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Table of Contents
Reviewer's Choice
Vietnam Rough Riders
Frank McAdams
University Press of Kansas
2501 West 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66049
9780700618989 $34.95 www.kansaspress.ku.edu
Vietnam Rough Riders: A Convoy Commander's Memoir is by Vietnam War veteran Frank
McAdams, whose personal experience included the harrowing and dangerous job of protecting
truck convoys of precious supplies, despite the ever-present risk of ambush. McAdams recounts
battles with lethal enemies, an all-too-incompetent commanding officer, and a sludgelike
bureaucracy. Of especial note are his candid recollections of a three-day firefight that pinned him
and his men near the Song Cau Do River at Hoa Vang, as well as his life-or-death struggles at
Thuong Duc. Gripping from cover to cover, Vietnam Rough Riders is enthusiastically
recommended especially for military memoir collections.
The Crafts Shelf
Jewelry Projects from a Beading Insider
Cathy Jakicic
Kalmbach Publishing Company
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53186
9780871167026 $19.95 www.kalmbachbooks.com
"Bead Style" magazine editor Cathy Jakicic presents Jewelry Projects from a Beading Insider, a
plethora of affordable, expressive crafting projects. Packed with tips, skill-building workshops,
projects that apply a diversity of materials including gemstones/metals/crystals, and more,
Jewelry Projects from a Beading Insider is a solid, hands-on guide by a beading enthusiast, for
beading enthusiasts. The unique necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and more make wonderful
handcrafted gifts!
Backcountry Makers
Betsy K. White
The University of Tennessee Press
293 Communications Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-0325
1572338768 $39.95 www.utpress.org
230 gorgeous color photographs illustrate Backcountry Makers: An Artisan History of Southwest
Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, a sweeping compilation of seventy-five notable craftspeople
of the region, from the pioneer days of the eighteenth century to the late twentieth century.
Potters, weavers, spinners, quilters, embroiderers, cabinetmakers, metalsmiths, clock-makers,
gunsmiths, and artists are profiled, along with their most notable creations. Drawing upon census
data and other historical documents, Backcountry Makers provides a wealth of eye-opening
context to the life stories and prominent contributions of each profiled individual. Notes, a
bibliography, and an index round out this beautiful, exceptional, and quintessentially American
artbook!
The Gardening Shelf
Heavenly Hydrangeas
Joan Harrison
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road
Atglen, PA 19310
9780764344190 $29.99 www.schifferbooks.com
Illustrated with over 250 strikingly beautiful color photographs, Heavenly Hydrangeas: A
Practical Guide for the Home Gardener lives up to its title as a comprehensive, easy-to-use
reference and resource for gardeners of all skill and experience levels. Chapters discuss how to
select hydrangeas by species, climate, size, sun/shade requirements, or traits; how to plant and
care for hydrangeas; how to grow hydrangeas in containers; how and when to prune hydrangeas,
how to preserve hydrangeas and create eye-catching dried flower displays; and much more. "You
can work to change hydrangea flower color from blue to pink or from pink to blue, but there's
nothing you can do to change a white hydrangea flower to either of these colors. White
hydrangeas are not subject to the same pH influences." Heavenly Hydrangeas makes an excellent
giftbook, whether for aspiring gardeners or browsers who enjoy simply paging through the
descriptive text and lavish images. Highly recommended!
The Travel Shelf
Florida Theme Parks: A Guide
Alex Miller, author
Caroline Miller, illustrations & photography
Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road
Atglen, PA 19310
9780764343339 $19.99 www.schifferbooks.com
Illustrated with some 280 full-color photographs, Florida Theme Parks: A Guide is a whirlwind
tour of twenty unique Florida attractions, and the features that make them famous worldwide.
Florida Theme Parks: A Guide is primarily a vivid showcase to delight armchair travelers and
vacation planners, not a traditional travel guide; it doesn't have any maps, lodging information,
parking information, etc. The theme parks profiled include Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Fun Spot
America, King Richard's Family Fun Park, LEGOLAND Florida, Miracle Strip at Pier Park, Old
Town, Sam's Fun City, Silver Springs, Zoomers Amusement Park, SeaWorld Orlando, Universal
Studios Florida, Walt Disney World Resort, Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and more. Florida
Theme Parks is pure joy to page through, and makes an excellent family vacation souvenir!
Historic Walks In Sherwood Forest
Brian Conduit
Palatine Books
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166
www.internationalpubmarket.com
9781874181835, $14.95, www.amazon.com
Compiled by Brian Conduit, "Historic Walks in Sherwood Forest: In the Footsteps of Robin
Hood" is an inherently fascinating, superbly illustrated, 160 page collection of do-it-yourself
guided tours through the legendary Sherwood Forest. Enhanced with informed and informative
commentaries on the histories and sights to be encountered, " Historic Walks in Sherwood
Forest: In the Footsteps of Robin Hood" is a highly recommended travel guide for anyone
vacationing in England and wanting to get off the usual big city 'beaten paths' for tourists and
enjoy a truly up close and treasured personal experience. Simply stated, " Historic Walks in
Sherwood Forest: In the Footsteps of Robin Hood" is a guaranteed memory maker!
