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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Energy for Keeps, third edition
Marilyn Nemzer, et al.
Energy Education Group
c/o Pixyjack Press
PO Box 149, Masonville, CO 80541
www.pixyjackpress.com
9780974476551, $24.95, www.amazon.com
We will inevitably run out of fossil fuels to furnish the electrical power that our civilization is
dependant on. We are currently engaging in environmentally devastating practices such as
fracking to generate fossil fuels. That's all the more reason why alternative energy sources must
be developed if we are to survive as a country and as a culture. Now in an updated and expanded
third edition, "Energy for Keeps: Creating Clean Electricity from Renewable Resources" by the
team of renewable energy experts Marilyn Nemzer, Deborah Page, and Anna Carter is a superbly
written and presented 192 page compendium providing a succinct history of energy, how
electricity is produced and delivered, renewable and non-renewable sources of energy, the impact
of energy production and usage upon human health and the environment. Of special note is the
chapter devoted to how energy decisions affect our everyday lives. Enhanced with the inclusion
of an Energy Timeline, a Glossary, Additional Information Resources, and an Index, "Energy for
Keeps: Creating Clean Electricity from Renewable Resources" is especially recommended
textbook supplement for Environmental Studies academic curriculums, as well as an invaluable
addition to personal, professional, and community library Renewable Energy Studies reference
collections.
Homebrew Wind Power
Dan Bartmann & Dan Fink
Buckville Publications LLC
c/o Pixyjack Press
PO Box 149, Masonville, CO 80541
www.pixyjackpress.com
9780981920108, $39.95, www.amazon.com
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind
turbines to make electrical power, windmills for mechanical power, wind pumps for water
pumping or drainage, or sails to propel ships. Large wind farms consist of hundreds of individual
wind turbines which are connected to the electric power transmission network. Offshore wind is
steadier and stronger than on land, and offshore farms have less visual impact, but construction
and maintenance costs are considerably higher. Small onshore wind farms provide electricity to
isolated locations. Utility companies increasingly buy surplus electricity produced by small
domestic wind turbines. Wind power, as an alternative to fossil fuels, is plentiful, renewable,
widely distributed, clean, produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation and uses little
land. The effects on the environment are generally less problematic than those from other power
sources. "Homebrew Wind Power: A Hands-On Guide To Harnessing The Wind" is a 320 page
introduction and a thoroughly 'user friendly' how-to instruction guide that is so clearly written
and deftly organized as to both educate and enable non-specialist general readers in all of the
mechanics of constructing a wind power generator. Enhanced with the inclusion of an extensive
sources list, a glossary, six appendices, and a comprehensive index, "Homebrew Wind Power" is
very highly recommended for personal, professional, academic, and community library
Renewable Energy and Wind Power Technology reference collections and supplemental reading
lists.
Go Outside and Come Back Better
Ron Lizzi
River Stream Media
59 Miller Road
Bethany, CT 06524
9781939435781 $27.95 GoOutsideBook.com
Illustrated with 160 panoramic, full-color landscape photographs, Go Outside and Come Back
Better: Benefits from Nature that Everyone Should Know is a vibrant tour of 120 national parks
in all 50 of America's states. The text is sparse, but prompts the reader to contemplate the
beautiful images and the rejuvenating powers of nature. "If you feel that you don't have time to
spend in parks like these, consider the time as being not merely spent but invested." Although Go
Outside and Come Back Better enthusiastically encourages the reader to visit America's parks in
person, its stunning imagery is certainly the next best thing to an immediate vacation, and highly
recommended especially for armchair travelers!
The Writing/Publishing Shelf
The Battle Against Internet Book Piracy
Gini Graham Scott Ph.D.
