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California Bookwatch

Volume 9, Number 10 October 2014 Home | CALBW Index

Table of Contents

Reviewer's Choice Philosophy Shelf Gun Shelf
Military Shelf Photography Shelf Audiobook Shelf
Music Shelf Needlecraft Shelf Religion/Spirituality Shelf
Christian Studies Shelf Judaic Studies Shelf Metaphysical Studies Shelf
Technology Shelf Automotive Shelf Education Shelf
Science Shelf Pets/Wildlife Shelf Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Fiction Shelf Crafts Shelf Art Shelf
Computer Shelf Social Issues Shelf Cookbook Shelf
Wine Shelf Agriculture Shelf Health/Medicine Shelf
Fantasy/SciFi Shelf Business Shelf California Shelf


Reviewer's Choice

Life: It Is What It Is
Lisa Sugarman
CreateSpace
4900 LaCross Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406
www.createspace.com
978149479130, $16.49, www.itiswhatitiscolumn.wordpress.com

Life: It Is What It Is comes from the long-time columnist for GateHouse Media, and considers the importance of accepting imperfection and controlling how we react to life. It comes from an author and columnist who offers a collection of her columns that analyze what life is and how to understand and accept its unpredictability, and it creates a lively dialogue of the ups and downs of living that will resonate with quite a wide audience. If it's an involving survey about life and its processes that is desired, Lisa Sugarman holds the key to an excellent presentation with much food for thought.

Beauty Rules
Bobbi Brown
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
www.chroniclebooks.com
9781452112756, $19.95, www.chroniclebooks.com

Beauty Rules comes from a world-famous makeup artist and offers a beauty bible for teens and twenty-somethings, and packs in hundreds of photos of girls (not models) who have successfully used Brown's techniques. Makeovers are presented in step-by-step techniques that come from top stylist and offer keys to getting the most from makeup and beauty routines. Packed with color and specifics for all styles and races, Beauty Rules is a top recommendation for any collection catering to teens and young adult women.

How to Make Your Baby an Internet Celebrity
Rick Chillot with Dustin Fenstermacher
Quirk Books
215 Church Street, Philadelphia PA 19106
9781594747397, $12.95, www.quirkbooks.com

How to Make Your Baby an Internet Celebrity pairs Fenstermacher's photos with a tongue-in-cheek guide to how parents can capitalize on their baby's charm for success. Help them crawl down the path to fame by identifying an infant's major attributes, linking this to a character type, than making a video the world can enjoy! It's zany, it's fun, and it's an entertaining read for parents able to see the humor in impossible scenarios and suggestions.


The Philosophy Shelf

Liveright Publishing
c/o W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
www.wwnorton.com

Two new additions to the Liveright Classics series by Alan Ryan are recommended for readers interested in political philosophy, and offer new books by Ryan that synthesize the thoughts of major political philosophers with contemporary concerns. Each book offers key excerpts from each philosopher, new introductions by Ryan placing them in contemporary perspective, and fine historical background paired with social and political analysis. ON MARX: REVOLUTIONARY AND UTOPIAN (9780871407931, $14.95) and ON TOCQUEVILLE: DEMOCRACY AND AMERICA (9780871407047, $14.95) each are top picks for any studying social and political philosophy.


The Gun Shelf

Double Action
Ulrich Schwab
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310
9780764346309, $39.99, www.schifferbooks.com

DOUBLE ACTION: CLASSIC REVOLVERS FOR TARGET SHOOTING, HUNTING AND SECURITY describes a range of revolvers and documents their history, technology and how they shoot. Double action revolves are those where the trigger cocks and drops the hammer. They're favored by bodyguards and security personnel, are quick to reload, and offer hunters high caliber shooting options. The result is a powerful survey packed with color photos throughout and all the technical information needed to purchase or compare double action revolvers.


The Military Shelf

Sgt. Reckless: America's War Horse
Robin Hutton
Regnery Publishing, Inc.
One Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001
9781621572633, $27.99, www.regneryhistory.com

Military, animal and history holdings alike will appreciate this fine story of a horse who was a marine - a small "Mongolian mare" who came from racing stock and who became a war hero and a combat marine, even earning sergeant's stripes before she retired. If this sounds familiar, it's because Reckless was recognized in 1997 by Life magazine as one of the country's greatest war heroes. Robin Hunter is behind much of this horse's recognition: determined not to let history die, her book profiles the reckless courage of the horse in the process of military history and use, and is an engrossing pick for any collection.


The Photography Shelf

Astrophotography
Thierry Legault
Rocky Nook
802 East Cota Street, 3rd Floor, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
9781937538439, $39.95, www.rockynook.com

Astrophotography covers all the basics of taking pictures of the stars and comes from a world-renowned astrophotographer who teaches all the basics, from purchasing the most useful equipment and accessories to setting up different kinds of cameras and telescopes. Learn how to calculate shooting parameters, photograph faint galaxies and planets, locate images and fix defects common to astrophotography, and capture images of the sun itself. There's no photography book quite like this, which traverses the boundaries of space, science, and photography to provide all levels of photographer specific tips for capturing the best astrophotos!

Leica M Typ 240: The Expanded Guide
David Taylor
Ammonite Press
c/o Lightening Publications
9781781450390, $19.95, www.ammonitepress.com

That there's a need for a handbook beyond the basic user's manual for the Leica M Typ 240 is testimony not to the user's guide's failings, but to the camera's many advanced possibilities - and Leica M Typ 240: The Expanded Guide meets these questions with tips from a professional photographer who tells how to gain the most from the digital camera. From creating a photographic 'story' using the Leica to understanding lens properties, assessing flash accessories, using filters and understanding lens vulnerability to fungus in humid climates, this covers all the basics a Leica user needs to know to get the most from the camera, and is especially recommended for new users.

Set the Scene
Tracy Dorr
Amherst Media
175 Rano Street, Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14207-2176
9781608956975, $27.95, www.amherstmedia.com

Props can enhance portraits, especially if used creatively, and can accomplish everything from enhancing the posing process to providing viewers with a more personalized picture. This survey discusses different kinds of props, how to make choices for individual and group poses on location or in a studio, and covers the basics of choosing props for babies, kids, teens and adults. Techniques and images from a range of photographers lends to an inspiring survey that keeps budgets in mind while offering a range of opportunities for expanding portrait possibilities and branding a photographer's style.


The Audiobook Shelf

The Directive
Matthew Quirk
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9781611137019, $30.00, www.hachetteaudio.com

THE DIRECTIVE is narrated by Jay Snyder, whose evocative voice has earned him acting credits on Broadway, TV, and theater and film, and offers a gripping narrative documenting the Ford family and a brother who is dragged into a big heist: robbing the Federal reserve Bank of New York of its biggest secret. Espionage, intrigue, and action creates a powerful survey that's vivid and memorable.

A Shiver of Light
Laurel K. Hamilton
Penguin Audio
c/o The Penguin Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9781611762808, $39.95, www.penguin.com

A Shiver of Light receives a fine, spirited reading by Charlotte Hill, who brings to life a new Merry Gentry novel revolving around the first faerie princess born on American soil. This princess is also an ex-private detective, having become pregnant with triplets, and nobles of all courts are courting her and her men as they lie in exile in the Western Lands of Los Angeles - because she's descended from fertility goddesses. In particular, a dangerous king is trying to seduce her, has raped her, and is pursuing visitation rights through the human courts. Talk about a convoluted web of fantasy! But it all comes together in a logical manner; particularly in its audio format, enhanced by Charlotte Hill's professional background in film, television and stage. Any who love fantasies will find this a winning story!