Eat Smart in Germany
Mary Bergin
Ginkgo Press
PO Box 5346
Madison, WI 53705
9780977680146 $14.95 www.eatsmartguides.com
Travel columnist and gourmet Mary Bergin presents Eat Smart in Germany, a culinary guide
especially for tourists seeking to enjoy German cuisine to the fullest. Chapters cover a brief
history of German cuisine, a survey of regional variations in German food, tips for savvy
shoppers in Germany's food markets, helpful phrases for use in German markets or restaurants,
and much more. "Ease of access to exotic ingredients means meals in Germany, especially in its
most metropolitan areas, often have an international flair. Germany offers a melting pot of ethnic
cuisines, like any other industrialized nation, and this sometimes makes it difficult to find
traditional German food. Menus are more likely a fusion of cultures." Worthy of its place in the
award-winning "Eat Smart" culinary travel guide season, Eat Smart in Germany is
enthusiastically recommended especially for international tourists with a cultured palette!
Lonely Planet France's Best Trips
Oliver Berry, et al.
Lonely Planet Publications
150 Linden Street, Oakland CA 94607
www.lonelyplanet.com
9781742209852, $24.99, www.amazon.com
France continues to be one of the most popular European destinations for Americans going
abroad for vacation and recreation. The collaborative work of Oliver Berry, Stuart Butler, Donna
Wheeler, and Jean-Bernard Carillet, "Lonely Planet France's Best Trips" is a compact, superbly
illustrated, information packed, colorfully illustrated, 448 page compendium that showcases 39
memorable road trips throughout the various regions comprising France. A wealth of maps and
travel tips on what and where to dine, lodge, and sightsee, make "Lonely Planet France's Best
Trips" an indispensable and thoroughly 'user friendly' resource for planning a trip to France be it
for a weekend, a season, or anytime year round. If you are planning a visit to France, then you
need a copy of "Lonely Planet France's Best Trips"!
The Sports Shelf
Errors and Fouls
Peter Handrinos
Potomac Books, Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166-2012
9781612345604 $24.95 www.potomacbooksinc.com
Errors and Fouls: Inside Baseball's Ninety-Nine Most Popular Myths is a critical analysis and
deconstruction of ninety-nine popular and widespread beliefs about baseball in America.
Although author Peter Handrinos draws heavily upon statistics and research to lay out his
well-reasoned arguments, it's notable that a few of the "myths" he attacks are actually statements
of opinion, not fact - such as "Ballparks Are Economic Investments" (in which he champions
baseball parks not for the monetary revenue they bring, but rather for the positive social
experience they promote in today's modern era of isolation), and "Steroids ~ Evil" (in which he
questions whether the extreme vilification of steroid usage is entirely justified). Baseball history,
tactics, the real meaning of Billy Beane's "Moneyball" player evaluation system, and more are all
brought under the metaphorical microscope. Regardless of whether the reader agrees completely
with each entry, Errors and Fouls is an amazing, shrewdly written, and persuasive from cover to
cover!
The 50 Greatest Players in New York Yankees History
Robert W. Cohen
Taylor Trade Publishing
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200
Lanham, MD 20706
9781589798151 $19.95 www.rowman.com
The 50 Greatest Players in New York Yankees History lives up to its title with profiles of the
most notable Yankees players, selected via assessment of how each contributed to the team's
legacy and earnings, as well as the level personal stardom attained while playing. Brief
biographies, statistics, recaps, famous quotes and more pepper this grand stroll down memory
lane. An inset handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this "must-read" for loyal
Yankees fans!
The Computer Shelf
Murach's C# 2012
Joel Murach & Anne Boehm
Mike Murach & Associates
4340 North Knoll Avenue
Fresno, CA 93722
9781890774721 $54.50 www.murach.com
Part of the Murach series of computer programming language guides widely renowned for their
overall excellence, Murach's C# 2012 is the definitive training, reference, and self-instruction
manual for C# programmers of all skill and experience levels. Over 800 pages and an index fill
this object-oriented book with guides to data handling, introductions to Windows 8 apps,
complete sample applications that have been thoroughly tested and debugged, and a
straightforward structure that programmers can use to advance their command of C# at their own
pace, Murach's C# 2012 is an absolute "must-have" for professional and amateur C# coders alike.
Highly recommended, especially for college library computer science collections!
The Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf
Monty Python's Flying Circus Volume 1: Episodes 1-26
Darl Larsen
Taylor Trade Publishing
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200
Lanham, MD 20706
9781589797123 $24.95 www.rowman.com
Darl Larsen (Professor of Media Arts, Brigham Young University) presents Monty Python's
Flying Circus Volume 1: Episodes 1-26, an unauthorized but exactingly thorough and in-depth
guide to the famous British comedy series "Monty Python's Flying Circus". The wildly successful
show, which developed a devoted cult following outside of the United Kingdom, lasted for 45
episodes. This gigantic first volume covers the first 26 episodes; the forthcoming second volume
is slated to cover episodes 27-45. Featuring a unique format in which the section for each episode
has all its entries catalogued alphabetically, Monty Python's Flying Circus discusses everything
from literary and metaphoric allusions and symbolisms, to the names of people and places, social
and cultural in-jokes, historical elements, and much more. A bibliography and exhaustive index
round out this definitive reference for fans and pop culture students of the show!
The Biography Shelf
The Life and Death of Thelma Todd
William Donati
McFarland & Company
PO Box 611
Jefferson NC 28640
9780786465187 $40.00 www.mcfarlandpub.com
The Life and Death of Thelma Todd is the biography of a legendary 1930's film actress who
starred in approximately 120 movies, playing opposite such greats Buster Keaton, Laurel and
Hardy, and the Marx Brothers. Her glamour, performance skills, and contributions to
Hollywood's legacy earned her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Yet her life came to a
shocking and abrupt end when she was only 29. She was found in her luxury car, dead from
carbon monoxide poisoning - was it murder, suicide, or an accident? Author William Donati
draws upon a wealth of research as well as interviews with Todd's friends, coworkers, and
cousins Bill and Edna Todd. The story of Hollywood's first major sex scandal (a 1913 incident
involving Jewel Carman, future spouse of director Rolan West, the man whom Thelma Todd fell
in love with) rounds out this accessible biography and memorable slice of Hollywood
History.