Changemakers Publishing & Writing
750 La Playa, #592, San Francisco, CA 94121
Jones & O'Malley Public Relations (publicity)
10123 Camarillo St., Toluca Lake, CA 91602
www.changemakerspublishingandwriting.com
9781490331928 $14.95 jonesomalley.com
Print book authors, ebook authors, and publishers alike absolutely must read The Battle Against
Internet Book Piracy: The Fight By Writers, Publishers, And Law Enforcement, And What You
Can Do If A Victim, which lives up to its title with solid advice about the legal responses one can
make when digital pirates fraudulently steal and distribute one's intellectual property on the
Internet. Although the focus is on digital book piracy, music and movie piracy are also
referenced, especially for comparative purposes. Digital book piracy is not a victimless crime; it
is directly correlated with (and almost certainly causes) a drop in sales and royalties, which in
turn threatens the abilities of authors and publishers to earn a living writing books, fiction or
nonfiction. The Battle Against Internet Book Piracy takes pirates to task, summarizes some of the
most recent court battles regarding book piracy, and walks the reader through step-by-step
instructions for identifying whether one's book has been pirated, sending a takedown notice, and
seeking legal action to shut the pirates down. The Battle Against Internet Book Piracy cannot
substitute for the counsel of a trained attorney, but is an absolute "must-read" before consulting
one about such matters (remember, many of them bill by the hour)! Highly recommended,
especially for the smallest self-published book and ebook authors, who can least afford the
devastating toll of piracy.
The American History Shelf
Pioneers, Patriots, and Planters
Elizabeth Carrow Woolfolk
Wynnton Publishing
6524 San Felipe, #94
Houston, Texas 77057
9780971635821 $39.95 hc / $29.95 pbk. www.wynntonp.com
Language specialist and Woolfolk by marriage Elizabeth Carrow Woolfolk presents Pioneers,
Patriots, and Planters: First Settlers in Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, and Georgia, an in-depth history of the Woolfolk family's efforts to settle America,
particularly the South, from the 1600's to shortly after the Civil War. Packed cover to cover with
black-and-white maps and figures, reproductions of primary documents, and extensive
references, Pioneers, Patriots, and Planters is an excellent resource for genealogists and
historians. Readers of all backgrounds can appreciate the immersive story of this diverse and
successful family, whose kindred includes such legendary American founders as George
Washington and Andrew Jackson. Highly recommended, especially for public and college library
American History shelves.
The Boys of Company K
Lee M. Cullimore
High Plains Press
403 Cassa Road
Glendo, WY 82213
9781937147013 $18.95 www.highplainspress.com
The Boys of Company K: Ohio Cavalry Soldiers in the West During the Civil War is the true
story of men who volunteered to fight in the Civil War - and were instead sent to serve at Fort
Laramie. Focusing on the privates, corporals, and sergeants, The Boys of Company K draws
upon a diversity of sources, including the soldiers' own words in letters and diaries, to reconstruct
a historically accurate accounting of Company K's actions, from basic training to military justice
to lethal campaigns against Native Americans. Above all, The Boys of Company K strives to
explain in plain terms "how the boys saw it" - the boots-on-the-ground perspective of ordinary
soldiers. The Boys of Company K is engaging, enlightening, and highly recommended.
The Civil War Shelf
Drummer Boy of Company C
Mary Louise Clifford
Cypress Communications
35 East Rosemont Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301
9780963641281, $19.95, www.amazon.com
In the American Civil War, commanders in the field depended on drummers to signal troops to
establish marching orders, to maneuver in battle, to advance or retreat during the confusion of
war. The drummers were boys too young to shoulder weapons. "Drummer Boy of Company C:
Coming of Age During the Civil War" by Mary Louise Clifford is the true story one such boy --
her grandfather Albert Walton, who at the age of 14, joined Company C. of the Seventy-Fifth
Indiana infantry Volunteer Regiment in 1862, drummed in skirmishes across Kentucky and
Tennessee, was in the battle of Chickamauga in Georgia in 1863, was captured by the
Confederates and spent fourteen months a prisoner of war, finally to be exchanged in November
1864 for Confederate prisoners at Savannah. After a brief home leave young Albert rejoined his
regiment and at the end of the war participated in a victory parade down Constitution Avenue in
Washington DC on May 24, 1865. Enhanced with 81 illustrations, 4 maps, endnotes, a
bibliography, and an index, "Drummer Boy of Company C: Coming of Age During the Civil
War" is a welcome and unique contribution to the growing body of Civil War literature and
highly recommended as informed and informative reading for non-specialist general readers ages
14 and up who have an interest in the American Civil War.
The Jobs/Career Shelf
Iserson's Getting Into A Residency, eighth edition
Kenneth V. Iserson, M.D.
Galen Press Ltd.