Top Secret Twenty-One
Janet Evanovich
Random House Audio Books
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780385366809, $32.00, www.randomhouseaudio.com

Top Secret Twenty-One provides a new Stephanie Plum novel, pairs the story with a lively narration by Lorelei King in an unabridged production, and creates a winning story about bounty hunter Stephanie's new case involving a used-car dealer who jumps bail. As dead bodies mount, Stephanie finds herself doing things she really doesn't want to do, in order to solve impossible cases with a minimum number of murders. Add an assassination plot and further personal mysteries and you have a vivid listen that comes to life under actress and award-winning narrator Lorelei King's hand.


The Music Shelf

Behind the Boards II
Jake Brown
Hal Leonard Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing
33 Plymouth St, Suite 302, Montclair, NJ 07042
9781480350601, $24.99, www.halleonardbooks.com

Behind the Boards II: The Making of Rock 'n Roll's Greatest Records Revealed considers the inner workings of legendary rock music songs, combining interviews and narration to provide a history and survey of these classic recordings. The first volume of this series represented the first rock-record producer's anthology of its kind and considered studio sound recording experiences: this sequel uses the same format to examine more legendary rock songs by the Beatles, Billy Idol, Survivor, Foo Fighters and more, and comes from a music biographer whose approach is packed with insights and revelations.

The Youngs
Jesse Fink
St. Martins Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9781250053831, $25.99, www.stmartins.com

THE YOUNGS: THE BROTHERS WHO BUILT AC/DC is a top recommendation for any who have an affection for the rock group and considers the brothers Malcolm, George and Angus Young who created a unique sound when they fostered the group into success. Now, there are plenty of books about the group on the market, but this offers a unique view of the trio and uses some 11 classic songs to reveal the mechanics of how their creation worked. The result is an engrossing, refreshing guide highly recommended for not just AC/DC fans, but any follower of rock music history.

Burning Britain
Ian Glasper
PM Press
PO Box 23912, Oakland, CA 94623
9781604867480, $24.95, www.pmpress.org

Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk 1980-1984 discusses the reality of being a teen punk rocker in Thatcher's Britain, which resulted in a powerful and defiant blend of sounds that brought the 1970s to an end and defied the meaning and traditions of punk rock. What emerged was a harder and faster form of punk that solidified punk rock as its own style from 1980-1984, and this history covers Britain and its punk movements region by region, focusing on bands and record labels and considering influences on the genre. The result is a 'must' for any interested in the history and culture of punk rock and its effects on British and world rock music.

Southbound
Scott B. Bomar
Backbeat Books
c/o Hal Leonard Performing Arts Publishing
33 Plymouth St, Suite 302, Montclair, NJ 07042
9781480355194, $29.99, www.backbeatbooks.com

Southbound: An Illustrated History of Southern Rock details the birth and evolution of Southern rock, from its blues and soul roots to how country music and rock joined forces to reach beyond the regional South to the rest of the world. It's a pick for any popular music history holding and presents a fine collection of insights as Bomar follows the genre's many influences, from social changes and cultural insight to individual and band legacies that continue to this day. From stereotypes of Southern culture to the golden era of the 1970s, this lively history will reach all kinds of readers interested in a range of rock music styles.

Let's Talk About Love, new edition
Carl Wilson
Bloomsbury Press
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 315, New York, NY 10010
9781441166777, $19.95, www.bloomsbury.com

Any collection strong in music and sound studies who want a series of discussions relating music to pop culture will find Let's Talk About Love: Why Other People Have Such Bad Taste a vivid exploration of how music moves the world. From big pop stars and class influences on musical tastes to how producers and artists shine and how they battle images of conformity in the process of creating something new, this is a fine collection of essays by a range of commentators, packed in a new, expanded edition recommended for any interested in music's connections to social issues and cultural change.


The Needlecraft Shelf

Knitting Rugs
Nola A. Heidbreder and Linda Pietz
Stackpole Books
5067 Ritter Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6921
9780811712514, $21.95, www.stackpolebooks.com

Knitting Rugs: 39 Traditional, Contemporary, Innovative Designs includes a variety of rugs made from a range of knitting methods from I-cord to recycled materials, and covers everything from knitting to dyeing and applique. Patterns come from sisters who provide all the patterns and designs needed to knit nearly forty original rugs, and come with not only step-by-step knitter's directions, but good-sized color photos of completed results. Any who learn to knit rugs will find this a winning presentation.

Here Comes Winter
Jeanne Large and Shelley Wicks
Martingale & Company
19021 Avenue NE, Bothell, WA 98011
9781604683714, $26.99, www.shopmartingale.com

Here Comes Winter: Quilted Projects to Warm Your Home offers a range of decorative projects designed with winter themes in mind, and tells how to make a home cozy with pillows, wall hangings, lap quilts and more. Wintertime motifs include holiday themes, snow, and more, while projects based on applique and earthy colors create fun blends of snowflakes, reindeer, and snowmen, among others. The result is a creative, engaging survey highly recommended for any needleworker looking for winter projects!

Crewel Intentions
Hazel Blomkamp
Search Press USA
1338 Ross Street, Petaluma, CA 94954-1117
9781782211068, $29.95, www.searchpress.com

Crewel Intentions: Fresh Ideas for Jacobean Embroidery uses step-by-step instructions and color photos to explore the basics of working with a Jacobean shape, and shows how to use different threads, beads and crystals to embroider a range of deigns. Techniques utilize crewel embroidery stitches and blend them with other styles and needlework methods to create patterns that fill the Jacobean shapes with designs. From materials to close-ups of crewel creations, this is a lovely survey packed with specific instructions needleworkers will appreciate.

Sewing School Basics
Jane Bolsover
Cico Books
c/o Ryland Peters & Small
519 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10012
9781782490890, $24.95, www.rylandpeters.com

Sewing School Basics offers a complete sewing course for beginners on making clothes and home furnishings, and uses 12 workshops to teach all the sewing skills needed. Each workshop ends with a step-by-step project applying skills presented in the workshops, and each workshop focuses on creating clothes and home furnishings. From full-size paper patterns for clothing and home decor to color photos of finished projects, this packs in a treasure trove of materials and is a fine pick for any who not only want to learn basic sewing skills, but apply them.


The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

Einstein God & The Bible
Ray Comfort
WND Books
9781936488179, $22.95, www.wndbooks.com

Einstein God & The Bible is not just another book about Einstein, but instead focuses on his belief in the divine and comes form an author who delves into exactly what Einstein believed and areas where the Bible and science are complimentary. It delves into the principles Einstein said came from Judaic and Christian roots, it considers the power of belief and why Einstein would abandon the beliefs of his ancestors, and it makes an important case for spiritual science that examines basic concepts of atheist thinking and how they fail. Any Christian with affection for Einstein and science will find this an absorbing read.

Tastes of the Divine
Michelle Noss Roberts
Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Avenue University Box L
Bronx, NY 10458-5172
9780823257393, $28.00, www.fordhampress.com

Tastes of the Divine: Hindu and Christian Theologies of Emotion is recommended for new age and spirituality collections alike and blends discussion of aesthetic experience with theological insights perfect for college-level students of religious study. Chapters discuss the three emotions of peace, love, and fury and offer examples from Christian and Hindu texts and tales considering how emotion is constructed in Christian liturgy. The result is a strong addition to comparative theology texts and collections.