The Audiobook Shelf
Sea Glass Island
Sherryl Woods, author
Shannon McManus, narrator
Brilliance Corporation
PO Box 887
Grand Haven, MI 49417
9781469286983 $29.99 www.brillianceaudio.com
Part of the Ocean Breeze series, Sea Glass Island is the unabridged audiobook adaptation of
Sherryl Woods' touching novel. Samantha Castle's younger sisters are getting married, and the
hectic pace of life in New York is beginning to drag her down. When she visits her friends and
family on the North Carolina coast, she also has sees Ethan Cole, upon whom she once had a
teenage crush. Now they're both adults, and perhaps somewhat world-weary; Ethan is more
emotionally damaged than she is, having returned from his service as a doctor in Afghanistan
bitter, missing a leg, and unable to believe in love. But Samantha won't give up on him - or
herself - or the possibility of sharing happy life together, in this windswept and wonderful
romance. 8 CDs, 9 hours 17 min.
Galaxy Press
7051 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 200
Hollywood, CA 90028
www.galaxypress.com
Galaxy Press is the premier publisher of the literary works of L. Ron Hubbard. Their aim to keep
his wealth of 'pulp magazine era' short stories accessible to new generations of appreciative
readers. What is perhaps less well known is that they also provide superbly produced audio book
editions of Hubbard's stories featuring music, sound effects, and full cast performances. Two of
their newest audio book titles feature Hubbard's western stories. "Devil's Manhunt"
(9781592123858, $9.95) offers "Devil's Manhunt" which was originally published in the pages of
the February 1950 issue of 'Famous Western'. Also included are to short stories: 'Johnny the
Town Tamer' and 'Stranger in Town'. "Death Waits At Sundown" was originally published in the
October 1938 issue of Western Story Magazine. In this audio book edition, two additional short
stories are included: 'Ride'em Cowboy' and 'Boss of the Lazy B'. For pure entertainment from
start to finish, western fans will enjoy these outstanding audio book productions of one of the
best pulp magazine fiction writers of his day -- L. Ron Hubbard! Highly recommended for both
personal and community library audio book collections, visit the Galaxy Press web site at
www.galaxypress.com for a complete listing of their print and audio book titles.
The Music CD Shelf
Affinity
Moya Brennan & Cormac De Barra
Beo Records
www.voicesandharps.com
Distribution 13
PO Box 52345
Irvine, CA 92619
$16.98 distribution13.com
The second album of Celtic music vocalist Moya Brennan (widely beloved for her performances
with Clannad) and master of the Irish harp Cormac De Barra, Affinity is a captivating experience.
Some of the songs have hauntingly beautiful lyrics sung in fluent Gaelic. The result is an
extraordinary and memorable listening experience, not to be missed. The tracks are "Intro"
(1:27), "Sailing" (4:11), "The Lass of Aughrim" (3:15), "Worlds Collide" (3:09), "I Feel You
Breathe" (4:43), "Cruiscin Lan" (3:31), "Captain O'Kane" (3:33), "Seoithin Seo" (3:51), "Stoirin
Rua" (2:55), "When the Morning Breaks" (4:00), "Ardaigh Cuan" (3:44), and "Suas Sios"
(4:46).
Stoic
Tha Tribe
Canyon Records Productions
3131 West Clarendon Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85017
$13.99 www.canyonrecords.com
Stoic: Pow Wow Songs Recorded Live in SoCal is an album by Tha Tribe, a Native American
performing group. Drumming and dancing figure prominently in this vibrant, energetic, and
positively charged listening experience. An open sharing of the pride, glory, and respect inherent
in Pow Wow traditional singing, Stoic is an excellent addition to Native American music
collections. The tracks are "Micayla's First Song" (2:01), "Victory Song" (2:01), "Fox Trail"
(2:22), "Skype Step J" (Side-Step, 3:11), "Apple Blossom" (1:50), "The Valley of Tha Sun"
(2:40), "Grand Entry" (4:12), "Pala Hoppin'" (Foot Slide, 2:12), "Intertribal (3:09)", "Budge
Boys" (2:52), "LaFramboise " (2:06), "Tha LaFleur Shuffle" (3:53), "Sioux Valley" (3:32),
"Celtic Tradition" (2:11), "Grand Entry" (3:18), and "The Slow Gamble" (2:47).
The Rhythm
Andy Snitzer
Native Language Music, Inc.
PO Box 52345
Irvine, CA 92619-2345
c/o Distribution 13
$16.98 distribution13.com
The first new studio recorded album by Andy Snitzer in two years, The Rhythm features groove
music as a refined art form. Including performances by saxophonist and co-producer David
Mann, guitarist Chuck Loeb, trumpeter Till Bronner, keyboardist Alain Mallet, bassists James
Genus and Tim Levebfre, and drummer Shawn Pelton, The Rhythm flows smooth and vibrant,
virtually a trance-inducing experience. An absolute must-have for connoisseurs of the genre! The
tracks are "Candy" (4:49), "Velvet" (4:26), "Devotion" (6:05), "Breaking" (4:42), "No Exit"
(5:20), "Siren's Serenade" (4:45), "Kinetic" (4:36), "Caso de Amor" (5:00), "And Again" (4:42),
"Above Us All" (5:10), "Realise" (1:19).
