|
Book
Reviews, Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers |
Home / California Bookwatch |
California Bookwatch
Table of Contents
Donovan's Picks
Handy Farm Devices and How to Make Them
Rolfe Cobleigh
Lyons Press
Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9781599213255, $14.95 www.lyonspress.com
The second updated edition of HANDY FARM DEVICES offers small-scale farmers a fine
wealth of money-saving projects covering low-tech property maintenance. From portable chicken
coops and a small truss bridge to sturdy gates designed for snow or a wood splitters, this is a
'must' for any rural library or those collections catering to DIYs.
American Thighs
Jill Conner Browne
Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
0743278380, $23.00 www.simonandschuster.com
AMERICAN THIGHS: THE SWEET POTATO QUEENS' GUIDE TO PRESERVING YOUR
ASSETS comes form a humorist contributor to the New York Times and provides a handbook
and memoir for women on being flashy and attractive. From why women risk their lives for
blonde hair to how the muumuu has become the ordinary 'patio dress' and how to let loose one's
'inner hooker', AMERICAN THIGHS is a funny observation of American society and women's
culture, recommended for any general-interest lending library.
The iPod Book, 3rd Edition
Scott Kelby
Peachpit Press
032148617X, $19.99 www.peachpit.com
If only a few iPod books were to be chosen for a general lending collection, the third updated
edition of THE IPOD BOOK by Scott Kelby simply must be one of them. It focuses on the
important features of all ipods and the itunes store, uses a quick visual approach to demonstrate
topics, and provides tutorials on everything from exporting and organizing a playlist to handling
iPod freezes. It's a 'bible' that any iPod user (whether owners of shuffle nano or other) with any
type of computer - Mac or PC - must have.
Wedding Chic
Colin Cowie
Clarkson Potter Publishers
c/o The Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, #B1, New York, NY 10019-4305
9780307341808, $40.00 www.clarksonpotter.com
Any who dream of weddings or organize them will find this a fine guide to the decisions
involved in making wedding plans - and there are numerous such choices here, broken down into
step-by-step chapters. From choosing a style and theme to weaving it through all these choices,
the decisions fall into place: photos and tips accompany everything from guest lists and setting to
cutting and serving the cake, making for an outstanding public library acquisition.
The Criminology Shelf
Bullets, Bombs and Fast Talk
James Botting
Potomac Books Inc.
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166-2012
9781597972444, $26.95 www.potomacbooksinc.com
BULLETS, BOMBS AND FAST TALK: TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF FBI WAR STORIES
comes from a former hostage negotiator and SWAT team agent, and often reads like fiction with
a vivid memoir of how the author rescued hostages from gunmen, saved passengers from a
skyjacker, and helped calm a prison riot - only a few of his many real-life encounters as an FBI
agent. General-interest libraries will find it a vivid set of recollections perfect for any interested
in real-world experiences.
The Biography Shelf
Mrs. Astor Regrets
Meryl Gordon
Houghton Mifflin
215 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10003
9780618893737, $28.00 www.hmhbooks.com
MRS. ASTOR REGRETS: THE HIDDEN BETRAYALS OF A FAMILY BEYOND
REPROACH tells of the fate of Brooke Astor, a philanthropist whose pristine family fell apart
under public scrutiny of thievery, mistreatment, and more. Wealth, inner secrets, and more come
to light as author Meryl Gordon interviews the elite of Astor's social circle and the staff that
cared for Mrs. Astor during her decline. Public libraries interested in vivid biography of the rich
and famous will find this an intriguing addition.
The Self-Help Shelf
Making a Difference By Being Yourself
Gregory E. Huszczo
Davies-Black Publishing
1055 Joaquin Road, 2nd Floor, Mountain View, CA 94043
9780891062233, $26.95 www.daviesblack.com
Any who would seek meaning, purpose and happiness in life will find Making a Difference By
Being Yourself is an outstanding choice, built on the basics of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
assessment tool and offering stories of over 500 people from all walks of life who used the tool
to improve work and home relationships alike. From core personality types to behavioral
influences and changes in important relationships, this lays out a path to self-improvement that
will find a role in many different libraries: from general-interest lending libraries to business and
health collections.
The Needlecraft Shelf
Knitted Finger Puppets
Meg Leach
Martingale Company
20205 - 144th Ave. NE, Woodinville, WA 98072-8478
9781564778871, $19.95 www.martingale-pub.com
Over thirty easy-to-make finger puppet toy projects are offered in a fine guide of easy patterns
modeled on popular kids' characters and everyday figures, and will be perfect for beginning
knitters with small friends to knit for. Three theme 'collections' are included in this outstanding
resource.
Borders: The Basics and Beyond
Jill Reber
Landauer Publishing
3100 NW - 101st Street, Urbandale, IL 50322
9780980068894, $27.95 www.landauercorp.com
Borders do more than add size to a quilt: they serve to frame the center and highlight the central
quilt design itself, and Jill Reber here offers quilters a key to what makes for good border design.
Step-by-step techniques offer dozens of border options in a range of sizes, using blocks with
basic design elements to contrast and add style to quilt projects. Lay-flat binding with spine
lettering makes this a very practical quilter's guide.
Beyond the Block
Linda K. Johnson & Jane K. Wells
American Quilter's Society
Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290
9781574329599, $26.95 www.americanquilter.com
Begin with a fabric focus and add pieced components and strip piecing with different fabrics to
mix and match and develop a new block style using dozens of piecing techniques in this fine
guide. Color photos and patterns create a fun and intriguing guide to quilt blocks which are
perfect for any collection catering to quilters seeking different options.
The Computer Shelf
SQL in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition
Kevin E. Kline with Daniel Kline and Brnd Hunt
O'Reilly
1005 Gravenstein Hwy North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
9780596518844, $44.99 www.oreilly.com
SQL IN A NUTSHELL references the SQL language used in modern database products, and this
new edition documents every SQL command according to the latest ANSI standard. From how
commands are implemented in MS SQL Server 2008 to an alphabetical reference of the ANSI
SQL2003 functions, this reference picks up where vender documentation ends and is a key
acquisition for any library catering to professional database administrators and developers.
Viral Spiral
David Bollier
New Press
38 Green Street, New York NY 10013
9781595583963, $26.95 www.thenewpress.com
From remix music to wikipedia and video mashups, there's a new world of digital media that has
encouraged a new 'sharing economy' that competes with entrenched media giants, and
journalist/activist David Bollier here reports on this 'free culture' movement in VIRAL SPIRAL,
his term for the process by which Internet users can join to build online tools. Any library strong
in the social issues revolving around the Internet needs this.