The Christian Studies Shelf

Joan Chittister: Essential Writings
Mary Lou Kownacki and Mary Hembrow Snyder
Orbis Books
Box 302, Maryknoll NY 10545-0302
9781626980914, $22.00, www.orbisbooks.com

Joan Chittister: Essential Writings joins others in the publisher's 'Modern Spiritual Masters' series, and tells of a Benedictine nun who is one of the most popular religious voices in modern times. She's talked about social issues along with God, has considered different themes of spiritual belief and social justice, and represents a powerful religious thinker. This survey pairs biography with examination of her works, and is a powerful compendium for who would explore Chittister's beliefs and observations of life and God alike. Christian collections will find it an important, absorbing read.


The Judaic Studies Shelf

God Laughed
Hershey H. Friedman and Linda Weiser Friedman
Transaction Publishers
10 Corporate Place South, Piscataway, NJ 08854
9781412853767, $54.95, www.transactionpub.com

GOD LAUGHED: SOURCES OF JEWISH HUMOR provides college-level readers of Jewish, religious and comedy studies with an academic examination of the history and evolution of Jewish humor from religious texts. It cites the Hebrew Bible, and Talmud, and the Midrash in the course of identifying humor in these writings, instances of irony, and examples of early humor and how they relate to contemporary Jewish culture and jokes. Added into the mix are references to modern television shows and a focus on the original sources of modern Jewish humor, making for a fine survey for a wide range of readers and collections.


The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

The Gentle Way of the Heart
Anders Nilsson
Nordic Light Books
9780989274609, $14.95, www.gentleway.me

The Gentle Way of the Heart comes from an unusual perspective: that of a scientist who is concerned with emotional and spiritual transformation. New age collections will find this an excellent survey that discusses everything form the nature of reality to understanding the importance of love connections in mankind's world. It uses metaphors to describe spiritual ideas, it cements these ideas with exercises designed for self-discovery, and it is all about confronting and overcoming limiting forces in the world. The result is an inspirational spiritual and self-help read especially recommended for new age followers.

Intuition and Your Sun Sign
Bernie Ashman
Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125
9780738738949, $18.99, www.llewellyn.com

Intuition and Your Sun Sign: Practical Methods to Unlock Your Potential offers a different way to hone intuition and blend in astrological guidance into your life, and comes from an astrologer who helps readers with no prior experience achieve better understanding of intuitive potential. Chapters offer exercises and insights on the process and show how to use a blend of astrology and intuition to achieve better relationships, handle emotional blocks, and facilitate better physical and mental health. The result is a fine account recommended for any new age collection; particularly those with works on astrology and its applications to improving everyday life.


The Technology Shelf

Electronic Warfare Receivers and Receiving Systems
Richard A. Poisel
Artech House
685 Canton Street, Norwood, MA 02062
9781608078417, $179.00, www.artechhouse.com

Electronic Warfare Receivers and Receiving Systems discusses one of the core units of electronic warfare intercept systems, and is recommended for technical engineering and military collections alike. System design engineers receive techniques for design and development of EW receivers for both modern and older modulation formats, with detailed design information included in discussions of design goals and system management. Formulas, charts and graphics, discussions of frequencies, filtering and mixing are an intrinsic part of engineering discussions and references specific to electronic warfare receiving systems, while discussions of converters and sampling processes offer many satisfying specifics.


The Automotive Shelf

How to Restore Your C3 Corvette: 1968-1982
Walt Thurn
CarTech
39966 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056
9781613250372, $29.95, www.cartechbooks.com

How to Restore Your C3 Corvette: 1968-1982 provides a fine survey of the Corvette and outlines the basics of what's needed to restore cars thirty years or older. These vehicles often need major work, so your typical car repair title is not the item of choice for them. This book is: it covers all stages of the complete restoration process from disassembly to inspection and reassembly, and covers hands-on techniques by arranging them in logical components. Chapters cover suspension, engine, interior, body, and all the major systems of a Corvette in a guide that is a 'must' for any involved in the overhaul of a C3 Corvette.


The Education Shelf

How to Write An Exceptional Thesis or Dissertation
J.S. Graustein
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
1405 S.W. 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
9781601386038, $24.95, www.atlantic-pub.com

Any looking to ace graduate schools will find the thesis or dissertation is often the major stepping stone that leads to success, or the major roadblock that leads to failure - and How to Write An Exceptional Thesis or Dissertation is designed to teach the basics with a step-by-step guide that moves from proposing a project to its successful completion. Chapters tell how to create a study and writing schedule that will retain focus and offers the tips of published academic writers and researchers who impart keys to success. Any looking for grad school success will find this an important step to overcoming common obstacles to achieve graduate status.

Numbers & Stories
Rita C. Janes and Elizabeth L. Strong
Corwin Press
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
9781483330945, $38.95, www.corwin.com

Numbers & Stories: Using Children's Literature to Teach Young Children Number Sense comes from authors who are educators in math and language arts, who blend together the Common Core Math and ELA standards for a survey blending children's literature with mathematical learning objectives. Some 22 interactive, research-based tools come with instructor suggestions, problem-solving pointers, and discussions questions teachers and students will benefit from, children's work pages and summaries offer learning resources, engagement opportunities, and read-aloud suggestions. The result is a survey packed with ideas for any educator who would combine math and literature educational pursuits in line with Common Core objectives.

Building the Better Teacher
Elizabeth Green
W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110
9780393081596, $27.95, www.wwnorton.com

Building the Better Teacher: How Teaching Works (and How to Teach it to Everyone) discusses the exceptional teacher: one who changes lives in the course of educating. Many have had such a mentor and being a great teacher is the ideal of many - but what makes a teacher great, and can this be learned? Chapters come from a former principal who studies the nation's best teachers for insights on what makes them great. Discussions of what happens in a classroom offer pointers for other educators' processes and pinpoints what differentiates the 'great' teacher from an ordinary educator, leading to a recommendation for any teaching collection.

MCAT Subject Review: Complete Set
The Princeton Review
c/o Random House Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019
9780804126328, $119.99, www.princetonreview.com

MCAT Subject Review: Complete Set is a comprehensive, in-depth set of six books revised for 2015 test standards and packed into a slipcase. Each book offers proven techniques from test experts, full-length practice tests both in the book and in accompanying online practice sessions, and complete coverage of every subject in the MCAT. The books included here are PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY REVIEW, PHYSICS AND MATH REVIEW, ORGANIC CHEMISTRY REVIEW, GENERAL CHEMISTRY REVIEW, BIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY REVIEW, and CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND REASONING SKILLS REVIEW. This is a virtual treasure trove of tests and information: with it, users can analyze approaches, test their skills levels, and hone techniques that will ultimately prove successful at winning not just one of the subjects, but the entire MCAT. Having all these guides under one cover will make for an accessible study set unparalleled in its scope and presentation, and a 'must' for MCAT takers and collections catering to them.

A Freshman Survival Guide for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Haley Moss
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Inc.
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849059848, $19.95, www.jkp.com

A Freshman Survival Guide for College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders covers the basics of higher education challenges for those on the autism spectrum and comes from a university student with high-functioning autism. Her tips and advice to surviving one's freshman year of college coves the basics but is especially strong in its assessment of new social situations and their special challenges for autistic students. From dealing with the disability office and getting to know your RA to understanding the differences between high school and college exams and the different ways to treat them, this is a 'must' for any autistic student who would succeed in college.

