 |
Book Reviews,
Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers |
| Home / Small
Press Bookwatch |
Small Press Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Ten Thousand Years From Eden
Charles Heizer Wharton, Ph.D.
WinMark Publishing
5575 South Semoran Blvd., Suite 120, Orlando, FL 32822
0970656009 $17.95 www.metabolicman.com
Ten Thousand Years From Eden: The Long Search For A Personal Nutrition From Our Forest
Origins To The Supermarkets Of Today by nutrition expert and retired academician Charles
Heizer
Wharton is a detailed, college-level study of human nutrition from the perspective of an ecologist.
From the origin of human beings with a hunter/gatherer system of food gathering and
consumption
practices, to achieving the best nutrition from today's complex, market-heavy and artificially
flavored
world of foods and beverages, Ten Thousand Years From Eden is as practical for modern readers
as
it is amazing for everyone with an interest in the history of the human diet. Ten Thousand Years
From Eden is a unique and highly recommended addition to students of nutrition, human
evolution,
human ecology, and contemporary food habits in a post-industrial age.
Forbidden Grief
Theresa Burke with David C. Reardon
Acorn Books
PO Box 7348, Springfield, IL 62791-7348
0964895781 $24.95 1-888-412-2676 www.forbiddengrief.com
Featuring a foreword by Dr. Laura Schlessinger (a.k.a. radio personality "Dr. Laura"), Forbidden
Grief: The Unspoken Pain Of Abortion by Theresa Burke (psychotherapist and founder of
post-abortion training and healing ministry Rachel's Vineyard) and with the assistance of David C.
Reardon (post-abortion issues expert and Founding Director of the Elliot Institute) is a candid,
powerful, and informative examination of the trauma of abortion, the dramatic negative impact it
can
have on women, and the grieving and recovery process women who have experienced abortion
undergo. Written specifically to help women struggling with the pain of surviving an abortion,
Forbidden Grief is highly recommended reading as an open, emotional, and serious work that
seeks
to help women heal from psychological and emotional post-abortion trauma.
The Erie Canal
Debbie Daino Stack & Captain Ronald S. Marquisee
Media Artists
4673 Brickyard Falls Road, Manlius, New York 13104
0970888600 $39.95 1-315-682-6767 www.amazon.com
A companion book to the award-winning PBS series "Cruising American Waterways," The Erie
Canal by Debbie Daino Stack (PBS Project Coordinator for the "Cruising American Waterways"
television series) and Captain Ronald S. Marquisee (Producer of "Cruising America's
Waterways"),
is a quality travelogue showcasing the history and beauty of the famous Erie Canal, a still active
waterway used for recreation, flood control, irrigation, and power generation. Lavish color
photographs of this historic canal fill The Erie Canal from cover to cover, and the insightful text
offers a wealth of cultural lore. A superbly gorgeous coffee-table book and enhanced with a
foreword by Andrew Cuomo, The Erie Canal is a true pleasure to read and enjoy and highly
recommended for armchair travelers and community library American History collections.
The Joy I Seek
John Keats, author, David Finn, artist
Madison Books
4720 Boston Way, Lanham, Maryland 20706
1568332408 $21.95 1-800-462-6420
The Joy I Seek is a boldly and empathetically illustrated presentation of fragments from the classic
poem "Endymion: A Poetic Romance," by John Keats. Forty-four semi-abstract yet powerful and
emotional color paintings by David Finn present and unforgettable representation of the poem's
core
themes of love between a man and a woman, the joy of human sexuality, and the bittersweet
fleetness of life itself. A heartfelt and soulful presentation that wraps love, sex, and death into an
explosion of literary and visual high art. Book I 777-781: Wherein lies happiness? In that which
becks/Our ready minds to fellowship divine,/A fellowship with essence, full of shine/Full
alchemized,
and free of space. Behold/The clear religion of heaven!
Boyz are Boys (and Girls are Girls)
Ron Bryan (Uncle Ron)
Dubbledogg Publishing Company
S. J. Miller Communications (publicity)
7860 East Berry Place, Suite 200, Greenwood Village, CO 8011
097017084X $24.95 1-303-224-0404 www.dubbledoggpublishing.com
Illustrated by Tom Garner and accessibly written by Ron Bryan, Boyz are Boys (and Girls are
Girls)
is an effective, "reader friendly" guidebook for kids struggling with adolescence, and parents
struggling with teenagers. Addressing numerous common issues from piercings, to guns, to
criminals, school, and personal hygiene, Boyz are Boys (and Girls are Girls) offers a valuable
overview, quick tips, and general advice to parents everywhere. Although its effort to cover so
much
ground limits the depth to which it can go on any one matter, Boyz Are Boys (And Girls Are
Girls)
is highly recommended reading as a broad introductory reference and good starting point for
parents
and young people.
The Mystery Shopper's Manual
Cathy Stucker
Special Interests Publishing
4646 Hwy 6, #123, Sugar Land, TX 77478
1888983248 $24.95 1-888-266-5888
A "mystery shopper" is a person who is paid to shop at particular businesses and then report
customer service information to back to the businesses owners or managers. Now in an expanded
and updated fifth edition, The Mystery Shopper's Manual by experienced mystery shopper Cathy
Stucker is a straightforward, easy-to-understand, "how to" manual for becoming a professional
mystery shopper. This highly recommended and unique compendium of invaluable tips and
suggestions, also features mystery shopper application and performance do's and don'ts, how to
contact those who hire mystery shoppers, Internet resources, earning the best mystery shopping
assignments, and much more. The Mystery Shopper's Manual is a highly lucrative and "user
friendly"
guide to getting a rewarding part-time, full-time or part-time mystery shopping job!
Love Child
L. E. Salazar
Family Find
La Salle, Brighton Beach Road, St. Michael, Barbados
9768077824 $TBA www.geocities.com/family_find
Love Child: A Genealogist's Guide To The Social History Of Barbados is candid and informative
look at family, settlement, and genetic ancestry in the nation of Barbados, and the role slavery
played
in both its history and the gene pool. From the native people who lived in Barbados before 1627
down to its twentieth century melting pot at a boil, Love Child is an unvarnished, fascinating, and
solid amalgam of little-known history, and a much-welcome contribution to Barbados History
supplemental reading lists and International Genealogical reference collections.
More About Story
Ruth Stotter
Speaking Out Press
P.O. Box 726, Stinson Beach, CA 94970
0943565227 $12.95 speakingout@att.net
More About Story: Writings On Stories And Storytelling 1995-2001 by Ruth Stotter (founder of
the
Dominican University Storytelling Program, San Rafael, California) is a superbly insightful guide
to
the art and craft of storytelling, especially oral storytelling. Ranging from general tips for telling
stories to giving kids a good bedtime story to advice for relating Native American folktales in
particular, More About Story is a fine, practical guide for aspiring storytellers everywhere who
want
to improve their abilities and presentations. Also highly recommended is the previous book in this
series, About Story: Writings On Stories And Storytelling 1980-1994 (094356509X,
$12.95).
The Sinking Of The Titanic
Captain L. Marmaduke Collins
Breakwater Books Ltd.
PO Box 2188, St. John's, NF A1C 6E6
1550811738 $18.95 www.breakwater.nf.net
The Sinking of the Titanic: An Ice-Pilot's Perspective presents the plausible arguments and cogent
observations of Captain L. Marmaduke Collins, an experienced ice pilot who disagrees with the
popularly held belief that the Titanic sank from a collision with an iceberg. Presenting Captain
Collins' own, fascinating theory of what caused the Titanic's doom, The Sinking Of The Titanic is
a
unique and engaging look at an historical strategy as drawn from the facts of the tragedy and the
testimony of the survivors. The Sinking Of The Titanic is very strongly recommended reading for
anyone with an interest in this historical event that continues to capture the attention of
contemporary generations decades later.
Stickball Stories
Harold Hofmann
Hofmann Press
770 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203
0970051921 $7.00 www.hofmannpress.com
Harold Hofmann's Stickball Stories is a straightforward introduction and explanation for origin of
a
common street sport which began in the darkest days of the Great Depression and which is still
enjoyed to this very day. From a detailed explanation of stickball materials and rules to the
entertainment the economical sport provided, especially during America's era of heavy
unemployment, Stickball Stories is a unique, informative, fascinating study and very highly
recommended reading for anyone who wants to learn more about this ubiquitous urban street
sports
pastime.