Adobe Illustrator CS4 How-Tos: 100 Essential Techniques
David Karlins
Adobe Press
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0321562909, $24.99 www.adobepress.com
Owners of Illustrator and libraries catering to them will find this a powerful introduction offering
a hundred selected techniques to help users get to work. From using the programs new Smart
Guide features and using Live Paint to apply color to fills to adjusting gradients right with new
interactive tools, this offers fine easy small lesson plan structures with real-world projects to help
hit the ground running. Black and white screen shot examples abound.
How Wikipedia Works
Phoebe Ayers, Charles Matthews and Ben Yates
No Starch Press
555 DeHaro #250, San Francisco CA 94107
9781593271763, $29.95 www.nostarch.com
From learning how to use Wikipedia to contributing to existing articles by fact-checking and
adding new articles that confirm to Wikipedia's guidelines, HOW WIKIPEDIA WORKS is a top
pick for general-interest libraries and for any who would become part of Wikipedia and make
contributions to the system. From understanding its policies to resolving content disputes and
handling malicious editors, HOW WIKIPEDIA WORKS is packed with insights.
GIS Tutorial Updated for ArcGIS 9.3
Wilpen L. Gorr and Kristen S. Kurland
ESRI Press
380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92378-8100
9781589482050, $79.95 www.esri.com
Demands for effective GIS training are growing and this tutorial workbook has been designed for
a wide audience of users, is offered in an easy step-by-step format, and can be adapted to a range
of training purposes, from classroom use to graduate students seeking individual study. Scripted
exercises begin with the easier step-by-step directions then move to exercises emphasizing
performing GIS tasks without the step-by-step instruction. Classrooms and individual study
programs will find it invaluable.
The Power of IP Video
Jennifer Baker, et.al.
Cisco Press
c/o Pearson Education
800 East 96th Street, 3rd floor, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3770
158705342X, $45.00 www.ciscopress.com
Businesses can streamline processes and improve visual networking with The Power of IP Video,
a definitive guide to linking business pursuits to IP video solutions. From extending IP video
from the office to the road to applying it to financial services, high tech and other industries, The
Power of IP Video is a top pick for any computer or business library.
Javascript & Ajax, 7th Edition
Tom Negrino and Dori Smith
Peachpit Press
1249 - 8th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
0321564081, $34.99 www.peachpit.com
The 7th updated edition of JAVASCRIPT & AJAX FOR THE WEB is a visual quick start guide
for beginning and intermediate users and any library catering to them, using an easy visual
approach with pictures to offer step-by-step explanations of functions. A companion web site
offers sample scripts and updates, while chapters cover the basics of cookies, form handling, and
more. Updated to reflect the latest details, JAVASCRIPT & AJAX FOR THE WEB is a key
acquisition.
Programming in Python 3
Mark Summerfield
Addison-Wesley
c/o Pearson Education
801 East 96th Street, 3rd floor, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
www.awprofessional.com
0137129297, $44.99 www.informit.com/aw
Python 3 is a powerful language for web programmers and Version 3 is the best yet.
PROGRAMMING IN PYTHON 3 covers everything from creating custom packages to
spreading program workloads across multiple threads and programming SQL databases. It comes
from a Python programmer who shows how to write code specifically for Python functions, and
is a key recommendation for any serious computer library strong in web programming
languages.
Computer Facial Animation
Frederic I. Parke and Keith Waters
A.K. Peters Ltd
888 Worcester Street Suite 230, Wellesley, MA 02482
9781568814483, $79.00 www.akpeters.com
The second updated edition of a basic college-level fundamental study is a top pick for any
computer collection strong in computer animation at the advanced level. There's been much
development in the field by research groups and in the film and game industries, requiring this
extensive update. Professionals and students alike receive in-depth surveys of the latest
advancements in the field of facial animation in a top pick.
The Adobe Photoshop CS4 Book for Digital Photographers
Scott Kelby
New Riders
c/o Pearson Technology Group
801 East 96th Street, #300, Indianapolis, IN 46240-3759
0321580095, $54.99 www.newriders.com
This major new update to Scott Kelby's finest award-winning book offers digital photographers
cutting edge tips on the latest techniques used by digital artists, showing exactly which settings to
use, when, and why. Pro tricks and tips for addressing common problems and fixing special
photography challenges make for an outstanding title, especially when paired with fine images
from screen and camera results alike. Both classrooms and library reference sections strong in
Adobe Photoshop will find it a very popular lend: easy to use yet packed with professional
advice.
The Photography Shelf
Power Marketing, Selling and Pricing
Mitche Graf
Amherst Media
Box 586, Buffalo, NY 14226
9781584282464, $34.95 www.amherstmedia.com
POWER MARKETING, SELLING AND PRICING: A BUSINESS GUIDE FOR WEDDING
AND PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS appears in its second updated edition to explore
marketing programs and options, the latest opportunities in blogging, press releases and online
tools, and techniques ranging form using benefits-based sales to pricing and making discounts
and promotional offers. The result is a 'must' for any library strong in business guides to the
photography business in general and wedding business guides in particular.
The Art Shelf
Earthlings: The Paintings of Tom Palmore
Susan Hallsten McGarry
Quaid Publishing
c/o University Oklahoma Press
1600 Sunset Lane, Oklahoma City, OK 73127
9781934397053, $45.00 www.oupress.com
Palmore's artistic style was a maverick style: he emerged from the 1970s Photorealist movement
and has exhibited in some of New York's finest galleries - but used his technical knowledge to
paint the animal kingdom. The result is a lovely guide pairing full-page color depictions of his
best works with an extensive biography and review of his artistic philosophy and direction.
Sweet on the West: How Candy Built a Colorado Treasure
Institute of Western American Art
University of Washington Press
PO Box 50096, Seattle, WA 98145-5096
www.washington.edu/uwpress
University of Oklahoma Press (distributor)
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806199696, $22.50, www.oupress.com
William and Dorothy Harmsen's ice cream store, begun in Golden, Colorado in 1949 - grew into
the successful Jolly Rancher Candy Company and helped make the family famous - but the two
also built a fine art collection that depicted the American West, involving the entire family in
cross-country collecting travels. This second volume in the Institute of Western American Srt's
ongoing Western Passages series celebrates their achievements, pairing an essay with a gallery of
the art treasures of the Harmsen Collection. It's an outstanding survey highly recommended for
any library strong in Western history or art.
