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Wisconsin Bookwatch

Volume 8, Number 7 July 2013 Home | WBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Crafts Shelf Gardening Shelf
Travel Shelf Sports Shelf Computer Shelf
Theatre/Cinema/TV Shelf Biography Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Music CD Shelf DVD Shelf American History Shelf
Woodworking Shelf Christian Studies Shelf Buddhist Studies Shelf
Railroading Shelf Money/Finance Shelf Business Shelf
Jobs/Careers Shelf Music Shelf Education Shelf
Cookbook Shelf    


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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