Treasure And Scavenger Hunts
Gordon Burgett
Communication Unlimited
PO Box 6405, Santa Maria, CA 93456
0970862172 $17.95 1-800-563-1454 www.sops.com
Now in an updated second edition, Gordon Burgett's Treasure And Scavenger Hunts: How To
Plan,
Create, And Give Them is a totally fun guidebook to the planning and hosting of entertaining
treasure/scavenger hunts for parties. From writing cryptic yet solvable clues, to hiding interesting
search items in interesting places, to keeping the guests comfortable and sufficiently fed while they
look, Treasure And Scavenger Hunts is a unique, enjoyable, "user friendly", very nicely presented,
step-by-step planner for anyone eager to host a different and thoroughly entertaining kind of
party.
Jodi: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told
Richard M. Brodsky
Trebloon Publications
P.O. Box 156, Lawrence, NY 11559
0971542309 $21.95 www.trebloon.com
Jodi: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told is the personal testimony of Richard M. Brodsky, a
bisexual married man, who was forced to reveal the truth about himself to his wife because he had
become infected with HIV. His wife is HIV-negative and unlikely to contract the virus as long as
both of them practice safe sex. Her choice to stay with him and help make their marriage work is
an
honest and engaging story of the celebration of married life. Jodi is a profound and inspiring
message
of hope that embraces the rights of HIV-sufferers everywhere, and the patience and love of one
dedicated, unique, and loyal woman.
Women At Risk
Noonie Fortin
iUniverse.com
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
0595214940 $24.95 iuniverse.com
Women At Risk: We Also Served by Vietnam Era military veteran Noonie Fortin is an
informative
and inspiring presentation of women who served and helped protect America from before World
War II down to the present day. Women in all branches of the military are remembered with
tributes,
as well as the women who volunteered as civilians. Including clerks, drivers, nurses, USO and
ARC
volunteers and others, more than sixty women tell their personal stories. A compendium of highly
inspirational and patriotic testimonies, Women At Risk is strongly recommended for Women's
Studies and Military History supplemental reading lists.
Discovering Your Sexual/Spiritual Power
Sue Mize
Writer's Showcase/iUniverse.com
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
0595209661 $17.95 iuniverse.com
Discovering Your Sexual/Spiritual Power: An Affair Of The Heart by Sue Mize is part novella,
part
self-help book. Written in a unique way to help the reader learn more about himself or herself, and
likening self-discovery to a boundless treasure hunt, Discovering Your Sexual/Spiritual Power:
An
Affair of the Heart is an engaging new presentation of wisdom in a unique format. An engaging,
entertaining, thoughtful and thought-provoking reading experience, Discovering Your
Sexual/Spiritual Power is highly recommended reading for anyone who enjoys a well crafted story
that illuminates and deals with such social ills as sexual harassment and counterproductive, gender
based traditional constraints to discovering sexual and spiritual fulfillment.
Shakespeare For The Modern Reader
Henry I. Christ
Writer's Showcase/iUniverse.com
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
0595193560 $19.95 www.iuniverse.com
Shakespeare for the Modern Reader: A User-Friendly Introduction by Shakespeare enthusiast and
expert Henry I. Christ is a solid guide for introducing non-specialist general readers to the
wondrous
complexity, subtlety, and majesty of Shakespeare's great tragedies and comedies. Excerpts from
the
plays are analyzed for literary device usage, plot, and character, and numerous summaries are
provided for readers who had only a dim idea of what the actors were saying when they saw the
play
performed. A "must-read" for the novice, Shakespeare For The Modern Reader is a superbly
written
and presented guide to the basics for anyone researching or attending Shakespeare's plays, or just
reading them for personal pleasure.
Crown Firecoach History
Ed Hass
Self Published
1220 Tasman Drive #133, Sunnyvale, CA 94089
0961116641 $60.00
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Garage/1084/affba/crown_order.html
Written by Ed Hass (a highly experienced specialist historian of firefighting apparatus who has
five
books and more than 100 published articles to his credit), Crown Firecoach History is a unique,
remarkable, informative study of a special line of fire engines first created in 1953.
Black-and-white
as well as gorgeous color photographs of these historical vehicles, enhance this in-depth history of
their service fill this amazing and memorable high-quality hardbound book from beginning to end.
Printed on glossy paper, Crown Firecoach History is a superb gift for fire engine enthusiasts and
automotive history buffs.
The Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Twin Reflections
Janice Rostvit and Faye Rostvit
LangMarc Publishing
Box 90488, Austin, TX 78709
1880292289 $16.95 1-800-864-1648
Twin Reflections is the inspirational story of Janice and Faye Rostvit, two twin sisters who have
devoted their lives and love to a world wide Christian singing ministry and the dedicated
performance of profoundly spiritual music. Their reflections on God's miracles are presented with
an
air of wonder, beauty, and reverent faith in moving testimonies. Profusely illustrated with 112
photographs, Twin Reflections is very highly recommended and rewarding reading for members
of
the Christian community -- especially for those with an appreciation and reverence for music in
celebration of God and the Gospel.
What?
Kenneth A. Mortonson
Fairway Press
2643 Radinz Road, Green Bay, WI 54311
0788020455 $9.50 1-920-406-0698 kenbetty2@milwpc.com
Written by devout Christian Kenneth Mortonson, What? A Biblical And Personal Study Of Life
After Death is compelling testimony and straightforward reasoning about life after death, through
the salvation of Jesus Christ. Mortonson addresses key theological questions including: What is
out
there?; What can we believe about God?; What do faith and the Bible tell us about life after
death?;
What can I tell my children when a loved one dies?; What do the hymns of the church tell us
about
life and life after death?; What do I believe?. What? A Biblical And Personal Study Of Life After
Death is recommended as a powerful composite essay of salvation through God's love, and seeing
death as a new birth into a grand world to come.
A L.I.F.E. Blueprint
Diana Cornelius
One Mind Publishing
PO Box 3925, Los Altos, CA 94024
0970212402 $14.95 www.onemind@dianacornelius.com
A L.I.F.E. Blueprint: Spirituality Designed For The Non-Religious by Diana Cornelius, is an
insightful guide especially for those disillusioned with both organized religion and the "new age
pyschobabble". L.I.F.E. is an abbreviation for Loving Force of Infinite Energy, i.e. God. A
L.I.F.E.
blueprint is a straightforward, meaningful demonstration how people can reach both without and
within, identify the positive within themselves and open their lives up to God, peppered with
personal anecdotes and techniques for mental spiritual for self-improvement. With its twenty tips
summarizing the best personal growth messages most commonly presented in spiritual "self-help"
literature, A L.I.F.E. Blueprint is especially recommended reading for all who do not yet have
their
personal spark of spirituality extinguished by the foibles, corruptions, deceits, and disillusionments
of
today's organized spiritual and ecclesiastical life.
Biblical Principles For Conventional Prophets
Michael Richter
Writer's Showcase/iUniverse
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
0595183131 $10.95 www. iuniverse.com
Biblical Principles For Conventional Prophets by freelance writer, database programmer, and
inner-city ministry leader Michael Richter is a straightforward guide to the life stories of the
Bible's
prophets which is written in simple, easy-to-understand language specifically designed for
non-specialist general readers of all theological and cultural backgrounds. Presenting a basic grasp
of
prophecy its implications for both church leaders and lay followers, Biblical Principles For
Conventional Prophets is highly recommended reading offering fascinating insights into classic
Biblical parables.
The Fantasy/Science Fiction
Shelf
Prelude To A Journey
William H. Venable
CyPress Publications
P.O. Box 2636, Tallahassee, FL 32316-2636
0967258510 $21.95 www.cypress-starpublications.com
William H. Venables superbly crafted novel, Prelude To A Journey, offers a vision of the Earth in
the near future, one in which the Earth faces great peril from global warming. The narrator and his
intelligent burro companion step in to observe human behavior and what changes will need to be
made if the planet is to endure. An ecologically thoughtful, engaging narrative, Prelude To A
Journey is quite possibly as prophetic as it is entertaining.