Engineered Transparency - the Technical, Visual and Spatial Effects of Glass
Michael Bell and Jeannie Kim, Editors
Princeton Architectural Press
37 East 7th Street, New York NY 10003
9781568987989, $65.00 www.papress.com
Glass has become a major feature of modern architectural technical advances, offering enhanced
thermal properties, structural innovations, and new installation limits. Professor Michael Bell and
publications director Jeannie Kim blend forces to collect essays and technical illustrations paired
with a DVD featuring highlights from a seminar in engineered transparency glass, with chapters
packing in color photos and black and white diagrams for maximum results. Any college-level
arts library strong in architecture needs this.
Paradise Lost
Georg Gerster
Phaidon Press
180 Varick Street, 14th Floor, New York NY 10014
9780714848846, $59.95 www.phaidon.com
Photographer Georg Gerster proposed a pioneering aerial photography project documenting the
landscape of Persia from above, and in the 1970s the Empress agreed to the project idea.
PARADISE LOST: PERSIA FROM ABOVE is the result, representing some 300 flying hours
and providing a complete photographic record of the landscapes and cities of Persia. Text
describes the regions depicted, adds Persian poetry to the mix, and provides a rare glimpse at a
region commonly hidden from the world's eye. Essential not just for arts collections, but for any
strong in Middle East history and culture.
Mark Rothko: Works on Paper
Bonnie Clearwater
Hudson Hills Press
Box 205, Manchester, VT 05254
9780933920538, $50.00 www.hudsonhills.com
Mark Rothko is a founder of Abstract Expressionism and a leading figure in 20th century
American art, known for his huge paintings depicting floating rectangles of glowing colors.
MARK ROTHKO: WORKS ON PAPER packs in over eighty drawings and sketches in full
color from the late 1920s through 1969, and comes from the curator of the Mark Rothko
Foundation. Her collection demonstrates his techniques and style on canvas and paper paintings,
and is a top pick for any college-level art library.
Hiroshige: Shaping the Image of Japan
C. Uhlenbeck and M. Jansen
Hotei Publishing/Brill, Distributors
Box 900, 2300 PA, Leiden, Netherlands
9789004171954, $39.00 www.brill.nl www.amazon.com
College-level collections strong in Japanese art or culture will find HIROSHIGE: SHAPING
THE IMAGE OF JAPAN goes beyond most artistic coverages of Hiroshige's works, offering
both a general introduction and a survey of the cultural and economic climate during which
Hiroshige honed his composition techniques and developed a world-wide following. Lovely,
delicate color prints pack an excellent survey recommended for any collection seeking a basic
introduction.
Modern Jewellery Design
Reinhold Ludwig
Arnoldsche
art@arnoldsche.com
9783897902923, $85.00 www.arnoldsche.com
MODERN JEWELLERY DESIGN comes packed with full-page color photos of the latest design
fashions, with color photos and close-ups of bracelets, rings, necklaces and more accompanied by
German and English descriptions and in-depth surveys of the artists and their influences.
College-level libraries strong in jewelry design will find this an outstanding survey of the works
of many contemporary artists - and a 'must' for enhancing any library strong in world designers
and their innovations.
Stranded in Canton
William Eggleston
Twin Palms Publishers
Box 10229, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1022
9781931885713, $40.00 www.twinpalms.com
William Eggleston's pioneering video work is finally restored and available in an outstanding arts
package combination consisting of the complete film on DVD with commentary, tracks, and an
accompanying hard cover book. Arts collections strong in multimedia presentation will welcome
the black and white close-ups from the video, and the structure of a package which
cross-supports its multimedia format. A unique acquisition: very highly recommended.
Christian Dior: The Biography
Marie-France Pochna
Overlook Press
141 Wooster Street, New York NY 10012
1585677027, $37.95 www.overlookpress.com
Christian Doir was a legendary French fashion designer who caused a worldwide sensation,
establishing the House of Doir with striking fashion choices which earned him the 'King of
Fashion' label. This biography offers a powerful examination of his inspiration, his opulent
world, and the luxury and choices of his amazing career. Art libraries will find it a fine and
lasting acquisition, pairing this powerful biographical survey with black and white photos of
Doir's many styles. Not to be missed by any collection strong in fashion history.
The Transportation Shelf
Designing Geodatabases for Transportation
J. Allison Butler
ESRI Press
380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92378-8100
9781589481640, $64.95 www.esri.com/esripress
Any GIS professional and any library catering to general GIS pros and transportation
documentation issues needs Designing Geodatabases for Transportation, an in-depth survey of
data processing transit information. It explores data modeling and other techniques adaptable to
changing requirements, shows how to blend data from different sources and how to solve
common database design issues, and most importantly - provides specifics linking databases to
transportation needs. It's this focus that makes Designing Geodatabases for Transportation a pick
beyond the usual computer library shelf.
The Education Shelf
The Block Scheduling Handbook
J. Allen Queen
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
9781412963015, $30.95 www.corwinpress.com
This step-by-step handbook of block scheduling covers a popular way of restructuring the school
day and offers educators and libraries catering to them a formula for designing a successful
program. From discussions of block applicability to elementary, middle and high schools to case
studies of ideal curriculums, three specific block schedule models, and forms and sample lessons,
it's an outstanding reference.
Small Steps Forward, 2nd Edition
Sarah Newman
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781843106937, $19.95 www.jkp.com
This new edition of SMALL STEPS FORWARD: USING GAMES AND ACTIVITIES TO
HELP YOUR PRE-SCHOOL CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS offers the latest research and
practice along with a host of games and activities to help kids. These games use no special
materials and are fun to play, and are offered in a text dividing skills into six areas for easy
reference. Parents of young children will find this a fine guide for behavior management and
cognitive skills as well as social and emotional growth, and early education collections will
welcome it.
Everyday Early Learning
Jeff A. Johnson and Zoe Johnson
Redleaf press
10 Yorkton Court, St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
9781933653426, $19.95 www.redleafpress.org
Parents and teachers who want to choose and direct activities to promote natural learning will
find EVERYDAY EARLY LEARNING to be a fine pick. It focuses on the activities that
reinforce education, packs in over seventy-five ideas to get children exploring with common
household items, and includes activities to build skills in literacy, math, science and social areas.
The easy, fun activities with toys make this a perfect pick for parents, caregivers and teachers
alike, and makes it a 'must' for both education and general-interest parents' collections.
The Military Shelf
Samurai Armies 1467-1649
Stephen Turnbull
Osprey Publishing
443 Park Avenue South, Suite 806, New York, NY 10016
9781846033513, $25.95 www.ospreypublishing.com
The Sengku Jidai was the sage of the samurai in early Japan - and Stephen Turnbull's discussion
of the evolution and contributions of samurai armies to Japanese warfare makes for a detailed
survey of not just army structure, but the family and clan ties that made it up. Military libraries
strong in historic surveys as well as any collection strong in early Japanese history will find here
a detailed winner.
