses", "Ben-Hur", "El Cid" and "Michelangelo. Also revealed is the aspect of his personality that led him to speak out on the issues he believed in, regardless of their controversy. Highlights from some of Heston's most well-known movies intersperse this respectful homage, enhanced with extra features including a photo gallery, an interview with Gene Feldman, and a "meet the producers" segment. 85 min., color with some black-and-white footage of classic films.

The Abs Diet for Women Workout
Based on the program by David Zinczenko
Jessica Smith, instructor
Rodale Press, Inc.
400 South Tenth Street, Emmaus, PA 18098-0099
#05-52705, $14.98 www.rodale.com 1-800-527-8200

Based on the "New York Times" best selling program by David Zinczenko, The Abs Diet for Women Workout is a high-energy DVD workout designed especially to help women burn fat and get into shape. Hosted by expert fitness instructor Jessica Smith, The Abs Diet for Women Workout includes strength training, a cardio interval workout, two abs routines designed to work all five regions of the abdominal muscles, and pilates and yoga components. In addition to a solid exercise routine, The Abs Diet for Women Workout also incorporates "The Abs Diet Eating Plan" to help viewers follow a healthier diet, and a 30-day trial to absdietonline.com. An excellent choice for fitness workout DVD libraries, The Abs Diet for Women Workout does not require the viewer to use expensive fitness equipment, though simple three-pound or five-pound hand weights and a mat are recommended. 55 min., color.

Herod's Temple
Vision Video
PO Box 540, Worcester, PA 19490-0540
DVD, $19.99 www.visionvideo.com 1-800-523-0226

Herod's Temple: The Temple Jesus Knew is a documentary DVD about the history of the Temple Mount of Jerusalem, one of the best known sacred sites in the world. Over 2,000 years ago, it was known as Herod's Temple to Jesus and his disciples. Herod's Temple: The Temple Jesus Knew uses animation to reconstruct how the temple might have once looked, imagines the scene that took place when Jesus drove the moneychangers from its outer court, and the horror of the temple's fiery devastation at the hands of the Romans in A.D. 70. A fascinating and educational study sure to captivate viewers of all faiths and backgrounds. 30 minutes, color.

Camelot
Acorn Media Group
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 620, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3403
DVD, $29.99 www.acornmedia.com

Camelot is a DVD rendition of Lerner and Loewe's Tony-nominated play of King Arthur's court, performed live on a Broadway stage and featuring legendary actor Richard Harris as King Arthur himself. In Camelot, King Arthur strives to fulfill his ideals for a just and peaceful kingdom, yet his dreams are betrayed when a doomed love arises between Queen Guenevere (Meg Bussert) and Arthur's closest friend, Lancelot (Richard Muenz). Close-up shots are judiciously applied to capture the distinctive moments of the stage performance; extras include production notes, the original Broadway playbill on DVD-ROM, and biographies of Lerner & Loewe as well as Richard Harris. A "must-have" especially for live theater fans. 147 min., closed captioned.

Honey and Clover
Viz Pictures
295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133
DVD, $24.98, www.viz.com 1-800-394-3042

Honey and Clover is a live-action Japanese romantic comedy movie with English subtitles. A group of struggling art students eke out a hand-to-mouth life, barely making enough to eat and pay the rent; when an innocent nineteen-year-old girl with exceptional talent joins them, a complex love triangle ensues! A delightfully emotional story about the bonds of friendship, fickle whims of love, and the determination to achieve one's dream, Honey and Clover is a joy to watch and welcome addition to foreign film shelves. 116 minutes, color.