Connecting Animals and Children
Patty Born Selly
Redleaf Press
10 Yorkton Court, St. Paul, MN 55117-1065
9781605541563, $24.95, www.redleafpress.org

Connecting Animals and Children in Early Childhood considers why - and how - children should interact with real animals at an early stage of childhood, and identifies the kinds of learning that comes from animal/child relationships. Images of animals already permeate young lives, from media to toys; but this book considers why real animals are preferred, and outlines the benefits and impact of animals on a child's interpersonal development and social skills. From how to bring animals into a classroom to finding the right kind of pet and understanding how it will bring experience to the very young, this is filled with resources and ideas for connecting animals with even the youngest child.

Team-Based Learning
Larry K. Michaelsen, et.al., Editors
Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9781579220860, $27.50, www.styluspub.com

Team-Based Learning: A Transformative Use of Small Groups in College Teaching covers teaching strategies that transform classrooms, and introduces team-based teaching methods usually applicable to lower grades into the college environment. Its ability to streamline teaching processes and increase student learning at the college level has been proven time and again, and this book describes the strategies involved in taking small-group learning into larger classrooms. Chapters discuss how to do so for maximum collaboration, critical thinking and knowledge, and offer college-level teachers a set of instructions on everything from group assignments for interdisciplinary pursuits to developing group processes that encourage individual member participation. This is recommended for any college-level teacher interested in the mechanics of employing team teaching methods.


The Science Shelf

Gene Jockeys
Nicholas Rasmussen
The Johns Hopkins University Press
2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-4363
9781421413402, $35.00, www.press.jhu.edu

The biotech business emerged in the 1970s and 1980s when molecular biology and business pursuits joined, and it's been a profitable association ever since. Gene Jockeys is one of the few to offer an in-depth survey of the biotech projects that have led to big drugs and medical advancements in this country, and also differs from your usual science examination in using corporate documents from patent litigation to accompany interviews with biologists who worked to foster research that ultimately proved drug industry advancements. From the marriage of two different sectors to what the biotech enterprise means to science and business alike, this provides an engrossing blend of technical survey and business history recommended for science and business collections alike!

Blue Mind
Wallace J. Nichols
Little, Brown & Company
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780316252089, $27.00, www.hbgusa.com

BLUE MIND offers general-interest science readers an involving survey of how water acts upon one's psyche to stimulate positive chemical reactions, and comes from a marine biologist and conservationist who combines psychology, biology, neuroscience and ecosystem analysis with personal stories from a range of scientists, artists and beyond to consider how water and water analogies lead to positive human growth. Embracing one's 'blue mind' allows for greater energy and positive results: this book straddles the line between science and psychology and is a fine survey for any general collection.

It Started With Copernicus
Keith Parsons
Prometheus Books
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781616149291, $19.95, www.prometheusbooks.com

It Started With Copernicus: Vital Questions about Science tackles a range of questions about science's objectivity and scientific theories, and offers a blend of philosophy and science recommended for college-level students of either discipline. From how science handles skeptics to when and how it crosses the line into religion, chapters offer a synthesis of complicated ideas and easy language. The result is an accessible collection of scientific controversies and considerations especially recommended for college classroom discussion and debate.

Water & Wastewater Infrastructure
Frank R. Spellman
CRC Press
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
9781466517851, $129.95, www.crcpress.com

Water & Wastewater Infrastructure: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability is a recommendation for college-level reference collections in science and nature which are strong in environmental engineering, and describes various water and wastewater treatment approaches and what it means for sustainable energy in the area. Chapters provide case studies of facilities that have used technology to reduce their environmental impact, and point out various alternative power options and sustainable and renewable energy sources for treating wastewater. From conservation measures and analysis to special wastewater and water challenges, this surveys the extent of the industry's challenges and approaches to water and wastewater management, and is key for any collection strong in environmental engineering applications.


The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Off the Leash
Matthew Gilbert
St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9781250014221, $24.99, www.stmartins.com

OFF THE LEASH: A YEAR AT THE DOG PARK considers the dog park, its subculture, and the dog park folk who gather at Amory Park in Boston. In the course of describing his own change from an indoor couch potato to a dog park person, this celebrates the culture and feel of dog owners and how dog park life can lead to friendships and even romance. Any with an affection for dogs or their handlers will find this a fine blend of autobiography, animal insights, and humor and will appreciate the evolving insights on dogs and their owners.

Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Small Mammal, second edition
Barbara L. Oglesbee
Wiley-Blackwell
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
9780813820187, $99.99, www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell

The second updated edition of Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Small Mammal gathers all the latest information on diseases commonly seen in small exotic mammals, and is a 'must' for vet students and practicing clinicians alike. It provides the latest details on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases, adds new sections on chinchillas, guinea pigs, and rodents, and pairs 100 new topics with updates to any old topics, especially in the ferret and rabbit areas. An alphabetical arrangement lends to quick and easy vet reference, while keys to medicines, appropriate health and nursing care, patient monitoring and disease prevention, and possible complications rounds out information in a key coverage highly recommended for any veterinary science holding.

A Wolf Called Romeo
Nick Jans
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
9780547858197, $26.00, www.hmhco.com

A Wolf Called Romeo provides a powerful account of a lone black wolf Romeo and his six-year friendship with author Nick Jans in Alaska, and makes for an outstanding survey of an unusual friendship between a predator and a human. Romeo returned again and again, earned the entire town's trust despite a rocky beginning laden with suspicion, and even came to play with the town's pets. Any reader interested in natural history stories of uncommon friendships between human and wild animal will find this a moving, compelling story!

Owls
David Tipling and Jari Peltomaki
Evans Mitchell Books
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-0010
www.hbgusa.com
9781901268621, $16.95, www.embooks.co.uk

OWLS joins others in the 'Wildlife Monographs' series of photo wildlife books and gathers together a fine collection of owl photos of all kinds. Owls in flight, perching, close-ups of eyes and stature and in action pair with chapters of observations and natural history notes. It's the full-page visuals that make this an exceptional blend of facts and images, widely accessible by any with an affinity for owls. Other owl books pack in details, but the artistic photos carry this survey.


The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Hell With the Lid Blown Off
Donis Casey
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Ave., #103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
9781464202988, $24.95, www.poisonedpenpress.com

Hell With the Lid Blown Off provides a powerful mystery centered around family and community and is set in the summer of 1916, when a twister changes the town and kills one Jubal, a small-town gossip with a vicious tongue. One would think this would end trouble - but it's only beginning when it's discovered that Jubal was already dead before the storm, and that murder may have been involved. Sheriff Tucker has his hands full uncovering the perp in this fast-paced, involving drama.

Queen of Hearts
Rhys Bowen
Berkeley Prime Crime
c/o Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10014
9780425260364, $25.95, www.penguin.com

QUEEN OF HEARTS provides another Royal Spyness mystery in which Georgie is accompanying her mother to Reno for a quick divorce - only to become involved in an investigation of a jewel thief and in a murder. When she's literally left holding the bag, Lady Georgiana finds all her skills challenged in one of the most demanding investigations of her career. A multi-faceted mystery, this profile of Hollywood and high society intrigue will delight any mystery reader.


The Fiction Shelf

The Sixth Extinction
James Rollins
HarperCollins
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780061784811, $27.99, www.harpercollins.com

THE SIXTH EXTINCTION begins with high drama: a remote military research station's distress call ends with the command to 'kill us all' - and when rescuers from a neighboring base arrive, they discover that not only is everyone dead, but every living thing within fifty miles, down to bacteria, has been destroyed - and it's spreading. It's up to Commander Gray Pierce and Sigma to research the clues that lie in the world's distant past, revolve around an ancient continent, and reveal a new world threat that's slowly coming to life. Can Sigma stop the extinction of all mankind? An engrossing read packed with twists and powerful characters makes for a top recommendation for readers who enjoy blends of thrillers and apocalyptic stories.