Baque do Brooklyn
Maracatu New York
Produced by Scott Kettner
http://scottkettner.com
Nation Beat Music
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221
Austin, TX 78748
$TBA www.maracatuny.com
Baque do Brooklyn is an original album showcasing Brazilian maracatu drumming with a New
York twist. Performed by Maracatu New York, Baque do Brooklyn is a celebration of percussion
artistry, and the exuberant dreams it can inspire in all of us. High-energy vocals, and band leader
Scott Kettner's unconventional time keeping enrich this cultural treasury, sure to energize and
enliven! The tracks are "Roda Baiana" (3:58), "Samba Le Le" (3:51), "Parada" (2:06), "Quem
Vem La" (4:05), "Baque de Brooklyn" (5:16), "Caboclo Big Chief" (3:57), "Over the Hills & Far
Away" (4:47), "Voo Doom" (2:58), "Four Bridges" (3:41), "Dia do Caboclo" (4:19), "Douglass
St Shuffle" (4:13), and "Bianco" (3:19).
Light of Aluna
Anima
Anima Sound Medicine
www.animasoundmedicine.co.uk
c/o The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
$TBA CD / $6.93 MP3 www.amazon.com
Light of Aluna: Sonic Transmissions from The Heart of the Divine Mother is a fantastically
beautiful album celebrating the treasures of peace and harmony, and the spiritual concept of the
life-giving Great Mother. Electronic sound, acoustic instruments, sacred chants and wordless
singing form a tranquil, inspirational, and mind-expanding listening experience. Highly
recommended, especially for connoisseurs of new age music. The tracks are "The New Dream"
(12:47), "Ocean of Heart" (8:22), "Aluna" (8:59), "Ancient Future" (8:58), "Peace" (10:36),
"Inner Light Aluna Mix" (10:41), and "Divine Emanation" (11:53).
Blackbird
Fat Freddy's Drop
Privately Published
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
www.rockpaperscissors.biz
$13.99 CD / $8.91 MP3 www.amazon.com
New Zealand soul musicians Fat Freddy's Drop bring their electronic funk talents to the fore in
Blackbird, a new album featuring nine original tracks created in the band's own studio. Their
rhythmic creation has a wild tendency to embed itself in the listener's ear, mind, and heart. A
creative fusion of African-American music traditions and modern panache, Blackbird is vibrant,
passionate, and highly recommended. The tracks are "Blackbird", "Russia", "Clean the House",
"Silver and Gold", "Bones", "Soldier", "Never Moving", "Mother Mother", and "Bohannon".
Inelement
SoCorpo
Ears Wide Open Records
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
www.rockpaperscissors.biz
$TBA CD / $7.92 MP3 www.amazon.com
Inelement is a new studio album from SoCorpo, the duo of performers Sasha Bogdanowitsch
(voice, autoharp, bowed psaltry, mbira array & electronics) and Sabrina Lastman (voice & bowed
psaltery). An extraordinarily uplifting experience, Inelement encourages the imagination to
weave with its dulcet tones. The pieces draw their inspiration from the classic elements, in these
wondrous and enticing original collection. The tracks are "On The Root: Earth" (4:44),
"Luminar: Fire" (5:38), "Everywhere & Nowhere: Void" (7:10), "Kaleidophonia" (7:22),
"Always Changing: Water" (4:31), "Immensity: Air" (7:46), "Borealis" (4:52), and "Beyond
These Things: All Elements" (9:20).
The DVD Shelf
Detective De Luca: The Complete Series
Directed by Antonio Frazzi
MHz Networks
8101A Lee Highway
Falls Church, VA. 22042
$39.95 www.mhznetworks.org
Detective De Luca: The Complete Series collects all four episodes of an Italian detective show
set during the turbulent period from 1938 to 1948. Detective De Luca is a cop without political
allegiance; he solves crimes in the city of Bologna, regardless of whom his findings may
displease. Uncompromising in his principles, alluring to women, and possessed of consummate
skilled at his job, De Luca is a canny and unforgettable sleuth. In "An Unauthorized
Investigation", De Luca uncovers the cruelty behind the murder of a call girl on the beachfront
next to where Mussolini is vacationing; in "Carte Blanche" he tracks down the truth behind the
murder of a socialite bachelor, despite what the government "wants" him to find; in "Cloudy
Summer" he flees for his life from the Allies' wartime advance, and becomes enlisted to solve the
murder of a remote yet respected villager; and in "Via delle Oche" he discovers how drastically
his beloved Bologna has changed after the war, and must uncover a killer even if it means
investigating corruption among local politicians and the police hierarchy. Detective De Luca: The
Complete Series is a gem for fans of gritty historical detective stories, and highly recommended.
2 DVDs, 430 min., widescreen, Italian with English subtitles.
Ellen Barrett Live series
Seth D. Stein Productions
c/o Fit PR
195 Linden Ave.
Red Hook, NY 12571
$15.00 each www.ellenbarrett.com
Three new DVDs in the Ellen Barret Live fitness series are excellent workouts offering
maximum benefit in a minimum amount of time. "Sleek Sculpt Express" (30 min.) works out
multiple muscle areas at once, in a fashion choreographed to flow naturally and keep the whole
body active, possibly with the aid of inexpensive light hand weights. "Fusion Floor Workout" (46
min.) requires no equipment other than a simple mat, and applies techniques from pilates, yoga,
and dance to sculpt one's body without standing up! "Superfast Body Blast!" (30 min.) is an
exhilarating, barefoot cardio workout designed to be easy on the joints while providing a
vigorous workout fusing elements of Pilates, yoga, dance, and whole-body movement. All three
are excellent picks that will help people with busy schedules look and feel great!