Path Of Glory
Bret M. Funk
Tyrannosaurus Press
PO Box 15061, New Orleans, LA 70175-5061
097188191X $19.95 www.TyrannosaurusPress.com
Book One of Bret M. Funk's "Boundary's Fall" series, Path Of Glory is a high fantasy about Jeran
(an orphan raised by his uncle on a farm near the Boundary) and Dahr (an outcast hiding from his
past), two men who find that they must brave a perilous and uncertain journey in order to warn
their
king of an impending darkness, as the boundary that has sealed the imprisoned Darklord gradually
weakens. The four major races of the world, once in alliance, are now squabbling, and new
enemies
seek to exacerbate the chaos to their own ends and benefits. Path Of Glory is an entertaining epic
and a deftly written saga of hope, determination, and courage.
Space Academy: Stargate Search
Mark Nicholas and Jane Christine
Writers Club Press/iUniverse.com
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
0595221742 $14.95 www.iuniverse.com
Collaborative written by Mark Nicholas and Jane Christine, Space Academy: Stargate Search is
the
second volume of the "Kirsten Chronicles" series. Cadet Kirsten and her feline-alien companion
work to help a researcher unlock the mystery of stargates and how to create them; yet it may be
that
someone in the Academy wants their project to fail at any cost! An engaging and memorable
science
fiction saga, Space Academy: Stargate Search is especially recommended for teen and young
adult
science fiction fans!
The Gods' Glass
Stephen F. Lawless
Writer's Showcase/iUniverse.com
5220 S. 16th, Ste. 200, Lincoln, NE 68512
0595198511 $14.95 www.iuniverse.com
The Gods' Glass by Stephen F. Lawless is the story of Jerry Canfield, of a hustler, amateur
archaeologist, and artifact smuggler, who discovers and ancient and secret relic with the power to
see precisely five minutes and fifty seconds into the future! Despite its limited range, the power of
prediction is incredible and can be exploited for riches, authority, and immense personal gain. But
at
what cost? The Gods' Glass is an original and down right fascinating "what-if?" style science
fiction
yarn. If you ever daydreamed about being able to predict the future -- for even a few minutes --
then
read Stephen Lawless' The Gods' Glass!
The Last Underclass
Dean Warren
Xlibris
436 Walnut Street, 11th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106
1401024165 $19.54 www.xlibris.com
Dean Warren's The Last Underclass is a visionary science fiction novel set in 2152, when galactic
settlement is one of few hopes for a severely overcrowded Earth, yet severe class stratification
and
genetic experiments that cannibalize the bodies of the lower classes threaten to eradicate any
claim
to "humanity" that mankind has. One ghetto class individual alone has the opportunity of changing
this brutal system of injustice for the better, in this riveting account of social stratification in the
not-so-distant future. The Last Underclass is enthusiastically recommended for hard core science
fiction fans.
The Hero
Jem Matzan
Xlibris Corporation
436 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
1401045715 $21.99 www.xlibris.com
Jem Matzan's The Hero is a unique and superbly written fantasy novel of a Hero who has no name
and almost no memory. This Hero without a name finds himself caught in the machinations of
dragons, queens, and hierarchical thieves - a spectrum of humanity who are inherently neither
"good" or "evil" but nonetheless problematic. Along the way the reader is treated to engaging
metaphors regarding the fallacies of religion, the foibles of superstition, the tendency to create
"truth" in the absence of fact, the proclivity of men and women to hide and deny themselves, and
the
paramount importance of being a fighter in troubled times and hostile circumstances. Daring,
courage, and slavering beasts fill the pages of The Hero, an adventurous and entertaining, as well
as
occasionally thoughtful and thought provoking fantasy saga.
Heaven And Hell
Winifred Halsey, editor
Speculation Press
8807 Ryan Court, Kingston, IL 60145
0967197988 $11.50 1-815-784-6337 www.speculationpress.com
Deftly edited by Winifred Halsey, Heaven And Hell: An Anthology Of Whimsical Stories
showcases
a series of highly recommended and whimsical tales of angels, demons, and ordinary people under
extraordinary conditions. The superbly written fantasies comprising this remarkable collection
include: The Fiber of Being (Jody Lynn Ney); Prom Night (Shalanna Collins); The Department of
Prayers and Petitions (Stuart Barrow); The Eternal Reward (Jacqueline Lichtenberg); A Plum
Assignment (Sharon L. Nelson); Ragnarok Can Wait (Susan Sizemore); Vacation (Jennifer
Dunne);
The Morality Clause (H. David Blalock); Demon Puss (Terri Beckett); Prize of a Lifetime
(Michael
J. McShay); and Perhaps (Michele Hauf). From a vampire who finds a fallen angel on Yom
Kippur,
to a young man having to rescue his lady love from a demon when she steps through a fairy ring,
the
stories comprising Heaven And Hell are as entertaining as they are original.
Prophecy Denied
M. L. Rigdon
Hats Off Books
610 East Delano Street, Suite 104, Tucson, Arizona 85705
1587361019 $21.95 1-888-934-0888
M. L. Rigdon's Prophecy Denied (Book One in the "Seasons of Time" trilogy) is the epic high
fantasy saga of a reluctant hero and the high priestess he is fated to marry. Together, they must
combine forces to uncover past secrets and save their nation. A high-spirited and thoroughly
entertaining tale of two people's journey and a nation's a quest to survive, Prophecy Denied is
especially recommended for fantasy fans and genre enthusiasts who will look forward to the next
to
volumes in this planned trilogy: Beyond The Dark Mountains and Quest For The Lance.
The Biography Shelf
Emanuel Swedenborg
Ernst Benz
Chrysalis Books/Swedenborg Foundation Publishers
320 North Church Street, West Chester, PA 19380
0877851956 $24.95 1-800-355-3222
Researched and written by Ernst Benz, and translated into English by Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke,
Emanuel Swedenborg: Visionary Savant In The Age Of Reason is a thoroughly documented
autobiography of the scientist Emanual Swedenborg, a great and influential mind of the 18th
century. Swedenborg underwent a profound spiritual transformation in 1744 and thereafter
devoted
himself to extensively documenting his visions of the world of the afterlife. A profound, amazing,
and detailed account of a revolutionary scientific and spiritual thinker, Emanual Swedenborg:
Visionary Savant In The Age Of Reason is critically important reading for all serious students of
Swedenborg's life, work, philosophy, and metaphysical teachings.
The Danes Of Send Manor
Robert Heal
Boston Mills Press
132 Main Street, Erin, Ontario, Canada N0B 1T0
1550463551 $29.95 www.bostonmillspress.com
Expertly written by Robert Heal, an experienced dog judge who specializes in Great Danes, The
Danes Of Send Manor: The Life, Loves And Mystery Of Gordon Stewart is the informative and
engaging biography of the great and famous entrepreneur George Stewart who made his
multimillion fortune developing airplanes and automobiles. The Danes Of Send Manor also
focuses
on the more than 500 Great Danes that Stewart kept about his manor. Recommended reading as
an
engaging and candid study of a consummate businessman who became an intimate friend with the
King of England as well as his important contributions to the world of Great Dane breeding, The
Danes Of Send Manor would make an excellent addition to any community library biography
collection and is a "must read" for Great Dane fanciers.
Wild Animals I Have Known
Kevin Bentley
Green Candy Press
601 Van Ness Avenue, E3-918, San Francisco, CA 94102
1931160082 $12.95 www.greencandypress.com
Kevin Bentley's remarkable memoir, Wild Animals I Have Known: Polk Street Diaries And After,
is
set in San Francisco during the late 1970s and is based on Bentley's personal diary. In 1997 he
was
21 years old, bookish, exuberantly promiscuous, laughably romantic, terrified new arrival. A
young
gay man arrived in the "gay mecca" that was San Francisco, a place where he would stay until his
fortieth year. Here detailed are the gay bars, baths, a quirky old financial district book store, a
funky
apartment building on Nob Hill, street fairs, and side trips to Monterey, Santa Fe, and even West
Texas. But it is the stories of love, sex, self-doubt, friendship, and unapologetic partying that
comprised the basic elements of the gay lifestyle that truly grab the reader's total attention. Wild
Animals I Have Known is an autobiographical "picture window back through time" offering a
dramatic, vividly portrayed, and legendary gay milieu.