The Crafts Shelf

Finding Style
Irina Miech
Kalmbach Books
21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612
9781627000581, $21.99, www.kalmbachbooks.com

Irina Meich is a jewelry designer who uses the latest new components in her works, and Finding Style is all about showcasing these components in nearly thirty projects accessible to jewelry-making novices and those with some experience. From metal buttons, beach stones, metal working and tassels to bezels and rivoli settings, this title covers all kinds of processes and how they work in projects for earrings, bracelets and necklaces, and includes the latest jewelry-making products. The result is a survey filled with insights and highly recommended, especially for those with some background who want to learn to work with the latest materials. Color photos abound.


The Art Shelf

Pastels Unleashed
Margaret Evans
Search Press USA
1338 Ross Street, Petaluma, CA 94954-1117
9781844489084, $24.95, www.searchpress.com

Pastels Unleashed comes from an author who uses innovative techniques with pastels, from wet to dry techniques, to get the most from the medium, and is a pick for artists already working in pastels who want more advanced direction to using them for greater results. It comes with step-by-step projects, innovative techniques for pastel usage, and is packed with color photo examples of the steps involved and the finished results. Any artist working in pastels will find this a winning survey!

Oil Painting with the Masters
Cindy Salaski
North Light Books
c/o F+W Media
700 East State Street, Iola WI 54945
9781440329937, $29.99, www.artistsnetwork.com

Oil Painting with the Masters: Essential Techniques From Today's Top Artists shares ten step-by-step painting demos by award-winning master artists who cover exceptional oil-painting techniques and give advice on everything from composition to brushwork and special effects. Work from these artists is featured in a lovely gallery of images while discussions for artists of every skill level discuss how to achieve polished, professional results from the oil medium. From traditional approaches to new innovations, this is packed with ideas for oil painters of all levels.


The Computer Shelf

Google Search Secrets
Christa Burns and Michael P. Sauers
Neal-Shuman Publishers
c/o American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
9781555709235, www.alastore.ala.org

Google Search Secrets offers a range of ideas on how Google specifically and web searching in general may be conducted more efficiently, and is recommended for users of Google. From better images and even weather maps from Google maps and webcams layers to searching blogs, using Google Scholar, and handling search results and tools for Google video and books, this considers both basic and advanced search techniques users and libraries will find valuable to locating even more precise information online. The result is a fine survey packed with precise examples and covering aspects of Google that searchers typically may not have used before, and is recommended for any computer reference collection.


The Social Issues Shelf

The Murder of the Middle Class
Wayne Allyn Root
Regnery Publishing
300 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
9781621572213, $27.99, www.regnery.com

The Murder of the Middle Class: How to Save Yourself and Your Family from the Criminal Conspiracy of the Century considers the dire warnings that the American economy is falling apart, from the rising number of people on welfare to the lack of savings and the falling credit ratings of typical American families and businesses alike - and then it points out changes that can be made to a scenario where Americans are becoming more dependent on the government. Intended as both an expose of government conspiracy at the highest levels and as a call to action, this offers solutions to save American capitalism, based on middle class strength, and is a fine account for any interested in American social class changes and challenges.

Extracted
Ugo Bardi
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
85 North Main Street, Suite 120, White River Junction, VT 05001
9781603585415, $24.95, www.chelseagreen.com

EXTRACTED: HOW THE QUEST FOR MINERAL WEALTH IS PLUNDERING THE PLANET provides a powerful survey about mineral depletion and comes from a scientist who provides a history of how minerals formed empires, prompted wars and the rise of civilization, and the influences that led to their use today. It considers mining developments, mining's effects on the environment, and explores changes minerals have brought to the world even as it all is changing. The result is a powerful survey of mineral history, rights, and social issues recommended for a wide range of collections.

Unruly Places
Alastair Bonnett
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
9780544101579, $25.00, www.hmhco.com

Unruly Places: Lost Spaces, Secret Cities, and other Inscrutable Geographies explores the most offbeat places on the planet - but it's not a travelogue, as one might expect. Instead it's a discussion of social geography and incorporates cartography, anthropology, social observation and travel to focus on improvised settlements, inaccessible zones and more, from abandoned platforms citizens claim as independent nations to how a patchwork city straddled national borders. It's all about reinvention and new definitions of geographical, social and political boundaries, and this discussion creates a powerful consideration for general-interest reader and social issues students alike.

The Digital Mystique
Sarah Granger
Seal Press
1700 - 4th Street, Berkeley, California 94710
9781580055147, $17.00, www.sealpress.com

The Digital Mystique: How the Culture of Connectivity Can Empower Your Life-Online and off comes from a social technology expert who explores the effects of increased connectivity among people. Her book focuses on how this connectivity and availability affects everyday lives and considers the positive effects of such connections, blending personal experiences, statistics, and insights into how individual thrive through social media, mobile devices, and more. Digital worlds can either be used to detriment or benefit: it's refreshing to note a title that outlines all the positive choices involved in connectivity.


The Cookbook Shelf

Flavors of the Middle East
Ghillie Basan
Ryland Peters & Small
519 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10012
9781849755375, $27.95, www.rylandpeters.com

Flavors of the Middle East: Spiced and Aromatic Recipes from the Ancient Lands is a recommendation for readers new to Middle Eastern foods and culture, and provides a pairing of lovely color photos with recipes for such traditional dishes and ingredients as Lemons Preserved in Salt, Lamb and Apricot Tagine with Ras el Hanut spice, and Fish Cakes with Apricots, Sunflower Seeds and Cinnamon. A delicious array of inviting flavors and spices permeate a collection filled with easy dishes that only require access to a good spice collection for successful completion.

Sunday Casseroles
Betty Rosbottom
Chronicle Books
680 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
9781452121208, $24.95, www.chroniclebooks.com

Sunday Casseroles should be in the collections of any who look for main-course cookbooks passed with ideas for providing effortless Sunday dishes, and goes beyond the usual idea of a 'casserole' to probe new approaches to main-dish suppers. From Individual Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheddar Gratins and Caraway Noodle Casserole with Black Forest Ham, Carrots, and Peas to Turkey Cutlets Baked in Gruyere and Onions, dishes are packed with flavor and innovative ideas and are anything but your usual cookbook of casseroles. They require a minimum of preparation and are suitable picks for the entire family, making this a highly recommended cookbook.

Marshmallows
Tim Kinnaird
Barron's
250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788
9781438004235, $17.99, www.barronseduc.com

MARSHMALLOWS: 100 MOUTHWATERING MARSHMALLOW TREATS is a lovely expansion on the idea of the traditional marshmallow, adding a host of flavor combinations and innovative techniques for making marshmallows flavored with green tea, pumpkin pie, espresso, and more. There are stuffed Lemon Curd Vanilla Marshmallows, PBJ Marshmallows, and unusual combinations such as a White Chocolate and Cardamom Marshmallow Mousse. Pack color photos throughout and you have a delicious, wonderful cookbook.