Pilates for Runners with Laura Tarbell
Laura Tarbell
208 Entertainment Inc.
c/o 411 Video Information (publicity)
PO Box 1223
Pebble Beach, CA 93953
www.411videoinfo.com
$15.00 www.TarbellPilates.com
Pilates for Runners with Laura Tarbell is an intermediate-level workout DVD offering a Pilates
program designed especially to help runners cultivate flexibility, balance, and body alignment,
with the goal of improving their overall running performance. No expensive equipment is
needed; a simple exercise mat is optional. Certified Pilates instructor Laura Tarbell guides the
viewer through Pilates exercises especially for runners, with emphases on building strength in the
diaphragm and core muscles while improving one's running posture and form. Enthusiastically
recommended especially for joggers everywhere, whether they are casually running a mile a day
or in training for a marathon! 56 min.
The American History Shelf
This Far-Off Wild Land
Lesley Wischmann & Andrew Erskin Dawson
The Arthur H. Clark Company
2800 Venture Drive
Norman, OK 73069
www.ahclark.com
9780870624193, $39.95, www.amazon.com
The latest addition to the Arthur H. Clark Company's outstanding Western Frontiersmen series,
"This Far-Off Wild Land: The Upper Missouri Letters of Andrew Dawson" is a 336 page
biographical compendium featuring original correspondences of a young man of 24 years who, in
the mid-1800s, found himself far from his home in Scotland and working for the American Fur
Company on the upper Missouri River. Compiled and annotated by Lesley Wischmann and
Andrew Erskin Dawson (the great-grand-nephew of Andrew Dawson), "This Far-Off Wild Land:
The Upper Missouri Letters of Andrew Dawson" is a superbly produced biographical study that
will prove to be an invaluable contribution to academic library 19th Century American History
reference collections and is highly recommended for non-specialist general readers with an
interest in the 19th Century American frontier and fur trade.
The Best Planned City In The World
Francis R. Kowsky
University of Massachusetts Press
PO Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
www.umass.edu/umpress
9781625340061, $39.95, www.amazon.com
Frederick Law Olmsted (April 26, 1822 - August 28, 1903) was an American journalist, social
critic, public administrator, and landscape designer. He is popularly considered to be the father of
American landscape architecture. Calvert Vaux (December 20, 1824 - November 19, 1895) was a
British-American architect and landscape designer. In a collaborative partnership, Olmsted and
Vaux created a series of parks and parkways for Buffalo, New York. "The Best Planned City in
the World: Olmsted, Vaux, and the Buffalo Park System" by Francis R. Kowsky (Distinguished
Professor Emeritus of Art History, SUNY) is a superbly illustrated, 304 page, descriptive history
of the 'constellation of projects' of one of the best known and influential of 19th Century
American landscape design partnerships. Showcasing original plans, drawings, photographs,
reports and letters, "The Best Planned City in the World: Olmsted, Vaux, and the Buffalo Park
System" is a superbly written and presented work of scholarship that is highly recommended for
academic library American History collections, and to non-specialist general readers with an
interest in Fredrick Law Olmsted, Calvert Vaux, 19th Century landscaping, or the history of the
Buffalo Park System.
A Short History of Sonoma
Lynn Downey
University of Nevada Press
Mail Stop 0166
Reno, NV, 89557-0166
www.unpress.nevada.edu
9780874179125 $21.95 print / $9.99 Kindle www.amazon.com
Historian and fifth-generation Sonoma resident Lynn Downey presents A Short History of
Sonoma, which chronicles the story of this favorite Northern California tourist destination from
its first Native American residents to the coming of a Spanish mission, the Bear Flag Revolt,
California's nascent statehood, the inception of the local wine industry, and the popularity of its
nearby hot springs. Notable historical Sonoma figures are also profiled, including Mexican
general Mariano Vallejo, Hungarian winemaker Agoston Haraszthy, and writers Jack London
and M.F.K. Fisher, who each called the beautiful Valley of the Moon home. A bibliography,
index, and a handful of black-and-white vintage photographs round out this thoroughly enjoyable
and accessible tour through time and culture.
Chicago's Greatest Year 1893
Joseph Gustaitis
Southern Illinois University Press
1915 University Press Drive
SIUC Mail Code 6806
Carbondale, IL 62901
9780809332489 $29.95 www.siupress.com
Black-and-white photographs illustrate Chicago's Greatest Year 1893: The White City and the
Birth of a Modern Metropolis, a proud portrayal of the milestone accomplishments that
transformed the White City in 1893. The World's Fair has gained so much historical prominence
that it overshadows the other great Chicago events of that year, including the completion of a
pivotal skyscraper, the opening of Frank Lloyd Wright's office, the inception of the Art Institute
of Chicago, the rise of Chicago authors who pioneered urban literature, an Austro-Hungarian
immigrant's creation of the "Chicago hot dog", and much more. Amazing and informative,
Chicago's Greatest Year 1893 is a welcome contribution to American History shelves, highly
recommended.
The Woodworking Shelf
In the Greene & Greene Style
Darrell Peart
Linden Publishing
2006 South Mary
Fresno, CA 93721-9875
9781610351805 $24.95 www.woodworkerslibrary.com
In the Greene & Greene Style: Projects and Details for the Woodworker is a guide for
intermediate to advanced woodworkers to crafting projects with elegance befitting the lauded and
unique style of Charles & Henry Greene's furniture designs. Step-by-step instructions and
full-color photography on virtually every page walk the reader through how to add such Greene
& Greene details as ebony splines, block dowel pulls, waterfall legs, and more. A number of
sample projects that demonstrate the techniques round out this superb guide for the woodworking
artist seeking to hone their command of the craft.