The Literary Shelf
The Dark Side of Literacy
Benjamin Bennett
Fordham University Press
University Box L, 2546 Belmont Ave, Bronx, NY 10458
9780823229161, $60.00 www.fordham.edu
THE DARK SIDE OF LITERACY: LITERATURE AND LEARNING NOT TO READ offers a
radical criticism of reading key to any college-level collection strong in literacy issues. Perfect
for classroom debate, THE DARK SIDE OF LITERACY surveys the overall class of experiences
that denotes 'reading' and considers the moral and political dangers inherent in literacy.
College-level collections strong in English studies needs this.
The Elements of Narrative Nonfiction
Peter Rubie
Quill Driver Books
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
9781884956911, $15.95 www.quilldriverbooks.com
THE ELEMENTS OF NARRATIVE NONFICTION: HOW TO WRITE & SELL THE NOVEL
OF TRUE EVENTS shows how to build a compelling story line into a nonfiction effort,
separating the idea of fancy from fact and guiding writers on how to blend journalistic research
with narrative writing's techniques. Chapters discuss everything from researching a subject to
writing a book and locating an agent, making this a perfect pick for any library strong in writer's
guides.
The Native American Shelf
Fire Light
Linda M. Waggoner
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806139548, $34.95 www.oupress.com
FIRE LIGHT: THE LIFE OF ANGEL DE CORA, WINNEBAGO ARTIST tells of an artist,
teacher and Red Progressive who painted her Nebraska Winnebago memories around the turn of
the century, and was one of the first Native American artists accepted into the mainstream art
world. While scant documentary evidence is available about her private life, Waggoner succeeds
in offering a fine biography packed with details on her dreams, Indian education, social and
cultural influences, and more. Art libraries will find it excellent; libraries specializing in Native
American studies that will find it a key acquisition.
The Civil War Shelf
America's Civil War
Brian Holden Reid
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591026051, $34.98 www.prometheusbooks.com
AMERICA'S CIVIL WAR: THE OPERATIONAL BATTLEFIELD, 1861-1863 could have been
featured in our 'military shelf' section but is a recommended pick for any library strong in Civil
War history and events, even though its focus is largely military in nature. It's a successor volume
to his ORIGINS OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR published in 1996 and comes from a
historian who examines in depth the military history of the first three years of the war - command
decisions and tactics as well as ordinary soldier experience. Any library serious about analysis
will find this a winner.
The American History Shelf
They Are All Red Out Here
Jeffrey Johnson
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9780806139678, $34.95 www.oupress.com
The Pacific Northwest produced some of the most dedicated, successful socialists the country's
ever seen, based on an emerging, enlightened labor force which emerged in response to mining
and logging industries. These socialists used massive organizational and logistic skills to win
elections and change business structures - and THEY ARE ALL RED OUT HERE follows their
achievements. A top pick for college-level libraries strong in business and social history.
The World History Shelf
Culture and Customs of Mongolia
Timothy Michael May
Greenwood Press
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9780313339837, $49.95 www.greenwood.com
High school to college-level holdings strong in Asian culture and history will find this latest
addition to 'Culture and Customs of Asia' covers a country rarely given much depth or detail:
Mongolia. Chapters provide historical, literary, economic and cultural review of Mongolia and
make for a key introduction perfect for report-writing.
Target Patton
Robert K. Wilcox
Regnery Publishing
One Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001
9781596985797, $27.95 www.regnery.com
TARGET PATTON: THE PLOT TO ASSASSINATE GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON
provides a blend of biography, history, and military assessment of the life and impact of Patton
and comes from an investigative and military reporter who has spent more than ten years
investigating the mysteries surrounding his death. From an artist and mercenary who said he was
ordered by U.S. intelligence to assassinate Patton to an OSS agent who tried to save him, this
packs in facts and research to make for an intriguing historical survey.
The Pirate Code
Brenda Ralph Lewis
Lyons Press
Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9781599214559, $19.95 www.lyonspress.com
THE PIRATE CODE: FROM HONORABLE THIEVES TO MODERN-DAY VILLAINS
examines the reality of pirates from ancient to modern times, considering their actions, code of
ethics, and history. Over 120 black and white illustrations and photos accompany a survey of the
historical and geographical scope of piracy's honor system and life. Any collection interested in
pirate history and lore will find this a lively choice.
The Martial Arts Shelf
Tai Chi Dynamics
Robert Chuckrow, Ph.D.
YMAA Publications
23 North Main St, Wolfeboro, NH 03894
1594391165, $20.95 www.ymaa.com
Intermediate and advanced Tai Chi players and libraries catering to them will find this a fine and
different survey applying logic and basic scientific principles of anatomy and physics to the Tai
Chi environment. Sayings from the Tai Chi Classics are quoted throughout, and explanations are
accompanied by exercises designed to give readers opportunity to review all the concepts and
their related principles.
The Pets/Wildlife Shelf
Understanding Animal Welfare
David Fraser
Wiley-Blackwell
2121 State Ave, Ames IA 50014-8300
www.wiley.com, 1-800-225-5945
9781405136952, $69.99, www.amazon.com
UNDERSTANDING ANIMAL WELFARE: THE SCIENCE IN ITS CULTURAL CONTEXT
provides a fresh approach to any studying or working in animal welfare science, and for
college-level libraries catering to them. Modern welfare issues are surveyed in a coverage of
highlights of issues and ideas from a range of disciplines, from science to moral issues. A key
text for college libraries.
Know Your Horse
Susan McBane
Thunder Bay Press
10350 Barnes Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121
1592239609, $19.95 www.thunderbaybooks.com
Understanding horse behavior patterns is key to trouble-free riding and relaxed handling, and this
title teaches how to read a horse's body language to assess mood and understand actions. From
crib biting and whinnying to breed temperament and stable manners, KNOW YOUR HORSE;
HOW TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THE WAY YOUR HORSE THINKS AND BEHAVES is
a pick for any rural library catering to horse owners.
The Health/Medicine Shelf
I Can Make You Thin
Paul McKenna
Sterling Publishers
387 Park Avenue South, New York NY 10016
9781402765711, $22.95 www.sterlingpublishing.com
Any who want to lose weight while eating whatever foods they wish will welcome a book/cd
combination offering a revolutionary new weight-loss system just in time for the post-holiday
struggles. McKenna's perspective is to re-pattern thoughts, attitudes and beliefs about food and
body: I CAN MAKE YOU THIN covers the system's key principles and tells how to lose weight
permanently. It's not a fly-by-note system either: some three million people worldwide have a
proven success rate of over 70%. Libraries will find it a popular lend.