Charcuteria: The Soul of Spain
Jeffrey Weiss
Surrey Books
c/o Agate Publishing
1328 Greenleaf Street, Evanston, IL 60202
9781572841529, $39.95, www.agatepublishing.com

Charcuteria: The Soul of Spain is about a world-class cuisine that has, until now, not received a definitive coverage. This book offers an in-depth survey of authentic Spanish meat-curing techniques, pairing some 100 traditional Spanish recipes with lovely photos, step-by-step directions, and recipes that are prefaced by the author's own observations and experiences of the process. From Lomo Adobado, a dry cured pork loin in a casing done plancha-style, to a Chorizo Fresco that comes in various incarnations, these dishes offer a range of insights on Spanish meat and fish preparation and is a 'must' for any interested in world meat preparation in general and Spanish cuisine in particular.

Precious Cargo
Dave DeWitt
Counterpoint Press
1919 Fifth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710-1916
9781619023093, $28.00, www.counterpointpress.com

PRECIOUS CARGO: HOW FOODS FROM THE AMERICAS CHANGED THE WORLD discusses the global food trade which has been around for thousands of years, and provides a fine story of how many Western foods evolved to move around the world, create new trends, and even save other cultures from starvation. It offers a lively yet scholarly discussion of how these foods were transported around the world and accompanies its discussions with color images and illustrations to make for a lively, involving culinary history. Even more compelling: it arranges its discussions by foods and includes the botany and anthropology of New World foods, making for a discussion that's highly recommended for any fan of culinary history.

Pitt Cue Co.: The Cookbook
Tom Adams, et.al.
Mitchell Beazley
c/o Octopus Publishing
236 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781845339074, $34.99, www.octopuspublishing.com

Pitt Cue Co.: The Cookbook comes from one of London's most popular innovations, which began in 2011 with a food truck serving Southern US-style cuisine and slow-cooked dishes and evolved into a full-fledged Soho restaurant. It's the first cookbook from the Pitt cue Co. and packs in over a hundred signature recipes evolved from their restaurant, from pulled pork shoulder to slaws and even odd-sounding ice creams such as a Sticky Bourbon & Cola Pudding. The focus on taking Southern staples a level higher will delight any who harbor an affinity for barbecue and innovations on Southern fare.

The Kamado Smoker & Grill
Chris Grove
Ulysses Press
PO Box 3440, Berkeley CA 94703-3440
9781612433639, $24.95, www.ulyssespress.com

The Kamado Smoker & Grill does require a Kamado-style smoker to be successful, but any who aspire to own this egg-shaped Japanese unit will be delighted to have a cookbook devoted to its possibilities. This takes the form of over fifty tutorials that blend insights on the Kamado style of cooking with recipes designed to produce superior results. Discussions of its ceramics, design, vent controls and more are accompanied by dishes created for and tailored to the Kamado's unique approach, paired with color photos along with tips for successful results.

Frenchie: New Bistro Cooking
Greg Marchand
Artisan Books
c/o Workman Publishing Company
225 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014-4381
9781579655341, $22.95, www.artisanbooks.com

Frenchie: New Bistro Cooking uses anecdotes of cooking traditional French food beginning at age 15 to his journey through culinary school and experiences cooking around the world to explore his education in and involvement with French cuisine, and pairs this with recipes for seasonal creations that will delight French home cooks. It's a fine blend of his personal culinary evolution and philosophy, French cooking techniques, and dishes infused with both the seasons and culture of France. The result is both an inviting read and a compelling cookbook, highly recommended for French home chefs.

Ms. American Pie
Beth Howard
Race Point Publishing
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1722
www.quartous.com
9781937994686, $28.00, www.racepointpublishing.com

Yet another pie cookbook, when there are already so many on the market? But Ms. American Pie: Buttery Good Pie Recipes and Bold Tales from the American Gothic House holds something different: it comes from a chef at California's Malibu Kitchen who has tailored pies for celebrities. She even drove 240 pies in an RV from Iowa to Newtown, Connecticut in 2012. And she runs the popular Pitchfork Pie Stand out of the parlor of the Iowa American Gothic house every summer, so her devotion to pies goes far beyond the usual cook. And so does her cookbook. Expect color photos paired with some 80 of her recipes to accompany tales of her driving her pies coast to coast in a fun presentation for any dessert fan.

Away from the Kitchen
Dawn Blume Hawkes
She Writes Press
97811938314360, $28.95, www.shewritespress.com

Away from the Kitchen: Untold Stories, Private Menus, Guarded recipes, and Insider Tips pairs lovely photos of chefs and foods with recipes designed to invite home cooks to the kitchen, and shares the lives of chefs from across the country who present their stories and menus. Accounts from both inside and outside the kitchen are culled from private interviews to consider what it means to be a chef in a modern culinary environment. The blend of personal stories and culinary insights and dishes makes for a colorful compendium recommended for any general collection.

Mexican Flavors
Hugh Carpenter and Teri Sandison
Andrews McMeel Publishing
1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO 64106-2109
9781449453664, $35.00, www.andrewsmcmeel.com

MEXICAN FLAVORS: CONTEMPORARY RECIPES FROM CAMP SAN MIGUEL comes from a cooking teacher and his photographer wife who join forces to provide recipes inspired by his cooking school, located in the mountains north of Mexico City. If you're expecting the usual Mexican standards, this is not it: instead, enjoy contemporary Mexican cuisine that takes tradition and adds more than a dose of innovation with such dishes as Quesadillas with Papaya and Brie, Cilantro Soup with Prawns, and Grilled Flatiron Steak with Tangerine Salsa. Dishes are spicy, fresh, easy to construct, and paired with color photos throughout: what's not to love? Recommended not for those interested in traditional fare, but for readers looking for new, contemporary food with a Mexican influence.


The Wine Shelf

Wine and Climate Change
L.L. Johnson-Bell
Burford Books
101 East State Street, #301, Ithaca, NY 14850
www.burfordbooks.com
9781580801744, $18.95, www.burfordbooks.com

Wine and Climate Change links discussions about changing climate with insights on where winemakers make wine and how changing weather is testing their routines and abilities. The classic regions producing fine wines are getting hotter and the response is to adopt new ways of producing high-quality wines to make up for these changes. From why climate is key to better grapes to how changes affect wine and grapes, each major wine region in the world is analyzed for trends and likely responses. The result is a fine book that will appeal to any interested in winemaking and growing's greatest challenges.


The Agriculture Shelf

Sustainable Animal Agriculture
Ermias Kebread, Editor
Cabi
c/o Stylus Publishing, Inc.
22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166-2012
9781780640426, $180.00, www.stylus.com

Sustainable Animal Agriculture offers an in-depth discussion of the various systems used in agriculture and its energy use, and is a recommended pick for college-level agricultural students who want an evaluation of the environmental considerations involved in sustainable animal agriculture. It's a global discussion; so don't expect just regional Americana here: topics range from animal welfare and feeding to managing manure and animal systems, and are packed with bibliographic references for further reading. Highly recommended for any collection strong in agriculture or its environmental impact.

Integrated Forest Gardening
Wayne Weiseman, et.al.
Chelsea Green Publishing Company
85 North Main Street, Suite 120, White River Junction, VT 05001
9781603584975, $45.00, www.chelseagreen.com

Integrated Forest Gardening: The Complete Guide to Polycultures and Plant Guilds in Permaculture Systems follows the permaculture movement and the idea of creating 'plant guilds', and offers the first book about these guilds, form what they are and how to design them to developing perennial agricultural systems that thrive without expensive inputs. The guild concept takes advantage of plant relationships to establish supportive ecosystems balancing species and needs. This book details some fifteen such guilds and their management, and pairs discussions with color photos throughout. The result is a comprehensive guide packed with questions, answers, and processes recommended for any who want a clear understanding of how these systems work.