Swimming Upstream
Shoshanah Simon
Peaches 'n' Pearls Publishing
3741 NE 163rd Street, Suite 185, North Miami, FL 33160
0971623201 $11.95 1-305-945-8417 PeachesPerals@aol.com
Swimming Upstream: A Resurrection is the autobiographical story of Shoshanah Simon, a young
woman born in South Florida. Shoshanah's tumultuous adolescence upbringing by a widower
father,
her troubled marriage, and a battle with illness that made her turn her life around are all intimately
and candidly presented. Ultimately a story of rebirth and hope, Swimming Upstream is a engaging
and touching memoir.
Nobody Told Me
Ken Geringer
Hipway Press
PO Box 764, Rock Hill, NY 12775
097071260X $24.95 1-845-434-0144
Nobody Told Me: From Basement Band To Jack And The John Lennon Sessions is the
true-to-life
memoir of Ken Geringer, partner and close friend of Jack Douglas. Geringer recounts his own
childhood, his introduction into the world of music, from playing drums in a band with Bob
Marley's
sister to working with Jack Douglas, John and Yoko, Aerosmith, The Who and much more. A
poignant, insider's look at the world of fame and a special tribute to John Lennon and Jack
Douglas,
Nobody Told Me is very highly recommended reading.
Operation Sunflower
Josef Morawietz
VaiVecchio Press
PO Box 301, Pacifica, CA 94044-0301
0971274711 $16.95 www.vv-press.com
Set before, during, and after World War II, Operation Sunflower is the amazing biography of Joe
Morawietz, a young German student who was drafted and forced to fight in the German offensive
at
Stalingrad. Joe became a prisoner of war in Gulag 47 where he met and fell in love with Tanya, a
radiantly beautiful nurse. The two of them escaped together, and managed to cross eight hundred
miles of Soviet territory in their quest for freedom and a happy life. They realized their dream
against all odds... for a short few years. Highly recommended reading, Operation Sunflower
faithfully relates an incredible journey of personal transformation, hope, tragedy, and the strength
to
go on against impossible odds.
Facets Of Ayn Rand
Mary Ann Sures and Charles Sures
The Ayn Rand Institute
4640 Admiralty Way, Suite 406, Marina del Rey, CA 90292-6617
0962533653 $19.95 www.aynrand.org
Facets Of Ayn Rand is an impressive and informative memoir that collects 48 hours of interviews
from two people who remember Ayn Rand as their friend and as a person who was totally
unafraid
to voice her convictions, no matter how unpopular or controversial they were at the time. Facets
Of
Ayn Rand offers moving testimony filled with personal touches, rendering a closer and more
intimate understanding of the life and thought of a truly great and influential woman. Facets Of
Ayn
Rand is "must" reading for her many admirers and students of her work.
East Side Dreams
Art Rodriguez
Dream House
2714 Ophelia Ct., San Jose, CA 95122
0967155509 $12.95 1-408-274-4574 www.EastSideDreams.com
East Side Dreams is the debut book and memoir Art Rodriguez, of a Latino American who
survived
growing up on the rough side, at odds with a dictatorial father, and once an inmate of the
California
Youth Authority -- a prison system for young lawbreakers. Reflections on both happy and
miserable
times of his childhood, growing up, learning maturity and finally making a comfortable life for
himself fill this heartfelt and revealing personal testimony. Highly recommended reading for young
adults, East Side Dreams has justly earned the distinctions of being named the "Best First Book of
the Latino Literary Hall of Fame", and has been honored as one of 200 Best Teenage Books in the
United States by the New York Public Library System.
Omar!
Omar Vizquel with Bob Dyer
Gray & Company
1588 E. 40th St., Cleveland, Ohio 44103
1886228558 $24.95 www.grayco.com
Omar! My Life On And Off The Field is the autobiography of Omar Vizquel, one of the best
defensive shortstops in baseball and a crucial member the Cleveland Indian team. Vizquel has
earned
nine consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Awards and holds the highest career fielding percentage of
anyone in his post. In this autobiography, written with the assistance of Bob Dyer, Vizquel relates
in
his own words the story of his life beginning with his childhood in Venezuela down to playing in
Game Seven of the World Series. Omar! offers a superb glimpse into the life of a master sports
player and is highly recommended reading for baseball fans everywhere.
The Travel Shelf
One Tank Trips With Bill Murphy
Bill Murphy
Seaside Publishing
PO Box 14441, St. Petersburg, FL 33733
0942084241 $9.95 famousflorida.com
Superbly illustrated with black/white photography and "user friendly" maps, One Tank Trips With
Bill Murphy showcases 52 Florida-based adventures that can, quite literally, be taken with one
tank
of gas in the car, van, truck, or motorhome. From the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City to
the
Mote Marine Aquarium in Sarasota, a wealth of relevant information and "how to" advice make
One
Tank Trips With Bill Murphy a strongly recommended planning aid for anyone seeking fun in the
Florida sun! Also very highly recommended is the new sequel, More One Tank Trips With Bill
Murphy (0942084276, $9.95) which follows the same superbly presented composition of the first
book and offers the vacationer with 52 additional fun-filled Florida excursions based on the "one
tank of gas to get there and back) that ranges from the San Sebastian Winery in St. Augustine to
the
Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum in Parrish. If you are planning an outing anywhere in
Florida,
begin by browsing through these two excellent travel idea guidebooks by Bill Murphy.
Personal Security & Terrorism Awareness
Roy Haynes and Frank Rosetti
Writers Club Press/iUniverse
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
0595215904 $17.95 www.iuniverse.com
Dedicated to the victims of the September 11 attacks, Personal Security & Terrorism Awareness:
A
Comprehensive Risk Reduction Guide For The American Traveler is an absolute must-read for all
travelers abroad, whether venturing to nations fraught with conflict or foreign destinations that
are
relatively safe. The basic, sound, practical, "user friendly" advice for protecting oneself against
theft,
kidnaping, assault, or arrest by the authorities is potentially life-saving. Tips include never leaving
personal information about oneself in a car or marked on luggage tags; always assuming that
communication is monitored; women should never wear jewelry yet should wear a wedding band
regardless of marital status (as marriage is sometimes given high respect in foreign cultures --
especially Islamic ones); and much more. Personal Security & Terrorism Awareness is addressed
in
particular to American Travelers, yet the practical advice for protecting one's life is useful to just
about everyone. If you are planning a trip abroad for either business or pleasure, begin
preparations
by giving Personal Security & Terrorism Awareness a complete and careful reading.
The Poetry Shelf
Love Poems
Richard W. Carlson Jr.
Writer's Club Press/iUniverse.com, Inc.
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
0595219276 $10.95 www.iuniverse.com
Illustrated with line sketches by Kevin Carlson, Love Poems: Feelings And Fantasies is a very
special and recommended collection of Richard Carlson's poetry that would be distinctively
appropriate reading for anyone of any age who has ever been in love -- or would like to be! Am I
In
Love?: Julie is a girl in the sixth grade I've known since I was five./When I think about her I can't
help feeling great and alive!/I'm in love with her! It's true!/When she smiles at me I know she likes
me too!/With her now I really wish I were!/It's fun to be in love and smile at her.
Inside My Head
Reginald S. Lewis
iUniverse.com, Inc.
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
059521920-9 $12.95 www.iuniverse.com
Inside My Head is comprised of 69 poems which are divided in four chapters. The poet is
Reginald
Sinclair Lewis, an African American who resides in prison -- on death row. He has been confined
on
a Pennsylvania penitentiary death row for almost twenty years. His poetry reflects a remarkable
mind
and speaks to a wide spectrum of issues and human conditions ranging from the tragic events of
September 11, 2001 to his crack-addicted sister's tortured life. Thanks, Brian: And So What if
they
caught him/Sneaking into a seedy motel/With a sexy blond--/His Black ex-wife got paid, didn't
she?/You have to understand/Beautiful women line up around/The corner to catch a
glimpse--/Just
look how tailored made sharp he is.//Hell, Yeah, he is aloof, rich, arrogant,/Brilliant and
black--/Now ain't that a bitch?//And if he plays a round of golf/Or two to relax, takes a little/Nip
of
brandy or scotch,/Smokes big fat expensive cigars,/Is said to be really loud and/Cusses like he's
ghetto/Off camera--/So what?//Every year the Brotha gives millions/Of dollars to his favorite
charities--/Just ask the United Negro College Fund.