Psychotropic Drugs: Fast Facts
Jerrold S. Maxmen, MD, Sydney H. Kennedy, MD, Roger S. McIntyre, MD
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
039370520X, $42.50 www.wwnorton.com
Medical libraries and college-level reference collections will find the 4th updated edition of
Psychotropic Drugs: Fast Facts to be a winner. Updated to reflect the latest research and new
treatments, it's organized by major drug classes and offers details on dosage, side effects,
withdrawal and everything mental health practitioners need to know to manage treatment. A key
reference any mental health library should have.
The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf
Parker Guns: Shooting Flying and the American Experience
Ed Muderlak
Collector Books
Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002-3009
9781574326116, $49.95 www.collectorbooks.com
PARKER GUNS comes from a long-time collector of Parker shotguns who has been building his
collection since the 1970s. His evidence-gathering skills as a lawyer and adult skills as a CPA led
to his research into records better defining the Parker gun, to numerous articles in sports
publications, and to this, his fourth book on the topic. Articles pair with vintage illustrations and
ads in this winner.
Cherrypicker's Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins
Bill Fivaz and J.T. Stanton
Whitman publishing
3101 Clairmont Rd, Suite C, Atlanta, GA 30329
97800794822859, $39.95 www.whitmanbooks.com
This 5th edition, Volume 1 of a classic covers U.S. coins from half cents to nickel five-cent
pieces and shows collectors how to 'cherrypick' a coin collection to find repunched mintmarks,
overdates, and other details elevating a seemingly-common coin to 'rare' condition. It offers
enlarged, high-resolution photos of each coin's special attributes and a lay-flat, spiral binding
format lending to easy use with a hardcover spine to locate quickly on a shelf. Serious coin
collectors will find it a 'must' reference.
The Nautical Shelf
Inshore Navigation
Tom Cunliffe
Wiley Nautical
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
9780470753897, $29.95 www.wileynautical.com
Navigation is best learned on the water, not out of a book - but it's helpful to have an onboard
guide to nautical navigation - and that's where the second edition of INSHORE NAVIGATION
comes in handy. It is designed to accompany on-board action and uses clear illustrations and tips
to show navigation basics, from using charts and GPS to plotting a fix and mastering passages.
Any basic library catering to sailors needs this.
The Audiobook Shelf
Silks
Dick Francis and Felix Francis
Penguin Audio
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
9780143143857, $34.95 www.penguin.com
Martin Jarvis provides a passionate reading to the horse-racing intrigue thriller SILKS, this
revolving around a defense lawyer, an arrogant client, and a blend of legal attorney and jockey
who investigates a fellow rider's brutal murder. In keeping with Francis thrillers, this is an
unparalleled winner for any fan of Francis or horse-related mysteries.
The Chopin Manuscript
Jeffrey Deaver, et.al.
Brilliance Audio
PO Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
1423377028, $29.95 www.brillianceaudio.com
Alfred Molina who has held many roles in motion pictures narrates a fine masterful thriller
co-written by some fifteen thriller masters and telling of a former war crimes investigator Harold
Middleton, who possesses a previously unknown musical score by Chopin. But the score also
holds a dangerous secret that can threaten the lives of thousands of Americans, prompting him on
a world-wide journey to uncover its mystery. Fifteen top thriller writers contribute to an
absorbing, vivid story line perfect for audio mystery and thriller collections.
The Tenth Justice
Brad Meltzer
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
1600244785, $24.98 www.hachetteaudio.com
Ben Addison is a new Supreme Court clerk - but his accidental slip places his position in
jeopardy. It's up to co-workers and housemates to help with their insider access to Washington
politics - and soon Ben finds all their careers - and their lives - are on the line. Scott Brick's
rendition is gripping and lends excitement and high drama to an audio listen perfect for libraries
strong in political thrillers.
The Business Shelf
Plugged In
Tamara Erickson
Harvard Business Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163
9781422120606, $16.95 www.harvardbusiness.org/press
PLUGGED IN: THE GENERATION Y GUIDE TO THRIVING AT WORK is for any newly
entering the workforce; especially those who are natural computer networkers and users facing
integration with co-workers who don't understand the 'generation Y' social group. From chapters
on using unique abilities to connect to the changing work world to handling professional
engagements from co-workers and bosses, PLUGGED IN is an especially strong pick for college
students about to head out into the working world, and includes research on different generations
in the workforce to drive home points on interactions and positive growth.
Breakdown, Breakthrough
Kathy Caprino
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
235 Montgomery Street Suite 650, San Francisco CA 94104
9781576755594, $16.95 www.bk-life.com
Thousands of professional women find themselves in crisis, believing they've sacrificed balance
and meaning in life to be successful in the workplace. This survey identifies twelve specific
challenges such women face and offers concrete game plans for overcoming each one. Case
histories supplement stories of women who found better ways of living life with renewed passion
and purpose, making for an excellent addition to both women's studies and business
collections.
The Mobile Marketing Handbook
Kim Dushinski
Information Today Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055
9780910965828, $29.95 www.infotoday.com
THE MOBILE MARKETING HANDBOOK: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO CREATING
DYNAMIC MOBILE MARKETING CAMPAIGNS tells how to create successful mobile
campaigns on a budget. From interacting with mobile users to reaching new prospects via mobile
systems, chapters cover everything from marketing a mobile campaign to tracking its results.
Business libraries will find it a fine pick.
The Money/Finance Shelf
The Motley Fool Million Dollar Portfolio
David and Tom Gardner
Collins Business
c/o HarperCollins
10 East 53rd Street, New York NY 10022
9780061567544, $26.99 www.harpercollins.com
Just in time for stock market jitters is The Motley Fool Million Dollar Portfolio: How to Build
and Grow a Panic-Proof Investment Portfolio. It cautions against rushing to sell stocks
recklessly, points out the bargains and profits to be made in a bear market, and provides an
innovative investing strategy that draws on the wisdom of dozens of analysts across the country
and thousands of investors to offer market-beating stock ideas. Any library interested in
long-term investing titles will find this a popular pick backed by the financial column Motley
Fool's reputation.
The Interior Design Shelf
Rearrange It!
Barbara Jennings, CRS
Ahava Enterprises Inc.