PO Box 64400 Tucson, AZ 85728-4400
9781883620363 $38.95 www.galenpress.com
Now in an updated eighth edition, Iserson's Getting Into A Residency: A Guide for Medical
Students is an information-packed, step-by-step especially for medical students deciding upon a
specialty, and pursuing a residency position. The invaluable data within includes guidelines on
the difficulty of earning different positions, the number of available slots for each, and a
"Must/Want" Analysis designed to help students rank residency program selections. Additional
tips, tricks and techniques cover how to complete residency applications, prepare for interviews,
and much more. Charts, graphs, and an index round out this absolute "must-have" reference and
resource for aspiring professionals, worthy of the highest recommendation, especially for medical
school libraries!
The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
American Scissors and Shears
Philip R. Pankiewicz
Universal Publishers
Editorial and Administrative Offices
23331 Water Circle
Boca Raton, FL 33486-8540, USA
9781612332512 $34.95 www.universal-publishers.com
Featuring black-and-white illustrations of scissors, shears, patents, advertisements, and more on
almost every page, American Scissors and Shears: An Antique and Vintage Collectors' Guide
lives up to its title as a spare-no-details scrutiny of over 100 companies and individuals who
created scissors and shears in America, from the mid-1800's to 1930. Part collector's guide, part
manufacturing history, American Scissors and Shears is the definitive reference and resource to
hobbyists and history buffs alike. No detail is spared, from company histories to scissors
dimensions!
The Cookbook Shelf
Growing Food in the Southwest Mountains, fourth edition
Lisa Rayner
Lifeweaver LLC
PO Box 22324, Flagstaff, AZ 86002
9780980060836 $29.95 www.LisaRayner.com
Now in an expanded fourth edition with nearly four times as much information as the third
edition, Growing Food in the Southwest Mountains: A Guide to High Altitude, Semi-Arid Home
Permaculture Gardens is a methodical, user-friendly, in-depth guide written especially for people
living in the states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Since the
current industrial agriculture system relies heavily on fossil fuel consumption to produce and
transport peak food, the need for alternatives - including local, sustainable food supplies - is
ever-increasing. Growing Food in the Southwest Mountains discusses the basics of the
Southwest Mountain climate, how to create permaculture zones, warnings against invasive
species, tips for creating garden-friendly eco-communities, soil maintenance advice, watering
strategies, advice for dealing with so-called "pests", a brief history of Southwestern food
traditions, and much more. Black-and-white diagrams, and charts listing the defining features of
various plant species that can be cultivated round out this "must-have" for Southwest Mountain
gardeners, bound with a plastic spiral to lay flat (or fold over) for ease of use.
The Fiction Shelf
Flashes of War
Katey Schultz
Loyola University Maryland
4501 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21210
c/o MindBuck Media Book Publicity
9781934074855 $16.95 www.apprenticehouse.com
Flashes of War is an anthology of fictional short stories set in the context of the modern-day war
in Afghanistan. The characters are strongly grounded in reality, and drawn from award-winning
author Katey Schultz's research, as well as critiques from friends with firsthand war experience
who examined her manuscripts. Some of the stories were previously published in literary
journals; many more were not, and all are gathered under one cover for the first time. Flashes of
War has features dynamic, believable human characters, from a struggling Afghan mother to a
world-weary U.S. soldier to a ghost unable to let go of the past. Empathetic, emotional, and
involving from cover to cover, Flashes of War seeks to better understand war through a grasp of
the people caught in its crosshairs, and kindle hope for a better tomorrow. Highly
recommended.
The Architecture Shelf
Megalithism
Alberto Pozzi
Universal Publishers
Editorial and Administrative Offices
23331 Water Circle
Boca Raton, FL 33486-8540, USA
9781612332550 $55.95 www.universal-publishers.com
Color photographs on almost every page illustrate Megalithism: Sacred and Pagan Architecture
in Prehistory, an exploration of prehistoric man's creation of sacred, pagan displays with gigantic
boulders. How did early humans transport, cut, or erect these immensely heavy stones, without
the aid of modern technology? Megalithism walks the reader through the methadologies of
ancient humans in the 5th to the 2nd millennia B.C., as well as a tour of some of the most
legendary and lasting sites of standing stones. Accessible to readers of all backgrounds,
Megalithism is an in-depth treatment of a fascinating topic: some of the earliest known works of
prehistoric architecture.