The Health/Medicine Shelf

Genetic Syndromes and Applied Behavior Analysis
Dorothy Griffiths, et.al.
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Inc.
400 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
9781849054515, $65.00, www.jkp.com

Genetic Syndromes and Applied Behavior Analysis: A Handbook for ABA Practitioners is recommended to a wide audience, from health professionals and educators to parents, and links genetics and biology with a better understanding of behavioral issues. It tells how to integrate syndrome knowledge into ABA practice for more effective handling of children with specific genetic syndromes, and it offers sections on genetic intellectual disability syndromes and ABA methods as well.

Dental Herbalism
Leslie M. Alexander, PhD, RH(AHG)
Linda A. Straub-Bruce, BS Ed., RDH
Healing Arts Press
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
9781620551950, $19.95, www.innertraditions.com

There are relatively few books on the market addressing alternative dental care strategies, which is why Dental Herbalism: Natural Therapies for the Mouth is key to understanding the foundations of better oral health. Recipes for herbal toothpastes and rinses, teas for prevention, and daily care insights offer the latest research on links between poor oral health and disease and risk factors, while chapters explore proper oral hygiene for preventing problems or maintaining implants and braces. From diet to oral health care at different stages of life, this is a powerful survey designed for herbal-oriented users interested in improving their overall routines and oral health.


The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Alien: Sea of Sorrows
James A. Moore
Titan Books
144 Southwark Street, London SE1 OUP, UK
9781783292851, $7.99, www.titanbooks.com

Alien: Sea of Sorrows offers the second book in the official trilogy: this one offering new action in a follow-up to Alien: Out of the Shadows. It continues events, adds new twists, and appears on the 35th anniversary of the original film Alien, which spawned such a vivid genre of horror. Any who enjoy blends of science fiction and horror, especially those who appreciated both the original Alien and Out of the Shadows, will find this a satisfying, involving continuation of the theme.

The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma
Brian Herbert
Tor
c/o Tor/Forge Books
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9780765332547, $25.99, www.tor-forge.com

The Little Green Book of Chairman Rahma posits a different kind of future world in which green living has become a dictatorship and North and South America function under a single utopian government, the Green States of America, led by Chairman Rahma. Most citizens live in packed reservations to the land can be reverted back to nature, while the edicts of their government is cemented by the words in The Little Green Book, which features their leader's idealistic quotes. It may be an ecological paradise but for humans it's a nightmare, achieved through a brutal government and a green police state that is dangerously singular in its focus. Herbert has created a different, engrossing story line that will involve and intrigue readers interested in dystopian novels strong in political presentation, making this a strong choice for any sci-fi collection.

Strike Three
Joy V. Smith
WolfSinger Publications
9781936099658, $12.95, www.wolfsingerpubs.com

Because of the 'hot virus', World War III's scenario is more deadly than any nuclear-powered conflict, and the missiles fired during conflict are far more deadly than any conventional battle could have envisioned. But the message of Strike Three isn't just about altered warfare, but altered survival mechanisms honed by feisty protagonists who seek to start over, against all odds and against the backdrop of an Earth devastated on many different levels. Against this scenario are a series of vivid protagonists who battle for not just survival but a revised world - and within their efforts to rise again will be the rudiments of a new kind of humanity. Strike Three is exceptional reading for any who enjoy apocalyptic stories, and offers many twists and turns unpredictable even for avid readers of end-of-world sagas.

Blood Pact
Tanya Huff
Daw Books, Inc.
c/o Penguin Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780756408497, $15.00, www.dawbooks.com

Blood Pact adds to a series begun in Blood Price in 1991 - a book that neatly established the genre of modern urban fantasy and detective novel blends - but requires no prior familiarity with the Blood books in order to prove compelling. This reviewer had not seen the prior books, but readily absorbed the protagonist of feisty P.I. Vicki, who is loved by two unlikely compatriots: a vampire and a Toronto homicide detective. As Vicki faces her mother's unexpected death, she also faces her impossible resurrection and an investigation that becomes all too personal not only for Vicki, but for the two contenders of her life. All must find a way to live with themselves and each other, while battling to find the truth behind a series of reincarnations that could be a deadly portent of science to come. Powerful protagonists, an evil doctor, and the living dead are all bound in a mystery that succeeds on many levels, recommended for science fiction and mystery fans alike.

The Magician's Land
Lev Grossman
Viking Books
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780670015672, $27.95, www.penguin.com

The Magician's Land concludes the 'Magicians' trilogy, is recommended for prior readers who have awaited an end to the story begun in The Magicians and The Magician King, and provides a powerful fantasy that is both a coming of age story and the tale of how Quentin returns to his magic school to make a new life as a teacher even as demons catch up to him and return him to old friends and problems. He discovers a powerful spell that could create a new magical land - but at what cost? The saga is as gripping as its predecessors and nearly impossible to put down.

Skin of the Wolf
Sam Cabot
Blue Rider Press
c/o Penguin Group USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
9780399162961, $26.95, www.blueriderpress.com

Skin of The Wolf continues where the prior Blood of the Lamb left off, returning to a world where vampires walk among men and search for a peace that may be impossible. Here the protagonists of Lamb embark on another quest; this one to capture an artifact with powers that could destroy millions. A wolf mask holds the secret of the vampires, involves a werewolf and a murderer, and leads to a search that will involve all the Noantri and a young Native American detective in a desperate race against time. With a gripping story line, this is a tale that will immerse readers of novels, thrillers, and mysteries alike.

Rescue Mode
Ben Bova
Baen Books
PO Box 1188, Wake Forest NC 27588
9781476736471, $25.00, www.baen.com

RESCUE MODE tells of the first human mission to Mars which ends with a meteoroid strike on the ship when it's too far from home to return. The crew will be left to struggle on Mars - if they can get there. On earth political factions are fighting about the event even as the astronauts face the near-certainty that they'll either be first to die on another world or will die in space. This powerful saga of endurance will please a wide audience, from those who enjoy political sci-fi to those who like stories of survival in space. Characterization is powerful, plot is finely tuned to make the most of conflict, and the story is hard to put down.


The Business Shelf

The Intel Trinity
Michael S. Malone
HarperCollins
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
9780062226761, $34.99, www.harpercollins.com

The Intel Trinity: How Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore, and Andy Grove Built the World's Most Important Company comes from a Silicon Valley journalist who considers the ups and downs of a corporation that started in 1968 from the efforts of two semiconductor pioneers and today is still a powerful industry force. Intel's creations changed the nature of the world with its microprocessors and inventions - but this was despite, not because of, its corporate structure. Chapters explore revolutionary marketing decisions, what moves made Intel an industry leader, and why Intel today remains a miracle. The author's access to Intel's archives contributes to an authoritative, powerful survey recommended for business and computer history readers alike.

The Complete Guide to Running Successful Workshops & Seminars
Kristie Lorette
Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
1405 S.W. 6th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471
9781601386137, $24.95, www.atlantic-pub.com

The Complete Guide to Running Successful Workshops & Seminars offers business readers everything they need to plan ad present a conference - even if you've never held one before. Chapters discuss the blossoming field of seminars and involve employees, professionals and others and show how to put together a conference that avoids common pitfalls and focuses on success. From understanding the structural possibilities of the workshop or conference format to creating a team of professionals who can deliver quality information to audiences, this covers all the basics and is a key acquisition for any who would successfully oversee or conduct their own conference or seminar.