A Field Guide To Blueberries
Jim Johnson
North Star Press of St. Cloud
PO Box 451, St. Cloud, MN 56302-0451
0878390723 $9.95 1-888-820-1636
Cloquet, Minnesota native Jim Johnson wonderfully captures little observations of life's
importance
and beauty in his poetry showcased in A Field Guide To Blueberries. His verse interweaves his
own
personal views of life, people, and the "protection of the North Country" in a way that will
resonate
with readers of all backgrounds and geographical locations. Here is a poetry that is as universal
and
it is pleasing to the mind and imagination. In The Blueberry Bucket: A man picks blueberries all
day.
In the bucket/small green and withered sifting down,/too old and squashed against the sides,/
twigs
leave spruce needles settled to the bottom/while the large ripe rise up to the top./So full of flesh,
so
ordinary--/a woman, at sunset/a blond woman leading a reindeer/across the horizon. You are that
woman. I am that man./And this I give to you/is, if not the history of the world/at the end of the
day,
but/a bucketful of blueberries.
Silence Of The Country
Kristjana Gunnars
Coteau Books
401 - 2206 Dewdney Avenue, Regina, SK, Canada, S4R 1H3
1550502026 $11.95 1-800-440-4471 www.coteaubooks.com
In Silence Of The Country, writer and a professor of writing (University of Alberta), Kristjana
Gunnars composes her poetry with a craft and precision of language that compels her readers to
enter into the sights, sounds, smells, colors, light, and landscape of her British Columbia home
country. Later That Night: Darkness comes seldom these days. High/winds find their way
between
branches, deep/rain covers the red cedars, and in all the view//to the end of no horizon, only fog
or
mist/fades into greys and purples. Night never/falls any more, too often beset by moon-//light
stronger than sun, the air outside/the window lit in a neon of space. I think of/moon-bathers in
their
pink saris, the surprise//every time I pull the white curtain slightly/aside, the one that trails along
the
bedroom/floor, and find no darkness, once again.
Ceremonies
Essex Memphill
Cleis Press
PO Box 14684, San Francisco, CA 94114
1573441015 $14.95 1-800-780-2279
Ceremonies is an impressive collection of memorable poetry and commentary by Essex Hemphill,
one of the few authors who dares to openly portray African American gay life. Raw, compelling,
gut-wrenching verse is the hallmark of this serious and powerful compilation. American Hero: I
have
nothing to lose tonight./All my men surround me, panting,/as I spin the ball above our heads/on
my
middle finger./It's a shimmering club light/and I'm dancing, slick in my sweat./Squinting, I aim at
the
hole/fifty feet away. I let the tension go./Shoot for the net. Choke it,/I never hear the ball/slap the
backboard. I slam it/through the net. The crowd goest wild/for our win. I scored/thirty-two points
this game/and they love me for it./Everyone hollering/is a friend tonight./But there are
towns,/certain
neighborhoods/where I'd be hard pressed/to hear them cheer/if I move on the block.
Translating Mo'um
Cathy Park Hong
Hanging Loose Press
231 Wyckoff Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217
1931236119 $13.00 hangingloosepress.com
Translating Mo'um is the debut poetry collection of Cathy Park Hong's edgy, insightful,
linguistically
and emotionally charged verse. Her's is a voice that is as distinctive as it is memorable. Helix: It
was
a spring when geneticists stole milk bottles/from the stoops of brownstones owned/by art docents
who waved their arthritic fists when they saw/those lab-coated Robin Hoods scamper off with
their
precious dairy./The bottles were used to house mutant fruit flies,/those beloved atoms of
behavior./It
was a spring of many mutations--/I was sent outside the classroom for lack of behavior,/sent back
in
for good behavior, and sent back out again./On the way in, I met half a Siamese twin who asked,
"And who?"/On the way out, I met the other half who replied, "are you?"/"lactose intolerant," I
said
and we all bonded ionically/like salt. Many-limbed children played in the park,/tulips were double
jointed. What was my fate?/A Harvard graduate investment banker whose parents/owned a
glassed-in liquor store in the Bronx/gave me a palm reading: "Will your own future the way/I
willed
mine," he said, "That will be $10."/We then haggled about the price, as if we/were in a swap meet
and he was selling me a cheap/brand name shirt that smelled of rayon and/faintly, just oh so
faintly,
of fish.
Shadows & Supposes
Gloria Vando
Arte Publico Press
The Americas Review , University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-2090
155885360X $11.95 www.arte.uh.edu
Gloria Vando's second collection of poetry, Shadows & Supposes explores themes of love, loss,
personal, global, and family history. Drawn from such diverse elements as the remnants of Europe
in
the wake of World War II, to her daughter's encounter with death at the Museum of Natural
History, these are verses that reflect a mature and articulate voice pondering ultimate questions,
finding purpose in tragedy, and underscoring the ultimate worth of love. Crossings: They bombed
the Mostar today,/an ancient bridge in Bosnia,/smoothed by centuries of pedestrians//crossing the
river. When I crossed it/years ago, I had to hang on/with both hands--one to the railing,//the other
to
my husband's extended grip--to keep from/slipping off its marble-slick incline,//so slick it reminds
me
now/of Saint Peter's bronze statue,/the toes eroded by millions//of caressing hands crossing/that
threshold of faith--a foot/I vowed I would not touch, but did--//and this war, all wars,
suddenly/ambushed by two abraded images:/one small bridge, one little foot (--for Pat
Breed).
The Violent Foam
Daisy Amora (George Evans, translator)
Curbstone Press
321 Jackson Street Willimantic, CT 06226-1738
1880684888 $15.95 www.curbstone.org
Author of three previous books of poetry in Spanish, editor of a popular anthology of Nicaraguan
women poets, author of a book about the concepts of cultural politics during the Sandinista
Revolution, and winner of the 1977 Nicaragua National Poetry Prize "Mariano Fiallos Gil", Daisy
Zamora is an ably, experienced, and distinctively talented writer whose poetry collected within the
pages of The Violent Foam have been ably translated for an English reading audience by her
husband and fellow poet, George Evans. Here is a welcome and deserved bi-lingual (Spanish on
the
right/English on the left) introduction to the work of a woman clearly deserving of as wide a
readership as possible. Lullaby For A Newborn Girl Who Died: How would your smile have
been?/What would you have learned to say first?/So much hope for nothing!/I had to milk my
beasts
that were waiting for you.//A hurried photograph/hints at your fresh profile,/the brief mouth./But
I
can't remember how you were,/how you would have been.//You were so alive moving
around/protected in my womb./Now I wake up shuddering/in the middle of the night/--a hollow
womb--/clinging to a vague first cry/I heard, anesthetized/in the operating room.
The Fiction Shelf
Rio Ganges
David Theis
Winedale Publishing Co.
P.O. Box 130220, Houston, TX 77219
0970152566 $20.00 winedalebooks.com
Rio Ganges is an original novel by David Theis about an abandoned son who must endure trial
and
depredation. He seeks a new life in Mexico, yet when his wife leaves him for a wealthy patron, he
must learn to confront and deal with his anger and guilt. His quest to regain his family is a stirring,
emotional, gripping, highly recommended odyssey.
Skagit
Robert Miskimon
Writers Club Press/iUniverse.com
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
0595220924 $15.95 iuniverse.com
Robert Miskimon's Skagit is a compelling novel about the people who reside on a small island in
the
Pacific Northwest. When a proposal to bridge their island to the mainland threatens the integrity
of
their refuge, the men and women of Skagit form their own community government on the island -
yet the exploitation and greed that some humans resist and all humans share is not so easy to keep
out. Skagit is recommended as a rewarding read examining the dual sides of human nature.
Gudhemma
Christine Paul
iUniverse
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
0595207006 $14.95 iuniverse.com
Set in 1971 in a small Minnesota town named Gudhemma or "God's Home", Gudhemma is a
simple,
thoughtful, and highly entertaining novel of a young woman's adolescence and adulthood.
Self-searching, the struggle for finding balance and uncovering the truth about a parishioner
suspected of ill deeds form the meat of this pleasant, solidly written narrative set in a central
Minnesota community. Gudhemma documents author Christine Paul as an undeniably talented
writer
and will leave the reader looking forward to her next title.