The Christian Studies Shelf
Executive Summary of the Bible
Chaplain Farris and Ruth Robertson
Recovery Literature
217 West Bennett Street
Springfield, Missouri 65807
9780911939019 $9.95 www.RecoveryLiterature.com
Executive Summary of the Bible is a large print, easy-to-read summary of the Old and New
Testaments of the Christian Bible. In addition, Executive Summary of the Bible aids Christians
with biblical maps, timelines, thumbnail character descriptions, core Christian beliefs, and a
listing of God's laws. Written from a perspective of devout Christian faith and trust in the Word
of God, Executive Summary of the Bible is an excellent primer and Bible study tool,
enthusiastically recommended especially as an aid for church libraries, Sunday School
classrooms, and personal use when preparing for Bible study.
The Travel Shelf
Roundtrip from Texas
Sonja Klein
Ambush Publishing
PO Box 192, Barksdale, Texas 78828
c/o Gulotta Communications (publicity)
341 Lexington Street, Newton, MA 02466
9780988986305 $15.95 www.booktours.com
Roundtrip from Texas: More Travels and Essays from Sonja Klein is a true tales travelogue
collection from free-spirited author Sonja Klein, and the follow-up to her previous book "Honk If
You Married Sonja Klein". The joys of the journey, discovery, and adventure is reflected in each
vignette, which are equally enjoyable when browsed a few at a time or read all at once. Sonja's
destinations range from California to New York to Vietnam and China, and her stories offer such
vivid, memorable minutiae (plus the occasional history lesson) that reading Roundtrip from
Texas is the next best thing to personally experiencing a global jaunt! "At the end of the dirt path,
a small bus drove us through the rice fields to Oudong, an elaborate and beautiful Buddhist
monastery, funded primarily by Buddhists not currently living in Cambodia. After climbing the
many marble steps in the rain, we removed our shoes and entered the monastery for a water
blessing by three Buddhist monks. Sitting cross-legged on the carpet, I closed my eyes and went
into a meditative state... When I opened my eyes, I was covered with jasmine blossoms. The
fragrance was overwhelming."
The Memoir Shelf
Memoirs of a Recovering Teacher
David Peterson with Peter Davidson
Sweet Memories Publishing
PO Box 497
Arnolds Park, IA 51331-0497
9780976271857 $13.95 pbk.
9780976271864 $6.95 ebook
Author David Peterson served as a high school teacher for four years and a community college
teacher for thirty-four years, earning multiple national education awards including the Leavey
Award. Memoirs of a Recovering Teacher consists of one hundred brief, bittersweetly true tales
about students, teachers, and administrators, drawn from Peterson's storied career. Peppered with
wit, wisdom, and wry insight (especially when dealing with difficult students or superiors),
Memoirs of a Recovering Teacher is enthusiastically recommended. "I taught the state Real
Estate Pre-License course thirty-four times over seventeen years and estimate that I trained about
750 Realtors. I know that I will have to answer for this on Judgment Day."
An Angel Is Born
Wynn Johnson
Amber Skye Publishing LLC
1935 Berkshire Drive
Eagan, MN 55122
www.amberskyepublishing.com
9780989400305, $15.95
"An Angel Is Born: A Family's Story" is a personal and candid memoir set in the small
coal-mining town of Weeksbury in the Appalachia mountains of Kentucky. When Johnson writes
of what life was like for him and the families in his community his narrative reads like a candid
conversation with a family elder who has lived through interesting times. "An Angel Is Born"
offers detailed and descriptive insights into a town's evolving economic conditions and families
afflicted by tragedies. Ultimately inspiring, "An Angel Is Born" is an engaging read and highly
recommended -- especially for anyone struggling to deal with their own problematic life
issues.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
The Complete Guide To Yin Yoga
Bernie Clark
White Cloud Press
PO Box 3400, Ashland, OR 97520
www.whitecloudpress.com
9781935952503, $18.95, www.amazon.com
Yin Yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga with postures or asanas that are held for comparatively
long periods of time; five minutes or longer per pose is typical. Yin Yoga poses apply moderate
stress to the connective tissues - the tendons, fascia, and ligaments - with the aim of increasing
circulation in the joints and improving flexibility. Yin Yoga poses are also designed to improve
the flow of qi, the subtle energy said in Chinese medicine to run through the meridian pathways
of the body. Improved flow of qi is hypothesized to improve organ health, immunity, and
emotional well-being. "The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of Yin
Yoga" by yoga and meditation instructor Bernie Clark is a 296 page compendium providing
aspiring yoga practitioners with a comprehensive and illustrated analytical description of this
particular yoga style and practice that was originally developed in the United States by Paulie
Zink. Exceptionally well written, informed and informative, "The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga:
The Philosophy and Practice of Yin Yoga" is confidently recommended for personal, academic,
and community library Yoga instructional reference collections and supplemental reading lists. It
should also be noted that "The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of Yin
Yoga" is also available in a Kindle edition ($9.99).