The Christian Studies Shelf
A Worldwide Heart
Robert Hurteau
Orbis Books
Box 308
Maryknoll, NY 10545-0308
www.orbisbooks.com
9781626980211, $45.00, www.amazon.com
Maryknoll is a name shared by three organizations that are part of the Roman Catholic Church
and whose joint focus is on the overseas mission activity of the Catholic Church in the United
States. These organizations consist of a society of apostolic life for men, a religious institute for
women and a lay group, respectively: The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers (The Catholic Foreign
Mission Society of America); The Maryknoll Sisters (The Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic); and
the Maryknoll Lay Missioners. While sharing a name and similar origins, the organizations are
independent entities that work closely together in many of their missionary endeavors.
Throughout its 100-year history Maryknoll has emphasized ministry and missionary work
particularly in East Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Latin America and Africa. Father John J.
Considine (1897-1982) was one of the leading figures of the Maryknoll Catholic mission. Joining
the Maryknoll order in 1915, Father Considine went on to become the first director of the U.S.
bishops' Latin America Bureau. "A Worldwide Heart: The Life of Maryknoll Father John J.
Considine" by Robert Hurteau (Director of the Center for Religion and Spirituality, Loyola
Marymount University, Los Angeles, California) is a 320 page biography of Father Considine's
life and work. Detailed, engaging, well organized and presented, "A World Wide Heart" is an
inspiring read and highly recommended for personal, church, academic, and community library
Christian Studies collections
Dietrich von Hildebrand and Edith Stein: Husserl's Students
Alice von Hildebrand
Roman Catholic Books
PO Box 2286
Fort Collins, CO 80522-2286
9781934888605 $5.90 www.booksforcatholics.com
Dietrich von Hildebrand and Edith Stein: Husserl's Students is a brief, saddle-stitched paperback
offering a thoughtful portrait of two legendary converts to Catholicism and students of
philosopher Edmund Hummel. They did know one another, but only casually. Drawn from the
memoirs of each, Dietrich von Hildebrand and Edith Stein: Husserl's Students examines both
biographical and philosophical aspects of their lives. The result is a contemplative, welcome, and
inexpensive profile of two notable twentieth-century Catholics and their contributions to
religious thought.
Bible Crossword Puzzles: Number One
Frieda Thiessen
Vision Publishers
PO Box 190, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
www.vision-publishers.com
9781932676822, $3.99, www.amazon.com
Ably compiled by Frieda Thiessen, "Bible Crossword Puzzles: Number One" is a 96 page
compendium of thoroughly entertaining, biblically oriented crossword puzzles that will provide
hours of fun -- and more than a little biblical instruction along the way!. Whether a novice or a
seasoned crossword puzzle fan, "Bible Crossword Puzzles: Number One" is a very highly
recommended pastime selection!
The Buddhist Studies Shelf
An Illustrated Outline of Buddhism
William Stoddart
World Wisdom
1501 East Hillside Drive
Bloomington, IN 47401
www.worldwisdom.com
9781936597260, $18.95, 160 pp., www.amazon.com
Buddhism is a religion indigenous to the Indian subcontinent that encompasses a variety of
traditions, beliefs and practices largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, who
is commonly known as the Buddha, meaning "the awakened one". The Buddha lived and taught
in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE.
He is recognized by Buddhists as an awakened or enlightened teacher who shared his insights to
help sentient beings end their suffering (dukkha) through the elimination of ignorance (avidya)
by way of understanding and the seeing of dependent origination (pratityasamutpada) and the
elimination of craving (ta ha), and thus the attainment of the cessation of all suffering, known as
the sublime state of nirvana. "An Illustrated Outline of Buddhism: The Essentials of Buddhist
Spirituality" by William Stoddart is an informed and informative history and introduction to a
world religion with more than a billion followers and divided into numerous sects. Beautifully
illustrated with eighty full color photographs, and enhanced with a number of maps, diagrams
and charts, this compendium of expert commentary on Buddhism's essential features is an ideal
introduction and is highly recommended for personal, academic, and community library Buddhist
Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
The Railroading Shelf
An Australian Locomotive Guide
Peter Clark
Rosenberg Publishing
c/o International Specialized Book Services
920 Northeast 58th Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, OR 97213
www.isbs.com
9781921719554, $34.95, www.amazon.com
Compiled and written by railroading enthusiast Peter Clark, "An Australian Locomotive Guide"
is a 368 page compendium describing in detail the diesel and electric locomotives employed on
the main line and export mineral railways in Australia, as well as the remaining steam
locomotives used on preserved lines and on the main lines. Superbly illustrated with a color
photograph of each locomotive, they are listed according to the type of diesel engine and
arranged to show the development of a particular type of locomotive, with entries progressing
from lower power to higher power units. This layout shows the similarity of types used on
different systems, particularly in the area of Australia's state government railways. The electric
locomotives are grouped by system in chronological order and steam locomotives are nicely
organized by wheel arrangement. Informed and informative, "An Australian Locomotive Guide"
is an especially recommended addition to academic, community, and personal Railroading
Studies reference collections.
The Money/Finance Shelf
Think Like An Option Trader
Michael Benklifa
FT Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.ftpress.com
9780133065305, $44.99, www.amazon.com
In finance, an option is a contract which gives the owner the right, but not the obligation, to buy
or sell an underlying asset or instrument at a specified strike price on or before a specified date.