Postamble
James E. Townshend
Writer's Showcase/iUniverse
5220 South 16th Street, #200, Lincoln, NE 68512-1274
0595209300 $18.95 www. iuniverse.com
James E. Townshend's debut novel Postamble, is a deftly written story of the sudden end to
humanity and civilization. A survivor, bereft of wife, family, and friends pens the "postamble" to
the
human race. This moving saga of remembrance becomes into a window of possible hope when the
survivor learns he is not alone on the Earth after all. A profound, thoughtful, post-apocalyptic
narrative, Postamble clearly establishes James Townshend as a writer of considerable talent and
imagination.
The Tenth Muse
Lily G. Stephen
Blooming Rose Press
P.O. Box 1211, Mount Shasta, CA 96067-1211
0971265909 $14.95 www.bloomingrosepress.com
The first volume of Lily G. Stephen's "Third Verse Trilogy", The Tenth Muse is a compelling
and
emotional novel of the diverse childhoods of two girls, each of whom are living in a slightly
different
parallel world. Elements of myth and legend fuse with reality in this unique, intriguing, complex,
well crafted, highly recommended tale.
Gadji
Louise Domaratius
Quality Words in Print
P.O. Box 2704, Costa Mesa, CA 92628-2704
0971316007 $24.95 www.qwipbooks.com
Louise Domaratius' modern novel Gadji is the harrowing and vividly narrated story of a refugee
family of Muslim Gypsies from the Bosnian war, who seek political asylum in provincial France. A
young expatriate American woman, Ellen Aubert, befriends and seeks to help the family, yet when
they call her a "gadji" or non-gypsy, she understands that she is "other" to them. A story of
adaptation, contending with stereotypes, and forbidden love, Gadji is a compelling, reader
involving,
highly recommended saga of human hearts and minds.
The Time Regulation Institute
Ahmet Hamdi Tapinar
Turko-Tatar Press
473 S. Segoe Road, Madison, WI 53711-1253
1892381036 $29.95 1-888-243-8185
The Time Regulation Institute by Ahmet Hamdi Tapinar offers the reader a truly fascinating and
engaging narrative set in post-Ottoman Turkey. Ably translated into English by Ender Gurol, The
Time Regulation Institute deals with the juxtaposition of opposites: wealthy aristocrats and family
people working as hard as they can to scrape by, the old way of life against the influx of modern
Western culture, and parallels between the days of the yore and the young Republic. At times
absurd, yet always engaging, The Time Regulation Institute is a picturesque and recommended
read
that speaks of the heart and soul of a nation.
Burning Of The Marriage Hat
Margaret Benshoof-Holler
Wind Women Press
P.O. Box 191812, San Francisco, CA 94119
0971447322 $14.95 1-866-946-3966
Set in the Wyoming of the late 1990s, and laced with memories of an earlier era, Burning Of The
Marriage Hat: A Novel Of High Plains Women by Margaret Benshoof-Holler is the attention
engaging story of a young woman who travels to lay her grandmother's ghost to rest, and to
understand the genesis of her own ambivalence toward men. She learns of how women who
became
pregnant out of wedlock were once treated, and what it meant to come of age in Wyoming in the
1960s. A generational tale deftly written with penetrating insight, personality, and feeling, Burning
Of The Marriage Hat is very highly recommended reading and would make an exceptional
selection
choice for women's reading groups.
Flying By Night
Lorna Tedder
Spilled Candy Books
P.O. Box 5202, 32 Southwind Court, Niceville FL 32578
1892718448 $16.95 www.spilledcandy.com
Flying By Night by Wiccan priestess Lorna Tedder (who also holds a Ph.D. in metaphysics) is the
gripping mystery novel of Kestrel Firehawk, a polygamous witch who is framed for the murder of
her lovers. Kestrel escapes in search of justice, with a cold-blooded murderer on her trail as well
as a
detective who is almost as ruthless. Set among a backdrop of pagan faiths and belief in the power
of
the Goddess, Flying By Night is a suspenseful, alternative tale, and strongly recommended to fans
of
the genre as being a unique and very different kind of mystery.
Subversion Of Trust
William T. Close, M.D.
Meadowlark Springs Productions
P.O. Box 4460, Marbleton, Wyoming 83113
0970337124 $25.00 www.knockoutbooks.com
Written by William T. Close (an American doctor who once served as the personal physician to
the
President of Congo), Subversion Of Trust is an inhernetly interesting novel about a rural doctor
who
dares to challenge the corporate greed and steamrolled values of an aggressively for-profit HMO.
A
human drama of corporate machinery and the human lives it chews up and spits out, as well as
heroism, daring, and the will to take a stand, Subversion Of Trust is first-rate reading with very
real
and disturbing implications for the immediate health-care future of America.
Moonshadow
Roberta Rosenfield Wells
Xlibris Corporation
436 Walnut Street, 11th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106
0738860042 $20.99 www.xlibris.com
Author Roberta Rosenfield Wells is an award-winning Asbury Park Press reporter and Sunday
columnist. Moonshadow is her debut novel and clearly documents her ability to craft a story that,
given the subject matter, requires a particularly deft hand. Set in the 1970s, Moonshadow is the
riveting story of a 19 year old young man and a 28 year old single mother backgrounded by the
effects
of
a decent into alcoholism and infused with genuine portrayals of sex, sorrow, and edgy but very
real
life experiences. Moonshadow makes its mark in the reader's mind, one that will linger long after
the
final chapter is read and the book placed back upon the shelf.
Some Of Her Friends That Year
Maxine Chernoff
Coffee House Press
27 North Fourth Street, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401
1566891272 $16.95 www.coffeehousepress.org
An editor for the literary journal "New American Writing" and Chair of the Creative Writing
Department, San Francisco State University, Maxine Chernoff writes short stories with a polish
and
candor that most other aspiring writers can only hope for. Some Of Her Friends That Year is an
original anthology of fifteen unique stories by Chernoff about the quirks and dark sides to human
behavior. From "We Kill What We Love" and "Rent-A-Pet", to "You Suck" and "Jewish Urban
White Trash Story", Chernoff's tales are gut-twisting intense and do not shy away or beat around
the
bush in delivering devastating black humor, avant-garde wit, and an abyss of negative sympathy
for
the nasty demon within us all. An entrancing read; each these coiling tales is resists being put
down
until the very end.
Breederman
Murray Anderson
Gull Rock Publishing
470 SE 4th Ave #312, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
0971094004 $18.95 1-866-309-8588
Murray Anderson's Breederman is a novel that encapsulates the heart and soul of the family dairy
farm in a way that no mere Department of Agriculture statistical report on the diminishing
numbers
of family farms every could. Readers are dramatically shown why a few struggle to maintain this
way
of life even as economic realities force more and more family farms into making harsh choices to
abandon the family farm and seek their economic survival elsewhere. Poignant, anecdotal, and
soulful, Breederman is a highly enjoyable and recommended look into a way of life that is fast
disappearing in the wake of agribusiness.
Except For These Chains
Kurt Schuller
Arthur K. Wolfendales Inc.
N63 W23929 Main Street, Sussex, WI 53089
1931413703 $14.95 www.exceptforthesechains.com
Kurt Schuler's Except For These Chains: The Trials & Triumphs Of Paul Of Tarsus is a deftly
presented novel of historical fiction based on the life and struggles of the zealous Christian Paul.
Thoughtfully written, drawn from accounts in the New Testament Book of Acts, and presented in
with vivacious detail and lively characterization, Except For These Chains is an amazing and
recommended recreation of when Christianity was a struggling new religion, dependent upon
people
like Paul to be taught beyond the borders of its city of origin.
Where The Wild Rose Blooms
Carlie G. Butts
Infinity Publishing.com
519 West Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA 19041-1413
0741409399 $20.95 1-877-289-2665
Where The Wild Rose Blooms by Carlie G. Butts is a riveting and deftly written novel which is
set
in the Old South during the American Civil War. Inspired by stories of how slaves were treated in
that era socially approved human bondage, and how things were to change (and in some aspects,
remain very much the same) after the war suddenly emancipated the slaves with a legal, yet flawed
freedom, Where The Wild Rose Blooms is a compelling and vivid narrative of human characters,
racial oppression and the planting of the seeds for a more just and equal future.
Scent Of Diamonds
daSkarles
Wings ePress
P.O. Box 726, Lusk, WY 82225
1590889797 $15.95 www.wings-press.com
Scent Of Diamonds is a nicely crafted novel of murder, intrigue, and a cunning secret that people
will kill to possess. Tyla is the secret's custodian, but she doesn't know who, if anyone, she can
possibly trust in this suspenseful, riveting story. Scent Of Diamonds is deSkarles' debut novel and
shows a great deal of promise for the author's future in the mystery/suspense genre.