7501 Slater Avenue, Suite C, Huntington Beach, CA, 92647
9780961802646, $34.95 www.decorate-redecorate.com
Any library strong in either interior decoration or business titles simply must have
REARRANGE IT! The author's been professionally rearranging homes in California since 1986:
her home-based designer tips lend perfectly to those who would operate and foster home-based
work while her case studies of clients, tips on what to charge and how to rearrange, assessments
of what homeowners need most, and how to turn a chaotic home feel into a design masterpiece
makes for clear, specific suggestions. While those selling homes and real estate agents will find
this of key interest, so will both those seeking to make a business of home arranging and
homeowners just seeking a more logical arrangement, making for a wide-ranging
recommendation suitable for any public lending library.
The Cookbook Shelf
Wings
Debbie Moose
Wiley
111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
9780470283479, $16.95 www.wiley.com
Spicy Buffalo wings have become an appetizer of choice, and WINGS: MORE THAN 50
HIGH-FLYING RECIPES FOR AMERICA'S FAVORITE SNACK shows how to go beyond the
basics to incorporate the exotic in buffalo wing snacks. From Italian wings and Thai chili-garlic
sauces to crunchy Lemon-Pepper Wings, these are quick, easy dishes to prepare and come with
color photo embellishments. Libraries will find it a popular lend.
Dinner Survival
Sandi Richard
Scribner
1230 Avenue of Americas, New York NY 10020
1416543643, $22.95 www.simonsays.com
A complete dinner from scratch in 60 minutes flat with only 20 minutes prep time?? That's the
contention of DINNER SURVIVAL: THE MOST UNCOMPLICATED, APPROACHABLE
WAY TO GET DINNER TO FIT YOUR LIFE. The author is a mother of seven and knows how
to fit dinner into a hectic schedule so the actual supper is relaxing for the entire family. Here each
recipe receives a color-coded system correlating the recipe's prep and cook time and showing
how fresh ingredients and plan-ahead techniques can streamline the dinner experience for all. A
'must' for any general interest collection catering to busy moms or businesspeople.
The New Mediterranean Diet
Nancy Harmon Jenkins
Bantam Books
9780553385090, $35.00 www.bantamdell.com
Revised and updated to reflect new insights on the Mediterranean Diet, this updated edition of a
classic guide provides close to a hundred new dishes paired with the latest facts about the
nutritional benefits of the Mediterranean Diet, a plan easy to produce and sure to be popular with
a wide audience. From Lamb Meatballs with Pine Nuts in Lemony Tomato Sauce to Middle
Eastern Pizza, there's an outstanding range of healthy choices and dishes reflecting increased
attention to their health values. General-interest libraries won't be able to keep this on the
shelf!
Dessert FourPlay
Johnny Iuzzini and Roy Finamore
Clarkson Potter
c/o Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780307351371, $35.00 www.randomhouse.com
DESSERT FOURPLAY: SWEET QUARTETS FROM A FOUR-STAR PASTRY CHEF comes
from an executive pastry chef in a celebrated restaurant and offers some unusual pairings of
sweet with spicy, and innovative ingredients. Not for the traditionalist, DESSERT FOURPLAY
features such unusual blends as Cream Cheese Ice Cream with a Papaya-Lime Compote,
Chocolate-Pear Cake, Chocolate-Olive Panini with Balsamic Vinaigrette, and more. Perfect for
cooks and libraries seeking desserts with an exotic twist, with influences from around the world and
color photos to support them.
Secret Suppers
Jenn Garbee
Sasquatch Books
110 South Main Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98104
1570615462, $18.95 www.sasquatchbooks.com
SECRET SUPPERS: ROGUE CHEFS & UNDERGROUND RESTAURANT IN
WAREHOUSES, TOWNHOUSES, OPEN FIELDS & EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN visits
ten 'outlaw' eateries across the country, blending storytelling with portraits of rogue chefs who
entertain in the unlikeliest of situations, throwing dinner parties, cooking topless, and running
underground restaurants out of lofts and countryside alike. Recipes are included in a fun,
delightful and different expose perfect for collections catering to cooks and neo-pros.
The Architecture Shelf
Bark House Style
Chris McCurry and Nan Chase
Gibbs Smith
Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
1423602145, $30.00 www.gibbs-smith.com
BARK HOUSE STYLE: SUSTAINABLE DESIGNS FROM NATURE covers the return of bark
architecture as a popular construction technique, now featured for their sustainable, long-lasting
quality. BARK HOUSE STYLE pairs black and white and color photos with insights from
architects and homeowners on the use, choices, and feel of bark construction. Any library
featuring homeowner's or architecture guides will find it an unusual, appealing addition to the
collection.
Your Eco-Friendly Home
Sid Davis
Amacom
1601 Broadway, New York NY 10019-7420
9780814410370, $17.95 www.amacombooks.org
YOUR ECO-FRIENDLY HOME: BUYING, BUILDING OR REMODELING GREEN explores
the basics on how to find, buy, maintain and sell a 'green' house. Over 100,000 of them have been
built in the past ten years, and real estate insider Sid Davis examines the expanding green real
estate movement and how to develop a home system that is green. A fine addition to any home
improvement or real estate-oriented collection.
The Gardening Shelf
Palm Springs-Style Gardening
Maureen Gilmer
Sunbelt Publications
Box 191126, San Diego, CA 92159-1126
9780932653895, $24.95 www.sunbeltbooks.com
PALM SPRINGS GARDENING could have been featured in our 'California' section but is
reviewed here for its wider-ranging applications to any collection catering to desert gardeners and
homeowners. Dryland gardeners receive inspiration from Palm Springs, a tropical climate which
also holds extremes of wind, heat, sand and more challenges. Outdoors gardens can be designed
to benefit from these challenges and enhance a drylands setting, and discussions of choosing
plants naturally adapted to the climate from options world-wide make for an excellent gardener's
guide.
The Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Riding Into Your Mythic Life
Patricia Broersma
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
9781577316558, $14.95 www.newworldlibrary.com
Horses by nature are mythic creatures and represent aspects of the human journey. Here a
certified riding therapist who has founded and directed many horse therapy programs offers her
insights into how horses and interactions with them can bring transformational adventures. From
preparing for a mythical journey with horses to the interactions of different age groups with
horses, RIDING INTO YOUR MYTHIC LIFE is a fine choice for new age collections.
The Secrets of Masonic Washington
James Wasserman
Destiny Books
c/o Inner Tradition
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
9781594772665, $16.95 www.destinybooks.com
This history of a secret society explores the purposes behind Masonic symbols and ritualistic
meanings, surveying how Masonic designs became part of the symbols of America's capital and
examining the role Freemasonry played in the 18th century Enlightenment movement. The result
is a fine link between new age and American history, recommended for any library considering
titles on freemasonry.