The seller incurs a corresponding obligation to fulfill the transaction, that is to sell or buy, if the
long holder elects to "exercise" the option prior to expiration. The buyer pays a premium to the
seller for this right. An option which conveys the right to buy something at a specific price is
called a call; an option which conveys the right to sell something at a specific price is called a
put. Both are commonly traded, though in basic finance for clarity the call option is more
frequently discussed, as it moves in the same direction as the underlying asset, rather than
opposite, as does the put. In "Think Like an Option Trader: How to Profit by Moving from
Stocks to Options", Michael Benklifa draws upon his many years of experience and expertise as a
professional options trader to provide a 208 page instruction manual on every aspect of option
trading, including what makes for a successful options trader, pricing options, building an
options portfolio, 'situational trading', and risk management. Of special note is the appendix:
Quantum Physics and Trading - The Price Uncertainty Principle. Informed, informative, and
thoroughly 'user friendly', "Think Like an Option Trader: How to Profit by Moving from Stocks
to Options" is a highly recommended addition to community and academic library
Money/Finance reference collections. Also available in a Kindle edition ($24.74), "Think Like
An Option Trader" should be considered mandatory reading for anyone contemplating investing
or trading in the options market.
The Business Shelf
Negotiation
Brian Tracy
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
www.amacombooks.org
9780814433188, $9.95, www.amazon.com
Haggle, horse trade; accord, arrangement, bargain, concurrence, consensus, deal, understanding;
agreement, settlement; mediation, treaty -- these are all forms of negotiation. Every business
dealing involves some degree of negotiation. This is a skill set that everyone involved in business
(or government) must acquire an expertise in if they are to prosper in their chosen field of
endeavor. In "Negotiation", Brian Tracy has written a succinct, compact, pocket-sized 112 page
compendium packed from cover to cover with sound advice, tips, tricks and techniques.
Beginning with an explanation of why everything is negotiable and how to overcome a
discomfort towards engaging in negotiation, Tracy showcases six distinct styles of negotiation,
and provides expert commentary on the key to persuasion by reciprocation, knowing when and
how to terminate a negotiation, and a great deal more. It should also be noted that "Negotiation"
is also available in a Kindle edition ($3.79) and an audio book format ($13.50). Thoroughly 'user
friendly', "Negotiation" is highly recommended for personal, corporate, and community library
Business Studies reference collections.
Betting The Company
Andrew Trask & Andrew Deguire
Oxford University Press
198 Madison Avenue
NY, NY 10016-4314
www.oup.com/us
9780199846252, $49.95, www.amazon.com
Negotiation is the heart and core of what every corporate executive and every corporate lawyer
must be adept at doing if they and the businesses they represent are to prosper in today's highly
volatile and competitive market place. The collaborative work of Andrew Trask (Counsel at
McGuireWoods London LLP) and Andrew Deguire (Vice President, Business Developer &
Global Growth Building for Efficiency for Johnson Controls Inc.), "Betting the Company:
Complex Negotiation Strategies for Law and Business" is a 368 page compendium of
commentary and instruction in both the theory and practice of successful business negotiation. A
work of considerable expertise, "Betting The Company" would make an excellent and practical
supplementary textbook for an academic business management curriculum. Informed,
informative, and highly recommended reading for anyone charged with the responsibility of
negotiating in behalf of their company or business client, it should also be noted that "Betting
The Company" is also available in a Kindle edition ($27.99).
The Advantage
Emma-Sue Prince
Pearson
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300
Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
9781447929567, $24.99, www.amazon.com
It takes more than just routinely doing your job to advance in today's highly competitive
corporate world. Men and women wanting to advance their corporate careers will need to acquire
a very special skill set that apply to being a good team player, negotiator, and leader. That's why
corporate leadership trainer Emma-Sue Prince has written "The Advantage: The 7 Soft Skills
You Need To Stay One Step Ahead", a 256 page compendium of tips, tricks and techniques
superbly organized and presented in seven succinct chapters focusing on the subjects of
adaptability, critical thinking, empathy, integrity, optimism, being proactive, and resilience.
Informed, informative, inspired and inspiring, practical and thoroughly 'user friendly', "The
Advantage" should be considered mandatory reading for anyone serious about getting ahead --
and staying ahead -- in today's local, regional, national, or international corporate
environments.
The Jobs/Careers Shelf
The Advertising On-Ramp
Belle Frank
Paramount Market Publishing, Inc.
950 Danby Road, Suite 136
Ithaca, NY 14850
www.paramountbooks.com
9780985179519, $19.95, www.amazon.com
Being employed in advertising, whether with the blockbuster firms on New York's famed
Madison Avenue or the independent shops found in every major market in the country, is a tough
and competitive business. This is especially true for those who haven't yet landed their own
accounts. That's why advertising expert Belle Frank has drawn upon her many years of
experience and expertise to write "The Advertising On-Ramp: Getting Your First Job in
Advertising", a compact, pocket-sized, 120 page compendium packed from cover to cover with
solid, practical, instruction manual and guide on everything from crafting a resume, to handling
an interview, to succeeding in your first advertising job. Combing humor with pragmatic
commentary, "The Advertising On-Ramp: Getting Your First Job in Advertising" is as 'user
friendly' as it is 'real world' useful and should be considered mandatory reading for anyone
seeking to become established in a marketing career.