A Fine And Private War
Stuart M. Van Tine
Force Books
PO Box 9, Accord, MA 02018-0009
0971739404 $24.95 www.forcebooks.com
Stuart M. Van Tine's A Fine And Private War is a deftly written technothriller novel. Jinnah is a
dedicated terrorist who extorts wealthy westerners for enough money to purchase a
state-of-the-art
ship and nuclear weapons. It's up to George Holbrook, an ex-CIA operative and a military test
pilot
to oppose Jinnah and turn the terrorist's high-technology ship into a kind of Trojan horse. A Fine
And Private War is a tense, exciting, highly recommended story for the action/adventure
enthusiast.
Rikers
Paul Volponi
Black Heron Press
PO Box 95676, Seattle, Washington 98145
0930773640 $22.95 www.blackheronpress.com
Paul Volponi's debut novel Rikers, centers on Martin Stokes, a seventeen-year-old young man
sent
to the Rikers prison system. There, Stokes must finish his schooling behind bars as he struggles to
survive both physically and emotionally. Rikers is strongly recommended as a serious and
engaging
narrative about a crucial social issue, expertly written with a firm grip on the realities of prison life
and the endurance human spirit.
The Bark Of The Dogwood
Jackson Tippett McCrae
The Enolam Group
P.O. Box 2008, Norwalk, CT 06852
0971553602 $28.00 www.enolam.com
Jackson Tippett McCrae's The Bark Of The Dogwood: A Tour Of Southern Homes And Gardens
is
a thoroughly engaging novel about Strekfus Beltzenschmidt, a Southern man living in New York
City, and carrying a hazy past filled with fractured memories. Strekfus' quest to find the
intellectual
and emotional truth about himself and his personal history is a highly recommended and
compelling
tale of the recesses of the human psyche and cultural roots.
Freedom's Menace
W. Laurence Willis
Hot Lava Publishing
233 Loggers Trail, Saint Louis, MO 63026
0971676569 $24.95 www.TrevorBriceNovels.com
W. Laurence Willis' debut novel, Freedom's Menace is an action-packed adventure that pits heroic
agent Trevor Brice against evil mastermind An Lolo. This Asian mastermind has secured the title
of
Chinese premier and wages a war of terror against the United States. The secret of Lolo's power
lies
hidden in the volcanic fires of Hawaii; Trevor Brice must brave the wrath of Pele the Fire
Goddess
and many more mundane dangers to uncover the truth and save America. Freedom's Menace is a
fast-paced, vivacious read that can confidently be recommended for personal reading lists and
community library collections.
Protokol
Eugene Golub and Quinton Skinner
Alliance Press
c/o Jane Wesman Public Relations, Inc.
928 Broadway, New York, NY 10010
0971925909 $24.95 1-212-598-4440 1-212-598-4590 (fax)
Eugene Golub debut novel Protokol, (written with the assistance of Quinton Skinner), an
action/suspense story of the "Cold War" and set in Rome, Warsaw, and Moscow. David Olen is a
global architect and developer who is up to his neck in international intrigue. Knowing that
everything in life is about the art of the detail, he must take the secret only he knows and run in
this
thrilling, tense, provocative and exciting thriller of behind-the-scenes drama threatening to erupt
into
destruction, collapsing and government and scandalizing the Vatican. Protokol is recommended
reading for those who enjoy ripping good stories of international intrigue.
Blood Of The Roses
Alex Gabbard
GPPress
PO Box 22261, Knoxville, TN 37933-0261
0962260878 $22.95 1-865-988-5778 (fax)
Set in Germany before and during World War II, Blood of the Roses by Alex Gabbard is an epic
tragedy, and one based on the true story of the children of Forchtenberg and their adolescence
growing up within Nazi Germany. Some of the children are eventually drafted into Hitler's
voracious
war; while others dare to protest it and pay a brutal price for their adjudged high treason against
the
Nazi state. A powerful, gripping, and heavily researched account of historical fiction, Blood Of
The
Roses is compelling and very highly recommended reading from cover to cover. Also highly
recommended is Alex Gabbard's Thunder Road (0962260835, $11.95), the story of moonshining
as
a way of life in the southern Appalachians.
Alligator Blues
Beckon
Spirit Roots Publishing
Cate Cummings Publicity & Promotions Group (publicity)
1033 B. Bush Street, Santa Rosa, CA
0963218557 $14.95 www.spiritroots.org
Alligator Blues is by spiritual visionary and dedicated educator Beckon, an original and engaging
novel about two troubled young Americans struggling through life. Chance brings them to a wise
and ancient alligator in the Florida Everglades, who gives them much-needed advice for taking
control of their own lives. A mystical story with a practical eye on reality and the value of
self-reliance, Alligator Blues is an insightful and fascinating read from cover to cover.
Quia Imperfection
Bernard M. Patten, M.D., F.A.C.P.
Neighborhood Press
459 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073
189310866X $20.00 www.neighborhoodpress.com
Bernard M. Patten's Quia Imperfection: George Cotzias' Quest For A Cure is a fictionalized
biography of Dr. George C. Cotzias, and recounts the years in which the good doctor, while
searching for a cure for Parkinson's disease, discovers L-DOPA, and sees his work used by the
Nixon administration to improve Sino-American relations by supplying Chairman Mao the
medicine
he needed for his own Parkinson's Disease. Although some characters in Quia Imperfection have
been changed for the sake of drama, the result is a fascinating presentation based heavily on a true
story about power, international dealing, and one man's personal quest to create a better future for
those who suffer from a debilitating disease. Unique and highly recommended reading -- the stuff
of
which movies are made!
The Business Shelf
The Profitmover's Guide To Business Success
James B. Larsen
Sheryn Hara Publishing Group
P.O. Box 507, Lynwood, WA 98046
188369728X $24.95 www.harapublishing.com
Written by professional business consultant James B. Larsen (a man who makes his living teaching
CEOs how to turn poor revenues around), The Profitmover's Guide To Business Success is a very
solid, practical, accessible book of diagnostic self-quizzes, insights, tips, tricks, and techniques of
streamlining one's business, watching for hidden costs, and getting the most return for one's
investments. Many sample worksheets for ordering one's thoughts and information are provided in
this dynamic, useful, highly recommended reference written specifically for entrepreneurs and
business executives of all experience levels.
Marketing Insights To Help Your Business Grow
Peter Francese
Paramount Market Publishing
301 S. Geneva Street, Suite 109, Ithaca, NY 14850
0967143985 $27.50 www.paramountbooks.com
Accessibly written by nationally syndicated marketing advisor Peter Francese, Marketing Insights
To
Help Your Business Grow is an instructional book filled from cover to cover with profitable
insights
that any small business, regardless of their product or service, can use to give itself an edge over
their competition. From paying attention to the U.S. Census, to building strong relationships with
customers, Marketing Insights To Help Your Business Grow is packed with useful tips, tricks and
techniques. Marketing Insights To Help Your Business Grow is especially recommended for the
novice entrepreneur, but also has a great deal of value to offer even the more experienced
business
owner.
Facilitation Skills
Gregory Bryan Putz
Deep Space Technology Company
P.O. Box 802, Bountiful, UT 84011-0802
0966445600 $34.95 www.dstcx.com http://www.deepspacetechnology.com
Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Facilitation Skills: Helping Groups Make
Decisions by training and development manager and facilitator Gregory B. Putz is a step-by-step
guidebook for organizing and promoting cooperation. Facilitation Skills concentrates specifically
on
the role of the facilitator, whose duty it is to remain neutral and help the team arrive upon a
decision,
as opposed to the role of team leader. Each individual page offers different tips, tricks and
techniques in easy-to-read format that lends itself to browsing or just opening to a page and
random.
Simple black-and-white sketches illustrate this superbly presented, highly recommended, "user
friendly" guide for anyone assuming responsibility for team facilitation.