Destiny Books
c/o Inner Tradition
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.destinybooks.com
Michael Brill's NUMEROLOGY FOR HEALING: YOUR PERSONAL NUMBERS AS THE
KEY TO A HEALTHIER LIFE (9781594772368, $14.95) offers a system of Cosmic
Numerology which combines numerology with physics, psychology and spirituality to create a
different approach to healing emotional and physical problems. Over 200 physical and mental
health conditions and their associated symptoms are identified and reviewed in the course of a
solid primer. Louis Pauwels and Jacques Bergier's THE MORNING OF THE MAGICIANS:
SECRET SOCIETIES, CONSPIRACIES, AND VANISHED CIVILIZATIONS
(9781594772313, $19.95) was first published in 1960 and offers insights into scientific evidence
that supports the existence of paranormal activity, telepathy, and the occult in human history.
From masterminds behind early civilizations' growth to connections between alchemy and
modern physics and Hitler's psychic potentials, THE MORNING OF THE MAGICIANS offers a
wide-ranging history. Both are fine new age library additions.
The Social Issues Shelf
The Emergence of Land Markets in Africa
Stein T. Holden, et.al., Editors
Resources for the Future
1616 P Street NW, Washington DC 20036-1400
9781933115696, $90.00 www.rffpress.org
THE EMERGENCE OF LAND MARKETS IN AFRICA is the first systematic attempt to
address emerging land markets and their implications for poverty and equality across a number of
African countries. Land issues and land usage is key among international policy agendas, yet
there's been relatively little information on the market to help in decision-making processes.
College-level collections strong in African studies and international policy issues will thus find
this a unique, key acquisition.
The Power of Freedom
Jean-Pierre Chauffour
Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20001
9781933995243, $22.95 www.cato.org
THE POWER OF FREEDOM: UNITING DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS considers
whether quests for human rights and economic development are compatible, arguing that the
answer depends on the place of freedom in both human rights and development concerns. From
formulas and rights for development to issues of lifting people out of poverty and the practical
applications of approaches to top-down poverty reduction, this is a fine survey key to any social
issues or international social issues library at the college level.
Evolution's Edge
Graeme Taylor
New Society Publishers
P.O. Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X0 Canada
9780865716087, $24.95 www.newsociety.com
EVOLUTION'S EDGE: THE COMING COLLAPSE AND TRANSFORMATION OF OUR
WORLD explains why the collapse of our destructive global system is inevitable - and how the
emergence of a new kind of sustainable civilization will save humankind. Obstacles to human
progress are cultural, and technology can accelerate the evolutionary process by using ethical
values and views as tools - featured here in Evolution's Edge, a pick for any college to general
library concerned with social issues.
The Theatre/Cinema Shelf
The Great American Book Musical
Denny Martin Flinn
Limelight Editions
c/o Hal Leonard
19 West 21st Street, Suite 201, New York NY 10010
9780879103620, $19.95 www.limelighteditions.com
THE GREAT AMERICAN BOOK MUSICAL: A MANIFESTO A MONOGRAPH A
MANUAL traces the development of libretto, music, lyrics and staging over the history of
American musicals, considering the factors that make for a great book musical and
demonstrating that quality happens when dialogue, lyrics and dance present a seamless
integration of the story line. His history of American musicians and how great musicals integrate
these experiences makes this a 'must' for any library serious about American stage
productions.
The Fiction Shelf
Daemon
Daniel Suarez
Dutton
375 Hudson Street, New York NY 10014
9780525951117, $26.95 www.penguin.com
Readers who enjoy high-tech thrillers and libraries catering to them will find this a fine novel of
blogging and tech sector intrigue. Originally self-published in 2006 under a pseudonym,
DAEMON became an underground hit, telling of a legendary computer game designer who
releases a swarm of web bots into the internet when he dies: programs that recruit people,
programs that kill. It's up to an intrepid detective to disable a nightmare in this novel, packed
with twists and turns.
The Anteater of Death
Betty Webb
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Avenue, Suite 103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
9781590585603, $24.95 www.poisonedpenpress.com
The Anteater was framed - but if giant anteater Lucy didn't kill the man in her zoo enclosure,
who did? A suspicious zookeeper must locate the real murderer before Lucy is sent away - but
further happenings at the zoo send Teddy on a labyrinth of investigation into underlying motives
and murder in this unusual mystery, perfect for mystery libraries seeking something different and
deserving of ongoing recommendation.
The Environmental Studies Shelf
Green, Inc.
Christine MacDonald
Lyons Press
Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
9781599214368, $24.95 www.LyonsPress.com
Some of the world's top conservationists have dubious relationships with the corporate world:
that's the hard-hitting message of GREEN, INC, which examines the methods and processes of
good intentions gone bad. Chapters consider groups and individuals alike, surveying the realities
behind 'green' movements and efforts. GREEN INC: AN ENVIRONMENTAL INSIDER
REVEALS HOW A GOOD CAUSE HAS GONE BAD is not to be missed by any library
exploring environmental consciousness.
Climate of Extremes
Patrick J. Michaels and Robert C. Balling Jr.
Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
9781933995236, $21.95 www.cato.org
There's a new world of global warming science that few people hear about: a body of scientific
research arguing that while global warming exists, it's not the doomsday version. CLIMATE OF
EXTREMES comes from two climatologists who explain the biases of climate science and offer
closer examination of the popular apocalyptic visions of change versus alternative perceptions of
the problem. Perfect for high school to college-level study and debate.
The World's Water 2008-2009
Peter H. Gleick
Island Press
1718 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20009
1597265055, $35.00 www.islandpress.org
Island Press's biennial report on freshwater resources provides a series of articles on water issues
around the world, from water quality in China and managing urban water use to statistics on
annual water resources, access to safe drinking water by country both past and present,
development goals, population growth and water usage, and more. Any library strong in urban
growth, social issues, or resource management in particular must have this latest report.
The Science Shelf
The 10,000 Year Explosion
Gregory Cochran and Henry Harpending
Basic Books
c/o Perseus Books Group
Eleven Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
www.perseusbooksgroup.com
9780465002214, $27.00 www.basicbooks.com
Did human evolution come to a sudden halt 50,000 years ago when homo sapiens emerged from
Africa? The authors add a biological focus to the question in The 10,000 Year Explosion,
rejecting common ideas in favor of the revelation of recent genetic changes the human species
has undergone. Human evolution accelerated after civilization arose, they contend: chapters
blend human history with biological change to make for a compelling argument for the ongoing
evolution of the human race. High school to college-level collections strong in sociology and
biology will find this food for thought and solid classroom discussion and debate.