The Tech Entrepreneur's Survival Guide
Bernd Schoner, PhD
McGraw-Hill Professional
1221 Avenue of the Americas, 45th Floor, New York, NY 10020
9780071823975, $28.00, www.mhprofessional.com

The Tech Entrepreneur's Survival Guide: How to Bootstrap Your Startup, lead Through Tough Times, and Cash in for Success comes from an author who cofounded his own tech startup during the dot-com bust, ran it through years of market crises and financial meltdown, and eventually sold it to a multibillion-dollar public technology company. So he's in the perfect position to share both knowledge and what he wished he'd know about the business of being a tech entrepreneur. From different, predictable cycles in an evolving tech company's life to avoiding typical problems and handling everything from initial growth to venture-capital financing, this moves from beginning to end in discussing the basics of evolving and selling a successful tech company, and is a 'must' for any tech entrepreneur; especially those just starting out.

The Innovation Paradox
Tony Davila and Marc J. Epstein
Berrett-Koehler Publishers Inc.
235 Montgomery Street, Suite 650, San Francisco, CA 94104-2916
9781609945534, $29.95, www.bkconnection.com

The Innovation Paradox: Why Good Businesses Kill Breakthroughs and How They Can Change discusses major innovations that have stemmed from startups and small companies, and discuss the process by which success is achieved through these breakthroughs. Ironically, these very processes responsible for success often prevent larger companies from developing these same breakthroughs. Examples from startups and long-term innovators alike draw direct connections between corporate structure, management systems, and incentive plans and either the success or failure of innovation efforts. Any who manage a growing business dependent on such innovative thinking will find this a valuable guide.

Buying and Selling Information
Michael L. Bruenberg
Information Today Inc.
143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055-8750
9781573874786, $49.50, www.infotoday.com

Buying and Selling Information: A Guide for Information Professionals and Salespeople to Build Mutual Success comes from a veteran of the electronic information field who has over thirty years experience selling information to all kinds of libraries. His tips and strategies is directed to any sales professional interested in library customers, and pairs personal stories from both sides with a focus on how to achieve the best outcomes from the business of selling to library and information markets. The result is a fine collection that will attract not only salespeople but information center managers and librarians alike.

Careers in Renewable Energy, second edition
Gregory McNamee
Pixyjack Press
PO Box 149, Masonville, CO 80541
9781936555529, $20.00, www.PixyJackPress.com

The second updated edition of Careers in Renewable Energy documents numerous job opportunities in this rapidly-blossoming industry, from blue-collar to white-collar positions, and shows how to build a career in everything form green building and energy management to green transportation, alternative energy resources, and more. Similar books cover technical and engineering opportunities, but this focus on research and development, sales positions, project management and more along with its documentation of workshops, trade schools, and professional associations makes it a top recommendation over any other.

Digital Branding
Daniel Rowles
Kogan Page USA
1518 Walnut Street, Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19102
9780749469955, $29.95, www.koganpageusa.com

Digital Branding: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Strategy, Tactics and Measurement provides step-by-step insights on how to build a brand online, and explores everything from social media and search optimization to web analytics and brand planning for campaigns and promotions. Real-world case studies pair with examines of policies and approaches to digital branding that embraces the basics of online etiquette, business practice and global marketing strategies, making this a 'must' for any interested in online digital branding opportunities.

The Alliance
Reid Hoffman, Ben Casnocha and Chris Yeh
Harvard Business Review Press
c/o Harvard Business School Press
60 Harvard Way, Boston, MA 02163
9781625275776, $25.00, www.hbr.org/books

THE ALLIANCE: MANAGING TALENT IN THE NETWORKED AGE introduces a new, realistic loyalty pact between employer and employee and considers the problems of the old model of guaranteed long-term employment that no longer works in an environment of ongoing change. The solution to the dilemmas that follow is for employers to reject thinking about workers as either family or independent agents, but to think of them as allies, instead. This perception allows managers to engage employees in company changes and encourages a win-win situation for mutual benefit. Since this kind of trust has eroded in the modern workplace, chapters show how to create this new alliance and put it to work for the benefit of all concerned, and make for an important new approach to business environments.

Customer Experience 3.0
John A. Goodman
Amacom Books
1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780814433881, $24.95, www.amacombooks.org

Customer Experience 3.0: High-Profit Strategies in the Age of Techno Service identifies a common problem in business management when business leaders who place a priority on using technology to improve services add this facet to outdated processes that can't support it. From investing specialist customer assistance with the authority to solve problems to blending technological tools with advanced service, this offers insights on how technology can be used to help employees and customers work together more efficiently. By identifying ways in which this process fails, Customer Experience 3.0 offers a better formula for success in a series of winning strategies any size business can employ.


The California Shelf

The Trouble With Gumballs
James Nelson
Rolly Bolly Press
9780615848068, $9.95, www.karmabennett.com

The Trouble With Gumballs is set in 1950s Sonoma County, California, and provides a fun blend of memoir and entrepreneurial adventure as it tells of how his little gumball business leads to lessons in life and business alike. The author moved to Sonoma County in 1952 with the simple desires to write a novel and spend time for his family. An ad that promised, $100 income a month for four hours of work sounded too good to be true in the 1950s - but it would lead to the effort to roll a gumball empire into success, with all its concurrent challenges and often-absurd characters. Family matters and income woes juxtapose with business insights in a fun read that moves back and forth between the personal and hard business lessons of life - all steeped in Sonoma County culture. A fun memoir, The Trouble with Gumballs is recommended even for audiences who usually don't pursue business stories.

Sabato Rodia's Towers in Watts
Luisa Del Giudice, Editor
Fordham University Press
2546 Belmont Avenue
University Box L, Bronx, NY 10458-5172
9780823257973, $45.00, www.fordhampress.com

Sabato Rodia's Towers in Watts: Art, Migrations, Development is recommended for college-level studies in arts, culture, sociology, Italian-American heritage, and California history alike; so it's a top collection of essays chronicling many aspects of Rodia's productions. The Watts Towers were created by a single artist who worked for over three decades to 'do something big'. His lifelong desire and achievement is now a National Historic Landmark and this collection offers new examinations of his purposes, achievement, and influences. From the Watts Tower's relationship to historic sites of human suffering to racial politics and the Watts Art Center, this is a far-reaching examination that does justice to the social and cultural influences on the arts in general and Los Angeles in particular.

California
Edan Lepucki
Little, Brown & Company
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780316250818, $26.00, www.littlebrown.com

California blends the best elements of a survival story of post-apocalypse experience with local color as it documents Cal and Frida, who have made their home in the wilderness after leaving the ruins of Los Angeles behind. They seem set on survival - until Frida discovers she's pregnant, making isolation a bad choice. Their journey to a settlement that harbors its own dark secrets and dangers amidst the aftermath of destruction makes for an engrossing story of a couple's determination to live on in a novel replete with powerful characters and believable, stark events.

The Rush
Edward Dolnick
Little, Brown & Company
c/o Hachette Book Group
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780316175685, $28.00, www.littlebrow.com

The Rush: America's Fevered Quest for Fortune, 1848-1853 offers a new account of those who borrowed money, quit jobs, and followed the promise of the gold rush, and offers a collection of first-person accounts packed with diaries and letters between husbands and wives and any with an interest in gold. It depicts wealth and ruin, fortunes made and lost, and ideals that drove some 90,000 new citizens to the west in search of a fortune. The prospectors embarked on a frenzy that would later lead to the state's expansion and evolution: The Rush details politics and events in a vivid chronicle highly recommended for any California history shelf and many a general-interest collection.


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


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