The Library CD Music Shelf

Canyon Records Productions
3131 West Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85017
www.canyonrecords.com 1-800-268-1141

Native American cultures are as diverse in their arts and music as those of the European nations. Canyon Records is the premier publisher of Native American music and covers the entire spectrum of Native American music ranging from pow-wow and round dance songs, to the healing and prayer songs of the Native American Church. With each of them demonstrating flawless production qualities and performances, four new releases from Canyon Records demonstrate the breadth and diversity of what is now available to the general public. "Night of the Northern Lights" (CR-6440, Total Time 61:00) features the father-daughter performances of Jay and Tinesha Begaye who blend twelve songs in traditional Navajo style with the round dance rhythms of tribal Canada. "Warscout" (CR-6437, Total Time 54.49) features twelve impressive performances by the pow-wow songs group Scouts and recorded at a live performance at Stanford. "First Light" (CR-6436, Total Time 70:14) by Cheevers Toppah and Kevin Yazzie showcases nine harmonized peyote songs in Dine and Kiowa. "Stories Told" (CR-6432, Total Time 47:34) offers six sets of harmonized peyote songs as performed Verdell Perimeaux (Lakota) and Terry Hanks (Dine) and which are associated with the rituals of the Native American Church. No personal, community, or academic library collection of Native American music can be considered either complete or comprehensive without the inclusion of these four outstanding releases from Canyon Records Productions.

Nine Heavens
Niyaz
Six Degrees Records
540 Hampshire Street, San Francisco, CA 94110-1417
$18.98, www.sixdegreesrecords.com

Niyaz is an unusual group that blends traditional and modern world music with spell-binding vocals by Azam Ali, the multi-instrumental talents of Loga Ramin Torkian, and two-time Grammy Award nominee producer and remixer Carmen Rizzo. In "Nine Heavens", this trio of international talent superbly features Persian and Urdu mystical poems written by some of the most noted of the Sufi poets, as well as two original interpretations of traditional folk songs from Khorrassan, Iran, and a memorable folk song from Maras, Turkey. A multi-cultural masterpiece, "Nine Heavens" is flawless in execution and production, making it an enthusiastically recommended addition to personal and community library CD music collections and a 'must' for the growing legion of Niyaz fans both here and abroad.

A Long And Winding Road
Maureen McGovern
PS Classics
c/o Miller Wright & Associates, Inc.
1650 Broadway, Suite 1210, New York, NY 10019
$18.98, www.psclassics.com

Folk singer Maureen McGovern is a consummate and accomplished performer whose career began in the late 60s and is still going strong today. Her latest album is "A Long and Winding Road" in which she showcases her impressive talent and flawless performance with an eclectic mix of eighteen songs that are reflective, melodic, and superlative examples of American popular culture as presented in the folk tradition of the last forty years. The pieces comprising this simply outstanding and highly recommended album include All I Want/America; The Times They area-Cahngin'; The Circle Game; The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feeling Groovy); Cowboy; The Coming of the roads; Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?; Shed a Little Light/Carry It On/ The Fiddle and the Drum; Fire and Rain; Rocky Raccoon; Let It Be; By the Time I Get to Phoenix; MacArthur Park; The Moon's A Harsh Mistress; And When I Die; Imagine; and the title piece, The Long and Winding Road.


The Holocaust Studies Shelf

Hidden Letters
Annotated by Deborah Slier and Ian Shine
Translated by Marion van Binsbergen-Pritchard
Star Bright Books
30-19 48th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101
9781887734882, $35.00 www.starbrightbooks.com 1-800-788-4439

Hidden Letters is a treasure trove of letters and postcards written in 1942 by an 18 year old Dutch Jew named Philip "Flip" Slier, sent almost daily from Flip to his parents from within the forced labor camp that held Flip. Flip was eventually executed in the Nazi death camp Sobibor. Now translated and reprinted, completely unedited and enhanced with annotation from Deborah Slier and her husband Ian Shine, Hidden Letters is a first-person account of life in Nazi-occupied Holland. Black-and-white photographs and interviews with those who knew Flip, as well as with Selma Wijnberg-Engel (the sole Dutch survivor of the October, 1943 uprising in Sobibor) round out this firsthand testimony. A welcome addition to academic and community library Judaic Studies in general, and Holocaust Studies collections in particular.


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


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