The Insider's Guide Instant Win Tickets
Don D. Basina
1st Books Library
2511 West 3rd Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
0759660093 $14.95 1-800-839-8640
Drawing from more than ten years of professional involvement in the pulltab instant win ticket
industry, Don D. Basina's The Insider's Guide Instant Win Tickets (Pulltabs): How To Win, How
To
Sell, How To Profit is a unique, thorough, expert, instructional reference about how to sell and
profit from instant win tickets, and also how to better understand the odds of playing instant win
games. Simple diagrams, basic advice and direct training form a wealth of information about the
ticket industry. The Insider's Guide Instant Win Tickets is highly recommended reading for those
on
both sides of pulltab ticket gaming.
The Business Of Chiropractic
Ivan Delman, D.C.
Business of Chiropractic Publications
1227 Cedar Hill Road, Dandridge, TN 37725
096698921X $37.50 businessofchiropractic.com
Now in an expanded and updated second edition, The Business Of Chiropractic by twenty year
chiropractic veteran practitioner Ivan Delman is a solid reference and guide for running a
successful
chiropractic practice. Individual chapters address the handling paperwork, monitoring cash flow,
marketing, advertising, management styles and much more. Written specifically for chiropractors
seeking to establishing and maintaining the business side of their professional activities on a sound
fiscal and managerial basis, The Business Of Chiropractic is highly recommended as a prime
resource.
The Self-Help Shelf
Take Control Of Your Life
Robert O. Owolabi, M. Eng.
Bob and Bob Publishing
PO Box 10246, Gaithersburg, MD 20898-0246
0966645014 $9.95 www.bobandbob.com
Robert O. Owolabi's Take Control Of Your Life: A Guide To Achieving Self-Mastery And
Happiness is a simple, direct, and effective self-help title about finding happiness through focusing
upon meeting the needs of oneself, the needs of others, and knowing the joy of doing the best one
can. Thirteen useful points to improving one's life, from paying more attention to family, to
avoiding
anger to learning, to be flexible in one's goals and daily routine, flesh out a simple yet useful
self-improvement guide that offers rational, easy-to-implement ways to improve daily life.
What Do You Really Want?: A Guide For Teens
Beverly K. Bachel
Free Spirit Publishing
217 Fifth Avenue North, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1299
1575420856 $12.95 www.freespirit.com
In What Do You Really Want?: A Guide For Teens, motivational and communication expert
Beverly Bachel, shows adolescent and young adult readers how to set a goal for themselves and
effectively pursue whatever they have targeted! A down-to-earth, "user friendly" self-help guide
which is written in simple, direct language, What Do You Really Want? is as practical and
effective,
as it is informative and inspiring. Enhanced with self-tests, resources, and exercises, What Do
You
Really Want? is a superbly presented and highly recommended introduction to focusing one's life
and
contains numerous lessons for that could profit readers of all ages!
How To Live Your Dreams Through The Power of Constructive Love
Susan Ann Darley
Wisteria Productions
Box 1024, Sierra Madre, CA 91025-4024
0971467307 $9.95 www.powerfullove.net
Susan Ann Darley's How To Live Your Dreams Through The Power Of Constructive Love is an
effective self-help book about learning to harness the power of one's thoughts, will, ambition, and
compassion for love, success, and spiritual growth. From paying heed to the wisdom of one's
intuition to taking command of one's destination and achieving life-long dreams, How To Live
Your
Dreams Through The Power Of Constructive Love is a profound, inspiring, guided journey,
accessibly written in no-nonsense, easy-to-understand language focused on the need, attitude, and
means to truly enjoy and make the most of our lives.
Why Are You Still Working Your A** Off?
Marsha Lindquist
Prism Publishing
PO Box 86452, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20886-6452
0971645817 $15.95 www.beyondyourcubicle.com
Why Are You Still Working Your A** Off? is a guide written by business strategist and
negotiator
Marsha Lindquist especially for those who feel guilty about taking time off from the never-ending
drudgery of work. The occasional cartoon-style anthropomorphic donkey sketches adds a touch
of
humor to what is otherwise a very practical self-help book. From learning how to balance interests
both inside and outside the office, to keeping a positive attitude, to staving off burnout, Why Are
You Still Working Your A** Off? is especially recommended for the terminally overworked and
chronically stressed.
Richer Than King Tut: The Mental Game Of Wealth & Prosperity
Lela Hayes
World Prosperity Publishing
PO Box 17428, Boulder, CO 80308
0970583605 $24.95 www.worldprosperitypublishing.com
Richer Than King Tut: The Mental Game Of Wealth & Prosperity by financial planner Lela Hayes
is
a deeply insightful book about what it truly means to be wealthy and prosperous. Hayes deftly
explains that the importance of true prosperity is not merely the accumulation of financial security,
but also self-respect and acceptance to allow oneself to relax and enjoy the wealth that one has
earned. A very profound book that voices a simple truth in direct language for the non-specialist
general reader, Richer Than King Tut is very highly recommended reading for anyone wanting not
only to earn a good living, but to be able to enjoy a good life based on the results of their hard
work
and financial planning.
Thank You, Tony Robbins
Manny Ibay, Esq.
Destini Books
233 Wilshire Boulevard, 4th floor, Santa Monica, CA 90401
0971770077 $14.00 1-310-990-0217 destinibooks@yahoo.com
Anthony "Tony" Robbins is a self-help, self-improvement expert and television infomercial
personality who has sold more than 35 million tapes and CD's including the "Personal Power"
program showing people how to reach their personal and career peak performance abilities.
Manny
Ibay is a Los Angeles trial lawyer who has utilized Tony Robbins innovative ideas and career
improvement principles for ten years. Thank You, Tony Robbins is Manny Ibay's personal memoir
of
how he applied Robbins' principles, step by step, to remake his life, and includes journal chronicles
draw from his personal development program. Thank You, Tony Robbins is specifically addressed
to, and recommended reading for, Tony Robbins' fans and skeptics, addressing the key question
of
whether or not the Tony Robbins tapes really work, and how can they work for the reader.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
The Asthma Breakthrough
Henry Osiecki, B.Sc. (Hons.) Grad. Dip. Nutrition & Dietetics
Vital Health Publishing
PO Box 544, Bloomingdale, IL 60108
1890612227 $13.95 1-630-876-0426 www.vitalhealth.net
Written specifically for the non-specialist general reader by clinical practitioner and Australian
health
pioneer Henry Osiecki, The Asthma Breakthrough: Breathe Freely - Naturally! is a
straightforward,
accessible guide to effective, do-it-yourself treatments for asthma, focusing especially the value of
proper nutrition in coping with this condition. Traditional and alternative remedies, as well as
complications often associated with asthma, are discussed in this eye-opening look at an
unfortunately common affliction. If you suffer from Asthma or have a loved one who does, then
give
a careful reading to Henry Osiecki's The Asthma Breakthrough!
Healers, Helpers and Guides: A New Dawn
Bertie Ryan Synowiec, M.S.
Positive Support Seminars and Publications
28641 Elbamar Drive, Grosse Ile, Michigan 48138-2013
1885335180 $17.95 1-800-676-3806
In Healers, Helpers And Guides: A New Dawn, educator and chiropractic patient Bertie Ryan
Synowiec address issues that range from the metaphysical considerations of the human spirit to
explanations of chiropractic care, to the "wellness care connection", to the terrorist attack of 911
and its implications for personal mental, spiritual, and physical well being. Enhanced with a
"Suggested Reading List" for further studies in the issues and observations raised, Healers,
Helpers
And Guides is a highly recommended addition to personal self-help, self-improved reading lists
and
is also commended to the attention of anyone wanting a patient's perspective on the use and value
of
chiropractic medicine.
It Takes More Than Love
Anita G. Beckerman and Ruth M. Tappen
Health Professions Press
PO Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
1878812505 $19.50 www.healthpropress.com
Collaboratively written by gerontology expert Anita G. Beckerman (College of Nursing, Florida
Atlantic University) and Ruth M. Tappen (Christine E. Lynn Eminent Scholar Chair and Professor
in
the College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University) It Takes More Than Love: A Practical Guide
To
Taking Care Of An Aging Adult is a straightforward, "user friendly", caretaker's guide for anyone
charged with the responsibility of looking after an elderly loved one. From learning how to
balance
one's time and needs, to assessing physical and mental well-being in one's charge, to
communicating
effectively with doctors and health professionals, It Takes More Than Love offers a wealth of
solid,
practical, accessible information and is a "must-read" instructional and advisory for anyone new to
the task of looking after older family members or associates.
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
Copyright ©2001
Site design by Williams Writing, Editing &
Design