The Music Shelf
Bluegrass Jamming on Banjo
Wayne Erbsen
Native Ground Books & Music
109 Bell Road, Asheville, NC 28805
www.nativeground.com
9781883206659, $24.95, www.amazon.com
Native Ground Books & Music is a premier publisher of authentic American folk music mixed
with regional history anecdotes and background information. Their latest titles is "Bluegrass
Jamming on Banjo", a spiral bound, 112 page compendium of performance tips, banjo
techniques, sheet music, and an accompanying instructional audio CD. Of special note for the
novice banjo player are Wayne Erbsen's informative commentaries on 'How to Read Chord
Charts'; 'Playing by Ear'; 'Making Up Your Own Licks'; and How to Lead a Song'. Enhanced with
black & white photos, chords to both popular bluegrass songs and fiddle tunes, "Bluegrass
Jamming on Banjo" is an ideal and enthusiastically recommended instruction manual for anyone
considering taking up that quintessential musical instrument -- the banjo!
The Education Shelf
Reflecting In Communities Of Practice
Deb Curtis, et al.
Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court
St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
www.redleafpress.org
9781605541488, $19.95, www.amazon.com
Teaching a young child is a complex and demanding task. Teaching whole classes of young
children requires a high degree of organizational and management skills in order to foster the
children's imaginations, creativity, curiosity, and love of learning. "Reflecting in Communities of
Practice: A Workbook for Early Childhood Educators" is an 80 page compendium specifically
designed for classroom teachers seeking to develop and enhance their abilities to share
experiences and respond appropriate to young children for the purpose of fostering their
education. Of special note is the chapter on 'Assessing Your Disposition Toward Risk". Offering
ten study sessions based upon current education theory and 'best practices', "Reflecting in
Communities of Practice: A Workbook for Early Childhood Educators" is very highly
recommended for student teachers, novice classroom instructors, as well as experienced
childhood educators wanting to hone their skills.
The Cookbook Shelf
Scrumptious: Food for Family and Friends
Jane-Anne Hobbs
Struik Lifestyle
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive
Dulles, VA 20166
www.internationalpubmarket.com
9781431702244, $32.00, www.amazon.com
Scrumptious: delightful, excellent, especially delicious. Culinary expert Jane-Anne Hobbs does
full justice to the meaning of the word in her 192 page compendium of superbly illustrated and
presented recipes for dishes that will please any palate and satisfy any appetite. Ranging from a
Cauliflower Salad with Crisp-Fried Chorizo; a Cheese, Onion and Green Olive Tart; Libyan
Spiced Fish; and Spiced Butterflied Chicken with Saffron and Yoghurt; to Slow-Cooked Beef
Shin Pie with Mushrooms and Rosemary; Nougat and ice Cream Cake with Hot Raspberry
Sauce; and Baked Camembert with Fruit Mincemeat, each delicious recipe showcased in this
fabulous collection is guaranteed 'kitchen cook friendly' in preparation. Of special value are the
"Notes" provided for each individual recipe. With superbly crafted dishes appropriate for each
and every dining occasion, "Scrumptious: Food for Family and Friends" is an extraordinary
addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.
Fiori di Zucca
Valentina Harris
Duncan Baird Publishers
c/o Osprey Group
43-01 21st St., Suite 220B
Long Island City, NY 11101
9781848990852 $24.95 www.dbp.co.uk
Valentina Harris, a descendant of Giovanni Sforza (the first husband of Lucrezia Borgia) and
Carlo Sforza (an Italian senator forced to flee his homeland shortly before World War II),
presents Fiori di Zucca: Recipes and Memories From My Family's Kitchen Table, a blend of
time-tested Italian recipes and emotional family memoir. Vintage black-and-white photographs
of Harris' family, as well as full-color images of the delectable dishes, pepper this savory
anthology of recipes and vignettes. The stories range in tone from heartwarming to tragic, as they
chronicle the family's efforts to survive, resist, and escape the rising the tide of fascism in Italy,
the German invasion of World War II, and the scandal that ensued when Harris' mother dared to
marry a man who was not Catholic, resulting in her excommunication. The recipes range from
celebratory delights to food that sustained through hard times, including such dishes as "The
Contessa's Galantine of Chicken", "Quince Cheese", "Brown Shrimp Omelet", "Milk & Rice
Soup", "Tomato, Basil & Eggplant Spaghettini", and much more. Fiori di Zucca is as much a
culinary treasure as it is an up-close and personal view of unfolding history through one family's
eyes, and highly recommended.
Michael Chiarello's Live Fire
Michael Chiarello
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
www.chroniclebooks.com
9781452101811, $35.00, www.amazon.com
It's the beginning of the outdoor cooking season when grilling on the back deck or over a camp
fire become favorite methods for preparing meals. To enhance those outdoor dining occasions
there can be no higher recommendation than to plan those meals around the 125 thoroughly 'user
friendly' recipes that comprise "Michael Chiarello's Live Fire". Beautifully illustrated with full
color photography throughout, the recipes range from Whole Lamb on an Iron Cross with Minto
Pesto and Chile-Fennel Tzatziki; Grilled Lemon-Saffron pound Cake with Lavender and Fresh
Berries; Salt-Baked Potatoes with Mascarpone and Prosciutto Bits; and Foil-Wrapped
Ember-Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese; to Baby Back Pork Ribs with Milanese Rub; Baba
Ghanoush with Toasted Pine Nut Tahini and Socca; Fresh-Caught Trout Cooked in Foil; and
Monterey Jack-Stuffed Turkey Burgers. Of special note is and entire chapter devoted to recipes
to seasonings, sauces, and dressings. Enhanced with a Table of Equivalents; a list of resources,
and a comprehensive index, "Michael Chiarello's Live Fire" will prove to be an extraordinary and
highly valued addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
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