Scientists Greater Than Einstein
Billy Woodward with Joel Shurkin and Debra Gordon
Quill Driver
c/o Linden Publishing
2006 South Mary, Fresno, CA 93721
9781884956874, $24.95 www.quilldriverbooks.com
SCIENTISTS GREATER THAN EINSTEIN: THE BIGGEST LIFESAVERS OF THE 20TH
CENTURY offers a survey of ten scientists who changed the world, defeating death for over a
billion people, yet remaining obscure in the public eye. This survey offers insights into the works
of an eye doctor who discovered a better use for vitamin A, one who eradicated smallpox, treated
diarrhea, and more. Personal anecdotes blend with scientific facts in a coverage perfect for both
college-level and general-interest libraries.
The Cosmic Connection
Jeff Kanipe
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2119
9781591026679, $27.95 www.prometheusbooks.com
THE COSMIC CONNECTION: HOW ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS IMPACT LIFE ON
EARTH provides a powerful survey of the cosmos, offering connections between events
affecting the universe and those affecting mankind. It's intended for the general reader so
general-interest libraries will find it provocative, exploring different astronomical events and
how they have affected life on Earth.
The Music Shelf
Artificial Paradise
Kevin Courrier
Praeger
88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
9780313345869, $39.95 www.prgaeger.com
ARTIFICIAL PARADISE: THE DARK SIDE OF THE BEATLES' UTOPIAN DREAM tells of
the utopian dream built throughout the 1960s by the Beatles - and how their music also attracted
a darker side, reflecting the disillusionment of a generation. Chapters survey how their music and
personalities created the promise of an inclusive culture, using the phenomenon of Beatlemania
and their performances and lyrics as a foundation for examining a generation's changes. Beatles
collectors and music libraries must have this different approach linking the Beatles phenomenon
to social change.
The California Shelf
One Best Hike: Mount Whitney
Elizabeth Wenk
Wilderness Press
1345 - 8th Street, Berkeley CA 94710
9780899974644, $12.95 www.wildernesspress.com
California hikers who want a challenge will find everything they need to know about such a
challenge in ONE BEST HIKE: MOUNT WHITNEY. It covers a very demanding hike,
discussing altitude, distance, mountain weather and a range of tips on physical preparation for
Mount Whitney's many challenges. From maps and GPS waypoints to discussions of permits,
campsites, and peaks, ONE BEST HIKE: MT. WHITNEY is a recommendation for any
California collection strong in outdoors hiking and camping titles.
Michael Taylor: Interior Design
Stephen M. Salny
W.W. Norton
500 - 5th Avenue, New York NY 10110
9780393732351, $75.00 www.wwnorton.com
Michael Taylor was a contemporary interior designer deemed the 'best in the U.S.' by society and
fashion photographer Cecil Beaton: his style revolutionized interior design in the 1970s and 80s,
introduced 'California style' and brought logs and earth into the home. A gorgeously illustrated
book makes for a celebration of his lasting California heritage works - which include his own Sea
Cliff home and the restaurant Fleur de Lys in San Francisco. Any arts library strong in interior
design and California collections in particular - even general-interest California history holdings -
need this.
The Religion/Spirituality Shelf
God in the White House
Randall Balmer
HarperOne
c/o HarperCollins
10 East 53rd Street, New York NY 10022
9780060872588, $14.99 www.harperone.com
Randall Balmer is a professor of American religious history at Columbia University and here
offers a fine survey of the interactions between religious belief and politics in modern times,
from Kennedy's promise to keep faith and politics separate to Bush's focus on linking religion
with the Presidential office. Faith has changed modern presidencies: this book offers a
contemporary history examining the presence, influences and choices of faith in the White House
and is a pick not just for American Christians, but for any library strong in American political
history, from the high school level on up.
Reiki for the Heart and Soul
Amy Z. Rowland
Healing Arts Press
c/o Inner Tradition
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
9781594772528, $19.95 www.healingartspress.com
Reiki practitioners and teachers consider it a powerful healing method, but it's actually more - it's
a commitment to personal growth, and Reiki for the Heart and Soul reinforces aspects of the
discipline. Chapters cover the five core Reiki principles presented in Western and Japanese
traditions which can be used for both personal and spiritual growth. New age and general-interest
spirituality libraries will consider it a winning acquisition.
The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
The Lexicon
Steve Vander Ark
RDR Books
1487 Glen Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49441
9781571431745, $24.95 www.rdrbooks.com
THE LEXICON: AN UNAUTHORIZED GUIDE TO HARRY POTTER FICTION AND
RELATED MATERIALS was famous before it ever appeared in print: J.K. Rowling sued over
the original book in 2007, and this new book is in full compliance with a judge's ruling regarding
an earlier manuscript. It's the first encyclopedia to the entire Harry Potter series, offering the
missing index and including explanations of hundreds of words invented by Rowling. With its
extensive citations and details, THE LEXICON is the perfect accompaniment to any library
already strong in Harry Potter fans.
Many Bloody Returns
Charlaine Haris and Toni L. P. Kelner, Editors
Ace Books
c/o The Berkley Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780441016754, $15.00 www.penguin.com
Original vampire tales by Jim Butcher, Kelly Armstrong, Tanya Huff and more provide 13
original stories perfect for any interested in a diverse selection of vampire stories. From a
Dracula birthday party with bloodsucking party crashers to a daughter introduced to her mother's
secrets - these are fine and diverse tales perfect for vampire fans.
Honor of the Clan
John Ringo & Julie Cochrane
Baen Books
Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
1416555919, $26.00 www.baen.com
Lt. General Michael O'Neill lives in a world still a shambles after the Posleen Invasion, and his
main duty is to prevent the recovery of the aliens and protect humanity from them. There is no
greater duty - - even if it mans facing a basic betrayal, facing an estranged daughter, and
eliminating danger at all costs. A gripping science fiction political thriller evolves perfect for
collections strong in political sci-fi.
The Judaic Studies Shelf
And From There You Shall Seek
Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik
KTAV Publishing House
930 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
9780881259346, $29.50 www.ktav.com
This translation of Rabbi Soloveitchik's classic essays drafted in the 1940s as a companion to his
earlier work is a pick for Judaic studies collections at the college/scholarly level. It contains his
deep examination of religious consciousness and experience and considers religious practice and
spiritual journeys alike, discusses differences between intellectual and experiential awareness,
and offers extensive Torah references. Judaic studies collections will find it important.
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com
Diane C. Donovan, Editor & Senior Reviewer
12424 Mill Street, Petaluma, CA 94952
phone: 1-707-795-4629
e-mail: donovan@sonic.net
Copyright ©2001
Site design by Williams Writing, Editing &
Design