The Theatre/Cinema Shelf
The Worldwide Film Noir Tradition
Spencer Selby
Sink Press
720 Kellogg Avenue, Ames, IA 50010
http://worldwidenoir.info
9780962380662, $80.00, www.amazon.com
Film noir (French for "black film") is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish crime
dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's
classical film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late
1950s. Film noir of this era is associated with a low-key black-and-white visual style that has
roots in German Expressionist cinematography. Many of the prototypical stories and much of the
attitude of classic noir derive from the hardboiled school of crime fiction that emerged in the
United States during the Great Depression. The term film noir, French for "black film," first
applied to Hollywood films by French critic Nino Frank in 1946, was unrecognized by most
American film industry professionals of that era. Cinema historians and critics defined the
category retrospectively. Before the notion was widely adopted in the 1970s, many of the classic
films noirs were referred to as melodramas. "The Worldwide Film Noir Tradition" by Spencer
Selby is a 320 page compendium providing the first comprehensive coverage of classic noir films
from studios around the world. There are 796 American films, 338 British films, 177 French
Films, an a total of 257 additional films organized by countries ranging from Argentina to
Turkey. Enhanced with 65 pages of photos, a listing of 26 classical film noirs in color, and an
selected bibliography, "The Worldwide Film Noir Tradition" is a work of seminal research and
an important acquisition for academic library Cinematic Studies reference collections and the
personal reference shelves of film noir enthusiasts.
The Education Shelf
Ace The TEAS Test
Exam Review Press
11240 Plantation Oaks
Lamberton, TX 77657
9781627336055, $24.99, www.amazon.com
Featuring more than 500 practice questions with detailed answer explanations, "Ace The TEAS
Test" is a 302 page instructive study guide for students taking the TEAS Version 5 exam.
Covering all four sections (Math, English, Science, Langauge), "Ace the TEAS Test" is
thoroughly 'user friendly' and will enable students to find out how prepared they are come test
day. Of special note are the test taking strategies, tips, and advice provided by the exam preparers
for this practice manual. This is an essential and highly recommended study guide for anyone
preparing to take the TEAS Version 5 exam.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Once Upon a Curse
Peter S. Beagle, et al.
Dragonwell Publishing
336 Malin Road, Pa 19073
9780983832058, $16.95, www.amazon.com
A fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features folkloric fantasy characters, such as
fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants, mermaids, or gnomes, and usually magic or
enchantments. Fairy tales may be distinguished from other folk narratives such as legends (which
generally involve belief in the veracity of the events described) and explicitly moral tales,
including beast fables. The fairy tale is a literary staple for children -- and adults. For an example
of the latter we have "Once Upon a Curse", a 272 page compendium feature eleven wonderfully
wrought fantasy tales by some of the best writers in this specialized genre. Readers will be
treated to the story telling talents of Cindy Lynn Speer ('A Necklace of Rubies', 'But Can You Let
Him Go', and 'Every Word I Say'); Peter S. Beagle ('Come Lady Death'); Nancy Kress ('Summer
Wind' and 'Words Like Pale Stones'); Patricia C. Wrede ('Stronger than Time'); Siobhan Carroll
('Remains'); Lucy A Snyder ('The Cold Blackness Between'); and Anna Kashina ('Solstice
Maiden'). A truly impressive and entertaining anthology, "Once Upon a Curse" is highly
recommended for fans of superbly crafted adult fantasies and for inclusion in community library
Science Fiction/Fantasy collections.
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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